Category: DJF

MIL-OSI Analysis: People smugglers adapt to attempts to shut them down – financial sanctions won’t stop the boats

Source: The Conversation – UK – By David Suber, Departmental Lecturer in Criminology, University of Oxford

In the latest attempt to crack down on irregular migration, the UK government has announced a raft of international sanctions against people smugglers. The sanctions will use asset freezes, travel bans and other financial restrictions to go after businesses and individuals thought to be facilitating smuggling operations.

The government has committed to treating irregular migration as a national security threat, to be tackled with tools drawn from the counter-terrorism playbook. But, given the supply and demand forces that drive the smuggling industry, sanctions may not be effective.

Smuggling is, essentially, a service industry. Opportunistic entrepreneurs charge migrants a fee to enable them to cross borders they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

These operations rely on wide networks: suppliers of dinghies and vehicles, informal money transfer brokers, local guides skilled at avoiding detection. While the routes and logistics vary across regions, empirical research consistently shows that smuggling is usually low-skill and fragmented. It’s rarely the domain of organised, mafia-style cartels.

This regime of sanctions and asset freezes adds a new tactic to a familiar policy toolbox. Previous Conservative governments and EU countries have treated smuggling as a form of organised crime that can only be defeated through security responses. They’ve invested in surveillance, border walls and policing at home and internationally. Evidence suggests this approach is not only ineffective – it can backfire.

Why sanctions may miss the target

Smugglers and migrants alike operate in highly hostile environments. Evading detection and minimising risk is essential. This has made migrant smuggling particularly adaptable to criminal justice responses.

Take money transfers between migrants and smugglers. Smuggling fees are often handled through the informal “hawala” money transfer system. A migrant deposits funds with a broker in the departure country, who holds the money and issues a code. Only once the migrant has safely arrived at their destination is the code released to a second broker, who then pays the smuggler. Debts between hawala brokers are settled when future operations move money in the opposite direction.

Hawala money transfers are legal in most countries. But as no funds cross borders directly, this type of informal banking lends itself well to transactions that are anonymous and untraceable. The UK’s new sanctions target hawala brokers involved in handling payments between smugglers and their clients. But, in the same way that the structures of smuggling groups have evolved and adapted in response to police or border enforcement, so will their systems to move money safely.

Follow the money: the new sanctions take aim at the business of smuggling.
Andrzej Rostek/Shutterstock

On heavily policed borders such as those in the Balkans, small-scale smugglers, often migrants themselves, have formed more coordinated groups bonded by ethnicity or language. Many of the groups listed in the UK sanctions, such as the Kazawi and Tatwani groups, have been on Interpol’s radar for years.

Even when key figures are arrested, these groups have demonstrated the ability to disband and regroup on a different border. Sometimes they go quiet while developing new strategies, only to resurface in the same areas, driven by unchanged demand in smuggling services. Hawala brokers hit by the new sanction regime are likely to close and restart operations under different names.

How effective can UK sanctions be if the targets and their assets are not in the UK, and if their operations can quickly shift across borders and names? Unless other countries follow suit and enforce similar measures, these sanctions may amount to little more than politically symbolic.

Supply and demand

So long as migration policy focuses almost exclusively on “smashing the gangs” and targeting the supply side of irregular migration, smugglers and other entrepreneurs involved in facilitating it are likely to reinvent themselves and find new, more precarious ways to circumvent border restrictions.

Unless implemented internationally, UK sanctions will do little to change this. But international counter-smuggling responses are highly dependant on the specific circumstances faced by the states involved.

In Italy, right and left-leaning governments have pursued an anti-mafia approach to smuggling for years, with limited results. Earlier this year, Italian authorities arrested suspected trafficker Osama Elmasry Njeem, following a warrant by the International Criminal Court on charges of murder, rape and torture.

They then released him and repatriated him to Libya, sparking a row with the ICC. Although Italy has made deals with with the Libyan government in Tripoli to stop irregular migrant boats, it appears there were concerns that his arrest could strain relations with Libyan counterparts and trigger a surge in boat arrivals from North Africa. This situation highlights the challenges that can arise with such tactics.

The idea that cracking down on smugglers, through sanctions or criminal justice responses, will deter people from seeking their services is not supported by evidence. If anything, it increases the risks migrants must take, making journeys more dangerous but no less likely. Migration flows to Europe rise and fall in patterns driven far more by global instability and lack of legal alternatives than by changes in law enforcement.

Including smugglers in a sanctions regime may create headlines, but it misses the bigger point: people smuggling exists because people need to move. It is a demand-led phenomenon, and it is the demand side – why people turn to smugglers in the first place – that remains largely unaddressed.

To reduce the power and appeal of smugglers, governments need to open safe, legal pathways for migration. This would reduce reliance on illicit networks, protect vulnerable people and restore order to a system that is politically defined by routine crises.

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David Suber received funding from the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council for his PhD in 2020-2024.

– ref. People smugglers adapt to attempts to shut them down – financial sanctions won’t stop the boats – https://theconversation.com/people-smugglers-adapt-to-attempts-to-shut-them-down-financial-sanctions-wont-stop-the-boats-261864

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Gradual v sudden collapse: what magnets teach us about climate tipping points

Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Dearing, Emeritus Professor of Physical Geography, University of Southampton

Andrey VP / shutterstock

Some of Earth’s largest climate systems may collapse not with a bang, but with a whimper. Surprisingly, experiments with magnets are helping us understand how.

We now widely accept that greenhouse gases and the way we use natural resources are putting enormous stress on the world’s climate and ecosystems. It’s also well known that even small increases in stress can push Earth systems, like rainforests, ice sheets or ocean currents, past tipping points, leading to major and often irreversible changes.

But there’s a lot we still don’t know about tipping points. When might they happen? What will they look like? And what should we do about them?

Some local tipping points have already been reached. For example, many lakes have abruptly shifted in the past few decades from clear water to slimy, algae-choked pools, usually in response to fertilisers running off nearby farmland.

Smaller systems, like this pond, can very suddenly shift from one state to another.
Janet J / shutterstock

For larger systems, like the entire Amazon forest or the West Antarctic ice sheet, the longer timescales involved mean direct observation – and certainly experiments – are impossible.

But we can look for clues elsewhere. In fact, we can now learn about tipping points from something much smaller and far more controllable: magnets.

Magnets have tipping points too

In our recent research, we used magnetic materials to mimic the behaviour of an ecosystem stressed by global warming. Just like Earth’s climate systems, magnets can tip from one stable state to another – flipping from positive to negative – when pushed hard enough.

We found that magnets don’t all flip the same way. Some shift abruptly – a characteristic of many hard materials. Others shift smoothly and more easily – as commonly found with soft magnets.

Whether a magnet collapses abruptly or smoothly is determined by its structure. As a general rule, hard materials are simple structures that absorb stress up to a point and then suddenly flip – much like a small, well-mixed lake that stays clear until one day, when enough fertiliser has leaked in, it turns green and slimy almost overnight.

Soft magnets, on the other hand, are more complex inside. Different parts respond to stress at different rates. This is similar to a large forest, where some species can handle rising temperatures but others are less resilient.

The result is a reorganisation. Some species die out, others take over, and the whole system gradually transitions into a different type of forest – or even into a new ecosystem like a grassland.

Some Earth systems are more prone to abrupt collapse.
Steve Allen / shutterstock

The same principles may apply beyond biology. Ocean currents and ice sheets with their many varied and moving parts might also behave like soft magnets, reorganising gradually rather than collapsing in one sudden movement.

Softer systems are easier to flip back

Our experiments with magnets uncovered something else with implications for Earth’s climate systems and their tipping points.

The softer a system is, the easier it is to reverse the change – but only if you act before the stress builds up. If the pressure has built up too much, even soft systems start behaving like hard ones, flipping suddenly and dramatically.

We also found that what may look like a soft and complex system – a whole rainforest or ice sheet, for instance – can be made up of lots of smaller hard elements. Each of these elements has its own sensitivity to a specific level of stress. Zoom in far enough, and you’ll see many more abrupt tipping points at the level of a single lake or patch of trees.

This matters because the speed of change is just as important as the amount. In magnets, the faster we applied stress, the more likely they were to tip suddenly. Climate systems seem to behave the same way: the faster we heat the world, the greater the risk of sudden collapse.

If we see these big complex systems slowly shifting and think there’s still time to act – we may be wrong. Like the proverbial frogs in boiling water, we may not notice we have passed the point of no return until it is too late.

This is why we must watch closely, especially at the local level, for any warning signs. A patch of wetland drying out or a small tract of forest dying back. These might seem like small changes, but they may signal a much larger decline is already underway.

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John Dearing is a member of the Green Party of England and Wales.

Roy Thompson and Simon Willcock do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Gradual v sudden collapse: what magnets teach us about climate tipping points – https://theconversation.com/gradual-v-sudden-collapse-what-magnets-teach-us-about-climate-tipping-points-258606

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How the UK’s cold weather payments need to change to help prevent people freezing in winter

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Thomas Longden, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University

DimaBerlin/Shutterstock

The UK government recently expanded the warm home discount by removing restrictions that had previously excluded many people who can’t always afford to heat their homes. Now, the payment of £150 will be received by 2.7 million more households than last winter.

The UK government has also reversed its decision to limit winter fuel payments to only the poorest pensioners. This could benefit up to 9 million people.

The UK government has two other mechanisms for reducing heating costs over winter. The warm home discount and winter fuel payment are both one-off payments that help people pay their heating bills. The cold weather payment aims to support people during spells of very cold weather.

Recipients of specific means-tested benefits in England, Wales and Northern Ireland automatically receive £25 after cold weather occurs in their region. Another policy applies in Scotland, where some people get a single winter heating payment.

While these changes to the winter fuel payment and warm home discount are welcome, the cold weather payment has long been seen as an outdated, old-fashioned scheme in need of change. For example, it is paid after cold weather happens. Our research indicates that it can be improved by changing this.

The wide use of smart meters means that researchers like us can now produce data-driven studies that improve our understanding of energy use and expenditure during cold weather. Our recent studies of prepayment meter customers’ energy use indicate ways to improve the cold weather payments.

Analysis of electricity and gas smart-meter data from 11,500 Utilita Energy prepayment customers showed that 63% of households self-disconnected from energy supply at least once a year. In this study, published in Energy Research & Social Science, we found that more homes self-disconnected from gas during cold periods than at other times. There was no evidence to show that the cold weather payment as presently designed reduced this risk.

Also using smart meter data from energy company Utilita Energy, a recent study published in the journal Energy Economics shows that prepayment gas customers in regions with high fuel poverty tend to struggle at temperatures below −4°C. Below this temperature, prepayment gas customers need to top up more often and with higher amounts. People using prepayment tend to top-up their credit in advance of cold weather.

Cold weather payments could be sent directly to customers with smart meters.
Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock

In colder weather, more people use emergency credit and disconnect from power more often. Emergency credit is provided by the utility as a short-term loan. Self-disconnections occur when the household has no credit left and they have no energy supply.

The government’s payment is triggered when the average temperature falls below 0°C for seven consecutive days. As this metric is not reported by news media or meteorology services, it’s hard to know when the cold weather payment will be received. The easiest way to find out if a payment will be made, after cold weather, requires people to enter their postcode at a Department for Work and Pensions website.

If people are unsure if severe weather is forecast, they may not increase their top-up in advance. They may, however, self-ration or limit energy use to save money.

The cold weather payment is only paid once even when there are multiple periods of cold. This “overlap penalty” severely affects those living in northern England and particularly Yorkshire, which is a colder region where cold weather spells are more common.

Cause for reform

The payment should be made in advance of cold weather, and utility companies could pay it directly to customers who have smart meters. Credits could be applied for those using other types of meters. This is likely to reduce self-disconnections and self-rationing during very cold nights.

Payments should be triggered by the minimum night-time temperature. The temperature measure used at present is confusing and the money is not paid until up to two weeks after extremely cold weather, which is problematic for those on tight budgets.

To better match the support needed during cold weather, the amount paid should be increased to £10 a day for every day that minimum temperatures are forecast to be below −4°C. This would improve energy security for people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A policy will only be effective when it is clearly communicated and understood by those it applies to. To prevent self-rationing, people need to know that payment support has arrived, otherwise they may hesitate to turn up the heating on the coldest days of winter, with all the risks that involves.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

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Thomas Longden has recently received funding from Energy Consumers Australia and Original Power – a community-focused, Aboriginal organisation. He is a member of the ACT Climate Change Council and the NSW branch of the Economic Society of Australia.

Brenda Boardman is affiliated in the UK with the End Fuel Poverty Coalition and the Labour Party. Her research on pre-payment meter households was co-funded by Utilita Giving.

Tina Fawcett currently receives funding from UKRI. Her research on pre-payment meter households was co-funded by Utilita Giving.

– ref. How the UK’s cold weather payments need to change to help prevent people freezing in winter – https://theconversation.com/how-the-uks-cold-weather-payments-need-to-change-to-help-prevent-people-freezing-in-winter-259339

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Many tongues, one people: the debate over linguistic diversity in India

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sudhansu Bala Das, Postdoctoral researcher in Linguistics, University of Galway

India is a home to numerous ancient and linguistically rich languages across its many regions. In a single home, a young person may speak, for example, Odia (the language spoken in the eastern state of Odisha) with their grandparents, switch to English for homework, and enjoy listening to Hindi songs on YouTube.

Far from being confusing, this coexistence is necessary and natural. It’s a hallmark of a nation where language diversity is embraced as a strength rather than being a barrier to be overcome.

India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, reflected this attitude in February this year when he remarked that there had “never been any animosity among Indian languages”. He was speaking at a major literary conference in the state of Maharashtra, where the vast majority of people, 84 million out of a population of 112 million, speak Marathi as a first language with Hindi a distant second.

“[Indian languages] have always influenced and enriched each other, he said. “It is our social responsibility to distance ourselves from such misconceptions and embrace and enrich all languages.” His remarks reinforced a broader message: that linguistic diversity is not a barrier, but a shared cultural strength that binds India together.

But language can also be a politically divisive issue in such a diverse country. And Modi and members of his government have been criticised for words and actions seen as trying to shape the use of Hindi, English and other languages within India. Because of the country’s linguistic complexity, the situation is always more complicated to navigate than it might first appear.

India has a total of around 19,500 languages or dialects that are spoken as mother tongues, according to the 2011 census. Of those, 22 languages are recognised as official under the Indian constitution.

The 2011 census found that 44% of Indians, about 528 million people, speak Hindi as their first language (meaning what is spoken at home). Similarly, around 57% of people use it as a second or third language.

That means Hindi has a broad presence across regions, but it exists alongside many other languages with equal value, including Marathi, Bengali (97 million), Telugu (81 million), Tamil (69 million) and Meitei (1.8 million).

First, second and third language speakers in India, according to the 2011 census.
2011 Indian census, CC BY-NC-SA

At the national level, India has two official languages: Hindi and English. Hindi is used for communication within the central government, while English is widely used in legal, administrative and international affairs. Each state can choose its own official language(s) for state-level governance. For example, Tamil Nadu uses Tamil, Maharashtra uses Marathi, and so on.

But in daily life, people often switch between languages depending on where they are and who they are speaking to, at home, at work, or in public spaces. According to the 2011 census, nearly one in four Indians said they could speak at least two languages, and over 7% said they could speak three.

India introduced a three-language formula in education the 1960s. This policy guideline encouraged students to learn three languages: their regional mother tongue, Hindi (if it is not already their first language) and English. This was intended to produce a flexible and inclusive approach across different states.

In 2020, the Modi government introduced a new national education policy that gave states more flexibility to pick which two Indian languages should be taught alongside English, but made the recommendation compulsory in all states. This has led to a backlash in several states because some fear it effectively introduces Hindi teaching by the backdoor and will dilute the use of other languages.

There is also considerable debate in India about the role of English, which about 10.6% of Indians speak to some degree but some believe is a relic of colonial rule. Modi himself has suggested this is the case and has taken action to reduce the official use of English, for example in medical schools.

However, he has also acknowledged the importance of English, particularly in global communication, and spoken of the value all Indian languages bring to the country’s unity and progress. “It is our duty to embrace all languages,” he told the audience in Maharashtra, adding that Indian languages, including English, “have always enriched each other and formed the foundation of our unity”.

Many see the language as a link between the many linguistic communities of India. Others see it is a tool for social mobility, especially for lower castes. Some have even accused the government of wanting to discourage English in order to maintain social privileges and promote the dominance of Hindi.

On the other hand, the 2020 national education policy mandates the teaching of English. It recommends bilingual textbooks in English and local languages, and that English should be taught “wherever possible” alongside mother tongues in primary education.

The government is also taking steps to make the digital world more inclusive to people, whatever their language. Launched by Modi in 2022, the Bhashini project is a national AI initiative supporting speech-to-text, real-time translation and digital accessibility in all 22 official languages. This aims to make digital platforms and public services more inclusive, especially for rural and remote communities.

As poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore once wrote: “If God had so wished, he would have made all Indians speak with one language … the unity of India has been and shall always be a unity in diversity.”

In India, children today grow up speaking their mother tongue, with many learning Hindi to communicate across regions, and gaining English skills for global connections. India’s future does not depend on choosing one language over another, but on enabling them to flourish side by side.

There’s a Chinese proverb: “To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” With thousands of such windows, India’s future is rooted in both unity and diversity.

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Sudhansu Bala Das does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Many tongues, one people: the debate over linguistic diversity in India – https://theconversation.com/many-tongues-one-people-the-debate-over-linguistic-diversity-in-india-261308

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Hormone-free male contraceptive pill passes first safety test

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Susan Walker, Associate Professor in Contraception, Reproductive and Sexual Health, Anglia Ruskin University

The male contraceptive pill just completed phase 1 trials. Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock

A potential new male contraceptive drug has just undergone its first tests in human volunteers. The results give the first indication that the drug, which does not use artificial hormones or affect testosterone production by the testes, may be safe in humans.

While previous attempts have been made to develop a male contraceptive in the past, these largely failed to pass clinical trials due to their unacceptable side-effects. But this newest contraceptive works differently from past attempts, which means it doesn’t require surgery and is much less likely to cause hormonal side-effects – problems that have helped stop previous attempts from reaching the market.

The study showed the drug was well tolerated in a small group of healthy young men and did not appear to cause any serious side-effects at the doses used. Further research will be needed to demonstrate precisely how effective it is as a contraceptive.

The new method uses a specially-designed chemical known as YCT-529 to target a specific cell receptor in the testes called retinoic acid receptor–alpha.

Similar, but less specific compounds, had been shown to reduce sperm production in humans previously. But these compounds also had unwanted side-effects – such as feeling ill when drinking alcohol, altering salt levels in the bloodstream and not being fully reversible in all men. This made them unsuitable for contraceptive use.

But in animal studies, YCT-529 was shown to produce fully reversible, temporary infertility without any significant side-effects. A study in mice also found that those who went on to father babies after stopping the drug produce normal, healthy offspring.

Based on these results, the drug then entered into phase one trials in humans. This is the first stage of human testing, where a small group of healthy volunteers are recruited to test safety, tolerability and possible side-effects.

This small trial involved 16 male volunteers who took the drug twice at increasing doses – either 10mg to 30mg or 90mg to 180mg. Some men took placebo pills for comparison.

The participants were monitored for 15 days for any effects on normal hormone levels, inflammation (signs of cell damage), kidney and liver function, abnormal heart rhythms, sexual desire and mood.

No changes were detected in the natural hormones in the body. There were also no lasting effects on liver and kidney function and no signs of cell damage. No dangerous abnormalities of heart rhythm were detected, and the participants reported no changes in mood or sexual desire.

However, participants only took two doses of the drug and were only followed up for 15 days. The authors say in the paper that a larger phase two trial is underway which will test the drug in a greater number of men.

This will then be followed by phase three trials in hundreds of men where the effectiveness, reversibility and side-effects of longer term use of the drug will be assessed. These are the hurdles which have prevented other approaches from being made widely available.

Why past male contraceptives have failed

At present there are no commercially available contraceptive methods for men that are not only safe and effective at preventing pregnancy, but which also allow sperm production to be turned off and on again at will.

While condoms have few side-effects and are used at will, they have a relatively high failure rate (resulting in pregnancy around 12%-18% of the time with typical use).

A vasectomy, which severs the tube connecting the sperm-producing testes to the rest of the male reproductive organs, is very effective (more than 99%) and safe – but it’s not easily reversible and requires a minor operation.

There have been previous attempts (and some ongoing) at producing a reversible method of contraception for men. Some have proven to be effective at stopping sperm production or preventing sperm from exiting the male reproductive tract. However, they haven’t moved to the stage of commercial production, often because of unwanted side-effects.

If the pill proves to be effective in phase 3 trials, it would give men another contraceptive option.
TanyaJoy/ Shutterstock

Most of these attempts used one of two main approaches to prevent pregnancy.

One method involves injecting a substance into the vas deferens (a tube leading from the testes to the urethra). This substance filters out and damages sperm during ejaculation. This substance can be flushed out through a minor procedure if the man wishes to become fertile again.

The drawback of this method is that it requires a minor surgical procedure (an injection into the scrotum) and that the man has to have a further procedure to reverse its effects.

The second route involves stopping sperm production altogether by lowering the hormones that cause sperm to be made in the testes.

The most successful of these trials used an injectable progestogen (a synthetic version of the sex hormone progesterone). This injectable signalled the brain to stop producing follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenising hormone (LH), which normally signal the testes to produce sperm and testosterone.

However, suppressing LH also turned off the testosterone in the testes that is needed for normal, healthy function in men. To counteract the loss of testosterone, this contraceptive approach required men to take an “add back” testosterone – either as a tablet or a gel applied to the skin.

But a major trial testing this method was stopped early because of the hormonal side-effects participants experienced, including mood swings, acne and changes to sex drive.

There’s a long way to go before the new drug can be considered suitable for use as a male contraceptive. But this new approach shows a lot of promise because it avoids upsetting hormonal balance and can be taken orally – rather than requiring an invasive procedure.

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Susan Walker has previously received funding from Bayer PLC who manufacture contraceptive devices.

– ref. Hormone-free male contraceptive pill passes first safety test – https://theconversation.com/hormone-free-male-contraceptive-pill-passes-first-safety-test-262083

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Kemi Badenoch says she wants to be Britain’s Javier Milei – but is the Argentinian president a model to follow?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sam Halvorsen, Reader in Human Geography, Queen Mary University of London

When UK Conservative party head Kemi Badenoch recently declared that she aspires to be Britain’s Milei, she aligned herself with one of the world’s most radical and controversial leaders.

Javier Milei, Argentina’s self-styled “anarcho-capitalist” president, has gained global notoriety since his election in December 2023 for wielding a chainsaw at rallies, promising to destroy the so-called “political caste” and launching a scorched-earth economic reform programme.

But what has Milei actually achieved since entering office? And should Britain really be looking to his administration for inspiration?

Milei swept to power on a wave of anti-establishment anger. Styling himself as an outsider economist rallying against the ruling caste, he promised to slash state spending and replace Argentina’s peso with the more stable US dollar. He also pledged to eliminate entire government ministries, including health, education and culture.

His now-famous “chainsaw plan” proposed a dramatic restructuring of Argentina’s political and economic institutions, which he blamed for decades of stagnation and corruption. Backed by business elites and libertarian ideologues, Milei offered a vision of Argentina remade through radical individualism and state retrenchment.

His campaign, which contained some clear populist tendencies, was built as much on spectacle as substance. It contained daily media outbursts, personal attacks and an anti-caste rhetoric designed to turn governance into performance.

Inflation was central to Milei’s campaign. When he took office, annual inflation in Argentina stood at over 130%, one of the highest rates in the world. Milei promised to bring it under control by slashing the fiscal deficit and enforcing monetary discipline.

Monthly inflation doubled in the first months of his administration, forcing millions of Argentinians further into poverty. But it has fallen below 50% since the middle of 2025, which has been held by the government as a success.

However, the decrease in the inflation rate is the result of economic recession. While international markets have praised Milei’s fiscal orthodoxy, there is little sign of a growth rebound. Investment has stalled, consumption has plummeted and local industries are struggling amid cuts to public procurement.

Consumption has shown signs of recovery in the last few months, but only in the high-income segment. This has deepened a dual reality where middle-class and working sectors cannot make ends meet. Instead of helping the Argentinian economy recover, high-income consumption also pushes the trade balance to deteriorate.

Milei’s government has endeavoured to keep the Argentine peso strong. A strong currency has seen foreign investments paused and, despite ongoing capital controls, millions of US dollars leave the country with a surge in Argentinian tourism abroad. This trend is exactly the opposite of the most controversial of Milei’s promises: to adopt the dollar in Argentina.

Given the critical level of the central bank’s foreign reserves, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of a US$4.7 billion (£3.5 billion) loan tranche in April 2024. It is expected to loan an extra US$2 billion before the 2025 mid-term elections in October.

Squeezing Argentinian society

Job losses have been extensive. Tens of thousands of public sector workers have been laid off, and many more have seen their salaries decimated by inflation. Entire agencies have been shut, from science and housing to the post office.

Milei’s framing of public employees as part of a parasitic caste has helped him politically. It has reinforced his anti-establishment credentials and mobilised resentment among private sector workers and the self-employed. But it has further polarised an already fragmented Argentinian society.

Unions and civil society organisations have mobilised in response, organising strikes and mass protests. These have been met in turn with crackdowns, the criminalisation of dissent and expanded police powers.

Meanwhile, Congress has been sidelined. Milei’s critics warn of creeping authoritarianism as the president governs increasingly by decree, perhaps most notably by attempting to fill two vacancies of the Supreme Court in February.

Environmental protection and foreign policy have also been reshaped by Milei’s radical agenda. The ministry of environment was among the agencies targeted for elimination. And Milei’s sweeping law of bases bill, which became law in 2024, included provisions to weaken environmental regulations and accelerate extractive industries such as lithium and oil.

Milei dismisses environmental concerns as leftist distractions from economic freedom. This is a stance echoed in his foreign policy, which has seen Argentina pivot away from regional cooperation. He has snubbed neighbours like Brazil, withdrawn from the accession process to the Brics group of nations and has aligned himself more closely with the US, Israel and the global far right.

He frequently rails against “global socialism”, and presents himself as a figurehead of a new anti-globalist movement. This posture appeals to his domestic base and international allies, but has further isolated Argentina diplomatically and eroded longstanding regional ties.

If Badenoch wants to emulate Milei, it raises serious questions about the political and economic future she envisions for Britain. Argentina is currently living through a radical experiment in state destruction. Despite circumstantially winning praise from bond markets and libertarian circles, it has brought pain, polarisation and increasing levels of repression.

For those looking beyond spectacle, Milei’s presidency offers not a blueprint for bold reform, but a cautionary tale about the dangers of governing by chainsaw.

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Kemi Badenoch says she wants to be Britain’s Javier Milei – but is the Argentinian president a model to follow? – https://theconversation.com/kemi-badenoch-says-she-wants-to-be-britains-javier-milei-but-is-the-argentinian-president-a-model-to-follow-261915

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Ancient India, Living Traditions: an earnest effort to show how the art of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism is sacred and personal

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ram Prasad, Fellow of the British Academy and Distinguished Professor in the Department Politics, Philosophy and Religion, University of Leicester

The British Museum’s Ancient India, Living Traditions exhibition brings together exhibits on the sacred art of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It also encompasses the spread of the devotional art of these traditions to other parts of Asia.

The exhibition speaks to religious identity and relationships. Buddhism and Jainism distinguish themselves from the vast surrounding traditions that together we call Hinduism; but they have close kinship with it in practices, beliefs and iconography. Museums that have presented sculptures in isolation have usually not attempted to narrate this complex history.

Not all the items displayed, some going back 2,000 years, are of purely historical interest. There are representations of traditions that are continuously living in a way the gods of ancient Egypt or classical Europe are not.

The most instantly recognisable example for visitors of such living ancient tradition is likely to be statues of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha. Visitors can see a rare and valuable 4th century sandstone Ganesha on show. They can also see a small bronze version of that ancient Ganesha that is like the kind you would find in people’s home and to which a quick prayer would be addressed every morning.

The question of how to respect that sense of the sacred while still mounting an exhibition is a moral and aesthetic challenge that few museums (including in India) have started to address. It’s not uncommon to see such pieces wrenched from the reality of their continued practice and presented in secular art displays. Here, however, the curators have tried to make connections between “statues” on display and “icons” in temples and homes.

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Finally, there’s the problematic history of the imperial museum and its need to reckon with its past. Most objects on display in this exhibition, and The British Museum more widely, have been presented with scarcely any acknowledgement of how they came to be acquired.

The exhibition makes an earnest effort to tackle most of these issues.

Ancient but not dead

The spaces of the exhibition are structured to be respectful of the historical and contemporary sensitivities of Buddhism and Jainism. This is signalled through subtle changes of colour and the placement of translucent drapery, allowing for transitions between distinct Jain, Buddhist and Hindu displays.

At the same time, conceptual and sensory commonalities are powerfully conveyed. The first space focuses on nature spirits and demi-deities that are shared across all the ancient traditions. The air is filled with the sound of south Asian birds and musical instruments. The explanatory labels draw attention to the percolation of iconographic features between traditions, for instance, those between the Buddha and the Jaina teachers, or the direct inclusion of the deity of learning (Sarasvati) in both Hindu and Jain worship.

Also well presented is a final space on the spread of south Asian iconography to central, east and southeast Asia. This is a long story that needs its own telling, but can only be hinted at through some beautifully chosen figures.

It’s the curators’ use of a community advisory panel of people who practice such traditions today that gives the information its sensitivity. Their inclusion in the exhibition’s production can be seen in a marked mindfulness that the content and symbols of these inert objects are alive and sacred to hundreds of millions.

For example, one Ganesha from Java in Indonesia draws attention to different elements of his iconography. There is the trans-continentally stable depiction of his having a broken tusk (which, as Hindus will know, he is said to have broken off to write down the epic Mahabharata). But this Ganesha also holds a skull, which is unique to the Javanese version. The label gently points out that “various communities understood and worshipped him differently”.

The combination of community engagement and creative presentation not only conveys a sense of respect for the traditions, but also elicits a respectful response from visitors. Those from within the tradition will note with satisfaction the description of a symbol or icon. Those from outside the traditions are invited to look at the exhibits with attention and care as they might in a cathedral.

I saw a pair of young Indian Americans looking at a fossilised ammonite from Nepal that is taken as a symbolic representation of god for worshippers of Vishnu. They animatedly compared it to the one in their own diasporic home.

Elsewhere in the exhibition, I caught an elderly English couple stood in wondering silence in front of a drum slab from the famous 1st century BC Amaravathi Buddhist site in south India. This slab was carved just before figural representations of the Buddha rapidly gained in popularity. Here, there are symbols associated with him, but the Buddha himself is represented by the empty seat from whence he has gone.

How did it all get here?

One potential interpretive danger lies in the emphasis on continuity between past objects and present realities. Hindus today from social backgrounds that did not have the privilege of reaching back to high sacred art might ask where they sit in the smoothed out historical narrative. More broadly, there is no acknowledgement of the complexity of Hindu identity and its formation across centuries, regions, social strata, languages and theologies.

The weakest part of this exhibition’s generally innovative retelling is the faint-hearted way in which it obliquely acknowledges the dubious acquisition process of the British Museum. To say something was “collected” by a major general “while serving in the East India Company army” is hardly facing up to the question with which the exhibition boldly begins: “How did it get here?”

This exhibition offers a powerful visual narrative of the multi-spiritual traditions of ancient India, mounted with sensitivity to their living communities today. Its immersive presentation is appealing, and the story it tells is respectful and innovative.

The task of honest self-representation and difficult conversations on reparation remain. Within that larger imperative, Ancient India, Living Traditions is a step in the right direction. It is a direction towards addressing context, responsiveness and engagement that museums can no longer ignore.

Ancient India, Living Traditions in on at The British Museum, London until October 19 2025

Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

Ram Prasad does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Ancient India, Living Traditions: an earnest effort to show how the art of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism is sacred and personal – https://theconversation.com/ancient-india-living-traditions-an-earnest-effort-to-show-how-the-art-of-hinduism-buddhism-and-jainism-is-sacred-and-personal-262163

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Modi’s visit to Ghana signals India’s broader Africa strategy. A researcher explains

Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Veda Vaidyanathan, Associate, Harvard University Asia Center, Harvard Kennedy School

Ghana has historically been an anchor of Indian enterprise and diplomacy on the African continent.

New Delhi and Accra formalised ties in 1957. At the time, their partnership was grounded in shared anti-colonial ideals and a common vision for post-independence development. India offered counsel on building Ghana’s institutions, including its external intelligence agency. Meanwhile, Indian teachers, technicians, and traders regularly travelled to the west African country in search of opportunity.

The July 2025 visit of the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to Ghana – the first by an Indian leader in over three decades – came at a critical moment for the continent. As the global order shifts towards multi-polarity, countries like Ghana are navigating a complex landscape, which includes western donors scaling back commitments. This has opened space to deepen cooperation through pragmatic, interest-driven collaborations with longstanding partners like India. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ghana’s President John Mahama captured the spirit of this global realignment, noting that

as bridges are burning, new bridges are being formed.

Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Modi’s visit offered an opportunity to both revive and recalibrate bilateral ties. The visit carried a strong economic and strategic orientation. Ghana positioned itself as a partner in areas where India holds comparative advantage, such as pharmaceuticals. Over 26% of Africa’s generic medicines are sourced from India. The Food and Drugs Authority’s (Ghana’s regulator of pharmaceutical standards) listing of foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities is dominated by Indian firms.

Defence cooperation was also on the agenda. Ghana is looking to India for training, equipment and broader security engagement in response to rising threats from the Sahel and coastal piracy.

This emphasis on shared security interests is underscored by Ghana’s alignment with India on counter-terrorism. President Mahama for instance has condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attacks that occurred in April, 2025.

Reviving economic ties

Economic ties are at the heart of this renewed engagement between the two countries. Bilateral trade currently stands at around US$3 billion. Both leaders aim to double it to US$6 billion over the next five years. Currently, Ghana enjoys a trade surplus with India. This is mainly due to gold exports, which account for over 70% of its shipments. Cocoa, cashew nuts, and timber are also key exports, while imports from India include pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles, and various industrial goods.

India has invested more than US$2 billion in Ghana. These investments span private capital, concessional finance and grants across 900 projects. India now ranks among Ghana’s top investors. Indian firms and state-backed institutions play a key role in critical infrastructure development. Landmark projects include the 97km standard gauge Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line and the Ghana-India Kofi Annan ICT Centre, a hub for innovation and research.

In an earlier study, I documented the perspectives of Indian entrepreneurs in Ghana. The findings underscored the country’s appeal as a land of economic opportunity. In interviews, Indian businesses highlighted Ghana’s stable political environment. An expanding consumer base, and relatively transparent regulatory framework were also mentioned. Together, these factors continue to attract investor interest.

This economic momentum likely paved the way to pursue a closer bilateral relationship, marked by the elevation to a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’.

While delegates in the July visit addressed issues such as financial inclusion, healthcare and agriculture, the tangible outcomes were limited. Four memoranda of understanding were signed. They cover cooperation on traditional medicine, regulatory standards and cultural exchange. The creation of a joint commission to structure and advance bilateral collaboration across priority sectors was also signed.

Moving forward, Ghana offers India an entry point into west Africa’s resource landscape. With reserves of gold, bauxite, manganese and lithium, Ghana is well positioned to contribute to India’s needs for critical minerals. President Mahama’s invitation for investment in mineral extraction and processing aligns with India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, New Delhi is looking for supply chains for its energy transition. It creates an opportunity for Indian mining companies to expand into African markets.

Read more:
The world is rushing to Africa to mine critical minerals like lithium – how the continent should deal with the demand

Pragmatic diplomacy

With nearly US$100 billion in trade, cumulative investments of nearly US$75 billion, and a 3.5 million strong diaspora, the broader contours of India’s Africa policy is increasingly pragmatic and issue based.

New Delhi’s evolving relations with Accra reflects this. It comes as Ghana is making sweeping economic reforms domestically, particularly in fiscal management and debt restructuring.

This ambitious “economic reboot” hinges on attracting private sector investment. In this context, the Indian diaspora, already deeply embedded in Ghana’s commercial networks, is well positioned to foster stronger economic ties.

In his address to Ghana’s Parliament, The Indian Prime Minister spoke of development cooperation that is demand driven and focused on building local capacity and creating local opportunities. This approach “to not just invest, but empower”, signals India’s growing intent to anchor relationships in mutual agency, rather than dependency.

Veda Vaidyanathan is Fellow, Foreign Policy and Security Studies, at a leading Indian think tank.

– ref. Modi’s visit to Ghana signals India’s broader Africa strategy. A researcher explains – https://theconversation.com/modis-visit-to-ghana-signals-indias-broader-africa-strategy-a-researcher-explains-261187

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: 8 policies that would help fight poverty in South Africa’s economic hub Gauteng
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adrino Mazenda, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor Economic Management Sciences, University of Pretoria

Poverty goes beyond income. It often arises when health, education and opportunities fall short of meeting people’s needs.

Individuals are classified as impoverished when they face deprivation in one-third or more of the indicators in a multidimensional poverty index. The index reflects the various influences on socioeconomic class. These include housing, sanitation, electricity, cooking fuel, nutrition and school attendance.

The index is one of the most comprehensive measures of poverty. The fact that the multidimentional index captures multiple dimensions enables it to reflect overlapping disadvantages. And provides a fuller picture of well-being. Other monetary measures such as income aren’t as comprehensive.

About 18% of the world’s population are poor by the definition of the multidimentional poverty index. Sub-Saharan Africa is especially affected, with a multidimensional poverty rate nearing 59%.

In South Africa, it is at around 40%. This means it experiences four in 10 of the dimensions of poverty.

The province of Gauteng is South Africa’s economic hub. Nevertheless it contains pockets of severe deprivation. About 4.6% of households are poor. In some wards up to 68% are severely deprived.

We are social scientists with research histories in food systems and livelihoods, public policy and economics of human capital. We recently conducted a study focused on Gauteng. We wanted to determine what could enable poor and vulnerable households to move out of those categories.

We used a modelling exercise that allowed us to isolate the most relevant factors for this transition.

The study found six factors: education, age, income, working time, medical aid and being a recipient of a low income municipal support grant. We concluded from this that attending to these six variables was the foundation for upward mobility.

Conversely, vulnerability to economic shocks, such as job loss or food insecurity, can trigger rapid downward mobility.

Based on our findings we make eight policy recommendations. These include boosting education and skills training, better healthcare and affordable, reliable transport.

Range of factors

Multidimensional poverty intersects with socioeconomic class structures. It reinforces inequality by placing individuals into hierarchical groups. These range from the affluent and middle class to the transient, vulnerable, and chronically poor.

These disparities shape access to resources, opportunities and upward mobility.

Lower-class households differ from middle-class and affluent (non-poor) households across multiple dimensions. These differences include income stability, consumption patterns, access to services, asset ownership, social capital and vulnerability to shocks.

In the light of this we adopted a multidimensional poverty approach to classify households. We used various dimensions and indicators of poverty to assess the extent of deprivation and associated poverty levels.

We calculated the deprivation score and classified households into three levels: not poor, moderate poverty (vulnerable), and severe poverty (chronically poor).

Working time had the strongest effect. Part- or full-time work greatly lowered odds of severe poverty (chronic poverty) and moderate poverty (transient poverty). Working time refers to the duration that a person is engaged in paid employment or work-related activities. This is usually between 35 and 45 hours per week for full-time employment. And fewer than 35 hours per week for part-time employment.

Some factors only influenced certain groups. For severe poverty, transport access, household health, food parcel reliance, household size, and skipping meals were significant. For moderate poverty, gender, food parcel reliance and skipping meals mattered. And for the vulnerable non-poor (middle class), distance from public transport was the only additional factor.

Social grants and being part of the black population group showed little influence. Transitions and the ability to transcend poverty classes were driven mainly by direct socio-economic factors.

These dynamics underscore the precariousness of low-income households. They also highlight the importance of targeted interventions to break cycles of poverty.

Higher education, stable income and access to full-time work, drastically reduce the odds of remaining in severe or moderate poverty or being vulnerable. Medical aid access and municipal assistance programmes that provide free or subsidised basic services, also serve as protective factors. These help households meet essential health and welfare needs.

However, several structural and socio-economic constraints hinder transitions out of poverty. For example, living a greater distance from public transport increases the likelihood of severe poverty and vulnerability.

Food insecurity, measured by skipping meals or dependence on food parcels, remains a persistent marker of entrenched deprivation.

Gender disparities suggest underlying labour market or social vulnerabilities that require targeted policy interventions. For example, male-headed households are more likely than female-headed households to be moderately poor.

What can be done

Escaping multidimensional poverty in Gauteng requires targeted, practical and complementary interventions. Examples include subsidised transport, decentralised clinics, or housing closer to jobs.

This will enable grants to be translated to improved well-being.

We suggest eight areas for improvement:
- access to education, vocational training and digital skills. This will help to increase employment prospects
- public works and youth entrepreneurship support. This will boost income generation
- social protection like indigent benefits, food vouchers and subsidised medical aid
- food security. This can be done through community gardens and nutrition programmes
- support for female-headed households and young people
- affordable, reliable public transport. Services also need to be decentralised
- data-driven municipal planning to guide infrastructure and service investments
- consistently tracking progress against defined objectives.
The province implements multiple poverty-reduction initiatives. These include expanded public works, township economy support, food gardens, free basic services, subsidised housing, and public transport projects.

These efforts address income, food security and mobility. But they have limited impact due to persistent barriers. This is because many, particularly young people, don’t have market-relevant skills. In addition, spatial inequality results in long, costly commutes. And housing shortages and rising food prices deepen vulnerability.

Fragmented funding, weak coordination and inadequate data tracking also undermine progress.

Massimiliano Tani receives funding from Australian Research Council (unrelated to this article).

Adrino Mazenda and Catherine Althaus do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. 8 policies that would help fight poverty in South Africa’s economic hub Gauteng – https://theconversation.com/8-policies-that-would-help-fight-poverty-in-south-africas-economic-hub-gauteng-261388
MIL OSI Analysis –
July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: What’s changing for children on social media from 25 July 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

Press release

What’s changing for children on social media from 25 July 2025

New laws come into force, protecting under-18s from harmful online content
From 25 July, the way children experience the internet will fundamentally change, as new laws come into force, protecting under-18s from harmful content they shouldn’t ever be seeing. This includes:

pornography

self-harm

suicide

hate speech

violence

Children will have to prove their age to access the most harmful material on social media and other sites, with platforms having to use secure methods like facial scans, photo ID and credit card checks to check the age of their users. This means it will be much harder for under-18s to accidentally or intentionally access harmful content.

A thousand platforms have confirmed to Ofcom they’ve got these checks in place, including the most visited porn site in the UK, PornHub.

It comes as Ofcom figures show that children as young as eight have accessed pornography online, and 16% of teenagers report seeing material that stigmatises body types or promotes disordered eating in the last four weeks.

Children will also see fewer harmful posts and videos in their feeds, with platforms required to make sure their algorithms aren’t feeding children content that promotes harmful behaviours like bullying, hate speech or dangerous online challenges.

And when harmful content does appear, platforms will need to act quickly to remove it. If children are seeing something harmful or inappropriate, it will be easier to find help and report it.

Technology secretary Peter Kyle said:

Our lives are no longer split between the online and offline worlds – they are one and the same. What happens online is real. It shapes our children’s minds, their sense of self, and their future. And the harm done there can be just as devastating as anything they might face in the physical world.

We’ve drawn a line in the sand. This Government has taken one of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to reclaim the digital space for young people – to lay the foundations for a safer, healthier, more humane place online.

We cannot – and will not – allow a generation of children to grow up at the mercy of toxic algorithms, pushed to see harmful content they would never be exposed to offline. This is not the internet we want for our children, nor the future we are willing to accept.

The time for tech platforms to look the other way is over. They must act now to protect our children, follow the law, and play their part in creating a better digital world.

And let me be clear: if they fail to do so, they will be held to account. I will not hesitate to go further and legislate to ensure that no child is left unprotected.

Enforcement action from the regulator

From 25 July these protections will be fully enforceable and services that don’t comply could face serious enforcement action from Ofcom including fines.  

Enforcement action can be 10% of the companies’ qualifying global annual revenues or £18 million, whichever is greater.

Action platforms will legally have to take

Block access to harmful content 

Starting from 25 July, platforms that host pornography, or content which encourages self-harm, suicide or eating disorder content will have to put in place robust age-checks. This means: 

using highly effective age assurance, like facial age estimation, photo-ID matching, or credit card checks to verify age more reliably; and 

stopping children encountering harmful content on the site – either by age restricting parts of the platform or blocking access to the site by under 18s 

this will create extra steps when creating a new account or attempting to access content not appropriate for children.

in practice, this is like a child not being able to sign up for a credit card, or buy alcohol, and means that children will encounter fewer instances of harmful content and have a more age-appropriate experience online 

Provide safer feeds and fewer toxic algorithms 

The codes set out how platforms can reduce toxic algorithms which we know can recommend harmful content to children without them seeking it out.  

This includes ensuring that algorithms do not operate in a way that harms children, such as by pushing content related to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and pornography. That means fewer risky rabbit holes and more control over what children see on their feeds. 

Take faster action on harmful content 

Platforms will need more robust content moderation systems to take swift action against content that is harmful to children when they become aware of it. 

Search engines should filter out the most harmful content for children, for example by using a ‘safe search’ setting for children, which can’t be turned off.

User support 

Platforms will also be required to ensure they provide clear and easy-to-find information for children, and the adults who care for them.  

This will include easy-to-use reporting and complaints processes, as well as tools and support for children to help them stay safe online. 

Types of ‘harmful content’ the codes apply to

Platforms which host pornography, or the most harmful content to children and are likely to be accessed by children, must implement highly effective age assurance to prevent children from accessing said content. 

This content is described as primary priority content and includes: 

pornography, and

content that encourages, promotes, or provides instructions for:

self-harm

suicide

eating disorders 

Wider harmful content is known as priority content. The codes instruct platforms to protect children from this content by providing age-appropriate experiences. This category of content includes:

bullying

abusive or hateful content, and

content which encourages:

or depicts serious violence or injury

dangerous stunts and challenges

the ingestion, inhalation or exposure to harmful substances

ENDS

DSIT media enquiries

Email press@dsit.gov.uk

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

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Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: New York Call – Joint statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs

Source: Government of Canada News

July 30, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Foreign Ministers of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain, issued the following statement:

“We, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain, condemn the heinous and antisemitic terrorist attack of October 7th, 2023;

“Demand an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of Hamas, including the remains, as well as ensuring unhindered humanitarian access;

“Reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions, and in this regard stress the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority;

“Express grave concern over the high number of civilian casualties and humanitarian situation in Gaza and emphasize the essential role of the United Nations and its agencies in facilitating humanitarian assistance;

Welcome the commitments made by the President of the Palestinian Authority on June 10th where he (i) condemns the October 7th terrorist attacks (ii) calls for the liberation of hostages and disarmament of Hamas (iii) commits to terminate the prisoner payment system (iv) commits to schooling reform, (v) commits to call for elections within a year to trigger generational renewal and (vi) accepts the principle of a demilitarized Palestinian State;

“Ahead of the meeting of the Heads of State and Government that will take place during the high-level week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in September 2025, we, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain, have already recognized, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognize the State of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-State solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call;

“Urge countries who have not done so yet to establish normal relations with Israel, and to express their willingness to enter into discussions on the regional integration of the State of Israel;

“Express our determination to work on an architecture for the ‘day after’ in Gaza which guarantees the reconstruction of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the Palestinian governance.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pingree, Goodlander, Wasserman Schultz Tour Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to Discuss Delivering on Key Priorities in Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Yesterday, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, joined her colleagues Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies under the Appropriations Committee, to tour Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). Pingree, Goodlander, Wasserman Shultz, and shipyard leadership and workers discussed how they are addressing the delays that are preventing PNSY from bringing on the workforce needed to continue its critical work for our national security, and how they’re working in Congress to strengthen the benefits that these public servants and skilled workers rely on.

“Portsmouth Naval Shipyard represents the best of public service—skilled, dedicated workers whose work strengthens our national security every day,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “During our visit today, my colleagues and I saw firsthand the dedication and expertise that keep this critical facility running. What we heard from workers and leadership was clear: they need stable funding, a reliable workforce pipeline, and a Congress that has their backs. I’m grateful to join Congresswomen Goodlander and Wasserman Schultz in making sure their voices are heard—and their priorities reflected—in the federal budget.”

From left: Congresswoman Pingree, Congresswoman Goodlander, Captain Jesse Nice, Naval Shipyard Commander, and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. Photos from the visit are available here.

“We owe a sacred obligation to the women and men who dedicate their lives to serving our country, whether in uniform or as civilians. In Congress, I am focused on living up to that obligation and delivering for our servicemembers, veterans, and shipyard workers,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “We had a powerful and important conversation at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the Manchester VA Medical Center about the critical role that federal funding plays in their operations and how Congress can and must be a continued partner in their mission.”

“Democrats work nonstop to ensure that vital national security investments and caring for our veterans remain top priorities, and the high-quality work I saw being done at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Manchester VAMC reconfirmed for me that strong, reliable Congressional funding and support is vital to these workers, their communities, and America’s overall strength,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “I joined Representatives Goodlander and Pingree to inspect these facilities today, but they have both long stood with me in the trenches as Democrats fight to ensure veterans services and benefits are protected, and the work of protecting our national security is not impeded.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: After Trump’s Cuts, Pingree Leads Bipartisan Effort to Restore Local Food Lifelines

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, led a bipartisan group of her colleagues in introducing the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act to boost the purchasing and distribution of local food. The bill, co-led by Representatives Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), and Josh Riley (D-N.Y.), will help build stronger connections between local producers and community food programs, expanding markets and improving access to healthy food for those in need.

“When Trump’s USDA abruptly ended the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs, it pulled the rug out from under farmers, food banks, and schools across the country—including in Maine. These were proven tools for strengthening local food supply chains, supporting small producers, and getting healthy, locally grown food to hungry families,” said Rep. Pingree. “Our bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act restores and improves on that successful model. It’s a practical, community-driven solution that invests in our nation’s farmers, builds regional resilience, and fights hunger.”

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act will allow states, through USDA, to establish cooperative agreements connecting local farmers and producers with local food distribution organizations. Through these agreements, funds will be used to purchase local, fresh, and minimally processed foods like seafood, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and poultry. The bill also sets aside a portion of these funds to purchase food specifically from small, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers. Text can be found here.

“Far too often the discussion around alleviating hunger leaves out those who grow, raise, and produce food – our local farmers. Reducing the barriers between our communities and the farmers who produce our food is a commonsense approach to ensure everyone in Northeast Pennsylvania has access to the food they need.” said Rep. Bresnahan. “This bill recognizes the hard work that is needed to supply fresh and nutritious food like fruit, veggies, milk, and cheese, while also creating a clear path to putting this food on the plates of people who need it. This investment in our local farmers is an investment in stronger local food security and healthier communities.”

“The Central Valley grows the food that feeds our nation, and this bill gives us a chance to connect our farmers directly with local families and food banks to deliver healthy, homegrown food where it’s needed most,” said Rep. Valadao. “The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act is a bipartisan effort that invests in our farmers and communities, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in support.”

“It doesn’t get more common sense than fighting hunger by supporting local farmers,” said Rep. Riley. “This is about putting food on the tables of people who need it most, and investing directly in the family farmers who power our rural communities.”

Original cosponsors include Tony Wied (R-Wisc.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Alma Adams (D-N.C.).

“Iowa farmers work hard to grow high-quality, nutritious food. This bill helps ensure local families, schools, and food banks can afford the fresh produce grown right here in our communities,” said Rep. Nunn. “I’m proud to back a plan that strengthens our food system, supports small producers and veterans, and expands access to healthy, Iowa-grown meals.”

“This legislation supports a program with a proven record of increasing access to the fresh fruits and vegetables our farmers work hard to produce,” said Rep. Newhouse. “It cuts down on food waste, supplies local schools and food banks with produce, and ensures that those who need food can get it. I thank Rep. Bresnahan for his leadership on this legislation as we work to strengthen our food system and expand access to healthy food across the country.”

“I’m proud to join this bipartisan bill to support our Illinois family farmers and help my constituents access nutritious, locally-grown food,” said Rep. Budzinski. “In Central and Southern Illinois, the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools have been a win-win-win for growers and producers, food banks, and schools. It was a major setback when these initiatives were abruptly cancelled. The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act would restore these successful programs that are a proven way to fight hunger, strengthen the food supply chain, and bolster the local agricultural economy.”

“As the only Virginian on the House Agriculture Committee, I know the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs are essential for our farmers and the families they feed across the Seventh. When the Trump Administration suddenly ended both, it caused a ripple effect — hurting local farmers, schools, and food banks across the Commonwealth and the United States. This cannot stand,” said Rep. Vindman. “Earlier this year, I met with Eugene Triplett at his fifth-generation, Black-owned family farm in Culpeper. He told me directly that these programs helped him get healthy, locally grown food to hungry kids and families. I will always work to deliver for Virginia families and farmers like Eugene.”

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act is endorsed by the Feeding America, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Farmers Union (NFU), Save the Children, Full Plates Full Potential, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and more.

“Maine’s food system has been hit hard over the past few months due to the instability created by changing government policies and cuts to established food programs, like the Local Food for Schools program which helped schools buy local food from local farms,” said Anna Korsen, Deputy Director of Full Plates Full Potential. “We know children go hungry when household and school budgets get squeezed, so Full Plates welcomes the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act and the potential it has to build on what Maine does best – community solutions to community problems.”

“The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act recognizes and advances the work of thousands of farmers and proponents nationally who have worked to bolster the resiliency of our local food system and Nation’s food supply chain,” Colleen Hanlon-Smith of Farm to Neighbor Maine. “We applaud Congresswoman Pingree for her work to advance this Act. Both LFPA and LFS offered an opportunity for the federal government and the public’s tax dollars to strategically inject funding at the intersection of local food access and farm viability. These were not only incredibly successful programs but critical to shifting the needle on food security by ensuring economic investments locally, to the benefit of our Nation’s farmers, food insecure citizens and local communities.”

“The proposed bill would be a win for both local farmers and families facing hunger,” said Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “By prioritizing the purchase of local foods and partnering with organizations that have deep experience in food distribution, we can ensure that nutritious food reaches the people who need it most, all while strengthening local economies.”

“As Executive Director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, I strongly support the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act because it uplifts the hardworking farmers and food producers who nourish our communities every day,” said Sarah Alexander, Executive Director of MOFGA. “By investing in cooperative agreements that build local food infrastructure and markets, this Act empowers states and Tribal governments to create resilient, community-based food systems. It’s a smart, values-driven approach that strengthens local economies, improves food access, and ensures a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”

“Maine has spent the last two decades building strong, innovative programs to support small farms and connect local producers with their communities. This legislation will help strengthen that foundation, ensuring we continue to grow, adapt, and meet the evolving needs of both farmers and families,” said Jimmy DeBiasi, Executive Director of the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets. “If we’re serious about making America healthier, we have to start with what we’re eating. This bill recognizes that feeding people nutritious, locally grown food is not just good policy—it’s a smart investment in public health and our agricultural future.”

“This legislation benefits family farmers and the communities they feed,”said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “It strengthens local food systems, expands economic opportunity, and builds more resilient farms.”

“PFB appreciates Representative Bresnahan (R-PA-08) championing legislation that will expand our farmers’ market opportunities, reduce food waste, and get locally grown food to American families’ tables,” said Chris Hoffman, President, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. “The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act exemplifies the importance of cherishing the hard work that goes into producing food and not wanting to waste it, while providing less fortunate consumers with local options that provide them with the opportunity to support their local farmers. This is a win-win piece of legislation for all involved, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance it.”

“Fresh produce, dairy, and protein are some of the most requested items across the charitable food network,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania. “This bill will strengthen the farm-to-food bank supply chain, create new markets for farmers, and ensure food bank shelves are stocked with locally grown, nutritious food products that help Pennsylvanians access the food they need to thrive. Feeding Pennsylvania is pleased to see the introduction of this important legislation and looks forward to working with our members of Congress as it moves through the legislative process.”

“We commend Representatives Rob Bresnahan, R-PA, Josh Riley, D-NY, David Valadao, R-CA, and Chellie Pingree, D-ME, for their bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act,” said the National Milk Producers Federation. “This bill will provide an additional pipeline for dairy farmers to provide their communities with nutritious milk and dairy products. We especially thank the sponsors for ensuring that farmer-owned cooperatives are eligible to participate in this important food security initiative and look forward to working to enact this legislation.”

“Our nation’s farmers are a key part of the nutritious food provided to community members through local food banks and pantries,” said Vince Hall, Chief of Government Relations Officer, Feeding America. “Farmers have worked in partnership with Feeding America food banks for over half a century. The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act would increase resources for states to support local growers and ensure their nutritious food is connected with community members through local organizations like food banks. Feeding America supports the introduction of this legislation and encourages members of Congress to endorse this bipartisan bill that helps farmers and food banks.”

“The bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act makes meaningful investments in local and regional food systems by connecting small and mid-sized farmers to nearby communities, strengthening rural economies and advancing health-driven outcomes for consumers,” said Ted McKinney, CEO, NASDA. “NASDA supports this legislation led by U.S. House Representatives Bresnahan (PA) and Riley (NY) and urges the House to swiftly pass this bill.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Legacy Investment for Technology (LIFT) Announces Loan for North Dakota Energy Services Company

Source: US State of North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that the Legacy Investment for Technology (LIFT) program has awarded a $1 million loan to Trilogy LLC, a North Dakota-based company that developed the Sand Titan, a high-performance sand separator for the oil and gas industry.

“The LIFT program is a vital resource for fostering innovation and supporting North Dakota’s oil and gas industry,” said Commerce Economic Development & Finance Deputy Director and Head of Investments and Innovation Shayden Akason. “This funding highlights our commitment to supporting North Dakota businesses that drive economic impact in our core industries and create lasting impact across the state.”

LIFT is an innovation loan fund that supports technology advancement by providing financing for the commercialization of intellectual property within North Dakota. The loan funds are available to enhance capacity and, when possible, leverage state, federal and private sources of funding.

Since its inception, the LIFT program has awarded more than $45 million across 72 projects, with an average award of approximately $635,000. These investments span sectors such as health care, agriculture technology, energy, and advanced computing, demonstrating the program’s broad impact on North Dakota’s innovation economy.

Commerce works with the Bank of North Dakota to manage and administer the loan fund. LIFT loan terms include 0% interest for the first three years, 2% interest for the next two years, and a standard Bank of North Dakota loan rate for all subsequent years. The program is open to North Dakota companies working in advanced computing and data management, agriculture technology, autonomous and unmanned vehicles and technologies, energy, health care, value-added agriculture, value-added energy, and any area specifically identified by the LIFT committee as contributing to the diversification of the state’s economy.

For more information, application guidelines and program details, visit https://belegendary.link/LIFT.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN – National Martyrs’ Day: Bishop Hiiboro Kussala calls for peace in the country

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Tombura-Yambio (Agenzia Fides) – “As a bishop, I pledge to speak out until the truth is heard. To walk with the victims and wounded families. To offer the Church as a space for reconciliation and dialogue. To pray unceasingly for peace and work side by side with all those who pursue it. I will not remain silent. I will not give up. I will be with you until peace prevails.”These are the words that Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of Tombura-Yambio, addressed to the representatives of the South Sudanese government and all people of good will.“After four years of bloodshed, homes in flames, families destroyed, and buried dreams, our people live under plastic sheets, drink contaminated water, walk in fear, and bury their loved ones in silence. This is not a political issue, it is a humanitarian tragedy and a moral failure.”The bishop, who is also President of the Interreligious Council for the Peace Initiative in Western Equatoria State, South Sudan, launches the appeal on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day, today, July 30, 2025: “Let us not belittle their sacrifice with more blood. Let us honor them by bringing peace where there is pain and life where death has reigned.”This day, established to remember the victims and promote peace, commemorates those killed in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023.“The cry of our brothers in Tombura has echoed for too long,” Hiiboro continues. “We do not wish to condemn, but to awaken the conscience of a nation. We urge you as pastors, fellow citizens, and children of one God. May Tombura be our turning point, a sacred place where the nation chooses healing over hatred, truth over propaganda, and hope over despair,” he added.Addressing the government of South Sudan, the bishop states: “Now is the time to act. We call on everyone, from the highest office to the smallest local leader, to act with boldness, compassion, and determination. Deploy protection forces to stop all violence and restore the rule of law. Disarm and dismantle anyone illegally possessing firearms. Open space for inclusive dialogue involving leaders, youth, women, churches, and civil society. Promptly punish hate speech, disinformation, and tribal incitement. Ensure humanitarian access and rebuild social, health, and education services.”“This is our common pain,” he says, and addressing the people of South Sudan, he adds: “Tombura is not alone. When one limb suffers, the whole body suffers. This is not a tragedy of Tombura, it is a wound of South Sudan. To the elders, rise up with wisdom and counsel. To mothers and women, be voices of healing and moral resistance. To the young, refuse to be weapons of destruction. Choose peace, build South Sudan. To religious communities, unite in truth and reconciliation. To the international community, do not look the other way. Peace needs partners. Lives must be saved.”“If we do nothing, the future is at risk. If the violence in Tombura continues, the cost will be unbearable. Entire communities will disappear. Tribal hatred will spread throughout all regions,” he warns.And he continues: “Trust in the government and in national unity will be further eroded. Generations of young people will be lost to revenge or violence. If we choose peace, it will be a new dawn for South Sudan; if we act together, with sincerity, peace will flourish. Children will return to school, families to their homes, and farmers to their fields. Trust will grow between tribes, between citizens and their government. The soul of South Sudan will be reborn not in blood, but in justice.” “May Tombura become a sign that South Sudan chooses life,” concludes Bishop Hiiboro Kussala. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/COLOMBIA – Augustinian priest released 40 days after his disappearance

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Agostiniani, Provincia di Nuestra Señora de Gracia

Bogotá (Agenzia Fides) – Forty days after his disappearance, Carlos Saúl Jaimes Guerrero, an Augustinian priest belonging to the Province of Our Lady of Grace, has been released. The priest’s religious community announced this in a statement: “With profound gratitude, we want to share with all of you—friends, faithful, religious communities, and people of good will who have listened to us—news that fills us with joy: our brother, Father Carlos Saúl Jaimes, has been released.”The priest, according to the government of the department of Cundinamarca, “was kidnapped on June 17 in a rural area of the municipality of Viotá and released on the morning of Sunday, July 27, in a rural area of the municipality of El Colegio. He was found in good health.”Father Carlos disappeared after leaving for a farm known as Casacoima, on the outskirts of Viotá. A few hours later, his vehicle was found abandoned on a path near a ravine, with the engine running. Since then, various joint operations have been launched between the Viotá Mayor’s Office, the police, and the National Guard.Once the investigation began, law enforcement followed the kidnapping, among others. However, no one claimed responsibility for the incident, nor was a ransom demanded. The family also offered a reward for anyone who provided information useful in finding the priest. However, nothing was known until July 27, when law enforcement finally found him.The website of the Cundinamarca Department Governor’s Office specifies that “at the express request of the family, no further details about the circumstances of his release will be revealed.” No precise information has yet been provided about the days of his disappearance.The Augustinian Order expressed its gratitude for the community’s support and asked for discretion: “We ask for understanding and respect so that Father Carlos Saúl can have a satisfactory recovery together with his family and the religious community.” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – The adventure “accompanied by small prayers” of Junho Cho, “digital missionary”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

[embedded content]
by Pascale RizkSeoul (Agenzia Fides) – “Now I know. After all, even the Fathers of the Church, Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas, repeated this simple phrase: to be happy, I need God, and if God is present, I am happy when I am close to him, and I am not happy when I am far away.” Thus, Korean singer and “Catholic influencer” Junho Chu describes the beating heart that now animates his life. And he reveals what every authentic Christian witness suggests: the source of salvation brought by Christ is mysterious, but accessing it is simple and within everyone’s reach.Junho shared his story and experience with the Jubilee of Catholic digital missionaries and influencers celebrated in Rome these past few days.The Happy Face of GodGrowing up until the age of 22 with no particular interest in religious doctrines and practices, he says that as a teenager he longed for happiness that could last “more than three days or two weeks.” Something that isn’t found in training courses or school curricula, in a competitive society where one’s worth and “is worth” only what one accomplishes. He believed he could achieve that happiness through success at work. But that wasn’t the case.At that time, two years before beginning his military service, Junho heard Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan speak on television, an imposing figure in Korea also for his passion for social justice (see Fides, 11/4/2025). “I was struck by his humility and the witness of the people who mourned his death in 2009.” Without believing in God, Junho saw God’s happy face reflected in those people. They had no personal successes to show off. They were grateful for the free love they had received. “So I started going to church and asked to be baptized. To be close to God, to go to Mass, to take Communion, and to pray. Junho says that a priest once told him: “Do you want something special? Then you must be sincere. If you live with perseverance and sincerity, every day of your life can be special.”Thanking the Lord (also) for TteokbokkiKorean society is based on respect for others, following a social stratification that dates back to the Cheoson Dynasty. Hierarchical respect is an integral part of everyday language and behavior. So when Junho saw a high-ranking Catholic soldier come to church and eat with the others, he was impressed by his humility. “He came to wash dishes with me in the kitchen. It seemed inconceivable to me that someone like him would do that. One day, I was eating tteokbokki (Korean rice dumplings) and I invited him. He sat with me and, clasping his hands, began to pray. I was deeply moved by this gesture. I had no idea that Catholics would stop to thank God for something as small as tteokbokki. I think my life, accompanied by small prayers, began there,” he says.”Sometimes they asked me to sing, I did it a few times, and a bishop told me I should keep singing, and this was like a blessing for the rest of my life,” adds Chu, who, along with other singers, enlivened the Digital Missionaries Jubilee Festival in Piazza Risorgimento on the evening of Tuesday, July 29, singing in his native language.Talent is from God and for GodDuring his military service, Chu embarked on a path that would lead him to his baptism in 2011. He also began participating in parish life, catechism, and choir. It was thanks to a contest on CPBC (Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation) that he was able to begin composing music and songs, and singing in Catholic churches. It had been his passion since childhood. The stories of missionaries such as Father Giovanni Lee Tae-seok, a Salesian missionary in South Sudan, and Bishop René Dupont, a MEP missionary who arrived in Korea in 1954 (see Fides, 11/4/2025) led him to imitate them, he shared with others the love of God he had received as a gift, even through his own talents. “That’s why I’m always happy to live as a Catholic on Instagram and YouTube.” His Christian journey, intertwined with music and singing, led Junho to accompany priests and nuns on missions in Cambodia, Zambia, and Mongolia. “The love you receive is incredibly greater than the love you give. It’s an absolute miracle and cannot be understood through the eyes of the world,” says Chu, who today continues his mission singing in Brazil.“The digital mission should not be about self-exaltation. The encounter with Jesus remains the starting point, but also the point of arrival. Our faith can also find comfort in the use of digital media, but it does not depend on them. The Mystery of Jesus’s predilection, savored in the everyday life, is far greater than the captivating power of a voice behind the screen or special effects. And it promises enjoyment and happiness incomparable to the excitement of having 100 followers or 500,000,” he concludes. (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2025)Share:

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Indian bishops appeal to government over attacks on nuns and promised “rewards” for those who attack priests

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

CBCI

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – The nation’s constitutional rights must be protected and guaranteed. This is what the Indian bishops are asking for in an appeal to the government in the face of “the growing climate of hostility and violence against minorities throughout the country.”The intervention of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) comes a few days after the arrest of two nuns at the Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh. Government railway police detained Sisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis of the Green Garden Sisters.The nuns were accompanying three young women and an adult man belonging to a tribal group who were reportedly traveling from Narayanpur, in the diocese of Jagdalpur, to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where they had been offered jobs in a Catholic-run hospital. “Although the young women were over 18 and had given their parents’ written consent, according to the bishops, the nuns were arrested after pressure from community members. They were allegedly subjected to physical assault. When the young women’s parents arrived at the police station, officers allegedly prevented them from seeing their daughters.“Christian sisters are increasingly targeted by social agitators who surround them at train stations, incite crowds, and use abusive language. These actions,” the CBCI stated, “pose a grave threat not only to the dignity and modesty of these women, but also to their lives.” Calling these repeated incidents a “grave violation of the Constitution,” the Indian bishops urged state governments to “ensure the safety of all women and take immediate steps to prevent such incidents,” while requesting urgent intervention from the central government in Delhi.The CBCI’s concern arose after a series of incidents that, according to the bishops, “reflect the deterioration of institutional impartiality. One such incident occurred on June 17, 2025, when BJP MP Shri Gopichand Padalkar allegedly incited public opinion against Christians by announcing monetary rewards for attacks on Christian priests.” The Indian Catholic bishops, in their statement, cited the MP’s alleged remarks: “Whoever hits the first priest will receive a reward of five lakh rupees, whoever hits the second will receive four lakhs, and the third will receive three lakhs.”This incitement, the Indian bishops explained, “justifies immediate legal action. The speech, widely disseminated through videos and media, was explicit, direct, and poses a real threat to public order. Such acts constitute a serious offense under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code, which came into force in 2024), which criminalizes promoting enmity between different groups and threatens national unity. Despite the gravity of the statement and the peaceful protests by concerned citizens, the relevant authorities have remained indifferent.”According to the CBCI, “recent events indicate the deconstruction of the rule of law, leading to anarchy, something no nation can afford.” Given the gravity of the situation, “the Indian bishops urged the government and all political parties to overcome any partisanship and adopt appropriate constitutional measures to protect the country and all its citizens. We must act immediately to protect the principles enshrined in the Constitution and defend the dignity and rights of all citizens, regardless of their religion.” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Releases Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination

Source: United States Attorneys General

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice released Guidance to ensure that recipients of federal funding do not engage in unlawful discrimination. In particular, it clarifies that federal antidiscrimination laws apply to programs or initiatives that involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs. Entities that receive federal funds, like all other entities subject to federal antidiscrimination laws, must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics—no matter the program’s labels, objectives, or intentions.

“This Department of Justice will not stand by while recipients of federal funds engage in illegal discrimination,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This guidance will ensure we are serving the American people and not ideological agendas.”

“The federal government must ensure that taxpayer money is used lawfully and for the public good,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The very foundation of our anti-discrimination laws rests on the principle that every American deserves equal opportunity, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics.”

This new Guidance emphasizes the significant legal risks of initiatives that involve discrimination based on protected characteristics and offers non-binding best practices to help entities that receive federal funds avoid the risk of violations and the revocation of federal grant funding.

Read the Guidance HERE.

MIL Security OSI –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Merkley Demand Public Release of Epstein Files

US Senate News:

Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have launched an effort to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to publicly release all files related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.

Senators Luján and Merkley introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act to ensure full transparency for the American people, accountability for those involved with Epstein, and justice for victims. As story after story trickles out about the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein Files, the Epstein Files Transparency Act is critical to restoring the public’s trust in government and includes strong protections to redact appropriate information to protect victims’ privacy and national security, while explicitly prohibiting redactions based on reputational harm or political sensitivity.

“President Trump promised the American people transparency and accountability on Jeffrey Epstein and his horrible crimes. The Trump administration has failed to deliver on this promise and as a result has lost the trust of the American people. That’s why I’m partnering with Senator Merkley to launch this effort to provide the public with full transparency relating to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and help deliver justice for the victims,” said Senator Luján.

“The rich and powerful cannot use their influence, money, and connections to cover up the abuse of our most vulnerable,” said Senator Merkley. “We have a government of ‘We the People,’ not ‘We the Powerful.’ To restore the public’s trust, the American people deserve the truth about Jeffrey Epstein and those connected to him.”

Earlier this month, U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House calling for consideration of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

Full text of the Epstein Files Transparency Act as introduced in the Senate can be found here. The Senators intend to force Senate consideration of the legislation as soon as possible.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Call for Large-Scale Expansion of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza & Resumption of Diplomatic Efforts to Secure a Ceasefire & End the War

US Senate News:

Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined 42 Democratic senators in writing to the Trump Administration to express alarm about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian aid as well as the return of diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire agreement to end the war.

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unsustainable and worsens by the day. Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, and, alarmingly, deaths due to starvation, especially among children, are increasing. The ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’ has failed to address the deepening humanitarian crisis and contributed to an unacceptable and mounting civilian death toll around the organization’s sites. To prevent the situation from getting even worse, we urge you to advocate for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance,” the senators wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

In the letter, the senators underscore the remaining viable pathway that would end the war, bring home Israeli hostages, ensure Hamas can no longer pose a serious military threat to Israel, and achieve a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The senators also affirm their opposition to the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people, which would be contrary to international humanitarian law and a sustainable and lasting peace.

“We ask that the Administration make this clear as it seeks an end to the war,” the senators continued. “We stand in strong support of diplomatic efforts to return all hostages, end the fighting in Gaza, and bring humanitarian relief for the safety and prosperity of the Israeli and the Palestinian people.”

The letter is led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D, Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The full text of the letter is hereand below:

Dear Secretary Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff:

With recent efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas being unsuccessful, the situation in Gaza remains perilous. Efforts to secure an agreement are as critical and urgent as ever and we urge the resumption of good-faith talks as quickly as possible. While we appreciate that additional aid is beginning to enter Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Yet there still remains a viable pathway to end this war, bring home Israeli hostages, and achieve a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israeli hostages, held in Gaza by Hamas since their brutal attack on Israel on October 7th, have suffered far too long, as have their families. It is imperative that those still living be brought home as soon as possible, before more perish as the war drags on. And it is essential that the remains of those presumed killed – including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen – be reunited with their loved ones. After many months of despair, it is long past time to bring all of the hostages home.

The acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza is also unsustainable and worsens by the day. Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, and, alarmingly, deaths due to starvation, especially among children, are increasing. The “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” has failed to address the deepening humanitarian crisis and contributed to an unacceptable and mounting civilian death toll around the organization’s sites. To prevent the situation from getting even worse, we urge you to advocate for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance and services throughout the Gaza Strip, including through the use of experienced multilateral bodies and NGOs that can get life-saving aid directly to those in need and prevent diversion.

Beyond a negotiated ceasefire, a permanent end to this war will also require an end to Hamas rule in Gaza and ensuring that Hamas can no longer pose a serious military threat to Israel. We reaffirm our strong support for continued U.S.-led diplomacy with Israel, Palestinian leaders, and other partners in the Middle East in pursuit of the long-term goal of a negotiated two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in lasting peace, security, dignity, and mutual recognition.

Finally, we write to underscore our strong opposition to the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people. This would be antithetical to international humanitarian law, to a sustainable end to this war that prioritizes the long-term safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians alike, to achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East, and expanding the Abraham Accords. We ask that the Administration make this clear as it seeks an end to the war.

We stand in strong support of diplomatic efforts to return all hostages, end the fighting in Gaza, and bring humanitarian relief for the safety and prosperity of the Israeli and the Palestinian people.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Colleagues Host Members of British Parliament in Senate to Sharpen Collaboration

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

BAPG Chairman Boozman and Vice Chair Whitehouse lead discussions with visiting U.K. BAPG members.

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Chair of the Senate Delegation to the British-American Parliamentary Group (BAPG), welcomed lawmakers from the United Kingdom to Capitol Hill for working sessions and events designed to offer a deeper understanding of the American political system at the federal level.

During their visit, BAPG members consisting of senators and Members of Britain’s Parliament fostered dialogue on key policy priorities, such as security and defense across Europe and Asia, strengthening U.S. and U.K. relations, and topics including artificial intelligence, technology and international trade.

“It is an honor and a privilege to continue the tradition of convening the British-American Parliamentary Group, especially back in the U.S. once again,” said Boozman. “I thoroughly enjoy our discussions and the opportunity to strengthen the special relationship and friendships our nations sustain to promote understanding, partnership, prosperity and diplomacy for generations to come.”

Chairman Boozman and Vice Chair Whitehouse pose with visiting members of the British-American Parliamentary Group.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) serves as Vice Chair of the Senate BAPG Delegation and joined Boozman in hosting the British lawmakers. Throughout the remainder of the conference, BAPG members met with several of Boozman’s Senate colleagues, executive branch leaders, businesses and think tanks.

The BAPG Conference meeting location traditionally alternates between the U.S. and U.K. every two years.

For more photos from the conference, please click here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Warren Warns Democrats About Dangers of Voting for Funding Bills While Republicans Use Tricks to Claw Back Bipartisan Funds, Trump Breaks Law
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

July 30, 2025

“I’m asking my Republican colleagues to grow a spine and stand up for Americans instead of bowing down to their pretend-king. And I’m asking my Democratic colleagues to join me in using the power we have to fight back.”

Video of Floor Speech

Washington, D.C. — With the Senate set to vote on the first appropriations bill this week, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) took to the Senate floor in opposition, warning Democrats about the dangers of voting for Republicans’ funding bills while the Trump Administration illegally impounds funds, unilaterally cancels funding, and considers using tricks like pocket rescissions to sidestep Congress.

“Why should Democrats come to the table in good faith and throw our support behind a quote-unquote bipartisan bill, only for Republicans to turn around after the deal is done and, somewhere down the line, delete any of the parts Trump doesn’t like?,” said Senator Warren. “That’s like Republicans saying: “Let’s cut a deal to sell you a car today,” and then a month from now, they come back and steal the wheels.”

“Congress is a co-equal branch of government. We swore an oath to the Constitution, not to a king,” Senator Warren concluded. “I’m asking my Republican colleagues to grow a spine and stand up for Americans instead of bowing down to their pretend-king. And I’m asking my Democratic colleagues to join me in using the power we have to fight back.”

Transcript: Floor Speech Opposing Reconciliation Funding Bills

U.S. Senate Floor

July 30, 2025

As Prepared for Delivery

Senator Elizabeth Warren: Mr./Madame President, I’ve come to the Senate floor today to discuss how our government is funded.

The Constitution puts Congress in charge of setting up programs and funding them. There are some programs – for instance, Medicare and Social Security, that are funded at a certain level every year, unless Congress passes a law to change it. For everything else, Congress has to pass a new funding law every single year.

The list is long:
- medical research,
- fighter planes,
- weather satellites,
- salaries for park rangers,
- food inspection programs to make sure your chicken doesn’t make you sick.
The money that we spend is detailed every year in a set of twelve bills that Congress votes on called “appropriations bills.”

The Senate voted on the first one of those twelve bills last week – the one that deals with funding for veterans’ programs and military bases. I care deeply about improving the lives of our servicemembers and veterans. All three of my brothers are proud veterans, and they served their country with honor. I’m the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Personnel subcommittee.

I voted no on that funding bill because even if this bill becomes law, I don’t believe Donald Trump has any intention of following that law. I’m not willing to be a helpmate on another one of Donald Trump’s scams.

Why do I think Trump won’t follow the law? Consider his administration’s track record over the past six months on Congressional spending laws.

First, Trump tried to freeze billions of dollars that American families and businesses count on — money that Congress set aside to support everything from food assistance programs to scientific research. Multiple federal judges blocked the illegal power grab, saying it blatantly violated the Constitution. Now, even Republicans are begging the administration to hand out the investments that Congress already passed and, by law, their communities were promised.

Second, Republicans in Congress are bowing down to Donald Trump and ratifying some of his worst efforts. They are using an obscure piece of federal law to zero out federal funding after it was approved by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. This process is called a “rescission,” and it only requires 50 Republican votes to do Donald Trump’s bidding.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, Trump is already plotting to use a shady loophole to defund even more programs — demanding cuts so late in the year that Congress doesn’t have enough time to do anything about it. The Director of Donald Trump’s Office of Budget and Management, Russ Vought, has already said that loophole is quote-unquote “on the table.”

Let’s be clear about what’s happening here. Step One: Congress negotiates a compromise that both Republicans and Democrats support and it’s signed into law. Step Two: Trump tells Republicans what parts of that deal he wants to cancel. Step Three: Republicans in the Senate bend the knee and follow Trump’s orders to cancel the money. But wait there’s more — apparently, Step Four is Republicans turn around and, with a straight face, ask Democrats to negotiate more deals for next year’s funding, starting the whole rinse-and-repeat process again, beginning with the bill to fund veterans services.

Are you kidding me? Do we really look that gullible?

Why should Democrats come to the table in good faith and throw our support behind a quote-unquote bipartisan bill, only for Republicans to turn around after the deal is done and, somewhere down the line, delete any of the parts Trump doesn’t like? That’s like Republicans saying: “Let’s cut a deal to sell you a car today,” and then a month from now, they come back and steal the wheels.

Of course, Trump may not ask his Republican buddies to rescind spending. Maybe instead on his own he’ll just illegally refuse to spend it, the way he’s done with $425 billion already this year.

Our founders didn’t give the President the power to decide spending. A king can decide anything he wants, but not a president. Donald Trump wants to be able to wake up and decide to cancel funding for public education, transportation projects, medical research, food inspectors, anything, just because Donald Trump feels like it — and he wants the Republicans in Congress to roll over and let it happen. No checks and balances. Just Trump playing king and ending programs that would help Americans.

Trump is getting a lot of help from his team. Russ Vought, the head of OMB, has said that the problem in Congress is too much bipartisanship. Too much. In other words, the Trump administration is saying loud and clear that Donald Trump can make all the decisions. They don’t need — or want — Democrats.

At the very same time, the Republicans need Democratic votes for these funding bills because the Senate rules currently require 60 votes for them to pass and there are only 53 Republicans in the Senate. If Democrats don’t provide votes, the Republicans want to blame us for shutting down the government when this year’s funding runs out at the end of September.

On the other hand, if Senate Republicans want Democratic votes for these funding bills, they should ask us what it will take to win our support. Not just what programs we want to fund or at what levels, when those promises aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. No, Democrats should tell Republicans that if they want our votes, they will have to guarantee that any deal we strike actually means something.

I get it: Democrats and Republicans have different priorities. Here in the Senate, Republicans have voted to end health care for 17 million Americans and drive up health insurance costs for millions more. Republicans have voted to give billionaires huge tax cuts. Democrats are willing to make a deal, but our deal is about bringing down costs for families, including the cost of health care, groceries, and housing. If Republicans want to make a deal, let’s make a deal — but only if the Republicans include an agreement that they won’t take it back a few weeks later.

Congress is a co-equal branch of government. We swore an oath to the Constitution, not to a king. I’m asking my Republican colleagues to grow a spine and stand up for Americans instead of bowing down to their pretend-king. And I’m asking my Democratic colleagues to join me in using the power we have to fight back.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Markey, Merkley, Whitehouse Press Top Trump Officials on Rising Electricity Prices for Americans
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

July 30, 2025

Consumers face higher electricity prices than when Biden left office, despite Trump campaign promise to cut energy and electricity prices in half

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), joined by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), pressed Trump administration officials on rising electricity prices for Americans. Despite Donald Trump’s campaign promise to “cut the price of energy and electricity in half,” consumers are facing higher electricity prices than when President Biden left office.

“The Administration must reverse its path of increased energy prices and instead work to cut energy costs for American families,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers wrote to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., pressing for answers as to why President Trump has failed to lower energy prices and what the administration’s plan is to bring down those costs.

“We write to you – a broad swath of the cabinet – because the increase in energy costs is driven by a broad swath of policies across the Trump Administration,” wrote the lawmakers.

According to the most recent data from the Consumer Price Index, under the Trump administration, electricity prices are up nearly 5 percent from the start of the year and up by almost a full percentage point in June 2025. Prices are expected to climb even further, with the average electric bill in the U.S. during this year’s air conditioning season projected to hit record highs.

“At the same time, the Trump Administration is cutting programs that help families afford higher electricity costs and lower their energy usage, all while utility CEOs receive massive payouts,” wrote the lawmakers. “A combination of the Administration’s regulatory decisions, the impacts of tariffs, and the Administration’s reversal of key energy investments is driving up energy bills for Americans around the country.”

The lawmakers cited key examples of Trump administration actions which have exacerbated the energy cost crisis, including:
- The President’s “Big Beautiful Bill” makes cuts to existing clean energy and manufacturing tax credits that will lead to the estimated loss of 1.6 million jobs and elimination of $980 billion in GDP growth. The final law will result in an estimated $280 increase in average American household energy costs per year over the next decade.
- President Trump’s efforts to sell more gas overseas risk creating a domestic price surge due to draining domestic supplies.
- The Trump Administration is forcing states to keep defunct, unwanted, and unneeded coal plants open in several states, foisting tens of millions of dollars of new maintenance and retention costs onto consumers in 15 states.
- President Trump’s chaotic and poorly planned tariffs policy is increasing costs for building materials for transmission lines and electrical equipment, and “virtually every other segment of the supply chain,” imposing additional costs on consumers.
- The Administration has proposed entirely eliminating funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) after firing the entirety of the program’s staff, which provides $4 billion in assistance to approximately 6 million low-income families who rely on this funding to pay their utility bills.
- The Energy Department is in the process of rolling back energy efficiency and water conservation standards, which save households close to $600 annually on water and gas bills.
The lawmakers pressed for answers to better understand how the Administration plans to lower prices for consumers by August 11, 2025.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Mullin to Host Next Telephone Town Hall on Thursday 7/31

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) will host his next live telephone town hall event tomorrow, Thursday, July 31^st at 5pm CT. During the call, Mullin will provide a quick legislative update, including highlights from the recent passage of President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ before taking live questions from constituents.

“Our telephone town halls are a great way for thousands of Oklahomans across the state to receive convenient updates and speak directly with me about the issues that matter most to them,” said Senator Mullin. “I’m excited to discuss what we’ve achieved in the first 7 months of President Trump’s term, including historic tax cuts, permanent border security, lower energy costs, and greater support for our defense community. Though we’ve already delivered major wins for Oklahoma, it’s vital that our state continue to have a voice as we advance legislative priorities for the second Trump administration. I look forward to hearing from those who join our important conversation.”

Details for participating in the call are below:

Date: Thursday, July 31^st, 2025

Time: 5:00pm CT

Dial In: (855) 614-0277

Note: Due to the anticipated size of this event, all participating Oklahomans are encouraged to dial into the telephone town hall at least 5-10 minutes early to get connected. The telephone town hall will also stream LIVE and be available for playback on Senator Mullin’s Facebook page.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
PM Modi condoles demise of renowned economist Meghnad Desai

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Distinguished Indian-origin economist, author, and member of the UK House of Lords, Lord Meghnad Desai, passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of condolences from across the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron.

Born as Meghnad Jagdishchandra Desai in 1940 in Vadodara, the economist began his academic journey in economics at the University of Mumbai, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, following which he received a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, completing his PhD in economics in 1963, three years after enrolling.

Following the news of his demise, PM Modi expressed grief and recalled his valuable contributions to economic thought and India-UK relations.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Anguished by the passing away of Shri Meghnad Desai Ji, a distinguished thinker, writer and economist. He always remained connected to India and Indian culture. He also played a role in deepening India-UK ties. Will fondly recall our discussions, where he shared his valuable insights. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”

The British High Commissioner to India also expressed her condolences over Desai’s demise, stating, “RIP Lord Desai. Thoughts with Kishwar Desai and his wider family and friends. Such fond memories of watching the UK general election with him last year,” in a post on X.

“So sad to learn Lord Meghnad Desai passed away in Delhi this evening. First Indian Labour Party Peer, Professor Emeritus LSE, renowned economist and author. A passionate advocate for UK-India links. Thoughts of all UK in India with his wife Lady Kishwar and their children,” said Christina Scott, Deputy High Commissioner of the UK to India in a post on X.

The High Commission of India in London also paid tribute to Desai, noting that he had championed the strong and lasting ties between India and the UK and that his contributions would continue to inspire diplomats, academics, and thought leaders in both nations.

“The High Commission of India in London is deeply saddened by the passing of Lord Meghnad Desai. A teacher, scholar, thought leader and great advocate of the enduring friendship between India and the UK. Lord Desai’s work will be cherished by generations of diplomats, scholars and thought leaders in both countries. His role in the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Parliament Square in London ensures that his legacy will endure,” said the High Commission of India in London in a post on X.

Desai was elevated to the UK House of Lords in 1991, where he served as the first Indian-origin peer from the Labour Party. He held the title of Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics (LSE) and was widely respected for his academic contributions and public policy insights.

(ANI)

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Hailing Progress to Transform Food Systems, Deputy Secretary-General Urges Stronger Collaboration to End Global Hunger, at UN Summit+4 Stocktake’s Closing Plenary
Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the closing plenary of the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), in Addis Ababa today:

Let me begin by extending my appreciation to the Government of Ethiopia for its warm hospitality, and to the Italian Government as well, for their support as Co-Hosts of this Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake.

Over the last three days, we have engaged and heard from over 3,000 of you — leaders from Ethiopia and Italy, Kenya, Somalia, Comoros, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, Cuba; the ministers from a wide range of sectors; National Convenors and other government representatives; youth, Indigenous Peoples, food producers, business, civil society, development partners; our Rome-based agencies; and the UN system. I am particularly grateful to the resident coordinators that joined us here in Addis and will now go back to work with renewed impetus to make food systems transformation a reality.

The energy and vitality of this movement continues to inspire. This gathering has reminded us of the value of coming together as a global community to benefit from the perspectives and experiences of others and to shape new, bold action for the future.

At the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, we embarked on a journey to grow and catalyse energy behind an emerging movement for the transformation of our food systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Too often food systems are seen as part of our challenges, when they can be one of the greatest solutions to deliver for people, planet, peace and prosperity.

Two years ago, still grappling with the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic, facing planetary crises and the effects of new conflicts, the Call to Action from the First Stocktake of the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+2) in Rome appealed for inclusivity to strengthen our efforts to drive more targeted investment and mutual accountability.

Since then, Governments have continued to shift how they govern and shape policy for food systems. A total of 130 countries have articulated integrated, multisectoral National Pathways for Food Systems Transformation and here again; I want to acknowledge the incredible contribution of Sir David Nabarro.

In 168 countries, nationally determined contributions are now reflecting the critical role of food and agriculture in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as we seek to adapt and transform.

More than 170 countries are implementing school meal programmes that support child nutrition, often connecting with local producers and contributing to regenerative production practices. At the subnational level, many cities are leading the way in reducing food waste and strengthening local supply chains.

I am proud of what we have achieved. We have heard powerful stories of progress and rising ambition since 2021 from a diverse ecosystem of partners, who are reforming policies, championing local innovation and digitalization, mobilizing investments and partnerships and empowering women and youth.

And when it comes to our young people, there is increased understanding that ensuring youth-inclusive and youth-led food systems transformation is important both for enhancing youth welfare and building sustainable and resilient food systems.

The food systems movement has taken root in global and regional agreements — from the Twenty-Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) Declaration to initiatives emerging from the Group of Seven (G7) and Group of Twenty (G20) to regional agreements, such as the Kampala Declaration earlier this year.

These are powerful commitments to transform food systems for people and the planet that you have helped inspire. Thanks to your collective work and efforts we are better equipped to meet our ambition.

You are strengthening coalitions and launching new initiatives to help drive our work, including:
- The Food Systems Accelerator, launched by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), GAIN and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, will support countries to turn strategies into financed, scalable change.
- Through greater uptake of the Financial Flows to Food Systems framework, co-developed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank, we can help Governments design more effective, tailored financing strategies.
- Business engagement — co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Global Compact and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development — broke new ground. These efforts culminated in a Business Compendium of 15 investment-ready models, showing how business is shifting from commitment to implementation.
- As a result of the investment pitch for Cameroon, the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security has announced their intent to partner with the Joint SDG Fund to significantly scale up existing programmes. The launch for this large-scale commitment will take place in New York this September 2025.
- The Convergence Initiative helps drive integration of food systems transformation and climate action for accelerated sustainable development and represents a useful resource for countries to navigate competing policy choices with partners.
- Investments in critical sectors, including those under the Mattei Plan for Africa, are mobilizing public-private partnerships and catalysing private sector investment.
- The UNFSS+4 Youth Declaration, crafted by more than 3,000 youth from all over the world, called for inclusive, participatory decision-making in food systems, climate justice and intergenerational collaboration.
- The UNFSS Coalitions of Action demonstrated that they are dynamic vehicles for food systems transformation, mobilizing diverse stakeholders across sectors and scales to deliver impact aligned with national priorities.
With just five years until 2030, it is encouraging to see that the world remains committed to the realization of the 2030 Agenda.

As we conclude this Stocktake, we must acknowledge that we met in the face of challenges that test our moral values and threaten the future sustainability of our planet, underscoring the urgency of our work together.

The release of the 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report last night confirmed: hunger and malnutrition persist. Climate shocks, conflict, debt and inequality are widening the cracks in our systems.

It is estimated that between 638 and 720 million people — a bit less than 1 in 10 people in the world — faced hunger in 2024. 2.6 billion people are still unable to afford a healthy diet. Only about one third of children aged 6 to 23 months and two thirds of women aged 15 to 49 years achieved minimum dietary diversity globally.

People’s access to food in conflict zones is highly constrained and — in some instances — attempts to access humanitarian relief has led to injury and death. Whole communities experience man-made food insecurity and malnutrition, with extreme long-term consequences for their children.

Farmers everywhere are facing unprecedented adverse climate impacts, threatening livelihoods and food security. Developing economies are still coping with impacts of inflation, severe fiscal constraints, debt challenges and the high cost of capital. Looking ahead, 512 million people are still projected to be facing hunger in 2030, of whom nearly 60 per cent will be in Africa.

As we consider the pathway to 2030, peace and respect for human rights must anchor our ambition. Every person in our world — rich or poor, young or old — has the right to food that is accessible, affordable, safe and nutritious. Present and future generations are depending on our choices. Only through inclusive dialogue and genuine partnerships can countries and communities ensure faster and more effective progress.

As we leave this Stocktake and take what we achieved here in Addis back home and to other milestones, clear points of emphasis have been identified:

First, we must act urgently to summon the funding, innovations and global solidarity to build the food-secure and climate-resilient future that every person, everywhere, needs and deserves. The dramatic reduction in life-saving humanitarian funding to respond to these needs must be immediately reversed and safe access to life-saving humanitarian support granted.

Second, is to deepen the implementation of National Pathways for Food Systems Transformation. The effective and meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders is a priority, with particular attention to involving family farmers, front-line food workers, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Third, we must unlock finance and investment. That means mobilizing domestic resources and investments at scale for all dimensions of food systems transformation. It also means scaling up finance and investment by multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, and public development banks behind country priorities.

And we have work to do to scale up private sector investment in agriculture and food systems. This should include the small and medium-sized enterprises that serve as a backbone of our food systems interfacing with millions of food producers and consumers.

Fourth, we must continue the drive for an integrated approach. We need to simultaneously pursue policy measures that focus on equity and resilience through linking environmental, economic and social dimensions of food systems. Policies should be rooted in local culture, communities and traditional knowledge to help guide approaches that can accelerate transformation and enhance self-reliance.

Fifth, we must continue to leverage science, technology and knowledge. Science and innovation are prerequisites for food systems transformation and can support alignment of health, agriculture, climate, biodiversity and economic objectives and policies. Strong science-policy-society interfaces are essential and must appreciate traditional knowledge.

New technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are changing our economies and our societies. The road ahead demands we leverage the appropriate and responsible use of technology to ensure prosperity for all in a healthy and liveable planet. The digital public infrastructure needs more investment to ensure the connectivity of our rural communities.

And, finally, we must connect with our future. I agree with our young people — they are not merely future beneficiaries of food systems change, they are active co-leaders in transformation. Policies should enhance opportunities for young people to create, innovate and thrive.

On the road to 2030, there will be important milestones that the outcomes of UNFSS+4 will inform and in which this movement will engage. These include the World Social Summit, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30, UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP17 and the 2027 SDG Summit.

UNFSS+4 has reinforced the value of a dedicated space to foster collaboration, deepen systems approaches and encourage the emergence of food systems whose purposes are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda.

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub will continue to advance progress at country level, through our resident coordinators and country teams, accompanying National Convenors and collaborating with other partners. Our movement has shown what is possible when we work together in deliberate ways across sectors, stakeholders and countries with a shared purpose.

I call on Governments and people everywhere to build on what has been accomplished and continue to work together for peace and to realize the vision of the 2030 Agenda. Let’s continue to lead the way — together.

MIL OSI United Nations News –
July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: High Noon Announces Recall of its Vodka Seltzer Beach Pack (12 Pack) Due to Inclusion of CELSIUS® ASTRO VIBE ™ Energy Drink Cans that were Inadvertently Filled with Vodka Seltzer

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
July 29, 2025
FDA Publish Date:
July 30, 2025
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description
Cans contain alcohol

Company Name:
High Noon
Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)
High Noon, Celsius

Product Description:

Product Description
Energy Drink

Company Announcement
MODESTO, CA, July 29, 2025 – High Noon is recalling two production lots of High Noon Beach Variety packs (12-pack/12 fluid ounce cans). Some of these packs contain cans that are filled with High Noon vodka seltzer alcohol and are mislabeled as CELSIUS® ASTRO VIBE™ Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition with a silver top. Consumption of the liquid in these cans will result in unintentional alcohol ingestion.
No illnesses or adverse events have been reported for this recall to date.
Product Details: This labeling error is confined to the two lots listed below:

Product Description

Retail UPC

Lot Codes

Product Images

High Noon BeachVariety Packs

High Noon UPC:085000040065

L CCC 17JL25 14:00 toL CCC 17JL25 23:59 L CCC 18JL25 00:00 toL CCC 18JL25 03:00 Lot Codes are on theexterior of the 12-pack.See below:

See Image Below

CELSIUS ASTROVIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition

CELSIUS UPC8 89392 00134 1

L CCB02JL25 2:55 to L CCB02JL25 3:11 The lot codes arelasered on thebottom of the can.

See Image Below

This recall is exclusively for the affected High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs with the lot codes listed above, which were shipped to distributors in FL, MI, NY, OH, OK, SC, VA & WI. Distributors shipped product to retailers in FL, NY, OH, SC, VA & WI. Product was shipped between July 21, 2025 – July 23, 2025.
Even if not purchased in a High Noon Beach Variety pack, consumers should be advised to ensure their CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition does not contain the lot codes (L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11), prior to consuming.
Consumers are advised to dispose of the CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition cans with the impacted lot codes (L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11) and not consume the liquid. High Noon Beach Variety packs with different lot codes than above are not affected by this recall and are safe to consume.
The recall was initiated after High Noon discovered that a shared packaging supplier mistakenly shipped empty CELSIUS cans to High Noon.
As a reminder, consumers are advised to dispose of the CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition silver lid cans with the impacted lot codes (L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11) and not consume the liquid.
Consumers who have purchased the identified High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs or mislabeled CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition (with lot codes: L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11), should contact High Noon Consumer Relations at consumerrelations@highnoonvodka.com to get more information on next steps, including refunds.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Company Contact Information

Product Photos

Content current as of:
07/30/2025

Regulated Product(s)

Follow FDA

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: White House, Tech Leaders Commit to Create Patient-Centric Healthcare Ecosystem

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services

Leading Healthcare, Tech Companies Pledge to Work on Interoperability & User-Friendly Apps

Today, the Trump Administration announced progress toward building a smarter, more secure, and more personalized healthcare experience in partnership with innovative private sector companies. During a White House “Make Health Tech Great Again” event hosted with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Administration secured commitments from major healthcare and information technology firms – including Amazon, Anthropic, Apple, Google, and OpenAI – to begin laying the foundation for a next-generation digital health ecosystem that will improve patient outcomes, reduce provider burden, and drive value.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Releases Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination

Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

Headline: Justice Department Releases Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice released Guidance to ensure that recipients of federal funding do not engage in unlawful discrimination. In particular, it clarifies that federal antidiscrimination laws apply to programs or initiatives that involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs. Entities that receive federal funds, like all other entities subject to federal antidiscrimination laws, must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics—no matter the program’s labels, objectives, or intentions.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025