NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: 14 Arrested on Complaints Alleging More Than $25 Million in COVID-19 Relief and Small Business Loans Were Fraudulently Obtained

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    Fourteen defendants – including San Fernando Valley and Glendale residents – were arrested on two federal criminal complaints alleging they fraudulently obtained more than $25 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief funds and federally-guaranteed small business loans.

    The 18 total defendants named in the complaints – four defendants are believed to be in Armenia – are charged with conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims; false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims; wire fraud and attempted wire fraud; bank fraud and attempted bank fraud; money laundering conspiracy; laundering of monetary instruments; engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity; and/or structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements.

    The defendants arrested today include:

    • Vahe Margaryan, a.k.a. “William McGrayan,” 42, of Tujunga, who allegedly orchestrated a scheme to defraud numerous banks and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Preferred Lender Program, a program designed to help small businesses that otherwise might not obtain financing. McGrayan allegedly directed owners of sham corporations to open bank accounts, make false statements, and concoct documents, including phony resumes and financial statements, to support loan applications to buy other sham corporations. McGrayan allegedly paid for phony tax returns that falsely reported millions in revenue and tens of thousands in tax due and owing. McGrayan, whose alleged criminal activity lasted from 2018 until January 2025, then directed the laundering of millions in fraud proceeds through various bank accounts.
    • Sarkis Gareginovich Sarkisyan, 37, a.k.a. “Samuel Shaw,” of Glendale, who allegedly, among other offenses, submitted a false application and bogus documents to obtain a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provided low-interest, forgivable loans to help small businesses retain their workforce and cover expenses. Sarkisyan allegedly applied in April 2021 on behalf of a fake business that received more than $700,000 in PPP funds.
    • Mery Babayan, 32, a.k.a. “Mery Diamondz,” of Van Nuys, together with co-defendants Margaryan and Hovannes Hovannisyan, 48, a.k.a. “John Harvard,” of Panorama City, in May 2021 allegedly defrauded a bank by representing the nonexistent sale of a sham business to another sham company to obtain an approximately $3 million federally guaranteed loan through the SBA’s Preferred Lending Program.
    • Felix Parker, 77, of North Hollywood, who in January 2023 allegedly made false statements and submitted fraudulent documents, including fake tax returns that falsely reported that his shell company, Canmar Promo, earned millions of dollars annually and owed tens of thousands in federal income taxes. Parker allegedly obtained more than $2 million in government-guaranteed funds earmarked to help small businesses.
    • Axsel Markaryan, 47, a.k.a. “Axel Mark,” of Pacoima, who in June 2023 allegedly fraudulently obtained more than $5 million in SBA loans via the submission of false statements and the submission of fake documents, including bogus tax returns. After the loans were obtained, Markaryan and his co-schemers in November 2023 laundered the money, including sending at least $100,000 to a co-schemer in Armenia.

    As a result of today’s takedown, law enforcement seized approximately $20,000 in cash, two money-counting machines, paper cash bands or currency straps in denominations of $2,000 and $10,000, multiple cell phones, multiple laptops, two loaded semi-automatic 9mm handguns, and boxes of 9mm ammunition.

    “Today’s enforcement action is intended to send a message to all criminals who take advantage of government programs designed to help those who need them most,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “If you took COVID-19 or SBA money you weren’t entitled to, your door could be the next one we visit. Together with our law enforcement partners, my office will aggressively prosecute individuals who cheat the system meant to protect and support law-abiding citizens.”

    “Scheming to fraudulently obtain federal funds that were meant to provide assistance to the nation’s small businesses is unacceptable,” said the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) Western Region Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Huang. “OIG will continue to ardently investigate fraudulently obtained SBA program funds, including COVID-19 pandemic-related loans, to protect taxpayers from fraud, waste, and abuse. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”

    “This transnational criminal network sought to defraud the government of millions of dollars and almost succeeded,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “Through the diligent work of the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force and our federal partners, HSI is continuing to identify these criminal groups looking to profit from the pandemic and will use all available resources to criminally prosecute or remove them from the country.”

    “Today, 14 individuals were arrested in connection with a fraudulent loan scheme in which they allegedly obtained in excess of $25 million through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs, and other federal funding programs,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, Los Angeles Field Office. “These programs were established to assist individuals and businesses in need of financial assistance and instead were pilfered by the named defendants. IRS-CI is dedicated to identifying and dismantling criminal organizations that prey on assistance programs set up for the benefit of our law-abiding citizens.”

    A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of decades in federal prison.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolster efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central and Eastern Districts of California to jointly head one of the three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. The Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, as well as those who committed instances of pandemic relief fraud. The Strike Force uses prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. Additional information regarding the Strike Force may be found at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-covid-19-fraud-strike-force-teams.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    SBA-OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, and HSI are investigating these matters.

    The cases announced today were investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Aveis and Gregg Marmaro of the Major Frauds Section and Maxwell Coll of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are prosecuting these cases.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Nearly $9 Million in Fraud and Money Laundering Proceeds from Fraudulently Obtained Paycheck Protection Program Loans

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    On May 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz entered a final judgment forfeiting to the United States approximately $7 million in fraud and money laundering proceeds, as well as a real property purchased with laundered fraud proceeds that has an estimated market value of nearly $2 million, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    On May 6, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint against approximately $7 million in seized and frozen U.S. currency, as well as a real property in Cresskill, New Jersey, that was purchased with nearly $1 million in laundered fraud proceeds, alleging that the assets were the proceeds of fraud and money laundering offenses. As alleged in the complaint, between April 2020 and August 2020, Jae H. Choi (“Choi”) fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans totaling approximately $8,971,457, and then laundered those fraud proceeds through various financial accounts held in the names of Choi’s nominees, including Choi’s relative and various corporate entities that Choi controlled. According to the civil forfeiture complaint, Choi then spent the laundered fraud proceeds on personal expenses and purchased the Cresskill real property.

    United States Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Internal Revenue Service –Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General’s Boston New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, and special agents of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, with the investigation.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Laserna of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit of the Criminal Division in Newark.

    ###

    choi.complaint.pdf

    Related programs: Pandemic Oversight, PPP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fifth man arrested following fatal stabbing in Southwark

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A fifth man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in Walworth on Monday, 14 April.

    A 22-year-old man was arrested on the evening of Monday, 19 May near Barcelona, Spain, on suspicion of the murder of Giovanny Rendon Bedoya.

    He remains in custody ahead of the court process to extradite him from Spain to the UK.

    On 14 April at 21:16hrs police were called to Hillingdon Street, SE17 following reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended with London Ambulance Service paramedics who treated 21-year-old Giovanny for stab injuries.

    Sadly, despite their best efforts, he died at the scene.

    Giovanny’s next-of-kin continue to receive support and updates from specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Secretary Noem Doubles Down and Escalates Action Against Harvard for their Continued Antisemitic Behavior, Fostering Violence, and CCP Coordination

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The Trump Administration will be relentless in its efforts to end Harvard’s abuse of the American taxpayer and national security interests

    The United States Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem continued to hold Harvard University accountable for failing to comply with Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) regulations, for encouraging and allowing antisemitic and anti-American violence to rage on its campus, and for coordinating with Chinese Communist Party officials on training that undermined American national security.

    Following a letter from Harvard officials indicating an “intent” to now comply with SEVP, Secretary Noem held firm and reminded the once respected institution, which has disgraced American values, it still has a long way to comply with requirements of the program and be trusted with U.S. taxpayer dollars

    “Harvard’s refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “Following our letter to Harvard, the school attempted to claim it now wishes to comply with SEVP standards. We continue to reject Harvard’s repeated pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hate—it must change its ways in order to participate in American programs.” 

    The Department will continue to engage in good faith with Harvard and looks forward to the University’s full compliance with its requests.

    Full text of the notice is available here.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Going to Prison for Starting Fire on Railroad Tracks in Farnham

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael B. Benitez, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of attempt to wreck, derail, set fire to, or disable railroad on-track equipment, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Benitez was also ordered to pay $1,382 in restitution to Norfolk Southern Railway.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that in the early morning hours of June 14, 2023, Benitez placed several tires on the railroad tracks behind his residence at the time on Railroad Avenue in Farnham, poured gasoline on the tires, and started the tires on fire. The tire fire destroyed equipment owned by Norfolk Southern that’s used to identify railroad equipment while enroute. Norfolk Southern was required to hold trains while the tire fire was extinguished, and rail equipment was repaired.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Town of Brandt Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Slawek, and Norfolk Southern Police Department.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Related Gun Charge

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Donta Williams, 30, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of imprisonment of life, and a fine of $250,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated on November 13, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a Comstock Avenue residence, which Williams used for his drug trafficking activities. During the search, they seized $1,030 in cash, a receipt for a Rolex sold to “Donta Williams,” a Glock pistol and ammunition, jewelry, crack cocaine and fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia. Later that day, a second search warrant was executed on a UHAUL unit controlled by Williams. During that search, investigators seized $29,627.00 in cash, and a loaded magazine.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alfonse Wright.

    Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2025, before Judge Arcara.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Methamphetamine

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Mario Pittman Jr., 31, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to distribution of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that in March 2024, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and Lackawanna Police began investigating Pittman’s drug trafficking activities. The investigation included five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Pittman. On April 30, 2024, investigators attempted to stop Pittman’s vehicle, but he fled at a high rate of speed through a residential neighborhood. Law enforcement eventually made a forced stop of his vehicle. Pittman fled on foot but was apprehended by law enforcement. Investigators recovered a clear plastic baggy of suspected methamphetamine, which Pittman dropped on the ground as he attempted to flee.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.

    Sentencing is scheduled for October 9, 2025, before Judge Arcara.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bronx Feva Gang Members Charged with April 2022 Murder and Racketeering Offenses

    Source: US FBI

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging NASIA CARSON, a/k/a “Nas,” ELIJAH SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Eli,” and PHILIP MOSCA, a/k/a “90,” with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving a Bronx-based gang known as “Feva” and committing multiple violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including the murder of a 21-year-old named Jesse Bynum on April 12, 2022.  CARSON and MOSCA were previously taken into custody on related charges, and SANTIAGO was arrested earlier today.  All three defendants are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, these three defendants brutally murdered 21-year-old Jesse Bynum, and left three others seriously wounded.  New York families should not have to live in fear of gang-motivated violence.  The women and men of the Southern District and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding accountable those who terrorize our communities with gang-motivated violence.  We hope that commitment and the charges brought today bring some measure of comfort to the family of Jesse Bynum and others who have suffered needless losses from gang-motivated crimes.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “These three Feva gang members allegedly engaged in violence to retaliate against their rivals, including firing a gun into a crowded street and killing Jesse Bynum. The defendants’ alleged relentless attempts to fuel a feud with a rival cost the life of a bystander caught in the crosshairs. With our law enforcement partners, the FBI remains committed to protecting our city from unnecessary gun violence and murders.” 

    NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “These three individuals allegedly carried out a cold-blooded shooting that killed a 21-year-old New Yorker and seriously injured three others. They showed no regard for human life, and their senseless act of violence has no place in our city. We are committed to identifying and dismantling the street gangs threatening the safety of our communities. I want to thank the NYPD investigators and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their tireless work to bring them to justice.”

    As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

    From at least in or about 2022, through at least in or about 2023, CARSON, SANTIAGO, and MOSCA were members and associates of a criminal organization known as Feva that operated principally in the vicinity of the Pelham Parkway Houses and 2250 Wallace Avenue in the Bronx, New York.  Members and associates of Feva engaged in, among other activities, drug trafficking, acts involving murder, attempted murder, and assault.

    On or about April 12, 2022, CARSON, SANTIAGO, and MOSCA shot into a small crowd of people gathered on a street in an attempt to retaliate against a rival gang.  The shooting resulted in the murder of 21-year-old Bynum, and serious physical injury to three others.

    If you believe that you have additional information about this murder, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 1-866-874-8900 and reference this case.

    *               *                *

    A chart containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties against the defendants is set forth below.

    The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. 

    Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ni Qian, Marguerite B. Colson, and Brandon D. Harper are in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    COUNT

    CHARGE

    DEFENDANTS

    MAX. PENALTIES
    1

    Racketeering conspiracy

    18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)

    NASIA CARSON, a/k/a “Nas,” 21;

    ELIJAH SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Eli,” 22;

    PHILIP MOSACA, a/k/a “90,” 22;

    (“All Defendants”)

    		 Life in prison
    2

    Murder in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2

    		 All Defendants Death or mandatory sentence of life in prison
    3

    Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)

    		 All Defendants 10 years in prison
    4

    Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    5

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
    6

    Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    7

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
    8

    Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    9

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message to the UN-Habitat Assembly

    Source: United Nations – English

    strong>Download the video:
    https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+21+May+25/3399105_MSG+SG+UN+HABITAT+ASSEMBLY+21+MAY+25.mp4

    https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+21+May+25/MSG+SG+UN+HABITAT+ASSEMBLY+21+MAY+25+EN.mp4

    Excellencies,

    Dear friends,

    I am pleased to send my greetings to this Second United Nations Habitat Assembly as you resume your session in Nairobi.

    You gather as our world and cities face challenges on all fronts – accelerated by conflicts, the climate crisis, rising inequalities and growing geo-political divides.

    This Assembly is about coming together to help find solutions, adhering to shared values, and strengthening our work as the UN marks its 80th anniversary.  

    You recognize a core truth: 

    We can’t build a livable world if people don’t have a place to live. 

    Yet 2.8 billion people around the world lack adequate shelter – stuck in informal settlements, slums or no home at all.  

    The Pact for the Future underscores the urgency – calling for universal access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.

    The Strategic Plan that you are taking up in Nairobi reaffirms that housing is a human right.  It is a public good.  And it is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Your Strategic Plan offers a pathway to helping advance dignity, safety, opportunity.

    I wish you every success. 

    Together, let’s keep working to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has a place to call home.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • PM Modi inaugurates new terminal building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna on Thursday evening.

    He was accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu.

    Built at a cost of around ₹1,200 crore, the terminal spans 65,155 square meters and is equipped with modern facilities. It features 54 check-in counters, five aerobridges, eight X-ray baggage scanners, five luggage conveyor belts, a multi-level parking facility, a VIP lounge, and a cafeteria.

    Notably, the terminal will cater to one crore passengers annually.

    More to follow.

    (With agency input)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Galloway National Park rejection a betrayal of people and planet

    Source: Scottish Greens

    29 May 2025 Climate Nature

    Scotland’s third National Park was a core pledge of the 2021 power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens.

    More in Climate

    Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell has hit out at the Scottish Government and vested interests for blocking plans for a new National Park in Galloway. 

    The news comes following a statement in the Scottish Parliament from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon in which she announced the SNP planned to shelve the designation of the area as a protected landscape.     

    The proposals were a core pledge of the 2021 SNP/Green power-sharing deal. The new National Park in Galloway had wider political backing, although the Scottish Conservatives have rowed back on their previous support. 

    Speaking in the Chamber, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon revealed that support was greatest amongst environment, recreation and tourism sectors – whilst landowners and land managers were amongst those with the strongest reservations. 

    Mr Ruskell said: 

    “This decision to scrap the promised National Park for Galloway is the culmination of lack of confident political leadership and the dangerous influence of powerful vested interests.

    “Scotland’s two current National Parks have shown just how valuable the status can be. Communities have benefited from better management of tourism and forestry, and new investment in transport and housing. 

    “By scrapping plans for the third National Park in Galloway, the Scottish Government has slammed the door on the economic investment and new powers this designation could bring. This is devastating news for the local community and nature. 

    “Scottish communities were competing against each other last year to secure a new National Park. But now, thanks to a campaign led by vested interests and misinformation, the Scottish Government is denying all of Scotland the opportunity to benefit from a new National Park. 

    “Many of the Park’s biggest opponents here in Holyrood once were vocal supporters of a new National Park in Scotland. The Tories backed the designation of a new National Park in both the 2016 and 2021 manifestos, even demanding the next park be in Galloway. But once again, they have sided with wealthy landowners who oppose change and lobby for their comfy status quo. 

    “Ultimately, it is the people of Galloway who will pay the price for this decision to scrap the National Park, and I’m sure this wasted opportunity will not be quickly forgotten by communities.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council launches Big Community Conversation

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Residents living in 13 parishes in the South Hams are invited to a series of events to share views about their local community and help shape Plymouth City Council’s proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).  

    Responding to the Government’s request, earlier this year Plymouth City Council submitted initial, high-level proposals to extend the city’s boundaries to include 13 neighbouring parishes, approximately 30,000 additional residents.  

    To ensure that the proposal is the best that it can be, the Council is keen to hear from local people living within the 13 areas. To understand more about the local community e.g. what is good about the area? what are the challenges and what are the opportunities?   

    To facilitate this discussion we will be holding a series of events for communities included in the City Council’s proposal. The events will be hosted by a senior Cabinet Member, along with a senior Council officer. Events will not only be an opportunity for local people to learn more about LGR and Plymouth’s evolving proposals – but also a chance for communities to share their vision and ambitions for the place in which they live or work.  

    Residents living in the 13 areas can attend any one of the events being held and as spaces are limited, pre-registration is required (see link below).  For those unable to attend, views can be shared online before midnight on 9 July 2025.   

    Further engagement sessions will be organised for residents living within the current Plymouth boundary line and will be announced shortly.  

    Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said:  “We want our proposals to be the best that they can be, building on the years of joint working that we have had with South Hams. We have a unique opportunity to combine the best of both worlds – a vibrant city set within a beautiful rural environment of thriving towns and communities with the highest quality of services through the whole area. 

    “Through our engagement so far, we have heard loud and clear that local identity is really important. And, we agree. Whilst there are concerns about what the new boundaries will mean, I think it is important to remember that if you live in Holbeton or Cornwood or Wembury,  nothing will change that. LGR is about service provision – who picks up your bins, who repairs your street lights, who provides children’s social care services, who fixes the potholes and who helps protect older residents? 

    “We want to explore these issues further. We also want to hear from you – what makes the area where you live great, what are the challenges, what would you like to see in the future, where are the opportunities and importantly, how would you like to engage with your local council in the future?  

    “Whilst it is the Government that will carry out the formal consultation on their preferred proposals for LGR next year, it is essential that our submission understands what it means to live in areas such as Harford, Brixton or Newton and Noss.  

    “We view this as the start of a Big Community Conversation. So, talk to us, we are here to listen and learn. Use this as an opportunity to help shape the future of your local area.”  

    Find more information about Plymouth City Council’s plans for local government reorganisation and see the full list of events and to register

    Please note that all the events will be the same, therefore those interested in giving their views only need to attend the one event that is most convenient.  

    If you are unable to attend any of the events, please complete the short survey, available here.

    Hard copies of the survey are available by calling: 01752 305635.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New scheme will help families in need while giving new life to unloved items

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Anyone using the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Shaw Road will now be asked if they’ve brought anything along which is ‘Too Good to Chuck’.

    It could be wooden furniture, old beds, decorative items, anything which could be re-purposed or restored and ultimately re-loved by someone else.

    Someone might have no more use for a piece of furniture or see it as junk, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have another life enhancing another person’s home.

    A network of skilled partners has been brought together by the council who can restore old or damaged furniture and bits of wood and metal and give them years more use in a new home.

    Too Good to Chuck is the first of a range of projects, which will come under the umbrella of City Homemakers – an approach which is all about the council helping residents take pride in their homes and be able to make small improvements no matter what their budgets.

    City Homemakers will also help prevent waste and help the environment, as well as help families who need furniture and practical ways of turning their houses into homes.

    Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins launched the scheme today with Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, Cabinet Member for Resident Services.

    Councillor Simkins appealed to everyone to think is it ‘Too Good to Chuck?’ before they take things to the Shaw Road site.

    ‘It’s the time of year when many of us do a spring clean and have a good clear out, but please don’t throw away things that could have a second life and help other families in the city.

    ‘We’ve brought together skilled craftspeople from across the city, who are experts in turning one person’s junk into another person’s treasured piece of furniture.

    ‘In these continuing tough financial times, we all need ways to make the most of our homes without spending a fortune and I’m excited to launch this scheme as the first of many under the City Homemakers banner.

    ‘Look out for more schemes coming soon, which will give different ways of improving our homes. We’re looking at numerous ways as a council to help our residents make the most of their homes, which can only improve our great city and help us continue to help our residents with the cost of living.’

    Councillor Gakhal agreed and added:

    ‘We’ve already had great success in helping reduce waste contamination in recycling bins with our ‘Check before you chuck’ campaign.

    ‘I’m hoping residents can now also consider if something is ‘too good to chuck’ and think twice before throwing good furniture and household items away.

    ‘If you think you have something that could have a second life in another home after a little expert love and attention, then head to the new containers at the Shaw Road site where our team will be on hand to help.’

    Here’s a checklist of what you can put in the Too Good to Chuck containers and what you can’t:

    What we want:

    Wooden furniture
    Metal furniture
    Bed frames – with or without screws and fittings
    Curtain poles – With or without screws and fittings
    Children’s furniture 
    Bicycles or non-electric scooters
    Kitchen plates, bowls, cutlery and utensils 
    Decorative items, mirrors, pictures

    What we don’t want:

    Anything electrical
    Soft furnishings 
    Soiled or heavily damaged items

    Small electrical items, while not right for Too Good to Chuck, can be recycled using another of the council’s services, find out more by visiting Small electricals recycling.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We invite you to take part in the elections of the Academic Council of the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 23, 2025 at 14:00, a conference of employees and students of our university will be held at the State University of Management.

    There are two main issues on the conference agenda: 1. Approval of employee representatives in the labor dispute commission; 2. Election of members of the Academic Council of the State University of Management.

    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 Economics: Directions under Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – The YASHWANT CO-OPERATIVE BANK Ltd., Phaltan, Taluka Phaltan, District Satara, Maharashtra

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    It is hereby notified for information of the public that in exercise of powers vested in it under sub section (1) of Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide Directive Ref. No. CO.DOS.SED.No. S1580/12-22-321/2025-2026 dated May 28, 2025, has issued certain Directions to The YASHWANT CO-OPERATIVE BANK Ltd., Phaltan, (“the bank”), whereby, as from the close of business on May 29, 2025, the bank shall not, without prior approval of RBI in writing, grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations or otherwise, enter into any compromise or arrangement and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets except as notified in the RBI Direction dated May 28, 2025, a copy of which has been directed to be displayed on the bank’s website / premises for perusal by interested members of the public. Considering the bank’s present liquidity position, the bank has been directed not to allow withdrawal of any amount from savings bank or current accounts or any other account of a depositor but is allowed to set off loans against deposits subject to the conditions stated in the above RBI Directions. The bank may incur expenditure in respect of certain essential items such as salaries of employees, rent, electricity bills, etc., as specified in the said Directions.

    2. RBI has in the recent past engaged with the Board and Senior Management of the bank for improvement in its functioning. However, lack of concrete efforts taken by the bank to address the supervisory concerns and to protect the interest of depositors of the bank, necessitated issuance of these Directions.

    3. The eligible depositors would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of their deposits upto a monetary ceiling of ₹5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakh only) in the same capacity and in the same right, from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), as applicable under the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961, based on submission of willingness by the depositors concerned and after due verification. The depositors may contact the bank officials for further information. Details may also be accessed on the DICGC website: www.dicgc.org.in.

    4. The issue of the above Directions by the RBI should not per se be construed as cancellation of the banking license by RBI. The bank will continue to undertake banking business subject to restrictions specified in the said Directions till its financial position improves. The RBI continues to monitor the position of the bank and will take necessary actions including modifications of these Directions, as warranted, depending upon circumstances and in the interest of the depositors.

    5. These Directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business on May 29, 2025 and are subject to review.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/432

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lena Ferriday, Lecturer in the History of Science and the Environment, King’s College London

    Moth Winn was diagnosed with a terminal illness at the age of 53 and in the same week he and his wife, Raynor, lost their home. As the bailiffs arrived, the couple made a remarkable decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.

    Their journey was first told in Raynor Winn’s bestselling memoir The Salt Path, which has now been made into a film. In The Salt Path, Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs portray the hardship and hope the couple experienced as they walked through sunshine and storms with little more than a tent and a handful of cash.

    But their walk is part of a much older story. Without realising it, Raynor and Moth joined a centuries-old tradition of seeking healing and transformation along the south-west coast. In the 19th century, people travelled to the coast because doctors believed coastal air and seawater could treat illness. This idea became known as “change of air” treatment and was widely prescribed to urban patients suffering from “nervous disorders”, such as stomach pains and chest issues. These seaside visits were understood as a form of medicine.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    England’s westerly edge

    The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest national trail. The route has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent – the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest four times. It was officially protected in 1973 to preserve and improve access to the path and now attracts nearly 9 million visitors each year. But its origins lie in the working lives of local people, especially coastguards watching for smugglers and fishermen following pilchard shoals.

    In the 19th century, the region also became a destination for domestic tourists. It was made more accessible as passenger rail lines were extended to places including Plymouth and Penzance. Some visitors walked to explore unfamiliar landscapes, while others did so on medical advice.

    The seaside towns of Penzance and Torquay emerged as health resorts and by the first world war they were known as “havens for invalids”. Between 1800 and 1854, Torquay’s population grew from 800 to 14,000, mostly made up of medical residents on temporary stays.

    Healing in the elements

    Before the walk, Moth was diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) after seeing a doctor about shoulder pain and tremors. CBD is a rare degenerative condition that affects the brain and gradually leads to difficulties with movement, speech, memory and swallowing.

    When he began the walk, Moth’s mobility had deteriorated and he was experiencing severe pain and numbness in his left leg. For the first half of the film, Jason Isaacs drags his foot along the ground to show this physical strain. The challenge of walking was made harder by the rugged terrain – steep hills, jagged rocks and harsh winds.

    As Moth and Raynor walked, something unexpected happened. Moth’s symptoms began to ease, his condition improved, and he eventually stopped taking pain relief. He believed the change was linked to the regular movement and the sense of purpose the walk gave them during a bleak period. He described walking as having a restorative power that offered him a new, unlicensed freedom.

    The idea that walking by the coast could have healing properties has deep roots. In the 19th century, walking was considered beneficial, but the emphasis was on gentle movement in clean air rather than endurance through rough landscapes. The air of Devon and Cornwall was praised for its soothing qualities and the climate for its warmth in the winter. Town planners even built flat promenades in seaside towns to make walking more accessible for people with chronic illnesses and low mobility.

    Spending time outside was considered particularly valuable for people suffering from tuberculosis. Before tuberculosis was known to be caused by bacteria, medical experts blamed it on bad-smelling air. Doctors suggested that city dwellers suffering with chest pains remove themselves from these dirty atmospheres and immerse themselves in the clean, salt air at the seaside.

    Nature plays a central role in The Salt Path. Its affect on the body is seen in Gillian Anderson’s sun-scorched cheeks and wind-tousled hair. The sounds of birds and the sea accompany panoramic drone shots of the cliffs. The sea is a key character.

    Arriving at Minehead, the Winns take a photo to begin their journey: of “the three of us”, the couple and the sea. Victorian travel writers also insisted that in the south-west, “The pedestrian must never wander more than a stone’s throw from the sea.”

    When Moth swims in the sea, he is empowered in his own body and able to move without constraint. The seaside has carried health connotations since the 1700s. In the 18th century, doctors claimed that sudden immersion in cold, salty and turbulent waters had therapeutic value for chronic illness. Today, open swimming remains a popular practice in the south-west and is praised for its mental and physical health benefits.

    As the film ends, we learn that 12 years after their walk Moth is still living with CBD and the couple still use long-distance walks to treat his symptoms. This experience of illness finds resonance in older practices, reminding us that healing can sometimes be found outside of clinical spaces. While the reasons for walking often change, the connection between place, body and wellbeing spans centuries. The Salt Path tells a deeply personal story but also continues a long cultural history of looking to the coastline for recovery and renewal.

    Lena Ferriday has received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast – https://theconversation.com/the-salt-path-taps-into-a-long-history-of-searching-for-healing-on-englands-south-west-coast-257793

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rise of the Zombie Bugs takes readers on a jaw-dropping tour of the parasite world

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alex Dittrich, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Nottingham Trent University

    A “zombie” snail infected with a flatworm JoostP/Shutterstock

    Rise of the Zombie Bugs, by Mindy Weisberger, is a non-fiction book that borrows from popular culture to make one of the most complex and grisly interactions in the animal kingdom accessible to the reader.

    From fungi and viruses that infect the brains of insects, to parasites that burst through the abdominal cavities of their unsuspecting hosts, Weisberger shows readers a gruesomely fascinating world.

    Weisberger’s definition of a zombie bug is an insect that has become host to a parasite. The parasite modifies its host’s behaviour for its own means. She affectionately refers to these parasites as “zombifiers”. This zombification can make the host more susceptible to conditions that enable that parasite to complete its lifecycle or spread.

    The author takes the reader through a taxonomic feast of invertebrates and their parasites. The idea of “host-altered behaviour” is particularly interesting here, as it shows the ends that parasites go to to complete their lifecycle and reproduce.

    For example Leucochloridium, a flatworm that turns the eyes of snails vivid colours and patterns, which makes them more susceptible to bird predation. The flatworm also makes the snail stay out in the open. Once eaten by a bird, the flatworm can complete its life cycle in the bird’s gut. And Weisberger helps the reader understand some of the complex processes that underpin this phenomenon. For example, how these parasites hijack the host’s nervous system and cause unusual behaviour.

    There are parasitic flies that disrupt the natural foraging behaviour of ants. After the fly lays eggs in the ant’s thorax, the larvae eventually migrate to the ant’s head, making it fall off. There’s also the cordyceps fungi that infects the brains of many insect species and makes them move to a better location for the fungi, such as the ends of tree branches or the tips of grass stems. A location normally treacherous to the insect – but ideal for the fungi to spread its spores. Once there, a fruiting mushroom sprouts from the insect’s head.

    An ant infected with cordyceps.
    Jojo dexter/Shutterstock

    Parasites are all around us. Weisberger reassures us that, although the grisly and fantastical world of fiction is not far removed from what we see in nature, the processes she describes in the book are natural. And indeed necessary for a healthy planet, playing a crucial role in controlling and halting pest invasions. In the insect world, they are one of the most abundant natural controls on populations of pest insects.

    Although naturally occurring populations of these parasites are not more likely to attack invasive species than native ones, we have however used them to our advantage in exploiting their behaviour to protect our crops. For example, the parasitic wasps I mentioned before are key for controlling populations of beetle pests in fruiting crops.

    Parasites and us

    The war waged on insects by their parasites has inspired a lot of popular culture, such as the chest-bursting aliens from the Alien films – rumoured to have been based on parasitoid wasps that lay their eggs inside the bodies of unsuspecting insects. The video game and popular HBO series The Last of Us imagines a world where cordyceps infect humans, not just insects.

    As someone with a soft spot for invertebrate behaviour, I am drawn into the case studies where invertebrate animals interact with each other and the decapitated ants and disco snails are firm favourites of mine.

    However, the book does end on a note of caution. The author writes a worrying footnote on rabies and Toxoplasma gondii, and the ability of both to not only cause serious harm to us but to even alter our behaviour.

    Toxoplasma gondii is a single-cell parasite that causes an illness called toxoplasmosis in humans. You can catch it from cat faeces, or from eating infected meat. It is one of the most common parasitic infections of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It doesn’t make most adults seriously ill but it can cause blindness and developmental disorders in children infected as a foetus and cause life-threatening illness in immunocompromised people.

    Toxoplasmosis has been linked to rage and suicidal behaviour in humans. Although one third of people are estimated to have been exposed to toxoplasmosis, there is still much we don’t understand about it.

    Rise of the Zombie Bugs is a fun read that would appeal to a wide range of audiences, whether you work in science and education or simply want to expand your understanding of the natural world.

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

    – ref. Rise of the Zombie Bugs takes readers on a jaw-dropping tour of the parasite world – https://theconversation.com/rise-of-the-zombie-bugs-takes-readers-on-a-jaw-dropping-tour-of-the-parasite-world-256026

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why are the US and Israel not on the same page over how to deal with Iran? Expert Q&A

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin

    The US president, Donald Trump, claimed on May 28 to have personally stopped Israel from attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. When asked if he’d intervened during a phone call with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump replied: “Well, I’d like to be honest. Yes, I did … I said, I don’t think it’s appropriate right now”. The Trump administration is currently in talks with Iran over the future terms of its nuclear programme.

    Middle East expert Scott Lucas answered the Conversation’s questions about the disagreement over Iran and how it might affect US-Israel relations.

    The US wants a nuclear deal with Iran. Israel doesn’t. Why the disagreement?

    Israel has long been sceptical of diplomatic overtures to Tehran, saying Iran is committed to Israel’s destruction. This position has not changed.

    When Trump apparently told Netanyahu recently that he wanted a diplomatic solution with Iran and believed in his ability to “make a good deal”, the Israeli leader insisted that the only “good deal” would be one that dismantled Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    But Trump’s priority is not a “good deal”. He is more interested in a photo opportunity portraying him as a “dealmaker” even when there is no substantive agreement.

    Trump’s first term saw him embrace North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whom he had previously threatened with “fire and fury” and denounced as “little rocket man”, to proclaim a breakthrough in stalled nuclear talks. There wasn’t anything beyond a meaningless one-page memorandum, but Trump became the first serving US president to step into North Korea and garnered international attention for doing so.

    Then, at the start of his second term, Trump claimed he could end Russia’s war in Ukraine within 24 hours. But, more than four months later, he is frustrated and embittered. He recently called Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy”.

    Trump also said he could resolve Israel’s assault on Gaza. He claimed the glory of a phase one ceasefire agreement in which Hamas freed some hostages in return for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinians detained in its prisons. But he walked away when Netanyahu’s government refused to move to a second phase.

    So now his hope, as outlandish as it might seem, is to appear alongside Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, or even the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, making some kind of deal.

    What do the Gulf states hope for?

    Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are rivals of Iranian regional leadership, but they want to avoid Israeli military action against Tehran as this could spark a conflagration across the region.

    They are looking to extract themselves from a decade-long war in Yemen, where their intervention has not toppled the Iran-backed Houthi insurgency. And they would like space for Syria to develop after five decades of Assad family rule came to an end in December 2024 – with possible profits for Gulf companies involved in recovery and reconstruction.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    Qatar, which Trump also visited in May, as well as Oman have long burnished their reputations as peace brokers. This has included facilitating talks between the US and Iran.

    What is Iran’s position and how close is it to building a nuclear weapon?

    When Iran agreed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) in 2015 with the UK and other world powers, it gave up any potential for a military nuclear programme. Enrichment of uranium was limited to 3.67%, and stocks of 20% grade were shipped out of the country. While uranium enriched to 20% is not weapons-grade, it shortens the time it will take to produce a nuclear weapon considerably.

    It was Trump who allowed Iran to restart its nuclear programme when he pulled the US out of the JCPoA in May 2018 and imposed comprehensive sanctions six months later. Iran not only resumed 20% enrichment but began production of 60% uranium, which can be further enriched to the 90% required for military use.

    Tehran is still stopping short of that 90% level. And it has said it will forego any potential for a military programme in a renewed agreement with the US, but is refusing US demands to end enrichment for civil purposes.

    What might Israel do to disrupt the talks?

    Netanyahu could defy Trump and order military strikes. But such action would further alienate Israel from the international community, unsettle relations with Washington, and risk regional conflicts that would overstretch the Israeli military.

    Israeli intelligence and military institutions have opposed Netanyahu’s plans to attack Iran in the past, notably in 2010 and 2011. When he tried to lay the foundations for military action, they raised political, diplomatic and logistical obstacles that put an attack on hold.

    And, despite Netanyahu’s attempts to replace intelligence heads and military commanders with his loyalists, the new appointees are still likely to take the same position.

    For more than 15 years, Israel has pursued covert operations to disrupt Iran’s nuclear programme. These include sabotage, cyber-attacks, assassinations and explosions set off by agents inside Iran. Those operations have appeared to diminish in recent months, but they might be renewed without raising Trump’s ire.

    How does the disagreement over Iran affect US-Israel relations, especially when it comes to Gaza?

    We are in a world where Trump can hold back Netanyahu over Iran, but give him a blank cheque for the assault and starvation of Gaza.

    Trump’s administration did nothing to oppose the Netanyahu government’s inevitable rejection of the phase two ceasefire in Gaza at the start of March. This subsequently saw renewed military operations and imposition of a blockade on humanitarian aid. Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, has been ineffectual in his purported mediation efforts.

    Netanyahu has not only tabled the plan for Israel’s long-term occupation of Gaza, with four military zones and Gazans penned into three areas with limited movement. He has publicly embraced Trump’s proposal for the displacement – some would call it “ethnic cleansing” – of hundreds of thousands of Gazans.

    In October 2024, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu to “do what you have to do” in the offensive against Hamas. Then, in mid-February, he said: “Bibi, you do whatever you want”.

    So, even as Trump does what he wants over Iran to Netanyahu’s chagrin, the Israeli prime minister is finding that Trump is not restricting what he does closer to home in Gaza.

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

    – ref. Why are the US and Israel not on the same page over how to deal with Iran? Expert Q&A – https://theconversation.com/why-are-the-us-and-israel-not-on-the-same-page-over-how-to-deal-with-iran-expert-qanda-257758

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nato faces a make-or-break decision about how to protect Europe and its future in next few weeks

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amelia Hadfield, Head of Department of Politics, University of Surrey

    Nato is facing a pivotal moment in its history.

    Ahead of its June 24-25 summit in The Hague, Nato is weighing up whether it can truly continue to count on US support (and membership), whether it will become a European-only organisation, or whether it has a future at all. This suggests a massive shift for the intergovernmental organisation that sits at the heart of defence and security for Europe, and beyond.

    The past year has changed everything. Trump’s anti-Nato rhetoric has become increasingly vociferous and disrespectful, undermining both the organisation itself, and the other 31 Nato member countries, which include Germany, France, Canada, Turkey, the UK, Sweden and Norway. Add to this the Trump administration’s embrace of international isolationism, and the potential, consequential loss of clear US backing for the alliance, all of which highlight the organisation’s historical dependence on the US.

    This is what makes the June 2025 summit so critical. It is a make-or-break opportunity to unveil a plan for Nato’s wholesale transformation, or an event conclusively marking its obsolescence. The plan itself is simple: build – or rebuild – Nato as a possible Europe-only endeavour.



    Read more:
    Why it matters for European security if an American no longer commands Nato troops – by a former Trident submarine commander

    If this plan becomes reality, historians of European security and defence may spot earlier parallels for Nato with the original Western European Union (WEU). The WEU was the European defence security structure established in 1954 under the Paris Accords, which helped to redefine relations with West Germany.

    Ultimately subsumed into both Nato and EU governance structures, the WEU’s prime goal at the time was to bolster the European content of the Atlantic alliance.

    US never wanted Europe to lead

    There is a deep irony in Trump’s bluster about Nato states paying more towards their defence. The US has, for decades, been sanguine at best, and hostile at worst on almost every form of European defence autonomy, from basic ops-based endeavours established by the EU to more ambitious strategies. Instead, the US has insisted almost exclusively on increased defence spending by other Nato members, improved interoperability between the various national forces, but all “in furtherance of a US-dominated alliance”, rather than a more authentically US-European approach to safeguarding both European and American interests according to Max Bergman, a former senior adviser to the US state department.

    What is the future of Nato?

    If the US is now reducing its involvement in Nato, or abdicating entirely, the only option for Nato is to reduce its dependence on the US, and in doing so, to focus more on Europe. A clear mandate is needed, to ensure that being US-less does not render Nato itself useless. Without a mandate, opportunistic space would quickly open up for an aggressive Russia.

    Trump made clear early in his first administration that he was no fan of Nato, and argued that its funding structure should no longer overburden the US. In his second administration, Trump has been even clearer, has variously threatened to pull US troops from Nato joint exercises, reduce US security commitments to Nato as a whole, remove some or all of the 80,000 US troops on permanent rotation in Europe and vastly reduce the US’s contribution to Nato’s central budget of US$5 billion (£3.6 billion).

    These threats are now repeated routinely by US defence secretary Pete Hegseth and others in the Trump administration. This has profoundly rattled Nato as an institution and its individual member states.

    As Nato’s own records show, from 2023 onward, there have been major increases in European defence spending. But the opportunity to keep spending commitments high, as well as overhaul the organisation to meet Ukraine’s demands and defence opportunities for the EU as a whole – which could have been nailed onto Nato’s 75th anniversary summit in 2024 – did not materialise.

    There are pros and cons of a new Europe-focused approach for Nato, and these will work themselves out in the final five-to-ten-year plan which is being prepared ahead of the June summit.

    For some, building a European defence mission within Nato is an opportunity to plot a new and more sustainable course for Nato, rather than trying to shore up an expanding US-shaped hole. Spending increases that reduce Nato’s perceived helplessness, or reliance on the US, may also be a benefit.

    For others, the removal of US command and control, hardware, software, intelligence and much more from Nato is a futile endeavour that will leave the organisation in pieces at best, and present Russia with a golden opportunity for continued eastern aggression at worst.

    The signals from Washington remain confusing. Trump’s suggestion of a sudden and total US withdrawal from European defence was tempered in April by US secretary of state Marco Rubio’s suggestion that Trump remained supportive of Nato but also demanding expanded spending commitments (these demands vary from 2.5% to 5% of GDP), and for other members to take on far greater responsibility for developing Nato’s capabilities.

    An emerging European coalition

    Many members now support the emerging “coalition of the willing”, led by France and Britain, to underwrite a force and secure a post-conflict deal for Ukraine. In figuring out the current provision of military force, including logistics and intelligence capacities in addition to air, land and sea forces, Nato members are aiming to remove the US’s presence and fill the vacuum with European assets over a decade.

    The task is colossal, and not without risks. Nato does not want an overnight abdication of the US, as it currently relies far too heavily upon US capabilities, such as long-range precision missiles, and crucially, heavy-lift aircraft which are vital in shifting armoured forces around the continent rapidly. Nato also wants a clear plan, which new member Finland has emphasised as crucial, to prevent an abrupt and disjointed transition that Russia could exploit.

    A new vision must be set out by the end of June in order to deal sensibly with ongoing defence spending commitments, reworked governance structures, and possible planned responses to the war in Ukraine.

    Scrapping Nato is unnecessary and lays Europe – and the US, if the White House could but see far enough ahead – open to innumerable threats and consequences. Even without the US, Nato provides a valuable structure for security cooperation in Europe. Strengthening European capabilities within Nato, rather than creating an entirely new defence structure, makes sense.

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

    – ref. Nato faces a make-or-break decision about how to protect Europe and its future in next few weeks – https://theconversation.com/nato-faces-a-make-or-break-decision-about-how-to-protect-europe-and-its-future-in-next-few-weeks-256348

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • We are clear that talks and terror don’t go together: MEA on Pakistan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday reiterated India’s stance on bilateral discussions with Pakistan, saying that the only matters left for discussion between the two countries are Pakistan’s handover of terrorists and the vacation of illegally occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

     “As far as our engagement with Pakistan is concerned, our stand has been clear. Any engagement must be bilateral. We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together. Pakistan must hand over to India the noted terrorists, whose records and list we submitted to them some years ago,” Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing in the national capital.

    “Talks on J&K will only be held regarding the vacation of PoK and when Pakistan hands over the territory to us. As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably renounces its support for cross-border terrorism”, Jaiswal added. 

    “Just like Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together,” the MEA spokesperson stressed. 

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How we protected the UK and space in April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    How we protected the UK and space in April 2025

    This report was issued in May 2025 and covers the time period 1 April 2025 to 30 April 2025 inclusive.

    The National Space Operations Centre is led by the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command in partnership with the Met Office.

    April saw continued high levels of space activity which saw both uncontrolled re-entry and collision alerts at levels above the 12-month rolling average.

    All  NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period.

    Re-entry Analysis

    April has seen a slight increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere in April when compared with the previous month.

    Of the 92 objects that re-entered, 80 were satellites and 12 were rocket bodies.

    May: 56, June: 48, July: 44, August: 89, September: 50, October: 35, November: 47, December: 83, January: 115, February: 129, March: 85, April: 92

    In-Space Collision Avoidance

    Collision risks to UK-licensed satellites remained steady in April with a 1% increase compared with March, above the rolling average of 2,494.

    May: 2,560, June: 1,881, July: 1,795, August: 2,137, September: 3,041, October: 3,181, November: 2,722, December: 2,142, January: 2,694, February: 2,567, March: 2,588, April: 2,620

    Number of Objects in Space

    There was an increase to the in-orbit population during April, with a net addition of 118 objects added to the US Satellite Catalogue.

    A total of 231 newly catalogued objects were attributed to nine SpaceX launches carrying Starlink satellites.

    May: 28,850, June: 28,868, July: 28,853, August: 29,626, September: 29,605, October: 29,642, November: 29,781, December: 29,843, January: 29,961, February: 29,989, March: 30,090, April: 30,208

    The number of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) reported may be subject to small adjustments over time as the way objects are tracked is refined. Figures in this report reflect the most current available data and may differ slightly from those published in previous months

    Fragmentation Analysis

    There have been no new fragmentation (break-up) incidents this month.

    Space weather

    April saw a rise in space weather alerts, including multiple geomagnetic storms, with activity peaking at one strong-level storm

    Comments

    The National Space Operations Centre combines and coordinates UK civil and military space domain awareness capabilities to enable operations, promote prosperity and protect UK interests in space and on Earth from space-related threats, risks and hazards

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peter Unwin CB named as Natural England Deputy Chair

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Peter Unwin CB named as Natural England Deputy Chair

    Peter Unwin CB named as new Deputy Chair of the government’s statutory advisor on nature

    Peter Unwin CB has been appointed as Deputy Chair of Natural England (NE).

    Peter’s term will run from 1 April 2025 until 31 December 2025. He became a Natural England Board Member on 1 June 2020 and was reappointed in 2023 for a second term of three years from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2026.

    Natural England is a non-departmental public body, set up under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Its remit is to ensure the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations. Non-executive board members of Natural England have collective responsibility for the strategic direction and overall performance of the organisation. They make sure that Natural England is properly and effectively managed and provide stewardship for the public funds entrusted to the organisation.

    A recruitment exercise for the Natural England board is expected to start in the summer, including for a permanent Deputy Chair from 1 January 2026. Further details on board members can be found on gov.uk.

    Biography

    • Peter Unwin is an ex-civil servant with 10 years of Board-level experience as Director General at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the then Department for Communities and Local Government, and a spell as acting Permanent Secretary at Defra. He worked across a wide range of policy areas, including the natural environment, climate change, agriculture, local government and planning.
    • After leaving the Civil Service in 2015, he spent four years as Chief Executive of the Whitehall & Industry Group, an independent charity promoting leadership development and understanding between government, industry and the not-for-profit sector.
    • Peter was awarded a CB for services to the environment in 2011 and is a member of the Aldersgate Group.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF and Ukrainian Authorities Reach Staff Level Agreement on the Eighth Review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 29, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.

    • International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Ukrainian authorities have reached staff level agreement (SLA) on the Eighth Review of the 4-year, $15.5 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement. Subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, Ukraine would have access to about US$0.5 billion (SDR 0.37 billion), bringing total disbursements under the program to US$10.65 billion.
    • All end-March quantitative performance criteria (QPCs) and indicative targets (IT) have been met and understandings were reached on a set of policies and reforms to sustain macroeconomic stability. The structural reform agenda continues to make progress with two structural benchmarks met, another to be completed in the coming weeks, and strong commitments to advance other key reforms.
    • The outlook remains exceptionally uncertain as the war continues to take a heavy toll on the population, economy, and infrastructure. Despite the challenging environment, the program remains on track and fully financed on the back of large-scale external commitments.

    Kyiv, Ukraine: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Mr. Gavin Gray held discussions with the Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv, Ukraine during May 20-27 on the Eighth Review of the country’s 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement. Upon the conclusion of the discussions, Mr. Gray issued the following statement: 

    “IMF staff and the Ukrainian authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the Eighth Review of the EFF, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, with Board consideration expected in coming weeks. 

    “Ukraine’s four-year EFF Arrangement with the IMF continues to provide a strong anchor for the authorities’ economic program in times of exceptionally high uncertainty. All quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets for end-March have been met, and progress continues on the structural agenda due for this review.

    “The economy remains resilient despite the challenges arising from more than three years of war. As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, real GDP growth is expected to remain modest, at 2-3 percent for 2025, reflecting headwinds from labor constraints and damage to energy infrastructure. Inflation has continued to rise, reaching 15.1 percent y/y in April mainly due to rising food and labor costs; inflation expectations remain anchored. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has raised the policy rate by a cumulative 250 bps since December in response. Gross international reserves reached US$46.7 billion as of end-April, reflecting continued large external official support. Risks remain exceptionally high given uncertainty on the war and the prospects for peace and recovery.  

    “The 2025 fiscal deficit is large as the level of critical expenditures remains elevated as the war continues. Financing the deficit requires significant external support, notably from the G7’s ERA Initiative, whose full disbursement during the program period is critical to support macroeconomic stability and ensure the program remains financed. Risks of additional critical expenditure requirements in 2025 are high and thus the authorities need to prepare offsetting measures should expenditure shocks materialize. Beyond 2025, expenditures are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future. Consequently, it is imperative and unavoidable that the authorities sustain efforts to mobilize domestic revenues over the medium-term since external support alone will not be sufficient to finance the deficit, restore fiscal sustainability, support critical spending, and finance reconstruction.

    “Determined efforts are required to mobilize domestic revenues, tackle tax evasion and avoidance, and improve the investment climate. Broad-based, durable, and efficient revenue measures and robust implementation of Ukraine’s National Revenue Strategy (NRS) is essential. Tax policy reforms need to be coupled with improvements in tax administration and continued reforms to the state customs service (SCS) and state tax service (STS). Restoring debt sustainability hinges on this revenue-based fiscal adjustment and continued implementation of the authorities’ debt restructuring strategy, including a treatment of the GDP warrants. The upcoming 2026-2028 budget declaration is an important step to set out the strategic objectives of the authorities’ medium-term fiscal framework and policies. 

    “With rising inflation, the increases by the National Bank of Ukraine’s (NBU) to their key policy rate (KPR) have been appropriate. Additional action may be warranted if inflation accelerates further or inflation expectations deteriorate. The monetary stance should remain tight to help reduce inflation and bring it to the NBU’s target over its three-year policy horizon. The exchange rate should play a greater role as a shock absorber, as per the preconditions outlined in the relevant NBU Strategy; this will help prevent external imbalances and preserve adequate reserves, particularly given heightened risks to the outlook. The judicious and staged approach to FX liberalization should continue, consistent with overall monetary and FX policy mix to maintain adequate reserves, and measures should continue to be closely monitored.

    “Governance reforms remain essential to bolster the rule of law and increase the independence, competence, and credibility of anti-corruption and judicial institutions. Reforming the state customs service (SCS) is essential to tackle corruption and reduce tax evasion. Progress in this area requires finalizing a comprehensive reform plan—a requirement for the completion of the review—coupled with the swift appointment of a permanent head of the SCS. The recently published NABU external audit, a structural benchmark, provides an opportunity to implement additional reforms to strengthen the institution and increase public trust. Similarly, the government’s commitment to amend the criminal procedure code, also a structural benchmark, is a signal of their willingness to strengthen the anti-corruption system and meet international obligations. On SOE corporate governance, the selection of new CEOs for GTSO and Ukrenergo should proceed promptly based on a merit-based process.     

    “Effective public investment management (PIM) is critical for post-war recovery, reconstruction, and growth against a backdrop of limited fiscal space. To tackle these challenges, the government of Ukraine has made important progress in strengthening PIM frameworks, and we encourage the authorities to build on this success. A strategic, holistic, and transparent approach is essential to overcome absorption capacity constraints and allocate scarce resources efficiently. 

    “The financial sector remains stable, but continued vigilance is warranted given elevated risks. Swift action to address critical institutional challenges of the NSSMC is a priority to enhance its effectiveness, and fit and proper tests need to proceed without further delay. Developing financial markets infrastructure and associated reforms will be indispensable to attracting private sector and foreign capital to support reconstruction and recovery. Comprehensive consultation with financial market participants is essential to facilitate a prioritized reform agenda.  

    “The mission met with Prime Minister Shmyhal, Finance Minister Marchenko, National Bank of Ukraine Governor Pyshnyy, other government ministers, public officials, and civil society. The mission thanks them and their technical staff for the excellent collaboration and constructive discussions.” 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Eva-Maria Graf

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/29/pr-25165-ukraine-imf-and-ukr-authorities-reach-agreement-on-8th-rev-of-eff-arrang

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Law Library Publishes New Report on Regulation of IVF and Related Issues

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The staff of the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress has recently completed a comparative report, Regulation of IVF and Related Issues. The report examines the rules regarding embryos created through artificial reproductive technology techniques, such as those involving in vitro fertilization (IVF), in the following countries: France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

    VITRO by Flickr user Tman. May 21, 2021. Used under NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Deed CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

    Among issues addressed by the report are the legal limits on the number of embryos that can be created or transferred in a treatment cycle and the actions that can be taken with respect to the embryos created, apart from transfer to a person’s uterus as part of that cycle. Such actions include preimplantation genetic testing, sex selection for nonmedical purposes, cryopreservation and storage, donation to another person or couple, disposal or destruction, and allowing the embryos to be used for research purposes. The report further addresses countries’ requirements for facilities where IVF procedures are conducted, registries of procedures and donors, funding of procedures, and the existence of restrictions in access to IVF procedures for certain groups of patients and couples.

    The report consists of a comparative summary, individual country surveys, and a table providing information on the legal treatment of embryos created through IVF.

    We invite you to review the information provided in our report here.

    This report is an addition to the Law Library’s Legal Reports (Publications of the Law Library of Congress) collection, which includes over 4,000 historical and contemporary legal reports covering a variety of jurisdictions, researched and written by foreign law specialists with expertise in each area. A search for legal reports on human reproduction identifies a number of relevant entries.

    To receive alerts when new reports are published, you can subscribe to email updates and the RSS feed for Law Library Reports (click the “subscribe” button on the Law Library’s website).

    The Law Library also publishes articles related to assisted reproduction in the Global Legal Monitor.

    And finally, a search of our blog, In Custodia Legis, using the term “embryo” may lead you to posts on a variety of related topics.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Night view of Hongyadong scenic area in China’s Chongqing

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

    Night view of Hongyadong scenic area in China’s Chongqing

    Updated: May 29, 2025 20:57 Xinhua
    Tourists enjoy the night view of the Hongyadong scenic area by the Jialing River in southwest China’s Chongqing, May 28, 2025. Hongyadong in Chongqing is an ancient city gate that has been transformed into a giant suspended building featuring restaurants and other entertainment venues. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy the night view of the Hongyadong scenic area by the Jialing River in southwest China’s Chongqing, May 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the night view of the Hongyadong scenic area in southwest China’s Chongqing. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the night view of the Hongyadong scenic area in southwest China’s Chongqing. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy the night view of the Hongyadong scenic area by the Jialing River in southwest China’s Chongqing, May 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the night view of the Hongyadong scenic area in southwest China’s Chongqing. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier stresses workplace safety

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

    BEIJING, May 29 — Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Thursday stressed the need to identify potential safety hazards in workplace, reinforce accountability for workplace safety, and take concrete measures to ensure both development and security.

    It is necessary to learn from recent accidents and always stay vigilant about workplace safety, said Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when addressing a ceremony marking the launch of a monthlong campaign to improve workplace safety.

    He stressed the importance of focusing on key industries, including firefighting, hazardous chemicals, gas, mining, transportation and construction, to prevent major and serious accidents.

    It is essential to thoroughly inspect and address potential safety hazards, and improve public risk prevention awareness and self-rescue skills, Zhang said

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Introducing the new IAA newsletter

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Introducing the new IAA newsletter

    Our newsletter will be published quarterly, and all stakeholders are welcome to sign up to receive the latest edition straight to their inbox.

    We’re excited to launch the first edition of the Immigration Advice Authority’s new quarterly newsletter.

    Designed to keep our partners and stakeholders informed, the newsletter offers updates on key developments across the IAA, including regulatory news, recent enforcement actions, guidance updates, upcoming events, and spotlights on best practice in immigration advice.

    In the May 2025 edition, you’ll find:

    • A welcome message from the IAA’s Commissioner
    • An update on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
    • News of our newly appointed Non-Executive Directors
    • The latest guidance and publications
    • An introduction from our new Chief Executive

    Download the May newsletter and stay informed about the work we’re doing to protect advice seekers and promote best practice across the sector.

    To receive future editions straight to your inbox, sign up to our mailing list.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Outcomes of the UK/EU Summit on 19 May: UK statement to OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Outcomes of the UK/EU Summit on 19 May: UK statement to OSCE

    Ambassador Holland briefs on the outcomes of the UK/EU Summit, which took place on 19 May in London, including the leaders’ commitment to the Helsinki Decalogue and resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

    Thank you, Chair. On 19 May the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer welcomed Presidents Von Der Leyen and Costa and High Representative Kallas to Lancaster House, for the first ever Summit between the UK and the EU.  It was an important forward-looking discussion at which our leaders confirmed our steadfast dedication to the fundamental tenets of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. They restated our commitment to the Helsinki Decalogue and to the rules based international order, with the United Nations at its core.  

    Our leaders stressed our resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and underlined our commitment to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.  Our leaders also offered continued support to Moldova and reaffirmed our commitment to the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans.  

    Europe faces a generational threat to our shared security and against this backdrop the discussion included global and strategic priorities of joint concern and agreement to strengthen cooperation across a range of issues for the security, safety and prosperity of all people across the UK and EU.   

    During the Summit the UK and the EU reached agreement on a Security and Defence Partnership.  The Partnership is broad and ambitious and will upgrade our cooperation on areas ranging from defence industry, mobility of military material and personnel, maritime security and space security, to illicit finance, irregular migration and working together to protect our critical infrastructure. These are issues relevant to the work that we do each day here in Vienna and our partnership will contribute to our shared security. 

    Madam Chair, this Summit underpinned the importance of UK and EU cooperation and our new geopolitical partnership that drives closer coordination, builds on our OSCE principles and commitments and will underpin our comprehensive approach to security.   

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 May 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Annual safety checks on the Mancunian Way scheduled to take place

    Source: City of Manchester

    The Mancunian way is set to close overnight during the weekend of June 7-8 for its annual inspection.

    Carried out every year these closures will be in place to ensure that vital safety inspections can be carried out, allowing one of Manchester’s busiest roads to continue operating.

    From 5am on Saturday, June 7, the Mancunian Way will be closed in both directions along its entire length, including all slip roads, between the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street.

    The closure will last until 7pm on Sunday, June 8, after which the road will be open to traffic once more.

    A signed diversion route will be in place via the north and eastern ring road sections – Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street – and a local diversion route will be signed via Bridgewater Street, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street and Fairfield Street.

    During this period there will also be a lane closure east/westbound at the Deansgate Interchange between 6.30am – 9.30am; and the inbound lane of Princess Road (heading towards Manchester) between 6.30am and 11.15am.

    Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “The annual inspection of the Mancunian Way is a vital job which ensures that the tens of thousands of daily users of this road can go about their journey in safety.

    “We do expect a level of disruption throughout this process so wherever possible we’d advise people to travel via public transport, or plan an alternate route ahead to avoid the work locations.

    “Safety will always be our number one priority and I’d like to say thank you in advance for the patience of road users during this period of works.”

    Find out more information on these works by visiting the Council’s website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New tools to identify and monitor cardiovascular disease

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Researchers develop algorithm that enables more advanced imaging of cardiac tissue and vessels

    Cardiovascular diseases cause one death every 33 seconds in America. Diagnosing these conditions, which account for approximately 20% of all deaths annually, can be difficult because the overlaying and natural fluorescence of cardiac tissue complicate diagnostic images. A new algorithm, developed by researchers supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and described in Nature Cardiovascular Research, could lead to clearer images, earlier diagnoses and better outcomes.

    “Enhancing visualization of cardiac systems is just one application of this new tool,” said Eric Lyons, a program director in the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences. “This could also help advance live-cell imaging in other parts of the body, like the brain, and drive insights into fundamental biological processes and systems.”

    Current forms of imaging each have drawbacks, being limited by how broad or deep they can visualize, the ability to visualize small scales like molecules or the frame rate of cameras and speed of data acquisition and processing. The algorithm addresses many of these challenges and allows for simultaneous viewing of multiple parameters and measurement of the volume of heart chambers.

    The tool uses an approach known as multiscale recursive decomposition, where images are broken down into smaller parts across multiple scales. This allows for the precise extraction of dynamic cardiovascular signals, which could allow physicians and others to diagnose cardiovascular disease earlier and more precisely. Better diagnoses are likely to lead to better health outcomes.

    The algorithm is fully compatible with commonly used microscopes, allowing for wide use of the tool.

    MIL OSI USA News –