NewzIntel.com

Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Afghan interim government leader condemns Israeli aggression in Gaza

    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

    KABUL, June 4 (Xinhua) — Supreme Leader of the Afghan Interim Government Haibatullah Akhundzada has condemned Israel’s ongoing military operation in the Palestinian city of Gaza as a crime against humanity.

    “The Zionist attacks and acts of oppression against women, children and Muslims in Gaza and other parts of Palestine continue unabated. These acts constitute grave crimes against humanity and a grave injustice,” he said.

    In his message, congratulating on the most important Muslim religious holiday of Eid al-Adha /Kurban Bayram/, celebrated on June 7 in Afghanistan, he also called for an immediate end to the brutal reprisals in Gaza.

    Haibatullah Akhundzada also called on businessmen to contribute to the reconstruction process of Afghanistan, saying: “Our traders and industrialists should intensify their efforts for the development and prosperity of our country so that our nation becomes self-sufficient and does not depend on anyone.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Michigan Man on Charges of Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS and Possessing a Destructive Device

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Michigan man was convicted yesterday by a jury on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, commonly known as ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and for being a felon in possession of a destructive device.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 2025 Basketball Africa League Season: By the Numbers

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    PRETORIA, South Africa, June 4, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) (https://BAL.NBA.com) Playoffs and Finals, which will be held at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa for the first time from Friday, June 6 – Saturday, June 14, will feature the top eight teams (https://apo-opa.co/4jvNMLd) from the three conference group phases that were held in Rabat, Morocco; Dakar, Senegal; and Kigali, Rwanda in April and May: No. 1 seed AlAhli Tripoli (Libya; 6-0), No. 2 seed Al Ittihad (Egypt; 6-0), No. 3 seed 2022 BAL champion US Monastir (Tunisia; 4-2), No. 4 seed Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria; 4-2), No. 5 seed 2024 BAL champion Petro de Luanda (Angola; 3-3), No. 6 seed Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR; Rwanda; 3-3), No. 7 seed Kriol Star (Cape Verde; 3-3) and No. 8 seed FUS de Rabat (Morocco; 2-4). 

    The schedule (https://apo-opa.co/3FpJLdw) for the Playoffs and Finals features four seeding games followed by an eight-game, single-elimination playoffs, culminating with the 2025 BAL Finals on June 14 at 4:00 p.m. CAT.  Tickets are on sale now at BAL.NBA.com and Ticketmaster.co.za. 

    Below are notable facts and figures about the 2025 BAL season: 

    • 250,000,000 – Since 2021, the BAL has contributed more than $250 million to Africa’s GDP. 
    • 2,739,498 – BAL games have generated a record 2,739,498 million views on the league’s YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/441ALVe) channel this season (+69% year-over-year). 
    • 168,000 – The May 22 game between APR and Made by Basketball (MBB; South Africa) was the most-watched game ever on the BAL’s YouTube channel, with 168,000 unique viewers. 
    • 111,008 – The BAL set an attendance record with 111,008 fans attending the three conference group phases, including three sold-out opening days. 
    • 37,000 – Nearly 37,000 jobs were linked to the BAL playing games across the continent over the league’s first four seasons.  
    • 2,347 – This season, the BAL has engaged 2,347 youth and community members through social impact programming. 
    • 600 – More than 600 media members from 30 countries across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. were credentialed to cover the three conference group phases.  
    • 214 – The 2025 BAL season is reaching fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages. 
    • 156 – The 12 BAL teams collectively featured 156 players from a record 28 countries across Africa, Europe, Oceania and the U.S. during group phase play. 
    • 115 – AlAhli Tripoli scored a BAL-record 115 points in a win against the Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya) on May 18. 
    • 39 – MBB guard Teafale Lenard Jr. scored a BAL season-high 39 points in a 76-85 loss to the Nairobi City Thunder on May 24. 
    • 17 – Rivers Hoopers center Peter Olisemeka grabbed a BAL season-high 17 rebounds in a 94-77 loss to Al Ittihad on April 12.  
    • 13 – Petro de Luanda guard Childe Dundao set a BAL record for most assists in a game with 13 in a 103-74 win over Kriol Star on April 26.  
    • 12 – As part of the fourth edition of the BAL Elevate program, one NBA Academy Africa prospect joined each of the 12 BAL teams for the season. 
    • 8 – APR center Aliou Diarra set a BAL record for most blocked shots in a single game with eight in a 77-74 win vs. the Nairobi City Thunder on May 25. 
    • 8 – Al Ahli Tripoli guard Jean-Jacques Boissy made a BAL season-high eight three-pointers in an 87-77 win vs. MBB on May 17. 
    • 6 – A record six new teams and two new countries competed in the 2025 BAL season. 
    • 2 – Kriol Star is the only BAL team to win two overtime games in the same season, vs. ASC Ville de Dakar on May 1 (95-92) and vs. Petro de Luanda on May 4 (71-69).  
    • 2 – 2022 BAL champion US Monastir and defending champion Petro de Luanda are the only two teams to compete in all five BAL seasons.  
    • 1 – This season marked the first time BAL games were held in Morocco and the first time South Africa is hosting the Playoffs and Finals.  

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Development finance in a post-aid world: the case for country platforms

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Richard Calland, Emeritus Associate Professor in Public Law, UCT. Visiting Adjunct Professor, WITS School of Governance; Director, Africa Programme, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge

    With the Trump administration slashing US Agency for International Development budgets and European nations shifting overseas development aid budgets to bolster defence spending, the world has entered a “post-aid era”.

    But there is an opportunity to recast development finance as strategic investment: “country platforms”.

    Country platforms are government-led, nationally owned mechanisms that bring together a country’s climate priorities, investment needs and reform agenda, and align them with the interests of development partners, private investors and implementing agencies. They function as a strategic hub: convening actors, coordinating funding, and curating pipelines of projects for investment.

    Think of them as the opposite of donor-driven fragmentation. Instead of dozens of disconnected projects driven by external priorities, a country platform enables governments to set the agenda and direct finance to where it is needed most. That could be renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure, or nature-based solutions.

    Country platforms are a current fad. They were the talk of the town at the 2025 Spring meetings of multilateral development banks in Washington DC. Will they quickly fade as the next big new idea comes into view? Or can they escape the limitations and failings of the finance and development aid ecosystem?

    The Independent High Level Expert Group on Climate Finance, on which I serve, is striving to find new ways to ramp up finance – both public and private – in quality and quantity. I agree with those who argue that country platforms could be the innovation that unlocks the capital urgently needed to tackle climate overshoot and buttress economic development.

    The model is already being tested. More than ten countries have launched their platforms, and more are in the pipeline.

    For African countries, the opportunity could not be more timely. African governments are racing to deliver their Nationally Determined Contributions. These are the commitments they’ve made to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as part of climate change mitigation targets set out in the Paris Agreement. Implementing these plans is often being done under severe fiscal constraints.

    At the same time global capital is looking for investment opportunities. But it needs to be convinced that the rewards will outweigh the risks.

    Where it’s being tested

    In Africa, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership has demonstrated both the potential and the complexity of a country platform. Egypt and Senegal also have country platforms at different stages of implementation. Kenya and Nigeria are exploring similar mechanisms. The African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy calls for country platforms across the continent.

    New entrants can learn from countries that started first.

    But country platforms come in different shapes and sizes according to the context.

    Another promising example is emerging through Mission 300, an initiative of the World Bank and African Development Bank, working with partners like The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, and Sustainable Energy for All. It aims to connect 300 million people to clean electricity by 2030.

    Central to this initiative are Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units. These are essentially country platforms anchored in electrification. They reflect how a well-structured country platform can make an impact. Twelve African countries are already moving in this direction. All announced their Mission 300 compacts at the Africa Heads of State Summit in Tanzania.

    This growing cohort reflects a continental commitment to putting energy-driven country platforms at the heart of Africa’s development architecture.

    Why now – and why Africa?

    A well-functioning country platform can help in a number of ways.

    Firstly, it can give the political and economic leadership a clear goal. The platform can survive elections and show stability, certainty and transparency to the investment world.

    Secondly, national ownership and strategic alignment can reduce risk and build confidence. That would encourage investment.

    Thirdly, it builds trust among development partners and investors through clear priorities, transparency, and national ownership.

    Fourthly, it moves beyond isolated pilot projects to system-level transformation – meaning structural change. The transition in one sector, energy for example, creates new value chains that create more, better and safer jobs. Country platforms put African governments in charge of their own economic development, not as passive recipients of climate finance.

    The country sets its investment priorities and then the match-making with international climate finance can begin.

    Making it work: what’s needed

    Developing the data on which a country bases its investment and development plans, and blending those with the fiscal, climate and nature data, is complex. For this reason country platforms require investment in institutional capacity, cross-ministerial collaboration, and strong coordination between finance ministries, environment agencies and economic planners. And especially, in leadership capability.

    African countries must take charge of this capacity and capability acceleration.

    Second, development partners can respond by providing money as well as supporting African leadership, aligning with national strategies, and being willing to co-design mechanisms that meet both investor expectations and local realities.

    Capacity is especially crucial given the scale of Africa’s needs. According to the African Development Bank, Africa will require over US$200 billion annually by 2030 to meet its climate goals. Donor aid will provide only a fraction of this. It will require smart, coordinated investment and careful debt management. Country platforms provide the structure to govern the process.

    Seizing the opportunity

    Country platforms represent one of the most promising innovations in climate and development finance architecture. Properly designed and led, they offer African countries the opportunity to take ownership of their climate and development futures – on their own terms.

    Country platforms could be the “buckle” that finally enables the supply and demand sides of climate finance to come together. It will require commitment, strategic and technical capability, and, above all, smart leadership.

    Richard Calland works for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. He is also an Emeritus Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and an Adjunct Visiting Professor at the University of Witwatersrand School of Governance. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Chairs of the Board of Sustainability Education and is a member of the Board of Chapter Zero Southern Africa.

    – ref. Development finance in a post-aid world: the case for country platforms – https://theconversation.com/development-finance-in-a-post-aid-world-the-case-for-country-platforms-257994

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Development finance in a post-aid world: the case for country platforms

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Richard Calland, Emeritus Associate Professor in Public Law, UCT. Visiting Adjunct Professor, WITS School of Governance; Director, Africa Programme, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge

    With the Trump administration slashing US Agency for International Development budgets and European nations shifting overseas development aid budgets to bolster defence spending, the world has entered a “post-aid era”.

    But there is an opportunity to recast development finance as strategic investment: “country platforms”.

    Country platforms are government-led, nationally owned mechanisms that bring together a country’s climate priorities, investment needs and reform agenda, and align them with the interests of development partners, private investors and implementing agencies. They function as a strategic hub: convening actors, coordinating funding, and curating pipelines of projects for investment.

    Think of them as the opposite of donor-driven fragmentation. Instead of dozens of disconnected projects driven by external priorities, a country platform enables governments to set the agenda and direct finance to where it is needed most. That could be renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure, or nature-based solutions.

    Country platforms are a current fad. They were the talk of the town at the 2025 Spring meetings of multilateral development banks in Washington DC. Will they quickly fade as the next big new idea comes into view? Or can they escape the limitations and failings of the finance and development aid ecosystem?

    The Independent High Level Expert Group on Climate Finance, on which I serve, is striving to find new ways to ramp up finance – both public and private – in quality and quantity. I agree with those who argue that country platforms could be the innovation that unlocks the capital urgently needed to tackle climate overshoot and buttress economic development.

    The model is already being tested. More than ten countries have launched their platforms, and more are in the pipeline.

    For African countries, the opportunity could not be more timely. African governments are racing to deliver their Nationally Determined Contributions. These are the commitments they’ve made to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as part of climate change mitigation targets set out in the Paris Agreement. Implementing these plans is often being done under severe fiscal constraints.

    At the same time global capital is looking for investment opportunities. But it needs to be convinced that the rewards will outweigh the risks.

    Where it’s being tested

    In Africa, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership has demonstrated both the potential and the complexity of a country platform. Egypt and Senegal also have country platforms at different stages of implementation. Kenya and Nigeria are exploring similar mechanisms. The African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy calls for country platforms across the continent.

    New entrants can learn from countries that started first.

    But country platforms come in different shapes and sizes according to the context.

    Another promising example is emerging through Mission 300, an initiative of the World Bank and African Development Bank, working with partners like The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, and Sustainable Energy for All. It aims to connect 300 million people to clean electricity by 2030.

    Central to this initiative are Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units. These are essentially country platforms anchored in electrification. They reflect how a well-structured country platform can make an impact. Twelve African countries are already moving in this direction. All announced their Mission 300 compacts at the Africa Heads of State Summit in Tanzania.

    This growing cohort reflects a continental commitment to putting energy-driven country platforms at the heart of Africa’s development architecture.

    Why now – and why Africa?

    A well-functioning country platform can help in a number of ways.

    Firstly, it can give the political and economic leadership a clear goal. The platform can survive elections and show stability, certainty and transparency to the investment world.

    Secondly, national ownership and strategic alignment can reduce risk and build confidence. That would encourage investment.

    Thirdly, it builds trust among development partners and investors through clear priorities, transparency, and national ownership.

    Fourthly, it moves beyond isolated pilot projects to system-level transformation – meaning structural change. The transition in one sector, energy for example, creates new value chains that create more, better and safer jobs. Country platforms put African governments in charge of their own economic development, not as passive recipients of climate finance.

    The country sets its investment priorities and then the match-making with international climate finance can begin.

    Making it work: what’s needed

    Developing the data on which a country bases its investment and development plans, and blending those with the fiscal, climate and nature data, is complex. For this reason country platforms require investment in institutional capacity, cross-ministerial collaboration, and strong coordination between finance ministries, environment agencies and economic planners. And especially, in leadership capability.

    African countries must take charge of this capacity and capability acceleration.

    Second, development partners can respond by providing money as well as supporting African leadership, aligning with national strategies, and being willing to co-design mechanisms that meet both investor expectations and local realities.

    Capacity is especially crucial given the scale of Africa’s needs. According to the African Development Bank, Africa will require over US$200 billion annually by 2030 to meet its climate goals. Donor aid will provide only a fraction of this. It will require smart, coordinated investment and careful debt management. Country platforms provide the structure to govern the process.

    Seizing the opportunity

    Country platforms represent one of the most promising innovations in climate and development finance architecture. Properly designed and led, they offer African countries the opportunity to take ownership of their climate and development futures – on their own terms.

    Country platforms could be the “buckle” that finally enables the supply and demand sides of climate finance to come together. It will require commitment, strategic and technical capability, and, above all, smart leadership.

    – Development finance in a post-aid world: the case for country platforms
    – https://theconversation.com/development-finance-in-a-post-aid-world-the-case-for-country-platforms-257994

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gaza: Minister for the Middle East statement, 4 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Oral statement to Parliament

    Gaza: Minister for the Middle East statement, 4 June 2025

    Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer made a statement to the House of Commons on Gaza.

    Madam Deputy Speaker,

    We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents, in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. 

    Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families.

    We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events, and for the perpetrators to be held to account.

    It is deeply disturbing that these incidents happened near the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution sites.  

    They highlight the utterly desperate need to get aid in. 

    The Israeli Government says it has opened up aid access with its new system. 

    But the warnings raised by the United Kingdom, the United Nations, aid partners and the international community about these operations have materialised and the results are agonising.

    Israel’s newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians. 

    Israel’s unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end. It is inhumane. 

    Israel must immediately allow the UN and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity. It must ensure food and other critical supplies can reach people safely where they are across the whole of the Gaza Strip. Civilians, medical and humanitarian workers and facilities must be protected.  

    We will continue to be steadfast in our support for the UN and other trusted INGOs as the most effective and principled partners for aid delivery. 

    Our support has meant over 465,000 people have received essential healthcare, 640,000 have received food, and 275,000 people have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

     Just two weeks ago, my honourable friend, the Minister for Development, announced £4m additional funding to support the British Red Cross, enabling the delivery humanitarian relief in Gaza through their partner the Palestinian Red Crescent. Th was part of our wider £101m support package for this financial year. Aid must be allowed in so this support can continue. 

    Today, the UN Security Council is expected to consider a resolution for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the hostages and the lifting of all Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid, and supporting delivery by the UN.  

    And we will once again use our vote in support of these goals.  

    Following our leadership in coordinating dozens of countries to address the humanitarian situation, the joint statement from the UK, France and Canada, as well as the actions announced by my Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary on 20 May, we will continue to convene international partners to increase the pressure and take further steps to address the catastrophic situation on the ground.  

    We will continue to strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. As the Prime Minister has said, a ceasefire is the best way to secure the release of all remaining hostages and achieve a long-term political solution. 

    This Israeli Government’s decision to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict aid undermine all these goals. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker,

    We repeat our utter condemnation of Hamas, our demand that it releases all the hostages immediately and unconditionally. They can have no role in the future governance of Gaza. 

    A two-state solution is the only way to bring the long-lasting peace, stability and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve. We welcome France and Saudi Arabia’s leadership in chairing an international conference later this month.

    I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Noma Security Named to Exclusive “Rising in Cyber 2025” List as Leader in Enterprise AI Security

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL AVIV, Israel, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Noma Security, the unified AI security and governance platform, today announced its inclusion in Rising in Cyber 2025, an independent list launched by Notable Capital to spotlight the 30 most-promising cybersecurity startups shaping the future of security.

    Noma Security was selected for its uniquely comprehensive AI security and governance platform, providing enterprise customers with the confidence to rapidly build and deploy AI at scale. Fortune 500 customers use Noma Security to realize measurable value and accelerate competitive advantage through secure AI development and adoption.

    Unlike traditional rankings, Rising in Cyber 2025 honorees were selected through a multi-stage process grounded in real-world validation. Leading cybersecurity venture firms submitted nominations, and nearly 150 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and senior security executives voted on the final list, highlighting the companies solving the most-urgent challenges facing today’s security teams.

    The company joins a cohort that has collectively raised over $7.8 billion according to Pitchbook as of May 2025, and is defining the next era of cybersecurity across key areas like identity, application security, agentic AI, and security operations.

    “The demand for cybersecurity innovation has never been greater. As the underlying technologies evolve and agentic AI reshapes everything from threat detection to team workflows, we’re witnessing a shift from reactive defense to proactive, intelligence-driven operations,” said Oren Yunger, Managing Partner at Notable Capital. “What makes this list special is that it reflects real-world validation—honorees were chosen by CISOs who face these challenges every day. Congratulations to this year’s Rising in Cyber companies for building the solutions that modern security leaders truly want and need.”

    In celebration, honorees will be recognized today at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) alongside top security leaders and investors.

    “Rising in Cyber 2025 recognition stands out from other awards based on a selection process led by CISOs who are on the front lines of secure AI adoption,” said Niv Braun, Vulcan Cyber CEO and co-founder. “Leading CISOs validate what we’re seeing in the market—enterprises are eager to harness the potential of AI, but they also understand the need for comprehensive AI security and governance. The Noma Security platform gives cybersecurity teams the visibility and control they need to enable rapid, secure deployment at scale, turning AI security from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.”

    In November 2024, Noma Security launched from stealth with a $32M Series A funding round led by Ballistic Ventures and Glilot Partners.

    To learn more about Rising in Cyber 2025, visit www.notablecap.com/risingincyber.

    About Noma Security
    Noma Security is the AI security and governance platform giving enterprise organizations the confidence to rapidly build and deploy AI at scale. Noma Security uniquely provides cybersecurity teams with control of AI risk through continuous discovery and inventory, supply chain security, red teaming, and runtime protection to ensure compliance and mitigate risk. Backed by Ballistic Ventures, Glilot Capital, Cyber Club London, Databricks Ventures and SVCI, Noma Security is widely adopted by Fortune 500 customers and has been recognized by Gartner as a leading AI TRiSM solution. For more information visit https://noma.security.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Descope Named to Rising in Cyber 2025 List of Top Cybersecurity Startups

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ALTOS, Calif., June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Descope, the drag & drop external IAM platform, today announced its inclusion in Rising in Cyber 2025, an independent list launched by Notable Capital to spotlight the 30 most promising cybersecurity startups shaping the future of security.

    Unlike traditional rankings, Rising in Cyber 2025 honorees were selected through a multi-stage process grounded in real-world validation. Leading cybersecurity venture firms submitted nominations, and nearly 150 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and senior security executives voted on the final list, highlighting the companies solving the most urgent challenges facing today’s security teams.

    Descope was selected for its no / low code external IAM capabilities that provide security teams the confidence to add the right user journey security controls at the right time without impacting the user experience. Additionally, the Descope Agentic Identity Hub provides key tools and infrastructure to help organizations securely adopt agentic AI systems with robust authentication and access control baked-in.

    The company joins a cohort that has collectively raised over $7.8 billion according to Pitchbook as of May 2025, and is defining the next era of cybersecurity across key areas like identity, application security, agentic AI, and security operations.

    “The demand for cybersecurity innovation has never been greater. As the underlying technologies evolve and agentic AI reshapes everything from threat detection to team workflows, we’re witnessing a shift from reactive defense to proactive, intelligence-driven operations,” said Oren Yunger, Managing Partner at Notable Capital. “What makes this list special is that it reflects real-world validation—honorees were chosen by CISOs who face these challenges every day. Congratulations to this year’s Rising in Cyber companies for building the solutions that modern security leaders truly want and need.”

    In celebration, honorees will be recognized today at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) alongside top security leaders and investors.

    “We’re honored to be named to Rising in Cyber 2025 alongside other innovative security startups,” said Slavik Markovich, Co-Founder and CEO of Descope. “Developers building authentication in-house are burdened with lots of security responsibilities that they shouldn’t be responsible for. We’re proud to help hundreds of organizations ‘descope’ authentication and access control from their daily work without having to worry about account takeover, session management, and agentic identity infrastructure.”

    Descope launched from stealth in February 2023 with $53M in seed funding and a developer-oriented auth platform. The product has since grown to a complete external IAM platform while retaining its developer focus. Descope helps hundreds of organizations like GoFundMe, Databricks, GoodRx, Navan, and You,com create secure and frictionless identity journeys for their end users, business customers, partners, APIs, and AI agents.

    To learn more about Rising in Cyber 2025, visit www.notablecap.com/risingincyber.

    About Descope

    Descope is a drag & drop platform to help organizations manage all their external identities. Our no / low code external IAM solution helps organizations create, modify, and secure authentication and authorization journeys for end users, business customers, partner applications, and APIs / AI agents. Hundreds of businesses use Descope to improve customer experience, prevent account takeover, and get a 360 view of their customer and machine identities.

    About Rising in Cyber

    Rising in Cyber is an annual list recognizing the most innovative startups in cybersecurity as determined by nearly 150 leading CISOs and cybersecurity executives. Nomination criteria included private, venture-backed companies with a primary product focus on cybersecurity and the U.S. as a primary market. For more information about the honorees, participating investors, and methodology, visit www.risingincyber.com.

    About Notable Capital

    Notable Capital is a global venture capital firm based in the U.S. focused on early-to-growth-stage companies in cloud infrastructure and business and consumer applications. The firm invests primarily in the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Latin America. Notable Capital portfolio companies include Affirm, Airbnb, Anthropic, Brightwheel, Drata, Fal.ai, Handshake, HashiCorp, Ibotta, Monte Carlo, Neon, Orca Security, Quince, Slack, Stori, Vercel, and more.

    Notable Capital is a longtime investor in the global cybersecurity sector. Its investments include Bitsight, Descope, Drata, Gem Security (Acquired by Wiz), HashiCorp ($HCP, Acquired by IBM), Nozomi Networks, Orca Security, Torq, Tonic.io, and Vdoo (Acq by JFrog), and more. More information can be found at www.notablecap.com and @notablecap.

    Media Contacts

    Erica Anderson

    Offleash for Descope

    descope@offleashpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why climate is an everyday story – but media coverage still spikes around special environment days and UN summits

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sanam Mahoozi, PhD Candidate in Journalism, City St George’s, University of London

    Lake Urmia, Iran. Sebastian Castelier/Shutterstock

    Climate change is already happening. But 36% of the world’s population still disputes the realities of its origins and impacts. When the science is clear but public understanding lags, more lives and livelihoods are put at risk.

    The media can act as a bridge between climate solutions and public understanding. A global analysis by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that the news media remain the primary source of climate change information, with 31% of people getting it from television and 24% from websites and social media platforms.

    Despite all of this, the mainstream media around the world is not doing enough to shoulder the responsibility of preparing the public for the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Research indicates that climate change coverage spikes around UN climate summits (Cops) and events like World Water Day, but drops off in between.

    That means the stories being told about the environment get the most attention during certain months and consistently less coverage throughout the rest of the year.

    I study how the media reports on climate change in authoritarian countries like Iran and across the Middle East and north Africa, a region where heat indices surpass 55°C and severe water shortages persist.

    As part of my PhD research, I found that international media reporting of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations is sporadic, with coverage often increasing around political and environmental events.

    Reporting on environmental issues in countries facing conflict, war and political tensions is challenging, as the topic often falls low on the media’s list of priorities.

    Climate stories tend to peak around special environment days or UN climate summits.
    arda savasciogullari/Shutterstock

    When it comes to Iran, most of the news making headlines is focused on its nuclear development programme, problems with the west and violations of human rights. The fact that thousands of Iranians die each year from thirst, air pollution and heatwaves rarely makes it into international media, and when it does, it’s usually tied to a political event like protests or US economic sanctions.

    For the past few years, I have been researching and writing for news outlets about the Iranian government’s failure to take action towards mitigating climate change. While discussing the issue with climate scientists, I learned that Iran is among the top ten countries globally contributing to carbon emissions.

    I also learned that, along with Yemen and Libya, Iran is the only country left to ratify the Paris agreement, a treaty that aims to keep global temperatures to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial times.

    However, when I analysed the media coverage, there was not nearly enough mention of this throughout the year. Most articles were published in November, around the time the UN usually holds its annual climate summits, like the UN climate summit, Cop29, hosted by Azerbaijan last year.

    This is a trend I’ve realised through my research and reporting. When the media only covers environmental issues in countries like Iran during political upheavals or climate summits, the world remains largely unaware of these ongoing challenges the rest of the time.

    Here’s the problem: just in the past few months, millions of Iranians across the country have been suffering through crippling sand and dust storms, drought and land subsidence, issues that have been exacerbated by climate change.

    My PhD research into how the media covers the environment in authoritarian regimes is supported by other studies. I found that articles about water and climate issues in Iran and the Middle East tend to peak around environmental protests and UN climate change summits.

    My study shows that Iran received the highest amount of environmental coverage during the 2021 protests in the southwestern province of Khuzestan concerning the lack of water and drought.

    The bigger picture

    When journalists, editors and media outlets delay reporting on the impact of climate change in countries like Iran, we miss the full scale of the damage. As a result, there’s less pressure on authorities to change policies or prepare the public for the growing environmental challenges like forced migration, hunger, and conflict.

    If these countries are more vulnerable to climate change and their governments are doing little to solve the problem, this urgency must be reflected in the media.

    This can be achieved if news organisations publish more stories that explore the root causes of environmental problems and include insights from experts who can offer solutions.

    If even one story can help save a lake, river or wetland from drying up, that’s a pretty powerful effect.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Sanam Mahoozi 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. Why climate is an everyday story – but media coverage still spikes around special environment days and UN summits – https://theconversation.com/why-climate-is-an-everyday-story-but-media-coverage-still-spikes-around-special-environment-days-and-un-summits-256286

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Detention of Alaa Abd el-Fattah | Lords urgent question

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Lord Black of Brentwood asks an urgent question in the Lords chamber on action being taken to secure the release from prison in Egypt of British citizen Alaa Abd el-Fattah, in light of the condition of his mother, Laila Soueif, who is at risk of death as a result of her ongoing hunger strike in protest at her son’s detention.

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr53cwobakI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/EGYPT – Anselmo Fabiano at the end of his mission in Egypt: “A pilgrim in the silence of the desert and with such a different and fascinating culture”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 4 June 2025

    AF

    Cairo (Agenzia Fides) – “I feel privileged to have experienced such a different side of the Church, also sharing some steps with my Muslim brothers. A precious opportunity to live a missionary experience with the Coptic Church of Egypt.”Anselmo Fabiano is a young man who lived two years on a mission before returning to Italy to complete his theology studies in Padua, on his journey toward the priesthood.“A pilgrim in the silence of the desert, among ancient monasteries, minarets that reach the sky, and such a different and fascinating culture. There have certainly been difficulties. The mission is also made up of unexpected events, challenges, and unimaginable experiences,” he notes. “And precisely for this reason, I thank God even more for having protected and accompanied me even in difficult times, allowing me to feel and touch His living presence in my life.””I cherish in my heart the people I have met, the many moments of shared life during family visits, in liturgical celebrations, in faith and in the friendship received and given. My daily life has been imbued with humanity and relationships that have granted me the grace to touch with my own hands the faith and love for the Lord of this people.””In these days I have renewed my “yes” to the Lord in the Society of African Missions, promising to dedicate my life to proclaiming the Gospel to the nations, and especially to Africa. An intense moment of prayer and celebration, in the simplicity and joy of the faith of these people. With this “yes” another step on my journey towards the priesthood begins.””It is a time for farewells, memories, smiles, and hugs before returning to Italy,” Anselmo concludes. “My heart is full of gratitude for these years of missionary life, for the many encounters and experiences lived in this land.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 4/6/2025)

    AF

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Press Arrangements for IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 9-13 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors will convene its regular June meeting at the Agency’s headquarters at 10:00 CEST on Monday, 9 June, in Board Room C, Building C, 4th floor, in the Vienna International Centre (VIC). 

    Board discussions are expected to include, among others: Annual Report for 2024; strengthening of the Agency’s technical cooperation activities: Technical Cooperation Report for 2024; Report of the Programme and Budget Committee; verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015); staff of the Department of Safeguards to be used as Agency inspectors; Safeguards Implementation Report for 2024; application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic; NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran; nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine; transfer of the nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT; designation of members to serve on the Board in 2025–2026; provisional agenda for the 69th regular session of the General Conference; restoration of the sovereign equality of Member States in the IAEA; and representation of other organizations at the 69th regular session of the General Conference.

    The Board of Governors meeting is closed to the press. 

    IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the meeting with an introductory statement, which will be released to journalists after delivery and posted on the IAEA website.  

    Press Conference 

    Director General Grossi is expected to hold a press conference at 13:00 CEST on Monday, 9 June, in the Press Room of the M building. 

    A live video stream of the press conference will be available. The IAEA will provide video footage of the press conference and the Director General’s opening statement here and will make photos available on Flickr.  

    Photo Opportunity 

    There will be a photo opportunity with the IAEA Director General and the Chair of the Board, Ambassador Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman of Ghana, before the start of the Board meeting, on 9 June at 10:00 CEST in Board Room C, in the C building in the VIC. 

    Press Working Area 

    The Press Room of the M building’s ground floor will be available as a press working area, starting from 09:00 CEST on 9 June.

    Accreditation

    All journalists interested in covering the meeting in person – including those with permanent accreditation – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEA Press Office by 14:00 CEST on Friday, 6 June. 

    We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna. 

    Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time to pass through the VIC security check. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sultan Qaboos University and HSE Discuss Scientific and Educational Cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    On May 29, 2025, a delegation from Sultan Qaboos University paid an official visit to HSE. The meeting was held on Pokrovsky Boulevard and was dedicated to the development of partnership in science and education. The delegation was led by the Rector of Sultan Qaboos University, His Highness Dr. Fahd Al Said. During the visit, an agreement on cooperation and exchange between the universities was signed.

    The parties discussed possible formats of cooperation: academic and student exchanges, joint research, teaching Arabic to HSE students, and joint publications in international scientific journals. The participants noted their interest in establishing direct contacts between the research teams of the two universities.

    HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov noted that interest in the Middle East countries, including the Sultanate of Oman, is growing, and stressed the importance of dialogue with universities in the region. According to him, Russian higher education today is focused on technological development in both engineering and humanitarian fields, and HSE is actively involved in implementing the priorities outlined by the Russian Government for the next decade. The Rector specifically emphasized that Russian society faces several key challenges, one of which is overcoming the technological gap. HSE contributes to solving these problems by creating in-demand scientific and applied developments.

    Rector of Sultan Qaboos University His Highness Fahd Al Said spoke about the history and key areas of work of the university, noting its strong positions in international rankings, high competition for admission and active research activities. He expressed hope that HSE students will also be able to study in Oman, and proposed to identify specific steps for developing the partnership within two months.

    The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to Russia, Mr. Hamud Salim Abdullah Al Tuwaikh. On behalf of the HSE, the meeting was attended by Nadezhda Orlova, Director Institute of Agricultural Research and academic director of the educational program “Bioinformatics in agrobiotechnologies“, Anna Shestakova, director Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences, Anton Yanovsky, director Center for commercialization of developments and technology transfer, as well as Director of Internationalization Kirill Kisel.

    The parties expressed confidence that educational and scientific cooperation will strengthen ties between the states.

    Sultan Qaboos University was founded in 1986 and is one of two public universities in the Sultanate of Oman. The university is ranked 1st in the country and 362nd in the world according to QS 2025. It offers programs in arts and social sciences, economics, political science, education, law, medicine and natural sciences, and many other areas. Most of the educational programs at Sultan Qaboos University are taught in English.

    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 Video: ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons’ Fox interview attack on jews by illegal alien

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Watch ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons discuss immigration enforcement in the wake of the horrific antisemitic attack in Colorado by an Egyptian national who overstayed his U.S. visa.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1ECMJySD5c

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Sudan, Guatemala  & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (3 June 2025)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

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

    Highlights:
    Sudan
    Commissioner of the International Commission Against Impunity/Guatemala 
    Ninth Austrian World Summit
    Human Rights/Climate Emergency
    Deputy Secretary-General/Travels
    Gaza
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Syria
    Ukraine
    South Sudan
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Photo Exhibition
    World Bicycle Day
    Financial Contribution
    Briefings – Today

    SUDAN
    You will have seen the horrific developments in Sudan in which five members of a UN humanitarian convoy were killed last night and several more were injured during an attack near Al Koma in North Darfur.
    I can tell you that we condemn in the strongest terms this horrendous act of violence against humanitarian personnel who literally put their lives at risk attempting to reach vulnerable children and families in the famine-impacted areas.
    This joint WFP-UNICEF 15-truck convoy had travelled over 1,800 km (just about 1,118 miles) from Port Sudan, and they were carrying food and nutrition supplies. The Agencies were negotiating access to complete the journey to El Fasher when it was attacked. The route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks.
    Multiple trucks were burned in the attack, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged. It is devastating the supplies have not reached the civilians in need. This is the first UN humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to El Fasher in over a year.
    All attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles must stop. They are a violation under international humanitarian law. And we call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
    We call for safe, secure operating conditions and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties, not just in Sudan, but in all conflict-impacted countries. Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
    And for those who were killed in line of duty in Sudan, we extend our condolences to their families and loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery for the wounded. Shirin

    COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION AGAINST IMPUNITY/GUATEMALA 
    The Secretary-General is concerned about the announcement by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala regarding the issuance of arrest warrants against former Commissioner of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Iván Velásquez, former CICIG Head of Investigations Luz Adriana Camargo — now Colombia’s Attorney General — along with 24 other former CICIG national staff and independent justice officials who collaborated with CICIG.
    The Secretary-General reiterates that the Commission’s international personnel, under the terms of the agreement between the UN and the Government of Guatemala regarding the establishment of the Commission, enjoys immunity from legal process with respect to acts done in the performance of their mission which continues even after the completion of their employment with CICIG. He recalls that under this agreement, the Government of Guatemala agreed to protect the personnel of CICIG – whether international or national – from abuse, threats, reprisals or acts of intimidation in virtue of their work for CICIG. 
    The Secretary-General reiterates his concern at the numerous reports that criminal prosecution is being carried out against those who sought to shed light on cases of corruption and worked to strengthen rule of law and the justice system in Guatemala.

    NINTH AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT
    Today, the Secretary-General addressed the Ninth Austrian World Summit via a video message. He pointed out that we face a triple-whammy of woe, with pollution clogging rivers, contaminating land, and poisoning our ocean, the biodiversity being destroyed at record pace and record levels of greenhouse gases catastrophically disrupting our climate.
    The Secretary-General warned that no country, whether rich or poor, can escape these crises, and no country can solve them alone. But together, he said, we can reap the rewards of action, from cheap, secure power, to better health.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03+June+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfQFjOD3ATM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Oral question – EU-Israel Association Agreement – O-000019/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for oral answer  O-000019/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 142
    Rima Hassan (The Left), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D), César Luena (S&D), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Evin Incir (S&D), Villy Søvndal (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Maria Walsh (PPE), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Per Clausen (The Left), Irene Montero (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Özlem Demirel (The Left), Damien Carême (The Left), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), Li Andersson (The Left), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Estrella Galán (The Left), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Carola Rackete (The Left), Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left), Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), Giorgos Georgiou (The Left), Michael McNamara (Renew), Manon Aubry (The Left), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Branislav Ondruš (NI), Marc Botenga (The Left), Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE)

    We welcome the call by a majority of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement[1].

    The responsibility now lies with the Commission to assess whether the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government are compatible with the ‘respect for human rights and democratic principles’ required under Article 2 of the agreement. ‘Respect for human rights and democratic principles’ is not only a founding value of the EU, it is also an essential element of all EU association agreements.

    Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement explicitly states that relations between the parties are based on these principles, which guide both their internal and international policy and constitute an essential element of the agreement.

    In the light of the Commission’s role as the ‘guardian of the Treaties’ (Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union):

    • 1.What is the timeline and process for conducting the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?
    • 2.What procedures are being used for the assessment of the agreement, and how does the Commission plan to involve relevant stakeholders and ensure transparency?

    Submitted: 28.5.2025

    Lapses: 29.8.2025

    • [1] Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2000/384/2013-07-01.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 3 June 2025 Statement One year in detention: heads of United Nations agencies and INGOs renew demand for release of staff detained in northern Yemen

    Source: World Health Organisation

    This week marks one year since dozens of personnel from the United Nations, nongovernmental and civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions were arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in northern Yemen. Others have been detained since as far back as 2021. Today, we reiterate our urgent demand for their immediate and unconditional release.

    As of today, 23 UN and five international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) personnel remain arbitrarily detained. Tragically, one UN staff member and another from Save the Children have died in detention. Others have lost loved ones while being held, denied the chance to attend their funerals or say goodbye.   Our arbitrarily detained colleagues have spent at least 365 days – and for some, over 1000 days – isolated from their families, children, husbands, and wives, in flagrant breach of international law. The toll of this detention is also weighing heavily on their families, who continue to endure the unbearable pain of absence and uncertainty as they face another Eid without their loved one.

    Nothing can justify their ordeal. They were doing their jobs, helping people in desperate need: people without food, shelter, or adequate health care.

    Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 19 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, many of whom rely on it for survival. A safe and enabling operating environment for humanitarian operations, including the release of detained personnel, is essential to maintaining and restoring assistance to those in need. Humanitarian workers should never be targeted or detained while carrying out their mandates to serve the people of Yemen.

    The prolonged detention of our colleagues has a chilling effect across the international community, undermining support for Yemen and hindering humanitarian response. It has also undermined mediation efforts for lasting peace.

    We acknowledge the release of one UN and two NGO personnel and the recent release of an Embassy staff member. We call on the de facto authorities to deliver on their previous commitments, including those made to the Director-General of the World Health Organization during his mission to Sana’a in December 2024.

    The UN and INGOs will continue to work through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.

    Signatories:

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Salazar, Miller-Meeks, and Wasserman Schultz Launch Bill to Fight Antisemitism Across the U.S.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    strong>Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maria Salazar (R-FL) joined Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) in introducing the bipartisan Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act, legislation that creates a national commission to investigate the rise in antisemitic violence and provide actionable recommendations to Congress and the President.

    “Since the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed, resulting in an overall increase of 900% over the past 10 years, including recent violent, hate-fueled attacks that have shocked communities across the country,” said Rep. Salazar. “The U.S. must identify and report these acts of hate against the Jewish community to put an end to them immediately.”

    “Whether it’s the brutal attack in Boulder, the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in D.C., or the 80 percent spike in campus antisemitic incidents, the threat is real and growing,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “This commission will get to the root of the problem and help us take the strong, serious action needed to protect Jewish Americans and restore order and accountability.”

    “Antisemitism was already surging before October 7th, but since then, it has exploded—especially in the digital realm,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.” As we’ve unfortunately witnessed, hatred that starts online does not stay online. This bipartisan, bicameral commission, backed by leading voices in the Jewish community, will help shape smart, actionable policies to confront this alarming trend head-on.” 

    Background:

    Antisemitic violence and harassment have surged across the United States since October 7, 2023, with several recent cases highlighting the alarming rise in hate. In Boulder, Colorado, an illegal immigrant from Egypt, used a makeshift flamethrower to attack peaceful marchers calling for the release of hostages, injuring eight people. In Washington, D.C., a separate incident saw two young Israeli Embassy staffers murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum by a radical Hamas supporter shouting “Free Palestine.” Across college campuses, antisemitic incidents have spiked by more than 80 percent, with students reporting threats, vandalism, harassment, and physical assaults.

    The Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism will bring together Jewish leaders, law enforcement, civil society experts, and impacted communities to investigate these acts of hate, identify their root causes, and deliver a formal report to Congress and the President with concrete policy recommendations. The commission will also strengthen national data collection and improve accountability for antisemitic incidents.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India Wins Presidency of International Institute of Administrative Sciences

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India won the Presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. The International Institute of Administrative Sciences, a notable global institution, is a federation of 31 member countries, 20 national sections, and 15 academic research centres jointly collaborating on scientific research in public administration.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had nominated the Indian candidate, Secretary DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances), Shri V. Srinivas, for the 2025-2028 Presidency of IIAS in November 2024. Following Presidency hearings in February 2025, the candidacies of India, South Africa, and Austria were forwarded to the IIAS General Body. Subsequently, South Africa withdrew its candidacy in favour of India in May 2025.

    The election between India and Austria was held on 3 June 2025, in which 141 votes were polled. India secured 87 votes (61.7 per cent of the vote), while Austria received 54 votes (38.3 per cent of the vote). India’s candidacy received widespread support from across the membership.

    This election marks two significant firsts in the 100-year history of IIAS: it was the first time the President was elected by a ballot process, and it is the first time India has secured this historic mandate.

    The Indian Presidency of the institution will seek to bridge the North-South Divide with a focus on unity and inclusivity. It will also take forward Prime Minister Modi’s vision for “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government,” documenting next-generation administrative reforms with a focus on the digital empowerment of citizens and the digital transformation of institutions.

    India has been a member of IIAS since 1998. Other key members of IIAS include Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain, Qatar, Morocco, and Indonesia.

    While the IIAS is not a formally affiliated body of the United Nations, it actively engages with the UN’s work in public administration through the UN’s Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) and the UN Public Administration Network (UNPAN).

  • US-backed Gaza aid group halts distribution, UN to vote on ceasefire demand

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not give out any aid on Wednesday as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, a day after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed.

    The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to “guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks” near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety.

    “Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid,” said a GHF spokesperson. An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving in areas leading to GHF sites on Wednesday, deeming them “combat zones”.

    The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it opened fire on a group of people it viewed as a threat near a GHF food aid distribution site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured. The GHF said the incident was “well beyond” its site.

    Palestinians who collected food GHF boxes on Tuesday described scenes of pandemonium, with no-one overseeing the handover of supplies or checking IDs, as crowds jostled for aid.

    The U.N. Security Council is also set to vote on Wednesday on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms.

    “It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the U.S. and Israel was “all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on.”

    That model is run by the newly created GHF, which started operations in the enclave a week ago and said on Tuesday that it has given out more than seven million meals from three so-called secure distribution sites. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: “Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it.”

    U.S. VETO?

    The U.N. and other aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and the distribution model militarizes aid. GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get aid to the distribution sites.

    It is the latest in a string of efforts to get more aid into the enclave, where experts say the entire population of some 2.1 million people is at risk of famine. Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the U.S. briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges.

    The U.N. has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies.

    Israel said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory on Tuesday. Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza.

    The 10 elected members of the U.N. Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.”

    The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the U.N., throughout Gaza.

    “The time to act has already passed,” Slovenia’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told Reuters. “It is our historical responsibility not to remain silent.”

    As U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if Washington would veto the draft text. A spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the U.N. said: “We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration.”

    A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France – to pass.

    The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.

    Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, which do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 3,000 Afghan families return home from Pakistan, Iran in 3 days

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

    A total of 3,009 Afghan families with 12,724 members returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan from Sunday to Tuesday, Afghanistan’s High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said Wednesday.

    The refugees have come home via the Torkham border crossing in eastern Nangarhar province, the Spin Boldak border crossing in southern Kandahar province, the Islam Qala border crossing in western Herat province, and the Abrisham border crossing in western Nimroz province, it said.

    A total of 500,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland, Afghanistan, from the neighboring countries in April and May, according to the UNHCR report.

    Nearly 7 million Afghan refugees, most of whom are undocumented migrants, are currently living abroad, with most living in Iran and Pakistan.

    The authorities of both countries have asked undocumented foreign nationals to end their illegal stay and return to their homes. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF hands over activities in Marib and Taiz city to local authorities

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Sana’a/Amsterdam- After years of providing critical medical care in conflict-affected Marib and Taiz city, Yemen, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has completed the handover of medical activities to the local authorities.

    Since 2019, MSF has worked in Marib with local and health authorities to provide free and high-quality healthcare, and to deliver essential care to displaced and migrant communities in the hygiene fund clinic and supported the Governorate Health Office at Al-Ramsa clinic. Throughout 2024, MSF provided 32,000 outpatient and 2,640 antenatal consultations, admitted 420 children to the outpatient therapeutic feeding centre, and provided 6,000 vaccines. 

    Taiz city went through a dire health crisis, with conflict and economic collapse leaving people with limited access to care. Since 2021, MSF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has supported the mother and child healthcare ward at Al-Jomhouri hospital, and helped respond to widespread healthcare needs. During 2024, MSF provided 22,580 antenatal and 5,835 postnatal consultations, admitted 4,214 patients to the maternity ward, 1,558 babies to the neonatal department, and assisted 8,879 deliveries.  

    In both projects, MSF also responded to cholera and measles outbreaks, as well as delivered essential items to the people who had been displaced by floods.

    “I deeply respect and admire the resilience of the Yemeni people during these tough and challenging times. Supporting people in need, especially women and children, was a profound responsibility. We are grateful to have served these communities and remain committed to supporting the access to healthcare across our remaining projects in the country,” says Tila Muhammad, MSF head of mission based in Sana’a.

    MSF remains actively present in ten governorates across Yemen, continuing to provide trauma care, maternal and paediatric services, and emergency medical support in regions facing acute humanitarian and health crises.

    “In a time when humanitarian access is more precarious than ever, MSF urges all stakeholders to protect medical infrastructure and ensure safe, unhindered access to healthcare for those in need.” says Muhammad.  

    Years of conflict have decimated public infrastructure, with millions of people lacking access to clean water, food, and medical care. The recent destruction of Sana’a airport and the Hodeidah port, which are critical entry points for humanitarian supplies and staff traveling in and out of Yemen, will be devastating to Yemeni people, who are already suffering from a massive humanitarian crisis.

    MSF has been working in Yemen since 1986 and has maintained a continuous presence in the country since 2007. Our work is guided solely by medical needs and carried out independently of political, economic, or religious agendas. This independence is made possible by our funding— of which 98 per cent comes from private donors, allowing us to assess needs freely, access communities, and directly deliver the aid we provide.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • Iran’s Khamenei rejects US nuclear demand, vows to keep enriching uranium

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment, rejecting a key U.S. demand aimed at resolving a decades-long nuclear dispute, that he said was against the Islamic Republic’s interests.

    The U.S. proposal for a new nuclear deal was presented to Iran on Saturday by Oman, which has mediated talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

    After five round of talks, several hard-to-bridge issues remain, including Iran’s insistence on maintaining uranium enrichment on its soil and Tehran’s refusal to ship abroad its entire existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium – possible raw material for nuclear bombs.

    “Uranium enrichment is the key to our nuclear programme and the enemies have focused on the enrichment,” Khamenei said in a televised speech. The U.S. proposal “contradicts our nation’s belief in self-reliance and the principle of ‘We Can’,” he said.

    “The rude and arrogant leaders of America repeatedly demand that we should not have a nuclear programme. Who are you to decide whether Iran should have an enrichment?,” he added.

    Tehran says it wants to master nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and has long denied accusations by Western powers that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

    On Monday, Reuters reported Tehran was poised to reject the U.S. proposal on the grounds that it was a “non-starter” that failed to soften Washington’s stance on uranium enrichment or to address Tehran’s interests.

    Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran since his return to the White House in January, which included tightening sanctions and threatening to bomb Iran if the negotiations yield no deal.

    During his first term in 2018, Trump ditched Tehran’s 2015 nuclear pact with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy. Iran responded by escalating enrichment far beyond the pact’s limits.

    Iran’s arch-foe Israel, which sees Iran’s nuclear programme as an existential threat, has repeatedly threatened to bomb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

    (Reuters) 

  • Over 1.4 million pilgrims begin Hajj journey as Saudi Arabia implements unprecedented heat safety measures

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The annual Hajj pilgrimage officially commenced today with over 1.4 million international pilgrims joining hundreds of thousands of domestic participants in Mecca, as Saudi authorities unveiled the most extensive safety preparations in the pilgrimage’s modern history to combat potentially deadly extreme heat.

    Pilgrims began streaming into the tent city of Mina early this morning to observe the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the formal start of one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The sacred rites are expected to conclude around June 9, with the Day of Arafah anticipated tomorrow and Eid al-Adha celebrations beginning on June 6.

    The Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia issued a statement congratulating the thousands of Indian pilgrims participating this year, emphasizing that consular teams are coordinating closely with Saudi authorities and have established administrative and medical teams in all Mina camps. Indian pilgrims can access support through the “Hajj Suvidha” mobile application and dedicated toll-free numbers.

    Learning from last year’s tragic consequences when extreme temperatures contributed to over 1,300 deaths, Saudi authorities have deployed unprecedented resources for pilgrim safety. More than 400 high-powered cooling units have been installed at key ritual sites, while over 100,000 square meters of new shade structures have been erected in Mina and Arafat. Approximately 103,000 square meters of heat-reducing rubber flooring now cover pathways, designed to lower surface temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius.

    The kingdom has mobilized its largest-ever medical contingent, with the  Ministry of Health, announcing the deployment of 50,000 medical and administrative personnel. Over 700 hospital beds have been designated specifically for treating heat-related illnesses, supported by three field hospitals and 71 emergency response points. Healthcare capacity has increased by 60 percent compared to last year, with more than 98,000 medical services already delivered.

    Saudi authorities have implemented strict enforcement measures against unregistered pilgrims, imposing fines up to 5,000 dollars and potential deportation for anyone performing Hajj without proper permits. This applies to both foreign visitors and Saudi citizens or residents. The policy aims to ensure all pilgrims have proper access to shelter, water, and medical services during what meteorologists warn could be another dangerously hot pilgrimage season with temperatures potentially reaching or exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.

    Advanced technology plays a central role in this year’s safety strategy. Over 250,000 personnel from more than 40 government agencies have been deployed, supported by AI-powered crowd monitoring systems, facial recognition technology, and drones for surveillance and emergency response including fire suppression. The Saudi Arabian Civil Defense confirmed this marks the first time drones will be used during Hajj operations.

    Infrastructure improvements extend beyond heat mitigation. Around Namira Mosque, authorities have installed 350 misting fans and 320 canopies, while over 2,400 cold water dispensers have been strategically placed along pedestrian routes. Pilgrims have been advised to avoid direct sun exposure during peak daylight hours.

    This year’s pilgrimage features several procedural changes, with first-time pilgrims receiving priority through the digitalized “Nusuk” platform. Women are permitted to perform Hajj without a male guardian, reflecting ongoing social reforms in the kingdom.Mina, located five kilometers east of the Grand Mosque, serves as a crucial waypoint with its iconic landscape of over 100,000 fire-resistant white tents designed to accommodate more than 2.6 million pilgrims. The site represents a feat of modern logistics, featuring a complex network of roads, tunnels, and bridges facilitating movement between the three principal Hajj sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

  • MIL-OSI: The Netherlands and the UK among the simplest countries for doing business in Europe, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greece, France, Italy and Turkey are the most complex jurisdictions to do business in the region, according to the 2025 Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) recently launched by TMF Group.

    The GBCI studies over 250 indicators of complexity in 79 jurisdictions that represent 94% of the world’s GDP. The report has consistently shown that countries in Southern Europe and Latin America are the most complex for doing business, and that continues to be true in 2025. At the other end of the scale, the least complex places to do business tend to be in Northern Europe and several of the offshore investment hubs.

    The report notes that complexity is relatively straightforward to navigate, at least for larger multinationals able to absorb the cost of complying with local rules. What is much harder to deal with is uncertainty. US-led sanctions, lockdowns in China and the Suez blockage had already begun a shift towards more diversified supply chains, with companies seeking to reduce their reliance on single countries for sourcing, building or selling their products. A part of that solution noted in last year’s report was the rise of connector economies like Mexico and Vietnam, bridging trade between China and the US in the so-called ‘China plus one’ strategy. That strategy has now fallen foul of US tariffs, set to reflect a country’s trade surplus in goods with the US and so punishing countries with connector status.

    Even if tariffs abate, their launch and rapid shifts point to an underlying risk for companies trading from countries with a high US trade surplus. The report notes a drop in confidence in stability, with the majority of jurisdictions (55%) reporting prioritisation of trade corridor diversity. It identifies a number of countries that might now emerge as the new connectors — with low levels of complexity pointing to business-friendly rules, a low US trade surplus pointing to less likely retaliatory action, a reasonable size and sophistication of economy to support a variety of activity at scale and absorb investment without tipping heavily into US trade surplus, and a multipolar stance that should allow them to trade across different blocs. Those countries include the UK and the Netherlands in Europe, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, and Australia and Hong Kong in Asia Pacific.

    TMF Group’s CEO Mark Weil, said:

    “The real challenge for businesses today isn’t complexity, it’s uncertainty. With rising trade tensions, a shifting geopolitical landscape and economic unpredictability, companies are forced to make decisions in an environment that can change overnight. Tariffs are just the latest signal of the risks of supply chain concentration. Diversification is a necessity in this context. The good news is that businesses can offset some of the complexities of diversification by reducing their own internal intricacies. Our benchmarking reveals stark differences in structural complexity among similar firms. We see an opportunity here: by simplifying their structures and support models — for example, by having fewer legal entities and a few trusted global partners — businesses can gain flexibility.”

    Top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China  70. Czech Republic 
       

    Media Contacts
    Marina Llibre Martín
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regulator issues Official Warning to charity and disqualifies trustee over inflammatory social media activity

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    Press release

    Regulator issues Official Warning to charity and disqualifies trustee over inflammatory social media activity

    A charity set up to support Palestinian refugees, particularly in Lebanon, has been issued with an Official Warning after posting “divisive and inflammatory” political material on social media.

    The Commission has also issued an Order disqualifying one of the charity’s trustees from being a trustee and from holding a position with senior management functions, for a period of eight years.

    Palestinian Refugee Project was registered in 2021, with objects to benefit the Palestinian diaspora in refugee camps through poverty relief, advancing education, relieving sickness and providing social welfare and leisure facilities.

    The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, began examining the charity in December 2023, after concerns were raised about its social media activity. The regulator also identified that all of the charity’s then trustees appeared to be related, with one serving as CEO, giving rise to concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

    The trustees’ responses to the Commission’s questions raised further concerns, for example, that they lacked an understanding of their legal duties and responsibilities, including the importance of trustees acting and making decisions collectively.

    The regulator established that, as a result of governance failings, Mrs Taghrid Al-Mawed-Layton – who was also acting as the charity’s voluntary CEO – had sole responsibility for the charity’s social media activity and used the charity’s platforms to promote political material, which was not in furtherance of the charity’s aims, and / or was divisive and inflammatory.

    This included posts that could be interpreted as downplaying acts of terrorism, and which tried to raise support for a change to Israel’s recognition as a state. The charity failed to implement a formal social media policy and the remaining trustees lacked oversight in relation to its social media activity.

    The Commission has disqualified Mrs Al-Mawed-Layton for eight years due to her role in mismanagement and / or misconduct of the charity, including social media activity on behalf of the charity. The Order disqualifies Mrs Al-Mawed-Layton from being a trustee and holding a senior management position in any charity.

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

    We found a number of serious failings at Palestinian Refugee Project, which put the charity’s finances and reputation at risk. The charity, in effect, was being run by a single trustee who either did not understand, or failed to adhere to, basic trustee duties.

    It’s important to stress that the Commission does not seek to encroach on any individual’s right to freedom of speech, expression, or beliefs. And we recognise that events in the Middle East over recent months and years have been deeply emotive and distressing.

    However, trustees have clear legal obligations, including to act in line with the charity’s purpose and best interests, and act reasonably and prudently. Sadly, the good aims this charity set out to achieve was seriously undermined by the conduct and failings of its trustees.

    As part of its case, the regulator also established that a failure to implement financial controls meant that funds were spent without proper authorisation or controls. The charity is overdue in filing its accounts for the years ending April 2023 and 2024.

    The Charity Commission’s case involving the charity will remain ongoing allowing the regulator to follow up on the remedial actions set out in the Official Warning.

    Ends

    Notes to editors:

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

    2. The Official Warning and disqualification order were issued as part of a regulatory compliance case into the charity, which remains ongoing. These cases allow us to gather evidence and make findings, and to help trustees address any failures or weaknesses that we might identify.

    3. The Charity Commission maintains a searchable register of removed trustees.

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia to lead PROACTIF, a multimillion Europe robotics and unmanned technology project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia to lead PROACTIF, a multimillion Europe robotics and unmanned technology project 

    • The venture is projected to generate around €90 million in revenue by 2035.
    • The consortium brings together 42 leading European technology companies from 13 countries to redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed.

    4 June 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia has been selected to lead PROACTIF, a project funded by the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking. The project aims to strengthen Europe’s technology resilience and leadership in ECS technologies and support the autonomy of the European Drone and Robotics industry.

    The consortium anticipates generating around €90 million in revenue, 50 products, and more than 15 new industry patents by 2035, enabling increased market share and leadership. The project’s additional impact includes dozens of new collaborations, hundreds of new jobs, and over €40 million of additional investments.

    “Nokia’s extensive expertise has helped establish drone technology best practices and transform drones into daily helpers for public safety and mission-critical operations. We are honored to lead this project. It demonstrates Nokia’s commitment to fostering innovation and resilience across Europe. By collaborating with leading organizations, this initiative will address critical challenges in security and sustainability, delivering real-world benefits for society,” said Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions, Nokia.

    The PROACTIF consortium brings together 42 partners and four affiliates from 13 countries with a focus on critical infrastructure surveillance and emergency management in Europe. Under Nokia’s leadership, the groundbreaking venture will redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed in Europe. It will unite academic institutions, SMEs, and industry leaders to develop cutting-edge, cost-efficient, eco-efficient, safe, and cybersecure unmanned vehicle (UxV) systems to address European civil security needs.

    The project will develop nine advanced technology building blocks and five state-of-the-art UxV platforms, emphasizing interoperability, autonomy and rapid deployment to meet Europe’s societal and market needs. The use of UxV technologies enables a more holistic understanding of an incident’s location and severity, as well as comprehensive situational awareness, through frequent and efficient sensor data gathering.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Web Page: Nokia Drone Networks

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    PROACTIF PARTNERS
    PROACTIF brings together notable partners across Europe including : Acorde Technologies, S.A. (Spain), AITEK SPA (Italy), Ascento AG (Switzerland), Asya SIA (Latvia), Avular Innovations B.V. (Netherlands), Captain AI B.V. (Netherlands), CSEM Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA (Switzerland), Citymesh N.V. (Belgium), CISC Semiconductor GmbH (Austria), DEMCON Unmanned Systems BV (Netherlands), Dimetor GmbH (Austria), Fixposition AG (Switzerland), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V (Germany), Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), Heimann Sensor GmbH (Germany), HUN-REN Számítástechnikai és Automatizálási Kutatóintézet (Hungary), InnoSenT GmbH (Germany), Innovation River S.R.L (IT), League Geophysics Services B.V. (Netherlands), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), Luna Geber Engineering SRL (Italy), NVIDIA (Israel), Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy (Finland), Research Studios Austria Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Austria), Riga Technical University (Latvia), Saab Finland Oy (Finland), Safran Electronics & Defense / SED SPAIN S.L. (Spain), Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki i Fotoniki (Poland), Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (Austria), Skyability (Austria), SSH Communications Security Oyj (Finland), Stichting IMEC Nederland (Netherlands), Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (Netherlands), TST-Sistemas (Spain), Universidad de Granada (Spain), Universitá Degli Studi Di Perugia (Italy), Van Oord Ship Management B.V. (Netherlands), VIA electronic GmbH (Germany), ViNotion B.V. (Netherlands), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (Finland), Würth Elektronik (Germany) YellowScan (France).

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yemen’s Houthis Claim Responsibility for ‘Missile’ Attack on Israeli Airport

    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

    SANAA, June 4 (Xinhua) — Yemen’s Houthi movement said on Tuesday it launched a “hypersonic ballistic missile” at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, adding that the attack disrupted airport operations and sent “millions of Israelis” into shelters.

    “The operation has achieved its objective,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said in a statement carried by al-Masirah television, vowing to continue the attacks unless what he called “Israeli aggression” ceased and the blockade of Gaza was lifted.

    The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have launched a series of strikes on Israel since November 2023 in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said air raid sirens sounded in parts of central and northern Israel after a rocket was launched from Yemen, but it said the rocket was successfully intercepted.

    Israel’s Magen David Adom National Medical Service said there were no reports of casualties.

    Flights at Ben Gurion International Airport have been suspended, airport authorities said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Supriya Sule-led delegation welcomes condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack by Egypt

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo on Tuesday, seeking support for India’s efforts to counter cross-border terrorism. The meeting marked the second day of the delegation’s visit to Egypt.

    According to the Indian Embassy in Cairo, the delegation welcomed Egypt’s strong condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

    “Both sides acknowledged the growing momentum in the India-Egypt Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their unified stance against terrorism,” the embassy said in a statement.

    “Foreign Minister Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s full solidarity with India and welcomed deeper bilateral collaboration on counter-terrorism,” the statement added.

    The delegation also met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, to discuss India’s broad-based political, economic, and cultural engagement with the Arab world. The embassy noted that both sides “emphasised the priority accorded to countering terrorism and the need for sustained multilateral cooperation in this regard.”

    Earlier in the day, the delegation held a high-level interaction led by Egypt’s former foreign minister Nabil Fahmy, bringing together leading intellectuals, media figures, and opinion makers. The Indian side reiterated its principled stand and collective resolve to fight terrorism, while appreciating Egypt’s consistent support.

    In a symbolic tribute, the members also visited the Heliopolis War Memorial in Cairo to honour Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

    Besides Sule, the all-party delegation includes BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur, and V. Muraleedharan; Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma; TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu; AAP leader Vikramjeet Singh Sawhney; and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.

  • MIL-OSI: Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the easiest countries for doing business in the Middle East, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Middle East is positioned as a mid-complexity region for doing business in the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) recently launched by TMF Group.

    The report ranks 79 jurisdictions, accounting for 94% of the world’s GDP, based on their business complexity, with 1 being the most complex and 79 the least complex. Within the Middle East, Egypt is ranked 37th globally, followed closely by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 38th, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 39th and Qatar at 44th.

    Egypt has decreased in complexity from last year’s position of 28th, mainly due to several strategic efforts and developments. For example, the country’s adoption of diverse logistic solutions and strengthening of trade corridors has played a pivotal role in mitigating economic pressures and geopolitical risks. The establishment of integrated logistics corridors and free zones, coupled with incentives like simplified customs procedures, has also enhanced accessibility for foreign businesses.

    Saudi Arabia has also improved its position, ranking 38th this year (one point less complex than last year), with resilience amid geopolitical disruptions and Vision 2030 initiatives being highlighted as key drivers of the ease of complexity. The country’s strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency continues at the forefront, as the Kingdom invests in trade infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, enhancing supply chain resilience. In addition, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is striving to reduce its vulnerability to geopolitical threats. Parallelly, investments in infrastructure aim to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

    The UAE, ranking 39th this year, continues to position itself as a resilient hub amid global geopolitical disruptions. Strict regulations in place aim to ensure operations are compliant and secure, and contribute to the UAE being seen as a ‘safe haven’ for a diverse range of sectors. These regulations help mitigate risks and provide stability for businesses, fostering confidence among investors and enterprises. With multiple entry points and robust infrastructure, the UAE offers reliable trade corridors.

    With a slight increase in its complexity, Qatar is ranked 44th (last year, it ranked 48th). The geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with Qatar being involved in multiple peace talks, which underscores regional unpredictability and contributes to the heightened sense of uncertainty in the business environment. Additionally, the labour market faces challenges such as increased staff turnover and wage inflation, impacting cost efficiency.

    Achin Malik, TMF Group’s Middle East, India and Africa Market Head, commented:

    “Complexity is no longer the biggest challenge for business worldwide: uncertainty is. At a time of great instability in global trade and rising geopolitical tensions, the Middle East is increasingly strengthening its trade corridors — and exploring new ones. This positions countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar as resilient hubs for businesses amid geopolitical and natural disruptions, in a context of increased unpredictability.”

    Global top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China  70. Czech Republic 

    Media Contacts

    TMF Group

    Marina Llibre Martín, Global PR Manager
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network –