Category: Europe

MIL-OSI China: West Ham’s Paqueta cleared of spot-fixing charges

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

West Ham United’s Brazilian international midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of betting charges by an independent commission.

The 27-year-old had faced a potential lifetime ban from football following an investigation into his conduct opened by the Football Association (FA) in August 2023, leading to formal charges in May 2024.

West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta (L) vies with TSC’s Milan Radin during UEFA Europa League group A match between TSC Backa Topola and West Ham in Backa Topola, Serbia on Nov. 30, 2023. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua)

The charges against him were related to Premier League matches between West Ham and Leicester City on 12 November 2022, as well as 2023 fixtures against Aston Villa on 12 March, Leeds United on 21 May and Bournemouth on 12 August.

Paqueta was accused of intentionally provoking yellow cards “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.” While he was not alleged to have personally placed bets, the FA claimed members of his family and friends placed approximately 60 small-stakes bets related to the bookings.

However, the commission found Paqueta guilty of failing to co-operate with the investigation and stated it would “decide on an appropriate sanction” for this offence separately.

Despite this lesser charge, Paqueta celebrated the dismissal of the core betting allegations.

“Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations.

“I can’t say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face.

“To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me – thank you for everything,” he said on the West Ham website.

West Ham United Vice-Chair Karren Brady also welcomed the outcome: “We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process.”

“Despite the incredible pressure on him, Lucas has performed week in and week out for the club, always giving everything. It has been a difficult time for Lucas and his family, but he has remained absolutely professional throughout, and he is now looking forward to drawing a line under this episode, as is everyone at West Ham United,” she commented.

MIL OSI China News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Celta sign Spain winger Zaragoza from Bayern Munich

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Celta Vigo has completed the signing of Spain international winger Bryan Zaragoza ahead of the club’s return to European competition next season.

Zaragoza arrives on a season’s loan from Bayern Munich, with Celta Vigo having an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the campaign.

He will help to cover for the departures of Alfonso Gonzalez and Fer Lopez, who were vital in Celta’s seventh-place finish in La Liga last season to book a ticket to the UEFA Europa League.

Gonzalez has moved to Sevilla this summer, while Lopez joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, robbing coach Claudio Giraldez of much of his attacking capability.

23-year-old Zaragoza enjoyed a breakout season with Granada in 2023-24, which earned him a move to Bayern Munich in February 2024.

But after playing just a handful of matches, the German giants decided to loan him to Osasuna, where he impressed in the 27 games he played, although his season was limited by an ankle injury and with Bayern’s signing of former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, he has been loaned out again.

MIL OSI China News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Slovenia stun defending champion France in VNL quarters

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Defending champion France failed to advance to the semifinals after a 3-1 loss to Slovenia in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals on Thursday.

The teams had split previous encounters, with two-time Olympic gold medalist France sweeping Slovenia 3-0 during the Burgas leg of the VNL in late June. However, Olympic debutant Slovenia edged host France 3-2 in a group match at the Paris Olympics last year.

The opening set was tightly contested. With the score tied at 12-12, Slovenia went on a strong serving run, scoring four straight points to pull ahead and eventually take the set 25-22.

France responded in the second set with improved attack efficiency and strong execution, quickly building a comfortable lead and evening the match with a 25-15 win.

Momentum shifted again in the third set as France’s unforced errors piled up. Slovenia capitalized with a decisive 12-4 run to win the set 25-19.

Facing elimination, France continued to struggle in the fourth set, while Slovenia maintained its rhythm and confidence to close out the match 25-18. The victory sets up a semifinal clash between Slovenia and Italy.

“We have to improve on a lot of things,” said French captain Benjamin Toniutti. “Our reception wasn’t good, and we made a lot of mistakes in serving. It just wasn’t our day. We’ll go back to France and work hard to prepare for the World Championship.”

Slovenian captain Jan Kozamernik praised his team’s composure. “I think today we showed the right attitude, how we stood on the court. And we were really decisive in the important moments. When we had the chances, we took the chances.”

“It was unexpected for sure, even for us,” added outside hitter Rok Mozic. “But we came from a good position, without pressure. We don’t want to stop. We have two more games in front of us, and for sure we want to go home with a medal.”

In Thursday’s other quarterfinal, world No. 1 Poland defeated Japan 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-12) and will face Brazil in Saturday’s semifinal.

MIL OSI China News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Bills
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Committee approves Defense funding bill in a 26-3 vote — BILL SUMMARY HERE

Committee approves LHHS bill in a 26-3 vote — BILL SUMMARY HERE

***WATCH and READ: Senator Murray’s opening remarks***

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee met for a full committee markup to consider its draft fiscal year 2026 Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations acts.

“These are not the bills I would have written on my own—but they nevertheless represent serious bipartisan work to make some truly critical investments in families and our country’s future. From defense funding that supports our military and keeps our country safe to funding for health care, child care, schools, seniors, medical research, public health, workforce training and safety—and so many other programs that keep our communities strong,” said Vice Chair Patty Murray in her opening remarks. “So I’m glad this Committee was able to reach a bipartisan compromise to write bills that deliver essential funds to help people, solve problems, and reject so many of the absolutely devastating cuts and so much of the chaos that President Trump is pushing for.”

Speaking on the path ahead for appropriations, Senator Murray said: “It remains clear as ever to me that we cannot afford to go down the path Trump and Russ Vought want to push us down. Their vision is one where this Committee becomes less bipartisan and less powerful. Where the president and the OMB director call the shots and Republicans in Congress spend their time cutting what they are told to cut, even at the expense of their own constituents. Where instead of securing new investments for folks back home through bipartisan agreements, lawmakers have to plead their case to this administration to unlock funds we’ve already delivered or secure special exceptions for spending cuts. Where biomedical research and education funding gets held up for no reason at all. Where we gut investments in working families while letting Trump’s corruption run rampant.That’s what Trump and Vought want. And we can—and must—reject it.”

In her opening remarks, Senator Murray also discussed the importance of accountability for this administration as it ignores existing laws and betrays working families nationwide: “I am clear-eyed: the investments we make in these bills today are really only half of the equation. Because the fact of the matter is we have an administration right now that is intent on ignoring Congress, breaking the law, and doing everything it can without any transparency to dismantle programs and agencies that help families. There is no magic bullet that will change that unfortunate reality. Our bills reject devastating cuts—and reject so many of this administration’s absurd proposals—to dismantle the Department of Education, destroy HHS, and more. But I still want to see us to do much more when it comes to demanding accountability, demanding transparency, and demanding the administration actually follow our laws. …. We need more members across the aisle to not only reject these [President Trump’s proposed] cuts but to speak up and speak out against what this administration is already doing to defy our laws and hurt the folks we represent.”

In a 26-3 vote, the Committee approved the draft fiscal year 2026 Defense appropriations bill.

“I’m proud of this bipartisan bill. First and foremost, it takes care of our troops with pay raises and quality of life improvements. It also recognizes that we are confronting a world more dangerous today than at any time since the Cold War, and that we all need to sober up, put politics aside, and get to work. This bill focuses on deterring China, and it strengthens our allies—our asymmetric advantage worldwide—from Ukraine to the Pacific to Africa. The strong bipartisan vote is also a powerful rebuke to Trump’s idea that we can run our national security apparatus, or any other part of our nation, on full-year continuing resolutions. I am committed to completing the appropriations process and getting all 12 of these bills across the finish line,” said Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), ranking member of the Defense Subcommittee.

“Thank you, Chair McConnell and Ranking Member Coons, for working to put together a bill that makes crucial investments in our military—and not just in weapons and infrastructure, though we do have important investments to modernize our military and strengthen our defense base, but we also have investments to support our allies and strengthen partnerships across globe,” said Vice Chair Murray in comments on the bill. “This bill makes crucial investments in the Indo-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East—and it rejects dangerous Trump cuts to support our allies in Ukraine and the Baltics. And this legislation invests in our most important security asset: our brave men and women in uniform—from a pay increase for servicemembers to robust child care funding to new investments in preventing suicide, and sexual assault, and conducting lifesaving medical research.”

The following amendments to the bill were considered during today’s mark up:
- Manager’s package offered by Chair McConnell.
  
  Adopted unanimously.
- Shaheen amendment to prevent the use of taxpayer funds appropriated in this or any other act from being used to operate or modify a Boeing 747-8i from Qatar.
  
  Debated; withdrawn.
- Durbin amendment to prohibit DOD from providing support to DHS on a non-reimbursable basis to conduct immigration enforcement—ensuring that funds provided by Congress for our national defense are used for our national defense.
  
  Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
- Murphy amendment to prevent the transfer of any presidential aircraft to a non-governmental entity—ensuring President Trump cannot take the plane gifted by Qatar with him after leaving office and the plane cannot be transferred to a future Trump presidential library.
  
  Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
- Merkley amendment to require DOD to produce a report on the use of the chemical 6PPD in the design and production of tires procured by DOD—with a listing of any relevant DOD initiatives researching potential alternatives.
  
  Adopted by voice vote.
- Merkley amendment to prohibit funds provided in any fiscal year 2026 appropriations act from being eligible for rescissions or deferrals under the Impoundment Control Act’s fast-track procedures, ensuring they can only be considered through annual appropriations bills.
  
  Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
A summary of the bill is available HERE.

Final bill text, report, and adopted amendments are available HERE.

In a 26-3 vote, the Committee approved the draft fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

“At the end of the day, my North Star is delivering for the people of Wisconsin. While no one got everything they wanted in this bill, I’m proud to say we found common ground and are doing just that to address the challenges facing working families across the country. From investing in cancer and Alzheimer’s research, to protecting the Department of Education and early education funding, to strengthening my 988 Suicide Lifeline, we came together to deliver for our constituents. This bill not only puts Donald Trump’s budget in the trash, it also reins in this President’s efforts to dismantle and withhold funding for critical programs our constituents rely on. This bill takes on the kitchen table issues families face by addressing childcare costs, connecting more Americans with good-paying jobs, and taking on the mental health and opioid epidemics. While it is not perfect, I look forward to getting it over the finish line on behalf of Wisconsinites who want to see a Washington that works for them,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

“This bill rejects Trump’s cuts that would devastate our work to fight substance use disorders, HIV, and pandemics, eliminate women’s health investments like Title X funding and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program and essentially saw CDC in half. It rejects backward proposals from Trump that would hurt our students and workers—like eliminating preschool grants, slashing PELL, gutting public school funding, and ending Job Corps and AmeriCorps. It rejects efforts to gut agencies that protect the rights of patients, students, and workers. And, I’m especially pleased to note it rejects Trump’s 40% cut to lifesaving medical research—and increases the NIH budget by $400 million so that we continue making progress against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and so much more,” Vice Chair Murray said in comments on the bill. “At the end of the day, this isn’t about rejecting Trump, it is about investing in families—investing in schools, investing in medical research, investing in workforce training, and community health. In fact, this bill even increases funding for crucial programs with new investments to allow the Social Security Administration to actually help people and undo some of the damage Trump and DOGE have so recklessly caused—and increased investments in child care, something I will never stop fighting to make more progress on.”

The following amendments to the bill were considered during today’s mark up:
- Manager’s package offered by Chair Capito.
  
  Adopted unanimously.
- Baldwin amendment to restore funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) after Republicans single-handedly rescinded funding for CPB earlier this month.
  
  Debated; withdrawn.
- Durbin amendment to reinstate grants and other awards that have been terminated by the Trump administration at agencies—like NIH—that are funded by the bill—and to require disbursements to be made to payees within 72 hours of a request. The amendment contains an exception for cases of a finding of financial mismanagement, fraud, or malfeasance.
  
  Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
- Hyde Smith amendment to require CMS to notify the Committee, conduct an analysis, and consult with States prior to terminating critical access hospital (CAH) status for any hospital that met certain distance requirements prior to the 2022 CMS rulemaking. Senator Durbin and Appropriations Democrats voiced support for updating the amendment to provide better support for all rural hospitals, not just those impacted by the 2022 rules.
  
  Adopted in a 16-13 vote.
- Van Hollen amendment to claw back the $100 million slush fund Republicans provided for Russ Vought’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in their reconciliation bill earlier this month and instead provide $95 million for the Social Security Administration to improve customer service for Americans seeking to access the benefits they are owed.
  
  Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
- Murphy amendment to withhold funds from the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights until the Department’s Inspector General certifies that all enforcement actions taken against colleges since January 20 are in accordance with existing laws. Since taking office, President Trump has withheld federal funding from colleges over claims of discrimination on campuses and other infractions. Instead of following established procedures under civil rights laws to thoroughly investigate such claims, President Trump continues to withhold federal funding from certain colleges unless they submit to his administration’s demands.
  
  Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
A summary of the bill is available HERE.

Final bill text, report, Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects, and adopted amendments are available HERE.
MIL OSI USA News –
August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Breaking: D. Trump signs decree on tariff rate changes with dozens of trading partners

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

NEW YORK, July 31 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order further changing tariff rates with nearly 70 trading partners.

The decree introduces “additional ad valorem duties on goods from certain trading partners.”

According to an appendix to the White House press release, most of the new tariff rates range from 10 percent to 40 percent.

The new tariffs will come into force seven days after the date of the decree, except in cases related to logistics. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Xining City: Giant Pandas’ Birthday ‘Banquet’

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

On July 26, giant pandas Shuangxin and Hexing celebrated their birthdays in Xining, Qinghai Province. The male Hexing turned 12 this year, and the female Shuangxin turned 14. The staff of the Panda House arranged a “festive banquet” for them with treats made from apples, watermelons and bamboo shoots. The festive atmosphere was complemented by decorations made from flowers and toys. Photo by a journalist from the Xinhua News Agency.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury

Getty Images

The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region.

In contrast to other recent statements on the status of Palestine, however, the UK has said it will recognise Palestine as a state in September

unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, including through allowing the UN to restart without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

Until this week, the UK’s position had been that recognition would only follow a negotiated two-state solution in Israel-Palestine. Other countries have now begun to shift from that position, too.

The latest UK statement was preceded by announcements from France on July 25 and Canada on July 31 that they too would recognise Palestine as a state in September.

But the UK position is different in one important way: it is conditional on Israel failing to comply with its international humanitarian obligations in Gaza and the West Bank.

In other words, recognition of Palestine as a state by the UK is being used as a stick to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Should Israel agree to those conditions, the UK will presumably not recognise Palestine as a state in September, but will revert to its original position on a two-state solution.

Conditional recognition subject to action by Israel – a third state – represents an unwelcome and arguably dangerous departure from international practice.

While recognition (or otherwise) of states is inherently political – as demonstrated by the unique status of Taiwan, for example – it is not and should not be made conditional on the action or inaction of third states.

How states are recognised

According to the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a state must have a permanent population, territory, an independent government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states, as well as self-determination.

Palestine has arguably met all these criteria, with the possible exception of an independent government, given the level of Israeli intervention in the West Bank and the current situation in Gaza.

Although recognition by other states is arguably not a formal criterion of statehood, it is very difficult to function as a state without reasonably widespread recognition by other states.

Some 147 countries – two-thirds of UN members – now recognise the State of Palestine, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, which made announcements in 2024.

Those choosing not to formally recognise a Palestinian state are now in a small minority, including Australia and New Zealand. This is inevitably leading to calls in those countries to change position.

Australia is considering such a shift, subject to conditions similar to those set out by Canada – including the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarisation of Hamas, and reform of the Palestinian Authority.

New Zealand is currently maintaining its longstanding position of recognising Palestine within the context of a two-state solution. On July 30, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and 13 of his counterparts issued a joint statement – the “New York Call” – demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterating “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution”.

The statement also asserted that “positive consideration” to recognise the state of Palestine is “an essential step towards the two-state solution”.

Better options are available

The UK’s position, however, introduces another dynamic. By using recognition of Palestine as a tool to punish Israel for its actual and alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, it is implicitly failing to respect Palestine’s right to self-determination.

If Palestine deserves statehood, it is on its own terms, not as a condition of Israel’s policies and actions.

But it is also setting a dangerous precedent. Countries could choose to recognise (or not recognise) states to pressure or punish them (or indeed other states) for breaches of international law. Such breaches may or may not be connected to the state actually seeking recognition.

This is important, because the post-colonial settlement of geographical boundaries remains deeply insecure in many regions. As well, low-lying island nations at risk of losing territory from sea-level rise may also find their status challenged, as territory has traditionally been a requirement of statehood.

The UK’s apparent conditional recognition of Palestine is only likely to increase this international instability around statehood.

While the UK’s announcement may be “clever politics” from a domestic perspective, and avoids outright US opposition internationally, it has conflated two separate issues.

The better option would be for the UK to recognise Palestine as a state, joining a growing number of countries that plan to do so in advance of the UN General Assembly meeting in September. It could make this subject to conditions, including the release of hostages and exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian governance.

And it should continue to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire in addition to the other demands set out in its announcement, and hold Israel accountable for its gross breaches of international law in Gaza. It can back up those demands with appropriate diplomatic and trade sanctions.

New Zealand, too, has a range of options available, and can help increase the pressure on Israel by using them.

Karen Scott 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. Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions – https://theconversation.com/why-uk-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-should-not-be-conditional-on-israels-actions-262345

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

August 5, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

The Roman baths at Sabratha, Libya, were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami of 365 AD Reza / Getty Images

The Greek poet Crinagoras of Mytilene (1st century BC–1st century AD) once addressed a little poem to an earthquake. He asked the quake not to destroy his house:

Earthquake, most dread of all shocks … spare my new-built house, for I do not know of any terror equal to the quivering of the earth.

Like us, ancient people had many things to say about natural disasters. So, what information did they leave behind for us, and what can we learn from them?

The story of Nicomedia

One of the most vivid ancient accounts of an earthquake is found in the writings of the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330–395 AD).

On August 24 358 AD, there was a huge earthquake at Nicomedia, a city in Asia Minor.

As Ammianus recounts:

A terrific earthquake completely overturned the city and its suburbs … since most of the houses were carried down the slopes of the hill, they fell one upon another, while everything resounded with the vast roar of their destruction.

The human effect was devastating.

The palace of the emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia was damaged in the quake of 358 AD.
G. Berggren / Getty Images

Most people were “killed at one blow”, says Ammianus. Others, he tells us, were “imprisoned unhurt within slanting house roofs, to be consumed by the agony of starvation”.

Hidden in the rubble “with fractured skulls or amputated arms or legs”, injured survivors “hovered between life and death”, but most could not be recovered, “despite their pleas and protestations” resounding from beneath the rubble, according to Ammianus.

Famous natural disasters in the ancient world

A number of natural disasters involving earthquakes and tsunamis were especially famous in ancient Greek and Roman times.

In 464 BC, in Sparta, there was a huge earthquake. People at the time said it was greater than any earthquake that had ever occurred beforehand.

According to the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD), the earthquake “tore the land of the Lacedaemonians into many chasms”, collapsed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and “demolished the entire city with the exception of five houses”.

In 373–372 BC, the Greek coastal cities of Helice and Buris were destroyed by tsunamis. They were permanently submerged beneath the waves.

An anonymous Greek poet evocatively wrote that the walls of these cities, which had once been thriving with many people, were now silent under the waves, “clad with thick sea-moss”.

But arguably the most famous ancient tsunami occurred on July 21 365 AD on the northern coast of Africa, at that time controlled by the Romans.

Again according to Ammianus, early in the morning there was a huge earthquake. Then, not long after, the water retreated from the shore:

the sea with its rolling waves was driven back and withdrew from the land, so that in the abyss of the deep thus revealed people saw many kinds of sea-creatures stuck fast in the slime … and vast mountains and deep valleys, which nature had hidden in the unplumbed depths.

Then, suddenly, the sea returned with a vengeance. As Ammianus tells us, it smashed over the land destroying everything in its path:

The great mass of waters killed many thousands of people by drowning … the lifeless bodies of shipwrecked persons lay floating on their backs or on their faces … great ships, driven by the mad blasts, landed on the tops of buildings, and some were driven almost two miles inland.

Earthquakes were famous for their sound. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) explained that earthquakes have a “terrible sound” – like “the bellowing of cattle or the shouts of human beings or the clash of weapons struck together”.

Ancient ideas about what causes earthquakes and tsunamis

Like today, ancient people wanted to know what caused these phenomena. There were various different theories.

Some people thought Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was responsible.

As the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) comments, “men sacrifice to Poseidon when they wish to put a stop to earthquakes”.

An ancient statue of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, from the island of Milos.
Sepia Times / Getty Images

However, other people looked beyond divine explanations.

One interesting theory held by the philosopher Anaximenes (6th century BC) was that the earth itself was the cause of earthquakes.

According to Anaximenes, huge parts of the earth beneath the ground can move, collapse, detach or tear away, thus causing shaking.

“Huge waves”, said Anaximenes, are “produced by the weight [of falling earth] crashing down into the [waters] from above”.

Ancient people knew nothing of tectonic plates and continental drift. These were discovered much later, mainly through the pioneering work of Alfred Wegener (1880–1930).

Preparing for natural disasters

Ancient Greeks and Romans had little way of predicting or preparing for earthquakes and tsunamis.

Pherecydes of Samos (6th century BC) was said to have predicted an earthquake “from the appearance of some water drawn from a well”, according to the Roman statesman Cicero (106–43 BC).

For the most part, though, ancient people had to live at the mercy of these occurrences.

As the anonymous author of a treatise titled On the Cosmos once wrote, natural disasters are part of life on earth:

Violent earthquakes before now have torn up many parts of the earth; monstrous storms of rain have burst out and overwhelmed it; incursions and withdrawals of the waves have often made seas of dry land and dry land of seas…

While our understanding of these events (and our ability to prepare for them, and recover afterward) has improved immeasurably since ancient times, earthquakes and tsunamis are things we will always have to deal with.

Konstantine Panegyres 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. ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome – https://theconversation.com/the-great-mass-of-waters-killed-many-thousands-how-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-shook-ancient-greece-and-rome-262358

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

The Roman baths at Sabratha, Libya, were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami of 365 AD Reza / Getty Images

The Greek poet Crinagoras of Mytilene (1st century BC–1st century AD) once addressed a little poem to an earthquake. He asked the quake not to destroy his house:

Earthquake, most dread of all shocks … spare my new-built house, for I do not know of any terror equal to the quivering of the earth.

Like us, ancient people had many things to say about natural disasters. So, what information did they leave behind for us, and what can we learn from them?

The story of Nicomedia

One of the most vivid ancient accounts of an earthquake is found in the writings of the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330–395 AD).

On August 24 358 AD, there was a huge earthquake at Nicomedia, a city in Asia Minor.

As Ammianus recounts:

A terrific earthquake completely overturned the city and its suburbs … since most of the houses were carried down the slopes of the hill, they fell one upon another, while everything resounded with the vast roar of their destruction.

The human effect was devastating.

The palace of the emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia was damaged in the quake of 358 AD.
G. Berggren / Getty Images

Most people were “killed at one blow”, says Ammianus. Others, he tells us, were “imprisoned unhurt within slanting house roofs, to be consumed by the agony of starvation”.

Hidden in the rubble “with fractured skulls or amputated arms or legs”, injured survivors “hovered between life and death”, but most could not be recovered, “despite their pleas and protestations” resounding from beneath the rubble, according to Ammianus.

Famous natural disasters in the ancient world

A number of natural disasters involving earthquakes and tsunamis were especially famous in ancient Greek and Roman times.

In 464 BC, in Sparta, there was a huge earthquake. People at the time said it was greater than any earthquake that had ever occurred beforehand.

According to the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD), the earthquake “tore the land of the Lacedaemonians into many chasms”, collapsed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and “demolished the entire city with the exception of five houses”.

In 373–372 BC, the Greek coastal cities of Helice and Buris were destroyed by tsunamis. They were permanently submerged beneath the waves.

An anonymous Greek poet evocatively wrote that the walls of these cities, which had once been thriving with many people, were now silent under the waves, “clad with thick sea-moss”.

But arguably the most famous ancient tsunami occurred on July 21 365 AD on the northern coast of Africa, at that time controlled by the Romans.

Again according to Ammianus, early in the morning there was a huge earthquake. Then, not long after, the water retreated from the shore:

the sea with its rolling waves was driven back and withdrew from the land, so that in the abyss of the deep thus revealed people saw many kinds of sea-creatures stuck fast in the slime … and vast mountains and deep valleys, which nature had hidden in the unplumbed depths.

Then, suddenly, the sea returned with a vengeance. As Ammianus tells us, it smashed over the land destroying everything in its path:

The great mass of waters killed many thousands of people by drowning … the lifeless bodies of shipwrecked persons lay floating on their backs or on their faces … great ships, driven by the mad blasts, landed on the tops of buildings, and some were driven almost two miles inland.

Earthquakes were famous for their sound. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) explained that earthquakes have a “terrible sound” – like “the bellowing of cattle or the shouts of human beings or the clash of weapons struck together”.

Ancient ideas about what causes earthquakes and tsunamis

Like today, ancient people wanted to know what caused these phenomena. There were various different theories.

Some people thought Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was responsible.

As the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) comments, “men sacrifice to Poseidon when they wish to put a stop to earthquakes”.

An ancient statue of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, from the island of Milos.
Sepia Times / Getty Images

However, other people looked beyond divine explanations.

One interesting theory held by the philosopher Anaximenes (6th century BC) was that the earth itself was the cause of earthquakes.

According to Anaximenes, huge parts of the earth beneath the ground can move, collapse, detach or tear away, thus causing shaking.

“Huge waves”, said Anaximenes, are “produced by the weight [of falling earth] crashing down into the [waters] from above”.

Ancient people knew nothing of tectonic plates and continental drift. These were discovered much later, mainly through the pioneering work of Alfred Wegener (1880–1930).

Preparing for natural disasters

Ancient Greeks and Romans had little way of predicting or preparing for earthquakes and tsunamis.

Pherecydes of Samos (6th century BC) was said to have predicted an earthquake “from the appearance of some water drawn from a well”, according to the Roman statesman Cicero (106–43 BC).

For the most part, though, ancient people had to live at the mercy of these occurrences.

As the anonymous author of a treatise titled On the Cosmos once wrote, natural disasters are part of life on earth:

Violent earthquakes before now have torn up many parts of the earth; monstrous storms of rain have burst out and overwhelmed it; incursions and withdrawals of the waves have often made seas of dry land and dry land of seas…

While our understanding of these events (and our ability to prepare for them, and recover afterward) has improved immeasurably since ancient times, earthquakes and tsunamis are things we will always have to deal with.

Konstantine Panegyres 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. ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome – https://theconversation.com/the-great-mass-of-waters-killed-many-thousands-how-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-shook-ancient-greece-and-rome-262358

MIL OSI –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury

Getty Images

The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region.

In contrast to other recent statements on the status of Palestine, however, the UK has said it will recognise Palestine as a state in September

unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, including through allowing the UN to restart without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

Until this week, the UK’s position had been that recognition would only follow a negotiated two-state solution in Israel-Palestine. Other countries have now begun to shift from that position, too.

The latest UK statement was preceded by announcements from France on July 25 and Canada on July 31 that they too would recognise Palestine as a state in September.

But the UK position is different in one important way: it is conditional on Israel failing to comply with its international humanitarian obligations in Gaza and the West Bank.

In other words, recognition of Palestine as a state by the UK is being used as a stick to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Should Israel agree to those conditions, the UK will presumably not recognise Palestine as a state in September, but will revert to its original position on a two-state solution.

Conditional recognition subject to action by Israel – a third state – represents an unwelcome and arguably dangerous departure from international practice.

While recognition (or otherwise) of states is inherently political – as demonstrated by the unique status of Taiwan, for example – it is not and should not be made conditional on the action or inaction of third states.

How states are recognised

According to the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a state must have a permanent population, territory, an independent government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states, as well as self-determination.

Palestine has arguably met all these criteria, with the possible exception of an independent government, given the level of Israeli intervention in the West Bank and the current situation in Gaza.

Although recognition by other states is arguably not a formal criterion of statehood, it is very difficult to function as a state without reasonably widespread recognition by other states.

Some 147 countries – two-thirds of UN members – now recognise the State of Palestine, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, which made announcements in 2024.

Those choosing not to formally recognise a Palestinian state are now in a small minority, including Australia and New Zealand. This is inevitably leading to calls in those countries to change position.

Australia is considering such a shift, subject to conditions similar to those set out by Canada – including the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarisation of Hamas, and reform of the Palestinian Authority.

New Zealand is currently maintaining its longstanding position of recognising Palestine within the context of a two-state solution. On July 30, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and 13 of his counterparts issued a joint statement – the “New York Call” – demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterating “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution”.

The statement also asserted that “positive consideration” to recognise the state of Palestine is “an essential step towards the two-state solution”.

Better options are available

The UK’s position, however, introduces another dynamic. By using recognition of Palestine as a tool to punish Israel for its actual and alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, it is implicitly failing to respect Palestine’s right to self-determination.

If Palestine deserves statehood, it is on its own terms, not as a condition of Israel’s policies and actions.

But it is also setting a dangerous precedent. Countries could choose to recognise (or not recognise) states to pressure or punish them (or indeed other states) for breaches of international law. Such breaches may or may not be connected to the state actually seeking recognition.

This is important, because the post-colonial settlement of geographical boundaries remains deeply insecure in many regions. As well, low-lying island nations at risk of losing territory from sea-level rise may also find their status challenged, as territory has traditionally been a requirement of statehood.

The UK’s apparent conditional recognition of Palestine is only likely to increase this international instability around statehood.

While the UK’s announcement may be “clever politics” from a domestic perspective, and avoids outright US opposition internationally, it has conflated two separate issues.

The better option would be for the UK to recognise Palestine as a state, joining a growing number of countries that plan to do so in advance of the UN General Assembly meeting in September. It could make this subject to conditions, including the release of hostages and exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian governance.

And it should continue to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire in addition to the other demands set out in its announcement, and hold Israel accountable for its gross breaches of international law in Gaza. It can back up those demands with appropriate diplomatic and trade sanctions.

New Zealand, too, has a range of options available, and can help increase the pressure on Israel by using them.

Karen Scott 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. Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions – https://theconversation.com/why-uk-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-should-not-be-conditional-on-israels-actions-262345

MIL OSI –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI China: SCO summit poised for fruitful outcomes

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of north China’s Tianjin Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

The upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin will mark the largest gathering the SCO has ever seen, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, highlighting China’s readiness to host a summit of friendship, unity and fruitful results.

The SCO Summit, which is scheduled for Aug 31 and Sept 1, will bring together leaders of more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations, spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference.

China, which assumed the SCO’s rotating presidency in July 2024, will work with other member states to ensure the summit yields rich outcomes and injects more solidarity, coordination and vitality into the organization, Guo said.

Looking back on the year, he said that China has made concrete efforts to advance its work as the SCO chair and achieved progress.

China has hosted more than 100 events as the SCO chair, he said, adding that nearly half of them were institutional and covered multiple areas such as politics, security, economy and trade, investment, energy, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges.

These events strengthened solidarity and mutual trust among SCO countries, and allowed them to learn more from each other and achieve win-win outcomes, Guo said.

China has worked with other member states to advance SCO reform and innovation in various fields to ensure smoother and more efficient operation of the organization, he added.

Member states are accelerating consultations regarding the establishment of a comprehensive center for dealing with security threats and challenges, an information security center, a center for fighting transnational organized crime and a counternarcotics center, in order to build a new paradigm for regional security cooperation, the spokesman said.

Over the past year, the SCO has further promoted the “Shanghai Spirit”, Guo said, noting that the organization has spoken up about major international and regional issues to uphold justice, firmly upheld the multilateral trading system and strongly condemned the abuse of armed force.

The “Shanghai Spirit”, which is an underlying value for the SCO, promotes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

In mid-July, foreign ministers of the 10 SCO member states and officials of the organization gathered in Tianjin to make preparations for the summit.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who hosted that meeting, called for the organization to carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit” and strengthen cooperation to boost security and growth.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, encouraged all member states to get along well with each other and uphold international justice.

Zhao Huirong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, said that China has made significant contributions to the development of the SCO, and the more than 100 events the country hosted over the past year reflect the great importance it attaches to the organization.

Noting that the SCO is expected to adopt a strategy in Tianjin guiding its development through 2035, Zhao said the summit will become a historical moment for the organization. It will also help the SCO better address its member states’ call for cooperation to tackle international and regional challenges, she added.

MIL OSI China News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Thriving under pressure: Chinese companies build resilience, boost innovation amid headwinds

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Thriving under pressure: Chinese companies build resilience, boost innovation amid headwinds

Merchant Sun Lijuan (R) introduces products to an Indian merchant inside her shop at the Yiwu International Trade Mart in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)

“It’s hot and wet today,” chirped a doll in a clear, childlike voice, dressed in a pink floral blouse and a rainbow tulle skirt. The doll was on display at a toy stall in Yiwu City, a bustling trade hub in east China often dubbed the “world’s supermarket.”

The question — “What’s the weather like today?” — came from stall owner Sun Lijuan, who has worked in the doll business in Yiwu for over a decade.

Her latest model, now powered by AI, marks a major shift from the talking toys of the past. “It’s no longer just a doll that sings, tells stories, or answers basic questions,” Sun said. “Now it can respond to almost anything. For kids, it’s more like a companion — a friend.”

Sun is currently developing Spanish-language versions and has asked long-time clients to take the new AI dolls’ smart modules to South America to test server connectivity.

Amid global tariff headwinds, innovation is unfolding daily in Yiwu across a wide range of industries and products. Local businesses are steadily strengthening both resilience and innovation capacity, driving a 24.5 percent year-on-year increase in the city’s exports in the first half of the year.

Visits by foreign buyers in Yiwu jumped 18.6 percent from a year earlier in the first five months, underscoring growing interest in the city’s expanding and evolving product lines.

The resilience of the “world’s supermarket” echoed a robust 5.3 percent year-on-year growth in China’s GDP in the first half of the year. Behind this hard-won result against the global backdrop of economic and trade headwinds, businesses like Sun’s tell inspiring stories of agility and enterprise.

Merchants participate in a language learning session at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

WEATHERING GLOBAL UNCERTAINTIES

The rapid rollout of new products, Sun said, owes much to China’s strengths in innovation and talent. “Since the rapid ascent of DeepSeek earlier this year, we’ve been approached by many integrated circuit chip developers eager to collaborate on next-generation dolls,” she said. “I’ve never had so much contact with PhDs from top universities and tech firms.”

This year has also been one of personal growth for Sun. After DeepSeek gained attention, the Yiwu International Trade Market began offering free AI training and she managed to pick up several software skills.

In March, a long-time client from Mexico visited her shop and requested adjustments to the doll’s facial features and clothing. Sun made the edits on her computer within minutes, impressing the client and securing an order on the spot.

“Many people have asked me whether external uncertainties have hit my factory hard, and I always say the impact has been limited,” Sun said, noting her factory has, over the years, developed talking dolls in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, Arabic and Russian, for more than 50 markets such as Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

“Entrepreneurs in Yiwu who’ve made it this far have been tested by the market repeatedly. Without foresight, they would’ve been pushed out of the market long ago,” she added.

The new AI-powered dolls cost three to four times as much to produce as older talking models, but they also bring higher profit margins, according to Sun.

Sun Lijuan said the production cost of the new AI-powered dolls is three to four times that of traditional talking models — but the added technology also brings higher profit margins.

Sun’s toy business offers a glimpse into a broader trend. Across China, companies are drawing on the country’s institutional strengths, vast market potential, resilient supply chains, a deep talent pool, and growing innovation and openness to sharpen their resilience and adaptability in an increasingly complex global landscape.

SHARPENING INNOVATION

On the vast Gobi Desert in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, towering high-voltage power lines form a striking “forest of steel.” Between the power lines, drones flit in and out of view like birds patrolling their territory, detecting minor faults or unusual objects on the towers and cables.

This photo taken on Aug. 13, 2024 shows a 750-kilovolt (kV) power transmission line under construction in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ma Yuan/Xinhua)

This is a fully autonomous drone inspection system developed by technology company I-KINGTEC in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. A young tech firm founded just eight years ago is helping to solve one of the toughest challenges of power line inspections in uninhabited regions.

Its “Orca” drone can autonomously take off, fly missions and collect data. Serving as its all-weather base, the “Tiger Den” station can automatically replace the drone’s battery pod — a task that once depended almost entirely on manual labor.

“How to make drones truly unmanned throughout the entire workflow has been the question we sought to answer from the very beginning,” said Zhu Shengli, co-founder of the company. He noted that the firm’s technological breakthroughs have been made possible by China’s supportive policies for the low-altitude economy and a strong talent pool.

At Zhu’s company, the average age of employees is just 27, and R&D staff make up 70 percent of the workforce. The company has filed more than 600 IP applications to date.

It posted over 200 million yuan (28 million U.S. dollars) in revenue last year, and its first-quarter earnings this year have already exceeded the full-year total for 2024.

China’s tech firms like Zhu’s have seen strong momentum this year. In the first half of 2025, the country’s high-tech sectors posted rapid gains, with value-added industrial output in high-tech manufacturing rising 9.5 percent, 3.1 percentage points higher than the overall industrial growth during the same period.

Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the National Bureau of Statistics, described the “accumulation of new growth momentum” as a key feature of China’s economic performance. He noted an accelerating integration of technological and industrial innovation, which is high on policymakers’ agendas.

To boost innovation, China has introduced a series of policy measures this year, including setting up a national venture capital guidance fund expected to mobilize 1 trillion yuan, expanding re-lending for tech innovation and upgrades from 500 billion to 800 billion yuan, and launching a dedicated “sci-tech board” in the bond market. The measures aim to channel more financial resources into early-stage, small-scale, long-term, and hard-tech ventures.

TAPPING VAST DOMESTIC MARKET

At a time when global demand is uneven, China’s vast domestic market of over 1.4 billion people continues to serve as a powerful anchor. Consumer demand is evolving rapidly, driving the emergence of new business models and product innovations.

Despite pressures on the broader food service sector, Xibei, a leading Chinese catering chain brand with nearly 400 outlets and around 17,000 employees, is charting a different course by upgrading its children’s meals and offering higher-quality options to attract family diners, a strategy that has helped lift overall sales.

The chain now offers four kids’ meal set options. One standout is a 69-yuan set featuring a whole yellow croaker, organic vegetables, corn soup, shrimp and egg custard, mousse, and hand-rolled oat noodles. To ensure it’s safe for children to eat, each fish goes through three rounds of machine inspection followed by manual deboning.

“Kids’ meals are emerging as a powerful driver of family dining. Parents are willing to invest in quality for their children,” said Song Xuan, vice president of Xibei.

Sales of Xibei’s children’s meals rose 7.4 percent year on year last year. Families dining with children now make up about 50 percent of total tables across its outlets on average.

Despite skepticism over China’s consumer momentum and concerns about weak market demand, Xibei offers a snapshot of the country’s evolving spending power.

China’s consumer market continued to gain momentum in the first half of the year, with retail sales of consumer goods rising 5 percent year on year, 0.4 percentage points faster than in the first quarter. Consumption contributed 52 percent to GDP growth during the period, making it the main driver of the economy.

The vast Chinese market is also a shared market for the world, with consumer goods imports totaling 7.4 trillion yuan between 2021 and 2024, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In terms of actual purchasing power, China’s retail sales of consumer goods surpassed those of the United States last year, reaching 1.6 times the U.S. level, based on World Bank data and calculations.

Xiong Yi, China Chief Economist at Deutsche Bank, noted strong potential for further growth in services consumption. “China has likely reached a development stage where its population will have increasing demand for higher-quality services,” he said.

To better meet differentiated demand and tap deeper into China’s growing dining market, Xibei plans to roll out lightly salted meal sets for toddlers as young as one or two years old.

“We are confident in the long-term prospects of China’s catering industry, given its vast growth potential. To stay competitive in such a rapidly evolving market, we must continue to transform and upgrade,” said Jia Guolong, chairman and founder of Xibei.

MIL OSI China News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: New Caledonia’s oldest party for independence rejects ‘Bougival’ deal

By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific Desk

New Caledonia’s oldest pro-independence party, the Union Calédonienne (UC), has officially rejected a political agreement on the Pacific territory’s political future signed in Paris last month.

The text, bearing the signatures of all of New Caledonia’s political parties represented in the local Congress — a total of 18 leaders, both pro-France and pro-independence — is described as a “project” for an agreement that would shape politics.

Since it was signed in the city of Bougival, west of Paris, on July 12, after 10 days of intense negotiations, it has been dubbed a “bet on trust” and has been described by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls as a commitment from all signing parties to report to their respective bases and explain its contents.

The Bougival document involves a series of measures and recognition by France of New Caledonia as a “State” which could become empowered with its own international relations and foreign affairs, provided they do not contradict France’s key interests.

It also envisages dual citizenship — French and New Caledonian — provided future New Caledonian citizens are French nationals in the first place.

It also describes a future devolution of stronger powers for each of the three provinces (North, South and Loyalty Islands), especially in terms of tax collection.

Since it was published, the document, bearing a commitment to defend the text “as is”, was hailed as “innovative” and “historic”.

New Caledonia’s leaders have started to hold regular meetings — sometimes daily — and sessions with their respective supporters and militants, mostly to explain the contents of what they have signed.

The meetings were held by most pro-France parties and within the pro-independence camp, the two main moderate parties, UPM (Union Progressiste en Mélanésie) and PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party).

Over the past two weeks, all of these parties have strived to defend the agreement, which is sometimes described as a Memorandum of Agreement or a roadmap for future changes in New Caledonia.

Most of the leaders who have inked the text have also held lengthy interviews with local media.

Parties who have unreservedly pledged their support to and signed the Bougival document are:

Pro-France side: Les Loyalistes, Rassemblement-LR, Wallisian-based Eveil Océanien and Calédonie Ensemble

Pro-independence: UNI-FLNKS (which comprises UPM and PALIKA).

But one of the main components of the pro-independence movement, the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) — as its main pillar — the Union Calédonienne, has held a series of meetings indicating their resentment at their negotiators for having signed the contested document.

UC held its executive committee on July 21, its steering committee on July 26, and FLNKS convened its political bureau on July 23.

A ‘lure of sovereignty’
All of these meetings concluded with an increasingly clear rejection of the Bougival document.

Speaking at a news conference in Nouméa yesterday, UC leaders made it clear that they “formally reject” the agreement because they regard it as a “lure of sovereignty” and does not guarantee either real sovereignty or political balance.

FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou, who is also UC’s chair, told local reporters he understood his signature on the document meant a commitment to return to New Caledonia, explain the text and obtain the approval of the political base.

“I didn’t have a mandate to sign a political agreement, my mandate was to register the talks and bring them back to our people so that a decision can be made . . . it didn’t mean an acceptance on our part,” he said, mentioning it was a “temporary” document subject to further discussions.

Tjibaou said some amendments his delegation had put on the table in Bougival “went missing” in the final text.

Union Calédonienne chair and chief FLNKS negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou . .. some amendments that his delegation had put on the table in Bougival “went missing” in the final text. Image: RNZ Pacific

‘Bougival, it’s over’
“As far as we’re concerned, Bougival, it’s over”, UC vice-president Mickaël Forrest said.

He said it was now time to move onto a “post-Bougival phase”.

Meanwhile, the FLNKS also consulted its own “constitutionalists” to obtain legal advice and interpretation of the document.

In a release about yesterday’s media conference, UC stated that the Bougival text could not be regarded as a balance between two “visions” for Kanaky New Caledonia, but rather a way of “maintaining New Caledonia as French”.

The text, UC said, had led the political dialogue into a “new impasse” and it left several questions unanswered.

“With the denomination of a ‘State’, a fundamental law (a de facto Constitution), the capacity to self-organise, and international recognition, this document is perceived as a project for an agreement to integrate (New Caledonia) into France under the guise of a decolonisation”.

“The FLNKS has never accepted a status of autonomy within France, but an external decolonisation by means of accession to full sovereignty [which] grants us the right to choose our inter-dependencies,” the media release stated.

The pro-independence party also criticised plans to enlarge the list of people entitled to vote at New Caledonia’s local elections — the very issue that triggered deadly and destructive riots in May 2024.

It is also critical of a proposed mechanism that would require a vote at the Congress with a minimum majority of 64 percent (two thirds) before any future powers can be requested for transfer from France to New Caledonia.

Assuming that current population trends and a fresh system of representation at the Congress will allow more representatives from the Southern province (about three quarters of New Caledonia’s population), UC said “in other words, it would be the non-independence [camp] who will have the power to authorise us — or not — to ask for our sovereignty”.

They party confirmed that it had “formally rejected the Bougival project of agreement as it stands” following a decision made by its steering committee on July 26 “since the fundamentals of our struggle and the principles of decolonisation are not there”.

Negotiators no longer mandated
The decision also means that every member of its negotiating team who signed the document on July 12 is now de facto demoted and no longer mandated by the party until a new negotiating team is appointed, if required.

“Union Calédonienne remains mobilised to arrive at a political agreement that takes into account the achievement of a trajectory towards full sovereignty”.

On Tuesday, FLNKS president Christian Téin, as an invited guest of Corsica’s “Nazione” pro-independence movement, told French media he declared himself “individually against” the Bougival document, adding this was “far from being akin to full sovereignty”.

Téin said that during the days that led to the signing of the document in Bougival “the pressure” exerted on negotiators was “terrible”.

He said the result was that due to “excessive force” applied by “France’s representatives”, the final text’s content “looks like it is the French State and right-wing people who will decide the (indigenous) Kanak people’s future”.

Facing crime-related charges, Téin is awaiting his trial, but was released from jail, under the condition that he does not return to New Caledonia.

The leader of a CCAT (field action coordinating cell) created by Union Calédonienne late in 2023 to protest against a proposed French Constitutional amendment to alter voters’ rules of eligibility at local elections, was jailed for one year in mainland France. However, he was elected president of FLNKS in absentia in late August 2024.

CCAT, meanwhile, was admitted as one of the new components of FLNKS.

In a de facto split, the two main moderate pillars of FLNKS, UPM and PALIKA, at the same time, distanced themselves from the pro-independence UC-dominated platform, opening a rift within the pro-independence umbrella.

The FLNKS is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting on August 9 (it was initially scheduled to be held on August 2), to “highlight the prospects of the pursuit of dialogue through a repositioning of the pro-independence movement’s political orientations”.

French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls (centre) shows signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new Bougival agreement earlier this month . . . “If tomorrow there was to be no agreement, it would mean the future, hope, would be put into question” Image: FB/RNZ Pacific

Valls: ‘I’m not giving up’
Reacting to the latest UC statements, Valls told French media he called on UC to have “a great sense of responsibility”.

“If tomorrow there was to be no agreement, it would mean the future, hope, would be put into question. Investment, including for the nickel mining industry, would no longer be possible.”

“I’m not giving up. Union Calédonienne has chosen to reject, as it stands, the Bougival accord project. I take note of this, but I profoundly regret this position.

“An institutional void would be a disaster for [New Caledonia]. It would be a prolonged uncertainty, the risk of further instability, the return of violence,” he said.

“But my door is not closed and I remain available for dialogue at all times. Impasse is not an option.”

Valls said the Bougival document was “‘neither someone’s victory on another one, nor an imposed text: it was built day after day with partners around the table following months of long discussions.”

In a recent letter specifically sent to Union Calédonienne, the French former Prime Minister suggested the creation of an editorial committee to start drafting future-shaping documents for New Caledonia, such as its “fundamental law”, akin to a Constitution for New Caledonia.

Valls also stressed France’s financial assistance to New Caledonia, which last year totalled around 3 billion euros because of the costs associated to the May 2024 riots.

The riots caused 14 dead, hundreds of injured and an estimated financial cost of more than 2 billion euros (NZ$5.8 billion) in damage.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Shoulder to Shoulder – to a Common Victory”: Xinhua Photo Exhibition Opens in Minsk in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

MINSK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — A Xinhua photo exhibition titled “Shoulder to Shoulder – Towards a Common Victory” dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened in Minsk on Thursday. The exhibition was visited by more than 300 people, including representatives of Belarusian political, military and academic circles, media and public organizations.

The exhibition features 34 photographs that vividly reflect the heroic struggle of the Chinese people against the Japanese aggressors, tell the touching story of the joint resistance of Soviet volunteer pilots and the Chinese people, and also demonstrate the deep military friendship between the peoples of China and Belarus during the World Anti-Fascist War.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Sergei Lukashevich, who visited the exhibition, shared his impressions.

“This is an interesting and rich exhibition. It was very interesting for me to get acquainted with its content. Photographic documents are displayed here, the history that unites Belarus and China. Today, the two countries together advocate for the preservation of historical memory. It is very important now to talk about the true side of this history. This is also of great importance for young people, so that there is no distortion of the realities in which we live,” noted S. Lukashevich. According to him, historical truth for the peoples of China and Belarus is a very important element on which it is possible to build a correct, literate and educated society.

In turn, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan told Xinhua that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War.

“China and the USSR, as the main theaters of military operations in Asia and Europe during World War II, became the mainstay in the fight against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making a decisive contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The photo exhibition vividly reproduces the heroic deeds of the Chinese nation in the united resistance to the Japanese invaders, and also tells about the true friendship between China and the USSR, forged during the war years. After 80 years, China and Belarus firmly adhere to the course of preserving historical memory, joint development and protecting international justice, jointly striving for a brighter future for humanity,” the Chinese ambassador concluded.

The exhibition was organized by the Minsk office of the Xinhua News Agency and China Image Group with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Belarus is determined to deepen and expand cooperation with the PLA in all areas – Defense Minister

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

MINSK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — Belarus is determined to deepen and expand cooperation with the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) in all areas of mutual interest, Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin said Thursday during a ceremony to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.

The Minister of Defense of Belarus emphasized that the country values constructive dialogue, exchange of experience and close coordination with the Chinese Defense Ministry. “We are confident that friendship and cooperation between Belarus and China will continue to grow stronger, contributing to the security of our states and peoples, as well as to maintaining peace on the planet,” V. Khrenin noted.

In addition, he expressed his deepest respect and gratitude to the valiant soldiers of the Chinese army for their selfless service and combat readiness to defend the Motherland.

“I would like to congratulate the PLA veterans separately. In this anniversary year, the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War and the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II, we say words of gratitude to them for today’s peaceful skies, their courage and fortitude as true defenders of their Fatherland,” the Belarusian Defense Minister emphasized, and also wished good health and well-being to all servicemen, veterans and their families, prosperity and peace to the Chinese people.

“Belarus highly values the outstanding role of the PLA in maintaining global and regional stability,” V. Khrenin summed up. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: International Mathematics, Cultural Exchange, and Inspiration for a Dissertation: NSU MMF Students Attend Combinatorics School in China

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Students and young scientists Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, Novosibirsk State University took part in the International Summer School on Combinatorics, which was held at China Three Gorges University (CTGU) from June 26 to July 13. The delegation included Maxim Emelyanov, Timofey Vasiliev, Wang Yifei, Ayana Ondar and Maxim Levashov. The school program focused on modern aspects of discrete mathematics: participants studied in depth the theory of symmetric functions, Kazhdan-Lustig polynomials, Newton polyhedra and Lorentz polynomials. The educational process included active scientific discussions with teachers and colleagues, as well as final exams, which were successfully passed by all participants.

For NSU MMF Master’s student Maxim Yemelyanov, this trip was his first international academic experience in the field of combinatorics:

— This school brought together leading specialists and students from all over China. The program allowed not only to deeply study theoretical and applied approaches, but also to lay the foundation for future cooperation between NSU and Chinese universities, — says Maxim.

Maxim Yemelyanov presented his master’s thesis at the school on the topic “Consequences of using augmentation options in image recognition by convolutional neural networks.” Despite the fact that the topic lies at the intersection of mathematics and AI, it aroused keen interest among teachers and students:

— I decided to take part in the school to get new ideas for my dissertation and exchange experiences with world experts in discrete mathematics. In addition, it was a unique chance to present my research to an international audience and receive an objective assessment from leading lecturers. My master’s dissertation interested my colleagues and teachers at CTGU, which allowed me to receive valuable recommendations for further development of the topic and refinement of the methodology, — the student notes.

According to Maxim Yemelyanov, the lectures on symmetric functions were especially memorable – they demonstrated how a universal mathematical apparatus can be applied to a wide variety of problems and provide a new vision of discrete structures.

But the summer school is not only about science. The participants had a rich cultural program, including a trip to the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, the Three Gorges, master classes in Chinese crafts, and excursions to museums and picturesque places in the province:

— The scale of the CTGU campus, its infrastructure, the combination of modern architecture with natural landscapes and the careful organization of all processes made a huge impression. This trip was simultaneously inspiring, productive and truly important for my scientific path, — shares Maxim Emelyanov.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese envoy rejects US accusations over Ukraine crisis

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

A Chinese envoy on Thursday rejected U.S. accusations against China over its role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

At a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, the U.S. representative accused China of being “the most important supplier” of Russia’s war efforts.

In response, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, dismissed the false and slanderous narratives against China from the U.S. side as completely unacceptable.

China did not start the Ukraine crisis and is not a party to it. China has never supplied lethal weapons to either side of the conflict and has strictly controlled the export of dual-use goods, including drones, said Geng.

“The parties to the conflict are not under Security Council sanctions. China has normal trade relations with Russia and Ukraine. By doing so, it does not violate international law or breach its international obligations. China’s legitimate rights and interests must not be infringed upon,” he said. “In fact, till now, the United States has maintained its trade with Russia. If the United States is doing that itself, why doesn’t it allow others to do the same?”

The Ukraine crisis is at a critical juncture where there are prospects and hopes for a political solution. It is not right for the United States, on the one hand, to expect China to play a role in putting an early end to the conflict, and on the other hand, to keep on smearing and pressurizing China, said Geng.

China, once again, urges the United States to stop its pointless blame game, stop shifting responsibilities, and play a constructive role in ending the fighting and promoting peace talks, he said.

To resolve the Ukraine crisis, what is needed is unity and cooperation, not division and confrontation, he added.

On the supply of weapons to Ukraine, Geng expressed concern about the expanding variety and range of weapons flowing to the battlefield, as well as a growing lethality and destructive power.

The reckless supply of weapons to the battlefield will only intensify confrontation, prolong the conflict, cause risks of proliferation, and inflict further casualties and suffering on the people of both sides and the broader region, he warned.

The urgent priority for Russia and Ukraine is to work together to de-escalate the situation on the battlefield as soon as possible. They should maintain the momentum of talks, continue to build consensus and ultimately reach a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement, said Geng.

Since day one of the conflict, China has advocated for the peaceful resolution of disputes and has called on the parties to the conflict to end hostilities, start negotiations and restore peace sooner rather than later. China will continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in an early political settlement of the crisis, he said.

MIL OSI China News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Markey Builds Bipartisan Momentum with Reintroduction of His Warehouse Worker Protection Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (July 31, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, along with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Haley Stevens (MI-11), today reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Warehouse Worker Protection Act, legislation to prohibit dangerous speed quotas and that threaten warehouse worker safety and lead to high injury rates. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Major corporations often institute speed and productivity quotas for warehouse workers that force workers past their physical limits, leading to high injury rates. One in 15 Amazon warehouse workers is injured at work seriously enough to need days off or light duty to recover. Nearly 2 million Americans work in warehouses nationwide.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act would institute the basic standards necessary to ensure all workers experience a safe and dignified workplace. The bill would prohibit the use of dangerous speed quotas that rely on intrusive surveillance, interfere with workers’ ability to use the bathroom and take guaranteed breaks, and push workers past safe physical limits. The bill would also prohibit measures that prevent workers from exercising their right to unionize.

“Workers deserve to clock in knowing they will return home safe and healthy at the end of their shift. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act would protect the basic health and dignity of workers from corporate bosses who time and again have prioritized unfettered greed and profit over their own people,” said Senator Markey. “I am proudly in solidarity with nearly two million warehouse workers nationwide in the fight to ensure that their rights, safety, and dignity are protected.”

“Corporations need to prioritize their workers’ safety and well-being over profits. This bipartisan legislation will hold the warehouse industry accountable while combatting the industry’s worst practices. It’s time to put workers’ safety first and treat them with the dignity they deserve,” said Senator Hawley.

“Corporate profits should never be placed above the safety and dignity of American workers,” said Senator Smith. “The Warehouse Worker Protection Act ends secret, aggressive productivity metrics and surveillance methods used by major companies, and instead puts power back in the hands of the workers who experience these conditions every day. Workers should never have to choose between their health and their next paycheck, and should not be harmed in service of corporate greed – this bill takes an important step in establishing safe, just workplaces for all.”

“In 2022, three New Jersey warehouse workers tragically died on the job within weeks of each other, bringing attention to working conditions and injury rates in warehouses. Businesses can keep workers safe and earn a profit, but that’s only possible with more transparency and accountability,” said Congressman Norcross. “As a former electrician, I know firsthand what it’s like to lose a coworker on the job. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act takes necessary steps to ensure everyone can come home from work safely.”

“Amid the vast expansion of shipping and online shopping, the warehouse workers keeping this economy moving have been left behind,” said Senator Marshall. “For too long, companies have been implementing outlandish quotas, cutting into workers’ rights and leading to injuries. That ends with this bill. I’m proud to support Senator Markey in providing proper protections for workers, ending the fear of abusive quotas.”

“Amazon and other abusive warehouse employers are squeezing their workers for every penny of profit, leaving behind tired and broken bodies,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “These corporate criminals are destroying good jobs in an industry that once supported a strong middle class. But one thing stands in their way—that’s the Teamsters Union, along with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who understand what’s at stake. It’s time to pass the Warehouse Worker Protection Act and put workers’ safety over corporate profits.”

“Everyone deserves a guarantee of safety and dignity on the job, but retail giants like Amazon are raking in record profits on the backs of their workers, subjecting them to incredibly high rates of injury, unsustainable pace pressures, and punitive surveillance systems,” said Patricia Stottlemyer, Labor Rights Policy Lead at Oxfam America. “The re-introduction of the Warehouse Worker Protection Act is a critical step toward finally securing the safeguards and protections that these workers desperately need.”

“Every day, we face unrealistic quotas and unsafe conditions just to keep our jobs at Amazon. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act gives us hope that our lives and safety will finally matter more than productivity rates. We fought for this law — and with support from Awood Center and national coalitions like Athena, we made it happen. Now we need Amazon to comply with the law or face consequences. It’s been in effect for a year, and they’re still falling short,” said an Amazon warehouse worker, supported by Awood Center, a worker center in Minnesota that uplifts East African immigrant workers.

“At a time when Amazon warehouse workers like me are being injured at twice the rate as workers at other warehouses, this bill is a monumental step forward to holding companies like Amazon accountable and finally getting the workplace protections we deserve,” said Ronald “Mr. Ron” Sewell, an Amazon associate at ATL6 in Georgia and leader with United for Respect. “My coworkers and I are constantly putting our safety at risk to meet Amazon’s backbreaking productivity quotas, and we’ve had enough. Our lives are not expendable – we need real change to improve safety on the job, and this bill will help make that a reality.”

“For too long, multi-billion dollar corporations like Walmart and Amazon have gotten away with forcing warehouse workers to meet unreasonable daily quotas — leading to countless injuries on the job — just so they can grow their profits. It’s long past time for that to change,” said Terrysa Guerra, Co-Executive Director of United for Respect. “These protections for warehouse workers will usher in a new era of accountability for these companies, and most importantly, will help improve workplace safety for hundreds of thousands of low-wage warehouse workers. United for Respect is thrilled to support this legislation.”

“We’ve seen that when workers try to meet unattainable distribution center quotas, they get hurt; when they file for workers comp for their injuries, they get denied or fired. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act will protect workers from harm and blatant violation of their rights in an industry that treats them as expendable, and lead to safer, more dignified working conditions for the people who make life easier for the rest of us. Since New York’s version of this law went into effect in June, warehouse workers have already been feeling more secure in their rights. That’s something every single worker in the country deserves to feel—and why it’s so important that we pass the federal Warehouse Worker Protection Act as soon as possible,” said Vanessa Cid, Labor Organizer at For the Many.

“Amazon’s greed has created a nationwide worker injury crisis as they put profit over people time and time again,” said Theodore A. Moore, Executive Director of ALIGN, leader of the New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition. “We’re proud of the work we’ve done to regulate warehouse safety in New York, but it’s time to take federal action and ensure that one of the richest companies in the world keeps their workers safe everywhere. We applaud Senator Markey’s leadership and urge Governor Hochul to lead the way with strong enforcement of New York’s Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act.”

“We are facing a workplace injury crisis in warehouses across America,” said Irene Tung, Senior Researcher and Policy Analyst at the National Employment Law Project. “NELP’s research has found that the digital surveillance and disciplinary practices at companies like Amazon create a climate of fear for workers and astronomically high injury rates at warehouses. We urgently need the Warehouse Worker Protection Act to rein in these abuses and support workers’ right to organize for autonomy and safety on the job.”

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the National Employment Law Project (NELP), the Athena Coalition, and Oxfam America.

In May 2024, Senator Markey, along with Senator Smith and then Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), first introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. In September 2024, Senator Markey celebrated the bipartisan momentum growing behind the bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Second quarter and first half 2025 results
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BW Energy delivered strong operational performance in the first half of 2025, driven by high production uptime, competitive cost levels, and a solid safety record with zero lost time incidents. The Company’s project portfolio continues to advance, with final investment decisions taken on both the Maromba development and the Golfinho Boost project. In addition, a substantial oil discovery was made at the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu area, further expanding BW Energy’s resource base. Backed by strong cash generation and a resilient financial structure, BW Energy is well placed to drive growth and create long-term shareholder value.

HIGHLIGHTS

Strong operational performance
- H1 2025 net production of 6.2 (4.6) million barrels, equal to 34.2 (25.4) kbopd
- Operating cost1 of USD 18.3 (26.2) per barrel and zero lost time incidents
- Assumed operatorship of the BW Adolo FPSO
Successfully developing and increasing the resource base
- Final investment decision made on Maromba and Golfinho Boost projects
- Substantial oil discovery of 25 mmbbls in the Bourdon prospect
Robust financial results
- H1 2025 EBITDA of USD 281.1 (185.8) million and net profit of USD 109.7 (61.9) million
- Q2 2025 EBITDA of USD 99.0 million and net profit of USD 26.7 million
- Operating cash flow of USD 162.0 (85.1) million
- Cash position of USD 192.9 (244.2) million at 30 June
- New and upsized RBL facility up to USD 500 million
2025 guidance unchanged
- Production: 11-12 mmbbls (30-32 kbopd)
- Operating cost1: USD 18-22 per barrel
- CAPEX: USD 650-700 million
- G&A: USD 19-22 million
(Numbers in parenthesis refer to H1 2024)

1) Operating costs exclude royalties, tariffs, workovers, crude oil purchases for domestic market obligations, production sharing costs in Gabon, and incorporates the impact of IFRS 16 adjustments

Comment from the CEO of BW Energy, Carl Arnet:

“BW Energy delivered a strong first half of 2025, with production above the upper end of our guidance range and operating costs at significantly more competitive levels than in 2024. This reflects continued focus on safe, efficient operations and disciplined cost management across the portfolio.

During the period, we moved key development projects into execution, marking an important step forward in our growth strategy. The Maromba development in Brazil is now underway and will be transformative for BW Energy, increasing production to more than 90,000 barrels per day in 2028.

Furthermore, we strengthened our portfolio, confirming new resources at the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu licence. These are highly profitable barrels that highlight our strategy of leveraging existing infrastructure and pursuing fast‑track developments to accelerate value creation.

Our financial foundation remains robust, with low leverage and strong underlying cash generation. This gives us the resilience to navigate market volatility while continuing to deliver growth and long‑term value for our shareholders.”

Please find attached the report for the first half of 2025 and the second quarter presentation.

The report, presentation, excel data book and webcast will be available on:

www.bwenergy.no/investors/reports-and-presentations

CONFERENCE CALL/WEBCAST 

BW Energy will today hold a conference call followed by a Q&A hosted by CEO Carl K. Arnet and CFO Brice Morlot at 14:00 CEST. 

The presentation may also be followed via webcast on:

https://events.webcast.no/viewer-registration/qQC1bQEB/register

Please note, that if you follow the webcast via the above URL, you will experience a 30 second delay compared to the main conference call. The web page works best in an updated browser – Chrome is recommended.

Conference call information:

To dial in to the conference call where the second quarter results and Q&A will be hosted, please dial in to one of the following numbers:

Participants dial in numbers:

DK: +45 7876 8490
SE: +46 8 1241 0952
NO: +47 2195 6342
UK: +44 203 769 6819
US: +1 646-787-0157
Singapore: 65-3-1591097
France: 33-1-81221259

Conference code: 980877

For further information, please contact:

Martin Seland Simensen, VP Investor Relations

+47 416 92 087

Martin.simensen@bwenergy.no

About BW Energy:

BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 7% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Attachments
- BWE Q2 presentation
- BWE Financial report – 1H 2025
The MIL Network –
August 5, 2025

MIL-OSI: Atos – Half-year 2025 results on track. Full Year 2025 targets confirmed

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release

Half-year 2025 results on track
Full Year 2025 targets confirmed

Significant progress in the execution of the Genesis transformation plan
- Reset of cost base well engaged, already impacting profitability
- Over 50% of the overall Genesis restructuring target incurred
  at the end of June
- Growth pillar initial phase achieved to deliver long-term ambition
Operating Margin up 80 bps proforma from 2.0% to 2.8%, to €113m (+15.4% yoy) despite the material decline in revenue, as anticipated
- Atos SBU: +1.7 pts to 5.7% driven by initial benefits from the restructuring plan and tight contract management
- Eviden SBU: -1.7 pts to -7.9% – consistent with previously announced seasonality
Significant improvement in Free Cash Flow¹to -€96m (including -€154m cash restructuring) from -€593m in H1 2024
H1 revenue at €4,020m, down 17.4% organically due to expected impact of contracts exit and low business traction in 2024.
Achieved a 10 pts yoy Book-to-Bill improvement reaching 83% despite soft market environment with:
- Improved or flat order entry in all regions apart from France
- Continued strategic deal wins with 11 large multi-year contracts signed vs. 5 in H1 2024. The positive commercial momentum is expected to continue in H2 2025
- Rolling 12-month pipeline increased by €1.5bn in Q2 including €1.3bn in large deals (over €30m)
Full Year 2025 targets and long-term trajectory confirmed
Share Purchase Agreement signed with the French State for the sale of Advanced Computing activities

Paris, August 1^st, 2025 – Atos, a leading provider of AI-powered digital transformation, today announces its half year 2025 financial results.

Philippe Salle, Atos Group Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, declared:

“In a challenging environment, I am very encouraged by the determination of our teams in rolling-out the Genesis transformation plan with no delay. The voluntary optimization of the Group cost base is already starting to show initial benefits as shown through our half-year results: the operating margin is improving by over 15% year-on-year, a positive momentum which we intend to pursue. Our limited cash consumption is reflecting our disciplined approach to cash management, and we notice a sheer increase in enthusiasm among our customers towards the strategic refocusing of the Group.
We also reached a new significant milestone towards the sale of our Advanced Computing activities with the signature of a share purchase agreement with the French State.
We are looking ahead to the rest of the year and beyond with confidence and a single focus: executing on our strategy. We remain strongly committed to our 2025 targets and our long-term financial trajectory.”

H1 2025 performance highlights

In € million	H1 2025	H1 2024	Var.	H1 2024*	Organic Var.
Revenue	4,020	4,964	(944)	4,865	(845)
Operating Margin	113	115	(2)	98	+15
In % of revenue	2.8%	2.3%	+0.5 pts	2.0%	+0.8 pts
OMDA	309	373	(64)
In % of revenue	7.7%	7.5%	+0.2 pts
Net income – Group share	-696	-1,941	+ 1,245
Free Cash Flow²	-96	-593	+ 497
Net debt (excl. IFRS 9 adjustment)	-1,681	-4,218	+ 2,537

*: at constant scope and June 2025 average exchange rates

Operational performance

Group revenue reached 4,020 million euros in the first half 2025, reflecting a 17.4% organic decline compared to the first half of 2024, driven by 2024 contract losses and voluntary contract exits, especially in the Atos Strategic Business Unit (SBU) in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as overall soft market environment. The Atos SBU generated revenue of 3,603 million euros, down 17.9% organically compared to the first half of 2024. The Eviden SBU revenue was down 11.9% compared to the first half of 2024, to 417 million euros in the first half of 2025.

Group operating margin reached 113 million euros in the first half of 2025, representing an organic 15% increase compared to the first half of 2024 and 2.8% of revenue (compared to 2.0% in the first half of 2024), despite a 845 million revenue decline year-on-year. This performance demonstrates the initial benefits of the cost reduction measures engaged since the beginning of the year, especially in the Atos SBU where the operating margin improved 18% year-on-year. The Eviden SBU profitability was lower than last year, as expected, due to a strong seasonality throughout the year.

Disclosure in this section represents the revised reporting structure of Atos Group, following the implementation of the new organization in the first half 2025 reporting period. These are those that will be presented in the consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2025, which will be included in the 2025 half year report. Atos has identified Atos France, Atos BNN Benelux & the Nordics, Atos UK&I, Atos USA & CA, Atos GACE, Atos IM, Atos Global Delivery Centers, Eviden and Global Structures as the operating segments, mirroring the internal reporting structure. This reflects the review, management and assessment of the group’s operating results by Group Management following the implementation of the new organization.

In € million	H1 2025 Revenue	H1 2024* Revenue	Organic variation	H1 2025 OM	H1 2024 OM*	H1 2025 OM	Organic variation*
In € million	H1 2025 Revenue	H1 2024* Revenue	Organic variation	H1 2025 OM	H1 2024 OM*	H1 2025 OM	Organic variation*
ATOS	3,603	4,391	-17.9%	204	173	5.7%	+18.2%
Germany, Austria & Central Europe	767	831	-7.6%	1	-11	0.1%	ns
USA & Canada	695	978	-29.0%	70	92	10.1%	-24.4%
France	591	663	-10.8%	13	9	2.1%	+45.4%
UK & Ireland	583	821	-29,0%	50	48	8.6%	+4.5%
International Markets	561	668	-16.0%	46	39	8.2%	+18.8%
BNN Benelux & the Nordics	402	425	-5.4%	23	-1	5.6%	ns
Global Delivery Centers	5	6	-18.7%	2	-3	0.1%	ns
Eviden	417	474	-11.9%	-33	-30	-7.9%	+11.5%
Global Structures	–	–	–	-57	-45	-1.4%	+28.8%
Group total	4,020	4,865	-17.4%	113	98	2.8%	+15.4%

*: at constant scope and June 2025 average exchange rates

Atos – Germany, Austria & Central Europe revenue was 767 million euros in the first half of 2025, representing a 7.6% organic decline compared to the first half of 2024 with a significant ramp down from a couple of large clients who implemented insourcing strategies. It also stemmed from managed exits from low profitability contracts. That was partially offset by successful fertilization and cross selling at existing clients.

Operating margin improved by 140 basis points year-on-year despite the non-recurring treatment of some reorganization expenses in the first half of 2024. It reached breakeven in the first half of 2025 thanks to the restructured delivery of existing contract portfolio and benefits from cost-saving initiatives.

Atos – USA & Canada revenue decreased by 284 million euros year-on-year on a proforma basis. This was driven essentially by 2024 large contract completions and ramp-downs as well as an uncertain macro and political environment. Churn on small size contracts was more than offset by growing activity at existing clients and new contracts during the period.

Operating margin improved 60 basis points compared to the first half of 2024 despite the material impact from revenue fall thru, thanks to the Genesis-led margin optimization actions already in place. It stood at 70 million euros in the first half of 2025.

Atos – France revenue reached 591 million euros in the first half of 2025, down 10.8% organically from the first half of 2024, due to high exposure to the recently muted public sector and the impact of financial restructuring on client perception in 2024.

Operating margin improved by 80 basis points year-on-year thanks to the benefit of cost-cutting initiatives on indirect costs, an improved billability rate despite revenue decline and improving low profitability contract management, quality of delivery and automation.

Atos – UK & Ireland revenue reached 583 million euros in the first half of 2025, down 29% organically year-on-year mostly as a result of planned large public sector BPO contracts completion in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Operating margin improved 280 basis points compared to the first half of 2024. In absolute terms, it was stable year-on-year despite the sharp decrease in revenue, thanks to the restructuring of low profitability contracts, successful delivery of new business and an already visible impact from cost-saving initiatives.

Atos – International Markets revenue was down 16% organically in the first half of 2025, to 561 million euros, mostly driven by softer performance in Asia Pacific, Switzerland and Major events that had benefited from the Olympics in the first half of 2024. That was partially offset by growing revenues in South America.

Operating margin improved by 240 bps compared to the first half of 2024 and reached 46 million euros in the first half of 2025 (up 7 million year-on-year). The contribution from lost revenue was more than offset by improved productivity, benefits from the Genesis transformation plan and lower one-off costs year-on-year with Olympics-related marketing costs incurred in the first half of 2024.

Atos – BNN, Benelux and the Nordics revenue stood at 402 million euros in the first half of 2025, down 5.4% organically compared to the first half of 2024 with churn partially offset by growing activity at existing clients.

Operating margin turned positive in the first half of 2025, to 23 million euros, or 5.6% of revenues. This was driven by the ramp up of higher profitability contracts and positive contribution from the Genesis action plan and continued positive service and project delivery.

Eviden revenue was 417 million euros in the first half of 2025, down 11.9% organically year-on-year, driven by the anticipated strong seasonality in Advanced Computing (down 10.9% compared to the first half of 2024).
Operating margin was –33 million euros, compared to -30 million euros in the first half of 2024 again, due to the seasonality in Advanced Computing. Significant revenue and profit recognition is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. On a full-year basis the business unit is expected to generate positive operating margin.

Global Structures costs stood at -57 million euros in the first half of 2025, compared to -45 million euros in the first half of 2024, due to the non-recurring treatment of reorganization costs in the first half of 2024 and the UEFA marketing costs incurred centrally in the first half of 2025.

Update on the Genesis plan execution

At the Capital Markets Day that was held on May 14, 2025, the Group unveiled “Genesis”, its strategic and transformation plan for the next 4 years. It includes 22 workstreams regrouped under 7 pillars:

Growth
Human Resources
Countries review
Portfolio review
Gross Margin
Cost review
Cash

During the first half of 2025 significant progress was achieved, including the following:

Growth transformation: it has now passed the initial phase with a new growth and sales teams operating model deployed in all geographies and centrally. That included the right sizing and upskilling of the teams and sales enablement initiatives as well as prioritization to ensure frontline excellence and support future growth ambition. With that, processes were streamlined and optimized, enabling the sales force to concentrate efforts on meeting client needs. It is anticipated to yield results from the second half onwards
Countries review: to sharpen the geographical focus as announced in the Capital Markets Day, the Group exited one country and formally launched disposal processes for additional non-core countries
Contract portfolio review: in the first half of 2025, the Group reduced its exposure to low margin contracts (ie contracts with a project margin below 5%) to only three significant ones (vs seven at the end of 2024), and totaling a c.16 million euros negative impact on operating margin compared to c.52 million euros in the first half of 2024
Delivery and G&A optimization: the billability rate improved from 76% to 79% during the first half, and the General & Administrative cost base was reduced by 10% compared to the same period last year. Overall, over 50% of the 3-year restructuring envelope of 700 million euros was incurred at the end of June. The total headcount was 69,597 at the end of the period

Order entry and backlog

Commercial activity

Order entry reached €3.3 billion in H1 2025, slightly lower than the reported H1 2024 level, due to:

Muted commercial activity in France where significant organizational changes are being implemented to improve commercial efficiency, enrich our offering and secure long term business performance. All other regions delivered roughly flat or growing order entry in the first half of the year
The soft market environment observed in the last few months

Book-to-bill ratio was 83% in the first half of 2025, up from 73% in the same period of 2024. Main contract signatures in the second quarter of 2025 included two 4+ years Digital workplace deals totaling 140 million euros (of which 100 million euros in North America and 40 million euros in the UK), a 5+ years 80 million euros mainframe deal with a North American wholesaler of technology products, a 4+ years 50 million euros Cybersecurity contract in the public sector in Belgium, and two 3+ years digital applications contracts in Europe for a cumulative amount of 90 million euros with a consumer goods player on one side and a public sector body on the other.

Backlog & commercial pipeline

At the end of June 2025, the full backlog reached €12 billion representing 1.5 years of revenue.
The full qualified pipeline amounted to €4.1 billion at the end of June 2025, representing 6.1 months of revenue.

Net income

OOI
Other operating income and expenses amounted to –566 million euros in the first half of 2025, compared to –1,819 million euros in the first half of 2024. It mostly included restructuring and other non-recurring charges in relation to the Genesis transformation plan, as well as litigation provisions.

Financial income
Net financial expense was -202 million euros in the first half of 2025, compared to -175 million euros in the first half of 2024, reflecting the new debt structure of the Group and the fair value adjustment of the net debt.

Tax
Tax charge stood at -41 million euros in the first half of 2025, compared to -62 million euros in the first half of 2024.

Net result group share
As a result of the above net result Group share was a loss of –696 million euros in the first half of 2025, compared to a loss of –1,941 million euros in the first half of 2024.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow for the period stood at –96 million euros for the period excluding changes in working capital actions (WCA), reflecting the following items:

Operating margin before depreciation and amortization (OMDA) of 309 million euros
Capex of –93 million euros, or 2.3% of revenues
Leases of –122 million euros
Change in working capital requirement (excluding WCA) of 167 million euros, mostly driven by lower activity in the first half of 2025
Cash restructuring of –154 million euros, in relation to the Genesis transformation plan
Tax paid of -13 million euros
Net cash cost of debt of –80 million euros, including 18 million euros of financial income
Other items for –109 millions, that included litigation and onerous contracts

Net debt and debt covenants

At June 30, 2025, net debt was 1,681 million euros (746 million euros including IFRS 9 debt fair value adjustment), compared to 1,238 million euros as of December 31, 2024 (275 million euros including IFRS 9 debt fair value adjustment), and mainly consisted of:

Cash and cash equivalents for 1,364 million euros
Borrowings for 3,057 million euros (nominal value, excluding PIK) or 2,186 million euros including IFRS 9 fair value adjustment and PIK

The new credit documentation requires the Group to maintain:

from 31 March 2025, a minimum liquidity level of €650 million, to be verified at the end of each financial quarter
from 30 June 2027, as from each half-year end, a maximum level of financial leverage (“Total Net Leverage Ratio Covenant”), which is defined as the ratio of Financial indebtedness (mainly excluding IFRS 16 impacts and IFRS 9 debt fair value treatment) to pre-IFRS 16 OMDA; the ceilings thus applicable will be determined no later than 30 June 2026 with reference to a flexibility of 30% in relation to the Business Plan adopted by the Group at that time; these ceilings will in any event remain between 3.5x and 4.0x.

As of June 30, 2025, the Group financial leverage ratio (as defined in glossary) was 4.0x.

Outlook

The Group confirms its full year 2025 targets:

c. 8.5 billion euros revenue³
around 4% operating margin
net change in cash⁴ before debt repayment of c. -350 million euros

The long-term financial trajectory also remains unchanged.

In 2026, the Group expects to generate positive organic growth and net change in cash⁴ before debt repayment and M&A.

In 2028, with the assumption of a disposal of Advanced Computing in FY 2026 and a progressive reduction of its geographic footprint, the Group expects:

to grow revenues organically to between 8.5 and 9 billion euros, representing a 5-7% CAGR between 2025 and 2028. Strategic, targeted and disciplined M&A could further increase revenue to up to 9 to 10 billion euros
to reach an operating margin of around 10%, supported by cost reduction measures and structural visible growth, partially offset by an acceleration of R&D investments
to achieve a leverage ratio below 1.5x net debt/OMDAL⁵. On the path to an investment grade rating, the Group expects to achieve a BB profile in 2027

Sale of Advanced Computing

On July 31, 2025, Atos Group signed a share purchase agreement with the French State for the sale of its Advanced Computing business, excluding Vision AI activities, for an enterprise value (EV) of €410 million, including €110m earn-outs that are based on profitability indicators for fiscal years 2025 (€50 million potential earn-out that should be paid upon closing) and 2026 (€60 million additional potential earn-out). This EV is in line with the confirmatory offer received from the French State on June 2, 2025 which has been approved by Atos Group Board of Directors.

Atos Advanced Computing business regroups the High-Performance Computing (HPC) & Quantum as well as the Business Computing & Artificial intelligence divisions. The transaction perimeter is expected to generate revenue of circa €0.8 billion in 2025.

The French State will become the new shareholder of these activities, further supporting the business and its development over the long term.

Social processes for the signing of the SPA agreement are closed. The transaction is expected to close over H1 2026 once the carveout is completed and relevant authorizations have been received.

Interim condensed consolidated financial statements

Atos Group Board of Directors in its meeting held on July 31, 2025, has reviewed the Group interim condensed consolidated financial statements closed at June 30, 2025. The Statutory Auditors have completed their usual limited review of the half-year condensed consolidated financial statements and issued their unqualified report.

Conference call

Atos Group’s Management invites you to attend the first half 2025 results conference call on Friday, August 1st, 2025, at 08:00 am (CET – Paris).

You can join the webcast of the conference via the following link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/mz677p34

If you want to join the conference by telephone, please register via this link:

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIc7cb4acc36ee4ddbbe4878cdc98936fa

Upon registration, you will receive the dial-in info and a unique PIN to join the call as well as an email confirmation with the details.

After the conference, a replay of the webcast will be available on atos.net, in the Investors section.

Forthcoming events

October 20, 2025 (After Market Close)

Third quarter 2025 revenue

APPENDIX

H1 2024 revenue and operating margin at constant scope and exchange rates reconciliation

For the analysis of the Group’s performance, revenue and OM for H1 2025 is compared with H1 2024 revenue and OM at constant scope and foreign exchange rates. Reconciliation between the H1 2024 reported revenue and OM, and the H1 2024 revenue and OM at constant scope and foreign exchange rates is presented below, by segment.

H1 2024 revenue	H1 2024 published	Restatement	H1 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	H1 2024*
In € million	H1 2024 published	Restatement	H1 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	H1 2024*
ATOS	4,259	234	4,493	-3	-85	-13	4,391
Germany, Austria & Central Europe	779	62	841	0	-11	0	831
USA & Canada	949	38	987	0	0	-9	978
France	686	39	725	-4	-58	0	663
UK & Ireland	791	17	808	0	0	13	821
International Markets	675	27	702	0	-16	-17	668
BNN Benelux & the Nordics	375	49	424	1	0	0	425
Global Delivery Centers	4	2	6	0	0	0	6
Eviden	705	-234	471	3	0	0	474
Global Structures	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Group Total	4,964	0	4,964	0	-86	-13	4,865

H1 2024 Operating Margin	H1 2024 published	Restatement	H1 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	H1 2024*
In € million	H1 2024 published	Restatement	H1 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	H1 2024*
ATOS	175	-1	174	1	-15	12	173
Germany, Austria & Central Europe	-16	2	-14	-2	-2	7	-11
USA & Canada	97	0	96	0	0	-4	92
France	14	-2	12	2	-10	5	9
UK & Ireland	47	0	47	0	0	1	48
International Markets	40	0	40	0	-3	2	39
BNN Benelux & the Nordics	-4	3	-1	-3	0	3	-1
Global Delivery Centers	-3	-3	-6	3	0	-1	-3
Eviden	-16	2	-14	-2	0	-13	-30
Global Structures	-44	-1	-45	1	0	-1	-45
Group Total	115	0	115	0	-15	-2	98

*: at constant scope and June 2025 average exchange rates

Restatement corresponds to the transfer of Cybersecurity Services from Eviden to Atos.

Scope effects amounted to €-86 million. They related to the divesture of Worldgrid in France, International Markets (Iberia) and Germany.

Currency effects negatively contributed to revenue of -13 million. They mostly came from the depreciation of the US dollar, the Brazilian real, the Argentinian peso and the Turkish lira, partially compensated by the appreciation of the British pound.

Q1 2024 revenue at constant scope and exchange rates reconciliation

For the analysis of the Group’s performance, revenue for Q1 2025 is compared with Q1 2024 revenue at constant scope and foreign exchange rates.

Q1 2024 revenue	Q1 2024 published	Restatement	Q1 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	Q1 2024*
In € million	Q1 2024 published	Restatement	Q1 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	Q1 2024*
ATOS	2,155	118	2,273	-1	-43	22	2,251
Germany, Austria & Central Europe	385	30	416	0	-6	0	410
USA & Canada	474	20	493	0	0	15	509
France	354	20	375	-2	-30	0	343
UK & Ireland	410	9	419	0	0	10	430
International Markets	339	14	352	0	-8	-4	341
BNN Benelux & the Nordics	190	25	215	0	0	0	215
Global Delivery Centers	2	1	3	0	0	0	3
Eviden	324	-118	206	1	0	1	207
Global Structures	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Group Total	2,479	0	2,479	0	-44	23	2,458

* at constant scope and June 2025 average exchange rates

Q2 2024 revenue at constant scope and exchange rates reconciliation

For the analysis of the Group’s performance, revenue for Q2 2025 is compared with Q2 2024 revenue at constant scope and foreign exchange rates.

Q2 2024 revenue	Q2 2024 published	Restatement	Q2 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	Q2 2024*
In € million	Q2 2024 published	Restatement	Q2 2024 restated	Internal transfers	Scope effects	Exchange rates effects	Q2 2024*
ATOS	2,105	116	2,220	-2	-42	-35	2,140
Germany, Austria & Central Europe	394	31	425	0	-5	0	420
USA & Canada	476	18	494	0	0	-24	470
France	331	18	350	-2	-28	0	320
UK & Ireland	380	9	389	0	0	2	391
International Markets	337	13	350	0	-8	-13	327
BNN Benelux & the Nordics	184	25	209	0	0	0	210
Global Delivery Centers	2	1	3	0	0	0	3
Eviden	381	-116	265	2	0	0	266
Global Structures	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Group Total	2,486	0	2,486	0	-42	-36	2,407

* at constant scope and June 2025 average exchange rates

Q1 2025 and Q2 2025 revenue according to the new Group reporting structure

In € million	Q1 2025 Revenue	Q1 2024* Revenue	Organic variation*	Q2 2025 Revenue	Q2 2024* Revenue	Organic variation*
In € million	Q1 2025 Revenue	Q1 2024* Revenue	Organic variation*	Q2 2025 Revenue	Q2 2024* Revenue	Organic variation*
ATOS	1,861	2,251	-17.3%	1,742	2,140	-18.6%
Germany, Austria & Central Europe	385	410	-6.1%	382	420	-9.1%
USA & Canada	370	509	-27.3%	324	470	-31.0%
France	304	343	-11.4%	287	320	-10.2%
UK & Ireland	302	430	-29.6%	280	391	-28.4%
International Markets	290	341	-14.8%	271	327	-17.1%
BNN Benelux & the Nordics	206	215	-4.4%	196	210	-6.4%
Global Delivery Centers	2	3	-10.6%	2	3	-23.9%
Eviden	208	207	0.1%	210	266	-21.3%
Global Structures	–	–	–	–	–	–
Group total	2,068	2,458	-15.9%	1,952	2,407	-18.9%

* at constant scope and June 2025 average exchange rates

H1 2025 consolidated Profit & Loss Account

(in € million)	6 months ended June 30, 2025	6 months ended June 30, 2024
Revenue	4,020	4,964
Personnel expense	-2,115	-2,615
Non-personnel operating expense	-1,792	-2,235
Operating margin	113	115
% of revenue	2.8%	2.3%
Other operating income and expense	-566	-1,819
Operating income (loss)	-452	-1,704
% of revenue	-11.3%	-34.3%
Net cost of financial debt	-162	-73
Other financial expense	-62	-135
Other financial income	22	33
Net financial income (expense)	-202	-175
Net income (loss) before tax	-654	-1,879
Tax charge	-41	-62
Net income (loss)	-695	-1,941
Of which:
▪ attributable to owners of the parent	-696	-1,941
▪ non-controlling interests	1	0

H1 2025 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

in € million	6 months ended June 30, 2025	6 months ended June 30, 2024
Net income (loss) before tax	-654	-1,879
Depreciation of fixed assets	134	125
Depreciation of right-of-use	99	138
Net addition (release) to operating provisions	-1	-10
Net addition (release) to financial provisions	6	28
Net addition (release) to other operating provisions	199	-55
Amortization of intangible assets (PPA from acquisitions)	12	29
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets	24	1 570
Losses (gains) on disposals of non-current assets	3	71
Net charge for equity-based compensation	–	3
Unrealized losses (gains) on changes in fair value and other	–	-1
Net cost of financial debt	162	73
Interests on lease liability	15	19
Net cash from (used in) operating activities before change in working capital requirement and taxes	-3	111
Tax paid	-13	-45
Change in working capital requirement	43	-1 477
Net cash from (used in) operating activities	28	-1,411
Payment for tangible and intangible assets	-93	-278
Proceeds from disposals of tangible and intangible assets	–	5
Net operating investments	-93	-273
Amounts paid for acquisitions and long-term investments	–	-10
Net proceeds from disposals of financial investments	1	-1
Net long-term financial investments	1	-11
Net cash from (used in) investing activities	-92	-284
Common stock issued	1	–
Purchase and sale of treasury stock	–	-1
Dividends paid*	–	-12
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests	–	-2
Lease payments	-122	-159
New borrowings	–	470
Repayment of borrowings	–	-10
Interests paid	-80	-53
Other flows related to financing activities	-6	-77
Net cash from (used in) financing activities	-207	155
Increase (decrease) in net cash and cash equivalents	-271	-1,540
Opening net cash and cash equivalents	1,739	2,295
Increase (decrease) in net cash and cash equivalents	-271	-1,540
Impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents	-104	4
Closing net cash and cash equivalents	1,364	759

H1 2025 Balance Sheet

(in € million)	June 30, 2025	December 31, 2024
ASSETS
Goodwill	574	653
Intangible assets	306	349
Tangible assets	524	580
Right-of-use assets	466	550
Equity-accounted investments	12	12
Non-current financial assets	98	131
Deferred tax assets	213	184
Total non-current assets	2,193	2,458
Trade accounts and notes receivable	2,190	2,435
Current taxes	90	102
Other current assets	1,340	1,510
Current financial instruments	0	2
Cash and cash equivalents	1,364	1,739
Total current assets	4,984	5,788
TOTAL ASSETS	7,176	8,246

(in € million)	June 30, 2025	December 31, 2024
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock	19	18
Additional paid-in capital	1,887	1,887
Consolidated retained earnings	-1,302	-1,354
Net income (loss) attributable to the owners of the parent	-696	248
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent	-91	799
Non-controlling interests	1	–
Total shareholders’ equity	-91	799
Provisions for pensions and similar benefits	664	782
Non-current provisions	465	345
Borrowings	2,174	2,089
Deferred tax liabilities	138	69
Non-current lease liabilities	438	498
Other non-current liabilities	4	3
Total non-current liabilities	3,884	3,787
Trade accounts and notes payable	971	1,018
Current taxes	66	75
Current provisions	386	315
Current portion of borrowings	11	17
Current lease liabilities	190	207
Other current liabilities	1,759	2,028
Total current liabilities	3,383	3,660
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	7,176	8,246

Glossary

Operational capital employed: Operational capital employed comprises net fixed assets and net working capital but excludes goodwill and net assets held for sale.

Current and non-current assets or liabilities: A current and non-current distinction is made between assets and liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial position. Atos has classified as current assets and liabilities those assets and liabilities that Atos expects to realize, use or settle during its normal cycle of operations, which can extend beyond 12 months following the period end. Current assets and liabilities, excluding the current portion of borrowings, lease liabilities and provisions, and current financial instruments represent the Group working capital requirement.

DSO: (Days of Sales Outstanding). DSO is the amount of trade accounts receivable (including contract assets) expressed in days of revenue (on a last-in, first-out basis). The number of days is calculated in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

Organic growth: Organic growth represents the percent growth of a unit based on a constant scope and exchange rates basis.

CAGR: The Compound Annual Growth Rate reflects the mean annual growth rate over a specified period of time longer than one year. It is calculating by dividing the value at the end of the period in question by its value at the beginning of that period, raise the result to the power of one divided by the period length, and subtract one from the subsequent result. As an example:

2019-2021 revenue CAGR = (Revenue 2021 / Revenue 2018) (1/3) -1

Operating margin: Operating margin equals to External Revenues less personnel and operating expense. It is calculated before Other Operating Income and Expense as defined below.

Other operating income and expense:

Other operating income and expense include:

the amortization and impairment of intangible assets recognized as part of business combinations such as customer relationships, technologies and goodwill
when accounting for business combinations, the Group may record provisions in the opening statement of financial position for a period of 12 months beyond the business combination date. After the 12-month period, unused provisions arising from changes in circumstances are released through the income statement under “Other operating income and expense”
the cost of acquiring and integrating newly controlled entities, including earn out with or without presence conditions
the net gains or losses on disposals of consolidated companies or businesses
the fair value of shares granted to employees including social contributions
the restructuring and rationalization expense relating to business combinations or qualified as unusual, infrequent and abnormal. When a restructuring plan qualifies for Other operating income and expense, the related real estate rationalization & associated costs regarding premises are presented on the same line
the curtailment effects on restructuring costs and the effects of plan amendments on defined benefit plans resulting from triggering events that are not under control of Atos management
the net gain or loss on tangible and intangible assets that are not part of Atos core-business such as real estate
other unusual, abnormal and infrequent income or expense such as major disputes or litigation.

Gross margin and indirect costs: Gross margin is composed of revenue less the direct costs of goods sold. Direct costs relate to the generation of products and/or services delivered to customers, while indirect costs include all costs related to indirect staff (defined hereafter), which are not directly linked to the realization of the revenue. The operating margin comprises gross margin less indirect costs.

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization): for Atos, EBITDA is based on Operating Margin less non-cash items and is referred to as OMDA (Operating Margin before Depreciation and Amortization).

OMDA (Operating Margin before Depreciation and Amortization) is calculated as follows:

Operating margin:

less – Depreciation of fixed assets (as disclosed in the “financial report”)
less – Depreciation of right of use (as disclosed in the “financial report”)
less – Net charge (release) of provisions (composed of net charge of provisions for current assets and net charge of provisions for contingencies and losses, both disclosed in the “financial report”)
less – Net charge (release) of provisions for pensions (as disclosed in the “financial report”).

OMDAL: OMDA – lease repayments.

Gearing: The proportion, expressed as a percentage of net debt to total shareholders’ equity (Group share and minority interests).

Interest cover ratio: Operating margin divided by the net cost of financial debt, expressed as a multiple.

Leverage ratio: Net debt (before changes in working capital actions and IFRS 9 fair value adjustment) / OMDAL rolling 12-months.

Operating income (loss): Operating income (loss) comprises net income (loss) before deferred and current income taxes, net financial income (expense), and share of net profit (loss) of equity-accounted investments.

Cash flow from operations: Cash flow coming from the operations and calculated as a difference between OMDA, net capital expenditures, lease payment and change in working capital requirement.

Net cash or net debt: Net cash or net debt comprises total borrowings (bonds, short term and long-term loans, securitization and other borrowings), short-term financial assets and liabilities bearing interest with maturity of less than 12 months, less cash and cash equivalents. Liabilities associated with lease contracts and derivatives are excluded from the net debt.

Free Cash Flow (FCF): The Free Cash Flow represents the change in net cash or net debt, excluding capital increase, share buyback, dividends paid to shareholders and non-controlling interests, net acquisition or disposal of companies.

Earnings (loss) per share (EPS): Basic EPS is the net income (loss) divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is the net income (loss) divided by the diluted weighted-average number of common shares for the period (number of shares outstanding + dilutive instruments with dilutive effect).

Revenue: Revenue related to Atos’ sales to third parties (excluding VAT).

TCV (Total Contract Value): The Total Value of a Contract at signature (prevision or estimation) over its duration represents the firm order and contractual part of the contract excluding any clause on the decision of the client, as anticipated withdrawal clause, additional option or renewal.

Order entry/bookings: The TCV, orders or amendments signed during a defined period. When an offer is won (contract signed), the total contract value is added to the backlog and the order entry is recognized.

Book-to-bill: The Book-to-Bill is the ratio expressed in percentage of the order entry in a period divided by revenue of the same period.

Backlog/Order cover: The value of signed contracts, orders and amendments that remain to be recognized over their contract lives.

Pipeline: The value of revenues that may be earned from outstanding commercial proposals issued to clients. Qualified pipeline applies an estimated percentage likelihood of proposal success.

Direct Staff: Direct staff includes permanent staff and subcontractors, whose work is billable to a third party.

Indirect staff: Indirect staff includes permanent staff or subcontractors, who are not billable to clients. Indirect staff is not directly involved in the generation of products and/or services delivered to clients.

Disclaimer

This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including references, concerning the Group’s expected growth and profitability in the future which may significantly impact the expected performance indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are linked to factors out of the control of the Company and not precisely estimated, such as market conditions or competitors’ behaviors. Any forward-looking statements made in this document are statements about Atos’s beliefs and expectations and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include statements that may relate to Atos’s plans, objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or synergies, or performance, and other information that is not historical information. Actual events or results may differ from those described in this document due to a number of risks and uncertainties that are described within the 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on April 10, 2025 under the registration number D.25-0238. Atos does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation or responsibility to update or amend any of the information above except as otherwise required by law.

This document does not contain or constitute an offer of Atos’s shares for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in Atos’s shares in France, the United States of America or any other jurisdiction. This document includes information on specific transactions that shall be considered as projects only. In particular, any decision relating to the information or projects mentioned in this document and their terms and conditions will only be made after the ongoing in-depth analysis considering tax, legal, operational, finance, HR and all other relevant aspects have been completed and will be subject to general market conditions and other customary conditions, including governance bodies and shareholders’ approval as well as appropriate processes with the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws.

About Atos Group

Atos Group is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 70,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion, operating in 67 countries under two brands — Atos for services and Eviden for products. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, Atos Group is committed to a secure and decarbonized future and provides tailored AI-powered, end-to-end solutions for all industries. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

Contact

Investor relations: investors@atos.net

Individual shareholders: +33 8 05 65 00 75

Media relations: globalprteam@atos.net

1 Excluding change in Working Capital Actions

2 Excluding change in Working Capital Actions

3 At Dec 31, 2024 currency

4 At constant currency

5 Defined as Operating Margin before Depreciations, Amortization and Leases

Attachment

Atos Group – 2025 08 01 – H1 2025 Results – PR

The MIL Network –

August 5, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Over the past 24 hours, about 120 aftershocks have been recorded in Kamchatka

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Vladivostok, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — Over the past 24 hours, Kamchatka has recorded about 120 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 3.5 to 6.7 after a powerful earthquake that occurred on July 30, TASS reported on Friday, citing the Main Directorate of the Russian Emergencies Ministry for Kamchatka Krai.

According to the report, some of the aftershocks of up to 5 points were felt in populated areas of the region. Two temporary accommodation points have been set up to receive citizens in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and in the Yelizovsky district. On the morning of August 1, there were 190 people in them. Psychologists from the Russian Emergencies Ministry are working with people.

According to seismologists, seismic activity in the region is decreasing, although it still remains high. The aftershock process after the earthquake of July 30, according to forecasts, will last for several months.

On the morning of July 30, a powerful earthquake occurred off the coast of Kamchatka, the strongest since 1952. Its magnitude, according to the Kamchatka branch of the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reached 8.7. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Lightning: One worker killed, nine injured, five missing in seismic event at Andesita mining site in Chile – media

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Xinhua | 01. 08. 2025

Keywords: Chile

Source: Xinhua

Lightning: One worker killed, nine injured, five missing in seismic event at Andesita mining site in Chile – media Lightning: One worker killed, nine injured, five missing in seismic event at Andesita mining site in Chile – media

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Academy of Engineering Releases List of Promising New AI Technologies

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) on Thursday released a list of promising information engineering technologies and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that are expected to be key to AI development in the next five to 10 years.

The list includes about 300 technologies.

In terms of information engineering technology innovations, the list includes 163 technologies in areas such as 6G communications, multimodal large-scale artificial intelligence models, and general-purpose AI super agents.

The list includes 122 emerging technologies designed to help transform traditional industries and drive cross-disciplinary integration. These technologies span fields such as computational neuroscience, smart wearables, and AI-powered drug discovery.

In addition, the list includes 12 promising AI technologies that are closely related to the daily life of the population, including technologies for creating large-scale artificial intelligence models, intelligent unmanned systems, and embodied AI.

According to IAC academician Yu Shaohua, the purpose of publishing the above list is to deepen the public’s understanding of the future impact of AI on social life, as well as to promote strategic planning for the development of artificial intelligence. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump demanded that 17 pharmaceutical companies reduce drug prices within 60 days

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday sent letters to the heads of 17 pharmaceutical companies, demanding that they lower drug prices within 60 days, threatening to take action if they refuse.

On his Truth Social page, D. Trump published letters sent to 17 pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Merck. They demand that they take steps to reduce drug prices in the US.

The letters were sent after Trump signed an executive order in May to restore the “most favored nation” policy, which is designed to lower drug prices by tying the cost of some medications in the U.S. to much lower prices in other developed countries.

“Most of the proposals my administration has received to ‘solve’ this critical problem have promised the same thing: shifting blame and demanding policy changes that will result in billions of dollars in handouts to industry,” Trump said in the letters.

“Going forward, the only thing I will accept from drug manufacturers is a commitment to protect American families from exorbitant drug prices and to stop European and other developed countries from freely using American innovations,” he said.

D. Trump also warned that if the pharmaceutical companies that received the letters refuse to meet, “we will use every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abuses in drug pricing.” The president did not specify what measures would be taken.

Currently, brand-name drugs in the United States cost, on average, three times more than identical drugs in other countries, the letters say.

Shares of major pharmaceutical companies fell after the letter news broke. On Thursday, shares of Eli Lilly and Pfizer fell more than 2 percent, while shares of Merck fell more than 4 percent. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump signs executive order to change tariff rates with dozens of trading partners

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

NEW YORK, July 31 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order further changing tariff rates with nearly 70 trading partners.

The decree introduces “additional ad valorem duties on goods from certain trading partners.”

According to an appendix to the White House press release, most of the new tariff rates range from 10 percent to 40 percent.

The new tariffs will come into force seven days after the date of the decree, except in cases related to logistics.

As D. Trump noted in the document, some US trading partners, despite participating in the negotiations, proposed conditions that do not sufficiently eliminate the “imbalance” in trade relations or do not meet US demands on “economic and national security issues.”

“Some trading partners have failed to engage with the United States or to take adequate steps to sufficiently align their actions with the United States on economic and national security issues,” the president said.

The order requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security, along with other senior officials, to publish every six months a list of countries and specific facilities used in tariff evasion schemes to inform government procurement, national security reviews, and commercial due diligence.

In addition, key U.S. government agencies are directed and authorized to take “all necessary actions” to implement this order consistent with applicable law. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Knife robberies fall under dedicated new taskforce
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Knife robberies fall under dedicated new taskforce

Communities hit hardest by knife crime see a drop in offences and more weapons removed from the streets.
The number of robberies involving a knife – or the threat of one – have dropped after months of targeted police action in seven highest risk areas, according to new data published by government today.

After seeing a stark rise in knife-enabled robbery in the year to June 2024, driven by a 14% increase across seven police forces, the Home Secretary set up a dedicated police taskforce last October and after just nine months of activity, there has been a 6% overall reduction compared with the previous year across those highest risk areas – with places like the West Midlands seeing a substantial annual drop of 25%.

The reduction has been driven by intense police efforts and a range of tactics, including upping visible patrols, using drones, knife arches and detection dogs to support police on the ground, and deploying plain clothes officers.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper:

Since day one we have acted with urgency to turn the tide on knife crime, which destroys lives and devastates communities.

When we came to office, knife-enabled robbery was increasing at a concerning rate, but we have now started to drive numbers of those offences down through the work of our dedicated taskforces, and as a result, we have also seen the first small reduction in overall knife crime for four years.

The drop in knife enabled robbery in key problem areas shows the impact that our strong new action on knife crime is having, but we now need to supercharge these efforts through more smart and targeted interventions. Anyone can be a victim of knife crime, but new ‘hex mapping’ technology shows that the vast majority of knife crime is concentrated in a relatively small, hyper-concentrated number of areas.

As part of the Plan for Change, we will use that new technology to support our mission to halve knife crime over the next decade. In the 2020s, the way to be ‘tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime’ is also to be smart on crime, using the latest technology to target criminals and problem areas, and keep the country safe.

The announcement comes as a ban on ninja swords come into force today – the first part of the government’s manifesto commitment to introduce Ronan’s Law, and latest step under the pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade.

Ahead of the ban, at least a thousand deadly weapons have been handed in following the country’s largest weapons surrender scheme.

Launched in June, the Home Office developed this scheme with members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime to provide a broader range of ways the public could surrender weapons outside of police stations. This saw Faron Paul, CEO of FazAmnesty, driving a custom built and fully secure surrender van, across London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, and Words4Weapons supplying 37 new surrender bins, all funded by the Home Office. The surrender van will also be deployed at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival.

Pooja Kanda, knife crime campaigner and mother to Ronan said:

Ronan was just 16 years old when his life was stolen by a 22-inch ninja sword that should never have been so easy to buy. Ronan’s Law is not only a step towards justice for my son, but for every parent who wants to see their child come home safely.

This law is about saving lives, closing dangerous loopholes, and holding those responsible to account.

The government’s knife surrender scheme has been a sign of commitment to tackling the scourge of knife crime. While there is still much more to do, these are significant steps in the right direction.

Sandra Campbell, CEO of Word 4 Weapons said:

For over 16 years, Word 4 Weapons has played a leading role in the UK’s national weapon surrender schemes, enabling thousands of knives and dangerous items to be taken off the streets through our network of secure and accessible surrender bins.

These initiatives are designed to help save lives, raise awareness, and give communities a practical way to reduce harm.

We therefore welcome the government’s decision to ban dangerous weapons like ninja swords, a move that reinforces the importance of community-led approaches to tackling knife and weapon-related violence. We remain committed to supporting this work and expanding our efforts to build safer public spaces for all.

Ronan’s Law will also see the government bring in the toughest measures to date to tackle the sale of weapons online – requiring retailers to report bulk or suspicious knife orders to the police; put in place more stringent age verification checks and impose significant fines on tech executives whose platforms fail to prevent illegal sales.

As part of the government’s mission to halve knife crime over the next decade the Home Office is also delivering a pilot using sophisticated new mapping technologies to target hyper-concentrated knife crime hotspots, backed by up to £5 million this year.

This funding will be targeted towards 50 of the top 100 hyper-local knife crime hotspots to trial targeted intervention tactics and prevent further offending. This could include using more facial recognition and advanced knife detection technology, or the use of police drones to support the increased presence of police officers in our communities – part of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

These activities are taking place against the backdrop of the summer long Safer Streets Initiative launched by the Home Secretary to tackle town centre crime, which is delivering a smarter, more visible police and community operation across the country.

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Published 1 August 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds breaks glass ceiling with first year success of household collections

Source: City of Leeds

Yorkshire Day marks one year on from service starting

[embedded content]

Yorkshire Day this year is a double cause for celebration in Leeds due to the successful impact of the first year of household glass collections in the city.

The new service delivered by Leeds City Council, which began a year ago today, has seen nearly 12,000 tonnes of glass recycled by residents across the city through their green bins. That equates to over two million wine bottles per month and has helped save 464 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2e), the equivalent of taking more than 170 cars off the road. It has also helped increase glass recycling levels in Leeds from 48 per cent to 75 per cent in the first 12 months.

Empty glass bottles and jars are 100 per cent recyclable, with the process able to be repeated endlessly with no loss in quality, delivering significant benefits to the environment.

The council works with contractor HW Martin to sort the glass at its Leeds plant, with over 85 per cent of it being remelted at facilities in Yorkshire to produce new bottles and jars ready for reuse within a month.

The collection service is for any colour of glass bottle or jars, including those for wine, spirits, beer, pop, jam, sauces, coffee jars and spreads. Caps, lids and labels can be left on ready for collection. As part of the Leeds approach to make recycling as simple and easy as possible from home, all glass bottle and jars can go in the green bin; along with paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, foil and metal cans.

The council is keen to build on the success of the first 12 months by encouraging even more glass to be recycled in green bins. Currently 25 per cent of glass bottles and jars are still needlessly being put in black bins and the council is asking residents to encourage everyone to use their green bins to recycle more.

Another option aside from the green bin is to make use of the extensive network of more than 700 glass recycling banks around the city. Each of these banks is able to hold up to 3,000 bottles and jars. This option is particularly helpful after a party or large gathering to dispose of empty glass, or for those who still prefer to make regular trips to their nearest bottle bank.

While glass bottles and jars can be easily remelted and recycled, a few specialised types -such as oven-proof or Pyrex dishes, lightbulbs, and drinking glasses – require different handling due to their unique melting points. These items can still be given a second life by donating them to a local charity shop or responsibly disposing of them at a household waste recycling centre in Leeds.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, Councillor Mohammed Rafique said:

“The first year of household glass collections has been a big success so we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone in Leeds for their efforts, and on Yorkshire Day we would call on people to continue to be glass acts and recycle even more if they can, as it does make a big and real difference.

“Let’s all work together to make the second year of glass collections even more successful than the first, to help the environment and the Yorkshire economy so that everyone wins.”

Victoria Adams, Marketing and Communications manager, British Glass, said:

“British Glass are pleased to see the success of the approach by Leeds and, importantly, how much glass is now being sorted and then remelted into new bottles and jars within the local area.

“We supported Leeds with the launch a year ago on Yorkshire Day and join with the council in thanking residents for their efforts in this first year and we look forward to even more glass being recycled in the year ahead.”

Declan Nortcliffe, Operations Director, HW Martin Waste said:

“It’s fantastic that Leeds is extracting over 75 per cent of the city’s glass, within a year of taking jars and bottles in the green bin. We prioritise sending this material to local outlets across Yorkshire for remelting, keeping our carbon footprint low and ensuring new products are back on shelves quickly.”

Notes to editors:

Leeds waste collections services currently empty on average 88,000 bins per day – over half a million a week. Annually, this adds up to almost 33,500 tonnes collected from green bins and over 172,000 tonnes from black bins. Thanks to increases in green bin collections to 10,000 homes in 2024 and a further 40,000 in 2025, all households in Leeds now receive a green bin recycling collection at least fortnightly, with 20,000 households in the most densely housed areas now getting a weekly recycling collection. Less than 0.2% of Leeds kerbside collection waste goes to landfill.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On changes in risk parameters in the stock market and deposit market

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From August 1, 2025, by decision of the NCO NCC (JSC), the lower maximum value of the deviation of bid prices PcL_max on the stock market and deposit market will change:

No. Trade code Name The current value of the PcL_max parameter New value of the PcL_max parameter

1 Sago Samara-ao 0.22 0.1

2 Sagop SamaraN-up 0.22 0.1

Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On the cancellation of the Exchange’s decision

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In accordance with the Listing Rules of Moscow Exchange PJSC, the Chairman of the Management Board made the following decision on July 31, 2025:

cancel the decision of 31.07.2025 (HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.Kom/nya2456? NT = 104) “On Amending the Decision on Determining the Start Date of Trading”, in Connection with the Completion of the Placement (HTTPS: //vv.) exchange-traded interest-bearing non-convertible book-entry bonds of series BO-01 of Limited Liability Company “AgroDom” (registration number of the issue 4B02-01-00171-L dated 20.08.2024, trade code RU000A109AU3).

Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China Southern Airlines and Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Sign Codeshare Agreement

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — China Southern Airlines and Kazakhstan’s Air Astana have signed a codeshare agreement, the China Daily reported on Thursday.

The codeshare agreement between the Chinese and Kazakh airlines was reportedly signed on July 29. The parties agreed to jointly operate flights on major routes, significantly expanding the options for passengers traveling between the two countries.

The agreement covers a wide range of destinations. In particular, we are talking about China Southern Airlines flights from Beijing /Daxing Airport/, Guangzhou, Urumqi and Xi’an to Almaty, as well as from Guangzhou and Urumqi to Astana. In turn, Air Astana will operate flights from Almaty to Beijing /Shoudu Airport/, Urumqi and Guangzhou, as well as from Astana to Beijing /Shoudu Airport/.

As Han Wensheng, CEO of China Southern Airlines, emphasized, the airline attaches great importance to the Kazakhstan market. Through cooperation with Air Astana, China Southern Airlines will further increase the frequency of flights between China and Kazakhstan.

Air Astana CEO Peter Foster, in turn, noted that China remains a strategically important destination for Air Astana. According to him, the new partnership will allow them to strengthen their development in the Chinese market, and will also open a new chapter in cooperation between the airlines of the two countries.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

August 5, 2025

No.	Trade code	Name	The current value of the PcL_max parameter	New value of the PcL_max parameter
1	Sago	Samara-ao	0.22	0.1
2	Sagop	SamaraN-up	0.22	0.1

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The story of Nicomedia

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How states are recognised

Better options are available

Knife robberies fall under dedicated new taskforce

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