Category: Politics

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation opens on Angus Fire permit application
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Consultation opens on Angus Fire permit application

Angus Fire Limited has applied to the Environment Agency to vary its environmental permit to reduce chemical contamination on its site at High Bentham.
The operator has applied to vary the permit to introduce an effluent treatment plant.

Previously, Angus Fire manufactured and tested firefighting foam. This foam is known to have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These PFAS chemicals are transferred into rainwater when it falls on to key areas of the site.

Angus Fire has been collecting this rainwater so it can be treated to reduce the PFAS substances.

The application is for an effluent treatment plant to reduce the PFAS in both the collected rainwater and the future rainwater that falls onto the site.

The operator no longer manufacturers firefighting foam at its High Bentham site. The application is for treating rainwater to reduce PFAS chemicals from the site’s previous manufacturing processes.

The Environment Agency is now seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.

The consultation will run from Thursday 24 July until Thursday 21 August 2025.

It is live on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.

The website explains what the Environment Agency can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.

Agency ‘welcomes comments from the public’

John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment and we will carry out a detailed and robust assessment of Angus Fire’s permit variation application.

We welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors that people feel are important.

Once treated at the effluent plant, the rainwater would be discharged to the River Wenning.

The proposed level of PFAS remaining in the treated rainwater discharged into the river would be in line with levels currently accepted as best practice for PFAS treatment processes.

The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation.

If the application shows that the site can operate in a way that meets all current environmental regulations and will provide a high level of protection of the environment and human health, the Environment Agency is legally obliged to issue a permit.

People can respond to the consultation directly on the website or alternatively by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk

Background information

Consultation

Responses to the consultation can be made electronically. To access the relevant documentation, visit our consultation website

Information on the website explains how you can view the consultation documents and how you can make your comments. We also explain what we can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals is urged to read the documentation online before responding directly on the website or by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk

Those unable to make representation via the consultation website or by email should contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.  

Environmental permits

Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its conditions.

Our powers include enforcement notices, suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions, including prosecution.

We may only refuse a permit if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have a significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a permit.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks on the occasion of Africa Day at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 [as prepared for delivery]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates and colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honour to join you here today.

As we celebrate Africa Day within this High-Level Political Forum, we gather not only to take stock, but to bear witness to something extraordinary: a continent that refuses to be defined by its starting point but instead chooses to measure itself by how far it has traveled.

Make no mistake: Africa began its sustainable development journey on the back foot.

Colonial legacies that took wealth and left behind fractured institutions.

Climate catastrophes that wash away decades of progress in a single season.

Conflicts that force entire populations to abandon everything they have built.

These are daily realities that test the resolve of every African nation.

Yet here we stand, with ten countries presenting their Voluntary National Reviews this year as testaments to resilience.

Angola achieving its strongest economic growth in a decade while building over twelve thousand new schools.

Ethiopia sustaining remarkable growth while powering its entire electrical grid from renewable sources.

The Gambia driving robust development across agriculture, tourism, and services.

These efforts are part of a broader continental push to realize the vision of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda in the VNRs we see that vision coming to life.

More than 100 other VNRs have been prepared in the last decade since the SDGs were adopted and tell promising stories of progress across the Continent.

But let us be clear on the full scale of the challenges facing Africa.

When a country like Sudan facing conflict sees the vast majority of its factories destroyed with unemployment soaring to crushing levels.

We are reminded that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed.
When young people across our continent still struggle to find decent work, we know that our most precious resource – our youth – still faces barriers that deny them their rightful place in building tomorrow’s Africa.

When Africa gets the fundamentals right, like quality education for every child, the path to higher ground becomes clearer.

Digital transformation, climate resilience, economic justice: these are no longer distant summits, but peaks within reach, and Africa has always been a continent of climbers.

Consider the women breaking barriers across our continent.

In parliaments from Rwanda to Eswatini to Ghana, women are claiming seats of power once denied to them.

Across Lesotho, widows now possess rights over family property that previous generations could never imagine.

Each a seismic shift in how African societies recognize the power and potential of half their population.

Our youth, too, are not passive recipients of change – they are its architects.

From Nigeria’s digital revolution to technology driven governance in Seychelles to Morocco’s role in advancing AI research, young Africans are coding and designing the future every step of the way.

That said, we should not romanticize the road ahead.

At this moment, at this rate, the SDGs are beyond reach in Africa.

We have five years to 2030.

Five years to transform systems that took decades to build.

Five years to close gaps and the widest gap remains finance.

Finance is the engine of progress.

Without it, schools don’t get built, clinics stay empty, and peace remains out of reach.

The global financial system is not working for Africa.

Borrowing costs are too high, debt burdens are too heavy, and the money that could change lives is tied up in systems that are too slow, too narrow, and too risk averse.

The Sevilla Commitment is a step forward, a promise to get resources flowing faster, fairer, and at the scale we need.

The next five years will test not only our ambition, but our ability to deliver on the most basic promises of dignity and justice – especially in the areas where progress remains most elusive.

Many women still face gender-based violence that steals their safety, their dignity, and their dreams.

We must dismantle the structural barriers that persist like shadows, following women from childhood through their adult lives.

Our young people deserve more than we have given them. We must invest urgently in skills development, particularly in the digital and green sectors where Africa can lead the world.

The bigger picture also betrays an all-too-present imbalance: too often, African countries are absent from the tables where global decisions are made, yet they are first to feel the impact.

The Pact for the Future is working to change that.

It calls for more inclusive, representative global governance that reflects today’s realities, not a snapshot of yesterday.

It recognizes that sustainable development cannot be built on a foundation of exclusion, and by adopting the Pact, countries committed to ensuring Africa is where it belongs: at the table, shaping the decisions that shape our world.

And we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that countries have the UN support and capacity needed to do just that.

The Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative also builds on the existing reforms and plots an ambitious path forward to ensure that those we serve have the optimal level and type of capacity in country.

Excellencies,

Africa’s journey toward 2030, 2063 and beyond is not a sprint, it’s a relay race, where each nation, each community, each individual, carries the baton forward.

The Africa Sustainable Development Report that we are launching today represents both the progress, and the challenges, from a continent still writing its greatest chapter.

It is a declaration that future generations will inherit not the limitations we face, but the possibilities we create.

Above all, they speak to a refusal to accept that history determines destiny.

I want to thank the African Union, the Economic Commission of Africa, the African Development Bank and the UNDP for preparing this crucial piece of work.

Let it be our map for the road ahead.

Let us build on the foundation of commitment it represents.

The relay baton is in our hands.

The finish line is in sight, and from what I have seen, African nations – resilient, determined, unstoppable – are ready to run.

Thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: 74Software: Sustained Momentum Reinforces Long-Term Objectives

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release
Paris, July 24, 2025

74Software: Sustained Momentum Reinforces Long-Term Objectives

Group H1 2025 revenue of €344.0m, up 6.5% organically and 6.2% in total
Strong H1 across both brands – Axway up 8.9% to €160.8m and SBS up 5.0% to €184.2m
Marked improvement in margin on operating activities, up 585bps to 12.0% of revenue (€41.3m)
ARR increased year-on-year by 11.8% at Axway and 10.9% at SBS, further strengthening recurring revenues

74Software’s Board of Directors, chaired by Pierre Pasquier, approved today the financial statements for the first half of 2025, which were subject to a limited review by the statutory auditors¹. Consequently, 74Software announces:

Half-Year Key Income Statement Items

	Half-year 2025		Half-year 2024 Proforma 6M AXW + 6M SBS		Half-year 2024 Reported Axway Standalone
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.
TOTAL REVENUE	344.0		323.9		148.7
GROSS PROFIT	228.1	66.3%	206.8	63.9%	104.7	70.5%
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	17.1	11.5%
OPERATING PROFIT	19.5	5.7%	2.6	0.8%	8.3	5.6%
NET PROFIT	5.8	1.7%	-15.6	-4.8%	2.8	1.9%
EARNINGS PER SHARE	0.20 €		-0.54 €		0.13 €

Patrick Donovan, Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“Our H1 results confirm our strong start to the year and demonstrate both the strength of our strategic direction and our ability to execute in-line with our stated plans. As noted in our Q1 press release, the solid early execution front-loads part of the year’s commercial activity— especially in the Axway business. We remain fully committed to our full-year guidance and, more broadly, to our 2027 and 2028 ambitions. Axway is now firmly established as a subscription-first business, while SBS is rapidly scaling its modular banking platforms and expanding its SaaS footprint. With recurring revenue accelerating and capital deployment tightly managed, 74Software is becoming a more structured, resilient, and forward-looking group — built to deliver long-term value creation.”

Comments on H1 2025 activity

74Software delivered a strong first-half performance, confirming its ability to execute on its strategic roadmap and capitalize on the operational integration initiated following the transaction closing in September 2024. Revenue growth was solid in both brands, while profitability improved as planned — reflecting the strength of the Group’s model and the improved execution driven by Axway’s infrastructure software expertise and SBS’s leadership in banking software.

Following a particularly dynamic Q1, the second quarter allowed the Group to consolidate its gains, maintain commercial selectivity, and further shift toward a recurring, scalable revenue model. Axway has now largely transitioned, while SBS continues to advance its own transformation, expanding SaaS deployments and rebalancing its revenue mix in favor of product revenue. Key highlights for the period include:

Axway recorded a strong first half, with consistent growth across all product lines. Nearly 60 new customers were signed during the period (+20% year-on-year), with new-name deals accounting for around one-third of Q2 bookings. Large-scale projects gained momentum, including six contracts exceeding €1 million signed in Q2 alone. Demand for cloud-based delivery continued to rise, with Axway-managed deployments representing 40% of Q2 bookings and 35% over the first half. This shift was broad-based, with steady adoption across all geographies and industry verticals.
SBS also reported strong results, with product revenue now accounting for 75% of total revenue, up from 67% in H1 2024 — marking significant progress in the company’s shift toward a software-led model. Growth was supported by all product lines, including solid license activity in integrated platforms, components, and financing solutions, as well as continued expansion of modular offerings. The company has now contracted more than 230 SaaS regulatory reporting services, reinforcing adoption across its client base. During the period, SBS welcomed several new clients and completed the first SaaS deployment of its digital engagement platform in Europe. Two additional implementations are scheduled for the third quarter in Africa, where demand is driven by microfinance and Islamic banking. The company’s progress was also recognized through multiple industry awards highlighting its leadership in compliance, payments, and digital banking.

The Group enters H2 with improving visibility, disciplined execution, and a clear focus on delivering its full-year objectives. Integration of support functions between Axway and SBS is now largely complete, and joint commercial initiatives are steadily expanding across selected regions.

Comments on H1 2025 operational performance

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand

	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
€m / %	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
Axway Scope	160.8	148.7	147.6	8.1%	8.9%
SBS Scope	184.2	175.2	175.4	5.1%	5.0%

Consolidation	-1.0	0.0	0.0	–	–

74Software	344.0	323.9	323.0	6.2%	6.5%

In the first half of 2025, the Group generated revenue of €344.0 million, reflecting total growth of 6.2% and organic growth of 6.5% year-on-year. This performance was supported by both brands, with Axway contributing €160.8 million in revenue and organic growth of 8.9%, and SBS contributing €184.2 million with 5.0% organic growth (compared to proforma H1 2024).

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Type

	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
€m / %	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
Product revenue	280.0	248.7	248.1	12.6%	12.9%
Recurring revenue	258.0	229.3	228.7	12.5%	12.8%
o/w Maintenance & Support	91.5	96.2	96.0	-4.9%	-4.7%
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	98.7	76.6	76.5	28.8%	29.0%
o/w Own-managed Subscription	67.8	56.5	56.2	20.0%	20.6%
License revenue	22.1	19.4	19.4	13.5%	13.7%

Services revenue	64.0	75.2	74.9	-14.9%	-14.6%

Total revenue	344.0	323.9	323.0	6.2%	6.5%

In the first half of 2025, Product revenue reached €280.0 million, up 12.9% organically, reflecting strong execution across both Axway and SBS. The Group continued to benefit from rising demand for subscription-based offers, with both customer-managed and own-managed subscriptions posting growth above 20%. Maintenance revenue declined as anticipated, while license activity increased but remained low at 6.4% of total revenue. Product revenues accounted for 81% of total revenue (up from 77% in H1 2024) and recurring revenues were at 75% of total revenue (up from 71% in H1 2024), confirming 74Software’s successful transition toward a product- and subscription-led model.

Axway generated €143.3 million in product revenue, up 10.5% organically. Recurring activities made nearly the entire contribution, driven by a 29.5% increase in customer-managed subscriptions and 6.8% growth in own-managed deployments, reflecting continued momentum in hybrid environments. License revenue decreased by 34.9% as the company continues to phase out new license sales. Maintenance and support dropped by 20.6% due to the continued shift of the customer base towards subscription models. Services revenue was slightly lower, down 2.2%, and represented 11% of Axway’s total.

SBS recorded €137.7 million in product revenue, up 16.3% organically, with strong performance across all product categories. Own-managed subscriptions rose by 35.2%, customer-managed subscriptions by 25.5%, and maintenance and support increased by 4.2%, supported by a growing installed base. License revenue climbed 21.2%, reflecting continued expansion of integrated and lending solutions. Recurring revenue now represents 64% of SBS’s business (up from 58% in H1 2024), with services accounting for 25% and licenses for 11%. This illustrates SBS’s continued shift from a service-led to a product-led business model.

Group-wide, Services generated €64.0 million in the first half, or 18.6% of total revenue, down 14.6% compared to last year. This decrease mainly reflects SBS’s repositioning, while Axway’s service contribution remained stable. The difference in service trends between the two businesses stems from their respective models. Axway relies on lighter implementation cycles, whereas SBS delivers more comprehensive banking transformation programs.

At the end of June 2025, ARR for Axway stood at €255.9 million, reflecting an organic growth of 11.8% year-on-year. SBS also continued to expand its ARR to €233.3 million, up 10.9% organically year-on-year. These solid performances confirm the effectiveness of both companies’ strategic repositioning and reinforce the Group’s revenue predictability and resilience.

Comments on H1 2025 product line performance

Axway, a recognized leader in application infrastructure and middleware, delivered solid momentum in the first half of 2025. All product lines contributed to growth, supported by strong commercial execution and increasing demand for cloud-based solutions:

Managed File Transfer remained a key contributor despite a normalization of activity following an exceptional 2024. The gradual erosion of legacy maintenance was more than offset by strong momentum in managed deployments, confirming the sustained value of Axway’s hybrid approach.
B2B Integration delivered robust gains across the board, benefiting from growing demand for managed solutions and early signs of successful cross-sell with SBS. The product line also saw improvements in both subscription and service revenue.
API Management accelerated sharply, supported by strong commercial execution and increased adoption of its integration and engagement modules. The Fusion extension also contributed positively, confirming the platform’s potential.
Specialized Products, including the Financial Accounting Hub, maintained steady momentum through targeted compliance and finance use cases. Recent wins via ecosystem partnerships reinforced Axway’s positioning with key accounts.

SBS, a trusted provider of banking and financing software, posted solid growth in all product lines, confirming the strength of its modular and targeted approach as it continues its shift toward a product-led model:

Financing Products maintained a steady trajectory, reflecting stable demand in wholesale auto finance and UK mortgage service. Activity remained resilient despite longer decision cycles in certain regions.
- Modular Products continued to gain traction, primarily driven by momentum in instant payments and the regulatory reporting platform. Cross-sell into the integrated base gained pace, confirming the appeal of modular architectures.
- Integrated Products delivered consistent performance, with solid customer retention and ongoing functional improvements. In some markets, modular alternatives are beginning to complement legacy platforms, paving the way for more composable setups. SBS’ market-leading product in Africa continues to perform strongly, adding new customers as well as increasing share of wallet in its installed base.
Banking Components continued to gain momentum, particularly in payments, lending, and cards. The strength of customer relationships across key accounts in France continues to drive upsells.

Comments on H1 2025 profit on operating activities

Profit on Operating Activities – Group

	H1 2025		H1 2024 Proforma		Change
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	Basis Points
Product revenue	280.0	81.4%	248.7	76.8%	+ 31.3	+ 461
Services revenue	64.0	18.6%	75.2	23.2%	– 11.2	– 461
Total revenue	344.0		323.9		+ 20.1
Total costs of revenue	115.9		117.1		– 1.2
GROSS PROFIT	228.1	66.3%	206.9	63.9%	+ 21.2	+ 243
o/w product gross profit	217.9	77.8%	191.7	77.0%	+ 26.2	+ 75
o/w services gross profit	10.2	15.9%	15.2	20.2%	– 5.0	– 422
Operating expenses	186.8	54.3%	186.9	57.7%	– 0.1	– 341
o/w research & development	93.2	27.1%	95.0	29.3%	– 1.8	– 224
o/w sales & marketing	62.8	18.3%	62.3	19.2%	+ 0.5	– 96
o/w general & administrative	30.8	8.9%	29.6	9.1%	+ 1.1	– 20
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	+ 21.4	+ 585
Net Capitalisation of R&D	8.4	2.4%	9.1	2.8%	– 0.8	– 39
in % of gross R&D	8.2%		8.8%		-0.5%

In H1 2025, profit on operating activities reached €41.3 million, representing a margin of 12.0% of revenue, compared with 6.1% in H1 2024. This sharp improvement reflects strong gross profit expansion, driven by a more favorable revenue mix and tight cost control across operating expenses with all lines showing year-on-year efficiencies. Gross margins increased—particularly at Axway—thanks to strong bookings in customer-managed subscriptions, which generated significant upfront revenue at high margins.

Comments on H1 2025 net profit

Net Profit – Group

	Half-year 2025		Half-year 2024 Proforma 6M AXW + 6M SBS		Half-year 2024 Reported Axway Standalone
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	17.1	11.5%
Share-based expenses	-6.7		-2.4		-2.9
Amortization of allocated intangibles	-6.2		-7.1		-1.7
PROFIT FROM RECURRING OPERATIONS	28.4	8.3%	10.5	3.2%	12.5	8.4%
Other operating income and expenses	-8.9		-7.9		-4.1
OPERATING PROFIT	19.5	5.7%	2.6	0.8%	8.3	5.6%
Cost of financial debt	-9.0		-8.9		-2.7
Other financial income and expenses	-2.2		-2.0		-0.9
Income tax expenses	-2.5		-7.2		-2.0
NET PROFIT	5.8	1.7%	-15.6	-4.8%	2.8	1.9%
Earnings per share	0.20 €		-0.54 €		0.13 €

Profit from recurring operations reached €28.4 million, after accounting for the amortization of allocated intangibles and share-based expenses. This marks a substantial improvement from the H1 2024 proforma figure of €10.5 million.

Share-based expenses increased, reflecting the inclusion of SBS in the new long-term incentive program, the Group’s strong share price performance, and higher employer social security rates in France. The purchase price allocation (PPA) related to the SBS acquisition has now been finalized. Amortization of allocated intangibles has been restated for 2024 on a pro forma basis and is expected to total €12–13 million for full-year 2025.

After including other operating income and expenses, such as restructuring charges and non-recurring items totaling €8.9 million, operating profit amounted to €19.5 million, compared with €2.6 million on a proforma basis in H1 2024.

Net profit for the half-year came to €5.8 million (1.7%), a significant turnaround from the €15.6 million loss recorded on a proforma basis in the prior year.

Basic earnings per share stood at €0.20, compared with a loss of €0.54 per share in the first half of 2024 (proforma).

Financial position on June 30, 2025

74Software made strong progress in its deleveraging effort during H1 2025. Free cash flow was particularly robust, supported by seasonal inflows from maintenance and subscription renewals, as well as the first-time implementation of a factoring program on selected receivables. Unlevered free cash flow reached €76.4 million, enabling €42 million in debt repayments and boosting cash balances. As a result, net debt stood at €191.8 million (before IFRS 16), with a leverage ratio of 1.83x and a gearing ratio of 0.37x—achieving the full-year leverage target of below 2.0x well ahead of schedule. This deleveraging is expected to reduce interest expenses going forward. Due to seasonal patterns in cash collection, the leverage ratio is expected to remain below 2.0x through year-end, though without material further improvement.

Shareholders’ equity stood at €512.8 million (72.8% of total capital) at June 30, 2025.

Change in the workforce

At June 30, 2025, the Group employed 4,679 full-time equivalents, compared with 4,787 at year-end 2024. This 2.6% reduction reflects continued disciplined workforce management across both Axway and SBS, aligned with the Group’s operational efficiency focus.

Targets & Ambitions

Following a strong first half, 74Software confirms its full-year 2025 guidance, underpinned by solid execution and front-loaded bookings. The Group continues to target revenue growth between 2% and 4%, reaching approximately €700 million, with an operating margin between 14% and 16%. Due to the first-time introduction of the factoring program, unlevered free cash flow is now expected to be at least 10% of revenue, and the leverage ratio is projected to remain below 2.0x.

Looking ahead, 74Software reiterates its ambition to surpass €750 million in revenue by 2027 with an operating margin above 17%, and to reach around 20% by 2028 — in line with its trajectory toward a scalable, profitable, and product-led growth model.

[ NEW TIME ] Today, Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6.00 p.m. (CEST):

2025 HALF-YEAR RESULTS – VIRTUAL ANALYST CONFERENCE

Register here or join by phone by dialing one of the numbers below:
- France: +33 (0) 1 70 37 71 66 / USA: +1 786 697 3501 / International: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200

Please note that the meeting will be held in English.

Financial Calendar

Thursday, October 30, 2025, before market opening: Publication of Q3 2025 Revenue

Thursday, February 26, 2026, after market closing: Publication of 2025 Full-Year Results

Glossary and Alternative Performance Measures

Axway ARR: Annual Recurring Revenue – Expected annual billing amounts from all active maintenance and subscription agreements.

SBS ARR: Annual Recurring Revenue – Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) for the last month of the reporting period multiplied by 12. Where contracts are affected by seasonality or contracted volume-based elements, the last 12 months of revenue are aggregated in determining ARR. Expected recurring revenue from contracts signed but not yet active are not included in ARR.

NPS: Net Promoter Score – Customer satisfaction and recommendation indicator for a company.

Organic growth: Growth in revenue between the period under review and the prior period, restated for consolidation scope and exchange rate impacts.

Profit on operating activities: Profit from recurring operations adjusted for the non-cash share-based payment expense, as well as the amortization of allocated intangible assets.

Proforma: Proforma measures assume the acquisition of SBS happened at the beginning of the respective reporting period.

Restated revenue: Revenue for the prior year, adjusted for the consolidation scope and exchange rates of the current year.

Unlevered free cash flow: Free cash flow before exceptional items and before net interest expense.

About 74Software

74Software is an enterprise software group founded through the combination of Axway and SBS – independently operated leaders with unique experience and capabilities to deliver mission-critical software for a data driven world. A pioneer in enterprise integration solutions for 25 years, Axway supports major brands and government agencies around the globe with its core line of MFT, B2B, API, and Financial Accounting Hub products. SBS empowers banks and financial institutions to reimagine tomorrow’s digital experiences with a composable cloud-based architecture that enables deposits, lending, compliance, payments, consumer, and asset finance services and operations to be deployed worldwide. 74Software serves more than 11,000 companies, including over 1,500 financial service customers. To learn more, visit 74Software.com

Contacts – Investor Relations:

Arthur Carli – +33 (0)1 47 17 24 65 – acarli@74software.com

Chloé Chouard – +33 (0)1 47 17 21 78 – cchouard@74software.com

Appendices (1/5)

Income Statement – Group

	Half-year 2025		Half-year 2024 Proforma 6M AXW + 6M SBS		Half-year 2024 Reported Axway Standalone
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.
TOTAL REVENUE	344.0		323.9		148.7
Total costs of revenue	-115.9		-117.1		-44.0
GROSS PROFIT	228.1	66.3%	206.9	63.9%	104.7	70.5%
Operating expenses	-186.8		-186.9		-87.6
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	17.1	11.5%
Share-based expenses	-6.7		-2.4		-2.9
Amortization of allocated intangibles	-6.2		-7.1		-1.7
PROFIT FROM RECURRING OPERATIONS	28.4	8.3%	10.5	3.2%	12.5	8.4%
Other operating income and expenses	-8.9		-7.9		-4.1
OPERATING PROFIT	19.5	5.7%	2.6	0.8%	8.3	5.6%
Cost of financial debt	-9.0		-8.9		-2.7
Other financial income and expenses	-2.2		-2.0		-0.9
Income tax expenses	-2.5		-7.2		-2.0
NET PROFIT	5.8	1.7%	-15.6	-4.8%	2.8	1.9%
Earnings per share	0.20 €		-0.54 €		0.13 €

Simplified Balance Sheet

in €m	H1 2025 IFRS Consolidated	FY 2024 IFRS Consolidated	Change	in €m	H1 2025 IFRS Consolidated	FY 2024 IFRS Consolidated	Change
Accounts receivables	246.7	293.5	– 46.8	Cash & cash equivalents	-57.8	-41.4	– 16.4
Other current assets	123.3	101.9	+ 21.4	Financial debt	249.6	291.8	– 42.2
Accounts payables	-34.1	-28.7	– 5.4	Net debt	191.8	250.4	– 58.6
Deferred revenue	-138.2	-88.6	– 49.6	Equity	512.8	532.4	– 19.6
Other current liabilities	-137.2	-158.0	+ 20.8	CAPITAL EMPLOYED	704.6	782.8	– 78.2
Net working capital	60.5	120.1	– 59.7
Tangible fixed assets	20.9	25.0	– 4.1
Goodwill	523.1	497.4	+ 25.7		H1 2025 IFRS Consolidated	FY 2024 IFRS Consolidated	Change
Other intangibles	132.1	192.3	– 60.2
Fixed assets	676.1	714.7	– 38.6	Ratios
Other assets	100.2	78.1	+ 22.1	DSO (days)	121	145	-24
Other liabilities	-132.1	-130.1	– 2.0	Net debt / total capital	27.2%	32.0%	– 4.8%
Other assets – liabilities	-31.9	-52.0	+ 20.1	Equity / total capital	72.8%	68.0%	+ 4.8%
INVESTED ASSETS	704.5	782.8	– 78.4

Cash Flow Statement

	H1 2025			H1 2024	Change Axway H1 25 vs. H1 24
in €m	74Software	SBS	Axway	Axway Standalone	Change Axway H1 25 vs. H1 24
Operating cashflow	89.6	35.8	53.9	15.0	+ 38.8
o/w change in NWC	55.0	29.4	25.6	2.6	+ 23.1
o/w other operating cashflow	34.6	6.4	28.2	12.5	+ 15.7
Investing cashflow	-14.2	-9.8	-4.4	-2.7	– 1.6
o/w PP&E & others	-5.0	-0.6	-4.4	-2.7	– 1.7
o/w capitalized R&D	-9.2	-9.2	0.0	0.0	0.0
Financing cashflow	-58.1	-14.6	-43.4	-12.6	– 30.8
o/w debt repayment	-42.0	0.0	-42.0	0.0	– 42.0
o/w other financing cashflow	-16.1	-14.6	-1.4	-12.6	+ 11.2
NET CHANGE IN CASH	16.2	11.1	5.1	-0.2	+ 5.3

Unlevered free cashflow	76.4	29.0	47.4	13.9	+ 33.5
as a % of revenue	22.2%	15.7%	29.5%	9.4%	+ 20.1%

Appendices (2/5)

Profit on Operating Activities – Axway

	H1 2025 Axway		H1 2024 Reported Axway		Change
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	Basis Points
Product revenue	143.3	89.1%	130.5	87.8%	+ 12.8	+ 134
Services revenue	17.5	10.9%	18.2	12.2%	– 0.7	– 134
Total revenue	160.8		148.7		+ 12.1
Total costs of revenue	40.3		44.0		– 3.7
GROSS PROFIT	120.5	74.9%	104.7	70.4%	+ 15.8	+ 451
o/w product gross profit	119.3	83.2%	104.6	80.2%	+ 14.7	+ 308
o/w services gross profit	1.2	7.0%	0.1	0.6%	+ 1.1	+ 644
Operating expenses	93.8	58.4%	87.6	58.9%	+ 6.2	– 58
o/w research & development	32.6	20.3%	31.2	21.0%	+ 1.4	– 69
o/w sales & marketing	43.0	26.8%	41.8	28.1%	+ 1.2	– 137
o/w general & administrative	18.2	11.3%	14.6	9.8%	+ 3.6	+ 148
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	26.7	16.6%	17.1	11.5%	+ 9.6	+ 508

Profit on Operating Activities – SBS

	H1 2025 SBS		H1 2024 Proforma SBS		Change
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	Basis Points
Product revenue	137.7	74.8%	118.2	67.5%	+ 19.5	+ 729
Services revenue	46.5	25.2%	57.0	32.5%	– 10.5	– 729
Total revenue	184.2		175.2		+ 8.9
Total costs of revenue	76.6		73.1		+ 3.5
GROSS PROFIT	107.6	58.4%	102.1	58.3%	+ 5.5	+ 14
o/w product gross profit	98.6	71.6%	87.1	73.6%	+ 11.5	– 202
o/w services gross profit	9.0	19.3%	15.1	26.4%	– 6.1	– 710
Operating expenses	93.0	50.5%	99.3	56.7%	– 6.3	– 619
o/w research & development	60.6	32.9%	63.8	36.4%	– 3.3	– 354
o/w sales & marketing	19.8	10.7%	20.5	11.7%	– 0.7	– 93
o/w general & administrative	12.6	6.8%	15.0	8.6%	– 2.4	– 173
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	14.6	7.9%	2.8	1.6%	+ 11.8	+ 633

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Axway Scope	82.5	78.3	160.8
SBS Scope	88.3	95.8	184.2

Consolidation	-0.4	-0.6	-1.0

74Software	170.4	173.5	344.0

Appendices (3/5)

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Type

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m / %	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Product revenue	139.1	141.0	280.0
Recurring revenue	129.5	128.4	258.0
o/w Maintenance & Support	47.0	44.5	91.5
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	48.6	50.1	98.7
o/w Own-managed Subscription	34.0	33.8	67.8
License revenue	9.5	12.5	22.1

Services revenue	31.3	32.6	64.0

Total revenue	170.4	173.6	344.0

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Type – Axway

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m / %	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Product revenue	73.4	69.8	143.3
Recurring revenue	72.1	69.5	141.6
o/w Maintenance & Support	14.4	12.8	27.2
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	43.7	43.2	87.0
o/w Own-managed Subscription	13.9	13.4	27.4
License revenue	1.3	0.4	1.7

Services revenue	9.0	8.5	17.5

Total revenue – Axway	82.5	78.3	160.8

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Type – SBS

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m / %	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Product revenue	66.0	71.7	137.7
Recurring revenue	57.9	59.5	117.3
o/w Maintenance & Support	32.5	31.7	64.2
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	4.9	6.9	11.7
o/w Own-managed Subscription	20.5	20.9	41.4
License revenue	8.2	12.2	20.4

Services revenue	22.3	24.2	46.5

Total revenue SBS	88.3	95.8	184.2

Appendices (4/5)

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand & Type

	H1 2025 Axway	H1 2025 SBS	H1 2025 Consolidation	H1 2025 74Software
€m / %	H1 2025 Axway	H1 2025 SBS	H1 2025 Consolidation	H1 2025 74Software
Product revenue	143.3	137.7	-1.0	280.0
Recurring revenue	141.6	117.3	-1.0	258.0
o/w Maintenance & Support	27.2	64.2	0.0	91.5
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	87.0	11.7	0.0	98.7
o/w Own-managed Subscription	27.4	41.4	-1.0	67.8
License revenue	1.7	20.4	0.0	22.1

Services revenue	17.5	46.5	0.0	64.0

Total revenue	160.8	184.2	-1.0	344.0

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand & Type

	H1 2024 Axway	H1 2024 Proforma SBS	H1 2024 Proforma Consolidation	H1 2024 Proforma 74Software
€m / %	H1 2024 Axway	H1 2024 Proforma SBS	H1 2024 Proforma Consolidation	H1 2024 Proforma 74Software
Product revenue	130.5	118.2	0.0	248.7
Recurring revenue	127.9	101.4	0.0	229.3
o/w Maintenance & Support	34.6	61.6	0.0	96.2
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	67.3	9.3	0.0	76.6
o/w Own-managed Subscription	25.9	30.5	0.0	56.5
License revenue	2.6	16.8	0.0	19.4

Services revenue	18.2	57.0	0.0	75.2

Total revenue	148.7	175.2	0.0	323.9

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Region

	H1 2025		H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
	H1 2025
	€m	% of Rev.
Europe	208.1	60.5%	203.0	203.2	2.5%	2.4%
o/w France	99.5	28.9%	99.7	99.7	-0.2%	-0.2%
o/w UK	46.7	13.6%	44.8	45.0	4.3%	3.7%
Americas	73.3	21.3%	65.6	64.6	11.7%	13.5%
Middle East & Africa	43.1	12.5%	39.3	39.3	9.7%	9.7%
Asia & Pacific	19.4	5.7%	15.9	15.8	22.0%	22.7%

74Software	344.0		323.9	323.0	6.2%	6.5%

Appendices (5/5)

Headcount

	30/06/2025	31/12/2024	Change
Europe	3.001	3.090	-89
Americas	370	378	-8
Asia – Pacific	869	882	-13
Middle East – Africa	439	437	2

TOTAL	4.679	4.787	-108

Impact on Half-year Revenue of Changes in Scope and Exchange Rates

€m / %	H1 2025	H1 2024	Growth
Revenue	344.0	148.7	+ 131.4%
Changes in exchange rates		-0.9
Revenue at constant exchange rates	344.0	147.7	+ 132.8%
Changes in scope		+175.2
Revenue at constant scope and exchange rates	344.0	323.0	+ 6.5%

Changes in Main Exchange Rates

For 1€	Average Rate H1 2025	Average rate H1 2024	Change
US Dollar	1.093	1.081	– 1.1%
Great Britain Pound	0.842	0.855	+ 1.5%

1 The interim consolidated financial statements were subject to limited review procedures.

Attachment

24072025_74Software_PR_H1 Results 2025_English_VFinal

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: 74Software: Sustained Momentum Reinforces Long-Term Objectives

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release
Paris, July 24, 2025

74Software: Sustained Momentum Reinforces Long-Term Objectives

Group H1 2025 revenue of €344.0m, up 6.5% organically and 6.2% in total
Strong H1 across both brands – Axway up 8.9% to €160.8m and SBS up 5.0% to €184.2m
Marked improvement in margin on operating activities, up 585bps to 12.0% of revenue (€41.3m)
ARR increased year-on-year by 11.8% at Axway and 10.9% at SBS, further strengthening recurring revenues

Half-Year Key Income Statement Items

	Half-year 2025		Half-year 2024 Proforma 6M AXW + 6M SBS		Half-year 2024 Reported Axway Standalone
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.
TOTAL REVENUE	344.0		323.9		148.7
GROSS PROFIT	228.1	66.3%	206.8	63.9%	104.7	70.5%
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	17.1	11.5%
OPERATING PROFIT	19.5	5.7%	2.6	0.8%	8.3	5.6%
NET PROFIT	5.8	1.7%	-15.6	-4.8%	2.8	1.9%
EARNINGS PER SHARE	0.20 €		-0.54 €		0.13 €

Patrick Donovan, Chief Executive Officer, stated:

Comments on H1 2025 activity

Axway recorded a strong first half, with consistent growth across all product lines. Nearly 60 new customers were signed during the period (+20% year-on-year), with new-name deals accounting for around one-third of Q2 bookings. Large-scale projects gained momentum, including six contracts exceeding €1 million signed in Q2 alone. Demand for cloud-based delivery continued to rise, with Axway-managed deployments representing 40% of Q2 bookings and 35% over the first half. This shift was broad-based, with steady adoption across all geographies and industry verticals.
SBS also reported strong results, with product revenue now accounting for 75% of total revenue, up from 67% in H1 2024 — marking significant progress in the company’s shift toward a software-led model. Growth was supported by all product lines, including solid license activity in integrated platforms, components, and financing solutions, as well as continued expansion of modular offerings. The company has now contracted more than 230 SaaS regulatory reporting services, reinforcing adoption across its client base. During the period, SBS welcomed several new clients and completed the first SaaS deployment of its digital engagement platform in Europe. Two additional implementations are scheduled for the third quarter in Africa, where demand is driven by microfinance and Islamic banking. The company’s progress was also recognized through multiple industry awards highlighting its leadership in compliance, payments, and digital banking.

Comments on H1 2025 operational performance

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand

	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
€m / %	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
Axway Scope	160.8	148.7	147.6	8.1%	8.9%
SBS Scope	184.2	175.2	175.4	5.1%	5.0%

Consolidation	-1.0	0.0	0.0	–	–

74Software	344.0	323.9	323.0	6.2%	6.5%

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Type

	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
€m / %	H1 2025	H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
Product revenue	280.0	248.7	248.1	12.6%	12.9%
Recurring revenue	258.0	229.3	228.7	12.5%	12.8%
o/w Maintenance & Support	91.5	96.2	96.0	-4.9%	-4.7%
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	98.7	76.6	76.5	28.8%	29.0%
o/w Own-managed Subscription	67.8	56.5	56.2	20.0%	20.6%
License revenue	22.1	19.4	19.4	13.5%	13.7%

Services revenue	64.0	75.2	74.9	-14.9%	-14.6%

Total revenue	344.0	323.9	323.0	6.2%	6.5%

Comments on H1 2025 product line performance

Managed File Transfer remained a key contributor despite a normalization of activity following an exceptional 2024. The gradual erosion of legacy maintenance was more than offset by strong momentum in managed deployments, confirming the sustained value of Axway’s hybrid approach.
B2B Integration delivered robust gains across the board, benefiting from growing demand for managed solutions and early signs of successful cross-sell with SBS. The product line also saw improvements in both subscription and service revenue.
API Management accelerated sharply, supported by strong commercial execution and increased adoption of its integration and engagement modules. The Fusion extension also contributed positively, confirming the platform’s potential.
Specialized Products, including the Financial Accounting Hub, maintained steady momentum through targeted compliance and finance use cases. Recent wins via ecosystem partnerships reinforced Axway’s positioning with key accounts.

Financing Products maintained a steady trajectory, reflecting stable demand in wholesale auto finance and UK mortgage service. Activity remained resilient despite longer decision cycles in certain regions.
- Modular Products continued to gain traction, primarily driven by momentum in instant payments and the regulatory reporting platform. Cross-sell into the integrated base gained pace, confirming the appeal of modular architectures.
- Integrated Products delivered consistent performance, with solid customer retention and ongoing functional improvements. In some markets, modular alternatives are beginning to complement legacy platforms, paving the way for more composable setups. SBS’ market-leading product in Africa continues to perform strongly, adding new customers as well as increasing share of wallet in its installed base.
Banking Components continued to gain momentum, particularly in payments, lending, and cards. The strength of customer relationships across key accounts in France continues to drive upsells.

Comments on H1 2025 profit on operating activities

Profit on Operating Activities – Group

	H1 2025		H1 2024 Proforma		Change
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	Basis Points
Product revenue	280.0	81.4%	248.7	76.8%	+ 31.3	+ 461
Services revenue	64.0	18.6%	75.2	23.2%	– 11.2	– 461
Total revenue	344.0		323.9		+ 20.1
Total costs of revenue	115.9		117.1		– 1.2
GROSS PROFIT	228.1	66.3%	206.9	63.9%	+ 21.2	+ 243
o/w product gross profit	217.9	77.8%	191.7	77.0%	+ 26.2	+ 75
o/w services gross profit	10.2	15.9%	15.2	20.2%	– 5.0	– 422
Operating expenses	186.8	54.3%	186.9	57.7%	– 0.1	– 341
o/w research & development	93.2	27.1%	95.0	29.3%	– 1.8	– 224
o/w sales & marketing	62.8	18.3%	62.3	19.2%	+ 0.5	– 96
o/w general & administrative	30.8	8.9%	29.6	9.1%	+ 1.1	– 20
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	+ 21.4	+ 585
Net Capitalisation of R&D	8.4	2.4%	9.1	2.8%	– 0.8	– 39
in % of gross R&D	8.2%		8.8%		-0.5%

Comments on H1 2025 net profit

Net Profit – Group

	Half-year 2025		Half-year 2024 Proforma 6M AXW + 6M SBS		Half-year 2024 Reported Axway Standalone
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	17.1	11.5%
Share-based expenses	-6.7		-2.4		-2.9
Amortization of allocated intangibles	-6.2		-7.1		-1.7
PROFIT FROM RECURRING OPERATIONS	28.4	8.3%	10.5	3.2%	12.5	8.4%
Other operating income and expenses	-8.9		-7.9		-4.1
OPERATING PROFIT	19.5	5.7%	2.6	0.8%	8.3	5.6%
Cost of financial debt	-9.0		-8.9		-2.7
Other financial income and expenses	-2.2		-2.0		-0.9
Income tax expenses	-2.5		-7.2		-2.0
NET PROFIT	5.8	1.7%	-15.6	-4.8%	2.8	1.9%
Earnings per share	0.20 €		-0.54 €		0.13 €

Net profit for the half-year came to €5.8 million (1.7%), a significant turnaround from the €15.6 million loss recorded on a proforma basis in the prior year.

Basic earnings per share stood at €0.20, compared with a loss of €0.54 per share in the first half of 2024 (proforma).

Financial position on June 30, 2025

Shareholders’ equity stood at €512.8 million (72.8% of total capital) at June 30, 2025.

Change in the workforce

Targets & Ambitions

[ NEW TIME ] Today, Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6.00 p.m. (CEST):

2025 HALF-YEAR RESULTS – VIRTUAL ANALYST CONFERENCE

Register here or join by phone by dialing one of the numbers below:
- France: +33 (0) 1 70 37 71 66 / USA: +1 786 697 3501 / International: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200

Please note that the meeting will be held in English.

Financial Calendar

Thursday, October 30, 2025, before market opening: Publication of Q3 2025 Revenue

Thursday, February 26, 2026, after market closing: Publication of 2025 Full-Year Results

Glossary and Alternative Performance Measures

Axway ARR: Annual Recurring Revenue – Expected annual billing amounts from all active maintenance and subscription agreements.

NPS: Net Promoter Score – Customer satisfaction and recommendation indicator for a company.

Organic growth: Growth in revenue between the period under review and the prior period, restated for consolidation scope and exchange rate impacts.

Profit on operating activities: Profit from recurring operations adjusted for the non-cash share-based payment expense, as well as the amortization of allocated intangible assets.

Proforma: Proforma measures assume the acquisition of SBS happened at the beginning of the respective reporting period.

Restated revenue: Revenue for the prior year, adjusted for the consolidation scope and exchange rates of the current year.

Unlevered free cash flow: Free cash flow before exceptional items and before net interest expense.

About 74Software

Contacts – Investor Relations:

Arthur Carli – +33 (0)1 47 17 24 65 – acarli@74software.com

Chloé Chouard – +33 (0)1 47 17 21 78 – cchouard@74software.com

Appendices (1/5)

Income Statement – Group

	Half-year 2025		Half-year 2024 Proforma 6M AXW + 6M SBS		Half-year 2024 Reported Axway Standalone
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.
TOTAL REVENUE	344.0		323.9		148.7
Total costs of revenue	-115.9		-117.1		-44.0
GROSS PROFIT	228.1	66.3%	206.9	63.9%	104.7	70.5%
Operating expenses	-186.8		-186.9		-87.6
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41.3	12.0%	19.9	6.1%	17.1	11.5%
Share-based expenses	-6.7		-2.4		-2.9
Amortization of allocated intangibles	-6.2		-7.1		-1.7
PROFIT FROM RECURRING OPERATIONS	28.4	8.3%	10.5	3.2%	12.5	8.4%
Other operating income and expenses	-8.9		-7.9		-4.1
OPERATING PROFIT	19.5	5.7%	2.6	0.8%	8.3	5.6%
Cost of financial debt	-9.0		-8.9		-2.7
Other financial income and expenses	-2.2		-2.0		-0.9
Income tax expenses	-2.5		-7.2		-2.0
NET PROFIT	5.8	1.7%	-15.6	-4.8%	2.8	1.9%
Earnings per share	0.20 €		-0.54 €		0.13 €

Simplified Balance Sheet

in €m	H1 2025 IFRS Consolidated	FY 2024 IFRS Consolidated	Change	in €m	H1 2025 IFRS Consolidated	FY 2024 IFRS Consolidated	Change
Accounts receivables	246.7	293.5	– 46.8	Cash & cash equivalents	-57.8	-41.4	– 16.4
Other current assets	123.3	101.9	+ 21.4	Financial debt	249.6	291.8	– 42.2
Accounts payables	-34.1	-28.7	– 5.4	Net debt	191.8	250.4	– 58.6
Deferred revenue	-138.2	-88.6	– 49.6	Equity	512.8	532.4	– 19.6
Other current liabilities	-137.2	-158.0	+ 20.8	CAPITAL EMPLOYED	704.6	782.8	– 78.2
Net working capital	60.5	120.1	– 59.7
Tangible fixed assets	20.9	25.0	– 4.1
Goodwill	523.1	497.4	+ 25.7		H1 2025 IFRS Consolidated	FY 2024 IFRS Consolidated	Change
Other intangibles	132.1	192.3	– 60.2
Fixed assets	676.1	714.7	– 38.6	Ratios
Other assets	100.2	78.1	+ 22.1	DSO (days)	121	145	-24
Other liabilities	-132.1	-130.1	– 2.0	Net debt / total capital	27.2%	32.0%	– 4.8%
Other assets – liabilities	-31.9	-52.0	+ 20.1	Equity / total capital	72.8%	68.0%	+ 4.8%
INVESTED ASSETS	704.5	782.8	– 78.4

Cash Flow Statement

	H1 2025			H1 2024	Change Axway H1 25 vs. H1 24
in €m	74Software	SBS	Axway	Axway Standalone	Change Axway H1 25 vs. H1 24
Operating cashflow	89.6	35.8	53.9	15.0	+ 38.8
o/w change in NWC	55.0	29.4	25.6	2.6	+ 23.1
o/w other operating cashflow	34.6	6.4	28.2	12.5	+ 15.7
Investing cashflow	-14.2	-9.8	-4.4	-2.7	– 1.6
o/w PP&E & others	-5.0	-0.6	-4.4	-2.7	– 1.7
o/w capitalized R&D	-9.2	-9.2	0.0	0.0	0.0
Financing cashflow	-58.1	-14.6	-43.4	-12.6	– 30.8
o/w debt repayment	-42.0	0.0	-42.0	0.0	– 42.0
o/w other financing cashflow	-16.1	-14.6	-1.4	-12.6	+ 11.2
NET CHANGE IN CASH	16.2	11.1	5.1	-0.2	+ 5.3

Unlevered free cashflow	76.4	29.0	47.4	13.9	+ 33.5
as a % of revenue	22.2%	15.7%	29.5%	9.4%	+ 20.1%

Appendices (2/5)

Profit on Operating Activities – Axway

	H1 2025 Axway		H1 2024 Reported Axway		Change
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	Basis Points
Product revenue	143.3	89.1%	130.5	87.8%	+ 12.8	+ 134
Services revenue	17.5	10.9%	18.2	12.2%	– 0.7	– 134
Total revenue	160.8		148.7		+ 12.1
Total costs of revenue	40.3		44.0		– 3.7
GROSS PROFIT	120.5	74.9%	104.7	70.4%	+ 15.8	+ 451
o/w product gross profit	119.3	83.2%	104.6	80.2%	+ 14.7	+ 308
o/w services gross profit	1.2	7.0%	0.1	0.6%	+ 1.1	+ 644
Operating expenses	93.8	58.4%	87.6	58.9%	+ 6.2	– 58
o/w research & development	32.6	20.3%	31.2	21.0%	+ 1.4	– 69
o/w sales & marketing	43.0	26.8%	41.8	28.1%	+ 1.2	– 137
o/w general & administrative	18.2	11.3%	14.6	9.8%	+ 3.6	+ 148
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	26.7	16.6%	17.1	11.5%	+ 9.6	+ 508

Profit on Operating Activities – SBS

	H1 2025 SBS		H1 2024 Proforma SBS		Change
	€m	% of Rev.	€m	% of Rev.	€m	Basis Points
Product revenue	137.7	74.8%	118.2	67.5%	+ 19.5	+ 729
Services revenue	46.5	25.2%	57.0	32.5%	– 10.5	– 729
Total revenue	184.2		175.2		+ 8.9
Total costs of revenue	76.6		73.1		+ 3.5
GROSS PROFIT	107.6	58.4%	102.1	58.3%	+ 5.5	+ 14
o/w product gross profit	98.6	71.6%	87.1	73.6%	+ 11.5	– 202
o/w services gross profit	9.0	19.3%	15.1	26.4%	– 6.1	– 710
Operating expenses	93.0	50.5%	99.3	56.7%	– 6.3	– 619
o/w research & development	60.6	32.9%	63.8	36.4%	– 3.3	– 354
o/w sales & marketing	19.8	10.7%	20.5	11.7%	– 0.7	– 93
o/w general & administrative	12.6	6.8%	15.0	8.6%	– 2.4	– 173
PROFIT ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES	14.6	7.9%	2.8	1.6%	+ 11.8	+ 633

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Axway Scope	82.5	78.3	160.8
SBS Scope	88.3	95.8	184.2

Consolidation	-0.4	-0.6	-1.0

74Software	170.4	173.5	344.0

Appendices (3/5)

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Type

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m / %	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Product revenue	139.1	141.0	280.0
Recurring revenue	129.5	128.4	258.0
o/w Maintenance & Support	47.0	44.5	91.5
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	48.6	50.1	98.7
o/w Own-managed Subscription	34.0	33.8	67.8
License revenue	9.5	12.5	22.1

Services revenue	31.3	32.6	64.0

Total revenue	170.4	173.6	344.0

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Type – Axway

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m / %	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Product revenue	73.4	69.8	143.3
Recurring revenue	72.1	69.5	141.6
o/w Maintenance & Support	14.4	12.8	27.2
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	43.7	43.2	87.0
o/w Own-managed Subscription	13.9	13.4	27.4
License revenue	1.3	0.4	1.7

Services revenue	9.0	8.5	17.5

Total revenue – Axway	82.5	78.3	160.8

Quarterly Revenue Breakdown by Type – SBS

	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
€m / %	Q1 2025	Q2 2025	H1 2025
Product revenue	66.0	71.7	137.7
Recurring revenue	57.9	59.5	117.3
o/w Maintenance & Support	32.5	31.7	64.2
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	4.9	6.9	11.7
o/w Own-managed Subscription	20.5	20.9	41.4
License revenue	8.2	12.2	20.4

Services revenue	22.3	24.2	46.5

Total revenue SBS	88.3	95.8	184.2

Appendices (4/5)

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand & Type

	H1 2025 Axway	H1 2025 SBS	H1 2025 Consolidation	H1 2025 74Software
€m / %	H1 2025 Axway	H1 2025 SBS	H1 2025 Consolidation	H1 2025 74Software
Product revenue	143.3	137.7	-1.0	280.0
Recurring revenue	141.6	117.3	-1.0	258.0
o/w Maintenance & Support	27.2	64.2	0.0	91.5
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	87.0	11.7	0.0	98.7
o/w Own-managed Subscription	27.4	41.4	-1.0	67.8
License revenue	1.7	20.4	0.0	22.1

Services revenue	17.5	46.5	0.0	64.0

Total revenue	160.8	184.2	-1.0	344.0

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Portfolio Brand & Type

	H1 2024 Axway	H1 2024 Proforma SBS	H1 2024 Proforma Consolidation	H1 2024 Proforma 74Software
€m / %	H1 2024 Axway	H1 2024 Proforma SBS	H1 2024 Proforma Consolidation	H1 2024 Proforma 74Software
Product revenue	130.5	118.2	0.0	248.7
Recurring revenue	127.9	101.4	0.0	229.3
o/w Maintenance & Support	34.6	61.6	0.0	96.2
o/w Customer-managed Subscription	67.3	9.3	0.0	76.6
o/w Own-managed Subscription	25.9	30.5	0.0	56.5
License revenue	2.6	16.8	0.0	19.4

Services revenue	18.2	57.0	0.0	75.2

Total revenue	148.7	175.2	0.0	323.9

Half-year Revenue Breakdown by Region

	H1 2025		H1 2024 Proforma	H1 2024 Restated	Total Growth	Organic Growth
	H1 2025
	€m	% of Rev.
Europe	208.1	60.5%	203.0	203.2	2.5%	2.4%
o/w France	99.5	28.9%	99.7	99.7	-0.2%	-0.2%
o/w UK	46.7	13.6%	44.8	45.0	4.3%	3.7%
Americas	73.3	21.3%	65.6	64.6	11.7%	13.5%
Middle East & Africa	43.1	12.5%	39.3	39.3	9.7%	9.7%
Asia & Pacific	19.4	5.7%	15.9	15.8	22.0%	22.7%

74Software	344.0		323.9	323.0	6.2%	6.5%

Appendices (5/5)

Headcount

	30/06/2025	31/12/2024	Change
Europe	3.001	3.090	-89
Americas	370	378	-8
Asia – Pacific	869	882	-13
Middle East – Africa	439	437	2

TOTAL	4.679	4.787	-108

Impact on Half-year Revenue of Changes in Scope and Exchange Rates

€m / %	H1 2025	H1 2024	Growth
Revenue	344.0	148.7	+ 131.4%
Changes in exchange rates		-0.9
Revenue at constant exchange rates	344.0	147.7	+ 132.8%
Changes in scope		+175.2
Revenue at constant scope and exchange rates	344.0	323.0	+ 6.5%

Changes in Main Exchange Rates

For 1€	Average Rate H1 2025	Average rate H1 2024	Change
US Dollar	1.093	1.081	– 1.1%
Great Britain Pound	0.842	0.855	+ 1.5%

1 The interim consolidated financial statements were subject to limited review procedures.

Attachment

24072025_74Software_PR_H1 Results 2025_English_VFinal

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: Cegedim: Like-for-like revenues grew 2.8% in the first half

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)


PRESS RELEASE

First-half financial information as of June 30, 2025
IFRS – Regulated information – Not audited

Cegedim: Like-for-like revenues grew 2.8% in the first half

Revenue grew 1.1% as reported and 2.8% LFL to €322.5 million in the first half of 2025.
The HR, marketing, health insurance, and digitalization businesses delivered the most solid growth.

Boulogne-Billancourt, France, July 24, 2025, after the market close

Revenue

	First half		Change H1 2025 / 2024
in millions of euros	2025	2024		Reported	Life for like⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Software & Services	144.4	152.1		(5.1)%	(1.5)%
Flow	53.4	49.5		+7.8%	+7.7%
Data & Marketing	63.4	59.3		+6.9%	+6.8%
BPO	43.2	39.9		+8.1%	+8.1%
Cloud & Support	18.2	18.1		+0.3%	+0.3%
Cegedim	322.5	319.0		+1.1%	+2.8%

Cegedim’s consolidated first-half 2025 revenues rose to €322.5 million, up 1.1% as reported and 2.8% like for like⁽¹⁾ compared with the same period in 2024.

The HR, marketing, health insurance, and invoice & procurement digitalization businesses delivered the most solid growth over the first half. The deconsolidation of INPS in the UK on December 10, 2024, following its voluntary placement in administration, weighed on reported growth at the Software & Services division and Group level.

Analysis of business trends by division

Software & Services

Software & Services	First half		Change H1 2025 / 2024
in millions of euros	2025	2024	Reported	Like for like⁽¹⁾
Cegedim Santé	38.4	38.9	(1.3)%	(5.7)%
Insurance, HR, Pharmacies, and other services	87.5	86.7	+0.9%	+1.0%
International businesses	18.5	26.5	(30.3)%	(3.2)%
Software & Services	144.4	152.1	(5.1)%	(1.5)%

Revenues at Cegedim Santé fell 1.3% as reported in the first half, and 5.7% like for like. Visiodent contributed over the entire first half, vs just four months in 2024. Maiia software and the Claude Bernard database both performed well, whereas orders for more established offerings were somewhat subdued. Sales mainly slowed because a data service agreement came to an end in late 2024 and was renewed in the second quarter of 2025 at a lower rate.

The division’s other French subsidiaries saw revenue growth of 0.9% as reported and 1.0% like for like. The division was propelled by a surge in HR business across all client segments and by Health insurance, thanks to robust project-based sales, with new signings and the start of projects won in 2024. On the other hand, business with pharmacists in France was a drag on growth.

International businesses posted reported revenues down 30.3% owing to the deconsolidation of INPS in the UK from December 10, 2024, following its voluntary placement in administration. Like-for-like revenues fell 3.2%. The decline was again due to the UK: the Pharmacy First program in H1 2024 created a challenging comparison for pharmacy activities and a client of Activus, a UK subsidiary selling software for health and provident insurance for expats, went out of business. Even so, both businesses have clear prospects that will reverse the downward trend in the months ahead. Other international activities had a positive quarter—particularly in Spain—and remain on track.

Flow	First half		Change H1 2025 / 2024
in millions of euros	2025	2024	Reported	Like for like⁽²⁾
e-business	32.1	30.0	7.1%	7.0%
Third-party payer	21.3	19.5	8.8%	8.8%
Flow	53.4	49.5	7.8%	7.7%

First-half growth in e-business, e-invoicing, and digitized data exchanges was 7.1% as reported and 7.0% like for like. Both of the division’s two main business lines contributed: “Invoicing & Procurement” (France and UK) and “Healthcare Flows” (notably in pharmaceutical supply chain security for hospitals).

The Third-party payer business experienced 8.8% growth in H1. It was boosted by strong growth in demand for its fraud and long-term illness detection offerings, a trend that began in the second half of 2024 and continued in H1 2025 with the signing of a fourteenth client.

Data & Marketing

Data & Marketing	First half		Change H1 2025 / 2024
in millions of euros	2025	2024	Reported	Like for like⁽¹⁾
Data	28.7	28.0	2.5%	2.3%
Marketing	34.7	31.3	10.8%	10.8%
Data & Marketing	63.4	59.3	6.9%	6.8%

Data businesses were up 2.5% in the first half on the back of a strong performance in France, which offset a mixed showing abroad.

The Marketing segment posted robust H1 growth of 10.8% owing to strong sales after new client wins and brisk business with existing clients.

BPO	First half		Change H1 2025 / 2024
in millions of euros	2025	2024	Reported	Like for like⁽¹⁾
Insurance BPO	31.2	28.7	8.8%	8.8%
Business Services BPO	12.0	11.2	6.4%	6.4%
BPO	43.2	39.9	8.1%	8.1%

The Insurance BPO business grew by 8.8% over the first half, chiefly owing to its overflow business, which has been flourishing because it serves a critical need for clients.

Business Services BPO (HR and digitalization) reported growth of 6.4% in the first half, again on the back of a popular compliance offering, which is winning new clients.

Cloud & Support

Cloud & Support	First half		Change H1 2025 / 2024
in millions of euros	2025	2024	Reported	Like for like⁽¹⁾
Cloud & Support	18.2	18.1	0.3%	0.3%

Cloud & Support division revenues grew 0.3% in the first half. The non-renewal of a significant outsourcing contract in the second quarter was a drag on growth and obscured the fact that an expanded range of products backed by Cegedim’s sovereign cloud has been very successful.

Highlights

SBTi validates Cegedim’s decarbonization targets

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) officially validated Cegedim Group’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets on June 12, 2025. SBTi is the global standard for measuring companies’ carbon footprints and certifying their stated action plans for reducing emissions in line with the ambitious goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Cegedim is now part of the select group of about 8,000 companies whose plans have been validated. This major step reflects the strong commitment of Cegedim’s senior management, also mobilizing all subsidiaries, to the sustainable development of the Group’s activities.

Switch to Euronext Growth

At its meeting on June 13, 2025, the Board of Directors decided to move forward with the resolution approved that same day by the general shareholders’ meeting to transfer Cegedim’s shares to the Euronext Growth stock exchange. The Group is currently completing formalities so it can make the switch in early September 2025. The Group discussed the rationale for the move and its impacts in a press release dated June 13, 2025.

Conversion of the credit facility into a sustainability-linked loan

On June 16, 2025, the Group negotiated an addendum with all of the parties to its loan agreement to add performance clauses related to 2030 ESG commitments, making this a sustainability-linked loan. By adhering to the annual Scopes 1 & 2 and Scope 3 decarbonization trajectory validated by SBTi, and by making progress on gender equality in senior management, the Group will be able to lower interest rate by up to 0.05 percentage points for the bank portion and by 0.10 to 0.40 percentage points for the non-bank portion. Conversely, failure to respect those commitments will increase the interest rate by a commensurate amount. The first milestone for applying this arrangement will be the 2025 ESG performance as reported in 2026.

Significant transactions and events post June 30, 2025

Workforce restructuring at the pharmacy business

The Group has decided to restructure the workforce at its pharmacy management software business in France, which will result in making around 100 positions redundant. By rethinking its organization and reconfiguring to align with market trends and client needs, the company hopes to return to a level of performance that ensures a solid foundation for its employees and allows it to innovate for its clients.
After the semester close, the Group received approval from France’s regional labor and economics agency, DRIEETS, for the collective agreement it negotiated in the second quarter of 2025 with employee representatives. The Group is now determining what level of provision will be earmarked in the H1 2025 financial statements.

To the best of the company’s knowledge, apart from the impact of the above items, there were no post-closing events or changes after June 30, 2025, that would materially alter the Group’s financial situation.

Outlook

Based on the currently available information, the Group expects 2025 like-for-like revenue⁽³⁾ growth to be in the range of 2-4% relative to 2024. Recurring operating income should continue to improve, following a similar trajectory as in 2024.

These targets are not forecasts and may need to be revised if there is a significant worsening of geopolitical, macroeconomic, or currency risks.

——————-

WEBCAST ON JULY 24, 2025, AT 6:15 PM (PARIS TIME)

The webcast is available at: www.cegedim.fr/webcast

The H1 2025 revenues presentation is available here:
https://www.cegedim.fr/documentation/Pages/presentation.aspx

Financial calendar

2025

September 25 after the close

September 26 at 10:00 am

October 23 after the close

H1 2025 Earnings

SFAF meeting

Q3 2025 revenues

Financial calendar: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/agenda/Pages/default.aspx

Disclaimer
This press release is available in French and in English. In the event of any difference between the two versions, the original French version takes precedence. This press release may contain inside information. It was sent to Cegedim’s authorized distributor on July 24, 2025, no earlier than 5:45 pm Paris time.
The figures cited in this press release include guidance on Cegedim’s future financial performance targets. This forward-looking information is based on the opinions and assumptions of the Group’s senior management at the time this press release is issued and naturally entails risks and uncertainty. For more information on the risks facing Cegedim, please refer to Chapter 7, “Risk management”, section 7.2, “Risk factors and insurance”, and Chapter 3, “Overview of the financial year”, section 3.6, “Outlook”, of the 2024 Universal Registration Document filled with the AMF on April 7, 2025, under number D.24-0233.

About Cegedim:
Founded in 1969, Cegedim is an innovative technology and services group in the field of digital data flow management for healthcare ecosystems and B2B, and a business software publisher for healthcare and insurance professionals. Cegedim employs nearly
6,700 people in more than 10 countries and generated revenue of over €654 million in 2024.
Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).
To learn more please visit: www.cegedim.fr
And follow Cegedim on X: @CegedimGroup, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Aude Balleydier
Cegedim
Media Relations
and Communications Manager

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81
aude.balleydier@cegedim.fr

Damien Buffet
Cegedim
Head of Financial
Communication

Tel.: +33 (0)7 64 63 55 73
damien.buffet@cegedim.com

Céline Pardo
Becoming RP Agency
Media Relations Consultant

Tel.: +33 (0)6 52 08 13 66
cegedim@becoming-group.com

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Annexes

Breakdown of revenue by quarter and division

in millions of euros	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Software & Services	72.4	72.0			144.4
Flow	27.6	25.8			53.4
Data & Marketing	29.9	33.5			63.4
BPO	21.1	22.1			43.2
Cloud & Support	10.3	7.8			18.2
Consolidated Group revenue	161.3	161.2			322.5

in millions of euros	Q1	Q2	Q3		Q4	Total
Software & Services	74.4	77.8		75.6	80.1	307.8
Flow	25.4	24.2		23.7	27.0	100.3
Data & Marketing	27.0	32.3		28.2	38.4	125.9
BPO	20.2	19.7		21.6	21.2	82.7
Cloud & Support	9.0	9.1		7.7	12.0	37.8
Consolidated Group revenue	155.9	163.1		156.8	178.7	654.5

Revenue breakdown by geographic zone, currency, and division at June 30, 2025

as a % of consolidated revenues	Geographic zone			Currency
as a % of consolidated revenues	France	EMEA ex. France	Americas	Euro	GBP	Other
Software & Services	87.2%	12.7%	0.1%	91.0%	7.0%	2.0%
Flow	91.7%	8.3%	0.0%	94.2%	5.8%	0.0%
Data & Marketing	97.7%	2.3%	0.0%	98.2%	0.0%	1.8%
BPO	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Cloud & Support	97.2%	2.8%	0.0%	97.2%	0.0%	2.8%
Cegedim	92.3%	7.6%	0.1%	94.5%	4.1%	1.4%

(1) At constant scope and exchange rates.

(2) The positive currency impact of 0.1% was mainly due to the pound sterling. The negative scope effect of 1.8% was attributable to the deconsolidation of INPS as of December 10, 2024, which the consolidation of Visiodent starting March 1, 2024, only partly offset.
⁽2⁾At constant scope and exchange rates.

⁽3⁾At constant scope and exchange rates.

Attachment

Cegedim_Revenue_1H2025_ENG

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gibson Ncube, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

Zimbabwe-born, Canada-based Chido Muchemwa’s debut short story collection, Who Will Bury You?, was published late in 2024 and immediately attracted the right kind of attention.

Here was an unexpected range of themes: queer identity, dislocation in the diaspora, the lingering complexities of family and cultural belonging. The 12 stories, set between Zimbabwe and Canada, trace moments of rupture and reconnection across time and geography. And they’re mostly about women. Women, selfhood, loss and love.

Gibson Ncube, who researches queer African fiction, unpacks why it’s such a good read.

What are some of the stories about?

The recurring questions in Who Will Bury You? are: who will remain when we are gone – who will understand us, who will grieve for us, and who will honour the truths we live by? These questions are animated through emotionally layered stories that centre the lives of Zimbabwean women and queer characters.

Written with subtlety and care, some of the stories draw on Zimbabwean folklore, allowing Muchemwa to bridge the mythical and the present-day. She demonstrates how ancestral narratives continue to shape how people experience love, loss and belonging.

House of Anansi Press

The title story introduces a Zimbabwean “church going woman” and her daughter, who is living in Canada and has embraced a lesbian identity. In Zimbabwe, same-sex relationships remain criminalised under laws inherited from colonial rule and reinforced by state-sponsored homophobia. Political leaders often frame queerness as un-African or morally deviant.

The story is told through alternating perspectives and offers a portrait of intergenerational estrangement, cultural friction, and love strained by silence. What one of the characters calls “things that might never feel sayable”. The theme of queerness recurs in several other stories like This Will Break My Mother’s Heart and If It Wasn’t for the Nights.

Muchemwa allows these stories to gather meaning through multiple vantage points. She seems to resist resolution in favour of complexity. The collection is a significant contribution to the small but growing body of Zimbabwean literature that openly addresses queerness.

What’s Muchemwa saying about queer African life?

One of Muchemwa’s most powerful acts in the book is to treat queer life not as peripheral, but as central to the cultural, emotional and political worlds her characters inhabit. Queer desire, intimacy and estrangement are not exceptional disruptions. They are ordinary realities that are woven into everyday life. In these stories, queerness is at once a site of tenderness, conflict and hope. The effects of religion and colonial morality continue to shape how love is expressed and denied.

Read more: 7 queer African works of art: new directions in books, films and fashion

The stories challenge the erasure of queer voices by positioning them at the heart of families and communities. Queer characters are neither idealised nor victimised. They are allowed to simply be joyful, ambivalent, flawed, and resilient.

Aside from identity, what are some of the other themes?

The book also grapples with questions of memory, history and myth. In Finding Mermaids, Muchemwa blends contemporary reportage with folklore. A journalist and her grieving mother investigate the disappearance of young girls in a rural Zimbabwean town who are suspected to have been captured by njuzu, water spirits.

Other stories, like Kariba Heights and The Captive River, explore the legacies of colonialism and the spiritual power of the Zambezi River. In these stories, Muchemwa is attentive to how land, history and belief have an impact on personal experiences.

Living away from home, in the diaspora, is also a theme. Zimbabwe’s collapsing economy and ongoing political instability have driven many to seek better lives abroad, looking for jobs or educational opportunities.

Characters in Toronto grapple with cultural dislocation. They long for home as they tackle the challenges of forging new forms of kinship abroad. The Toronto that Muchemwa renders is richly textured. It’s far from a generic western backdrop. It is portrayed as a space of possibility and tension in which characters remake themselves in the face of displacement.

Why is it a special book to you as a scholar?

Muchemwa’s prose is precise, controlled, and emotionally resonant. She writes with confidence, trusting the power of implication and delicate shifts in tone. The plots of the stories are simple. They are not driven by dramatic revelations. Rather, by accumulative emotional insight. Her characters often seem to border on the edge of decision or reconciliation. In fact, their silences are as revealing as their speech.

Throughout the collection, there’s a sense of hushed intensity. The question of who will be there – at the end, in crisis, in love – lingers and ties the stories together. Even as her characters move between countries, generations and identities, they remain tied by their desire for recognition and care.

Read more: Books: folklore and fantasy combine in Langabi, a supernatural historical epic from Zimbabwe

Muchemwa’s debut contributes to a growing body of contemporary African writing that focuses on intimacy, friendship and queerness as legitimate and urgent narrative concerns. Who Will Bury You? offers a fresh take that avoids the clichés and stereotypes often associated with African literature – what Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has famously called the single story.

Rather than dwelling on recurrent tropes of suffering or political crisis, Muchemwa’s stories place a spotlight on private lives and emotional entanglements. They compel us to be attentive to the quiet yet consequential turmoil that takes place within families and intimate relationships.

The collection does not avoid the cultural and religious violences that have an impact on everyday life. But Muchemwa faces them through the perspective of those who survive, and remake, these constraints on their own terms.

Who Will Bury You? is a carefully crafted collection that demands close attention. It’s a book about women who refuse to be easily defined. With this collection, Muchemwa asserts herself as a compelling new voice in Zimbabwean and African literature. Her debut represents new African storytelling which continues to expand the narratives of African writers. It dares to centre the personal, the queer, and the emotionally complex.

– Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined
– https://theconversation.com/who-will-bury-you-short-stories-from-zimbabwe-about-women-who-refuse-to-be-easily-defined-261291

MIL OSI Africa –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: What makes a person cool? Global study has some answers

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Todd Pezzuti, Associate Professor, Business School, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

From Lagos to Cape Town, Santiago to Seoul, people want to be cool. “Cool” is a word we hear everywhere – in music, in fashion, on social media. We use it to describe certain types of people.

But what exactly makes someone cool? Is it just about being popular or trendy? Or is there something deeper going on?

In a recent study I conducted with other marketing professors, we set out to answer a simple but surprisingly unexplored question. What are the personality traits and values that make someone seem cool – and do they differ across cultures?

We asked nearly 6,000 people from 12 countries to think of someone they personally knew who was “cool”, “not cool”, “good”, or “not good”. Then we asked them to describe that person’s traits and values using validated psychological measures. We used this data to examine how coolness differs from general likeability or morality.

Read more: What makes a person seem wise? Global study finds that cultures do differ – but not as much as you’d think

The countries ranged from Australia to Turkey, the US to Germany, India to China, Nigeria to South Africa.

Our data showed that coolness is uniquely associated with the same six traits around the world: cool people tend to be extroverted, hedonistic, adventurous, open, powerful, and autonomous.

These findings help settle a long debate about what it means to be cool today.

A brief history of cool

Early writing on coolness described it as emotional restraint: being calm, composed and unbothered. This view, rooted in the metaphor of temperature and emotion, saw coolness as a sign of self-control and mastery.

Some of these scholars trace this form of cool to slavery and segregation, where emotional restraint was a survival strategy among enslaved Africans and their descendants, symbolising autonomy and dignity in the face of oppression. Others propose “cool” restraint existed long before slavery.

Regardless, jazz musicians in the 1940s first helped popularise this cool persona – relaxed, emotionally contained, and stylish – an image later embraced by youth and various countercultures. Corporations like Nike, Apple and MTV commercialised cool, turning a countercultural attitude into a more commercially friendly global aesthetic.

This is what makes someone cool

Our findings suggest that the meaning of cool has changed. It’s a way to identify and label people with a specific psychological profile.

Cool people are outgoing and social (extroverted). They seek pleasure and enjoyment (hedonistic). They take risks and try new things (adventurous). They are curious and open to new experiences (open). They have influence or charisma (powerful). And perhaps most of all, they do things their own way (autonomous).

This finding held remarkably steady across countries. Whether you’re in the US, South Korea, Spain or South Africa, people tend to think that cool individuals have this same “cool profile”.

We also found that even though coolness overlaps with being good or favourable, being cool and being good are not the same. Being kind, calm, traditional, secure and conscientious were more associated with being good than cool. Some “cool” traits were not necessarily good at all, like extroversion and hedonism.

What about South Africa and Nigeria?

One of the most fascinating aspects of our study was seeing how consistent the meaning of coolness was across cultures – even in countries with very different traditions and values.

In South Africa, participants viewed cool people as extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open and autonomous – just like participants from Europe to Asia. In South Africa, however, coolness is especially distinct from being good. South Africa is one of the countries in which being hedonistic, powerful, adventurous and autonomous was much more cool than good.

Read more: Which African countries are flourishing? Scientists have a new way of measuring well-being

Nigeria was the only country in which cool and uncool people were equally autonomous. So basically, individuality wasn’t seen as cool. That difference might reflect cultural values that place a greater emphasis on community, respect for elders, or collective identity. In places where tradition and hierarchy matter, doing your own thing might not be cool.

Social sciences, like all science, however, are not perfect. So, it’s reasonable to speculate that autonomy might still be cool in Nigeria, with the discrepancy resulting from methodological issues such as how the Nigerian participants interpreted and responded to the survey.

Nigeria was also unique because the distinction between cool and good wasn’t as notable as in other countries. So coolness was seen more as goodness than in the other countries.

Why does this matter?

The fact that so many cultures agree on what makes someone cool suggests that “coolness” may serve a shared social function. The traits that make people cool may make them more likely to try new things, innovate new styles and fashions, and influence others. These individuals often push boundaries and introduce new ideas – in fashion, art, politics, or technology. They inspire others and help shape what’s seen as modern, desirable, or forward-thinking.

Coolness, in this sense, might function as a kind of cultural status marker – a reward for being bold, open-minded and innovative. It’s not just about surface style. It’s about signalling that you’re ahead of the curve, and that others should pay attention.

So what can we learn from this?

For one, young people in South Africa, Nigeria, and around the world may have more in common than we often think. Despite vast cultural differences, they tend to admire the same traits. That opens up interesting possibilities for cross-cultural communication, collaboration and influence.

Second, if we want to connect with or inspire others – whether through education, branding, or leadership – it helps to understand what people see as cool. Coolness may not be a universal virtue, but it is a universal currency.

And finally, there’s something reassuring in all this: coolness is not about being famous or rich. It’s about how you live. Are you curious? Courageous? True to yourself? If so, chances are someone out there thinks you’re cool – no matter where you’re from.

– What makes a person cool? Global study has some answers
– https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-person-cool-global-study-has-some-answers-261266

MIL OSI Africa –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping sent a telegram of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the crash of the Russian passenger plane

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a telegram to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing condolences over the high number of casualties in the crash of a Russian passenger plane.

Xi Jinping said in a telegram that he was shocked by the news of the passenger plane crash in Russia’s Amur Region, which resulted in numerous casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, the Chinese President expressed deep sorrow for the victims and sincere sympathy to their families. –0–

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 24 July 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 24 July 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy today.
The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy today.

The President began by thanking the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued support for Ukraine, including the sanctions announced earlier this week targeting Russia’s energy revenues, which play a vital part in stopping Putin’s war machine. They agreed international partners must continue to ramp up the pressure on Russia.

The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of the role of independent anti-corruption institutions at the heart of Ukraine’s democracy.

Both leaders underscored that Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree an unconditional ceasefire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

They agreed to keep in touch.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peak District Ravine Woodlands Restored with 84,000 Trees
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Peak District Ravine Woodlands Restored with 84,000 Trees

Over 84,000 native trees have been planted across the Peak District Dales to combat ash dieback disease.
Credit Mark Newton. LIFE in the Ravines tree planting site.

Precious ravine woodlands across the Peak District are being brought back to life through the largest restoration project of its kind, with 84,000 native trees now planted to replace those lost to ash dieback disease.

The 5 year LIFE in the Ravines project has successfully restored up to 25% of the region’s most severely damaged woodlands. It creates resilient habitats that will protect this rare ecosystem for future generations.

Natural England’s partnership project has focused on the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation, where ash dieback has devastated ancient woodlands. Teams have replanted a diverse mix of species, including the foundation species large-leaved lime, small-leaved lime, and wych elm trees that historically thrived in these unique limestone ravines.

Credit Nate Evans. LIFE in the Ravines restoration team on site.

Martin Evans, Woodland Restoration Manager for Natural England said:

“The success of the LIFE in the Ravines project shows what can be achieved when we work with nature rather than against it. By planting 84,000 trees, we’re not just replacing what was lost to ash dieback, we’re creating more diverse and resilient woodlands that will thrive for generations to come.

“These restored ravine woodlands are truly unique habitats, and this project demonstrates Natural England’s commitment to protecting and enhancing our most precious natural environments whilst supporting the government’s environmental priorities.”

The restoration work tackles a critical environmental challenge. Without intervention, entire woodlands would have been lost to the fungal disease that kills ash trees. The project has prevented this ecological disaster whilst creating more diverse, resilient habitats.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has seen remarkable success across their managed sites with 16,000 trees planted in the Wye Valley including Cramside, Cheedale, and Millers Dale. The new plantings form the foundation for naturally expanding woodlands that will colonise surrounding areas over time.

Kyle Winney, Living Landscape Officer for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said:

“Although it’s devasting to see the effects of ash dieback, it has provided us an opportunity to restore the ravine woodlands that would have been much more diverse before human impacts. The native trees we’ve planted form the foundation of a more diverse woodland that will be more resilient to future challenges such as weather extremes and disease.”

Seeds collected directly from existing trees within the ravines are being grown by specialist nurseries and community groups. This local approach ensures planted trees can thrive in the challenging conditions of steep, rocky limestone terrain.

The project represents 16% of the UK’s ravine woodland – a European Priority Habitat. As tree planting targets are met, teams are preparing for their final restoration season in autumn 2025, including work in the Via Gellia woodlands.

Credit Mark Newton. LIFE in the Ravines woodland site.

This restoration directly supports the government’s environmental mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by strengthening natural ecosystems that store carbon and support biodiversity. The project demonstrates how targeted intervention can reverse environmental damage whilst building climate resilience.

Notes to editors:

The £5 million LIFE in the Ravines project is led by Natural England with partners including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, and Chatsworth Estate.

For more information visit www.lifeintheravines.co.uk or email LIFEintheRavines@NaturalEngland.org.uk

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism

UK and 40 other countries invoke the Moscow Mechanism to address ill treatment of prisoners of war by the Russian Federation
Thank you, Chair.   I will deliver an abridged version of this statement this afternoon. The full statement will be circulated in writing and I request that it be attached to the Journal of the Day.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Today, our delegations will send the following letter to ODIHR Director Maria Telalian, invoking the Moscow Mechanism, with the support of Ukraine, as we continue to have concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law following Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, including with regard to ill treatment of Ukrainian Prisoners of War (POW).

Director Telalian,

With Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in its fourth year and as Russia’s illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine has entered its eleventh year, we continue to witness large scale human suffering and alarming reports of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and of international human rights law (IHRL), many of which may amount to the most serious international crimes.

Against the backdrop of the full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, launched by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, a number of credible sources, including the Moscow Mechanism expert missions, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, as well as civil society organizations, have reported that the Russian Federation has consistently violated the rights of prisoners of war (POWs) throughout their detention and at multiple detention facilities within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. There have been credible reports that the extensive and routine torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs throughout their detention constitutes a continued systematic pattern of state policy and practice by the Russian Federation. Torture follows common patterns across different locations, indicating it is a coordinated, deliberate, and systematic practice.

In 2022, 2023 and 2024, 45 OSCE Delegations, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna (Human Dimension) Mechanism, invoked Paragraph 8 of the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism. The reports of the independent missions of experts, received by OSCE participating States, confirmed our shared concerns about the impact of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, its violations and abuses of IHRL, and violations of IHL in Ukraine.

We remain particularly alarmed by the findings of the expert missions that some of the violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as the identification of patterns of reported violations of IHL and IHRL regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

The prohibition against torture in international law is absolute. Parties to an armed conflict are obliged to ensure the rights of POWs as set out in the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War and Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. Prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity. No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted or exposed to unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kin Torture and inhuman treatment of POWs are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, and likewise war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

ODIHR’s Ukraine Monitoring Initiative has continued to identify patterns of reported IHL and IHRL violations related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs including in their Sixth Interim Report of 13 December 2024 and their Seventh Interim Report of 15 July 2025. Interviews with survivors and witnesses attested to a continued practice of systematic torture and other IHL and IHRL violations perpetrated against Ukrainian POWs prompting serious concerns about the Russian Federation’s failure to comply with the fundamental principles that govern the treatment of POWs.

In equal measure, the OHCHR and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) have reported on the systematic and widespread use of torture of Ukrainian POWs by Russian authorities. In its March 2023 report, the HRMMU documented violations of IHRL and IHL in 32 of 48 detention facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, related to torture and other ill-treatment, dire conditions of internment including inadequate quarters, food, hygiene, and medical care, along with restricted communication, forced labor, and a lack of access of independent monitors. . Many were held incommunicado deprived of the possibility to communicate with family or the outside world. Russian authorities subjected Ukrainian POWs to unlawful prosecutions for mere participation in hostilities; using torture to extract confessions; and denying fair trials.

According to witness testimonies, there were numerous incidents whereby POWs died in captivity due to execution, torture, ill-treatment and/or inadequate medical attention as well as inhumane conditions during their captivity.

The OHCHR’s October 2024 Report on the Treatment of Prisoners of War further documented detailed and consistent accounts of torture or ill treatment in Russian Federation custody.

Survivors have described the wide-ranging methods of torture or ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs including: severe physical beatings; electrocution (including the targeting of genitalia); excessively intense physical exercise; stress positions; dog attacks; mock executions (including simulated hangings); threats of physical violence and death; sexual violence, including rape; threats of rape and castration; threats of coerced sexual acts; and other forms of humiliation.

Since the end of August 2024, OHCHR also has recorded a significant increase in credible allegations of executions of Ukrainian servicepersons captured by Russian armed forces, involving at least 97 individuals.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (UN COI) stated on 23 September 2024 that it has evidence of widespread and systematic torture by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and POWs in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia. They concluded that torture follows common patterns across different locations, indicating it is a coordinated practice. In their March 2025 report, the UN COI again called on the Russian Federation to immediately end the widespread and systematic use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment committed against civilian detainees and prisoners of war

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine is investigating the reported execution of 273 Ukrainian POWs, including 208 who were reportedly executed on the battlefield and 59 in the ‘‘Olenivka’’ colony. However, the real number of those executed is likely much higher.

We are deeply concerned about the severity and frequency of these violations and abuses. We are particularly appalled by reported executions of Ukrainian POWs and Ukrainian soldiers rendered hors de combat upon their surrender and by the desecration/mutilation of bodies. We are also deeply concerned with the practice of filming and distributing images of these abhorrent incidents.

Following grave concerns over the ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs, highlighted, inter alia, by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the OSCE, we call on all parties to the armed conflict ensure that POWs are treated in full compliance with IHL.

We recall that OSCE participating States have committed themselves to respect IHL, including the Third Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 1949, bearing in mind that the willful killing, torture, inhuman treatment, causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health of persons protected under the Geneva Conventions, including prisoners of war, constitutes a war crime. No prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest. Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.

We also recall that the prohibition of torture is a peremptory norm of international law without territorial limitation, which applies at all times and in all places.   Measures of reprisal against POWs are prohibited.

We call on the Russia Federation to end the torture and ill-treatment of all detainees and ensure adequate conditions of detention including the provision of basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and medical care. We further call for providing timely and accurate information on detainees’ whereabouts and legal status, and for granting international humanitarian organizations, like the International Committee of the Red Cross, unfettered access to such persons.

Gravely concerned by the continuing impacts of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and gravely concerned by credible allegations of the torture, ill-treatment and executions of Ukrainian POWs, and soldiers hors de combat, the delegations of Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna Mechanism, invoke the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism under Paragraph 8 of that document.

We request that ODIHR inquire of Ukraine whether it would invite a mission of experts to build upon previous findings, and:

To establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments; violations and abuses of human rights; and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the Russian Federation ;

To collect, consolidate, and analyse this information including to determine if there is a pattern of widespread and systematic torture, ill-treatment and execution of Ukrainian POWs and soldiers hors de combat and/or at detention facilities by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia and

To offer recommendations on relevant accountability mechanisms.

We also invite ODIHR to provide any relevant information or documentation derived from any new expert mission to other appropriate accountability mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine or the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.

Thank you for your attention.

Updates to this page

Published 24 July 2025

Invasion of Ukraine

UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals

Move to the UK if you’re coming from Ukraine

Homes for Ukraine: record your interest

Find out about the UK’s response
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Torture, threats and arbitrary arrests: UN warns of ‘serious abuses’ against Afghans forced to return

Source: United Nations 2

These abuses include threats, cases of torture, mistreatment and arbitrary arrest and detention, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The report said these violations were committed against Afghans “based on their profile” and targeted women, media workers and civil society members as well as individuals affiliated with the former government that fell in 2021 and its security forces, despite the Taliban’s claims that such individuals benefit from an amnesty.

“No one should be returned to a country where they are at risk of being persecuted because of their identity or personal history,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“In Afghanistan, this situation is even more pronounced for women and girls, who are subjected to a series of measures that amount to persecution solely on the basis of their gender.”

Since 2023 and the start of large-scale deportation campaigns launched by Iran and Pakistan, millions of Afghans have returned to their country. In 2025 alone, more than 1.8 million people have returned to Afghanistan, 1.5 million of them from Iran.

Women under house arrest

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, recently estimated that the total could reach three million by the end of the year, returning to a country facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

The situation of women forcibly returned is particularly dire. A former television journalist, who left the country after the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, described how, after being involuntarily returned to Afghanistan, she saw her prospects vanish.

“I am very worried for my personal safety and feel immense frustration with the current situation imposed on women in [my province]. I can unequivocally say that I am effectively under house arrest. There are no job opportunities, no freedom of movement and no access to education – whether to learn or to teach – for women and girls,” she testified.

Many people are also forced to live in hiding since returning to Afghanistan due to real or feared threats from the de facto authorities. This is the case for individuals affiliated with the former government and its security forces, who have had to go into hiding for fear of reprisals, despite the public amnesty announced by the de facto authorities.

Living in hiding

A former official described how, after returning in 2023, he was detained for two nights in a house where he was severely tortured, beaten with sticks, cables and wood, subjected to water torture and faced a mock execution.

Other refugees returned from Iran must frequently change locations to avoid being identified, such as one former judge.

“I try to stay hidden because I know that the prisoners who were detained because of my decisions are now senior government officials and are still looking for me. If they find me, I’m sure they’ll kill me. They already threatened me when I was a judge,” they said.

Faced with these serious abuses, the UN is urging States not to return anyone to Afghanistan who faces a real risk of serious human rights violations.

“Member States should expand resettlement opportunities for at-risk Afghans and ensure their protection, giving priority to those most likely to suffer human rights violations if returned to Afghanistan, including women and girls, individuals affiliated with the former government and security forces, media professionals, civil society activists and human rights defenders,” the report said.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Province strengthens local evacuation routes, public notification planning

Source: Government of Canada regional news

The public notification and evacuation route planning funding stream of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) supports projects that develop or update evacuation route plans and/or public notification plans. This funding is provided by the Province and is administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).

Local governments and First Nations throughout B.C. will receive nearly $2 million from the public notification and evacuation route planning (PNERP) funding stream as follows:

Alert Bay – Review hazard and vulnerability assessment, develop evacuation route plan and develop a public information process.
Amount: $46,844
Sub-applicant: ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation

Capital Regional District – Review and update evacuation planning guides and develop evacuation maps for Salt Spring Island, Southern Gulf Islands, Pacheedaht First Nation and Juan de Fuca.
Amount: $40,000

Central Coast Regional District – Develop a comprehensive emergency and disaster communications plan, conduct a gap analysis, identify multi-channel notification tools and provide staff training to enhance public alerting and responder co-ordination.
Amount: $40,000

Coldstream – Develop evacuation route and public notification plans for people, livestock and movement of property to a safe location.
Amount: $40,000

Columbia Shuswap Regional District – Update the Salmon Arm evacuation route plan within the Shuswap Emergency Program and enhance evacuation guidance for high-risk communities.
Amount: $39,816
Sub-applicant: Salmon Arm

Cook’s Ferry Indian Band – Develop evacuation route and notification plans, identifying routes and transport modes and outlining emergency alert strategies.
Amount: $40,000

Cowichan Valley Regional District – Develop evacuation route plans to address high-risk communities.
Amount: $160,000
Sub-applicants: Duncan; North Cowichan; Ladysmith

Delta – Create a public notification strategy, establish multi-channel alerts, partner with neighbouring First Nations and run a readiness exercise.
Amount: $40,000

Dzawada’enuxw First Nation – Create comprehensive evacuation route and public notification plans for Kingcome Inlet, including route mapping, multi-modal evacuation strategies, stakeholder co-ordination and community education.
Amount: $40,000

Fort St. James – Update the evacuation route plan, assess routes for alternative highway access and develop a multi-channel public notification plan integrated with an emergency alert system.
Amount: $40,000

Fraser Valley Regional District – New evacuation route plan for Boston Bar Electoral Area A.
Amount: $40,000

Gitxaala Nation – Ladm gyina sguuyu Gyinasguu sumsxsit Leave Something Good Behind: Update evacuation route and public notification plans using technologies and cultural knowledge, including identifying a new route to higher ground and planning for air and water evacuations.
Amount: $40,000

Granisle – Update evacuation route and public notification plans by mapping routes and transport options, integrating early warning tools, engaging the community and testing the plan with a tabletop exercise.
Amount: $40,000

Huu-ay-aht First Nations – Develop a clear evacuation route plan including identifying, mapping and capacity of available routes for residents and visitors.
Amount: $36,193

Kimberley – Develop an evacuation route plan, outlining route capacity, timelines, control points and best practices.
Amount: $40,000

Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation – Develop new evacuation route and public notification plans.
Amount: $40,000

Kootenay-Boundary Regional District – Develop water-based evacuation route plans for boat-only residents on Christina Lake using best practices from the 2023 North Shuswap evacuations.
Amount: $40,000

Lake Country – Align the municipal evacuation route and notification plan with the regional plan by collaborating with neighbours and Indigenous partners and adding geographic information system (GIS) mapping support.
Amount: $40,000

Langley Township – Update evacuation route plan, integrating BC Alerting technology, and update the public notification plan and tabletop exercises.
Amount: $40,000

Lheidli-T’enneh First Nation – Develop and implement a new evacuation route plan, including community consultations.
Amount: $29,320

Lions Bay – Develop a comprehensive new evacuation route plan, targeted public notification plan, community education, and evacuation drills.
Amount: $40,000

McLeod Lake Indian Band – Update evacuation route plan and evacuation communications strategy.
Amount: $35,000

Merritt – Develop new evacuation route and public notification plans based on lived experiences of residents.
Amount: $40,000

Metchosin – Develop a public notification plan that integrates the Earthquake Early Warning system, multi-channel alerts, stakeholder co-ordination and exercise testing.
Amount: $40,000

Nelson – Update evacuation route and public notification plans, including GIS mapping enhancements and a multi-agency tabletop exercise.
Amount: $40,000

North Okanagan Regional District – Update the evacuation route plan and the public notification plan for Electoral Areas B and C to reflect growth and integrate Indigenous and neighbouring communities with consistent messaging.
Amount: $40,000

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality – Develop a crisis communication plan with staff training resources, mapping and communications.
Amount: $31,900

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen – Update evacuation route and public notification plans with improved GIS mapping, updated hazard data and stakeholder engagement to ensure plans meet community evacuation needs.
Amount: $160,000
Sub-applicants: Osoyoos; Keremeos; Summerland

Peace River Regional District – Develop new evacuation route plan and update the public notification plan.
Amount: $40,000

Pemberton – Update the Pemberton Valley evacuation route plan with current census data and expand its scope to include social and broader emergency management factors.
Amount: $41,000
Sub-applicant: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

Penticton – Create a public notification and communications plan with workshops and a tabletop exercise, and update the evacuation route plan with mapping, traffic data and alternative transport options.
Amount: $40,000

Port McNeill – Create new evacuation route and public notification plans for low-lying, sea-level-rise and tsunami-vulnerable areas, including detailed route mapping, regional connectivity and stakeholder engagement.
Amount: $38,400

Pouce Coupe – Develop new evacuation route and public notification plans, mapping safe corridors and co-ordinating alert strategies with community partners.
Amount: $39,750

qathet Regional District – Updating evacuation route plans and the community’s public notification plan.
Amount: $40,000

shíshálh Nation – Update the evacuation route plan, including running a tabletop exercise with Chief, council and administration.
Amount: $40,000

Sts’ailes – Develop a new evacuation route master plan.
Amount: $40,000

Tla’amin Nation – Update the evacuation route plan, which includes identification and capacity of available routes, collaboration, modes of transportation and methods of evacuation.
Amount: $36,000

Tsawwassen First Nation – Develop new evacuation route and public notification plans, collaborating with neighbouring jurisdictions and revising relevant local plans and policies.
Amount: $40,000

Tseshaht First Nation – Develop a new public notification and evacuation route plan tailored to Tseshaht First Nation’s evacuation needs, cultural context, infrastructure and communication preferences.
Amount: $40,000

Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) – Develop a new evacuation route plan with mapping, workshops and resources, engaging with community knowledge keeper and across TWN departments.
Amount: $40,000

West Kelowna – Developing a new evacuation route plan by evaluating the evacuation capacity of the Glenrosa area, includes reviewing alternate roads and exit routes to ensure residents can leave quickly and safely.
Amount: $39,620

Witset First Nation – Update the evacuation route and public notification plans to ensure timely evacuations and clear information sharing during emergencies.
Amount: $40,000

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. Reports Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: NECB) (the “Company”), the parent holding company of NorthEast Community Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $11.2 million, or $0.85 per basic share and $0.82 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to net income of $12.8 million, or $0.98 per basic share and $0.97 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. In addition, the Company reported net income of $21.7 million, or $1.65 per basic share and $1.60 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to net income of $24.2 million, or $1.84 per basic share and $1.83 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Kenneth A. Martinek, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, stated “We are once again pleased to be able to report continued strong performance throughout our entire loan portfolio, with continuing focus on construction lending in high demand, high absorption sub-markets, as well as our growing cooperative building lending program throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. Despite the uncertainty throughout the national economy during the first half of the year, loan demand continues to increase with outstanding unfunded commitments exceeding $636 million at June 30, 2025.”

Highlights for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2025 are as follows:

Performance metrics continue to be strong with a return on average total assets ratio of 2.27%, a return on average shareholders’ equity ratio of 13.37%, and an efficiency ratio of 40.52% for the three months ended June 30, 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company reported a return on average total assets ratio of 2.20%, a return on average shareholders’ equity ratio of 13.18%, and an efficiency ratio of 41.08%.
Asset quality metrics continue to remain strong with no non-performing loans at either June 30, 2025 or December 31, 2024, and non-performing assets to total assets of 0.04% and 0.25% at June 30, 2025 and at December 31, 2024, respectively. Our allowance for credit losses related to loans totaled $4.7 million, or 0.26% of total loans at June 30, 2025 compared to $4.8 million, or 0.27% of total loans at December 31, 2024.
Total stockholders’ equity increased by $18.3 million, or 5.8%, to $336.7 million, or 17.06% of total assets as of June 30, 2025 from $318.3 million, or 15.84% of total assets as of December 31, 2024.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets decreased $35.7 million, or 1.8%, to $2.0 billion at June 30, 2025, from $2.0 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in assets was primarily due to decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $18.9 million, net loans of $14.9 million, and real estate owned of $4.4 million, partially offset by an increase of $3.4 million in equity securities.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $18.9 million, or 24.1%, to $59.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $78.3 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was a result of a decrease in deposits of $191.2 million, partially offset by increases of $135.0 million in borrowings, decreases of $14.9 million in net loans, and increases of $3.4 million in equity securities.

Equity securities increased $3.4 million, or 15.2%, to $25.3 million at June 30, 2025 from $22.0 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in equity securities was attributable to the purchase of $3.0 million in equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and market appreciation of $351,000 due to market interest rate volatility during the six months ended June 30, 2025.

Securities held-to-maturity decreased $218,000, or 1.5%, to $14.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $14.6 million at December 31, 2024 due to $128,000 in maturities and pay-downs of various investment securities.

Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, decreased $14.9 million, or 0.8%, to $1.8 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in loans consisted of decreases of $102.7 million in construction loans, $1.6 million in consumer loans, $482,000 in mixed-use loans, $475,000 in non-residential loans, and $74,000 in one-to-four family loans. The decrease in our construction loan portfolio was due to normal pay-downs and principal reductions as construction projects were completed and either condominium units were sold to end buyers or multi-family rental buildings were refinanced by other financial institutions. The decrease in construction loans was offset by increases of $85.9 million in multi-family loans of which $43.2 million is attributed to residential cooperative building loans and $4.3 million in commercial and industrial loans.

During the six months ended June 30, 2025, we originated loans totaling $462.7 million consisting primarily of $338.8 million in construction loans, $95.4 million in multi-family loans of which $32.9 million is attributed to residential cooperative building loans, $27.8 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $730,000 in mixed-use loans. The $338.8 million in construction loans had 41.6% disbursed at loan closing, with the remaining funds to be disbursed over the terms of the construction loans.

The allowance for credit losses related to loans decreased to $4.7 million as of June 30, 2025, from $4.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to loans was due to charge-offs totaling $602,000, offset by recoveries totaling $434,000 and provision for credit losses totaling $62,000.

Premises and equipment increased $536,000, or 2.2%, to $25.3 million at June 30, 2025 from $24.8 million at December 31, 2024 primarily due to the purchases of additional fixed assets.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased $688,000, or 173.3%, to $1.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $397,000 at December 31, 2024 primarily due to an increase in borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) increased $336,000, or 1.3%, to $26.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $25.7 million at December 31, 2024 due to increases in the BOLI cash value.

Accrued interest receivable decreased $1.4 million, or 10.1%, to $12.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $13.5 million at December 31, 2024 due to a decrease of $14.9 million in the loan portfolio.

Real estate owned decreased $4.4 million, or 85.0%, to $767,000 at June 30, 2025 from $5.1 million at December 31, 2024 due to the sale of a foreclosed property to an independent third party.

Property held for investment was $1.4 million at both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

Right of use assets — operating increased $382,000, or 9.6%, to $4.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $4.0 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to the physical expansion of a branch office and the resulting revision to the operating lease, partially offset by the amortization of the right of use assets.

Other assets decreased $1.2 million, or 10.5%, to $10.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $11.6 million at December 31, 2024 due to decreases of $1.2 million in tax assets and $118,000 in prepaid expenses, partially offset by an increase of $116,000 in suspense accounts.

Total deposits decreased $191.2 million, or 11.5%, to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.7 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in deposits was primarily due to a decrease in certificates of deposit of $251.5 million, or 25.1%, partially offset by increases in NOW/money market accounts of $56.4 million, or 23.2%, savings account balances of $3.3 million, or 2.4%, and non-interest bearing deposits of $2.2 million, or 0.8%. The decrease of $251.5 million in certificates of deposit consisted of a decrease in retail certificates of deposit of $134.2 million, or 26.2%, and a decrease in brokered certificates of deposit of $129.1 million, or 29.7%, partially offset by an increase in non-brokered listing services certificates of deposit of $11.7 million, or 35.0%.

The decrease in retail certificates of deposit was due to a shift in deposits to our retail high yield money market accounts. The decrease in brokered certificates of deposit was due to management’s strategy to reduce the cost of funds by “calling” higher rate brokered deposits on their call dates.

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance increased $804,000, or 49.7%, to $2.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $1.6 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to accumulation of real estate tax payments from borrowers.

Borrowings increased to $135.0 million at June 30, 2025 from none at December 31, 2024 due primarily to management’s strategy to diversify funding sources.

Lease liability – operating increased $389,000, or 9.5%, to $4.5 million at June 30, 2025 from $4.1 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to the physical expansion of a branch office and the resulting revision to the operating lease, partially offset by the amortization of the lease liability.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $970,000, or 6.7%, to $15.5 million at June 30, 2025 from $14.5 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to increases in accrued borrowing interest expense of $905,000, accounts payable of $666,000, deferred compensation of $312,000, suspense accounts for loan closings of $269,000, and the allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000, partially offset by a decrease in accrued expense of $1.4 million.

The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments increased $175,000, or 24.9%, to $879,000 at June 30, 2025 from $704,000 at December 31, 2024 due primarily to an increase of $74.5 million, or 13.3%, in off-balance sheet commitments since December 31, 2024.

Stockholders’ equity increased $18.3 million, or 5.8% to $336.7 million at June 30, 2025, from $318.3 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to net income of $21.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, an increase of $638,000 in earned employee stock ownership plan shares coupled with a reduction of $435,000 in unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, and the amortization expense of $894,000 relating to restricted stock and stock options granted under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, partially offset by dividends declared of $5.4 million and $4,000 in other comprehensive loss.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $25.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $26.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in net interest income of $1.1 million, or 4.4%, was primarily due to a decrease in interest income that exceeded a decrease in interest expense and a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds for interest bearing liabilities.

Total interest and dividend income decreased $2.2 million, or 5.5%, to $38.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $40.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest and dividend income was due to a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets by 78 basis points from 8.89% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 8.11% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $64.9 million, or 3.6%, to $1.9 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.8 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 7.5%, to $13.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $14.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 45 basis points from 4.33% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 3.88% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $41.9 million, or 3.2%, to $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Our net interest margin decreased 44 basis points, or 7.6%, to 5.35% for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 5.79% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to a 100 basis points decrease in the Federal Funds rate from September 2024 to December 2024 that resulted in a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities.

Credit Loss Expense

The Company recorded no credit loss expense for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to a credit loss expense reduction of $226,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

The credit loss expense reduction of $226,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $218,000 and a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $8,000. The credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $218,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to a reduction of $30.4 million in the level of off-balance sheet commitments and favorable trends in the economy.

With respect to the allowance for credit losses for loans, we charged-off $485,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to charge-offs of $12,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The charge-offs during both periods were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

We recorded recoveries of $82,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to no recoveries during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The recoveries of $82,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 comprised of recoveries from a previously charged-off unpaid overdraft on a demand deposit account.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was $858,000 compared to non-interest income of $731,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase of $127,000, or 17.4%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $71,000 in unrealized gain on equity securities, $48,000 in other loan fees and service charges, and $8,000 in BOLI income.

The increase in unrealized gain on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $51,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to an unrealized loss of $20,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2024. Both the unrealized gain of $51,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and the unrealized loss of $20,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2024 were due to market interest rate volatility during both periods.

The increase of $48,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to an increase of $60,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees and an increase of $2,000 in deposit account fees, partially offset by a decrease of $14,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees. The increase in BOLI income of $8,000 was due to an increase in the yield on BOLI assets.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $1.0 million, or 10.6%, to $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $398,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $220,000 in real estate owned expense, $151,000 in outside data processing expense, $111,000 in other operating expense, $69,000 in occupancy expense, $32,000 in equipment expense, and $29,000 in advertising expense.

Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $4.3 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2025, we had approximately $210,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $199,000 in tax exempt income for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Our effective income tax rates were 27.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024.

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $49.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to $51.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in net interest income of $1.9 million, or 3.7%, was primarily due to a decrease in interest income that exceeded a decrease in interest expense and a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds for interest bearing liabilities.

Total interest and dividend income decreased $2.1 million, or 2.7%, to $76.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $78.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest and dividend income was due to a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets by 75 basis points from 8.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 8.08% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $112.3 million, or 6.3%, to $1.9 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.8 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Interest expense decreased $242,000, or 0.9%, to $26.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $27.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 34 basis points from 4.31% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 3.97% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $95.7 million, or 7.6%, to $1.4 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Net interest margin decreased 54 basis points, or 9.4%, to 5.23% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 5.77% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to a 100 basis points decrease in the Federal Funds rate from September 2024 to December 2024 that resulted in a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities.

Credit Loss Expense

The Company recorded a credit loss expense of $237,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to a credit loss expense reduction of $391,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The credit loss expense of $237,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was comprised of credit loss expense for loans of $62,000 and credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000.

The credit loss expense for loans of $62,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in the multi-family loan portfolio. The credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in unfunded off-balance sheet commitments.

The credit loss expense reduction of $391,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $235,000, a credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000, and a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $11,000. The credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $235,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to a reduction of $27.2 million in the level of off-balance sheet commitments and favorable trends in the economy. The credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to favorable trends in the economy.

With respect to the allowance for credit losses for loans, we charged-off $602,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to charge-offs of $33,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The charge-offs during both periods were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

We recorded recoveries of $434,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to no recoveries during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The recoveries of $434,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 comprised of recoveries of $350,000 with respect to a previously charged-off non-residential mortgage loan and $84,000 from previously charged-off unpaid overdrafts on demand deposit accounts.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $2.1 million compared to non-interest income of $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase of $808,000, or 62.9%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $453,000 in unrealized gain on equity securities, $326,000 in other loan fees and service charges, $17,000 in BOLI income, and $12,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest income.

The increase in unrealized gain on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $351,000 on equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to an unrealized loss of $102,000 on equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Both the unrealized gain of $351,000 on equity securities during the 2025 period and the unrealized loss of $102,000 on equity securities during the 2024 period were due to market interest rate volatility during both periods.

The increase of $326,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to increases of $232,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees, $91,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees, and $3,000 in deposit account fees. The increase in BOLI income of $17,000 was due to an increase in the yield on BOLI assets.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $1.9 million, or 10.2%, to $21.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $19.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $980,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $332,000 in other operating expense, $251,000 in outside data processing expense, $238,000 in real estate owned expense, $108,000 in occupancy expense, and $43,000 in advertising expense, partially offset by a decrease of $4,000 in equipment expense.

Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $8.3 million and $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, we had approximately $415,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $394,000 in tax exempt income for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our effective income tax rates were 27.7% and 28.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets were $767,000 at June 30, 2025 compared to $5.1 million at December 31, 2024. The non-performing assets consisted of one foreclosed property located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We sold one foreclosed property totaling $4.3 million located in the Bronx, New York on June 30, 2025 to a third-party buyer at no loss to the Company and in connection therewith we provided the financing to complete the multi-family project.

Our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets remained low at 0.04% at June 30, 2025 as compared to 0.25% at December 31, 2024.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses related to loans was $4.7 million, or 0.26% of total loans as of June 30, 2025, compared to $4.8 million, or 0.27% of total loans as of December 31, 2024. Based on a review of the loans that were in the loan portfolio at June 30, 2025, management believes that the allowance for credit losses related to loans is maintained at a level that represents its best estimate of inherent losses in the loan portfolio that were both probable and reasonably estimable.

In addition, at June 30, 2025, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments totaled $879,000 and the allowance for credit losses related to held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $126,000.

Capital

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity to assets ratio was 17.06% as of June 30, 2025. At June 30, 2025, the Company had the ability to borrow $740.2 million from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, $23.1 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and $8.0 million from Atlantic Community Bankers Bank.

The Bank’s capital position remains strong relative to current regulatory requirements and the Bank is considered a well-capitalized institution under the Prompt Corrective Action framework. As of June 30, 2025, the Bank had a tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 15.87% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.99%.

The Company completed its first stock repurchase program on April 14, 2023 whereby the Company repurchased 1,637,794 shares, or 10%, of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. The cost of the stock repurchase program totaled $23.0 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes. Of the total shares repurchased under this program, 957,275 of such shares were repurchased during 2023 at a total cost of $13.7 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.

The Company commenced its second stock repurchase program on May 30, 2023 whereby the Company will repurchase 1,509,218, or 10%, of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had repurchased 1,091,174 shares of common stock under its second repurchase program, at a cost of $17.2 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.

About NorthEast Community Bancorp

NorthEast Community Bancorp, headquartered at 325 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601, is the holding company for NorthEast Community Bank, which conducts business through its eleven branch offices located in Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties in New York and Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk Counties in Massachusetts and three loan production offices located in New City, New York, White Plains, New York, and Danvers, Massachusetts. For more information about NorthEast Community Bancorp and NorthEast Community Bank, please visit www.necb.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to, changes in market interest rates, regional and national economic conditions (including higher inflation or recessionary conditions and their impact on regional and national economic conditions), legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, including policies of the United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts, the quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities, competition, demand for financial services in NorthEast Community Bank’s market area, changes in the real estate market values in NorthEast Community Bank’s market area, the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company’s operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns, and changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties may be described in our annual and quarterly reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available through the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

CONTACT:	Kenneth A. Martinek
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

PHONE:	(914) 684-2500


NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (Unaudited)

	June 30,			December 31,
	2025			2024
	(In thousands, except share
	and per share amounts)
ASSETS
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions	$	19,042		$	13,700
Interest-bearing deposits		40,331			64,559
Total cash and cash equivalents		59,373			78,259
Certificates of deposit		100			100
Equity securities		25,345			21,994
Securities held-to-maturity (net of allowance for credit losses of $126 and $126, respectively)		14,398			14,616
Loans receivable		1,797,618			1,812,647
Deferred loan fees, net		(62	)		(49	)
Allowance for credit losses		(4,724	)		(4,830	)
Net loans		1,792,832			1,807,768
Premises and equipment, net		25,341			24,805
Investments in restricted stock, at cost		1,085			397
Bank owned life insurance		26,074			25,738
Accrued interest receivable		12,119			13,481
Real estate owned		767			5,120
Property held for investment		1,352			1,370
Right of Use Assets – Operating		4,383			4,001
Right of Use Assets – Financing		345			347
Other assets		10,370			11,585
Total assets	$	1,973,884		$	2,009,581
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing	$	287,741		$	287,135
Interest bearing		1,191,420			1,383,240
Total deposits		1,479,161			1,670,375
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		2,422			1,618
Borrowings		135,000			–
Lease Liability – Operating		4,497			4,108
Lease Liability – Financing		628			609
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		15,500			14,530
Total liabilities		1,637,208			1,691,240

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	$	—		$	—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 14,023,376 shares and 14,016,254 shares outstanding, respectively		140			140
Additional paid-in capital		111,624			110,091
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares		(5,653	)		(6,088	)
Retained earnings		230,345			213,974
Accumulated other comprehensive gain		220			224
Total stockholders’ equity		336,676			318,341
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,973,884		$	2,009,581

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025		2024			2025		2024
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)					(In thousands, except per share amounts)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans	$	36,740	$	38,634		$	73,622	$	75,337
Interest-earning deposits		1,027		1,385			2,108		2,585
Securities		272		218			516		436
Total Interest Income		38,039		40,237			76,246		78,358
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits		12,053		13,435			25,986		25,829
Borrowings		902		570			902		1,302
Financing lease		10		10			20		19
Total Interest Expense		12,965		14,015			26,908		27,150
Net Interest Income		25,074		26,222			49,338		51,208
Provision for (reversal of) credit loss		—		(226	)		237		(391	)
Net Interest Income after Provision for (Reversal of) Credit Loss		25,074		26,448			49,101		51,599
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Other loan fees and service charges		611		563			1,351		1,025
Earnings on bank owned life insurance		170		162			336		319
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities		51		(20	)		351		(102	)
Other		26		26			55		43
Total Non-Interest Income		858		731			2,093		1,285
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries and employee benefits		5,650		5,252			11,583		10,603
Occupancy expense		743		674			1,489		1,381
Equipment		253		221			470		474
Outside data processing		758		607			1,494		1,243
Advertising		123		94			225		182
Real estate owned expense		247		27			277		39
Other		2,734		2,623			5,589		5,257
Total Non-Interest Expenses		10,508		9,498			21,127		19,179
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		15,424		17,681			30,067		33,705
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		4,254		4,883			8,330		9,533
NET INCOME	$	11,170	$	12,798		$	21,737	$	24,172

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)						(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Per share data:
Earnings per share – basic	$	0.85		$	0.98		$	1.65		$	1.84
Earnings per share – diluted		0.82			0.97			1.60			1.83
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		13,216			13,084			13,204			13,119
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		13,568			13,181			13,563			13,205
Performance ratios/data:
Return on average total assets		2.27	%		2.70	%		2.20	%		2.60	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity		13.37	%		17.28	%		13.18	%		16.59	%
Net interest income	$	25,074		$	26,222		$	49,338		$	51,208
Net interest margin		5.35	%		5.79	%		5.23	%		5.77	%
Efficiency ratio		40.52	%		35.24	%		41.08	%		36.54	%
Net charge-off ratio		0.09	%		0.00	%		0.01	%		0.00	%

Loan portfolio composition:								June 30, 2025			December 31, 2024
One-to-four family							$	3,398		$	3,472
Multi-family								292,552			206,606
Mixed-use								26,089			26,571
Total residential real estate								322,039			236,649
Non-residential real estate								28,971			29,446
Construction								1,323,477			1,426,167
Commercial and industrial								123,084			118,736
Consumer								47			1,649
Gross loans								1,797,618			1,812,647
Deferred loan fees, net								(62	)		(49	)
Total loans							$	1,797,556		$	1,812,598
Asset quality data:
Loans past due over 90 days and still accruing							$	–		$	–
Non-accrual loans								–			–
OREO property								767			5,120
Total non-performing assets							$	767		$	5,120

Allowance for credit losses to total loans								0.26	%		0.27	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans								0.00	%		0.00	%
Non-performing loans to total loans								0.00	%		0.00	%
Non-performing assets to total assets								0.04	%		0.25	%

Bank’s Regulatory Capital ratios:
Total capital to risk-weighted assets								14.99	%		13.92	%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets								14.71	%		13.65	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets								14.71	%		13.65	%
Tier 1 leverage ratio								15.87	%		14.44	%


NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2025								Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Average			Interest		Average			Average			Interest		Average
	Balance			and dividend		Yield			Balance			and dividend		Yield
	(In thousands, except yield/cost information)								(In thousands, except yield/cost information)
Loan receivable gross	$	1,754,363		$	36,740		8.38	%	$	1,687,029		$	38,634		9.16	%
Securities		37,839			265		2.80	%		33,438			199		2.38	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		438			7		6.39	%		704			19		10.80	%
Other interest-earning assets		83,135			1,027		4.94	%		89,736			1,385		6.17	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,875,775			38,039		8.11	%		1,810,907			40,237		8.89	%
Allowance for credit losses		(5,122	)							(4,927	)
Non-interest-earning assets		95,651								91,085
Total assets	$	1,966,304							$	1,897,065

Interest-bearing demand deposit	$	298,689		$	2,401		3.22	%	$	205,536		$	1,930		3.76	%
Savings and club accounts		141,238			761		2.16	%		158,292			982		2.48	%
Certificates of deposit		815,000			8,891		4.36	%		884,626			10,523		4.76	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,254,927			12,053		3.84	%		1,248,454			13,435		4.30	%
Borrowed money		82,712			912		4.41	%		47,276			580		4.91	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,337,639			12,965		3.88	%		1,295,730			14,015		4.33	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposit		274,466								285,368
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		20,114								19,641
Total liabilities		1,632,219								1,600,739
Equity		334,085								296,326
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,966,304							$	1,897,065

Net interest income / interest spread				$	25,074		4.23	%				$	26,222		4.56	%
Net interest rate margin							5.35	%							5.79	%
Net interest earning assets	$	538,136							$	515,177
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		140.23	%							139.76	%


NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS (Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2025								Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Average			Interest		Average			Average			Interest		Average
	Balance			and dividend		Yield			Balance			and dividend		Yield
	(In thousands, except yield/cost information)								(In thousands, except yield/cost information)
Loan receivable gross	$	1,761,069		$	73,622		8.36	%	$	1,649,686		$	75,337		9.13	%
Securities		37,298			500		2.68	%		33,643			396		2.35	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		418			16		7.66	%		773			40		10.35	%
Other interest-earning assets		88,277			2,108		4.78	%		90,644			2,585		5.70	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,887,062			76,246		8.08	%		1,774,746			78,358		8.83	%
Allowance for credit losses		(4,978	)							(5,009	)
Non-interest-earning assets		96,071								89,972
Total assets	$	1,978,155							$	1,859,709

Interest-bearing demand deposit	$	286,726		$	4,846		3.38	%	$	188,510		$	3,483		3.70	%
Savings and club accounts		140,077			1,491		2.13	%		170,531			2,184		2.56	%
Certificates of deposit		888,136			19,649		4.42	%		847,606			20,162		4.76	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,314,939			25,986		3.95	%		1,206,647			25,829		4.28	%
Borrowed money		41,584			922		4.43	%		54,184			1,321		4.88	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,356,523			26,908		3.97	%		1,260,831			27,150		4.31	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposit		272,680								288,639
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		19,107								18,865
Total liabilities		1,648,310								1,568,335
Equity		329,845								291,374
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,978,155							$	1,859,709

Net interest income / interest spread				$	49,338		4.11	%				$	51,208		4.52	%
Net interest rate margin							5.23	%							5.77	%
Net interest earning assets	$	530,539							$	513,915
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		139.11	%							140.76	%

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: Love Not War AI Unveils Mathematical Framework That Aligns Capitalism with Collective Good

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Love Not War AI today announced the launch of Progressive Utility Mechanics, a newly discovered mathematical framework created by innovator Valraj Singh Mann. This groundbreaking system offers a universal method for designing economic models in which individual financial success automatically enhances social welfare. The announcement marks the first implementation of the framework in a real-world application via the LVAI cryptocurrency, positioning it as a potential tool for addressing systemic issues like poverty, climate change, and inequality at scale.

Unlike traditional economic systems that create tension between profit and purpose, Progressive Utility Mechanics create mathematically structured guarantees that individual success automatically generates increasing social benefit. The framework is going to be demonstrated through LVAI (Love Not War AI), the first cryptocurrency where charitable impact grows over time, but applications extend across all human economic organization – from corporate structures to government policy to international development.

“We’ve developed the mathematical framework that may reshape how economic systems are designed across sectors,” said Mann. “For the first time in history, we can create mathematically structured mechanisms that align individual greed with collective good automatically. This isn’t just about cryptocurrency – it’s about demonstrating that capitalism can be inherently charitable, that economic growth can systematically reduce poverty, and that success can help everyone through what we’re calling ‘Mann Mechanics.’”

Independent analysis confirms this represents the first mathematically structured mechanism demonstrating that economic systems can be designed to automatically strengthen social outcomes as they grow, potentially addressing root causes of global inequality, environmental degradation, and systemic poverty.

HUMANITY’S GREATEST ECONOMIC CHALLENGE

Throughout history, human societies have struggled with the fundamental tension between individual success and collective welfare. Traditional capitalism creates wealth but concentrates it, leading to inequality. Socialist systems promote equality but reduce prosperity. Regulatory approaches create compliance costs and economic drag. Charitable solutions depend on voluntary giving that decreases as wealth concentrates.

“Every economic system in human history has forced a choice between individual freedom and collective good,” noted Mann. “We’ve developed a mathematically structured mechanism demonstrating that choice may be false – they can be systematically unified through progressive design.”

The framework addresses systemic challenges affecting billions globally:

• Global Poverty: 700+ million people in extreme poverty despite unprecedented global wealth
• Climate Change: Economic incentives that reward environmental destruction over restoration
• Inequality Crisis: Wealth concentration accelerating in every developed economy
• Corporate Externalities: Profit maximization creating social and environmental costs
• Aid Dependency: International development creating dependency rather than self-sufficiency
• Government Inefficiency: Tax systems that reduce productivity while funding bureaucracy

PROGRESSIVE UTILITY MECHANICS: THE UNIVERSAL SOLUTION

Progressive Utility Mechanics (also known as “Mann Mechanics”) create economic systems where individual market participation automatically generates increasing social benefit through mathematically structured allocation mechanisms that strengthen over time.

This framework transforms traditional zero-sum economic thinking into positive-sum systems where everyone’s success helps everyone else automatically, without coercion, regulation, or voluntary charity.

Real-world applications include:

• Progressive Impact Corporations: Business structures where shareholder profits automatically fund stakeholder benefits, making successful companies automatically beneficial to their communities

• Self-Funding Development Programs: Economic zones where business success automatically generates poverty reduction funding, creating sustainable development without foreign aid dependency

• Progressive Environmental Bonds: Investment vehicles where profit automatically funds environmental restoration, aligning financial returns with ecological recovery

• Municipal Progressive Systems: City economies where business success automatically improves public infrastructure and services, creating self-improving urban environments

• Progressive Education Funding: Systems where private success automatically enhances public education, leveling educational playing fields through market mechanisms

“This framework could eliminate the need to choose between economic growth and social good,” observed one policy researcher. “Every successful business, every profitable investment, every economic gain automatically helps solve humanity’s greatest challenges.”

GLOBAL IMPACT POTENTIAL

Progressive Utility Mechanics address the mathematical core of humanity’s most pressing challenges:

Poverty Elimination: Systems where economic success automatically generates anti-poverty funding may provide sustainable income support without government intervention or international aid dependency.

Climate Solutions: Investment structures where environmental restoration becomes systematically profitable through progressive mechanics may help reverse ecological damage while generating returns.

Inequality Reduction: Economic designs where success automatically levels playing fields may reduce wealth concentration without reducing prosperity or economic freedom.
Corporate Transformation: Business models where profit maximization automatically optimizes social and environmental outcomes could revolutionize capitalism without regulatory coercion.

International Development: Self-funding development programs could replace aid dependency with sustainable economic systems that strengthen as they succeed.

“We’re not just talking about improving existing systems,” emphasized Mann. “We’re demonstrating that fundamentally different systems are possible – ones that may systematically address problems rather than creating them.”

MATHEMATICAL PROOF OF CONCEPT: LVAI IMPLEMENTATION

LVAI cryptocurrency will serve as the first mathematical proof that Progressive Utility Mechanics work in practice, demonstrating charitable impact that increases rather than decreases over time through three-phase evolution:

• Phase 1: Economic growth automatically funds ecosystem expansion

• Phase 2: Balanced allocation prevents stagnation while building social impact capacity

• Phase 3: Unused economic capacity automatically becomes permanent charity endowment.

The implementation includes institutional-grade security (94/100 audit rating) and has been mathematically verified to create stronger charitable impact as the system matures, demonstrating that economic success can be systematically aligned with social benefit through mechanism design.

APPLICATIONS ACROSS HUMAN CIVILIZATION

The discovery provides mathematical foundations for redesigning economic organization across all sectors:

Corporate Governance: Progressive Impact Corporations where shareholders profit more as stakeholder outcomes improve, automatically aligning business success with social good.

Municipal Economics: Progressive Economic Zones where local business success automatically funds public goods, creating self-improving communities without tax burden increases.

International Relations: Progressive development frameworks where economic growth in developing nations automatically generates sustainable funding for infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Environmental Policy: Progressive conservation systems where land preservation and restoration become more profitable over time, creating economic incentives for ecological recovery.

Educational Systems: Progressive funding mechanisms where private educational success automatically enhances public education quality, reducing inequality through market forces rather than redistribution.

Healthcare Systems: Progressive health economics where medical innovation profitability automatically funds public health improvements, aligning pharmaceutical profits with population wellness.

RESHAPING ECONOMIC THEORY

Progressive Utility Mechanics (Mann Mechanics) represent the first mathematical framework proving that Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” – the foundational concept from the 18th-century economist known as the “Father of Modern Economics” – can be engineered rather than hoped for, creating guaranteed alignment between individual rational behavior and optimal collective outcomes.

The innovation addresses fundamental questions that have challenged economists, philosophers, and policymakers:

• Can capitalism be inherently fair? YES – through progressive design
• Can individual greed serve collective good automatically? YES – through mathematical alignment
• Can economic growth reduce rather than increase inequality? YES – through systematic progressive allocation
• Can free markets solve social problems without government intervention? YES – through proper incentive design

“This could be the most important breakthrough in economics since Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations,” noted one academic researcher. “Mann Mechanics provide the missing mathematical framework for creating automatically beneficial economic systems, potentially establishing a new field of study alongside Nash Equilibrium – developed by John Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician portrayed in ‘A Beautiful Mind’ – and Keynesian Economics, created by John Maynard Keynes, the influential British economist whose theories shaped modern government economic policy.”

POTENTIAL CIVILIZATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

If validated and widely implemented, Progressive Utility Mechanics may represent a significant advance in human economic organization since the development of market capitalism, potentially enabling:

• Systematic poverty reduction through automatically self-funding anti-poverty systems
• Climate change mitigation through profitable environmental restoration mechanisms
• Inequality reduction without prosperity reduction through systematic leveling mechanisms
• Corporate transformation from profit-maximizing to systematically beneficent entities
• Government efficiency through market-based rather than bureaucratic social solutions

“We’re exploring the potential to address humanity’s greatest challenges not through sacrifice or coercion, but by redesigning economic systems to systematically optimize for everyone’s benefit,” concluded Mann.

PRIORITY ESTABLISHMENT

This announcement establishes Valraj Singh Mann as the inventor of Progressive Utility Mechanics (Mann Mechanics) and creator of the mathematical framework for systematically aligning individual success with collective benefit. The innovation represents the first mathematically structured mechanism demonstrating that economic systems can be designed for systematic social optimization without reducing individual incentives or economic freedom.

Comprehensive project documentation, including detailed whitepaper and technical specifications, is available at https://lovenotwar.ai

ABOUT VAL MANN

Valraj Singh Mann is the inventor of Progressive Utility Mechanics and creator of the mathematical framework for systematically aligning individual economic success with collective social benefit. Through breakthrough mathematical innovation, Mann has developed potential solutions to humanity’s greatest economic challenges while demonstrating that capitalism may be redesigned to be inherently beneficial to all participants.

ABOUT PROGRESSIVE UTILITY MECHANICS

Progressive Utility Mechanics (Mann Mechanics) represent a universally applicable mathematical framework for creating economic systems where individual success systematically generates increasing collective benefit. The principle provides potential applications across corporate governance, municipal economics, international development, environmental policy, and all forms of human economic organization.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ana Thapar
Relations Manager
Email: info@lovenotwar.ai
Website: https://lovenotwar.ai
New Community Channel: https://t.me/LoveNotWar_Base

For global implementation discussions, academic collaboration, policy consultation, or interview requests, contact info@lovenotwar.ai with “Progressive Utility Framework” in the subject line.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements about potential applications of Progressive Utility Mechanics to global economic challenges. Implementation of any framework requires extensive testing, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptation to specific economic, legal, and cultural contexts. All projections represent potential applications based on mathematical modeling and require real-world validation.

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Keep fighting for a nuclear-free Pacific, Helen Clark warns Greenpeace over global storm clouds

Asia Pacific Report

Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark warned activists and campaigners in a speech on the deck of the Greenpeace environmental flagship Rainbow Warrior III last night to be wary of global “storm clouds” and the renewed existential threat of nuclear weapons.

Speaking on her reflections on four decades after the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior on 10 July 1985, she said that New Zealand had a lot to be proud of but the world was now in a “precarious” state.

Clark praised Greenpeace over its long struggle, challenging the global campaigners to keep up the fight for a nuclear-free Pacific.

“For New Zealand, having been proudly nuclear-free since the mid-1980s, life has got a lot more complicated for us as well, and I have done a lot of campaigning against New Zealand signing up to any aspect of the AUKUS arrangement because it seems to me that being associated with any agreement that supplies nuclear ship technology to Australia is more or less encouraging the development of nuclear threats in the South Pacific,” she said.

“While I am not suggesting that Australians are about to put nuclear weapons on them, we know that others do. This is not the Pacific that we want.

“It is not the Pacific that we fought for going back all those years.

“So we need to be very concerned about these storm clouds gathering.”

Lessons for humanity
Clark was prime minister 1999-2008 and served as a minister in David Lange’s Labour government that passed New Zealand’s nuclear-free legislation in 1987 – two years after the Rainbow Warrior bombing by French secret agents.

She was also head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2009-2017.

“When you think 40 years on, humanity might have learned some lessons. But it seems we have to repeat the lessons over and over again, or we will be dragged on the path of re-engagement with those who use nuclear weapons as their ultimate defence,” Clark told the Greenpeace activists, crew and guests.

“Forty years on, we look back with a lot of pride, actually, at how New Zealand responded to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. We stood up with the passage of the nuclear-free legislation in 1987, we stood up with a lot of things.

“All of this is under threat; the international scene now is quite precarious with respect to nuclear weapons. This is an existential threat.”

[embedded content]
Nuclear-free Pacific reflections with Helen Clark Video: Greenpeace

In response to Tahitian researcher and advocate Ena Manuireva who spoke earlier about the legacy of a health crisis as a result of 30 years of French nuclear tests at Moruroa and Fangataufa, she recalled her own thoughts.

“It reminds us of why we were so motivated to fight for a nuclear-free Pacific because we remember the history of what happened in French Polynesia, in the Marshall Islands, in the South Australian desert, at Maralinga, to the New Zealand servicemen who were sent up in the navy ships, the Rotoiti and the Pukaki, in the late 1950s, to stand on deck while the British exploded their bombs [at Christmas Island in what is today Kiribati].

“These poor guys were still seeking compensation when I was PM with the illnesses you [Ena] described in French Polynesia.

Former NZ prime minister Helen Clark . . . “I remember one of the slogans in the 1970s and 1980s was ‘if it is so safe, test them in France’.” Image: Asia Pacific Report

Testing ground for ‘others’
“So the Pacific was a testing ground for ‘others’ far away and I remember one of the slogans in the 1970s and 1980s was ‘if it is so safe, test them in France’. Right? It wasn’t so safe.

“Mind you, they regarded French Polynesia as France.

“David Robie asked me to write the foreword to the new edition of his book, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, and it brought back so many memories of those times because those of you who are my age will remember that the 1980s were the peak of the Cold War.

“We had the Reagan administration [in the US] that was actively preparing for war. It was a terrifying time. It was before the demise of the Soviet Union. And nuclear testing was just part of that big picture where people were preparing for war.

“I think that the wonderful development in New Zealand was that people knew enough to know that we didn’t want to be defended by nuclear weapons because that was not mutually assured survival — it was mutually assured destruction.”

New Zealand took a stand, Clark said, but taking that stand led to the attack on the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour by French state-backed terrorism where tragically Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira lost his life.

“I remember I was on my way to Nairobi for a conference for women, and I was in Zimbabwe, when the news came through about the bombing of a boat in Auckland harbour.

‘Absolutely shocking’
“It was absolutely shocking, we had never experienced such a thing. I recall when I returned to New Zealand, [Prime Minister] David Lange one morning striding down to the party caucus room and telling us before it went public that it was without question that French spies had planted the bombs and the rest was history.

“It was a very tense time. Full marks to Greenpeace for keeping up the struggle for so long — long before it was a mainstream issue Greenpeace was out there in the Pacific taking on nuclear testing.

“Different times from today, but when I wrote the foreword for David’s book I noted that storm clouds were gathering again around nuclear weapons and issues. I suppose that there is so much else going on in a tragic 24 news cycle — catastrophe day in and day out in Gaza, severe technology and lethal weapons in Ukraine killing people, wherever you look there are so many conflicts.

“The international agreements that we have relied are falling into disrepair. For example, if I were in Europe I would be extremely worried about the demise of the intermediate range missile weapons pact which has now been abandoned by the Americans and the Russians.

“And that governs the deployment of medium range missiles in Europe.

“The New Start Treaty, which was a nuclear arms control treaty between what was the Soviet Union and the US expires next year. Will it be renegotiated in the current circumstances? Who knows?”

With the Non-proliferation Treaty, there are acknowledged nuclear powers who had not signed the treaty — “and those that do make very little effort to live up to the aspiration, which is to negotiate an end to nuclear weapons”.

Developments with Iran
“We have seen recently the latest developments with Iran, and for all of Iran’s many sins let us acknowledge that it is a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” she said.

“It did subject itself, for the most part, to the inspections regime. Israel, which bombed it, is not a party to the treaty, and doesn’t accept inspections.

“There are so many double standards that people have long complained about the Non-Proliferation Treaty where the original five nuclear powers are deemed okay to have them, somehow, whereas there are others who don’t join at all.

“And then over the Ukraine conflict we have seen worrying threats of the use of nuclear weapons.”

Clark warned that we the use of artificial intelligence it would not be long before asking it: “How do I make a nuclear weapon?”

“It’s not so difficult to make a dirty bomb. So we should be extremely worried about all these developments.”

Then Clark spoke about the “complications” facing New Zealand.

Mangareva researcher and advocate Ena Manuireva . . . “My mum died of lung cancer and the doctors said that she was a ‘passive smoker’. My mum had not smoked for the last 65 years.” Image: Asia Pacific Report

Teariki’s message to De Gaulle
In his address, Ena Manuireva started off by quoting the late Tahitian parliamentarian John Teariki who had courageously appealed to General Charles De Gaulle in 1966 after France had already tested three nuclear devices:

“No government has ever had the honesty or the cynical frankness to admit that its nuclear tests might be dangerous. No government has ever hesitated to make other peoples — preferably small, defenceless ones — bear the burden.”

“May you, Mr President, take back your troops, your bombs, and your planes.

“Then, later, our leukemia and cancer patients would not be able to accuse you of being the cause of their illness.

“Then, our future generations would not be able to blame you for the birth of monsters and deformed children.

“Then, you would give the world an example worthy of France . . .

“Then, Polynesia, united, would be proud and happy to be French, and, as in the early days of Free France, we would all once again become your best and most loyal friends.”

‘Emotional moment’
Manuireva said that 10 days earlier, he had been on board Rainbow Warrior III for the ceremony to mark the bombing in 1985 that cost the life of Fernando Pereira – “and the lives of a lot of Mā’ohi people”.

“It was a very emotional moment for me. It reminded me of my mother and father as I am a descendant of those on Mangareva atoll who were contaminated by those nuclear tests.

“My mum died of lung cancer and the doctors said that she was a ‘passive smoker’. My mum had not smoked for the last 65 years.

“French nuclear testing started on 2 July 1966 with Aldebaran and lasted 30 years.”

He spoke about how the military “top brass fled the island” when winds start blowing towards Mangareva. “Food was ready but they didn’t stay”.

“By the time I was born in December 1967 in Mangareva, France had already exploded 9 atmospheric nuclear tests on Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls, about 400km from Mangareva.”

France’s most powerful explosion was Canopus with 2.6 megatonnes in August 1968. It was a thermonuclear hydrogen bomb — 150 times more powerful than Hiroshima.

Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman . . . a positive of the campaign future. Image: Asia Pacific Report

‘Poisoned gift’
Manuireva said that by France “gifting us the bomb”, Tahitians had been left “with all the ongoing consequences on the people’s health costs that the Ma’ohi Nui government is paying for”.

He described how the compensation programme was inadequate, lengthy and complicated.

Manuireva also spoke about the consequences for the environment. Both Moruroa and Fangataufa were condemned as “no go” zones and islanders had lost their lands forever.

He also noted that while France had gifted the former headquarters of the Atomic Energy Commission (CEP) as a “form of reconciliation” plans to turn it into a museum were thwarted because the building was “rife with asbestos”.

“It is a poisonous gift that will cost millions for the local government to fix.”

Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman spoke of the impact on the Greenpeace organisation of the French secret service bombing of their ship and also introduced the guest speakers and responded to their statements.

A Q and A session was also held to round off the stimulating evening.

A question during the open mike session on board the Rainbow Warrior. Image: Asia Pacific Report

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Keep fighting for a nuclear-free Pacific, Helen Clark warns Greenpeace over global storm clouds

Asia Pacific Report

Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark warned activists and campaigners in a speech on the deck of the Greenpeace environmental flagship Rainbow Warrior III last night to be wary of global “storm clouds” and the renewed existential threat of nuclear weapons.

Speaking on her reflections on four decades after the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior on 10 July 1985, she said that New Zealand had a lot to be proud of but the world was now in a “precarious” state.

Clark praised Greenpeace over its long struggle, challenging the global campaigners to keep up the fight for a nuclear-free Pacific.

“For New Zealand, having been proudly nuclear-free since the mid-1980s, life has got a lot more complicated for us as well, and I have done a lot of campaigning against New Zealand signing up to any aspect of the AUKUS arrangement because it seems to me that being associated with any agreement that supplies nuclear ship technology to Australia is more or less encouraging the development of nuclear threats in the South Pacific,” she said.

“While I am not suggesting that Australians are about to put nuclear weapons on them, we know that others do. This is not the Pacific that we want.

“It is not the Pacific that we fought for going back all those years.

“So we need to be very concerned about these storm clouds gathering.”

Lessons for humanity
Clark was prime minister 1999-2008 and served as a minister in David Lange’s Labour government that passed New Zealand’s nuclear-free legislation in 1987 – two years after the Rainbow Warrior bombing by French secret agents.

She was also head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2009-2017.

“When you think 40 years on, humanity might have learned some lessons. But it seems we have to repeat the lessons over and over again, or we will be dragged on the path of re-engagement with those who use nuclear weapons as their ultimate defence,” Clark told the Greenpeace activists, crew and guests.

“Forty years on, we look back with a lot of pride, actually, at how New Zealand responded to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. We stood up with the passage of the nuclear-free legislation in 1987, we stood up with a lot of things.

“All of this is under threat; the international scene now is quite precarious with respect to nuclear weapons. This is an existential threat.”

[embedded content]
Nuclear-free Pacific reflections with Helen Clark Video: Greenpeace

In response to Tahitian researcher and advocate Ena Manuireva who spoke earlier about the legacy of a health crisis as a result of 30 years of French nuclear tests at Moruroa and Fangataufa, she recalled her own thoughts.

“It reminds us of why we were so motivated to fight for a nuclear-free Pacific because we remember the history of what happened in French Polynesia, in the Marshall Islands, in the South Australian desert, at Maralinga, to the New Zealand servicemen who were sent up in the navy ships, the Rotoiti and the Pukaki, in the late 1950s, to stand on deck while the British exploded their bombs [at Christmas Island in what is today Kiribati].

“These poor guys were still seeking compensation when I was PM with the illnesses you [Ena] described in French Polynesia.

Former NZ prime minister Helen Clark . . . “I remember one of the slogans in the 1970s and 1980s was ‘if it is so safe, test them in France’.” Image: Asia Pacific Report

Testing ground for ‘others’
“So the Pacific was a testing ground for ‘others’ far away and I remember one of the slogans in the 1970s and 1980s was ‘if it is so safe, test them in France’. Right? It wasn’t so safe.

“Mind you, they regarded French Polynesia as France.

“David Robie asked me to write the foreword to the new edition of his book, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, and it brought back so many memories of those times because those of you who are my age will remember that the 1980s were the peak of the Cold War.

“We had the Reagan administration [in the US] that was actively preparing for war. It was a terrifying time. It was before the demise of the Soviet Union. And nuclear testing was just part of that big picture where people were preparing for war.

“I think that the wonderful development in New Zealand was that people knew enough to know that we didn’t want to be defended by nuclear weapons because that was not mutually assured survival — it was mutually assured destruction.”

New Zealand took a stand, Clark said, but taking that stand led to the attack on the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour by French state-backed terrorism where tragically Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira lost his life.

“I remember I was on my way to Nairobi for a conference for women, and I was in Zimbabwe, when the news came through about the bombing of a boat in Auckland harbour.

‘Absolutely shocking’
“It was absolutely shocking, we had never experienced such a thing. I recall when I returned to New Zealand, [Prime Minister] David Lange one morning striding down to the party caucus room and telling us before it went public that it was without question that French spies had planted the bombs and the rest was history.

“It was a very tense time. Full marks to Greenpeace for keeping up the struggle for so long — long before it was a mainstream issue Greenpeace was out there in the Pacific taking on nuclear testing.

“Different times from today, but when I wrote the foreword for David’s book I noted that storm clouds were gathering again around nuclear weapons and issues. I suppose that there is so much else going on in a tragic 24 news cycle — catastrophe day in and day out in Gaza, severe technology and lethal weapons in Ukraine killing people, wherever you look there are so many conflicts.

“The international agreements that we have relied are falling into disrepair. For example, if I were in Europe I would be extremely worried about the demise of the intermediate range missile weapons pact which has now been abandoned by the Americans and the Russians.

“And that governs the deployment of medium range missiles in Europe.

“The New Start Treaty, which was a nuclear arms control treaty between what was the Soviet Union and the US expires next year. Will it be renegotiated in the current circumstances? Who knows?”

With the Non-proliferation Treaty, there are acknowledged nuclear powers who had not signed the treaty — “and those that do make very little effort to live up to the aspiration, which is to negotiate an end to nuclear weapons”.

Developments with Iran
“We have seen recently the latest developments with Iran, and for all of Iran’s many sins let us acknowledge that it is a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” she said.

“It did subject itself, for the most part, to the inspections regime. Israel, which bombed it, is not a party to the treaty, and doesn’t accept inspections.

“There are so many double standards that people have long complained about the Non-Proliferation Treaty where the original five nuclear powers are deemed okay to have them, somehow, whereas there are others who don’t join at all.

“And then over the Ukraine conflict we have seen worrying threats of the use of nuclear weapons.”

Clark warned that we the use of artificial intelligence it would not be long before asking it: “How do I make a nuclear weapon?”

“It’s not so difficult to make a dirty bomb. So we should be extremely worried about all these developments.”

Then Clark spoke about the “complications” facing New Zealand.

Mangareva researcher and advocate Ena Manuireva . . . “My mum died of lung cancer and the doctors said that she was a ‘passive smoker’. My mum had not smoked for the last 65 years.” Image: Asia Pacific Report

Teariki’s message to De Gaulle
In his address, Ena Manuireva started off by quoting the late Tahitian parliamentarian John Teariki who had courageously appealed to General Charles De Gaulle in 1966 after France had already tested three nuclear devices:

“No government has ever had the honesty or the cynical frankness to admit that its nuclear tests might be dangerous. No government has ever hesitated to make other peoples — preferably small, defenceless ones — bear the burden.”

“May you, Mr President, take back your troops, your bombs, and your planes.

“Then, later, our leukemia and cancer patients would not be able to accuse you of being the cause of their illness.

“Then, our future generations would not be able to blame you for the birth of monsters and deformed children.

“Then, you would give the world an example worthy of France . . .

“Then, Polynesia, united, would be proud and happy to be French, and, as in the early days of Free France, we would all once again become your best and most loyal friends.”

‘Emotional moment’
Manuireva said that 10 days earlier, he had been on board Rainbow Warrior III for the ceremony to mark the bombing in 1985 that cost the life of Fernando Pereira – “and the lives of a lot of Mā’ohi people”.

“It was a very emotional moment for me. It reminded me of my mother and father as I am a descendant of those on Mangareva atoll who were contaminated by those nuclear tests.

“My mum died of lung cancer and the doctors said that she was a ‘passive smoker’. My mum had not smoked for the last 65 years.

“French nuclear testing started on 2 July 1966 with Aldebaran and lasted 30 years.”

He spoke about how the military “top brass fled the island” when winds start blowing towards Mangareva. “Food was ready but they didn’t stay”.

“By the time I was born in December 1967 in Mangareva, France had already exploded 9 atmospheric nuclear tests on Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls, about 400km from Mangareva.”

France’s most powerful explosion was Canopus with 2.6 megatonnes in August 1968. It was a thermonuclear hydrogen bomb — 150 times more powerful than Hiroshima.

Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman . . . a positive of the campaign future. Image: Asia Pacific Report

‘Poisoned gift’
Manuireva said that by France “gifting us the bomb”, Tahitians had been left “with all the ongoing consequences on the people’s health costs that the Ma’ohi Nui government is paying for”.

He described how the compensation programme was inadequate, lengthy and complicated.

Manuireva also spoke about the consequences for the environment. Both Moruroa and Fangataufa were condemned as “no go” zones and islanders had lost their lands forever.

He also noted that while France had gifted the former headquarters of the Atomic Energy Commission (CEP) as a “form of reconciliation” plans to turn it into a museum were thwarted because the building was “rife with asbestos”.

“It is a poisonous gift that will cost millions for the local government to fix.”

Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman spoke of the impact on the Greenpeace organisation of the French secret service bombing of their ship and also introduced the guest speakers and responded to their statements.

A Q and A session was also held to round off the stimulating evening.

A question during the open mike session on board the Rainbow Warrior. Image: Asia Pacific Report

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: What makes a person cool? Global study has some answers

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Todd Pezzuti, Associate Professor, Business School, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

From Lagos to Cape Town, Santiago to Seoul, people want to be cool. “Cool” is a word we hear everywhere – in music, in fashion, on social media. We use it to describe certain types of people.

But what exactly makes someone cool? Is it just about being popular or trendy? Or is there something deeper going on?

In a recent study I conducted with other marketing professors, we set out to answer a simple but surprisingly unexplored question. What are the personality traits and values that make someone seem cool – and do they differ across cultures?

We asked nearly 6,000 people from 12 countries to think of someone they personally knew who was “cool”, “not cool”, “good”, or “not good”. Then we asked them to describe that person’s traits and values using validated psychological measures. We used this data to examine how coolness differs from general likeability or morality.

Read more:
What makes a person seem wise? Global study finds that cultures do differ – but not as much as you’d think

The countries ranged from Australia to Turkey, the US to Germany, India to China, Nigeria to South Africa.

Our data showed that coolness is uniquely associated with the same six traits around the world: cool people tend to be extroverted, hedonistic, adventurous, open, powerful, and autonomous.

These findings help settle a long debate about what it means to be cool today.

A brief history of cool

Early writing on coolness described it as emotional restraint: being calm, composed and unbothered. This view, rooted in the metaphor of temperature and emotion, saw coolness as a sign of self-control and mastery.

Some of these scholars trace this form of cool to slavery and segregation, where emotional restraint was a survival strategy among enslaved Africans and their descendants, symbolising autonomy and dignity in the face of oppression. Others propose “cool” restraint existed long before slavery.

Regardless, jazz musicians in the 1940s first helped popularise this cool persona – relaxed, emotionally contained, and stylish – an image later embraced by youth and various countercultures. Corporations like Nike, Apple and MTV commercialised cool, turning a countercultural attitude into a more commercially friendly global aesthetic.

This is what makes someone cool

Our findings suggest that the meaning of cool has changed. It’s a way to identify and label people with a specific psychological profile.

Cool people are outgoing and social (extroverted). They seek pleasure and enjoyment (hedonistic). They take risks and try new things (adventurous). They are curious and open to new experiences (open). They have influence or charisma (powerful). And perhaps most of all, they do things their own way (autonomous).

This finding held remarkably steady across countries. Whether you’re in the US, South Korea, Spain or South Africa, people tend to think that cool individuals have this same “cool profile”.

We also found that even though coolness overlaps with being good or favourable, being cool and being good are not the same. Being kind, calm, traditional, secure and conscientious were more associated with being good than cool. Some “cool” traits were not necessarily good at all, like extroversion and hedonism.

What about South Africa and Nigeria?

One of the most fascinating aspects of our study was seeing how consistent the meaning of coolness was across cultures – even in countries with very different traditions and values.

In South Africa, participants viewed cool people as extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open and autonomous – just like participants from Europe to Asia. In South Africa, however, coolness is especially distinct from being good. South Africa is one of the countries in which being hedonistic, powerful, adventurous and autonomous was much more cool than good.

Read more:
Which African countries are flourishing? Scientists have a new way of measuring well-being

Nigeria was the only country in which cool and uncool people were equally autonomous. So basically, individuality wasn’t seen as cool. That difference might reflect cultural values that place a greater emphasis on community, respect for elders, or collective identity. In places where tradition and hierarchy matter, doing your own thing might not be cool.

Social sciences, like all science, however, are not perfect. So, it’s reasonable to speculate that autonomy might still be cool in Nigeria, with the discrepancy resulting from methodological issues such as how the Nigerian participants interpreted and responded to the survey.

Nigeria was also unique because the distinction between cool and good wasn’t as notable as in other countries. So coolness was seen more as goodness than in the other countries.

Why does this matter?

The fact that so many cultures agree on what makes someone cool suggests that “coolness” may serve a shared social function. The traits that make people cool may make them more likely to try new things, innovate new styles and fashions, and influence others. These individuals often push boundaries and introduce new ideas – in fashion, art, politics, or technology. They inspire others and help shape what’s seen as modern, desirable, or forward-thinking.

Coolness, in this sense, might function as a kind of cultural status marker – a reward for being bold, open-minded and innovative. It’s not just about surface style. It’s about signalling that you’re ahead of the curve, and that others should pay attention.

So what can we learn from this?

For one, young people in South Africa, Nigeria, and around the world may have more in common than we often think. Despite vast cultural differences, they tend to admire the same traits. That opens up interesting possibilities for cross-cultural communication, collaboration and influence.

Second, if we want to connect with or inspire others – whether through education, branding, or leadership – it helps to understand what people see as cool. Coolness may not be a universal virtue, but it is a universal currency.

And finally, there’s something reassuring in all this: coolness is not about being famous or rich. It’s about how you live. Are you curious? Courageous? True to yourself? If so, chances are someone out there thinks you’re cool – no matter where you’re from.

Todd Pezzuti received funding from ANID Chile to conduct this research.

– ref. What makes a person cool? Global study has some answers – https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-person-cool-global-study-has-some-answers-261266

MIL OSI –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: What makes a person cool? Global study has some answers

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Todd Pezzuti, Associate Professor, Business School, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

From Lagos to Cape Town, Santiago to Seoul, people want to be cool. “Cool” is a word we hear everywhere – in music, in fashion, on social media. We use it to describe certain types of people.

But what exactly makes someone cool? Is it just about being popular or trendy? Or is there something deeper going on?

In a recent study I conducted with other marketing professors, we set out to answer a simple but surprisingly unexplored question. What are the personality traits and values that make someone seem cool – and do they differ across cultures?

We asked nearly 6,000 people from 12 countries to think of someone they personally knew who was “cool”, “not cool”, “good”, or “not good”. Then we asked them to describe that person’s traits and values using validated psychological measures. We used this data to examine how coolness differs from general likeability or morality.

Read more:
What makes a person seem wise? Global study finds that cultures do differ – but not as much as you’d think

The countries ranged from Australia to Turkey, the US to Germany, India to China, Nigeria to South Africa.

Our data showed that coolness is uniquely associated with the same six traits around the world: cool people tend to be extroverted, hedonistic, adventurous, open, powerful, and autonomous.

These findings help settle a long debate about what it means to be cool today.

A brief history of cool

Early writing on coolness described it as emotional restraint: being calm, composed and unbothered. This view, rooted in the metaphor of temperature and emotion, saw coolness as a sign of self-control and mastery.

Some of these scholars trace this form of cool to slavery and segregation, where emotional restraint was a survival strategy among enslaved Africans and their descendants, symbolising autonomy and dignity in the face of oppression. Others propose “cool” restraint existed long before slavery.

Regardless, jazz musicians in the 1940s first helped popularise this cool persona – relaxed, emotionally contained, and stylish – an image later embraced by youth and various countercultures. Corporations like Nike, Apple and MTV commercialised cool, turning a countercultural attitude into a more commercially friendly global aesthetic.

This is what makes someone cool

Our findings suggest that the meaning of cool has changed. It’s a way to identify and label people with a specific psychological profile.

Cool people are outgoing and social (extroverted). They seek pleasure and enjoyment (hedonistic). They take risks and try new things (adventurous). They are curious and open to new experiences (open). They have influence or charisma (powerful). And perhaps most of all, they do things their own way (autonomous).

This finding held remarkably steady across countries. Whether you’re in the US, South Korea, Spain or South Africa, people tend to think that cool individuals have this same “cool profile”.

We also found that even though coolness overlaps with being good or favourable, being cool and being good are not the same. Being kind, calm, traditional, secure and conscientious were more associated with being good than cool. Some “cool” traits were not necessarily good at all, like extroversion and hedonism.

What about South Africa and Nigeria?

One of the most fascinating aspects of our study was seeing how consistent the meaning of coolness was across cultures – even in countries with very different traditions and values.

In South Africa, participants viewed cool people as extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open and autonomous – just like participants from Europe to Asia. In South Africa, however, coolness is especially distinct from being good. South Africa is one of the countries in which being hedonistic, powerful, adventurous and autonomous was much more cool than good.

Read more:
Which African countries are flourishing? Scientists have a new way of measuring well-being

Nigeria was the only country in which cool and uncool people were equally autonomous. So basically, individuality wasn’t seen as cool. That difference might reflect cultural values that place a greater emphasis on community, respect for elders, or collective identity. In places where tradition and hierarchy matter, doing your own thing might not be cool.

Social sciences, like all science, however, are not perfect. So, it’s reasonable to speculate that autonomy might still be cool in Nigeria, with the discrepancy resulting from methodological issues such as how the Nigerian participants interpreted and responded to the survey.

Nigeria was also unique because the distinction between cool and good wasn’t as notable as in other countries. So coolness was seen more as goodness than in the other countries.

Why does this matter?

The fact that so many cultures agree on what makes someone cool suggests that “coolness” may serve a shared social function. The traits that make people cool may make them more likely to try new things, innovate new styles and fashions, and influence others. These individuals often push boundaries and introduce new ideas – in fashion, art, politics, or technology. They inspire others and help shape what’s seen as modern, desirable, or forward-thinking.

Coolness, in this sense, might function as a kind of cultural status marker – a reward for being bold, open-minded and innovative. It’s not just about surface style. It’s about signalling that you’re ahead of the curve, and that others should pay attention.

So what can we learn from this?

For one, young people in South Africa, Nigeria, and around the world may have more in common than we often think. Despite vast cultural differences, they tend to admire the same traits. That opens up interesting possibilities for cross-cultural communication, collaboration and influence.

Second, if we want to connect with or inspire others – whether through education, branding, or leadership – it helps to understand what people see as cool. Coolness may not be a universal virtue, but it is a universal currency.

And finally, there’s something reassuring in all this: coolness is not about being famous or rich. It’s about how you live. Are you curious? Courageous? True to yourself? If so, chances are someone out there thinks you’re cool – no matter where you’re from.

Todd Pezzuti received funding from ANID Chile to conduct this research.

– ref. What makes a person cool? Global study has some answers – https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-person-cool-global-study-has-some-answers-261266

MIL OSI –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gibson Ncube, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

Zimbabwe-born, Canada-based Chido Muchemwa’s debut short story collection, Who Will Bury You?, was published late in 2024 and immediately attracted the right kind of attention.

Here was an unexpected range of themes: queer identity, dislocation in the diaspora, the lingering complexities of family and cultural belonging. The 12 stories, set between Zimbabwe and Canada, trace moments of rupture and reconnection across time and geography. And they’re mostly about women. Women, selfhood, loss and love.

Gibson Ncube, who researches queer African fiction, unpacks why it’s such a good read.

What are some of the stories about?

The recurring questions in Who Will Bury You? are: who will remain when we are gone – who will understand us, who will grieve for us, and who will honour the truths we live by? These questions are animated through emotionally layered stories that centre the lives of Zimbabwean women and queer characters.

Written with subtlety and care, some of the stories draw on Zimbabwean folklore, allowing Muchemwa to bridge the mythical and the present-day. She demonstrates how ancestral narratives continue to shape how people experience love, loss and belonging.

The title story introduces a Zimbabwean “church going woman” and her daughter, who is living in Canada and has embraced a lesbian identity. In Zimbabwe, same-sex relationships remain criminalised under laws inherited from colonial rule and reinforced by state-sponsored homophobia. Political leaders often frame queerness as un-African or morally deviant.

The story is told through alternating perspectives and offers a portrait of intergenerational estrangement, cultural friction, and love strained by silence. What one of the characters calls “things that might never feel sayable”. The theme of queerness recurs in several other stories like This Will Break My Mother’s Heart and If It Wasn’t for the Nights.

Muchemwa allows these stories to gather meaning through multiple vantage points. She seems to resist resolution in favour of complexity. The collection is a significant contribution to the small but growing body of Zimbabwean literature that openly addresses queerness.

What’s Muchemwa saying about queer African life?

One of Muchemwa’s most powerful acts in the book is to treat queer life not as peripheral, but as central to the cultural, emotional and political worlds her characters inhabit. Queer desire, intimacy and estrangement are not exceptional disruptions. They are ordinary realities that are woven into everyday life. In these stories, queerness is at once a site of tenderness, conflict and hope. The effects of religion and colonial morality continue to shape how love is expressed and denied.

Read more:
7 queer African works of art: new directions in books, films and fashion

The stories challenge the erasure of queer voices by positioning them at the heart of families and communities. Queer characters are neither idealised nor victimised. They are allowed to simply be joyful, ambivalent, flawed, and resilient.

Aside from identity, what are some of the other themes?

The book also grapples with questions of memory, history and myth. In Finding Mermaids, Muchemwa blends contemporary reportage with folklore. A journalist and her grieving mother investigate the disappearance of young girls in a rural Zimbabwean town who are suspected to have been captured by njuzu, water spirits.

Other stories, like Kariba Heights and The Captive River, explore the legacies of colonialism and the spiritual power of the Zambezi River. In these stories, Muchemwa is attentive to how land, history and belief have an impact on personal experiences.

Living away from home, in the diaspora, is also a theme. Zimbabwe’s collapsing economy and ongoing political instability have driven many to seek better lives abroad, looking for jobs or educational opportunities.

Characters in Toronto grapple with cultural dislocation. They long for home as they tackle the challenges of forging new forms of kinship abroad. The Toronto that Muchemwa renders is richly textured. It’s far from a generic western backdrop. It is portrayed as a space of possibility and tension in which characters remake themselves in the face of displacement.

Why is it a special book to you as a scholar?

Muchemwa’s prose is precise, controlled, and emotionally resonant. She writes with confidence, trusting the power of implication and delicate shifts in tone. The plots of the stories are simple. They are not driven by dramatic revelations. Rather, by accumulative emotional insight. Her characters often seem to border on the edge of decision or reconciliation. In fact, their silences are as revealing as their speech.

Throughout the collection, there’s a sense of hushed intensity. The question of who will be there – at the end, in crisis, in love – lingers and ties the stories together. Even as her characters move between countries, generations and identities, they remain tied by their desire for recognition and care.

Read more:
Books: folklore and fantasy combine in Langabi, a supernatural historical epic from Zimbabwe

Muchemwa’s debut contributes to a growing body of contemporary African writing that focuses on intimacy, friendship and queerness as legitimate and urgent narrative concerns. Who Will Bury You? offers a fresh take that avoids the clichés and stereotypes often associated with African literature – what Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has famously called the single story.

Rather than dwelling on recurrent tropes of suffering or political crisis, Muchemwa’s stories place a spotlight on private lives and emotional entanglements. They compel us to be attentive to the quiet yet consequential turmoil that takes place within families and intimate relationships.

The collection does not avoid the cultural and religious violences that have an impact on everyday life. But Muchemwa faces them through the perspective of those who survive, and remake, these constraints on their own terms.

Who Will Bury You? is a carefully crafted collection that demands close attention. It’s a book about women who refuse to be easily defined. With this collection, Muchemwa asserts herself as a compelling new voice in Zimbabwean and African literature. Her debut represents new African storytelling which continues to expand the narratives of African writers. It dares to centre the personal, the queer, and the emotionally complex.

Gibson Ncube receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

– ref. Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined – https://theconversation.com/who-will-bury-you-short-stories-from-zimbabwe-about-women-who-refuse-to-be-easily-defined-261291

MIL OSI –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Regina Urgent Care Centre Celebrates One Year of Patient Successes
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on July 24, 2025

Patients are seeing great benefits as the Regina Urgent Care Centre (UCC) marks one year of operations. More than 41,000 patients have received care in this first year. This is more than double the anticipated volume that was based on a 24-hour operating model.

“I strongly believe the Urgent Care Centre was very much needed in Regina, and it is such an elegant way to bridge the gap between issues that cannot wait for a doctor’s office but probably are not considered an emergency,” Regina resident Murray B. said. “The laboratory, x-ray and ultrasound capability on site only add to its effectiveness.”

The Regina UCC is staffed with a blended model of family physicians and emergency department physicians, registered nurses and psychiatric nurses, laboratory and x-ray technicians and other health care workers. Nurse practitioners were included to help support the management of lower acuity patients.

“As a Family Physician, the Regina UCC has provided me with a unique opportunity to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the community in ways not possible within my own practice,” Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) Regina UCC Family Medicine Physician Dr. Mary Andraws Mishriki said. “This amazing team of dedicated health care providers worked very hard over the last year to usher in a new standard for urgent care in this province. It has been rewarding to see how this new model has helped patients access same day urgent care, without a trip to an emergency department.”

The success of the Regina UCC highlights the value of this new model of care. Patients are getting timely access to the right care in the right setting and frontline providers are seeing the positive impact firsthand. This initiative reflects the strength of collaboration between health care workers and government.

“The Regina Urgent Care Centre has made a big difference in the care available in Regina and greatly exceeded expectations,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “By having that Urgent Care Centre in place, people have more options to receive the care they need when they need it, while offering an important alternative to emergency departments. I want to thank all of the physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and health care workers for their hard work to make this facility a success.”

The UCC provides non-life-threatening emergency services such as:
- Treatment for non-emergent moderate illness such as infections;
- Intravenous therapy for infections; onsite point of care testing and satellite lab services;
- Treatment for minor injuries, burns, broken bones, stitches;
- Assessment of eye injuries;
- Assessment of abdominal pain and shortness of breath;
- Heart telemetry assessment via electrocardiogram; and
- Illnesses or injuries that require diagnostic imaging (x-ray and ultrasound) or laboratory testing.
“We were pleased to fund the technology and equipment for our brand new Urgent Care Centre in Regina,” Hospitals of Regina Foundation President and CEO Dino Sophocleous said. “This investment is part of our mission to improve health care for the people of Regina and southern Saskatchewan. This incredible project was only possible thanks to the generous support of our donors and our amazing community. Nothing we do happens without them, and we are forever grateful.”

Services for Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) are available through the UCC, which include screening/assessment, counselling, prescriptions, connection to resources and referrals. By diverting low acuity MHA patients from the Emergency Department, patients will receive timely care to manage their mental health and addictions needs. This includes cases of:
- Depression or anxiety, thought of suicide or self-harm;
- Overwhelming stress or an inability to cope with life;
- Urgent prescriptions for addiction management;
- Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep;
- Escalation in mental health symptoms;
- Overwhelming feelings of grief or loss; and
- New mental health symptoms.
When appropriate, the Regina UCC has stabilized and treated addiction patients and referred them to treatment, adding to the capacity of care options available.

“I am incredibly proud of the care delivered at the Regina Urgent Care Centre in its first year,” SHA Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller said. “The SHA thanks our health care professionals and physicians for their commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in this first-of-its-kind facility. Their efforts in response to higher-than-anticipated public demand have made a meaningful difference for thousands of patients and families. This milestone highlights the critical role urgent care plays in strengthening the broader health system and improving timely access to care for Regina residents.”

Construction is underway for an UCC in Saskatoon and planning is underway to add UCC’s in additional locations including Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, North Battleford and a second UCC in Regina and Saskatoon.

-30-

For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India: 24 July 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

PM meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India: 24 July 2025

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Chequers today.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Chequers today.

The leaders celebrated the landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which was signed today and will see growth in every part of the country – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

The deal will see tariffs lowered so businesses can expand more easily in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The Prime Minister highlighted that UK consumers will benefit from lower prices and greater choice too.

The Prime Minister also welcomed nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins, which will create 2,200 jobs across the UK.

The leaders also discussed the importance of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will see closer collaboration on trade, defence, security, technology and education – underscored by the close and historic relationship between the two countries.

The leaders also discussed the Air India plane crash last month, and said their sympathies are with all the families and loved ones of the victims. The Prime Minister said the UK will continue to support all those affected by the tragedy.

They looked forward to seeing one another soon.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Electric boost: EV chargepoints in the UK grow by 27% in a year
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

Press release

Electric boost: EV chargepoints in the UK grow by 27% in a year

News follows last week’s announcement that drivers will soon enjoy discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars.
over 17,000 public chargepoints added to the UK charging network since July 2024

more than 82,000 public chargepoints now available in the UK, giving drivers peace of mind that they will be able to charge conveniently wherever their journey takes them

government investing £4.5 billion to make it easier and cheaper to own an EV, while backing British carmakers to create jobs and drive investment as part of the Plan for Change

Electric car drivers and those looking to make the switch can get around with the confidence chargepoints are always close by, as more than 17,000 have been added to the UK network in the past year alone.

Today (24 July 2025), Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, confirmed the number of chargepoints in the UK has grown by 27% in the past year, with 17,370 added since July 2024.

The rapid growth in figures – particularly in the north-east, East of England and the West Midlands – means drivers can embark on their journeys with the peace of mind that public chargepoints are a short drive away.

The new chargepoint numbers follow last week’s announcement that drivers will soon enjoy discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars, on top of a £25 million boost to help more drivers charge at home and save up to £1,500 a year when switching to electric.

Drivers will start to benefit from discounts as soon as manufacturers successfully apply for their zero emission cars, with the scheme open to firms now and funding available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year.

The government is investing £4.5 billion to make it cheaper and easier to own an EV, while backing British carmakers to create jobs and drive investment – all part of the Plan for Change. This is securing the UK’s position as a world-leader in electric vehicle adoption – with Britain the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and sales up a fifth on the previous year – while helping put more money in people’s pockets.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Just last week, we announced record discounts to help make EV ownership a reality for thousands more people, alongside making it easier to charge at home so more drivers can run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that’s London to Birmingham for £2.50.

Today’s chargepoint figures show that alongside lowering upfront costs, we’re also making fantastic progress towards expanding our charging network across the UK. With a new chargepoint added to the network every half an hour, we’re helping put range anxiety firmly in the rear-view mirror.

The sustained growth in the charging network in all 4 corners of the country shows government is firmly on the side of drivers, coming on top of a record £1.6 billion to tackle potholes and keeping the 5p fuel duty freeze until spring 2026, saving the average motorist between £50 and £60 a year.

Roads media enquiries

Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

Switchboard 0300 330 3000

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
PM Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day, pushes forward India-Maldives ties

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26. Following his engagements in London, the Prime Minister will arrive in Malé on July 25 for the second leg of his tour, marking his third visit to the Maldives and the first by any head of government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

The visit is expected to build on the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, particularly in the context of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was adopted during President Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.

India and the Maldives have long shared close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious bonds. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established soon after the Maldives gained independence in 1965, with India being one of the first countries to recognize the island nation. The geographical proximity-barely 70 nautical miles from India’s Minicoy Island-gives the Maldives strategic importance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly in the context of maritime security and commercial sea-lanes.

Under India’s “Neighbourhood First” foreign policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, the Maldives continues to occupy a special place. India has consistently responded to the Maldives’ needs, be it during the 1988 coup attempt, the 2004 tsunami, the 2014 water crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic, earning its reputation as a trusted partner and first responder.

The current visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to the bilateral agenda. Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu will review the implementation of the “India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” which was adopted during President Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024.

Over the past few years, both countries have maintained a high frequency of exchanges at various levels. In June 2024, President Muizzu had travelled to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers. This was followed by several ministerial visits, including by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who inaugurated key projects supported by India, such as water and sewerage networks across 28 islands, and community development initiatives in sectors like mental health and special education.

The bilateral engagement has been marked by robust cooperation in areas of defence, economic development, infrastructure, health, and capacity building. India has extended multiple Lines of Credit and grant assistance to the Maldives. Initiatives like the construction of social housing units in Hulhumale, restoration of heritage sites, gifting of vessels and vehicles to the Maldivian armed forces, and the introduction of India’s UPI digital payment system in the Maldives highlight the comprehensive nature of the partnership.

Recent interactions between ministers of both countries have furthered collaboration in sectors ranging from disaster management and cybersecurity to fisheries and civil services training. The introduction of MoUs in these areas demonstrates India’s continued commitment to the socio-economic development of the Maldives.

July 25, 2025
PM Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day, pushes forward India-Maldives ties

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26. Following his engagements in London, the Prime Minister will arrive in Malé on July 25 for the second leg of his tour, marking his third visit to the Maldives and the first by any head of government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

The visit is expected to build on the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, particularly in the context of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was adopted during President Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.

India and the Maldives have long shared close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious bonds. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established soon after the Maldives gained independence in 1965, with India being one of the first countries to recognize the island nation. The geographical proximity-barely 70 nautical miles from India’s Minicoy Island-gives the Maldives strategic importance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly in the context of maritime security and commercial sea-lanes.

Under India’s “Neighbourhood First” foreign policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, the Maldives continues to occupy a special place. India has consistently responded to the Maldives’ needs, be it during the 1988 coup attempt, the 2004 tsunami, the 2014 water crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic, earning its reputation as a trusted partner and first responder.

The current visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to the bilateral agenda. Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu will review the implementation of the “India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” which was adopted during President Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024.

Over the past few years, both countries have maintained a high frequency of exchanges at various levels. In June 2024, President Muizzu had travelled to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers. This was followed by several ministerial visits, including by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who inaugurated key projects supported by India, such as water and sewerage networks across 28 islands, and community development initiatives in sectors like mental health and special education.

The bilateral engagement has been marked by robust cooperation in areas of defence, economic development, infrastructure, health, and capacity building. India has extended multiple Lines of Credit and grant assistance to the Maldives. Initiatives like the construction of social housing units in Hulhumale, restoration of heritage sites, gifting of vessels and vehicles to the Maldivian armed forces, and the introduction of India’s UPI digital payment system in the Maldives highlight the comprehensive nature of the partnership.

Recent interactions between ministers of both countries have furthered collaboration in sectors ranging from disaster management and cybersecurity to fisheries and civil services training. The introduction of MoUs in these areas demonstrates India’s continued commitment to the socio-economic development of the Maldives.

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Threaten National Security, Abdicate United States World Leadership, and Slash Humanitarian Assistance
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Today, House Appropriations Committee Republicans pushed ahead with their fiscal year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs funding bill that weakens our national security and puts the American people and public health preparedness at risk.

House Republicans are proposing a 22 percent cut to the bill’s overall funding level.

This bill:
- Threatens national security, abdicates United States world leadership and guts development and humanitarian programs by underfunding the operations and staffing of the State Department and completing the demise of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as other tools of America’s soft power and global leadership.
- Cedes world leadership to China by abandoning our allies and eliminating funding for the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral and international financial institutions, including any funding for the UN Regular budget, the UN Development Program, UN Women, and UNICEF.
- Threatens women’s health globally by prohibiting the United States from contributing to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), substantially underfunding bilateral family planning, and reinstating the expanded Global Gag Rule on non-governmental organizations that receive U.S. assistance.
- Hampers the United States’ response to the climate crisis by eliminating support for communities’ ability to adapt to weather changes, sustainably manage their land and natural resources, and expand access to clean energy.
“The Republicans’ proposed FY26 Appropriations bill for National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs charts a dangerous course of recklessness and retreat—leaving a vacuum for adversaries like China to fill,” State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Ranking Member Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) said. “Slashing investments in diplomacy, development, and humanitarian aid is not just shortsighted—it’s a grave mistake. These cuts may look like savings on paper, but they come at a steep cost that every American family will feel. When global health systems collapse, people get sick. When markets dry up, paychecks shrink. When diplomacy fails, our loved ones are sent to war. I look forward to working toward a budget that meets the moment—one that strengthens our security, grows our economy, and reaffirms America’s leadership on the world stage.”

Congresswoman Lois Frankel’s full remarks are here.

“President Trump is aggressively pursuing an America-last agenda that will only see America become weaker, more isolated, and more ostracized. Snubbing our allies and turning our back on the world does not make us strong. It makes us weak. It makes us an unreliable ally and an untrustworthy partner,” Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “Republicans are slashing humanitarian assistance by more than a third, and foreign assistance by over 20 percent – causing tragic and preventable death around the world and creating a power vacuum that China is eager to exploit. Their bill dismisses our international partners – U.N. agencies and NGOs that deliver lifesaving aid to the most vulnerable people around the globe. And their bill surrenders our efforts to combat the climate crisis – eliminating support for climate adaptability and clean energy, ignoring the nexus between climate, conflict, and migration, and jeopardizing the safety and security of our children, and our grandchildren. I will not stop fighting to protect America’s interests, and against the Trump Administration’s and Republicans’ dangerous dismantling of our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts across the world.”

Congresswoman DeLauro’s full remarks are here.

This funding bill was considered amidst the looming threat of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sending a proposal to, in effect, unilaterally and unlawfully cancel expiring appropriations (a misnomer OMB Director Vought erroneously calls a “pocket rescission,” which is just another term for unlawful impoundment). Instead of rising to the occasion to combat those threats, Republicans capitulated to the demands of Director Vought. They continued their go-it-alone approach to government funding instead of working with Democrats to enact bipartisan laws that serve American interests.

During today’s markup, Democrats also fought to:
- Restore humanitarian assistance after Republicans decimated efforts to address crises and save lives around the world.
- Produce a report on the impact President Trump’s cuts, mass firings, and chaotic foreign policy changes have had on the expansion of China’s global influence.
- Require adequate staffing to implement oversight of foreign assistance following the firing of thousands of employees at the U.S. Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.
- Reverse Republican cuts and eliminate policies that threaten women’s health globally.
House Republicans rejected these efforts.

A summary of the bill is here. A fact sheet is here.

The text of the bill, before the adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: War victory anniversary talk held

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Civil Service Bureau and the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau jointly organised a talk at the Central Government Offices today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War.

The talk was delivered by Professor at the Institute of World History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the School of History of the University of the CASS Prof Wang Chaoguang and Associate Vice President of Lingnan University Prof Lau Chi-pang.

During the talk, Prof Wang gave a comprehensive analysis of the history of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, delving into the historical status, major contributions and the significance of the war as the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the Communist Party of China’s role as the pillar of the War of Resistance.

Prof Lau also shared with participants the heroic deeds of the East River Column and the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade during the war period.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung, politically appointed officials and civil servants in the directorate, senior and middle ranks attended the talk today. Together with those participating via video conferencing, over 200 participants attended the talk.

Delivering the opening remarks, Mrs Yeung pointed out that civil servants should learn from history, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, uphold the spirit of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, and make greater contributions to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the lasting peace and stability of the country.

She encouraged civil servants to actively participate in the thematic seminars and learning activities organised to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: DOE Announces Site Selection for AI Data Center and Energy Infrastructure Development on Federal Lands

Source: US Department of Energy

The forthcoming solicitations will drive innovation in reliable energy technologies, contribute to lower energy costs, and strengthen American leadership in artificial intelligence

WASHINGTON– The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the next steps in the Trump administration’s plan to accelerate the development of AI infrastructure through siting on DOE lands. DOE has selected four sites—Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and Savannah River Site—to move forward with plans to invite private sector partners to develop cutting edge AI data center and energy generation projects.

Today’s announcement supports the Trump administration’s goals of utilizing Federal lands to lower energy costs and help power the global AI race, as outlined in President Trump’s Executive Orders on Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure, Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, and Unleashing American Energy.

“By leveraging DOE land assets for the deployment of AI and energy infrastructure, we are taking a bold step to accelerate the next Manhattan Project—ensuring U.S. AI and energy leadership,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “These sites are uniquely positioned to host data centers as well as power generation to bolster grid reliability, strengthen our national security, and reduce energy costs.”

DOE received enormous interest in response to its April request for information (RFI) that helped inform the selection of these sites. The chosen locations are well-situated for large-scale data centers, new power generation, and other necessary infrastructure.

DOE looks forward to working with data center developers, energy companies, and the broader public in consultation with states, local governments, and federally recognized tribes that these projects will serve to further advance this important initiative. More details regarding project scope, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines at each site will be available with the site-specific releases. These solicitations are expected to be released in the coming months and partners could be selected by the end of the year. DOE is also evaluating additional sites that could issue solicitations in the future.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: IAM District 776 Dedicates Union Hall to Fort Worth Native, Retired International President Robert Martinez Jr.

Source: US GOIAM Union

Most get a fond send off when retirement rolls around to their career, but in Texas they do everything big, including honors for legendary members of IAM District 776.

The District had been working for months on a special tribute to International President Robert Martinez Jr., who retired in January 2024 after 43 years of service to the IAM and its members. Starting in 1980 as a member of Local 776A and an aircraft assembler, the U.S. Naval Air veteran rose to the highest position within the IAM, leading the organization for eight years and serving on the IAM Executive Council for 20 years of his storied career.

District 776 took the steps to turn the atrium of the district’s meeting hall into a gallery of memorabilia from Martinez’s career. The space is filled with photographs, mementos, and awards to achievements of the IAM’s 14th International President. As the first Latino to join the IAM Executive Council, Martinez set standards and achieved milestones that moved the IAM forward in the labor movement.

“This hall, this district, and this union has meant the world to me and my family,” said Martinez. “This union gave me a purpose when I was 20 years old. It gave me a shot at the American dream, to make a living and support my family. Together, we have improved the lives of countless IAM members.”

Martinez’s historic tenure steered the IAM through the COVID-19 crisis by championing airline and aerospace worker relief that saved hundreds of thousands of jobs. Martinez helped the IAM grow into new industries, including healthcare, and made the IAM the leading AFL-CIO affiliate in National Labor Relations Board union election victories from 2018 through 2022.

At Martinez’s direction, the IAM also created groundbreaking membership programs that assist members and their families, as well as expanded opportunities for underrepresented groups to advance in the IAM. Martinez commissioned a new department to provide IAM members and their families who are military veterans with VA claims assistance free of charge, as well as an addiction services program and a women’s leadership initiative known as the Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters, or IAM LEADS.

The ceremony also honored District 776 President Directing Business Representative Paul Black and Business Representative Earnest Boone, both of have retired after 45 years of IAM membership.

International President Martinez extended a special note of gratitude to IAM Business Representative Joe Alviar and his wife, Linda, who were the primary architects of the atrium and the displays of the Martinez collection.

“Again I say thank you. It’s been a great honor,” said Martinez. “Our leadership, headed by our great International President Brian Bryant, has the IAM going in the right direction. I can’t wait to see where we’re going next, and I’m cheering all of you and our union on from retirement.”

The post IAM District 776 Dedicates Union Hall to Fort Worth Native, Retired International President Robert Martinez Jr. appeared first on IAM Union.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SYRIA – Father Paolo Dall’Oglio’s prophecy resonates in a still-wounded Syria

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Thursday, 24 July 2025

by Gianni ValenteHoms (Agenzia Fides) – In post-Assad Syria, still bloodied by sectarian violence and terror, Father Paolo Dall’Oglio’s prophecy of coexistence echoes once again, 12 years after his mysterious and unsolved disappearance.In recent days, the figure, insights, thoughts, and words of the Roman Jesuit, founder of the al Khalil monastic community of Deir Mar Musa, are at the center of initiatives, liturgical celebrations, public meetings, conferences, and testimonies involving scholars and local authorities, Christians and Muslims, former prisoners, confreres of the Society of Jesus, his friends and companions of his journey, starting from the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa. This is the first time this has happened since Father Paolo disappeared on July 29, 2013.”The radical change that Syria has been experiencing since December 8, 2024,” write the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa, “allows us, for the first time in many years, to once again organize meetings and seminars and to speak publicly about Father Paolo Dall’Oglio in the country he adopted as his own.”At the Monastery of Deir Mar Musa, where Father Paolo lived and worked for over thirty years to foster Islamic-Christian harmony, a four-day interreligious seminar entitled “Open Hearts: A New Hope for Syria” is underway. The seminar will explore some of the distinctive features of Paolo Dall’Oglio’s human and Christian journey. The first day will be dedicated to hearing the testimonies of prisoners held by the former regime; the second and third days will focus on issues of peace and reconciliation; while the fourth day will focus on his journey and his insights from the perspectives of his Christian and Muslim brothers.The Figs of Idlib”On July 28,” Father Jihad Youssef, Prior of the Deir Mar Musa Community, told Fides, “will be a day dedicated to what we wanted to call the ‘Garden of Figs.’ The fig tree is the only tree that survived in the Idlib area. When people managed to return to their homes, they found everything dead and dried out, except the figs. A former prisoner, now a specialist in prison literature, with others came up with this idea: on the 28th, we will attach the name of a missing person like Father Paolo, or of people killed during the war, to a tree in our monastery and in the valley—especially olive and fig trees. We will place small photos, biographical notes, and a QR code that will allow access to a website where each person’s story is narrated in the first person by narrators. We will make a short journey through the valley, a sort of small pilgrimage with reflections, words, and shared prayers.That brief walk, the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa write—”embodies our desire for peace; it is a symbolic journey where each person can lay down their wounds and draw strength by walking together.”On July 29, at 10 a.m., in the valley below the monastery, a tent with more than 500 seats will host a Eucharistic concelebration presided over by Syriac Catholic Bishop of Homs Jacques Mourad, a monk of Deir Mar Musa. Other bishops, along with civil authorities, security forces, and representatives of Muslim communities, will also participate. Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, and representatives of the current government in Damascus are also expected to attend. After the Mass, in the tent set up in the valley, testimonies about Father Paolo and what his story might mean for Syria’s present. future will be shared. “The focus,” insists Father Jihad, “will be precisely on this: what hope is possible for Syria’s future.”Initiatives also in HomsOther initiatives concerning Father Dall’Oglio are also planned in Homs. In the city where the Syriac Catholic Bishop is now Jacques Mourad, a monk of Deir Mar Musa, a roundtable will be held to discuss Father Paolo’s thought and personality: as a Jesuit, as a monk, and as a passionate Christian lover of Islam.On July 31st, also in Homs, the Jesuits will celebrate the Eucharist on the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, marked by reflections and prayers for Father Paolo.On the tenth anniversary of his disappearance, the monks of Mar Musa prayed for Father Paolo in their monastery, along with some of his Jesuit confreres, but without holding public events. Those instead were held in Rome: on July 29, 2023, a Eucharistic concelebration was presided over by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the Church of Saint Ignatius in Campo Marzio, attended by Archbishop Mourad, the monks of Deir Mar Musa, and Father Dall’Oglio’s relatives, including his three brothers and four sisters.Wounds re-opened by false “scoops”Work continues—and will take time—on collecting and publishing, also in Arabic, the vast body of material Father Paolo produced before his disappearance: writings, articles, lectures, and interventions, some of which have already been published in the book “My Testament.” On the occasion of the Syrian days dedicated to Father Paolo, a short volume in Arabic is also being released, entitled “A Day of Joy,” words that Pope Francis had cited in his preface to the book “My Testament.” The booklet in Arabic is a precious and simple anthology of short phrases taken from Father Paolo’s writings and speeches.The upcoming events demonstrate how alive and vibrant, despite the pain, the bond of faith remains between Father Paolo and his brothers and sisters through prayer, the Eucharist, and re-reading his writings and words. It is a bond that, at the beginning of June, was also tested by false reports about the alleged discovery of Father Paolo’s body—rumors widely spread by global media.”In those days,” Father Jihad tells Fides today, “so many people contacted me to ask what had happened. I told them I had nothing to say, because there was nothing to say. Now I can say that the episode revealed a serious lack of professionalism. Many stirred the waters without any verification. And they reopened wounds, driven only by the desire to publish a scoop.” (Agenzia Fides, 24/7/2025)
Share:

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 25, 2025

Category: Politics

Consultation opens on Angus Fire permit application

The consultation will run from Thursday 24 July until Thursday 21 August 2025.

Agency ‘welcomes comments from the public’

Background information

Share this page

Updates to this page

What are some of the stories about?

What’s Muchemwa saying about queer African life?

Aside from identity, what are some of the other themes?

Why is it a special book to you as a scholar?

A brief history of cool

This is what makes someone cool

What about South Africa and Nigeria?

Why does this matter?

So what can we learn from this?

PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 24 July 2025

Share this page

Updates to this page

Peak District Ravine Woodlands Restored with 84,000 Trees

Share this page

Updates to this page

Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism

Updates to this page

Invasion of Ukraine

Women under house arrest

Living in hiding

A brief history of cool

This is what makes someone cool

What about South Africa and Nigeria?

Why does this matter?

So what can we learn from this?

A brief history of cool

This is what makes someone cool

What about South Africa and Nigeria?

Why does this matter?

So what can we learn from this?

What are some of the stories about?

What’s Muchemwa saying about queer African life?

Aside from identity, what are some of the other themes?

Why is it a special book to you as a scholar?

PM meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India: 24 July 2025

Share this page

Updates to this page

Electric boost: EV chargepoints in the UK grow by 27% in a year

Share this page

Updates to this page