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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE Mission and Ministry of Sports and Youth back stronger youth engagement

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE Mission and Ministry of Sports and Youth back stronger youth engagement

    Participants at the training aimed at strengthening local capacities to support youth participation, Bar, Montenegro, 18 June 2025. (OSCE/Irena Marunović) Photo details

    From 16 to 20 June, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth organized a training session in Bar, aimed at strengthening local capacities to support youth participation. The participants (22 women and 11 men) gathered from 22 municipalities, including representatives from local governments, youth clubs, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The training was designed based on feedback from participants during the introductory session held in Podgorica on 29 April.
    The training equipped participants with practical tools and knowledge to improve youth work, aligning it with the standards of the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the specific context of Montenegro. Through interactive sessions, participants formulated action plans to implement the principle of meaningful youth participation in drafting and implementing local and national youth policies. They also gained a deeper understanding of the quality standards and competence frameworks essential for effective youth work. This comprehensive approach is expected to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of youth policies at both local and national levels.
    Training facilitators, Ajša Hadžibegović and Aleksandra Gligorović, emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration among local actors and establishing a network of practitioners to share experiences and build a supportive community for youth development. They highlighted that co-operation among stakeholders is critical to addressing local youth needs effectively and ensuring youth work plays a central role in decision-making processes.
    Irena Marunović, the Mission’s Youth Focal Point, emphasized the importance of giving participants the opportunity to analyze and provide feedback on key youth policies and frameworks. This feedback will directly inform ongoing efforts to amend the Law on Youth. The Ministry of Sports and Youth’s participation in the event ensures that these insights are integrated into the work of the expert and working group tasked with supporting the legal revision.
    Participants expressed strong satisfaction with the training programme and underscored the importance of continuing to build on the knowledge and skills gained in the coming period.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Key takeaways from 2nd China-Central Asia Summit in Astana

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pose for a group photo in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded on Wednesday his three-day trip to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where he attended the second China-Central Asia Summit.

    The summit produced a raft of consensuses across areas ranging from security and trade to regional development. Officials and analysts, who spoke to Xinhua, highlighted key themes of the summit, including Belt and Road cooperation and the deepening of China-Central Asia ties.

    CHINA-CENTRAL ASIA SPIRIT

    In his keynote speech at the summit, Xi proposed a China-Central Asia Spirit of “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.”

    “We practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals. All countries, big or small, are equal,” Xi said. “We handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.”

    On elaborating mutual trust, Xi said, “We firmly support each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.”

    “We do not do anything harmful to the core interests of any party,” he added.

    When talking about mutual benefit, Xi said, “We view each other as priority partners, and share development opportunities together.”

    On mutual assistance, he stressed, “We help each other in time of need and stand together through thick and thin,” adding that “we work together to address various risks and challenges, and uphold regional security and stability.”

    The China-Central Asia Spirit deeply reflects the essence of relations between China and the Central Asian countries, said Alikbek Dzhekshenkulov, former foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan.

    This spirit will become a powerful driving force for future cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, helping to forge a closer community with a shared future, said Dzhekshenkulov.

    NEW COOPERATION CENTERS

    One of the key outcomes of the Astana summit is the inauguration of three cooperation centers and a cooperation platform on smooth trade within the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism.

    The institutions include the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center, as well as the China-Central Asia smooth trade cooperation platform.

    “China is ready to share with Central Asian countries development experience and latest technological advances, promote connectivity in digital infrastructure, enhance cooperation on artificial intelligence, and foster new quality productive forces,” Xi said at the summit.

    These initiatives are “very important to each of us,” said Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin outside the summit venue. “We hope that in a very short time, we will achieve a big success.”

    Muhriddin also said the second China-Central Asia Summit marks “a historic event” and opened a new chapter for a time-tested regional partnership.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev witness inauguration of the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center and the China-Central Asia trade facilitation cooperation platform in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

    BELT AND ROAD COOPERATION

    At the summit, Xi called on China and Central Asian countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

    On the sidelines of the summit, Xi also held separate bilateral meetings with the leaders of the five Central Asian countries, with a focus on the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    In talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Xi emphasized the importance of advancing the high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a project launched last year.

    While meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Xi said that both sides should effectively implement the strategic alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan’s development strategy to revive the Great Silk Road.

    Xi also told Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation should be used to improve cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.

    In 2013, Xi first laid out his vision for building the Silk Road Economic Belt — a key component of the initiative in Astana when delivering a landmark speech at Nazarbayev University.

    Over the past decade, the BRI has grown from an aspiring vision into a high-quality platform for cooperation, encompassing daily logistics, trade and infrastructure development across the Eurasian continent, said Din Mukhamed Konakbayev, general manager of the Kazakh-Chinese trade and logistics company (Almaty) Ltd.

    He noted that BRI infrastructure projects are driving more balanced regional development in Kazakhstan, particularly in the northern, western and southern regions, which previously had limited access to global logistics networks.

    TREATY ON ETERNAL GOOD-NEIGHBORLINESS, FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION

    Xi and the leaders of the five Central Asian nations signed the treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

    According to the treaty, the six countries reaffirmed their firm support for each country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as the principles of sovereign equality and the inviolability of borders.

    All parties reiterated that they will not use force or threaten to use force, and will resolve disputes peacefully, said the treaty.

    The signing of the treaty is to “enshrine the principle of everlasting friendship in the form of law,” Xi said in his speech at the summit. “China consistently takes Central Asia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy,” he noted.

    “This is a new landmark in the history of the relations between our six countries and a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors,” Xi added.

    An international freight train pulls out of the China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) Logistics Cooperation Base in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu Province on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

    NO WINNER IN TARIFF WARS

    “There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars,” Xi said in his speech at the summit. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said he agrees with it.

    “Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others,” Xi said. “I always maintain that history should move forward, not backward; and the world should be united, not divided.”

    “Humanity must not regress to the law of the jungle. Instead, we should build a community with a shared future for mankind,” Xi added.

    SECURITY ON AGENDA

    The six countries issued the Astana Declaration as an outcome of the summit. They agreed to jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism and strongly condemn all forms of the three forces.

    The countries also pledged to battle threats such as cross-border infiltration of terrorist forces, drug smuggling, transnational organized crime and cyber crime, to ensure smooth and stable progress of cooperation projects and jointly respond to security threats, said the document.

    In his talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Xi stressed that China and Tajikistan should further strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation and step up efforts to crack down on terrorism, separatism and extremism.

    China and the five Central Asian countries also cooperate on security issues within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). China is set to host this year’s SCO summit.

    Xi also touched on the situation in the Middle East while holding talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He said China is ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the region.

    Xi said all related parties should work to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as soon as possible and avoid further escalation.

    CHINA-CENTRAL ASIA MECHANISM

    It was decided at the summit that China will host the third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027.

    The meeting of heads of state under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism was launched in May 2023 with the inaugural summit held in Xi’an, a historic city in northwest China. At that gathering, leaders agreed to convene the summit every two years, alternating between China and Central Asian countries.

    The mechanism was further institutionalized last year with the establishment of a secretariat in Xi’an.

    The second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana marked the first time the gathering was held in a Central Asian country.

    The Central Asia-China cooperation mechanism is a strategic platform aimed at strengthening cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries, said Afzal Artikov, chief researcher at the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

    Since its launch, he said, it has become an important vehicle for advancing cooperation across multiple fields and deepening political, economic and cultural ties between Central Asian nations and China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: NHC minister meets with UNFPA executive director

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    Lei Haichao, minister of China’s National Health Commission, met with Natalia Kanem, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in Beijing on June 12 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation.

    Lei said that China has maintained a fruitful cooperation with the UNFPA. In response to new situation in population development, the Chinese central government has made important arrangements to improve the fertility support policy system and incentive mechanisms and foster a fertility-friendly society to support Chinese modernization with high-quality population development, he added.

    Amid the current challenges of unilateralism to the global governance system, China remains steadfast in its support for multilateralism, he said. China is ready to deepen collaboration with the UNFPA in various forms, strengthen South-South cooperation and jointly advance the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, so as to build a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

    Kanem praised China’s achievements in population development, adding that China’s development experience holds significant reference value for many developing countries and expressing gratitude for China’s long-standing and steadfast support to the UNFPA.

    Both parties agreed to enhance cooperation and exchanges in areas such as population and development, aging and reproductive health.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-South Asia Expo provides new opportunities to bolster trade and cooperation

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

    China-South Asia Expo provides new opportunities to bolster trade and cooperation

    This photo taken on June 19, 2025 shows the site of the opening ceremony of the 9th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

    Senior officials from multiple countries attending the opening ceremony of the 9th China-South Asia Expo on Thursday highly praised the event for providing new opportunities to boost trade and regional cooperation.

    The expo in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming has drawn representatives from over 70 countries, regions and international organizations, as well as over 2,500 enterprises.

    “The China-South Asia Expo is a great platform for strengthening exchanges and cooperation among China and South Asian countries … The expo has, over the years, connected China with the South Asian countries much closer,” said Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s minister of trade, commerce, food security and cooperative development.

    As the theme country for this year’s expo, Sri Lanka will take this valuable opportunity to leverage the full potential for trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange opportunities in the lucrative Chinese market, the minister added.

    Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated that the expo symbolizes shared opportunities among the economies of China, South Asia, and ASEAN, aiming for harmonious, sustainable, and inclusive common development.

    Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune said that the expo has created opportunities for enterprises and business people from various countries, including his own, to engage in exchanges and cooperation on trade, investment, business operation and market connectivity.

    He expressed confidence that the expo will foster friendly relations based on mutual understanding and trust among regional countries, enabling governments and private enterprises to collaborate for a bright and sustainable future.

    “From the perspective of Myanmar’s business community, the expo offers a unique opportunity to engage with regional products in a single venue, facilitate direct connections between Myanmar’s products and Chinese consumers, and open doors for collaboration with South Asian and ASEAN countries,” said Tin Aung San, Myanmar’s deputy prime minister and union minister at the prime minister’s office.

    “I strongly believe that this expo will serve as an important platform to foster partnerships in trade and investment among China, Myanmar, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, ultimately benefiting the people of the nations,” he added.

    Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, an acting deputy prime minister of Afghanistan’s interim government, described the expo as a key platform for trade exchange, investment promotion and economic dialogue in the region.

    “It plays a vital role in developing regional partnerships and strengthening economic ties between South Asian countries,” Hanafi said.

    “Let’s use this platform to spark new partnerships, share bold ideas, and build a region that’s not just prosperous but a model of peace and cooperation for the world,” said Ahmed Nazim, deputy speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greater Norwich Local Plan Wins Top Regional Planning Award

    Source: City of Norwich

    The Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) has been named Local Plan of the Year at the prestigious Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) East of England Awards, held this week.

    The accolade recognises the plan’s outstanding contribution to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for the sub-region.

    In a further celebration of local planning excellence, the Planning Team at South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils received a Highly Commended award in the Planning Team of the Year category—highlighting their innovation, dedication, and collaborative approach.

    This regional success follows national recognition just last week, when the GNLP was Highly Commended at the Planning Awards 2025, cementing its reputation as a leading example of strategic, community-focused planning.

    Both awards celebrate excellence in planning and placemaking, honouring projects that demonstrate innovation, impact, and strong cross-sector collaboration.

    Councillor Daniel Elmer, Chair of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership and Leader of South Norfolk Council, said: “An enormous amount of hard work went into creating this plan, and the teams across all of the councils involved should feel incredibly proud. Being recognised in these awards is a remarkable achievement—and a clear testament to the strength of our partnership. Congratulations to all of our planners who are helping shape the future of Greater Norwich.”

    Adopted in March 2024, the GNLP was developed by the Greater Norwich Development Partnership, comprising Broadland District Council, Norwich City Council, and South Norfolk Council, with support from Norfolk County Council and the Broads Authority.

    The plan sets out a bold and strategic vision for growth across Broadland, Norwich, and South Norfolk—aligning housing delivery with low-carbon economic development, environmental stewardship, infrastructure investment, and climate resilience.

    For nearly two decades, this voluntary partnership has provided a stable and trusted platform for delivering joined-up, strategic planning—making the GNLP a model for sub-regional plan-making in line with the government’s emphasis on collaborative planning.

    The GNLP will now be put forward for the RTPI national final, with finalists announced later this year.

    For more information about the Greater Norwich Local Plan and the partnership, please visit gnlp.org.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: IPPA Best Book Award for “A Government of Insiders” by William Genieys

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    William Genieys, CNRS Research Professor at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics, has been awarded a Best Book Award by the International Public Policy Association (IPPA) for his latest book: A Government of Insiders. The People Who Made the Affordable Care Act Possible (John Hopkins University Press, 2024). This book is the culmination of his theorization of the role of unelected governmental elites in liberal democracy. 

    The jury noted that the book “presents an impressive, ambitious, and engaging long-term account of the social backgrounds of US elites, backed by considerable research to quantify their number and profile. Genieys offers an original interpretation of Obama’s healthcare reform as an alternative to the mainstream ‘political bargain‘ interpretation and of Heclo’s ‘government of strangers’, explaining the role played in the reform process by senior bureaucrats in the US administration.”

    William Genieys told us about this book in a video interview last year:

    The IPPA Best Book Award is awarded biennially and given to a single- or co-authored monograph that makes an original and significant theoretical, methodological and/or empirical contribution to the field of Public Policy and/or Public Administration. 

    William Genieys is the first political scientist from France to receive the award, that will be presented during the Gala dinner of the 7th International Conference on Public Policy on July 3rd (in Chiang Mai, Thailand).

    In addition to this award, William Genieys has been granted a Book Tour scholarship from Sciences Po’s Transatlantic Research Fund, that will allow him to present his book in several US universities. 

    More information:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Upstream E&P Track to Foster Dialogue and Deals Amid African Exploration Surge

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

    Amid Africa’s ongoing exploration and production surge, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will host a dedicated Upstream E&P Track. The track – taking place as part of the main conference agenda from September 29 to October 3 – will tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the upstream oil and gas sector, delving into topics such as deepwater development, onshore prospects, the role of independent firms and balancing African priorities with global supply dynamics. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 represents the platform of choice for Africa’s upstream sector.  

    Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector is on the precipice of significant growth, boosted by a $54 billion capital expenditure drive expected by 2030. Across the continent, both established oil and gas markets and frontier players are seeking capital to bolster production while unlocking new basins in deepwater and onshore basins. The continent’s exploration surge is further supported by growing demand in African markets as well as a rise in global gas imports. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track will explore these shifting dynamics, offering a platform for new exploration and production deals to be signed.  

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

    To entice greater spending across the upstream sector, many African countries are laying the foundation for new investments by both majors and independent energy companies. A string of licensing rounds is being launched in 2025, offering exploration opportunities across a variety of acreage. Licensing rounds are planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mauritania and South Africa, while Libya, Nigeria, Algeria and Liberia have already launched their respective bid rounds. The Upstream E&P Track will explore the impact of these rounds. Sessions include What’s Next for African Upstream in 2026; Exploration Hotspots; and Basins Without Borders: Unlocking the Full Potential of Cross-Border Basins in the Transform Margin. Additionally, panel discussions will examine emerging prospects in frontier basins, with sessions taking place on Frontier Plays Within Africa’s Mature Basins; Offshore and Deepwater Plays; and Unlocking Africa’s Onshore and Shallow-Water Potential. 

    While global energy majors expand their portfolios in Africa, independent oil and gas firms are taking on a more prominent role in exploration and production. International oil company divestment has opened-up new pathways for African independents, and as such, more companies are taking the lead on asset development. AEW: Invest in African Energies will host panel discussions on The Making of an African Independent; Technology and Innovation: Rethinking Asset Development to Accelerate Upstream Success; as well as Crude Value Benchmarking with Ever-Changing Light, Heavy Balance, exploring opportunities for independents in Africa.  

    Meanwhile, with global gas demand projected to increase 10% between 2021 and 2030, African countries are strategically positioned to accelerate exploration and play a more central role in global supply chains. With over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves on the continent – most of which remains under-developed – Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its resources to produce low-carbon, cost-effective fuel. Panel discussions on Decarbonizing Pathways for African Oil and Gas; The Outlook for Global LNG; and The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market will address these opportunities, while a session on Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets, will examine how the continent can leverage its resources for domestic growth.  

    The track will also feature panel discussions on strategic oil and gas markets in Africa, including Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and more. These sessions are geared towards companies seeking growth opportunities in proven markets and are expected to unlock new deal-signing and partnerships prospects. Beyond panel discussions, the Upstream E&P Track will feature a series of fireside chats, with participating companies including Renaissance Africa Energy, Northern Ocean, Seplat Energy and more.  

    “Africa’s upstream oil and gas market is witnessing a surge of investment, as operators seek to expand their portfolios and governments target near-term production. Amid this growth, strategic financing gaps have emerged. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track seeks to address these challenges by bringing together major players from the market to engage and sign deals,” says Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director. 

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Refugee Week: Scotland must stand up for refugees

    Source: Scottish Greens

    20 Jun 2025 Human Rights

    More in Human Rights

    The Scottish Government must challenge the UK Labour Government’s plans to extend refugee camps and displace people living in hotels, say the Scottish Greens.

    Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs, Angus Robertson, calling on him to use his influence to make it clear that Scotland believes the UK Government’s plans for migrant camps are morally wrong.

    The SNP wrote to Westminster last year while the Conservatives were still in power, making clear its position in favour of using hotels over “large sites” such as camps or boats. In the letter, the Scottish Government described these as “unsuitable and entirely counter to integration principles.”

    In her letter to Angus Robertson, Maggie has called on the Scottish Government to stand “firmly and vocally” against these plans, to maintain Scotland’s history as a welcoming, compassionate country for people rebuilding their lives after fleeing their home country.

    Maggie said:

    “We must not surrender to the normalisation of anti-migrant hate. The majority of Scots want to live in a welcoming country, one that values people and community over scapegoating and exclusion.

    “If the Scottish Government means what it says, that it wants to lead a progressive Scotland, then they must show it. It is time they stick to their words, represent the people of Scotland, and tell the UK Labour Government that we say “not in our name” to unsafe, dehumanising camps.

    “Since dropping the commitment to introduce a Human Rights Bill for Scotland, the Scottish Government has to work hard to build back trust and show they really do stand up for people’s freedoms. The bare minimum they must do is prove that they are a cut above this spineless UK Labour Government.

    Text of letter sent by Maggie Chapman to Angus Robertson, Cab Sec for External Affairs

    Dear Angus,

    Scotland has a long history of being a warm and welcoming home to the millions who live here. We have tried to uphold the principles of belonging and sanctuary in the Scottish Parliament, and you and I have both welcomed all that Scotland has done to protect the most vulnerable, including those seeking refuge here.

    It is these shared values that prompt me to write to you today. As Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and a proud representative of Scotland’s Parliament, I urge you to stand firmly and vocally against the UK Government’s proposals to displace refugees into asylum camps. Refugees have the same rights to dignity, respect and safety as everyone else. And asylum seekers, those fleeing persecution and violence, have the right to seek sanctuary and safety here. The proposed camps are in no way a solution to the issues of underfunded public services, the housing emergency or anti-social behaviour, for which immigrants and refugees are too often blamed.

    It is not certain that these camps would save public money, and even if they do, they are still wrong – in terms of human rights and ethics. The human and social costs of these camps: disruption to local communities, increased threats to those forced into the camps, and negative mental health effects for those made unnecessarily vulnerable, cannot be justified.

    Less than a year ago asylum hotels were attacked. Bricks and mortar served there as something to protect those inside, but they should be protected by a government who stands for them. Shirley-Anne Somerville wrote to the UK Government last year and made clear that the Scottish Government does not support using large sites, such as camps, to house refugees. I ask that you reaffirm that belief, and that you make it clear to this new UK Government.

    The best thing that can be done to support asylum seekers out of hotels is to lower their barriers to integrating into society. From cruel policies like No Recourse to Public Funds and preventing access to work to lack of access to legal aid and other public services, asylum seekers are not supported to contribute to our society, never mind recover from the trauma they will have experienced before arriving in the UK. Asylum seekers want to contribute to public life but are being held back by policies crafted by those who most vocally criticise their inability to give back to the UK.

    The majority of people support the UK being a safe haven for refugees. If we allow other narratives to dominate, we risk stoking the far-right tide that your own party has claimed is a threat to Scotland as we know it. You have the power to stand for something better.

    This is a test of our principles and values. If we do not choose to stand for and with the most vulnerable, then we fail our moral duty as politicians to ensure Scotland is on the right side of history.

    I look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Resilient and rising: India in global economic big league

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    If we compare growth projections with actual data, Indian economy looks all set to achieve milestones well ahead of schedule. The journey to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, to graduate to third-largest and, ultimately, to attain developed-nation status now appears firmly on track for the coming years.

    The projections-versus-reality data confirm the resilience of its economy, putting it on the growth track, be it swift recovery after the COVID-19 crisis and its global after-effects or other global conflict points. The resilience gives Indian economy a positive push needed for the economic surge. India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy, keeping inflation largely in check, even as the price pressure marker climbed worldwide and hit a 40-year high in the United States.

    The economic resilience that helps India endure negative outcomes – headwinds such as persistent trade frictions—including reciprocal tariff measures by the United States and global debate around it—and geopolitical shocks such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel–Hamas conflict, and broader West Asian turbulence including the recently started Israel–Iran war.

    While these events are sending aftershocks through a global economy still battered by the pandemic, India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, strong infrastructure build-out, healthy financial sector and vast domestic market—underpinned by solid consumer demand, consistent policy, and an improving business climate—the underlying factors behind its resilience—have helped it weather the storm.

    While the global economy, on a whole, decelerates, India has managed to sustain a growth rate above 6 per cent year after year—an unparalleled feat for a major economy in the current gloomy economic scenario.

    Remains a Bright Spot

    Borge Brende, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum, remarked in a recent television interview that India remains a bright spot among the world’s major economies, citing its young, tech-savvy workforce. His interview was done after a WEF analysis that warned that the 2025 global economic outlook was clouded by deep uncertainty. Back in January 2024, he had described India as a bright spot amid global doom.

    The International Monetary Fund echoes this view. Its 2023 World Economic Outlook named India the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global economic scenario, stressing that the country will be a key driver of growth in the years ahead.

    The World Bank is very bullish on India’s economic growth and will remain so, said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank Country Director for India, in February 2025. India is the shining light in the world, according to World Bank analysts.

    The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP), a report released by the United Nations on 15 May 2025, states that while the global economy is slowing down, India remains the only bright spot—a point the IMF had made back in 2022.

    Positive projections followed by assessments—that have been reiterated in credible analytic reports by different global agencies.

    An Economic Resilience that Performs

    According to an EY projection, India is expected to surpass Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The assessment, “India — towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world”, states that India is expected to surpass both Japan and Germany in nominal GDP terms by 2027. The projection to surpass Japan’s economy comes two years in advance—by the 2025 financial year. The EY analysis also estimates that India’s economy will cross the USD 5 trillion mark by that year, with a projected GDP size of USD 5.2 trillion.

    According to the assessment, which compares nominal and PPP international dollar GDPs of six major economies—the United States, China, Japan, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom—from 2022 to projections until 2028—India leads in GDP growth rate. The country is projected to have an 8.7% compound nominal growth rate (between 2022 and 2028), outstripping China’s growth rate of 7.2%, and more than double the United States’ growth rate of 4.1% for the same period.

    In PPP international dollar terms, India is already the third-largest economy, ahead of Japan and Germany, and is fast closing the gap with the United States and China. The EY analysis says India’s PPP economy is expected to register a growth rate of around 8.5% a year and will add nearly USD 7.5 trillion to its economy between 2022 and 2028—equivalent to Japan’s entire current annual PPP output in 2028. By 2028, India will further narrow this gap with China, the country with the largest economy globally in PPP international dollar terms.

    The report further predicts that by 2027, in PPP terms, the United States’ economy will be just 1.7 times larger than the Indian economy, while another EY assessment estimates that by the late 2040s, with a real growth rate of 6 to 7%, India will surpass the United States to become the world’s second-largest economy in PPP terms.

    Another assessment, released by Morgan Stanley in March 2025, suggests India will become the third-largest economy in the world by 2028. According to the global financial services firm, India’s economy is expected to reach USD 4.7 trillion by 2026, overtaking Japan to become the fourth-largest economy. When compared with real data, the country is expected to achieve this milestone sooner.

    By 2028, India is projected to surpass Germany to become the third-largest economy globally, at USD 5.7 trillion. The analysis further states that India’s share in the world’s GDP, currently at 3.5%, is projected to rise to 4.5% by 2029.

    The growth rate of the last quarter—or real GDP growth rate from January 2025 to March 2025—further confirms the resilient nature of the Indian economy. The real growth rate for the last quarter was calculated at 7.4%, outperforming expectations. In nominal GDP terms, the Indian economy was estimated to have expanded by 10.8%. A composite annual growth rate for the year 2024–25, in real GDP terms for the country, was estimated at 6.5%, in line with expectations, while in nominal terms it was estimated at 9.8%.

    According to projections made in another EY analysis, the country’s GDP has the potential to cross the threshold of USD 5 trillion by 2026, USD 10 trillion by 2033, USD 20 trillion by 2042, and USD 30 trillion by 2047 in market exchange terms—a dataset that matches with projections made in India on its developmental journey to become a developed nation by 2047. In PPP terms, by 2047, India’s economy is expected to cross the USD 40 trillion-threshold. Its share in the world GDP is expected to reach 19.6% by that financial year.

    India’s per capita GDP in PPP terms, which was 50% of the world’s average per capita GDP in 2022–23, is expected to become equal to it by the 2040s and 1.5 times higher by 2057.

    According to a Goldman Sachs economic research report released in December 2022 on long-term economic forecasts, China, the US, India, Indonesia, and Germany are projected to be the world’s five largest economies in real GDP terms. By 2075, India is expected to replace the United States to become the second-largest economy behind China.

     

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK envoy celebrates King Charles’ birthday in Malaysia

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UK envoy celebrates King Charles’ birthday in Malaysia

    High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma CMG hosted a grand reception in Kuala Lumpur today to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s 77th birthday.

    British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma CMG delivering his welcome remarks.

    The reception also celebrated the deep connection between UK and Malaysia. YB Dato’ Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani, Minister of Plantation and Commodities, was the guest of honour representing the Malaysian Government at the event.

    This was the first King’s Birthday Party reception hosted by High Commissioner Ajay Sharma in Malaysia – having arrived in the country only a few weeks ago.  The reception was attended by over 700 guests including members of the Malaysian royalty, senior government officials, the diplomatic corps and the business community.

    The reception kicked off with Minister Dato’ Seri Johari leading a toast to the good health and wellbeing of His Majesty King Charles III. The High Commissioner then reciprocated with a toast to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.   

    In his speech, High Commissioner Ajay Sharma spoke about the strategic partnership between the UK and Malaysia:

    Our two Prime Ministers share an ambitious vision and have agreed to elevate the relationship between the UK and Malaysia to a Strategic Partnership, in particular in the areas of education, energy, defence and trade.

    The list of our bilateral co-operation is endless. And most importantly, we shouldn’t take the relationship between our two countries for granted. We need to keep working at delivering for our people through this relationship.

    The High Commissioner concluded his speech by expressing his hope for more shared success in the UK-Malaysia relations.

    The theme of the celebration this year is the Great British Fantasia, inspired by King Charles’ interest in literature, and drawing inspiration from the fantastic and magical in UK literature – from the Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter, from Alice in Wonderland to The Chronicles of Narnia. Guests were treated to the best of British food; and were entertained by the UK’s Royal Marine Band and the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Groceries Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Amazon

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Groceries Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Amazon

    Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) has breached paragraph 5 of the Code (No delay in Payments) in relation to certain of its practices.

    The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has today launched a targeted investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) has breached paragraph 5 (No delay in Payments) of the Groceries Code.

    The GCA has reasonable grounds to suspect that Amazon has breached paragraph 5 of the Code (No delay in Payments) from 1 March 2022 to 20 June 2025. This is based on evidence from a range of sources.

    The investigation will cover the extent to which paragraph 5 of the Code may have been breached; any impact of Amazon’s conduct on suppliers; and the root causes of any issues. In particular it will focus on the nature, extent and impact of practices which may have resulted in delays in payments including Amazon’s receipt of goods and payment processes, its processes for managing supplier concerns relating to deductions from payments, and its use of settlements of deductions in its commercial negotiations with suppliers.

    The investigation will cover the period between Amazon’s designation (1 March 2022) and 20 June 2025 but will focus on the period since 1 January 2024, in order to have the fullest understanding of Amazon’s contemporaneous practices.

    The Adjudicator Mark White said:

    Delays in payment can significantly harm suppliers. The alleged delays could expose Amazon suppliers to excessive risk and unexpected costs, potentially affecting their ability to invest and innovate.

    I decided to launch this targeted investigation based on the range of evidence I have seen from multiple sources. It will allow me to determine whether Amazon has breached paragraph 5 of the Groceries Code and the root cause of any breach.

    I encourage all direct suppliers and other stakeholders to respond to my call for evidence and provide information about your experiences with Amazon. All responses will be completely confidential.

    Prior engagement with Amazon

    Having heard from suppliers reporting Code issues, the Adjudicator, Mark White, told Amazon in 2024 that it must take swift and comprehensive action to demonstrably comply with the Code.

    The GCA then monitored actions taken by Amazon and heard further detailed evidence about experiences with Amazon. Based on this evidence it was clear that an investigation into compliance with paragraph 5 of the Groceries Code specifically was required.

    Other Groceries Code issues at Amazon

    The GCA has also received information about other issues at Amazon. The GCA is continuing to engage with Amazon as part of its ongoing collaborative approach and expects Amazon to take action to address these issues.

    If a further investigation is necessary to resolve these issues, the GCA will not hesitate to launch one.

    Next steps

    The Adjudicator has called for direct suppliers and other stakeholders to respond to the GCA’s call for evidence to share experiences of supplying Amazon.

    Submissions may be made by completing the GCA’s confidential questionnaire, or on paper or in electronic form submitted to the GCA at:

    Groceries Code Adjudicator
    7th Floor, The Cabot
    25 Cabot Square
    Canary Wharf
    London
    E14 4QZ
    E-mail to: enquiries@GroceriesCode.gov.uk

    The call for evidence will close on 8 August 2025. All responses to the call for evidence will be treated as completely confidential.

    Confidentiality and data protection

    The GCA has a statutory duty to keep information, including information provided in response to its call for evidence confidential. The statutory guidance provides that information which identifies a supplier will be confidential unless that supplier waives confidentiality.

    This means that no individual supplier or respondent to the call for evidence will be named, or otherwise be identifiable either in the report or in any other way to Amazon.

    The GCA may refer in its investigation report or elsewhere to evidence from submissions in an anonymised way. That means that the GCA might refer to evidence provided, but not in any way that makes individuals or businesses identifiable. 

    The GCA may, under its statutory powers, request further information from respondents arising from the call for evidence.

    Please be aware that information provided in response to the call for evidence may be the subject of a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (or other UK legislation). 

    The GCA will process personal data in accordance with all applicable data protection laws and its privacy notice.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofqual launches public consultation on apprenticeship assessment regulation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Ofqual launches public consultation on apprenticeship assessment regulation

    Ofqual launches consultation on new regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessments, seeking views from employers, providers and apprentices.

    Ofqual is today launching a public consultation seeking views on its proposed approach to regulating apprenticeship assessments, including those for foundation apprenticeship assessments.

    The consultation, titled “Regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment”, invites awarding organisations, colleges and training providers, employers and apprentices to comment on the future regulatory framework.

    The framework has been developed to reflect the new apprenticeship assessment principles published by the Department for Education earlier this year. It has been designed to accommodate the new apprenticeship assessment plans being put in place by Skills England.

    The proposed framework would allow awarding organisations more flexibility in assessment design and delivery to enable them to be more responsive to the needs of employers. This includes greater responsibility for decisions about how assessments are structured, delivered and marked.

    Ofqual will regulate both the assessments and the awarding organisations that develop and deliver them.

    Catherine Large, Executive Director for Vocational and Technical Qualifications at Ofqual, said:

    We want to hear from everyone with an interest in apprenticeships to ensure our regulatory approach is effective, proportionate and supports the development of valid and reliable assessment.

    Ofqual understands the significance of potential changes to the current end point assessment model, and the important role that employers and providers play in the system. We are working to ensure quality is upheld throughout this transition.

    The consultation opens on Friday 20 June and will run until Wednesday 27 August.

    Interested parties can contribute by completing the online consultation form available on GOV.UK or by emailing their responses directly to consultations@ofqual.gov.uk.

    Following the consultation, Ofqual will publish a summary of responses and outline next steps for implementing the regulatory framework.

    Background information:

    1. Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England.

    2. The Department for Education is responsible for the introduction and overall implementation of the reform to apprenticeships, including the assessment principles.

    3. Skills England is responsible for the streamlining of assessment plans and ensuring that the views of employers are represented.

    4. The consultation document is available here at GOV.UK.

    5. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, Ofqual will consult later in 2025 on the detail of the rules and guidance that will put our proposals into effect.  

    6. For further information, please contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3344 or press.office@ofqual.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU discussed the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage to African countries from colonialism

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education held a meeting dedicated to the activities of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) and the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage caused to African countries during colonialism. Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and leading Russian universities, including the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSEU), the Russian State Geological Prospecting University (MGRI), and the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, took part in the discussion.

    The main topic of the meeting was the development of a methodology for calculating damage, including economic, environmental and cultural losses. As noted by the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev, this project has not only scientific but also important political significance: We must unite the efforts of universities with expertise in this area and offer African countries a tool for an objective assessment of the consequences of colonialism.

    Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, by agreement with the Ministry of Education and Science, will head the working group to create the laboratory. Vice-Rector for International Work at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics Elena Gorbashko emphasized: We will have to develop a comprehensive methodology that takes into account not only direct economic losses, but also indirect factors – lost profits, environmental damage, consequences for human capital.

    Rector of MGRI Yuri Panov shared preliminary calculations: We have already estimated the damage to Zimbabwe and Mozambique – 52 and 74 billion dollars respectively. At the same time, direct export of resources gave only 3-4% of the total amount, the main part is lost profits and environmental consequences.

    The Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences proposed to include digital archives of cultural heritage in the study. Deputy Director Natalia Sokolova noted: Digital twins of monuments will help to record the destruction and prove the scale of the damage. We already have successful experience of such work in Syria, and we are ready to replicate it in Africa.

    The next steps are to form a working group, prepare a concept and select countries for pilot projects. The final proposals will be presented to the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov in July.

    This project is not only a scientific task, but also an important step in strengthening cooperation between Russia and African countries, said Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, summing up the meeting.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation: Xi

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi: China, New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation

    Xinhua | June 20, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation.

    For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western developed countries, Xi said.

    As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to grow the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

    Xi stressed that China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation in bilateral relations, leverage their complementary strengths, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and explore potential for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change, and infrastructure.

    He encouraged both sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth and at non-governmental and sub-national levels.

    1   2   >  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Phase 2 of transport programme for job seekers launches in Western Cape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Government has initiated Phase 2 of the “Getting You to Work” Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme, which aims to address one of the biggest barriers faced by unemployed residents, which is the cost of transport.

    The provincial government launched the initiative at the Mitchells Plain Town Centre Library, where over 300 unemployed job seekers attended and registered for Gold Cards. 

    These cards will enable them to travel free of charge using Golden Arrow Bus Services across the Cape Metro to access job opportunities.

    The Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme was launched in February 2024, and since then, over 3 700 unemployed residents have registered through more than 150 employer partners.

    “The programme is rooted in a simple but powerful goal – removing the barrier created by the cost of public transport for residents to get jobs,” said the provincial government in a statement.

    It further reported that Phase 1 showed a particularly high uptake in communities such as Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Delft, Gugulethu, and Philippi, highlighting the significant demand for this type of intervention.

    Expanding reach

    The Western Cape Mobility Department has noted that many capable and willing residents remain unemployed, not due to a lack of skills or motivation, but because they cannot afford to attend interviews, training centres, or even their first day of work.

    “Transport becomes the obstacle to residents achieving their full potential. This programme is about opening doors and restoring dignity. It is about recognising that every person deserves a fair shot at opportunity. Phase 2 aims to expand our reach, making it easier for more job seekers to register, access support, and get to where they need to be,” said the provincial department. 

    According to the department, job seekers can now register online directly, removing the previous requirement to go through a registered employer. 

    The vouchers now include six free trips, which can be used between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday to Friday, until 31 March 2026. 
    The department has encouraged employers in Cape Town to register as partners and offer these travel vouchers to prospective employees. 

    This initiative is part of the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which aims to foster an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy.

    “By assisting job seekers with free transport, the programme not only helps individuals and families, but strengthens the provincial economy by connecting people to opportunities.”

    Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said: “We know from our data that those who received vouchers had a greater chance of attending interviews, securing work, and participating in skills development. That is the pathway from unemployment to opportunity. That is the Growth for Jobs agenda in action.”

    Sileku said no one should be left behind because they cannot afford to get to an interview. 

    “We will continue to innovate, to listen, and to work together to create a mobility system that serves all the people of the Western Cape.”

    The Western Cape Mobility Department and Golden Arrow Bus Services are dedicated to ongoing collaboration and enhancing access to employment.

    How to apply:

    Job seekers can register online by filling out the registration prompts on the portal at Your FREE RIDE to opportunity | Western Cape Government .

    After completing the registration, they must present their identity document (ID) at Golden Arrow kiosks to collect their Gold Card. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi meets New Zealand’s PM

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

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation.

    For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western developed countries, Xi said.

    As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to grow the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

    Xi stressed that China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation in bilateral relations, leverage their complementary strengths, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and explore potential for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change, and infrastructure.

    He encouraged both sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth and at non-governmental and sub-national levels. 

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Danish Ministry of Digitalization begins testing F2 with open source document editing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release no. 04/2025

    Danish Ministry of Digitalization begins testing F2 with open source document editing

    Copenhagen, June 20, 2025

    The Danish Ministry of Digitalization has announced the launch of a pilot project to explore digital sovereignty, using cBrain’s (NASDAQ: CBRAIN) F2 platform as the foundation for testing an integrated open source alternative to traditional office software.

    Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage stated: “We have a political obligation to ensure that our IT systems are not dependent on a few large companies. This pilot is a welcome and concrete first step in that direction.”

    A group of employees within the ministry’s department will begin using F2 with a newly integrated document editing module based on Collabora, the open source solution built on LibreOffice.

    The pilot will assess whether Collabora, integrated into F2, can meet the ministry’s key requirements for document handling such as compatibility with government templates, reliable document conversion, change tracking, and support for advanced formatting. The findings will inform future decisions regarding broader adoption across the ministry.

    From a technical perspective, cBrain’s F2 platform is built on an open architecture that separates data from editing tools. This enables government organizations to use multiple types of editing software in parallel and even allows individual users to choose their preferred editing tools while still working collaboratively on the same shared documents.

    Best regards

    Per Tejs Knudsen, CEO

    Inquiries regarding this Press Release may be directed to 

    Ejvind Jørgensen, CFO & Head of Investor Relations, cBrain A/S, ir@cbrain.com, +45 2594 4973

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South African Post Office’s (SAPO) Turnaround Strategy Raises More Questions Than Answers, Says Committee Chair

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

    Download logo

    The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has expressed concern regarding the work of the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) on the South African Post Office’s (SAPO) turnaround strategy.

    The BRPs presented the plan on Wednesday, stating that progress Is being made and that, in the long term, their vision is to transform the Post Office into an e-commerce hub and a multipurpose service centre.

    However, Ms Boshoff said troubling realities remain. Chief among these is the retrenchment of over 4 000 employees, with no clarity as to whether further retrenchments have been halted.

    “Service delivery at the Post Office has significantly deteriorated, and the entity continues to survive on state bailouts. Public confidence has been completely eroded, and the long-term sustainability of SAPO remains in serious jeopardy,” Ms Boshoff said.

    She further raised concern about the request to present substantial portions of the turnaround strategy in a closed session. “SAPO is a state-owned enterprise funded by public money. The use of in-camera briefings must remain the exception, not the rule. Such briefings should only be permitted in instances of legitimate commercial sensitivity – not as a tool to shield institutional failures from public scrutiny and parliamentary oversight.”

    The strategy, as presented, offers limited detail in terms of innovation and measurable outcomes. While it references digitisation, a revised branch footprint, and hybrid financing models, these aspects remain vague, lacking clear implementation timelines and funding clarity.

    Ms Boshoff said it is troubling that no investor has yet shown serious interest in supporting the turnaround of the Post Office. “Meanwhile, key questions remain unanswered:

    • How many of the retrenched employees have actually received support through the TERS fund?
    • What efforts have been made to engage the private sector in restoring core service functions?
    • On what basis is SAPO still classified as a “strategic national asset” while continuing to rely on repeated state bailouts?
    • How will the proposed hybrid funding model work in practice, and who will ultimately bear the financial risk?”

    “It is imperative that public institutions – particularly those under business rescue and funded by taxpayers – operate with transparency, accountability, and defined performance indicators. A turnaround plan cannot rely on slogans or structural tinkering. It must restore credibility, modernise operations and rebuild trust with the South African public who depend on these services.”

    Ms Boshoff emphasised that as the committee continues its oversight work, it will insist on greater clarity, stronger accountability and full transparency from all parties involved in the business rescue process.

    “The relevance of the Post Office in the broader communications and logistics sector is fast diminishing. This can only be reversed through genuine diversification of its service offering and complete modernisation of its operations,” she concluded.

    – on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: First Quantum Minerals’ Zambian Country Manager Joins African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

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

    Download logo

    Godwin Beene, Country Manager for Zambia at mining firm First Quantum Minerals, will speak at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference – Africa’s premier event for the mining sector. During the event, Beene will join a high-level panel discussion titled Zambia: Accelerating Exploration and Development Through License Allocation and Global Partnerships, where he is expected to share insights into the company’s Zambian strategy.

    Beene’s participation at AMW 2025 comes as Zambia intensifies efforts to attract global investment and scale-up copper production to three million tons per annum by 2031. As a key player in the market, First Quantum Minerals plays a pivotal role in driving Zambia’s mining sector forward. Beene’s participation at AMW 2025 presents an opportunity for the company to engage with potential partners, investors and service providers aligned with the company’s long-term strategy.

    AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    First Quantum Minerals continues to advance several impactful mining operations in Zambia. At the Kansanshi Mine, the company produced 46,544 tons of copper in Q1, 2025 alone, with a full-year target of 190,000 tons of copper and 110,000 ounces of gold. The Kansanshi S3 Expansion Project is also on track to begin production this year, setting the stage for increased output in the coming years. The S3 Expansion Project comprises an expanded mining fleet and smelter as well as the development of the South East Dome pit and a new processing plant. This will increase the life of mine until 2040.

    Meanwhile, Sentinel Mine reported 46,361 tons of copper production in Q1, 2025, with aims to reach 230,000 tons by year-end. At the Enterprise Nickel Mine – situated 12 km from the Sentinel copper mine – the company produced 4,649 tons of nickel during Q1, 2025, increasing output by 25% compared to the previous quarter. The company plans to produce 25,000 tons of nickel in 2025 at the mine, with a focus on ore quality and grade control.

    At AMW 2025, Beene’s insights will provide greater understanding of these projects, including their impact on Zambia’s mining industry. Held under the theme From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, the event will serve as a key platform for forging global partnerships, accelerating exploration and promoting sustainable growth across the continent’s mining sector. With a session focused on Zambia, industry leaders such as Beene will engage with government officials, financiers and technology providers to shape the future of mining in the country.

    – on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Netanyahu vows to eliminate Iran nuclear threat as Trump keeps world guessing on military action

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel destroyed Iran’s internal security headquarters in Tehran on Thursday while Iranian missiles struck a major Israeli medical facility, marking a dramatic escalation in the seven-day conflict between the West Asian adversaries. The simultaneous attacks on critical infrastructure represent the most intense phase of direct military confrontation between the two nations in recent history.

    Israeli forces targeted multiple strategic sites across Iran, including government facilities in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj, as well as Payam airport. The strikes came hours after Iran launched missiles that hit the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel, which serves as a primary treatment facility for Israeli military personnel. While the hospital sustained significant structural damage, casualty reports remained limited as portions of the facility had been evacuated in anticipation of potential attacks.

    Israeli Leadership Condemns Attack, Vows Escalation

    The attack on Soroka Medical Center has sparked strong condemnation from Israeli leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have announced plans to intensify military operations targeting strategic sites across Iran. The Israeli military has already launched strikes on key locations, including the Arak Heavy Water Reactor and facilities in Natanz, as part of efforts to degrade Iran’s nuclear and missile production capabilities.

    Iranian state media confirmed there is no radiation threat from the Arak facility, adding that personnel had been safely evacuated before the attack. While Netanyahu clarified that regime change in Iran is not an official Israeli objective, he acknowledged that sustained military pressure on government institutions could eventually lead to such an outcome.

    U.S. Signals Deliberate Ambiguity

    Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained a deliberately vague stance when pressed about possible American military involvement in Israel’s strikes on Iran. The White House has signaled that a decision on whether the United States will join the conflict is expected within the next two weeks.

    Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has responded to American statements with warnings of “irreversible harm” should the United States choose to intervene militarily. European nations, while condemning Iran as a destabilizing force and reiterating that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, have also called for diplomacy and urged both sides to reduce tensions.

    Diplomatic Push from Europe

    There’s a push for renewed negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, with some European officials stressing that diplomacy, not regime change, is the preferred approach. The EU has also activated civil protection mechanisms to assist citizens wishing to leave the region.

  • ECI introduces key reforms in bye-polls, paving the way for tech-driven elections

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday marked a milestone in electoral reforms during the bye-elections to five Assembly Constituencies (ACs), with the successful rollout of several new initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and voter convenience.

    The bye-polls were conducted in 24-Kadi (SC) and 87-Visavadar (Gujarat), 35-Nilambur (Kerala), 64-Ludhiana West (Punjab), and 80-Kaliganj (West Bengal), involving a total of 1,354 polling stations.

    These elections were notable for implementing, for the first time, a mobile deposit facility, upgraded Voter Turnout Reporting (VTR), 100% webcasting, and individual mock poll training for all Presiding Officers.

    Mobile Deposit Facility for Voters

    Acknowledging the widespread use of mobile phones and the difficulties faced by voters—particularly senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities (PwDs)—the ECI introduced a mobile deposit facility at all polling stations. Voters were able to safely deposit their mobile phones in designated pigeonhole boxes or jute bags at the entrance of polling booths. Volunteers were stationed at these points to assist voters, ensuring a smooth and secure experience.

    Faster and Transparent Voter Turnout Reporting

    In a major technological upgrade, the voter turnout sharing process was revamped. Presiding Officers were equipped with the new ECINET App, allowing them to directly enter voter turnout data every two hours on polling day. This real-time data was automatically aggregated at the constituency level and published at regular intervals, ensuring greater transparency and timeliness.

    Most notably, the final voter turnout data was entered immediately after the close of polling, even before the Presiding Officers departed from the station. This marks a departure from the previous system, where final turnout figures were often delayed due to manual reporting and post-poll formalities. In areas with limited network connectivity, the app allowed offline data entry, which could be synced once connectivity was restored.

    100% Webcasting Ensures Robust Monitoring

    For the first time, webcasting was conducted at nearly 100% of polling stations, covering all but one station across the five constituencies. This allowed real-time monitoring of polling activities to ensure compliance with electoral procedures. Dedicated monitoring teams at the Returning Officer (RO), District Election Officer (DEO), and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) levels oversaw the proceedings and promptly addressed any issues.

    Revival of Pre-Poll Electoral Roll Revision

    Adding another milestone, the ECI also carried out a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the Electoral Rolls before the bye-polls—an exercise undertaken for the first time in nearly two decades in the context of bye-elections. This ensured up-to-date voter rolls and broader enfranchisement.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China has promised to continue issuing subsidies for equipment upgrades and consumer goods replacement under the trade-in scheme.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) — China has reaffirmed its support for a national program to upgrade equipment and replace consumer goods with new ones through the trade-in scheme and pledged to provide continuous funding to pay government subsidies through 2025.

    The programme, a key part of the country’s broader strategy to boost domestic consumption, encourages consumers to replace old goods such as appliances and vehicles with new ones.

    The central government has allocated 300 billion yuan ($41.84 billion) in government bonds to support local governments in implementing the program in 2025, double the amount from a year earlier. Part of the central government’s funding, totaling 162 billion yuan, has already been disbursed in January and April, with more planned for July and October.

    “At present, about half of the annual subsidy volume has been spent, which is quite in line with expectations,” a representative of the National Development and Reform Commission of China summed up. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping Meets with New Zealand Prime Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Lacson in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to pay greater attention to cooperation.

    For more than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and New Zealand, bilateral relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western developed countries, Xi noted.

    As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to expand the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

    Xi Jinping stressed that China and New Zealand should pay more attention to cooperation in bilateral relations, give play to their complementary advantages, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and unleash the potential of cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change and infrastructure.

    He called on both sides to strengthen exchanges in the fields of education, culture and youth, as well as contacts at the non-governmental and interregional level. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Canada to adjust tariffs on US steel, aluminum as trade talks progress – Treasury

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    OTTAWA, June 20 (Xinhua) — Canada’s federal government will adjust counter-tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum products from July 21 in line with progress in broader trade talks, the country’s Finance Ministry said Thursday.

    “As the government negotiates a new economic and security partnership with the United States, we will ensure that workers and industry are protected from unfair and unprovoked U.S. tariffs,” the statement said.

    “We will take as much time as it takes to negotiate the best deal for Canada,” the department quotes Prime Minister Mark Carney as saying. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Europe launches diplomatic push as Israel-Iran conflict enters second week

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    World powers initiated high-stakes diplomatic efforts on Friday to defuse escalating tensions between Israel and Iran as the conflict entered its second week. Senior European diplomats met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva, seeking to prevent further escalation.

    The emergency talks come amid heightened military activity, with Israeli forces destroying three Iranian missile launchers poised to strike Israeli territory. Meanwhile, Iranian missiles continued targeting locations across Israel, including areas near major international companies in Beersheba. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that some Iranian missiles landed directly in Beersheba without interception, with one projectile falling near Microsoft facilities in the southern Israeli city.

    Diplomatic Talks in Geneva

    Senior diplomats from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany gathered with Abbas Araghchi in Geneva, accompanied by the European Union’s foreign policy chief. The negotiations aim to establish a two-week diplomatic window to de-escalate tensions, focusing on Tehran’s nuclear program.

    These talks come amid rising global concern that the conflict could spiral into open warfare, destabilizing West Asia and precipitating a humanitarian crisis. The diplomatic push also serves as a prelude to next week’s NATO summit in The Hague, where regional security will be a key focus.

    European officials underscored the urgency of dialogue, cautioning that continued military pressure on Iran risks regime collapse and widespread displacement. Meanwhile, Russia condemned Israel’s military actions, expressing support for Tehran and calling for peaceful resolutions.

    U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained strategic ambiguity on American involvement, stating that a decision will be made within two weeks.

    Escalation and Regional Impact

    European officials highlighted the potential humanitarian fallout should Iran’s government collapse under sustained military pressure. Israel’s military campaign has expanded beyond conventional targets, hitting state institutions such as police headquarters and state television offices in Tehran.

    Western and regional sources indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims not only to degrade Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities but also to destabilize the core structures of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s regime.

    Divisions within the European Union

    The European Union remains divided over the legitimacy of Israel’s military actions. While France, Germany, and Italy support Israel’s right to self-defense, other member states question the legal justification for offensive operations against Iran under international law.

    The EU has called for restraint and adherence to international law, warning of severe risks, including radioactive contamination and widespread humanitarian consequences.

    Russia’s Position and U.S. Ambiguity

    Russia has strongly condemned what it terms Israel’s “unprovoked military assaults on a sovereign UN member state,” positioning itself as a proponent of diplomacy while backing Iran. The ongoing uncertainty from Washington, as President Trump weighs options, has left regional actors uncertain about the conflict’s trajectory.

    The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 639 casualties in Iran.

     

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE Executive Secretary in Kyiv at launch of work on Ukraine’s State Housing Policy Strategy and to advance support for green recovery

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    In Kyiv amid some of the deadliest and most devastating attacks on Ukraine’s capital, a UNECE team led by Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean has expressed renewed solidarity with the people of Ukraine and full support to national and local recovery efforts. 

    Faced with acute damage to its ageing housing stock, Ukraine is looking not only to restore what was lost but to rethink and rebuild its housing systems, institutions, and approaches to reflect the needs of a modern, resilient, and inclusive country. 

    The housing sector has been among the hardest hit: an estimated 13% of all housing stock in the country has been damaged or destroyed, affecting more than 2.5 million households, according the joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4) commissioned by the Ukrainian Government, the World Bank Group, the European Commission and the UN.  

    UNECE is supporting the government to prepare for the recovery of the housing sector through the development of the State Housing Policy Strategy. The Strategy is guided by the draft Law “On the Basic Principles of Housing Policy”, which was prepared with UNECE support through the UN4UkrainianCities initiative. 

    This week in Kyiv, UNECE joined the World Bank and other partners  for the launch of the development of the Strategy, which will be a decisive step for the entire housing policy system — from mechanisms for addressing housing needs to the management of housing stock, from support for internally displaced persons to the restoration of damaged housing. Specifically, the Strategy will define directions, mechanisms, key changes, and indicators for monitoring progress, and outline the scope of needs and planned funding sources.  

    The aim of the project is to ensure that Ukraine’s State Housing Policy Strategy reflects both domestic needs and international commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNECE will support the government through recommendations on policy design, housing delivery mechanisms, and institutional reforms that are grounded in international experience. 

    In Kyiv, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean emphasized that “Ukraine’s State Housing Policy Strategy can serve as a foundation for an updated housing policy that goes beyond regulatory changes and establishes a long-term, integrated vision — and, ultimately, contributes to a better quality of life for millions of Ukrainians.” She highlighted UNECE’s longstanding partnership with Ukraine in this area.  

    The Strategy will focus on: the international and national context; housing stock (condition), including on the extent of destruction and recovery; exercising the right to housing; financing and construction of new housing; housing stock management; restoration of the housing stock; affordability of housing; transparency of housing policy. 

    The UN4UkrainianCities initiative, launched by UNECE and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and supported by GIZ, works in close cooperation with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine and the cities of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. It focuses on building back better in Ukraine and the two cities, including by developing a new, modern housing policy that can be effectively implemented at the local level.  

    Supporting a green and resilient recovery  

    Expressing UNECE’s readiness to continue supporting the green recovery of Ukraine, Ms. Molcean discussed with Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ms. Svitlana Grynchuk, the country’s strong engagement despite the extreme challenges posed by the war, harnessing in particular UNECE’s Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Since 2022, Ukraine has acceded to the UNECE Industrial Accidents Convention and the GMO amendment under the Aarhus Convention, and signed a bilateral agreement with Romania on the Implementation of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention). UNECE is also supporting Ukraine’s transition to a climate-resilient and net-zero economy — by integrating green policies, financial mechanisms and stakeholder collaboration — through the Platform for Action on the Green Recovery of Ukraine, established jointly with UNEP and OECD. 

    In meetings with Ukrainian high-level officials, the Executive Secretary further reaffirmed commitment to supporting Ukraine to address challenges in housing and other areas of UNECE expertise, in particular in energy and environmental protection. She met with Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories, Ms. Natalia Kozlovska, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Ms. Y.Svyrydenko, and Deputy Chair of Verkhovna Rada, Ms. Olena Kondratyuk, as well as heads of Verkhovna Rada Committees. 

    Photo credit: Press Service of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level holds 54th ordinary session in Nigeria

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

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    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial Level is holding its 54th Ordinary Session today,18th of June 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

    During the meeting, Ministers will consider the report of the 42nd Session of the MSC at the Ambassadorial Level, along with memoranda on the political, security, and humanitarian situations in the Region. Key updates will include the transition process in the Republic of Guinea, negotiations with Burkina Faso, Republics of Mali, and Niger, as well as maritime security, counterterrorism and organised crime, among other pressing matters.

    In his welcome address, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted that the 54th Ordinary Session of MSC convenes at a defining moment as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary. President Touray commended Member States for their unwavering commitment to peace, security and regional stability, noting that despite persistent challenges, the Community remains resilient and unified.

    He emphasised the Council’s enduring contribution to maintaining security over the past 25 years and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening the regional peace and security architecture, improving communication to counter misinformation, and preserving the achievements of the Community amidst growing geopolitical complexities.

    “For over 25 years, the Mediation and Security Council has contributed immensely to the security and stability of our region, through its numerous sessions. Therefore, in celebrating the Golden Jubilee, we must recognise the contribution of this august body to the Community,” President Touray added.

    H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level, welcomed delegates to Abuja and acknowledged their continued dedication to strengthening peace, security, and democratic governance in West Africa. He outlined the Council’s focus on key regional priorities, including political transitions, upcoming elections, maritime security, terrorism, organised crime and financial transparency.

    Ambassador Tuggar also highlighted progress on the Early Warning and Response Centres, the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy, and the completion of the Lungi Military Logistics Depot, a milestone in operationalising the ECOWAS Standby Force.

    He further underscored the need for collective ownership of regional initiatives and cautioned against restrictive policies that could hinder trade and investment opportunities vital to the region’s prosperity.

    “In these challenging times, our ability to come together to consult, collaborate and take decisive action remains vital to advancing peace, security and good governance across our region,” he added.

    A report will be adopted by the Ministers at the end of the MSC Session and presented to the Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, scheduled to take place in Abuja from the 19th to 20th of June 2025.

    – on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: “Don’t Lose This Golden Chance”- President Museveni Advises Ugandans on the Parish Development Model (PDM)

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

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    He said he began the fight against poverty in the 1960s and he has been able to come up with various poverty alleviation programs to ensure that his dream is realized.

    “Don’t lose this chance because it’s a big support to you. Wako, who was poor, is now a rich man. He is blessed now with three cows and a milling machine because his family embraced the PDM program. I know that we are all not equal but when you embrace the PDM program you will eradicate poverty in your households,” he said.

    President Museveni made the remarks today during his PDM assessment tour at Mr. Muwereza Wako ‘s farm situated at Buyego cell, Buvuma sub-county in Buvuma district.

    Mr. Wako, a PDM beneficiary, owns three cows and a milling machine.

    The President, who was pleased to visit Mr. Wako’s farm, said that the government has for years been sending resources to the public to curb poverty but in one way or the other some government officials have been mismanaging it.

    President Museveni however narrated that the government now gives each parish Shs.100m annually and in his next five years’ term in office, each parish will have received Shs.500m.

    He revealed that the first batch which received Shs.1m PDM money each, two years back will return it to their parishes with an interest of Shs.120,000, to give chance to other adults to benefit.

    The President supported Mr. Wako with Shs.12m to purchase an acre of land at Shs.10m and use the Shs.2m to buy livestock like goats and pigs.

    In response, Mr. Wako commended the President for initiating the PDM program that has enabled a section of Ugandans to improve their standard of living through wealth creation. He asserted that he was so poor to an extent that he couldn’t afford food for his family but currently he is called a rich man.

    Mr. Wako and his wife Mirembe Eseza together with their eight children live on half an acre of land and according to the farmer, the PDM money has enabled him to add value to his family through wealth creation.

    He said on 21st June 2023, he received Shs. 1 million PDM cash and after the bank charges, he remained with Shs. 980,000.

    Mr. Wako noted that using the PDM money, he added some of his savings to buy a bull and a cow which conceived and gave birth to a calf in May 2024.

    During the same month, he sold a bull at Shs.1m and used it to purchase an old milling machine at Shs.2.5m.  

    Mr. Wako explained that the machine seller allowed him to clear his remaining balance of Shs.1.5m in installments. He asserted that he started using the machine which fetched him money to clear the balance.

    The PDM beneficiary revealed that the milling machine earns him Shs. 15,000 every day, after deducting Shs. 5,000 for fuel, thus remaining with Shs. 10,000 and he earns a total of 300,000 per month. The dairy cow gives him 3 litres of milk. He sells two litres at Shs.1000 each and earns a total of Shs. 60,000 per month. The cow dung and urine is used as fertilizers in his garden.

    – on behalf of State House Uganda.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU students discover new ways to advance atopic dermatitis treatment

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    On June 17, the educational Sprint “Medical Marketing” was completed at Novosibirsk State University. It was organized jointly with the international cosmetics company Bioderma as part of the project

    In less than two months, participants went from ideas to solutions that will soon be tested by the project’s marketing team.

    There were about 50 participants at the start, 9 teams reached the final. And the main prize is an internship in Moscow!

    What did the participants propose?

    The Sprint finalists presented completely different, but equally inspiring approaches to solving medical marketing problems. All projects were focused on the real demand of Bioderma and the problems faced by patients with atopic dermatitis.

    The Telegram bot for patient navigation was created by the winners of the Medical Marketing Sprint, Ksenia Vasilyeva and Ekaterina Butikova. The bot helps patients navigate information, receive content selections and important reminders.

    Ksenia Vasilyeva:

    — For me, it was a love story at first sight. I am a resident in dermatovenereology, and the topic of atopic dermatitis is something I encounter very often during my training and doctor’s appointments. When I saw that the project was being done by Bioderma, I didn’t even have to think: I had already attended their lectures for doctors — always deep and caring. And, to be honest, I sincerely love this brand, I use their products myself. Therefore, participating in such a project became something very personal — I wanted to be part of an initiative that really helps people.

    I entered the project with great interest and no less doubts. I understood that it would be cool, because it was a collaboration between NSU and Bioderma, but I was worried that I might not have enough knowledge. I had never done marketing, and technical stuff seemed completely out of my league. But the sprint changed everything: we learned right on the spot, there were so many cool lectures — on medical marketing, on tools, and even on the technical side. And most importantly, there was incredible support from the curators. They didn’t just teach us — they guided us, inspired us, and instilled confidence in us.

    Ekaterina Butikova:

    — The most difficult part was to understand the technical part, because my education is in a different field. But with the help of modern tools, trial and error, we managed and reached the final product.

    Now I understand that you can figure out and do almost everything with due persistence and desire. This experience showed how important it is to be in the trend of new technologies.

    The finalists developed working solutions: from an ML model predicting the likelihood of purchasing a product to Telegram bots for interacting with consumers and keeping an AD (atopic dermatitis) diary.

    — The Medical Marketing Hackathon is a successful experiment in “landing” and working through the tasks of a specific company by students and young professionals. As a result, the participants gained invaluable experience and direct contacts with business representatives, and the company watched the teams in action; the results of the work will soon be tested by their marketing department.

    The company expressed an active desire to continue interacting with student teams not only within the framework of this event, but also through other products of the NSU Startup Studio, such as the .Catalyst accelerator and the Sandbox internship program within the university, said Alexey Starostin, Director of the NSU Startup Studio.

    – Project

    All teams interviewed patients and collected feedback, obtaining data that could be interesting and useful to the medical community. Irina Gennadyevna Sergeeva, MD, Professor of the Department of Fundamental Medicine at NSU, noted that the works on the topics “Criteria for the selection of emollients in the complex therapy of AD” (authors – Anastasia Bibikova, Maria Darovskikh), “Analysis of reviews and feedback” (Daria Boyarova, Anastasia Korotchenko), “Analysis of engagement in chats and Telegram channels” (Serafima Zolotova, Alina Nikolaeva) deserve publication in scientific journals and can be presented in Scopus.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Building Solutions for Bharat: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Sparks Change Across North India

    Source: Samsung

    Young changemakers at HDFC School, Gurugram
     
    In classrooms across Punjab and Haryana, something powerful is happening. Students are no longer just preparing for exams—they’re preparing to change the world.
     
    Through the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow programme, workshops and open houses recently swept through towns and cities like Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar, Talwandi, Dhuri, and Gurugram, igniting a spark of innovation among hundreds of young minds. From government schools to premier universities, students are now dreaming of solving India’s most pressing problems—armed with empathy, purpose, and the courage to act.
     
    Launched on April 29, 2025, this latest season of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a national innovation challenge that equips students with design thinking tools to identify real-world problems and build tech-based solutions that matter. The programme offers INR 1 crore to the top four winning teams, alongside expert mentorship from Samsung leaders and IIT Delhi faculty, investor connects, and prototyping support to help turn big ideas into tangible change.
     
    At Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, the energy in the room was palpable. Chestha, an engineering student with a passion for rural development, walked in with a question and walked out with a mission.
     
    “I’ve always wondered why farmers still struggle with outdated irrigation systems,” she said. “This workshop helped me think through the problem and sketch out a low-cost, AI-based solution for real-time soil and water monitoring. I now believe it’s actually doable—and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has given me the tools to begin.”
     
    Over in Guru Kashi University, Talwandi, Vatsal found a different calling.
     
    “I’ve been interested in the mental health crisis, especially among teenagers in smaller towns. The workshop helped me design a tech-enabled peer support platform focused on accessibility and anonymity. It feels good to know that ideas like these can get real support. For the first time, I feel like I can make something that truly matters.”
     
    In Patiala’s DAV Public School, the spirit of problem-solving had taken over. Astha, a Class 11 student with an eye for social impact, was brimming with purpose.
     
    “I want to address the lack of menstrual hygiene awareness in rural schools. During the workshop, I mapped out an idea for a mobile app and a local ambassador network. It’s a small step, but it could mean the world to someone. Solve for Tomorrow made me believe that even at 16, I can start something.”
     
    Meanwhile, in Gurugram’s HDFC School, the air was thick with big ideas and bigger ambitions. Rishika, a student driven by climate action, left the session inspired.
     
    “I’ve been worried about the carbon footprint of everyday transportation,” she shared. “This workshop gave me the confidence to explore green mobility solutions—like creating an app that promotes micro-mobility options in school campuses and societies. It’s early, but I’ve started thinking like a designer, a problem-solver.”
     
    The movement didn’t stop there. From BCM Arya Model School in Ludhiana to Guru Teg Bahadur Public School in Bardwal (Dhuri), and KR Mangalam in Gurugram, every workshop was filled with passionate young voices. Some wanted to work on clean energy. Others dreamt of solving water scarcity. What united them all was the belief that they could shape the future—not someday but starting now.
     
    Across every region, one thing stood out—the unwavering commitment Samsung has made to democratizing innovation and nurturing India’s next generation of visionaries.
     
    As the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow roadshows continue their journey, they’re not just delivering workshops—they’re sparking revolutions of thought. And in the hearts of students from Punjab’s villages to Gurugram’s classrooms, the seeds of a better tomorrow are already taking root.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –