NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: School smartphone bans reflect growing concern over youth mental health and academic performance

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Margaret Murray, Associate Professor of Public Communication and Culture Studies, University of Michigan

    New laws that ban smartphones or social media for youth are being introduced across several Western nations. SeventyFour/iStock via Getty Images

    The number of states banning smartphones in schools is growing.

    New York is now the largest state in the U.S. to ban smartphones in public schools. Starting in fall 2025, students will not be allowed to use their phones during the school day, including during lunch, recess or in between classes. This bell-to-bell policy will impact almost 2.5 million students in grades K-12.

    By banning smartphones in schools, New York is joining states across the country. The bans are happening in both traditionally liberal and conservative states.

    Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and West Virginia all passed legislation in 2025 that requires schools to have policies that limit access to smartphones. The policies will go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year. This brings the total to 17 states, plus Washington, D.C., that have phone-free school legislation or executive orders.

    I’m a professor who studies communication and culture, and while writing a book about parenting culture, I’ve noticed the narrative around smartphones and social media shifting over the past decade.

    A turning tide

    Statewide cellphone policies are gaining momentum, with many states aiming to restrict use of the devices in classrooms.
    Thomas Barwick/Digital Vision via Getty Images

    According to the Pew Research Center, 67% of American adults support banning smartphones during class time, although only 36% support banning them for the entire school day. Notably, a majority of Republican, Democratic and independent voters all support bans during class time.

    More broadly, parent-led movements to limit children’s use of smartphones, social media and the internet have sprung up around the country. For example, the Phone-Free Schools Movement in Pennsylvania was launched in 2023, and Mothers Against Media Addiction started in New York in March 2024. These organizations, which empower parents to advocate in their local communities, follow in the footsteps of organizations such as Wait Until 8th in Texas and Screen Time Action Network at Fairplay in Massachusetts, which were formed in 2017.

    The concerns of these parent-led organizations were reflected in the best-selling book “The Anxious Generation,” which paints a bleak picture of modern childhood as dominated by depression and anxiety brought on by smartphone addiction.

    Phone-free schools are one of the four actions the book’s author, Jonathan Haidt, recommended to change course. The other three are no smartphones for children before high school, waiting until 16 for social media access, and allowing more childhood independence in the real world.

    Haidt’s research team collaborated with The Harris Poll to survey Gen Z. They found that almost half of those age 18-27 wish social media had never been invented, and 21% wish smartphones had never been invented. About 40% of Gen Z respondents supported phone-free schools.

    The Pew Research Center found that almost 40% of kids age 8-12 use social media, and almost 95% of kids age 13-17 use it, with nearly half of teens reporting that they use social media almost constantly.

    Phone-free schools are also part of the larger trend of states and nations resisting Big Tech, the large technology companies that play a significant role in global commerce.

    In May 2025, two U.S. senators introduced the Stop the Scroll Act, which would require mental health warnings on social media.

    New laws that ban smartphones or social media for youth are being introduced across several Western nations. Australia has banned all social media for those under 16.

    After a fatal stabbing at a middle school in eastern France on June 10, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the same day that he wants the European Union to set the minimum age for social media at 15. He argued that social media is a factor in teen violence. If the EU doesn’t act within a few months, Macron has pledged to enact a ban in France as soon as possible.

    The impact on learning

    Research suggests that students are less focused in class when they have access to cellphones.
    isuzek/E+ via Getty Images

    Although this trend of restricting use of phones in school is new, more states may adopt smartphone bans in the future. Bell-to-bell bans are viewed as especially powerful in improving academic performance.

    Some research has suggested that when children have access to a smartphone, even if they do not use it, they find it harder to focus in class. Initial research has found that academic performance improves after the bans go into effect.

    Test scores fell across the U.S. during the pandemic lockdown and have not returned to prepandemic levels. Some states, such as Maine and Oregon, are almost a full year behind grade level in reading. Not a single state has recovered in both math and reading.

    Statewide bans free local school districts from having to create their own technology bans, which can lead to heated debates. Although a majority of adults approve of banning smartphones in class, 24% oppose it for reasons such as wanting to be able to contact their kids throughout the day and wanting parents to set the boundaries.

    However, 72% of high school teachers say that phones are a major distraction. Anecdotally, schools report that students like the bans after getting used to the change.

    I signed the Wait Until 8th pledge mentioned in the article, promising not to give my kids a smartphone or social media until at least the end of 8th grade.

    – ref. School smartphone bans reflect growing concern over youth mental health and academic performance – https://theconversation.com/school-smartphone-bans-reflect-growing-concern-over-youth-mental-health-and-academic-performance-259962

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Lin advances on three fronts at WTT US Smash

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

    Chinese paddler Lin Shidong overcame the demands of playing three matches in one day to advance in the men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles at the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash on Wednesday.

    Lin had little difficulty in defeating Feng Yi-hsin of Chinese Taipei 11-8, 11-4, 11-8. The world No. 1 was joined in the last 16 by teammate Xiang Peng, who beat Indian qualifier Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in four games.

    Lin Shidong returns the ball during the men’s singles second round match against Feng Yi-hsin at the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash in Las Vegas on July 9, 2025. (Photo courtesy of WTT)

    Third seed Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan was pushed to the limit in a five-game battle but prevailed over Nigerian ace Quadri Aruna, winning 11-1, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5. However, Sweden’s fifth seed Truls Moregard was eliminated after a full-distance loss to Japan’s Yuta Tanaka.

    In doubles action, Lin teamed up with Huang Youzheng to reach the men’s quarterfinals by defeating American brothers Sid and Nandan Naresh in straight games. They will next face fellow Chinese duo Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun.

    Lin also partnered with Kuai Man in mixed doubles, cruising into the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Brazil’s Guilherme Teodoro and Giulia Takahashi.

    In women’s singles, China’s Wang Manyu and Wang Yidi delivered solid performances. Second seed Wang Manyu overcame South Korea’s Lee Eun-hye 11-4, 11-9, 11-9, while fourth seed Wang Yidi dispatched Portuguese veteran Fu Yu 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6.

    “I kept patient and was focused on my own game when facing crucial points,” said Wang Manyu.

    Wildcard Xu Yi was unable to join them in the last 16, falling to German veteran Han Ying 9-11, 7-11, 9-11.

    Elsewhere, Japan’s Mima Ito and Satsuki Odo, along with South Korea’s Shin Yu-bin, all advanced with straight-game victories.

    Also on Wednesday, Chinese women’s pairs Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, and Wang Yidi and Kuai Man, progressed to the quarterfinals in doubles.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New study investigates miscarriage prevention guidance Researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh are looking into the use of progesterone for early pregnancy bleeding in Scotland.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh are looking into the use of progesterone for early pregnancy bleeding in Scotland.
    Bleeding in the earliest stages of pregnancy is known as threatened miscarriage. It affects 1 in 5 pregnant women and whilst many pregnancies will continue normally, up to a third of women with early pregnancy bleeding may go on to lose the pregnancy. The hormone progesterone has been shown to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss in women experiencing bleeding who have had one or more previous miscarriages.
    In 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) made the decision to recommend that women with early pregnancy bleeding, who have had an ultrasound scan confirming ongoing pregnancy, and have had at least one miscarriage should be offered progesterone to protect against early miscarriage. However, research shows that progesterone is not equally effective in all women and appears to be more beneficial to those who have had several previous miscarriages. In addition, as with any medication used in pregnancy, the benefits of treatment need to be balanced against any possible unforeseen effects on babies.
    The PROTEA Study, funded by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office, and led by Dr Andrea Woolner, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen who is also an Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Early Pregnancy Lead at NHS Grampian, is now underway across all Scottish health boards to fully evaluate this approach. The team will find whether the current ‘blanket’ approach is the most appropriate and understand how progesterone treatment is implemented in practice.
    As well as whether miscarriage is prevented, the team will also look at any impact in later pregnancy and early neonatal life as well as the costs associated with the current approach.
    They will use routinely collected NHS data to study what happens to pregnancies for women who present with early pregnancy bleeding and are appealing to all early pregnancy unit staff in all 14 Scottish Health Boards to keep helping them collect data on early pregnancy information until the study closes in 2027.
    The information collected will explore whether progesterone treatment affects the risk of other complications in pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia and if it has any effect on babies.

    We will monitor for any other effects progesterone might have, be that beneficial or potentially harmful, on the rest of the pregnancy and babies.” Dr Andrea Woolner

    Professor Colin Duncan, from the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh who is collaborating with Dr Woolner on the project, said: “We all want to ensure the best possible outcomes for women and babies.
    “This study allows us to explore the uptake, effectiveness and impacts of progesterone supplementation in threatened miscarriage in the real world by looking outcomes from the whole of Scotland.
    “The impressive record system within Scotland means we are ideally placed to carry out this important research.”
    Dr Woolner said: “We believe it is critical that this research is undertaken to follow up on the important findings from the clinical trials investigating this treatment to understand how progesterone may work in real-world settings and provide much-needed information on the benefits, safety, and consequences of progesterone use is made available as this treatment becomes part of normal care.
    “We will use routine data collected within Scottish hospitals to observe how well progesterone works in terms of preventing miscarriage when used across the population and what additional NHS resources are needed to support this service. We will monitor for any other effects progesterone might have, be that beneficial or potentially harmful, on the rest of the pregnancy and babies.”
    Vicki Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at the Miscarriage Association, said: “Miscarriage can be an incredibly painful and isolating experience, and research like this is vital to ensuring that care and treatment are grounded in strong, evidence-based guidance.
    “We’re pleased to be working alongside researchers and patients on this important study.”

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: UK, France agree to coordinate nuclear deterrents – UK PM

    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 10 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that Britain and France have signed a new agreement that will allow the two countries to coordinate their nuclear deterrents for the first time.

    During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Northwood military base outside London, Starmer said the two countries had signed the Northwood Declaration, which he said was intended to demonstrate to their adversaries that any attack would be met with a response from both countries.

    In turn, E. Macron, who ends a three-day state visit to the UK on Thursday, stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense and security. He noted that times in Europe have changed, and the British-French partnership “must change accordingly.”

    The French leader said both countries must confront a major conflict in Europe, referring to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He added that Europe must be able to rely on the strategic cooperation of Britain and France, the only nuclear powers in Europe.

    The statement from the British Prime Minister’s residence in Downing Street speaks of an “extraordinary threat to Europe” that will provoke a response from both countries. “Any adversary threatening the vital interests of the United Kingdom or France will face the power of the nuclear forces of both states,” the document emphasizes.

    Under the updated deal, London and Paris also plan to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles with high lethality, while accelerating the replenishment of their arsenals, according to the statement. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Rugby headgear can’t prevent concussion – but new materials could soften the blows over a career

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Draper, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canterbury

    The widely held view among rugby players, coaches and officials is that headgear can’t prevent concussion. If so, why wear it? It’s hot, it can block vision and hearing, and it can be uncomfortable.

    Headgear was originally designed to protect players from cuts and abrasions. But players still hope it will offer them a degree of protection against the collisions they experience in the game. Some players adopt it after previous concussions.

    We’re now seeing increasing numbers of professional players opting in. The Irish men’s team, for example, field up to five players each match sporting headgear. In Japan, it’s mandatory for juniors. And more parents in New Zealand are making their children wear it, too.

    The exact specifications for rugby match kit – boots, shorts, shoulder pads and
    headgear – are regulated through World Rugby’s Law 4 and Regulation 12. In 2019, the governing body launched a trial enabling players to wear headgear with new technical specifications in training and matches.

    The specifications have meant manufacturers can take advantage of novel “isotropic” materials that can potentially reduce the impact forces experienced by players.

    Conventional headgear is composed of soft foams that flatten when a player’s head collides with the ground or another player. As such, they can only minimally absorb those collision forces.

    Isotropic materials behave differently. They can absorb impacts from multiple directions and may offer a level of protection against the effects on a player’s head of a tackle or other collision event.

    Given these changes, and in light of recent research, we may need to change the narrative around rugby headgear: while it may not prevent concussion, it might reduce the total contact “burden” experienced by players in a game and over a whole season. And this could have benefits for long-term brain health.

    Impacts across seasons and careers

    Contact in rugby – through tackles, at the breakdown, and in scrums and lineouts – leads to players experiencing a number of collisions or “head acceleration events”. This contact is most commonly head to ground, head to body or head to head.

    By having players use “smart” mouthguards with embedded micro-accelerometers and gyroscopes to capture head movements, researchers can now measure each collision and each player’s contact load in a game – and potentially over a career.

    A player’s total contact load is found by adding together the magnitude of the impacts they experience in a game. These are measured as “peak linear accelerations” or “peak rotational accelerations”.

    While past research and media attention has focused on concussion, it has become clear the total contact burden in training and matches – the total “sub-concussive knocks” through head acceleration events – may be as important, if not more so.

    One of our own research projects involved following 40 under-16 players wearing smart mouthguards for all training and matches across one season. Peak Linear accelerations are measured as a g-force (g). Activities such as such as running, jumping and shaking the head would measure under 8g, for example, whereas heading a soccer ball might measure 31g.

    The results of our study showed the players differed greatly in their cumulative exposure over a whole season, from 300g to nearly 14,000g. These differences would be amplified further over an entire rugby career.

    Some of the variation is likely due to a player’s team position, with loose forwards having a greater burden than others. But it also seems some players just enjoy the contact aspects of the game more than others.

    Rugby is an impact sport: the Ireland and England women’s teams clash in 2025.
    Getty Images

    Potential benefits of new headgear materials

    Researcher Helen Murray at the University of Auckland has highlighted the need for more research into the burden of collisions, rather than just concussions, over a rugby career. In particular, we need to know more about its effect on future brain health.

    We hope to contribute to this by following our existing cohort of players through their careers. In the meantime, our research has examined the potential of existing rugby headgear and new isotropic materials to mitigate peak accelerations in rugby collisions.

    Using the field data collected from male and female players over the past four seasons, we have designed laboratory testing protocols to compare the conventional and newer materials.

    The results suggest the new forms of headgear do have the potential to reduce the impact burden for players.

    We found 55–90% of head acceleration events do involve direct contact with the head. As such, collision-mitigation headgear could be beneficial. And our laboratory testing produced an estimated 30% reduction in peak linear accelerations with the headgear compared to without.

    The nature of concussion is complex and related to the size of an impact as well as its direction and angle. For instance, we observed the concussions experienced by the junior players occurred between 12g and 62g – well below the male threshold of 70g requiring professional players to be removed from the field for a head injury assessment.

    Currently, it seems unlikely headgear can prevent concussion. But it does appear new headgear materials could significantly reduce the total impact burden for players during their careers. And this may help safeguard their future brain health.

    Nick Draper receives funding from the Health Research Council, Cure Kids, the Neurological Foundation, Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Pacific Radiology Group, the Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, and the UC Foundation.

    – ref. Rugby headgear can’t prevent concussion – but new materials could soften the blows over a career – https://theconversation.com/rugby-headgear-cant-prevent-concussion-but-new-materials-could-soften-the-blows-over-a-career-258912

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regulator highly critical of charity that shared video supporting Hamas

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    Press release

    Regulator highly critical of charity that shared video supporting Hamas

    The Charity Commission has found misconduct and / or mismanagement by trustees in the administration of the Al-Manar Centre Trust and issued the charity with an Order requiring it to take action on its social media use. 

    The charity, which operates a mosque in Cardiff, has objects that include advancing Islamic education, and fostering community relationships and religious harmony.  

    In January 2024, the Charity Commission became aware of a video shared on the charity’s social media account in November 2023. The video contained content that, in the Commission’s view, could be understood as demonstrating support for the proscribed terrorist organisation Hamas.  

    In February 2024, the regulator launched a statutory inquiry into the charity. The inquiry examined the charity’s social media and website controls, as well as the circumstances surrounding the posting of the video.  

    Findings 

    The inquiry was told that the charity’s chair, who was the only trustee responsible for managing the charity’s social media content, posted the video after only listening to its audio. The chair believed that the audio aligned with the charity’s objectives, without reviewing the visual content. 

    In the inquiry’s view, the video – which was not produced by or for the charity – contains content that presents a positive image of Hamas and its October 2023 terrorist attack on Israel. It also attempts to downplay or justify the attack.  

    Consequently, the inquiry concluded that the video was likely to lead an ordinary member of the public to infer that the charity was supportive of and/ or glorified terrorism.  

    The inquiry found that the chair’s decision to rely solely on the audio was wholly inadequate. Furthermore, and in the inquiry’s view, even reviewing just the audio, the chair should have recognised from the narration that its content could be interpreted as supporting Hamas’ actions.  

    There were also failings by trustees, at the time the video was posted, to undertake adequate diligence and monitoring of online content posted by the charity. The inquiry found that the video did not further the charity’s objects for the public benefit. 

    Despite receiving regulatory advice in 2014 on protecting the charity from extremist abuse, the Commission found that the trustees had failed to implement adequate social media controls. At the time of the incident, the charity’s social media policy consisted solely of a basic flowchart and lacked meaningful guidance or oversight mechanisms. 

    As a result of the trustees’ misconduct and / or mismanagement regarding the posting of the video and lack of adequate social media controls, the Commission issued an Official Warning to the charity.   

    Additionally, in October 2024, the Commission made an Order directing the trustees to take actions on the charity’s use of its website and social media, which included a review of all material on its website and social media platforms. 

    The trustees complied fully with the Order. 

    Joshua Farbridge, Head of Compliance Visits and Inspections at the Charity Commission, said:  

    A charity’s reputation can be severely damaged in an instant through reckless use of social media. 

    Our inquiry concluded that the conduct of the trustees fell below the standards expected of them. Inadequate controls over social media led to the sharing of harmful content, and there is no excuse for failing to properly review content before it is shared by a charity.  

    Our swift intervention, which included an Official Warning and a legal Order requiring specific action to be taken, underscores the Commission’s firm commitment to ensuring charities are not misused in supporting or glorifying terrorism.

    The full inquiry report can be found on gov.uk. 

    ENDS 

    Notes to editors 

    1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Find out more: About us – The Charity Commission – GOV.UK

    2. On 28 February 2024, the Commission took the decision to open a statutory inquiry into the charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011. The charity’s trustees were notified of the inquiry on 29 February 2024 and it was publicly announced on 7 March 2024.  

    3. On 1 October 2024, the inquiry gave formal notice, as is required under the Act, of the Commission’s intention to issue the charity with an Official Warning under section 75A(1)(b) of the Act. The Official Warning was proposed in respect of the charity the failings surrounding the Video. On 9 April 2025, the Official Warning was issued to the charity.  

    4. On 1 October 2024, the inquiry exercised the Commission’s power under section 84 of the Act and made an Order directing the trustees to take specified actions in relation to the charity’s use of social media.  The Order was made on the basis that the Commission was satisfied that, at the time, there had been misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of the charity. On 17 December 2024, the trustees informed the inquiry of the actions taken in response to the Order. Following a review of the information provided, the inquiry was satisfied that the trustees had fully complied with the requirements of the Order.  

    5. During the inquiry, the Commission exchanged information with the police in relation to the Video under sections 54 and 56 of the Act. 

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to observational study of gabapentin and risk of dementia and cognitive impairments

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    An observational study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine looks at gabapentin prescription for chronic pain and the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. 

    Prof Ian Maidment, Professor in Clinical Pharmacy, Aston University, said:

    “This study found an association between gabapentin and dementia. It was an observation study and therefore conclusions about causality cannot be drawn. Furthermore, the research did not control for length of treatment or dose of gabapentin. Other similar recent studies have failed to find a link. Therefore, overall the jury is out on whether gabapentin causes dementia.”

    Prof Martin Prince, Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, said:

    “This is an interesting pharmaco-epidemiological study, using a retrospective (historical) cohort design, and reporting a significant increased risk of dementia incidence among those prescribed gabapentin for chronic low back pain. The authors are right to stress that they are reporting an association, and not necessarily a causal link. As I will discuss, confounding and reverse causality are tenable explanations for the observed effects. The strengths of the study include a large sample size, a long surveillance period, a state of the art propensity matching on a large number of potential confounding factors, and additional confounders controlled for in the analysis.

    “There are some issues apparent with the research.

    1. The most significant is that the title of the paper (which refers only to chronic low back pain) appears to be misleading. Closer reading of the research methods reveals that the inclusion criteria were actually “chronic pain (ICD- 10- CM G89.29), chronic pain syndrome (ICD- 10- CM G89.4), lumbar radiculopathy (ICD- 10- CM M54.16), or chronic low back pain (ICD- 10- CM M54.5)”. This is a much broader group, and would include, among other conditions, post-herpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic and other peripheral neuropathies, which are particularly common indications for prescription of gabapentin. There is an inconclusive literature linking shingles episodes to an increased risk of dementia (and suggesting that the Shingrix vaccine may lower the risk), and recent research using the UK biobank linking multisite chronic pain with the incidence of dementia and hippocampal atrophy (1). None of this body of potentially relevant research was referenced or discussed in the current paper. Confounding by indication therefore remains a distinct possibility – the condition that gabapentin is treating, rather than the drug itself being responsible for the increased dementia risk. Of note is that use of gabapentin would likely be reserved for those with more severe pain, and therefore a more severe underlying condition. While the investigators clearly sought to limit the potential for confounding by indication (for example by excluding from consideration individuals prescribed gabapentin for epilepsy), their efforts are likely to have been only partially successful. Reverse causality must always be considered in dementia cohort studies given the 20 years or more interval between the earliest detectable signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (from neuroimaging and blood biomarkers) and clinical onset. Those diagnosed with dementia would not, strictly speaking, have been dementia-free at cohort inception. It is possible that the CNS effects of Alzheimer’s disease modulate pain processing and appreciation, leading to more complaints of more severe pain, at multiple sites. Hence that Alzheimer’s disease caused the pain, and, ultimately the Gabapentin prescription, not vice versa. Or that there is an underlying common cause, for example inflammation, that is driving both the neurodegeneration and the neuropathic pain.
    2. I could not understand why mild cognitive impairment, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy Bodies were listed as factors that were propensity matched at baseline, when the onset of mild cognitive impairment and all cause dementia were outcomes of interest and hence presumably excluded at baseline? It isn’t very clearly explained. It is possible that those with MCI at baseline were left in when assessing dementia as an outcome, but excluded when assessing MCI as an outcome. But leaving FTD and DLB cases in at baseline (with the implicit assumption that they could be considered as remaining at risk for developing AD or vascular dementia), seems to be an odd approach.  
    3. Since, apparently, separate diagnostic codes for Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular dementia were available, I am surprised that no attempt was made to explore whether the association with gabapentin prescription was similar or different across the two sub-types. The relationship of gabapentin use to both AD polygenic risk scores, and AD-specific blood biomarkers would also be another area for future research.”
    1. W. Zhao, L. Zhao, X. Chang, X. Lu, & Y. Tu, Elevated dementia risk, cognitive decline, and hippocampal atrophy in multisite chronic pain, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 120 (9) e2215192120, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2215192120 (2023).

     

    Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and Past President of the British Neuroscience Association said:

    “This study by Eghrari and colleagues examined medical records from over 24,000 people in the US and found that prescription of the medication gabapentin for chronic pain was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.  While authors used statistical methods to try and account for other risk factors, this type of study cannot prove that gabapentin was the cause of increased dementia risk.  One very important factor that was not examined in this study is levels of physical activity.  People with chronic pain requiring gabapentin may have been less physically active, which is a known risk factor for developing dementia.”

     

    Prof Sir John Hardy, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said:

    “While this is interesting, one has to worry that these types of findings are artefactual and result (for example) from a marginal acute effect on cognitive performance rather than effects on the underlying disease.”

     

    Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

    “Research shows that nearly half (45%) of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed if 14 health and lifestyle risk factors are addressed by people and society. At the moment, there’s not enough evidence to suggest pain medications are linked to higher dementia risk, but this research gives us interesting insights.

    “This large observational study looked at health records of over 26,000 people in the US diagnosed with chronic lower back pain and who were prescribed gabapentin within a 10-year period. They found gabapentin prescription was associated with an increased risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment, especially in people under the age of 65.

    “Some of the strengths of this research was the large sample size and some dementia risk factors were considered, such as age and high blood pressure.

    “However, this study only shows an association between gabapentin prescriptions and mild cognitive impairment or dementia, so we do not know if the medication is directly causing the higher risk. Gabapentin dosage wasn’t recorded, and there was no information on how long people were on the medication. 

    “Because this study only used health records of people with chronic pain, we cannot rule out other factors that might be influencing the findings. And previous studies looking at people prescribed gabapentin for other conditions like seizures, didn’t show a link between the medication and higher dementia risk.

    “Managing chronic pain is very important and if anyone has any concerns about the medication they are receiving, they should speak to their doctor.”

    ‘Risk of dementia following gabapentin prescription in chronic low back pain patients’ by Nafis B Eghrari et al. was published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine at 23:30 UK time on Thursday 10 July. 

    DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2025- 106577

    Declared interests

    Prof Ian Maidment: No declarations of interest

    Prof Martin Prince: No conflicts of interest to report

    Prof Tara Spires-Jones: I have no conflicts with this study but have received payments for consulting, scientific talks, or collaborative research over the past 10 years from AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Scottish Brain Sciences, Jay Therapeutics, Cognition Therapeutics, Ono, and Eisai. I am also Charity trustee for the British Neuroscience Association and the Guarantors of Brain and serve as scientific advisor to several charities and non-profit institutions.

    Prof Sir John Hardy: Have consulted for Eisai

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Enters Bonus Round, Reallocates Team Tokens to Fuel Ecosystem Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, a performance-focused Layer 1 blockchain built for AI-native applications, today announced a strategic move in its tokenomics as it enters the Bonus Round of its presale campaign. Following the successful completion of all 15 presale stages and the raise of over $21 million, Lightchain AI has officially reallocated its original 5% team token allocation entirely toward ecosystem development initiatives.

    The Bonus Round offers LCAI tokens at a fixed price of $0.007, representing the final opportunity for early participants to acquire tokens before the project moves toward public exchange listings and mainnet deployment. This stage coincides with the rollout of staking mechanisms and continued onboarding of developers through Lightchain’s grant program.

    “Our decision to redirect the entire 5% team allocation into builder and ecosystem funds reflects our commitment to long-term sustainability, community ownership, and rapid developer growth,” said a spokesperson for Lightchain AI Labs. “We believe in rewarding those who contribute to the success of the network from day one.”

    Lightchain AI is engineered to power scalable AI workloads through its AI-native virtual machine, Proof-of-Intelligence architecture, and a sharding framework designed for adaptive performance. The network supports decentralized consensus, smart contract optimization, and staking rewards designed to encourage validator participation and long-term alignment.

    In addition to the tokenomics update, Lightchain AI has activated validator simulation environments and staking dashboards. Validators can now lock tokens and begin participating in early reward simulations, building the foundation for a secure, decentralized infrastructure ahead of mainnet.

    The project’s $150,000 Developer Grant Program also remains active, supporting the creation of decentralized applications, tools, and integrations. The initiative has already attracted independent builders and early Web3 contributors from global communities.

    Lightchain AI’s strategic moves have helped position it as a rising contender in the Layer 1 blockchain space, drawing attention across trading forums, investor dashboards, and development channels. With community-led governance and transparent GitHub repositories, the project continues to emphasize decentralization and inclusivity.

    The Bonus Round remains open for a limited time, with fixed pricing and no vesting for participants.

    For more information, visit:
    lightchain.ai
    Whitepaper
    Twitter/X
    Telegram

    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. GlobeNewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9e5db9a-6ed2-4be0-8314-4ef2dad755e1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 10 July 2025 News release WHO Member States hold first meeting, agree on next steps to take forward key elements of the WHO Pandemic Agreement

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO Member States have held their first meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, formalizing next steps on implementing key provisions of the historic legal instrument to make the world safer from future pandemics.

    Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil, co-chair of the IGWG Bureau guiding the negotiations, said the first meeting, that ran from 9-10 July, was a critical moment in the global effort to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. It followed the World Health Assembly’s landmark adoption on 20 May 2025 of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

    “Through the WHO Pandemic Agreement, countries recognized that global collaboration and action, based on equity, are essential for protecting people from future pandemics,” Ambassador Tovar said. “Now, through the IGWG, countries are breathing life into the Agreement by establishing the way forward to implement the Agreement’s life-saving provisions.”  

    The Assembly established the IGWG to, as a priority, draft and negotiate an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS). This PABS system is intended to enable safe, transparent and accountable access and benefit-sharing for PABS materials and sequence information. The outcome of the IGWG’s work on the PABS annex will be submitted to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in 2026 for its consideration.

    In addition to negotiating the PABS annex, the IGWG has been established to discuss procedural and other matters to prepare for the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Pandemic Agreement and develop a proposal for the terms of reference for the Coordinating Financial Mechanism.

    Fellow IGWG Bureau co-chair Mr Matthew Harpur, of the United Kingdom, said he was encouraged by the strong collaboration shown by WHO Member States to take the WHO Pandemic Agreement forward.

    “Global collaboration is the foundation of an effective response to global threats,” said Mr Harpur. “I am encouraged by the commitment shown by WHO Member States during the first IGWG to work together to protect their citizens, and those of all other countries.”

    The first meeting of the IGWG adopted the body’s method of work, timeline of activities leading up to next year’s World Health Assembly, and mode of engagement with relevant stakeholders, and elected co-chairs and vice chairs to lead the IGWG process. The IGWG also decided to identify experts to provide inputs on the PABS annex and possibly hold an informal briefing before the second meeting of the IGWG, which will be held on 15-19 September 2025.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: As Bitcoin surged to an all-time high above $113,000, PaladinMining cloud mining demand hit an all-time high.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin is breaking all barriers and soaring at an unprecedented rate. It even broke the previous record of $109,300 and hit a new all-time high of $113,000. This incredible surge has skyrocketed the demand for PaladinMining, making it an indispensable tool for both new and experienced traders.

    Bitcoin Set a New Milestone
    Bitcoin hit a staggering record of $113,000 Thursday afternoon, smashing its previous high of $113,000. This surge has exhibited significant momentum in the digital currency market. The spike comes after weeks of uncertainty driven by trade-related speculations and financial concerns.
    However, those fears have faded away and traders are now returning confidently toward digital assets as a result of growing excitement regarding pro-crypto laws being passed in the United States. According to PaladinMining Chairman and CEO, John Alexander, “the revival marks a historic moment for the blockchain ecosystem as a whole, not just for Bitcoin.”

    An Easy and Highly-profitable Platform: PaladinMining
    Established back in 2016 and officially registered in the United Kingdom, PaladinMining Cloud Mining Provider has grown into a well-known brand in the cryptocurrency cloud mining sector. With over 1.68 million subscribers and an active community in over 190 countries, the network allows everyone to mine digital currencies without the need for any costly, complex hardware setups.

    Exceptionally Secure Cloud-Based Mining
    In PaladinMining, safety and reliability are the highest priority. This platform ensures that the assets of every user are well-protected at every stage by integrating the system with industry-leading encryption technologies, such as SSL and AIG Insurance. It also has strong risk management systems to tackle every issue efficiently. Through PaladinMining, users can start mining Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, or Dogecoin quickly from any device, whether they use a smartphone or a laptop.

    Why more people choose PaladinMining:
    User-friendly cloud mining: Anyone can start mining anytime with just a few clicks.
    No technical system required: Even a beginner can easily mine
    No initial investment needed: No upfront fees or any hidden charges
    Well-defined Interface: An easy-to-manage dashboard, no prior knowledge is required
    Whether you are relaxing on holidays or busy while traveling, you can start and manage without any hurdles. Keep mining – Keep growing.

    Simple Contracts, Real Profits

    This doesn’t end here, PaladinMining has a variety of contracts to suit the needs of every individual having different financial levels. The contracts are mentioned below:

    Classic Contracts

    Contract Name Duration Price Profit Total Return
    Free Experience Contract 1 day $15 free bonus $0.6 $15.6
    Sleipnir Mining Machine M50 2 days $100 $7 $107
    Bitcoin Miner S21 Pro 7 days $600 $48.3 $648.3
    Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Imm 15 days $1500 $292.5 $1792.5
    Avalon Air Box – 40 feet 30 days $4300 $1677 $5977

    Bonus:

    Sign up today and get a $15 credit right away, allowing users to initiate the mining process without spending even a single penny.

    Settle More Than Just Bitcoin

    While Bitcoin is the king of Cryptocurrency, PaladinMining offers settlement for a variety of digital currencies. Supported coins Include:

    · Bitcoin (BTC)

    · Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

    · Litecoin (LTC)

    · Dogecoin (DOGE)

    · Ethereum (ETH)

    · Tether (USDT-TRC20 & ERC20)

    · USD Coin (USDC)

    · Solana (SOL)

    · Ripple (XRP)

    With such great options, everyone has a choice to select the best crypto coin as per their preference or market trends and start generating coins with a simple-to-access platform.

    Grow Your Network – Gain More Income

    PaladinMining also offers every individual a chance to earn through high-rewarding affiliate marketing programs. So, start multiplying your income by helping others to join.

    Affiliate options Include:

    · $100,000+ incentive pool access

    · Upto 5% commission on every referral

    · Highly reliable tools to support and enhance your affiliate business

    Its affiliate program is a win-win for everyone, not only does a user get rewards but it also allows others to be financially free.

    A Gateway to Financial Freedom

    In a time when trust is rare and traders are looking for sophisticated ways to grow their income, PaladinMining provides a well-managed, scalable, and reliable solution. With returns ranging from $100 to $1 million daily, individuals can begin their financial journey without any entry barriers of conventional mining or high investments.

    How to begin:

    Visit: www.paladinmining.com

    Just create an account with a few simple clicks

    Choose a contract

    Start earning—no hardware, no stress

    Any questions?

    Reach us at info@paladinmining.com and our support team will assist you promptly.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: As Bitcoin surged to an all-time high above $113,000, PaladinMining cloud mining demand hit an all-time high.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin is breaking all barriers and soaring at an unprecedented rate. It even broke the previous record of $109,300 and hit a new all-time high of $113,000. This incredible surge has skyrocketed the demand for PaladinMining, making it an indispensable tool for both new and experienced traders.

    Bitcoin Set a New Milestone
    Bitcoin hit a staggering record of $113,000 Thursday afternoon, smashing its previous high of $113,000. This surge has exhibited significant momentum in the digital currency market. The spike comes after weeks of uncertainty driven by trade-related speculations and financial concerns.
    However, those fears have faded away and traders are now returning confidently toward digital assets as a result of growing excitement regarding pro-crypto laws being passed in the United States. According to PaladinMining Chairman and CEO, John Alexander, “the revival marks a historic moment for the blockchain ecosystem as a whole, not just for Bitcoin.”

    An Easy and Highly-profitable Platform: PaladinMining
    Established back in 2016 and officially registered in the United Kingdom, PaladinMining Cloud Mining Provider has grown into a well-known brand in the cryptocurrency cloud mining sector. With over 1.68 million subscribers and an active community in over 190 countries, the network allows everyone to mine digital currencies without the need for any costly, complex hardware setups.

    Exceptionally Secure Cloud-Based Mining
    In PaladinMining, safety and reliability are the highest priority. This platform ensures that the assets of every user are well-protected at every stage by integrating the system with industry-leading encryption technologies, such as SSL and AIG Insurance. It also has strong risk management systems to tackle every issue efficiently. Through PaladinMining, users can start mining Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, or Dogecoin quickly from any device, whether they use a smartphone or a laptop.

    Why more people choose PaladinMining:
    User-friendly cloud mining: Anyone can start mining anytime with just a few clicks.
    No technical system required: Even a beginner can easily mine
    No initial investment needed: No upfront fees or any hidden charges
    Well-defined Interface: An easy-to-manage dashboard, no prior knowledge is required
    Whether you are relaxing on holidays or busy while traveling, you can start and manage without any hurdles. Keep mining – Keep growing.

    Simple Contracts, Real Profits

    This doesn’t end here, PaladinMining has a variety of contracts to suit the needs of every individual having different financial levels. The contracts are mentioned below:

    Classic Contracts

    Contract Name Duration Price Profit Total Return
    Free Experience Contract 1 day $15 free bonus $0.6 $15.6
    Sleipnir Mining Machine M50 2 days $100 $7 $107
    Bitcoin Miner S21 Pro 7 days $600 $48.3 $648.3
    Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Imm 15 days $1500 $292.5 $1792.5
    Avalon Air Box – 40 feet 30 days $4300 $1677 $5977

    Bonus:

    Sign up today and get a $15 credit right away, allowing users to initiate the mining process without spending even a single penny.

    Settle More Than Just Bitcoin

    While Bitcoin is the king of Cryptocurrency, PaladinMining offers settlement for a variety of digital currencies. Supported coins Include:

    · Bitcoin (BTC)

    · Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

    · Litecoin (LTC)

    · Dogecoin (DOGE)

    · Ethereum (ETH)

    · Tether (USDT-TRC20 & ERC20)

    · USD Coin (USDC)

    · Solana (SOL)

    · Ripple (XRP)

    With such great options, everyone has a choice to select the best crypto coin as per their preference or market trends and start generating coins with a simple-to-access platform.

    Grow Your Network – Gain More Income

    PaladinMining also offers every individual a chance to earn through high-rewarding affiliate marketing programs. So, start multiplying your income by helping others to join.

    Affiliate options Include:

    · $100,000+ incentive pool access

    · Upto 5% commission on every referral

    · Highly reliable tools to support and enhance your affiliate business

    Its affiliate program is a win-win for everyone, not only does a user get rewards but it also allows others to be financially free.

    A Gateway to Financial Freedom

    In a time when trust is rare and traders are looking for sophisticated ways to grow their income, PaladinMining provides a well-managed, scalable, and reliable solution. With returns ranging from $100 to $1 million daily, individuals can begin their financial journey without any entry barriers of conventional mining or high investments.

    How to begin:

    Visit: www.paladinmining.com

    Just create an account with a few simple clicks

    Choose a contract

    Start earning—no hardware, no stress

    Any questions?

    Reach us at info@paladinmining.com and our support team will assist you promptly.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Whittle, Director, Data61, CSIRO

    Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

    There’s been much talk recently – especially among politicians – about productivity. And for good reason: Australia’s labour productivity growth sits at a 60-year low.

    To address this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a productivity round table next month. This will coincide with the release of an interim report from the Productivity Commission, which is looking at five pillars of reform. One of these is the role of data and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

    This will be music to the ears of the tech and business sectors, which have been enthusiastically promoting the productivity benefits of AI. In fact, the Business Council of Australia also said last month that AI is the single greatest opportunity in a generation to lift productivity.

    But what do we really know about how AI impacts productivity?

    What is productivity?

    Put simply, productivity is how much output (goods and services) we can produce from a given amount of inputs (such as labour and raw materials). It matters because higher productivity typically translates to a higher standard of living. Productivity growth has accounted for 80% of Australia’s income growth over the past three decades.

    Productivity can be thought of as individual, organisational or national.

    Your individual productivity is how efficiently you manage your time and resources to complete tasks. How many emails can you respond to in an hour? How many products can you check for defects in a day?

    Organisational productivity is how well an organisation achieves its goals. For example, in a research organisation, how many top-quality research papers are produced?

    National productivity is the economic efficiency of a nation, often measured as gross domestic product per hour worked. It is effectively an aggregate of the other forms. But it’s notoriously difficult to track how changes in individual or organisational productivity translate into national GDP per hour worked.

    AI and individual productivity

    The nascent research examining the relationship between AI and individual productivity shows mixed results.

    A 2025 real-world study of AI and productivity involved 776 experienced product professionals at US multinational company Procter & Gamble. The study showed that individuals randomly assigned to use AI performed as well as a team of two without. A similar study in 2023 with 750 consultants from Boston Consulting Group found tasks were 18% faster with generative AI.

    A 2023 paper reported on an early generative AI system in a Fortune 500 software company used by 5,200 customer support agents. The system showed a 14% increase in the number of issues resolved per hour. For less experienced agents, productivity increased by 35%.

    But AI doesn’t always increase individual productivity.

    A survey of 2,500 professionals found generative AI actually increased workload for 77% of workers. Some 47% said they didn’t know how to unlock productivity benefits. The study points to barriers such as the need to verify and/or correct AI outputs, the need for AI upskilling, and unreasonable expectations about what AI can do.

    A recent CSIRO study examined the daily use of Microsoft 365 Copilot by 300 employees of a government organisation. While the majority self-reported productivity benefits, a sizeable minority (30%) did not. Even those workers who reported productivity improvements expected greater productivity benefits than were delivered.

    AI and organisational productivity

    It’s difficult, if not impossible, to attribute changes in an organisation’s productivity to the introduction of AI. Businesses are sensitive to many social and organisational factors, any one of which could be the reason for a change in productivity.

    Nevertheless, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has estimated the productivity benefits of traditional AI – that is, machine learning applied for an industry-specific task – to be zero to 11% at the organisational level.

    A 2024 summary paper cites independent studies showing increases in organisational productivity from AI in Germany, Italy and Taiwan.

    In contrast, a 2022 analysis of 300,000 US firms didn’t find a significant correlation between AI adoption and productivity, but did for other technologies such as robotics and cloud computing. Likely explanations are that AI hasn’t yet had an effect on many firms, or simply that it’s too hard to disentangle the impact of AI given it’s never applied in isolation.

    AI productivity increases can also sometimes be masked by additional human labour needed to train or operate AI systems. Take Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for shops.

    Publicly launched in 2018, it was intended to reduce labour as customer purchases would be fully automated. But it reportedly relied on hiring around 1,000 workers in India for quality control. Amazon has labelled these reports “erroneous”.

    More generally, think about the unknown number (but likely millions) of people paid to label data for AI models.

    AI and national productivity

    The picture at a national level is even murkier.

    Clearly, AI hasn’t yet impacted national productivity. It can be argued that technology developments take time to affect national productivity, as companies need to figure out how to use the technology and put the necessary infrastructure and skills in place.

    However, this is not guaranteed. For example, while there is consensus that the internet led to productivity improvements, the effects of mobile phones and social media are more contested, and their impacts are more apparent in some industries (such as entertainment) than others.

    Productivity isn’t just doing things faster

    The common narrative around AI and productivity is that AI automates mundane tasks, making us faster at doing things and giving us more time for creative pursuits. This, however, is a naive view of how work happens.

    Just because you can deal with your inbox more quickly doesn’t mean you’ll spend your afternoon on the beach. The more emails you fire off, the more you’ll receive back, and the never-ending cycle continues.

    Faster isn’t always better. Sometimes, we need to slow down to be more productive. That’s when great ideas happen.

    Imagine a world in which AI isn’t simply about speeding up tasks but proactively slows us down, to give us space to be more innovative, and more productive. That’s the real untapped opportunity with AI.

    Jon Whittle works at CSIRO which receives R&D funding from a wide range of government and industry clients.

    – ref. Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky – https://theconversation.com/does-ai-actually-boost-productivity-the-evidence-is-murky-260690

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK welcomes the Office of the Prosecutor’s continued focus on Darfur: UK Statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The UK welcomes the Office of the Prosecutor’s continued focus on Darfur: UK Statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    Let me begin by stressing the United Kingdom’s condemnation of the recent cyberattack against the ICC. 

    The UK has committed funds to strengthen the Court’s cybersecurity framework and we are pleased that this incident was swiftly contained.

    Mr President, I will make three points today. 

    First, we welcome the Office of the Prosecutor’s continued focus on Darfur.

    In this regard, we are gravely concerned by the findings of the Office of the Prosecutor that there are reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity may have been committed, and indeed are continuing to be committed, in Darfur.

    We also echo the report’s concerns about the situation in El Fasher. Large-scale attacks carried out on Zamzam IDP camp in April 2025 reportedly displaced over 400,000 people and continue to affect the population.

    It is appalling that their suffering is compounded by denials of aid. 

    We call on the parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance.

    Second, we note the continued cooperation of the Sudanese authorities, including the facilitation of the recent visit to Port Sudan. 

    Given the significant challenges faced by the Office in implementing its mandate, we encourage the Sudanese authorities to redouble their efforts to cooperate with the Office, particularly in relation to the arrest and transfer of individuals subject to ICC arrest warrants, including Mr Ahmad Harun.

    Third, we welcome the enhanced cooperation between the Prosecutor’s Office and other actors, including civil society organisations and the UN Fact Finding Mission for Sudan.

    We commend the Office of the Prosecutor and the Fact Finding Mission’s ongoing documentation efforts and their commitment to delivering concrete progress.

    Mr President, the Sudanese people deserve justice.

    We therefore call for the SAF and the RSF to immediately cease hostilities and prioritise the protection of civilians in line with resolution 2736.

    Accountability must go hand in hand with finding a political solution to this horrific war and ending the cycle of impunity that has scarred Sudan for decades.

    Mr President, let me conclude by reiterating that the UK supports the independence of the International Criminal Court and does not support the sanctioning of individual court officials.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025, Francesca Albanese & other topics – Daily Press Briefing

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025
    Francesca Albanese
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Lebanon
    Ukraine
    Sudan
    Somalia
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Libya
    UN Environment Programme/Report
    Briefings

    SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS REPORT 2025
    On Monday, in a press conference, the Secretary-General will launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. He will be joined by the Deputy-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and our Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua.

    The press conference will take place at 12:45 p.m., just after the noon briefing.

    FRANCESCA ALBANESE
    In response to questions on the sanctions imposed by the United States on Francesca Albanese, the Spokesman said that the imposition of sanctions on special rapporteurs is a dangerous precedent.

    Francesca Albanese, like all other Special UN Human Rights Rapporteurs, is an independent human rights expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and reporting to the Human Rights Council. Special Rapporteurs do not report to the Secretary-General, and he has no authority over them or their work.

    That being said, Member States are perfectly entitled to their views and to disagree with the reports by the Special Rapporteurs, but we encourage them to engage with the UN human rights architecture.
    The use of unilateral sanctions against special rapporteurs, or any other UN expert or official is unacceptable.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that a UN team managed to bring about 75,000 litres of fuel from Israel into the Gaza Strip. That is the first such provision in 130 days. As mentioned yesterday during the noon briefing, the UN and its humanitarian partners need hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel each day to keep essential life-saving and life-sustaining operations going, meaning the amount entered yesterday isn’t sufficient to cover even one day of energy requirements. Fuel is still running out and services will shut down if greater volumes do not enter Gaza Strip immediately.

    One partner, for instance, reported that this week that in a matter of days, fuel shortages could cut off supplies of clean drinking water to about 44,000 children that depend on that water source. The lack of fresh water would further increase the risk of waterborne illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery. 

    Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues its operations across the Gaza Strip, including shelling and ground incursions. This morning, people waiting to get nutritional supplements were reportedly struck in Deir al Balah. According to Al-Aqsa Hospital, the attack resulted in dozens of casualties, the majority of whom were women and children. 

    In a statement issued today, Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said she was appalled by the reported killing of 15 Palestinians, including nine children and four women, who were just waiting in line for nutritional supplies their children. And I can tell you that the UN, yet again, condemns the killing of civilians in Gaza.

    OCHA stresses that parties are bound by international humanitarian law to prevent such excessive death and injury of civilians in the midst of war.
    All parties must take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize civilian harm, and indiscriminate attacks are strictly prohibited.

    Another strike today reportedly hit the office of a humanitarian partner in Gaza city; three staff were killed.

    Yesterday, UN partners providing education services said that between October 2023 and June of this year, 626 temporary learning spaces have been established in Gaza, with 240,000 students enrolled, about half of those students are girls. However, UN partners say that only 299 spaces are currently operational due to the ongoing displacement orders, funding shortfalls and other challenges.

    UN humanitarian partners, including first responders, health workers, and aid workers, continue to deliver food and other assistance under intolerable conditions, and they themselves are facing hunger. A number of our own colleagues are also facing hunger. They also face water scarcity and threats to their personal safety, just like everyone else in Gaza.
    As we said, time and again: This catastrophic situation must end. A ceasefire is not only urgent, it is long overdue, and all of the hostages need to be released unconditionally and immediately.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10%20July%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCq6GB-B6Sk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee Stresses the Importance of Dialogue, Cooperation at the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Dialogue among Civilizations

    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 10 (Xinhua) — Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended and delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the ministerial meeting of the Global Dialogue among Civilizations on Thursday, calling for more active promotion of dialogue and cooperation among world civilizations.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the event participants, which was read at the opening ceremony by Li Shulei, member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

    In his speech, Cai Qi pointed out that the Global Civilization Initiative, put forward by President Xi Jinping more than two years ago, has received a warm and positive response from the international community.

    Cai Qi noted that this initiative is rooted in the best traditional culture of China. Its key essence is to strive for the common while preserving differences, which echoes the cultural concepts of many countries around the world.

    The member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee stressed that the path to world peace and development is long and difficult. He called for jointly strengthening research on the diversity of development models, actively promoting the protection of cultural heritage and the development of cultural affairs, strengthening cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and promoting the construction of a diverse and multidimensional global network of dialogue and cooperation among civilizations.

    The ministerial meeting on the theme of “Preserving the Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development” was jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres also sent a congratulatory message to the event, which attracted more than 600 guests from some 140 countries and regions.

    Former heads of state and government of Indonesia, Namibia, Japan and Belgium spoke at the opening ceremony. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney participates in a virtual meeting in support of Ukraine

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, participated in a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.

    The meeting was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. It was also attended by many of Canada’s closest allies and partners, including the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and representatives of the United States – senators Lindsay Graham and Richard Blumenthal as well as U.S. Special Envoy General Keith Kellogg.

    The Coalition unequivocally condemned Russia’s latest strikes against Ukraine. They affirmed collective efforts to exert pressure on Russia, including through further sanctions as well as military and financial assistance to Ukraine. Prime Minister Carney raised Canada’s robust support to Ukraine, most recently through a major sanctions package targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and energy revenues; an additional $2 billion in new military support, with funding for drones, ammunition, and armoured vehicles, among other capabilities; and the disbursement of a $2.3 billion loan, to help rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure and public systems.

    The Coalition underscored their steadfast support for Ukraine’s long-term security and sovereignty, and actions to establish a post-ceasefire force. To advance a just and lasting peace, the Coalition of the Willing will have new permanent headquarters in Paris, with plans in place for a future co-ordination cell in Kyiv.

    Associated link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Caro Holdings Introduces Full-Cycle AI Automation Framework to Solve Execution Gaps for Small Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHEFFIELD, United Kingdom, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Caro Holdings Inc. (OTC:CAHO), through its subsidiary, announced the launch of a full-cycle AI automation framework to help small and mid-sized businesses implement systems that deliver measurable outcomes – without the complexity or cost of enterprise platforms.

    The launch addresses frustration among SMEs, where fragmented tools and disconnected workflows have slowed adoption, despite the rise of no-code platforms. While small businesses collectively save over 6.3 billion hours annually using AI, few translate that into sustainable gains.

    Caro’s automation model breaks customer acquisition and conversion into four quadrants, powered by AI and supported by human oversight:

    • Outreach – Content-Driven Attraction
      AI-generated blogs, emails, video scripts, and platform-specific social content enable small teams to execute strategies in hours not weeks. Businesses using AI for content report up to a 70% reduction in creation time.
    • Prospecting – Smart Outreach & Data Enrichment
      Caro’s enrichment engine integrates with Google Sheets, CRMs, or databases to validate contacts, enrich records, and trigger outreach across email, LinkedIn, and voice. AI prioritizes by fit and intent, while human oversight ensures relevance and compliance.
    • Engagement – Intelligent Conversation Management
      The conversation layer combines chat, voice, and AI-driven email responders with historical context and escalation protocols. It goes beyond answering questions-learning and adapting in real time. This reduces inbound handling by 40–70% while preserving the personalized touch small businesses are known for.
    • Conversion – CRM Integration & Revenue Activation
      From proposal generation to booking and payment, Caro’s system connects every step to platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce. Automation drives onboarding, customer workflows, and marketing, each tied to KPIs like CAC, LTV, and churn.

    Unlike typical enterprise tools, Caro’s framework is designed for founders, operators, and small teams-no coding or engineering expertise needed.

    Pilot programs across retail, professional services, and SaaS report:

    • 30–50% reduction in operational overhead
    • 2–3x increase in qualified lead flow
    • ROI of $4–$7 per $1 spent within 60 days

    Caro is now onboarding early-stage and growth businesses in the UK and America, with distribution supported by a growing network of resellers and agency partners.

    About Caro Holdings Inc.
    Caro Holdings Inc. is dedicated to accelerating the growth of brands through digital innovation and AI-powered solutions. Its services include e-commerce strategy, digital marketing, AI technology, and growth capital. Learn more at www.caroholdings.com.

    Caro Holdings Inc.
    +1 786-755-3210
    ir@caroholdings.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Update 301 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains connected to its last remaining main power line following the recent loss of all off-site power on 4 July, an ongoing situation that highlights the heightened nuclear safety and security risks during the conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

    The loss of power– the ninth since the start of the conflict in February 2022 – forced the ZNPP to rely on its backup diesel generators for almost four hours as the plant’s one remaining back-up line remains disconnected after being reportedly damaged by military activity on 7 May. The IAEA team based at the ZNPP site— Europe’s largest nuclear facility — was informed this week that the emergency diesel generator fuel tanks used during the loss of power have since been replenished and the site has enough fuel to enable operation of emergency diesel generators for approximately 20 days, in case of a loss of off-site power event.

    The IAEA team at South Ukraine nuclear power plant (SUNPP) reported that the plant also lost its connection to one 750 kilovolt (kV) off-site power line on 4 July, for approximately the same time as the ZNPP lost off-site power. During that time, the SUNPP continued to receive off-site power from its other 750 kV line and all of its 330 kV power lines. There was no impact on the one unit currently operating, while the other two units continue planned maintenance and refueling activities.

    The IAEA team continued to assess the availability of spare parts necessary for the continued safe operation of the plant by visiting the storage areas for the parts in the thermomechanical and electrical warehouses located within the ZNPP’s site perimeter and will be requesting the findings of recent audits by the ZNPP of spare parts. The team is also expecting to be updated on the delayed procurement of spare parts needed so that the ZNPP can commence annual maintenance of all 20 emergency diesel generators which are essential to safety in case of a loss of off-site power event.

    Also this week, the IAEA team reported that maintenance activities continue at the site, including on one safety train of unit 2 and on the main transformer of unit 4, while maintenance on one safety train of unit 5 is expected to be completed on Friday. Recently, the team also visited all main control rooms where it confirmed the number of operating staff present and recorded safety parameters for all units.

    The IAEA team reported hearing military activity on most days over the past week, including gunfire near the plant on 4 July and three explosions close to the plant on 5 July.

    The IAEA team at the Rivne nuclear power plant (NPP) reported that one reactor continues its planned maintenance and refueling activities, and one other unit was required to temporarily reduce reactor power to enable for the inspection and repair of one of the turbines. The repairs were successfully completed, and the reactor has returned to nominal full power.

    IAEA teams present at all sites — the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl NPP site — reported hearing air raid alarms on most days over the past week. At the Khmelnytskyy NPP the team was informed that drones were observed as close as five kilometres from the site, while the team at the Rivne NPP had to shelter at its hotel on two separate days and the teams at the Khmelnytskyy and Rivne NPPs sheltered at site today. The team at the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing the sounds of a drone and anti-aircraft fire at the Chornobyl NPP site on the evening of 9 July, and were informed by the site management that a drone had reportedly flown over the open switchyard and was intercepted by the military. 

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Chornobyl NPP site received equipment aimed at enhancing the nuclear security measures at the site and the Khmelnytskyy and South Ukraine NPPs received equipment aimed at enhancing radiation monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and the hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received multipurpose radiation monitoring devices.

    These deliveries were funded by the European Union, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and brought the total number of IAEA-coordinated deliveries since the start of the armed conflict to 146.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 301 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains connected to its last remaining main power line following the recent loss of all off-site power on 4 July, an ongoing situation that highlights the heightened nuclear safety and security risks during the conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

    The loss of power– the ninth since the start of the conflict in February 2022 – forced the ZNPP to rely on its backup diesel generators for almost four hours as the plant’s one remaining back-up line remains disconnected after being reportedly damaged by military activity on 7 May. The IAEA team based at the ZNPP site— Europe’s largest nuclear facility — was informed this week that the emergency diesel generator fuel tanks used during the loss of power have since been replenished and the site has enough fuel to enable operation of emergency diesel generators for approximately 20 days, in case of a loss of off-site power event.

    The IAEA team at South Ukraine nuclear power plant (SUNPP) reported that the plant also lost its connection to one 750 kilovolt (kV) off-site power line on 4 July, for approximately the same time as the ZNPP lost off-site power. During that time, the SUNPP continued to receive off-site power from its other 750 kV line and all of its 330 kV power lines. There was no impact on the one unit currently operating, while the other two units continue planned maintenance and refueling activities.

    The IAEA team continued to assess the availability of spare parts necessary for the continued safe operation of the plant by visiting the storage areas for the parts in the thermomechanical and electrical warehouses located within the ZNPP’s site perimeter and will be requesting the findings of recent audits by the ZNPP of spare parts. The team is also expecting to be updated on the delayed procurement of spare parts needed so that the ZNPP can commence annual maintenance of all 20 emergency diesel generators which are essential to safety in case of a loss of off-site power event.

    Also this week, the IAEA team reported that maintenance activities continue at the site, including on one safety train of unit 2 and on the main transformer of unit 4, while maintenance on one safety train of unit 5 is expected to be completed on Friday. Recently, the team also visited all main control rooms where it confirmed the number of operating staff present and recorded safety parameters for all units.

    The IAEA team reported hearing military activity on most days over the past week, including gunfire near the plant on 4 July and three explosions close to the plant on 5 July.

    The IAEA team at the Rivne nuclear power plant (NPP) reported that one reactor continues its planned maintenance and refueling activities, and one other unit was required to temporarily reduce reactor power to enable for the inspection and repair of one of the turbines. The repairs were successfully completed, and the reactor has returned to nominal full power.

    IAEA teams present at all sites — the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl NPP site — reported hearing air raid alarms on most days over the past week. At the Khmelnytskyy NPP the team was informed that drones were observed as close as five kilometres from the site, while the team at the Rivne NPP had to shelter at its hotel on two separate days and the teams at the Khmelnytskyy and Rivne NPPs sheltered at site today. The team at the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing the sounds of a drone and anti-aircraft fire at the Chornobyl NPP site on the evening of 9 July, and were informed by the site management that a drone had reportedly flown over the open switchyard and was intercepted by the military. 

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Chornobyl NPP site received equipment aimed at enhancing the nuclear security measures at the site and the Khmelnytskyy and South Ukraine NPPs received equipment aimed at enhancing radiation monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and the hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received multipurpose radiation monitoring devices.

    These deliveries were funded by the European Union, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and brought the total number of IAEA-coordinated deliveries since the start of the armed conflict to 146.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights Committee Holds Emergency Meeting with States Parties as the United Nations’ Financial Crisis Threatens its Survival

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today held an emergency meeting with States parties to discuss the financial challenges of the United Nations and the Committee’s future.

    Committee Chairperson Changrok Soh, in opening remarks, said the Committee’s ability to fulfil its mandate was under serious threat. Austerity measures had been imposed on it that jeopardised not just its current work, but the very future of the Committee itself.

    The Committee’s most pressing concern was the cancellation of its third session this year, Mr. Soh said. This was the first time in its 50-year history that such a cancellation had occurred. Losing a session meant serious delays in reviewing State party reports and in deciding on individual complaints of Covenant violations. Many victims had already waited years for justice. Now, they would wait even longer, he said.

    Mr. Soh appealed to States parties to help the Committee find a solution. The Committee needed States’ political will, financial commitment, and concrete support — not only to help it find a way to hold its third session this year, but also to strengthen the system for the future.

    In the ensuing discussion, States parties expressed support for the Committee and the treaty body system, and concern regarding the financial crisis and the cancellation of the third session. They called on the Committee to come up with new, sustainable, cost-effective solutions to address the structural issues underpinning the situation, while maintaining its work and integrity.

    Concluding the meeting, Mr. Soh said that treaty bodies were not receiving enough funding for their core work. They were doing their best in terms of rationalisation and increasing efficiency, but as allocated resources declined, support for the treaty bodies’ work diminished, creating a vicious cycle.

    To address this situation, special measures were needed, such as utilising voluntary contributions transparently, he said. Without a properly functioning treaty body system, human rights protections would weaken around the world. Decisive and urgent action was needed to protect the treaty body system and human rights around the world, he concluded.

    Speaking in the meeting were representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as Japan, Spain, Serbia, Egypt, Croatia, Colombia, Russian Federation, Costa Rica, Islamic Republic of Iran and France.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-fourth session is being held from 23 June to 17 July 2025. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage . Meeting summary releases can be found here . The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Tuesday 15 July to hear the progress report of the Special Rapporteur on follow-up to the Committee’s concluding observations.

    Opening Statements by Committee Experts

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chair, said the Committee had convened the emergency meeting to discuss a single, urgent issue: “The financial challenges of the United Nations and the future of the Human Rights Committee.” The Committee came before States today with a profound sense of urgency.

    All members of the Human Rights Committee were deeply honoured to take enormous responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the Covenant. They took this duty very seriously. But today, its ability to fulfil this mandate was under serious threat. The austerity measures imposed on the Committee jeopardised not just its current work, but the very future of the Committee itself.

    These were truly unprecedented times — for the Committee and for the entire treaty body system. The Committee’s most pressing concern was the cancellation of its third session this year, scheduled for October and November, as announced by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This was the first time in the Committee’s 50-year history that such a cancellation had occurred. 

    The cancellation put the Committee in a very difficult position. Its rules of procedure required it to meet three times a year. This was a fundamental obligation under the Committee’s mandate and indispensable to the effectiveness of its work. If it lost a session, nearly eight months would pass without a single meeting in Geneva. This meant serious delays in reviewing State party reports and in deciding on individual complaints of Covenant violations. Many victims had already waited years for justice. Now, they would wait even longer. Every delay weakened the Committee’s recommendations, diminished their impact, and undermined their ability to prevent further violations.

    The Committee recognised that the United Nations’ financial crisis was serious, and that the Secretariat was doing its best under the current constraints. But it was clear that the rules and structures of the system were too rigid to cope with situations like this. For example, in early June, during the Treaty Body Chairs’ meeting, several Chairs explored the possibility of mobilising emergency funding to hold autumn sessions. However, they were told that this was not possible, as treaty bodies were required to rely exclusively on the regular budget to carry out their mandated activities. This rule was intended to safeguard the Committee’s independence. But it made little sense if, in practice, it prevented it from functioning at all when the regular budget fell short. The Covenant clearly obliged the Secretary-General to ensure that the Committee could carry out its work. If the current approach blocked the fulfilment of that obligation, then it needed to change.

    The Committee therefore appealed to States parties to help it find a solution. Open and frank communication with the States parties was crucial because, ultimately, it was in States’ interest to ensure that the treaty bodies could continue their vital work, even in difficult times. The Committee needed States’ political will, financial commitment, and concrete support — not only to help it find a way to hold its third session this year, but also to strengthen the system for the future. 

    The Committee monitored the fundamental rights of individuals in 174 States parties — as part of the approximately 1,400 treaty obligations regularly reviewed by the treaty bodies. This was a remarkable early warning and accountability system — one that States parties created. The Committee urged States to ensure that this system could continue to function effectively. If not, what alternative was available?

    This should not be treated as a one-time problem. If this unprecedented cancellation were allowed to be “normalised”, it would set a dangerous precedent. Each time the United Nations faced a funding shortfall, the credibility and effectiveness of the treaty body system, a core pillar of the United Nations’ human rights architecture, would erode further.

    There was growing global pushback against human rights, especially the very rights the Committee was mandated to protect. This was not the moment to weaken United Nations human rights mechanisms. On the contrary, the world needed this remarkable early warning and accountability system now more than ever. 

    The Committee called on States to do three things. First, support the Committee — even at this late stage — in finding a solution to hold its third session this year, and commit to holding all three regular sessions in 2026. Second, allow voluntary contributions from States to be used transparently and responsibly to support the Committee’s work, while fully preserving the independence and impartiality of the treaty bodies. Third, help the Committee function effectively by fulfilling reporting obligations, engaging with the Committee in dialogue, and supporting its work financially and politically, both now and in the long term.

    Statements and Questions by States Parties 

    In the ensuing dialogue, many States expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Committee and the treaty bodies and their firm commitment to the treaty bodies, which were a cornerstone of the international human rights system. The Committee, they said, made significant contributions to upholding civil and political rights around the world.

    Several speakers expressed deep concern about the financial crisis, which was affecting the mandates of all treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures, among other mechanisms in the United Nations system. This situation had serious implications for these bodies’ important work.

    One speaker said that their country had increased contributions to the treaty body system and was paying its dues on time, and had also increased unearmarked financial contributions to the Office of the High Commissioner. The speaker said that the country would work to strengthen the capacity of the Secretariat through its contributions.

    Some speakers said treaty bodies needed to work to harmonise their working methods. Cooperation between treaty bodies could lead to solutions to backlogs in individual communications. The Committee had a backlog of over 1,000 individual communications. One speaker asked if the Committee had assessed additional measures to address its backlog.

    Many speakers expressed dismay that the Committee’s third session for the year was to be cancelled, and called for an urgent, mitigating solution to be found to hold the Committee’s third session in November. Without this session, the Committee’s backlog of cases would only increase. Was this issue related to the ordinary budget or to liquidity? One speaker suggested using new technologies and virtual meetings to hold the third session. The Committee needed to come up with new, sustainable, cost-effective solutions to address the structural issues underpinning the situation, while maintaining its work and integrity. 

    Some speakers commended the UN80 initiative and the United Nations’ efforts to address evolving global challenges. However, some speakers said that austerity measures implemented through the UN80 initiative should not affect the work of the treaty bodies and the international human rights system.

    One speaker said it was worth exploring the Chair’s proposal regarding the use of voluntary contributions to facilitate the Committee’s third session, provided that there were no legal barriers to this solution and that the independence and impartiality of the Committee were not affected. The speaker commended the Committee’s efforts to find a solution.

    Another speaker said that their country had attempted to fund one of the treaty bodies’ mandates directly but had been told that funding could only come from the regular budget. If a voluntary funding scheme for the Committee was established, it needed to be established for all the treaty bodies and other mechanisms receiving funds from the regular budget. The speaker said that their country would support solutions proposed by States, while working within the norms of the United Nations’ system.

    A speaker said that one State had traditionally contributed significantly to the funding of the human rights system; the reasons for its sudden cessation of funding needed to be examined. States were the owners of the treaty body system.

    One speaker said multilingualism needed to be an essential value of the treaty bodies; it should not be sacrificed to achieve budgetary austerity.

    Responses by Committee Experts and Others

    A Committee Expert said States were authors of the Covenant and the Optional Protocol on individual communications. The harmonisation of working methods related to individual communications began around three years ago, both formally and informally. There was no resistance from the Committee in this regard. The Human Rights Committee received the largest number of individual communications, given the broad scope of the Covenant. It was proud of its record in dealing with these communications. Delays in issuing decisions on communications affected the relevance and legitimacy of the decisions that the Committee adopted. The Committee had had only three days this session to assess individual communications, while it had had a full week previously.

    The Secretariat had exerted efforts to maintain its staff in the financial crisis. The Committee had a human resources issue; there was a lack of staff to assess individual complaints, prepare draft decisions, and assess follow-up to the Committee’s decisions. The issue of resources needed to be addressed; simply freeing up time in sessions to assess individual communications would not fix the backlog.

    Digitisation was a long-standing structural issue for the Committee. The system that the Committee worked with was not sufficiently digitised.

    Another Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed States’ support and was encouraged by their presence in the dialogue. The Committee received over half of all the individual communications received by the treaty body system. If the Secretariat could not prepare individual cases for assessment, the Committee could not assess them. Without sufficient pre-sessional working time, the Committee’s backlog would only increase. Diplomats in Geneva understood the complexities of the treaty body system. They needed to mobilise with colleagues in New York to support treaty bodies’ efficiency.

    This was the first time that the Committee had organised a special, focused meeting, and it had been very successful. It would be helpful to have annual meetings with States, as well as emergency meetings to discuss urgent issues.

    One Committee Expert proposed that the Committee use digital technologies to hold the third session remotely. A decision on this issue needed to be taken rapidly. However, this was not a solution to the structural problems the Committee faced. The Committee needed to take slow steps forward in this situation.

    Another Committee Expert said that the young generation was questioning the capacity of the human rights system to protect human rights, in the context of the recent increase in violations of human rights and international humanitarian law around the world. The Committee was witnessing the emergence of new challenges, including in relation to climate change and artificial intelligence. It was considering how to address these challenges while preserving human rights. The Committee’s objective was not to level accusations at States; it was to accompany them on their journey toward achieving the best implementation of their commitments. Member States needed to support the Committee now, in the same manner as they had supported it for decades.

    A Committee Expert thanked States parties for their support to the international human rights system. States had created the Committee, recognising the need to monitor and protect civil and political rights. The Committee had an enormous workload and required appropriate financial resources, so that the Secretariat could hire necessary human resources to facilitate its work. The Expert called on States to take initiatives to address the crisis. Solutions needed to address the overall structural crisis over the long term.

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chair, said the Committee would present a proposal to States regarding the use of voluntary contributions for holding the third session, but only States could approve this. Mr. Soh expressed support for the idea of holding annual meetings with States parties.

    The Committee met online during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that these meetings were not effective for various reasons, including time difference and limitations on dialogue and interpretation. The treaty body Chairs had discussed this issue, but had decided that online meetings were not an effective option. However, the Committee would continue to use digital technology, including artificial intelligence, to increase the efficiency of its work.

    WAN-HEA LEE, Chief, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , said that, in the past, the Office of the High Commissioner had reduced the working time of pre-sessional working groups to manage the financial crisis. The working group for the third session had been cancelled.

    In the past, the treaty bodies had been facing a liquidity crisis. Dues were being paid, but did not reach the treaty bodies in a timely manner. However, it was not an issue of liquidity anymore. The budget of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for this year had been cut, and the situation had moved from a liquidity to a financial crisis. The financial outlook for next year was also not bright.

    DINA ROSSBACHER, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , said that there was a structural problem in terms of the processing of decisions related to individual communications. The formula adopted by Member States regarding the processing of individual communications had not been fully adopted and this had been exacerbated by the financial crisis. The Committee had taken several steps to address the situation, including efforts to align working methods and increase the efficiency of processing individual communications. Last year, the Committee adopted a record number of decisions on communications – over 450. However, the large backlog remained, and the situation remained urgent.

    Statements and Questions by States Parties

    States expressed support for the work of the Committee, the treaty bodies and the human rights system. It was the responsibility of States to support the work of the Committee, one speaker said.

    Speakers said creative initiatives were needed to address the financial situation, including digital meetings. One State expressed support for the Committee’s efforts to harmonise and increase efficiency for its work.

    One speaker said the Committee needed to further consider the cultural diversity of States in preparing its concluding observations. If the Committee did not consider challenges such as terrorism and unilateral coercive measures, its recommendations would be considered irrelevant to the realities on the ground in some countries. The speaker called on the Committee to prepare a general comment on the impact of unilateral coercive measures on civil and political rights.

    Responses by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the treaty bodies were implementing innovative methods to review States parties. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had this year conducted a special, informal meeting in Fiji to review States parties in the region. This initiative was funded by States parties, and could be a model for other Committees to follow. The application of simplified procedures to individual communications would not be sufficient for fully addressing the Committee’s backlog.

    Closing Remarks

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chair, said treaty bodies were at the core of the human rights architecture. However, the Committee’s third session would not happen without extraordinary measures, and this trend would continue if the Committee continued to rely on the United Nations’ regular budget. Less than five per cent of the United Nations’ regular budget was allocated to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The treaty body system was not receiving enough funding for its core work. It was doing its best in terms of rationalisation and increasing efficiency. But as allocated resources declined, support diminished, creating a vicious cycle.

    To address this situation, special measures were needed, such as utilising voluntary contributions transparently. Without a properly functioning treaty body system, human rights protections would weaken around the world. Decisive and urgent action was needed to protect the treaty body system and human rights around the world.

    ____________

    This document is produced by the United Nations Information Service at Geneva and is intended for public information; it is not an official document.
    The English and French versions of our news releases are different because they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    CCPR25.017E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Tusk of Poland at Ukraine Recovery Conference

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    10 Luglio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, met today with the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, in the margins of the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

    The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Poland and Italy, from economic and trade collaboration to defence industry cooperation.

    Particular attention was also paid to issues on the European agenda, starting with the common commitment on migration. In this regard, the two leaders confirmed their determination to continue searching for innovative solutions to fight irregular immigration.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Secret negotiations between Türkiye and Syria on the delimitation of maritime zones in the Eastern Mediterranean – E-002735/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002735/2025/rev.1
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Yannis Maniatis (S&D)

    According to a letter from the Turkish Foreign Minister to the Office of the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, published today[1], Türkiye has initiated secret negotiations with the new regime in Syria on the delimitation of maritime zones beyond territorial waters in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

    Bearing in mind that Türkiye has very close relations with the new Syrian regime, and that the Turkish-Libyan memorandum of understanding – by which Türkiye tried to establish an Exclusive Economic Zone between Türkiye and Libya – violates international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the sovereign rights of Greece, as recognised by the European Council in its conclusions, can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy say:

    • 1.Are there any conditions for lifting sanctions on the Syrian regime? If so, what are they?
    • 2.What steps will she take to prevent such an agreement and protect the sovereign rights of EU Member States in the Eastern Mediterranean?
    • 3.What sanctions will she impose on both Türkiye and the new Syrian regime, should an agreement on the delimitation of maritime zones such as an EEZ or continental shelf between Syria and Türkiye violate international law and the sovereign rights of EU Member States?

    Submitted: 3.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.iefimerida.gr/kosmos/nordic-monitor-mystikes-diapragmateyseis-toyrkia-syria
    Last updated: 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Closure of the Monastery of St Catherine in Sinai and violation of religious freedoms by the Egyptian authorities – E-002164/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU and the EU Delegation in Cairo are aware of and continue to monitor the recent developments in Egypt after the Ismailia Court of Appeals issued a ruling linked to the legal status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai.

    In a meeting called by the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the Egyptian authorities assured Member States’ Ambassadors and the EU Head of Delegation in Cairo that the Egyptian government remains fully committed to preserving the monastery’s religious, historical, and spiritual status, adding that the current status of the area around Saint Catherine’s Monastery is untouchable. It was reaffirmed that the monks’ access to the site will not be affected by the court ruling.

    The EU welcomes the commitments of the governments of Greece and Egypt to work together towards safeguarding the rights of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and awaits any new developments with regard to its legal status.

    The EU will continue to follow the situation closely and await the result of the discussions between the Egyptian and Greek Authorities, insisting on the necessity to preserve the monastery’s religious, historical, and spiritual status, in accordance with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Convention[1].

    • [1] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage convention website, Saint Catherine Monastery: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/954/.
    Last updated: 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The statutory right of first refusal on the purchase of forests in Slovenia is an infringement of EU law – E-002543/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002543/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Matej Tonin (PPE)

    In Slovenia there is an established right of first refusal for the purchase of forests in the case of complexes of more than 30 hectares located in Slovenia. This right of first refusal is granted to Slovenian State Forests (Slovenski državni gozdovi, d.o.o. (SiDG)), the company that manages and administers forests owned by the state.

    I believe that such a broadly defined possibility to exercise a right of first refusal infringes EU law on three separate grounds:

    (1) Because it restricts the free movement of capital between Member States;

    (2) Because it constitutes an infringement of EU competition rules, as well as being unlawful State aid to a public company; and

    (3) Because there is no valid reason to establish such a right of first refusal, nor can such a right be in the public interest.

    Two applicants have already notified the Commission of an infringement of EU law, namely Jurij Rudež 6/12/2023 CPLT (2024)00008 and the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia 16/01/2024 (2024)00467T.

    I would like to ask the Commission:

    Could such a broadly defined and legally guaranteed right of first refusal constitute an infringement of EU law?

    Submitted: 25.6.2025

    Last updated: 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Hungary’s ban on pride marches – E-001276/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Council regularly monitors the situation in Hungary. At the General Affairs Council meeting of 28 January 2025, Hungary took part in a country-specific discussion, in the framework of the Council’s rule of law dialogue.

    The developments mentioned by the Honourable Member fall also within the scope of the ongoing Article 7(1) TEU procedure. In the framework of the said procedure, a hearing of Hungary was held at the General Affairs Council meeting on 27 May.

    In July 2021, the Commission, which is responsible for overseeing Member States’ application of Union law, launched an infringement procedure concerning the Hungarian law of 15 June 2021 adopting stricter measures against persons convicted of paedophilia and amending certain laws for the protection of children. A case is now before the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C-769/22) about the matter.

    Last updated: 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Is the Commission funding the establishment of reception and support centres for unaccompanied foreign ‘minors’? – E-002539/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002539/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Catherine Griset (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Marie Dauchy (PfE), Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE)

    At a time when France’s negligence in failing to protect its children has been criticised[1],owing to the proliferation of prostitution, drug trafficking and Islamism in homes for minors, the necessary resources to curb these scourges are not being provided by the state and local authorities.

    The French authorities, however, are allocating ever more human and financial resources to opening reception and support centres for unaccompanied foreigners who claim to be minors, such as the recently established facilities in Dol-de-Bretagne, in Ille-et-Vilaine[2].

    • 1.Is the Commission making a contribution towards the funding of these centres for unaccompanied foreign ‘minors’?
    • 2.If so, how much EU funding is being provided?
    • 3.What would the Commission do to ensure that these alleged foreign minors are returned to their home countries as quickly as possible?

    Submitted: 24.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.bvoltaire.fr/20-000-enfants-prostitues-leffrayant-bilan-de-laide-sociale-a-lenfance/?fsp_sid=592
    • [2] https://www.letelegramme.fr/ille-et-vilaine/saint-malo-35400/une-preference-etrangere-scandaleuse-le-centre-de-mineurs-isoles-a-dol-de-bretagne-fait-reagir-le-rassemblement-national-6831560.php
    Last updated: 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – NECCA’s mismanagement of environmental resources to the benefit of Nea Dimokratia’s propaganda team revealed – E-001806/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission is not aware of the complaints mentioned by the Honourable Member, which may call into question Greece’s compliance with environmental obligations and point to a possible misuse of EU funds.

    2. According to information received by the Greek Authorities, the project in question is not co-funded by Cohesion Policy programmes[1] or any other EU programme.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/what/investment-policy_en.
    Last updated: 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Overlooked and underestimated: Sand and dust storms wreak havoc across borders

    Source: United Nations 2

    That’s how much sand and dust enters the atmosphere on an annual basis according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s annual report on the storms which scatter such particles across borders worldwide.

    The UN weather agency’s reports warns that while the amount of dust decreased marginally in 2024, the impact on humans and economies is increasing.

    WMO estimates that over 330 million people across 150 countries are affected by sand and dust storms, leading to premature deaths and other health consequences in addition to steep economic costs.

    More than just a dark sky 

    “Sand and dust storms do not just mean dirty windows and hazy skies. They harm the health and quality of life of millions of people and cost many millions of dollars,” said Celeste Saulo, the Secretary-General of WMO.

    While the movement of sand and dust is a natural weather process, increased land degradation and water mismanagement have, in the past few decades, exacerbated the prevalence and geographic spread.

    Dust and sand particles – 80 per cent of which come from North Africa and the Middle East – can be transported thousands of kilometres across borders and oceans.

    “What begins in a storm in the Sahara, can darken skies in Europe. What is lifted in Central Asia, can alter air quality in China. The atmosphere does not recognize borders,” said Sara Basart, WMO Scientific Officer, at a briefing in Geneva.

    And this is precisely what happened in 2024. Dust and sand from the Western Sahara travelled all the way to Spain’s Canary Islands. And fierce winds and drought in Mongolia brought dust to Beijing and northern China.

    Fast-growing challenge

    “These extreme weather events are not local anomalies. Sand and dust storms are fast becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time,” said a senior official on Thursday morning speaking on behalf of Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly.

    The storms can obscure sunlight, altering ecosystems on land and in the ocean. In addition to environmental impacts, these weather occurrences have profound impacts on humans and their economies.

    “Once considered seasonal or localised, sand and dust storms have escalated into a persistent and intensifying global hazard,” said Rola Dashti, the co-chair of the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

    Between 2018-2022, over 3.8 billion people were exposed to dust particles, with the worst-affected regions experiencing dust exposure 87 per cent of the time during that same period.

    These particles exacerbate cardiovascular diseases and have other adverse health effects, leading to 7 million premature deaths each year especially among already vulnerable populations.

    Mr. Yang referred to this as the “staggering human toll”: from an economic perspective, storms can lead to a 20 per cent reduction in crop production among rural communities, pushing them towards hunger and poverty.

    In the Middle East and North Africa alone, economic losses in 2024 as a result of sand and dust storms accounted for 2.5 per cent of the regional GDP.

    Can’t go it alone

    WMO is calling on the international community to invest more in early warning systems and data tracking.

    “No country, no matter how prepared, can face this challenge alone. Sand and dust storms are a trans-boundary threat that demands coordinated, multisectoral and multilateral action,” said Ms. Dashti.

    With 2025-2034 declared the Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, Mr. Yang said this should prove a turning point. He urged Member States to move from awareness to action – and fragmentation to coordination. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Renewable Energy Directive – regulatory uncertainty surrounding product certification rules and CO₂ accounting – P-002752/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002752/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kris Van Dijck (ECR)

    Steelanol is a flagship project by ArcelorMittal in Ghent (Belgium), aimed at converting gases from steel production into sustainable ethanol. Unfortunately, regulatory uncertainty surrounding product certification rules and CO₂ accounting is threatening the viability of this decarbonisation project.

    ArcelorMittal has failed to obtain the Recycled Carbon Fuel (RCF) sustainability label for the ethanol produced by the Steelanol facility in Ghent. However, if the same facility were relocated to Dunkerque (France), ArcelorMittal would receive this label. This is because the methods established in the Renewable Energy Directive for calculating the amount by which recycled carbon fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions take into account the CO2 intensity of the electricity used. The electricity mix therefore directly affects whether a project achieves the sustainability criterion of reducing emissions by at least 70 %.

    • 1.How does the Commission justify using the parameter of the CO2 intensity of the grid to assess the sustainability of a project, knowing that it distorts the level playing field in the internal market, with the result that decarbonisation projects in some Member States are automatically found less sustainable, regardless of the merits of the individual project?
    • 2.How will the Commission ensure that innovative decarbonisation projects in Belgium are not hampered by decarbonisation-inhibiting regulatory choices?

    Submitted: 7.7.2025

    Last updated: 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – PCC infiltrates Portugal – the need to boost European cooperation – P-002759/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002759/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Ana Miguel Pedro (PPE)

    Recent reports from the Brazilian authorities show that the transnational criminal group First Capital Command (Primeiro Comando da Capital, PCC) has established a worrying operational presence in Europe, with Portugal having been identified as the main point of infiltration. 87 active PCC members have already been identified on Portuguese territory, of which 29 are being held in national prisons.

    This situation represents a direct threat to the internal security of the European Union. The PCC is infiltrating prisons, exploiting weaknesses in logistics chains and building narcotrafficking and money laundering networks.

    The group’s standard of operation demonstrates a high level of organisation, adaptation and strategic ambition, with the PCC seeking to take over control of critical drug entry points into the EU.

    • 1.How does the Commission intend to strengthen police and judicial cooperation, improve the sharing of intelligence and tighten control in strategic ports to curb the rise of criminal networks in Europe?
    • 2.How will the new EU-Brazil agreement with Europol be used to identify and stop groups such as the PCC before they take hold in Europe?
    • 3.How does the European Commission assess the possibility of carrying out an analysis to classify the PCC, bearing in mind that a number of the group’s activities already meet the legal criteria of terrorism?

    Submitted: 7.7.2025

    Last updated: 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –