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  • MIL-OSI: GraniteShares Launches Three New Leveraged Single-Stock ETFs: PDDL, NOWL, and AVGU

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GraniteShares 2x Long PDD Daily ETF (PDDL), GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NOWL) and GraniteShares 2x AVGO Long (AVGU) Launch Today.

    GraniteShares, a provider of exchange traded funds (ETFs), today announced the launch of three new leveraged single-stock ETFs:

    GraniteShares 2x Long PDD Daily ETF (NASDAQ: PDDL), 
    GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NASDAQ: NOWL) and
    GraniteShares 2x Long AVGO Daily ETF (NASDAQ: AVGU).

    An investment in the ETFs provides investors daily leveraged exposure to the three respective underlying stocks: PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD) ServiceNow (NASDAQ: NOW) and Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO).

    GraniteShares’ leveraged ETFs seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to 2 times (200%) the daily percentage change of the respective common stocks. These funds are designed for sophisticated investors looking to capitalize on short-term movements in the underlying stocks.

    New GraniteShares Leveraged Single-Stock ETFs


    Underlying Companies

    • PDD Holdings Inc., established in 2015 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global commerce company managing a portfolio of businesses aimed at integrating people and enterprises into the digital economy. It operates Pinduoduo, an e-commerce platform offering diverse products such as agricultural goods, apparel, electronics, and household items, alongside Temu, a global marketplace connecting buyers, merchants, and manufacturers across various categories. The company emphasizes enhancing local communities and small businesses through improved productivity and opportunities, supported by its robust network of sourcing, logistics, and fulfillment capabilities. Formerly known as Pinduoduo Inc., it rebranded to PDD Holdings Inc. in February 2023.
    • ServiceNow, Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, is a global leader in cloud-based Al solutions for business transformation. It’s Now Platform helps organizations digitize workflows using Al, automation, analytics, and low-code tools. The platform supports four key workflow areas: technology, customer and industry, employee, and creator-enhancing IT services, customer and employee experiences, and custom workflows. Its offerings span IT service management, security operations, HR delivery, and more. Serving industries worldwide, ServiceNow partners with providers and resellers to drive digital transformation. Founded in 2004, it remains at the forefront of Al-powered workflow automation.
    • Broadcom Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto, California and founded in 1961, is a global technology company specializing in the design, development, and supply of a wide range of semiconductor devices and enterprise software solutions. Operating through two primary segments—Semiconductor Solutions and Infrastructure Software—the company delivers complex digital and mixed-signal CMOS-based and analog III-V-based semiconductor products. Its offerings include RF front-end modules, Ethernet switching and routing chips, optical and copper interconnect components, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth SoCs, custom touch controllers, storage adapters, and a variety of industrial and optical solutions. These technologies support applications across data centers, telecommunications, mobile devices, broadband access, factory automation, and more. In software, Broadcom provides tools and platforms for cloud, mainframe, and hybrid environments, focusing on application development, security, automation, and infrastructure management.

    Designed for Tactical Traders

    The new leveraged ETFs provide traders with a tool to gain leveraged exposure to these stocks, making them a potential consideration for those looking to execute short-term tactical trades.

    “We continue to expand our suite of leveraged ETFs to meet the demand for high-conviction trading opportunities,” said Will Rhind, Founder of GraniteShares. “With the launch of PDDL, NOWL, and AVGU, we are providing investors with targeted tools to access some of the most exciting companies in AI, cloud computing, semiconductors and technology.”

    For more information on the new GraniteShares leveraged ETFs, read the Prospectus.

    About GraniteShares

    GraniteShares is an entrepreneurial ETF provider focused on high-conviction investment solutions. The firm offers a range of innovative ETFs spanning leveraged, inverse, and high-yield strategies, empowering investors with differentiated tools for portfolio construction. Founded in 2016, GraniteShares has grown rapidly by delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to modern market needs. For more information, visit www.graniteshares.com.

    Media Contact:
    GraniteShares Inc.
    Attn: Media Relations
    222 Broadway, 21st Floor
    New York, NY 10038
    844-476-8747
    info@graniteshares.com

    RISK FACTORS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This material must be preceded or accompanied by a Prospectus. Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. Please read the prospectus before investing. The fund does not directly invest in the underlying stock.

    The Fund is recently organized July 15, 2025. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions. There can be no assurance that the Funds will grow to or maintain an economically viable size.

    The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The investment program of the funds is speculative, entails substantial risks and include asset classes and investment techniques not employed by most ETFs and mutual funds. Investments in the ETFs are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.

    The Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results and are intended to be used as short-term trading vehicles. This Fund attempts to provide daily investment results that correspond to the respective long leveraged multiple of the performance of its underlying stock (a Leverage Long Fund).

    Investors should note that such Leverage Long Fund pursues daily leveraged investment objectives, which means that the Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnifies the performance of its underlying stock. The volatility of the underlying security may affect a Funds’ return as much as, or more than, the return of the underlying security.

    Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Stock over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat over time, and as a result of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Stock volatility and the effects of compounding, it is even possible that the Fund will lose money over time while the Underlying Stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day.

    Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from investment returns.

    An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as futures contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause their price to fluctuate over time. Risks of the Fund include Effects of Compounding and Market Volatility Risk, Leverage Risk, Market Risk, Counterparty Risk, Rebalancing Risk, Intra-Day Investment Risk, Other Investment Companies (including ETFs) Risk, and risks specific to the securities of the Underlying Stock and the sector in which it operates. These and other risks can be found in the prospectus.

    This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws. You could lose money by investing in the ETFs. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Funds will be achieved. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

    The Fund is distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc, which is not affiliated with GraniteShares or any of its affiliates ©2024 GraniteShares Inc. All rights reserved. GraniteShares, GraniteShares Trusts, and the GraniteShares logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of GraniteShares Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Research: Consumer Mobile Frustration Is Rising – And It’s Costing Brands

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fullstory, a leading behavioral data company, today unveiled findings from its 2025 Behavioral Insights Benchmark Report, analyzing year-over-year trends in user digital experience across platforms. This year’s data from 14 billion sessions across key sectors—retail, financial services, food and beverage, travel and hospitality, gambling and entertainment, software, and business services—shows a sharp rise in mobile user frustration, with more frequent pain points, early search abandonment, spikes in error, and rage clicks.

    Welcome to the ‘Frustration Economy’: Mobile is Becoming a Hotspot for User Friction 

    Emerging AI-driven interfaces have made user experience (UX) on mobile more complex, and today’s consumers are paying the price, with mobile error clicks surging 667% from 2024 to 2025. This increase in errors, combined with decreasing user patience, is revealing a critical shift in behavior as consumers want their mobile experiences to be personalized and fast. A clear sign of frustration is rage clicks, which increased drastically for mobile and desktop users. Specifically, food and beverage rose a staggering 673%, followed by business services (131%), financial services (85%), and retail (56%).

    Adding to the complexity, the report shows that mobile bounce rate rose 54%, with half of all mobile users exiting after just one page. Financial services saw the highest number of mobile bounce rates at 85%, followed by retail (64%), and food and beverage (13%). For travel brands, mobile bounce rates decreased by 10%.

    “Today’s consumers expect elevated, efficient digital experiences. These high expectations are a byproduct of consumers’ increasing exposure to sophisticated AI tools, putting pressure on brands to deliver exceptional experiences every single session,” said Adam Spisak, Chief Customer Officer at Fullstory. “Our data confirms that mobile interfaces aren’t keeping pace with the new set of expectations from consumers. This is a wake-up call for brands. As frustration builds and consumers encounter more issues, they will choose to pursue other options.”

    Mobile Users Linger Longer but Struggle More

    Across all sectors, mobile traffic is rising, but UX often lags. Errors, rage clicks, and abandonments are far more common on mobile, with users hitting dead ends in nearly every visit. Despite these challenges, mobile still presents opportunities, as brands seek to engage more often and for longer with consumers. In 2025, mobile session duration rose 332%, reaching an average of 15 minutes and 51 seconds (up from 3 minutes and 40 seconds in 2024). This opportunity to engage consumers for longer periods of time was most apparent for retailers, who saw a session duration increase of 442%, followed by food and beverage (156%), while entertainment saw a 14% decrease.

    However, the report revealed dead clicks – when users click on elements that don’t respond – remained high on mobile, averaging 929 per 1,000 sessions – a slight increase from 2024. This is further proof that businesses need to invest in technology that tests their user interface on both desktop and mobile, improving both in tandem.

    Desktop Experiences Are Stabilizing, Boosting User Confidence

    While the increase in error clicks on mobile (667%) is concerning, this report found that web error clicks on desktop dropped significantly by 68%, indicating desktop stability is trending in the right direction. This shows that ongoing user experience investments on desktop experiences are paying off.

    However, there are still opportunities for improvement, with error clicks increasing across several sectors. Food and beverage reported the highest rates of error clicks on desktop at 121%, followed by financial services (56%), and travel (14%).

    “Behavioral data tells the story behind every customer interaction,” said Spisak, “It reveals exactly where and why users are struggling. The brands that act on these insights have a real opportunity to directly impact conversion, retention, and improve customer trust, resulting in stronger, more loyal relationships.”

    To better understand users’ behaviors, expectations, and points of friction across digital experiences, read the full report here.

    Research Methodology

    The data in this report reflects aggregated and anonymized activity from January to December 2024, spanning 9.5 billion web sessions, 4.1 billion mobile sessions, and 945 billion individual events. It focuses on four key regions—North America, UK & Ireland, DACH, and Benelux—and highlights trends across five major industries: Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Finance, and Sports, Gambling & Entertainment.

    About Fullstory

    Fullstory is the leading behavioral data platform that helps technology leaders make smarter, faster decisions by integrating rich behavioral signals into their analytics stack. Its patented technology captures every digital interaction and transforms it into high-fidelity, actionable insights at scale. With agentic AI, Fullstory enables enterprises to anticipate the needs of both customers and employees, personalize experiences in real time, streamline workflows, and drive meaningful business outcomes. From boosting efficiency and conversion to increasing loyalty and revenue, Fullstory turns digital behavior into a competitive advantage. Headquartered in Atlanta with teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC, Fullstory is trusted by the world’s most innovative organizations to transform behavioral data into business impact.

    Fullstory Media Relations
    Alexandra King
    Director of Communications
    pr@fullstory.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dayforce Research: Taming Friction Key to Simplifying Workplace Complexity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS and TORONTO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dayforce, Inc. (NYSE: DAY; TSX: DAY), a global human capital management (HCM) leader that makes work life better, today released a report, Fighting workforce friction to power productivity, that explores types of workplace friction – staffing, agility, change, and technology – and the consequences of them. Findings show widespread organizational challenges are hurting productivity and the bottom line by keeping people from doing the work they’re meant to do.

    With a majority (84%) of respondents saying they have faced organizational change in the past 12 months, this new research dives into how friction is experienced by workers, managers, and executives to help leaders drive simplicity at scale and ensure their people are doing work that drives results. Conducted by Hanover Research, the survey included 6,178 workers, managers, and executives from companies with at least 100 employees. The findings highlight opportunities to enhance speed and agility, while also improving the employee experience.

    “Technology disruption and a fluid operating environment are creating friction across organizations, leading to frustrated employees and wasted time and resources,” said Steve Holdridge, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dayforce, Inc. “Tackling this complexity crisis requires reducing friction caused by poor communication, mismatched technology, and aligning worker skills with defined roles. For leaders, this means creating clear goals, delivering proper skills training, and equipping their people with the tools they need to do the work they’re meant to do.”

    The report identified four types of friction organizations need to address:

    • Staffing friction: Almost two-thirds (65%) of workers said that when someone calls in sick at their organization, there is often no one to cover their work. Meanwhile, middle managers say that workforce scheduling (36%) and accurately forecasting labor needs (31%) are among their biggest workforce planning challenges. Employing workforce planning technology can help managers by improving staffing flexibility and ensuring that schedules comply with relevant regulations.
    • Agility friction: Respondents were clear that in today’s environment adapting and optimizing their workforce with speed is key to competitive advantage, but more than half (51%) said they could add more value to their organization in a different role. At the same time, only 43% said their organization has a structured process of upskilling or reskilling employees. Creating defined career paths and development opportunities can improve agility and retention.
    • Change friction: More than half (52%) of respondents say that organizational changes at their company negatively impact employee efficiency and only 44% say their organization is good or very good at communicating change. Prioritizing communication during change management planning can help employees navigate change and focus on important tasks.
    • Technology friction: More than two-thirds (69%) of respondents say their organization uses too many technology platforms, while nearly the same amount (66%) at least slightly agree that adopting new technologies at work often reduce efficiency instead of improving it. Reducing complexity with fewer platforms and modern technology can make adoption smoother and get people back to focusing on high-value tasks.

    Additional Information

    Survey Methodology

    Hanover Research conducted the organizational friction survey from Dayforce online from April 14 to May 1, 2025. The study included 6,178 respondents aged 18+ who work at companies with at least 100 employees across Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

    Our Organizational Friction Index was calculated based on respondents’ answers to nine questions about organizational changes, organizational complexity, and technological complexity. Each respondent was assigned an Organizational Friction Score, and the Index was created by designating those scores as low, medium, or high friction.

    About Dayforce

    Dayforce makes work life better. Everything we do as a global leader in HCM technology is focused on enabling thousands of customers and millions of employees around the world do the work they’re meant to do. With our single AI-powered people platform for HR, Pay, Time, Talent, and Analytics, organizations of all sizes and industries are benefiting from simplicity at scale with Dayforce to help unlock their full workforce potential, operate with confidence, and realize quantifiable value. To learn more, visit dayforce.com.

    Media Contact
    Nick de Pass
    nick.depass@dayforce.com
    (226) 972-5962

    The MIL Network –

  • France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday.

    France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.

    “The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

    The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29.

    French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel.

    Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made.

    Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

    Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha.

    (Reuters)

  • France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday.

    France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.

    “The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

    The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29.

    French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel.

    Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made.

    Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

    Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How 1860s Mexico offered an alternative vision for a liberal international order

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Long, Professor of International Relations, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick

    The Execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, June 19, 1867 Edouard ManetWikimedia Commons

    In 1867, the world’s most powerful statesmen, including Austria’s Emperor Franz Josef, France’s Napoleon III and US secretary of state, William H. Seward, petitioned the Mexican government to spare the life of a condemned man.

    Mexico’s ragtag army and militias had just humbled France, then Europe’s preeminent land power. The costly six-year campaign drained the French treasury and eroded Napoleon III’s domestic support. Napoleon’s ambition to transform Mexico into a client empire under a Vienna-born, Habsburg archduke, crowned Maximilian I, ended in spectacular failure.

    After his defeat, Maximilian was brought before a Mexican military tribunal. European monarchs regarded the prisoner as their peer, but Mexican liberals convicted him as a piratical invader, usurper and traitor. Despite indignant appeals from European courts, President Benito Juárez refused to commute his sentence. The would-be emperor was executed by firing squad.

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

    The controversy went beyond one monarch’s fate. It crystallised a clash between opposed visions of global order — as Peru’s president Ramón Castilla said at the time, it was a “war of the crowns against liberty caps”.

    Today, world politics are in flux. The so-called liberal international order, nominally grounded in multilateralism, open markets, human rights and the rule of law, is facing its gravest crisis since the second world war. Former advocates such as the United States now openly flout international law and undermine the very norms they once championed. China remains ambivalent, while Russia unabashedly hastens the order’s unravelling.

    More broadly, the old post-second world war order appears out of step with the global south and with widespread anger over double standards exposed by the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.
    Amid today’s crises, a world order arranged for and by the great powers looks both insufficient and doomed to lack legitimacy. Reordering will require support from diverse actors, including states across the global south.

    1860s: a turbulent decade

    The 1860s were a turbulent, although often overlooked, moment of global reordering. Technological shifts – the telegraph, electricity, steamships and railways – appeared as disruptive then as AI does today. Combined with shifting power dynamics, these transformations accelerated imperial expansion. Yet the rules of the emerging order remained uncertain, even among the imperial powers themselves.

    In Europe, networks of dynastic rule still carried weight in international politics. Under growing pressure, the ancien régime sought to reinvent and reassert itself. The old empires often justified their expansion by promising to bring order and progress to supposedly backward peoples. But that “civilising mission” clashed with a worldview emerging from Spanish America – where countries had thrown off colonial rule to establish independent republics.

    As we wrote in a recent article in American Political Science Review, Spanish American diplomats articulated a republican vision of international order centred on the protection of weaker states from domination by great powers.

    Fending off Europe’s empires

    Divided by civil conflict, Mexico became an easy target for European empires. Mexico’s Liberal party had regained power but faced internal dissent and crippling foreign debt. Britain, France and Spain formed a coalition to invade and demand repayment. France, however, had more ambitious designs.

    Exploiting the distraction of the US civil war, Napoleon III dreamed of transforming Mexico into a Latin stronghold against Yankee expansion. Best of all, Napoleon thought the scheme would turn a profit. A stable Mexican empire could repay the costs of the intervention – with interest – by increasing production from the country’s famed silver mines. Meanwhile, France would gain a receptive market for its exports and a grateful geopolitical subordinate.

    Maximilian, a young Austrian prince of the house of Hapsburg, somewhat naively accepted the offer to rule a distant and unfamiliar land. He dreamed of regenerating Mexico through a liberal monarchy while reviving his family’s declining dynasty.

    Led by Juárez, Mexico’s liberals fiercely resisted Maximilian’s rule. While militarily Juárez was consistently on the defensive, he remained diplomatically proactive. The Juaristas encouraged US sympathies that proved decisive after the end of the civil war. They also enjoyed solidarity – though limited material support – from other Spanish American republics. Although the monarchies of Europe all recognised Maximilian as Mexican emperor, Juárez’s defiance became a rallying point for liberals and republicans in Europe.

    Hero to the liberals: a monument to Juárez in central Mexico City.
    Hajor~commonswiki, CC BY-ND

    Vision of a new order

    Beyond stoking sympathies, Juárez and his followers offered trenchant critiques of unequal international rules and practices cloaked in liberal guise.

    First, the “republican internationalism” of Mexico’s Juaristas stood in direct opposition to European liberals’ “civilising mission”. Latin American republicans rejected the notion that progress could be imposed on their countries from abroad – though some echoed civilising rhetoric toward their own non-white populations, who like in the US were subject to campaigns of violence and dispossession that stretched from northern Mexico to the Patagonia. Many Latin American liberals likewise remained silent about empire elsewhere.

    Second, the Juarista vision placed popular sovereignty, not dynastic ties, at the heart of legitimate statehood. These ideas drew on Mexico’s independence tradition and the principles enshrined in the 1857 constitution. European intervention, in this view, aimed to suppress popular rule in the Americas and extend the reaction against the failed revolutions of 1848, which had seriously threatened the old order when they raged across Europe.

    Third, popular sovereign states were equal under international law, regardless of power, wealth, or internal disorder. Sovereign equality also underpinned Latin America’s strong commitment to non-intervention. Liberal writer and diplomat Francisco Zarco, a close confidante of Juárez, condemned frequent European economic justifications for intervention as the work of “smugglers and profiteers who wrap themselves in the flags of powerful nations”.

    Finally, Mexican liberals called for an international system premised on republican fraternity, drawing on aspirations for cooperation that went back to liberator Simón Bolívar. The independence leader and committed republican convened a conference in 1826, hoping that a confederation of the newly independent Spanish American states would “be the shield of our new destiny”.

    Similar arguments for an international order that advances non-domination still resonate in the global south today. The Mexican experience also underscores that the architects of international order have never come exclusively from the global north – and those who shape its future will not either.

    Tom Long receives support from UK Arts and Humanities Research Council grant AH/V006622/1, Latin America and the peripheral origins of the 19th-century international order.

    Carsten-Andreas Schulz receives support from UK Arts and Humanities Research Council grant AH/V006622/1, Latin America and the peripheral origins of the 19th-century international order.

    – ref. How 1860s Mexico offered an alternative vision for a liberal international order – https://theconversation.com/how-1860s-mexico-offered-an-alternative-vision-for-a-liberal-international-order-260228

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over 500,000 spectators visited Teatralny Boulevard in 1.5 months

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    More than 500 thousand spectators visited the International Open Festival “Theater Boulevard – 2025” during the first half of the project.

    “The festival started with a full house, and even now empty seats at the venues remain a rarity. In total, more than 500 thousand spectators visited it during the first half of the project, and about 1.6 thousand hours of the program have already been held on the five main stages. Thanks to the festival, the theater season in Moscow actually lasts the entire year, without a break for the summer holidays, and an equally rich program awaits guests ahead: performances by foreign artists and high-profile productions on the festival stages,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Culture

    Alexey Fursin.

    The festival includes classical dramatic productions, musical performances, circus shows, and experimental formats such as the theatre of taste and plastic theatre. There are also special programmes dedicated to memorable dates – Russia Day, A.S. Pushkin’s birthday, the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, and Youth Day.

    This year, Theatre Boulevard is attended by groups from 40 regions of Russia, from the Kaliningrad Region to the Altai Territory, including the State Drama Theatre on Vasilievsky Island (St. Petersburg), the Perm Academic Theatre-Theatre (Perm), and the F. Volkov Drama Theatre (Yaroslavl).

    Andrey Merzlikin and Darya Moroz, Kristina Babushkina, Anton Shagin, Yulia Peresild, Konstantin Raikin, Igor Mirkurbanov, Alexandra Rebenok, Anna Chipovskaya performed their projects at the festival venues. The parade of stars will continue in the second half of the festival.

    Particular attention is paid to children’s and family events. Now they are held on the main stages of the festival. Thus, in July, the “Family Conversations” section was opened, where the stories of theatrical dynasties were presented in a unique format. Among the heroes are Konstantin and Polina Raikin, Yulia and Anna Peresild, Igor and Grigory Vernik.

    The second half of the festival will be more diverse. High-profile premieres, immersive productions and master classes by leading directors are planned, as well as performances by artists from Serbia, Uruguay, Argentina, Iran, China, Italy and other countries.

    The Theatre Boulevard Festival is organized by the capital’s Department of Culture as part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Summer in Moscow project. https://leto.mos.ru/ It will last a record 92 days. More than 600 performances will be shown at 14 venues across the city, and three thousand artists from Russia and other countries will perform. In addition to theatrical productions, each venue will host creative workshops, patriotic programs with favorite actors, and interactive zones, including for children.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Incoming CEO of the National Wealth Fund

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New Incoming CEO of the National Wealth Fund

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Wealth Fund.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced the appointment of Oliver Holbourn as the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Wealth Fund, to lead it through its next chapter.

    Oliver brings more than 25 years of experience across banking, strategy, and public financial investments including CEO roles at RBS International and, formerly, UK Financial Investments.

    The National Wealth Fund is the government’s principal investor and policy bank. It is at the forefront of investing public money and mobilising private capital to help deliver on the government’s growth and clean energy missions.

    Since its launch in October 2024, the National Wealth Fund has committed £2.5 billion, supporting 10,700 jobs. It also has expanded firepower, with £5.8 billion of additional capital to deploy. The NWF’s economic capital limit has been increased allowing it to take on greater risk, providing greater flexibility over its investments to support more projects to access private finance.

    The Chancellor recently set this government’s Strategic Priorities for the National Wealth Fund over this Parliament. Under Oliver Holbourn’s leadership, the National Wealth Fund will enter a new phase of delivering these priorities: significantly increasing the amount of capital it deploys; expanding into new sectors; and trialling Strategic Partnerships with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to develop richer pipelines for regional investment.

    This appointment followed a fair and open recruitment process, and he is expected to take up his post on 1 November.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    I would like to congratulate Oliver on his appointment as CEO of the National Wealth Fund.

    Oliver brings a wealth of private sector expertise and public service experience to this critical role. His expertise will be instrumental in delivering the government’s growth and clean energy missions.

    I would like to thank John Flint for his leadership in successfully transforming the UK Infrastructure Bank into the National Wealth Fund and for laying a strong foundation for its future growth.

    Incoming CEO of the National Wealth Fund, Oliver Holbourn said:

    The National Wealth Fund has an important role to play in the economic success of the UK; so I am deeply honoured to be taking the reins as Chief Executive at such a pivotal time.

    I am excited to get to work – using the NWF’s expertise and resources to partner with businesses, investors, mayoral combined and local authorities, and ministers and stakeholders to mobilise private investment alongside public sector finance. This will help drive sustainable economic growth across the UK and support the clean energy transition.

    Chair of the National Wealth Fund, Chris Grigg said:

    Oliver is the ideal person to lead the Fund into our next phase. He is passionately committed to our mission, brings a rare combination of senior leadership across both the public and private sectors, and has a background in banking, which is at the heart of what we do. 

    I look forward to working with Oliver to realise the full potential of our expanded mandate, delivering the Government’s ambitions for growth and clean energy, underpinned by the new Industrial Strategy.

    Biography

    Oliver Holbourn was until very recently the CEO of RBS International Holdings, a subsidiary of the NatWest Group, where he was on the Group Executive Committee for over four years.

    With over 25 years of experience across investment banking, government investments, and strategic leadership. Oliver brings deep expertise in managing capital to deliver public value having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of UK Financial Investments (UKFI), where he was responsible for managing the government’s shareholdings in RBS, Lloyds and UK Asset Resolution, overseeing complex, high-value shareholdings on behalf of the UK taxpayer.

    Earlier in his career, Oliver spent over a decade at Bank of America, latterly as Managing Director of Equity Capital Markets for the UK, Ireland, and South Africa. His career has been defined by a strong track record in financial leadership, capital markets, and public sector engagement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improved trade rules to boost business and growth across the UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Improved trade rules to boost business and growth across the UK

    New changes to how the UK Internal Market Act works to benefit businesses across the four nations.

    • New reforms will ensure businesses can trade smoothly across the UK’s four nations, helping them operate more efficiently and with greater certainty. 
    • Changes respond directly to business feedback and are a key part of the government’s Plan for Change to unlock investment and jobs, raise living standards and drive long-term growth.
    • Devolved governments will have greater flexibility to set rules that reflect local priorities, while protecting the UK’s internal market, worth £129bn a year, and supporting a more collaborative approach.

    Businesses trading across the UK’s four nations will benefit from clearer and more certain rules, following government changes to how the UK Internal Market Act works today [15 July]. 

    Following extensive feedback from businesses – including calls for greater clarity, consistency, and collaboration – the UK Government has completed a review of the Act ahead of schedule, ensuring seamless trading between the nations. 

    The updated approach puts business needs at the forefront, while also enabling devolved governments to shape laws which align with their own priorities. A transparent and well-managed internal market will help to minimise the risk of unnecessary trade barriers, providing certainty for businesses to invest, boosting growth and raising living standards as the government delivers on its Plan for Change. 

    In response to businesses’ asks, the rules will now be made in a way that is more transparent, streamlined, and considers a broader evidence base, encouraging open conversations between governments and making it easier for businesses to engage with and understand how decisions are made and applied across the UK. 

    Protecting the environment and public health will be taken into account alongside economic factors when a government proposes excluding an area from the UK Internal Market Act. In addition, if a proposed change has only a limited economic impact, this can now be agreed through a streamlined process. 

    This updated approach will better enable all four governments to agree shared rules across a wide range of areas including chemicals and pesticides and provide more flexibility to legislate. 

    Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander said: 

    “A thriving internal market is essential to the UK’s economic success, so we’ve listened to what businesses want — and we’re acting ahead of schedule.

    “These reforms will keep trade flowing, reduce friction, and unlock growth across all four nations.

    “We’ve also worked closely with devolved governments to ensure they can deliver on their priorities.”

    Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

    “Trade between the nations of the UK is vital to the health of our overall economy and a key driver of growth. Businesses want to see devolved and UK governments working together to ensure there are no unnecessary barriers to the flows of goods and services between us.

    “The UK Internal Market Act is key to this, setting the foundations which underpin over £100bn of trade. This new streamlined approach to rulemaking will give businesses the certainty they need so they can grow, invest, and prosper.” 

    This is just another example of how we’re making things better for business, alongside cutting regulation and reducing administrative costs to boost businesses and growth across the country for big and small firms.

    The UK internal market supported over £129 billion of trade between the four nations in 2019 — equivalent to around 6% of the UK economy. For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, sales to the rest of the UK make up a major share of their external sales — typically around 60%. The reforms published today aim to protect and grow that vital trade, ensuring businesses can operate with confidence and certainty.  

    This announcement follows a wide-ranging consultation launched in January 2025 and a statutory review announced in December 2024. The consultation received almost a hundred responses, from businesses, academics, environmental groups and the devolved governments. The improvements made to the operation of the Act are a result of those responses. 

    Together, these steps mark a shift toward a more business-led, cooperative approach to managing the internal market — one that supports economic growth while respecting devolved powers.   

    Notes to editors: 

    • The UK government is required by law to review elements of the UK Internal Market Act by December 2025. 
    • These changes do not affect provisions relating to Northern Ireland, which are tied to the Windsor Framework. 
    • The UK Government continues to be committed to the Common Frameworks programme and improving transparency and collaboration between the four governments of the UK, which is clearly demonstrated by the outcomes of this review.
    • Further details can be found on the consultation outcome page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: EU proposes new countermeasures amid trade dispute with US

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

    This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The European Union (EU) has proposed a new round of tariffs on U.S. goods worth 72 billion euros (84 billion U.S. dollars), amid the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s largest economy and its biggest trading partner.

    EU trade ministers met in Brussels on Monday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement over the weekend of new tariffs on the bloc. Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s trade chief, said after the meeting that it was “very obvious from the discussions today, the 30 percent is absolutely unacceptable.”

    He said that the commission was sharing proposals with the 27 members “for the second list of goods accounting for some 72 billion euros (84 billion dollars) worth of U.S. imports. They will now have a chance to discuss it. This does not exhaust our toolbox and every instrument remains on the table.”

    Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the foreign minister of Denmark, which recently assumed the EU presidency, said the bloc views the new tariff as “absolutely unacceptable and unjustified” and is prepared to respond if talks with Washington fail to produce a viable outcome.

    “We are committed to continuing working with the United States on a negotiated outcome,” he said, adding that the agreement has to be “mutually acceptable” on both sides.

    In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday morning, Trump announced a 30 percent tariff on the EU as of Aug. 1, blaming the bloc for causing “long-term, large, and persistent Trade Deficits.”

    “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,” he wrote in the letter. “The EU will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States, with no Tariff being charged to us, in an attempt to reduce the large Trade Deficit.”

    In response to Trump’s latest deadline, the EU decided to postpone retaliatory counter tariffs on 21 billion euros (24.5 billion dollars) of U.S. goods that had been due to kick in at midnight on Monday until Aug. 1.

    The EU is open to trade talks with the United States for an agreement before the deadline, but won’t rule out taking countermeasures, said Von der Leyen.

    “We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by Aug. 1,” the EU leader said in a statement. “At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”

    The proposed tariff threatens to take a heavy toll on the EU economy. An analysis by the Milan-based Institute for International Political Studies suggested that Italy would be among the EU countries most affected by the U.S. tariffs.

    Under a 30-percent duty scenario, Germany’s GDP would contract by an estimated 0.5 percent compared to a no-tariff baseline, while Italy’s GDP would shrink by approximately 0.36 percent, said the think tank.

    On Monday, the Association for the Development of Industry in the Mezzogiorno (SVIMEZ) released its estimate of the impact of the U.S. tariffs on Italy’s exports, projecting a reduction of nearly one-fifth in export volume and a loss of 12.4 billion euros (14.48 billion U.S. dollars) in trade once the tariffs take effect.

    SVIMEZ also warned of broader macroeconomic consequences, estimating a 0.5-percent reduction in Italy’s GDP in 2026 and the potential loss of up to 150,000 jobs, including some 13,000 in the country’s southern regions.

    “Our government is in close contact with the European Commission and all parties involved in the tariff negotiations,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement.

    “A trade war within the West would make us all weaker in the face of global challenges we are addressing together. Europe has the economic strength to protect its interests and reach a fair agreement,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: EU proposes new countermeasures amid trade dispute with US

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

    This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The European Union (EU) has proposed a new round of tariffs on U.S. goods worth 72 billion euros (84 billion U.S. dollars), amid the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s largest economy and its biggest trading partner.

    EU trade ministers met in Brussels on Monday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement over the weekend of new tariffs on the bloc. Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s trade chief, said after the meeting that it was “very obvious from the discussions today, the 30 percent is absolutely unacceptable.”

    He said that the commission was sharing proposals with the 27 members “for the second list of goods accounting for some 72 billion euros (84 billion dollars) worth of U.S. imports. They will now have a chance to discuss it. This does not exhaust our toolbox and every instrument remains on the table.”

    Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the foreign minister of Denmark, which recently assumed the EU presidency, said the bloc views the new tariff as “absolutely unacceptable and unjustified” and is prepared to respond if talks with Washington fail to produce a viable outcome.

    “We are committed to continuing working with the United States on a negotiated outcome,” he said, adding that the agreement has to be “mutually acceptable” on both sides.

    In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday morning, Trump announced a 30 percent tariff on the EU as of Aug. 1, blaming the bloc for causing “long-term, large, and persistent Trade Deficits.”

    “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,” he wrote in the letter. “The EU will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States, with no Tariff being charged to us, in an attempt to reduce the large Trade Deficit.”

    In response to Trump’s latest deadline, the EU decided to postpone retaliatory counter tariffs on 21 billion euros (24.5 billion dollars) of U.S. goods that had been due to kick in at midnight on Monday until Aug. 1.

    The EU is open to trade talks with the United States for an agreement before the deadline, but won’t rule out taking countermeasures, said Von der Leyen.

    “We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by Aug. 1,” the EU leader said in a statement. “At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”

    The proposed tariff threatens to take a heavy toll on the EU economy. An analysis by the Milan-based Institute for International Political Studies suggested that Italy would be among the EU countries most affected by the U.S. tariffs.

    Under a 30-percent duty scenario, Germany’s GDP would contract by an estimated 0.5 percent compared to a no-tariff baseline, while Italy’s GDP would shrink by approximately 0.36 percent, said the think tank.

    On Monday, the Association for the Development of Industry in the Mezzogiorno (SVIMEZ) released its estimate of the impact of the U.S. tariffs on Italy’s exports, projecting a reduction of nearly one-fifth in export volume and a loss of 12.4 billion euros (14.48 billion U.S. dollars) in trade once the tariffs take effect.

    SVIMEZ also warned of broader macroeconomic consequences, estimating a 0.5-percent reduction in Italy’s GDP in 2026 and the potential loss of up to 150,000 jobs, including some 13,000 in the country’s southern regions.

    “Our government is in close contact with the European Commission and all parties involved in the tariff negotiations,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement.

    “A trade war within the West would make us all weaker in the face of global challenges we are addressing together. Europe has the economic strength to protect its interests and reach a fair agreement,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Earthquakes in Greece – E-002091/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Greece is an active user of Copernicus Emergency Management Services (CEMS)[1], including its on-demand mapping services. For example, in 2024, the Greek national civil protection authority, which is the national CEMS’ focal point, activated the rapid mapping service 14 times.

    For the time being, the Commission has not yet received a request from the Greek national civil protection authorities for CEMS risk and recovery services to monitor land deformation or for drawing up evacuation plans for a potential future incident in Santorini.

    However, Greece is aware of this option and has used this service in the past to develop, amongst others, evacuation plans, for example for two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage sites (Delphi and Ancient Olympia), and to assess their exposure to several hazards, including earthquakes.

    Under its Cohesion Policy thematic and regional programmes for the 2021-2027 period, Greece earmarked approximately EUR 130 million for the prevention and management of non-climate-related risks, such as earthquakes.

    In accordance with the shared management procedures, the selection of specific projects is a national competence.

    • [1] https://emergency.copernicus.eu/.
    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Postal services to Slovakia return to normal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    ​Hongkong Post announced today (July 15) that, as advised by the postal administration of Slovakia, mail delivery services to areas with postcodes 93003, 93004, 93006, 93007 and 90068, previously impacted by local control measures after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, have returned to normal.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Earthquakes in Greece – E-002091/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Greece is an active user of Copernicus Emergency Management Services (CEMS)[1], including its on-demand mapping services. For example, in 2024, the Greek national civil protection authority, which is the national CEMS’ focal point, activated the rapid mapping service 14 times.

    For the time being, the Commission has not yet received a request from the Greek national civil protection authorities for CEMS risk and recovery services to monitor land deformation or for drawing up evacuation plans for a potential future incident in Santorini.

    However, Greece is aware of this option and has used this service in the past to develop, amongst others, evacuation plans, for example for two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage sites (Delphi and Ancient Olympia), and to assess their exposure to several hazards, including earthquakes.

    Under its Cohesion Policy thematic and regional programmes for the 2021-2027 period, Greece earmarked approximately EUR 130 million for the prevention and management of non-climate-related risks, such as earthquakes.

    In accordance with the shared management procedures, the selection of specific projects is a national competence.

    • [1] https://emergency.copernicus.eu/.
    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Overcrowded housing – E-002826/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002826/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mihai Tudose (S&D)

    17 % of EU citizens live in overcrowded housing, according to Eurostat data. In Romania, that percentage is 40 %, which is the second highest overcrowding rate in the EU, after Latvia.

    At the same time, between 2015 and 2023, housing prices in the EU increased by an average of 48 %, which was also the case in Romania.

    I welcome the affordable and sustainable housing plan announced by the Commission, but would also like to know whether it specifically envisages targeted actions in countries with high levels of overcrowding, in order to improve this situation.

    Submitted: 10.7.2025

    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ethiopia: Médecins sans frontières (MSF) releases findings of internal review into 2021 Tigray killing of three staff members

    Source: APO


    .

    • Four years on since the brutal killing of our colleagues in Tigray, Ethiopia, MSF is releasing the findings of our own internal review.
    • Our findings show that the attack on María Hernández Matas, Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael, and Yohannes Halefom Reda, was the intentional and targeted killing of clearly identified aid workers.
    • MSF has requested a formal and transparent investigation be carried out by the Ethiopian authorities many times since their killing in June 2021.

    Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has published the findings of an internal review into the brutal killing of three of our staff members — María Hernández Matas, Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael, and Yohannes Halefom Reda — in central Tigray, Ethiopia, on 24 June 2021.

    The review confirmed that the attack was an intentional and targeted killing of three clearly identified aid workers. It also established that a convoy of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) was present at the time of the incident, on the same road where the MSF personnel were killed.

    María, Tedros, and Yohannes were working with MSF to provide medical care in the conflict-affected region of Tigray. On 24 June 2021, they were travelling in a clearly marked MSF vehicle to a village near Abi Adi town in central Tigray to refer patients who had been wounded in recent fighting. During their journey, their vehicle was intercepted, and they were killed.

    Four years on, MSF still does not have credible answers about what happened to our colleagues, despite tireless attempts to engage with both the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) — both of whose forces were present in the wider conflict zone.

    “Despite repeated assurances from the Ethiopian authorities that an investigation was underway, four years on, neither MSF nor the victims’ families have received any credible answers,” says Paula Gil, President of MSF Spain. “We can only assume that there is insufficient political will to share the findings of a completed investigation.”

    “In the absence of any official account, we have a moral obligation towards our staff and the families of our late colleagues to make our own findings public – a necessary step to shed light on a brutal killing that must not be ignored or buried,” says Gil.

    Immediately after the incident, MSF launched an internal review – our standard practice following a critical security incident. The evidence confirmed that the attack on the MSF team was intentional and targeted. The victims — all wearing white vests clearly marked with the MSF logo and traveling in a vehicle visibly displaying the MSF logo and flag — were shot multiple times at close range, while facing their attacker. Their bodies were found up to 400 metres from their vehicle, which was burned and riddled with bullets.

    “This was not the result of crossfire, nor was it a tragic mistake. Our colleagues were killed in what can only be described as a deliberate attack,” adds Gil.

    MSF’s internal review also clearly established that a large retreating convoy of the ENDF was moving south on the same stretch of road where MSF’s staff members were killed on the day of the attack. This was corroborated by multiple sources available in the public domain, including media reports and open-source satellite imagery, as well as several civilian witnesses.

    Beyond the confirmed presence of the ENDF in the area, what remains to be clarified is the extent and nature of their involvement in the attack. MSF received concerning witness accounts — including from civilians travelling with the ENDF convoy in various capacities — that directly implicated ENDF soldiers in the attack. One witness reported overhearing a radio exchange where an ENDF commander gave orders to “shoot” at an approaching white car and “remove them”.

    Since 2021, MSF has held over 20 high-level meetings with officials in the Ethiopian government and submitted numerous formal requests for a credible, transparent investigation to be carried out, and for findings to be shared.

    “Over the past four years, we have done everything in our power to engage constructively with the Ethiopian authorities, including sharing the findings of our internal review on several occasions between November 2021 and October 2023, along with supporting materials, with the Ministry of Justice,” says Gil.

    “MSF’s review clearly demonstrates that it was — and remains — feasible to establish the facts about the incident,” says Gil. “Given this, and the substantiated information confirming ENDF presence at the time of the attack, it is both unconscionable and unacceptable that the Ethiopian authorities have consistently failed to conclude a credible investigation and share its findings.”

    MSF is making this internal review public not only out of moral obligation, but also to demand that governments protect humanitarian workers and medical facilities and that those responsible for attacks on humanitarians and medical staff are held accountable. Attacks on humanitarian personnel are rising globally, while states increasingly neglect their duty to investigate and prosecute violations of international humanitarian law, and the international community continues to look away.

    The brutal killing of María, Tedros, and Yohannes is an emblematic case of the dangers faced by humanitarian workers. If there is no investigation of such an egregious attack, it sets a dangerous precedent in Ethiopia and reinforces an alarming pattern of impunity for attacks on healthcare globally.

    “María, Tedros, and Yohannes lost their lives while helping people in crisis,” says Gil. “They are in our thoughts every day. Their murder must not be forgotten or met with silence. MSF hopes that by pursuing the truth of what happened to them, we can contribute to building a safer environment for humanitarians — not only in Ethiopia, but in conflict zones around the world.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Age verification app – E-002140/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is concerned about ensuring children are protected online and is, as part of this, working on a common EU approach to age verification.

    To this end, a robust EU-harmonised age verification app that is privacy-preserving and easy to use is being developed in cooperation with the Member States via the European Board for Digital Services[1].

    This work is part of a set of measures for the protection of minors, including the Digital Services Act art. 28 guidelines and enforcement actions, the action plan against Cyberbullying, and the inquiry on the impact of social media on mental health.

    The app will initially allow users to prove that they are over 18 years when accessing online content restricted to adults (e.g. pornography, gambling, online alcohol purchase). It is technically possible and envisaged to extend the app to other age limits.

    Mid-July 2025, a white-label app will be made available to Member States, who may then customise and adapt it to their national contexts (e.g. compatibility with national digital infrastructures and legal frameworks, branding and translation) and decide to publish it in the app stores.

    This release launches a pilot phase during which the white-label app will be tested and further customised in collaboration with Member States, online platforms and end-users.

    5 frontrunner Member States — Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain — will be the first to take up the technical solution in view of publishing a customised national app on the app stores. The Commission prepares to scale the app to Member States with national implementation strategies.

    The European Parliament is kept informed on this and broader actions in this policy area through presentations at the appropriate Committees meetings and structured dialogues.

    • [1] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/dsa-board.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Age verification app – E-002140/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is concerned about ensuring children are protected online and is, as part of this, working on a common EU approach to age verification.

    To this end, a robust EU-harmonised age verification app that is privacy-preserving and easy to use is being developed in cooperation with the Member States via the European Board for Digital Services[1].

    This work is part of a set of measures for the protection of minors, including the Digital Services Act art. 28 guidelines and enforcement actions, the action plan against Cyberbullying, and the inquiry on the impact of social media on mental health.

    The app will initially allow users to prove that they are over 18 years when accessing online content restricted to adults (e.g. pornography, gambling, online alcohol purchase). It is technically possible and envisaged to extend the app to other age limits.

    Mid-July 2025, a white-label app will be made available to Member States, who may then customise and adapt it to their national contexts (e.g. compatibility with national digital infrastructures and legal frameworks, branding and translation) and decide to publish it in the app stores.

    This release launches a pilot phase during which the white-label app will be tested and further customised in collaboration with Member States, online platforms and end-users.

    5 frontrunner Member States — Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain — will be the first to take up the technical solution in view of publishing a customised national app on the app stores. The Commission prepares to scale the app to Member States with national implementation strategies.

    The European Parliament is kept informed on this and broader actions in this policy area through presentations at the appropriate Committees meetings and structured dialogues.

    • [1] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/dsa-board.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKTE hosts online and offline career fairs to attract global talent dovetailing Hong Kong’s I&T development (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         A spokesman for Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) said today (July 15) that to support Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, HKTE had organised three online and offline career fairs during the past three weeks to proactively attract global I&T talent to pursue development in Hong Kong, with a view to contributing to building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.

         HKTE held a online career fair last Thursday and Friday (July 10 and 11), featuring 47 renowned enterprises and organisations, to offer nearly 2 000 quality job vacancies across sectors such as data centre operations, cyber security and business analysis.

         The online career fair recorded nearly 33 000 visits, featuring job-seeking talent mainly from 14 countries or regions, including the Mainland, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Switzerland, with over 3 000 curricula vitae received. To facilitate connections between job-seeking talent and employers, a one-to-one online meeting session was set up specifically at the career fair, resulting in nearly 5 000 direct dialogues.

         A spokesman for the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, one of the participating organisations, commented that the career fair facilitated effective interactions between global professionals in artificial intelligence, fintech and smart city technologies as well as digital innovation with Hong Kong employers. Nearly 90 per cent of participating enterprises and organisations expressed satisfaction with the event arrangements and indicated interest in joining future recruitment events organised by HKTE.

         In addition, HKTE co-organised physical job fairs with working partners two weeks ago, including the second edition of the Hong Kong International Talents Career Expo 2025 and the NovaX Global Investmatch Carnival 2025, to connect I&T talent and entrepreneurs with employers and investors, facilitating the settlement of talent in Hong Kong.

         The spokesman for HKTE added that talent is critical to the promotion of I&T development. HKTE will continue organising diverse activities to assist Hong Kong in attracting international I&T talent, including an online career fair targeting European and American markets in the second half of the year, thereby providing solid talent support for the development of the “eight centres” strategic positioning.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKTE hosts online and offline career fairs to attract global talent dovetailing Hong Kong’s I&T development (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         A spokesman for Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) said today (July 15) that to support Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, HKTE had organised three online and offline career fairs during the past three weeks to proactively attract global I&T talent to pursue development in Hong Kong, with a view to contributing to building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.

         HKTE held a online career fair last Thursday and Friday (July 10 and 11), featuring 47 renowned enterprises and organisations, to offer nearly 2 000 quality job vacancies across sectors such as data centre operations, cyber security and business analysis.

         The online career fair recorded nearly 33 000 visits, featuring job-seeking talent mainly from 14 countries or regions, including the Mainland, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Switzerland, with over 3 000 curricula vitae received. To facilitate connections between job-seeking talent and employers, a one-to-one online meeting session was set up specifically at the career fair, resulting in nearly 5 000 direct dialogues.

         A spokesman for the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, one of the participating organisations, commented that the career fair facilitated effective interactions between global professionals in artificial intelligence, fintech and smart city technologies as well as digital innovation with Hong Kong employers. Nearly 90 per cent of participating enterprises and organisations expressed satisfaction with the event arrangements and indicated interest in joining future recruitment events organised by HKTE.

         In addition, HKTE co-organised physical job fairs with working partners two weeks ago, including the second edition of the Hong Kong International Talents Career Expo 2025 and the NovaX Global Investmatch Carnival 2025, to connect I&T talent and entrepreneurs with employers and investors, facilitating the settlement of talent in Hong Kong.

         The spokesman for HKTE added that talent is critical to the promotion of I&T development. HKTE will continue organising diverse activities to assist Hong Kong in attracting international I&T talent, including an online career fair targeting European and American markets in the second half of the year, thereby providing solid talent support for the development of the “eight centres” strategic positioning.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Portugal’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play – 15-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Portugal is set to receive €22.2 billion in grants and loans from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the EU response to the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount corresponds to 3.1 % of the entire RRF, or 10.7 % of Portugal’s 2019 gross domestic product (GDP), and includes REPowerEU grants (€0.7 billion) and Portugal’s share (€81.4 million) from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The Council approved the latest revision of Portugal’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) in May 2025. The plan has a strong focus on the country’s social, economic and environmental resilience, with measures targeting culture, housing, health, broad social responses, and forest and water management. Measures relating to climate transition, including those on industry decarbonisation and energy efficiency of buildings, account for 39.1 % of the allocation. The contribution to digital objectives represents 21.7 % of the allocation, with measures and reforms aimed at public administration and finances, education and businesses. Portugal has so far received €11.4 billion of RRF resources (51.3 % of the plan), which the Commission disbursed in the form of pre-financing and five grant and loan instalments. Portugal’s sixth and seventh payment requests are being assessed. In the context of the 2025 European Semester, the Council has recommended that Portugal accelerate implementation of its plan. The European Parliament has been a major supporter of creating a common EU recovery instrument, and takes part in interinstitutional settings to cooperate, discuss and scrutinise implementation of the Commission’s work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Third edition. The previous editions were written by Henrique Morgado Simões. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. The author would like to thank Amalia Fumagalli and Ana Luisa Melo Almeida, trainees in the Directorate Members’ Research Service, for their research assistance.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Public health risk from the presence of asbestos in public buildings in Greece – E-001913/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    At EU level, asbestos is recognised as a hazardous carcinogen. The Commission is promoting the protection of people and the environment by adopting and enforcing EU legislation related to asbestos management and control.

    In its communication on working towards an asbestos-free future[1], the Commission called upon all EU institutions, Member States, social partners and other stakeholders to accelerate action to achieve an asbestos-free EU for current and future generations.

    As regards the complete removal of asbestos from public buildings, considering that the magnitude of the asbestos presence, as well as screening, registration and removal strategies, differs considerably among Member States, the Commission is examining different possibilities to create a common EU framework to support Member States in monitoring and registering the presence of asbestos in buildings.

    Currently no obligation has been established at EU level in this regard and Member States, including Greece, are free to implement any action needed to completely remove asbestos from public buildings.

    The EU provides significant funding through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which can be used to support national measures for the removal of asbestos in the context of renovations.

    In addition, Cohesion policy supports measures related to renovations and the modernisation of public infrastructure, including educational buildings.

    If asbestos is present in buildings undergoing energy renovation works financed by EU funds[2], its removal could be undertaken as part of the renovation.

    As Cohesion policy Funds are implemented under shared management between the Commission and Member States, and the latter are responsible for the selection of projects.

    • [1]  COM/2022/488 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52022DC0488.
    • [2] Such as energy upgrades in schools.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Extraterritorial processing of asylum claims – 15-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    In the past decade, continuous migration and asylum pressure on European Union Member States has made the external dimension of the EU’s approach to migration management all the more important. The need to address challenges relating to external border management has reoriented EU migration policy towards extended and stricter border controls, combined with the externalisation of migration management through cooperation with third countries. Thus, the external processing of asylum claims has also been put forward as a possibility. Overall, asylum is governed by international, EU and national laws. Both EU and national asylum legislation must be aligned with the international legal framework. Although EU law does not provide for the processing of asylum applications outside the EU, the idea of ‘transit’ or ‘processing’ centres in third countries has been recurrent over the years. Examples of externalisation procedures can be found around the world. Some non-EU countries, such as Australia and the United States, have practical experience of the extra-territorial processing of asylum claims. Within Europe, back in 1986 Denmark tabled a draft resolution in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to create UN centres where asylum claims could be processed, in order to coordinate the resettlement of refugees among all states. Later, in 2001 and 2002, when the EU experienced the first peak of migrant arrivals in the EU, this was followed by a series of proposals involving the external processing of asylum requests. Extraterritorial processing was first put forward by the United Kingdom in 2003, while Germany proposed the establishment of asylum centres in North Africa in 2005. The series of proposals made over the years with a view to externalising migration policies have raised concerns, not least in relation to the human rights implications, asylum procedures and EU and international law. This briefing updates an earlier edition, of January 2024, by the present authors along with Anita Orav.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrean Community Festival in the United Kingdom (UK)

    Source: APO


    .

    The 2025 Eritrean Community Festival in the United Kingdom was colorfully conducted on 12 and 13 July in London under the theme “Our Cohesion – Our Armour.”

    The festival, in which about 2,000 nationals from various cities in Britain took part, was officially opened by Mr. Saleh Abdella, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in the UK and Northern Ireland.

    Mr. Mulubrhan Berhe, Chairman of the Holidays Coordinating Committee, and Mr. Ahmed Mahmud, Chairman of the National Committee, commended all those who contributed to the successful implementation of the program and thanked the participants.

    Mr. Saleh Abdella stated that this year’s festival was particularly significant as it was held at a time when the Eritrean people are focused on national development programs while confronting and foiling external conspiracies and hostilities. He also called on nationals to strengthen unity, foster deeper connections with their homeland, and enhance participation in national affairs.

    Mr. Tewolde Yohannes, Head of Public and Community Affairs, also conducted a seminar for participants focusing on the objective situation in the homeland and the region. Mr. Tewolde stated that Eritrea, firmly standing by its national principles, continues to make earnest contributions to regional peace and stability.

    The festival featured cultural and artistic performances, sports competitions, and children’s programs.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Hicks, Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne

    Australian Climate Case

    The Federal Court has handed down its long-awaited judgement in a four-year climate case
    brought by Torres Strait Islanders.

    Elders Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai took the Australian government to court on behalf of their community, arguing the government has a duty of care to protect them from climate change. They also asked the court to legally recognise the cultural loss and harm they are experiencing from sea-level rise and climate-induced flooding.

    But the court declined to recognise either duty or to legally recognise cultural harm.

    Many climate justice advocates hoped today’s decision would be the climate equivalent of the famous Mabo decision, which recognised native title. There are many parallels. At stake was the legal recognition of the harms and loss of connection to Country that Australia’s First Peoples are experiencing through government inaction on climate change.

    Vulnerability and leadership

    Torres Strait Islanders are well placed to bring this kind of legal claim.

    To sue a government for climate inaction, plaintiffs often have to show they are particularly impacted by climate harms over and above the rest of the population.

    Claims across the world have been brought by Indigenous peoples, farmers, young people who will experience catastrophic climate impacts in the future, and people with heat-sensitive illnesses.

    The islands on which Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul live, Sabai and Boigu, are extremely low-lying. Climate-related flooding is already affecting whether people can live there.

    Importantly, small differences in future emissions scenarios will significantly impact their habitability. Every fraction of a degree of warming will matter.

    During the case, climate scientists gave evidence that on the current emissions scenario, the islands are highly likely to be uninhabitable less than 25 years from now.

    This will force Torres Strait Islanders to leave, severing them from thousands of years of tradition, fulfilment of their traditional practices (called Ailan Kastom), and connection to country and identity.

    The legal claim against the Commonwealth

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Commonwealth government has a duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change when setting national emissions-reduction targets. They argued the government breached that duty by not setting targets in line with the best available science. This would involve calculating reduction targets by reference to Australia’s share to keep global warming to as close to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels as possible.

    Second, they argued the government has a duty to protect property, the fulfilment of their traditional customs, and the health and life of Torres Strait Islanders from climate impacts. They argued the government breached that duty by failing to properly fund the construction of sea walls.

    What the Federal Court said

    Justice Wigney’s judgement emphasised the existential threat of climate change. It noted Torres Strait Islanders are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and face a “bleak future” unless urgent action is taken.

    But it accepted the government’s argument that setting emissions reductions targets, and allocating funding for protective infrastructure, involves “policy” considerations a court can’t review.

    When do governments owe a duty of care to climate vulnerable groups?

    Plaintiffs elsewhere in the world have successfully argued that their government owed them a duty of care to protect them from climate harms by lowering emissions. But the argument has had mixed success in Australia.

    To establish a legal duty of care, plaintiffs need to show they have some kind of special relationship with the defendant. This relationship arises through factors such as the plaintiff’s vulnerability to a certain harm, and the defendant’s knowledge of, and control over, that harm.

    As First Peoples, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued they have this kind of relationship with the government. They pointed to a range of factors such as the particular vulnerability of the Torres Strait Islanders, and the government’s control over climate harms to them.

    Novel duties of care can be imposed on government and public authorities. But Australian courts have sometimes declined to do this where they would have to judge how governments have weighed different policy considerations.

    This is partly because it would be too difficult for the court to decide whether the government had met the legal standard of behaviour.

    Courts are more willing to find a government owes a duty of care where the government is merely applying a policy, or where it can measure the government’s behaviour against clear standards. But courts have also acknowledged that the distinction between making policy and applying policy is blurry.

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Australian government has committed to the Paris Agreement, and this sets out a clear legal standard of the “best available science”.

    The Australian government argued its decisions about climate policy involve complex political priorities that a court shouldn’t review. It argued it shouldn’t be bound by the best available science as a legal standard.

    Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai at Boigu Island, the most northerly inhabited island of Queensland. It is part of the top-western group of the Torres Strait Islands.
    Talei Elu

    The role of courts in protecting people from climate harm

    Today’s decision is a setback for both the climate and Indigenous justice movements. But the situation isn’t as bleak as it may seem.

    Across the world, plaintiffs in courts are gaining legal ground on climate accountability. It’s becoming easier to attribute harms to emitters, and to develop standards against which governments can be measured. And courts frequently reject government arguments that their contribution to climate change is minimal. They emphasise that each country must do its share for global collective action to work.

    It is a question of when, rather than if, law will adapt to deal with climate impacts. Much like a rising tide breaking against a seawall, the future impact of climate change on things that law already protects is too extreme for the law to resist.

    Liz Hicks has previously received a Commonwealth Research Training Program stipend and currently receives funding from the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Fund for a project on constitutional accountability and the environment. She is also a member of the Australian Greens Victoria.

    – ref. Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change – https://theconversation.com/federal-court-rules-australian-government-doesnt-have-a-duty-of-care-to-protect-torres-strait-islanders-from-climate-change-259999

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Hicks, Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne

    Australian Climate Case

    The Federal Court has handed down its long-awaited judgement in a four-year climate case
    brought by Torres Strait Islanders.

    Elders Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai took the Australian government to court on behalf of their community, arguing the government has a duty of care to protect them from climate change. They also asked the court to legally recognise the cultural loss and harm they are experiencing from sea-level rise and climate-induced flooding.

    But the court declined to recognise either duty or to legally recognise cultural harm.

    Many climate justice advocates hoped today’s decision would be the climate equivalent of the famous Mabo decision, which recognised native title. There are many parallels. At stake was the legal recognition of the harms and loss of connection to Country that Australia’s First Peoples are experiencing through government inaction on climate change.

    Vulnerability and leadership

    Torres Strait Islanders are well placed to bring this kind of legal claim.

    To sue a government for climate inaction, plaintiffs often have to show they are particularly impacted by climate harms over and above the rest of the population.

    Claims across the world have been brought by Indigenous peoples, farmers, young people who will experience catastrophic climate impacts in the future, and people with heat-sensitive illnesses.

    The islands on which Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul live, Sabai and Boigu, are extremely low-lying. Climate-related flooding is already affecting whether people can live there.

    Importantly, small differences in future emissions scenarios will significantly impact their habitability. Every fraction of a degree of warming will matter.

    During the case, climate scientists gave evidence that on the current emissions scenario, the islands are highly likely to be uninhabitable less than 25 years from now.

    This will force Torres Strait Islanders to leave, severing them from thousands of years of tradition, fulfilment of their traditional practices (called Ailan Kastom), and connection to country and identity.

    The legal claim against the Commonwealth

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Commonwealth government has a duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change when setting national emissions-reduction targets. They argued the government breached that duty by not setting targets in line with the best available science. This would involve calculating reduction targets by reference to Australia’s share to keep global warming to as close to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels as possible.

    Second, they argued the government has a duty to protect property, the fulfilment of their traditional customs, and the health and life of Torres Strait Islanders from climate impacts. They argued the government breached that duty by failing to properly fund the construction of sea walls.

    What the Federal Court said

    Justice Wigney’s judgement emphasised the existential threat of climate change. It noted Torres Strait Islanders are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and face a “bleak future” unless urgent action is taken.

    But it accepted the government’s argument that setting emissions reductions targets, and allocating funding for protective infrastructure, involves “policy” considerations a court can’t review.

    When do governments owe a duty of care to climate vulnerable groups?

    Plaintiffs elsewhere in the world have successfully argued that their government owed them a duty of care to protect them from climate harms by lowering emissions. But the argument has had mixed success in Australia.

    To establish a legal duty of care, plaintiffs need to show they have some kind of special relationship with the defendant. This relationship arises through factors such as the plaintiff’s vulnerability to a certain harm, and the defendant’s knowledge of, and control over, that harm.

    As First Peoples, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued they have this kind of relationship with the government. They pointed to a range of factors such as the particular vulnerability of the Torres Strait Islanders, and the government’s control over climate harms to them.

    Novel duties of care can be imposed on government and public authorities. But Australian courts have sometimes declined to do this where they would have to judge how governments have weighed different policy considerations.

    This is partly because it would be too difficult for the court to decide whether the government had met the legal standard of behaviour.

    Courts are more willing to find a government owes a duty of care where the government is merely applying a policy, or where it can measure the government’s behaviour against clear standards. But courts have also acknowledged that the distinction between making policy and applying policy is blurry.

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Australian government has committed to the Paris Agreement, and this sets out a clear legal standard of the “best available science”.

    The Australian government argued its decisions about climate policy involve complex political priorities that a court shouldn’t review. It argued it shouldn’t be bound by the best available science as a legal standard.

    Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai at Boigu Island, the most northerly inhabited island of Queensland. It is part of the top-western group of the Torres Strait Islands.
    Talei Elu

    The role of courts in protecting people from climate harm

    Today’s decision is a setback for both the climate and Indigenous justice movements. But the situation isn’t as bleak as it may seem.

    Across the world, plaintiffs in courts are gaining legal ground on climate accountability. It’s becoming easier to attribute harms to emitters, and to develop standards against which governments can be measured. And courts frequently reject government arguments that their contribution to climate change is minimal. They emphasise that each country must do its share for global collective action to work.

    It is a question of when, rather than if, law will adapt to deal with climate impacts. Much like a rising tide breaking against a seawall, the future impact of climate change on things that law already protects is too extreme for the law to resist.

    Liz Hicks has previously received a Commonwealth Research Training Program stipend and currently receives funding from the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Fund for a project on constitutional accountability and the environment. She is also a member of the Australian Greens Victoria.

    – ref. Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change – https://theconversation.com/federal-court-rules-australian-government-doesnt-have-a-duty-of-care-to-protect-torres-strait-islanders-from-climate-change-259999

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Soldier of the Highland Light Infantry rededicated in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Soldier of the Highland Light Infantry rededicated in France

    Family members and military representatives gathered in France to honour Second Lieutenant John Taylor Macintyre of the Highland Light Infantry over a century after he fell in battle during the World War One.

    Headshot of 2Lt John Taylor Macintyre (courtesy of his family).

    The moving service, organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC’s) Canadian Cemetery No.2, where a new headstone bearing his name was unveiled.

    The family of 2Lt Macintyre with the military party at his graveside. Crown Copyright.

    JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said: 

    I am so pleased to have been involved in the final chapter of the story of John Taylor Macintyre. Being able to rededicate his grave, with a new headstone bearing his name, and in the presence of his family is a very special occasion to be a part of. I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted the case which has brought us to this point.

    Second Lieutenant Macintyre shipped out to France in November 1914, coincidentally on the same vessel as his brother Duncan, who served with the Cameronians. John spent the duration of the war on the Western Front, returning home only for brief periods of leave and to recuperate following a gas attack in the summer of 1917. 

    During that summer, the 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry were rotating in and out of the front line near Lempire, on the edge of the Somme sector. The battalion was tasked with capturing and holding Guillemont Farm, and it was during one of many actions linked to this objective that John died on 25 August 1917. He was listed as wounded and missing following the engagement. 

    In November 1931, the body of an unknown officer was recovered close to Guillemont Farm. His badges and buttons identified him as an officer of the 9th Highland Light Infantry, but he carried nothing that could identify him by name. He was reburied at Canadian Cemetery No.2 at Neuville St Vaast as an unknown officer. Recent research has conclusively identified this unknown soldier as John Taylor Macintyre. 

    The CWGC has placed a new headstone on the grave and will continue to care for it in perpetuity. 

    Katie Palmer, Records Officer at CWGC, said:

    It is an honour to have been involved in Second Lieutenant Macintyre’s story, who now has a headstone bearing his name. As part of the process, we help the family choose a personal inscription, something which future generations of visitors can discover and connect with. It is our privilege to care for 2nd Lt Macintyre’s grave, in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two World War One Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Commemorated in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Two World War One Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Commemorated in France

    Military representatives and others gathered this week to honour two First World War soldiers from the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders at special commemoration ceremonies in France.

    Bugler Cpl Paul McEntee and Piper L/Cpl Donald Stewart (Crown Copyright)

    The services, organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), paid tribute to Company Quarter Master Serjeant Charles Monro and Corporal Francis Flynn at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries. 

    Human remains discovered during de-mining work near Le Maisnil were identified as CQMS Monro through DNA testing. He received a burial with full military honours at Aubers Ridge British Cemetery – a dignified farewell denied for over a century. 

    Monro, born in County Wicklow in 1875, was an experienced soldier who had joined the army in 1894. Serving with the 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, he lost his life during the Battle of Armentières on 21 October 1914. 

    The military party at CQMS Monro’s graveside (Crown Copyright)

    In a separate ceremony, Corporal Francis Flynn’s grave was rededicated at Roclincourt Valley Cemetery. Flynn, who served with the 1/7 Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died on 9 April 1917 during the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. 

    Though initially buried as an unknown Corporal, recent research by the JCCC, the National Army Museum and others revealed Flynn was the only missing Corporal from his battalion matching the burial details, finally reuniting his name with his resting place. 

    The military party at the graveside of Cpl Francis Flynn (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said:  

    I am so pleased to have been involved in the final chapters of the stories of these two men. Returning them to their families, and reuniting their names with their mortal remains, we have ensured that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

    The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has placed new headstones on both graves.

    Dr Daniel Seaton, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said:

    It was an honour to have been involved in the cases of CQMS Monro and Corporal Flynn. It is always moving when casualties are formally identified – their families having chosen poignant personal inscriptions for their new headstones being a fitting tribute. The Commission will care for the graves of these casualties in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of Missing Soldier Identified in Belgium

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Grave of Missing Soldier Identified in Belgium

    The grave of a missing soldier from the First World War has been identified more than 100 years after he fell in battle near Ypres, Belgium.

    The service at Dadizele New British Cemetery (Crown Copyright)

    Private John Lamond’s previously unmarked grave has finally been identified and marked following extensive research by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’ and others.

    A rededication service was held today (10 July) at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Dadizeele New British Cemetery in Belgium to honour the Aberdeen-born soldier.

    The Military Party and the Family of Pte Lamond (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said:

    I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the graves of Private Lamond. In rededicating his grave, we have reunited his mortal remains with his name, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

    By October 1918, John Lamond and the 1st/8th Battalion Scottish Rifles were stationed in Belgium, near Gheluwe on the Ypres-Menin Road. It was during the advance towards Menin that John disappeared on or around 14-15 October 1918.

    On 23 October 1919, an unknown British soldier from the 1st/8th Scottish Rifles was recovered from a marked but seemingly solitary grave just off the main Gheluwe-Menin Road, a little over a kilometre from Menin town centre. The grave marker bore the date 15 October 1918. At the time, the body could not be identified and the soldier was reburied at Dadizeele New British Cemetery in an unnamed grave. Recent research has revealed that this grave is in fact that of Private John Lamond, and today his grave has been rededicated accordingly.

    Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at CWGC, said:

    It was remarkable to review this case, which came in from two members of the public, and to uncover supporting evidence which led to the identification of Pte Lamond. It has been very moving to help to identify another casualty of the Great War, and to know that his grave is now commemorated by name.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Launches Supply Chain Hub in Greece to Boost Global Humanitarian Response

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Athens, 15 July 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Greece to establish a new supply chain centre in Thessaloniki, Greece. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance IOM’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid swiftly and efficiently, reinforcing its commitment to timely, effective, and sustainable responses to crises around the world.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –