NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New funding set to empower communities in Leeds

    Source: City of Leeds

    Applications are now open for grassroots organisations to apply for funding to deliver impactful change in their communities.

    Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Leeds Community Power Fund aims to provide funding for local projects that will encourage people to become more engaged in the places they live, work and play.

    Shifting power and resources to communities will enable them to have greater influence and control over the plans, decisions and public services that affect their lives. The community power approach is built on the belief that given the tools and the opportunity, small groups of individuals can change the things that they believe need changing in their community better than anyone else.

    The total amount of funding available in Leeds is £200,000 with the programme accepting applications for between £10,000 and £20,000.  Successful applicants will be required to deliver their project between September 2025 and March 2026.

    Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “We’re excited to launch the Leeds Community Power Fund that will build on the skills and assets of people and places, and give more power to the communities.

    “We recognise that to tackle and reduce inequality, increase diversity, and improve the impact of our services and people’s experience of them, we need to embrace and reinforce community power. This is at the heart of our ambition to make Leeds the best city in the UK.”

    Organisations interested in applying for funding or wanting more information can contact UKSPF@Leeds.gov.uk to receive an application pack. The closing date for applications is Monday 11 August 2025.

    ENDS

    The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

    For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China introduces measures to encourage reinvestment by foreign-funded companies

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

    BEIJING, July 18 — China has rolled out new measures to encourage reinvestment by foreign-funded enterprises, according to a circular jointly released by seven government bodies, including the National Development and Reform Commission.

    According to the circular, the measures cover a wide range of areas, including stronger project support services, streamlined procedures for setting up new reinvested entities, and innovative financial products and services.

    These efforts aim to help foreign-funded companies deepen their presence and achieve long-term development in the Chinese market, according to the commission.

    The circular clarifies the applicable scope of the incentive measures and outlines requirements such as launching pilot programs on investment information reporting by foreign-funded companies, enhancing information sharing among authorities, and improving evaluation methods for promoting foreign investment.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China strengthens supersize market, investment hub position with high-standard opening up in 14th Five-Year Plan period

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

    China strengthens supersize market, investment hub position with high-standard opening up in 14th Five-Year Plan period

    BEIJING, July 18 — China has made significant progress on key tasks related to consumption, foreign trade and investment cooperation in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). These achievements are expected to continue to inject momentum into global economic growth.

    At a press conference held in Beijing on Friday, senior commerce ministry officials highlighted that China has further solidified its position as the world’s second-largest consumption market and biggest goods trader.

    “The vast Chinese market has become a shared market for the world and will surely continue to be the source of growth and vitality for the world economy,” said Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the press conference.

    The country has also worked to improve the business environment for foreign-funded enterprises during the period, with many multi-nationals saying that China is an “ideal, safe and promising” destination for cross-border investment.

    Despite facing challenges from rising unilateralism and protectionism, the officials shared their vision for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), revealing that China will seek to strengthen international cooperation, increase the resilience of trade and strive to build an international trade pattern, featuring openness, cooperation, common development, and mutual benefits and win-win results.

    SUPERSIZED CONSUMPTION MARKET

    According to Wang, the commerce minister, China’s supersized consumption market has expanded during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, reinforcing the nation’s position as the second-largest consumer market globally.

    With an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent in the retail sales of consumer goods since 2021 in China, consumption has contributed around 60 percent on average annually to the nation’s economic growth over the past four years, Wang said, who forecast the sales to top 50 trillion yuan (about 7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025.

    In terms of absolute value, he revealed, China’s retail sales of consumer goods are about 80 percent of those in the United States. However, in terms of real purchasing power, the nation’s retail sales of consumer goods have surpassed those in the United States, Wang said, citing World Bank data and calculations.

    In illustrating the huge potential of the Chinese consumption market, the minister said that China has ranked top in terms of online retail sales for 12 consecutive years. China has also been the world’s biggest consumption market for cars and home appliances such as air conditioners and washing machines.

    “China has a population of 1.4 billion. Any product, if multiplied by 1.4 billion, means definitely a supersize market,” Wang said, adding that measures will be taken to boost services consumption, which has grown at a much faster rate compared to the consumption of goods.

    “The characteristics of China’s consumption market, which feature great potential, strong resilience and abundant vitality, have not changed,” he said, saying that the ministry will introduce targeted measures in light of the changing times and circumstances to further stimulate goods consumption and tap the potential of service consumption in the next five years.

    IDEAL INVESTMENT HUB

    Data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) indicates that as of the end of June this year, China’s actual use of foreign direct investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period had reached a cumulative total of 708.73 billion U.S. dollars. This figure meant the country has achieved the 700 billion U.S. dollar investment attraction target ahead of schedule.

    Demonstrating confidence in investing in China’s investment climate, 229,000 new foreign-funded enterprises were established during the period in the country, an increase of 25,000 compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period. “Foreign-funded enterprises have contributed one third of China’s imports and exports, one fourth of its industrial added value and one seventh of its tax revenue, and have created over 30 million jobs, making significant contributions to China’s economic and social development,” Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji said.

    Ling revealed at the press conference that foreign investors have increased their allocations in China’s high-tech sectors compared with 2020, with many multinational companies establishing regional headquarters and global R&D centers in China.

    To create a favorable environment for foreign investment, China has expanded opening up by lifting restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing industry across the country, Ling said.

    Additionally, the country has improved its market and policy environment by implementing various measures with regard to government procurement, intellectual property protection, cross-border data flow and fiscal and tax incentives. Since 2023, the MOC has held over 30 roundtable meetings for foreign-funded enterprises, helping resolve more than 1,500 various demands raised by foreign-funded enterprises, he said.

    “Investing in China is investing in the future. We hope that the vast number of foreign-funded enterprises can achieve greater development in the process of China’s modernization,” Ling said.

    WIN-WIN RESULTS THROUGH COOPERATION

    During the past several years, economic globalization faced headwinds, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, causing significant disruptions to the international economic order and governance system. Despite these challenges, China has firmly upheld the multilateral trading system by promoting both multilateral cooperation and regional cooperation, vice commerce minister Li Chenggang said at the press conference.

    Throughout this period, China’s trading partners have become more diverse. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has remained China’s largest trading partner for five consecutive years. In 2024, the proportion of China’s trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative has exceeded 50 percent of its total trade, MOC data showed.

    “We are a major trading partner of over 150 countries and regions. We not only provide high-quality products and services to the world, but also ensure the resilience and stability of the global industrial and supply chains,” Wang said, who stressed that the huge Chinese market is also a shared market for the world.

    From 2021 to 2024, China imported goods worth 7.4 trillion yuan, MOC data showed. Wang said that from the perspective of imports, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong accounted for approximately 13.3 percent of world’s total goods imports, very close to the 13.6 percent share taken by the United States, quoting data from the World Trade Organization.

    Responding to a journalist’s question about China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, Wang said that despite the ups and downs in China-U.S. economic and trade relations, the two sides have remained important partners to each other in trade and investment. “In 2024, the trade volume of goods between China and the United States was 688.3 billion U.S. dollars, and the trade volume of services was 155.8 billion U.S. dollars. Both figures increased by 18 percent and 34.7 percent, respectively, compared with 2017.”

    Wang said that it is inevitable that there will be differences and frictions in China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, but this is a normal situation and that dialogues and consultations are the best choice to solve problems.

    Wang said China is willing to work with the United States, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to continue to strengthen dialogues and communications, enhance consensus and reduce misunderstandings, and jointly promote the China-U.S. economic and trade relations back to the right track and achieve healthy, stable and sustainable development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Maryland Police Officer Sentenced to 74 Months for Excessive Use of Force in the District

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON – Philip Dupree, 40, a former police officer with the Fairmount Heights, Maryland Police Department, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 74 months in prison following his conviction at trial on June 17, 2024, in connection with violating a man’s civil rights by using unreasonable force, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                A federal jury found Dupree guilty on June 17, 2024, of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the 74-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Dupree to serve threeyears of supervised release.

                “When the defendant used unnecessary and excessive force on a man in handcuffs, he violated his duty and betrayed his oath to serve and protect,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The Court’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that members of law enforcement must not break the faith with the communities we all serve.”

                According to court documents, Dupree was on duty as a Fairmont Heights Police officer during the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2019, when he conducted a traffic stop on Eastern Avenue NE, in the District of Columbia. After detaining the driver and the driver’s sister, Officer Dupree pepper-sprayed the driver in the face while the driver was handcuffed and seated in Dupree’s police car.  The jury found that Dupree’s use of force constituted excessive force by a law enforcement officer.

                “Our government requires police officers to abide by the laws they enforce and to protect the constitutional rights of all persons in their custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “Dupree abused his authority as a police officer, and today Dupree was held accountable for his actions.”

                “Law enforcement officers have a duty to enforce the laws while protecting the rights of those they serve,” said Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Today’s sentence underscores this responsibility and demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to pursue public servants who abuse their positions of power and trust.”

                The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Howland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Maryland Police Officer Sentenced to 74 Months for Excessive Use of Force in the District

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON – Philip Dupree, 40, a former police officer with the Fairmount Heights, Maryland Police Department, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 74 months in prison following his conviction at trial on June 17, 2024, in connection with violating a man’s civil rights by using unreasonable force, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                A federal jury found Dupree guilty on June 17, 2024, of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the 74-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Dupree to serve threeyears of supervised release.

                “When the defendant used unnecessary and excessive force on a man in handcuffs, he violated his duty and betrayed his oath to serve and protect,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The Court’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that members of law enforcement must not break the faith with the communities we all serve.”

                According to court documents, Dupree was on duty as a Fairmont Heights Police officer during the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2019, when he conducted a traffic stop on Eastern Avenue NE, in the District of Columbia. After detaining the driver and the driver’s sister, Officer Dupree pepper-sprayed the driver in the face while the driver was handcuffed and seated in Dupree’s police car.  The jury found that Dupree’s use of force constituted excessive force by a law enforcement officer.

                “Our government requires police officers to abide by the laws they enforce and to protect the constitutional rights of all persons in their custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “Dupree abused his authority as a police officer, and today Dupree was held accountable for his actions.”

                “Law enforcement officers have a duty to enforce the laws while protecting the rights of those they serve,” said Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Today’s sentence underscores this responsibility and demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to pursue public servants who abuse their positions of power and trust.”

                The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Howland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

    22cr275

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action

    Source: APO

    This pan-African tribute charts the journey of Madiba, freedom fighter, reconciler, and visionary, whose belief in the power of sport helped shape the very foundations of the modern Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) movement.

    From the resistance and unity forged on Robben Island, to the global spectacle of the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mandela showed how sport could be used not only to heal a divided nation, but to uplift a continent.

    “Sport has the power to change the world… to inspire… to unite people in a way that little else does.” – Nelson Mandela

    In the year that marks over 30 years since the Youth Charter’s founding in 1993, the same year Mandela laid the political groundwork for a new democratic South Africa, the organisation is issuing a renewed call to Africa’s youth, sports leaders, and governments: turn the values of Mandela into a continental system of action.

    From Symbol to System: Africa’s Call to Action

    The Youth Charter’s Community Campus model, rooted in Mandela’s spirit of Ubuntu and youth empowerment, provides a blueprint for sustainable development across the continent. Already piloted in South Africa, the UK, and internationally, this model uses sport, art, and digital innovation to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering young people to be agents of peace, climate action, and inclusive economic growth.

    “Africa’s youth are not problems to be managed, but leaders to be empowered,” said Geoff Thompson, Youth Charter Founder and Chair.

    The tribute warns, however, that the Sport for Development movement must return to its ethical and political roots or risk becoming a siloed sector of self-interest. The Africa ’30’ Report, part of the Youth Charter’s Global Call to Action, urges African nations to lead by example in making sport a driver of policy, investment, and social change.

    Mandela’s Legacy is Africa’s Responsibility

    As trees planted in Mandela’s honour grow at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, their roots symbolise the seeds of peace, resilience, and leadership sown in Africa.

    Now, the Youth Charter calls on African governments, ministries of youth and sport, national sports federations, and regional institutions, from the African Union to ECOWAS, SADC, and CAF, to scale up investment in youth and community-led development through sport.

    Download the Full Tribute Essay

    The full tribute essay, “Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action,” is available upon request and will be shared through national and continental media outlets, schools, universities, and youth organisations across Africa.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter.

    Youth Charter @ Social Media:
    LinkedIn: @ YouthCharter
    Facebook: @ YouthCharter
    Instagram: @ youthchartersdp
    YouTube: @ YouthCharter
    X: @ YOUTHCHARTER

    Youth Charter #Hashtags:
    #International Olympic Committee               
    #Olympism
    #Fight4theStreets                                        
    #YoungLivesLost
    #Call2Action                                                 
    #LegacyOpportunity4All
    #SportDevelopmentPeace                        
    #Empowerthenextgeneration
    #CommonwealthSecretariat                    
    #UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals

    About Youth Charter:
    The Youth Charter is a UK registered charity and UN accredited non-governmental organisation. Launched in 1993 as part of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Charter has Campaigned and Promoted the role and value of sport, art, culture and digital technology in the lives of disaffected young people from disadvantaged communities nationally and internationally. The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity to develop in life.

    Specifically, The Youth Charter Tackles educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and the negative effects of crime, drugs, gang related activity and racism by applying the ethics of sporting and artistic excellence. These can then be translated to provide social and economic benefits of citizenship, rights responsibilities, with improved education, health, social order, environment and college, university, employment and enterprise.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee publishes findings on Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Spain, and Viet Nam

    Source: APO


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    The UN Human Rights Committee today issued its findings on Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Spain and Viet Nam, following its review of these States parties during its 144th session.

    The findings highlight positive developments and outline key concerns and recommendations regarding each country’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Key issues include:

    Guinea-Bissau

    The Committee noted with concern that despite constitutional guarantees, the judiciary remains vulnerable to political interference and pressure from criminal networks. It urged the State party to strengthen the independence and functioning of the judiciary by, among others, providing increased resources to the judicial system. The Committee also raised concerns about restrictions of peaceful assembly, intimidation of human rights defenders, and interference with trade unions, urging the authorities to respect and protect civic space.

    Haiti

    The Committee expressed concern about the impact of ongoing large-scale gang violence on the Haitian population and the inability of the police to stop it. It called on the State party to take steps to fully comply with its obligations to protect the right to life, including by implementing a public policy to dismantle the gangs and “self-defence brigades”, and to redouble efforts to prevent and eliminate corruption in state institutions, one of the root causes of insecurity and human rights violations.

    Kazakhstan

    The Committee expressed concern that counter-terrorism efforts may be unduly restricting civic space and about reports of the use of force and acts of torture by law enforcement officials against members of civil society. It urged the State party to bring its counter-terrorism efforts in line with its international human rights law obligations and ensure that all allegations of excessive use of force are properly investigated and that victims are provided with remedies.

    Latvia

    The Committee raised concerns about border protection measures restricting asylum access, which it said expose refugees to the risk of non-refoulement and ill-treatment. It called on the authorities to ensure all individuals in need of international protection are assessed fairly and efficiently and to investigate allegations of pushbacks and ill-treatment of refugees at border points.

    North Macedonia

    The Committee was concerned that despite progress achieved in some areas, including the adoption of a strategy for the inclusion of Roma 2022-2030, discrimination and marginalization against the Roma community remained significant, with its members experiencing high levels of poverty and exclusion, and subjected to ethnic profiling. It called on the authorities to embrace poverty reduction efforts and improve advocacy and awareness to address anti-Roma discrimination.

    Spain

    The Committee welcomed progress made in areas of memory, truth and reparation for past human rights violations, including the adoption of the 2022 Democratic Memory Law and the establishment of a Prosecutor for Human Rights and Democratic Memory, but expressed regrets that the 1977 Amnesty Law remains active and that proceedings initiated in 2010 for violations committed during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco Dictatorship have not resulted in any effective actions. It also expressed concern about violent incidents of pushbacks of refugees and the alleged excessive use of force by border agents in Ceuta in 2014 and Melilla in 2022, resulting in serious injuries and deaths. It called on the authorities to implement fair asylum procedures that respect the principle of non-refoulement and to investigate the incidents of excessive use of force in Ceuta and Melilla.

    Viet Nam

    The Committee welcomed the recent removal of the death penalty for eight crimes in Viet Nam. However, it remained concerned that the death penalty remains for ten crimes, including non-violent crimes. The Committee called on the State party to refrain from carrying out executions by maintaining a de facto moratorium. The Committee also raised concerns about reports of torture and ill treatment of detainees. The full Concluding Observations are available on the session page.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Libyan University students: Elections are needed urgently

    Source: APO


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    Fifty-seven young men and women from universities across Libya joined the United Nations Support Mission in Libya for in a dedicated youth consultation on Wednesday to share their ideas around the Advisory Committee’s recommendations and stressed the need for urgent inclusive election to establish stability and legitimacy. 

    Students from Bent Bayya, Western Mountain, Gharyan, Ain Zara, Azzawya, Abu Salim, Tripoli Center, Sabratha, Zintan, Qasr Ben Ghashir, Sirt, Al-Bayda, Hay Andlus, Sebha, Benghazi, Murzuq, Al-Khums, Al-Araban, and Kabo joined the discussion, with many favouring the first option, which suggests holding near simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections.  over others to avoid perpetuating division. 

    Participants said it was essential that the military be unified and divisive instituons be institutions to avoiding reproducing the status quo. They highlighted a lack of trust and said that corruption was a significant obstacle to securing fair elections. Others added that cultural components are often marginalized politically in Libya, making the reality of inclusive elections unlikely. 

     “The second option, holding legislative elections first, is a continuation of a vicious cycle that we have tried twice and which has not succeeded since 2011,” said one participant. “We need presidential elections.”  

    Others agreed saying they feared a repeat of the 2014 scenario when a parliament was elected that rejected a peaceful transfer of power and added that the first option avoided the prolongation of transitional periods. 

    “The people’s current priority is to expedite the dismantling of existing institutions,” another participant said, arguing in favour of the Advisory Committee’s fourth option, under which a political dialogue forum would be convened to establish a constituent assembly that would establish an interim government. “National reconciliation is being used to make money by those in power. The fourth option is the best option for the roadmap.” 

    Other participants highlighted that there must be agreement on a clear constitutional basis before moving forward with elections – the Advisory Committee’s third option – saying democracy could not be built in the current distorted situation. 

    “The lack of legitimacy is the greatest challenge,” said another participant. “Therefore, a clear and binding date must be set, under the supervision of UNSMIL, allowing everyone to participate in the elections without excluding any party for any reason, and ensuring the voice of the people is heard.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) strengthens the resilience of farming and pastoral communities through mechanical restoration of degraded land

    Source: APO


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    In Niger, farmers and herders lose nearly 100,000 hectares of land every year due to degradation. This situation reduces available space for productive activities and undermines their hopes of achieving food and nutrition sovereignty. Ongoing land degradation is a major contributor to the country’s recurring cereal and fodder shortages, exposing farming and pastoral households to repeated food crises.

    The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting Niger in its efforts to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems to improve production, nutrition, the environment, and livelihoods, leaving no one behind. Through the Action Against Desertification  programme, FAO is working to restore degraded land for agricultural and pastoral use in support of the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative. This support focuses on land restoration activities, reseeding, plant care, establishing community management committees, training members in association life, management and marketing, benefit-sharing from restored sites, and networking.

    In total, FAO has helped restore and utilize over 20,000 hectares of land across 55 sites in the regions of Tillabéri, Dosso, and Tahoua. The mechanical land preparation is carried out using a Delfino plough, which can cover more than 15 hectares per day. The machine carves half-moon shapes that enhance rainwater infiltration and retention, up to 1,000 litres per basin, giving trees, shrubs, and forage the best chance of growing and surviving in the early months after planting.

    The Delfino tractor-plough unit has become a central tool in the collaboration between FAO and the National Agency of the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), enabling large areas to be treated and significantly reducing the need for manual labour.  

    Half-moons are better than those we dig by hand

    At the Awanchalla site in Bagaroua, Tahoua region, communities expressed their amazement at the Delfino plough, which restored 100 hectares in a very short time in an area where labour has become increasingly scarce. “Our dream has come true, to see this land recovered by the machine. We had abandoned it for decades because it was unfit for farming or livestock. The work of the Delfino is impressive, fast, and saves us time. The half-moons it creates are better than those we dig by hand,” said Bizo Abarchi, a community member and representative of the village chief.

    For fellow community member Issa Matto, the restored site offers new opportunities: “Now that the land is recovered, I no longer need to migrate. I can stay in the village. With FAO’s support, we’ll grow forage for sale, a highly profitable activity in our pastoral zone. We’ll also receive plant seedlings based on our selections, tend to them, and eventually sell the fruits. These activities expand our farming space and give me hope that my life will improve,” he said.

    To ensure the site is well-managed and sustainable, “we’re determined to give our best,” said Abdoul Moumouni Djimraou, another local. “We’ve already set up a management committee. We’ve thought through the mechanisms for successful land use, marketing, benefit-sharing, working with local authorities, and managing potential conflicts between users and surrounding communities.”

    Partners with the European Union

    By promoting the mechanical use of the Delfino plough to restore degraded land at scale, thanks to the European Union funded project “Knowledge for Action in Implementing the Great Green Wall” (K4GGWA), FAO, together with the EU, national authorities and local communities, is helping to create the conditions for advancing the Great Green Wall in Niger and strengthening the resilience of farming and pastoral communities.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: Deputy President Mashatile concludes Working Visit to China

    Source: APO


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    Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, Friday, 18 July 2025, concluded a successful Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and economic cooperation between South Africa and China. 

    At the invitation of the Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr Ren Hongbin, the Deputy President participated in the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), taking place from 16 – 20 July 2025 in Beijing, China.

    CISCE is the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to global supply chains, hosted under the auspices of the Chinese central government and organised by the CCPIT. 

    The Deputy President used South Africa’s participation at CISCE as a strategic opportunity to advance the South-Africa China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era. This also reinforced South Africa’s role as a key gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment and industrial cooperation. 

    During the Expo, the Deputy President officially launched the South African National Pavilion. The Pavilion showcased over 30  South African entities from a variety of sectors including Agro-Processing, Electronics, Chemicals, Leather, Footwear and Textiles, Cosmetics, Mining Services, and the creative industries.

    The opening of the 2025 South African National Pavilion is a focused response to resolutions made at the FOCAC in Beijing in 2024. This is significant in that it demonstrates how South Africa is an important trade partner to China. 

    During the Working Visit, the Deputy President held a bilateral meeting with Vice President Han Zheng of the People’s Republic of China. 

    Vice President Zheng expressed confidence in the South African Government and emphasised the importance of strengthening existing cooperation. He further reiterated China’s support for South Africa’s Presidency of the G20. 

    The Deputy President expressed appreciation for China’s longstanding partnership and extended an invitation to Vice President Zheng to visit South Africa to co-chair the 9th South Africa-China Bi-National Commission at a mutually agreeable date early in 2026.

    Deputy President Mashatile also met with Mr Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), where he emphasised the significance of the Expo in South Africa’s efforts to advance the promotion of trade, investment cooperation, the growth of innovation, and the encouragement of learning and interchange.

    In an effort to strengthen bilateral economic relations and explore strategic investment opportunities across key sectors, the Deputy President had the opportunity to experience some of the fascinating work being done by companies such as SINOMA international engineering company, the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and the Beijing Automotive International Corporation (BAIC).

    Furthermore, the Deputy President’s engagement with the ICBC & Standard Bank and the South-Africa China Business Forum demonstrated the commitment to strengthening Africa-China Relations.

    Deputy President Mashatile was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka; the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams; Minister of Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Pemmy Majodina; and Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • India scales up crackdown on narcotics with stronger rehabilitation and community efforts

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has ramped up its fight against drug trafficking and abuse, adopting a zero-tolerance policy backed by structural, institutional, and community-driven reforms. In 2024 alone, Indian law enforcement agencies seized narcotics worth ₹25,330 crore—a 55% jump from the previous year—indicating an aggressive nationwide crackdown on drug networks.

    At the forefront of this effort is the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which has expanded its reach with 30 zonal offices, seven regional offices, and a growing force of 1,496 personnel. Equipped with Nar-K9 detection units and high-level coordination through the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), the NCB is targeting synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, mephedrone, and hashish—substances that severely impact mental and physical health.

    Key breakthroughs in 2024 included a major joint operation involving the Indian Navy, NCB, and Gujarat Police that resulted in the seizure of over 3,100 kilograms of drugs from an offshore location. Separate raids led to the confiscation of more than 700 kilograms of methamphetamine and 82.5 kilograms of high-grade cocaine. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also oversaw the destruction of over 1.17 lakh kilograms of narcotics as part of its intensified operations.

    The government’s “whole-of-government approach” involves agencies such as the BSF, Indian Coast Guard, Assam Rifles, and RPF, alongside dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Forces in every state. Inter-agency collaborations now extend to cybercrime units tackling drug trafficking via the darknet and cryptocurrencies.

    On the rehabilitation front, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)—launched in 2020—has sensitised over 16.5 crore citizens and supported more than 27.7 lakh individuals through free treatment across 730 centres. The NMBA’s mobile app, helpline (14446), and volunteer programs ensure citizen involvement at the grassroots level.

    Complementing this is the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), which funds 342 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres, 74 drop-in centres, 83 hospital treatment facilities, and outreach efforts targeting children under 18.

    India’s anti-drug strategy is no longer limited to enforcement—it’s a people-led movement blending legal action, community participation, and public health to build a drug-free, empowered nation.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will allocate about 4 billion rubles to support investment projects in single-industry towns and special economic zones

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Enterprises operating in single-industry towns and special economic zones will receive financial support for the implementation of investment projects. The order to allocate about 4 billion rubles for these purposes was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    The issue concerns the launch of a program of preferential lending to businesses in single-industry towns and special economic zones, as well as a program of providing enterprises with bank guarantees under contracts, which will allow entrepreneurs to obtain a guaranteed sales market. The operators of such programs will be JSC “SME Corporation” and JSC “SME Bank”.

    Financial support will be provided to small and medium-sized companies that are not affiliated with city-forming enterprises. In addition, such companies should not be participants in the program of preferential lending to small and medium-sized businesses in priority sectors, which is already being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development.

    The priority recipients of such support will be enterprises from 19 single-industry towns. These include, in particular, the towns of Berezovsky and Polysaevo in the Kemerovo Region, as well as the town of Chernogorsk in the Republic of Khakassia.

    For the comprehensive development of such single-industry towns, “road maps” are being developed together with regional authorities, providing for the consolidation of government support measures.

    The work is being carried out within the framework of the federal project “Development of the subjects of the Russian Federation and individual territories”.

    The decision was approved onGovernment meeting on July 17.

    The document will be published.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: Buryatia is mastering federal standards for the provision of public services.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Republic of Buryatia is mastering federal standards for the provision of public services. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko during a working visit to Ulan-Ude.

    In particular, Buryatia launched the “life situation” service for caring for a family member on the public services portal. This service is implemented within the framework of the federal project “State for People”. It is intended for citizens who want to arrange care for loved ones who need constant care: disabled people or elderly people. The service helps to issue a conclusion on the need for care, eliminating the unnecessary need for a personal visit to social services and collecting paper documents. Through the public services portal, residents of Buryatia can also call a doctor to their home or make an appointment with a local therapist.

    In addition, the “life situation” service offers users to undergo training in general care skills for elderly citizens and disabled people. Today, the “Care School” operates in Ulan-Ude. Social workers, junior medical personnel or relatives of people in need of care can undergo free training. In the future, the functionality of the service may be expanded.

    “Life situations are a new standard for providing government services, when a person can quickly and comprehensively resolve their issue without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers. Since last year, we have been implementing this approach in the regions. Now it is in effect in Buryatia. Our goal is to make such high standards the norm throughout the country, so that citizens receive government services at the same high level regardless of their place of residence,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    “Our developments, with the support of the Russian Government, are being implemented directly on the public services portal at the federal level and are becoming available to a wider range of people. Now the Deputy Prime Minister has given us guidelines on what else to work on, what to pay attention to. As a result of the meeting, we have a whole list of instructions that we will continue to work on. Thank you Dmitry Yuryevich for the visit and joint work,” said the head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov.

    The unification of government services based on the principle of “life situations” has significantly simplified their receipt. In particular, within the framework of one regional service “life situation” it was possible to reduce the time for receiving government services by an average of 43% (from 44 to 25 days), the number of necessary documents was reduced by 50% (from 8 to 4 units), the number of visits that a person needs to make to departments was reduced by 75% (from 4 to 1).

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney announces the appointment of the Government Representative in the Senate

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the appointment of Pierre Moreau as Government Representative in the Senate.

    Senator Moreau holds four decades of legal and political experience, including as a senator, lawyer, and member of the Québec National Assembly. In the Québec Cabinet, he held critical roles such as Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and the Canadian Francophonie, Minister of Transport, Minister of Municipal Affairs, President of the Treasury Board, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

    Senator Moreau’s expertise and experience will advance the government’s legislative agenda to bring down costs, keep communities safe, and build one strong Canadian economy.

    The Prime Minister thanks Senator Marc Gold for his many years of service as the Government Representative in the Senate and wishes him well on his retirement.

    Biographical note

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Florida plan to deputize National Guard officers as immigration judges at Alligator Alcatraz would likely violate constitutional rights

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Raquel Aldana, Professor of Law, University of California, Davis

    President Donald Trump visits Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee, Florida on July 1, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

    Seeking to expand Florida’s role in federal immigration enforcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2025 submitted the state’s Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan to the Trump administration.

    The plan, endorsed by President Donald Trump, says all of Florida’s roughly 47,000 law enforcement officers have received, or soon will receive, training to act as immigration officers. It’s part of an effort to, as the plan notes, “maintain state-led border security operations in the absence of federal support.”

    The DeSantis plan includes a proposal to deputize Florida’s nine National Guard Judge Advocate General’s Corps officers to serve as immigration judges. JAG officers are attorneys who serve as legal advisers, prosecutors, defense counsel and military judges in a wide range of matters specific to the armed forces. That includes courts-martial and civil matters involving the military.

    DeSantis has said the move is necessary to create a fast-track deportation system at Florida’s new immigration detention facility in the Everglades, Alligator Alcatraz.

    He has dismissed due process concerns – such as a lack of training and independence – from legal experts, pointing to the backlog in immigration courts. Immigration judges in Florida’s immigration courts have one of the largest backlogs in the country, with over half a million cases.

    Congress establishes immigration policy

    The Constitution grants Congress, not the president or state governments, the power to establish immigration laws.

    Under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, Congress created a clear process for immigration removal cases.

    In general, a U.S. noncitizen may face removal from the country based on violations to the immigration laws. Those range from unauthorized entry to committing or being convicted of certain crimes.

    Congress designated the Executive Office for Immigration Review, an agency within the Department of Justice that houses the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, as the body exclusively responsible for deciding immigration removal cases. The office also details the authority and standards for how immigration judges conduct deportation hearings.

    Immigration judges undergo rigorous vetting and training. And their decisions are subject to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, the administrative appellate body for decisions made by immigration judges.

    The McCarran-Walter Act also contains several provisions that subject most immigration court decisions such as removal or asylum to judicial review in federal courts. That can happen on direct appeal or as part of habeas corpus petitions that challenge the legality of detention or removal.

    The system is far from perfect. But Congress designed it to ensure legal expertise and due process guarantees.

    As an immigration scholar, I believe that allowing Florida JAG officers to serve as immigration judges bypasses this framework that is set in law, and violates the constitutionally mandated separation of powers.

    JAG officers, including those in Florida’s National Guard, are not governed by the McCarran-Walter Act. They are military lawyers in an entirely separate system, overseen by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which defines the role of military judges. The code retains a unique military character that is substantially different from the judicial appellate system that governs immigration administrative rulings.

    Simply put, neither Trump nor DeSantis can create an entirely new system of immigration judges outside of the one already established by Congress.

    Federal agencies cannot deputize JAGs

    A current immigration provision, known as the 287(g) program, authorizes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collaborate with local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.

    But this provision only authorizes deputizing local law enforcement to assist “in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention” of immigrants – not the arbitration of deportation cases.

    In the nearly three decades since 287(g) was enacted, no state or local officials – let alone military officers – have been permitted to act as immigration judges.

    DeSantis’ plan seeks to convert Florida’s JAG officers from state to federal officials to function as immigration judges. Trump’s approval of this plan would also exceed the scope of his statutory authority.

    Federal statutes allow the president to federalize the National Guard in limited instances: during times of war or national emergency.

    But neither DeSantis’ rhetoric nor Trump’s framing of undocumented immigration as an “invasion” meet these legal thresholds.

    An aerial view of the migrant detention center in Ochopee, Florida on July 4, 2025.
    Alon Skuy/Getty Images

    JAGs cannot engage in domestic law enforcement

    Even if Florida’s National Guard were federalized, JAG officers still could not legally serve as immigration judges.

    The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, restricts the use of federal military personal in civilian law enforcement. It reflects a longstanding American principle: The military should not police civilians.

    Immigration enforcement – including deciding whether someone is deported – is fundamentally a civilian enforcement function.

    The only narrow exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act’s restrictions require a clear statutory basis, such as Trump invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, a law that would allow the president to rely on the military for domestic enforcement to quell a rebellion or widespread violence.

    Due process concerns

    The DeSantis plan also compromises constitutionally guaranteed rights to a fair process for immigrants facing removal.

    Immigration law is notoriously complex. Even experienced immigration lawyers struggle to keep up with its constant changes.

    JAG officers, trained primarily in military law, would face immense challenges interpreting and applying immigration statutes. That’s especially true with only weeks of preparation, as DeSantis proposes.

    But due process isn’t only about knowledge of legal technicalities. The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process rights to all persons on U.S. soil, regardless of immigration status.

    For decades, courts have interpreted these protections to include fair hearings before qualified immigration judges – and, in most instances, judicial review.

    By circumventing established procedures, DeSantis’ plan risks creating a system where expedited deportations come at the expense of accuracy and constitutional rights.

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

    – ref. Florida plan to deputize National Guard officers as immigration judges at Alligator Alcatraz would likely violate constitutional rights – https://theconversation.com/florida-plan-to-deputize-national-guard-officers-as-immigration-judges-at-alligator-alcatraz-would-likely-violate-constitutional-rights-260677

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: North Korea slams Japan’s 2025 defense white paper

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    PYONGYANG, July 18 (Xinhua) — North Korea on Thursday criticized Japan’s 2025 defense white paper as “a military scenario to realize its re-invasion ambitions from A to Z,” the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

    “It is common knowledge” that Japan has revised its national security strategy to include “preemptive strike capabilities” and accelerated both the development of domestically produced long-range missiles and the purchase of foreign-made missiles in recent years, KCNA reported, citing the head of the political department of the Institute of Japanese Affairs at the DPRK Foreign Ministry.

    Japan has increased its defense budget to a record high in 2025, ramping up its military capabilities to the fullest extent, KCNA reported, adding that as part of the effort, Tokyo is purchasing medium-range air-to-air missiles, long-range air-to-ground missiles and related equipment from Washington worth US$3.7 billion.

    Japan is also considering deploying 400 US-made Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles and Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles that increase their range to more than 1,000 km, KCNA reported.

    Japan, which has long positioned itself as a “peaceful nation” adhering to the principle of “exclusive defense,” is currently working to develop capabilities for offensive operations, including long-range strikes and cross-domain operations, KCNA said.

    Japan’s defense white paper is “a military scenario for realizing its re-invasion ambitions from A to Z. Its actions to turn Japan into a military giant that seriously threatens regional peace and security cannot be tolerated,” the report said. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Youth spiritual summit in Varanasi launches nationwide movement against drug abuse

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched a youth-led national movement titled ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ at the Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi, taking place from July 19–20. The initiative aims to harness the power of India’s youth—who make up over 65% of the population—to lead the charge against drug addiction and support the broader vision of a developed India.

    Set against the spiritual backdrop of the river Ganga, the event is designed to combine cultural engagement with policy dialogue, forming a collective resolve rooted in India’s traditions and moral heritage.

    The summit will see participation from key ministries such as Health, Social Justice, and Culture, as well as enforcement bodies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and medical institutions including AIIMS. Spiritual organisations from across the country are also contributing, creating a unified front that combines policy, community engagement, and moral guidance.

    Central to the summit is the Kashi Declaration, a roadmap for a sustained, youth-led anti-drug movement. Each session at the summit will generate an actionable plan, culminating in a final resolution that outlines specific targets, assigns responsibilities, and sets clear implementation timelines. Progress will be reviewed during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD 2026) to maintain accountability.

    Drawing inspiration from Swami Vivekananda’s message of self-discipline and service to the nation, the summit underscores the role of spiritual and moral strength in tackling addiction. The government is calling on young citizens to not only reject harmful habits but to serve as leaders in their communities.

    This spiritual and strategic mobilisation marks a turning point in the national drug policy—bringing together ministries, law enforcement, and civil society under a common goal of empowering youth and building a healthier, drug-free India.

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement of condemnation by the North Atlantic Council concerning Russian malicious cyber activities

    Source: NATO

    1. We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU).  We recall that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic individually attributed activity to APT 28, which is sponsored by the GRU. We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilise NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.

    2. We call on Russia to stop its destabilising cyber and hybrid activities. These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold. Russia’s actions will not deter Allies’ support to Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT capability coalition. We will continue to use the lessons learned from the war against Ukraine in countering Russian malicious cyber activity.

    3. NATO stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to uphold their international obligations, also when acting in cyberspace, and to act consistently with the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.

    4. We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defences; including through the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and upholding our Cyber Defence Pledge commitments as well as through the commitments made in the Hague Summit Declaration.

    5. We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.  We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement of condemnation by the North Atlantic Council concerning Russian malicious cyber activities

    Source: NATO

    1. We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU).  We recall that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic individually attributed activity to APT 28, which is sponsored by the GRU. We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilise NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.

    2. We call on Russia to stop its destabilising cyber and hybrid activities. These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold. Russia’s actions will not deter Allies’ support to Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT capability coalition. We will continue to use the lessons learned from the war against Ukraine in countering Russian malicious cyber activity.

    3. NATO stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to uphold their international obligations, also when acting in cyberspace, and to act consistently with the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.

    4. We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defences; including through the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and upholding our Cyber Defence Pledge commitments as well as through the commitments made in the Hague Summit Declaration.

    5. We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.  We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Leaders in India, Hungary and the US are using appeals to nostalgia and nationalism to attack higher education

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Riyad A. Shahjahan, Professor of Higher, Adult and Life Long Education, Michigan State University

    Two scholars argue that nostalgia and resentment fuel government attacks on universities. Rick Friedman/AFP

    Harvard University is under siege by the Trump administration – and the world is watching. But this case isn’t just an American issue.

    It’s part of a global trend: universities cast as enemies and institutions in need of reform. Populist, right-wing governments are blaming universities for tearing at the fabric of nations.

    These attacks are part of a broader strategy known as affective nationalism. It occurs when leaders use emotions, not just ideas, to build national identity. Feelings such as fear, pride, nostalgia and resentment are deployed to create a story about who belongs, who doesn’t and who’s to blame.

    As scholars who study nationalism, emotion and higher education, we explore the emotional politics behind these attacks.

    Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary has been hostile to academic freedom.
    Pierre Crom/Getty Images News

    Global backlash

    Much of President Donald Trump’s vision and rhetoric is inspired by Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has waged a culture war on higher education for over a decade, banning gender studies and reshaping university governance. Orbán’s attacks on Central European University expose his hostility to academic freedom, critical thinking and diversity. All are viewed as threats to his nationalist “illiberal democracy.”

    Trump followed Orbán’s playbook. On May 22, 2025, his administration declared that Harvard could no longer enroll foreign students. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security statement claimed that university leaders “created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators.” The statement suggested that many of the so-called agitators were foreign students.

    Similarly, in India, students at Jawaharlal Nehru University were labeled “anti-national” for protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act, which provides fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim refugees. The students argued that it marginalizes Muslims. Since 2016, the Modi government has increasingly used “anti-national” and sedition charges to silence student and academic dissent.

    These labels – “elite,” “foreign” or “anti-national” – are not neutral. They fuel fear, resentment and powerful narratives that frame universities as threats. Harvard, Central European University and Jawaharlal Nehru University have become symbols of broader national anxieties around identity and belonging.

    British-Australian feminist scholar Sara Ahmed’s work on the sticky nature of emotions helps reveal the two emotions that often appear in attacks on universities: nostalgia and resentment.

    The Trump administration has used nostalgia as a tool in its attacks on Harvard University.
    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News

    Glorifying the nation’s past

    Nostalgia is a longing for a better past.

    Consider Trump’s “Make American Great Again” slogan. It implies the nation was once great, has declined and must reclaim its former glory. That’s a powerful emotional story. Nationalism often works this way – by telling a tale of a lost golden age and a future that must be saved.

    For that reason, nostalgia is central to populist attacks on universities and institutional reform. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, for example, evoked Harvard’s symbolic past as part of the American Dream, arguing it has lost its way and “put its reputation in serious jeopardy.”

    In India, Modi’s government rejects Western influence, while using nostalgia to revive a Hindu past in higher education. The Modi government promotes national pride on campuses by glorifying military heroes and installing symbolic figures – such as the statue of Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk and philosopher, at Jawaharlal Nehru University – to shape student identity and loyalty.

    In Hungary, Orbán mobilizes a glorified Christian past to challenge discourses on diversity, inclusion, critical inquiry and academic freedom in higher education. A 2021 bill tasks universities with defending the nation and preserving its intellectual and cultural heritage.

    In India, the Modi government has increasingly framed public universities as institutions corrupted by Western ideas.
    Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images News

    Enemies of the nation

    Resentment is a powerful emotion often used by states that see themselves as defenders of national unity and values. When Harvard resisted Trump’s reforms, the president framed the university’s stance in a Truth Social post as a betrayal to the nation, denouncing it as “terrorist inspired/supporting ‘sickness.’” Meanwhile, the Department of Education issued a statement that accused the university of a “troubling entitlement mindset.”

    Similarly, in India, the Modi government has increasingly framed public universities – especially those with critical voices – as “anti-national” spaces. By casting critical voices as enemies within, the state turns resentment into a political weapon to justify the erosion of academic freedom.

    In Hungary, the Orbán government mobilized resentment to portray universities and academics as disloyal elites working against the nation. One example of Hungary’s war on universities is the 2018 ban on gender studies, justified by the Orbán government as rejecting “socially constructed genders” in favor of “biological sexes.” This move reflects how the government uses resentment to assert ideological control over academic institutions.

    Universities are under attack for what they represent.
    Hindustan Times

    Emotional battlegrounds?

    Universities, especially elite ones such as Harvard and Jawaharlal Nehru University, carry deep symbolic weight. People care because of what the institutions represent.

    Harvard, with its elite status, has long been a symbol of academic authority. But more recently, it has been cast as a defender of liberal higher education – making it a Trump administration target.

    Jawaharlal Nehru University in India holds similar symbolic weight. It’s historically associated with producing the country’s social elites and is seen, especially in mainstream media, as left-leaning, making it a lightning rod in India’s polarized political landscape.

    In Hungary, the Orbán government viewed Central European University as a danger because it threatened the government’s Christian-nationalist vision of the nation-state.

    Universities are under attack not just for what they teach and research, but for what – and who – they represent. These are not just ideological disputes; they are emotional struggles over identity, belonging and public trust.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Leaders in India, Hungary and the US are using appeals to nostalgia and nationalism to attack higher education – https://theconversation.com/leaders-in-india-hungary-and-the-us-are-using-appeals-to-nostalgia-and-nationalism-to-attack-higher-education-258975

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Boost for travelers and businesses as Germany opens up eGates

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Boost for travelers and businesses as Germany opens up eGates

    UK and Germany agree to phased opening of German eGates for UK travellers

    • Germany agrees to phased opening of e-gates for the over 3 million Brits visiting each year
    • Follows UK-EU Summit in May and agreement that there were no legal barriers to allow UK citizens access to e-gates in more EU Member States after the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System 

    Millions of UK travellers to Germany will be able to use e-gates in the future thanks to a new agreement made between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today (Thursday 17 July). Part of a landmark bilateral treaty between the two countries.

    Germany will roll out the first phase of e-gates access for UK travellers by the end of August, starting with frequent travellers such as Brits with family in Germany or who travel regularly for business. Access for all UK nationals will be possible once Germany has completed  technical updates to its entry systems as it introduces the new EU’s Entry/Exit System. 

    3.2 million Brits visited Germany in 2023, with numbers growing steadily since the Covid pandemic. Opening up e-gates in Germany, and across the EU, will support UK trade and tourism and boost growth through the Plan for Change. 

    The agreement follows the successful UK-EU Summit in May, where the UK and EU made clear that there were no legal barriers to even more EU countries allowing UK citizens to use eGates at airports. EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas Symonds also visited Berlin in June to discuss e-gates, among other issues, with German ministers. 

    Since then, the UK has secured e-gates access for UK citizens traveling to Bulgaria and now into Germany. Other countries and airports have also opened up access, including Portugal (Faro airport) and  the Czech Republic (Prague airport) and Estonia has confirmed they will open up access at (Tallinn airport) in 2026. 

    EU Relations Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds said: 

    eGates can make the slog of travelling through an airport that bit easier, which is why I have been working with the EU and member states to get more airports opened up to Brits abroad. 

    With £30 billion of services trade between the UK and the EU, this agreement isn’t just good for holidaymakers, it’s good for British businesses too. Making traveling easier between Europe’s biggest economies, to get deals done and boost growth.

    The UK and Germany have a trading relationship worth almost £150 billion a year. Germany is the UK’s second largest trading partner behind the USA, where the UK agreed a new trade deal last month. 

    The UK exports almost £30 billion worth of services to Germany each year, a growing market for British service providers. Services trade, like financial services, IT and consultancy are heavily reliant on face to face meetings and this e-gates agreement will save British firms valuable time. 

    While many EU countries now allow UK citizens to use e-gates, the government is continuing to work with others to do so.

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 7th Round of Pakistan-UK Dialogue on Arms Control & Non-Proliferation: Joint statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    7th Round of Pakistan-UK Dialogue on Arms Control & Non-Proliferation: Joint statement

    The 7th Round of the United Kingdom-Pakistan Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament was held in London on 16 July 2025

    Director of Defence and International Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Stephen Lillie CMG, and Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, led the respective delegations. 

    The two sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on a wide array of issues, including international and regional security, strategic stability, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. Deliberations also focused on the dynamics of the United Nations General Assembly (First Committee), the Conference on Disarmament (CD), international conventions (such as the BTWC, CWC, and CCW), multilateral export control regimes, and the use and implications of new and emerging technologies. 

    In addition, both sides exchanged views on UK-Pakistan bilateral cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. 

    Since its inception in 2015, the Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament has remained a key component of the broader bilateral engagement between the two countries. 

    Both sides recognized the vital role of regular dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and promoting cooperation. In this context, they agreed to convene the next round of consultations in Islamabad next year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 7th Round of Pakistan-UK Dialogue on Arms Control & Non-Proliferation: Joint statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    7th Round of Pakistan-UK Dialogue on Arms Control & Non-Proliferation: Joint statement

    The 7th Round of the United Kingdom-Pakistan Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament was held in London on 16 July 2025

    Director of Defence and International Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Stephen Lillie CMG, and Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, led the respective delegations. 

    The two sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on a wide array of issues, including international and regional security, strategic stability, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. Deliberations also focused on the dynamics of the United Nations General Assembly (First Committee), the Conference on Disarmament (CD), international conventions (such as the BTWC, CWC, and CCW), multilateral export control regimes, and the use and implications of new and emerging technologies. 

    In addition, both sides exchanged views on UK-Pakistan bilateral cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. 

    Since its inception in 2015, the Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament has remained a key component of the broader bilateral engagement between the two countries. 

    Both sides recognized the vital role of regular dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and promoting cooperation. In this context, they agreed to convene the next round of consultations in Islamabad next year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Nuvini Hosts Inaugural NuviniAI Day: Culmination of Strategic AI Initiative at Oracle São Paulo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ~ Three Finalist Projects to Compete in Pioneering Corporate AI Program Demonstrating Tangible ROI and Innovation ~

    NEW YORK, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nuvini Group Limited (Nasdaq: NVNI) (“Nuvini” or the “Company”), a leading technology conglomerate in the Latin American SaaS sector, is pleased to announce the successful debut of its inaugural NuviniAI Day, held on July 17, 2025, at Oracle’s headquarters in São Paulo. This landmark event celebrates the culmination of the NuviniAI program—a strategic, company-wide initiative designed to accelerate artificial intelligence (“AI”) adoption, drive digital transformation, and position Nuvini at the forefront of enterprise-grade artificial intelligence integration.

    Program Overview: A Strategic Leap Toward AI Leadership

    Launched in June 2025, the NuviniAI program attracted ten (10) AI project submissions from across the Nuvini ecosystem. With an average return on investment of 523% and a payback period of just 4.2 months, the initiative has delivered tangible business results that validate AI as a strategic lever for growth. The program’s success reflects Nuvini’s broader vision of embedding innovation, scalability, and operational efficiency into its core operations through technology.

    “The NuviniAI program exemplifies our belief that AI is not just a tech upgrade—it’s a business imperative,” said Pierre Schurmann, Chief Executive Officer at Nuvini. “The results we’ve achieved so far prove that measurable, scalable AI impact is possible with clear vision and strong execution.”

    Finalist Projects: AI in Action

    After initial presentations on June 18th, and final selection on June 24th, three standout projects advanced to the final phase with hands-on Oracle support. These projects received infrastructure, AI tools, and technical mentorship, preparing for live demos at NuviniAI Day.

    AIMÊ – Intelligent Public Tender Analysis (Effecti)

    AIMÊ revolutionizes the public tender analysis process through advanced generative AI, natural language processing, and optical character recognition technologies. The solution has already processed over 2,050 public tenders since March 2025, achieving 75% response accuracy while dramatically increasing productivity, with an estimated return on investment (“ROI”) of 1400%, more than 75% user base activation and a payback period of just 6 months.

    Business Scout – Automated Acquisition Intelligence (Datahub)

    Business Scout transforms mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) opportunity identification through automated web scraping and intelligent analysis powered by GPT technology. The platform has an extensive database of over 3 million companies in Brazil and promises to have its pay back within 6 months while enabling faster, more accurate strategic decisions in the M&A process.

    LeadIA – AI Marketing Assistant and Executor (Leadlovers)

    LeadIA addresses the critical challenge of marketing execution by providing an intelligent AI agent that assists users in implementing practical marketing actions. Leveraging OpenAI, TypeBot, and N8N technologies, LeadIA serves over 10,000 active accounts. The solution is expected to demonstrate a remarkable 35% increase in user activation and 20% reduction in first-month churn, with a payback period of only 3 months.

    The event will bring together technology leaders, industry experts, and Nuvini executives to witness the culmination of this groundbreaking initiative. The winning project will receive additional support for enterprise-wide implementation and serve as a model for future AI initiatives across the organization.

    “NuviniAI Day represents more than a competition—it’s a celebration of innovation and a demonstration of our commitment to technological leadership,” emphasized Mr. Schurmann. “The solutions being presented have the potential to transform not just our operations, but to set new standards for AI implementation in the Brazilian SaaS sector.”

    The Oracle São Paulo office served as the venue for the final presentations on July 17th, where each project team had the opportunity to demonstrate their enhanced solutions to a panel of expert evaluators, including Nuvini’s C-level executives, board members and Oracle personnel. The selection criteria focused on technical innovation, business impact, scalability potential, and alignment with Nuvini’s strategic objectives.

    Industry Context and Market Leadership 

    The NuviniAI program launches at a critical juncture in the Brazilian technology landscape, where artificial intelligence adoption has become a strategic imperative rather than a competitive advantage. 

    The SaaS sector, where Nuvini maintains a strong presence, is experiencing unprecedented transformation driven by AI integration. Companies are investing substantial amounts in SaaS products, with AI integration identified as the primary trend shaping the industry in 2025.

    “We’re witnessing a fundamental shift where AI adoption is no longer about innovation—it’s about survival,” explained Schurmann. “Companies that fail to integrate AI capabilities risk being left behind as the pace of digital transformation accelerates globally.”

    The NuviniAI program positions Nuvini ahead of this curve, demonstrating measurable results that include productivity increases and financial growth improvements, consistent with global benchmarks for successful AI implementation.

    Looking Forward: Scaling the Future of AI at Nuvini

    The success of the NuviniAI program establishes a foundation for continued innovation and technological leadership within Nuvini. The initiative demonstrates the organization’s ability to identify, develop, and implement cutting-edge AI solutions that deliver tangible business value while positioning the company for future growth opportunities.

    The program’s emphasis on measurable results, strategic alignment, and scalable implementation provides a replicable framework for future technology initiatives. The lessons learned and best practices developed through the NuviniAI program will inform the group’s ongoing digital transformation efforts and contribute to its competitive positioning in the global technology market.

    “The NuviniAI program represents just the beginning of our AI journey,” concluded program leadership. “The foundation we’re building today will enable us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in business technology, always with a focus on delivering real value to our customers and stakeholders.”

    About Nuvini

    Headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, Nuvini is Latin America’s leading private serial acquirer of business to business (B2B) software as a service (SaaS) companies. The company focuses on acquiring profitable, high-growth SaaS businesses with strong recurring revenue and cash flow generation. By fostering an entrepreneurial environment, Nuvini enables its portfolio companies to scale and maintain leadership within their respective industries. The company’s long-term vision is to buy, retain, and create value through strategic partnerships and operational expertise.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Because forward–looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation: the Company’s ability to complete the potential acquisitions on the anticipated timeline or at all; general market conditions that could affect the consummation of the potential acquisition; if definitive documents with respect to a potential acquisition are executed, whether the parties will achieve any of the anticipated benefits of any such transactions; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Ǫuarterly and Annual Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the risks described in other filings that the Company may make with the SEC. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. We caution you, therefore, against relying on any of these forward‐looking statements.

    Investor Relations Contact

    Sofia Toledo
    ir@nuvini.co

    MZ North America
    NVNI@mzgroup.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ripple (XRP) breaks through historical highs, Ripplecoin Mining launches new mobile cloud mining APP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the price of Ripple (XRP) breaks through the historical high for the first time in 7 years, reaching $3.55, the crypto market sentiment continues to heat up. In response to investors’ strong demand for a stable way to increase the value of digital assets, the well-known cloud computing service provider Ripplecoin Mining officially launched its new mobile cloud mining APP today. Through AI computing power scheduling technology, it helps coin holders easily obtain daily income and achieve the dual goals of asset growth and risk hedging.

    The market boom has created new demands, and cloud mining has emerged.

    According to CoinMarketCap data, as of July 18, XRP rose by more than 17% in a single day, surpassing the historical peak in 2018, and ranked third in the global cryptocurrency market value, following BTC and ETH. At the same time, mainstream altcoins such as ETH and Solana also rose, pushing the overall market to break through the $3.89 trillion market value mark. Analysts generally believe that with the expansion of institutional applications and the access of new financial instruments such as ETFs, holders are increasingly demanding “passive income tools other than trading.”
    Ripplecoin Mining has precisely seen this trend and launched a new cloud mining application, allowing global users to start AI-driven mining tasks through mobile phones without hardware or technical barriers, and obtain daily income dividends in the form of USDT.
    “We believe that when crypto assets enter the next stage of the cycle, stable, secure, and intelligent computing services will become an important supplement to mainstream investment strategies.”
    – Ripplecoin Mining spokesperson said at the press conference

    Product highlights: AI computing power scheduling + mobile-friendly experience

    Ripplecoin Mining cloud mining platform already supports mining of multiple mainstream currencies, including BTC, XRP, ETH, DOGE, SOL, etc., and will gradually expand to more asset categories. Core advantages include:
    Free experience for new users: Register and get $15 cloud computing power, and start earning immediately;
    Convenient operation on mobile terminal: Support iOS and Android, complete registration, contract selection, and daily dividend collection in 3 steps;
    AI intelligent mining system: The platform deploys 120+ green data centers around the world to allocate optimal computing power in real time;
    Zero threshold entry: No need to buy mining machines, no need to configure electricity, no technical knowledge required;
    Multi-currency combination mining: Support one-click configuration of multi-currency income combination, and optimize asset allocation strategy.

    Simple steps to quickly participate in cloud mining and get income

    Quick registration: Click here to create an account via email and get a $15 cloud computing power free trial quota;

    Choose a contract: Supports multi-currency payments (XRP, BTC, ETH, DOGE), flexible contract types, and income is paid daily;

    Get income: You can view mining output in the App every day and get income with one click, without complicated operations.
    The following contracts explain the potential income you can get

    Contract Price Contract Duration Daily Earnings Total Revenue
    $100 2Days $5 $100 + $10
    $500 5Days $6 $500 + $30
    $1,200 8Days $16 $1,300 + $130
    $3,000 12Days $43 $3,000 + $518
    $8,200 22Days $125 $8,100 + $2,742
    $23,500 30Days $409 $23,500 + $12,267

    Industry analyst’s view: A new generation of “sound investment” tools
    Industry research organization ChainProof pointed out that with XRP hitting a record high, cloud mining products are seen as a key bridge between the bull market and sustainable returns. Data shows that in the past month, the number of active users using the Ripplecoin Mining platform increased by 26% month-on-month, of which nearly 50% were users with XRP or ETH as their main holdings.
    “Although the current market has ushered in a wave of rising prices, volatility still exists. Users hope to not only earn the difference in the bull market, but also build daily cash flow.”
    – Valentin Fournier, chief analyst at BRN commented

    Future Outlook: Accelerate global layout and serve ordinary coin holders

    Ripplecoin Mining officials said that the platform will launch “cloud mining custody accounts” and “fixed investment computing power products” in the next few weeks to further meet users’ strategic arrangements in different market scenarios. At the same time, the company plans to accelerate localized support in Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Latin America to expand its global user base of more than 9 million.

    About Ripplecoin Mining

    Ripplecoin Mining was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in London, UK. It is the world’s leading compliant cloud mining platform. Relying on green energy mines, AI scheduling algorithms and mobile-friendly design, Ripplecoin Mining is committed to enabling every cryptocurrency user to participate in the global computing power network in a simple and secure way. At present, the platform supports cloud mining services for mainstream assets such as BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE, and has served more than 9.5 million users in more than 180 countries and regions.

    For more information:

    Official website: https://ripplecoinmining.com
    App download portal: https://ripplecoinmining.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Media contact: info@ripplecoinmining.com

    Disclaimer: The content of this press release does not constitute any form of investment advice, trading advice or financial commitment. There are risks in the cryptocurrency market. Cloud mining participants need to carefully evaluate the potential results based on their actual situation. It is recommended to consult a professional financial advisor in advance.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China slams US Senate Democrats report for hyping up China threat

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

    An undated file photo shows the People’s Republic of China flag and the U.S. Stars and Stripes fly along Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China on Friday firmly opposed a U.S. report amplifying the so-called “China threat” and urged relevant U.S. politicians to cease smearing and suppressing China.

    Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks during a regular press briefing, responding to a query about the report in which Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee called for congressional action toward restoring the country’s global reputation and influence to prevent the U.S. from being overtaken by China as the world’s leading power.

    Lin said the report, filled with Cold War thinking, peddles major country confrontation and the false narrative of “China threat,” with the real aim of going after and suppressing China. China firmly opposes it.

    He stressed that China follows an independent foreign policy of peace and always acts as a positive and stable force for good, and has no intention to and will not engage in a contest with any country for influence.

    Noting that China follows the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation in viewing and handling its relations with the U.S., Lin urged relevant U.S. personnel to foster a right perception of China, view China and China-U.S. relations in an objective and rational way, stop attacking, smearing, containing and going after China, and contribute to a steady, sound and sustainable bilateral relationship.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AmCham China president: US exhibitors at 2025 CISCE grow by 15%

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

    Michael Hart, president of AmCham China, said at a Shandong-Thailand thematic event and supply chain international cooperation promotion conference in Beijing on Wednesday that this year’s China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) has provided a platform for communication and cooperation, with the number of U.S. exhibitors increasing significantly.

    Michael Hart, president of AmCham China, speaks at an event during the 3rd CISCE in Beijing on July 16, 2025. [Photo courtesy of CISCE]

    “The supply chain expo has provided a fantastic platform for communication and cooperation,” Hart said. “I’m pleased to share that the number of U.S. exhibitors at this year’s expo has grown by 15% compared to last year, once again making them the largest group of overseas exhibitors.”

    Among U.S. exhibitors, 60% are Fortune Global 500 companies. American tech leader NVIDIA also makes its debut at this year’s expo.

    “The foundation of China-U.S. relations lies in people-to-people ties,” said Yu Jianlong, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. “Currently, business communities from both countries maintain smooth communication and share a common desire to strengthen supply chain cooperation. At this critical juncture, Chinese and American businesses are taking concrete actions to advance bilateral economic and trade relations. We’ve reached clear consensus on maintaining stable and unimpeded global supply chains.”

    Hart also noted the launch of AmCham China’s 2025 Navigator Program last November at the second CISCE, which has helped to develop supply chain leaders for collaboration with Chinese supply chain hubs. He said this year marks AmCham China’s first participation with an exhibition booth alongside member companies.

    AmCham China represents U.S. businesses operating in China. With nearly 800 member companies, the chamber serves as a key platform for communication between the business community and both the U.S. and Chinese governments. The organization focuses on supporting member success in China, strengthening U.S.-China economic ties to benefit both nations and the global economy.

    Hart said this event connects with business leaders from Chinese and foreign companies to explore new collaboration opportunities, on the opening day of CISCE.

    “Since the first U.S. investment in Shandong in 1986, nearly 1,000 American companies have invested in the province, making it a key partner in bilateral trade,” he said. “Today, Shandong stands as one of China’s most dynamic provinces – a leader in economic and industrial development with long-established strengths in manufacturing, agriculture, port logistics, and new energy.”

    The AmCham China booth at the 3rd CISCE in Beijing on July 16, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Shandong’s robust industrial ecosystem, efficient infrastructure, and skilled workforce have made it a cornerstone of global supply chain resilience, while many AmCham China member companies have established production bases and regional hubs in the province, Hart said. The chamber has also led multiple business delegations to Shandong, facilitating investment and strengthening cooperation between U.S. companies and the province, he added.

    The third CISCE opened on Wednesday and runs through Sunday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global automakers seek deeper integration into China’s smart supply chains

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

    This photo shows the booth of AITO during the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As global supply chains undergo digital transformation, major automakers are looking to deepen their integration into China’s advanced manufacturing and smart supply chain systems.

    At the ongoing China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, industry leaders underscored how China’s maturing electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, technological depth and industrial scale are shaping the next phase of global automotive production.

    For Tesla, China is not just a market; it has become a core pillar of its global supply chain strategy. The company’s Shanghai Gigafactory, now producing one vehicle roughly every 30 seconds, has achieved a 95 percent local parts integration rate for its Model 3 and Model Y lines.

    The company said the factory’s output accounted for nearly half of Tesla’s global deliveries as of June, with over 3 million vehicles having rolled off its assembly lines since its launch.

    Beyond vehicle production, Tesla is expanding into energy storage with its first overseas Megapack factory, also located in Shanghai. Officially launched in February 2025, the facility was built and operational in just nine months, with an annual production capacity of 40 GWh. Megapacks from this factory are now being exported to markets across the Asia-Pacific, further embedding Tesla into China’s smart energy supply networks.

    “China has the world’s most complete EV (electric vehicle) supply chain, with top-tier local suppliers and highly responsive manufacturing capabilities,” an unnamed Tesla spokesperson told Xinhua.

    He added that China’s large talent pool in artificial intelligence (AI), EV engineering and advanced manufacturing has become essential to Tesla’s localized R&D.

    “Whether it’s supply chain resilience, innovation capacity or market scale, China continues to offer unique advantages,” said the spokesperson.

    German auto supplier Bosch shared similar views. The company presented its localized innovations in electrified powertrains and driving assistance systems at the expo, emphasizing the rapid technology iteration happening in China.

    “China leads the way in electrification, intelligence and the shift to software-defined vehicles,” said David Xu, president of Bosch China. “Its consumers adopt new technologies quickly, which drives faster product evolution and continuous innovation in the auto sector.”

    Bosch is advancing its R&D and production capacity in China, a strategy it views as critical for keeping pace with the country’s fast-moving automotive market.

    Swedish carmaker Volvo returned to the expo for the third consecutive year. Sandra Liu, vice president of government affairs at Volvo Cars Asia Pacific, said the expo offers “a platform to promote collaboration across supply chain tiers, foster interaction among companies of all sizes, and integrate industry, academia and research.”

    Volvo’s booth featured the newly launched S90 and its flagship electric SUV EX90, in a bid to engage global supply chain partners and demonstrate the brand’s commitment to high-quality growth and sustainable mobility.

    With geopolitical uncertainty still clouding global trade, China’s combination of industrial depth and digital infrastructure is seen as a stabilizing force.

    As electrification, automation and digitalization reshape the global auto industry, integration into China’s supply chain is no longer optional — it is strategic.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA approves adrenaline nasal spray – the first needle-free emergency treatment for anaphylaxis in the UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    MHRA approves adrenaline nasal spray – the first needle-free emergency treatment for anaphylaxis in the UK

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 18 July 2025, approved adrenaline (epinephrine) nasal spray (EURneffy) to be used for the emergency treatment of serious allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 18 July 2025, approved adrenaline (epinephrine) nasal spray (EURneffy) to be used for the emergency treatment of serious allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis.

    Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe and sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction that causes a drop in blood pressure and breathing difficulties.

    Adrenaline is a well-established treatment for anaphylaxis, commonly administered through auto-injectors. This approval marks the introduction of a nasal spray formulation, providing a needle-free alternative for the emergency administration of a potentially life-saving medication.

    It is intended for use in adults and children who weigh 30 kg (about 66 pounds) or more.

    Patients are reminded to familiarise themselves with the important public guidance from the MHRA on how to respond to anaphylaxis and use adrenaline auto-injectors

    Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

    “Patient safety is our top priority, which is why we’re pleased to approve the first needle-free nasal spray formulation of adrenaline for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in the UK. Until now, adrenaline for self-administration has only been available via auto-injectors. 

    “While this represents an important new option, adrenaline auto-injectors remain a vital and potentially life-saving treatment, giving people experiencing anaphylaxis valuable time before emergency help arrives.

    “We continue to encourage everyone at risk of severe allergic reactions, and those around them, to familiarise themselves with how to respond in an emergency. Resources and guidance are available on the MHRA website to help people be prepared.”

    Adrenaline (epinephrine) nasal spray is a ready-to-use single dose nasal spray that delivers its entire contents (2mg) upon activation.

    The plunger should not be pressed before inserting the product into the nostril, otherwise the single dose will be lost prior to use.
    Adrenaline (epinephrine) nasal spray can also be used when the nose is congested due to a cold or allergy.  

    Patients should always carry two nasal sprays with them in case a second dose is needed and let friends or family know they have them in case of an emergency.

    A full list of side effects can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), available on the MHRA website within 7 days of approval.    

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of the adrenaline nasal spray under close review.    

    Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.     

    This medicine has been approved through the International Recognition Procedure (IRP). The IRP allows the MHRA to consider the expertise and decision-making of trusted regulatory partners for the benefit of UK patients.    

    ENDS      

    Notes to editors       

    • The approval was granted to ALK-Abelló A/S on 18 July 2025.
    • This product was submitted and approved via the International Recognition Procedure.
    • The MHRA conducts a targeted assessment of IRP applications and retains the authority to reject applications if the evidence provided is not considered sufficiently robust.
    • More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.
    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sanctions Russian spies at the heart of Putin’s malicious regime

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    UK sanctions Russian spies at the heart of Putin’s malicious regime

    The UK has exposed Russian spies responsible for spreading chaos and disorder on Putin’s orders.

    • UK exposes and sanctions three GRU units and 18 of their military intelligence officers, responsible for spreading chaos and disorder on Putin’s orders.   

    • GRU units exposed for their involvement in the bombing of the Mariupol Theatre, the targeting of Yulia Skripal and cyber operations in support of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.  

    • Action by UK and allies comes amid global threat posed by Russian malign activity.

    Russian spies and hackers targeting the UK and others are today exposed and sanctioned in decisive action by the UK Government to deliver security for working people. 

    Today’s measures target three units of the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) and 18 military intelligence officers who are responsible for conducting a sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity over many years, including in the UK. 

    The GRU routinely uses cyber and information operations to sow chaos, division and disorder in Ukraine and across the world with devastating real-world consequences.  

    In 2022, Unit 26165, sanctioned today, conducted online reconnaissance to help target missile strikes against Mariupol – including the strike that destroyed the Mariupol Theatre where hundreds of civilians, including children, were murdered. 

    Today’s action also hits GRU military intelligence officers responsible for historically targeting Yulia Skripal’s device with malicious malware known as X-Agent – five years before GRU military intelligence officers’ failed attempt to murder Yulia and Sergei Skripal with the deadly Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury.  

    In the UK, Russia has targeted media outlets, telecoms providers, political and democratic institutions, and energy infrastructure. The United Kingdom and our international allies are watching Russia and are countering their attacks both publicly and behind the scenes. 

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:    

    GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens.  

    The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows and we won’t tolerate it. That’s why we’re taking decisive action with sanctions against Russian spies. Protecting the UK from harm is fundamental to this government’s Plan for Change. 

    Putin’s hybrid threats and aggression will never break our resolve. The UK and our Allies support for Ukraine and Europe’s security is ironclad.

    The UK government is committed to accelerating its efforts to counter hybrid threats at home, protecting the UK’s national security – a key foundation of the Plan for Change – and abroad, working in collaboration with a growing international coalition including all 32 NATO Allies, the EU and its member states, and our partners in the FBI. 

    That is why the UK has announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending – rising to 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – since the Cold War, and as highlighted in the National Security Review, the UK is stepping up our focus on tackling hybrid and technology enabled threats. The new UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership will support this, enabling closer cooperation across a wide range of areas. 

    The Kremlin has also used cyber operations in support of Putin’s illegal war – including targeting critical infrastructure like Viasat satellite communications. Some of these attacks were conducted on the eve of the full-scale invasion in 2022 with the express purpose of degrading Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.   

    Russia’s insidious activity stretches far beyond Europe. In addition to the GRU Units and officers, the UK is also sanctioning three leaders of “African Initiative”, a social media content mill established and funded by Russia and employing Russian intelligence officers to conduct information operations in West Africa. This includes reckless attempts to undermine lifesaving global health initiatives in the region by pushing baseless conspiracy theories to further the Kremlin’s political agenda. 

    Background 

    The Foreign Secretary laid out how the UK is stepping up our approach to combatting Russian hybrid threats in his Mansion House speech. Read more here.

    See this factsheet for further information: GRU Cyber and Hybrid Threat Operations

    Hybrid Threats activity refers to overt or covert actions by foreign governments which fall short of direct armed conflict with the UK but cause harm or threaten the safety or interests of the UK or our allies.

    Examples of this include: 

    • Cyber attacks (e.g. hacking government systems or stealing trade secrets) 
    • Disinformation (e.g. spreading false or misleading information online) 
    • Sabotage (e.g. damaging infrastructure or supply chains) 
    • Political interference (e.g. influencing elections or public opinion) 
    • More information on the Salisbury Poisonings and the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry can be found here: The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry – Inquiry into 2018 Salisbury poisonings 

    Below is a full list of those sanctioned today: 

    • Aleksandr Vladimirovich OSADCHUK 
    • Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich SEREBRIAKOV 
    • Anatoliy Sergeyvich KOVALEV 
    • Artem Valeryvich OCHICHENKO 
    • The 161st Specialist Training Centre (TsPS) (Unit 29155) of the GRU 
    • Vladislav Yevgenyevich BOROVKOV 
    • Nikolay Aleksandrovich KORCHAGIN 
    • Yuriy Federovich DENISOV 
    • Vitaly Aleksandrovich SHEVCHENKO 
    • Ivan Sergeyevich YERMAKOV 
    • Aleksey Viktorovich LUKASHEV 
    • Sergey Sergeyevich VASYUK 
    • Andrey Eduardovich BARANOV 
    • Aleksey Sergeyevich MORENETS 
    • Sergey Aleksandrovich MORGACHEV 
    • Artem Adreyevich MALYSHEV 
    • Yuriy Leonidovich SHIKOLENKO 
    • Victor Borisovich NETYKSHO 
    • Dmitriy Aleksandrovich MIKHAYLOV 
    • African Initiative 
    • Artyom Sergeevich KUREYEV 
    • Anna Sergeevna ZAMARAEVA 
    • Victor Aleksandrovich LUKOVENKO  

    In addition, we have brought new evidence to light on the following existing designations: 

    • The Main Centre for Special Technologies (GTsST) (Unit 74455) of the Russian GRU 
    • The 85th Main Special Services Centre (GTsSS) (Unit 26165) of the Russian GRU

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –