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  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor – News Release – Governor Green Amends Intent-to-Veto List

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor – News Release – Governor Green Amends Intent-to-Veto List

    Posted on Jun 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA
     

    GOVERNOR GREEN AMENDS INTENT-TO-VETO LIST 
     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 24, 2025

    HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today added SB 935, Relating to Government, to the 2025 Intent-to-Veto list transmitted to Legislative leadership by the statutorily required June 24 deadline. SB 935 is one of the more complex pieces of legislation to emerge from the 2025 session. By including this bill on the list, it allows the Governor to have the time to make an informed and well-researched decision. The addition of the bill brings the number of bills on the Intent-to-Veto list to 20, as compared to the record number of bills Governor Green has signed from the past session.

    Again, Governor Green is not required to veto every bill indicated on the Intent-to-Veto list, but cannot veto a bill that is not included. The release of this list provides additional time to continue ongoing discussions with key stakeholders concerning implementation and impact. Due to the record-setting number of bills enrolled to the governor this legislative session, potential changes to the state’s federal funding and reduced revenue projections from the Council on Revenues, additional time to analyze bills will ensure each bill is given the nuanced, thoughtful consideration it deserves. Governor Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law by July 9.

    “Let me be clear: of the 320 bills passed by the Legislature this session, 20 are on our Intent-to-Veto list,” said Governor Green. “Our team has completed a review of every measure and the overwhelming majority of legislation will become law. Each bill on today’s list is based on thorough legal and fiscal analysis, and as always, was guided by what will best serve the people of Hawai‘i, protect our resources and strengthen our future.”

    To date, Governor Green has signed more than 200 bills into law benefiting the people and ‘āina of Hawai‘i, with core themes including environmental stewardship, educational access and success, as well as public safety. These represent key focus areas so far; additional bills awaiting signature will build upon this foundation to address state priorities. The remaining bills are on track to become law by July 9.

    Over 300 bills were reviewed by state departments and agencies, the Attorney General and the Governor in the last month. The Governor has until July 9 to issue final vetoes from the list, to sign them into law, or to allow them to become law without his signature.

    The following bills are being considered for vetoes, line-item vetoes, or reductions. Note that line-item vetoes only apply to fiscal bills.

    Fiscal Bills:

    HB126: RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE

    Bill Description: Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally.

    Veto Rationale: Asset forfeiture serves as a powerful deterrent against and punishment for criminal activity. The one-year deadline to return seized property for which the owner has not been charged with a covered offense, significantly weakens the efficacy of this dual deterrent and punishment. Many covered offenses, including felonies, often involve complex investigations that extend beyond a year, rendering this bill’s one-year deadline for law enforcement to file charges unrealistic. Seized property can serve as critical evidence in investigations, and its return before an investigation’s completion would severely hamper the investigation as well as the administration of justice at large.

    HB300: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET

    Bill Description: Appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

    Veto Rationale: Potential shifts in federal funding, coupled with recent projections from the Hawaiʻi Council on Revenues, require the state to reevaluate its budget to ensure essential services and priorities remain supported. Specific line-item reductions based on program feasibility, stability, and sustainability will help the state enter the fiscal year with a balanced budget and sound financial plan.

    HB302: RELATING TO CANNABIS
    Bill Description: Part I: Authorizes DOH to inspect qualifying patient medical records held by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or hospice provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient. Amends and adds definitions for purposes of the medical use of cannabis law. Clarifies the conditions of use for the medical use of cannabis. For purposes of issuing written certifications, authorizes the establishment of a provider-patient relationship via telehealth and limits the maximum amount of fees that can be assessed by providers. Authorizes the sale of hemp products and accessories for the medical use of cannabis at retail dispensing locations, except in waiting rooms. Clarifies transportation requirements for certain inter-dispensary sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products. Part II: Establishes criminal penalties for the unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary. Part III: Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances related to illegal cannabis and hemp products and medical cannabis dispensaries and appropriates funds from the Special Fund to the AG’s Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit for these purposes, including establishing positions. Part IV: Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the cultivation of cannabis without a cannabis cultivator license issued by DOH.

    Veto Rationale: This administration remains committed to Hawai‘i’s existing medical cannabis program and supports efforts to expand access to medical cannabis for any medical condition. Although this bill’s authorization of medical cannabis certifications via telehealth expands access to medical cannabis, provisions authorizing the inspection of patients’ medical records without warrant constitute a grave violation of privacy. Given that the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, patients’ reasonable fears of repercussions based upon information gained from inspection of their personal medical records may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.

    HB496: RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA

    Bill Description: Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the state. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position.

    Veto Rationale: While the intent of this measure is to ensure consumer protection and reliable Made in Hawai‘i labeling, the bill imposes overly strict labeling requirements that could harm small businesses and māmaki producers who responsibly blend leaves from multiple sources. Prohibiting the labeling of products composed of less than 100% māmaki tea as “māmaki” ignores the economic contributions of and impacts to producers who mix or process māmaki with other herbs, undermining producers who support local māmaki farmers while meeting broader demand.

    HB796: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS

    Bill Description: Requires that income tax credits existing on 12/31/2025 or established or renewed after 12/31/2025 include a five-year sunset or an annual one-third reduction, beginning with the sixth year of the credit.

    Veto Rationale: This bill would have a significant long-term impact on income tax credits across a variety of industries, including film and television, research, and renewable energy. These tax credits are critical to supporting economic development and diversification, particularly within growing and emerging sectors. Categorically sunsetting income tax credits will not only disincentivize future investors from doing business in Hawai‘i, but will destabilize existing businesses that currently rely upon these tax credits.

    HB1369: RELATING TO TAXATION

    Bill Description: Amends and repeals certain exemptions under the general excise tax and use tax laws.

    Veto Rationale: The amendments to the general excise tax and use tax contained in this bill would impact sugarcane producers, commercial fishing vessels and securities exchanges. Removing the specific tax exemptions afforded to these entities would provide little financial benefit to the state while harming, in particular, sugarcane producers.

    SB583: RELATING TO NAMING RIGHTS

    Bill Description: Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium.

    Veto Rationale: Pursuant to section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution, each bill may only contain one subject, which must pertain to the bill’s title. The exemption of concessions in the stadium facility and Convention Center from typical concession procurement procedures may violate section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution since the exemption appears to fall outside the titular scope of the bill, naming rights.

    SB589: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

    Bill Description: Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the state. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs.

    Veto Rationale: Maintaining Hawai‘i’s leadership in clean energy through established goals and initiatives remains a priority. The Public Utilities Commission has already opened or plans to open proceedings relating to microgrid services tariffs and customer-sited distributed energy resources and grid services. The mandates contained in this bill therefore risk duplication and delay of already existing efforts.

    Non-Fiscal Bills:

    HB235: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY

    Bill Description: Requires the Department of Transportation, after the City and County of Honolulu educates the public and adjusts any systems, to expand the use of photo red light imaging detector systems and automated speed enforcement systems to locations on the North Shore of O‘ahu.

    Veto Rationale: The Department of Transportation has developed specific criteria for the selection of communities within which to implement traffic safety systems. This criteria incorporates data-driven crash, citation and traffic volume metrics, which ensure communities are chosen based on need and potential for greatest impact. Ignoring this criteria in favor of legislatively mandated location selection threatens the integrity of the photo red light imaging detector system and automated speed enforcement system programs.

    HB800: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT

    Bill Description: Provides for the transfer of certain parcels in the Liliha Civic Center area and Iwilei Fire Station area from various state agencies to the City and County of Honolulu. Provides for the transfer of the parcel of land upon which Ali‘i Tower is sited from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Exempts the lands transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources from the definition of public lands for purposes of Chapter 171, HRS.

    Veto Rationale: The land transfers provided in the bill would negatively impact the City and County of Honolulu, which relies upon Ali‘i Tower’s land lease revenues and office spaces. Additionally, the state would face indeterminate additional costs, as Ali‘i Tower’s age likely necessitates capital improvements and ongoing maintenance. Although the intent of this bill is to reduce the state’s reliance on private commercial office space, no analysis exists identifying the amount of office space the acquisition of Aliʻi Tower would provide the state.

    HB958: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

    Bill Description: Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of “bicycle” for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines “electric bicycle” in place of “low-speed electric bicycle.” Defines “electric micro-mobility device” and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro-mobility devices. Prohibits a person under the age of 16 from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of 14 to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of 18 without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes and substitutes the term “motor-driven cycle” with the term “motor scooter.”

    Veto Rationale: While mopeds and motorcycles are exempt from the prohibition established within this bill, on “high-speed electric devices” driving on public roadways, electric cars are not exempt. Such a prohibition would likely violate the Commerce Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and conflict with the administration’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    HB1296: RELATING TO THE MAJOR DISASTER FUND

    Bill Description: Establishes timely notice and reporting requirements to the Legislature by the Governor regarding the transfer of appropriations to the Major Disaster Fund. Effective 7/1/2025. Sunsets 7/1/2026.

    Veto Rationale: The administration is committed to the transparent, efficient management of state funds. During times of emergency, flexibility and the quick release of funds is necessary to respond to rapidly changing situations. This bill disrupts the delicate balance between reporting requirements facilitating government transparency and fiscal flexibility undergirding efficient response and recovery efforts. Placing additional administrative oversight over funds expended for emergencies jeopardizes public safety.

    SB15: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION

    Bill Description: Amends the definition of “historic property” to require that the property is over 50 years old and meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places. Excludes proposed projects on existing residential property and proposed projects that are in nominally sensitive areas from the State’s Historic Preservation Program review, under certain circumstances.

    Veto Rationale: Exempting proposed projects on any existing residential property from historic preservation review fails to consider properties that have never undergone such a review and may contain historically significant artifacts or iwi kūpuna. This categorical exclusion increases the risk for desecration of iwi kūpuna and historical resources. Although Governor Green supports amending the historic preservation review process to facilitate housing production, a more nuanced approach to protecting iwi kūpuna is needed, such as that advanced in SB 1263.

    SB31: RELATING TO PROPERTY

    Bill Description: Authorizes a person who discovers a recorded discriminatory restrictive covenant to take certain actions, without liability, to invalidate the covenant. Defines discriminatory restrictive covenant.

    Veto Rationale: By enabling any person, including those without any interest in the specified real property, to record a statement that a real property’s title includes a discriminatory restrictive covenant, this bill provides a statutorily authorized mechanism for the circulation of disinformation. This disinformation has the potential to negatively affect the marketability of a property. Because the person who recorded the statement claiming a discriminatory restrictive covenant exists is waived of any liability, no recourse is available to those who suffer financial loss due to inaccurate claims concerning their property’s title.

    SB38: RELATING TO HOUSING

    Bill Description: Requires the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide counties with an opportunity to comment on certain housing development projects. Prohibits the legislative body of a county from imposing stricter conditions than the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction in fee waivers to housing development proposals that would increase the cost of the project.

    Veto Rationale: County councils have expressed concerns that this bill hampers their ability to work with developers to modify housing projects to reflect the specific needs of their communities. While the administration supports measures intended to facilitate the production of affordable housing, further dialogue with the counties on this measure’s implementation is required.

    SB66: RELATING TO HOUSING

    Bill Description: Establishes procedures and requirements for single-family and multifamily housing project applicants to apply for an expedited permit, including requirements for completeness of expedited permit applications, duties of licensed professionals and the counties during construction, and applications for owner-builder exemptions. Takes effect 7/1/2026. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

    Veto Rationale: By allowing any qualified professional to determine a project’s impact on historical resources, this bill permits a project proponent to evaluate and determine the impact of its own projects on historical resources. This is a conflict of interest that allows for self-serving determinations, undermines the authority and purpose of regulatory agencies’ independent evaluations, and increases risk to iwi kūpuna.

    SB104: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS

    Bill Description: Beginning 7/1/2026, restricts the use of restrictive housing in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Establishes a restrictive housing legislative working group to develop and recommend more comprehensive laws, policies and procedures regarding restrictive housing for members of vulnerable populations by 1/8/2027. Requires the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission to review restrictive housing placements on an annual basis. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by 12/1/2027, to implement policies and procedures recommended by the restrictive housing working group related to committed persons. Requires interim and final reports to the Legislature and Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission.

    Veto Rationale: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has policies in place governing the use of restrictive housing. These policies and procedures comply with National Institute of Corrections and American Correctional Association standards. Rather than improve the health and safety of those in the department’s care, the implementation of certain requirements proposed in this bill will jeopardize the safety, security and good governance of the department’s facility, negatively impacting inmates. In lieu of this measure and to address stakeholders’ concerns, the department is working with the Hawaiʻi Correctional Systems Oversight Commission to amend its policies and procedures.

    SB447: RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM

    Bill Description: Establishes a Hiring Pilot Program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation. Applies to recruitments initiated before 7/1/2028. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2028.

    Veto Rationale: The governor strongly supports efforts to streamline the state’s hiring process to address our workforce vacancies, especially those in our state’s public health sector. However, this bill conflicts with state civil service law, undermining the state’s merit-based civil service system. Disparities in hiring, classification and compensation throughout the state are expected to occur should this bill become law.

    SB1102: RELATING TO THE AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT

    Bill Description: Specifies the appointment processes and terms for the Fire Chief of the Hawaiʻi State Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation.

    Veto Rationale: The appointment process proposed in the bill is inconsistent with the selection process for other department leadership positions. Further, due to the need to obtain legislative approval for the appointment of the Fire Chief, following the appointment process contained in this bill may delay the appointment of this critical leadership position, impacting airport operations, safety and readiness.

    # # #

    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LT. GOVERNOR LUKE SIGNS BILL EXPANDING PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS TO INCLUDE 2-YEAR-OLDS, SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    LT. GOVERNOR LUKE SIGNS BILL EXPANDING PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS TO INCLUDE 2-YEAR-OLDS, SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES

    Updates Will Reach More Families and Remove Barriers for Child Care Providers

    HONOLULU — Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, serving as Acting Governor, today signed into law Act 203 (House Bill 692), a major expansion of the state’s Preschool Open Doors (POD) tuition subsidy program.

    The new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, expands eligibility to include 2-year-olds and removes burdensome accreditation requirements for child care providers—reducing barriers and increasing child care capacity across Hawaiʻi.

    Administered by the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS), POD provides monthly child care and preschool tuition subsidies to qualifying low- to middle-income families. This legislation marks another milestone in the state’s Ready Keiki plan, led by Lt. Governor Luke, to ensure universal access to early learning by 2032.

    In addition to the legislation, Lt. Governor Luke signed updated administrative rules (HAR 17-799) that further expand access to Preschool Open Doors. These changes take effect June 27, 2025, just in time for the open enrollment period starting July 1, 2025.

    “We know that far too many working families fall into the gap—they earn too much to qualify for help but still struggle to afford quality child care. For the first time, a family of four making about $180,000 can qualify for Preschool Open Doors,” said Lt. Governor Luke. “This expansion directly addresses that gap and brings us closer to our goal of making early learning truly accessible for all Hawaiʻi families.”

    POD Expansion Highlights:

    Act 203 (House Bill 692)

    • Expands eligibility to 2-year-olds
    • Allows DHS to make co-payments optional, allowing some qualifying families to receive full tuition subsidies
    • Removes the accreditation requirement for providers, which can be costly, time-consuming, and require frequent renewals
    • Allows DHS to adopt year-round, first-come, first-served enrollment

    Administrative Rules 17-799

    • Raises income eligibility to 500% of the federal poverty level (for example, a family of four earning up to $184,896 is now eligible)
    • Grants presumptive eligibility for families experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, providing temporary support for up to two months while documentation is gathered
    • Caps co-payments at 3% of income, or a maximum of $45 per month

    These updates build on a series of recent improvements to the POD program. In January 2024, new rules extended eligibility to 3-year-olds, increased income thresholds, and reduced co-pays. In July 2024, the program moved to a year-round application with designated priority and open enrollment periods, making it easier for families to apply when they’re ready.

    Today Lt. Governor Luke also signed into law Act 204 (House Bill 329) which clarifies the responsibilities of the School Facilities Authority, and Act 205 (Senate Bill 423) which adds the president of the Head Start Association of Hawaiʻi to the state’s Early Learning Board.

    Ryan Yamane, Department of Human Services director said, “These updates demonstrate our continued commitment to supporting Hawaiʻi’s families by expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care during the most critical years of a child’s development.”

    Families across the state are already seeing the real impact of Preschool Open Doors. The Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks! (HCAN Speaks), which testified in strong support of House Bill 692, emphasized how meaningful these changes will be for working parents. “This is a game-changer for families across the state,” said Deborah Zysman, HCAN Speaks! executive director. “Preschool Open Doors has long been a lifeline for many, but these changes mean that even more parents, especially those who have struggled to get help, can finally access the support they need.”

    DHS will begin accepting applications for the next Preschool Open Doors open enrollment period starting July 1, 2025.

    Interested families may apply online here, or request an application from PATCH by visiting patchhawaii.org, calling (808) 791-2130, or toll-free at (800) 746-5620. PATCH can also help families find a preschool that meets their needs.

    ###

    RESOURCES
    Courtesy Office of the Lt. Governor
     Link to Press Conference Photos
     Link to Press Conference Recording
    Link to Press Conference Visuals

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Large-scale fraud using trusted online seller accounts uncovered

    Source: Eurojust

    The criminals used phishing techniques to obtain login credentials from legitimate sellers on a well-known online commerce platform. After gaining access to the account, they changed the login details, locking the rightful users out of their accounts. The criminals then continued to post advertisements of fake goods on the seller account. Because customers trusted the seller accounts, they initially put orders in for over EUR 106 million. In the end, 556 customers completed their order and purchased goods that would never arrive, causing damages of over EUR 400 000.

    When investigators identified the locations of the criminal group, Romanian and German authorities quickly began working together through a joint investigation team established by Eurojust. The cooperation led to a series of actions in December 2024, during which evidence was collected through house searches in Germany, Romania and Austria. Based on the evidence obtained, the authorities arrested four suspects in Romania and three in Germany. Preventative measures are in place for the four suspects in Romania, and two suspects in Germany remain in custody.

    Following the actions in December, investigations into the group continued. Authorities discovered that three members of the criminal group had continued their criminal activities. The Romanian and German investigators quickly identified the individuals and prepared further action.

    During an action day on 24 June, the three members were detained in Romania following a European Arrest Warrant issued by the German authorities. Eight house searches were also conducted where IT systems were seized containing more evidence. Investigations into the criminal group are ongoing.

    The following authorities carried out the operation:

    • Romania: Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice –Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism –Vâlcea Territorial Office; Service for Combating Organised Crime Vâlcea; Service for Combating Organised Crime Sibiu; Service for Special Actions Vâlcea; Service for Special Actions Sibiu
    • Germany: Bavarian Central Office for the Prosecution of Cybercrime; Criminal Police Department Nuremberg – K 52

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Large-scale fraud using trusted online seller accounts uncovered

    Source: Eurojust

    The criminals used phishing techniques to obtain login credentials from legitimate sellers on a well-known online commerce platform. After gaining access to the account, they changed the login details, locking the rightful users out of their accounts. The criminals then continued to post advertisements of fake goods on the seller account. Because customers trusted the seller accounts, they initially put orders in for over EUR 106 million. In the end, 556 customers completed their order and purchased goods that would never arrive, causing damages of over EUR 400 000.

    When investigators identified the locations of the criminal group, Romanian and German authorities quickly began working together through a joint investigation team established by Eurojust. The cooperation led to a series of actions in December 2024, during which evidence was collected through house searches in Germany, Romania and Austria. Based on the evidence obtained, the authorities arrested four suspects in Romania and three in Germany. Preventative measures are in place for the four suspects in Romania, and two suspects in Germany remain in custody.

    Following the actions in December, investigations into the group continued. Authorities discovered that three members of the criminal group had continued their criminal activities. The Romanian and German investigators quickly identified the individuals and prepared further action.

    During an action day on 24 June, the three members were detained in Romania following a European Arrest Warrant issued by the German authorities. Eight house searches were also conducted where IT systems were seized containing more evidence. Investigations into the criminal group are ongoing.

    The following authorities carried out the operation:

    • Romania: Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice –Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism –Vâlcea Territorial Office; Service for Combating Organised Crime Vâlcea; Service for Combating Organised Crime Sibiu; Service for Special Actions Vâlcea; Service for Special Actions Sibiu
    • Germany: Bavarian Central Office for the Prosecution of Cybercrime; Criminal Police Department Nuremberg – K 52

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Showcases Innovative TVs and Services at 2025 Latin America Visual Display Seminar

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today introduced its latest advancements in display technology and service innovations at its 2025 Latin America Visual Display Seminar, held in São Paulo on June 24 and 25.
     
    The annual seminar brought together regional partners and media to experience Samsung’s newest TV lineup. Attendees had the opportunity to experience a range of innovative technologies, including the distinctive Real Quantum Dot technology of its QLEDs, the Glare-Free 2.0 feature in its OLEDs, Tizen OS and home care technologies.
     
    ▲ Kevin Cha, Picture Quality Solution Lab at Samsung Electronics, shows off Samsung’s newest TVs at the 2025 Latin America Visual Display Seminar.
     
     
    Certified QD and Enhanced OLED Push the Limits of Display Innovation
    Samsung’s 2025 Neo QLED TVs utilizes quantum dot architecture certified by TÜV Rheinland, meeting international standards for true quantum dot (QD) display. Unlike others using the “QLED” label, Samsung’s implementation uses a no-cadmium quantum dot layer and a dedicated blue LED light source to produce brighter and more accurate colors that remain vivid in both bright and dark environments. Attendees were able to compare these displays firsthand and observe the differences in color purity and brightness.
     
    ▲ Kevin Cha, Picture Quality Solution Lab at Samsung Electronics, explains how a QLED with a quantum dot (QD) film, with sufficient quantum dot content, combined with a blue light source, produces brighter and more accurate colors.
     
    The 2025 OLED lineup introduces new upgrades with Glare-Free 2.0, which reduces reflections for a clearer viewing experience. The new OLEDs also include a feature that automatically adjusts brightness based on the content and ambient lighting conditions, ensuring clarity and depth at any time of day.
     
     
    Enhanced Content Experiences With Tizen
    The seminar highlighted life-enhancing technologies alongside screen breakthroughs, demonstrating how TVs can function as a lifestyle platform through various user scenarios and everyday conveniences.
     
    Samsung’s Tizen OS continues to power a wide range of rich content and smart services. Samsung TV Plus1 offers exclusive access to K-pop performances, such as SM Town LIVE 2025 in L.A.,2 while SmartThings expands automation options, including personalized TV routines based on user habits.
     
    ▲ Eduardo Rubio, Samsung Electronics, explains how Samsung TV Plus provides free ad-supported content to Samsung TV users.
     
    Additionally, Samsung Art Store3 brings high-quality digital artwork and diverse collections from global partners, including MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Art Basel, directly to the screen.
     
    ▲ Jeongeun Oh, Customer Experience Team at Samsung Electronics, give attendees hands-on experiences of lifestyle features including karaoke (right) and Daily Board.
     
     
    Smarter Connected Experiences and Lifestyle Features With SmartThings
    The seminar also demonstrated how Samsung TVs extend beyond entertainment to support everyday living.
     
    Care Experience utilizes built-in sensors and AI to detect environmental cues – such as a baby crying or pet movement – and automatically adjusts content to fit the situation.
     
    The Daily Board displays personalized information when the screen is off, and through Samsung Food integration, offers recipe suggestions and cooking guides tailored to individual preferences.
     
    Participants were also introduced to Samsung Daily+, a lifestyle content hub providing access to healthcare resources, remote medical consultations and video calls.
     
    In addition, the 2025 TVs now natively support Google Cast, seamlessly bringing your favorite entertainment to the big screen. With over 5,000 Cast-enabled apps, you can easily stream your favorite movies, music and shows from your mobile devices, creating an uninterrupted and enhanced entertainment experience.
     
     
    1 Samsung TV Plus is the go-to service for free, premium entertainment that allows content owners and advertisers to engage consumers at scale. As a leader in free ad-supported TV (FAST) and video-on-demand (AVOD), Samsung TV Plus is the #1 free ad-supported app on Samsung Smart TVs, with nearly 3,000 ad-supported linear channels available globally in 30 countries across 630M active devices. Samsung TV Plus is accessible on 2016-2025 Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors and Family Hub refrigerators. To learn more, including availability in your region, visit samsungtvplus.com.
    2 Available in select countries. To learn more, visit samsungtvplus.com.
    3 Samsung Art Store is a global digital art subscription platform available on Samsung TVs, now offering over 3,500 curated artworks from more than 800 artists and 70 world-class galleries and museums. First launched in 2017 with The Frame, the Art Store experience is now available on 2025 Samsung AI-powered Neo QLED and QLED TVs, giving more viewers access to premium art in 4K resolution. For more information, including availability in your region, visit Samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Cabinet approves Pune Metro Phase-2 expansion to boost urban connectivity

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Phase-2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project, which includes two new corridors: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B). These corridors are extensions of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi line developed under Phase-1.

    The two elevated corridors will together span 12.75 km, incorporating 13 stations and connecting rapidly developing suburban areas such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project is expected to be completed within four years.

    With an estimated cost of Rs. 3,626.24 crore, the project will be jointly funded by the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral agencies. It aligns with Pune’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), aiming to create a continuous Chandani Chowk to Wagholi east-west metro corridor and strengthen mass transit options in the city.

    Once completed, the new corridors will serve major IT hubs, business zones, educational institutions, and residential neighborhoods, significantly improving public transport accessibility and increasing overall metro ridership. Integration at the District Court Interchange Station with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) will offer seamless multimodal travel across the Pune metropolitan area.

    The long-term vision for Pune’s urban transport also includes the integration of intercity bus services. Passengers arriving from cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru will be able to connect through Chandani Chowk, while those coming from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will find convenient links at Wagholi. This is expected to reduce congestion on major city roads like Paud Road and Nagar Road, offering citizens safer, faster, and greener travel options.

    Projected incremental daily ridership for the expanded Line-2 corridor is estimated at 0.96 lakh in 2027, rising to 2.01 lakh by 2037, 2.87 lakh by 2047, and 3.49 lakh by 2057.

    The project will be executed by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro), which is responsible for all civil and electro-mechanical work. Pre-construction activities such as topographical surveys and detailed design consultations have already begun.

  • Russia says it is too early to assess US bomb damage to Iranian nuclear facilities

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Kremlin said on Wednesday that it thought it was too early for anyone to have an accurate picture of the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear facilities by U.S. bombing last weekend.

    Asked if Russia had its own information on the degree of damage, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “No. I don’t think that anyone can have realistic data now. It’s probably too early, we need to wait until such data appears.”

    U.S. President Donald Trump said at the weekend that the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    However, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment had determined that the attacks had set back Tehran’s programme by only a matter of months.

    Russia has condemned the strikes on Iran, with which it signed a strategic cooperation agreement in January, as illegal, unjustified and unprovoked.

    Peskov said Russia had indications that there were open communications channels between Washington and Tehran, adding that Moscow was closely monitoring developments and still talking to Iran itself.

    -Reuters

  • PM Modi’s decision to open space sector “greatest turning point”, industry could grow to over $40 billion in decade: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to open up the space sector to private players as a “turning point” that sparked a “miraculous” transformation. He projected that the sector could grow to USD 40–45 billion in a decade, and added that experiments conducted by astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla during the Axiom-4 mission will help prepare for future Indian space missions, including Chandrayaan-4 and the Bharat Space Station, planned for 2035.

    Singh noted that one of the biggest milestones in India’s space programme came when the private sector was allowed to participate. “I think one of the greatest turning points in India’s space journey has been PM Modi’s path-breaking decision to allow the private sector to step in. The change has been miraculous. The transformation in the last 4–5 years — there are thousands of crores of investments happening from the private sector,” he told ANI.

    Singh further said that India’s space sector is set for rapid growth in the coming years. “Our future projections indicate that in about 8–10 years, we might grow 4–5 times, reaching about USD 40–45 billion. Opening up the space sector to the private sector was a very courageous decision, which could have been taken only by a political dispensation with tremendous conviction and willpower,” the Union minister said.

    Referring to India’s growing ambitions in space exploration, Singh said the recent Axiom Mission 4 would provide valuable experience for future Indian missions.

    “I think it will also be a good experience for future missions. This, coupled with Chandrayaan-4 and missions like the Bharat Space Station, which we plan to have by 2035, and for long-duration stays in space or microgravity conditions — what arrangements need to be put in place will also be learned through the experiments conducted by Shubhanshu,” Singh said.

    Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the successful launch of the Axiom Mission 4, stating that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carries the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indian citizens.

    “We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. The Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on his way to becoming the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and the other astronauts all the success!” PM Modi posted on X.

    Following the successful lift-off of Axiom Mission 4, Singh also saif on X that India’s rise to the status of a “Viksit Bharat” had begun through its space exploration.

    “Congratulations, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — you are the first Indian astronaut to embark on a mission to the International Space Station. Indeed, a proud moment for India! ISRO’s growing global collaborations, after the reforms introduced by the government headed by PM Narendra Modi, have placed India at the forefront of space exploration,” Singh wrote.

    He added that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla would carry out seven important experiments designed by Indian institutes. The minister also took the opportunity to remember and honour the visionaries behind India’s space ambitions, Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan.

    The Axiom Mission 4 was launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 am Eastern Time (noon IST). 

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA publishes final Business Plan for 2023-2026 Corporate Plan 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    MHRA publishes final Business Plan for 2023-2026 Corporate Plan 

    The new Business Plan sets out priorities for 2025–26: Protecting public safety and maintaining public trust; delivering efficient, predictable services through regulatory excellence; being an agile organisation that drives innovation; being a great place to work and providing excellent customer service. 

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published its Business Plan for 2025/26, reaffirming its commitment to keeping patients safe and enabling access to high quality and effective medical products through innovation across the UK. 

    As an Executive Agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, the MHRA plays a key role in delivering the Government’s priorities to help people live healthier, longer lives. This includes supporting the missions to ensure safe and fast regulatory approval, helping build an NHS fit for the future, and driving innovation and growth in the UK’s Life Sciences sector.  

    The MHRA Business Plan for 2025/26 includes commitments towards: 

    • Strengthening patient safety further, by making safety monitoring faster, more efficient, and more data driven 

    • Implementing an agile and risk-proportionate regulatory environment that enables growth  

    • Embedding changes needed to continue maintaining consistent performance and efficient delivery of core services within predictable timeframes.  

     The full MHRA Business Plan 2025/26 can be found on the MHRA website.    

    Notes to Editors 

    • The MHRA’s 2025/26 Business Plan is available here. 

    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 

    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates all medicines and medical devices in the UK, ensuring they are effective and acceptably safe. All decisions are underpinned by rigorous, evidence-based judgements to ensure the benefits outweigh any risks. 

    • For media enquiries, please contact: newscentre@mhra.gov.uk or call 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark plan to rebuild NHS in working class communities

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Landmark plan to rebuild NHS in working class communities

    The 10 Year Health Plan will set out how the government plans to tackle inequalities in people’s health through fundamental reforms to our health system

    • Billions freed up to move critical resources like medicines and equipment to regions that most need them
    • Major changes to how GP funding is distributed to help working class communities and coastal areas
    • Health Secretary to speak in Blackpool on 10 Year Health Plan’s focus on closing health inequalities

    People living in working class communities and areas where medical resources are desperately needed are set to benefit from a huge boost in support, with billions of pounds diverted to deprived areas regions, as the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan takes unprecedented action to tackle the nation’s stark health inequalities.  

    After years of neglect, areas where people need the NHS most often have the fewest GPs, the worst performing services, and the longest waits – a phenomenon dubbed the inverse care law. People in working class areas and coastal towns spend more of their lives in ill health and life expectancy among women with the lowest incomes has fallen in recent years, after decades of progress.

    The 10 Year Health Plan will set out how the government plans to rebuild the NHS and tackle widening inequalities in people’s health through fundamental reforms to our health system, putting an end to a postcode lottery of care.

    In recent months, the NHS has driven trusts and ICBs hard to cut out wasteful spending and tackle projected deficits. By driving out the culture of deficits, around £2.2 billion previously set aside for deficit support will be freed up, so it can be reinvested in critical resources like staff, medicines, new technology and equipment where they are most needed. This will support millions of people in parts of England that have historically been left behind – such as in rural communities, coastal towns, and working-class communities.

    The Health Secretary will announce the change during a speech in the North West.

    Speaking in the North West today, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to say:

    The truth is, those in greatest need often receive the worst quality healthcare. It flies in the face of the values the NHS was founded on. The circumstances of your birth shouldn’t determine your worth. A core ambition of our ten-year plan will be to restore the promise of the NHS, to provide first class healthcare for everyone in our country and end the postcode lottery.

    Last year we sent crack teams of top clinicians to hospitals in parts of the country with the highest waiting lists and levels of economic inactivity. It has seen waiting lists in those areas falling twice as fast as the rest of the country, helping get sick Brits back to health and back to work.

    Thanks to the reforms we’ve made to bear down on wasteful spending, we can now invest the savings in working class communities that need it most. Where towns have the greatest health needs and the fewest GPs, we will prioritise investment to rebuild your NHS and rebuild the health of your community.

    Over the past 14 years, NHS trusts have relied heavily on deficit support, with the taxpayer forced to cover the shortfall in their budgets, even when finances have been managed badly. Since becoming NHSE Chief Executive, Jim Mackey has driven down billions in planned deficits, cutting out spending on agency staff and back office costs.

    This year, the £2.2 billion in deficit support funding will not go to systems that fail to meet their agreed financial plans. Deficit support funding will be phased out entirely from 2026/27, with no more reward for failure. Instead, the Government will introduce a transparent financial regime for this year that properly holds leaders to account over financial plans. Struggling trusts will be required to set out activity and costs so they can take steps to improve. The tougher financial regime will free up funding that will be reinvested in frontline services in working class communities.

    The government’s 10 Year Health Plan will also address the inequalities in GP services across England. Currently, GP surgeries which serve working class areas receive on average 10% less funding per patient than practices in more affluent areas. Royal College of GP data shows that practices in some of the country’s poorest areas have roughly 300 more patients per GP than the most affluent regions.

    Through the 10 Year Health Plan, the Government will review into the way formula through which GP funding is allocated across the nation – so working-class areas receive their fair share of resources.

    Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England national director for primary care said:

    It is essential that GP practices serving our most deprived communities, where health challenges are often greatest, receive a fair share of resources that reflects their need.

    The NHS is committed to ensuring people can access the help they need as quickly and easily as possible and ensuring funding reflects this will help us to do just that.

    This work will look at how health needs are reflected in the distribution of funding through the GP contract, drawing on evidence and advice from experts such as The Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA), and in consultation with the GP committee of the BMA and other stakeholders. 

    The Government has already sent top doctors to support hospital trusts in areas where more people are out of work and waiting for treatment. The crack teams have been sent into NHS hospitals serving communities with high levels of economic inactivity, helping trusts go further and faster to improve care in these areas, where more people are neither employed nor actively seeking work, for reasons including ill health.

    Earlier this year, the government struck a new agreement with the independent sector as part of the Government’s plans to end the hospital waiting list backlog – giving patients in more deprived areas, where NHS provision is more limited, a greater choice over where they are treated.

    This comes after the Health and Social Care Secretary announced a series of new measures to tackle inequalities in maternity care earlier this week. The rapid national investigation will provide truth and accountability for impacted families and drive urgent improvements to care and safety. It will also focus on inequalities in maternal care, which see black women almost three times as likely to die from childbirth as white women. 

    Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:

    Lord Darzi said in his review last summer that the inverse care law was still very real, with those who need the NHS the most often living in areas that have gotten the least investment.

    The NHS 10 Year Plan needs to turn this completely on its head if the Government is to achieve its election promise on health inequalities and halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between different communities by 2035.

    Shifting the money is only half the battle. We need to see outcomes on health inequalities used as one of the key success measures for NHS leaders as a new culture of accountability is developed post publication of the Plan.

    Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

    Across the country, councils are working tirelessly to incorporate fairness into housing, employment, and public health initiatives, often in the face of significant challenges.

    Health inequalities are the stark and often unjust differences in health outcomes seen across various communities. These disparities may present themselves as variations in life expectancy, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and access to healthcare services.

    Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts and targeted support. Health inequalities are estimated to cost the NHS an extra £4.8 billion a year, society around £31 billion in lost productivity, and between £20 and £32 billion a year in lost tax revenue and benefit payments. Health is therefore a major determinant of economic performance and prosperity.

    Councils are pivotal in addressing health inequalities. By collaborating closely with local communities, businesses, and organisations, local authorities and the NHS can develop targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.

    Notes to editors

    The Royal College of GP data on patient numbers can be found here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lectures and tastings: how the Green Market will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Russian quality mark

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    June 26 at the Green Market of the Made in Moscow project on Bolotnaya Square Roskachestvo will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Russian sign. Guests will enjoy a business program, master classes, and entertainment for children and adults.

    How to choose quality products and what does “organic” and “eco” mean

    As part of the business program, participants will be able to listen to a lecture by the head of Roskachestvo, Maxim Protasov, dedicated to the issues of quality of processes, goods and services, as well as presentations by experts from the National Institute of Quality on the basics of a healthy lifestyle.

    Particular attention will be paid to the issues of choosing quality products. Thus, Liliya Kotelnikova, Director of the Research Department of Roskachestvo, and honey sommelier Alexey Mikhalev will explain how to distinguish natural honey from counterfeit. Roskachestvo experts will explain the benefits of functional food products and how plant products differ from vegan and vegetarian ones.

    At the final lecture, Vladimir Uvaidov, Director of the Department for Development of Organic and “Green” Products at Roskachestvo, will talk about trends in this area. City residents will learn what is hidden behind the “organic” and “eco” labels and will learn to distinguish real organic products from marketing gimmicks. Listeners will be invited to take part in a quiz with prizes.

    Choose the best wine routes in Russia and taste chocolate

    At 16:30 on the main stage of the Green Market, Olesya Latysheva, Director of the Department of Research and Promotion of Domestic Wine Products of Roskachestvo, Head of the Wine Guide of Russia project, will reveal the secrets of the best wine routes, and will also raffle off project catalogs and branded products.

    In the evening from 18:00 to 20:00, those interested will be able to join the educational block events dedicated to employment and career development. During the lecture “One in a Million”, Evgeniya Gankina, Director of the Department of Organizational Development of Roskachestvo, will tell how to write a successful resume and pass an interview. Marina Polozhishnikova from the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics will touch on the topic of training quality specialists and their career prospects. Head of the Digital Expertise Center of Roskachestvo Sergey Kuzmenko will give a lecture on manipulative techniques in games and ways to protect against them.

    In addition, at the master classes, everyone will be able to reveal their creative potential. In honor of the birthday of the famous chocolate bar “Alenka”, everyone will try the brand’s classics and new products, including fruit cookies, gingerbread dessert, waffles with milk filling and much more.

    Create an ice cream design and learn to juggle

    You can feel like a honey connoisseur at the tasting, during which visitors will evaluate different varieties and learn how to distinguish the real product from a fake. In addition, the site will host a master class on decorating popsicles. Under the guidance of an experienced decorator trainer, participants will create their own ice cream design.

    Interactive entertainment awaits guests in the outdoor area. Here they can take photos with life-size puppets representing products with the Russian quality mark, join a juggling master class and do bright face painting. The tasting area will feature lemonades and kvass of the famous brand — holder of the Russian quality mark. Guests will be able to win memorable prizes and receive guaranteed gifts.

    In addition, the program includes a theatrical performance, live music, sports activities and a presentation of the book “A Box to Baikal” by the young author Sofia Vladimirova.

    All festive events are free, admission is free.

    Roskachestvo is a national quality monitoring system, the main goal of which is to improve the quality of life of Russian citizens. In accordance with the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin to develop mechanisms to stimulate producers to produce high-quality food products, the state quality mark was revived 10 years ago. The task of awarding it to the best domestic products based on the results of research is assigned to Roskachestvo.

    “Made in Moscow”— a project to promote local brands. Today, there are already more than seven thousand of them. On the project’s website, you can find more than 34 thousand products created in the capital. Entrepreneurs receive free support measures — from participation in major city events to information support.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and the new season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155799073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The wedding project “New Addresses of Happiness” included the venues of “Summer in Moscow”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The capital’s registry offices have opened the acceptance of applications for marriage registration at five festival venues of the “Summer in Moscow” project. The first wedding ceremonies took place on June 25 at Manezhnaya Square, Svetlana Ukhaneva, Head of the Civil Registry Office of Moscow.

    “Every time we open a new venue for off-site marriage registration, we receive a great response from Moscow couples, and applications start coming in on the very first day of the announcement. In 2025, for example, a beautiful start to the wedding season was marriage registrations in a wedding tent in the Catherine Park with the participation of celebrity guests. This summer, we decided to make another gift to our newlyweds and hold official wedding ceremonies at the most beautiful venues of the city festival “Summer in Moscow”. Couples will be able to apply for marriage registration at the most unusual and vibrant outdoor venues. The first two ceremonies took place on June 25, a beautiful date, on Manezhnaya Square. Moscow couples will also be able to register their marriage on Bolotnaya and Tverskaya Squares, as well as Tverskoy and Strastnoy Boulevards,” said Svetlana Ukhaneva.

    The wedding ceremonies on Manezhnaya Square took place against the backdrop of Red Square, surrounded by tropical forests, flowering meadows, ponds and waterfalls, high hills, grottoes and green walls of the Summer in Moscow project site. A separate area was set aside especially for newlyweds so that the newlyweds and their guests could enjoy the beauty without prying eyes.

    On Bolotnaya Square, wedding ceremonies will take place in a pavilion resembling a greenhouse with live flower arrangements on the façade and a waterfall inside. On Tverskoy Boulevard, couples will be able to say “I do” to each other in beautiful rotundas decorated with greenery. And nearby, on Tverskaya Square, among greenhouse-style structures surrounded by flower beds and decorative flower beds with a large number of live plants. On Strastnoy Boulevard, ceremonies will take place on a site with hand-painted benches, flower beds and lanterns in a unique style.

    To register a marriage on Manezhnaya, Tverskaya and Bolotnaya squares, Tverskoy and Strastnoy boulevards, you must submit an application online atportal of public services or onMos.ru. This can also be done in person at wedding palaces. The state fee is 350 rubles.

    Previously Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development, in an interview with RIA Novosti at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said that newlyweds from the capital will be able to register their marriage at the unique venues of the Summer in Moscow project.

    There are over 50 venues available for holding ceremonies in Moscow. These include wedding palaces, museums, metro stations, estates and restaurants. The service will help you decide “Our Wedding” on the mos.ru portal. In the capital Department of Information Technology said that this is the most detailed guide to wedding ceremony locations in the capital. Using filters, you can set the necessary parameters, such as the type of venue, interior style, availability of parking or live music. In addition, the service allows you to specify the desired date of registration, the nearest metro station, the maximum number of guests and much more. The pages of the venues contain detailed descriptions and contact phone numbers.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful events will be added to traditional festivals and events.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155814073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • IMD predicts heavy rainfall across India till July 1

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across many parts of northwest, central, east, and northeast India over the next seven days, with isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall expected over Gujarat and Odisha.

    The southwest monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of the north Arabian Sea and extended into additional areas of Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. According to the IMD, conditions remain favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and the rest of West Uttar Pradesh within the next 24 hours.

    Extremely heavy rainfall, exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours, is likely to occur at isolated locations in Gujarat and Odisha on June 25. Very heavy rainfall is also anticipated in several regions, including Konkan and Goa, the ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, East and West Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Coastal and Interior Karnataka, Kerala, West Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of East Uttar Pradesh.

    This sustained rainfall activity is expected to continue until at least July 1, bringing both relief to parched regions and concerns over potential flooding and waterlogging in vulnerable areas.

  • Delhi to witness rain, cloudy skies till June 28: IMD

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The southwest monsoon has made further progress on Wednesday, advancing over the remaining parts of the north Arabian Sea and into additional areas of Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that conditions are favourable for its further advance into more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and the remaining regions of West Uttar Pradesh within the next 24 hours.

    As Delhi-NCR brace for the monsoon’s full arrival, the weather forecast from June 25 to 28 predicts predominantly cloudy skies with varying intensities of rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.

    On June 25, Delhi is expected to experience light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, with gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain between 33°C and 35°C, which is 2 to 4 degrees below normal for this time of year.

    The cooling trend will continue through June 26, with very light to light rainfall and thunderstorms expected. Minimum temperatures will range between 26°C and 28°C, dipping 1 to 2 degrees below normal, while maximum temperatures will remain in the 33°C to 35°C range. Winds will predominantly blow from the southeast, with speeds varying between 15 to 25 kmph.

    Similar weather conditions are forecast for June 27, with light rain and thunderstorms persisting. Temperatures are expected to remain consistent, with the mercury ranging from 26°C to 28°C at night and 33°C to 35°C during the day. Winds will shift in direction throughout the day, starting from the east and moving to the southeast and northeast by evening, with generally low wind speeds.

    On June 28, Delhi is likely to experience very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Temperatures are expected to dip further, with highs between 32°C and 34°C and lows between 25°C and 27°C. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to remain below normal by 3 to 5 degrees and 1 to 3 degrees, respectively. Winds will be light and variable, predominantly from the northwest throughout the day.

    The continued advance of the monsoon and the accompanying rainfall will provide much-needed relief from the summer heat while keeping temperatures below seasonal norms across the national capital region.

  • Cabinet approves establishment of International Potato Centre’s South Asia Regional Centre in Agra

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to establish the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

    This significant move aims to enhance food and nutritional security, boost farmers’ incomes, and create employment opportunities through improved potato and sweet potato productivity, better post-harvest management, and value addition. The upcoming centre will be located in Singna, Agra, and is expected to play a transformative role in the potato sector.

    India’s potato industry holds substantial potential to generate jobs across various segments, including production, processing, packaging, transportation, marketing, and the broader agricultural value chain. Recognizing this opportunity, the new CSARC will serve as a hub for advanced research and innovation tailored to the needs of South Asia.

    The centre will focus on developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutrient-rich varieties of potato and sweet potato. These innovations are expected to significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural development, not only within India but across the broader South Asian region.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ law change restores balance – fairer rules for partial strikes

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has passed a change to the Employment Relations Act that reinstates the ability for employers to make pay deductions during partial strikes – making the system fairer for all, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. 

    “These changes will help both employers and unions to return to the bargaining table and restores the law to what it was before the previous government removed this option in 2018.  

    “I
    acknowledge the right of workers to strike in
    support of their collective bargaining claims, the right to strike remains,” says Ms van Velden.  

    “The changes were needed to ensure a fairer bargaining process and minimise the disruption partial strikes have caused to public and
    customer services. 

    “The key benefit for all workers and the public is less disruption
    to our communities – partial strikes had serious impacts on Kiwi families,
    students, patients, and other workers across our workplaces,” says Ms van
    Velden.  

    Some
    of the impacts included MRI and nuclear
    medicine technologists limiting scans, around 50 per cent fewer procedures were
    done. That meant delays in early cancer treatment, growing waitlists, increased
    outsourcing costs and pressure on front-line staff to pick up the work of others participating in the partial strikes. 

    In
    2023, teachers took partial strike action, refusing to teach certain year
    levels on specific days. This disrupted student learning and made it hard for
    some parents to work.  

    “Rebalancing collective bargaining settings will support the
    Government’s priority to deliver better public services, by reducing disruption and maintaining a high quality of
    service,” says Ms van Velden.  

    This
    new law allows for pay to
    be deducted during partial strikes, but it’s up to each affected employer to decide how they respond to partial
    strikes when they occur. 

    Note to Editors: 

    What
    is partial strike and what did it mean prior to this change     

    A
    partial strike is industrial action that would normally involve turning up to
    work but refusing to partake in parts of the job. Until now, if an employee was on a partial strike, their employer could not deduct their pay unless they suspended the employee or issued a lockout notice.  

    Other
    noted impacts on the communities:     

    • Since mid-September 2024, NZDF PSA union members have been ‘working-to-rule’, and from November, they have been taking coordinated breaks and stopped working at heights or off-site. In response, the Minister of Defence has authorised uniformed personnel to cover civilian work in some selected areas.
    • In September 2024, train operators in Wellington began work-to-rule industrial action including refusing shift changes, leading to disruption for travellers. 

    What
    these changes mean     

    • Employers can respond to a partial strike by either: 
    • reducing an employee’s pay by a proportionate amount, calculated in accordance with a specified method
      that is based on identifying the work that the
      employee will not be performing due to the strike, or 
    • deducting 10 percent of their wages. 

     

    • Employers will have to provide written notification to employees that they will be reducing their pay before the deduction is made (the amount of deduction is not required in the notice).
    • If the union believes the employer has incorrectly applied a pay deduction, the union must advise the employer of that as soon as practicable, after receiving the employer’s information on how they calculated the specified pay deduction if relevant. The union can apply to the Employment Relations Authority, who can determine whether the employer has correctly applied the deduction. 
    • Employers do not have to deduct pay in response to partial strikes – this simply provides an additional tool for how they can respond to a partial strike, if it works for them. 

     

     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Post-secondary edu reform passed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government welcomed the passage of the Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council today, which aims to enhance the regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms of self-financing post-secondary institutions.

     

    The goal of the bill is to facilitate the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector.

     

    The bill, which amends the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance, reforms the regulatory regime for the self-financing post-secondary education sector to improve governance, ensuring the quality, transparency and accountability of self-financing institutions, the Government explained.

     

    In addition, the bill suitably removes barriers, including rationalising the arrangements for self-financing institutions to award degrees, and enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, it forges a unified regulatory framework to promote coherence in quality assurance, governance, positioning and overall co-ordination.

     

    Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said that the passage of the bill signifies an important milestone for the development of the self-financing sector.

     

    “We envisage that the enhanced regulatory framework can further support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of the self-financing sector, with a view to harnessing its advantages in terms of flexibility and diversity to cultivate talent for the country and Hong Kong, and make more proactive contributions towards Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub and building China into a leading country in education.”

     

    The Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette on July 4. For relevant institutions that are not currently registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance, there will be a transitional period of around three years, until July 31, 2028, for them to complete the registration procedures.

     

    The Education Bureau, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications, will maintain close liaison with self-financing institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the enhanced regulatory framework and transitional arrangements.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Hungary: More than 120,000 people from 73 countries speak up for Budapest Pride

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Authorities must allow people to participate safely in Saturday’s Budapest Pride, free from intimidation, harassment or violence, said Amnesty International Hungary as it handed in a global petition to the Budapest Police Headquarters.

    The #LetPrideMarch petition, signed by more than 120,000 people from 73 countries, reminds the city’s chief of police that he has a duty to respect, protect and facilitate people’s right to peacefully protest and not to enforce discriminatory laws that infringe on people’s human rights. In April, discriminatory legislation came into force passed that has since been used to ban Pride marches and other protests supporting equal rights of LGBTI people in Hungary.

    “Budapest police must ensure that the 30th Budapest Pride march proceeds unhindered and peacefully”

    “This is a defining moment. You must choose to protect human rights and dignity over enforcing a law that silences those demanding equality,” reads the petition.

    “We call on you to reject this unjust law, uphold Hungary’s human rights commitments, and ensure that the 30th Budapest Pride march proceeds unhindered and peacefully, free from discrimination, harassment, fear or violence.”

    Under the terms of the new law it is ‘forbidden to hold an assembly in violation’ of 2021 legislation banning the ‘depiction and promotion’ of homosexuality and diverse gender identities to people under 18. Under the law, the authorities have the power to use facial recognition technology to identify participants and to fine those who participate in any prohibited assembly. According to the Criminal Code, organizers of an assembly which is banned may risk criminal charges and up to one year imprisonment. 

    On 17 June, Budapest’s mayor announced that Budapest Pride, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, will go ahead as a municipal event. In response, the Hungarian police issued a ban against the Pride, arguing that such event is an attempt to circumvent the new discriminatory public assembly law. The mayor has said that Pride will go ahead despite the ban.

    We will continue to fight alongside and on behalf of all those who want to live in a more rights respecting, free and equal Hungary

    More than 70 Amnesty International delegates from 17 European Amnesty sections, including the organization’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, will join the Pride march on Saturday.

    “For years, the government has been trying to stigmatize and use illegal laws to make the lives of sexual and gender minorities, as well as organizations and people who stand up for human rights, impossible. The unlawful restriction of our right to peaceful assembly is the latest chapter in this process,” said Dávid Vig, Amnesty International Hungary’s Director.

    “We will continue to fight alongside and on behalf of all those who want to live in a more rights respecting, free and equal Hungary, and of course we will be there at this year’s Budapest Pride.”

    See here for photographs of the hand-in

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Why Pride in Budapest must go ahead: An Interview with Eszter Mihály

    Source: Amnesty International –

    A new law banning assemblies that support LGBTI rights came into effect in Hungary earlier this year, in a direct attack on LGBTI people, their allies, and the right to protest. As a result, the Budapest Pride march due to take place on 28 June is under threat.

    Eszter Mihály, LGBTQI+ Rights Officer at Amnesty International Hungary, has been leading the organization’s campaign “Let Pride March” and is calling for national police to ensure the event in Budapest goes ahead without repression, surveillance, or intimidation. 

    In this interview, she shares more about her work as an activist and lawyer, the reality of being LGBTI in Hungary and why Pride must go ahead.

    What made you join the fight for LGBTI+ rights?  

    After graduating from law school, I was determined to become a human rights lawyer, believing that a just society is measured by its treatment of the most vulnerable. Initially, I focused on human rights violations in the prison system, but when the government started to target LGBTI individuals and those advocating for their rights, I shifted my focus.

    I had the opportunity to work on cases against the ban on legal gender recognition for transgender people but soon realised that addressing individual cases wasn’t enough. I wanted to utilize broader tools to encourage social change and affirm dignity and equality. This is why I joined Amnesty International Hungary’s team as an LGBTI rights officer. 

    What’s been the reality for LGBTI+ rights and communities in Hungary over the past few years?

    Since 2010, there has been a growing stigmatization of LGBTI individuals in the narratives promoted and legislation adopted by the ruling parties in Hungary. This trend has seemingly reached its peak with recent legal amendments that permit the banning of Pride marches and protests supporting LGBTI rights.

    The amendments also allow authorities to impose sanctions on organisers and participants and to use facial recognition technology to identify them. Attendees of a banned Pride march could face fines of up to 200,000 HUF (500 euros). 

    What do you make of the government’s escalating crackdown on LGBTI+ rights?  

    The escalating crackdown on LGBTI rights in Hungary can be understood as a deliberate political strategy. Orbán’s government frames LGBTI rights as a foreign trend that threatens national identity and sovereignty, and the visibility of LGBTI identities as harmful for children’s moral development. This pattern of regression is not happening in isolation but follows a broader global “anti-gender” trend where marginalized groups are targeted to divert attention from systemic issues such as corruption or the failings of public services. 

    State-driven rhetoric that portrays LGBTI rights and visibility as threats to children or traditional values can heighten social hostility. This kind of framing leads to increased stigma and scapegoating within communities, schools, and workplaces. 

    The crackdowns on LGBTI rights are part of a wider effort to suppress independent voices, including human rights organizations, often labelling them as foreign agents. A new Bill on the “Transparency of Public Life” was recently submitted, which could allow the government to blacklist various organizations that receive foreign funding and are deemed to threaten Hungary’s sovereignty.

    How is the LGBTI+ community and its allies responding to the crackdown on their rights and potential ban of Budapest’s Pride on 28 June?  

    There is more interest in participating in Budapest Pride than ever before.

    The Rainbow Mission Foundation, the organiser, has publicly confirmed its commitment to hold the event this year. In support of LGBTI rights, Amnesty Hungary, Háttér Society, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union have organised protests and are taking legal action to challenge both the police’s decision to ban a protest supporting LGBTI rights and the underlying law. Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has also announced that the march will proceed as an official municipal event. 

    Moreover, Amnesty International has launched a “Let Pride March” campaign to rally global support and encourage the Hungarian police to ensure safe participation on June 28 collecting more than 100,000 signatures from more than 70 countries. 

    What is special about the annual Pride march in Budapest?

    Budapest Pride has undergone remarkable transformation since its first march in 1997, evolving from a modest, heavily policed gathering into a powerful symbol of love and resistance.

    My first experience in 2015, followed by several years of volunteering to support the organisers, has shown me the profound creativity, courage, and solidarity that define the event today, despite increasing government repression. Around the time I started to attend, the police still maintained barricades “for protection,” but year-by-year, we managed to break these barriers and started marching freely. 

     The joy, unexpected hugs, and the sight of queer couples kissing freely in public, perhaps for the first time without fear, are my favourite moments that inspire hope and resilience. 

    The joy, the unexpected hugs, and the sight of queer couples kissing freely in public is what makes the Pride March in Budapest special.

    What does this year’s Pride represent?  

    This year’s Pride march is not just about LGBTI rights; it is a test of whether the human right to peaceful assembly can survive in Hungary, and if Hungary can ban and criminalise Pride with minimal pushback, other European countries might follow suit.  

    I believe Budapest’s determination will prevail, showing that LGBTI people are integral to Hungarian society, not “foreign ideologies”. 

    What support have you received internationally?

    We have witnessed significant international solidarity. A cross-party group of Members of the European Parliament, Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality, and Graeme Reid, the UN Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, have announced their intention to march in Budapest in defiance of the ban.

    I strongly believe that resilience and solidarity can drive meaningful change, especially in the face of adversity. The growing visibility of LGBTI people can serve as a powerful counteraction to the government’s campaign of hate and discrimination. Looking ahead to next year, Hungary will hold parliamentary elections that present a crucial opportunity for us to reclaim our human rights.  

    I envision a future in which LGBTI individuals are not perceived as outsiders or threats to society, but are instead embraced as integral members of all communities. It is my hope that through our collective efforts, we will foster a safe society that truly reflects the values of love and diversity.

    Where do you draw hope from when it gets difficult to fight?  

    I find a deep sense of hope in the knowledge that I am not alone in this. I’ve encountered countless incredible individuals, each dedicated to our shared mission with remarkable bravery.  

    How can Amnesty’s supporters – and others – help the LGBTI+ community in Hungary? 

    People outside Hungary play a crucial role. Solidarity is not an empty slogan: it is a successful strategy. In a country where resistance is met with censorship and smear campaigns, international visibility and financial support can be lifesaving, since many NGOs in Hungary operate on nearly non-existent budgets, especially with their funding under threat.  

    Call out your own government to pressure Hungary through diplomacy when human rights are violated. If you’re in the EU, push for stronger enforcement of the rule of law mechanisms (like Article 7) and new infringement procedures to challenge laws violating human rights. 

    Don’t allow Hungary’s anti-LGBTI laws to become “old news”. Keep the conversation going and amplify our voices.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: GLOBAL: Countries must act fast to save the Sustainable Development Goals

    Source: Amnesty International –

    With countries in danger of failing to meet their Sustainable Development Goals targets – and their human rights obligations – leaders attending the Financing for Development Conference must act fast to avert climate catastrophe and guarantee the human rights of billions of people currently being denied socio-economic justice, said Amnesty International.

    The 4th International Conference for Financing for Development will take place from 30 June to 3 July in Seville, Spain. It provides a unique opportunity to reform development financing at all levels and address financing challenges preventing the urgently needed investment push to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future.

    “Years of underinvestment by all states mean the majority of the Sustainable Development Goals are way off track from their 2030 target. This conference must confront the immediate crisis linked to the cutting of international assistance by major donors whilst committing to structural reforms that could provide sustainable sources of financing for the longer term – from advancing international tax cooperation and addressing the debt crisis, to reforming international financial institutions and promoting more inclusive systems of financing and development,” said Riva Jalipa, Amnesty International’s Financing for Rights Lead Adviser.

    A series of robust measures must be put in place if the Sustainable Development Goals are to become a reality.

    Riva Jalipa, Amnesty International’s Financing for Rights Lead Adviser

    “A series of robust measures must be put in place if the SDGs are to become a reality. The US and other governments must reverse cuts to aid budgets. Wealthy states must support the UN tax treaty process whilst providing debt relief for countries in or at risk of debt distress including cancellation where appropriate. Fossil fuels subsidies must be redirected towards investment in clean energy and leaders must commit to a full, fast, fair and funded fossil fuel phase out across all sectors and invest adequately in a just and equitable transition. Adopting these measures will go a long way to rescuing the SDGs and ensure social, economic and climate justice for millions across the world.”

    Amnesty International will also be co-hosting a Virtual Side Event at the Financing for Development Conference, Seville: Reparative Justice in Financing for Development. The session will focus on development financing and reparative justice as a means through which a human rights-based economy which redresses both existing and historical injustices can not only be conceptualized but also practically actioned. Register to attend via Zoom. 

    Background

    The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. The 17 goals aimed to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice – to ensure no one was left behind. However,years of underinvestment by all states mean over 80% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ targets are off track due to underinvestment by all states.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ambassador of Belarus S.Terentiev meets the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt

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

    Download logo

    On June 24, 2025 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sergei Terentiev, met with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt for European Affairs, Wael Hamed.

    The interlocutors considered the issues of preparation of bilateral events of the highest and high levels, as well as the next meeting of the Belarusian-Egyptian Joint Trade Commission. They stressed traditionally friendly relations between Belarus and Egypt, and the readiness to further strengthen them based on the principles of mutual trust and support were noted. 

    The sides welcomed the intensification of industrial cooperation between the two countries in 2025, including the creation of joint productions of Belarusian equipment in Egypt, as well as cooperation in the field of food security. 

    Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt expressed gratitude for organizing the next trip to Belarus for a group of Egyptian children for the rest in the “Zubrenok” children’s camp in July 2025, which is a part of the program implemented under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Belarus.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sierra Leone advances pandemic preparedness with operationalisation of the Pandemic Fund

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

    Download logo

    Sierra Leone has entered a critical phase in strengthening its pandemic preparedness and response capacities, officially flagging-off the operationalisation of the Pandemic Fund. This milestone signals the country’s continued commitment to protecting communities and contributing to global health security.

    The project is led by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), with the World Health Organization (WHO) serving as the lead implementing entity. Other key implementing partners include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF and the World Bank, reflecting a multi-sectoral, One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

    Sierra Leone’s successful application to the highly competitive Pandemic Fund demonstrates the Government’s growing leadership in global health security. This achievement was made possible through sustained collaboration, with WHO and partners providing technical guidance to shape a proposal aligned with international standards and responsive to national health priorities.

    The Pandemic Fund offers a transformative opportunity to strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats with greater speed and efficiency. Targeted investments will focus on enhancing disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, health workforce development, and emergency operations, building a more resilient and responsive health system.

    Speaking at the flag-off, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, the Deputy Minister 2 for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Sahr Hemore, emphasized: “We are working assiduously to ensure the health and protection of our citizens against diseases and to contribute to global health security.”

    The timing of this investment is critical. In recent years, Sierra Leone has faced a number of public health emergencies, including the ongoing mpox outbreak, which have exposed systemic vulnerabilities despite the tireless efforts of frontline health workers. The fund aims to address these gaps, while laying the foundation for sustainable, long-term preparedness.

    “Sierra Leone’s operationalisation of the pandemic fund represents a significant milestone,” said Dr George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “The responsibility to deliver rests with all of us, and WHO remains committed to providing technical support throughout the implementation.”

    WHO’s role goes beyond the initial design phase. As the lead implementing entity, WHO will continue to provide technical expertise in operational planning, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluation, to ensure that investments translate into measurable, sustainable outcomes. This partnership underscores WHO’s commitment to country-led efforts that advance both national priorities and global health security.

    Sierra Leone’s approach serves as an example of how multi-partner collaboration, anchored in strong national leadership, can drive meaningful progress in pandemic preparedness. Sustained success will depend on transparent governance, inclusive coordination, and accountability to both national stakeholders and international partners.

    With continued support from WHO, FAO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, Sierra Leone is poised to build a legacy of preparedness that will protect current and future generations and contribute to regional and global health security efforts.

    – on behalf of World Health Organization – Sierra Leone.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Verizon Business wins multisite private 5G contract fueling a multibillion dollar regeneration project

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon Business wins multisite private 5G contract fueling a multibillion dollar regeneration project

    What you need to know:

    • Verizon Business, in collaboration with Nokia, will deliver multiple Verizon Private 5G Networks to industrial campuses across the Thames Freeport, one of the UK’s busiest maritime logistics and manufacturing regions.
    • The Thames Freeport is a designated UK “Free Trade Zone,” established to boost economic growth, create high-value jobs and attract global investment as part of a long-term effort to revive the UK’s River Thames Estuary region.
    • Thames Freeport will use Verizon Private 5G to enhance port operations with AI-driven data analytics, autonomous vehicle control, real-time logistics orchestration, innovation research & development, and more.

    LONDON, U.K. — Verizon Business, Thames Freeport and Nokia today announced a strategic partnership to deploy Verizon Private 5G Networks across multiple key logistics, manufacturing, and innovation sites along the River Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom. The Verizon Private 5G Networks will serve as the technology foundation for a multiyear, multibillion dollar operational transformation and economic revival for the region, one of the busiest maritime logistics hubs in the United Kingdom.

    The Private 5G Networks buildout provides a scalable, long-term connectivity foundation for advanced data, AI, edge compute, and IoT infrastructure deployments aimed at transforming port and manufacturing operations.

    The technological enhancements will play a direct role in boosting the local economy, underpinning job training and reskilling efforts as part of employment initiatives and supporting innovation and research & development collaborations among Freeport tenants and outside corporate, government, and research entities. Thames Freeport has already created 1,400 jobs and plans to reach 5,000 by 2030, with a focus on high-skilled training for local communities.

    Private 5G Deployments at Thames Freeport

    The Verizon Private 5G Networks will enable advanced data and application capabilities for  AI-driven data analytics, predictive maintenance, process automation, autonomous vehicle control, safety monitoring, and real-time logistics orchestration. Nokia is the sole hardware and software provider for the networks, which will incorporate the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform and Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). The Verizon Private 5G Networks will be deployed to the following:

    • DP World London Gateway and DP World Logistics Park, the UK’s largest and most integrated deep-sea container port and logistics facility, with port capacity to handle over 3 million units per year. The hub includes a rail terminal with 20 daily services and a 9.25 million square foot high-tech logistics center.
    • Port of Tilbury, the largest of the mixed-use Thames Freeport ports. Tilbury handles 16 million tonnes of cargo per year across 31 independent working terminals. Operated by Forth Ports, the sites comprise a crucial logistics hub for the construction, automotive and food & drink sectors.
    • Ford Dagenham, the largest manufacturing site in London, this unique location gives access to regional manufacturing clusters, proximity to suppliers, and brings key production closer to the end market.

    Executive Statements

    “Our partnership with Thames Freeport and Nokia shows the full promise of private 5G at scale. Thames Freeport is developing one of the most technologically advanced commercial corridors in Europe to enable forward innovation and economic revitalization for an entire community,” said Jennifer Artley, SVP, 5G Acceleration at Verizon Business. “We’re not just driving operational improvements to help a partner stay ahead of the curve; we’re laying the groundwork for new revenue streams, community development, and further commercial and technological investment.”

    “A flexible, high-performance connectivity platform is critical to our long-term vision,” said Martin Whiteley, CEO, Thames Freeport. “Our investment in private 5G is not an incremental network upgrade—it’s the backbone of a technological transformation fueling our long-term multi-stakeholder mission, which includes operational excellence for tenants; ROI for shareholders like Ford, DP World and Forth Ports; innovation leadership for public and private benefit; circular economy models supporting efficient energy models; empowering community development by enabling high-value job creation and training; and transforming public services with near-real time diagnostics at health-service sites. By partnering with Verizon Business and Nokia, we’re delivering the technology needed to propel our region to the front of the leading edge.”

    “Private wireless and industrial edge are the foundations for the digital transformation of industrial sites, and the Thames Freeport deployment is a landmark example of this evolution at scale. This is one of the largest commercial private 5G rollouts in a European port incorporating the Nokia DAC platform. This network will allow Thames Freeport to overlay advanced use cases such as AI-driven data analytics, predictive maintenance, process automation, autonomous vehicle control, safety monitoring, and real-time logistics orchestration,” said David de Lancellotti, VP of Enterprise Campus Edge Sales at Nokia. “Together with Verizon Business, we’re proud to be enabling the infrastructure that will help Thames Freeport drive new efficiencies, sustainable growth, and long-term economic opportunity for the region.”

    Fueling Growth

    The Thames Freeport has a mission of economic regeneration and operational excellence, centered on stimulating trade, fostering innovation, supporting energy transition, creating jobs and improving the lives of the people around it. Private 5G Networks from Verizon Business can help enable a range of strategic priorities at Thames Freeport sites in service of that mission.

    Select priorities include enabling advanced technology layers such as AI, edge computing, and IoT across active industrial sites where Freeport stakeholders can collaborate on new applications. For example, industrial sites can leverage IoT for autonomous yard tractors and quay cranes and for near real-time tracking, smart routing, and condition monitoring for cargo. That can allow tenants to intake cargo, assess quantity and condition, and ship it out faster and more efficiently, losing less to damage or misplacement. Additionally, AI with edge computing can help manage environmental impact through edge-connected smart sensors and AI-driven analytics that monitor and optimize port operations and asset performance, including near-real time monitoring of emissions, air and water quality, and noise levels.

    Managing the use of the Verizon Private 5G Network infrastructure will be the responsibility of Thames Freeport and its tenant shareholder organizations. This ensures fit-for-purpose connectivity that adapts to site-specific requirements while safeguarding data and operational autonomy.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • Nations act only in pursuit of their own interests not based on idealism, morality or international solidarity: VP recalls Savarkar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Strengthening Bharat is the governing philosophy and resolve of the government today-VP
    Amid perpetual decline of global multilateralism, VP advocates that India give up romanticism and focus on economic growth
    Those who take a stand for momentary situations are not in the psych or groove of Bharat-VP
    Even the Fabian socialists of the 50’s cannot disagree with the direction of the country as we strive to attain-VP
    When we assess the progress of Bharat, our outlook must be very broad, not dictated by isolated incidents-VP

    The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today recalling V. D. Savarkar stated that, “ Browsing through the pages of ‘New World: 21st Century Global Order in India’. I felt the imprint of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the author’s thought……..Savarkar, despite all the untenable misgivings and untenable misgivings in extremity, remains a celebrated thinker who stood at the wee hours of the post-war order. Savarkar, a staunch realist, believed in a post-war world where nations would act only in pursuit of their own interests not based on idealism, morality or international solidarity. Imagine how prophetic he has been. Look around last fortnight, last three months. All this has been seen by all of us.  He rejected  pacifist or utopian internationalism and emphasized that India must safeguard its sovereignty through strength, not by relying on Western-dominated institutions like the League of Nations or later the United Nations, both ignoring due place to one-sixth of humanity”.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937150170770395176

    Speaking at the launch of the book ‘New World: 21st Century Global Order in India’ by Shri Ram Madhav, Shri Dhankhar highlighted, “Friends, today, strengthening Bharat is the governing philosophy and resolve of this government. It is steadfast, firm, non-negotiable, and notwithstanding the critics — it is spinally strong. The nation has never ever projected its stand so firmly. Let us not be misguided by the distraction — who said what. The government, and India and its people, stand firmly for the nation — nation first and our nationalism….Those who take a stand for momentary situations are not in the psych or groove of Bharat. Once we attain strength inwards, we can shape our strategic environment outwards”.

    “I could not agree more with lamentations of the author Dr. Ram Madhav. He highlights a perpetual decline of global multilateralism and prescribes India to give up romanticism and focus on economic growth”, he added.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937153830573265148

    Underlining the roots of strategic thinking in the nation, he stated, “George Tanham, an American thinker, three decades ago, in a treatise effectively suggested that there is absence of a strategic thinking in India on account of its Hindu philosophical roots and there were takers of it. But with Shri Ram Madhav’s  volume, George Tanhan stands corrected. He couldn’t be more wrong. His analysis is far distanced from the ground reality over the centuries in this country…..The principle ‘Rajadharma’ (or ethical statecraft) and ‘Dharmayudha’ (just war) in Mahabharata; Dhamma diplomacy in Ashokan edicts; and the Mandala Theory of Kautilya are all examples of theorizing strategic environments — all feast to the intellect.These philosophies have ever been relevant, but in our contemporaneous challenging times, these are the need of the global order.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937153363382297062

    He further underlined, “These are times when we are easily misunderstood. The travesty of it is that when you say these things, hypocritically psychopancy overtakes the traction to denude you of your position by exactly pointing a finger which normally should be pointed towards them. Friends, even the Fabian socialists of the  50s cannot disagree with the direction of the country as we strive to attain. And what do we strive to attain? We are not creating Bharat, it was not born on 15th August 1947. We only got rid of colonial power ‘सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः’ that is our philosophy. May all beings be happy, may all beings be free from illness.”

    Emphasizing the peace loving nature of Bharat, he stated, “Friends, this country has always stood for global peace and harmony,  never having engaged at any time in its history in expansionism. The contemporaneous global scenario today is alarmingly concerning and also equally worrisome, particularly for peace-loving nations like Bharat….As Bharat achieves universal well-being for all citizens, we become role models for others. We lead by example, not by proclamation. We already lead in areas like digital public infrastructure where global South nations can follow our path. It was the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi that during G20 the concerns of Global South could be put on the radar. It happened for the first time. It was for the first time during G20 that African Union was put at par with European Union in the membership of G20. I would call it a game-changing development. And therefore, when we assess the progress of Bharat, our outlook must be very broad, not dictated by isolated incidents.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937159904042823989

    Urging careful approach, he said, “ Friends, the pathway to Bharat’s rise would require careful trading. There are forces that are determined to make our life difficult. There are forces within the country and outside. These sinister forces, pernicious to our interests, want to strike by dividing us on issues even like language. Which country in the world can take pride of the language richness as Bharat. Look at our classical languages, their number. In parliament, 22 such languages allow and afford opportunity anyone to express in them. It would require many such thinkers to come together and debate and discuss challenges and opportunities and aid policymakers in making right strategic choices. Evolution of policies must take place now with a little more representative character. India’s Think tanks, they are available in various formats, different political parties. It is required that there be convergence…..the political temperature has to come down. There has to be greater dialogue amongst political parties. I firmly believe we have no enemies in the country. We have enemies outside. And some who are enemies within a small fraction, they are rooted to outside forces, inimical to Bharat.”

  • South Korea: Rival parties clash during confirmation hearing for PM nominee

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    South Korean rival political parties clashed on Wednesday as they disagreed over the eligibility of Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok during the second and final day of his confirmation hearings. 

     

    The main opposition People Power Party demanded the nominee submit evidence to clarify allegations surrounding his wealth and family, while the ruling Democratic Party protested the PPP’s baseless attacks were disrupting a thorough vetting of his abilities.

     

    “The hearing cannot proceed like this,” PPP Rep. Bae June-young, ranking member of the confirmation hearing committee, said, demanding that the nominee submit records of the tax and other payments he claimed to have made the previous day.

     

    Bae also demanded immigration records and a report card proving that Kim did earn a master’s degree at China’s Tsinghua University.

     

    “I will provide what I can and what is necessary,” the nominee answered.

     

    DP Rep. Chai Hyun-il shot back, however, by citing the cases of former prime ministers under PPP-affiliated administrations, such as Han Duck-soo, Hwang Kyo-ahn and Chung Hong-won, saying various documents went unsubmitted during their confirmation hearings.

     

    “Was it an invasion of privacy then but vetting now?” he protested.

     

    The prime minister is the only Cabinet position that requires parliamentary consent for appointment. Other minister nominees undergo the confirmation process, but consent is not necessary for their appointment by the president.

     

    The PPP is unlikely to agree to adopting a report, which is a step in the confirmation process, as it has consistently questioned Kim’s eligibility and demanded his withdrawal.

     

    During the first day of hearings Tuesday, the PPP grilled the nominee over the source of his income amid large differences between his reported wealth and spending, as well as allegations surrounding his son’s college admissions and his own studies at Tsinghua University, Yonhap news agency reported.

     

    The DP defended the nominee while highlighting his professional aptitude to serve in the number 2 government role.

     

    The motion for a prime minister’s confirmation passes by majority approval, with a majority of lawmakers present.

     

    The DP can single-handedly pass Kim’s motion as it currently holds a parliamentary majority with 167 out of 298 seats.

    Kim, a four-term lawmaker of the DP and a former top campaign aide to President Lee Jae Myung, shared his thoughts on some of Lee’s campaign pledges, such as a 4.5-day workweek.

    “The overall direction was proposed, and the execution plans have to be discussed additionally,” he said. “Reducing the number of working days can be considered in line with global trends and human nature.”

    On the pledge to raise the retirement age, Kim said it is a matter requiring comprehensive discussions and social acceptance.

    “If I become prime minister, I think it could be worth commissioning a full-scale study by a state-run think tank,” he said.

    The PPP has called for extending the hearings by a day to better vet the nominee, while the DP has maintained they should be completed on Wednesday before finalising the confirmation next week.

    –IANS

  • Trump says damage from Iran strikes severe despite “inconclusive” intelligence

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the damage to Iranian nuclear sites from missile strikes over the weekendwas severe, though he also acknowledged that the available intelligence on the matter was inconclusive.

    His comments followed reports by Reuters and other media outlets on Tuesday revealing that the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency had assessed that the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear program by just a few months, despite administration officials saying the program had been obliterated.

    “The intelligence was very inconclusive,” Trump told reporters before joining a NATO summit in The Hague. “The intelligence says we don’t know. It could’ve been very severe. That’s what the intelligence suggests.”

    Later, during the same round of comments, Trump argued that Iran’s nuclear deal had been set back “basically decades, because I don’t think they’ll ever do it again”.

    Trump was sitting alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who both also cast doubt on the reliability of the DIA assessment.

    Rubio said the U.S. was opening an investigation into the leak of the DIA report. He also suggested the report’s contents had been misrepresented in the media.

    (Reuters)

  • Pant, Duckett hit career-highs in latest ICC Test rankings

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s Rishabh Pant and England’s Ben Duckett have achieved career-best ratings in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings following their impressive performances with the bat in the first Test at Headingley, according to the official ICC website.

    Pant became just the second wicket-keeper after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower to score two centuries in the same Test match, scoring 134 and 118 in the thrilling Leeds contest that England won by five wickets. He earned a career-best rating, moving up one spot to seventh overall in the Test batting rankings.

    Duckett claimed Player of the Match honors for his innings of 62 and 149, also achieving a new career-best rating by jumping five places to eighth in the updated Test batting rankings.

    Duckett’s England teammates Ollie Pope (up three spots to 19th) and Jamie Smith (up eight places to 27th) also gained ground in this week’s rankings update. Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill moved up five spots to 20th overall after his century in the first innings of the match.

    England veteran Joe Root remains the No.1-ranked Test batter, with teammate Harry Brook his closest challenger.

     

    The drawn first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also saw a host of players improve their positions in the batting rankings, with Mushfiqur Rahim leading the way after his innings of 163 in Galle.

    Rahim gained 11 spots to reach 28th among Test batters, while teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto surged 21 places to 29th after scoring two centuries in the same match.

    There was little change in the latest Test bowlers’ rankings, with India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah maintaining his top position after another five-wicket haul in the Headingley Test.

    There was also joy for England captain Ben Stokes, who gained three spots to move up to fifth in the Test all-rounder rankings, following his strong contributions with both bat and ball in the same Test.

    Changes were also seen in the latest T20I rankings after the completion of the tri-series between Scotland, Nepal, and the Netherlands, which the hosts won in Glasgow.

    Netherlands’ dasher Michael Levitt rose 16 spots to 14th, and Scotland all-rounder Brandon McMullen moved up 20 places to joint-38th on the latest T20I batters list, while spinner Mark Watt climbed two spots to 38th in the T20I bowlers’ rankings.

    Nepal spinner Lalit Rajbanshi also made notable progress, jumping 29 places to 54th following his four wickets in the tri-series. 

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Letter to accounting officers in colleges: 25 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Letter to accounting officers in colleges: 25 June 2025

    Letter from Andrew Thomas, Director of Funding and Financial Oversight at the Department for Education, to accounting officers in colleges.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Letter to accounting officers: 25 June 2025

    PDF, 1.31 MB, 2 pages

    Details

    The letter includes information about the updated college financial handbook, published on 25 June 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Letter to accounting officers in academy trusts: 25 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Letter to accounting officers in academy trusts: 25 June 2025

    Letter from Andrew Thomas, Director of Funding and Financial Oversight at the Department for Education, to accounting officers in academies.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Letter to accounting officers: 25 June 2025

    PDF, 1.32 MB, 2 pages

    Details

    The letter includes information about the academy trust handbook for 2025.

    It may also be of interest to:

    • boards of trustees
    • chief financial officers and executives

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improving the safety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures

    Source: Scottish Government

    Measures to protect the public and establish industry standards.

    New proposals to improve safety and standards in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector have been set out as the Scottish Government publishes its response to a consultation on the issue. 

    The proposals, informed by over 2,200 responses and broad stakeholder engagement, intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures and classify treatments into three distinct groups which will be regulated to reflect the associated risk:

    • group 1 procedures – such as microneedling and non-ablative laser treatments – will require both a premises licence and individual practitioner licences issued by local authorities
    • group 2 procedures – including injectables like Botox® and dermal fillers – will have to be supervised by a qualified health care professional in a setting regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
    • group 3 procedures – for instance, breast and buttock augmentation – will have to be performed by a qualified healthcare professional in an HIS-regulated setting

    The Scottish Government will take forward a combination of primary and secondary legislation to implement the proposals. A new Bill regulating Group 2 and Group 3 procedures will be introduced later this year. Secondary legislation under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 will establish the licensing regime for Group 1 procedures.

    Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:

    “It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong. 

    “The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry.

    “I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation.”

    Background

    The latest consultation built on a previous one in 2020 and put forward more detailed proposals for what that further regulation could look like. The recent consultation on the licensing and regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures received over 2,200 responses from individuals, businesses, professional bodies, and medical experts. There was widespread support for increased regulation to improve safety and accountability across the sector.

    The full consultation response and analysis are available at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836918271

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –