Category: Middle East

MIL-OSI Analysis: Social media can support or undermine democracy – it comes down to how it’s designed

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lisa Schirch, Professor of the Practice of Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

A protester calls out Facebook for facilitating the spread of disinformation. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Every design choice that social media platforms make nudges users toward certain actions, values and emotional states.

It is a design choice to offer a news feed that combines verified news sources with conspiracy blogs – interspersed with photos of a family picnic – with no distinction between these very different types of information. It is a design choice to use algorithms that find the most emotional or outrageous content to show users, hoping it keeps them online. And it is a design choice to send bright red notifications, keeping people in a state of expectation for the next photo or juicy piece of gossip.

Platform design is a silent pilot steering human behavior.

Social media platforms are bringing massive changes to how people get their news and how they communicate and behave. For example, the “endless scroll” is a design feature that aims to keep users scrolling and never reaching the bottom of a page where they might decide to pause.

I’m a political scientist who researches aspects of technology that support democracy and social cohesion, and I’ve observed how the design of social media platforms affects them.

Democracy is in crisis globally, and technology is playing a role. Most large platforms optimize their designs for profit, not community or democracy. Increasingly, Big Tech is siding with autocrats, and the platforms’ designs help keep society under control.

There are alternatives, however. Some companies design online platforms to defend democratic values.

Optimized for profit

A handful of tech billionaires dominate the global information ecosystem. Without public accountability or oversight, they determine what news shows up on your feed and what data they collect and share.

Social media companies say they are in the business of connecting people, but they make most of their money as data brokers and advertising firms. Time spent on platforms translates to profit. The more time you spend online, the more ads you see and the more data they can collect from you.

This ad-based business model demands designs that encourage endless scrolling, social comparison and emotional engagement. Platforms routinely claim they merely reflect user behavior, yet internal documents and whistleblower accounts have shown that toxic content often gets a boost because it captures people’s attention.

Tech companies design platforms based on extensive psychological research. Examples include flashing notifications that make your phone jump and squeak, colorful rewards when others like your posts, and algorithms that push out the most emotional content to stimulate your most base emotions of anger, shame or glee.

How social media algorithms work, explained.

Optimizing designs for user engagement undermines mental health and society. Social media sites favor hype and scandal over factual accuracy, and public manipulation over designing for safety, privacy and user agency. The resulting prevalence of polarizing false and deceptive information is corrosive to democracy.

Many analysts identified these problems nearly a decade ago. But now there is a new threat: Some tech executives are looking to capture political power to advance a new era of techno-autocracy.

Optimized for political power

A techno-autocracy is a political system where an authoritarian government uses technology to control its population. Techno-autocrats spread disinformation and propaganda, using fear tactics to demonize others and distract from corruption. They leverage massive amounts of data, artificial intelligence and surveillance to censor opponents.

For example, China uses technology to monitor and surveil its population with public cameras. Chinese platforms like WeChat and Weibo automatically scan, block or delete messages and posts for sensitive words like “freedom of speech.” Russia promotes domestic platforms like VK that are closely monitored and partly owned by state-linked entities that use it to promote political propaganda.

Over a decade ago, tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, and now Vice President JD Vance, began aligning with far-right political philosophers like Curtis Yarvin. They argue that democracy impedes innovation, favoring concentrated decision-making in corporate-controlled mini-states governed through surveillance. Embracing this philosophy of techno-autocracy, they moved from funding and designing the internet to reshaping government.

Techno-autocrats weaponize social media platforms as part of their plan to dismantle democratic institutions.

The political capture of both X and Meta also have consequences for global security. At Meta, Mark Zuckerberg removed barriers to right-wing propaganda and openly endorsed President Donald Trump’s agenda. Musk changed X’s algorithm to highlight right-wing content, including Russian propaganda.

Designing tech for democracy

Recognizing the power that platform design has on society, some companies are designing new civic participation platforms that support rather than undermine society’s access to verified information and places for public deliberation. These platforms offer design features that big tech companies could adopt for improving democratic engagement that can help counter techno-autocracy.

In 2014, a group of technologists founded Pol.is, an open-source technology for hosting public deliberation that leverages data science. Pol.is enables participants to propose and vote on policy ideas using what they call “computational democracy.” The Pol.is design avoids personal attacks by having no “reply” button. It offers no flashy newsfeed, and it uses algorithms that identify areas of agreement and disagreement to help people make sense of a diversity of opinions. A prompt question asks for people to offer ideas and vote up or down on other ideas. People participate anonymously, helping to keep the focus on the issues and not the people.

The civic participation platform Pol.is helps large numbers of people share their views without distractions or personal attacks.

Taiwan used the Pol.is platform to enable mass civic engagement in the 2014 democracy movement. The U.K. government’s Collective Intelligence Lab used the platform to generate public discussion and generate new policy proposals on climate and health care policies. In Finland, a public foundation called Sitra uses Pol.is in its “What do you think, Finland?” public dialogues.

Barcelona, Spain, designed a new participatory democracy platform called Decidim in 2017. Now used throughout Spain and Europe, Decidim enables citizens to collaboratively propose, debate and decide on public policies and budgets through transparent digital processes.

Nobel Peace Laureate Maria Ressa founded Rappler Communities in 2023, a social network in the Philippines that combines journalism, community and technology. It aims to restore trust in institutions by providing safe spaces for exchanging ideas and connecting with neighbors, journalists and civil society groups. Rappler Communities offers the public data privacy and portability, meaning you can take your information – like photos, contacts or messages – from one app or platform and transfer it to another. These design features are not available on the major social media platforms.

Rappler Communities is a social network in the Philippines that combines journalism, community and technology.
Screenshot of Rappler Communities

Tech designed for improving public dialogue is possible – and can even work in the middle of a war zone. In 2024, the Alliance for Middle East Peace began using Remesh.ai, an AI-based platform, to find areas of common ground between Israelis and Palestinians in order to advance the idea of a public peace process and identify elements of a ceasefire agreement.

Platform designs are a form of social engineering to achieve some sort of goal – because they shape how people behave, think and interact – often invisibly. Designing more and better platforms to support democracy can be an antidote to the wave of global autocracy that is increasingly bolstered by tech platforms that tighten public control.

Lisa Schirch receives funding from the Ford Foundation. I know the founder of Pol.is and Remesh platforms, mentioned in this article, as well as Maria Ressa of Rappler Communities.

I will not benefit in any way from describing their work.

– ref. Social media can support or undermine democracy – it comes down to how it’s designed – https://theconversation.com/social-media-can-support-or-undermine-democracy-it-comes-down-to-how-its-designed-257103

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Imports made up 17% of U.S. energy supply in 2024, the lowest share in nearly 40 years

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

July 7, 2025

In 2024, the United States imported about 17% of its domestic energy supply, half of the record share set in 2006 and the lowest share since 1985, according to our Monthly Energy Review. The decline in imports’ share of supply in the previous two decades is attributable to both an increase in domestic energy production and a decrease in energy imports since 2006.

U.S. energy supply comes from three sources: domestic energy production, energy imports from other countries, and any energy brought out of storage.

In 2024, for the third consecutive year, the United States remained a net exporter of energy, producing a record amount that continues to exceed consumption. Individually, U.S. natural gas, crude oil, natural gas plant liquids (NGPLs), biofuels, solar, and wind each set domestic production records in 2024.

In our Monthly Energy Review, we convert different measurements for different sources of energy to one common unit of heat, called a British thermal unit. We use British thermal units to compare different types of energy that are not usually directly comparable, such as barrels of crude oil and cubic feet of natural gas. Appendix A of our Monthly Energy Review shows the conversion factors that we use for each energy source.

U.S. total energy imports were about 22 quadrillion British thermal units in 2024 and have been relatively flat since 2021. Crude oil and refined petroleum product imports combined accounted for 84% of U.S. total energy imports in 2024, with natural gas accounting for most of the remainder at 15%.

Between 2006 and 2024, U.S. imports of crude oil and petroleum products fell 39%, from about 14 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8 million b/d. All of the decrease occurred in the Gulf Coast region, home to large shares of domestic production and consumption, and the East Coast region, home to a large share of domestic consumption. However, during the same period, imports of crude oil and petroleum products increased in all other regions: the Midwest, Mountain, and West Coast.

In 2006, OPEC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Iraq, in aggregate accounted for the largest share of U.S. crude oil and petroleum imports. Since then, imports from OPEC countries decreased 77% while imports from Canada nearly doubled. Total crude oil and petroleum imports from Canada to the United States exceeded those from OPEC for the first time in 2014 and have every year since. Following the recent expansion of Canada’s Trans Mountain pipeline, U.S. imports of crude oil from Canada reached record highs in 2024. Nearly all crude oil used by U.S. refineries in the Midwest and Mountain regions comes from Canada.

Principal contributor: Mickey Francis

MIL OSI USA News –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: War-Torn Central America in the 1980s Comes to Life in New Historical Memoir

Source: US State of Connecticut

Some six decades ago, when Scott Wallace’s parents gifted him a Polaroid Swinger camera and leather-bound diary as a child, the seeds of journalism were planted.

No one knew back then that Wallace, now an associate professor in the UConn journalism department, would go on to become an award-winning writer, television producer, and photojournalist who’s reported from places including the front lines of war-torn Central America, jungles of South America, and post-Soviet Russia.

Similarly, no one could have foreseen the foreign policy decisions made by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, from around the same time Wallace opened that gift of a camera and journal, would have an influence on some of today’s most divisive issues.

That’s the thread woven through Wallace’s new historical memoir, “Central America in the Crosshairs of War: On the Road from Vietnam to Iraq,” which has won Gold in the Foreward INDIES Awards in the category of political and social sciences, along with a Gold IPPY from the Independent Book Publishers Association as best history book (oversized/coffee table).

He maintains the U.S. government’s decisions, denials, and deceit during Vietnam inevitably led to disasters in Iraq and Afghanistan many decades later, coming through the conflicts, civil wars, and revolutions in Central America in the 1980s.

“Our country would be less polarized,” he says of what would have happened if the U.S. behaved differently in places like El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala during those years.

“We would be dealing with a diminished immigration crisis if we had encouraged democracy in Central America and redirected the resources that we gave them for training armies and waging war,” he says. “If we instead used those same resources to build up their economies, there would have been far fewer reasons for them to leave. They’d still be there. We seriously contributed to the tearing apart of the social fabric there, and I think a lot of the people who’ve come here in the last 40 years never would have left their homes.”

Wallace sat with UConn Today recently to talk about how he got started as a journalist, his unique perspective as a firsthand witness to war, and his advice to others who want to report from the front lines.

Why have you decided to share your story now?

I was in the middle of a project in Brazil involving the struggles of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon and their efforts to defend their territories and the rainforest from predatory logging and other forms of what passes for development down there. Then, the pandemic hit, and I realized I had to move in another direction if I was to work on a monograph during that time. Even after the pandemic passed, it was near-impossible to gain entry to Indigenous communities. Even into 2021 and 2022, it was still too difficult to get into the territories where I’d been conducting my research. Part of the reason I chose the Central America project was to pivot away from Brazil, at least until it was possible to return to those sensitive Indigenous territories. Secondly, there was a lot I’d been wanting to say for a long time about my experiences as a young journalist in Central America and the abiding relevance of so many issues that have come to the fore today, including immigration and the crisis at the border. Very few people understand how much the issue of immigration from Central America has been driven by our policies from 40 years ago, when we were actively involved in supporting and fueling the military conflicts that were going on down there. It drove a lot of the immigration into the U.S. and made the conditions in those countries so difficult that people left en masse. It’s a story of unintended consequences. The third impetus for the project was the very rich trove of images I’d taken while covering those conflicts, most of which had not previously been published, along with detailed notes and compelling stories that have withstood the test of time. Those experiences formed the foundation of my career and what I’ve ended up doing as a journalist over the last 40 years.

What’s one of your ‘I-can’t-believe-I did-that’ experiences from the front lines?

We managed to get ourselves into this rural area of El Salvador in the rebel stronghold of Chalatenango Department, where there had been allegations of a massacre perpetrated by the army that the United States was arming and supporting. We managed to bluff our way past a series of roadblocks, got into rebel-controlled territory, and then got permission from the guerrillas to undertake a journey on foot down into the scene of this atrocity. After most of the day walking, we came upon a dilapidated footbridge stretching across this yawning chasm with a rushing river beneath us. The bridge was such a wreck that, out in the middle, the boards were sagging vertically to the surface of the water, and the wires on one side were basically useless. You had to pick your way across, hand over hand, with your feet on the tops of the boards. The water below was rushing at such a furious speed that the rebels advised us not to look down as we crossed because the rush of the water would make us dizzy, and we’d lose our balance and fall. Had we known what we were getting into, I’m not sure we would have gone there. But by then, we were already so far into the journey there was no going back. When we got to the scene, a horrific stench came from a good way off. It looked like a scene from a plane crash, with clothing and belongings strewn across the brush and hanging from the trees and bodies lying on the ground. It was horrific. I did my best to piece together what had happened from interviews with survivors and what we could see on the ground.

Something like that must stick with you.

I think you develop a little bit of a thick skin, and you just have to move through it. You’re there to find out what happened, and your own personal feelings are kind of secondary.

Sandinista Popular Army soldiers forcibly remove peasants to create a free-fire zone to battle Contra rebels in El Ventarrón, Nicaragua, in 1985. (Photo courtesy of Scott Wallace)

How did you get your start as a journalist?

I was thirsty for adventure and for finding out about the bigger world. I took a year off from college as an undergraduate, and, with advice from some students who were a little older than me and who had done something similar, I lined up a volunteer position in the Peruvian jungle. I went first to Mexico, studied intensive Spanish for the summer, then traveled overland through Central America, down the spine of the Andes, and out into the jungle, where I worked as a literacy instructor in an Indigenous community. During that year I discovered something new about myself. I didn’t know Spanish at all before I left, and through the process of having to put myself out there, I kind of developed a new persona as I interacted with Latin Americans and mastered the language and the culture. I loved the music, the people, and the literature. I returned to college after that, doubled up on Spanish classes, and learned how to write it and read it. I also became fascinated with what was going on in Latin America in the news. I was already a few years out of college when it dawned on me that maybe I could make a career as a journalist covering events in Latin America, since I loved writing, taking pictures, and travel. I decided to go back to school to get a master’s in journalism with the objective of going to Central America when I graduated. By this time, the early 1980s, Central America was in turmoil. The Sandinistas had taken power in Nicaragua, a civil war had erupted in El Salvador, and the Reagan Administration vowed to ‘draw the line’ against what it perceived to be communist aggression in Central America. The region was a tinderbox that seemed poised to become a new Vietnam. I knew that no news organization would send a new graduate straight into a big story. I would have to go as a freelancer, so I decided to learn as many skills as I could, because as a freelancer I knew I would have to have as many skills as possible to earn a living: write news stories, take photographs for my stories, sell my photographs to other news outlets. I also got a tip that doing radio for one of the networks was a really good way to establish yourself and bring in a steady stream of work. Just as I was about to graduate, one of my professors, who had previously been a CBS Radio correspondent, introduced me to network executives when they came to campus, and one thing led to another. They didn’t have anyone in El Salvador at that time, so I was able to land a gig as their freelance ‘stringer’ there.

What would your advice be for a journalism student or working journalist who’s hungry to do this kind of work today?

It takes a certain kind of person. You have to be passionate about the world, curious about the way the world works. You need to be an avid reader of literature as well as nonfiction, be up on current events, and follow the news closely. In all the writing classes that I teach, I require my students to accompany their stories with images, because everyone should know how to take decent pictures and how to do solid interviews. They should learn how to shoot video and record audio. Of course, now you must have a social media presence and put your stuff out there. It’s also very important to make contacts. Ply your professors or the people you meet, go to places where you’re going to meet the professionals you admire. Follow them on Instagram. See who’s excelling at the kind of work you’re interested in and reach out to them. You also should build a portfolio of writing, images, and multimedia. Persistence and patience are also important.

Compared to historians and others who’ve studied Central America and the conflicts there, do you think you have a unique perspective seeing it all firsthand?

It’s definitely a unique perspective, but sometimes I’m a little bit daunted by the intellectual capabilities and rigor of my colleagues in other departments at the University. I think my strength lies in bringing personal experiences and storytelling acumen to the narrative. In June, I was asked to do a presentation at a seminar of academics on genocide and its relationship to ‘ecocide’ – the criminal destruction of the environment – based on my work covering Indigenous struggles in jungles of the Amazon. I was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception to my presentation, in which I showed my photographs and told stories of people whose lives are impacted and threatened by deforestation, land grabbing, and the violent destruction of habitats and biodiversity. It was a way of bringing abstract concepts down to ground level. I’m not the only one who does that. All my colleagues in the journalism department similarly bring that kind of ground-truthing and storytelling to the subjects they report on.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI: CoreNest Capital Announces Investments in 10 Frontier Companies Including Safe Superintelligence (SSI), Neuralink, Perceptive, Orbit Fab and Ottonomy

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CoreNest Capital, the Dubai-based venture capital firm focused on foundational technologies, today announced new investments across ten companies operating at the forefront of artificial intelligence, robotics, medtech, fintech, and Web3.

The latest round includes Safe Superintelligence (SSI), Neuralink, Coverstar, Nilo, Orbit Fab, Pax Markets, Perceptive, Ottonomy, Bond, Cheddr. Each company aligns with CoreNest’s thesis of backing platforms and technologies with the potential to redefine global infrastructure.

“We’re living through a technological supercycle where yesterday’s playbooks are obsolete. This era belongs to the builders who rethink what’s possible and move fast enough to make it real. At CoreNest, we don’t chase hype. We fund the foundations. The future doesn’t just happen. It gets architected.” – Bob Ras, General Partner & Co-Founder of CoreNest Capital

CoreNest’s latest investments include:

Bond: AI Chief of Staff that summarizes, alerts, and aligns teams in real time.

Cheddr: Social sports gaming platform offering fast, fun, and rewarding experiences.

Coverstar: Safe social media platform tailored for Gen Alpha users.

Neuralink: Brain–computer interfaces enabling direct neural control of devices.

Nilo: AI-powered platform democratizing 3D world-building for immersive content creation.

Orbit Fab: In-space refueling services extending satellite missions and enabling dynamic operations.

Ottonomy: Autonomous delivery robots for airports, retail, and last-mile logistics.

Pax Markets: Hardware-accelerated ATS offering zero-fee and ultra-fast trading.

Perceptive: AI-driven dental robotics providing precise, automated dental care solutions.

Safe Superintelligence (SSI): AI lab focused solely on building safe superintelligence.

CoreNest operates with a stage-agnostic, founder-aligned model, bringing technical depth, strategic guidance, and global reach to every partnership. The firm continues to focus on companies driving large-scale shifts in how societies operate, transact, and interact with emerging technologies.

About CoreNest Capital

CoreNest Capital is a global venture capital firm based in Dubai, UAE. The firm invests in bold founders building next-generation infrastructure across AI, robotics, medtech, fintech, and Web3. With a focus on high-impact technologies and long-term value creation, CoreNest provides capital, operating expertise, and deep ecosystem access to support its portfolio at every stage of growth.

CoreNest’s existing portfolio includes category-defining companies such as OpenAI, xAI, SpaceX, and Artisan, among others. Visit www.corenest.com for more information.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0cbe15b5-37b0-47e3-947c-1b36f6514bdb

The MIL Network –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Georgia: how democracy is being eroded fast as government shifts towards Russia

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

Georgia was once considered a post-Soviet success story. After years of authoritarian rule, followed by independence which brought near state collapse, corruption and chaos, Georgia appeared to have transitioned to democracy.

In a period after independence in 1991 and before 2020, elections were regularly held and were deemed mostly free and fair, the media and civil society were vibrant and corruption levels had diminished significantly.

The “Rose revolution” in 2003 ushered in an era of unprecedented reform and suggested a move towards democracy and a closer relationship with the west. Georgians were full of hope for the country’s future, and prospects of joining the European Union – or at least moving closer to Europe.

Fast forward two decades and Georgia has fully returned to authoritarianism. Six opposition leaders are in prison or facing charges and now thinktank leaders are being targeted with investigations that could land them in prison. Typically these charges centre around accepting foreign funding or criticising the government.

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In moves in line with other authoritarian regimes around the world, opposition organisations such as thinktanks are being told to produce financial documents in short timeframes, and accused of financial mismanagement and threatened with prosecution if they don’t.

In May 2024, Georgia passed a Russian-inspired foreign agent law — which would require non-governmental organisations (NGOs) receiving foreign funding to register themselves and face restrictions. Protests erupted each time Georgia’s parliament debated this measure, but eventually the pro-RussianGeorgia Dream party prevailed. More than 90% of NGOs receive funding from abroad, so the new law cripples the efforts of some 26,000 of them.

Many Georgians were outraged that the passage of the bill may end dreams of one day becoming a European Union candidate country. Regular surveys have found that about 80% of Georgians have aspirations for their country to join the EU.

Though Georgia faces a host of economic problems, the Georgia Dream party has campaigned on delivering a return to traditional values. Like Russia they have also passed a series of laws in 2024 that target the LGBTQ+ community, such as banning content that features same-sex relationships and stripping same-sex couples of rights, such as adoption.

Parallels with Russia?

Georgia Dream also passed legislation making treason a criminal offence, a clear attempt to eliminate political opponents. Any insults of politicians online are also considered a criminal offence.

Also, in June of this year civil society organisations in Georgia received court orders requiring them to disclose highly sensitive data. Meanwhile, members of the Georgia Dream party were accused of assaulting opposition party leader Giorgi Gakharia suffering a broken nose and a concussion, which they denied.

In another effort to exercise greater control over the state, since the beginning of this year more than 800 civil servants have been dismissed. Similar to the purges that took place in Turkey — this is not being done in the name of efficiency, but to ensure that the bureaucracy is loyal to wishes of the Georgia Dream government.

This hasn’t happened overnight, as the laws had already changed several times to weaken legal protections for civil servants.

During its time in government, the Georgia Dream party has moved the country much closer to Russia, often by portraying the nation as locked in a cultural struggle against the west. Despite this, 69% of Georgians still see Russia as Georgia’s main enemy, up from 35% in 2012.

Though the Georgia Dream party faces increasing public opposition to its rule, it gained nearly the same amount of votes in the 2024 elections as it did in 2012 – when it was at its peak of popularity. The election result in October 2024 may be partly explained by accusations of fraud and other irregularities.

How did this happen?

One of the first big threats to Georgia’s democracy came in August 2008 when Russia invaded the country to offer support for two breakaway regions in South Ossetia and Abkhazia which declared themselves independent from Georgia. The international community did little to censure Russia, giving Russian president Vladimir Putin the confidence to engage in further acts of aggression.

Russia has maintained troops in South Ossetia, only about 30 miles from Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, and continues to play an important role in Georgian politics, undermining democracy.

Iran
Infogram

The next threat came from within. Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili was elected prime minister of Georgia in 2012 as the leader of Georgia Dream. despite the fact that he officially stepped down from this position in 2013, he has wielded power behind the scenes and is still widely considered to be the de facto leader of Georgia.

Though Georgia did not immediately slide towards autocracy under the Georgia Dream party, today there are few remnants of democracy left. The major opposition parties are banned, opposition politicians and journalists are spied on, and protests are repressed by the police.

Cameras are now installed on the streets of Tbilisi as part of a crackdown on protest and fines for protesting have increased. Elections are no longer considered to be free and fair by the European Union and others as the Georgia Dream party uses its access to the state resources to dole out patronage to its supporters and intimidate voters.

In just over two decades, Georgia has managed to plunge back to authoritarianism. Once hailed as a beacon of democratic reform, the country is now gripped by a Russian-influenced ruling party that has consolidated power through repression, surveillance and manipulation.

But while the Georgia Dream party has tried to dismantle the country’s democratic institutions, support for resistance is high. According to a poll in 2025, more than 60% of respondents supported protests against the government and 45% identified as active supporters. And 82% feel Georgia is in crisis, with 78% blaming Georgian Dream.

It appears that Russia may have succeeded in undermining democracy in Georgia, but not in shaping hearts and minds.

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

– ref. Georgia: how democracy is being eroded fast as government shifts towards Russia – https://theconversation.com/georgia-how-democracy-is-being-eroded-fast-as-government-shifts-towards-russia-260430

MIL OSI –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: President El-Sisi Receives President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Al-Alamain City

Source: APO

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Today in Al-Alamain City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said the two Presidents held a closed bilateral session of talks, followed by an expanded meeting attended by the two countries’ delegations. The talks focused on ways to foster closer bilateral relations as well as developments in the region and the continent.

Concluding their meeting, the two Presidents held a joint press conference.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/USA – The religious connotations of the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

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Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization responsible for distributing food to the population of Gaza, has been led since June 3 by evangelical preacher Johnnie Moore Jr., considered by Newsmax Magazine as “one of the 25 most influential evangelical leaders in the United States.”Moore replaces Jake Wood, a former Marine who resigned as executive director of the GHF, claiming that he “could not carry out the aid project in strict compliance with the humanitarian principles of solidarity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I am not prepared to renounce.” This was not the only defection affecting the foundation, created in February 2025 in the US state of Delaware. Its headquarters in Geneva, which existed only formally, was dissolved at the end of June by the Swiss authorities. The Boston Consulting Group also publicly distanced itself from the project, noting in a statement that, in October 2024, some of its employees had volunteered to organize a team to create a humanitarian aid structure for Gaza, “without disclosing the full nature of the work and subsequently performing unauthorized tasks.” These individuals subsequently left the company.The arrival of Johnnie Moore Jr. accentuates the involvement of American evangelical communities close to Israel in the management of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Moore, President of the Congress of Christian Leaders, serves on the Board of Directors of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), which presents itself as “the leading nonprofit organization building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people worldwide with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid.” Among its activities, the IFCJ assists Israeli soldiers with vouchers for food, clothing, furniture, and other essential items, as well as programs to support former soldiers, vulnerable soldiers, and “lone soldiers” (people who immigrate to Israel to enlist in the military and have no family in the country).Above all, the IFCJ promotes Jewish immigration to Israel as a “fulfillment of biblical prophecy.” According to its website, they state, “We have contributed to the fulfillment of prophecy by helping more than 760,000 Jews make aliyah, immigrate to Israel, since 1983.” Moore is also a member of the Anti-Defamation League’s Task Force for Minorities in the Middle East, the organization founded in 1913 to combat anti-Semitism in the United States.Presenting himself as a defender of religious freedom, Moore spoke out during the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) regarding the plight of Christian and Yazidi minorities persecuted by jihadists. The current leader of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been very active in the Middle East for years, where he has held meetings with political and religious leaders, including the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Moore claims to have been actively involved in the signing of the “Abraham Accords,” the strategic pacts between Israel and some Arab states promoted under the aegis of the first Trump administration (2017-2021). His relationship with the current US president dates back to the 2016 election campaign, when Moore served as co-chair of Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board. The following year, Moore and other evangelical leaders pressured Trump to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump subsequently appointed Moore to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.The opaque nature of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) funds has sparked controversy even within Israel. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has called the foundation a “shell company” covertly funded by the Israeli government itself. Lapid has used the same definition for another US organization working in Gaza with the GHF: Safe Reach Solutions (SRS). This company, along with UG Solutions (run by a former US Green Beret), has been commissioned by the GHF to provide armed protection for food distribution centers in Gaza. In practice, these are armed contractors who, according to the Israeli press, have been operating in Gaza since January 2025 without the supervision of the Shin Bet, the Israeli security service that also operates in the Palestinian territories. SRS is headed by Phil Reilly, a former CIA officer. Safe Reach Solutions (SRS) was incorporated in the state of Wyoming on November 20, 2024, and is believed to be linked to the American strategic consulting firm Orbis Operations. In the fall of 2024, the Israeli government commissioned Orbis to design a plan to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza without going through UN agencies. The plan presented by Orbis envisioned the creation of a food distribution center managed by a private humanitarian organization, entrusting its security to private contractors in coordination with the Israeli army. This is the plan ultimately adopted by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and the two contracting companies, SRS and UG Solutions.According to UN estimates, since the start of GHF operations in Gaza, more than 580 civilians have been killed and more than 4,000 injured in the foundation’s aid distribution centers. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 7/7/2025)
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July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Two Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers in West Bank

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

NABLUUS, July 7 (Xinhua) — Two Palestinians were killed Sunday by Israeli soldiers after they surrounded a house in the village of Salem, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, a Palestinian official and eyewitnesses said.

Nablus Governor Ghassan Daglas identified the victims as Wissam Ishtaie, 37, and Qusay Nasser, 23.

Israeli forces surrounded a house in Salem for several hours, during which there was a shootout and clashes with Palestinian youths, local witnesses said.

The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 8, 2025
Netanyahu to meet Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas discuss ceasefire

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, while Israeli officials hold indirect talks with Hamas, aimed at a U.S.-brokered Gaza hostage-release and ceasefire deal.

Trump said on Sunday there was a good chance such a deal could be reached this week. The right-wing Israeli leader said he believed his discussions with Trump would help advance talks underway in Qatar.

It will be Netanyahu’s third White House visit since Trump returned to office in January, and follows Trump’s order last month for U.S. air strikes against Iran and a subsequent ceasefire halting the 12-day Israel-Iran war.

Israel is hoping that its 12-day war with Iran will also pave the way for new diplomatic opportunities in the region.

Avi Dichter, an Israeli minister and a member of Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said he expected Trump’s meeting with the Israeli leader would go beyond Gaza to include the possibility of normalising ties with Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

“I think it will first of all be focused on a term we have often used but now has real meaning; a new Middle East,” he told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan on Monday.

Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu told reporters he would thank Trump for the U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, and said Israeli negotiators were driving for a deal on Gaza in Doha, Qatar’s capital.

Israel and Hamas were set to hold a second day of indirect talks in Qatar on Monday. An Israeli official described the atmosphere so far at the Gaza talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, as positive. Palestinian officials said that initial meetings on Sunday had ended inconclusively.

A second Israeli official said the issue of humanitarian aid had been discussed in Qatar, without providing further details.

The U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and discussions on ending the war entirely. Hamas has long demanded a final end to the war before it would free remaining hostages; Israel has insisted it would not agree to halt fighting until all hostages are free and Hamas dismantled.

Trump told reporters on Friday it was good that Hamas said it had responded in “a positive spirit” to a U.S.-brokered 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal, and noted that a deal could be reached this week.

Some of Netanyahu’s hardline coalition partners oppose ending the fighting but, with Israelis having become increasingly weary of the 21-month-old war, his government is expected to back a ceasefire.

A ceasefire at the start of this year ended in March, and talks to revive it have so far been fruitless. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza and sharply restricted food distribution.

“God willing, a truce would take place,” Mohammed Al Sawalheh, a 30-year-old Palestinian displaced from Jabalia in northern Gaza, told Reuters on Sunday after an Israeli air strike overnight.

“We cannot see a truce while people are dying. We want a truce that would stop this bloodshed.”

The Gaza war erupted when Hamas attacked southern Israel in October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive.

Israel’s retaliatory war in Gaza has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave’s health ministry. Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced by the war and nearly half a million people are facing famine within months, according to United Nations estimates.

TRUMP LASHED OUT AT ISRAELI PROSECUTORS

Trump has been strongly supportive of Netanyahu, even wading into domestic Israeli politics last month by lashing out at prosecutors over a corruption trial against the Israeli leader on bribery, fraud and breach-of-trust charges Netanyahu denies.

Trump, who has faced his own legal troubles, argued last week that the judicial process would interfere with Netanyahu’s ability to conduct talks with Hamas and Iran.

Trump said he expected to discuss Iran and its nuclear ambitions with Netanyahu, lauding the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as a tremendous success. On Friday, he told reporters that he believed Tehran’s nuclear program had been set back permanently, although Iran could restart efforts elsewhere.

Trump insisted on Friday that he would not allow Tehran to resume its nuclear program, and said Tehran wanted to meet with him. Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon.

(Reuters)

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt launches the first field epidemiology training programme in vector control in the Middle East and North Africa

Source: APO

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The WHO Country Office in Egypt supported the Ministry of Health and Population in launching the Middle East and North Africa’s first field epidemiology training programme (FETP) focused on vector control. Supported by the Pandemic Fund, it aims to strengthen national capacity in detecting, preventing and responding to vector-borne diseases.

The training involved 32 participants, mainly agricultural engineers from the human and animal sectors. It is designed to build workforce capacity to manage and respond to vector-borne disease outbreaks by strengthening and fostering multisectoral collaboration and communication across the human, animal and environmental health sectors using the One Health approach.

The training combines short classroom-based modules with extended field placements. Over 6 months, participants attend 3 workshops, each followed by field assignments to reinforce practical skills. The programme allocates 20% of training time to classroom instruction and 80% to hands-on fieldwork across different governorates.

Egypt FETP comprises competency-based, mentored training that helps public health professionals enhance their field epidemiology knowledge, skills and competencies. Established in 1993, it has trained and graduated 385 epidemiologists. FETP operates at basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

WHO Egypt has continued to provide technical support to Egypt’s FETP, including updating training materials, mentoring participants, reviewing reports, abstracts and manuscripts and offering logistical support such as organizing workshops and other fieldwork activities.

Successful implementation of the training will enhance Egypt’s capacity for prevention, preparedness, detection and response to outbreaks, contributing to the safeguarding of public health and health system resilience.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance statement in support of Holocaust remembrance institutions, organisations, and professionals, June 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

News story

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance statement in support of Holocaust remembrance institutions, organisations, and professionals, June 2025

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance issued a statement on 26 June 2025 in support of Holocaust remembrance institutions, organisations and professionals.
On 26 June 2025, during the first International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) plenary held under the Israeli presidency, the IHRA issued a statement in support of Holocaust remembrance institutions, organisations and professionals.

The UK, along with the other 34 IHRA member states, endorsed the statement, which was adopted by consensus.

The full text is below and on the IHRA’s website.

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance statement

As affirmed in the Stockholm Declaration (2000) and the IHRA Ministerial Declaration (2020), the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance notes the essential mission of Holocaust remembrance institutions and organizations around the world to increase global awareness of the Holocaust (Shoah) and its legacy as well as to preserve and disseminate the memory of the victims and the survivors.

Dedicated remembrance professionals and volunteers play indispensable roles in initiating, developing, and operating these entities. Yet numerous Holocaust remembrance organizations, institutions, and their professional staff and volunteers are encountering increased antagonism, stigmatization, and marginalization within local, national, and international contexts due to an alarming upsurge in expressions of Holocaust distortion and antisemitism, as well as a significant decline in public knowledge of the Holocaust.

The IHRA is gravely concerned that Holocaust survivors and their families, researchers, educators, and memorial and museum professionals are experiencing increased insecurity, disruption, and delegitimization that derive from growing antisemitism in a number of countries inside and outside the IHRA.

We decry that accurate and meaningful Holocaust remembrance worldwide is being threatened by the long-standing, deeply-rooted scourges of antisemitism and Holocaust distortion, which have gained strength and audacity particularly since the 7 October 2023 Hamas terror attacks upon Israel.

We call on local, regional, and national governmental agencies to protect Holocaust remembrance practitioners from antisemitic and distortionist threats and attacks.

The IHRA commends those countries that have actively engaged in efforts to combat antisemitism and Holocaust distortion and those that have made use of the resources developed by IHRA’s Global Taskforce against Holocaust distortion.

The IHRA urges national, regional, and local governments in its Member, Liaison, and Observer Countries as well as IHRA’s Permanent International Partners to redouble efforts to publicly and consistently support institutions, organizations, and professionals devoted to Holocaust research, education, and remembrance.

We steadfastly uphold our commitment to the IHRA’s foundational documents, the Stockholm Declaration and the IHRA Ministerial Declaration, which set forth the IHRA’s mandate and responsibility to uphold education, remembrance, and research about the Holocaust.

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Published 7 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Saudi Arabia: New report denounces alarming escalation in executions including of foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offences

Source: Amnesty International –

A new report published by Amnesty International today draws attention to a startling surge in executions in Saudi Arabia in recent years, particularly for drug-related offences, and highlights the significant impact of these on foreign nationals.

Between January 2014 and June 2025, Saudi Arabia executed 1,816 people, according to the official press agency. Nearly one in three were executed for drug-related offences, which are offences that may not be punished by death under international human rights law and standards. Out of the 597 people executed for drug-related offences during the ten-year period, foreign nationals made up nearly three-quarters (75%) of such executions.

In 2024 Saudi Arabia carried out a record 345 executions. So far this year between January and June 2025, Saudi Arabia executed a total of 180 people.

In June 2025 alone, Saudi Arabia has executed 46 people, including 37 for drug-related offences – an average of more than one drug-related execution per day. Thirty-four were foreign nationals from Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria.

We are witnessing a truly horrifying trend, with foreign nationals being put to death at a startling rate for crimes that should never carry the death penalty.

Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa

“Saudi Arabia’s relentless and ruthless use of the death penalty after grossly unfair trials not only demonstrates a chilling disregard for human life; its application for drug-related offences is also an egregious violation of international law and standards,” said Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are witnessing a truly horrifying trend, with foreign nationals being put to death at a startling rate for crimes that should never carry the death penalty. This report exposes the dark and deadly reality behind the progressive image that the authorities attempt to project globally.”

The 345 executions carried out in 2024 marked the highest number of executions Amnesty International has recorded in Saudi Arabia in over three decades. Approximately 35% of these, or 122 people, were executed for drug-related offences, the highest annual total since Amnesty began logging executions in Saudi Arabia in 1990. In 2024, Saudi Arabia was one of only four countries worldwide with reported executions for drug-related offences.

In a significant policy reversal, Saudi Arabia’s 33-month moratorium on drug-related executions, announced in January 2021, was abruptly lifted in November 2022. Saudi Arabia has executed over 262 people for drug-related offences since – which is close to half of the recorded total drug-related executions over the 10-year period analysed.

The report is based on a comprehensive quantitative analysis of reported executions spanning over a decade and an in-depth examination of cases of foreign nationals sentenced to death.

In stark contrast to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s earlier public claims that the Kingdom was limiting the death penalty for ta’zir (discretionary) offences, the analysis reveals a pattern of judges, exercising their discretion to increase the severity of punishments and impose death sentences, even in cases not involving intentional killing, rather than using it to limit use of the death penalty. Amnesty International’s analysis shows that 122 ta’zir executions for drug-related offences were carried out in 2024 alone and 118 such executions in the first six months of 2025.

The report highlights how foreign nationals are being put to death at a startling rate for drug-related offences. Nationalities particularly affected over the last decade include Pakistani (155 executed), Syrian (66), Jordanian (50), Yemeni (39), Egyptian (33), Nigerian (32), Somali (22) and Ethiopian (13), alongside others. Dozens more foreign nationals remain at imminent risk of execution.

Foreign nationals face additional challenges to receiving a fair trial in Saudi Arabia, a country that is not their own and which has an inherently opaque criminal justice system.

A relative told Amnesty International: “We don’t know if they have their court document … We can’t obtain any legal documents because we don’t have anyone inside the country supporting us with the case, like a legal representative. There is also a language barrier. My brother was arrested within a week from leaving Ethiopia while crossing the Yemen border. He knew nothing about what he would face at the Saudi border.”

Amnesty International, working with partner organizations the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights and Justice Project Pakistan, documented the cases of 25 foreign nationals from Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Pakistan and Somalia convicted of drug-related offences who are currently on death row or have been executed in Saudi Arabia.

Based on in-depth interviews with families of 13 of these 25 people, community members and a consulate official, as well as an examination of court documents, Amnesty International concluded that the limited education and disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds of these foreign nationals on death row increased their risk of exploitation in their migration and made it more difficult for them to access legal representation in Saudi Arabia.

The report details systemic failures to guarantee their right to a fair trial, including, among other things, lack of access to a legal representative, inadequate consular support and no access to effective interpretation.

At least four of the documented cases involved people reporting being subjected to torture or other ill-treatment during pre-trial detention to extract “confessions”. Hussein Abou al-Kheir, for instance, a 57-year-old father of eight, retracted his torture-tainted “confession” multiple times during his trial proceedings, stating he was beaten to the point he couldn’t hold a pen, yet the judge used his self-incriminating statement as evidence to convict him. Such practices violate Saudi Arabia’s obligations under the Convention against Torture as well as other international safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty.

The psychological toll on both the people on death row and their families was described to Amnesty International as immense. Many did not know the status of their appeals or when their execution might occur. In some cases they were only informed by prison officials the day before. Families learned of the executions through other detainees or media reports. In all cases documented by Amnesty International, Saudi authorities have withheld the bodies of those executed, denying families the right to mourn and give burial in line with their religious practices – a practice condemned by UN bodies as a form of ill-treatment.

“We were devastated, especially that there is no body to mourn. No funeral ceremony… Back in Amman my family sat in silence in their living room when they heard the news and started screaming like mad people. It’s an image that broke my heart,” said Zainab Abou al-Kheir, sister of Hussein, who was executed in Saudi Arabia in March 2023.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Industrial exhibition “Innoprom” opened in Yekaterinburg

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

EKATERINGURB, July 7 (Xinhua) — The 15th International Industrial Exhibition “Innoprom” has opened at the Yekaterinburg-Expo International Exhibition Center in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg and will run until July 10.

Over the course of four days, guests will have access to new developments in the industrial sector, technologies, and business programs.

The main theme of the anniversary exhibition is “Technological Leadership: Industrial Breakthrough”, and the partner country is Saudi Arabia. The 9th Russian-Chinese EXPO is taking place in parallel with “Innoprom”.

This year, Innoprom will feature over 1,000 participating companies, including five national expositions: Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia. In addition, over 30 subjects of the Russian Federation will present their industrial and investment projects at collective expositions.

The National Industrial Award “Industry” is awarded annually within the framework of the Innoprom exhibition for achievements in the field of industrial production related to the mass application of fundamentally new products and production technologies. The founder of the award is the Government of the Russian Federation. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: 43 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza – Gaza Civil Defense

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

GAZA, July 7 (Xinhua) — At least 43 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, the Gaza Civil Defense said Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli Air Force struck two houses in the Al-Nasr and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods of Gaza City.

The two airstrikes killed 25 people, including children and women, and wounded several others, the service’s spokesman Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua.

He added that four Palestinians were killed in Israeli shelling in the At-Tuffah area of eastern Gaza City, while three others were killed in an Israeli attack on a tent sheltering displaced persons in the Sheikh Radwan area.

Ten more people were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes on tents housing displaced Palestinians in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, the spokesman said.

M. Basal also reported that one Palestinian was killed and several others were wounded as a result of Israeli army shelling in the Ash-Shahkush area northwest of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that its forces were continuing operations against “terrorist organizations” in the Gaza Strip. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: BRICS urged to lead global governance reform

Source: Government of South Africa

BRICS urged to lead global governance reform

By Gabi Khumalo

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brazil – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has challenged BRICS nations to take the lead in reshaping international governance to reflect the world’s new multipolar reality.

Addressing the Peace, Security and Global Governance Session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, President Lula warned about the collapse of multilateralism and the risk to the advancements made in climate and trade regimes.

“The United Nations recently marked its 80th anniversary on June 26 of this year, and we are witnessing an unprecedented collapse of multilateralism. The advent of the UN marked the defeat of Nazi-Fascism and the birth of a sense of collective hope.

“BRICS is an heir of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is once again in check,” President Lula warned.

Amid the worst sanitation crisis in decades, President Lula said the global health system is being subjected to an unprecedented attack, with “absurd intellectual property demands” that still restrict access to medication.

“It is easier to designate 5% of the GDP to military spending than to allocate the 0.7% that has been promised for Official Development Assistance. This demonstrates that the resources for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda do exist. However, they are not available due to a lack of political priority,” the President said.

President Lula also warned against the instrumentalisation of institutions, including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, saying this risks the reputation of an organisation that is fundamental for maintaining peace.

He condemned the acts of terrorism, including attacks by Hamas and in Kashmir, as well as the genocidal practices by Israel in Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

President Lula believes that the solution to this conflict will only be possible with the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State within the 1967 borders.

“The Brazilian government [has] denounced the violations of Iran’s territorial integrity, just as it had done in the case of Ukraine. The parties engaged in the war in Ukraine must urgently deepen a direct dialogue that aims for a ceasefire and a lasting peace.”

He said that the “Friends for Peace” group, formed by China and Brazil, and comprising countries from the Global South, aims to identify potential avenues for ending hostilities. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 07/07/2025 – 04:05

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lily’s passion for politics sees her swap Aberdeen for Washington DC A passion for politics will take Lily Macdonald from Aberdeen to Washington DC later this summer where the opportunity of a lifetime awaits.

Source: University of Aberdeen

Lily will head to Washington DC to study at America University’s School of Public Affairs

A passion for politics will take Lily Macdonald from Aberdeen to Washington DC later this summer where the opportunity of a lifetime awaits.
Leaving with a first class MA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations to her name, graduation is just the start of the adventure for the 21-year-old who has secured a coveted Fulbright-American University Scholarship.
The only UK student offered a place at American University this year under the Fulbright award, Lily will be jetting off to the US capital in August to study at America University’s School of Public Affairs where she will learn from some of the best in the business, including a former speech writer for President Obama and a former Senate Chief of Staff.
“I still can’t really believe it. I’ve been interested in American politics for a long time so this is like a dream come true,” she said. “I think I was in shock for about two days after finding out because it didn’t feel real and then all of a sudden I thought, ‘oh wow, this is actually happening’ and just started crying.”
With a background in community development and volunteering, the scholarship blends Lily’s extracurricular activities with her academic interests. She has been actively involved in community integration projects for the past seven years, focusing on topics including intergenerational work with ACE Voices, youth empowerment as part of Aberdeen Youth Movement and inclusive networking for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
“My research proposal is about exploring the pipeline between American political infrastructure and community grassroots conflict. How disengagement and polarisation manifest into violence at a local level, what that conflict looks like, and what we can do to heal it.
“I feel quite passionately about it because I think political polarisation is almost exclusively explored at a national or international level, but actually if you can work to heal communities at a local level that’s when real change can be made.”
Not only is Lily leaving with a first, Lily is also the proud recipient of the 2025 Grant Jordan prize for the Best Politics Dissertation.
“Winning the prize is the icing on the cake,” she said. “It’s especially meaningful because two years ago I never would have thought any of this would be possible.”
After feeling she’d had to work extra hard to maintain good grades at secondary school, Lily was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in her second year at university.

I’m very excited about what comes next but I’ve loved being at the University of Aberdeen so I’m also sad to leave” Lily McDonald

“I’d always put in the effort and was a straight A student but, after getting my diagnosis, a lot of things I’d found really difficult over the years suddenly made sense,” she said.
“The support the University gave me was fantastic. My lecturer, Dr Malcolm Harvey, in particular was brilliant, he really changed my life. Along with the Student Support team he helped me find alternative ways to absorb the information I needed, like sourcing audio versions of data science visuals which I find a challenge.
“Taking that pressure off gave me the space to be able to spend more time putting my thoughts to paper like everyone else, rather than working hard just trying to keep up.”
Dr Harvey was also instrumental in encouraging Lily to apply for the Fulbright award.
“Throughout my degree I’ve specialised in American domestic politics and foreign policy. I spoke to him about doing a Masters and he said, ‘go to America’. It never crossed my mind that would be possible but he told me about Fulbright and while it was an extremely tough process, he encouraged me and made me believe it could happen.
“I was over the moon the day I found out I’d got it. I’m very excited about what comes next but I’ve loved being at the University of Aberdeen so I’m also sad to leave.
“The idea of community is in my DNA. I’ve felt part of a community at the University and in a research capacity I want to see what community healing looks like in America and take that back to the projects that I’m already involved with here.
“I can see myself going into some sort of advisory role further down the line. It’s not an easy path, but neither was Fulbright so I’m optimistic about the future.”
Until then Lily, a keen musician, is looking forward to her two years in DC which will include exploring the local music scene.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Little Pepe Sets the Pace for Ethereum Meme Coins with $4 Million Presale Surge

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ethereum’s meme coin spotlight is rapidly shifting to LILPEPE, as the project captures growing attention with its presale surpassing $4 million. Positioned as the next major player in the meme coin space, LILPEPE blends iconic internet culture with a purpose-built Layer 2 blockchain, offering a fast, low-cost, and scalable alternative within Ethereum’s ecosystem. As community interest surges and presale momentum builds, Little Pepe is no longer just a meme—it’s emerging as a cultural and technological force in crypto.

Little Pepe — A New Meme Project on Ethereum

Memes have always been a driving force in crypto, but the narrative is shifting. No longer just a joke or trend, meme tokens like $LILPEPE are becoming cultural assets with real staying power. Unlike past cycles dominated by speculative plays, Little Pepe brings personality, purpose, and a growing user base rooted in Ethereum’s evolving meme coin ecosystem.

$LILPEPE isn’t trying to copy other meme projects—it’s creating its own path. With Pepe symbolism at the center and a distinct Layer 2 blockchain underneath, the project merges iconic internet energy with next-gen crypto technology. This combination is turning heads and winning over both meme lovers and serious crypto observers.

Built for Speed, Styled for Memes

What gives $LILPEPE an edge in a sea of meme tokens is its underlying Layer 2 EVM-compatible chain—a network designed to support fast, low-cost transactions without leaving Ethereum’s orbit. This isn’t just for show. The infrastructure gives Little Pepe the ability to grow beyond virality and into something users can actually engage with day-to-day.

The project doesn’t just wear meme culture like a costume—it’s built with it in mind. Little Pepe is positioning itself as a digital nation for meme-driven crypto users: a space that’s fast, cheap, community-first, and easy to enter. Ethereum has needed a meme coin with real backbone—and Little Pepe delivers.

$LILPEPE Presale — Momentum Driven by Organic Buzz

With over $4 million raised and thousands of $LILPEPE holders already onboard, $LILPEPE’s presale isn’t being pushed by overhyped influencers or forced marketing—it’s being driven by buzz that’s growing organically across X (Twitter), Telegram, and other social platforms.

Currently in Stage 4, the token is priced at $0.0013 and can be purchased only through the official site: littlepepe.com. Interest continues to surge as each stage fills faster than the last, reflecting a rising tide of support from meme investors, Ethereum users, and early crypto adopters.

Turning Meme Culture into a Crypto Force

In 2025, meme coins are no longer a side story—they’re the main event. Projects like $LILPEPE are redefining what it means to be a meme coin in the post-DOGE era. It’s not about being the next Dogecoin—it’s about being the first Little Pepe.

With cultural relevance, blockchain credibility, and presale success already under its belt, $LILPEPE is emerging as a meme coin that actually belongs in Ethereum’s core.

About Little Pepe

Little Pepe is a next-gen Layer 2 blockchain designed to merge meme culture with high-speed, low-cost decentralized infrastructure. Built for scalability, security, and accessibility, Little Pepe supports EVM-compatible applications and is powered by means of the $LILPEPE token. The project’s mission is to create a meme coin environment wherein utility meets virality, empowering users through cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast transactions.

For more information:
Website: https://littlepepe.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken
Twitter: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

Contact Details:
COO- James Stephen
media@littlepepe.com

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

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Little Pepe Sets the Pace for Ethereum Meme Coins with $4 Million Presale Surge

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ethereum’s meme coin spotlight is rapidly shifting to LILPEPE, as the project captures growing attention with its presale surpassing $4 million. Positioned as the next major player in the meme coin space, LILPEPE blends iconic internet culture with a purpose-built Layer 2 blockchain, offering a fast, low-cost, and scalable alternative within Ethereum’s ecosystem. As community interest surges and presale momentum builds, Little Pepe is no longer just a meme—it’s emerging as a cultural and technological force in crypto.

Little Pepe — A New Meme Project on Ethereum

Memes have always been a driving force in crypto, but the narrative is shifting. No longer just a joke or trend, meme tokens like $LILPEPE are becoming cultural assets with real staying power. Unlike past cycles dominated by speculative plays, Little Pepe brings personality, purpose, and a growing user base rooted in Ethereum’s evolving meme coin ecosystem.

$LILPEPE isn’t trying to copy other meme projects—it’s creating its own path. With Pepe symbolism at the center and a distinct Layer 2 blockchain underneath, the project merges iconic internet energy with next-gen crypto technology. This combination is turning heads and winning over both meme lovers and serious crypto observers.

Built for Speed, Styled for Memes

What gives $LILPEPE an edge in a sea of meme tokens is its underlying Layer 2 EVM-compatible chain—a network designed to support fast, low-cost transactions without leaving Ethereum’s orbit. This isn’t just for show. The infrastructure gives Little Pepe the ability to grow beyond virality and into something users can actually engage with day-to-day.

The project doesn’t just wear meme culture like a costume—it’s built with it in mind. Little Pepe is positioning itself as a digital nation for meme-driven crypto users: a space that’s fast, cheap, community-first, and easy to enter. Ethereum has needed a meme coin with real backbone—and Little Pepe delivers.

$LILPEPE Presale — Momentum Driven by Organic Buzz

With over $4 million raised and thousands of $LILPEPE holders already onboard, $LILPEPE’s presale isn’t being pushed by overhyped influencers or forced marketing—it’s being driven by buzz that’s growing organically across X (Twitter), Telegram, and other social platforms.

Currently in Stage 4, the token is priced at $0.0013 and can be purchased only through the official site: littlepepe.com. Interest continues to surge as each stage fills faster than the last, reflecting a rising tide of support from meme investors, Ethereum users, and early crypto adopters.

Turning Meme Culture into a Crypto Force

In 2025, meme coins are no longer a side story—they’re the main event. Projects like $LILPEPE are redefining what it means to be a meme coin in the post-DOGE era. It’s not about being the next Dogecoin—it’s about being the first Little Pepe.

With cultural relevance, blockchain credibility, and presale success already under its belt, $LILPEPE is emerging as a meme coin that actually belongs in Ethereum’s core.

About Little Pepe

Little Pepe is a next-gen Layer 2 blockchain designed to merge meme culture with high-speed, low-cost decentralized infrastructure. Built for scalability, security, and accessibility, Little Pepe supports EVM-compatible applications and is powered by means of the $LILPEPE token. The project’s mission is to create a meme coin environment wherein utility meets virality, empowering users through cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast transactions.

For more information:
Website: https://littlepepe.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken
Twitter: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

Contact Details:
COO- James Stephen
media@littlepepe.com

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

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: Lumissil Microsystems Expands Automotive Lighting Portfolio with Family of High-Side Linear LED Drivers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MILPITAS, Calif., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lumissil Microsystems announces the release of the IS32LT315x family, a new line of current-source linear LED drivers designed for automotive lighting applications, and Tail/Brake light combinations. The family consists of three devices: Single Channel IS32LT3151A/B/C/D/E and Triple Channel IS32LT3152A/B and IS32LT3153A/B/E. The IS32LT315x line of high-side linear drivers provides designers with enhanced thermal optimization and fault reporting capabilities.

Differentiated by channel count, output current, and fault features to meet a range of application needs as mentioned in the table below. They are available in configurations with either a single 450mA channel or three 150mA channels, with output current configured by an external resistor. Drivers, such as the IS32LT3151A/C and IS32LT3153A/B/E include single LED short detection and support analog current adjustment for LED thermal management via an external NTC resistor or enable dual brightness levels using an external FET switch. The IS32LT3151B/D/E and IS32LT3152A/B drivers limit some features to prioritize compact packaging and cost-saving objectives.

Based on a high-side output topology, these drivers allow LED output strings to share common ground, reducing wiring and simplifying harness design. For high power applications, optional thermal shunt/sharing resistors can be added to offload heat from the driver, reducing thermal stress when driving high-brightness LEDs.

All devices include open/short fault detection at the LED string level and can be configured for “one-fail-all-OFF” behavior upon fault detection. Fault conditions are reported through a shared open-drain FAULTB pin, providing system designers with the flexibility to define fault response based on application requirements. All drivers in the family are designed and qualified to AEC-Q100 standards for reliable operation in harsh automotive environments. Additionally, the IS32LT3151C/D, IS32LT3152B, and IS32LT3153B are designed in accordance with ISO 26262 ASIL-B safety requirements.

“The IS32LT315x family was designed to cover all the essentials thermal management, current adjustment, and safety compliance without forcing any compromises,” said Lyn Zastrow, VP of Marketing and Sales at Lumissil Microsystems. “This product family enables smarter designs without tradeoffs.”

All devices support a wide operating voltage range from 4.5V to 40V and are AEC-Q100 qualified for temperature grade 1 (-40°C to 125°C), with junction temperature ratings up to 150°C. The IS32LT3151B/D/E are available in compact SOP8-EP packages, while the other variants come in eTSSOP packages with 14-, 16-, or 20-pin options.

Availability and pricing

To enhance electrical and thermal characteristics, the IS32LT315x family is available with copper (Cu) wire bonding. For IC, evaluation board samples, or general inquiries, please contact your Lumissil sales representative.

Parts table:

Part Number	IS32LT3151A/C	IS32LT3151B/D/E	IS32LT3152A/B	IS32LT3153A/B/E
Channel Qty	1	1	3	3
Current/CH	450mA	450mA	150mA	150mA
Analog dimming (ICTRL)	YES	N/A	N/A	YES
Single-LED short detection	YES	N/A	N/A	YES
ASIL-B	3151C only	3151D only	3152B only	3153B only
Package	eTSSOP14	SOP8-EP	eTSSOP16	eTSSOP20

About Lumissil Microsystems
Lumissil Microsystems specializing in analog/mixed-signal products for automotive, communications, industrial, and consumer markets. Lumissil’s primary products are LED drivers for low to mid-power RGB color mixing and high-power lighting applications. Other products include audio, sensors, high-speed wire communications, optical networking, and application specific microcontrollers. Lumissil Microsystems has worldwide offices in the US, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, mainland China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Israel, and Korea. Website: https://www.lumissil.com

Contacts:

Lyn Zastrow
lzastrow@lumissil.com

Afrith Rahim
afrith@lumissil.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1498b6a-d2c6-4d57-9cc7-5ccd4b007981

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: Lumissil Microsystems Expands Automotive Lighting Portfolio with Family of High-Side Linear LED Drivers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Availability and pricing

Parts table:

Part Number	IS32LT3151A/C	IS32LT3151B/D/E	IS32LT3152A/B	IS32LT3153A/B/E
Channel Qty	1	1	3	3
Current/CH	450mA	450mA	150mA	150mA
Analog dimming (ICTRL)	YES	N/A	N/A	YES
Single-LED short detection	YES	N/A	N/A	YES
ASIL-B	3151C only	3151D only	3152B only	3153B only
Package	eTSSOP14	SOP8-EP	eTSSOP16	eTSSOP20

Contacts:

Lyn Zastrow
lzastrow@lumissil.com

Afrith Rahim
afrith@lumissil.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1498b6a-d2c6-4d57-9cc7-5ccd4b007981

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: Lumissil Microsystems Expands Automotive Lighting Portfolio with Family of High-Side Linear LED Drivers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Availability and pricing

Parts table:

Part Number	IS32LT3151A/C	IS32LT3151B/D/E	IS32LT3152A/B	IS32LT3153A/B/E
Channel Qty	1	1	3	3
Current/CH	450mA	450mA	150mA	150mA
Analog dimming (ICTRL)	YES	N/A	N/A	YES
Single-LED short detection	YES	N/A	N/A	YES
ASIL-B	3151C only	3151D only	3152B only	3153B only
Package	eTSSOP14	SOP8-EP	eTSSOP16	eTSSOP20

Contacts:

Lyn Zastrow
lzastrow@lumissil.com

Afrith Rahim
afrith@lumissil.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1498b6a-d2c6-4d57-9cc7-5ccd4b007981

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025

Sabalenka stands tall, Norrie survives to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka and men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz both survived tough tests to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and Cameron Norrie kept alive British singles hopes after surviving a five-set thriller on Sunday.

Sabalenka ruined home favourite Emma Raducanu’s dream in the previous round but had the Centre Court crowd cheering her on as she beat Elise Mertens 6-4 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel.

Wimbledon’s new automated line-calling technology came under fire after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

Spaniard Alcaraz came through a ferocious firefight against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a third successive title.

“Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. He forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.

The 22-year-old second seed extended his current winning streak to 22 matches and will take on Norrie for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded Briton soaked up 46 aces from towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry to win a feisty Court One battle 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-3.

While Alcaraz seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick, Sabalenka is eyeing her first title on the London lawns after missing last year’s tournament with injury and the 2022 edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and the 27-year-old made a fast start against Mertens.

Sabalenka, who claimed doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open partnering Mertens, was then put through the wringer before raising her level to prevail.

The victory improved her win-loss record against Belgian Mertens to 11-2 and she said the growing adoration of the crowd made a big difference after fans were on the other side of the fence when she met Raducanu on Friday.

“I definitely felt the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support. I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me,” said Sabalenka, who will face the 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals.

“What can be better than that? I really enjoyed it. I hope it can stay the same all the way, and they help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”

HEAVY SHOWERS

Siegemund, the second-oldest player to start in the women’s draw this year, swatted aside plucky Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra with a 6-3 6-2 victory in a Court Two match interrupted by the heavy showers that prompted organisers to shut the roofs for the day’s play on Centre Court and Court One.

While Sierra was the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the professional era, Siegemund created her own slice of history by becoming the oldest woman to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.

Explaining her run, Siegemund said it was simple.

“It’s like you have an opponent. Either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don’t, and you don’t go forward. So it’s very simple,” she said.

Sierra’s fellow South American, Jarry, fought back brilliantly against Norrie after saving a match point in the third-set tiebreak but fell short in a needle match.

Jarry seemed irritated at times during the heat of battle and the players exchanged words at the end.

“Cameron played unbelievable. Not unbelievable, played great. He did his job. He plays like that,” said qualifier Jarry, whose total ace count reached a tournament-leading 111.

Asked what happened, Norrie said there had been no problem.

“I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal,” he said. “Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. I guess we both really wanted to win.”

Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, is the last British hope after the unseeded Kartal’s run ended with a 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova.

The big talking point in that match was the malfunction of the Electronic Line Calling system, which left the Russian former French Open runner-up seething after being robbed of a game point at 4-4 in the opening set when there was no ‘out’ call despite a Kartal shot landing over the baseline.

Umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone and then ruled that the point should be replayed, with Pavlyuchenkova going on to have her serve broken.

“We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” she said. “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative.

“That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

Organisers said it had been caused by the system being ‘deactivated in error’.

American fifth seed Taylor Fritz marched on after his Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with a thigh injury at 6-1 3-0 down in their fourth-round meeting.

Up next for Fritz is a meeting with Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov who thumped Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-2 6-3.

Fritz is not the only American to reach the quarter-finals, after 13th seed Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the day’s final action.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
Sabalenka stands tall, Norrie survives to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka and men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz both survived tough tests to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and Cameron Norrie kept alive British singles hopes after surviving a five-set thriller on Sunday.

Sabalenka ruined home favourite Emma Raducanu’s dream in the previous round but had the Centre Court crowd cheering her on as she beat Elise Mertens 6-4 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel.

Wimbledon’s new automated line-calling technology came under fire after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

Spaniard Alcaraz came through a ferocious firefight against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a third successive title.

“Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. He forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.

The 22-year-old second seed extended his current winning streak to 22 matches and will take on Norrie for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded Briton soaked up 46 aces from towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry to win a feisty Court One battle 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-3.

While Alcaraz seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick, Sabalenka is eyeing her first title on the London lawns after missing last year’s tournament with injury and the 2022 edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and the 27-year-old made a fast start against Mertens.

Sabalenka, who claimed doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open partnering Mertens, was then put through the wringer before raising her level to prevail.

The victory improved her win-loss record against Belgian Mertens to 11-2 and she said the growing adoration of the crowd made a big difference after fans were on the other side of the fence when she met Raducanu on Friday.

“I definitely felt the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support. I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me,” said Sabalenka, who will face the 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals.

“What can be better than that? I really enjoyed it. I hope it can stay the same all the way, and they help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”

HEAVY SHOWERS

Siegemund, the second-oldest player to start in the women’s draw this year, swatted aside plucky Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra with a 6-3 6-2 victory in a Court Two match interrupted by the heavy showers that prompted organisers to shut the roofs for the day’s play on Centre Court and Court One.

While Sierra was the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the professional era, Siegemund created her own slice of history by becoming the oldest woman to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.

Explaining her run, Siegemund said it was simple.

“It’s like you have an opponent. Either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don’t, and you don’t go forward. So it’s very simple,” she said.

Sierra’s fellow South American, Jarry, fought back brilliantly against Norrie after saving a match point in the third-set tiebreak but fell short in a needle match.

Jarry seemed irritated at times during the heat of battle and the players exchanged words at the end.

“Cameron played unbelievable. Not unbelievable, played great. He did his job. He plays like that,” said qualifier Jarry, whose total ace count reached a tournament-leading 111.

Asked what happened, Norrie said there had been no problem.

“I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal,” he said. “Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. I guess we both really wanted to win.”

Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, is the last British hope after the unseeded Kartal’s run ended with a 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova.

The big talking point in that match was the malfunction of the Electronic Line Calling system, which left the Russian former French Open runner-up seething after being robbed of a game point at 4-4 in the opening set when there was no ‘out’ call despite a Kartal shot landing over the baseline.

Umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone and then ruled that the point should be replayed, with Pavlyuchenkova going on to have her serve broken.

“We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” she said. “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative.

“That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

Organisers said it had been caused by the system being ‘deactivated in error’.

American fifth seed Taylor Fritz marched on after his Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with a thigh injury at 6-1 3-0 down in their fourth-round meeting.

Up next for Fritz is a meeting with Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov who thumped Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-2 6-3.

Fritz is not the only American to reach the quarter-finals, after 13th seed Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the day’s final action.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
Sabalenka stands tall, Norrie survives to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka and men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz both survived tough tests to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and Cameron Norrie kept alive British singles hopes after surviving a five-set thriller on Sunday.

Sabalenka ruined home favourite Emma Raducanu’s dream in the previous round but had the Centre Court crowd cheering her on as she beat Elise Mertens 6-4 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel.

Wimbledon’s new automated line-calling technology came under fire after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

Spaniard Alcaraz came through a ferocious firefight against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a third successive title.

“Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. He forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.

The 22-year-old second seed extended his current winning streak to 22 matches and will take on Norrie for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded Briton soaked up 46 aces from towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry to win a feisty Court One battle 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-3.

While Alcaraz seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick, Sabalenka is eyeing her first title on the London lawns after missing last year’s tournament with injury and the 2022 edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and the 27-year-old made a fast start against Mertens.

Sabalenka, who claimed doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open partnering Mertens, was then put through the wringer before raising her level to prevail.

The victory improved her win-loss record against Belgian Mertens to 11-2 and she said the growing adoration of the crowd made a big difference after fans were on the other side of the fence when she met Raducanu on Friday.

“I definitely felt the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support. I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me,” said Sabalenka, who will face the 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals.

“What can be better than that? I really enjoyed it. I hope it can stay the same all the way, and they help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”

HEAVY SHOWERS

Siegemund, the second-oldest player to start in the women’s draw this year, swatted aside plucky Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra with a 6-3 6-2 victory in a Court Two match interrupted by the heavy showers that prompted organisers to shut the roofs for the day’s play on Centre Court and Court One.

While Sierra was the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the professional era, Siegemund created her own slice of history by becoming the oldest woman to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.

Explaining her run, Siegemund said it was simple.

“It’s like you have an opponent. Either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don’t, and you don’t go forward. So it’s very simple,” she said.

Sierra’s fellow South American, Jarry, fought back brilliantly against Norrie after saving a match point in the third-set tiebreak but fell short in a needle match.

Jarry seemed irritated at times during the heat of battle and the players exchanged words at the end.

“Cameron played unbelievable. Not unbelievable, played great. He did his job. He plays like that,” said qualifier Jarry, whose total ace count reached a tournament-leading 111.

Asked what happened, Norrie said there had been no problem.

“I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal,” he said. “Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. I guess we both really wanted to win.”

Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, is the last British hope after the unseeded Kartal’s run ended with a 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova.

The big talking point in that match was the malfunction of the Electronic Line Calling system, which left the Russian former French Open runner-up seething after being robbed of a game point at 4-4 in the opening set when there was no ‘out’ call despite a Kartal shot landing over the baseline.

Umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone and then ruled that the point should be replayed, with Pavlyuchenkova going on to have her serve broken.

“We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” she said. “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative.

“That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

Organisers said it had been caused by the system being ‘deactivated in error’.

American fifth seed Taylor Fritz marched on after his Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with a thigh injury at 6-1 3-0 down in their fourth-round meeting.

Up next for Fritz is a meeting with Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov who thumped Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-2 6-3.

Fritz is not the only American to reach the quarter-finals, after 13th seed Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the day’s final action.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Israel Strikes Yemeni Red Sea Ports

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

SANAA/JERUSALEM, July 7 (Xinhua) — Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Red Sea ports in the western province of Hodeida late Sunday.

The strikes came minutes after the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation warning on the X social media platform. Witnesses reported explosions in several locations along Yemen’s west coast, including the port of Hodeida.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the strikes targeted what he described as Houthi strongholds, including the ports of Hodeida, al-Salif and Ras Isa, the Ras Katib power plant and the Galaxy Leader ship, which was captured by Houthi forces in November 2023.

He suggested that a wider escalation could follow. “Yemen will be treated the same way as Tehran,” he said. “The Houthis will continue to pay a high price for their actions.”

Earlier on Sunday, a rocket fired by Houthi forces triggered air raid sirens in southern Israel and was intercepted without casualties, the Israeli army said. The Houthis said it was a hypersonic missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

Israel has carried out several strikes on key ports and infrastructure in Yemen in recent months, while the Houthis continue to fire rockets into Israel while declaring solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ellomay and Statkraft Sign Long-Term Power Purchase Agreements for Three Operating Italian Solar Plants
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Tel-Aviv, Israel / Milan, Italy, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, USA and Israel, announced today that three Italian project companies in which the Company indirectly holds a 51% interest signed long-term (9-year) power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) with Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy. The PPAs cover 75% of the capacity (at P50) of three operating solar plants in Italy’s central-southern zone (CSUD), with a combined capacity of approximately 38 MW.

Ran Fridrich, CEO and Board member of Ellomay, said: “This transaction reinforces Ellomay’s strategy of enhancing the value and stability of its renewable platform across key European markets. The collaboration with Statkraft—one of Europe’s most respected and experienced offtakers—strengthens the foundation of this deal. Together with Ellomay’s disciplined development strategy and high-performing asset base, these PPAs set a benchmark for quality-driven growth in utility-scale renewables. Ellomay aims to structure similar agreements for other projects, including its remaining Italian solar portfolio that currently consists of 160 MW under construction processes (51% owned), 124 MW that received construction permits and additional 140 MW that are expected to receive permits in the near future.”

Maya Shaltiel, CEO of Maya International Strategic Alliances Ltd. (“MISA“), who led the negotiation and structuring of the transaction on behalf of Ellomay, said: “We are proud to have delivered bankable and resilient PPAs for Ellomay, in close collaboration with Statkraft. The PPAs support long-term stability for strong renewable assets in Italy and reflect a structure designed to thrive amid market complexity. In a period of high volatility and growing demand for green energy, we secured long-term certainty while preserving merchant upside — a structure that reflects strategic clarity and adaptability to evolving market conditions. We deeply appreciate Statkraft’s partnership and look forward to continuing to support energy transition efforts across Europe.”

Gennaro D’Annucci, Head of Origination Italy at Statkraft, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Ellomay on this important transaction, which underscores Statkraft’s role as a leading force in the European PPA market. This agreement further strengthens our substantial renewable energy portfolio in Italy and enables us to offer innovative and competitive green supply solutions tailored to the needs of Italian corporates and industrials. It reflects our enduring commitment to driving the energy transition forward and delivering value through clean energy.”

About Ellomay Capital Ltd.

Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.

To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:
- Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and 51% of approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
- 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850 MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
- Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
- 83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
- 51% of solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 160 MW that commenced construction processes;
- Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 134 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
- Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW that are connected to the grid and an additional 22 MW that are awaiting connection to the grid.
For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

About Statkraft

Statkraft – Europe’s largest renewable energy producer – is a company with 7,000 employees in over 20 countries that develops and manages hydropower, wind, solar and storage system assets, also offering PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) solutions for energy buying and selling. With a history and experience of 130 years, Statkraft operates in Italy since 2020, inspired by the group’s core values: We act responsibly, We grow together, We make an impact. Principles that have always guided us towards sustainable and socially responsible action. Indeed, the management of stakeholder relations is respectful of the highest standards of corporate compliance, thus ensuring an ethical approach to business and excellent feedback from the communities that welcome our green investments.

For more information about Statkraft, visit http://www.statkraft.com

About Maya International Strategic Alliances Ltd.

MISA specializes in structuring and negotiating strategic transactions in the energy and infrastructure space. With deep expertise in European and Asian energy markets, MISA supports sponsors and investors in delivering commercially sound, bankable solutions tailored to local and global dynamics.

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza and between Israel and Iran, the impact of the continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company, inability to obtain the financing required for the development and construction of projects, inability to advance the expansion of Dorad, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in exchange rates, delays in development, construction, or commencement of operation of the projects under development, failure to obtain permits – whether within the set time frame or at all, climate change, and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
CFO
Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
Email: hilai@ellomay.com

The MIL Network –
July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ellomay and Statkraft Sign Long-Term Power Purchase Agreements for Three Operating Italian Solar Plants
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Tel-Aviv, Israel / Milan, Italy, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, USA and Israel, announced today that three Italian project companies in which the Company indirectly holds a 51% interest signed long-term (9-year) power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) with Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy. The PPAs cover 75% of the capacity (at P50) of three operating solar plants in Italy’s central-southern zone (CSUD), with a combined capacity of approximately 38 MW.

Ran Fridrich, CEO and Board member of Ellomay, said: “This transaction reinforces Ellomay’s strategy of enhancing the value and stability of its renewable platform across key European markets. The collaboration with Statkraft—one of Europe’s most respected and experienced offtakers—strengthens the foundation of this deal. Together with Ellomay’s disciplined development strategy and high-performing asset base, these PPAs set a benchmark for quality-driven growth in utility-scale renewables. Ellomay aims to structure similar agreements for other projects, including its remaining Italian solar portfolio that currently consists of 160 MW under construction processes (51% owned), 124 MW that received construction permits and additional 140 MW that are expected to receive permits in the near future.”

Maya Shaltiel, CEO of Maya International Strategic Alliances Ltd. (“MISA“), who led the negotiation and structuring of the transaction on behalf of Ellomay, said: “We are proud to have delivered bankable and resilient PPAs for Ellomay, in close collaboration with Statkraft. The PPAs support long-term stability for strong renewable assets in Italy and reflect a structure designed to thrive amid market complexity. In a period of high volatility and growing demand for green energy, we secured long-term certainty while preserving merchant upside — a structure that reflects strategic clarity and adaptability to evolving market conditions. We deeply appreciate Statkraft’s partnership and look forward to continuing to support energy transition efforts across Europe.”

Gennaro D’Annucci, Head of Origination Italy at Statkraft, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Ellomay on this important transaction, which underscores Statkraft’s role as a leading force in the European PPA market. This agreement further strengthens our substantial renewable energy portfolio in Italy and enables us to offer innovative and competitive green supply solutions tailored to the needs of Italian corporates and industrials. It reflects our enduring commitment to driving the energy transition forward and delivering value through clean energy.”

About Ellomay Capital Ltd.

Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.

To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:
- Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and 51% of approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
- 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850 MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
- Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
- 83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
- 51% of solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 160 MW that commenced construction processes;
- Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 134 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
- Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW that are connected to the grid and an additional 22 MW that are awaiting connection to the grid.
For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

About Statkraft

Statkraft – Europe’s largest renewable energy producer – is a company with 7,000 employees in over 20 countries that develops and manages hydropower, wind, solar and storage system assets, also offering PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) solutions for energy buying and selling. With a history and experience of 130 years, Statkraft operates in Italy since 2020, inspired by the group’s core values: We act responsibly, We grow together, We make an impact. Principles that have always guided us towards sustainable and socially responsible action. Indeed, the management of stakeholder relations is respectful of the highest standards of corporate compliance, thus ensuring an ethical approach to business and excellent feedback from the communities that welcome our green investments.

For more information about Statkraft, visit http://www.statkraft.com

About Maya International Strategic Alliances Ltd.

MISA specializes in structuring and negotiating strategic transactions in the energy and infrastructure space. With deep expertise in European and Asian energy markets, MISA supports sponsors and investors in delivering commercially sound, bankable solutions tailored to local and global dynamics.

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza and between Israel and Iran, the impact of the continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company, inability to obtain the financing required for the development and construction of projects, inability to advance the expansion of Dorad, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in exchange rates, delays in development, construction, or commencement of operation of the projects under development, failure to obtain permits – whether within the set time frame or at all, climate change, and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
CFO
Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
Email: hilai@ellomay.com

The MIL Network –
July 7, 2025
Israel’s Netanyahu says he believes Trump can help seal ceasefire deal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday would help advance talks on a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal, as Trump predicted an agreement could be reached this week.

Israeli negotiators taking part in the ceasefire talks that resumed in Doha on Sunday have clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before flying to Washington.

“I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results,” he said, adding his determination to ensure the return of hostages held in Gaza and to remove the threat of the Palestinian militant group Hamas to Israel.

It will be Netanyahu’s third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago.

Trump said he believed a hostage release and ceasefire deal could be reached this week, which could lead to the release of “quite a few hostages.”

“I think there’s a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the week,” Trump told reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend golfing in New Jersey.

Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war in Gaza, a move opposed by some hardline members of his right-wing coalition. Others, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have expressed support.

Palestinian group Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal in a “positive spirit”, a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed “to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day truce.

But in a sign of the potential challenges still facing the two sides, a Palestinian official from a militant group allied with Hamas said concerns remained over humanitarian aid, passage through the Rafah crossing in southern Israel to Egypt and clarity over a timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals.

The first session of indirect Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks in Qatar ended inconclusively, two Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said early on Monday, adding that the Israeli delegation didn’t have a sufficient mandate to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were “not acceptable to Israel”. However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to “continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to.”

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss.

Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Tehran never has a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace.

HOSTAGES

On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of around 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed over 57,000 Palestinians. It has also caused a hunger crisis, displaced the population, mostly within Gaza, and left the territory in ruins.

Around 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be still alive. A majority of the original hostages have been freed through diplomatic negotiations, though the Israeli military has also recovered some.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
Israel’s Netanyahu says he believes Trump can help seal ceasefire deal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday would help advance talks on a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal, as Trump predicted an agreement could be reached this week.

Israeli negotiators taking part in the ceasefire talks that resumed in Doha on Sunday have clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before flying to Washington.

“I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results,” he said, adding his determination to ensure the return of hostages held in Gaza and to remove the threat of the Palestinian militant group Hamas to Israel.

It will be Netanyahu’s third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago.

Trump said he believed a hostage release and ceasefire deal could be reached this week, which could lead to the release of “quite a few hostages.”

“I think there’s a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the week,” Trump told reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend golfing in New Jersey.

Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war in Gaza, a move opposed by some hardline members of his right-wing coalition. Others, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have expressed support.

Palestinian group Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal in a “positive spirit”, a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed “to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day truce.

But in a sign of the potential challenges still facing the two sides, a Palestinian official from a militant group allied with Hamas said concerns remained over humanitarian aid, passage through the Rafah crossing in southern Israel to Egypt and clarity over a timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals.

The first session of indirect Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks in Qatar ended inconclusively, two Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said early on Monday, adding that the Israeli delegation didn’t have a sufficient mandate to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were “not acceptable to Israel”. However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to “continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to.”

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss.

Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Tehran never has a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace.

HOSTAGES

On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of around 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed over 57,000 Palestinians. It has also caused a hunger crisis, displaced the population, mostly within Gaza, and left the territory in ruins.

Around 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be still alive. A majority of the original hostages have been freed through diplomatic negotiations, though the Israeli military has also recovered some.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: MassMutual Ventures and Crane Venture Partners announce expanded partnership

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BOSTON, LONDON and SINGAPORE, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MassMutual Ventures (MMV) and Crane Venture Partners announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Crane to administer MMV’s Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC) funds, totaling $450 million and including 40 portfolio companies. MassMutual Ventures has been a minority investor in Crane since 2018 as well as an anchor investor in all Crane funds.

“This agreement marks the next evolution in MassMutual Ventures’ longstanding relationship with the Crane team that was established seven years ago,” said Doug Russell, Managing Director and Head of MassMutual Ventures. “Crane’s unwavering focus on founders and vast network and expertise will be invaluable for both current and future portfolio companies in Europe and APAC. We look forward to continuing to work with Crane in this new capacity, leveraging the strengths and capabilities of both of our organizations.”

MMV will continue to manage its existing portfolio of over 60 companies based in North America and Israel and invest in new companies through its Boston-based MMV US and MMV Climate Tech Fund teams.

“We’ve always believed that early conviction and long-term commitment are the keys to venture success. This expanded partnership is a massive vote of confidence in our approach—and in the founders we have and will continue to back,” said Krishna Visvanathan, Co-founder and Partner at Crane. “We’re proud to take the next step with MassMutual Ventures and build an even stronger bridge for global ambition across Europe and Asia-Pacific.”

As part of the transaction, which is expected to close later this year pending satisfactory completion of customary conditions, Crane Venture Partners will oversee all existing Europe and APAC investments as well as manage all new Europe and APAC investments, with MMV continuing to hold positions in all existing portfolio companies.

About MassMutual Ventures
MassMutual Ventures (MMV) is a multistage venture capital firm investing globally in financial technology, enterprise SaaS, healthtech, climate technology and cybersecurity companies. We help accelerate the growth of the companies we partner with by providing capital, connections and advice. With our deep expertise and extensive network, MMV helps entrepreneurs build compelling and scalable companies of value. For more information, visit www.massmutualventures.com.

About Crane Venture Partners

Crane makes high-conviction investments in foundational technologies at the earliest stages, backing ambitious founders from inception through seed. Our commitment extends beyond initial funding—we remain deeply involved as trusted partners, offering hands-on support through critical company-building moments and helping founders refine go-to-market strategies and scale globally.

Since 2015, we’ve backed category-defining companies across post-quantum security, robotics, infrastructure software, developer tools, and AI systems. With a global perspective spanning the UK, Europe, the US, Israel and Asia-Pacific, we help exceptional founders build companies that redefine what’s possible. First to believe. Last to leave. For more, visit www.crane.vc

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025

Category: Middle East

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Designing tech for democracy

Why have you decided to share your story now?

What’s one of your ‘I-can’t-believe-I did-that’ experiences from the front lines?

Something like that must stick with you.

How did you get your start as a journalist?

What would your advice be for a journalism student or working journalist who’s hungry to do this kind of work today?

Compared to historians and others who’ve studied Central America and the conflicts there, do you think you have a unique perspective seeing it all firsthand?

Parallels with Russia?

How did this happen?

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance statement in support of Holocaust remembrance institutions, organisations, and professionals, June 2025

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance statement

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