Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa visits BMW Group

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, July 24, 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this morning attend a showcase of the successful implementation of the latest investment for production of the new BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle at the automaker’s plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria.

President Ramaphosa will deliver remarks at the end of his tour of the plant, where he will be accompanied only by BMW representatives.

Themed “BMW Group South Africa: Leading Today, Enabling Tomorrow”, the event marking the start of the new vehicle will highlight the firm’s commitment to strengthening South Africa’s economic vitality and advancing industrial innovation.

“The event will showcase the active partnership between industry and government – a collaboration essential for driving innovation, catalysing job creation, and propelling sustainable growth within South Africa’s automotive sector.

“It also demonstrates the BMW Group’s dedication to leading today through operational excellence and enabling tomorrow by strategically investing in the nation’s future,” the Presidency said of Thursday’s visit.

The new BMW X3 has been declared South Africa’s Car of the Year for 2025.

The BMW Group announced further investment in its plant operations in Rosslyn during the President’s Investment Conference held on 13 April 2023, as a commitment to South Africa.

BMW has a long history in the country, and its footprint has grown significantly over time. Its investment at the Rosslyn plant located in Gauteng dates back five decades.

The plant operations are also a significant anchor and justification for the continued operations of BMW in South Africa, including the National Sales Company, BMW Financial Services, and BMW IT Development Hub.

BMW and its supply chain sustain tens of thousands of livelihoods directly and indirectly as a result of BMW Group activities in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China releases new e-bike safety standards enforcement guidelines

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

BEIJING, July 24 — China has issued a set of guidelines ensuring the effective implementation of new mandatory national safety standards for electric bicycles (e-bikes), in an effort to improve regulation of this sector.

The document, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Public Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Fire and Rescue Administration, outlines comprehensive measures which apply across the industry chain.

There will be stricter oversight ranging from manufacturing to sales and registration, as well as the replacement of outdated vehicles, according to the guidelines.

This move comes amid growing safety concerns over substandard e-bikes and unauthorized modifications, stoked by incidents involving e-bike fires and traffic accidents in recent years — which were often linked to illegal retrofitting that can make e-bikes exceed speed limits.

To address these risks, China has already launched campaigns targeting safety hazards, while the new national standards will take effect on September 1.

Preliminary results have indicated positive progress. In the first half of 2025, the country recorded 7,048 e-bike-related fire incidents, a 44.7-percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

According to the MIIT, these guidelines aim to help manufacturers deliver compliant products to the market more quickly and accelerate the phasing out of non-conforming inventory. Efforts, notably, will be made to reinforce quality supervision endeavors and crack down on the production of non-compliant vehicles and illegal retrofitting.

Meanwhile, China will continue to offer subsidies aimed at encouraging consumers to replace outdated e-bikes. So far this year, nearly 9.06 million new e-bikes have been sold nationwide via the government trade-in program.

MIL OSI China News –

July 24, 2025
Supreme Court stays Bombay HC verdict acquitting 12 accused in 2006 Mumbai train blasts case

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday stayed a Bombay High Court judgment that acquitted 12 men convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, after the Maharashtra government argued that the ruling could undermine ongoing cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The court made it clear that its order would not affect the release of the 12 men, all of whom had already been freed following their acquittal.

A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh also issued notices to all 12 acquitted individuals and sought their responses to the state’s appeal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra government, told the court that the state was not seeking to reverse the release of the accused but was concerned about the broader implications of the High Court’s findings. Accepting the argument, the bench said the Bombay High Court’s ruling would not carry precedential value until further orders.

The High Court, in its judgment delivered on July 21, had overturned the 2015 convictions of the 12 men by a special MCOCA court. Five of the accused had been sentenced to death and the rest to life imprisonment. The court found that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt, describing the investigation as flawed and marred by procedural lapses.

Additionally, the court found serious issues with the reliability of eyewitness accounts.

On July 11, 2006, seven bombs exploded in packed Mumbai local trains, bringing the city to a standstill within 11 minutes.

The coordinated terror attack left 189 dead and over 800 injured.

July 24, 2025
Parliament Monsoon Session: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid sloganeering by Opposition

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The fourth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament saw continued disruption, with the Lok Sabha adjourned until 2 pm on Thursday following protests by Opposition members over the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

As the House convened at 11 am, Opposition MPs raised slogans and staged a noisy protest, demanding a debate on the Election Commission’s SIR initiative.

Speaker Om Birla repeatedly appealed for order, but the protests continued, forcing him to suspend proceedings early.

This marks the fourth consecutive day of disruptions in Parliament, with the Opposition pressing for discussions not only on the Bihar voter verification drive but also on the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Before the adjournment, Birla urged Opposition members to maintain decorum, saying the conduct in the House was falling short of expectations.

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the protest at Makar Dwar. Priyanka was seen holding a placard that read, “Democracy in Danger.”

Opposition leaders have alleged that the SIR exercise unfairly targets marginalised groups and migrant populations, calling it an attempt at “institutional voter cleansing.” Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion under Rule 56, describing the EC’s move as “unconstitutional” and an attack on the fundamental right to vote.

Outside Parliament, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh echoed these concerns, claiming that residents from Bihar and Purvanchal living in Delhi are being harassed and disenfranchised.

On Wednesday, both Houses of Parliament had been adjourned multiple times before being suspended for the day.

(With inputs from IANS)

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Eswatini: How cash and voucher assistance is empowering women to rebuild after calamity
Source: APO

.

In the southern African nation of Eswatini, cash and voucher assistance is making a real difference in people’s lives, particularly those most vulnerable after crisis. ‘It’s not just about fairness—it’s about effectiveness.’

Even before the floods, life for Banele Mamba was hard enough. But then the floodwaters came and the 31-year-old mother of five had to cope with extensive damage to her family’s home.

“Water would seep in through the house,” she says. “I was so worried—especially because I live with chronic illness. I didn’t want the children to get sick from flu, cholera or other diseases.”

Banele Mamba was able to fix some of those leaks, make other critical repairs and restock her pantry with support that came in the form of cash and voucher assistance provided by the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.

The Red Cross here has been working in partnership with the IFRC Pretoria Delegation, as part of the EU-funded Pilot Programmatic Partnership (ECHO PPP), to deliver cash and vouchers to people impacted by recent floods.

Unlike other forms of relief aid such as food or household supplies, cash transfer and vouchers give people such as Banele the power to decide what her families need most following times of crisis.

Delivered through mobile money transfers, both the cash and voucher components are redeemed in cash form. This approach empowers families while also supporting the local economy through increased purchasing at community shops and markets.

For Banele Mamba, the flexibility of cash support made a world of difference. She used part of the funds to seal parts of the leaking roof and reinforce the walls to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rains.

She also used the cash to buy essential food items and toiletries—products that she previously struggled to afford consistently. In months when the household budget was tight, she was therefore able to avoid borrowing from local money lenders.

“We believe that people affected by crises are the best placed to decide their needs,” says Tebukhosi Dlamini, Safe and Inclusive Programming Officer at Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.

While the EU provided funding, the IFRC contributed technical guidance and policy review support to the Eswatini National Society during the planning and implementation of the programme. In doing so, the IFRC Pretoria delegation applied a protection- and gender-sensitive lens across all stages of the programmatic partnership.

“By applying protection and gender-sensitive principles, we ensure that women like Banele are not only included but prioritized in the selection processes,” Dlamini added.

Putting inclusion into practice

Women-headed households, survivors of gender-based violence, caregivers of orphaned children, and other at-risk groups were given high priority, recognizing people in these situations often face greater risks and barriers to recovery.

“Focusing on women and other vulnerable groups is not just about fairness—it’s about effectiveness,” says Boitumelo Phihlela, who works as focal person for protection, gender and inclusion, as well as community engagement and accountability, for the IFRC’s Pretoria Delegation.

“When we prioritize those most at risk, we strengthen the entire community’s resilience. Women, in particular, play a vital role in family and community wellbeing, so supporting them directly creates a ripple effect of positive change.

“This approach also ensures that protection and dignity are central to our response, which is key to building trust and long-term recovery.”

The process is guided by inclusive criteria co-developed with the communities, which then participates in applying these standards to all aspects of the initiative.

Continued learning and improvement: Key lessons learned

The cash and voucher assistance programme in Eswatini fits in with larger efforts to continually improve the way the IFRC works with, supports and accompanies communities following crisis.

The IFRC Pretoria Delegation and its partners, for example, also use this inclusive mindset – along with cash and voucher assistance – to strengthen long-term resilience local farmers in four other countries in southern Africa (Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia).

The support also comes in the form of seeds and other agricultural inputs—ensuring communities are not only surviving today but are better prepared for the future.

Here are a few of the key takeaways from the IFRC Pretoria delegation’s three-year Programmatic Partnership collaboration.
- Embed protection, gender and inclusion principles throughout all stages of programme design and implementation —ensuring that the unique needs, risks, and capacities of different groups, particularly women, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, are considered and addressed.
- Prioritize proactive, inclusive community engagement where feedback mechanisms are not only established but also trusted and accessible to all segments of the population.
- Strengthen the feedback loop by ensuring community input is used to inform and adjust programming. The use of community feedback is needed to shape programming decisions which helps build trust and ensures greater accountability to target populations. In one farming community, for example, people noted that the seeds initially provided were not suited to their local soil and climate conditions, which affected crop growth. Upon hearing this, the Red Cross programme adapted by sourcing and distributing more appropriate seed varieties, improving harvest outcomes and reinforcing the community’s trust that their feedback leads to real changes.
“It’s not enough to have feedback systems—we must make them visible, trusted, and use them to shape decisions,” said the IFRC’s Phihlela. “That’s how we build real accountability.”

Read more about cash and voucher assistance at the IFRC

Learn more about the Programmatic Partnership

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

MIL OSI Africa –
July 24, 2025
Russia, Ukraine discuss more POW swaps; no deal on ceasefire or leaders’ meeting

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Russia and Ukraine discussed further prisoner swaps on Wednesday at a brief session of peace talks in Istanbul, but the sides remained far apart on ceasefire terms and a possible meeting of their leaders.

“We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities,” Ukraine’s chief delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks that lasted just 40 minutes.

He said Ukraine had proposed a meeting before the end of August between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added: “By agreeing to this proposal, Russia can clearly demonstrate its constructive approach.”

Russia’s chief delegate Vladimir Medinsky said the point of a leaders’ meeting should be to sign an agreement, not to “discuss everything from scratch”.

He renewed Moscow’s call for a series of short ceasefires of 24-48 hours to enable the retrieval of bodies. Ukraine says it wants an immediate and much longer ceasefire.

The talks took place just over a week after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened heavy new sanctions on Russia and countries that buy its exports unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days.

There was no sign of any progress towards that goal, although both sides said there was discussion of further humanitarian exchanges following a series of prisoner swaps, the latest of which took place on Wednesday.

Medinsky said the negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side, and Russia had offered to hand over another 3,000 Ukrainian bodies.

He said Moscow was working through a list of 339 names of Ukrainian children that Kyiv accuses it of abducting. Russia denies that charge and says it has offered protection to children separated from their parents during the war.

“Some of the children have already been returned back to Ukraine. Work is under way on the rest. If their legal parents, close relatives, representatives are found, these children will immediately return home,” Medinsky said.

Umerov said Kyiv was expecting “further progress” on POWs, adding: “We continue to insist on the release of civilians, including children.” Ukrainian authorities say at least 19,000 children have been forcibly deported.

SHORTEST TALKS YET

Before the talks, the Kremlin had played down expectations, describing the two sides’ positions as diametrically opposed and saying no one should expect miracles.

At 40 minutes, the meeting was even shorter than the two sides’ previous encounters on May 16 and June 2, which lasted a combined total of under three hours.

Oleksandr Bevz, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, said Kyiv had proposed a Putin-Zelenskiy meeting in August because that would fall within the deadline set by Trump for a deal.

Putin turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet in person and has said he does not see him as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when Zelenskiy’s five-year mandate expired last year.

Trump has patched up relations with Zelenskiy after a public row with him at the White House in February, and has lately expressed growing frustration with Putin.

Three sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters last week that Putin, unfazed by Trump’s ultimatum, would keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engaged on his terms for peace, and that his territorial demands may widen as Russian forces advance.

(Reuters)

July 24, 2025

MIL-OSI: BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. Announces Q2-25 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Q2-25 Revenue and Net Income of € 148.1 Million and € 32.1 Million, Respectively

H1-25 Revenue and Net Income of € 292.2 Million and € 63.6 Million, Respectively

DUIVEN, the Netherlands, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (the “Company” or “Besi”) (Euronext Amsterdam: BESI; OTC markets: BESIY), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced its results for the second quarter and first half year ended June 30, 2025.

Key Highlights Q2-25

Revenue of € 148.1 million grew 2.8% vs. Q1-25 and was within prior guidance due primarily to higher die attach shipments for mainstream computing applications. Revenue decreased 2.1% vs. Q2-24 principally due to weakness in mobile end markets partially offset by growth in hybrid bonding shipments
Orders of € 128.0 million decreased 3.0% vs. Q1-25 due primarily due to ongoing weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications partially offset by significant new orders for TCB Next systems. Orders declined 30.9% vs. Q2-24 due primarily to lower orders for hybrid bonding and mobile applications
Gross margin of 63.3% decreased by 0.3 points vs. Q1-25 and by 1.7 points vs. Q2-24 due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects from a decline in the USD versus the euro
Net income of € 32.1 million increased 1.9% vs. Q1-25. Versus Q2-24, net income decreased 23.4% due principally to lower revenue and gross margins, increased R&D spending and higher interest expense related to the Senior Note offering in July 2024. Q2-25 net margin decreased to 21.6% vs. 21.9% in Q1-25 and 27.7% in Q2-24
Cash and deposits of € 490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increased by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024

Key Highlights H1-25

Revenue of € 292.2 million decreased 1.8% vs. H1-24 principally due to ongoing weakness in mainstream assembly markets, particularly for mobile and automotive applications, partially offset by increased shipments of hybrid bonding systems
Orders of € 259.9 million were down 17.0% vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower bookings for hybrid bonding systems and for mobile applications, partially offset by increased die attach orders by Asian subcontractors for AI related computing applications and new orders for Besi’s TCB Next system
Gross margin of 63.4% decreased by 2.7 points versus H1-24 primarily due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects
Net income of € 63.6 million decreased € 12.3 million, or 16.2%, vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and gross margin and higher interest expense. Similarly, Besi’s net margin decreased to 21.7% versus 25.5% in H1-24

Q3-25 Outlook

Revenue is expected to decline 5-15% vs. the € 148.1 million reported in Q2-25
Orders are expected to increase significantly vs. Q2-25 primarily due to increased demand for hybrid bonding systems and die attach systems for AI-related 2.5D computing applications
Gross margin is expected to range between 60-62% and decrease vs. the 63.3% realized in Q2-25 primarily due to adverse forex effects from a significantly lower USD versus the euro
Operating expenses are expected to be flat +/- 5% vs. € 50.2 million in Q2-25

(€ millions, except EPS)	Q2- 2025	Q1- 2025	Δ	Q2- 2024	Δ	HY1- 2025	HY1- 2024	Δ
Revenue	148.1	144.1	+2.8%	151.2	-2.1%	292.2	297.5	-1.8%
Orders	128.0	131.9	-3.0%	185.2	-30.9%	259.9	313.0	-17.0%
Gross Margin	63.3%	63.6%	-0.3	65.0%	-1.7	63.4%	66.1%	-2.7
Operating Income	43.5	39.3	+10.7%	49.3	-11.8%	82.8	90.0	-8.0%
Net Income	32.1	31.5	+1.9%	41.9	-23.4%	63.6	75.9	-16.2%
Net Margin	21.6%	21.9%	-0.3	27.7%	-6.1	21.7%	25.5%	-3.8
EPS (basic)	0.40	0.40	–	0.53	-24.5%	0.80	0.97	-17.5%
EPS (diluted)	0.40	0.40	–	0.53	-24.5%	0.80	0.97	-17.5%
Net Cash and Deposits	-36.0*	159.4	-122.6%	74.4*	-148.4%	-36.0*	74.4*	-148.4%

* Reflects cash dividend payments of € 172.8 million and € 171.5 million in Q2-25 and Q2-24, respectively.

Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Besi, commented:
“Besi reported Q2-25 revenue, operating income and net income of € 148.1 million, € 43.5 million and € 32.1 million, respectively. Revenue and operating results were at the midpoint of prior guidance in a mainstream assembly equipment market still affected by soft demand for mobile and automotive applications. Market development in Q2-25 was also affected by increased customer caution due to global trade tensions. Q2-25 revenue and operating income grew sequentially by 2.8% and 10.7%, respectively, as we saw an increase in shipments to Asian subcontractors for AI-related datacenter applications combined with a 4.3% decrease in sequential operating expenses. Orders for the quarter decreased 3.0% versus Q1-25 as weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications was partially offset by new orders for Besi’s TCB Next system.

For the first half year, revenue of € 292.2 million decreased 1.8% versus H1-24 reflecting broader assembly market trends as weakness in mobile and, to a lesser extent, automotive end markets was significantly offset by growth in hybrid bonding revenue which more than doubled versus H1-24. Orders decreased by 17.0% due to the timing of customer orders for hybrid bonding systems and a lack of new product introductions in high-end smartphones. H1-25 operating and net income decreased by 8.0% and 16.2%, respectively, versus H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and a 2.7-point reduction in gross margin from a less favorable product mix, adverse net forex effects from the decline of the USD versus the euro and increased interest expense related to Besi’s Senior Note issuance in July 2024. Liquidity remained strong with cash and deposits of € 490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increasing by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024.

We believe the outlook for Besi’s business in H2-25 has improved in recent weeks based on customer feedback and order trends subsequent to quarter end. Expanded capex budgets for AI infrastructure have been confirmed by each of the leading industry players in recent quarters with new use cases emerging in cloud and edge computing along with co-packaged optics. Advanced packaging is one of the key ways to achieve AI system differentiation, develop innovative consumer edge AI devices and provide the most energy-efficient data center performance. Advanced packaging demand for AI applications remains strong given new device introductions expected in 2026-2028. We believe we are well positioned in the fastest-growing advanced packaging market segments including data centers, photonics, AI-enhanced PCs and mobile devices and EVs/autonomous driving.

As such, orders for our hybrid bonding systems are expected to increase significantly in H2-25 versus both H1-25 and H2-24 in both advanced logic and HBM4 memory applications as customers advance their technology roadmaps for new product introductions in 2026 and 2027. Customer interest in our TCB Next system for both memory and logic applications has also expanded significantly. TCB Next cycle times have improved with shipments anticipated in Q4-25 from orders received in Q2-25. We also anticipate increased orders for 2.5D advanced packaging systems for AI-related datacenter applications from both global IDMs and Asian subcontractors. In addition, there are early signs of a recovery in our mainstream assembly markets principally related to increased demand by Asian subcontractors for high-end mobile applications and high-performance computing applications for consumer markets.

For Q3-25, we anticipate that revenue will decline by approximately 5-15% versus Q2-25. However, orders for Q3-25 are expected to increase significantly on a sequential basis due to increased demand for hybrid bonding and 2.5D advanced packaging applications. Besi’s gross margin is anticipated to decline to a range of 60-62% in Q3-25 due to the adverse impact of a 12.8% decline in the value of the USD versus the euro in the first half of 2025. Operating expenses in Q3-25 are expected to be flat plus or minus 5% versus Q2-25 despite increased R&D spending.”

Share Repurchase Activity
During the quarter, Besi spent € 20.7 million to repurchase approximately 196,000 of its ordinary shares at an average price of € 105.80 per share. As of June 30, 2025, € 72.2 million of the current € 100 million share repurchase authorization has been used to repurchase approximately 644,000 ordinary shares at an average price of € 111.96 per share. As of June 30, 2025, Besi held approximately 2.0 million shares in treasury, equivalent to 2.5% of shares outstanding.

Investor and media conference call A conference call and webcast for investors and media will be held today at 4:00 pm CET (10:00 am EDT). To register for the conference call and/or to access the audio webcast and webinar slides, please visit www.besi.com.
Important Dates • Publication Q3/Nine-month results • Publication Q4/Full year results	October 23, 2025 February 2026

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. Reference is made to the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as included in our 2024 Annual Report, which is available on www.besi.com.

Contacts:
Richard W. Blickman, President & CEO
Andrea Kopp-Battaglia, Senior Vice President Finance
Claudia Vissers, Executive Secretary/IR coordinator
Edmond Franco, VP Corporate Development/US IR coordinator
Michael Sullivan, Investor Relations
Tel. (31) 26 319 4500
investor.relations@besi.com

About Besi
Besi is a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment supplying a broad portfolio of advanced packaging solutions to the semiconductor and electronics industries. We offer customers high levels of accuracy, reliability and throughput at a lower cost of ownership with a principal focus on wafer level and substrate assembly solutions. Customers are primarily leading semiconductor manufacturers, foundries, assembly subcontractors and electronics and industrial companies. Besi’s ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: BESI). Its Level 1 ADRs are listed on the OTC markets (symbol: BESIY) and its headquarters are located in Duiven, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit our website at www.besi.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements about management’s future expectations, plans and prospects of our business that constitute forward-looking statements, which are found in various places throughout the press release, including, but not limited to, statements relating to expectations of orders, net sales, product shipments, expenses, timing of purchases of assembly equipment by customers, gross margins, operating results and capital expenditures. The use of words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “can”, “intend”, “believes”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “forecast”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The financial guidance set forth under the heading “Outlook” contains such forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and expectations concerning the development of our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, including any inability to maintain continued demand for our products; failure of anticipated orders to materialize or postponement or cancellation of orders, generally without charges; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; the extent and duration of the COVID-19 and other global pandemics and the associated adverse impacts on the global economy, financial markets, global supply chains and our operations as well as those of our customers and suppliers; failure to develop new and enhanced products and introduce them at competitive price levels; failure to adequately decrease costs and expenses as revenues decline; loss of significant customers, including through industry consolidation or the emergence of industry alliances; lengthening of the sales cycle; acts of terrorism and violence; disruption or failure of our information technology systems; consolidation activity and industry alliances in the semiconductor industry that may result in further increased customer concentration, inability to forecast demand and inventory levels for our products; the integrity of product pricing and protection of our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, conflict minerals regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, associated with substantial foreign customers, suppliers and foreign manufacturing operations, particularly to the extent occurring in the Asia Pacific region where we have a substantial portion of our production facilities; potential instability in foreign capital markets; the risk of failure to successfully manage our diverse operations; any inability to attract and retain skilled personnel, including as a result of restrictions on immigration, travel or the availability of visas for skilled technology workers.

In addition, the United States and other countries have recently levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods and could significantly increase or impose new tariffs on a broad array of goods. They have imposed, and may continue to impose, new trade restrictions and export regulations. Increased or new tariffs and additional taxes, including any retaliatory measures, trade restrictions and export regulations, could negatively impact end-user demand and customer investment in semiconductor equipment, increase Besi’s supply chain complexity and manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products or restrict our ability to sell products, provide services or purchase necessary equipment and supplies. Any or all of the foregoing factor could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, investors should consider those additional risk factors set forth in Besi’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other key factors that could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance contained in our filings and reports, including our statutory consolidated statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(€ thousands, except share and per share data)	Three Months Ended June 30, (unaudited)		Six Months Ended June 30, (unaudited)
	2025	2024	2025	2024

Revenue	148,101	151,176	292,246	297,490
Cost of sales	54,410	52,908	106,833	100,951

Gross profit	93,691	98,268	185,413	196,539

Selling, general and administrative expenses	30,629	30,514	63,587	70,155
Research and development expenses	19,571	18,503	39,073	36,422

Total operating expenses	50,200	49,017	102,660	106,577

Operating income	43,491	49,251	82,753	89,962

Financial expense, net	5,693	1,045	8,652	1,634

Income before taxes	37,798	48,206	74,101	88,328

Income tax expense	5,748	6,261	10,545	12,404

Net income	32,050	41,945	63,556	75,924

Net income per share – basic	0.40	0.53	0.80	0.97
Net income per share – diluted	0.40	0.53	0.80	0.97
Number of shares used in computing per share amounts: – basic – diluted ¹	79,184,703 81,288,679	79,281,533 81,941,471	79,206,267 81,405,308	78,231,430 82,023,808

______________________
¹⁾ The calculation of diluted income per share assumes the exercise of equity settled share based payments and the conversion of all Convertible Notes outstanding

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(€ thousands)	June 30, 2025 (unaudited)	March 31, 2025 (unaudited)	December 31, 2024 (audited)
ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents	330,170	405,736	342,319
Deposits	160,000	280,000	330,000
Trade receivables	178,615	170,440	181,862
Inventories	96,977	103,836	103,285
Other current assets	53,821	46,099	40,927

Total current assets	819,583	1,006,111	998,393

Property, plant and equipment	51,089	42,868	44,773
Right of use assets	13,799	15,161	15,726
Goodwill	44,857	45,610	46,010
Other intangible assets	103,933	98,622	96,677
Investment property	5,206	–	–
Deferred tax assets	27,494	29,240	31,567
Other non-current assets	1,303	1,347	1,330

Total non-current assets	247,681	232,848	236,083

Total assets	1,067,264	1,238,959	1,234,476


Bank overdraft	–	840	776
Current portion of long-term debt	–	–	2,042
Trade payables	47,458	46,598	52,630
Other current liabilities	95,530	111,170	111,531

Total current liabilities	142,988	158,608	166,979

Long-term debt	526,184	525,493	525,653
Lease liabilities	10,873	11,770	12,350
Deferred tax liabilities	10,523	10,416	10,320
Other non-current liabilities	19,915	19,328	17,910

Total non-current liabilities	567,495	567,007	566,233

Total equity	356,781	513,344	501,264

Total liabilities and equity	1,067,264	1,238,959	1,234,476

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

(€ thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30, (unaudited)		Six Months Ended June 30, (unaudited)
	2025	2024	2025	2024

Cash flows from operating activities:

Income before income tax	37,798	48,206	74,101	88,328

Depreciation and amortization	7,458	6,980	14,765	13,793
Share based payment expense	4,342	6,916	8,783	23,816
Financial expense, net	5,694	1,045	8,653	1,634

Changes in working capital	(11,032)	(46,694)	(13,145)	(49,945)
Interest (paid) received	3,726	3,893	839	5,062
Income tax paid	(21,988)	(15,428)	(23,563)	(17,517)

Net cash provided by operating activities	25,998	4,918	70,433	65,171

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(11,764)	(3,216)	(13,497)	(8,866)
Capitalized development expenses	(7,320)	(4,912)	(14,057)	(9,575)
Acquisition of investment property	(5,206)	–	(5,206)	–
Repayments of (investments in) deposits	120,000	85,000	170,000	95,000

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	95,710	76,872	137,240	76,559

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (payments of) bank lines of credit	(840)	–	(776)	–
Proceeds from (payments of) debt	(2,042)	–	(2,042)	–
Payments of lease liabilities	(1,111)	(1,063)	(2,225)	(2,106)
Purchase of treasury shares	(20,721)	(14,810)	(42,785)	(29,589)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(172,811)	(171,534)	(172,811)	(171,534)

Net cash used in financing activities	(197,525)	(187,407)	(220,639)	(203,229)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(75,817)	(105,617)	(12,966)	(61,499)
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	251	798	817	256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	405,736	232,053	342,319	188,477

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	330,170	127,234	330,170	127,234

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (€ millions, unless stated otherwise)

REVENUE	Q2-2025			Q1-2025			Q4-2024			Q3-2024			Q2-2024			Q1-2024

Per geography:
China	37.5		25%	40.5		28%	42.8		28%	45.5		29%	57.5		38%	58.5		40%
Asia Pacific (excl. China)	66.1		45%	56.3		39%	53.5		35%	51.6		33%	54.1		36%	43.6		30%
EU / USA / Other	44.5		30%	47.3		33%	57.1		37%	59.5		38%	39.6		26%	44.2		30%

Total	148.1		100%	144.1		100%	153.4		100%	156.6		100%	151.2		100%	146.3		100%

ORDERS	Q2-2025			Q1-2025			Q4-2024			Q3-2024			Q2-2024			Q1-2024

Per geography:
China	44.4		35%	39.7		30%	40.4		33%	45.4		30%	43.3		23%	51.1		40%
Asia Pacific (excl. China)	60.7		47%	51.7		39%	38.8		32%	69.3		46%	72.0		39%	45.0		35%
EU / USA / Other	22.9		18%	40.5		31%	42.7		35%	37.1		24%	69.9		38%	31.6		25%

Total	128.0		100%	131.9		100%	121.9		100%	151.8		100%	185.2		100%	127.7		100%

Per customer type:
IDM	71.9		56%	48.1		36%	61.2		50%	84.5		56%	122.4		66%	53.5		42%
Foundries/Subcontractors	56.1		44%	83.8		64%	60.7		50%	67.3		44%	62.8		34%	74.2		58%

Total	128.0		100%	131.9		100%	121.9		100%	151.8		100%	185.2		100%	127.7		100%

HEADCOUNT	June 30, 2025			Mar 31, 2025			Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Jun 30, 2024			Mar 31, 2024

Fixed staff (FTE)	1,831		88%	1,820		88%	1,812		93%	1,807		87%	1,783		86%	1,760		88%
Temporary staff (FTE)	239		12%	251		12%	134		7%	271		13%	279		14%	236		12%

Total	2,070		100%	2,071		100%	1,946		100%	2,078		100%	2,062		100%	1,996		100%

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA	Q2-2025			Q1-2025			Q4-2024			Q3-2024			Q2-2024			Q1-2024

Gross profit	93.7		63.3%	91.7		63.6%	98.2		64.0%	101.2		64.7%	98.3		65.0%	98.3		67.2%


Selling, general and admin expenses:
As reported	30.6		20.7%	33.0		22.9%	28.6		18.6%	27.3		17.4%	30.5		20.2%	39.6		27.1%
Share-based compensation expense	(4.3	)	-2.9%	(4.4	)	-3.1%	(2.9	)	-1.8%	(3.4	)	-2.1%	(6.9	)	-4.6%	(16.9	)	-11.6%

SG&A expenses as adjusted	26.3		17.8%	28.6		19.8%	25.7		16.8%	23.9		15.3%	23.6		15.6%	22.7		15.5%


Research and development expenses:
As reported	19.6		13.2%	19.5		13.5%	19.0		12.4%	18.9		12.1%	18.5		12.2%	17.9		12.2%
Capitalization of R&D charges	7.3		4.9%	6.7		4.6%	5.4		3.5%	4.4		2.8%	4.9		3.2%	4.7		3.2%
Amortization of intangibles	(3.9	)	-2.6%	(3.7	)	-2.5%	(3.9	)	-2.5%	(3.9	)	-2.5%	(3.6	)	-2.3%	(3.6	)	-2.4%

R&D expenses as adjusted	23.0		15.5%	22.5		15.6%	20.5		13.4%	19.4		12.4%	19.8		13.1%	19.0		13.0%


Financial expense (income), net:
Interest income	(3.4	)		(5.0	)		(5.1	)		(5.2	)		(3.0	)		(4.0	)
Interest expense	6.4			6.3			6.1			5.7			2.1			2.8
Net cost of hedging	2.3			1.8			2.0			1.9			1.4			1.6
Foreign exchange effects, net	0.4			(0.1	)		0.9			(0.8	)		0.5			0.2

Total	5.7			3.0			3.9			1.6			1.0			0.6


Operating income (as % of net sales)	43.5		29.4%	39.3		27.2%	50.6		33.0%	55.1		35.2%	49.3		32.6%	40.7		27.8%

EBITDA (as % of net sales)	50.9		34.4%	46.6		32.3%	58.0		37.8%	62.4		39.8%	56.2		37.2%	47.5		32.5%

Net income (as % of net sales)	32.1		21.6%	31.5		21.9%	59.3		38.6%	46.8		29.9%	41.9		27.7%	34.0		23.2%

Effective tax rate	15.2%			13.2%			-27.0%			12.6%			13.0%			15.3%


Income per share
Basic	0.40			0.40			0.75			0.59			0.53			0.44
Diluted	0.40			0.40			0.74			0.59			0.53			0.44

Average shares outstanding (basic)	79,184,703			79,228,071			79,402,192			79,630,787			79,281,533			77,181,326

Shares repurchased
Amount	20.7			22.1			22.4			27.8			14.8			14.8
Number of shares	195,647			186,869			198,450			230,807			105,042			101,049


Gross cash	490.2			685.7			672.3			637.4			257.2			447.1

Net cash	(36.0	)		159.4			143.8			110.7			74.4			180.9

The MIL Network –

July 24, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Defence Medical Services senior appointments announced
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

New Defence Medical Services senior appointments announced

His Majesty the King has approved three new senior appointments in the Defence Medical Services.
Brigadier Phil Carter KHP OStJ. MOD Crown Copyright

His Majesty the King has approved the following three senior appointments in the Defence Medical Services (DMS):

Brigadier Phil Carter KHP OStJ as the next Surgeon General (SG), in the rank of Major General, from August 2025

Brigadier Antony Finn as the next Director Medical Personnel and Training in the rank of Major General, from November 2025

Air Commodore Darren Ellison KHP as the next Director Defence Healthcare in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal, from June 2026

All three have had long and distinguished careers delivering health care to the Armed Forces as part of the Defence Medical Services.

Brigadier Carter has undertaken a variety of deployments throughout his career, including to Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leon. In 2008, he was appointed as the first Commanding Officer of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Clinical Unit. He later became Commander Medical HQ in the British Army’s 1(UK) Division and Commander Defence Primary Healthcare, before being appointed Head of Army Health in 2024.

As Surgeon General, Brigadier Phil Carter will be responsible for:

providing specialist health and medical support advice to the Military Strategic Headquarters on behalf of the Director General of the Defence Medical Services.

Force Design within the Defence Medical Services, ensuring the readiness of the medical capability supporting the Armed Forces

directing medical research, medical innovation, and continuous quality improvement in Defence

coordinating our international technical engagement with medical partners across NATO and the UK’s broader alliances

Brigadier Phil Carter said:

At a time of reform across Defence, to be entrusted with the making sure that our armed forces deployed on operations have the medical support they need is a significant responsibility. I am looking forward to the challenge and enormously grateful that I will be working with such a dedicated and innovative specialist team.

Brigadier Antony Finn. MOD Crown Copyright

Brigadier Antony Finn qualified as a General Practitioner in 2003. Following deployments to Afghanistan, Kenya and Iraq, in July 2010 he assumed command of 1 Medical Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan as Commanding Officer of the Close Support Medical Regiment. In 2012 he was promoted to Colonel as Assistant Director of Medical Operational Capability, before promoting to Brigadier in March 2019 as Commander 2nd Medical Brigade. From 2021-24 he was Head of Army Healthcare, and since August 2024 has been Commander of the Joint Hospital Group.

As part of his role as Director Medical Personnel and Training, Brigadier Antony Finn will be responsible for:

leading strategic medical workforce planning for DMS, including training and placement, to support to support Strategic Command (soon to be Cyber & Specialist Operations Command) and wider Defence’s people plan people plan and operational needs

overseeing the development and delivery of high-quality individual training, to all entitled personnel involved in medical support to Defence

delivering an optimally prepared and suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP) medical workforce through the provision of high-quality placements within both the NHS and other providers

Brigadier Finn, said:

I am deeply honoured to be selected to be the next Director of Medical Personnel and Training. The Strategic Defence Review offers unprecedented opportunities for the Defence Medical Services and our partners. I look forward to exploiting these for the benefit of our patients, the medical workforce, Defence and beyond.

Air Commodore Darren Ellison KHP. MOD Crown Copyright

Air Commodore Ellison joined the RAF in 1999 as a medical cadet and has undertaken a variety of roles including deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Wing Commander he was appointed as Officer Commanding Tactical Medical Wing in 2018, and then as Group Captain he served as Regional Clinical Director, Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) Northern Ireland Wales and West. In 2022 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, and then promoted to Air Commodore in Summer 2023 when he became Head Healthcare and Strategic Plans in HQ Defence Medical Services before being appointed Head of the Royal Air Force Medical Services and Head Health (RAF) in November 2024.

As part of his role as Director Defence Healthcare, Air Commodore Ellison will be responsible for:

directing, overseeing and commissioning both primary and secondary military healthcare services in support of Defence outputs

directing, managing and delivering primary healthcare and dentistry service delivery in the UK and all overseas bases

maximising the medical employability and deployability of Armed Forces personnel across Defence

Air Commodore Darren Ellison said:

It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the next Director Healthcare for the Defence Medical Services. I look forward to working with both the whole DMS team, and colleagues across the Military Commands, to shape and deliver a service that ensures our patients continue to receive the highest standard of safe, effective healthcare they rightly deserve, and we provide the critically enabling healthcare outputs that meet the current and future needs of Defence.

Congratulating all three on their appointments, General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander Strategic Command (soon to be Cyber & Specialist Operations Command) said:

I am delighted to see these three promotions within the Defence Medical Services. Brigadier Philip Carter’s appointment as the next Surgeon General, on appointment to Major General, Brigadier Antony Finn’s appointment as the next Director Medical Personnel and Training, on appointment to Major General and Air Commodore Darren Ellison’s appointment as the next Director Defence Healthcare, on appointment to Air Vice-Marshal. These selections will enable all to provide considerable support within DMS’s transformation journey and the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), I look forward to working with them and congratulate them on their promotion.

Director General of the Defence Medical Services, Air Marshal Clare Walton added:

I am delighted to see the announcement of these three crucial appointments. Brigadier Phil Carter, Brigadier Tony Finn and Air Commodore Darren Ellison all have extensive experience gained from multiple roles in the Defence Medical Services and are exceptionally well-placed to take on these critical positions. At a time of global volatility, their leadership will be pivotal in driving the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) forward to implementation, shaping the medical capabilities of the future, and embedding the One Medical Mindset, ensuring that Armed Forces personnel remain fit to fight and are fully supported in their recovery to fitness.

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Published 24 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Afghan government approves six projects worth nearly $12 million

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

KABUL, July 24 (Xinhua) — The National Procurement Commission of the Afghan Interim Government has approved six new development projects worth 828 million Afghanis (about 12 million U.S. dollars), an official statement to this effect was released on Tuesday.

The decision was made at a meeting of the commission chaired by Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. During the meeting, a total of 28 proposed projects were considered, six of which were approved.

According to the statement, plans include repairing several roads in Kabul and completing work in the field of electricity supply and distribution in various provinces.

The government expects these projects to create jobs for hundreds of thousands of people, contributing to both economic growth and infrastructure development in Afghanistan. –0–

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Israel waging ‘horror show’ starvation campaign in Gaza, says UN chief

This is Democracy Now!. I’m Amy Goodman.

More than 100 humanitarian groups are demanding action to end Israel’s siege of Gaza, warning mass starvation is spreading across the Palestinian territory.

The NGOs, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, warn, “illnesses like acute watery diarrhea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration.”

Their warning came as the Palestinian Ministry of Health said the number of starvation-related deaths has climbed to at least 111 people.

This is Ghada al-Fayoumi, a displaced Palestinian mother of seven in Gaza City.

GHADA AL-FAYOUMI: “[translated] My children wake up sick every day. What do I do? I get saline solution for them. What can I do?

“There’s no food, no bread, no drinks, no rice, no sugar, no cooking oil, no bulgur, nothing. There is no kind of any food available to us at all.”

AMY GOODMAN: Thousands of antiwar protesters marched on Tuesday in Tel Aviv outside Israel’s military headquarters, demanding an end to Israel’s assault and a lifting of the Gaza siege. This is Israeli peace activist Alon-Lee Green with the group Standing Together.

ALON-LEE GREEN: “We are marching now in Tel Aviv, holding bags of flour and the pictures of these children that have been starved to death by our government and our army.

“We demand to stop the starvation in Gaza. We demand to stop the annihilation of Gaza. We demand to stop the daily killing of children and innocent people in Gaza.

“This cannot go on. We are Israelis, and this does not serve us. This only serves the Messianic people that lead us.”

AMY GOODMAN: This comes as the World Health Organisation has released a video showing the Israeli military attacking WHO facilities in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah. A WHO spokesperson condemned the attack, called for the immediate release of a staff member abducted by Israeli forces.

TARIK JAŠAREVIĆ: “Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot and screened at gunpoint.

“Two WHO staff and two family members were detained.”

AMY GOODMAN: Meanwhile, health officials in Gaza say Israeli attacks over the past day killed more than 70 people, including five more people seeking food at militarised aid sites. Amid growing outrage worldwide, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday the situation in Gaza right now is a “horror show”.

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES: “We need look no further than the horror show in Gaza, with a level of death and destruction without parallel in recent times.

“Malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door.”

AMY GOODMAN: For more, we’re joined by Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. He is a professor of law at University of Oregon, where he leads the Food Resiliency Project.

[embedded content]
Israel waging ‘fastest starvation campaign’ in modern history Video: Democracy Now!

Dr Michael Fakhri, welcome back to Democracy Now! If you can respond to what’s happening right now, the images of dying infants starving to death, the numbers now at over 100, people dropping in the streets, reporters saying they can’t go on?

Agence France-Presse’s union talked about they have had reporters killed in conflict, they have had reporters disappeared, injured, but they have not had this situation before with their reporters starving to death.

DR MICHAEL FAKHRI: Amy, the word “horror” — I mean, we’re running out of words of what to say. And the reason it’s horrific is it was preventable. We saw this coming. We’ve seen this coming for 20 months.

Israel announced its starvation campaign back in October 2023. And then again, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on March 1 that nothing was to enter Gaza. And that’s what happened for 78 days. No food, no water, no fuel, no medicine entered Gaza.

And then they built these militarised aid sites that are used to humiliate, weaken and kill the Palestinians. So, what makes this horrific is it has been preventable, it was predictable. And again, this is the fastest famine we’ve seen, the fastest starvation campaign we’ve seen in modern history.

AMY GOODMAN: So, can you talk about what needs to be done at this point and the responsibility of the occupying power? Israel is occupying Gaza right now. What it means to have to protect the population it occupies?

DR FAKHRI: The International Court of Justice outlined Israel’s duties in its decisions over the last year. So, what Israel has an obligation to do is, first, end its illegal occupation immediately. This came from the court itself.

Second, it must allow humanitarian relief to enter with no restrictions. And this hasn’t been happening. So, usually, we would turn to the Security Council to authorise peacekeepers or something similar to assist.

But predictably, again, the United States keeps vetoing anything to do with a ceasefire. When the Security Council is in a deadlock because of a veto, the General Assembly, the UN General Assembly, has the authority to call for peacekeepers to accompany humanitarian convoys to enter into Gaza and to end Israel’s starvation campaign against the Palestinian people.

AMY GOODMAN: People actually protested outside the house of UN Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday. People protested all over the world yesterday against the Palestinians being starved and bombed to death. Those in front of the UN Secretary-General’s house said they don’t dispute that he has raised this issue almost every day, but they say he can do more.

Finally, Michael Fakhri, what does the UN need to do — the US, Israel, the world?

DR FAKHRI: So, as I mentioned, first and foremost, they can authorise peacekeepers to enter to stop the starvation. But, second, they need to create consequences.

The world has a duty to prevent this starvation. The world has a duty to prevent and end this genocide. And as a result, then, what the world can do is impose sanctions.

And again, this is supported by the International Court of Justice. The world needs to impose wide-scale sanctions against the state of Israel to force it to end the starvation and genocide of civilians, of Palestinian civilians in Gaza today.

AMY GOODMAN: Well, I want to thank you so much for being with us, Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, speaking to us from Eugene, Oregon.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: The Murray–Darling Basin Plan Evaluation is out. The next step is to fix the land, not just the flows
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Stewardson, CEO One Basin CRC, The University of Melbourne

Yarramalong Weir is one of many barriers to the passage of fish in the Murray-Darling Basin. Geoff Reid, One Basin CRC

A report card into the A$13 billion Murray–Darling Basin Plan has found much work is needed to ensure the ecology of Australia’s largest river system is properly restored.

The assessment, by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, is the most comprehensive to date.

The authority says the river system is doing better now than it would have without the plan, which aims to ensure sustainable water use for the environment, communities and industries. But it found there is more to be done.

We are water, economics and environmental researchers with many years of experience working in the Murray-Darling Basin. We agree more work is needed, but with a more local focus, to restore the basin to health.

This requires more than just more water for the environment. Coordinated local efforts to restore rivers and the surrounding land are desperately needed. There’s so much more to the river system than just the water it contains.

Preparing for the 2026 Basin Plan Review (Murray–Darling Basin Authority)

What’s the plan?

The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s food bowl. But for too long, the health of environment was in decline – rivers were sick and wildlife was suffering. The river stopped flowing naturally to the sea because too much water was being taken from it.

Poor land management has also degraded the river system over time. Floodplain vegetation has been damaged, the river channel has been re-engineered, and pest plants and animals have been introduced.

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan was established in 2012. It aimed to recover water for the environment and safeguard the long-term health of the river system, while continuing to support productive agriculture and communities. It demanded more water for the environment and then described how this water would be delivered, in the form of targeted “environmental flows”.

Since 2012, the allocation of water to various uses has gradually changed. So far, 2,069 billion litres (gigalitres) of surface water has been recovered for the environment. Combined with other earlier water recovery, a total of about 28% of water previously diverted for agriculture, towns and industry is now being used by the environment instead.

A mixed report card

The evaluation released today is the first step towards a complete review of the plan next year. The 2026 review will make recommendations to Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt. It will then be up to him to decide whether any changes are needed.

It is a mixed report card. Ecological decline has been successfully halted at many sites. But sustained restoration of ecosystems across the basin is yet to be achieved, and native fish populations are in poor condition across 19 of the basin’s 23 catchments.

Climate change is putting increasing pressure on water resources. More intense and frequent extreme climate events and an average 20–30% less streamflow (up to 50% in some rivers) are expected by mid-century.

The evaluation also called for better policy and program design. Specifically, flexible programs have proven more effective than prescriptive, highly regulated programs.

Finally, the report also highlights that the cost of water reform is increasing.

Direct buybacks of water licences, mostly from irrigators, account for around two-thirds of the water recovered for the environment under the basin plan. Buybacks are the simplest and most cost-effective way to recover water but are controversial because of concerns about social and economic impacts.

Much of the remaining water has been recovered through investment in more efficient water supply infrastructure, with water savings reserved for environmental use.

The authority suggests different approaches will be needed for additional water recovery.

Having plenty of native vegetation on river banks is important for river health.
Geoff Reid, One Basin CRC

Healthy rivers need more than water

For the past two decades, measures to restore the Murray-Darling Basin have focused largely on water recovery. But research suggests attention now needs to be paid to other, more local actions.

In March, one author of this article – Samantha Capon – identified nine priority actions to restore Australia’s inland river and groundwater ecosystems at local levels. They included:
- revegetating land alongside waterways
- retiring some farmland
- modifying barriers to fish movements
- installing modern fish screens on irrigation pumps.
The study estimated such actions would cost around A$2.9 billion a year, if completed over the next 30 years.

Works to restore vegetation or other environmental conditions at these critical habitats will only occur with landholders, as well as Traditional Owners.

That’s because most of the basin’s wetlands and floodplain areas are on private property, including in irrigation districts.

Irrigator involvement is needed to place fish screens on private irrigation pumps or retire farmland. There is a growing interest and some early experience in using private irrigation channels to deliver environmental water. This also requires local partnerships.

The basin plan should include targets for environmental outcomes, not just water recovery. This will allow the benefits from local restoration measures and environmental flows to be included when tracking the plan.

Such ecosystem accounting tools already exist. Research is urgently needed to make these tools both locally relevant and suitable for the basin plan.

Time for a local approach

To date, water for the environment under the basin plan has been recovered largely through centralised government-led programs. Decisions around the delivery of environmental flows are also largely in the hands of government agencies.

But other local restoration actions are also needed.

A business-as-usual approach would leave responsible agencies struggling to complete these vital local measures with limited funding, resources and accountability.

Michael Stewardson is a member of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Science, which advises the Murray Darling Basin Authority,, although he is not representing the views of this committee in this article. The committee is established under Section 203 of the Water Act 2007.
Michael Stewardson is the CEO of the One Basin CRC, which is jointly funded under the commonwealth Cooperative Research Centre Program and by its partners listed here: https://onebasin.com.au/
These partners include: state and federal government agencies including the Murray Darling Basin Authority; irrigation infrastructure operators (government owned and non-government), natural resource management agencies (government and non-government); agriculture businesses, industry organisation and R&D organisations; local government organisations; consulting companies in the water sector; technology companies; education and training organisations; and research organisation. Partners contribute to the One Basin CRC in the form of in-kind and cash contributions. The One Basin CRC is also funded by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office under its FlowMER program. The views in this article do not necessarily represent the views of these partner and funding organisations.
Michael Stewardson has previously received research funding from the Australian Research Council and both state and federal government agencies.

Neville Crossman is a Program Leader for Adaptation and Innovation in the One Basin CRC. He is a past employee of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (2018-2024). He has worked closely with a range of State and federal government agencies and many researchers, industry and community members in the Murray-Darling Basin throughout his career.

Samantha Capon receives funding from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), NSW DCCEEW, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. She is a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Advisory Committee for Social, Economic and Environmental Science (ACSEES), but is not representing the view of this committee in this article. Samantha has worked closely with NRM agencies, a range of State and federal government agencies and many researchers, industry and community members in the Murray-Darling Basin throughout her career.

Seth Westra is the Research Director for the One Basin CRC. He receives funding from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), NSW DCCEEW and the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW). Seth is Research Director of the One Basin Cooperative Research Centre, Director of the Systems Cooperative, and has worked closely with NRM agencies, a range of State and federal government agencies and many researchers, industry and community members in the Murray-Darling Basin throughout his career.

– ref. The Murray–Darling Basin Plan Evaluation is out. The next step is to fix the land, not just the flows – https://theconversation.com/the-murray-darling-basin-plan-evaluation-is-out-the-next-step-is-to-fix-the-land-not-just-the-flows-261840
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
July 24, 2025
Israeli strike kills hungry Gaza family in their sleep

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Al-Shaer family went to bed hungry at their home in Gaza City. An Israeli airstrike killed them in their sleep.

The family – freelance journalist Wala al-Jaabari, her husband and their five children – were among more than 100 people killed in 24 hours of Israeli strikes or gunfire, according to health officials.

Their corpses lay in white shrouds outside their bombed home on Wednesday with their names scribbled in pen. Blood seeped through the shrouds as they lay there, staining them red.

“This is my cousin. He was 10. We dug them out of the rubble,” Amr al-Shaer, holding one of the bodies after retrieving it.

Iman al-Shaer, another relative who lives nearby, said the family hadn’t eaten anything before the bombs came down. “The children slept without food,” he said.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike at the family’s home, but said its air force had struck 120 targets throughout Gaza in the past day, including “terrorist cells, military structures, tunnels, booby-trapped structures, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites”.

Relatives said some neighbours were spared only because they had been out searching for food at the time of the strike.

Ten more Palestinians died overnight from starvation, the Gaza health ministry said, bringing the total number of people who have starved to death to 111, most of them in recent weeks as a wave of hunger crashes on the Palestinian enclave.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday 21 children under the age of five were among those who died of malnutrition so far this year. It said it had been unable to deliver any food for nearly 80 days between March and May and that a resumption of food deliveries was still far below what is needed.

In a statement on Wednesday, 111 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, said mass starvation was spreading even as tons of food, clean water and medical supplies sit untouched just outside Gaza, where aid groups are blocked from accessing them.

Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March and reopened it with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent it from being diverted by militants. It says it has let enough food into Gaza during the war and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s 2.2 million people.

Israel has also accused the United Nations of failing to act in a timely fashion, saying 700 truckloads of aid are idling inside Gaza. “It is time for them to pick it up and stop blaming Israel for the bottlenecks which are occurring,” Israeli government spokesman David Mercer said on Wednesday.

The United Nations and aid groups trying to deliver food to Gaza say Israel, which controls everything that comes in and out, is choking delivery, and Israeli troops have shot hundreds of Palestinians dead close to aid collection points since May.

“We have a minimum set of requirements to be able to operate inside Gaza,” Ross Smith, the director of emergencies at the U.N. World Food Programme, told Reuters. “One of the most important things I want to emphasize is that we need to have no armed actors near our distribution points, near our convoys.”

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council on Wednesday that Israel will now grant only one-month visas to international staff from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

FALTERING PEACE TALKS

The war between Israel and Hamas has been raging for nearly two years since Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages from southern Israel in the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.

Israel has since killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, decimated Hamas as a military force, reduced most of the territory to ruins and forced nearly the entire population to flee their homes multiple times.

U.S. Middle East peace envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to hold new ceasefire talks, travelling to Europe this week for meetings on the Gaza war and a range of other issues, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.

A Palestinian official close to the Gaza ceasefire talks and the mediation efforts told Reuters on Wednesday that Hamas had handed its response on the ceasefire proposal to mediators, declining to elaborate further.

Talks on a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which would include the release of more of the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza, are being mediated by Qatar and Egypt with Washington’s backing.

Successive rounds of negotiations have achieved no breakthrough since the collapse of a ceasefire in March.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog told soldiers during a visit to Gaza on Wednesday that “intensive negotiations” about returning the hostages held there were underway and he hoped that they would soon “hear good news”, according to a statement.

A senior Palestinian official earlier told Reuters Hamas might give mediators a response to the latest proposals in Doha later on Wednesday, on the condition that amendments be made to two major sticking points: details on an Israeli military withdrawal, and on how to distribute aid during a truce.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet includes far-right parties that oppose any agreement that ends without the total destruction of Hamas.

“The second I spot weakness in the prime minister and if I come to think, heaven forbid, that this is about to end with us surrendering instead of with Hamas’s absolute surrender, I won’t remain (in the government) for even a single day,” Finance Minister Belalel Smotrich told Army Radio.

(Reuters)

July 24, 2025
Thailand F-16 jet deployed against Cambodian forces as border clash escalates

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on Thursday, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes that have killed at least two civilians.

Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.

“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it “strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia”.

The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.

Thai residents in the Surin border province fled to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires as the two countries exchanged fire.

“How many rounds have been fired? It’s countless,” an unidentified woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) while hiding in the shelter with gunfire and explosions heard intermittently in the background.

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.

LANDMINES

The clashes began early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple along the eastern border between Cambodia and Thailand, around 360 km from the Thai capital Bangkok.

“Artillery shell fell on people’s homes,” Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, district chief of Kabcheing in Surin province, told Reuters, describing the firing by the Cambodian side.

“Two people have died,” he said, adding that district authorities had evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border to safer locations.

Thailand’s military said Cambodia deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons to an area near the temple.

Cambodian troops opened fire and two Thai soldiers were wounded, a Thai army spokesperson said, adding Cambodia had used multiple weapons, including rocket launchers.

A spokesperson for Cambodia’s defence ministry, however, said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defence.

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate.

“We have to be careful,” he told reporters. “We will follow international law.”

An attempt by Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resolve the recent tensions via a call with Cambodia’s influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the contents of which were leaked, kicked off a political storm in Thailand, leading to her suspension by a court.

Hun Sen said in a Facebook post that two Cambodian provinces had come under shelling from the Thai military.

Thailand this week accused Cambodia of placing landmines in a disputed area that injured three soldiers. Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war.

Cambodia has many landmines left over from its civil war decades ago, numbering in the millions according to de-mining groups.

But Thailand maintains landmines have been placed at the border area recently, which Cambodia has described as baseless allegations.

(Reuters)

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: cBrain positioned as first-mover supporting new U.S. standards for environmental permitting
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release no. 6/2025

cBrain positioned as first-mover supporting new U.S. standards for environmental permitting

Copenhagen, July 24, 2025

cBrain (NASDAQ: CBRAIN) today announced that the cBrain F2 Permitting Solution supports the newly established U.S. federal standards for environmental permitting, as defined by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). cBrain believes it is among the very first vendors to support the new CEQ standards.

In collaboration with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cBrain has developed a fully digital permitting solution based on the cBrain F2 platform. This solution replaces traditional paper-based applications, reduces case processing times, and enhances both quality and transparency.

As the importance of environmental assessment and permitting grows globally, governments are increasingly requiring robust review and approval processes for infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, mines, factories, and power plants. This trend creates a significant market opportunity for cBrain.

Earlier this year, as part of its expanded growth strategy, cBrain identified environmental permitting as a key international vertical. The company aims to establish a leading global position in this market with its cBrain F2 Environmental Permitting solution.

To support international scaling, cBrain has formed a dedicated team focused on exporting the F2 Environmental Permitting solution and views environmental permitting as a strategic entry point into the U.S. market.

In April 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order directing all federal agencies to adopt digital technologies to streamline environmental permitting. 30 days later, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released their Permitting Technology Action Plan and introduced a new set of federal data standards for digital permitting systems.

cBrain has rapidly configured its F2 Environmental Permitting solution to align with these standards and, in July 2025, demonstrated the adapted solution to U.S. federal authorities in Washington, D.C.

This early alignment provides a first-mover advantage and cBrain is experiencing an increased interest in its permitting technology as federal and state agencies are seeking to provide answers to political demand for faster permitting through digital modernization.

Best regards

Per Tejs Knudsen, CEO

Inquiries regarding this Press Release may be directed to

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

Attachment
- Press Release no. 062025 (Support of US federal standards for EP)
The MIL Network –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: cBrain positioned as first-mover supporting new U.S. standards for environmental permitting
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release no. 6/2025

cBrain positioned as first-mover supporting new U.S. standards for environmental permitting

Copenhagen, July 24, 2025

cBrain (NASDAQ: CBRAIN) today announced that the cBrain F2 Permitting Solution supports the newly established U.S. federal standards for environmental permitting, as defined by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). cBrain believes it is among the very first vendors to support the new CEQ standards.

In collaboration with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cBrain has developed a fully digital permitting solution based on the cBrain F2 platform. This solution replaces traditional paper-based applications, reduces case processing times, and enhances both quality and transparency.

As the importance of environmental assessment and permitting grows globally, governments are increasingly requiring robust review and approval processes for infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, mines, factories, and power plants. This trend creates a significant market opportunity for cBrain.

Earlier this year, as part of its expanded growth strategy, cBrain identified environmental permitting as a key international vertical. The company aims to establish a leading global position in this market with its cBrain F2 Environmental Permitting solution.

To support international scaling, cBrain has formed a dedicated team focused on exporting the F2 Environmental Permitting solution and views environmental permitting as a strategic entry point into the U.S. market.

In April 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order directing all federal agencies to adopt digital technologies to streamline environmental permitting. 30 days later, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released their Permitting Technology Action Plan and introduced a new set of federal data standards for digital permitting systems.

cBrain has rapidly configured its F2 Environmental Permitting solution to align with these standards and, in July 2025, demonstrated the adapted solution to U.S. federal authorities in Washington, D.C.

This early alignment provides a first-mover advantage and cBrain is experiencing an increased interest in its permitting technology as federal and state agencies are seeking to provide answers to political demand for faster permitting through digital modernization.

Best regards

Per Tejs Knudsen, CEO

Inquiries regarding this Press Release may be directed to

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

Attachment
- Press Release no. 062025 (Support of US federal standards for EP)
The MIL Network –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Historic ruling finds climate change ‘imperils all forms of life’ and puts laggard nations on notice

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jacqueline Peel, Professor of Law and Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne

Hilaire Bule/Getty

Climate change “imperils all forms of life” and countries must tackle the problem or face consequences under international law, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found.

The court delivered its long-awaited advisory opinion overnight. The momentous case opens the door for countries impacted by climate disasters to sue major emitting countries for reparations.

And citizens could seek to hold governments to account for a failure to safeguard their human rights if their own or other countries fail to take adequate action to ensure a safe climate.

Here’s what the court ruled – and the global ramifications likely to flow from it.

Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu delivers a speech at a demonstration before the International Court of Justice issued its first advisory opinion on state’s legal obligations to address climate change.
John Thys/AFP

Climate change breaches human rights

The ICJ case was instigated by law students at the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu in 2019. They successfully launched a campaign for the court to examine two key issues: the obligations of countries to protect the climate from greenhouse gases, and the legal consequences for failing to do so.

The court found a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential for the enjoyment of many other human rights. As such, it found, the full enjoyment of human rights cannot be ensured without the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment.

The ruling confirms climate change is much more than a legal problem. Rather, the justices concluded, it is an:

existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet.

Most nations have signed up to global human rights agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The ICJ ruling means parties to those agreements must take measures to protect the climate system and other parts of the environment.

An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice is not legally binding. But it is an authoritative description of the state of the law and the rights of countries to seek reparations if the law is breached. As such, it carries great legal weight.

Just as climate science assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have become the gold standard for understanding the causes and impacts of climate change, the court’s ruling provides a clear baseline against which to assess countries’ action, or inaction, on climate change.

Keeping 1.5°C alive?

In recent years, many states’ emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement have seemed to “settle” at levels which would hold global temperature increases to 2°C at best.

But the International Court of Justice ruled the much more ambitious 1.5°C goal had become the scientifically based consensus target under the Paris Agreement.

Some countries argued formal emissions targets should be left to the discretion of each government. However, the court found against this. Rather, each nation’s targets had to be in line with – and make an adequate contribution to – the global goal of holding heating to 1.5°C.

The court found each state’s emissions reduction pledges should be judged against a stringent “due diligence” standard. The standard takes into account each country’s historical contributions to emissions, level of development and national circumstances, among other factors.

The ruling means rich countries, such as Australia, will be required under international law to make more ambitious emission-reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement, such as for the 2035 target currently under consideration by the Albanese government.

The court decision also provides a measure of climate justice for small island states, which have historically low emissions but face a much higher risk of damage from climate change than other nations.

Holding states accountable for inaction

Because climate change is global, it is difficult – but not impossible – to attribute damage from extreme weather to the actions of any one nation or group of nations.

On this question, the court said while climate change is caused by the cumulative impact of many human activities, it is scientifically possible to determine each nation’s total contribution to global emissions, taking into account both historical and current emissions.

If a nation experiences damage caused by the failure of another nation, or group of nations, to fulfil international climate obligations, the ruling means legal proceedings may be launched against the nations causing the harm. It may result in compensation or other remedies.

For small, climate-vulnerable nations such as those in the Alliance of Small Island States, this opens more legal options in their efforts to encourage high-emitting nations to properly address climate change.

Importantly, the court made clear nations can be legally liable even if damage from climate change comes from many causes, including from the activities of private actors such as companies.

That means nations cannot seek an exemption because others have contributed to the problem. They must also act to regulate companies and other entities under their jurisdiction whose activities contribute to climate change.

Pacific Island nations emit very little but face huge threats from climate change.
Luca Turati/Unsplash, CC BY-NC-ND

Paris Agreement quitters aren’t safe

One line of argument put to the court by Australia and other states was that climate treaties represented the only obligations to tackle climate change under international law.

But the court found this was not the case. Rather, other international laws applied.

The United States pulled out of the Paris Agreement earlier this year. The court’s opinion means the US and other nations are still accountable for climate harms under other international laws by which all countries are bound.

Could this lead to greater climate action?

The International Court of Justice has produced a truly historic ruling.

It will set a new baseline in terms what countries need to do to address climate change and opens up new avenues of recourse against high-emitting states not doing enough on climate change.

Jacqueline Peel receives funding from the Australian Research Council under her Australian Laureate Fellowship and Kathleen Fitzpatrick Award on ‘Transforming International Law for Corporate Climate Accountability’.

– ref. Historic ruling finds climate change ‘imperils all forms of life’ and puts laggard nations on notice – https://theconversation.com/historic-ruling-finds-climate-change-imperils-all-forms-of-life-and-puts-laggard-nations-on-notice-261848

MIL OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Libyan lawmakers, military and security officials discuss strengthening legislative role in national security

Source: APO

.

Members of the House of Representatives and senior military and security officials gathered in the Tunisian capital this week for a two-day forum aimed at bolstering the role of legislators in shaping Libya’s national security legislations.

Organized and facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, the event was attended by the Defense and National Security Committee, the Interior Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Women and Children Committee of the Libyan House of Representatives. The UN Security Sector Reform Standing Capacity also participated.

Participants conducted a deep dive into shortcomings in the current legislation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms that reflect Libya’s evolving security landscape. Key priorities included strengthening border security and enhancing the legislative authority’s capacity to modernize relevant laws.

The forum also spotlighted successful national initiatives, such as the development of a code of conduct for military and security personnel, raising the minimum age for recruitment, updating the police law, and intensifying efforts to secure Libya’s land borders. These measures were presented as foundational steps toward building more professional, effective, and responsive security and military institutions.

On the second day, discussions turned to election security. Participants stressed the importance of updating the legislation pertaining to elections security to ensure a safe and transparent electoral process—regardless of the type of elections. UNSMIL presented categories of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation, outlining its risks to electoral integrity. The session underscored the urgent need to update relevant legislation to keep pace with rapid developments in the digital information space.

In the context of Libya’s ongoing transitional phase, participants and UNSMIL experts reviewed a proposed action plan aimed at strengthening the role of the House of Representatives in security sector reform. The plan calls for the creation of specialized parliamentary sub-committees tasked with reviewing and updating security legislation, in collaboration with national and international experts and under UNSMIL’s technical guidance.

The plan, which received broad consensus, places citizen protection and human rights at the core of any future security legislation. It also calls for adherence to international standards and a stronger role for civil society in delivering security services.

“This dialogue between key Libyan institutions is a vital step toward strengthening the rule of law and fostering constructive engagement between the executive and legislative branches,” said Badreddine El Harti, Chief of Security Institution Services at UNSMIL. “It lays the foundation for sustainable peace and long-term state-building.”

The next meeting is scheduled for the second half of September, with UNSMIL set to coordinate preparations and mobilize international support to advance the implementation of the action plan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 24, 2025
Microsoft says some SharePoint server hackers now using ransomware

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

A cyber-espionage campaign centered on vulnerable versions of Microsoft‘s server software now involves the deployment of ransomware, Microsoft said in a late Wednesday blog post.

In the post, citing “expanded analysis and threat intelligence,” Microsoft said a group it dubs “Storm-2603” is using the vulnerability to seed the ransomware, which typically works by paralyzing victims’ networks until a digital currency payment is made.

The disclosure marks a potential escalation in the campaign, which has already hit at least 400 victims, according to Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Eye Security. Unlike typical state-backed hacker campaigns, which are aimed at stealing data, ransomware can cause widespread disruption depending on where it lands.

The figure of 400 victims represents a sharp rise from the 100 organizations cataloged over the weekend. Eye Security says the figure is likely an undercount.

“There are many more, because not all attack vectors have left artifacts that we could scan for,” said Vaisha Bernard, the chief hacker for Eye Security, which was among the first organizations to flag the breaches.

The details of most of the victim organizations have not yet been fully disclosed, but on Wednesday a representative for the National Institutes of Health confirmed that one of the organization’s servers had been compromised.

“Additional servers were isolated as a precaution,” he said. The news of the compromise was first reported by the Washington Post.

Other outlets said the hacking campaign had breached an even broader range of U.S. agencies. NextGov, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, reported the Department of Homeland Security had been hit, along with more than five to 12 other agencies.

Politico, which cited two U.S. officials, said multiple agencies were believed to have been breached.

DHS’ cyberdefense arm, CISA, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the reports. Microsoft did not immediately return a message seeking further details on the ransomware angle of the hacking or the reported government victims.

The spy campaign began after Microsoft failed to fully patch a security hole in its SharePoint server software, kicking off a scramble to fix the vulnerability when it was discovered.

Microsoft and its tech rival, Google-owner Alphabet, have both said Chinese hackers are among those taking advantage of the flaw. Beijing has denied the claim.

-Reuters

July 24, 2025
U’khand panchayat polls: 1st phase of voting begins, CM Dhami to cast vote in Khatima

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday arrived in Khatima to cast his vote as the first phase of the three-tier panchayat elections commenced across the state.

He reached Khatima via helicopter and landed at the helipad of Saraf Public School. After this, he headed to the Nagla Tarai Primary School polling booth to exercise his right to vote.

The voting, being held in two phases across 12 districts — excluding Haridwar — is set to decide thousands of local representatives.

According to the notification issued by the Uttarakhand State Election Commission, a total of 2,247 candidates are in the fray for 948 member Gram Panchayat seats, while 9,731 candidates are contesting for 3,393 Pradhan Gram Panchayat posts.

Additionally, 4,980 candidates are contesting for 1,507 Area Panchayat member positions and 871 for 201 District Panchayat member posts.

An estimated 26 lakh voters were eligible to cast their votes in this first phase. Despite persistent monsoon showers, voters turned up in large numbers, forming long queues outside polling booths in various parts of the state.

A total of 1,240 polling personnel were deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of elections, while tight security arrangements were put in place to maintain law and order throughout the process.

Earlier in the day, CM Dhami took to X to appeal to voters, saying, “Today, the first phase of voting for the three-tier panchayat elections is taking place. I appeal to all the divine people of the state to reach the polling stations in large numbers and exercise their voting rights.”

“With your vote, choose capable, aware, and dedicated representatives who will strongly raise your voice and strengthen the foundation of rural development. Your single vote is an important step towards a robust Panchayati Raj system,” he added.

The second phase of voting is scheduled for July 28, and counting of votes will take place on July 31.

(IANS)

July 24, 2025
U’khand panchayat polls: 1st phase of voting begins, CM Dhami to cast vote in Khatima

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday arrived in Khatima to cast his vote as the first phase of the three-tier panchayat elections commenced across the state.

He reached Khatima via helicopter and landed at the helipad of Saraf Public School. After this, he headed to the Nagla Tarai Primary School polling booth to exercise his right to vote.

The voting, being held in two phases across 12 districts — excluding Haridwar — is set to decide thousands of local representatives.

According to the notification issued by the Uttarakhand State Election Commission, a total of 2,247 candidates are in the fray for 948 member Gram Panchayat seats, while 9,731 candidates are contesting for 3,393 Pradhan Gram Panchayat posts.

Additionally, 4,980 candidates are contesting for 1,507 Area Panchayat member positions and 871 for 201 District Panchayat member posts.

An estimated 26 lakh voters were eligible to cast their votes in this first phase. Despite persistent monsoon showers, voters turned up in large numbers, forming long queues outside polling booths in various parts of the state.

A total of 1,240 polling personnel were deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of elections, while tight security arrangements were put in place to maintain law and order throughout the process.

Earlier in the day, CM Dhami took to X to appeal to voters, saying, “Today, the first phase of voting for the three-tier panchayat elections is taking place. I appeal to all the divine people of the state to reach the polling stations in large numbers and exercise their voting rights.”

“With your vote, choose capable, aware, and dedicated representatives who will strongly raise your voice and strengthen the foundation of rural development. Your single vote is an important step towards a robust Panchayati Raj system,” he added.

The second phase of voting is scheduled for July 28, and counting of votes will take place on July 31.

(IANS)

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: Tanate Phutrakul to step down as CFO at 2026 AGM
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Tanate Phutrakul to step down as CFO at 2026 AGM

ING announced today that Tanate Phutrakul will step down from his position as CFO and member of the Executive Board of ING. Tanate will leave ING as of the Annual General Meeting in April 2026, after 24 years at ING of which seven on the Executive Board.

Karl Guha, chairman of ING’s Supervisory Board said: “It has been a privilege to work with Tanate. I have come to know him as a man of good grace, integrity, and high standards. He has been instrumental in helping steer ING to a better place of strong performance and delivering on our promises. We are fortunate to still have him on our executive team until the AGM and wish him every success in the next phase of his life.”

Steven van Rijswijk, CEO of ING said: “I want to thank Tanate for his many years serving ING. While it is never easy to see a colleague leave, after seven years as CFO on the board it is a logical moment for Tanate to step down. With his deeply professional and pleasant approach, he has played a pivotal role in guiding ING through a turbulent period for the bank, the sector and the world. He has done so with his trademark calmness and has been an invaluable part of our executive team. His contributions in making ING the strong and financially sound bank it is today, which enables our current growth strategy, can hardly be overestimated. We look forward to continue to work with Tanate in the coming months.”

Tanate Phutrakul said: “It has been and still is a pleasure to serve as a board member of ING, having helped shape the bank into what it is. It has been a wonderful journey. Many thanks for the kind support of Steven and my fellow board members and especially to the many ING colleagues I have worked with over the years.”

Tanate joined ING in 1998 as managing director of ING Barings Securities Thailand. From 2003 until 2008 he served as head of Wholesale Banking and chief financial officer of TMB Bank in Thailand. In successive years he served as CFO of ING’s Operations and IT unit, ING Retail Banking International and ING Belgium. In 2019, he was appointed to the Executive Board as CFO of ING Group.

The search for a successor has been initiated and announcements will be made in due course.

Note for editors
For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

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Attachment
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The MIL Network –
July 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Historic ruling finds climate change ‘imperils all forms of life’ and puts laggard nations on notice

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Peel, Professor of Law and Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne

Hilaire Bule/Getty

Climate change “imperils all forms of life” and countries must tackle the problem or face consequences under international law, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found.

The court delivered its long-awaited advisory opinion overnight. The momentous case opens the door for countries impacted by climate disasters to sue major emitting countries for reparations.

And citizens could seek to hold governments to account for a failure to safeguard their human rights if their own or other countries fail to take adequate action to ensure a safe climate.

Here’s what the court ruled – and the global ramifications likely to flow from it.

Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu delivers a speech at a demonstration before the International Court of Justice issued its first advisory opinion on state’s legal obligations to address climate change.
John Thys/AFP

Climate change breaches human rights

The ICJ case was instigated by law students at the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu in 2019. They successfully launched a campaign for the court to examine two key issues: the obligations of countries to protect the climate from greenhouse gases, and the legal consequences for failing to do so.

The court found a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential for the enjoyment of many other human rights. As such, it found, the full enjoyment of human rights cannot be ensured without the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment.

The ruling confirms climate change is much more than a legal problem. Rather, the justices concluded, it is an:

existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet.

Most nations have signed up to global human rights agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The ICJ ruling means parties to those agreements must take measures to protect the climate system and other parts of the environment.

An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice is not legally binding. But it is an authoritative description of the state of the law and the rights of countries to seek reparations if the law is breached. As such, it carries great legal weight.

Just as climate science assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have become the gold standard for understanding the causes and impacts of climate change, the court’s ruling provides a clear baseline against which to assess countries’ action, or inaction, on climate change.

Keeping 1.5°C alive?

In recent years, many states’ emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement have seemed to “settle” at levels which would hold global temperature increases to 2°C at best.

But the International Court of Justice ruled the much more ambitious 1.5°C goal had become the scientifically based consensus target under the Paris Agreement.

Some countries argued formal emissions targets should be left to the discretion of each government. However, the court found against this. Rather, each nation’s targets had to be in line with – and make an adequate contribution to – the global goal of holding heating to 1.5°C.

The court found each state’s emissions reduction pledges should be judged against a stringent “due diligence” standard. The standard takes into account each country’s historical contributions to emissions, level of development and national circumstances, among other factors.

The ruling means rich countries, such as Australia, will be required under international law to make more ambitious emission-reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement, such as for the 2035 target currently under consideration by the Albanese government.

The court decision also provides a measure of climate justice for small island states, which have historically low emissions but face a much higher risk of damage from climate change than other nations.

Holding states accountable for inaction

Because climate change is global, it is difficult – but not impossible – to attribute damage from extreme weather to the actions of any one nation or group of nations.

On this question, the court said while climate change is caused by the cumulative impact of many human activities, it is scientifically possible to determine each nation’s total contribution to global emissions, taking into account both historical and current emissions.

If a nation experiences damage caused by the failure of another nation, or group of nations, to fulfil international climate obligations, the ruling means legal proceedings may be launched against the nations causing the harm. It may result in compensation or other remedies.

For small, climate-vulnerable nations such as those in the Alliance of Small Island States, this opens more legal options in their efforts to encourage high-emitting nations to properly address climate change.

Importantly, the court made clear nations can be legally liable even if damage from climate change comes from many causes, including from the activities of private actors such as companies.

That means nations cannot seek an exemption because others have contributed to the problem. They must also act to regulate companies and other entities under their jurisdiction whose activities contribute to climate change.

Pacific Island nations emit very little but face huge threats from climate change.
Luca Turati/Unsplash, CC BY-NC-ND

Paris Agreement quitters aren’t safe

One line of argument put to the court by Australia and other states was that climate treaties represented the only obligations to tackle climate change under international law.

But the court found this was not the case. Rather, other international laws applied.

The United States pulled out of the Paris Agreement earlier this year. The court’s opinion means the US and other nations are still accountable for climate harms under other international laws by which all countries are bound.

Could this lead to greater climate action?

The International Court of Justice has produced a truly historic ruling.

It will set a new baseline in terms what countries need to do to address climate change and opens up new avenues of recourse against high-emitting states not doing enough on climate change.

Jacqueline Peel receives funding from the Australian Research Council under her Australian Laureate Fellowship and Kathleen Fitzpatrick Award on ‘Transforming International Law for Corporate Climate Accountability’.

– ref. Historic ruling finds climate change ‘imperils all forms of life’ and puts laggard nations on notice – https://theconversation.com/historic-ruling-finds-climate-change-imperils-all-forms-of-life-and-puts-laggard-nations-on-notice-261848

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: The Data Center Next Door: As Trump Eviscerates Guardrails, Senator Markey Hosts Roundtable Discussion on How AI Data Centers Can Harm Environment, Increase Costs to Households, and Threaten Public Health

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

View Storybook (PDF)

Washington (July 23, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a co-chair of the Environmental Justice Caucus and a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today hosted a virtual roundtable discussion titled “The Data Center Next Door: Hidden Costs and Harms of Artificial Intelligence and Cryptomining.” Senator Markey was joined by Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), frontline advocates, and allies to discuss the effects of rapid data center development on climate and communities, including impacts on local air quality, water, grid reliability, health, and utility bills. Speakers highlighted how communities and allied organizations across the country are working to curb harms from data center build-out and how policymakers can more proactively address unsustainable data center development.

Today, Senator Markey also released a new storybook highlighting the personal experiences of individuals living near data center infrastructure.

“I have heard from people across the country whose stories make clear: unregulated, uncontrolled data center development is sucking our communities dry. Our environment doesn’t have to be a sacrificial lamb on the altar of innovation. We can have green growth—but not if we have Trump’s AI Inaction Plan as our Big Tech Bible. Lawmakers at all levels of government can and must ensure the Trump administration’s no-holds-barred approach to data center construction does not come at the cost of our health and welfare,” said Senator Markey. “We are not truly moving forward if we harm and leave people behind in the process. We owe it to our neighbors, near and far, to address these impacts at the federal level before we see a race to the bottom—one that could even disadvantage states and towns that try to do things right.”

“The heart of my district is seeing the environmental impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) first-hand, with the world’s biggest supercomputer beginning operations last year. It requires one million gallons of water each day to cool its components and uses the same amount of energy as all 250,000 households in Memphis combined. The continued development of AI will have a drastic effect on energy and water costs and consumption, and our environment as a whole,” said Congressman Cohen.

“Bitcoin mining is the most energy and water-intensive technology ever created. As long as the bitcoin mining algorithm is operating at scale, it is impossible to make the transition to a resilient, equitable, affordable, and renewable grid,” said Jackie Sawicky, member of the National Coalition Against Cryptomining (NCAC).

“Families across America are struggling to afford their soaring electric bills as a result of energy-guzzling AI data centers. We cannot afford to let AI fuel a new fossil fuel boom that raises our bills and destroys our environment,” said Ben Inskeep, Program Director at Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana.

“West Virginia has long borne the brunt of powering our country via the extraction of our natural resources. This legacy and continued pollution from fossil fuel industries worsened health disparities, increased our utility bills, and poisoned our air and water. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence development and the numerous proposals of fossil fuel powered data centers in our region simply carries on that toxic tradition of resource extraction, corporate exploitation, and harmful pollution for West Virginians,” said Morgan King, Climate and Energy Program Manager at West Virginia Citizen Action Group.

“What’s happening in Virginia is unsustainable and the desire to go even faster is irresponsible. The impacts are too great and the risks are too high, we must slow down and put better guardrails in place,” said Julie Bolthouse, AICP, Director of Land Use at Piedmont Environmental Council.

“Over the last year, xAI installed and operated dozens of unpermitted methane gas turbines at its Memphis data center, essentially building a power plant without any public oversight or input from nearby communities. These turbines pump out smog-forming pollution and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and are located near predominantly Black communities that are already overburdened with a long history of environmental injustice. Families in South Memphis deserve transparency and clean air,” said Amanda Garcia, senior attorney in the Tennessee office of the Southern Environmental Law Center.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
Bihar Electoral Roll Update: 98% coverage achieved as first phase of special revision nears completion

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar Electoral Roll, which began on June 24, is nearing completion, with an impressive 98.01% coverage of electors across the state. The Election Commission of India (ECI) confirmed the progress on Tuesday, noting that the revision is aimed at ensuring no eligible voter is excluded and no ineligible person remains on the rolls.

According to ECI, on July 23, more than 7.17 crore electors’ enumeration forms (90.89%) have been received and digitised. The data collected so far has revealed that approximately 20 lakh electors have been reported as deceased, 28 lakh have permanently migrated, and 7 lakh individuals are enrolled at multiple locations. Additionally, 1 lakh electors have been found to be untraceable, while forms from 15 lakh electors have not yet been returned.

In a significant step toward electoral transparency, on July 20, the Election Commission shared lists of potentially incorrectly included electors and those who failed to submit their enumeration forms with 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs). These BLAs were nominated by district-level leaders of 12 major political parties in Bihar.

The Commission has also streamlined the submission process for temporarily migrated electors from Bihar who have not registered elsewhere. These individuals can submit their enumeration forms via the ECI’s online portal (https://electors.eci.gov.in), the ECINet mobile app, or by sending signed printed forms to their Booth Level Officers (BLOs) through a family member or via WhatsApp.

Electors who have submitted their forms can track the status on the ECI website and have been notified via SMS, provided they shared their mobile numbers in the forms.

The Draft Electoral Roll will be published on August 1, 2025, marking the end of the first phase. If errors are found, electors or political parties may file objections regarding wrongly included names with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) of their constituency. Likewise, eligible individuals who are missing from the roll can file claims for inclusion by September 1, 2025.

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Several Amata-Cosponsored Bills Passed by Foreign Affairs Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting several bills she cosponsored that were passed Tuesday by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) as part of a slate of a dozen bills, including Pacific issues and combating human trafficking.

Congresswoman Amata during votes Tuesday in the Foreign Affairs Committee

Congresswoman Amata is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4490, as introduced by Congressman Joquin Castro (D-TX). Notably in the Pacific region, this bill ensures important diplomatic rights and recognitions for the nations in the Pacific Islands Forum. Along with Congresswoman Amata, this key bipartisan bill is also cosponsored by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) and Rep. Ed Case (D-HI). The bill’s full title is To amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to certain additional international and regional organizations.

Congresswoman Amata is a cosponsor of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025, H.R. 1144. This bipartisan bill is led by Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has served in Congress for 45 years and is widely recognized as Congress’s foremost human rights champion in his longtime legislative focus. The bill reauthorizes and updates the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, also led by Rep. Smith, which strengthened federal prosecutions and victim protections from either forced labor or sexual trafficking, created the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, and boosted international cooperative efforts to combat trafficking.

Amata also cosponsored the US-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act, H.R. 3429, introduced by Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA). Along with Congresswoman Amata, this bipartisan bill has the support of various Pacific coast colleagues including Rep. Case (D-HI), Rep. Young (R-CA), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam), Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI), and several other senior Members. This bill creates a regular inter-parliamentary dialogue to facilitate closer cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on shared interests and values.

Finally, she is cosponsoring H.R. 4233, the ARMOR Act, under the full title the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act. Led by Rep. Young Kim, this bill updates and expedites provisions on defense trade and cooperation among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (known as AUKUS).

“These are bills that work together to strengthen our Pacific region and promote cooperation among key allies and partners for mutual stability, security and prosperity,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I’m especially pleased to cosponsor Chairman Smith’s ongoing work to combat trafficking, and I want to thank him for his dedication to this great moral cause. Thank you also to all my Pacific region colleagues supporting efforts that affect us in the Pacific.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Amata Mourns Passing of Longtime Friend, Gov. Palacios

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is mourning the passing of the Honorable Arnold Indalecio Palacios, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and honoring his life and respected legacy of leadership.

At the CNMI inaugural ball in 2023 speaking with President Whipps of Palau and Governor Palacios of CNMI

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of a good friend in Governor Palacios. He is a longtime family friend, and he was a friend to American Samoa over the years. I’ve known him since his youth, and he was a close friend to my brothers. I send my heartfelt condolences to the people of the Northern Marianas, and to his dear family in this time of grief, who will be in my prayers. We think especially of First Lady Wella Palacios, their children, and entire family. Condolences also to my brother Milton Coleman, brother-in-law to the Governor’s father, and my niece, Marie, who worked closely with him as a Chief of Staff within his government.

“He was a dedicated public servant, and his memory will be honored in CNMI and across the Pacific. Governor Palacios was a sincere leader, who desired the best for CNMI and the territories, and he led with purpose, compassion, and dignity as a statesman. He will hold an important place in CNMI’s history. Remarkably, he led at various times all the major roles, serving as Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate. He worked for good fiscal decisions, promoting responsible caretaking of the islands, upholding values, and preserving the culture for the future. He set an excellent example for future leaders in the region.

“I thank God for his exceptional life and his friendship over the years. He was a man of faith and belief in God, and we can take comfort in that. He will be deeply missed. God bless his family and the people of the Northern Marianas.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media Statement: Transgender sports policy reflects public opinion

Source: Family First

Today’s superb (and well overdue) policy change by Sport New Zealand regarding biological males in women’s sports simply reflects public opinion.

A recent Curia Market Research poll found that only 13% of New Zealanders thought that boys who identify as girls should be able to play in a girls team. 68% said they shouldn’t, and 19% were unsure.

What is most interesting is that a similar poll in 2018 by the same polling company found that support and opposition was locked at 39% each. Opposition has grown markedly over the last five years to the unfairness and safety concerns around boys competing against girls.

Contrary to the narrative, ‘𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’ 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐱. The other option is to create a new mixed category.

But females deserve to play in their own league. The government had dropped the ball on this by not sending clear guidelines to sporting groups.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 & 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 24, 2025
From Gujarat to global: How PM Modi’s diaspora diplomacy took root in the UK

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on Wednesday, he was greeted by thunderous chants of “Modi Modi”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, and “Vande Mataram” from the Indian community — an emphatic reminder of a diplomatic tradition he initiated decades ago, long before rising to India’s highest political office.

This growing emotional and strategic connect with the Indian diaspora has become a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy under PM Modi, especially during his second term.

The foundations of this approach were laid as early as 1993, when Narendra Modi — then BJP’s General Secretary in Gujarat and an emerging national figure — made an impromptu stop in the UK on his return from the United States. Although the visit was unplanned and brief, Modi ensured he connected with the Indian diaspora in the UK. He visited media hubs like Sunrise Radio and the Gujarati newspaper Naya Padkar, interacted with families in Croydon and Hastings, engaged in informal conversations, rode the London Underground, and exchanged ideas with everyday Indians living in Britain.

“The seeds planted then would quietly nourish India’s diaspora diplomacy for decades to come,” the Modi Archive said in a post on X, while sharing a timeline of the Prime Minister’s engagements in the UK.

By 1999, when Modi had become a key national figure and the BJP’s global voice, he returned to the UK for a five-day visit in October, shortly after the BJP’s sweeping national electoral victory. Then serving as BJP’s National General Secretary, Modi had just delivered a stellar performance in Gujarat — winning 20 out of 26 Lok Sabha seats and expanding the party’s grassroots presence from 1,000 to over 16,000 village units between 1985 and 1995. This visit was highlighted by a landmark event at the Swaminarayan School in Neasden, organised by the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK). Despite a cold drizzle, the hall was packed.

Notable attendees included Lord Navnit Dholakia, MP Barry Gardiner (Chairman of Labour Friends of India), and C.B. Patel, editor of Gujarat Samachar.

“BJP stands for nationalism and patriotism,” Narendra Modi was quoted as saying by the Modi Archive.

During this visit, he expanded on India’s democratic traditions, the NDA’s policy vision, and paid homage to Gandhian ideals — illustrating the BJP’s ideological clarity and moral purpose. He framed the BJP not just as a political force, but as a cultural and civilizational movement rooted in tradition, religion, modernity, and democracy. He further asserted that India’s democratic ethos is admired across the world.

In addition, Modi was honoured by the Lohana Mahajan community, where he commended overseas Indians for serving as authentic ambassadors of Indian civilisation. He also paid a visit to 10 Downing Street during the trip.

Modi’s emphasis on global awareness continued during another visit to the UK in 2000. In September that year, he stopped in London en route to the World Hindu Conference in the Caribbean and the UN Peace Summit in the US. At the time, he was about to assume the influential position of BJP General Secretary (Organisation), a role only two others had held since the Jana Sangh era.

During this short visit, Modi met British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and engaged in serious discussions on political stability in Asia, India’s regional situation, and the growing threat of international terrorism. He also met with members of the Overseas Friends of BJP and held teleconferences with C.B. Patel, updating them on the state of affairs in Gujarat and national security efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Terrorism is an evil against humanity — whether in India, the Middle East, or Northern Ireland,” Modi said.

It was a prescient warning that came a full year before the 9/11 attacks, at a time when much of the world had yet to perceive terrorism as a shared global menace.

In August 2003, two years after the devastating Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, Modi returned to the UK as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The purpose was to thank members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom had mobilised support, resources, and aid for the affected people.

“You are all the real friends of Gujarat, and I have come to reciprocate the loyalty. We have slept in the street of death and today I have come to repay a debt of friendship to those who helped us in our hour of need,” Modi said, addressing thousands at the packed Wembley Conference Centre.

He praised the diaspora not just for their financial contributions but for their deep emotional ties with India, calling them “the true friends of Gujarat”.

During this visit, he also inaugurated the Shakti Hall at the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice offices. True to his style, he spoke not just of the past, but also of the future.

In a speech still fondly remembered by the editors of Asian Voice, Modi famously said, “IT is not Information Technology. IT is India Today. BT is not Biotechnology. It is Bharat Today. IT and IT equals IT. That means Information Technology and Indian Talent is India Tomorrow.”

The visit also included a meeting with then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was in London at the time. Modi later met a delegation of political leaders and diaspora members on the South Bank of the River Thames, near Westminster Bridge, opposite the iconic Houses of Parliament.

Even in 2011, when Gujarat marked its golden jubilee, he virtually brought the UK into the celebrations. He addressed a high-profile audience in Mayfair, London, through video conferencing while in Gandhinagar, stating, “The name Gujarat and development are synonymous. Gujarat is creating history.”

The event, hosted by Friends of Gujarat, Gujarat Samachar, and Asian Voice, brought together 90 distinguished guests including British MPs, Lords, and community leaders. Among them was Lord Gulam Noon, who had a direct and lively exchange with Modi.

He used the opportunity to share his vision for the future. He announced the construction of the Mahatma Mandir, a monumental tribute rising from the soil of 18,000 villages — and including ‘mitti’ sent by Gujaratis living abroad.

“In this Golden Jubilee celebration, we have decided to build a Mahatma Mandir. We have collected earth from 18,000 villages in Gujarat to make this monument. We have also collected earth from abroad, especially the UK,” he said.

The message was clear: for Narendra Modi, the diaspora has never been a passive audience.

It has always been, and continues to be, an integral part of India’s journey — a partner in progress and a powerful force in shaping India’s global image.

Now, as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi continues to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by overseas Indians in deepening people-to-people ties and in promoting India’s image and influence across the globe.

IANS

July 24, 2025
Lok Sabha to discuss Scheduled Tribes Reservation Bill for Goa, Merchant Shipping Bill today

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

As the Monsoon Session of Parliament enters its fourth day, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up key legislative business on Thursday, including the Scheduled Tribes reservation bill for Goa and the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will move The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 for consideration and passage. The Bill seeks to enable the reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in Goa’s Legislative Assembly, in line with Article 332 of the Constitution. It proposes the readjustment of assembly constituencies following the inclusion of certain communities in the Scheduled Tribes list for the state.

According to the official business list, the Bill aims to ensure “effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes” and make the necessary constituency changes to reflect this inclusion.

Also on the agenda is The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which will be introduced by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The legislation seeks to consolidate and modernise India’s maritime laws, aligning them with international treaties and obligations. The Bill aims to promote the development of Indian shipping and enhance the efficiency and maintenance of the country’s mercantile marine sector, while safeguarding national interests.

In addition to legislative matters, standing committees on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Communications and Information Technology are expected to table reports on government actions taken in response to earlier recommendations made by the respective panels.

Parliament proceedings on Wednesday were disrupted due to continued protests by Opposition MPs over the Bihar Special Intensive Revision issue, leading to adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha until July 24.

The current Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to continue until August 21. Both Houses will reconvene at 11 a.m. today.

(With agencies inputs)

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Two students from the Physics Department of NSU passed the selection and presented their research in Moscow – at the International School on Quantum Technologies ISQT

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The International School of Quantum Technologies ISQT was held in Moscow, bringing together 30 of the best students from all over Russia. Among the participants were Ksenia Kozlenko and Ekaterina Kozlova, first-year master’s students Physics Department of NSUThey passed a competitive selection and presented poster reports, presenting their own research in the field of quantum physics.

— The selection was based on the CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letter. The scientific supervisor told me about the school. I applied and was included in the list of participants. I was very worried, but it turned out I was in vain. The atmosphere was warm and truly student-like. The poster session was not a formal defense before the committee — you could freely communicate, share experiences, ask questions, and listen to others. This was the first conference where I really wanted to stay and talk to everyone, — says Ksenia Kozlenko.

The topic of her speech was the development of a quantum computer on neutral atoms. This architecture is currently being actively developed in the USA, but remains technically complex.

— My task is to model logical operations in the context of quantum computing and find out whether it is possible to simplify the system without losing accuracy. After school, I understood more clearly in what direction to develop, and even found answers to some questions about work. And I also met guys who are truly inspiring — everyone was passionate about their topic and sincerely wanted to share knowledge. This impressed me the most, — Ksenia explains.

Ekaterina Kozlova presented a study on the Hanle effect in the ground state of alkali metal atoms and its application in quantum magnetometry.

— Based on this effect, it is possible to develop miniature and very sensitive magnetometers. They can be used in medicine (for example, for magnetoencephalography), in geophysics, in navigation, for creating magnetic maps, in space and fundamental science. That is, this is not just “theory for the sake of theory”, but a completely practical direction, and I am glad that I was able to present it at such a level, — explains Ekaterina.

One of the most memorable moments for her was a visit to the RCC laboratory, where they work with SQUIDs – superconducting quantum interference sensors.

— These sensors are the main competitors of optically pumped magnetometers, which we make in our lab. It was useful to compare approaches and equipment. We even held a SQUID in our hands and saw how it works — this gave me even more understanding of my topic, — Ekaterina shares.

The students call the poster presentation format particularly valuable.

“It’s like a regular report, only in a live format – communication takes place right next to the poster, you can immediately discuss the nuances, argue, get feedback, and you can also go and see what others are doing and get inspired,” says Ekaterina.

Now the girls continue to work on their research and are preparing to present new results at the upcoming conference – “Nevskaya Photonics”.

Congratulations to the girls and we wish them success!

Material prepared by: Yulia Dankova, NSU press service

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 24, 2025

Category: Politics

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