by Antonella PrennaRome (Agenzia Fides) – “We work in problematic, difficult, and complex contexts where persecution exists. Where violence and persecution prevail, there is no dialogue, there is no respect for others. Precisely for this reason, in support of our specific mission of helping persecuted Christians, we also focus on interreligious dialogue, on religious freedom as a topic for deepening and raising awareness not only on a social but also on a theological level.”This is what Father Luigi Buccarello said in an interview with Fides at the end of the General Chapter of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and the Captives O.SS.T. (see Fides, 7/11/2023), where he was confirmed for a further term as Superior General. Also present was Father Antonio Aurelio Fernández Serrano, president of the organization Trinitarian International Solidarity (SIT), which coordinates activities to support persecuted Christians.In the wake of Dignitatis Humanae”Following the guidelines of the Vatican II document on religious freedom, Dignitatis Humanae, and the subsequent magisterium of the Pontiffs,” Father Buccarello continues, “we have been collaborating for two years with the Center for Interreligious Studies of the Pontifical Gregorian University, with whom we organized a six-month course entitled ‘Religious Freedom: Problems, Challenges, and Perspectives,’ which was offered for the first time this year. In addition to the course, which is aimed at theology students and those interested in the subject, we have established a two-year theological research group involving 15 specialists from various research fields. The topic of religious freedom requires an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach; geopolitics, history, sociology, theology, canon law, civil law, and religious studies are all involved. A publication will be published at the end of this two-year research period.””The lack of religious freedom,” the priest continued, “is a challenge for every religion. Every day we hear about attacks in Nigeria, Yemen, and Syria. Syria had exuberantly celebrated the regime change, but we see that we are back to square one.” “Together with Father Antonio, we are always in contact with these countries, and since we touch these realities firsthand, we recognize that religious freedom is the only guarantee of peace and coexistence. Our service is not charitable; rather, we want to address the problem at its root and combat the causes underlying religious intolerance.””The General Chapter,” the Superior General continues, “placed great emphasis on the specific training of our students in these topics. Working in the field of interreligious dialogue means paving a path to peace. Religious freedom is the path to peace. One of the important themes of the post-conciliar Magisterium is the consideration of religious freedom as a prerequisite for peace, because where freedom is respected, there is obviously peace, acceptance of others, and appreciation of religious diversity. Fundamentalists resort to violence because they do not tolerate religious diversity. They want uniformity, even within their own religious tradition; they view religion as a monolithic bloc and consider themselves the sole bearers of the authentic religious message. If this acceptance of diversity is lacking and differences are perceived as a threat rather than an enrichment, peace is in danger. But our faith is also in danger, for it always leads us to an encounter with others.”A long historyThe current mission of the Trinitarian religious family coincides with an update of its founding charism. “The Trinitarian Order,” explains Father Buccarello, “was founded for persecuted Christians, obviously in a different time and in a different historical context. In our motto, “Gloria tibi Trinitas et captivis libertas,” we find the word ‘slaves,’ ‘prisoners.’ Our founder, Saint John of Matha, began the “liberation missions,” initially from Spain to Morocco, with a letter from Innocent III, in which he recommended the Trinitarians to the Sultan of Morocco, saying that the work of freeing slaves was a work of charity, the most important, the most significant, and of universal benefit. In fact, the Pope had given the Trinitarians permission to free Christian slaves through exchange with Muslim slaves, thus creating a double liberation of both Christian and Muslim slaves.”Saint John of Matha was a learned theologian and had no intention to found a new religious family. During his first Mass, he had a vision: he saw Christ in the center, holding the arms of two slaves, a white Christian and a Black Muslim. After a period of reflection, it became clear to him that he had to found a religious family dedicated to this special mission: the redemption of captives “pro fide Christi.””Today,” adds Father Buccarello, “we know that this inspiration of our founder is very timely. The two ‘lungs’ of our mission are the works of mercy and persecuted Christians. And the latter is the work that most identifies and unites us. To update this charism, the Extraordinary General Chapter of 1999, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the adoption of the Rule of the Order and the fourth anniversary of the Order’s reform, decided to create an organization to coordinate and promote this area of assistance to persecuted Christians, which would be called ‘Trinitarian International Solidarity.’”The organization’s current president, Father Antonio Aurelio Fernández Serrano, explains that “it is an internal body of the Trinitarian religious family, whose first 25th anniversary was just celebrated. On this occasion, we made a documentary to raise awareness of the problem of persecuted Christians.” “Our projects,” he explains, “are also present in countries like Sudan and South Sudan, where we have already freed several young people.”Father Buccarello adds details of a meeting of the aid organization in Bahrain, where, at the initiative of the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., a meeting was also held with Abdullah Abdullah, director of the Global Center for Peace Coexistence (see Fides, 23/10/2024). “Abdullah came to our Chapter to share his experience,” the Superior General said. “He was also in the Italian Parliament, where, at a meeting in the Chamber of Deputies, he described the Trinitarian Order as an example of dialogue, care, charity, and respect.”The challenges of todayThe Trinitarians are active in the Roman parish of Santa Maria delle Fornaci, the titular church of Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria. “The Cardinal,” Father Buccarello explains, “spoke to us extensively about the situation in Syria, about persecution, but also about poverty, about the many Christians who have left the country in recent years. When Christians disappear from the Middle East, the balance that ensures harmonious coexistence between different cultures and faiths is lost. Peaceful coexistence is most threatened when a historical component of a region’s religious landscape disappears.”The Trinitarian Order is present in 25 countries, including Vietnam, South Korea, and India, a country where, according to Father Buccarello, cases of violence and harassment against Christians are increasing year after year, as well as in many areas of Africa where “terrorist groups and movements engaged in aggressive proselytizing” are active.The specific contribution that the Trinitarian Order can make for the future, according to the Superior General, is to “train religious who are experts in interreligious dialogue. We all need to be sensitized; even in the Western world, where we often do not know how to deal with religious diversity, there is no genuine encounter between people. Everyone has their own space; there is no true integration.” “In many schools in northern Italy,” he notes, “for example, the majority of students are non-Catholic and non-Christian. What resources do we provide to the children so that they can interact and welcome others? And are there other situations that are unknown? Our Trinitarian sisters in Valence, for example, have a school on the outskirts of Marseille. Eighty percent of the students are Muslims, who choose Catholic rather than public schools because they prefer a religious approach to a materialistic, atheistic one. In our school in northern Assam, India, only five percent of the students are Catholic; the others are Hindus and Muslims. However, they live together without problems because religious diversity is a resource that fosters respect for others and promotes the value of coexistence and peace.”The “motto” of the General Chapter was a quote from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians: “Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” “One of the criteria that was very well highlighted,” the Superior General emphasized, “is that religious freedom is not a theoretical question, but affects the lives and suffering of so many people, and that it must be analyzed in context. Each reality, in its complexity and problematic nature, presents different challenges to religious freedom. In Canada, for example, members of the order cannot go to the hospital wearing a religious habit. In the Western world, there is an aggressive secularism that tends to reduce religion to the private sphere, and identity-political cultural movements that instrumentalize religion. Identitarian movements aim to mark a kind of difference and opposition between “us and you” by fueling narratives that appeal to people’s fears, for example when migration is portrayed as a kind of invasion by the enemy who has come to destroy our identity. All of us, starting with religious leaders, must loudly emphasize that the name of God cannot be associated with war and violence. This must be said emphatically. Yet even these days, we hear statements from political leaders who seek to justify the war as a kind of divine mandate.” (Agenzia Fides, 28/6/2025)
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by Antonella PrennaRome (Agenzia Fides) – “We work in problematic, difficult, and complex contexts where persecution exists. Where violence and persecution prevail, there is no dialogue, there is no respect for others. Precisely for this reason, in support of our specific mission of helping persecuted Christians, we also focus on interreligious dialogue, on religious freedom as a topic for deepening and raising awareness not only on a social but also on a theological level.”This is what Father Luigi Buccarello said in an interview with Fides at the end of the General Chapter of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and the Captives O.SS.T. (see Fides, 7/11/2023), where he was confirmed for a further term as Superior General. Also present was Father Antonio Aurelio Fernández Serrano, president of the organization Trinitarian International Solidarity (SIT), which coordinates activities to support persecuted Christians.In the wake of Dignitatis Humanae”Following the guidelines of the Vatican II document on religious freedom, Dignitatis Humanae, and the subsequent magisterium of the Pontiffs,” Father Buccarello continues, “we have been collaborating for two years with the Center for Interreligious Studies of the Pontifical Gregorian University, with whom we organized a six-month course entitled ‘Religious Freedom: Problems, Challenges, and Perspectives,’ which was offered for the first time this year. In addition to the course, which is aimed at theology students and those interested in the subject, we have established a two-year theological research group involving 15 specialists from various research fields. The topic of religious freedom requires an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach; geopolitics, history, sociology, theology, canon law, civil law, and religious studies are all involved. A publication will be published at the end of this two-year research period.””The lack of religious freedom,” the priest continued, “is a challenge for every religion. Every day we hear about attacks in Nigeria, Yemen, and Syria. Syria had exuberantly celebrated the regime change, but we see that we are back to square one.” “Together with Father Antonio, we are always in contact with these countries, and since we touch these realities firsthand, we recognize that religious freedom is the only guarantee of peace and coexistence. Our service is not charitable; rather, we want to address the problem at its root and combat the causes underlying religious intolerance.””The General Chapter,” the Superior General continues, “placed great emphasis on the specific training of our students in these topics. Working in the field of interreligious dialogue means paving a path to peace. Religious freedom is the path to peace. One of the important themes of the post-conciliar Magisterium is the consideration of religious freedom as a prerequisite for peace, because where freedom is respected, there is obviously peace, acceptance of others, and appreciation of religious diversity. Fundamentalists resort to violence because they do not tolerate religious diversity. They want uniformity, even within their own religious tradition; they view religion as a monolithic bloc and consider themselves the sole bearers of the authentic religious message. If this acceptance of diversity is lacking and differences are perceived as a threat rather than an enrichment, peace is in danger. But our faith is also in danger, for it always leads us to an encounter with others.”A long historyThe current mission of the Trinitarian religious family coincides with an update of its founding charism. “The Trinitarian Order,” explains Father Buccarello, “was founded for persecuted Christians, obviously in a different time and in a different historical context. In our motto, “Gloria tibi Trinitas et captivis libertas,” we find the word ‘slaves,’ ‘prisoners.’ Our founder, Saint John of Matha, began the “liberation missions,” initially from Spain to Morocco, with a letter from Innocent III, in which he recommended the Trinitarians to the Sultan of Morocco, saying that the work of freeing slaves was a work of charity, the most important, the most significant, and of universal benefit. In fact, the Pope had given the Trinitarians permission to free Christian slaves through exchange with Muslim slaves, thus creating a double liberation of both Christian and Muslim slaves.”Saint John of Matha was a learned theologian and had no intention to found a new religious family. During his first Mass, he had a vision: he saw Christ in the center, holding the arms of two slaves, a white Christian and a Black Muslim. After a period of reflection, it became clear to him that he had to found a religious family dedicated to this special mission: the redemption of captives “pro fide Christi.””Today,” adds Father Buccarello, “we know that this inspiration of our founder is very timely. The two ‘lungs’ of our mission are the works of mercy and persecuted Christians. And the latter is the work that most identifies and unites us. To update this charism, the Extraordinary General Chapter of 1999, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the adoption of the Rule of the Order and the fourth anniversary of the Order’s reform, decided to create an organization to coordinate and promote this area of assistance to persecuted Christians, which would be called ‘Trinitarian International Solidarity.’”The organization’s current president, Father Antonio Aurelio Fernández Serrano, explains that “it is an internal body of the Trinitarian religious family, whose first 25th anniversary was just celebrated. On this occasion, we made a documentary to raise awareness of the problem of persecuted Christians.” “Our projects,” he explains, “are also present in countries like Sudan and South Sudan, where we have already freed several young people.”Father Buccarello adds details of a meeting of the aid organization in Bahrain, where, at the initiative of the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., a meeting was also held with Abdullah Abdullah, director of the Global Center for Peace Coexistence (see Fides, 23/10/2024). “Abdullah came to our Chapter to share his experience,” the Superior General said. “He was also in the Italian Parliament, where, at a meeting in the Chamber of Deputies, he described the Trinitarian Order as an example of dialogue, care, charity, and respect.”The challenges of todayThe Trinitarians are active in the Roman parish of Santa Maria delle Fornaci, the titular church of Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria. “The Cardinal,” Father Buccarello explains, “spoke to us extensively about the situation in Syria, about persecution, but also about poverty, about the many Christians who have left the country in recent years. When Christians disappear from the Middle East, the balance that ensures harmonious coexistence between different cultures and faiths is lost. Peaceful coexistence is most threatened when a historical component of a region’s religious landscape disappears.”The Trinitarian Order is present in 25 countries, including Vietnam, South Korea, and India, a country where, according to Father Buccarello, cases of violence and harassment against Christians are increasing year after year, as well as in many areas of Africa where “terrorist groups and movements engaged in aggressive proselytizing” are active.The specific contribution that the Trinitarian Order can make for the future, according to the Superior General, is to “train religious who are experts in interreligious dialogue. We all need to be sensitized; even in the Western world, where we often do not know how to deal with religious diversity, there is no genuine encounter between people. Everyone has their own space; there is no true integration.” “In many schools in northern Italy,” he notes, “for example, the majority of students are non-Catholic and non-Christian. What resources do we provide to the children so that they can interact and welcome others? And are there other situations that are unknown? Our Trinitarian sisters in Valence, for example, have a school on the outskirts of Marseille. Eighty percent of the students are Muslims, who choose Catholic rather than public schools because they prefer a religious approach to a materialistic, atheistic one. In our school in northern Assam, India, only five percent of the students are Catholic; the others are Hindus and Muslims. However, they live together without problems because religious diversity is a resource that fosters respect for others and promotes the value of coexistence and peace.”The “motto” of the General Chapter was a quote from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians: “Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” “One of the criteria that was very well highlighted,” the Superior General emphasized, “is that religious freedom is not a theoretical question, but affects the lives and suffering of so many people, and that it must be analyzed in context. Each reality, in its complexity and problematic nature, presents different challenges to religious freedom. In Canada, for example, members of the order cannot go to the hospital wearing a religious habit. In the Western world, there is an aggressive secularism that tends to reduce religion to the private sphere, and identity-political cultural movements that instrumentalize religion. Identitarian movements aim to mark a kind of difference and opposition between “us and you” by fueling narratives that appeal to people’s fears, for example when migration is portrayed as a kind of invasion by the enemy who has come to destroy our identity. All of us, starting with religious leaders, must loudly emphasize that the name of God cannot be associated with war and violence. This must be said emphatically. Yet even these days, we hear statements from political leaders who seek to justify the war as a kind of divine mandate.” (Agenzia Fides, 28/6/2025)
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
Organization of American States: Baroness Chapman Intervention
Baroness Chapman delivers intervention on the Falkland Islands at the Organization of American States
Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, ministers, delegates, friends.
On behalf of the United Kingdom, I would like to thank Antigua and Barbuda for hosting this important assembly.
The UK’s relationships with our friends and allies across the Americas are important to all of us.
Be it climate change, security, or sustainable development – we face the greatest challenges together.
And indeed, for more than two centuries now, the UK and Argentina have shared bilateral relationships – as part of a long, rich history.
My friend the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has met President Milei a number of times.
Earlier this year, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich enjoyed a highly successful visit to the UK.
And even where we disagree, we are working together to reduce tensions.
So, in September 2024, my friend the Foreign Secretary and the former Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino announced a new package of cooperation.
This recognised that while we may not agree on sovereignty, there is much we can achieve by working together in the South Atlantic.
The UK and Falkland Islanders have come together to implement this – including support for Argentine families travelling to the Falkland Islands in December last year, to visit graves from the 1982 conflict.
For a community living with the trauma of invasion and occupation, that was not easy.
Yet, Falkland Islanders wanted to do the right thing.
Both the UK and Falkland Islanders look forward to seeing Argentina making good on their commitments.
That includes cooperation on fisheries for the benefit of all, and the resumption of the flight between the Islands and São Paulo.
The UK remains determined to work with all our partners, including Argentina.
And the UK’s support for the Falkland Islanders’ inalienable right of self-determination remains undiminished.
Falkland Islanders alone should decide their future.
In the referendum they held in 2013, Islanders voted to maintain their status as a self-governing UK Overseas Territory – overwhelmingly.
Five of the six observers of the referendum came from the OAS Member States – reporting that it was free, fair, and reflected the will of the voters.
Today, the Falkland Islands are a democratic and prosperous community – showing the world what is possible on sustainable fisheries and environmental conservation.
They are determining their own future.
And their success has been recognised by S&P Global Ratings – who have given the Falkland Islands an impressive A Plus.
And this is an objective recognition of the stable and thriving community that the Islanders have built.
And later this year, the Falkland Islands will hold a general election to decide their next government.
They will vote on issues such as education, the economy, and the environment.
So, I hope this assembly will recognise that we cannot pick and choose who is entitled to the basic human right of democracy.
The people of the Falkland Islands are rightly proud of their vibrant, small-island, big ocean democracy.
And they are clear – that neither the UK nor Argentina can negotiate the future that they are determining for themselves. So let me be clear: my government will not negotiate on the future of the Falkland Islands, unless the Islanders themselves wish it. And they do not.
I was delighted that many of your governments continue to engage constructively with the Falkland Islanders and have expressed your support for their democratic rights, and I hope that members of the Assembly will agree that we cannot selectively choose when democratic rights apply to a community.
The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas.
And we have no doubt about the principle and the right of self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter and in article one of the 2 UN Covenants on human rights.
By virtue of this, Falkland Islanders can determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development – freely.
So, the UK asks that the General Assembly takes note of the Islanders’ right of self-determination – and that this statement is read into the record of this meeting.
Hybrid press briefing by the Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who will be joined virtually by Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Debt. They will brief reporters on the launch of the Secretary-General’s debt recommendations, ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).
“The debt crisis is a silent crisis,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed warned, as the United Nations unveiled new recommendations aimed at tackling the deepening financial burden facing developing countries.
Speaking to reporters today (27Jun), Mohammed said, “Ten years after countries adopted the SDGs, development, of course, faces many headwinds,” she said, citing “slowing global growth, the threat of trade war and repeated global shocks and climate and conflict.” But she stressed, “the most unsettling challenge for many developing countries is a debt crisis.”
While borrowing remains essential for development, Mohammed noted, “Today, borrowing is not working for many developing countries. Over two thirds of our low-income countries are either in debt distress or at a higher risk of it.”
The human cost is mounting. “3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or on education,” she added.
Mohammed described the debt crisis as “silent” for two reasons, “First, the crisis doesn’t impact the lives or economies of those in advanced economies… But second – among global policy makers, there’s a striking reluctance to allow or acknowledge the crisis for what it is.”
In response, the Secretary-General last December appointed an expert group to chart a way forward. “Today we publish their recommendations,” Mohammed announced. “The report makes the case that an end to the debt crisis is entirely feasible if opportunities are seized.”
The proposed actions, she emphasized, are “not only moonshots, but politically and technically viable,” offering both short-term relief and long-term access to affordable financing.
Hybrid press briefing by the Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who will be joined virtually by Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Debt. They will brief reporters on the launch of the Secretary-General’s debt recommendations, ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).
“The debt crisis is a silent crisis,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed warned, as the United Nations unveiled new recommendations aimed at tackling the deepening financial burden facing developing countries.
Speaking to reporters today (27Jun), Mohammed said, “Ten years after countries adopted the SDGs, development, of course, faces many headwinds,” she said, citing “slowing global growth, the threat of trade war and repeated global shocks and climate and conflict.” But she stressed, “the most unsettling challenge for many developing countries is a debt crisis.”
While borrowing remains essential for development, Mohammed noted, “Today, borrowing is not working for many developing countries. Over two thirds of our low-income countries are either in debt distress or at a higher risk of it.”
The human cost is mounting. “3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or on education,” she added.
Mohammed described the debt crisis as “silent” for two reasons, “First, the crisis doesn’t impact the lives or economies of those in advanced economies… But second – among global policy makers, there’s a striking reluctance to allow or acknowledge the crisis for what it is.”
In response, the Secretary-General last December appointed an expert group to chart a way forward. “Today we publish their recommendations,” Mohammed announced. “The report makes the case that an end to the debt crisis is entirely feasible if opportunities are seized.”
The proposed actions, she emphasized, are “not only moonshots, but politically and technically viable,” offering both short-term relief and long-term access to affordable financing.
UK businesses to benefit as G7 reach agreement on global minimum tax.
The Chancellor and G7 plot path forward on global minimum tax and tackling of aggressive tax planning and avoidance.
UK businesses spared from higher taxes after removal of Section 899 from the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Chancellor acted swiftly on concerns about those potential impacts by committing to work with international partners to find a negotiated solution.
UK businesses will benefit from greater certainty and stability as the UK reached a common understanding with G7 partners on international tax rules.
The agreement addresses how the US and global minimum tax rules will interact with a view to supporting the common objective of tackling multinational tax avoidance and creating a more stable international tax system.
The agreement has helped secure the removal of Section 899 from the One Big Beautiful Bill which could have led to substantial additional tax on UK business.
Talks to address US concerns on the global minimum tax can now continue without the backdrop of this new retaliation measure.
The removal of section 899 follows UK businesses having voiced significant concerns to the Chancellor in recent weeks. Rachel Reeves committed to work with international partners to find a solution and has raised business concerns in her recent engagement with US Secretary to the Treasury Scott Bessent.
Today’s statement will support the stability required for businesses to have confidence to invest in the UK and create jobs, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
It follows the Prime Minister’s launch of the Trade Strategy this week which set out Britain’s trade priorities with a mission to open more doors for business and deliver growth, and recent trade deals with India, the EU and the US.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
“I will always represent the best interests of British businesses on the world stage. Today’s agreement provides much-needed certainty and stability for those businesses after they had raised their concerns.
“The G7 agrees there is work to be done in tackling aggressive tax planning and avoidance and ensuring a level-playing field. The right environment for this work to happen is without the prospect of retaliatory taxation hanging over these talks, so the removal of Section 899 is welcome.”
The G7 have reached agreement on a path forward for the global minimum tax and Pillar 2 of the G20 / OECD Inclusive Framework project on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting.
The agreement seeks to maintain the core objectives of Pillar 2 – combatting multinational tax avoidance—while promoting a stable global tax environment that supports fair competition. Recent discussions have considered U.S. Treasury concerns with the application of the rules alongside the U.S minimum tax system.
G7 partners have reached an understanding on a possible solution that would allow the US minimum tax system to operate alongside the Pillar 2 rules but take steps to ensure any substantial risks with respect to the level playing field or base erosion and profit shifting are addressed.
The G7 will now discuss and develop this understanding, and the principles upon which it is based, within the Inclusive Framework of over 140 countries and jurisdictions, while making clear that the removal of proposed retaliatory tax measures in U.S. legislation is essential for this further progress to be made.
Through engaging in constructive discussions on the global minimum tax, the Chancellor is preserving its objective to target multinational tax avoidance while protecting the stability of the international tax system for British business.
The UK government will continue business engagement and work with international partners to develop the proposal agreed by the G7.
Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive, CBI, said:
“The US commitment to drop retaliatory tax measures proposed in the One Big Beautiful Bill removes a major source of uncertainty for UK-headquartered multinationals. The CBI has been clear – there are no winners in an economic standoff. Avoiding disruption to transatlantic investment, financial flows and jobs benefits both the US and UK economies.
“While uncertainty remains around the Bill’s final passage and other potential Congressional actions later down the line alongside the UK’s Digital Services Tax under scrutiny – the UK government has rightly defended British business interests and our national sovereignty. HM Treasury’s handling of a challenging negotiation process stands out for its openness and sustained engagement with industry.
“Looking ahead, global tax rules must now be rebalanced through multilateral agreement while ensuring UK companies remain competitively positioned. This is a pivotal opportunity for the OECD to deliver a genuinely simpler, fairer regime – one that goes much further in reducing excessive compliance burdens and upholds a level playing field for all.”
The G7 is made up of Canada (president), UK, USA, France, Italy, Germany and Japan.
Pillar 2 – the global minimum tax – is part of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS) initiative to tackle multinational global tax avoidance through a global minimum 15% effective rate of tax.
The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework that will take forward the talks is a group of over 140 countries and jurisdictions.
Factors such as bad credit, little to no credit history, unemployment, and low income can create barriers between you and an urgently needed loan, ultimately denying you the chance to access the necessary funds.
To address these challenges, we have compiled a list of the top small payday loans online no credit check lenders. These lenders do not conduct credit checks, making it seamless to obtain the funds you require to meet your unexpected financial obligations.
If you are seeking a small payday loan online with no credit check, please continue reading for our recommended lenders.
Best Small Payday Loans Online Lenders
You can easily get a small payday loan online from any of these lenders at your convenience. Want to learn more about them? Keep reading for a review of each.
With instant decisions and repayment terms that can be customized to your liking, Low Credit Finance is the best small payday loan online lender with no credit checks. The flexible repayment terms allow you to borrow amounts of up to $5,000 for as long as you need.
Its security protocols and low APR make it a viable go-to small payday loan online no credit check lender for many borrowers with bad credit scores.
Below are some other benefits of choosing Low Credit Finance as your small payday loan lender:
Hassle-free online application.
Flexible repayment terms.
Negotiable loan policies.
High approval rates.
All credit types are feasible for lending.
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Low Credit Finance offers borrowers with bad credit a great opportunity to access small payday loans online no credit checks at their convenience.
What Is a Small Payday Loan?
A small payday loan is a short-term loan that is offered to individuals who need quick access to cash to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies. These loans are usually intended to be repaid often on the borrower’s next payday. However, with the flexibility of some of the lenders’ repayment terms, they could be repaid within a few weeks or months.
Small payday loans are unsecured as borrowers do not need to provide any collateral to secure the loan. Instead, the following are the requirements to meet for one to be qualified for a small payday loan:
The minimum age requirement is 18 years or older.
Be a citizen of the United States or have permanent resident status.
Have a verifiable and stable source of income.
Maintain a healthy debt-to-income ratio.
Possess a valid and active bank account.
Provide a valid email address and phone number for communication purposes.
While small payday loans are a convenient way to access some much-needed quick cash, they often come with high fees and interest rates, making them a potentially expensive form of borrowing.
How to Apply for an Online Small Payday Loan
The application process for an online small payday loan is easy and convenient. The following are the steps to follow to get your much-needed loan today:
Select a payday lending company of your choice from our list of recommended providers.
Visit the lender’s official website.
Complete a brief and straightforward application form.
Submit your application and await an approval decision from the lender.
Upon approval, the loan amount will be transferred to your bank account.
By following the above steps, you are guaranteed a small payday loan from any of our recommended lenders.
Who can access a Small Payday Loans?
Many people turn to small payday loans as a way to access quick cash in an emergency or to cover unexpected expenses. Here, we will discuss some of the most common payday loan borrowers. They are:
Individuals with bad credit
People with bad credit can use small payday loans because they are usually unable to qualify for traditional forms of credit, such as credit cards or personal loans. With a poor credit history, this group is usually seen as a higher risk by lenders, making it harder for them to access credit or to secure favorable terms. Payday loans may be seen as a way to access cash quickly as they have no credit checks.
Low-income earners
Individuals with low incomes are often the most frequent users of payday loans because they struggle to make ends meet and may not have access to other forms of credit. With limited savings and a low credit score, they find it challenging to borrow from traditional lenders. Small payday loans offer a quick and convenient way to access cash for this lot.
Young adults
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are more likely to use small payday loans than any other age group. This is due to limited credit history and income, as most of them are still in the early years of their careers and may not have established credit or savings. Lack of access to other sources of funding is also another reason why young adults turn to small payday loans.
Minorities
Minority communities can also utilize payday loans due to limited access to traditional forms of credit and systemic economic disparities. It is for this reason that small payday loan providers tend to be more prevalent in neighborhoods with high minority populations.
Freelancers
Freelancers, or better yet, gig economy workers, often have unpredictable income streams that make it challenging to qualify for traditional loans. Small payday loans can provide a quick and easy source of cash for these individuals to cover unexpected expenses or manage their cash flow. Lenders typically do not require collateral, and they have no credit checks, making them a more accessible option.
Impact of Small Payday Loans On Consumers
Positive Impacts
Access to emergency funds – Small payday loans provide consumers with access to quick cash in case of an emergency. Unlike traditional loans, payday loans often have a quick and straightforward application process, which helps consumers access the funds they need more quickly.
Improved credit score – If the borrower repays the loan on time, small payday loans can help improve their credit score by showing a history of timely payments. This can be particularly beneficial for borrowers who have limited credit history or poor credit scores. By demonstrating that they can manage their debts, borrowers can build a positive credit history and potentially qualify for better loan terms in the future.
Avoiding greater financial problems – Small payday loans help consumers avoid more significant financial problems, such as defaulting on a loan or having their utilities shut off. Taking out a payday loan helps borrowers avoid late fees and penalties for other obligations that could further exacerbate their financial situation.
Negative impacts:
High-interest rates and fees – Small payday loans often come with interest rates and fees that are relatively higher compared to conventional loans. This can cause borrowers to fall into a debt cycle and struggle to repay the loan.
Predatory lending practices – Some small payday loan lenders engage in predatory practices, such as aggressive marketing, hiding fees, targeting low-income or minority communities, and even encouraging borrowers to take out multiple loans at once, which can make it even harder to repay the debt.
Debt cycle – As small payday loans are designed to be repaid within a short period, there is a chance that some consumers may find it difficult to repay the loan within that period and end up taking out another loan to cover the first one. This can lead to a debt cycle that can be difficult to break.
Conclusion
In conclusion, small payday loans can be a double-edged sword. They offer quick financial relief to those in need but also create a cycle of debt that is difficult to escape. While they can be a solution for immediate financial needs, borrowers ought to be cautious and considerate of the long-term implications of taking out a small payday loan. They should also be aware of their financial situation and ensure that they can repay the loan on time.
Overall, the decision to take out a small payday loan should be made carefully, weighing the pros and cons and exploring all options before committing. Financial stability should be the ultimate goal, and small payday loans should only be considered a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a small payday loan?
The approval process for a small payday loan can vary depending on the lender, but most lenders provide instant approval and can deposit the loan funds directly into your bank account within 24 hours or even less. You must, however, make the application during working hours to ensure no delays.
What happens if I can’t pay back my small payday loan on time?
If you can’t pay back your small payday loan on time, the lender may charge additional fees and interest, and the outstanding balance will continue to accrue interest until it is paid in full.
Can I get a small payday loan if I have bad credit?
Yes, you can still qualify for a small payday loan even if you have bad credit. Most payday lenders do not require a credit check; instead, they focus on your ability to repay the loan.
Can I get more than one small payday loan at a time?
While it is possible to have multiple small payday loans at the same time, it is generally not recommended as it can lead to a debt cycle and further financial difficulties.
Are small payday loans regulated by the government?
Yes, small payday loans are regulated by state and federal laws, including caps on interest rates and maximum loan amounts.
Are small payday loans a good idea?
Small payday loans can be a good option in certain situations when you need money quickly and have no other alternatives. However, they should be used sparingly and only for emergency expenses.
What should I do if I am having trouble paying back my small payday loan?
If you are having trouble paying back your small payday loan, you should contact your lender immediately to discuss your options. Some lenders may be willing to work out a payment plan or offer an extended repayment period.
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San Diego, California, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Ripple’s XRP experiences heightened volatility due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and legal uncertainty, many investors are seeking safer, more consistent alternatives in the digital asset space. BTC Miner, a UK-regulated cloud mining platform, is emerging as a trusted solution for individuals looking to earn passive crypto income without exposure to high-risk market fluctuations.
The recent XRP dip, triggered by international unrest and rumors surrounding Ripple’s regulatory status, has shaken investor confidence. Yet amid this chaos, BTC Miner provides an alternative path — one built on predictability, compliance, and transparent returns.
BTC Miner enables anyone to begin mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies without needing hardware, technical knowledge, or active trading. Through cloud mining, users simply select a contract plan and let the platform’s advanced mining infrastructure do the work. Profits are generated daily and automatically deposited into the user’s account.
New users are greeted with a$500 welcome bonus, which can be used to activate a beginner-friendly mining contract yielding $2 daily with zero upfront cost. This unique feature allows individuals to earn their first crypto rewards completely risk-free.
FCA-Regulated Security
Registered in the United Kingdom and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), BTC Miner sets itself apart by operating within a framework of legal compliance and investor protection. User funds are stored in Tier-1 banks and protected by top-level SSL encryption and insurance coverage.
Lucrative Referral Program
BTC Miner also rewards users who refer others to the platform. Participants earn 7% commission on direct referrals and 2% on second-level referrals — providing a scalable income stream that grows with your network. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just entering the crypto world, the affiliate model offers an extra layer of earning potential.
Why Users Are Switching to BTC Miner
Daily passive income with no need to trade or time the market
Transparent returns in USD, immune to crypto price swings
Secure and regulated: FCA certification and insurance-backed operations
Beginner-friendly experience with automated earnings
Referral bonuses that reward community growth
As the crypto market continues to evolve, BTC Miner is helping users avoid uncertainty and achieve stable, predictable returns through innovative cloud mining. It’s not just a platform — it’s your gateway to reliable digital asset income.
The shareholders of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) have appointed Dr. George Elombi as the next President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the continental financial institution. He becomes the fourth President to lead the Bank since its establishment in 1993.
His appointment was one of the key decisions of the 32nd Afreximbank group annual meetings and associated events held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 25 to 28 June, with the formal annual general meeting of shareholders taking place on Saturday, 28 June 2025.
He succeeds Professor Benedict Oramah, who has served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2015, and who will be stepping down in September 2025.
A Cameroonian national, George Elombi has been with Afreximbank since 1996, joining as a Legal Officer. He rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, Governance, Legal and Corporate Services. Over his nearly three decades at the Bank, he has served as Director and Executive Secretary (2010–2015); Deputy Director, Legal Services / Executive Secretary (2008–2010); Chief Legal Officer (2003–2008); and Senior Legal Officer (2001–2003).
Prior to joining Afreximbank, he taught law at the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Dr. Elombi played a pivotal role in establishing Afreximbank group’s structure, including the formation of key subsidiaries that have expanded the Bank’s capacity to deliver on its mandate. As Chair of the Emergency Response Committee, he led the Bank’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, mobilising over $2 billion for vaccine acquisition and deployment across African and Caribbean nations. Under his supervision of the Equity Mobilisation and Investor Relations department, the Bank’s total ordinary equity mobilised amounted to USD 3.6 billion as at April 2025.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Elombi expressed a deep commitment to the Bank’s mission and future, stating:
“I have worked alongside remarkable colleagues and extraordinary leaders to help shape this institution’s vision, its mandate as well as its growth. As we look to the future, I see Afreximbank as a force for industrialising Africa and for re-gaining the dignity of Africans wherever they are. I will work to preserve this important asset.”
He accepted the shareholders’ desire as expressed by his predecessor to make the institution a US$250 billion bank in ten years.
Dr. George Elombi holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics, University of London, and a Ph.D. in commercial arbitration from the same university. He obtained a ‘Maitrise-en-Droit’ from the University of Yaoundé in 1989.
His appointment followed a rigorous selection process initiated in January 2025, which included a global call for applications published in international media and on the Afreximbank website. Shortlisted candidates were interviewed by an international human resource executive search firm. The top candidates were presented to the Board of Directors, which recommended Dr. Elombi to the General Meeting of Shareholders for final approval.
Under the Afreximbank Charter, a president is appointed by the general meeting of shareholders upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors for a term of five years, renewable once.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
Media Contact: Vincent Musumba Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations) Email: press@afreximbank.com
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About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HONG KONG, June 28 (Xinhua) — He Zhuguo (Ho Tsu-kwok), a prominent Hong Kong businessman involved in tobacco and media businesses, died of illness at the age of 77 on June 11 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), an official statement said Saturday.
He Zhuguo, born in Shanghai in June 1949, was chairman of the Hong Kong Tobacco Company Limited and chairman of the Sing Tao News Corporation Limited.
He was a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a member of the Bureau of the CPPCC National Committee.
He Zhuguo is a renowned patriotic businessman and “a close friend of the Communist Party of China,” the statement said, adding that He Zhuguo loved the country and Hong Kong, firmly supported the policy of “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and supported the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s efforts to implement law-based governance.
He played an important role in ensuring Hong Kong’s smooth transition, its return to the bosom of the motherland, and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, the statement said.
He Zhuguo also supported the country’s reform and opening up and actively participated in economic development and charity work in China’s interior, the statement said.
Following his death, heads of central government bodies expressed their grief and condolences to his family in various ways. -0-
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida 20th district))
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) issued the following statement in response to the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric targeting New York City’s Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
“I’m deeply troubled by the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric. Let me be clear: targeting individuals based on their faith or heritage is un-American and completely unacceptable.
“Zohran Mamdani is a proud Muslim and a dedicated public servant. His faith—like that of so many across this nation—is not a barrier to leadership. It is a reflection of the very ideals America aspires to: a nation where our diversity is not merely tolerated, but celebrated.
“Muslim Americans are our neighbors, our community leaders, and our voices in government. It’s time we move beyond fear and division—and refocus on what truly matters: delivering for the people we are elected to serve.”
Los Angeles, California, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With increased price volatility in major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), global investors are seeking more flexible and intelligent participation methods. Today, BAY Miner announced a comprehensive platform upgrade, officially expanding its cloud mining support to include BTC, SOL, XRP, DOGE, ETH, and LTC. The upgrade also introduces an AI-powered computing power allocation system, enhancing user experience and long-term earning potential.
Increased Cryptocurrency Market Volatility Focuses Global Investor Attention on Cloud Mining
According to reports from multiple crypto financial media, Bitcoin is currently in a critical range of fluctuations, with short-term support and resistance strongly intertwined. Solana and XRP are volatile due to ecological updates and cross-chain applications, respectively. With market uncertainty, more and more crypto investors are turning their attention to the “low-cost, high-stability” cloud mining method, using smart contracts to participate in the mining process and avoid the investment risks of traditional mining equipment.
Core Highlights of BAY Miner Cloud Mining
BAY Miner focuses on compliance, security and intelligent allocation technology, and is committed to providing new and old users with a transparent and efficient digital asset value-added channel. This product upgrade mainly includes:
– Six major currency support: Full support for BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, DOGE, LTC cloud mining contracts
– AI computing power intelligent allocation system: The platform can adjust the allocation strategy according to the real-time computing power and currency price on the chain to optimize the output efficiency
– Convenient operation on the mobile terminal: Users can view the income and contract status in real time through the APP, and support reinvestment or withdrawal
– Low threshold participation experience: No need to purchase mining machines or bear the cost of electricity maintenance, new users can familiarize themselves with the process through trial contracts.
How BAY Miner Works
Account Creation: Users register through the BAY Miner website or app.
Contract Selection: Users choose a mining plan based on budget and asset preference.
Wallet Funding: Accepted tokens for recharge include USDT (TRC20/ERC20), BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP, and SOL.
Contract Activation: Mining begins automatically after purchase.
Daily Earnings: Rewards are calculated and credited daily.
Payout Management: Users may withdraw earnings or reinvest them in new contracts.
Diversified contracts are available：
The table below shows the potential income you can achieve BTC [New User Experience Contract]: Investment amount: $100, potential total net profit: $100 + $10 BTC [Core Contract Plan]: Investment amount: $600, potential total net profit: $600 + $43.2 DOGE [Core Contract Plan]: Investment amount: $3,000, potential total net profit: $3,000 + $825.3 BTC [Electricity Contract Plan]: Investment amount: $8,000, potential total net profit: $8,000 + $4340 BTC[Electricity Contract Plan]: Investment Amount: $30,000, Potential Total Net Profit: $30,000 + $23,220 Note: Profit estimates depend on network conditions and market volatility.
The marketing director of BAY Miner said: “The greater the market uncertainty, the more investors need a stable and controllable way to participate in assets. The flexibility and security of BAY Miner’s cloud mining solution are designed to meet this trend.”
A future-oriented low-threshold digital asset participation method
In the current international situation and the context of surging hardware mining costs, BAY Miner’s pure cloud model is becoming a sustainable and highly adaptable solution. Whether you are a senior cryptocurrency investor or a new user, you can participate in the network construction of mainstream crypto assets at a low cost through the BAY Miner platform and enjoy contract income every day.
Global layout, continuous optimization of user participation experience
The BAY Miner technical team has deployed multiple cloud computing nodes around the world to effectively improve system stability and block speed. At the same time, the platform has launched a multi-language version update plan, launching more than 10 language interface supports for global investors to optimize the global user participation experience.
Conclusion
BAY Miner is committed to redefining cloud mining by offering a seamless, low-barrier way to engage with top digital assets—securely, intelligently, and from anywhere.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. You are strongly advised to perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.
And unlike the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, when national unity coalesced around the defense of Iranian sovereignty, this time the government appeared to fight without significant public support. While accurate polling from within Iran is hard to come by, the lack of pro-government rallies, the low approval numbers for the government ahead of the war and the government’s subsequent crackdown since tell their own stories.
As a researcher of different ethnic groups within the country, I know that many Iranians – especially those from historically marginalized communities – viewed the conflict with Israel not as a defense of the nation but as a reckless consequence of the government’s ideological adventurism and regional proxy campaigns. It puts the Islamic Republic in its most vulnerable position since its establishment after the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
Hard and soft power diminished
It is worth taking a snapshot of just how diminished the Iranian government is following the recent series of blows.
Its soft power – once built on revolutionary legitimacy, Shiite ideological influence and anti-Western propaganda – has eroded dramatically.
For decades, the Islamic Republic relied on a powerful narrative: that it was the only government bold enough to confront the United States and Israel, defend Muslim causes globally and serve as the spiritual leader of the Islamic world. This image, projected through state media, proxy militias and religious rhetoric, helped the government justify its foreign interventions and massive military spending, particularly on nuclear development and regional militias.
But that narrative no longer resonates the way it once did. The leaders of Iran can no longer claim to inspire unity at home or fear abroad. Even among Shiite populations in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, support during the Israel-Iran confrontation was muted. Inside Iran, meanwhile, propaganda portraying Israel as the existential enemy has lost its grip, especially among the youth, who increasingly identify with human rights movements rather than government slogans.
It is also clear that Iran’s hard power is getting weaker. The loss of senior commanders and the destruction of important military infrastructure have shown that the government’s intelligence and security systems are severely compromised.
Even before Israel’s attack, a number of reports showed that Iran’s military was in its weakest state in decades. The real surprise in the recent war came not from the scale of the damage by Israeli and U.S. bombs but from how deeply Israel had penetrated the upper echelons of the Iranian military and intelligence sectors. The recent conflict amounted to a security as well as a military failure.
Externally defeated, internally adrift
As its power across the region appears diminished, so too is the Iranian government’s grip loosening internally. A 2024 survey by Iran’s Ministry of Culture revealed “discontent” among the population, with over 90% of Iranians “dissatisfied” with the country’s current position. Elections in November 2024 saw a turnout of under 40%, further underscoring Iranians’ discontent with the political process.
And reporting from inside Iran suggests many Iranians blame government policies for the war with Israel. “I place the blame on this country’s decision-makers,” one resident of Rasht told Reuters, “their policies have brought war and destruction upon us.”
The government has responded with a tactic it has used before: repression. According to government-aligned media, over 700 people were arrested during and immediately after the conflict, accused of collaborating with the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency.
As in past crackdowns, ethnic minority regions – particularly Kurdish areas – have been targeted.
One day after the ceasefire with Israel, the government executed three Kurdish cross-border laborers who rely on smuggling goods to survive in Iran’s underdeveloped Kurdish provinces.
These executions, which were done without a trial or legal counsel, fit a pattern of how the government uses ethnic scapegoating to stay in power. And it echoes a historic pattern: When the government feels threatened, it strikes the Kurds first.
A historical pattern of repression
Kurds are estimated to number 10-12 million in Iran, composing roughly 12% to 15% of the country’s total population – making them the third-largest ethnic group after Persians and Azeris. Iran also includes significant Baluch and Arab minorities.
When the Islamic Republic was established in 1979, many ethnic groups supported the revolution. They hoped for a more inclusive and democratic Iran than what preceded it – the brutal autocracy of the shah that had frequently targeted minorities.
Those hopes were quickly dashed. By rejecting pluralism and promoting a unifying ideology centered on Shiite Islam and Persian identity, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini marginalized non-Persian and non-Shiite groups.
Other ethnic groups were viewed with suspicion, while Shiite Azerbaijanis were mainly co-opted into the system.
Khomeini declared jihad against Kurdish resistance groups, labeling them infidels, separatists and agents of Israel and the United States.
Armed with advanced weaponry inherited from the last Pahlavi shah, the government launched a military campaign in Kurdistan province. Many Kurdish villages and towns were destroyed, and approximately 50,000 Iranian Kurds were killed between 1979 and 1988.
The region was turned into a militarized zone – a status that continues today.
But instead of embracing political reform, it responded with one of the most brutal crackdowns in Iran’s history. Khomeini issued a fatwa, or religious edict, ordering the execution of political prisoners, including large numbers of Kurdish dissidents.
Between late July and September 1988, thousands of political prisoners were executed – many without trial or any legal process. At least 5,000 people were killed and buried in unmarked mass graves, according to Amnesty International.
Khomeini labeled them “mohareb,” or “warriors against God,” and criticized the Revolutionary Courts for not sentencing them to death sooner. This mass execution campaign signaled the government’s resolve to eliminate all dissent, regardless of legal precedent or human rights norms.
This targeted elimination of Kurdish leadership, combined with the mass executions of political prisoners, was a deliberate strategy to decapitate any organized opposition before it could challenge the government’s survival.
A new crisis, the same strategy
The Islamic Republic appears to be using the same playbook now, but under far more fragile conditions.
Given the precarious state of the government, it is fair to ask why there are not more protests now, especially in ethnic minority regions. For many, the answer is fear over what happens next.
Meanwhile, the overall opposition remains fractured and leaderless, both along ethnic lines and in terms of goals. The main opposition groups have traditionally been reluctant to acknowledge ethnic rights, let alone include them in any vision for a future Iran. Rather, they insist on “territorial integrity” as a precondition for any dialogue, echoing the Islamic Republic’s rhetoric.
This is a key legacy of the Islamic Republic: Its propaganda has not only shaped domestic opinion but also influenced the opposition, dividing Iranians at home and abroad. And it has long mobilized the dominant ethnic group against minorities, especially Kurds, by portraying them as internal enemies.
Shukriya Bradost 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.
Brighton, UK, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XY Miners, a UK-registered cloud miners provider, has announced the official launch of its fully automated crypto contract platform, designed to offer users around the world accessible and sustainable entry into cryptocurrency earnings. With short-term contract options, daily settlements, and no hardware requirements, the platform supports both new and experienced users looking for low-barrier digital asset income.
The platform allows users to activate earning contracts remotely via web or mobile interface, eliminating the need for technical setup or investment in physical mining equipment. All operations are conducted through environmentally friendly mining facilities powered by renewable energy sources.
“XY Miners was created to simplify access to cryptocurrency income while keeping sustainability at the core of our infrastructure,” said a company spokesperson. “Our system automates the entire contract process—from activation to payout—making it easier than ever for users to earn crypto securely.”
How XY Miners Works
XY Miners users can begin earning in just three steps:
Select a contract, with durations ranging from 1 to 50 days.
Begin earning automatically, with daily rewards credited every 24 hours. Users may withdraw or reinvest funds at their convenience.
All contracts are processed through secure backend systems, allowing users to monitor earnings and contract status in real time. There is no need for hardware installation, manual wallet syncing, or maintenance.
Key Platform Features
No Hardware or Technical Setup Required Users only need to register and activate a contract. All processing is cloud-based.
Green Energy-Powered Operations XY Miners’ infrastructure is located in regions with abundant renewable energy, including Northern Europe, Canada, and parts of Asia.
Wide Cryptocurrency Support Supported currencies include BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP, LTC, SOL, USDC, and USDT (ERC20 & TRC20).
Transparent Fee Structure The platform offers clear contract pricing with no hidden service or management fees.
Referral Incentives The affiliate program enables users to earn up to 3% on direct referrals and an additional 1.5% through secondary invitations, with cumulative bonuses reaching up to $30,000.
User-Friendly Interface Designed for both new and experienced users, the platform is mobile-optimized and includes multilingual support.
Compliance and Legal Registration XY Miners is legally registered in the United Kingdom, supporting user confidence through transparent and regulated operations.
Example Contracts
Contract Name
Asset
Investment
Duration
Daily Reward
Total Return*
Free Starter Plan
BTC
$0
3 Days
$1.00
$3.00
DOGE Standard Plan
DOGE
$100
7 Days
$4.50
$131.50
ETH Growth Plan
ETH
$500
21 Days
$22.00
$962.00
BTC Premium Plan
BTC
$10,000
35 Days
$420.00
$24,700.00
*Figures shown are for illustrative purposes only. Real-time returns may vary based on asset performance and contract selection. Visit xyminers.com for current rates and terms.
Commitment to Sustainability and Transparency
All of XY Miners’ data centers are built around green mining technologies, with an emphasis on clean power and efficient infrastructure. The company maintains 24/7 system monitoring and employs strict internal auditing to ensure income tracking, compliance, and user fund protection.
About XY Miners XY Miners is a UK-registered provider of cloud-based cryptocurrency earning services. Through fully automated short-term contracts, green energy infrastructure, and a secure digital interface, the company enables users globally to access passive crypto income without the burden of physical hardware or technical complexity.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens has been speaking out about her ‘Stop Trump’s Abuse of Power’ legislation that would block the President from deploying active-duty military forces within U.S. states or territories without the consent of their governors or local leaders.
Watch what Congresswoman Haley Stevens has to say about her proposed legislation.
SiriusXM: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) on Her Stop Trump’s Abuse of Power Act
“I’m just very simply looking at legislation to make sure the President can’t override the wishes of local law enforcement or state officials in terms of deploying the American military on federal Americans.”
“We are a nation of laws Steve and frankly the President has got to start following them.”
As an elected representative of the great state of Michigan, here in our nation’s capitol I am acting. I am putting forward a stop to this abuse of power and chaos that we are getting with Donald Trump and his administration.”
WZZM: Amid federal military mobilization in L.A., MI’s Rep. Stevens to unveil bill seeking limit presidential authority to deploy troops
“We need to ensure that if the president is taking these actions, it is—particularly, deploying the military and the Marines into a situation—that it comes and meets the needs of local law enforcement and state officials.”
“I certainly am known as a very bipartisan member of Congress,” she said, “and I plan to have practical and reasonable conversations with my colleagues across the aisle as well.”
“This is just a step in that direction to curb and check and reestablish what we, you know, a long held tradition and rule of law in this country, which is that we have three branches of government.”
Michigan Public Radio
“The Oakland County Democrat says her bill is in response to the Trump administration sending marines to Los Angeles during anti-immigration raid protests. ‘I’m going to continue to stand up and I’m going to continue to force these conversations when this level of chaos and disruption is wreaking havoc.’”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced that next week she will be introducing the ‘Stop Trump’s Abuse of Power Act,’ which makes it illegal for the president to deploy active duty forces to a state or territory without a direct request from the executive of the state or territory.
The bill follows Donald Trump’s unlawful and unprecedented deployment of U.S. Marines to the streets of Los Angeles despite local leaders–including the Governor–and local law enforcement making it clear the President’s actions would increase tension.
“President Trump has shown a disturbing pattern of disregard for the Constitution and due process. This month, he made it harder for local law enforcement to do their jobs in California by unlawfully deploying our military on U.S. soil – further escalating tension and violence,” said Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “We must stand up to Donald Trump’s chaos and destruction, which is why I am introducing this legislation to limit his powers and make sure he cannot deploy troops on U.S. soil for his political gain. We are a nation of laws and it’s about time the President begins to follow them.”
The bill would add this language into theInsurrection Act of 1807and would only apply to duties related to peaceful protests and demonstrations.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Pledge to protect Armed Forces community as government delivers on manifesto commitment
Military personnel, their families and veterans are to have their unique circumstances legally protected by central government for the first time under new plans announced by the Prime Minister.
Transformative protections for military personnel, veterans and their families, including the bereaved, have been announced by the Prime Minister today.
Legislation will be brought forward to deliver manifesto promise to bring Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, placing the Armed Forces community at the heart of government decision-making.
Prime Minister visits RAF Valley to celebrate our Armed Forces Day.
Comes after a year of delivery for our Armed Forces and veterans, including “homes for heroes,” new funding for wraparound support and new Armed Forces Commissioner to advocate on behalf of the service community.
Military personnel, their families and veterans are to have their unique circumstances legally protected by central government for the first time under new plans announced by the Prime Minister.
As the nation marks Armed Forces Day, the Prime Minister visited RAF Valley in Wales where he met trainee pilots and their families to celebrate Armed Forces Week.
It comes as the Government confirms plans for the first time that all government departments will have to legally consider the needs of the Armed Forces community when making new policy.
More details of the legal duty will be set out in due course, but could include initiatives such as extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved, or flexible working for partners of serving personnel who are required to move as part for their role in the Armed Forces.
This delivers on a manifesto promise and is part of the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve and following the Strategic Defence Review, which underscored the role our Armed Forces play in protecting our national security, which is the foundation of this Government’s Plan for Change.
This Government has committed to renewing its contract with the Armed Forces community, delivering two above inflation pay awards for service personnel and an extra £1.5bn investment this parliament to improve forces’ family housing through the Strategic Defence Review.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Across the country and around the world, our service personnel and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and protect our freedom and our way of life.
“When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us. Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise — ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve – that is our duty.
“Our Armed Forces Covenant will put our Armed Forces community at the very heart of government decision-making. Their courage, duty, and sacrifice are the foundation of our national values, and they deserve nothing less.”
The new Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty will ensure:
Fair access to services: Ensures that serving personnel, veterans, and their families are not disadvantaged.
Priority support for those most in need: Provides additional help for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.
Legal duty on public bodies: Local authorities, NHS bodies, and schools must consider the needs of the Armed Forces community in their decision-making.
Annual reporting: The government is legally required to publish an annual report on Covenant delivery and progress.
Announcement follows the Prime Minister’s “homes for heroes” policy guaranteeing housing for all UK Armed Forces veterans, exempting them from local connection rules for social housing.
The Prime Minister also announced £3.5 million of funding for wraparound support services for veterans at risk of homelessness, including mental health, employment, and independent living support earlier this year.
Today’s announcement forms part of a wider commitment to renew the contract with those who have served the country are treated with respect and long-term security.
Under the new legislation all areas of government will for the first time have to have ‘due regard’ for the Armed Forces Covenant when policy and decision making; taking into account the unique circumstances and position of the Armed Forces community to prevent disadvantage.
Currently this is only legally required in areas of housing, healthcare and education and only at local level, so, not applicable to central government. The Legal Duty Extension marks a huge step forward in increasing support for the Armed Forces community.
This extension follows consultation with over 150 organisations and builds on recommendations from the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.
Veterans and People Minister Alistair Carns MP said:
“Service life offers unique opportunities for personal growth and camaraderie, but it also demands exceptional sacrifices. Today, we’re taking bold action to ensure that those who serve our country receive the recognition and support they deserve by embedding these principles into law.
“Whether you serve in the regular or reserve forces, you and your families stand to benefit from the Covenant Legal Duty Extension and its principles as part of our government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.”
The Armed Forces Covenant is built on a simple but powerful principle: no one in the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in accessing public or commercial services.
Mark Atkinson, Director General, Royal British Legion:
“The Royal British Legion has been calling for a stronger Armed Forces Covenant for over a decade.
“Those who have served in the Armed Forces often face unique challenges, for example moving frequently during service can make it hard for families to receive consistent support from public services or for spouses and partners to build careers. Expanding the Covenant Legal Duty will help public services better respond to these challenges by ensuring the needs of the Armed Forces community are taken into account when making decisions.
“Currently the Covenant Legal Duty only applies to some areas of housing, education, and healthcare. We firmly welcome the decision to bring the Covenant fully into law to make sure all parts of government across the UK are working together and focused on providing the best possible support for those who are serving, have served, their families and the bereaved.
“It will be vital that the impact of the Duty is measured effectively and those who deliver services must also be resourced with funding and training so that they can fully understand the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure this change makes a meaningful difference to the lives of all those in the Armed Forces community.”
The new legal duty announced today will extend this commitment across all government departments and devolved administrations. This transformative measure ensures that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families are considered in every relevant policy decision—giving them a meaningful voice and delivering on the Government’s pledge to strengthen support for our Armed Forces communities.
This builds on existing successes in housing, education, and healthcare, such as dedicated NHS pathways for veterans and the Service Pupil Premium.
Additional information
The extension of the Legal Duty will encompass all UK Government Departments and Devolved Governments, and the following policy areas:
· Housing
· Education
· Healthcare
· Social care
· Childcare
· Employment and service in the armed forces
· Personal taxation
· Welfare benefits
· Criminal justice
· Immigration
· Citizenship
· Pensions
· Service-related compensation
· Transport
For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant and the legal duty extension, please visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk.
It is our ambition to include these statutory changes in the next Armed Forces Bill, which is required every five years to continue to have an Armed Forces.
The State of Qatar reaffirmed its support for the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact and its unwavering commitment to actively participating in relevant regional and international initiatives aimed at enhancing regional and global security and stability.
This came in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by HE the State of Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during her participation in the opening of a meeting organized by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. The event, held at UN headquarters in New York, was on enhancing partnerships between regional organizations and the UN Counter-terrorism Coordination Compact to support the coordination of political interventions and capacity-building efforts.
Her Excellency emphasized the importance of the meeting as a constructive platform for strengthening dialogue and coordination among the members of the UN Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, contributing to more integrated and effective international efforts to combat terrorism.
Her Excellency also highlighted the ongoing partnership between the State of Qatar and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, commending the continuous efforts to enhance international cooperation and implement a shared vision for countering terrorism through coordinated and integrated action.
For his part, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov praised Qatar’s leading role in supporting UN counter-terrorism initiatives, especially those focused on preventing violent extremism by addressing its root causes, primarily through promoting education and supporting sustainable development.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University
In the shadows of Python Cave, Uganda, a leopard leaps from a guano mound – formed by bat excrement – and sinks its teeth into a bat. But this is no ordinary bat colony. The thousands of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) found in this cave are known carriers of one of the world’s deadliest viruses: Marburg, a close cousin of Ebola.
I am a conservation scientist with over 17 years of experience in wildlife ecology, monitoring and human-wildlife conflict. I’m the co-founder of the Kyambura Lion Project, which made this discovery.
For years, scientists studying how diseases spread from animals to humans have hypothesised that zoonotic diseases jump from a wildlife reservoir (like a bat) to an intermediate host (monkey) and potentially to us, humans.
For past Marburg outbreaks in Uganda, two spillover pathways have been identified: the first, involves humans coming into contact with a fruit bat habitat (namely caves filled with bat guano). Indeed, fruit bats are thought to have infected two tourists at Python Cave in 2007 and 2008.
The second pathway involves humans and animals eating the same fruit that bats have fed upon or made contact with. This second spillover pathway was identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists in 2023. They tracked bats from the cave entering cultivated gardens to feed.
But Atukwatse and the team of young Ugandan scientists (Yahaya Ssemakula, Johnson Muhereza, Orin Cornille and Winfred Nsabimana) have potentially found another pathway: predation by at least 14 species.
Such rich visual evidence of a viral interface – bats, predators and people – is virtually non-existent in the literature. Many theoretical depictions of this process exist, and there are isolated incidents of a monkey predating on a bat or wildlife feeding on bat guano, but Atukwatse’s discovery of this many different predators repeatedly feeding on a known Marburg virus reservoir is a first.
His discovery highlights two uncomfortable truths:
many potential zoonotic interfaces remain undocumented – often right under our noses
the people most likely to detect them first are those living closest to wild frontiers.
But the bigger message is this: global health institutions need to stop overlooking local scientists and start funding field-based detection systems across Africa and Asia.
If we want to detect the next outbreak early, we should be empowering more Atukwatses, not waiting for the next lab test.
Atukwatse had heard from nearby guides that a large bat cave lay close to the survey grid. That kind of site, he reasoned, could be perfect leopard territory: a place to hunt, rest or avoid the heat.
This is ecological attentiveness at its best – the field biology equivalent of a commodities trader spotting volatility in a geopolitical flashpoint.
Atukwatse had his radar on and acted on instinct, setting five camera traps at the cave’s entrance and along the surrounding animal trails. Just one week later, he got what he hoped for: three separate clips of a leopard hunting bats in broad daylight. He left the cameras in place in protective casing. He checked them every 7–10 days.
But that was just the beginning.
The scale of the discovery
When I first looked at Atukwatse’s videos, our joint excitement was around the leopard footage. We knew they were adaptable and could even eat small rodents , but no one had ever recorded them eating bats in Africa.
As more clips came in, we realised something bigger was unfolding. Blue monkeys were seen grabbing bats mid-roost. A crowned eagle and a Nile monitor fought over two bat carcasses. A fish eagle – typically a piscivore, which is a carnivorous species that primarily eats fish – was filmed clutching bats in its talons.
Over 304 trap-nights, Atukwatse’s traps recorded 261 independent predator events from at least 14 different species.
Then came the second shock: over 400 human visitors – many of them tourists – were filmed approaching the cave mouth without any protective gear. Some stood just metres from a known Marburg virus reservoir. Importantly, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has built a sanctioned viewing platform about 35 metres from the cave. However, tourists broke park rules and walked within two metres of the cave mouth.
It was only after I visited the cave myself to take stills of the team that we put this all together. Atukwatse had just found the first visual evidence, at a large scale in nature, of at least 14 predators feeding on a known wildlife virus reservoir harbouring one of Earth’s deadliest viruses.
This wasn’t the result of million-dollar pathogen surveillance. It wasn’t even the core aim of our leopard survey. This happened because a young Ugandan field scientist followed his ecological gut.
Why does the discovery matter?
For decades, disease ecologists have known that major outbreaks often originate in wildlife – swine flu, avian flu and even SARS-CoV-2 all trace back to animal hosts. But what’s often missing is direct observation of spillover interfaces – the exact moments when a virus jumps from a bat, goose, or other animal into new species like humans, livestock or other wildlife.
Atukwatse’s discovery may be the first large-scale visual record of such an interface in nature: a roost of Egyptian fruit bats known to harbour a deadly virus, actively predated upon by at least 14 species, with hundreds of humans visiting the same cave mouth unprotected.
This may be a Rosetta Stone moment for spillover ecology – shifting our understanding from hypothetical models to a real, observable interface.
These kinds of spillover sites exist in other places in nature: in a Chinese wet market where a civet meets a meat processor, or in a Gabonese village where a bat is butchered for bushmeat. The difference? Most of them go undocumented. Atukwatse just filmed one.
Alexander Richard Braczkowski is the scientific director of the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust Kyambura Lion Project.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University
In the shadows of Python Cave, Uganda, a leopard leaps from a guano mound – formed by bat excrement – and sinks its teeth into a bat. But this is no ordinary bat colony. The thousands of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) found in this cave are known carriers of one of the world’s deadliest viruses: Marburg, a close cousin of Ebola.
I am a conservation scientist with over 17 years of experience in wildlife ecology, monitoring and human-wildlife conflict. I’m the co-founder of the Kyambura Lion Project, which made this discovery.
For years, scientists studying how diseases spread from animals to humans have hypothesised that zoonotic diseases jump from a wildlife reservoir (like a bat) to an intermediate host (monkey) and potentially to us, humans.
For past Marburg outbreaks in Uganda, two spillover pathways have been identified: the first, involves humans coming into contact with a fruit bat habitat (namely caves filled with bat guano). Indeed, fruit bats are thought to have infected two tourists at Python Cave in 2007 and 2008.
The second pathway involves humans and animals eating the same fruit that bats have fed upon or made contact with. This second spillover pathway was identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists in 2023. They tracked bats from the cave entering cultivated gardens to feed.
But Atukwatse and the team of young Ugandan scientists (Yahaya Ssemakula, Johnson Muhereza, Orin Cornille and Winfred Nsabimana) have potentially found another pathway: predation by at least 14 species.
Such rich visual evidence of a viral interface – bats, predators and people – is virtually non-existent in the literature. Many theoretical depictions of this process exist, and there are isolated incidents of a monkey predating on a bat or wildlife feeding on bat guano, but Atukwatse’s discovery of this many different predators repeatedly feeding on a known Marburg virus reservoir is a first.
His discovery highlights two uncomfortable truths:
many potential zoonotic interfaces remain undocumented – often right under our noses
the people most likely to detect them first are those living closest to wild frontiers.
But the bigger message is this: global health institutions need to stop overlooking local scientists and start funding field-based detection systems across Africa and Asia.
If we want to detect the next outbreak early, we should be empowering more Atukwatses, not waiting for the next lab test.
Atukwatse had heard from nearby guides that a large bat cave lay close to the survey grid. That kind of site, he reasoned, could be perfect leopard territory: a place to hunt, rest or avoid the heat.
This is ecological attentiveness at its best – the field biology equivalent of a commodities trader spotting volatility in a geopolitical flashpoint.
Atukwatse had his radar on and acted on instinct, setting five camera traps at the cave’s entrance and along the surrounding animal trails. Just one week later, he got what he hoped for: three separate clips of a leopard hunting bats in broad daylight. He left the cameras in place in protective casing. He checked them every 7–10 days.
But that was just the beginning.
The scale of the discovery
When I first looked at Atukwatse’s videos, our joint excitement was around the leopard footage. We knew they were adaptable and could even eat small rodents , but no one had ever recorded them eating bats in Africa.
As more clips came in, we realised something bigger was unfolding. Blue monkeys were seen grabbing bats mid-roost. A crowned eagle and a Nile monitor fought over two bat carcasses. A fish eagle – typically a piscivore, which is a carnivorous species that primarily eats fish – was filmed clutching bats in its talons.
Over 304 trap-nights, Atukwatse’s traps recorded 261 independent predator events from at least 14 different species.
Then came the second shock: over 400 human visitors – many of them tourists – were filmed approaching the cave mouth without any protective gear. Some stood just metres from a known Marburg virus reservoir. Importantly, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has built a sanctioned viewing platform about 35 metres from the cave. However, tourists broke park rules and walked within two metres of the cave mouth.
It was only after I visited the cave myself to take stills of the team that we put this all together. Atukwatse had just found the first visual evidence, at a large scale in nature, of at least 14 predators feeding on a known wildlife virus reservoir harbouring one of Earth’s deadliest viruses.
This wasn’t the result of million-dollar pathogen surveillance. It wasn’t even the core aim of our leopard survey. This happened because a young Ugandan field scientist followed his ecological gut.
Why does the discovery matter?
For decades, disease ecologists have known that major outbreaks often originate in wildlife – swine flu, avian flu and even SARS-CoV-2 all trace back to animal hosts. But what’s often missing is direct observation of spillover interfaces – the exact moments when a virus jumps from a bat, goose, or other animal into new species like humans, livestock or other wildlife.
Atukwatse’s discovery may be the first large-scale visual record of such an interface in nature: a roost of Egyptian fruit bats known to harbour a deadly virus, actively predated upon by at least 14 species, with hundreds of humans visiting the same cave mouth unprotected.
This may be a Rosetta Stone moment for spillover ecology – shifting our understanding from hypothetical models to a real, observable interface.
These kinds of spillover sites exist in other places in nature: in a Chinese wet market where a civet meets a meat processor, or in a Gabonese village where a bat is butchered for bushmeat. The difference? Most of them go undocumented. Atukwatse just filmed one.
Alexander Richard Braczkowski is the scientific director of the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust Kyambura Lion Project.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University
In the shadows of Python Cave, Uganda, a leopard leaps from a guano mound – formed by bat excrement – and sinks its teeth into a bat. But this is no ordinary bat colony. The thousands of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) found in this cave are known carriers of one of the world’s deadliest viruses: Marburg, a close cousin of Ebola.
I am a conservation scientist with over 17 years of experience in wildlife ecology, monitoring and human-wildlife conflict. I’m the co-founder of the Kyambura Lion Project, which made this discovery.
For years, scientists studying how diseases spread from animals to humans have hypothesised that zoonotic diseases jump from a wildlife reservoir (like a bat) to an intermediate host (monkey) and potentially to us, humans.
For past Marburg outbreaks in Uganda, two spillover pathways have been identified: the first, involves humans coming into contact with a fruit bat habitat (namely caves filled with bat guano). Indeed, fruit bats are thought to have infected two tourists at Python Cave in 2007 and 2008.
The second pathway involves humans and animals eating the same fruit that bats have fed upon or made contact with. This second spillover pathway was identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists in 2023. They tracked bats from the cave entering cultivated gardens to feed.
But Atukwatse and the team of young Ugandan scientists (Yahaya Ssemakula, Johnson Muhereza, Orin Cornille and Winfred Nsabimana) have potentially found another pathway: predation by at least 14 species.
Such rich visual evidence of a viral interface – bats, predators and people – is virtually non-existent in the literature. Many theoretical depictions of this process exist, and there are isolated incidents of a monkey predating on a bat or wildlife feeding on bat guano, but Atukwatse’s discovery of this many different predators repeatedly feeding on a known Marburg virus reservoir is a first.
A leopard grabs a fruit bat at Uganda’s Python Cave.Bosco Atukwatse/Kyambura Lion Project
His discovery highlights two uncomfortable truths:
many potential zoonotic interfaces remain undocumented – often right under our noses
the people most likely to detect them first are those living closest to wild frontiers.
But the bigger message is this: global health institutions need to stop overlooking local scientists and start funding field-based detection systems across Africa and Asia.
If we want to detect the next outbreak early, we should be empowering more Atukwatses, not waiting for the next lab test.
Atukwatse had heard from nearby guides that a large bat cave lay close to the survey grid. That kind of site, he reasoned, could be perfect leopard territory: a place to hunt, rest or avoid the heat.
This is ecological attentiveness at its best – the field biology equivalent of a commodities trader spotting volatility in a geopolitical flashpoint.
A blue monkey with bat in hand at Python Cave.Bosco Atukwatse/Kyambura Lion Project
Atukwatse had his radar on and acted on instinct, setting five camera traps at the cave’s entrance and along the surrounding animal trails. Just one week later, he got what he hoped for: three separate clips of a leopard hunting bats in broad daylight. He left the cameras in place in protective casing. He checked them every 7–10 days.
But that was just the beginning.
The scale of the discovery
When I first looked at Atukwatse’s videos, our joint excitement was around the leopard footage. We knew they were adaptable and could even eat small rodents , but no one had ever recorded them eating bats in Africa.
As more clips came in, we realised something bigger was unfolding. Blue monkeys were seen grabbing bats mid-roost. A crowned eagle and a Nile monitor fought over two bat carcasses. A fish eagle – typically a piscivore, which is a carnivorous species that primarily eats fish – was filmed clutching bats in its talons.
Over 304 trap-nights, Atukwatse’s traps recorded 261 independent predator events from at least 14 different species.
Then came the second shock: over 400 human visitors – many of them tourists – were filmed approaching the cave mouth without any protective gear. Some stood just metres from a known Marburg virus reservoir. Importantly, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has built a sanctioned viewing platform about 35 metres from the cave. However, tourists broke park rules and walked within two metres of the cave mouth.
Bosco Atukwatse.
It was only after I visited the cave myself to take stills of the team that we put this all together. Atukwatse had just found the first visual evidence, at a large scale in nature, of at least 14 predators feeding on a known wildlife virus reservoir harbouring one of Earth’s deadliest viruses.
This wasn’t the result of million-dollar pathogen surveillance. It wasn’t even the core aim of our leopard survey. This happened because a young Ugandan field scientist followed his ecological gut.
Why does the discovery matter?
For decades, disease ecologists have known that major outbreaks often originate in wildlife – swine flu, avian flu and even SARS-CoV-2 all trace back to animal hosts. But what’s often missing is direct observation of spillover interfaces – the exact moments when a virus jumps from a bat, goose, or other animal into new species like humans, livestock or other wildlife.
Atukwatse’s discovery may be the first large-scale visual record of such an interface in nature: a roost of Egyptian fruit bats known to harbour a deadly virus, actively predated upon by at least 14 species, with hundreds of humans visiting the same cave mouth unprotected.
This may be a Rosetta Stone moment for spillover ecology – shifting our understanding from hypothetical models to a real, observable interface.
These kinds of spillover sites exist in other places in nature: in a Chinese wet market where a civet meets a meat processor, or in a Gabonese village where a bat is butchered for bushmeat. The difference? Most of them go undocumented. Atukwatse just filmed one.
– How does Marburg virus spread between species? Young Ugandan scientist’s photos give important clues – https://theconversation.com/how-does-marburg-virus-spread-between-species-young-ugandan-scientists-photos-give-important-clues-259806
The Head of the European Union Delegation for the Seychelles, H.E. Ambassador Oskar Benedikt paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Minister Sylvestre Radegonde, on Friday 27th June 2025, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.
During their meeting, they discussed the cooperation between the European Union and Seychelles, particularly the status of the Port Victoria Rehabilitation and Extension Project and the implementation of the ‘European Solidarity Action Plan with Seychelles’, a Technical Cooperation Facility between the EU and Seychelles signed in 2024. They also touched on the progress of the ongoing negotiation to deepen and broaden the interim Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Eastern and Southern Africa configuration (the latter comprises of Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zimbabwe).
They further discussed the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes and the efforts being done by the Government to ensure that Seychelles be removed from the list. The upcoming presidential and legislative elections was also discussed by Minister Radegonde and Ambassador Benedikt.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Centenary Celebrations of Acharya Shri Vidyanand Ji Maharaj at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, emphasizing the significance of the occasion in India’s spiritual tradition. The event, organized by the Government of India in collaboration with Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust, marks the formal commencement of a year-long tribute to honor the revered Jain spiritual leader and social reformer on his 100th birth anniversary.
In his address, PM Modi described the centenary as a momentous occasion, reflecting the immortal inspiration of Acharya Vidyanand Ji Muniraj. He noted that June 28 holds special significance, recalling that on this day in 1987, Acharya was conferred the title of ‘Acharya,’ marking the beginning of a sacred journey that connected Jain traditions with thought, discipline, and compassion. To commemorate the occasion, special coins and postage stamps were released. The Prime Minister also congratulated Acharya Shri Pragya Sagar Ji, under whose guidance millions follow the path laid by Acharya Vidyanand Ji, and humbly accepted the title of ‘Dharm Chakravarti’ conferred upon him, dedicating it to Mother India.
Reflecting on Acharya Vidyanand Ji’s life, born on April 22, 1925, in Karnataka, PM Modi highlighted his profound contributions as a scholar, author of over 150 texts, and a visionary who connected millions with cultural and spiritual values. The Prime Minister described him as a unique blend of knowledge and bliss, whose simple yet profound teachings inspired generations. Acharya Vidyanand Ji’s expertise spanned languages like Kannada, Marathi, Sanskrit, and Prakrit, and his contributions to literature, classical music, and national service were exemplary. A freedom fighter and Digambar Muni, he embodied detachment while serving as a reservoir of knowledge and spiritual inspiration.
PM Modi emphasized that India, as the world’s most ancient living civilization, owes its endurance to the timeless wisdom of sages and Acharyas like Vidyanand Ji. He praised the Acharya’s efforts in social and cultural reconstruction through initiatives like the Prakrit Bhavan and research institutions, which preserved Jain history and promoted inclusivity through seminal works like Jain Darshan and Anekantvad. His commitment to temple restoration, education for the underprivileged, and social welfare reflected a synthesis of self-realization and public good.
The Prime Minister underscored India’s ethos of selfless service, rooted in Jain philosophy and exemplified by Acharya Vidyanand Ji’s life. He cited government initiatives like PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat, and free food grain distribution as reflections of this ethos, aimed at uplifting the marginalized. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive progress, inspired by Acharya’s ideals, with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas.
Highlighting the relevance of Jainism’s timeless principles, such as the five Mahavratas and Triratnas, PM Modi noted Acharya Vidyanand Ji’s efforts to make these teachings accessible through the Vachanamrit movement and devotional music. He also celebrated the government’s recent recognition of Prakrit as a classical language in October 2024 and the ongoing digitization of ancient manuscripts, including Jain scriptures. These efforts align with the broader mission to preserve India’s cultural heritage while promoting development, as seen in the 2024 celebrations of Bhagwan Mahavir’s 2,550th Nirvana Mahotsav.
PM Modi recalled the nine resolutions shared during Navkar Mantra Diwas, urging citizens to conserve water, plant trees, maintain cleanliness, promote local products, explore India, adopt natural farming, embrace healthy lifestyles, engage in yoga and sports, and support the underprivileged. He expressed confidence that these resolutions, inspired by Acharya Vidyanand Ji’s teachings, would strengthen India’s journey toward a developed nation during the Amrit Kaal.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekawat and revered saints were among the dignitaries present. The year-long centenary celebrations will feature cultural, literary, educational, and spiritual initiatives to spread Acharya Vidyanand Ji’s message of compassion, knowledge, and service.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Resolution of June 25, 2025 No. 950
Document
Resolution of June 25, 2025 No. 950
Students with significant achievements in the field of shipbuilding will be able to receive scholarships named after the outstanding Russian scientist, academician-shipbuilder A.N.Krylov. The decree on the establishment of such scholarships was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Starting from September 1, 2025, 10 full-time students (cadets) will receive a monthly stipend. The amount of the payment will be 15 thousand rubles for each scholarship recipient. The stipend will be assigned for 12 months.
Scholarships will be awarded annually based on the results of a competitive selection by a commission to be created by the Ministry of Education and Science. Students in higher education programs will be able to apply for them. Candidates will be nominated by the academic councils of universities.
Applicants for scholarships must study in the group of specialties and areas of training “Engineering and technology of shipbuilding and water transport”, have “excellent” and “good” grades based on the results of the midterm assessment, and also have results in research or scientific and practical activities in the field of shipbuilding.
Alexey Nikolaevich Krylov (1863–1945) was an outstanding Russian and Soviet mathematician, mechanic and shipbuilding engineer, and an academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He was the founder of the Russian school of shipbuilding.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Audience with members of the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, 28.06.2025
This morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the members of the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, on the occasion of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
The following is the address delivered by the Holy Father to those present at the meeting:
Address of the Holy Father
Your Eminences,Dear Brothers in Christ,
I am especially happy to welcome, for the first time after my election as Bishop of Rome and successor of the Apostle Peter, this Delegation representing the sister Church of Constantinople as we celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Patrons of the Church of Rome. This traditional exchange of Delegations between the two Churches on the occasion of the respective feasts of their Patron Saints is a sign of the profound communion already existing between us, and a reflection of the fraternal bond that united the Apostles Peter and Andrew.
After centuries of disagreements and misunderstanding, the resumption of genuine dialogue between the sister Churches of Rome and Constantinople was made possible through courageous and farsighted steps taken by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. Their venerable successors to the Sees of Rome and Constantinople have pursued with conviction the same path of reconciliation, thus further strengthening our close relations. Here I would like to mention the witness of sincere closeness to the Catholic Church given by the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew, by his personal participation in the funeral of the late Pope Francis, and again at the Mass inaugurating my Pontificate.
As I think back with gratitude on the progress made thus far, I assure you of my desire to persevere in the effort to restore full visible communion between our Churches. The attainment of this goal can only come about, with God’s help, through a continued commitment to respectful listening and fraternal dialogue. For this reason, I am open to any suggestions that you may offer in this regard, always in consultation with my brother Bishops of the Catholic Church who, each in his own way, share with me the responsibility for the complete and visible unity of the Church (cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 23).
Your Eminences, dear brothers in Christ, I thank you most heartily for your presence in Rome on this solemn occasion. I ask you kindly to convey my cordial greetings to Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Holy Synod, together with my gratitude for sending a Delegation again this year. May Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Andrew and the Holy Mother of God, who live eternally in the perfect communion of the saints, accompany and sustain us in our efforts in the service of the Gospel. Thank you!
The leaders of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea have signed a deal that may bring the autonomous region’s quest for independence closer.
Called “Melanesian Agreement”, the deal was developed earlier this month in 10 days of discussion at the New Zealand army base at Burnham, near Christchurch.
Both governments have agreed that the national Parliament in PNG has a key role in the decision over the push for independence.
They recognise that the Bougainville desire for independence is legitimate, as expressed in a 2019 independence referendum result, and that this is a unique situation in PNG.
That is the agreement’s attempt to overcome pressure from other parts of PNG that are also talking about autonomy.
The parties say they are committed to maintaining a close, peaceful and enduring relationship between PNG and Bougainville.
Both sides said that to bring referendum results to the national Parliament both governments would develop a sessional order, which was a the temporary adjustment of Parliament’s rules.
Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee They said that a Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville, which would provide information to MPs and the general public about the Bougainville conflict and resolution, is a vital body.
The parties said they would explore the joint creation of a Melanesian framework with agreed timelines, for a pathway forwards, that may form part of the Joint Consultations Report presented to the 11th National Parliament.
Once the Bipartisan Committee completes its work, the results of the referendum and the Joint Consultation Report would be taken to the Parliament.
The parties said they would accept the decision of the national Parliament, in the first instance, regarding the referendum results, and then commit to further consultations if needed, and this would be in an agreed timeline.
In the meantime, institutional strengthening and institutional building within Bougainville would continue.
To ensure progress is made and political commitment is sustained, the monitoring of this Melanesian Agreement could include an international component, a Parliamentary component, and the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee, all with UN support.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
The leaders of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea have signed a deal that may bring the autonomous region’s quest for independence closer.
Called “Melanesian Agreement”, the deal was developed earlier this month in 10 days of discussion at the New Zealand army base at Burnham, near Christchurch.
Both governments have agreed that the national Parliament in PNG has a key role in the decision over the push for independence.
They recognise that the Bougainville desire for independence is legitimate, as expressed in a 2019 independence referendum result, and that this is a unique situation in PNG.
That is the agreement’s attempt to overcome pressure from other parts of PNG that are also talking about autonomy.
The parties say they are committed to maintaining a close, peaceful and enduring relationship between PNG and Bougainville.
Both sides said that to bring referendum results to the national Parliament both governments would develop a sessional order, which was a the temporary adjustment of Parliament’s rules.
Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee They said that a Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville, which would provide information to MPs and the general public about the Bougainville conflict and resolution, is a vital body.
The parties said they would explore the joint creation of a Melanesian framework with agreed timelines, for a pathway forwards, that may form part of the Joint Consultations Report presented to the 11th National Parliament.
Once the Bipartisan Committee completes its work, the results of the referendum and the Joint Consultation Report would be taken to the Parliament.
The parties said they would accept the decision of the national Parliament, in the first instance, regarding the referendum results, and then commit to further consultations if needed, and this would be in an agreed timeline.
In the meantime, institutional strengthening and institutional building within Bougainville would continue.
To ensure progress is made and political commitment is sustained, the monitoring of this Melanesian Agreement could include an international component, a Parliamentary component, and the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee, all with UN support.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today released the Senate’s full legislative text of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.
“If you like higher taxes, open borders, a weak military and unchecked government spending, this bill is your nightmare.
“I am proud to present to the public the Big Beautiful Bill. By making the Trump tax cuts permanent, working families will avoid a four trillion-dollar tax increase. Our bill provides full funding to secure the border in perpetuity and injects a much-needed $150 billion into our military to keep our nation safe. In addition, the bill raises the debt ceiling so that we do not default and crash the economy.
“Equally important, our bill reforms Medicaid – which has grown by nearly 50 percent in five years. It eliminates waste, fraud and abuse – and requires able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work. This bill is the largest reduction in government spending in recent memory, and is a down payment on fiscal reform.
“The Big Beautiful Bill contains all of President Trump’s domestic economic priorities. By passing this bill now, we will make our nation more prosperous and secure.”
View the full text HERE.
View the one-pager HERE.
For more information on the:
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Title, click HERE for a section-by-section and HERE for a one-pager.
Senate Armed Services Committee Title, click HERE.
Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Title, click HERE.
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Title, click HERE.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Title, click HERE for a section-by-section and HERE for a one-pager.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Title, click HERE for a section-by-section and HERE for a one-pager.
Senate Finance Committee Title, click HERE.
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Title, click HERE for a section-by-section and HERE for a one-pager.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Title, click HERE for Homeland Security and HERE for Governmental Affairs.
Senate Judiciary Committee Title, click HERE for a section-by-section and HERE for a one-pager.
After eight years of renovations, the Waldorf Astoria in New York has reopened and is welcoming new guests. The Waldorf – as most people know it – introduced room service, velvet ropes, red-velvet cake and Thousand Island dressing. It gave its name to a salad, a chain of lunchrooms, as well as a now obscure form of democracy.
In 1907, the novelist Henry James said the Waldorf embodied what he called the “hotel spirit”: it was a place where everyone was equal – as long as they could afford the price of admission. To James, hotels defined America’s emerging culture and ideals. He said this new “spirit” was one of opportunity; of a new elite that was accessible not only by lineage, but by money.
As the historian and journalist David Freeland wrote, the Waldorf generally made room for all who were “able and ready to pay” and who displayed a willingness to “conduct themselves properly”. The Waldorf ethos was developed by its first maître d’, Oscar Tschirky – known simply as “Oscar of the Waldorf” because people struggled to pronounce his name. “Our innovations were startling and sensational”, Tschirky said in his ghost-written autobiography in 1943, “but they were always genteel”.
Those early innovations included the invention of the “presidential suite”, which saw the hotel become an unlikely early force for American feminism when it became a hub of high-level talks between suffragists and President Woodrow Wilson.
The Waldorf, then, is an American institution – or, at least, it used to be.
It is now in the hands of Chinese owners and has been shunned by presidents since Barack Obama, worried over potential security risks. The brand itself has been watered down as there are currently 32 “Waldorf Astorias” dotted around the globe.
The story of the Waldorf encapsulates modern America’s crisis of the establishment. Few places better personify the creation of the US version of the establishment (much more about money than breeding or class). And in the past decade, the hotel’s position, like the US establishment more generally, has come under assault by a rival hotel owner, Donald Trump.
The Insights section is committed to high-quality longform journalism. Our editors work with academics from many different backgrounds who are tackling a wide range of societal and scientific challenges.
Trump has his own ideas about how to use these modern palaces to project power – and his innovations are anything but genteel. So what can the beginnings of this former American institution tell us about America today? As a researcher of political and democratic institutions, I have been examining the role of hotels in the story of American democracy. And this particular story begins with a Swiss-born waiter.
Oscar of the Waldorf
Tschirky was born in the Swiss Alpine village of Le Locle in 1866. He and his mother boarded the steamer La France in 1883, bound for New York. In his book, he recalled his mother’s announcement:
Yes, Oscar, we’re going to go to America and live with your brother in that great land of plenty where we can have everything we’ve always wanted.
That night, according to his book, was “the beginning of Oscar’s career as beloved servitor and counsellor to the great and near great of this world”.
Although it would be ten years after arriving in New York, that Tschirky would join the Waldorf (which was just about to open) as maître d’. His contract and salary commenced on January 1 1893, ahead of the grand opening of the Fifth Avenue hotel in March. He would occupy his post for the next half-century as “host to the world”.
Tschirky would remain in place as the hotel expanded in 1897 when John Jacob Astor IV built and connected the larger, taller Astoria Hotel next door. Then in 1931 the hotel was forced to relocate when its Fifth Avenue location was razed for the Empire State Building. The “new” Waldorf Astoria New York reopened on Park Avenue with the addition of its famous towers, making it the tallest hotel in the world at the time.
Tschirky was born just one year after the end of the American Civil War. It was an America of Jim Crow laws and segregation. He would live to see women’s suffrage, but not the civil rights reforms of the mid-1960s.
In this turbulent context, it appears that Tschirky did his best to keep the Waldorf out of politics. He stuck to the advice given by the Waldorf’s manager, George Boldt (himself a German immigrant) who told him that it was “not up to the hotel to settle international affairs”.
Tschirky came to understand, realise, and represent the “hotel spirit” of a new America as he presided over the establishment of hotels as American palaces: not only for visitors, but for the new American aristocracy.
A presidential palace
The Waldorf famously hosted every US president from Grover Cleveland to Franklin Roosevelt. In spring 1897, Cleveland was at the Waldorf with members of his former cabinet, who wanted him as Democratic candidate in the 1900 election. This was the first reported instance of “Waldorf democracy” – in this case, the term was used to identify this new group within (and in some respects differentiate it from) “the democracy”, that was the Democrats.
President Grover Cleveland (sitting on the far left) and his cabinet, between 1895 and 1896. Shutterstock/Everett Collection
This politics was not embraced by all. As reported in The Ohio Democrat, Congressman Edward W. Carmack of Tennessee dismissed it as “the walled-off Democracy, because they are by themselves, representing nobody, and unable to influence a vote”.
Nevertheless, political elites liked the luxury that the Waldorf offered. Presidential suites were established during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency (1913-21). In the Waldorf, this famous suite emulates the furniture of the White House and still contains several presidential souvenirs, (including John F. Kennedy’s rocking chair).
The hotel was also popular among the famous “Four Hundred of the Gilded Age” – the highest echelons of New York society. The group was originally led by Caroline Schermerhorn Astor. The Astors’ ancestral family home, the town of Walldorf, in western Germany, had even given the hotel its name. According to Tschirky’s book, the Waldorf’s grand ballroom was:
… where Teddy Roosevelt had dined, where presidents McKinley, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover had spoken historic words to the nation, where princes of royal blood had been welcomed, where the great people in every walk of life had been honored.
The Waldorf proved a suitable palace for US presidents and their entourages and Tschirky, a suitable “servant”. When interviewed by Washington DC’s Evening Star, Tschirky “wouldn’t talk about presidents except to say that Franklin D. Roosevelt calls him, ‘my neighbor across the Hudson’”.
But Tschirky, “for all his celebrity acquaintances, never forgot that he was, in the end, a servant”, as Freeland wrote. The Waldorf likewise applied the term to its staff.
Exclusivity, exclusion and ‘democracy’
The world famous hotelier Conrad Hilton, who acquired the Waldorf in 1949, recalled in his autobiography, Be My Guest:
Originally the Waldorf was said to purvey exclusiveness to the exclusive. Later [the writer and artist] Oliver Herford announced that it ‘brought exclusiveness to the masses’. But that exclusiveness remained whether the hotel catered to a convention of three thousand or a tête-à-tête between crowned heads.
The Waldorf ethos projected “taste” and imbued it in others. Tschirky “subtly schooled Americans in fine European dining”. In 1956 – six years after Tschirky’s death – the New York Times recalled that, alongside Boldt, he undertook to teach people how to spend their money. The Waldorf embodied good taste by enforcing it, for example in its expectation of “proper conduct”.
But with exclusivity comes exclusion. Hence, the hotel’s introduction of the velvet rope. According to the Waldorf’s luxury suite specialists, this was done “to create order … the fact that it created a sense of stature and separation was secondary”.
Tschirky’s statement that “all who pay their bills are on an equal footing” reflects one of his “rules for success”:
… be as courteous to the man in a five dollar room as to the occupant of the royal suite. It is an old rule, but it never changes.
We can see from this mindset how the hotel was seen to possess, as American Studies scholar Annabella Fick put it, “a democratic quality … even though it is also elitist. In that, it invokes the democratic understanding of early America, which also differentiated between land-owning gentry and the mob”.
This was not the only differentiation. Just two years after the Waldorf opened, the 1895 New York State Equal Rights Law (commonly known as the Malby Law) – which aimed to abolish racial discrimination in public places – had aroused Boldt’s indignation. According to Freeland, Boldt described the law to reporters as “an outrage, as it prevents us from making any selection of our patrons. A man who runs a first-class hotel must respect the wishes of his guests as to the sort of people that he entertains, and the law should not dictate to him.”
In his paradoxical desire for the freedom to discriminate and persecute as he wished – and on behalf of his customers, real or imagined – Boldt illustrated the exclusion inherent in exclusivity. Boldt’s statement also presaged a system of informal segregation, in which Black Americans were allowed in the Waldorf (and elsewhere), but were certainly not welcome.
Despite this the Waldorf was at the heart of a fundamental shift in American culture which “invited” ordinary Americans access beyond the velvet rope – as long as they could afford it. As James McCarthy and John Rutherford said in their 1931 book, Peacock Alley: “The average man and woman … frowned upon grand display – chiefly because the average person knew it was beyond his or her own horizon of enjoyment. The arrival of the Waldorf, however, was an invitation to the public to taste of this grandeur.”
And it wasn’t just the paying customers. During its 30th anniversary in 1923, the Waldorf elevated its staff – its servants – to the level of guests. Reporters for the Birmingham Age-Herald noted: “Practically the entire staff of the hotel were guests … the affair reached the topnotch of Waldorf democracy, for the waiters and financiers, telephone girls and captains of industry, coat-room clerks and merchant princes sat side by side and swapped reminiscences with each other.” The article continues:
Oscar sat [at] the head of his own table as guest of honor. For a brief time Oscar was no longer the solicitous host … For an hour or two Oscar was himself the guest, and the entire kitchen menage of the Waldorf-Astoria was kept hopping filling his wants and those of his fellow guests.
Oscar and his wife Louise, in the Birmingham Age-Herald above ‘Father Knickerbocker’ – a personification of New York City (hence The Knicks) – celebrating the Waldorf at 30. Library of Congress
But being a guest was a temporary experience.
The “Waldorf democracy” described during this event – of people from every walk of life and status mixing and socialising – was very different to that of the Cleveland entourage. It was not party-political, but institutional.
Democracy meant different things, at different times, within the Waldorf; just like in the broader US. The Waldorf, in turn, began to change, and perhaps even lose its meaning within the US by the time of Obama’s presidency.
Chinese ownership
The Waldorf lost its status as presidential palace in 2014. It was bought for $1.95bn by a Chinese company that was later seized by the Chinese government. Security concerns a year later prompted President Obama to stay at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel instead.
Obama’s choice of where to stay – and where not to stay – was widely discussed in the media. The decision was seen to “break with decades of tradition”. ABC News recognised and portrayed it as the end of an era, bidding “Goodbye to the Waldorf Astoria, welcome to the Lotte New York Palace Hotel”. This new era was also framed in geopolitical terms, for example by the New York Times:
With Chinese spies rummaging through White House emails, President Obama has decided not to risk making their spying any easier: He will break with tradition and abandon the Waldorf Astoria … Mr. Obama and other officials will instead take up residence a few blocks away at the Lotte New York Palace.
The same article also pointed out that “hotels have long represented a weak link in security for travelling officials and others”. In fact, Nikita Khrushchev had once got stuck in an elevator at the Waldorf, and “probably thought it was an attempt to assassinate him”.
Covering up an assassination as an “elevator accident” is probably not what Hilton had in mind when he envisaged his hotels as “a means of combating communism”. On the contrary – as Professor Mairi Maclean, a researcher of business elites, put it – Hilton envisaged hotels as a means of “facilitating world peace through international trade and travel”.
Women’s suffrage
It may not have brought about world peace, but the Waldorf did play a part in certain moments of US history because it was always seen as a key arena to lobby rulers, most notably in 1916. Women’s suffrage in America was still four years away. On one side of the debate (and the Waldorf itself) were two hundred suffragists, occupying the East Room. On the other was Woodrow Wilson, occupying the Presidential Suite.
Tschirky recalled being “appointed diplomatic courier … and delegated to carry the first communiqué of the morning … In the midst of it all I stood my ground, swearing myself an ice cold neutral”.
Though neutral on the question of suffrage, Tschirky was willing to reduce boundaries within the hotel, especially if it was good for business. Even as the hotel was being built, Tschirky remembered that “there was not, in all America, such a thing as a motor car, a radio … Nor were cocktails ever seen in private homes; or divorces tolerated in society; nor did women smoke, or wear dresses above their ankles”.
Then in 1907 a notice was put up in the Waldorf: “Women would be served in the hotel restaurants at any time, with or without male escorts.” Freeland noted Tschirky’s simple confirmation that: “We will serve women. What else can you do in a hotel?”
Crowd of women’s suffrage supporters demonstrating with signs reading, ‘Wilson Against Women’, in Chicago on October 20, 1916. Wilson withheld his support for Votes of Women until 1918. Shutterstock/Everett Collection
A few years later, discussing women’s right to smoke in the dining rooms, Tschirky said: “We do not regulate the public taste. Public taste does and should regulate us.”
During the Waldorf’s 30th anniversary in 1923, newspapers such as El Imparcial celebrated it as “a civic asset of unique importance. And to its other accolades must be added that of contributing effectively to the progress of feminism. It was a memorable day in the women’s rights movement when The Waldorf Astoria granted female access to the Peacock Alley.”
Nevertheless, even the naming of Peacock Alley – a corridor in the hotel that became an important place of congregation, especially for women – was a recognition of exclusivity. It was where people gathered to parade themselves. As the recollection goes in Tschirky’s memoirs: “The Waldorf Hotel was a triumphant picture of the Best People at their best”.
Trump
With their ostentatious decor and gilded interiors, Trump’s hotels could be seen as the modern incarnation of Peacock Alley.
But the tenets of politeness, respect and decorum that Tschirky set down seem like echoes from another age when compared to a recent AI video showing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sitting shirtless at a pool with drinks at an imaginary “Trump Gaza hotel”. The video appears to have been a spoof, but that didn’t stop the president from sharing it on Truth Social, his own social media platform, and Instagram.
Like Hilton (who was immortalised in Mad Men, demanding a Hilton on the moon) hotels have always been a part of Trump’s brand. Trump recalled, in How to Get Rich, that his “first big deal, in 1974, involved the old Commodore Hotel site near Grand Central Station” on 42nd Street.
The former Trump International Hotel in Washington DC, opened in 2016, was described as “the epicenter of the president’s business interests in [the capital]”. It was also “a popular choice for lobbyists and Republican Congress members during Trump’s presidency”.
“The Trump Organization sold the hotel’s lease to CGI in 2022, when the hotel was reflagged as a Waldorf Astoria”, though Trump’s firm is rumoured to be in talks to reacquire it.
Another similarity between Hilton and Trump is their use of hotels as symbols for the nation. Each hotel of Hilton’s was envisaged as a “Little America”, “to show the countries most exposed to communism the other side of the coin”.
It had all of the ingredients of greatness, but it had been neglected and left to deteriorate for many many decades … It had the foundation of success. All of the elements were here. Our job is to restore our former glory, honor its heritage, but also imagine a brand new and exciting vision for the future.
Forbes commented that this event “could’ve easily been mistaken for a Trump rally”, for example in his statement that “my theme today is five words: ‘under budget and ahead of schedule’ … We don’t hear those words too often in government – but you will!”
Similarly, in an interview with the New York Post, Trump’s son Eric Trump used familiar Maga rhetoric: “Our family has saved the hotel once. If asked, we would save it again”.
What would Tschirky have made of all this? As a political neutral he would have decried Trump’s frequent hotel plugs during political campaigns. No doubt his behaviour would have seemed crass.
Perhaps this reflects two different eras of hotels and their intended functions. Grand hotels such as the Waldorf were shaped by European colonialism, by immigrants like Tschirky and Boldt. But as historian Annabel Wharton describes, the Hiltons “were constructed not, as in the nineteenth century, to meet an established need, but to create one. They suggest that this pressure was not produced simply by the desire for profit, but from a remarkable political commitment to the system that promoted profit-making”. I think we can read Trump’s hotels, and now his politics, in the same way.
The hotel spirit has entered a new phase with Trump’s proposals to “own, level, and develop” the Gaza Strip and create a “Riviera of the Middle East” – riding roughshod over the democratic will of Palestinians in Gaza who dismissed Trump’s vision.
Less than two decades after opening, Tschirky remarked that “many of the great events, financial, diplomatic, political, had had their inception within [the Waldorf’s] stone walls”. For him, it was “an international crossroad where men from all lands came to exchange goods and ideas” and to plan the changes in the world which he would later see come to pass.
Tschirky saw hotels as the most democratic places on Earth. But the “hotel spirit” he espoused – that uniquely American narrative within which he “became a citizen almost overnight” (a feat that seems vanishingly unlikely today) – seems to have been consigned to the past.
“I know that better times will come again”, he says in the preface to his book, “but in terms of the past, I think I have seen the best. New York has changed. America has changed.”
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Alex Prior 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.
India paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary, celebrating his legacy as a visionary leader whose transformative economic reforms reshaped the nation’s trajectory. Leaders across the political spectrum lauded Rao’s contributions to India’s economic liberalization, foreign policy, and national development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Rao, stating on X, “India is grateful to Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu for his effective leadership during a crucial phase of our development trajectory. His intellect, wisdom, and scholarly nature are widely admired.”
Born on June 28, 1921, in Laknepalli village, present-day Telangana, Rao was a freedom fighter and a prominent member of the Indian National Congress. Serving as India’s ninth Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, he was the first South Indian and only the second non-Hindi-speaking leader to hold the office. His tenure is best remembered for the 1991 economic reforms that liberalized India’s economy, fostering unprecedented growth and elevating the country’s global standing.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Rao as “a towering statesman and scholar par excellence,” noting his contributions to economic progress and national development. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Rao’s reforms were “instrumental in catalyzing an era of unprecedented national growth” and pivotal in expanding India’s middle class. Kharge also highlighted Rao’s role in advancing India’s nuclear program and initiating the ‘Look East’ foreign policy.
The Congress party paid tribute, stating, “Rao’s 1991 economic reforms set India on the path of progress, liberalization, and self-reliance. His bold reforms and statesmanship continue to inspire generations.”
Other leaders, including Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini, also honored Rao. Chouhan called him a “Bharat Ratna” whose contributions were invaluable, while Birla hailed him as the “architect of India’s prosperity through liberalization.” Dhami and Saini praised Rao’s role in opening doors to economic prosperity and strengthening India’s global identity.
