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Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Wake Up America on Newsmax to Discuss Conflict in Middle East, Budget Reconciliation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Wake Up America on Newsmax to discuss the conflict in the Middle East, along with the budget reconciliation package.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the stark contrast between Biden’s and Trump’s posture toward Iran: “What the Democrats did when they were in power is, actually, embolden Iran to do exactly what they’re doing. If you think about it, I worked in President [Donald] Trump’s first administration as U.S. Ambassador. We put the ‘Maximum Pressure Campaign’ on Iran. They were running out of money; they were broke. What does [former President Joe] Biden do? [He] comes back in and reimplements the Obama policies, flush with cash. Iran begins to pedal terror throughout the Middle East. That brought us the October 7th, 2023, massacre in Israel. The Houthis, basically, shut down the Red Sea. The Iranians have been fomenting terror all around the region. The time has come for this to stop. Israel has stepped up and put Iran in a very difficult situation. President Trump has some very important cards right now, and I don’t think the Senate should be interfering with him. I think this can be resolved in days.”

    Hagerty on Iran’s weak negotiating position: “I think the Iranian hand gets weaker by the day. Every missile they shoot [is] one less that they have in their stockpiles. They can’t replenish every time they shoot. They’re identifying a launch site that the Israelis can take out. The story is getting worse and worse and worse for the Iranian regime. I think the Ayatollahs need to hear it loud and clear: President Trump has been consistent in what he’s said for both the 45 term and the 47 term. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. The Ayatollahs now need to figure out what their best path is, but they need to come to the table very quickly. This needs to come to an end.”

    Hagerty on the need to resolve the situation quickly: “President Trump is tired of the carnage. He’s told me so himself. He wants to see this come to an end. He wants to see it come to an end swiftly. But you know that President Trump will take decisive action when need be. He’s the one who decided to take out Soleimani. What did that do? It actually calmed the region. He’s letting the Ayatollahs know that this is serious. He wants this resolved. He’s given them every chance to do it, but they have very limited time window left.”

    Hagerty on the budget reconciliation package negotiations:     “The biggest sticking point of all is the fact that if we don’t get this done, the American public’s going to feel a tax increase like we’ve never felt before, north of $4 trillion. The White House budget model suggests that if that were to happen, we would see the GDP of the United States decline by six percent in 2026. We can’t let that happen. This bill is designed to stimulate more investment, more capital investment in America, which will create more jobs and more economic activity. The sooner we can make that happen, the sooner our economy takes off. So, I think one of the critical elements here that we need to talk about is, frankly, the speed to get this to the President’s desk. So, I’m all for getting this done by the 4th of July. Let him sign it. There are improvements that are underway right now here in the Senate. The senators that have been very focused on this are trying to make the bill more conservative. I’m all for that. We’ve got a real spending problem here in America, but we also have a problem of uncertainty. That uncertainty is, basically, forcing U.S. employers to hold back on the investments that they would normally make. I want to make certain that we get this done quickly, that certainty is returned to the marketplace, and we see capital investment moving, yet again, so that the America that we all know and love, under President Trump’s first term, will come back growing at twice the rate of any other major economy in the world […] I know that Leader [John] Thune is in very close contact with the House of Representatives, and it’ll probably be close on both sides because we’re going to make it as conservative as we possibly can, yet still hold 50 votes here and hold the House. So, that’s the negotiation that’s taking play. It’s complicated, but I think everybody understands the timelines, and I think everyone understands how crucial it is to get this done.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Opening Statement at SAC-D Hearing on FY 26 Budget Request for the Army

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, convened today’s hearing “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Army”. Prepared text of his opening statement follows:

    “With us today are the Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Randy George. Welcome to you both. And happy belated birthday to the U.S. Army.

    “Secretary Driscoll, I’m glad you were able to visit Fort Knox yesterday. As I’m sure you found, far more important than the gold are the fine soldiers and civilians who serve there.

    “We appreciate that both of you are willing to serve our nation at a consequential moment for the Army, the Department of Defense, and U.S. national security. And we’re deeply grateful to the soldiers you lead for their bravery and sacrifice at the tip of the spear.

    “The recent losses of Army personnel in training incidents in Lithuania, Hungary, and Iraq are reminders of the risks U.S. servicemembers take every day to keep us safe. Matching the Army’s structure and capabilities to tomorrow’s challenges while preserving its ability to fight today is essential work. The Army’s history reminds us that we don’t always get to choose the types of war we fight, and must prepare for all contingencies.

    “Congress has backed the Army through a litany of failed modernization programs like Future Combat Systems or Crusader. We’ve watched new requirements, cost overruns, and adversary advances undermine their rationale before they became operational. If the Administration made the case for sustained increases in defense spending, the Army would have a stronger hand when asking Congress to take risks on new initiatives. But net cuts to defense spending make it harder to balance the Army’s current and future requirements. In the face of growing threats, pursuing generational change on the cheap is risky business.

    “As you work with the Congress on the Army Transformation Initiative, I hope you will look to the Marine Corps’ own controversial modernization program as a model of transparency and building trust.

    “Congress has a constitutional obligation to provide for the common defense and steward taxpayer dollars responsibly. And we don’t serve either the taxpayer or the common defense with blank checks for vaguely-defined priorities.

    “We want to see the analysis behind the specific bets the Army wants to place on ATI. We want to understand the second-order effects on industry, other services, and allies. Certainly, the Army needs to be better equipped to face Indo-Pacific contingencies, and we’ll want to understand how ATI intends to achieve this objective.

    “Tomorrow’s Army will need to integrate existing systems and modernized capabilities…Sustain existing industrial relationships and welcome new entrants to the defense enterprise. This is not a zero-sum proposition. And if it’s time to walk away from certain legacy programs, the Army will need to show its work. For example, if it’s time to move on from the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, why did the Army sign an $8 billion contract two years ago to procure more? Why did the Army not coordinate its termination decision for a joint program with the Marine Corps and the other services to gauge whether such a decision would put their budgets, operational capabilities, or readiness at risk? And what is the impact on the defense industrial base the Army relies on?

    “Services have to think through the industrial implication of such decisions. This isn’t an argument to buy vehicles the Army doesn’t need, but a recommendation to consider how existing manufacturing capacity can be put to better use in light of changing requirements. The Army’s abrupt decision to terminate the Robotic Combat Vehicle program also reinforces a tendency to abandon promising capabilities midstream. This signals unreliability to industry partners willing to invest their own capital in future military technologies – in this case, precisely the kind of innovative tech company the Army claims it wants to foster.

    “Of course, when we understand the Army’s challenges and objectives, we can help you achieve them. For example, we combed through unexecutable resources in the FY25 request and found resources to fully fund the Army’s number one unfunded priority for counter-UAS capabilities. Why such an important requirement was unfunded in the first place, however, raises more fundamental questions about the Army and Department’s own budget process. We also provided additional flexibility in funding to address UAS and counter-UAS challenges. And we invested in solid rocket motor production in excess of the previous Administration’s official requests to help advance much-needed replenishment of air-defense interceptors and long-range fires. If the Army shares our concern about a paucity of air defense and counter-UAS capabilities, I hope you can explain why there is so little funding for proven systems like CIWS.

    “This spring, Secretary Hegseth identified modernizing and sustaining the organic industrial base as an urgent priority. When we hear that the Army is considering mothballing purpose-built munitions production facilities already at your disposal, it raises questions about your intent to meet this directive.

    “Army Depots in states like Kentucky, Arkansas, and Alabama have already built trust with local communities and assembled skilled workforces. And they continue to attract interest in new public-private partnerships. That would be a win-win for modernization. So I fail to see how cutting this essential, existing capacity will help the Army reach the production levels needed to meet growing demands.

    “I regret that the Army is being tasked with doing more with less. But it’s increasingly likely that looming challenges will test us in multiple theaters simultaneously. That we don’t have the magazine depth for today’s fights, much less the capabilities we need for tomorrow’s.

    “Certainly, we can’t expect to keep pace with a pacing threat in the Indo-Pacific, or adversary alignment across the globe, if our base defense budget can’t even keep pace with inflation.

    “This subcommittee hopes to be an active partner in the Army’s modernization efforts. But we can’t expect success on a shoestring budget. Mr. Secretary, General George – I’ll look forward to hearing your views on these topics. And we’ll turn to you momentarily for opening comments.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • PM Modi receives special gift in Zagreb – Sanskrit grammar written by Croatian missionary in 1790

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a gesture signifying the centuries-old close cultural links between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received from his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit grammar – the first printed Sanskrit grammar written in Latin in 1790 by Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin during his time spent in India.

    “To the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, I handed over a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit grammar – the first printed Sanskrit grammar, written in Latin in 1790 by the Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin (1748-1806), based on the knowledge he gained during his stay in India from Kerala Brahmins and local manuscripts. With this pioneering work, Filip Vezdin became one of the first European scientists to seriously devote himself to Indian languages ​​and culture. At the same time, this is a symbol of early cultural ties between Croatia and India,” said Plenkovic.

    An Indologist of Croatian nationality, Ivan Filip Vezdin came to Malabar as a missionary in 1774 and later became the Vicar-General on the Malabar Coast.

    He is credited with publishing the first printed Sanskrit grammar in 1790. A plaque to commemorate him was unveiled in Trivandrum in 1999.

    Plenkovic also handed over a book titled ‘Croatia and India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business’ to PM Modi, written by Croatian diplomat Sinise Grgica.

    “Grgica in a unique and comprehensive way gives a comparative view of our two countries and explores all dimensions of bilateral relations. This book reflects our achievements, as well as the potential we can still realise, and we believe that it will inspire and encourage the strengthening of our future cooperation and contribute to the further deepening of the mutual friendship between Croatia and India,” said Plenkovic.

    Earlier, Prime Minister Modi received a rousing welcome by the vibrant Indian community in Zagreb as he began his landmark visit to Croatia – the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister to the country – on Wednesday.

    Zagreb is the last stop on PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which also included visits to Cyprus en route to Canada for Tuesday’s G7 Summit in Kananaskis.

    In a special gesture, PM Modi was warmly received by Plenkovic at the Franjo Tudman Airport with a ceremonial welcome.

    Members of the Indian diaspora, waiting to catch a glimpse of PM Modi, were seen gathered in huge numbers as the PM’s motorcade drove through the city.

    Hundreds of people, including locals, also gave a grand welcome to PM Modi as he arrived at his hotel.

    Amid chants of “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, PM Modi witnessed vibrant and energy-filled cultural performances from people present at the venue.

    PM Modi joined a group of locals chanting Vedic shlokas and also interacted with a few in the gathering while getting inside the building.

    “The bonds of culture are strong and vibrant! Here is a part of the welcome in Zagreb. Happy to see Indian culture has so much respect in Croatia,” said PM Modi.

    “Croatia’s Indian community has contributed to Croatia’s progress and also remained in touch with their roots in India. In Zagreb, I interacted with some members of the Indian community, who accorded me an unforgettable welcome. There is immense enthusiasm among the Indian community here about this visit and its impact in making the bond between our nations stronger than ever before,” he added.

    PM Modi was then warmly received by Plenkovic at the iconic St. Mark’s Square and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

    It was followed by delegation-level bilateral talks between the two leaders.

    Plenkovic said that PM Modi’s significant visit comes at a pivotal moment.

    “We welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zagreb! This is the first visit by the Prime Minister of India – the most populous country in the world, and it comes at an important geopolitical moment. We are starting a new chapter in Croatia-India relations and creating the conditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas,” the Croatian Prime Minister commented.

    Analysts reckon that the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Croatia will help in fostering stronger political and economic collaboration with Croatia. It will also provide a crucial opportunity to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors including trade, innovation, defence, ports, shipping, science and tech, cultural exchange, and workforce mobility.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 18 June 2025 Donors making a difference: refugees and migrants

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Today, more than one billion people, about one in eight globally, are on the move, driven by war, conflict, disasters, environmental degradation or economic instability. Migration and displacement are powerful social determinants of health, shaping how and whether people can access the health conditions they need to survive and thrive.

    Climate change, recognized as a “threat multiplier”, worsens food insecurity, disrupts livelihoods, and fuels further displacement. Whether by choice or forced, being on the move is a part of human life, but for many, it brings disproportionate exposure to risk, inequality, and exclusion from basic health services.

    Refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) frequently face unsafe journeys and precarious living conditions, often with limited access to clean water, adequate nutrition, sanitation, or shelter. Their susceptibility to communicable diseases is increased by the environmental risk factors related to their precarious living and working conditions. Many also face barriers to managing noncommunicable diseases, accessing maternal and newborn care, or receiving mental health support.

    Thanks to the support of donors and partners, WHO works with governments and communities to deliver inclusive, equitable, and context-sensitive health services to people on the move. This includes immunization, disease surveillance, chronic disease management, reproductive and mental health care, support for health system resilience, amongst other efforts.

    These contributions are grounded in the recognition that health is a human right, and that universal health coverage must be inclusive of all people, regardless of migratory status. The stories presented below show how rapid, compassionate action can protect lives and advance dignity, equity, and resilience, especially in times of crisis.

    Landmark cholera vaccination campaign offers hope to Rohingya refugee camps

    A young girl receives the OCV vaccine in one of the remote blocks of camp. Photo by: WHO/Mehnaz Manzur

    Cholera has been endemic in Bangladesh for decades, with seasonal peaks. It has remained a major health concern in the Rohingya refugee camps since 2017.

    In a major joint effort, the Government of Bangladesh, with support from WHO, UNHCR, and health sector partners, launched a landmark cholera vaccination campaign in the Rohingya refugee camps on 12 January 2025. This initiative focused on children aged one year and older, following a rise in cholera cases detected through WHO’s disease monitoring system in both the camps and nearby host communities.

    The five-day vaccination campaign aimed to reach 943 174 people across 33 camps and Bhasan Char Island. Over 1 700 community health workers, supervisors, and health sector partners visited 194 907 households to administer the single-dose Euvichol Plus vaccine.

    Read the full story.

    Delivering lifesaving health services for flood-displaced families in Nigeria

    Delivering lifesaving health services for flood-displaced families in Nigeria. Photo by: WHO/Nigeria

    Borno state, in northeastern Nigeria, was severely impacted by recent floods, in September 2024, which displaced over 400 000 people. Almost 90 000 people in vulnerable situations were forced to take shelter in temporary camps with limited access to food, clean water and health services.

    Displaced populations are at especially high risk from malnutrition, and diseases such as cholera, malaria and measles in a region where health systems are already fragile and strained.

    Recognizing urgent health need, WHO, with financial support from USAID and the Government of Germany, deployed five mobile health teams made up of 35 public health experts, to provide routine immunization, maternal care and clinical services. So far, 34 camps and over 93 000 households have been reached and informed about how to prevent epidemic-prone diseases and adopt healthy household practices.

    Read the full story.

    Bringing health care closer to displaced communities in Somalia

    WHO drought response activities in affected districts in Somalia. Photo by: WHO/Somalia

    Somalia experienced a severe drought in 2022-2023. Donors responded swiftly with increased funding to save lives by treating severe acute malnutrition and the prevention and management of disease outbreaks.

    This support enabled WHO to meet urgent health needs while also investing in the long-term capacity of local health services. For example, the Sinkadheer health centre in Al-Adalada camp, west of Mogadishu, provides a full range of services through the Integrated Health and Nutrition Programme. The centre helps ensure access to essential health care for families who might otherwise face financial or logistical barriers to treatment.

    Supported by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the German Federal Foreign Office, and other partners, the programme continues to improve health outcomes for Somali mothers and children, promoting dignity and resilience in the context of displacement. Each day, the centre serves around 200 patients, primarily from nearby internally displaced communities, offering primary health care, nutritional support, and services to prevent malnutrition.

    Read the full story.

    Bridging gaps in health and nutrition services for IDPs and crisis-affected communities in Ethiopia

    Bridging gaps in health and nutrition services for IDPs and crisis-affected communities in Amhara, Ethiopia. Photo by: WHO/Ethiopia

    Since November 2021, Ethiopia’s Amhara region has faced complex and protracted humanitarian crises driven by internal armed conflict, multiple disease outbreaks, and climate-related shocks- including drought and floods. The region also witnessed a growing influx of people fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan. Nearly a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living across 38 collective sites and host communities, alongside hundreds of thousands of refugees and returnees.

    To ensure access to essential health services for displaced and crisis-impacted populations, WHO, in collaboration with regional government authorities, deployed Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams. As displacements increased, the number of mobile teams was scaled up to 19 in April 2024, comprising 132 health workers. This increase was made possible through support from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), and the People and Government of Japan.

    These teams have provided over 124 250 medical consultations, including referrals for patients requiring specialized care. Services include primary health care, immunizations, maternal and child health support, nutritional care, mental health and psychosocial support, and first-line assistance for survivors of gender-based violence. They also address both communicable and noncommunicable diseases, helping ensure that health care is available and accessible to all.

    Read the full story.

    Health on the frontlines: caring for Haiti’s displaced population

    A mobile clinic organized at the Lycée Argentine Bellegarde IDP site. Photo by: WHO/PAHO

    Since February 2024, Haiti has faced an escalating security crisis from escalating gang violence, political instability, and a humanitarian emergency, placing further strain on the country’s already overstretched health system. This has significantly disrupted access to health care for millions in Haiti.

    The crisis has most severely affected people living in precarious conditions, including the approximately 86 000 individuals residing across 84 IDPs sites of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.

    To help maintain access to essential services, mobile clinics have been established by the Ouest Department’s health authorities with the support from PAHO/WHO and other partners such as UNCERF. Disease surveillance activities have also been reactivated, including for cholera, through the deployment of surveillance and response teams to each site- helping to detect and respond efficiently to potential outbreaks.

    Read the full story.

    Support for public health emergency preparedness and response in Niger

    WHO medicines and medical supplies donation in Diffa, Niger. Photo by: WHO/Niger

    In March 2024, WHO delivered 16 tons of medicines and medical supplies valued at nearly 100 million FCFA (US$ 170 000) to health facilities across eight regions of Niger, which host large numbers of IDPs, refugees, and returnees.

    This donation, funded through UNCERF and WHO’s own resources, include medical consumables and treatment kits for pneumonia, meningitis, malaria, diphtheria, cholera, and other common illnesses.

    “This donation comes at a crucial time when our health system in the Diffa region is under significant pressure. We will be able to strengthen access to quality health care and save the lives of the people of Diffa, who are already facing emergencies related to the growing number of IDPs, refugees and returnees,” said Colonel-Major Dr Garba Hakimi, Minister of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs.

    Read the full story (French).

    Lessons from Malta: advancing refugee and migrant health

    Valetta from waterfront. Photo by: WHO/Marc Gallego

    As an island located at the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has long been a transitional stop for people on the move. Today, it is home to over 11 000 refugees and 2 000 asylum seekers, primarily from Bangladesh, Libya, Syria, Sudan and Ukraine.

    With co-funding from the European Union, WHO, in partnership with Malta’s Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, hosted the first Knowledge Forum on Refugee and Migrant Health in Malta in April 2024.

    The Forum brought together government officials, humanitarian organizations, civil society, United Nations agencies, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, exchange experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration, and advance the implementation of WHO’s European Region Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health 2023–2030.

    Read the full story.

    Acknowledgments

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order) European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), European Union, Germany, Japan, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

    Thank you also to UNHCR for its strong partnership in responding to the needs of refugees.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Gulf of Oman oil spill: Greenpeace warns of environmental disaster

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Beirut, Lebanon – Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has warned of a potential environmental disaster after two crude oil tankers collided between Iran and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

    Satellite imagery indicates a large plume of oil stretching up to around 1500 hectares from the site of the crash between two vessels, ‘Adalynn’ and ‘Front Eagle’, in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, near the Strait of Hormuz.[1] The 23-year-old Adalynn is part of the so-called Russian ‘shadow fleet’, a collection of partially obsolete tankers that operate below basic security standards and carry Russian oil, though its current cargo is unknown. Analysis of the Adalynn’s current 9.3-metre draught suggests it may be carrying approximately 70,000 tons of crude oil despite being officially listed in ballast condition.[2]

    Farah Al Hattab, Campaigner at Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, said: “This is just one of many dangerous incidents to take place in the past years. The causes differ, but the result is often the same: oil spills endanger marine life, disrupt delicate ecological balances and possibly the entire food web, and carry the potential to spark widespread environmental damage that extends far beyond the immediate area.”

    While navigation systems in the region have been under pressure amid the exchange of missiles between Iran and Israel, there is no clear evidence that GPS jamming or spoofing was behind the collision, with some reports indicating it was due to a navigational error.

    Farah Al Hattab added: “Greenpeace MENA urges all concerned authorities to act swiftly to contain the spill and assess its ecological impact. We call on shipping companies, governments, and oil industry actors to commit to full transparency regarding environmental consequences of oil spills and the measures being taken for cleanup. Additionally, we urge governments in the region to increase investment in maritime monitoring, early-warning systems, and contingency plans to effectively respond to future oil pollution incidents. Environmental security must be treated as national and regional security.”

    “The environmental fallout from this collision further highlights the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. Continued reliance on oil infrastructure leaves both people and the planet exposed—to toxic spills, political conflict, and the accelerating climate crisis. It’s time to rethink our global energy systems, shifting to renewable energy as not just a climate solution but a pathway to peace and resilience.”

    ENDS

    Notes:

    1. Satellite image: Greenpeace Media Library © Planet Labs PBC / Greenpeace

    2. Sources: www.Q88.com and seasearcher.com 

    Contacts:

    Hiam Mardini, Communications and Media Manager, Greenpeace MENA: [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Party reaction to escalating crisis between Israel and Iran

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    The Green Party has called on the UK government to press for de-escalation, push for an immediate ceasefire and hold all parties to the same international standards, in response to the escalating situation in the Middle East.

    Co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay MP, said:

    “The escalating crisis between Israel and Iran is gravely concerning, not just for regional stability, but for the safety of civilians – there have already been hundreds of casualties. Calls for the total evacuation of central Tehran are deeply alarming indicating people’s homes and hospitals and children’s schools are at risk of attack, not just military targets.

    “We are witnessing a pattern of Israel acting with impunity. In Gaza, military objectives have become indistinguishable from the mass suffering of civilians with little or no critique, let alone sanctions from the international community. And now, we are seeing a similar playbook with Israel appearing to pursue regime change in Iran through unilateral military action, without any international mandate or clear justification.

    “The UK government must urgently press for de-escalation, push for an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, and hold all parties to the same international standards – holding to account Israel for its aggressive unilateral actions and Iran for its well-documented human rights violations.

    “Furthermore, Donald Trump’s warmongering rhetoric is fanning the flames of this conflict. The UK must stand firmly against such a gung-ho approach to military intervention and call on the US to instead prioritise genuine diplomatic engagement and humanitarian relief.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Israel-Iran tensions might not raise prices at the pump as much as feared (for now)

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adi Imsirovic, Lecturer in Energy Systems, University of Oxford

    GreenOak/Shutterstock

    The unexpected attack by Israel on Iran, a major oil-producing nation, may undermine anaemic global economic growth and hinder central banks’ ability to cope in an already uncertain market.

    Iran exports up to 2 million barrels of oil and refined petroleum products per day (million barrels per day – mbd). Due to long-standing sanctions, most of this oil is sold to China at discounted prices.

    Normally, a sudden loss of the Iranian exports (equivalent to around 2% of global oil supply) would trigger panic. But Opec (the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is in the process of reversing the production cuts imposed early in the COVID pandemic (and subsequently). This leaves the organisation with an unusually large spare capacity of at least four million barrels per day, most of which is held by Saudi Arabia (up to 3.5 million) and the UAE (about one million).

    On top of that, the International Energy Agency (IEA) holds more than 1.2 billion barrels of emergency reserves across OECD countries, ready to be deployed if needed. China, too, has significant reserves, though the line between its commercial and strategic stocks is less clear.

    Additionally, some 40 million barrels of Iranian oil are stranded aboard anchored ships near China, unsold due to declining industrial demand and electric vehicles hitting petrol consumption. In May, China’s refinery throughput fell 1.8% year-on-year, with no signs of a swift rebound. What’s more, the IEA is expecting global oil production to exceed 1.8 mbd, compared to its earlier projection of only 0.72 mbd, leaving a massive surplus of supply over demand.

    China has proven to be an opportunistic buyer. It did not buy the excess Iranian oil supplies at US$65 (£48) a barrel earlier this year, and whether it buys at US$75 (at the time of writing) or higher, may be a signal of how seriously it views the Middle East tensions. Meanwhile, other Asian importers have been quick to secure prompt shipments from west Africa, and have eyes on US supplies as well.

    Thanks to this surplus capacity and stagnant demand, the oil market’s reaction has been more muted than many feared. Prices briefly spiked by US$10 but have since eased. It appears that the market is assessing whether the hostilities will escalate. If so, the impact on energy prices and inflation could be more significant.

    A conflict of convenience

    It remains somewhat unclear why Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu chose this moment to strike Iran, especially in the middle of peace negotiations between Iran and the United States. In a recent interview, former Israeli leader Ehud Barak admitted that even a full-scale attack would only delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions by weeks or months at best, with US support.

    Diplomacy, then, may remain the more effective route. This was the rationale behind the Iran nuclear deal brokered under US president Barack Obama, a deal later dismantled by Trump under pressure from Netanyahu.



    Read more:
    Why are the US and Israel not on the same page over how to deal with Iran? Expert Q&A

    So, Netanyahu’s endgame might be political survival and diverting attention from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

    If Iran feels sufficiently cornered, it may retaliate by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz – a strategic chokepoint through which up to 20 million barrels of oil pass daily. A lot of that oil can be diverted through alternative supply routes such as a large (6 mbd) Saudi East-West pipeline leading to the Red Sea. There is also the UAE pipeline, which avoids the Strait of Hormuz and leads to the port of Fujairah, in the Gulf of Oman.

    Iran could close off the Strait of Hormuz, causing widespread disruption.
    CeltStudio/Shutterstock

    Nevertheless, the increased risk and higher shipping costs would certainly result in much higher prices at the pump. The cost of insurance for ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz have jumped 60% since the start of the conflict. That, combined with the broader economic fallout, could have global repercussions.

    The World Bank recently downgraded its global growth forecast to 2.3% for 2025 – nearly half a percentage point below previous estimates. While a worldwide recession is not yet predicted, the bank warned that growth this decade could be the slowest since the 1960s.

    Among the leading culprits is Trump’s tariff policy, which has strained global trade, reduced efficiency and effectively imposed a tax on consumers both in the US and elsewhere. The fear of inflation has led to rising long-term bond yields.

    Expectations of higher inflation and high bond yields, in turn, constrain central banks from stimulating the economy by cutting interest rates. This is a key tool used by the US Federal Reserve to influence the cost of borrowing throughout the US economy and thus attempt to stimulate economic activity.

    And in spite of the recent US-UK trade agreement, the deal includes a 10% tariff on imports from the UK – with steel still at 25%.

    UK economic growth had already slipped into negative territory before the conflict began. Now, with the added strain of geopolitical instability, households are bracing for higher petrol prices at the pump, sluggish wage growth and rising unemployment. The conflict in the Middle East may not have sparked a global oil crisis yet, but it certainly won’t improve anyone’s cost of living.

    Adi Imsirovic is affiliated with Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.

    – ref. Why Israel-Iran tensions might not raise prices at the pump as much as feared (for now) – https://theconversation.com/why-israel-iran-tensions-might-not-raise-prices-at-the-pump-as-much-as-feared-for-now-259211

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: England is expanding free school meals – here’s what could happen if they were given to all children

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, Professor of Development Economics , Queen Mary University of London

    Children in Jharkhand state, India, eating their midday meal at school. Mohammad Shahnawaz/Shutterstock

    The UK government has announced an extension of free school meals in England to all children whose parents receive universal credit, in order to address child hunger and poverty.

    The government claims that half a million more pupils will now have access to school lunches for free. The total number of children registered for free school meals in England is currently about 2.2 million, or about 26% of the total school population. In addition, all children in infant school, aged between four and seven, are entitled to receive a hot lunch at school.

    But given the high rates of child poverty in the UK, and the value a decent meal provides, there is evidence that free school meals for all children could provide significant benefits in England.

    The provision in Scotland and Wales is more generous: free school meals for children from primary one to five in Scotland (ages four to ten) and for all children in primary school in Wales. But other countries make provision for all children, in both primary and secondary education, to receive meals at school.

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

    Child poverty in the UK continues to be historically high. In 2023-24, 3.4 million children – 23% of all children in the UK – were in relative income poverty. Incidence of child poverty is particularly acute in cities.

    In the UK, the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit resulted in a rise in unemployment. This in turn led to widespread instances of extreme poverty and child hunger. The lack of active policies in the UK to address child hunger, malnourishment and increasing childhood obesity has been widely criticised by the British Medical Association.

    The UK’s experience of high levels of child poverty is in stark contrast with most other high-income countries. The UK ranked 37th out of 39 by child income poverty, ahead only of Turkey and Colombia, in 2023. In comparison, the UK’s adult poverty rate is close to the OECD average, ranking 23rd out of 39 high-income countries. This implies that child poverty can be high even if adult poverty levels are relatively low.

    Global policy choices

    Providing nutritious free school meals is a fundamental cornerstone of government policy to ensure child welfare. It’s used as a poverty alleviation measure all over the world. Almost half of the world’s school meals are free, feeding 418 million children.

    Many of these programmes are based in developing countries. The world’s largest free school meal programme runs in India: the “mid-day meal scheme” feeds 125 million children aged six to 14 and costs the equivalent of £2 billion each year. Similar successful programmes are run in Brazil and some African countries, with another having recently been launched in Indonesia.

    But schemes in Finland and Sweden also cover almost all school children.

    There is a growing body of global evidence on the wider beneficial effects of free school meals on child poverty. Free school meals in India have resulted in higher cognitive outcomes. They have increased school enrolment and school attendance, and thus educational outcomes.

    They have also been found to have an intergenerational effect. In India, fewer shorter children were born to women who had benefited from the country’s school food programme.

    Nutritionally balanced school meals have proven health benefits.
    Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

    Nutritionally balanced children’s school meals are also associated with lower incidence of obesity. Studies in the US and UK, for example, have shown universal provision is linked to lower obesity rates.

    Research into the Swedish scheme has found that children who have free school meals with prescribed nutritional standards not only have higher educational attainment and better health outcomes in adulthood, but also higher incomes. Children from families in the lowest income quartile in Sweden who received free school meals for nine years increased their lifetime income by 6%.

    Other tangible economic benefits include significant reductions in potential healthcare costs as a result of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. A 2025 European Union report estimates the return from investment in school meal programmes is at least sevenfold, up to a possible €34 for every €1 spent.

    While there is rich scientific and economic evidence that universal free school meals are immensely beneficial, a child’s access to nutrition and government support to obtain nourishment is also a fundamental human right. The School Meals Coalition is an international consortium of 108 countries to achieve free school meals for all by 2030. The UK is one of the few advanced countries not signed up to it.

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

    – ref. England is expanding free school meals – here’s what could happen if they were given to all children – https://theconversation.com/england-is-expanding-free-school-meals-heres-what-could-happen-if-they-were-given-to-all-children-258337

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: From Togo to the Task Force: SETAF-AF Soldier connects heritage with mission at African Lion 2025

    Source: United States Army

    U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) VIEW ORIGINAL

    Back to

    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)

    AGADIR, Morocco – U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), plays a pivotal role at the exercise.

    Born in Kpalimé, Togo, Tse oversees the movement of personnel—including distinguished visitors (DVs)—across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, ensuring logistical precision for an exercise involving 10,000 troops from over 50 nations. For Tse, AL25 is more than a mission; it’s a homecoming to the continent where he was born, blending personal heritage with professional purpose.

    “My role is to plan and provide manifests for all personnel movements, from start to finish,” Tse said. “Whether it’s troops or DVs, I make sure everyone gets where they need to be to keep AL25 running smoothly.”

    A global career, built on adaptability

    Tse’s journey began in a bustling city 120 kilometers north of Lomé, the capital of Togo. After immigrating to the U.S., he settled in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which he now considers his second home. Enlisting as an automated logistics specialist, Tse built a diverse career, serving as a squad leader, warehouse NCOIC, platoon sergeant, drill sergeant and operations sergeant.

    His assignments have taken him across the world, including Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, as well as nine months in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Poland.

    “I’ve served across the globe, from Afghanistan to Poland,” Tse said. “Each assignment taught me how to deliver under pressure and adapt to new challenges.”

    U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) VIEW ORIGINAL

    Now with SETAF-AF, Tse’s expertise ensures AL25’s complex personnel movements are seamless, supporting the exercise’s goals of enhancing combat readiness and interoperability among African and NATO partners.

    Turning challenges into growth

    Tse credits his skilled team for helping him manage AL25’s logistical demands. Yet, his career has presented its share of challenges, most notably mastering the art of briefing general officers (GOs) with concise, actionable information.

    “Briefing GOs is an art—giving them exactly what they need, simply and effectively,” he said. “My team has been incredible, helping me refine that skill from day one. I’m still learning every day.”

    This reliance on teamwork mirrors Tse’s approach to AL25’s multinational setting, where he navigates language and cultural differences to keep operations on track, from troop manifests to DV schedules.

    Leadership as a mindset

    Tse views leadership as a mindset rooted in adaptability and clear communication, guiding teams toward shared objectives. During AL25, he has witnessed this principle in action as leaders collaborate across offices, ensuring mission alignment.

    “In this exercise, leadership is about clear communication at every level,” he said. “We’re all working together, from junior NCOs to senior officers, to make this happen.”

    His leadership shines in coordinating logistics across four countries, ensuring every echelon—from planners to executors—functions as a cohesive unit.

    A legacy of impact

    As AL25 progresses, Tse reflects on the legacy he is crafting. Returning to Africa to support the training of African militaries resonates deeply, tying his personal roots to his professional impact.

    “I want to tell the story of coming back to my continent, helping improve combat readiness and operational efficiency,” he said. “That’s what this mission means to me.”

    His advice to young soldiers is straightforward yet powerful.

    “Do what’s right. Strive to be better than yesterday and aim for the top,” advised Tse.

    It is a philosophy that has guided his own path of service and growth.

    A life anchored in heritage and purpose

    Tse maintains a strong connection to Kpalimé, even as he builds a life in Gaithersburg. These dual homes represent a bridge between his past and present, grounding him amid the demands of military service.

    U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) VIEW ORIGINAL

    “Gaithersburg is home, but Kpalimé will always be part of me,” he said. “It’s where I learned the value of hard work and community.”

    As AL25 concludes, Tse’s contributions underscore the power of adaptability, teamwork and purpose. His story bridges continents and cultures, leaving a lasting mark on this historic exercise.

    About African Lion

    AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.

    About SETAF-AF

    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

    Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump breaks from western allies at G7 summit as US weighs joining Iran strikes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    Working alongside western democratic allies has not been a natural fit for Donald Trump. The US president left the recently concluded G7 summit in Canada early, with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron assuming this was to work on addressing the most severe escalation between Iran and Israel in decades.

    But Trump offered little communication with other G7 members, which include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK, of what his plans were. He said he had to leave the summit “for obvious reasons”, though failed to elaborate on what he meant.

    After exiting the summit, he lambasted Macron on social media. Trump wrote: “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire”. Trump continued by saying his exit was due to something “much bigger than that”, adding: “Emmanuel always gets it wrong.”

    This has prompted discussion over whether US forces may join Israel’s strikes on Iran. Despite initially distancing the US from the Israeli attacks, Trump said on June 17: “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.”

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

    He has since demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender”, while also issuing a chilling threat to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing him as an “easy target”.

    The pressure campaign employed by Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to convince Trump that the time is right for a military assault on Iran seems to be working.

    Exploiting Trump’s impulsive nature, Netanyahu may soon be able to convince Trump to give Israel what it needs to destroy Iran’s underground uranium enrichment sites: a 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bomb and a B-2 bomber to carry it.

    The US’s western allies have been left scrambling to interpret Trump’s social media posts and figure out the real reason he left the G7 summit early.

    The only aircraft capable of carrying ‘bunker-buster’ bombs is the B-2.
    Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock

    This wasn’t the first time that Trump has left a G7 forum early. In 2018, the last time such a meeting was held in Canada, Trump also left early after Macron and the then Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, promised to confront Trump over the imposition of tariffs on US allies.

    The latest G7 summit also wasn’t the first time Trump has treated traditional US allies with suspicion. Trump has cast doubt on US willingness to defend Nato allies if they don’t pay more for their own defence. He has repeatedly threatened to leave the alliance and has frequently denigrated it – even calling alliance members “delinquent”.

    Trump thinks the US gains an advantage by abandoning relationships with “free riders”. But experts have made clear alienating allies makes the US weaker. While the alliance system has given the US unprecedented influence over the foreign policies of US allies in the past, Trump’s pressure to increase their defence spending will make them more independent from the US in the long-term.

    Trump seems to prefer a world guided by short-term self-interest at the expense of long-term collective security. Indeed, with an “America first” agenda, multilateral cooperation is not Trump’s strong suit. With the G7, Trump is yet again making clear that he does not fit in, nor does he want to.

    Because the G7 is small and relatively homogenous in membership, meetings between members are supposed to promote collective and decisive decision-making. However, even the task of coming up with a joint statement on the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel proved challenging.

    Trump eventually joined other leaders in calling for deescalation in the Middle East, and the G7 was in agreement that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. But Trump’s social media activity since then has left US allies in the dark over what role the US might play in the conflict.

    Trump also alarmed G7 members with calls for Russia to return to the forum. He claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have happened had Moscow not been ejected from the former G8 grouping in 2014.

    Then, on his way out of the summit, Trump bragged to reporters that Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin, “doesn’t speak to anybody else” but him. Trump added that Putin was insulted when Russia was thrown out of the G8, “as I would be, as you would be, as anybody would be”.

    Following weeks of frustration over Russia’s refusal to engage in serious peace talks about ending the war in Ukraine, Trump seems to have returned to being Putin’s most loyal advocate.

    Hostility toward multilateralism

    During Trump’s first term, he pushed multilateralism to the brink. But he did not completely disengage. The US withdrew from the Paris climate accords, the nuclear deal with Iran, negotiations for a trade deal with Pacific nations, and imposed sanctions against officials of the International Criminal Court.

    However, when multilateral initiatives served Trump’s short-term objectives, he was willing to get on board. A trade deal struck with Canada and Mexico that Trump described as “the most important” ever agreed by the US. He said the deal would bring thousands of jobs back to North America.

    The second Trump administration has been even more hostile to multilateralism. Not only has the trade deal with Canada and Mexico been undermined by Trump’s love of tariffs, his administration has been more antagonistic toward almost all of the US’s traditional allies. In fact, most of Trump’s ire is reserved for democracies not autocracies.

    In contrast to the G7, where he clearly felt out of place, Trump was in his element during his May trip to the Middle East. Trump has a more natural connection to the leaders of the Gulf who do not have to adhere to democratic norms and human rights, and where deals can get done immediately.

    Trump left the Middle East revelling in all of the billion dollar deals he made, which he exaggerated were worth US$2 trillion (£1.5 trillion). The G7, on the other hand, doesn’t offer much to Trump. He sees it as more of a nuisance.

    The G7 forum is supposed to reassure the public that the most powerful countries in the world are united in their commitment to stability. But Trump’s antics are undermining the credibility of that message. It is these antics that risk dragging the west into a dangerous confrontation with Iran.

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

    – ref. Trump breaks from western allies at G7 summit as US weighs joining Iran strikes – https://theconversation.com/trump-breaks-from-western-allies-at-g7-summit-as-us-weighs-joining-iran-strikes-259214

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Safety of New Zealanders in Middle East paramount

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The safety of New Zealanders in the Middle East is a pressing priority for the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. 

     “We do not want New Zealanders in harm’s way,” Mr Peters says. 

    “While we face very serious practical constraints of a conflict zone and closed airspace, we will continue to do all we can to help,” Mr Peters says.

     “The New Zealand Government’s long-standing advice for New Zealanders has been ‘do not travel’ to Iran and the events we’re facing there now are exactly why that advice has been in place.

     “We continue to urge New Zealanders in Israel and Iran to leave if they can safely do so, and to shelter in place if they cannot,” Mr Peters says. 

     “The New Zealand Government is exploring options for evacuating New Zealanders once it is safe to do so. But the fact remains, though, that air space reopening could be weeks away and so New Zealanders should be doing everything they can to leave now if they can find a safe route.

     “We know consular partners are considering evacuation flights once air space opens again. As is always the case, we are in close coordination with Australia, and in discussions with them and others about their plans and how we can assist each other. 

     “MFAT has also approached airlines in the region to seek information on possible commercial options once air space reopens. 

     “In the meantime, MFAT has provided advice to registered New Zealanders on overland border exits and will continue to do so in the coming days.”

     Overnight, New Zealand’s Embassy in Tehran was temporarily closed, with two staff and their family members evacuated by land to Azerbaijan.

     “An opportunity arose overnight to get our Embassy staff out of Iran, as part of a convoy alongside government officials from other countries,” Mr Peters says. 

    “The New Zealand Government has a duty of care to its staff posted overseas, so we did the responsible thing to get them out of harm’s way.

     “If and when opportunities arise to assist the departure of other New Zealanders in Iran and Israel, we will pursue them with urgency.

      “Any New Zealanders still in Iran should leave overland as soon as possible if they consider it safe to do so.”

     Those in need of urgent consular assistance should contact MFAT’s 24/7 Consular Emergency Call Centre (+64 99 20 20 20). The Ministry is continuing to provide support through the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye and the temporary deployment of a consular team to Azerbaijan. 

     A decision on the future of the New Zealand Embassy in Iran will be made at a later date. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rosanna Law ends Shanghai visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today visited the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square and a CPC memorial hall, met Shanghai Administration of Sports Director Xu Bin, and attended the WestK Shanghai Week 2025 opening ceremony and dinner.

    At the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square, Miss Law was given a guided tour of the exhibition, “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt”, and met Shanghai Museum Deputy Director Huang He who shared his experiences in developing and designing creative products.

    At a working lunch with Mr Xu, Miss Law shared Hong Kong’s progress and achievements in promoting sports development.

    Miss Law hoped through today’s exchange to learn from Shanghai’s experiences in hosting the same events and further improve the preparatory work for the 15th National Games, and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games.

    In the afternoon, she visited the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China and met the memorial’s Party Committee Secretary and Director Xue Feng.

    Noting that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is setting up a museum on the country’s developments and achievements, and preparing shows related to the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Miss Law said she intended to seek guidance through the visit.

    In the evening, the culture chief attended the WestK Shanghai Week 2025 opening ceremony and dinner.

    Addressing the event, she said the WestK Shanghai Week, kick-started today by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), is the first time a series of exhibitions and performing arts programmes and cultural exchange activities have been brought outside Hong Kong.

    This is not only an important milestone of the Hong Kong SAR Government driving top-notch arts, cultural and creative programmes to go global, but also attracts local and overseas visitors to Hong Kong, she added.

    In the morning, Miss Law visited the “WestK x MANNER” limited-edition art collaboration themed store, jointly rolled out by the WKCDA and Shanghai’s beloved coffee brand MANNER COFFEE.

    On Tuesday, upon arrival, she had a working lunch with representatives of the Shanghai Shendi Group management to exchange information on the latest tourism situation in Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as toured the Shanghai Disney Resort to learn about its operation and development.

    Miss Law returned to Hong Kong this evening.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olivier Sterck, Associate professor, University of Oxford

    Humanitarian needs are rising around the world. At the same time, major donors such as the US and the UK are pulling back support, placing increasing strain on already overstretched aid systems.

    Global humanitarian needs have quadrupled since 2015, driven by new conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. Added to these are protracted crises in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and DR Congo, among others. Yet donor funding has failed to keep pace, covering less than half of the requested US$50 billion in 2024, leaving millions without assistance.

    Notably, the US recently slashed billions of US dollars from global relief efforts. The slashed contributions once made up to half of all public humanitarian funding and over a fifth of the UN’s budget. Other donors have been cutting aid as well.

    As funding shortfalls widen, humanitarian agencies increasingly face tough choices: reducing the scale of operations, pausing essential services, or cancelling programmes altogether. Disruptions to aid delivery have become a routine feature of humanitarian operations.

    Yet few rigorous studies have provided hard evidence of the consequences for affected populations.

    A recent study from one of the world’s largest refugee camps in Kenya fills this gap.

    Our research team from the University of Oxford and the University of Antwerp was already studying Kakuma camp and then had an opportunity to see what happened when aid was cut. We observed the impact of a 20% aid cut that occurred in 2023.

    The study reveals that cuts to humanitarian assistance had dramatic impacts on hunger and psychological distress, with cascading effects on local credit systems and prices of goods.

    Kakuma refugee camp

    Kakuma is home to more than 300,000 refugees, who mostly came from South Sudan (49%), Somalia (16%), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (10%). They have been housed here since 1992. With widespread poverty, lack of income opportunities, and aid making up over 90% of household income, survival in the camp hinges on humanitarian support from UN organisations.

    When the research began in late 2022, most refugees in Kakuma received a combination of in-kind and cash transfers from the World Food Programme. Transfers were worth US$17 per person per month, barely enough to cover the bare essentials: food, firewood and medicine.

    Over the span of a year, the research team tracked 622 South Sudanese refugee households, interviewing them monthly to monitor how their living conditions evolved in response to the timing and level of aid they received. We also gathered weekly price data on 70 essential goods and conducted more than 250 in-depth interviews with refugees, shopkeepers, and humanitarian staff to understand the broader impacts.

    Then came the cut. In July 2023, assistance was reduced by 20%, just as the research team was conducting its eighth round of data collection. This sudden reduction in humanitarian aid created a rare opportunity to assess the effects of an aid cut on both recipients and the markets they depend on.

    Consequences of aid cut

    The 20% cut in humanitarian aid had cascading effects, affecting not just hunger, but local credit systems, prices, and well-being.

    1. Hunger got worse. As a Somali refugee interviewed by the researchers put it: “After the aid reduction, the lives of refugees become hard. That was the money sustaining them. […] Things are insufficient, and hunger is visible.”

    Food insecurity was already widespread before the cut, with more than 90% of refugees classified as food insecure. Average caloric intake stood below 1,900 kcal per person per day – well under the World Food Programme’s 2,100 kcal target and about half the average daily calorie supply available to a US citizen.

    Food insecurity further increased following the aid cut, with caloric intake falling by 145 kcal, a 7% decrease. The share of households eating one meal or less increased by 8 percentage points, from about 29% to 37%. At the same time, dietary diversity narrowed, indicating that households tried to mitigate the negative impacts of the aid cut by reducing the variety of foods they consumed.

    2. Credit collapsed. As a refugee shopkeeper of Ethiopian origin reported: “When we give out credit we have a limit; since the aid is reduced, the credit is also reduced.”

    Cash assistance in Kakuma is delivered through aid cards, which refugees routinely use as collateral to access food on credit. When transfers are delayed or unexpected expenses arise, refugees hand over their aid cards as a guarantee to trusted shopkeepers, allowing them to borrow food against next month’s aid.

    But when assistance was cut, the value of this informal collateral plummeted. Retailers, fearing default, reduced lending or refused lending altogether. Informal credit from shopkeepers shrank by 9%. Many refugees reported being refused food on credit or having to repay past debt before receiving any new goods.

    3. Households liquidated assets. With no access to credit, households began selling off possessions and drawing down food reserves. The average value of household assets fell by over 6% after the aid cut.

    4. Psychological distress increased. The aid cut reduced self-reported sleep quality and happiness, indicating that reductions in aid go beyond physical impacts and also have psychological effects.

    5. Prices fell. With reduced expenditure and purchasing power, the demand for food dropped, and food prices went down, partially offsetting the negative effects of the aid cut.

    Implications

    The study carries two major policy implications.

    First, aid in contexts like Kakuma should not be treated as optional or discretionary, but as a structural necessity. It is the backbone of daily life. Mechanisms are needed to protect it from abrupt donor withdrawals.

    Second, informal credit is not peripheral, it is central to economic life in refugee settings. In many camps, shopkeepers act as retailers and de facto financial institutions. When aid transfers serve as both income and collateral, cutting them risks collapsing this fragile credit system. Cash transfer programmes must therefore be designed with these dynamics in mind.

    Olivier Sterck receives research funding from the IKEA Foundation, the World Bank, and The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO).

    Vittorio Bruni is affiliated with Oxford University

    – ref. What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture – https://theconversation.com/what-happens-when-aid-is-cut-to-a-large-refugee-camp-kenyan-study-paints-a-bleak-picture-259055

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olivier Sterck, Associate professor, University of Oxford

    Humanitarian needs are rising around the world. At the same time, major donors such as the US and the UK are pulling back support, placing increasing strain on already overstretched aid systems.

    Global humanitarian needs have quadrupled since 2015, driven by new conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. Added to these are protracted crises in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and DR Congo, among others. Yet donor funding has failed to keep pace, covering less than half of the requested US$50 billion in 2024, leaving millions without assistance.

    Notably, the US recently slashed billions of US dollars from global relief efforts. The slashed contributions once made up to half of all public humanitarian funding and over a fifth of the UN’s budget. Other donors have been cutting aid as well.

    As funding shortfalls widen, humanitarian agencies increasingly face tough choices: reducing the scale of operations, pausing essential services, or cancelling programmes altogether. Disruptions to aid delivery have become a routine feature of humanitarian operations.

    Yet few rigorous studies have provided hard evidence of the consequences for affected populations.

    A recent study from one of the world’s largest refugee camps in Kenya fills this gap.

    Our research team from the University of Oxford and the University of Antwerp was already studying Kakuma camp and then had an opportunity to see what happened when aid was cut. We observed the impact of a 20% aid cut that occurred in 2023.

    The study reveals that cuts to humanitarian assistance had dramatic impacts on hunger and psychological distress, with cascading effects on local credit systems and prices of goods.

    Kakuma refugee camp

    Kakuma is home to more than 300,000 refugees, who mostly came from South Sudan (49%), Somalia (16%), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (10%). They have been housed here since 1992. With widespread poverty, lack of income opportunities, and aid making up over 90% of household income, survival in the camp hinges on humanitarian support from UN organisations.

    When the research began in late 2022, most refugees in Kakuma received a combination of in-kind and cash transfers from the World Food Programme. Transfers were worth US$17 per person per month, barely enough to cover the bare essentials: food, firewood and medicine.

    Over the span of a year, the research team tracked 622 South Sudanese refugee households, interviewing them monthly to monitor how their living conditions evolved in response to the timing and level of aid they received. We also gathered weekly price data on 70 essential goods and conducted more than 250 in-depth interviews with refugees, shopkeepers, and humanitarian staff to understand the broader impacts.

    Then came the cut. In July 2023, assistance was reduced by 20%, just as the research team was conducting its eighth round of data collection. This sudden reduction in humanitarian aid created a rare opportunity to assess the effects of an aid cut on both recipients and the markets they depend on.

    Consequences of aid cut

    The 20% cut in humanitarian aid had cascading effects, affecting not just hunger, but local credit systems, prices, and well-being.

    1. Hunger got worse. As a Somali refugee interviewed by the researchers put it: “After the aid reduction, the lives of refugees become hard. That was the money sustaining them. […] Things are insufficient, and hunger is visible.”

    Food insecurity was already widespread before the cut, with more than 90% of refugees classified as food insecure. Average caloric intake stood below 1,900 kcal per person per day – well under the World Food Programme’s 2,100 kcal target and about half the average daily calorie supply available to a US citizen.

    Food insecurity further increased following the aid cut, with caloric intake falling by 145 kcal, a 7% decrease. The share of households eating one meal or less increased by 8 percentage points, from about 29% to 37%. At the same time, dietary diversity narrowed, indicating that households tried to mitigate the negative impacts of the aid cut by reducing the variety of foods they consumed.

    2. Credit collapsed. As a refugee shopkeeper of Ethiopian origin reported: “When we give out credit we have a limit; since the aid is reduced, the credit is also reduced.”

    Cash assistance in Kakuma is delivered through aid cards, which refugees routinely use as collateral to access food on credit. When transfers are delayed or unexpected expenses arise, refugees hand over their aid cards as a guarantee to trusted shopkeepers, allowing them to borrow food against next month’s aid.

    But when assistance was cut, the value of this informal collateral plummeted. Retailers, fearing default, reduced lending or refused lending altogether. Informal credit from shopkeepers shrank by 9%. Many refugees reported being refused food on credit or having to repay past debt before receiving any new goods.

    3. Households liquidated assets. With no access to credit, households began selling off possessions and drawing down food reserves. The average value of household assets fell by over 6% after the aid cut.

    4. Psychological distress increased. The aid cut reduced self-reported sleep quality and happiness, indicating that reductions in aid go beyond physical impacts and also have psychological effects.

    5. Prices fell. With reduced expenditure and purchasing power, the demand for food dropped, and food prices went down, partially offsetting the negative effects of the aid cut.

    Implications

    The study carries two major policy implications.

    First, aid in contexts like Kakuma should not be treated as optional or discretionary, but as a structural necessity. It is the backbone of daily life. Mechanisms are needed to protect it from abrupt donor withdrawals.

    Second, informal credit is not peripheral, it is central to economic life in refugee settings. In many camps, shopkeepers act as retailers and de facto financial institutions. When aid transfers serve as both income and collateral, cutting them risks collapsing this fragile credit system. Cash transfer programmes must therefore be designed with these dynamics in mind.

    – What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture
    – https://theconversation.com/what-happens-when-aid-is-cut-to-a-large-refugee-camp-kenyan-study-paints-a-bleak-picture-259055

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Turkish President R. T. Erdogan supported Iran’s right to self-defense in the conflict with Israel

    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

    ANKARA, June 18 (Xinhua) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said he supports Iran’s right to self-defense in the conflict with Israel.

    Addressing his party members in parliament, he noted that “it is legitimate and lawful for Iran to defend itself against the banditry and state terrorism of Israel.”

    “We are doing everything in our power to stop this inhuman aggression not only against Gaza, but also against Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and our neighbor Iran. The end of Israeli aggression is necessary for all humanity,” the Turkish leader emphasized.

    R.T. Erdogan added that Turkey is preparing for possible problems and different scenarios due to the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict. “All our institutions are on high alert due to the possible consequences of these attacks on Turkey,” the president said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: BACXN Launches Global Partnership Expansion Plan, Accelerating Construction of Multilateral Digital Asset Infrastructure Network

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BACXN has officially launched its “Global Partnership Expansion Plan,” with the first batch of strategic agreements already signed with several technology and infrastructure partners from Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. This move marks the BACXN entry into a new stage of platform globalization and demonstrates its dual-track strategy of “deep cultivation + synergy” within the global Web3 ecosystem.

    In the rapidly converging world of digital finance and blockchain, no platform can build an ecosystem in isolation. Truly vital projects are always deeply rooted in the global open network. BACXN has always upheld the philosophy of “connecting the world, building the future together,” actively forging close partnerships with leading enterprises, academic institutions, and technology innovation teams across multiple countries to drive both technological innovation and practical applications forward in unison.

    Since its inception, the platform has established deep collaborations with organizations such as Polygon, the Ethereum Foundation, MIT Blockchain Lab, and the National University of Singapore. Through joint research and development, hackathons, and academic cooperation, BACXN continuously absorbs cutting-edge achievements, transforming exploratory thinking into momentum for product evolution. The platform-led “Digital Inclusion Program” and “Blockchain Education Initiative” are both carried out with multilateral support, combining technological exploration with social value.

    To further accelerate the integration of technology and business, BACXN has established Labs and a Ventures Fund, focusing on key areas such as privacy computing, cross-chain communication, RWA (Real World Assets), and decentralized identity. Labs provides engineering support and resource collaboration, while Ventures assists partner projects with funding and market networks to enable rapid validation and real-world deployment. Several innovative projects have already moved from concept to commercialization through this system, with deployments in ecosystems like Sui, TON, and Ethereum.

    On the global operations front, BACXN has achieved localized user access by collaborating with local industry leaders, payment channel providers, and Web3 infrastructure companies. In Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the platform is advancing the standardization and popularization of user experience through a “joint expansion” strategy, accelerating the transition from Web3 awareness to practical usage.

    BACXN firmly believes that the next stage of digital finance does not belong to any single player, but to a global network woven by cooperation, connection, and trust. Looking forward, we will continue to work openly and pragmatically with visionary partners to jointly build a trustworthy, accessible, and mutually beneficial digital asset world.

    Media Contact: support@bacxn.org

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f6061b9-a0a4-4314-a8d6-145cce7c33e3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BACXN Launches Global Partnership Expansion Plan, Accelerating Construction of Multilateral Digital Asset Infrastructure Network

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BACXN has officially launched its “Global Partnership Expansion Plan,” with the first batch of strategic agreements already signed with several technology and infrastructure partners from Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. This move marks the BACXN entry into a new stage of platform globalization and demonstrates its dual-track strategy of “deep cultivation + synergy” within the global Web3 ecosystem.

    In the rapidly converging world of digital finance and blockchain, no platform can build an ecosystem in isolation. Truly vital projects are always deeply rooted in the global open network. BACXN has always upheld the philosophy of “connecting the world, building the future together,” actively forging close partnerships with leading enterprises, academic institutions, and technology innovation teams across multiple countries to drive both technological innovation and practical applications forward in unison.

    Since its inception, the platform has established deep collaborations with organizations such as Polygon, the Ethereum Foundation, MIT Blockchain Lab, and the National University of Singapore. Through joint research and development, hackathons, and academic cooperation, BACXN continuously absorbs cutting-edge achievements, transforming exploratory thinking into momentum for product evolution. The platform-led “Digital Inclusion Program” and “Blockchain Education Initiative” are both carried out with multilateral support, combining technological exploration with social value.

    To further accelerate the integration of technology and business, BACXN has established Labs and a Ventures Fund, focusing on key areas such as privacy computing, cross-chain communication, RWA (Real World Assets), and decentralized identity. Labs provides engineering support and resource collaboration, while Ventures assists partner projects with funding and market networks to enable rapid validation and real-world deployment. Several innovative projects have already moved from concept to commercialization through this system, with deployments in ecosystems like Sui, TON, and Ethereum.

    On the global operations front, BACXN has achieved localized user access by collaborating with local industry leaders, payment channel providers, and Web3 infrastructure companies. In Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the platform is advancing the standardization and popularization of user experience through a “joint expansion” strategy, accelerating the transition from Web3 awareness to practical usage.

    BACXN firmly believes that the next stage of digital finance does not belong to any single player, but to a global network woven by cooperation, connection, and trust. Looking forward, we will continue to work openly and pragmatically with visionary partners to jointly build a trustworthy, accessible, and mutually beneficial digital asset world.

    Media Contact: support@bacxn.org

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f6061b9-a0a4-4314-a8d6-145cce7c33e3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 concludes with new commitments to accelerate global development impact

    • Announcement of over US$1 billion new financing: OPEC Fund signs US$362 million new loan agreements during the Forum and announces approval of US$720 million in new financing in the second Quarter 
    • A Country Partnership Framework agreement with Rwanda earmarks US$300 million financing in the next three years 
    • At the high-level Mauritania roundtable hosted by the OPEC Fund, the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) announced a pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next 5 years to support Mauritania’s development priorities.   

    The fourth OPEC Fund Development Forum (https://OPECFund.org) concluded today with a strong slate of new commitments, loan agreements and strategic partnerships to advance inclusive transition and sustainable development. The Forum brought together more than 700 global leaders, including government representatives, development institutions and private sector stakeholders, under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow”.

    The OPEC Fund announced some US$720 million in new financing to support development efforts across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and saw the signing of US$362 million in new loan agreements. A new Trade Finance Initiative is set to secure vital supplies and help close trade-related liquidity gaps in partner countries.

    OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund Development Forum reflects our conviction that partnerships must deliver results. Today we achieved tangible progress – with new signings, new partnerships and new approaches to help our partner countries turn ambition into action. Whether in energy, infrastructure, agriculture or finance, we are responding with solutions that make a difference.”

    As part of its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) initiative, the OPEC Fund signed cooperation agreements with Grenada, and the Solomon Islands, expanding support for climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure. 

    Deepening Country Partnerships for Long-term Impact 

    New country-level agreements and cooperation frameworks include: 

    • A US$212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road), improving local and regional connectivity, as well as a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen cooperation over the next five years.  
    • A US$25 million loan agreement with Cameroon to strengthen the Rice Value Chain Development Project, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening food security in vulnerable regions, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Kuwait Fund. 
    • A CPF with Rwanda to allocate up to US$300 million in financing for 2025 – 2028, supporting the country’s development priorities, including quality infrastructure, improved essential basic services and the promotion of entrepreneurship and the private sector. 
    • Other country partnership agreements included: Azerbaijan to support infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable development; Botswana to support infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as private sector export-led growth over the next three years; Grenada to build resilience through sustainable development initiatives; Kyrgyz Republic to increase cooperation in transport, water supply and sanitation, energy, agriculture and banking sectors; and Solomon Islands to expand engagement and increase cooperation including in the private sector. 

    Scaling up Private Sector Support 

    The OPEC Fund continues to prioritize private sector-led growth with targeted financing to financial institutions across Africa: 

    • In Côte d’Ivoire, a €30 million loan agreement with Coris Bank International Côte d’Ivoire and a €35 million loan agreement with NSIA Banque will facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 
    • A US$40 million loan agreement with the East African Development Bank (EADB) will boost economic investments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, strengthening regional integration and inclusive growth. 

    New Trade Finance Initiative 

    • At the Forum the OPEC Fund also announced a new Trade Finance Initiative to boost trade resilience in partner countries by facilitating access to essential imports, closing liquidity gaps and strengthening resilience to external shocks in vulnerable economies. 

    Advancing global cooperation 

    The Forum also featured new agreements to deepen multilateral cooperation: 

    • A new cooperation agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will strengthen collaboration in infrastructure, energy and human development projects across the Latin America and Caribbean region. 
    • The OPEC Fund and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) formalized a cooperation agreement to coordinate efforts on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems. 
    • A cooperation agreement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) will support training programs to promote institutional transparency and anti-corruption capacity building in partner countries. 

    Ahead of the Forum, the OPEC Fund hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Delegates participated in a high-level roundtable with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to strengthen development collaboration and mobilize investment flows to Mauritania. The roundtable resulted in an ACG joint pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next five years. This will be directed to vital sectors, including energy, water, transportation and digital infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. A dedicated Arab Donors Roundtable on the Sahel addressed strategies to mobilize greater support for the region’s urgent challenges. It was organized by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CLISS) and sponsored by the OPEC Fund’s partner institution, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of OPEC Fund.

    Media Contact:  
    Basak Pamir 
    OPEC Fund for International Development 
    Head of Outreach & Multimedia 
    B.Pamir@opecfund.org  
    +431511564174 
    Telephone: +43-1-515 64-0 
    Fax: +43-1-513 92 38 
    www.OPECFund.org

    About the OPEC Fund:
    The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Democratic Colleagues in Urging Rubio to Preserve the State Department’s Human Rights Bureau 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Jeanee Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and eight Democratic colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to preserve the staff and programs administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) amid the Department’s proposed reorganization.   
    “The proposed reorganization of DRL raises serious concerns about the Department’s prioritization of democracy and human rights and the role of DRL in advancing U.S. national security priorities—concerns that were the basis for Congress’s bipartisan codification in statute an Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the directive ‘to promote the increased observance of internationally recognized human rights by all countries’ as a principal goal of U.S. foreign policy,” wrote the Senators. “The proposed reorganization would result in a structural and substantive demotion of human rights promotion that runs counter to the spirit of the law and your personal legacy working on these issues.”  
    “Over 80% of DRL’s programs support human rights defenders working in closed, anti-democratic societies, including Cuba, China, Nicaragua, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and others which the Trump Administration has identified as adversaries of the U.S.,” continued the Senators.  
    The Senators concluded: “As you stated in the subcommittee hearing previously mentioned, ‘millions of people around the world who live in societies dominated by fear and oppression look to the United States of America to champion their cause to fully exercise their God-given rights. There are no greater champions more capable of advancing this noble cause than the dedicated staff in DRL. We need these champions in the Department.”  
    In addition to Senators Welch and Shaheen, the letter is cosigned by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). 
    Read and download the full text of the letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Overseas officials conclude HK trip

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A delegation of 10 overseas government officials today completed their three-day visit to Hong Kong, having met senior officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and toured the city’s major cultural and innovation and technology facilities to deepen their understanding of the city’s advantages and development opportunities.

    The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which invited officials from 10 countries across Africa and Asia. These countries comprise Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.

    During the trip, the delegation met Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan to obtain a better understanding of Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

    The delegation learnt of Hong Kong’s important roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, serving as a bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

    They also met Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong as well as representatives of a number of relevant institutions.

    Additionally, they toured the Science Park and West Kowloon Cultural District to find out about the city’s latest developments and opportunities in finance, trade, innovation and technology, and arts and culture.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Vedic chants resonate in Zagreb as PM Modi receives rousing welcome in Croatia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome by the vibrant Indian community in Zagreb as he began his landmark visit to Croatia – the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister to the country – on Wednesday.

    Zagreb is the last stop on PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which also included visits to Cyprus en route to Canada for Tuesday’s G7 Summit in Kananaskis.

    As a special gesture, the PM was warmly received by his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic at the Franjo Tudman Airport with a ceremonial welcome.

    “This is a special visit, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to a valued European partner. I am grateful to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport,” PM Modi posted on X.

    Plenkovic said that PM Modi’s significant visit comes at a pivotal moment.

    “We welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zagreb! This is the first visit by the Prime Minister of India – the most populous country in the world, and it comes at an important geopolitical moment. We are starting a new chapter in Croatia-India relations and creating the conditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas,” the Croatian Prime Minister commented.

    Members of the Indian diaspora, waiting to catch a glimpse of PM Modi, were seen gathered in huge numbers as the PM’s motorcade drove through the city.

    Hundreds of people, including locals, also gave a grand welcome to PM Modi as he arrived at his hotel.

    Amid chants of “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, PM Modi witnessed vibrant and energy-filled cultural performances from people present at the venue.

    PM Modi joined a group of locals chanting Vedic shlokas and also interacted with a few in the gathering while getting inside the building.

    Citing the centuries-old close cultural links, PM Modi had said before arriving in the country that he is looking forward to his visit and meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

    Prime Minister Modi had asserted that the three-nation tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their steadfast support to India in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

    Analysts reckon that the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Croatia will help in fostering stronger political and economic collaboration with Croatia. It will also provide a crucial opportunity to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors including trade, innovation, defence, ports, shipping, science and tech, cultural exchange, and workforce mobility.

    India and Croatia have close cooperation in trade, investment, defence, agriculture sectors amongst others, and also cooperate in international fora, vibrant cultural exchanges and close people-to-people ties.

    The bilateral trade between both nations stands at about USD 300 million with the Indian investments in Croatia being roughly around USD 48 million.

    Prime Minister Modi briefly interacted with Croatian PM Plenkovic at COP-26 in 2021 and the virtual India-EU Leaders Meeting the same year.

    Former President Ramnath Kovind undertook State Visit to Croatia in March 2019, during which he was conferred with Croatia’s highest civilian honor (‘the Grand Order of the King of Tomislav’).

    India has been well known in Croatia for centuries, and the earliest Croatian visitors to India were missionaries. Links have been found between the Principality of Dubrovnik and Goa, and the Church of Sao Braz was reportedly built by Croatians around 1563 in Goa.

    The Indian community in Croatia has changed over the last three years rapidly due to the demographic situation in Croatia where a lot of foreign workers are being employed for carrying out work in different sectors of the economy.

    There were approximately 17000 Indians residing in Croatia in December 2024. Many of the Indian workers are working on short to medium term contracts and therefore at least 90 per cent of the people currently residing are those who form a part of the mobile population staying in Croatia for a specific contractual period.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sean Lawrence, Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

    The black-legged tick, or deer tick, _Ixodes scapularis_, can transmit Lyme disease and other health hazards. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    When you think about ticks, you might picture nightmarish little parasites, stalking you on weekend hikes or afternoons in the park.

    Your fear is well-founded. Tick-borne diseases are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases – those transmitted by living organisms – in the United States. Each tick feeds on multiple animals throughout its life, absorbing viruses and bacteria along the way and passing them on with its next bite. Some of those viruses and bacteria are harmful to humans, causing diseases that can be debilitating and sometimes lethal without treatment, such as Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

    But contained in every bite of this infuriating, insatiable pest is also a trove of social, environmental and epidemiological history.

    In many cases, human actions long ago are the reason ticks carry these diseases so widely today. And that’s what makes ticks fascinating for environmental historians like me.

    Ticks can be tiny and hard to spot. This is an adult and nymph Ixodes scapularis on an adult’s index finger.
    CDC

    Changing forests fueled tick risks

    During the 18th and 19th centuries, settlers cleared more than half the forested land across the northeastern U.S., cutting down forests for timber and to make way for farms, towns and mining operations. With large-scale land clearing came a sharp decline in wildlife of all kinds. Predators such as bears and wolves were driven out, as were deer.

    As farming moved westward, Northeasterners began to recognize the ecological and economic value of trees, and they returned millions of acres to forest.

    The woods regrew. Plant-eaters such as deer returned, but the apex predators that once kept their populations in check did not.

    As a result, deer populations carrying borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, grew rapidly. And with the deer came deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). When a tick feeds on an infected deer, it can take up the bacteria. The tick isn’t harmed, but it can pass the bacteria to its next victim. In humans, Lyme disease can cause fever and fatigue, and if left untreated it can affect the nervous system.

    The eastern U.S. became a global hot spot for tick-borne Lyme disease starting around the 1970s. Lyme disease affected over 89,000 Americans in 2023, and possibly many more.

    Californians move into tick territory

    For centuries, changing patterns of human settlements and the politics of land use have shaped the role of ticks and tick-borne illnesses within their environments.

    In short, humans have made it easier for ticks to thrive and spread disease in our midst.

    In California, the Northern Inner Coast and Santa Cruz mountain ranges that converge on San Francisco from the north and south were never clear-cut, and predators such as mountain lions and coyotes still exist there. But competition for housing has pushed human settlement deeper into wildland areas to the north, south and east of the city, reshaping tick ecology there.

    A range map for the western black-legged tick.
    National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

    While western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) tend to swarm in large forest preserves, the Lyme-causing bacterium is actually more prevalent in small, isolated patches of greenery. In these isolated patches, rodents and other tick hosts can thrive, safe from large predators, which need more habitat to move freely. But isolation and lower diversity also means infections are spread more easily within the tick’s host populations.

    People tend to build isolated houses in the hills, rather than large, connected developments. As the Silicon Valley area south of San Francisco sprawls outward, this checkerboard pattern of settlement has fragmented the natural landscape, creating a hard-to-manage public health threat.

    Fewer hosts, more tightly packed, often means more infected hosts, proportionally, and thus more dangerous ticks.

    A tick’s mouth is barbed so it can hold on as it draws blood over hours.
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

    Six counties across these ranges, all surrounding and including San Francisco, account for 44% of recorded tick-borne illnesses in California.

    A lesson from Texas cattle ranches

    Domesticated livestock have also shaped the disease threat posed by ticks.

    In 1892, at a meeting of cattle ranchers at the Stock Raiser’s Convention in Austin, Texas, Dr. B.A. Rogers introduced a novel theory that ticks were behind recent devastating plagues of Texas cattle fever. The disease had arrived with cattle imported from the West Indies and Mexico in the 1600s, and it was taking huge tolls on cattle herds. But how the disease spread to new victims had been a mystery.

    A 1905 illustration of Rhipicephalus annulatus, a hard tick that causes cattle fever.
    Nathan Banks, A treatise on the Acarina, or mites. Proceedings of the United States National Museum

    Editors of Daniel’s Texas Medical Journal found the idea of ticks spreading disease laughable and lampooned the hypothesis, publishing a satire of what they described as an “early copy” of a forthcoming report on the subject.

    The tick’s “fluid secretion, it is believed, is the poison which causes the fever … [and the tick] having been known to chew tobacco, as all other Texans do, the secretion is most probably tobacco juice,” they wrote.

    Fortunately for the ranchers, not to mention the cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sided with Rogers. Its cattle fever tick program, started in 1906, curbed cattle fever outbreaks by limiting where and when cattle should cross tick-dense areas.

    Engorged ticks feed on a calf’s ear.
    Alan R Walker, CC BY-NC-SA

    By 1938, the government had established a quarantine zone that extended 580 miles by 10 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas Brush Country, a region favored by the cattle tick.

    This innovative use of natural space as a public health tool helped to functionally eradicate cattle fever from 14 Southern states by 1943.

    Ticks are products of their environment

    When it comes to tick-borne diseases the world over, location matters.

    Take the hunter tick (Hyalomma spp.) of the Mediterranean and Asia. As a juvenile, or nymph, these ticks feed on small forest animals such as mice, hares and voles, but as an adult they prefer domesticated livestock.

    For centuries, this tick was an occasional nuisance to nomadic shepherds of the Middle East. But in the 1850s, the Ottoman Empire passed laws to force nomadic tribes to become settled farmers instead. Unclaimed lands, especially on the forested edges of the steppe, were offered to settlers, creating ideal conditions for hunter ticks.

    As a result, farmers in what today is Turkey saw spikes in tick-borne diseases, including a virus that causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a potentially fatal condition.

    Where to check for ticks and how to remove them.

    It’s probably too much to ask for sympathy for any ticks you meet this summer. They are bloodsucking parasites, after all.

    Still, it’s worth remembering that the tick’s malevolence isn’t its own fault. Ticks are products of their environment, and humans have played many roles in turning them into the harmful parasites that seek us out today.

    Sean Lawrence has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite – https://theconversation.com/ticks-carry-decades-of-history-in-each-troublesome-bite-257110

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Germany’s young Jewish and Muslim writers are speaking for themselves – exploring immigrant identity beyond stereotypes

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Agnes Mueller, Carol Kahn Strauss Fellow in Jewish Studies at the American Academy in Berlin, Professor of German and American Literature, University of South Carolina

    A Muslim guest sits next to a Jewish one during an ordination ceremony at the Rykestrasse Synagogue in Berlin in September 2024. Omer Messinger/Getty Images

    The consequences of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack and Israel’s war in Gaza have reverberated far beyond the zones of conflict.

    In the United States, for example, a growing number of people, including some Jewish groups, assert that political leaders are exploiting concerns about antisemitism for their own political goals, from cracking down on academic freedom to deporting pro-Palestinian activists.

    Debate about the war in Gaza feels fraught in Germany, too, where concerns about rising antisemitism have been used to criticize some Muslim communities. The Holocaust looms over discussions about Israel, with many claiming the country’s sense of historical guilt has made it, until recently, reluctant to criticize Israeli politics.

    In the wake of the country’s reunification in the early 1990s, about 200,000 Jews from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union came to Germany. In more recent years, waves of predominantly Muslim refugees from the Middle East have entered a space that already had a large population of Turkish immigrants and their descendants. However, many Germans oppose these more open immigration policies, with widespread backlash against Muslim migrants.

    In recent decades, some of Germany’s migrants and their children – some Jewish, and some Muslim – have used fiction to explore their identity and these contested issues in new ways, challenging simple narratives. As a scholar of German literature and Jewish studies, I have studied how literature creates new spaces for readers to explore the similarities between their experiences, building solidarity beyond stereotypes.

    ‘The Prodigal Son’

    Many of today’s young Jewish writers were born in the former Soviet Union and arrived in Germany with their parents as part of the “quota refugee” program. Initiated in the early 1990s, this program invited Jewish migrants into a newly unified Germany – intended to show that the country was taking responsibility for the atrocities of the past. The newcomers were flippantly called “Wiedergutmachungsjuden,” “make-good-again Jews,” referring to Germans’ desire to atone.

    One of them was Olga Grjasnowa. Born in 1984, Grjasnowa came from Azerbaijan to Germany at age 11. She has written about Holocaust memory, as in her 2012 novel “All Russians Love Birch Trees,” and said in a 2018 interview that all her books are “Jewish books.”

    Olga Grjasnowa during the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Aug. 22, 2019, in Scotland.
    Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images

    Her 2021 book “Der verlorene Sohn,” “The Prodigal Son,” echoes Holocaust memory, but in a historical novel set in 19th-century Russia.

    The protagonist Jamaluddin – the name derives from the Arabic word for “beauty of the faith” – is born in the Caucasian region of Dagestan, as the son of a powerful Muslim imam. To negotiate a peace deal, the boy is given as a hostage to Russia, where he grows up in the Orthodox Christian court of the czar. Though initially treated as an outsider, Jamaluddin assimilates and becomes a high-ranking officer, a life that ends when he must return to Dagestan. But there, too, he now feels homeless, regarded with suspicion as a stranger.

    “The Prodigal Son” deals with abduction, deportation, exile and constant wandering. Jamaluddin’s fate is shaped by authoritarianism, repression, war and discrimination – themes that are familiar in Holocaust literature, though here they befall a Muslim boy in another time and place.

    Repeatedly, the novel makes mention of Jewish communities and their own suffering under the czar. As Jewish boys are being forced to march from remote villages to Saint Petersburg, Jamaluddin is “furious and ashamed” of his fellow officers. But he also begins to feel self-pity, flooded with memories of his own departure from home.

    This scene depicts a historical reality under Czar Nicholas I, who ruled from 1825-1855: Russian Jewish boys were conscripted, sometimes kidnapped, to serve in the army. For contemporary audiences, the description can also evoke the death marches of Jewish prisoners during the Shoah, the Hebrew term for the Holocaust. Several additional moments in the book connect Jamaluddin’s experiences with images of Jewish flight and expulsion.

    New conversations

    Jamaluddin’s fate as an outsider between cultures can also bring to mind migrants’ experiences and emotions today. In 2022, one-quarter of Germans were either migrants themselves or had a parent who was not born in Germany. The largest minority group are Muslim-born Germans of Turkish descent, who are still routinely discriminated against.

    Antisemitism, meanwhile, is pervasive but less obvious. The Germans’ relationship with Jews was long dominated by silence and guilt – and Jews themselves were mostly invisible until the end of the Cold War, when Jewish migration from the former Soviet states picked up. My 2015 book “The Inability to Love” describes how mainstream German authors, fueled by guilt and shame over the Nazi past, fell into a philosemitic antisemitism: Outward displays of repentance for the Holocaust and public policies that ostensibly embraced Jews clashed with privately held prejudice.

    Many examples of new German literature show contemporary Jewish and Muslim characters with complex identities – protagonists who are not seen as simply Jewish, Muslim or belonging to only one culture, pushing back on reductive stereotypes.

    For example, Kat Kaufmann’s 2015 novel “Superposition” tells the story of the young, popular and charismatic Izy, a Russian Jew who lives in Berlin as a jazz pianist. Her love interest is Timur, an Eastern European man with a typically Muslim name. When Izy thinks of her and Timur’s future son, she imagines him growing up with the luxury to conceal where he is from – to define his identity as he wishes, unlike previous generations.

    Writer Fatma Aydemir speaks at a reading in Cologne, Germany, on March 21, 2022.
    Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Stories by novelists such as Dmitrij Kapitelman, Lena Gorelik, Marina Frenk and Dana Vowinckel also depict moments of connection between Jews and other Germans, or between Jews and Muslims.

    Turkish and/or Muslim writers such as Fatma Aydemir and Nazlı Koca – who now lives in America, writing in English – tell similar stories of young characters navigating German culture as marginalized individuals. They often depict young women who struggle to reconcile their culture of origin with German social expectations and xenophobia today.

    “I wanted to question the idea that we all have one single identity and that’s it,” Aydemir told the literary site K24 about her novel “Ellbogen,” whose protagonist finds herself fleeing to Turkey, her family’s original home, after a personal crisis. “I think things are way more complex, more fluid than most of us want to believe.”

    This younger generation of German Jewish and Muslim writers is recasting entrenched debates, showing characters whose identities are multidimensional and more open than the burdened past or fraught present politics would suggest. Today’s young writers are creating new, brave spaces for conversation and empathy.

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

    – ref. Germany’s young Jewish and Muslim writers are speaking for themselves – exploring immigrant identity beyond stereotypes – https://theconversation.com/germanys-young-jewish-and-muslim-writers-are-speaking-for-themselves-exploring-immigrant-identity-beyond-stereotypes-252968

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak: The entrepreneurship sector adapts to new challenges as quickly as possible

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The President and the Government of Russia pay great attention to the development of the SME sector. Over the past few years, its share in GDP has grown by several percent and, according to the latest data, is 21.7%. The key task is to ensure high-quality growth of the sector, an increase in the income of SME workers at a higher rate in relation to GDP growth. Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak said this during the plenary session “The Role of SMEs in Achieving New National Goals” of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum – 2025.

    According to him, small and medium-sized businesses have demonstrated better adaptation to new challenges and uncertainty compared to other sectors of the economy.

    “SMEs are better adapted to ensure the formation of new transport and logistics chains, to ensure the supply of goods for export and import, the production of necessary products within the framework of import substitution, within the framework of the goals that are set for infrastructural changes in our economy,” noted Alexander Novak.

    This was largely made possible by the successful implementation of the national project to support entrepreneurship: almost every second Russian is employed in SMEs.

    “One of the indicators of the national project was the growth of the number of entrepreneurs to 25 million people. In fact, according to the results of last year, statistics show that more than 29 million people are already working in this sector. This is about 40% of all those employed in the economy,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    During his speech, Alexander Novak also outlined the current challenges facing SMEs. Firstly, this is a more active participation in achieving technological leadership and sovereignty, national goals for economic development. Secondly, in the context of historically low unemployment, increased labor productivity will not only resolve the issue of competition, but also increase the efficiency of the economy as a whole. Finally, active integration of digital technologies will allow more efficient solutions to be introduced into production processes.

    The updated support measures within the current federal project will facilitate business development. Their fine-tuning by the Ministry of Economic Development took into account the life cycle of small and medium-sized businesses.

    “For start-up businesses, these are microloans; it is planned to attract 1.6 trillion rubles by 2030. For mature companies, this is targeted provision of loans, umbrella guarantees of the SME Corporation. For businesses that are ready to enter the public market and attract investment, the state provides support in the form of subsidizing the costs of preparing for an IPO,” noted Alexander Novak, adding that the “traditional” business support infrastructure will also be developed: the digital platform “MSP.RF”, regional centers “My Business”, industrial and technology parks.

    The need for entrepreneurs to keep up with current business development trends and actively implement the practice of working on digital platforms was also confirmed by the Minister of Economic Development of Russia Maxim Reshetnikov.

    “The merger of the Growth Platform program and the My Business centers will allow entrepreneurs to be trained in modern trends. The world is changing so quickly that it is important to move forward, not to catch up,” the head of the Ministry of Economic Development emphasized.

    The session was also attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullah Adel Abdullah Fakhro, the founder of Wildberries, head of RWB Tatyana Kim, the president of the All-Russian public organization of small and medium-sized businesses “Opora Rossii” Alexander Kalinin, entrepreneurs who shared their experience of doing business.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: G20 countries could produce enough renewable energy for the whole world – what needs to happen

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sven Teske, Prof. Dr. | Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney

    The world’s most developed economies have also burnt the most oil and coal (fossil fuels) over the years, causing the most climate change damage. Preventing further climate change means a global fossil fuel phase-out must happen by 2050. Climate change mitigation scientists Sven Teske and Saori Miyake analysed the potential for renewable energy in each of the G20 countries. They concluded that the G20 is in a position to generate enough renewable energy to supply the world. For African countries to benefit, they must adopt long term renewable energy plans and policies and secure finance from G20 countries to set up renewable energy systems.

    Why is the G20 so important in efforts to limit global warming?

    The G20 group accounts for 67% of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, and 75% of global trade. The member states are the G7 (the US, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Canada), plus Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Russia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

    We wanted to find out how G20 member states could limit global warming. Our study examined the solar and wind potential for each of G20 member countries (the available land and solar and wind conditions). We then compared this with projected electricity demands for 2050. This is, to our knowledge, the first research of its kind.



    Read more:
    G20 is too elite. There’s a way to fix that though – economists

    We found that the potential for renewable energy in G20 countries is very high – enough to supply the projected 2050 electricity demand for the whole world. They have 33.6 million km² of land on which solar energy projects could be set up, or 31.1 million km² of land on which wind energy projects could be set up.

    This potential varies by geography. Not all G20 countries have the same conditions for generating solar and wind energy, but collectively, the G20 countries have enough renewable energy potential to supply the world’s energy needs.

    But for the G20 countries to limit global warming, they also need to stop emitting greenhouse gases. Recent figures show that the G20 countries were responsible for generating 87% of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

    On the other hand, African Union countries (apart from South Africa, which is a high greenhouse gas emitter), were responsible for only 1.2% of the global total historical emissions until 2020.

    The G20 countries with the highest renewable energy potential (especially Australia and Canada) are major exporters of the fossil fuels that cause global warming. Along with every other country in the world, the G20 nations will need to end their human-caused carbon emissions by 2050 to prevent further climate change.

    Where does Africa fit into the picture?

    African countries cannot set up new electricity plants based on burning fossil fuels, like coal. If they do that, the world will never end human-caused greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The continent must generate electricity for the 600 million Africans who do not currently have it but will need to move straight past fossil fuels and into renewable energy.

    For this, Africa will need finance. The African Union hosts the G20 summit later this year. This meeting begins just after the world’s annual climate change conference (now in its 30th year and known as COP30). These two summits will give Africa the chance to lobby for renewable energy funding from wealthier nations.

    Africa already has the conditions needed to move straight into renewable energy. The continent could be generating an amount of solar and wind power that far exceeds its projected demand for electricity between now and 2050.

    We are launching an additional analysis of the solar and wind potential of the entire African continent in Bonn, Germany on 19 June 2025 at a United Nations conference. This shows that only 3% of Africa’s solar and wind potential needs to be converted to real projects to supply Africa’s future electricity demand.



    Read more:
    Africa’s power pools: what the G20 can do to help countries share electricity

    This means that Africa has great untapped potential to supply the required energy for its transition to a middle-income continent – one of the African Union’s goals in Agenda 2063, its 50 year plan.

    But to secure enough finance for the continent to build renewable energy systems, African countries need long-term energy policies. These are currently lacking.

    So what needs to be done?

    The countries who signed up to the 2015 international climate change treaty (the Paris Agreement) have committed to replacing polluting forms of energy such as coal, fuelwood and oil with renewable energy.

    South Africa, through its G20 presidency, must encourage G20 nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy investment in Africa.



    Read more:
    Fossil fuels are still subsidised: G20 could push for the funds to be shifted to cleaner energy

    Because financing the global energy transition is already high on the priority list of most countries, South Africa should push for change on three fronts: finance, sound regulations and manufacturing capacity for renewable technologies. These are the among the main obstacles for renewables, particularly in Africa.

    Finance: Financing the energy transition is among the highest priorities for COP30. Therefore, the COP30 meeting will be an opportunity for the African Union to negotiate finance for its renewable energy infrastructure needs.

    For this, fair and just carbon budgets are vital. A carbon budget sets out how much carbon dioxide can still be emitted in order for the global temperature not to rise more than 2°C higher than it was before the 1760 industrial revolution.

    A global carbon budget (the amount of emissions the whole world is allowed) has been calculated, but it needs to be divided up fairly so that countries that have polluted most are compelled to limit this.

    To divide the global carbon budget fairly, energy pathways need to be developed urgently that consider:

    • future developments of population and economic growth

    • current energy supply systems

    • transition times for decarbonisation

    • local renewable energy resources.

    The G20 platform should be used to lobby for fair and just carbon budgets.



    Read more:
    Wealthy nations owe climate debt to Africa – funds that could help cities grow

    Sound regulations that support the setting up of new factories: Governments must put policies in place to support African solar and wind companies. These are needed to win the trust of investors to invest in a future multi-billion dollar industry. Long-term, transparent regulations are needed too.

    These regulations should:

    • say exactly how building permits for solar and wind power plants will be granted

    • prioritise linking renewable energy plants to national electricity grids

    • release standard technical specifications for stand-alone grids to make sure they’re all of the same quality.

    Taking steps now to speed up big renewable energy industries could mean that African countries end up with more energy than they need. This can be exported and increase financial income for countries.

    Sven Teske receives funding from the European Climate Foundation and Power Shift Africa (PSA).

    Saori Miyake receives funding from European Climate Foundation and Power Shift Africa.

    – ref. G20 countries could produce enough renewable energy for the whole world – what needs to happen – https://theconversation.com/g20-countries-could-produce-enough-renewable-energy-for-the-whole-world-what-needs-to-happen-258463

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people to rise up against their dictatorial Islamic regime and ostensibly transform Iran along the lines of Israeli interests.

    United States President Donald Trump is now weighing possible military action in support of Netanyahu’s goal and asked for Iran’s total surrender.

    If the US does get involved, it wouldn’t be the first time it’s tried to instigate regime change by military means in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and backed a NATO operation in Libya in 2011, toppling the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, respectively.

    In both cases, the interventions backfired, causing long-term instability in both countries and in the broader region.

    Could the same thing happen in Iran if the regime is overthrown?

    As I describe in my book, Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Iran is a pluralist society with a complex history of rival groups trying to assert their authority. A democratic transition would be difficult to achieve.

    The overthrow of the shah

    The Iranian Islamic regime assumed power in the wake of the pro-democracy popular uprising of 1978–79, which toppled Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s pro-Western monarchy.

    Until this moment, Iran had a long history of monarchical rule dating back 2,500 years. Mohammad Reza, the last shah, was the head of the Pahlavi dynasty, which came to power in 1925.

    In 1953, the shah was forced into exile under the radical nationalist and reformist impulse of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. He was shortly returned to his throne through a CIA-orchestrated coup.

    Despite all his nationalist, pro-Western, modernising efforts, the shah could not shake off the indignity of having been re-throned with the help of a foreign power.

    The revolution against him 25 years later was spearheaded by pro-democracy elements. But it was made up of many groups, including liberalists, communists and Islamists, with no uniting leader.

    The Shia clerical group (ruhaniyat), led by the Shah’s religious and political opponent, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, proved to be best organised and capable of providing leadership to the revolution. Khomeini had been in exile from the early 1960s (at first in Iraq and later in France), yet he and his followers held considerable sway over the population, especially in traditional rural areas.

    When US President Jimmy Carter’s administration found it could no longer support the shah, he left the country and went into exile in January 1979. This enabled Khomeini to return to Iran to a tumultuous welcome.

    Birth of the Islamic Republic

    In the wake of the uprising, Khomeini and his supporters, including the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, abolished the monarchy and transformed Iran to a cleric-dominated Islamic Republic, with anti-US and anti-Israel postures. He ruled the country according to his unique vision of Islam.

    Khomeini denounced the US as a “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegal usurper of the Palestinian lands – Jerusalem, in particular. He also declared a foreign policy of “neither east, nor west” but pro-Islamic, and called for the spread of the Iranian revolution in the region.

    Khomeini not only changed Iran, but also challenged the US as the dominant force in shaping the regional order. And the US lost one of the most important pillars of its influence in the oil-rich and strategically important Persian Gulf region.

    Fear of hostile American or Israeli (or combined) actions against the Islamic Republic became the focus of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy behaviour.

    A new supreme leader takes power

    Khomeini died in 1989. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled Iran largely in the same jihadi (combative) and ijtihadi (pragmatic) ways, steering the country through many domestic and foreign policy challenges.

    Khamenei fortified the regime with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, a stronger defence capability and a tilt towards the east – Russia and China – to counter the US and its allies. He has stood firm in opposition to the US and its allies – Israel, in particular. And he has shown flexibility when necessary to ensure the survival and continuity of the regime.

    Khamenei wields enormous constitutional power and spiritual authority.

    He has presided over the building of many rule-enforcing instruments of state power, including the expansion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, revolutionary committees, and Shia religious networks.

    The Shia concept of martyrdom and loyalty to Iran as a continuous sovereign country for centuries goes to the heart of his actions, as well as his followers.

    Khamenei and his rule enforcers, along with an elected president and National Assembly, are fully cognisant that if the regime goes down, they will face the same fate. As such, they cannot be expected to hoist the white flag and surrender to Israel and the US easily.

    However, in the event of the regime falling under the weight of a combined internal uprising and external pressure, it raises the question: what is the alternative?

    The return of the shah?

    Many Iranians are discontented with the regime, but there is no organised opposition under a nationally unifying leader.

    The son of the former shah, the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has been gaining some popularity. He has been speaking out on X in the last few days, telling his fellow Iranians:

    The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation. The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

    Since the deposition of his father, he has lived in exile in the US. As such, he has been tainted by his close association with Washington and Jerusalem, especially Netanyahu.

    If he were to return to power – likely through the assistance of the US – he would face the same problem of political legitimacy as his father did.

    What does the future hold?

    Iran has never had a long tradition of democracy. It experienced brief instances of liberalism in the first half of the 20th century, but every attempt at making it durable resulted in disarray and a return to authoritarian rule.

    Also, the country has rarely been free of outside interventionism, given its vast hydrocarbon riches and strategic location. It’s also been prone to internal fragmentation, given its ethnic and religious mix.

    The Shia Persians make up more than half of the population, but the country has a number of Sunni ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Azaris, Balochis and Arabs. They have all had separatist tendencies.

    Iran has historically been held together by centralisation rather than diffusion of power.

    Should the Islamic regime disintegrate in one form or another, it would be an mistake to expect a smooth transfer of power or transition to democratisation within a unified national framework.

    At the same time, the Iranian people are highly cultured and creative, with a very rich and proud history of achievements and civilisation.

    They are perfectly capable of charting their own destiny as long as there aren’t self-seeking foreign hands in the process – something they have rarely experienced.

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

    – ref. Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain – https://theconversation.com/irans-long-history-of-revolution-defiance-and-outside-interference-and-why-its-future-is-so-uncertain-259270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people to rise up against their dictatorial Islamic regime and ostensibly transform Iran along the lines of Israeli interests.

    United States President Donald Trump is now weighing possible military action in support of Netanyahu’s goal and asked for Iran’s total surrender.

    If the US does get involved, it wouldn’t be the first time it’s tried to instigate regime change by military means in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and backed a NATO operation in Libya in 2011, toppling the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, respectively.

    In both cases, the interventions backfired, causing long-term instability in both countries and in the broader region.

    Could the same thing happen in Iran if the regime is overthrown?

    As I describe in my book, Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Iran is a pluralist society with a complex history of rival groups trying to assert their authority. A democratic transition would be difficult to achieve.

    The overthrow of the shah

    The Iranian Islamic regime assumed power in the wake of the pro-democracy popular uprising of 1978–79, which toppled Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s pro-Western monarchy.

    Until this moment, Iran had a long history of monarchical rule dating back 2,500 years. Mohammad Reza, the last shah, was the head of the Pahlavi dynasty, which came to power in 1925.

    In 1953, the shah was forced into exile under the radical nationalist and reformist impulse of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. He was shortly returned to his throne through a CIA-orchestrated coup.

    Despite all his nationalist, pro-Western, modernising efforts, the shah could not shake off the indignity of having been re-throned with the help of a foreign power.

    The revolution against him 25 years later was spearheaded by pro-democracy elements. But it was made up of many groups, including liberalists, communists and Islamists, with no uniting leader.

    The Shia clerical group (ruhaniyat), led by the Shah’s religious and political opponent, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, proved to be best organised and capable of providing leadership to the revolution. Khomeini had been in exile from the early 1960s (at first in Iraq and later in France), yet he and his followers held considerable sway over the population, especially in traditional rural areas.

    When US President Jimmy Carter’s administration found it could no longer support the shah, he left the country and went into exile in January 1979. This enabled Khomeini to return to Iran to a tumultuous welcome.

    Birth of the Islamic Republic

    In the wake of the uprising, Khomeini and his supporters, including the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, abolished the monarchy and transformed Iran to a cleric-dominated Islamic Republic, with anti-US and anti-Israel postures. He ruled the country according to his unique vision of Islam.

    Khomeini denounced the US as a “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegal usurper of the Palestinian lands – Jerusalem, in particular. He also declared a foreign policy of “neither east, nor west” but pro-Islamic, and called for the spread of the Iranian revolution in the region.

    Khomeini not only changed Iran, but also challenged the US as the dominant force in shaping the regional order. And the US lost one of the most important pillars of its influence in the oil-rich and strategically important Persian Gulf region.

    Fear of hostile American or Israeli (or combined) actions against the Islamic Republic became the focus of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy behaviour.

    A new supreme leader takes power

    Khomeini died in 1989. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled Iran largely in the same jihadi (combative) and ijtihadi (pragmatic) ways, steering the country through many domestic and foreign policy challenges.

    Khamenei fortified the regime with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, a stronger defence capability and a tilt towards the east – Russia and China – to counter the US and its allies. He has stood firm in opposition to the US and its allies – Israel, in particular. And he has shown flexibility when necessary to ensure the survival and continuity of the regime.

    Khamenei wields enormous constitutional power and spiritual authority.

    He has presided over the building of many rule-enforcing instruments of state power, including the expansion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, revolutionary committees, and Shia religious networks.

    The Shia concept of martyrdom and loyalty to Iran as a continuous sovereign country for centuries goes to the heart of his actions, as well as his followers.

    Khamenei and his rule enforcers, along with an elected president and National Assembly, are fully cognisant that if the regime goes down, they will face the same fate. As such, they cannot be expected to hoist the white flag and surrender to Israel and the US easily.

    However, in the event of the regime falling under the weight of a combined internal uprising and external pressure, it raises the question: what is the alternative?

    The return of the shah?

    Many Iranians are discontented with the regime, but there is no organised opposition under a nationally unifying leader.

    The son of the former shah, the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has been gaining some popularity. He has been speaking out on X in the last few days, telling his fellow Iranians:

    The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation. The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

    Since the deposition of his father, he has lived in exile in the US. As such, he has been tainted by his close association with Washington and Jerusalem, especially Netanyahu.

    If he were to return to power – likely through the assistance of the US – he would face the same problem of political legitimacy as his father did.

    What does the future hold?

    Iran has never had a long tradition of democracy. It experienced brief instances of liberalism in the first half of the 20th century, but every attempt at making it durable resulted in disarray and a return to authoritarian rule.

    Also, the country has rarely been free of outside interventionism, given its vast hydrocarbon riches and strategic location. It’s also been prone to internal fragmentation, given its ethnic and religious mix.

    The Shia Persians make up more than half of the population, but the country has a number of Sunni ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Azaris, Balochis and Arabs. They have all had separatist tendencies.

    Iran has historically been held together by centralisation rather than diffusion of power.

    Should the Islamic regime disintegrate in one form or another, it would be an mistake to expect a smooth transfer of power or transition to democratisation within a unified national framework.

    At the same time, the Iranian people are highly cultured and creative, with a very rich and proud history of achievements and civilisation.

    They are perfectly capable of charting their own destiny as long as there aren’t self-seeking foreign hands in the process – something they have rarely experienced.

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

    – ref. Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain – https://theconversation.com/irans-long-history-of-revolution-defiance-and-outside-interference-and-why-its-future-is-so-uncertain-259270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST visits Shanghai (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, visited Shanghai today (June 18). In the morning, she went to the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square and was given a guided tour of a well-received exhibition, “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt”. During her visit, Miss Law met with Deputy Director of the Shanghai Museum Mr Huang He. She thanked the Shanghai Museum for its support of Hong Kong over the years, while Mr Huang shared experiences in developing and designing creative products. Miss Law said Hong Kong could learn a lot from the Shanghai Museum in developing cultural and creative industries. Miss Law expressed hope that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) and the Shanghai Museum will strengthen their cultural co-operation in the future, contributing cultural content to the country’s modernisation and promoting cultural prosperity.
     
         After that, Miss Law called on the Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, Mr Xu Bin, and had a working lunch together, during which she shared with him Hong Kong’s progress and achievements in promoting sports development. Mr Xu said there is huge room for developing culture, sports and tourism, while sports exchanges serve as a bridge between the two places and can also boost economic and social developments. Miss Law said that Hong Kong, China athletes achieved excellent results in international competitions in recent years, which helps lift citizens’ interests in sports and support for athletes. Miss Law added that Hong Kong is preparing at full steam for the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games to be cohosted with Guangdong and Macao this November and December. Through today’s exchange, Miss Law said she hopes to learn from Shanghai’s experiences in hosting same events and further improve the preparatory work.
     
         In the afternoon, Miss Law visited the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China and met with the Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Memorial, Mr Xue Feng. The Memorial is the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in 1921, in which the founding of the CPC was announced, bearing great significance. Noting that the HKSARG is setting up a museum to introduce the country’s developments and achievements and preparing exhibitions related to the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Miss Law said the visit was arranged intentionally to seek guidance, with an aim to make better preparations for the relevant projects in the future.
     
         In the evening, Miss Law attended the opening ceremony and dinner of WestK Shanghai Week 2025. Speaking at the event, she said that Hong Kong and Shanghai are connected by blood and share common traits, as they are both exemplars of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures and dazzling Pearls of the Orient. The two places actively deepen international exchanges and co-operations in areas of economy, culture and globalisation, serving as pioneers in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
     
         Miss Law also said, “The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is an important cultural infrastructure investment of the HKSARG. After many years of development, the WKCD has transformed from a blueprint into reality today and become one of the largest cultural hubs in the world, featuring performing arts venues with our country’s staunch support. The Hong Kong Palace Museum, which opened in 2022, and the M+ museum, which commenced operation in 2021, have become world-class museums blending traditional and contemporary arts and cultures.”
     
         “The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) kick-started WestK Shanghai Week today. It is the first time a series of exhibitions and performing arts programmes and cultural exchange activities have been brought outside Hong Kong. It is not only an important milestone of the HKSARG driving top-notch arts, cultural and creative programmes to go global, but also showcases Hong Kong’s diverse arts achievements and further attracts local and overseas visitors to experience Hong Kong’s vibrancy and appeal firsthand,” Miss Law added.
     
         Supporting organisations of WestK Shanghai Week 2025 include the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSARG, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the HKSARG.
     
         This morning, Miss Law visited the “WestK x MANNER” limited-edition art collaboration themed store, jointly rolled out by the WKCDA and Shanghai’s beloved coffee brand MANNER COFFEE. The store invited Hong Kong’s renowned illustrator Don Mak to craft exclusive designs inspired by the Victoria Harbour skyline, WKCD panoramas and iconic Hong Kong urban motifs, demonstrating the creative charm of integrating culture, creative industry and tourism.
     
         Upon arrival yesterday (June 17), Miss Law had a working lunch with representatives of the management of Shanghai Shendi Group to exchange information on the latest tourism situation in Shanghai and Hong Kong. She also visited the Shanghai Disney Resort to learn about its operation and development. Miss Law said that the Shanghai Disney Resort and the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort are iconic attractions in the two places, which play vital roles in driving regional tourism and economic development.
     
         Miss Law will depart from Shanghai for Hong Kong tonight.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Russia warns US not to help Israel militarily against Iran

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct U.S. military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days.

    In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical.

    Ryabkov warned the U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such “speculative options,” according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.

    “This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation,” it cited him as saying.

    Earlier, a source familiar with U.S. internal discussions said President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, including joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

    On Tuesday, Trump openly mused on social media about killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”

    Israel launched air strikes last Friday against Iran’s nuclear sites, scientists and top military leaders in a surprise attack that Russia condemned as unprovoked and illegal. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in January signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran, has called for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia warns US not to help Israel militarily against Iran

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct U.S. military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days.

    In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical.

    Ryabkov warned the U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such “speculative options,” according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.

    “This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation,” it cited him as saying.

    Earlier, a source familiar with U.S. internal discussions said President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, including joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

    On Tuesday, Trump openly mused on social media about killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”

    Israel launched air strikes last Friday against Iran’s nuclear sites, scientists and top military leaders in a surprise attack that Russia condemned as unprovoked and illegal. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in January signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran, has called for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides.

    (Reuters)