NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: On Anniversary of Russian Federation’s Full-scale Invasion of Ukraine, Secretary-General Reaffirms ‘Need for a Just, Sustainable’ Peace

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Press Release

    SG/SM/22561

    The following statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was issued today:

    Monday 24 February marks three years since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.  On this tragic occasion, I reaffirm the urgent need for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace — one that fully upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.

    Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, the war in Ukraine stands as a grave threat not only to the peace and security of Europe but also to the very foundations and core principles of the United Nations.

    Enough is enough.  After three years of death and destruction, I once again call for urgent de-escalation and an immediate end to the hostilities.  I welcome all efforts towards achieving a just and inclusive peace.  The United Nations stands ready to support such efforts.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sanctions rarely achieve their goals – here’s why they failed in Russia and Myanmar

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sergey Sosnovskikh, Lecturer in International Business, Manchester Metropolitan University

    Sanctions are, according to research, effective less than 10% of the time if success is defined as the complete compliance of a sanctioned regime with the imposed external pressure. Taking a more lenient view, which includes partial concessions or negotiated settlements, the success rate rises to 35% at most.

    The idea that sanctions can completely restrict trade to sanctioned countries is largely flawed. Iranian residents, for example, can still access many western products despite sanctions through intermediaries in countries like Turkey and the Gulf states.

    To better understand why sanctions fail, consider the cases of Russia and Myanmar. The sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have undoubtedly caused some economic disruption, including inflation, labour shortages and a devaluation of the Russian rouble. But they have had a limited impact overall.

    In April 2024, the International Monetary Fund predicted that Russia’s economy would grow faster than all of the world’s advanced economies that year, including the US.

    Many countries have not participated in the west’s sanctions regime, which has created enforcement gaps. These gaps have largely enabled Russia to maintain access to sanctioned goods and continue its economic activities.

    In January 2023, a US thinktank called Silverado reported that some former Soviet states had increased their “transshipment” of goods produced by multinational firms that no longer export to Russia directly.

    Transshipment is a process where cargo is unloaded from one vessel and reloaded into another while in transit. Armenia and Uzbekistan, as well as China and Turkey, are the countries commonly used as “transshipment points” to Russia.

    Indeed, research of our own into how sanctioned goods continue to reach Russia reveals that companies often reroute their supply chains through politically allied intermediary nations. These rerouted imports can, however, drive up product prices for ordinary citizens.

    Stacks of containers at a port in St Petersburg, Russia.
    Andrey Mihaylov / Shutterstock

    Russia has also reduced its dependency on imports by increasing production in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. In August 2023, for example, India and Russia signed the biggest ever grain deal between the two countries.

    And the Russian government implemented fiscal and monetary measures, including currency controls and subsidies, to stabilise the economy and support key industries.

    Russia’s large, diverse economy and abundant natural resources make it more resilient to sanctions compared to some smaller and less diversified nations. Much of the world is reliant on Russian gas and, since the imposition of western sanctions, countries like China and India have increased the amount they buy.

    Even the EU is still spending billions of US dollars on Russian gas. In the first 15 days of 2025, after an agreement allowing Russia to pump gas to the EU via pipelines running across Ukraine ended, the EU’s 27 countries imported Russian gas at a record rate.

    Sanctioning Myanmar’s military

    Targeted western sanctions have tried to undermine the financial interests of Myanmar’s military junta, which has been battling armed opposition to its rule since a coup in 2021. But these sanctions have only been partially effective, too.

    China, India, Japan and neighbouring south-east Asian countries continue to engage in business with Myanmar. In Myanmar’s lucrative gas export sector, the vacuum left by departing western companies has been swiftly filled by Asian partners. This has ensured the junta’s income streams remain largely intact.

    Brands that have ostensibly exited the market due to sanctions or activist pressure also remain accessible through the country’s porous border trade. And there have been cases where a significant delay between a company’s declared exit and its actual departure inadvertently allowed operations to continue as usual for some time.

    In 2024, we conducted a study with our colleague Anna Grosman, an expert on innovation and entrepreneurship at Loughborough University, on multinational firms operating in Myanmar. Our findings highlight the dilemma foreign businesses face in sanctioned countries over whether to stay or leave.

    This decision is shaped by formal pressure, such as home and host government restrictions. For instance, a multinational firm’s home government may penalise companies that continue to operate in a sanctioned country, while the host government may impose policies or financial barriers to prevent or delay their exit.

    However, informal pressure from activists, diaspora groups and international advocacy organisations also plays a role. Staying can help businesses avoid financial losses and the complexities of exit, but it also exposes them to reputational damage and ethical dilemmas.

    Western sanctions on Myanmar’s military regime have been ineffective, too.
    R. Bociaga / Shutterstock

    Some of the junta’s financial channels, such as revenue from the jade mining industry, are out of reach for sanctions. In 2021, the US treasury department sanctioned Myanmar’s state-owned gemstone company, Myanmar Gem Enterprise, describing it as “a key economic resource” for the military.

    However, sanctions on Myanmar Gem Enterprise have not been completely effective. Myanmar’s gemstone mining industry is mostly an informal sector, with data on mining income and distribution underreported and opaque. Continued revenue from this sector will almost certainly have further cushioned the impact of western sanctions.

    The sanctions have only partially stopped the flow of income to the junta. But they have contributed to the hardships facing ordinary citizens. Myanmar’s currency has cratered, while imported goods including pharmaceuticals and fuel are in short supply. Power outages are now common and there are soaring levels of unemployment.

    Some western governments have now imposed sanctions on state-owned banks in Myanmar in an attempt to stop revenue from reaching the junta. This move will only worsen the situation facing Myanmar’s people.

    Sanctions drive nations towards building domestic industries to replace imported goods and strengthening alliances with supportive countries. Far from achieving their intended political objectives, sanctions can exacerbate an already volatile geopolitical landscape, while driving up prices for ordinary people.

    But at the same time, governments and businesses have a duty to exit a country when they are no long able to adhere to their own human rights commitments.

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

    – ref. Sanctions rarely achieve their goals – here’s why they failed in Russia and Myanmar – https://theconversation.com/sanctions-rarely-achieve-their-goals-heres-why-they-failed-in-russia-and-myanmar-244975

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Leads Senate Colleagues in Urging Secretary Rubio to Restore Critical Global Health Programs to Keep Americans Safe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led 20 colleagues in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to urgently restore funding for global health, development, and humanitarian programs. In the wake of the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of key foreign assistance programs and personnel without review, the letter highlights the national security imperatives of U.S. global health efforts, which keep Americans safe, strengthen U.S. leadership, and increase global stability.

    “The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill,” the Senators wrote.  

    The Senators expressed concern that without American global health programs, current outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola, Marburg Virus, and Bird Flu have the potential for spreading to U.S. soil. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease can spread from a remote village to a major city in the United States in as little as 36 hours. Additionally, the foreign assistance funding freeze has stopped critical Malaria interventions before peak transmission and paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. As a result, product development for desperately needed drugs and vaccines have been brought to a halt. 

    “The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach,” the Senators continued.

    The Senators warned Secretary Rubio that Russian leaders have publicly praised the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that helps counter China’s efforts to expand its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. Additionally, China is already stepping in to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization.  

    “We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs… Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home,” the Senators concluded.

    The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT),  Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). 

    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders to Colleagues on Senate Floor: “Do You Have the Courage to Continue Telling the Truth When the President is Lying?”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate regarding President Trump’s lies and asking his colleagues when they will stand up to the president.
    Sanders’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched HERE: 
    We live in difficult times – in times where people throughout our country are experiencing a great deal of anxiety for a number of reasons. And in the midst of all of that, it is important that we not forget what is taking place, not only in Ukraine, but back home here in the United States. 
    And back home, right now, tens of millions of Americans are struggling economically to keep their heads above water. 60% of our people are living paycheck to paycheck. 85 million are uninsured or underinsured. And we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major nation on Earth. 
    And as someone who has visited senior centers throughout the state of Vermont and has spoken to seniors throughout our country, I can tell you that there is a significant level of fear and anxiety among the older people in this country with regard to what’s happening right here in DC. 
    When we have a president of the United States and Republicans who are talking about massive cuts to Medicaid, let’s understand – and seniors do understand – that we are not just talking about throwing millions of kids off the health care that they have, at a time when we are the only major country on Earth not to provide health care to all people, not just kids, off of health care.
    We are talking about massive cuts to community health centers, which receive over 40% of their funding from Medicaid, and where millions of seniors go to get the primary care they need. 
    And at a time when we already have a major crisis in nursing home availability, let us understand that Medicaid provides funding for two out of every three seniors who live in nursing homes. In other words, massive cuts to Medicaid would be a disaster for senior citizens throughout this country. But it is not just Medicaid cuts that worry our seniors. 
    Today, quite unbelievably, 25% of people in our country who are 65 years of age or older are trying to survive on incomes of $15,000 a year or less. I, myself, do not know how anybody, let alone a senior with health care needs, can survive on $15,000 a year, but that is what 25% of our seniors are trying to do. 
    Mr. President, this issue of so many seniors struggling to get by, struggling to heat their homes, struggling to buy the food or the prescription drugs they need – this is an issue we must address. And it is a crisis that is unacceptable in the richest country in the history of the world. 
    And that is why, Mr. President, I am proud to tell you that within the next several weeks I, along with a number of cosponsors, will be introducing legislation that expands Social Security benefits and extends the solvency of Social Security for decades.
    We’re hearing a lot of talk about cutting Social Security. We should not be talking about cutting Social Security. We must be talking about expanding Social Security benefits. And the legislation that I will introduce will do just that. 
    It will expand social security benefits by $2,400 a year, and it would not raise taxes by one penny on the bottom 93% of Americans – those who make less than $250,000 a year. And how do we do that? By lifting the cap and applying the Social Security payroll tax on all income above $250,000.
    Unbelievably, under current law, a billionaire pays the same amount of money into Social Security as someone who makes $176,000 a year. Elon Musk, worth $400 billion, pays the same amount into Social Security as somebody who makes $176,000. That is because, under Social Security, there is an absurd cap on taxable income. 
    If we lifted that cap and made sure that millionaires and billionaires paid the same percentage of their income into Social Security as the working class of this country, we could extend the life of Social Security for generations to come and lift millions of seniors out of poverty. 
    Further, Mr. President, when we talk about the needs of senior citizens in this country, I want to mention that I will also be introducing legislation to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing.
    It is unacceptable that millions of seniors are unable to read a newspaper because they cannot afford eyeglasses, can’t have conversations with their grandchildren because they can’t afford hearing aids, and have trouble eating because they cannot afford dentures. That should not be happening in the United States of America in the year 2025. 
    Expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing is an extremely popular concept. Poll after poll shows that 80% of the American people – Democrats, Republicans, Independents – support doing just that. 
    All across this country there is a growing fear that the Trump administration is undermining the Constitution of our country – a Constitution which has kept us a free nation and an example, a model of the rest of the world, for the last 250 years. 
    During the last month alone, President Trump has attempted to usurp the powers of Congress illegally and unconstitutionally, refusing to fund programs passed by Congress. 
    He has illegally destroyed agencies like USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that were created by Congress. And under the leadership of Mr. Musk, they have illegally and inappropriately gained access to tax data and Social Security data of millions of Americans. 
    Every day, they are acting in an illegal and unconstitutional manner. Just this week, President Trump tweeted, “he who saves his country does not violate any law.” 
    Wow. 
    In other words, Mr. Trump sees himself, the president of the United States, as above the law and immune from the basic rules of the Constitution and the separation of powers that have governed this country since the founding. 
    “Anything I want to do, I’m president, I can do it. It doesn’t matter what Congress says, it doesn’t matter what the Constitution says, it doesn’t matter what the rule of law is about. I don’t need to hear from anybody else.” 
    That’s not what Americans fought and died to preserve. In regard to the move to authoritarianism, let me say a few words about an area that I think has not gotten much attention at all. And that is Trump’s attack on the free press, which is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. The Founding Fathers of this country considered freedom of speech and free press to be enormously important. That was the First Amendment. 
    Mr. Trump has sued CBS and its parent company, Paramount, for $20 billion because he didn’t like how they edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. The company is now reportedly considering settling the lawsuit, and I certainly hope they do not do that, out of fear of retaliation from Trump’s FCC. 
    He did not like a television program on CBS. But you don’t sue somebody for $20 billion because you didn’t like the program. 
    And obviously, the intention of that lawsuit is clear: and that is that CBS, and every other network and media outlet, will now have to look over their shoulder. “Oh, my goodness, we’re saying something critical of Donald Trump. Is he going to sue us for $5 billion or $10 billion? Maybe we should not run that Maybe we should not do that investigative report.” 
    Not just CBS. In recent times he has sued ABC. He has sued Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram. He has sued the Des Moines Register. 
    What crime did a little newspaper in Iowa make? What was their crime? They ran a poll which turned out, in retrospect, to be inaccurate. So pollsters all over America, be careful.  
    How absurd is that? And what kind of threat is it to freedom of speech and expression in this country? 
    Mr. President, when we talk about the Trump administration’s movement toward authoritarianism, we should take note of another remarkable and troubling set of events that happened just this week. We saw the president of the United States openly aligning himself with the dictator of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to undermine the independence of Ukraine and abandon our closest democratic allies in Europe. 
    Trump made it clear that he sees one of the world’s most brutal dictators as his pal. And our long time democratic allies as his enemies. 
    It appears that Mr. Trump wants a world that is safe for authoritarians and oligarchs, but dangerous and unstable for democracies. And when we talk about authoritarianism, we have got to mention the growing phenomenon in this country of the Big Lie: say something that is blatantly untrue, repeat it over and over again and then blast that lie out on social media until people actually believe it. 
    Let me mention one of the very big lies that Trump said recently regarding the war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, the president said that Ukraine started the war. Trump said that Ukraine started the war. Really? 
    That is, as I hope every member of the Senate knows, an absolute lie. 
    Russia invaded Ukraine twice, first in 2014 and then again on February 24, 2022. And on that date, February 24, 2022, Putin’s tanks and troops rolled into Ukraine. And on that day, Russian aircraft began bombing targets all over Ukraine. 
    Russia started the war, period, end of discussion. Trump is lying. 
    Since Putin’s invasion over one million people having been killed or injured. Every single day, Russia continues to rain down hundreds of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities. Putin’s forces have massacred civilians and captured Ukrainian children, bringing them back to Russian “re-education” camps. There atrocities led the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, in 2022, as a war criminal. 
    Further, Trump called Ukrainian President Zelensky – not Putin, but Zelensky, a dictator. And that obviously is not true either. Zelenskyy won 75% of the vote in free elections. And in the midst of a brutal war, Ukraine’s parliament continues to function and open and unfettered political debate takes place. 
    Trump recently claimed that our European allies have done little to support Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s invasion. He said the U.S. has contributed three times more than Europe. But that is another lie. In fact, Europe has provided more aid to Ukraine than the United States. 
    But it’s not just that Trump is lying again. That is not new. It’s what this all reveals about where we want to take our country and where we want the world to be moving – what direction.
    Trump is cozying up to Vladimir Putin. So who is Putin? And what kind of world does Putin want to build? 
    Putin is a dictator who crushed Russia’s movement toward democracy after the end of the Cold War. Russia now holds sham elections where Putin wins 90% of the vote, and authorities there do not even try to hide their ballot stuffing. 
    There it is no freedom of speech or free media in Putin’s Russia. Protests are violently suppressed. Tens of thousands of people are in prison for protesting Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Political dissidents are harassed or thrown into jail. The bravest, like Alexei Navalny are killed outright. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have fled Putin’s Russia since his invasion of Ukraine. 
    That, Mr. President, is the Russian leader that Donald Trump admires. But, Mr. President, my Republican colleagues know all of this. And what is particularly disturbing to me – and I believe the American people – is my colleagues, my Republican colleagues understand and know that Trump is lying. They know that Russia started the war, not Ukraine. They know that Putin is a dictator, not Zelensky. But their silence has been overwhelming on this issue. 
    I cannot tell you how many times I have sat here on the floor and I have listened to my Republican colleagues come to the Senate to condemn Vladimir Putin and his brutal invasion of Ukraine. And many of their remarks were right on the money. They were perceptive and they were right. 
    And my simple question to my Republican colleagues right now is: “Where are you now?”
    Last I heard, Mr. President, this is still a democracy. Last I heard, we are still allowed to disagree with the president of the United States, even if he is a member of your own party. Last I heard, we are allowed to call out the president when he lies – blatantly lies, even if he is a member of our own party. And what really bothers me is I know that many of my Republican colleagues understand all of this. 
    And I just want to give you an example of what is going on right now. Let me just quote a few of my Republican colleagues in statements they have made since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. These are Republican members of the United States Senate. And I’m not going to mention names right now. I don’t want to embarrass anybody, put anybody on the spot. But these are quotes. 
    One leading Republican said, “we must remember the instigator of this war was Russia. It was president Putin who launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine.” And that Republican colleague was obviously right. 
    Another Republican said, and I quote. “I think Vladimir Putin started the war, I also believe, through bitter experience, that Vladimir Putin is a gangster.” That’s a Republican colleague. 
    A third Republican colleague said, “there is no equivalency between Vladimir Putin and President Zelensky. President Putin is evil and he has to be stopped.” 
    A fourth Republican said, when the war began, “today’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a premeditated and flagrant act of war. Putin has violated the border of a sovereign country.” And that senator later said, “anyone who is surprised by Putin’s deadly attack on a sovereign nation has not been paying attention. These are the actions of a mad man.” And just recently, that very same senator said, “Putin is not going to stop with Ukraine. If we abandon Ukraine and throw in the towel as some would like us to do, that is going to drastically change how people view the United States and how people rely on the United States and there will be major consequences.” 
    And a fifth Republican colleague here in the Senate called Putin a “thug” and compared him to Hitler. He said, “Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate leader. He is a war criminal that needs to be dealt with.” 
    That is what my Republican colleagues have said time and time again. 
    And the question is, now, do you have the courage to continue telling the truth when the president of the United States is lying? 
    This is an extraordinarily pivotal moment in American history. And all of us must have the courage to stand up for truth, to stand up for democracy, to oppose authoritarianism. 
    This is the moment. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: A just and lasting peace for Ukraine

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Three years ago today, Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine that has left hundreds of thousands dead and forced millions to flee. In the face of unimaginable hardship, Ukrainians have persevered and have fought for freedom and democracy. Canada has supported and will continue to support Ukraine in achieving just and lasting peace.

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, visited Kyiv today to reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

    During this visit, the Prime Minister highlighted the recent conclusion of negotiations between Canada and Ukraine on the terms of Canada’s $5 billion contribution to the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans mechanism. Canada will disburse the first half of its contribution, totalling $2.5 billion, in the coming days, with the remainder to follow soon. Announced last year at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the ERA Loans will bring forward the future revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets. This initiative will provide Ukraine with approximately $69 billion (US$50 billion).

    To maintain pressure on Russia, Prime Minister Trudeau announced new sanctions targeting 76 individuals and entities providing support for the Kremlin’s military industrial base, involved in the unlawful deportation or forced transfer of Ukrainian children, or supporting the Kremlin’s information operations capabilities, as well as senior Russian government officials and oligarchs who support Putin’s regime. In total, Canada has sanctioned more than 3,000 individuals and entities who are complicit in the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and in gross and systematic human rights violations. The Prime Minister also announced that Canada is taking action against Russia’s shadow fleet by sanctioning 109 vessels based on their involvement in the transfer of sanctioned goods, including hydrocarbons whose revenue fuels Russia’s war machine.

    In response to Russia’s renewed attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which have left millions of civilians deprived of electricity, water, and heat, the Prime Minister also announced a $50 million contribution to help support Ukraine’s urgent efforts to repair and replace damaged energy equipment and critical infrastructure, in partnership with the Energy Community Secretariat. This builds on the $20 million in funding Canada announced last year in support of this initiative at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Lucerne, Switzerland.

    During a bilateral meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Trudeau noted progress on Canada’s assistance commitments, including the delivery of military training and critical equipment, such as armoured combat vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles, ammunition, and F-16 landing systems and simulators. 

    Building on the $3.02 billion announced in the Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine last year, the Prime Minister announced that $40 million of the total $3.02 billion in funding will be allocated to deliver urgently needed capabilities to the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the Danish Model and another $15 million toward supporting Canadian companies seeking to operate and invest in Ukraine’s defence sector.

    The Prime Minister announced new assistance measures for Ukraine totalling $118.5 million, including:

    • $92.3 million in development assistance to strengthen local community building, support small-scale livelihood recovery projects that address community needs, reduce poverty and break down barriers to women’s full participation, address food security issues, and support the return of deported children and missing persons by improving the resilience of Ukraine’s government, communities, civil society, and private sector.
    • $14 million in humanitarian assistance, including for the provision of food, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene services, and mental health and psycho-social support to those in need.
    • $8 million for weapons threat reduction to provide critical personal protective equipment to Ukrainians facing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and to strengthen nuclear security in the country.
    • $4.25 million to support peace and stabilization operations, including assisting regional women’s rights organizations and ensuring representatives from civil society and media can work safely.
    • $82,000 for local initiatives that will support the physical and mental health of former Ukrainian prisoners of war.

    In total, Canada has committed over $19.7 billion in multifaceted assistance for Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

    In Kyiv, Prime Minister Trudeau joined President Zelenskyy and international partners to discuss the situation on the ground as well as Ukraine’s needs for military, financial, humanitarian, recovery, and other assistance. During a plenary session on the theme of “Defence and Security Strategy of Unity: Action Plan”, he delivered remarks commending the Ukrainian people for their bravery and resilience in the face of unjustified and brutal violence. He reaffirmed Canada’s position as an unshakeable ally who will continue to work with partners around the world to provide Ukraine with security and defence support – allowing it to recover, rebuild, and prosper.

    The Prime Minister also convened his G7 counterparts and President Zelenskyy for a hybrid meeting to further discuss support for Ukraine. He underlined the importance of G7 unity in supporting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as well as Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic recovery, noting that these would be priorities for Canada throughout our G7 Presidency this year.

    The Prime Minister also attended a candle-lighting ceremony where he paid tribute to all those whose lives have been lost since the start of Russia’s aggression. Throughout his visit, he reiterated that Canada will always stand with Ukrainians as they continue to fight for freedom, justice, and democracy. We will defend a future for Ukraine that’s written by Ukrainians. We will defend a Ukraine that is strong and free. And we will be with Ukraine in this fight until a just and lasting peace is reached.

    Quotes

    “For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all. Today, in Kyiv, my message to Ukraine and Ukrainians is loud and clear: Canada will continue to stand with you in achieving just and lasting peace. We are strengthening our commitments, providing additional support, and working with our partners to secure peace and freedom for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!”

    “Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and will continue to leverage sanctions to weaken Russia’s ability to wage its illegal war. By targeting its military-industrial base, exposing those responsible for crimes and abuses in occupied Ukrainian territories, and disrupting the oligarchs’ confidants and shadow fleet supporting the Russian regime, we are holding Russia accountable. For three years, Canada has stood with Ukraine, and we will stand by its side for as long as it takes.”

    “Since the start of Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Canada has stood with the Ukrainian people. We remain unwavering in our commitment to continue providing Ukraine with critical military assistance to defend itself against Russia’s brutal aggression. Together with our Allies and partners, we will ensure Ukraine has the support it needs in the fight to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

    Quick Facts

    • This was Prime Minister Trudeau’s fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. For this visit, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair.
    • In Ukraine, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez.
    • During his visit, the Prime Minister also welcomed a new partnership with the NATO Science for Peace and Security project through which Natural Resources Canada will receive $2.1 million in funding to help create tools, establish key performance indicators, and identify opportunities for the reduction of fossil fuel dependency in military operations.
    • The sanctions announced today against Russia’s shadow fleet include 92 oil tankers involved in transferring Russian oil to third countries, nine liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers involved in transferring Russian LNG to third countries, and eight vessels involved in moving arms and related material to Russia from Iran and North Korea. Canada is also adopting new measures that will prohibit a wider range of sensitive goods and technologies from being exported from Canada to Russia.
    • The measures announced today build on other recent announcements, including:
      • Providing $440 million in military assistance for Ukraine, including funding for the procurement and delivery of large-calibre ammunition and various calibres of ammunition from Canadian industry, the production of military drones by Ukraine’s domestic defence industry, the delivery of high-resolution drone cameras, and the donation of winter gear, such as sleeping bags and winter boots.
      • Providing $15 million in funding to the Innovative Mine Action for Community Recovery in Ukraine project, to help enhance Ukraine’s national mine action capacity, reduce the threat of explosive ordinance, and promote economic recovery. Canada also announced $2.2 million for the Cybersecurity Assistance Project, to provide essential cybersecurity support services, equipment, and training urgently needed by Ukraine to combat malicious cyber activities.
      • Marking the first anniversary of the launch of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which 41 states and the Council of Europe have joined in a collective commitment to bringing Ukrainian children home. With the help of Coalition Member States and other key international partners, Ukraine has successfully facilitated the safe return of nearly 600 children since the launch of the Coalition, and over 1000 to date. The Coalition is co-led by Canada and Ukraine.
      • Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and Ukraine to share information and expertise that will help members of Ukraine’s security and defence forces and their families have access to resources to transition to life after service.
    • Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed $19.7 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine. This includes:
      • Over $12.4 billion in direct financial assistance, the highest in the G7 on a per capita basis.
      • $4.5 billion in military assistance, such as M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, thermal clothing, body armour, fuel, and more.
      • Over $529 million in development assistance, including support to Ukraine’s energy system.
      • $372.2 million in humanitarian assistance, including support for emergency health interventions, protection services, and essentials such as shelter, water, sanitation, and food. Programming also addresses child protection, mental health support, and prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
      • Nearly $225 million in security and stabilization assistance.
    • In Kyiv, the Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing work of members of the Canadian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom and Poland under Operation UNIFIER. Since 2015, they have provided training on a range of military skills to over 40,000 Ukrainian troops. He noted that Canada continues to engage closely with Ukraine, Allies, and partners on how best to enhance support through Operation UNIFIER to help Ukraine defend itself.
    • Last year, on February 24, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy signed the historic Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, establishing a new strategic security partnership between our two countries. This included $3.02 billion in critical financial and military support to Ukraine for 2024.
    • As part of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the federal government announced last year its intention to double down on our efforts to support Ukraine, including through proposed legislative changes that will ensure profits from frozen Russian assets are used to rebuild Ukraine.
    • Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 220,000 Ukrainians. We are helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and have put support services in place for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.
    • Canada and Ukraine have long been steadfast partners and close friends. In 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. Today, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent call Canada home – the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world. In 2022, total bilateral trade between our two countries was valued at over $421 million.

    Related Product

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How virtual reality could help revive endangered language and culture

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Fabrizio Galeazzi, Associate Professor in Heritage and Creative Technologies, Anglia Ruskin University

    Every two weeks, a language is at risk of disappearing. According to the UN, at least 50% of the 7,000 different languages spoken around the world today could either disappear or become seriously endangered by the end of this century, leading to a significant loss of cultural diversity.

    “A language is not just words. It’s a culture, a tradition and a unification of a community, a whole history that creates what a community is,” as linguist Noam Chomsky once said.

    To help stem the tide, a collaboration between myself and colleagues at the StoryLab research institute at Anglia Ruskin University and creative industry partner NowHere Media is exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) technology and immersive storytelling to try to revitalise endangered indigenous cultures and languages.

    The results of our research interviews with participants suggest immersive stories, when created with communities, can be a powerful way of fostering group identity and promoting the long-term legacy and custodianship of cultural heritage.

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

    Created by NowHere Media before the start of our project, Kusunda VR is an immersive interactive film that encourages viewers to learn key words of the Kusunda language, which is under threat of disappearing in Nepal. The film documents the nomadic way of life of the Kusunda people. It features their language, in the form of interviews with its last remaining speakers.

    NowHere Media worked closely with shaman Lil Bahadur, just one of 150 Kusunda speakers left in the world, and his granddaughter Hima to capture the nomadic Kusunda world and language. They used volumetric filming and photogrammetry – techniques that create a three-dimensional space and allow for a highly realistic and immersive environment – to be played using virtual reality technology. Voice-based interactions help viewers learn some words in the Kusunda language.

    Lil almost lost his mother tongue when he gave up his hunter-gatherer lifestyle to live in the city at the age of 18. But researchers discovered that his teenage granddaughter was passionate about keeping her grandfather’s language – and culture – alive.

    “If the Kusunda language disappears then the existence of the Kusunda people in Nepal will also fade away,” Hima told us. “We’ll lose our identity. That’s why I want to save our language.”

    Hima began learning the language from community elder Gyani Maiya Sen-Kusunda, one of the last speakers of the language, an ambassador for its preservation and a teacher to the emerging generation. She was the original protagonist of Kusunda VR but died at the age of 83 in 2020 during the production of the film.

    Immersive technology

    StoryLab received a grant from the British Academy to evaluate the potential of immersive technology in bringing endangered languages back to life. Our research study, Reviving Kusunda, compared the interactive Kusunda VR experience alongside a short film created during the project. We wanted to to offer an insight into the role of immersive technologies in creating emotional understanding of the subject in comparison to regular film.

    Audio-visual 2D formats such as film have played an important role over the last century in documenting and archiving cultural heritage such as oral traditions, language and traditional art forms. However, we are keen to know how new technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, compare with existing audio-visual formats.

    Participants in our research – both members of the Kusunda community in Nepal and the public in the UK – identified many benefits to using multiple formats. However, they expressed a clear preference for VR. They highlighted the importance of interactivity and immersion in engaging viewers in the subject matter. With the VR experience, viewers are part of the story – a key aspect that helps revive stories and memories from the past.

    Participants considered VR especially effective in attracting their interest, creating a connection with the subject, and inspiring audiences to engage further with endangered languages and heritage.

    When viewing the VR experience, participants said they felt like a character in the film, and were immersed within the action which made them feel a strong emotional connection. They also noted how crucial it was to “feel” like the Kusunda people. This opens a range of possibilities for the use of VR for the revitalisation of endangered heritage and languages.

    The Reviving Kusunda project highlights how older speakers can educate younger generations about a language in a highly engaging way. We believe there are huge possibilities to use immersive 3D storytelling to revitalise other endangered languages.

    After the success of the Reviving Kusunda project, StoryLab now leads a €3 million Horizon Europe project called Revive. This looks specifically at two endangered European languages – Griko, spoken in parts of southern Italy, and Cornish, a language spoken in Cornwall in the southwest of England.

    This initiative brings together an international consortium of academic and industry partners to explore the integrated use of immersive technologies, data visualisation, archival research and co-creation to protect Europe’s heritage and linguistic capital.

    The aim is for immersive, interactive experiences to be hosted in museums and visitor centres to raise awareness of a region’s culture, as well as adapted to help with more formal language learning in schools and colleges for future generations.

    Participants of the Reviving Kusunda project universally acknowledged the unique way that VR can truly bring aspects of heritage to life, effectively “making intangible [heritage], tangible”.

    In the words of one participant from the Kusunda community: “When I watched the VR today, I felt I was watching the stories grandmother used to tell me. They were in front of my eyes as if they were real.”

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

    – ref. How virtual reality could help revive endangered language and culture – https://theconversation.com/how-virtual-reality-could-help-revive-endangered-language-and-culture-247856

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Child Predator Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison after Transporting 14-Year-Old Michigan Girl Across State Lines for Sex and Impregnating Her

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— Larry Goldsmith., 26, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity.

    According to court documents, in 2020, Goldsmith began messaging a 14-year-old girl living in Michigan through the social media applications Spot-a-Friend and Snapchat. Goldsmith knew of the child’s age at the time yet engaged in sexually explicit conversations with her. 

    At the end of August 2020, the child got into a verbal argument with her mother and expressed to Goldsmith that she wanted to run away from home. Goldsmith drove over four hours to Michigan and picked her up at a business near her home. Goldsmith was 21 years old at the time.

    On the way back to Indiana, Goldsmith engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the child at a rest stop in Michigan and then transported her across state lines to a home he rented in Indianapolis.  During their time living together, Goldsmith had sex with the child numerous times and impregnated her.

    After committing these offenses, Goldsmith continued his sexual abuse of minors by committing essentially the same conduct with another child in Georgia – where he drugged and raped a 13-year-old. In 2022, Goldsmith pleaded guilty to those crimes in Georgia and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, which he is currently serving.

    “Goldsmith is no longer a danger to children and families in our community,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “He is a manipulative, child predator who used the tools of social media to abuse a vulnerable child over and over again. I commend the outstanding work of local law enforcement agencies in Indiana and Georgia, along with the FBI, to bring the victim home safely.”

    “The FBI is unwavering in our mission to protect the most vulnerable members of our society – our children. This case highlights the disturbing reality of sexual exploitation, and the sentence ensures this predator will remain behind bars and unable to continue to perpetrate such atrocities,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to work together to ensure no child is victimized in this way.”

    “This sentence sends a clear message—those who harm children will be held accountable,” said IMPD Chief Chris Bailey. “The dedication and diligence of our IMPD officers, along with law enforcement agencies across the country, played a critical role in getting this predator behind bars.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Under federal law, Goldsmith must register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school for life.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryAnn T. Mindrum, who prosecuted this case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man In Prison for Rape Sentenced to Additional 235 Months for Federal Child Exploitation Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A federal district judge in Fort Pierce has sentenced a Georgia inmate who engaged in online child solicitation while serving time on a state rape conviction to 19.5 years in federal prison. 

    During the summer of 2023, Robert Francis Gilbert, 59, was an inmate at the Rutledge State Prison in Columbus, Georgia. He was serving a life-sentence for rape and was eligible for parole. That summer, Gilbert began communicating online with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. Gilbert used threats to solicit the creation of pornographic videos and arrange a sexual encounter once Gilbert got out of state prison. Law enforcement learned of Gilbert’s acts and alerted the state prison warden. Further investigation revealed that Gilbert possessed a cell phone with evidence of the crimes.  

    During a hearing before United States District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg on August 23, 2023, Gilbert pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.  Judge Rosenberg imposed yesterday’s sentence.

    United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Division, and Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek announced the sentence. 

    HSI Fort Pierce and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Hoover prosecuted it. 

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-14002.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Appeal to locate man in connection with Hackney murder investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Officers are looking to locate a man in connection with an ongoing murder investigation in Hackney.

    Jason Romeo, 20 was fatally stabbed outside an address in Bodney Street, E5 at 17:59hrs on Tuesday, 18 February.

    An investigation remains ongoing and three men have been charged in connection with Jason’s murder.

    Raynolph Asante, 22 (13.03.2002) of Pembury Road, Hackney, Travis Mitchell, 21 (23.07.2002) of Bodney Road, Hackney and Rhamyah Bailey-Edwards, 21 (21.08.2003) of Williams Avenue, Walthamstow have been charged with murder and appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 February.

    On Sunday, 23 February, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

    Detectives have named and released an image of 25-year-old Renaldo Roberts, who they would like to speak with in connection with this investigation.

    He has connections across Hackney and Dagenham.

    Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen of Specialist Crime North said “This investigation has moved quickly with officers arresting four men within five days.

    “We are now in the position to release Renaldo Robert’s details, who we would like to speak with to assist with our enquiries.

    “If you have any information on his whereabouts, please do not approach him and call 999 referencing CAD 5635/18FEB.”

    Following Jason Romeo’s death, officers in Hackney have been utilising additional stop and search powers this week.

    A section 60 order was authorised for the area during the weekend, giving officers the power to stop and search a person without reasonable suspicion.

    Detective Superintendent Vicky Tunstall of Central East Command Unit said:

    “We understand that the increased police presence in Hackney this week will be concerning for residents.

    “Our officers will remain in the area carrying out increased patrols. I’d encourage residents to discuss any concerns they may have with officers on patrol.

    “Reducing knife crime is a key focus and we will continue to work closely with partners for a safe borough.

    “I’d encourage anyone with information about those who could cause harm within our community, to contact us directly or through Crimestoppers.”

    Anyone with any information about the whereabouts of Renaldo Roberts is asked to contact the police on 999 as soon as possible, quoting 5635/18Feb.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charity Commission Chair calls on philanthropists to invest in Welsh charity

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Charity Commission Chair calls on philanthropists to invest in Welsh charity

    Orlando Fraser KC visits four Welsh charities in one of his last official visits to the country.

    Charity Commission Chair Orlando Fraser meets with representatives from the County Voluntary Council for Wrexham.

    The Chair of the charity regulator is urging greater giving from those with deeper pockets, during visits to charities today and tomorrow where he is seeing first-hand the impact of voluntary organisations in north Wales. 

    Orlando Fraser’s comments came as he visited the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW) today with other visits planned for tomorrow (25th February) to three more charities as he celebrates Wales’s community spirit. 

    AVOW is the County Voluntary Council for Wrexham. It provides free advice and signposts local community and voluntary organisations. AVOW also provides health and wellbeing support to the local community in Wrexham.

    The charity is one of many recipients to obtain funds through the regulator’s Revitalising Trusts Wales programme.

    Last year, the Revitalising Trusts team helped a volunteer wind up Wrexham Care Association after it had fallen inactive but had remaining funds to spend. After identifying AVOW as a suitable charity to use the funds as intended, the regulator oversaw the transfer of over £30,000.

    AVOW has been able to fund its Community Hubs Coordinator role for a further year, helping ensure vulnerable people can access local and voluntary services through community hubs based in Gwersyllt and Acton (Wrexham). The charity hopes to expand its network to additional locations and share best practices with other community-based organisations.

    Today’s visit comes as the programme reaches £11.6 million revitalised in Wales alone, contributing to good causes, community foundations and charities across Wales. Since 2021, 346 Welsh charities have entered the programme, 80 of which are now operating again after years of inactivity. The remaining 266 inactive charities have all successfully transferred any dormant assets ensuring they continue to contribute to the sector.  

    Speaking on the Revitalising Trusts Wales programme, Orlando Fraser KC, said:

    The Revitalising Trusts programme demonstrates how the sector and we as regulator have a common goal – ensuring public good rises above all else.

    There are fantastic benefits to being a trustee, but we know it can be difficult to recruit, and due to pressures on charities, it can be hard to remain active.

    Our programme, working with Community Foundation Wales and the Welsh government, offers trustees the support to get back on track or, if the decision to close is taken, helps them effectively wind up and transfer funds in a way that will ensure the legacy of their great work lives on.

    Tomorrow, Orlando Fraser is expected to visit North Wales Recovery Communities, Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation and the Snowdonia Society. This forms part of a farewell visit as he concludes his term as Chair of the charity regulator for Wales and England.

    Discussing his visits, Orlando added:

    In my time as Chair, I’ve been privileged to see first-hand the fantastic charitable work across England & Wales, work made possible by dedicated trustees, staff and volunteers.

    I’m grateful to AVOW, North Wales Recovery Communities, Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation and the Snowdonia Society for taking the time to meet with me.

    There is a strong community spirit here in Wales – and, as my term as Chair comes to an end, I call on potential philanthropists here and further afield, to invest in this spirit.

    Orlando’s call for more philanthropists comes as new research suggests that the UK’s richest people give a smaller proportion of their wealth to charity than the average person. The data from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) indicates that the UK’s millionaires (people with investable assets of £1 million or more) gave the equivalent of 0.4% of their combined investable assets in 2023 (equating to almost £8 billion) compared to wider UK public donations of around £14 billion to good causes in the same year, equating to 1.6% of their income.

    Research by Centre for Cities also shows that while Wales is home to some of the most generous people in the UK (according to percentage of income donated), donations tend to go to national rather than local charities.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Find out more: About us – The Charity Commission (www.gov.uk) 
    2. The Revitalising Trusts programme ensures charitable funds that are lying dormant are spent and make a difference as originally intended. The programme helps charities by supporting and advising trustees who find it hard to spend their income, recruit new trustees, identify beneficiaries, or find time to run the charity.  
    3. If you are working with a charity possibly in need of our help, email the Charity Commission at CSrevitalisingtrusts@charitycommission.gov.uk  for information and advice.
    4. For more Revitalising Trusts Wales case studies please contact our Press Office.
    5. Set up in 2014, North Wales Recovery Communities provides therapeutic housing and services to individuals affected by substance misuse, offending and homelessness. The Snowdonia Society was established in 1967 to protect and enhance Snowdonia. The Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation was originally established by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1972, to protect his property in North Wales and ensure its conservation for long-term public benefit.
    6. Research sources: ‘Donation Nation: The geography of charitable giving in the UK’, Centre for Cities, 2024. ‘Donation nation: The geography of charitable giving in the UK Centre for Cities’ and ‘High Value Giving: How The UK’s Wealthy Give’, Charities Aid Foundation, 2025. CAF High Value Giving Report

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Boost for UK economy as Arbitration Act receives Royal Assent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Boost for UK economy as Arbitration Act receives Royal Assent

    A new law to help the UK’s legal services sector maintain pole position and which will deliver millions more to grow the economy and help implement our Plan for Change.

    • New law to turbocharge UK’s position as the world-leader in arbitration
    • Modernised dispute resolution to attract more international business
    • Sector already worth £2.5bn boosted as part of Plan for Change to support growth

    The Arbitration Act, which received Royal Assent today (Monday 24 February), will help attract even more businesses from around the world to invest in the UK. It will re-enforce Britain’s position as the best place to resolve disputes without having to go to court.  

    This arbitration process saves companies significant costs in legal fees by providing a quicker alternative to court and reducing acrimony between the parties. Every year there are at least 5,000 domestic and international arbitrations in England and Wales – contributing at least £2.5 billion to the UK economy annually in fees alone.  

    Modernising arbitration law will ensure the UK remains the global destination of choice for the legal sector, outstripping competitors such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Paris. This will help generate greater employment in the sector to bring even more investment into the UK. 

    Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said:  

    The UK’s legal sector contributes billions to the economy and employs hundreds of thousands across the country.   

    Companies from across the world look to the UK for our legal services and dispute resolution. This new Act ensures that arbitration law keeps this country ahead of the rest and supports economic growth as part of this government’s Plan for Change. 

    Today’s new law makes arbitration fairer and more efficient by simplifying procedures to reduce costs and protecting arbitrators from unreasonable lawsuits. It also strengthens the courts’ powers to support emergency arbitration so time-sensitive decisions can be made more easily. 

    International arbitration is a major and growing area of activity. Industry estimates suggest the sector grew by around 26% between 2016 and 2020, and in the past 10 years, UK exports of legal services have risen by more than 80%. 

    Cristen Bauer, Head of Policy, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, said:

    As the leading professional body globally for dispute resolvers, we are delighted to see the Arbitration Act reach Royal Assent. We worked closely with the UK Law Commission and other officials during the review of the Arbitration Act 1996, and were pleased that the majority of our recommendations were included in the final report, and that all of the review’s recommendations were adopted.

    The Arbitration Act will strengthen London’s position as an arbitration seat, and continue to set a high standard internationally. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of the Arbitration Act 2025 for many years ahead.

    This Act supports economic growth in a multi-billion-pound sector – the UK is the largest legal market in Europe and is second only to the US globally. 

    The new laws are the latest step in the government’s work to support the sector to grow. This includes the GREAT Legal Services campaign which was launched in 2017 to promote the strength of English and Welsh Law, the UK’s world-renowned independent judiciary, and our legal expertise to the global market.  

    The latest figures from 2022 show that the UK’s legal sector generated £34 billion. This will be enhanced by key agreements in recent months including with Japan, Greece and Malaysia to allow UK lawyers to practise abroad.  

    The government asked the Law Commission to review the law to ensure the UK remains ahead of the curve when it comes to dispute resolution. They consulted extensively before making recommendations which have been accepted in full.

    Once in force, the Arbitration Act will:   

    • Clarify which law underpins individual arbitration agreements thereby improving legal certainty and speeding up arbitrations.
    • Empower arbitrators to speed-up decisions on issues that have no real prospect of success to make arbitration more efficient.
    • Introduce a duty on arbitrators to tell parties any circumstances which could cast reasonable doubt on their impartiality in deciding an outcome of a dispute.
    • Empower the court to better support arbitration through orders supporting the actions of emergency arbitrators to enhance their effectiveness, and orders against third parties (those not involved in the proceedings) to for example preserve evidence or take witness evidence.
    • Extend arbitrator immunity against liability for resignations and the costs of the application to court for their removal, to support arbitrators to make impartial decisions.
    • Simplify court procedures related to arbitration to increase clarity as well as reduce delays and costs for parties.

    The new law will be commenced through regulations as soon as practicable.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights ‘Oxygen of Humanity’, Critical to Sustainable Peace, Says Secretary-General

    Source: United Nations 4

    Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to Human Rights Council, in New York today:

    We begin this session under the weight of a grim milestone — the third anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations.  More than 12,600 civilians killed, with many more injured.  Entire communities reduced to rubble.  Hospitals and schools destroyed.  We must spare no effort to bring an end to this conflict, and to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.

    Conflicts like the war in Ukraine exact a heavy toll.  A toll on people.  A toll on fundamental principles like territorial integrity, sovereignty and the rule of law.  And a toll on the vital business of this Council.

    Without respect for human rights — civil, cultural, economic, political and social — sustainable peace is a pipedream.  And like this Council, human rights shine a light in the darkest places.

    Through your work, and the work of the High Commissioner’s Office around the world, you’re supporting brave human rights defenders risking persecution, detention and even death.  You’re working with Governments, civil society and others to strengthen action on human rights.  And you’re supporting investigations and accountability.

    Five years ago, we launched our Call to Action for Human Rights, embedding human rights across the work of the United Nations around the world in close cooperation with our partners.  I will continue supporting this important work, and the High Commissioner’s Office, as we fight for human rights everywhere.  We have our work cut out for us.

    Human rights are the oxygen of humanity.  But, one by one, human rights are being suffocated.  By autocrats, crushing opposition because they fear what a truly empowered people would do.  By a patriarchy that keeps girls out of school, and women at arm’s length from basic rights.  By wars and violence that strip populations of their right to food, water and education. By warmongers who thumb their nose at international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter.

    Human rights are being suffocated by the climate crisis.  And by a morally bankrupt global financial system that too often obstructs the path to greater equality and sustainable development.  By runaway technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) that hold great promise, but also the ability to violate human rights at the touch of a button.  By growing intolerance against entire groups — from Indigenous Peoples, to migrants and refugees, to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other identities (LGBTQI+) community, to persons with disabilities.  And by voices of division and anger who view human rights not as a boon to humanity, but as a barrier to the power, profit and control they seek.

    In short — human rights are on the ropes and being pummelled hard.  This represents a direct threat to all of the hard-won mechanisms and systems established over the last 80 years to protect and advance human rights.

    But, as the recently adopted Pact for the Future reminds us, human rights are, in fact, a source of solutions.  The Pact provides a playbook on how we can win the fight for human rights on several fronts.

    First — human rights through peace and peace through human rights.  Conflicts inflict human rights violations on a massive scale.  In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, violations of human rights have skyrocketed since the horrific Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 and the intolerable levels of death and destruction in Gaza.

    And I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation. We are witnessing a precarious ceasefire.  We must avoid at all costs a resumption of hostilities.  The people in Gaza have already suffered too much.

    It’s time for a permanent ceasefire, the dignified release of all remaining hostages, irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part.

    In Sudan, bloodshed, displacement and famine are engulfing the country.  The warring parties must take immediate action to protect civilians, uphold human rights, cease hostilities and forge peace.  And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms should be permitted to document what is happening on the ground.

    In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we see a deadly whirlwind of violence and horrifying human rights abuses, amplified by the recent M23 [23 March Movement] offensive, supported by the Rwandan Defence Forces. As more cities fall, the risk of a regional war rises.

    It’s time to silence the guns.  It’s time for diplomacy and dialogue.  The recent joint summit in the United Republic of Tanzania offered a way forward with a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire.  The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected.  The Congolese people deserve peace.

    In the Sahel, I call for a renewed regional dialogue to protect citizens from terrorism and systemic violations of human rights, and to create the conditions for sustainable development.

    In Myanmar, the situation has grown far worse in the four years since the military seized power and arbitrarily detained members of the democratically elected Government.  We need greater cooperation to bring an end to the hostilities and forge a path towards an inclusive democratic transition and a return to civilian rule, allowing for the safe return of the Rohingya refugees.

    And in Haiti, we are seeing massive human rights violations — including more than a million people displaced, and children facing a horrific increase in sexual violence and recruitment into gangs.  In the coming days, I will put forward proposals to the United Nations Security Council for greater stability and security for the people of Haiti — namely through an effective UN assistance mechanism to support the Multilateral Security Support mission, the national police and Haitian authorities.  A durable solution requires a political process — led and owned by the Haitian people — that restores democratic institutions through elections.

    The Pact for the Future calls for peace processes and approaches rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law and the UN Charter.  It proposes specific actions to prioritize conflict prevention, mediation, resolution and peacebuilding.  And it includes a commitment to tackle the root causes of conflict, which are so often enmeshed in denials of basic human needs and rights.

    Second — the Pact for the Future advances human rights through development.  The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and human rights are fundamentally intertwined. They represent real human needs — health, food, water, education, decent work and social protection.

    With less than one fifth of the Goals on track, the Pact calls for a massive acceleration through an SDG Stimulus, reforming the global financial architecture, and taking meaningful action for countries drowning in debt.  This must include focused action to conquer the most widespread human rights abuse in history — inequality for women and girls.

    The Pact calls for investing in battling all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, and ensuring their meaningful participation and leadership across all walks of life.  And along with the Declaration on Future Generations, the Pact calls for supporting the rights and futures of young people through decent work, removing barriers for youth participation, and enhancing training.  And the Global Digital Compact calls on nations to champion young innovators, nurture entrepreneurial spirit and equip the next generation with digital literacy and skills. 

    Third — the Pact for the Future recognizes that the rule of law and human rights go hand-in-hand.  The rule of law, when founded on human rights, is an essential pillar of protection.  It shields the most vulnerable.  It’s the first line of defence against crime and corruption.  It supports fair, just and inclusive economies and societies.  It holds perpetrators of human rights atrocities to account.  It enables civic space for people to make their voices heard — and for journalists to carry out their essential work, free from interference or threats.  And it reaffirms the world’s commitment to equal access to justice, good governance and transparent and accountable institutions.

    Fourth — human rights through climate action.  Last year was the hottest on record — capping the hottest decade on record.  Rising heat, melting glaciers and hotter oceans are a recipe for disaster.  Floods, droughts, deadly storms, hunger, mass displacement — our war on nature is also a war on human rights.  We must choose a different path.

    I salute the many Member States who legally recognize the right to a healthy environment — and I call on all countries to do the same.  Governments must keep their promise to produce new, economy-wide national climate action plans this year, well ahead of thirtieth UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil.  Those plans must limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C — including by accelerating the global energy transition.

    We also need a surge in finance for climate action in developing countries, to adapt to global heating, slash emissions and accelerate the renewables revolution, which represents a massive economic opportunity. We must stand up to the misleading campaign of many in the fossil fuel industry and its enablers who are aiding and abetting this madness, while also protecting and defending those on the front lines of climate justice.

    And fifth — human rights through stronger, better governance of technology.  As fast-moving technologies expand into every aspect of our lives, I am deeply concerned about human rights being undermined.

    At its best, social media is a meeting ground for people to exchange ideas and spark respectful debate.  But, it can also be an arena of fiery combat and blatant ignorance. A place where the poisons of misinformation, disinformation, racism, misogyny and hate speech are not only tolerated — but often encouraged.  Verbal violence online can easily spill into physical violence in real life.

    Recent rollbacks on social media fact-checking and content moderation are reopening the floodgates to more hate, more threats and more violence.  Make no mistake.  These rollbacks will lead to less free speech, not more, as people become increasingly fearful to engage on these platforms.  Meanwhile, the great promise of AI is matched by limitless peril to undermine human autonomy, human identity, human control — and yes, human rights.

    In the face of these threats, the Global Digital Compact brings the world together to ensure that human rights are not sacrificed on the altar of technology.  This includes working with digital companies and policymakers to extend human rights to every corner of cyberspace — including a new focus on information integrity across digital platforms.

    The Global Principles for Information Integrity I launched last year will support and inform this work as we push for a more humane information ecosystem.

    The Global Digital Compact also includes the first universal agreement on the governance of AI that brings every country to the table and commitments on capacity-building, so all countries and people benefit from AI’s potential.  By investing in affordable Internet, digital literacy and infrastructure.  By helping developing countries use AI to grow small businesses, improve public services and connect communities to new markets.  And by placing human rights at the centre of AI-driven systems.

    The Pact’s decisions to create an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and an ongoing Global Dialogue that ensure all countries have a voice in shaping its future are important steps forward.  We must implement them.

    We can help end the suffocation of human rights by breathing life into the Pact for the Future and the work of this Council.  Let’s do that together.  We don’t have a moment to lose.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Eviden unveils new generation of enterprise servers for AI and critical applications

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Powered by the latest Intel® Xeon® 6 processors, the new BullSequana SH server line-up will achieve up to 1.5x better performance and up to 1.7x better memory bandwidth for AI workload and business-critical applications compared to previous generation.

    Paris, France – February 24, 2025 – Eviden, the Atos Group business leading in digital, cloud, big data and security today announces 4 new Bullsequana SH servers based on the latest Intel processing technology, the Intel® Xeon® 6 processor. Combining a performance boost, an unrivalled scale-up architecture and unique eco-efficient technologies, these servers are perfectly suited to the needs of businesses, cloud providers, and hyperscalers, enabling them to confidently deploy their critical and artificial intelligence applications.

    Although virtualization and cloud adoption have favored scale-out deployments, they are not well-suited for real-time business processing, big data and analytics (e.g., SAP HANA®), which require maximum computational resources to process vast amounts of data. These applications can benefit from a scale-up architecture which offers a large number of processors in close proximity and substantial memory capacity, allowing large amounts of data to be kept close to the processor, thereby minimizing the latency when fetching data.

    Designed for an optimum flexibility and scalability, these new additions to the BullSequana SH range is composed of 4 complementary servers with a computing capacity from one to eight 2-socket server modules. With up to 128 terabytes of DDR5 memory capacity and scalability from 2 to 32 processors in 2-CPU steps thanks to Eviden’s Node Controller UNC5 interconnect technology, clients can easily scale-up their infrastructure, shifting from one model to the other, avoiding over-allocation of resources as well as preserving investments and application environments.

    For the first time, our BullSequana-SH scale-up servers will include our patented Eviden DLC technology as a new cooling option. This innovation gives customers the flexibility to select the ideal cooling solution tailored to their specific usage needs. With heat dispersion efficiency reaching up to 97% and functionality even at an inlet water temperature of 40°C, these servers achieve superior cooling while reducing energy consumption for heat transport, significantly enhancing the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of data centers. For example, compared to air cooling systems with similar configurations, our DLC technology offers at least a 10% reduction in energy consumption, leading to a 10% decrease in carbon emissions. Additionally, it doubles rack density and optimize the performance of Intel Xeon 6 processors.

    Entirely manufactured in Eviden’s flagship factory in Angers (France) and designed by Eviden’s R&D teams, the BullSequana SH range already has a strong track record of successful deployments around the world for more than 200 clients and achieved a world record in terms of performance during a SAP HANA Benchmark in June 2024.

    Charles-Philippe Gaudron, Global head of Business Computing and AI at Eviden, Atos Group quote said “Our BullSequana SH range is part of the Group’s AI expertise and its broad spectrum of AI sovereign solutions, from infrastructure to models and services. These new enterprises servers offer an evolutive platform, with or without a GPUs, able to run a large variety of models and use cases such as in-memory AI computing applications. Powered by Intel®Xeon®6 processors, the latest processing technology on the market, our new BullSequana SH servers offers a unique combination of scale-up architecture, eco-efficient technologies and optimal performance. With the launch of our new business computing servers, we are redefining the future of AI and critical applications for businesses, cloud providers and hyperscalers.”

    ***

    About Eviden1

    Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 41,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. € 5 billion.

    About Atos

    Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 82,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    Press contact

    Constance Arnoux – constance.arnoux@atos.net – +33 (0)6 44 12 16 35

    1 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, X-Perion.

    Eviden is a registered trademark. © Eviden SAS, 2025.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OMERS Earns $10.6 billion in Investment Income in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OMERS, the defined benefit pension plan for Ontario’s broader municipal sector employees, achieved a 2024 investment return of 8.3%, or $10.6 billion, net of expenses, exceeding its 7.5% benchmark for the year. Net assets at December 31, 2024, grew to $138.2 billion from $128.6 billion in 2023. The Plan reported a smoothed funded status of 98%, up from 97% in 2023. Over the past 10 years, OMERS has averaged an annual investment return of 7.1%, net of expenses, adding $70.5 billion to the Plan.

    “Our strong result in 2024 reflects the quality of our people and portfolio, our active strategic decisions, and our steady progress as a long-term investor. Since becoming CEO of OMERS, I have been incredibly proud of the work of our leaders and their teams, as well as the forward-thinking strategies we have implemented over the last four years as we emerged from the pandemic. This combination has generated an average annual net return of 8.1% during that period,” said Blake Hutcheson, OMERS President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we look to the future, we are steadfast in our view that quality will see us through an unpredictable global landscape and the cycles ahead. Our talented team is focused on delivering our pension promise and is honoured to work in service of our almost 640,000 members.”

    “Our actions to diversify the global portfolio positioned the Plan well in 2024,” said Jonathan Simmons, OMERS Chief Financial and Strategy Officer. “OMERS public equity investments delivered double-digit performance supported by strong contributions from private credit and infrastructure. Our net investment results benefitted from our active strategy to maintain currency exposure to the US dollar. Our real estate assets continue to generate strong operating income, but returns were held back due to lower valuations. Our asset mix continued to shift toward a higher exposure to fixed income, where return opportunities remain attractive. We expanded our overall use of leverage as we continued to use debt prudently to enhance our investment returns.”

    This year, we are reporting that OMERS achieved a 58% reduction in its portfolio carbon emissions intensity, relative to 2019, and we reported an increase in green investments to $23 billion. For more information on how we define green investments, please refer to the OMERS Climate Taxonomy.

    OMERS is highly rated across independent credit rating agencies, including ‘AAA’ ratings from S&P, Fitch, and DBRS.

    OMERS will publish its 2024 Annual Report on February 28, 2025.

    Media Contact:

    Don Peat
    dpeat@omers.com
    416.417.7385

    About OMERS

    OMERS is a jointly sponsored, defined benefit pension plan, with 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and almost 640,000 active, deferred and retired members. Our members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children’s aid societies across Ontario. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe – serving members and employers, and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in government bonds, public and private credit, public and private equities, infrastructure and real estate.

    Net Investment Returns for the years ended December 31

      2024   2023
    Government Bonds 1.0%   5.8%
    Public Credit 6.0%   6.2%
    Private Credit 12.6%   10.0%
    Public Equities 18.8%   10.4%
    Private Equities 9.5%   3.9%
    Infrastructure 8.8%   5.5%
    Real Estate -4.9%   -7.2%
    Total Net Return 8.3%   4.6%


    2024 Asset Mix

    2024 Highlights

    By the numbers

    • 2024 investment return of 8.3%, or $10.6 billion, net of expenses
    • $138.2 billion in net assets
    • 10-year average annual net return of 7.1%
    • 639,546 OMERS members
    • 98% smoothed funded ratio
    • 3.70% real discount rate, 5 basis points lower than 2023
    • $6.5 billion total pension benefits paid
    • We are reporting a 58% reduction in the portfolio carbon emissions intensity, relative to 2019
    • $23 billion in green investments
    • 96% OMERS member service satisfaction
    • 93% of employees are proud to work for OMERS and Oxford (+5 points above best-in-class)

    Transactions in 2024

    OMERS remains focused on deploying capital in line with our target asset mix. We are a disciplined investor in high-quality assets that meet the Plan’s risk and return requirements. Please find below highlights of investments made in 2024.

    • Acquired Italy’s Grandi Stazioni Retail which manages the entirety of commercial and advertising spaces in 14 of Italy’s major railway stations and hubs for the high-speed rail network, which collectively receive over 800 million visits a year. The stations include over 800 commercial units, totaling around 190,000 Sqm of leasable space, and over 1,800 media assets.
    • Increased our stake by 13.5% in Indian roads business Interise Trust, one of the largest Indian Infrastructure Investment Trusts in the roads sector.
    • Supported XpFibre to successfully raise €5.8 billion of credit facilities, marking one of the largest multi-sourced transactions in the European digital infrastructure market to date. XpFibre is the largest independent Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) operators in France delivering high speed internet to approximately 25% of the French territory in terms of homes passed.
    • Announced an agreement to acquire Integris, a leading provider of IT services in the United States.
    • Issued $3.2 billion in bonds by OMERS Finance Trust, including our inaugural AUD offering – an AUD 750 million, 5-year note.
    • Announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Maritime Transport at West Midlands Interchange in the UK.
    • Participated in the US$15M Series A investment into Brightwave, an Al-powered research platform that delivers insightful and trustworthy financial analysis on demand. It was named as one of TIME magazine’s top inventions of 2024.
    • Participated in two follow-on investments. The first was in Medal, an online platform that lets gamers clip and share video of their gameplay and Altana, a company that applies artificial intelligence to create a dynamic, intelligent map of the global supply chain.
    • Closed our acquisition of Kenter, an energy infrastructure solutions business providing medium-voltage infrastructure and meters to over 25,000 commercial and industrial business customers in the Netherlands and Belgium.

    We rotate capital out of assets with the same level of discipline with which we invest. This activity generates capital, which we deploy into future investment opportunities that align to our strategy. In 2024, we announced or completed the following realizations:

    • Announced the sale of a stake in East-West Tie Limited Partnership which owns the East-West Tie Line, a 450-kilometre, 230 kV double-circuit transmission line spanning from Wawa to Thunder Bay, along the north shore of Lake Superior.
    • Completed the sale of LifeLabs, a trusted provider of community laboratory tests for millions of Canadians that had been owned by OMERS since 2007.
    • Completed a €182.5 million green refinancing on a comprehensively renovated Paris office asset.
    • Completed the sale of its £518 million UK retail park portfolio.
    • Completed the sale of CEDA, which had been majority-owned by OMERS since 2005.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d74c32c-3c0d-4915-af73-70788746bb63

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/136a43d0-d624-48ac-bd8c-133cd153643c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landlord licensing extends to 1,900 more properties across Manchester

    Source: City of Manchester

    Selective Licensing is one way that cities can drive up standards in privately rented properties – a key priority for Manchester City Council.

    Since 2017, more than 3,500 homes across the city have been fully licensed making sure that those homes are safer and better managed for the tenants living in the properties.  

    Now, from this week (Monday 24 February 2025) the owners and managing agents of 1,863 more flats and houses will be required to be apply for a landlord licence that will make sure these homes meet the necessary safety requirements, have the correct gas and electrical safety certification, and that they can demonstrate good management standards. 

    Currently, private sector homes have fewer regulations protecting residents and Selective Licensing provides Councils to require landlords of all private rented properties to obtain a license in a particular area and is intended to address the impact of poor-quality housing.  

    Following public consultation, licensing can be introduced if an area is experiencing significant and persistent problems caused by antisocial behaviour (including environmental and waste management issues), poor property conditions, high levels of migration, high levels of deprivation, high levels of crime, low housing demand – or is likely to become such an area. 

    For the latest designated licensing areas, the Council has specifically targeted homes on the basis of property condition and antisocial behaviour linked to waste management problems. 

     

    The new licensing schemes across six Manchester wards, include:  

     

    Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:  

    “We know that there are currently fewer regulations and therefore less protection against poor housing in the private sector than other forms of rental homes – such as social rent properties. This means that there a minority of landlords who we have found do not take the responsibility for their property, the safety of their tenants, nor the impact of their property on the wider community seriously enough.   

    “This is by no means every landlord and most work hard to make sure the properties they let are safe and of a good standard. But Selective Licensing is one of the ways we can hold landlords that don’t to account and drive up standards for our residents.   

    “We believe that everyone in Manchester deserves a safe and secure home. This is a basic right and through Selective Licensing we can work directly with landlords and their tenants to make sure this is their reality. 

    “And we are seeing the impact of our interventions, and more than 3,550 homes have already been licensed, removing 1,700 hazards from Manchester’s private sector homes that would otherwise still be a blight on tenants in the city.” 

     

    Impact of previous licensing schemes 

       

    Enforcement Action on non-compliant landlords   

    Enforcement action has been undertaken where necessary to target landlords who have failed to comply with the licensing scheme and notices to improve property conditions.   

    So far, these include:   

    Find out more about Selective Licensing 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Anniversary of Ukraine invasion: Parliamentary Secretary Armstrong-Homeniuk

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mast Issues Statement Marking Three-year Anniversary of Ukraine War

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement upon the third anniversary since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

    “Today’s three-year anniversary marking the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is no cause for Russian celebration. It marks the anniversary of the largest tactical and strategic blunder in Russian history. While Russia has brought brutality against civilians and soldiers alike, raping women and kidnapping children, Ukraine is slaughtering hundreds of thousands of Russian conscripts who have invaded their country. Ukraine is likewise annihilating the soldiers Vladimir Putin imported from Kim Jong Un’s North Korea and overcoming the financial and military support flowing from China and Iran. President Trump has recognized the need to end this carnage. He will never be Neville Chamberlain, he will not seek a premature peace that allows the enemy to regroup, and he will settle for nothing less than sustained peace backed by a Europe which is capable of defending itself from Russia. Europe must meet the moment and match Russian military spending and recruitment. Europe must realize that for our alliance to be the strongest in history, America needs a Europe that can hold its own.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: DDB Miner Expands AI-Driven Cloud Mining Platform, Offering Stable Passive Income for Crypto Investors in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    9.23 Million Members and Growing: A New Era of Accessible and Profitable Cloud Mining

    BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DDB Miner, a global leader in cloud mining solutions, has announced a major expansion of its AI-driven platform, designed to provide stable, passive income for cryptocurrency investors. With over 9.23 million registered members worldwide, DDB Miner is setting a new standard for accessibility, transparency, and profitability in the cloud mining industry.

    Rising Above Market Volatility

    Amidst ongoing cryptocurrency market fluctuations and rising inflation, DDB Miner’s advanced cloud mining technology offers a dependable alternative to traditional trading. Unlike speculative investments, cloud mining provides consistent returns without the need for active management. Investors can earn daily profits by renting mining capacity through DDB Miner’s platform, eliminating the complexities of hardware ownership and maintenance.

    AI-driven cloud mining.

    For experienced traders, the conclusion is simple: volatility is a double-edged sword. While some try to time the market, the real winners are those who find a stable, passive income source. That’s why many people abandon volatility trading and turn to cloud mining for stable profits.

    So what is driving so many leading cryptocurrency investors to abandon cloud mining and bet on the next XRP rally? The reasons are stable profits, automation, and simplicity.

    DDB Miner has 9.23 million members worldwide. Register now to join the cloud mining contract for free. Giving yourself a chance is giving yourself a future.

    Click to download the official app and take control of your financial freedom anytime, anywhere!

    XRP Collapse – Why the Crash is Inevitable
    Once the darling of cryptocurrencies, XRP has been underperforming due to regulatory uncertainty, whale selling, and market jitters caused by inflation. Some traders had hoped that XRP would rebound, but today’s inflation report shattered expectations and XRP hit the bottom.

    XRP’s decline caught most traders off guard and forced them to revise their strategies. Instead of speculating on currencies, most people turned to cloud mining because its daily returns are not affected by market fluctuations and are very stable.

    As XRP’s volatility makes it an unsafe investment, cloud mining is becoming a refuge for savvy traders seeking long-term stable returns.

    Why traders favor cloud mining over trading
    Traditional cryptocurrency trading is hectic, unstable, and time-consuming. Bear markets can wipe out all of the previous month’s gains in a matter of minutes, and inflation data only adds to the confusion. With cloud mining, however, investors can earn hands-free, guaranteed returns without having to constantly check charts.

    Cloud mining is simple — as easy as renting mining capacity from a place like DDB Miner and watching your crypto balance increase day after day. It’s the perfect alternative to the stressful, high-risk world of crypto trading.

    For those tired of market volatility, bot trading losses, and endless stop losses, cloud mining represents a worry-free way to generate crypto gains passively — without the stress.

    DDB Miner: The Cloud Mining Giant That Will Rule in 2025
    DDB Miner: is changing the face of cloud mining, offering investors a way to easily earn passive income without any technical knowledge. Founded in 2017, the company has gained worldwide recognition for the transparency, security, and high yields of its mining activities.

    With over 9.23 million registered members, DDB Miner leverages AI mining technology to maximize profits and minimize operational costs. Unlike traditional mining, which requires expensive hardware and electricity, DDB Miner takes care of everything for you, so you just sit back and collect your daily dividends.

    Making $10,000 a day is easier than you think!
    Imagine: waking up every morning with $10,000 more in your crypto wallet—without having to do anything. That’s life for DDB Miner investors, who earn a constant passive income through AI-driven cloud mining contracts.

    With a variety of contract types available, investors can start with $100 or invest more than $100,000. With DDB Miner’s top-of-the-line mining equipment, every investor gets the best mining efficiency, guaranteeing maximum returns.

    Unlike trading, where one mistake can ruin your portfolio, DDB Miner generates steady returns with instant withdrawals, so you always have control over your profits.

    How Bitcoin Mining Works and Why It’s Still Profitable
    Bitcoin mining is the lifeblood of the cryptocurrency world, with miners responsible for confirming transactions and securing the blockchain. However, traditional mining has become too expensive and complicated for the average investor.

    That’s where cloud mining comes into play. Investors don’t have to buy expensive hardware; they can simply rent mining power from industrial-scale mining farms like DDB Miner and get first-class infrastructure without the hassle of maintenance.

    With Bitcoin’s limited supply and rising mining difficulty, cloud mining remains one of the most profitable ways to earn BTC, and DDB Miner makes it easy for you to reap those gains.

    How to Get Started with DDB Miner in Minutes
    It’s never been easier to get started with DDB Miner cloud mining. Take these simple steps to start generating passive income today:

    Sign Up in Seconds: Head to the DDB Miner website and sign up
    Choose a Mining Plan: Choose from a number of lucrative mining contracts starting as low as $12.
    Deposit: Deposit funds into your account via USDT-TRC20, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, BNB, USDT-ERC20, BCH, DOGE, SOL (Solana), XRP or other leading cryptocurrencies.
    Start Mining: As soon as your contract is activated, your daily profits start rolling in.
    Withdraw at any time: Instantly withdraw your profits or reinvest for compound returns.
    One-click registration and app download – don’t let this opportunity slip away!
    DDB Miner is the future of passive crypto wealth, offering a high-yield, worry-free investment plan that’s better than trading in every way.

    Click the link below to download the official APP and register in one click!

    Register now and start earning daily profits!

    Media Contact:
    Katerina Audrey
    DDB Miner Media Relations
    Email: info@ddbminer.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by DDB Miner. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the DDB Miner and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in cloud mining and related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06623c0e-cec0-4617-a8d7-9f9b58ea5321
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c04f9a10-e79a-4b2e-ba27-e4bbf0f273e8
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1038269f-cefd-4f96-83ee-b236da91b65d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement commemorating the third anniversary of Russia’s total invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022:
    “Three years ago, more than 100,000 Russian troops invaded Ukraine, launching the largest war of aggression in Europe since World War II. I was visiting NATO and U.S. troops in Lithuania the week that the war began, and as I flew back from Europe, I prayed for the success of the brave Ukrainian fighters. Analysts believed it was only a matter of days until Kyiv fell and Putin was victorious.
    “Instead, for three years, the courageous Ukrainian people have defended their homeland, their freedom, and their democracy. Backed by a global coalition of more than 50 nations, they have fought and inflicted massive losses on the Russian aggressors, the largest army in Europe. They have endured unimaginable hardship, the crippling of their economy, and the atrocities of too many war crimes to count.
    “President Zelenskyy has ably led his country, and his people have fought with incredible bravery. Tragically, President Trump appears poised to give Putin a victory at the negotiating table that he has been unable to secure on the battlefield. He has repeated Russian propaganda, picked fights with Zelenskyy, and seems set on imposing a peace “deal” that will effectively surrender Ukraine to Putin. This strategic mistake would embolden our adversaries, waving a flag for Russia to continue marching across eastern Europe, for China to adopt a similar playbook for Taiwan, and for Iran and North Korea to learn that by partnering with this axis of autocrats, they can defeat the West. If he does abandon Ukraine, Trump will go down as the biggest betrayer of our interests and our ideals of this century.
    “On this anniversary, it is time for every American advocate of freedom, no matter their party, to tell President Trump that he must not force Ukraine into a weak peace that will not hold. He must instead make clear to Putin that we will stand behind Ukraine in this war, in partnership with our European allies, who are offering to take on more of the burden of defending Ukraine and to join us in securing the peace. That is “peace through strength,” that is how we bring this war to a just end, and how we live up to the values that have long defined us as Americans.”
    Senator Coons is the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ministerial appointments: February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Ministerial appointments: February 2025

    The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments.

    The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

    • Ashley Dalton MP as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care. 

    • The Rt Hon. Douglas Alexander MP jointly as a Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, in addition to his role as Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade.

    • Lord Moraes OBE as a Lord in Waiting (Government Whip).

    • Lord Wilson of Sedgefield as a Lord in Waiting (Government Whip).

     Andrew Gwynne MP has left the government.

    Lord Cryer has left the government.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Three deposit auctions of UK FRT LLC will take place on 25.02.2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Parameters;

    Date of the deposit auction 02/25/2025. Placement currency RUB. Maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) 2,595,000,000.00. Placement term, days 31. Date of depositing funds 02/25/2025. Date of return of funds 03/28/2025. Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00. Terms of the conclusion, urgent or special (Urgent). Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) 2,595,000,000.00. Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form, open or closed (Open). Basis of the Agreement – General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Applications in preliminary mode from 12:00 to 12:10. Bids in competition mode from 12:10 to 12:15. Setting the cutoff percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 12:25.

    Additional terms

    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: //VVV. MOEX.K.Mom/N77925

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Annual Inflation Increased in Most Regions in January

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Annual inflation increased in 75 regions, while in the rest it remained the same as in December or decreased.

    The most noticeable increase in prices was for services, while prices for food and non-food products remained virtually unchanged.

    Inflation remains high and it will take a long time to keep rates high to bring it back to 4% in 2026.

    For more information on inflation in each region, seeinformation and analytical materials, published on the website of the Bank of Russia.

    Preview photo: SERGEI ILNITSKY | EPA | TASS

    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: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23400

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On approval of the regulations for conducting trading on the stock market

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    We inform you that from March 1, 2025, the Temporary Regulations for conducting trading on the stock market, deposit market and credit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC are established

    The text of the Document is posted on the page Moscow Exchange | Markets (moex.com).

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    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: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Oleksa Drachewych, Assistant Professor in History, Western University

    On Feb. 18, representatives from Russia and the United States met in Saudi Arabia to determine if peace in Ukraine is possible. Ukrainian representatives were not invited.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media that the meeting was a step in developing an “enduring peace” between Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed in a media interview that the meeting was “very positive” and confirmed the true meaning of the talks was to start normalising relations between Russia and the U.S.

    Although U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed “the Russians want to see the war end,” Russian officials remain committed to their war aims. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov announced before the meetings that Russia would not return Ukrainian territory. After, he stated that should a peace deal be brokered, any peacekeeping forces could not come from NATO nations. The latter statement stunted growing European efforts to develop a security guarantee for Ukraine should a ceasefire be reached.

    Keith Kellogg, U.S. envoy for Kyiv and Moscow, said after his Feb. 20 meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. is aligned with the nation — and that any end to the war with Russia should ensure there is no “next war”. Yet White House officials do not seem to have Ukraine’s best interest in mind in negotiating a potential resolution to the war.

    For instance, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Feb. 12 that the U.S. government doesn’t believe NATO membership for Ukraine “is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.” He added that Ukraine would need to accept territorial concessions to Russia.

    Trump has also increasingly parroted Russian narratives — such as claiming that Ukraine started the war. He has also delegitimized Zelenskyy by claiming he is a “dictator” who refuses to hold elections — despite the nation’s constitution stating elections cannot legally be held under martial law.

    Trump also continues to demand 50 per cent of Ukraine’s natural resources to repay the United States for previous military and financial support. This has led to a deterioration in Ukrainian-U.S. relations at a time where Russian-U.S. relations appear to be improving.



    Read more:
    Ukraine’s natural resources are at centre stage in the ongoing war, and will likely remain there

    European leaders have responded with frustration. Zelenskyy has made his position clear that any negotiation must include Ukraine at the table. Ukraine would not accept an imposed peace.

    Any attempt at negotiating a lasting peace between the two nations must include accountability for Russian crimes.

    The realities of Russia’s invasion

    American overtures for peace have often referred to “stopping the millions of deaths” in Russia’s war in Ukraine. While on the surface this goal is admirable, it oversimplifies the realities of what the last three years of war have done to Ukraine. Namely, Russian forces have committed extensive war crimes and atrocity in Ukraine.

    Russian forces barrage Ukraine with drone strikes and terror bombing — including targeting civilians. Even as negotiations were happening in Saudi Arabia, Russian drones struck Odesa, injuring four civilians. This was the latest in a long line of such attacks. International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants are out for Russian military leaders on just this issue.

    The Ukrainian government has confirmed over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russian forces. But in July 2023, Russian officials claimed they had over 700,000 Ukrainian children in Russian territory.

    Investigative reporting confirms the Russian government is assimilating these children — forcing them to stop speaking Ukrainian and raising them with a Russian identity. These actions have also led to ICC arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner who oversees the program. Russia’s actions violate the UN Genocide Convention.

    Widespread sexual assault by Russian forces has been documented against Ukrainian men and women. Torture chambers have also been found in liberated cities. Russian forces committed mass murder in multiple Ukrainian cities — underscored by the discovery of mass graves in Bucha, Izium and Lyman.

    Mariupol, once a city of over 400,000 has been reduced to a population of 120,000 as of 2023. This showcases the devastation caused by Russian forces. Russia has also started seizing buildings to give to Russian settlers to further Russify the city.

    The realities under Russian occupation are only partially known. The Russian government has demanded Ukrainians living under occupation forfeit their Ukrainian identification documents and obtain Russian passports. In schools, Russia has fully implemented its nationalistic curriculum, which includes “anti-Ukrainian propaganda” aimed at assimilating Ukrainian children.

    Against international law, forcible Russification of the Ukrainian people has become a common feature of Russian occupation during this war.

    Ukraine’s fight for justice

    Ukraine continues to fight against Russian occupation. While it’s honourable to want to stop the deaths caused by fighting, the Russian regime’s actions in Ukrainian territory must be remembered too.

    This is why justice is just as important as resolution. While it’s unlikely Russian officials will find themselves before the ICC, there must be some form of accountability for Russian crimes against Ukraine if peace is negotiated. While present frontlines may dictate where Ukraine may be forced to cede territory or freeze conflict, the realities of Russian aggression cannot be ignored.

    Here, history offers a guide for what shouldn’t be done this time when brokering a peace deal.



    Read more:
    How Russia’s fixation on the Second World War helps explain its Ukraine invasion

    During the Second World War, Soviet forces committed extensive war crimes and atrocities. Yet the Soviet Union never faced a reckoning for those acts. Russian officials remember this. As a result, Putin feels empowered to commit similar atrocities in Ukraine — believing Russia, just as the Soviet Union, won’t face any consequences.

    For any possibility of lasting peace, accountability and justice for Russian war crimes must be at the forefront of negotiations. Otherwise, Russia will have learned it can act with impunity — threatening the likelihood of enduring peace for Ukraine.

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

    – ref. Why justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations – https://theconversation.com/why-justice-for-ukraine-must-be-at-the-forefront-of-peace-negotiations-250208

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK statement for the annual High-Level Segment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK statement for the annual High-Level Segment

    UK statement at the annual High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council. Delivered by Lord Collins, FCDO Minister for Africa, UN, Commonwealth & Human Rights.

    Mr Vice President,

    I stand here not just as a life-long trade unionist but also as a Minister of an internationalist Labour government committed to human rights and the rule of law.

    We have gathered today against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile and uncertain world. Conflicts and geopolitical tensions are robbing people across the world of their most basic rights.

    That’s why the United Kingdom backs Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. That’s why the ceasefire in Gaza must be fully implemented. We want to see an end to the conflict, with every hostage released and vital aid reaching Gaza, leading to a credible process towards a two-state solution.

    That’s why we welcome the Syrian interim authorities’ efforts to build a more inclusive future for all Syrians. It’s why we welcome Bangladesh engaging with the High Commissioner as it addresses past crimes and future aspirations. 

    It’s why we are heartbroken by the suffering in Sudan and commend the DRC for bringing the appalling situation in the East of their country to this Council just two weeks ago.

    That’s why we are urging China to implement the recommendations of the United Nations High Commissioner’s Xinjiang assessment and respect the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.

    Against this worsening global climate, the United Kingdom is determined to champion equal and inalienable rights for all. So I’m proud that the United Kingdom is standing for election to the Council for the 2026 to 2028 term. 

    Throughout its many terms on the Council, the United Kingdom has always put respect and partnership at the heart of our approach. And we promise to collaborate in the same spirit once again. If elected, we pledge to defend civic space and fundamental freedoms, supporting civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

    We pledge to champion equal rights for all, by standing up for the rights of women and girls and LGBT+ people whose hard-won rights and freedoms are being so cruelly undermined, and by promoting women’s economic empowerment. And we will do all we can to uphold the rule of law. Because human rights and the rule of law are the basic building blocks of sustainable economic growth, stable societies, and humane migration policies.

    We will prioritise human rights and governance principles, including the use of new technologies and responding to modern slavery.

    But the United Kingdom is under no illusion that we can do all this alone. We cannot. That’s why we need your support. And if we have the honour of serving on the Council, we will prioritise practical action to achieve our shared human rights goals and change people’s lives for the better.

    Ultimately, it is only by building genuine, respectful partnerships that we can work together to defend the freedoms we all hold so dear.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in an extended meeting of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in a meeting of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture in the Federation Council

    February 24, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in a meeting of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture in the Federation Council

    February 24, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in a meeting of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture in the Federation Council

    February 24, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in a meeting of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture in the Federation Council

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in a meeting of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture. The participants discussed the issue of preparation for the government hour as part of the 585th meeting of the upper house of parliament.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko thanked Valentina Matvienko, Lilia Gumerova and other senators for their attention to the educational sphere and joint work on developing the Education Development Strategy.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the education sector is one of the key areas for achieving the national goals set by President Vladimir Putin.

    “Russian citizens are actively involved in the work on the Education Development Strategy. More than 340 thousand respondents took part in the survey on the public services portal, and more than 1 thousand proposals were generated. In the conditions of global competition, we need to ensure the accelerated development of the educational system together. Our goal is to create equal and decent conditions for teachers, increase the prestige of the profession, raise its social status, attract young personnel to schools and retain them,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also noted the importance of ensuring equal access to quality education regardless of place of residence. To this end, thanks to the implementation of the national project “Education”, about a million school places have already been created, and within the framework of the national project “Demography” – almost 250 thousand places in kindergartens, and the construction of new facilities is planned within the framework of the national projects “Youth and Children” and “Family”.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the growing demand for blue-collar jobs and professions. The “Professionality” project has been implemented since 2022.

    “As of today, 493 clusters have been created in 81 regions in 24 sectors of the economy and social sphere within the framework of “Professionality”. We strive to ensure that by the end of 2026 the project covers all 89 regions of Russia, and by 2030 a total of 940 clusters have been created,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    The Government and the Federation Council also actively cooperate in the formation of regional policy in the field of intellectual property.

    “In the context of modern challenges, it is necessary to clearly define strategic directions for the development of education in the country. Government hour will be devoted to this topic,” said Lilia Gumerova, opening the meeting.

    According to her, during 2024, the committee carried out a number of events to improve the domestic education system. Recommendations were prepared, including on resolving issues of reducing the bureaucratic burden, improving the mechanisms for conducting the unified state examination, developing career guidance, secondary vocational education, pedagogical education, improving the higher education system, including the mechanism of targeted training, taking into account the experience of the admissions campaign in 2024.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On approval of risk parameters of the currency market and the precious metals market

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    By the decision of the NCO NCC (JSC), from 24.02.2025, the following parameters of the Price Update Auction are approved on the Foreign Exchange Market and the Precious Metals Market for all currency pairs for which Moscow Exchange PJSC provides for holding a price update auction:

    No. Parameter Description Meaning
    1 Austench Auction allowed when the upper limit of the price corridor is shifted Yes
    2 Austimonl Auction allowed when lower boundary of price corridor shifts Yes
    3 Nchanggeaust Number of shifts of the upper boundary of the price corridor without starting an auction 0
    4 Nchangaistl Number of shifts of the lower boundary of the price corridor without starting an auction 1
    5 UAUST Waiting time at the upper boundary of the price corridor, preceding its shift when the auction parameter is set to “Yes” 10
    6 their Waiting time at the upper boundary of the price corridor, preceding its shift when the auction parameter is set to “No” 10
    7 Waustl Waiting time at the lower boundary of the price corridor, preceding its shift when the auction parameter is set to “Yes” 10
    8 st Waiting time at the lower boundary of the price corridor, preceding its shift when the auction parameter is set to “No” 10
    9 OT_h Waiting time at the upper boundary of the price corridor when the following conditions are met: – for this currency pair, the auctionH parameter = Yes; – the number of previously performed shifts of the lower boundary of the Price corridor of the instrument for buying or selling this currency pair is not less than nChangeAuctH; – Moscow Exchange does not provide for holding an auction to update prices in the event of a change in the boundary of the price corridor 600
    10 OT_L Waiting time at the lower boundary of the price corridor when the following conditions are met: – for this currency pair, the auctionL parameter = Yes; – the number of previously performed shifts of the lower boundary of the Price corridor of the instrument for buying or selling this currency pair is not less than nChangeAuctL; – Moscow Exchange does not provide for holding an auction to update prices in the event of a change in the boundary of the price corridor 600

    The list of the Currency Market instruments for which the Price Update Auction is being held is published in the text on Moscow Exchange website.

    The current values of the Price Update Auction parameters are published on on the NCC website in the section “Static risk parameters”.

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    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: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On 24.02.2025, the deposit auction of the PPC “TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND” will take place

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    The date of the deposit auction is 24.02.2025. The placement currency is RUB. The maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) is 450,000,000.00. The placement period, days is 28. The date of depositing funds is 25.02.2025. The date of return of funds is 25.03.2025. The minimum placement interest rate, % per annum is 21.00. Terms of the conclusion, urgent or special (Urgent). The minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) is 450,000,000.00. The maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form, open or closed (Open). The basis of the Agreement is the General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Applications in preliminary mode from 15:00 to 15:10. Applications in competition mode from 15:10 to 15:15. Setting the cut-off percentage rate or declaring the auction failed until 15:25.

    Additional terms

    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: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Dare and Win!”: How February 23 was celebrated at the Military Training Center

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day in Military training center The HSE hosted ceremonial meetings and creative evenings of student amateur performances. Such events are held here every year on the eve of February 23, and not only HSE students, but also students from partner schools and honorary guests take part in them.

    “Conquer new heights”

    The guest of honor at the ceremonial meeting and creative evening of 4th-year students was Vice-Rector Sergey Rozhkov. After the State Flag of the Russian Federation, the flag of the HSE Military Training Center were carried out and the Anthem of the Russian Federation was performed, he congratulated all those present on Defender of the Fatherland Day.

    “I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity, to always move forward, and not to stop in the face of difficulties. You will have to conquer new heights, and it does not matter whether they will be connected with the specialty you have chosen or with service in the Armed Forces – as far as I know, we also have those who want to join the military service. Dare and win,” said Sergey Rozhkov, addressing the students.

    He also wished for a quick big victory in the special military operation. “We are really looking forward to it, it is important for all of us,” the vice-rector concluded.

    The head of the Military Training Center (VTC), Hero of Russia Vladimir Korgutov, also delivered welcoming words.

    “This national holiday firmly links the past, present and future of Russia, is a symbol of fortitude, courage, solidarity and unity, pride in one’s country and its history. And today we remember those who conscientiously fulfilled their military duty – in every home, in every family, there are reminders of the heroism of our grandfathers and fathers. Military exploits and traditions will never be forgotten,” he said.

    The Hero of Russia recalled the soldiers and officers who died during the SVO, including those who were personally known to the teachers of the Military Training Center. Those present in the hall honored their memory with a minute of silence.

    Award ceremony

    Vladimir Korgutov reported that in the run-up to Defender of the Fatherland Day, congratulations were sent to the Military Training Center “from many of our colleagues and comrades.” Among them were representatives of universities from different regions of Russia where military training centers operate. “We also congratulate them and advocate for us to have more joint projects,” he added.

    This was followed by a ceremony to present awards to the staff and students of the Military Training Center.

    For the consistently high quality of performance of official duties, Sergey Rozhkov presented a letter of gratitude from the Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Nikita Anisimov to the teacher Departments of the Ground Forces Aleksandr Alekseev, associate professor Andrey Cherkesov and the educational department dispatcher Olga Lobova. The vice-rector’s gratitude was awarded to associate professor of the Land Forces Department Viktor Prilyudko.

    A teacher received a commemorative badge of the city of Moscow “80 years of the Battle of Moscow” Department of Aerospace Forces Alexander Lyubimov. Andrey Cherkesov was awarded the medal “65 years of the Strategic Missile Forces” by the Council of Veterans of the Strategic Missile Forces. Gratitude from the head of the Military Training Center was announced to engineer Irina Petrova and senior engineer of the educational and training equipment department Yuri Kuprienko.

    In addition, the best students received incentives. This is not only a certificate or gratitude, but also a photo taken near the unfurled flag of the VUC together with Hero of Russia Vladimir Korgutov, as well as a “letter to the homeland” – a message to parents, which tells about the achievements of their son. Another form of incentive in honor of February 23 is the removal of a previously imposed penalty, and this is no less important for students than any other award.

    Tribute

    Holding concerts on the eve of February 23 is one of the traditions of the Military Training Center. First of all, it is a tribute to those who defended our Motherland during the Great Patriotic War and other wars, and to those who today, faithful to their military duty, continue to defend it.

    This year, not only students of the Military Training Center performed at the creative evenings, but also invited performers and creative groups, for example, the vocal studio “Kladez” from the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation under the direction of Oksana Kazakova. Famous songs of the war years and modern works were performed, including those written by the students themselves. A quiz on military topics was also organized for fourth-year students.

    Yaroslav Rodkin, 2nd year student of the OP “Strategy and production in communications“, acted as the host of the creative evening and read poems of his own composition. “I dedicated the poem “Soon Home” to the soldiers who are awaited at home, because at the front it is important to feel the support of relatives, and the poem “A Bullet Flies” – to the soldiers who died in battles for Russia,” he explained.

    Petr Kutukov, 2nd year student of the OP “Right“, performed the song “We Need One Victory” at two creative evenings – for his classmates and for fourth-year students. The participation of younger fighters in a concert for older ones is another tradition that helps pass the baton and strengthen the spirit of camaraderie.

    “I studied music in my school years and I love singing for the soul. I try to participate in extracurricular activities, and the concert for Defender of the Fatherland Day is a good opportunity to prove myself. This holiday is close to me: my great-grandfather, born in 1898, took part in four wars, my father and grandfather were officers. War songs have a special energy, many of them are written by people who know firsthand what war is,” said Petr.

    “The baton is in safe hands”

    Another tradition of the VUC is a farewell speech to graduates. At the end of the creative evening for 4th-year students, it was delivered by ordinary professor Adam Nizhalovsky.

    He reported that the HSE Military Training Center is one of the best among 137 military training centers in the country, and is distinguished by the high quality of students typical of the HSE, and a unique faculty: 2 generals, 20 colonels, 13 lieutenant colonels, 1 major, 1 “growing lieutenant”. Among them are 16 doctors and candidates of science, 11 combat veterans, including 4 holders of the Order of Courage, 2 holders of the Order “For Military Merit”.

    “We are the only military training center that has been commanded by a Hero of Russia for over ten years,” Adam Nizhalovsky emphasized. He assured those gathered that the baton is in good hands and that HSE graduates “will form the core of the country’s mobilization resource.”

    Then Tatyana Kravets, the guest of honor, the principal of School No. 1251 named after Charles de Gaulle, spoke, attending the event together with her students. She noted that today’s officers and students are growing up in schools. “We admire you. You were and remain our hope and support, and our graduates will honorably, as expected, replace you at your combat post,” the principal said.

    The students presented Vladimir Korgutov with a cake with the number 23 on it. “The doors of the Military Training Center are always open for you,” he assured.

    The Science of Encouragement

    Summing up the ceremonial events, Vladimir Korgutov noted in an interview with Vyshka.Glavnoe that they are an important part of the military-patriotic education of future officers. The presentation of awards is a way to encourage the best, and joint creative activities help to unite the team. “Students get to know each other better, are imbued with the spirit of patriotism,” the Hero of Russia believes.

    In his opinion, it is important to encourage not only experienced teachers, but also young officers and those who are engaged in ensuring the educational process. Alexander Lyubimov, the “growing lieutenant” mentioned in the parting words, the only one who received a state award for Defender of the Fatherland Day, successfully prepares the VUC team for the computer science Olympiads among cadets of military universities.

    “Olga Sergeevna Lobova is a senior warrant officer, a very good employee. Everything that concerns the plans for holding events, drawing up a schedule, distributing audiences – this is hers! Irina Valeryevna Petrova, also an excellent employee, keeps records of personnel, interacts with military registration and enlistment offices, and annually prepares an order from the Minister of Defense to assign ranks to our graduates,” adds Vladimir Korgutov.

    Among the students who have repeatedly received gratitude is a student of the OP “Applied Mathematics and Computer Science» Namig Damirov. Last year, he took 1st place in the individual competition at the All-Army Cadet Olympiad in Computer Science in St. Petersburg, leaving behind his peers from military universities, and his team took 2nd place in the specialized competition. Lieutenant Alexander Lyubimov took an active part in his preparation.

    “The competition is not easy, and we were pleased with the results. I hope that the foundation we laid will help the next generations of students who will represent the Military Training Center at this Olympiad,” Namig said.

    “Indistinguishable from Lev Leshchenko”

    Viewers shared their impressions of “Vyshka.Glavnoe”.

    “The concert was amazing. I especially remember the vocal and vocal-dance numbers of the invited artists, and the evening of amateur performances was wonderfully complemented by their professionalism. An unexpected surprise were the performances of the second-year students: wonderful singers – it was almost impossible to distinguish them from Lev Leshchenko,” says a fourth-year student of the OP “Business Management» Arseniy Samsonov.

    Completing his studies at the Military Training Center, he thanks Colonel Korgutov not only for mastering the military profession, but also for joining the army community, understanding its spoken and unspoken laws. “When I came to the Military Training Center in my second year, this world seemed alien and strange, but now I feel a part of it and am proud to be a reserve officer of the Strategic Missile Forces. I had previously planned to connect my career with the civil service, and the Military Training Center strengthened this intention in me,” the student says.

    “When they performed the song ‘Officers’ and the entire audience stood up, I saw tears welling up in Vladimir Aleksandrovich Korgutov’s eyes,” said Tatyana Kravets.

    “You understand, guys, he is a combat officer, a participant in the First Chechen War,” she addressed her students. “‘I sing to the officers who took pity on their mothers, returning their living sons to them’ – these words are about him. He received the title of Hero of Russia because there were no casualties in his unit. Think about it! He saved everyone!”

    “I liked the theme night,” adds eighth-grader Sergei Burov. “An hour and a half flew by in an instant, the war songs and poems went straight to my heart. If I manage to get into the Higher School of Economics, I will definitely go to study at the Military Training Center and will also perform at such concerts.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Development of Concentration Risk Regulation: Discussion Results

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    The Bank of Russia, following discussions with the market on the reform of credit concentration risk regulation finalized individual provisions of the concept.

    In particular, the following changes have been made to it:original version:

    — a reduced risk weight of 50% for state-owned companies with revenues exceeding 2% of GDP when calculating concentration standards will be applied for a year longer — until January 1, 2029. By that time, the concentration limiter for such companies will be the H30 standard, which will be calculated by systemically important banks;

    — the criteria for the operational independence of companies for determining a group of related borrowers (GRB) have been adjusted. In particular, the requirements for the composition of the board of directors have been simplified. In addition, if the mutual financial obligations of companies in one GRB are small, the companies will be considered operationally independent;

    — the approach to which subsidiaries and dependent companies of the bank may be excluded from the calculation of the maximum risk standard for related parties H25 has been clarified. Financial subsidiaries that finance the business of the bank owners insignificantly will be excluded.

    The Bank of Russia will continue to introduce regulations aimed at reducing concentration risks. It is expected that a number of changes (for example, the phased introduction of calculating concentration on the issuer of securities under reverse repo, inclusion in the calculation of requirements for accrued credit income, operational independence criteria) will be implemented as early as 2025.

    Preview photo: fireflite59 / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    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: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23399

    MIL OSI Russia News –