Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Competition Bureau makes recommendations to improve competition in Canada’s airline industry

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Increased competition would improve affordability, service, and choice for Canadians.

    Inuktitut version (PDF):

    June 19, 2025– GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

    The cost of flying is a major concern for Canadians. For many, particularly those in northern and remote communities, air travel is not a luxury – it is a necessity. 

    Today, the Competition Bureau published its market study report – Cleared for take-off: Elevating airline competition – which makes recommendations to governments for increasing competition in Canada’s domestic airline industry. 

    The Bureau’s study found that despite the recent entry and expansion of new airlines, the domestic market remains highly concentrated and competition from new sources remains fragile. At major airports across the country, Air Canada and WestJet together account for roughly half to three quarters of all domestic passenger traffic. 

    The Bureau’s report outlines three areas of focus for governments to create the right conditions for competition in the industry. These are:

    More competition in the airline industry would mean lower prices, more options and better service for Canadians. The Bureau found that when just one new competitor flies on a route between two cities, airfares go down by 9% on average, highlighting the benefits that competition can deliver

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Unique air travel challenges for northern and remote communities

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Backgrounder

    Highlights from the Competition Bureau’s market study of Canada’s airline industry

    June 19, 2025 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

    The Competition Bureau’s market study on competition in Canada’s airline industry included an analysis of the unique challenges faced by northern and remote communities.

    For these communities, air transportation is essential—not optional. It impacts even those who never fly. Residents depend on it for access to healthcare, groceries, medicine, jobs, and social connection. Yet harsh weather, small populations, limited facilities, and high costs make it difficult for airlines to serve these markets.

    This backgrounder summarizes the market study’s key findings concerning air travel for Canada’s northern and remote communities, and our recommendations on how to improve competition.

    What we heard

    The Bureau consulted with nearly 50 stakeholders on the challenges faced by northern and remote regions, including airlines, industry associations, academics, airports, consumer associations, regional chambers of commerce, and provincial, territorial, and federal governments. We also heard from over 200 members of the public about northern issues during public consultations in June and August 2024. To gain a deeper understanding of these challenges, Bureau employees visited Iqaluit as a part of this study and met with local stakeholders.

    Residents across the North—particularly in Nunavut—shared consistent concerns about the high cost of air travel, limited competition, and unreliable service.

    Most routes in Nunavut are served by two airlines: Canadian North, which primarily operates in the Qikiqtaaluk and Kitikmeot regions, and Calm Air, which mainly serves the Kivalliq region (with both carriers overlapping only at Rankin Inlet). This limited competition, combined with rising costs and reduced flight options, affects residents’ ability to travel, access essential services, and get work or business opportunities.

    The Bureau’s prior work in northern aviation

    The Bureau has examined competition issues in northern and remote airlines markets in the past. For example:

    • In 2016, the Bureau investigated concerns over alleged predatory pricing by First Air and Canadian North to block a new entrant, GoSarvaq. While there were signs that First Air’s and Canadian North’s pricing promotions likely had some impact on GoSarvaq’s entry plans, the Bureau concluded that there was not enough evidence to take enforcement action. GoSavarq ceased operations shortly thereafter.
    • In 2019, the Bureau reviewed the merger of Canadian North and First Air and concluded it would likely reduce competition and lead to higher prices and worse service. However, the federal cabinet, on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, approved the merger with conditions to limit price hikes and service cuts. In April 2023, those conditions were amended due to the pandemic’s impact on the airline industry.

    Although our current study did not re-examine these cases in detail, stakeholders consistently raised concerns about aggressive competitive responses to entry and cited the merger of Canadian North and First Air as an example of how limited competition and policy gaps have harmed air service in the North.

    Persistent challenges in northern aviation

    In our report, we identified barriers that make it difficult for new players to enter and expand services in northern and remote communities. These include:

    • Vast geography and isolation: Small, spread-out populations in the North limit potential revenue for airlines, a significant challenge as they also face high operating costs—such as fuel, labor, and housing.
    • Underdeveloped airport facilities: Infrastructure such as buildings, weather monitoring systems, and runways play a large role in airlines’ operations. This airport infrastructure is underdeveloped in the North, making it more challenging for airlines to operate, and causing their costs to rise.
    • Regulations are not adapted to northern factors: Regulations play an important role in the aviation sector, but their standard application in northern and remote regions can impose burdens on airlines that cost them money and may drive them to exit the market. A one-size-fits-all approach to regulations does not work for the specific conditions of northern communities.
    • Unnecessary bidding restrictions on government contracts: Government contracts are important to northern airlines. When contracts are difficult for smaller operators to bid on, it can limit the number of airlines that can compete.
    • The strategic behaviour of existing airlines: Existing airlines can make it hard for new airlines to enter the northern market by restricting access to airline-owned airport facilities and by aggressively cutting prices and adding extra seats on routes served by the new airlines.

    These unique challenges show why solutions must be tailored to northern needs. While the economics of operating in the North limits the number of competitors serving many routes, competition can be enhanced by making it easier for newer or more efficient airlines to operate in the market.

    Our recommendations

    To improve competition in northern and remote communities, the Bureau makes the following recommendations to governments:

    1. Coordinate leadership of northern and remote aviation. Establish a national working group focused on remote air transportation to properly address the unique challenges of these regions. This group should prioritize competitive solutions that lead to high-quality and accessible air service for northern communities.
    2. Tailor regulations to the northern context. Adopt an approach to policy specific to the North that reduces unintended regulatory costs on northern operators.
    3. Leverage government investments and tools to foster competition. Improve critical infrastructure at key northern airports and develop open-access airport facilities to reduce operational barriers and enable broader carrier access. Open government contracts to as many bidders as possible and promote interlining agreements to expand carrier participation and support regional connectivity.

    We make additional recommendations in our market study to promote airline entry and growth, as well as to support informed passenger decision-making. Those recommendations would also benefit northern and remote communities.

    Our commitment to protect airline competition

    We recognize the important role the Competition Bureau plays to safeguard competition against anti-competitive activity in this sector. In addition to our recommendations for governments across Canada, we will continue to approach our work in the Canadian airline industry with careful attention and scrutiny. Following recent amendments to the Competition Act, we are committed to using our full range of enforcement tools. This includes seeking court orders where appropriate to try to quickly stop anti-competitive practices.

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Performance of Private Corporate Business Sector during Q4:2024-25

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Today, the Reserve Bank released data on the performance of the private corporate sector during the fourth quarter of 2024-25, drawn from abridged quarterly financial results of 2,936 listed non-government non-financial companies. This summary position also includes comparable data for Q4:2023-24 and Q3:2024-25 to enable study of sequential (q-o-q) and annual (y-o-y) change (web-link https://data.rbi.org.in/DBIE/#/dbie/reports/Statistics/Corporate%20Sector/Listed%20Non-Government%20Non-Financial%20Companies).

    Highlights

    Sales

    • Sales of listed private non-financial companies registered 7.1 per cent growth (y-o-y) during Q4:2024-25 as compared to 8.0 per cent growth in the previous quarter (6.9 per cent in Q4:2023-24) (Table 1A).

    • Aggregate sales growth (y-o-y) of 1,659 listed private manufacturing companies moderated to 6.6 per cent during Q4:2024-25 from 7.7 per cent during the previous quarter; even as major industries such as electrical machinery, chemicals, food products and pharmaceuticals industries recorded double digit sales growth; weak performance of petroleum industry pulled down the sector’s sales growth (Table 2A and 5A, Chart 1).

    • On annual basis, sales growth (y-o-y) of IT companies improved further to 8.6 per cent in Q4 from 6.8 per cent in the previous quarter and 3.1 per cent a year ago.

    • Sales of non-IT services companies continued to grow in double digits at 10.9 per cent in Q4, on the back of good performance of telecommunication and transport & storage companies.

    Expenditure

    • Manufacturing companies’ expenses on raw material rose by 8.3 per cent (y-o-y) in tandem with their sales growth, however, raw material to sales ratio broadly remained stable during Q4 from the previous quarter (Table 2A and 2B).

    • Staff cost of manufacturing, IT and non-IT services companies rose by 10.0 per cent, 6.4 per cent and 9.5 per cent, respectively, during Q4:2024-25. Staff cost to sales ratio for manufacturing, IT and non-IT services companies broadly remained stable at 5.5 per cent, 48.0 per cent, and 10.1 per cent, respectively, during Q4:2024-25.

    Pricing power

    • Operating profit of manufacturing and non-IT services companies rose by 8.1 per cent and 18.4 per cent, respectively, during Q4, while it increased modestly by 2.4 per cent for IT companies (Table 2A).

    • Operating profit margin improved for manufacturing and non-IT services companies sequentially to 14.7 per cent and 23.0 per cent, respectively, during Q4, while it moderated for IT companies by 190 bps to 21.3 per cent in Q4 from the previous quarter (Table 2B and Chart 2).

    Interest expenses

    • With sequential rise in profits, manufacturing companies’ interest coverage ratio (ICR)1 improved to 8.7 in Q4:2024-25 from 7.6 in the previous quarter. ICR for non-IT services companies remained steady and continued to stay above unity, while it improved for IT service companies during Q4 (Table 2B).

    List of Tables

    Table No. Title
    1 A Performance of Listed Non-Government Non-Financial Companies Growth Rates
    B Select Ratios
    2 A Performance of Listed Non-Government Non-Financial Companies – Sector-wise Growth Rates
    B Select Ratios
    3 A Performance of Listed Non-Government Non-Financial Companies according to Size of Paid-up-Capital Growth Rates
    B Select Ratios
    4 A Performance of Listed Non-Government Non-Financial Companies according to Size of Sales Growth Rates
    B Select Ratios
    5 A Performance of Listed Non-Government Non-Financial Companies according to Industry Growth Rates
    B Select Ratios
    Explanatory Notes
    Glossary

    Notes:

    • The coverage of companies in different quarters varies, depending on the date of declaration of results; this is, however, not expected to significantly alter the aggregate position.

    • Explanatory notes detailing the compilation methodology, and the glossary (including revised definitions and calculations that differ from previous releases) are appended.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/565


    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with AMMSTI Chair 2025

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, today met with H.E. Laksana Tri Handoko, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI) Chair 2025 and Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of the Republic of Indonesia, on the sidelines of the AMMSTI-21, in Jakarta, Indonesia. They recognised Indonesia’s strong leadership in shaping ASEAN’s STI future, including through the launch of ASEAN Plan of Action on STI (APASTI) 2026–2035, among others. SG Dr. Kao also tabled a proposal for an AMMSTI–Dialogue Partner platform at the ministerial level to secure deeper global partnership. Both sides reaffirmed STI as a vital force for a resilient, competitive, and future-ready ASEAN.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with AMMSTI Chair 2025 appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Anti-ageing drug rapamycin may extend life almost as effectively as restricting calories – our new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Zahida Sultanova, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia

    There’s a better way. Africa Studio/Shutterstock

    For centuries, humans have searched for ways to extend life. Alchemists never found the philosopher’s stone, but scientists have consistently shown that a longer life can be attained by eating less – at least in certain lab animals. But can we find a way to live longer while still enjoying our food?

    Compounds that mimic the biological effects of dieting could be the answer, and the two most popular diet-mimicking drugs are rapamycin and metformin. In a new study, my colleagues and I found that rapamycin prolongs life almost as consistently as eating less, whereas metformin does not.

    Eating less, or dietary restriction, has been the gold standard for achieving a longer life ever since a study nearly a century ago in which laboratory rats that ate less surprised scientists by outliving their well-fed lab mates.

    But for many people, sticking to a permanent diet is hard and far from enjoyable. Also, if taken to extremes, it can even be bad for health. That is why we wanted to know whether drugs that are dieting mimics could bring the same benefit of eating less without the unwanted side-effects.

    Rapamycin was first discovered in bacteria living in Easter Island soil in the 1970s, and medical professionals now use it to prevent organ-transplant rejection, as it is a powerful immunosuppressant. It works by blocking a molecular switch that tells cells when nutrients are abundant.

    Metformin, meanwhile, is a synthetic descendant of a compound found in French lilac (also known as goat’s rue) and is widely prescribed to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Both drugs are involved in the body’s ability to sense nutrients and energy, so biologists like us hoped they might copy the mechanisms activated by eating less.

    To find out, we pooled the results of many studies to see if there were any overall patterns. We carefully examined thousands of scientific papers to finally home in on 167 studies on eight vertebrate species, from fish to monkeys, that provided sufficient details on survival and how the study was done. Then we compared three longevity strategies: eating less, taking rapamycin and taking metformin.

    We found that eating less still came out on top as the most consistent way to prolong life in all animals but rapamycin was close behind. Metformin, in contrast, showed no clear benefit. The life-extension effect of eating less was the same in both sexes, and it didn’t matter whether the diet plan involved eating smaller portions or intermittent fasting.

    That makes rapamycin one of the most exciting leads for new anti-ageing therapies. Ageing might not be considered a disease, but it is a risk factor behind many diseases from cancer to dementia. If we slow that underlying process, the benefit will be extra years of quality life and lower healthcare bills as the world’s population grows older.

    Rapamycin was first isolated from bacteria found in the soil on Easter Island.
    JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.com

    Encouraging early signs, but we’re not quite there yet

    However, there are some important points to consider. First, we discovered considerable variation from experiment to experiment with some studies even showing that eating less or taking rapamycin reduced lifespan.

    Also, most of the evidence originates from mice and rats that have many of our genes but are clearly not exactly like us.

    Finally, rapamycin may have side-effects such as repressing immunity and reproduction. Researchers are now investigating milder doses of rapamycin to see if they provide the advantages without the side-effects.

    The preliminary signs are encouraging. In an ongoing human rapamycin trial, volunteers given low, intermittent doses of rapamycin have experienced positive effects on indicators of healthspan. For metformin, the human trial is still in progress and the findings are expected to be out in a few years time.

    For now, nobody should run to their doctor asking for prescriptions of rapamycin to live longer. But this drug, extracted from obscure soil bacteria, shows us that interfering with a single molecular pathway can be enough to mimic the benefits of eating less. The challenge is to use this discovery to produce therapies that make us healthier for longer without compromising our quality of life – or our taste for the occasional slice of chocolate cake.

    Dr. Zahida Sultanova works for the University of East Anglia and is funded by the Leverhulme Trust. She is a member of European Society of Evolutionary Biology (ESEB) and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Society of Turkey (EkoEvo).

    ref. Anti-ageing drug rapamycin may extend life almost as effectively as restricting calories – our new research – https://theconversation.com/anti-ageing-drug-rapamycin-may-extend-life-almost-as-effectively-as-restricting-calories-our-new-research-259169

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • Israel attacks Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel said on Thursday it had struck Iran’s only functioning nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast, potentially a major escalation in its air war against Iran.

    Israel has struck a number of Iranian nuclear targets since launching its attacks last week. But a strike on the Bushehr plant, which is located near Iran’s Arab Gulf neighbours and employs technicians from Russia, would be widely be seen as a big step.

    An Israeli military spokesperson said on Thursday the military had struck nuclear sites in Bushehr, Isfahan, and Natanz, and continued to target additional facilities.

    Bushehr is Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant. It uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent to reduce proliferation risk.

    Iranian missiles hit an Israeli hospital overnight, as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the U.S. would join Israel in airstrikes.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to press on with Israel’s biggest ever attack on Iran until his arch enemy’s nuclear programme is destroyed, said Tehran’s “tyrants” would pay the “full price”.

    His Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on strategic-related targets in Tehran in order to eliminate the threat to Israel and destabilise the “Ayatollah regime”.

    (Reuters)

  • Yoga for all: ten signature events to mark decade of International Day of Yoga in 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As the world prepares to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, India has announced a robust line-up of ten Signature Events to commemorate a decade of the global yoga movement. With the overarching theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” these events aim to broaden yoga’s reach across demographics, geographies, and disciplines, reinforcing its transformative impact on health, lifestyle, and cultural integration.
     
    Over the past ten years, IDY has evolved from a symbolic celebration into a nationwide and global wellness initiative. The Ministry of AYUSH, which spearheads the event, has designed these ten Signature Events to deepen yoga’s engagement with various segments of society — from children and senior citizens to international delegates and urban youth.
     
    Yoga Sangam: A Synchronized National Demonstration
     
    The flagship event, Yoga Sangam, will see a mass yoga demonstration based on the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) held simultaneously at over one lakh locations across India on June 21 from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Common Yoga Protocol, developed by the Ministry of AYUSH, is designed to be inclusive and accessible, with materials available in 22 Indian languages, 6 UN languages, and 9 other foreign languages.
     
    Fostering International Collaboration with Yoga Bandhan
     
    Yoga Bandhan focuses on international exchange, promoting bilateral collaboration through the mutual participation of yoga practitioners from India and partner countries. Indian delegates will conduct sessions and discussions abroad, while foreign representatives will be hosted in immersive programs in India culminating in the main IDY celebrations.
     
    Creating Wellness Spaces Through Yoga Park
     
    The Yoga Park initiative seeks to convert public parks in rural Panchayats and urban municipalities into dedicated yoga-friendly zones. These upgraded parks will host regular sessions led by trained instructors and feature informative displays to facilitate self-guided practice. Accessibility for all age groups and health needs remains a key component of this effort.
     
    Inclusive Health with Yoga Samavesh
     
    Acknowledging the diverse health requirements of different populations, Yoga Samavesh has developed special yoga modules tailored to groups such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, senior citizens, and individuals managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health issues.
     
    Evaluating a Decade of Impact with Yoga Prabhav
     
    Yoga Prabhav is a research-driven initiative that assesses the ten-year journey of IDY, highlighting its influence on public health, policy, and awareness. The findings were unveiled during Yoga Connect, a global summit held on June 14, which brought together leading yoga experts from across the world.
     
    A Global Platform in Yoga Connect
     
    Yoga Connect aims to serve as an inclusive platform for global dialogue on yoga. With hybrid participation, the summit encouraged cross-cultural exchanges, institutional collaborations, and discourse on making yoga relevant in modern, everyday life.
     
    Promoting Sustainability with Harit Yoga
     
    Linking wellness with environmental responsibility, Harit Yoga incorporates eco-friendly activities such as tree plantation drives and cleanliness campaigns into its yoga outreach. The initiative also promotes awareness about climate change and sustainable living through educational campaigns.
     
    Youth Engagement through Yoga Unplugged
     
    To appeal to younger audiences, Yoga Unplugged blends traditional yoga with modern formats. Youth festivals, workshops, and social media campaigns aim to spark interest in yoga. Events will include fusion performances, contests, and talks tailored for digital natives.
     
    Festival-Style Celebrations with Yoga Mahakumbh
     
    Yoga Mahakumbh will bring the festive spirit of yoga to ten cities across India, each focusing on specific themes like environment, youth, and inclusivity. Organised in collaboration with public sector enterprises, these events seek to make yoga more visible and accessible to the general public.
     
    Integrative Medicine in Samyoga
     
    Lastly, Samyoga will explore the integration of yoga with other health systems including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, and modern medicine. Through collaborative events and expert discussions, Samyoga aims to create a shared knowledge base for public health interventions.
     
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement with the Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement with the Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises. Delivered at the 59th HRC in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President,

    We thank the Working Group for their report on ensuring the procurement and deployment of AI is aligned with the UN Guiding Principles.

    The use of AI presents significant opportunities for human rights, as well as risks. The UK advocates for human rights considerations to be incorporated into the design, development and use of AI. We expect all businesses to carry out human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles to this effect.

    We recognise the need for transparency raised in the report. The UK has introduced an Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, which requires public sector organisations to publish clear information on how and why they are using algorithmic tools, delivering meaningful transparency through a tiered approach. This is mandatory for central government, when such tools have a significant influence on decision-making processes which effect the public.

    The UK recognises that international cooperation through multilateral fora is vital to safeguard and mitigate against human rights risks associated with AI.

    Members of the Working Group,  

    How can meaningful stakeholder consultation, including with affected populations, be integrated into the development of common standards and interoperable frameworks, to ensure responsible adoption of AI?

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New guidance issued for environmental impact assessments

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New guidance issued for environmental impact assessments

    Guidance offers greater clarity to offshore oil and gas developers.

    • New guidance provides clarity on how the global environmental impacts of proposed oil and gas projects in licensed fields should be assessed, following Supreme Court ruling.

    • Offshore developers will now be able to submit their applications for consent to develop already-licensed oil and gas fields.

    • Follows the Spending Review announcement of £9.4 billion for carbon capture and storage projects, including Acorn in Aberdeenshire, in a major step forward for the government’s plan to put the North Sea at the heart of Britain’s clean energy future.

    Offshore oil and gas developers to benefit from greater clarity and stability, as new guidance responds to last year’s landmark Supreme Court ruling for the North Sea.   

    The government has acted decisively to respond to the independent Supreme Court, which ruled before this government took office that the global environmental effects of burning oil and gas are an inevitable consequence of extraction projects. This ruling means that North Sea operators for the first time are required to consider the impact of burning the extracted oil and gas in environmental impact assessments. 

    The new guidance, published today (19 June), will ensure the full effects of fossil fuel extraction on the environment are recognised in consenting decisions. It sets out how environmental impacts of oil and gas should be assessed, providing a clear way forward for the industry. 

    Offshore developers will now be able to submit their applications for consent to extract oil and gas in already-licensed fields, a process which has been on pause since the Finch Supreme Court judgment. When deciding on an application, the Energy Secretary will consider the significance of a project’s environmental impact, while taking into account and balancing relevant factors on a case-by-case basis – such as the potential economic impact and other implications of the project. 

    The publication brings greater clarity for Britain’s oil and gas sector, as the government continues its work with the industry to build a clean energy future for the North Sea. It comes as last week’s Spending Review confirmed £9.4 billion for carbon capture and storage projects – marking a major step forward in the government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower that will drive economic growth, create jobs and deliver the government’s Plan for Change. 

    Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: 

    This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year’s Supreme Court ruling.  

    It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea’s clean energy future, in line with the science.  

    We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain’s clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security.

    The new guidance is aimed at applications for projects in North Sea oil and gas fields that are already licensed. 

    Today’s publication follows decisive action from the government to consult on the required changes – hearing from the industry, NGOs, trade unions, academia and members of the public – in light of the Court’s ruling a year ago this week.  

    The update follows news last week that the government will provide around £200 million to progress the Acorn project in Aberdeenshire, subject to business case, as part of the £9.4 billion commitment in the Spending Review for carbon capture and storage projects across the UK. Industry predicts the Acorn project will support approximately 15,000 jobs at peak construction – bolstering the region’s proud energy history and delivering on the Plan for Change.    

    The investment is just one part of the government’s plan to bring growth, jobs and investment to the North Sea. Later this year, the government will respond to its consultation on how to support a successful clean energy transition for the North Sea and its workers – and on the commitment not to issue new licences to explore new oil and gas fields. 

    Support to help oil and gas workers maximise the opportunities of the clean energy transition is already underway. Earlier this year, the government confirmed Aberdeen as one of four key growth regions for clean energy – alongside Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire – and launched pilots to help workers in these areas access jobs in new clean energy industries. 

    Oil and gas workers will also get help to move into these sectors, thanks to a new energy ‘skills passport’ launched this year – led by Offshore Energies UK and RenewableUK, and backed by UK and Scottish Governments. This tool will support workers into careers in offshore wind initially, before being expanded to other renewables roles later this year.    

    Notes to editors:  

    • The guidance published today on assessing effects of downstream scope 3 emissions on climate is supplementary to existing guidance on Environmental Impact Assessments for oil and gas extraction projects.  

    • This guidance is intended to assist developers in understanding the Environmental Impact Assessment process. It is not intended to provide a definitive statement of the law or to constitute legal advice.   

    • Developers remain responsible for ensuring that their environmental statements are prepared by competent experts and should seek technical and legal advice as necessary. 

    • The government’s response to the consultation on the guidance for assessing effects of downstream scope 3 emissions on climate has also been published on gov.uk. 

    • Offshore developers will now be able to submit their applications for consent to extract oil and gas in already-licensed fields. There is no change to the legislation and the process remains the same. Environmental statements are subject to public notice requirements for 30 days. The Energy Secretary may request further information if required in order for a decision to be reached and such further information may be subject to a further public notice period. The Energy Secretary will then make a decision on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent, once all the relevant information has been provided. This means the government does not anticipate taking any decisions until Autumn at the earliest, on applications received following the new guidance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Logistics deal cleared with remedies to help keep supermarket warehousing costs low

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Logistics deal cleared with remedies to help keep supermarket warehousing costs low

    CMA has cleared GXO’s acquisition of Wincanton following the business’s offer to sell Wincanton’s dedicated grocery warehousing business.

    iStock

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the merger between contract logistics services providers, GXO and Wincanton – subject to the sale of Wincanton’s dedicated grocery warehousing business to a CMA-approved buyer.  

    In its final report, the independent inquiry group leading the CMA’s investigation found that GXO’s purchase of Wincanton would reduce competition in the supply of dedicated warehousing services to grocery customers in the UK.  

    The loss of competition would likely lead to higher costs for grocers which, in turn, could be passed onto shoppers across the UK and lead to more expensive products at the checkout. The loss of competition resulting from the deal could hamper innovation and reduce service levels in the market – impacting the efficiency of goods reaching supermarket shelves.  

    As a result, GXO has agreed to sell Wincanton’s dedicated grocery warehousing business to a CMA-approved buyer. The inquiry group is satisfied that this remedy sufficiently addresses its competition concerns and is therefore clearing the deal.  

    Logistics, including warehousing, is essential to the operation of supermarkets and many other businesses in the UK. Efficient logistics systems help to lower costs for both businesses and consumers and ensure that products are available in stores when needed.   

    Richard Feasey, Chair of the independent inquiry group, said:    

    Warehousing services play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless movement of goods across the UK, allowing our supermarkets to maintain well-stocked shelves with thousands of items we buy every day.   

    Healthy competition in this market is key to managing costs for supermarkets and grocers and improving their performance – ultimately ensuring consumers pay the best possible prices for products in stores. We are pleased to approve this deal, having worked with GXO and Wincanton to secure the necessary changes to the deal which resolve our concerns.

    For more information, visit the GXO / Wincanton case page. 

    Notes to Editors:  

    1. Alongside publishing the final report, the CMA has also issued an interim order to permit GXO and Wincanton to begin integration once Wincanton’s dedicated grocery warehousing business has been appropriately ringfenced, pending its sale to a suitable CMA-approved buyer.  

    2. The independent inquiry group’s final report will be published on the GXO / Wincanton case page in due course.  

    3. Contract logistics services (CLS) encompass a range of B2B and B2C supply chain-related services, which enable businesses to supply goods to customers and consumers. These services include transport and distribution, warehousing and additional value-added services. 

    4. All media enquiries should be directed to the CMA press office by email on press@cma.gov.uk or by phone on 020 3738 6460.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Experts discussed the digital transformation of the construction industry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Seminar at SPbGASU

    A seminar entitled “Digital transformation of the construction sector and standardization in self-regulation as tools for improving the quality and safety of capital construction projects” was held at SPbGASU.

    The event was organized by the National Association of Surveyors and Designers (NOPRIZ), SPbGASU and the Association of SRO “OsnovaProekt”.

    The first day of the seminar began with a plenary session moderated by the coordinator of NOPRIZ for the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Vikhrov and the deputy director of the Association of SRO “OsnovaProekt” for development Polina Fedyuchek. Then two round tables were held: the first of them was devoted to the role of digital transformation of architectural and construction design and engineering surveys in improving the quality of capital construction. The second discussed how standardization in self-regulation affects the quality of construction.

    Vice President and member of the NOPRIZ Council Mikhail Lyubimov highlighted the main problems in the field of digitalization of the construction sector, proposed ways to solve them, emphasizing the potential of NOPRIZ, and also spoke about the support measures implemented by the national association. “It is important to remember that digitalization should be a means of optimizing our industry, and not an end in itself. A significant issue of digitalization is the availability of effective domestic software. At the last all-Russian congress of NOPRIZ, we concluded an agreement with the Domestic Software Association. The main idea of such cooperation is to support domestic developers,” he noted.

    In parallel, added Mikhail Lyubimov, NOPRIZ is working with Glavgosexpertiza to create comprehensive software solutions for the connectivity of the domestic ecosystem and the transition to full-fledged digital management of the construction life cycle.

    The President of the Association of SRO “OsnovaProekt” Sergey Levitsky emphasized the need to adapt professional standards and qualification requirements in construction to the realities of the digital age.

    Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at SPbGASU Victoria Vinogradova noted: “The common tasks of the university and self-regulatory organizations lie in the area of improving the quality of construction, ensuring the safety of facilities and training highly qualified specialists. We share the desire to create a sustainable and innovative construction industry. The university can be useful to self-regulatory organizations as a competence center offering educational programs, scientific research and a platform for testing new technologies. In turn, self-regulatory organizations can provide practical expertise, helping us adapt educational programs to the real needs of the market.”

    During the seminar, representatives of the NOPRIZ apparatus conducted training for employees of self-regulatory organizations in accordance with the professional standard “Specialist in the field of self-regulation in urban development activities” and on the work of SRO specialists in the Automated Information System “Rating”.

    At the end of the seminar, a ceremonial presentation of certificates of completion of training at SPbGASU took place.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Israel, Iran travel alert raised to black

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today raised the outbound travel alert for Israel and Iran to black in view of the latest developments there.

    It advised Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Israel and Iran. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately.

    The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and Iran and issue updates through the media, the bureau’s mobile app and its outbound travel alert webpage.

    In addition to attending to their personal safety, the bureau advised Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran to pay attention to announcements made by local authorities and the Chinese Embassy there.

    Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran who need assistance can call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department’s mobile app.

    They can also send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit an online assistance request form.

    Alternatively, they may contact the local Chinese Embassy by calling the Embassy in Israel at (972) 35459520 or the Embassy in Iran at (98) 9122176035.

    Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong.

    The information provided allows the Immigration Department to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means on a timely basis when necessary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Global Logistics (AGL) Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as it Expands Logistics Footprint in Angola

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

    Africa Global Logistics (AGL) – a leading multimodal logistics, transport and port operations company in Africa – has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 conference as a Bronze Sponsor. The event will take place on September 3-4 in Luanda. AGL’s participation reflects its growing commitment to strengthening supply chains in Angola, as it expands and modernizes logistics and port operations across the country.

    Operating through port, road, rail and air freight services, AGL has significantly grown its footprint in Angola in recent years, investing in infrastructure upgrades and offering turnkey logistics management solutions. With one of the largest logistics networks in Africa, the company provides reliable, flexible solutions that support oil and gas projects and create added value. As an AOG 2025 sponsor, AGL aligns with Angola’s broader goals of increasing oil production and boosting intra-African petroleum trade.

    AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    AGL’s sponsorship comes at a pivotal time for Angola, as the country prepares to bring several major developments online between 2025 and 2028. These include the Cabinda Oil Refinery (2025), the Agogo Integrated West Hub (late 2025), the Quiluma and Maboqueiro gas fields (2026) and the Kaminho Deepwater Development (2028). These projects require coordinated logistics operations to ensure the safe, continuous delivery of supplies – from offshore FPSOs to onshore facilities and export terminals. AGL’s engagement at AOG 2025 is set to foster deeper collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders, supporting these projects through direct engagement and potential partnerships.

    In 2024, AGL launched operations at the AGL Lobito Terminal, located at Angola’s largest port hub, the Port of Lobito. The terminal accommodates large-capacity ships and handles over one million tons of bulk goods and more than 100,000 TEU containers annually. AGL won the international tender for the development of the container and multipurpose terminal in 2023, aiming to enhance the port’s connectivity and support Angola’s trade and industrialization ambitions.

    In addition to supporting oil and gas trade, the modernized terminal serves as the first Atlantic gateway providing access to Africa’s copper-belt regions. Connected to the Lobito Railway – which links Zambia and the DRC to international markets via the port – the terminal facilitates critical mineral exports and supports the development of agricultural basins across these countries. AGL’s participation at AOG 2025 presents an opportunity for closer engagement across Angola’s upstream, downstream and logistics value chains. As Angola ramps up oil and gas output and expands exports, AGL’s expertise will be instrumental in delivering the infrastructure and services needed to support these ambitions.

    – on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Green Energy International Exports First Crude from New Onshore Terminal in Nigeria

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

    Nigerian energy company Green Energy International (GEIL) has completed the development of the Otakikpo onshore terminal, situated in OML 11 near Port Harcourt. In June 2025, the company lifted its first crude cargo from the newly-constructed facility – the first indigenous onshore terminal constructed in the country in five decades – signaling the start of operations at the terminal.  

    The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – commends GEIL for the development of the onshore terminal. The AEC believes that facilities such as this will play an instrumental part in supporting marginal field production by facilitating crude exports and increasing revenue generation in Nigeria. As the country strives to produce two million barrels per day (bpd), projects of this nature will support new investments by providing a direct route from offshore fields to market.  

    The Otakikpo terminal was developed in two years – six months ahead of schedule. The company broke ground on the construction of the facility in February 2023, with the development of storage facilities and the associated pipeline advancing in February 2024. Construction works continued to progress through May 2024, with associated infrastructure at the terminal – including offices and pump facilities – progressing in December 2024. By March 2025, the facility began injecting crude, with GEIL’s production averaging 5,000 bpd. GEIL has since received regulatory approval from the government to boost production to 30,000 bpd under a revised field development plan. In June 2025, the facility received its first cargo via a vessel chartered by energy major Shell. The maiden cargo transported crude from the Otakikpo marginal field – located in Rivers State and operated by GEIL – to the terminal, kickstarting a new era of efficient crude distribution in Nigeria.  

    The terminal itself is a state-of-the-art facility with a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels. Plans are underway to increase storage capacity to three million barrels – dependent on market demands. The terminal is designed with an export capacity of 360,000 bpd, with crude transported via a 23-km, 20-inch pipeline connected to a single point mooring system in the Atlantic Ocean. At the site, tankers – such as Aframax chartered by Shell – can dock and load. The terminal is expected to significantly reduce operating costs for marginal fields in OML 11, primarily through cost-effective transportation. Prior to the construction of the onshore terminal, GEIL relied on barges to transport crude. However, with the terminal, the company stands to reduce the reliance on costly offshore floating stations, reducing overall operational costs by 40%.  

    For Nigeria’s marginal fields, the terminal opens new doors for greater operational efficiency. The terminal is expected to unlock previously-stranded crude from more than 40 marginal fields across the region, with a capacity to receive up to 250,000 bpd from third-party producers. The government has long-sought to revive crude production through the development of marginal fields. A marginal field bidding round was launched in 2020 to entice indigenous operators to invest in marginal field opportunities, drawing in 591 companies seeking to develop 57 oilfields. Ultimately, 161 companies were shortlisted, most of which represented indigenous operators. Improved fiscals introduced through Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act in 2021 further enticed investments by both international and regional players. Looking ahead, these foundations have seen a rise in marginal field production, with the GEIL-developed onshore terminal set to further support investments and exports.  

    “GEIL is not only setting a strong benchmark for other independent operators in Nigeria but serves as a testament to the central role indigenous energy companies play in the country’s oil and gas sector. By establishing a domestic solution to producing, storing and exporting crude, GEIL is supporting marginal field production while laying the foundation for most efficient oil operations. The facility will play an instrumental part in supporting the country’s crude production goals,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.   

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: TUI Hotels & Resorts contributes to growth in Africa with strong leisure hotel brands

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

    • TUI Blue and TUI Suneo extend their portfolio in North Africa
    • New openings planned in The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire
    • New luxury brand The Mora celebrates its first anniversary

    TUI Group (www.TUIGroup.com) continues to expand its hotel business worldwide and pursues ambitious plans to support the African hospitality industry. With its 12 leisure hotel brands, TUI offers unique experiences for holidaymakers and invites them to enjoy the respective region with its culinary delights, natural beauty and cultural heritage. A few weeks ago, the brands TUI Blue and TUI Suneo expanded their portfolio in Africa. In Egypt, TUI Blue Samaya with 143 rooms and an aqua park has been added to the premium brand’s portfolio. The hotel is located in the growing destination of Marsa Alam. For holidaymakers looking for value for money, TUI Suneo Palm Beach Skanes in Tunisia has also opened its doors. With 294 rooms and a large garden area, the hotel is offering an attractive all-inclusive package with a wide range of sports and entertainment options.

    “Together with our long-standing JV partners, we have more than 20 hotels in our pipeline that will open in Africa in the coming months and years”, says Artur Gerber, Managing Director TUI Hotels & Resorts, at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa. “We already have a strong presence in North Africa, the Cape Verde Islands and Zanzibar, but we are convinced that other destinations can also benefit from our strong leisure hotel brands.” For example, the lifestyle brand TUI Blue is planning its first hotel in The Gambia, which will open at the end of this year. The resort features 140 rooms and a unique location along Kotu Beach. “With our expertise, along with management and franchise agreements, we are also attracting hotel partners in entirely new destinations. One example is Côte d’Ivoire, where the construction of a new TUI Blue hotel has just started and is scheduled to open in 2027”, adds Wesam Okasha, Head of Global Development TUI Blue.

    Last year, TUI launched a new brand targeting the upscale market and selected Tanzania as its inaugural destination. The Mora Zanzibar has just celebrated its first anniversary, offering laid-back, contemporary luxury with highly personalized and flexible service. “Our guest reviews show that The Mora is resonating strongly with this new audience and delivering an exceptional experience. We are very proud of this achievement and look forward to introducing more carefully selected The Mora hotels across Africa,” says Artur Gerber.

    TUI Hotels & Resorts’ current portfolio in Africa comprises a total of 97 hotels with over 30,000 rooms across eight countries.

    – on behalf of TUI Blue Hotels.

    TUI Group – Group Corporate & External Affairs:
    Natascha Kreye
    Corporate Communications
    Phone: +49 (0) 511 566 6029
    natascha.kreye@tui.com

    group.communications@tui.com
    www.TUIGroup.com

    About TUI Group:
    The TUI Group is one of the world’s leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its over 20 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 18 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe’s leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with 125 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.  

    Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.  

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  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says ceasefire an urgent priority in settling conflict in Middle East 2025-06-19 19:28:10 Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that ceasefire is an urgent priority in settling the conflict in the Middle East, and the use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that ceasefire is an urgent priority in settling the conflict in the Middle East, and the use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes.

      During phone talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over the situation in the Middle East, he urged the conflicting parties, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible.

      The Chinese president said that protecting civilians’ safety is the top priority amid the Iran-Israel tensions, calling on the conflicting parties to strictly follow international law, and resolutely avoid harming innocent civilians.

      Dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out, he said, calling on the international community, particularly major countries that have a special influence on the parties to the conflict, to make efforts to cool down the situation.

      China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, pool their efforts, and uphold justice, so as to play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East, he said. 

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says ceasefire an urgent priority in settling conflict in Middle East

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

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that ceasefire is an urgent priority in settling the conflict in the Middle East, and the use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes.

    During phone talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over the situation in the Middle East, he urged the conflicting parties, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible.

    The Chinese president said that protecting civilians’ safety is the top priority amid the Iran-Israel tensions, calling on the conflicting parties to strictly follow international law, and resolutely avoid harming innocent civilians.

    Dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out, he said, calling on the international community, particularly major countries that have a special influence on the parties to the conflict, to make efforts to cool down the situation.

    China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, pool their efforts, and uphold justice, so as to play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East, he said.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: China places all nitazenes, 12 other NPS under narcotic control

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

    China has included all nitazenes and 12 other kinds of new psychoactive substances (NPS) on its list of controlled drugs, the Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission said Thursday.

    The move is aimed at strengthening supervision and efforts to crack down on the substances, and to prevent the spread of drug abuse, according to a notice issued by the office.

    The inclusion of all nitazenes on the list marks another innovation in drug control in the world, following the previous addition of all fentanyl-related and all synthetic-cannabis-related substances, said Shan Yehua, deputy head of the office, calling the move “significant” in curbing crime related to these substances and other new-type narcotics.

    To address the harm and potential risks posed by NPS, the commission has established a comprehensive drug abuse monitoring system and a sound regulatory legal framework for bringing such substances under control.

    Since bringing 46 NPS under control in July 2024, through drug abuse monitoring, the office found that new substitutes have emerged for the nitazenes and other substances listed last year, which have caused abuse-related harm.

    The control of NPS is a common challenge faced by countries around the world, and it cannot be resolved by the efforts of a single country and requires global cooperation, Shan said.

    “We are willing to work together with the international community to actively address this global challenge by contributing China’s solutions and China’s wisdom,” she added. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • Sensex, Nifty end marginally lower as geopolitical tensions, Fed decision weigh on sentiment

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ata-start=”105″ data-end=”439″>Equity benchmarks ended marginally lower on Thursday as caution prevailed in global markets amid rising geopolitical tensions and the US Federal Reserve’s policy stance. The Sensex slipped by 82.79 points, or 0.10%, to close at 81,361.87, while the Nifty declined by 18.80 points, or 0.08%, to settle at 24,793.25.

    The market mood remained subdued as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated, crude oil prices stayed volatile, and global investors reacted to the Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady between 4.25% and 4.5%.

    “The equity index witnessed rangebound trading with a negative bias due to global uncertainty, particularly over possible US involvement in the Middle-East conflict,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services. He added that the Fed’s hawkish tone, pointing to persistent inflation and slower growth, also weighed on sentiment, especially for software exporters.

    On the Sensex, Bajaj Finance, Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, and Nestle India were among the top losers, shedding between 1.28% and 2.50%. In contrast, Mahindra & Mahindra, Titan, Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, and Larsen & Toubro posted gains of up to 1.57%.

    The broader market bore the brunt of the selling pressure. The Nifty Midcap100 index dropped by 1.63%, and the Nifty Smallcap100 fell 1.99%, reflecting investor risk aversion toward mid- and small-cap segments.

    Among sectoral indices, Nifty Auto emerged as the lone gainer, closing up 0.52%. All other major indices ended in the red. Nifty PSU Bank led the decline, slipping 2.04%, followed by losses of over 1% in the Nifty Metal, Media, and Realty indices.

    The Indian rupee weakened for the third straight session, pressured by rising geopolitical uncertainty and the Fed’s stance. “The rupee’s downward trend may continue, with the USD/INR pair likely moving toward the 87–87.50 range,” said Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst at HDFC Securities.

    Gold prices moved in a volatile range. On Comex, gold traded between $3,347 and $3,375, while on the MCX, prices ranged from ₹98,650 to ₹99,450 per 10 grams.

    -IANS

  • Climate change: As the planet hits record temperatures, what is the science is telling us?

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Concentrations in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, reached a fresh high of 422 parts per million in 2024 the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has said.

    After another record-breaking year for global temperatures in 2024, pressure is rising on policymakers to step up efforts to curb climate change.

    The last global scientific consensus on the phenomenon was released in 2021 through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, but scientists say evidence shows global warming and its impacts have since been unfolding faster than expected.

    Here is some of the latest climate research:

    CRITICAL POINT

    The world may already have hit 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F) of warming above the average pre-industrial temperature – a critical threshold beyond which it is at risk of irreversible and extreme climate change, scientists say.

    A group of researchers made the suggestion in a study released in November based on an analysis of 2,000 years of atmospheric gases trapped in Antarctic ice cores.

    Scientists have typically measured today’s temperatures against a baseline temperature average for 1850-1900. By that measure, the world is now at nearly 1.3 C (2.4 F) of warming.

    But the new data suggests a longer pre-industrial baseline, based on temperature data spanning the year 13 to 1700, which put warming at 1.49 C in 2023, the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience said.

    OCEAN CHANGES

    The warming of the Atlantic could hasten the collapse of a key current system, which scientists warn could already be sputtering.

    The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which transports warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic, has helped to keep European winters milder for centuries.

    Research in 2018 showed that AMOC has weakened by about 15% since 1950, while research published in February 2024 in the journal Science Advances suggested it could be closer to a critical slowdown than previously thought.

    In addition, with the world in the throes of a fourth mass coral bleaching event — the largest on record — scientists fear the world’s reefs have passed a point of no return.

    Scientists will be studying bleached reefs from Australia to Brazil for signs of recovery over the next few years if temperatures fall.

    EXTREME WEATHER

    Ocean warming is not only fuelling stronger Atlantic storms, it is also causing them to intensify more rapidly, with some jumping from a Category 1 to a Category 3 storm in just hours.

    Growing evidence shows this is true of other ocean basins. In October 2024 Hurricane Milton needed only one day in the Gulf of Mexico to go from tropical storm to the Gulf’s second most powerful hurricane on record, slamming Florida’s west coast.

    Warmer air can also hold more moisture, helping storms carry and eventually release more rain. As a result, hurricanes are delivering flooding even in mountain towns like Asheville, North Carolina, inundated in September 2024 by Hurricane Helene.

    FORESTS AND FIRES

    Global warming is drying waterways and sapping moisture from forests, creating conditions for bigger and hotter wildfires from the U.S. West and Canada to southern Europe and Russia’s Far East.

    Research published in October in Nature Climate Change calculated that about 13% of deaths associated with toxic wildfire smoke during the 2010s could be attributed to the climate effect on wildfires.

    Brazil’s Amazon in 2024 was in the grip of its worst and most widespread drought since records began in 1950. River levels sank to all-time lows last year, while fires ravaged the rainforest.

    That added concern to scientific findings earlier last year that between 10% and 47% of the Amazon will face combined stresses of heat and drought from climate change, as well as other threats, by 2050.

    That could push the Amazon past a tipping point, with the jungle no longer able to produce enough moisture to quench its own trees, at which point the ecosystem could transition to degraded forests or sandy savannas.

    Globally, forests appear to be struggling. A July 2024 study found that forests overall failed to absorb the year before as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as in the past, due largely to the Amazon drought and wildfires in Canada. That means a record amount of CO2 entered the atmosphere.

    In addition, scientists with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found in December 2024 that while the vast Arctic tundra has been a carbon sink for thousands of years, rising wildfire emissions mean the tundra is now releasing more carbon than it stores.

    VOLCANIC SURGE

    Scientists fear climate change could even boost volcanic eruptions. In Iceland, volcanoes appear to be responding to rapid glacier retreat. As ice melts, less pressure is exerted on the Earth’s crust and mantle.

    (REUTERS)

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Global march to Gaza: MEPs worried about the treatment of activists in Egypt

    Source: European Parliament 3

    Concerned about reports of the deportation and maltreatment, leading MEPs call on the Egyptian authorities to ensure the respect for human rights.

    Tineke Strik (Greens, NL), standing rapporteur for Egypt and Mounir Satouri (Greens, FR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, issued the following statement on Thursday, 19 June:

    “We are concerned about credible reports of the deportation and mistreatment of citizens, including from EU member states, by the Egyptian authorities over the past couple of days.

    “Thousands of activists from around the world travelled to Egypt to participate in the ‘Global March to Gaza’ and following their arrival reported about (incommunicado) detention, physical harassment, unjustified denials of entry, and the confiscation of passports and mobile phones.”

    “Under Article 2 of the EU-Egypt Association Agreement, the Egyptian authorities committed themselves to the respect of democratic principles and fundamental human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. More recently, the EU and Egypt agreed to an upgraded partnership that reiterates cooperation grounded in mutual respect, trust, and shared human rights commitments.

    “We call on the Egyptian authorities to adhere to these commitments and ensure the respect for the human rights of all persons under its jurisdiction. Moreover, we call upon the authorities to provide clarification about these recent incidents as soon as possible. We have also conveyed this message to the Egyptian Ambassador to the EU.”

    For further information contact:

    Office of Tineke Strik, tel. +32 2 284 52 12, e-mail: tineke.strik@europarl.europa.eu

    Office of Mounir Satouri, tel. +32 2 284 55 21, e-mail: mounir.satouri@europarl.europa.eu

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEPs propose stricter rules on dog and cat welfare and traceability

    Source: European Parliament 3

    The draft law approved by Parliament on Thursday lays down the first ever minimum EU standards for the breeding, housing, and handling of cats and dogs.

    MEPs want all dogs and cats kept in the EU to be individually identifiable with a microchip.

    They also demand that microchipped dogs and cats be registered in interoperable national databases. Microchip identification numbers, along with information about the corresponding national database, should be stored in a single index database managed by the Commission.

    Keeping or selling dogs and cats in pet shops must be prohibited, say MEPs.

    Dogs and cats from third countries

    To close potential loopholes that would allow dogs and cats to enter the EU as non-commercial pets only to be subsequently sold, MEPs want to extend the rules to cover not only imports for commercial purposes but also non-commercial movements of the animals.

    Dogs and cats imported from third countries for sale would have to be microchipped before their entry into the EU, and then registered in a national database. Pet owners entering the EU would be obliged to pre-register their microchipped animal on an online database, at least five working days before arrival.

    Breeding and welfare of dogs and cats

    Breeding between parents and offspring, grandparents and grandchildren, as well as between siblings and half-siblings, must be prohibited, stress MEPs. MEPs also want a ban on the breeding of dogs or cats that have excessive conformational traits leading to a high risk of detrimental effects on their welfare, as well as a prohibition on these animals – and mutilated dogs and cats – being used in shows, exhibitions, or competitions.

    Tethering, except when necessary for medical treatment, and the use of prong and choke collars without safety tops must be prohibited, add MEPs.

    Parliament adopted its position on EU rules for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats by 457 votes to 17, with 86 abstentions.

    Quote

    Rapporteur and Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, CZ), said: “This marks a clear move against illegal breeding and the irresponsible importation of animals from outside the EU.”

    “While further dialogue will be needed to fine-tune some details, I believe we are united in our aim to protect the welfare of dogs and cats. This shared commitment is a strong starting point for productive talks with the Commission and Council,” adds the rapporteur.

    Next steps

    MEPs will now enter into negotiations with the Council on the final shape of the law.

    Background

    With around 44% of Union citizens keeping a pet, the trade in dogs and cats has grown considerably in recent years and is worth €1.3 billion a year, according to the Commission. Around 60% of owners purchase their dogs or cats online. In the absence of unified minimum animal welfare standards for dogs and cats across the member states, the Commission proposed these new rules on 7 December 2023.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Decade long Infrastructure Strategy to deliver stability, investment and national renewal

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Decade long Infrastructure Strategy to deliver stability, investment and national renewal

    10 Year Infrastructure Strategy published today (19 June) will deliver on the Government’s growth mission, as part of the Plan for Change, transforming how infrastructure projects are planned and delivered.

    • Safer hospitals, modernised schools, and renovated courts to replace crumbling public sector buildings, as Strategy pledges at least £9 billion per year over next decade for renewal of Health, Education and Justice estates
    • New approach to infrastructure will include vital reforms to ensure planning and delivery is joined up, backed by £725 billion in long-term funding for maintenance and major projects.

    The soaring maintenance backlog which has left our schools, colleges, hospitals and courts in a state of disrepair will be turned around as part of the government’s landmark 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy published today (19 June).  

    The Strategy sets out a long-term plan for how the government will invest in infrastructure and ensure that funding is spent effectively and efficiently, marking a new approach to how projects are planned and delivered.  

    This government is committed to doing things differently to deliver infrastructure and fix the failures of the past, having accepted all of the James Stewart Review’s recommendations on HS2. The Strategy provides the certainty and stability needed to attract investment, boosting British supply chains and jobs, and takes a joined-up view to improve planning and delivery across all types of infrastructure.  

    It will also encourage inward investment by providing a long-term vision that gives investors the confidence and certainty they need to truly commit funding to projects, creating job opportunities and boosting living standards for people across the country, delivering on the Plan for Change. 

    These plans are backed by at least £725 billion of government funding over the coming decade, from which at least £9 billion will be allocated in 2025-26 to address the critical maintenance needs of health, education and justice estates, rising to over £10 billion per year by 2034-35.  

    This will increase access to quality, modern public services, following years of underinvestment, and deliver significant real-world benefits for patients, students, staff, and communities.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    Infrastructure is crucial to unlocking growth across the country, but for too long investment has been squeezed. Crumbling public buildings are a sign of the decay that has seeped into our everyday lives because of a total failure to plan and invest.

    We’re not just fixing buildings – we’re enhancing public services, improving lives and creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth in communities throughout the UK.

    This will deliver the decade of national renewal we promised Britain, and fulfil our Plan for Change goals to kickstart economic growth, and build an NHS fit for the future.

    The 10-year maintenance investment will deliver tangible improvements for people across the country:

    • Health: Over £6 billion per year will create safer hospital environments across England with reduced waiting times, improved patient outcomes, and better working conditions for NHS staff. By eliminating RAAC concrete and addressing critical infrastructure risks, patients will receive care in modern facilities that support rather than hinder their treatment and recovery.
    • Education: Investment in school and college maintenance will rise to almost £3 billion annually, transforming learning environments across England and providing safe and high-quality spaces for children and young people, improving educational outcomes and breaking down barriers to opportunity.
    • Justice: At least £600 million investment each year will improve safety and security in prisons across England and Wales, reducing incidents and creating environments more conducive to rehabilitation. Enhanced court facilities will help reduce backlogs and improve access to justice.

    This strategic investment approach will help break the cycle of deterioration and emergency repairs that has characterised public infrastructure maintenance for decades. By adopting a preventative approach, services will face fewer disruptive closures, operate more efficiently, and deliver better value for taxpayers in the long term. 

    The programme directly supports the government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future, with healthcare facilities that enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. It also advances the mission to break down barriers to opportunity by ensuring all children have access to quality learning environments, regardless of where they live. 

    To support delivery of this strategy, the government is funding at least £725 billion for the country’s infrastructure over the next decade, ensuring that public infrastructure capital funding continues to grow in line with inflation after the current Spending Review period. This funding certainty will help government and industry plan further ahead, allowing for more efficient delivery of UK wide infrastructure. 

    The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), established by the government this year, will work with partners across government and industry to effectively implement the strategy across the whole of the UK. NISTA will periodically review the progress made and work with devolved governments to ensure that infrastructure strategy across the UK is joined up.

    Becky Wood, Chief Executive Officer of NISTA, said:

    This investment is a welcome part of the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and will help us to address some of the challenges that our key public services have faced over recent years.   

    Strategic preventative maintenance based on longer-term plans is a more effective approach than making decisions in the absence of certainty about the future – and will ensure our vital public services remain resilient and fit for purpose. 

    By approaching replacement and maintenance of our infrastructure in an informed and systematic way, we can target interventions effectively and plan properly for the future.


    More information

    The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy outlines the government’s comprehensive approach to infrastructure investment across all sectors.

    This funding commitment follows recommendations from the National Audit Office on the need for long-term, sustainable maintenance funding.

    The funding in the 10YIS includes:   

    • £1 billion to carry out maintenance on key transport infrastructure, including crumbling bridges, flyovers and crossing.  

    • £590 million to start work on the Lower Thames Crossing. 

    • £16 billion of new public investment will help build over 500,000 new homes, which will also unlock over £53bn of private investment.

    Tracy Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, Pension Insurance Corporation said:

    The government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy is a good step in the right direction – providing clarity, ambition, and commitment to long-term investors in UK infrastructure, like Pension Insurance Corporation. We welcome the clearer pipeline of projects and a renewed focus on social value, something that is of real importance for local people. The Government’s wider efforts on planning reform, transparent delivery bodies, and reducing the regulatory burden will supplement this new strategy – offering a much more investable environment across the UK.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley said:

    The Strategy set out today is a serious plan for addressing the long-running challenges that have prohibited investment for years. The government needs to be transparent in how it selects its infrastructure investments to drive growth and this Strategy is a big step forward in doing that. I look forward to further detail on the government’s plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

    Keith Lawson, Executive Vice President, Jacobs said:

    Jacobs welcomes the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy as a testament to the Government’s commitment to driving economic growth, empowering communities, and providing market certainty. We are excited about the potential for this ambitious strategy to attract new talent to our sector, embrace new technologies, and promote the UK’s ability to compete globally.

    By investing in public services, transport, and clean energy, we are not only addressing today’s needs but also laying the foundation for a resilient future. The combined efforts of the Spending Review, NISTA, and the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy provide the stability, coordination, and long-term vision necessary for efficient infrastructure delivery.

    At Jacobs, we are committed to partnering with the Government to deliver these vital projects, creating lasting positive impacts across the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New law to ensure fairness for all in court

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New law to ensure fairness for all in court

    Sentencing guidelines which risked differential treatment for different races and religions blocked as Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Act receives Royal Assent

    • Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Act receives Royal Assent
    • Law prevents guidelines on pre-sentence reports which reference personal characteristics – such as race or ethnicity coming into effect
    • Law will ensure everyone is treated equally by the courts, part of mission to create Safer Streets through the Plan for Change

    Sentencing guidelines which risked differential treatment for different races and religions, in terms of access to pre-sentence reports, will be blocked under new legislation which has become law today (Thursday 19 June).

    Pre-sentence reports can play a valuable role in supporting judges when making decisions on sentencing. The reports provide an assessment of the nature and causes of an offender’s behaviour, the risk they pose, as well as an independent recommendation of the sentencing options available to the court. However, the changes proposed by the Sentencing Council earlier this year risked a two-tier justice system with offenders treated differently based on their religion or the colour of their skin.

    The new law prevents sentencing guidelines from singling out specific cohorts for differential treatment based on their personal characteristics, when it comes to ordering pre-sentence reports – maintaining fairness and equality under the law.  

    This Act will not restrict courts from requesting pre-sentence reports on a case-by-case basis, such as for pregnant women or those involving young people, or domestic abuse. 

    The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood said:  

    Equality before the law is the backbone of public confidence in our justice system and today’s change to the law ensure fairness for all in our courts.  

    I am grateful to the Council and its officials for their constructive work on this, I will continue to ensure no one is treated differently just because of their skin colour or religion under the law.

    Background information

    • The Government supports the use of PSRs but the guidance included in the Sentencing Council’s revised Imposition of community and custodial sentences guideline – specifically stating a PSR would normally be considered necessary for offenders based on their personal characteristics, such as religion or ethnicity – risked differential treatment before the law. 
    • The measures will apply to England and Wales.  
    • This Act follows formal objections raised by the Lord Chancellor to the Sentencing Council regarding sections of the revised Imposition guideline, which was published on 5 March 2025 and originally due to come into effect on 1 April 2025. 
    • Courts are under a statutory obligation to request PSRs in all cases (under section 30 of the Sentencing Code), unless they consider it unnecessary in the circumstances of the case. This Act does not impact this statutory obligation. 
    • The Act also does not prevent the Sentencing Council from advising, in general terms, that PSRs are sought in cases where the court would benefit from an assessment of an offender’s personal circumstances. 
    • The Act also does not affect Court of Appeal case law about the types of cases where PSRs are necessary or desirable, including the recent case of Thompson in which the Court of Appeal said it would be desirable to obtain a PSR in cases of pregnant or post-natal women.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Early works to start as contractor appointed for Wednesfield High Street transformation

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Taylor Woodrow will next week begin investigatory works to progress the design of the new scheme ahead of main construction works starting later in the year.

    Underground service surveys, drainage surveys and trial holes, are scheduled to take place between Monday 23 June and Friday 27 June with further investigatory works to follow. Dates are subject to change.

    The improvements will increase the vibrancy of the High Street by delivering environmental enhancements to the public realm and markets to encourage increased footfall, linked trips and dwell time to support businesses and boost the local economy.

    It follows the council securing UK Government funding for the scheme and extensive consultation and engagement with the public and traders, with the final works set to include:

    • Improved paving, lighting, greening and seating in High Street to attract more footfall and investment and support the established markets offer
    • Improved pedestrian crossings in the High Street
    • More attractive pedestrian access in the south from Bentley Bridge and from the north, linking the High Street with Lichfield Road and the new Wednesfield Technology Primary School
    • Improved access and signage from car parks, especially through Bealeys Fold where improved paving, landscaping, lighting and wayfinding will help draw people into the heart of the High Street
    • Creation of a new events and activity space to encourage further activation of the High Street

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said: “I am delighted we have appointed Taylor Woodrow to carry out these important regeneration works in Wednesfield.

    “With the contractor now in place we can complete the investigatory works in the coming weeks and finalise the designs ahead of main works starting.

    “The finished scheme will bring the vibrancy back to Wednesfield High Street and surrounding areas, make it a more welcoming place for all and will boost the local economy.”

    Ninder Johal, Chair of Wolverhampton’s City Investment Board, said: “As a board we fought hard to secure funding to support improvements in district centres like Wednesfield and Bilston.

    “This scheme will make a major difference to Wednesfield High Street and the town centre as a whole, creating a better experience for businesses, residents and visitors.”

    Barriers and signs will be in place on street to create space for the survey works. Traffic flows and pedestrian routes will be maintained throughout with minimal disruption expected.

    Hours of work will be from 7.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Some weekend and night works maybe required but advanced notice will be given.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ARU’s fashion students enjoy a ‘sails bonanza’

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    ARU students learning about sail fabrics with Holly Manvell founder of Clean Sailors (pictured right)

    Students at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) are making waves with their innovative, eco-friendly fashion creations made from end-of-life sails.

    As part of the Fashion Design degree course, students examine the social, cultural and environmental issues within fashion, and ARU’s Cambridge School of Art has teamed up with not-for-profit organisation Clean Sailors for the course’s Sustainable Design and Innovation Practice module.

    The first-year module focuses on subjects such as minimal waste and upcycling to tackle environmental concerns within the industry, and students were tasked with producing zero-waste clothes made from recycled, end-of-life fabrics.

    Clean Sailors runs a global upcycling and recycling scheme called ReSail by Clean Sailors to give a new life to old sails and this year provided a 30-year-old mainsail and a large spinnaker for ARU students to recreate into garments.

    After months of hard work in ARU’s fashion studios, Asmeet Kaur Wadhwa has been named the winner of a prize awarded by Clean Sailors, for the most inspiring and innovative use of the sail, for her cagoule jacket.

    “Whilst spent sails may no longer be any good for sailing, they retain inherent value as a textile. This partnership is really poignant for me, personally, as the mainsail was my grandfather’s – it had taken him across the Bay of Biscay, Azores and down to Cape Town before losing its integrity as a mainsail.

    “Protest through fashion has a powerful history. I spent my late teens in fashion industry and at the time designers such as Henry Holland and Katharine Hamnett were using slogans across garments to raise awareness of political issues, a movement of which Vivienne Westwood was really the queen of.

    “So, it’s a beautiful full-circle moment whereby a family mainsail has been used by students in the renowned Cambridge School of Art to explore sailcloth as a textile and through zero-waste patterns. It’s been so exciting seeing what these budding fashion designers have created.”

    Holly Manvell, founder of Clean Sailors

    “Fashion is a trillion-dollar market globally, with a host of environmental challenges of its own. In this course we provide students with sustainable creative practices, for example zero-waste design techniques, and through our use of seemingly ‘waste’ textiles, we aim to encourage an innovative way of thinking about the future of fashion design.

    “Having previously worked with recycling tents into clothing, we were looking for a new perspective on sustainable fashion and textiles. Sail fabric as a textile resource is even more hard wearing than the fabrics we have previously worked with, and we were interested to see how this versatile and underused fabric could feed into our student’s sustainable practice and make clothes more durable.

    “We reached out to Clean Sailors after seeing their ReSail platform and how they were connecting the sailing community with project partners to upcycle sails into a range of lifestyle products. We were delighted when Holly replied with such enthusiasm and support for our project.”

    Sarah Graham, Lecturer in Fashion Design at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Marine Resources and Planning Services win at RTPI South West Awards18 June 2025 ​The Infrastructure and Environment Department was successful in winning two awards at the Royal Town Planning Institute, RTPI, South West Awards for Planning Excellence. Marine Resources received… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    25 June 2025

    The Infrastructure and Environment Department was successful in winning two awards at the Royal Town Planning Institute, RTPI, South West Awards for Planning Excellence.

    Marine Resources received the ‘Best Plan’ award for its work on Jersey’s Marine Spatial Plan. In particular, the plan’s visions to create a thriving marine environment and provide environmental, economic, cultural, and social benefits. 

    RTPI Judges’ comments: “In selecting this entry to win this award, the judges felt that this was a very well-crafted submission, with an excellent balance of aspiration, practical application and evidence of cross-transferability and innovation. The wide-ranging scope of the study, inter-relationship with international objectives and links to the Island Bridging Plan is impressive. 

    “Unanimous political support and evidence of exemplary recognition from well-respected organisations cannot be overlooked, neither can its relevance and inspiration in the formation of plans in Scotland and the Red Sea. Judges consider it a worthy winner of the category as an ‘excellent’ and innovative example of evidenced-based and collaborative plan making.” 

    Francis Binney, Head of Marine Resources, said: “We are really chuffed that the Jersey Marine Spatial Plan won ‘Best Plan’ at the South West RTPI awards. Building the Marine Spatial Plan was a huge collaborative effort between Government, industry, and Islanders with an interest in the sea. This is a great endorsement of how we are managing and planning to manage Jersey’s territorial seas.” 

    Andrew Marx, Head of Development and Land in Regulation ,received the ‘Unsung Planning Hero’ award. He was recognised for delivering transformational leadership in the face of considerable scrutiny and challenge, and overseeing a comprehensive reform of Jersey’s Planning Service in response to an independent review. 

    RTPI Judges’ comments: “The nomination set out Andrew’s positive and proactive planning reform, resulting in wider improvements for the planning service. The introduction of an industry partnership board for collaborative working enabled greater transparency in terms of performance. Leading reform and taking the team with you whilst increasing visibility of planning performance and stakeholder engagement is really challenging, and to be nominated in the successful delivery of this speaks so highly of how this has been approached.”

    Andrew Marx said: “I was honoured and humbled to be nominated for the award, and I wish to share the recognition with our Group Director Kelly Whitehead, all our planners and the technical support and regulatory improvement officers that have worked tirelessly to improve our planning services for the benefit of all Islanders. I wish to thank the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, for his trust and support, and the Members of the Industry Partnership Board for their guidance and positive engagement with our planning reform programme.” 

    Additionally, Tracey Ingle, Principal Planning Officer, was commended for the ‘Unsung Planning Hero’ award. The judges commented: “The nomination highlighted Tracey’s collaborative ways of working and through the six-month secondment to reform Development Management, processes and procedures were sympathetically managed and changed to support colleagues to work more efficiently and increase quality of decisions.” 

    For more information, visit: RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Spring Booster reminder19 June 2025 ​Eligible Islanders have just under two weeks to get their COVID-19 spring booster vaccine. The vaccines are free of charge and are available at GP surgeries until Monday 30 June. Islanders need to… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    19 June 2025

    Eligible Islanders have just under two weeks to get their COVID-19 spring booster vaccine. The vaccines are free of charge and are available at GP surgeries until Monday 30 June. Islanders need to contact their GP surgeries to make an appointment. 

    Islanders who are eligible for the vaccine include: 

    • those aged 75 and over 
    • those aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed 
    • residents in care homes for older people. 

    Residents in care homes are being vaccinated where they reside. Visit gov.je/SpringBooster for more information. 

    Primary Care Representative, Bryony Perchard, said: “It’s important that the eligible Islanders take up the offer before the end of June as they are at a higher risk of developing serious illness and being hospitalised. COVID-19 is not a seasonal illness so can affect anyone at any time. Vaccination not only reduces the chances of getting ill but also makes any infection less unpleasant.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fairness and Child Poverty Update

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Grassroots examples of how Dundee City Council and partners are tackling fairness and child poverty issues are to be showcased to councillors.

    The frontline actions are contained in a new report which highlights the scale of the task faced by local agencies during the continuing cost of living crisis.

    While Dundee is setting itself the ambitious goal of matching the Scottish Government’s overall national target of reducing child poverty to less than 10% of children living in relative poverty, latest figures show a rate of 26.1 % for the city.

    A combined Fairness and Local Child Poverty Action Plan Report for 2024/25 is to go before the City Governance committee at its next meeting on Monday June 23. The document sets out how the council and partners will continue to work together to improve the situation for families and communities across Dundee.

    It also takes on board the latest recommendations of the Dundee Fairness Leadership Panel, which is looking to prioritise efforts around mental health and isolation, fair housing and support to third sector projects offering crisis assistance to tackle poverty.

    In the report, areas of improvement over the last year are highlighted.

    These include:  

    • The number of council and registered social landlord housing completions (increased by 29.2%).
    • percentage point gap in literacy in p1-p7 between pupils living in SIMD 1 areas and SIMD 5 areas (decreased by 16.6%)
    • number of children living in temporary accommodation (decreased by 13.4%) 

    Within the report, a number of case studies are used to illustrate the efforts that are ongoing throughout the city. These are grouped under themes and some of the projects listed include:

    Social Inclusion and Stigma

    Strengthening family support through volunteering – DVVA Programme

    Promoting community-led suicide prevention – Dundee Creating Hope Awards Pilot

    Work and Wages  

    Supporting young people into employment – Employability Pathfinder (LFI Linlathen)

    Safe Housing Enabling Employment – Housing & Communities Team

    Benefits and Advice

    Preventing housing insecurity through school-based advice

    Securing backdated benefits for an older resident

    Attainment and Child Poverty

    Tackling poverty and increasing attainment in Longhaugh and St Francis’ Primary Schools

    Closing the attainment gap through the Strategic Equity Fund

    Health Inequalities

    Promoting wellbeing and resilience in schools – S2 Health & Wellbeing Group

    Supporting mental health through community-led events – Hilltown Community

    Housing and Communities

    Adapting homes for children with disabilities

    Providing coordinated housing and community support

    Committee depute convener Councillor Willie Sawers said: “The voices of communities with experience continue to be listened to as they are a vital help to us to develop responses to inequalities and poverty.

    “Statistics concerning child poverty in Dundee are stark, that is why we committed to doing as much as we can to turn this around.

    “I am heartened by the strong partnerships that exist between Dundee organisations and agencies across the public, private and third sectors and the ongoing desire to work together to transform life for people in the city.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin: An exit to the Southern Rokada will appear from Mosfilmovskaya Street

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Ramenki district, work is underway to build a street and road network. The project includes an extension of Mosfilmovskaya Street and two new bridges across the Ramenka River. Sergei Sobyanin reported this in his telegram channel.

    “We are implementing a number of important transport projects this year – we are creating connections between districts, convenient approaches to the rail frame stations, and expanding bottlenecks. In the west of Moscow, we will extend Mosfilmovskaya Street. From it, you can go to the Southern Rokada – Aminyevskoye Shosse and Lobachevsky Street,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin 

    In the future, it will be possible to go through Mosfilmovskaya Street and Gaidai Street to General Dorokhov Avenue, which connects the Third Transport Ring and the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD). This will also improve transport services for the Ramenki and Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye districts. Almost 300 thousand residents will receive additional routes for travel around the city, including to the nearest metro stations and Moscow Central Diameters.

    In addition, the implementation of the project will eliminate overruns of up to three kilometers and reduce travel time by an average of 10 minutes, reduce the congestion level of Lobachevsky Street by 24 percent, Michurinsky Prospekt by 22 percent, and Gaidai Street by 30 percent, and will help organize new routes of surface urban passenger transport that will connect residential areas with metro stations and Moscow Central Diameters (MCD).

    Construction of a new street and road network in Ramenki began in March 2023 on the territory of the cinema quarter (its 11 streets are named after outstanding Russian directors and actors). The project envisages extending Mosfilmovskaya Street from the intersection of Ramensky Boulevard with Vinnitskaya Street to Gaidai and Aleksey Batalov Streets with a straight line distance of about 1.5 kilometers. Four traffic lanes will be organized here (two in each direction) with the possibility of exiting to the Southern Rokada – Aminyevskoye Highway and Lobachevsky Street via Gaidai and Vasily Lanovoy Streets.

    Part of the future section of Mosfilmovskaya Street will pass along two new bridges across the Ramenka River with a total length of 465 meters. They will offer a picturesque view of the landscape reserve and the adjacent territory. In the evening and at night, the artificial structures will be decorated with lighting.

    Under one of the bridges near the intersection with Ranevskaya Street, a 404-meter-long U-turn with two traffic lanes in one direction will be organized.

    In addition, specialists will reconstruct sections of Gaidai Street from Aminyevskoye Highway to Aleksey Batalov Street (856 meters, two traffic lanes in each direction), Vasily Lanovoy Street from Lobachevsky Street to Aleksey Batalov Street (2.7 kilometers, two traffic lanes in each direction) and Ranevskaya Street in the area where it joins Mosfilmovskaya Street (724 meters, two traffic lanes in each direction).

    In total, the project will involve the construction and reconstruction of over seven kilometers of roads, including access roads to social and engineering infrastructure facilities. It is also planned to lay 93.4 kilometers of engineering communications and build a treatment facility.

    Today the facility is 70 percent complete. Work is scheduled to be completed this fall.

    The plans for 2026 include extending Gaidai Street to General Dorokhov Avenue (1.4 kilometers, two traffic lanes in each direction).

    Construction of road bridges across rivers

    Since 2011, 34 automobile bridges have been built in Moscow across the Moskva River, the Moscow Canal, the Yauza, Bitsa, Desna, Likhoborka, Molodtsy, Pakhra, Pekhorka, Setun, Sosenka, Skhodnya, Tsyganka, Kozhukhovsky Backwater and Novinki Backwater rivers.

    Another six projects with a total length of over 1.2 kilometers are under construction and design. These are bridges across the Moskva River in the line of Beregovoy Proezd and near Novozavodskaya Street with a length of 315 and 250 meters, two bridges across the Ramenka River in the line of the extension of Mosfilmovskaya Street with a length of 465 meters, a 190-meter bridge across the Moskva River as part of the reconstruction of Rublevskoye Highway and a 35-meter bridge across the Pakhra River.

    New roads of Moscow

    In 2011–2024, the Moscow Government built 1,460 kilometers of roads, which is about 25 percent of the existing street and road network. 454 new tunnels, overpasses, and bridges were built — the number of artificial transport structures increased by 65 percent. In addition, 328 off-street pedestrian crossings were built.

    The plans for this year include the construction of 90 kilometers of roads, 19 artificial structures and 18 pedestrian crossings.

    Among the main objects:

    — section of Ivan Franko street from Zhitomirskaya street to Gerasim Kurin street (opened in February 2025);

    — overpasses on the section of the Southern road from Kaspiyskaya Street to 1st Kotlyakovsky Lane;

    — an overpass with an exit from the Moscow High-Speed Diameter (MSD) onto Kashirskoye Shosse towards the Moscow Ring Road (as part of the MSD section from Kuryanovsky Boulevard to Kantemirovskaya Street);

    — section of the Solntsevo-Butovo-Varshavskoe Shosse highway from Edvarda Griga Street to Polyany Street (stage 1.3);

    — street and road network in the territory of the Mnevnikovskaya floodplain;

    — a bridge across the Moscow River connecting Beregovoy Proezd and Shelepikhinskoye Highway;

    — the street and road network in the Ramenka area, including the extension of Mosfilmovskaya Street and two new bridges across the Ramenka River.

    In 2026–2027, it is planned to build 175.5 kilometers of roads, 31 artificial structures and 33 pedestrian crossings.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12961050/

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