Category: Politics

MIL-Evening Report: Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

“You just [expletive] shot the reporter!”

Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was in the middle of a live cross, covering the protests against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy in Los Angeles, California. As Tomasi spoke to the camera, microphone in hand, an LAPD officer in the background appeared to target her directly, hitting her in the leg with a rubber bullet.

Earlier, reports emerged that British photojournalist Nick Stern was undergoing emergency surgery after also being hit by the same “non-lethal” ammunition.

The situation in Los Angeles is extremely volatile. After nonviolent protests against raids and arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began in the suburb of Paramount, US President Donald Trump issued a memo describing them as “a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States”. He then deployed the National Guard.

‘Can’t you just shoot them?’

As much of the coverage has noted, this is not the first time the National Guard has been deployed to quell protests in the US.

In 1970, members of the National Guard shot and killed four students protesting the war in Vietnam at Kent State University. In 1992, the National Guard was deployed during protests in Los Angeles following the acquittal of four police officers (three of whom were white) in the killing of a Black man, Rodney King.

Trump has long speculated about violently deploying the National Guard and even the military against his own people.

During his first administration, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, former Secretary of Defence Mark Esper alleged that Trump asked him, “Can’t you just shoot them, just shoot them in the legs or something?”

Trump has also long sought to other those opposed to his radical agenda to reshape the United States and its role in the world. He’s classified them as “un-American” and, therefore, deserving of contempt and, when he deems it necessary, violent oppression.

During last year’s election campaign, he promised to “root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country”. Even the Washington Post characterised this description of Trump’s “political enemies” as “echoing Hitler, Mussolini”.

In addition, Trump has long peddled baseless conspiracies about “sanctuary cities”, such as Los Angeles. He has characterised them as lawless havens for his political enemies and places that have been “invaded” by immigrants. As anyone who has ever visited these places knows, that is not true.

It is no surprise that in the same places Trump characterises as “disgracing our country”, there has been staunch opposition to his agenda and ideology.

That opposition has coalesced in recent weeks around the activities of ICE agents, in particular. These agents, wearing masks to conceal their identities, have been arbitrarily detaining people, including US citizens and children, and disappearing people off the streets. They have also arrested caregivers, leaving children alone.

As Adam Serwer wrote in The Atlantic during the first iteration of Trump in America, “the cruelty is the point”.

The Trump administration’s mass deportation program is deliberately cruel and provocative. It was always only a matter of time before protests broke out.

In a democracy, nonviolent protest by hundreds or perhaps a few thousand people in a city of ten million is not a crisis. But it has always suited Trump and the movement that supports him to manufacture crises.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key architect of the mass deportations program and a man described by a former adviser as “Waffen SS”, called the protests “an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States”. Trump himself also described protesters as “violent, insurrectionist mobs”.

Nowhere does the presidential memo deploying the National Guard name the specific location of the protests. This, and the extreme language coming out of the administration, suggests it is laying the groundwork for further escalation.

The administration could be leaving space to deploy the National Guard in other places and invoke the Insurrection Act.

Incidents involving the deployment of the National Guard are rare, though politically cataclysmic. It is rarer still for the National Guard to be deployed against the wishes of a democratically elected leader of a state, as Trump has done in California.

A broader assault on democracy

This deployment comes at a time of crisis for US democracy more broadly. Trump’s longstanding attacks against independent media – what he describes as “fake news” – are escalating. There is a reason that during the current protests, a law enforcement officer appeared so comfortable targeting a journalist, on camera.

The Trump administration is also actively targeting independent institutions such as Harvard and Columbia universities. It is also targeting and undermining judges and reducing the power of independent courts to enforce the rule of law.

Under Trump, the federal government and its state-based allies are targeting and undermining the rights of minority groups – policing the bodies of trans people, targeting reproductive rights, and beginning the process of undoing the Civil Rights Act.

Trump is, for the moment, unconstrained. Asked overnight what the bar is for deploying the Marines against protesters, Trump responded: “the bar is what I think it is”.

As New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie recently observed:

We should treat Trump and his openly authoritarian administration as a failure, not just of our party system or our legal system, but of our Constitution and its ability to meaningfully constrain a destructive and system-threatening force in our political life.

While the situation in Los Angeles is unpredictable, it must be understood in the broader context of the active, violent threat the Trump administration poses to the US. As we watch, American democracy teeters on the brink.

Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.

– ref. Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-long-speculated-about-using-force-against-his-own-people-now-he-has-the-pretext-to-do-so-258471

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Frank Elderson: The rule of law as a constitutional pillar of European central banking

Source: European Central Bank

Keynote speech by Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the Italian constitutional court

Rome, 9 June 2025

Introduction

Thank you very much for inviting me.

The writings, judgments and speeches of many among this distinguished audience have shaped our understanding of the rule of law. I find it a privilege – and slightly daunting – to address you today on such a fundamental issue.

Today I am speaking to you as a central banker and banking supervisor. However, before I do so, allow me to take a moment to speak from a more personal perspective. Not as an official, but as the young law student I once was, reflecting on how I first came to understand and appreciate the rule of law.

As a law student at the University of Amsterdam in the early 1990s, I often cycled past a monument to Henk van Randwijk, a member of the anti-Nazi resistance during the Second World War. The monument is simple. A plain red brick wall, bearing the final lines of Van Randwijk’s most famous poem in simple white lettering:

“een volk dat voor tirannen zwicht
zal meer dan lijf en goed verliezen
dan dooft het licht …”

“a people that bows to tyrants
will lose more than body and belongings
then, the light goes out …”

I would sometimes stop, park my bicycle against a tree, and contemplate these words, hearing the echo of the heinous crimes committed on the streets of Amsterdam, and far beyond, during those hellish years when the light had indeed gone out.

I would think of the US military cemetery in Margraten, in the South of the Netherlands, where my parents used to take me and my sisters as children to see the endless rows of meticulously kept graves, each honouring one of the 10,000 US soldiers buried there, who had given their lives so that the light might shine once again in all its splendour.

I would continue my way to law school, thinking of one of the most fundamental lessons our professors had taught us: if the horrors of the past are to be avoided, if minorities are to be protected, if the individual is to be free, democracy needs to be accompanied by the rule of law. We studied the small, but fundamental, book, “Democracy and the Rule of Law”, which I keep on a shelf facing my desk to this day. Our professors never tired of explaining how vital the word “and” is in that title: the rule of law is both a precondition for democracy, and an essential limit to majority rule. For tyranny, which Van Randwijk’s poem so poignantly warns against, can be exercised not only by a single ruler, but also by half the population plus one. Put succinctly, democracy protects the majority against the minority, while the rule of law protects the minority, even a minority of one, against the majority. And this, so we were taught, is why we need both.

Although the importance of the rule of law has been impressed on me since my earliest days, I am not speaking to you today as a historian, a legal scholar, or a young law student. Today I speak to you as a central banker and banking supervisor. Today, I intend to show that the rule of law is of the highest relevance for us as a central bank and supervisor to deliver on our mandate. In addition, I will present the case that we have a specific role to play in upholding the rule of law.

The rule of law is not merely the bedrock upon which lawyers, judges and legal scholars build their work. In recent years, its pivotal role in fostering economic prosperity has come to the forefront of public debate, underscoring its profound relevance far beyond the boundaries of the legal profession.

The rule of law is not a binary concept – it is not simply present or absent. Instead, it exists on a continuum, shaped by various factors such as constraints on government powers, independent courts, the absence of corruption, and respect for human rights. Its strength is also wide-ranging, varying significantly across jurisdictions, and it evolves over time. For many decades, the global rule of law experienced a steady and encouraging ascent. However, some recent indicators suggest that this progress may have reached its peak, while others point to signs of retreat.^[1]

Today I will discuss how the rule of law supports central banks in delivering on their price stability mandate, and banking supervisors in fostering financial stability.

It is worth emphasising that the connection between the rule of law and a thriving economy is well-established: a strong rule of law correlates consistently with robust and sustained economic growth.^[2]

Last year, economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for their groundbreaking research, which persuasively demonstrated not just such a correlation, but a causal relationship between weak institutions – closely linked with a poor rule of law – and lower economic growth.^[3] Their findings highlight an important insight: economies thrive when institutions are strong, as institutional strength enables investors, entrepreneurs and consumers to make long-term decisions with confidence, knowing that contracts will be enforced, corruption fought and property rights upheld. Institutional reliability thus forms the backbone of innovation, creativity and sustained growth.

However, this relationship is not one-directional. Strong economic growth, in turn, reinforces institutional resilience, creating a virtuous cycle in which institutional strength and economic prosperity feed into one another.^[4]

Central banks are a crucial part of this mutual dependence. They are significantly more effective in delivering on their mandates when the rule of law is strong. At the same time, strong central banks and strong supervisors are essential institutions in supporting a strong economy. As such, within their mandates, central banks and prudential supervisors have a vital role to play in upholding, promoting and, when necessary, determinedly defending the rule of law.

Why does the rule of law matter for the European Central Bank?

The Treaty on European Union proudly declares that the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The rule of law forms the backbone of some of the most tangible and far-reaching achievements of our European Union – ranging from the single market and the protection of human rights to the mutual recognition of judgments. Few aspects of European integration reflect its unity more clearly than the shared commitment to upholding the rule of law.

For the ECB, the rule of law is a critical foundation of its mandate in multiple important ways. Today, I will focus on three closely connected areas: first, the role of the rule of law in laying the very foundations for, and safeguarding trust in, money; second, the importance of the rule of law for delivering on our mandates; and third, the role of the rule of law supporting price and financial and price stability by ensuring the independence of the central bank.

Money

Let me start with trust in money. Aristotle declared long ago that money was introduced by convention as a kind of substitute for a need or demand, and its value is derived not from nature but from law.^[5] While money has classically been thought of as serving the functions of medium of exchange, store of value, unit of account and means of payment, it is the law which determines whether a thing is money and what nominal value is attributed to it. It is the law which determines which things are legal tender.^[6]

Modern money is “fiat money” meaning that it has no intrinsic value. Following the end of the gold standard with the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in 1971, its value is also no longer tied to physical assets like gold. Instead, the value of our money rests entirely on trust – trust in public authorities, trust in the institutional frameworks that uphold it, and, fundamentally, trust in the central bank as the issuing authority.

Consider the euro banknotes in your pockets. The paper itself holds no intrinsic value. The worth we collectively assign to those €10, €20 or €50 banknotes is rooted in a strong legal foundation. Law gives central bank money legal tender status, meaning that it must be accepted for settling a debt. Trust in all other forms of “money”, such as commercial bank deposits, ultimately rests on convertibility at par with central bank money. The law thus helps preserve the value of today’s banknotes as well as the savings in your bank account.^[7]

We are currently taking a pivotal step in adapting central bank money to the digital age, by progressing towards the possible issuance of a digital equivalent: a digital euro. As cash today, which will remain available, a digital euro builds on the treaty-based competence to issue legal forms of public money, leveraging advanced technology within a robust legal framework to ensure people trust the numbers on their screens. The rule of law underpins these frameworks, transforming algorithms into a reliable and trustworthy form of public money.

Delivering on our mandates

Let me now turn to the function of the rule of law in enabling central banks to effectively deliver on their mandates.

For central banks to effectively fulfil their mandate of price stability, they must carefully assess the economic outlook. This assessment requires leveraging models and historical patterns to forecast economic developments. However, for us to be able to predict and forecast economic developments, the economy must operate within a framework of consistent and transparent rules. The rule of law plays a vital role in this regard. By fostering predictability and stability, it provides the essential foundation for robust economic analysis and informed monetary policy decision-making.

The effectiveness of the ECB’s banking supervision mandate to promote the safety and soundness of banks also hinges on a strong legal system with enforceable supervisory decisions. The laws give the supervisor a broad toolkit to ensure that banks remain safe and sound. For instance, this toolkit includes the power to require banks to hold more capital as part of the bank-specific annual Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process, and the power to sanction banks if they do not adhere to prudential rules.

Beyond these broader principles, a sound legal system is indispensable for central banking operations in practical terms. For instance, the legal requirement for adequate collateral is a cornerstone of both monetary policy implementation and financial stability. Yet collateral can only be deemed adequate if the legal framework guarantees that central banks can enforce their rights over it when necessary.

Another example is the central bank’s reliance on accurate statistics to carry out its mandate effectively. To ensure that reporting agents fulfil their obligations, central banks require enforceable sanctioning powers.

All these examples show that the rule of law is a precondition of central banking and prudential supervision.

Central bank independence

The effectiveness of a central bank in achieving its price stability mandate rests on its independence. Like the judiciary and other independent agencies, independent central banks are part of a constitutional model that recognises the role of independent institutions as checks and balances on executive and legislative power. Most legal systems in advanced economies ensure that the power to create money should be entrusted to bodies operating outside the electoral cycle to mitigate a time-inconsistency problem: the tendency of policymakers to prioritise short-term gains over long-term stability.^[8] Independence insulates the central bank from the short-term pressures of daily politics, enabling it to focus on its mandate.

Hence central bank independence, price stability and the rule of law are closely intertwined. Empirical evidence suggests that price stability depends on both the strength of the rule of law and the independence of the central bank. Social trust in the central bank depends on the overall level of trust in the legal system as a whole. If a perfectly independent central bank were to operate in a system with systematic deficiencies in the rule of law, it would not be able to deliver effectively on its mandate.^[9] In short, an independent central bank can only function if its decisions are seen as credible, and, crucially, credibility depends on the overall system based on the rule of law functioning well.

Moreover, the distinct character of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) also illustrates the crucial importance of the rule of law for the ECB. As the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled, the ESCB is based on a highly integrated system that brings together national central banks and the ECB.^[10] National central banks are not merely national institutions – they are also integral components of the ESCB. Importantly, the governors of the national central banks of the euro area are also members of the ECB’s Governing Council, which is responsible for taking monetary policy decisions.

A similar principle applies to the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM). For instance, the Joint Supervisory Teams that inspect banks are composed of staff from both the ECB and national competent authorities (NCAs). Likewise, the ECB Supervisory Board includes representatives from both the ECB and NCAs.

Because of the integrated nature of both the ESCB and the SSM, which both bring together national authorities and the ECB, rule of law deficiencies at the national level can affect the functioning of the ESCB, the SSM and the ECB. Respect for the rules governing the organisation and safeguarding the independence of these national components of the ESCB and the SSM are thus essential to achieving their mandates of price and financial stability.

What central banks can do to support the rule of law

Now that we have explored how the rule of law is a precondition for central banks and supervisors being able to deliver on their mandates, let us turn to the other side of the coin: the role of the European Central Bank in upholding and protecting the rule of law.

Clearly, central banks cannot oversee the general conditions of the rule of law – that is not their mandate. But central banks do have specific responsibilities in this context.

First, central banks must themselves adhere to rule of law principles under the scrutiny of courts. And second, central banks have instruments at their disposal that can be used to reinforce the legal fabric that supports the rule of law.

Let me start with the former: central banks are fully embedded in the rule of law architecture. For instance, the Treaties explicitly place the ECB under the jurisdiction of the CJEU, and the ECB’s actions – in all areas, including monetary policy, banking supervision and transparency – have been subject to judicial scrutiny.^[11] Compared with other major central banks, the ECB is among those most frequently brought before court.^[12] By contrast, most other central banks are practically exempt from the jurisdiction of the courts when conducting monetary policy.^[13] The preliminary reference procedure has also brought ECB monetary policy measures before the CJEU.^[14] In essence, even when discretion is granted to the ECB by the courts or the legislature, it is discretion within the bounds of the law – not beyond it – and both its scope and conditions remain subject to judicial review.

This duty of the ECB has both a negative and a positive dimension. Not only is the ECB responsible for remaining within the confines of the law, it also has to react when other institutions with which it cooperates threaten to violate the law.^[15]

Legal scrutiny by the courts is not the only form the legally required ECB’s accountability takes, however. In fact, a key pillar of our transparency and accountability to citizens includes explaining our decisions to the public and reporting regularly to elected bodies. For example, the ECB publishes detailed accounts of the monetary policy meetings of the Governing Council, explains its policies in dedicated press conferences and answers questions from Members of the European Parliament. (MEPs). Moreover, the President of the ECB and the Chair of the Supervisory Board appear regularly in front of the European Parliament to exchange views with MEPs. This not only makes monetary policy and banking supervision more understandable, but also proactively submits our institution to public scrutiny. Public scrutiny is an indispensable element of the rule of law: the law must be seen to be upheld for its acceptance by the general public.

Let me now turn to the ECB’s role in maintaining the rule of law. And I would like to be crystal clear again: in the EU, maintaining the rule of law is mainly a task for the courts and the political institutions. But the ECB also has responsibilities in this area, and I will outline five that I think are particularly important.

First, the Treaties give the ECB special powers to monitor respect for central bank independence, in particular personal independence. The Statute of the ESCB, which is a Protocol of the Treaty on the functioning of the EU (TFEU), exceptionally empowers the Governing Council of the ECB and national governors to bring to the European Court of Justice an action for annulment of a national measure that does not respect the independence of central bank governors.^[16] This is the only case where the EU legal order provides for an annulment by the European Court of Justice of a national measure. I am sure that the jurists in today’s audience will immediately recognizes how exceptional this is. By allowing a direct change of the legal reality within the national legal order by means of an EU remedy, the Statute of the ESCB ensures, very effectively, that the rule of law is upheld.

Second, the ECB Governing Council has the role of acting as guardian of the Treaties vis-à-vis the national central banks in the same way as the Commission is guardian of the Treaties vis-à-vis the Member States.^[17] While the ECB has never instituted infringement proceedings against a national central bank before the CJEU, the very existence of this power enables the ECB to ensure compliance by national central banks with the requirements of central bank independence and the prohibition of monetary financing of the public sector. Another as yet unused power of the ECB under the Statute of the ESCB/ECB is the power of the ECB Governing Council, by a two thirds majority vote, to prohibit national central banks from performing functions other than those specified in the Statute where these interfere with the objectives and tasks of the ESCB.^[18] The existence of this power enables the ECB to ensure that the functions of national central banks do not interfere with ESCB’s primary objective of price stability or the monetary policy and other tasks of the ESCB.

Third, the Treaties require national and EU authorities to consult the ECB on any draft legislation that falls within its fields of competence.^[19] The ECB enjoys a privileged position in directly influencing national legislation at the stage of its adoption and raising issues of legality. The ECB has issued numerous opinions on draft national legislation concerning the institutional structure and governance of national central banks. A recurring theme in many of these opinions has been the compatibility of amendments to the statutes of national central banks with the Statute of the ESCB, particularly regarding Member States’ obligation to ensure the independence of their national central banks and the prohibition of monetary financing.

Fourth, the Treaties require the ECB to issue convergence reports.^[20] At least once every two years, or at the request of a Member State with a derogation from adopting the euro, the ECB reports to the Council on the progress made by the Member States with a derogation on the fulfilment of their obligations regarding the achievement of Economic and monetary union. Last week, the ECB published its report on Bulgaria.^[21] These convergence reports receive more attention with regard to their economic dimensions, but they also include an important examination of the compatibility between national and EU law.^[22] Whilst this ECB instrument only addresses the legislation of Member States that have not adopted the euro, it is a means of consolidating and developing EU standards, including where rule of law issues might be at stake.

And last but not least: the Statute of the ESCB provides the ECB with specific powers regarding international cooperation.^[23] In practice this means that the ECB actively participates in international fora and institutions with a clear direction to uphold their role and the international rule of law. As you all know, public international law, from the World Trade Organization to the very fundamentals of international humanitarian law, is currently under a heavy strain, which makes our role regarding international cooperation all the more relevant.

Conclusion

Let me conclude.

With these remarks, I hope to have shown that the rule of law is of the highest relevance for central banks and supervisors.

First, it is a necessary condition for us to adequately deliver on our price and financial stability mandates. Here we depend (and count!) on those institutions whose mandate is specifically focused on upholding the rule of law, among which the legislature and, especially, you, the judiciary.

Second, in specific areas the ECB itself has a role to play in safeguarding, nurturing and defending the rule of law. Within the limits of our competences, you can count on us to do so.

The European Union is both creature and guarantor of the rule of law. It is a beacon of legal certainty, strong institutions and the protection of fundamental rights. All of us continuing to play our role – and we will play ours as much as we know that the courts will play theirs – will lead not only to the protection but to the growth of the quality and the depth of the rule of law.

By thus further strengthening the rule of law, we will encourage investment, foster economic growth and enhance the international role of the euro.^[24] And by doing so we will further solidify the foundations for freedom, peace and prosperity that will ensure that Van Randwijk’s light will never fade but will shine more brightly than ever before.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lifesaving partnership in line for national award

Source: City of Leicester

A LIFESAVING initiative that enables front-line police officers in Leicestershire to carry and administer an antidote to opiate drugs has been shortlisted for a national award.

The city council’s public health team worked in partnership with the police and local drug and alcohol treatment service Turning Point to develop the initiative, which has potentially already saved 14 lives in its first 12 months of operation.

It’s now in line for a Public Partnerships award, as part of the 2025 Local Government Chronicle’s Awards, which recognise excellence in local government across the whole of the UK.

The partnership was developed in response to a national rising trend in drug deaths. Many of these could have been avoided with the use of the antidote Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an opiate overdose – if given quickly enough.

Leicester’s Director of Public Health Rob Howard said: “In the event of an opiate overdose, administering an immediate dose of naloxone by nasal spray reverses respiratory arrest and allows time for emergency medical services to be called.

“Police officers are most likely to be the first on scene at such incidents, and thanks to years of hard work by all involved, we believe that the Leicestershire police service is now the first in England and Wales to commit to enabling all front-line officers to carry Naloxone.

“This incredible partnership work has not only saved lives, and will save lives in the future, but is also supporting a broader understanding of the challenges faced by people who use drugs.”

Approval for a pilot scheme was given by Leicestershire Police in 2023, after Turning Point and the city council’s public health team had found funding and established pilot sites.

Initially small groups of police officers were given training in overdose awareness and administering Naloxone, and as a result almost 200 officers voluntarily agreed to carry it.

James Edmondston, Leicestershire Police’s Substance Misuse Team Leader said: “The most important duty of a police officer is to preserve life and Naloxone gives officers a simple, safe and effective way of doing so. This initiative reflects a strong and robust partnership commitment to saving lives and supporting people into long term treatment.

“It is fantastic to see its use being celebrated– it really does save lives and we are looking to expand its use across the force and into custody.”

Julie Bass, Turning Point’s Chief Executive said: “Being short-listed for this prestigious award is testament to the power of partnership. We have been delighted to work with Leicestershire Police and Leicester City Council on this initiative, which genuinely has saved lives and also strengthened joint working across our organisations.”

In the first 12 months of the scheme, police officers administered naloxone on 14 separate occasions, in situations where people were likely to have otherwise died, before calling for ambulance back-up.

New recruits to Leicestershire Police are now trained in administering naloxone as part of their core training, and offered the chance to carry at that time. Since this was introduced, every new recruit has volunteered to carry it.

The winners of the LGC Awards will be announced at a ceremony on 11 June 2025, at Grosvenor House, London.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Subsea7 awarded contract offshore Trinidad and Tobago
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Luxembourg – 9 June 2025 – Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of a sizeable¹ contract by Shell for the Aphrodite gas project offshore Trinidad and Tobago.

The project involves the transportation and installation of subsea equipment at the Aphrodite development, located within Block 5a, at water depths of up to 290 metres.

Project management and engineering activities will begin immediately at Subsea7’s office in Houston, Texas, with offshore operations planned for 2027.

Craig Broussard, Senior Vice President for Subsea7 Gulf of Mexico, said, “Engaging with Shell from the outset has been key to building trust and driving efficiencies. This award in Trinidad and Tobago reflects our growing presence in the region, as well as our ongoing commitment to safe, predictable project delivery while supporting local talent and resources.”
1. Subsea7 defines a sizeable contract as being between $50 million and $150 million.
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Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industry’s partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs.
Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Børs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62.

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Contact for investment community enquiries:
Katherine Tonks
Investor Relations Director
Tel +44 20 8210 5568
ir@subsea7.com

Contact for media enquiries:
Ashley Shearer
Communications Manager
Tel +1 713 300 6792
ashley.shearer@subsea7.com

Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘future’, ‘goal’, ‘intend’, ‘likely’ ‘may’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’, ‘strategy’ ‘will’, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the ‘Risk Management’ section of the Group’s Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 9 June 2025 at 08:00 CET.

Attachment
- SUBC Shell Aphrodite
The MIL Network –
June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Shell Plc First Quarter 2025 Euro and GBP Equivalent Dividend Payments

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SHELL PLC FIRST QUARTER 2025 EURO AND GBP EQUIVALENT DIVIDEND PAYMENTS

June 9, 2025

The Board of Shell plc today announced the pounds sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments in respect of the first quarter 2025 interim dividend, which was announced on May 2, 2025 at US$0.358 per ordinary share.

Shareholders have been able to elect to receive their dividends in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling. Holders of ordinary shares who have validly submitted US dollars, euros or pounds sterling currency elections by June 2, 2025 will be entitled to a dividend of US$0.358, €0.3136 or 26.41p per ordinary share, respectively.

Absent any valid election to the contrary, persons holding their ordinary shares through Euroclear Nederland will receive their dividends in euros at the euro rate per ordinary share shown above. Absent any valid election to the contrary, shareholders (both holding in certificated and uncertificated form (CREST members)) and persons holding their shares through the Shell Corporate Nominee will receive their dividends in pounds sterling, at the pound sterling rate per ordinary share shown above.

Euro and pounds sterling dividends payable in cash have been converted from US dollars based on an average of market exchange rates over the three dealing days from June 4 to June 6, 2025. This dividend will be payable on June 23, 2025 to those members whose names were on the Register of Members on May 16, 2025.

Taxation – cash dividend
If you are uncertain as to the tax treatment of any dividends you should consult your tax advisor.

Note
A different currency election date may apply to shareholders holding shares in a securities account with a bank or financial institution ultimately holding through Euroclear Nederland. This may also apply to other shareholders who do not hold their shares either directly on the Register of Members or in the corporate sponsored nominee arrangement. Shareholders can contact their broker, financial intermediary, bank or financial institution for the election deadline that applies.

Enquiries
Media: International +44 (0) 207 934 5550; U.S. and Canada: https://www.shell.us/about-us/news-and-insights/media/submit-an-inquiry.html

CAUTIONARY NOTE

The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

Forward-Looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’; “aspire”; “aspiration”; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; “desire”; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; “vision”; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks, including climate change; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including tariffs and regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, and a significant cyber security, data privacy or IT incident; (n) the pace of the energy transition; and (o) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, June 9, 2025. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

Shell’s net carbon intensity
Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

Shell’s net-zero emissions target
Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

Forward Looking non-GAAP measures
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as adjusted earnings and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.

The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70
Classification: Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of the United Kingdom

The MIL Network –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

“You just [expletive] shot the reporter!”

Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was in the middle of a live cross, covering the protests against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy in Los Angeles, California. As Tomasi spoke to the camera, microphone in hand, an LAPD officer in the background appeared to target her directly, hitting her in the leg with a rubber bullet.

Earlier, reports emerged that British photojournalist Nick Stern was undergoing emergency surgery after also being hit by the same “non-lethal” ammunition.

The situation in Los Angeles is extremely volatile. After nonviolent protests against raids and arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began in the suburb of Paramount, US President Donald Trump issued a memo describing them as “a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States”. He then deployed the National Guard.

‘Can’t you just shoot them?’

As much of the coverage has noted, this is not the first time the National Guard has been deployed to quell protests in the US.

In 1970, members of the National Guard shot and killed four students protesting the war in Vietnam at Kent State University. In 1992, the National Guard was deployed during protests in Los Angeles following the acquittal of four police officers (three of whom were white) in the killing of a Black man, Rodney King.

Trump has long speculated about violently deploying the National Guard and even the military against his own people.

During his first administration, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, former Secretary of Defence Mark Esper alleged that Trump asked him, “Can’t you just shoot them, just shoot them in the legs or something?”

Trump has also long sought to other those opposed to his radical agenda to reshape the United States and its role in the world. He’s classified them as “un-American” and, therefore, deserving of contempt and, when he deems it necessary, violent oppression.

During last year’s election campaign, he promised to “root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country”. Even the Washington Post characterised this description of Trump’s “political enemies” as “echoing Hitler, Mussolini”.

In addition, Trump has long peddled baseless conspiracies about “sanctuary cities”, such as Los Angeles. He has characterised them as lawless havens for his political enemies and places that have been “invaded” by immigrants. As anyone who has ever visited these places knows, that is not true.

It is no surprise that in the same places Trump characterises as “disgracing our country”, there has been staunch opposition to his agenda and ideology.

That opposition has coalesced in recent weeks around the activities of ICE agents, in particular. These agents, wearing masks to conceal their identities, have been arbitrarily detaining people, including US citizens and children, and disappearing people off the streets. They have also arrested caregivers, leaving children alone.

As Adam Serwer wrote in The Atlantic during the first iteration of Trump in America, “the cruelty is the point”.

The Trump administration’s mass deportation program is deliberately cruel and provocative. It was always only a matter of time before protests broke out.

In a democracy, nonviolent protest by hundreds or perhaps a few thousand people in a city of ten million is not a crisis. But it has always suited Trump and the movement that supports him to manufacture crises.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key architect of the mass deportations program and a man described by a former adviser as “Waffen SS”, called the protests “an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States”. Trump himself also described protesters as “violent, insurrectionist mobs”.

Nowhere does the presidential memo deploying the National Guard name the specific location of the protests. This, and the extreme language coming out of the administration, suggests it is laying the groundwork for further escalation.

The administration could be leaving space to deploy the National Guard in other places and invoke the Insurrection Act.

Incidents involving the deployment of the National Guard are rare, though politically cataclysmic. It is rarer still for the National Guard to be deployed against the wishes of a democratically elected leader of a state, as Trump has done in California.

A broader assault on democracy

This deployment comes at a time of crisis for US democracy more broadly. Trump’s longstanding attacks against independent media – what he describes as “fake news” – are escalating. There is a reason that during the current protests, a law enforcement officer appeared so comfortable targeting a journalist, on camera.

The Trump administration is also actively targeting independent institutions such as Harvard and Columbia universities. It is also targeting and undermining judges and reducing the power of independent courts to enforce the rule of law.

Under Trump, the federal government and its state-based allies are targeting and undermining the rights of minority groups – policing the bodies of trans people, targeting reproductive rights, and beginning the process of undoing the Civil Rights Act.

Trump is, for the moment, unconstrained. Asked overnight what the bar is for deploying the Marines against protesters, Trump responded: “the bar is what I think it is”.

As New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie recently observed:

We should treat Trump and his openly authoritarian administration as a failure, not just of our party system or our legal system, but of our Constitution and its ability to meaningfully constrain a destructive and system-threatening force in our political life.

While the situation in Los Angeles is unpredictable, it must be understood in the broader context of the active, violent threat the Trump administration poses to the US. As we watch, American democracy teeters on the brink.

Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.

– ref. Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-long-speculated-about-using-force-against-his-own-people-now-he-has-the-pretext-to-do-so-258471

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 9, 2025
Modi govt creating new history in every field: Piyush Goyal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading one of the most transformative phases of Bharat’s journey for the past 11 years, as the country is creating new history today in every field from economy to technology, from society to inclusive development, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday

“While 11 years ago, the country was lagging behind in every way, during the Modi government, it is touching the heights of development, and the far-reaching changes of his government’s policies have left no section of society untouched, the minister further stated.

This period has proved to be a symbol of good governance through service in the direction of the poor, youth, farmers and women empowerment. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, this is not just a mantra but the strength of the new India, he said.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is continuously moving ahead on the path of becoming developed by leading the world with rapid development, comprehensive change and public participation. The minister was referring to the fact that India has emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the world.

The IMF stated in its World Economic Outlook report last month that India is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in 2025, with the country’s nominal GDP rising to $4,187.017 billion to surpass Japan’s GDP pegged at $4,186.431 billion.

According to the report, India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy and the only country expected to clock over 6 per cent growth in the next two years.

The high rate of growth will see India’s GDP increasing to $5,584.476 billion in 2028 as it overtakes Germany to become the third-largest economy.

The IMF has projected a zero growth rate for Germany in 2025, followed by 0.9 per cent in 2026 as it is expected to be hit the hardest among the European countries due to the ongoing global trade war. Germany’s GDP is projected at $5,251.928 in 2028.

Japan, on the other hand, is expected to be hard hit by the global trade war, with its growth stagnating at 0.6 per cent for 2025 and 2026.

(IANS)

June 9, 2025
India now stands proudly among top five economies: Rajnath Singh on ’11 Years of Seva’ under PM Modi

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Marking a significant milestone of 11 years of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday hailed the achievements of the nation, especially in the defence and economic sectors.

Taking to X, Singh lauded the government’s commitment to Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and its impact on India’s global standing.

“Inspired by PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the defence sector has moved firmly towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), and India now stands proudly among the top five economies of the world. India today stands well-equipped, confident, and unwavering in its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs,” the Defence Minister said.

Rajnath Singh’s remarks come as the government celebrates 11 Years Of Seva, highlighting the transformation India has witnessed since 2014, particularly in areas of defence manufacturing, economic progress, and global diplomacy.

“These 11 Years Of Seva have been a story of the realisation of the dreams of our freedom fighters and Constitution makers—who envisioned a democracy that is not just political, but also social and economic in nature. Under PM Modi’s dynamic leadership, India is not just progressing—it is rising to claim its rightful place in the comity of nations,” said Singh reflecting on the broader democratic and developmental vision realised during PM Modi’s tenure.

In a message to citizens, Singh extended his gratitude for their continued support in this journey of progress and nation-building.

“On the completion of these remarkable 11 Years Of Seva, I congratulate every Indian who has been a proud part of this growth story, development journey, and history in the making. Together, we move forward – stronger, prouder, and united,” he concluded.

The Defence Minister’s message underlines the Modi government’s focus on building a ‘resilient, self-sufficient India,’ one that is not only capable of defending its interests but also leading on the world stage economically and strategically.

(IANS)

June 9, 2025
11 years of PM Modi: Soil Health Scheme marks decade of impact with 30 crore Soil Health Cards issued

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

As the central government marks over a decade of sustained efforts under the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme, the initiative continues to play a transformative role in improving soil productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the country. Launched in 2014-15, the scheme has made considerable progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now completing 11 years in office.

To date, over 30 crore Soil Health Cards (SHCs) have been generated nationwide, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding fertilizer use and crop selection. The government has so far disbursed ₹1,706.18 crore to various States and Union Territories to implement the scheme.

In an effort to strengthen soil health diagnostics, 8,272 Soil Testing Laboratories have been established across the country. This includes 1,068 Static Soil Testing Labs, 163 Mobile Labs, 6,376 Mini Labs, and 665 Village-Level Soil Testing Labs (VSTLs). These facilities have significantly enhanced the capacity for soil sample analysis, providing farmers with scientific assessments of their land’s fertility.

The Village-Level Soil Testing Labs, operating across 17 states, include those managed by entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), although a centralized data system for these labs has yet to be developed.

The Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI), a key implementing agency under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has also played a pivotal role in capacity building and technical training. It regularly conducts short-term training programs on a range of subjects including Soil Health Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Integrated Watershed Management, Geo-Spatial Technology, and Soil Survey & Mapping.

In 2024, SLUSI conducted training for officers from departments of Agriculture, Forest, and Soil & Water Conservation in West Bengal and North-Eastern states. In 2025, officers from the Agriculture Department of Jammu & Kashmir participated in the training initiative, equipping them with the latest tools and techniques in soil management and resource planning.

Further contributing to data-driven agricultural planning, SLUSI has completed soil mapping at a 1:10,000 scale for approximately 290 lakh hectares, covering 40 aspirational districts. These detailed maps support precise land-use planning and improved crop productivity.

To support farmers in optimizing fertilizer use, SLUSI has also produced 1,987 village-level soil fertility maps across 21 States and Union Territories. These maps are valuable tools in reducing input costs for farmers and improving soil sustainability.

As the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme enters its second decade, it continues to reinforce the government’s broader vision of doubling farmers’ income, improving environmental sustainability, and ensuring food security.

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: #iubilaeum2025 – Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost

Source: The Holy See

At 10.30 this morning, Solemnity of Pentecost, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Movements, Associations and New Communities, the Holy Father Leo XIV presided over Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.
The following is the homily delivered by the Pope during the course of the Eucharistic Celebration, after the proclamation of the Gospel:

Homily of the Holy Father
Dear brothers and sisters,
“The day has dawned upon us when…, glorified by his ascension into heaven following his resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit” (Saint Augustine, Serm. 271, 1). Today, too, what took place in the Upper Room takes place anew in our midst. Like a mighty wind that overtakes us, like a crash that startles us, like a fire that illuminates us, the gift of the Holy Spirit descends upon us (cf. Acts 2:1-11).
As we heard in the first reading, the Spirit accomplished something extraordinary in the lives of the Apostles. Following Jesus’ death, they had retreated behind closed doors, in fear and sadness. Now they receive a new way of seeing things, an interior understanding that helps them to interpret the events that occurred and to experience intimately the presence of the Risen Lord. The Holy Spirit overcomes their fear, shatters their inner chains, heals their wounds, anoints them with strength and grants them the courage to go out to all and to proclaim God’s mighty works.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us that in Jerusalem at that time there was a multitude of people from various backgrounds, yet “each one heard them speaking in his own native tongue” (v. 6). In a word, at Pentecost, the doors of the Upper Room were opened because the Spirit opens borders. As Benedict XVI explained: “The Holy Spirit bestows understanding. The Spirit overcomes the ‘breach’ that began in Babel, the confusion of mind and heart that sets us one against the other. The Spirit opens borders… The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are neglected or disdained. In the Church there are only free men and women, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ” (Homily for Pentecost, 15 May 2005).
Here we have an eloquent image of Pentecost, one that I would like to pause for a moment and reflect upon with you.
The Spirit opens borders, first of all, in our hearts. He is the Gift that opens our lives to love. His presence breaks down our hardness of heart, our narrowness of mind, our selfishness, the fears that enchain us and the narcissism that makes us think only of ourselves. The Holy Spirit comes to challenge us, to make us confront the possibility that our lives are shrivelling up, trapped in the vortex of individualism. Sadly, oddly enough, in a world of burgeoning “social” media, we risk being ever more alone. Constantly connected, yet incapable of “networking”. Always immersed in a crowd, yet confused and solitary travellers.
The Spirit of God allows us to find a new way of approaching and experiencing life. He puts us in touch with our inmost self, beneath all the masks we wear. He leads us to an encounter with the Lord by teaching us to experience the joy that is his gift. He convinces us, as we just heard in Jesus’ words, that only by abiding in love, will we receive the strength to remain faithful to his word and to let it transform us. The Spirit opens our interior borders, so that our lives can become places of welcome and refreshment.
The Spirit also opens borders in our relationship with others. Jesus tells us that this Gift is the love between him and the Father that comes to dwell within us. We then become capable of opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters, overcoming our rigidity, moving beyond our fear of those who are different, and mastering the passions that stir within. The Spirit also transforms those deeper, hidden dangers that disturb our relationships, like suspicion, prejudice or the desire to manipulate others. I think too, with great pain, of those cases where relationships are marked by an unhealthy desire for domination, an attitude that often leads to violence, as is shown, tragically, by numerous recent cases of femicide.
The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, brings to maturity within us the fruits that enable us to cultivate good and healthy relationships: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22). In this way, the Spirit broadens the borders of our relationships and opens us to the joy of fraternity. This is also a critical yardstick for the Church. For we are truly the Church of the Risen Lord and disciples of Pentecost if there are no borders or divisions among us; if we are able to dialogue and accept one another in the Church, and to reconcile our diversities; and if, as Church, we become a welcoming and hospitable place for all.
Finally, the Spirit also opens borders between peoples. At Pentecost, the Apostles spoke the languages of those they met, and the confusion of Babel was finally resolved by the harmony brought about by the Spirit. Whenever God’s “breath” unites our hearts and makes us view others as our brothers and sisters, differences no longer become an occasion for division and conflict but rather a shared patrimony from which we can all draw, and which sets us all on journey together, in fraternity.
The Spirit breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred because he “teaches us all things” and “reminds us of Jesus’ words” (cf. Jn 14:26). He teaches us, reminds us, and writes in our hearts before all else the commandment of love that the Lord has made the center and summit of everything. Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for “security” zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.
It was on the feast of Pentecost that Pope Francis observed: “In our world today, there is so much discord, such great division. We are all ‘connected’, yet find ourselves disconnected from one another, anesthetized by indifference and overwhelmed by solitude” (Homily, 28 May 2023). The wars plaguing our world are a tragic sign of this. Let us invoke the Spirit of love and peace, that he may open borders, break down walls, dispel hatred and help us to live as children of our one Father who is in heaven.
Brothers and sisters, Pentecost renews the Church and the world! May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.
May Mary Most Holy, Woman of Pentecost, Virgin visited by the Spirit, Mother full of grace, accompany us and intercede for us.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU offered Venezuela cooperation in education and science

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

A working meeting with a delegation from the Ministry of Higher Education of Venezuela was held in the Committee for Science and Higher Education of St. Petersburg. The representatives of the friendly Latin American country were met by the Chairman of the Committee for Science and Higher Education Andrey Maksimov. Representatives of six universities of St. Petersburg took part in the meeting. The Polytechnic University was represented by the Head of the International Cooperation Department Vladimir Khizhnyak.

The Venezuelan delegation was headed by the Minister of People’s Power for Higher Education, Richardo Mujica. The delegation included the Director General of the Directorate of Integration and International Relations, Gasparri Rey, the Director of Bilateral Meetings of the International Relations Department, Jimenez Cubillán, and the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the Russian Federation, Andrés González.

During the meeting, Andrei Maksimov briefly spoke about St. Petersburg, which is one of the largest scientific and educational centers in Russia. It concentrates over ten percent of the country’s scientific potential, with more than 350 scientific organizations, including about 60 organizations of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other state academies. The human resources potential of science and education in St. Petersburg exceeds 170,000 employees of scientific organizations and universities, including approximately 9,000 doctors of science and 26,000 candidates of science. Andrei Stanislavovich presented the work of KNVS in general and the interaction of St. Petersburg universities with universities in Venezuela, in particular.

Mr. Mujica began his speech by thanking Russia for supporting Venezuela in its fight against the aggressive policies of Western countries and expressing admiration for the courage and fortitude of the Russian people. He recalled that President Maduro had recently visited Russia, took part in events marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, and then visited St. Petersburg. Mr. Mujica also noted that Venezuela had adopted a program to develop cooperation with Russia in science and education. In accordance with this program, the number of students from this country in Russian universities should increase tenfold in the near future, from 200 to at least 2,000. A working group has been created at the Ministry to create an interuniversity university network of Venezuelan and Russian universities. It is planned to create joint programs and double degree programs. Priority areas of training are artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and new materials, agro-biotechnology, mining, etc. The issue of creating cultural and language centers in both Venezuela and Russia is also being worked on. The training of highly qualified personnel is also an urgent issue.

Vladimir Khizhnyak spoke about the Polytechnic University and suggested areas of cooperation. He noted that the university has students from Venezuela, but there are not many of them, and our institutes are ready to accept many more representatives of this country in numerous training programs, including in English. Summer and winter school programs may also be of interest to students from Venezuela. Joint supervision of postgraduate students, participation of leading professors in dissertation councils and in the “Visiting Professor” program are also a good start for cooperation.

Mr. Mujica responded positively to the proposal to visit the Polytechnic and conclude a cooperation agreement with the National Scientific University. It was opened recently and enjoys great support from the government of this country. He also noted that there are 25 polytechnic universities in Venezuela and he is ready to assist in establishing contacts with them. The country has adopted a 15-year program to support polytechnic universities.

Mr. Mujica noted that the people of Venezuela remember that back in 1786, their compatriot, the hero of the national liberation struggle Francisco Miranda arrived in Russia and spent almost a year traveling around it. Catherine II granted him the rank of colonel of the Russian army, and he also received a passport of our country. The Empress allocated Miranda a cash subsidy to fight the Spanish colonizers and ordered a military squadron to be sent to the shores of Venezuela. So the friendship between our countries has deep roots and the Ministry of Higher Education is ready to contribute to its strengthening in every possible way.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Parades Commission failed Scarva – public disorder was entirely predictable and avoidable

Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

Statement by TUV party chairman Keith Ratcliffe:

“As I warned in advance, Saturday’s anti-Israeli parade through Scarva was deeply provocative, entirely unnecessary, and now, sadly, has led to the very outcome many of us feared – disorder on our streets and arrests in our community.

“I formally objected to this parade to the Parades Commission and raised serious concerns both in writing and in a telephone call to the police. I made it crystal clear to the Parades Commission that Scarva, a quiet, close-knit Unionist village with deep ties of sympathy and support for Israel, was no place for Palestinian flags and associated political messaging on a Saturday morning.

“And yet, the parade was allowed to proceed unchecked – no conditions, no restrictions and no serious engagement with local concerns. The Commission was warned. The PSNI was informed. And now we have witnessed precisely the breakdown in community relations that this parade was always going to cause.

“Scarva is not a canvas for political performance. Residents here should not be subjected to displays that are knowingly inflammatory. People have a right to go about their daily lives without being dragged into conflict they did not ask for and do not support.

“Let me be clear: this situation was entirely avoidable. The blame lies squarely with those who organised this needlessly provocative display, and with the Parades Commission, who failed in their duty to prevent disorder and protect community cohesion.“

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Election Committee register released

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 2025 Election Committee (EC) provisional register and the omissions list were released today.

Relevant voters may check their registration status and particulars, including whether they have been entered into the omissions list, through “iAM Smart” or the Voter Registration website.

The provisional register and the omissions list containing entries of individuals are only displayed in a statutory manner and made available for inspection by specified individuals.

Citizens may lodge a claim or an objection in person with the Registration & Electoral Office (REO) no later than June 16.

The REO will publish the EC final register after the EC Subsector By-elections are held in September.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Slams Trump Administration for Terrorizing Los Angeles Communities Through ICE Raids, Deploying National Guard
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

WATCH: Padilla Slams Trump Administration for Terrorizing Los Angeles Communities Through ICE Raids, Deploying National Guard
Padilla: California is “the fourth-largest economy in the world, not despite our immigrant population, but because of our immigrant population, who contribute so much as [a] workforce, as consumers, as entrepreneurs. That’s something to be respected, not insulted.”

“Our nation is better than this. Look to California as a way forward.”

Watch the full interview here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined MSNBC’s “The Weekend: Primetime” to condemn the Trump Administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Los Angeles and President Trump’s ensuing unprecedented deployment of nearly 2,000 members of California’s National Guard to the region.

Senator Padilla slammed President Trump for manufacturing a cruel crisis to scapegoat immigrants and distract from Republicans’ harmful budget bill that will cut critical services that millions of Americans depend on to give tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy. He also blasted the Trump Administration for their hypocrisy in calling the largely peaceful Los Angeles protests an “insurrection” as President Trump and Republicans refuse to use that word to describe the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Padilla encouraged Californians to continue peacefully protesting the Trump Administration’s inhumane immigration enforcement.

Key Excerpts:

On Trump demonizing immigrants to distract from Republicans’ harmful budget bill:

“The Senate Republicans are on the verge of passing what House Republicans just passed in this bill that threatens to cut Medicaid, cut the social safety net for so many, and underwrite tax breaks for billionaires. So to distract from that, it never fails. This is [Trump’s] classic playbook. He’s not brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine. His tariff war has gone horribly wrong. So when all else fails, he demonizes immigrants again.”

“If we were having a serious, substantive policy conversation, I think there is room to discuss increased funding for our immigration system, not just smarter enforcement at the border, utilizing technology, focusing on ports of entry, but also for all the people who have pending cases, whether it’s an asylum case, whether it’s anything else, there is a need for more immigration judges and hearing officers and counsel, those sorts of things. And let’s reduce the backlog. But what the Trump Administration is doing is exactly the opposite, shifting it to complete enforcement and aggressive, extreme, cruel enforcement for that matter, while the backlogs continue to grow because they’ve shifted resources away from those services and those programs.”

“By and large, this supposedly Big Beautiful Bill, which is anything but, is nothing but increasing funding for … immigration enforcement, gutting so many other critical areas of the budget that working families across the country depend on, all to underwrite tax breaks for the most wealthy in America, including somebody like Elon Musk. You know, Donald Trump didn’t like the headlines he was getting because of his fallout with Elon Musk, and so again, what happens? He stages a crisis, manufactures a cruel crisis to try to change the news of the day.”

On Trump’s hypocrisy in his response compared to January 6:

“The other thing he wants is for people to, yes, maybe get out of hand, so that he has the justification to escalate and increase the use of force. Look what happened in his first term. Look what happened on January 6. You’ve got to call out the hypocrisy. He did not once say “insurrectionist” for the people who stormed the Capitol and attacked police officers, but one protester who gets a little bit out of hand in Los Angeles and all of a sudden, he’s going to bring in the Marines? That’s beyond hypocritical.”

“If it’s one thing that the Team Trump does have going for it, is they are masters of misinformation and disinformation. What’s happening in Los Angeles is not an insurrection. What happened on January 6 at the nation’s Capitol was an insurrection. So intellectual dishonesty is nothing new for J.D. Vance, or Donald Trump, or anybody in the White House right now. They should know better.”

On the cruelty of Trump’s ICE raids and the importance of peaceful protests:

“These raids are not new. Obviously, we’ve been seeing them around the country for a few months, but increasingly with extremism and cruelty. And that’s what people in Los Angeles are responding to. Again, as others have said, you want to focus on violent and dangerous criminals? Great, there’s no disagreement there. But when you’re going after kids that are depending on lifesaving treatment, when you’re going after people in the workplace, in houses of worship, children in schools — that’s a whole thing altogether. So in a diverse community like Los Angeles, there’s going to be a lot of people who are passionate about defending fundamental rights and due process and to speak up when they see that not being respected.”

“So for all the people in Los Angeles, I do say protest. Protest peacefully, but protest because Donald Trump wants one of two things. He wants people … to be quiet, to suck it up, and ignore what’s happening, let him do whatever he wants. That’s not in our DNA.”

On immigrants’ integral role in driving California’s economic success:

“We are not just the most populous state in the nation, we’re the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation, both mostly documented, some undocumented. But remember, folks, this is also the largest economy of any state in the nation, by far. The fourth-largest economy in the world, not despite our immigrant population, but because of our immigrant population, who contribute so much as [a] workforce, as consumers, as entrepreneurs. That’s something to be respected, not insulted.”

On his personal story growing up as the son of immigrants from Mexico and fighting against anti-immigrant actions:

“You can’t help but take this personal because you can relate to the story, because you can relate to the sacrifice, because you can relate to that journey — not just me, my brother, my sister, my parents, and our family, but everybody, frankly, in the community where and how I grew up, which is indicative of millions of families across the country. You know, my parents came in pursuit of the American Dream, as so many have over generations, and my parents found it. My dad as a short order cook for 40 years, my mom cleaning houses. And to think that in one generation, someone like me can grow up in public schools in Los Angeles, go on to college, and one day represent our state in the United States Senate.”

“But there’s a reason why I left my engineering degree behind in 1994. It’s because of the rhetoric I saw back then in California, very different than the California we see today. Governor Pete Wilson, at the time, standing for re-election, down in the polls, turns to anti-immigrant rhetoric to try to seek re-election and divide the people. And it was because of … that Proposition 187 that people like my parents, finally took the steps to become citizens, as opposed to just being long-term permanent residents, but also my generation choosing to get involved in government and politics and change the trajectory of our state. California is very different today, but it is just so heartbreaking and offensive that the rhetoric continues to this day, even more so, because it’s not just coming out of the governor’s office in California back then, not now, but out of the Oval Office. Our nation is better than this. Look to California as a way forward.”

On Trump’s mismanagement of the protests in Los Angeles:

“Law enforcement on the ground knows the community, and the community knows LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department. This is just a reminder that what happens when you don’t know what you’re doing as President United States, when you send in DHS, when you send in the National Guard, and they don’t know the community, they don’t have the rapport and the trust of the community, things get out of hand. And then the federal officials are in the position of having to call in LAPD to help them bring the temperature down in a situation, or the sheriff’s office in parts of the county outside the city of Los Angeles. It’s pointing out the weaknesses and the inability, the inexperience, and irresponsibility, frankly, of the Trump Administration.”

Video of the full interview is available here.

Senator Padilla also joined Los Angeles outlets KTLA and KNX tonight to discuss the fear and chaos the Trump Administration is stoking in Los Angeles and across California. On Friday, Padilla issued a statement condemning the Los Angeles ICE raids.
MIL OSI USA News –
June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI China: SCO film festival to kick off in China’s Chongqing

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

CHONGQING, June 9 — The 2025 SCO (the Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Film Festival will take place from July 3 to 7 in Yongchuan District, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, highlighting the latest advancements in film technology and production across member states, local authorities announced Monday.

The upcoming film festival aims to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between SCO member states, the municipal government said at a press conference.

The event will feature 11 major activities, including film screenings, cooperation forums, a film technology exhibition, and a gala concert. Ten awards will be presented at the event, including “best film” and “best director,” according to Qin Zhengui, deputy director of the China Film Administration.

The organizing committee has received 27 film submissions from SCO member states, with a curated selection to be screened during the event.

Yongchuan, located in the western part of Chongqing, has emerged as a burgeoning hub for film technology innovation in recent years. The district is now home to over 100 film and TV enterprises and boasts cutting-edge production facilities, including a 3,000-square-meter virtual production stage and a 5,000-square-meter standardized soundstage.

MIL OSI China News –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security

Dstl has trialled an underwater robot which can prevent adversaries from sabotaging undersea cables and pipelines by disarming or removing threats.
An underwater robot could soon be saving lives at sea for the Royal Navy and prevent adversaries from sabotaging undersea cables and pipelines.

A commercially available remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been adapted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and industry partners to deal with sabotage threats and clear legacy unexploded ordnance. These present hazards to both vessels and divers deployed to deal with them.

Dstl has incorporated or developed a number of systems to enable the ROV to detect unexploded ordnance and remotely place explosive charges to enable safe neutralization.

Dstl explosives engineer John said:

“This technology would be a valuable toolset for keeping our Armed Forces safe whilst providing the public with value for money.

This unique capability with its sensors, tools and cameras will give operators a real time ability to deal with these underwater hazards in a safe, effective and efficient way.”

The robot can operate at depths greater than divers can reach, and it can also work there safely for much longer.

Underwater Robot Deploys Remote Explosive

The new technology and systems developed will work in partnership with other robots to scan the seabed for hazards and will be able to deal with them once one is spotted.

The robot can be launched from a ship or a shoreline and is operated remotely, feeding video and sonar images back to the operators.

They will then be able to remotely deal with underwater hazards in relative safety.

The robot is not normally destroyed, which means it can be used multiple times giving the public better value for money in addition to the economic benefits of partnering with industry. This project supports numerous specialist jobs in industry.

Our specialists work closely with Royal Navy specialists to develop tactics and techniques as well as technology.

Trials have taken place at:

Horsea Island in Portsmouth

Portland Harbour

South Wales

Norway

Alford Technologies, Atlantas Marine, Sonardyne and ECS Special Projects are among the industry partners involved.

This Royal Navy funded project has developed a number of cutting-edge technologies that have been tested in successful trials.

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Published 9 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 9, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Palestinian supporters in NZ accuse Israel of ‘state piracy’ and condemn silence

Asia Pacific Report

Israel’s military attack and boarding of the humanitarian boat Madleen attempting to deliver food and medical aid to the besieged people of Gaza has been condemned by New Zealand Palestinian advocacy groups as a “staggering act of state piracy”.

The vessel was in international waters, carrying aid workers, doctors, journalists, and supplies desperately needed by the 2 million population that Israel has systematically bombed, starved, and displaced.

“This was not a military confrontation. It was the assault of an unarmed civilian aid ship by a state acting with total impunity,” said the group Thyme4Action.

“This is piracy, it is state terror, and it is a genocidal act of war.

Half of the 12 crew and passengers on board are French citizens and the volunteer group includes French-Palestinian European parliamentarian Rima Hassan and Swedish climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg and two journalists.

They all made pre-recorded messages calling for international pressure on their governments against the Israeli state. The messages were posted on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition X page.

The group Thyme4Action said in a media release that a regime engaged in genocide would send sends drones and armed commandos to detain civilians in international waters.

Israel’s ‘total moral collapse’
“We are witnessing the total moral collapse of a state, supported for years by Western governments to act with utter impunity, violate our global legal system, morality and principles.

“No amount of spin or military propaganda can hide the cruelty of deliberately starving a population, targeting children, bombing hospitals and bakeries, and then violently stopping others from bringing aid.”

Thyme4Action said the attack on the Madleen was not a separate incident — “it is part of the same campaign to eliminate Palestinian life, hope, and survival. It is why the International Court of Justice has already ruled that Israel is plausibly committing genocide.”

“This is not complicated,” said the statement.

French journalist Yanis Mhandi on board the Madleen . . . “I’ve been detained by Israeli forces while doing my job as a journalist.” Image: FFC screenshot APR

“Israel has no legal authority in international waters. Under the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Israel’s boarding of a civilian aid ship beyond its territorial waters is an act of piracy, unlawful kidnapping, forcible abduction and armed
aggression.

Under international humanitarian law, deliberately blocking aid to a population facing
starvation is a war crime.

Under the Genocide Convention, when a state intentionally denies food, water, and
medicine to a population it is bombing and displacing, this constitutes part of a genocidal
campaign.”

NZ silence condemned
The advocacy group condemned the silence of the New Zealand government as being “no longer neutral”.

The moment that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition lost communications with the Madleen as Israeli forces attacked the vessel. Image: FFC

It demonstrated a shocking lack of respect for international law, for human rights, and for the safety of global humanitarian workers.

“It reflects a broader decay in foreign policy — where selective outrage and Israeli
exceptionalism undermine the credibility of everything New Zealand claims to stand for.”

Thyme4Action called on the New Zealand government to:

• Publicly condemn Israel’s illegal assault on the Madleen and its passengers;
• Demand the immediate release of all aid workers, journalists, and civilians
abducted by Israeli forces;
• Suspend all diplomatic, military, and trade cooperation with Israel until it complies
with international law; and
• Support international accountability mechanisms, including referring Israel’s crimes
to the International Criminal Court and backing enforcement of the ICJ’s provisional
measures on genocide.

“This has to stop. This is not just a crisis in Gaza,” said the statement.

‘Crisis of global morality’
“It is a crisis of global morality, of international law, and of our basic shared humanity.

“We stand with the people of Gaza. We stand with the brave souls aboard the Madleen, and
we demand an end to this madness before the world forgets what it means to be human.

“We need a government that stands for all that is right, not all that is wrong.

“Aid is not terrorism. International waters are not Israel’s territory. And silence in the face of evil is complicity.”

Pro-Palestinian supporters in New Zealand have held protests against the genocide and demanding a ceasefire right across the country at multiple locations for the past 87 weeks.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 9, 2025
Ayushman Bharat scheme led to historic development in health in last 11 years: Nadda

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The flagship Ayushman Bharat – Jan Arogya scheme has led to historic development in the health sector in the last 11 years, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday.

In a post on X, Nadda elucidated the progress made by the country in various fields under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the last decade.

“In the last 11 years, there has been historic development in all areas, including education, health, transport, infrastructure, and defense,” Nadda said.

The Union Minister noted how every section of society has been uplifted due to unprecedented initiatives, such as the “Ayushman Bharat – Jan Arogya” by the government.

As of May 30, more than 41.02 crore Ayushman Cards have been created in 33 states and union territories.

The AB-PMJAY has emerged as one of the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance schemes. It has enabled 8.59 crore hospital admissions worth Rs 1,19,858 crore, ensuring access to secondary and tertiary care without pushing families into debt, according to an official statement by the government.

Further, the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras rose to 16,469, as of May 30, from just 80 in 2014. It brought essential medicines within reach of the common citizen.

“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India has made remarkable progress in every field in the last 11 years. From becoming the fourth largest economy globally to international diplomacy, unprecedented work has been done on the upliftment of every section including farmers, women, youth, elderly, laborers, businessmen, infrastructure development, and inclusive policies,” Nadda said.

Other initiatives that contributed to the growth of the country include Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM Jan Dhan, Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi, self-help groups, and self-employment scheme.

These have uplifted “crores of citizens across the country to come out of the poverty line and live a life of dignity,” the Minister said.

He stated that the 11 years of the Modi government have been dedicated to “service, good governance and welfare of the poor”, which is enabling the country to rapidly progress towards building a ‘developed India’.

(With inputs from IANS)

June 9, 2025
India celebrates 11 years of PM Modi’s leadership: A decade of transformative governance and inclusive growth

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 11 years at the helm of the Indian government, the nation reflects on a decade defined by unprecedented transformation, inclusive development, and governance rooted in the spirit of Seva (service).

Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has not only surged economically and technologically but also redefined its global standing and internal governance priorities. The slogan 11 Years of Seva has come to symbolize a period of speed, scale, and selfless public service, touching every section of Indian society—from farmers to youth, from marginalized communities to women, and from remote villages to global forums.

India’s GDP has more than tripled over the last decade—from ₹105 lakh crore ($2.1 trillion) in 2013–14 to over ₹330 lakh crore ($4.2 trillion) in 2024–25. The country’s export capacity saw a 91% surge, hitting $890 billion in total exports this year. Initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes attracted ₹1.61 lakh crore in investments and created over 11.5 lakh jobs across 14 sectors.

Infrastructure witnessed massive upgrades. National highway length grew from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2024. Operational airports more than doubled to 157. In the Northeast alone, ₹81,000 crore has been invested in railway projects, with 1,728 km commissioned—up 159% from the previous decade.

Agriculture saw a budgetary increase of nearly six times, with Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) rising substantially for major crops. Over ₹3.68 lakh crore has been directly transferred to over 11 crore farmers under PM-KISAN, while institutional credit to agriculture nearly tripled.

Women emerged as key stakeholders in this growth journey. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has secured one-third reservation for women in legislatures, and women now constitute 43% of STEMM enrollments and over 2 crore MSME entrepreneurs. Self-help groups (SHGs) have grown to 90.9 lakh, transforming grassroots leadership.

Health and Digital Transformation

Healthcare underwent a seismic shift. Ayushman Bharat has issued over 36 crore health cards, saving citizens ₹1.25 lakh crore in medical costs. India added nearly 400 new medical colleges, doubled MBBS seats, and saw a sharp decline in maternal and infant mortality rates.

Telemedicine service eSanjeevani delivered over 36 crore consultations—making it the world’s largest digital health platform. Aadhaar-enabled DBT schemes transferred over ₹43 lakh crore directly to beneficiaries, while UPI transactions crossed ₹214 lakh crore, with India now handling nearly half of global real-time payments.

Global Positioning and Defence Prowess

India has transitioned from a major arms importer to an emerging defence exporter, with defence exports soaring from ₹1,941 crore in 2014 to ₹23,662 crore in 2024. Indigenous platforms like the Vande Bharat trains and advanced defence drones have solidified India’s technological edge.

India’s role on the global stage also evolved, leading humanitarian missions like Operation Ganga, Brahma, Kaveri, and Vande Bharat to rescue citizens and deliver aid globally.

Sustainability and Green Growth

The green revolution under PM Modi’s governance is visible in the 3,400% rise in solar power capacity (from 2.82 GW to 100+ GW), the planting of over 142 crore trees, and the creation of 282 new protected ecological areas. The ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to position India as a global clean energy hub.

Peace and Integration in the Northeast

Violence in the Northeast has reduced significantly—insurgency-related incidents fell by 70%, and over 10,500 insurgents have surrendered. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been revoked in large parts of the region, as development replaces discord. PM Modi has visited the region 78 times—more than all previous prime ministers combined.

Youth, Innovation, and Digital Bharat

With 1.61 lakh startups recognized and India now ranking third globally in the unicorn count, the youth have become central to India’s innovation ecosystem. Over 2.27 crore youth have been trained under Skill India, and more than ₹2 lakh crore has been invested in their skilling and employment.

India’s digital backbone also saw remarkable growth—with average data usage per person rising 325 times, from 70 MB in 2014 to 22.8 GB in 2025, and mobile phone production scaling from 5.8 crore units to over 33 crore annually.

From eradicating open defecation and improving healthcare access to transforming India into a startup and manufacturing powerhouse, the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have laid the foundation for a Viksit Bharat (developed India).

June 9, 2025
Modi 3.0 driving new India towards security, self-reliance and development: Amit Shah

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, is moving decisively towards becoming a secure, self-reliant, and developed nation.

In a post on X, Amit Shah highlighted the achievements of the Modi government over the past 11 years, stating that the era has marked a significant transformation in India’s internal security and national confidence.

“’11 Years of Seva’ has also proved to be a milestone for national security. Naxalism is on its last legs, peace has been established in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, and India now responds to terrorist attacks by entering terrorists’ homes. This shows the changing picture of India under the Modi government,” Shah wrote.

He further asserted that with the beginning of Modi 3.0, the nation is “rapidly progressing towards development and self-reliance with the power of reform, perform and transform.” The Home Minister said that the vision for India becoming number one across all sectors remains steadfast and will continue to bring “positive changes in the lives of the countrymen”.

Earlier on Sunday, addressing the state, district, and mandal-level office bearers of the Tamil Nadu BJP in Madurai, Shah extended his remarks, calling 2024 a “historic milestone” for the BJP and its dedicated cadre.

“It is a truly remarkable year, as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji secured a third consecutive term, an extraordinary achievement,” he said.

Shah noted the BJP’s first-ever majority government in Odisha, describing it as a “historic mandate” in a state, where the party had never previously held strong support. He also highlighted significant victories in Haryana and Maharashtra, where the BJP returned to power and secured its biggest-ever win, respectively.

Looking ahead, Shah pointed to a political turning point in 2025, where the BJP ousted Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP government to establish its own in Delhi after a gap of 27 years. He also forecasted political transformations in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2026, expressing confidence that both states are on the path toward forming NDA-led governments.

With the Modi government completing its 11 years, Home Minister Shah underlined a renewed push for national security, development, and political expansion, reinforcing the BJP’s mission of building a ‘New India’ through what he called the mantra of “Reform, Perform, and Transform”.

(With inputs from IANS)

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: The blow-up between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been entertaining, but how did things go so bad, so fast?

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney

A no-holds-barred and very public blow-up between the world’s richest man and the president of the United States has had social media agog in recent days, with each making serious accusations against the other.

And while tech billionaire Elon Musk appears to have cooled the spat somewhat – deleting some of his more incendiary social media posts about Donald Trump – the president still appears to be in no mood to make up, warning Musk of “very serious consequences” if he backs Democrats at the mid-term elections in 2026.

Tensions erupted over Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB). The OBBB proposes extensive tax cuts which could add roughly US$3 trillion (A$4.62 trillion) to the US national debt.

After stepping down from his role as advisor to Trump, Musk criticised the OBBB as “disgusting abomination” that would “burden America [sic] citizens with crushing unsustainable debt”. Trump returned fire, suggesting “Elon was ‘wearing thin’, I asked him to leave […] and he just went CRAZY!”.

In a dramatic escalation, Musk responded by calling for Trump’s impeachment. Musk also tweeted allegations that Trump was implicated in the Epstein files related to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has since deleted those tweets.

Why has the much-hyped “bromance” between Musk and Trump suddenly ended? And what was the basis of their alliance in the first place?

Musk in politics

Like many billionaires, Musk had previously been hesitant to get involved in frontline politics. He says he voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020, but claimed in 2021 “I would prefer to stay out of politics”.

In early 2024, Musk was still claiming to be politically non-aligned, suggesting he would not donate to either presidential campaign.

This apparent neutrality ended following the attempted assassination of Trump at a July 2024 campaign rally, with Musk immediately endorsing Trump.

In reality, Musk’s conversion to the MAGA movement long predated the assassination attempt. Musk’s hyperactive Twitter/X account shows a steady radicalisation.

Across 2020-2024, Musk engaged with accounts sharing MAGA and far-right conspiracy theories. These include the antisemitic Great Replacement Theory, and the related South African white genocide conspiracy. Musk’s posts also show the obsession with opposing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies characteristic of the MAGA movement.

After endorsing Trump, Musk spent US$288 million (A$444 million) supporting Trump’s election and appeared at campaign events around the country.

Musk’s support for Trump was both ideological and pragmatic.

From tax cuts to immigration restrictions to opposing DEI, there were clearly many ideological commonalities between Musk and Trump.

There were also clear practical benefits for both men. Trump gained the financial backing of the world’s wealthiest man. Musk gained not only unparalleled access to the US president, but also a role leading the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

DOGE: success and failure

Early reporting on the second Trump presidency noted the omnipresence of Musk, who at one point moved into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to be close to the president.

However, observers were sceptical about the potential effectiveness of DOGE, and Musk’s claim it would save the government US$2 trillion (A$3.02 trillion).

In the early months of the Trump administration, Musk cut government programs and employees at a remarkable rate. The USAID program was particularly hard hit, as were the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

As the spending cuts picked up pace, Musk began to attract more controversy. Critics questioned the apparent power wielded by the unelected billionaire. Musk’s ties to the far right were also in the spotlight after he appeared to perform two “Roman salutes”, which many observers believed to be a Nazi salute.

Trump clips Musk’s wings

Musk’s apparent rampage through government did not last long. As Trump’s executive appointees assumed control of their departments, Musk and DOGE experienced increasing resistance. After a series of fractious cabinet meetings, Trump reportedly reduced the power of DOGE in March.

Political attention was also clearly affecting Musk’s businesses. The negative publicity has significantly damaged the Tesla brand, leading to declining sales around the world and repeated falls in Telsa’s share price.

On May 1, Musk announced he would be leaving DOGE, claiming the department had saved the government US$180 billion (A$277 billion) in spending. This number is likely an exaggeration, but still falls well short of his original target.

Musk has learned a harsh lesson in politics – that the complexities of government resist simple reform and cannot be easily rolled back in the way a CEO might slim down a company.

For Trump, his manoeuvring of Musk appears to be another smart political move. As the public face of DOGE, Musk bore the negative rap for early government cuts and chaos. Having used his money and reputation, Trump dispensed with Musk as he has with so many advisers and appointees before.

The falling out

Musk departed his role in a muted White House ceremony, where Trump thanked him for his service and presented him with a ceremonial “golden key” to the White House.

However, behind the public show of civility, tension was brewing over Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

Trump and Musk had originally claimed that the US$2 trillion (A$3.02 trillion) in DOGE savings could be used to fund a substantial tax cut. With the efficiency savings not eventuating, Musk worried the OBBB would significantly increase US public debt.

Unable to convince Trump or other Republican legislators, Musk took to X, launching a “Kill the Bill” campaign that ultimately led to his incendiary showdown with Trump.

For his part, Trump has belittled Musk, suggesting Musk only opposed the OBBB because it cut subsidies for electric vehicles.

Though the subsidy cuts will affect Tesla, Musk has previously supported eliminating subsidies. Musk’s anger at the OBBB is more likely driven by the realisation he has been played by Trump.

What now?

Trump has used and discarded many other powerful figures in his chaotic political career. Musk has more power than most, and might be able to strike back at Trump.

Yet, with his public reputation and brands already tarnished, Musk would be ill-advised to pick further fights with Trump and his adoring MAGA movement.

Accordingly, Musk has indicated over the weekend he is open to a détente. Tesla investors will no doubt be relieved if Musk makes good on his pledge to step back from politics and return to his businesses.

More concerning are the prospects for democracy. With wealth and power continuing to concentrate in a handful of billionaires, voters appear reduced to the role of viewers forced to watch the reality TV drama unfold.

Though Trump appears to have won this round of billionaire battle royale, whatever happens next, democracy is the real loser.

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

– ref. The blow-up between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been entertaining, but how did things go so bad, so fast? – https://theconversation.com/the-blow-up-between-elon-musk-and-donald-trump-has-been-entertaining-but-how-did-things-go-so-bad-so-fast-258394

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Can Israel still claim self-defence to justify its Gaza war? Here’s what the law says

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University

On October 7 2023, more than 1,000 Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and went on a killing spree, murdering 1,200 men, women and children and abducting another 250 people to take back to Gaza. It was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

That day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country, “Israel is at war”. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) immediately began a military campaign to secure the release of the hostages and defeat Hamas. Since that day, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children.

Israel has maintained its response is justified under international law, as every nation has “an inherent right to defend itself”, as Netanyahu stated in early 2024.

This is based on the right to self-defence in international law, which is outlined in Article 51 of the 1945 United Nations Charter as follows:

Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations[…]

At the start of the war, many nations agreed Israel had a right to defend itself, but how it did so mattered. This would ensure its actions were consistent with international humanitarian law.

However, 20 months after the October 7 attacks, fundamental legal issues have arisen around whether this self-defence justification still holds.

Can Israel exercise self-defence ad infinitum? Or is it now waging a war of aggression against Palestine?

Self-defence in the law

Self-defence has a long history in international law.

The modern principles of self-defence were outlined in diplomatic exchanges over an 1837 incident involving an American ship, The Caroline, after it was destroyed by British forces in Canada. Both sides agreed that an exercise of self-defence would have required the British to demonstrate their conduct was not “unreasonable or excessive”.

The concept of self-defence was also extensively relied on by the Allies in the second world war in response to German and Japanese aggression.

Self-defence was originally framed in the law as a right to respond to a state-based attack. However, this scope has broadened in recent decades to encompass attacks from non-state actors, such as al-Qaeda following the September 11 2001 terror attacks.

Israel is a legitimate, recognised state in the global community and a member of the United Nations. Its right to self-defence will always remain intact when it faces attacks from its neighbours or non-state actors, such as Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

However, the right of self-defence is not unlimited. It is constrained by the principles of necessity and proportionality.

The necessity test was met in the current war due to the extreme violence of the Hamas attack on October 7 and the taking of hostages. These were actions that could not be ignored and demanded a response, due to the threat Israel continued to face.

The proportionality test was also met, initially. Israel’s military operation after the attack was strategic in nature, focused on the return of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas to eliminate the immediate threat the group posed.

The legal question now is whether Israel is still legitimately exercising self-defence in response to the October 7 attacks.

This is a live issue, especially given comments by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on May 30 that Hamas would be “annihilated” unless a proposed ceasefire deal was accepted.

These comments and Israel’s ongoing conduct throughout the war raise the question of whether proportionality is still being met.

A test of proportionality

The importance of proportionality in self-defence has been endorsed in recent years by the International Court of Justice.

Under international law, proportionality remains relevant throughout a conflict, not just in the initial response to an attack.

While the law allows a war to continue until an aggressor surrenders, it does not legitimise the complete destruction of the territory where an aggressor is fighting.

The principle of proportionality also provides protections for civilians. Military actions are to be directed at the foreign forces who launched the attack, not civilians.

While Israel has targeted Hamas fighters in its attacks, including those who orchestrated the October 7 attacks, these actions have caused significant collateral deaths of Palestinian civilians.

Therefore, taken overall, the ongoing, 20-month military assault against Hamas, with its high numbers of civilian casualties, credible reports of famine and devastation of Gazan towns and cities, suggests Israel’s exercise of self-defence has become disproportionate.

The principle of proportionality is also part of international humanitarian law. However, Israel’s actions on this front are a separate legal issue that has been the subject of investigation by the International Criminal Court.

My aim here is to solely assess the legal question of proportionality in self-defence and international law.

Is rescuing hostages in self-defence?

Israel could separately argue it is exercising legitimate self-defence to rescue the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

However, rescuing nationals as an exercise of self-defence is legally controversial. Israel set a precedent in 1976 when the military rescued 103 Jewish hostages from Entebbe, Uganda, after their aircraft had been hijacked.

In current international law, there are very few other examples in which this interpretation of self-defence has been adopted – and no international consensus on its use.

In Gaza, the size, scale and duration of Israel’s war goes far beyond a hostage rescue operation. Its aim is also to eliminate Hamas.

Given this, rescuing hostages as an act of self-defence is arguably not a suitable justification for Israel’s ongoing military operations.

An act of aggression?

If Israel can no longer rely on self-defence to justify its Gaza military campaign, how would its actions be characterised under international law?

Israel could claim it is undertaking a security operation as an occupying power.

While the International Court of Justice said in an advisory opinion last year that Israel was engaged in an illegal occupation of Gaza, the court expressly made clear it was not addressing the circumstances that had evolved since October 7.

Israel is indeed continuing to act as an occupying power, even though it has not physically reoccupied all of Gaza. This is irrelevant given the effective control it exercises over the territory.

However, the scale of the IDF’s operations constitute an armed conflict and well exceed the limited military operations to restore security as an occupying power.

Absent any other legitimate basis for Israel’s current conduct in Gaza, there is a strong argument that what is occurring is an act of aggression. The UN Charter and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court prohibit acts of aggression not otherwise justified under international law.

These include invasions or attacks by the armed forces of a state, military occupations, bombardments and blockades. All of this has occurred – and continues to occur – in Gaza.

The international community has rightly condemned Russia’s invasion as an act of aggression in Ukraine. Will it now do the same with Israel’s conduct in Gaza?

Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Can Israel still claim self-defence to justify its Gaza war? Here’s what the law says – https://theconversation.com/can-israel-still-claim-self-defence-to-justify-its-gaza-war-heres-what-the-law-says-257822

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 9, 2025
Does U.S. law allow Trump to send troops to quell protests?

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to California after two days of protests by hundreds of demonstrators against immigration raids, saying that the protests interfered with federal law enforcement and framing them as a possible “form of rebellion” against the authority of the U.S. government.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday said he had formally requested that the Trump Administration rescind “its unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County” and return them to his command.

WHAT LAWS DID TRUMP CITE TO JUSTIFY THE MOVE?

Trump cited Title 10 of the U.S. Code, a federal law that outlines the role of the U.S. Armed Forces, in his June 7 order to call members of the California National Guard into federal service.

A provision of Title 10 – Section 12406 – allows the president to deploy National Guard units into federal service if the U.S. is invaded, there is a “rebellion or danger of rebellion” or the president is “unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.”

WHAT ARE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS ALLOWED TO DO UNDER THE LAW CITED IN TRUMP’S ORDER?

An 1878 law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.

Section 12406 does not override that prohibition, but it allows the troops to protect federal agents who are carrying out law enforcement activity and to protect federal property.

For example, National Guard troops cannot arrest protesters, but they could protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who are carrying out arrests.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to assembly, freedom of speech and the press.

Experts have said that Trump’s decision to have U.S. troops respond to protests is an ominous sign for how far the president is willing to go to repress political speech and activity that he disagrees with or that criticizes his administration’s policies.

IS TRUMP’S MOVE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LEGAL CHALLENGES?

Four legal experts from both left- and right-leaning advocacy organizations have cast doubt on Trump’s use of Title 10 in response to immigration protests calling it inflammatory and reckless, especially without the support of California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has said Trump’s actions would only escalate tensions.

The protests in California do not rise to the level of “rebellion” and do not prevent the federal government from executing the laws of the United States, experts said.

Title 10 also says “orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States,” but legal experts said that language might not be an obstacle. Legislative history suggests that those words were likely meant to reflect the norms of how National Guard troops are typically deployed, rather than giving a governor the option to not comply with a president’s decision to deploy troops.

COULD CALIFORNIA SUE TO CHALLENGE TRUMP’S MOVE?

California could file a lawsuit, arguing that deployment of National Guard troops was not justified by Title 10 because there was no “rebellion” or threat to law enforcement. A lawsuit might take months to resolve, and the outcome would be uncertain. Because the protests may be over before a lawsuit is resolved, the decision to sue might be more of a political question than a legal one, experts said.

WHAT OTHER LAWS COULD TRUMP INVOKE TO DIRECT THE NATIONAL GUARD OR OTHER U.S MILITARY TROOPS?

Trump could take a more far-reaching step by invoking the Insurrection Act of 1792, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement, for which there is little recent precedent.

Casting protests as an “insurrection” that requires the deployment of troops against U.S. citizens would be riskier legal territory, one legal expert said, in part because mostly peaceful protests and minor incidents aren’t the sort of thing that the Insurrection Act were designed to address.

The Insurrection Act has been used by past presidents to deploy troops within the U.S. in response to crises like the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War. The law was last invoked by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, when the governor of California requested military aid to suppress unrest in Los Angeles following the Rodney King trial.

But, the last time a president deployed the National Guard in a state without a request from that state’s governor was 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson sent troops to protect civil rights demonstrators in Montgomery, Alabama.

(Reuters)

June 9, 2025
India’s inclusive development journey: 11 years of transformative social welfare under ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Marking eleven years of transformative governance under the banner of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” the Government of India has unveiled an extensive account of its welfare-driven initiatives that have reshaped the socio-economic landscape of the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), said, “Bharat is changing, and it is changing rapidly. People’s self-confidence, their trust in the government, and the commitment to build a new Bharat is visible everywhere.”

Over the past decade, the government has focused on complete saturation of welfare schemes, ensuring no eligible citizen is left behind. This approach has led to the expansion of access to essential services such as clean water, housing, electricity, sanitation, healthcare, and social security, significantly improving the lives of millions across the country.

The Jal Jeevan Mission has brought tap water to over 15.59 crore rural households, achieving full coverage in eight states and three union territories. In the housing sector, nearly 4 crore homes have been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), with over 90 lakh homes under the urban component now owned by women. Rural electrification has also seen remarkable progress, with 2.86 crore homes electrified under the SAUBHAGYA scheme. As a result, the average daily electricity supply in rural areas has risen from 12.5 hours in 2014 to 22.6 hours in 2025.

The Swachh Bharat Mission has transformed sanitation across India, resulting in the construction of 12 crore household toilets and the declaration of over 5.64 lakh villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus. In the realm of healthcare, the Ayushman Bharat scheme now covers 55 crore individuals, while the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme provides additional support for all citizens aged 70 and above. Free ration distribution through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) has benefited 81 crore citizens since its launch during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a financial commitment of ₹11.80 lakh crore until 2028.

Efforts to ensure clean cooking fuel have reached a milestone with 10.33 crore LPG connections distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Additionally, the PM SVANidhi scheme has extended loans to 68 lakh street vendors, helping formalize 76.28 lakh vendors into the economic mainstream. In the field of entrepreneurship, India now boasts 1.57 lakh recognized startups and 118 unicorns, reflecting the vibrancy of its innovation ecosystem. Worker welfare has also been strengthened, with more than 30.86 crore unorganised workers registered on the eShram portal, of whom over half are women.

India’s anti-poverty efforts have been globally recognized. The World Bank’s Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief reports that 171 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, with the rate falling from 16.2 percent in 2011–12 to just 2.3 percent in 2022–23. The UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index also shows a dramatic decline from 53.8 percent in 2005–06 to 16.4 percent in 2019–21, underscoring gains in health, education, and living standards.

Rural consumption indicators further reflect these improvements. The average monthly per capita expenditure in rural areas has nearly tripled, increasing from ₹1,430 in 2011–12 to ₹4,122 in 2023–24. Urban spending has shown similar growth, rising from ₹2,630 to ₹6,996 in the same period.

The government’s empowerment initiatives have particularly benefitted women, artisans, and marginalized communities. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has disbursed ₹33.33 lakh crore in loans to over 52 crore accounts, with 68 percent allocated to women. The Stand-Up India scheme continues to support SC/ST and women entrepreneurs through substantial bank financing. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana has provided toolkits, collateral-free loans, and training support to 2.37 million artisans. Meanwhile, the Lakhpati Didi initiative, aiming to make three crore rural women economically self-reliant, builds on the success of over 10 crore women joining self-help groups nationwide.

Social security has expanded through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), which now offers assured monthly pensions to 51.35 lakh unorganised workers. Insurance schemes PMJJBY and PMSBY cover over 75 crore citizens, offering low-cost life and accident insurance.

Inclusivity remains a central pillar of the government’s approach. Sixty percent of current Union Ministers hail from minority communities. Nearly 44 percent of rural homes built under PMAY-G have been allotted to SC/ST households. More than half of all scholarship recipients come from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds. In education, the number of Eklavya Model Residential Schools sanctioned for tribal students has grown fourfold since 2014, now totaling 477. Eleven Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums are being developed to honor the contributions of tribal leaders, while Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is celebrated annually to commemorate the legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

To improve last-mile delivery, the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has reached 2.6 lakh gram panchayats and over 4,000 urban bodies across the country, promoting the saturation of welfare schemes. The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), focused on 112 of India’s most backward districts, has already shown measurable improvements in key sectors like health, education, and basic infrastructure.

As Bharat approaches its centenary of independence, the government reiterates its commitment to building a developed, inclusive, and self-reliant nation. The results of the past eleven years, driven by policy innovation, data-driven governance, and community participation, represent not only progress but a vision of Viksit Bharat that is within reach.

June 9, 2025
PM Modi highlights 11 years of transformative governance, invites citizens to explore India’s journey via NaMo App

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted India’s extraordinary development trajectory over the past eleven years, attributing the nation’s transformation to the power of good governance and the collective efforts of 140 crore citizens.

Reflecting on the achievements of the NDA Government, the Prime Minister stated that the past decade has seen rapid changes across diverse sectors, driven by the guiding philosophy of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. He emphasized that India’s progress has been marked by scale, speed, and sensitivity—making development both inclusive and people-centric.

“From economic growth to social upliftment, our focus has been all-round and inclusive,” Shri Modi said. “India today is not only the fastest-growing major economy but also a key voice in the global arena, particularly on issues like climate action and digital innovation.”

He further noted that these eleven years have significantly improved the “Ease of Living” for citizens, ushering in a new era of governance that is transparent, accountable, and transformative.

Proud of the collective achievements but with an eye on the future, the Prime Minister said, “We look ahead with hope, confidence, and a renewed resolve to build a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).”

To bring the story of India’s transformation closer to the people, PM Modi encouraged citizens to engage with the NaMo App, which offers an interactive experience of the government’s journey. The app features games, quizzes, surveys, and multimedia content that showcases the country’s progress across sectors.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister shared links to the government’s “Vikas Yatra,” urging citizens to explore the curated content that includes infographics, articles, and videos on the NaMo App and official website. The initiative is part of the broader campaign marking #11YearsOfSeva.

Through these platforms, the Prime Minister aims to deepen public understanding of India’s development story and inspire greater citizen participation as the country moves forward with its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

June 9, 2025
Australia favourites to retain WTC crown against South Africa

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord’s, starting on Wednesday.

The five-day clash comes on the heels of a plethora of limited overs cricket over the last five months and both teams have been scrambling to prepare for a high-profile return to the red-ball game.

Australia have not played a test since beating Sri Lanka in Galle in February when they made sure of a top-two finish in the standings from results for the 2023-25 WTC cycle.

South Africa were assured of top place when they won their last test against Pakistan at home in January to book a first-ever finals appearance.

It came on the back of a run of seven successive wins, but the fact they did not play against the Aussies or England has seen their achievement dismissed as too easy.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said they reached the final “on the back of beating pretty much nobody,” which was a result of the lopsided test schedule where Australia, England, and India dominate and South Africa elect to play more financially lucrative limited-overs internationals.

But an upset win for South Africa could change that.

“It’s the biggest thing in this team’s existence. It’s the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment,” said their coach Shukri Conrad.

SELECTION CHOICES

Australia have been warming up with training sessions at Beckenham in Kent as they grapple with selection choices.

They must pick between Scott Boland or Josh Hazlewood to join skipper Pat Cummins, left-armer Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon in the attack’

The top batting order is likely to be changed with Cameron Green set to return for his first test in more than a year. He will likely bat third with Marnus Labuschagne opening alongside Usman Khawaja, while Steve Smith will come in at No. 4.

South Africa’s planned four-day warm-up scrimmage with Zimbabwe at Arundel last week was largely washed out but did hint at Wiaan Mulder moving up the order to No.3 in a batting lineup that has been inconsistent over the last two years.

Their hopes rest instead on a fiery bowling attack where Kagiso Rabada features after serving a one-month ban for recreational drug use.

Australia won the last WTC final by beating India at The Oval two years ago. New Zealand were the inaugural winners in 2021.

(Reuters)

June 9, 2025
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik congratulates PM Modi for completing 11 years in office

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Renowned sand artist and Padma awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik, on Sunday, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 11 years of leadership, through a sand sculpture with the message “11 Years of Modi Era: A Jan Sevak’s journey to Build Viksit Bharat” at Puri beach in Odisha.

Pattnaik created the six-feet-high sand sculpture using about five tons of sand to congratulate PM Modi. Students from his sand art institution helped him in making the sculpture.

He posted on X, “Congratulations to our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji on completing 11 years. Sir, you have shaped history with your leadership and unwavering commitment to the nation. Your vision of a Viksit Bharat continues to inspire us all. Sharing my sand art from Puri Beach, Odisha, dedicated to this milestone.”

He said, “This message stands not just as a sculpture in sand, but as a symbol of progress, and a shared dream of Viksit Bharat. Over the past decade, under his dynamic guidance, India has witnessed a historic era of growth and renewal – from world-class infrastructure and revolutionary digital transformation to bold economic reforms, grassroots empowerment, and global diplomacy”.

“People from across the country congratulated the Prime Minister for his 11 years of journey. We express our heartfelt gratitude to our Prime Minister for his tireless leadership, unwavering commitment, and transformative vision that has reshaped the destiny of our Nation,” Pattnaik added.

Riding on the massive popularity across the country, PM Modi ended the 30-year era of coalition politics in India in 2014.

PM Modi has recently highlighted various pathbreaking steps taken by his government for the upliftment of people from poverty and its focus on empowerment, infrastructure, and inclusion as well as women empowerment during the last 11 years.

Notably, PM Modi also has the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat, with his term spanning from October 2001 to May 2014.

(With inputs from IANS)

June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Palestine Forum of New Zealand Calls for Safe Passage of Madleen and Urgent Sanctions Against Israel
Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the violent interception of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel attempting to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza, by the Israeli military. We demand the immediate safe passage of the vessel and call upon the New Zealand Government to urgently implement meaningful sanctions against Israel for its ongoing war crimes and illegal occupation of Palestine.

“The Madleen was carrying life-saving aid to a population enduring unimaginable suffering under Israel’s illegal siege. Its interception is a flagrant violation of international law and a direct attack on humanitarian principles,” said a spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand.

The unlawful blockade of Gaza — now in its 18th year — has turned the region into what human rights organisations have described as the world’s largest open-air prison. The systematic denial of aid, food, water, fuel, and medical supplies is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign of collective punishment against the Palestinian people.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand reiterates the following urgent demands:

Immediate safe passage for the Madleen and all humanitarian vessels to Gaza.

The New Zealand Government is to impose targeted sanctions against Israel, including an end to military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation.

Support for the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill and pressure on Parliament to prioritise it for debate.

Active support for international legal mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“Aotearoa cannot remain silent while innocent people are bombed, starved, and denied medical care. New Zealand has a proud history of standing on the side of justice — from opposing apartheid in South Africa to advocating for nuclear-free policies. It’s time our government showed the same moral courage for Palestine,” the spokesperson added.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand stands in unwavering solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen crew, and the people of Gaza. It will continue to amplify the call for justice, dignity, and the right of return for all Palestinians.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand
MIL OSI New Zealand News –
June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: From whisper to warrant: $4.4 million of illicit tobacco seized
Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), with support from Victoria Police, has seized and destroyed over 20 tonnes of illicit tobacco from a property North-East of Shepparton, Victoria.

On Thursday 5 June a search warrant revealed a mature tobacco crop spanning nearly 6 acres, the equivalent of approximately 456 tennis courts. Officers also seized several trays of tobacco seedlings from the property.

The estimated excise value of the illicit tobacco uncovered under Operation Ocean is $4.4 million.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins commended the results of the operation, with the destruction of tobacco crops showing the ATO’s removing illicit tobacco from the community.

‘Detecting, disrupting and dismantling the illicit tobacco trade is a priority for the ATO.’

‘These operations are run by criminal syndicates, not farmers or producers. They put the Australian community at risk when they use profits from these activities to fund other serious crimes.’

‘Involvement in illicit tobacco production is a serious offence. There are hefty penalties for possessing, selling, buying, manufacturing, or producing illicit tobacco, including jail terms for up to 10 years imprisonment.’

‘This type of activity takes vital money away from the community and places it directly into the hands of organised criminals who mistakenly think they can sail under the radar,’ Ms Hawkins said.

Operation Ocean adds to the 90 completed illicit tobacco operational activities between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2024.

‘A wave of illicit tobacco has been stopped in its tracks, with this warrant activity surfacing thanks to a tip-off from the community,’ Ms Hawkins said.

Community tip-offs are one of the ATO’s best sources of information as they provide crucial information to assist in the fight against illicit tobacco.

It’s illegal to grow tobacco in Australia without the appropriate excise licence and currently no one is licensed to do so.

Signs that land is being used to grow, manufacture or produce illicit tobacco include:
- construction activities along creeks and rivers on private and public land
- unexplained and potentially unlawful use of water resources
- vans with no markings being loaded with cardboard boxes, at odd hours of the day and night
- the sound of machinery running overnight
- excessive security measures such as cameras, locks or guards.
If you suspect that illicit tobacco is being grown, manufactured, or sold in your community, you can confidentially report it to the ATO online at ato.gov.au/tipoff, or phone 1800 060 062.

Visit ato.gov.au/illicittobacco to learn more about the signs of tobacco plants and what to look out for in your community.

Images

Notes to journalists
- Between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2024, our Illicit Tobacco team completed 90 operational activities. These included 19 Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (whole of government) operations, 31 ATO specific operations and 40 state law enforcement support operations.
- These operations resulted in:
  - 627 acres of illicit tobacco crops located, seized and destroyed with a total weight of 3,746,240 kilograms
  - 39,224 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco located, seized and destroyed
  - 21,759,340 cigarettes located, seized and destroyed
  - total estimated equivalent tobacco duty foregone value of above $723 million.
- From July 2018 to January 2025 there have been 30 convictions by the ATO for illicit tobacco with sentences ranging up to 3 years imprisonment.
- A high-resolution headshotThis link will download a file of Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins is available for download from our media centre.
- ATO stock footage and images are available for use in news bulletins from our media centre.
MIL OSI News –
June 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Republic of Latvia: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

Source: IMF – News in Russian

June 8, 2025

A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

Washington, DC – June 9, 2025

Latvia’s economy is navigating a complex global environment while addressing structural challenges at home. Geoeconomic fragmentation, geopolitical tensions, higher trade barriers and trade policy uncertainty, and labor and skills shortages are adding to challenges to productivity growth. Meanwhile, Latvia faces significant medium- and long-term spending pressures driven by population aging, defense needs, and investments for energy security. To address these spending needs, staff recommends the mobilization of additional revenue and the acceleration of structural fiscal reforms. Improving pension adequacy requires strengthening the second and third pillars of the pension system. The authorities should continue to monitor risks in the financial sector, including banks’ exposure to the commercial real estate sector, and reassess the solidarity contribution on banks. To strengthen resilience and growth—which will also support public finances—the authorities should consider measures to boost productivity. These include increasing the quantity and quality of corporate investment (e.g., by improving firms’ access to finance), supporting the reallocation of labor and capital toward higher value-added products and services, and enhancing digital technology adoption in traditional sectors.

Outlook and Risks

Growth is projected to rebound in 2025. Real GDP growth is projected to recover to about 1 percent in 2025, underpinned mainly by higher public investment, but also a recovery in private consumption and a gradual recovery of external demand. Headline inflation is projected to increase to about 3 percent in 2025, reflecting higher energy prices in the early months of 2025 and higher food prices, and core inflation is expected to moderate but remain above headline reflecting persistent services inflation.

Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. Rising geopolitical tensions, and higher tariffs and trade policy uncertainty may dampen the recovery. Although direct trade and financial exposures to the United States are small, weaker demand in key European trading partners and lower consumer and business confidence could affect economic and financial stability through financial contagion. Other downside risks to growth include a further slowdown of growth in Latvia’s trading partners, delays in the absorption of EU funds, new increases in global energy and food prices, and an increase in electricity prices. At the same time, a strong economic recovery in Latvia’s main trading partners, a boost in confidence from improved security, a faster-than-expected disbursement of EU funds, and a swift implementation of structural reforms may contribute to higher-than-expected economic growth. Latvia has a strong track record, solid commitment to fiscal discipline, and strong fiscal institutions. Despite that, the fiscal balance is subject to downside risks from higher spending in defense, contingent liabilities with state-owned enterprisesthat could be in excess of the Fiscal Safety Reserve, and higher capital expenditure with large infrastructure projects.

Fiscal Policy: Addressing Public Spending Pressures

The moderately expansionary budget in 2025 is appropriate, given the currently negative output gap. The headline fiscal deficit is projected to increase to about 3 percent of GDP in 2025, because of higher defense and investment spending needs. At the same time, the 2025 budget includes tax reforms to simplify the personal income tax that will generate minimal revenue gains.

Latvia’s government faces significant medium- and long-term spending pressures.These include rising costs for pensions and health care, increased defense spending, and investments for energy security. The government has recently committed to increasing defense spending to 5 percent of GDP from 2026 onwards. In the absence of measures to raise fiscal revenues and reprioritize government spending, Latvia’s structural fiscal deficit (including one-off expenses) is projected to average about 3 percent of GDP in the medium-term. This would raise public debt close to 50 percent of GDP in 2030, eroding fiscal space and limiting the authorities’ ability to address large adverse shocks in the future.

Going forward, the authorities should proactively preserve fiscal buffers. Staff estimates that bringing public debt to its pre-Covid level of 40 percent of GDP in 2030 requires a fiscal consolidation of about ½ percent of GDP per year between 2026 and 2030.

The government should therefore mobilize additional revenue. Revenue measures could include (i) strengthening tax compliance; (ii) broadening the bases of corporate and personal income taxes (e.g., by reducing the shadow economy); (iii) continuing to improve VAT collection efficiency through further narrowing the compliance gap; (iv) reducing tax exemptions and fossil fuel subsidies; and (v) raising property tax revenue. The government should also consider improving the efficiency of public spending by further improving procurement, eradicating rent-seeking activities, simplifying regulation, reducing bureaucracy, and increasing the efficiency of public administration and public investment management.

The government should adopt measures to support medium- and long-term pressures arising from higher spending with pensions. The government needs a comprehensive approach to improve pension adequacy while ensuring the financial balance of the pension system. This may include pursuing active labor market policies to increase labor force participation, incentivizing pensioners to work, and linking the retirement ages to future life expectancy gains. The authorities should also strengthen pension adequacy by increasing the contribution rates and the returns to the mandatory defined contribution pension pillar and strengthening incentives for higher voluntary savings for retirement through a more flexible and accessible system design.

Financial Policies: Countering Risks and Building Resilience in the Financial Sector

The authorities should monitor loan exposure to commercial real estate (CRE) and reassess the solidarity contribution on banks. If remaining in place for long, the solidarity contribution could distort bank lending toward less productive uses such as real estate and reduce lending to corporates. This is because banks can spread the increased tax costs over the full term of a mortgage, unlike for corporate loans which have shorter maturities. Considering structural changes in the office CRE segment globally, and given that loans to the CRE sector are around 31 percent of banks’ total corporate loan portfolio, CRE developments should be closely monitored.

The macroprudential policy stance remains broadly appropriate. The implementation of a positive neutral countercyclical capital buffer requirement, which will be raised to 1 percent in June 2025, helps build up releasable macroprudential buffers. However, the looser debt-to-income and debt service-to-income limits implemented in 2024 to promote loans for the purchase of energy-efficient housing should be reconsidered. Latvia has made further progress in strengthening its AML/CFT framework.

Structural Reforms: Policies to Boost Investment and Productivity

Latvia’s low productivity growth is driven by sluggish capital accumulation and an inefficient allocation of productive resources. The low capital stock results from inadequate investment in part driven by financial constraints and low risk-adjusted expected returns. Structural bottlenecks like costly and lengthy insolvency processes (despite improvements) or limited occupational and regional mobility of the labor force have hindered the flow of resources from low- to high-productivity firms. Boosting productivity would help to increase the tax base and sustainably lift incomes, while preserving Latvia’s external competitiveness.

Corporate reforms can improve capital allocation and enhance access to finance. Insolvency reforms with a focus on micro companies and timely initiation of insolvency cases that facilitate the exit of firms that are not economically viable could help to reallocate resources to more viable businesses. Initiatives to develop the capital market could help improve the access to finance by smaller firms. Expanding venture capital and equity financing would improve access to finance, therefore boosting opportunities for startups and allowing young firms to scale up. All these reforms will be more successful if combined with deepening the EU’s single market, which will allow Latvia’s firms to leverage economies of scale and greatly improve access to capital markets.

Addressing labor and skills shortages would sustain investment and productivity growth in Latvia. High-quality education and training systems, and targeted upskilling and reskilling measures are key to reducing the labor and skills shortages, improving competitiveness, and boosting productivity. The facilitation of skilled migration and the use of targeted active labor market policies will also help to enhance participation in the labor market.

Product and service market reforms can enhance competition and productivity. The regulatory framework could be improved by reducing the use of retail price regulation, streamlining spatial planning and construction regulations, and further simplifying administrative procedures and digitalization efforts in the construction sector.

The authorities should enhance support for innovation, technology adoption, and digital transformation, as well as strengthen energy security. Despite a modest rise in the past decade, Latvia’s R&D spending as a share of GDP remains among the lowest in Europe, hampering innovation and productivity growth. The authorities should accelerate the digital transformation by centralizing the governance of digital platforms and systems in the public sector, expanding digital training to public employees, promoting digitalization in businesses and in the education sector, and enhancing the broadband infrastructure. Finally, Latvia should continue to enhance its energy security by increasing the share of renewable energy, including biomass, and improving interconnections to other European power grids.

An IMF team conducted meetings in Riga during May 26–June 6, 2025. The mission was led by Mr. Luis Brandao-Marques and includes Gianluigi Ferrucci, Bingjie Hu, and Keyra Primus (all EUR). Carlos Acosta and Anjum Rosha (all LEG) participated virtually in meetings. Gundars Davidsons (OED) participated in the meetings. The mission would like to thank the authorities for their open collaboration, generous availability, and the candid and constructive discussions.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Boris Balabanov

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/06/mcs060925-Latvia-Staff-Concluding-Statement-2025-Article-IV-Mission

MIL OSI

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June 9, 2025