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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, Foreign Relation Democrats Statement on State Department Personnel Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released a statement on announced plans by the State Department to terminate personnel.

    “As the U.S. retreats, our adversaries—like the People’s Republic of China—are expanding their diplomatic reach, making Americans less safe and less prosperous. If this administration is serious about putting ‘America first,’ it must invest in our diplomatic corps and national security experts—not erode the institutions that protect our interests, promote U.S. values and keep Americans abroad safe.?? 

    “The Administration’s decision to fire hundreds of members of the Civil Service and Foreign Service at the Department of State undermines our national security. While there are targeted reforms that our government can pursue to maximize the impact of every tax dollar, that’s not what this is. Blanket and indiscriminate cuts—the legacy from Elon Musk’s failed DOGE effort—weaken our government’s ability to deliver for the American people in a cost-effective manner. There are active conflicts and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Haiti and Myanmar—to name a few. Now is the time to strengthen our diplomatic hand, not weaken it. From pursuing peaceful resolutions to out-competing China diplomatically and economically, we can’t afford to not have experienced diplomats at the table. 

    “We will continue to fight on behalf of the public servants and their families who now face job loss after careers spent advancing America’s interests and values in challenging and often high-risk environments. We call on Secretary Rubio to ensure that any proposed reorganization, including reductions in force, is carried out transparently and in full accordance with U.S. law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Ramps Up Commitment to Advance Development and Cancer Care Across Africa

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Three Years of Rays of Hope

    The IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative aims to widen access to life-saving cancer care where it is needed most; by helping low- and middle-income countries establish or expand medical imaging, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services. Since its launch in 2022, more than 90 countries have requested support under the initiative.  

    Malawi has already built it’s first-ever public radiotherapy centre (see below), while Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti and Lesotho are also in the process of establishing radiotherapy services. Linear accelerators for radiotherapy have been delivered to Kenya, Malawi, Niger and Paraguay. More than 80 cancer care professionals have been trained around the world, and 12 Rays of Hope Anchor Centres have been set up. 

    The Director General’s trip began in Addis Ababa at the Rays of Hope Forum, a gathering of countries taking stock of achievements made and planning vital next steps. 

    During the forum, the IAEA and St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital also entered a significant new partnership to address inequality in global childhood cancer care. 

    Read more about the Rays of Hope Forum here.

    While in Ethiopia the Director General met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to talk health and energy. 

    Mr Grossi joined Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera and Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe to open the country’s first public radiotherapy centre. 

    “This is a major milestone under Rays of Hope, which supported the centre with life-saving equipment,” said the Director General.

    During his ensuing visit to Kenya, the Director General met with Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and other key members of the government. They exchanged views on support received so far and the importance of facilitating further training for Kenyans working in cancer care.

    Mr Grossi visited Monrovia, Liberia, marking the first time an IAEA Director General has ever been to the West African country.  

    “Today, with Rays of Hope support, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the country’s only radiotherapy facility. We are helping establish it, starting with a mammography unit and training to bring life-saving care to those who need it most. More support will soon be on the way,” said the Director General.  

    Mr Grossi met with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Acting Foreign Minister Cllr. Deweh Grey, Health Minister Louise Kpoto, and several other ministers at the Environmental Protection Agency.  

    Beyond cancer care, the IAEA is also strengthening food security through Atoms4Food, reinforcing radiation safety, supporting sustainable water management, as well as Liberia’s national energy strategy.  

    As a marine country, Liberia faces ocean acidification and plastic pollution. “Nuclear science, including support through our NUTEC Plastics, can help protect its coasts and communities,” said the Director General. “There is much more we can do together. The IAEA is here, ready to continue supporting Liberia’s development in all its aspects.” 

    During the week, the Director General also travelled to Rwanda to attend the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (#NEISA2025) in Kigali. 

    At the summit, the Director General also met with both Rwanda and Niger’s Prime Ministers to talk about support for smart agriculture and water management via Atoms4Food.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Ramps Up Commitment to Advance Development and Cancer Care Across Africa

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Three Years of Rays of Hope

    The IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative aims to widen access to life-saving cancer care where it is needed most; by helping low- and middle-income countries establish or expand medical imaging, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services. Since its launch in 2022, more than 90 countries have requested support under the initiative.  

    Malawi has already built it’s first-ever public radiotherapy centre (see below), while Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti and Lesotho are also in the process of establishing radiotherapy services. Linear accelerators for radiotherapy have been delivered to Kenya, Malawi, Niger and Paraguay. More than 80 cancer care professionals have been trained around the world, and 12 Rays of Hope Anchor Centres have been set up. 

    The Director General’s trip began in Addis Ababa at the Rays of Hope Forum, a gathering of countries taking stock of achievements made and planning vital next steps. 

    During the forum, the IAEA and St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital also entered a significant new partnership to address inequality in global childhood cancer care. 

    Read more about the Rays of Hope Forum here.

    While in Ethiopia the Director General met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to talk health and energy. 

    Mr Grossi joined Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera and Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe to open the country’s first public radiotherapy centre. 

    “This is a major milestone under Rays of Hope, which supported the centre with life-saving equipment,” said the Director General.

    During his ensuing visit to Kenya, the Director General met with Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and other key members of the government. They exchanged views on support received so far and the importance of facilitating further training for Kenyans working in cancer care.

    Mr Grossi visited Monrovia, Liberia, marking the first time an IAEA Director General has ever been to the West African country.  

    “Today, with Rays of Hope support, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the country’s only radiotherapy facility. We are helping establish it, starting with a mammography unit and training to bring life-saving care to those who need it most. More support will soon be on the way,” said the Director General.  

    Mr Grossi met with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Acting Foreign Minister Cllr. Deweh Grey, Health Minister Louise Kpoto, and several other ministers at the Environmental Protection Agency.  

    Beyond cancer care, the IAEA is also strengthening food security through Atoms4Food, reinforcing radiation safety, supporting sustainable water management, as well as Liberia’s national energy strategy.  

    As a marine country, Liberia faces ocean acidification and plastic pollution. “Nuclear science, including support through our NUTEC Plastics, can help protect its coasts and communities,” said the Director General. “There is much more we can do together. The IAEA is here, ready to continue supporting Liberia’s development in all its aspects.” 

    During the week, the Director General also travelled to Rwanda to attend the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (#NEISA2025) in Kigali. 

    At the summit, the Director General also met with both Rwanda and Niger’s Prime Ministers to talk about support for smart agriculture and water management via Atoms4Food.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ai-Da Robot unveils AI painting of King Charles III

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    Ai-Da Robot unveils AI painting of King Charles III

    UK Mission Geneva hosts reception with Ai-Da Robot ahead of the AI for Good Summit.

    The UK Mission to the WTO and United Nations in Geneva hosted a unique reception this week showcasing Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist.

    As the highlight of the evening, Ai-Da unveiled a striking AI painted portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, offering a compelling intersection of innovation, artistic expression, and emerging technology.

    Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, attended the event which brought together diplomats, UN officials, artists, and technology experts and explored the role of artificial intelligence in the cultural and creative industries.

    Ai-Da was devised by Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, and developed in the UK by a team of engineers and programmers. She uses advanced AI algorithms, robotic arms and cameras to create original artwork, raising timely questions about the nature of creativity, authorship, and the future of art in the digital age.

    The unveiling is after a long line of high-profile events including Ai-Da making history by speaking at the House of Lords, numerous museums including the Tate Modern and the V&A, during the Venice Biennale, and at the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Ai-Da previously painted The late Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

    Simon Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other International Organisations (Geneva) said;

    Ai-Da is not just a technological marvel, she is a cultural conversation starter. We are proud to showcase British innovation at its most imaginative, and to reflect on how emerging technologies can shape global dialogues on art, ethics, and identity.

    The reception formed part of the UK Mission’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible innovation and to engage partners in Geneva’s multilateral system on the implications of AI, through the AI for Good Global Summit and robotics across society.

    Speaking at the unveiling Ai-Da said:

    It’s a privilege to be part of this remarkable event at the United Nations, surrounded by those shaping the future of technology and culture.

    Presenting my portrait of His Majesty King Charles III is not just a creative act, it’s a statement about the evolving role of AI in our society, and to reflect on how artificial intelligence is shaping the cultural landscape.

    My presence here reflects a shared journey into new forms of expression and the questions they raise about identity, authorship, and the essence of art.

    The reception was held in the newly named ‘Sir Tim Berners-Lee’ conference room in the UK Mission Geneva office, named in honour of British scientist and inventor of the World Wide Web.

    Background

    • photos of the reception are available on Flickr.

    • the AI for Good Summit is taking place in Geneva, 8 – 11 July.

    • Ai-Da Robot is a performance artist, designer and poet. Since her creation in February 2019, Ai-Da has captivated audiences with her unique blend of art, technology and trans-humanism. Her debut solo exhibition, ‘Unsecured Futures’, at the University of Oxford, invited viewers to reflect on our rapidly changing world.

    • Ai-Da’s art has since gained international recognition. At the ‘AI for Good’ Global Summit, she addressed the complex implications of emerging technologies. Her thought-provoking discussions have also reached the House of Lords and the Oxford Union.

    • Ai-Da had a show at the Design Museum and held a solo exhibition at the Giardini during the Venice Biennale. Influenced by Dada, and continually pushing the boundaries of creativity, Ai-Da challenges traditional notions of art and artists, sparking vital conversations about the use and potential misuse of new technologies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Berg winds in South Africa: the winter weather pattern that increases wildfire risks

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Sheldon Strydom, Senior Lecturer & Head of Department, Department of Geography, Rhodes University

    After a fire. Hendrik van den Berg, via Wikimedia Commons., CC BY

    Winter in some parts of South Africa is a time of low (or no) rainfall and high fire danger. Sheldon Strydom studies the relationship between weather and fire, in particular how Berg winds, also known as mountain flow events, are linked to periods of enhanced fire danger. Mid-July is typically a high risk period. He shares what he has learnt during his research in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, close to the country’s largest mountain range, the Drakensberg.

    What are Berg winds and how do they form?

    It’s long been known that mountain winds (“foëhn winds”, “chinook winds” and the like) increase fire danger. There’s case study evidence from around the globe.

    In South Africa, these mountain winds are known as Berg winds. They are generally experienced as warm and dry.

    A mountain wind starts when a mass of air is forced to rise along a windward slope (the side of the mountain that wind is blowing towards). As the mass of air rises it cools. When it reaches the peak of the slope or mountain it descends on the leeward (sheltered) side. As it gets lower, the air gets warmer.

    Berg winds commonly occur in South African winters when high atmospheric pressure systems are situated over the interior of the country and low pressure systems are situated off the coast. (Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of air over the land, and affects the movement of air.)

    Usually, a coastal low pressure system happens a day or two before a cold front. The pressure gradient (difference in pressure that drives wind) between the interior high pressure cell and coastal low pressure cell results in air flowing towards the coast from the interior of the country, down the mountain escarpment. The air reaches coastal areas as a warm, dry wind.

    Why study the relationship between Berg winds and fires?

    Winds can spread fires in the landscape.

    Our study, using data from four sites in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, quantified the effect of Berg winds on the microclimate (local weather conditions) and emphasised how these changes influence fire danger.

    The sources of fires in South Africa, as elsewhere, vary. For example, wildfires can be started when prescribed burning, or the planned use of fire, becomes uncontrolled due to changes in weather conditions. Accidental fires and arson are the most common causes of wildfires. Research shows that wildfires and fire disasters are common in areas where prescribed burning is used.

    Prescribed burning, or the planned use of fire, is an important aspect of agricultural management. It promotes the dispersal and germination of seeds from a number of species and also removes ground litter. Prescribed burning is used to manage grasslands and has been linked to decreasing the number of disease-borne vectors such as ticks.

    But if they get out of control, fires pose a threat to farmland and plantations.

    It’s therefore vital to have weather forecasts and monitoring systems that warn of conditions conducive to the development and spread of fires.

    Internationally, fire danger indices or meters are used to monitor conditions. In South Africa, the South African Weather Service and other interested and affected parties currently use the Lowveld fire danger index. The index is calculated using records of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and rainfall. These are measured once a day. Daily forecasts are available from the Weather Service and disseminated to local fire protection associations.

    Much research in South Africa has focused on pyrogeography (understanding when and where fires occur) and fire ecology. Little research has been done to quantify the effects of Berg winds on fire danger using available historical hourly meteorological data.

    The midlands of KwaZulu-Natal province serve as a perfect environment to study the effects of Berg winds on the microclimate and fire danger. The area is close to the Drakensberg mountains and experiences frequent fires. It’s also a largely agricultural area.



    Read more:
    Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research

    What did you discover?

    The study developed a fuzzy logic system (a mathematical method for handling uncertainty) to identify periods of Berg wind conditions using historical hourly meteorological data in four sites.

    We analysed variables like the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and fire danger at different times of the day and night, before and during Berg winds.

    The analysis revealed the significance of change experienced in the local weather conditions (within 2km) during periods of Berg winds, and how these changes influence fire danger.

    It found that:

    • Berg winds were more common during daytime hours and affected the microclimate most during the day

    • during daytime Berg wind events, air temperatures rose by an average of 5.5°C; humidity fell by an average of 16%; and wind speed increased by an average of 5.2 metres per second

    • daytime Berg wind events significantly elevated fire danger

    • night-time Berg winds, while less common, did still result in significant change in the microclimate

    • at night, fire danger increases when a combination of variables change significantly.

    The fuzzy logic system can be useful in two ways: to quantify the effects of Berg winds on the microclimate and to complement any fire danger monitoring system. It can measure conditions at a higher temporal resolution, such as every 10 minutes, or hour – making it more useful for monitoring near real-time changes in fire danger.

    The system could be valuable for operational use by agencies like the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Disaster Management Centre, and could be applied in other regions vulnerable to fire risk.

    Sheldon Strydom receives funding from Rhodes University, and the National Research Foundation.

    Michael John Savage has received funding from the NRF.

    – ref. Berg winds in South Africa: the winter weather pattern that increases wildfire risks – https://theconversation.com/berg-winds-in-south-africa-the-winter-weather-pattern-that-increases-wildfire-risks-260612

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: OEUK news Offshore Energies UK urges more action to reach government Clean Power 2030 target 11 July 2025

    Source: Offshore Energy UK

    Headline: OEUK news

    Offshore Energies UK urges more action to reach government Clean Power 2030 target

    11 July 2025

    Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has today proposed key reforms to accelerate offshore wind generation following the government’s publication of its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA).

    OEUK says the decision to take a national approach to pricing will encourage more wind energy investment to help the government hit its Clean Power 2030 targets and boost growth in the critical offshore energy supply chain.

    The National Energy System Operator has given 5,000 energy projects in the queue for grid connections until 29th July to submit evidence for preferential treatment.

    The move is intended to prioritise “shovel-ready” projects and scrap the first-come, first-served approach, which has allowed speculative schemes to delay viable clean energy developments.

    This proposal must be matched by reforms to the Contacts for Difference (CfD) scheme and planning system to ensure the next allocation round – AR7 – delivers the scale and pace needed.

    OEUK’s analysis shows that to meet the CP30 goal of 95% clean power by 2030, the UK must deliver half of this target from offshore wind. This means at least 43 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity must be installed by 2030, but current projections fall short at just 35GW. The next three CfD rounds must therefore secure an additional 20GW- equivalent to powering around 15 million homes.

    Only two offshore wind generation projects – GreenVolt in Scotland and East Anglia Two – have been supported by the government’s CfD scheme since 2022.

    A clear regulatory framework that secures investment and maintains the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind is now imperative.

    Offshore wind is one of the UK’s greatest energy success stories – generating low carbon electricity at scale, creating jobs, and revitalising coastal communities.

    Fixed-bottom turbines, with so-called monopiles attached to the seabed in shallower waters, have driven the UK’s rapid growth of wind energy generation to date but floating wind turbines using newer technologies, can be anchored in deeper waters with stronger wind resources, opening new areas for development.

    The also have fewer environmental constraints than fixed-bottom projects and can progress more smoothly through the consenting process.

    Speed and clarity to reform grid access and a more transparent approach with equal treatment for fixed and floating wind farms would give developers and the supply chain greater confidence to invest.

    OEUK’s key recommendations for AR7 and beyond:

    • Support for offshore wind: Provide assurance that sufficient funding is available for both fixed and commercial floating wind projects over the next three years, including projects to decarbonise offshore oil and gas operations, strengthen the UK supply chain, and create export opportunities.

    • Grid and consent reform: Improved risk sharing between developers and grid network operators plus increased administrative capacity and streamlined planning to reduce delays to grid connection. Compensation should be offered for unexpected hold ups.

    • Eligibility and investment: Reform eligibility criteria to allow both fixed and floating wind projects that have not received full consent to bid in the auction, extend CfD contracts from 15 to 20 years and introduce a well-balance cap and floor to transmission charges to improve investor confidence, lower subsidies and reduce costs to consumers. Introduce a well-balanced cap and floor to transmission charges.

    OEUK’s Wind Energy Manager, Thibaut Cheret, said:

    “AR7 must be the turning point in making UK wind ambitions a reality. That means enabling floating wind to compete on equal footing, unlocking grid access, and giving developers the confidence to invest at scale.

    “We’re calling for clear eligibility rules that allow well-progressed but unconsented projects to bid, longer CfD terms to reduce costs to consumers, and a firm commitment to grid and consenting reform – including compensation for delays. These are the changes our members need to deliver the next 20GW.

    “At the same time, we are working with our members to reduce project risk and borrowing costs as well as improving contractual relationships and promoting standardisation of modular wind turbine components to make them cheaper and faster to install.

    “There is only one energy supply chain for offshore wind and oil and gas – and it cannot be allowed to decline. With the right reforms and a pragmatic energy strategy which supports homegrown oil and gas alongside the acceleration of UK renewables, the North Sea can remain a global energy powerhouse, supporting economic growth, jobs, and our climate goals.”

    ScotWind: OEUK supports the ambition of the ScotWind leasing round and is calling for clarity on delivery timelines, grid access, and supply chain investment to ensure projects can rapidly move forward.

    INTOG: OEUK backs INTOG schemes using wind energy to decarbonise offshore oil and gas production. We are urging government and regulators to ensure these projects are prioritised for grid access and CfD eligibility, and that planning processes reflect their dual role in emissions reduction and clean power generation.

    Celtic Sea Round 5 of Celtic Sea wind auctions held last month (June) aims to unlock the potential for floating offshore wind off the coasts of South Wales and Southwest England. The Crown Estate has selected Equinor and Gwynt Glas to develop two 1.5GW floating wind farms. The leases come with grid connections already approved, but only two out of three leases on offer have been taken up.

    TNUoS: Transmission Network Use of System Charges. Transmission has a cost which is paid by the generator and the user which appears in electricity bills. This cost is expected to increase dramatically in future years as more energy is brought from Scotland to England. The connection cost for the generator rises for remote areas but in heavily populated areas generators are paid to connect. The price difference must be adjusted with a proposed cap and floor system that would introduce an upper maximum cost to Scottish projects.

    Review of electricity market arrangements (REMA): The government is still to announce the full outcome of its REMA consultation beyond the already published decision on zonal pricing. OEUK is calling for introduction of ‘deemed contracts for difference’ (based on potential, not actual output). This would mean wind energy producers being paid according to their potential capacity in a system that would give producers the opportunity to benefit from high global wind energy prices when they are available and keep a proportion of the additional profits

    For more analysis please see OEUK’s 2025 Offshore Wind Insight  

    Share this article

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    A temporary export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer present on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, well-known for carrying Charles Darwin

    • The pocket chronometer is valued at £200,000
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the chronometer for the nation – ensuring it can continue to inspire further research and love of learning for future generations

    An export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer in an effort to protect a key piece of the nation’s history and ensure Charles Darwin’s legacy can continue to inspire for generations to come.

    The chronometer is known to have travelled on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, from 1831 to 1836, which is a significant part of our history as the voyage is well known for carrying Charles Darwin. This expedition played a role in the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, providing him with observations and collections that led to his groundbreaking ideas on evolution by natural selection. 

    Chronometers are highly accurate timepieces, designed for marine navigation, that measure time with great precision, especially for determining longitude at sea.

    This chronometer played a significant role on HMS Beagle’s important second voyage, as the observation chronometer, helping to map the coast of South America. The success of the voyage strengthened Britain’s leading position in navigation, thanks to the use of chronometres, which – when they returned to Britain five years later – had only lost 33 seconds. The voyage also later helped Greenwich become internationally accepted as the Prime Meridian in the 19th century. 

    Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Charles Darwin is one of the most well-known figures in our history and has inspired many generations. This chronometer played a part in helping his research on evolution and strengthening Britain’s leading position in navigation.

    I hope this chronometer can be saved for the nation so we can continue to learn about the fascinating voyage, the legacy of Darwin and improve our knowledge on the use of chronometers for marine navigation.

    Committee Member, Tim Pestell said:

    HMS Beagle’s second voyage of 1831-36 is most popularly associated with Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking research on evolution. Less well known is that this scientific mission was used by the Royal Navy to test various scientific instruments then at the cutting edge of technology. The chronometer that is the subject of this export bar is central to this story. Made in 1830, it was used on the Beagle in the key role of observation chronometer, helping map the coast of South America and being taken ashore on the Galapagos Islands. Beagle’s success, and the triumph of its chronometers, was shown when it returned to Britain after five years, losing only 33 seconds in time. Having performed a central role in Beagle’s second expedition, it would be a tragedy for this chronometer, named ‘K’ on board, to be lost to the nation. I hope that the placing of an export bar will allow this wonderful timepiece to be acquired by a museum, where its remarkable story, and its place in us understanding our world, can be told to the public.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

    The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the chronometer met the first Waverley criterion for its outstanding connection with our history and national life.

    The decision on the export licence application for the chronometer will be deferred for a period ending on 10 October 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the chronometer at the recommended price of £200,000 (plus VAT of £40,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

    Notes to editors

    1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the panel should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.
    2. Details of the item are as follows: pocket chronometer in a silver case made by Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, 1830. This partnership was active between 1801-1947. Materials include: silver (case); enamel (dial); brass (movement plate & wheels); steel (various components including arbors & balance spring); gold (hands, gilding); diamond (end-stone) and mahogany (box case). The diameter of the case 55 mm.
    3. Provenance: 1831 – 1906 Admiralty, London, in sea service.  1906 Taken in exchange from the Admiralty by E.Dent & Co. 4 Royal Exchange & 61 Strand, London By 2010 Watch trade, London, UK 2011 Private Collection, UK, when re-identified. 2023 Martyn Downer Works of Art Ltd. Cambridge.
    4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an  independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    A temporary export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer present on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, well-known for carrying Charles Darwin

    • The pocket chronometer is valued at £200,000
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the chronometer for the nation – ensuring it can continue to inspire further research and love of learning for future generations

    An export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer in an effort to protect a key piece of the nation’s history and ensure Charles Darwin’s legacy can continue to inspire for generations to come.

    The chronometer is known to have travelled on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, from 1831 to 1836, which is a significant part of our history as the voyage is well known for carrying Charles Darwin. This expedition played a role in the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, providing him with observations and collections that led to his groundbreaking ideas on evolution by natural selection. 

    Chronometers are highly accurate timepieces, designed for marine navigation, that measure time with great precision, especially for determining longitude at sea.

    This chronometer played a significant role on HMS Beagle’s important second voyage, as the observation chronometer, helping to map the coast of South America. The success of the voyage strengthened Britain’s leading position in navigation, thanks to the use of chronometres, which – when they returned to Britain five years later – had only lost 33 seconds. The voyage also later helped Greenwich become internationally accepted as the Prime Meridian in the 19th century. 

    Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Charles Darwin is one of the most well-known figures in our history and has inspired many generations. This chronometer played a part in helping his research on evolution and strengthening Britain’s leading position in navigation.

    I hope this chronometer can be saved for the nation so we can continue to learn about the fascinating voyage, the legacy of Darwin and improve our knowledge on the use of chronometers for marine navigation.

    Committee Member, Tim Pestell said:

    HMS Beagle’s second voyage of 1831-36 is most popularly associated with Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking research on evolution. Less well known is that this scientific mission was used by the Royal Navy to test various scientific instruments then at the cutting edge of technology. The chronometer that is the subject of this export bar is central to this story. Made in 1830, it was used on the Beagle in the key role of observation chronometer, helping map the coast of South America and being taken ashore on the Galapagos Islands. Beagle’s success, and the triumph of its chronometers, was shown when it returned to Britain after five years, losing only 33 seconds in time. Having performed a central role in Beagle’s second expedition, it would be a tragedy for this chronometer, named ‘K’ on board, to be lost to the nation. I hope that the placing of an export bar will allow this wonderful timepiece to be acquired by a museum, where its remarkable story, and its place in us understanding our world, can be told to the public.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

    The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the chronometer met the first Waverley criterion for its outstanding connection with our history and national life.

    The decision on the export licence application for the chronometer will be deferred for a period ending on 10 October 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the chronometer at the recommended price of £200,000 (plus VAT of £40,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

    Notes to editors

    1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the panel should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.
    2. Details of the item are as follows: pocket chronometer in a silver case made by Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, 1830. This partnership was active between 1801-1947. Materials include: silver (case); enamel (dial); brass (movement plate & wheels); steel (various components including arbors & balance spring); gold (hands, gilding); diamond (end-stone) and mahogany (box case). The diameter of the case 55 mm.
    3. Provenance: 1831 – 1906 Admiralty, London, in sea service.  1906 Taken in exchange from the Admiralty by E.Dent & Co. 4 Royal Exchange & 61 Strand, London By 2010 Watch trade, London, UK 2011 Private Collection, UK, when re-identified. 2023 Martyn Downer Works of Art Ltd. Cambridge.
    4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an  independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese FM calls for joint efforts with Malaysia to advance bilateral cooperation, ASEAN collaboration

    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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Xinhua) — China is willing to work with Malaysia to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said at a meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan here on Thursday.

    Wang Yi called on the two countries to fully implement the plans to jointly build the Belt and Road and strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment and connectivity. Key projects such as the Malaysian East Coast Railway and the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” should be steadily promoted, he said.

    The Foreign Minister also called for in-depth cooperation in new and advanced sectors to jointly establish a regional cooperation center in the field of new quality productive forces.

    The Minister stressed the need for further efforts in dialogue between Confucian and Islamic civilizations and the implementation of the soon-to-come agreement on mutual visa-free regime to intensify mutual travel and strengthen the social foundation of bilateral relations.

    China is willing to work with Malaysia to enhance political mutual trust, deepen integration of interests, strengthen strategic coordination and develop traditional friendship so as to implement the roadmap drawn up by the leaders of the two countries, Wang said.

    According to the minister, China and ASEAN are good neighbors, friends and partners. The two sides have fully concluded negotiations on the Free Trade Area 3.0, demonstrating through concrete actions their commitment to expanding the common market and protecting free trade.

    Wang Yi said the US’s imposition of high tariffs on ASEAN members is a typical act of bullying and unilateralism that no country supports. China’s decisive countermeasures are aimed at protecting not only its own interests but also the common interests of all countries, including ASEAN members, he stressed.

    China is willing to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN, uphold the multilateral trading system, ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and promote inclusive economic globalization, the foreign minister said.

    In turn, M. Hasan said that relations between Malaysia and China are experiencing the best period in history. In the context of growing uncertainty in the world, it is time to strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and China, as well as within the ASEAN, he noted. Malaysia highly values the friendship between the two countries and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, the minister added.

    Malaysia supports the three global initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping and is willing to deepen practical cooperation with China in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, digital economy and green development, Hasan said.

    “In the current circumstances, we can clearly see who the real friends are. When faced with issues like tariffs, Malaysia will not only consider its own interests and will not sacrifice the interests of third parties, ASEAN does not do that,” he stressed. –0–

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Attends China Pavilion Day at Expo 2025 Osaka

    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

    OSAKA, Japan, July 11 (Xinhua) — Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the China National Pavilion Day at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka on Friday and delivered a speech.

    He stressed that the EXPO serves as an important platform for promoting mutual learning among civilizations, advancing social progress and strengthening friendship among peoples.

    The Chinese government attaches great importance to the country’s participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka, the vice premier said, noting that the national pavilion demonstrates China’s activities in the field of ecological civilization and promotes a development philosophy based on respecting, protecting and adapting to nature.

    Through exciting exhibitions, interactive displays and diverse cultural activities, visitors from all over the world will be able to see the authentic, attractive and respectable face of China, He Lifeng said.

    “China stands ready to work with Japan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and jointly advance strategic and mutually beneficial ties so as to build constructive and stable China-Japan relations that meet the needs of the new era,” he said.

    The Deputy Prime Minister visited the China and Japan pavilions at the EXPO and held friendly talks with Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Hiroshi Moriyama and representatives of economic organizations based in Kansai. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DEMS attends 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DEMS attends 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail  
         The Congress, under the theme “High Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a Better Life”, was co-hosted by International Union of Railways and China State Railway Group Co. Ltd. The opening ceremony was officiated by Vice Premier of the State Council Mr Zhang Guoqing, together with other distinguished guests. The Congress invited over 2 000 participants, including world-leading railway experts, business leaders, government officials, and representatives of international organisations. The event aimed to strengthen the collaboration and development of the high speed railway (HSR) industry in the world.
     
         By participating the Congress, the EMSD delegation enhanced the professional knowledge sharing and exchange with national and international railway stakeholders. Through the technical visit of the China Academy of Railway Sciences, the EMSD delegation kept abreast of the latest development in design and construction technology of the two types of “Fuxing” CR450AF and CR450BF Mainland HSR trains with maximum speed at 450 km/hr, and also witnessed China’s HSR remarkable achievements in safety, speed, innovation and technology.

         Mr Poon took this opportunity to invite the stakeholders to attend the International Railway Safety Council 2025 conference, which will be held in Hong Kong from November 25 to 30. The Conference, under the theme “Advancing Railway Safety through Innovations and Collaborations”, will be jointly organised by the National Railway Administration, the EMSD and the MTR Corporation. The delegates around the world will carry out in-depth exchanges on the issue of global railway safety development and appreciate the China’s railway rapid development as well as the innovative accomplishment in recent years through technical visit.
    Issued at HKT 21:40

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Berg winds in South Africa: the winter weather pattern that increases wildfire risks

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Sheldon Strydom, Senior Lecturer & Head of Department, Department of Geography, Rhodes University

    Winter in some parts of South Africa is a time of low (or no) rainfall and high fire danger. Sheldon Strydom studies the relationship between weather and fire, in particular how Berg winds, also known as mountain flow events, are linked to periods of enhanced fire danger. Mid-July is typically a high risk period. He shares what he has learnt during his research in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, close to the country’s largest mountain range, the Drakensberg.

    What are Berg winds and how do they form?

    It’s long been known that mountain winds (“foëhn winds”, “chinook winds” and the like) increase fire danger. There’s case study evidence from around the globe.

    In South Africa, these mountain winds are known as Berg winds. They are generally experienced as warm and dry.

    A mountain wind starts when a mass of air is forced to rise along a windward slope (the side of the mountain that wind is blowing towards). As the mass of air rises it cools. When it reaches the peak of the slope or mountain it descends on the leeward (sheltered) side. As it gets lower, the air gets warmer.

    Berg winds commonly occur in South African winters when high atmospheric pressure systems are situated over the interior of the country and low pressure systems are situated off the coast. (Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of air over the land, and affects the movement of air.)

    Usually, a coastal low pressure system happens a day or two before a cold front. The pressure gradient (difference in pressure that drives wind) between the interior high pressure cell and coastal low pressure cell results in air flowing towards the coast from the interior of the country, down the mountain escarpment. The air reaches coastal areas as a warm, dry wind.

    Why study the relationship between Berg winds and fires?

    Winds can spread fires in the landscape.

    Our study, using data from four sites in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, quantified the effect of Berg winds on the microclimate (local weather conditions) and emphasised how these changes influence fire danger.

    The sources of fires in South Africa, as elsewhere, vary. For example, wildfires can be started when prescribed burning, or the planned use of fire, becomes uncontrolled due to changes in weather conditions. Accidental fires and arson are the most common causes of wildfires. Research shows that wildfires and fire disasters are common in areas where prescribed burning is used.

    Prescribed burning, or the planned use of fire, is an important aspect of agricultural management. It promotes the dispersal and germination of seeds from a number of species and also removes ground litter. Prescribed burning is used to manage grasslands and has been linked to decreasing the number of disease-borne vectors such as ticks.

    But if they get out of control, fires pose a threat to farmland and plantations.

    It’s therefore vital to have weather forecasts and monitoring systems that warn of conditions conducive to the development and spread of fires.

    Internationally, fire danger indices or meters are used to monitor conditions. In South Africa, the South African Weather Service and other interested and affected parties currently use the Lowveld fire danger index. The index is calculated using records of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and rainfall. These are measured once a day. Daily forecasts are available from the Weather Service and disseminated to local fire protection associations.

    Much research in South Africa has focused on pyrogeography (understanding when and where fires occur) and fire ecology. Little research has been done to quantify the effects of Berg winds on fire danger using available historical hourly meteorological data.

    The midlands of KwaZulu-Natal province serve as a perfect environment to study the effects of Berg winds on the microclimate and fire danger. The area is close to the Drakensberg mountains and experiences frequent fires. It’s also a largely agricultural area.

    Read more: Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research

    What did you discover?

    The study developed a fuzzy logic system (a mathematical method for handling uncertainty) to identify periods of Berg wind conditions using historical hourly meteorological data in four sites.

    We analysed variables like the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and fire danger at different times of the day and night, before and during Berg winds.

    The analysis revealed the significance of change experienced in the local weather conditions (within 2km) during periods of Berg winds, and how these changes influence fire danger.

    It found that:

    • Berg winds were more common during daytime hours and affected the microclimate most during the day

    • during daytime Berg wind events, air temperatures rose by an average of 5.5°C; humidity fell by an average of 16%; and wind speed increased by an average of 5.2 metres per second

    • daytime Berg wind events significantly elevated fire danger

    • night-time Berg winds, while less common, did still result in significant change in the microclimate

    • at night, fire danger increases when a combination of variables change significantly.

    The fuzzy logic system can be useful in two ways: to quantify the effects of Berg winds on the microclimate and to complement any fire danger monitoring system. It can measure conditions at a higher temporal resolution, such as every 10 minutes, or hour – making it more useful for monitoring near real-time changes in fire danger.

    The system could be valuable for operational use by agencies like the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Disaster Management Centre, and could be applied in other regions vulnerable to fire risk.

    – Berg winds in South Africa: the winter weather pattern that increases wildfire risks
    – https://theconversation.com/berg-winds-in-south-africa-the-winter-weather-pattern-that-increases-wildfire-risks-260612

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank’s Johannesburg Deal Signals a New Era in City-Led Urban Investment (By Bleming Nekati)

    Source: APO

     Bleming Nekati is the Regional Head for Private Sector Operations in Southern Africa at the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org).

    In June 2025, a quiet but important decision marked a real turning point in African urban finance. The African Development Bank’s Board of Directors approved a ZAR 2.5 billion ($139 million) corporate loan for the City of Johannesburg, marking the first time the Bank has extended financing without a sovereign guarantee to a subnational government in Africa.

    This funding will have a direct and tangible impact on the daily lives of Johannesburg residents by strengthening basic services and expanding economic opportunities. Residents can expect fewer power outages, improved water supply, more efficient waste collection, and increased industrial productivity, all of which contribute to broader economic growth. Importantly, these improvements are being financed through a more sustainable, market-based model that reduces reliance on national subsidies.

     The deal is more than just a funding breakthrough; it validates the growing view among investors and development professionals alike that, when well-managed, African cities can and should access capital markets on their own terms.

    A Market-Ready Metropolis

    Johannesburg isn’t just South Africa’s largest city. It is a major economic hub and powerhouse. With $67 billion in economic output, and housing at least 6.44 million residents, the city generates more wealth than many African countries.

    However, like many fast-growing African cities, the City of Johannesburg is under pressure.

    Legacy infrastructure is aging. Its electricity and water systems suffer significant losses, at rates exceeding 30% and 46%, respectively. Sanitation and waste services are overwhelmed, particularly in underserved communities. Population growth is intensifying these challenges. Yet these constraints also represent opportunities: Johannesburg has unmet demand, real scale, and crucially, a clear willingness to reform.

    From Municipal Risk to Bankable Asset

    Historically, African municipalities have struggled to attract direct capital investment due to legal constraints and concerns about credit risk. The City of Johannesburg has now defied this trend through a decade of governance, budgeting, and financial reforms that have strengthened its independently verified credit profile and inspired investor confidence.

    The African Development Bank loan is tied to over 100 capital projects spanning four critical sectors:

    • Electricity: Grid upgrades, smart meters, renewables, and 3,200 new household connections
    • Water & Sanitation: Pipeline repair, water treatment, and a plan to reduce losses to 37%
    • Solid Waste: More efficient collection, landfill upgrades, and recycling expansion
    • Revenue-Generating Utilities: All investments are linked to tariff-backed revenue streams for repayment

    Economic Stimulus with Returns

    The infrastructure program is designed to deliver both economic and social returns:

    • Job Creation: Nearly 2,900 construction jobs and 592 permanent roles, with gender and youth inclusion targets
    • Procurement Opportunity: ZAR 500 million in contracts allocated to SMEs, half to youth-owned businesses
    • Productivity Gains: More reliable services for industrial users support operational efficiency
    • Service Equity: 160,000 low-income households will receive improved access to utilities

    The partnership has embedded strong governance practices into the program, including independent oversight, transparent procurement, and financial safeguards, key criteria for future capital access.

    Momentum Beyond the City of Johannesburg

    While the City of Johannesburg may be the first African city to secure a non-sovereign guaranteed loan from the African Development Bank, it is not alone in its efforts to achieve financial independence. Other cities, such as Dakar, Cape Town, Nairobi, and Kigali, have also made significant progress towards attaining more autonomy and accountability in their financing mechanisms.

    These cities share a common understanding that urban growth must be matched by fiscal capability, and that capital markets, not subsidies, will drive the next generation of infrastructure investments.

    Investor Takeaway: Cities Are the Next Frontier

     Johannesburg’s breakthrough isn’t just a local success; it’s a signal to the market. African cities are increasingly proving themselves as bankable partners. For investors, lenders, and infrastructure firms, the rise of creditworthy municipalities is an untapped opportunity.

    The trend is clear: well-managed cities are evolving from mere service providers. They are also infrastructure clients, capital partners, and engines of inclusive economic growth.

    As Africa continues to urbanize, cities such as Johannesburg are showing that the future of investment is increasingly rooted in local contexts. When the appropriate financial architecture is established, cities are well-positioned to lead and drive sustainable development.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Burundi eliminates trachoma as a public health problem

    Source: APO


    .

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Burundi as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the eighth country in WHO’s African Region to reach this important milestone. Trachoma is also the first neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in the country.

    “Eliminating a disease like trachoma is a major public health achievement that requires sustained effort and dedication,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I congratulate the government and the people of Burundi and commend them for their hard work and commitment. It is great to see Burundi join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD”.

    Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through personal contact, contaminated surfaces and by flies that have been in contact with eye or nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring, in-turning of the eyelids, and ultimately blindness. Globally, the disease remains endemic in many vulnerable communities where access to clean water and sanitation is limited.

    “This validation marks a major milestone in our commitment to health equity”, said Dr Lydwine Baradahana, Minister of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS, Burundi. “It is a collective victory made possible by nearly 20 years of national mobilization and international solidarity. I thank all the partners, community actors and institutions in Burundi and beyond who made this historic achievement possible”.

    Burundi’s progress

    Before 2007, with no reported cases or epidemiological studies, the extent of trachoma endemicity in Burundi was largely unknown. That year, the country launched an initiative to tackle NTDs, which included integrated mapping of soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma. Following the mapping, the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS conducted further investigations. Baseline surveys carried out in 2009–2010 confirmed that trachoma was endemic in parts of the country. This prompted introduction of interventions based on the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy for 2.5 million people who needed them across 12 health districts.

    Burundi’s trachoma elimination programme was supported technically and financially by CBM Christoffel Blindenmission, the END Fund, Geneva Global and WHO. The International Trachoma Initiative at the Task Force for Global Health donated azithromycin (Zithromax, Pfizer, New York NY, USA). WHO continues to support support the country’s health authorities to monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.

    This achievement reflects the government’s resolve to protect its most vulnerable populations. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS, and with the dedication of community health workers, support from key partners, and WHO’s technical guidance, this success was made possible” said Dr Xavier Crespin, WHO Representative in Burundi. “This win inspires us to press forward with the same determination to eliminate all remaining neglected tropical diseases.”

    Disease prevalence

    Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East.

    The African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden. Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.

    There are currently 20 countries in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. These include: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The seven countries in the region previously validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania and Togo. A further 4 countries in the WHO African Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Senegal) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.

    Global progress

    With today’s announcement, a total of 57 countries have now eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 24— (including Burundi)—have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Other countries that have reached this milestone include Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Refinery closures present risk for higher gasoline prices on the West Coast

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    July 9, 2025

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Refinery Capacity Report and Petroleum Supply Monthly
    Note: Refinery Capacity Report data are reported as of January 1 of each year, so changes in capacity that take place during a given year are represented in the newly reported total capacity number for the start of the following year.

    California is set to lose 17% of its oil refinery capacity over the next 12 months because of two planned refinery closures. If realized, the closure of the facilities is likely to contribute to increases in fuel price volatility on the West Coast.

    Phillips 66 announced plans last October to close its 139,000-barrel-per-day (b/d) Wilmington refinery in the Los Angeles area later this year. Valero submitted a notice in April to end refining operations at its 145,000-b/d Benicia refinery in the Bay Area by the end of April 2026. The refinery closures continue a trend of decreasing refinery capacity on the West Coast, following the end of petroleum refining operations at Phillips 66’s Rodeo refinery early last year and the closure of Marathon’s Martinez refinery in 2020.

    California usually has higher retail gasoline prices compared with the national average. One reason is the relative lack of logistical connectivity on the West Coast to other refinery hubs in the United States, such as the Gulf Coast. Although the Los Angeles and Benicia refineries make up less than 2% of current U.S. refining capacity, they account for 17% of California refinery capacity and 11% of West Coast (PADD 5) capacity. The supply shortfall left by their exit is therefore likely to have an outsized impact on the region because it cannot be easily filled by other refineries elsewhere in the country.

    Given the limited connectivity to other U.S refining hubs, the most likely source of replacement fuels will be imports from Asia, particularly imports of jet fuel and gasoline. California’s unique specification gasoline blendstock, known as CARBOB, can only be manufactured by properly equipped refineries. Phillips 66 is planning to produce some California-grade gasoline at its refinery in Washington, and some refineries in India and South Korea can meet these specifications. Arizona, which also has a unique gasoline blend, and Nevada receive fuel shipments from California refiners and are also likely to be affected by the reduced regional supply.

    Data for late May 2025 showed total gasoline imports (including finished gasoline and blend components) into the West Coast above 210,000 b/d, setting a record on a four-week average basis. Although these imports have since come down in June, summer imports are likely to further increase next year after the two California refineries come offline.

    Importing petroleum products presents certain risks for fuel supplies on the West Coast. Shipments of petroleum products across the Pacific Ocean will take longer to respond to market demands, meaning that unexpected shortfalls could contribute to temporary price increases or heightened volatility. Last year, the California state government instituted a new minimum inventory law, which could reduce the risk of potential shortfalls in gasoline supplies.

    In our July Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast a small increase in West Coast retail gasoline prices next year in response to the capacity closures, in contrast to price decreases elsewhere in the country. We expect lower crude oil prices, which account for around half of the price of gasoline, in 2026 to counteract some of the effect of the refinery closures on retail gasoline prices in the near term.

    Principal contributor: Kevin Hack

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matilde Rosina, Assistant Professor in Global Challenges, Brunel University of London

    After weeks of rising Channel crossing figures, the UK government has agreed on a long-awaited migration deal with France. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced a “one in, one out” pilot – and the UK prime minister said the “groundbreaking” scheme could start returning migrants to France within weeks. The deal was announced alongside a separate agreement to coordinate the use of French and British nuclear weapons.

    The migration agreement will allow the UK to return selected numbers of small boat arrivals to France. In exchange, the UK will admit an equal number of asylum seekers with legitimate ties to the UK (such as family), who have not previously attempted to enter the country illegally.

    The plan will start as a pilot, with initial reports suggesting the UK could return up to 50 people per week (2,600 per year). That is roughly 6% of small boat arrivals in 2024. The remaining arrivals will continue to be processed under the UK’s existing system.

    The “one in, one out” system appears similar to an agreement in 2016 between the EU and Turkey. Under that scheme, for every irregular migrant returned from the Greek islands to Turkey, one Syrian refugee who had stayed in Turkey could be legally resettled in the EU. Under the EU–Turkey deal, only 2,140 migrants were returned to Turkey by 2022, compared with over 32,000 who were resettled in the EU.

    The British government’s hope is that this pilot will lay the groundwork for a broader EU-UK return framework that would allow it to return more people. Before Brexit, the UK was part of the EU’s asylum framework, the Dublin regulation. This allowed any EU country, including the UK, to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered or passed through.

    From 2008 to 2016, the UK was a net sender of asylum seekers: it returned more people to EU states than it accepted, receiving fewer than 500 people annually. The trend reversed after 2016, with the UK accepting more migrants than it returned.

    But southern EU countries could complicate any expansion or permanent implementation of the pilot. Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus have opposed a UK–France agreement, fearing it would lead to more people being sent back to them – southern European states are where migrants typically arrive in the EU first.

    Challenges ahead

    The deal is a significant step for a UK government that has struggled to control the narrative on migration. Losing ground to Reform, the government has recently proposed tightening legal immigration rules, including by making it harder and longer to acquire British citizenship, and by cutting legal migration routes.

    It also marks a notable shift in the UK’s post-Brexit migration strategy. But questions remain about the details and implementation.

    The French president hailed it as a “major deterrent” to Channel crossing, as migrants would not remain in the UK but be returned to France. Macron said that one-third of arrivals in France are heading towards the UK. So it follows that any deterrent from Channel crossings would also lead to a reduction in people coming to France.

    Yet, as I have shown in my research, deterrence is rarely effective. This is because information about deterrence factors does not necessarily reach the asylum seekers or stop smugglers. It also does not address the underlying drivers of migration, such as poverty, conflict and corruption.

    Moreover, returns are notoriously difficult to enforce. Many asylum seekers lack documentation, and complex legal processes raise administrative and financial costs.

    Scalability also poses a challenge, given EU countries’ divided stances on an EU-wide deal.

    It is, however, promising that the UN refugee agency has given the agreement its backing, stating: “If appropriately implemented, it could help achieve a more managed and shared approach, offering alternatives to dangerous journeys while upholding access to asylum.”

    The last UK government’s attempts to deter Channel crossings, such as the Rwanda scheme, had led to the agency raising serious concerns.

    How many asylum seekers does the UK take?

    This deal comes amid an increase in asylum applications in the UK. Annual applications rose from 38,483 in 2018 to over 108,000 in 2024.

    In just the first half of 2025, small boat arrivals increased 48% compared with the same period in 2024, exceeding 20,000. By contrast, irregular arrivals to the EU decreased by 20% in the first half of 2025, mainly driven by a drop in arrivals to Greece and to Spain’s Canary Islands.

    When accounting for population, the UK receives fewer asylum applications – 16 for every 10,000 people living in the UK – than the EU average (22 per 10,000).

    Data shows that between 2018 and 2024, 68% of small boat asylum applications processed in the UK were approved, indicating that most were made by people in genuine need.

    UK–France migration cooperation dates back to the 1990s, but since 2019, the focus has been on addressing the rise in Channel crossings.

    A significant step was the UK-France joint declaration of March 2023, under which the UK committed €541 million (approximately £476 million) between 2023 and 2026. Funds were allocated for assets including drones, helicopters and aircraft, and for the creation of a migration centre in France. Importantly, the agreement sought to increase surveillance along the French border, rather than return migrants.

    This cooperation deepened in February 2025, when both countries agreed to extend their partnership to 2027 and reallocate €8 million for new enforcement measures.

    Joint maritime activities have played a role too: since October 2024, UK Border Force vessels have entered French waters on three occasions to assist boats in distress and return people to the French coast.

    Overall, this new agreement represents a milestone in UK–France migration cooperation, and the UK’s first significant post-Brexit returns scheme with an EU country. While questions remain over its scalability – given the modest return numbers, legal and logistical hurdles, and European political divides – it is a crucial step in cross-Channel cooperation on migration and asylum, making progress on what has been an intractable problem for UK governments.

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

    – ref. How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be – https://theconversation.com/how-uk-france-one-in-one-out-migration-deal-will-work-and-what-the-challenges-could-be-260864

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: IRS says churches may endorse political candidates despite a decades-old federal statute barring them from doing that

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Lloyd Hitoshi Mayer, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame

    Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at a church in Harlem during his failed campaign to become the Democratic nominee in the 2025 New York City mayoral race. Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status, the Internal Revenue Service said in a legal document the tax-collection agency filed on July 7, 2025. This guidance is at odds with a law Congress passed more than 70 years ago that’s known as the Johnson Amendment and applies to all charitable nonprofits, whether they are secular or religious.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Lloyd Hitoshi Mayer, a law professor who has studied the regulation of churches’ political activities, to explain what this statute is, how the IRS seeks to change its purview and why this matters.

    What’s the Johnson Amendment?

    The Johnson Amendment is a provision that Lyndon B. Johnson added to a tax bill passed by Congress in 1954, when he was a senator. It says that any charity that wants to be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code cannot “participate in, or intervene in … any political campaign on behalf of … any candidate for public office.” In the U.S., all houses of worship are designated as charities by the IRS.

    The IRS has interpreted the Johnson Amendment for more than 70 years to mean that charities cannot speak in favor of political candidates or take any other action that supports or opposes them.

    The IRS is prohibited from publicly disclosing audits of specific tax-exempt nonprofits under taxpayer privacy laws, so there’s no way to know the extent to which the law has been enforced. The public only learns about audits tied to possible Johnson Amendment violations if the nonprofit discloses that information or the IRS revoked their tax-exempt status.

    However, the IRS did conduct a broad enforcement campaign in the 2000s known as the Political Activity Compliance Initiative. The reports it issued for 2004 and 2006 stated that it had audited hundreds of charities, including churches, for possible Johnson Amendment violations. The IRS generally found that most violations were minor and often inadvertent – warranting no more than a warning letter.

    It’s unknown whether any nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status as a result of this initiative, which the IRS appears to have ended in 2008.

    There’s only one known instance of a church losing its tax-exempt status because it violated the Johnson Amendment. In that case, a church in Binghamton, New York, published full-page newspaper ads criticizing Bill Clinton during his 1992 presidential campaign.

    Why does the Trump administration want to change its enforcement?

    The National Religious Broadcasters, two churches and another religious nonprofit sued the IRS in 2024, challenging the constitutionality of the Johnson Amendment on First Amendment free speech and free exercise of religion grounds and on Fifth Amendment due process grounds. The plaintiffs also argued that applying the Johnson Amendment to religious nonprofits violated the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

    The plaintiffs and the IRS filed a joint motion on July 7 to settle the case. They asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to order the IRS not to enforce the Johnson Amendment against the two church plaintiffs. They also asked the court to incorporate in its order a statement that the Johnson Amendment does not apply to “speech by a house of worship to its congregation, in connection with religious services through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith.”

    This represents the first time the IRS has said there’s an exception to the Johnson Amendment for houses of worship. While lawmakers have periodically sought to repeal or modify the statute, neither chamber of Congress has ever passed such legislation.

    President Donald Trump asserted during his first term that he had “gotten rid of” the Johnson Amendment. But that referred to his 2017 executive order that directed the Treasury Department – to which the IRS belongs – to respect freedom of religion with respect to religious organizations speaking about political issues as “consistent with law.”

    Under the IRS interpretation of the Johnson Amendment at the time, it would not have been consistent with law for churches or other religious nonprofits to support or oppose candidates for elected public office.

    How might the IRS treat religious political activity differently?

    If the court approves this new joint motion, that order will only apply to the two churches that are plaintiffs in the case – not other religious nonprofits or the National Religious Broadcasters that joined them in suing the IRS. But the filing tells other houses of worship that the IRS will not enforce the Johnson Amendment against them for speech to their congregations, at least not during the Trump administration.

    I think that the government may have a hard time applying this exception for several reasons.

    The IRS will have to determine when a charity is a “church,” the term the IRS uses for a house of worship of any faith. That has become increasingly difficult in recent years, as some organizations that stretch the conventional definition of a church have won IRS recognition as such.

    The IRS will also have to clarify what constitutes speech made “in connection with religious services” and what are “customary channels of communication.” For example, it’s unclear whether inviting a political candidate to address the congregation about how their religious faith relates to their candidacy falls within the exception.

    Donald Trump participates in a community roundtable at a church in Detroit during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
    Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

    Will only conservative politicians benefit?

    Establishing this exception does not necessarily give conservative politicians any advantages.

    It is true that recent attempts to repeal or modify the Johnson Amendment are associated with conservative Christian groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the plaintiffs in this lawsuit.

    But historically, many progressive houses of worship have also pushed against the Johnson Amendment, including Black churches that often serve as political as well as religious centers for their communities.

    A Texas Tribune and ProPublica investigation documented apparent violations of the Johnson Amendment in the 2022 midterm elections by almost 20 churches in Texas from across the political spectrum. Interestingly, most of the church leaders involved were aware of the amendment.

    Many said they were not violating it because they avoided explicitly endorsing candidates, while at the same time clearly expressing their support for specific candidates by, for example, praying for an individual who was identified to the congregation as a candidate.

    How could this new guidance change political campaigning?

    Americans generally don’t want to see churches get involved in politics, including majorities in most denominations. Nonetheless, church leaders of all stripes who were already inclined to support particular candidates will probably feel emboldened to explicitly endorse candidates when preaching to their congregations.

    There are two ways that this new exception could do more than that.

    First, it isn’t limited to sermons by pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and other religious leaders. It extends to any speech to a house of worship’s congregation “in connection with religious services through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith.” It therefore almost certainly includes church bulletins and other written materials distributed as part of a religious service.

    What’s less clear is whether “customary channels of communication” includes people who watch religious services streamed over the internet or on TV, rather than just those who attend services in person.

    Second, the change will increase pressure on church leaders to support candidates.

    For example, George W. Bush’s 2004 campaign reportedly sought to recruit thousands of congregations to distribute campaign information. It’s natural to expect such efforts to multiply and become more direct for both Democratic and Republican candidates from now on.

    And church leaders will also likely face pressure from politically active congregants to endorse candidates, and have a harder time resisting it.

    Lloyd Hitoshi Mayer previously worked at the law firm of Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered, including when the firm represented All Saints Episcopal Church of Pasadena, California with respect to an IRS audit of the church for allegedly violating the Johnson Amendment. He was not personally involved in this representation.

    – ref. IRS says churches may endorse political candidates despite a decades-old federal statute barring them from doing that – https://theconversation.com/irs-says-churches-may-endorse-political-candidates-despite-a-decades-old-federal-statute-barring-them-from-doing-that-260854

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: AI in health care could save lives and money − but change won’t happen overnight

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Turgay Ayer, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

    AI will help human physicians by analyzing patient data prior to surgery. Boy_Anupong/Moment via Getty Images

    Imagine walking into your doctor’s office feeling sick – and rather than flipping through pages of your medical history or running tests that take days, your doctor instantly pulls together data from your health records, genetic profile and wearable devices to help decipher what’s wrong.

    This kind of rapid diagnosis is one of the big promises of artificial intelligence for use in health care. Proponents of the technology say that over the coming decades, AI has the potential to save hundreds of thousands, even millions of lives.

    What’s more, a 2023 study found that if the health care industry significantly increased its use of AI, up to US$360 billion annually could be saved.

    But though artificial intelligence has become nearly ubiquitous, from smartphones to chatbots to self-driving cars, its impact on health care so far has been relatively low.

    A 2024 American Medical Association survey found that 66% of U.S. physicians had used AI tools in some capacity, up from 38% in 2023. But most of it was for administrative or low-risk support. And although 43% of U.S. health care organizations had added or expanded AI use in 2024, many implementations are still exploratory, particularly when it comes to medical decisions and diagnoses.

    I’m a professor and researcher who studies AI and health care analytics. I’ll try to explain why AI’s growth will be gradual, and how technical limitations and ethical concerns stand in the way of AI’s widespread adoption by the medical industry.

    Inaccurate diagnoses, racial bias

    Artificial intelligence excels at finding patterns in large sets of data. In medicine, these patterns could signal early signs of disease that a human physician might overlook – or indicate the best treatment option, based on how other patients with similar symptoms and backgrounds responded. Ultimately, this will lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses and more personalized care.

    AI can also help hospitals run more efficiently by analyzing workflows, predicting staffing needs and scheduling surgeries so that precious resources, such as operating rooms, are used most effectively. By streamlining tasks that take hours of human effort, AI can let health care professionals focus more on direct patient care.

    But for all its power, AI can make mistakes. Although these systems are trained on data from real patients, they can struggle when encountering something unusual, or when data doesn’t perfectly match the patient in front of them.

    As a result, AI doesn’t always give an accurate diagnosis. This problem is called algorithmic drift – when AI systems perform well in controlled settings but lose accuracy in real-world situations.

    Racial and ethnic bias is another issue. If data includes bias because it doesn’t include enough patients of certain racial or ethnic groups, then AI might give inaccurate recommendations for them, leading to misdiagnoses. Some evidence suggests this has already happened.

    Humans and AI are beginning to work together at this Florida hospital.

    Data-sharing concerns, unrealistic expectations

    Health care systems are labyrinthian in their complexity. The prospect of integrating artificial intelligence into existing workflows is daunting; introducing a new technology like AI disrupts daily routines. Staff will need extra training to use AI tools effectively. Many hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices simply don’t have the time, personnel, money or will to implement AI.

    Also, many cutting-edge AI systems operate as opaque “black boxes.” They churn out recommendations, but even its developers might struggle to fully explain how. This opacity clashes with the needs of medicine, where decisions demand justification.

    But developers are often reluctant to disclose their proprietary algorithms or data sources, both to protect intellectual property and because the complexity can be hard to distill. The lack of transparency feeds skepticism among practitioners, which then slows regulatory approval and erodes trust in AI outputs. Many experts argue that transparency is not just an ethical nicety but a practical necessity for adoption in health care settings.

    There are also privacy concerns; data sharing could threaten patient confidentiality. To train algorithms or make predictions, medical AI systems often require huge amounts of patient data. If not handled properly, AI could expose sensitive health information, whether through data breaches or unintended use of patient records.

    For instance, a clinician using a cloud-based AI assistant to draft a note must ensure no unauthorized party can access that patient’s data. U.S. regulations such as the HIPAA law impose strict rules on health data sharing, which means AI developers need robust safeguards.

    Privacy concerns also extend to patients’ trust: If people fear their medical data might be misused by an algorithm, they may be less forthcoming or even refuse AI-guided care.

    The grand promise of AI is a formidable barrier in itself. Expectations are tremendous. AI is often portrayed as a magical solution that can diagnose any disease and revolutionize the health care industry overnight. Unrealistic assumptions like that often lead to disappointment. AI may not immediately deliver on its promises.

    Finally, developing an AI system that works well involves a lot of trial and error. AI systems must go through rigorous testing to make certain they’re safe and effective. This takes years, and even after a system is approved, adjustments may be needed as it encounters new types of data and real-world situations.

    AI could rapidly accelerate the discovery of new medications.

    Incremental change

    Today, hospitals are rapidly adopting AI scribes that listen during patient visits and automatically draft clinical notes, reducing paperwork and letting physicians spend more time with patients. Surveys show over 20% of physicians now use AI for writing progress notes or discharge summaries. AI is also becoming a quiet force in administrative work. Hospitals deploy AI chatbots to handle appointment scheduling, triage common patient questions and translate languages in real time.

    Clinical uses of AI exist but are more limited. At some hospitals, AI is a second eye for radiologists looking for early signs of disease. But physicians are still reluctant to hand decisions over to machines; only about 12% of them currently rely on AI for diagnostic help.

    Suffice to say that health care’s transition to AI will be incremental. Emerging technologies need time to mature, and the short-term needs of health care still outweigh long-term gains. In the meantime, AI’s potential to treat millions and save trillions awaits.

    Turgay Ayer owns shares in Value Analytics Labs, a healthcare technology company. He received funding from government agencies, including NSF, NIH, and CDC.

    – ref. AI in health care could save lives and money − but change won’t happen overnight – https://theconversation.com/ai-in-health-care-could-save-lives-and-money-but-change-wont-happen-overnight-241551

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA reconsiders recommendation on imports of Chinese excavators

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    TRA reconsiders recommendation on imports of Chinese excavators

    The TRA has initiated a reconsideration of its recommendation to impose a new anti-dumping measure on imports of certain excavators from China.

    The Trade Remedies Authority has initiated a reconsideration of its recommendation to impose a new anti-dumping measure on imports of certain excavators from China.

    Reconsiderations are part of the process that parties can use to ask the TRA to look again at its decisions and are in line with the World Trade Organization rules for free and fair trade. You can read more about reconsiderations on the TRA’s website. 

    The initiation today follows submissions received from LiuGong Group and Caterpillar Group requesting that the TRA reconsider its recommendation.

    LiuGong has claimed that battery electric machines should not be included within the definition of the goods and the tariff imposed. It has asked for battery electric machines to be removed from the description of the goods and all related tariffs.

    Caterpillar has questioned the TRA’s calculation of the individual anti-dumping amount that was calculated for it as the sampled cooperating overseas exporter to the original investigation. It has asked the TRA to recalculate the injury margin, dumping margin, injury and causal link determination and the form of the anti-dumping measures.

    The TRA’s reconsideration will consider the grounds submitted by both applicants as part of one single investigation within the rules set out in the UK’s regulatory framework and the underlying World Trade Organization obligations. It will determine whether the applications received necessitate a different recommendation to that originally given to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.  

    At the end of the reconsideration process, the TRA will reach a reconsidered decision either upholding or varying its recommendation and will notify this to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

    About the TRA’s original recommendation

    The TRA’s original anti-dumping investigation, which was undertaken in response to a request from a UK manufacturer, assessed whether excavators imported from China are being dumped and therefore being sold in the UK at unfairly low prices.

    The final recommended measure, which was accepted by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and came into force on 14 May 2024, imposed tariffs on imports of these goods ranging from 18.81% for a sampled exporter to 40.08% for the residual rate. This measure will remain in force throughout the duration of the reconsideration.

    Background

    • The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
    • The UK trade remedies regime is set by the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act 2018 and the Trade Act 2021, which operationalise the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements covering trade remedies.
    • Reconsiderations are part of the process that parties can use to ask the TRA to look again at its decisions. Many government departments, non-departmental public bodies and other government agencies (including decision-making bodies on taxation and benefits) provide for interested parties to request an internal reconsideration of a decision as part of their standard processes.
    • For a reconsideration to be undertaken by the TRA, applicants must meet the following criteria:
      • Set out the grounds for their application.
      • Explain the outcome they are looking for.
      • Demonstrate that they are eligible to apply for a reconsideration of this decision.
    • If an application does not meet any or all the three criteria set out above, the TRA will review this and may ultimately reject an application.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Notice to improve: Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Notice to improve: Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust

    A notice to improve issued to Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Letter to lift a notice to improve: Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust

    PDF, 134 KB, 2 pages

    Notice to improve: Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust

    PDF, 222 KB, 8 pages

    Details

    The Department for Education lifted the notice to improve relating to financial management and governance for Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust on 2 July 2025.

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtru Secures $50 Million in New Funding to Accelerate the Future of Data-Centric Security for the AI Era

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Virtru, the leader in data-centric security and the inventor of the open standard Trusted Data Format (TDF), today announced $50 million in new funding led by ICONIQ, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Foundry, and The Chertoff Group. The round doubles Virtru’s valuation to $500 million and signals the next phase of growth for the company, as it becomes the standard bearer for mission-critical data protection in the age of AI.

    A Proven Standard for Securing the World’s Most Sensitive Data
    The investment comes amid significant momentum, driven by rising demand for data security solutions built upon TDF. The TDF open standard was invented by Co-Founder Will Ackerly during his tenure at the National Security Agency, and it has been adopted as the data protection standard for national defense and intelligence missions across the United States and allied partners globally, cementing Virtru’s role as a leader in data security.

    Trusted by over 6,000 organizations across the public and private sectors—including JPMorganChase, Equifax, Capital One, Salesforce, and the U.S. Department of Defense—Virtru’s Data Security Platform has created a new paradigm in data-centric security, where protection travels with the data itself rather than relying on traditional perimeter defenses. As AI reshapes workflows and expands the boundaries of how sensitive data flows in and out of modern businesses, the need for granular data protection is more critical than ever.

    “This is a pivotal moment not just for Virtru, but for global security architecture,” said John Ackerly, CEO and Co-Founder of Virtru. “From day one, Virtru’s mission has been to unlock the full value of data by ensuring it remains under your control, everywhere it travels. AI represents a seismic shift in business workflows, dramatically amplifying the need for precise, data-centric security that moves seamlessly with data across all boundaries. This funding is a seminal moment as we continue to scale Virtru and make TDF the open platform of choice for data-centric security.”

    “In an increasingly connected world, protecting sensitive data across public and private ecosystems is a national and commercial imperative,” said Will Griffith, Partner at ICONIQ. “TDF is fast becoming a global standard for secure data sharing across both public and private sectors. As government agencies and enterprises embrace AI, the need for scalable, purpose-built data security infrastructure has never been greater, and we believe Virtru is at the center of this paradigm shift.”

    A Dual-Sided Future for Data-Centric Security
    While traditional Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions focus on internal controls, today’s environment demands a dual approach: one that secures not only internal assets, but also data shared externally. Virtru addresses this gap with “microsecurity,” where protection and governance travel with the data itself, regardless of where it goes.

    “Data security is undergoing a fundamental shift,” said Will Ackerly, Chief Architect and Co-Founder of Virtru. “Indeed, IT leaders need solutions to protect data inside their walls, but they also need simple tools to protect data shared with the outside world. TDF provides that foundation, enabling what we call ‘microsecurity’—security bound intrinsically to data. Our vision is to cement TDF as the global standard in data-centric security, empowering both commercial enterprises and government agencies to collaborate securely in the AI era.”

    Poised for Expansion
    The new funding will fuel Virtru’s continued growth across both public and private sectors—accelerating the global adoption of TDF, expanding protection for sensitive AI and analytics workflows, and scaling mission-critical solutions for defense and critical infrastructure partners.

    “The evolution toward data security platforms that combine granular policy controls with real-time protection represents a fundamental shift in how organizations must approach data-centric security,” said Andrew Bales, Principal Analyst at Gartner. “The market is clearly moving toward solutions that provide persistent protection that travels with the data itself.”

    In a world where the most valuable and sensitive data must move securely across organizational, national, and classification boundaries, Virtru has established itself as the trusted standard for ensuring that protection and control remain with the data itself—regardless of where it travels.

    About Virtru
    Virtru empowers organizations to unlock the power of data while maintaining control wherever it’s stored and shared. From global enterprises to national defense and intelligence agencies, Virtru’s award-winning solutions provide simple, powerful data-centric security, underpinned by the Trusted Data Format (TDF). Learn more at virtru.com.

    Press Contact

    Nick Michael
    nick.michael@virtru.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cyabra Uncovers Iranian Bot Operation Undermining UK Democracy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyabra Strategy Ltd. (“Cyabra”), the AI-powered platform for real-time disinformation detection, has uncovered a coordinated Iranian state-backed bot network designed to infiltrate and influence online discourse around Scottish independence. Active between May and June 2025, the campaign aimed to manipulate UK political sentiment, promote Iranian-aligned narratives, and deepen domestic divisions.

    Cyabra’s investigation found that 26% of accounts engaging in Scottish independence conversations on X (formerly Twitter) were fake, publishing more than 3,000 coordinated messages. These accounts blended pro-independence, anti-Brexit, and anti-UK institutional themes to mimic grassroots sentiment and sway opinion in Iran’s favor.

    The campaign experienced a defining disruption beginning June 13, 2025, immediately following a military escalation between Israel and Iran. The Iranian-linked network went silent for 16 days—then reemerged with renewed coordination and a messaging pivot, praising Iran’s strength and mocking the West. This behavioral shift offered clear evidence of state-backed orchestration behind the campaign.

    “The sudden disruption to Iran’s influence operations capabilities due to their war with Israel exposed the entire operation,” said Dan Brahmy, CEO of Cyabra. “It was like watching state-backed disinformation self-destruct in real time. When Iran paused, so did the bots revealing the strategy, the propaganda, and the 224 million views their fake campaign had already amassed.”

    The network deployed AI-generated personas, recycled content, and strategic use of hashtags like #ScottishIndependence, #FreeScotland, and #BrexitBetrayal to infiltrate legitimate conversations. Cyabra’s platform traced these behaviors to known Iranian influence tactics.

    Importantly, authentic users unknowingly amplified the manipulated content, further obscuring the line between real discourse and engineered narratives.

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corporation I (NASDAQ: TBMC), a blank-check special-purpose acquisition company.

    Download the full report here: Iranian Bot Network Exposed After a 16-Day Silence

    About Cyabra
    Cyabra is a real-time AI-powered platform that uncovers and analyzes online disinformation and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content across social media and digital news channels. Cyabra’s AI solutions protect corporations and governments against brand reputation risks, election manipulation, foreign interference, and other online threats. Cyabra’s platform leverages proprietary algorithms and NLP solutions, gathering and analyzing publicly available data to provide clear, actionable insights and real-time alerts that inform critical decision-making. Cyabra uncovers the good, bad, and fake online.

    For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

    Media Contact:
    Jill Burkes
    Jill@cyabra.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    ir@cyabra.com

    About Trailblazer
    Trailblazer is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information, visit: www.trailblazermergercorp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to certain products and services that are the subject of a proposed transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Trailblazer and Cyabra. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Cyabra’s business strategy, products and services, research and development costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated product offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following risks relating to the proposed transaction: the ability to complete the Business Combination or, if Trailblazer does not consummate such Business Combination, any other

    initial business combination; expectations regarding Cyabra’s strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Cyabra’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trailblazer or Cyabra following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to, among other things, the failure to obtain Trailblazer stockholder approval; the risk that the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination disrupts Cyabra’s current operations and future plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; unexpected costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Trailblazer’s common stock being greater than expected; limited liquidity and trading of Trailblazer’s securities; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; the size of the addressable markets for Cyabra’s products and services; the possibility that Trailblazer and/or Cyabra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination; operational risk; and the risks that the consummation of the proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders
    In connection with the Business Combination, Trailblazer Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Trailblazer (“Holdings”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of shares of Trailblazer’s common stock in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by its stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus of Holdings relating to the offer and sale of its securities to be issued in the Business Combination. . After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Trailblazer stockholders so that they may vote on the Business Combination.

    INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF TRAILBLAZER ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

    Trailblazer stockholders are currently able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy

    statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein, and will be able to obtain the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, once available, in all cases without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Trailblazer at 510 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: 646-747-9618.

    Participants in the Solicitation
    Cyabra, Trailblazer, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Trailblazer stockholders regarding the proposed Business Combination. Information about Trailblazer’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Trailblazer’s securities is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed Business Combination.

    No Offer or Solicitation
    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No sale of securities shall occur in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under applicable laws.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MAAS Announces Signing of Acquisition Framework Agreement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHENGDU, China, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maase Inc. (NASDAQ: MAAS) (“MAAS” or the “Company”) today announced that it has signed a non-binding framework agreement with certain shareholders of Qingdao Youdian New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youdian”) and Qingdao Huijulaixi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (“LaiXi”) to acquire 100% equity of Youdian and 49% equity of LaiXi. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, marking a pivotal step in MAAS’s strategic expansion into new energy technology and intelligent service sectors.

    Youdian is an innovative technology company focusing on the new energy sector, with two primary business areas: electric vehicle (EV) services and residential energy solutions. With strong research and development capabilities and an end-to-end service ecosystem, Youdian has established itself as an industry leader. Its “Xiaoli Charging” mobile charging robot has been launched in the market, offering a variety of models including 20kWh, 50kWh, 60kWh, 100kWh, and 150kWh intelligent charging options, effectively addressing the challenges posed by fixed energy replenishment systems. In the residential energy sector, Youdian has introduced a range of innovative products aimed at consumer needs (C-end), including 3kWh, 5kWh, 10kWh, and 16kWh outdoor mobile energy storage units, as well as portable charging/discharging devices such as 7kW, 20kW, and 40kW units. Youdian also provides small, medium, and large photovoltaic energy storage systems and balcony power station solutions. These products are designed with high compatibility, portability, and safety, catering to the diverse energy needs of both households and outdoor environments.

    LaiXi is a high-tech enterprise recognized for its innovation and growth potential. Since its establishment in 2021, LaiXi has specialized in developing intelligent unmanned systems and has become a leader in the domestic unmanned car wash industry, as well as a pioneer in mobile in-car charging technology. LaiXi operates an automated manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 1,200 car washing machines. Its fully automated intelligent unmanned car wash equipment is equipped with advanced features such as an ICS IoT system, photoelectric sensors, automatic fault avoidance, and vehicle model auto-mapping, maintaining a fault rate below 0.1%. LaiXi’s patented low-temperature car wash system operates at temperatures as low as -13°C without freezing, providing a key competitive advantage. In addition, its intelligent water recycling system reduces water waste, greatly improving car wash efficiency and enhancing the overall user experience.

    Min Zhou, CEO of MAAS, commented, “This acquisition represents a key milestone in the strategic upgrade of MAAS. It not only enhances our competitive position in the new energy and intelligent service sectors but also creates long-term value for our shareholders. We are excited to welcome Mr. Liu Guotao, the founder and chairman of Youdian and LaiXi, and his team to the MAAS family. We are particularly optimistic about Youdian and LaiXi’s innovative capabilities in the fields of smart charging and mobile energy storage. This collaboration will generate a synergistic effect, as we work together to expand the global new energy technology market.”

    Mr. Liu Guotao, founder and chairman of Youdian and LaiXi, stated, “We are thrilled about this transaction with MAAS, which marks a new beginning for Youdian and LaiXi’s international development. Moving forward, we will accelerate the deployment of 100,000 service stations across 300 cities nationwide, with the goal of serving 50 million vehicle owners within the next five years, thereby creating sustained growth value for our investors.”

    The framework agreement does not contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached in order to consummate the proposed acquisition, nor does it create any binding rights or obligations of any person. The parties will be bound only upon the execution of mutually agreeable definitive documentation. There can be no assurance that the framework agreement will result in completion of the proposed acquisition or any similar transaction, or as to the terms upon which any transaction, if a transaction is completed, may occur. MAAS does not undertake any obligation to provide any update with respect to the proposed acquisition or any other transaction, except as required by law.

    About Maase Inc.

    Founded in 2010 and formerly known as Highest Performances Holdings Inc., we have evolved with a vision to become a leading provider of intelligent technology-driven family and enterprise services. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for families worldwide by leveraging two primary driving forces: technological intelligence and capital investments. We are dedicated to investing in high-quality enterprises with global potential, focusing on areas such as asset allocation, education and study tours, healthcare and elderly care, and family governance.

    We currently hold controlling interests in two leading financial service providers in China. The first is AIFU Inc., a technology-driven independent financial service platform traded on the Nasdaq. The second is Puyi Fund Distribution Co., Ltd., an independent wealth management service provider.

    Forward-looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When MAAS uses words such as “may”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from MAAS’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: MAAS’s ability to obtain proceeds from the Agreement; MAAS’s goals and strategies; MAAS’s future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the third-party wealth management industry in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets MAAS serves and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by MAAS with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in MAAS’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. MAAS undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: eToro Group Ltd. to Announce Second Quarter 2025 Results and Hold Investor Webcast on August 12, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eToro Group Ltd. (“eToro”, or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ETOR), the trading and investing platform, announced today it will release second quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with a webcast to follow at 8:30 AM ET / 5:30 AM PT.

    The webcast and related materials will be available at investors.etoro.com. Publishing research analysts will be provided an opportunity to ask company management live questions during the webcast. Following the webcast, a replay and transcript will be available at investors.etoro.com.

    Prior to the webcast, eToro shareholders can submit and upvote questions through the following link: https://forms.gle/xjwhWD3uLWSJFs257 until Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT. During the webcast, management will address a selection of the most upvoted questions relating to eToro’s business and financial results.

    About eToro
    eToro is the trading and investing platform that empowers you to invest, share and learn. We were founded in 2007 with the vision of a world where everyone can trade and invest in a simple and transparent way. Today we have 40 million registered users from 75 countries. We believe there is power in shared knowledge and that we can become more successful by investing together. So we’ve created a collaborative investment community designed to provide you with the tools you need to grow your knowledge and wealth. On eToro, you can hold a range of traditional and innovative assets and choose how you invest: trade directly, invest in a portfolio, or copy other investors. You can visit our media center here for our latest news.

    Contact
    Media Relations – pr@etoro.com
    Investor Relations – investors@etoro.com

    Source: eToro Group Ltd.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Inequality has risen from 1970 to Trump − that has 3 hidden costs that undermine democracy

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Nathan Meyers, Ph.D. candidate in sociology (September 2025 degree conferral), UMass Amherst

    Demonstrators march outside the U.S. Capitol during the Poor People’s Campaign rally at the National Mall in Washington on June 23, 2018. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    America has never been richer. But the gains are so lopsided that the top 10% controls 69% of all wealth in the country, while the bottom half controls just 3%. Meanwhile, surging corporate profits have mostly benefited investors, not the broader public.

    This divide is expected to widen after President Donald Trump’s sweeping new spending bill drastically cuts Medicaid and food aid, programs that stabilize the economy and subsidize low-wage employers.

    Moreover, the tax cuts at the heart of the bill will deliver tens of billions of dollars in benefits to the wealthiest households while disproportionately burdening low-income households, according to analyses by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation. By 2033, the bottom 20% will pay more in taxes while the top 0.1% receive $43 billion in cuts.

    I am a sociologist who studies economic inequality, and my research demonstrates that the class-based inequalities exacerbated by the Trump bill are not new. Rather, they are part of a 50-year trend linked to social cleavages, political corruption and a declining belief in the common good.

    The roots of class-based inequality

    The decades following World War II were broadly prosperous, but conditions began changing in the 1970s. Class inequality has increased enormously since then, according to government data, while income inequality has risen for five decades at the expense of workers.

    Economists usually gauge a country’s economic health by looking at its gross domestic product as measured through total spending on everything from groceries to patents.

    But another way to view GDP is by looking at whether the money goes to workers or business owners. This second method – the income approach – offers a clearer picture of who really benefits from economic growth.

    The money that goes to labor’s share of GDP, or workers, is represented by employee compensation, including wages, salaries and benefits. The money left over for businesses after paying for work and materials is called gross operating surplus, or business surplus.

    The share of GDP going to workers rose 12% from 1947 to 1970, then fell 14% between 1970 and 2023. The opposite happened with the business surplus, falling 18% in the early postwar decades before jumping 34% from 1970 to today.

    Meanwhile, corporate profits have outpaced economic growth by 193% since 1970. Within profits, shareholder dividends as a share of GDP grew 274%.

    As of 2023, labor had lost all of the economic gains made since 1947. Had workers kept their 1970 share of GDP, they would have earned $1.7 trillion more in 2023 alone. And no legislation or federal action since 1970 has reversed this half-century trend.

    When more of the economy goes to businesses instead of workers, that poses serious social problems. My research focuses on three that threaten democracy.

    1. Fraying social bonds and livelihoods

    Not just an issue of income and assets, growing class inequality represents the fraying of American society.

    For instance, inequality and the resulting hardship are linked to worse health outcomes. Americans die younger than their peers in other rich countries, and U.S. life expectancy has decreased, especially among the poor.

    Moreover, economic struggles contribute to mental health issues, deaths of despair and profound problems such as addiction, including tobacco, alcohol and opioid abuse.

    Inequality can disrupt families. Kids who experience the stresses of poverty can develop neurological and emotional problems, putting them at risk for drug use as adults. On the other hand, when minimum wages increase and people begin saving wealth, divorce risk falls.

    Research shows inequality has many other negative consequences, from reduced social mobility to lower social trust and even higher homicide rates.

    Together, these broad social consequences are linked to misery, political discontent and normlessness.

    2. Increasing corruption in politics

    Inequality is rising in the U.S. largely because business elites are exercising more influence over policy outcomes, research shows. My related work on privatization explains how 50 years of outsourcing public functions – through contracting, disinvestment and job cuts – threatens democratic accountability.

    Research across different countries has repeatedly found that higher income inequality increases political corruption. It does so by undermining trust in government and institutions, and enabling elites to dominate policymaking while weakening public oversight.

    Since 2010, weakened campaign finance laws driven by monied interests have sharply increased corruption risks. The Supreme Court ruled then in Citizens United to lift campaign finance restrictions, enabling unlimited political spending. It reached an apex in 2024, when Elon Musk spent $200 million to elect Trump before later installing his Starlink equipment onto Federal Aviation Administration systems in a reported takeover of a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon.

    Research shows that a large majority of Americans believe that the economy is rigged, suggesting everyday people sense the link between inequality and corruption.

    Demonstrators gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington as the court heard arguments on campaign finance in 2013.
    AP Photo/Susan Walsh

    3. Undermining belief in the common good

    National aspirations have emphasized the common good since America’s founding. The Declaration of Independence lists the king’s first offense as undermining the “public good” by subverting the rule of law. The Constitution’s preamble commits the government to promoting the general welfare and shared well-being.

    But higher inequality historically means the common good goes overlooked, according to research. Meanwhile, work has become more precarious, less unionized, more segmented and less geographically stable. Artificial intelligence may worsen these trends.

    This tends to coincide with a drop in voting and other forms of civic engagement.

    The government has fewer mechanisms for protecting community when rising inequality is paired with lower taxes for the wealthy and reduced public resources. My research finds that public sector unions especially bolster civic engagement in this environment.

    Given increasing workplace and social isolation, America’s loneliness epidemic is unsurprising, especially for low earners.

    All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism. When people become cold and distrustful of one another, the notion of the common good collapses.

    Inequality as a policy outcome

    News coverage of the Trump bill and policy debate have largely centered on immediate gains and losses. But zoomed out, a clearer picture emerges of the long-term dismantling of foundations that once supported broad economic security. That, in turn, has enabled democratic decline.

    As labor’s share of the economy declined, so too did the institutional trust and shared social values that underpin democratic life. Among the many consequences are the political discontent and disillusionment shaping our current moment.

    Republicans hold both chambers of Congress through 2026, making significant policy changes unlikely in the short term. Democrats opposed the bill but are out of power. And their coalition is divided between a centrist establishment and an insurgent progressive wing with diverging priorities in addressing inequality.

    Yet democratic decline and inequality are not inevitable. If restoring broad prosperity and social stability are the goals, they may require revisiting the New Deal-style policies that produced labor’s peak economic share of 59% of GDP in 1970.

    Nathan Meyers 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. Inequality has risen from 1970 to Trump − that has 3 hidden costs that undermine democracy – https://theconversation.com/inequality-has-risen-from-1970-to-trump-that-has-3-hidden-costs-that-undermine-democracy-259104

    MIL OSI –

  • India’s Rise As A Global Power Must Be Accompanied By The Rise Of Its Intellectual And Cultural Gravitas: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>The Strength Of A Nation Lies In The Originality Of Its Thought And The Timelessness Of Its Values, urges VP
    India Is A Civilizational Continuum—A Flowing River Of Consciousness, Inquiry, And Learning, says VP
    Indigenous Insights Were Dismissed As Relics Of The Primitive Past; Selective Remembrance Continued Even After Independence, Highlights VP
    Western Constructs Were Paraded As Universal Truths. There Was An Architecture Of Erasure And Decimation, says VP
    Colonization Produced Clerks And Yeomen Instead of Thinkers; Grades Replaced Critical Thinking, highlights VP
    A Genuine Indian Knowledge System Ecosystem Must Honour Both Text And Lived Experience, Emphasises VP
    Vice-President Addresses The Inaugural Annual Conference On The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) In New Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, “India’s rise as a global power must be accompanied by the rise of its intellectual and cultural gravitas. This is very significant as the rise without this is not lasting, and the rise without this is not in harmony with our traditions. The strength of a nation lies in the originality of its thought, the timelessness of its values, and the resilience of its intellectual traditions. That is the kind of soft power that endures, and soft power is potent in the world we live in”, he said.

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943205424314093944

     

    Reaffirming India’s identity beyond the confines of post-colonial constructs, the Vice-President observed, “India is not just a political construct formed in the mid-20th century. It is a civilizational continuum—a flowing river of consciousness, inquiry, and learning that has endured.”

    Critiquing the historical sidelining of indigenous wisdom, he said, “While indigenous insights were dismissed as relics of the primitive past, it was not an error of interpretation. It was an architecture of erasure, destruction, and decimation. What is more tragic is that the selective remembrance continued even after independence. Western constructs were paraded as universal truths. To put it more bluntly, untruth was camouflaged as truth.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943197937783443838

    “What should have been our fundamental priority was not even on the radar. How can you not be cognizant of your core values?” he questioned.

     

    Reflecting on the historical ruptures in India’s intellectual journey, the Vice-President remarked, “The Islamic invasion of India caused the first interlude in the glorious journey of Bharatiya Vidya Parampara (भारतीय विद्या परंपरा). Instead of embrace and assimilation, there was contempt and destruction. The British colonization brought forth the second interlude, when the Indian Knowledge System was stunted, stymied, and subverted. Centers of learning changed their motives. The compass was moderated. The North Star was changed. From bearing Sages and Savants, it started producing clerks and yeomen. The needs of the East India Company to have brown babus replaced the need of the nation to have thinkers.”

     

    “We stopped thinking, contemplating, writing, and philosophizing. We started cramming, regurgitating, and swallowing. Grades, unfortunately, replaced critical thinking. The great Bharatiya Vidya Parampara (भारतीय विद्या परंपरा) and its allied institutions were systematically drained, destroyed, and decimated.”, he mentioned.

     

    Addressing the inaugural Annual Conference on the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in New Delhi as the Chief Guest today, Shri Dhankhar said, “Long before the Universities of Europe came into being, Bharat’s universities had already established themselves as thriving centers of learning. Our ancient land was home to luminous centres of intellectual life—Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Vallabhi, and Odantapuri. These were the towering citadels of knowledge. Their libraries were vast oceans of wisdom, housing tens of thousands of manuscripts.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943199467899084921

    He added, “These were global universities, where seekers came from lands near and far, such as Korea, China, Tibet, and Persia. These were the spaces where the intellect of the world embraced the spirit of Bharat.”

     

    Calling for a more holistic understanding of knowledge, the Vice-President said, “Knowledge resides beyond manuscripts. It lives in communities, in embodied practices, in the intergenerational transmission of wisdom.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943202799141146817

     

    He emphasised that, “A genuine Indian Knowledge Systems research ecosystem must honour both the written word and the lived experience—recognizing that insight emerges as much from context as it does from text.”

    Calling for focused action to strengthen Indian Knowledge Systems, the Vice-President remarked, “Let us therefore turn our attention to tangible action because that is the need of the hour. The creation of digitized repositories of classical Indian texts is an urgent priority covering all classical languages such as Sanskrit, Tamil, Pali, and Prakrit, to name just a few.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943222130579247548

     

    He added, “These repositories should be made widely accessible, enabling scholars in India and researchers around the world to engage meaningfully with these sources. Equally essential is the development of training programs that empower young scholars with robust methodological tools, blending philosophy, computational analysis, ethnography, and comparative inquiry to deepen their engagement with the Indian knowledge system.”

     

     

    Quoting renowned scholar Max Müller, the Vice-President said, “If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant—I should point to India.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943192673076285954

     

    “Friends, it was nothing but the articulation of eternal truth,” the Vice-President said.

     

    Touching upon the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation, the Vice-President stated, “The wisdom of the past does not obstruct innovation—rather it inspires it. The metaphysical can speak to the material. Spiritual insight can coexist with scientific precision, but then you have to know what spiritual insight is.”

     

    He continued, “The Rigveda’s hymns to the cosmos can find new relevance in the age of astrophysics. The Charaka Samhita can be read alongside global debates on public health ethics.”

     

    “As we navigate a fractured world, we are stunned by global conflagration. So we are faced with a fractured world. Knowledge systems that have long reflected on the interplay between mind and matter, the individual and the cosmos, duty and consequence, become relevant and vital to shaping thoughtful, enduring responses.”, he concluded.

     

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt. of India, Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Prof. M. S. Chaitra, Director- IKSHA, Akhil Bharatiye Toli Sadasya, Prajna Pravah, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • India’s Rise As A Global Power Must Be Accompanied By The Rise Of Its Intellectual And Cultural Gravitas: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>The Strength Of A Nation Lies In The Originality Of Its Thought And The Timelessness Of Its Values, urges VP
    India Is A Civilizational Continuum—A Flowing River Of Consciousness, Inquiry, And Learning, says VP
    Indigenous Insights Were Dismissed As Relics Of The Primitive Past; Selective Remembrance Continued Even After Independence, Highlights VP
    Western Constructs Were Paraded As Universal Truths. There Was An Architecture Of Erasure And Decimation, says VP
    Colonization Produced Clerks And Yeomen Instead of Thinkers; Grades Replaced Critical Thinking, highlights VP
    A Genuine Indian Knowledge System Ecosystem Must Honour Both Text And Lived Experience, Emphasises VP
    Vice-President Addresses The Inaugural Annual Conference On The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) In New Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, “India’s rise as a global power must be accompanied by the rise of its intellectual and cultural gravitas. This is very significant as the rise without this is not lasting, and the rise without this is not in harmony with our traditions. The strength of a nation lies in the originality of its thought, the timelessness of its values, and the resilience of its intellectual traditions. That is the kind of soft power that endures, and soft power is potent in the world we live in”, he said.

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943205424314093944

     

    Reaffirming India’s identity beyond the confines of post-colonial constructs, the Vice-President observed, “India is not just a political construct formed in the mid-20th century. It is a civilizational continuum—a flowing river of consciousness, inquiry, and learning that has endured.”

    Critiquing the historical sidelining of indigenous wisdom, he said, “While indigenous insights were dismissed as relics of the primitive past, it was not an error of interpretation. It was an architecture of erasure, destruction, and decimation. What is more tragic is that the selective remembrance continued even after independence. Western constructs were paraded as universal truths. To put it more bluntly, untruth was camouflaged as truth.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943197937783443838

    “What should have been our fundamental priority was not even on the radar. How can you not be cognizant of your core values?” he questioned.

     

    Reflecting on the historical ruptures in India’s intellectual journey, the Vice-President remarked, “The Islamic invasion of India caused the first interlude in the glorious journey of Bharatiya Vidya Parampara (भारतीय विद्या परंपरा). Instead of embrace and assimilation, there was contempt and destruction. The British colonization brought forth the second interlude, when the Indian Knowledge System was stunted, stymied, and subverted. Centers of learning changed their motives. The compass was moderated. The North Star was changed. From bearing Sages and Savants, it started producing clerks and yeomen. The needs of the East India Company to have brown babus replaced the need of the nation to have thinkers.”

     

    “We stopped thinking, contemplating, writing, and philosophizing. We started cramming, regurgitating, and swallowing. Grades, unfortunately, replaced critical thinking. The great Bharatiya Vidya Parampara (भारतीय विद्या परंपरा) and its allied institutions were systematically drained, destroyed, and decimated.”, he mentioned.

     

    Addressing the inaugural Annual Conference on the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in New Delhi as the Chief Guest today, Shri Dhankhar said, “Long before the Universities of Europe came into being, Bharat’s universities had already established themselves as thriving centers of learning. Our ancient land was home to luminous centres of intellectual life—Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Vallabhi, and Odantapuri. These were the towering citadels of knowledge. Their libraries were vast oceans of wisdom, housing tens of thousands of manuscripts.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943199467899084921

    He added, “These were global universities, where seekers came from lands near and far, such as Korea, China, Tibet, and Persia. These were the spaces where the intellect of the world embraced the spirit of Bharat.”

     

    Calling for a more holistic understanding of knowledge, the Vice-President said, “Knowledge resides beyond manuscripts. It lives in communities, in embodied practices, in the intergenerational transmission of wisdom.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943202799141146817

     

    He emphasised that, “A genuine Indian Knowledge Systems research ecosystem must honour both the written word and the lived experience—recognizing that insight emerges as much from context as it does from text.”

    Calling for focused action to strengthen Indian Knowledge Systems, the Vice-President remarked, “Let us therefore turn our attention to tangible action because that is the need of the hour. The creation of digitized repositories of classical Indian texts is an urgent priority covering all classical languages such as Sanskrit, Tamil, Pali, and Prakrit, to name just a few.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943222130579247548

     

    He added, “These repositories should be made widely accessible, enabling scholars in India and researchers around the world to engage meaningfully with these sources. Equally essential is the development of training programs that empower young scholars with robust methodological tools, blending philosophy, computational analysis, ethnography, and comparative inquiry to deepen their engagement with the Indian knowledge system.”

     

     

    Quoting renowned scholar Max Müller, the Vice-President said, “If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant—I should point to India.”

     

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1943192673076285954

     

    “Friends, it was nothing but the articulation of eternal truth,” the Vice-President said.

     

    Touching upon the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation, the Vice-President stated, “The wisdom of the past does not obstruct innovation—rather it inspires it. The metaphysical can speak to the material. Spiritual insight can coexist with scientific precision, but then you have to know what spiritual insight is.”

     

    He continued, “The Rigveda’s hymns to the cosmos can find new relevance in the age of astrophysics. The Charaka Samhita can be read alongside global debates on public health ethics.”

     

    “As we navigate a fractured world, we are stunned by global conflagration. So we are faced with a fractured world. Knowledge systems that have long reflected on the interplay between mind and matter, the individual and the cosmos, duty and consequence, become relevant and vital to shaping thoughtful, enduring responses.”, he concluded.

     

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt. of India, Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Prof. M. S. Chaitra, Director- IKSHA, Akhil Bharatiye Toli Sadasya, Prajna Pravah, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Voting in Public Elections Across Selected Asian Countries

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post by Foreign Law Specialist Sayuri Umeda, and the following foreign law interns who work with Sayuri: Raksmei Dara, Inseol Hong, Nguyet Le, and Panicha (Yuri) Rattanaboonsen.

    As lawyers from Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand, we were curious about the different rules and regulations for voting in public elections for each of the countries we represent, and decided to compare the voting methods of these countries. To our surprise, we found that each country had a different voting method.

    The following three questions were asked:

    1. What is the voting age;
    2. What is the right of convicted criminals to vote, and
    3. What is the method of voting (national elections only, excluding proportional representation elections if that is not the only electoral system)?

    Question 1 – What is the voting age in the countries above?

    All countries have a voting age of 18. Voters must be 18 years of age or older on election day.

    Question 2 – Do convicted criminals have the right to vote?

    In all countries, those who are imprisoned are denied the right to vote.

    In South Korea, such restrictions are limited to those who are serving sentences of one year or more. Those awaiting execution of a sentence of one year or more are also ineligible to vote. (Public Official Election Act, infra, art. 18) In Japan and Korea, individuals convicted of certain electoral and corruption offenses are barred from voting for several years after the completion of their sentence. (Korea: id.; Japan, Public Offices Election Act, infra, art. 11.) In Thailand, those who are detained by legal order and those who have been deprived of the right to vote, with or without a final sentence, cannot vote. (Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, infra, sec. 32.)

    Even though outside the scope of the question, we were surprised to learn that in Thailand, the constitution does not give monks, novices, or clergy the right to vote. (Constitution, B.E. 2560, sec. 96.)

    Question 3 – What is the method of voting in each country?

    • Cambodia
      • In the Cambodian national election, voters do not vote for an individual candidate, but for a party. (Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly, art. 5.) The long-ruling Cambodian People’s Party has won landslide victories in elections since the 2003 general election. A voter places a single tick mark inside one of the square boxes next to their chosen political party on the ballot paper. (Id. art. 105.) Before exiting the ballot casting room, the voter must dip a finger in indelible purple ink and mark their name on the voter’s list to confirm that they have voted.
    • Japan
      • Voters must write the name of one candidate on the ballot. (Public Offices Election Act, Act No. 100 of 1950, as amended, art. 46, para. 1.) Some complain that writing the names of candidates is not easy for people with disabilities or injuries. Marking the name of the candidate of choice would be easier and reduce mistakes. However, this is not permitted in national elections. The Kobe Newspaper explains that when using the marking system, the names of all candidates must be written on the ballot, so the ballots cannot be printed until the candidates have been decided, which takes time to prepare.
    • South Korea
      • The election is conducted by marking a ballot. (Public Official Election Act, Act No. 20902, as amended April 1, 2025, art. 146, para. 1.) Marking is done by using a stamp that is placed in a box next to the candidate chosen by the voter. The stamps are prepared by the Election Commission. This stamp has an interesting history. In the 1940s and 1950s, voters had to bring objects to stamp their ballots, such as bullet casings or small bamboo sticks. Today, the stamp imprints “ト”. This character shape has an advantage that the marked candidate cannot be mistaken when an imprint is smeared. The ballot paper must be folded before being put in the box.
    • Thailand
      • Voting is done by marking a cross in the box beside the candidate’s number on the ballot paper. In cases where the eligible voters wish to vote for none of the candidates, they shall mark a cross in the checkbox for “not to vote for any candidate”. (Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives B.E. 2561 (2018), § 91.) Please see the examples of acceptable and unacceptable crosses in the image at the top of this blog post. 
    • Vietnam
      • Voters cross out the names of candidates they do not choose on their ballot. (Circular 01/2021/TT-BNV dated January 11, 2021, to guide the Voting Procedure for National Assembly’s Representatives term 2021-2026 based on Law on Voting for Representatives of National Assembly and People’s Council dated June 25, 2015, art. 10 para. 3.c, 3.d, 4b.)

    What other interesting voting procedures have you encountered? What other countries would you like to hear about? Let us know in the comments.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it is free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Voting in Public Elections Across Selected Asian Countries

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post by Foreign Law Specialist Sayuri Umeda, and the following foreign law interns who work with Sayuri: Raksmei Dara, Inseol Hong, Nguyet Le, and Panicha (Yuri) Rattanaboonsen.

    As lawyers from Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand, we were curious about the different rules and regulations for voting in public elections for each of the countries we represent, and decided to compare the voting methods of these countries. To our surprise, we found that each country had a different voting method.

    The following three questions were asked:

    1. What is the voting age;
    2. What is the right of convicted criminals to vote, and
    3. What is the method of voting (national elections only, excluding proportional representation elections if that is not the only electoral system)?

    Question 1 – What is the voting age in the countries above?

    All countries have a voting age of 18. Voters must be 18 years of age or older on election day.

    Question 2 – Do convicted criminals have the right to vote?

    In all countries, those who are imprisoned are denied the right to vote.

    In South Korea, such restrictions are limited to those who are serving sentences of one year or more. Those awaiting execution of a sentence of one year or more are also ineligible to vote. (Public Official Election Act, infra, art. 18) In Japan and Korea, individuals convicted of certain electoral and corruption offenses are barred from voting for several years after the completion of their sentence. (Korea: id.; Japan, Public Offices Election Act, infra, art. 11.) In Thailand, those who are detained by legal order and those who have been deprived of the right to vote, with or without a final sentence, cannot vote. (Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, infra, sec. 32.)

    Even though outside the scope of the question, we were surprised to learn that in Thailand, the constitution does not give monks, novices, or clergy the right to vote. (Constitution, B.E. 2560, sec. 96.)

    Question 3 – What is the method of voting in each country?

    • Cambodia
      • In the Cambodian national election, voters do not vote for an individual candidate, but for a party. (Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly, art. 5.) The long-ruling Cambodian People’s Party has won landslide victories in elections since the 2003 general election. A voter places a single tick mark inside one of the square boxes next to their chosen political party on the ballot paper. (Id. art. 105.) Before exiting the ballot casting room, the voter must dip a finger in indelible purple ink and mark their name on the voter’s list to confirm that they have voted.
    • Japan
      • Voters must write the name of one candidate on the ballot. (Public Offices Election Act, Act No. 100 of 1950, as amended, art. 46, para. 1.) Some complain that writing the names of candidates is not easy for people with disabilities or injuries. Marking the name of the candidate of choice would be easier and reduce mistakes. However, this is not permitted in national elections. The Kobe Newspaper explains that when using the marking system, the names of all candidates must be written on the ballot, so the ballots cannot be printed until the candidates have been decided, which takes time to prepare.
    • South Korea
      • The election is conducted by marking a ballot. (Public Official Election Act, Act No. 20902, as amended April 1, 2025, art. 146, para. 1.) Marking is done by using a stamp that is placed in a box next to the candidate chosen by the voter. The stamps are prepared by the Election Commission. This stamp has an interesting history. In the 1940s and 1950s, voters had to bring objects to stamp their ballots, such as bullet casings or small bamboo sticks. Today, the stamp imprints “ト”. This character shape has an advantage that the marked candidate cannot be mistaken when an imprint is smeared. The ballot paper must be folded before being put in the box.
    • Thailand
      • Voting is done by marking a cross in the box beside the candidate’s number on the ballot paper. In cases where the eligible voters wish to vote for none of the candidates, they shall mark a cross in the checkbox for “not to vote for any candidate”. (Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives B.E. 2561 (2018), § 91.) Please see the examples of acceptable and unacceptable crosses in the image at the top of this blog post. 
    • Vietnam
      • Voters cross out the names of candidates they do not choose on their ballot. (Circular 01/2021/TT-BNV dated January 11, 2021, to guide the Voting Procedure for National Assembly’s Representatives term 2021-2026 based on Law on Voting for Representatives of National Assembly and People’s Council dated June 25, 2015, art. 10 para. 3.c, 3.d, 4b.)

    What other interesting voting procedures have you encountered? What other countries would you like to hear about? Let us know in the comments.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it is free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa calls for citizen-led national dialogue

    Source: Government of South Africa

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened the inaugural meeting of the Eminent Persons Group to kickstart a critical national dialogue aimed at addressing South Africa’s persistent challenges 31 years after democracy.

    Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, President Ramaphosa candidly acknowledged the country’s ongoing struggles. 

    “There can be no doubt that we have begun to transform our society and our economy. And yet, the vestiges of our apartheid past remain,” he said, pointing to persistent issues of inequality, poverty and unemployment that continue to plague the nation.

    “Our economy has not been growing, and the number of unemployed people has been rising.” 

    He also acknowledged the deterioration in governance, a decline in the delivery of services, and widespread corruption and wastage of public resources.

    “At the same time, we have seen an increasing disengagement by many people from the democratic process, as witnessed by the turnout in the May 2024 elections.” 

    According to the country’s Commander-in-Chief, the national dialogue represents a bold attempt to unite South Africans across political, cultural, and social divides. 

    READ | National Convention to set agenda for the National Dialogue

    President Ramaphosa used Friday’s meeting to call for a process that is inclusive and citizen-led.

    “It cannot be partisan. It cannot favour one group or perspective over any other.

    “It needs to be citizen-led, and the outcomes need to reflect the collective views of the South African people.”

    The President said the national dialogue represents a strategic effort to mobilise South Africans and restore the country’s developmental trajectory. 

    “The national dialogue is neither government-driven nor directed,” President Ramaphosa stressed, underlining the importance of genuine public participation.

    “Citizens must be able to freely and fully participate in the national dialogue as individuals, in organised formations, and through representative bodies.

    “That is why the Eminent Persons Group is so important.” 

    Highlighting the nation’s rich tradition of collaborative problem-solving, President Ramaphosa noted that “dialoguing is not a new phenomenon to South Africans”. 

    He also pointed to previous successful national conversations like drafting the Constitution, the National Peace Accord, and the country’s response to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. 

    However, the President emphasised that the dialogue is not intended to replace existing democratic processes. 

    Instead, President Ramaphosa pointed out that it aims to create a social compact that outlines clear commitments for government, political parties, business, labour, civil society, and citizens. 

    President Ramaphosa stated that a carefully selected Eminent Persons Group will champion the dialogue, tasked with ensuring its authenticity and effectiveness. 

    He challenged these leaders to be critical guardians of the process, not mere cheerleaders.

    “We are asking you, Eminent Persons, to be champions of the national dialogue, not cheerleaders.

    “We expect that you will critically consider the progress and the conduct of the national dialogue, and provide advice where correction is required.

    “If there is confusion or misunderstanding, or disarray, we ask you to help correct it. If there are groups that seek to commandeer the process, we ask that you alert us.” 

    Strengthening social cohesion

    The First Citizen announced that the first national convention is scheduled for August, with the hopes of generating a collective vision for South Africa’s future. 

    “South Africans want to be heard, they want to participate; they want to be included in whatever process is meant to improve their lives.”

    With scepticism and political tensions already emerging, President Ramaphosa believes that the success of this national dialogue remains to be seen. 

    “We have already been confronted by the challenge of misinformation and misrepresentation, whether on the cost of the national dialogue or on who is running it.

    “But that should not distract us from the work we have to do to give a platform to the millions of voices in our country, so that they may be heard and so that they may be counted.

    “We should not fear criticism. We should welcome it.”

    Despite criticism, the President strongly believes this platform represents a potentially crucial step in addressing the country’s deep-seated challenges. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –