Question for written answer E-002559/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Mimmo Lucano (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Dario Tamburrano (The Left)
Article 2 of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP lays down binding criteria for the granting of arms export licences by Member States, including:
— Criterion Two: regarding the recipient country’s compliance with international humanitarian law, which requires licences to be denied if there is a clear risk that the technology might be used in breach of the law of conduct during war (jus in bello);
— Criterion Six: regarding the behaviour of the recipient country, including compliance with international commitments.
In view of the serious violations of international humanitarian law by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, documented by the UN, independent NGOs and academic institutions, and given the dual-use or military nature of the technologies involved, can the Commission please answer the following:
1.With regard to Criteria Two and Six in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, does it consider the export of arms and military technology by Member States to Israel to be compatible with their obligations under the Common Foreign and Security Policy?
2.In the context of military agreements or transfers of technology from third countries, are Member States required to apply the Council Common Position’s criteria mutatis mutandis, in line with Articles 21 and 24 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 205 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union?
3.Does the Commission plan to recommend the reassessment of licences and military cooperation programmes with Israel under Article 5 of the Council Common Position?
Question for written answer E-002421/2025/rev.1 to the Council Rule 144 Elena Kountoura (The Left)
Gender equality has been enshrined in the European Treaties since 1957.[1] However, at the current rate of progress, it is estimated that it will take more than 60 years to achieve complete equality between men and women in the EU. Today, the EU has manifold challenges to face in the area of women’s rights and gender equality: eradicating all forms of gender-based violence, closing the gender pay gap between women and men, improving women’s access to the labour market, reinforcing women’s representation in politics and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights.
While the European Parliament has the FEMM Committee at institutional level, so far there is no specific configuration dealing with gender equality in the Council. According to the Council’s Rules of Procedure, the European Council is the body responsible for setting up its configurations.[2]
In view of the above:
1.Does the Council recognise the need to establish a dedicated configuration on gender equality, bringing together equality ministers and deputy ministers, with a view to adopting common policies and legislation on the challenges in the area of women’s rights and gender equality?
2.Is the Council committed to inviting the European Council to set up such a configuration, so that equality matters are discussed at the highest political level in the EU?
Submitted: 16.6.2025
[1] Article 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) sets out that men and women should receive equal pay for equal work and authorises the taking of positive measures to empower women. Article 153 of the same Treaty allows for Union action in the wider domain of equal opportunities and equal treatment in the workplace and employment. Furthermore, Article 19 of the TFEU establishes the possibility of adopting legislation to combat all forms of discrimination, including on the basis of sex.
[2] The establishment of new Council configurations is mainly based on Article 16(6) TEU, which establishes that the Council is to meet in different configurations, the list of which is to be adopted in accordance with Article 236 TFEU. The European Council, acting by qualified majority, has the power to determine or amend the list of Council configurations.
Question for written answer E-002511/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE)
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is investigating Juan Carlos Barrabés (businessman and co-director of a master’s programme at Complutense University), Begoña Gómez (wife of the Spanish President and other co-director of the master’s programme) and a manager at Red.es as part of its investigation into the alleged misuse of funds, influence peddling and misconduct in several EU-funded public contracts.
The investigation found evidence that procurement processes had been manipulated, with subjective overvaluations made on the basis of recommendations from individuals such as Pedro Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez. In particular, the company backed by Begoña Gómez was awarded three contracts amounting to EUR 10.2 million, under the European Social Fund and NextGenerationEU.
Considering the above:
1.Is the Commission aware of the cases that EPPO is currently investigating in relation to Begoña Gómez?
2.Has the Commission alerted OLAF of this issue and requested information from the Spanish authorities to ensure that the EU’s financial interests are safeguarded?
3.Will the Commission launch regulatory procedures to recuperate these public funds if it were to be proven that they were awarded irregularly?
Members of the FISC Subcommittee will travel to Dublin, Ireland on 22 July for a day of exchanges on tax policies, the fight against tax avoidance and tax simplification.
The delegation led by FISC Chair Mr Pasquale Tridico will meet with business representatives, including representatives of the Google group, the Meta group and Apple group. They will then have a discussion with Members of the Finance Committee and the Committee for Budgetary Oversight of the Oireachtas. The afternoon will be dedicated to exchanges with tax authorities, NGOs and academics.
The objectives of the FISC delegation trip to Dublin are to better understand Irish tax policies and to have direct engagements with key policy-makers, tax authorities and stakeholders on critical issues, such as aggressive tax schemes, tax avoidance or tax simplification.
Question for written answer E-002569/2025 to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Rule 144 Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE)
Although negotiations on an EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are ongoing, civil society groups have regularly pointed out significant democratic backsliding in the country during this period. The situation in West Papua has consistently been the most problematic.
The 2019 Sustainability Impact Assessment highlighted the increased risk of human rights violations resulting from increased trade without an improvement in enforcement mechanisms protecting indigenous peoples.
Since 2019, the Human Rights Dialogue has been infrequent, with a gap between 2021 and 2024, while civilian casualties have increased considerably and there are up to 100 000 internally displaced persons in West Papua. Furthermore, the statement of the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the Human Rights Dialogue in 2024 failed to address the situation in West Papua.
Given the EU’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in EU trade policy, can the Commission:
1.clarify how it and the EEAS are addressing the serious human rights violations in West Papua, including through the Human Rights Dialogue or other instruments?
2.clarify what protections for indigenous people will be incorporated in the CEPA negotiations?
3.confirm whether the human rights of West Papuans, including the humanitarian crisis arising from the displacement of civilians as a result of the armed conflict, are being addressed during the trade negotiations?
Question for written answer E-002516/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Harald Vilimsky (PfE), Georg Mayer (PfE)
The large-scale blackout on 28 April 2025 in Spain and Portugal was an alarming demonstration of how fragile and compromised Europe’s energy supply has become. The explosive volatility of electricity prices and the consequences for consumers and industry are becoming increasingly worrying.
1.Is the Commission planning to get national energy suppliers and operators more involved in the protection of critical infrastructure, or even a return to more state control in order to prevent supply disruptions in future?
2.How will it ensure that renewable energy development does not continue to cause instability in prices and grids?
3.In the light of recent events and the energy crisis, is it ready to subject the targets of the Green Deal and ‘Fit for 55’ package to a substantive review in order to minimise the risks to the EU’s energy supply and competitiveness, rather than sticking to ideological requirements?
Question for written answer E-002509/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (PPE)
Türkiye has attempted to instrumentalise the meeting of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, with decisions promoting Turkish positions in favour of a two-state solution in Cyprus but also of an alleged ‘Turkish minority’ in Thrace and a ‘Turkish’ community in the Dodecanese, which is at odds with the resolutions of the Security Council and the Lausanne Treaty, which defines the minority as religious.
Paragraph 24 of the Declaration of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ states that they: ‘Support the aspirations of the Muslim Turkish Cypriots to secure their inherent rights […] and the importance of developing contacts […] in order to overcome the unjust isolation imposed upon them’, while paragraph 25 thereof, which deals with the Muslim minority of Thrace and the Muslims of the Dodecanese, states that they: ‘Reiterate [their] support for the Turkish Muslim minority of Thrace and the Turkish Muslim population of the Dodecanese in Greece’.
A number of states, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have expressed their reservations with regard to the above, stressing that the resolution conveys a completely misleading and critical image of Greece.
What action does the Commission intend to take in response to the blatant violation by Türkiye – an EU candidate country – of international law, in particular of the Treaty of Lausanne and the Security Council resolutions on a solution to the Cyprus problem?
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the two Presidents discussed the latest developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. President El-Sisi emphasized the crucial importance of reaching diplomatic and political solutions, stressing the imperative to prioritize dialogue as a means of resolving the current crisis. The President reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for all efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement at the earliest time possible.
The call also focused on developments in the Middle East and ways to restore regional stability. The two sides underscored the necessity of upholding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, affirming the urgent need to resume negotiations as a pathway to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. President El-Sisi also reviewed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure the delivery of desperately-needed humanitarian aid and assistance.
President El-Sisi and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy also tackled ways to strengthen bilateral relations and explored prospects for cooperation across various fields, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment sectors, in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and their peoples.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
As part of her ongoing participation in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, within the Egyptian delegation headed by H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, on behalf of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in a number of events concerning expanding fiscal space for developing countries, national frameworks and platforms, aligning capital flows with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a new vision for debt.
Expanding Fiscal Space for Developing Countries and a New Vision for Debt
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat participated in a panel titled “Expanding Fiscal Space: A New Vision for Debt and Development Finance,” with the participation of Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Chair of the UN Expert Group on Debt and the UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; Ms. Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA); and Ms. Zuzana Brixiova, Director of Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation emphasized that the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development represents a pivotal moment for fulfilling the international community’s commitments for achieving SDGs, particularly after the successive crises the world is facing, which undermine the ability of developing and emerging countries to meet the requirements of the development path.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted the importance of implementing the recommendations of the UN expert group’s report on solving the debt problem in Global South countries.
These included 11 key recommendations, among them: redirecting and renewing resources of existing funds in multilateral development banks and the International Monetary Fund to enhance liquidity, adopting policies to extend maturities and finance loan repurchases, reducing debt service during crises, reforming the G20 Common Framework to include all middle-income countries, and reforming the Debt Sustainability Analyses (DSA) of the IMF and World Bank to better reflect the situation of low and middle-income countries, among other recommendations.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat expressed her aspiration that the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development will contribute to taking concrete steps towards restructuring the global financial system, which has become inadequate for the magnitude of challenges and changes facing developing and emerging countries. She noted that rising debts and decreasing investments undermine the ability of developing and emerging countries to catch up. She also stressed the need to overcome global challenges and return to the multilateral development cooperation system.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated Egypt’s efforts to promote financing for development through innovative mechanisms such as debt swap programs with Germany and Italy, and the signing of a new agreement with China. She pointed to the credibility and trust between Egypt and international financing institutions, which facilitated the mobilization of more than $15.6 billion in development financing for the private sector since 2020.
Reforming the Global Financial Architecture: Aligning Capital Flows with Development and Climate Goals
In a related context, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat participated in a high-level session titled “Reforming the International Financial Architecture: Aligning Capital Flows with Development and Climate Goals,” organized by the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and the Belt and Road Green Development Council (BRIGC).
Participants included Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN); Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA); Professor Kevin Urama, Chief Economist of the African Development Bank; and Ms. Carla Louveira, Minister of Finance of Mozambique, among others.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reaffirmed that achieving inclusive and sustainable development in the African continent cannot be based solely on borrowing or on mobilizing domestic resources. Instead, it is essential to integrate both approaches to ensure sufficient and sustainable financing for development projects.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also emphasized that Egypt is working to achieve a delicate balance between domestic and international financing, guided by a clear vision that mobilizing domestic resources supports sustainability, while international partnerships provide momentum for implementing major strategic projects.
Regarding the global financial structure,H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that the current international financial system has led to a deepening of the disparity in capital flows between developing, emerging, and developed countries, and limits financing opportunities in southern countries. She asserted that developing countries, especially African nations, still bear unfair financial burdens due to the high cost of financing compared to developed countries, and this disparity weakens our ability to achieve the SDGs within set timelines.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat mentioned that capital flows are moving in the opposite direction, away from the countries with the greatest needs, despite the high-return investment opportunities these countries offer. She underscored that instead of capital flowing towards high-yield development opportunities, we observe outflows due to increased risks associated with global fluctuations, which limits the ability of countries to attract long-term financing. She concluded that serious reforms are urgently needed in the international financial system.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Georgia Republicans Join Warnock in Bipartisan Fight to Save Jobs from Senate GOP Tax Bill
Today, Republican members of the Georgia State Legislature urged Senate Finance Committee leadership to preserve solar deployment and manufacturing credits, per Axios
Senator Reverend Warnock has been a fierce advocate for protecting manufacturing jobs in Georgia, which are at risk as the Senate GOP looks to fund a billionaire tax cut
Senator Warnockreleased a report that found that repealing clean energy tax credits could cost Georgia up to 42,000 jobs
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) was joined by 16 Georgia Republican state lawmakers in calling for the preservation of the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (AMPTC) and solar deployment tax credits, which will help create thousands of Georgia jobs. The GOP letter states that protecting these tax credits, which were championed by Senator Warnock, will “secure America’s energy supply and promote Georgia’s manufacturing jobs and investments.”
“I’m glad Georgia Republicans are joining my commonsense effort to protect Georgia jobs and pro-business tax credits from the GOP tax bill,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“Cynical Washington politicians are trying to kill Georgia jobs, which overwhelmingly benefit rural and Republican districts, in order to fund a tax cut for billionaires. If Washington were serious about bringing American manufacturing back to the United States, they would listen to these GOP lawmakers.”
The GOP letter follows the release of the Senator’s comprehensive report that found Georgia risks losing up to 42,000 good-paying jobs if Washington Republicans repeal the clean energy tax credits. Since the tax credit’s passage as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy jobs and investments exploded across the country, but nowhere was that growth more potent than in Georgia. In less than three years, 51 new projects in Georgia worth over $28 billion have been announced or boosted by the clean energy tax credits. According to the Senator’s report, in Georgia, nearly all the new investments and new jobs are in counties outside of the Atlanta region. Over 70 percent of the new investments and 83 percent of new jobs are in counties with median family incomes below the national median. More than 95 percent of the new jobs and investments are in counties where the percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is below the national average.
Last month, Senator Warnock returned to his hometown to continue his public pressure campaign urging Congressional Republicans to protect clean energy tax credits fueling an expected 42,000 Georgia clean energy jobs. He also authored an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia’s paper of record, making the case for protecting these good-paying jobs.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
St. Petersburg, July 2 (Xinhua) — Russia has entered a period of cyclical cooling of the economy, which is inevitable, Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Central Bank of Russia, said at the Financial Congress in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
According to E. Nabiullina, earlier economic downturns in Russia were associated with external shocks, and for the first time the country is fully going through a period of cyclic overheating with cyclic cooling. In this situation, as she pointed out, the main task is to manage long-term growth, and therefore it is necessary to direct resources where they give the greatest return.
Sberbank CEO German Gref also noted that there are signs that the Russian economy has begun to slow down sharply. Among the reasons for this phenomenon, he named the high key rate in the country, the crisis in the raw materials markets, the fall in prices for key export goods and difficulties in the labor market. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, July 2 (Xinhua) — The first five Russian light multi-role aircraft “Baikal” will be delivered to the Aurora airline at the end of 2026, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov said in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation on Wednesday.
The aircraft was developed by Baikal-Engineering under a contract with the ministry. It is a nine-seat aircraft, which is being created for regional airlines to replace the An-2 aircraft. The first test flight of Baikal took place in January 2022.
The aircraft design uses a new Russian-made VK-800 engine. According to A. Alikhanov, its certification will take place this year. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BISHKEK, July 2 (Xinhua) — China offers an alternative path to global governance that is focused on justice and mutual benefit. The country plays an important role in maintaining international order and multilateral cooperation, Kyrgyz political scientist, professor of international relations at Ala-Too International University Kubanychbek Taabaldiev said in an interview with Xinhua.
Historically, China has thought in global terms, he said. With centuries of wisdom, China’s rulers have always put stability at home and in their neighbors first, and the current Chinese leadership continues to adhere to this philosophy.
“The growth of China’s image in the international arena is the result of the country’s strategic, multi-layered approach to all aspects of modernity, and especially to global positioning,” noted K. Taabaldiev, adding that this can be regarded as evidence of China’s increased influence in world affairs, in particular in the context of strengthening the country’s economic, technological and diplomatic power.
As the expert pointed out, China has become one of the world’s leading economic centers, a major trading partner for many countries and an important investor, especially within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. He drew attention to the fact that the implementation of this initiative and the results already being achieved have strengthened the positive perception of China in the Global South.
“In an increasingly complex world undergoing fundamental changes and major global political players trying to maintain their superiority, China, with its pragmatic foreign policy and measured response to crises, plays a significant and growing role in maintaining the international order and multilateral cooperation,” the Xinhua source emphasized.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. K. Taabaldiev noted that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, actively participates in peacekeeping missions, as well as in global agreements on sustainable development, climate conservation and security.
“China adheres to the position of recognizing the role of the UN in the world order and consistently supports its efforts in resolving international problems through its institutions,” the political scientist stated, pointing out that China opposes unilateral approaches in resolving international problems, the policy of double standards and the dominance of individual states in the international system, emphasizing the importance of true multilateralism.
“It is clear that China is demonstrating a desire to form a more just, inclusive and multipolar system of international relations,” the expert added.
Speaking about the three global initiatives put forward by China (the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative) and the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, K. Taabaldiev noted that they find understanding and support in the international community, including the countries of the Global South.
“China’s initiative to form a community with a shared future for mankind and the launch of three global initiatives demonstrate the country’s desire to make an active contribution to rethinking and reforming the global governance system. This means that China offers an alternative path to global governance that is focused on inclusiveness, fairness and mutual benefit,” said K. Taabaldiev.
In his view, China’s indicative effect in the global economy is that over the past decades it has demonstrated rapid economic growth, infrastructure modernization, and the fact that poverty reduction is possible when based on its own realities and priorities.
“The basis for such effective changes was the country’s development model, which is based on a combination of state strategic planning and market mechanisms. And this model attracts the attention of many countries around the world. China’s economic successes and the changes caused by this within the country have an impact on the Global South,” the expert said.
China’s policy, as K. Taabaldiev noted, is aimed at strengthening international cooperation, and this is already being implemented through the Belt and Road initiative, as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements. China provides a platform for the development of trade, investment and exchange of experience, creating opportunities for mutually beneficial growth.
Touching upon the Chinese model of people’s democracy, the political scientist emphasized that it represents a unique political approach, visibly different from Western models of governance. The main thing here is that the Chinese system involves the entire population of the country in governance through the implementation of the policy of the ruling political force in the interests of both the state and the people. Such a policy promotes broad participation of the people from the stage of discussing ideas to the stage of implementing decisions. And for the countries of the Global South, K. Taabaldiev is sure, this can be a source of inspiration in several aspects.
“Firstly, the path to development and stability can be built on its own cultural, historical and institutional foundations, rather than by copying Western models. Secondly, the Chinese governance system emphasizes practical efficiency, consensus, long-term planning and broad participation of the population in solving specific problems,” the expert said, adding that China has introduced a new concept of democracy with national specifics into world politics, which presupposes the formation of a society of cultural diversity. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GAZA, July 2 (Xinhua) — Palestinian Hamas movement said on Wednesday it is holding consultations to discuss mediators’ proposals for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
As noted in the statement, Hamas “acts with a high sense of responsibility” and is consulting on the mediators’ proposals to reach an agreement that will guarantee an end to Israeli aggression, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
“The mediators are making intensive efforts to bridge the gap between the parties, reach a framework agreement and begin a new round of serious negotiations,” the statement said.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced Israel’s agreement to the terms of a 60-day ceasefire and called on Hamas to accept the deal.
“I hope for the good of the Middle East, Hamas accepts this deal because it won’t get better, it will only get worse,” Trump warned on the Truth Social social network.
Hamas and Israel have held several rounds of indirect talks in recent months, but no final ceasefire agreement has been reached. In previous talks, Hamas demanded a complete end to the fighting, while Israel insisted on only a temporary truce.
Israel resumed full-scale military action in Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. At least 6,454 Palestinians have been killed and 22,551 wounded since then, according to figures released by Gaza’s health authority on Wednesday.
The total number of Palestinians killed since the start of the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2023 has risen to 57,012, with the total number of wounded reaching 134,592, the ministry added. –0–
Cassandra Keola of Avon grew up in Bristol, and always wanted to work for the State of Connecticut. Ten years in, she still loves working for the state’s only public academic medical center, UConn Health. She absolutely loves UConn, its sports, and her son attends UConn too.
“I am so proud of where I live and work. I bleed blue!” Keola says, who is the epitome of resilience, and she even helps teach and spread resiliency across UConn School of Medicine, UConn Health, and Connecticut every chance she gets.
As an Administrative Program Coordinator in the School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, Keola wears many hats.
She supports the Chair of the Department Dr. Francesco Celi and also the Department’s fleet of 300 doctors and 36 administrative members with clerical review support, but she is dedicated to the major undertaking of coordinating the intense 4th Year Critical Care Clerkship four-week rotations in the ICU setting for all UConn medical students.
Cassandra Keola with fourth-year medical students in the Clinical Simulation Lab beginning their 4th Year Critical Care Clerkship four-week rotations. She coordinates this training for all UConn medical students (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).
These medical student rotations occur not only at UConn John Dempsey Hospital, but also in the ICUs of Waterbury Hospital, Hartford Hospital, St. Francis, and Connecticut Children’s.
“These soon to be doctors have great mentorship in the critical care clerkship by attending physicians, residents, fellows, and nurses too,” she says. “The rotation in the ICU is a very eye-opening experience for our medical students in the deep end of critical care medicine for the first time applying everything they have learned so far in medical school, including the vital importance of teamwork. The rotation is challenging and unpredictable. Many medical students may see their first very-ill patient code. We make sure we have a strong support system in place for them.”
For this ICU rotation, Keola says medical students also learn didactically in the clinical simulation lab and the classroom too, and the overall experience especially teaches them resilience to overcome the challenges they may face in patient care.
In addition, Keola organizes the monthly Morbidity and Mortality conferences for the Department of Medicine’s various Divisions that ensure high-quality care is always maintained, supports the administrative meetings, and chairs the Dept. of Medicine Administrative DEI committee.
Personal Resilience
In addition to helping medical students be resilient, Keola has overcome a lot personally too.
“I’ve had to be a patient in the UConn Emergency Department – and I am an oncology patient,” she says. “I recommend UConn Health’s care to everyone I meet, and remind them that we are not just a school but a whole hospital too.”
UConn’s Cassandra Keola (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).
Keola happily shares, “Thanks to UConn Health I am cured for 10 years now!” Keola even facilitated UConn Health’s young breast cancer support group before and during COVID-19. “It was great to encourage other women, and also learn from them.”
Also, Keola says, “I’m a triple threat!” She says growing up as a female, and Afro-Indigenous in Connecticut’s Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe (American Indian and Black), it has not been an easy road for her and others with her backgrounds. “Historically, it’s been difficult. But no matter what, we are still standing after being through a lot.”
Her resolve as a result?
“In what I do, and what I’ve done, I have always wanted to have perseverance and resilience,” she says. “I have always wanted to stick up for others or those who were ever bullied. So, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a form of advocacy, not for me, but a way for helping other people persevere. I remind everyone that while we are all different, we can all co-exist at work and outside of work. It is our differences that make us so uniquely wonderful.”
UConn medical school’s Cassandra Keola celebrating with fourth-year medical students the exciting start of their clinical rotation in the ICU setting (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).
Keola loves the diversity of the workforce at UConn Health that she first witnessed when working initially in Employee Health at the beginning of her UConn career. “I got to meet a lot of people working in occupational health and have seen our diversity first-hand. UConn Health is a state hospital, and we really are here for everyone.”
She also loves another special thing about working at UConn.
“You can come to UConn and do a good job, and move yourself forward in your career. There is equity here! Everyone gets a fair chance and is treated the same across the board whether you are a UConn Health patient, a faculty member, a staffer, or a student.”
Keola’s passion for advocacy and equity also shines in her ongoing volunteer work.
She is a Council Member for UConn’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, John Dempsey Hospital’s Diversity Council, and her Department of Medicine’s DEI Committee. She also lends her time to participate in the ongoing ODI Coffee Break discussions.
Keola: whose Algonquin name means: Small Bear Warrior; is also a proud, persevering, enrolled, Board Member of The Golden Hill Paugussett Tribal Nation in Connecticut. She’s been working as a Board Member for the past two years on UConn and UConn Health’s Tribal Education Initiative. Its many collaborative projects focus on student success, curriculum, indigenous teachings, storytelling, and even patient care by the UConn Pepper Center of the UConn Center on Aging helping with the resilience and healthy aging of members of Connecticut’s 5 recognized Native American tribes. The UConn Tribal Education Initiative’s agreement is the first of its kind on the East Coast between Tribal Nations and a university.
“It’s historical! I can’t wait for it to come to fruition!” Keola concludes.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
Ukraine must stay at the forefront of the international agenda: UK Statement to the OSCE
UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says amid global crises, including war in Iran, the UK urges continued focus on Ukraine.
Thank you, Madame Chair. The United Kingdom remains steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. This unwavering support is rooted in the defence of sovereignty, international law, and the multilateral system. As Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression with resilience and determination, recent developments underscore both the urgency of sustained assistance and the growing strain on Russia’s military and economic apparatus.
On the battlefield, Ukraine continues to hold the line, and in several areas, it is pushing it back. In Sumy Oblast, Russian attempts to establish a buffer zone were reversed by Ukrainian forces in late June. On 30 June, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the liberation of Andriyivka and advances near Oleksiivka, halting Russia’s northern offensive. Across Kharkiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhia, Russian offensives remain stalled or inconclusive. Ukrainian counterattacks have blunted their momentum. Russia’s increasing reliance on small, dispersed assault groups, observed between 22-30 June, reflects not tactical ingenuity but strategic desperation. On 27 June, Ukraine’s Security Service and Special Operations Forces struck the Marinovka airfield in Russia’s Volgograd region, destroying two Su-34 fullback fighter jets and damaging two more.
While Russia may emphasise incremental battlefield gains, these claims frequently lack independent verification. What is verifiable reality is that Russia’s economy is buckling under the weight of its own aggression. Oil and gas revenues are falling, inflation is surging, and the rouble continues to depreciate. President Putin himself has admitted the economy is ‘overheating.’ Sanctions are biting hard, damaging Russia’s industrial base, widening the gap between military demand and production capacity, and forcing the Kremlin to rely on a dwindling National Wealth Fund to plug a ballooning deficit. Arms exports have collapsed, and production of advanced systems like the Su-57 fighter jet has been suspended due to parts shortages. This has driven Russia to search for sources elsewhere – China remains the decisive enabler of Russia’s war, and Iran has provided drones and ballistic missiles. In addition, over half of the artillery shells used by Russia since 2024 have come from North Korea. A telling sign of Moscow’s increasing dependence on foreign support.
So how does Russia respond? President Putin has escalated his campaign of terror from the skies. On June 29, Russian forces launched the largest air assault since the start of the full-scale invasion, firing over 500 aerial weapons in a single night. While most were intercepted, the attacks caused civilian casualties and widespread infrastructure damage. President Zelenskyy rightly condemned these strikes as further proof that Russia is not seeking peace, but destruction.
Finally, the Russian delegation will no doubt highlight recent NATO defence announcements as provocative. To clarify, again, in response to Russia’s increasing aggression across the Euro-Atlantic area, its illegal actions in Ukraine and its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, the United Kingdom is reinforcing its own defence and deterrence posture. Our procurement of F-35A aircraft and participation in NATO’s dual-capable aircraft nuclear mission represent the most significant enhancement of our nuclear readiness in a generation. This is a strategic move to ensure NATO’s credibility and preparedness to respond to an increasingly volatile security environment.
Madame Chair, while the world faces multiple crises, from instability in the Middle East to tensions in the Indo-Pacific, we must not lose sight of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion is not just a conflict against Ukraine; it is a direct assault on the principles that underpin global peace and security. Let us be clear: Russia’s aggression will not succeed. Its economy is faltering, its military is overstretched, and its international isolation is deepening. Ukraine, by contrast, stands strong, resilient, united, and supported by a global coalition of democracies. The United Kingdom reaffirms its enduring commitment to Ukraine. We will stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes.
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, paid an official visit to His Holiness Leo XIV today. President Meloni was received in audience by the Holy Father in the private library of the Apostolic Palace. At the end of the meeting, President Meloni gifted the Pope a 17th century view of the Church of Santi Domenico e Sisto and of the ancient Dominican monastery that is home to the Angelicum, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where Leo XIV completed a significant part of his education.
The Italian delegation also included the Vice-Presidents of the Council of Ministers, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, and Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano.
President Meloni went on to meet with the Secretary of State of His Holiness, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher. During the meeting, in the context of the excellent relations between Italy and the Holy See, both international and bilateral matters were addressed.
President Meloni reaffirmed her appreciation of the Apostolic See’s commitment to peace in Ukraine, in Gaza and in all crisis areas. She also focused on the importance of religious freedom and the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East that have suffered the consequences of the area’s crises and instability. Lastly, there was shared acknowledgement of the excellent collaboration with Catholic religious organisations for cooperation in Africa, as part of the Mattei Plan.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, July 2 (Xinhua) — Russia expects the third round of talks with Ukraine to be agreed upon soon, although the dates are not yet clear, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We expect that such clarity will come in the near future,” said D. Peskov, answering a question about the timing of the new round of negotiations.
The Russian president’s press secretary clarified that the date of the third round of negotiations has not yet been determined, adding that the agreement is being made on a mutual basis.
“This is a mutual process,” noted D. Peskov.
The second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine took place on June 2 in Turkey. The meeting in Istanbul lasted more than an hour. At the meeting, the parties exchanged memoranda on the settlement of the conflict. In addition, the parties agreed to exchange all seriously wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war on the principle of “all for all,” as well as to exchange prisoners of war under the age of 25 and the bodies of the dead. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KAMPALA, July 2 (Xinhua) — A Ugandan military helicopter has crashed in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, killing five of the eight people on board, the Ugandan military said Wednesday.
Ugandan army spokesman Felix Kulayigye told Xinhua by telephone that three people had survived and that the search operation was ongoing.
“There were eight people on board. Three managed to escape, but were severely burned. The search is not over yet. The fire is being extinguished,” F. Kulayigye said.
According to him, the crash occurred on Wednesday morning at Aden Adde International Airport, and the military is currently investigating the cause of the incident.
Last September, Uganda’s armed forces lost a transport helicopter while flying from Mogadishu to Baledogle airfield, about 90 km northwest of the Somali capital. All four peacekeepers on board survived, the Ugandan army said.
Since 2007, Uganda has been among the countries sending troops to participate in the African Union peacekeeping mission in the Horn of Africa region. –0–
TERMINATION OF THE LIQUIDITY CONTRACT AND HALF-YEAR STATEMENT
Regulated Information
Paris, 2 July 2025
Press release related to the termination of the liquidity contract and the half-year statement, which specifies the number of executed share transactions and the volume exchanged under the liquidity contract of Societe Generale.
As the daily liquidity of Societe Generale shares has been satisfactory for several years, Societe Generale decided, as of 1 July 2025, to terminate the liquidity contract entrusted since 2011 to Rothschild Martin Maurel.
The following resources appeared on the liquidity account per the liquidity contract as of 30 June 2025:
0 share
€ 5,573,179.76
As a reminder:
on the date of signing the liquidity account, 22 August 2011, the following resources appeared on the liquidity account:
0 share
€ 170,000,000
the amendment to the liquidity account on 19 December 2018 reduced these resources to:
0 share
€ 5,000,000
as of 31 December 2024, the status of the liquidity account was:
0 share
€ 5,429,174
The following information presents the number of buy and sell transactions, expressed in terms of both the number of shares and the volume exchanged from 1 January to 30 June 2025 within the framework of the liquidity agreement signed between Societe Generale and Rothschild Martin Maurel. As a reminder, the liquidity contract was temporarily suspended from 10 February to 9 April 2025 included, which corresponded to the share buyback period announced on 6 February 2025.
Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.
The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:
French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.
Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).
In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document’s legitimacy directly on the web page.
TERMINATION OF THE LIQUIDITY CONTRACT AND HALF-YEAR STATEMENT
Regulated Information
Paris, 2 July 2025
Press release related to the termination of the liquidity contract and the half-year statement, which specifies the number of executed share transactions and the volume exchanged under the liquidity contract of Societe Generale.
As the daily liquidity of Societe Generale shares has been satisfactory for several years, Societe Generale decided, as of 1 July 2025, to terminate the liquidity contract entrusted since 2011 to Rothschild Martin Maurel.
The following resources appeared on the liquidity account per the liquidity contract as of 30 June 2025:
0 share
€ 5,573,179.76
As a reminder:
on the date of signing the liquidity account, 22 August 2011, the following resources appeared on the liquidity account:
0 share
€ 170,000,000
the amendment to the liquidity account on 19 December 2018 reduced these resources to:
0 share
€ 5,000,000
as of 31 December 2024, the status of the liquidity account was:
0 share
€ 5,429,174
The following information presents the number of buy and sell transactions, expressed in terms of both the number of shares and the volume exchanged from 1 January to 30 June 2025 within the framework of the liquidity agreement signed between Societe Generale and Rothschild Martin Maurel. As a reminder, the liquidity contract was temporarily suspended from 10 February to 9 April 2025 included, which corresponded to the share buyback period announced on 6 February 2025.
Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.
The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:
French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.
Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).
In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document’s legitimacy directly on the web page.
AMIENS, France, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TSplus proudly participated in the first-ever Sino-French Economic Meetings, held on June 9–10 in Amiens. This landmark event gathered key public and private figures from France and China to foster dialogue, innovation, and business collaboration between the two countries. For TSplus, it marked a unique opportunity to strengthen its presence in China and reinforce its commitment to international development.
Over two days, the event brought together a wide array of Chinese and French stakeholders, with highlights including roundtable discussions, innovative showcase stands, and speed business meetings. The program was rich in insight and networking opportunities, designed to unlock future commercial cooperation.
TSplus was represented by a dedicated team:
Dominique Benoit, Founder and President
François Stoop, International Sales Director
Mariam Essafi, Customer Success Manager
Yi Zheng, Presales engineer
“This event was a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with influential members of the Chinese economic scene. We believe in building bridges and creating lasting partnerships,”said Dominique Benoit.
Forging New Partnerships and Opening Doors to the Chinese Market
Throughout the event, the TSplus team had the pleasure of meeting several high-profile Chinese officials, including:
HU JunYing, Deputy Director, Shanghai Minhang District Commission of Commerce
JIANG Bo, President, Centre des Entreprises Françaises/Francophones
ZHANG Bin, Deputy Director, Shanghai Hongqiao International CBD Administrative Committee
CHEN Zhongyu, Director, Division of Commerce Development, Shanghai Hongqiao International CBD
CHEN Wei, Deputy Director, Chenjiaqiao Sub-District Office, People’s Government of Changning District
These valuable connections reflect the growing interest in collaborations between Chinese institutions and innovative French companies like TSplus.
The event also featured a prestigious Franco-Chinese gastronomic lunch, organized by the Somme Business Club and hosted by renowned culinary figures including M. Collet (MOF 1998) and M. Ho, President of the Chinese Gastronomy Academy. Cultural highlights such as the presence of a descendant of Jules Verne brought a rich symbolic dimension to the gathering.
On the second day, TSplus attended the roundtable: “Do French Entrepreneurial Initiatives Have a Place in the Chinese Market?” The session offered valuable perspectives on how French companies can adapt and thrive within China’s economic landscape. The day concluded with a B2B lunch, allowing the TSplus team to exchange ideas and explore synergies with Chinese entrepreneurs.
TSplus: Committed to Global Growth, with a Focus on China
Participation in this historic event aligns with TSplus’ broader strategy: investing in strategic markets and cultivating long-term international partnerships. With a strong presence in over 140 countries, TSplus continues to expand its reach by engaging directly with key actors on the ground.
About TSplus TSplus is a global software company specializing in secure remote access, application delivery, and IT infrastructure solutions. Our suite of products—Remote Access,Remote Support,Advanced Security, andServer Monitoring—is designed to help businesses of all sizes simplify their IT operations while improving flexibility and security. Trusted by over 500,000 companies across more than 140 countries, TSplus empowers organizations to succeed in the age of hybrid work and digital transformation.
The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration and accelerate action on sustainable urban transformation across the continent.
Under the agreement, the organizations will jointly develop action plans that combine technical assistance, policy support, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange to local governments in four key spheres: urban governance, housing, municipal finance, and infrastructure development.
The agreement was formalized on 1 July 2025 on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain.
The Memorandum of Understanding renews an agreement signed in 2006 by the two entities to collaborate in the water and sanitation sector.
The African Development Bank and UN-Habitat also plan to coordinate their efforts to tap into key regional and global platforms to mobilize resources for urban development in Africa, including the World Urban Forum and the Africa Investment Forum.
“I believe that there are ways that we can use the capital markets to develop cities much better,” said African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina. “I am delighted that the Bank and UN-Habitat are partnering on the development of cities – I am very excited about this partnership.”
“Cities are the engine of growth, and we need to mobilize a lot more private capital in the development of cities, which will require a different approach from the conventional public sector capital,” he added.
The Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Anacláudia Rossbach, said: “Urbanization in Africa can either be a driver of prosperity or a deepening of poverty and exclusion. Through this renewed collaboration with the African Development Bank, we aim to help cities become engines of resilience, equity, and climate action, leaving no one behind.”
The African Development Bank Group has significantly expanded its urban portfolio in recent years, including through the creation of a dedicated urban development division and the Urban and Municipal Development Fund to support African cities in delivering transformative, climate-resilient urban solutions. Most recently, UN-Habitat and the Bank Group signed a service agreement to prepare the Eswatini EcoCity Masterplan under an integrated urban and agricultural initiative that aims to deliver sustainable housing and create economic opportunities for over 100,000 people in Eswatini.
Africa’s rapid growth and urbanization – the continent’s population is projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050 –presents both opportunities and challenges. With more than half of urban residents living in informal settlements lacking basic services, adequate housing, and climate-resilient infrastructure, local governments are under increasing strain. Through this renewed partnership, the African Development Bank and UN-Habitat are joining forces to help cities respond to these challenges and harness urban growth as a driver of sustainable development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
African Development Bank Olufemi Terry Communications and External Relations media@afdb.org
About UN-Habitat: UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity working for sustainable urbanization. With pro-grammes in over 90 countries, it supports policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in urban areas through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action. To know more, visit https://UNHabitat.org/ or follow us on social media @ UNHABITAT.
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with his Washington, D.C. interns on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the college students who served as interns?in his Washington, D.C. and state offices during the first summer session.
“These bright, energetic young people did a great job supporting Arkansans through their work in my Capitol Hill and Natural State offices this summer. Their contributions benefited my staff as we provided important constituent services and represented our state’s voices in the Senate. I am proud of them and have confidence that this experience has strengthened their understanding of the legislative process as well as encouraged a continued interest in public service,” Boozman said.?
Harrison McCarty, Alyxander Logan, Ryann Richards, Alex Siwiec, Travis Thrailkill and Reese Turner completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various projects and each was also able to shadow the senator for a day –– a unique opportunity?giving them?rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with his Arkansas interns at an event in Atkins in May.
Rhealyn Schmidt, Kyra Chanthakhot and Braden Carr supported Arkansans through internships in the senator’s state offices in Jonesboro, Fort Smith and Little Rock, respectively. They primarily helped with outreach to local communities and learned more about the senator’s casework services for constituents in need of assistance with issues involving federal agencies.
Harrison McCarty is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy in 2022. He is a rising senior at Georgetown University. Harrison attends Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, where he studies culture and politics while pursuing minors in economics and Spanish. He interns with the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union in addition to being a member of the Blue and Gray Tour Guide Society and creating content for Georgetown’s social media pages.
Alyxander Logan is from Fort Smith and a 2022 graduate of Southside High School. He is an incoming senior at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Oklahoma. He is double majoring in communication/leadership pre-law and English with a minor in Bible. He is the president of his Social Club, Delta Gamma Sigma, and is senior class president. Upon graduation, Alyx plans to attend law school.
Ryann Richards is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2022. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in advertising and public relations, with minors in marketing and communication. Ryann is the Vice President of the University of Arkansas Panhellenic Council, overseeing operations for the 2025 Panhellenic Community. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society and Public Relations Student Society.
Alex Siwiec is from Rogers and a 2022 graduate of Rogers Heritage High School. She is a rising senior at Pepperdine University majoring in marketing. Alex is an active member of the Waves Marketing Club, which provides full-service strategies to local businesses and clients, and holds the role of Director of Dialogues in Delta Gamma. She has enriched her education through courses at Parsons School of Design as well as studying abroad in Florence, Italy.
Travis Thrailkill is from Mena and graduated from Mena High School in 2022. He is an incoming senior at the University of Arkansas and is double majoring in political science and history. He is an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and participates in community outreach and philanthropy. Following his graduation, Travis plans to attend law school with a concentration in the corporate field.
Reese Turner is from Cabot and graduated from Cabot High School in 2022. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in political science and history with a minor in legal studies. Reese is involved with the University’s Associated Student Government Senate and the Student Ambassador program. She is an active member of Chi Omega Psi, where she has served on both the sisterhood and recruitment committees. After graduating, Reese plans to attend law school.
Rhealyn Schmidt is from Walnut Ridge. She is a graduate of Walnut Ridge High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she studies political studies and agribusiness pre-law, with minors in English and legal studies. She is involved in the Agribusiness Club, Associated Student Government and Student Ambassadors on campus. She also serves as Director of Philanthropy of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. After graduating, Rhealyn plans to attend law school.
Kyra Chanthakhot is from Fort Smith. She graduated from Northside High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, where she is studying biology with a minor in political science. Upon graduation, Kyra plans to attend law school.
Braden Carr is from Paragould where he graduated from Greene County Tech High School. He is a rising junior at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Braden is double majoring in political science and criminal justice. He is a member of the UALR Student Government Association and chair of the Arkansas Federation of College Republicans. Upon graduation, Braden plans to pursue a career in public service.
Learn more about internship opportunities in Boozman’s Washington and state offices here.
With the summer holidays underway, now is a good time to highlight the dangers posed to humans and pets by blue-green algae and the importance of reporting any sightings of the algae.
As a precautionary measure, warning signage will be erected at sites where blue-green algae has been detected, to warn visitors of its presence and advise that adults, children, and animals should avoid contact with the algae and the water close to it due to its harmful effects.
Swallowing the water can cause stomach upsets or severe illness to people and death to animals. Contact with the water or the blue-green algae can also cause rashes and skin problems.
HOW TO REPORT BLUE-GREEN ALGAE
Members of the public are advised to report concerns using the Bloomin’ Algae App to help provide a rapid and more comprehensive picture of harmful algal blooms in the area and inform the relevant environment agency, local authority or landowner. Alternatively you can visit, click here: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/bloomin-algae
WHAT IS BLUE-GREEN ALGAE?
Blue-green algae are natural inhabitants of many inland waters, estuaries and the sea. Although referred to as algae they are, in fact, a type of bacteria (known as cyanobacteria) with the ability to use the sun’s energy to make food in the same way that many plants do. They may be found in suspension, attached to rocks and other surfaces at the bottom of shallow waterbodies and along the edges of lakes and rivers. The term blue-green algae includes a number of different species.
All species of blue-green algae need nutrients – nitrates and phosphates – to grow. If the water is enriched with nutrients and there is calm, sunny and warm weather conditions, then the growth may become excessive resulting in algal blooms.
These algal blooms cause the water to appear discoloured green, blue-green or greenish-brown and some species can produce a musty odour. When the blooms die, they break down, using up oxygen in the water and cause problems for other aquatic life, such as fish. In calm, warm weather some bloom-forming species will rise to the water surface and form a scum which may again be coloured.
For reasons not fully understood, some bloom and scum-forming blue-green algae are capable of producing toxins. Although many blue-green algae blooms are not toxic, some produce nerve or liver toxins and it is therefore safest to assume toxins could be present
In their most dangerous form, both in quantity and species, blooms have caused death in cows, sheep and dogs drinking significant concentrations at the water’s edge.
WHO IS AT RISK AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Human health risk from exposure to blue-green algae toxins can arise through swallowing or inhaling water containing the algae and through prolonged direct contact with exposed parts of the body including the skin, and sensitive areas such as ears, eyes, mouth and throat.
Different groups of water users are at different levels of risk, depending on the amount of time they are likely to spend in/close to the affected water. Participants in descending order of likely risk are as follows:
Swimmers, paddlers, children playing at the water’s edge, dogs, other animals including some farm animals, fishermen using the bank and water’s edge.
Windsurfers whose level of competence puts them at risk in the prevailing wind conditions of becoming immersed in or blowing into areas of algal scum.
Dinghy sailors, catamaran sailors, canoeists and windsurfers competent for the prevailing conditions.
Other boat users and fishermen fishing from a boat or pontoon.
Essentially the more likely you are to come into direct contact with the algal scum, the greater the risk of effects of exposure. Symptoms of those affected could be easily confused with a range of other illnesses so it is important to be aware of the risk of blue-green algae as a contributory factor.
Swallowing and/or inhalation can result in mouth and nose ulcers, blistering of the lips, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscular pains, sore throat, dry cough, headaches, hay fever symptoms, dizziness and fatigue.
Monthly information relating to the total number of shares and voting rights making-up the share capital
Information mensuelle relative au nombre total d’actions et de droits de vote composant le capital social
Article L. 233-8 II of the French Commercial code and article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulation
Article L. 233-8-II du Code de commerce et article 223-16 du Règlement général de l’AMF
Name and address of the Company: Planisware SA Dénomination sociale de l’émetteur : 200 avenue de Paris 92320 Châtillon France (ISIN code : FR001400PFU4)
Date
Total number of shares Nombre total d’actions composant le capital
Number of theorical voting rights Nombre de droits de vote théoriques
Number of effective voting rights* Nombre de droits de vote effectifs*
Monthly information relating to the total number of shares and voting rights making-up the share capital
Information mensuelle relative au nombre total d’actions et de droits de vote composant le capital social
Article L. 233-8 II of the French Commercial code and article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulation
Article L. 233-8-II du Code de commerce et article 223-16 du Règlement général de l’AMF
Name and address of the Company: Planisware SA Dénomination sociale de l’émetteur : 200 avenue de Paris 92320 Châtillon France (ISIN code : FR001400PFU4)
Date
Total number of shares Nombre total d’actions composant le capital
Number of theorical voting rights Nombre de droits de vote théoriques
Number of effective voting rights* Nombre de droits de vote effectifs*
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Investigation into Admiral Sir Ben Key
Following a full investigation, Admiral Sir Ben Key’s behaviour has been found to have fallen far short of values and standards expected of Service Personnel.
This has resulted in termination of service and his commission.
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:
We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our Service Personnel and our Civil Servants.
We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority.
The international community needs to support the Haitian government’s efforts to re-establish security and stability: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Haiti.
Mr President, the UK condemns, without reservation, the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti.
Coordinated gang attacks on civilian communities, public buildings and the security services continue to destabilise the Haitian state.
The gangs’ use of sexual and gender-based violence as a tool to control the population is abhorrent.
We stand with the survivors, and we fully support efforts by BINUH and OHCHR to strengthen law enforcement efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The international community, including this Council, need to support the Haitian government’s efforts to re-establish security and stability.
We thank the pen holders for their efforts, and we stand ready to renew the mandate of the Special Political Mission to Haiti.
It is clear that more is needed, and the Haitian security forces and the Multinational Security Support mission should be adequately supported in order to stabilise the security situation.
The UK pays tribute to Kenya for its continued leadership of the MSS mission in support of the Haitian Police.
It is important now for this Council to agree a process to consider the Secretary-General’s recommendations to deliver enhanced UN security support to Haiti, as a matter of urgency.
This action must be matched by Haitian efforts to advance the restoration of democratic rule.
We note the recent publication of decrees to facilitate constitutional reform and the establishment of an electoral framework.
This is a positive step, but more action is needed to lay the groundwork for inclusive and credible elections.
We recognise the complex security environment and the considerable pressures facing the Transitional Presidential Council, and we encourage Haitian authorities to continue this work, while prioritising security and justice efforts to stabilise the country.
The UK firmly rejects those seeking to undermine such a transition and is committed to maintaining accountability, including through the implementation of sanctions on those who seek to destabilise Haiti.
Mr President, the people of Haiti deserve stability and a lasting peace.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
On June 5, the best projects were defended within the hackathon “Marathon of Digital Solutions” on the case of forecasting and assessing lost sales. The first place was taken by the combined team Faculty of Computer Science HSE and the University of Science and Technology MISIS, consisting of six students.
Hackathon participants could choose a case of easy, medium or difficult level. The peculiarity of the MCR was the focus on implementing solutions in practice.
The winners of the KUDO track for forecasting and evaluating lost sales were the MISIS x HSE Microgit team, which included:
Artem Sokolov, 2nd year bachelor’s student “Software Engineering” HSE Faculty of Computer Science;
As a solution, the students presented a web platform that helps managers forecast sales. Forecasts are made by DeepAR and ChronosZeroShot machine learning models with an accuracy of up to 97%.
Artem Sokolov
“We had a case from KUDO, we needed to develop a test version of a platform for demand forecasting, as well as create a product recommendation system for customers based on their behavior.
We decided to participate in the hackathon rather impulsively. This is not our first time participating in such competitions, so we already have a rough idea of what and who to take on. We prepared: we studied the reports of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, talked to businessmen and collected a lot of different data on the topic, which definitely helped us get closer to victory.
Despite the fact that there were only a few of us, we were able to beat teams of IT specialists from 15–20 people and win.”
Text: Alexandra Sytnik
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.