Category: DJF

  • Govt drafts emission targets for over 460 industries under carbon market plan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Environment has issued a draft notification proposing legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets for over 460 industrial units as part of India’s first compliance-based carbon market.

    The move, aimed at curbing industrial emissions and accelerating decarbonisation, will apply to sectors such as aluminium, iron and steel, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and textiles.

    Titled the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025, the draft, dated June 23, forms part of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.

    The scheme requires designated industries – referred to as “obligated entities” – to reduce their GHG emissions per unit of output over time, or compensate by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian Carbon Market.

    According to the draft, “The obligated entity shall achieve the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) targets in the respective compliance year… or meet its GEI target by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian carbon market.”

    If implemented, the targets will become legally enforceable from the date of final notification.

    As per the draft, failure to comply will attract financial penalties and legal consequences under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

    The targets will be assigned for two compliance years – 2025-26 and 2026-27 – based on baseline emission intensity data from 2023-24.

    The draft includes a list of 264 industrial units along with their baseline emission levels and reduction targets for the compliance years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

    The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will determine these targets using sectoral benchmarks and past performance. Greenhouse gas emission intensity (GEI) is defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted per unit of output or product.

    For example, Hindalco Industries’ Taloja aluminium plant in Maharashtra, which had a baseline GEI of 1.3386 tCO2 per tonne in 2023-24, must reduce that figure to 1.2563 by 2026-27. In the steel sector, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India’s Hazira facility – India’s largest obligated entity by production volume – must cut its emission intensity from 2.2701 to 2.1696 tCO2 per tonne during the same period.

    The rules also cover the petroleum refining sector. BPCL’s Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh, with a crude throughput of over 51 million barrels, has been assigned a GEI reduction trajectory from 5.2312 tCO2/MBBLS in 2023-24 to 4.8553 by 2026-27. BPCL’s Kochi
    Refinery, one of the largest in the country, must bring down its GEI from 4.5745 to 4.4230 tCO2/MBBLS in the same time frame.

    Entities that emit less than their targets will receive carbon credit certificates, calculated as the difference between the GEI target and actual GEI, multiplied by the total production volume.

    Conversely, those exceeding their targets must buy the difference in credits from the Indian Carbon Market. “The number of carbon credit certificates to be issued… shall be determined as per the following formula: (GEI Target – GEI Achieved) x Unit of equivalent product produced,” the draft states.

    Unused credits can be banked for future use, allowing companies some flexibility across compliance years.

    However, if an entity fails to meet its target and does not purchase the required credits, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose an Environmental Compensation.

    This amount will be “equal to twice the average price at which a carbon credit certificate is traded during the trading cycle,” as per the notification. The penalty must be paid within 90 days.

    Funds collected will be used to support carbon market operations, upon recommendation of the National Steering Committee and approval of the Centre.

    The ministry has invited comments, objections, or suggestions from the public and industry stakeholders. Submissions must be made within 60 days of the draft’s publication and can be emailed to ccts.hsm-moefcc@gov.in.

    (ANI)

  • Govt drafts emission targets for over 460 industries under carbon market plan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Environment has issued a draft notification proposing legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets for over 460 industrial units as part of India’s first compliance-based carbon market.

    The move, aimed at curbing industrial emissions and accelerating decarbonisation, will apply to sectors such as aluminium, iron and steel, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and textiles.

    Titled the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025, the draft, dated June 23, forms part of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.

    The scheme requires designated industries – referred to as “obligated entities” – to reduce their GHG emissions per unit of output over time, or compensate by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian Carbon Market.

    According to the draft, “The obligated entity shall achieve the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) targets in the respective compliance year… or meet its GEI target by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian carbon market.”

    If implemented, the targets will become legally enforceable from the date of final notification.

    As per the draft, failure to comply will attract financial penalties and legal consequences under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

    The targets will be assigned for two compliance years – 2025-26 and 2026-27 – based on baseline emission intensity data from 2023-24.

    The draft includes a list of 264 industrial units along with their baseline emission levels and reduction targets for the compliance years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

    The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will determine these targets using sectoral benchmarks and past performance. Greenhouse gas emission intensity (GEI) is defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted per unit of output or product.

    For example, Hindalco Industries’ Taloja aluminium plant in Maharashtra, which had a baseline GEI of 1.3386 tCO2 per tonne in 2023-24, must reduce that figure to 1.2563 by 2026-27. In the steel sector, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India’s Hazira facility – India’s largest obligated entity by production volume – must cut its emission intensity from 2.2701 to 2.1696 tCO2 per tonne during the same period.

    The rules also cover the petroleum refining sector. BPCL’s Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh, with a crude throughput of over 51 million barrels, has been assigned a GEI reduction trajectory from 5.2312 tCO2/MBBLS in 2023-24 to 4.8553 by 2026-27. BPCL’s Kochi
    Refinery, one of the largest in the country, must bring down its GEI from 4.5745 to 4.4230 tCO2/MBBLS in the same time frame.

    Entities that emit less than their targets will receive carbon credit certificates, calculated as the difference between the GEI target and actual GEI, multiplied by the total production volume.

    Conversely, those exceeding their targets must buy the difference in credits from the Indian Carbon Market. “The number of carbon credit certificates to be issued… shall be determined as per the following formula: (GEI Target – GEI Achieved) x Unit of equivalent product produced,” the draft states.

    Unused credits can be banked for future use, allowing companies some flexibility across compliance years.

    However, if an entity fails to meet its target and does not purchase the required credits, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose an Environmental Compensation.

    This amount will be “equal to twice the average price at which a carbon credit certificate is traded during the trading cycle,” as per the notification. The penalty must be paid within 90 days.

    Funds collected will be used to support carbon market operations, upon recommendation of the National Steering Committee and approval of the Centre.

    The ministry has invited comments, objections, or suggestions from the public and industry stakeholders. Submissions must be made within 60 days of the draft’s publication and can be emailed to ccts.hsm-moefcc@gov.in.

    (ANI)

  • Govt drafts emission targets for over 460 industries under carbon market plan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Environment has issued a draft notification proposing legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets for over 460 industrial units as part of India’s first compliance-based carbon market.

    The move, aimed at curbing industrial emissions and accelerating decarbonisation, will apply to sectors such as aluminium, iron and steel, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and textiles.

    Titled the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025, the draft, dated June 23, forms part of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.

    The scheme requires designated industries – referred to as “obligated entities” – to reduce their GHG emissions per unit of output over time, or compensate by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian Carbon Market.

    According to the draft, “The obligated entity shall achieve the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) targets in the respective compliance year… or meet its GEI target by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian carbon market.”

    If implemented, the targets will become legally enforceable from the date of final notification.

    As per the draft, failure to comply will attract financial penalties and legal consequences under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

    The targets will be assigned for two compliance years – 2025-26 and 2026-27 – based on baseline emission intensity data from 2023-24.

    The draft includes a list of 264 industrial units along with their baseline emission levels and reduction targets for the compliance years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

    The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will determine these targets using sectoral benchmarks and past performance. Greenhouse gas emission intensity (GEI) is defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted per unit of output or product.

    For example, Hindalco Industries’ Taloja aluminium plant in Maharashtra, which had a baseline GEI of 1.3386 tCO2 per tonne in 2023-24, must reduce that figure to 1.2563 by 2026-27. In the steel sector, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India’s Hazira facility – India’s largest obligated entity by production volume – must cut its emission intensity from 2.2701 to 2.1696 tCO2 per tonne during the same period.

    The rules also cover the petroleum refining sector. BPCL’s Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh, with a crude throughput of over 51 million barrels, has been assigned a GEI reduction trajectory from 5.2312 tCO2/MBBLS in 2023-24 to 4.8553 by 2026-27. BPCL’s Kochi
    Refinery, one of the largest in the country, must bring down its GEI from 4.5745 to 4.4230 tCO2/MBBLS in the same time frame.

    Entities that emit less than their targets will receive carbon credit certificates, calculated as the difference between the GEI target and actual GEI, multiplied by the total production volume.

    Conversely, those exceeding their targets must buy the difference in credits from the Indian Carbon Market. “The number of carbon credit certificates to be issued… shall be determined as per the following formula: (GEI Target – GEI Achieved) x Unit of equivalent product produced,” the draft states.

    Unused credits can be banked for future use, allowing companies some flexibility across compliance years.

    However, if an entity fails to meet its target and does not purchase the required credits, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose an Environmental Compensation.

    This amount will be “equal to twice the average price at which a carbon credit certificate is traded during the trading cycle,” as per the notification. The penalty must be paid within 90 days.

    Funds collected will be used to support carbon market operations, upon recommendation of the National Steering Committee and approval of the Centre.

    The ministry has invited comments, objections, or suggestions from the public and industry stakeholders. Submissions must be made within 60 days of the draft’s publication and can be emailed to ccts.hsm-moefcc@gov.in.

    (ANI)

  • Blast in Telangana chemical factory kills at least fight; PM Modi announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least eight people were killed and 26 others injured in an explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

    In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister’s Office said:
    “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a factory in Sangareddy, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000: PM @narendramodi.”

    V. Satyanarayana, Inspector General of Police, Multi Zone II, said, “There was a blast at Sigachi Pharma, a chemical production factory in Pasamailaram. The incident occurred between 8:15 and 9:35 am, and the police were informed within 10 minutes. We reached the spot within 20 minutes. NDRF, SDF, and other rescue teams, along with 10 fire engines, arrived at the scene. So far, six bodies have been recovered, and two more people died while undergoing treatment at Chanda Nagar.”

    “A total of eight people have died, and 26 are injured, with two or three in critical condition. Government officials are providing all necessary medical care. There were 150 workers on shift, with 90 present in the blast area. Firefighting operations are ongoing, and the rescue mission is still in progress. Further details will be shared soon,” he added.

    ANI

  • India’s overseas financial assets see robust growth in FY25, RBI data shows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India recorded a notable expansion in its overseas financial assets during the financial year 2024–25, largely driven by stronger overseas direct investments, higher holdings in currency and deposits, and a rise in reserve assets, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

    More than 72 per cent of the total increase in India’s foreign financial assets came from these three components, with reserve assets alone contributing over half the growth. The central bank noted that currency and deposits, along with direct investments abroad, also made significant contributions to this expansion.

    “Over 72 per cent of the rise in India’s overseas financial assets was due to an increase in overseas direct investment, currency and deposits,” the RBI said.

    In absolute terms, India’s total external financial assets rose by USD 105.4 billion during FY25. By contrast, the country’s external financial liabilities increased by USD 74.2 billion. This resulted in net claims of non-residents on India declining by USD 31.2 billion over the year.

    The RBI report pointed out that this decline was largely due to a sharper increase in Indian residents’ overseas financial assets—up by USD 60.0 billion—compared to the rise in foreign-owned assets in India, which stood at USD 25.8 billion during the January–March 2025 quarter.

    Reflecting this trend, the ratio of India’s international financial assets to its international financial liabilities improved to 77.5 per cent in March 2025, up from 74.1 per cent a year earlier. This indicates a strengthening of India’s external financial position, offering greater stability in the country’s balance of payments.

    On the liability side, inward direct investments, loans, and currency and deposits remained key drivers. Inward direct investment and loans together made up more than three-fourths of the rise in foreign liabilities of Indian residents in the January–March 2025 period. Loans increased by USD 10.0 billion, while inward direct investments rose by USD 9.7 billion during the quarter.

    -ANI

  • India’s overseas financial assets see robust growth in FY25, RBI data shows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India recorded a notable expansion in its overseas financial assets during the financial year 2024–25, largely driven by stronger overseas direct investments, higher holdings in currency and deposits, and a rise in reserve assets, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

    More than 72 per cent of the total increase in India’s foreign financial assets came from these three components, with reserve assets alone contributing over half the growth. The central bank noted that currency and deposits, along with direct investments abroad, also made significant contributions to this expansion.

    “Over 72 per cent of the rise in India’s overseas financial assets was due to an increase in overseas direct investment, currency and deposits,” the RBI said.

    In absolute terms, India’s total external financial assets rose by USD 105.4 billion during FY25. By contrast, the country’s external financial liabilities increased by USD 74.2 billion. This resulted in net claims of non-residents on India declining by USD 31.2 billion over the year.

    The RBI report pointed out that this decline was largely due to a sharper increase in Indian residents’ overseas financial assets—up by USD 60.0 billion—compared to the rise in foreign-owned assets in India, which stood at USD 25.8 billion during the January–March 2025 quarter.

    Reflecting this trend, the ratio of India’s international financial assets to its international financial liabilities improved to 77.5 per cent in March 2025, up from 74.1 per cent a year earlier. This indicates a strengthening of India’s external financial position, offering greater stability in the country’s balance of payments.

    On the liability side, inward direct investments, loans, and currency and deposits remained key drivers. Inward direct investment and loans together made up more than three-fourths of the rise in foreign liabilities of Indian residents in the January–March 2025 period. Loans increased by USD 10.0 billion, while inward direct investments rose by USD 9.7 billion during the quarter.

    -ANI

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets Chairman of US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate Members

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Washington, June 28, 2025

    HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met in Washington with HE Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch, along with a number Senators.

    During the meeting, the two sides discussed the close strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the United States of America, ways to support and strengthen them, and the joint efforts that resulted in reaching a ceasefire agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.

    The latest developments in the Gaza Strip, the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Syria were also discussed.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs balanced state budget that cuts taxes for vets, fully funds free school meals, builds more housing, & creates jobs

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jun 27, 2025

    FUNDED: Tax cut for military retirees

    FUNDED: Universal pre-kindergarten for all 

    FUNDED: Expanded before school, after school, & summer school

    FUNDED: Free school meals for all kids 

    FUNDED: Game-changing literacy & reading investments

    FUNDED: Building more housing, ASAP

    FUNDED: Lowering drug costs

    FUNDED: Expanding medication abortion access with CalRx

    FUNDED: Historic firefighting & public safety investments

    FUNDED: Protecting California’s iconic film industry

    Signing of landmark package to cut red tape, fast-track housing, and infrastructure forthcoming  

    SACRAMENTO – Amid Donald Trump’s economic assault on California, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed the 2025 state budget bill advanced in partnership with Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Speaker Robert Rivas. Together, the Governor and Legislature are enacting a responsible, balanced spending plan that safeguards California’s values while maintaining long-term fiscal health. This budget and forthcoming trailer bills include new, landmark policies that will accelerate housing production and boost affordability in communities across the state — addressing California’s most urgent challenges.

    As we confront Donald Trump’s economic sabotage, this budget agreement proves California won’t just hold the line — we’ll go even further. It’s balanced, it maintains substantial reserves, and it’s focused on supporting Californians — slashing red tape and catapulting housing and infrastructure development, preserving essential healthcare services, funds universal pre-K, and cuts taxes for veterans.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Pro Tem Mike McGuire says: “The State is delivering a responsible on-time budget in a challenging year focused on fiscal restraint and investing in the people and programs that make this State great. This budget prioritizes record funding for our kids and public schools, protects access to health care for millions of the most vulnerable, and will create more housing at a scale not seen in years. Thanks to this budget agreement, the state will help get more folks off the streets and into permanent shelter, and we’ll expand the ranks of CalFire, deploying hundreds of additional full-time CalFire firefighters, which will save lives and make us all more wildfire safe. And this agreement helps prepare our state for the ongoing chaos and massive uncertainty caused by the Trump administration. Thank you to our Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, Speaker Rivas and Governor Newsom and their staffs for their hard work for the people of California.”

    Speaker Robert Rivas says: “This is an incredibly difficult time for Californians. Trump is undermining our economy with reckless tariffs, harsh cuts, and ICE agents terrorizing our communities. At a moment when so many are already struggling, he’s adding fear and instability. In contrast, Democrats have delivered a budget that protects California. It cuts red tape to build more housing faster — because housing is the foundation of affordability and opportunity. It preserves critical investments in health care, women’s health, education, and public safety. And it honors our commitment not to raise taxes on families, workers, or small businesses. In unprecedented times, under painful circumstances, Democrats are delivering for Californians.”

    Tax cuts for vets, smaller class sizes, free school meals

    The budget reflects a shared commitment to protect opportunity and improve affordability in California, in the face of targeted attacks by the Trump administration. The budget makes historic investments in public education — from universal transitional kindergarten and free school meals to expanded before and after-school programs, summer school, smaller class sizes, and strengthened career training and higher education. The budget demonstrates the state’s commitment to honoring veterans by creating tax cuts for military retirees, recognizing their service and supporting their financial security. 

    Lowering prescription drug costs, protecting reproductive care, and safety nets 

    The budget preserves key health care programs for Californians targeted by Republicans. It preserves vital safety net programs, including in-home supportive services and women’s reproductive health. As part of the budget, the Governor is also expected to sign legislation protecting access to health care, license and regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers for the first time, increasing transparency and accountability in the pharmacy supply chain. The legislation also expands CalRx’s authority to procure brand-name drugs and respond to politically motivated supply disruptions, helping shield access to critical medications like mifepristone.

    Lights, camera, JOBS

    The budget protects California’s position as the 4th largest economy in the world – supporting business and continued economic growth, including California’s iconic film industry. Next week, the Governor is expected to sign additional legislation as part of the expansion of the film and TV tax credit program — further catapulting the program’s impact to $750 million a year.

    Trump’s economic assault

    The balanced budget comes as California continues to confront significant fiscal pressures fueled by the Trump administration’s reckless economic and immigration policies. According to the California Department of Finance, Trump’s tariff regime is projected to cost the state an estimated $16 billion in lost General Fund revenue through the next fiscal year. And a new study released June 17 by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, in collaboration with UC Merced, found that Trump’s mass deportations could slash $275 billion from California’s economy, eliminate $23 billion in annual tax revenue, and severely disrupt key industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. 

    In the face of these mounting challenges, the Governor issued a proclamation to access state reserves. This responsible and balanced budget protects Californians, creates more housing, preserves core programs, reinforces fiscal discipline, and invests in the state’s long-term economic strength.

    The Governor today announced signing the following bills:

    • AB 102 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Budget Act of 2025.
    • AB 118 by the Committee on Budget – Human services.
    • AB 121 by the Committee on Budget – Education finance: education omnibus budget trailer bill.
    • AB 123 by the Committee on Budget – Higher education budget trailer bill.
    • AB 134 by the Committee on Budget – Public Safety.
    • AB 136 by the Committee on Budget – Courts.
    • AB 143 by the Committee on Budget – Developmental services.
    • SB 101 by the Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Budget Act of 2025.
    • SB 103 by the Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Budget Acts of 2022, 2023, and 2024.
    • SB 120 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Early childhood education and childcare.
    • SB 124 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Public resources trailer bill.
    • SB 127 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Climate change.
    • SB 128 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Transportation.
    • SB 132 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Taxation.
    • SB 141 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – California Cannabis Tax Fund: Department of Cannabis Control: Board of State and Community Corrections grants.
    • SB 142 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program.

    The Governor’s signature on the state budget is contingent on the enactment of either AB 131 or SB 131 on Monday, June 30th.

    Para leer este comunicado en español, haga clic aquí.

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kosmos Energy and Partners Achieve Commercial Operations at Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project

    The project partners on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG development – situated on the maritime border of Senegal and Mauritania – have started commercial operations. The Gimi FLNG vessel – owned by maritime infrastructure company Golar LNG and situated at the project site – reached its Commercial Operating Date (COD) in June 2025, signaling the start of a 20-year Lease and Operating Agreement.

    Spearheaded by energy majors Kosmos Energy and bp (operator), alongside Petrosen and Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures – the respective national oil companies of Senegal and Mauritania – the GTA project represents one of the lowest-cost greenfield projects in the world. The project achieved first LNG production in February 2025, with the maiden LNG cargo lifted in April 2025. According to Kosmos Energy, COD comes as the partners currently load a fourth cargo, with plans to export a fifth at the start of Q3. Kosmos Energy is a Diamond Sponsor of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, taking place September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town.

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    The first major offshore LNG project in the broader MSGBC region, GTA is expected to unlock more than 15 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas resources. The project reached a final investment decision (FID) in 2018, with the respective governments of Senegal and Mauritania declaring that the project is of “strategic national importance” in 2021. To date, the project partners have ramped up production volumes to a level equivalent to the annual contracted volumes of approximately 2.4 million tons per annum (mtpa). This represents 90% of the nameplate capacity of 2.7 mtpa. A second phase is also planned, which seeks to double production capacity to over 5 mtpa. Focus has now shifted to phase two FID, which will largely depend on continued cross-border cooperation, regulatory alignment and additional investment.

    Beyond GTA, Kosmos Energy holds a strong presence across Africa. The company is engaged in upstream oil exploration, production and development, with a focus on unlocking the continent’s deepwater assets. In Equatorial Guinea, the company is working towards increasing oil production through well work and drilling. Alongside its project partners, Kosmos Energy recently completed an infill drilling program on the Ceiba and Okume fields and is now working to reprocess existing seismic data with modern technology to high-grade future infill drilling potential. In Ghana, the company has pledged $2 billion in upstream operations. The funding is expected to be allocated to expanding exploration, improving infrastructure and driving technology development to boost efficiency in the upstream sector. Kosmos Energy currently holds stakes in the country’s Jubilee and TEN fields.

    Looking ahead, these developments are expected to unlock significant benefits for the countries in which Kosmos Energy operates. By unlocking greater value from Africa’s deepwater oil and gas basins, the company is enhancing revenue generation, job creation and broader economic growth in Africa. Kosmos Energy’s AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 sponsorship reflects its commitment to monetizing Africa’s deepwater resources. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 takes place under a mandate to make energy poverty history. The event convenes stakeholders – from global investors and project developers to technologies providers and service firms – to engage in dialogue and sign deals.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) Sector in Focus as Isondo Precious Metals Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW)


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    Vinay Somera, CEO of South African fuel cell component manufacturer Isondo Precious Metals has joined the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders – as a speaker.

    Somera will join a high-level panel, South Africa’s Strategic Influence in the Global Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) Market, where he is expected to highlight efforts to maximize PGM production in South Africa. With the country supplying roughly 80% of the world’s PGMs –essential for electric vehicle and clean energy development – AMW 2025 will unpack the country’s strategic position in the global market, especially as the world enters its third consecutive year of supply deficits – expected to reach 848,000 ounces in 2025.

    African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    At AMW 2025, Somera is set to showcase how Isondo Precious Metals is producing membranes for green hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers using South African-sourced PGMs. Under his leadership, the company is scaling its fuel cell manufacturing capabilities and working with international partners on infrastructure development and workforce training. Isondo Precious Metals recently acquired hydrogen reduction equipment from U.S.-based Camco Furnaces and two test stations from Greenlight Innovations, where it is also conducting workforce development initiatives.

    As such, AMW 2025 represents an ideal platform for Somera to provide an update on Isondo Precious Metals’ strategy to deploy hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen-powered buses and vehicles in South Africa. As Isondo Precious Metals advances its proof of concept for a new ammonia cracking generator, AMW 2025 offers a strategic platform for Somera to present the company’s investment and expansion plans to a targeted audience of South African, regional and global investors and partners.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Comments sought on draft regulations to better protect marine ecosystems

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has signed a Government Notice to publish the second draft of regulations for the Environmental Management of Offshore Ship-to-Ship Transfers for public comment. 

    The regulations introduce a risk-based system to prevent and reduce the harm that offshore ship-to-ship transfers, including bunkering, can cause to marine and coastal ecosystems. 

    “Since bunkering began in Algoa Bay in 2016, four oil spills have affected 260 endangered African Penguins and other marine life. The new rules include strict requirements for environmental management plans, wildlife monitoring and spill response to prevent further harm.

    “Where impacts cannot be avoided, the regulations aim to minimise and remedy them. This is particularly important for areas such as Algoa Bay, home to the world’s largest breeding colonies of African Penguins,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said on Friday.

    These draft regulations are another step towards protecting marine life.

    “The department is committed to ensuring that iconic species, such as the African Penguin, can thrive while supporting sustainable use of ocean resources.

    “The regulations, issued under section 83(1) of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2008), follow the first draft published on 21 February 2025. 

    “They are the product of wide consultation with key partners, including the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Transnet National Ports Authority, the Department of Transport, the South African National Parks and environmental MECs from the four coastal provinces,” the department said.

    The department has urged all stakeholders to take part in this important process to help finalise regulations that both protect our environment and support a resilient ocean economy. 

    “Together, we can help secure a future for the African Penguin. The department invites written comments within 30 days of publication in the Government Gazette or a national newspaper, whichever is later.”

    The draft regulations and supporting documents are available at www.dffe.gov.za/legislation/gazetted_notices or by email on request.

    Comments can be submitted as advised below:

    • Submit by hand: Deputy Director-General: Oceans and Coasts Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Attention: Lona Nondaka 2nd Floor, East Pier Building 2 East Pier Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
    • By post: Deputy Director-General: Oceans and Coasts Attention: Lona Nondaka PO Box 52126, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
    • By email: bunkeringregs@dffe.gov.za
    • For enquiries, contact Lona Nondaka at 021 493 7061 or LNondaka@dffe.gov.za.

    SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Gauteng government to pay second e-tolls debt instalment

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is expected to today pay some R3.3 billion to service the outstanding e-tolls debt.

    This was announced by Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, during a media briefing on Sunday.

    E-tolls were scrapped last year following years of discontent from road users in an agreement between the provincial government and National Treasury.

    The GPG committed to paying some 30% of the historic debt.

    “… The Gauteng Provincial Government will honour the province’s obligation by paying the second instalment towards the e-tolls debt, as disclosed in the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework. 

    “The amount due… based on the Memorandum of Agreement, is R3.3 billion in terms of the historic debt. This is the amount that we will be paying to National Treasury as part of our 30% contribution,” Maile said.

    This will be the provincial government’s second instalment.

    “On the 30th of September 2024, the Gauteng government made the first instalment amounting to R3.8 billion. This instalment consisted of R3.2 billion historic debt and the maintenance portion of R546 million,” Maile said.

    According to the MEC, the 30% allocated to the provincial government for payment amounts to at least R12 billion, “with interest of R3.3 billion, bringing the total amount payable to R15.9 billion”.

    “This contribution will be made over five equal annual [payments] at government five-year interest rate.

    “In addition… the Gauteng Provincial Government also made a commitment to contribute towards the rehabilitation of nine projects that the [South African National Roads Agency] is undertaking. These projects, which are part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project 1, are aimed at the amelioration of the Gauteng freeway network and will cost the provincial government a total of R4.1 billion.

    “Congruent to this… the Gauteng Provincial Government announced that as part of the province’s arrangement to service the debt, a provision for honouring this commitment will be pencilled into the 2024 fiscal framework. 

    “Since making this announcement… we have maintained the necessary fiscal discipline to ensure adherence to this commitment,” Maile said. SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Security: New police chief to lead response to VAWG

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Helen Millichap, is the new national policing lead for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

    “I want the prevalence of these crimes reduced and harm prevented”, said Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Helen Millichap, the new national policing lead for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), who wants to encourage more victims to take that brave step and come forward. 

    DAC Millichap, who is also the Director of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) added: “We know VAWG is underreported which is something I find deeply distressing. At the heart of every investigation there is a victim. I want them to have the confidence to come forward and I want to ensure that when they do, they are treated with empathy by an officer who not only listens but has that professional curiosity to look beyond what’s in front of them.”

    The NCVPP was launched in April, a year after police chiefs declared VAWG a national emergency and committed to the introduction of a centre which will give forces a clear way of working, reduce duplication and improve training so that we become more consistent. 

    The centre has combined the experience and knowledge from various teams whose expertise and skills have been achieving great results, and who will now work together under a single national leadership with clear national standards. 

    DAC Millichap added: “Officers work tirelessly every day to protect victims; now we need to support them and equip them to meet the highest possible standards to tackle the increasing risk posed by perpetrators. This can’t be about increasing the pressure on the busy frontline or adding to the task list. We also need to look after their welfare and be really clear on their mission, so they can carry out their job effectively, and we can remove the postcode lottery for victims.” 

    DAC Millichap is also calling for continued support and a more collaborative approach to reduce the risk to victims.  She said: “The challenge with VAWG offences is the sheer scale and complexity of the crimes. The volume could be seen as overwhelming but if we were able to identify patterns of behaviour early, interventions can also take place way before the police are involved, stopping future perpetrators and preventing new victims. The whole system needs to step into this threat, and it starts early. I will work with partners to achieve this rightly ambitious goal collectively.

    DAC Millichap believes a real shift in attitudes is a must if we are to see real change. She added: “We need to keep these issues at the top of the agenda, and the societal outrage we see in response to these crimes needs to remain. We need to challenge misogynistic views that only serve to drive these crimes.

    “Policing has a role to play, and we are up for the challenge, but we are only one part of a wider system that must play their part. 

    “The work we have done over the last few years has been steadily creating a new culture in policing where I truly believe the scale of the harm and the focus required is not in doubt. What I want, is to show the public that progress is happening and for them to be confident that it is happening everywhere.” 

    DAC Helen Millichap takes ownership of the national portfolio from T/CC Maggie Blyth who led this work for four years and is now the temporary Chief Constable at Gloucestershire Constabulary. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Romanian criminals stealing fertilisers and pesticides in western France stopped in tracks

    Source: Eurojust

    Following close cooperation between the French and Romanian authorities, criminals stealing agrochemical products across western France have been stopped in their tracks. The network was also involved in transporting and concealing the stolen goods. During a coordinated action this week, 12 suspects were arrested or identified in both countries.

    Eurojust supported the judiciary in both countries by facilitating the execution of European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and European Investigation Orders and provided further cross-border judicial support.

     The criminal network was well organised and structured, specialising in the theft of fertilisers and pesticides, for instance. The action day in France and Romania targeted three teams of thieves, two carriers and two fences. Three suspects were arrested in France, and nine more were identified in Romania, based on EAWs issued by the French authorities.

    Over the past two years, at least sixty farms, agricultural storage facilities and enterprises have been burgled. The value of the stolen goods and the damage caused by the thefts is estimated at EUR 3 million. The thefts were not without risk, as certain products were highly flammable and posed a health hazard if not handled properly. The stolen goods were transported and stored by the network for onward sale via illegal channels in Romania.

    Investigations coordinated by the investigative judge of the Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of Rennes in France indicated that a Romanian-led organised crime group was behind the large-scale thefts. In November of last year, the JIRS contacted the French National Desk at Eurojust to arrange for cooperation with the Romanian authorities. Following a coordination meeting at the Agency, joint actions in both countries were organised this week.

    In Romania, 17 places were searched, where cash in different currencies was seized, estimated to be worth EUR 200 000. Four vehicles and various quantities of liquid and solid agrochemical products were also seized.

    The coordinated action this week was carried out by and at the request of the following authorities:

    • France: Investigative Judge JIRS Rennes; Gendarmerie Nationale – Section de Recherches Caen
    • Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT); National Police – Criminal Investigations Directorate

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Romanian criminals stealing fertilisers and pesticides in western France stopped in tracks

    Source: Eurojust

    Following close cooperation between the French and Romanian authorities, criminals stealing agrochemical products across western France have been stopped in their tracks. The network was also involved in transporting and concealing the stolen goods. During a coordinated action this week, 12 suspects were arrested or identified in both countries.

    Eurojust supported the judiciary in both countries by facilitating the execution of European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and European Investigation Orders and provided further cross-border judicial support.

     The criminal network was well organised and structured, specialising in the theft of fertilisers and pesticides, for instance. The action day in France and Romania targeted three teams of thieves, two carriers and two fences. Three suspects were arrested in France, and nine more were identified in Romania, based on EAWs issued by the French authorities.

    Over the past two years, at least sixty farms, agricultural storage facilities and enterprises have been burgled. The value of the stolen goods and the damage caused by the thefts is estimated at EUR 3 million. The thefts were not without risk, as certain products were highly flammable and posed a health hazard if not handled properly. The stolen goods were transported and stored by the network for onward sale via illegal channels in Romania.

    Investigations coordinated by the investigative judge of the Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of Rennes in France indicated that a Romanian-led organised crime group was behind the large-scale thefts. In November of last year, the JIRS contacted the French National Desk at Eurojust to arrange for cooperation with the Romanian authorities. Following a coordination meeting at the Agency, joint actions in both countries were organised this week.

    In Romania, 17 places were searched, where cash in different currencies was seized, estimated to be worth EUR 200 000. Four vehicles and various quantities of liquid and solid agrochemical products were also seized.

    The coordinated action this week was carried out by and at the request of the following authorities:

    • France: Investigative Judge JIRS Rennes; Gendarmerie Nationale – Section de Recherches Caen
    • Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT); National Police – Criminal Investigations Directorate

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Video: Minister Lamola delivers remarks at the leadership summit of the international business forum.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Minister Ronald Lamola delivers remarks at the leadership summit of the international business forum.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX39atWduhM

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK officials attend security talk

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Thirty-three senior civil servants participating in a national studies programme in Beijing today attended a seminar to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

     

    The seminar aimed to develop their understanding of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and their own role as guardians of national security.

     

    It was delivered by Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee and of the Macao Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Deputy Director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the NPC Zhang Yong.

     

    Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said the Hong Kong SAR Government is stepping up efforts on all fronts to cultivate a sense of national identity, awareness of national security and patriotism among civil servants.

     

    She added that national studies programmes, involving lectures at Mainland institutions and site visits, enable middle and senior-level civil servants to gain an accurate understanding of Hong Kong’s constitutional order, of national security and of the country’s latest policy objectives.

     

    Since the implementation of the security law and the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the Civil Service Bureau has incorporated training on safeguarding national security into its programmes. This includes induction training for new recruits, Mainland programmes for middle and senior-level officers, thematic talks and e-learning activities.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mortgage loans up 5.3%

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The value of residential mortgage loans approved in May was $26.6 billion, a 5.3% increase compared with April, the Monetary Authority announced today.

    Mortgage loans financing primary market transactions decreased 4.2% to $8.9 billion, while those financing secondary market transactions increased 7.1% to $14.6 billion.

    Loans for refinancing increased 33.7% to $3 billion.

    Mortgage loans drawn down during May amounted to $16.2 billion, a 5.3% drop from April.

    The number of mortgage applications in May rose 5% month-on-month to 8,187.

    The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.1% to $1.884 trillion at end-May.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sectoral Deployment of Bank Credit – May 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Data on sectoral deployment of bank credit for the month1 of May 2025 collected from 41 select scheduled commercial banks (SCBs), accounting for about 95 per cent of the total non-food credit by all SCBs, are set out in Statements I and II.

    On a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, non-food bank credit2 as on the fortnight ended May 30, 2025, grew3 by 9.8 per cent as compared to 16.2 per cent during the corresponding fortnight of the previous year (i.e., May 31, 2024).

    Highlights of the sectoral deployment of bank credit3 as on the fortnight ended May 30, 2025 are given below:

    • Credit to agriculture and allied activities registered a y-o-y growth of 7.5 per cent (21.6 per cent in the corresponding fortnight of the previous year).

    • Credit to industry recorded a y-o-y growth of 4.9 per cent, compared with 8.9 per cent in the corresponding fortnight of the previous year. Among major industries, outstanding credit to ‘all engineering’, ‘construction’ and ‘rubber, plastic and their products’ recorded an accelerated y-o-y growth.

    • Credit to services sector moderated to 9.4 per cent y-o-y (20.7 per cent in the corresponding fortnight of the previous year), primarily due to decelerated growth in credit to ‘non-banking financial companies’ (NBFCs). Credit growth to ‘computer software’ segment remained robust.

    • Credit to personal loans segment registered a decelerated y-o-y growth of 13.7 per cent, as compared with 19.3 per cent a year ago, largely due to moderation in growth of ‘other personal loans’, ‘vehicle loans’ and ‘credit card outstanding’.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/623


    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Monetary developments in the euro area: May 2025

    Source: European Central Bank

    30 June 2025

    Components of the broad monetary aggregate M3

    The annual growth rate of the broad monetary aggregate M3 stood at 3.9% in May 2025, unchanged from the previous month, averaging 3.8% in the three months up to May. The components of M3 showed the following developments. The annual growth rate of the narrower aggregate M1, which comprises currency in circulation and overnight deposits, increased to 5.1% in May from 4.7% in April. The annual growth rate of short-term deposits other than overnight deposits (M2-M1) decreased to -0.1% in May from 0.6% in April. The annual growth rate of marketable instruments (M3-M2) increased to 11.2% in May from 10.7% in April.

    Chart 1

    Monetary aggregates

    (annual growth rates)

    Data for monetary aggregates

    Looking at the components’ contributions to the annual growth rate of M3, the narrower aggregate M1 contributed 3.2 percentage points (up from 3.0 percentage points in April), short-term deposits other than overnight deposits (M2-M1) contributed 0.0 percentage points (down from 0.2 percentage points) and marketable instruments (M3-M2) contributed 0.7 percentage points (as in the previous month).

    Among the holding sectors of deposits in M3, the annual growth rate of deposits placed by households stood at 3.5% in May, compared with 3.4% in April, while the annual growth rate of deposits placed by non-financial corporations stood at 2.7% in May, compared with 2.6% in April. Finally, the annual growth rate of deposits placed by investment funds other than money market funds decreased to 15.4% in May from 21.2% in April.

    Counterparts of the broad monetary aggregate M3

    The annual growth rate of M3 in May 2025, as a reflection of changes in the items on the monetary financial institution (MFI) consolidated balance sheet other than M3 (counterparts of M3), can be broken down as follows: net external assets contributed 2.6 percentage points (up from 2.5 percentage points in April), claims on the private sector contributed 2.4 percentage points (up from 2.3 percentage points), claims on general government contributed 0.2 percentage points (as in the previous month), longer-term liabilities contributed -1.2 percentage points (down from -1.1 percentage points), and the remaining counterparts of M3 contributed -0.1 percentage points (as in the previous month).

    Chart 2

    Contribution of the M3 counterparts to the annual growth rate of M3

    (percentage points)

    Data for contribution of the M3 counterparts to the annual growth rate of M3

    Claims on euro area residents

    The annual growth rate of total claims on euro area residents stood at 2.0% in May 2025, compared with 1.9% in the previous month. The annual growth rate of claims on general government stood at 0.6% in May, compared with 0.5% in April, while the annual growth rate of claims on the private sector stood at 2.5% in May, compared with 2.4% in April.

    The annual growth rate of adjusted loans to the private sector (i.e. adjusted for loan transfers and notional cash pooling) stood at 2.8% in May, unchanged from the previous month. Among the borrowing sectors, the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to households stood at 2.0% in May, compared with 1.9% in April, while the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to non-financial corporations stood at 2.5% in May, compared with 2.6% in April.

    Chart 3

    Adjusted loans to the private sector

    (annual growth rates)

    Data for adjusted loans to the private sector

    Notes:

    • Data in this press release are adjusted for seasonal and end-of-month calendar effects, unless stated otherwise.
    • “Private sector” refers to euro area non-MFIs excluding general government.
    • Hyperlinks lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions. Figures shown in annex tables are a snapshot of the data as at the time of the current release.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales 2025 Global Cloud Security Study Reveals Organizations Struggle to Secure Expanding, AI-Driven Cloud Environments

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales 2025 Global Cloud Security Study Reveals Organizations Struggle to Secure Expanding, AI-Driven Cloud Environments

    • 52% report AI security spending is displacing traditional security budgets
    • 55% report cloud environments are more complex to secure than on-premises infrastructure
    • Enterprises now use an average of 85 SaaS applications, contributing to security tool sprawl
    © Thales

    Thales, a global leader in technology and cybersecurity, today released the findings of its 2025 Cloud Security Study conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, revealing that AI-specific security has rapidly emerged as a top enterprise priority, ranking second only to cloud security. Over half (52%) of respondents said they are prioritizing AI security investments over other security needs, signaling a shift in how organizations are allocating budgets in response to the accelerated adoption of AI. This year’s research captures perspectives on cloud security challenges from nearly 3,200 respondents in 20 countries across a variety of seniority levels.

    Cloud remains at the forefront of security considerations

    Cloud is now an essential part of modern enterprise infrastructure, but many organizations are still building the skills and strategies needed to secure it effectively. The variability of controls across cloud providers, combined with the distinct mindset required for cloud security, continues to challenge security teams. This pressure is only increasing as AI initiatives drive more sensitive data into cloud environments, amplifying the need for robust, adaptable protections.

    This year’s Thales Cloud Security Study confirms that cloud security remains a top concern for enterprises worldwide. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents ranked it among their top five security priorities, with 17% identifying it as their number one. Security for AI, a new addition to the list of spending priorities this year, ranked second overall, highlighting its growing importance. Despite sustained investment, cloud security remains a complex, persistent challenge that goes beyond technology to include staffing, operations, and the evolving threat landscape.

    “The accelerating shift to cloud and AI is forcing enterprises to rethink how they manage risk at scale,” Sebastien Cano, Senior Vice President, Cyber Security Products at Thales, said. “With over half of cloud data now classified as sensitive, and yet only a small fraction fully encrypted, it’s clear that security strategies haven’t kept pace with adoption. To remain resilient and competitive, organizations must embed strong data protection into the core of their digital infrastructure.”

    The average number of public cloud providers per organization has risen to 2.1, with most also maintaining on-prem infrastructure. This growing complexity is driving security challenges with 55% of respondents reporting that cloud is harder to secure than on-prem, a 4-percentage-point increase from last year. As organizations expand through growth or M&A, they’re also seeing a surge in SaaS usage, now averaging 85 applications per enterprise, complicating access control and data visibility.

    This complexity extends to security operations, with many teams struggling to align policies across varied platforms. The study found that 61% of organizations use five or more tools for data discovery, monitoring, or classification, and 57% use five or more encryption key managers.

    Attacks target cloud resources with human error remaining a top vulnerability

    Cloud infrastructure is a prime target for attackers as organizations continue to struggle with securing increasingly complex environments. According to the 2025 Thales Cloud Security Study, four of the top five most targeted assets in reported attacks are cloud-based. The rise in access-based attacks, as reported by 68% of respondents, underscores growing concerns around stolen credentials and insufficient access controls. Meanwhile, 85% of organizations say at least 40% of their cloud data is sensitive, yet only 66% have implemented multifactor authentication (MFA), leaving critical data exposed. Compounding the issue, human error remains a major contributing factor in cloud security incidents, from misconfigurations to poor credential management.

    A rising number of respondents report challenges in securing their cloud assets, an issue that is further amplified by the demands of AI projects that often operate in the cloud and require access to large volumes of sensitive data,” Eric Hanselman, Chief Analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, said. “Compounding this issue, four of the top five targeted assets in reported attacks are cloud-based. In this environment, strengthening cloud security and streamlining operations are essential steps toward enhancing overall security effectiveness and resilience.”

    For more information, please download the full report and join our webinar hosted by Eric Hanselman, Chief Analyst at S&P Global 451 Research

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

    Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ECB’s Governing Council updates its monetary policy strategy

    Source: European Central Bank

    30 June 2025

    • Governing Council confirms symmetric 2% inflation target over the medium term
    • Symmetry requires appropriately forceful or persistent policy response to large, sustained deviations of inflation from target in either direction
    • All tools remain in toolkit and their choice, design and implementation will enable an agile response to new shocks
    • Structural shifts such as geopolitical and economic fragmentation and increasing use of artificial intelligence make the inflation environment more uncertain

    The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) today published the results of its strategy assessment, which are set out in an updated monetary policy strategy statement.

    Following the strategy review carried out in 2020-21, the Governing Council announced that it would periodically assess the appropriateness of its monetary policy strategy. The assessment published today meets this commitment, ensuring that our framework, toolkit and approach remain fit for purpose.

    The monetary policy strategy enables the Governing Council to respond effectively to major changes in the inflation environment. This is especially important as ongoing structural shifts, such as geopolitical and economic fragmentation, increasing use of artificial intelligence, demographic change and the threat to environmental sustainability, suggest that the inflation environment will remain uncertain and potentially more volatile, with larger deviations from the symmetric 2% inflation target.

    To maintain the symmetry of the target, appropriately forceful or persistent monetary policy action in response to large, sustained deviations of inflation from the target in either direction is important. This will help to avoid inflation expectations becoming de-anchored and inflation deviations from the target becoming entrenched.

    “I am happy to announce that the Governing Council during its latest meeting approved the ECB’s updated monetary policy strategy”, said ECB President Christine Lagarde. “This assessment was a valuable opportunity to challenge our thinking, check our policy toolkit and fine-tune our strategy. It provides us with an even stronger basis to conduct monetary policy and fulfil our mandate of price stability in an increasingly uncertain environment.”

    All monetary policy tools currently available to the Governing Council will remain in its toolkit. Their use at any time will continue to be subject to a comprehensive proportionality assessment. Their choice, design and implementation will be sufficiently flexible to enable an agile response to changes in the inflation environment.

    In monetary policy decisions the Governing Council takes into account not only the most likely path for inflation and the economy but also surrounding risks and uncertainty, including through the appropriate use of scenarios and sensitivity analyses.

    The first regular monetary policy meeting of the Governing Council applying the updated strategy will be held on 23-24 July 2025. The Governing Council intends to assess periodically the appropriateness of its monetary policy strategy, with the next assessment expected in 2030.

    For media queries, please contact Stefan Ruhkamp, tel.: +49 69 1344 5057.

    Notes

    • Prior to the 2025 strategy assessment, the Governing Council concluded strategy reviews in 2003 and 2021.
    • Over the last 12 months the Governing Council has held seminars, presentations, discussions and meetings dedicated to the strategy assessment.
    • The strategy assessment is the result of a significant collaborative effort over this period. It involved staff of the ECB and national central banks across the euro area and was organised into two separate workstreams.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: UK: Public sends clear message that ‘PIP cuts are cruel’ and unjust – new poll

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Polling suggests a staggering 75% of the UK believe the Government’s plan to take   PIP away from people who need it is cruel  

    69% of respondents prefer the UK government to tax the super-rich rather than cut social security  

    ‘The message from the public is clear: poverty is a political choice, and this Government is dangerously close to choosing poverty and party politics over people’s rights’ – Jen Clark 

    New polling reveals that the vast majority of the UK public opposes the UK government’s plans to cut disability benefits, as Amnesty International UK warns the proposed changes to PIP are discriminatory and fundamentally out of step with public opinion. 

    Polling by Savanta, commissioned by Amnesty, reveals that 75% agree that taking PIP away from people who may need help is cruel – a view held consistently across all political, gender and age groups. 

    The findings come as Parliament considers a Bill that Amnesty says would entrench poverty, discriminate against disabled people, and fail to meet basic human rights standards. 

    Other key polling findings: 

    • 94% of people living with a disability say cutting PIP is cruel. 
    • 69% of respondents would prefer it if the UK government raised money through wealth taxes on the super-rich compared tocuts to social security. 
    • 59% believe that cutting PIP will not help more people get into work – undermining one of the UK government’s stated goals. 
    • 54% of UK adults say they do not support the UK government’s changes to PIP eligibility. 

    Jen Clark, Amnesty International UK’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Lead, said: 

    “The message from the public is clear: poverty is a political choice, and this Government is dangerously close to choosing poverty and party politics over people’s rights. 

    “Across every age group, background, and political belief, people agree that cutting PIP is cruel and they can see these proposals for what they are – unfair, unnecessary, and unjust.  

    “Disabled people are being targeted with harmful, ill-conceived changes that the majority of the public do not support. Taking vital support away from those who need it isn’t reform – it’s cruelty by policy. 

    “We’ve said it before: poverty is a visible sign of a failing social security system. When the Government knowingly pursues policies that make poverty worse, it is deliberately violating people’s basic human rights. The Government is steering us even further away   from being a society that support those most in need.   

    “Parliament must stand firm and refuse to back a Bill that risks rolling back disabled people’s rights and driving more people into poverty.” 

    Despite some proposed changes limiting the cuts to new claimants, Amnesty is calling on all MPs to stand firm and reject the current version of the Bill and demand a full human rights impact assessment, meaningful consultation with disabled people, and genuine reforms that reduce poverty rather than deepen it. 

    Amnesty’s key concerns with the Bill are: 

    • Cuts and freezes will push people into poverty, especially disabled people and those on low incomes. 
    • The Bill creates a two-tier system of support that deepens generational and economic inequality. 
    • The Government has failed to consult with disabled people and has not published a human rights impact assessment. 
    • PIP assessments remain discriminatory and unfit for purpose, with no guarantee that the upcoming review will address the reality. 

    ‘Consciously cruel’ – UK’s social security system  

    Amnesty’s recent report took a deep dive into the murky and divisive world of the UK’s social security system from the perspective of people’s human rights. The unique research examines violations of people’s basic rights to housing, food, education, healthcare and social security.   

    The report ‘Social Insecurity’was a collaboration with over 700 benefit claimants and advisors to provide a platform for the people most gravely affected and show how politicians are playing with people’s lives and ignoring our most basic rights.  

    Regional polling results 

    Across the UK, people agree that taking PIP away from those who need it is cruel (the regions are polled as subsets within the wider poll): 

    • The North-West had the highest percentage of people in agreement, with a staggering 82% believing that PIP cuts are cruel.  
    • This was closely followed by 80% of people in the South-East.  
    • Of those polled in both Scotland and Wales, 77% believed that taking payments away from those who needed it is cruel and in Northern Ireland, the statistic was 74%.  
    • Other results included 76% in Yorkshire & Humber and in the East, 75% in West Midlands, 72% in East Midlands, 71% in London and 67% in both the North-East and South-West.  

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Why are the Sustainable Development Goals way off track?

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. However, it’s looking less and less likely that they will be achieved by 2030 – and it’s all because of significant underinvestment for a decade and more recently, aid cuts by major donors such as the USA and a number of European countries.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Hong Kong: National Security Law analysis shows vast majority unjustly arrested

    Source: Amnesty International –

    More than 80% of people convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL) have been wrongly criminalized and should never have been charged in the first place, according to new research by Amnesty International published on the fifth anniversary of the law being enacted.

    The organization’s analysis of 255 individuals targeted under national security legislation in Hong Kong since 30 June 2020 also showed that bail was denied in almost 90% of cases where charges were brought, and that those denied bail were forced to spend an average of 11 months in detention before facing trial.

    “Five years after the enactment of the National Security Law, our alarming findings show that the fears we raised about this law in 2020 have been realized. The Hong Kong government must stop using the pretext of ‘national security’ to punish legitimate expression,” Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said.

    “This draconian law, and the other national security legislation it spawned, has corroded key legal safeguards that once formed the foundation for protecting human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. The result has been a devastation of Hongkongers’ ability to express themselves without fear of arrest.”

    Amnesty’s briefing paper analyses patterns in arrests, bail decisions and prosecutions under the NSL and other national security legislation. In particular, the research highlights three major concerns: the criminalization of the legitimate exercise of the human right to freedom of expression, the low bail grant rates in these cases, and the de facto long-term incarceration of most accused.

    The analysis found that of the 78 concluded cases under the NSL at least 66 (84.6%) involved legitimate expression that should not have been criminalized according to international standards, with no evidence of violent conduct or incitement.

    When concluded cases under Article 23 and pre-Article 23 “sedition” offences are also counted, at least 108 out of a total of 127 cases (85%) involved similarly legitimate forms of expression which were unjustly prosecuted. These cases fall well short of the high threshold required for criminalization under international standards.

    Meanwhile, according to Amnesty’s data, the courts denied bail in 129 national security cases, or 89% of those in which individuals were charged.

    Among the 129 cases where bail was denied, the average length of detention was 328 days. Fifty-two cases (40.3%) involved detentions lasting one year or more before trial or a guilty plea.

    “In five years, the National Security Law has transformed Hong Kong from a city of tolerance and open debate into a city of repression and self-censorship. Our analysis shows that Hong Kong’s national security framework is not just a flagrant violation of international human rights standards on paper but that authorities misuse it to target opposition voices and foster an environment of fear,” Sarah Brooks said.

    “This research demonstrates that the vast majority of those charged with national security offences have acted entirely within their rights. Meanwhile, prosecutors have continued to bring cases under this flawed national security architecture and appealed the rare acquittals awarded by courts. Other governments should step up and use their influence to urgently press the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to repeal the law.

    “In the interim, the Hong Kong government should stop applying national security legislation immediately. At the very least they need to reinstate the presumption of bail in favour of release pending trial. No one should be made to languish in jail simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Hong Kong: 80% of people convicted under ‘draconian’ national security law should never have been charged – new research

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Five years since National Security Law enacted, new research reveals its ‘alarming’ impact

    Nearly 90% of people charged were denied bail

    UK and other governments need to step up and press for the law to be scrapped

    ‘This unjust law reaches far beyond Hong Kong’s borders, threatening Hong Kong activists and students in the UK and throughout the world’ – Sacha Deshmukh  

    More than 80% of people convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law have been wrongly criminalised and should never have been charged in the first place, according to new research by Amnesty International published today – five years since the law was enacted.

    Amnesty’s analysis of 255 people targeted under the draconian law in Hong Kong since 30 June 2020 also showed that bail was denied in almost 90% of cases where charges were brought, and that those denied bail were forced to spend an average of 11 months in detention before facing trial.

    The briefing paper analyses patterns in arrests, bail decisions and prosecutions under the National Security Law and other national security legislation, highlighting three major concerns: the criminalisation of the legitimate exercise of the human right to freedom of expression; the low bail grant rates in these cases; and the de facto long-term imprisonment of most accused.

    The analysis found that of the 78 concluded cases under the National Security Law, at least 66 (84.6%) involved legitimate expression where there was no evidence of violent conduct or incitement and should not have been criminalised according to international standards.

    When concluded cases under Article 23 and pre-Article 23 “sedition” offences are included, at least 108 out of a total of 127 cases (85%) involved similarly legitimate forms of expression which were unjustly prosecuted. These cases fall well short of the high threshold required for criminalisation under international standards.

    The courts denied bail in 129 national security cases, or 89% of those in which individuals were charged, according to Amnesty’s data.

    Among the 129 cases where bail was denied, the average length of detention was 328 days. Fifty-two cases (40.3%) involved detentions lasting one year or more before trial or a guilty plea.

    Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China Director, said:

    “Five years after the enactment of the National Security Law, our alarming findings show that the fears we raised about this law in 2020 have been realised. The Hong Kong government must stop using the pretext of ‘national security’ to punish legitimate expression.

    “This draconian law, and the other national security legislation it spawned, has corroded key legal safeguards that once formed the foundation for protecting human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. The result has been a devastation of Hongkongers’ ability to express themselves without fear of arrest.

    “The National Security Law has transformed Hong Kong from a city of tolerance and open debate into a city of repression and self-censorship. Our analysis shows that Hong Kong’s national security framework is not just a flagrant violation of international human rights standards on paper but that authorities misuse it to target opposition voices and foster an environment of fear.

    “This research demonstrates that the vast majority of those charged with national security offences have acted entirely within their rights. Other governments should step up and use their influence to urgently press the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to repeal the law.

    “In the interim, the Hong Kong government should stop applying national security legislation immediately. At the very least they need to reinstate the presumption of bail in favour of release pending trial. No one should be made to languish in jail simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

    Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

    “This unjust law reaches far beyond Hong Kong’s borders, threatening Hong Kong activists and students in the UK and throughout the world. 

    “The UK Government’s insistence following its China audit that the National Security Law must be scrapped is welcome, but it must be clearer to these communities in the UK how it will protect their right to freedom of expression and protest and keep them safe from the long reach of Hong Kong and China, including monitoring cases of transnational repression and improving the ways they can be reported.

    “It is vital the Government continues to pressure Hong Kong to scrap this brutal law and immediately release UK national Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong lawyer-activist Chow Hang-tung and all others being unjustly imprisoned under it.

    “The pursuit of trade and business interests must not stop frank conversations on human rights, which need to be central to any diplomatic engagement.”

    A city of repression

    Human rights in Hong Kong have deteriorated at an alarming pace since the National Security Law was imposed. Civil society has been effectively dismantled, while long-standing rights — including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association — have been severely curtailed.

    Amnesty’s analysis covered the cases of 255 individuals who, between 30 June 2020 and 31 May 2025, were arrested for and/or charged with any offences under the Law; parts 1 and 2 of the city’s Crimes Ordinance that define the colonial-era offence of “sedition”; and the Article 23 law (also known as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance), which replaced parts 1 and 2 of the Crimes Ordinance when it entered into force on 23 March 2024.

    Amnesty sent the briefing to the Hong Kong government, which dismissed the findings as a “distortion of the reality” and said the National Security Law “has restored the enjoyment of rights and freedoms” in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: In Struggle and Solidarity: The Enduring Legacy of Joaquín Domínguez Parada

    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs –

    By Fred Mills and Evelyn Gonzalez Mills

    Silver Spring, MD

    Joaquín Domínguez Parada, a renowned Salvadoran attorney and tireless advocate for refugees of war and persecution, passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, four days after his 77th birthday in El Salvador, leaving a legacy of love, integrity, and moral courage.  He lived a relatively short period of time in the United States, about ten years, but left an indelible mark on our lives and communities.  

    In the 1980’s, at a time when tens of thousands of Central American refugees were being denied asylum and deported back to the violence of civil war, Joaquín stood as a steadfast advocate. Through his tireless efforts, a generation of migrants found not only dignity, protection, and legal defense, but also a voice to fight for their human rights, to end the repression in El Salvador, and to challenge  U.S. intervention in the region.

    For those of us in the solidarity movement, Joaquín set a lasting example. He was a guiding light, comrade and friend, advisor and mentor, and a talented artist. He made clear that it was time to assume co-responsibility for the safety of Central American refugees, and to oppose U.S. support for the oligarchic forces in El Salvador responsible for massive human rights violations and the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Salvadorans.

    We remember Joaquín not only for his courageous work, but for the moral clarity with which he carried it out. Despite the relentless pressure of adversity and what appeared to be insurmountable odds, he retained a sense of humor and unwavering commitment that inspired others to fight on.

    In 1980, Domínguez Parada was among the thousands of Salvadoran refugees who fled the escalating civil violence, settling in Washington DC. In 1981, he joined forces with attorney Patrice Perillie, who had recently graduated from the American University Washington College of Law, to form the non-profit Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN). As co-director, Domínguez Parada provided pro bono legal services to thousands of Central American refugees as part of an intense struggle to stem the tide of deportations perpetrated by the Reagan administration.

    As CARECEN launched its legal fight for justice and dignity for refugees, a broad-based solidarity movement—including labor, faith, student, and human rights advocates—mobilized to oppose U.S.-backed wars in Central America. CARECEN not only defended asylum seekers but also pushed for broader immigration reform and an end to U.S. intervention in El Salvador’s civil war, contributing to outcomes like Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans. Recognizing the  need to expand its urgent mission, CARECEN offices were established in other major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Houston.

    In 1982, on the second anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero, he participated in a hunger strike in Lafayette Park, alongside other prominent human rights activists, to draw attention to the atrocities being committed both at home and abroad because of U.S. intervention in El Salvador.

    Domínguez Parada was a tireless leader in the community. As CARECEN carried forward its vital work on a limited budget, it helped lay the foundation for other essential grassroots initiatives. Among these were the founding of the Central American Refugee Committee (CRECEN)—with Evelyn Gonzalez elected as its first Coordinator—and, in partnership with Plenty International, La Clínica del Pueblo in 1983, where both of us, along with many others, served as volunteers. This free health clinic, established to serve Central American refugees and staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and community members, provided a safe and dignified space for medical care. Guided by the classic training manual Donde No Hay Doctor, La Clínica expanded its corps of community health promoters, who became the heart of its mission. To this day, La Clínica remains a beacon of community-based health services.

    After the civil war in El Salvador, Domínguez Parada returned home to help rebuild the country’s legal institutions. In 1994 his doctoral thesis titled La ley Simpson-Rodino, consecuencias jurídicas y sociales para los salvadoreños en Estados Unidos (The Simpson-Rodino Law: Legal and Social Consequences for Salvadorans in the United States) was published by the University of El Salvador. He served as a municipal judge in San Salvador, helped implement the city’s first ordinance on minor infractions, and later led the Police Appeals Tribunal, promoting accountability within the post-war Civil National Police. In keeping with his commitment to community, he was a strong advocate for the preservation of the historic Shangri La neighborhood where he used to live.

    In March 2025, we had the privilege of visiting Joaquín in San Salvador, sharing moments of reflection on a life devoted to social justice—especially during those harrowing years when so many of our Central American brothers and sisters faced persecution and exile. He expressed a deep serenity in knowing he had given his all to the struggle for human dignity. Joaquin expressed gratitude to his first wife Marta Castrillo, her sister, Carolina, and their mother, Maria Pineda, for their unconditional support and love upon his return to El Salvador.  He reminisced about his late beloved son, Camilo; remembered with much affection his mother, Alicia Ulloa de Dominguez, an elementary school teacher who worked hard to raise her three children after losing her husband; and he evoked his life with Patrice Perillie, his second wife and companion in the struggle for refugee rights. He expressed a heartfelt desire to visit the United States—to learn about CARECEN’s continuing successes, reconnect with old friends, meet the new stewards of its legacy, and once more walk the familiar streets of Columbia Road and Mount Pleasant in Washington, DC.

    With Joaquín’s passing, El Salvador and its diaspora has lost one of their most steadfast champions. We ask his family and friends to accept our deepest condolences. We take his legacy to heart as we navigate today’s perilous crossroads. Joaquín’s moral courage in confronting state violence and repression continues to guide our path, especially now, as we witness, in the United States, a campaign of state-sanctioned terror, where masked agents—unidentified and unaccountable—storm homes and workplaces, even court houses, sweeping up immigrants en masse and vanishing them into the machinery of deportation.  In honoring Joaquín Domínguez Parada, we renew our commitment to the world he struggled to bring forth—a world where no human being is illegal, and every sacred life holds the weight and wonder of a universe.

    San Salvador 03-21-25. Evelyn Gonzalez, Joaquín Domínguez Parada, Fred Mills

    Photo of Joaquín Domínguez Parada: Credit Corolina Castrillo

    Photo of Joaquín Domínguez Parada with first wife Marta Castrillo, Maria Pineda, and Carolina Castrillo: Courtesy of  Carolina Castrillo

    Banner Photo of Joaquín Domínguez Parada and Patrice Perillie ca. 1981: From Carlos E. Vela Facebook.

    Fred Mills is professor of philosophy at Bowie State University and English Language Editor for COHA.

    Evelyn Gonzalez Mills is academic counselor at Montgomery College.  She met Joaquín Domínguez Parada and Patrice Perillie in 1981 and became a volunteer receptionist for CARECEN when it first opened. She later served as a board member of CARECEN.

    MIL OSI NGO