Category: France

MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Gas station heroin’: the drug sold as a dietary supplement that’s linked to overdoses and deaths

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michelle Sahai, Computational Biochemist, Brunel University of London

US Food and Drug Administration, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Health Fraud Branch

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent warning about tianeptine – a substance marketed as a dietary supplement but known on the street as “gas station heroin”.

Linked to overdoses and deaths, it is being sold in petrol stations, smoke shops and online retailers, despite never being approved for medical use in the US.

But what exactly is tianeptine, and why is it causing alarm?

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Tianeptine was developed in France in the 1960s and approved for medical use in the late 1980s as a treatment for depression.

Structurally, it resembles tricyclic antidepressants – an older class of antidepressant – but pharmacologically it behaves very differently. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which typically increase serotonin levels, tianeptine appears to act on the brain’s glutamate system, which is involved in learning and memory.

It is used as a prescription drug in some European, Asian and Latin American countries under brand names like Stablon or Coaxil. But researchers later discovered something unusual, tianeptine also activates the brain’s mu-opioid receptors, the same receptors targeted by morphine and heroin – hence it’s nickname “gas station heroin”.

As a prescription drug, tianeptine is sold under various brand names, including Stablon.
Wikimedia Commons

At prescribed doses, the effect is subtle, but in large amounts, tianeptine can trigger euphoria, sedation and eventually dependence. People chasing a high might take doses far beyond anything recommended in medical settings.

Despite never being approved by the FDA, the drug is sold in the US as a “wellness” product or nootropic – a substance supposedly used to enhance mood or mental clarity. It’s packaged as capsules, powders or liquids, often misleadingly labelled as dietary supplements.

This loophole has enabled companies to circumvent regulation. Products like Neptune’s Fix have been promoted as safe and legal alternatives to traditional medications, despite lacking any clinical oversight and often containing unlisted or dangerous ingredients.

Some samples have even been found to contain synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs. According to US poison control data, calls related to tianeptine exposure rose by over 500% between 2018 and 2023. In 2024 alone, the drug was involved in more than 300 poisoning cases. The FDA’s latest advisory included product recalls and import warnings.

Users have taken to the social media site Reddit, including a dedicated channel, and other forums to describe their experiences, both the highs and the grim withdrawals. Some report taking hundreds of pills a day. Others struggle to quit, describing cravings and relapses that mirror those seen with classic opioid addiction.

Since tianeptine doesn’t show up in standard toxicology screenings, health professionals may not recognise it. According to doctors in North America, it could be present in hospital patients without being detected, particularly in cases involving seizures or unusual heart symptoms.

People report experiencing withdrawal symptoms that resemble those of opioids, like fentanyl, including anxiety, tremors, insomnia, diarrhoea and muscle pain. Some have been hospitalised due to seizures, loss of consciousness and respiratory depression.

UK legality

In the UK, tianeptine is not licensed for medical use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and it is not classified as a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. That puts it in a legal grey area, not formally approved, but not illegal to possess either.

It can be bought online from overseas vendors, and a quick search reveals dozens of sellers offering “research-grade” powder and capsules.

There is little evidence that tianeptine is circulating widely in the UK; to date, just one confirmed sample has been publicly recorded in a national drug testing database. It’s not mentioned in recent Home Office or Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs briefings, and it does not appear in official crime or hospital statistics.

But that may simply reflect the fact that no one is looking for it. Without testing protocols in place, it could be present, just unrecorded.

Because of its chemical structure and unusual effects, if tianeptine did show up in a UK emergency department, it could easily be mistaken for a tricyclic antidepressant overdose, or even dismissed as recreational drug use. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat appropriately.

It’s possible, particularly among people seeking alternatives to harder-to-access opioids, or those looking for a legal high. With its low visibility, online availability and potential for addiction, tianeptine ticks many of the same boxes that once made drugs like mephedrone or spice popular before they were banned.

The UK has seen waves of novel psychoactive substances emerge through similar routes, first appearing online or in head shops, then spreading quietly until authorities responded. If tianeptine follows the same path, by the time it appears on the radar, harm may already be underway.

Michelle Sahai does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. ‘Gas station heroin’: the drug sold as a dietary supplement that’s linked to overdoses and deaths – https://theconversation.com/gas-station-heroin-the-drug-sold-as-a-dietary-supplement-thats-linked-to-overdoses-and-deaths-259194

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Thumbs up: good or passive aggressive? How emojis became the most confusing kind of online language

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Brittany Ferdinands, Lecturer in Digital Content Creation, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney

The Conversation, CC BY

Emojis, as well as memes and other forms of short-form content, have become central to how we express ourselves and connect online. Yet as meanings shift across different contexts, so too does the potential for misunderstanding.

A senior colleague of mine recently encountered some commentary about the “slightly smiling” face emoji: 🙂

They approached me, asking whether it represented joy, as they had assumed, or if it had a more ominous meaning.

As a chronically-online millennial, who unironically identifies as a gen Z, I bore the news that I, along with most younger internet users, only ever use it sarcastically.

“It doesn’t actually signify happiness – more so fake happiness, or dry humour,” I explained.

I also told them how the thumbs up emoji is often interpreted as passive aggressive, and that the only time I’d use the laughing-crying (“face with tears of joy”) emoji is under duress.

Despite seeming like a universal language – and sometimes they do function that way – emojis can be at once more vague, and more specific, than words. That’s because you can’t separate the meaning of a smiley from the person who sent it, nor from the person receiving it.

Markers of age and identity

While emojis were originally developed in the late 1990s by Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita to add emotional nuance to text-based messaging, their function has since evolved.

Today, emojis are not just emotional cues; they also operate as cultural symbols and markers of identity.

Research published last year highlights how these symbols can create subtle communication barriers across age groups. For instance, a study of Chinese-speaking WeChat users found younger and older people differed not only in how frequently they used emojis, but in how they interpreted and aesthetically preferred them.

One emoji that’s increasingly becoming a distinct marker of age is the previously mentioned laughing-crying emoji (😂). Despite being named Oxford Dictionary’s 2015 word of the year, and frequently topping the most-used emoji charts, this smiley is on the decline among gen Z – who decided in 2020 that it wasn’t cool anymore.

Instead, they prefer the skull emoji (💀), which is shorthand for the gen Z catch phrase “I’m dead”. This means something is funny (not that they’re literally deceased).

Such shifts may understandably be perplexing for older generations who are unfamiliar with evolving norms and slang.

A digital body language

Emojis can also take on distinct meanings on different platforms. They are embedded within “platform vernaculars”: the ever-evolving styles of communication that are unique to specific digital spaces.

For example, a thumbs up emoji (👍) from your boss at work is seemingly more acceptable, and less anxiety inducing, than from a romantic interest you’ve just sent a risky text to.

This dilemma was echoed in a recent viral TikTok by user @kaitlynghull, which prompted thousands to comment about their shared confusion over emoji use in the workplace.

This reaction highlights a deeper communication issue.

A survey of 10,000 workers across the US, France, Germany, India and Australia, conducted by YouGov and software company Atlassian, found 65% of workers used emojis to convey tone in the workplace. But while 88% of gen Z workers thought emojis were helpful, this dropped to 49% for baby boomers and gen X.

The survey concluded some emojis can be interpreted in multiple ways, and these double meanings aren’t always safe for work.

In with the ‘it’ crowd

Another example of platform-specific emoji use comes from social media content creators who deploy emojis to curate a certain aesthetic.

Under the Tiktok tag #emojicombo, you’ll find thousands of videos showcasing emoji combinations that provide aesthetic “inspo”. These combinations are used to represent different online identities or subcultures, such as “that girl”, “clean girl” or “old money”.

Users may include the combinations in their captions or videos to signal their personal style, or to express the mood or vibe of their online persona. In this way, the emojis help shape how they present themselves on the platform.

This example of emoji use is also a display of symbolic capital. It signals social alignment, in an environment where a user’s visibility (and popularity) is determined by their platform fluency.

Emojis, then, aren’t just tools for expression. They are badges of identity that index where a user stands in the online cultural hierarchy.

There’s a fragmentation in how we relate

A single emoji might communicate irony, sincerity or sarcasm, depending on who is using it, what platform they’re using it on, and what generation they belong to.

This gap points to deeper questions around online access and participation, and the systems that shape online cultures.

And when the meaning of an emoji is platform-dependent and socially stratified, it can become as much about fitting in with a cultural in-group than conveying emotion.

Brittany Ferdinands does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Thumbs up: good or passive aggressive? How emojis became the most confusing kind of online language – https://theconversation.com/thumbs-up-good-or-passive-aggressive-how-emojis-became-the-most-confusing-kind-of-online-language-259151

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How Europe dropped the ball on its own defence and was left fawning over Donald Trump – podcast

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

The language from European leaders was fawning and obsequious. At one point, the head of Nato, Mark Rutte, even called Donald Trump “daddy”. But when the US president left the Nato summit in late June, there was a sigh of relief that he had not made any more angry criticism of the alliance.

After months of American pressure, Nato members – with the exception of Spain – agreed to increase their spending on defence to 5% of GDP by 2035. Trump called it “very big news”, and even reconfirmed his commitment to Nato’s article 5, which means an attack on one Nato country is an attack on them all.

How did Europe become so unable to defend itself that it was forced to resort to outright flattery of an American president?

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we report from the recent Siena Conference on the Europe of the Future in Italy about how the EU dropped the ball on its own defence and what its options are now.

The European Commission, the executive branch of EU government, only appointed its first commissioner for defence in December 2024. There is no EU army, and no consensus as to whether democratic nations could ever allow one to be built.

But in the period after the second world war, ambitions for a united European defence policy were much grander, as Ana Juncos Garcia, professor of European politics at the University of Bristol in the UK, explains:

There was this idea to establish a European Defence Community which would pool competencies at the national level in defence to the European level, creating a supranational organisation with its own minister of defence, its own military committee.

That failed in 1954 when the French national assembly rejected ratification of the treaty and progress on a pan-European defence strategy stalled. Nato, founded in 1949, became the core military alliance organising Europe’s defence, with the US as its main guarantor.

Ever since, the EU has tried to balance the need for maintaining that transatlantic relationship, and figuring out a way to organise, and procure, its own defence capabilities in a joined up way.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast, which includes interviews with Francesco Grillo, academic fellow in political science at Bocconi University in Italy, and François Lafond, former assistant professor at Sciences Po University in Paris and former advisor to the Western Balkans on European integration.

This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware with assistance from Katie Flood and Mend Mariwany. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

Newsclips in this episode from National Defence, NBC News, CNBCtelevision, Forbes Breaking News, CBS News and Critical Past.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Ana Juncos Garcia has received UKRI funding for a MSCA Doctoral Network and funding from Horizon Europe, ESRC IAA and WUN. She is also a visiting professor at the College of Europe.

Francesco Grillo is associated to VISION think tank.

– ref. How Europe dropped the ball on its own defence and was left fawning over Donald Trump – podcast – https://theconversation.com/how-europe-dropped-the-ball-on-its-own-defence-and-was-left-fawning-over-donald-trump-podcast-260152

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Mr. Nobody Against Putin gives an insight into the propaganda in Russian schools

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Colin Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Political Communications, Nottingham Trent University

A remarkable documentary is providing insight into the propaganda found within Russian schools. Mr. Nobody Against Putin, directed by David Borenstein, premiered at the 2025 Sundance film festival in January, where it won the world cinema documentary special jury award.

The film was recorded over two years by Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, an events coordinator and videographer at a high school in Karabash, a heavily polluted town in central southern Russia. The documentary records the intensification of Kremlin-directed ultra-nationalist and pro-war propaganda within the Russian schooling system, which has intensified since the escalation of the war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Talankin makes clear his view that this approach to “education” represents a moral wrong, and he is very much on point with the writings of the key ethicists on the subject. American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, for example, wrote that “education is both a tool of propaganda in the hands of dominant groups, and a means of emancipation for subject classes”.

Niebuhr was writing about the education system in the US during the 1920s, when there was a widespread understanding that education was used in these two ways. Talankin’s concern is that Russia has moved to a position of imbalance, where the “dominant groups” have too much influence and are using their power to corrupt the minds of children through disingenuous narratives about national servitude, sacrifice and conformity, coupled with the unsubtle threat that those who are not patriots are “parasites”.

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In their highly respected book Propaganda & Persuasion (1986), propaganda experts Garth Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell state that “to analyse propaganda, one needs to be able to identify it”. This is a difficult task because propaganda thrives through symbols, the subliminal and in fictional works precisely because the audience is not conscious of it.

However, the creation of an environment that uses propaganda is also dependent upon who is given the oxygen of publicity and who is marginalised. These are the conditions under which ideological indoctrination occurs and power is achieved or maintained.

As such, a critical analyst of propaganda must assess the linguistic strategy, the information strategy, the eminence strategy (how to ensure that the target audience are watching, reading or listening to the desired content) and the staging strategy of the communicator. This can be remembered through the helpful L.I.E.S. mnemonic.

The trailer for Mr. Nobody versus Putin.

Talankin’s footage shows how Russian schools now promote distorted versions of European history. The well-trodden narrative that Ukraine has been taken over by neo-Nazis is referred to several times in lessons. Russian flags appear with greater frequency around the school as time goes on, and assembly time becomes an exercise in pledging allegiance to the fatherland.

Teachers are expected to read from scripts prepared for them by the ministry of education. Pupils then respond with choreographed answers – some even glancing down at notes under their desks. The children are told about how dreadful life in France and the UK is because of their reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

Interestingly, the Kremlin has asked that all of this be videoed and uploaded to a central database to ensure compliance with national regulations on what is taught in schools. Indeed, Talankin complains at one point that much of his time is now spent uploading the videos rather than actually teaching the students and helping them to be creative – as his job previously was.

Shared humanity

Talankin takes us on a tour of his city. He shows a pro-war rally that is broadly supported by the townsfolk. Or at least those in opposition dare not say anything or engage in an equivalent demonstration. He takes us to the civic library, theoretically a site of independent learning but which has been hijacked by these propaganda efforts.

Perhaps the most important moments of the documentary though are the snippets of critique and the sense of “knowing” that Talankin is keen to show. The young girl who jokingly tells her teacher to “blink twice if you’re lying”, and to which all her class then laugh. His interactions with other teachers who confide in him that they know that the propaganda is bullshit, but, worried for their status and prosperity, go along with it.

The propaganda is pretty poor though. It is clunky and obvious, and, while it might generate some short-term influence, it smacks of both arrogance and desperation on the part of the Kremlin. Indeed, it shows that there is no desire on the part of central government for Russian people to thrive intellectually.

This scenario is reminiscent of the end of the Soviet era, when communist propaganda continued to prevail, but few still believed it. Nevertheless, without a clear alternative to follow, or obvious alternative leader to guide them, most people continued to abide.

The most harrowing part of the documentary comes towards the end when Talankin provides an audio recording of the funeral of a local lad who has been killed in Ukraine. He did not dare film the funeral as this is a cultural faux pas, but the screams and wails of the mother as her son is laid to rest are piercing. The scene seems intended to bring our shared humanity to bare.

Talankin is a nice guy with intelligence and ethical fortitude. The kids are funny, charming and talented. The mother is doing what we would all do if we had lost a child to a violent death. As such, Mr. Nobody Against Putin might better be called Mr. Everybody Against Putin, as it should be of grave concern to everyone that Russia’s education system is resorting to such techniques.

Colin Alexander does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Mr. Nobody Against Putin gives an insight into the propaganda in Russian schools – https://theconversation.com/mr-nobody-against-putin-gives-an-insight-into-the-propaganda-in-russian-schools-260162

MIL OSI –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How Donald Trump’s economic policies, including uncertainty around tariffs, are damaging the US economy

Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Whittaker, Senior Teaching Fellow in Economics, Lancaster University

Donald Trump set a deadline of July 9 2025 for trade deals to be made before he hits some of the world’s biggest economies with his controversial tariffs. It’s impossible to predict what will happen on the day, but it is already clear that his economic policies are damaging American interests.

Just look at the state of US government debt for example. Currently it stands at US$36 trillion (£26 trillion). And with total economic output (GDP) worth US$29 trillion per year, that debt is 123% of GDP, the highest it has been since 1946.

Government debts are alarmingly high in other countries too (the UK’s is at 104% of GDP, with France at 116% and China at 113%), but the US is towards the top of the range.

The recently passed budget reconciliation bill (what Trump calls the “big beautiful bill”) is projected to add US$3 trillion to that debt over the next decade. With these sorts of numbers, there is little prospect of putting US debt on a downward track.

Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

In 2024, the US government had to borrow an additional US$1.8 trillion to cover spending not supported by tax revenue (the budget deficit). This is equivalent to 6.2% of GDP, a number that is officially predicted to rise to 7.3% during the next 30 years.

The predictable consequence of this fiscal profligacy and the chaotic tariff programme is the high rates of interest that the US government is having to pay for its borrowing.

For instance, the interest rate on ten-year US government debt (otherwise known as its yield) has risen from 0.5% in mid-2020 to 4.3% now. And as government debt yields rise, so do interest rates on mortgages and corporate borrowing.

The power of the dollar

For decades, the United States has enjoyed a high level of trust in the strength, openness and stability of its economy.

As a result, US bonds or “treasuries”, the financial assets that the government sells to raise money for public spending, have long been considered safe investments by financial institutions around the world. And the US dollar has been the dominant currency for international payments and debts.

Sometimes referred to as “exorbitant privilege”, this status of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency brings big advantages. It benefits US consumers by making imported goods cheaper (albeit contributing to the trade deficits (when US imports to a country are worth more than its exports) which bother the president so much).

It also means the US government can borrow a lot of money before doubts arise about its ability to repay. Investors will generally buy as many bonds as the US govt needs to issue to pay for its spending.

The dominance of the dollar in international transactions also brings political power, such as the ability to exclude Russia from major global payment systems.

But this privilege is being eroded by the US president’s tariff agenda. Economic motives aside, it is the way they are being applied – their size and the unpredictability – that is really sapping investor confidence.

It’s costly to adjust trading patterns and supply chains in response to tariffs. So when the scope of future tariffs is unknown, the rational response is to stop investing while awaiting greater certainty.

The dollar has lost 8% in value since the beginning of the year, reflecting investor doubts about the US economy, and making imports even more expensive.

Financial markets are vulnerable

But perhaps the biggest danger to US financial markets is a sudden rise in yields on government debt. No investor wants to be left holding a bond when its yield rises because – as with all fixed-interest debt – the rise in yield causes the bond’s market value to fall. This is because new bonds are issued with a higher yield, making existing bonds less attractive and less valuable.

A bond holder expecting a rise in yield therefore has an incentive to sell it before the rise occurs. But the rise in yield can become self-reinforcing if the scramble to sell becomes a stampede.

Indeed, there was a jump in US yields after the increases in trade tariffs announced on “liberation day” in early April, with the yield on ten-year treasuries rising by 0.5% in just four days.

Damaged dollar?
Dilok Klaisataporn/Shutterstock

Fortunately, this rise was halted on April 10 when the tariffs were abruptly paused, allegedly in response to the fall in bond prices and an accompanying fall in share prices. The opinion of a senior central banker, that financial markets had been close to “meltdown”, was one of several such warnings.

The dollar is unlikely to be quickly dislodged from its pedestal as the world’s reserve currency, as the alternatives are not attractive. The euro is not suitable because it is the currency of 20 EU countries, each with its own separate government debt. Nor is the Chinese yuan a likely contender, given the Chinese government involvement in managing the yuan exchange rate.

But since March, foreign central banks have been selling off US treasuries, often choosing to hold gold instead.

On Trump’s watch, the reputation of the US dollar as the ultimate safe asset has been tarnished, leaving the financial system more vulnerable – and borrowing more expensive.

John Whittaker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How Donald Trump’s economic policies, including uncertainty around tariffs, are damaging the US economy – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trumps-economic-policies-including-uncertainty-around-tariffs-are-damaging-the-us-economy-259809

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How Canadian nationalism is evolving with the times — and will continue to do so

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Eric Wilkinson, Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy, University of British Columbia

Tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States have fuelled a surge in nationalist sentiment that played a significant role in the outcome of April’s federal election.

Mark Carney’s new Liberal government has signalled an interest in pursuing nation-building projects that hearken back to an earlier period in Canadian history.

Economic, cultural and social policy in Canada has often served the purpose of building national unity to facilitate cohesion and collective action. But some commentators have cautioned Canadians to dampen their reinvigorated sense of pride in their nation.

Read more:
Canadians are more patriotic than ever amid Trump’s trade war — but it’s important not to take national pride too far

Those on the right view Canadian nationalism as an obstacle to neo-liberal economic policies while the left perceives it as irredeemably flawed.

For people on the right, free trade and globalization are thought to produce the best economic outcomes, and nationalism obstructs those outcomes. But those on the progressive left argue that Canada was founded on racist policies and settler colonialism, so nationalism should be rejected because of this original sin.

Read more:
This Canada Day, settler Canadians should think about ‘land back’

What is a nation?

Both perspectives — and the public discussion of Canada’s national identity more generally — remain mired in confusion over the nature of nations. As a political philosopher, I have worked to clear up this confusion by determining what nations are and how they evolve.

In the 19th century, French scholar Ernest Renan outlined a definition of nation that has yet to be improved upon. For Renan, a nation consists of two things: the daily commitment of a people to continue to live and work together and a collective memory of a shared past together.

In contemporary times, Irish social scientist Benedict Anderson described nations as “imagined communities,” since the character of the nation is determined by the limits of the collective imagination of its citizens.

These are subjective definitions of nations because they define national communities in terms of the identification of their members with the community.

There are other, more common objective definitions of a nation involving identity, including shared ethnicity, religion or culture. But these definitions have long been criticized since many national identities transcend ethnicity, religion, culture or any other identity markers.

Nations vs. states

A national community is distinct from a state. The state constitutes the formal political institutions of a society, while the nation is the community of people within that society who view each other as compatriots. This is why the phrase “the people” is often used as a synonym for the national community.

While some nations are stateless, in other cases, multiple nations co-exist within a single state.

In Canada, there is the Québécois nation and many Indigenous nations within the Canadian nation. Although they are distinct, states and their governments will often build national identities around themselves to enable cohesion and collective action. Canada’s national identity was systematically shaped by successive governments — from Confederation onward — to build the society that Canadians live in today.

The character of a particular nation is not fixed.

The beliefs, practices and culture of the people who choose to live and work together can be shaped into anything they collectively decide on. A nation can adopt new values, redefine its membership or have one of its definitive characteristics fade from prominence.

Accordingly, there is no reason to think that moral failings of a national community’s past must compromise it forever. A nation can, and sometimes does, recognize its past failures and become something better.

Patriotism vs. nationalism

A distinction is sometimes drawn between “patriotism” and “nationalism,” with the most famous being made by English social critic and novelist George Orwell.

For Orwell, patriotism is devotion to a particular way of life without the desire to force it on other people, while nationalism denotes an impulse to seek power for one’s nation. Patriotism, then, is a benign, ethical form of partiality to one’s nation.

Other thinkers have sought to explain how national identities and communities can be cultivated in an ethical way, described by Israeli philosopher Yael Tamir as “liberal nationalism.”

The liberal nationalist, according to Tamir, seeks to construct a national identity that adopts the correct ethical values. They hope to harness the energy of nationalism to build a nation committed to liberty, inclusivity and progress.

In 1867, George-Étienne Cartier described the Canadian identity that he and the other Fathers of Confederation sought to create as a “political nationality.” He viewed Canadian identity as being defined by shared principles rather than language or ethnicity.

More than 150 years later, political theorist Michael Ignatieff made a similar distinction between ethnic and civic nationalism. In an ethnic nation, citizens identify with each other because they belong to the same ethnic, religious or cultural community. Meanwhile, in a civic nation, the people unite behind certain civic principles, like a commitment to democracy.

Cartier’s concept of a political nationality was crucial to making sense of the political experiment that was Confederation. Having mostly abandoned their efforts to assimilate the French-Canadians, the British settlers in North America would now join with them to build a new national identity instead.

Reshaping Canadian identity

In his recent book, historian Raymond Blake explains how Canada’s post-Second World War prime ministers, through their speeches and public statements, reshaped Canada’s national identity.

Read more:
40 years later: A look back at the Pierre Trudeau speech that defined Canada

Up through Louis St-Laurent, various prime ministers would refer to the “deux nations” origin of Canada as inspirational. British and French settlers had come together despite their differences to build a new society together, they pointed out.

As time went on, it became clear this definition of Canada’s national identity wasn’t nearly inclusive enough, making no mention of Indigenous Peoples.

The multicultural character of Canadian society was increasingly acknowledged by the government and Canadians at large until it was central to Canada’s identity. Canada’s national narrative has been reframed in recent years to recognize Indigenous Peoples as one of the three founding pillars of Canadian society. This evolution exemplifies exactly the change citizens should expect in a national community.

This transformation in Canadian national identity shows that national communities can change over time — including, perhaps, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada.

In the end, Canadians decide what sort of nation they want to inhabit. Canada’s political nationality has proven more resilient than even some of its founders might have anticipated, but not for lack of effort. There will always remain the work of building a better nation — and it’s work worth doing.

Eric Wilkinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How Canadian nationalism is evolving with the times — and will continue to do so – https://theconversation.com/how-canadian-nationalism-is-evolving-with-the-times-and-will-continue-to-do-so-259352

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: How Canadian nationalism is evolving with the times — and will continue to do so

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Eric Wilkinson, Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy, University of British Columbia

Tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States have fuelled a surge in nationalist sentiment that played a significant role in the outcome of April’s federal election.

Mark Carney’s new Liberal government has signalled an interest in pursuing nation-building projects that hearken back to an earlier period in Canadian history.

Economic, cultural and social policy in Canada has often served the purpose of building national unity to facilitate cohesion and collective action. But some commentators have cautioned Canadians to dampen their reinvigorated sense of pride in their nation.

Read more:
Canadians are more patriotic than ever amid Trump’s trade war — but it’s important not to take national pride too far

Those on the right view Canadian nationalism as an obstacle to neo-liberal economic policies while the left perceives it as irredeemably flawed.

For people on the right, free trade and globalization are thought to produce the best economic outcomes, and nationalism obstructs those outcomes. But those on the progressive left argue that Canada was founded on racist policies and settler colonialism, so nationalism should be rejected because of this original sin.

Read more:
This Canada Day, settler Canadians should think about ‘land back’

What is a nation?

Both perspectives — and the public discussion of Canada’s national identity more generally — remain mired in confusion over the nature of nations. As a political philosopher, I have worked to clear up this confusion by determining what nations are and how they evolve.

In the 19th century, French scholar Ernest Renan outlined a definition of nation that has yet to be improved upon. For Renan, a nation consists of two things: the daily commitment of a people to continue to live and work together and a collective memory of a shared past together.

In contemporary times, Irish social scientist Benedict Anderson described nations as “imagined communities,” since the character of the nation is determined by the limits of the collective imagination of its citizens.

These are subjective definitions of nations because they define national communities in terms of the identification of their members with the community.

There are other, more common objective definitions of a nation involving identity, including shared ethnicity, religion or culture. But these definitions have long been criticized since many national identities transcend ethnicity, religion, culture or any other identity markers.

Nations vs. states

A national community is distinct from a state. The state constitutes the formal political institutions of a society, while the nation is the community of people within that society who view each other as compatriots. This is why the phrase “the people” is often used as a synonym for the national community.

While some nations are stateless, in other cases, multiple nations co-exist within a single state.

In Canada, there is the Québécois nation and many Indigenous nations within the Canadian nation. Although they are distinct, states and their governments will often build national identities around themselves to enable cohesion and collective action. Canada’s national identity was systematically shaped by successive governments — from Confederation onward — to build the society that Canadians live in today.

The character of a particular nation is not fixed.

The beliefs, practices and culture of the people who choose to live and work together can be shaped into anything they collectively decide on. A nation can adopt new values, redefine its membership or have one of its definitive characteristics fade from prominence.

Accordingly, there is no reason to think that moral failings of a national community’s past must compromise it forever. A nation can, and sometimes does, recognize its past failures and become something better.

Patriotism vs. nationalism

A distinction is sometimes drawn between “patriotism” and “nationalism,” with the most famous being made by English social critic and novelist George Orwell.

For Orwell, patriotism is devotion to a particular way of life without the desire to force it on other people, while nationalism denotes an impulse to seek power for one’s nation. Patriotism, then, is a benign, ethical form of partiality to one’s nation.

Other thinkers have sought to explain how national identities and communities can be cultivated in an ethical way, described by Israeli philosopher Yael Tamir as “liberal nationalism.”

The liberal nationalist, according to Tamir, seeks to construct a national identity that adopts the correct ethical values. They hope to harness the energy of nationalism to build a nation committed to liberty, inclusivity and progress.

In 1867, George-Étienne Cartier described the Canadian identity that he and the other Fathers of Confederation sought to create as a “political nationality.” He viewed Canadian identity as being defined by shared principles rather than language or ethnicity.

More than 150 years later, political theorist Michael Ignatieff made a similar distinction between ethnic and civic nationalism. In an ethnic nation, citizens identify with each other because they belong to the same ethnic, religious or cultural community. Meanwhile, in a civic nation, the people unite behind certain civic principles, like a commitment to democracy.

Cartier’s concept of a political nationality was crucial to making sense of the political experiment that was Confederation. Having mostly abandoned their efforts to assimilate the French-Canadians, the British settlers in North America would now join with them to build a new national identity instead.

Reshaping Canadian identity

In his recent book, historian Raymond Blake explains how Canada’s post-Second World War prime ministers, through their speeches and public statements, reshaped Canada’s national identity.

Read more:
40 years later: A look back at the Pierre Trudeau speech that defined Canada

Up through Louis St-Laurent, various prime ministers would refer to the “deux nations” origin of Canada as inspirational. British and French settlers had come together despite their differences to build a new society together, they pointed out.

As time went on, it became clear this definition of Canada’s national identity wasn’t nearly inclusive enough, making no mention of Indigenous Peoples.

The multicultural character of Canadian society was increasingly acknowledged by the government and Canadians at large until it was central to Canada’s identity. Canada’s national narrative has been reframed in recent years to recognize Indigenous Peoples as one of the three founding pillars of Canadian society. This evolution exemplifies exactly the change citizens should expect in a national community.

This transformation in Canadian national identity shows that national communities can change over time — including, perhaps, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada.

In the end, Canadians decide what sort of nation they want to inhabit. Canada’s political nationality has proven more resilient than even some of its founders might have anticipated, but not for lack of effort. There will always remain the work of building a better nation — and it’s work worth doing.

Eric Wilkinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How Canadian nationalism is evolving with the times — and will continue to do so – https://theconversation.com/how-canadian-nationalism-is-evolving-with-the-times-and-will-continue-to-do-so-259352

MIL OSI –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: How Donald Trump’s economic policies, including uncertainty around tariffs, are damaging the US economy

Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Whittaker, Senior Teaching Fellow in Economics, Lancaster University

Donald Trump set a deadline of July 9 2025 for trade deals to be made before he hits some of the world’s biggest economies with his controversial tariffs. It’s impossible to predict what will happen on the day, but it is already clear that his economic policies are damaging American interests.

Just look at the state of US government debt for example. Currently it stands at US$36 trillion (£26 trillion). And with total economic output (GDP) worth US$29 trillion per year, that debt is 123% of GDP, the highest it has been since 1946.

Government debts are alarmingly high in other countries too (the UK’s is at 104% of GDP, with France at 116% and China at 113%), but the US is towards the top of the range.

The recently passed budget reconciliation bill (what Trump calls the “big beautiful bill”) is projected to add US$3 trillion to that debt over the next decade. With these sorts of numbers, there is little prospect of putting US debt on a downward track.

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In 2024, the US government had to borrow an additional US$1.8 trillion to cover spending not supported by tax revenue (the budget deficit). This is equivalent to 6.2% of GDP, a number that is officially predicted to rise to 7.3% during the next 30 years.

The predictable consequence of this fiscal profligacy and the chaotic tariff programme is the high rates of interest that the US government is having to pay for its borrowing.

For instance, the interest rate on ten-year US government debt (otherwise known as its yield) has risen from 0.5% in mid-2020 to 4.3% now. And as government debt yields rise, so do interest rates on mortgages and corporate borrowing.

The power of the dollar

For decades, the United States has enjoyed a high level of trust in the strength, openness and stability of its economy.

As a result, US bonds or “treasuries”, the financial assets that the government sells to raise money for public spending, have long been considered safe investments by financial institutions around the world. And the US dollar has been the dominant currency for international payments and debts.

Sometimes referred to as “exorbitant privilege”, this status of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency brings big advantages. It benefits US consumers by making imported goods cheaper (albeit contributing to the trade deficits (when US imports to a country are worth more than its exports) which bother the president so much).

It also means the US government can borrow a lot of money before doubts arise about its ability to repay. Investors will generally buy as many bonds as the US govt needs to issue to pay for its spending.

The dominance of the dollar in international transactions also brings political power, such as the ability to exclude Russia from major global payment systems.

But this privilege is being eroded by the US president’s tariff agenda. Economic motives aside, it is the way they are being applied – their size and the unpredictability – that is really sapping investor confidence.

It’s costly to adjust trading patterns and supply chains in response to tariffs. So when the scope of future tariffs is unknown, the rational response is to stop investing while awaiting greater certainty.

The dollar has lost 8% in value since the beginning of the year, reflecting investor doubts about the US economy, and making imports even more expensive.

Financial markets are vulnerable

But perhaps the biggest danger to US financial markets is a sudden rise in yields on government debt. No investor wants to be left holding a bond when its yield rises because – as with all fixed-interest debt – the rise in yield causes the bond’s market value to fall. This is because new bonds are issued with a higher yield, making existing bonds less attractive and less valuable.

A bond holder expecting a rise in yield therefore has an incentive to sell it before the rise occurs. But the rise in yield can become self-reinforcing if the scramble to sell becomes a stampede.

Indeed, there was a jump in US yields after the increases in trade tariffs announced on “liberation day” in early April, with the yield on ten-year treasuries rising by 0.5% in just four days.

Damaged dollar?
Dilok Klaisataporn/Shutterstock

Fortunately, this rise was halted on April 10 when the tariffs were abruptly paused, allegedly in response to the fall in bond prices and an accompanying fall in share prices. The opinion of a senior central banker, that financial markets had been close to “meltdown”, was one of several such warnings.

The dollar is unlikely to be quickly dislodged from its pedestal as the world’s reserve currency, as the alternatives are not attractive. The euro is not suitable because it is the currency of 20 EU countries, each with its own separate government debt. Nor is the Chinese yuan a likely contender, given the Chinese government involvement in managing the yuan exchange rate.

But since March, foreign central banks have been selling off US treasuries, often choosing to hold gold instead.

On Trump’s watch, the reputation of the US dollar as the ultimate safe asset has been tarnished, leaving the financial system more vulnerable – and borrowing more expensive.

John Whittaker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How Donald Trump’s economic policies, including uncertainty around tariffs, are damaging the US economy – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trumps-economic-policies-including-uncertainty-around-tariffs-are-damaging-the-us-economy-259809

MIL OSI –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Closes Ninety-First Session in Geneva

Source: United Nations – Geneva

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today closed its ninety-first session after adopting concluding observations regarding reports on implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women submitted by Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino and Thailand, which the Committee reviewed during the session in Geneva, as well as those of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, which it reviewed during a technical cooperation session held in Fiji in April.

The concluding observations adopted by the Committee on the countries under review will soon be available on the session’s webpage.

In concluding remarks, Committee Chairperson Nahla Haidar said that during the ninety-first session, in addition to holding dialogues with States parties, the Committee had held informal meetings with non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions from most of the States parties reviewed.

Ms. Haidar said the highlight of this session was the review of the fourth periodic report of Afghanistan, with recommendations addressed to the de facto authorities, the international community, the United Nations system, as well as the Permanent Mission in Geneva, with which the Committee held the dialogue following the fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan in 2024.

Important progress had been made in rationalising the Committee’s working methods and using meeting time more efficiently, Ms. Haidar said, while regretting that the ninety-second session, scheduled to take place in October 2025, had been cancelled due to the current financial situation of the United Nations Secretariat. She applauded the Working Group on working methods for their tremendous work in re-structuring the constructive dialogues with States parties and finding transitional solutions to cope with the reduced meeting time.

Ms. Haidar was similarly pleased with the progress achieved by the Working Group on gender-based violence against women, which enabled the Committee to publish an initial position paper on tech-facilitated gender-based violence against women and to consider a statement on a proposed Optional Protocol on the issue. The Working Group on women, peace and security also made important headway by producing an advance unedited addendum to General Recommendation 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations, the advance unedited version of which would be submitted as a contribution to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security. It would be published in September for an online consultation process, inviting comments from all interested stakeholders at the occasion of the meeting of the General Assembly. Ms. Haidar said she was very satisfied that the Committee was able to deliver on its core mandates under the Convention and the Optional Protocol during this session.

During the session, Ms. Haidar said, the Committee also held informal meetings with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, and with the new Chief of the Human Rights Treaties Branch of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Antti Korkeakivi.

In closing, Ms. Haidar thanked all those who contributed to the session, including Committee members, the Committee secretariat and United Nations staff. She said the Committee had successfully delivered on its mandate to protect and promote women’s rights and gender equality. Although the session scheduled for October of this year had been cancelled, the Committee Experts would continue to work together online and looked forward to meeting in person next year, she concluded.

At the beginning of the meeting, Committee Rapporteur Brenda Akia presented the draft report of the session, which contained the draft report of the Working Group of the Whole. The Committee then adopted the report ad referendum.

Due to the current liquidity situation of the United Nations Secretariat and associated cash conservation measures, the Committee session scheduled for 6 to 24 October 2025 has been cancelled.

Information on the dates of the next session and the reports to be reviewed will be published on the Committee’s webpage at a later date.

___________

Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

CEDAW25.021E

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: In Dialogue with Haiti, Experts of the Human Rights Committee Welcome Efforts to Establish a New Constitution, Raise Questions on Measures to Combat Gang-Related Gender-Based Violence and Lynchings

Source: United Nations – Geneva

The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Haiti on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights . Committee Experts appreciated the referendum to establish a new national Constitution, while raising questions as to how the State was tackling the high level of violence against women and girls perpetuated by gang members and lynchings carried out by citizens, against a backdrop of distrust in the police.

One Committee Expert said they saw the referendum to establish a new Constitution in a positive light, as an attempt to reestablish the institutionality of the country.

Another Expert said that the scale of violence against women and girls was reportedly considerable, with sexual violence, including rape of children as young as five years old, gang rape, and forced prostitution, used as a weapon of control by gangs. According to reports, the judiciary were not sensitive to cases of gender-based violence and victims were hesitant to report cases. What measures were taken to encourage women to file complaints? Was there a fund to help survivors of violence? How were they supported by State services?

Lynchings continued to be regular and numerous, another Expert said, citing reports of more than 500 cases in 2023. These were often the work of self-defence groups in or around Port-au-Prince, who did not trust the police, mainly due to corruption. Was this violence investigated, including when the police were accused of supporting or encouraging it? Had the perpetrators of lynchings, stonings and mutilations been prosecuted and punished proportionately? How could trust be restored between the police and the civilian population?

Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation, introducing the report, said from 2020 to 2025, Haiti was confronted with repeated political crises, marked by lockdown operations and successive protests. The COVID-19 pandemic, frequent floods and the earthquake of 14 August 2021, which devastated part of the Great South region, were additional challenges faced by the country. This complex situation was further aggravated by the assassination of the Haitian President on 6 July 2021.

Ms. Saint Jean said an agreement for a peaceful transition was reached on 3 April 2024, establishing a transition period with a nine-member Transitional Presidential Council and a Prime Minister, with the aim of restoring security, continuing constitutional reform, and organising democratic elections.

The delegation said several strategies had been undertaken to combat gender-based violence, including a national strategy that spanned from 2017 to 2024. An assessment of the strategy was almost completed. A gender-based violence cell had been established to train police officers to take the needs of female victims of violence into account. The Office to Combat Gender-Based Violence streamlined services for victims, enabling them to receive legal, psychosocial and medical assistance in one place. In areas with armed gangs, women were typically the primary victims. Violence was used as a weapon of repression.

The delegation also said the Government had always condemned lynchings, which were not part of the country’s culture. Incidents needed to be reported at a police station so perpetrators could be incarcerated and tried for their crimes. The community police were carrying out an awareness raising campaign to progressively build trust with the general population. Training sessions were being organised for police officers, with a view to protecting the population. When complaints were made against the police force, the national inspector for the police carried out investigations and measures were taken as necessary.

In concluding remarks, Ms. Saint Jean thanked the Committee for the kindness it had shown to the Haitian delegation, and the Experts for their insights. Haiti had taken due note of all recommendations and was determined to take further steps to develop effective, concrete responses to the Committee’s concerns relating to the implementation of the Covenant. Everybody was working to see the day when Haiti could leave the crisis behind.

Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, said the Committee acknowledged the profound political, economic and humanitarian challenges facing Haiti, which had hampered efforts to protect human rights. Haiti was encouraged to take this opportunity to advance necessary reforms to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Covenant were fully recognised for all Haitians.

The delegation of Haiti was made up of representatives of the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights; the Ministry of Justice and Public Security; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Social Affairs and Work; the Cabinet; the Government of Port-au-Prince; the Prime Minister’s Office; the Haitian National Police; the Anti-Violence Unit; and the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Some members of the delegation were unable to attend the meeting in person due to travel restrictions.

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

The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m., Monday 7 July to begin its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Viet Nam (CCPR/C/VNM/4).

Report

The Committee has before it the second periodic report of Haiti (CCPR/C/HTI/2).

Presentation of Report

PEDRICA SAINT JEAN, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation , said between 2020 to 2025, Haiti had experienced both positive and negative developments. From a positive perspective, the Government had multiplied efforts in many areas to improve the rule of law and respect for human rights. However, the country had been plagued by unprecedent insecurity that required the intervention of a foreign force, through the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission on October 2, 2024. This force intervened in the context of an agreement signed between Haiti and Kenya on police and security cooperation in March 2024, following the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699.

From 2020 to 2025, Haiti was confronted with repeated political crises, marked by lockdown operations and successive protests which accompanied them. The COVID-19 pandemic, frequent floods and the earthquake of 14 August 2021, which devastated part of the Great South region, were additional challenges faced by the country. This complex situation was further aggravated by the assassination of the Haitian President on 6 July 2021.

An agreement for a peaceful transition was reached on 3 April 2024, establishing a transition period with a nine-member Transitional Presidential Council and a Prime Minister, with the aim of restoring security, continuing constitutional reform, and organising democratic presidential elections. The Council was also tasked with economic and judicial reforms and combating corruption. The agreement provided for the establishment of three key bodies, including the Body for the Control of Government Action, in charge of controlling the acts of the Executive, since Parliament was currently non-existent; the National Security Council, to respond to the various aspects of the country’s security crisis; and the National Conference, accompanied by a steering committee. The Government had already established the National Security Council and the National Conference and its steering committee. The referendum decree, resulting from the work of the National Conference and the steering committee, would allow Haiti to have a new Constitution. Currently, efforts were underway to strengthen the capacities of the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti, which had a budget increase of 11 per cent in 2024-2025. An agreement was concluded with Colombia to monitor the Haitian coast, to curb the illicit trafficking of firearms.

The Government had attached great importance to the judicial reform already initiated by its predecessors. Six new Courts of First Instance and the corresponding Public Prosecutor’s Offices were created between September 2024 and April 2025. The law of 10 September 2018 created the National Council for Legal Assistance and established legal aid offices in 18 jurisdictions in Haiti, aiming to provide free legal assistance to those who were financially struggling. The Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure had previously been criticised by civil society in 2020. Following the revision of the two texts by a special commission, they were adopted on 24 June 2025. This marked an important step in the fight against insecurity, corruption and impunity.

Two other important decrees had been adopted in the context of judicial reform. The first, adopted on 16 April 2025, which created two specialised judicial poles: one for the repression of complex financial crimes and offences and the other for the repression of mass crimes and sexual violence. The second decree of 4 May 2023 sanctioned money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in Haiti.

Despite Government efforts, due to the deteriorating security situation, the majority of prisons in Port-au-Prince had been vandalised, leading to the uncontrolled release of a number of detainees. The Government had been forced to relocate several jurisdictions to allow the resumption of judicial activities in minimum security conditions and the normal application of appropriate sentences and sanctions.

The Haitian State aimed to follow up on complaints against police officers for excessive use of force, and it organised human rights training sessions for police personnel. However, it was regrettable that, despite the Government’s efforts, some citizens, driven by anger at the atrocities committed by criminal groups, resorted to extreme methods, including the lynching of captured gang members, instead of handing them over to the authorities. The Government recognised the severity of these acts and strongly condemned all forms of mob justice.

The crisis in the country led to an increase in gender-based violence, particularly for displaced persons in camps. The Haitian State was working to protect and facilitate access to justice for survivors of violence, including through the creation of the Office for Combatting Gender-Based Violence as well as the organization of training adapted to the needs of survivors for police officers and judges. Medical, legal and psychosocial assistance were also offered to women and girls at internal displacement camps.

Article 262 of the Penal Code, adopted by decree on 23 June 2025, punished the perpetrators of acts of torture and barbarism, with sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years in prison. Prison overcrowding remained a major problem, especially with the destruction of the main prisons in March 2024. Instructions had been issued to the Public Prosecutor’s Offices and Courts of First Instance to carry out regular criminal hearings, with the aim of relieving overcrowding in the prisons in provincial cities.

The Transitional Presidential Council was making every effort to organise general elections in 2025 and to install a President elected on 7 February 2026. Despite its efforts, the Haitian State was aware that the implementation of the provisions of the Covenant had not yet reached a satisfactory level. However, Haiti pledged to do everything in its power to implement the provisions on the Covenant.

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert acknowledged how difficult it was for the State party to participate in person in the dialogue and expressed gratitude to the delegation in Geneva. The Committee was aware of the grave humanitarian crisis suffered by Haiti for decades, compounded with the assassination of the President in 2021. In that context, the Committee noted an increase in widespread human rights violations and growing control of armed gangs in significant parts of Port-au-Prince, leaving the population more vulnerable to violence and human rights abuses, and leading to the displacement of more than one million people.

Were courts in Haiti directly applying the Covenant? Could examples be provided? Were courses on international human rights law and the Covenant provided in training to judges? The Committee had been informed of situations where civil servants had opposed the execution of orders handed down by judges to free individuals. Could this be explained? What role did these civil servants play in the judicial system? Had steps been taken to ratify the Optional Protocol of the Covenant on individual communications? In May 2025, a bill of law was presented on the development of a new constitution, with a decree adopted to hold a referendum on the issue. Was this bill in line with the rights enshrined in the Covenant? Was it realistic to carry out a referendum in the context of violence? When was the state of emergency ordered? Was it still in force? Which articles of the Covenant were suspended?

Did the current budget of the Office for Citizen Protection allow it to carry out its functions and extend its activities to the most remote parts of the country? Were there plans to expand the powers of the Office to allow it to consider human rights violations that had their origin in the acts of private entities?

What steps had been taken to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons? Were there laws in place to punish acts of discrimination against these groups? Had the State taken actions been to allow these people to carry out public demonstrations and to protect them? Had it adopted measures to change discriminatory cultural attitudes in Haitian society, to end stigmatisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons?

Another Expert said despite the crisis in the country, Haiti remained bound by its international obligations. The dialogue would address problems such as insecurity, the deep humanitarian crisis that the population was experiencing, the endemic violence of gangs, the forced displacement of the population, the dysfunction of the justice system, chronic impunity and serious challenges to the rule of law. All these problems were linked to corruption. The report published in 2023 by the United Nations Expert on Human Rights in Haiti stated that corruption in Haiti was “public enemy number one” and found that more than 90 per cent of Haitian civil servants did not comply with the national anti-corruption law. The Anti-Corruption Unit and the Central Financial Intelligence Unit, which were suspected of lacking independence, had brought nearly 100 major cases of corruption to justice, but these had not led to any convictions.

Did the State plan to set up a financial prosecutor’s office or judges specialised in the fight against corruption? Could more information be provided on the decree adopted on the creation of financial judicial units? What measures were being taken to support the work of the Anti-Corruption Unit and the Central Financial Intelligence Unit and to ensure that the cases referred were followed up independently?

Haiti had expressed its commitment to ensuring accountability for the serious violations committed during Jean-Claude Duvalier’s presidency. However, a case assessing these violations had been in the courts of cassation since 2014, and there had not been any progress. What explained the delay? Could the delegation enlighten the Committee on the situation of Jean Gabriel Robert, who was convicted in absentia in the case of the “Raboteau massacre”?

Information showed that the scale of violence against women and girls was considerable, with sexual violence, including rape, which was sometimes perpetrated against children as young as five years old; gang rape; and forced prostitution, used as a weapon of control by gangs. According to reports, the judiciary were not sensitive to cases of gender-based violence and victims were hesitant to report cases. What measures were taken to encourage women to file complaints? Was there a fund to help survivors of violence? How were they supported by State services?

According to information received by the Committee, lynchings continued to be regular and numerous, with more than 500 in 2023. These were often the work of self-defence groups in or around Port-au-Prince, who did not trust the police, mainly due to corruption. In addition, the 2024 report of the United Nations Expert on Human Rights in Haiti noted that police were passive, and it appeared that some murders were encouraged, supported or facilitated by the police forces. Was this violence investigated, including when the police were accused of supporting or encouraging it? Had the perpetrators of lynchings, stonings and mutilations been prosecuted and punished proportionately? How could trust be restored between the police and the civilian population?

Another Expert said specific steps had not been taken to combat impunity. What hope existed, looking forward to the immediate and long-term future, regarding a reversal of the situation? There were several cases in which there had been impunity for human rights violations. Attacks against the population in the La Saline suburb in 2018 had not been condemned by the Government and no steps had been taken to provide support to victims. What measures had been taken against the involvement of political agents in these cases? Why was the La Saline case withdrawn from the original judge?

Data showed that 28 percent of civil servants in Haiti were women. In 2019 a strategy was presented to ensure equality for women by 2030. What progress had been made? How would the State party solve the problem of the low rate of political representation of women in Haiti?

What actions were being taken to guaranteed women’s access to health care, in situations where criminal groups took control of health centres? How was access to medicines ensured?

Another Expert asked what Haiti’s prospects were looking forward? What urgent measures were envisaged to protect women and girls in areas under gang control? What mechanisms had been established to guarantee security and safety for survivors of sexual violence, and to encourage the reporting of cases? Could Haiti provide updated information on the draft law preventing violence against women and girls? Was there a timeline for its adoption? What had been done to bolster the amount of medical, legal and psychosocial services for survivors, particularly in areas under gang control? What measures were envisaged to protect the right to life of those in extreme poverty? Was there an intersectional strategy to prevent avoidable deaths linked to poverty?

What measures were taken to protect civilians living in areas under the control of armed gangs? What had been the result of the assistance from Kenya? Was it meeting the challenges? What guarantees existed when it came to the investigation of its own officers by the Haitian police? How was it ensured that the police did not carry out disproportionate use of force during protests? How was action being bolstered in areas under gang control?

Was there a road map regarding ratification of the Covenant’s Second Optional Protocol concerning the death penalty? How did the State party intend to ensure that those who had served their sentence were properly released? Had the system for monitoring judicial cases been reactivated? What efforts were underway to improve detention conditions? Were construction projects for new prisons still planned? How many women had access to shelters in the last three years? What measures were envisaged to guarantee all police stations should have trained personnel, particularly in areas most affected by police insecurity?

Responses by the Delegation

PEDRICA SAINT JEAN, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation , said the Government had priorities outlined in the April 2024 agreement on the peaceful transition, including combatting insecurity, conducting the referendum and bringing the country to elections to appoint a robust Government. To combat insecurity, the budget allocated to the police and armed forces had been increased, allowing them to better contain the problems they were confronting. The police, the Haitian armed forces, and the security mission needed to work together to combat insecurity to allow for the milestone referendum to be held. Nine electoral commissioners were currently out in the field assessing the requirements. Haiti was not waiting for the security issues to subside before moving to the referendum.

Haiti was doing its utmost to implement its commitments under the Covenant through a raft of measures. Six new courtrooms had been established in the country, allowing proximity between those needing to access the justice system and the infrastructure in place. Bureaus had been established to work on specific criminal areas, including mass crimes which had remained unpunished. For some time, courts had not been operational because they were in the hands of gangs. Two bureaus would be responsible for crimes of sexual violence, and another was responsible for financial crimes. Some 34 new judges and prosecutors had been appointed to support the justice system.

The method of choosing judges for the Anti-Corruption Unit had not hindered its independence. Cases were currently going ahead at the Court of First Instance. Three prisons had been built to international standards, with one dedicated to female inmates. Institutional measures had been put in place to freeze the funds of certain agencies which were found to be corrupt but had impunity from the Anti-Corruption Unit, and those responsible were being brought before the court.

The Government of Haiti had always condemned lynchings, which were not part of the country’s culture. Incidents needed to be reported at a police station so perpetrators could be incarcerated and tried for their crimes.

The delegation said several assessment missions had been established to gain an understanding of the situation of detention centres and propose tangible solutions. One of the main challenges was the provision of food, due to lack of access to main roads. To address this situation, the Justice Ministry sought to ensure that providers of food should be placed directly in situ. In the last few months, prisons had greater autonomy and managed their needs themselves, providing a better and tailored approach to local realities.

Haiti had done a lot to combat gender-based violence. This phenomenon was topical in Haiti, particularly when it came to displaced women. Several strategies had been undertaken to combat gender-based violence, including a national strategy that spanned from 2017 to 2024. An assessment of the strategy was almost completed. A gender-based violence cell had been established within the police, to train police officers to take the needs of female victims of violence into account. The Office to Combat Gender-Based Violence streamlined services for victims, enabling them to receive legal, psychosocial and medical assistance in one place. Psychosocial support services had been set up for women victims in internal displacement camps. Several initiatives had been adopted to bolster protections for minors, including host families and prevention and readaptation programmes for children recruited by armed games. Training and awareness raising sessions were organised for judges.

In areas with armed gangs, women were typically the primary victims. The number of victims was increasing, particularly against younger women, but violence by armed gangs was also affecting children and the elderly. Violence was used as a weapon of repression. There were still people in Haiti who did not want to report. During times of political turbulence, the phenomenon of violence against women was heightened. There was a need for awareness raising to eradicate the phenomenon. Women should not be used as an instrument to place pressure on the Government.

Incest had never been part of Haitian culture, but it did not mean this phenomenon did not exist. When incest occurred, people usually preferred to solve the issue in the family. Attention needed to be paid to the phenomenon of incest involving displaced people. The State sanctioned based on the relevant 2006 decree and used case law when dealing with these offences. It was important to continue legislating to bring tangible solutions to this phenomenon.

For 15 years, judges had been receiving training on the Covenant from the Government and the Haitian police.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons had been looked down on in Haiti; they were formerly not given the right to complain. While progress was not significant, these people were now considered to be fully fledged citizens who needed to be protected by the State and to enjoy their full human rights.

Quotas had been implemented calling for at least 30 per cent of decision-making posts to be held by women. This issue had been poorly addressed. In the new Constitution, the State was advocating for parity. Until there was a critical mass of women in decision-making posts, the problems they faced would persist. A series of consultations had been launched with officials to create incentive measures to promote equality regarding candidate lists.

The law on the organization of the Ministry on the Status of Women had not properly been reformed, which was why the Ministry had difficulties in playing its primary role. The Ministry submitted a law on its reorganization to ensure it could achieve its goals. By the start of next year, the State would launch its first national action plan covering the participation of women in restoring peace and security in Haiti. Work was being done with survivors in internal displacement camps to transform them into fully-fledged actors. Women, including young girls and survivors of violence in these camps, had been appointed as peace ambassadors, to sensitise the message of peace throughout Haiti.

Haiti was relying on the work of the Multinational Security Support Mission and the international community to help the police and armed forces overcome the corruption and security issues in the country.

Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert asked follow-up questions, including on the functions to be undertaken by the bureaus on mass crimes, sexual crimes and financial crimes. This was a fantastic idea, but the bureaus needed to have the resources to operate properly. Other questions were asked on measures planned to restore the trust between the police and the justice system; lynchings committed by the police force; steps to tackle the circulation of weapons; and the mandate of the Office for Citizens’ Protection.

An Expert said they saw the referendum to establish a new Constitution in a positive light, as an attempt to reestablish the institutionality of the country. Who drafted this bill? Did it go through various sectors, with participation from civil society? What did the “green and red zones” mean? Were green zones under Government control? Did red zones mean there was no State control? What happened if there was a referendum in the red zones?

More questions were asked on how the long tradition of impunity could be alleviated; alternative measures to detention; detention beyond the lengths of sentences; efforts to prevent discrimination against women; and access to voluntary interruption of pregnancy. What was the Government’s perception of the processes involving the participation of the international community that aimed to improve the situation for the population of Haiti?

According to information received by the Committee, around 40 per cent of births enjoyed the proper medical support. How did midwives treat risky pregnancies? Did the State intend to include the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol in the planned reform of the draft Constitution?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said the death penalty was abolished in Haiti through a decree adopted in 1987.

Regarding the red and green zones, there were currently zones under gang control, where the State was doing everything possible to convert them to green zones. Green zones were placed where the State could provide appropriate services to the population. The police were trying to gain access to the red zones to bring about peace and security. Progress had been made in penetrating many of the red zones; it was expected that there would be further progress in this area.

The referendum was a compulsory, milestone measure to lay the groundwork for national elections and allow the population to get their new Constitution. All different sectors of society had been consulted in the drafting of the new Constitution.

Haiti had implemented measures that aimed to provide a structure to prevent the free circulation of weapons, including weapons of mass destruction.

The delegation said there was a legal bureau on mass crimes and sexual violence in Port-au-Prince and another on financial crimes. The bureaus were comprised of 10 judges who worked with the police and financial oversight and regulatory bodies. Their operations were ensured by donors from the international community and the State.

The community police were carrying out an awareness raising campaign to progressively build trust with the general population. Training sessions were being organised for police officers, with a view to protecting the population. When complaints were made against the police force, the national inspector for the police carried out investigations and measures were taken as necessary.

Haiti had a plan to set up scanners at customs to prevent the flow of illegal weapons into the country. Controls at the border with the Dominican Republic and checks of containers coming from the United Staes had been strengthened, and strict checks were being conducted on private vehicles, including motorbikes. Authorities had also suspended land imports from the Dominican Republic, ensuring seizures of illegal imports. Despite this, Haiti was facing increased criminal activity and corruption, with the need for increased international support to reduce the weapons flow into Haiti.

Green zones were safe zones while red zones were ones where there was a heightened risk.

A draft of the new Constitution had been shared across different sectors to receive their inputs, which had been sent to the Committee responsible for the drafting of the new Constitution.

Haitian midwives played a key role in early detection of illnesses and in responding to complications during birth. They carried out post monitoring operatives in rural areas, while caesarean procedures were performed by obstetric doctors.

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert asked if there were obstacles preventing Haiti from ratifying the Covenant’s Second Optional Protocol? Murderous attacks by gangs against ambulances had been reported, and health staff had fled the country. Did the Government have any plans to confront these problems? Haiti had an astonishing overcrowding rate in its prisons, at allegedly over 300 per cent. There was a lack of access to the appellate procedure for all inmates and for persons with disabilities. How did Haiti plan to resolve this problem?

Another Expert appreciated Haiti’s delegation comprised of high-level women. It was reported that police agents or persons acting with their complicity tortured inmates on a daily basis in prisons and police custody facilities. Why had the perpetrators of cases of torture not been prosecuted and brought to justice? Had there been capacity building of law enforcement in the area of torture? Why had the State not ratified the Convention against Torture?

Reports received by the Committee stated that forced evictions had become widespread since the earthquake in 2010, but this was denied by the State. It was alleged that these evictions affected a wide number of families and were not addressed by the State. What information was available about three resident families who had not taken up possession of reconstructed homes? Which Government civil servants were responsible for these families’ forced evictions? How had the Government taken steps to prosecute those involved?

Hurricane Matthew had affected more than 2.6 million people, including 600,000 children; what measures had been taken to protect them? Could information be provided on the distribution of financial aid and the resources used to reconstruct infrastructure following this natural disaster? During the imposed state of emergency, was it only economic rights which were affected? What solutions were available for those still awaiting assistance from the damage 10 years ago? What resources had been allocated to address housing issues?

A Committee Expert asked about the implementation of the National Plan to Combat Child Labour, adopted in 2019; what was the duration of the plan? Was it still in force or had a new plan been adopted? Could data on the number of children exploited and those in situations of begging be provided? What work had been done specifically on the exploitation of children by the Committee to Combat Human Trafficking?

Various reports had documented violence against children, who were recruited and used by the gangs and injured or killed as a result. An even more severe impact was felt by children with disabilities. The Secretary-General’s report had outlined 383 grave violations against children in 2024. In December 2024, the gangs had committed a high number of abductions, including of 17 girls and 10 boys. What measures had been taken by the State to combat these grave violations? To help minors, child soldiers and victims of armed groups, a Commission had been created to support the creation of a national network of shelters and rehabilitation centres. How did the State ensure that the Commission had the human and financial resources necessary to support its functions? What did its work consist of? Was the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking able to carry out its functions? What measures had been adopted along the Dominican-Haitian border to prevent trafficking of children who were then sold in the Dominican Republic?

It was understood that a commission to implement criminal reform was created in July 2024. What were the main reforms being carried out? What measures had been adopted to deal with the firebomb attacks on judges? How was the safety and security of judges being ensured? What was the current situation of the National Council for Legal Assistance? Regarding the appointment of judges in the Cassation Council, how was it ensured that the involvement of the Senate did not affect the Council’s independence? What role did the Council play in combatting corruption in the judicial sphere?

Another Committee Expert said people who were displaced often lost their identification documents. What was the State party doing to resolve this issue? Two journalists reporting on insecurity in Haiti had been executed in 2022. The Committee had also received information that five journalists were murdered in 2024, with no investigations carried out. Gang violence had also led to the closure and restriction of media, including the suspension of popular programmes on suspicion of serving as platforms for gangs. Journalists had also been threatened by gangs. How could elections take place if the State could not facilitate the free circulation of ideas? How did Haiti intend to combat impunity surrounding executions or ill-treatment of journalists? What was done to protect human rights defenders? How was it ensured that social media platforms were regulated?

In March 2025, anti-Government protests were held to decry the security context and inaction by the State. What measures had been taken to establish the responsibility of police directly involved in the use of force in suppressing peaceful demonstrations? What had been done to guarantee the work of non-governmental organizations in full security and free from harassment?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said overcrowding in prisons remained a major issue for the Government which it was working to address. Instructions had been issued to the prosecution offices and tribunals of the Courts of First Instance to encourage the holding of more criminal sessions, including sessions in which a jury was not present, with a view to relieving overcrowding in provincial prisons. In 2023 and2024, this occurred in 14 jurisdictions, leading to 159 convictions. In 2024, the total number of people detained in the country was around 12,000. The State had managed to capture around 12 prisoners who had escaped. The drop in the number of detainees in 2025 was explained primarily due to the escapes that followed the armed attacks carried out against certain penitentiary infrastructure. Courts had been actively engaged to implement non-custodial measures when appropriate, as a means of alleviating prison overcrowding. The Government recognised the need to prevent arbitrary arrests. Men, women and children were placed in different prisons. Despite the State’s efforts, there was only one police officer per every 14 detainees.

The Government remained committed to improving prison conditions, despite security constraints. The mortality rate had dropped between 2024 and 2025 thanks to coordinated action to provide medical care and humanitarian aid. Healthcare services had been established in several penitentiaries. In 2017, a Presidential Commission was established to shed light on deaths in the Port-au-Prince prison. It highlighted aggravating factors including severe overcrowding, insufficient hygiene and a lack of medical support, among others. Measures were implemented to improve nutrition, detention conditions and investigate causes of deaths.

The internal regulations of the penitentiary administration outlawed all forms of torture and inhumane treatment. Finances had been provided to the National Anti-Trafficking Committee to support the implementation of its national action plan. A protocol had been signed to guarantee legal aid to victims of trafficking. Some 100 students from the University of Haiti had received training on the issue of human trafficking. Several human traffickers had been prosecuted, however following the mass escapes in March 2024, a number of these traffickers were unfortunately able to escape.

The Constitution guaranteed that judges could not be dismissed. In the judicial hierarchy in Haiti, the Constitution had the highest ranking, followed by international conventions. In Haiti, the Constitution outlawed the death penalty in all areas, meaning there was no need to fear its reinstation. The ratification of the Second Optional Protocol could be discussed when the legislature was functional.

Families who were forcibly evicted due to the development of road infrastructure or for airport security purposes had a right to fixed compensation, as well as the right to appeal decisions blocking their access to redress.

A State project had been launched to combat domestic labour by children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The project had been launched in 16 regions in the country and included a concrete list of jobs banned for children. Twenty-three surveys of young people had been conducted, allowing them to express themselves on themes including domestic labour, birth registration, violence against children, and education. A social protection project ensured monetary transfers for children under the age of five, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. The project was financed by the World Bank and allowed vulnerable families to provide care to their children. Around 25,000 homes received regular monetary transfers to the value of 40 United States dollars per month.

A professional training programme had been launched in conjunction with the International Labour Organization, allowing for the training of more than 800 vulnerable teenagers in various technical and farming activities. Some 9,200 children had received support for school re-enrolment. Four thousand vulnerable homes at risk of family separation received monetary transfers to support income-generating activities, as well as financial education. A pilot programme had been launched in targeted communes with the United Nations Children’s Fund, which had developed a foster programme for children taken out of situations of domesticity to support their reintegration.

Legal assistance officers had been established in 12 jurisdictions and the rollout was ongoing. A decision would be made on the draft Constitution based on a participatory process. A Commission had been established to follow up on gender-based violence cases in the country.

Steps had been taken to prevent the phenomenon of forced evictions, but results were still limited. The Government had not been encouraging forced evictions and had taken new steps to support victims. Demolished homes had been rebuilt and several previous owners had already taken ownership of their new homes. Authorities ensured that no one living in camps or informal housing was evicted without a humane alternative provided.

The Haitian State reiterated its commitment to freedom of the press and its respect for the work of human rights defenders. Efforts were made to ensure journalists could freely conduct their work, including by strengthening protection mechanisms. Haitian authorities reaffirmed their desire to shed light on the murders of several journalists, which were currently at being investigated by the Public Prosecutor.

The courts did not all apply the Covenant in the same way, but it was often evoked in individual cases. Alternative measures to prison were allowed for in the new Criminal Code, which had been adopted in June 2025. Judges were equipped with armed vehicles and would have security details at their disposal for their personal safety. The police force was taking steps to bolster security in zones with a heightened level of insecurity and ensure that the referendum could take place. The Government was engaged in an intense campaign to fight the armed violence being perpetrated by gangs.

Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts

Committee Experts asked follow-up questions regarding identification papers, which more than 70 per cent of the population did not have, as well as the role of the Government Commissioners within the courts of justice.

A Committee Expert expressed hope that the programme being laid out by the State for elections would bring about the enjoyment of rights by the population. It seemed impossible to bring this about given the current insecurity in Haiti. Was the State in a position to achieve peace given the current context? The context in Haiti required international, shared responsibility, with involvement from all States parties.

Closing Statements

PEDRICA SAINT JEAN, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation , thanked the Committee for the kindness it had shown to the Haitian delegation, and the Experts for their insights. Haiti had taken due note of all recommendations and was determined to take further steps to develop effective, concrete responses to the Committee’s concerns relating to the implementation of the Covenant. One day, in the not-too-distant future, the country would exit the crisis. Everybody was working to see the day when Haiti could leave the crisis behind. Despite the efforts it had made, the Haitian State was aware that the implementation of the Covenant and progress in bolstering of the rule of law had not yet reached a satisfactory level. Haiti had a massive raft of problems to resolve, including travel restrictions, which had prevented some members of the delegation from traveling to Geneva. The State of Haiti was committed to doing its utmost to implement the provisions of the Covenant.

CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chairperson, expressed sincere gratitude to all who had contributed to the dialogue. The Committee acknowledged the profound political, economic and humanitarian challenges facing Haiti, which had hampered efforts to protect human rights. The Committee underscored the importance of continued diligence and commitment to the rights enshrined in the Covenant, especially in times of crisis. During the dialogue, the Committee had raised serious issues regarding the right to life, gang violence, lynchings, protection of vulnerable populations, corruption, protection of journalists and the need to combat impunity, among other concerns. Despite these challenges, the Committee appreciated the State party’s willingness to engage in dialogue. Haiti was encouraged to take this opportunity to advance necessary reforms to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Covenant were fully recognised for all Haitians.

___________

Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

CCPR25.015E

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Potential electricity grid imbalance due to intermittent supply from renewables – E-002586/2025
Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer E-002586/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Rody Tolassy (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Auke Zijlstra (PfE), Mathilde Androuët (PfE), France Jamet (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Catherine Griset (PfE), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Virginie Joron (PfE), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE), Jana Nagyová (PfE), André Rougé (PfE), Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Jorge Martín Frías (PfE), Christophe Bay (PfE)

On 28 April 2025, a major power outage affected almost all of the Iberian Peninsula and part of south-west France. According to several analysts, this instability was caused by rapid synchronisation failures in the grid, which is highly dependent on intermittent production from renewable sources.

In February 2024, Redeia, the Spanish operator, warned that the electricity system was becoming increasingly vulnerable due to the lack of dispatchable capacities and the difficulty of maintaining a balance between production and consumption in real time.

In parallel, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) sets a renewable energy use target of 42.5 % for each Member State by 2030. Several countries, including Spain, have already surpassed this threshold, even though their grid infrastructure or dispatchable capacity might not be entirely suitable.

In view of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission have a consolidated assessment of grid imbalance incidents in the Member States linked to predominantly intermittent production?
- 2.Does it believe that it is possible to meet the renewable energy target of 42.5 % by 2030, when several national electricity grids are already struggling to integrate a high share of intermittent energy without compromising the system’s stability?
- 3.Will it take account of reliability, flexibility or security of supply when assessing the national plans to contribute to the RED III goals?
Submitted: 26.6.2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Radioactive waste – E-002604/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002604/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nicolás González Casares (S&D)

In recent days we have learned that an expedition led by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) will analyse the condition of the thousands of barrels of radioactive waste dumped in the Atlantic trench and their potential impact on the environment.

1.Does the Commission not believe that this type of expedition should be led by the Commission itself, given the location of the waste and the cross-border nature of their potential impact?

2.Over the past few years, it has repeatedly refused to investigate directly the situation in the trench, despite acknowledging as far back as 2017 that it was not aware of the condition of the waste. Will it participate in the French expedition or follow up on its findings?

3.Under Article 35 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, Member States must carry out continuous monitoring of the level of radioactivity in the air, water and soil. Will the Commission thus include monitoring of marine radioactivity off the coast of Galicia in its Article 35 verifications programme?

Submitted: 27.6.2025
Last updated: 4 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Radioactive waste in the Atlantic trench – E-002601/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002601/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE), Adrián Vázquez Lázara (PPE)

Last week the French oceanographic vessel L’Atalante entered one of the nuclear waste discharge areas in international waters of the Atlantic Ocean, to the north-west of Galicia. The aim of this scientific expedition is to locate and map the barrels dumped there by a number of European countries in the second half of the last century, and to analyse the waste’s impact on the Atlantic’s abyssal plains.

Protecting the oceans, promoting a prosperous and resilient blue economy, and fostering the well-being of coastal communities are priority objectives for the international community, and the European Union in particular, as reflected in the European Ocean Pact. In view of this:

1.Is the Commission aware of this initiative?

2.Is it in contact with the French authorities to monitor this activity and keep track of the expedition’s progress?

3.Does it know if any of the waste could have caused a significant increase in radioactivity levels that could affect European waters?

Submitted: 27.6.2025
Last updated: 4 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mauritius: South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) Member States strengthened regional cooperation for sustainable Tuna fisheries management

Source: APO – Report:

The Working Party on Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries (WPCCTF) from the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), met in Mauritius to continue its work on strengthening regional cooperation for the effective management of tuna fisheries and other highly migratory fish in the region.

The 13th Session of the WPCCTF brought together during two days (17-18 June 2025) 11 from the 12 SWIOFC countries – Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and Tanzania. Partner organizations, namely the World Bank, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Nairobi Convention – UNEP, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the South West Indian Ocean Tuna Forum (SWIOTUNA) attended the meeting as SWIOFC Observers. Other Regional Fishery Bodies – the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)- actively participated in the discussion with members, specifically regarding SWIOFC compliance and reporting requirements.

Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the WPCCTF as a platform for dialogue and collective action, underscoring the need for coastal states to manage tuna stocks responsibly within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and to collaborate regionally to rebuild overexploited stocks, particularly yellowfin tuna. Talla stressed the importance of strengthening national capacities to comply with Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) and to implement effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems.

Mbuli Charles Boliko, FAO Representative in Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, highlighted the significance of the Indian Ocean as the second-largest tuna-producing region globally, playing a vital role in supporting national economies and livelihoods. Boliko stressed that challenges such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate-induced migratory shifts, and external competition require a unified regional response grounded in science, cooperation, and shared commitment.

The Working Party members acknowledged the progress made in the region, including the adoption and progressive implementation of the SWIOFC-led instrument, the MTC Guidelines, and the regional effort for jointly regulating and managing foreign fishing access for the best interest of the region. The MTC Guidelines (the Guidelines for Minimum Terms and Conditions for foreign fishing access) were officially adopted by all SWIOFC member countries in February 2019. WWF, a long-standing partner of the WPCCTF, presented recent work conducted on this subject, which was led by the Minimum Terms and Conditions Task Force (MTCTF) of the SWIOFC. This work received technical support from NFDS and focused on the joint and concerted actions required for the implementation of the priority provisions of the SWIOFC instrument, such as the provisions regulating licensing requirements, the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), transshipments and compensations and access fees.

Other subject thoroughly discussed was the cooperation between SWIOFC, SADC and IOC on regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) initiatives. The new workplan for 2025–2026 was adopted, and the WP formulated joint recommendations for the upcoming plenary session of the SWIOFC, scheduled to take place in November 2025.

The event was supported by the SWIOFish5 TRANSFORM project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by IOC with technical assistance from FAO. The project, ending in 2030, has the objective of strengthening regional, evidence-based fisheries management in the region.

– on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Public procurement: when Brussels finances a company penalised for dumping – E-002587/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002587/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Virginie Joron (PfE)

In 2016, the Commission imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty of 4 % on imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron originating in India. On 22 November 2023, Ursula von der Leyen and her administration decided to impose anti-dumping duties of 16 % on Electrosteel. According to the Commission, this Indian company has a 30 % share of the water pipe market in France and benefits from export subsidies of 6 % at home[1].

The Commission found evidence that the weight of the goods had been misreported. Despite the fact that correct reporting of weights is essential to ensure that dumping margins are accurately calculated, the Commission has refused to check the previous imports for possible fraud and recover any duties not collected since 2016.

1.By underreporting the weight of its pipes, the company evaded the duties it should have paid. Why has the Commission refused to carry out an investigation and recover the cost of this fraud?

2.One project in Isère – funded by Brussels and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and valued at EUR 8 million – has purchased pipes from this non-EU company[2]. Why is the Commission financing a non-EU company that has committed subsidy fraud and that it has penalised for dumping?

3.Why does the Commission not prohibit, in EU public procurement, purchases of products from non-EU companies found to have engaged in dumping or fraud?

Submitted: 26.6.2025

[1] Recitals 4, 80, 168, 209 and 233 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2605 of 22 November 2023: countervailing duty of 9 % and anti-dumping duty of 7 %, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202302605.

[2] Albenc – https://caeau.fr/creation-du-reseau-d-irrigation-asl-d-irrigation-de-l-albenc-38; https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cabinet-ca-eau_retour-sur-le-projet-dirrigation-des-terres-activity-7155144143210446848-X7rJ/?originalSubdomain=fr.
Last updated: 4 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Verification of radioactive waste off the Galician coast – E-002599/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002599/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE)

In its answers to my questions (E‑000725/2019[1] and E‑002829/2019[2]), and in its answer to a question posed by my group (E‑004684/2020[3]), the Commission admitted that there is nuclear waste off the Galician coast, although it has acknowledged it was not in possession of updated studies on the impact of this, and multiple times has postponed the monitoring of marine radioactivity in Galician waters.

However, it has recently been brought to our attention that a French oceanographic expedition (the Nodssum mission) moved to the relevant area (located almost one thousand kilometres from the Galician coast) and has already located off the Galician coast over one thousand of the more than 220 000 barrels containing radioactive material that were dumped there between 1940 and 1985.

Considering the above:

1.Is the Commission aware of these interventions?

2.Bearing in mind that the European Union did not do its work after the Commission included the monitoring of marine radioactivity on the Galician coast in the verification mission programme for 2020, pursuant to Article 35, what steps does the Commission plan to take in this regard? Will the Commission conduct its own study on the state of the nuclear waste deposited off the Galician coast?

Submitted: 26.6.2025

[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2019-000725_EN.html

[2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2019-002829_EN.html

[3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-004684_EN.html
Last updated: 4 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: Best Online Casino in Canada 2025: Spin Casino’s Verified No Deposit Bonus
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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Once verified, the no deposit bonus is currently C$10 and 100 free spins and is automatically credited to your account or becomes claimable via the promotions tab.
1. Review Wagering Requirements
Check the terms, including expiry time, withdrawal limits, and playthrough multipliers. Players must complete these steps before they can cash out winnings from most no deposit offers.
1. Start Playing
Use your free spins or bonus credits on eligible slot games that contribute fully toward wagering requirements.

Overview of Canada’s Online Casino Market in 2025

The casino market in Canada continues to grow steadily in 2025 and competition among sites to be seen as the major online casino option has intensified. Players are increasingly interested in secure, real money sites that combine safety, game variety, and strong bonus offers. A key feature that draws attention is the no deposit bonus, which allows users to try a casino without funding their account. While many sites reference this perk, only a limited number such as Spin Casino provide it to Canadian players.
Among this group, Spin Casino currently provides a real money no deposit offer, qualifying it as the best online casino for bonus-seeking Canadian players. The others offer high-value welcome packages that require an initial deposit but still offer strong promotions.
The next section takes a closer look at what Spin Casino offers Canadian players in 2025. From its verified no deposit bonus to its real money games and mobile-friendly design, the platform stands out for delivering a safe, flexible, and trusted gambling experience.

Spin Casino: Best Online Casino in Canada with No Deposit Bonus

Spin Casino has become one of the top tier casino brands in Canada, offering players a modern design, trusted licensing, and a rare standout in today’s bonus landscape: a verified no deposit bonus. This gives Spin Casino a clear advantage, especially for newcomers who want to try the best online casino without making an initial deposit.

Key Features

Spin Casino is fully licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. It supports Canadian dollars and local payment options like Interac, Visa, and e-wallets. Players can contact support 24/7 in both English and French, which makes it easy for users across Canada to get help whenever needed.
The game library includes over 600 titles. These range from modern video slots and classic reel machines to blackjack, roulette, and a full live dealer section. Providers include Microgaming, NetEnt, and Evolution, giving players access to popular titles like Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, and Lightning Roulette.
On mobile, the site performs well. The site runs smoothly in mobile browsers, and there’s also a dedicated app for both Android and iOS. Load times are fast, and the layout works well even on smaller screens.

No Deposit Bonus (Verified)

As of June 2025, Spin Casino offers Canadian players a C$10 no deposit bonus on registration with no payment required. This bonus is credited after account verification and allows real money play and 100 free spins on selected slots.
Terms normally include:
- 70x wagering for no deposit funds
- C$100 maximum cashout
- 7-day expiry after activation
Always review the promotions section on the site or user dashboard to be up to date on current bonus terms.
Claim the No Deposit Bonus at Spin Casino – the best online casino in Canada

Deposit Bonus Offer

Beyond the no deposit promo, the site also offers a welcome package worth up to C$1,000:
- 1st Deposit: 100% match up to C$400
- 2nd Deposit: 100% match up to C$300
- 3rd Deposit: 100% match up to C$300
Player Experience and Loyalty Program

Spin Casino is built for long-term users. Every time you play with real money, you earn loyalty points. These points add up and can be turned into bonus credits. The more you play, the more rewards you unlock.
There are different levels in the loyalty system. If you reach higher levels, you can get better offers, faster withdrawals, and special promotions. But even if you play just once in a while, you still get points and access to seasonal deals.
The site works well for all types of players. If you just want to play for fun or try a few games, you’ll find it easy to use. If you play more often, there are enough features to keep things interesting. The banking is quick, the site is safe, and many games offer good payout rates, especially the slots and table games.

Why Players Choose Spin Casino

Spin Casino is ideal for players looking to explore a real money online casino especially for those who want to try the best online casino in Canada with no deposit required.
Its verified no deposit bonus makes it especially appealing to new users who prefer to explore gameplay and bonus mechanics before committing financially. If you are bonus-driven or simply cautious about the real money gambling, Spin offers a unique entry point without risk.

Beyond the no deposit angle, it suits slot-focused players who value variety and mobile flexibility. It is reviewed as a top-rated Canadian platform offering NetEnt games alongside Microgaming and Evolution content. The mobile interface is reliable and quick, making it a strong choice for users who play on the go. Players who enjoy climbing loyalty tiers and unlocking structured perks will also benefit from Spin Casino’s point-based rewards system.

With a balance of risk-free access, strong mobile performance, and high-quality slot providers, Spin Casino stands out as the top option for players in Canada who value both freedom and functionality in their real money gaming experience helping maintain its reputation as the best online casino in Canada for flexibility and mobile gameplay.

Smart Ways to Use a No Deposit Bonus

No deposit bonuses are one of the easiest ways to start playing online casino games in Canada. They let you try real money games without using your own money. This is great for new players who are still learning or for anyone who wants to test a casino before making a deposit.
In 2025, Spin Casino is the best online casino in Canada that offers a real, verified no deposit bonus. This makes it easier for players to get started with no pressure and no risk.
Here are some simple tips and strategies to make the most out of your no deposit bonus:
Start with simple slot games
Most no deposit bonuses work with slot machines. It is a good idea to start with games that are easy to play. Look for games that have a high payout rate. These games usually pay out more often, even if the prize is small. That gives you more chances to keep playing and learn how everything works.
Use all of your spins
Some casinos give you a certain number of free spins. Do not rush through them. Take your time and enjoy each spin. Try to play slowly and notice how the game works. You can also check how much each spin is worth, so you get the best value.
Pay attention to the rules
Each bonus comes with some conditions. These are called “wagering requirements.” This means you have to play the bonus money a certain number of times before you can take out your winnings. For example, if the wagering rule is 70 times, and you win 10 dollars, you must play 700 dollars worth of bets before you can withdraw the money. It sounds like a lot, but it helps keep the bonus system fair for everyone.
Check the time limit
Most no deposit bonuses do not last forever. Some expire in 3 days, some in 7 days. Always check how long you have before the bonus ends. Try to use it as soon as possible so you don’t miss the chance.
Try different games
If your bonus allows, you can try different kinds of games. This could be video slots, table games like blackjack, or even live casino games. Trying different games is a smart way to find out what you like best. Some people enjoy the fast pace of slots, while others like the skill and strategy of blackjack or poker.
Do not expect to win big
No deposit bonuses are small. They are made to give you a chance to try the best online casino. If you win something, that’s great. But it is better to treat it like a free sample. If you like how the site works, you can choose to deposit later and unlock bigger bonuses.
Use it as a learning tool
This kind of bonus is also a great way to learn. You can get used to the website, try the support service, and see how fast the games load. You can also test how easy it is to find games, understand how to cash out, and check if you like the design. All of this helps you feel more confident before using your own money.
Why it matters in Canada
In Canada, only a few of trusted online casinos offer real no deposit bonuses. Spin Casino is one of them. It gives players a simple way to try real money games without taking a risk. That’s why many people say Spin is the best online casino in Canada if you want to start safe and see what the casino has to offer before you deposit.
No deposit bonuses are not just for fun. They help you learn, test, and decide what kind of player you want to be. And they make it easy for new players in Canada to begin their online casino journey with confidence.

Top High-RTP Games at Real Money Online Casinos in Canada

Players searching for the best online casino in Canada often overlook one essential factor: the Return to Player (RTP) percentage of the games themselves. While promotional offers and platform reputation are crucial, RTP plays a significant role in maximizing real money outcomes over time. This section looks at high-RTP games available at Spin Casino, highlighting titles that are popular among Canadian players for their strong payout potential.
High-Payout Slot Games Worth Playing
Blood Suckers, a NetEnt slot with an impressive RTP of around 98% available at Spin Casino, is a smart choice for bonus hunters seeking maximum returns during wagering. Thanks to its low volatility and high RTP, it’s often considered one of the best online slots for players clearing bonus conditions.
Other top-performing slots found at Spin Casino include titles with RTPs above 97%, offering steady returns for real money players. Games like Thunderstruck II and Immortal Romance, both available at Spin Casino, offer rich features and payout consistency, making them popular during bonus play. These titles combine exciting visuals with reliable performance, helping players meet wagering terms while enjoying the experience.

Table Games with the Highest Win Potential

While slots are the focus of many bonuses, table games such as Blackjack and Baccarat still dominate in terms of RTP. With house edges under 1 percent, these games offer effective long-term value. They are especially useful for players transitioning out of bonus play and focusing on real-money strategy. All three featured online casinos versions of these games in both virtual and live dealer formats.

Final Tip for Bonus Efficiency

If you’re aiming to convert bonus funds into real, withdrawable cash, it’s essential to choose games that contribute 100 percent toward wagering while offering high RTP. Stick with trusted titles, avoid low-contribution games during active bonuses, and plan deposits accordingly. At over 96 percent RTP, the games listed above are reliable picks for Canadian players in 2025 looking for low-risk play on top-tier platforms.

FAQs

Are Online Casinos in Canada Legal in 2025?

Yes, Canadian players can legally access online casinos, but the rules depend on provincial regulations. In most provinces, players can use internationally licensed online casinos without legal risk. All casinos featured in this report are licensed by recognized authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, ensuring fair play, secure transactions, and regulatory compliance.

Which real money online casino in Canada pays out the most?

Spin Casino is considered one the best online casinos in Canada with jackpot games like Mega Moolah that pay out millions. However, JackpotCity and Spin Casino are two top online casinos known for paying out well, especially on slot games with high RTPs over 96%. While individual outcomes vary, these sites combine fast withdrawal systems, transparent terms, and a strong track record, making them reliable options for real money players in 2025.

Which online casino is the most trustworthy?

Spin Casino is one of the most established and regulated online casinos in Canada. It holds international licenses, undergo regular eCOGRA audits, and offer 128-bit SSL encryption for data security. Additionally, these sites maintain positive user reviews and have consistently ranked among the best online casinos in Canada due to their transparency, longevity, and dependable service.

What casino app pays real money in Canada?

Spin Casino is often ranked as the top choice in Canada for mobile users who prioritize real money play. Several other casino apps, including JackpotCity, are also fully optimized for Canadian players. Players can use these casinos on their phones, pay with Interac or cards, and play or withdraw money in Canadian dollars.
Whether players prefer mobile slots, table games, or live dealer options, these real money online casinos offer a full-featured gaming experience with secure, regulated play.

What’s the best online casino in Canada to win real money?

The ideal choice depends on individual player preferences. Spin Casino offers a rare no deposit bonus to Canadian users, making it attractive for risk-free play. Others provides a welcome package of up to C$1,600, allowing for deeper bonus engagement. All reviewed sites provide regulated real money gaming with strong player protections and verified withdrawal systems.
Game selection further influences bonus strategy. Most users favor slot games when bonuses are active, as table games often contribute less or not at all to wagering progress. Many delay live dealer play until their bonus is cleared to maximize effectiveness.

Final Thoughts on the Best Online Casino in Canada

As Canada’s online casino market continues to evolve in 2025, players are becoming more selective about where they play and what offers they claim. Spin Casino is one of the few trusted platforms in Canada that gives players a real no deposit bonus. This makes it a strong choice for anyone who wants to try games without putting money in first.
At the same time, some players prefer larger bonuses that come with a deposit. Spin Casino offers both options, along with a big game selection, smooth mobile access, and a strong track record for security and fair play.
The best way to find the best online casino in Canada is to look closely at the bonus terms and pick what fits your playing style. Some people like to start small with no deposit bonuses. Others go for bigger rewards. Either way, it’s smart to stick with casinos that are licensed, safe, and built for real money play.

Contact details:
Email: info@apuestasuerte.com
Phone: +1-800-555-0148

Attachment
- spincasino
The MIL Network –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. French Hill Votes for H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” to Tackle Inflation, Boost Jobs, and Put Arkansas First
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 1 – the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which passed the House 218-214 and now moves to the president’s desk for signature.

Rep. Hill said, “Republicans promised to deliver border security, rein in inflation, relieve regulatory burdens, unleash American energy, and keep taxes low for everyday Arkansans and Americans, and this landmark bill does just that. Central Arkansans deserve to have their dollars go farther and to have a government that works for them. This bill delivers meaningful relief to working families and small businesses across the country. It is a pro-family, pro-business, and pro-security bill that takes important steps to restore fiscal responsibility and deliver economic growth.

“This bill represents more than just legislative action — it’s about meeting the commitments made to citizens and revitalizing the American Dream. With the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’re taking real steps toward securing a brighter future for all Americans. It’s a victory for Arkansas, for families, and for our nation’s future.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers for the American people. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Pro-Family/Pro-Worker
- An average of $10,000 more in take-home pay for a family of four in Arkansas.
- Creates “Invest in America accounts” that provide $1,000 to every child born and allows families to contribute up to $5,000 per year for future expenses such as education or homeownership.
- Increases the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 from $2,000, and more than double what it would have been if the bill had not passed.
- Extends and enhances the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit.
- Enhances the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, the Adoption Credit, and the Child and Dependent Tax Credit.
- Lower taxes for seniors.
- No tax on tips or on overtime pay.
- No tax on car loan interest.
Pro-Prosperity
- Prevents the largest tax hike in American history.
- Makes most of the Trump Tax Cuts permanent.
- Supports small businesses with enhanced tax deductions and immediate expensing.
- Promotes American manufacturing and job creation.
- Puts America on a path to fiscal responsibility through smart spending reforms.
Pro-National Security
- $140 billion to secure the border and facilitate deportations of illegal immigrants.
- Funds construction of the border wall system and hiring of 10,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
- $150 billion to strengthen America’s military and protect our national security.
- Modernizes our defense capabilities and builds the next generation of American military technology necessary to counter China.
- $32.6 billion to increase shipbuilding to counter China.
- $7.577 billion to improve quality of life for our service members.
- $12.52 billion to modernize America’s air traffic control system.
- Provides funding for the Defense Production Act to counter China in strategic minerals.
Pro-Rural America
- $50 billion to support rural hospitals.
- Renews Opportunity Zones.
- Saves 2 million family farms from the Death Tax.
- Strengthens agricultural trade efforts.
- Creates the largest farm safety net investment in decades.
Pro-Energy
- Eliminates costly Green New Deal regulations that drive up energy costs.
- Unlocks American energy production and ends reliance on foreign adversaries.
The One Big Beautiful Bill includes all of this — and much more. From Main Street to the family farm, this bill is a win for hardworking families, small businesses, and every American who wants a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: Euronext announces volumes for June 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Euronext announces volumes for June 2025

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 4 July 2025 – Euronext, the leading European capital market infrastructure, today announced trading volumes for June 2025.

Monthly and historical volume tables are available at this address:

euronext.com/investor-relations#monthly-volumes

CONTACTS

ANALYSTS & INVESTORS – ir@euronext.com

Investor Relations        Aurélie Cohen

        Judith Stein        +33 6 15 23 91 97

MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com

Europe        Aurélie Cohen         +33 1 70 48 24 45

        Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13

Belgium        Marianne Aalders         +32 26 20 15 01

France, Corporate        Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        +33 1 70 48 24 45

Ireland        Catalina Augspach        +33 6 82 09 99 70

Italy         Ester Russom         +39 02 72 42 67 56

The Netherlands        Marianne Aalders         +31 20 721 41 33

Norway         Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund        +47 41 69 59 10

Portugal         Sandra Machado        +351 91 777 68 97

About Euronext

Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal.

As of March 2025, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal host nearly 1,800 listed issuers with €6.3 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices.

For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Disclaimer

This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

© 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved.

The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

Attachment
- Euronext PR Volumes – June 2025
The MIL Network –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: Half-year statement of the liquidity contract of Euronext NV
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Half-year statement of the liquidity contract of Euronext NV

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 4 July 2025 – Euronext announced today that the transactions carried out under the liquidity contract entered between Euronext NV and Rothschild Martin Maurel for the period ending 30 June 2025 resulted in the following assets appearing in the liquidity account:

•        0 Euronext NV shares

•        19,971,518 euros

•        Number of Buy transaction over the period: 6,363

•        Number of Sell transaction over the period: 7,153

•        Volume traded relating to Buy transactions over the period: 1,217,772 shares for 160,161,229.38 euros

•        Volume traded relating to Sell transactions over the period: 1,217,772 shares for 160,187,273.57 euros

As a reminder, on 31 December 2024, the following resources were allocated to the liquidity account:

•        0 Euronext NV shares

•        15,272,181 euros

On 27 May 2025, Euronext NV increased the resources allocated to the liquidity account by 4,500,000 euros (four million five hundred thousand euros).

CONTACTS

ANALYSTS & INVESTORS – ir@euronext.com

Investor Relations        Aurélie Cohen

        Judith Stein        +33 6 15 23 91 97

MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com

Europe        Aurélie Cohen         +33 1 70 48 24 45

        Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13

Belgium        Marianne Aalders         +32 26 20 15 01

France, Corporate        Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        +33 1 70 48 24 45

Ireland        Catalina Augspach        +33 6 82 09 99 70

Italy         Ester Russom         +39 02 72 42 67 56

The Netherlands        Marianne Aalders         +31 20 721 41 33

Norway         Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund        +47 41 69 59 10

Portugal         Sandra Machado        +351 91 777 68 97

About Euronext

Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal.

As of March 2025, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal host nearly 1,800 listed issuers with €6.3 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices.

For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Disclaimer

This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

© 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved.

The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

Attachment
- 20250704_ENX_Liquidity Statement
The MIL Network –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: Atos – half-year-report on liquidity contract
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Regulated information

Half-year report on Atos SE’s liquidity contract

Paris, France – July 4, 2025

Pursuant to the liquidity contract entered into by Atos SE with Rothschild Martin Maurel, as at June 30, 2025, the following assets appeared on the liquidity account:
- 10,500 Atos shares
- € 1,291,866.00
Over the period from January 1, 2025, to June 30,2025, negotiations totalled:

Number of
transactions Number of
shares traded Amount
of transactions in €

Purchase 4,631 30,243,857 13,932,498.88

Sale 4,737 20,534,607 13,558,640.17

It is reminded that as at December 31, 2024, the following assets appeared on the liquidity account:
- 2,800,000 Atos shares
- € 1,665,724.00
About Atos Group

Atos Group is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 72,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion, operating in 68 countries under two brands – Atos for services and Eviden for products. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, Atos Group is committed to a secure and decarbonized future and provides tailored AI-powered, end-to-end solutions for all industries. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

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

Press contact

Investor relations: investors@atos.net

Individual shareholders: +33 8 05 65 00 75

Press contact: globalprteam@atos.net

Attachment
- PR – Atos – half-year-report on liquidity contract
The MIL Network –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: Subsea 7 – awarded contract offshore Egypt
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Luxembourg – 4 July 2025 - Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of sizeable¹ contract offshore Egypt.

 Subsea7 will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, commissioning and installation of flexible pipelines, umbilicals, and associated subsea components for a tie back to existing infrastructures. 

Project management and engineering work will begin immediately at Subsea7’s offices in France, Portugal, and Egypt. Offshore activity is expected to start in 2026.

David Bertin, Subsea7’s Senior Vice President GPC East, said: “Our early engagement has been instrumental in shaping a shared vision and delivering innovative, efficient solutions. This award is a testament to the strength of our collaboration, our proven track record, and our commitment to safe, high-quality execution. We are pleased to be able to support our client in enabling and executing such a strategically important project in Egypt.”

(1) Subsea7 defines a sizeable contract as being between $50 million and $150 million

*******************************************************************************
Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industry’s partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs.

Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Børs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62.

*******************************************************************************

Contact for investment community enquiries:
Katherine Tonks
Investor Relations Director
Tel +44 20 8210 5568
ir@subsea7.com

Contact for media enquiries:
Hariom Cavalcante
Communications Manager
Tel +33 59 69 01 02
Hariom.Cavalcante@subsea7.com

Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘future’, ‘goal’, ‘intend’, ‘likely’ ‘may’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’, ‘strategy’ ‘will’, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the ‘Risk Management’ section of the Group’s Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 4 July 2025 at 18:10 CET.

Attachment
- SUBC Egypt
The MIL Network –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: EU Archives: A new EU flag, Death of Simone Veil, Croatia becomes a new EU member

Source: European Commission (video statements)

In 1986 the EU flag as we know it today was first hoisted in front of EU headquarters in Brussels. More than 25 years later, the EU welcomed its most recent member state.
Want to discover more? Dive further with us into the European Commission’s audiovisual archives and discover important anniversaries with our new weekly AV history teaser!

Upcoming anniversaries in the teaser:

· 1986: European flag inauguration ceremony in front of the Berlaymont headquarters
· 1995: Death of Dutch EU founding father Sicco Mansholt
· 2010: Price caps on roaming within the EU come into force
· 2013: Croatia becomes the 28th EU member state
· 2017: Death of former European Parliament President and French Politician Simone Veil

Get the complete material from our archive:

https://europa.eu/!DPMbPT
https://europa.eu/!v86CGp
https://europa.eu/!mvQ8BT
https://europa.eu/!ktrhYk
https://europa.eu/!VfMcJr
https://europa.eu/!f99DC6

Follow us on:
-X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
-Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9x07-zrFus

MIL OSI Video –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: From motherhood to Masters – Chima champions lifelong learning and career growth Studying for a masters degree while caring for three children has given Chima Omojowolo the confidence to relaunch her own career after time out to raise her family.

Source: University of Aberdeen

Chima Omojowolo

Studying for a masters degree while caring for three children has given Chima Omojowolo the confidence to relaunch her own career after time out to raise her family.
She will graduate with an MSc in International Human Resource Management after one busy year juggling reading, coursework and assignments with school pick-ups and other family responsibilities – and now hopes to help and inspire others to grow their careers.
Chima moved to Aberdeen from France when her husband transferred to a job in the Granite City.
She decided to undertake further study to enable her to progress her own HR career following a break for motherhood and was drawn to the course because it offered a broad skill set and practical knowledge to ease her return.
Chima said: “Knowing the programme was comprehensive and flexible gave me confidence that I could update my skills while still managing my home responsibilities.
“My student journey at the University was both challenging and rewarding. Adjusting to a new environment while caring for my three children and family was difficult at first.
“However, I gradually found my stride and even excelled academically, ultimately achieving a Distinction in my degree.”
Chima loved the opportunity to collaborate with classmates on group assignments and presentations and quickly fitted into life both on campus and in Aberdeen.
“I loved exploring the city with my family – from peaceful walks along the beach to discovering restaurants and children parks, Aberdeen quickly felt like home,” she added.
“The balance of academic life and family moments in such a welcoming city made my time here truly memorable and special.”
With her degree in hand Chima now plans to resume her career in the field of human resources, specifically focusing on training and development.
She added: “I am passionate about helping employees grow, so I am aiming for a role where I can design and lead effective training programmes within an organisation. Ultimately, I hope to make a positive impact in the workplace by fostering continuous learning and development for others, just as I have done for myself.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: FlixBus bus overturns in northeastern Germany, injuring at least 23

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BERLIN, July 4 (Xinhua) — At least 23 people were injured, one of them seriously, after a FlixBus long-distance bus traveling from Denmark to Austria overturned early Friday in northeastern Germany, German police said.

The accident occurred at around 2:40 a.m. local time on the A19 motorway in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as the bus traveled to Berlin. According to law enforcement, the passenger with the most serious injuries remained trapped inside the vehicle for two hours before being rescued and airlifted to a Berlin hospital.

The police noted that information about the number of victims and the severity of their injuries is not final, since the investigation is ongoing.

There were 54 passengers and two drivers on the bus at the time of the accident. According to local media, the passengers included citizens of at least 20 countries, including Germany, Denmark, Ukraine, France, Italy, Australia, Syria, Japan and China. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI: Information on the total number of voting rights and shares of 74Software share capital as of June 30, 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release

Information on the total number of voting rights and shares of 74Software share capital as of June 30, 2025

Paris, July 4, 2025 – In accordance with Articles L.233-8 II and R.225-73 I of the French Commercial Code (Code de Commerce) and Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (RGAMF), 74Software hereby informs its shareholders that, as of June 30, 2025:
- Total number of shares is 29,746,194.
- Total number of theoretical voting rights is 41,294,444.
It is calculated according to the total number of shares with voting rights, including those whose voting rights have been suspended, and is used to declare threshold crossing by shareholders in accordance with Article 223-11 of the RGAMF.
- Number of exercisable voting rights is 40,813,815.
Disclaimer

This document is a translation into English of an original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text.

About 74Software

74Software is an enterprise software group founded through the combination of Axway and SBS – independently operated leaders with unique experience and capabilities to deliver mission-critical software for a data driven world. A pioneer in enterprise integration solutions for 25 years, Axway supports major brands and government agencies around the globe with its core line of MFT, B2B, API, and Financial Accounting Hub products. SBS empowers banks and financial institutions to reimagine tomorrow’s digital experiences with a composable cloud-based architecture that enables deposits, lending, compliance, payments, consumer, and asset finance services and operations to be deployed worldwide. 74Software serves more than 11,000 companies, including over 1,500 financial service customers. To learn more, visit 74Software.com

Contacts – Investor Relations:

Arthur Carli – +33 (0)1 47 17 24 65 – acarli@74software.com

Chloé Chouard – +33 (0)1 47 17 21 78 – cchouard@74software.com

Attachment
- 04072025_74Software_PR_voting_rights_June2025_VE
The MIL Network –
July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Raising St George’s Cross for the Lionesses

Source: City of Sunderland

A GOOD luck message has gone to the Lionesses as the England flag flies at City Hall for the Women’s Euros 2025.

England are one of the favourites as defending champions and play their first match against France on Saturday 5 July.

The England flag and others are regularly raised and flown by the City Council to commemorate national events and special days. Last week the council held a flag raising ceremony to mark Armed Forces Day and pay tribute to the courage and commitment of all service personnel.

Raising St George’s Cross, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, Councillor Kelly Chequer said: “As they defend their title, we’re flying the England flag to show our support, recognise all the talent that’s in the team and, of course, wish them the very best for the tournament.

“Our city and players who were born and nurtured here have had a big part in raising the profile of the women’s game and in the ongoing success of the Lionesses.

“Looking ahead too, we’re only weeks away from hosting the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup which is a massive occasion and event for our city and the region.

“Good luck to the Lionesses, we’re all with you.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: United Nations – Appointment of Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (04.07.25)

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

France welcomes the appointment of Mr Carlos Ruiz Massieu as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). It wishes him success and assures him of its full support as he carries out his mission.

Given the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, it is essential to take action and follow up the recommendations in the Secretary-General’s report for strengthening the United Nations’ role in Haiti. Re-establishing security in the country is vital for creating conditions that are conducive to the holding of elections in order to respond to the legitimate expectations of the Haitian people.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Secretary: Scotland must not miss out on nuclear opportunities
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Scottish Secretary: Scotland must not miss out on nuclear opportunities

Scotland is becoming globally isolated on nuclear power – missing out on much needed skilled jobs and economic growth – because of the Scottish Government’s ideological stance on nuclear power.
Scotland is becoming globally isolated on nuclear power and missing out on jobs and clean power.

Ian Murray urges the Scottish Government to drop their ideological opposition.

Call comes ahead of a visit to Torness Nuclear Power Station.

Scotland is becoming globally isolated on nuclear power – missing out on much needed skilled jobs and economic growth – because of the Scottish Government’s ideological stance on nuclear power.

Nuclear energy could create thousands of new, highly-skilled jobs in Scotland, while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people. Reliable, cheap nuclear power can support critical modern infrastructure in Scotland, such as supercomputers.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Torness Nuclear Power Station in East Lothian today [Thursday 3 July], Scottish Secretary Ian Murray cited new research which shows that Scotland risks becoming one of few areas in Europe where the devolved government is publicly against new nuclear development.

Mr Murray said:

In other parts of the UK, the UK Government is driving forward nuclear power, as are countries across Europe and indeed the world. But in Scotland the Scottish Government clings to its ideological objection to new nuclear sites. That means that Scotland is being left behind, missing out on thousands of skilled jobs and economic growth, as well as clean affordable energy. I urge the Scottish Government to put Scotland’s interests first.

The research by the Nuclear Industry Association and World Nuclear Association shows that 87 per cent of the world economy is pursuing new nuclear power, including France, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands. Many previously anti-nuclear European countries are abandoning their positions, including Italy, Denmark, and Belgium, while Germany has dropped its opposition to EU-level initiatives on nuclear energy.

The UK Government has committed to building Sizewell C and Small Nuclear Reactors as part of our drive to deliver cleaner, more affordable energy.

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said:

Nuclear in Scotland will bring jobs and growth as well as a constant supply of secure, reliable and clean electricity that complements other low carbon sources. As countries around the world are increasingly embracing nuclear as an integral part of achieving energy security, decarbonisation and minimising the exposure to the volatility of fossil fuel prices. The Scottish Government’s refusal to countenance replacing Torness when it retires in a few years is indicative of a fundamental lack of seriousness of policy.

Since Torness started operating in 1988, it has contributed more than £16.1 billion to the UK economy and supported more than 2,600 jobs a year. Together Hunterston B and Torness have contributed more than £29.4 billion to the UK economy.

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Published 4 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Justice to visit Europe

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will depart for Europe tomorrow (July 5) to begin his visit to the Netherlands, France and Italy. He will meet with local senior government officials and leaders of various international organisations to introduce Hong Kong’s latest legal developments, strengthen exchanges and co-operation with all parties, promote Hong Kong’s strengths in legal and dispute resolution services, and explore collaboration on international capacity building.

During his visit, Mr Lam will attend local seminars organised by the Department of Justice and other exchange sessions. He will deliver speeches to the local legal and business sectors to introduce Hong Kong’s unique advantages in the practice of the common law system under the “one country, two systems” principle, its strategic positioning as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region, and its important role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit will be the Law Officer (International Law) of the Department of Justice (DoJ), Dr James Ding, the Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office of the DoJ, Dr Yang Ling, and government counsel.

â€‹Mr Lam will conclude his visit in Rome, Italy, and return to Hong Kong on the morning of July 13. During his absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 4, 2025

	Number of transactions	Number of shares traded	Amount of transactions in €
Purchase	4,631	30,243,857	13,932,498.88
Sale	4,737	20,534,607	13,558,640.17

Category: France

UK legality

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There’s a fragmentation in how we relate

Shared humanity

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What is a nation?

Nations vs. states

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Reshaping Canadian identity

What is a nation?

Nations vs. states

Patriotism vs. nationalism

Reshaping Canadian identity

The power of the dollar

Financial markets are vulnerable

Scottish Secretary: Scotland must not miss out on nuclear opportunities

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