Category: AM-NC

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Nordic Bar will return for Festive Derby 2025

Source: City of Derby

Derby City Council and the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) are delighted to announce that the city’s popular ice rink will return this Christmas – and tickets are on sale now.

Following its huge popularity in 2024, which saw over 11,800 people enjoy the ice, the undercover Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink will once again be the centrepiece of festive fun in Derby Market Place. It will be open from November 29 right up until New Year’s Eve.

Whether you’re an ice-skating pro or just finding your feet, it’s the perfect way to embrace the Christmas spirit. Skaters of all ages and abilities are welcome to enjoy hour-long sessions, with skate hire included in the price. Plus, for those who need a little extra stability, free skate aids will be available.

Accompanying the ice rink will be the fantastic Nordic Bar, with its eye-catching tipis making a welcome return thanks to Sami Tipi and Mambo Bars. It’s the ideal spot to warm up and relax, with stunning festive foliage, disco balls, twinkling lights, and cosy firepits creating a magical atmosphere.

This year’s festivities also include the return of the Festive Derby Light Trail, and the newly reopened Derby Market Hall will be joining in the city-wide celebrations.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink has become a beloved part of Christmas in Derby, and its return, along with the fantastic Nordic Bar, is highly anticipated! I’m really excited to see our stunning Market Hall be a part of this year’s celebrations too.

Festive Derby gets bigger and better every year and 2025 is no exception. We can’t wait to welcome everyone into the city centre to enjoy it.

Just like last year, the Nordic Bar will be serving up a tempting selection of drinks, including steaming speciality hot chocolates, mulled wine, and festive cocktails. You’ll also find more tasty treats from our on-site food vendors.

The tipis will once again host a fantastic programme of entertainment, featuring live music, children’s shows and more! The combined appeal of the ice rink and Nordic Bar proved more popular than ever in 2024, attracting almost 7,500 more visitors compared to the previous year.

Craig Bidder, founder of The Nordic Bar Co, said:

Derby’s incredible welcome always blows us away! We’re so excited to return, bringing our tipis to create another magical season. Prepare for even more festive sparkle under the tipis!

Brad Worley, Manager for the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, said:

We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink once again, in partnership with Derby City Council. The rink has become a real centrepiece of Festive Derby, bringing families into the heart of the Cathedral Quarter and supporting our fantastic local businesses.

We’re proud to play a part in creating a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that celebrates the season and everything Derby has to offer.

The Nordic Bar will once again host a fantastic programme of entertainment

The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Nordic Bar will open on Saturday 29 November, as Festive Derby is officially launched with our Christmas Lights Switch-On event, with our media partner Smooth Radio. Festive light installations will lead you through the city centre to the magical Cathedral Quarter, where there’ll be festive entertainment to enjoy on selected weekends.

Last year’s visitors were left feeling truly festive:

An incredible day for young and old celebrating in the heart of the city that yule love… What’s Good To Do

Whether you’re here for the dazzling lights, festive drinks, or simply to soak in the Christmas spirit, Festive Derby offers something for everyone… Derby Days Out

Tickets for the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink are on sale now so if you want to secure the date for a festive group get-together, plan a work event or simply want something exciting to look forward to – you can book now. The rink is popular for group bookings and is also available for private hire, so if you’re planning an event, get in touch!

Standard tickets priced at £12 during peak sessions and £10 for off-peak sessions. Under 16s tickets are £10 during peak sessions and £8 during off-peak sessions.

There are family and group discounts available, starting at groups of 4+, with larger discounts available for bigger group bookings. There will also be special sessions for toddlers and their parents/carers. The rink is wheelchair accessible. Check the Derby LIVE website for opening times and booking information.

Of course, the festive season wouldn’t be complete without Derby’s annual panto spectacular at Derby Arena. This year we’re teaming up with Morgan Brind and the multi award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment again to present Dick Whittington from Friday 5 – Wednesday 31 December.

You can also see a brand-new festive tale from the Lost Boys, Merry Elwin The Adventurous Elf, at Chapel Street Arts Centre from Thursday 11 until Tuesday 23 December. This heartwarming show is perfect for families and festive enthusiasts alike, offering a delightful blend of humour, heart, and holiday cheer.

Tickets for all shows and attractions can be purchased on the Derby LIVE website, at the Sales and Information Centre,19 Chapel Street, Derby, DE1 3GU, or by calling 01332 255 800.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than 1,000 kids get active at Coventry Children’s Mile

Source: City of Coventry

The Coventry Children’s Mile event returned once again last weekend with more than 1,000 children from 33 Coventry primary schools completing a mile to fundraise.

Home education students also took part in the event for the first time.

Students, teachers, support staff and parents all turned out to volunteer their time to support their schools in the War Memorial Park.

Alongside fundraising for important causes, the event was designed to encourage children to stay active, particularly those from hard-to-reach areas.

The event supported Team Coventry by raising funds for travel costs for the team to compete in the International Children’s Games which is taking place in Tallinn, Estonia in August, where Coventry will be represented on the international stage.

Athletes, coaches and supporters of Team Coventry came along too and helped with organisation, marshalling and most importantly, cheering participants on.

Not only were funds raised for Team Coventry, but funds have also been raised by the event for a local charity.

All participants received a souvenir event t-shirt and certificate of participation while the mile route was fully accessible for all abilities.

Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said, “This was a record turn-out for the Children’s Mile which is absolutely fantastic. Seeing more and more schools and parents want to get their children involved in the event is great. It’s the perfect way to get the children moving and be able to show them that physical activity is fun.

“The event also helps to raise funds for two worthy causes which will help local people, including 18 young athletes in their journey to compete in the International Children’s Games in Estonia to represent our city.

“Thank you to all who have supported the causes so far and a huge congratulations to all who took part in 2025’s Coventry Children’s Mile.”

The Coventry Children’s Mile 2025 is a partnership between Coventry City Council, CV Life and Coventry’s School Games Organisers.

Without volunteer and partner support from these organisations, the event wouldn’t be able to take place.

Check out the photos from the day on Flickr

If you would like to send a good luck message and donation to Team Coventry ahead of their trip to Tallinn, Estonia to represent the city, please head over to the donation site.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: 27 June 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Appointment of Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: 27 June 2025

The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, Area Bishop of Stepney, in the Diocese of London, for election as Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, Area Bishop of Stepney, in the Diocese of London, for election as Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, in succession to The Right Reverend Martin Alan Seeley, following his retirement.

Background

Joanne Grenfell was educated at Oriel College, Oxford and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. She trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. She has a DPhil from Oxford and was Lecturer in English at Oriel College before ordination.

She served her title in the Kirkby Team Ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool and was ordained Priest in 2001. In 2003, Joanne was appointed joint Priest-in-Charge of Manor Parish in the Diocese of Sheffield with responsibility for Ripon College Cuddesdon’s urban theology placement programme. In 2006, Joanne became Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Residentiary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral, and in 2008 she took on the additional role of Dean of Women’s Ministry.

From 2013, Dr Grenfell served as Archdeacon of Portsdown in the Diocese of Portsmouth. In 2019, she took up her current role as Area Bishop of Stepney, in the Diocese of London. She has been the lead Bishop for safeguarding since May 2023.

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Published 27 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Introducing the Victory Graduation Program

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

On June 4, 2025, the State University of Management will host the Victory Graduation. We present the program of the event.

The theme of the graduation this time corresponds to the Year of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. And this is not only because the history of their country is always remembered and honored at the State University of Management. Completion of education for each student is also a significant victory in life.

First of all, we will announce important information: – All graduates receiving diplomas with honors and special awards must register on July 4, the day of graduation. Without registration, you will not be called on stage!

Registration will take place at checkpoint No. 6: – from 12:00 to 12:55 for bachelors; – from 17:00 to 17:55 for masters.

The graduation program includes: – a formal diploma presentation ceremony; – photo zones; – a photo booth where everyone can get memorable photos; – a sea of unforgettable emotions.

The time and place of the presentation of diplomas by institute can be found on the attached cards.

Access to the university territory is provided upon presentation of an identity document. Parents and friends will be able to enter the territory together with the graduate, having registered through checkpoint No. 6.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Kumeu

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services were called to an address on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway at around 8:20pm to reports of a car crashing into a house.

Initial indications suggest that four people have serious to critical injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

The road is currently closed, motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible, and follow diversions.

ENDS.

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace activists rebrand NZ bottom trawler “ocean killer” at sea

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa activists have confronted a bottom trawler on the Chatham Rise, rebranding it “ocean killer”, after bearing witness to it hauling in a net straining with marine life.

Launching from the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior, activists came alongside the New Zealand-flagged ship, Talley’s Amaltal Atlantis, on the Chatham Rise on Friday afternoon, and painted the message on its hull with non-toxic paint.

Speaking from onboard the Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juan Parada says:

“Appalled by the most recent evidence of destruction, people defending the oceans rebranded this Talley’s vessel today to expose the bottom trawling industry for what they are: ocean killers. When Talley’s bottom trawlers drag their heavy trawl nets across the seafloor and over seamounts, they bulldoze everything in their path, including killing precious marine life from coral to fur seals, dolphins and seabirds.”We’ve all seen the shocking footage of bottom trawling in David Attenborough’s film Ocean, and it’s happening right here, right now.”

“Faced with a fishing industry that profits from trashing the ocean, and a government that condones bottom trawling, we’re proud of the peaceful action taken today to call out this destruction and demand that bottom trawling stop.

“The Amaltal Atlantis trawls in the waters of Aotearoa, and has previously received permits to trawl in the High Seas of the South Pacific. Their trail of destruction is wide and long-lasting,” says Parada.

Talley’s vessels have a long history of carrying out bottom trawling destruction. In 2018, the Amaltal Apollo trawled in a protected area on the Lord Howe Rise, in the international waters of the Tasman Sea. The Amaltal Mariner was also convicted of trawling in a marine reserve off Kaikōura in 2019.

The company also has a documented history of health and safety issues, with multiple injuries and even a fatality reported to WorkSafe.

In 2022, Greenpeace activists blocked the Amatal Atlantis from leaving Port Nelson for nearly 10 hours.

The at-sea action comes just weeks after it was revealed a New Zealand vessel dragged up six tonnes of coral in a single trawl on the Chatham Rise, known for being a hotspot for coral life.

In March, Greenpeace Aotearoa documented swathes of destroyed coral in areas of the Tasman Sea intensively trawled by New Zealand bottom trawlers. The Tasman Sea has been earmarked for one of the first high seas ocean sanctuaries, using the Global Ocean Treaty.

New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling in the High Seas of the Tasman.

Parada says, “As the rest of the world moves towards more comprehensive ocean protection for international waters, New Zealand is standing in the way of progress by continuing to advocate for the bottom trawling industry.”It’s time Talley’s, the trawling industry, and the government listened to the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who want ocean health valued over industry profits.

“From depleted fish numbers to smashed coral, dead sharks and seabirds, the cost of bottom trawling is too high. To protect the ocean for the future and safeguard the ocean we all love, bottom trawling must stop.”

In response to the activist’s painting activity, Talley’s responded saying they would seek legal action which “may include the arrest of the Rainbow Warrior.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Japan: Cruel execution a stain on country’s human rights record – Amnesty International

Source: Amnesty International

In response to today’s execution in Japan of a man convicted of the murder of nine people, Chiara Sangiorgio, Death Penalty Advisor at Amnesty International, said:

“The execution of Takahiro Shiraishi – the first in Japan in nearly three years – is the latest callous attack on the right to life in Japan and a major setback for the country’s human rights record.

“Last year’s acquittal of Hakamada Iwao, formerly the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner, laid bare the unfairness of Japan’s criminal justice system and use of the death penalty and was an ideal opportunity to change course.

“But instead of moving to reform and ensure full protection of human rights, the government has chosen to resume executions. This is a significant setback to efforts to end the use of the death penalty in Japan.

“As of today, 113 countries worldwide have completely abolished the death penalty in law, and more than 144 have abandoned it in law or practice, yet Japan continues to use this inhuman punishment.

“The secrecy that continues to surround the notification of executions make the use of this punishment in Japan additionally cruel. The Japanese authorities must immediately introduce a moratorium on executions as a first step toward abolishing the death penalty entirely —and commute all death sentences to terms of imprisonment.”

Background

According to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi was carried out on 27 June 2025.

Shiraishi was convicted in 2020 of the killing of nine people in 2017 by Tokyo District Court and sentenced to death.

This is the first execution under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who came to power in October 2024, and the first since July 2022.

Executions in Japan are shrouded in secrecy, with prisoners typically given only a few hours’ notice and given no warning at all before their death sentences are carried out. Their families are usually notified about the execution only after it has taken place.

Japan is one of a small group of countries that has carried out executions in recent years. Amnesty International recorded 1,518 executions in 15 countries in 2024 (excluding the thousands believed to have been carried out in China), an increase by 32% from the 1,153 recorded in 2023 largely driven by a spike in three countries in the Middle East – Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

On 26 September 2024, a long-awaited ruling was delivered by Shizuoka District Court to acquit Hakamada Iwao, described as the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime, guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual, or the method used by the state to carry out the execution.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region sign co-operation arrangement on construction and management of medicinal plant garden (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office (CMRO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 27) signed a Co-operation Arrangement with the Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants (Guangxi Garden), a subsidiary organisation of the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Co-operation Arrangement aims to promote exchange and collaboration in medicinal plant cultivation techniques and germplasm resource sharing, as well as the promotion of medicinal plants, jointly advancing the modernisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicines.

The Co-operation Arrangement will enhance collaboration between the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the DH and Guangxi Garden in establishing a medicinal plant garden, exchanging medicinal plant germplasm resources, strengthening technical exchanges, and training talent. Guangxi and Hong Kong will leverage their strengths and characteristics in medicinal plants to create synergy and a win-win situation, promoting the all-round, high-quality and high-level development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry in the country. This will also help to inject new momentum into the high-quality development of Chinese medicines.

The Guangxi Garden was verified by Guinness World Records in 2011 for being the “largest medicinal herb garden” with the most plant varieties and the largest cultivating area. It is also a research institution that specialises in the collection, conservation, research and development of medicinal resources, and has achieved remarkable accomplishments in the conservation and innovative application of Chinese medicines resources.

The GCMTI is committed to developing a set of internationally recognised reference standards for Chinese medicines and related products. It empowers the industry through technology transfer to strengthen quality control of their products. Moreover, it has long been promoting the development of Chinese medicines in collaboration with institutions on the Mainland to deepen exchanges and co-operation in the field of Chinese medicines testing and reference standards.
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The permanent premises of the GCMTI will be commissioned in phases starting from the end of this year, which will further advance innovative research in Chinese medicines. An outdoor medicinal plant garden will be featured therein, which will be open to the public, industry and research institutions. The Co-operation Arrangement will allow Hong Kong to tap into the experience of the Mainland, thus enhancing cultivation techniques and enriching the germplasm resources of the medicinal plant garden. With the establishment of the medicinal plant garden, the GCMTI will upstream and extend its research to cover medicinal plants, in addition to research on quality control of Chinese Materia Medica and proprietary Chinese medicines. Furthermore, the medicinal plant garden will become a base for promoting Chinese medicines culture, and fostering Chinese medicines culture in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the world.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for flag raising ceremonies to celebrate 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Special traffic and transport arrangements for flag raising ceremonies to celebrate 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
Central and Wan Chai North
——————————-(ii) From 0.01am on June 30 to 1pm on July 1(iii) From 7.15am to 8.30am on June 30(iv) From 5.30am to 1pm on July 1Tin Hau
———

(i) From 7am to 8am on June 30(B) Public transport arrangements

Central and Wan Chai North
——————————-
Tin Hau
———
In anticipation of more traffic in the vicinities of Central, Wan Chai North and Tin Hau, motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, they should exercise tolerance and patience, follow the Police’s instructions and be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.

Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to guide motorists. Public transport operators will display notices to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements. Public transport users are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of bus route diversions and relocations of bus stops. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary.

For details on the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:00

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: 2024-03-25 at 19h24 First Council of Ministers at the new Government headquarters The President of the Republic was invited to preside in a gesture intended to “emphasize the importance of Institutional cooperation”

Source: Government of Portugal (PM)

The last Council of Ministers of António Costa’s third government was held on Monday 25 March at the Government’s new headquarters in the Caixa Geral de Depósitos building in Lisbon. In a meeting presided over by the President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa the new National Strategy for the Inclusion of the . <. the new government is free to appraise reappraise and not start from scratch rather point where we are now2 ant costa claimed.>

Institutional solidarity and cooperation

The meeting was presided over by the President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa – a tradition that began with the Prime Minister António Costa at the last council of Ministers of the last term of the former President of the Republic Aníbal Cavaco Silva on 3 March 2016.

“More than an act of courtesy, this is a way of emphasizing the importance of institutional cooperation, of institutional solidarity between the Government and other sovereign bodies, particularly the President of the Republic” said the Prime Minister after the meeting ended.

“If will be hard to find another period in our constitutional experience where the relations between the Government and the President of the Republic flowed so easily, in such a cooperative and solidary manner as what happened in the essential part of these eight years”, António Costa went on to say.

The President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa further acknowledged that the institutional solidarity has worked over the last eight year, with three different Governments. “At crucial times, institutional solidarity became national solidarity. And that is highly positive. The relationship between the Head of State and the Head of Government should be like this as much as possible, even if they have different starting points and ways of thinking and differences as to concrete modes of action in day-to-day”, he said.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: 2024-03-27 at 16h49 The four crises and seven structural shifts of the last eight years Prime Minister António Costa took stock of the last years in government

Source: Government of Portugal (PM)

António Costa took stock of the government’s action in the last eight years, where he was Prime Minister, during a press conference held in the official residence.<.>

António Costa also referred to the financial system’s greater stability. “The state-owned bank, which many felt should be privatised and that it would be impossible to capitalise, is today not only solvent, but also generated due revenue for the Portuguese economy and citizens”, the Prime Minister claimed.

The wildland fires crisis

The second crisis noted by the Prime Minister was that of wildland fires, the answer to which included restructuring the civil protection system and a budget reform, which offered prevention a clear priority over fighting. As a result, “if we were to add up the entire area burnt down in the six years between 2018 and 2023 [the result] is 60.7% of the area burnt down in 2017 alone”, he stressed.

The Covid-19 pandemic

The country’s response to this third crisis was “worthy of note”, claimed the Prime Minister. “We were the first country in the world to reach a vaccination coverage of 85%. And the efforts to support the economy and households allowed us to be one of the countries that best came out of the pandemic”, he added.

The inflationist crisis

The fourth crisis arose from the effects of the pandemic, which was still felt, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. This conflict “worsened a situation that came from the pandemic, with the breakdown in supply chains, which led us to the greatest inflationist crisis of the last 30 years”.

The rises in interest rates by the European Central Bank to respond to rising inflation “in a society such as hours where mortgages have a high significance and the variable rates are clearly dominant”, together with rising food costs, shot up household costs.

“From the start of 2022 to October 2022, inflation soared. We hit 10.1% inflation in October 2022 and since then we have been on a slow, yet sure, trajectory to lower inflation, until we hit 2.1% last February and the forecast is we will remain on that lowering trajectory”, said the Prime Minister.

SEVEN STRUCTURAL SHITS

Higher growth

The Prime Minister stated that between 2000 and 2015 the country alternated between recession and stagnation. “Only in one year of these 15 did we grow above the European average: in 2009. From 2016 onwards, the reality has been quite different “, he said. “In these eight years, the country grew ten times more than what it had grown in the previous 15”, he signalled, noting the 2.1% growth, including in the two pandemic years, “where product naturally fell drastically”.

More jobs and more income

The creation of jobs and improvement in employment conditions contributed to this economic growth. “Today, we have a record number of people working in Portugal: 5 million people. That is an additional 629 thousand jobs than in 2015. And in a context where it was possible to not just to have minimum wages grow 62%, but also average wages having grown 27.7%”, the Prime Minister indicated.

In addition to the rise in the minimum wage, the Prime Minister also noted rising pensions and improvement in net income.

Always in line with the Social Security Basis Law, in these eight years, average pensions rose 23.3%, “with all the rises set down in the law, as well as extraordinary rises to counter inflation”.

The improvement in net income came from the “successive drops in income tax IRS” and the “successive measures of non-monetary transfers that cut household expenses”, such as making school books free, reforming the costs of public transports, increasing the number of households that benefit from energy social rates and the “significant” cut in pubic university fees, that went from more than one thousand euros to 697 euros per annum.

A more qualified country

This was the shift the Prime Minister considered “perhaps brings the greatest consequences for the future”. António Costa mentioned the “highly significant” drop in early dropouts, where this year we are below the EU average for 2030, and the rise in the number of youths aged 30 to 34 years who completed higher educaiton in 2015, which can only rise, since “if we look at the youths who are 20 years old, 39% attended university in 2015, and today it’s 54%”.

A more competitive economy

“Every year, we beat records in attracting foreign direct investment. Every year, we beat corporate investment records and corporate investment went up 85% between 2015 and 2023”, the Prime Minister stated, advocating that “what offers a modern economy competitiveness is its capacity to have qualified jobs, being more innovative, and this is what enables that innovation”.

António Costa also added that the rise in exports, which in 2022 accounted for more than 50% of GDP, and the change in the nature of exports. “Exports of high and medium tech goods increased 71% over these last eight years, which means that complexifying, qualifying, and the added value of our economy have been clearly on the rise”.

Less inequality

“Today we have 600 thousand people less in poverty or social exclusion, and especially 226 thousand children less living in poverty or social exclusion”, said the Prime Minister.

Taking the lead in fighting climate change

The sixth shift had to do with the country’s position in taking the lead in fighting climate change. “We were the first country in the world, at the2016 Marrakesh COP to undertake the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Our Climate Law imposed on us a greater ambition of hitting that target in 2045 rather than 2050”.

Since 2017, Portugal has cut back its GHG emissions by 17% “due to the public transport policy and bringing targets such as closing down coal-fuelled power stations forward and increasing the capacity to generate energy using renewables”, the Prime Minister signalled.

Advances in the State reform

The last structural shift mentioned by the Prime Minister had to do with the advances in the State reform, namely concerning the decentralisation of powers, such as transferring the PSP’s traffic tasks to the Lisbon and Porto municipal police, making Carri or STCP (public transport) municipal, or the agreement with the National Portuguese Municipalities Association (ANMP) to transfer powers. Lastly, António Costa referred to the reform of the Regional Development Coordination Committees (CCDR), that are now more democratised and with greater autonomy.

View the Prime Minister’s presentation here

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: 2024-03-27 at 16h49 The four crises and seven structural shifts of the last eight years Prime Minister António Costa took stock of the last years in government

Source: Government of Portugal (PM)

António Costa took stock of the government’s action in the last eight years, where he was Prime Minister, during a press conference held in the official residence.<.>

António Costa also referred to the financial system’s greater stability. “The state-owned bank, which many felt should be privatised and that it would be impossible to capitalise, is today not only solvent, but also generated due revenue for the Portuguese economy and citizens”, the Prime Minister claimed.

The wildland fires crisis

The second crisis noted by the Prime Minister was that of wildland fires, the answer to which included restructuring the civil protection system and a budget reform, which offered prevention a clear priority over fighting. As a result, “if we were to add up the entire area burnt down in the six years between 2018 and 2023 [the result] is 60.7% of the area burnt down in 2017 alone”, he stressed.

The Covid-19 pandemic

The country’s response to this third crisis was “worthy of note”, claimed the Prime Minister. “We were the first country in the world to reach a vaccination coverage of 85%. And the efforts to support the economy and households allowed us to be one of the countries that best came out of the pandemic”, he added.

The inflationist crisis

The fourth crisis arose from the effects of the pandemic, which was still felt, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. This conflict “worsened a situation that came from the pandemic, with the breakdown in supply chains, which led us to the greatest inflationist crisis of the last 30 years”.

The rises in interest rates by the European Central Bank to respond to rising inflation “in a society such as hours where mortgages have a high significance and the variable rates are clearly dominant”, together with rising food costs, shot up household costs.

“From the start of 2022 to October 2022, inflation soared. We hit 10.1% inflation in October 2022 and since then we have been on a slow, yet sure, trajectory to lower inflation, until we hit 2.1% last February and the forecast is we will remain on that lowering trajectory”, said the Prime Minister.

SEVEN STRUCTURAL SHITS

Higher growth

The Prime Minister stated that between 2000 and 2015 the country alternated between recession and stagnation. “Only in one year of these 15 did we grow above the European average: in 2009. From 2016 onwards, the reality has been quite different “, he said. “In these eight years, the country grew ten times more than what it had grown in the previous 15”, he signalled, noting the 2.1% growth, including in the two pandemic years, “where product naturally fell drastically”.

More jobs and more income

The creation of jobs and improvement in employment conditions contributed to this economic growth. “Today, we have a record number of people working in Portugal: 5 million people. That is an additional 629 thousand jobs than in 2015. And in a context where it was possible to not just to have minimum wages grow 62%, but also average wages having grown 27.7%”, the Prime Minister indicated.

In addition to the rise in the minimum wage, the Prime Minister also noted rising pensions and improvement in net income.

Always in line with the Social Security Basis Law, in these eight years, average pensions rose 23.3%, “with all the rises set down in the law, as well as extraordinary rises to counter inflation”.

The improvement in net income came from the “successive drops in income tax IRS” and the “successive measures of non-monetary transfers that cut household expenses”, such as making school books free, reforming the costs of public transports, increasing the number of households that benefit from energy social rates and the “significant” cut in pubic university fees, that went from more than one thousand euros to 697 euros per annum.

A more qualified country

This was the shift the Prime Minister considered “perhaps brings the greatest consequences for the future”. António Costa mentioned the “highly significant” drop in early dropouts, where this year we are below the EU average for 2030, and the rise in the number of youths aged 30 to 34 years who completed higher educaiton in 2015, which can only rise, since “if we look at the youths who are 20 years old, 39% attended university in 2015, and today it’s 54%”.

A more competitive economy

“Every year, we beat records in attracting foreign direct investment. Every year, we beat corporate investment records and corporate investment went up 85% between 2015 and 2023”, the Prime Minister stated, advocating that “what offers a modern economy competitiveness is its capacity to have qualified jobs, being more innovative, and this is what enables that innovation”.

António Costa also added that the rise in exports, which in 2022 accounted for more than 50% of GDP, and the change in the nature of exports. “Exports of high and medium tech goods increased 71% over these last eight years, which means that complexifying, qualifying, and the added value of our economy have been clearly on the rise”.

Less inequality

“Today we have 600 thousand people less in poverty or social exclusion, and especially 226 thousand children less living in poverty or social exclusion”, said the Prime Minister.

Taking the lead in fighting climate change

The sixth shift had to do with the country’s position in taking the lead in fighting climate change. “We were the first country in the world, at the2016 Marrakesh COP to undertake the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Our Climate Law imposed on us a greater ambition of hitting that target in 2045 rather than 2050”.

Since 2017, Portugal has cut back its GHG emissions by 17% “due to the public transport policy and bringing targets such as closing down coal-fuelled power stations forward and increasing the capacity to generate energy using renewables”, the Prime Minister signalled.

Advances in the State reform

The last structural shift mentioned by the Prime Minister had to do with the advances in the State reform, namely concerning the decentralisation of powers, such as transferring the PSP’s traffic tasks to the Lisbon and Porto municipal police, making Carri or STCP (public transport) municipal, or the agreement with the National Portuguese Municipalities Association (ANMP) to transfer powers. Lastly, António Costa referred to the reform of the Regional Development Coordination Committees (CCDR), that are now more democratised and with greater autonomy.

View the Prime Minister’s presentation here

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Informal meeting on migration management in the margins of the European Council

Source: Government of Italy (English)

In the margins of the European Council meeting, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, together with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, held another informal meeting today with some of the Member States that have the most interest in innovative solutions for the management of migration, and in particular the strengthening of the legal framework regarding returns.

In addition to Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and the European Commission, the meeting was also attended by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Sweden.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the main areas of the Commission’s work regarding migration, focusing in particular on the progress of negotiations concerning the most recent legislative proposals on migration, starting with the new ‘Returns Regulation’, while also confirming that another meeting of the global coalition against migrant smuggling had been called for 10 December in Brussels.

President Meloni expressed satisfaction with the results achieved so far by the informal group of the nations most interested in innovative solutions, and also pointed out a number of new focus areas, starting with the follow-up to the open letter dated 22 May regarding international conventions and their ability to respond to the challenges of irregular migration.

Thanking President von der Leyen for the concrete operational work carried out, the leaders present agreed to continue maintaining close coordination also ahead of the next European summits.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Informal meeting on migration management in the margins of the European Council

Source: Government of Italy (English)

In the margins of the European Council meeting, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, together with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, held another informal meeting today with some of the Member States that have the most interest in innovative solutions for the management of migration, and in particular the strengthening of the legal framework regarding returns.

In addition to Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and the European Commission, the meeting was also attended by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Sweden.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the main areas of the Commission’s work regarding migration, focusing in particular on the progress of negotiations concerning the most recent legislative proposals on migration, starting with the new ‘Returns Regulation’, while also confirming that another meeting of the global coalition against migrant smuggling had been called for 10 December in Brussels.

President Meloni expressed satisfaction with the results achieved so far by the informal group of the nations most interested in innovative solutions, and also pointed out a number of new focus areas, starting with the follow-up to the open letter dated 22 May regarding international conventions and their ability to respond to the challenges of irregular migration.

Thanking President von der Leyen for the concrete operational work carried out, the leaders present agreed to continue maintaining close coordination also ahead of the next European summits.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni attends European Council meeting

Source: Government of Italy (English)

Vai al Contenuto Raggiungi il piè di pagina

26 Giugno 2025

The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, attended the European Council meeting in Brussels today.

Before the working sessions got underway, President Meloni, together with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, held an informal meeting with some of the Member States that have the most interest in innovative solutions for the management of migration, and in particular the strengthening of the legal framework regarding returns.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni attends European Council meeting

Source: Government of Italy (English)

Vai al Contenuto Raggiungi il piè di pagina

26 Giugno 2025

The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, attended the European Council meeting in Brussels today.

Before the working sessions got underway, President Meloni, together with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, held an informal meeting with some of the Member States that have the most interest in innovative solutions for the management of migration, and in particular the strengthening of the legal framework regarding returns.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 27 June 2025 Departmental update New digital toolkit to improve family planning content on apps, chatbots and digital spaces
Source: World Health Organisation

WHO with expertise from the United Nation’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), has introduced a new resource aimed at helping developers and health professionals improve the quality of digital tools that provide family planning information. The Toolkit and content repository for digital client-facing platforms: family planning offers a collection of simplified, evidence-based messages that can be used in apps, social media, chatbots, and other digital platforms.

The toolkit is designed to support a wide range of users – from ministries of health and nongovernmental organizations to social media influencers and software developers – who are involved in creating or managing digital content related to contraception and reproductive health. The aim is for this toolkit to be adapted by local implementers who can contextualize the information for local relevance.

Filling gaps in digital health content

Digital platforms are increasingly used to share health information, but the quality of content can vary widely. WHO’s new toolkit responds to concerns about misinformation and inconsistent messaging by offering a centralized, vetted source of family planning content based on its clinical guidelines.

“This toolkit is a practical resource for anyone looking to ensure their digital content aligns with WHO recommendations and a step in addressing misinformation.” said Tigest Tamrat, Scientist at WHO and HRP and one of the project leads. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it provides a solid foundation that can be adapted to different contexts.”

This toolkit is a practical resource for anyone looking to ensure their digital content aligns with WHO recommendations and a step in addressing misinformation.

Tigest Tamrat / Scientist at WHO and HRP

What’s inside the toolkit?

The toolkit includes four main components:
- health interventions and recommendations – a summary of WHO’s guidance on family planning;
- user scenarios – examples of how different users might apply the toolkit in real-world settings;
- content repository – a downloadable spreadsheet of simplified messages and myth-busting facts; and
- performance metrics – suggested indicators for tracking user engagement and tool effectiveness.
The content is intentionally generic, allowing users to tailor it to local languages, cultural norms, and digital habits.

Practical use cases

The toolkit provides sample scenarios to illustrate how it might be used. For example, a programme manager might use it to update the content of an existing mobile app, while a social media influencer could use it to fact-check posts or respond to common questions from followers.

In one scenario, a fictional influencer named Aisha uses the toolkit to create a video series addressing common myths about contraception. Her content helps viewers like Miriam, a 19-year-old follower, feel more confident in making informed decisions about reproductive health.

Looking ahead: AI integration

While the toolkit currently focuses on scripted content, it could also support more advanced applications. For instance, artificial intelligence tools like chatbots could use the content repository to provide accurate, real-time responses to user questions. The document also highlights the potential of AI to personalize content based on user demographics and preferences.

A flexible resource

Rather than being a prescriptive solution, the toolkit is meant to be a flexible resource that can be adapted to different needs. It encourages collaboration with local experts and communities to ensure content is relevant and respectful.

MIL OSI United Nations News –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Flying the EU flag for 40 years!

Source: European Union 2

The flag of the European Union is turning 40 this June. Its 12 gold stars on a blue background are instantly recognisable and synonymous with the European project that unites all Europeans. With time, it has also become a symbol of the EU’s ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the peoples of Europe.

The flag was first used as the flag of the Council of Europe in 1955. Following World War Two, the Council of Europe was looking for a flag that would give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants could identify. It chose the design which best conveyed neutrality, timelessness, and simplicity.

Contrary to a common misconception, the number 12 does not represent the number of EU countries in our Union but rather are a symbol of perfection and stability, and the circle, a symbol of union. The fixed number means the flag remains unchanged regardless of the European Union’s growth.

In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag devised by the Council of Europe and recommended that it become the European Communities’ emblem. The European Council gave its approval in June 1985. The European Communities have now evolved into the European Union, as we know it today.

The iconic flag has become a powerful emblem beyond EU borders, a rallying point for people fighting for their rights. For freedom and democracy, dignity and equality, the rule of law and human rights, peace and security. Some 70 years after it was created, the EU flag not only represents EU ideals, but it has become a symbol of hope.

For more information

European flag

Flying the European flag since 1985

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Flying the EU flag for 40 years!

Source: European Union 2

The flag of the European Union is turning 40 this June. Its 12 gold stars on a blue background are instantly recognisable and synonymous with the European project that unites all Europeans. With time, it has also become a symbol of the EU’s ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the peoples of Europe.

The flag was first used as the flag of the Council of Europe in 1955. Following World War Two, the Council of Europe was looking for a flag that would give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants could identify. It chose the design which best conveyed neutrality, timelessness, and simplicity.

Contrary to a common misconception, the number 12 does not represent the number of EU countries in our Union but rather are a symbol of perfection and stability, and the circle, a symbol of union. The fixed number means the flag remains unchanged regardless of the European Union’s growth.

In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag devised by the Council of Europe and recommended that it become the European Communities’ emblem. The European Council gave its approval in June 1985. The European Communities have now evolved into the European Union, as we know it today.

The iconic flag has become a powerful emblem beyond EU borders, a rallying point for people fighting for their rights. For freedom and democracy, dignity and equality, the rule of law and human rights, peace and security. Some 70 years after it was created, the EU flag not only represents EU ideals, but it has become a symbol of hope.

For more information

European flag

Flying the European flag since 1985

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Flying the EU flag for 40 years!

Source: European Union 2

The flag of the European Union is turning 40 this June. Its 12 gold stars on a blue background are instantly recognisable and synonymous with the European project that unites all Europeans. With time, it has also become a symbol of the EU’s ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the peoples of Europe.

The flag was first used as the flag of the Council of Europe in 1955. Following World War Two, the Council of Europe was looking for a flag that would give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants could identify. It chose the design which best conveyed neutrality, timelessness, and simplicity.

Contrary to a common misconception, the number 12 does not represent the number of EU countries in our Union but rather are a symbol of perfection and stability, and the circle, a symbol of union. The fixed number means the flag remains unchanged regardless of the European Union’s growth.

In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag devised by the Council of Europe and recommended that it become the European Communities’ emblem. The European Council gave its approval in June 1985. The European Communities have now evolved into the European Union, as we know it today.

The iconic flag has become a powerful emblem beyond EU borders, a rallying point for people fighting for their rights. For freedom and democracy, dignity and equality, the rule of law and human rights, peace and security. Some 70 years after it was created, the EU flag not only represents EU ideals, but it has become a symbol of hope.

For more information

European flag

Flying the European flag since 1985

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Source: European Union 2

Monday, 7 July 2025 – Thursday, 10 July 2025

Strasbourg

Monday, 7 July 2025

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Thursday, 10 July 2025
Monday, 16 June 2025 – Thursday, 19 June 2025

Strasbourg

Monday, 16 June 2025 HTML

Tuesday, 17 June 2025 HTML

Wednesday, 18 June 2025 HTML

Thursday, 19 June 2025 HTML
Wednesday, 21 May 2025 – Thursday, 22 May 2025

Brussels

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 HTML

Thursday, 22 May 2025 HTML
Monday, 5 May 2025 – Thursday, 8 May 2025

Strasbourg

Monday, 5 May 2025 HTML

Tuesday, 6 May 2025 HTML

Wednesday, 7 May 2025 HTML

Thursday, 8 May 2025 HTML
Monday, 31 March 2025 – Thursday, 3 April 2025

Strasbourg

Monday, 31 March 2025 HTML

Tuesday, 1 April 2025 HTML

Wednesday, 2 April 2025 HTML

Thursday, 3 April 2025 HTML
Monday, 10 March 2025 – Thursday, 13 March 2025

Strasbourg

Monday, 10 March 2025 HTML

Tuesday, 11 March 2025 HTML

Wednesday, 12 March 2025 HTML

Thursday, 13 March 2025 HTML
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: European Council

Source: European Union 2

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the Commission President.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: European Council

Source: European Union 2

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the Commission President.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee

Source: European Union 2

589th Plenary session, with the following guests: Roberta Metsola, President of the EP (tbc); János Bóka, Minister of EU Affairs of Hungary; Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Maxime Cerutti, Director of Social Affairs at Business Europe, Tea Jarc, Confederal Secretary of the EU Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Rareș Voicu, President of the EU Youth Forum and Nicoletta Merlo, EESC Member; with Teresa Ribera, Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain (tbc), Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (tbc); Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum

Recording of debates

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: European Space Forum
Source: European Union 2

Colonel Marcin Mazur is the Vice-President of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) – an executive agency of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, est. 2014. POLSA supports the Polish space industry, cooperates with international agencies and public administration in the field of exploration and use of Outer Space.

Col Mazur’s goal is to execute the Polish Space Strategy issued in 2017, which is in compliance with both the Space Strategy for Europe 2016 and the NATO Overarching Space Policy 2019, and implement the National Space Programme 2022-2026.

Col Mazur’s responsibility in POLSA is to systematize security and defence activities, in particular the development of dual-use capabilities which may apply for military and civilian applications:
- EO – Earth Observation satellite systems;
- SATCOM – Satellite Communications systems;
- SSA / SST – Space Situational Awareness / Space Surveillance and Tracking;
- Launching technologies.
Colonel Mazur was commissioned in 1998 and promoted to his first officer’s rank, 2nd lieutenant, in 2002. He graduated from the Military University of Technology in Warsaw with a Master’s Degree in Topography and Mapping. He started his career as a Geospatial Officer at the 6 th Independent Geographical Unit in Torun where he became the leader of Mobile Geospatial Support Team dedicated for NATO Response Forces. Following that Colonel Mazur served at the Joint Force Command Brunssum, the Netherlands, in the Geospatial Support Section, J2 Intelligence Division and as an IMINT Officer at the Military Geographical Centre in Warsaw from where he was assigned in 2012 to the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, P2 Intelligence Division, Imagery Intelligence Branch. As an Intelligence Officer, he was also appointed as a Part-time Inspector for Treaties on Conventional Arms Control in Europe (CFE) and Vienna Document 2011 (VD11) inspections. In August 2017 he became the IMINT Branch Head and in January 2019 was promoted to Colonel rank. As the IMINT Branch Head he was responsible for defining Earth Observation (EO) and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) military requirements. He was the co-chairman of the Polish-Italian Operational Working Group with regards to the COSMO SkyMed (CSK) and OPTSAT-3000 systems. Nationally he served the Chairman role of the Inter-ministerial Earth Observation Task Group.

EDUCATION

2003 Master of Science in Topography and Mapping, Military University of Technology, Warsaw

2013 Military Intelligence Officer Course, Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facility, US European Command / US Africa Command, Warsaw

2016 Postgraduate Studies, GIS, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for Defence and Security Purposes, Military University of Technology, Warsaw

ASSIGNMENTS

1998 – 2003 Officer Cadet, Military University of Technology, Warsaw

2003 – 2008 Geospatial Officer, 6th Independent Geographical Unit, Torun

2008 – 2010 Geospatial Officer, Joint Force Command Brunssum, the Netherlands

2010 – 2012 Imagery Intelligence Officer, Military Geographical Centre, Warsaw

2012 – 2017 Imagery Intelligence Officer, P2 Intelligence Division, General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Warsaw

2017 – 2021 Imagery Intelligence Branch Head, P2 Intelligence Division, General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Warsaw

2021 – Vice-President, Polish Space Agency, Warsaw
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 27, 2025
Daren Sammy raises concerns over TV umpiring after controversial decisions in Barbados Test

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has voiced concerns over the performance of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the first Test against Australia in Barbados, following a series of contentious review decisions on Day 2, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Sammy reportedly met with match referee Javagal Srinath after the day’s play to seek clarification regarding multiple decisions that did not go in the West Indies’ favour. He also expressed his concerns about Holdstock’s officiating during the recent ODI series in England, where the South African umpire served as the TV umpire in two games and stood on the field in another.

Two key moments on the second day left the West Indies camp frustrated. The first was the dismissal of captain Roston Chase, adjudged LBW to Pat Cummins, despite what West Indies believed was clear evidence of an inside edge. The second was the wicket of Shai Hope, who was caught behind by Alex Carey off Beau Webster. The catch was deemed clean after a review by the third umpire.

“We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is,” Sammy said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“We only hope for consistency. That’s all we could ask for. When there is doubt in something, just be consistent across the board,” he added.

“I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something that for me started in England. It’s frustrating. I just ask for consistency in decision-making,” he noted.

“Yeah, look, you don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires. Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question. I know he’s here for the series. You don’t want to go into a Test match having that doubt,” Sammy said.

“So I want to have that conversation as to the process… so we could all be clear. Because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be going into a Test match not trusting the umpires. And that’s not what our team is about. We’re just looking for some clarity regarding the decisions,” he explained.

Asked whether the West Indies would lodge a formal complaint, Sammy replied, “You’ll have to wait and see for that.”

Speaking on Chase’s dismissal, which came just after lunch and broke a 67-run partnership with Hope, Sammy said, “In our opinion, we saw the ball deviated onto the pad.”

While Sammy didn’t explicitly dispute the decision on Hope’s dismissal, he referenced a similar incident from the previous day, when a catch taken by Hope to dismiss Travis Head was ruled not to have carried.

“I’m just saying, judge what you see,” Sammy said.

“If you see the same thing and one is not out, there is even more doubt on the other one than you give out. Again, I don’t know what he’s seen, but from the images we’ve seen, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams. We’re all human. Mistakes will be made. I just want fairness,” he added.

Australia also had their share of discontent. In the first over of Day 2, they reviewed an LBW call against Chase, convinced the ball had struck the pad first. While initial replays seemed to support their claim, Holdstock judged there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc later questioned whether the visuals and audio in the replays were correctly synced.

“There’s been some interesting ones,” Starc said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Obviously, a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us. One for us (against Chase) looked like there was a gap between the bat and the ball—it cost us 40-odd runs, but then a contentious one to then get the wicket,” he added.

“As players, you can only ask a question. We don’t use the technology to make that decision. It sort of felt like, or looked like, the Snicko and the images were out of sync to some capacity,” he noted.

Starc also maintained that Head’s edge to Hope on the opening day looked out to them.

Sammy, mindful of the protocols surrounding criticism of officials, revealed that he had instructed his players not to comment publicly on the decisions after the game.

“We know the rules. We know fines go all across the board,” he said.

“I don’t want them to focus on that. Yes, we’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot by dropping so many catches, but look at the Test match—[it’s] us against ourselves, some of these decisions—and we’re still in a position to win,” he concluded.

ANI

June 27, 2025
Daren Sammy raises concerns over TV umpiring after controversial decisions in Barbados Test

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has voiced concerns over the performance of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the first Test against Australia in Barbados, following a series of contentious review decisions on Day 2, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Sammy reportedly met with match referee Javagal Srinath after the day’s play to seek clarification regarding multiple decisions that did not go in the West Indies’ favour. He also expressed his concerns about Holdstock’s officiating during the recent ODI series in England, where the South African umpire served as the TV umpire in two games and stood on the field in another.

Two key moments on the second day left the West Indies camp frustrated. The first was the dismissal of captain Roston Chase, adjudged LBW to Pat Cummins, despite what West Indies believed was clear evidence of an inside edge. The second was the wicket of Shai Hope, who was caught behind by Alex Carey off Beau Webster. The catch was deemed clean after a review by the third umpire.

“We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is,” Sammy said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“We only hope for consistency. That’s all we could ask for. When there is doubt in something, just be consistent across the board,” he added.

“I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something that for me started in England. It’s frustrating. I just ask for consistency in decision-making,” he noted.

“Yeah, look, you don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires. Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question. I know he’s here for the series. You don’t want to go into a Test match having that doubt,” Sammy said.

“So I want to have that conversation as to the process… so we could all be clear. Because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be going into a Test match not trusting the umpires. And that’s not what our team is about. We’re just looking for some clarity regarding the decisions,” he explained.

Asked whether the West Indies would lodge a formal complaint, Sammy replied, “You’ll have to wait and see for that.”

Speaking on Chase’s dismissal, which came just after lunch and broke a 67-run partnership with Hope, Sammy said, “In our opinion, we saw the ball deviated onto the pad.”

While Sammy didn’t explicitly dispute the decision on Hope’s dismissal, he referenced a similar incident from the previous day, when a catch taken by Hope to dismiss Travis Head was ruled not to have carried.

“I’m just saying, judge what you see,” Sammy said.

“If you see the same thing and one is not out, there is even more doubt on the other one than you give out. Again, I don’t know what he’s seen, but from the images we’ve seen, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams. We’re all human. Mistakes will be made. I just want fairness,” he added.

Australia also had their share of discontent. In the first over of Day 2, they reviewed an LBW call against Chase, convinced the ball had struck the pad first. While initial replays seemed to support their claim, Holdstock judged there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc later questioned whether the visuals and audio in the replays were correctly synced.

“There’s been some interesting ones,” Starc said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Obviously, a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us. One for us (against Chase) looked like there was a gap between the bat and the ball—it cost us 40-odd runs, but then a contentious one to then get the wicket,” he added.

“As players, you can only ask a question. We don’t use the technology to make that decision. It sort of felt like, or looked like, the Snicko and the images were out of sync to some capacity,” he noted.

Starc also maintained that Head’s edge to Hope on the opening day looked out to them.

Sammy, mindful of the protocols surrounding criticism of officials, revealed that he had instructed his players not to comment publicly on the decisions after the game.

“We know the rules. We know fines go all across the board,” he said.

“I don’t want them to focus on that. Yes, we’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot by dropping so many catches, but look at the Test match—[it’s] us against ourselves, some of these decisions—and we’re still in a position to win,” he concluded.

ANI

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE expands focus on virtual assets taxation in second workshop in Moldova

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

Headline: OSCE expands focus on virtual assets taxation in second workshop in Moldova

Building on insights from the first workshop held in May, the OSCE organized a follow-up event on the taxation of virtual assets on 26 and 27 June in Chisinau, Moldova.
The workshop brought together eighteen representatives from Moldova’s State Tax Service and the Ministry of Finance to enhance their understanding of the complex and evolving landscape of crypto taxation.
Over the course of the workshop, participants engaged in a mix of theoretical sessions and practical exercises aimed at deepening their technical knowledge and increasing their operational capacity. The workshop covered a range of topics, including blockchain-based taxation mechanisms, common tax avoidance strategies involving cryptocurrencies, and compliance with international standards.
This training comes at a critical time, as Moldovan authorities are actively working to enhance the anti-money laundering framework and develop clear regulatory guidance for the virtual asset sector.
The workshop series was organized as part of the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project, “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Meeting of the European Political Community

Source: European Union 2

The European Political Community is a platform for political coordination among the European countries. It aims to foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest, and to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Plenary session of the European Committee of Regions
Source: European Union 2

Chaired by the CoR’s President, the main purpose of the plenary sessions is to:
- vote on opinions, reports and resolutions
- adopt the CoR’s political programme at the beginning of each term
- elect a President, First Vice-president and the remaining members of the Bureau
- set up policy commissions within the institution
- approve the CoR’s draft estimates for expenditure and revenue
- revise and agree on the CoR’s Rules of Procedure.
The relevant CoR commission will appoint one of its members – known as the rapporteur – to draft an opinion on the legislative proposal which is then voted on during one of the CoR plenaries. If the opinion receives a majority of votes in its favour (simple majority), it is adopted and handed over to the other EU institutions for further scrutiny.

The CoR may also proactively adopt a position on a particular issue through an own-initiative opinion.

If you would like to follow a plenary session in person you can apply for an observer badge by registering through the observer registration form at least 5 days before the start of the given plenary.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 27, 2025