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Category: France

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Government backs bid to bring World Athletics Championships back to London in 2029

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK Government backs bid to bring World Athletics Championships back to London in 2029

    A successful bid would see the biggest global athletics event return to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

    • Government also supports bid for the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships to be staged in the UK
    • Championships would boost economy and strengthen UK standing as world-class sporting hosts

    The Government has today confirmed its support for bids to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships and the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships; setting out our ambition to see the sport’s pinnacle events return to the UK for the first time since the summer of 2017.

    A bid would aim to boost the UK economy, further strengthen the country’s outstanding reputation for hosting the biggest and best events, and encourage more people to get involved in track and field.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be moment of great national pride, building on our global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent.

    Hosting these championships would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but it would inspire the next generation to get involved and pursue their ambitions.

    The event would provide a boost for UK businesses and support jobs as well as bring our communities together. I’m delighted to support the bid.

    The London Stadium, etched into the public’s memory for hosting the iconic 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as the hugely successful 2017 World Championships, is the proposed venue for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

    Meanwhile, the Government is committed to taking the World Paras beyond the capital, with a host city to be confirmed in due course.

    Subject to funding from partners being confirmed, the Government has agreed to provide significant funding for both bids, reflecting the UK’s ambition to once again bring the world’s greatest athletes to UK shores.

    This major commitment comes with London today set to host a sold-out Diamond League event, the world’s biggest one-day athletics meet.

    The UK Government will work hand-in-hand with the bidder Athletic Ventures, UK Sport, and host cities – including the Greater London Authority for the World Athletics Championship – to unlock a wide range of social, economic and sporting benefits, from boosting tourism and local economies to fostering healthier, more active communities through elite sport.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said:

    Major sporting events deliver unforgettable moments and have the power to bring our country together like little else.

    That’s why we’re excited to be backing a bid to bring the World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships back to the UK in 2029. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to build on our world class reputation as hosts, delivering not just economic benefits for the country but engaging communities, inspiring the next generation and showcasing the best of Britain to the world.

    Simon Morton, Director of Events at UK Sport, said:

    Live sport matters. It brings people together in ways few other things can, creating happiness, pride and lasting memories. Hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships gives us the chance to once again unite the nation around these genuinely global events.

    We welcome the Government’s commitment to extend our pipeline of hosted events, as we move forward with this bold and collaborative bid.

    Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics, said:

    We’d like to thank the Government for supporting these bids. Staging these events in the UK will not only inspire today’s elite athletes, but those of tomorrow, and will engage millions in our sport.

    After superb medal hauls over the last few years on the World, Olympic and Paralympic stage, athletics in the UK is on an upward trajectory, with new partners, record participation and sold-out stadia. This support will drive the sport on to new heights.

    Sanjay Bhandari, Chair at Athletic Ventures, said:

    We are absolutely delighted that the Government has recognised the enormous value that the World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships can deliver for Britain — from jobs and investment to inspiring young people to get active.

    Central government support is a catalytic first step enabling us to build further dialogue with potential host cities and build compelling bids for both championships. We will seek to create spectacular events that leave a lasting legacy for our communities. We’re excited to work with partners across sport, government and our potential host cities to make that vision a reality.

    Josh Kerr, 1500m world champion and double Olympic medallist, said:

    London 2017 was my first senior World Championships, and it lit a fire in me. Being part of a home team in that kind of atmosphere was incredible — it made me hungrier than ever to become a world champion and chase Olympic medals.

    Having the government support to bid for 2029 and potentially bring that experience back to London would be massive. It would inspire so many young athletes and give the sport the platform it deserves. I’m proud to support the bid and hope we get the chance to show the world what we can do on home soil.

    If successful, the Championships would mark another milestone in the UK’s exceptional record of hosting world-class events and its enduring commitment to investing in sport as a force for good.

    The pipeline of major events already secured includes this Summer’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, the European Athletics Championships 2026, the ICC T20 Cricket women’s and men’s World Cups (in 2026 and 2030 respectively), the Invictus Games 2027 in Birmingham, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Departs 2027, and EURO 2028.

    Additional Quotes:

    Katarina Johnson Thompson, two-time heptathlon world champion, said:

    I’m so pleased to see the Government backing this bid — hosting a home World Championships would be incredible for our sport and for the country.

    I still remember the buzz of competing in front of a home crowd in London in 2012 and 2017 — nothing compares to that feeling. It gave me a huge lift, and I’d love the next generation of athletes to experience that same atmosphere on the world stage.

    Bringing the Championships back to London would inspire so many people and show what British athletics is all about.

    Zak Skinner, two-time European T13 Gold medallist, said:

    It’s great that the Government is backing the bid to bring the World Para Athletics Championships back to the UK. Competing at London 2017 was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. That home crowd, that energy — it was electric, and it showed just how powerful para athletics can be when it’s centre stage.

    I’ve grown so much as an athlete since then, but that experience gave me belief and drive at a crucial time. Hosting the World Para Athletics Championships here again would be a huge statement — not just for our athletes, but for the next generation watching in the stands or at home. I’d love to see it come back to the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • India sees strong 12.6% growth in investment confidence in Q3 2025, highest among 32 economies: report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Despite a marginal 1.4 per cent decline in business investment confidence, India recorded the highest year-on-year growth among 32 economies surveyed for Q3 2025, registering a strong 12.6 per cent increase, according to the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Global Business Investment Confidence Index.

    The report noted that the Global Business Investment Confidence Index fell by 13.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter (q/q) for Q3 2025, marking the third consecutive quarter of decline.

    This drop in confidence was broad-based, with sharp declines reported across all five sub-indices. This contrasts with Q2 2025, when only capital expenditure and workforce size were expected to decrease.

    The report also highlighted that nearly half of the surveyed businesses (46.8 per cent) cited supply chain stability as a key factor influencing investment decisions for Q3 2025. In contrast, tariff uncertainty and domestic interest rates were among the least influential factors. This aligns with earlier findings indicating that the Global Supply Chain Continuity Index remains the lowest among all indices, standing at 99.9 for Q3.

    Globally, the decline in investment confidence was steeper in advanced economies than in emerging ones. Even when excluding the U.S.—which saw a sharp 16.7 per cent q/q drop and holds the largest weight—confidence in advanced economies fell more significantly than in emerging economies. France, Japan, Germany, and Spain recorded the steepest declines among advanced economies, reversing the gains made in Q2.

    Among emerging markets, the Russian Federation (-26.1 per cent), Brazil (-23.9 per cent), and South Africa (-20.7 per cent) experienced the largest q/q drops. In Brazil, aggressive monetary tightening by the Central Bank, which has raised the Selic rate by 425 basis points since last year, has significantly dampened capital expenditure plans. In South Africa, exposure to U.S. tariffs—particularly on automobile exports—has contributed to the decline in confidence.

    In terms of sectors, the manufacturing industry recorded a steeper drop in investment confidence (-17.2 per cent) than the services sector (-10.8 per cent) for Q3 2025. Within manufacturing, the capital goods (-33.1 per cent), food (-26.9 per cent), and automotive (-26.4 per cent) sub-sectors saw the most significant declines. The chemicals manufacturing sub-sector reported the smallest decline at -14.8 per cent, potentially due to exemptions from new U.S. tariffs, particularly those affecting pharmaceutical products.

    On a positive note, the report stated that expected capacity utilisation for Q3 2025 rose to 68.9 per cent in the services sector and 69.3 per cent in the manufacturing sector—the first quarter-on-quarter increase since Q1 2024.

    “Though this is a positive signal for future capital expenditure, the level remains below the 2024 averages of 73.9% and 74.1% for services and manufacturing, respectively,” the report concluded.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Donalds Votes To Create Digital Asset Framework For America And Block CBDC Tyranny

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)

    Donalds Votes To Create Digital Asset Framework For America And Block CBDC Tyranny

    Washington, July 18, 2025

    WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) voted to pass a landmark financial services package that blocks the formation of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in America and creates a clear framework for the growing proliferation of digital assets.

    The legislative package included three bills: (1) H.R. 3633 – “The CLARITY ACT,” (2) S. 1582 – “The GENIUS Act,” (3) H.R. 1919 – “The Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act.” While H.R. 3633 and H.R. 1919 advanced to the U.S. Senate for consideration, this afternoon, S. 1582 was signed into law by President Trump. Congressman Donalds released the following statement:

    “Central Bank Digital Currency would give unelected bureaucrats in our federal government absolute control over your money. This is wrong, this is a dangerous threat to freedom, this is un-American, and immediate action had to be taken. I am proud to have joined my colleagues in voting to block this globalist tyranny from infiltrating our nation and ensure there’s a clear framework for the proliferation of digital assets in America.”

    Background on H.R. 3633 – “The CLARITY Act”:

    • Passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 294-134.
    • The CLARITY Act, sponsored by House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and House Committee on Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (PA-15) was introduced on May 29, 2025. The bill advanced out of both Committees with bipartisan support on June 10, 2025. The CLARITY Act establishes clear, functional requirements for digital asset market participants, prioritizing consumer protection while fostering innovation. By providing strong safeguards and long-overdue regulatory certainty, this legislation advances U.S. innovation and reinforces U.S. leadership in the global financial system.
    • Read the full text of the legislation HERE.
    • See Congress.gov bill profile HERE.


    Background on S. 1582 – “The GENIUS Act”:

    • Passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 308-122.
    • Signed-into law by President Trump on July 18, 2025.
    • The GENIUS Act, introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), provides a clear regulatory framework for the issuance of payment stablecoins, a payment product that is currently offered in the United States with little, if any, federal oversight. The GENIUS Act prioritizes consumer protection, fosters innovation, and strengthens the U.S. dollar’s reserve currency status. The GENIUS Act passed the U.S. Senate by a bipartisan vote of 68-30 on June 17, 2025.
    • Read the full text of the legislation HERE.
    • See Congress.gov bill profile HERE.


    Background on H.R. 1919 – “The Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act”:

    • Passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 219-210.
    • The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, sponsored by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06), prohibits unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. from issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) that undermines Americans’ right to financial privacy. Unlike decentralized digital assets, CBDCs are digital forms of sovereign currency issued and controlled by government, with transactions occurring on a government-managed ledger. In short, a CBDC is government-controlled, programmable money that, if not designed to mimic cash, could provide the federal government with detailed transaction data on individual users and the ability to program the CBDC to suppress politically unpopular activities.
    • Read the full text of the legislation HERE.
    • See Congress.gov bill profile HERE.

    Watch House passage of H.R. 3633, S. 1582, and H.R. 1919 HERE.

    Watch President Trump sign S. 1582 into law HERE

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armenian National Extradited to the United States Faces Federal Charges for Ransomware Extortion Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    PORTLAND, Ore.—An Armenian national extradited from Ukraine to the United States faces federal charges for his role in Ryuk ransomware attacks and extortion conspiracy targeting companies throughout the United States, including a technology company operating in Oregon.

    Karen Serobovich Vardanyan, 33, an Armenian national, has been charged with conspiracy, fraud in connection with computers, and extortion in connection with computers. Vardanyan was extradited from Ukraine to the United States on June 18, 2025.

    Levon Georgiyovych Avetisyan, 45, an Armenian national, has been charged with conspiracy, fraud in connection with computers, and extortion in connection with computers. Avetisyan is the subject of a United States extradition request in France. 

    Oleg Nikolayevich Lyulyava, 53, and Andrii Leonydovich Prykhodchenko, 53, both Ukrainian nationals, have been charged with conspiracy, fraud in connection with computers, and extortion in connection with computers. Lyulyava and Prykhodchenko are not in custody.

    According to court documents, between March 2019 and September 2020, Vardanyan and co-conspirators are alleged to have illegally accessed computer networks of victim companies to deploy Ryuk ransomware on hundreds of compromised servers and workstations. Ryuk ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt data on a victim’s computer or network and prevents the victim from accessing the encrypted files until a ransom is paid.

    Ryuk has been used to target thousands of victims worldwide across a variety of sectors, including private industry, state and local municipalities, local school districts, critical infrastructure, and hospitals and other healthcare services and providers. Ryuk attacks have severely disrupted these entities’ abilities to function by restricting access to data and impacting communications.

    As part of the scheme, ransom payments were extorted from victim companies in exchange for decryption keys to regain access to their data. A ransom note was placed on the computer systems demanding ransom payments in Bitcoin, a form of cryptocurrency, and provided an email address that victims could use to communicate with the cybercriminals. Vardanyan and co-conspirators are alleged to have received approximately 1,610 bitcoins in ransom payments from the victim companies, which was valued at over $15 million at the time of payment.

    Vardanyan made his first appearance in federal court June 20, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a seven-day jury trial scheduled to begin on August 26, 2025.

    If convicted, Vardanyan faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for each count.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Katherine A. Rykken, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing Vardanyan’s arrest and extradition from Ukraine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the Ukrainian authorities for their assistance in this matter.

    An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA-Derived Textiles are Touring France by Bike

    Source: NASA

    During the Tour de France, athletes have to maintain a constant speed while bike riding for dozens of miles through cold rains and summer heat. These cyclists need gear that adapts to the different environments they encounter. One company is using a material with NASA origins to ensure these athletes stay comfortable while taking their grand tours.
    Phase-change materials use basic properties of matter to maintain a steady temperature. When a substance melts from a solid to a liquid, the material absorbs heat, and when it becomes solid again, it releases that heat. In the 1980s, Triangle Research Corporation received a NASA Small Business Innovation Research award to explore how phase-change materials could be incorporated into textiles to control temperatures in spacesuit gloves. By placing phase-change materials in small capsules woven throughout a textile, these temperature-regulating properties can be tuned to the comfort of the human body. While these textiles weren’t incorporated into any gloves flown on NASA missions, they formed the basis for a new product, sold under the name Outlast.
    Outlast has since become one of the most widely distributed temperature-regulating fabrics, found in products such as bedding, loungewear, and office chairs. It has seen especially extensive use in activewear, ranging from jogging clothes to professional sports gear. 
    Founded in 2001 and based in Fréjus, France, the company Ekoï makes clothing and accessories for cyclists, particularly those who bike competitively. The company first encountered Outlast at the Performance Days fabric trade fair in Munich, Germany, and was impressed with its capabilities as well as its NASA heritage.
    “When you say NASA, it’s always impressive.” said Celine Milan, director of textiles at Ekoï. “At the beginning we were even saying in here in our offices, ‘Wow, this technology was developed by NASA.’ It’s on another level.”
    Ekoi’s Outlast line officially launched in July 2022, during that year’s Tour de France. Over the course of that race, the company found it improved cyclists’ performance in the event’s mountain stages, where elevation changes mean wide swings in temperature. It also improved athletes’ aerodynamics, as their jerseys could stay closed in warmer environments, rather than opening them to let in wind.
    Today, Ekoï sells several products that incorporate Outlast materials, including jerseys, gloves, and socks. These products are internationally known for their NASA heritage. Whether engineering for astronaut’s comfort in space or competitive athletes, NASA aims for excellence. 
    Learn more about NASA’s Spinoff Technologies: https://spinoff.nasa.gov/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – 21-23 July: INTA Delegation to Brazil – 21-07-2025 – Committee on International Trade

    Source: European Parliament

    A delegation of 10 Members of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) will travel to Brazil from 21 to 23 July and will visit Brasília and São Paulo.

    The mission will focus on advancing dialogue on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and strengthening trade relations between the European Union and Brazil.

    During the visit, Members of the European Parliament will engage with Brazilian ministers, and officials as well as representatives from industry, civil society and think tanks to discuss the political, economic and environmental dimensions of the agreement.

    The delegation is lead by LANGE Bernd, Chair of the INTA, S&D (Germany) and also includes:

    SOUSA SILVA Hélder, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil, EPP (Portugal)

    REGNER Evelyn, Chair of the Delegation for relations with Mercosur, S&D (Austria)

    WARBORN Jörgen, EPP (Sweden)

    ZOVKO Željana, EPP (Croatia)

    ASSIS Francisco, S&D (Portugal)

    BULLMANN Udo, S&D (Germany)

    KRUIS Sebastian, PfE (Netherlands)

    MADISON Jaak, ECR (Estonia)

    VEDRENNE Marie-Pierre, Renew (France)

    BRICMONT Saskia, Greens/EFA (Belgium)

    AUBRY Manon, The Left (France)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – 21-23 July: INTA delegation to Brazil – Committee on International Trade

    Source: European Parliament

    A delegation of 10 Members of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) will travel to Brazil from 21 to 23 July and will visit Brasília and São Paulo.

    The mission will focus on advancing dialogue on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and strengthening trade relations between the European Union and Brazil.

    During the visit, Members of the European Parliament will engage with Brazilian ministers, and officials as well as representatives from industry, civil society and think tanks to discuss the political, economic and environmental dimensions of the agreement.

    The delegation is lead by LANGE Bernd, Chair of the INTA, S&D (Germany) and also includes:

    SOUSA SILVA Hélder, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil, EPP (Portugal)

    REGNER Evelyn, Chair of the Delegation for relations with Mercosur, S&D (Austria)

    WARBORN Jörgen, EPP (Sweden)

    ZOVKO Željana, EPP (Croatia)

    ASSIS Francisco, S&D (Portugal)

    BULLMANN Udo, S&D (Germany)

    KRUIS Sebastian, PfE (Netherlands)

    MADISON Jaak, ECR (Estonia)

    VEDRENNE Marie-Pierre, Renew (France)

    BRICMONT Saskia, Greens/EFA (Belgium)

    AUBRY Manon, The Left (France)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Incoming UConn Medical Students Get Hands-On Summer Research Experience

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    This summer four soon-to-be medical students in UConn School of Medicine’s Class of 2029 had the inaugural opportunity to participate in the longstanding Summer Research Fellowship Program of the Health Career Opportunity Programs.

    Class of 2029’s Bria Slater with her summer research poster (John Atashian Photo/ UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    “This is the first time we have ever had incoming medical students join our summer research program,” said Dr. Marja Hurley, founding director and associate dean of the Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) and its Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative. “This is a great opportunity for the new medical students to make some connections and maybe even decide to later go back and do more research in the faculty mentor’s lab.”

    The incoming members of the Class of 2029 were thrilled to present their summer research posters outside the Academic Rotunda on July 17 and cannot wait for medical school at UConn!

    Bria Slater, 22, hails from Atlanta, Georgia and believes attending UConn medical school is meant to be.

    UConn SOM Class of 2029 student Bria Slater discussing her summer research (John Atashian Photo/UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    “It’s fate. UConn came out of the blue,” applauded Slater of the medical school’s communication outreach, and she is already bleeding UConn blue even before medical school officially starts in August.

    “UConn is a very supportive environment and where faculty will have your back. That sealed the deal,” says Slater about her decision to choose UConn School of Medicine. “I’m excited to be a part of this community! I’m looking forward to meeting my peers.”

    Slater’s summer research experience at UConn was “amazing” she exclaimed in the exciting neuroscience research lab of Feliks Trakhtenberg, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience.

    Her research focused on further testing as a local treatment of a promising developed fibronectin (Fn)-based peptide in mice to promote possible axon regeneration for spinal cord injury. Trakhtenberg’s Lab has previously shown that the peptide promotes axon regeneration in injured optic nerves of mice.

    Slater looks forward to pursing her interest in neurology, concluding, “I can see myself doing this for the rest of my career.”

    Incoming UConn medical student Sophia Fernandes (John Atashian Photo/UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    Sophia Fernandes, 25, from Lincoln, Rhode Island is entering the SOM Class of 2029. She was paired for her summer research experience with Dr. Dyanne Tappin, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

    “I’ve had a great summer research experience. Dr. Tappin has been a great resource,” says Fernandes. “I have had an interest in maternal health disparities. Black women are two times more susceptible to Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.  I had no idea before doing this research!”

    Her summer research identified gaps in access to Perinatal Mental Health care in Hartford County and made recommendations for care improvements, especially for those in minority communities.

    She is excited to get underway at the School of Medicine as a medical student.

    “I chose UConn for its supportive environment and HCOP. It’s such a good resource,” Fernandes stated.

    Christopher Morales, 23, of Derby, Connecticut is also soon entering the School of Medicine Class 2029 and is already feeling at home at UConn’s medical school.

    “I love this place,” says Morales. “I found a medical school where I already feel comfortable. Everyone here is wonderful!”

    Class of 2029 Christopher Morales presenting his summer research findings. He already loves UConn’s medical school (John Atashian Photo/UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    Morales first learned about HCOP’s opportunities during his medical school interview process.

    “I was an immediate yes,” he says to attending UConn. “I love the medical school’s programming of team-based learning and early patient care experiences in the CLIC program. I love working with patients.” In fact, Morales worked for two years in the ophthalmology care field before medical school.

    His mother immigrated to the U.S. from Brazil and Morales is proudly the first generation in his family to gradate college, and now to go on to medical school.

    Christopher Morales’ summer research faculty mentor Alice Burghard, Ph.D., assistant professor of Neuroscience (center) with fellow mentor Dr. Dyanne Tappin, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (left) and Dr. Marja Hurley, founder and director of HCOP (right). (John Atashian Photo/UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    “I never thought I would be here,” says Morales. “I am very grateful.”

    He looks forward to donning his medical school white coat on Friday, August 22 at the traditional White Coat Ceremony held for new medical students at UConn School of Medicine.

    Morales loves exploring all about the central nervous system and knows he wants to be a teaching physician someday, so UConn’s academic medical center is a “perfect fit” for him to learn.

    His summer research mentor is Alice Burghard, Ph.D., assistant professor of Neuroscience who also enjoyed mentoring Morales and says, “I’m very happy about the study findings.”

    In mouse models Morales examined the age and sex differences when it comes to susceptibility to hearing loss due to sound exposure. Interestingly, he found that young females were the most resilient to noise exposure.

    “It’s surreal, I’m excited,” says Dany Skaf, 25, from Florida about getting ready to attend UConn for medical school.

    Excited Class of 2029 incoming med student Dany Skaf presenting his summer research findings from Dr. Francesco Celi’s Lab. (John Atashian Photo/UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    UConn’s medical school has been on his radar. During COVID-19 in 2020 his in-person HCOP summer research program experience turned virtual due to the pandemic concerns.

    But he finally had his chance to participate in the HCOP summer research program in-person in the lab of Chair of the Department of Medicine and endocrinology physician-scientist Dr. Francesco Celi. In Celi’s Lab this summer Skaf helped successfully create a Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Flox AdipoCre mice colony for further study of the key protein, performed genotype testing, and to further explore the protein’s impact on metabolism, especially for diabetes. As the protein increases one’s likelihood of developing diabetes.

    “I hope to continue working on this research. Hopefully, this research opens the door to potentially help improve insulin resistance and to prevent diseases like diabetes and obesity,” says Skaf.

    There was a big turnout for the HCOP summer research program poster presentations on July 17, 2025 outside the Academic Rotunda (John Atashian Photo/UConn Health – July 17, 2025).

    Congratulations to all the student summer researchers and presenters in both the Summer Research Fellowship Program and the Health Disparities Clinical Summer Research Fellowship Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland: 18 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland: 18 July 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin this afternoon.

    The leaders began with a constructive discussion on a framework for dealing with legacy and underscored the importance of a way forward that built consensus.

    Turning to the shared challenges faced by the UK and Ireland, including on trade and growth, the leaders agreed on the importance of working closely together to deliver for people in both countries.

    The Prime Minister also updated on his recent visits by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Both the Prime Minister and Taoiseach welcomed the closer relationship between the UK and the EU.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham Statement on Crypto Week and Digital Asset Legislation

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHIGNTON, D.C. – Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham today praised the passage of digital asset legislation by the House of Representatives.
    “This week marks a significant milestone in the Trump Administration’s commitment to embrace the promise of digital assets and make America the crypto capital of the world. The GENIUS Act, which is now headed to the President’s desk, will open a new chapter in financial services. The House also took an important step forward in advancing the CLARITY Act, a long-awaited framework for the regulation of digital asset markets.
    “Under President Trump’s strong leadership and clear vision, Crypto Week is the beginning of America’s golden age of digital asset innovation. The CFTC stands ready to fulfill our mission and oversee our markets that enable U.S. economic growth and competitiveness. The future is bright.
    “Congratulations to House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, as well as Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, Senators Bill Hagerty and Cynthia Lummis, Representatives Bryan Steil and Dusty Johnson, and Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Majority Leader John Thune, their staffs and all who played a role in making this week possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V. Zelensky discussed Ukraine’s defense needs with the French President

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KYIV, July 18 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram on Friday that he had an hour-long conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. During the conversation, the two sides discussed Ukraine’s immediate defense needs and the situation on the front lines.

    V. Zelensky and E. Macron paid special attention to strengthening the Ukrainian air defense system, in particular the supply of missiles for the SAMP/T air defense system and the financing of interceptor drones.

    The parties also condemned the work in the “coalition of the willing” format and the implementation of the agreements reached at the recent meeting in Rome.

    Separately, the interlocutors agreed that France would train an additional number of Ukrainian pilots to fly French Mirage fighters. –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 –

  • India-UAE Partnership Eyes Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technology as Next Breakthrough Sectors

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India and the United Arab Emirates are solidifying their strategic partnership, setting their sights on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next frontiers for collaboration. This move comes as bilateral trade has already surged past the $100 billion mark, five years ahead of schedule, cementing the UAE’s position as India’s third-largest trade partner. Speaking at an Observer Research Foundation Middle East event in Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted how both nations are leveraging their unique strengths to forge resilient supply chains and foster sustainable growth, moving beyond traditional trade ties.

    Intensified high-level diplomatic engagement since September 2024, including visits from Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, has focused on substantive economic cooperation. Discussions during Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s visit with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the significant role of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in accelerating bilateral trade, particularly progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor, a foundational element of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). UAE investments in India have reached $23 billion, with a notable $4.5 billion committed in 2024 alone, following the finalization of the Bilateral Investment Treaty last year. Furthermore, local currency trade settlement now accounts for 10 percent of all bilateral transactions, reducing dependence on dollar-denominated exchanges.

    A significant stride in financial technology integration is the UAE’s Jaywan card, built entirely on India’s rupee card stack. Plans are also underway to connect banking messaging systems, offering an alternative to SWIFT networks, and to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s Aani platform by November 2025, enabling Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) interoperability. Educational cooperation has also seen tangible results with the launch of IIT Abu Dhabi’s PhD program this year, alongside IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus and IIFT Dubai. Defense collaboration has been elevated to the secretary level, featuring joint exercises such as Desert Cyclone, Desert Flag, and the India-France-UAE Trilateral Exercise, and extends to participation in major defense exhibitions like IDEX and Dubai Airshow, with 25 Indian companies actively involved. Hardware integration initiatives include components for the Tejas fighter aircraft and the development of drone and anti-drone systems.

    Nuclear cooperation is emerging as a transformative area, with the UAE currently generating 25 percent of its energy from nuclear sources (5.6 GW capacity) and aiming to double this by 2030. The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) initiative involving the US, UAE, , coupled with synergies with France, positions nuclear energy as a key growth sector. The advanced technology partnership gained momentum at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.

    Discussions are also underway for collaboration in critical minerals and the space sector, including polar initiatives. The IMEEC project envisions a comprehensive connectivity corridor for containers, data, and energy through connected grids and subsea cables. The I2U2 framework (India, Israel, UAE, US) is expanding its focus to food security, with plans for two food parks in Gujarat and renewable energy projects targeting 60 GW capacity in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Ambassador Sudhir emphasized the potential benefits for India from the UAE’s 25 other Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), which could provide diversified market access and manufacturing advantages, particularly for energy-intensive industries. The UAE’s recent inclusion in BRICS further enhances its role as a strategic gateway for India’s engagement with Africa through initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu. The legal predictability and stable environment in the UAE also make it an attractive destination for Indian manufacturing investments requiring significant energy inputs.

    Culturally, the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi stands as a powerful symbol of the shared ethos, religious tolerance, and cultural inclusivity underpinning the broader strategic relationship, a testament to the graciousness of the Abu Dhabi government. As both nations navigate global economic uncertainties, their partnership exemplifies how complementary strengths can foster resilient supply chains and sustainable growth models, with nuclear energy and advanced technology at the forefront of their expanding cooperation.

  • MIL-OSI: HSBC Continental Europe Agrees to Sell French Portfolio of Home and Certain Other Retail Loans

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    18 July 2025

    HSBC CONTINENTAL EUROPE AGREES TO SELL FRENCH PORTFOLIO
    OF HOME AND CERTAIN OTHER RETAIL LOANS

    HSBC Continental Europe, an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC Group”), today signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium comprising Rothesay Life plc and CCF (together the “Consortium Buyer”) regarding the sale of its French portfolio of predominantly home and certain other retail loans (the “Portfolio”) retained after the disposal of its retail banking business in France1 (the “Potential Transaction”).

    At 31 December 2024, the Portfolio had an outstanding balance of €6.7bn.

    On 1 January 2025, the Portfolio was reclassified from hold-to-collect to hold-to-collect-and-sell, and during the first quarter of 2025, the HSBC Group recognised a €1.2bn ($1.3bn2) pre-tax fair value loss through other comprehensive income on the Portfolio, and a €0.1bn ($0.1bn2) fair value gain in the income statement on related interest rate hedges. The fair value loss on the Portfolio resulted in an approximately 0.2 percentage point reduction in the HSBC Group CET1 ratio, which stood at 14.7% at 31 March 20253.

    At completion of the Potential Transaction:

    • The loss recognised in other comprehensive income will be recycled to the income statement with no further impact on HSBC Group’s CET1 ratio.
    • The risk weighted assets (“RWAs”) of the Portfolio4 will be deconsolidated, resulting in an immaterial benefit on the HSBC Group CET1 ratio.

    The Potential Transaction is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the appropriate information and consultation processes with respective works councils. HSBC Continental Europe will work closely with the Consortium Buyer to enable a smooth transition.

    The Potential Transaction allows HSBC Continental Europe to further strengthen its focus on being the leading corporate and institutional bank in Europe, supporting international clients. HSBC is focused on increasing its leadership and market share in the areas where it has a clear competitive advantage, and where it has the greatest opportunities to grow and support its clients.

    Financial impact of the transaction on HSBC Continental Europe:

    • Since the reclassification of the Portfolio on 1 January 2025 from hold-to-collect to hold-to-collect-and-sell, HSBC Continental Europe recognised during the first quarter of 2025, a €1.2bn fair value pre-tax loss through other comprehensive income and a €0.1bn fair value gain in the income statement on related interest rate hedges. The fair value loss on the Portfolio resulted in an approximately 2 percentage points reduction in HSBC Continental Europe’s CET1 ratio, which stood at 18.8% at 31 December 20245.
    • At completion of the Potential Transaction, the loss recognised in other comprehensive income will be recycled to the income statement with no further impact on HSBC Continental Europe’s CET1 ratio. The RWAs6 of the Portfolio will be deconsolidated and it is estimated that the HSBC Continental Europe CET1 ratio will increase by approximately 0.3 percentage point.

    Contacts:

    Sophie Ricord | sophie.ricord@hsbc.fr | + 33 6 89 10 17 62
    Stéphanie Préaut | stephanie.preaut@hsbc.fr | +33 6 75 31 16 58

    HSBC Continental Europe
    Headquartered in Paris, HSBC Continental Europe is an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Continental Europe comprises, in addition to corporate and institutional banking, private banking, insurance and asset management activities across Continental Europe, and includes the business activities of 10 European branches (in Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and two banking subsidiaries in Continental Europe (in Luxembourg and Malta). HSBC Continental Europe’s mission is to serve both customers in Continental Europe for their needs worldwide and Group customers for their needs in Continental Europe.

    HSBC Holdings plc
    HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London, HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 58 countries and territories. With assets of US$3.054 billion at 31 March 2025, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

    Rothesay Life plc
    Rothesay is the UK’s largest pensions insurance specialist. The company has over £70 billion of assets under management, securing the pensions of more than one million people and paying out, on average, over £300 million in pension payments each month.

    CCF Group
    CCF Group is a century-old French banking group specializing in wealth management and specialized financing. Wealth management services are provided under the CCF brand to 800,000 clients across France. Specialized financing focuses on personal loans and corporate financing.

    1 Completion of the sale of Retail Banking Business in France – 1 Jan 2024, HSBC.com
    2 At relevant prevailing FX rates during, and at the end of, the first quarter of 2025.

    3 HSBC Group CET1 ratio on a PRA basis.
    4 Excluding Operational Risk RWAs.
    5 HSBC Continental Europe CET1 ratio computed on an ECB basis.
    6 Excluding Operational Risk RWAs

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly to mark the observance of Nelson Mandela International Day [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2

    oday, we celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. 

    Madiba’s extraordinary life was a triumph of the human spirit. 

    He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division — but of reconciliation, peace and unity. 

    Today, Madiba’s legacy is now our responsibility. 

    We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity. 

    One of the central lessons of Mandela’s life was that power is not a personal possession, to be hoarded. 

    Power is about lifting others up.

    It is about what we can achieve with one another, and for one another. 

    Power is about people. 

    In every facet of his life, Nelson Mandela demonstrated the power of collective, grassroots action to drive change and progress, and deliver power to the powerless. 

    This same spirit can be found in today’s winners of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. 

    Ms. Brenda Reynolds is a Saulteaux member from Fishing Lake First Nation in Canada. 

    She is a social worker, who turned her struggle against the most hideous of crimes against children into a national force for change, supporting and developing trauma responses for survivors and families of the residential schools system. 

    Mr. Kennedy Odede grew up in the Kibera slum in Kenya.

    A long-time community activist, the organization he founded unites community groups from across the country and now reaches more than 2.4 million people each year with essential services — everything from education to water. 

    Both prize winners embody Nelson Mandela’s words, which are engraved on their Prizes: 

    “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” 

    On behalf of the United Nations, I congratulate Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Odede on this well-deserved recognition. 

    Excellences,

    Alors que l’Organisation des Nations Unies célèbre ses 80 ans, l’héritage de réconciliation et de transformation transmis par Nelson Mandela continue de nous inspirer et de nous motiver.

    Partout dans le monde, les droits humains et la dignité sont menacés – non seulement par les conflits et l’instabilité, mais aussi par les inégalités systématiques, l’exclusion, les catastrophes climatiques et le recul de libertés chèrement acquises.

    Le moment est venu de renouveler notre engagement collectif envers les principes qu’incarne notre Organisation – et qui ont défini la vie exceptionnelle de Nelson Mandela.

    La liberté. La justice. L’égalité des droits. La solidarité. La réconciliation. La paix.

    Aujourd’hui, et chaque jour, poursuivons le chemin tracé par la vie de Nelson Mandela — une vie au service des autres et du progrès. 

    Je vous remercie.

    *******
    [All-English]

    Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. 

    Madiba’s extraordinary life was a triumph of the human spirit. 

    He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division — but of reconciliation, peace and unity. 

    Today, Madiba’s legacy is now our responsibility. 

    We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity. 

    One of the central lessons of Mandela’s life was that power is not a personal possession, to be hoarded. 

    Power is about lifting others up.

    It is about what we can achieve with one another, and for one another. 

    Power is about people. 

    In every facet of his life, Nelson Mandela demonstrated the power of collective, grassroots action to drive change and progress, and deliver power to the powerless. 

    This same spirit can be found in today’s winners of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. 

    Ms. Brenda Reynolds is a Saulteaux member from Fishing Lake First Nation in Canada. 

    She is a social worker, who turned her struggle against the most hideous of crimes against children into a national force for change, supporting and developing trauma responses for survivors and families of the residential schools system. 

    Mr. Kennedy Odede grew up in the Kibera slum in Kenya.

    A long-time community activist, the organization he founded unites community groups from across the country and now reaches more than 2.4 million people each year with essential services — everything from education to water. 

    Both prize winners embody Nelson Mandela’s words, which are engraved on their Prizes: 

    “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” 

    On behalf of the United Nations, I congratulate Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Odede on this well-deserved recognition. 

    Excellencies,

    As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary, Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation and transformation continues to inspire and drive us. 

    Around the world, human rights and dignity are under threat — not only from conflict and instability, but from systematic inequalities, exclusion, climate disasters, and the rollback of hard-won freedoms. 

    Now is the time to renew our global commitment to the principles that define our organization — and indeed, the extraordinary life of Nelson Mandela. 

    Freedom. Justice. Equal rights. Solidarity. Reconciliation. Peace. 

    Today, and every day, let’s continue following the path and principles set by Nelson Mandela’s life of service and progress. 

    Thank you.

    *********
    [All-French]

    Nous célébrons aujourd’hui la vie et l’héritage de Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

    La vie extraordinaire de Madiba a été un triomphe de l’esprit humain.

    Accablé du poids brutal de l’oppression, il en est ressorti avec une vision, non pas de vengeance et de division, mais de réconciliation, de paix et d’unité.

    Aujourd’hui, l’héritage de Madiba est entre nos mains.

    Nous devons perpétuer son engagement en faveur de la paix, de la justice et de la dignité humaine.

    La vie de Mandela nous apprend notamment que le pouvoir n’est pas un bien personnel que l’on peut monopoliser.

    Le pouvoir consiste à tirer les autres vers le haut.
    Il faut se poser la question en ces termes : que pouvons-nous accomplir les uns avec les autres, et les uns pour les autres ?

    Le pouvoir concerne le peuple.

    Dans tous les aspects de sa vie, Nelson Mandela a prouvé que l’action collective et locale pouvait être porteuse de changement et de progrès, et donner du pouvoir à ceux qui n’en avaient pas.

    C’est ce même esprit qui anime aujourd’hui les lauréats du prix Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

    Madame Brenda Reynolds est une Saulteaux de la Première Nation de Fishing Lake, au Canada.

    Assistante sociale de profession, elle a fait de sa lutte contre le plus ignoble des crimes contre les enfants une force nationale de changement : elle a établi et porté des protocoles de prise en charge du traumatisme pour les survivants du système de pensionnats et leurs familles.

    Monsieur Kennedy Odede a grandi dans le bidonville de Kibera, au Kenya.

    Militant local de longue date, il a fondé une organisation qui rassemble des groupes communautaires de tout le pays et apporte aujourd’hui à plus de 2,4 millions de personnes chaque année des services essentiels, allant de l’éducation à l’accès à l’eau.

    Les deux lauréats incarnent les mots de Nelson Mandela, qui sont gravés sur leurs prix :

    « Ce qui compte dans la vie, ce n’est pas le simple fait d’avoir vécu. C’est la différence que nous avons apportée à la vie des autres qui déterminera l’importance de la vie que nous menons. »

    Au nom de l’ONU, je félicite Madame Reynolds et Monsieur Odede pour cette reconnaissance amplement méritée.

    Excellences,

    Alors que l’Organisation des Nations Unies célèbre ses 80 ans, l’héritage de réconciliation et de transformation transmis par Nelson Mandela continue de nous inspirer et de nous motiver.

    Partout dans le monde, les droits humains et la dignité sont menacés – non seulement par les conflits et l’instabilité, mais aussi par les inégalités systématiques, l’exclusion, les catastrophes climatiques et le recul de libertés chèrement acquises.

    Le moment est venu de renouveler notre engagement collectif envers les principes qu’incarne notre Organisation – et qui ont défini la vie exceptionnelle de Nelson Mandela.

    La liberté. La justice. L’égalité des droits. La solidarité. La réconciliation. La paix.

    Aujourd’hui, et chaque jour, poursuivons le chemin tracé par la vie de Nelson Mandela — une vie au service des autres et du progrès. 

    Je vous remercie.

    ***

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, emphasizes the transformative power of creativity in driving social change on the occasion of World Art Day 2025

    Source: APO

    Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Art Day 2025’ through their Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community, established by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. Through this dynamic community, Dr. Kelej continues to raise awareness on critical health and social issues while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their creativity as a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and fostering a cultural shift within their communities.

    Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 emphasized, “I am delighted to mark ‘World Art Day 2025’ as I strongly believe that art, fashion, and media hold immense power in raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues—ultimately creating a culture shift in the communities. Art and fashion, to me, go far beyond aesthetics or entertainment, they serve as meaningful tools for education and advocacy. With this vision, we have launched many initiatives including our first-ever pan-African TV program, Our Africa by Merck Foundation, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. Through this one-of-a-kind show and our other unique initiatives, we continue to raise awareness about critical social issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, Stopping Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Empowerment, and also about health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and much more.”

    ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

    The TV program has been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like KTN HOME (Kenya), GH One & TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Uganda), BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), QTV (The Gambia), KTN (Kenya), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa TV (Malawi), Deffi Media (Mauritius), AYV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC (Zambia), ZTN (Zimbabwe), NTV (Namibia) and more.

    “Our Africa” TV Program is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/46RQTdN), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4lTPOXP), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4kMZJNc) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/44STkKp)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A)].

    Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4nXnAMX

    Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. The 2025 editions were announced during the 11th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held in Tanzania in October 2024.

    Dr. Kelej emphasized, “It is very well known that Africa’s creativity reflects its rich heritage, expressed in the form of art, fabrics, music, and storytelling and is carried forward through generations. Hence, we launch these awards annually, with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. Through our Awards, we aim to inspire the continent’s youth to use their innate talents to address our important and critical social and health issues, by raising awareness through their creative work at all levels.”

    Entries for the Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

    Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

    Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages: English, French and Portuguese. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted these storybooks to create interesting animation films with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

    To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

    https://apo-opa.co/44Q8BvC

    https://apo-opa.co/46iSl90 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

    Contact:
    Mehak Handa
    Community Awareness Program Manager 
    Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
    Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

    Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0
    X: https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd
    YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl
    Threads: https://apo-opa.co/44Dc6H2
    Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/44USpcs
    Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
    Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3GwUMKD

    About Merck Foundation:
    The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0), X (https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/44Dc6H2) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/44USpcs).

    The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 18 July 2025 Expanding indigenous peoples’ access to quality primary health care in Paraguay

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Joaquina Portillo is an indigenous elderly resident from the rural community of Rio Verde, Department of Canindeyú, Northeast Paraguay. She recently attended an outpatient care day hosted in her community and was very pleased with the comprehensive care that she and her family received.

    “I came with my whole family. We have several ailments, but the main one is the flu. We are very happy, they treated us all very well,” said Joaquina.

    Joaquina Portillo, indigenous elderly resident from the rural community of Rio Verde, Department of Canindeyú, Northeast Paraguay. ©WHO/PAHO

    The outpatient care day, one of many held locally, promotes dialogue between health care providers and indigenous and rural communities about intercultural care and provides a range of health services through outreach activities.

    This activity was part of a broader project called Expanding Access to and Quality of Primary Health Care and Integrated Health Services in the XIV Health Region – Canindeyú, Paraguay, from 2023 – 2025.

    Previously, indigenous communities in Northeast Paraguay have struggled to access the health services they need despite increasing rates of communicable and noncommunicable diseases. The Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare has worked closely with PAHO/WHO, through the UHC Partnership, to expand access to and improve the quality of primary health care services at the community level, with family health teams playing a major role.

    The combination of applying geospatial analysis to identify health facility gaps, the training of health workers, and strategic approaches to health system policy has led to improved equity and access to services for many remote and indigenous populations. 

    Access to health services increases

    The inter-programmatic and interdisciplinary initiative included developing and implementing a tool for monitoring and managing health services using geospatial data about family health units, training health workers especially in the control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and strategic Health Situation Analysis to facilitate the design of effective health policies.

    The initiative has enabled progress on multiple fronts to improve health services in Canindeyú including expanding access to health care for vulnerable populations, strengthening trust in public health services among indigenous and rural populations, increasing the technical capacity of health workers, and optimizing responses to health emergencies.

     Across the Department from 2022-2024 health insurance coverage increased by 18.1% and access to health services increased by 25.1%. From April-June 2023 to April-June 2024 the number of primary care visits increased by 10.5%, and the number of overall medical consultations increased by 19%.  In the same period, there was also a 29% increase in the proportion of pregnant women who received an HIV and Syphilis test during the first trimester of pregnancy.

    PAHO/WHO’s Modular Essential Conditions Assessment

    Created by PAHO/WHO, the ‘Modular Essential Conditions Assessment’ methodology (VCEm in Spanish) evaluates essential factors for the provision of services in health facilities. It was implemented in 14 health regions, including Canindeyú, to drive sustainable improvement within health service networks and to empower health workers. The methodology reveals significant changes that can be made with little or no investment.

    “There are many activities that do not require a large investment such as providing training to health workers on protocols which can be done virtually. I believe this benefit will be reflected in fewer patients reaching critical conditions,” said Dr Angie Duarte, Director of the Curuguaty District Hospital.

    Dr Angie Duarte, Director of the Curuguaty District Hospital. ©WHO/PAHO

    The implementation of the modular VCEm at the Canindeyú RISS facilities identified opportunities to improve and prioritize actions to promote inclusive, equitable, and culturally appropriate health services that maintain respect for traditional medical knowledge and foster intercultural dialogue.

    “The implementation of the project in Canindeyú, with the valuable support of the UHC Partnership, clearly reflects our inter-programmatic and territorial approach. This initiative was aligned with the country’s efforts to advance health equity by strengthening local capacities, promoting the use of innovative technologies, and ensuring appropriate care tailored to cultural and territorial realities,” said Dr Haydee Padilla, WHO Representative to Paraguay.

    “We capitalized on lessons learned from previous experiences, which allowed for a more effective and sustainable approach. Joint work with local actors and the incorporation of intercultural dialogue and community-based health care were essential in closing historical access gaps. Furthermore, the implementation of intersectoral work reinforces the positive impact of this cooperation. This experience confirms that international collaboration, aligned with national priorities, can generate real and lasting transformations in health systems,” Dr Haydee Padilla concluded.

     The UHC Partnership operates in over 125 countries, representing over 3 billion people. It is supported and funded by Belgium, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and WHO.  

    Videos

    VCEM Methodology in Canindeyú

    Intercultural Dialogues in Canindeyú

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement of condemnation by the North Atlantic Council concerning Russian malicious cyber activities

    Source: NATO

    1. We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU).  We recall that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic individually attributed activity to APT 28, which is sponsored by the GRU. We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilise NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.

    2. We call on Russia to stop its destabilising cyber and hybrid activities. These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold. Russia’s actions will not deter Allies’ support to Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT capability coalition. We will continue to use the lessons learned from the war against Ukraine in countering Russian malicious cyber activity.

    3. NATO stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to uphold their international obligations, also when acting in cyberspace, and to act consistently with the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.

    4. We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defences; including through the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and upholding our Cyber Defence Pledge commitments as well as through the commitments made in the Hague Summit Declaration.

    5. We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.  We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement of condemnation by the North Atlantic Council concerning Russian malicious cyber activities

    Source: NATO

    1. We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU).  We recall that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic individually attributed activity to APT 28, which is sponsored by the GRU. We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilise NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.

    2. We call on Russia to stop its destabilising cyber and hybrid activities. These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold. Russia’s actions will not deter Allies’ support to Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT capability coalition. We will continue to use the lessons learned from the war against Ukraine in countering Russian malicious cyber activity.

    3. NATO stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to uphold their international obligations, also when acting in cyberspace, and to act consistently with the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.

    4. We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defences; including through the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and upholding our Cyber Defence Pledge commitments as well as through the commitments made in the Hague Summit Declaration.

    5. We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.  We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – “Vincentian Tea,” relief for the body and soul for those who work in Zhejiang’s scorching summer

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    xinde.org

    Ningbo (Agenzia Fides) – Saint Vincent de Paul bore witness to Christ’s charity by offering food to the hungry and care for the sick in 17th-century France. Today, following in his footsteps, the parishioners of the Longwan Church dedicated to him, in the diocese of Wenzhou, offer a cup of fresh tea to those who must work hours and hours outdoors in the Chinese coastal province of Zhejiang. Food delivery workers, postmen, bricklayers, and messengers of various kinds have had to work even on the so-called “dog days,” the 30 hottest days of the year, when the humid heat becomes oppressive and everything becomes more tiring. The fresh tea offered by the parish community to all those in need of refreshment has become a simple and appreciated sign of how Christian charity recognizes and embraces the needs, even physical needs, of all. In winter, in the same parish, those suffering from the cold can always find a steaming cup of hot tea. The parish of Longwan has become famous for its concern in bearing witness to and proclaiming faith in Jesus, also through many social works. In addition to the distribution of “Vincentian tea,” members of the parish community maintain a service of regular, free medical visits for those most in need.They also organize sacred music concerts, pilgrimages, and social gatherings for groups of the elderly, young people, and children. All of this is also inspired by devotion to the Patron Saint Vincent de Paul, in accordance with the ever-helpful suggestion of the Didache: “Seek the faces of the Saints every day and find rest in their words.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 18/7/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convenes high-level validation meeting to endorse Standby force training policy for peace operations and regional security

    Source: APO


    .

    The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, convened the two-day Governmental Experts’ Validation Meeting on the ECOWAS Standby Force Training Policy for Peace Support Operations held from 16 to 17 July 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting brought together Training Experts from ECOWAS Member States, technical experts, and strategic partners to finalise and Validate ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) Training Policy on Peace Support Operation.

    Opening the meeting, Major General Umar Abubakar, Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security at the Ministry of Defence Nigeria, emphasised the importance of transforming the Standby Force into an operational mechanism for regional peace and stability:

    “This is a pivotal moment for ECOWAS. The policy we are validating today will transform our Standby Force from concept to reality. It will ensure we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to conflicts across the region and also serve as a standby brigade of the African Standby Force. Let us work together to finalise a policy that reflects both our regional realities and our ambition for peace.”

    Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sani Adamu, Acting Head of the Peace Support Operations Division, highlighted the vision behind the policy and its relevance in today’s operational context:

    “This policy is not simply a document—it is a framework that integrates human rights Observance, gender, civilian protection, and post-conflict recovery. It lays the foundation for a responsive and professional force that can meet the complexity of today’s peace support operations.”

    He further stated: “For over a decade, we have envisioned a unified training doctrine. This process today brings that vision within reach. I commend the unwavering commitment of our experts and partners.”

    Speaking during the closing session, Mrs. Yvonne Akpasom, representing GIZ under the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, reaffirmed the role of technical partners in supporting regional transformation: “GIZ is proud to support ECOWAS in developing a training policy that is comprehensive, operational, and aligned with global standards. Your contribution to designing and validating this framework underscores our joint resolve to build a Standby Force that is capable, credible, and cohesive.”

    The meeting followed a structured agenda including plenary technical sessions and syndicate working groups. Participants reviewed the policy’s architecture, scope, training standards, operational responsibilities, and implementation mechanisms. The revised policy aligns with the African Standby Force framework and incorporates key themes such as inclusivity, gender mainstreaming, accountability, and standardisation.

    This initiative is supported under the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ. Additional collaboration was provided by Expertise France and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

    The ECOWAS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peace support operations across West Africa and called for swift adoption and implementation of the finalised training policy by all stakeholders.

    This initiative is in direct alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which aspires to build a fully integrated, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa. By institutionalising a unified training policy for the ECOWAS Standby Force, the Commission is reinforcing its commitment to preventive diplomacy, regional solidarity, and rapid response to crises. This training framework will not only enhance operational effectiveness but also promote stability, resilience, and human security across all fifteen Member States.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aberdeen professor among the new Fellows announced by the British Academy A University of Aberdeen Professor is among the distinguished scholars newly elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Professor Behr joins a distinguished community of over 1,800 scholars who share a commitment to advancing the humanities and social sciences

    A University of Aberdeen Professor is among the distinguished scholars newly elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.
    Reverend Professor John Behr, Regius Chair in Humanity and Head of the Department of Divinity at the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History, is one of 92 academics elected this year.
    Previously at St Vladimir’s Seminary, New York, where he also served as Dean, he is also a part-time Professor at Radboud University, Nijmegen, Holland; and has published editions and translations of various Patristic texts with Oxford University Press, and most recently In Accordance with the Scriptures: The Shape of Christian Theology.
    “I am deeply touched and honoured to be elected a Fellow,” said Professor Behr, adding that he looks forward “to working with the British Academy to help ensure that research in the Humanities at the highest level continues to be supported.”
    Professor Behr was elected alongside other notable academics such as Professor Lily Kong BBM, PPA, FBA, the first Singaporean woman to lead a university in Singapore, and Professor Jonathan D Jansen FBA, the first Black Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State, now Distinguished Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University.
    This year, a total of 58 new Fellows have been elected from 25 universities across the United Kingdom, as well as 30 International Fellows from universities in the United States, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore, China, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Cyprus. Four Honorary Fellows have also been elected in recognition of their exceptional achievements in music, art, journalism and librarianship.
    This year’s cohort join a community of over 1,800 scholars who share a commitment to advancing the humanities and social sciences.
    Professor Susan J. Smith PBA, new President of the British Academy, said: “With specialisms ranging from the neuroscience of memory to the power of music and the structural causes of poverty, they represent the very best of the humanities and social sciences. They bring years of experience, evidence-based arguments and innovative thinking to the profound challenges of our age: managing the economy, enabling democracy, and securing the quality of human life.
    “This year, we have increased the number of new Fellows by nearly ten percent to cover some spaces between disciplines. Champions of research excellence, every new Fellow enlarges our capacity to interpret the past, understand the present, and shape resilient, sustainable futures. It is a privilege to extend my warmest congratulations to them all.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: EU efforts to measure companies’ environmental impacts have global effects. Here’s how to make them more just

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Mira Manini Tiwari, Research Associate at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute

    If you choose to buy a sustainable product at the supermarket, or invest in a sustainable portfolio at your bank, how far does that sustainability reach? Does the product’s “sustainable” label account for the environmental and labour costs where the raw materials were extracted? Does the portfolio include renewable energy in countries where the investment is needed most?

    In the EU, whether you are an individual or represent a company or financial institution, these questions are governed by the bloc’s non-financial reporting (NFR) regulations. The latest ones include the European Sustainable Reporting Standards (ESRS), which are gradually coming into force through 2029. The ESRS set out reporting standards and requirements, while the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) determines which companies these standards apply to, to what extent, and when.

    These EU regulations also have strong implications for the Majority World, the countries and territories outside Europe and North America where most people live, at a time when global, systemic policy effects are more important than ever. As supply chains become longer and more interconnected, and as communities involved in them confront the fragilities of economic, political and climate shifts, the regulations that govern the sustainability of these chains and that enable or prohibit participation in them must be crafted and implemented to minimise harm to the most vulnerable.

    In an article in Environment and Development Economics, my co-authors and I developed a set of proposals to improve the global sustainability of the NFR regulations. These call for collaborative development of regulations across the value chain, better data accessibility, measuring of and accounting for cross-border environmental damage, and greater integrity and engagement from financial actors.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    Cooperation, not compliance

    As the ESRS come into force, reporting requirements are being applied to companies’ full value chains. This means that Majority World actors, such as those that extract raw materials for European products, may be indirectly subjected to the NFR regulations. This is important, as it holds companies and consumers, EU and non, accountable for the ethics of the goods and services they rely on. However, when regulations are built without directly involving those they will affect, they risk causing collateral, longer-term damage. For example, reporting requirements that feel inaccessible to smaller organisations can foster distrust and backlash, or cause companies to withdraw from contexts where data are less accessible, taking away key sources of income for communities.

    While global climate negotiations have come under public scrutiny for their Minority World dominance, there has been relatively less scrutiny of global organisations governing financial and corporate sustainability standards. On their boards, the Majority World is conspicuous by its absence, demonstrating the dearth of attention to its agency in enabling greater sustainability, both locally and globally. European investors and policymakers are already shifting capital from the Majority World back to the EU in response to the NFR regulations, citing the difficulty of accounting for activities along the length of value chains. The damage falls on livelihoods, industries and essential investments, such as in renewable energy, which can suddenly disappear.

    Developing NFR regulations in collaboration with all stakeholders, rather than only at the top, can provide a regulatory landscape that is, from the outset, more implementable, accessible and effective in the long run.

    Democratic data and digitalisation

    Efficacy in global NFR regulations relies on global data cooperation, which could lower the administrative burden on those reporting and enable greater accountability. The increasing number of EU NFR regulations do not exist in a vacuum: they have been accompanied by shifts in global regulations and a proliferation of national regulations. With regulations expanding to cover the full value chain, actors are increasingly likely to be subjected to multiple regulatory bodies, or have to provide data to reporting entities upstream. The time, financial resources and practical challenges involved in identifying, collecting, processing and sharing data are considerable, both for those submitting data and those receiving and verifying them. This makes divestment or significant losses more likely. Furthermore, the expansion of regulations can result in isolated streams of data and closed-circuit processes, which, in turn, cut out civil society organisations and individuals who use data to help hold firms to account for their social and environmental responsibilities.

    Aside from EU calls for a European Single Access Point for corporate data, Majority World contexts offer particularly fertile ground for reimagining and building data infrastructures. Digitalisation in low- and middle-income countries is growing rapidly, and demonstrates the ability to make digital financial and business instruments democratic and accessible to those with the fewest resources. Such efforts should involve statisticians and local data experts from the outset to determine and harmonise appropriate data, along with transnational entities with the mandate of establishing links across data systems.

    Support for international emissions accounting

    Corporate reporting on environmental impacts must be accompanied by their reduction. Indeed, the work and transparency required to identify impacts in the first place, let alone mitigate them, underpins decisions to simply detach from the system, moving economic activity to local contexts where impacts are more traceable.

    Firms that cannot afford to bring their activities onshore must account for emissions that occur from assets not directly under their ownership or control, which are known as Scope 3 emissions. In some cases, these emissions constitute well over half of a firm’s total value chain emissions. However, the implementation of the ESRS has designated the reporting of Scope 3 emissions, and climate impacts in general, to be largely discretionary, under the condition that firms provide evaluations of the economic and material implications of a given activity in their value chains.

    The glaring gaps between some firms’ targets, actions and declarations are in part enabled by reporting systems that allow the omission of more distant climate risks and impacts, maintaining the misalignment between climate pledges and actions aimed at achieving them. While the number of firms showing readiness to comply with Scope 3 accounting is increasing, data on global investor preferences suggests that investors do not necessarily prioritise companies’ performance on these emissions when making investment decisions. For ethics to exist on the ground, they must be prioritised in financial flows.

    Investment with integrity

    In light of the above, financial institutions have a core responsibility to engage with NFR. These institutions’ economic leverage and centrality in the value chains and activities of several sectors give them incentivising power to catalyse a shift from the submission of reports to the building of living data systems and the achievement of fuller value chain accountability. Currently, many investors are not willing to accept reductions in their returns in exchange for the pursuit of social or environmental goals. Surveys suggest this is in part due to perceptions of low quality of environmental information, limited ability to assess the data received, and the difficulty of making investment decisions accordingly. In the current landscape of Minority World-led reporting, such mistrust is likely to be greater with respect to Majority World data, reiterating the need for data systems and reporting mechanisms built on equal footing.

    Financial institutions can operate proactively, using their privileged access to data to bridge Minority and Majority World actors engaging in sustainable practices, such as microfinance bodies, local communities and relevant investors. Doing so could plug, at least in part, an information and trust gap that can hinder Minority World firms’ investment in unfamiliar contexts.

    Regulating for whom?

    The research underpinning our article initially involved a recommendation on streamlining and supporting reporting by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for more than 60% of the EU’s corporate emissions. For these firms, especially, regulators face a critical balance between lowering the entry barrier of the reporting ecosystem and setting robust environmental targets. The nature, data points and timelines of reporting under the CSRD are currently under review following calls for simplification and greater support, and decision-makers are wrestling with the tension between accessibility and integrity.

    Our work also included a recommendation that turns from the supply side, the focus of the preceding proposals, to the demand side: the data and sustainability literacy of the individual who walks into the supermarket to buy that sustainable product, or wants family investments to do more good than harm. Across sectors – public policy, investment and citizen engagement – resources must be dedicated to these literacies, so that actors are better placed to hold each other to account. Regulation becomes easily abstracted, reduced to figures and PDFs, databases and scores. Beneath each regulation is a world of citizens whose homes, livelihoods and health depend on them.

    The author was affiliated with the University of Siena during the period in which she and her colleagues did the original work for the scholarly article that is mentioned in this piece. The author’s affiliation came via a project that, overall, was financed by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The scholarly article and the present article were not outputs for the project.

    – ref. EU efforts to measure companies’ environmental impacts have global effects. Here’s how to make them more just – https://theconversation.com/eu-efforts-to-measure-companies-environmental-impacts-have-global-effects-heres-how-to-make-them-more-just-261226

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: EU efforts to measure companies’ environmental impacts have global effects. Here’s how to make them more just

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Mira Manini Tiwari, Research Associate at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute

    If you choose to buy a sustainable product at the supermarket, or invest in a sustainable portfolio at your bank, how far does that sustainability reach? Does the product’s “sustainable” label account for the environmental and labour costs where the raw materials were extracted? Does the portfolio include renewable energy in countries where the investment is needed most?

    In the EU, whether you are an individual or represent a company or financial institution, these questions are governed by the bloc’s non-financial reporting (NFR) regulations. The latest ones include the European Sustainable Reporting Standards (ESRS), which are gradually coming into force through 2029. The ESRS set out reporting standards and requirements, while the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) determines which companies these standards apply to, to what extent, and when.

    These EU regulations also have strong implications for the Majority World, the countries and territories outside Europe and North America where most people live, at a time when global, systemic policy effects are more important than ever. As supply chains become longer and more interconnected, and as communities involved in them confront the fragilities of economic, political and climate shifts, the regulations that govern the sustainability of these chains and that enable or prohibit participation in them must be crafted and implemented to minimise harm to the most vulnerable.

    In an article in Environment and Development Economics, my co-authors and I developed a set of proposals to improve the global sustainability of the NFR regulations. These call for collaborative development of regulations across the value chain, better data accessibility, measuring of and accounting for cross-border environmental damage, and greater integrity and engagement from financial actors.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    Cooperation, not compliance

    As the ESRS come into force, reporting requirements are being applied to companies’ full value chains. This means that Majority World actors, such as those that extract raw materials for European products, may be indirectly subjected to the NFR regulations. This is important, as it holds companies and consumers, EU and non, accountable for the ethics of the goods and services they rely on. However, when regulations are built without directly involving those they will affect, they risk causing collateral, longer-term damage. For example, reporting requirements that feel inaccessible to smaller organisations can foster distrust and backlash, or cause companies to withdraw from contexts where data are less accessible, taking away key sources of income for communities.

    While global climate negotiations have come under public scrutiny for their Minority World dominance, there has been relatively less scrutiny of global organisations governing financial and corporate sustainability standards. On their boards, the Majority World is conspicuous by its absence, demonstrating the dearth of attention to its agency in enabling greater sustainability, both locally and globally. European investors and policymakers are already shifting capital from the Majority World back to the EU in response to the NFR regulations, citing the difficulty of accounting for activities along the length of value chains. The damage falls on livelihoods, industries and essential investments, such as in renewable energy, which can suddenly disappear.

    Developing NFR regulations in collaboration with all stakeholders, rather than only at the top, can provide a regulatory landscape that is, from the outset, more implementable, accessible and effective in the long run.

    Democratic data and digitalisation

    Efficacy in global NFR regulations relies on global data cooperation, which could lower the administrative burden on those reporting and enable greater accountability. The increasing number of EU NFR regulations do not exist in a vacuum: they have been accompanied by shifts in global regulations and a proliferation of national regulations. With regulations expanding to cover the full value chain, actors are increasingly likely to be subjected to multiple regulatory bodies, or have to provide data to reporting entities upstream. The time, financial resources and practical challenges involved in identifying, collecting, processing and sharing data are considerable, both for those submitting data and those receiving and verifying them. This makes divestment or significant losses more likely. Furthermore, the expansion of regulations can result in isolated streams of data and closed-circuit processes, which, in turn, cut out civil society organisations and individuals who use data to help hold firms to account for their social and environmental responsibilities.

    Aside from EU calls for a European Single Access Point for corporate data, Majority World contexts offer particularly fertile ground for reimagining and building data infrastructures. Digitalisation in low- and middle-income countries is growing rapidly, and demonstrates the ability to make digital financial and business instruments democratic and accessible to those with the fewest resources. Such efforts should involve statisticians and local data experts from the outset to determine and harmonise appropriate data, along with transnational entities with the mandate of establishing links across data systems.

    Support for international emissions accounting

    Corporate reporting on environmental impacts must be accompanied by their reduction. Indeed, the work and transparency required to identify impacts in the first place, let alone mitigate them, underpins decisions to simply detach from the system, moving economic activity to local contexts where impacts are more traceable.

    Firms that cannot afford to bring their activities onshore must account for emissions that occur from assets not directly under their ownership or control, which are known as Scope 3 emissions. In some cases, these emissions constitute well over half of a firm’s total value chain emissions. However, the implementation of the ESRS has designated the reporting of Scope 3 emissions, and climate impacts in general, to be largely discretionary, under the condition that firms provide evaluations of the economic and material implications of a given activity in their value chains.

    The glaring gaps between some firms’ targets, actions and declarations are in part enabled by reporting systems that allow the omission of more distant climate risks and impacts, maintaining the misalignment between climate pledges and actions aimed at achieving them. While the number of firms showing readiness to comply with Scope 3 accounting is increasing, data on global investor preferences suggests that investors do not necessarily prioritise companies’ performance on these emissions when making investment decisions. For ethics to exist on the ground, they must be prioritised in financial flows.

    Investment with integrity

    In light of the above, financial institutions have a core responsibility to engage with NFR. These institutions’ economic leverage and centrality in the value chains and activities of several sectors give them incentivising power to catalyse a shift from the submission of reports to the building of living data systems and the achievement of fuller value chain accountability. Currently, many investors are not willing to accept reductions in their returns in exchange for the pursuit of social or environmental goals. Surveys suggest this is in part due to perceptions of low quality of environmental information, limited ability to assess the data received, and the difficulty of making investment decisions accordingly. In the current landscape of Minority World-led reporting, such mistrust is likely to be greater with respect to Majority World data, reiterating the need for data systems and reporting mechanisms built on equal footing.

    Financial institutions can operate proactively, using their privileged access to data to bridge Minority and Majority World actors engaging in sustainable practices, such as microfinance bodies, local communities and relevant investors. Doing so could plug, at least in part, an information and trust gap that can hinder Minority World firms’ investment in unfamiliar contexts.

    Regulating for whom?

    The research underpinning our article initially involved a recommendation on streamlining and supporting reporting by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for more than 60% of the EU’s corporate emissions. For these firms, especially, regulators face a critical balance between lowering the entry barrier of the reporting ecosystem and setting robust environmental targets. The nature, data points and timelines of reporting under the CSRD are currently under review following calls for simplification and greater support, and decision-makers are wrestling with the tension between accessibility and integrity.

    Our work also included a recommendation that turns from the supply side, the focus of the preceding proposals, to the demand side: the data and sustainability literacy of the individual who walks into the supermarket to buy that sustainable product, or wants family investments to do more good than harm. Across sectors – public policy, investment and citizen engagement – resources must be dedicated to these literacies, so that actors are better placed to hold each other to account. Regulation becomes easily abstracted, reduced to figures and PDFs, databases and scores. Beneath each regulation is a world of citizens whose homes, livelihoods and health depend on them.

    The author was affiliated with the University of Siena during the period in which she and her colleagues did the original work for the scholarly article that is mentioned in this piece. The author’s affiliation came via a project that, overall, was financed by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The scholarly article and the present article were not outputs for the project.

    – ref. EU efforts to measure companies’ environmental impacts have global effects. Here’s how to make them more just – https://theconversation.com/eu-efforts-to-measure-companies-environmental-impacts-have-global-effects-heres-how-to-make-them-more-just-261226

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Immigrants in Europe and North America earn 18% less than natives – here’s why

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Are Skeie Hermansen, Professor of Sociology, University of Oslo

    F Armstrong Photography/Shutterstock

    As many countries grapple with ageing populations, falling birthrates, labour shortages and fiscal pressures, the ability to successfully integrate immigrants is becoming an increasingly pressing matter.

    However, our new study found that salaries of immigrants in Europe and North America are nearly 18% lower than those of natives, as foreign-born workers struggle to access higher-paying jobs. To reach this conclusion, we analysed the salaries of 13.5 million people in nine immigrant-receiving countries: Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United States. Data was taken from the period of 2016 to 2019.

    Immigrants in these countries earned less primarily because they were unable to access higher-paying jobs. Three-quarters of the migrant pay gap was the result of a lack of access to well-paid jobs, while only one-quarter of the gap was attributed to pay differences between migrant and native-born workers in the same job.

    Spain has the largest gap, while Sweden’s is the smallest.
    Author’s own elaboration

    The high-income countries we examined in Europe and North America all face similar demographic challenges, with low fertility rates resulting in an ageing population and labour shortages. Pro-natalist policies are unlikely to change this demographic destiny, but sound immigration policies can help.

    Across these countries with vastly different labour market institutions and immigrant populations, a common theme emerged: countries are not making good use of immigrants’ human capital.

    Stark regional differences

    We found that immigrants earn 17.9% less than natives on average, although the pay gap varied widely by country. In Spain, a relatively recent large-scale receiver of immigrants, the pay gap was over 29%. In Sweden – a country where many employed immigrants find work in the public sector – it was just 7%. These results don’t include immigrants who are unemployed or in the informal economy.

    Where immigrants were born also mattered. The highest average overall pay gaps were for immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa (26.1%) and the Middle East and North Africa (23.7%). For immigrants from Europe, North America and other Western countries, the difference in average pay compared to natives was a much more modest 9%.

    Migrant pay gaps according to region of origin. The minus sign (−) before figures indicates that immigrants earn less than natives. Note that data for second-generation immigrants is unavailable in France, Spain and the US.
    Author’s own elaboration

    Our results suggest that the children of immigrants faced substantially better earning prospects than their parents. For the countries where second-generation data was available – Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden – the gap narrowed over time, and the children of immigrants had a substantially smaller earnings gap, earning an average of 5.7% less than workers with native-born parents.

    The struggle to access higher-paying jobs

    Beyond quantifying the gap, we wanted to understand the roots of pay disparities. To create better policies, it is important to know whether immigrants are paid less than natives when they’re doing the same job in the same company, or whether these differences arise because immigrants typically work in lower-paying jobs.

    By a wide margin, we found that immigrants end up working in lower-paying industries, occupations and companies; three-quarters of the gap was due to this type of labour-market sorting. The pay gap for the same work in the same company was just 4.6% on average across the nine countries.

    These differences represent a failure of immigration policy to incorporate immigrants, as immigrants are relegated to jobs where they cannot contribute to their full potential. Our analyses rule out that the lack of access to higher-paying jobs simply reflects a difference in skill between immigrants and native-born workers. We also found that the size of the pay gap and the key role of unequal access to well-paid jobs is similar for immigrants with and without a university education.

    This means that the immigrant-native pay gap in large part represents a market inefficiency and policy failure, with significant social consequences for both immigrants and immigrant-receiving countries.



    Leer más:
    What Britons and Europeans really think about immigration – new analysis

    Policy implications

    Although equal pay for equal work policies may seem like a viable solution, they won’t close the immigrant pay gap. This is because they only help those who have already secured work, but immigrants face barriers to employment that begin long before even applying for a job. This includes convoluted processes to validate university degrees or other qualifications, and exclusion from professional networks.

    The policy focus should therefore be on improving access to better jobs.

    To make this happen, governments should invest in programmes such as language training, education and vocational skills for immigrants. They should ensure immigrants have early access to employment information, networks, job-search assistance and employer referrals. They should implement standardised and transparent recognition of foreign degrees and credentials, helping immigrants to access jobs matching their skills and training.

    This is particularly important for Europe as it races to attract – and retain – skilled immigrants who may be having second thoughts about the US in the Trump era. In the European Union, around 40% of university-educated non-EU immigrants are employed in jobs that do not require a degree, an underutilisation of skills known as brain waste.

    Some countries are already taking steps to remedy this. Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act – which took effect in 2024 – allows foreign graduates to work while their degrees are being formally recognised. In 2025, France reformed its Passeport Talent permit to attract skilled professionals and address labour shortages, especially in healthcare.

    These kinds of policies help ensure that foreign-born workers can contribute at their full capacity, and that countries can reap the full benefits of immigration in terms of productivity gains, higher tax revenue and reduced inequality.

    If immigrants can’t get access to good jobs, their skills are underutilised and society loses out. Smart immigration policy doesn’t end at the border – it starts there.

    Are Skeie Hermansen has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s
    Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 851149), the Research Council of Norway (grant 287016), and the Center for Advanced Study at The Norwegian Academy of Science
    and Letters (Young CAS grant 2019/2020).

    Marta M. Elvira receives funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, grant PID2020-
    118807RB-I00/AEI /10.13039/501100011033

    Andrew Penner no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoría, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiación de ninguna compañía u organización que pueda obtener beneficio de este artículo, y ha declarado carecer de vínculos relevantes más allá del cargo académico citado.

    – ref. Immigrants in Europe and North America earn 18% less than natives – here’s why – https://theconversation.com/immigrants-in-europe-and-north-america-earn-18-less-than-natives-heres-why-261188

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Ireland: Amnesty’s head urges Irish government to press ahead with Occupied Territories Bill

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Following a two-day visit in which she met with Ireland’s head of state and head of government, among other senior officials, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:

    “While the EU has betrayed its principles through its shameful decision not to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, we applaud Ireland for its bold efforts to stop Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The EU’s refusal to take action to hold Israel accountable highlights the need for Ireland and other likeminded member states to urgently take unilateral or concerted steps to bring their actions in line with international law, which takes precedence over both EU and national law.

    “We urge the Irish government to press ahead quickly with the Occupied Territories Bill to demonstrate that when the EU fails to act on its values, principled states like Ireland will take a stand. The bill would be a powerful, much-needed tool for international justice and must be strengthened to include banning all imports and exports of goods and services to and from Israeli settlements in illegally occupied Palestinian territory, as well as investments in them.

    Ireland must stay firm in its convictions and commitment to justice

    “Despite the fearmongering and efforts by certain parties to derail the bill, Ireland must stay firm in its convictions and commitment to justice. This legislation is rooted in international law and would enable Ireland to fully comply with the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion on Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.

    “Passage of the bill would set a strong example to EU states to unilaterally suspend all forms of cooperation with Israel that may contribute to its grave violations of international law. It cannot be ‘business as usual’ while Palestinians are starved and slaughtered while seeking aid or under relentless Israeli attacks in Gaza, or killed and forcibly displaced by state-backed Israeli settler violence, devastating military operations and suffocating movement restrictions in the West Bank.

    This would set a strong example to EU states to unilaterally suspend all forms of cooperation with Israel that may contribute to its grave violations of international law

    “From its own experiences of colonization, famine and conflict to its leading role in international efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, Ireland has repeatedly shown that it can stand up to bullies and consistently punched above its weight in global diplomacy. Its principled stance on Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza is another milestone and further proof that Ireland will not tolerate the destruction of the rules-based order so painstakingly built over the last 80 years.

    “We applaud Ireland for being one of the few European states to strongly condemn Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and other crimes under international law committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and for its courageous calls for concrete action to stop the bloodshed and carnage. In doing so, Ireland has acted as a vital counterweight to those states still arming Israel, excusing its atrocities and enabling its lasting impunity.”

    We applaud Ireland for for its courageous calls for concrete action to stop the carnage

    During her visit to Dublin on 16 and 17 July, Agnès Callamard met with President Micheal D. Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Attorney General Rossa Fanning, Senator Frances Black, and Liam Herrick, the Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, as well as local human rights defenders and civil society organizations.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Day of International Criminal Justice (17.07.25)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    On this Day of International Criminal Justice, which marks the anniversary of the adoption of the treaty that established the International Criminal Court, France reaffirms its staunch commitment to the worldwide fight against impunity.

    France reiterates its commitment to promoting and protecting international law, of which the ICC – the only permanent, universal international court – is a linchpin. It has pledged to promote this Court’s impendence, impartiality, effectiveness and universality.

    We commend the work carried out by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which has made it possible to prosecute and judge the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of international humanitarian law in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. We recognize the vital contribution of hybrid courts and tribunals – among them the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic and their predecessors – to the fight against impunity. These international courts, which work alongside national courts, help meet our shared goal of obtaining justice for the victims of the most serious crimes, preventing those crimes and supporting the reconciliation process.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s statement on establishment of a national day in memory of journalists killed because of their work

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    It is with great satisfaction that I welcome Parliament’s unanimous approval of the bill establishing a national day in memory of journalists killed because of their work.

    From now on, 3 May will be a solemn occasion to honour those who have put their passion, professionalism and courage at the service of us all, guaranteeing citizens the right to be informed. Men and women whose precious work has allowed our eyes to see things we otherwise wouldn’t have seen. In Italy and abroad. From crisis zones to forgotten conflicts, from areas plagued by organised crime to all those physical and non-physical places that are invisible to the public. 

    I am thinking of people such as Cosimo Cristina, Mauro De Mauro, Giovanni Spampinato, Peppino Impastato, Mario Francese, Giuseppe Fava, Mauro Rostagno, Beppe Alfano, Giancarlo Siani, Walter Tobagi, Ilaria Alpi and Miran Hrovatin, Marco Luchetta, Alessandro Saša Ota, Dario D’Angelo, Antonio Russo, Enzo Baldoni, Andrea Rocchelli, Maria Grazia Cutuli, Almerigo Grilz.

    Paying tribute to these journalists is a duty, which has today become enshrined in State law and which we are committed to honouring. 

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: ​The 8th China (Ordos) International Cashmere and Wool Exhibition Opened

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    On July 18, the 8th China (Ordos) International Cashmere and Wool Expo opened in Dongsheng District, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It not only created an effective platform for exchange and cooperation in the global cashmere and wool industry, but also injected strong impetus into the high-quality development of cashmere and wool industry in Ordos.

    During the exhibition, 11 diverse activities will also be held, including a presentation on attracting investment to the cashmere industry in Ordos, which will promote the comprehensive and multi-level development of exchange and cooperation in this industry.

    It is reported that the exhibition was carefully organized into 6 large exhibition areas, which attracted more than 30 international companies from 10 countries including the UK, France, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Mongolia, as well as nearly 200 exhibitors and more than 220 buyers.

    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 –

  • Sujeet Kalkal strikes gold at Budapest Wrestling Ranking Series

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal on Thursday clinched the gold medal in the 65kg men’s freestyle category at the Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial 2025 wrestling tournament in Budapest, Hungary.

    In the final of the 65kg men’s freestyle category, Sujeet delivered a clinical performance to defeat four-time European medallist Ali Rahimzade of Azerbaijan 5-1. His triumph marked India’s first gold medal in wrestling at any of the Ranking Series events this year. Earlier, Indian grapplers had returned empty-handed from the tournaments in Amman and Mongolia, according to Olympics.com.

    In the first period of the final, Sujeet conceded an activity point, but he raised the tempo in the second period to complete two takedowns. He secured another activity point en route to a commanding victory in the gold medal bout.

    Sujeet’s journey to the final was equally impressive. He began with a dominant 11-0 win over Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Islam Dudaev of Albania in the round of 16. He then overwhelmed European silver medallist Khamzat Arsamerzouev of France in the quarter-finals, before stamping his authority with a 6-1 win over Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia in the semi-finals.

    India added another medal in the men’s 57kg category, where Rahul clinched bronze with a 4-0 victory over Germany’s Niklas Stechele. Earlier, he had defeated Kim Sung-gwon of the Republic of Korea 5-3 in the quarter-finals, before narrowly losing a hard-fought semi-final 7-6 to the USA’s Luke Joseph Lilledahl.

    Meanwhile, India’s Udit and Vicky suffered defeats in the repechage rounds of the 61kg and 97kg divisions, respectively. The Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial in Budapest is the fourth and final wrestling Ranking Series tournament of the year.

    Ranking points earned at this event will help wrestlers secure better seedings for the World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to be held in Zagreb, Croatia, in September later this year.

    India fielded wrestlers in the men’s and women’s freestyle, as well as Greco-Roman, categories at the ongoing Budapest meet, which will conclude on Sunday.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign firms eye China’s supply chain

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

    This panoramic photo taken on July 17, 2025 shows the Advanced Manufacturing Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    With technological innovation playing an increasingly integral role in China’s supply chain operation, foreign firms will build more local partnerships in high-end manufacturing, modern services and consumer goods, senior executives from such corporations said on Thursday.

    At the ongoing third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, they said China’s supply chain is evolving beyond simple connectivity to emphasize greater coordination, development and innovation.

    Held from Wednesday to Sunday, the third edition of CISCE has brought together more than 650 companies and institutions from 75 countries and regions, said the Beijing-based China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, organizer of the expo.

    The proportion of overseas exhibitors increased from 32 percent at the second edition to 35 percent this year — an indication of enduring business interest in the face of rising geopolitical and economic headwinds.

    German industrial conglomerate Bosch Group, a three-time participant at CISCE, showcased locally driven innovations in intelligent and electrified technologies across areas such as energy and power systems, motion control and driver assistance at the event this year.

    Xu Daquan, president of Bosch China, said that at a critical juncture in the accelerated restructuring of the global automotive supply chain, adhering to open cooperation and strengthening local manufacturing and innovation capabilities are essential for achieving long-term growth.

    “Bosch will continue to work with its Chinese partners to build a more resilient, agile and globally oriented smart mobility supply ecosystem,” said Xu.

    Driven by technology shifts and competition, China’s fast-evolving auto sector leads in electrification and smart mobility, fueled by innovation and rapid consumer adoption of new technologies, said the German company.

    Another active multinational presence at the expo is Federal Express Corp, the United States-based express transportation company and also a third-time CISCE participant. It presented a visually engaging booth at the trade show, featuring a diverse array of images and multimedia content.

    “As an important platform for promoting international supply chain connectivity, CISCE offers a valuable opportunity for us to deepen cooperation with industry and supply chain partners,” said Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China, adding the company completed the upgrade of its international export services in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, earlier this week.

    FedEx looks forward to working together with all parties to build a stable, efficient, sustainable and intelligent supply chain network, injecting sustained momentum into the smooth operation of the economy and trade for China and the world, she said.

    Joining the expanding roster of global participants, French cosmetics company L’Oreal Group made its debut at this year’s CISCE, highlighting innovations in the beauty supply chain.

    Its exhibit emphasized smart, consumer-centric systems, open ecosystem collaboration, and the role of Chinese innovation in driving global expansion and delivering localized solutions worldwide.

    Chen Jiaqi, director of corporate affairs and engagement at L’Oreal China, said that the ever-evolving demands of Chinese consumers are pushing companies to step up innovation and optimize the entire value chain, from production and logistics to customer service.

    “In this process, many new technologies and business models co-created with Chinese supply chain partners have been introduced to the global stage, serving consumers worldwide,” said Chen.

    MIL OSI China News –