Category: United States of America

MIL-OSI USA: California advances Bay-Delta Plan Update to restore ecosystem health and improve water supply reliability
Source: US State of California 2
Jul 24, 2025
Governor Newsom praises the State Water Board for incorporating the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program into the Bay-Delta Plan

What you need to know: The Newsom Administration’s innovative Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, which improves environmental conditions and provides more water supply certainty for California’s communities, farms, and businesses, is moving forward for consideration in the Bay-Delta Plan. This comes alongside a recent legislative proposal to streamline the adoption of water quality plans through new CEQA exemptions.

SACRAMENTO – Today, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) proposed an update to its Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan that will help protect the Sacramento River, the Delta and associated tributaries (Sacramento/Delta) for generations to come and safeguard water supplies for millions of Californians. The new plan update will help maintain a strong balance between protecting precious ecosystems and ensuring the state can meet the needs of Californians. If adopted, the plan will update environmental science, restore tens of thousands of acres of habitat, and incorporate a groundbreaking program developed by the Newsom administration, creating voluntary agreements with water users, including municipal water agencies, agriculture, and other water rights holders. Advancing California’s Abundance Agenda, the Governor is also introducing a legislative proposal through a separate trailer bill to create new CEQA exemptions for water quality plans.

“I am proud to see the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program represented in this plan update — it’s a testament to California’s commitment to a collaborative, science-driven approach to managing our water for the benefit of our communities, economy, and fish and wildlife. However, our work is not yet done — I have proposed legislation to create a CEQA exemption for all Water Quality Control Plans that would accelerate the time it takes to get these critical plans done by removing unnecessary and redundant process requirements. We’re done with barriers and obstacles to our state’s success. We must work together to protect our natural resources for the benefit of the habitats and people of our state.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

The Newsom Administration, along with state, federal, and local leaders, developed the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program as an innovative alternate approach to traditional regulatory requirements to improve environmental conditions while providing more water supply certainty to communities, farms, and businesses throughout California. Now, the program has advanced to the State Water Board for consideration as an implementation pathway in the Bay-Delta Plan.

“The State Water Board’s draft plan update marks a crucial step toward safeguarding the Bay Delta’s water quality,” said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia. “By embracing collaborative, science-driven solutions, the board is actively ensuring a more sustainable water future for communities, ecosystems, and generations to come.”

The Bay-Delta Plan update now includes two regulatory pathways for water users:

A comprehensive Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, which would produce ecosystem benefits through a combination of flow and habitat projects.

A flow-only approach for those who are not parties to the HRL program.

Following a public comment period, the plan will advance before the State Water Board for final consideration. The plan, developed with extensive public input, including public water agencies, environmental nonprofits, tribal partners, and local governments, is a win for all Californians.

Streamlining Government to Work Better

The Bay-Delta Plan for the Sacramento/Delta has not been meaningfully updated since 1995. Continuing to operate under a plan that does not reflect the most current science, a growing population, or a changing climate is a disservice to California’s communities and ecosystems. In 2022, Governor Newsom brought together local, state, and federal partners to submit an actionable framework for the Voluntary Agreements, later named the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, to the State Water Board.

If adopted by the State Water Board, the HRL program would dedicate a large quantity of water to the environment and restore more than 45,000 acres of aquatic habitat for fish and other animals. In addition, Governor Newsom secured funding commitments totalling $2.9 billion to implement the HRL program over the next 8 years.

“This program will improve the health of our rivers by both restoring river flows and revitalizing habitat,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “After all, fish and wildlife need both to thrive. It also improves coordination and collaboration among public agencies charged with improving river conditions and will enable real-time, science-based decision making that we desperately need to better manage our river systems.”

“The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program will allow for a more collaborative and scientifically sound way to balance conflicting demands for water in an extremely complex watershed. We’re grateful to the State Water Board for embracing this approach as a potential pathway within their regulatory framework,” said California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. “Working together, we will find new solutions to the old problem of balancing the needs of ecosystems and economies.”

“The inclusion of voluntary agreements in the development of this plan will be a big win for California, and will help provide more opportunities for our partners across the state to support California’s irreplaceable fish populations and habitats,” said California Department Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham. “By focusing on the science of restoration, and prioritizing additional flows to support healthy habitats, we can ensure the best possible outcomes for California’s precious natural resources, now and in years to come.”

Furthering the administration’s agenda to reduce barriers to progress and move projects that Californians need forward, Governor Newsom has also introduced trailer bill language to streamline the adoption of water quality control plans and create new exemptions for water projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This would expedite the potential adoption of the Bay-Delta Plan and the ecosystem benefits it would provide, while still allowing for vital public process and input.

More information about the proposed Bay-Delta Plan update is available on the State Water Board’s website.
Press releases, Recent news
Recent news

Jul 24, 2025

News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit striking down California’s ammunition background check law, which was passed by voters in 2016: Strong…

Jul 23, 2025

News What you need to know: Through Governor Newsom’s support of local government efforts and state investments, California is reversing decades of inaction on homelessness. Last year’s 2024 point-in-time count showed California had outperformed the nation by slowing…

Jul 23, 2025

News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today approved the predeployment of firefighting resources in Nevada, Sierra, and Plumas counties in response to critical fire weather conditions forecasted to impact Northern California starting Wednesday, July 23, through…

MIL OSI USA News –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom statement on the Ninth Circuit striking down one of California’s pivotal voter-approved gun safety laws

Source: US State of California 2

Jul 24, 2025

Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit striking down California’s ammunition background check law, which was passed by voters in 2016:

Strong gun laws save lives – and today’s decision is a slap in the face to the progress California has made in recent years to keep its communities safer from gun violence. Californians voted to require background checks on ammunition and their voices should matter.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Most major polls show overwhelming bipartisan support for universal background checks and other gun safety measures, with support typically ranging from 85% to 90%. A 2023 Fox News poll found that 87% of American voters back criminal background checks for all gun buyers. In California, voters approved background checks for ammunition purchases in 2016 by a 63% to 36% margin.

Recent news

Jul 23, 2025

News What you need to know: Through Governor Newsom’s support of local government efforts and state investments, California is reversing decades of inaction on homelessness. Last year’s 2024 point-in-time count showed California had outperformed the nation by slowing…

Jul 23, 2025

News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today approved the predeployment of firefighting resources in Nevada, Sierra, and Plumas counties in response to critical fire weather conditions forecasted to impact Northern California starting Wednesday, July 23, through…

Jul 23, 2025

News What you need to know: The number of reported stolen vehicles in California has dropped by 13% – the first year-over-year decrease since before the pandemic. Sacramento, California – California continues to lead the way out of the COVID-induced crime surge, as…

MIL OSI USA News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Narrative analysis: Case studies in heat resilience
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
This narrative analysis highlights how twelve countries are confronting the realities of extreme heat through diverse governance models, partnerships, and innovations. The case studies span multiple regions and development contexts-Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Ecuador, Egypt, France, India, Senegal, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States-offering a cross-cutting view of what’s working, where gaps remain, and how national strategies are evolving in the face of escalating climate threats.

Some of the common lessons from the case studies include:
- Successful implementation of heat action plans requires active engagement and participation of local communities.
- Addressing extreme heat requires coordinated involvement from sectors including health, urban planning, agriculture, and disaster management.
- Robust early warning systems are essential for prompt and effective dissemination of heat alerts and advisories
- Investing in heatresilient infrastructure, such as green spaces, cool roofs, and energy-efficient buildings, helps mitigate the impacts of extreme heat
- Enhancing the capacity of healthcare systems to manage heat-related illnesses through training, resource allocation, and infrastructure improvements is critical for reducing heatrelated morbidity and mortality.
Download

Links last checked: 25 July 2025

MIL OSI United Nations News –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: An assessment of heat action plans: Global standards, good practices and partnerships
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
This synthesis report identifies best practices and persistent challenges to provide a structured framework for improving heat resilience based on evaluations of heat action plans from six countries-Australia, Canada, France, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It advocates for an adaptable governance framework, proposing that national guidance related to HAPs incorporate adaptable core elements, such as standardized heat risk definitions, clear agency roles, multi-sector coordination, and early warning systems

Key takeaways for future action
- Harmonizing Short-Term Response with Long-Term Planning – While immediate interventions like cooling centres and health advisories effectively mitigate acute health risks, incorporating durable infrastructure and climate-resilient urban planning into HAPs will better prepare communities for evolving climate realities
- Advancing Sectoral Integration for Comprehensive Heat Management – A multi-sectoral approach, encompassing health, urban infrastructure, emergency response, and social services, is essential for addressing heat impacts holistically.
- Aligning National HAPs with International Standards – Global standards, such as WHO’s health guidelines, UNDRR’s resilience frameworks, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, provide valuable benchmarks for HAP design and evaluation.
- Opportunities for Strategic Public-Private Engagement Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are instrumental in addressing specific needs within HAPs, from deploying cooling solutions to advancing predictive technologies for early warning systems.
Download

Links last checked: 25 July 2025

MIL OSI United Nations News –
July 25, 2025
India–UK FTA will boost Indian manufacturing, services: RBI Governor

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday said the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to provide a boost to multiple sectors of the Indian economy, including manufacturing and services.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Malhotra said that with multilateralism losing momentum globally, such bilateral agreements are becoming increasingly important for India’s trade strategy.

“The UK FTA is the way forward, because unfortunately, multilateralism appears to have taken a back seat,” Malhotra said, adding that trade negotiations with the United States are also at an advanced stage.

Malhotra also noted that India is actively pursuing several other trade agreements, many of which are currently under negotiation.

The RBI Governor’s remarks came a day after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India is expanding its trade relations across geographies, following the signing of the landmark FTA with the UK.

“Very good talks are going on with New Zealand, Oman, Chile, Peru, and the European Union. And on the bilateral trade agreement (BTA), good discussions are also underway with the United States,” Goyal told IANS in London. “I firmly believe that all these negotiations will lead to positive outcomes.”

India and the US recently concluded the fifth round of BTA negotiations in Washington, DC.

The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is set to come into effect on October 1. The agreement is projected to generate around one million direct jobs in India.

The India–UK FTA, now officially termed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is being viewed as a key milestone in India’s global trade policy, with the potential to unlock billions of dollars in trade and investment.

—IANS

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Xi receives credentials of new ambassadors to China 2025-07-25 17:01:28 Chinese President Xi Jinping received the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China in Beijing on Friday.

Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech after receiving the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping received the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China in Beijing on Friday.

The ambassadors are:

— Pham Thanh Binh from Vietnam

— Miguel Lecaro Barcenas from Panama

— Jose Julio Gomez Beato from Dominica

— Riza Poda from Albania

— Jonathan Edward Austin from New Zealand

— Thaddeus Kambanei from Papua New Guinea

— Dalva M. C. R. Allen from Angola

— Khaled Nazmy from Egypt

— Ramiro Jose Cruz Flores from Nicaragua

— Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli from Iran

— Pablo Arriaran from Chile

— Olexander Nechytaylo from Ukraine

— Franck E. W. Adjagba from Benin

— David Alfred Perdue Jr from the United States

— Eliav Belotsercovsky from Israel

— Morris Simon Batali from South Sudan

Xi also received Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nurlan Yermekbayev.

Welcoming the envoys to their new posts, Xi asked them to convey his best wishes to the leaders and the people of their respective countries, expressing hope that envoys will gain a full and in-depth understanding of China.

China cherishes its friendship with people across the globe, and stands ready to strengthen all-around cooperation and exchanges with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that, at present, China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, while its economy maintains a steadily improving momentum.

Amid accelerating global changes and a turbulent international landscape, there is a pressing need more than ever for countries around the world to enhance solidarity and cooperation, embrace a broad vision to rise above estrangement and conflict, and bear in mind the future of all humanity, Xi noted.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Xi noted.

Xi said China stands ready to work with all countries to firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech after receiving the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

MIL OSI China News –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: Southside Bancshares, Inc. Announces Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Second quarter net income of $21.8 million;

Second quarter earnings per diluted common share of $0.72;

Tax-equivalent net interest margin⁽¹⁾linked quarter increased nine basis points to 2.95%;

Annualized return on second quarter average assets of 1.07%;

Annualized return on second quarter average tangible common equity of 14.38%⁽¹⁾; and

Nonperforming assets remain low at 0.39% of total assets.

TYLER, Texas, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Southside Bancshares, Inc. (“Southside” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SBSI) today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Southside reported net income of $21.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 11.6%, compared to $24.7 million for the same period in 2024. Earnings per diluted common share decreased $0.09, or 11.1%, to $0.72 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, from $0.81 for the same period in 2024. The annualized return on average shareholders’ equity for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was 10.73%, compared to 12.46% for the same period in 2024. The annualized return on average assets was 1.07% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 1.19% for the same period in 2024.

“We reported excellent financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, which included earnings per share of $0.72, a return on average assets of 1.07%, and a return on average tangible common equity of 14.38%,” stated Lee R. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Southside. “Linked quarter, the net interest margin⁽¹⁾ increased nine basis points to 2.95%, net interest income increased $414,000 to $54.3 million, and deposits net of public fund and brokered deposits increased $90.1 million. The linked quarter total loans increased $35 million, while average loans decreased $106 million due primarily to heavy payoffs during the first two months of the quarter. Total loan growth during the month of June was $104 million. Our loan pipeline is solid and we currently anticipate three to four percent loan growth for all of 2025. During the quarter we expensed $1.2 million related to the write-off and demolition of an existing branch that was replaced with a new building.”

Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025

Net income was $21.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $24.7 million for the same period in 2024, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 11.6%. Earnings per diluted common share were $0.72 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $0.81 for the same period in 2024, a decrease of 11.1%. The decrease in net income was a result of increases in noninterest expense and provision for credit losses, partially offset by increases in net interest income and noninterest income and a decrease in income tax expense. Annualized returns on average assets and average shareholders’ equity for the three months ended June 30, 2025 were 1.07% and 10.73%, respectively, compared to 1.19% and 12.46%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Our efficiency ratio and tax-equivalent efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ were 55.67% and 53.70%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 54.90% and 52.71%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 57.04% and 55.04%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was $54.3 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 1.2%, compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in net interest income was due to decreases in the average rate paid on and average balance of our interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by decreases in the average yield of and average balance of our interest earning assets. Linked quarter, net interest income increased $0.4 million, or 0.8%, compared to $53.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, due to the decrease in the average balance of interest bearing liabilities, the increase in the average yield on our interest earning assets and the decrease in the rate paid on interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by the decrease in the average balance of our interest earning assets.

Our net interest margin and tax-equivalent net interest margin⁽¹⁾ increased to 2.82% and 2.95%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 2.74% and 2.87%, respectively, for the same period in 2024. Linked quarter, net interest margin and tax-equivalent net interest margin⁽¹⁾ increased from 2.74% and 2.86%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Noninterest income was $12.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, an increase of $0.6 million, or 5.1%, compared to $11.6 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in net loss on sale of securities available for sale (“AFS”) and increases in other noninterest income and trust fees, partially offset by a decrease in bank owned life insurance income (“BOLI”). On a linked quarter basis, noninterest income increased $1.9 million, or 18.8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to an increase in other noninterest income, a decrease in net loss on sale of securities AFS, and increases in deposit services income, trust income and brokerage services income. The increase in other noninterest income was primarily due to an increase in swap fee income for the three months ended June 30, 2025.

Noninterest expense increased $3.5 million, or 9.8%, to $39.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $35.8 million for the same period in 2024, primarily due to increases in other noninterest expense, professional fees and salaries and employee benefits expense. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense increased by $2.2 million, or 5.8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, due to increases in other noninterest expense and net occupancy expense. The increase in other noninterest expense was primarily due to a one-time charge of $1.2 million on the demolition of an old branch facility following completion of the new branch during the three months ended June 30, 2025.

Income tax expense decreased $0.5 million, or 9.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. On a linked quarter basis, income tax expense remained the same at $4.7 million. Our effective tax rate (“ETR”) increased slightly to 17.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 17.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and decreased slightly from 18.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The higher ETR for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, was primarily due to an increase in state income tax expense.

Operating Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

Net income was $43.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $46.2 million for the same period in 2024, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 6.2%. Earnings per diluted common share were $1.42 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $1.52 for the same period in 2024, a decrease of 6.6%. The decrease in net income was a result of increases in noninterest expense and provision for credit losses, partially offset by increases in net interest income and noninterest income and a decrease in income tax expense. Returns on average assets and average shareholders’ equity for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were 1.05% and 10.65%, respectively, compared to 1.11% and 11.74%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our efficiency ratio and tax-equivalent efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ were 56.34% and 54.36%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 56.41% and 54.11%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Net interest income was $108.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $107.0 million for the same period in 2024, an increase of $1.2 million, or 1.1%, due to decreases in the average rate paid on and average balance of our interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by the decrease in the average yield of interest earning assets.

Our net interest margin and tax-equivalent net interest margin⁽¹⁾ were 2.78% and 2.91%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 2.73% and 2.87%, respectively, for the same period in 2024.

Noninterest income was $22.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, an increase of $1.1 million, or 5.1%, compared to $21.3 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to increases in trust fees, other noninterest income and gain on sale of loans, partially offset by a decrease in BOLI income.

Noninterest expense was $76.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $72.6 million for the same period in 2024, an increase of $3.7 million, or 5.1%. The increase was primarily due to increases in other noninterest expense and professional fees, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and employee benefits expense.

Income tax expense decreased $0.4 million, or 4.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Our ETR was approximately 17.9% and 17.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The higher ETR for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, was primarily due to an increase in state income tax expense.

Balance Sheet Data

At June 30, 2025, Southside had $8.34 billion in total assets, compared to $8.52 billion at December 31, 2024 and $8.36 billion at June 30, 2024.

Loans at June 30, 2025 were $4.60 billion, an increase of $12.6 million, or 0.3%, compared to $4.59 billion at June 30, 2024. Linked quarter, loans increased $34.7 million, or 0.8%, due to increases of $28.8 million in commercial real estate loans, $12.3 million in construction loans and $9.0 million in commercial loans. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $7.5 million in municipal loans, $5.3 million in 1-4 family residential loans and $2.5 million in loans to individuals.

Securities at June 30, 2025 were $2.73 billion, an increase of $18.1 million, or 0.7%, compared to $2.71 billion at June 30, 2024. Linked quarter, securities decreased $6.2 million, or 0.2%, from $2.74 billion at March 31, 2025.

Deposits at June 30, 2025 were $6.63 billion, an increase of $136.0 million, or 2.1%, compared to $6.50 billion at June 30, 2024. Linked quarter, deposits increased $41.1 million, or 0.6%, from $6.59 billion at March 31, 2025.

At June 30, 2025, we had 178,970 total deposit accounts with an average balance of $34,000. Our estimated uninsured deposits were 38.5% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025. When excluding affiliate deposits (Southside-owned deposits) and public fund deposits (all collateralized), our total estimated deposits without insurance or collateral was 21.1% as of June 30, 2025. Our noninterest bearing deposits represent approximately 20.6% of total deposits. Linked quarter, our cost of interest bearing deposits decreased one basis point from 2.83% in the prior quarter to 2.82%. Linked quarter, our cost of total deposits remained at 2.26%.

Our cost of interest bearing deposits decreased 16 basis points, from 2.99% for the six months ended June 30, 2024, to 2.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2025. Our cost of total deposits decreased 11 basis points, from 2.37% for the six months ended June 30, 2024, to 2.26% for the six months ended June 30, 2025.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Our capital ratios and contingent liquidity sources remain solid. During the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, we purchased 424,435 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $28.13 per share, pursuant to our Stock Repurchase Plan. Under this plan, repurchases of our outstanding common stock may be carried out in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to any trading plan that might be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares under the Stock Repurchase Plan and may modify, suspend or discontinue the plan at any time. Subsequent to June 30, 2025, and through July 23, 2025, we purchased 2,443 shares of common stock at an average price of $30.29 pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan.

As of June 30, 2025, our total available contingent liquidity, net of current outstanding borrowings, was $2.33 billion, consisting of FHLB advances, Federal Reserve Discount Window and correspondent bank lines of credit.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets at June 30, 2025 were $32.9 million, or 0.39% of total assets, an increase of $26.0 million, or 375.7%, compared to $6.9 million, or 0.08% of total assets, at June 30, 2024, due primarily to an increase of $27.4 million in restructured loans. The increase in restructured loans was due to the extension of maturity in the first quarter of 2025 on a $27.5 million commercial real estate loan to allow for an extended lease up period. Linked quarter, nonperforming assets increased $0.7 million, or 2.2%, from $32.2 million at March 31, 2025.

The allowance for loan losses totaled $44.4 million, or 0.97% of total loans, at June 30, 2025, compared to $44.6 million, or 0.98% of total loans, at March 31, 2025. The allowance for loan losses was $42.4 million, or 0.92% of total loans, at June 30, 2024. The increase in allowance as a percentage of total loans compared to June 30, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in economic uncertainty forecasted in the CECL model.

For the three months ended June 30, 2025, we recorded a provision for credit losses for loans of $0.7 million, compared to a reversal of provision of $0.9 million and a provision of $42,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively. Net charge-offs were $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Net charge-offs were $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

We recorded a reversal of provision for credit losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures of $19,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to provision for losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures of $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively. We recorded a provision for losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a reversal of provision for credit losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures of $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The balance of the allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures was $3.8 million and $3.2 million at June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is included in other liabilities.

Dividend

Southside Bancshares, Inc. declared a second quarter cash dividend of $0.36 per share on May 8, 2025, which was paid on June 5, 2025, to all shareholders of record as of May 22, 2025.

_______________

(1)	Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and to “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” at the end of the financial statement tables in this Earnings Release for more information and for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

Conference Call

Southside’s management team will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter ended June 30, 2025 financial results on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CDT. The conference call can be accessed by webcast, for listen-only mode, on the company website, https://investors.southside.com, under Events.

Those interested in participating in the question and answer session, or others who prefer to call-in, can register at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIad8374913fda48e3a6a27e230e7c4225 to receive the dial-in number and unique code to access the conference call seamlessly. While not required, it is recommended that those wishing to participate, register 10 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure a more efficient registration process.

For those unable to attend the live event, a webcast recording will be available on the company website, https://investors.southside.com, for at least 30 days, beginning approximately two hours following the conference call.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of our performance. These include the following fully taxable-equivalent measures (“FTE”): (i) Net interest income (FTE), (ii) net interest margin (FTE), (iii) net interest spread (FTE), and (iv) efficiency ratio (FTE), which include the effects of taxable-equivalent adjustments using a federal income tax rate of 21% to increase tax-exempt interest income to a tax-equivalent basis. Interest income earned on certain assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments.

Net interest income (FTE), net interest margin (FTE) and net interest spread (FTE). Net interest income (FTE) is a non-GAAP measure that adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from certain loans and investments and is not permitted under GAAP in the consolidated statements of income. We believe that this measure is the preferred industry measurement of net interest income and that it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest income. Net interest margin (FTE) is the ratio of net interest income (FTE) to average earning assets. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest margin. Net interest spread (FTE) is the difference in the average yield on average earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis and the average rate paid on average interest bearing liabilities. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest spread.

Efficiency ratio (FTE). The efficiency ratio (FTE) is a non-GAAP measure that provides a measure of productivity in the banking industry. This ratio is calculated to measure the cost of generating one dollar of revenue. The ratio is designed to reflect the percentage of one dollar which must be expended to generate that dollar of revenue. We calculate this ratio by dividing noninterest expense, excluding amortization expense on intangibles and certain nonrecurring expense by the sum of net interest income (FTE) and noninterest income, excluding net gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale and certain nonrecurring impairments. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our efficiency ratio.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to GAAP-basis financial statements and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures or similar measures differently. Whenever we present a non-GAAP financial measure in an SEC filing, we are also required to present the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and reconcile the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure and such comparable GAAP measure.

Management believes adjusting net interest income, net interest margin and net interest spread to a fully taxable-equivalent basis is a standard practice in the banking industry as these measures provide useful information to make peer comparisons. Tax-equivalent adjustments are reflected in the respective earning asset categories as listed in the “Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates” tables.

A reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of the financial statement tables.

About Southside Bancshares, Inc.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company with approximately $8.34 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, that owns 100% of Southside Bank. Southside Bank currently has 53 branches in Texas and operates a network of 71 ATMs/ITMs.

To learn more about Southside Bancshares, Inc., please visit our investor relations website at https://investors.southside.com. Our investor relations site provides a detailed overview of our activities, financial information and historical stock price data. To receive email notification of company news, events and stock activity, please register on the website under Resources and Investor Email Alerts. Questions or comments may be directed to Lindsey Bailes at (903) 630-7965, or lindsey.bailes@southside.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements of other than historical fact that are contained in this press release and in other written materials, documents and oral statements issued by or on behalf of the Company may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of and subject to the safe harbor protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. These statements may include words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “seek,” “intend,” “probability,” “risk,” “goal,” “target,” “objective,” “plans,” “potential,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, expectations, objectives, goals, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For example, benefits of the Share Repurchase Plan, trends in asset quality, capital, liquidity, the Company’s ability to sell nonperforming assets, expense reductions, planned operational efficiencies and earnings from growth and certain market risk disclosures, including the impact of interest rates and our expectations regarding rate changes, tax reform, inflation, tariffs, the impacts related to or resulting from other economic factors are based upon information presently available to management and are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations. By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what actually occurs in the future. Accordingly, our results could materially differ from those that have been estimated. The most significant factor that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include the ongoing impact of higher inflation levels, interest rate fluctuations, including the impact of changes in interest rates on our financial projections, models and guidance, and general economic and recessionary concerns, as well as the effects of declines in the real estate market, tariffs or trade wars (including reduced consumer spending, lower economic growth or recession, reduced demand for U.S. exports, disruptions to supply chains, and decreased demand for other banking products and services), high unemployment and increasing insurance costs, as well as the financial stress to borrowers as a result of the foregoing, all of which could impact economic growth and could cause a reduction in financial transactions and business activities, including decreased deposits and reduced loan originations, and our ability to manage liquidity in a rapidly changing and unpredictable market.

Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, under “Part I – Item 1. Forward Looking Information” and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any factors or to announce publicly the result of revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Summary (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	As of
		2025						2024
	Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	109,669		$	103,359		$	91,409		$	130,147		$	114,283
Interest earning deposits		260,357			293,364			281,945			333,825			272,469
Federal funds sold		20,069			34,248			52,807			22,325			65,244
Securities available for sale, at estimated fair value		1,457,124			1,457,939			1,533,894			1,408,437			1,405,944
Securities held to maturity, at net carrying value		1,272,906			1,278,330			1,279,234			1,288,403			1,305,975
Total securities		2,730,030			2,736,269			2,813,128			2,696,840			2,711,919
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		24,384			34,208			33,818			40,291			32,991
Loans held for sale		428			903			1,946			768			1,352
Loans		4,601,933			4,567,239			4,661,597			4,578,048			4,589,365
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(44,421	)		(44,623	)		(44,884	)		(44,276	)		(42,407	)
Net loans		4,557,512			4,522,616			4,616,713			4,533,772			4,546,958
Premises & equipment, net		147,263			142,245			141,648			138,811			138,489
Goodwill		201,116			201,116			201,116			201,116			201,116
Other intangible assets, net		1,333			1,531			1,754			2,003			2,281
Bank owned life insurance		138,826			137,962			138,313			137,489			136,903
Other assets		148,979			135,479			142,851			124,876			133,697
Total assets	$	8,339,966		$	8,343,300		$	8,517,448		$	8,362,263		$	8,357,702

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Noninterest bearing deposits	$	1,368,453		$	1,379,641		$	1,357,152		$	1,377,022		$	1,366,924
Interest bearing deposits		5,263,511			5,211,210			5,297,096			5,058,680			5,129,008
Total deposits		6,631,964			6,590,851			6,654,248			6,435,702			6,495,932
Other borrowings and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		611,367			691,417			808,352			865,856			763,700
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		92,115			92,078			92,042			92,006			91,970
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		60,277			60,276			60,274			60,273			60,272
Other liabilities		137,043			92,055			90,590			103,172			144,858
Total liabilities		7,532,766			7,526,677			7,705,506			7,557,009			7,556,732
Shareholders’ equity		807,200			816,623			811,942			805,254			800,970
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,339,966		$	8,343,300		$	8,517,448		$	8,362,263		$	8,357,702

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Summary (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
		2025						2024
	Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,
Income Statement:
Total interest and dividend income	$	98,562		$	100,288		$	101,689		$	105,703		$	104,186
Total interest expense		44,296			46,436			47,982			50,239			50,578
Net interest income		54,266			53,852			53,707			55,464			53,608
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses		622			758			1,384			2,389			(485	)
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses		53,644			53,094			52,323			53,075			54,093
Noninterest income
Deposit services		6,125			5,829			6,084			6,199			6,157
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale		—			(554	)		—			(1,929	)		(563	)
Gain (loss) on sale of loans		99			55			138			115			220
Trust fees		1,879			1,765			1,773			1,628			1,456
Bank owned life insurance		833			799			848			857			1,767
Brokerage services		1,219			1,120			1,054			1,068			1,081
Other		1,990			1,209			2,384			233			1,439
Total noninterest income		12,145			10,223			12,281			8,171			11,557
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		22,272			22,382			22,960			22,233			21,984
Net occupancy		3,621			3,404			3,629			3,613			3,750
Advertising, travel & entertainment		950			924			884			734			795
ATM expense		405			378			378			412			368
Professional fees		1,401			1,520			1,645			1,206			1,075
Software and data processing		3,027			2,839			2,931			2,951			2,860
Communications		342			383			320			423			410
FDIC insurance		955			947			931			939			977
Amortization of intangibles		198			223			249			278			307
Other		6,086			4,089			4,232			3,543			3,239
Total noninterest expense		39,257			37,089			38,159			36,332			35,765
Income before income tax expense		26,532			26,228			26,445			24,914			29,885
Income tax expense		4,719			4,721			4,659			4,390			5,212
Net income	$	21,813		$	21,507		$	21,786		$	20,524		$	24,673

Common Share Data:
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding		30,234			30,390			30,343			30,286			30,280
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding		30,308			30,483			30,459			30,370			30,312
Common shares outstanding end of period		30,082			30,410			30,379			30,308			30,261
Earnings per common share
Basic	$	0.72		$	0.71		$	0.72		$	0.68		$	0.81
Diluted		0.72			0.71			0.71			0.68			0.81
Book value per common share		26.83			26.85			26.73			26.57			26.47
Tangible book value per common share		20.10			20.19			20.05			19.87			19.75
Cash dividends paid per common share		0.36			0.36			0.36			0.36			0.36

Selected Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.07	%		1.03	%		1.03	%		0.98	%		1.19	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity		10.73			10.57			10.54			10.13			12.46
Return on average tangible common equity ⁽¹⁾		14.38			14.14			14.12			13.69			16.90
Average yield on earning assets (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		5.25			5.23			5.24			5.51			5.45
Average rate on interest bearing liabilities		2.98			3.03			3.12			3.28			3.32
Net interest margin (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		2.95			2.86			2.83			2.95			2.87
Net interest spread (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		2.27			2.20			2.12			2.23			2.13
Average earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities		129.33			128.10			129.55			128.51			128.62
Noninterest expense to average total assets		1.92			1.78			1.80			1.73			1.72
Efficiency ratio (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		53.70			55.04			54.00			51.90			52.71

(1)	Refer to “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” at the end of the financial statement tables in this Earnings Release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
		2025						2024
	Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,
Nonperforming Assets:	$	32,909		$	32,193		$	3,589		$	7,656		$	6,918
Nonaccrual loans		4,998			4,254			3,185			7,254			6,110
Accruing loans past due more than 90 days		—			—			—			—			—
Restructured loans		27,512			27,505			2			—			145
Other real estate owned		380			388			388			388			648
Repossessed assets		19			46			14			14			15

Asset Quality Ratios:
Ratio of nonaccruing loans to:
Total loans		0.11	%		0.09	%		0.07	%		0.16	%		0.13	%
Ratio of nonperforming assets to:
Total assets		0.39			0.39			0.04			0.09			0.08
Total loans		0.72			0.70			0.08			0.17			0.15
Total loans and OREO		0.72			0.70			0.08			0.17			0.15
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to:
Nonaccruing loans		888.78			1,048.97			1,409.23			610.37			694.06
Nonperforming assets		134.98			138.61			1,250.60			578.32			613.00
Total loans		0.97			0.98			0.96			0.97			0.92
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding		0.08			0.03			0.08			0.04			0.02

Capital Ratios:
Shareholders’ equity to total assets		9.68			9.79			9.53			9.63			9.58
Common equity tier 1 capital		13.36			13.44			13.04			13.07			12.72
Tier 1 risk-based capital		14.41			14.49			14.07			14.12			13.76
Total risk-based capital		16.91			17.01			16.49			16.59			16.16
Tier 1 leverage capital		10.03			9.73			9.67			9.61			9.40
Period end tangible equity to period end tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		7.43			7.54			7.33			7.38			7.33
Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets		9.94			9.75			9.76			9.67			9.52

(1)	Refer to the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” at the end of the financial statement tables in this Earnings Release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
		2025						2024
Loan Portfolio Composition	Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,
Real Estate Loans:
Construction	$	470,380		$	458,101		$	537,827		$	585,817		$	546,040
1-4 Family Residential		736,108			741,432			740,396			755,406			738,037
Commercial		2,606,072			2,577,229			2,579,735			2,422,612			2,472,771
Commercial Loans		380,612			371,643			363,167			358,854			359,807
Municipal Loans		363,746			371,271			390,968			402,041			416,986
Loans to Individuals		45,015			47,563			49,504			53,318			55,724
Total Loans	$	4,601,933		$	4,567,239		$	4,661,597		$	4,578,048		$	4,589,365

Summary of Changes in Allowances:
Allowance for Securities Held to Maturity
Balance at beginning of period	$	64		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Provision for (reversal of) securities held to maturity		(9	)		64			—			—			—
Balance at end of period	$	55		$	64		$	—		$	—		$	—

Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of period	$	44,623		$	44,884		$	44,276		$	42,407		$	43,557
Loans charged-off		(1,194	)		(613	)		(1,232	)		(773	)		(721	)
Recoveries of loans charged-off		342			310			277			365			444
Net loans (charged-off) recovered		(852	)		(303	)		(955	)		(408	)		(277	)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		650			42			1,563			2,277			(873	)
Balance at end of period	$	44,421		$	44,623		$	44,884		$	44,276		$	42,407

Allowance for Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,793		$	3,141		$	3,320		$	3,208		$	2,820
Provision for (reversal of) off-balance-sheet credit exposures		(19	)		652			(179	)		112			388
Balance at end of period	$	3,774		$	3,793		$	3,141		$	3,320		$	3,208
Total Allowance for Credit Losses	$	48,250		$	48,480		$	48,025		$	47,596		$	45,615

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
		2025			2024
Income Statement:
Total interest and dividend income	$	198,850		$	206,944
Total interest expense		90,732			99,988
Net interest income		108,118			106,956
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses		1,380			(427	)
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses		106,738			107,383
Noninterest income
Deposit services		11,954			12,142
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale		(554	)		(581	)
Gain (loss) on sale of loans		154			(216	)
Trust fees		3,644			2,792
Bank owned life insurance		1,632			2,551
Brokerage services		2,339			2,095
Other		3,199			2,498
Total noninterest income		22,368			21,281
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		44,654			45,097
Net occupancy		7,025			7,112
Advertising, travel & entertainment		1,874			1,745
ATM expense		783			693
Professional fees		2,921			2,229
Software and data processing		5,866			5,716
Communications		725			859
FDIC insurance		1,902			1,920
Amortization of intangibles		421			644
Other		10,175			6,631
Total noninterest expense		76,346			72,646
Income before income tax expense		52,760			56,018
Income tax expense		9,440			9,834
Net income	$	43,320		$	46,184
Common Share Data:
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding		30,311			30,271
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding		30,397			30,310
Common shares outstanding end of period		30,082			30,261
Earnings per common share
Basic	$	1.43		$	1.52
Diluted		1.42			1.52
Book value per common share		26.83			26.47
Tangible book value per common share		20.10			19.75
Cash dividends paid per common share		0.72			0.72

Selected Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.05	%		1.11	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity		10.65			11.74
Return on average tangible common equity ⁽¹⁾		14.26			15.99
Average yield on earning assets (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		5.24			5.42
Average rate on interest bearing liabilities		3.01			3.27
Net interest margin (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		2.91			2.87
Net interest spread (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		2.23			2.15
Average earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities		128.71			128.16
Noninterest expense to average total assets		1.85			1.74
Efficiency ratio (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		54.36			54.11

(1)	Refer to “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” at the end of the financial statement tables in this Earnings Release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
		2025			2024
Nonperforming Assets:	$	32,909		$	6,918
Nonaccrual loans		4,998			6,110
Accruing loans past due more than 90 days		—			—
Restructured loans		27,512			145
Other real estate owned		380			648
Repossessed assets		19			15

Asset Quality Ratios:
Ratio of nonaccruing loans to:
Total loans		0.11	%		0.13	%
Ratio of nonperforming assets to:
Total assets		0.39			0.08
Total loans		0.72			0.15
Total loans and OREO		0.72			0.15
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to:
Nonaccruing loans		888.78			694.06
Nonperforming assets		134.98			613.00
Total loans		0.97			0.92
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding		0.05			0.02

Capital Ratios:
Shareholders’ equity to total assets		9.68			9.58
Common equity tier 1 capital		13.36			12.72
Tier 1 risk-based capital		14.41			13.76
Total risk-based capital		16.91			16.16
Tier 1 leverage capital		10.03			9.40
Period end tangible equity to period end tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		7.43			7.33
Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets		9.84			9.43

(1)	Refer to the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” at the end of the financial statement tables in this Earnings Release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
Loan Portfolio Composition		2025			2024
Real Estate Loans:
Construction	$	470,380		$	546,040
1-4 Family Residential		736,108			738,037
Commercial		2,606,072			2,472,771
Commercial Loans		380,612			359,807
Municipal Loans		363,746			416,986
Loans to Individuals		45,015			55,724
Total Loans	$	4,601,933		$	4,589,365

Summary of Changes in Allowances:
Allowance for Securities Held to Maturity
Balance at beginning of period	$	—		$	—
Provision for (reversal of) securities held to maturity		55			—
Balance at end of period	$	55		$	—

Summary of Changes in Allowances:
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of period	$	44,884		$	42,674
Loans charged-off		(1,807	)		(1,355	)
Recoveries of loans charged-off		652			791
Net loans (charged-off) recovered		(1,155	)		(564	)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		692			297
Balance at end of period	$	44,421		$	42,407

Allowance for Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,141		$	3,932
Provision for (reversal of) off-balance-sheet credit exposures		633			(724	)
Balance at end of period	$	3,774		$	3,208
Total Allowance for Credit Losses	$	48,250		$	45,615

The tables that follow show average earning assets and interest bearing liabilities together with the average yield on the earning assets and the average rate of the interest bearing liabilities for the periods presented. The interest and related yields presented are on a fully taxable-equivalent basis and are therefore non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” for more information.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Average Balances and Average Yields and Rates (Annualized) (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2025							March 31, 2025
	Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate ⁽³⁾		Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate ⁽³⁾
ASSETS
Loans ⁽¹⁾	$	4,519,668		$	67,798	6.02	%	$	4,625,902		$	68,160	5.98	%
Loans held for sale		1,108			16	5.79	%		752			11	5.93	%
Securities:
Taxable investment securities ⁽²⁾		735,669			6,205	3.38	%		749,155			6,363	3.44	%
Tax-exempt investment securities ⁽²⁾		1,130,903			10,351	3.67	%		1,134,590			10,253	3.66	%
Mortgage-backed and related securities ⁽²⁾		1,003,887			13,040	5.21	%		1,041,038			13,523	5.27	%
Total securities		2,870,459			29,596	4.14	%		2,924,783			30,139	4.18	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, and equity investments		31,169			524	6.74	%		43,285			483	4.53	%
Interest earning deposits		259,617			2,753	4.25	%		319,889			3,370	4.27	%
Federal funds sold		27,778			308	4.45	%		43,813			478	4.42	%
Total earning assets		7,709,799			100,995	5.25	%		7,958,424			102,641	5.23	%
Cash and due from banks		84,419							89,703
Accrued interest and other assets		452,573							457,948
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(44,747	)						(45,105	)
Total assets	$	8,202,044						$	8,460,970
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Savings accounts	$	596,125			1,451	0.98	%	$	593,953			1,429	0.98	%
Certificates of deposit		1,407,017			14,905	4.25	%		1,336,815			14,406	4.37	%
Interest bearing demand accounts		3,311,330			21,071	2.55	%		3,406,342			21,412	2.55	%
Total interest bearing deposits		5,314,472			37,427	2.82	%		5,337,110			37,247	2.83	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		394,119			3,721	3.79	%		614,897			5,837	3.85	%
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		92,097			935	4.07	%		92,060			932	4.11	%
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		60,276			1,015	6.75	%		60,275			1,014	6.82	%
Repurchase agreements		72,295			634	3.52	%		75,291			666	3.59	%
Other borrowings		28,022			564	8.07	%		33,061			740	9.08	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		5,961,281			44,296	2.98	%		6,212,694			46,436	3.03	%
Noninterest bearing deposits		1,339,463							1,334,933
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		85,827							88,450
Total liabilities		7,386,571							7,636,077
Shareholders’ equity		815,473							824,893
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,202,044						$	8,460,970
Net interest income (FTE)				$	56,699						$	56,205
Net interest margin (FTE)						2.95	%						2.86	%
Net interest spread (FTE)						2.27	%						2.20	%

(1)	Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.
(2)	For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities do not include unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities.
(3)	Yield/rate includes the impact of applicable derivatives.

Note: As of June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, loans totaling $5.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, were on nonaccrual status. Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Average Balances and Average Yields and Rates (Annualized) (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024							September 30, 2024
	Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate ⁽³⁾		Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate ⁽³⁾
ASSETS
Loans ⁽¹⁾	$	4,604,175		$	70,155	6.06	%	$	4,613,028		$	72,493	6.25	%
Loans held for sale		1,562			23	5.86	%		871			11	5.02	%
Securities:
Taxable investment securities ⁽²⁾		784,321			6,949	3.52	%		791,914			7,150	3.59	%
Tax-exempt investment securities ⁽²⁾		1,138,271			10,793	3.77	%		1,174,445			11,825	4.01	%
Mortgage-backed and related securities ⁽²⁾		1,031,187			12,043	4.65	%		886,325			11,976	5.38	%
Total securities		2,953,779			29,785	4.01	%		2,852,684			30,951	4.32	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, and equity investments		37,078			591	6.34	%		41,159			582	5.63	%
Interest earning deposits		273,656			3,160	4.59	%		281,313			3,798	5.37	%
Federal funds sold		43,121			508	4.69	%		33,971			488	5.71	%
Total earning assets		7,913,371			104,222	5.24	%		7,823,026			108,323	5.51	%
Cash and due from banks		102,914							100,578
Accrued interest and other assets		454,387							455,091
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(44,418	)						(42,581	)
Total assets	$	8,426,254						$	8,336,114
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Savings accounts	$	594,196			1,456	0.97	%	$	598,116			1,490	0.99	%
Certificates of deposit		1,187,800			13,537	4.53	%		1,087,613			12,647	4.63	%
Interest bearing demand accounts		3,459,122			23,468	2.70	%		3,409,911			24,395	2.85	%
Total interest bearing deposits		5,241,118			38,461	2.92	%		5,095,640			38,532	3.01	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		572,993			5,557	3.86	%		618,708			6,488	4.17	%
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		92,024			945	4.09	%		91,988			937	4.05	%
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		60,274			1,095	7.23	%		60,273			1,180	7.79	%
Repurchase agreements		80,891			782	3.85	%		83,297			899	4.29	%
Other borrowings		61,196			1,142	7.42	%		137,482			2,203	6.37	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		6,108,496			47,982	3.12	%		6,087,388			50,239	3.28	%
Noninterest bearing deposits		1,383,204							1,344,165
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		112,320							98,331
Total liabilities		7,604,020							7,529,884
Shareholders’ equity		822,234							806,230
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,426,254						$	8,336,114
Net interest income (FTE)				$	56,240						$	58,084
Net interest margin (FTE)						2.83	%						2.95	%
Net interest spread (FTE)						2.12	%						2.23	%

(1)	Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.
(2)	For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities do not include unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities.
(3)	Yield/rate includes the impact of applicable derivatives.

Note: As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, loans totaling $3.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively, were on nonaccrual status. Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Average Balances and Average Yields and Rates (Annualized) (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2024
	Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate ⁽³⁾
ASSETS
Loans ⁽¹⁾	$	4,595,980		$	70,293	6.15	%
Loans held for sale		1,489			24	6.48	%
Securities:
Taxable investment securities ⁽²⁾		783,856			7,009	3.60	%
Tax-exempt investment securities ⁽²⁾		1,254,097			12,761	4.09	%
Mortgage-backed and related securities ⁽²⁾		830,504			11,084	5.37	%
Total securities		2,868,457			30,854	4.33	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, and equity investments		40,467			573	5.69	%
Interest earning deposits		300,047			4,105	5.50	%
Federal funds sold		75,479			1,021	5.44	%
Total earning assets		7,881,919			106,870	5.45	%
Cash and due from banks		110,102
Accrued interest and other assets		424,323
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(43,738	)
Total assets	$	8,372,606
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Savings accounts	$	604,753			1,454	0.97	%
Certificates of deposit		1,020,099			11,630	4.59	%
Interest bearing demand accounts		3,513,068			25,382	2.91	%
Total interest bearing deposits		5,137,920			38,466	3.01	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		606,851			6,455	4.28	%
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		92,017			936	4.09	%
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		60,271			1,171	7.81	%
Repurchase agreements		88,007			955	4.36	%
Other borrowings		143,169			2,595	7.29	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		6,128,235			50,578	3.32	%
Noninterest bearing deposits		1,346,274
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		101,399
Total liabilities		7,575,908
Shareholders’ equity		796,698
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,372,606
Net interest income (FTE)				$	56,292
Net interest margin (FTE)						2.87	%
Net interest spread (FTE)						2.13	%

(1)	Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.
(2)	For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities do not include unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities.
(3)	Yield/rate includes the impact of applicable derivatives.

Note: As of June 30, 2024, loans totaling $6.1 million were on nonaccrual status. Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Average Balances and Average Yields and Rates (Annualized) (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2025							June 30, 2024
	Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate		Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Loans ⁽¹⁾	$	4,572,492		$	135,958	6.00	%	$	4,577,791		$	139,142	6.11	%
Loans held for sale		931			27	5.85	%		5,162			42	1.64	%
Securities:
Taxable investment securities ⁽²⁾		742,375			12,568	3.41	%		782,139			13,976	3.59	%
Tax-exempt investment securities ⁽²⁾		1,132,736			20,604	3.67	%		1,270,010			25,929	4.11	%
Mortgage-backed and related securities ⁽²⁾		1,022,360			26,563	5.24	%		797,608			21,203	5.35	%
Total securities		2,897,471			59,735	4.16	%		2,849,757			61,108	4.31	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, and equity investments		37,194			1,007	5.46	%		40,265			906	4.52	%
Interest earning deposits		289,586			6,123	4.26	%		340,114			9,307	5.50	%
Federal funds sold		35,751			786	4.43	%		69,039			1,859	5.41	%
Total earning assets		7,833,425			203,636	5.24	%		7,882,128			212,364	5.42	%
Cash and due from banks		87,046							112,241
Accrued interest and other assets		455,245							432,904
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(44,925	)						(43,356	)
Total assets	$	8,330,791						$	8,383,917
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Savings accounts	$	595,045			2,880	0.98	%	$	604,641			2,878	0.96	%
Certificates of deposit		1,372,110			29,311	4.31	%		981,023			21,971	4.50	%
Interest bearing demand accounts		3,358,573			42,483	2.55	%		3,574,001			51,815	2.92	%
Total interest bearing deposits		5,325,728			74,674	2.83	%		5,159,665			76,664	2.99	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		503,898			9,558	3.83	%		606,942			12,405	4.11	%
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		92,079			1,867	4.09	%		92,956			1,892	4.09	%
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		60,275			2,029	6.79	%		60,271			2,346	7.83	%
Repurchase agreements		73,785			1,300	3.55	%		90,092			1,922	4.29	%
Other borrowings		30,528			1,304	8.61	%		140,228			4,759	6.82	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		6,086,293			90,732	3.01	%		6,150,154			99,988	3.27	%
Noninterest bearing deposits		1,337,210							1,342,329
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		87,131							100,558
Total liabilities		7,510,634							7,593,041
Shareholders’ equity		820,157							790,876
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,330,791						$	8,383,917
Net interest income (FTE)				$	112,904						$	112,376
Net interest margin (FTE)						2.91	%						2.87	%
Net interest spread (FTE)						2.23	%						2.15	%

(1)	Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.
(2)	For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

Note: As of June 30, 2025 and 2024, loans totaling $5.0 million and $6.1 million, respectively, were on nonaccrual status. Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

The following tables set forth the reconciliation of return on average common equity to return on average tangible common equity, book value per share to tangible book value per share, net interest income to net interest income adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% marginal tax rate for interest earned on tax-exempt assets such as municipal loans and investment securities, along with the calculation of total revenue, adjusted noninterest expense, efficiency ratio (FTE), net interest margin (FTE) and net interest spread (FTE) for the applicable periods presented.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited) (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended															Six Months Ended
		2025						2024									2025			2024
	Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,			Jun 30,			Jun 30,
Reconciliation of return on average common equity to return on average tangible common equity:
Net income	$	21,813		$	21,507		$	21,786		$	20,524		$	24,673		$	43,320		$	46,184
After-tax amortization expense		157			176			196			220			243			333			509
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders	$	21,970		$	21,683		$	21,982		$	20,744		$	24,916		$	43,653		$	46,693

Average shareholders’ equity	$	815,473		$	824,893		$	822,234		$	806,230		$	796,698		$	820,157		$	790,876
Less: Average intangibles for the period		(202,569	)		(202,784	)		(203,020	)		(203,288	)		(203,581	)		(202,676	)		(203,745	)
Average tangible shareholders’ equity	$	612,904		$	622,109		$	619,214		$	602,942		$	593,117		$	617,481		$	587,131

Return on average tangible common equity		14.38	%		14.14	%		14.12	%		13.69	%		16.90	%		14.26	%		15.99	%

Reconciliation of book value per share to tangible book value per share:
Common equity at end of period	$	807,200		$	816,623		$	811,942		$	805,254		$	800,970		$	807,200		$	800,970
Less: Intangible assets at end of period		(202,449	)		(202,647	)		(202,870	)		(203,119	)		(203,397	)		(202,449	)		(203,397	)
Tangible common shareholders’ equity at end of period	$	604,751		$	613,976		$	609,072		$	602,135		$	597,573		$	604,751		$	597,573

Total assets at end of period	$	8,339,966		$	8,343,300		$	8,517,448		$	8,362,263		$	8,357,702		$	8,339,966		$	8,357,702
Less: Intangible assets at end of period		(202,449	)		(202,647	)		(202,870	)		(203,119	)		(203,397	)		(202,449	)		(203,397	)
Tangible assets at end of period	$	8,137,517		$	8,140,653		$	8,314,578		$	8,159,144		$	8,154,305		$	8,137,517		$	8,154,305

Period end tangible equity to period end tangible assets		7.43	%		7.54	%		7.33	%		7.38	%		7.33	%		7.43	%		7.33	%

Common shares outstanding end of period		30,082			30,410			30,379			30,308			30,261			30,082			30,261
Tangible book value per common share	$	20.10		$	20.19		$	20.05		$	19.87		$	19.75		$	20.10		$	19.75

Reconciliation of efficiency ratio to efficiency ratio (FTE), net interest margin to net interest margin (FTE) and net interest spread to net interest spread (FTE):
Net interest income (GAAP)	$	54,266		$	53,852		$	53,707		$	55,464		$	53,608		$	108,118		$	106,956
Tax-equivalent adjustments:
Loans		565			581			598			608			633			1,146			1,289
Tax-exempt investment securities		1,868			1,772			1,935			2,012			2,051			3,640			4,131
Net interest income (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		56,699			56,205			56,240			58,084			56,292			112,904			112,376
Noninterest income		12,145			10,223			12,281			8,171			11,557			22,368			21,281
Nonrecurring income ⁽²⁾		—			554			(25	)		2,797			(576	)		554			(558	)
Total revenue	$	68,844		$	66,982		$	68,496		$	69,052		$	67,273		$	135,826		$	133,099

Noninterest expense	$	39,257		$	37,089		$	38,159		$	36,332		$	35,765		$	76,346		$	72,646
Pre-tax amortization expense		(198	)		(223	)		(249	)		(278	)		(307	)		(421	)		(644	)
Nonrecurring expense ⁽³⁾		(2,090	)		(1	)		(919	)		(219	)		2			(2,091	)		19
Adjusted noninterest expense	$	36,969		$	36,865		$	36,991		$	35,835		$	35,460		$	73,834		$	72,021

Efficiency ratio		55.67	%		57.04	%		56.08	%		53.94	%		54.90	%		56.34	%		56.41	%
Efficiency ratio (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		53.70	%		55.04	%		54.00	%		51.90	%		52.71	%		54.36	%		54.11	%

Average earning assets	$	7,709,799		$	7,958,424		$	7,913,371		$	7,823,026		$	7,881,919		$	7,833,425		$	7,882,128

Net interest margin		2.82	%		2.74	%		2.70	%		2.82	%		2.74	%		2.78	%		2.73	%
Net interest margin (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		2.95	%		2.86	%		2.83	%		2.95	%		2.87	%		2.91	%		2.87	%

Net interest spread		2.15	%		2.08	%		1.99	%		2.10	%		2.00	%		2.11	%		2.01	%
Net interest spread (FTE) ⁽¹⁾		2.27	%		2.20	%		2.12	%		2.23	%		2.13	%		2.23	%		2.15	%

(1)	These amounts are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis and are non-GAAP measures.
(2)	These adjustments may include net gain or loss on sale of securities available for sale, BOLI income related to death benefits realized and other investment income or loss in the periods where applicable.
(3)	These adjustments may include foreclosure expenses, branch closure expenses and other miscellaneous expense, in the periods where applicable.

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: G20 nations called to be bold in addressing development challenges

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, has called on G20 nations to demonstrate bold leadership and shared accountability in addressing the world’s most pressing development challenges.

Ramokgopa has emphasised the importance of inclusive growth, social protection, and sustainable financing.

“This week is crucial for the advancement of our shared commitment to confront global development challenges. We gather not just as Ministers and officials, but as stewards of a common ambition to build a world in which progress does not bypass the most vulnerable,” the Minister said.

The Minister addressed the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting at Skukuza Lodge, in the Kruger National Park which wraps up today.

The working group meetings, hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency brought together G20 member states, invited countries, and international organisations to discuss key development priorities.

These include the need to tackle illicit financial flows, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, advance inclusive social protection systems and align development finance with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ramokgopa underscored the urgent need to address illicit financial flows, describing them as a threat to financial stability and a barrier to development.

“Illicit financial flows undermine public trust, drain essential resources, and destabilise economies. We urge global cooperation on automatic data sharing, beneficial ownership transparency, and digital identity tracking. We must shine light into the shadowy corners of the global financial system to finance sustainable futures,” she said.

The Minister said social protection should not be viewed as an act of charity but as a core pillar of sustainable development contributing to economic growth, societal cohesion, and gender equity.

The Development Working Group meetings were a culmination of negotiations working toward the ministerial declarations that were handed over for the Ministerial Meeting.

There was an introduction to the G20 USA Presidency, and the meeting was closed with a tribute to the delegation whose hard work and determination were instrumental in shaping a progressive and unified outcome.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency continues to prioritise inclusive dialogue and bold action in driving global progress through sustainable development, justice, and financial reform. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: At UN High-Level Political Forum, UNECE calls for engagement of all enablers and partnerships to achieve SDGs

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

With just five years remaining to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world faces a deepening social crisis. Economic insecurity, widening inequalities, and declining social trust undermine progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and threaten the foundations of peaceful, inclusive societies.

Taking part in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York (14 – 23 July), UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean outlined the tools, initiatives and partnerships from the UNECE region that can help develop efficient and inclusive policy solutions for some of the most pressing issues, including demographic pressure, education, employment, housing, and social care. This requires the full engagement of all of society and harnessing of several key enablers.

Enablers and partnerships to advance SDGs

To advance the 2030 Agenda, and identify efficient and inclusive policy solutions, UNECE engages key enablers and all relevant stakeholders:

These enablers and stakeholders play a strong role in co-creating and implementing standards and policies, guiding progress in many technology-driven areas, such as autonomous vehicles, the smart energy transition, cross-border connectivity, but also in environmental governance, namely transboundary water cooperation, noted the Executive Secretary at the HLPF regional session.

To unlock financing for the SDGs, UNECE prioritizes bringing together the public and private sectors through its PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS), a quality assurance tool that helps governments and stakeholders ensure that PPP and infrastructure projects are well designed and aligned with the SDGs and can therefore attract investors. They are crucial for building resilient infrastructure and maintaining public services.

Given the importance of local policies and action in advancing SDGs, UNECE’s Forum of Mayors promotes exchanges between cities and gives them a voice at the multilateral level.

Finally, with their valuable perspectives, civil society and youth play an important role in finding and devising policy solutions across many areas of UNECE work, which is why they are an important pillar of the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. 

Strengthening social inclusion and adequate housing

Despite considerable wealth and innovation, the UNECE region is witnessing deep and growing disparities: between urban and rural areas, generations, and different groups. Social protection systems facing significant demographic pressures, fiscal constraints, and new labour dynamics. This requires investing in inclusive education, training and re-skilling initiatives, especially for disadvantaged groups, such as youth, women and older people, noted the Executive Secretary at the UNDESA global policy dialogue “Accelerating Social Progress to Boost SDG Implementation.”

UNECE’s work in this area shows that investing in adequate care infrastructure is not only a social imperative but also economically beneficial as it empowers people to participate in society and the economy. The upcoming World Summit for Social Development in Doha offers an important opportunity to act on commitments from the recent 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and to align both public spending and private finance with inclusive objectives.

Access to adequate and affordable housing has emerged as an issue central to achieving social inclusion and the SDGs. Through its Committee on Housing, Urban Development and Land Management, as well as the Forum of Mayors, UNECE supports national and local governments to design and implement inclusive, energy-efficient and climate-responsive urban policies and help them transform housing into a pillar of social stability, the Executive Secretary stressed at the high-level dialogue on adequate housing, co-hosted by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and UN-Habitat.

The upcoming UNECE Forum of Mayors in October 2025 will feature a dedicated segment on adequate housing, with discussion feeding into a Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability on 8 October in Geneva.

Role of UNECE and other UN Regional Commissions

The UN Regional Commissions play a key role in convening, coordinating and driving innovative policy solutions. As the custodian of several global conventions, agreements and treaties with strong implications for multiple industries, UNECE plays a unique role in helping UN Member States to achieve social and economic wellbeing.

UNECE’s policy, standard-setting and capacity-building work across areas, such as energy, environment, trade, transport and many more, helps to boost predictability, investor confidence, as well as institutional, regulatory and policy conditions to facilitate bankable projects.     

In that respect the UN80 initiative, which aims to strengthen efficiencies and coordination across the UN system, can unlock further benefits for member States, noted the Executive Secretary during her exchanges with representatives of Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Slovenia, United States, and Uzbekistan.

Photo credits: UN / UNECE

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

Source: United States AFRICOM

Gallery contains 3 images

Photo 1 of 3

AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy Commander, Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, and Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement Ambassador Robert Scott traveled to Windhoek, July 21-22, to build upon the partnership between the United States and Namibia.

Photo 2 of 3

AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy Commander, Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, and Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement Ambassador Robert Scott traveled to Windhoek, July 21-22, to build upon the partnership between the United States and Namibia.

Photo 3 of 3

AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy Commander, Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, and Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement Ambassador Robert Scott traveled to Windhoek, July 21-22, to build upon the partnership between the United States and Namibia.

U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy Commander, Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, and Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement Ambassador Robert Scott traveled to Windhoek, July 21-22, to build upon the partnership between the United States and Namibia.

The visit underscores AFRICOM’s commitment to addressing shared security interests and working alongside partners to enhance stability in the region.

Lt. Gen. Brennan and Ambassador Scott engaged with Namibia’s Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Frans Kapofi. The leaders discussed regional security concerns, joint training opportunities, maritime domain awareness, and efforts to counter wildlife and timber trafficking.

“Namibia plays an important role as an anchor for fostering stability in southern Africa,” said Brennan. “I appreciate Minister Kapofi’s willingness to meet this week. Our two nations’ ongoing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing complex challenges in the region and advancing areas of mutual interests. We look forward to working with Namibia to develop new avenues of cooperation in the future.”

“U.S. Africa Command is dedicated to forging strong partnerships with African nations like Namibia who are directly contributing to security, stability, and prosperity in the region,” said Scott. “From participating in maritime security events to collaborating on vital projects like building field hospitals and countering wildlife trafficking and other transnational threats, we are finding common ground with Namibia.”

AFRICOM and Namibia have traditionally partnered in areas such as enhancing the country’s health infrastructure, stemming wildlife trafficking, and expanding trade and development opportunities. Additionally in 2025, Namibia observed AFRICOM’s maritime security exercise Obangame Express and participated in the African Maritime Forces Summit. Both events bring militaries together to enhance joint readiness and foster opportunities for African nations to collectively safeguard their coastlines.

AFRICOM is one of seven U.S. geographic combatant commands, responsible for military engagement across 53 African nations. Working with partners and allies, the command counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, strengthens African security forces, and supports U.S. government efforts in Africa to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

MIL Security OSI –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/VIETNAM – “Vietnamese Catholic medical staff admired by the people and praised by the Vietnamese State”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Friday, 25 July 2025

by Andrew Doan Thanh PhongHanoi (Agenzia Fides) – Right before the mass, the priest was asked to celebrate the mass as quickly as possible, due to the health of the patients from the Oncology Hospital who are attending the mass. The patients tried to walk step by step into the church with the help of volunteers and relatives to meet Christ. Despite the inconvenience, the mass still remained more fervent than ever, and with the singing of nuns combined with prayers made by the mass participants in their weak voices, the mass was celebrated in a sacred and beautiful atmosphere.It was the 9am Sunday mass held every week at Phan Thon parish in Vinh diocese in central Vietnam, dedicated to serious patients being treated at the hospital. After the mass, the patients, the priest, and the volunteers gathered together to share meals filled up with love and comfort.Also in Vinh diocese, on July 13, 2025, 83 medical staff across the country, most of them Catholics, in coordination with the Medical Team Organization which is founded by Vietnamese priests and religious living in the United States, examined and provided free medicine to many poor people regardless of religion in Ru Dat Parish and neighboring areas. With good expertise and a dedicated working spirit, along with many modern medical examination equipments, the medical volunteers of the Medical Team helped hundreds of elderly men, women and children of the community of Ru Dat in protecting their health and distributing them medicine.The beautiful images of the devotion in serving patients of Catholic medical staff have been trusted and admired by the Vietnamese people and government, not only in treating illnesses but also in healing spiritual wounds.As mentioned in a report of the National Committee for Religious Affairs (a governmental organization of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in charge of the government’s religious affairs): “In fact, the contribution of religion in today’s society is not only in terms of morality but also in many other social fields, especially in the field of healthcare. Catholicism is a religion that actively participates in healthcare to share and help the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, and to testify to the values of love and charity of Christianity.”According to statistics, there are currently 113 medical facilities owned be religious organizations across the Country that have been under operation, of which 56 are from the Catholic Church of Vietnam, specializing in medical examination and treatment and care for the elderly, the mentally ill, orphans, abandoned children, and people with HIV/AIDS. And also according to the report of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, many charitable activities regarding to healthcare are regularly performed by Catholic religious orders and parishioners in many parishes, dioceses all over the Country to help poor patients including non-Catholics such as free distribution of medicine to patients, buying health insurance for them, examining health; cooperating with specialists in hospitals to perform eye surgery freely for poor patients; organizing charity kitchens for providing foods to patients in hospitals, and helping people in specially difficult circumstances in society, caring for and educating HIV-infected children, and helping disabled, poor, homeless children, and autistic children.According to the State newspaper of Dai Doan Ket: “For decades, Kim Long Charity Clinic has become a trusted address of examination and treatment for patients with difficult circumstances in Thua Thien Hue province”. Mr. Nguyen Van Long, a regular patient, frequently receive examination and treatment at Kim Long clinic run by the nuns from the Congregation of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception of Hue in central Vietnam, shared: “Since I learned that the clinic provides free medical treatment to people, I have come here every month for examination and treatment. Thanks to that, my illness has improved a lot. The nuns here, in addition to their expertise, are also very dedicated, they always ask questions about health and take good care of patients, so all the patients who come here feel happy and love the nuns”.“Healthcare workers are not simply doctors, nurses or paramedics, but first of all, are children of God who are called to collaborate with God in the mission of protecting and caring for life. They are not only physical healers, but also witnesses of hope in the midst of suffering and illness. Following the example of Saint John of God, that is, is dedicated yourself to serving the sick with compassion, under the accompaniment of the Church and the grace of God.” said by Father Joseph Phan Anh Dung, from the Camilô Order specializing in care for patients in Vietnam, during the recent pilgrimage of the Holy Year 2025 in the Da Nang diocese with the presence of more than 60 Catholic doctors and medical staff.Besides those good images, challenges and temptations for Catholic medical staff still exist in Vietnamese society nowadays, and Father Dung reminded: “Temptations in the medical environment, from professional pressure, material benefits, compromises in medical intervention contrary to Christian ethics are still present here and there. When losing that ethical principle, the physician risks no longer being a collaborator with God in protecting life, but inadvertently becoming an agent for the decline of medical ethics”. (Agenzia Fides, 25/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 25, 2025
Sealing the Deal: How the India–UK FTA redefines global trade dynamics

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on July 24, 2025, marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, transforming the economic landscape between two influential democracies with shared historical ties. At its core, this agreement aims to double the volume of trade between the two nations to $120 billion by 2030, signalling a shift in strategic and economic alignment in a post-Brexit global order. This comprehensive trade pact not only strengthens commercial ties but also deepens diplomatic and development-oriented collaboration across sectors. The agreement is ambitious in scope, eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the United Kingdom covering almost 100% of trade value while India reciprocates by reducing tariffs on 90% of UK goods, with 85% becoming duty-free within a decade. The FTA is expected to boost India’s annual exports by $5 billion and create over one million jobs within five years, catalysing both industrial growth and employment in labour-intensive and technology-oriented sectors.

India’s principal gain lies in its sweeping access to the UK market for sectors where it has a strong comparative advantage. Labour-intensive industries textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, processed food, gems and jewellery, and marine exports stand to benefit immediately from duty-free treatment. The UK has agreed to eliminate tariffs that previously ranged from 4% to as high as 70% on many Indian goods. For example, the processed food sector, which was earlier subject to duties of up to 70%, now enjoys zero-duty access on 99.7% of tariff lines. This development is monumental for rural India, where the agri-processing ecosystem is vital for both livelihood generation and export earnings.

India’s textile and apparel industry, a major source of employment and a vital segment of its exports, is among the biggest beneficiaries. Previously subject to duties of up to 10–12% in the UK, Indian textiles now enjoy duty-free access. This policy move levels the playing field for Indian exporters against rivals such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, enhancing the competitiveness of cotton, synthetic fabrics, and finished garments. With projected gains of $5 billion in textile exports alone, this sector is poised for accelerated growth, enhanced investments, and large-scale job creation, especially in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Equally significant is the liberalisation of leather and footwear exports. These products, which were earlier taxed up to 16%, now enter the UK market duty-free. This shift supports the expansion of India’s footwear and leather goods industry key employment-generating sectors largely dominated by SMEs and artisanal clusters. The FTA is likely to generate substantial growth opportunities for exporters in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, giving a much-needed fillip to these traditionally under-capitalised industries.

In the high-value gems and jewellery sector, which contributes significantly to India’s export basket, the FTA brings immediate benefits. Duties of up to 4% on diamonds, gold, and silver ornaments have now been abolished. With duty-free access to a discerning and high-spending UK consumer base, Indian jewellery exporters are expected to see a surge in orders. The improved price competitiveness will also draw investment into India’s precious stones and jewellery sector, especially in Mumbai, Surat, and Jaipur, reinforcing India’s position as a global jewellery hub.

The agreement also opens new frontiers for engineering goods, auto components, mechanical machinery, and organic chemicals. Tariffs in these segments, previously ranging from 4% to 14%, have been brought down to zero, strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem. The UK has also agreed to slash tariffs on automobiles from over 100% to just 10%, albeit under a quota system. This will allow Indian auto parts and engine manufacturers to increase their exports significantly, supporting India’s ‘Make in India’ agenda and integrating more deeply into global supply chains.

India’s marine products sector particularly shrimp and frozen prawn exports gains a significant boost. Tariffs of up to 20% have been brought to zero, opening a $5.4 billion UK market. The removal of import duties will enhance price competitiveness for Indian seafood in the UK and directly benefit coastal communities and fishermen in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. This measure also aligns with India’s broader objective of revitalising traditional sectors and expanding their global reach.

In agriculture and processed foods, the FTA proves to be a game-changer. With tariff-free access on 95% of agricultural products including spices, mango pulp, pulses, and tea India’s agri-exports are projected to grow by 20% within three years. This liberalisation directly benefits farmers and small agro-industrial units, integrating them into international markets. Importantly, India has retained full protection for sensitive sectors like dairy, poultry, apples, vegetables, cooking oils, and oats. By refusing tariff concessions in these areas, the agreement ensures that India’s small and marginal farmers are not displaced by foreign competition.

The India–UK FTA also provides significant advantages in high-tech sectors. Indian electronics exports smartphones, optical fibre cables, inverters, and electronic components now enjoy zero-duty access to the UK. The inclusion of streamlined customs processes and provisions on digital trade further lowers entry barriers, particularly for SMEs venturing into cross-border e-commerce. This has strong implications for India’s fast-growing technology manufacturing ecosystem and supports the expansion of Indian firms into high-value global markets.

One of the most transformative features of the agreement is its support for the mobility of Indian professionals and skilled workers. The FTA includes provisions to facilitate temporary movement for Indian professionals such as IT engineers, architects, nurses, financial consultants, and even niche cultural workers such as yoga instructors and chefs. Up to 1,800 Indian professionals in these categories will be allowed to work in the UK temporarily. These mobility concessions expand India’s soft power and human capital exports, aligning with the government’s strategy to promote services-led growth.

Additionally, the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) clause in the FTA exempts Indian workers from making social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years. This is expected to benefit over 75,000 Indian workers currently residing in the UK by significantly reducing their financial burden and enhancing the attractiveness of temporary employment opportunities in Britain. This provision is particularly impactful for the IT/ITeS sector, financial services professionals, and other knowledge economy workers.

In tandem with these trade and labour mobility benefits, the UK’s offer also includes 99.3% tariff elimination for animal products, 100% duty elimination for marine products, and full liberalisation of key sectors such as chemicals, electrical machinery, plastics, base metals, headgear, ceramics, glass, and clocks. Across all categories, the agreement promises enhanced market access, easier customs procedures, and a simplified regulatory environment each element helping Indian exporters reduce transaction costs and achieve scale.

Strategically, the FTA supports India’s broader development agenda. It reinforces the objectives of ‘Make in India’, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and the goal of integrating Indian enterprises particularly MSMEs into global supply chains. The liberalised trade framework incentivises higher production volumes, improved quality standards, and adherence to international compliance norms, all of which contribute to India’s export dynamism. At the same time, by insulating sensitive sectors from duty concessions, the government has safeguarded domestic food security, protected vulnerable producer groups, and upheld rural economic stability.

The India–UK FTA also carries strong geopolitical undertones. For post-Brexit Britain, deepening trade relations with India a rising economic power is a strategic imperative. For India, the agreement allows diversification of export markets at a time when supply chain realignments are underway globally, particularly due to tensions with China and economic uncertainties in Europe. The FTA offers a resilient and rules-based alternative route to prosperity for both partners, anchored in democratic values and mutual respect.

The India–UK Free Trade Agreement of 2025 is a landmark pact with far-reaching consequences for trade, employment, mobility, and strategic cooperation. By unlocking duty-free access across vast sectors, protecting domestic interests, and enabling professional mobility, it serves as a blueprint for future FTAs India may sign with other developed economies. The deal is comprehensive, development-oriented, and forward-looking positioning India for a new era of global economic leadership and strengthening its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom in a rapidly evolving world order.

In conclusion the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could serve as a significant catalyst in shaping India’s ongoing and future trade negotiations with the United States and the European Union. As a comprehensive and balanced agreement with a G7 nation, the UK FTA strengthens India’s credibility as a serious and capable negotiator on the global stage. The successful inclusion of sensitive sectors, labour mobility, digital trade provisions, and extensive tariff liberalisation sets a precedent that India can leverage in its stalled or complex discussions with the U.S. and EU. For the United States, which has been engaged in hectic negotiations with India on Bi-lateral Trade Agreement, the Indo-UK FTA could act as a catalyst and a template for further negotiations on a prospective BTA. Similarly, the European Union has also been in talks with India to clinch a FTA by the end of FY26 and the UK deal demonstrates India’s willingness to offer concessions while protecting key domestic interests. This FTA could thus help bridge trust deficits, unlock political momentum, and create negotiating templates for market access, investment protection, and digital standards. Ultimately, the India–UK FTA could become a benchmark, enhancing India’s bargaining position in global trade diplomacy.

(Navroop Singh is a New Delhi-based IP attorney and geopolitical analyst)

July 25, 2025
Iran and Europeans begin nuclear talks with questions over future UN sanctions

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Iran pushed back on Friday on suggestions of extending a U.N. resolution that ratifies a 2015 nuclear deal as it began the first face-to-face talks with Western powers since Israel and the U.S. bombed it last month.

Delegations from Iran, the European Union and the E3 group of France, Britain and Germany, arrived for talks at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul.

The European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to a 2015 deal – from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 – that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

A deadline of Oct. 18 is fast approaching when the resolution governing that deal expires.

At that point, all U.N. sanctions on Iran will be lifted unless a “snapback” mechanism is triggered at least 30 days before. This would automatically reimpose those sanctions, which target sectors from hydrocarbons to banking and defence.

To give time for this to happen, the E3 have set a deadline of the end of August to revive diplomacy. Diplomats say they want Iran to take concrete steps to convince them to extend the deadline by up to six months.

Iran would need to make commitments on key issues including eventual talks with Washington, full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and accounting for 400 kg (880 pounds) of near-weapons grade highly enriched uranium, whose whereabouts are unknown since last month’s strikes.

Minutes before the talks began, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the state news agency IRNA that Iran considered talk of extending U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 to be “meaningless and baseless”.

The United States held five rounds of talks with Iran prior to its airstrikes in June, which U.S. President Donald Trump, said had “obliterated” a programme that Washington and its ally Israel say is aimed at acquiring a nuclear bomb.

However, NBC News has cited current and former U.S. officials as saying a subsequent U.S. assessment found the strikes destroyed most of one of three targeted Iranian nuclear sites, but that the other two were not as badly damaged.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon.

European and Iranian diplomats say there is no prospect of Iran re-engaging with the U.S. at the negotiating table for now.

(Reuters)

July 25, 2025
White House touts Columbia deal, critics see dangerous precedent

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Columbia University’s agreement to pay more than $220 million to the U.S. government to resolve federal probes was not capitulation but a means to restore vital public funding, the university’s acting president said on Thursday.

But critics expressed concern about a harmful precedent in what they see as President Donald Trump’s push for greater control over elite U.S. colleges.

Trump has targeted Columbia and other universities over the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled college campuses last year.

Harvard University is fighting the Trump administration in court and critics have likened the Columbia deal to extortion.

Columbia faced the loss of billions of dollars in future federal funds and the potential revocation of the visa status of thousands of international students, said Acting President Claire Shipman.

“This was not capitulation,” Shipman told CNN, adding that the deal protected the university’s “academic integrity.”

Under the settlement, Columbia will pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury and a further $21 million to a fund to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, senior administration officials said.

In return, the university regained access to some $1.7 billion in federal funding and grants, Shipman said.

The deal comes after the Trump administration in March penalized Columbia over how it handled last year’s protests by canceling $400 million in federal funding. It contended that Columbia’s response to alleged antisemitism and harassment of Jewish and Israeli members of the university community was insufficient.

The school later acquiesced to a series of demands that included scrutiny of departments offering courses on the Middle East and other concessions that were widely condemned by U.S. academics.

Wednesday’s deal formalized many of those concessions in what Education Secretary Linda McMahon called an “incredible win” for the government.

“It is our hope this is going to be a template for other universities around the country,” McMahon told cable network NewsNation. “We’re already seeing other universities taking these measures before investigation.”

McMahon said Columbia agreed to discipline student offenders for severe disruptions of campus operations, bring viewpoint diversity to their Middle Eastern studies programs, eliminate race preferences from their hiring and admissions practices, and end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.

Columbia law professor David Pozen called the agreement a “shakedown” and said it set a precedent for “pay-to-play” deals the Trump administration is seeking with other schools.

“The agreement gives legal form to an extortion scheme,” Pozen said in a blog post, calling it the first time antisemitism and DEI have been invoked as the basis for a government-enforced restructuring of a private university.

Shipman said the agreement contained no provisions that “shall be construed as giving the United States authority to dictate faculty hiring, university hiring, admissions decisions, or the content of academic speech.”

(Reuters)

July 25, 2025
Thailand rejects international mediation to end fighting with Cambodia

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia, insisting that Phnom Penh cease attacks and resolve the situation only through bilateral talks, its foreign ministry said on Friday.

Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline, with exchanges of artillery for a second straight day.

At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.

The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue but Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters.

“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” Nikorndej said in an interview.

Cambodia and Thailand accuse each other of starting the conflict early on Thursday at a disputed site, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling along a border where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.

“We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries,” Nikorndej said, adding that the Cambodian side must stop violence along the border first.

“Our doors are still open.”

Cambodia’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its Prime Minister Hun Manet asked the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to convene a meeting on the issue, condemning what he called “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression” by Thailand.

The body has said it will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the issue on Friday.

The fighting broke out a day after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers.

Thai authorities allege the mines had been laid recently by Cambodia, a charge dismissed by Phnom Penh as baseless.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of 10-nation ASEAN of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, said on Thursday he had spoken to the leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful resolution.

“If the ASEAN family wants to facilitate a return to constructive bilateral negotiations, that’s welcome as well,” Nikorndej said.

(Reuters)

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues EUR 20 million zero coupon notes under its MTN programme

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Municipality Finance Plc
Stock exchange release
25 July 2025 at 10:00 am (EEST)

Municipality Finance issues EUR 20 million zero coupon notes under its MTN programme

Municipality Finance Plc issues EUR 20 million zero coupon notes on 28 July 2025. The maturity date of the notes is 28 July 2065. MuniFin has a right, but no obligation, to redeem the notes early on 28 July 2033.

The notes are issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular and the final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

MuniFin has applied for the notes to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 28 July 2025.

Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE acts as the dealer for the issue of the notes.

MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

Further information:

Joakim Holmström
Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
tel. +358 50 444 3638

MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland.
The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, corporate entities under their control, and non-profit organisations nominated by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA). Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

Important Information

The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: 2025 Science Prize for Women “Generative AI for Smart Water Management”

Source: ASEAN

JAKARTA, 16 July 2025 – Reflecting on a decade of impact, the annual UL Research Institutes’-ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women celebrates the significance of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across the ASEAN region. This year’s prize is launched in partnership between UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagements (ULSE), the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with support from Google. The Prize continues to highlight its ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting scientific excellence in the ASEAN region.

2025 Theme: Generative AI for Smart Water Management

This year’s theme, “Generative AI for Smart Water Management”, emphasizes the transformative potential of Generative AI in addressing pressing water-related challenges. This theme focuses on groundbreaking research that harnesses Generative AI to deliver smarter, more sustainable, and resilient water management systems. Applications are welcomed across various sectors, including urban development, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction.

Competition Categories and Prizes

Eligible candidates will compete in two categories based on their stage of career:

Mid-career Scientist category (those 45 years of age and under)
Senior Scientist category (those 46 years of age and over)

Finalists will be invited to participate in a final judging session and attend the official award ceremony, which will be held during the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) meetings in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2025.

Winners will be awarded $12,500 each, with runner-ups awarded $5,000 each, thanks to the generous sponsorship of the UL Research Institutes (ULRI).

ASEAN COSTI Chair emphasises the value of this initiative in strengthening regional resilience: “This year’s theme, Generative AI for Smart Water Management, could not be more timely. Across ASEAN, the impacts of climate change and water scarcity are growing concerns. The work of women scientists in leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI is essential to shaping more inclusive, sustainable, and date-driven solutions. COSTI is proud to continue this initiative of championing scientific excellence and gender equity in ASEAN.”

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of USABC, Amb. (ret) Brian McFeeters, highlights the inaugural opportunity of USABC to contribute to this year’s Science Prize: “We are proud to support the 2025 Science Prize for Women, an initiative pivotal for recognising the excellence of women researchers in STEM across ASEAN. We are incredibly honoured to showcase the contribution of ASEAN women researchers in solving regional challenges through cutting-edge research in environmental governance, artificial intelligence (AI), and an innovation-led ASEAN. The Council would also like to thank Google for their valuable support in this year’s Prize.”

Google’s support for this year’s Prize further highlights the significance of innovation in tackling ASEAN’s most pressing challenges. Their commitment to the inclusive development of AI particularly aligns with the Prize’s focus on prompting science-based solutions and empowering women researchers to lead in the region’s digital and environmental transformation.

In their remarks, ULRI noted that, “The health of our environment is inseparable from the safety of our communities.” said Chris Cramer, Chief Research Officer for UL Research Institutes. “This year’s Science Prize spotlights innovative research in generative AI for smart water management—empowering us to better predict and mitigate environmental risks, preserve vital ecosystems, protect water quality, and foster a more resilient planet for all.”

Call for Applications

We invite women scientists from all ten ASEAN member states who hold doctoral degrees relevant to this year’s theme to apply. This is a unique opportunity for ASEAN women researchers to showcase their impactful research and innovations in utilising Generative AI for the purpose of smart water management.

For more information, please visit the ULRI’s ASEAN-U.S Science Prize for Women website here.

Applications will close by 20 August 2025.

Queries can be directed to scienceprize4women@gmail.com.

The post 2025 Science Prize for Women “Generative AI for Smart Water Management” appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia Judiciary – Threats to judges a threat to justice

Source: Australian Judicial Officers Association

From Justice Steven Moore, President of the Australian Judicial Officers Association – 25 July 2025

Threats against judicial officers are increasing, new data revealed on the inaugural United Nations International Day for Judicial Wellbeing show.

Between 2023 and 2024, the number of Victorian judicial officers who sought support to manage a threat more than doubled, with the largest number coming from Magistrates.

Based on 2025 reports to date, the overall number of reported threats is expected to increase a further 70 per cent.

The figures reflect New South Wales research from July 2022 which found 61 per cent of surveyed judges had experienced some form of threat, with 41 per cent threats of harm. The sitting and retired judges surveyed reported threats were most commonly experienced in person in the courtroom or court precinct followed by on social media.

The Australian Judicial Officers Association (AJOA) called on the Attorneys-General of the Commonwealth, the States and the Territories to formulate and implement consistent policies and measures to address the increasing threats.

“The increasing prevalence of threats to the safety and security of Australian judicial officers is alarming and unacceptable,” AJOA President Justice Steven Moore said.

“It demands urgent action to ensure judicial officers and court staff may go about their work without unnecessary risks to their psychological and physical health and safety, and to ensure that they may properly discharge their oaths of office.”

Justice Moore said while judicial decisions were often significant for those involved or widely discussed in the community, personal threats should never be tolerated as ‘part of the job’.

“Legitimate scrutiny of decision making is a cornerstone of the law. If someone disagrees with the basis for a decision or believes a legal error has occurred there are avenues of appeal for that to be properly considered,” he said.

“Judicial officers perform an essential social role. It means putting personal opinion aside and applying laws enacted by parliament and legal precedents. Threats of personal harm for performing this role are unwarranted and should alarm the community.”

“It is particularly sobering to consider the deteriorating situation in relation to safety and security of judges in the United States, where judges have been murdered as recently as 2023,” he said.

“Although the experience in the US shouldn’t be assumed to automatically flow to Australia, there is clearly an erosion of respect for, and understanding of, the role of judicial officers, that left unabated has the potential to undermine our system of justice.”

The United Nations chose July 25 for the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing to coincide with the anniversary of the Nauru Declaration of Judicial Wellbeing.

The 2024 declaration, which was endorsed by the Chief Justices and senior judicial figures of countries including Australia, Canada, England, Jamaica and numerous Pacific Island Nations, states that the court environment and culture must demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, discrimination, harassment, bullying and other negative behaviours.

Read the full paper on Judicial Safety and Security: https://www.ajoa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/P105_02-250723-Judicial-safety-and-security-paper-25-July-2025.pdf

The Australian Judicial Officers Association is the professional association of judges and magistrates in Australia.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

Efforts to end the relentless siege of Gaza have been set back by the abrupt end to peace talks in Qatar.

Both the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams, accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff says it would appear Hamas never wanted a deal:

While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people in Gaza

State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reads Steve Witkoff’s statement on the collapse of the Gaza peace talks.

The disappointing development coincides with mounting fears of a widespread famine in Gaza and a historic decision by France to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

French President Emmanuel Macron says there is no alternative for the sake of security of the Middle East:

True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine

What will these developments mean for the conflict in Gaza and the broader security of the Middle East?

‘Humanitarian catastrophe’

The failure to reach a truce means there is no end in sight to the Israeli siege of Gaza which has devastated the territory for more than 21 months.

Amid mounting fears of mass starvation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza is in the grip of a “humanitarian catastrophe”. He is urging Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law:

Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.

According to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, more than 100 people – most of them children – have died of hunger. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with the number of cases rising every day.

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says with little food aid entering Gaza, people are

neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses […] most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying if they don’t get the treatment they urgently need.

The UN and more than 100 aid groups blame Israel’s blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.

Lazzarini says UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt. He is urging Israel – which continues to blame Hamas for cases of malnutrition – to allow the humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Proposed ceasefire deal

The latest ceasefire proposal was reportedly close to being agreed by both parties.

It included a 60-day truce, during which time Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid to Gaza would be significantly increased.

During the ceasefire, both sides would engage in negotiations toward a lasting truce.

While specific details of the current sticking points remain unclear, previous statements from both parties suggest the disagreement centres on what would follow any temporary ceasefire.

Israel is reportedly seeking to maintain a permanent military presence in Gaza to allow for a rapid resumption of operations if needed. In contrast, Hamas is demanding a pathway toward a complete end to hostilities.

A lack of mutual trust has dramatically clouded the negotiations.

From Israel’s perspective, any ceasefire must not result in Hamas regaining control of Gaza, as this would allow the group to rebuild its power and potentially launch another cross-border attack.

However, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to hand over power to any other Palestinian group in pursuit of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. This could include the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which governs the West Bank and has long recognised Israel.

Support for a Palestinian state

Israeli leaders have occasionally paid lip service to a Palestinian state. But they have described such an entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus” – a formulation that falls short of both Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, some Western countries have moved to fully recognise a Palestinian state, viewing it as a step toward a permanent resolution of one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East.

Macron’s announcement France will officially recognise a full Palestinian state in September is a major development.

France is now the most prominent Western power to take this position. It follows more than 140 countries – including more than a dozen in Europe – that have already recognised statehood.

While largely symbolic, the move adds diplomatic pressure on Israel amid the ongoing war and aid crisis in Gaza.

However, the announcement was immediately condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed recognition “rewards terror” and

risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.

Annexing Gaza?

A Palestinian state is unacceptable to Israel.

Further evidence was recently presented in a revealing TV interview by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who stated Netanyahu had deliberately empowered Hamas in order to block a two-state solution.

Instead there is mounting evidence Israel is seeking to annex the entirety of Palestinian land and relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries.

Given the current uncertainty, it appears unlikely a new ceasefire will be reached in the near future, especially as it remains unclear whether the US withdrawal from the negotiations was a genuine policy shift or merely a strategic negotiating tactic.

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

– ref. Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza? – https://theconversation.com/ceasefire-talks-collapse-what-does-that-mean-for-the-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-gaza-261942

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Birds use hidden black and white feathers to make themselves more colourful

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Simon Griffith, Professor of Avian Behavioural Ecology, Macquarie University

The green-headed tanager (_Tangara seledon_) has a hidden layer of plumage that is white underneath the orange feathers and black underneath the blue and green feathers. Daniel Field

Birds are perhaps the most colourful group of animals, bringing a splash of colour to the natural world around us every day. Indeed, exclusively black and white birds – such as magpies – are in the minority.

However, new research by a team from Princeton University in the United States has revealed a surprising trick in which birds use those boring black and white feathers to make their colours even more vivid.

Male golden tanagers (Tangara arthus) have hidden layers of white which make their plumage brighter, while females have hidden layers of black which make their plumage darker.
Daniel Field

In the study, published today in Science Advances, Rosalyn Price-Waldman and her colleagues discovered that if coloured feathers are placed over a layer of either white or black underlying feathers, their colours are enhanced.

A particularly striking discovery was that in some species the different colour of males and females wasn’t due to the colour the two sexes put into the feathers, but rather in the amount of white or black in the layer underneath.

Why birds are so bright – and how they do it

Typically, male birds have more vivid colours than females. As Charles Darwin first explained, the most colourful males are more likely to attract mates and produce more offspring than those that aren’t as vivid. This process of “sexual selection” is the evolutionary force that has resulted in most of the colours we see in birds today.

Evolution is a process that rewards clever solutions in the competition among males to stand out in the crowd. Depositing a layer of black underneath patches of bright blue feathers has enabled males to produce that extra vibrancy that helps them in the competition for mates.

The blue feathers of a red-necked tanager (Tangara cyanocephala) stand out against a black underlayer.
Rosalyn Price-Waldman

The reason the black layer works so well is that it absorbs all the light that passes through the top layer of coloured feathers. The colour we see is blue because those top feathers have a fine structure that scatters light in a particular way, and reflects light in the blue part of the spectrum.

The feathers appear particularly vivid blue because the light in other wavelengths is absorbed by the under-layer. If the under-layer was paler, some of the light in the other parts of the light spectrum would bounce back and the blue would not “pop out” as much.

Different tricks for different colours

Interestingly, in the new study, the researchers found that for yellow feathers the opposite trick works. Yellow feathers contain yellow pigments – carotenoids – and in this case they are enhanced if they have a white under-layer.

The white layer reflects light that passes through the yellow feathers, and this increases the brightness of these yellow patches, making them more striking in contrast to surrounding patches of colour.

The red feather tips of a scarlet-rumped tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) are enhanced by the white feathers beneath them.
Rosalyn Price-Waldman

A surprisingly common technique

The authors focused most of their work on species of tanager, typically very colourful fruit-eating birds that are native to Central and South America.

However, once they had discovered what was happening in tanagers, they checked to see if it was occurring in other birds.

The vivid blue colouring of the Australian splendid fairy wren (Malurus splendens) is enhanced by an underlayer of colourless feathers.
Robbie Goodall / Getty Images

This additional work revealed that the use of black and white underlying feathers to enhance colour is found in many other bird families, including the Australian fairy wrens which have such vivid blue colouration.

This widespread use of black and white across so many different species suggests birds have been enhancing the production of colour in this clever way for tens of millions of years, and that it is widely used across birds.

The color of the vibrant red crown of this red-capped manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) is magnified by a hidden layer of white plumage.
Daniel Field

The study is important because it helps us to understand how complex traits such as colour can evolve in nature. It may also help us to improve the production of vibrant colours in our own architecture, art and fashion.

Simon Griffith receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Birds use hidden black and white feathers to make themselves more colourful – https://theconversation.com/birds-use-hidden-black-and-white-feathers-to-make-themselves-more-colourful-261567

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: 3 reasons young people are more likely to believe conspiracy theories – and how we can help them discover the truth

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau, Research Fellow, Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, Flinders University

Conspiracy theories are a widespread occurrence in today’s hyper connected and polarised world.

Events such as Brexit, the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential elections, and the COVID pandemic serve as potent reminders of how easily these narratives can infiltrate public discourse.

The consequences for society are significant, given a devotion to conspiracy theories can undermine key democratic norms and weaken citizens’ trust in critical institutions. As we know from the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, it can also motivate political violence.

But who is most likely to believe these conspiracies?

My new study with Daniel Stockemer of the University of Ottawa provides a clear and perhaps surprising answer. Published in Political Psychology, our research shows age is one of the most significant predictors of conspiracy beliefs, but not in the way many might assume.

People under 35 are consistently more likely to endorse conspiratorial ideas.

This conclusion is built on a solid foundation of evidence. First, we conducted a meta analysis, a “study of studies”, which synthesised the results of 191 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024.

This massive dataset, which included over 374,000 participants, revealed a robust association between young age and belief in conspiracies.

To confirm this, we ran our own original multinational survey of more than 6,000 people across six diverse countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the US and South Africa.

The results were the same. In fact, age proved to be a more powerful predictor of conspiracy beliefs than any other demographic factor we measured, including a person’s gender, income, or level of education.

Why are young people more conspiratorial?

Having established conspiracy beliefs are more prevalent among younger people, we set out to understand why.

Our project tested several potential factors and found three key reasons why younger generations are more susceptible to conspiracy theories.

1. Political alienation

One of the most powerful drivers we identified is a deep sense of political disaffection among young people.

A majority of young people feel alienated from political systems run by politicians who are two or three generations older than them.

This under representation can lead to frustration and the feeling democracy isn’t working for them. In this context, conspiracy theories provide a simple, compelling explanation for this disconnect: the system isn’t just failing, it’s being secretly controlled and manipulated by nefarious actors.

2. Activist style of participation

The way young people choose to take part in politics also plays a significant role.

While they may be less likely to engage in traditional practices such as voting, they are often highly engaged in unconventional forms of participation, such as protests, boycotts and online campaigns.

These activist environments, particularly online, can become fertile ground for conspiracy theories to germinate and spread. They often rely on similar “us versus them” narratives that pit a “righteous” in-group against a “corrupt” establishment.

3. Low self-esteem

Finally, our research confirmed a crucial psychological link to self-esteem.

For individuals with lower perceptions of self worth, believing in a conspiracy theory – blaming external, hidden forces for their problems – can be a way of coping with feelings of powerlessness.

This is particularly relevant for young people. Research has long shown self esteem tends to be lower in youth, before steadily increasing with age.

What can be done?

Understanding these root causes is essential because it shows simply debunking false claims is not a sufficient solution.

To truly address the rise of conspiracy theories and limit their consequences, we must tackle the underlying issues that make these narratives so appealing in the first place.

Given the role played by political alienation, a critical step forward is to make our democracies more representative. This is best illustrated by the recent election of Labor Senator Charlotte Walker, who is barely 21.

By actively working to increase the presence of young people in our political institutions, we can help give them faith that the system can work for them, reducing the appeal of theories which claim it is hopelessly corrupt.

More inclusive democracy

This does not mean discouraging the passion of youth activism. Rather, it is about empowering young people with the tools to navigate today’s complex information landscape.

Promoting robust media and digital literacy education could help individuals critically evaluate the information they encounter in all circles, including online activist spaces.

The link to self-esteem also points to a broader societal responsibility.

By investing in the mental health and wellbeing of young people, we can help boost the psychological resilience and sense of agency that makes them less vulnerable to the simplistic blame games offered by conspiracy theories.

Ultimately, building a society that is resistant to misinformation is not about finding fault with a particular generation.

It is about creating a stronger, more inclusive democracy where all citizens, especially the young, feel represented, empowered, and secure.

Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

– ref. 3 reasons young people are more likely to believe conspiracy theories – and how we can help them discover the truth – https://theconversation.com/3-reasons-young-people-are-more-likely-to-believe-conspiracy-theories-and-how-we-can-help-them-discover-the-truth-261074

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza?

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

Efforts to end the relentless siege of Gaza have been set back by the abrupt end to peace talks in Qatar.

Both the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams, accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff says it would appear Hamas never wanted a deal:

While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people in Gaza

State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reads Steve Witkoff’s statement on the collapse of the Gaza peace talks.

The disappointing development coincides with mounting fears of a widespread famine in Gaza and a historic decision by France to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

French President Emmanuel Macron says there is no alternative for the sake of security of the Middle East:

True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine

What will these developments mean for the conflict in Gaza and the broader security of the Middle East?

‘Humanitarian catastrophe’

The failure to reach a truce means there is no end in sight to the Israeli siege of Gaza which has devastated the territory for more than 21 months.

Amid mounting fears of mass starvation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza is in the grip of a “humanitarian catastrophe”. He is urging Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law:

Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.

According to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, more than 100 people – most of them children – have died of hunger. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with the number of cases rising every day.

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says with little food aid entering Gaza, people are

neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses […] most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying if they don’t get the treatment they urgently need.

The UN and more than 100 aid groups blame Israel’s blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.

Lazzarini says UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt. He is urging Israel – which continues to blame Hamas for cases of malnutrition – to allow the humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Proposed ceasefire deal

The latest ceasefire proposal was reportedly close to being agreed by both parties.

It included a 60-day truce, during which time Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid to Gaza would be significantly increased.

During the ceasefire, both sides would engage in negotiations toward a lasting truce.

While specific details of the current sticking points remain unclear, previous statements from both parties suggest the disagreement centres on what would follow any temporary ceasefire.

Israel is reportedly seeking to maintain a permanent military presence in Gaza to allow for a rapid resumption of operations if needed. In contrast, Hamas is demanding a pathway toward a complete end to hostilities.

A lack of mutual trust has dramatically clouded the negotiations.

From Israel’s perspective, any ceasefire must not result in Hamas regaining control of Gaza, as this would allow the group to rebuild its power and potentially launch another cross-border attack.

However, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to hand over power to any other Palestinian group in pursuit of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. This could include the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which governs the West Bank and has long recognised Israel.

Support for a Palestinian state

Israeli leaders have occasionally paid lip service to a Palestinian state. But they have described such an entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus” – a formulation that falls short of both Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, some Western countries have moved to fully recognise a Palestinian state, viewing it as a step toward a permanent resolution of one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East.

Macron’s announcement France will officially recognise a full Palestinian state in September is a major development.

France is now the most prominent Western power to take this position. It follows more than 140 countries – including more than a dozen in Europe – that have already recognised statehood.

While largely symbolic, the move adds diplomatic pressure on Israel amid the ongoing war and aid crisis in Gaza.

However, the announcement was immediately condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed recognition “rewards terror” and

risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.

Annexing Gaza?

A Palestinian state is unacceptable to Israel.

Further evidence was recently presented in a revealing TV interview by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who stated Netanyahu had deliberately empowered Hamas in order to block a two-state solution.

Instead there is mounting evidence Israel is seeking to annex the entirety of Palestinian land and relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries.

Given the current uncertainty, it appears unlikely a new ceasefire will be reached in the near future, especially as it remains unclear whether the US withdrawal from the negotiations was a genuine policy shift or merely a strategic negotiating tactic.

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

– ref. Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza? – https://theconversation.com/ceasefire-talks-collapse-what-does-that-mean-for-the-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-gaza-261942

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: John Wesley Powell Center Summer 2025 Update

Source: US Geological Survey

The Powell Center continues to host synthesis working groups this summer, with six groups scheduled over the next two months.

The number of required steps for setting up a working group have recently significantly increased. Approvals and travel arrangements are happening in parallel, and working groups may not hear about approval until the week before their meeting. We realize this is challenging for planning ahead, and we thank PIs and participants for their timely responses and flexibility.

Important synthesis science continues, recent publications can be viewed on our Publications page.

Working groups hosted in June and July:

MIL OSI USA News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Cruz Bill to Make Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Signed Into Law

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

Cornyn Joined Pres. Trump at the White House for Signing Ceremony

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after their Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge, was signed into law by President Trump. Sen. Cornyn joined him in the Oval Office for today’s signing ceremony.

“Last year, Jocelyn Nungaray’s life was stolen from her by dangerous illegal immigrants who were wrongfully let into the country by the Biden-Harris administration, and today we ensure her life and legacy are never forgotten,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing my legislation to permanently rename of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s honor and was proud to join today’s White House bill signing ceremony.”

“I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in Congress and to President Trump for signing into law the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act,” said Sen. Cruz. “This bill will rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s memory. Jocelyn was murdered by illegal aliens, an unspeakable crime that should have never occurred. We have a duty to commemorate her life alongside her family.”

Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background:

On June 17, 2024, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas. Two illegal aliens who were allegedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with her murder. Jocelyn loved animals and, given the close proximity of her hometown of Houston, it is fitting that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge be renamed in her honor.

Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the 39,000-acre refuge is a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and plays a vital role in coastal conservation, public recreation, and environmental education. Now, it will also stand as a solemn tribute to Jocelyn’s memory and a symbol of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting American communities. On March 4, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14229 to officially change the name from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. On March 7, 2025, the refuge was officially renamed after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s implementation order was signed. This law will ensure that this renaming cannot be overturned by a future administration by codifying the refuge’s new name into law.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 25, 2025
French plan to recognise Palestinian state draws fire from Israel, US

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Macron, who unveiled the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France’s intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit.

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,” Macron said.

“I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”

Home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, France will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially fuelling a movement so far dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel.

The news sparked anger in Israel and Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision by one of Israel’s closest allies and a G7 member, saying such a move “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.”

In a post on X, he added, “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.

“Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a “Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence.”

In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States “strongly rejects (Macron’s) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly.”

In a post on X, he said, “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”

Earlier, Canada also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning its “failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza” and reiterating support for a two-state solution.

Carney also accused Israel of violating international law over the blocking of Canadian-funded aid to civilians in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

“Canada calls on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith,” he added.

“We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza.”

In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed steps to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, even saying it could go against U.S. foreign policy interests and draw consequences.

In June, Washington’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a U.S. foreign policy goal.

President Donald Trump has himself expressed doubts about a two-state solution, proposing a U.S. takeover of Gaza in February, that was condemned by rights groups, Arab states, Palestinians and the U.N. as a proposal of “ethnic cleansing”.

Macron had been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive, despite the pressure not to do so.

French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June to lay out parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.

The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which the closure of regional airspace made it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend.

It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on July 28 and July 29, with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

CREATING MOMENTUM

The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week’s conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries that are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or have misgivings in doing so.

Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. About 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.

Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have called “a nuclear bomb” for bilateral ties.

Sources familiar with the matter say Israel’s warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and says recognising a Palestinian state now would be equivalent to rewarding Hamas.

Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority’s Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Macron’s decision reflected “France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”

(Reuters)

July 25, 2025
Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond for an immediate ceasefire in an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 16 people.

Thailand’s military reported clashes from before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side.

“Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai military said in a statement.

“Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.”

Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.

Reuters journalists in Surin province reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions on Friday, amid a heavy presence of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the largely agrarian area.

A Thai military convoy, including around a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks, cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields and moved toward the border.

The fighting erupted on Thursday just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless.

DEATH TOLL RISES

The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers.

Cambodia’s national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes.

Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, said one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.

Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called “reckless and brutal military aggression”.

Thailand’s use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies

The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out.

“I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and shared responsibility,” he said in a social media post late on Thursday.

-REUTERS

July 25, 2025
Israel and US recall teams from Gaza truce talks, US says Hamas not showing good faith

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israel and the United States recalled their delegations from Gaza ceasefire talks for consultations on Thursday, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accusing the Palestinian militant group Hamas of failing to act in good faith in the talks.

It marked the latest setback in efforts to secure a deal that would bring a ceasefire to Gaza, secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and bring respite to Palestinians suffering a sharply worsening humanitarian crisis.

Witkoff said mediators had made a great effort but “Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith”. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,” he wrote on X.

Hamas said it was surprised by Witkoff’s remarks, adding that the group’s position had been welcomed by mediators and had opened the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement.

“The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement,” Hamas added in a statement early on Friday.

An Israeli official with knowledge of the talks said Hamas’ response to the latest ceasefire proposal “does not allow for progress without a concession” by the group but that Israel intended to continue discussions.

Both Israel and Hamas are facing pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal following almost two years of war, with the humanitarian situation inside Gaza deteriorating and Israelis worried about the conditions in which hostages are being held.

Dozens of people have starved to death in Gaza the last few weeks as a wave of hunger crashes on the enclave, according to local health authorities.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the suffering and starvation in Gaza was an “unspeakable and indefensible” humanitarian catastrophe and called on Israel to urgently let in aid.

“While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe,” Starmer said in a statement.

He will hold an emergency call with French and German partners on Friday to discuss what could be done to “stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need,” he said.

The Gaza health ministry said two more people had died of malnutrition. The head of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said the two were patients suffering from other illnesses who died after going without food for several days.

Earlier in the day, there had been some apparent signs of progress in the mediation.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that there was still a chance of reaching a ceasefire deal but it would take a few days because of what he called Israeli stalling.

A senior Israeli official had been quoted by local media as saying the new text was something Israel could work with.

But, Israel’s Channel 12 said a rapid deal was not within reach, with gaps remaining between the two sides, including over where the Israeli military should withdraw to during any truce.

Witkoff’s team did not immediately respond to a request to explain the Hamas demands that led to his withdrawal of the U.S. negotiators.

The Hostages Families Forum, representing the family members of those held in Gaza, expressed concern at the recall of the Israeli team. “Each day that passes endangers the hostages’ chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them,” it said.

PEPPER SPRAY FIRED AT AID SITE

Women going to fetch aid for their families on Thursday said U.S. contractors organising distribution asked them to come to pick up goods and then fired tear gas and pepper spray at them.

“The Americans said ‘go, go’, and then said no, get back. They sprayed us with pepper spray so we went away. Five minutes later they shot tear gas at us … is this American humanitarian aid?” said Mervat al-Sakani.

Asked for comment, a spokesperson for the aid organisation – the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – said a limited amount of pepper spray was used “to prevent civilian injury due to overcrowding”, adding that GHF “didn’t want people to get hurt.” The spokesperson said women-only aid distribution had been “a major success” overall.

GHF, a U.S.-and Israeli-backed organization, began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May.

The U.N. has called the GHF’s model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards, which GHF denies.

The U.N. rights office said on July 15 it had recorded at least 875 killings within the preceding six weeks in the vicinity of aid sites and food convoys in Gaza – the majority of them close to GHF distribution points.

Most of those deaths were caused by gunfire that locals have blamed on the Israeli military. The military has acknowledged that civilians were harmed, saying that Israeli forces had been issued new instructions with “lessons learned”.

Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March and reopened it with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent Hamas diverting it.

Israel says it has let in enough food for Gazans, and blames the United Nations for being slow to deliver it; the U.N. says it is operating as effectively as possible under conditions imposed by Israel.

The war began when Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in its October 7 attacks on Israel, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has since killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza health authorities.

(Reuters)

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Low-altitude economy attracts more aero firms

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

Visitors learn about a flying vehicle at the International Advanced Air Mobility Expo in east China’s Shanghai on July 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Eyeing China’s booming low-altitude mobility sector, a number of companies unveiled their latest cutting-edge products and solutions at the first International Advanced Air Mobility Expo, which kicked off on Wednesday in Shanghai and will run through Saturday.

With participation of nearly 300 exhibitors from around the globe, the event is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors, event organizers said.

A variety of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are on display. For example, Vector5 — the world’s first large payload eVTOL aircraft designed by Vision Aero Ltd for emergency medical service and search and rescue — was unveiled at the event.

With a maximum payload of 680 kilograms and takeoff weight of 3,180 kg, the seven-seat eVTOL aircraft developed by the Xi’an, Shaanxi province-based company is equipped with sufficient medical devices and fixation systems for stretchers. Compared with existing medevac helicopters, the eco-friendly aircraft can greatly reduce costs and improve efficiency when dealing with emergency rescue demands.

“We expect to roll out a more cost-effective model compared to traditional helicopters with Vector5, by cutting the purchase cost by about 50 percent, thanks to the complete supply chain in China,” said Hu Yiqiang, general manager of the company.

“The low-altitude economy is booming in China, and we see potential market demand for eVTOL aircraft in the medical service sector.”

Also eyeing overseas markets, Vision Aeronautics is expanding its layout worldwide in regions such as Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

During the expo, unmanned aircraft designed for logistics and transportation also attracted large crowds. Among them, the “Air Jeep” AI-101 — a super short take-off and landing (SuperSTOL) intelligent aircraft developed by McLean (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co Ltd — made its world debut at the expo.

With a take-off and landing distance shorter than 40 meters and a minimum takeoff distance of 7 meters, the large fixed-wing unmanned aircraft is tailored for courier services within 600 kilometers, said the company.

“The number of deliveries soared over 160-fold from 2010 to 2024 in China. Our aircraft can carry 500 kg of goods, and require no general aviation airports or long runways to take off or land. Logistics firms are in urgent need of such aircraft, which has been rushing us forward,” said Ma Liqi, co-founder and CEO of McLean.

Big names from overseas are also at the expo. Sky Enterprises Inc from the United States is displaying its amphibious aircraft RC-3 Seabee for the first time in China.

The model can adapt to complex take-off and landing scenarios such as water surfaces, grasslands, snowy fields and sandy areas. Its first version was produced in 1946, and since then, it has been widely applied in over 30 countries in fields such as tourism, transportation, emergency rescue, logistics and express delivery, forest fire fighting and border patrols.

The aircraft has been through comprehensive upgrades to improve its load and endurance performance so as to tap into the Chinese market. Planning to obtain Chinese certificates within 10 months, the company said it is looking to launch a manufacturing base in the country, and deliver its upgraded aircraft around the end of next year.

Celia Chen, CEO of the company, said: “We believe this is the best time for us to enter China as we see the nation’s great efforts in promoting the low-altitude economy, which gives us full confidence and solid support. The nation has a well-developed supply chain and advanced artificial intelligence technologies, and we hope to take such advantages to carry the classic aircraft forward.”

MIL OSI China News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China sets up state-owned fusion energy company

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

This photo taken on March 9, 2025 shows the one-eighth vacuum chamber and overall installation system, one of the key subsystems of the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT), in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has set up a state-owned fusion energy company in its latest drive to commercialize fusion power, aiming to harness an almost inexhaustible source of clean energy.

China Fusion Energy Co. Ltd (CFEC), a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), was unveiled in Shanghai this week with a registered capital of 15 billion yuan (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars).

The newly-founded firm, positioned as an innovation driver for advancing China’s fusion engineering and commercialization, is tasked with developing platforms for technological research and capital operations, the CFEC said.

China announced prioritized support for core future energy technologies in 2024, with a focus on nuclear fusion, in a bid to fast-track the transition of this cutting-edge technology from the lab to practical application.

Shanghai is doubling down on its nuclear ambitions, striving to build a world-class hub for nuclear equipment manufacturing and advanced fusion research and development, while securing double-digit annual growth for its nuclear power sector through 2025.

China Fusion Energy signed a cooperation agreement for a fusion innovation consortium with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Electrical Equipment Group, Shanghai Electric and Shenergy Group. Many of these local heavyweights in the traditional power generation sector are poised to secure market share in upstream and downstream fusion-related equipment.

CITIC Securities estimates that the global nuclear fusion device market could reach a scale of 2.26 trillion yuan between 2030 and 2035.

In March, a team from Energy Singularity in Shanghai achieved a breakthrough in high-temperature superconducting tokamak technology, with their magnet surpassing the previous record set by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Commonwealth Fusion Systems in the United States.

This Shanghai startup has announced a plan to complete its next-generation tokamak by 2027, targeting a 10-fold energy gain, a critical milestone for commercial fusion viability.

In addition to the eastern Chinese manufacturing hub, two inland provinces in China have significantly expanded scientific research and investment in the fusion energy sector.

East China’s Anhui Province is actively constructing the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) in its capital Hefei, which is expected to demonstrate fusion electricity generation for the first time in history.

The massive facility, an upgraded version of the record-breaking Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak currently operational at a research institute in the city, is also expected to be completed by 2027.

Fusion Energy Tech., the Hefei-based company building the BEST, is another large firm with majority state-owned capital stakes and a registered capital of 14.5 billion yuan. Chinese automaker NIO is one of its major shareholders.

Engineers there are aiming to construct a fusion engineering demonstration reactor, based on the BEST project. Commercial operations are projected to start somewhere between 2040 and 2050.

Separately, research and commercial entities in southwest China’s Sichuan Province are exploring various technical routes to harvesting fusion energy, including tokamak, linear field-reversed configuration (FRC), inertial confinement and magnetically driven fusion.

Last Friday, a Chengdu-based fusion startup achieved plasma ignition in its FRC device, the HHMAX-901, marking a significant milestone toward scaling the technology for commercial use. Similarly, U.S.-based Helion Energy plans to adopt this approach and is expected to begin supplying power to Microsoft by 2028.

Earlier this month, the Sichuan provincial government released its plan to support the development of “controlled nuclear fusion” as a future industry.

A recent analysis by MIT Technology Review suggests that China’s robust industrial base could allow its emerging fusion energy sector to “climb the learning curve much faster and more effectively” than its global competitors.

China’s industrial might in thin-film processing, large metal-alloy structures and power electronics provides a strong foundation to establish the upstream supply chain for fusion, according to the article.

The journal specifically highlighted China’s strengths in large-scale power electronics, which are also used in similar systems such as high-speed rail and renewable microgrids.

Zhou Lisha, a researcher at the China Enterprise Reform and Development Society, noted that the establishment of CFEC will boost the sector’s technical and innovation capabilities, and propel the rapid development of the “artificial sun” industry.

Despite its promising prospects, CNNC, CFEC’s parent company, has cautioned that controlled nuclear fusion is still in the developmental stage, with uncertainties and even risks of commercial failure.

MIL OSI China News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: What is chikungunya virus, and should we be worried about it in Australia?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Stephens, Associate Professor in Public Health, Flinders University

Noppharat05081977/Getty Images

This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised concerns about a surge in the number of cases of a mosquito-borne viral infection called chikungunya.

Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the WHO, highlighted an outbreak occurring across La Réunion and Mayotte. These small islands in the Indian Ocean were previously hit during an epidemic of the virus in 2004–05.

Between August 2024 and May 2025, more than 47,500 confirmed cases and 12 deaths from chikungunya were reported in La Réunion. Some 116 cases were reported in Mayotte between March and May this year.

But more than 100 countries have seen local transmission of this virus to date, and the WHO has also flagged recent cases in Africa, Asia and Europe.

So, what is chikungunya, how does it spread, and should we be worried here in Australia?

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of chikungunya include fever, joint pain and joint swelling. However, other symptoms may include headache, rash, muscle pain, nausea and tiredness. On rare occasions, chikungunya can be fatal.

Some people are more prone to having worse symptoms, including infants, older adults, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Symptoms can take up to 12 days to appear, but most people start to experience symptoms three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

There’s no specific treatment for chikungunya other than managing the pain with medications, such as paracetamol.

Most people recover after a few weeks, but some people can experience ongoing tiredness and joint pains for many months, or even years.

How does it spread?

Infected female mosquitoes spread chikungunya. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person carrying the virus in their blood. Once infected, the virus reproduces in the mosquito, and then they can transmit it to other people when the mosquitoes bite them.

There are more than 3,000 different types of mosquitoes on Earth, but only two are commonly involved in transmitting chikungunya: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

A. aegypti and A. albopictus look similar and can be easily confused. Both are about 4–7 millimetres in size and have similar black and white markings on their thorax and legs.

Both are day-time biters, unlike other mosquitoes that typically bite at dawn or dusk. They’re known as “ankle biters” because they mainly bite exposed legs and ankles. These aggressive mosquitoes bite multiple times and are known to follow people indoors to get their meal of human blood.

These species also transmit dengue virus, yellow fever virus and Zika virus.

Where does chikungunya occur?

Chikungunya was first documented in Tanzania in 1952. While outbreaks initially occurred across Africa and Asia, over time the virus has spread around the world. As of December 2024, local transmission of chikungunya had been reported in 119 countries and territories.

The 2004–05 epidemic was the largest so far, with hundreds of thousands of people infected. The epidemic started in the Indian Ocean islands, but eventually spread across to India. Since then, outbreaks have become more frequent and widespread.

A key contributor to the proliferation of chikungunya is climate change. Warmer temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increased humidity are creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. This allows the mosquitoes to adapt to new environments and therefore expand into new habitats.

The increase is also partly because chikungunya has evolved and been introduced into new populations, whose immune systems have not previously been exposed to the virus.

So, should we be worried?

While evidence suggests A. aegypti has been present in northern Queensland since the 1800s (outbreaks of dengue occurred in Townsville in 1879 and Rockhampton in 1885), A. albopictus is a more recent arrival, first documented in the Torres Strait in 2005.

A. aegypti mosquitoes are now found in areas across north, central and southern Queensland, while A. albopictus is currently still only found in the Torres Strait.

Nonetheless, to date, there have been no recorded cases of chikungunya transmission within Australia.

But cases do occur in people who have recently travelled overseas, most often to South and Southeast Asia, or the Pacific Islands.

In 2023 there were 42 cases of chikungunya recorded in Australia, 70 in 2024, and 90 so far in 2025. Previous years have seen figures above 100, however numbers in recent years may have been lower due to COVID impacting travel.

As climate change continues to support the spread of A. aegypti and A. albopictus, the risk of transmission within Australia increases.

That said, there is some evidence we might be lucky in Australia, with potential immune protection from a related local virus, Ross River virus.

I’m travelling, what should I do?

Two vaccines are approved for use in the United States against chikungunya, but there’s currently no vaccine approved in Australia. The only way to reduce your risk of infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

People travelling to places where chikungunya is known to occur should wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing with enclosed shoes, use insect repellent, close windows and consider using mosquito bed nets. Taking these steps also reduces the risk of other mosquito-borne infections, such as dengue fever.

If you travel to a place where chikungunya occurs and you get bitten by mosquitoes, monitor yourself for signs and symptoms.

If you become unwell, see a doctor immediately.

Jacqueline Stephens is affiliated with the Australasian Epidemiological Association and the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy.

Jill Carr is affiliated with the Australasian Virology Society and receives funding from The National Health and Medical Research Council to study viral diseases.

– ref. What is chikungunya virus, and should we be worried about it in Australia? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-chikungunya-virus-and-should-we-be-worried-about-it-in-australia-261847

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 25, 2025

Category: United States of America

Streamlining Government to Work Better

Recent news

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AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

AFRICOM’s Deputies focus on Security Partnership in Namibia

‘Humanitarian catastrophe’

Proposed ceasefire deal

Support for a Palestinian state

Annexing Gaza?

Why birds are so bright – and how they do it

Different tricks for different colours

A surprisingly common technique

Why are young people more conspiratorial?

What can be done?

More inclusive democracy

‘Humanitarian catastrophe’

Proposed ceasefire deal

Support for a Palestinian state

Annexing Gaza?

Cornyn Joined Pres. Trump at the White House for Signing Ceremony

What are the symptoms?

How does it spread?

Where does chikungunya occur?

So, should we be worried?

I’m travelling, what should I do?