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  • MIL-OSI Global: Astronomy has a major data problem – simulating realistic images of the sky can help train algorithms

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Peterson, Assoc. Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University

    A simulation of a set of synthetic galaxies. Photons are sampled from these galaxies and have been simulated through the Earth’s atmosphere, a telescope and a sensor using a code called PhoSim. John Peterson/Purdue

    Professional astronomers don’t make discoveries by looking through an eyepiece like you might with a backyard telescope. Instead, they collect digital images in massive cameras attached to large telescopes.

    Just as you might have an endless library of digital photos stored in your cellphone, many astronomers collect more photos than they would ever have the time to look at. Instead, astronomers like me look at some of the images, then build algorithms and later use computers to combine and analyze the rest.

    But how can we know that the algorithms we write will work, when we don’t even have time to look at all the images? We can practice on some of the images, but one new way to build the best algorithms is to simulate some fake images as accurately as possible.

    With fake images, we can customize the exact properties of the objects in the image. That way, we can see if the algorithms we’re training can uncover those properties correctly.

    My research group and collaborators have found that the best way to create fake but realistic astronomical images is to painstakingly simulate light and its interaction with everything it encounters. Light is composed of particles called photons, and we can simulate each photon. We wrote a publicly available code to do this called the photon simulator, or PhoSim.

    The goal of the PhoSim project is to create realistic fake images that help us understand where distortions in images from real telescopes come from. The fake images help us train programs that sort through images from real telescopes. And the results from studies using PhoSim can also help astronomers correct distortions and defects in their real telescope images.

    The data deluge

    But first, why is there so much astronomy data in the first place? This is primarily due to the rise of dedicated survey telescopes. A survey telescope maps out a region on the sky rather than just pointing at specific objects.

    These observatories all have a large collecting area, a large field of view and a dedicated survey mode to collect as much light over a period of time as possible. Major surveys from the past two decades include the SDSS, Kepler, Blanco-DECam, Subaru HSC, TESS, ZTF and Euclid.

    The Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile has recently finished construction and will soon join those. Its survey begins soon after its official “first look” event on June 23, 2025. It will have a particularly strong set of survey capabilities.

    The Rubin observatory can look at a region of the sky all at once that is several times larger than the full Moon, and it can survey the entire southern celestial hemisphere every few nights.

    The Vera Rubin Observatory will take in lots of light to construct maps of the sky.
    Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/B. Quint, CC BY-SA

    A survey can shed light on practically every topic in astronomy.

    Some of the ambitious research questions include: making measurements about dark matter and dark energy, mapping the Milky Way’s distribution of stars, finding asteroids in the solar system, building a three-dimensional map of galaxies in the universe, finding new planets outside the solar system and tracking millions of objects that change over time, including supernovas.

    All of these surveys create a massive data deluge. They generate tens of terabytes every night – that’s millions to billions of pixels collected in seconds. In the extreme case of the Rubin observatory, if you spent all day long looking at images equivalent to the size of a 4K television screen for about one second each, you’d be looking at them 25 times too slow and you’d never keep up.

    At this rate, no individual human could ever look at all the images. But automated programs can process the data.

    Astronomers don’t just survey an astronomical object like a planet, galaxy or supernova once, either. Often we measure the same object’s size, shape, brightness and position in many different ways under many different conditions.

    But more measurements do come with more complications. For example, measurements taken under certain weather conditions or on one part of the camera may disagree with others at different locations or under different conditions. Astronomers can correct these errors – called systematics – with careful calibration or algorithms, but only if we understand the reason for the inconsistency between different measurements. That’s where PhoSim comes in. Once corrected, we can use all the images and make more detailed measurements.

    Simulations: One photon at a time

    To understand the origin of these systematics, we built PhoSim, which can simulate the propagation of light particles – photons – through the Earth’s atmosphere and then into the telescope and camera.

    A simulation of photons traveling from a single star to the Vera Rubin Observatory, made using PhoSim. The layers of turbulence in the atmosphere move according to wind patterns (top middle), and the mirrors deform (top right) depending on the temperature and forces exerted on them. The photons with different wavelengths (colors) are sampled from a star, refract through the atmosphere and then interact with the telescope’s mirrors, filter and lenses. Finally, the photons eject electrons in the sensor (bottom middle) that are counted in pixels to make an image (bottom right). John Peterson/Purdue

    PhoSim simulates the atmosphere, including air turbulence, as well as distortions from the shape of the telescope’s mirrors and the electrical properties of the sensors. The photons are propagated using a variety of physics that predict what photons do when they encounter the air and the telescope’s mirrors and lenses.

    The simulation ends by collecting electrons that have been ejected by photons into a grid of pixels, to make an image.

    Representing the light as trillions of photons is computationally efficient and an application of the Monte Carlo method, which uses random sampling. Researchers used PhoSim to verify some aspects of the Rubin observatory’s design and estimate how its images would look.

    A simulations of a series of exposures of stars, galaxies and background light through the Rubin observatory using PhoSim. Photons are sampled from the objects and then interact with the Earth’s atmosphere and Rubin’s telescope and camera.
    John Peterson/Purdue

    The results are complex, but so far we’ve connected the variation in temperature across telescope mirrors directly to astigmatism – angular blurring – in the images. We’ve also studied how high-altitude turbulence in the atmosphere that can disturb light on its way to the telescope shifts the positions of stars and galaxies in the image and causes blurring patterns that correlate with the wind. We’ve demonstrated how the electric fields in telescope sensors – which are intended to be vertical – can get distorted and warp the images.

    Researchers can use these new results to correct their measurements and better take advantage of all the data that telescopes collect.

    Traditionally, astronomical analyses haven’t worried about this level of detail, but the meticulous measurements with the current and future surveys will have to. Astronomers can make the most out of this deluge of data by using simulations to achieve a deeper level of understanding.

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

    – ref. Astronomy has a major data problem – simulating realistic images of the sky can help train algorithms – https://theconversation.com/astronomy-has-a-major-data-problem-simulating-realistic-images-of-the-sky-can-help-train-algorithms-258786

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Neuropathic pain has no immediate cause – research on a brain receptor may help stop this hard-to-treat condition

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Pooja Shree Chettiar, Ph.D. Candidate in Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University

    Neuropathic pain is experienced both physically and emotionally. Salim Hanzaz/iStock via Getty Images

    Pain is easy to understand until it isn’t. A stubbed toe or sprained ankle hurts, but it makes sense because the cause is clear and the pain fades as you heal.

    But what if the pain didn’t go away? What if even a breeze felt like fire, or your leg burned for no reason at all? When pain lingers without a clear cause, that’s neuropathic pain.

    We are neuroscientists who study how pain circuits in the brain and spinal cord change over time. Our work focuses on the molecules that quietly reshape how pain is felt and remembered.

    We didn’t fully grasp how different neuropathic pain was from injury-related pain until we began working in a lab studying it. Patients spoke of a phantom pain that haunted them daily – unseen, unexplained and life-altering.

    These conversations shifted our focus from symptoms to mechanisms. What causes this ghost pain to persist, and how can we intervene at the molecular level to change it?

    More than just physical pain

    Neuropathic pain stems from damage to or dysfunction in the nervous system itself. The system that was meant to detect pain becomes the source of it, like a fire alarm going off without a fire. Even a soft touch or breeze can feel unbearable.

    Neuropathic pain doesn’t just affect the body – it also alters the brain. Chronic pain of this nature often leads to depression, anxiety, social isolation and a deep sense of helplessness. It can make even the most routine tasks feel unbearable.

    About 10% of the U.S. population – tens of millions of people – experience neuropathic pain, and cases are rising as the population ages. Complications from diabetes, cancer treatments or spinal cord injuries can lead to this condition. Despite its prevalence, doctors often overlook neuropathic pain because its underlying biology is poorly understood.

    Neuropathic pain can be debilitating.
    Kate Wieser/Moment via Getty Images

    There’s also an economic cost to neuropathic pain. This condition contributes to billions of dollars in health care spending, missed workdays and lost productivity. In the search for relief, many turn to opioids, a path that, as seen from the opioid epidemic, can carry its own devastating consequences through addiction.

    GluD1: A quiet but crucial player

    Finding treatments for neuropathic pain requires answering several questions. Why does the nervous system misfire in this way? What exactly causes it to rewire in ways that increase pain sensitivity or create phantom sensations? And most urgently: Is there a way to reset the system?

    This is where our lab’s work and the story of a receptor called GluD1 comes in. Short for glutamate delta-1 receptor, this protein doesn’t usually make headlines. Scientists have long considered GluD1 a biochemical curiosity, part of the glutamate receptor family, but not known to function like its relatives that typically transmit electrical signals in the brain.

    Instead, GluD1 plays a different role. It helps organize synapses, the junctions where neurons connect. Think of it as a construction foreman: It doesn’t send messages itself, but directs where connections form and how strong they become.

    This organizing role is critical in shaping the way neural circuits develop and adapt, especially in regions involved in pain and emotion. Our lab’s research suggests that GluD1 acts as a molecular architect of pain circuits, particularly in conditions like neuropathic pain where those circuits misfire or rewire abnormally. In parts of the nervous system crucial for pain processing like the spinal cord and amygdala, GluD1 may shape how people experience pain physically and emotionally.

    Fixing the misfire

    Across our work, we found that disruptions to GluD1 activity is linked to persistent pain. Restoring GluD1 activity can reduce pain. The question is, how exactly does GluD1 reshape the pain experience?

    In our first study, we discovered that GluD1 doesn’t operate solo. It teams up with a protein called cerebellin-1 to form a structure that maintains constant communication between brain cells. This structure, called a trans-synaptic bridge, can be compared to a strong handshake between two neurons. It makes sure that pain signals are appropriately processed and filtered.

    But in chronic pain, the bridge between these proteins becomes unstable and starts to fall apart. The result is chaotic. Like a group chat where everyone is talking at once and nobody can be heard clearly, neurons start to misfire and overreact. This synaptic noise turns up the brain’s pain sensitivity, both physically and emotionally. It suggests that GluD1 isn’t just managing pain signals, but also may be shaping how those signals feel.

    What if we could restore that broken connection?

    This image highlights the presence of GluD1, in green and yellow, in a neuron of the central amygdala, in red.
    Pooja Shree Chettiar and Siddhesh Sabnis/Dravid Lab at Texas A&M University, CC BY-SA

    In our second study, we injected mice with cerebellin-1 and saw that it reactivated GluD1 activity, easing their chronic pain without producing any side effects. It helped the pain processing system work again without the sedative effects or disruptions to other nerve signals that are common with opioids. Rather than just numbing the body, reactivating GluD1 activity recalibrated how the brain processes pain.

    Of course, this research is still in the early stages, far from clinical trials. But the implications are exciting: GluD1 may offer a way to repair the pain processing network itself, with fewer side effects and less risk of addiction than current treatments.

    For millions living with chronic pain, this small, peculiar receptor may open the door to a new kind of relief: one that heals the system, not just masks its symptoms.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Neuropathic pain has no immediate cause – research on a brain receptor may help stop this hard-to-treat condition – https://theconversation.com/neuropathic-pain-has-no-immediate-cause-research-on-a-brain-receptor-may-help-stop-this-hard-to-treat-condition-256982

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SHU and Shandong Institute of Technology and Business agreed on cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 23, a delegation from Shandong Institute of Technology and Business (SIITB) visited the National University of Management to sign a cooperation agreement.

    Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroev, vice-rectors Maria Karelina and Dmitry Bryukhanov and director of the Institute of Marketing Gennady Azoev introduced the guests to the history of the university and the main areas in which cooperation is possible.

    “Our university has been training management personnel for various areas of the economy for over 100 years. We have both a humanitarian and a technical component of training. In addition, many students independently study Chinese, as they see more prospects in it than in English. GUU is actively developing cooperation with the People’s Republic of China: our university has a center for social, political and economic research in China, and last year we conducted an internship for 50 graduates of the presidential program for training management personnel in China,” Vladimir Stroyev noted.

    Rector of SHITB Tao Hu spoke about the history and capabilities of his university, noting the presence of similar positions and interests:

    “Thank you for the invitation, you have a very beautiful university. We are pleased that the interaction between our countries and our universities is developing. Since 1985, the Shandong Institute has been training personnel, primarily in the field of economics. And we really value international cooperation. I am sure that we will be able to work well on joint projects.”

    The parties discussed the possibility of admitting GUU graduates to master’s programs at SHITiB: “Business Management and Entrepreneurship”, “Applied Economics”, “Computer Science”, as well as admitting SHITiB graduates to the GUU master’s program “International Marketing and Brand Management”.

    Another area of cooperation will be the exchange of teachers for teaching language and special courses and the implementation of scientific cooperation programs.

    At the end of the meeting, a ceremonial signing of a cooperation agreement on the issues outlined 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: War commemorations discussed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution & Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee (CBLPSC) held its third meeting today to discuss a work plan for activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War.

     

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it places great importance on planning for such commemorations. As stated in last year’s Policy Address, it will host a series of events to enhance the public’s patriotism and sense of national belonging.

     

    CBLPSC Chairman and Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki stated that over the past few months various bureaus and departments have been formulating proposals and making preparations for the commemorations.

     

    In today’s meeting, the working group discussed the content of various activities that are being planned, and the core spirits and principles that should be upheld.

     

    An official ceremony will be held at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden on September 3, Victory Day in the War of Resistance, to honour the occasion.

     

    Thematic exhibitions co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the National Museum of China, as well as the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance & Coastal Defence and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, will be staged.

     

    Various educational activities and screenings of war-related films will also be organised.

     

    In relation to commemorative activities organised by community groups, the Government will announce more details in due course.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM District 837 Hosts Leadership Tour of Boeing St. Louis Facilities Ahead of Vital Negotiations

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling recently led a high-level tour of Boeing’s St. Louis-area facilities, joined by IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. The tour provided an in-depth look at the critical aerospace manufacturing work being performed by IAM members across three key locations: St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill.

    “Our members take immense pride in the work they do to support our military and protect our country,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “This tour was an important reminder of what we stand for, not just as union members, but as the builders of American strength and security.”

    District 837 members play an essential role in building and producing some of the world’s most advanced military aircraft and defense systems. These include the iconic F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, the state-of-the-art T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer, and the groundbreaking MQ-25 Stingray, the U.S. Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aerial refueler.

    The visit underscored the skill, dedication, and pride of IAM members who contribute to national defense and aerospace innovation daily. It also served as an opportunity for leadership to hear directly from the workforce ahead of upcoming negotiations, ensuring that their voices remain central to the process.

    The post IAM District 837 Hosts Leadership Tour of Boeing St. Louis Facilities Ahead of Vital Negotiations appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Spaza Shop Awareness Campaign benefits business owners 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government’s Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign is providing much-needed clarity while also encouraging business owners to do things by the book.

    “Before today, I didn’t know where to start or which documents were truly necessary. This workshop answered questions I’ve had for years. Now, I understand what compliance actually means and how to meet those expectations,” spaza shop owner Matshidiso Mooki said.

    Mooki was among those who attended the session held at the City Hall in the Vereeniging Central Business District in Gauteng on Friday.

    She said the campaign brought clarity.

    “I am determined to ensure that I comply with all the regulations so that I can qualify for support through the Spaza Shop Support Fund,” she said of the session.

    The campaign offered spaza shop owners and township-based convenience store operators critical information on how to apply for both financial and non-financial support under the R500-million fund that was launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams in April.

    For Matome Tshabalala, the information received at the session was a game changer. He started his shop after the COVID-19 lockdown.

    “I’ve always operated informally, but now I want to do things the right way. What stood out for me was the emphasis on record-keeping and understanding zoning laws. I also appreciated the introduction to stock management and bookkeeping,” he said.

    The campaign, which aims to formalise and support township-based enterprises, brought together local spaza shop owners, government officials and business development stakeholders.

    READ | Government’s Spaza Shop campaign goes to Sedibeng

    Compliance 

    Participants at the session heard about the importance of compliance requirements for spaza shop permit applications. 

    Matshepo Madumbo, the Assistant Manager of Local Economic Development and Tourism at Emfuleni Local Municipality, emphasised the importance of adhering to municipal regulations when applying for permits.

    “Many residential areas are not zoned for commercial activity. For a spaza shop to operate legally, the property owner must apply for a rezoning certificate. Without that, the business cannot be recognised as compliant.

    “I cannot stress the importance of submitting a stamped building plan, an occupancy certificate, certified identity document, a proof of address no older than three months, and registration documents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) along with a valid tax clearance certificate,” she said. 

    Madumbo noted that failure to comply with these requirements often leads to unnecessary delays and missed opportunities for funding and supplier networks.

    “The Spaza Shop Support Campaign continues to rollout across provinces, ensuring that township entrepreneurs are not only included in the broader economic framework but are also equipped to thrive within it. 

    “By focusing on compliance, formalisation, and access to resources, the campaign is helping to level the playing field for small business owners in underserved communities,” said the  Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.  – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The proposed Transformation Fund levels the economic playing field for emerging black businesses

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    By Parks Tau 

    In 1994, South Africa inherited an economy that was structurally designed to exclude the vast majority of South Africans. Apartheid’s distorted policies had created a dual economy: one of wealth and privilege and another of poverty and exclusion.

    This calculated economic strategy, structured along racial lines, created white-owned mines, farms, and factories while many black South Africans languished on the fringes of the economy in an underdeveloped informal sector.

    Their meaningful participation in our nation’s wealth was further eroded by discriminatory laws that restricted Black South Africans from owning land, accessing quality education, and entering skilled professions.

    These economic distortions which were implemented over hundreds of years continue to plague our nation today as we grapple with one of the highest levels of economic inequality in the world, worsened by alarmingly high unemployment, especially among Black youth.

    The country’s Gini coefficient of 0.63 shows that our nation’s income remains unevenly distributed, with the top 10 percent of the population holding more than 85 percent of household wealth. This persistent disparity undermines the development of an inclusive economy where all citizens participate and benefit.

    The transformation we seek is about positive change and is the only logical path to long-term growth and the reduction of inequality. In deracialising ownership across our economy, we open more opportunities for black people, in particular women and the youth.

    While the Constitution guides our work in creating a society with equal opportunities, we require a deliberate removal of structural obstacles to draw more people into the economy and mechanisms that advance our constitutional commitment to economic redress and transformation.

    In this regard, government plans to introduce the Transformation Fund to help level the economic playing field for emerging Black businesses, particularly those in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism who struggle to secure funding due to stringent lending requirements.

    The fund will provide financial support, infrastructure and capacity-building to Black-owned businesses – in particular Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, women and youth entrepreneurs, and people living with disabilities – who are often locked out of meaningful economic participation due to their lack of access to capital.

    In fostering greater access to capital, business owners can invest in equipment, hire skilled staff, expand into new markets and ultimately quicken the pace of transformation in South Africa’s economy. It is also expected to stimulate meaningful economic activities across all regions of our country.

    A similar transformation initiative took place in South Korea, whose government actively worked with companies in the country to address market failures. Local businesses known as Chaebol were guaranteed loans from the banking sector, backed by the government. In the late 1980s, this led to rapid industrialisation with Chaebol businesses dominating the industrial sector in manufacturing, trading and heavy industries

    There was also great success in Malaysia’s empowerment initiative, demonstrating what can be achieved through transformation. The country in 1970 found itself in a similar position we face today and began to transform its society and economy through economic empowerment. Its empowerment plan, the National Economic Policy, assisted with the redistribution of the country’s wealth to the indigenous Malays known as Bumiputeras. Today Malaysia is among the richest countries in Southeast Asia by GDP per capita.  

    The Transformation Fund we are proposing will operate through a transparent application process, where qualifying businesses as well as partnerships, can apply for funding based on the project’s potential for social impact, sustainability, and alignment with national development goals.

    The fund will be anchored in contributions already made to the Enterprise Supplier Development and Equity Equivalent Investment Programme as part of our nation’s B-BBEE policy.  While no additional contributions are required over and above those made under our B-BBEE commitments, the voluntary co-funding by government and business of our transformation efforts can quicken the change we want in our economy.

    In supporting the Transformation Fund, both the public and private sectors stand to benefit from the investment in future suppliers, customers, and innovators who will, in turn build resilience and relevance in a fast-changing society.

    In advancing the establishment of the fund, it is proposed that the fund will be managed by a dedicated governance structure to ensure transparency. A Special Purpose Vehicle will be established to ensure accountability to an Oversight Committee and a board that possesses the required skills and capacity.

    The fund’s draft concept document was released for public comment on 19 March 2025 and the comment period concluded on 28 May 2025. South Africans are encouraged to continue to actively engage on the fund, and more details can be found on the website www.dtic.gov.za.

    Government plans to have the fund operational by the end of the year and capacitated with R100 billion. Once operational, it will assist in helping to bring real change in our economy and the lives of people. Let us turn transformation from a concept into practice as we make a real difference in others’ lives and create a fairer society.

    *Parks Tau is the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/KENYA – The appeal of the Archbishops of Nyeri and Nairobi for the march in memory of last year’s victims: “Let dialogue prevail”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Let dialogue prevail between the government and young people. This is the appeal for the march in memory of the victims of last year’s protests against the budget law (see Fides, June 21, 25, and 26, 2024). The march is scheduled for June 25. Yesterday, Sunday, June 22, addressing the media together, Monsignor Anthony Muheria, Archbishop of Nyeri and Vice President of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), and his counterpart in Nairobi, Archbishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo, invited President William Ruto to listen to the country’s youth.“With just over 60 hours to the march, our greatest call is to safeguard human life,” declared Archbishop Muheria. “It does not matter what your goals are—the most urgent goal is to protect life, uplift the poor, and listen to one another.”Archbishop Anyolo added: “We have no right at any time to take the life of another. As Catholics, we believe life begins at conception – and that belief compels us to care even for mothers who mourn children killed in such unrest,” The two Archbishops also addressed a message to young people, urging them to moderate their intransigent positions and participate constructively in nation-building, while warning political leaders that inflammatory rhetoric fuels division and violence. Addressing the young people, Archbishop Muheria ask for “a spirit of unity,” so “let us walk together and find solutions as we mourn those who died.”“Political leaders must avoid recklessness in speech. As our national anthem reminds us, we must speak with each other to live together as one nation,” added Msgr. Anyolo.The two prelates urged the government to prioritize justice for those who lost their lives during last year’s protests and for those still recovering from injuries sustained in clashes with law enforcement, which left at least 60 dead. In recent days, clashes have erupted during demonstrations demanding the truth about the death in a security cell of blogger Albert Ojwang (see Fides, June 12 and 17, 2025). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/KENYA – The appeal of the Archbishops of Nyeri and Nairobi for the march in memory of last year’s victims: “Let dialogue prevail”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Let dialogue prevail between the government and young people. This is the appeal for the march in memory of the victims of last year’s protests against the budget law (see Fides, June 21, 25, and 26, 2024). The march is scheduled for June 25. Yesterday, Sunday, June 22, addressing the media together, Monsignor Anthony Muheria, Archbishop of Nyeri and Vice President of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), and his counterpart in Nairobi, Archbishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo, invited President William Ruto to listen to the country’s youth.“With just over 60 hours to the march, our greatest call is to safeguard human life,” declared Archbishop Muheria. “It does not matter what your goals are—the most urgent goal is to protect life, uplift the poor, and listen to one another.”Archbishop Anyolo added: “We have no right at any time to take the life of another. As Catholics, we believe life begins at conception – and that belief compels us to care even for mothers who mourn children killed in such unrest,” The two Archbishops also addressed a message to young people, urging them to moderate their intransigent positions and participate constructively in nation-building, while warning political leaders that inflammatory rhetoric fuels division and violence. Addressing the young people, Archbishop Muheria ask for “a spirit of unity,” so “let us walk together and find solutions as we mourn those who died.”“Political leaders must avoid recklessness in speech. As our national anthem reminds us, we must speak with each other to live together as one nation,” added Msgr. Anyolo.The two prelates urged the government to prioritize justice for those who lost their lives during last year’s protests and for those still recovering from injuries sustained in clashes with law enforcement, which left at least 60 dead. In recent days, clashes have erupted during demonstrations demanding the truth about the death in a security cell of blogger Albert Ojwang (see Fides, June 12 and 17, 2025). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SYRIA – Massacre of Christians in Damascus. Greek Orthodox Patriarchate: “they are our new martyrs”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 23 June 2025

    by Pascale RizkDamascus (Agenzia Fides) – “On the day our Church of Antioch commemorates all the Antiochian saints, the treacherous hand of injustice has risen this evening and reaped our souls along with the souls of our loved ones who fell as martyrs today during the evening Mass at the Church of St. Elias in Dwela’a in Damascus.” With these words, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, led by Patriarch Yohanna X, addressed the faithful around the world following the massacre perpetrated during the evening Mass on Sunday, June 22.The Church of St. Elias is located in the Tabbalah neighborhood, at the entrance to the Douweila neighborhood. It was built in 1990. It is a monastic complex with a church, a school, and several guest rooms for pilgrims and students.According to information from local sources, the attack began with several shots fired at praying Christians from outside the church. Then, at least two suicide bombers wearing explosive belts entered the church through the rear entrance to the altar and blew themselves up.The eyewitness account of Laure al NasrMeanwhile, a video with the account of eyewitness Laure al Nasr was posted on social media: Her husband, Geryes el Bechara, a member of the General Directorate of the Road Traffic Authority, tried to stop the attacker along with Botros el Bechara, one of the brothers present at the mass. “The shots,” Laura recounts in her account, traumatized by her own grief, “first hit the church windows, frightening the people who gathered around the altar. As the attacker entered the church,” the witness continued, “Geryes and Botros tried to stop him: one by hitting him on the arm to make him drop a grenade that hadn’t exploded, the other by trying to pull him out of the church.” At that moment, the suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt and blew himself up. “I saw the bodies of my husband and my brother-in-law being torn to pieces, one next to the other. They tried to save us all; they are martyrs for our Church.” Other family members died in the massacre: their sister Myriam, cousins Julia, Sleman, and Nabil. A niece and a third brother of Geryes and Botros, notary Elias el Bechara, were seriously injured.Unconfirmed information suggests the suicide bombers may have been of Pakistani origin, and another attacker is said to have escaped after the massacre.So far, the provisional death toll amounts to 22 and 53 injured. “We continue to collect the remains and bodies of our martyrs,” reads the statement released by the Patriarchate.The government’s reactionsProfessor Hind Aboud Kabawat (see Fides, 12/2/2025), Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, the only Christian minister in the government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, went to the scene of the attack to express the Syrian government’s closeness to the community affected by the massacre. Government authorities condemned the attack and blamed individuals linked to the so-called Islamic State. “This criminal act, targeting members of the Christian community, is a desperate attempt to undermine national unity and destabilize the country, as well as a response by the remnants of terrorism to the continued successes of the Syrian state and leadership,” reads the government statement.Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, under the name Abu Muhammed el-Jolani, headed the Islamist “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” for years, which played a leading role in the fight against the Assad regime, which collapsed in December of last year.Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine Al-Baba announced that “all those involved in this criminal act will be held accountable, and we will work to restore the church to its former glory.”The solidarity of the entire population with the church affected by the massacre was also expressed through blood donations in the hospitals where the wounded are being treated. Meanwhile, Islamists are praising the massacre and issuing intimidating messages directed at Christians in other Syrian cities. Official expressions of solidarity with the Syrian Christians, however, came from leaders of other religious communities, while several ministers visited the wounded and their families in hospitals.In the final part of the message, issued by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of AntiochThe statement, published on , calls on the relevant authorities in Syria to “assume full responsibility for the protection of the Holy Sites and all citizens.” This at a time when the entire Middle East seems more than ever to be dominated by “inhuman forces that want to accelerate the end of the world” (Pope Francis). (Agenzia Fides, 23/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – Prayer for peace and reconciliation in Korea in the face of an “emotional civil war”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Seoul

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “Let us walk together on the pilgrimage toward peace with eternal hope,” said Bishop Simon Kim Joo-young, Bishop of Chuncheon and president of the Reconciliation Committee of the South Korean Bishops’ Conference, during the Mass for the Day of Prayer for Reconciliation and Unity on June 25. This date was established by the Korean bishops in 1965 to commemorate the beginning of the Korean War (1950-1953) and to pray for peace. In 2025, the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1945) will also be commemorated.Novenas, Masses, and prayer vigils are being held in all Korean dioceses for this day, during which Korean Catholics pray together for peace and reconciliation with their North Korean brothers and sisters. Bishop Kim Joo-young noted that South Korea is experiencing “a time of crisis and opportunity.” On the one hand, there is a crisis in bilateral North-South relations. While, in recent months, incidents such as the launching of drones, leaflets, and balloons filled with garbage exchanged between the North and South have increased hostility and mutual resentment, in Korean society “people find themselves immersed in a sea of mistrust and conflict,” he stated. “This situation is the result of ideological conflicts accumulated over a long period of division, which could be described as an emotional civil war,” he added. Thinking of opportunities, the Bishop invited us to remember how many in the past have attempted to walk the path of peace and reconciliation and have united spiritually on the Day of Prayer for Reconciliation and Unity, suggesting the use of the word “hope” as a key term to “dispel the shadow left by the division of the Korean peninsula.” The Bishop mentioned the Jubilee, recalling that the theme of the Holy Year is “Pilgrims of Hope,” and emphasized that the first step to overcoming all conflicts is precisely “not losing hope.” “After 80 years of division on the Korean peninsula, we must overcome conflicts with faith in the resurrection of Christ,” he insisted. In the Novena underway in Korean Catholic communities, each day has been dedicated to a special prayer intention. On June 25, each diocese will celebrate the Eucharist with the participation of priests, consecrated persons, and faithful. On the occasion of this Day, the Committee for Reconciliation of the Korean Bishops’ Conference also held a symposium on the theme of education for peace: this, it was said, begins with a reflection on the violence deeply rooted in oneself.“We must all hoper that we can eliminate division and conflict, prejudices and strife between the South and the North so that a new path toward peace and harmony may open up,” said Bishop Mathias Lee Yong-hoon of Suwon and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, during his address at the meeting. Bishop Kim Joo-young, president of the Committee for Reconciliation, reiterated that “overcoming conflict through dialogue, listening, and cooperation is always a task for our people.” In recent weeks, the Korean Conference of Religion for Peace, which brings together seven major religious communities present in Korea, including the Catholic Church, has expressed hope for reactivating channels of dialogue between North and South Korea. The Conference recently convened the “Pilgrimage for Life and Peace in the Demilitarized Zone,” the strip of land that divides North and South Korea. At the end of a 385-kilometer walk, the pilgrims issued a call for peace: “It has been 80 years since liberation, and 80 years since the people of this land, freed from the chains of colonial rule, worked hard to create a country where they could live in peace and security.” “We walked unarmed through the demilitarized zone where the roar of weapons never ceases, and we prayed. We gathered in one place to talk about peace, sing for peace, and build peace,” the statement containing the call states. “Only through dialogue and cooperation, and only through efforts of mutual respect and coexistence, can we protect the lives and security of all citizens of the Korean Peninsula. If we allocate resources from arms purchases to dialogue and negotiation, all citizens of the Korean Peninsula will be able to live safer and more peaceful lives,” the text concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 23/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – A valuable study on health care for Chinese Bishops, nuns and priests

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    xinde.org

    by Marta ZhaoRome (Agenzia Fides) – On June 10, 2025, Father Peter Li Yu of the Diocese of Qiqihar, in the Chinese province of Heilongjiang, died at the age of 56. On May 3, 2025, Father Joseph Xu Cheng of the Diocese of Pingliang, Gansu Province, died at the age of 56 after a brief illness. On April 21, the anniversary of the death of Pope Francis, Father John Yang Guanglin, 55, died of respiratory failure in the Diocese of Baoding (Hebei Province). Two days later, Father Andreas Yu Zhaoming of the Archdiocese of Xi’an died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 61. On June 4, Sister Maria Deng Xiuying of the Congregation of the Mother of the Lord of the Diocese of Yongnian (Handan) in Hebei Province succumbed to an illness at the age of 60.These are just a few of the names of priests and nuns who died prematurely in the first half of 2025.The detailed data, published by the Catholic news portal “xinde.org” under the direction of Fr. John Baptist Zhang, provides an overview of the health and physical condition of Chinese bishops, priests, and nuns over the past 35 years, from 1990 to 2025. The data highlights a troubling picture and points to the urgent need for direct action to ensure adequate healthcare for priests and nuns in mainland China.During the period under review, a total of 115 priests under the age of 65 died from illness or traffic accidents, many of them while en route to their pastoral duties.Behind these numbers lie stories of young men who lost their lives to illness or sudden misfortune in the prime of their lives, which they had dedicated to the apostolic work of the Church.These stories include that of Father Song Fusheng of the Diocese of Yulin in Shaanxi Province, who died in his sleep at the age of 33, after only one year and nine months of his priesthood. Father Zhua Jiahuai of the Diocese of Lanzhou (Gansu Province), who died at the age of 31, after only one year and eight months of his priesthood, while Father Li Xiufeng of the Diocese of Baoding died at the age of 37, just 49 days after his ordination. Both died in the same car accident while traveling on dangerous roads to visit distant parishes in the exercise of their priestly ministry. And we cannot forget Peter Wu Junwei, the beloved Bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinjiang/Yuncheng in the Chinese province of Shanxi, who died of a heart attack on May 10, 2022, at the age of 59.The main causes of premature death among Chinese priests and nuns are heart attacks, cerebral hemorrhages, strokes, and cancer. In rural areas, the risks associated with the need to travel long distances by car due to church duties increase. Father Ambrose Ding Yaohua (51) reports: “I often travel from one parish to another to celebrate Mass. Sometimes it is a whole day, and I have to stop halfway, and in many cases I have to sleep in the open. Even if you might be able to see the village on the other side of the river, the detours to cross the river can take almost a whole day. On several occasions, when I was in a hurry, I fell into streams or overhanging ditches while administering the last rites to the dying, and only thanks to the Lord’s protection did I survive.”Such risks are often linked to pastoral work carried out in silence and discretion, with joy and without complaint.The generations of older priests and nuns born before 1949 currently make up the majority of the clergy and nuns of the Catholic Church in China, and they will be aging in the near future. While the suffering and death of loved ones can be experienced in faith, the death of priests and nuns is still felt as a great loss in their respective parishes, especially when it occurs prematurely due to illness or accident.In the Catholic Church in China, therefore, increasing attention is being paid to issues related to the health of priests and nuns.On December 4, 2020, the so-called Chinese Bishops’ Conference and the Patriotic Association of Chinese Catholics sent a “Notice on health care and medical check-ups for priests, nuns, and Lay people working in Church institutions” to all dioceses in the country. The announcement states that dioceses should introduce or improve the system of preventive health check-ups for priests and nuns by providing regular health check-ups every year and by providing human, financial and material resources to transform the currently passive medical treatment into an active one. This aims to ensure early diagnosis of diseases, timely treatment, and disease prevention.In dioceses with greater economic resources, health monitoring systems for nuns and priests are already common practice. In the Diocese of Haimen, nuns, priests, and lay staff have been undergoing semi-annual medical check-ups for 14 years now. In major cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai, health care for church staff is good. Medical checkups are often combined with annual spiritual retreats.According to the Bishop of Suzhou, Joseph Xu Honggen, “since 2006, the costs of medical care for the clergy and nuns of the Diocese of Suzhou, as well as their social, health, and retirement benefits, have been borne partly by the diocese and partly by the parish and the local administrative authority.”Joseph Gan Junqiu, Bishop of the Diocese of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, emphasizes: “The health and health care of Church personnel are fundamental to the development of the Church. Conducting medical examinations helps to adequately monitor the health of priests and nuns, further enhance their sense of belonging and cohesion, and ensure that they can devote themselves to preaching the Gospel in good physical condition, with energy and serenity, thus contributing to the Church’s mission as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”The health of priests and nuns also affects the conditions associated with pastoral care. According to the study by “xinde.org,” the causes of health problems among nuns and priests include excessive pastoral workload, irregular lifestyle and dietary habits, psychological stress, and lack of exercise. These are behaviors that can be changed by entrusting ourselves to the Lord and recognizing the importance of taking care of our own health in order to better serve the Church’s mission, while also reducing centralizing practices and creating space for the inclusion of lay people and women in pastoral work in an authentic synodal spirit. (Agenzia Fides, 23/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime: EU imposes restrictive measures on five Syrian individuals associated with the former Assad regime for supporting crimes against humanity and for fueling sectarian violence

    Source: Council of the European Union

    The Council imposed restrictive measures on five persons responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in Syria, including supporting the use of chemical weapons under the al-Assad regime, and for their involvement in the recent violence in coastal regions that resulted in many civilian casualties.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enforcement car to tackle dangerous parking near schools and bus stops after hi-tech makeover

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV) has been fitted with high definition cameras and will patrol problem areas blighted by illegal parking such as school keep clear zones and bus stops.

    It will help boost safety for pupils and pedestrians; cut traffic congestion, improve bus journey times and passenger boarding safety and act as a visible deterrent to car related crime.

    The MEV has been equipped with an intelligent enforcement system using GPS to recognise where parking restrictions begin and end.

    It will capture video footage of potential parking violations, which will be reviewed by an independent officer. If a contravention is confirmed, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), along with photographic evidence, will be issued by post within 28 days.

    Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Transport at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “The council has a duty to tackle dangerous parking, and this backs up our work through initiatives like Safer Routes to School to ensuring streets are kept free from vehicles parking dangerously.

    “Creating a safer environment will in turn encourage more families to leave the car at home and walk or cycle to school, improving healthy lifestyles, cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality.

    “By tackling inconsiderate parking obstructing bus stops, it will also make it safer for passengers when they are getting on and off.”

    You can report problem parking in school zones and at bus stops or appeal notices via Contact Parking Services | City Of Wolverhampton Council.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Student entrepreneurs are flourishing at ARU

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    The Helmore building at ARU’s East Road campus in Cambridge

    Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is one of the leading institutions for student start-up companies in the country, according to new data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

    A total of 123 ventures were formed by ARU students in the latest reporting period of 2023/24, placing Anglia Ruskin seventh in the UK and top across all universities in the East of England.

    ARU’s Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy helps entrepreneurial students and recent graduates through a diverse range of support programmes, activities, opportunities, and events.

    Last year, ARU became the first UK university to receive the prestigious Entrepreneurial University Award from the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE).

    “At ARU we make every effort to help all our students discover and explore entrepreneurship, regardless of their background or what or where they might be studying. We aim to help them develop the mindset and skills to get them started on their own personal entrepreneurial journeys and career paths.

    “Starting your own business can seem daunting, but we are fortunate to have students full of ideas and ambitions. In return, we offer them the support and guidance they need to help turn their dreams into reality and make a difference.”

    Professor Gary Packham, Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at ARU

    Among the recent start-ups is The Community Classroom CIC, founded by Nirvana Yarger, a graduate from the Distance Learning MA Education with Montessori course. The social enterprise offers accessible and inclusive educational opportunities for home-educated children, helping families who need an alternative to mainstream education.

    “While teaching in a mainstream primary school, I always felt that the National Curriculum and mainstream school approach did not provide the best outcomes for many children.

    “I never lost my desire to be an educator. While completing my MA at ARU, I gained a deeper understanding of home education and the reasons families choose to deregister their children from school.

    “I was fortunate to be chosen for the ARU Social Value Fund and I learned the fundamentals of business planning, including forecasting and market research. I was eventually awarded a £5,000 grant to launch The Community Classroom. We would not be where we are today without ARU’s support.”

    Nirvana Yarger, who is a former teacher

    Cosmin Diaconu, based in Cambridge, founded sustainable fashion company RetroGusto after graduating from ARU, and has built a collaborative network, involving ARU graduates from various disciplines, including graphic design, interior design, and marketing, all united by their passion for sustainability and independent businesses.

    Cosmin’s participation in ARU’s ThinkBigARU pitching competition last year helped him secure valuable partnerships, and his work has since featured in publications such as Varsity, Velvet Magazine, and GAY45, reflecting his commitment to diverse representation in fashion.

    “The Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy gave me the support and tools to grow my business with more clarity and confidence.

    “The feedback from the pitch competition was invaluable, and their seminars offered practical insights from successful entrepreneurs that continue to shape how I develop my brand and practice.”

    BA (Hons) Fashion Design graduate Cosmin Diaconu

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Feedback helps shape future of North Yorkshire pharmacy services

    Source: City of York

    Residents in York and North Yorkshire have helped to shape the future of pharmacy services across the county.

    Public health teams from City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council are thanking residents and partner organisations who earlier this year shared their views on whether the locations, accessibility and services provided by pharmacies are adequate.

    Plans have since been drawn up to develop the services in the future using feedback from the consultation, which was incorporated into the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). Now A further 60-day consultation gets underway from tomorrow, asking for views on the final proposals.  

    Have your say here between Friday 20 June and Tuesday 19 August 2025.

    Following this consultation, the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) will decide how pharmacy services are commissioned across York and North Yorkshire.

    All Health and Wellbeing Boards are required to produce a report at least every three years to ensure the best decisions about pharmacy services are made for communities.

    The feedback received so far has helped to influence decisions on the location of pharmacies, their opening hours and the services provided, ranging from dispensing prescriptions to providing medication counselling.

    Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care at City of York Council, said:

    We’d like to thank everyone for having their say. Pharmacies are an integral part of healthcare provision across our communities, so we really wanted to understand if current services are meeting the needs of all York residents.

    “The findings from the survey have helped us to understand where pharmacies are already performing well and identify potential gaps in services, as well as those services that need improvement. This will help the NHS consider the public’s views in making sure everyone can get access to the right pharmacy services in the right places.”

    North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said:

    Pharmacy services play a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing with pharmacies themselves often found in the heart of our communities.

    “Good access to the right services at the right time is so important in helping to address health inequalities.”

    The questionnaire is anonymous and confidential and should only take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

    North Yorkshire Council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, and City of York Council’s director of public health, Peter Roderick, said:

    Local pharmacies play a pivotal role in our county by providing healthcare and support to individuals, families and carers of all ages.

    “All of the feedback, combined with the expertise of health professionals, has really helped the research shape the futures of pharmacies used by residents in York and North Yorkshire.

    “Please consider reviewing the final documents and completing the survey which can be found on our website.”

    The survey can be accessed at www.york.gov.uk/Consultations

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New residents parking scheme for Woodgate area

    Source: City of Leicester

    A NEW residents parking scheme is to be introduced in a Leicester neighbourhood from next month.

    Leicester City Council will introduce the permit-only parking scheme in the Woodgate area, close to the city centre, to help address local concerns about the number of commuter and business vehicles using residential streets for free all-day parking.

    The new scheme will include mainly terraced streets adjoining Woodgate and part of Fosse Road North. In total, around 700 homes will be included in the scheme.

    It has been designed in response to concerns raised by residents and Fosse ward councillors over persistent parking problems and follows extensive local consultation.

    From Tuesday 1 July, most parking in the streets covered by the new scheme will only be available to vehicle owners who have a valid resident’s, visitor’s or business parking permit.

    Short stay, pay & display or pay by phone parking bays where customers can park will also be provided to support local businesses.

    Eight streets off Woodgate and Fosse Road North will be included in the scheme. These include Balfour Street, Marshall Street, Bassett Street, Dunton Street, Rugby Street, Repton Street, Central Road, and Bonchurch Street.

    Part of Fosse Road North, between Bonchurch Street and the Fiveways junction, and Woodgate, between its junctions with Balfour Street and Dunton Street, will also be covered by the new scheme.

    Assistant city mayor Cllr Geoff Whittle, who leads on environment and transport, said: “We’ve seen in other parts of the city how the introduction of residents’ parking schemes can be an effective way of tackling parking problems in local neighbourhoods and freeing up spaces for the people who live there.

    “This latest scheme, in the Woodgate area, will address concerns raised by local councillors and residents about city centre commuter parking. By introducing permit only parking, we can help make it easier for residents to find available parking close to their homes, and new customer parking bays will also mean local businesses don’t suffer.”

    Under the city council’s current parking permit scheme, charges will be £35 per year for a residents’ permit; £100 per year for a business permit tied to a particular vehicle, and £150 for a business permit that can be transferred between vehicles. Visitor permits are available for residents, at either £40 for a year (limited to one per household), or £2 for 24-hours. Permits for landlords and carers are also available. Vehicles displaying a blue badge will be exempt from the permit holders only restriction.

    There are currently 14 residents parking schemes in operation across Leicester.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Former head of China’s Drug Enforcement Bureau sentenced to death with reprieve for bribery

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    FUZHOU, June 23 (Xinhua) — Liu Yuejin, a former member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former head of the Drug Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Monday for bribery.

    The verdict was handed down by the Intermediate People’s Court of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, East China, following an open court hearing. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China launches large database of medicinal plant components to promote TCM innovation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    WUHAN, June 23 (Xinhua) — China has launched a large database of medicinal plant components in central China’s Hubei Province, marking significant progress in technological innovation in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sector.

    The database, which was developed by a team of specialists from the Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, is the largest of its kind in Central China.

    Wang Qi, head of the Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, said at a presentation Sunday in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, that the database is designed to stimulate the transition of medicinal plant research “from experience-based practice to science-based innovation” by creating an accurate “digital portrait” of medicinal resources in central China.

    The head of the development team of the said database, Liu Yifei, spoke about the scale and capabilities of the database.

    According to him, the database, which contains more than 20 million records, combines information from ancient works such as Shennong Bencaojing (Shen Nong’s Treatise on Roots and Herbs), Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Medicinal Substances), as well as modern authoritative collections of TCM, including data on multidimensional medicine, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics.

    It systematically catalogues the widely used medicinal resources in Central China and also compiles a comprehensive collection of natural components of various kinds.

    “This creates a foundation for the development of new TCM drugs and health products,” Liu Yifei emphasized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s installed power capacity up 18.8 percent in five months

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) — China’s total installed capacity of power plants stood at 3.61 billion kW by the end of May 2025, up 18.8 percent year on year, the National Energy Administration said Monday.

    In particular, according to the agency, solar power plants accounted for 1.08 billion kW, with an increase of 56.9 percent. In the wind energy sector, growth was 23.1 percent, reaching 570 million kW.

    In the five months, China’s major power generating companies invested 257.8 billion yuan (about $36 billion) in power generation projects, up 0.4 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, investment in power grid projects rose 19.8 percent to 204 billion yuan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran Launches New Wave of Missile, Drone Attacks on Israel

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 23 (Xinhua) — Iran launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Israel on Monday morning, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported.

    According to the report, Iran used a combination of solid and liquid fuel missiles and special tactics to render Israel’s air defenses ineffective in the attacks.

    Earlier on Monday, Iran’s military said it had launched dozens of kamikaze drones armed with warheads at Israel.

    The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that Iran launched new missile strikes on Israel on Monday morning.

    About 10 rockets were fired and sirens sounded from northern Israel to the southern border with the Gaza Strip, forcing millions of Israelis to shelter for about an hour, the statement said.

    Most of the rockets were intercepted, but three fell in Israeli territory, and no casualties were reported. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Valor Hospitality Partners signs three deals in Namibia, expanding its continental footprint

    Valor Hospitality Partners (www.ValorHospitality.com), a global leader in full-service hospitality solutions, today announced the signing of three new hotel management contracts in Namibia. This follows an announcement earlier this week of two new properties in West Africa that’s been added to its portfolio on the continent, signed at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Cape Town this week.  

    The three deals are all with IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, to manage three new-build properties in Namibia, namely the Vignette Collection Dunes Resort Swakopmund making its debut in the country, Holiday Inn Walvis Bay, and voco Windhoek CBD. 

    The debut of a Vignette Collection property in Namibia bears testament to the country’s growing appeal as a destination of choice for the discerning traveller.  

    The combined capital expenditure for the development and establishment of the three new-build properties in the Southern African country is a significant R1.3 billion.  

    Not only do these agreements strengthen Valor’s relationship with IHG in the region, it also expands their footprint across the continent and attests to the growing preference for fully-integrated hospitality management services.  

    Valor will oversee the successful opening and management of each of the Namibian properties, drawing on their deep global experience to bring a best-in-class offering to the agreement.  

    Michael Pownall, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Valor Hospitality Partners, says the signing of these agreements reflect not only confidence in the continent’s hospitality sector but also its appreciation for the value fully-integrated management services offer. “These partnerships are about value first and foremost, and how that value enhances the entire sector for all stakeholders. Of course we’re also immensely pleased – and proud – to grow and diversify our regional presence even further” he says.  

    Valor brings global insights and strategy to the table. Combined with their deep understanding of how to blend the big-picture with regional and cultural nuances in each location, it’s an approach that ensures global best-in-class management and operational practices at every level.  

    Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts , said: ” Namibia is one of the most promising growth markets in southern Africa, and we are proud to enhance our presence in the country with three distinctive brands. With strategic locations in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek, these hotels will cater to the full spectrum of traveller needs, from lifestyle seekers and leisure guests to business executives. This deal shows our ambition to expand our footprint in high-potential African markets through strong local partnerships and a diversified brand portfolio. 

    He added: Valor Hospitality Partners is one of IHG’s trusted partners in the region and is a strategic choice for managing these properties in Namibia. We have every confidence in the value that add and look forward to working with them as we enhance our presence in the country. 

    Reagon Graig, Managing Director Cadence Capital added: “Our collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts marks a major milestone for Namibia’s growing hospitality sector. Also commenting on the transaction, Rodrigo Pimenta, Managing Director, Santiago Property Developers said: “The development of these three hotels aligns perfectly with our vision to support the country’s tourism and business infrastructure, while creating high-quality, globally recognised destinations. We look forward to welcoming guests to these hotels and contributing to Namibia’s continued growth and appeal on the world stage. 

    The magnitude of these deals reinforce Valor’s strategic growth on the continent and its ongoing commitment to building world-class and sustainable hospitality operations that embody the brand’s “whole world of local” value ethos.  

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Valor Hospitality.

    For media inquiries and high-resolution images, please contact: 
    Delia de Villiers 
    delia@phoenixcollective.world 
    +27 73 710 3000

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    For more information about Valor Hospitality and its innovative approach to hotel management and franchising, visit www.ValorHospitality.com.  

    ABOUT VALOR HOSPITALITY PARTNERS: 
    Valor Hospitality Partners (https://apo-opa.co/3TzaXd1) is a leading global full-service hotel underwriting, acquisition, development, management, and asset management company. With over 90 hospitality projects in its international portfolio, Valor Hospitality offers an array of services, including site selection, product and brand selection, entitlements, financing solutions, conceptual design, construction and project management, procurement, technical services, pre-opening, and operations management. Valor also provides consulting services on a wide range of project scenarios, including working with new or existing ownership groups on reviewing site selection, assessing feasibility studies and project budgets, compiling project budgets, and underwriting. For more information, visit www.ValorHospitality.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: School children discuss peace and security at closing of ‘NATO and the Netherlands: a Journey’

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 23-06-2025 | 14:11

    On Sunday 22 June, ‘NATO and the Netherlands: a Journey’ celebrated its conclusion at the World Forum in The Hague. On this final day, under the guidance of the political engagement organisation De Kiesmannen, around 150 primary and secondary school children discussed peace, security and the role of NATO. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp and Chief of Defence General Onno Eichelsheim were present for the event. Several members of the municipal executive of Madurodam, which consists entirely of young people, were also there.

    Enlarge image
    Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Phil Nijhuis

    ‘NAVO and the Netherlands: a Journey’ started in January 2025 in The Hague and travelled to nine cities across the country. At each location, local residents were engaged in discussions about NATO and the importance of international cooperation to our security. This was done through theatre and educational programmes, a travelling photo exhibition, debates and serious gaming.

    The goal was to encourage people to think about NATO and current security topics in an accessible way. The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, with cooperation from the Netherlands Atlantic Association, the Clingendael Institute and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies.

    Enlarge image
    Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp. | Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Phil Nijhuis

    Raising awareness about peace and security

    During the closing session at the World Forum, De Kiesmannen used interviews and dilemmas to get young people thinking about war, peace, fake news and cyber threats. The focus of the day was on raising awareness – what does security mean today and what role can young people play in it? As one school child put it: ‘It’s bad that there’s so much insecurity in the world today. I hope that we can still have peace in the Netherlands for a long time.’

    In his welcome address, foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasised the importance of being alert and working together:
    ‘We’ve enjoyed a long period of peace, but the reality is that peace and security in Europe can no longer be taken for granted. And it’s going to be a challenge to keep our country and Europe secure.’

    Enlarge image
    General Eichelsheim | Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Phil Nijhuis

    Interview with General Eichelsheim

    General Onno Eichelsheim talked with the young people present and answered questions about NATO and ongoing conflicts in the world. He stressed the importance of the alliance for the Netherlands:

    ‘It’s concerning that military interventions increasingly appear to pay off. Throughout the world boundaries are being pushed and overstepped. That’s why it’s more important than ever to work together in NATO to become stronger. By doing so, not only can we protect the international legal order, but our own security as well.’

    Growing awareness about NATO

    Dylan Ahern, from De Kiesmannen, has noticed an increase in awareness about NATO since the start of their programme in April:
    ‘What stands out is that a lot of young people support strengthening our armed forces. They follow the news with a critical eye and ask questions. The conversation about freedom and security is more relevant than ever.’

    The closing programme marks the end of a series of meetings across the country. The 2025 NATO Summit will take place in The Hague on 24 and 25 June.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Trade Envoy visits Pakistan to boost trade

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UK Trade Envoy visits Pakistan to boost trade

    The UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin MP, has begun a 3-day visit to Karachi and Islamabad to encourage investment and long-term economic co-operation.

    The visit follows the UK’s launch of its Growth Mission and Modern Industrial Strategy. Invest 2035 sets out a ten-year plan to provide certainty and stability for businesses in high growth sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

    Over 200 British companies are operating in Pakistan, with the top five contributing around one percent of Pakistan’s GDP. The UK is Pakistan’s largest European trading partner and top source of foreign direct investment.

    Mohammad Yasin MP, UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, said:

    “The UK and Pakistan already enjoy deep commercial ties, but there is much more we can achieve together. It is a place close to my heart, and I have seen over many years the enormous potential to help both our countries prosper. During my visit, I look forward to supporting efforts that unlock new opportunities and drive growth.”

    Mr Yasin will meet senior government stakeholders including Jawad Paul, Secretary for Commerce, and Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis. He will also meet business leaders to strengthen trade and encourage investment.

    Mr Yasin’s visit will help pave the way for the UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue, due to launch later this year. The Dialogue will offer a platform to grow exports, increase investment flows, address business environment concerns and identify opportunities for greater market access.

    For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU took part in the festival “T-Dvor”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants from SPbGASU

    Students of the Faculty of Forensic Science and Law in Construction and Transport together with representatives of the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career of SPbGASU visited the youth festival “T-Dvor” organized by T-Bank on June 20. The event took place in the cultural space “Nikolskie Ryady” and was dedicated to career and educational opportunities for young people.

    The goal of the festival is to create an open platform for communication between students, young professionals and employers, where they can learn about labor market trends, new formats of training and personal growth.

    During the panel discussion, the participants discussed what modern education should be like and came to the conclusion that the main requirements for it are flexibility, accessibility and practice-orientedness. In their opinion, for successful career growth it is important to have the opportunity to improve professionally without interruption from work, for which it is necessary to develop distance learning in master’s programs and other digital educational platforms.

    The lecture “Professions of the Future: Where Are You in a World That Has Not Been Built Yet” attracted great interest. The speakers talked about combining technical thinking and a humanitarian approach – the ability to work with data, understand technology and at the same time think critically and creatively. According to experts, it is precisely these specialists who will be especially in demand in the coming years.

    At the session “University vs. Work: How to Do It All,” participants learned how to effectively combine studies, part-time work, and personal life. Students especially remembered three pieces of advice from experts: it is necessary to plan not only tasks, but also rest; do not be afraid to ask for help – this is also part of professional growth; discipline is the basis of sustainable development, it can be “pumped up” just like muscles.

    “The T-Dvor festival has become an excellent opportunity for our students not only to get acquainted with new educational formats, but also to think about their professional future and the path to it,” noted Margarita Sapozhnikova, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport for Career Guidance.

    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: Notice of re-entry issued

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Housing Authority today served a notice of re-entry on Aggressive Construction Company.

     

    The authority explained that since the construction company’s performance in respect of three public housing projects was far below the contract requirements, it served a notice of re-entry on the company for each of the projects according to relevant contract provisions.

     

    The three construction projects involved are the underground link of Pak Tin Estate redevelopment Phase 10, the public housing developments at Tuen Mun Area 29 West and Tung Chung Area 100.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Stronger Together: Strengthening Disaster Resilience in Tajikistan

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Tajikistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate and disaster risks. With help from partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the country is working to improve how it prepares for and responds to these challenges.  These efforts are focused on building long-term resilience and ensuring a safer future for its people.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE organizes study trip to Poland for representatives of the General Prosecutor’s Office

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

    Headline: OSCE organizes study trip to Poland for representatives of the General Prosecutor’s Office

    Meeting between the delegation from the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan and the State Labour Inspection of Poland (OSCE) Photo details

    From 16 to 20 June, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a study visit to Poland for a delegation from the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan to gain insights into Poland’s policies, legislative frameworks and best practices in reducing the shadow economy.
    During their visit to Poland, the delegation engaged with a range of institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the State Labour Inspection and the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau. Meetings with labour inspectors, prosecutors, anti-corruption bodies and financial regulatory authorities focused on detecting informal employment, evaluating informal economy, improving enforcement mechanisms and strengthening interagency co-ordination.
    The delegation explored digital tools for economic monitoring, such as electronic reporting and real-time data exchange systems, as well as customs controls to prevent illicit trade. They also examined how Poland’s Social Insurance Institution uses data and incentives to promote formal employment.
    The study visit provided valuable insights into Poland’s integrated approach to tackling the shadow economy through regulation, technology and institutional co-operation. The visit continues the PCUz’s support for Uzbekistan’s good economic governance reforms.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UN History of Innovation | Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    The UN History of Innovation tells the story of a bold and revolutionary United Nations, throughout its history and for the future.

    The UN History of Innovation is a journey through time that reveals a bold and often unexpected side of the United Nations—one defined by creativity, experimentation, and transformation. From early breakthroughs to present-day innovations, this initiative highlights how the UN has continuously adapted to meet the world’s evolving challenges. More than a retrospective, it invites reflection on the spirit of innovation that has shaped the Organization’s past—and the imagination needed to shape its future.

    Produced by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA)Innovation Cell.

    https://dppa.un.org/en/innovation
    https://futuringpeace.org/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ugNf5f-TpA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Clean energy future to be ‘built in Britain’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Clean energy future to be ‘built in Britain’

    Government publishes its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain.

    • Government publishes landmark plan to capture the immense jobs and growth opportunities of the clean energy economy
    • Plan will double down on Britain’s strengths as a coastal nation and scientific superpower, bringing jobs to industrial heartlands and coastal communities through Plan for Change
    • Further £700 million for Great British Energy to invest in clean energy supply chains and ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain

    Communities across Britain will benefit from good jobs and investment in the clean energy economy, as the government today (Monday 23 June) publishes its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to ‘build it in Britain’.

    Clean energy is the economic opportunity of the twenty-first century, and thanks to the government’s clean energy mission, investment is booming in the UK, with over £40 billion of private investment in clean energy announced since July.

    This landmark plan, developed with industry, trade unions, and workers across all regions of the country, sets the UK on a path to unleash the tidal wave of jobs and investment that clean energy can bring, with the government targeting at least a doubling of current investment levels across our frontier Clean Energy Industries to over £30 billion per year by 2035.

    It comes after the Spending Review confirmed the biggest programme of investment in homegrown energy in UK history – from launching a golden age of nuclear with funding to build Sizewell C nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast and small modular reactors, to £9.4 billion for carbon capture industries.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    This government is doubling down on Britain’s clean power strengths as we build this new era of clean energy abundance, helping deliver good jobs, energy security and lower household bills.

    The UK’s pitch is clear – build it in Britain. Power the world.

    Great British Energy Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:

    Great British Energy will help the UK win the global race for clean energy jobs and growth by investing in homegrown supply chains and ensuring key infrastructure parts are made here in Britain.

    We are working closely with businesses across the clean energy sector to invest in areas of strategic need and will get funding out as fast as possible to get new projects off the ground.

    As part of this plan, Great British Energy will have an additional £700 million to help build manufacturing facilities here at home for key components for the clean power revolution like floating offshore platforms, electric cables, and cutting-edge hydrogen infrastructure. This builds on Great British Energy’s initial £300 million for offshore wind supply chains, which the Energy Secretary confirmed last week has already catalysed a further £700 million from industry and The Crown Estate. With today’s additional funding, this brings total public and private funding in clean energy supply chains to £1.7 billion. This investment will unlock thousands of jobs, kickstarting growth in coastal communities and industrial towns, and secure a cleaner, more independent energy future for Britain.

    Lucy Yu, CEO and founder of the Centre for Net Zero, has also been announced as the government’s Clean Energy AI Champion – helping to drive the adoption of AI across the UK’s clean energy sector and accelerate the net zero transition.

    The Clean Industry Bonus – the financial reward scheme for offshore wind developers to invest in homegrown, cleaner supply chains – could also be expanded to more sectors, such as hydrogen and onshore wind. This will ensure clean energy investment is directed to regions that need it most, including traditional oil and gas communities, ex-industrial areas and coastal communities.

    The Industrial Strategy sets out how Britain’s strengths make it the natural home for clean power industries: as a coastal nation, a scientific and innovation superpower, with strengths in high-value manufacturing and a skilled energy workforce to match.

    Read the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan.

    Stakeholders

    Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive designate at SSE plc, said:

    The government’s industrial strategy is a welcome signal of long-term thinking and ambition – doubling down on homegrown energy is the right thing for security, resilience and affordability, making the most of the UK’s competitive geographical and technical advantages in renewables in particular.

    It’s exactly the kind of commitment that gives industry the confidence to deliver at pace and scale, and with important decisions on energy policy expected in the weeks ahead, we hope to see a continued focus on unlocking investment that drives growth.

    As the UK’s clean energy champion, SSE is investing £17.5 billion over 5 years to 2027 – building the infrastructure, creating high-quality jobs, supporting the supply chain and driving the innovation needed to deliver a net zero economy.

    Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Gas, said:

    The Industrial Strategy makes clear the scale of economic opportunity within the clean energy sector. As an essential enabler for all growth sectors, we warmly welcome the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan which will position Britain as a world leader in technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.

    As Britain’s national gas network, we believe technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture will attract major investment, creating highly-skilled jobs across the country, as well as decarbonising our existing industries and bolstering energy security.

    We welcome the recent commitments and recognition shown by the government on the role of green gases and Britain’s national gas network and look forward to working in partnership to deliver the clean energy economy of the future.

    Steve Foxley, Chief Executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said:

    Wind energy is not only a critical enabler of Net Zero as the foundation of our future clean energy system but also a once-in-a-generation industrial growth opportunity. Through clear pathways from research and development to commercialisation and deployment, the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy will capitalise on our long history of innovation to not only attract critical manufacturing investment, creating thousands of highly skilled jobs the length and breadth of the country, but also ensure our energy security in an otherwise increasingly uncertain world.

    Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK

    We welcome the government’s bold ambition to put clean energy at the centre of the UK’s industrial strategy. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the economy, strengthen energy security and create skilled, secure jobs across the country.

    Our £2 billion UK investment plan is already driving forward decarbonisation, digitalisation and green skills, including through our Net Zero Academy and over 1,300 apprenticeships since 2018.

    This strategy is a chance to accelerate that progress with the right clarity, long-term investment signals and genuine partnership between government, cities and industry. If we get this right, Britain can lead the world in clean energy and deliver real meaningful benefits to every household and business.

    Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said:

    We welcome the government’s Clean Energy Sector Plan and its clear commitment to creating high-quality, secure jobs – not just any jobs.

    The explicit pledge to a new generation of good industrial jobs will strike a chord with workers from Teesside to Merseyside, many of whom felt left abandoned by the last government’s failure to act.

    We strongly support the launch of the UK’s first-ever Clean Energy Workforce Strategy – a vital recognition that workers are central to both our economy and the clean energy transition.

    By prioritising sectors like nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, and offshore wind, the government is showing a serious commitment to a balanced, resilient energy mix.

    The TUC backs the ambition to ‘Build it in Britain. Power the World’ and stands ready to help make it a reality.

    Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, National Officer at GMB:

    This strategy is a welcome shift, recognising that Britain’s clean energy future must be built here, by skilled workers in secure, union jobs. For too long, energy policy has meant offshoring opportunity and hollowing out industry.

    If delivered properly, this plan could help turn that tide. GMB will work to make sure these promises translate into real investment, real jobs, and a just transition that puts working people at the heart of our industrial future.

    Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary at Prospect union said:

    Boosting clean energy is not only an important mission in its own right, it is central to the success of every other sector. It is welcome to see the government doubling down on this mission, focusing investment on key technologies like renewables and nuclear energy, and recognising the key role that trade unions play as partners in this strategy.

    Securing the investment is important, but perhaps the biggest challenge in this area is around the workforce. The energy workforce is undergoing an unprecedented transition, which creates opportunities for many but also serious challenges that need to be addressed.

    Delivering on this strategy in a way which creates prosperity and supports jobs will require the government’s forthcoming energy workforce plan to be as ambitious as possible and fully backed by all parts of government.

    David Hall, VP, Power Systems, Schneider Electric, said:

    The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan will help to provide much needed certainty for businesses and investors. We welcome the recognition of electricity networks as a ‘foundational sector’ and look forward to working with the Government to develop an electricity networks growth plan.

    We also welcome the commitment to phasing out SF6 gas – a potent greenhouse gas – from switchgear. Regulatory certainty on this issue is key for manufacturers like Schneider Electric who are committed to invest in our domestic capabilities and support the decarbonisation of the grid.

    Schneider Electric is a key supplier of the electrical infrastructure powering the UK’s electricity networks. Over the past two years we have invested almost £50 million to further boost the UK’s domestic supply chain, including investing £42 million to build a brand new factory in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

    Vattenfall’s UK Country Manager, Claus Wattendrup, said:

    The government is right to back clean energy as a growth engine for UK jobs and skills. Offshore wind already supports over 50,000 UK jobs and is scaling up fast through initiatives like the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan, and we now await the government’s Onshore Wind strategy to help unlock even more investment, jobs, and energy security.

    We must avoid own-goals along the way, however: the benefits of district heating must not be overlooked, whereas zonal pricing in Great Britain risks future investments without cutting bills.

    Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said:

    Energy UK welcomes the government’s new Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries sector plan, which rightly recognise the pivotal role energy will play across the whole economy, powering growth through digitalisation and electrification, boosting regional prosperity and delivering economic security and resilience.

    Stable, affordable energy prices will help ensure that the UK remains a competitive place to do business, and in an increasingly uncertain global operating environment, clean power will deliver energy security. Focussing on priority technologies where the UK has global expertise will deliver a strong competitive advantage for our businesses and economy.

    We know the investment necessary to decarbonise the economy will mostly be funded by the private sector. Clarity on government policy, removal of the barriers to investment and targeted support are all essential to meet this ambition.

    Jane Cooper, Deputy CEO of RenewableUK, said:

    Today’s industrial strategy identifies clean energy as one of the sectors with the highest growth opportunity, and we are going to see tens of billions of pounds of new investment in wind energy, grid and hydrogen in the coming years. With that new infrastructure comes a golden opportunity to secure new jobs, manufacturing, innovation and exports, in the growing industrial clusters across the UK, in areas like the Humber, Scotland, South Wales, the South West and Teesside.

    There are already nearly 2,000 companies in the UK who have benefitted from contracts to deliver work in the wind energy sector. Collectively, wind energy currently employs 55,000 people, a figure which has risen by a quarter from two years ago. By keeping a laser focus, as this Industrial Strategy does, on unlocking investment, remaining competitive, and supporting UK companies to innovate and grow, the offshore wind supply chain alone could boost the UK economy by £25 billion over the next decade.

    The opportunity and vision is there, now government needs to ensure they deliver on the critical aspects of this industrial strategy. Most notably for renewables, that means ensuring the next two contract for difference allocation round are as successful as possible, clearing large volumes of projects in a stable market framework to reduce costs. This is essential if we want to attract investment in the UK’s supply chain, skills and capabilities.

    Claire Mack OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

    Placing clean energy at the heart of the new industrial strategy is a vote of confidence in the enormous economic growth potential of Scotland’s renewable energy industry and supply chain. The scale of opportunity is clear with sectors like offshore wind expected to generate £35 billion for the economy, helping to deliver good jobs and energy security.

    Scottish Renewables has been urging the UK government to be bold in removing barriers to investment and we’re pleased to see the ambition outlined in this strategy, including measures to build a grid fit for the future, drive competitive supply chains and grow exports.

    In the years ahead, success will be seen in the delivery of new clean energy infrastructure, thriving supply chains and skilled jobs across Scotland. Our industry stands ready to continue meeting that challenge head on.

    Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), said:

    We are delighted to see the Government’s continued commitment to Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS), including Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), as a frontier industry. This rightly positions CCUS and GGRs as a core pillar in delivering on three vital national objectives: reaching net zero, driving regional growth, and strengthening economic security.

    The UK’s CCUS industry stands ready to deliver and is pleased to see government’s prioritisation of cross-border CO₂ transport and storage networks in the North Sea, recognising the significant economic benefits for both UK and EU CCUS projects. This builds on the positive momentum from the recent UK-EU Summit – alongside the support confirmed in the Spending Review.

    Following these government commitments, a clear timetable for deployment is essential to secure investment, as well as investment in scaling up supply chains and growing the workforce needed to deliver at pace. With continued partnership between government and industry, CCUS can anchor a new era of sustainable industrial growth – one that revitalises communities, boosts energy resilience and ensures the UK leads in tackling climate change.

    Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association said:

    It is great to see heat pumps, and by association heating systems, being listed as a frontier industry within the plan and identified as one of six areas with the highest growth potential.

    With a new Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition confirmed, £13.2 billion recently announced for the Warm Homes Plan alongside a clear timeline for the introduction of the Future Homes Standard and a pledge to expand heat networks, it is clear the government are committed to enhancing the UK’s energy security by decarbonising heat from buildings.

    Whilst we await the detail within the Warm Homes Plan, this strategy sets clear intentions for the sector, and the HPA will continue to work closely with government to support their missions to break down barriers to investment and deliver nationwide growth.

    Clare Jackson, CEO at Hydrogen UK, said

    The UK can, and should, lead the world in hydrogen, creating jobs and skills, driving economic growth, and lowering emissions. With hydrogen as a key pillar, the Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan are welcome, positive steps forward to achieving that goal, with strong policy signals and funding to match.

    The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan in particular acknowledges hydrogen’s economic and export potential, and we look forward to working with the government as it puts these strategies into practice.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) said:

    We welcome the publication of the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan and the clear recognition of hydrogen as a central pillar in the UK’s clean industrial future.

    The commitment to a dedicated hydrogen sector plan – 1 of 8 outlined across key growth industries – provides the clarity and direction that hydrogen investors, innovators and infrastructure providers urgently need.

    The extension of the Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen is a particularly positive step, signalling that government recognises the role hydrogen can play in decarbonising heavy industry and strengthening energy resilience.

    The wider Industrial Strategy’s focus on reducing energy costs, accelerating grid connections and supporting frontier technologies reflects many of the priorities the hydrogen industry has long been calling for.

    We now look forward to working closely with government and industry to ensure this strategy delivers tangible outcomes – unlocking investment, creating skilled green jobs, and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

    Yselkla Farmer, CEO at BEAMA said:

    BEAMA’s members are pleased that our calls for improvements to industrial conditions have been recognised. This long term strategy distinguishes electricity networks and electric heat – uniquely, both represented by BEAMA – as critical sectors for the UK’s economic prosperity. They have the potential to deliver significant benefits to consumers and those seeking excellent employment opportunities in our domestic supply chains.

    We are well aligned with the government’s overall vision and objectives for our sector. We are looking forward to keeping the momentum up over the ten years of this strategy, working with government to bring tangible change and hugely increase investment in our members’ markets, with specific benefit to British manufacturing. In addition to some further measures from upcoming policy announcements, this strategy has the potential to build on our existing strengths for an exciting future.

    We are especially pleased to see the level of financial support being targeted for BEAMA sectors through GB Energy, the National Wealth Fund and the British Business Bank and our hope is this can help bring forward investment in UK manufacturing to supply the UK’s electrification needs across the grid and in homes. The decision to reduce electricity costs for the IS-8 manufacturing sectors is an incredibly welcome step as we strive to ensure we can compete for investment globally.

    Stuart Dossett, Senior Policy Adviser at Green Alliance, said: 

    As international events threaten to drive up the price of oil and send bills soaring once again, it is vital the government look at how to make the UK energy secure. If we’re successful in doubling the amount of investment in clean energy over the next ten years, as the government proposes today, this will provide the cheap, secure power we need for the rest of the economy to grow. The government is also right to focus on making sure more homegrown renewable energy results in cheaper electricity costs for businesses. 

    Darren Davidson, Head of UK, Siemens Energy said:

    Today’s Industrial Strategy announcement, a 10-year UK government plan focused on partnership with business, is welcome news. As one of the world’s leading energy technology companies Siemens Energy has invested significantly in the UK, and we already employ over 6,500 people working on energy projects across the regions.

    The new plan is a significant step forward in helping to create a coherent, strategic policy framework – including funding support – to help strengthen the UK’s industrial base, encourage job creation and deliver the energy transition.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –