NewzIntel.com

Category: Eurozone

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Chandra Finds Baby Exoplanet is Shrinking

    Source: NASA

    A star is unleashing a barrage of X-rays that is causing a closely-orbiting, young planet to wither away an astonishing rate, according to a new study using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and described in our latest press release. A team of researchers has determined that this planet will go from the size of Jupiter down to a small, barren world.
    This graphic provides a visual representation of what astronomers think is happening around the star (known as TOI 1227) and a planet that is orbiting it at a fraction the distance between Mercury and the Sun. This “baby” planet, called TOI 1227 b, is just about 8 million years old, about a thousand times younger than our Sun. The main panel is an artist’s concept that shows the Jupiter-sized planet (lower left) around TOI 1227, which is a faint red star. Powerful X-rays from the star’s surface are tearing away the atmosphere of the planet, represented by the blue tail. The star’s X-rays may eventually completely remove the atmosphere.
    The team used new Chandra data — seen in the inset — to measure the amounts of X-rays from TOI 1227 that are striking the planet. Using computer models of the effects of these X-rays, they concluded they will have a transformative effect, rapidly stripping away the planet’s atmosphere. They estimate that the planet is losing a mass equivalent to a full Earth’s atmosphere about every 200 years.
    The researchers used different sets of data to estimate the age of TOI 1227 b. One method exploits measurements of how TOI 1227 b’s host star moves through space in comparison to nearby populations of stars with known ages. A second method compared the brightness and surface temperature of the star with theoretical models of evolving stars. The very young age of TOI 1227 b makes it the second youngest planet ever to be observed passing in front of its host star (a so-called transit). Previously the planet had been estimated by others to be about 11 million years old.
    Of all the exoplanets astronomers have found with ages less than 50 million years, TOI 1227 b stands out for having the longest year and the host planet with the lowest mass. These properties, and the high dose of X-rays it is receiving, make it an outstanding target for future observations.
    A paper describing these results has been accepted publication in The Astrophysical Journal and a preprint is available here. The authors of the paper are Attila Varga (Rochester Institute of Technology), Joel Kastner (Rochester Institute of Technology), Alexander Binks (University of Tubingen, Germany), Hans Moritz Guenther (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and Simon J. Murphy (University of New South Wales Canberra in Australia).
    NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.

    Learn more about the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its mission here:

    chandra

    https://chandra.si.edu

    This release features an artist’s illustration of a Jupiter-sized planet closely orbiting a faint red star. An inset image, showing the star in X-ray light from Chandra, is superimposed on top of the illustration at our upper left corner.
    At our upper right, the red star is illustrated as a ball made of intense fire. The planet, slightly smaller than the star, is shown at our lower left. Powerful X-rays from the star are tearing away the atmosphere of the planet, causing wisps of material to flow away from the planet’s surface in the opposite direction from the star. This gives the planet a slight resemblance to a comet, complete with a tail.
    X-ray data from Chandra, presented in the inset image, shows the star as a small purple orb on a black background. Astronomers used the Chandra data to measure the amount of X-rays striking the planet from the star. They estimate that the planet is losing a mass equivalent to a full Earth’s atmosphere about every 200 years, causing it to ultimately shrink from the size of Jupiter down to a small, barren world.

    Megan WatzkeChandra X-ray CenterCambridge, Mass.617-496-7998mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu
    Corinne BeckingerMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama256-544-0034corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/BRAZIL – Father Mario Lanciotti, Xaverian missionary, among myths, tales, and legends of the indigenous people of the Amazon

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 17 July 2025

    by Gianluca FrinchillucciRome (Agenzia Fides) – A new light is shining on missionary witness among the peoples of the Amazon. Professor Mario Polia, anthropologist, historian of religions, and profound expert on Andean cultures, has published a valuable collection of oral accounts collected by Father Mario Lanciotti, a Xaverian missionary active in Brazil in the 1960s, and a former missionary in China and Japan.The work brings together myths, tales, legends, and cosmogonic tales passed down orally for generations by the indigenous people of the Amazon. Father Lanciotti heard them directly from the faithful of his missions, during long evenings in the villages, often by moonlight, to the sound of crickets and night frogs. “For me,” he wrote, “it was not a pastime: I considered it indispensable for my missionary work.” “I have always tried to better understand the people to whom I was sent and to help them according to my abilities and capabilities. I have tried to love and accept them as they are, avoiding noise and paternalism,” he recounted in one of his testimonies. Furthermore, in a letter to a friend, he wrote words of luminous serenity: “I am here, in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, on the banks of the Xingu River. I am happy. When I came to work in this abandoned place, I was over 71 years old, but now I feel rejuvenated by 40. Here I truly feel at home as a missionary. The Lord has been so good to me in my old age! If you want to be happy, come with me!”“Father Lanciotti,” Polia affirms, “knew how to compile these oral testimonies, even though he was aware that, for many, these beliefs needed to be overcome. As he himself said, old superstitions remain in the deepest layers of the soul, like posters glued one on top of the other: when you tear off the first one, the previous one reappears. Lanciotti’s great intelligence was understanding that, to evangelize, you must first understand the other’s way of thinking. His compilation is an act of respect and listening.”“I spent a long period in the Xingu River area, on the border between the lands occupied by the whites and the forests where the indigenous tribes still live,” Father Lanciotti noted in another account. “I spent many afternoons with the ‘civilized’ Indians. We sat on the grass, in the moonlight, while crickets, toads, and night birds accompanied us. After religious instruction, I encouraged my indigenous interlocutors to tell me stories of the jungle and mythological events handed down through the centuries.” Father Mario Lanciotti (1901-1983), originally from Cupra Marittima (Ascoli Piceno, Italy), was a Xaverian missionary for fifty years in China, Japan, and finally Brazil. He worked in the most difficult areas of Pará and the Xingu, dedicating his life to serving the most disadvantaged. Almost blind, he asked to live out his final years in a nursing home in Belém, “the poorest among the poor.” He was buried in Abaetetuba, on the banks of the Amazon River. (Agenzia Fides, 17/7/2025)

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Boakai Hails France On National Day Observance

    Source: APO


    .

    The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of France on the occasion France’s National Day, (the Bastille Day) on July 14, 2025.

     According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, President Boakai, on behalf of the Republic of Liberia, extended warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of France as they commemorate this historic landmark.    

    President Boakai noted that as the people of France celebrates this important moment in their national history, Liberia joins in honoring the enduring values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that have long inspired nations around the world. 

    The Liberian leader added that his government salute the resilience, cultural riches and global contributions of the French people. He emphasized that France and Liberia share a longstanding relationship which is marked by mutual respect, cooperation and shared ideals.

    President Boakai stressed that he appreciate France’s support which have extended over the years in areas such as development, education, health, and multilateral diplomacy. 

    “We remain committed to deepening our partnership and working closely together to address global challenges and promote peace, stability, and prosperity for all”, the Liberian President stated.   

    He then wished President Macron sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued peace, progress and the well-being for the people of France. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni attends CISL Confederal Congress

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    17 Luglio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, today delivered a speech at the 20th Confederal Congress of CISL [Italian Confederation of Workers’ Unions], entitled ‘The Courage of Participation’.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission decides to refer MALTA to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not correctly applying EU law in relation to port workers 

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 17 Jul 2025 The European Commission decided to refer Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to fulfil its obligations under the EU treaties in relation to its port workers regime.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Allocation of funds to South African wine while European sector rocked by crisis – E-002765/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002765/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anna Maria Cisint (PfE)

    The recent news of the allocation of EUR 15 million from the EU’s Cooperation Fund to the South African wine industry is causing outrage among European producers, particularly those from countries where the sector is being rocked by crisis, such as France, which has been denied support for its grubbing-up campaign.

    While that action is the product of agreements signed years ago, it seems paradoxical in the current day and age to provide third countries, whose producers compete with European producers, with funding for wine production, at a time when wine consumption is falling throughout Europe and the threat of tariffs is hampering trade.

    The decision to reduce common agricultural policy (CAP) resources, opening the doors to the European market through agreements with Mercosur, thus weakening our supply chains and further undermining the EU’s credibility in the eyes of our farmers, also appears completely out of line with the current state of European farming.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission not consider it appropriate to completely revise its approach to European farming, both in the current context and in view of the upcoming budgetary discussions on the CAP?
    • 2.Which countries outside the EU have received EU funds in the last three years for their farming and wine sectors?

    Submitted: 8.7.2025

    Last updated: 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Smart factories and a cleaner future

    Source: European Investment Bank

    Learnica is part of LTH Castings Group, a Slovenian company that is one of the leading European suppliers to the automotive industry, with clients such as Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, BMW and Continental. Learnica and other companies in the Western Balkans are preparing for new EU fees on carbon emissions, known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will start in 2026.

    The mechanism is a new tool that puts a carbon price on goods imported into the European Union. The EU goal is to be be carbon neutral by 2050. North Macedonia is not part of the European Union, but its products are used in EU goods and will count toward this new carbon fee. EU firms must track and report emissions that are created by their products inside and outside the European Union. As of January 2026, EU manufacturers will need to purchase certificates to cover these emissions.

    “Achieving carbon neutrality is one of our core strategic goals,” Jovčevska says. “We have embedded this objective into every investment and improvement made in our production processes over the past ten years.”

    Learnica is located in Ohrid, a city known for its rich cultural heritage. The town sits on the edge of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, which is home to a unique aquatic ecosystem that includes many species highly sensitive to pollution and climate change.

    “We wanted to reduce the negative impact that an industry such as ours can have on the environment, especially given the importance of Ohrid to Macedonians,” Jovčeska says.

    To limit its environmental impact, Learnica uses “green” aluminium made from recycled materials, which takes 95% less energy to produce than aluminium made from primary raw materials. The company has also introduced several other green initiatives, such as producing heat from melting furnaces, installing solar panels to generate electricity, and developing a water-cooling system that purifies and recycles water used in the manufacturing process.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Unacceptable Libyan grievances against Greece and the attempt to create faits accomplis in the Eastern Mediterranean – P-002851/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002851/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)

    On 20 June 2025, the Permanent Mission of Libya to the UN issued a Note Verbale accusing Greece of a ‘serious breach of international law’, arguing that Greek permits for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete allegedly infringe Libya’s ‘sovereign rights’.

    Invoking the blatantly illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum of understanding, both non-officially recognised Libyan governments are attempting to challenge Greek sovereignty and denying the influence of the Greek islands – even Crete itself – in maritime zones, in breach of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This is a dangerous escalation, which is part of the broader strategy of the Turkish and Libyan governments to destabilise the Eastern Mediterranean and challenge the lawful rights of an EU Member State.

    In view of the above, can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy say:

    • 1.Will she strongly condemn the non-existent Libyan grievances and the invocation of an illegal memorandum that grossly violates international law?
    • 2.How does she intend to actively defend Greece’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, while protecting the EU’s strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean against such destabilising practices?

    Submitted: 13.7.2025

    Last updated: 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Swearing-in ceremony for new recruits of the Intelligence System for the Security of the Republic

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    15 Luglio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the Director General of the Security Intelligence Department (‘DIS’), Vittorio Rizzi, addressed today’s swearing-in ceremony for the new recruits of the Intelligence System for the Security of the Republic, held at Palazzo Dante in Rome. The ceremony was also attended by Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano, the Director of the Internal Intelligence and Security Agency (‘AISI’), Bruno Valensise, and the Director of the External Intelligence and Security Agency (‘AISE’), Giovanni Caravelli.

    [The swearing-in ceremony]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: States announce several measures to halt the Gaza genocide at Bogotá conference

    Source: Government of South Africa

    States announce several measures to halt the Gaza genocide at Bogotá conference

    In a significant multilateral initiative, a coalition of countries from various regions has agreed on six coordinated diplomatic, legal and economic measures aimed at restraining Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories and upholding international law.

    The Emergency Conference of The Hague Group, jointly organised by the governments of Colombia and South Africa as co-chairs, brought together 30 nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. 

    “In the deliberations at the Bogotá conference, all 30 participating States unanimously agreed that the era of impunity must end – and that international law must be enforced without fear or favour through immediate domestic policies and legislation – along with a unified call for an immediate ceasefire,” a joint statement issued at the end of the conference read. 

    To initiate this process, 12 countries from around the world – Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and South Africa – convened in Bogotá, Colombia, for two days. 

    READ | Israel’s disregard for ICJ rulings undermines global governance, says Dangor

    The countries committed to immediately implement six measures through their domestic legal and administrative systems. 

    The leaders have scheduled a meeting for 20 September, coinciding with the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to invite more countries to join this initiative. Consultations with governments worldwide are currently underway.

    The countries have since announced several measures to be adopted based on the States’ domestic legal and legislative frameworks. This includes a ban on arms shipments to Israel, a prohibition on ships transporting such arms, and a review of public contracts to identify any links to companies benefiting from the Israeli occupation. 

    In addition, the group supports “universal jurisdiction mandates”, which would enable States or international bodies to prosecute serious international crimes, regardless of where they occurred.

    “These 12 States have taken a momentous step forward,” said UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese. 

    “The clock is now ticking for States – from Europe to the Arab world and beyond – to join them.”

    The conference agreed to set a deadline for States’ final decisions by September 2025, in line with the 12-month timeframe mandated by United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES-10/24, adopted on 18 September 2024.

    That resolution called on all States to take effective action on Israel’s violations of international law, including accountability, sanctions, and cessation of support — within one year of adoption.

    “We came to Bogotá to make history – and we did,” said Colombian President Gustavo Petro. 

    “Together, we have begun the work of ending the era of impunity. These measures show that we will no longer allow international law to be treated as optional, or Palestinian life as disposable.” 

    South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, said what they have achieved is a collective affirmation that no State is above the law. 

    “The Hague Group was born to advance international law in an era of impunity. The measures adopted in Bogotá show that we are serious and that coordinated State action is possible,” said Lamola. 

    The Executive Secretary of The Hague Group, Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, said the conference marks a turning point – not just for Palestine, but for the future of the international system.  

    “For decades, States, particularly in the Global South, have borne the cost of a broken international system. In Bogotá, they came together to reclaim it, not with words, but with actions.” – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Police protection for New Caledonian politicians following death threats

    By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk

    New Caledonian politicians who inked their commitment to a deal with France last weekend will be offered special police protection following threats, especially made on social media networks.

    The group includes almost 20 members of New Caledonia’s parties — both pro-France and pro-independence — who took part in deal-breaking negotiations with the French State that ended on 12 July 2025, and a joint commitment regarding New Caledonia’s political future.

    The endorsed document envisages a roadmap in the coming months to turn New Caledonia into a “state” within the French realm.

    It is what some legal experts have sometimes referred to as “a state within the state”, while others say this was tantamount to pushing the French Constitution to its very limits.

    The document is a commitment by all signatories that they will stick to their respective positions from now on.

    The tense but conclusive negotiations took place behind closed doors in a hotel in the small city of Bougival, near Paris, under talks driven by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls and a team of high-level French government representatives and advisers.

    It followed Valls’ several unsuccessful attempts earlier this year to reach a consensus between parties who want New Caledonia to remain part of France and others representing the pro-independence movement.

    Concessions from both sides
     But to reach a compromise agreement, both sides have had to make concessions.

    The pro-French parties, for instance, have had to endorse the notion of a State of New Caledonia or that of a double French-New Caledonian nationality.

    Pro-independence parties have had to accept the plan to modify the rules of eligibility to vote at local elections so as to allow more non-native French nationals to join the local electoral roll.

    They also had to postpone or even give up on the hard-line full sovereignty demand for now.

    Over the past five years and after a series of three referendums (held between 2018 and 2021) on self-determination, both camps have increasingly radicalised.

    This resulted in destructive and deadly riots that broke out in May 2024, resulting in 14 deaths, more than 2 billion euros (NZ$3.9 billion) in damage, thousands of jobless and the destruction of hundreds of businesses.

    Over one year later, the atmosphere in New Caledonia remains marked by a sense of tension, fear and uncertainty on both sides of the political chessboard.

    Since the deal was signed and made public, on July 12, and even before flying back to New Caledonia, all parties have been targeted by a wide range of reactions from their militant bases, especially on social media.

    Some of the reactions have included thinly-veiled death threats in response to a perception that, on one side or another, the deal was not up to the militants’ expectations and that the parties’ negotiators are now regarded as “traitors”.

    Since signing the Paris agreement, all parties have also recognised the need to “sell” and “explain” the new agreement to their respective militants.

    Most of the political parties represented during the talks have already announced they will hold meetings in the coming days, in what is described as “an exercise in pedagogy”.

    “In a certain number of countries, when you sign compromises after hundreds of hours of discussions and when it’s not accepted [by your militants], you lose your reputation. In our country . . . you can risk your life,” said moderate pro-France Calédonie Ensemble leader Philippe Gomès told public broadcaster NC La Première on Wednesday.

    Pro-independence FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou was the first to face negative repercussions back in New Caledonia.

    Tjibaou’s fateful precedent
     “To choose this difficult and new path also means we’ll be subject to criticism. We’re going to get insulted, threatened, precisely because we have chosen a different path,” he told a debriefing meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

    In 1988, Tjibaou’s father, pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, also signed a historic deal (known as the Matignon-Oudinot accords) with pro-France’s Jacques Lafleur, under the auspices of then Prime Minister Michel Rocard.

    The deal largely contributed to restoring peace in New Caledonia, after a quasi-civil war during the second half of the 1980s.

    The following year, he and his deputy, Yeiwéné Yeiwéné, were both shot dead by Djubelly Wéa, a hard-line member of the pro-independence movement, who believed the signing of the 1988 deal had been a “betrayal” of the indigenous Kanak people’s struggle for sovereignty and independence.

    ‘Nobody has betrayed anybody’
     “Nobody has betrayed anybody, whichever party he belongs to. All of us, on both sides, have defended and remained faithful to their beliefs. We had to work and together find a common ground for the years to come, for Caledonians. Now that’s what we need to explain,” said pro-France Rassemblement-LR leader Virginie Ruffenach.

    In an interview earlier this week, Valls said he was very aware of the local tensions.

    “I’m aware there are risks, even serious ones. And not only political. There are threats on elections, on politicians, on the delegations. What I’m calling for is debate, confrontation of ideas and calm.

    “I’m aware that there are extremists out there, who may want to provoke a civil war . . . a tragedy is always possible.

    “The risk is always there. Since the accord was signed, there have been direct threats on New Caledonian leaders, pro-independence or anti-independence.

    “We’re going to act to prevent this. There cannot be death threats on social networks against pro-independence or anti-independence leaders,” Valls said.

    Over the past few days, special protection French police officers have already been deployed to New Caledonia to take care of politicians who took part in the Bougival talks and wish to be placed under special scrutiny.

    “They will be more protected than (French cabinet) ministers,” French national public broadcaster France Inter reported on Tuesday.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New appointments to Board of the Office for Environmental Protection

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New appointments to Board of the Office for Environmental Protection

    Two appointments and two re-appointments to the OEP Board

    Professor Elizabeth Fisher and Caroline May have been appointed as Non-Executive Directors of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), and Professor Dan Laffoley and Dr Paul Leinster CBE have been reappointed for second terms.

    Elizabeth Fisher’s and Caroline May’s new roles will run from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2029. Dan Laffoley’s and Paul Leinster’s second terms will run from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026.

    The appointments have been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

    The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) was created in November 2021 under the Environment Act. It is an independent statutory body with a remit to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account in England and Northern Ireland.

    Biographies

    Professor Elizabeth Fisher

    • Professor Elizabeth Fisher is Professor of Environmental Law at the Faculty of Law and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford.

    • She has over three decades of experience as an environmental law academic and writes widely on environmental law and administrative law in national common law jurisdictions.

    • She was General Editor of the Journal of Environmental Law from 2012 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2025 she held a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship for a project exploring legal imagination and environmental law.

    • She is a Delegate of Oxford University Press and has served as Vice Dean of the Oxford Law Faculty. She is also an Overseas Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and has been a Member of the OEP’s Advisory Group on Environmental Principles since 2023.

    Caroline May

    • Caroline May has been a specialist environmental  lawyer for over 35 years. She is currently head of the environment, ESG and safety practice for Europe, Middle East and Asia at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, where she has been a partner since 2006.

    • She is Chair of the Law Society Climate Change Committee which produced the world’s first professional services guidance on climate change.

    • She is Honorary President of the Legal Sustainability Alliance and a former Director of leading sustainability NGO, the Aldersgate Group. She sat on the National Council of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA) for 6 years.

    • She is a Freeman of the City of London and is listed in the Ends Power List 2024, as a Green Ambassador for the UK by Legal 500, and in the Guide to the World’s Leading Environmental Lawyers.

    Professor Dan Laffoley

    • Professor Dan Laffoley is a scientist, communicator, explorer and marine biologist, with over four decades of experience in the UK, Europe and around the world.  He is a UK and international expert on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and conservation.

    • He is Emeritus Marine Vice Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Commission on Protected Areas responsible for global targets and guidance on ocean protection.

    • Prior to that he led the development and scale-up of the marine conservation work of Natural England and English Nature. He has been responsible for the creation of many global, European and UK public and private sector partnerships, alliances and frameworks that underpin modern-day marine conservation.

    • This work includes creating the concept behind Blue Carbon, scaling up knowledge and action on ocean warming, acidification and deoxygenation, scaling-up work on marine World Heritage and conservation of the High Seas, and various global guidance on implementing MPAs and marine spatial planning.

    Dr Paul Leinster CBE

    • Dr Paul Leinster CBE has over 40 years of practical experience in environmental management, science, policy and regulatory development and implementation in the private and public sectors.

    • He is Chair of Water Resources East, the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group, the Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership, the Great Ouse Rivers Trust, and the Upper and Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnership and is a Board Member of Delphic HSE.

    • He is a visiting professor at Cranfield University where from October 2015 to December 2020 he was Professor of Environmental Assessment and was a Member of the Government’s Natural Capital Committee.

    • Immediately prior to this, he was Chief Executive of the Environment Agency for more than seven years. Prior to joining the EA in 1998 he worked for more than 20 years in the private sector.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Webinar on Building Resilient Workplaces: Mental Health Awareness and Support in NSOs

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    With more than 10% of the global population living with a mental disorder (WHO, 2019), and clear effects on staff wellbeing and performance, proactively addressing mental health has become a crucial issue in building a resilient workplace.

    This webinar aims to explore mental health challenges in the workplace, sharing experiences from various statistical offices —particularly the establishment of a mental health counselling centre.

    Please register by 15 September by following this link: https://forms.office.com/e/hme0AMr044

    If you registration is approved, you will receive a link to the webinar after the registration deadline. 

    Document Title

    Documents

    Information Flyer

     

    Opening

    Welcome speech from Indonesia Chief Statistician 

    		  

    Overview of the mental health in the workplace – WHO

    		  
    Recongizing common challenges – Professor José Guimarães Magalhães, Portugal  

    Experiences from national statistics offices

    		  

    Statistics Indonesia experience in establishing counselling centres

    • Overview of Counseling Centre – Dr. Eni Lestariningsih, S.Si, M.A b.
    • Technical Method of Counseling Centre: Yulias Untari, S.Psi, Psi c
    • Case Study & Mental Health Insight based on Counseling Centre result: Rany Komala Dewi, S.Psi, M.Psi.T & Siti Fani Daulay, S.Psi, M.Psi.T
    		  
    Addressing mental health stigma in the workplace – Philip O’Callaghan, Irish Civil Service Employee Assistance Service  
    Activities in the area of mental health done under umbrella of the Corporate Social Responsibility – Statistics Poland  

    Panel discussion

    		  
    Panel discussion  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 12 countries agree to confront Israel collectively over Gaza after Bogotá summit

    ANALYSIS: By Mick Hall

    Collective measures to confront Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people have been agreed by 12 nations after an emergency summit of the Hague Group in Bogotá, Colombia.

    A joint statement today announced the six measures, which it said were geared to holding Israel to account for its crimes in Palestine and would operate within the states’ domestic legal and legislative frameworks.

    Nearly two dozen other nations in attendance at the summit are now pondering whether to sign up to the measures before a September deadline set by the Hague Group.

    New Zealand and Australia stayed away from the summit.

    The measures include preventing the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel and dual-use items to Israel and preventing the transit, docking or servicing of vessels if there is a risk of vessels carrying such items. No vessel under the flag of the countries would be allowed to carry this equipment.

    The countries would also “commence an urgent review of all public contracts, in order to prevent public institutions and public funds, where applicable, from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory, to ensure that our nationals, and companies and entities under our jurisdiction, as well as our authorities, do not act in any way that would entail recognition or provide aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

    The countries will prosecute “the most serious crimes under international law through robust, impartial and independent investigations and prosecutions at national or international levels, in compliance with our obligation to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes”.

    They agreed to support universal jurisdiction mandates, “as and where applicable in our legal constitutional frameworks and judiciaries, to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes in the Occupied Palestine Territory”.

    This will mean IDF soldiers and others accused of war crimes in Palestine would face arrest and could go through domestic judicial processes in these countries, or referrals to the ICC.

    The statement said the measures constituted a collective commitment to defend the foundational principles of international law.

    It also called on the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to commission an immediate investigation of the health and nutritional needs of the population of Gaza, devise a plan to meet those needs on a continuing and sustained basis, and report on these matters before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

    Following repeated total blockades of Gaza since October 7, 2023, Gazans have been dying of starvation as they continue to be bombed and repeatedly displaced and their means of life destroyed.

    The official death toll stands at nearly 59,000, mostly women and children, although some estimates put that number at over 200,000.

    The joint statement recognised Israel as a threat to regional peace and the system of international law and called on all United Nations member states to enforce their obligations under the UN charter.

    It condemned “unilateral attacks and threats against United Nations mandate holders, as well as key institutions of the human rights architecture and international justice” and committed to build “on the legacy of global solidarity movements that have dismantled apartheid and other oppressive systems, setting a model for future co-ordinated responses to international law violations”.

    Countries face wrath of US
     Ministers, high-ranking officials and envoys from 30 nations attended the two-day event, from July 15-16, called to come up with the measures. It is now hoped some of those attendees will sign up to the statement by September.

    For countries like Ireland, which sent a delegation, signing up would have profound implications. The Irish government has been heavily criticised by its own citizens for continuing to allow Shannon Airport as a transit point for military equipment from the United States to be sent to Israel.

    It would also face the prospect of severe reprisals by the US, as would others thinking of adding their names to the collective statement. The US is now expected to consult with nations that attended and warn them of the consequences of signing up.

    The summit had been billed by the UN Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, as “the most significant political development of the last 20 months”.

    Albanese had told attendees that “for too long, international law has been treated as optional — applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful”.

    “This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end,” she said.

    Co-chaired by Colombia and South Africa, the Hague group was established by nine nations in late January at The Hague in the Netherlands to hold Israel to account for its crimes and push for Palestinian self-determination.

    Colombia last year ended diplomatic relations with Israel, while South Africa in late December 2023 filed an application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide, which was joined by nearly two dozen countries.

    The ICJ has determined a plausible genocide is taking place and issued orders for Israel to protect Palestinians and take measures to stop genocide taking place, a call ignored by the Zionist state.

    Representatives from the countries arrived in Bogota this week in defiance of the United States, which last week sanctioned Albanese for attempts to have US and Israeli political officials and business leaders prosecuted by the ICC over Gaza.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it an illegitimate “campaign of political and economic warfare”.

    It followed the sanctioning of four ICC judges after arrest warrants were issued in November last year for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

    Ahead of the Bogota meeting, the US State Department accused The Hague Group of multilateral attempts to “weaponise international law as a tool to advance radical anti-Western agendas” and warned the US would “aggressively defend” its interests.

    Signs of division in the West
     Most of those attending came from nations in the Global South, but not all.

    Founding Hague Group members Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa attended the Summit. Joining them were Algeria, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iraq, Republic of Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

    However, in a sign of increasing division in the West, NATO members Spain, Portugal, Norway, Slovenia and Turkey also attended.

    Inside the summit, former US State Department official Annelle Sheline, who resigned in March over Gaza, defended the right of those attending “to uphold their obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”.

    “This is not the weaponisation of international law. This is the application of international law,” she told delegates.

    The US and Israel deny accusations that genocide is taking place in Gaza, while Western media have collectively refused to adjudicate the claims or frame stories around Israel’s ethnic cleansing of the strip, despite ample evidence by the UN and genocide experts.

    Since 7 October 2023, US allies have offered diplomatic cover for Israel by repeating it had “a right to defend itself” and was engaged in a legitimate defensive “war against Hamas”.

    Israel now plans to corral starving Gazans into a concentration camp in the south of the strip, with many analysts expecting the IDF to exterminate anyone found outside its boundaries, while preparing to push those inside across the border into Egypt.

    Asia Pacific and EU allies shun Bogota summit
     Addressing attendees at the summit yesterday, Albanese criticised the EU for its neo-colonialism and support for Israel, criticisms that can be extended to US allies in the Asia Pacific region.

    Independent journalist Abby Martin reported Albanese as saying: “Europe and its institutions are guided more by colonial mindset than principle, acting as vessels to US Empire even as it drags us from war to war, misery to misery.

    “The Hague Group is a new moral centre in world politics. Millions are hoping for leadership that can birth a new global order, rooted in justice, humanity and collective liberation. It’s not just about Palestine. This is about all of us.”

    The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was asked why Foreign Minister Penny Wong did not take up an invite to attend the Hague Group meeting. In a statement to Mick Hall in Context, a spokesperson said she had been unable to attend, but did not explain why.

    She said Australia was a “resolute defender of international law” and added: “Australia has consistently been part of international calls that all parties must abide by international humanitarian law. Not enough has been done to protect civilians and aid workers.

    “We have called on Israel to respond substantively to the ICJ’s advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    “We have also called on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the ICJ, including to enable the unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.”

    When asked why New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters had failed to take up the invitation or send any of his officials, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson simply refused to comment.

    She said MFAT media advisors would only engage with “recognised news media outlets”.

    Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as well as a number of his ministers, have been referred to the ICC by domestic legal teams, accused of complicity in the genocide.

    Evidence against Albanese was accepted into the ICC’s wider investigation of crimes in Gaza in October last year, while Luxon’s referral earlier this month is being assessed by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

    Delegates told humanity at stake
     Delegates heard several impassioned addresses from speakers on what was at stake during the two-day event in Bogota.

    Palestinian-American trauma surgeon, Dr Thaer Ahmad, told the gathering that Palestinians seeking food were being met with bullets, describing aid distribution facilities set up by the US contractor-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as “slaughterhouses”. More than 800 starving Gazans have been killed at the GHF aid points so far.

    “People know they could die but cannot sit idly by and watch their families starve,” he said.

    “The bullets fired by GHF mercenaries are just one part of the weaponisation of aid, where Palestinians are ghettoised into areas where somebody in military fatigues decides if you are worthy of food or not.”

    Palestinian diplomat Riyad Mansour had urged the summit attendees to take decisive action to not only save the Palestinian people, but redeem humanity.

    “Instead of outrage at the crimes we know are taking place, we find those who defend, normalise, and even celebrate them,” he said.

    “The core values we believed humanity agreed were universal are shattered, blown to pieces like the tens of thousands of starved, murdered and injured civilians in Palestine.

    “The mind and heart cannot fathom or process the immense pain and horror that has taken hold of the lives of an entire people. We must not fail — not just for Palestine’s sake — but for humanity’s sake.”

    At the beginning of the summit, Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir told summit delegates the Palestinian genocide threatened the entire international system.

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote in The Guardian last week: “We can either stand firm in defence of the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or watch helplessly as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics.”

    Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers, as well as Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, met in Brussels at the same time as the Bogota summit, to discuss Middle East co-operation, but also possible options for action against Israel.

    At the EU–Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas put forward potential actions after Israel was found to have breached the EU economic cooperation deal with the bloc on human rights grounds. As expected, no sanctions, restricted trade or suspension of the co-operation deal were agreed.

    The EU has been one of Israel’s most strident backers in its campaign against Gaza, with EU members Germany and France in particular supplying weapons, as well as political support.

    The UK government has continued to supply arms and operate spy planes over Gaza over the past 21 months, launched from bases in Cyprus, while its military has issued D-Notices to censor media reports that its special forces have been operating inside the occupied territories.

    Mick Hall is an independent Irish-New Zealand journalist, formerly of RNZ and AAP, based in New Zealand since 2009. He writes primarily on politics, corporate power and international affairs. This article is republished from his substack Mick Hall in Context with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 12 countries agree to confront Israel collectively over Gaza after Bogotá summit

    ANALYSIS: By Mick Hall

    Collective measures to confront Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people have been agreed by 12 nations after an emergency summit of the Hague Group in Bogotá, Colombia.

    A joint statement today announced the six measures, which it said were geared to holding Israel to account for its crimes in Palestine and would operate within the states’ domestic legal and legislative frameworks.

    Nearly two dozen other nations in attendance at the summit are now pondering whether to sign up to the measures before a September deadline set by the Hague Group.

    New Zealand and Australia stayed away from the summit.

    The measures include preventing the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel and dual-use items to Israel and preventing the transit, docking or servicing of vessels if there is a risk of vessels carrying such items. No vessel under the flag of the countries would be allowed to carry this equipment.

    The countries would also “commence an urgent review of all public contracts, in order to prevent public institutions and public funds, where applicable, from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory, to ensure that our nationals, and companies and entities under our jurisdiction, as well as our authorities, do not act in any way that would entail recognition or provide aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

    The countries will prosecute “the most serious crimes under international law through robust, impartial and independent investigations and prosecutions at national or international levels, in compliance with our obligation to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes”.

    They agreed to support universal jurisdiction mandates, “as and where applicable in our legal constitutional frameworks and judiciaries, to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes in the Occupied Palestine Territory”.

    This will mean IDF soldiers and others accused of war crimes in Palestine would face arrest and could go through domestic judicial processes in these countries, or referrals to the ICC.

    The statement said the measures constituted a collective commitment to defend the foundational principles of international law.

    It also called on the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to commission an immediate investigation of the health and nutritional needs of the population of Gaza, devise a plan to meet those needs on a continuing and sustained basis, and report on these matters before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

    Following repeated total blockades of Gaza since October 7, 2023, Gazans have been dying of starvation as they continue to be bombed and repeatedly displaced and their means of life destroyed.

    The official death toll stands at nearly 59,000, mostly women and children, although some estimates put that number at over 200,000.

    The joint statement recognised Israel as a threat to regional peace and the system of international law and called on all United Nations member states to enforce their obligations under the UN charter.

    It condemned “unilateral attacks and threats against United Nations mandate holders, as well as key institutions of the human rights architecture and international justice” and committed to build “on the legacy of global solidarity movements that have dismantled apartheid and other oppressive systems, setting a model for future co-ordinated responses to international law violations”.

    Countries face wrath of US
     Ministers, high-ranking officials and envoys from 30 nations attended the two-day event, from July 15-16, called to come up with the measures. It is now hoped some of those attendees will sign up to the statement by September.

    For countries like Ireland, which sent a delegation, signing up would have profound implications. The Irish government has been heavily criticised by its own citizens for continuing to allow Shannon Airport as a transit point for military equipment from the United States to be sent to Israel.

    It would also face the prospect of severe reprisals by the US, as would others thinking of adding their names to the collective statement. The US is now expected to consult with nations that attended and warn them of the consequences of signing up.

    The summit had been billed by the UN Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, as “the most significant political development of the last 20 months”.

    Albanese had told attendees that “for too long, international law has been treated as optional — applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful”.

    “This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end,” she said.

    Co-chaired by Colombia and South Africa, the Hague group was established by nine nations in late January at The Hague in the Netherlands to hold Israel to account for its crimes and push for Palestinian self-determination.

    Colombia last year ended diplomatic relations with Israel, while South Africa in late December 2023 filed an application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide, which was joined by nearly two dozen countries.

    The ICJ has determined a plausible genocide is taking place and issued orders for Israel to protect Palestinians and take measures to stop genocide taking place, a call ignored by the Zionist state.

    Representatives from the countries arrived in Bogota this week in defiance of the United States, which last week sanctioned Albanese for attempts to have US and Israeli political officials and business leaders prosecuted by the ICC over Gaza.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it an illegitimate “campaign of political and economic warfare”.

    It followed the sanctioning of four ICC judges after arrest warrants were issued in November last year for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

    Ahead of the Bogota meeting, the US State Department accused The Hague Group of multilateral attempts to “weaponise international law as a tool to advance radical anti-Western agendas” and warned the US would “aggressively defend” its interests.

    Signs of division in the West
     Most of those attending came from nations in the Global South, but not all.

    Founding Hague Group members Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa attended the Summit. Joining them were Algeria, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iraq, Republic of Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

    However, in a sign of increasing division in the West, NATO members Spain, Portugal, Norway, Slovenia and Turkey also attended.

    Inside the summit, former US State Department official Annelle Sheline, who resigned in March over Gaza, defended the right of those attending “to uphold their obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”.

    “This is not the weaponisation of international law. This is the application of international law,” she told delegates.

    The US and Israel deny accusations that genocide is taking place in Gaza, while Western media have collectively refused to adjudicate the claims or frame stories around Israel’s ethnic cleansing of the strip, despite ample evidence by the UN and genocide experts.

    Since 7 October 2023, US allies have offered diplomatic cover for Israel by repeating it had “a right to defend itself” and was engaged in a legitimate defensive “war against Hamas”.

    Israel now plans to corral starving Gazans into a concentration camp in the south of the strip, with many analysts expecting the IDF to exterminate anyone found outside its boundaries, while preparing to push those inside across the border into Egypt.

    Asia Pacific and EU allies shun Bogota summit
     Addressing attendees at the summit yesterday, Albanese criticised the EU for its neo-colonialism and support for Israel, criticisms that can be extended to US allies in the Asia Pacific region.

    Independent journalist Abby Martin reported Albanese as saying: “Europe and its institutions are guided more by colonial mindset than principle, acting as vessels to US Empire even as it drags us from war to war, misery to misery.

    “The Hague Group is a new moral centre in world politics. Millions are hoping for leadership that can birth a new global order, rooted in justice, humanity and collective liberation. It’s not just about Palestine. This is about all of us.”

    The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was asked why Foreign Minister Penny Wong did not take up an invite to attend the Hague Group meeting. In a statement to Mick Hall in Context, a spokesperson said she had been unable to attend, but did not explain why.

    She said Australia was a “resolute defender of international law” and added: “Australia has consistently been part of international calls that all parties must abide by international humanitarian law. Not enough has been done to protect civilians and aid workers.

    “We have called on Israel to respond substantively to the ICJ’s advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    “We have also called on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the ICJ, including to enable the unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.”

    When asked why New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters had failed to take up the invitation or send any of his officials, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson simply refused to comment.

    She said MFAT media advisors would only engage with “recognised news media outlets”.

    Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as well as a number of his ministers, have been referred to the ICC by domestic legal teams, accused of complicity in the genocide.

    Evidence against Albanese was accepted into the ICC’s wider investigation of crimes in Gaza in October last year, while Luxon’s referral earlier this month is being assessed by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

    Delegates told humanity at stake
     Delegates heard several impassioned addresses from speakers on what was at stake during the two-day event in Bogota.

    Palestinian-American trauma surgeon, Dr Thaer Ahmad, told the gathering that Palestinians seeking food were being met with bullets, describing aid distribution facilities set up by the US contractor-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as “slaughterhouses”. More than 800 starving Gazans have been killed at the GHF aid points so far.

    “People know they could die but cannot sit idly by and watch their families starve,” he said.

    “The bullets fired by GHF mercenaries are just one part of the weaponisation of aid, where Palestinians are ghettoised into areas where somebody in military fatigues decides if you are worthy of food or not.”

    Palestinian diplomat Riyad Mansour had urged the summit attendees to take decisive action to not only save the Palestinian people, but redeem humanity.

    “Instead of outrage at the crimes we know are taking place, we find those who defend, normalise, and even celebrate them,” he said.

    “The core values we believed humanity agreed were universal are shattered, blown to pieces like the tens of thousands of starved, murdered and injured civilians in Palestine.

    “The mind and heart cannot fathom or process the immense pain and horror that has taken hold of the lives of an entire people. We must not fail — not just for Palestine’s sake — but for humanity’s sake.”

    At the beginning of the summit, Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir told summit delegates the Palestinian genocide threatened the entire international system.

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote in The Guardian last week: “We can either stand firm in defence of the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or watch helplessly as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics.”

    Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers, as well as Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, met in Brussels at the same time as the Bogota summit, to discuss Middle East co-operation, but also possible options for action against Israel.

    At the EU–Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas put forward potential actions after Israel was found to have breached the EU economic cooperation deal with the bloc on human rights grounds. As expected, no sanctions, restricted trade or suspension of the co-operation deal were agreed.

    The EU has been one of Israel’s most strident backers in its campaign against Gaza, with EU members Germany and France in particular supplying weapons, as well as political support.

    The UK government has continued to supply arms and operate spy planes over Gaza over the past 21 months, launched from bases in Cyprus, while its military has issued D-Notices to censor media reports that its special forces have been operating inside the occupied territories.

    Mick Hall is an independent Irish-New Zealand journalist, formerly of RNZ and AAP, based in New Zealand since 2009. He writes primarily on politics, corporate power and international affairs. This article is republished from his substack Mick Hall in Context with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trade – Premium Beverages from Around the World Make Their Mark in China with Gebrüder Weiss

    Source: Gebrüder Weiss

    From Australian Ginger Beer to Fiji Water, and Vita Coconut Water: Jebsen Group relies on Gebrüder Weiss’s logistics expertise for nationwide beverage distribution across China.

    Shanghai / Lauterach, July 17, 2025. The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss is driving the dynamic growth of Jebsen Group’s beverage business line in China through comprehensive warehousing and distribution solutions. 

    Headquartered in Hong Kong, Jebsen Group is a well-established trading company known for bringing international premium brands to Greater China and marketing them across the region. 

    Featured brands include renowned products such as Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Fiji Water, and Vita Coconut Water. From Shanghai, the brands are distributed nationwide to supermarkets, wholesalers, and e-commerce platforms.

    “Thanks to Gebrüder Weiss’s modern supply chain infrastructure and professional team, we’ve been able to significantly expand our market position,” said Gary Chan, Head of Supply Chain, Beverage at Jebsen. Customers include leading retailers such as Hema – the Alibaba-owned supermarket chain, as well as JD.com and numerous other retailers and wholesalers throughout China.

    The partnership dates back to 2017, when Gebrüder Weiss provided Sanyi Wine Trading with a warehouse solution to support the market entry of the Australian Bundaberg brand. Following Jebsen Group’s acquisition of Sanyi in 2022, the focus shifted to the premium beverage segment in Greater China. Since then, the collaboration with Gebrüder Weiss has evolved into a comprehensive logistics solution, currently handling over 2,700 orders annually – and growing.

    At the company’s 4,000-square-meter logistics facility in Shanghai, specialized professionals ensure seamless operations. The warehouse was recently certified at Security Level 3 for meeting high safety standards. Services include temperature- and humidity-controlled storage, order processing using the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method, expiry date monitoring, labeling and packaging, as well as inventory management.

    “The beverage market in China is fast-paced and highly demanding. Our goal is to work closely with the Jebsen team to develop tailored solutions and respond flexibly to changing needs,” said Yongquan Chen, General Manager of Gebrüder Weiss China. Looking ahead, Gebrüder Weiss and Jebsen Group plan to further deepen their successful collaboration and expand their beverage portfolio.

    With extensive experience in beverage logistics in China, Gebrüder Weiss also operates a second logistics hub in Chengdu. There, the company supports leading Baijiu brands – China’s most well-known and best-selling spirit – with customized e-commerce and fulfillment solutions.

    About Gebrüder Weiss

    Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,600 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.71 billion euros in 2024. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. www.gw-world.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trade – Premium Beverages from Around the World Make Their Mark in China with Gebrüder Weiss

    Source: Gebrüder Weiss

    From Australian Ginger Beer to Fiji Water, and Vita Coconut Water: Jebsen Group relies on Gebrüder Weiss’s logistics expertise for nationwide beverage distribution across China.

    Shanghai / Lauterach, July 17, 2025. The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss is driving the dynamic growth of Jebsen Group’s beverage business line in China through comprehensive warehousing and distribution solutions. 

    Headquartered in Hong Kong, Jebsen Group is a well-established trading company known for bringing international premium brands to Greater China and marketing them across the region. 

    Featured brands include renowned products such as Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Fiji Water, and Vita Coconut Water. From Shanghai, the brands are distributed nationwide to supermarkets, wholesalers, and e-commerce platforms.

    “Thanks to Gebrüder Weiss’s modern supply chain infrastructure and professional team, we’ve been able to significantly expand our market position,” said Gary Chan, Head of Supply Chain, Beverage at Jebsen. Customers include leading retailers such as Hema – the Alibaba-owned supermarket chain, as well as JD.com and numerous other retailers and wholesalers throughout China.

    The partnership dates back to 2017, when Gebrüder Weiss provided Sanyi Wine Trading with a warehouse solution to support the market entry of the Australian Bundaberg brand. Following Jebsen Group’s acquisition of Sanyi in 2022, the focus shifted to the premium beverage segment in Greater China. Since then, the collaboration with Gebrüder Weiss has evolved into a comprehensive logistics solution, currently handling over 2,700 orders annually – and growing.

    At the company’s 4,000-square-meter logistics facility in Shanghai, specialized professionals ensure seamless operations. The warehouse was recently certified at Security Level 3 for meeting high safety standards. Services include temperature- and humidity-controlled storage, order processing using the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method, expiry date monitoring, labeling and packaging, as well as inventory management.

    “The beverage market in China is fast-paced and highly demanding. Our goal is to work closely with the Jebsen team to develop tailored solutions and respond flexibly to changing needs,” said Yongquan Chen, General Manager of Gebrüder Weiss China. Looking ahead, Gebrüder Weiss and Jebsen Group plan to further deepen their successful collaboration and expand their beverage portfolio.

    With extensive experience in beverage logistics in China, Gebrüder Weiss also operates a second logistics hub in Chengdu. There, the company supports leading Baijiu brands – China’s most well-known and best-selling spirit – with customized e-commerce and fulfillment solutions.

    About Gebrüder Weiss

    Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,600 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.71 billion euros in 2024. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. www.gw-world.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by President Meloni on Israeli raids on Gaza

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    17 Luglio 2025

    The Israeli raids on Gaza have also hit the Church of the Holy Family. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such conduct.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civil Society Covenant: EUSS Vulnerability Programme

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Civil Society Covenant: EUSS Vulnerability Programme

    Leveraging data and transparency to bridge digital divides for vulnerable citizens.

    The EU Settlement Scheme’s (EUSS) digital-first design posed challenges for vulnerable EU citizens in the UK, including those facing language barriers, digital exclusion, mental health issues and homelessness. These issues posed a barrier to applying and securing settled status in the UK. Although many civil society organisations (CSOs) were uniquely placed to reach and support these individuals, they lacked accurate data to work with.

    Better data sharing

    In response, government launched a grant programme for CSOs to enhance data collection, sharing and transparency. This enabled better data sharing between the government and grantees for immediate assessments, established transparency standards, and offered support to smaller organisations for data management compliance. Data gathered from civil society informed policy changes and outreach, improving understanding of needs and enabling collaborative, evidence-based solutions. 

    Providing essential assistance

    Over £32.5 million was successfully allocated to over 70 civil society organisations, enabling them to provide essential assistance to more than 500,000 vulnerable citizens who might not have applied to the scheme otherwise. This critical initiative supported individuals with understanding the scheme, completing applications, and accessing legal or translation services.

    The grants also supported four national organisations (one each in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and a number of regional organisations, ensuring UK-wide access to services. An example includes Citizens Advice Scotland, with 1,000 advisers in 200 outreach locations, delivering EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) advice, including benefits, housing, and debt support, enhancing community wellbeing.

    Next steps

    Next steps include applying this model to future schemes and tracking long term impacts on community resilience.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Cricket to return at LA28 Olympics after 128 years, T20 format confirmed

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Cricket will return to the Olympic stage after more than a century, with the sport set to feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Games in the fast-paced Twenty20 (T20) format.

    The men’s and women’s competitions will each feature six teams, with matches scheduled to begin on July 12 at Fairgrounds Stadium in Pomona, a temporary venue located roughly 50km east of downtown Los Angeles. The women’s medal match is slated for July 20, while the men’s final will be held on July 29.

    A total of 180 players will participate across the two events, with each team allowed to name a 15-member squad. Most match days will feature double-headers, starting at 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. local time. No games are scheduled on July 14 and 21.

    Cricket last featured in the Olympics at the 1900 Paris Games, when Great Britain defeated France in the only match played. Its return comes alongside four other sports — baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash — approved by the International Olympic Committee for LA28.

    “This is a Games for all, and cricket’s inclusion reflects that spirit,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. She also cited the success of the city’s PlayLA youth sports initiative, which recently surpassed one million enrollments.

    The Fairgrounds Stadium, located at the Fairplex complex in Pomona, spans nearly 500 acres and regularly hosts large-scale events including the LA County Fair. It will serve as the sole venue for the cricket tournament.

    Cricket’s addition follows growing interest in the sport in the United States, particularly after the country co-hosted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with the West Indies. Matches were held in Grand Prairie, Lauderhill, and New York.

    Women’s cricket has seen increased visibility in recent years, debuting at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and featuring in three Asian Games editions (2010, 2014, 2023) alongside the men’s tournament.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC), in coordination with national boards, is now working on creating a fair and transparent qualification pathway to ensure that top-performing teams get a chance to compete at LA28.

    (With agency input)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: “We want even more proportionality”

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Ms Wiens, the Solvency II review, which entered into force at the end of January, simplifies several requirements for small insurers. Why is it important for regulation to be proportionate?

    The German insurance sector is quite diverse. We have large groups, but also smaller regional providers. In addition, the risk profiles of the undertakings vary considerably. Complex undertakings with a wide range of risks are more likely to have the organisational resources and staff required to cope with the complex requirements of Solvency II. Smaller providers, on the other hand, can quickly get overwhelmed. Regulation needs to take this into account. It should be appropriate for the undertaking’s size and risk profile. That’s what we mean when we talk about proportionality. If we bear this in mind, we can keep things proportionate, avoid excessive bureaucracy and maintain market stability.

    But proportionality isn’t a new topic in European insurance supervision, is it?

    The introduction of Solvency II already gave proportionality a major boost in insurance supervision, including in our supervisory practice at BaFin. For example, we have published three versions of MaGo, our circular on the “Minimum requirements under supervisory law on the system of governance of insurance undertakings”: one for undertakings that are subject to the Solvency II Directive, one for smaller insurers that are still subject to the Solvency I rules, and one for institutions for occupational retirement provision. There was no question, though, that we want even more proportionality – and the review has made it possible.

    What are the most important simplifications resulting from the review for smaller, less complex insurance undertakings?

    First of all, we now have legal clarity about which undertakings are eligible for specific simplifications, which is crucial. In future, this category will include all insurers that meet the criteria to be considered small and non-complex undertakings, or “SNCUs”. This clarity helps us immensely in our work and enhances transparency throughout Europe.

    Starting in 2027, SNCUs will have an easier time calculating capital requirements using the standard formula. Under certain conditions, these undertakings will be allowed to use simplified calculations for immaterial risk modules – meaning for certain risks that are of minor importance to the undertaking – for a maximum of five years. If they meet certain criteria, SNCUs may also designate a single internally responsible person for multiple key functions. In addition, they can allow one person to hold a dual role both as a member of the management board and as the internally responsible person for a key function. This is a major step forward for European supervisory practice. In Germany, we have long made it possible to combine key functions and management board positions. We at BaFin were pioneers on this topic.

    Where do you still see potential to allow for more proportionality?

    For us, proportionality means more than just simplifying specific requirements for SNCUs. It is a fundamental principle of supervision that applies on a broader scale. Hence, we as supervisors have many options for taking a proportionate approach. For example, other insurers that are not classified as SNCUs can in principle also take advantage of general simplifications beyond the SNCU framework without having to obtain approval. The decisive factor is still the respective risk profile, which we assess on an individual basis.

    What is BaFin doing to further embed proportionality in regulation?

    The European Commission is currently working on the Level 2 legislative acts of the Solvency II review. This involves specifying the criteria that non-SNCUs need to fulfil in order to take advantage of the simplifications. In this context, we aim to help make these criteria – and their implementation – as simple and unbureaucratic as possible. Even when working on Level 1, that is to say the Solvency II Directive itself, we advocated raising the thresholds at which the Directive applies. And we succeeded. In the future, Solvency II will no longer apply to some undertakings that still fall under it today. This also means that, starting in 2027, they will no longer be subject to the requirements of DORA, the Regulation on digital operational resilience in the financial sector. It is important to me that we find a pragmatic and unbureaucratic solution for these undertakings. We will therefore refrain from taking any supervisory measures if these insurers do not fulfil the DORA requirements during the transitional period until the Solvency II amendments are transposed into German law.

    Wherever possible, we want to make greater use of the opportunities for principle-based supervision provided by Solvency II, particularly in Pillar II, in order to achieve greater consistency in this area. A more principle-based approach means giving greater weight to the supervisor’s individual appraisal. And that will require us to engage in closer dialogue with the insurance undertakings.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Geeking out, China’s high-tech factory floors adored as ‘industrial Disneyland’

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

    Robots work at Xiaomi’s automobile factory in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Getting a pass into Xiaomi’s car plant in suburban Beijing feels like snagging front-row tickets to the world’s hottest concert.

    “Application accepted!” Wang Shuang crowed, posting a screenshot to social media. “The last time I felt this giddy was when I landed a Taylor Swift ticket.”

    Welcome to China’s newest travel craze: high-tech factories have joined ancient palaces and world-class museums as the nation’s must-see destinations.

    China has dominated as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse for fifteen straight years. Yet, in just the past two years, the robust rise of smart manufacturing has revolutionized the country’s once dreary, clang-and-hiss assembly lines into a cultural phenomenon or “industrial Disneyland.”

    Chinese manufacturers aren’t pioneering this factory fascination. France’s Citroen ignited the trend in the 1950s. Boeing and Toyota plants remain the top U.S. and Japan draws.

    As the country’s industrial prowess ascends from the lower rungs of the global supply chain to a technology-driven frontier, a profound shift has taken hold. An increasing number of Chinese people now celebrate mechanical ingenuity with reverence, as their pride in homegrown sectors flourishes.

    The registration page of Xiaomi, a headline-grabbing newcomer to the electric vehicle (EV) sector last year, was still live ticking: beside the tiny line “20 spots only,” the counter read “4,060 already applied” as a scramble ensued to witness robotic arms assembling electric cars.

    Wang snagged that coveted ticket only after camping on the official website for days, finger tap-dancing like a twitchy trigger, until the confirmation flashed alive.

    Tech odyssey 

    Under the scorching sun, the lucky visitor Wang stepped into the factory complex as scheduled. The two-hour journey felt like a tech-filled odyssey. She rode a shuttle vehicle that zipped through the six major workshops: stamping, large die casting, body welding, painting, battery assembly and final assembly.

    In her experience, factories were enclosed, dusty, and filled with workers in safety helmets. This time, she saw robotic arms working with micron-level precision on the factory floor and AI-driven robots moving freely along planned routes to deliver battery cell components to their destinations.

    “It takes just 76 seconds to churn out a new car,” Wang exclaimed in amazement. “Quicker than whipping up a latte.”

    NIO, another domestic EV manufacturer, has opened its “Second Advanced Manufacturing Base” to the public since October 2023. Visitors can also tour the facility, which is filled with robotic arms, from an elevated corridor. In 2024, over 130,000 people visited the site, including about 900 from overseas.

    The moves to open production lines to the public came as China’s new energy vehicles have topped the global production and sales charts for nine consecutive years. Along with lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, they form China’s “new export trio,” showcasing the technological upgrades of “Made in China.”

    Freya Zhang, a research analyst at the investment consulting firm Tech Buzz China, told the journal Wired that China’s EV factory tour “offers a chance to not only see the production line up close, but also experience the human side of the brand.”

    Beyond EVs, emerging tech hubs are becoming pilgrimage sites. In Hangzhou, an innovative magnet in east China, robotics pioneers like Unitree Robotics draw curated tour groups.

    At the AG600 final-assembly plant in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai — host city of China’s premier airshow — a steady stream of visitors was filing through the country’s only extensive special-mission aircraft production line that is open to the public.

    The AG600 line attracts roughly 40,000 visitors a year, with open-day slots almost booked out to a crowd dominated by the young. The domestically developed amphibious aircraft, which has already entered mass production, can swiftly shuttle between water sources and fire sites, making it a powerful tool for forest firefighting.

    The destination of industry tourism is also emerging from unexpected origins: waste treatment plants. Not far from Zhuhai, Shenzhen, an economic hub of China, now welcomes visitors to four such “eco-parks.”

    One social platform user from Xiaohongshu posted about their visit: The true spectacle lies in the industrial-scale choreography of the facility’s central sorting hall, where a colossal hydraulic claw, operating with uncanny precision, plunges into mountains of refuse and sorts recyclables. “It provides a sense of satisfaction akin to that of playing a claw crane game.”

    New growth 

    China hosts over 40 percent of the world’s “lighthouse factories,” and more assembly lines have been digitally transformed, creating an ideal foundation for transforming humans on factory floors into a cultural canvas.

    More Chinese cities have made industrial tourism their new engines for growth. In February, Beijing vowed to create five national industrial-tourism demonstration bases by 2027 and become a leading destination by 2029.

    The city’s tourism blueprint includes opening high-level autonomous driving scenarios, rocket institutes, low-altitude economy, and green energy routes, while inviting research institutes to grant public access to select labs and assembly halls.

    Local governments are also looking to outfit industrial tourism itself with next-gen stagecraft: Shanghai is set to weave large language models, the metaverse and blockchain into richer cultural narratives, while Hunan province in central China will deploy AR, VR, AI, 5G, 3D cinema, and holography to build fully immersive worlds.

    “Industrial tourism is a nexus where secondary and tertiary industries converge,” said Chen Wei, an expert from Tsinghua University. “It can fuel consumption, expand domestic demand, and promote industrial science education.”

    Among the facilities listed as national industrial tourism demonstration bases are Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, the aerospace supercomputing center in the island province of Hainan, and the Zhuzhou electric locomotive production line in Hunan, which is a cradle of China’s high-speed trains, according to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

    “Fast-tracking industrial tourism is a strategic move in building a modern industrial system, which serves to unlock growth potential for regional economic vitality,” said Chen. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Valour Enters Swiss Market with HBAR and ICP Staking ETP Listings on SIX Swiss Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Valour Launches First Products on SIX Swiss Exchange: Valour has officially entered the Swiss market with the listing of two staking ETPs—1Valour Hedera (HBAR) and 1Valour Internet Computer (ICP)—on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
    • Access to Native Yield Through Regulated ETPs: Both products offer secure, transparent, and regulated exposure to HBAR and ICP, while integrating native staking rewards directly into their structure.
    • Accelerating Toward 100 ETPs in Europe: With this launch, Valour now offers over 75 ETPs across Europe and continues to expand its footprint in line with its goal of reaching 100 ETPs by the end of 2025.

    TORONTO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Technologies (the “Company” or “DeFi Technologies”) (Nasdaq: DEFT) (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B), a financial technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance (“DeFi”), is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Valour Inc., and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, “Valour“), a leading issuer of exchange traded products (“ETPs“) has successfully listed two digital asset ETPs on the SIX Swiss Exchange—marking its inaugural product launch in Switzerland.

    The newly listed products are:

    • 1Valour Hedera (HBAR) Physical Staking (ISIN: GB00BRC6JM96)
    • 1Valour Internet Computer (ICP) Physical Staking (ISIN: GB00BS2BDN04)

    These cross-listed ETPs are already trading on other major European exchanges and will now be accessible to Swiss investors through their existing brokerage accounts. With competitive management fees and integrated staking rewards, both products provide secure, transparent, and regulated access to digital assets while enabling investors to benefit from native protocol yields.

    About the Listed Products

    1Valour Hedera (HBAR) Physical Staking
    HBAR is the native token of the Hedera network, a high-throughput, proof-of-stake public ledger designed for enterprise-grade applications. This ETP offers investors exposure to HBAR while capturing staking rewards—distributed directly to the product and reflected in its net asset value—without requiring users to manage wallets or custodianship themselves.

    1Valour Internet Computer (ICP) Physical Staking ICP powers the Internet Computer, a decentralized network that enables secure, scalable smart contract execution and web-speed blockchain functionality. This ETP provides passive exposure to ICP while generating staking yield, enabling investors to participate in the network’s native economics via a traditional financial instrument.

    Executive Commentary

    Johanna Belitz, Head of Nordics and DACH at Valour, commented:
    “Launching on SIX is a major milestone in our mission to democratize access to digital assets. Switzerland is one of the most forward-looking markets for regulated crypto products, and we’re proud to offer investors here access to yield-bearing protocols like HBAR and ICP in a simple and compliant format.”

    Elaine Buehler, Head of Products at Valour, added:
    “Our debut on the SIX Swiss Exchange reflects growing institutional and retail appetite for digital asset products that generate yield. These ETPs not only give investors exposure to two high-quality blockchain ecosystems—they do so through structures designed for security, simplicity, and accessibility.”

    With the addition of these products on SIX, Valour continues to expand its footprint across Europe, now offering over 75 ETPs on exchanges including Spotlight (Sweden), Börse Frankfurt (Germany), Euronext (Paris and Amsterdam), and now SIX (Switzerland). The Company remains on track to reach its goal of 100 ETPs by year-end 2025.

    About DeFi Technologies
    DeFi Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: DEFT) (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) is a financial technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance (“DeFi”). As the first Nasdaq-listed digital asset manager of its kind, DeFi Technologies offers equity investors diversified exposure to the broader decentralized economy through its integrated and scalable business model. This includes Valour, which offers access to over sixty-five of the world’s most innovative digital assets via regulated ETPs; Stillman Digital, a digital asset prime brokerage focused on institutional-grade execution and custody; Reflexivity Research, which provides leading research into the digital asset space; Neuronomics, which develops quantitative trading strategies and infrastructure; and DeFi Alpha, the company’s internal arbitrage and trading business line. With deep expertise across capital markets and emerging technologies, DeFi Technologies is building the institutional gateway to the future of finance. Follow DeFi Technologies on LinkedIn and X/Twitter, and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/  

    DeFi Technologies Subsidiaries

    About Valour
    Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, “Valour”) issues exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that enable retail and institutional investors to access digital assets in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies. For more information about Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates, visit valour.com.

    About Reflexivity Research
    Reflexivity Research LLC is a leading research firm specializing in the creation of high-quality, in-depth research reports for the bitcoin and digital asset industry, empowering investors with valuable insights. For more information please visit https://www.reflexivityresearch.com/

    About Stillman Digital
    Stillman Digital is a leading digital asset liquidity provider that offers limitless liquidity solutions for businesses, focusing on industry-leading trade execution, settlement, and technology. For more information, please visit https://www.stillmandigital.com

    About Neuronomics AG
    Neuronomics AG is a Swiss asset management firm specializing in AI-powered quantitative trading strategies. By integrating artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience and quantitative finance, Neuronomics delivers cutting-edge solutions that drive superior risk-adjusted performance in financial markets. For more information please visit https://www.neuronomics.com/

    Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:
    This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the the listing of 1Valour Hedera (HBAR) Physical Staking ETP, 1Valour Internet Computer (ICP) Physical Staking ETP; the development of the Internet Computer protocol, Hedera blockchain; development of additional ETPs and the number of ETPs anticipated by end of 2025; investor confidence in Valour’s ETPs; investor interest and confidence in digital assets; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by the Company and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour ETPs by exchanges; growth and development of decentralised finance and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to decentralised finance and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

    For further information, please contact:

    Olivier Roussy Newton
    Chief Executive Officer
    ir@defi.tech
    (323) 537-7681

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Rainbow Warrior bombing by French secret agents remembered 40 years on

    SPECIAL REPORT: By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News

    Forty years ago today, French secret agents bombed the Greenpeace campaign flagship  Rainbow Warrior in an attempt to stop the environmental organisation’s protest against nuclear testing at Moruroa Atoll in Mā’ohi Nui.

    People gathered on board Rainbow Warrior III to remember photographer Fernando Pereira, who was killed in the attack, and to honour the legacy of those who stood up to nuclear testing in the Pacific.

    The Rainbow Warrior’s final voyage before the bombing was Operation Exodus, a humanitarian mission to the Marshall Islands. There, Greenpeace helped relocate more than 320 residents of Rongelap Atoll, who had been exposed to radiation from US nuclear testing.

    The dawn ceremony was hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and attended by more than 150 people. Speeches were followed by the laying of a wreath and a moment of silence.

    Photographer Fernando Pereira and a woman from Rongelap on the day the Rainbow Warrior arrived in Rongelap Atoll in May 1985. Image: David Robie/Eyes of Fire

    Tui Warmenhoven (Ngāti Porou), the chair of the Greenpeace Aotearoa board, said it was a day to remember for the harm caused by the French state against the people of Mā’ohi Nui.

    Warmenhoven worked for 20 years in iwi research and is a grassroots, Ruatoria-based community leader who works to integrate mātauranga Māori with science to address climate change in Te Tai Rāwhiti.

    She encouraged Māori to stand united with Greenpeace.

    “Ko te mea nui ki a mātou, a Greenpeace Aotearoa, ko te whawhai i ngā mahi tūkino a rātou, te kāwanatanga, ngā rangatōpū, me ngā tāngata whai rawa, e patu ana i a mātou, te iwi Māori, ngā iwi o te ao, me ō mātou mātua, a Ranginui rāua ko Papatūānuku,” e ai ki a Warmenhoven.

    Tui Warmenhoven and Dr Russel Norman in front of Rainbow Warrior III on 10 July 2025. Image:Te Ao Māori News

    A defining moment in Aotearoa’s nuclear-free stand
     “The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was a defining moment for Greenpeace in its willingness to fight for a nuclear-free world,” said Dr Russel Norman, the executive director of Greenpeace Aotearoa.

    He noted it was also a defining moment for Aotearoa in the country’s stand against the United States and France, who conducted nuclear tests in the region.

    Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Dr Russel Norman speaking at the ceremony on board Rainbow Warrior III today. Image: Te Ao Māpri News

    In 1987, the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act officially declared the country a nuclear-free zone.

    This move angered the United States, especially due to the ban on nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships entering New Zealand ports.

    Because the US followed a policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons, it saw the ban as breaching the ANZUS Treaty and suspended its security commitments to New Zealand.

    The Rainbow Warrior’s final voyage before it was bombed was Operation Exodus, during which the crew helped relocate more than 320 residents of Rongelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands, who had been exposed to radiation from US nuclear testing between 1946 and 1958.

    The evacuation of Rongelap Islanders to Mejatto by the Rainbow Warrior crew in May 1985. Image: Greenpeace/Fernando Pereira

    The legacy of Operation Exodus
     Between 1946 and 1958, the United States carried out 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands.

    For decades, it denied the long-term health impacts, even as cancer rates rose and children were born with severe deformities.

    Despite repeated pleas from the people of Rongelap to be evacuated, the US government failed to act until Greenpeace stepped in to help.

    “The United States government effectively used them as guinea pigs for nuclear testing and radiation to see what would happen to people, which is obviously outrageous and disgusting,” Dr Norman said.

    He said it was important not to see Pacific peoples as victims, as they were powerful campaigners who played a leading role in ending nuclear testing in the region.

    Marshallese women greet the Rainbow Warrior as it arrived in the capital Majuro in March 2025. Image: Bianca Vitale/Greenpeace

    Between March and April this year, Rainbow Warrior III returned to the Marshall Islands to conduct independent research into the radiation levels across the islands to see whether it’s safe for the people of Rongelap to return.

    What advice do you give to this generation about nuclear issues?
     “Kia kotahi ai koutou ki te whai i ngā mahi uaua i mua i a mātou ki te whawhai i a rātou mā, e mahi tūkino ana ki tō mātou ao, ki tō mātou kōkā a Papatūānuku, ki tō mātou taiao,” hei tā Tui Warmenhoven.

    A reminder to stay united in the difficult world ahead in the fight against threats to the environment.

    Warmenhoven also encouraged Māori to support Greenpeace Aotearoa.

    Tui Warmenhoven and the captain of the Rainbow Warrior, Ali Schmidt, placed a wreath in the water at the stern of the ship in memory of Fernando Pereira. Image: Greenpeace

    Dr Norman believed the younger generations should be inspired to activism by the bravery of those from the Pacific and Greenpeace who campaigned for a nuclear-free world 40 years ago.

    “They were willing to take very significant risks, they sailed their boats into the nuclear test zone to stop those nuclear tests, they were arrested by the French, beaten up by French commandos,” he said.

    Republished from Te Ao Māori News with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Rainbow Warrior bombing by French secret agents remembered 40 years on

    SPECIAL REPORT: By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News

    Forty years ago today, French secret agents bombed the Greenpeace campaign flagship  Rainbow Warrior in an attempt to stop the environmental organisation’s protest against nuclear testing at Moruroa Atoll in Mā’ohi Nui.

    People gathered on board Rainbow Warrior III to remember photographer Fernando Pereira, who was killed in the attack, and to honour the legacy of those who stood up to nuclear testing in the Pacific.

    The Rainbow Warrior’s final voyage before the bombing was Operation Exodus, a humanitarian mission to the Marshall Islands. There, Greenpeace helped relocate more than 320 residents of Rongelap Atoll, who had been exposed to radiation from US nuclear testing.

    The dawn ceremony was hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and attended by more than 150 people. Speeches were followed by the laying of a wreath and a moment of silence.

    Photographer Fernando Pereira and a woman from Rongelap on the day the Rainbow Warrior arrived in Rongelap Atoll in May 1985. Image: David Robie/Eyes of Fire

    Tui Warmenhoven (Ngāti Porou), the chair of the Greenpeace Aotearoa board, said it was a day to remember for the harm caused by the French state against the people of Mā’ohi Nui.

    Warmenhoven worked for 20 years in iwi research and is a grassroots, Ruatoria-based community leader who works to integrate mātauranga Māori with science to address climate change in Te Tai Rāwhiti.

    She encouraged Māori to stand united with Greenpeace.

    “Ko te mea nui ki a mātou, a Greenpeace Aotearoa, ko te whawhai i ngā mahi tūkino a rātou, te kāwanatanga, ngā rangatōpū, me ngā tāngata whai rawa, e patu ana i a mātou, te iwi Māori, ngā iwi o te ao, me ō mātou mātua, a Ranginui rāua ko Papatūānuku,” e ai ki a Warmenhoven.

    Tui Warmenhoven and Dr Russel Norman in front of Rainbow Warrior III on 10 July 2025. Image:Te Ao Māori News

    A defining moment in Aotearoa’s nuclear-free stand
     “The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was a defining moment for Greenpeace in its willingness to fight for a nuclear-free world,” said Dr Russel Norman, the executive director of Greenpeace Aotearoa.

    He noted it was also a defining moment for Aotearoa in the country’s stand against the United States and France, who conducted nuclear tests in the region.

    Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Dr Russel Norman speaking at the ceremony on board Rainbow Warrior III today. Image: Te Ao Māpri News

    In 1987, the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act officially declared the country a nuclear-free zone.

    This move angered the United States, especially due to the ban on nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships entering New Zealand ports.

    Because the US followed a policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons, it saw the ban as breaching the ANZUS Treaty and suspended its security commitments to New Zealand.

    The Rainbow Warrior’s final voyage before it was bombed was Operation Exodus, during which the crew helped relocate more than 320 residents of Rongelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands, who had been exposed to radiation from US nuclear testing between 1946 and 1958.

    The evacuation of Rongelap Islanders to Mejatto by the Rainbow Warrior crew in May 1985. Image: Greenpeace/Fernando Pereira

    The legacy of Operation Exodus
     Between 1946 and 1958, the United States carried out 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands.

    For decades, it denied the long-term health impacts, even as cancer rates rose and children were born with severe deformities.

    Despite repeated pleas from the people of Rongelap to be evacuated, the US government failed to act until Greenpeace stepped in to help.

    “The United States government effectively used them as guinea pigs for nuclear testing and radiation to see what would happen to people, which is obviously outrageous and disgusting,” Dr Norman said.

    He said it was important not to see Pacific peoples as victims, as they were powerful campaigners who played a leading role in ending nuclear testing in the region.

    Marshallese women greet the Rainbow Warrior as it arrived in the capital Majuro in March 2025. Image: Bianca Vitale/Greenpeace

    Between March and April this year, Rainbow Warrior III returned to the Marshall Islands to conduct independent research into the radiation levels across the islands to see whether it’s safe for the people of Rongelap to return.

    What advice do you give to this generation about nuclear issues?
     “Kia kotahi ai koutou ki te whai i ngā mahi uaua i mua i a mātou ki te whawhai i a rātou mā, e mahi tūkino ana ki tō mātou ao, ki tō mātou kōkā a Papatūānuku, ki tō mātou taiao,” hei tā Tui Warmenhoven.

    A reminder to stay united in the difficult world ahead in the fight against threats to the environment.

    Warmenhoven also encouraged Māori to support Greenpeace Aotearoa.

    Tui Warmenhoven and the captain of the Rainbow Warrior, Ali Schmidt, placed a wreath in the water at the stern of the ship in memory of Fernando Pereira. Image: Greenpeace

    Dr Norman believed the younger generations should be inspired to activism by the bravery of those from the Pacific and Greenpeace who campaigned for a nuclear-free world 40 years ago.

    “They were willing to take very significant risks, they sailed their boats into the nuclear test zone to stop those nuclear tests, they were arrested by the French, beaten up by French commandos,” he said.

    Republished from Te Ao Māori News with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune launches Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP and Virtune Staked Solana ETP on Deutsche Börse Xetra in Germany

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Frankfurt, 17th July 2025 – Swedish regulated crypto asset manager Virtune launches Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP and Virtune Staked Solana ETP in Germany on Deutsche Börse Xetra, expanding its offering of physically backed crypto exchange-trade products in the German market. The products are also being listed on other German exchanges including gettex.

    Virtune, a Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of physically backed crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), has earned the trust of over 140,000 investors across the Nordics since its launch just over two years ago. With more than $430 million in assets under management (AUM), Virtune continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading issuers of regulated crypto investment products across Europe.

    Following the successful German launch of the Virtune XRP ETP (ticker: VRTX, WKN: A4AKW5) and the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (ticker: VRTC, WKN: A4A5D4), a unique product launched in partnership with Coinbase, tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, Virtune is now expanding its German offering with two new listings that are now available for investors through German brokers and banks:

    Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP (VRTB) – a cost-efficient way to gain exposure to Bitcoin with an annual management fee of just 0.25%.

    Virtune Staked Solana ETP (VRTS) – providing investors with exposure to Solana combined with staking rewards for enhanced annual returns.

    These new listings reflect Virtune’s commitment to offering German investors secure, transparent, and regulated investment opportunities to the digital asset market.

    Coinbase serves as the crypto custodian for all of Virtune’s ETPs, providing institutional-grade security with the underlying crypto assets held in cold storage.

    Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:

    “We are excited to further strengthen our presence in the German market with the launch of Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP and Virtune Staked Solana ETP on Xetra. Following our previous listings, this expansion highlights our continued commitment to making institutional-grade crypto investment products accessible to investors across Europe”

    Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP – Key Product Information

    • Exposure to Bitcoin
    • 100% physically backed by Bitcoin being stored in cold-storage with Coinbase
    • 0.25% annual management fee
    • First Day of Trading: Wednesday, 16th of July 2025
    • Xetra Exchange Ticker: VRTB
    • ISIN: SE0025012032
    • WKN: A4AN8F
    • Trading currency: EUR

    Virtune Staked Solana ETP – Key Product Information

    • Exposure to Solana
    • 3% increased annual return through staking rewards
    • 0.95% annual management fee
    • First Day of Trading: Wednesday, 16th of July 2025
    • Xetra Exchange Ticker: VRTS
    • ISIN: SE0021309754
    • WKN: A4AGZQ
    • Trading currency: EUR

    For further inquiries, please contact:
    Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors
    Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64
    Email: christopher@virtune.com

    About Virtune AB (Publ):

    Virtune with its headquarters in Stockholm is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange traded products on regulated European exchanges.

    With regulatory compliance, strategic collaborations with industry leaders and our proficient team, we empower investors on a global level to access innovative and sophisticated investment products that are aligned with the evolving landscape of the global crypto market.

    Cryptocurrency investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice. Investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, and there is no guarantee that you will recover your invested capital. Please read the prospectus, KID, terms at www.virtune.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: How Africa’s First Group of Twenty (G20) is Mainstreaming Gender

    Source: APO


    .

    The G20 is a global economic forum with the potential to transform lives for women and girls globally. Here’s why South Africa’s leadership in 2025 represents a pivotal moment. We asked UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office Programme Analyst Neo Mofokeng how South Africa’s 2025 presidency could advance gender equality.

    What is the G20, and why should women care?

    The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum for governments and central bank governors from 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union. It was established in 1999 to bring together the world’s major economies to discuss and promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth. It brings together the world’s largest economies, representing 67 per cent of the global population and 85 per cent of global GDP. When G20 countries make decisions, they don’t just affect stock markets; they directly impact whether women can access credit to start businesses, find decent jobs, or receive social protection during crises. From climate financing to digital transformation, the G20’s policies ripple through national economies, determining whether women are empowered or excluded from economic opportunities. When these countries and regional entities commit to gender-responsive policies, the effects are systemic, not symbolic.

    What makes South Africa’s G20 presidency historic?

    South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025 marks a critical moment as it is the first time an African country has led the forum. This leadership comes just five years before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing renewed urgency to accelerate progress on SDGs, particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa’s presidency directly aligns with the global agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is worth noting that South Africa has prioritized debt sustainability for low-income countries – a key gender justice issue, as debt crises often trigger austerity measures that disproportionately affect women and girls by reducing access to healthcare, education, and social protection.

    What does gender mainstreaming mean in the G20 context?

    While the G20 includes a dedicated Working Group on Women’s Empowerment, true progress requires gender mainstreaming, which is the embedding of gender perspectives across all working groups, not just the one explicitly focused on women’s issues. This means finance ministers considering how monetary policies affect women differently, infrastructure discussions evaluating women’s mobility and safety, and trade negotiations assessing impacts on women entrepreneurs. There is no such thing as gender-neutral economic policy – all decisions have differentiated impacts on women and men.

    What are the priorities for gender mainstreaming for this year’s G20?

    To carry forward the Global South priorities from the previous G20 presidencies of Indonesia, India, and Brazil, the following priorities were adopted as the focus areas for gender mainstreaming into this G20 presidency. The first priority is to shift policy perspectives on the care economy around paid and unpaid care work and household responsibilities. The second is to promote financial inclusion of and for women, and the third priority is to address gender-based violence and femicide, which threaten the lives and livelihoods of women.

    How is progress on gender equality measured in the G20?

    Despite the growing recognition of the importance of gender equality, tracking progress remains challenging. The most prominent commitment is the 2014 “25×25 goal”, reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25 per cent by 2025. As this deadline approaches, it serves as a critical test case for G20 accountability. However, other dimensions like unpaid care work, gender-based violence, and women’s leadership receive less attention. Gender-related commitments sometimes appear in one year’s declaration but vanish in the next, making long-term progress difficult to track. This is another reason why mainstreaming gender in the G20 is so important.

    What makes the G20’s influence on gender equality so significant?

    In a world of countless international forums, the G20’s influence is unmatched. When G20 countries commit to closing gender gaps in labour force participation or expanding women’s access to finance, the ripple effects shift global economic patterns and influence international norms far beyond G20 borders. The G20 serves as a strategic lever with the capacity to drive policy coherence by integrating gender equality across economic, climate, and digital agendas, foster shared accountability through joint monitoring, and mobilize financing with intent, ensuring gender equality is resourced, not just referenced.

    What is UN Women’s role in the G20 process?

    UN Women plays a pivotal role by advocating for gender mainstreaming across all G20 policy areas, providing technical expertise and data to working groups, and engaging with key stakeholders like the Women 20 (W20) engagement group. The organization works to ensure that gender perspectives are systematically mainstreamed into G20 discussions, communiqués, and policy frameworks, with a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and ending violence against women and girls.

    How has UN Women supported South Africa’s G20 presidency?

    UN Women, through its South Africa Multi-Country Office, has provided comprehensive technical and financial support to the South African Government, made possible by backing from The Ford Foundation, the Government of Ireland, and the UN Women Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. This support has been crucial in advancing gender equality within South Africa’s G20 agenda.

    • Youth Engagement: In February 2025, UN Women partnered with the South African Institute of International Affairs youth division to organize the “Bridging the Gap for Global Impact” workshop in Johannesburg, bringing together 150 young leaders aged 18-25. The workshop provided tools for effectively engaging decision-makers and included panel discussions on gender advocacy, enabling participants to develop strategies for promoting gender equality.
    • Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities: In March 2025, UN Women hosted a dialogue on “Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities for a Gender-Equal World” in Pretoria, bringing together 150 students from universities, technical and vocational education and training institutions, and high schools. This dialogue compiled youth recommendations for the Women’s Empowerment Ministerial Working Group meeting.
    • Technical Working Group Support: UN Women provided crucial support to all three Empowerment of Women Working Group meetings throughout 2025. The February virtual meeting focused on setting the priorities of the care economy, financial inclusion, and gender-based violence. The May meeting in Sun City emphasized advancing financial inclusion and developing a Guidelines Framework for mainstreaming women’s priorities in global financial systems. The July meeting at Kruger National Park concentrated on the care economy – recognizing, reducing, and redistributing care work.
    • Private Sector Engagement: UN Women supported a groundbreaking Private Sector Breakfast in May, bringing together corporate leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to align business practices with G20 gender equality goals. Grounded in the Women’s Empowerment Principles, this initiative moved beyond symbolic participation to actionable commitments.
    • Disability Inclusion: Additionally, UN Women supported disability inclusion initiatives and the W20 inception meeting, demonstrating comprehensive engagement across all aspects of South Africa’s gender equality agenda.

    What does success look like for gender equality in the G20?

    Success in 2025 means moving beyond rhetoric to gender-transformative policies with robust accountability mechanisms. It requires recognizing gender as intersectional, addressing the diverse experiences of all women and gender-diverse individuals across lines of race, class, disability, and age. At the current pace, it will take over 123 years to close gender gaps globally. The G20 has the power to change this trajectory, but only if gender equality becomes a lived reality, not just a shared goal.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Announcement of Q2 2025 Financial Results on Thursday, July 31, after market close

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, France – July 17, 2025

    Q2 2025 financial results and conference call

    Viridien will announce its second quarter 2025 results on Thursday, July 31, after market close.

    • The press release and presentation will be made available on www.viridiengroup.com at 5.45 pm (CET)
    • An English-language conference call is scheduled at 6.00 pm (CET) on the same day

    Participants must register for the conference call by clicking here to receive a dial-in number and PIN code. Participants may also join the live webcast by clicking here.

    A replay of the conference call will be available starting the following day, for a period of 12 months, in audio format on the Company’s website www.viridiengroup.com.

    About Viridien:

    Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resources, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,400 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6).

    Contacts

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Kenya kick starts a UNESCO NFiT project on Safeguarding Kenya Lake System’s Unique Ecological Gem

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service, officially held the first inception meeting on the project titled “safeguarding Kenya Lake System’s Unique Ecological Gem,” in Nairobi on 20 January 2025. The meeting had representatives from the Government of Kenya County Government of Baringo, County Government of Nakuru, the Embassy of the kingdom of the Netherlands, wardens from the Lake system, Community members and other stakeholders. Funded by the Government of the Netherlands within the Netherlands Funds in Trust, this project will take place at the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley in 2025.

    The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011.  The site is a natural property of outstanding beauty, comprises three inter-linked relatively shallow lakes (Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita) in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya that covers a total area of 32,034 hectares. The property is home to 13 globally threatened bird species1 and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It is the single most important foraging site for the Lesser flamingo in the world with about 1.5 million individuals moving from one lake to the other. The property contains all of the key habitats and features that contribute to its Outstanding Universal Value.

    The project seeks to promote sustainable resource management through community engagement, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among local populations. By integrating scientific research with Indigenous Knowledge, the initiative aims to develop conservation strategies that align with the needs of both biodiversity and the local communities dependent on the lake system. Ultimately, the project aspires to ensure the ecological integrity and long-term sustainability of this unique natural heritage site while contributing to global biodiversity goals.

    The inception meeting was instrumental in bringing together key stakeholders to address the project’s primary objective of tackling critical environmental challenges to safeguard the Kenya Lake System. The initiative focuses on the discussion on how to conserve migratory waterbirds, including the Lesser Flamingo, while promoting sustainable resource management. Additionally, the meeting contributed to enhancing community engagement and increasing awareness of pressing environmental issues. All levels of the stakeholder’s participation from the outset of the project contributed to ensuring a comprehensive approach to the conservation of this vital ecosystem.

    Speaking at the inception, Mr Hoseah Wanderi, Head of World Heritage Sites at National Museums of Kenya,  highlighted that the project aligns with key international frameworks and decisions to guide its implementation. It responds directly to the World Heritage Committee Decision 45 COM 7B.7, which calls for urgent measures to address deforestation, land degradation, and uncontrolled developments in sensitive buffer zones around the lake system. Additionally, the project adheres to the principles of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAWA), focusing on protecting migratory waterbirds by mitigating threats from agriculture, aquaculture, and other human activities impacting critical habitats. 

    Mr Pim van der Male, Deputy Head of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasized the critical need for coordination and alignment of ongoing efforts to safeguard the Rift Valley Lakes. He highlighted the dynamic nature of these lakes and the increasing pressures from urbanization, climate change, and land-use changes. Pim underscored the importance of institutional frameworks, particularly at the basin level, to ensure sustainable water management.

    We stand ready to share our experiences and foster partnerships to unlock the lakes’ potential sustainability while preserving their beauty for future generations…Preserving the Great Rift Valley lakes is not just an environmental duty but an investment in cultural heritage, tourism, and livelihoods.

    Two experts were officially introduced as the primary specialists who will lead the project, in close cooperation with all stakeholders involved, to ensure the success of the project. The Wildlife Expert, an authority in wildlife conservation, will spearhead initiatives aimed at preserving the unique flora and fauna surrounding the Kenya Lake System. Their expertise will be crucial in identifying effective conservation strategies to protect endangered species and ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the region. Meanwhile, the Environmental Experts, with their extensive knowledge in environmental management and ecosystem preservation, will focus on developing strategies to address environmental threats such as pollution and climate change. Their work will ensure a balanced approach to safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Kenya Lake System. Both experts will play pivotal roles in driving the project’s implementation, ensuring that conservation efforts are grounded in sound scientific and environmental principles.

    As threats to biodiversity intensify, this initiative marks a critical step in safeguarding the Kenya Lake System, ensuring it remains a thriving ecosystem and a beacon of conservation excellence. Reflecting UNESCO’s commitment to global environmental stewardship, the project underscores the importance of collaboration as a cornerstone for effective conservation.

    The meeting was concluded with the participants’ confirmation of their cooperation towards the successful implementation of the project.

    This project has come at the right time. Through the various collaborations and working together with local communities and referencing to multilateral environmental agreements ensures long-term success for wetland ecosystems.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – ProCare welcomes fast-tracked registration for overseas doctors

    Source: ProCare

    ProCare welcomes the Medical Council’s decision to recognise overseas-trained doctors from Chile, Croatia, and Luxembourg as part of the “Comparable Health System pathway”. Alongside the fast-track registration for GPs from the USA, Canada, and Singapore, this will deliver a much-needed boost to general practices across Aotearoa who are facing a significant GP shortage.

    The decision means ProCare will be better placed to support its primary care network to recruit offshore GPs; further helping to ease workforce pressure and improve access to care for communities.

    Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says the organisation is ready to support practices to take full advantage of the change.

    “We know our practices are under pressure and this change gives us a practical way to bring in skilled clinicians faster,” says Norwell.

    Under the changes, GPs from the United States, Canada and Singapore will have their registration applications processed within two months, while specialists from countries such as the UK, Ireland and Australia will benefit from a fast-tracked 20-day assessment process. Japan and South Korea were added to the list in February 2025.

    “At ProCare, we are deeply committed to investing in the primary care workforce. We’ve long advocated for practical solutions that support our network and improve health outcomes for our communities. This announcement aligns with that vision.”

    Earlier this month, ProCare became an Immigration NZ Accredited Employer, allowing it to directly support practices with international recruitment and immigration processes.

    “We’re actively investing in solutions for primary care that make a difference,” says Norwell. “Our investment includes tailored support for general practice teams, leadership development, and tools to improve retention and resilience. We’re committed to building a strong, sustainable workforce that delivers better health outcomes for all New Zealanders.”

    ProCare will continue working closely with its network and partners to ensure overseas-trained doctors are welcomed, supported, and integrated into the communities where they’re needed most.

    Learn about ProCare’s Investment in Workforce: https://www.procare.co.nz/about-us/investment-in-workforce/

    About ProCare

    ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –