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Category: Latin America

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Nearly Three-Quarters of World Heritage Sites Are at High Risk from Water-Related Hazards

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    A new analysis by UNESCO and World Resources Institute (WRI) reveals that 73% of World Heritage sites are highly exposed to water-related hazards, such as drought, water stress, or riverine and coastal flooding. Strengthening water stewardship is essential to protect these sites and the communities and ecosystems they sustain.

    A Precious Resource Under Growing Threat

    Water-related hazards—including floods, droughts, and storms—have accounted for over 90% of the world’s major disasters since 1970, resulting in more than 2 million deaths and economic losses exceeding USD 3.6 trillion, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). World Heritage sites have not been exempted from these hazards and face increasing threats to their natural and cultural values. These sites stand as powerful reminders of humanity’s enduring relationship with water. From awe-inspiring landscapes shaped over millennia to cultural landmarks forged through human ingenuity—such as ancient irrigation systems, historic canals, and modern engineering achievements—they reflect the cooperation with nature that has enabled societies to flourish across generations. Yet, while water is fundamental to their significance, it can also pose serious risks when its balance is disrupted, threatening the integrity of these irreplaceable places.

    A new analysis by UNESCO and World Resources Institute (WRI) highlights the scale of these threats: 73% of World Heritage sites are highly exposed to at least one water-related hazard—such as drought, water stress, or riverine and coastal flooding—and 21% face multiple overlapping risks. Around the world, World Heritage sites are increasingly caught between the extremes of too much and too little water, with climate change, urbanization, river regulation, and upstream water withdrawals intensifying these pressures, especially in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, parts of South Asia, and northern China.

    “The Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas gives us critical data to track how water risks are evolving around the world. These insights are more urgent than ever, helping governments, site managers, and communities take targeted action — before floods, droughts, or water shortages cause irreversible damage to treasured places that serve as lifelines for both people and ecosystems,”

    Approximately 600 World Heritage sites are highly exposed to water scarcity conditions — reflected in water stress or drought— making it the most widespread water-related risk, threatening nearly half of all properties. The vast majority (around 90%) of these exposed sites are cultural properties . While natural sites face a comparatively lower level of exposure, they are increasingly experiencing conditions that place growing stress on ecosystems and biodiversity. Sites such as the Ahwar of Southern Iraq and Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) have endured severe multi-year droughts since 2020. Drought also heightens the risk of wildfires, compounding the damage: in the Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia), prolonged dry conditions have fueled intense fires with severe impacts on flora, fauna, and local communities.

    Drought at Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) in 2019 / Source: Copernicus Browser

    Severe flood risk, both riverine and coastal, affects approximately 400 World Heritage sites. Floods have already impacted both natural and cultural World Heritage properties, highlighting the urgent need for strengthened resilience. In 2020, Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda) experienced significant climate-related flooding that that disrupted river systems, posing challenges for both local communities and wildlife. In 2022, major flooding led to the temporary closure of Yellowstone National Park (United States of America), with over $20 million required for infrastructure repairs before the park could reopen. More recently, in 2024, severe flooding in Kaziranga National Park (India) resulted in the loss of more than 200 animals, including 10 endangered rhinos, while Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) has been affected by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) linked to accelerating glacial retreat.

    © ICIMOD

    Cultural sites have also experienced serious impacts from flooding. The catastrophic floods that left nearly one-third of Pakistan submerged in 2022 caused significant damage to the Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro. Other ancient sites such as the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan), Angkor (Cambodia) and Petra (Jordan), have also been affected by flooding, with damage to their integrity. In parts of Africa, communities in Timbuktu (Mali) and the Historic Centre of Agadez (Niger) are facing the compounded challenges of severe drought followed by intense flooding — a clear illustration of increasing climate variability.

    Flood at Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (Pakistan) in 2022 / Source: Copernicus Browser

    Around 50 World Heritage sites are highly exposed to coastal flooding. Some cultural sites are already experiencing the impacts, with growing risks to their integrity. The Complex of Hué Monuments (Viet Nam) has endured repeated flooding in recent years, accelerating deterioration. The Forts and Castles along the coast of Ghana, face increasing danger from shoreline erosion and rising seas, putting at risk these important remains of fortified trading posts that formed part of early global trade history. While coastal flooding has not yet caused major reported damage at natural World Heritage sites, the risk is rising. Sites such as the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China and Banc d’Arguin National Park (Mauritania) are highly vulnerable, as sea level rise could transform or submerge critical coastal habitats essential for migratory species.

    “This analysis underscores the urgent need to address water-related risks to World Heritage sites, which are being intensified by climate change. Strengthening resilience through innovation, traditional knowledge, and cooperation is essential to safeguarding these irreplaceable places for future generations.”

    Towards Solutions: Protecting Heritage Through Water Stewardship

    Despite these challenges, examples of effective action demonstrate that solutions are possible—particularly when supported by international cooperation, innovation, and traditional knowledge. UNESCO actively supports States Parties in addressing water-related threats through a combination of emergency mechanisms, technical guidance, and long-term cooperation. Emergency support is provided through instruments such as the World Heritage Fund’s International Assistance, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) and the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), while expert missions under the World Heritage Convention’s Reactive Monitoring process help guide response efforts. UNESCO also provides capacity building and technical support to strengthen local responses, contributing to long-term resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable water management at World Heritage sites through programmes such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP).

    Integrated water resource management (IWRM) — which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources — is increasingly being incorporated into conservation strategies for World Heritage properties. At Petra (Jordan) and the Old City of Sana’a (Yemen), for example, IWRM principles are guiding flood risk reduction strategies such as early warning systems, which help safeguard monuments from increasingly severe flash floods. Similarly, in the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China, a government ban on land reclamation, followed by wetland restoration efforts, has led to a fivefold increase in bird populations in some areas, providing renewed habitat for migratory species.

    © UNESCO / Community Engagement through Risk Prevention in Petra

    Heritage-sensitive climate adaptation is also key. The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) illustrates how site managers are applying innovative water management measures — including drainage improvements and protective earthworks — to reduce the impact of increasingly intense rainfall and flooding on fragile adobe structures. At the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan), UNESCO has supported emergency measures to stabilize the structure following flood events that endangered its integrity, along with technical assistance for improved flood management in the surrounding valley.

    © UNESCO / The Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, a UNESCO project to safeguard the iconic site

    Transboundary cooperation plays a vital role where shared water systems support World Heritage values. The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), through collaboration between Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, coordinates efforts to protect the seasonal flooding that sustains the Okavango Delta’s biodiversity and local livelihoods. Similarly, at Iguaçu National Park, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, park managers work with upstream stakeholders to maintain sustainable water flows that protect the falls’ ecosystem while supporting vital hydroelectric production at the Itaipu Dam. To address the consequences of melting glaciers and increased occurrences of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to climate change impacts, UNESCO is engaging with communities in the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) to identify potential adaptation pathways using the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA).

    Traditional knowledge, community stewardship, and partnerships between local communities, national authorities, and international organizations are central to many successful initiatives. In the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, the revitalization of ancient irrigation systems and forest restoration supports both cultural heritage and resilience to drought and erosion. In the Ahwar of Southern Iraq, joint efforts have facilitated the restoration of marshlands, enhancing water governance and helping buffer against drought and salinity.

    Modern technology further complements these approaches. Tools such as GIS mapping, remote sensing, and water quality monitoring provide real-time data to inform decision-making and enable site managers and authorities to respond effectively to emerging threats. To support this, UNESCO’s World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP), serves as an important resource for monitoring water-related risks and informing site-level planning.

    These efforts and solutions are among the many actions contributing to the protection of World Heritage sites and the strengthening of their resilience for generations to come. World Heritage sites are not static relics of the past, but dynamic systems shaped by human ingenuity, natural forces, and the enduring relationship between people and water. Strengthening their protection calls for an integrated approach that combines time-honoured practices with scientific innovation, draws on both traditional knowledge and modern science, and fosters inclusive governance and transboundary cooperation. Advancing water stewardship that supports both cultural and natural heritage is essential to safeguarding their Outstanding Universal Value and ensuring their continued contribution to sustainable development and the well-being of communities worldwide.

    UNESCO gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Flanders (Belgium) for the World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP), which made this analysis possible.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: NowVertical’s Integration Strategy Accelerates Account Expansion and Cross-Market Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NowVertical Group Inc. (TSXV: NOW) (“NowVertical” or the “Company”), a leading data and AI solutions provider, today provided an update on the execution of its “One Brand, One Business” integration strategy, highlighting continued margin expansion and deeper enterprise penetration across North America and Latin America.

    Over the past twelve months, one of our NA&EMEA Strategic Accounts – a Fortune 500 technology business and one of eight US $1 million-plus 2024 engagements for NowVertical – has transitioned from siloed local analytics and reporting to a cross-region reporting programme delivered by NowVertical. By coordinating experts across several time zones under one operating framework, the NowVertical broadened its engagement across EMEA and APAC providing end-to-end campaign planning and quarterly executive business reviews. This capability expansion, engagement enhancement and global delivery approach has been unlocked through the ‘One Brand, One Business’ Strategy, which is integrating delivery operations across the group. The success of this integrated approach is cementing NowVertical as a key data and AI partner for the client whilst also improving margins.

    A parallel engagement with a global life-sciences leader and a NowVertical strategic account in Latin America underscores the scalability of the model. A multi-country delivery team is driving a data-modernisation programme, consolidating legacy data estates onto Google Cloud, enabling real-time analytics and rolling out an enhanced platform in new markets for the client. The result is faster commercial insight for the client and a repeatable playbook for NowVertical, already fuelling follow-on work in Mexico and Colombia.

    “These programmes show exactly why we moved to a unified operating structure,” said Sandeep Mendiratta, CEO of NowVertical. “By operating as one integrated business, we’re not only unlocking higher-margin work and accelerating account growth, but also delivering phenomenal value to our clients. We’re helping them move faster, make better decisions, and ultimately generate more revenue from their data. This model is creating durable, recurring revenue streams for NowVertical and measurable business impact for our clients.”

    The Company sees the growing contribution from cross-border, capability-integrated engagements to support its path to a US $50 million run-rate revenue and US $10 million EBITDA target while reinforcing its position as a trusted, full-stack data and AI partner to enterprise clients worldwide.

    About NowVertical Group Inc.

    NowVertical is a global data and analytics company which helps clients transform data into tangible business value with AI, fast. Offering a comprehensive suite of solutions and services, the Company enables clients to quickly harness the full potential of their data, driving measurable outcomes and accelerating potential return on investment. Enterprises optimize decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and unlock long-term value from their data using the Company’s AI-Infused first party and third-party technologies. NowVertical is growing organically and through strategic acquisitions.

    For further details about NowVertical, please visit www.nowvertical.com. 

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    For further information, please contact:

    Andre Garber, CDO
    IR@nowvertical.com

    Investor Relations: Bristol Capital Ltd.
    Stefan Eftychiou
    stefan@bristolir.com
    +1(905)326-1888 x60

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (together “forward-looking statements”), including, with respect to the availability of funds under the Facilities, the ability of NowVertical to utilize funds under the Facilities, the effect of the Facilities on NowVertical’s operations contemplated in this press release on NowVertical’s business, finances and operations. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies, certain of which are unknown. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by inherent risks and uncertainties, including: adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the data analytics and artificial intelligence sectors in general; regulatory and legislative changes; that future results may vary from historical results; inability to service the Company’s debt; any inability to realize the expected benefits and synergies of acquisitions or dispositions; that market competition may affect the business, results and financial condition of the Company and other risk factors identified in documents filed by the Company under its profile at www.sedarplus.com, including the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Departure Statement by Prime Minister on the eve of visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia


    Download logo

    Today, I embark on a five-nation visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia from 2 to 9 July 2025.

    At the invitation of President H.E. John Dramani Mahama, I will visit Ghana on 2-3 July. Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States. I look forward to my exchanges aimed at further deepening our historical ties and opening up new windows of cooperation, including in the areas of investment, energy, health, security, capacity building and development partnership. As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana.

    On 3-4 July, I will be in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, a country with which we share deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people connect. I will meet President H.E. Mrs. Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, and Prime Minister H.E. Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has recently assumed office for the second term. Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the special bonds of ancestry and kinship that unite us.

    From Port of Spain, I will travel to Buenos Aires. This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. Argentina is a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20. I look forward to my discussions with President H.E. Javier Milei, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting last year. We will focus on advancing our a mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.

    I will attend the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 6-7 July. As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order. On the sidelines of the Summit, I will also meet several world leaders. I will travel to Brasilia for a bilateral State Visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our close partnership with Brazil, and work with my friend, President H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on advancing the priorities of the Global South.

    My final destination will be Namibia, a trusted partner with whom we share a common history of struggle against colonialism. I look forward to meeting President H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and chart a new roadmap for cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, our regions and the wider Global South. It will be a privilege to also address the Joint Session of Namibian Parliament as we celebrate our enduring solidarity and shared commitment for freedom and development.

    I am confident that my visits to the five countries will reinforce our bonds friendship across the Global South, strengthen our partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic, and deepen engagements in the multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and the CARICOM.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: From risk to resilience: Unlocking SDG progress through DRR

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Venue

    United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 8

    Organizers

     Co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Disaster Risk Reduction (Permanent Missions of Australia, Indonesia, Norway and Peru), the Permanent Mission of Switzerland and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

    Time

    1:15 – 2:45pm

    Background

    As the 2030 Agenda enters the final stretch for implementation with only 17% of the SDGs on track, the escalating impact of disasters continues to jeopardize progress, and threatens to reverse hard-won development gains. From 2015 to 2023, direct economic loss worldwide has been reported to exceed US$ 1.1 trillion in total1, with an even higher toll in terms of human lives as well as economic, social and environmental impacts. Recent Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), have highlighted both the obstacles and opportunities for a risk-informed approach to sustainable development.

    This side event will delve into the key takeaways from the Global Platform for DRR, revealing priorities for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Using insights from the VNRs, the event will also explore practical ways to strengthen the coherence between sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.

    The discussion will focus on advancing next steps to strengthen national and international disaster risk reduction efforts in an evolving risk landscape. It will spotlight transformative actions and accelerated solutions, building on the main findings and calls to action from the Geneva Call for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2025 ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum.

    Join us for a dynamic and insightful session to contribute to and learn from the global efforts to build resilience and achieve the SDGs.

    Programme

    Moderator: Ms. Laurel Patterson, Strategic Partnerships and Communications Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau

    Fireside chat: Learnings from the Global Platform Key takeaways from Global Platform to accelerate SDG implementation

    • Mr. Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General and Head of Thematic Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland
    • Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR

    Panel: Building a strong evidence base for DRR and resilience Insights from VNRs and future pathways for implementation

    • Three countries presenting on their integration of DRR in the VNRs

    Open Discussion

    Closing Remarks: Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Disaster Risk Reduction

    This event is open to all participants registered for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025) and to those holding a valid UN grounds pass.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: From risk to resilience: Unlocking SDG progress through DRR

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Venue

    United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 8

    Organizers

     Co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Disaster Risk Reduction (Permanent Missions of Australia, Indonesia, Norway and Peru), the Permanent Mission of Switzerland and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

    Time

    1:15 – 2:45pm

    Background

    As the 2030 Agenda enters the final stretch for implementation with only 17% of the SDGs on track, the escalating impact of disasters continues to jeopardize progress, and threatens to reverse hard-won development gains. From 2015 to 2023, direct economic loss worldwide has been reported to exceed US$ 1.1 trillion in total1, with an even higher toll in terms of human lives as well as economic, social and environmental impacts. Recent Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), have highlighted both the obstacles and opportunities for a risk-informed approach to sustainable development.

    This side event will delve into the key takeaways from the Global Platform for DRR, revealing priorities for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Using insights from the VNRs, the event will also explore practical ways to strengthen the coherence between sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.

    The discussion will focus on advancing next steps to strengthen national and international disaster risk reduction efforts in an evolving risk landscape. It will spotlight transformative actions and accelerated solutions, building on the main findings and calls to action from the Geneva Call for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2025 ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum.

    Join us for a dynamic and insightful session to contribute to and learn from the global efforts to build resilience and achieve the SDGs.

    Programme

    Moderator: Ms. Laurel Patterson, Strategic Partnerships and Communications Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau

    Fireside chat: Learnings from the Global Platform Key takeaways from Global Platform to accelerate SDG implementation

    • Mr. Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General and Head of Thematic Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland
    • Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR

    Panel: Building a strong evidence base for DRR and resilience Insights from VNRs and future pathways for implementation

    • Three countries presenting on their integration of DRR in the VNRs

    Open Discussion

    Closing Remarks: Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Disaster Risk Reduction

    This event is open to all participants registered for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025) and to those holding a valid UN grounds pass.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Renewable resources in pharmaceuticals: A Mexican scientist making green medicines

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Meet Martha C. Mayorquín-Torres, a Mexican scientist conducting research on renewable resources in pharmaceuticals.

    Martha completed her studies in the pharmaceutical field in Mexico City. While seeking new opportunities to advance her research and develop her career, she discovered the TransPharm Project, which is financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme at Ghent University.

    This marked the beginning of her move to Ghent, Belgium, where she found an abundance of resources at her disposal—both in terms of equipment and the knowledge her colleagues could offer. Her research focuses on creating antiviral components from greener and more renewable resources, while also making pharmaceutical manufacturing processes more sustainable.

    During her time working on her research, Martha realised that Europe can be more than just a place to advance her career; it can become home.

    00:13 The resources of the research group
    00:40 Greener and more sustainable pharmaceuticals
    01:21 The courage to move to Europe and Europe becoming home

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-274736

    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=9Oxs4gvQBC8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APEC Opens Scientist Exchange Program in Korea Sejong, Republic of Korea | 02 July 2025 APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation APEC has kicked off a new exchange program to boost cross-border research, with Korea hosting the first cohort of scientists in Seoul this year.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    APEC has kicked off a new exchange program to boost cross-border research, with Korea hosting the first cohort of scientists in Seoul this year. The Scientist Invitation Program to Korea 2025 marks the first program under the APEC Scientist Exchange Initiative, a new regional effort to enhance scientific mobility and long-term collaboration.

    This is the first time APEC has launched a dedicated mobility track for scientists, signaling a significant step toward institutionalizing scientific exchange as part of the region’s broader agenda for inclusive innovation and sustainable growth.

    Funded and implemented this year by the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, the program supports researchers from APEC member economies through structured training and joint research opportunities. It also offers streamlined visa application processes and fast-track entry and exit at Korean ports of entry.

    The launch comes at a time when economies are navigating post-pandemic recovery, an accelerating digital transformation and rising demand for interdisciplinary scientific talent. By investing in mobility and peer exchange, the program responds to calls for deeper regional cooperation in science and technology.

    “Capacity building and exchange programmes empower scientists to share knowledge, foster innovation and create solutions that transcend borders, driving global progress through shared mission collaborations via human-to-human exchanges,” said Hazami Habib, Vice Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI).

    “This could lead to not only enhanced connectivity but also significant impacts across the APEC region. The Scientist Invitation Program to Korea 2025 is a commendable initiative which stimulates further interest in collaborative research within the region,” Habib added.

    “Korea has emphasized the importance of innovation driven by cultivating science and technology talent,” said Sunghoon Hwang, Director General for International Cooperation at Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT. “We hope that the Scientist Invitation Program will enable scientists from Korea and participating APEC members to build research networks and create scientific collaboration opportunities across the region, particularly with Korea.”

    The program offers two distinct pathways for participation. The first is a 10-day capacity-building track that includes mentoring, expert lectures and policy discussions to support future collaboration. The second is a 90-day research placement, where participants conduct joint research at leading Korean institutions. Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or a master’s degree with at least three years of relevant professional experience.

    The first session, focused on physics, ran from 26 May to 6 June in Seoul. It brought together 21 researchers and professors from Malaysia, Peru and Thailand, who engaged in lab visits, including the Center for Quantum Nanoscience at Ewha Womans University, and took part in cultural experiences that strengthened professional and personal ties.

    “This program will help me to have an international collaboration. I feel good, and this is a good opportunity for me,” said Dr Nuttawadee Intachai, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University in Thailand who participated in the session.

    The second session, focused on chemistry and involving scientists from Indonesia and the Philippines, concluded on 27 June. Upcoming sessions in earth sciences and life sciences, along with the first round of 90-day research placements, are set to begin in July.

    With up to 100 scientists expected to participate this year, the Scientist Invitation Program is laying the groundwork for a more connected, collaborative, and innovation-driven APEC region.

    The broader initiative also includes plans for an APEC Scientist Travel Card, modeled after the APEC Business Travel Card. Once developed, the card would streamline mobility for scientists attending conferences, seminars, or joint projects by facilitating visa-free or expedited entry. More information is available on the official program website.

    For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Oxfam reaction to Spain, Brazil and South Africa launching a new coalition to tax the super-rich

    Source: Oxfam –

    In response to Spain, Brazil and South Africa’s new global coalition to tax the super-rich, launched today at the Fourth Financing for Development Conference in Seville, Oxfam Tax Justice Policy Lead Susana Ruiz said: 

    “We welcome the leadership of Brazil, Spain and South Africa in calling for taxes on the super-rich. People around the world are pushing for more countries to reject the corrupting political influence of oligarchies. Taxation of the super-rich is a vital tool to secure sustainable development and fight inequalities. The wealth of the richest 1% has surged $33.9 trillion since 2015, enough to end annual poverty 22 times, yet billionaires only pay around 0.3% in real taxes.  

    “This extreme inequality is being driven by a financial system that puts the interests of a wealthy few above everyone else. This concentration of wealth is blocking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and keeping over three billion people living in poverty: over half of poor countries are spending more on debt repayments than on healthcare or education. 

    “In a tense geopolitical environment, Spain, Brazil and South Africa have taken an important step in forging an alliance here at the UN conference in Seville to show political will for taxation of the super-rich. Now other countries must follow their lead and join forces. This year, the FFD in Seville, COP30 in Brazil and G20 in South Africa are key opportunities for international cooperation to tax the super-rich and invest in a sustainable future that puts human rights and equality at its core.”

    Download the Oxfam report “From Private Profit to Public Power: Financing Development, Not Oligarchy“ which was launched ahead of the Fourth Financing for Development Conference with new analysis on economic inequality.

    Greenpeace and Oxfam International commissioned a study this month on public opinion on taxing the super-rich. The research was conducted by first party data company Dynata in May-June 2025, in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Kenya, Italy, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, the UK and the US. The survey had approximately 1200 respondents per country, with a margin of error of +-2.83%. Together, these countries represent close to half the world’s population. See the results here.

    Oxfam will be hosting a major high-level event together with Club de Madrid, at 7pm on July 1, 2025, in Seville, joined by high-level government representatives on the media briefing note. Journalists are invited to attend and will be prioritized for questions. Please register here.

    Moreover, an official side event on inequality and tax reform will take place at 2.30pm on July 1, 2025, at the FIBES Exhibition Centre room 20 joined by high-level government representatives from Brazil, Spain and South Africa, international organizations and global experts. See note here.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Country and regional analyses underscore urgency of WTO reform

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: Country and regional analyses underscore urgency of WTO reform

    Building on the 2024 regional study, a new 2025 follow-up report commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and conducted by Oxford Economics provides a country-level look at the consequences of WTO dissolution for ten developing economies: Brazil, Cameroon, China, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Türkiye and Vietnam.

    The 2024 regional study (available in English and Spanish) showed that WTO dissolution would have devastating consequences for developing economies across the world, including:

    • A 33% drop in developing countries’ non-fuel goods trade relative to a baseline scenario with the multilateral system still in place;
    • A permanent GDP loss to developing countries of over 5% – driven in part by a 5% decline in foreign direct investment flows;
    • Acute export losses of 43% in low-income economies and 32% in middle-income countries;
    • At a regional level, trade flows in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are most affected, reflective of the large number of LDCs within these groupings. 

    This new country-level analysis confirms those findings and shows the impact on ten examined developing economies:

    • Non-fuel goods exports would fall by up to 45%, with Brazil, India and China among the hardest hit. Even the least affected countries in the sample — Egypt and Guatemala — would face declines of around 20%;
    • Foreign direct investment is projected to fall between 3–6% in the ten countries studied, as rising uncertainty and trade costs undermine investor confidence;
    • Long-run GDP losses are estimated to range from 3% to 6%, with the sharpest contractions in economies highly dependent on export-led growth, such as Vietnam, China and India.

    These figures underscore what is at stake. For developing countries, the breakdown of the multilateral trading system would not just slow progress, it could reverse hard-won development gains.

    The message is clear: the multilateral trading system remains an essential foundation not only for economic growth and poverty reduction, but to also safeguard wider global interests, including supply chain resilience. Preserving and strengthening the WTO is not a theoretical exercise — it is an urgent priority for sustainable development and shared prosperity.

    Why are some countries more exposed than others?

    The research shows that countries with shallow integration into global value chains and limited trade agreements —such as Brazil and India — would face the sharpest export declines. Others, like China and Vietnam, are more integrated into global markets but remain highly dependent on a predictable, rules-based system. In all cases, a WTO dissolution would have far-reaching consequences for growth and development.

    Can FTAs replace the WTO’s rule-based system?

    While regional and bilateral trade agreements offer some protection, they do not offer the global legal certainty and broad-based commitments provided by WTO rules. Even with countries with more extensive FTA networks, such as Guatemala and Egypt, would still face major disruptions. In addition, many FTAs are built on WTO rules. If the global trading system broke down, parts of those agreements could stop working properly, and some deals might need to be rewritten.

    What needs to happen now?

    The findings reinforce the urgency of revitalising and strengthening the multilateral trading system. ICC urges governments to work together to ensure the multilateral trading system is modernised and made fit-for-purpose to meet the demands of today’s global economy.

    Without action, the cost of the erosion of the WTO will fall heaviest on those with the least ability to absorb it and the greatest need for a stable, rules-based global economy. The alternative, as this paper shows, is not just economic disruption for developing countries, but a devastating setback for global development and, ultimately, for the lives and livelihoods of billions.  

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa issues first permit to vaccinate against Avian Influenza

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, July 2, 2025

    South Africa is set to launch its first-ever poultry vaccination campaign in the coming days, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to minimise the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.

    This follows the Department of Agriculture’s approval of a vaccination permit issued to Astral Foods Limited on 30 June 2025, authorising the company to begin vaccinations against the HPAI virus at one of its broiler breeder farms.

    Making the announcement on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed that the initial phase of the campaign will begin with 200 000 broiler breeders, representing approximately five percent of Astral’s total breeding stock, valued at approximately R35 million.

    Steenhuisen hailed this milestone as a testament to the strong partnership between government and the poultry industry in safeguarding national food security and protecting the livelihoods of thousands of South Africans.

    He emphasised that the vaccination campaign is a vital step to strengthen flock immunity and prevent the devastating economic losses witnessed during previous outbreaks.

    “The 2023 outbreak resulted in millions of birds being culled, which led to severe supply disruptions that affected both producers and consumers. The vaccine being used – targeting the H5 strain of the virus – is already approved for use in other countries implementing vaccination strategies against HPAI.

    In May, South Africa suspended imports of live poultry, eggs and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from Brazil following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

    The decision followed a report from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, confirming an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – clade 2.3.4.4b) on 15 May 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Conference Holds Multistakeholder Round Table on Upholding Multilateral Trading System, Harnessing Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation

    Source: United Nations 4

    The Conference holds its fourth multi-stakeholder round table this morning on “Upholding the multilateral trading system, and harnessing the potential of science, technology and innovation”.

    Co-Chaired by Nadia Fettah, Minister for Economy and Finance of Morocco, and Melita Gabrič, Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Minister for Development of Slovenia, it will feature a special address by Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain. 

    Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), will moderate the discussion.

    Panelists will include:  Shane Reti, Minister for Science and Innovation, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Minister for Statistics and Universities of New Zealand; Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad of Burkina Faso; Philip Gough, Secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs of Brazil; and Enrique Javier Ochoa Martinez, Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

    Representatives of the Customs Cooperation Council and a civil society organization will be the discussants.

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Expands Fomo Thursdays With 10-Fold More Winners and Doubled Win Rate

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has launched the third round of its Fomo Thursdays series, expanding the prize pool and participant slots in response to heightened demand.

    The previous edition saw 20,000 slots claimed in under one hour, with over 2,000 winners. This week, Bitget Wallet has increased the number of participant slots to 100,000 and winner slots to 20,000, representing a 10-fold increase in winners and a doubled win rate of 20%. The prize pool has grown accordingly, with more than 24 million AB tokens allocated.

    “Fomo Thursdays continues to gain traction as a low-friction entry point for users to explore new tokens,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. “With expanded rewards, higher odds, and growing user interest, this week’s event marks another step toward making token launches more accessible.”

    Fomo Thursdays is a weekly token distribution program designed to simplify user participation in early-stage token launches. Each round follows a uniform format: users stake $10 USDT for a chance to receive randomized token allocations. The model removes traditional entry barriers such as trading requirements or point systems and returns all staked funds after the event, minimizing user risk. Token claims and refunds are processed via on-chain smart contracts.

    This week’s featured project is AB Token, a blockchain infrastructure protocol focused on bringing real-world assets (RWA) on-chain. Originally launched as the Newton Project in 2018, AB has evolved into a multichain ecosystem that connects traditional financial assets with blockchain-based applications. It comprises two layers: AB IoT, designed for IoT and DePIN applications, and AB-Core, an EVM-compatible chain supporting DeFi, GameFi, and RWA protocols.

    The AB rewards will be distributed via BNB Chain. Top prizes include three rewards worth $888 each and twenty second-place prizes worth $188 each, both in AB token equivalent. Participants can stake from July 2 at 13:00 to July 3 at 13:00 (UTC). Token distribution and USDT refunds will begin on July 3 at 14:00 (UTC), with all rewards delivered gas-free via Bitget Wallet.

    For more information, visit the Bitget Wallet official channels.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.
    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook
    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ab0d454-90c2-4a0a-b639-2cc0f449ebf5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Intermodal land-sea cargo route connects China’s landlocked west to South America

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

    Intermodal land-sea cargo route connects China’s landlocked west to South America

    An aerial drone photo shows a view of a dock operation area at Chancay Port, Peru, on June 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    CHONGQING, July 2 — A cargo train loaded with 84 TEU of complete vehicles departed from southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on Monday. These vehicles will travel through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to reach a Chinese port, and then board an ocean-going vessel bound for Chancay Port in Peru.

    This marks the first time the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected to Chancay Port. The cargo train will reach Beibu Gulf Port in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the vehicles will sail from there.

    As an important project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has been playing a key role in connecting landlocked western China to global markets.

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier to attend 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, visit Egypt

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

    BEIJING, July 2 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the 17th BRICS Summit upon invitation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 5 to 8, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday.

    At the invitation of Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Kamal Madbouly, Li will pay an official visit to Egypt from July 9 to 10, the spokesperson said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Guirassy double as Dortmund down Monterrey to reach Club World Cup quarters

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

    Serhou Guirassy scored two first-half goals as Borussia Dortmund beat Monterrey 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals.

    German Berterame pulled one back early in the second half but the Mexican side failed to capitalize on several late chances.

    The result means Dortmund will face Real Madrid in New Jersey on Saturday for a place in the last four while Monterrey bows out.

    Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Suele (R) vies with CF Monterrey’s Jesus Corona during the round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund of Germany and CF Monterrey of Mexico at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, July 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

    Monterrey had the first scoring opportunity of the match when Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa fired a speculative long-range effort straight at goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

    But most of the early attacking was done by Dortmund, whose fluid passing was causing problems for Monterrey’s defense.

    Guirassy opened the Bundesliga club’s account in the 14th minute when he played a slick one-two with Karim Adeyemi before side-footing a low effort that beat Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada at his near post.

    The goal spurred Monterrey into action. Jesus Corona almost put his side on level terms when he miscued his cross from the left flank and instead hit the woodwork. Moments later, Deossa aimed a 25-yard rocket straight at Kobel.

    But the Liga MX side was undone once more by the Adeyemi-Guirassy combination in the 24th minute as the Guinea international striker caressed a first-time shot past Andrada after Adeyemi’s layoff.

    Deossa again tried his luck from distance, forcing a sharp save from Kobel, but most of the chances were at the other end as Dortmund maintained the pressure.

    Guirassy continued to trouble Monterrey’s defense and squandered the chance for a first-half hat-trick when he slid Jobe Bellingham’s cross wide. He then saw another attempt blocked by Andrada.

    Monterrey returned from the halftime interval with fresh urgency, reducing the deficit in the 48th minute through Berterame, who nodded in from close range after Daniel Svensson’s defensive header deflected off Erick Aguirre and into the path of the Mexico international.

    The Rayados pushed forward in search of an equalizer and Jesus Corona drew a reflex save from Kobel after Sergio Canales’ deft through ball.

    Corona then fired over after dribbling into the box, and Oliver Torres forced another stop with a clever volley.

    Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos had a gilt-edged chance to equalize in the 91st-minute but headed inches wide from Aguirre’s cross. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US to deport nearly 4,000 illegal migrants from Ecuador in first half of 2025

    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

    QUITO, July 2 (Xinhua) — The United States has deported 3,977 illegal Ecuadorian migrants in the first half of 2025, the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

    That number includes 38 Ecuadorians who arrived in the coastal city of Guayaquil on Monday on a U.S. Air Force plane. The U.S. Embassy said on its social media account that it was enforcing the country’s immigration laws and deporting illegal migrants.

    According to the agency, by June 30, 3,939 Ecuadorians had been deported from the United States on 46 flights, not counting the latest arrivals.

    The Ecuadorian government offers repatriates a monthly stipend of US$470 for the first three months of their return. Additional support measures include vocational training, educational opportunities and scholarship programs. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Wimbledon: Sinner remains ice cool as Gauff, Pegula and Zverev join bonfire of seeds

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    World number one Jannik Sinner stayed ice cool to move serenely into the Wimbledon second round but it was a second successive day of upsets at a sizzling All England Club as a succession of seeded players crashed and burned on Tuesday.

    American second seed Coco Gauff, chasing a French Open-Wimbledon double after her Paris triumph, was the day’s most surprising casualty, losing 7-6(3) 6-1 to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska as the sun set on a sultry day.

    Gauff’s compatriot Taylor Fritz, the world number five, survived a five-set firefight by the skin of his teeth against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

    But the same could not be said of 13 of the men’s seeds who fell at the first hurdle – a Wimbledon record since 32 seeds were introduced in 2001.

    Nine seeds also perished in the women’s first round while the eight top-10 seeds to go out across both singles draws amounted to the highest at a Grand Slam in the professional era.

    Germany’s Alexander Zverev was the most notable men’s casualty, the third seed losing 7-6(3) 6-7(8) 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 to France’s Arthur Rinderknech in a marathon duel that began on Monday and was locked at one set apiece overnight.

    “I’m not sure he’s ever played a match like that in his life,” said Zverev, who is still chasing a first Grand Slam title after 38 attempts.

    Italian Lorenzo Musetti, seeded seventh, was bundled out on Court Two by Nikoloz Basilashvili – the same court where earlier American women’s third seed Jessica Pegula was sent packing 6-2 6-3 by Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

    A red-hot Sinner never looked like joining the exodus as he beat fellow Italian and close friend Luca Nardi 6-4 6-3 6-0 in a victorious return to the Grand Slam stage after his epic French Open final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz last month.

    “I tried to put the friendship away for a couple of hours,” Sinner, who conceded only four points when he landed his first serve, told reporters.

    Novak Djokovic closed out the day’s action on the main showcourt by getting past Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-1 6-7(7) 6-2 6-2 despite being hampered by a stomach bug midway through his match. He will face Briton Dan Evans next.

    After seven British players won singles matches on Monday – a professional era record at Wimbledon – home fans had more to cheer on Tuesday as fourth seed Jack Draper, his nation’s big hope, avoided any dramas by easing past Argentina’s Sebastian Baez who retired hurt trailing 6-2 6-2 2-1.

    In total, 10 British players have reached round two.

    KREJCIKOVA TESTED

    Women’s defending champion Barbora Krejcikova was tested by promising 20-year-old Filipina Alexandra Eala but after a slow start she found her form to win 3-6 6-2 6-1 on her return to Centre Court after last year’s surprise triumph.

    “I mean, what the hell (kind of tennis) she played in the first set?” said Krejcikova, praising her opponent.

    “She was smashing the ball and cleaning the lines, so wow, wow. She’s going to be really good in a couple of years.”

    Five-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, seeded eight, has yet to conquer Wimbledon but showed positive signs when she beat Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-1 while Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva advanced after a 6-3 6-3 victory over Mayar Sherif.

    Both might have expected Gauff to be a major obstacle but the world number two subsided against Yastremska.

    “I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,” Gauff said about the spell following her Paris triumph last month.

    “I didn’t feel I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it.”

    The women’s draw is now without three of its top five seeds after number five Zheng Qinwen of China, the Olympic champion, suffered a third successive Wimbledon first-round defeat, beaten 7-5 4-6 6-1 by Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova.

    “I believe if I get through the first match, I will start to play better and better (on grass),” Zheng said. “The problem is the first match for me is complicated.”

    Many will lament the exit of Wimbledon dark horse Alexander Bublik, seeded 28th. The Kazakh showman is guaranteed entertainment with his array of trick shots but he was unable to avoid the exit door, as he was dragged into battle by Spaniard Jaume Munar and beaten 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2.

    Late in the day yet another seed fell when Frenchman Ugo Umbert was beaten by veteran countryman Gael Monfils, again defying his 38 years to edge a five-setter.

    American Fritz survived, though, letting out a huge roar as he beat Perricard 6-7(6) 6-7(8) 6-4 7-6(6) 6-4 in a match carried forward from Monday. Perricard’s consolation for losing the cliffhanger was a 153 mph serve – a Wimbledon record.

    Tommy Paul took out Briton Johannus Monday with little fuss, the 13th seed cruising through 6-4 6-4 6-2, but it was the end of the road for fellow American and 30th seed Alex Michelsen who fell 6-2 3-6 6-3 3-6 7-6(6) to Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

    Zeynep Sonmez became the first Turkish woman to reach the second round at the grasscourt Grand Slam when she battled past Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 7-6(3) 6-3.

    Victoria Mboko found out a few hours before she faced Magdalena Frech that she had entered the main draw as a Lucky Loser due to Anastasia Potapova’s withdrawal and the Canadian teenager rode her luck to stun the 25th seed 6-3 6-2.

    Fourteen years after first adding her name to the Wimbledon honours board, twice champion Petra Kvitova performed her last dance on the lawns, the Czech losing 6-3 6-1 to American 10th seed Emma Navarro.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: ACCWS releases new report on greater BRICS cooperation

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

    The BRICS Seminar on Governance & Cultural Exchange Forum 2025 is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 30, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    The Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) on Monday released a report titled “Greater BRICS Cooperation: A Pillar of Stability and Progress in a Changing World” at the BRICS Seminar on Governance & Cultural Exchange Forum 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    Presented by ACCWS Vice President Sun Jingxin, the report highlights how BRICS has evolved from a concept into a major platform for Global South cooperation and is now entering a new phase of greater BRICS cooperation. 

    The study examines the contributions that BRICS has made across areas including political security, economic development, technological innovation, environmental protection and cultural exchange, emphasizing its growing influence on global governance.  

    According to the report, the greater BRICS has remained true to its founding mission of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. Its evolving vision manifests in five key dimensions that continuously enhance the bloc’s global influence: boosting growth, pursuing reform, championing inclusiveness, deepening cooperation and advancing sustainability. 

    Specifically, “boosting” stands for the greater BRICS’ resolve to inject robust impetus into global development, “reformative” signifies a commitment to global governance transformation, “inclusive” demonstrates a commitment to openness and cross-civilization dialogue, “cooperative” exemplifies the modern interpretation of partnership, and “sustainable” shows the focus on long-term progress and future well-being. 

    Sun also stressed that as the world navigates unprecedented transformation, the international community — developing countries in particular — expects BRICS to serve three vital roles: as a standard-bearer for collective self-reliance, a trailblazer for Global South interests, and an architect of a more just world order. This leadership, he concluded, will be essential to securing a future marked by peace, stability and sustainable progress.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bolivarian Alliance Condemns US Policy Towards Cuba

    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

    CARACAS, July 2 (Xinhua) — The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas-Peoples’ Trade Agreement (ALBA-TPA) on Tuesday strongly condemned the U.S. policy of intensifying economic aggression against Cuba.

    In its statement, the Latin American bloc condemned Washington’s decision to renew the presidential memorandum strengthening the blockade of Cuba.

    The decision marks an intensification of US efforts to achieve regime change and undermine key sectors in Cuba, including tourism, health, migration, cultural and academic exchanges, and access to technology, the alliance said in a statement.

    The true intention of the US government is to dominate Cuba and control its future, the statement said. The Bolivarian Alliance stressed its unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and government in defense of sovereignty, freedom and self-determination. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • EU to add international CO2 credits to next climate goal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Commission will on Wednesday propose an EU climate target for 2040 that for the first time will allow countries to use carbon credits from developing nations to meet a limited share of their emissions goal, a draft of the proposal showed.

    The draft, seen by Reuters, said the European Union executive would propose a legally-binding target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, from 1990 levels – with the aim of keeping the EU on course for its core climate aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

    But following pressure from governments including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic, the draft EU proposal includes flexibilities that would soften the 90% emissions target for European industries.

    Previous EU emissions targets have been based entirely on domestic emissions cuts.

    Reflecting Germany’s public stance, up to 3 percentage points of the 2040 target can be covered by carbon credits bought from other countries through a U.N.-backed market, the draft said, reducing the effort required by domestic industries.

    The carbon credits would be phased in from 2036, and the EU will propose legislation “setting robust and high integrity criteria and standards, and conditions on origin, timing and use of such credits,” the draft said.

    Countries would also get more flexibility on choosing which sectors in their economy contribute most towards the 2040 goal, it said.

    Climate change has made Europe the world’s fastest warming continent and a heatwave this week has caused wildfires and disruption across the continent, but Europe’s ambitious policies to combat temperature rise have stoked tensions within the 27-member bloc.

    While the European Commission has pitched its climate agenda as a way to improve Europe’s competitiveness and security, some governments and lawmakers say industries reeling from U.S. tariffs and high energy costs cannot afford tougher emissions rules.

    “Decarbonisation is not only crucial for the planet, but also a key driver of economic growth when integrated with industrial, competition, and trade policies,” the draft said.

    A Commission spokesperson declined to comment on the draft, which could change before it is published.

    Carbon credits are generated by projects that reduce CO2 emissions abroad – for example, forest restoration in Brazil, and raise funds for such projects. However, investigations have shown some credits failed to deliver the environmental benefits they claimed.

    The EU’s climate science advisers have opposed counting them towards the 2040 target, and said spending money on foreign carbon credits would divert investments from local industries.

    EU countries and lawmakers must negotiate and approve the 2040 goal. That lawmaking process can take years, but the EU faces a deadline of mid-September to submit a new 2035 climate target to the U.N. – which the Commission has said should be derived from the 2040 goal.

    (Reuters)

  • ‘Looking forward to interacting with world leaders’, PM Modi embarks on historic 5-nation tour

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister on Wednesday departed on a week-long visit to five countries — Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia — with an aim to deepen India’s ties across the Global South and expand partnerships in key sectors including trade, investment, energy and capacity building.

    In the first leg of the visit, the Prime Minister will be in Ghana from July 2 to 3 at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama. Describing Ghana as a valued partner in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Prime Minister said discussions would focus on strengthening historical ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation in investment, energy, health, security and development partnership. He will also address the Parliament of Ghana during the visit.

    On July 3-4, the Prime Minister will visit Trinidad & Tobago, marking a significant moment in India’s relations with the Caribbean nation. He will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who recently began her second term in office. Highlighting the shared cultural and historical bonds, the Prime Minister noted that the visit coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indians in Trinidad & Tobago and would help rejuvenate the special ties of ancestry and kinship.

    The Prime Minister will then travel to Argentina, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 57 years. In Buenos Aires, he will hold talks with President Javier Milei. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology and investment. Argentina is one of India’s key partners in Latin America and an important collaborator in the G20.

    The Prime Minister will participate in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. As a founding member, India remains committed to BRICS as a platform for strengthening cooperation among emerging economies. On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders. He will subsequently travel to Brasilia for a bilateral State Visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Brazil in nearly six decades — to hold discussions with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on advancing common priorities for the Global South.

    In the final leg of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit Namibia, underscoring the shared history of struggle against colonialism between the two nations. He will hold talks with President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to chart a new roadmap for cooperation in diverse areas. He is also scheduled to address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament to mark the enduring solidarity between India and Namibia.

    Expressing confidence ahead of his departure, the Prime Minister said the visit will reinforce India’s bonds of friendship across the Global South, strengthen partnerships across the Atlantic, and deepen engagement with multilateral forums such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and CARICOM.

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Palestinian Occupied Territories – Five months of forced displacement and escalating humanitarian needs amid advancing annexation in the West Bank – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

    2 July, Jerusalem – More than 40,000 people in the northern West Bank remain forcibly displaced, cut off from their homes and left with very limited access to basic services and healthcare five months after the launch of the Israeli military operation ‘Iron Wall’. 

    This large-scale military campaign has seen Israeli forces raid and violently empty well-established refugee camps in northern West Bank. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns that people are facing deteriorating health and living conditions, as the Israeli forces are still causing widespread destruction, and occupying the three refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams – preventing any return and barring access.

    “After five months, the military operation continues. The camps remain sealed off, with Israeli soldiers actively preventing anyone from entering. Families are still in limbo, and we’re worried that humanitarian needs will keep escalating,” says Simona Onidi, MSF project coordinator in Jenin and Tulkarem.

    To mark this grim milestone, MSF is releasing a new advocacy briefing note, Five Months Under Iron Wall, highlighting the human toll of prolonged displacement in the West Bank. The note draws on MSF’s field presence, operational data, and nearly 300 interviews conducted in mid-May across 17 locations where MSF works in northern West Bank, with forcibly displaced refugees from the three camps.

    Findings show that displacement-affected communities face growing instability and unmet needs such as access to healthcare and to regular food and water. Nearly half of the people spoken to have been forcibly displaced three or more times in four months, while nearly three out of four are unsure if they can stay where they currently are. Over a third report feeling unsafe where they currently reside. Mental health needs are also mounting, especially among women and children, as repeated displacement, uncertainty, and being violently displaced compound distress.

    “We live in a constant state of fear. Israeli forces frequently patrol the area near where I’m staying. My family and I keep our bags packed at all times, ready to flee if we’re displaced again.” – Displaced woman from Nur Shams Refugee Camp.

    MSF’s findings also reveal a disturbing pattern of violence and obstruction targeting displaced residents attempting to return to their homes in the camps, with over 100 incidents of indiscriminate violence reported. This includes shootings, assault, and detentions and is affecting people of all ages and genders. Some families found their homes burned, looted, or occupied; others were explicitly threatened and told never to come back. Returns are heavily restricted, with only limited time granted or access denied altogether.

    “When I came back to my home in the camp, it had been burned down — and my neighbour had been killed.” – Displaced man from Tulkarem Refugee Camp.

    One in three people could not reach a doctor when needed – mainly due to cost, distance, or lack of transport. Nearly half spoken to report inconsistent access to food and water, and 35 per cent of those with chronic illnesses are unable to get regular medication.

    In response to the unfolding crisis, MSF set up mobile medical teams which run in more than 40 public sites, displacement shelters in Jenin and Tulkarem and basic health care centres run by Ministry of Health facilities, offering basic health care services as well as mental health support and health promotion activities.

    The Iron Wall military operation is neither the beginning nor the end of the violence endured by Palestinians in the West Bank. This latest escalation comes on top of an already dire situation that has been steadily deteriorating, particularly since October 2023. As MSF’s February 2025 report Inflicting Harm and Denying Care shows, the West Bank has long been the site of repeated violations against civilians and medical organisations, and the current humanitarian crisis in the northern governorates cannot be understood in isolation from the broader context of coercive, violent measures and annexation.

    “What we’re seeing in the northern West Bank is not just a humanitarian emergency; it’s a man-made crisis, prolonged by design, and worsening by the day,” says Simona Onidi. “Humanitarian assistance is insufficient and inconsistent, organisations must step up their response to provide people with shelter, medical care, mental health support, and protection. We also call for an end to the Israeli military operations and lethal use of force, leading to death and injuries, and for displaced communities to be allowed to return safely and with dignity”.

     

    “Five Months Under Iron Wall: The Human Toll of Prolonged Displacement & Territorial Fragmentation in the West Bank” ( https://www.msf.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/202506_Briefing_Note_Iron_Wall_5_Months_After%201.pdf )

     

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • PM Modi sets off on landmark 5-nation tour, eager to engage with global leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked for Accra, Ghana, marking the first leg of his five-nation tour aimed at reinforcing India’s global partnerships, with a focus on strengthening bonds across the Global South and both sides of the Atlantic.

    The tour includes visits to Ghana, Trinidad &amp, Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia- nations that PM Modi described as vital partners in India’s evolving foreign policy architecture, spanning historical ties, cultural linkages, economic engagement and multilateral cooperation.

    In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “At the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama, I will visit Ghana on July 2-3. Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.”

    He expressed anticipation about deepening bilateral cooperation in areas, including investment, energy, health, security, and development partnership. “As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana,” he said.

    The Prime Minister will then travel to Trinidad &amp, Tobago from July 3-4, a country he said shares “deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people connect” with India.

    “I will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has recently assumed office for the second term,” he noted.

    Highlighting the longstanding diaspora bond, PM Modi recalled, “Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the special bonds of ancestry and kinship that unite us.”

    From Port of Spain, PM Modi will head to Buenos Aires, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years.

    Calling Argentina “a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20,” he said, “I look forward to my discussions with President Javier Milei, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting last year. We will focus on advancing our mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.”

    Following Argentina, the Prime Minister will participate in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. Emphasising India’s foundational role in the bloc, he said, “As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order.”

    PM Modi also confirmed he will meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. The visit to Brazil will continue with a bilateral state visit to Brasilia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades.

    “This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our close partnership with Brazil, and work with my friend, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on advancing the priorities of the Global South,” he said.

    The final leg of PM Modi’s tour will take him to Namibia, which he described as “a trusted partner with whom we share a common history of struggle against colonialism.” The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to meeting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and “charting a new roadmap for cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, our regions and the wider Global South.” He will also address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament.

    PM Modi expressed optimism about the outcomes of his multi-nation tour, stating, “I am confident that my visits to the five countries will reinforce our bonds of friendship across the Global South, strengthen our partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic, and deepen engagements in the multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and the CARICOM.” (IANS)

  • PM Modi sets off on landmark 5-nation tour, eager to engage with global leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked for Accra, Ghana, marking the first leg of his five-nation tour aimed at reinforcing India’s global partnerships, with a focus on strengthening bonds across the Global South and both sides of the Atlantic.

    The tour includes visits to Ghana, Trinidad &amp, Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia- nations that PM Modi described as vital partners in India’s evolving foreign policy architecture, spanning historical ties, cultural linkages, economic engagement and multilateral cooperation.

    In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “At the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama, I will visit Ghana on July 2-3. Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.”

    He expressed anticipation about deepening bilateral cooperation in areas, including investment, energy, health, security, and development partnership. “As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana,” he said.

    The Prime Minister will then travel to Trinidad &amp, Tobago from July 3-4, a country he said shares “deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people connect” with India.

    “I will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has recently assumed office for the second term,” he noted.

    Highlighting the longstanding diaspora bond, PM Modi recalled, “Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the special bonds of ancestry and kinship that unite us.”

    From Port of Spain, PM Modi will head to Buenos Aires, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years.

    Calling Argentina “a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20,” he said, “I look forward to my discussions with President Javier Milei, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting last year. We will focus on advancing our mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.”

    Following Argentina, the Prime Minister will participate in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. Emphasising India’s foundational role in the bloc, he said, “As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order.”

    PM Modi also confirmed he will meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. The visit to Brazil will continue with a bilateral state visit to Brasilia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades.

    “This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our close partnership with Brazil, and work with my friend, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on advancing the priorities of the Global South,” he said.

    The final leg of PM Modi’s tour will take him to Namibia, which he described as “a trusted partner with whom we share a common history of struggle against colonialism.” The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to meeting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and “charting a new roadmap for cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, our regions and the wider Global South.” He will also address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament.

    PM Modi expressed optimism about the outcomes of his multi-nation tour, stating, “I am confident that my visits to the five countries will reinforce our bonds of friendship across the Global South, strengthen our partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic, and deepen engagements in the multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and the CARICOM.” (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two killed in training plane crash in southeastern Brazil

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    SAO PAULO, July 1 (Xinhua) — A light training aircraft crashed in Brazil’s southeastern Sao Paulo state on Tuesday, killing two people, local fire officials said.

    The plane crashed in a deserted area of the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto after taking off from the local airport.

    Globo TV reported, citing firefighters, that there were two people on board the plane, both of whom died.

    Local police and the Brazilian Air Force’s Accident Investigation and Prevention Center are investigating the cause of the crash. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By James Marcus Drymon, Associate Extension Professor in Marine Fisheries Ecology, Mississippi State University

    These ‘pez diablo,’ or devil fish, are actually guitarfishes that have been caught, killed, dried and carved into exotic shapes. Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    From the Loch Ness monster to Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, to the jackalope of the U.S. West, mythical animals have long captured human imagination.

    Some people are so fascinated with mythical creatures that they create their own, either working from pure fantasy or by modifying real animals. In a newly published study, we show that in countries such as Mexico, people are catching, drying and shaping guitarfishes – members of the rhino ray family, one of the most threatened groups of marine fishes – to create mythical specimens called “pez diablo,” or devil fish.

    Depending on where these curios are sold, they might also be referred to as Jenny Hanivers, garadiávolos or rayas chupacabras. The origin and meaning of the term “Jenny Haniver” is unclear, but the most accepted explanation is “Jeune d’Anvers,” or “young girl from Antwerp” in French.

    We found that pez diablo are made for many reasons, including as curios for the tourist trade and as purported cures for cancer, arthritis and anemia. Some are simply used for hoaxes. Regardless, the pez diablo trade could threaten the survival of guitarfishes.

    Young guitarfishes on display at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

    Fishy talismans

    Skates and rays, including guitarfishes, are flat-bodied fishes related to sharks and are found worldwide. Together, they make up a group known as elasmobranchs, which are characterized by their unique skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone like most other fishes.

    Skates have long been used to craft mythical creatures. The earliest known examples date back to 1558 in Europe, where they were fashioned to resemble dragons. These objects were thought to offer pathways to the divine or medicinal cures.

    In the mid-20th century, dried guitarfishes emerged as a new generation of mythical creatures. This may be because their unique shape can be fashioned into more humanlike forms. Their long nostrils, which are positioned just above their mouths, can resemble eyes.

    The ‘eyes’ of these dried guitarfishes are actually nostrils on top of the fishes’ long, pointed snouts.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    The first known case of a modified guitarfish was described in 1933. Since then, specimens have made their way into museums, and dozens of North American newspapers have published stories featuring modified guitarfishes.

    A real and endangered fish

    Guitarfishes are one of the most threatened vertebrate groups on the planet: Without careful management, they are at risk of global extinction. As many as two-thirds of all guitarfishes are classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List, a global inventory that assesses extinction risks to wild species.

    Guitarfishes are found in warm temperate and tropical oceans around the world. Fishers target them as an inexpensive source of protein. Guitarfishes may also be caught accidentally or collected live for the aquarium trade.

    Ultimately, however, these species are worth more as pez diablo than for other uses. For example, an entire fresh guitarfish in Mexico is worth approximately US$2, whereas guitarfish that have been killed, dried and carved into pez diablo can be worth anywhere from $50–$500 on eBay and other e-commerce sites.

    Curbing the pez diablo trade

    Internationally, the guitarfish trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments. This agreement requires member countries to manage guitarfish trade across international borders.

    Most countries where guitarfishes occur, however, do not have national regulations to protect these species. As a result, people who create or sell pez diablo are likely unaware that these fishes are threatened.

    There are as many as 37 species of guitarfish, some of which are at higher risk of extinction than others. Yet to the untrained eye, it can be hard to distinguish one guitarfish species from another. It’s especially hard to identify dried and mutilated guitarfishes that have been processed into pez diablo and look very different from their natural form.

    An intact guitarfish, left, and a carved, dried version.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    This is a common challenge for agencies that monitor trade in animal products. The global wildlife trade is an enormous market, involving billions of animals moving through both legal and illegal channels. Many wildlife products are heavily altered, which makes it hard to identify the species and determine where the product came from.

    Another source of confusion is that many people in Mexico also refer to an invasive freshwater fish that has overrun lakes and rivers across the nation as pez diablo. This “other” pez diablo is actually a suckermouth catfish and is not at all related to any of the threatened guitarfishes. Local education efforts need to distinguish clearly between these two species, since the desired outcome is to protect guitarfish while removing the invasive catfish.

    A dried and modified guitarfish, left, compared with an invasive suckermouth catfish.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    Guitarfish CSI

    Fortunately, advances in wildlife forensics offer a way to distinguish between species. Molecular techniques have been used to identify many illegally traded species, including guitarfishes. By taking a small skin sample, scientists can use DNA to identify the species of individual pez diablo. This method can help protect endangered species by helping to ensure that laws against wildlife trafficking are followed.

    Refining this kind of molecular tool is the most promising way to improve traceability in the trade of guitarfishes. By documenting where and how pez diablo are traded, scientists and conservationists can help clarify the threats to these species. The pez diablo is an imaginary creature, but it is doing real harm to threatened guitarfishes in the world’s warm oceans.

    Bryan Huerta-Beltran receives funding from Save Our Seas Foundation.

    Nicole Phillips is affiliated with the Sawfish Conservation Society and receives funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation.

    James Marcus Drymon and Peter Kyne do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk – https://theconversation.com/trade-in-a-mythical-fish-is-threatening-real-species-of-rays-that-are-rare-and-at-risk-247433

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By James Marcus Drymon, Associate Extension Professor in Marine Fisheries Ecology, Mississippi State University

    These ‘pez diablo,’ or devil fish, are actually guitarfishes that have been caught, killed, dried and carved into exotic shapes. Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    From the Loch Ness monster to Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, to the jackalope of the U.S. West, mythical animals have long captured human imagination.

    Some people are so fascinated with mythical creatures that they create their own, either working from pure fantasy or by modifying real animals. In a newly published study, we show that in countries such as Mexico, people are catching, drying and shaping guitarfishes – members of the rhino ray family, one of the most threatened groups of marine fishes – to create mythical specimens called “pez diablo,” or devil fish.

    Depending on where these curios are sold, they might also be referred to as Jenny Hanivers, garadiávolos or rayas chupacabras. The origin and meaning of the term “Jenny Haniver” is unclear, but the most accepted explanation is “Jeune d’Anvers,” or “young girl from Antwerp” in French.

    We found that pez diablo are made for many reasons, including as curios for the tourist trade and as purported cures for cancer, arthritis and anemia. Some are simply used for hoaxes. Regardless, the pez diablo trade could threaten the survival of guitarfishes.

    Young guitarfishes on display at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

    Fishy talismans

    Skates and rays, including guitarfishes, are flat-bodied fishes related to sharks and are found worldwide. Together, they make up a group known as elasmobranchs, which are characterized by their unique skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone like most other fishes.

    Skates have long been used to craft mythical creatures. The earliest known examples date back to 1558 in Europe, where they were fashioned to resemble dragons. These objects were thought to offer pathways to the divine or medicinal cures.

    In the mid-20th century, dried guitarfishes emerged as a new generation of mythical creatures. This may be because their unique shape can be fashioned into more humanlike forms. Their long nostrils, which are positioned just above their mouths, can resemble eyes.

    The ‘eyes’ of these dried guitarfishes are actually nostrils on top of the fishes’ long, pointed snouts.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    The first known case of a modified guitarfish was described in 1933. Since then, specimens have made their way into museums, and dozens of North American newspapers have published stories featuring modified guitarfishes.

    A real and endangered fish

    Guitarfishes are one of the most threatened vertebrate groups on the planet: Without careful management, they are at risk of global extinction. As many as two-thirds of all guitarfishes are classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List, a global inventory that assesses extinction risks to wild species.

    Guitarfishes are found in warm temperate and tropical oceans around the world. Fishers target them as an inexpensive source of protein. Guitarfishes may also be caught accidentally or collected live for the aquarium trade.

    Ultimately, however, these species are worth more as pez diablo than for other uses. For example, an entire fresh guitarfish in Mexico is worth approximately US$2, whereas guitarfish that have been killed, dried and carved into pez diablo can be worth anywhere from $50–$500 on eBay and other e-commerce sites.

    Curbing the pez diablo trade

    Internationally, the guitarfish trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments. This agreement requires member countries to manage guitarfish trade across international borders.

    Most countries where guitarfishes occur, however, do not have national regulations to protect these species. As a result, people who create or sell pez diablo are likely unaware that these fishes are threatened.

    There are as many as 37 species of guitarfish, some of which are at higher risk of extinction than others. Yet to the untrained eye, it can be hard to distinguish one guitarfish species from another. It’s especially hard to identify dried and mutilated guitarfishes that have been processed into pez diablo and look very different from their natural form.

    An intact guitarfish, left, and a carved, dried version.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    This is a common challenge for agencies that monitor trade in animal products. The global wildlife trade is an enormous market, involving billions of animals moving through both legal and illegal channels. Many wildlife products are heavily altered, which makes it hard to identify the species and determine where the product came from.

    Another source of confusion is that many people in Mexico also refer to an invasive freshwater fish that has overrun lakes and rivers across the nation as pez diablo. This “other” pez diablo is actually a suckermouth catfish and is not at all related to any of the threatened guitarfishes. Local education efforts need to distinguish clearly between these two species, since the desired outcome is to protect guitarfish while removing the invasive catfish.

    A dried and modified guitarfish, left, compared with an invasive suckermouth catfish.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    Guitarfish CSI

    Fortunately, advances in wildlife forensics offer a way to distinguish between species. Molecular techniques have been used to identify many illegally traded species, including guitarfishes. By taking a small skin sample, scientists can use DNA to identify the species of individual pez diablo. This method can help protect endangered species by helping to ensure that laws against wildlife trafficking are followed.

    Refining this kind of molecular tool is the most promising way to improve traceability in the trade of guitarfishes. By documenting where and how pez diablo are traded, scientists and conservationists can help clarify the threats to these species. The pez diablo is an imaginary creature, but it is doing real harm to threatened guitarfishes in the world’s warm oceans.

    Bryan Huerta-Beltran receives funding from Save Our Seas Foundation.

    Nicole Phillips is affiliated with the Sawfish Conservation Society and receives funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation.

    James Marcus Drymon and Peter Kyne do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk – https://theconversation.com/trade-in-a-mythical-fish-is-threatening-real-species-of-rays-that-are-rare-and-at-risk-247433

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Works to Remove Republican Tax Bill Provisions Threatening Rural Hospitals

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 1, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) led the charge in the House to protect rural hospitals and patients from Republicans’ assault on Medicaid. Rep. Vasquez introduced an amendment to block harmful provisions in the Big Ugly Bill that would slash hospital funding, particularly in rural communities — the top issue raised at a recent Medicaid roundtable he hosted with health care providers and hospital administrators in New Mexico. If the bill passes without Vasquez’s amendment, it will limit state directed payments and ban new provider taxes, gutting the support hospitals rely on to keep their doors open and serve those most in need. 

    “This Republican bill will decimate rural health care to pay for tax breaks for the rich,” said Vasquez. “In a state where the vast majority of our hospitals are operating on the brink, this Republican proposal will devastate New Mexico’s Medicaid system and force rural hospitals to shut their doors – that’s a fact, and that comes directly from the providers I have spoken with in my district. I’m doing everything in my power to strip these destructive Medicaid cuts from the bill because our communities can’t afford to lose access to their health care.”

    In New Mexico, rural hospitals are often the only source for primary care, dental services, labor and delivery, pediatric care, and more. When those hospitals close, entire communities are left with nowhere to turn for the care they need.

    Specifically, Vasquez introduced an amendment to strike sections 71115 and 71116 from the reconciliation bill. 

    • Section 71115 would prohibit states from establishing new provider taxes, critical payments that hospitals and states use to reinvest in health care. Without these funds states will be forced to reduce services and  increase state taxes. 
    • Section 71116 would limit state directed payments (SDPs) to the Medicare payment rate instead of the average private insurance rate, which better reflects the actual cost of care and is used to ensure that quality providers stay in rural areas. 

    Taken together, capping SDPs and ending provider taxes is a death sentence for rural health care. It will force hospitals to cut critical services – like maternity care, mental health care, and emergency rooms – or shut down entirely. 

    “If the reconciliation bill passes as-is, the interconnected network of New Mexico’s hospitals is at great risk. In this huge state, with these few hospitals, we cannot maintain access to care if rural hospitals are forced to cut services or face closure,” said Troy Clark, New Mexico Hospital Association. “When we talk about state directed payments and provider taxes, these aren’t just wonky policy topics — they are a critical part of the Medicaid reimbursement that covers providers’ cost for delivering care to New Mexicans. This has real, tangible impacts on New Mexicans’ health and wellbeing.”

    Vasquez also introduced an amendment to cap insulin costs at $35 per month for people with private insurance. The Congressman elaborated on his concerns about Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts in an op-ed published in the Santa Fe New Mexican earlier this week, calling out the danger of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gosar Introduces Legislation Delisting the Mexican Wolf from the Endangered Species Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after introducing H.R. 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals (ESA) Act, legislation delisting the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act and delinking its populations in the United States and Mexico:

    “Since being reintroduced to the wild in Arizona, Mexican wolves have preyed on cattle, livestock, and even family pets, causing significant financial losses and economic hardship on family-run ranches.

    The Mexican wolf has lingered on the Endangered Species list for nearly 40 years. During that time, there have been numerous accounts of livestock killings and even declines in some big game herds since these wolves were first listed. Much of this can be attributed to failed management by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) as the uncontrolled and unmanaged wolf populations have been allowed to roam free. In fact, nearly 90% of the wolf’s original habitat falls within the border of Mexico.  Significant attacks by wolves on cattle, elk, moose, and sheep have occurred and have negatively impacted hunters and ranchers throughout Arizona.

    To make matters worse, the USFWS considers recovery within the borders of Mexico in its management goals. American ranchers are being punished for Mexico’s failure to manage its own animal populations effectively.  Immediate delinking is needed to ensure American ranchers are put first.  

    Unfortunately, lawsuits filed by extremist environmental groups have prevented the Mexican wolf from being delisted nationally, even though the Mexican wolf was released into Arizona and New Mexico as part of an experimental program. 

    The Mexican wolf population has grown steadily since being reintroduced to the wild.  In the U.S., the Mexican wolf population now exceeds the original federal recovery goals for wolves in the wild, with hundreds more in captivity for breeding.  Now a stable population, the wolf is no longer in danger of extinction and should be delisted from the Endangered Species Act,” stated Congressman Gosar.

    “The Mexican wolf is destroying the livelihood of western ranchers by slaughtering their cattle. Because of its status as an endangered species–a falsehood perpetuated by the Biden Administration and environmental groups–ranchers cannot protect their herds from these predators,” added Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05). “I’m thankful that Rep. Gosar is leading the effort to allow Arizona ranchers to protect their cattle without fear of repercussions from the federal government. Cattle are a vital part of Arizona’s economy, and Congress must ensure that ranchers are able to protect their herds from dangerous predators.”

    “Now is the time to recognize the catastrophic impact that bad federal policy has on local communities.  For too long, ranchers in states near our southern border have shouldered the burden of managing this species with limited tools and little support from the federal government who has imposed all manners of burdens. Ranchers and rural communities face daily challenges such as livestock predation and threats to community safety due to overpopulated wolf packs. We commend Congressman Gosar for introducing the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act and working to bring some relief to these communities,” said Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director, Public Lands Council. 

    The 10(J) experimental population listing of the Mexican wolf is one of the clearest examples in the country of ESA abuse by the environmental community and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal protections have been misused by activists to control landscapes and land managers, and their rhetoric often contradicts established science. The rapid increase in wolf populations, coupled with these federal protections, has restricted management options for producers, leading to an increase in cattle losses that negatively impact their profitability. I would like to thank Congressman Gosar for introducing the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act that acknowledges the abuse of the ESA with the Mexican wolf listing and seeks to provide relief to U.S. cattle producers,” stated National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane.

    “We applaud Representative Gosar for his leadership on efforts to delist the Mexican wolf,” said John Boelts, President of the Arizona Farm Bureau. “For years, our members have dealt with the devastating effects of the reintroduction of this apex predator. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently reported that the Mexican wolf population in the U.S. has surpassed 280. It’s time to delist the species and provide relief to Arizona’s ranchers and rural communities who have dealt with years of negative impacts and complex regulations. State governments should now be given the opportunity to manage the wolf population directly.”

    Original Cosponsors: 

    Representatives Biggs (AZ), Boebert, Crane, Hageman, Hamadeh, Hurd, LaMalfa, Stauber, Tiffany, Zinke

    Outside Group Supporters:

    American Farm Bureau Federation, American Lands Council, Arizona Farm Bureau, Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, Blue River Cowbelles, Catron County Commission, Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties, Cochise-Graham Cattle Growers’ Association, Eastern Arizona Counties Organization, Graham County Chamber of Commerce, Greenlee County Board of Supervisors, Greenlee County Cattle Growers’ Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, New Mexico Federal Lands Council, Protect Agriculture Now, Public Lands Council, R-CALF USA, Southeaster Arizona Sportsmen Club

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Unlock Financing through UN Joint SDG Fund, Urges Deputy Secretary-General at Sevilla Conference

    Source: United Nations 4

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the side event, “Catalysing Change:  Unlocking Impactful Financing at Scale through the UN Joint SDG Fund”, during the Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, Spain:

    I am delighted to join you today to showcase how the UN Joint SDG Fund is turning the Financing for Development 4 vision into a reality on the ground.  Ten years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development], we face a stark reality:  while progress on the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] has delivered for millions, it has not kept pace with the scale of global challenges. The financing gap for the SDGs now exceeds $4 trillion annually, while multiple crises and shifting priorities threaten our collective ambition.

    Delivering on the vision of the 2030 Agenda requires finding and scaling-up innovative solutions.  This is the purpose of the Joint SDG Fund.  The Fund is an innovative and powerful instrument to drive change, break siloed approaches, and unlock financing at scale.

    Since its inception, the Fund has committed over $380 million, enabling a whole-of-UN-system response to pressing challenges.  This commitment has leveraged a further $6.6 billion in contributions from the wider ecosystem of development partners at country level.

    This is a clear demonstration of how finite resources, applied strategically, can crowd-in far greater volumes of capital, and result in far greater impact for the SDGs.

    The secret to the Fund’s success is its innovative approach to financing. Through blended and innovative finance mechanisms — from SDG bonds to energy financing facilities to credit enhancement guarantees — the Fund demonstrates how strategic risk-sharing can attract private capital for sustainable development, while bringing partners together to deliver solutions.

    Consider the following five examples:

    In Indonesia, the Joint SDG Fund supported green and social investments, mobilizing $4.6 billion through specialized bonds that benefited over 7.5 million students and restored 50,000 hectares of mangrove forests.

    In Uruguay, the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund achieved a 1:6 leverage ratio by partnering with seven banks that together account for 80 per cent of the country’s financial sector.

    Kenya’s innovative health financing reached over 1.5 million young people through results-based payment mechanisms working with impact investors.

    North Macedonia’s Green Finance Facility channels resources through six local banks, directing $46.5 million toward environmental projects while supporting women-headed households, Roma communities, and persons with disabilities.  This was achieved in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and others.

    And Zimbabwe’s Renewable Energy Fund showcases how partnerships with private equity funds, such as Old Mutual, can mobilize capital for women and youth-led enterprises in challenging markets.

    These are just a few powerful examples.

    The Fund’s success also stems from its unique positioning within the UN development system, leveraging UN resident coordinators’ convening role and UN country teams’ technical expertise.

    Fundamentally, the Fund represents multilateralism at its most effective — creating a collaborative platform extending beyond the UN system to enable and grow partnerships across the development and finance community.

    But delivering on the Fund’s full potential requires expanded partnership. I call on all Member States, development finance institutions, and private sector partners to deepen engagement with the Fund — not only through financial commitments but through strategic partnerships to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

    Today, we will hear about success stories from Zimbabwe to North Macedonia, from Cabo Verde to Suriname.  These prove that, with the right instruments and partnerships, we can turn global commitments into tangible local transformation.

    The Financing for Development 4 outcome document, the “Sevilla Commitment,” calls for a global SDG investment push.  This is possible by elevating the role of governments in guiding strategic investments; by all development partners, including development banks, working as a system; by removing barriers to private capital; and by ensuring that investments from all partners are designed to deliver the greatest possible impact.

    The Fund stands ready to support and enable this important vision.  With innovation, partnerships, and the catalytic financing that the Joint SDG Fund provides, sustainable development for all remains within our reach.  Let’s get there together.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –