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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Human rights – the bedrock of our society

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    In Geneva this Monday, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has begun its 58th session with Switzerland back in the Council, and chaired for the first time by a Swiss diplomat. During the high-level segment, opened by the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the head of Swiss diplomacy urged states to act with unity and determination to ensure respect for human rights, eighty years after the creation of the United Nations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Expropriation without compensation in South Africa – E-000577/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000577/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Barbara Bonte (PfE), Branko Grims (PPE), Anna Bryłka (PfE), Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE), Gerolf Annemans (PfE), Philippe Olivier (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE), Sarah Knafo (ESN), Roman Haider (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR)

    On 23 January 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law a bill authorising seizures – by the state and without compensation – of land belonging to white farmers[1]. It replaces the Expropriation Act of 1975, under which the State was obliged to compensate landowners if they accepted the deal, and bases its legitimacy on the notions of justice, equitability and public interest.

    It should be noted that several national parties, some of which are themselves part of the Government of National Unity coalition, have clearly contested the constitutionality of such a law and even deemed it an aberration[2].

    • 1.Is the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is surely following the situation closely, aware of the risks this law poses to the security of a much-targeted community and respect for private property?
    • 2.What initiatives does she intend to take to prevent discrimination and violence against a minority that has already been the victim of considerable ill treatment?

    Supporter[3]

    Submitted: 7.2.2025

    • [1] https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/president-cyril-ramaphosa-assents-expropriation-bill-23-jan-2025
    • [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9w4n6gp5o
    • [3] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Julien Leonardelli (PfE)
    Last updated: 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Cumulative impact of the Świnoujście container terminal on Natura 2000 areas – P-000765/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000765/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE)

    Following the Commission’s opinion C(2024)299 of 23 January 2024 and challenges brought by the City of Świnoujście and Polish and German civic movements, the Polish Directorate-General for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) confirmed the environmental decision for the Świnoujście container terminal, albeit with some changes to the environmental requirements.

    The permit acknowledges the significant impact on Natura 2000 site PLH320019 Wolin i Uznam, but does not identify any substantial effects on maritime Natura 2000 sites PLH990002 and PLB990003. A key criticism therefore remains unresolved: the environmental impact assessment (EIA) dealt only with the effects of the terminal’s construction on land, but did not assess the cumulative effects of building channels or increased shipping traffic. A separate environmental impact assessment should be carried out to cover those aspects. In accordance with Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive and the EIA Directive (2011/92/EU), all cumulative, direct, indirect and long-term effects of a project must be taken into account.

    • 1.What does the Commission make of the amended environmental requirements?
    • 2.Would the environmental impact assessment not have to cover the entire project?
    • 3.How does the Commission ensure that the protection status of Natura 2000 sites is not undermined by split or incomplete EIAs?

    Submitted: 19.2.2025

    Last updated: 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates the First-ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates the First-ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice

    74th Foundation Day of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Celebrated

    Director General, ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo Praises India’s Efforts in Doubling Social Protection Coverage to 49%

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 8:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the first-ever two-day Regional Dialogue on Social Justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice in New Delhi today. Director General, International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, graced the event with his presence. Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ms. Sumita Dawra, along with other dignitaries were also present at this prestigious international dialogue.

    Commemorating the 74th Foundation Day of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), an award ceremony to felicitate achievements across its organisations was also held.

    Launched in 2023, the Global Coalition for Social Justice calls for a collaborative approach and commitment towards promoting decent work, social protection, responsible business conduct and fair work. The Global Coalition has around 340 members of the Global Coalition including Governments, academia, private sector, financial institutions, etc.

    Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized India’s role as a proud member of the Asia Pacific Coordinating Group, leading the first Regional Dialogue. He expressed joy in championing the key Coalition intervention, stating, “India is privileged to spearhead the initiative on Responsible Business Practices for Sustainable and Inclusive Societies.” Union Minister commended the BMS and the CII-EFI’s shared commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, respect for workers’ rights, and inclusive economic growth. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken significant steps towards economic transformation. The next five years present a unique opportunity to realize our vision of ‘Sabka Vikas’—balanced growth for all regions and communities,” he asserted.

    During the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya launched the e-Shram mobile app, a key step in strengthening social benefits delivery by offering real-time access to government welfare schemes, intelligent benefit filtering, curated job listings aligned with users’ skills and location, and multilingual support.

    Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, congratulated the Government of India for the efforts in doubling India’s social protection from 24.4% to 48.8% as reported in the World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024. Recognizing India’s important role in ILO’s leadership, DG ILO remarked that India’s efforts in business growth along with social protection serves as a good example to inspire change and improve social protection systems across the world. He mentioned that this remarkable achievement is an outcome of the decisive actions taken by the Central Government in expanding social protection in the past few years.

    Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, emphasized that social justice cannot be achieved through a one-size-fit-all approach. She underscored that social justice is embedded in India’s constitutional commitments. Reiterating India’s remarkable progress reported in the WSPR, she highlighted that India’s efforts in improving social protection, drove a 5% increase in the global social protection coverage. Congratulating ESIC on its 74th Foundation Day, she acknowledged its role in strengthening social security and announced the government’s plans to extend coverage to unorganized, agricultural, construction, gig, and platform workers.

    Addressing the gathering, Secretary MoLE, Smt. Sumita Dawra, praised the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice for strengthening global cooperation. Highlighting India as the fastest-growing major economy with a vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, she emphasized the country’s foundation on social justice principles, strong demographic dividend with 65% of the population under the age of 35, and a commitment to employment generation, equity, and welfare. She reiterated India’s goal of achieving 70% females engaged in economic activity by 2047, and applauded industry leaders for adopting responsible business practices, including youth skill development, education, and women’s workforce participation.

    During the occasion, India’s largest workers association, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Through a Joint Statement on Responsible Business Conduct presented by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and the Confederation of Indian Industry-Employers’ Federation of India (CII-EFI), these organisations showcased their commitment towards this agenda.

    Additionally, several key publications were unveiled, including Best Practices on Responsible Business Conduct in India, Position Paper on Transforming India’s Social Protection Landscape through Data Pooling, Compendium of Social Protection in India, Social Security for Informal Workers: Reflections & Learnings from ISSA-ESIC International Seminar, 2025, and Shram Samarth: A Journey to Excellence.

    An exhibition on the sidelines of the event showcased the innovative use of technology in labour welfare, social security, medical care, personnel management, industrial safety, and more. Participants demonstrated how technology is driving positive change in the ecosystem, enhancing services and outreach for workers.

    A series of insightful technical sessions brought together global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to advance discussions on youth empowerment, social justice, and inclusion. These sessions explored strategies to bridge the education-to-employment gap, expand social protection for informal workers, and promote gender equality in the workforce. Key stakeholders from India, the Philippines, Namibia, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and international organizations such as the ILO and UN Women shared best practices, including digital skilling platforms, social security frameworks, and gender-responsive workplace policies. Emphasizing collaboration and innovation, the discussions reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering inclusive economic growth and ensuring equitable opportunities for all.

    Today’s event showcases the progress India has made on the global centre stage. India’s social justice growth journey including 3.2% unemployment rate, modernized labour codes, 48.8% social protection coverage, partnering with ILO on determining living wages, building responsible business conduct, showcasing success business case studies, leading the regional agenda in Asia Pacific, is an epitome of India’s confidence and critical positioning.

    Taking a collaborative approach to further strengthening India’s social protection coverage, making significant strides in developing the G20 international referencing classification of occupations, and advancing the decent work country programme with focus on living wages, AI and Future of Work and Global Value Chains, the two-day summit will prove to be a pathbreaking initiative and a global movement for strengthened cooperation.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2105900) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prolific Alien Smuggler Extradited from Mexico to the United States in Joint Task Force Alpha Investigation

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities culminated in the extradition of an alleged alien smuggler who operated in Mexicali on the U.S.-Mexico border for several years as part of an international alien smuggling conspiracy.

    Raul Saucedo-Huipio, 49, was arrested in Mexico on March 2, 2023, pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition, and was surrendered by Mexico to U.S. authorities on Feb. 21 to face charges previously filed in the District of Arizona. Saucedo-Huipio made his initial appearance on Feb. 21 in the Southern District of California. His co-conspirator, Ofelia Hernandez-Salas, 62, was extradited to the United States from Mexico in 2023 and pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024, to conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States and substantive counts of bringing an alien to the United States.

    According to court documents, Saucedo-Huipio conspired with other smugglers, including Hernandez-Salas, to facilitate the travel of large numbers of migrants into the United States from and through Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Eritrea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas allegedly charged the migrants as much as tens of thousands of dollars to make the journey and directed the migrants where to unlawfully cross the border into the United States, including by providing them with a ladder to climb over the border fence. Saucedo-Huipio and co-conspirators also allegedly robbed the migrants of money and personal belongings while armed with guns and knives.

    In June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed corresponding sanctions on this transnational criminal organization.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachel C. Hernandez for the District of Arizona, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, made the announcement.

    ICE HSI Yuma is investigating the case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; FBI; and the U.S. Marshals Service, working in concert with ICE HSI Tijuana, INTERPOL, and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI also received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center/Counter Network Division and OFAC.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Mexico. The Justice Department thanks its Mexican law enforcement partners, who were instrumental in arresting Saucedo-Huipio, and the Mexican Attorney General’s Office and the Mexican Foreign Ministry for making the extradition possible.

    The indictments against Raul Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas, and their subsequent arrests and extraditions, were coordinated through Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA was created in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strengthen the Justice Department’s efforts to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse, or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime. The initiative was expanded to Colombia and Panama to combat human smuggling in the Darién in June 2024. JTFA comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, the District of Arizona, the District of New Mexico, and the Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training; the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Office of Enforcement Operations; OIA; and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; more than 300 U.S. convictions; more than 245 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    This investigation is also supported by the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or raise grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU consumers misled by food labelling – E-000566/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000566/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Liesbet Sommen (PPE)

    On 25 November 2024 the European Court of Auditors (ECA) published a special report on food labelling in the EU. The report not only highlighted the fact that food labelling can help consumers make informed choices, but also showed that there are notable gaps in the legal framework, as well as weaknesses in monitoring, reporting and control systems and sanctions. As a result, consumers are confronted with confusing or misleading labels that they do not always understand.

    In view of this:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s position on the need to harmonise food labelling (e.g. Nutri-Score, NutrInform Battery and Keyhole) or is the Commission setting up a better and more accurate scheme?
    • 2.What measures will be taken to simplify food labelling, modify confusing and misleading labels and raise awareness as to how labels should be read, and will the Commission act to improve the general public’s knowledge about nutrition labelling?
    • 3.Will the Commission follow up all the ECA recommendations, and is further action planned in this connection?

    Submitted: 7.2.2025

    Last updated: 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Commission’s strategy in response to US trade policy – E-000587/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000587/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Piotr Müller (ECR)

    Donald Trump has announced the introduction of tariffs on European goods that could significantly affect the EU’s economy, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and the automotive and engineering industries. In view of these announcements, the matter of the Commission’s strategy to protect the interests of EU companies and maintain competitiveness in international markets takes on crucial importance.

    • 1.What diplomatic and trade steps does the Commission intend to take to negotiate with the current US administration in order to avoid an escalation of tensions and a potential trade war?
    • 2.Does the Commission have a concrete action plan at its disposal in the event that the Trump administration imposes tariffs, and if so, what measures are envisaged to mitigate the adverse effects on the EU economy?
    • 3.Given that the US benefits from significantly cheaper energy and a lack of climate policy constraints, how does the Commission intend to support the competitiveness of EU companies, which already face higher operating costs due to stringent environmental rules, and is the adoption of measures to reduce this competitive imbalance under consideration?

    Submitted: 9.2.2025

    Last updated: 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland schools attendance survey

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    At the November 2024 Education Committee, the Council reported a review of the Highland Raising Attainment Strategy. Part of that review involves work around better understanding attendance challenges and the reasons for repeat absence from school. Two surveys are being distributed to schools across Highland for either pupils or parent/carers who struggle with regular school attendance to complete the short survey. The survey is anonymous and will run from Monday 24 February until Friday 14 March 2025.

    The surveys are available here:

    Parent survey on attendance: https://forms.office.com/e/vYZvATHXtC

    Pupil survey on attendance : https://forms.office.com/e/QgeMqY21UT

    Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “Highland’s Raising Attainment Strategy includes engaging with pupils and parents/carers through the GIRFEC agenda, as part of that work a survey has been distributed to all schools across Highland, and we ask pupils or the parents/carers of children who struggle attending school on a regular basis to take part in the survey.

    “Findings from the survey will be collated to assist our approaches to raise attainment, support health and wellbeing of learners and to help close the poverty related attainment gap.”

    24 Feb 2025

    Share this story

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Construction underway at new Nairn Academy  

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Construction work is taking place on the new Nairn Academy which is programmed to be operational in August 2026.  

    The school has a planning capacity of 800 pupils and is part of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).  

    Chair of the Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson said: “This is an exciting development for the area and for members of the community who I am sure are eagerly awaiting its completion. 

    “The Highland Council is committed to improving the Education estate across Highland. Nairn Academy is a pilot project for us and is one of the first low energy complete ‘Passivhaus’ schools to be constructed in Highland.  

    “Improving our school estate is a challenge, but it is one we are committed to addressing with the support of our partners to offer more quality learning environments for school communities. We look forward in anticipation to a fantastic new school building for the pupils of Nairnshire.” 

    Housing & Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “A great amount of work has taken place already in the preparation of the new school build, and we are beginning to see results of those great efforts from those involved in the project. The community will now be able to see the new school take shape as the steelwork goes up on site. This is really exciting, and we wish the construction team the very best with the build phase and look forward to progress updates.” 

    The campus will become Balfour Beatty’s second Passivhaus certified school building in Scotland – a quality assurance certification for the design and construction of low energy buildings and is due to be complete by August 2026.  

    Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver this latest new project, further enhancing our legacy in delivering state-of-the-art, sustainable educational facilities across Scotland. 

    “With works now underway, we are working closely and collaboratively with The Highland Council to successfully deliver this new school which will provide an exciting and inspirational learning environment for hundreds of students and teachers, serving both current and future generations.” 

    The £61m contract awarded to Balfour Beatty is funded from Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s LEIP announced in December 2020, and capital funding for the project was approved by The Highland Council in September 2023. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prolific Alien Smuggler Extradited from Mexico to the United States in Joint Task Force Alpha Investigation

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities culminated in the extradition of an alleged alien smuggler who operated in Mexicali on the U.S.-Mexico border for several years as part of an international alien smuggling conspiracy.

    Raul Saucedo-Huipio, 49, was arrested in Mexico on March 2, 2023, pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition, and was surrendered by Mexico to U.S. authorities on Feb. 21 to face charges previously filed in the District of Arizona. Saucedo-Huipio made his initial appearance on Feb. 21 in the Southern District of California. His co-conspirator, Ofelia Hernandez-Salas, 62, was extradited to the United States from Mexico in 2023 and pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024, to conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States and substantive counts of bringing an alien to the United States.

    According to court documents, Saucedo-Huipio conspired with other smugglers, including Hernandez-Salas, to facilitate the travel of large numbers of migrants into the United States from and through Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Eritrea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas allegedly charged the migrants as much as tens of thousands of dollars to make the journey and directed the migrants where to unlawfully cross the border into the United States, including by providing them with a ladder to climb over the border fence. Saucedo-Huipio and co-conspirators also allegedly robbed the migrants of money and personal belongings while armed with guns and knives.

    In June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed corresponding sanctions on this transnational criminal organization.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachel C. Hernandez for the District of Arizona, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, made the announcement.

    ICE HSI Yuma is investigating the case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; FBI; and the U.S. Marshals Service, working in concert with ICE HSI Tijuana, INTERPOL, and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI also received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center/Counter Network Division and OFAC.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Mexico. The Justice Department thanks its Mexican law enforcement partners, who were instrumental in arresting Saucedo-Huipio, and the Mexican Attorney General’s Office and the Mexican Foreign Ministry for making the extradition possible.

    The indictments against Raul Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas, and their subsequent arrests and extraditions, were coordinated through Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA was created in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strengthen the Justice Department’s efforts to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse, or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime. The initiative was expanded to Colombia and Panama to combat human smuggling in the Darién in June 2024. JTFA comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, the District of Arizona, the District of New Mexico, and the Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training; the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Office of Enforcement Operations; OIA; and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; more than 300 U.S. convictions; more than 245 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    This investigation is also supported by the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or raise grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Northwest Arkansas Man Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Operating an Illegal Money Transmitting Business Using Pandemic Funds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FAYETTEVILLE – A Northwest Arkansas man was sentenced on February 20, to 51 months in Federal Prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, he was ordered to pay restitution of $725,558.00 on one count of operating an Illegal Money Transmitting Business. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which took place in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

    According to court documents, Richard Harold Stone, age 77, waived indictment by a grand jury and pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business in the State of Arkansas. Stone was the President or Chief Officer of numerous businesses registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State, including: Partex Oman Corp., Renewable Energy Campus Arkansas, Inc., Stonetek Global Corp., and Tires 2 Energy, LLC. Stone also was associated with Environmental Energy & Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation. The advertised purpose of these businesses was developing technology and facilities to repurpose waste materials, such as tires, into useable fuel sources. None of these businesses were registered with the State of Arkansas as a money transmitting business, as required by Arkansas law (Arkansas Code, Section 23-55-806(b)&(c)).

    Between November 2020 and March 2021, Stone received through various bank accounts associated with the above entities and other accounts under his control, deposits of funds from applications made on behalf of unwitting victims for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Impact Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), totaling more than $600,000. After receiving these funds, Stone immediately transferred most of the funds by wire transfer to parties in locations including Berne, Switzerland; London, England; New York, NY; Chennai, India; and Mumbai, India.

    At the conclusion of Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Stone was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

    U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

    The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter Bridges is prosecuting the case.

    Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump, Putin and Musk all share a leadership style – we’ve figured out what it is

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrei Lux, Lecturer of Leadership and Research Cluster Lead, Edith Cowan University

    Dictatorships would appear to be on the rise. Russian president Vladimir Putin, US president Donald Trump and even un-elected tech entrepreneur, Elon Musk are ruling by decree like “kings”.

    Some might naively call these leaders “authentic” for saying and often doing what they believe. But that’s not the whole story.

    Such unilateral decisions are deeply divisive, and often opposed. In the US, the federal court blocked Trump’s executive order banning workplace diversity, equity and inclusion programs to try to contain the damage.

    Researchers used to think that authenticity was inherently good and moral. But as authentic leadership research gets more sophisticated with robust experimental methods, what we know about this powerful approach is changing quickly.

    Experiments use controlled simulations and real-world field trials to show how leadership behaviour influences followers. These new methods are the gold standard for establishing cause-and-effect relationships, and they’re challenging old ideas.

    Authentic leadership redefined

    After 20 years of research, we’ve redefined authentic leadership as a process of sending leadership “signals”. What leaders say and do sends powerful messages about their values.

    In a digital age where every tweet and public act is scrutinised, understanding these signals is important for employees and voters. And keeping up with this new way of expressing authentic leadership is vital for anyone seeking to lead in today’s volatile world.

    In our latest article, we looked at what authentic leadership involves and why signalling is so important.

    But what exactly is “signalling”?

    Sending leadership ‘signals’

    Everything leaders do or say – how they behave, express themselves, look, and communicate – sends messages to everyone watching. These messages are “signals”. Leaders influence their followers by sending signals that will trigger specific thoughts or emotions.

    But executive life is complex and full of inherent contradictions between personal authenticity and the demands of leadership roles.

    High-profile figures such as Musk and Trump show how leadership signals can be polarising. Just last week Musk used his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to call for an unconstitutional election in Ukraine.

    Musk’s edicts and announcements have prompted demonstrations around the US.
    Rena Schild/Shutterstock

    Signalling authentic leadership

    Demonstrating authentic leadership depends on sending clear, observable signals that reflect the leaders’ principles and ethical convictions.

    Here are some tips for spotting authentic leadership signals in everyday interactions. It is notable that it’s easier to find examples of leaders displaying the complete opposite.

    1. Self-awareness

    Leaders signal self-awareness by regularly seeking honest feedback and reflecting on their own strengths and weaknesses. They openly acknowledge mistakes and share their learning. They value personal growth and continuous improvement.

    Instead, Trump repeatedly ignores his own mistakes, even after they are exposed. His latest claim to be debunked was that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s approval was 4%, while his actual approval is closer to 60%.

    2. Internal moral perspective

    Leaders signal an internal moral perspective by making decisions – even if they are unpopular – firmly rooted in core ethical values. Upholding these values and encouraging open discussions on ethics is a principled approach to leadership.

    Instead, Musk has given federal workers 48 hours to justify their employment. The directive leaves little room for open dialogue on the ethical rationale or moral implications of such a drastic measure. He relies, instead, on top-down command.

    Key federal agencies including the FBI and Pentagon have told employees to ignore the email.

    3. Balanced processing

    Leaders signal balanced processing by seeking different views and considering all options before making a decision. Admitting any biases and using team brainstorming or surveys, ensures fair and informed decision-making.

    Instead, Trump has signed more than 50 executive orders since taking office in January. These include some that are unlawful, as an open display of personal bias and unilateral decision-making.

    4. Relational transparency

    Leaders signal relational transparency by sharing appropriate personal experiences and vulnerabilities with their teams. Being honest about limitations and inviting open dialogue builds trust through genuine and consistent communication.

    Instead social media guru, Mark Zuckerberg, another Trump ally, assured staff his charity the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative would continue its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Then, only weeks later, he dismantled it.

    You can’t just fake it, either

    Leadership signals can convey honest information or be manipulated to send contrived messages.

    Trying to fake it doesn’t work. Leadership behaviour has to align with the leaders’ real values and internal sense of self – otherwise it’s not authentic leadership. It’s just impression management.

    Learning the difference empowers us to understand leaders’ actions and better navigate the post-truth era of global business and politics.

    Andrei Lux works for Edith Cowan University and is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management.

    Kevin Brian Lowe 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. Trump, Putin and Musk all share a leadership style – we’ve figured out what it is – https://theconversation.com/trump-putin-and-musk-all-share-a-leadership-style-weve-figured-out-what-it-is-250502

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada’s productivity strategy needs to centre workers

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ako Ufodike, Associate Professor, Administrative Studies, York University, Canada

    As Canada moves into 2025, its productivity still lags, despite efforts by the federal government to address the issue in the 2024 federal budget.

    Canada’s productivity has declined in nine of the last 10 quarters. Between 2015 and 2023, Canadian productivity fell by an average of 0.8 per cent per year. This means that, for every hour worked by Canadian employees, their output decreased by about eight per cent over that entire period.

    Labour productivity measures how much an economy produces per hour of work. Increasing productivity means finding ways to help people create more value in the time they spend working. However, how productivity is measured — and who benefits from productivity stimulation initiatives — varies.



    Read more:
    Canada’s lagging productivity affects us all — and will take years to remedy

    From an employer’s perspective, the main factor influencing productivity is the number of hours worked. For employees, the best proxy is wages received per hour worked — two related variables with differing implications.

    To date, Canada’s strategy to improve productivity has been very traditional, in that its primary aim has been to provide incentives for improved business performance.

    Global productivity issues

    Canada’s productivity stagnation struggles are not unique. A December 2024 OECD working paper highlighted a widespread slowdown across the OECD nations.

    From 1995 to 2023, ouputs from labour and capital inputs — know as multifactor productivity — declined sharply in both small and large advanced OECD countries.

    In Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Spain and the United Kingdom, productivity has nearly stalled. Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Mexico experienced prolonged periods of negative growth.

    The OECD paper also found a link between productivity decline and stagnating human capital development. Since 2003, young citizens of OECD countries have underperformed on standardized tests in science, math and reading.

    At the same time, many skilled immigrants to these countries are selected from the sciences and must score exceptionally high on language proficiency exams such as the International English Language Testing System.

    This raises questions about how countries assess and utilize human capital, and whether traditional productivity measures fully capture workforce potential.

    Innovation in productivity approaches

    Innovation improves productivity, yet Canada’s 2024 budget fails to embrace this principle. The 2024 budget prescribed five main strategies to address Canada’s productivity issues:

    • incentives for entrepreneurs;
    • fiscal incentives for productivity-enhancing assets;
    • regulatory sandboxes to reduce bureaucratic red tape;
    • enhanced federal research support;
    • a $200-million investment in the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative.

    However, the initiatives largely continue to follow the traditional approach which focuses on incentivizing businesses to increase output, rather than focusing on workers — the factor most relevant to productivity.

    One of the budget’s major assumptions, which has so far failed to materialize, was that productivity would grow by 1.8 per cent between 2024 and 2028, despite a 1.8 per cent decline over the previous three years and a 0.8 per cent decline over the preceding decade.

    Another overlooked factor is that declining wages also decrease productivity. Instead of focusing solely on business incentives, a more effective labour-agency approach would also incentivize those who own the denominator in the productivity formula — workers.

    Addressing immigrant underemployment

    Immigrants are the primary drivers of population growth in most OECD countries, yet many end up in precarious employment or underemployed, despite being exceptionally qualified.

    Even when immigrants are employed at the appropriate level, many are underpaid in comparison to non-immigrant workers or their predecessors in the same roles. This wage suppression is at odds with efforts to improve productivity.



    Read more:
    I’ve worked in precarious jobs for more than 10 years – here’s what unions should do to support migrant workers

    This issue is particularly evident in Canada, where conversations about productivity are being shaped by immigration trends. In 2023, Canada welcomed one million new immigrants without a corresponding increase in economic output. From July 2023 to July 2024, immigrant underemployment rose by 3.1 to 12.6 per cent.

    Labour market integration varies across regions. In Alberta, for example, 80 per cent of new jobs between 2018 and 2022 were filled by immigrants, yet, productivity did not rise.

    Some critics have blamed immigrants for Canada’s productivity struggles, but this narrative risks fostering anti-immigrant sentiment. While population growth may contribute to declining per capita productivity, in reality, many highly qualified immigrants end up underemployed or unemployed through no fault of their own.

    A 2024 Statistics Canada report highlighted this missed economic opportunity, stating: “recent immigrants were more likely than people born in Canada to be employed in professional occupations and lower-skilled and labourer occupations.”

    Despite this, the 2024 budget doesn’t address harmful “unproductive immigrant” narratives.

    Driving productivity growth

    Canada’s current approach to productivity is incomplete. While business incentives play a role, productivity growth cannot be achieved without investing in workers — particularly immigrants, who represent a growing share of the workforce.

    Canada and other OECD nations are missing an opportunity by failing to fully utilize immigrant talent. Rather than blaming immigrants for productivity declines, countries should recognize immigrants as valuable contributors. Proper credential recognition and expanding workforce integration programs could allow immigrants to contribute at their full economic potential.



    Read more:
    Canadian immigrants are overqualified and underemployed — reforms must address this

    A truly innovative productivity strategy would fund reskilling, upskilling and mentorship programs for immigrants and youth. It would also support equity initiatives to ensure immigrants aren’t exploited or paid less than their counterparts.

    Improving career mobility is also essential. Helping immigrants transition into high-output sectors, such as technology or engineering, through retraining programs and targeted incentives could strengthen productivity.

    Addressing wage inequity is also crucial. Ensuring immigrants receive fair wages aligned with their qualifications will improve worker motivation and productivity, consistent with the arguments of efficient wage theory.

    If these issues remain unaddressed, Canada risks continued productivity stagnation by overlooking a key opportunity to harness the potential of its immigrant workforce.

    Ako Ufodike receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. Canada’s productivity strategy needs to centre workers – https://theconversation.com/canadas-productivity-strategy-needs-to-centre-workers-249669

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: We need meaningful, not less, EDI and climate action in turbulent times

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sarah E. Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Political Studies, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Today, both climate action and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are increasingly under attack. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the United States, where the Trump administration is leading a concerted effort to obstruct climate action and penalize EDI.

    A federal judge recently granted an injunction blocking U.S. government officials from terminating or changing federal contracts they consider equity-related.

    The injunction comes just over a month after President Donald Trump signed executive orders that end federal government support for programs promoting EDI. The judge found the executive orders could likely violate the U.S. Constitution and free-speech rights.

    In Canada, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has blamed carbon pricing for driving up prices, despite research showing that it has a minimal impact on inflation. Meanwhile, provincial governments in Alberta and Saskatchewan are pursuing punitive anti-transgender agendas and some universities are moving away from EDI, claiming it promotes exclusion.

    Until recently, governments, universities and corporations faced criticism for their lack of meaningful commitments on EDI and the climate. Many responded with ambitious pledges but insufficient action. This led to greenwashing and diversity-washing, symbolic commitments that mask inaction.

    Hypocrisies in climate and EDI policies have become easy targets for right-wing populists. As a result, EDI and climate action are being scapegoated for broader systemic failures. For instance, the most deadly American plane crash in two decades has been baselessly linked to EDI, rather than clear evidence of systemic failures.

    There are good reasons to challenge greenwashing and diversity-washing. Yet, denigrating climate and DEI actions wholesale avoids tackling the roots of complex problems and can have dangerous outcomes.

    Why we need meaningful EDI in climate action

    Climate policies that ignore social justice deepen exclusion, weaken public buy-in and provoke backlash. A just energy transition requires policies that resonate with marginalized communities and with those who feel threatened by change. Without this, opposition will only grow.

    We recently published a journal article, co-authored with researchers Neelakshi Joshi and Georgia Savvidou, outlining how greenwashing, diversity-washing and the backlash against EDI all undermine effective climate action. We argue that we cannot address environmental challenges without confronting class, gender and racial inequities.

    EDI is rooted in historical social movements that fought against exclusion. Established rights — like maternity leave, anti-discrimination in the workplace and marriage equality — are all products of these movements.

    Over the past decade, movements like #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have advanced our understanding of systemic discrimination. EDI efforts have aimed to make institutions more representative and reduce inequalities in workplaces and society.

    EDI in climate action has also gained traction, particularly through the push for a “just transition.” This movement seeks to restructure energy systems fairly and inclusively, ensuring no one is left behind.

    Energy systems are deeply inequitable. Who profits, who has access and who shapes energy policy is highly uneven. Meaningful EDI that redistributes these benefits is essential. This includes the need to support workers in fossil fuel industries and the most vulnerable to climate impacts.

    Ironically, political leaders who oppose EDI on merit grounds appoint key figures with no expertise. They ignore that diversity expands merit, not lowers it — EDI removes barriers, not standards.

    Meaningful EDI in energy transitions

    In our journal article we outline how public and private leaders make bold promises without transformative action, leading to greenwashing and diversity-washing.

    Insufficient and superficial efforts can hinder systemic change. In the energy sector, simply prioritizing boardroom and workforce diversity does not necessarily guarantee fairer working conditions or tangible benefits for local communities.

    We must move beyond empty greenwashing and diversity-washing rhetoric towards actions that target the needs of diverse populations where they live and work.

    For example, community-led clean energy projects enable citizens to actively participate in energy transitions. Indigenous-led renewable energy ownership facilitates Indigenous sovereignty. Community organizations like Empower Me address the energy poverty faced by newcomers, immigrants, single mothers, seniors and others.

    These examples demonstrate that more diverse perspectives are needed not to pursue EDI for its own sake, but to transform energy systems in real ways for more people.

    When diverse experiences are not taken into account, our energy and climate decisions are prone to blind-spots and groupthink. This locks us further into existing practices, rather than opening up innovative and transformative paths.

    We must reconnect with reality and not hide in fantasies that reject natural and social science alike. When EDI is obstructed, we cannot make effective progress on the climate crisis. We lose opportunities to discuss the injustices that are baked into energy systems — discussions that can lead to tailored and targeted policies relevant to the everyone’s needs.

    This means heating, cooling and transport options that work for people of all backgrounds, income and ability levels, and initiatives that suit rural and remote communities as well as urban residents.

    In turbulent times, the world needs more meaningful EDI, not less.

    Sarah E. Sharma receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Department of National Defence’s Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) program.

    Amy Janzwood receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Julie MacArthur receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Runa Das receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. We need meaningful, not less, EDI and climate action in turbulent times – https://theconversation.com/we-need-meaningful-not-less-edi-and-climate-action-in-turbulent-times-249683

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Angola

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    February 24, 2025

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Angola.

    Angola’s economy recovered in 2024 as the oil sector rebounded. GDP growth is estimated to have reached 3.8 percent, surpassing earlier projections, and the recovery broadened to the non-oil sector. The public debt-to-GDP ratio declined in 2024, benefiting from higher nominal GDP growth and sustained primary surpluses. However, fiscal consolidation efforts waned, and buffers built during the 2018–21 EFF—supported program are being eroded by fiscal slippages from higher capital expenditures and a slower fuel subsidy reform.

    Inflation remained elevated driven by exchange rate pressures and higher food prices. The central bank raised monetary policy rate by 150 bps in 2024 and streamlined liquidity management, resulting in a better alignment of the interbank rate with the policy rate. The currency depreciated by over 10 percent against the U.S. dollar in 2024. Adverse market expectations and a high external debt service continue to weigh on the exchange rate. The government’s active cash and debt management helped mitigate liquidity pressures.

    The recovery is expected to continue but risks to the outlook remain high. Growth is expected to remain at 3 percent in 2025 while inflation is projected to ease with the fading of cost-push factors. The resolution of maintenance bottlenecks in key extraction blocks and government-led efforts to incentivize production should help sustain oil production. However, high external debt service constrains development spending, and oil dependence remains a drag on sustainable growth. Liquidity risk could intensify should financing conditions deteriorate, further crowding out social spending, and exerting pressures on the exchange rate. Moreover, with presidential elections scheduled for 2027, an early start of the political cycle risks slowing down the implementation of economic reforms. On the upside, higher oil prices, positive spillovers from further global monetary policy easing, and stronger non-oil FDIs, including through the Lobito Corridor development, could improve the medium-term outlook.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    “Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. While welcoming the economic recovery, they highlighted the continued risks from oil price volatility and debt vulnerabilities. Against this background, Directors emphasized the urgency of accelerating structural reforms to strengthen macroeconomic and financial stability and foster diversified and inclusive growth.

    “Directors stressed that returning to a fiscal consolidation path is critical to strengthen buffers and create space for development needs. They emphasized the importance of fully implementing fuel subsidy reforms accompanied by mitigating measures to protect the most vulnerable and intensifying non‑oil revenue mobilization efforts. Directors also advised rationalizing public investment and improving spending efficiency in line with the 2019 PIMA recommendations, strengthening public financial management, including the procurement framework and SOE reforms, and improving cash and debt management to mitigate liquidity risks and support a timely return to markets.

    “Directors stressed the need for monetary policy to maintain a tightening bias to ensure durable disinflation. They called on the authorities to strictly adhere to the ceiling on government loans to safeguard international reserves and contain inflationary pressures. Directors welcomed the authorities’ efforts to streamline liquidity management to enhance monetary policy transmission, as well as to improve foreign exchange market functioning and exchange rate flexibility as part of the transition toward an inflation‑targeting framework.

    “Directors underlined the need to continue addressing financial sector vulnerabilities. They called on the authorities to address AML/CFT weaknesses to achieve swift removal from the FATF grey list. Directors emphasized the importance of effectively implementing new supervisory regulations and developing a robust financial stability framework, including strengthened safety nets. They advised addressing remaining vulnerabilities from the sovereign‑bank nexus, high NPLs, and problem banks, and looked forward to the upcoming FSAP assessment.

    “Directors supported the authorities’ National Development Plan to achieve more diversified and resilient growth. A key focus should be on market‑friendly policies to streamline business regulations, enhance governance, fight corruption, develop human capital, and deepen financial inclusion. Stronger statistical capacity is also needed to support sound policy making.

    It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Angola will be held on the standard 12‑month cycle.”

     

    Angola: Selected Economic Indicators, 2023–25

    2023

    2024

    2025
     

    Prel.

    Proj.

    Real economy (percent change, except where otherwise indicated)

    		      

    Real gross domestic product

    1.0

    3.8

    3.0

    Oil sector

    -2.4

    3.2

    0.3

    Non-oil sector

    2.2

    3.9

    3.4

    Nominal gross domestic product (GDP)

    14.6

    33.3

    24.3

    Oil sector

    9.5

    33.7

    17.4

    Non-oil sector

    15.5

    33.2

    25.6

    GDP deflator

    13.4

    28.5

    20.8

    Non-oil GDP deflator

    14.4

    28.2

    21.3

    Consumer prices (annual average)

    13.6

    28.2

    21.0

    Consumer prices (end of period)

    20.0

    27.5

    18.9
         

    Central government (percent of GDP)

    		      

    Total revenue

    17.4

    16.6

    16.0

    Of which: Oil-related

    10.3

    10.0

    9.7

    Of which: Non-oil tax

    6.1

    5.6

    5.0

    Total expenditure

    19.2

    17.6

    17.3

    Current expenditure

    15.2

    14.1

    12.4

    Capital spending

    4.1

    3.6

    4.9

    Overall fiscal balance

    -1.9

    -1.0

    -1.3

    Non-oil primary fiscal balance

    -6.4

    -5.7

    -7.2
         

    Money and credit (end of period, percent change)

    		      

    Broad money (M2)

    37.8

    30.6

    38.5

    Percent of GDP

    20.8

    20.4

    22.7

    Velocity (GDP/M2)

    4.8

    4.9

    4.4

    Velocity (non-oil GDP/M2)

    4.1

    4.1

    3.8

    Credit to the private sector (annual percent change)

    28.8

    28.1

    27.0
         

    Balance of payments

    		      

    Trade balance (percent of GDP)

    19.9

    19.7

    17.0

    Exports of goods, f.o.b. (percent of GDP)

    33.6

    33.1

    31.5

    Of which: Oil and gas exports (percent of GDP)

    31.6

    30.9

    28.6

    Imports of goods, f.o.b. (percent of GDP)

    13.8

    13.4

    14.5

    Terms of trade (percent change)

    -19.3

    -4.0

    -10.4

    Current account balance (percent of GDP)

    3.8

    4.1

    2.4

    Gross international reserves (end of period, millions of U.S. dollars)

    14,727

    15,227

    15,277

    Gross international reserves (months of next year’s imports)

    7.3

    7.3

    7.3

     

    		      

    Exchange rate

    		      

    Official exchange rate (average, kwanzas per U.S. dollar)

    685

    876

    …

    Official exchange rate (end of period, kwanzas per U.S. dollar)

    829

    924

    …
         

    Public debt (percent of GDP)

    		      

    Public sector debt (gross)1

    71.4

    62.4

    63.3

    Of which: Central Government debt

    67.9

    60.4

    61.9
         

    Oil

    		      

    Oil and gas production (millions of barrels per day)

    1.205

    1.262

    1.266

    Oil and gas exports (billions of U.S. dollars)

    34.7

    35.4

    31.5

    Angola oil price (average, U.S. dollars per barrel)

    80.6

    78.5

    70.3

    Brent oil price (average, U.S. dollars per barrel)

    82.3

    80.0

    71.4

    Sources: Angolan authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1 Includes debt of the Central Government, external debt of state oil company Sonangol and state airline company TAAG, and guaranteed debt. 

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/24/pr-2541-angola-imf-executive-board-concludes-2024-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: At 3-Year Mark of Russian Federation’s Invasion, General Assembly Upholds Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity, Adopting Two Resolutions

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Member States Concur on Need to End War, But Differ on Best Path to Achieve It

    Three years after the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the General Assembly today adopted two resolutions reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the United Nations Charter.  While Member States broadly agreed on the urgent need to end the war, they differed on the best path to achieving peace.

    “We cannot afford another year of this unjust war,” said Francisco José Da Cruz (Angola), Vice-President of the General Assembly as he opened the eleventh Emergency Special Session on Ukraine, noting that the Assembly has been clear in its stance, adopting six resolutions demanding the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine territory.  “Russian aggression against Ukraine is a grave violation of the United Nations Charter,” he added.  While the Security Council has been deadlocked, “let us prove — through action, not words — that a comprehensive and lasting peace is within our reach”, he stressed.

    Member States had before them two competing draft resolutions — L.10, submitted by Ukraine and European countries, titled “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”, and L.11, proposed by the United States, titled “The path to peace”.

    The General Assembly adopted draft resolution “L.10” by a recorded vote of 93 in favour to 18 against, with 65 abstentions.  The United States voted against it in an apparent shift of its position.  It supported a similar resolution submitted in February 2023 (document A/RES/ES-11/6), which received 141 votes in favour.

    By “L.10”, the Assembly — reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders — recalled the need for full implementation of its relevant resolutions adopted in response to the aggression against Ukraine, in particular its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.

    Introducing “L.10”, Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said:  “This is a moment of truth — a historic moment.”  The way States respond to the Russian Federation’s aggression today will define not only the future of Ukraine or Europe, but “our common future”, she said.  “This has never been about Ukraine,” she continued, noting that Moscow wants to replace the world based on international law by that based on the rule of force. Today, Ukraine fights for a “world of nations that are not divided into predators and prey”, where no grey zones exist, she added. Stressing that the General Assembly’s response must include substantive elements, she said that this is a rational behind the draft.  “We need clear guidance,” not just a ceasefire, she emphasized, noting that by adopting the draft, the Assembly will address the global impact of war.

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Sally Harrell and Sen. Elena Parent Introduce Legislation to Create Voluntary “No Sell” Firearms List

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (February 24, 2025) — Last week, Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) and Sen. Elena Parent (D–Atlanta) filed Senate Bill 224, “Donna’s Law,” to allow Georgia citizens at risk for suicidal ideations to place themselves on the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Firearms Checks List to protect themselves.

    Donna’s Law would allow individuals to place themselves on the list through a healthcare professional or under oath through a probate court in their county of residence. Once an individual applies, they would be placed on the NICS firearms checklist within 24 hours. The legislation also allows applicants to remove themselves from the list no sooner than seven days after they apply.

    “This is an important way we can support and protect people suffering from mental illness. Sadly, as I was working on this bill, a friend of my family took her life with a firearm,” said Sen. Harrell. “Studies show that suicides are often very hasty decisions that are not well thought out. Donna’s Law could help prevent people who are suffering from making impulsive decisions.”

    “The last few years, we’ve been very focused on finding better solutions to help people with mental health issues. Firearms are used in over half of suicides in Georgia. With firearms, there are very few second chances — about 85% of gun suicide attempts result in death,” said Sen. Parent. “We have the opportunity to offer an important tool to reduce the probability of death or self-harm to those who are suffering from mental health challenges and the professionals who treat them.”

    If passed, Georgia would become the fourth state to adopt this legislation. The law is named for Donna Nathan, who suffered from bipolar disorder for 30 years and voluntarily admitted herself to psychiatric treatment facilities to protect herself.  In 2018, she googled “gun stores,” drove to one, purchased a gun and shot herself, ending her life.

    For the full version of SB 224, read here.

    # # # #

    Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 via email at sally.harrell@senate.ga.gov.

    Sen. Elena Parent serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She represents the 44th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Clayton County. She may be reached at her office at (404) 656-5109 or by email at elena.parent@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Poll Shows Massive Support for President Trump and His Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    A new poll by Harvard CAPS-Harris reveals the majority of the country backs President Donald J. Trump and his actions to bring much-needed reforms that are making America great again.
    Americans overwhelmingly support President Trump’s agenda.
    81% support deporting criminal illegal immigrants.
    76% support a “full-scale effort to find and eliminate fraud and waste in government.”
    76% support closing the border with additional security and policies.
    69% support keeping men out of women’s sports.
    68% support government declaring there are only two genders.
    65% support ending race-based hiring in government.
    63% support “freezing and re-evaluating all foreign aid expenditures and the department that handled them.”
    61% support reciprocal tariffs.
    60% support direct U.S. negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
    59% support cutting government spending already approved by Congress.
    57% support ending the ban on new offshore drilling.

    Most Americans approve of President Trump’s job performance — including pluralities of men, women, independents, and Americans who live in urban, suburban, and rural areas — while almost six-in-ten say he’s doing a better job than President Biden.
    Almost half of Americans believe the U.S. economy is “strong” under President Trump — the highest number since 2021 — while a plurality say his policies will make them “financially better off.”
    Americans are significantly more optimistic about the direction of the country, with those who say we’re on the right track up 14 points over last month.
    Americans strongly support President Trump’s effort to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
    77% support a “full examination of all government expenditures.”
    72% agree there should be a government agency “focused on efficiency.”
    70% say government is “filled with waste, fraud, and inefficiency.”
    Two-thirds say Congress should join the “effort to reduce government expenditures.”

    Americans back President Trump’s action to protect American workers.
    61% support reciprocal tariffs.
    57% say tariffs are an “effective foreign and economic policy tool.”
    54% say tariffs will help get “concessions from other countries.”

    President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Attorney General Pam Bondi all enjoy net positive favorability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 58: Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel

    Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel. As delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at the 58th HRC session in Geneva.

    Thank you Mr President,

    In this 30th anniversary year for gender equality, let me reaffirm the British government’s commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

    My government’s dedication to advancing gender equality at home has led to a narrowing of the gender pay gap, more women on the boards of the largest companies than ever before and stronger action to protect women and girls from violence and abuse. And we have put women and girls at the heart of our international work, from our diplomacy to our development spend.

    But while it is important to acknowledge the progress made, quite clearly no country – the UK included – has achieved or even got close to achieving gender equality. Indeed, we are seeing a growing international trend of efforts to undermine and roll back the rights of women, girls and other marginalised groups.

    We must resist that roll back, take concerted action to build on the progress we have made both at home and overseas. That is why we are putting women’s voices at the heart of everything we do and will make the changes needed so gender equality can, at last, become a reality.

    We call on all Members of the Council and states to use this landmark year to accelerate action towards empowering all women and girls.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Wales stands with Ukraine’ – Plaid Cymru statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion

    Source: Party of Wales

    On the third anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Plaid Cymru’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, and the party’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts said:

    “Today, on the third anniversary of Russia’s inhumane and illegal invasion of Ukraine, Plaid Cymru reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s security and its sovereignty. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. 

    “We are deeply concerned about the decision by the President of the United States to exclude Ukraine from discussions whilst engaging directly with Russia. Decisions about Ukraine’s future must include Ukraine itself. We also believe it is vital that the UK does not capitulate to continued Russian aggression. 

    “The only route to a just peace includes Ukraine as a full and equal partner in any future negotiations.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour First Minister admits £1.5bn spent on tackling NHS waiting lists isn’t yielding results

    Source: Party of Wales

    The Labour Welsh Government “doesn’t have a plan to follow the pounds”, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said as he challenged the First Minister on whether she was getting “bang for her buck” on health spending.

    During First Minister’s Questions today (Tuesday, 18 February 2025), Mr ap Iorwerth challenged First Minister over the £1.5bn spent on bringing down NHS waiting lists since 2021 despite waiting lists hitting a record high every month since March 2024.

    There are currently 802,268 patient pathways waiting to start treatment in Wales, made up of about 619,100 individual patients.

    The First Minister responded by saying “we’re not quite seeing the kind of outcomes that we think we should be seeing from the investment that’s gone in.”

    Criticising Labour’s failure to deliver on their promise to tackle growing NHS waiting lists Plaid Cymru Leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

    “The Labour First Minister promised to prioritise tackling record-high NHS waiting lists. Yet six months on, the First Minister has admitted that the investment hasn’t delivered better outcomes for patients.

    “Despite this admission, there is no sense there’ll be a change of approach from government or a focus on preventative health measures – it doesn’t have a plan to follow the pounds.

    “Having spent £1.5bn since the 2021 Senedd election on tackling NHS waiting lists, it should not be the case that 1 in 5 people are waiting for a referral for treatment.

    “Only Plaid Cymru offers the NHS a fresh start, with a clear plan to tackle NHS waiting lists and proposals to change how our health service is run to ensure it is fit for the future.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BsvCloud Announces 2025 Cloud Mining Plans to Help Beginners Mine Bitcoin Easily

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin continues to dominate the cryptocurrency world, BsvCloud, a trusted leader in cloud mining solutions, announces its new 2025 mining plans tailored to help beginners mine Bitcoin easily. Since its founding in 2017, BsvCloud has empowered over 500,000 users globally, and now it’s breaking down barriers with user-friendly, secure, and innovative cloud mining packages designed to simplify Bitcoin mining for newcomers.

    Making Bitcoin Mining Easy for Beginners in 2025

    With Bitcoin’s popularity soaring in 2025, many beginners are eager to join the mining craze but often face complex hardware setups and technical challenges. BsvCloud’s new cloud mining plans eliminate these hurdles, offering a straightforward way for novices to start mining Bitcoin. Backed by cutting-edge technology, these plans make the process accessible, letting anyone dip their toes into the world of cryptocurrency with confidence.

    Key Features of BsvCloud’s New Cloud Mining Plans

    • Beginner-Friendly Options: Start with simple, affordable plans crafted for those new to Bitcoin mining.
    • Higher Profitability: Optimized contracts ensure returns exceed industry benchmarks.
    • Advanced Tech: Powered by renewable energy and AI-driven hardware, BsvCloud maximizes efficiency.
    • Unmatched Security: Multi-layer encryption and offline storage safeguard your assets.
    • 24/7 Support: A friendly team is available anytime to assist beginners every step of the way.

    How to Start Mining Bitcoin with BsvCloud
    Getting into Bitcoin mining has never been easier:

    1. Sign Up: Register at bsvcloud.com and claim a $15 signup bonus in minutes.
    2. Select a Plan: Pick a cloud mining package that fits your budget and goals.
    3. Start Mining: Launch your operation instantly—no hardware or expertise needed.
    4. Track Earnings: Monitor daily profits on a user-friendly dashboard, with withdrawals in under 5 minutes.

    Why BsvCloud Stands Out for Beginners

    Traditional Bitcoin mining can intimidate newcomers with its costly equipment and steep learning curve. BsvCloud changes that by leveraging green energy and smart automation to simplify the process.

    “We’re here to help beginners mine Bitcoin without the stress,” said Thomas Simatos, CEO of BsvCloud. “Our 2025 plans are all about ease and accessibility, backed by reliable technology.” Users like Sarah from London agree: “I signed up in minutes and started mining Bitcoin without any stress—BsvCloud makes it so easy!”

    Get Started with Bitcoin Mining Today

    BsvCloud’s new cloud mining plans are live now, ready to help beginners explore Bitcoin mining in 2025. Visit bsvcloud.com to learn more and take your first step into the crypto world with ease.

    About BsvCloud

    Founded in 2017, BsvCloud is a global leader in cloud mining, serving over 500,000 users across 100+ countries. Based in Uxbridge, UK, the company uses renewable energy and AI technology to make Bitcoin mining sustainable and beginner-friendly. With a focus on transparency and simplicity, BsvCloud is committed to opening up cryptocurrency mining to everyone.

    Contact Details

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by BsvCloud. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in cloud mining and related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f481c7cd-44bd-49d8-9964-2b42ac9aee96

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a29ccc22-1d4f-4f56-887f-df6c491b90f5

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Your life becomes a nightmare’: how scam operations exploit those trapped inside – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 2

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    A few weeks after Ben Yeo travelled to Cambodia for what he thought was a job in a casino, he found himself locked up in a padded room. “It’s a combination between a prison and a madhouse,” he remembers. He was being punished for refusing to conduct online scams.

    “They tried all kinds of coercive manoeuvres, using a fire extinguisher to try to hit me, to scare me, using a plastic bag over my head to suffocate me … Whatever you see in the movies that actually happened.”

    Scam Factories is a podcast series from The Conversation Weekly taking you inside Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds. It accompanies a series of multimedia articles on The Conversation.

    In the second episode, Inside the Operation, we explore the history of how scam compounds emerged in Southeast Asia and who is behind them. We hear about the violent treatment people receive inside through the testimonies of two survivors, Ben, and another man we’re calling George to protect his real identity.

    The Conversation collaborated for this series with three researchers: Ivan Franceschini, a lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne, Ling Li, a PhD candidate at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Mark Bo, an independent researcher.

    They’ve spent the past few years researching the expansion of scam compounds in the region for a forthcoming book. They’ve interviewed nearly 100 survivors of the compounds, analysed maps and financial documents related to the scam industry and tracked scammers online to find out how these compounds work.

    Read an article by Ivan Franceschini and Ling Li which accompanies this episode about the rise of the scamming industry.

    The Conversation contacted AsiaHR international for comment. We did not receive a response. We contacted all the other companies mentioned in this multimedia series for comment, except Jinshui who we could not contact. We did not receive a response from them either.

    This episode was written and produced by Gemma Ware, with assistance from Mend Mariwany and Katie Flood. Leila Goldstein was our producer in Cambodia and Halima Athumani recorded for us in Uganda. Hui Lin helped us with Chinese translation. Sound design by Michelle Macklem and editing help from Ashlynee McGhee and Justin Bergman.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Mark Bo, an independent researcher who works with Ivan Franeschini and Ling Li, is also interviewed in this podcast series. Ivan, Ling, Mark, and others have co-founded EOS Collective, a non-profit organisation dedicated to investigating the criminal networks behind the online scam industry and supporting survivors.

    – ref. ‘Your life becomes a nightmare’: how scam operations exploit those trapped inside – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 2 – https://theconversation.com/your-life-becomes-a-nightmare-how-scam-operations-exploit-those-trapped-inside-scam-factories-podcast-ep-2-250464

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: A Palestinian-Israeli film is an Oscars favorite − so why is it so hard to see?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Drew Paul, Associate Professor of Arabic, University of Tennessee

    Directors Basel Adra, left, and Yuval Abraham on stage at the 62nd New York Film Festival on Sept. 29, 2024. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

    For many low-budget, independent films, an Oscar nomination is a golden ticket.

    The publicity can translate into theatrical releases or rereleases, along with more on-demand rentals and sales.

    However, for “No Other Land,” a Palestinian-Israeli film nominated for best documentary at the 2025 Academy Awards, this exposure is unlikely to translate into commercial success in the U.S. That’s because the film has been unable to find a company to distribute it in America.

    “No Other Land” chronicles the efforts of Palestinian townspeople to combat an Israeli plan to demolish their villages in the West Bank and use the area as a military training ground. It was directed by four Palestinian and Israeli activists and journalists: Basel Adra, who is a resident of the area facing demolition, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor. While the filmmakers have organized screenings in a number of U.S. cities, the lack of a national distributor makes a broader release unlikely.

    Film distributors are a crucial but often unseen link in the chain that allows a film to reach cinemas and people’s living rooms. In recent years it has become more common for controversial award-winning films to run into issues finding a distributor. Palestinian films have encountered additional barriers.

    As a scholar of Arabic who has written about Palestinian cinema, I’m disheartened by the difficulties “No Other Land” has faced. But I’m not surprised.

    The role of film distributors

    Distributors are often invisible to moviegoers. But without one, it can be difficult for a film to find an audience.

    Distributors typically acquire rights to a film for a specific country or set of countries. They then market films to movie theaters, cinema chains and streaming platforms. As compensation, distributors receive a percentage of the revenue generated by theatrical and home releases.

    The film “Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat,” another finalist for best documentary, shows how this process typically works. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and was acquired for distribution just a few months later by Kino Lorber, a major U.S.-based distributor of independent films.

    The inability to find a distributor is not itself noteworthy. No film is entitled to distribution, and most films by newer or unknown directors face long odds.

    However, it is unusual for a film like “No Other Land,” which has garnered critical acclaim and has been recognized at various film festivals and award shows. Some have pegged it as a favorite to win best documentary at the Academy Awards. And “No Other Land” has been able to find distributors in Europe, where it’s easily accessible on multiple streaming platforms.

    So why can’t “No Other Land” find a distributor in the U.S.?

    There are a couple of factors at play.

    Shying away from controversy

    In recent years, film critics have noticed a trend: Documentaries on controversial topics have faced distribution difficulties. These include a film about a campaign by Amazon workers to unionize and a documentary about Adam Kinzinger, one of the few Republican congresspeople to vote to impeach Donald Trump in 2021.

    The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of course, has long stirred controversy. But the release of “No Other Land” comes at a time when the issue is particularly salient. The Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israeli bombardment and invasion of the Gaza Strip have become a polarizing issue in U.S. domestic politics, reflected in the campus protests and crackdowns in 2024. The filmmakers’ critical comments about the Israeli occupation of Palestine have also garnered backlash in Germany.

    Locals attend a screening of ‘No Other Land’ in the village of A-Tuwani in the West Bank on March 14, 2024.
    Yahel Gazit/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    Yet the fact that this conflict has been in the news since October 2023 should also heighten audience interest in a film such as “No Other Land” – and, therefore, lead to increased sales, the metric that distributors care about the most.

    Indeed, an earlier film that also documents Palestinian protests against Israeli land expropriation, “5 Broken Cameras,” was a finalist for best documentary at the 2013 Academy Awards. It was able to find a U.S. distributor. However, it had the support of a major European Union documentary development program called Greenhouse. The support of an organization like Greenhouse, which had ties to numerous production and distribution companies in Europe and the U.S., can facilitate the process of finding a distributor.

    By contrast, “No Other Land,” although it has a Norwegian co-producer and received some funding from organizations in Europe and the U.S., was made primarily by a grassroots filmmaking collective.

    Stages for protest

    While distribution challenges may be recent, controversies surrounding Palestinian films are nothing new.

    Many of them stem from the fact that the system of film festivals, awards and distribution is primarily based on a movie’s nation of origin. Since there is no sovereign Palestinian state – and many countries and organizations have not recognized the state of Palestine – the question of how to categorize Palestinian films has been hard to resolve.

    In 2002, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rejected the first ever Palestinian film submitted to the best foreign language film category – Elia Suleiman’s “Divine Intervention” – because Palestine was not recognized as a country by the United Nations. The rules were changed for the following year’s awards ceremony.

    In 2021, the cast of the film “Let It Be Morning,” which had an Israeli director but primarily Palestinian actors, boycotted the Cannes Film Festival in protest of the film’s categorization as an Israeli film rather than a Palestinian one.

    Film festivals and other cultural venues have also become places to make statements about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and engage in protest. For example, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017, the right-wing Israeli culture minister wore a controversial – and meme-worthy – dress that featured the Jerusalem skyline in support of Israeli claims of sovereignty over the holy city, despite the unresolved status of Jerusalem under international law.

    Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev wears a dress featuring the old city of Jerusalem during the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.
    Antonin Thuillier/AFP via Getty Images

    At the 2024 Academy Awards, a number of attendees, including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali, wore red pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, and pro-Palestine protesters delayed the start of the ceremonies.

    So even though a film like “No Other Land” addresses a topic of clear interest to many people in the U.S., it faces an uphill battle to finding a distributor.

    I wonder whether a win at the Oscars would even be enough.

    This article has been updated to clarify that the film was a collaborative effort between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers.

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

    – ref. A Palestinian-Israeli film is an Oscars favorite − so why is it so hard to see? – https://theconversation.com/a-palestinian-israeli-film-is-an-oscars-favorite-so-why-is-it-so-hard-to-see-249233

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to Deliver Keynote Address at 10th Powering Africa Summit

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LONDON, United Kingdom, February 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Department of Energy, has been confirmed as a speaker and guest of honour at the 10th Powering Africa Summit (PAS), taking place at JW Marriott Washington, D.C. across March 6-7. This is an important step to provide an answer to the question that all of African energy is now asking: how will the new Administration approach the strategic energy relationship between the U.S. and Africa?

    Under the Summit theme, The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will deliver a keynote address at the 10th annual Powering Africa Summit. Wright will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of State: Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs; Kimberly Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources; and Stephen Banks, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy, Bureau of Energy Resources. All will share their vision for this future relationship between African countries and the US-based investors that are so vital to realizing their energy ambitions.

    “As Secretary of Energy, I am committed to unleashing all forms of affordable, reliable and secure energy here at home and advancing that mission of energy security around the world – and nowhere is that more critical than the continent of Africa. I look forward to joining the Summit to reaffirm the strategic energy partnership between the U.S. and Africa and share my vision for advancing innovation and removing barriers to energy access, both at home and around the world,” Secretary Wright said.

    Ministers and governments from 19 African countries will arrive in Washington D.C., where the Africa Welcome Address will be given by H.E. Honourable Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria. Together with H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia; H.E. Honourable Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria; H.E. Honourable Mahmoud Mustafa Esmat, Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Botswana; H.E. Honourable Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum, Kenya; and Amina Benkhadra, Director General, Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), Morocco, he will meet distinguished Ministers and leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Togo, Sierra Leone and more to drive energy development across the continent.

    Flagship ministerial boardrooms and regional energy cooperation sessions will discuss and debate   derisking projects, South Africa’s energy future, the need for West African regulatory reforms, and the role of hydrogen in North Africa. New areas of opportunity such as bitcoin mining and data centers will be discussed through an East African lens. The Mission 300 initiative, set to provide electricity access to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, is also high on the agenda.

    The 10th Anniversary Gala Drinks Reception sponsored by Genesis Energy, will celebrate International Women’s Day, ahead of March 8.

    Critical to the week’s discussions will be a host of private players including Alliant Insurance Services, GE Vernova, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, Globeleq, Africa50, Nextracker, Schneider Electric, Newmarket Capital and the summit’s general sponsor, Sun Africa, who are looking to a new future for the U.S.-Africa relationship.   

    Sun Africa CEO, Adam Cortese said: “We are seeing a sea change in how the U.S. participates in foreign infrastructure development and our unique model of development is an excellent illustration of how U.S. energy companies can thrive in emerging markets on a strictly commercial basis. Sun Africa remains committed to harnessing Africa’s immense energy resources through innovative structures, state-of-the-art technology and strong alliances while maintaining our long-standing market-based approach to development.  At Sun Africa, we believe energy development on the continent truly represents an opportunity for win-win partnerships and look forward to sharing our experience.”

    Simon Gosling, MD of EnergyNet added: “This summit has always been about bringing together African countries seeking investment with U.S.-based investors who see the vast potential on the continent.  It is more important than ever to establish the crucial energy projects that Africa needs. PAS25 will put the continent center stage and make sure that both sides have a future relationship to be excited about.”

    Media Credentials Requited for Powering Africa Summit

    The Secretary will open the Summit on 6 March, delivering a Keynote Speech at 09:45, followed by a Fireside Chat with Mission 300 Accelerator CEO, Andrew Herscowitz.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City Walls to be Illuminated to commemorate Joseph Rowntree

    Source: City of York

    To mark the 100th anniversary of Joseph Rowntree’s death, City of York Council will illuminate the city walls in blue and orange tonight, paying tribute to his lasting impact on the city.

    Joseph Rowntree is one of York’s most well-known names, not just for his business success but for his significant contributions to social reform and community development. As the owner of Rowntree’s from 1869, Joseph helped grow the chocolate company into an internationally recognised name, employing thousands and strengthening York’s position in the confectionery industry. 

    However, it is his commitment to social causes that remains a cornerstone of his legacy. Inspired by a desire to improve the lives of his workers, Joseph founded several trusts to address social issues, promote education, and advocate for reform. His son, Seebohm Rowntree, furthered this work with the publication of Poverty: A Study of Town Life in 1901, which highlighted the extent of poverty in York and sparked change. 

    Joseph’s vision for a better quality of life for York’s residents also led to the creation of New Earswick, a model village offering affordable housing, and the donation of Rowntree Park to the city in 1921, both of which continue to benefit the city today. 

    To remember Joseph Rowntree’s contributions, the city walls will be lit up in blue and orange, representing the Rowntree family’s connection to York, from dusk until 11pm this evening. 

    Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of the Council said: 

    “Joseph Rowntree’s influence on York cannot be overstated. His commitment to improving the lives of those who lived and worked in the city is as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.

    “This lighting is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy, and I’m proud that we can acknowledge his contributions in this way.” 

    Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities will be speaking at a special event marking Joseph Rowntree’s funeral, which takes place on Saturday 1 March at the Friargate Quaker Meeting House in the city, and he said: 

    “Joseph Rowntree’s vision of social justice, alongside his entrepreneurial spirit, has shaped York into the city we know and love today.

    “The lighting of the walls reminds us of his remarkable legacy and the values he instilled in York — values that continue to guide us as a city to this day.”

    The city is also supporting The Rowntree Society’s year-long programme of events.

    Nick Smith, Executive Director of The Rowntree Society said:

    “The impact that Joseph Rowntree had particularly on York is still felt today; both through the tangible assets he provided for us which still exist and with the example he gave in making life better for so many people.  We would like all of York to get involved in marking the Joseph Rowntree Centenary.”   

    For more information on The Rowntree Society’s work and how to get involved with the Centenary visit www.rowntreesociety.org.uk. 
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – New bishop consecrated in Rakhine State as fighting continues

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Yangon

    Pyay (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic faithful of the Rakhine State (or Arakan), in western Myanmar, have welcomed their new Bishop, Peter Tin Wai, a “Good Shepherd” called to lead the Catholic faithful in a situation of civil war, while clashes between the “Arakan Army”, local militias and the regular Burmese army continue in the territory of the State.Despite the widespread violence and displacement, in recent days more than 2,000 Catholic faithful have gathered in the city of Pyay, the diocese that covers the entire territory of Rakhine State, to welcome the new Bishop. The solemn Eucharist and ordination of the new bishop, presided over yesterday by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, was attended by about 20 Burmese bishops, 150 priests, more than 200 nuns and thousands of faithful gathered from surrounding towns and villages. Many others were unable to leave their villages amid the fighting, but prayed in their homes or in the forests where they are sheltered.The diocese of Pyay is mostly inhabited by the Rakhine ethnic group, including about 30,000 Catholics, in a Buddhist-majority area. The episcopal seat is located in the Diocese of Pyay, the former Apostolic Prefecture of Sittwe (created in 1940), which was led by Father Thomas Newman, the first Apostolic Prefect. Later, the territory was entrusted to the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, and in 1961 Bishop Thomas Newman became the first bishop of the diocese, which was initially called Prome and in 1991 became the Diocese of Pyay as it exists today.The faithful gathered – an extraordinary event in times of war – to pray with and for Bishop Peter Tin Wai and to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope despite the tragic context in the conflict region. “We have come to celebrate God’s time, which is always a time of hope,” said Cardinal Charls Maung Bo, who also took the opportunity to thank the previous Bishop Alexandre Pyone Cho, a Pastor who “embodied the spirit of Simon of Cyrene, walking the Via Crucis with the people”.In the war- and poverty-stricken region, life for priests and religious is difficult, but the bishop has always supported them, for which the faithful are grateful. “We live in difficult times when darkness seems to have prevailed,” Cardinal Bo continued. “Evil seems to strangle good. Hatred seems to have overwhelmed love. But we are a people of hope and we are celebrating the JubileeYear of Hope. The Lord is the Lord of life, not of death. As we celebrate the ordination of Bishop Peter Tin Wai as a family, we rejoice in spirit and offer comfort and encouragement to one another. This is a time of healing and reconciliation.”Bishop Peter Tin Wai was born and raised in Rakhine State and is therefore very familiar with the region, the local culture, the challenges and struggles of the local people and the plight of the internally displaced. As a priest, he was involved in pastoral care for the displaced, “and his resilience is a testimony to his evangelical spirit,” stressed those present, describing him as someone “who leads a simple life among the people of Rakhine State, who knows their tears, joys and the pain of displacement and poverty.” The bishop will be able to “spread the Gospel in places marked by wounds and despair” and “bring peace and healing where there is conflict, in our hearts, in our diocese and in the nation.” The area of Rakhine State is also facing the problem of Rohingya refugees, an ethnic minority of Muslim faith who have been increasingly displaced in recent years and are now also victims of the ongoing conflict.Meanwhile, the “Arakan Army” (AA) is approaching the city of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, and, according to observers, is preparing an attack to bring the city under its control. In recent days, civilians have begun to flee Sittwe after initial fighting on the outskirts of the city. In the meantime, the junta has blocked all escape routes. Of the 17 townships in Rakhine State, 14 are already under the control of the Arakan Army and only three are still controlled by the Burmese army: Kyaukphyu, Munaung and Sittwe, where the regional headquarters of the Burmese military junta is located.The scenario unfolding in Rakhine State is found in several states in Myanmar and is an example of the presence of the Catholic community in this country marked by four years of civil war: they ensure pastoral and sacramental life, provide assistance and comfort to displaced people scattered throughout the territory – they have often left their villages and therefore their parishes. And the commitment continues with great dedication and a deep witness of faith even in this difficult and uncertain time.The Holy See also continues to pay special attention to the region with the erection of new dioceses, such as the Diocese of Mindat, with territory taken from the diocese of Hakha, in the Chin State, on the border with India. Recent actions by the Holy See include the appointment of Father Raymond Wai Lin Htun as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Yangon in 2024 and the appointment of Father John Mung-ngawn La Sam (MF), a religious of the Missionaries of the Faith, as Bishop of the Diocese of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, another area affected by serious displacement. And this includes the appointment of Father Felice Ba Htoo as coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Pekhon, in Shan State, an area affected by violent clashes and where new guerrilla groups have recently emerged, such as the “United Wa State Army” and the “Shan State Army-North”, fueling general violence, in which the Catholic faithful suffer like everyone else, sharing the fate of the local population. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 24/2/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/EGYPT – Sudanese and South Sudanese gathered for the anniversary of the founding of the Arbaa wNus centre in Cairo, dedicated to Saint Bakhita

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 24 February 2025

    Comboni

    Cairo (Agenzia Fides) – This year the parish of Sakakini in Cairo has reason to celebrate: it is celebrating the centenary of its foundation (until the 1980s the parish was entrusted to the Society of African Missions) and the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Arbaa wNus Center, dedicated to Saint Bakhita.On the occasion of the feast of the South Sudanese Saint on February 7, the Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria, Bishop Claudio Lurati, presided over a Mass at the Arbaa wNus Center in the Nasr City district (Cairo), attended by many Sudanese and South Sudanese from the Sacred Heart Parish in Sakakini and from other parishes.In Sudan, devotion to Saint Bakhita and the closeness of the Comboni missionaries to the Sudanese people are deeply rooted, who in recent weeks have witnessed the advance of the forces of the regular army in Khartoum, with news and videos showing several members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaving the capital (see Fides, 6/2/2025). “With the arrival of the army in Bahri (North Khartoum),” the Comboni missionaries report, “we have news of the provincial house for the first time in more than 18 months, which fortunately seems to be in good condition. On the other hand, the clashes in the center (Souq Arabi, where the Comboni College is located) and in the south (Azhari and Soba) of Khartoum continue to be very fierce”.The missionaries add that in Kosti, south of Khartoum, the destruction of the nearby electricity plant has caused a power outage for two weeks, making life difficult in the town where the lack of running water has led to a rise in cholera cases. At the moment, both parties to the conflict seem unwilling to consider negotiations to end hostilities. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 24/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – “We are grateful that we are still alive”: Witnesses report from Bukavu one week after the conquest by the M23

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “We are grateful to be alive”, this is the prevailing mood in Bukavu, the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was taken by the M23 on February 16 (see Fides, 17/2/2025).In a statement sent to Fides, a source of the local Church describes the situation in the city a week after its capture.”Yesterday, Sunday 23 February, the first morning Mass in the parish of Nguba, on the outskirts of Bukavu, was almost as crowded as usual with people. Some were still afraid to go out on the street before six o’clock, the first light of dawn, and postponed going to the second Mass. There is a choir worthy of the Vatican celebrations and there is a great desire to say thank you. Father Jean-Marie, the celebrant, expressed everyone’s thoughts: ‘I wasn’t sure if we would still be here this Sunday to praise the Lord. Let us give thanks!” “How could I not dance and give thanks?’ repeats an elderly woman. The feeling of gratitude after having escaped danger is palpable in the assembly. The new conquerors had only entered the city last Sunday, after days of unrest. And while they were supposedly maintaining order, they had increased the number of fatalities: between Friday 14 February and Monday 17 February, the Red Cross counted twenty-six dead. When I hear the songs, the clapping and the dancing, I think that this is the resilience of this people: their stubborn faith in God, their ability to thank him for the positive without blaming him for the negative: they know that it is a matter of human responsibility,” reports the local source.The city is without leadership: “The previous rulers have fled, the new ones have not yet been appointed; the streets are without police: 2,200 of them have been sent to Goma for training and will receive the uniforms of the new rulers. There is no longer any talk of the soldiers of the Congolese army: they have fled to create unrest in the Ruzizi plain further south and in Uvira. There is strong local resistance there from the Wazalendo militia and it will not be easy to occupy the places. For now, despite various rumors, it looks as if the M23 are only in Kamanyola, or perhaps not even there. In the meantime, a large part of the plain’s population has fled to Burundi in recent days, many across the wide Ruzizi river: and who counts the children swept away by the floods?”.The call to everyone in Bukavu is to go back to work: “Tomorrow (today, February 24, editor’s note) classes are due to resume in schools, at least primary schools, but who will pay the salaries of teachers in public and state-supported schools if they say Kinshasa no longer has anything to do with these provinces?”.In Kinshasa, strange incidents are occurring: “They arrest young people just because they speak Swahili, the language of the East, and accuse them of being accomplices of the Rwandans. It is urgent that an authority speaks out to restore freedom and security and give the population guidance.””The M23 rebel movement, a cover for the Rwandan occupation, numbers only about ten thousand men (the Burundian soldiers sent to support the Congolese army alone numbered fifteen thousand!),” the source continued. “How can the movement think of occupying an entire country or even just the eastern provinces? As for the rebellion led by Corneille Nangaa (head of the Congo River Alliance, ed.), it was launched at the last minute and would be insignificant without the support of the M23. For this reason, the M23 is in a hurry to recruit new fighters.””According to various witnesses, the M23 in Goma surrounds every neighborhood where it suspects resistance and goes from house to house, from school to school. If someone gives the impression of being a wazalendo or a resistance fighter of the Congolese army, they take them to join their group. If they resist, they shoot,” the source reports.”But none of this seems to move the minds of the people gathered to praise their Lord,” the source concludes. “They are sure that beyond human plans, there is God and that everything is in his hands. Next to the altar, in the preparation of the offerings, there are still piles of sacks of flour and rice: a donation for the poor of the community that the base communities take turns to deliver every Sunday”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Securing Grangemouth’s future

    Source: Scottish Government

    First Minister writes to Scottish Labour Party Leader.

    Following news the UK Government will invest in Grangemouth’s future, First Minister John Swinney has written to Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar inviting him to vote for the 2025-26 Scottish Budget in a “spirit of cooperation” and deliver investment worth almost £90 million to support jobs at the site.

    The full text of the First Minister’s letter to Anas Sarwar: Scottish Budget Bill – Grangemouth Industrial Cluster: letter to Anas Sarwar – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025
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