Category: Europe

MIL-OSI Africa: Portugal Fully Supports Autonomy Initiative as Most Serious, Credible & Constructive Basis to Settle Moroccan Sahara Dispute

Source: APO

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As part of the international momentum generated under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and the Autonomy Plan, the Portuguese Republic expresses “its full support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, credible and constructive basis to settle this dispute.”

This position was expressed in the Joint Statement signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and the Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, following their meeting on Tuesday in Lisbon.

Portugal recognizes the importance of this issue for Morocco, as well as the serious and credible efforts undertaken by the Kingdom within the framework of the United Nations to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, the Joint statement notes.

The two ministers reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2756, which emphasizes the role and responsibility of the parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic and lasting political solution based on compromise, the document adds.

Through its new stance, Portugal sends a clear message reflecting its adherence to the international consensus around Morocco’s autonomy Plan, in line with the strong international dynamic driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Egypt Strategic Partnership: 22 July 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

UK-Egypt Strategic Partnership: 22 July 2025

A Strategic Partnership between the UK and Egyptian governments.
The UK and Egypt share deep, historic ties. We partner across multiple fields, from climate change to global security, trade and investment to tourism, underpinned by rich people-to-people and cultural connections. However, both countries aspire to strengthen this co-operation in pursuit of shared prosperity and greater regional and global security.

The Governments of Egypt and the UK have therefore committed to elevating the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This commitment marks a significant milestone and will enable both governments to strengthen and systematise existing collaboration in line with shared interests and priorities such as trade and investment, irregular migration, regional security and responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UK and Egypt will launch the Strategic Partnership during a visit to Cairo by the Prime Minister in the autumn of 2025. To unlock new mutual growth opportunities and strengthen economic ties, the Prime Minister and President Sisi will jointly chair an Investment Conference convening key British and Egyptian businesses.

The UK Government looks forward to building the Strategic Partnership with Egypt to enhance the prosperity and security of our citizens.

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Published 22 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: US withdrawal from UNESCO contradicts fundamental principles of multilateralism – head of organization

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

PARIS, July 22 (Xinhua) — The US withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) runs counter to the fundamental principles of multilateralism, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said on Tuesday.

Expressing deep regret over the decision taken by US President Donald Trump, O. Azoulay warned that the country’s withdrawal from the organization would primarily affect UNESCO’s American partners, in particular communities applying for inclusion of sites on the World Heritage List, obtaining the status of “UNESCO Creative City” and the creation of UNESCO Chairs.

The United States announced on Tuesday that it would withdraw from UNESCO by the end of December 2026, just two years after rejoining, marking the country’s third exit from the organization.

According to a statement from the US State Department, the decision was made in connection with UNESCO’s policy, which Washington believes “promotes divisive social and cultural initiatives” against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Commenting on the statement, the UNESCO Director-General expressed regret over the US decision, rejecting the arguments made. She stressed that the organization remains “a rare forum for consensus building through concrete, action-oriented multilateralism.”

O. Azoulay assured that the US withdrawal from UNESCO in 2026 and the loss of American funding will not affect the normal activities of the organization, since its financial position has been significantly strengthened.

“We have undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources. Thanks to the efforts made by the organization since 2018, the decline in US financial contributions has been effectively offset,” the CEO said. –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 –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chairmen of NPC Standing Committee, CPPCC National Committee Meet with Madagascar Senate President

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, July 22 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), and Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held separate meetings with Richard Ravalomanana, president of the Senate (upper house) of Madagascar, in Beijing on Tuesday.

As Zhao Leji pointed out, China hopes to work with Madagascar to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries and the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, strive for new achievements in friendly cooperation between the two countries, and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

The NPC Standing Committee chairman called on the legislative bodies of the two countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and promote the continuous development of the China-Madagascar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

R. Ravalomanana, for his part, noted that relations between the two countries are based on mutual benefit and common gain, the heads of the two states maintain close exchanges, setting the vector for the development of Madagascar-Chinese relations.

The Senate of Madagascar, he said, is willing to work with the Chinese side to strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies and play an active role in promoting cooperation in areas such as economics, trade, investment and interregional relations.

Wang Huning stated that China and Madagascar are companions and true friends on the path of modernization. According to him, China hopes to work with Madagascar to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, achieving new results of practical cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

Wang Huning assured that the CPPCC National Committee is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Senate of Madagascar and promote the development of China-Madagascar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

R. Ravalomanana, in turn, stated that Madagascar pays special attention to the development of relations with China, admires China’s achievements in the field of development, intends to learn from China’s experience and promote bilateral cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

The Senate of Madagascar is ready to intensify the exchange of experience in public administration with the CPPCC National Committee to promote the in-depth development of interstate relations, R. Ravalomanana added. –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 –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Vice Premier of China’s State Council calls for proper work on agricultural production, consolidation of poverty alleviation gains

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

NANNING, July 22 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Tuesday called for properly implementing the production of grain and other major agricultural products in China and continuously consolidating and expanding the achievements of the nationwide poverty alleviation campaign.

Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (south China) from July 20 to 22.

During the trip, Liu Guozhong studied the situation of rice production, sugar crop cultivation and the development of high-standard farmland on the spot.

Touching upon the pressing issue of typhoons, floods and other natural disasters, the Vice Premier called for measures such as emergency floodwater drainage, replanting and reseeding crops on damaged lands, making efforts to reduce losses in the agricultural sector.

Liu Guozhong stressed the need for targeted implementation of measures to support the poor, paying special attention to stabilizing the employment of rural migrant workers and people who have escaped poverty, as well as developing rural industries with local specific advantages that improve the well-being of farmers. –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 –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: US deploys nuclear weapons in UK for first time since 2008 – 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

LONDON, July 22 (Xinhua) — Several U.S. nuclear bombs have been delivered to a British air base, marking the first deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons on British soil since 2008, local media reported Tuesday.

As reported by the UK Defence Journal on July 20, the US-run Royal Air Force Lakenheath air base in Suffolk, East Anglia, received B61-12 thermonuclear bombs. These are free-fall nuclear bombs weighing about 320 kg, designed to be dropped from aircraft.

The bombs were allegedly delivered from the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center in New Mexico using a C-17 military transport aircraft. The aircraft was flying with its transponders on, making it easy for foreign governments and air traffic monitors to track its movements.

As the Times newspaper clarified, citing military experts, the nature of the American transport plane’s flight indicated a “one-way delivery,” which indicates a permanent placement of weapons, rather than a routine movement.

Neither the US Department of Defense nor the UK Defense Ministry commented on the incident.

Ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague in June, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the purchase of at least 12 new F-35A fighter jets from the US for a total of almost £1 billion (about $1.35 billion). –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 –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim’s ARMOR Act to Strengthen AUKUS Gains Momentum
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

Washington, DC – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed out of markup the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act (ARMOR) Act (H.R. 4233), a bipartisan bill that would streamline and strengthen the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership.

Watch Rep. Kim speak in support of the bill during the markup HERE.  

“Bureaucratic delays to the AUKUS agreement weaken our ability to counter threats and protect our national security,” said Congresswoman Kim. “The ARMOR Act expedites backlogs so that AUKUS can promote peace through strength and meet 21^st century threats head-on.”

AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed in 2021 to foster collaboration on advanced technologies like nuclear-powered submarines, AI, and hypersonic capabilities. There are two pillars of AUKUS: 
- Pillar I is focused on helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.  
- Pillar II focuses on joint development and sharing of advanced technologies to boost military and defense capabilities. The ARMOR Act specifically relates to Pillar II. 
Specifically, the ARMOR Act strengthens the expedited review process for AUKUS transfers, exports, and other activities involving advanced technologies and defense articles and services by:
- Expanding the expedited licensing to include retransfers; 
- Removing the congressional notification requirement on certain AUKUS transfers; 
- Requiring a report on implementation of expedited review for export licenses; and,
- Requiring an annual review of the Excluded Technology List to ensure the list is relevant and aligned with AUKUS goals.  
Read more about the bill HERE and read the bill HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Preventing Bridge Strikes with Enforcement Campaign
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced a coordinated public awareness and enforcement campaign to prevent bridge strikes by commercial vehicles and large trucks across New York State. This special enforcement and education campaign, “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right,” which originated at the New York State Department of Transportation, is now being adopted by 16 states and Washington, D.C. from Tuesday, July 22 to Saturday, July 26. In 2024 there were 350 bridge strikes in New York State, usually involving commercial and large truck operators failing to recognize their vehicle’s height or warning signs and resulting in collisions with bridges and overpasses. Operators using consumer-grade GPS can also be guided onto routes with low bridges, and those driving rented box trucks — such as moving trucks — can strike bridges if their drivers are not aware of the vehicle’s height.

“Bridge strikes are 100 percent preventable, but it takes a concerted effort combining the forces of education, enforcement and public awareness to prevent them from occurring, and that’s just what our nationally-adopted ‘Check Your Height, Know it’s Right’ campaign aims to do,” Governor Hochul said. “Traffic safety is an essential element of public safety, and preventing bridge strikes fundamentally increases the safety of the traveling public. Drivers also play an important role in this so I encourage everyone to ‘Check Your Height, Know it’s Right’ before hitting the road, and if you are driving a truck, make sure that you’re utilizing commercial GPS.”

As part of this week’s campaign, State Troopers will focus active patrols in areas across the state where there have been documented bridge strikes by large commercial vehicles. These bridge strikes are most likely to occur on roadways with low railroad bridges, and on New York State Parkways in the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. Commercial trucks are banned from driving on the parkways, which sometimes have bridge overpasses with a vertical clearance less than many standard commercial vehicles. Bridge strikes cause extensive damage to the vehicle and sometimes to the bridge, and can lead to secondary collisions due to unexpected traffic congestion and subsequent emergency repairs.

In November 2023, the State Department of Transportation launched a social media and video campaign titled “Check Your Height, Know it’s Right” in an effort to educate the traveling public about the importance of preventing bridge strikes. Since then, the Department has worked with the Eastern Transportation Coalition to get other states to adopt the campaign. To date, the following states have adopted the campaign that originated in New York and will be utilizing it to get the word out to the traveling public:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Working with our transportation and law enforcement partners, the Department of Transportation is doing everything it possibly can to prevent bridge strikes across the state, but at the end of the day, commercial vehicle operators also have an important role to play. Before getting on the road, we want everyone to ‘Check Your Height, Know it’s Right.’ I couldn’t be prouder that a campaign that originated here in New York is being adopted all across the eastern seaboard as many other states are dealing with the same issues related to bridge strikes. Working together, we will continue to raise awareness of this important public safety issue and prevent further bridge strikes from occurring.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Preventing bridge strikes isn’t just about protecting infrastructure, it’s about protecting lives. When a large vehicle hits a bridge, the consequences can be severe, resulting in damaged roadways, traffic delays, and serious injuries. That’s why our Troopers proudly join this multi-state effort focused on enforcement and education. We’re committed to holding operators accountable and reminding everyone behind the wheel of a commercial or rental truck to “Check Your Height, Know it’s Right’ before they drive.”

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “I commend the efforts of the Department of Transportation and the Bridge Strike Task Force to tackle this preventable problem. DMV is also taking action through regulatory amendments that will assign eight points to the driving record of a driver who exceeds height limitations and strikes a bridge. No matter whether you are driving a tractor trailer or a pickup truck, you should be aware of what you may encounter on the road. If you know you will be going through an area with potentially lower height bridges, you need to check to make sure your vehicle will fit and if it will not, find an alternate route. ”

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The ‘Know Your Height’ campaign is a critical tool in preventing bridge strikes, not just on the New York State Thruway, but on every roadway across our state. Each bridge strike is more than an inconvenience; it poses a serious risk to drivers and the local communities we connect. We proudly stand with Governor Hochul, our partners in state government, and key stakeholders to raise awareness and take meaningful action to ensure safer roads for all New Yorkers.”

New York State Bridge Authority Executive Director Dr. Minosca Alcantara said, “The Bridge Authority is proud to stand with its colleagues across the state and along the eastern seaboard in raising awareness of this critical issue. Bridge strikes are entirely preventable. Just as commercial vehicle operators must know the weight and width of their load and plan their routes accordingly, it is equally essential that they are aware of their vehicle’s height. With a little foresight and responsible trip planning, we can protect human lives and preserve vital infrastructure.”

Trucking Association of New York Vice President of Government Affairs Zach Miller said, “The trucking industry prioritizes the safe and efficient movement of freight. Unfortunately, in New York, we too often see drivers — unfamiliar with our roads, renting larger equipment, or both — striking low-clearance bridges. Such occurrences threaten the efficiency of our already delicate and diverse freight network. We applaud the ‘Check Your Height, Know It’s Right’ campaign — regional education and awareness, and partnership with state agencies will have a meaningful impact in protecting infrastructure, educating drivers, and making our roads safer for everyone.”

MIL OSI USA News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks at the Joint ECOSOC and UN-Habitat High-Level Dialogue on Adequate Housing for all [as prepared for delivery]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Honourable Patty Hadju, Minister of Jobs and Families of Canada.
His Excellency, Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC
Her Excellency Beatrice Karago, Deputy Permanent Representative of The Republic of Kenya to UN-Habitat
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a privilege to join you today for this important dialogue.
I thank the President of ECOSOC and UN-Habitat for convening us at such a critical moment.
Let me begin with a simple question: What did it take for us to be here today?
We woke up somewhere safe.
We had an address where documents could reach us, where our families knew to find us.
We had a place to eat a meal, charge our phones, and prepare for this day.
For almost three billion people on our planet, none of that is guaranteed.
This is why today’s dialogue – at this critical moment during the High-Level Political Forum – matters so urgently.
Housing is not simply about a roof over one’s head.
It is a fundamental human right and the foundation upon which peace itself rests.
Sustainable development and sustainable peace are inseparable.
Today, in an increasingly urbanized world, almost three billion people still live in inadequate conditions, in informal settlements, overcrowded housing, or with no shelter at all.
Among them are more than 120 million refugees and internally displaced persons – families torn from their homes by conflict, persecution, and violence.
When homes are destroyed, when families are forced to flee, when communities are uprooted, we witness how housing becomes both a casualty and weapon of war.
In Gaza, in Ukraine, in Sudan, in Yemen, in Myanmar, and beyond, we have seen this time and again.
There is no safe housing in rubble, and without shelter, we lose the very basis of social cohesion and stability that makes peace possible.
This crisis touches every Sustainable Development Goal we’ve committed to achieving by 2030.
We often say that home is where the heart is.
Our work on housing sits at the very heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, and when we secure adequate housing for all, we nurture the conditions where every other goal can flourish.
We know that when people have access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing, children perform better in school.
Workers are more productive.
Health outcomes improve dramatically.
Decent work becomes accessible.
Communities become more resilient to the forces that fuel conflict and division.
And while adequate housing cannot eliminate gender-based violence within the home, it reduces women and girls’ exposure to violence in public spaces.
So, the reality is that the ambition of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind begins with something as fundamental as a safe place to call home.
By 2030, 60% of the world’s population will live in cities, rising to nearly 70% by 2050.
We have the tools and the commitment to grow cities, not slums—guided by the New Urban Agenda’ call for planned, inclusive urbanization that ensures housing, services, and dignity for all.
Success or failure to deliver on our commitments will depend on our ability to act urgently and work together.
At the Financing for Development Forum, Member States rightly called for bold reforms and investments to strengthen the social contract. That must include housing, not as a standalone project, but as a driver of inclusive development.
The Pact for the Future reaffirmed the 2030 Agenda and gave us a mandate to make multilateralism deliver in the lives of people, in the neighbourhoods where they live.
It also gave us a mandate to prevent conflict and sustain peace – and housing sits at the intersection of both.
Later this year, the Second World Social Summit offers us an opportunity to reaffirm that housing is critical for social protection, decent work, access to services, and essential to building a just and cohesive society.
It is also an opportunity to recognize housing as a pillar of conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
As Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, I see how country teams are working every day with governments, civil society and local and regional governments to advance these goals.
But we need to do more.
Concretely, that means aligning political commitment and financing with the urgency and scale of the challenge.
It means investing in adequate housing, not just as development infrastructure, but peace infrastructure.
We also need to bring to the centre those who are too often pushed to the margins: women, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, displaced populations, and people living in homelessness.
Their voices and experiences must inform the policies and solutions because they know what works, what’s missing, and they can inform the solutions we need to scale.
They also know intimately the connections between displacement, insecurity, and conflict.
Their involvement is the best measure of our commitment to equity, dignity, and human rights.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The first place where opportunity begins or where it is denied is not an office building or a school – it’s a home.
Together, let’s deliver not only shelter, but lasting solutions that offer security and a path to prosperity.
Not only four walls and a roof, but the opportunity to live in dignity.
Thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to French government’s National Strategic Review 2025 conveying concern over Taiwan and cross-strait security

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to French government’s National Strategic Review 2025 conveying concern over Taiwan and cross-strait security

Date：2025-07-15
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

July 15, 2025On July 14, the French government released its National Strategic Review 2025, which mentioned the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan six times. The report noted that China has continued to strengthen its military capabilities, increase the intensity of military exercises around Taiwan, exert pressure on Taiwan through military force and other means, and fuel tensions and instability in the region. The 2022 version of the policy document also stated that China’s military expansion had threatened the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. However, this year’s report devoted more attention to China’s threats against Taiwan. It also expressed France’s concerns regarding Taiwan and cross-strait security. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates the strategic review. Through the report, France has once again expressed concern over cross-strait security and reiterated the importance of Taiwan. The review follows from the joint declaration issued after President Emmanuel Macron of France met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom in London on July 10 for the 37th UK-France summit. In the declaration, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Taiwan, as an indispensable member of the Indo-Pacific region, will continue to work with France and other democratic partners to defend freedom and democracy and staunchly uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: 30 years after Srebrenica, the promise of “never again” rings hollow  

Source: Amnesty International

Dinushka Disanayake attends the anniversary commemorations of the the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia

A week ago, I stood in silence by a graveside and watched as seven coffins were lowered into the soil. But this was no normal funeral. Those being laid to rest had been killed three decades earlier alongside more than 8,300 men and boys, over a period of several days in July 1995. This was Srebrenica and I was there with thousands of others, beneath a hot sun, looking out across a lush valley filled with white marble headstones that fanned out as far as the eye could see.

The seven people being buried were only being laid to rest now because – like many of those brutally executed in the campaign of genocide against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica – their bodies had been moved multiple times, using heavy machinery, sometimes across hundreds of kilometres and across multiple mass burial sites. All of this a concerted effort to erase the evidence of these massacres and impede future investigations into these crimes. As a result, the remains of nearly a thousand people presumed killed during those days are still missing.

Before coming to the graveside, the mourners and dignitaries had gathered in one of the cavernous halls of a former battery factory. In 1995, it had been the temporary headquarters of a lightly armed Dutch contingent of a UN peacekeeping force assigned to safeguard more than 20,000 civilians seeking refuge from the approaching Army of Republika Srpska. In this same hall, children, women and men had sheltered hoping for protection. But the international community failed to meet its most basic obligations under international humanitarian law, and they were fatally let down.

The so-called UN safe area was overrun. Men and teenage boys were separated from their families and executed. Women and children were forcibly transferred from Srebrenica, and many women and girls were raped and killed.

One of the Mothers of Srebrenica, spoke of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and reminded the audience that silence is never neutral

In this same hall, besuited representatives of governments from around the world now gathered. As promises of “never again” fell from the mouths of these state officials whose governments persist in transferring arms to Israel which has not relented in its genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, I felt the hypocrisy hang heavy from the rafters.

In her speech, Munira Subašić, one of the Mothers of Srebrenica, spoke of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and reminded the audience that grief knows no boundaries and that silence is never neutral.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, and neighbouring Serbia, denial and historical revisionism persist despite the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia finding that the crimes committed in Srebrenica were part of a well-planned and coordinated operation and amounted to a genocide. The masterminds behind the operation, Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić, were found guilty of genocide by the same tribunal. Yet justice, truth and reparations remain elusive for many survivors and victims’ families. Far too many perpetrators of this and other crimes have never brought to justice.

Whilst in Srebrenica, I was reminded of other mass graves in Chemmani, near Jaffna, Sri Lanka – and how, earlier this year, routine building excavations had unearthed 19 human skeletons. Yet another mass grave resulting from the bloody assault on Tamil populations in the north of Sri Lanka likely during the civil war. Some of the skeletons were of babies. Another belonged to a child buried under the clay with their UNICEF-issued bag, a toy, a bangle, and a slipper. It was a haunting reminder that no one – no matter how young – was spared from violence and mass killings in a state that has avoided accountability for these crimes since 2009, despite multiple UN resolutions calling for it. Tamil mothers of the disappeared continue to demand justice, truth and accountability as hope fades and time passes.

In Potočari, the commemoration ceremony prompted tears of pain and rage, and a quiet grief. The wounds as fresh as they were 30 years ago.

If world leaders really mean ‘never again’, they must bring a swift end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

For the Mothers of Srebrenica, justice does not lie in the empty words of world leaders that converge in Potočari once a year to shake hands and take photos in front of a sea of graves. “Never again” means stopping genocide before it happens. Justice means knowing where their loved ones are buried, finding out the truth about what happened to them, and seeing the perpetrators held to account in a recognized court of law. It is about reparations, healing and seeing a world in which crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide are prevented and ended.

If world leaders really mean “never again”, they must bring a swift end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They must ensure the perpetrators of international crimes, wherever they occur, are held to account, and they must demonstrate genuine commitment towards justice and human rights for all. The white marble headstones in Potočari should remain on their conscience.

Dinushka Disanayake is Amnesty’s Deputy Director for Europe and attended the anniversary ceremony in Srebrenica.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Programme Management Officer, P-4
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

Apply here

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

This position is located in the UNDRR Office in Bonn, Germany. The Programme Officer will report to the Head of the UNDRR Bonn Office under the overall guidance of the Chief, Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity-Development Branch.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: –
- Develops, implements and evaluates assigned systems programmes/projects of significant importance for the Department; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. In particular, oversees and supports the management and updating of the online monitoring system to track progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Tracks and monitors project progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases.
- Provides expert advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures. –
- Provides expert advice and coordinates the roll-out of the Disaster Tracking System in all Member States, liaising with the concerned regional offices. Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies. –
- Leads and coordinates the official reporting on Sendai Framework and SDGs, among others, and organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, technical reports, including advance analytics using AI-based tools.
- Develops, implements and monitors application of standards and guidelines. Oversees the preparation of technical and user documentation for systems; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations including technical guidelines to support the reporting against the indicators to assess progress towards the targets of Sendai Framework, as recommended by the open-ended intergovernmental expert working group on indicators and terminology. Works in close collaboration with the UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) in Incheon and contributes to the development of training modules on Sendai Framework Monitoring Process. Collaborates and coordinates closely with UNDRR Regional Offices in support of strengthening the capacity of Member States to use the online Sendai Framework Monitoring system and their ability to report against the indicators. –
- Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. –
- Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan of the Section and of the Branch. Contributes to activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service. Provides professional leadership and work direction to assigned project team, and/or mentor and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc. – Performs other duties as required.
Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, management, economics, statistics or a related field is required. A first-level degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project planning, implementation and monitoring or a related area is required.
- Experience in disaster risk assessment and monitoring, and disaster risk reduction is required.
- Experience in data management and statistics is desirable.
Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special notice

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Apply here

MIL OSI United Nations News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Economic and Social Council Continues High-Level Segment

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

2025 Session,

25th Meeting (PM)

ECOSOC/7215

The Economic and Social Council continues the general debate of its annual high-level segment, including the three-day ministerial segment of the High-level Political Forum under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”.

The segment, which began 21 July, will run through 24 July.

Member States will make statements this afternoon under the theme “UN@80: Catalyzing Change for Sustainable Development”.

Also in the afternoon, the Council will continue its voluntary national reviews with Germany, Kazakhstan, Seychelles, Japan, Gambia, Indonesia and Suriname. Council President Bob Rae and Vice President Lok Bahadur Thapa will chair the reviews.

For information media. Not an official record.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Understanding Thai Names: Law and Culture

Source: US Global Legal Monitor

The following is a guest post by foreign law intern, Yuri Rattanaboonsen. Yuri works with Foreign Law Specialist, Sayuri Umeda, in the Global Legal Research Directorate in the Law Library of Congress.

In Thailand, surnames are generally unique to family lines, and more often than not, we rarely meet a stranger who has the same surname if he or she is not a distant relative.

Before the enactment of the Thai Nationality Act in 1913, which is also known as the Surname Act, surnames were uncommon for the general public. This law required all Thai citizens and permanent residents to register a family surname for the first time. As a result, many families had to create a new surname. One important feature of the law was that each family’s surname had to be unique. (Thai Nationality Act sec.12(5).) If a name was already registered, the family would have to register a different one.

Currently, the Person’s Name Act B.E. 2505 (1962), as amended by the Person’s Name Act (No. 3), B.E. 2548 (2005), governs the rules for personal names in Thailand. It still states “[t]he surname shall not repeat … a registered surname.” (sec. 8(3).)

Thai Surnames

Originally, Thai surnames often reflected a person’s ancestry, place of origin, or occupation, and usually consisted of two to three syllables. They can relate to information about religion, social class, or even links to royalty or heritage.

Thai immigrant families’ surnames are often long. For example, because many Chinese families’ surnames were the same and were already in use, many immigrant families had to modify or expand them to register unique surnames under the 1913 law. Some families chose Thai words that sounded similar to their original Chinese surname. Others created longer surnames by adding extra syllables or translating the original name’s meaning into Thai. As a result, many names and surnames today are long and complex.

The Person’s Name Act limits the length of a surname. It states “[t]he surname shall … not be comprised of more than 10 alphabetical letters….” (Id. sec. 8(5).) This only applies to the Thai alphabet. Therefore, a romanized Thai surname often has more than 10 Roman characters.

It is rare, but some overlap of Thai surnames exists because technology was not advanced enough to detect all registered surnames nationwide at the time the registry was created. The Department of Provincial Administration’s system, which can check the population registration going back to 1984, came online to link data nationwide in 1993. It was then discovered that many people are not relatives but have the same last names.

Name Change

When a surname is changed to a new one, it often becomes quite long. In Thailand, people can change their names for any reason. (Id. sec. 17) Many individuals choose to change their names for personal, cultural, or spiritual reasons.

Some people change names based on astrological beliefs, selecting letters that are thought to be compatible with the individual’s birthday. In these naming calculations, each letter and vowel has a specific meaning. People try to make the total value of their name and surname lucky or strong. To do this, they often need to use more letters, which results in longer names and surnames. However, many people who do not hold these beliefs still have short surnames.

Permission to Use Another Person’s Surname

A Thai person who is not a spouse or relative of another person and who has a different surname can have the person’s surname upon permission of the person who registered the surname. The act states that the permission “can be made by filing an application to the local Registrar in the area where he or she has his or her name on the household registry …The permission … shall be valid only upon the local Registrar’s issuance of a letter showing the permission to use such surname to” a particular person. (Id. sec. 11.)

Romanization of surnames

The same Thai names might be spelled differently in Roman characters on passports or national identity cards due to the different practices in different registrars’ offices. In addition, the registrar’s consideration and opinion affected the registration process. (Id. sec. 18.)

In July 2023, Bangkok Metropolitan sent a letter to the Department of Provincial Administration to discuss the practice of using Roman characters for first and last names on national identity cards. The Department of Provincial Administration responded by stating that a person’s name must be romanized through transliteration based on phonetic principles, as written in the Prime Minister’s Office Announcement of English transliteration criteria on August 26, 1989, and the Royal Institute criteria for transliteration of Thai into Roman letters by phonetic means on January 11, 1999. The Department of Provincial Administration also forwarded this response to all provincial governors to study and practice in the same way. No other specific regulation was made apart from what the Person’s Name Act B.E. 2505 (1962) provides.

Nickname of Thai People

Although it is not officially registered or recognized under Thai law, nicknames are widely used in everyday life. Most Thai individuals receive a nickname at birth. Thai people do not usually change their nicknames; some do, but fewer compared to changes in their first names and surnames. Thais’ nicknames have changed over time. In the past, most nicknames were in Thai, which were short and simple. usually named after animals, fruits, colors, and nature, such as Khao (Rice), Kai (Chicken), Fah (Sky/Blue), and Ploy (Gemstone). Nowadays, the number of syllables increases, and the use of foreign languages in nicknames has increased. Nicknames can be random English words, such as Donut, Golf, or New Year, brand names, such as Porsche, Benz, or Pepsi, or even be an alphabet letter, such as A, B, S, or X.

A person may go by their nickname socially and professionally for their entire life, but only their official given name will appear in legal contracts, government records, and academic certifications. In daily life, individuals are more commonly known by their nickname than their full legal name.

Further Reading

If you would like to know how other countries regulate names, do not forget to check out our other blog posts on that topic, among them, Jenny’s post on naming laws in Germany, Kelly’s post on banning baby names in New Zealand, Laney’s on how many times you can change a name in Taiwan, or Elin’s post on Icelandic name laws.

Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: World Fencing Championships Start in Tbilisi

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

TBILISI, July 22 (Xinhua) — The World Fencing Championships kicked off in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on Tuesday. The country is hosting a competition of this scale for the first time and has fielded a team of 25 strongest athletes, the Georgian Fencing Federation said.

The competition will last until July 30. According to the organizers, about 1,200 athletes from 135 countries and regions of the world are taking part in the tournament. 12 sets of awards will be contested in fencing with epees, foils and sabres in individual and team disciplines among men and women.

President of the Georgian Fencing Federation Merab Bazadze expressed confidence that holding the championship will be an important step in the development of fencing in the country. “A lot of people will come, and I am glad that this elite sport will become a priority in Georgia,” he told reporters.

At the previous World Championship, held in 2023 in Milan /Italy/, the Georgian team won one award – a silver medal, which was won by sabre fencer Sandro Bazadze. –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 –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Air India plane’s auxiliary power unit catches fire after landing

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 DELHI, July 22 (Xinhua) — An Air India passenger plane, flight AI-315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi, caught fire in its auxiliary power unit shortly after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, the Indian capital, on Tuesday, officials said.

The fire was discovered as passengers were preparing to exit the plane.

Air India said no passengers or crew were injured, but the fire caused some damage to the aircraft itself.

Another Air India flight from Cochin to Mumbai skidded off the runway while landing on Monday, causing damage to both the plane and the road surface, according to media reports. Last month, an Air India flight to London crashed shortly after takeoff in the city of Ahmedabad, killing all 241 people on board. –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 –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Amid ‘Horror Show in Gaza’, Humanitarian System Denied Space to Deliver, Multilateral Problem-Solving Needed More than Ever, Secretary-General Tells Security Council

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council on multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, in New York today:

I want to thank Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan for convening today’s open debate. The topic of today’s debate shines a light on the clear connection between international peace and multilateralism.

Eighty years ago, the United Nations was founded with a primary purpose — to safeguard humanity from the scourge of war. The architects of the United Nations Charter recognized that the peaceful resolution of disputes is the lifeline when geopolitical tensions escalate, when unresolved disputes fuel the flames of conflict and when States lose trust in each other.

The Charter lays out a number of important tools to forge peace. Article 2.3 of the UN Charter is clear: “All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”

Chapter VI of the Charter is equally clear on the specific responsibilities of this Council to help ensure the pacific settlement of disputes “by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice”. Action 16 of the Pact of the Future calls on Member States to recommit to all the mechanisms of preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

I commend Pakistan for utilizing its presidency to put forward a resolution urging all Member States to make full use of these tools in our collective pursuit of global peace. This is needed now more than ever.

Around the world, we see an utter disregard for — if not outright violations of — international law — including international human rights law, international refugee law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter itself, without any accountability.

These failures to uphold international obligations are coming at a time of widening geopolitical divides and conflicts. And the cost is staggering — measured in human lives, shattered communities, and lost futures.

We need look no further than the horror show in Gaza — with a level of death and destruction without parallel in recent times. Malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door.

And now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles. That system is being denied the conditions to function. Denied the space to deliver. Denied the safety to save lives. With Israeli military operations intensifying and new displacement orders issued in Deir al-Balah, devastation is being layered upon devastation.

I am appalled that UN premises have been struck — among them facilities of the UN Office for Project Services and the World Health Organization (WHO), including WHO’s main warehouse. This is despite all parties having been informed of the locations of these UN facilities. These premises are inviolable and must be protected under international humanitarian law — without exception.

From Gaza to Ukraine, from the Sahel to Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar, and many other parts of the world, conflict is raging, international law is being trampled, and hunger and displacement are at record levels. And terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime remain persistent scourges pushing security further out of reach.

Diplomacy may not have always succeeded in preventing conflicts, violence and instability. But it still holds the power to stop them. Peace is a choice. And the world expects the UN Security Council to help countries make this choice. This Council is at the centre of the global architecture for peace and security. Its creation reflected a central truth.

Competition between States is a geopolitical reality. But cooperation — anchored in shared interests and the greater good — is the sustainable pathway to peace. Too often, we see divisions, entrenched positions and escalatory discourse blocking solutions and the effectiveness of the Council.

But we have also seen some inspiring examples of finding common ground and forging solutions to global problems.

For example, today marks three years since the signing of the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation — efforts that show what we can achieve through mediation and the good offices of the United Nations, even during the most challenging moments.

And we’ve seen many other recent examples.

From the Sevilla Conference on Financing for Development, to the Oceans Conference in Nice, to the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction and the Cybercrime Treaty, to the Pact for the Future adopted last year.

The Pact, in particular, demonstrates a clear re-commitment by the world to strengthen the United Nations collective security system. Drawing from the New Agenda for Peace, it prioritizes preventive diplomacy and mediation — all areas where this Council can play a vital role.

As we look to the theme of today’s debate, I see three areas where we can live up to the Pact’s call to renew our commitment to — and the world’s faith in — the multilateral problem-solving architecture.

First — this Council’s members, in particular its permanent members, must continue working to overcome divisions. The majority of situations on the Security Council’s agenda are complex and resist quick fixes.

But even in the darkest days of the cold war, the collective dialogue and decision-making in this Council underpinned a common and effective system of global security. One that successfully deployed a range of peacekeeping missions. One that opened the door for vital humanitarian aid to flow to people in need. And one that helped prevent a third World War.

I urge you to summon this same spirit by keeping channels open, continuing to listen in good faith, and working to overcome differences and building consensus.

We must also work to ensure that this Council reflects the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago. This Council should be made more representative of today’s geopolitical realities. And we must continue improving the working methods of this Council to make it more inclusive, transparent, efficient and accountable. I urge you to continue building consensus to move the intergovernmental negotiations forward.

Second — this Council must continue strengthening cooperation with regional and subregional partners. The landmark adoption of Security Council resolution 2719 supporting African Union-led peace support operations through assessed contributions is a good example of how we can join efforts with regional organizations to support more effective responses.

I also commend this Council’s steps to strengthen and rebuild regional security frameworks to encourage dialogue and advance the peaceful settlement of disputes.

And third — Member States must honour their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The Pact for the Future calls on all Member States to live up to their commitments in the UN Charter, and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of States.

All grounded in international law, and a commitment to prioritizing prevention of conflict and the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. The Pact also recognized the critical contribution of the International Court of Justice, which celebrates its eightieth anniversary next year.

As we mark the eightieth anniversary of our Organization and the Charter that gave it life and shape, we need to renew our commitment to the multilateral spirit of peace through diplomacy. I look forward to working with you in this important effort, to achieve the international peace and security the people of the world need and deserve.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA Tests New Heat Source Fuel for Deep Space Exploration

Source: NASA

To explore the unknown in deep space, millions of miles away from Earth, it’s crucial for spacecraft to have ample power. NASA’s radioisotope power systems (RPS) are a viable option for these missions and have been used for over 60 years, including for the agency’s Voyager spacecraft and Perseverance Mars rover. These nuclear batteries provide long-term electrical power for spacecraft and science instruments using heat produced by the natural radioactive decay of radioisotopes. Now, NASA is testing a new type of RPS heat source fuel that could become an additional option for future long-duration journeys to extreme environments.
Historically, the radioisotope plutonium-238 (plutonium oxide) has been NASA’s RPS heat source fuel of choice, but americium-241 has been a source of interest for the past two decades in Europe. In January, the Thermal Energy Conversion Branch at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and the University of Leicester, based in the United Kingdom, partnered through an agreement to put this new option to the test.
One method to generate electricity from radioisotope heat sources is the free-piston Stirling convertor. This is a heat engine that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. However, instead of a crankshaft to extract power, pistons float freely within the engine. It could operate for decades continuously without wear, as it does not have piston rings or rotating bearings that will eventually wear out. Thus, a Stirling convertor could generate more energy, allowing more time for exploration in deep space. Researchers from the University of Leicester — who have been leaders in the development of americium RPS and heater units for more than 15 years — and NASA worked to test the capabilities of a Stirling generator testbed powered by two electrically heated americium-241 heat source simulators.
“The concept started as just a design, and we took it all the way to the prototype level: something close to a flight version of the generator,” said Salvatore Oriti, mechanical engineer at Glenn. “The more impressive part is how quickly and inexpensively we got it done, only made possible by a great synergy between the NASA and University of Leicester teams. We were on the same wavelength and shared the same mindset.”

The university provided the heat source simulators and generator housing. The heat source simulator is the exact size and shape of their real americium-241 heat source, but it uses embedded electric heaters to create an equivalent amount of heat to simulate the decay of americium fuel and therefore drive generator operation. The Stirling Research Lab at Glenn provided the test station, Stirling convertor hardware, and support equipment.
“A particular highlight of this (testbed) design is that it is capable of withstanding a failed Stirling convertor without a loss of electrical power,” said Hannah Sargeant, research fellow at the University of Leicester. “This feature was demonstrated successfully in the test campaign and highlights the robustness and reliability of an Americium-Radioisotope Stirling Generator for potential future spaceflight missions, including long-duration missions that could operate for many decades.”
The test proved the viability of an americium-fueled Stirling RPS, and performance and efficiency targets were successfully met. As for what’s next, the Glenn team is pursuing the next version of the testbed that will be lower mass, higher fidelity, and undergo further environmental testing.
“I was very pleased with how smoothly everything went,” Oriti said of the test results. “Usually in my experience, you don’t accomplish everything you set out to, but we did that and more. We plan to continue that level of success in the future.”
For more information on NASA’s RPS programs, visit:https://science.nasa.gov/rps

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA Tests New Heat Source Fuel for Deep Space Exploration

Source: NASA

To explore the unknown in deep space, millions of miles away from Earth, it’s crucial for spacecraft to have ample power. NASA’s radioisotope power systems (RPS) are a viable option for these missions and have been used for over 60 years, including for the agency’s Voyager spacecraft and Perseverance Mars rover. These nuclear batteries provide long-term electrical power for spacecraft and science instruments using heat produced by the natural radioactive decay of radioisotopes. Now, NASA is testing a new type of RPS heat source fuel that could become an additional option for future long-duration journeys to extreme environments.
Historically, the radioisotope plutonium-238 (plutonium oxide) has been NASA’s RPS heat source fuel of choice, but americium-241 has been a source of interest for the past two decades in Europe. In January, the Thermal Energy Conversion Branch at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and the University of Leicester, based in the United Kingdom, partnered through an agreement to put this new option to the test.
One method to generate electricity from radioisotope heat sources is the free-piston Stirling convertor. This is a heat engine that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. However, instead of a crankshaft to extract power, pistons float freely within the engine. It could operate for decades continuously without wear, as it does not have piston rings or rotating bearings that will eventually wear out. Thus, a Stirling convertor could generate more energy, allowing more time for exploration in deep space. Researchers from the University of Leicester — who have been leaders in the development of americium RPS and heater units for more than 15 years — and NASA worked to test the capabilities of a Stirling generator testbed powered by two electrically heated americium-241 heat source simulators.
“The concept started as just a design, and we took it all the way to the prototype level: something close to a flight version of the generator,” said Salvatore Oriti, mechanical engineer at Glenn. “The more impressive part is how quickly and inexpensively we got it done, only made possible by a great synergy between the NASA and University of Leicester teams. We were on the same wavelength and shared the same mindset.”

The university provided the heat source simulators and generator housing. The heat source simulator is the exact size and shape of their real americium-241 heat source, but it uses embedded electric heaters to create an equivalent amount of heat to simulate the decay of americium fuel and therefore drive generator operation. The Stirling Research Lab at Glenn provided the test station, Stirling convertor hardware, and support equipment.
“A particular highlight of this (testbed) design is that it is capable of withstanding a failed Stirling convertor without a loss of electrical power,” said Hannah Sargeant, research fellow at the University of Leicester. “This feature was demonstrated successfully in the test campaign and highlights the robustness and reliability of an Americium-Radioisotope Stirling Generator for potential future spaceflight missions, including long-duration missions that could operate for many decades.”
The test proved the viability of an americium-fueled Stirling RPS, and performance and efficiency targets were successfully met. As for what’s next, the Glenn team is pursuing the next version of the testbed that will be lower mass, higher fidelity, and undergo further environmental testing.
“I was very pleased with how smoothly everything went,” Oriti said of the test results. “Usually in my experience, you don’t accomplish everything you set out to, but we did that and more. We plan to continue that level of success in the future.”
For more information on NASA’s RPS programs, visit:https://science.nasa.gov/rps

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: News Release: Jud Virden, Ph.D., Appointed Laboratory Director at NREL

Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Jud Virden, Ph.D.

The Alliance for Sustainable Energy (Alliance) today announced the appointment of Jud Virden, Ph.D., as director of NREL and president of the Alliance, which manages the laboratory for the Department of Energy (DOE). Dr. Virden will officially join NREL in this role on Oct. 1, 2025. Virden was selected following a competitive national search.

Virden joins NREL from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), where he has served as associate laboratory director for the Energy and Environment Directorate since 2011. In that role, he led approximately 1,700 scientists, engineers, and staff advancing DOE’s applied energy priorities—ranging from power grid modernization and energy technologies to nuclear and environmental management.

“Jud’s leadership in driving transformative energy solutions makes him an outstanding fit for NREL,” said Alliance Board co-chairs Ian Colrain, president and CEO of MRIGlobal, and Juan Alvarez, executive vice president of laboratory operations at Battelle. “He brings a rare combination of scientific rigor, strategic vision, and a collaborative spirit—paired with a deep understanding of DOE priorities and the national lab system. His ability to translate innovation into impact makes him ideally suited to lead NREL into its next chapter.”

“It’s a privilege to step into this role at such a pivotal time,” Dr. Virden said. “I am eager to build on NREL’s reputation for scientific excellence and drive meaningful, lasting transformation. I look forward to growing collaborations within DOE, industry, academia, and the national labs—working together to accelerate energy innovation and impact.”

Dr. Virden earned both his Bachelor of Science and doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and has been with PNNL since 1991. His career is marked by a strong record in forging public-private partnerships and advancing grid resilience and energy technologies.

Dr. Virden will succeed Dr. Martin Keller, who has served as NREL’s laboratory director since 2015. Under Dr. Keller’s leadership, NREL has experienced record growth in funding, talent, and impact—cementing its role as a global leader in energy research and innovation. He will continue at the laboratory as a strategic advisor through early November to ensure a smooth transition. Dr. Keller will then leave the laboratory for his new role as president of the Helmholtz Association in Berlin, Germany.

“Martin led with vision, thoughtfulness, and unwavering integrity,” Colrain and Alvarez said. “His leadership left an enduring mark on NREL’s legacy and future. We thank him for his extraordinary service and look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work in the global research community.”

NREL—the National Renewable Energy Laboratory—is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for energy systems research, development, and integration. NREL is managed and operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by a partnership led by MRIGlobal and Battelle.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Need for clear exemptions for military personnel under the Working Time Directive – E-002871/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002871/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE), Rasa Juknevičienė (PPE), Wouter Beke (PPE), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Matej Tonin (PPE)

Directive 2003/88/EC[1] (Working Time Directive) sets minimum standards for rest and working hours across the EU. While Article 17 allows derogations for specific sectors, including the armed forces, the scope and application of these exemptions remain legally unclear. This ambiguity has led to inconsistent national practices and legal uncertainty for Member States.

Some countries (e.g. Sweden, Germany and Ireland) have introduced structured systems to balance soldiers’ right to rest with operational demands. The Commission has expressed support for Ireland’s recent reforms, while other models – such as Sweden’s use of collective agreements – have faced criticism. This variation highlights the need for a clearer and more harmonised legal basis for flexibility under the directive.

In the light of evolving security threats and the Commission’s emphasis on ensuring interoperability and readiness of national armed forces within a common EU framework, we ask:

is the Commission willing to consider or propose amendments to the Working Time Directive to establish a more explicit, harmonised exemption framework for military personnel – particularly concerning activities such as deployment, emergency response and training?

Submitted: 14.7.2025

[1] Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time, OJ L 299, 18.11.2003, p. 9, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/88/oj.
Last updated: 22 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Karl Nehammer appointed new Vice-President of the European Investment Bank
Source: European Investment Bank

Nidetzky
- Former Chancellor of Austria will join the EIB Management Committee.
- Vice-President Nehammer will start on 1 September, succeeding Swedish Vice-President Thomas Ostros.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karl Nehammer as a new Vice-President and Member of its Management Committee, following a decision by the 27 EU Finance Ministers, representing the EIB’s shareholders, the EU Member States.

Mr. Nehammer, an Austrian national, has been nominated by Austria and is set to take up his duties on 1 September 2025, succeeding current Vice-President Thomas Östros.

Karl Nehammer joins the EIB with a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in Austrian politics. He served as the Federal Chancellor of Austria from 2021 to 2025. Prior to this, he was Minister of the Interior from 2020 to 2021, and he was a member of the National Council from 2017 to 2020 as well as Secretary-General of the People’s Party.

EIB Group President Nadia Calviño welcomed the appointment, stating, “I am pleased to welcome Karl Nehammer to the EIB Management Committee. His profound experience in European politics will be an important asset for our Group and for delivering on key EU policy goals.”

Upon his appointment, Karl Nehammer remarked, “I am thrilled to join the European Investment Bank, an institution vital to the economic well-being and strategic autonomy of the European Union. The EIB plays a key role in backing priority investment across Europe and worldwide, and I look forward to working with President Calviño, my fellow Management Committee members, EIB Group staff and stakeholders to advance the Bank’s critical mission”.

The EIB Group has operated in Austria since 1973 and since then the EIB has provided more than EUR 34 billion for public and private investment across the country. The last Austrian Vice-President of the EIB was Wilhelm Molterer who served from 2011 to 2015.

Background information

The EIB’s Management Committee is the Bank’s permanent collegiate executive body, composed of a President and eight Vice-Presidents. Its members are appointed by the EIB’s Board of Governors, which consists of the economy and finance ministers of the 28 EU Member States.

The Committee collectively oversees the day-to-day running of the EIB and is responsible for preparing and ensuring the implementation of the Board of Directors’ decisions, particularly concerning borrowing and lending operations.

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high -impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers.Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Abolition of paper package leaflets for medicinal products – P-002901/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002901/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová (PfE), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Virginie Joron (PfE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Kateřina Konečná (NI), Klara Dostalova (PfE), Geadis Geadi (ECR), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE)

Our urgent written question concerns the proposal currently under discussion on the abolition of paper package leaflets for medicinal products within the territory of the European Union. This step, which is part of a broader digitalisation strategy in the field of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, raises numerous questions and concerns among both medical professionals and the public.

1.How does the Commission intend to ensure that information about medicines remains easily accessible to all population groups including senior citizens, people without internet access or those who are not digitally literate?

2.Has the Commission considered the consequences of this measure in terms of patient safety, especially regarding the risk of incorrect use of medicines in the absence of easily accessible instructions?

3.Has the Commission considered the potential risk of disruption to the availability of medicines that could result from abolishing the requirement to repackage medicines in national languages – potentially encouraging increased exports to higher-priced countries – and thereby threatening access to medicines in Member States with lower prices?

Supporters[1]

Submitted: 15.7.2025

[1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Filip Turek (PfE), Pál Szekeres (PfE), Viktória Ferenc (PfE), Ruth Firmenich (NI), Tomasz Froelich (ESN), Ondřej Krutílek (ECR)
Last updated: 22 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Use of NRRP funds for integrated home care services and healthcare professional shortages in Italy – E-002870/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002870/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Valentina Palmisano (The Left)

Italy will, under mission 6 of its national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP), invest EUR 2 billion of Next Generation EU funds to increase the share of the population over 65 in integrated home care to 10 %.

Italy is now claiming that it has achieved this objective, even though the country continues to be beset by systemic shortages of nursing staff and physiotherapists. In addition, there is no evidence that Italy’s policies have increased the number of available healthcare professionals in the country between 2023 and 2025.

Given its role in monitoring the implementation of NRRPs, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1.Is it aware of any discrepancies between the actual number of new patients admitted to integrated home care services and Italy’s reporting criteria?

2.Has Italy documented whether the aforementioned increase is the result of new staff being recruited or of the reorganisation of existing resources and non-accredited entities?

3.Does the Commission believe that the measures taken by Italy to overcome its shortage of healthcare professionals are sufficient to ensure the medium-to-long-term sustainability of the EU’s investment

Submitted: 14.7.2025
Last updated: 22 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Suspension of the EU-El Salvador Agreement in the light of massive human rights violations – E-002650/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002650/2025/rev.1
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Per Clausen (The Left), Hanna Gedin (The Left)

Human rights and the rule of law are being breached almost constantly in El Salvador, and the government barely tolerates any criticism or opposition[1]. There is also President Bukele’s reprehensible cooperation with Donald Trump in imprisoning people who have been deported from the US in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison.

This appears to be a clear breach of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America on the other[2] (‘the Agreement’), Article 1 of which clearly states that ‘respect for human rights […] and […] the rule of law […] underpins the internal and international policies of both Parties and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement’. The EU therefore absolutely must take action.

With the above in mind, would the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy please answer the following questions:

1.What did El Salvador do the last time the EU formally raised the human rights situation with the country’s authorities?

2.Do the many violations of human rights and the rule of law being committed in El Salvador constitute a breach of the relevant parts of the Agreement, including Articles 1 and 2?

3.When will a recommendation be made that the Member States should assess whether essential parts of the Agreement have been breached to such an extent that action should be taken under Article 355 of the Agreement, including whether it should be suspended?

Submitted: 1.7.2025

[1] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/05/el-salvador-gobierno-profundiza-patron-autoritario-frente-al-descontento-social/

[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:22012A1215(01)
Last updated: 22 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Across-the-Board Convictions in Final Highs RICO Trial of 2025

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MINNEAPOLIS – Following an eight-day jury trial, a federal jury convicted two defendants of all charged counts for their involvement in the Highs street gang, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

Defendants Cortez Davon Blakemore, 35, and Robert Lesure, 23, were convicted by a jury of federal RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Blakemore and Lesure were long-standing and prolific drug traffickers for the Highs criminal street gang. They sold fentanyl at the intersection of Broadway and Lyndale in North Minneapolis, which the Highs had taken control of and turned into an open-air drug market. As the jury heard at trial, the Highs is a violent criminal street gang that has long wreaked havoc on North Minneapolis, selling fentanyl and other deadly drugs and enforcing its terorrity through violence, kidnapping, and murder, including the murders of innocent civlians caught in the crossfire. Forty members of the Highs gang were charged in this large RICO indictment. Blakemore and Lesure are the 37^th and 38^th defendants to be convicted in this case. A final RICO defendant is set to be tried in 2026.

“These convictions bring justice not just to the victims of the Highs gang, but to an entire community that has endured years of violence, fear, and loss,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “For too long, this gang terrorized Minneapolis, maintaining control through chaos. Today, the people of this city get something they’ve long been denied: peace. This case is the result of a relentless federal coalition—the U.S. Attorney’s Office side-by-side with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Our message is clear: if you endanger our communities, we are coming for you. And we won’t stop until every neighborhood in this city is free from fear.”

“This isn’t just another trial; it’s a continuation of our full-court press to dismantle the Highs street gang and hold every last member accountable,” said Travis Riddle, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the St. Paul Field Division. “We’re proud to stand alongside our prosecution and investigative partners who’ve shown unmatched determination, trial after trial, to bring justice to the communities harmed by this violence.”

“As the summer progresses, Minneapolis is continuing to see a drop in violent crime, especially gun violence throughout the city,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “The outstanding work of MPD officers and our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office have been instrumental in targeting the small number of individuals committing a disproportionate amount of violence in the city. This conviction is the latest result of efforts that can not only be seen in the reduction of crime, but also felt by the community as we work to rebuild trust.”

“Our focus isn’t just on the money—it’s on the damage that money fuels,” said Jason Bushey, IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office. “When violent gangs push drugs and fear into our communities, our agents work relentlessly to expose the money behind the violence. This conviction is the result of that effort and a clear reminder that those who profit from chaos and pain will be held accountable.”

“In the wake of the guilty verdicts in the Highs gang RICO trial, it becomes abundantly clear that the efficacy of our justice system hinges not merely on the application of law, but on the transformative power of collaborative law enforcement partnerships,” stated FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “These alliances are essential, for they weave a fabric of shared intelligence and resources that fortify our collective resolve against violent crime, ensuring that justice is not merely an ideal, but a tangible reality for our communities.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigation, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also is deeply grateful to the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section (VCRS) for their continued partnership and expertise on this and other ongoing RICO cases. This partnership has been critical to the success of these gang prosecutions.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, Albania Concepcion, and Carla Baumel tried this case. They are prosecuting the case along with Attorney Brian Lynch of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: U.S. commences civil action to forfeit $7.1 million in cryptocurrency tied to oil and gas storage fraud scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Seattle – The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington today filed a civil action seeking the forfeiture of cryptocurrency valued at approximately $7.1 million seized in the investigation of an oil and gas related investment fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. The funds, part of some $97 million taken in by the coconspirators between June 2022 and July 2024, was seized by Homeland Security Investigations in December 2024.

“The co-schemers in this fraud moved their ill-gotten gain through various cryptocurrency accounts to try to launder the money stolen from victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “Federal investigators and prosecutors in our office moved as quickly as possible to trace and seize the cryptocurrency so that some of the losses can be returned to victims.”

According to the forfeiture filing and other records in the case, from at least August 2022 through August 2024, the co-schemers convinced victims to send money to what was represented as escrow accounts to purchase oil tank storage in either Rotterdam, Netherlands, or Houston. The schemers indicated that the investors could make significant profits by renting the oil tank storage they obtained to others. The victims sent money to accounts linked to these entities: Sea Forest International LLC; Apex Oil and Gas Trading LLC; Navigator Energy Logistics LLC; Terminal Energy International Escrow Service LLC; Energo Horizons Logistics (EA) LLC; Legacy Energy Logistics Transport Group LLC; Green Tree Gateway LLC. However once victims sent their money, they were not sent any further information on their investment and co-schemers simply stopped responding.

Newcastle, Washington resident Geoffrey K. Auyeung, 47, was indicted in August 2024 as the coconspirator in the U.S. who is charged with receiving much of the fraud proceeds generated by the fraud scheme. The money was quickly moved to one or more of at least 81 different accounts at financial institutions, moved offshore, or moved to one or more of at least 19 different cryptocurrency accounts, where it was used for the purchase of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Tether, USD Coin, and Ethereum. Much of the cryptocurrency was further transferred to accounts at the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

According to the forfeiture filing, the cryptocurrency accounts that were seized were linked to individuals in Russia and Nigeria. Some of the cryptocurrency purchased with victims’ funds was also sent to cryptocurrency exchanges in Russia and Nigeria, at least one of which is alleged to have facilitated money laundering for transnational criminal organizations – including terrorist organizations and organizations that violate international trade sanctions.

At the time of Auyeung’s arrest and indictment, some $2.3 million was seized from his bank accounts. The $7.1 million in cryptocurrency the government is seeking to forfeit is in addition to the $2.3 million.

Should the court approve the forfeiture the money will be distributed to victims in the case. Currently. Investigators have identified dozens of victims who were defrauded out of approximately $17.9 million. Investigators believe those numbers will continue to grow as more victims are identified and verified.

The case is being investigated by HSI.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jehiel Baer and Yunah Chung.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Clyde Secures Lake Lanier Wins in FY26 Appropriations Process

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Andrew S. Clyde (R-GA)

Rep. Clyde Secures Lake Lanier Wins in FY26 Appropriations Process

Washington, July 22, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) secured wins to help protect both Lake Lanier’s name and recreation sites through the ongoing Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations process.

On July 17th, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill by a vote of 35-27. During the markup, Rep. Clyde:

Preserved a commonsense provision (Sec. 109) he requested and obtained in the base bill to prohibit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) from using taxpayer funds to rename civil works projects such as Lake Lanier. A Democrat-led amendment to remove this provision failed by a vote of 26-35.
Secured an amendment to allow local partners that manage multiple recreation sites at a USACE civil works project to spend collected user fees across all sites they oversee at that project, rather than being limited to using the fees only at the specific site where the funds were collected. The amendment mirrors Reps. Andrew Clyde and Rich McCormick’s Lanier Parks Local Access Act, which the pair introduced last week ahead of the markup.

Additionally, the Committee approved the FY26 Energy and Water appropriations bill report, which includes language requested by Rep. Clyde to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to collaborate with state and local partners to facilitate the transfer of management of park operations where appropriate, as well as to streamline the lengthy approval process for leasing USACE sites.

“I’m incredibly pleased that the FY26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill includes critical provisions to both protect Lake Lanier’s name and help keep its parks open by providing local partners with flexibility to more effectively spend collected user fees,” said Clyde. “I will continue using every avenue at my disposal to advocate for commonsense solutions to preserve and improve Lake Lanier for Northeast Georgians and visitors.”

Rep. Clyde Offers Amendment to Expand Local Access to User Fees

Collected at Leased USACE Recreation Sites: Watch HERE

The FY26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill now heads to the House floor. Additional resources on the Committee’s legislative activity on this annual spending bill are available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Video: Researching Brain Disorders: Albanian Scientist Building Hope Against Neurological Diseases in Paris

Source: European Commission (video statements)

Scientists in Europe: Edor Kabashi, an Albanian-born neuroscientist who did his undergraduate degree in Canada, shares how joining Institut Imagine in Paris—with backing from European and national research funding—has transformed his approach to combating neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
From pioneering zebrafish models of ALS and epilepsy to fast-tracking drug discovery through translational research, Edor reveals how Europe’s collaborative environment and high‑tech platforms give new momentum to his work and personal journey as a scientist.
This is a story of international roots, scientific ambition, and the powerful intersection of genetics, patient care, and discovery in one of Europe’s top neuroscience hubs.
00:02 The power of community
00:17 Tracing my journey
00:46 Funding & opportunity in Europe
01:06 The Fight Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
01:36 Paris: A historic and modern hub for Neuroscience
01:54 Family connections
02:04 Science Through Unity: Europe’s Collaborative Spirit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iU542Jgcpk

MIL OSI Video –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Introduces Thomas Rose, Trump’s Nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Poland

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, introduced Thomas Rose, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Poland, at a nomination hearing.

*Click the photo above or here to watch*

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

I’m honored to introduce a friend, a principled conservative, and a steadfast supporter of America First and U.S. national interests abroad—Mr. Thomas Rose, President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Poland.

Tom is an exceptional pick to represent the United States to one of our strongest European allies.

Tom’s qualifications are reflected in his lifetime of experience and success in public service and in journalism.

As a young journalist, he covered the apartheid crisis in South Africa, political changes in the Philippines, and the fall of the Berlin Wall—and his documentary about the plight of Soviet Jews was nominated for an Emmy award.

He was then trusted to hold a number of significant management roles in media, including as publisher and CEO of The Jerusalem Post, one of the most influential English-language newspapers in the Middle East.

Tom later served as Chief Strategist and Senior Advisor in the Office of the Vice President during President Trump’s first term, when I had the opportunity to see firsthand his strategic insight, deep patriotism, and clear-eyed understanding of America’s role in the world.

Most recently, Tom has co-hosted a talk show where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of global affairs, a consistent commitment to conservative principles, and an ability to clearly articulate America’s interests and values to a broad audience—qualities essential for advancing U.S. interests and strengthening the U.S.-Poland relationship at this critical time.

Throughout his life and career, Tom has shown he can navigate complex issues with clarity, courage, and decisiveness.

Poland is one of our most vital partners in Europe—Poland is the biggest spender on defense as a portion of GDP in NATO and Poland serves as a critical bulwark on the alliance’s eastern flank.

We need someone with Tom’s talents to advance America’s foreign policy in Poland, to serve as a bridge between our two governments, to advocate for our national interests, and to champion the principles that have made the U.S.-Poland partnership so robust.

Tom is exactly the right person to serve as our nation’s next ambassador in Warsaw, and I urge my colleagues on this Committee to support his nomination.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025

Category: Europe

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Rep. Clyde Secures Lake Lanier Wins in FY26 Appropriations Process