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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Responsibility to Protect More Than a Principle — It Is a Moral Imperative’, Secretary General Tells General Assembly

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    As the General Assembly marked the twentieth anniversary of the responsibility to protect, the UN Chief emphasized that the principle remains a moral imperative amid growing global turmoil, escalating identity-based violence, widespread breaches of international law and deepening impunity.

    Opening the session, Philémon Yang (Cameroon), President of the General Assembly, recalled that, 20 years ago, at the 2005 World Summit, world leaders affirmed the responsibility of individual States to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.  Born from the horrors of Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, that commitment represented a pledge that “never again would the international community stand silent as innocent lives were destroyed by the gravest crimes”.

    Nevertheless, today, two decades later, “we must ask ourselves how we have allowed ourselves to fall short”, he said.  From Gaza to Ukraine, from Sudan to Myanmar, there is blatant disregard for human rights, early warnings are ignored and the Security Council is failing to act.

    Also acknowledging commendable gains, he noted the establishment of international mechanisms for atrocity prevention.  Prevention and protection strategies have been implemented across peacekeeping operations.  “We must find ways to deliver on the promise of ‘never again’,” he stressed.

    Picking up that thread, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the world is witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War.  Further, conflicts are becoming more protracted, complex and interconnected, while emerging threats such as the weaponization of new technologies and the proliferation of advanced weaponry require a constant adaptation to prevent the commission of atrocity crimes and to protect populations.

    However, he continued, too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors is met with denial, indifference, or repression.  “Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent or undermined by double standards,” he said, adding that “civilians are paying the highest price”.

    “We must recognize that the responsibility to protect is more than a principle — it is a moral imperative, rooted in our shared humanity and the UN Charter,” he emphasized, spotlighting the seventeenth report of the Secretary-General on the responsibility to protect.

    The report highlights efforts achieved through national prevention mechanisms or under regional leadership, demonstrating that early diplomacy, early warning and institutional innovation can be effective in preventing and responding to atrocity crimes.  It also underscores the need to mainstream atrocity prevention across the United Nations system — from humanitarian action to peacekeeping to human rights.  Additionally, it calls for integrating early warning, supporting national prevention mechanisms and embedding atrocity prevention in the broader agendas of sustaining peace, human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    “No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes,” he asserted, emphasizing that “prevention must begin at home — with leadership that protects rights, embraces diversity and upholds the rule of law”. And it must be supported globally through multilateral cooperation, principled diplomacy, and early and decisive action to effectively protect populations.  Two decades on, the responsibility to protect remains both an urgent necessity and an unfulfilled promise.  “Let us keep the promise, deepen our commitment, strengthen our cooperation and ensure that atrocity-prevention and protecting populations becomes a permanent and universal practice,” he stated.

    In the ensuing debate, numerous Member States emphasized that — amid growing violence against civilians and worsening humanitarian crises — the responsibility to protect must remain central to efforts aimed at promoting peace and security.

    Speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Responsibility to Protect, the representative of Morocco expressed concern that, despite unanimous support for ending atrocity crimes, serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law persist.  “This growing gap between rhetoric and action is especially concerning given the international community’s improved understanding of risk factors and increased capacity to respond,” he pointed out.  He also acknowledged the key role of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect in advancing this principle.

    Expressing concern about the increased use of the veto in the Council, the representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, said all Member States — especially those holding veto power — must support both the Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, as well as the French-Mexican initiative on refraining from the use of veto in the case of mass atrocities.

    “While some advances in military technology can bring increased precision and a reduction of civilian harm,” she said, the recent evolution of warfare, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), may lead to diluted human control and increased brutality in conflict.  Further, “when prevention fails, we need to make every effort to ensure that the perpetrators of atrocity crimes are held accountable,” she said, reaffirming support for the International Criminal Court.

    Relatedly, Denmark’s delegate, also speaking for Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, urged the Council “to renew and strengthen its focus on prevention” and acknowledged the efforts of the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, as well as civil society experts.  Stressing the importance of the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, she added:  “Independent and impartial international courts and tribunals, in particular the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court, are central to accountability for the most serious crimes.”

    Slovenia’s delegate stressed that the veto power in the Council should not be used in situations where there is a clear threat of mass atrocity crimes, as it hinders effective decision–making and prevents action that would help to protect populations in a timely and effective manner. Her country was among the first to appoint a national Responsibility to Protect Focal Point, she said, highlighting the Ljubljana-Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and Other International Crimes.  “This is the first major international treaty in the field of international criminal law since the Rome Statute that enables States to cooperate effectively internationally in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes by filling legal gaps in the fields of international legal assistance and extradition,” she pointed out.

    The representative of France, speaking also for Mexico, said that while civilians worldwide are victims of large-scale violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, “the Council is too often paralysed by the use of the veto”.  He welcomed the mention in the Secretary-General’s report of the French-Mexican initiative on the voluntary regulation of the use of the veto in the Council in cases of mass atrocities.  “The veto is not a privilege but a responsibility,” he said, noting that this proposal is already supported by over 100 States and inviting all other States to join this commitment, starting with the Council’s elected and permanent members.  He also emphasized the crucial role of national human rights institutions, civil society and the Human Rights Council’s mechanisms as essential tools for early warning, prevention and accountability.

    “Now, more than ever, we must continue to promote and defend our collective political commitment to [the] responsibility to protect and its implementation,” said Australia’s delegate, speaking also on behalf of Canada and New Zealand.  The world is facing the highest level of conflict since the Second World War, with reported violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen.  “We cannot allow impunity,” he asserted, calling for full accountability for atrocity crimes through appropriate national and international investigative and justice mechanisms, such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

    However, other delegates voiced concern that the responsibility to protect principle is increasingly being instrumentalized to justify interventions under a humanitarian pretext, or to undermine States’ sovereignty through the application of unilateral coercive measures.

    Among them was the representative of Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, who cited the notion as “non-consensual and controversial”.  Accordingly, he voiced concern over the principle “selective and politically motivated” application.

    Paradoxically, at the same time, the world is witnessing a “resounding failure” to ensure the protection of civilians caught in the armed conflict in Gaza, where the Palestinian people are suffering an increasingly brutal Israeli occupation, which represents a systematic violation of international law and requires urgent action to protect and save civilian lives, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

    Poland’s representative emphasized that invoking the responsibility to protect to justify military aggression — such as the Russian Federation’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine — constitutes a deliberate distortion of the principle.  In March 2022, the International Court of Justice issued a preliminary ruling finding that Moscow did not have grounds to attack Ukraine based on claims of genocide, he noted.  He also expressed support for the mandates of the Special Advisers on Genocide Prevention and on the Responsibility to Protect.

    Other delegates highlighted their countries’ experiences with genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

    “The crisis in Myanmar is the heartbreaking case in point,” said that country’s representative, adding that the military junta continues to commit widespread atrocities with impunity, violating the core principles of the responsibility to protect.  Noting that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court applied in 2024 for an arrest warrant against Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, he said a swift decision is vital.  He also called for the issuance of the arrest warrant against Min Aung Hlaing “to save lives and protect the people of Myanmar from the military junta’s further heinous crimes”.  The Security Council must act decisively, he asserted, noting that a follow-up to resolution 2669 (2022) should include monitoring and enforcement.

    Noting that the application of the responsibility to protect principle “remains uneven”, Burundi’s delegate emphasized that it “cannot be selective on the basis of temporal or material considerations”.  Drawing attention to the 1972 genocide committed against the Hutu ethnic group, he said that, during this “massacre of terrible proportions”, which occurred between April and July 1972, hundreds of thousands of Burundians of the Hutu ethnic group were hunted down, arrested, executed without trial and very often buried in mass graves.

    “This has a name in international law:  genocide,” he said.  And while Burundi’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission officially described the events of 1972 as such, identifying over 4,000 potential mass graves and collecting thousands of witness testimonies, “no international body has recognized this crime as such”.  Citing this silence as “a form of abandoning innocent victims whose souls need to be put to rest”, he underscored that “the responsibility to protect is not a slogan”, but a “legal, moral and political commitment”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Concluding Second Resumed Session, Fifth Committee Approves Budget Covering Peacekeeping Missions, Service Centres, Headquarters Support Staff

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today approved a budget of nearly $5.4 billion to cover the financing needs of about a dozen peacekeeping missions, two service centres and support staff at Headquarters from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.  As it wrapped up its second resumed session, the Committee sent to the General Assembly 19 resolutions and 1 decision.  All but one of these texts were adopted without a vote.  The exception dealt with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its financing document (document A/C.5/79/L.36/Rev.1), which the Committee approved by a recorded vote of 134 in favour, to 3 against (Argentina, Israel, United States), with 1 abstention (Paraguay).

    That was after the Committee rejected, also by a recorded vote, an oral amendment proposed by Israel to delete four paragraphs referring to the shelling of a UNIFIL compound in Qana, Lebanon, by the Israeli forces on 18 April 1996.  The oral amendment was rejected by a vote of 5 in favour (Argentina, Canada, Paraguay, Israel, United States) to 70 against, with 53 abstentions.

    Chandramouli Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Management Strategy, Policy, thanked the delegates for finishing the session before the end of June and recognized their power of consensus as they find common ground three times a year to approve crucial resolutions that keep the Organization running.  Yet, as much as the world needs peacekeeping, the Committee needs to solve a financing problem that has been plaguing the United Nations for 80 years.  “The UN staff is progressively losing confidence in the entire budget process,” he said, referring to cash shortages that have led to severe spending and hiring restrictions.  The United Nations needs to find a compromise that allows the Organization to function effectively, he added.

    Fifth Committee Chair Egriselda Aracely González López (El Salvador) recognized the time, effort and dedication that delegates displayed in recent weeks as they worked through days, nights and weekends to achieve today’s results.  She noted the Committee’s unique working methods and thanked delegates for exercising the political will to achieve results.  The Committee’s work, on the eve of the Organization’s eightieth anniversary, helps establish policy and lets the Organization operate and carry out its mandates.

    In closing remarks, many delegates welcomed the adoption of the peacekeeping budgets for the 2025/26 financial year and the agreement to move forward with the Strategic Heritage Plan for the UN offices in Geneva.  Yet, many regretted that agreements were not reached on cross-cutting policy issues or on a mechanism to improve the Organization’s financial situation.

    The representative of Egypt, speaking on behalf of the African Group, expressed concern about the Committee’s inability to agree on a cross-cutting policy resolution, as well as the lack of agreement on mission-specific policy directives.  “Unfortunately, this year, the Committee has chosen to abandon its duty to provide overall guidance to missions as well as specific provisions based on their unique context and operational requirements,” he said.  This is an alarming regression that risks eroding the trust between host countries and the UN, he cautioned.

    The United Kingdom’s delegate echoed this sentiment and said her delegation was disappointed that the Committee iron out a solution to provide predictable financing for the Organization.  The representative of the United States said his delegation was pleased that the $5.38 billion peacekeeping budget for 2025/26, $110 million less than the Secretary-General’s proposal, ensured the core functions of international peacekeeping would be met.

    The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, stressed that the outcome of the budget approval can only be meaningful if all States pay their assessed contributions in full and on time.  She also noted the agreement reached to fund and maintain the full scope of the Strategic Heritage Plan in Geneva and the adoption of the report of the Board of Auditors.  However, “a non-constructive approach to negotiations by some delegations hampered our ability to reach meaningful compromises, resulting in skeletal resolutions on several agenda items”, she said.  For the fifth consecutive year, the Committee was unable to provide any guidance on the support account, the Global Service Centre and the Regional Service Centre.

    “Most disappointing was our handling of the financial situation agenda item, together with the liquidity aspects of closed peacekeeping operations,” she said, adding that the proposals on the table would have contributed meaningfully to the long-term financial health of the Organization.  The Fifth Committee’s strength lies in its ability to engage in dialogue collectively and constructively and reach decisions by consensus.  It is essential to begin substantive engagement earlier in the session because consensus requires sufficient time and space for meaningful dialogue, she said.

    Japan’s delegate agreed, stating:  “Unfortunately, we were unable to give the necessary guidance to the Secretariat in tackling the liquidity crisis.”  The Fifth Committee must work together with the Secretariat to resolve these outstanding fiscal challenges.

    The representative of Iraq, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said the bloc was pleased to reach consensus on the Strategic Heritage Plan in Geneva, the Board of Auditors and peacekeeping mission budgets.  Yet, it was concerning that consensus could not be achieved on a plan to address the Organization’s recurring financial problems.

    As the second-largest contributor to the Organization’s budget, the representative of China said his delegation stands for the allocation of necessary resources to achieve its peacekeeping goals.  He hoped the Secretariat would cherish these resources as it works to maintain peace and security.  He noted that the Organization’s largest contributor remains in arrears and was the main cause of the liquidity crisis.

    Action on Draft Resolutions

    The Committee first approved the draft resolutions “Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors” (document A/C.5/79/L.51) and “Strategic heritage plan of the United Nations Office at Geneva” (document A/C.5/79/L.52).

    The Committee then approved draft resolution I, “Support account for peacekeeping operations” (document A/C.5/79/L.50); draft resolution II, “Financing of the United Nations Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda” (document A/C.5/79/L.40); and draft resolution III, “Financing of the United Nations Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda”(document A/C.5/79/L.39).

    The Committee then approved the draft “Financing of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei” (document A/C.5/79/L.41).

    The Committee the approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic” (document A/C.5/79/L.42).

    It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus” (document A/C.5/79/L.43).

    The Committee then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (document A/C.5/79/L.44).  It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo” (document A/C.5/79/L.45).

    The Committee then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali” (document A/C.5/79/L.38).

    Turning to “Financing of United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in the Middle East”, the Committee approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force” (document A/C.5/79/L.46).

    It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan” (document A/C.5/79/L.47).

    The Committee then approved draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara” (document A/C.5/79/L.48).

    Next it approved the draft resolution “Financing of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur” (document A/C.5/79/L.37).

    It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 1863 (2009)” (document A/C.5/79/L.49).

    The Committee then took notes of the Secretary-General contained in documents A/C.5/79/L.33 and A/C.5/79/L.34.

    Finally, it approved the draft decision “Questions deferred for future consideration” (document A/C.5/79/L.53).

    __________

    * The 37th Meeting was covered in Press Release GA/12685.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Concluding Second Resumed Session, Fifth Committee Approves Budget Covering Peacekeeping Missions, Service Centres, Headquarters Support Staff

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today approved a budget of nearly $5.4 billion to cover the financing needs of about a dozen peacekeeping missions, two service centres and support staff at Headquarters from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.  As it wrapped up its second resumed session, the Committee sent to the General Assembly 19 resolutions and 1 decision.  All but one of these texts were adopted without a vote.  The exception dealt with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its financing document (document A/C.5/79/L.36/Rev.1), which the Committee approved by a recorded vote of 134 in favour, to 3 against (Argentina, Israel, United States), with 1 abstention (Paraguay).

    That was after the Committee rejected, also by a recorded vote, an oral amendment proposed by Israel to delete four paragraphs referring to the shelling of a UNIFIL compound in Qana, Lebanon, by the Israeli forces on 18 April 1996.  The oral amendment was rejected by a vote of 5 in favour (Argentina, Canada, Paraguay, Israel, United States) to 70 against, with 53 abstentions.

    Chandramouli Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Management Strategy, Policy, thanked the delegates for finishing the session before the end of June and recognized their power of consensus as they find common ground three times a year to approve crucial resolutions that keep the Organization running.  Yet, as much as the world needs peacekeeping, the Committee needs to solve a financing problem that has been plaguing the United Nations for 80 years.  “The UN staff is progressively losing confidence in the entire budget process,” he said, referring to cash shortages that have led to severe spending and hiring restrictions.  The United Nations needs to find a compromise that allows the Organization to function effectively, he added.

    Fifth Committee Chair Egriselda Aracely González López (El Salvador) recognized the time, effort and dedication that delegates displayed in recent weeks as they worked through days, nights and weekends to achieve today’s results.  She noted the Committee’s unique working methods and thanked delegates for exercising the political will to achieve results.  The Committee’s work, on the eve of the Organization’s eightieth anniversary, helps establish policy and lets the Organization operate and carry out its mandates.

    In closing remarks, many delegates welcomed the adoption of the peacekeeping budgets for the 2025/26 financial year and the agreement to move forward with the Strategic Heritage Plan for the UN offices in Geneva.  Yet, many regretted that agreements were not reached on cross-cutting policy issues or on a mechanism to improve the Organization’s financial situation.

    The representative of Egypt, speaking on behalf of the African Group, expressed concern about the Committee’s inability to agree on a cross-cutting policy resolution, as well as the lack of agreement on mission-specific policy directives.  “Unfortunately, this year, the Committee has chosen to abandon its duty to provide overall guidance to missions as well as specific provisions based on their unique context and operational requirements,” he said.  This is an alarming regression that risks eroding the trust between host countries and the UN, he cautioned.

    The United Kingdom’s delegate echoed this sentiment and said her delegation was disappointed that the Committee iron out a solution to provide predictable financing for the Organization.  The representative of the United States said his delegation was pleased that the $5.38 billion peacekeeping budget for 2025/26, $110 million less than the Secretary-General’s proposal, ensured the core functions of international peacekeeping would be met.

    The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, stressed that the outcome of the budget approval can only be meaningful if all States pay their assessed contributions in full and on time.  She also noted the agreement reached to fund and maintain the full scope of the Strategic Heritage Plan in Geneva and the adoption of the report of the Board of Auditors.  However, “a non-constructive approach to negotiations by some delegations hampered our ability to reach meaningful compromises, resulting in skeletal resolutions on several agenda items”, she said.  For the fifth consecutive year, the Committee was unable to provide any guidance on the support account, the Global Service Centre and the Regional Service Centre.

    “Most disappointing was our handling of the financial situation agenda item, together with the liquidity aspects of closed peacekeeping operations,” she said, adding that the proposals on the table would have contributed meaningfully to the long-term financial health of the Organization.  The Fifth Committee’s strength lies in its ability to engage in dialogue collectively and constructively and reach decisions by consensus.  It is essential to begin substantive engagement earlier in the session because consensus requires sufficient time and space for meaningful dialogue, she said.

    Japan’s delegate agreed, stating:  “Unfortunately, we were unable to give the necessary guidance to the Secretariat in tackling the liquidity crisis.”  The Fifth Committee must work together with the Secretariat to resolve these outstanding fiscal challenges.

    The representative of Iraq, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said the bloc was pleased to reach consensus on the Strategic Heritage Plan in Geneva, the Board of Auditors and peacekeeping mission budgets.  Yet, it was concerning that consensus could not be achieved on a plan to address the Organization’s recurring financial problems.

    As the second-largest contributor to the Organization’s budget, the representative of China said his delegation stands for the allocation of necessary resources to achieve its peacekeeping goals.  He hoped the Secretariat would cherish these resources as it works to maintain peace and security.  He noted that the Organization’s largest contributor remains in arrears and was the main cause of the liquidity crisis.

    Action on Draft Resolutions

    The Committee first approved the draft resolutions “Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors” (document A/C.5/79/L.51) and “Strategic heritage plan of the United Nations Office at Geneva” (document A/C.5/79/L.52).

    The Committee then approved draft resolution I, “Support account for peacekeeping operations” (document A/C.5/79/L.50); draft resolution II, “Financing of the United Nations Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda” (document A/C.5/79/L.40); and draft resolution III, “Financing of the United Nations Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda”(document A/C.5/79/L.39).

    The Committee then approved the draft “Financing of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei” (document A/C.5/79/L.41).

    The Committee the approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic” (document A/C.5/79/L.42).

    It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus” (document A/C.5/79/L.43).

    The Committee then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (document A/C.5/79/L.44).  It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo” (document A/C.5/79/L.45).

    The Committee then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali” (document A/C.5/79/L.38).

    Turning to “Financing of United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in the Middle East”, the Committee approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force” (document A/C.5/79/L.46).

    It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan” (document A/C.5/79/L.47).

    The Committee then approved draft resolution “Financing of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara” (document A/C.5/79/L.48).

    Next it approved the draft resolution “Financing of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur” (document A/C.5/79/L.37).

    It then approved the draft resolution “Financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 1863 (2009)” (document A/C.5/79/L.49).

    The Committee then took notes of the Secretary-General contained in documents A/C.5/79/L.33 and A/C.5/79/L.34.

    Finally, it approved the draft decision “Questions deferred for future consideration” (document A/C.5/79/L.53).

    __________

    * The 37th Meeting was covered in Press Release GA/12685.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Multiculturalism Day: Associate Minister Yaseen

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Multiculturalism Day: Associate Minister Yaseen

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: WTO General Council February 2025: UK Statements

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    WTO General Council February 2025: UK Statements

    Statements delivered by Simon Manley, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, 18 – 19 February 2025 at the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

    Item 2: Practical Steps to Enhance the Process for the Appointment of Officers to Certain WTO Bodies. Communication from Canada, Chile, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland

    Thank you, Chair. The UK adds our congratulations to the new Chairs, and also extends our thanks to you, Chair, in particular, for your work in the General Council. Your leadership and tireless drive, which we can already see this morning, to take forward our work with both good humour and astute steering of the meetings has been hugely appreciated. On this item, the UK does support pragmatic initiatives that can help improve processes for all of us here at the WTO, so we are grateful to the countries who have put this forward. We do support reform by doing, and as this document says, this is reform by doing. It solves issues around the appointment of Chairs, which when they are delayed leads to gaps that effect all of us and the efficiency of the organization. It is practical steps that we should all be able to agree to and the UK supports it.

    Item 4: Incorporation of the Agreement on Electronic Commerce into Annex 4 of the WTO Agreement

    Thank you, Chair. The UK is disappointed with the objections this morning to the incorporation of the E-commerce agreement as an annex 4 plurilateral. It is even more disappointing to see the failure to reach agreement on an investment facilitation and development on the previous item and I would just like to acknowledge the large number of very eloquent and well-reasoned interventions, especially from developing countries, on how they, like all WTO numbers, stand to benefit from the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA). Both the IFDA and E-commerce agreements are in the category of things the WTO can and should do now, and in good time, before MC14. Speakers this morning, especially from developing countries, have clearly set out the benefits which the E-commerce agreement offers. I’m just going to briefly recap a few. First, that this is the first set of global digital trade rules, in a sector which already by 2020 represented 25% of global trade worth almost 5 trillion USD; it has a key role in global economic growth. It is an agreement which not just increases digital trade and lowers trade barriers, it also enhances trust in an open digital environment. In all these ways it can unlock opportunities for businesses, jobs and their consumers all around the world. It is also an agreement that has been inclusive in its preparation. The vast majority of the 91 countries originally involved in the negotiation are developing countries. It is inclusive in its benefits as so many developing countries have set out. It is not just the delegations in this room who say all of these things, just in the last few weeks. For example, we heard directly from businesses at the World Economic Forum about the benefits of unleashing digital trade for MSMEs, in particular. Then, very importantly, my last point to support the implementation of the agreement includes a multi-avenue support package comprising implementation periods, technical assistance and capacity building.

    The UK is committed to continuing our support for various technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, such as a Digital Access Programme. We are ready to work with all members on the E-commerce agreement to make progress and reach agreement swiftly, hopefully well in advance of MC14.

    Item 5: Report by the Chairperson of the Trade Negotiations Committee and Report by the Director General

    Thank you for your Report, in particular for reminding us of the measurable benefits traders have brought to economic growth and development and for your commitments driving forward all our work. The UK is ready to cooperate with all members to ensure meaningful progress across all the areas you mentioned in the run up to MC14, including things we can and should agree before MC14. We recognise that, as you said Director General, it is a challenging time for global trade. We are grateful for your efforts. As our Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security said in the UK parliament last week, the UK stands behind your exemplary leadership. We agreed that the WTO is a forum to listen and to discuss differences on trade with a review to resolving them; for calm responses and constructive dialogue as we look ahead to MC14.

    As we look ahead to MC14, we support the particular priority to deliver for development. For the UK this includes the things we can and should do before MC14. On the development benefits of IFDA and E-commerce, I refer to the points I and others, including so many developing countries, made this morning. On the fisheries subsidies agreements and, through them, realising SDG target 14.6, we hope both enter into force, and Fish One and adoption of Fish Two could be secured before the UN Ocean Summit in France in June. That these agreements are so close is actually a tribute to the hard work and readiness to listen with compromises by so many in this room. Completing that work will also help us form a clear pathway to MC14, including space to work on agriculture and other important areas already under discussion. On agriculture, our thanks also to outgoing Chair, Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye, for his work. Achieving a breakthrough on agriculture is more essential than ever. We cannot lose time, including to agree a new Chair, and then to work for successive MC14. Director General, thank you again for your leadership. We of course recognise the challenges. Trade is not always straightforward. The UK continues to support the WTO in the multilateral trading system; the benefits for trade for all of us, for growth, for development, are real. We are committed to working with you, with Members, to realise them. Thank you.

    Item 9: Follow-up to the WTO Off-Site Retreat on Trade as a Tool for Development and Way Forward. Request from Barbados and South Africa

    Thank you, Chair and the Secretariat for giving us a quick readout of the discussions. Already today we have heard several times about the importance of high ambition on development for MC14, and more widely, and the UK fully agrees. We would particularly like to thank South Africa and Barbados for bring in this discussion and helping to set out a path forward and welcome your particular collaboration when we think about what can be achieved. Development is cross cutting in so much of our work, and that is why, for the UK, the best way to maintain short-term momentum is with the early agreement on outcomes that are already in reach. That is why in earlier interventions today we have stressed the development benefits from early conclusion on investment facilitation for development, fisheries and E-commerce. We add to this, the development opportunities around LDC graduation and indeed the opportunities through new accessions to the WTO, that we will hear about tomorrow. Equally, to make a success of this we want to hear ideas, and we urge developing country members in particular to deliver their priority proposals as soon as possible, so that we really can work together to achieve progress in the timeframe of MC14.

    Finally, the UK is committed to wider initiatives supporting developing countries, working in partnerships, listening to needs, and with this in mind we note that as the only fund dedicated to LDC trade, the UK wants to ensure that the enhanced integrated framework continues to deliver impact for LDCs. We have just made available this year an additional £100,000 into the interim facility, which brings our total contribution to £1,000,000 and we hope this will help ensure continuity while the future of the fund is discussed. As Members are aware, we hope the EIF taskforce will make its recommendations very soon as a basis for further improvement, meeting the expectations of LDCs and donors. Thank you.

    Item 11: WTO Accessions: 2024 Annual Report by the Director General

    The UK is closely engaged in this work and supports prospective Members to secure the benefits of the global trading system by progressing their accessions. We particularly note the positive development impact of WTO accession and underline that we are keen to welcome more developing countries, particularly LDCs, to the WTO. We support the strategic focus for 2025 on the accession of Uzbekistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina who have made significant progress. The UK for example recently held constructive bilateral discussions with Uzbekistan to help advance the accession and we encourage all Members to work with Uzbekistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina to support their ambitions for early WTO accession. We also very much welcome Somalia’s first Working Party and Ethiopia’s renewed energy behind their accession as specific examples of LDC interest and with this in mind we would like to reconfirm the UK’s commitment to chairing the Working Party on the accession of Ethiopia, but are also grateful to the Deputy Director General for temporarily standing in the coming meeting. Finally, the UK is a provider of technical support in this area, and we note that the Enhanced Integrated Fund is open to LDCs post accession, so we encourage Timor Leste and Comoros to use the facility where it is helpful.

    Item 13: Stocktaking of Work on the Operationalization of paragraph 21 of the MC13 Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration. Communication from Pakistan

    Thank you, Chair. We will be brief, but we just wanted to add thanks to Pakistan for bringing this important issue back to the General Council’s attention. Unfortunately, if anything, it is becoming increasingly relevant and urgent, and the UK does see the role of trade in this area. We will publish a full statement but just to acknowledge, in particular, Pakistan’s proactivity and thinking of areas like services, financial services and trade debt and finance work to identify where, as a Membership, we can take things forward and we look forward to continuing to contribute.

    Item 14: WTO at 30. Statement by the Director General

    Thank you. I want to be short. We set out yesterday commitment to the WTO in the multilateral trading system and the opportunities we have at work to benefit all Members. Of course, that includes WTO reform by doing, and we set out our confidence in your leadership, Director General. Like Australia, we encourage further work on this proposal. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Humanitarians need safe, sustained and unhindered access to all those in need across Sudan: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Humanitarians need safe, sustained and unhindered access to all those in need across Sudan: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    I will make three points.

    First, civilians, especially women and girls, are bearing the brunt of this devastating conflict. 

    They deserve action and accountability. 

    Last week, a hospital was attacked in West Kordofan, reportedly killing 40 civilians. 

    The Fact-Finding Mission recently highlighted increasing sexual and gender-based violence. 

    And the Secretary-General’s latest Children and Armed Conflict report documents appalling cases of abduction, recruitment and violence against children.

    Such violations need to be investigated, and perpetrators held accountable.

    The United Kingdom calls on both parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, in line with international law and the commitments they made at Jeddah.

    Second, Sudan is among the world’s worst humanitarian crises, and among the most dangerous environments for humanitarians. 

    Just this month, a UN convoy was attacked and five humanitarian workers tragically killed.

    In April, the United Kingdom co-hosted the London Sudan Conference, which raised over $1 billion in humanitarian funding. 

    But without access and security, aid cannot reach those whose lives depend on it.

    As the upcoming rainy season brings increased risk of famine and disease, humanitarians must urgently be given the space to operate.  

    So we support ASG Pobee’s calls for humanitarian pauses. Humanitarians need safe, sustained and unhindered access to all those in need across Sudan.

    We call on the parties to provide security guarantees for humanitarians, lift bureaucratic impediments and ensure these steps translate to real access improvements on the ground.

    Third, President, there is no military solution to this conflict.

    Parallel governing structures and unilateral changes to the constitution will only deepen this crisis. 

    Progress depends on respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

    We welcome continued efforts by the UN, the African Union and countries of the region to advance an inclusive political process. 

    We underline the importance of engaging with a broad spectrum of Sudanese actors, especially civilians.

    The UK will continue to support efforts towards a genuine, civilian-led transition that restores peace, protects Sudan’s sovereignty and lays the foundation for a democratic future. 

    We look forward to working constructively as a Council to achieve this goal.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sixth evacuation flight from Israel scheduled for Sunday 29 June

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Sixth evacuation flight from Israel scheduled for Sunday 29 June

    UK evacuation flight from Tel Aviv is due to leave on Sunday 29 June, after which no further flights are currently scheduled as evacuation flights wind down.

    • UK evacuation flight from Tel Aviv is due to leave on Sunday 29 June, after which no further flights are currently scheduled 
    • evacuation flights are winding down and will end if there is no longer sufficient demand  
    • those who have registered to take a UK government charter flight will be contacted to confirm if they still wish to travel 

    The last scheduled flight chartered from Tel Aviv by the British Government for British nationals looking to return home is set to depart on Sunday afternoon. Demand is falling and the number of commercial options continues to grow, following the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Iran.

    Five flights have now successfully departed Tel Aviv, transporting British nationals back to the UK. A further flight is scheduled for Sunday 29 June, with no additional flights currently scheduled to take place after this. 

    Evacuation flights will end if there is no longer sufficient demand, so British nationals seeking to travel on Sunday’s flight are encouraged to register via the Register Your Presence portal now, if they have not done so already, to receive further information. 

    A FCDO spokesperson said: 

    The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. The Foreign Office is working around the clock to respond to the crisis and support British nationals affected. 

    The government has organised multiple flights evacuating British nationals and their dependants from Tel Aviv, prioritising the most vulnerable. These flights will end if there is not sufficient demand. 

    We will keep the situation under review.

    Given the low demand observed for government-provided transport for British nationals crossing land borders from Israel into Jordan and Egypt, the UK is no longer providing these onward transport options from the border crossings.  

    Plans will be kept under constant review, depending on demand and the security situation. 

    For the latest information, view FCDO travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kean Co-leads Bipartisan Effort to End Wrongful Detention of American Citizens Abroad

    Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

    Contact: Riley Pingree

    (June 27, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representatives Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), French Hill (AR-02), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced the bipartisan Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, legislation that creates a designation for countries or nonstate actors that wrongfully detain American citizens or permanent residents, allowing the Secretary of State and Congress to hold them accountable.

    Congressman Kean said, “My constituent, Sarah Moriarty, lost her father, Robert Levinson, after he was taken hostage by Iran in 2007. Her family spent years wondering where he was, not knowing if he was alive or if they would ever see him again. Sadly, far too many American families have lived through that same kind of fear and heartbreak. Hostile regimes like Iran continue to use innocent Americans as bargaining chips, dehumanizing and mistreating them—and in some cases, even taking their lives. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act makes it clear that there will be consequences for this kind of behavior, and the United States will always go to great lengths to protect its citizens.”

    Congressman Hill said, “When Americans are wrongfully detained abroad, it’s not just a personal tragedy — it’s a direct attack on the United States. Those who wrongfully detain Americans must know that there will be real consequences for using U.S. citizens as political pawns. That’s why our bill gives the State Department the tools it needs to hold bad actors accountable while keeping Congress firmly engaged in the process. This bipartisan bill is a strong step toward protecting Americans by deterring and punishing them.” 

    Congressman Lawler said, “As a co-lead on the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, I’m proud to be joining a bipartisan group of colleagues working to protect Americans held hostage by rogue nations as political pawns. This legislation will provide the State Department with the necessary tools to exert pressure while ensuring that Congress maintains accountability. American families deserve nothing less.”

    Congressman Gottheimer said, “As the United States faces increasing threats from foreign adversaries, protecting Americans abroad must remain a top priority. I am proud to help introduce the bipartisan Countering Wrongful Detention Act alongside Congressman Hill to ensure the State Department has the tools it needs to hold bad actors accountable. This bipartisan bill will help bring home Americans wrongfully detained around the world and strengthen efforts to prevent future hostage taking. To those being held, and their families, our message is clear: we stand with you and we are fighting every day to bring you home.”

    Congressman Moskowitz said, “For years, my constituent Bob Levinson was illegally, unjustly, and unacceptably held by the Iranian regime. Bad actors like these can’t detain Americans without cause and think they can get away with it. I’m helping lead the Countering Wrongful Detention Act because this bipartisan bill puts real tools in place that’ll crack down on this practice and send a strong, bipartisan signal that our government will hold accountable any state or nonstate actors who threaten Americans in this way.”

    Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty, Co-Founder of R. A. Levinson & Associates and Fellow, New America Future Security Program, said, “Since the introduction of PPD30 ten years ago, and the Robert A. Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage Taking Accountability Act in 2019, we have seen marked improvement in how our government handles the cases of American nationals held hostage by state and non-state actors. 

    “This important bi-partisan legislation, coming at such a critical time where Americans continue to be taken on a weekly basis as political bargaining chips, is a giant leap forward in creating tangible deterrence that stops bad actors from continuing this horrific practice. Thank you to Representatives Hill, Gottheimer, Kean, Lawler and Moskowitz for their leadership in this issue. 

     

    “We hope to see this legislation passed by Congress and swiftly signed into law, as we know it will help prevent so many Americans from falling victim to the suffering that my father, my family, my friends in the hostage community, and far too many others have experienced.”

     

    Background:

    The bipartisan legislation creates a new authority for the Secretary of State to formally designate countries or nonstate actors as state sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention, creating a deterrent framework similar to the existing state sponsors of terrorism designation. Once designated, the Secretary may impose a range of penalties on those governments, including diplomatic and economic consequences.

    The bill provides congressional oversight by requiring that all state sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention designations expire unless Congress passes a joint resolution to approve them within six months. Congress would also have the authority to terminate a designation through a joint resolution, ensuring these decisions reflect the interests of the American people and are subject to public accountability.

    This legislation further directs the Secretary of State to brief Congress on whether the following countries should be designated under this new authority:

    China

    Russia  

    Iran

    Afghanistan

    Eritrea

    Nicaragua

    Syria

    Venezuela

    Belarus

     

    The full text of the bill is available HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Victory for Working People as Judge Blocks Trump’s Efforts to Bust Federal Employee Unions

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    Trump’s union-busting executive order was retaliation against labor unions for challenging administration’s illegal workplace actions, judge finds

    WASHINGTON – A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction after ruling that the Trump administration likely violated the law by stripping nearly a million federal government employees of their union rights.

    Six unions filed a lawsuit on April 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging President Trump’s March 27 executive order that removed collective bargaining rights from about 950,000 federal employees the unions collectively represent. Trump cited national security as the reason for the executive action, but the unions, led by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), argue that the executive order was unconstitutional retaliation meant to punish them for engaging in activity protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, including vocal opposition and legal challenges to the administration.

    The unions also argued that the administration violated the Fifth Amendment when it voided collective bargaining agreements it had properly entered into without due process of law. The unions further contend that the administration acted in excess of its authority by applying the national security exemption to employees whose primary functions are clearly unrelated to national security. These include workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, Food Safety and Inspection Service, and several other departments and agencies.

    The lawsuit was filed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Association of Government Employees (NAGE-SEIU), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), National Nurses United (NNU), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The parties were represented by Bredhoff and Kaiser PLLC.   and Feinberg, Jackson, Worthman & Wasow LLP.

    “President Trump revoked our members’ union rights in retaliation for our advocacy on behalf of federal workers and the American people, and we are grateful that Judge Donato saw through his disingenuous ‘national security’ justification and has ordered the immediate restoration of their rights,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “Federal employees have had the right to join a union and bargain collectively for decades, including during President Trump’s first term, and at no time have employees’ union rights caused concern for our nation’s national security. Revoking these rights was clearly a retaliatory attempt to bust federal unions and wreak havoc on our nation’s workforce and the services they provide to the American people.”

    “This is justice for the federal workers who were unfairly retaliated against and had their freedom to collectively bargain ripped away for standing up to illegal executive actions,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “This executive order is a direct effort to silence federal workers’ voice on the job — an essential freedom that helps maintain the integrity of our democracy. Federal workers serve every community, and targeting them through political retribution threatens the freedom of all working people to fight for fair treatment. We applaud this ruling as a critical defense of our communities and our rights at work.”

    “Judge Donato’s ruling is a resounding rejection of the Trump administration’s authoritarian tactics and its sham invocation of national security as a cover for union busting,” said NAGE National President David J. Holway. “This executive order isn’t about national security. President Trump is punishing NAGE and other unions for protecting the rights of workers and standing up to the administration’s unlawful actions. The court made it clear: national security cannot be used as a smokescreen to silence federal workers. No president is above the law.”

    “America’s public service workers don’t work for profits, politics, or for glory – they serve our nation,” said SEIU President April Verrett. “The President’s unlawful executive order attacking federal unions is not an attack on a million federal workers, but is a direct attack on all workers who seek a collective voice to bargain for a better future. This is blatant retaliation against brave workers who dared to exercise their First Amendment rights to criticize this administration’s authoritarian overreach. The labor movement stands in solidarity, and we will not let this administration’s union-busting tactics silence us.”

    “Collective bargaining rights are critical for union nurses so we can advocate for our veterans and ensure they get the care they deserve. We appreciate Judge Donato ruling in favor of our lawsuit, which challenges the executive order that threatens our bargaining rights. We will fight for our veterans who put their lives on the line for us. All federal workers deserve collective bargaining rights,” said Irma Westmoreland, a registered nurse and the chair of National Nurses United’s VA Division.

    “The right of federal employees to join a union is protected by the Constitution and has been supported by Presidents of both parties for decades,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “We believe the Trump Administration is blatantly violating both the Constitution and federal law in a misguided attempt to bust federal unions. In our view, this is the most anti-worker and anti-union action this country has ever seen. NFFE and our allies are pleased to see the rule of law upheld and the critical rights of working people protected by Judge Donato.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Big Community Conversation: Young people urged to speak up about their future

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Young people in Plymouth are being urged to take part in a Big Community Conversation, where they’ll have the chance to shape the future of their city. 

    Hosted in partnership with the Youth Parliament, the event will focus on how local government reorganisation could affect the things that matter most to young people – from jobs and housing to transport, health services, and places to hang out. 

    This isn’t just a meeting – it’s a chance for 12 to 18-year-olds to speak directly to decision-makers about the kind of city they want to grow up in. 

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Plymouth City Council, said: “This is about the future of the city for our young people. The decisions being made now will shape the Plymouth that young people will hopefully continue to live, work and grow up in for years to come. 

    “Whether it’s about having a job they love, being able to afford their own place, or just having better access to transport and facilities or and more fun things to do – we want to hear from young people about what they think matters.  

    “Local government reorganisation might sound complicated, but at its heart, it’s about how we build a better city – and young people need to be part of that conversation.” 

    The event will take place from 5:00pm to 6:30pm in the  Council Chamber, Council House, Armada Way. It’s open to all young people living within the Plymouth aged 12-18 years old.

    For more information, visit: www.plymouth.gov.uk/lgr or email: [email protected] / [email protected] 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 27 June 2025 News release WHO Scientific advisory group issues report on origins of COVID-19

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent, international, multidisciplinary experts, today published its report on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

    SAGO has advanced the understanding of the origins of COVID-19, but as they say in their report, much of the information needed to evaluate fully all hypotheses has not been provided.

    “I thank each of the 27 members of SAGO for dedicating their time and expertise to this very important scientific undertaking over more than three years,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak. We continue to appeal to China and any other country that has information about the origins of COVID-19 to share that information openly, in the interests of protecting the world from future pandemics.”

    In its report, SAGO considered available evidence for the main hypotheses for the origins of COVID-19 and concluded that “the weight of available evidence…suggests zoonotic spillover…either directly from bats or through an intermediate host.”

    WHO requested that China share hundreds of genetic sequences from individuals with COVID-19 early in the pandemic, more detailed information about the animals sold at markets in Wuhan, and information on work done and biosafety conditions at laboratories in Wuhan. To date, China has not shared this information either with SAGO or WHO.

    SAGO published its initial findings and recommendations in a report on 9 June 2022. Today’s report updates that evaluation based on peer-reviewed papers and reviews, as well as available unpublished information and field studies, interviews, and other reports including audit findings, government reports and intelligence reports. SAGO convened in various formats 52 times, conducted briefings with researchers, academics, journalists, and others.

    “As the report says, this is not solely a scientific endeavour, it is a moral and ethical imperative,” said Dr Marietjie Venter, Chair of the group and Distinguished Professor and One Health Research Chair in Vaccines and Surveillance for Emerging viral threats at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. “Understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and how it sparked a pandemic is needed to help prevent future pandemics, save lives and livelihoods, and reduce global suffering.”

    At a Special Session of the World Health Assembly in late 2020, WHO Member States adopted a resolution asking WHO to study the origins of SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, a joint mission between international and Chinese experts travelled to China in January and February 2021, and published their report in March of that year.

    In July 2021, Dr Tedros launched SAGO with two mandates: first, to design a global framework to investigate the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, which it published last year, and second, to apply that framework to evaluate scientific evidence to determine the origins of COVID-19.

    The work to understand the origins of SARS-CoV-2 remains unfinished. WHO welcomes any further evidence on the origins of COVID-19, and SAGO remains committed to reviewing any new information should it become available.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What Danish climate migration drama, Families Like Ours, gets wrong about rising sea levels

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Florian Steig, DPhil Student, Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford

    In the Danish TV drama Families Like Ours, one melancholic line from high-school student Laura captures the emotional toll of climate displacement: “Soon we will vanish like bubbles in a creek.” This seven-part series imagines a near future in which Denmark is being evacuated due to rising sea levels – a government-mandated relocation of an entire population.

    The series challenges the fantasy that wealthy western countries are immune to the far-reaching effects of climate change. Rather than focusing on catastrophic storylines, Families Like Ours portrays the mundane, bureaucratic and affective aspects of relocating a population in anticipation of a creeping crisis: the scramble for visas, the fractures that appear between families, and the inequalities in social and economic capital that shape people’s chances for a new life.

    Yet, the idea that Denmark could soon get submerged is not grounded in science. More worryingly, the narrative of the unavoidable uninhabitability of entire nations and millions of international migrants flooding Europe is misleading, dangerous, and sidelines deeply political questions about adaptation to sea level rise that should be dealt with now.

    The trailer for Families Like Ours.

    Sea levels are rising by a few millimetres a year. That pace is accelerating. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that, by 2100, sea levels could rise by up to one metre on average. Beyond 2100, sea levels could rise by several metres, although these long-term scenarios are highly uncertain.

    Even in extreme scenarios, these developments would unfold over several decades and centuries. It’s unlikely that permanent submergence of large areas of land will make Denmark uninhabitable.

    Still, sea level rise poses a serious risk to the livelihoods of millions of people living in coastal zones. In the UK, many homes in Norfolk and Fairbourne, Wales, are already at risk from coastal erosion, for instance.

    These changes are subtle. They do not warrant the evacuation of an entire nation, but degrade coastal livelihoods over time. Houses in high-risk areas like these may become uninsurable, devalued or too risky to live in. This will force people to move.

    In addition, sea level rise makes coastal flooding more likely. In European high-income countries, including Denmark, rising waters already threaten coastal communities. Without adaptation, hundreds of thousands of homes in cities such as Copenhagen could be at risk.

    The danger of mass migration narratives

    However, depicting climate change as a driver of uncontrolled mass migration is misleading. Sea level rise will contribute to coastal migration, and state-led relocation is already a reality especially in Africa and Asia. But climate migration predominantly occurs within countries or regions. International migration from climate change impacts is the exception, not the norm.

    To capture these complexities, some researchers prefer the term “climate mobility”. Mobility can be forced or voluntary, permanent or temporary, even seasonal. Some communities and people resist relocation plans and stay put.

    Families Like Ours reinforces longstanding narratives that frame certain parts of the world as destined to become uninhabitable. Even UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a “mass exodus of entire populations on a biblical scale” due to sea level rise.

    As a researcher working on climate adaptation, I notice that sea level rise and climate migration are increasingly discussed at the global level. Discussions focus, for example, on the protection of affected populations and continued statehood of nations after their potential submergence. A new global alliance of cities and regions tackling sea level rise called the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition considers a “managed retreat” not only as inevitable but as a rational and desirable adaptation pathway for many cities and regions.

    Scientists have warned that creative storylines highlighting the “uninhabitability” of low-lying countries and regions, such as the Pacific, are not helpful. The mass migration narrative can be used by governments to justify extreme protectionist action and sideline urgent adaptation debates.

    States are not helpless in the face of sea level rise and submergence is not inevitable. As geographer Carol Farbotko and colleagues suggest, “habitability is mediated by human actions and is not a direct consequence of environmental change”. People often develop their own ways of living with rising waters, resisting narratives of submergence. State-led adaptation is possible, but depends on finance, which is unequally distributed.

    People’s migration decisions can seldomly be attributed to just climate impact. A community’s capacity to respond hinges on social, political, economic and demographic factors. Adaptation measures are costly. This raises deeply political questions over who gets to be protected, who is left behind, and how managed retreat can benefit the most affected people and places in a fair way. We need to overcome mass migration myths and start a serious and justice-focused debate about the future of our shorelines.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Florian Steig receives funding from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes).

    – ref. What Danish climate migration drama, Families Like Ours, gets wrong about rising sea levels – https://theconversation.com/what-danish-climate-migration-drama-families-like-ours-gets-wrong-about-rising-sea-levels-259234

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Back to the Future at 40: the trilogy has never been remade – let’s hope that doesn’t change

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel O’Brien, Lecturer, Department of Literature Film and Theatre Studies, University of Essex

    It has now been four decades since Marty McFly first hit 88 miles per hour in a time-travelling DeLorean. Robert Zemeckis’s sci-fi adventure blockbuster didn’t just navigate the space-time continuum onscreen (thanks to the flux capacitor). It also found a lasting place in the hearts of its audience.

    Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone speak badly about the Back to the Future trilogy (aside from certain cast members, which I’ll touch on later). It has thankfully avoided the common traps of remakes and the sprawling expanded universe trend, which has diluted so many other beloved franchises (yes, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings, I’m talking to you).

    Naturally, the success of Back to the Future has inspired a range of adaptations, including a computer game, an immersive Secret Cinema event, as well as a more recent West End stage musical. But each version stays true to the spirit of the original, reinforcing what feels like an unspoken rule in Hollywood: Back to the Future is off-limits to a cinematic or televised remake.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Zemeckis and Bob Gale, who co-wrote the screenplay for all three films, have repeatedly shut down the idea of a fourth instalment, declaring that the trilogy is complete. In fact, aside from a few delightful Back to the Future references in other shows made by the original stars themselves, the only remake you’re likely to come across is BBTF Project 85. It’s a multi-fan-made, shot-for-shot collaboration and true labour of love, created not for profit but out of pure admiration for the original.

    The success of the Back to the Future trilogy can be attributed to several factors, not least the undeniable charisma and chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The wholesome, inter-generational friendship of their characters is never explicitly explained, but also doesn’t need to be. It simply works. The dynamic between Doc and Marty captures a timeless, heartfelt bond between two generations who respect and learn from each other, much like the relationship between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (another trilogy that has since found itself in the rebooted camp).

    The original trailer for Back to the Future.

    Michael J. Fox was the original choice for Marty McFly but due to scheduling conflicts with his role on sitcom Family Ties, production began with Eric Stoltz in the role. Over half the film was shot before Zemeckis made the difficult decision to recast.

    As Stoltz later said in an interview, the change came because he “wasn’t giving the performance [Zemeckis] wanted for his film”. Stoltz, a talented performer, brought a darker, moodier and more intense interpretation to Marty, a version that was replaced by Fox’s lighter, more comedic approach, channelled through his effortless charm.

    Stoltz wasn’t the only cast member to leave Back to the Future with a sense of disappointment. Crispin Glover, who played George McFly, also famously fell out with Zemeckis and Gale over creative differences. One of which was Glover’s objection to the film’s ending that presented Marty’s family being financially wealthier in comparison to the start. Glover felt this idea sent a negative message of money equating to happiness. This artistic clash (and ironically, dispute over salary) ultimately led to him being recast in Back to the Future Parts II and III, with actor Jeffrey Weissman stepping in.

    In the sequels, Weissman wears a facial prosthetic designed from Glover’s likeness from the first film (where George is made to look older). This enraged Glover further, who responded by filing a lawsuit, arguing that the use of his image without consent was illegal.

    He has since been openly critical of Weissman’s “bad performance” and has expressed ongoing frustration that many viewers still mistakenly assume the “bad acting” to be his own. As he notes, this explicitly contrasts with the more obvious recasting of Jennifer Parker (Marty’s girlfriend) performed by Claudia Wells in the first film and later replaced by Elisabeth Shue in the sequels.

    The recasting reflects the first film’s unexpected success. Back to the Future was never intended to have a sequel, but the overwhelming popularity of the original prompted the rapid development of two back-to-back follow-ups released in 1989 and 1990.

    Once again, the film’s success can be credited to the electric chemistry between its leads and the unforgettable music, from Huey Lewis’s Power of Love to Chuck Berry’s “new sound” in Johnny B. Goode, and Alan Silvestri’s hauntingly triumphant score. Silvestri’s music seems to capture the spirit of wide-eyed adventure, nostalgia and wisdom all at once, like a journey through time, composed entirely for the ears, affording the trilogy a sense of timelessness.

    Back to printed media

    Another charm of the Back to the Future trilogy (which stood out to me in a more recent viewing) lies in its use of printed media, which inspired me to create my video essay, Back to Printed Media.

    Back to Printed Media.

    As indicated in the video, Back to the Future begins with the sound and image of clocks before panning to a framed newspaper article, a fitting introduction to how all three instalments use print to convey plot, emotion and shifts across timelines.

    Beyond newspapers, the trilogy gives prominence to photographs, handwritten letters, phone books, a sports almanac, transparent receipts of the future, and even printed faxes (in the future of 2015). This tactile world of ink and paper evokes a deep nostalgia, underscoring the emotional weight of physical communication, something that has steadily faded with the rise of digital screens and indeed the loss of physical touch.

    Doc even comments in the third instalment (when reading a letter from his future self) that he never knew he could write anything so touching.

    In an era where glowing rectangles dominate both our lives and our storytelling, Back to the Future offers a refreshing contrast. It reminds us of the human connection and the need to be with others, packaged in a blockbuster narrative about one of the most universal cinematic themes: finding your way back home.

    As a trilogy, Back to the Future has stood the test of time for four decades, and I’m confident it will continue to resonate with both new and nostalgic audiences well into the future.

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

    – ref. Back to the Future at 40: the trilogy has never been remade – let’s hope that doesn’t change – https://theconversation.com/back-to-the-future-at-40-the-trilogy-has-never-been-remade-lets-hope-that-doesnt-change-259725

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement on PPS Decision to Prosecute in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council FOI Case

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV MLA for North Antrim Timothy Gaston:
    “I welcome today’s decision by the Public Prosecution Service to bring prosecutions following the police investigation into the alleged deletion of emails at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
    “The integrity of Freedom of Information processes is essential to public trust in local government. If officials or others interfered with those processes, there must be consequences.
    “This case has taken years to come to this point after the Raid On The Braid back in October 21. I will follow proceedings closely.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s statement on Canadian Multiculturalism Day

    Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Canadian Multiculturalism Day:

    “Today, we celebrate the many cultural communities that make B.C. the most ethnically diverse province in Canada.

    “A cornerstone of Canadian identity, multiculturalism is a fundamental part of who we are as British Columbians.

    “People from all over the world have been coming to B.C. for centuries – to start a new life for their families, to make their fortune, or in some cases, to escape hardship and violence in their home countries.

    “Indigenous Peoples have lived on this land since time immemorial. Today, B.C. is home to more than 200 First Nations communities, Métis and Indigenous people from other parts of Canada as well as people from more than 200 countries.

    “Our government remains committed to fighting racial discrimination and continuing our ongoing anti-racism work, including implementing the Anti-Racism Act and launching the Racist Incident Helpline to support people who have experienced or witnessed an act of hate.

    “On this Canadian Multiculturalism Day, we honour the vibrant and diverse communities that make B.C. strong, and we recommit to continuing to build a more welcoming and inclusive province for everyone.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bergman, McDonald Rivet Introduce Bill to Improve PFAS Cleanup Around Military Facilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

    Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) introduced the bipartisan Military PFAS Transparency Act to shine a light on PFAS cleanup efforts by the Department of Defense (DoD), and get more answers for over 600 communities across the country that have been contaminated by “forever chemicals.”

    “Our government owes the communities and people affected by PFAS clarity and answers,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “The Military PFAS Transparency Act will help Michigan families by requiring regular updates from DoD on their PFAS cleanup efforts, making the process more responsive and accountable. Congressman Bergman has been a terrific partner, and I won’t stop fighting to get communities in Michigan and across the country the answers they deserve.”

    “I’m proud to introduce this important bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. McDonald Rivet as we push federal bureaucracies to take real, meaningful action on PFAS cleanup. The problem has been studied extensively—it’s time to act,”said Congressman Bergman. “This bill is about turning analysis into accountability and moving the Pentagon from paperwork to real-world cleanup.”

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” are used in a wide array of products like firefighting foams, food packaging, cosmetics, and fabrics. Their widespread use has contaminated soil, surface water, groundwater, and food across the country. These forever chemicals have also contaminated hundreds of military installations and surrounding communities across the country, including over a dozen in Michigan. Some PFAS can cause harmful health effects and have been linked to health complications, including damage to the immune system and an increased risk of developing certain cancers. 

    The Military PFAS Transparency Act would: 

    • Require Annual Reporting on DoD PFAS Cleanup Efforts: The bill requires DoD to submit annual reports detailing site-specific funding, progress, and barriers for all interim PFAS remediation and cleanup efforts. This includes timelines, performance metrics, and the status of the actions.
    • Establish Better Cleanup Strategies: The bill requires DoD to commit to more efficient cleanup strategies. These strategies will prioritize cleanup based on risk, increase lab testing capacity, and set standards for evaluating cleanup efforts.
    • Improve Transparency through a Public Dashboard: The bill requires DoD to create a public online dashboard within one year to display updated PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact.

    The Military PFAS Transparency Act is endorsed by the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and the Great Lakes Commission. 

    “This bipartisan bill is an important step to put impacted communities at the center of Pentagon PFAS cleanups and to encourage real collaboration with people on the ground who best understand what needs to be done,” said Tony Spaniola, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. “The Pentagon’s interim action policy, which was developed by community experts in Oscoda, Michigan, is designed to strategically cut off PFAS exposures and make every federal dollar count.  I commend Representatives McDonald Rivet and Bergman for their critical work to ensure that the policy actually brings results for the people and communities it is supposed to protect.”

    “For far too long, people living near military bases exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals have been in the dark in terms of Department of Defense cleanup efforts, which puts our water and our health in danger,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “The Military PFAS Transparency Act will make sure that impacted residents and the general public know the status of the military PFAS remediation, which can help reduce exposure to contamination. Better transparency and improved cleanup strategies will save lives, and so we applaud the bill’s sponsors and urge that Congress enact this critical legislation into law.”

    “PFAS pose a grave threat to drinking water and public health – a threat that is felt acutely in the Great Lakes. It is critical, then, that residents of the Great Lakes region and beyond know how their government is responding, in order to improve outcomes for all affected communities,” said Dr. Michael J. Goff, President and CEO of the Northeast-Midwest Institute. “We thank Congresswoman McDonald Rivet and Congressman Bergman for their leadership on this important issue.”

    This legislation is also supported by the other co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Palestine Action: what it means to proscribe a group, and what the effects could be

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Brian J. Phillips, Reader (Associate Professor) in International Relations, University of Essex

    The UK’s home secretary, Yvette Cooper, plans to proscribe the protest group Palestine Action under anti-terror law. This move, if approved by parliament, would criminalise the group’s existence, making it a crime to be a member of the group or to support it in any way.

    Palestine Action emerged in 2020, first drawing attention when its members broke into and spray painted red the UK headquarters of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor. In the years since, the group has sprayed paint, blockaded or otherwise vandalised a number of institutions it sees as complicit in Israeli military actions, such as a Lockheed Martin facility and two Barclays branches.

    The group’s website describes it as a “direct action movement committed to ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime”.

    The term “direct action” has historically been used for tactics ranging from legal protest to traffic obstruction and property damage, such as animal rights activists smashing laboratory equipment used for experiments on animals. Or, more recently, the roadblocks carried out by Extinction Rebellion.

    Palestine Action’s campaign has caused substantial property damage. Five activists were jailed after a 2022 protest at a Glasgow weapons equipment factory that caused more than an estimated £1 million in damage due to pyrotechnics thrown inside the building.

    Activists are also accused of causing £1 million in damages to Elbit property near Bristol in 2024. Eighteen face charges of aggravated burglary and criminal damage, 16 of whom also face a charge of violent disorder. Nine have pleaded not guilty, while others have not yet entered a plea. During the Bristol attack, one person was accused of assaulting police officers with a sledgehammer, and has pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

    The group’s recent spray-painting of two military jets at RAF Brize Norton – reportedly causing millions of pounds in damage, combined with the military nature of the target – seems to have been the breaking point for the home secretary.

    The question is whether all this makes the group a terrorist organisation.

    The terrorist list criteria

    The UK’s list of proscribed groups currently contains 81 organisations, from radical Islamists such as al-Qaida to neo-Nazis such as the Base.

    The legislation behind the list, the Terrorism Act 2000, imposes serious punishments for proscribed organisations’ members or supporters, from a fine to a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Even wearing clothing or publishing an image supporting a proscribed group can be punished by up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000.

    For a group to be proscribed, it needs to be determined by the secretary of state to be “concerned in terrorism”, basically meaning committing or planning terrorist acts. The definition of terrorism is long and legalistic, but is, essentially, the politically-motivated use or threat of actions to intimidate the government or public through violence or destruction, including “serious damage to property”.

    This latter justification, serious property damage, has been invoked by the home secretary in discussing Palestine Action’s planned proscription. So, technically, Palestine Action appears to meet the criteria.

    But there are a variety of groups carrying out serious property damage that have not (yet) been proscribed under anti-terrorism law. Following the same logic, the government could theoretically proscribe Extinction Rebellion and other groups that might not be widely thought of as terrorist organisations.

    Whether it makes sense to proscribe the group, however, is a matter of debate. Proscribing Palestine Action on the basis of its alleged property damage would set a precedent in legally declaring that this type of direct action – vandalism – is considered significant enough to invoke the Terrorism Act in this way.

    Palestine Action is different in an important way from currently proscribed terrorist organisations.

    In Palestine Action’s five years of attacks, it has never killed anyone, or apparently attempted to do so. There have, though, been several injuries allegedly associated with the group. Two people were charged with assaulting an emergency worker at a protest – after the intention to proscribe the group was announced. At some of the group’s actions, members have been charged with assaulting security guards.

    In her statement to parliament, Cooper cited the group’s “impact on innocent members of the public fleeing for safety and subjected to violence”. But the primary focus of the government’s intention to proscribe the group seems to be around serious damage to property, particularly related to national security.

    Many currently proscribed groups have killed thousands of people, from al-Qaida on September 11 or 7/7 to groups like Hamas or Hezbollah attacking Israelis or Boko Haram’s killing sprees in Nigeria.

    There are some less violent proscribed groups. For example, UK-based Islamist group al-Ghurabaa (and the related Saved Sect, also known as al-Muhajiroun) have not been clearly linked to actual violence, although the group is accused of glorifying violence, for example celebrating the 9/11 attacks. It has also apparently inspired terrorist attacks.

    The government’s choice to start using serious property damage as sufficient criteria for terrorist designation would be a substantial change in how anti-terrorism law is applied.

    What happens next?

    If Palestine Action were to be proscribed, the consequences could be substantial.

    Since any support of the group would be a crime, a protest in support of the group – like the one that happened June 23 – could lead to thousands of arrests. If supporters failed to turn out, and the members stopped participating out of fear, it could lead to the end of the group.

    Or the group might shift to strictly legal or less damaging direct actions, like permitted marches or blockades. This would be a clear victory for the government.

    An ultimate goal of proscription is to keep dissident groups protesting legally. It sometimes works. Al-Muhajiroun and other local groups seemingly often tried to walk the fine line of being as extreme as possible, while staying “just within the law”.

    It is also possible that current Palestine Action members form renamed groups and carry on with criminal direct actions. Fragmenting and renaming groups is a common response to proscription, as we have seen with al-Ghurabaa, and with armed groups abroad like Lashkar-e-Taiba, as my own research with my colleague Muhammad Feyyaz has shown.

    This results in counter-terrorism officials playing Whac-A-Mole, frequently updating legislation with aliases and chasing many smaller groups or a broader movement instead of one organisation.

    Overall, the government might be legally justified to proscribe Palestine Action. What parliament must decide, however, is if the group poses enough of a threat to warrant this change to precedent. And officials should think about whether the action is likely to bring about the desired consequences, or if it could radicalise supporters into more violent action.

    Brian J. Phillips works on a research project that receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    – ref. Palestine Action: what it means to proscribe a group, and what the effects could be – https://theconversation.com/palestine-action-what-it-means-to-proscribe-a-group-and-what-the-effects-could-be-259619

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Labour’s disability cuts rebellion: a former government whip asks, how did Keir Starmer not see this coming?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tony McNulty, Lecturer/Teaching Fellow, British Politics and Public Policy, Queen Mary University of London

    Under pressure. Flickr/UK Parliament, CC BY-NC-ND

    The government has promised to make major concessions to its universal credit and personal independence payment bill after a large-scale and very public rebellion by Labour MPs threatened to derail a vote due on July 1.

    The Commons order paper published on June 26 revealed that 126 Labour MPs had signed an amendment opposing a second reading for the bill, which proposes restricting disability benefits to levels they find unacceptable. Cleverly, the amendment stated that they accept “the need for the reform of the social security system” but they then listed a plethora of reasons as to why they declined to give the bill a second reading when it is due for a vote on July 1.

    Many of these reasons related to the government’s own assessment of the impact of the bill. It openly admits, for example, that an estimated 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, would be pushed into poverty by the changes being made to the social security system.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    Faced with the possibility of losing a vote to his own MP in the week marking the first anniversary of his arrival in Downing Street, prime minister Keir Starmer is promising to make concessions. These reportedly include exempting people currently receiving disability benefits from the changes.

    But whether or not this is enough to stop the rebellion, significant damage has been done. Securing the second reading on half-promised and lukewarm concessions that cannot be sustained simply stores up future strife.

    Collision course

    How did the government reach a position where it was at risk of losing a vote on one of its key bills in the week in which it celebrates a year in office? Why has it been pushing a bill so obviously lacking in support among its own MPs? Why has no-one rolled with the political pitch and controlled the narrative?

    This is not a muscle flexing exercise of the kind seen in December 1997, when Labour sought to show how tough it could be by cutting benefits for lone parents. It is not a macho attempt to see off a resurgent left flank, because effectively there isn’t one. The troublesome hard left is now tiny. Nor is it a putative rebellion that can be dismissed as dominated by the usual suspects. It is a rebellion of the mainstream core of the backbench parliamentary Labour party (PLP). Among the 126 MPs openly speaking out against the bill, 11 are Labour select committee chairs and 62 of them were only elected last year. In short, these are not the usual suspects. Their complaints cannot be readily dismissed.

    There were allegedly noises off from some whips suggesting this might be a confidence issue – implying that the government could be in trouble so pressure is being piled on rebels to withdraw or risk bringing down the government. I was a government whip from 1999 to 2002, and I can attest that no whip should be running around declaring this a potential “confidence vote”. And no MP should believe that it is. It is not. Were there to be any truth in these rumours then it indicates a whips’ office either vastly inexperienced, overconfident and arrogant, or simply grossly incompetent and panicked. Both the chief whip and the No.10 political operation will come under intense scrutiny whatever happens now. How did they not see this coming?

    The truth is that the only serious option at this point should be to bury the bill. It should be pulled before the vote and resurrected in the context of developing an anti-poverty strategy, including a child poverty alleviation plan. It might be that a sufficient number of “rebel signatories” are persuaded to let the second reading happen with a promise of further changes building on the concessions already announced, but this does not mean a safe passage later in the process. Many of the signatories will have already been disheartened and worried by the scrapping of the winter fuel allowance and the continuation of two-child benefit limit. They may have acquiesced on the latter and pocketed the change in policy on the former, but their disquiet and anger has not gone away.

    The government should never have been in a position of seriously considering pushing the bill through hoping it will secure Conservative support for its second reading. To do so would seriously threaten if not Starmer’s position, then certainly the position of the work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall – and even perhaps that of the chancellor, Rachel Reeves. All three will still emerge from this week damaged in some fashion.

    Rebellions such as this can take on a dynamic and life of their own and are likely to grow rather than diminish. Some 106 Labour MPs signed the amendment initially – only to be joined by more in short order. Backbenchers will have been worried about being asked “what did you do in the war?” by their grassroots members had they not enlisted their support.

    There is also a danger that once blooded by rebellion, some of the 120 plus MPs will get a taste for it – and that spells a real danger for the government, even one with a majority of 165.

    Either way, the government, which was relying on the bill to make £5bn worth of savings that would supposedly obviate the need for tax rises in the autumn, is going to have to somehow salvage both its economic and its political strategy in the wake of this crisis – and start to take its backbenchers more seriously.

    It’s not how anyone would have wanted to mark a year in office. Happy birthday, one and all.

    This article includes links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

    Tony McNulty is member of the Labour Party

    – ref. Labour’s disability cuts rebellion: a former government whip asks, how did Keir Starmer not see this coming? – https://theconversation.com/labours-disability-cuts-rebellion-a-former-government-whip-asks-how-did-keir-starmer-not-see-this-coming-259856

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Labour’s disability cuts rebellion: a former government whip asks, how did Keir Starmer not see this coming?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tony McNulty, Lecturer/Teaching Fellow, British Politics and Public Policy, Queen Mary University of London

    Under pressure. Flickr/UK Parliament, CC BY-NC-ND

    The government has promised to make major concessions to its universal credit and personal independence payment bill after a large-scale and very public rebellion by Labour MPs threatened to derail a vote due on July 1.

    The Commons order paper published on June 26 revealed that 126 Labour MPs had signed an amendment opposing a second reading for the bill, which proposes restricting disability benefits to levels they find unacceptable. Cleverly, the amendment stated that they accept “the need for the reform of the social security system” but they then listed a plethora of reasons as to why they declined to give the bill a second reading when it is due for a vote on July 1.

    Many of these reasons related to the government’s own assessment of the impact of the bill. It openly admits, for example, that an estimated 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, would be pushed into poverty by the changes being made to the social security system.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    Faced with the possibility of losing a vote to his own MP in the week marking the first anniversary of his arrival in Downing Street, prime minister Keir Starmer is promising to make concessions. These reportedly include exempting people currently receiving disability benefits from the changes.

    But whether or not this is enough to stop the rebellion, significant damage has been done. Securing the second reading on half-promised and lukewarm concessions that cannot be sustained simply stores up future strife.

    Collision course

    How did the government reach a position where it was at risk of losing a vote on one of its key bills in the week in which it celebrates a year in office? Why has it been pushing a bill so obviously lacking in support among its own MPs? Why has no-one rolled with the political pitch and controlled the narrative?

    This is not a muscle flexing exercise of the kind seen in December 1997, when Labour sought to show how tough it could be by cutting benefits for lone parents. It is not a macho attempt to see off a resurgent left flank, because effectively there isn’t one. The troublesome hard left is now tiny. Nor is it a putative rebellion that can be dismissed as dominated by the usual suspects. It is a rebellion of the mainstream core of the backbench parliamentary Labour party (PLP). Among the 126 MPs openly speaking out against the bill, 11 are Labour select committee chairs and 62 of them were only elected last year. In short, these are not the usual suspects. Their complaints cannot be readily dismissed.

    There were allegedly noises off from some whips suggesting this might be a confidence issue – implying that the government could be in trouble so pressure is being piled on rebels to withdraw or risk bringing down the government. I was a government whip from 1999 to 2002, and I can attest that no whip should be running around declaring this a potential “confidence vote”. And no MP should believe that it is. It is not. Were there to be any truth in these rumours then it indicates a whips’ office either vastly inexperienced, overconfident and arrogant, or simply grossly incompetent and panicked. Both the chief whip and the No.10 political operation will come under intense scrutiny whatever happens now. How did they not see this coming?

    The truth is that the only serious option at this point should be to bury the bill. It should be pulled before the vote and resurrected in the context of developing an anti-poverty strategy, including a child poverty alleviation plan. It might be that a sufficient number of “rebel signatories” are persuaded to let the second reading happen with a promise of further changes building on the concessions already announced, but this does not mean a safe passage later in the process. Many of the signatories will have already been disheartened and worried by the scrapping of the winter fuel allowance and the continuation of two-child benefit limit. They may have acquiesced on the latter and pocketed the change in policy on the former, but their disquiet and anger has not gone away.

    The government should never have been in a position of seriously considering pushing the bill through hoping it will secure Conservative support for its second reading. To do so would seriously threaten if not Starmer’s position, then certainly the position of the work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall – and even perhaps that of the chancellor, Rachel Reeves. All three will still emerge from this week damaged in some fashion.

    Rebellions such as this can take on a dynamic and life of their own and are likely to grow rather than diminish. Some 106 Labour MPs signed the amendment initially – only to be joined by more in short order. Backbenchers will have been worried about being asked “what did you do in the war?” by their grassroots members had they not enlisted their support.

    There is also a danger that once blooded by rebellion, some of the 120 plus MPs will get a taste for it – and that spells a real danger for the government, even one with a majority of 165.

    Either way, the government, which was relying on the bill to make £5bn worth of savings that would supposedly obviate the need for tax rises in the autumn, is going to have to somehow salvage both its economic and its political strategy in the wake of this crisis – and start to take its backbenchers more seriously.

    It’s not how anyone would have wanted to mark a year in office. Happy birthday, one and all.

    This article includes links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

    Tony McNulty is member of the Labour Party

    – ref. Labour’s disability cuts rebellion: a former government whip asks, how did Keir Starmer not see this coming? – https://theconversation.com/labours-disability-cuts-rebellion-a-former-government-whip-asks-how-did-keir-starmer-not-see-this-coming-259856

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Chaotic new aid system means getting food in Gaza has become a matter of life – and often death

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Leonie Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, City St George’s, University of London

    With all eyes on the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which came into effect 12 days after Israel launched a major attack on Iran’s nuclear and military structure, attention towards Gaza has waned. This is at a time when attempting to gain access to food under a new model of aid distribution has been described by the United Nations as a “death trap”.

    According to the UN World Food Programme, more than 470,000 people are facing “catastrophic” hunger and the entire population is experiencing “acute” food insecurity. This was exacerbated when Israel imposed a blockade on the Strip in mid-March 2025, preventing the entry of food, medication and other aid for a period of 70 days.

    Following international pressure, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, ordered the resumption of humanitarian aid through a new model of distribution, which bypasses the existing UN and NGO channels. It was devised by Israel and handed to a United States-backed organisation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to operate.

    According to Netanyahu, taking control of aid delivery would prevent Hamas from seizing and selling supplies. Two of his cabinet ministers, far-right politicians Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, objected to any aid entering Gaza, due to the risk of it serving to bolster Hamas.

    A video was circulated on social media on June 26 allegedly showing armed men from Hamas commandeering aid trucks in northern Gaza. Smotrich threatened to leave the coalition if supplies continued to reach the hands of Hamas. In response, Netanyahu has since halted the entry of humanitarian aid into the north of Gaza.

    GHF was ostensibly established to improve the distribution of aid in Gaza. But the UN swiftly condemned its new distribution model as “inadequate, dangerous and a violation of impartiality rules”.

    Reports from one distribution site on its first day of operation on May 27 showed scenes of chaos and confusion. The site outside Rafah was described as overwhelmed with hundreds of people rushing towards the aid boxes. The New York Times reported that Israel Defense Force (IDF) personnel fired several warning shots, which sent the crowed running away in panic.

    In the past two months, there have been continued reports of violence and chaos at the distribution sites, with deadly incidents a near daily occurrence. On the day the ceasefire between Iran and Israel was confirmed (June 24) at least 46 Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza were shot by Israeli forces in two separate incidents, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. Over 400 Palestinians have been killed around the four aid distribution centres since they began operating.

    Inbuilt chaos and lethal violence

    Arguably, this chaos and violence is inbuilt in the new aid delivery system. Even before it began operations, the GHF received widespread criticism.



    Read more:
    Lethal humanitarianism: why violence at Gaza aid centres should not come as a surprise

    A letter signed by leading aid and human rights organisations criticised the GHF for not meeting the four universally recognised principles for humanitarian action: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

    Critics say that the GHF system effectively militarises aid distribution. GHF’s leadership is made up of retired military officers and private security contractors, with some humanitarian aid officials. It coordinates with a private US security company on the ground in Gaza. Meanwhile the IDF patrols the perimeters at what it calls “secure distribution sites”.

    Critics argued that the proposed model would be insufficient. The plan called for only four aid distribution centres to be established in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, compared with about 400 UN-led sites in operation across Gaza prior to October 7 2023.

    The reduced number and location of the aid sites can be understood as a mechanism of forced displacement. It appears to be consistent with Netanyahu’s plan to relocate Palestinians to a “sterile zone” in Gaza’s far south. UN officials argued that the requirement for civilians to travel long distances and to cross Israeli military lines and combat zones to collect aid from the sites would “put civilian lives in danger and cause mass displacement while using aid as ‘bait’”. Forced displacement is illegal under international law.

    Countering the criticisms

    The GHF rejected claims that the IDF have attacked Palestinians at the aid sites. Reports from Israeli news outlets have also countered the widespread media claims.

    Israel Hayom, a free Israeli Hebrew-language daily newspaper criticised “inflammatory” reports that the IDF had opened fire on Palestinians lining up for food. The right-leaning news outlet, argued that it was Hamas which had shot at Gazan civilians.

    The broadcaster 7 Israel National News reported that Hamas killed eight aid workers from the GHF in early June. A more positive spin from the same news outlet highlighted that improvements that have been made to security at the centres and that enough supplies for 1.4 million meals had been distributed in a single day on June 5.

    Despite these claims from within Israel, evidence presented by the UN has suggested that the aid mechanisms are not only failing to meet the humanitarian needs in Gaza, but are making “a desperate situation worse”.

    Following two months in operation, 15 human rights and legal organisations have called for the GHF to be suspended. They argue that “this new model of privatised, militarised aid distribution constitutes a radical and dangerous shift away from established international humanitarian relief operations”.

    As a consequence of both the controversial establishment of the GHF and its failures on the ground, they believe that its operations may amount to grave violations of international humanitarian, human rights and criminal law.

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

    – ref. Chaotic new aid system means getting food in Gaza has become a matter of life – and often death – https://theconversation.com/chaotic-new-aid-system-means-getting-food-in-gaza-has-become-a-matter-of-life-and-often-death-259815

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The UK’s plan to genetically test all newborns sounds smart — until it creates patients who aren’t sick

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Luca Stroppa, Postdoctoral Fellow on the project “Early Diagnosis – Handling Knowing”, University of St Andrews

    The current heel-prick test checks for nine rare genetic conditions, antibydni/Shutterstock

    By 2030, every baby born in the UK could have their entire genome sequenced under a new NHS initiative to “predict and prevent illness”. This would dramatically expand the current heel-prick test, which checks for nine rare genetic conditions, into a far more extensive screen of hundreds of potential risks.

    On the surface, the idea sounds like an obvious win for public health: spot problems early, intervene sooner and save lives. But genetic testing on this scale carries real risks, especially if the results are misunderstood or poorly communicated.

    The new plan builds on a recent NHS pilot study that sequenced the genomes of 100,000 newborns in England to identify more than 200 genetic conditions. However, these tests don’t provide clear cut answers. They don’t offer a diagnosis or certainty, just an estimate of risk.

    A genetic result might suggest a child has a higher (or lower) probability of developing a certain disease later in life. But risk is not prediction. If parents, or even clinicians, misinterpret that nuance, the consequences could be serious.

    Some families may come to see a child flagged as “at risk” as a patient-in-waiting. In extreme cases, they may treat a probability as a certainty; assuming, for instance, that a child “has the gene” and will inevitably become ill. That assumption could reshape how children are raised, how they’re treated and how they could see themselves.

    Alarming language

    This isn’t speculation. Research shows that while some people understand risk scores accurately, many struggle with statistical information. Words like “high risk” or “likely” are interpreted differently by different people and often more seriously than intended. Even trained doctors can overestimate what a positive test result means. When it comes to genomics, the line between “you might get sick” and “you will get sick” can blur quickly.

    UK policymakers haven’t helped this confusion. Government messaging refers to “diagnosis before symptoms even occur” and “leapfrogging disease.” But this language overpromises what genomic data can do and downplays its uncertainty.

    When testing is indiscriminate and communication unclear, the fallout can be wide ranging. Children identified as “high risk” may undergo years of monitoring, unnecessary medical appointments, or even treatment for diseases they never develop. In some cases, this leads to physical harms, from unnecessary medications to procedures with side effects. In others, the damage is psychological: shaping a child’s identity around an anticipated future of illness. These psychological effects can be lasting. Being told you’re likely to develop a condition like dementia may influence how a person plans their life, even if that illness never materialises.

    False positives

    There are also broader issues with applying this kind of screening to everyone. Risk based testing works best when it’s targeted; for example, among those with symptoms or a strong family history. But in the general population, where most people are healthy, false positives can far outnumber accurate results. Even well designed tests can produce misleading outcomes when applied at scale.

    This is a well-known statistical effect, discussed during the COVID pandemic. In populations where a disease is rare, even highly accurate tests produce more false positives than true ones. If DNA screening is rolled out universally, many families will be told their child is at risk when they are not. These false positives can lead to a cascade of further tests, stress and unnecessary clinical interventions; all of which consume time and resources and may cause real harm.

    This issue already affects adult testing. For example, Alzheimer’s tests that measure early changes in the brain work well in memory clinics, where patients already show symptoms. But when these same tests are used on the general population, where most people are healthy, they produce false positives in up to two-thirds of cases. If genetic screening in newborns is rolled out in the same way, it could lead to similar problems: mislabelling healthy children as sick, and causing unnecessary worry and follow-up tests.

    So what’s the solution? It’s not to abandon genetic testing altogether – far from it. When used carefully, genomic data can offer real benefits, particularly for patients with symptoms or in research settings. But if we’re going to roll this out to every newborn, the surrounding infrastructure needs to be robust.

    That includes:

    • Clear, consistent communication: Risk scores must be explained in ways that emphasise uncertainty, not oversold as definitive predictions.

    • Support for parents: For consent to be truly informed, parents need help understanding that a genetic flag is not a diagnosis – and that many people with elevated risk never go on to develop the condition.

    • Training for clinicians: Many doctors still lack the tools to interpret and explain genetic information accurately and responsibly.

    • A national network of genetic counsellors Genetic counsellors are essential for supporting families through testing and interpretation. But current numbers in the UK fall far short of what universal newborn screening would require.

    Genomic data holds great promise. But using it as a blanket tool for all newborns demands caution, clarity, and investment in communication and care. Without these safeguards, we risk turning healthy babies into patients-in-waiting.

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

    – ref. The UK’s plan to genetically test all newborns sounds smart — until it creates patients who aren’t sick – https://theconversation.com/the-uks-plan-to-genetically-test-all-newborns-sounds-smart-until-it-creates-patients-who-arent-sick-259816

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 1st quarter 2025

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Real gross domestic product decreased in 39 states in the first quarter of 2025, with the percent change ranging from 1.7 percent at an annual rate in South Carolina to –6.1 percent in Iowa and Nebraska, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (table 1).

    Current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 47 states and the District of Columbia, with the percent change ranging from 8.7 percent at an annual rate in North Dakota to –2.7 percent in Iowa.

    Personal income, in current dollars, increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2025, with the percent change ranging from 12.7 percent at an annual rate in North Dakota to 3.2 percent in Washington state (table 3).

    Real GDP

    In the first quarter of 2025, real GDP for the nation decreased at an annual rate of 0.5 percent. Real GDP decreased in 16 of the 23 industry groups for which BEA prepares quarterly state estimates. Finance and insurance; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; and wholesale trade were the leading contributors to the decrease in real GDP nationally (table 2).

    • Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, which decreased in 39 states, was the leading contributor to the decreases in 11 states, including Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, and Kansas.
    • Mining, which decreased in 43 states, was the leading contributor to the decreases in eight states, including Wyoming, the state with the fifth-largest decline in real GDP.
    • Finance and insurance, which decreased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, was the leading contributor to decreases in 18 states.
    • Real estate and rental and leasing, which increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, was the leading contributor to growth in South Carolina, the state with the largest increase in real GDP.

    Personal income

    In the first quarter of 2025, current-dollar personal income increased $407.3 billion, or 6.7 percent at an annual rate (table 3). Nationally, increases in earnings, transfer receipts, and property income (dividends, interest, and rent) contributed to the increase in personal income (chart 1).

    Earnings increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while growing 5.0 percent nationally (table 4). The percent change in earnings ranged from 13.5 percent in North Dakota to 0.1 percent in Washington state. Earnings increased in 22 of the 24 industries for which BEA prepares quarterly state estimates and was the largest contributor to growth in personal income in 28 states (table 5).

    • Farm earnings was the leading contributor to increases in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Mississippi, the states with the three largest increases in personal income, due in part to government payments from the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program.
    • In South Carolina, the state with the fourth-largest increase in personal income, construction was the leading contributor to the increase in earnings.
    • In Oklahoma, the state with the fifth-largest increase in personal income, mining was the leading contributor to the increase in earnings.

    Transfer receipts increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while growing 13.6 percent nationally. The percent change in transfer receipts ranged from 21.2 percent in Nevada to 9.1 percent in Florida (table 4). The increase in transfer receipts was due in part to an increase in Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and an annual cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits.

    Property income increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while growing 5.6 percent nationally. The percent change ranged from 7.8 percent in Idaho to 3.8 percent in Alaska (table 4).

    Update of state statistics

    Today, BEA also released revised quarterly estimates of personal income by state for the first through fourth quarters of 2024. This update incorporates new and revised source data that are more complete and more detailed than previously available and aligns the states with the national estimates from the National Income and Product Accounts released on June 26, 2025.

    New combined state news release

    On September 26, 2025, BEA will publish quarterly GDP and personal income by state along with annual personal consumption expenditures by state in a single news release. This combined release will provide a fuller picture of the economies of all states and the District of Columbia and will replace the publication of two separate releases issued on different days. BEA will release revised annual state GDP and personal income estimates for 2020 to 2024, along with revised quarterly estimates for the first quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2025 and preliminary estimates for the second quarter of 2025. An upcoming article in the Survey of Current Business will describe the results.

    Upcoming changes in the presentation of tables

    BEA’s ongoing modernization and streamlining of news release packages will include changes in the presentation of tables starting with the September 26, 2025 release of GDP, personal income, and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) by state.

    Data previously published as tables within the quarterly and annual news releases on GDP, personal income, and PCE by state will continue to be updated and available simultaneously with the release in BEA’s online Interactive Data Tables. However, tables will no longer be included in the body of the news release. This will reduce duplication, increase efficiency, and point data users directly to our most complete and flexible data tables, via links in the release. These customizable tables include full time series and can be downloaded as PDFs, in Excel, or in CSV format.

    For definitions, statistical conventions, BEA regions, uses of these statistics, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: September 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EDT
    Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 2nd Quarter 2025 and Personal Consumption Expenditures by State, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Powering Women’s Economic Transformation in Tanzania

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    In Kigoma, Tanzania, where over 80 per cent of livelihoods rely on small-scale farming, fishing, and informal trade, women constitute the majority of the agricultural workforce and are the backbone of the region’s economy.

    However, in an increasingly digital economy, limited digital literacy remains a major barrier to unlocking women’s full economic potential, with many women in the region lacking the necessary skills to use mobile platforms, digital financial services, or online marketplaces, impeding the growth and formalization of women-led businesses.

    Amid these challenges, women like Chichi Ramadhani Kamandwa are increasingly harnessing digital tools to grow their businesses. A 39-year-old mother of three and a determined entrepreneur living in Kigoma town, Kamandwa runs a small-scale agro-processing business specializing in the milling and packaging of maize, cassava, and nutrient-rich flours.

    In 2024, she participated in a Digital Literacy and Branding workshop organized by UN Women to equip women entrepreneurs in the region with practical skills to expand their businesses and access wider markets through digital platforms. The initiative formed part of the second phase of the UN Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP II) – a collaborative effort of 17 UN agencies working with local authorities and communities to advance development and human security in Kigoma – and engaged beneficiaries of UN Women’s “Binti Dijitali” African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), who facilitated sessions with hands-on technical expertise and peer-led guidance.

    “Before the training, I only used my phone for calls and taking pictures. I didn’t know it could be a marketing tool for my business, helping me showcase my products online, reach more customers, and improve my record-keeping,” said Kamandwa.

    With the skills she has acquired, Chichi is now transforming her business.

    “I learned how to create product labels, list ingredients and registration numbers to build customer trust, and package my products attractively,” said Kamandwa, adding that the most beneficial change she made was improving my packaging.

    “I realized how much the look of a product matters. After updating my logo and labels and switching to better-quality packaging, my sales increased significantly, because customers had more confidence in my brand,” she explains.

    Kamandwa also began using accessible platforms such as WhatsApp to reach new customers, advertise her products, and receive orders.

    In Kigoma, many women entrepreneurs navigate complex social and economic realities. Alongside their business efforts, they often carry the primary responsibility for household care and income generation, frequently without consistent support from partners.

    “Once a woman begins to earn, she is often left to shoulder everything alone,” Kamadwa explains. “Some men leave for work in other towns, return only briefly, and then leave again, while the woman is left behind to care for the children, run the household, and manage her business on her own.”

    Additionally, limited access to financial services or reliable support systems leaves women vulnerable to unfair treatment or exploitative arrangements, particularly when trying to access markets or services.

    “When you lack information or tools, people take advantage of you,” says Kamandwa.

    Through strategic partnerships with local government authorities, trade officers, mobile service providers, and private sector actors, UN Women, under KJP II, is working to create an inclusive and enabling business environment for women and youth.

    “Initiatives such as the digital literacy workshop aim to strengthen the capacity of women-led enterprises to adopt innovative, market-driven practices, build resilience, and transition into formal markets for sustainable growth,” says Ms. Lilian Mwamdanga, UN Women Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment.

    According to Kamandwa, the benefits of workshops like these extend well beyond the knowledge they gain. They create opportunities for women to connect with peers, share experiences, and establish lasting support networks. “We have even formed small groups to support and uplift one another,” she shares.

    “I have also started teaching other women how to use their phones for business. It might seem like a small thing, but it can really transform how we work and sell.”

    The use of digital platforms has also empowered women like Kamandwa to manage their sales independently, reducing reliance on informal and often unreliable intermediaries. With increased visibility and growing sales, Kamandwa has expanded her inventory and begun selling her products in bulk.

    She also hopes to continue mentoring others and to start providing training for young women interested in business, so they too can build a future of their own.

    “If I can do this, I believe other women can too. We just need the right support and a chance to grow,” she says.

    – on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Survey shows support for electoral reform now at 60% – so could it happen?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alan Renwick, Professor of Democratic Politics, UCL

    Public support for reforming the UK’s first past the post electoral system has risen markedly of late. So is there any serious chance that such reform could actually happen?

    The annual British Social Attitudes survey (BSA) has been tracking public attitudes to electoral reform (and other issues) since 1983. It found consistent majorities for the status quo up to 2017, but charts a dramatic shift since then. In the latest BSA, support for reform has risen to 60%, with just 36% backing the current arrangements.

    It’s true that these views are unlikely to be deeply held: most people rarely think about electoral systems. But they do reflect a profound disillusionment with the way the political system is working.

    Significant electoral reforms are very rare outside times of regime change. When I wrote a book on the subject in 2010, there had been just six major reforms (from one system type to another) in national parliaments in established democracies since the second world war. That number has increased a little since then, but only because Italy has got into a pattern of endless tinkering. The basic pattern is one of stability.

    The main reason for that is obvious: those who gain power through the existing system rarely want to change it.

    Yet the cases where reform has happened reveal two basic routes through which such change can take place.

    First, those in power can conclude that a different system would better serve their interests. In 1985, for example, France’s president François Mitterrand replaced the system for electing the National Assembly because he feared heavy losses for his Socialist party in the looming elections.

    Second, leaders can cave into public demands for reform because they fear that failing to do so will add to their unpopularity. This requires a scandal that affects people in their daily lives, and campaigners who successfully pin blame for that scandal on the voting system. It typically also needs at least a few reform advocates within government.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

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    These conditions characterised three major reforms in the 1990s, in Italy, Japan, and New Zealand. In the first two cases, rampant corruption fed economic woes and was attributed to the voting system. In New Zealand, first past the post enabled extreme concentration of power, which allowed successive governments to unleash radical, and widely disliked, economic restructuring.

    Prospects for reform in the UK

    If Labour continues to lag in the polls and votes remain fragmented across multiple parties, we might imagine reform by the first route in the UK. Ministers could calculate that a more proportional system would cut Labour’s losses, clip Nigel Farage’s wings, and reduce uncertainty.

    Yet majority parties facing heavy defeat almost never change the system in this way. Mitterrand’s reform of 1985 was a rare exception. Such parties always hope things will turn around. They don’t want to look like they have given up. And they are used to playing a game of alternation in power: they want to hold all the levers some of the time, and will tolerate years in the wilderness to get that.

    Reform by the second route is equally improbable. Notwithstanding great public dissatisfaction with the state of politics in the UK, there is little narrative that the electoral system is the source of the problem.

    But, depending on the results, the chances of reform could grow after the next general election.

    Change by the first route is most likely if no party comes close to a majority and a coalition is formed from multiple fragments. Those parties might all see reform as in their interests. Perhaps more likely, the smaller parties in such a coalition might push their larger partner into conceding a referendum – much as the Liberal Democrats did with the Conservatives in 2010. If support for the two big parties is disintegrating, referendum voters might opt for change – though that is not guaranteed.

    As for the second route, a majority victory for Reform UK that was generated by first past the post from a small vote share could – given the party’s marmite quality – trigger widespread public rejection of the voting system. A clear path to change might open up if Reform then lost a subsequent election, particularly if it lost to a coalition of parties, some of which backed reform already.

    In short, the shifting sands of politics are making electoral reform more likely. But almost certainly not before the 2030s. And much will depend on how the party system evolves in the years to come.

    This article includes links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

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

    – ref. Survey shows support for electoral reform now at 60% – so could it happen? – https://theconversation.com/survey-shows-support-for-electoral-reform-now-at-60-so-could-it-happen-259851

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Do the US public support Trump bombing Iran? Here’s what the data shows

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex

    Political scientists first identified a phenomenon known as the “rally round the flag” effect in the 1970s . This refers to the tendency for the US public to increase their support for a president when the county becomes involved in conflicts abroad. After the massive air strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, the question is whether the US bombing missions will boost support for Donald Trump.

    An Economist/YouGov poll conducted between June 19 and June 23 suggests that it is unlikely that the Trump administration will experience a “rally round the flag” event after the US air strikes on June 22.

    The survey asked: “Do you think the U.S. military should or should not bomb Iranian nuclear facilities?” Some of those surveyed would have answered before the raids took place, while others were responding afterwards.

    Donald Trump makes a public announcement of the US air strikes on Iran.

    Altogether around 29% supported the bombing, with 46% opposed and 25% not sure. The chart identifies big differences between groups in their opinions about the raid though. There’s a considerable gender divide. with 38% of men supporting the action (44% opposed), but only 21% of women in favour (48% opposed).

    In relation to ethnicity, 34% of white people supported it and 42% opposed the raid. In contrast black people were much more likely to oppose (66%), with just 7% supportive. Among Hispanics 26% supported and 43% opposed the bombing.

    There was also a wide divide in opinions among age groups, with only 15% of those aged between 18 to 29 supporting the air strikes and 59% opposing them. This was the highest level of opposition from any age group. This chimes with a general lack of support for Trump from this generation, with a massive 70% saying, in the same poll, that the country was heading in the wrong direction.

    In contrast, those over the age of 65 were more in favour, with 42% supporting the military action and 37% opposing. This was the only age group in which supporters outnumbered opponents.



    Read more:
    Will Trump’s high-risk Iran strategy pay dividends at home if the peace deal holds?

    The group most opposed to the bombings were those with annual incomes over US$100,000 (£72,813), with 53% opposing and only 25% supporting. The lowest income group (those earning less than US$50,000) and middle income group (earning more than US$50,000 and less than US$100,000) had very similar views, with 30% and 31% supporting the attack respectively, and 45% and 46% opposing it.

    Should the US military bomb Iranian nuclear facilities?


    Author’s graph based on Economist/YouGov data, CC BY-ND

    Perhaps the most interesting statistic is what those who voted for Trump in the presidential election last year thought about the president’s decision to attack Iran. Around half, 51%, of them supported the bombing, with 24% opposed. In the case of Harris voters only 10% supported the action while 70% opposed it.

    We can get some idea of what prompts these responses by probing into the overall confidence the American people currently have in the Trump administration. There has been a gradual decline in the president’s job approval ratings, currently about 40% approve and 54% disapprove of his performance in the job. This compares with 43% approving and 51% disapproving in the Economist/YouGov survey published a month ago on May 19. Back on March 20, 48% of Americans approved of his job performance, while 49% disapproved.

    When asked if they have a favourable or unfavourable view of Trump, 41% say the former and 54% the latter. This has also become slightly more negative since the Economist’s survey in May, when 44% felt favourably and 53% unfavourably.

    Worries about a world war

    It appears than many Americans are becoming afraid for the future of their country’s role in a war. Respondents were asked if they thought there was a greater or lesser chance of a world war compared with five years ago. Around 58% thought the chances were greater, compared with only 11% who thought they were lower.

    A similar question asked if they thought the chances of a nuclear war were greater or lesser than five years ago. This produced a rather similar set of responses. No less than 52% thought there was a greater chance with only 12% thinking that the chances were lower.

    The final and in many ways the most striking responses of all related to the question: Do you think that things in this country today are under control or out of control? A surprising 65% thought they were out of control and only 21% thought the opposite. This suggests that Trump’s erratic behaviour has started to spook Americans on a large scale, since they do not know, in line with national leaders around the world, what he will do next.

    Paul Whiteley has received funding from the British Academy and the ESRC

    – ref. Do the US public support Trump bombing Iran? Here’s what the data shows – https://theconversation.com/do-the-us-public-support-trump-bombing-iran-heres-what-the-data-shows-259841

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How strawberries and cream were a rare and exciting treat for Victorians – and then became a Wimbledon icon

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rebecca Earle, Professor of History, University of Warwick

    Strawberries and Cream by Raphaelle Peale (1816). National Gallery of Art

    Wimbledon is all about strawberries and cream (and of course tennis). The club itself describes strawberries and cream as “a true icon of The Championships”.

    While a meal at one of the club’s restaurants can set you back £130 or more, a bowl of the iconic dish is a modest £2.70 (up from £2.50 in 2024 – the first price rise in 15 years). In 2024 visitors munched their way through nearly 2 million berries.

    Strawberries and cream has a long association with Wimbledon. Even before lawn tennis was added to its activities, the All England Croquet Club (now the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club) was serving strawberries and cream to visitors. They would have expected no less. Across Victorian Britain, strawberries and cream was a staple of garden parties of all sorts. Private affairs, political fundraisers and county cricket matches all typically served the dish.

    Alongside string bands and games of lawn tennis, strawberries and cream were among the pleasures that Victorians expected to encounter at a fête or garden party. As a result, one statistician wrote in the Dundee Evening Telegraph in 1889, Londoners alone consumed 12 million berries a day over the summer. At that rate, he explained, if strawberries were available year-round, Britons would spend 24 times more on strawberries than on missionary work, and twice as much as on education.

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    But of course strawberries and cream were not available year-round. They were a delightful treat of the summer and the delicate berries did not last. Victorian newspapers, such as the Illustrated London News, complained that even the fruits on sale in London were a sad, squashed travesty of those eaten in the countryside, to say nothing of London’s cream, which might have been watered down.

    Wimbledon’s lawn tennis championships were held in late June or early July – in the midst, in other words, of strawberry season.

    Eating strawberries and cream had long been a distinctly seasonal pleasure. Seventeenth-century menu plans for elegant banquets offered strawberries, either with cream or steeped (rather deliciously, and I recommend you try this) in rose water, white wine, and sugar – as a suitable dish for the month of June.

    Strawberries and Cream by Robert Gemmell Hutchison (1855–1936).
    National Galleries of Scotland, CC BY-NC

    They were, in the view of the 17th-century gardener John Parkinson, “a cooling and pleasant dish in the hot summer season”. They were, in short, a summer food. That was still the case in the 1870s, when the Wimbledon tennis championship was established.

    This changed dramatically with the invention of mechanical refrigeration. From the late 19th century, new technologies enabled the global movement of chilled and frozen foods across vast oceans and spaces.

    Domestic ice-boxes and refrigerators followed. These modern devices were hailed as freeing us from the tyranny of seasons. As the Ladies Home Journal magazine proclaimed triumphantly in 1929: “Refrigeration wipes out seasons and distances … We grow perishable products in the regions best suited to them instead of being forced to stick close to the large markets.” Eating seasonally, or locally, was a tiresome constraint and it was liberating to be able to enjoy foods at whatever time of year we desired.

    As a result, points out historian Susan Friedberg, our concept of “freshness” was transformed. Consumers “stopped expecting fresh food to be just-picked or just-caught or just-killed. Instead, they expected to find and keep it in the refrigerator.”

    Strawberries and cream being enjoyed at Wimbledon.
    bonchan/Shutterstock

    Today, when we can buy strawberries year round, we have largely lost the excitement that used to accompany advent of the strawberry season. Colour supplements and supermarket magazines do their best to drum up some enthusiasm for British strawberries, but we are far from the days when poets could rhapsodise about dairy maids “dreaming of their strawberries and cream” in the month of May.

    Strawberries and cream, once a “rare service” enjoyed in the short months from late April to early July, are now a season-less staple, available virtually year round from the global networks of commercial growers who supply Britain’s food. The special buzz about Wimbledon’s iconic dish of strawberries and cream is a glimpse into an earlier time, and reminds us that it was not always so.

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

    – ref. How strawberries and cream were a rare and exciting treat for Victorians – and then became a Wimbledon icon – https://theconversation.com/how-strawberries-and-cream-were-a-rare-and-exciting-treat-for-victorians-and-then-became-a-wimbledon-icon-258629

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Sixteenth-century tennis was a dangerous sport played with balls covered in wool

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Penny Roberts, Professor of Early Modern European History, University of Warwick

    Portrait of a young boy with a paletta and a ball, late 16th century, artist unknown. Wiki Commons/Canva

    In 1570, a Frenchman was arrested for smuggling clandestine correspondence between France and England. A passing comment in his interrogation document reveals that he also happened to be carrying a leather bag “in which there were three or four dozen balls of wool for playing tennis”.

    The French term used was jeu de paume. This sport was played with the hand (palm), often gloved, rather than a racquet. This developed into the game that in English we usually refer to as “real tennis” (a different beast to the lawn tennis played at Wimbledon).

    The interrogator believed that this cheap merchandise was simply a ruse for the man’s true purpose of communicating with Huguenot exiles. I have written a book, Huguenot Networks, based on this interrogation document, which will be published by Cambridge University Press later this year. But, as a historian, I was intrigued by both the number and makeup of the goods he was transporting. The wool, if wrapped tightly, could certainly have made these balls bouncy.

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    By chance, I encountered similar objects in a small display in the Palazzo Te in Mantua in Italy. These balls had apparently been retrieved from the palace roof and several others had come from a nearby church. They were variously made of leather, cloth and string rather than wool, probably stuffed with earth or animal hair. Just like the handmade “real tennis” balls of today, they were harder and more variable in size than regular tennis balls, and usually not so colourful, although sometimes having a simple painted design on the outside.

    Today, “real tennis” is known as the “sport of kings”, praised for testing agility and athletic prowess. The most famous court in England is at Hampton Court, but many others survive in the UK. For instance, there is one down the road from where I work at the University of Warwick, at Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire.

    Louis X of France popularised the sport.
    Gallica

    In the 16th century, real tennis attracted gamblers, meaning it became a later target for Puritans. Anne Boleyn is said to have placed a wager on a match she was watching on the day of her arrest. And Henry VIII, fittingly, supposedly played a match on the day Boleyn was executed.

    And if there is any doubt about how dangerous tennis could be, several royal deaths in France are attributed to it. King Louis X of France was a keen player of jeu de paume. He was the first ruler to order enclosed indoor courts to be constructed. This later became popular across Europe.

    In June 1316, after a particularly exhausting game, Louis X is said to have drunk a large quantity of chilled wine and soon afterwards died – probably of pleurisy, although there was some suspicion of poisoning.

    Likewise, in August 1536, the death of the 18-year-old dauphin, eldest son of Francis I, was blamed on his Italian secretary, the Count of Montecuccoli, who had brought him a glass of cold water after a match. The count was subsequently executed despite a post-mortem suggesting that the prince had died of natural causes.

    By the 16th century, there were two courts at the Louvre and many more around the city of Paris as well as at other royal residences. Ambassadors’ accounts describe frequent games between high-ranking courtiers and the king which could sometimes result in injury, especially if struck by one of the hard balls.

    Our man carrying many tennis balls in 1570 had probably spotted a lucrative opportunity in response to rising demand. The French game had become increasingly popular in England under the Tudors.

    By the Tudor period, no self-respecting European court was without its own purpose-built tennis courts where monarchs and their entourages tested their prowess and skill. They often did so before ambassadors, who could report back to their own rulers, making it a truly competitive international sport.

    Thankfully, today’s game has far fewer dangers – there’s no risk of being hit by a ball full of earth or the fear of mortal retribution after beating an exhausted high-ranking opponent.

    This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

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

    – ref. Sixteenth-century tennis was a dangerous sport played with balls covered in wool – https://theconversation.com/sixteenth-century-tennis-was-a-dangerous-sport-played-with-balls-covered-in-wool-255643

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak: Bilateral trade turnover with Turkey has more than doubled in five years

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak and Minister of Trade of Turkey Omer Bolat, as co-chairs, held the 19th meeting of the Mixed Intergovernmental Russian-Turkish Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

    Among the main areas of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Turkey, Alexander Novak singled out energy, agriculture, industrial cooperation, transport and logistics, customs cooperation, and tourism. Joint work is also underway in the fields of education, sports, information technology, and many other areas.

    “Turkey is one of the three largest foreign trade partners of Russia. Bilateral trade turnover has increased 2.3 times in five years. I am confident that we will be able to maintain the positive dynamics in the future and focus on creating favorable conditions for increasing the volume of Russian-Turkish trade turnover, as well as on the implementation of existing and launching new projects. We are pleased to note the successful cooperation in the energy sector, which is a strategic area of our interaction, including in terms of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The implementation of the flagship project for the construction of the Akkuyu NPP in Turkey continues. We are ready to implement projects on the promising agenda in any mutually beneficial format,” said Alexander Novak.

    He noted that in 2024, the trade turnover between the two countries approached $60 billion. The countries are moving towards achieving the goal of increasing mutual trade turnover to $100 billion in the coming years.

    “Russia and Turkey have been building strong, friendly, good-neighborly relations based on dialogue and mutual respect for a long period of history. This concerns not only trade and economic relations, but also issues of ensuring sustainable peace in the region. Our relations in the regional and international sense are developing despite difficulties, the number and quality of new joint projects in various areas, including energy, is growing every day,” said Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat.

    Alexander Novak spoke about the prospects for deepening cooperation in agriculture, tourism and sports. To ensure access of Turkish agricultural products to the Russian market and Russian food products to Turkey, the interaction of the supervisory authorities of the two countries is expanding, and the quality of products is being monitored. The tourist flow from Russia to Turkey is growing: by the end of 2024, more than 6 million tourists from Russia visited the country. As a result of the program to promote the Russian tourism brand in Turkey, last year record figures were achieved for inbound tourism from Turkey to Russia – 101 thousand tourists.

    Turkish athletes are taking part in key sporting events in Russia. By the end of the year, Russia and Türkiye expect to sign a medium-term interdepartmental plan for sporting events for 2026–2028.

    At the end of the 19th plenary session of the Joint Intergovernmental Russian-Turkish Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, Alexander Novak and Omer Bolat signed a final protocol, which outlined key tasks in all areas of mutual interest, including encouraging investment in the economies of both countries, simplifying customs regulations, expanding industrial and energy cooperation, etc.

    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Announces Arrest of Serial Criminal Behind Molotov Cocktail Attack on ICE and CBP Officers in Los Angeles

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    “If you threaten or attempt to harm a law enforcement officer, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” – Secretary Noem 

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement on the arrest of Eric Anthony Rodriguez for attempting to attack Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers with a Molotov cocktail.

    On June 21, 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported Rodriguez threw a Molotov cocktail at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport where 15 ICE and 12 CBP law enforcement officers were staying.

    Rodriguez has a lengthy criminal history including convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, second degree robbery, falsifying checks, theft and vandalism. He also had an outstanding felony warrant for violating parole.

    On June 23, 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles presented the investigation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    “Anthony Rodriguez is a serial criminal who will face justice for threatening the lives of federal law enforcement. On June 21, this coward threw a Molotov cocktail at a hotel in Los Angeles where 27 DHS law enforcement officers were staying. Thankfully, the attack was unsuccessful, and no one was injured,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Dangerous rhetoric by sanctuary politicians has fanned the flames of violence against federal law enforcement—and it has led to a 500% increase in assaults against ICE. Secretary Noem has been perfectly clear: Anyone who threatens the lives of federal officers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law—and that is exactly what will happen to Rodriguez.”

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