NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh Steps Down

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Christopher R. Kavanaugh announced today that he will step down as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, resigning from the Department of Justice, effective Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. after serving more than three years in office.

    “Four years ago, Chris Kavanaugh was one of the first people I brought in to join the Office of the Deputy Attorney General because of his experience within the Department and his leadership on national security issues,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Throughout his distinguished career – at Main Justice, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia and the Western District of Virginia, and as United States Attorney – Chris has served the Department and his fellow Virginians with integrity and tenacity. I am grateful for his service.”

    Mr. Kavanaugh was sworn in by Deputy Attorney General Monaco on October 7, 2021, after having been unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate.  Mr. Kavanaugh was later appointed to be a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, a group that advises the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General on emerging policy issues facing the Department and the United States Attorney community.  Mr. Kavanaugh also chaired the AGAC’s National Security Subcommittee, which supported the Department’s enhanced focus on investigations and prosecutions of malign foreign influence and nation state threats.   

    “Chris Kavanaugh has been an incredible partner for ATF and a national leader in the fight against violent crime.  He has worked side-by-side with law enforcement to bring impactful cases, prosecute dangerous criminals, and lead in the innovative use of Crime Gun Intelligence to make Virginia, and this Nation, safer,” said Steven M. Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    During his tenure, Mr. Kavanaugh led the U.S. Attorney’s Office through a transitional period, expanding its footprint, hiring a record number of federal prosecutors and staff, and spearheading ground-breaking criminal and affirmative civil enforcements.

    “Every day, the public servants of United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia work to make the District – and our Nation – a safer and better place for us all,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today.  “It has been the honor of my life to lead this team of selfless individuals who are so dedicated to fairness, the rule of law, and doing what is right.  I know that WDVA will continue to make an outsized impact as citizens of the Justice Department, and I look forward to its future.

    I thank President Biden for nominating me, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine for their recommendation, and Attorney General Garland and Deputy Attorney General Monaco for leading the Department and supporting the United States Attorney community during my tenure.  It has been an honor to serve the American people.”

    Under Mr. Kavanaugh’s leadership, the Western District of Virginia has achieved notable successes in numerous complex criminal and civil cases. For example:

    United States v. McKinsey & Company

    For the first time ever, a management consulting firm was held criminally responsible for advice resulting in the commission of a crime by a client, Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin. McKinsey & Company agreed to pay $650 million to resolve criminal and civil investigations into the firm’s consulting work, including a 2013 engagement with Purdue Pharma which McKinsey advised on steps to ‘turbocharge’ sales of OxyContin.  A former senior partner at McKinsey & Company also agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of obstruction of justice for deleting Purdue related documents in an attempt to obstruct future investigations.

    United States v. Envigo

    In 2024, the Western District of Virginia obtained criminal convictions of Envigo, a biotechnology company dedicated to breeding animals for medical research with locations throughout North America.  WDVA’s investigation revealed that Envigo was mistreating animals in violation of the Animal Welfare Act and polluting waterways in violation of the Clean Water Act.  After a federal search warrant was executed, the Justice Department secured the surrender of over 4,000 beagles from an Envigo facility in Cumberland, Virginia. Envigo pled guilty to violating the Animal Welfare Act and the Clean Water Act, agreeing to pay more than $35 million in criminal penalties and fines – a record for any prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.

    The Killing of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler

    Tragedy struck the small town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia in the early morning hours of November 13, 2021, when Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler was murdered while responding to a disturbance call.  The United States Attorney’s Office for WDVA brought federal charges against not only the person who shot and killed Chandler, Michael Donivan White, but also 18 other defendants who were a part of a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.  Over the last few years, every single defendant has been convicted. White is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2025 and faces between 40- and 100-years’ incarceration.

    The Bribery Trial of Sheriff Scott Jenkins

    This week, a federal jury in the Charlottesville Division of WDVA returned guilty verdicts on all counts against former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins.  Jenkins had accepted numerous cash bribes and bribes in the form of campaign contributions from at least eight different people – one of whom he believed to be a felon – in exchange for appointing them as Auxiliary Deputy Sheriffs.  A jury found Jenkins guilty of bribery, honest services fraud, and conspiracy after a trial and he will be sentenced in March 2025.

    District Transformation

    In addition to the case work victories, under Mr. Kavanaugh’s leadership, the U.S Attorney’s Office itself has transformed. Offices in Abingdon and Charlottesville have expanded, and the Office was awarded a nearly 20% increase in Assistant United States Attorneys, expanding the level of federal prosecutors to their highest levels in history.  In a challenging budget climate, Mr. Kavanaugh has also made strides to modernize the Office’s capabilities to process voluminous amounts of documents for its more sophisticated prosecutions.

    “On behalf of FBI Richmond, I sincerely thank Chris Kavanaugh for his service as U.S. Attorney. His unwavering commitment to justice and his exceptional partnership have been instrumental in advancing our shared mission of keeping Virginia safe. Chris’ leadership and collaboration have made a profound impact, and we deeply appreciate his dedication to ensuring the rule of law prevails,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richmond Division.

    “U.S. Attorney Kavanaugh’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in our initiatives to safeguard the health and safety of the citizens of Western Virginia. His determination in developing effective judicial strategies have contributed to the dismantling of many drug-trafficking networks and significantly mitigating this threat to our communities. We extend our best wishes to him in his future endeavors,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division.

    Prior to his time as United States Attorney, Mr. Kavanaugh was an Assistant United States Attorney for 14 years, having served in United States Attorney’s Offices for both the Western District of Virginia and the District of Columbia.  During his career, Mr. Kavanaugh directed numerous multi-agency investigations and prosecutions, with a focus on national security, white-collar crime, civil rights, and violent crimes involving racketeering and homicides. In WDVA, he served as the District’s chief national security prosecutor and Senior Litigation Counsel.  Among other matters, he led the Department’s investigations and prosecutions into the Unite the Right riots of August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Just prior to his confirmation, Mr. Kavanaugh was Senior Counsel to Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dutch National Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Money Laundering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Xiomara Christian, age 37, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, was sentenced yesterday to 33 months of incarceration following her guilty plea to conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

    As part of her guilty plea on October 10, 2024, Christian admitted that from May 2017 to November 2018, she and a co-conspirator laundered drug proceeds from Europe and Australia through bank accounts in the Northern District of New York, intending to conceal the true source of the proceeds, and to make it appear as though the money was legally obtained through legitimate business transactions.

    On October 4, 2018, Christian delivered €101,950 ($114,816.09) in drug proceeds to an undercover agent with the National Police of The Netherlands in The Netherlands. On October 5, 2018, an undercover agent with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission picked up $85,000 AUD ($57,843 USD) in drug proceeds from another co-conspirator in Melbourne, Australia. Christian then had the money wired through a bank account in Latham, New York, and sent to bank accounts in Panama.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered the entry of a money judgment against Christian in the amount of $172,659. Christian faces removal from the United States following service of her term of imprisonment.

    The DEA investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Octopuses and their relatives are a new animal welfare frontier − here’s what scientists know about consciousness in these unique creatures

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rachel Blaser, Professor of Neuroscience, Cognition and Behavior, University of San Diego

    A common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) off Croatia in the Mediterranean Sea. Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images

    We named him Squirt – not because he was the smallest of the 16 cuttlefish in the pool, but because anyone with the audacity to scoop him into a separate tank to study him was likely to get soaked. Squirt had notoriously accurate aim.

    As a comparative psychologist, I’m used to assaults from my experimental subjects. I’ve been stung by bees, pinched by crayfish and battered by indignant pigeons. But, somehow, with Squirt it felt different. As he eyed us with his W-shaped pupils, he seemed clearly to be plotting against us.

    A common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in Portugal’s Arrábida Natural Park.
    Diego Delso/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA

    Of course, I’m being anthropomorphic. Science does not yet have the tools to confirm whether cuttlefish have emotional states, or whether they are capable of conscious experience, much less sinister plots. But there’s undeniably something special about cephalopods – the class of ocean-dwelling invertebrates that includes cuttlefish, squid and octopus.

    As researchers learn more about cehpalopods’ cognitive skills, there are calls to treat them in ways better aligned with their level of intelligence. California and Washington state both approved bans on octopus farming in 2024. Hawaii is considering similar action, and a ban on farming octopus or importing farmed octopus meat has been introduced in Congress. A planned octopus farm in Spain’s Canary Islands is attracting opposition from scientists and animal welfare advocates.

    Critics offer many arguments against raising octopuses for food, including possible releases of waste, antibiotics or pathogens from aquaculture facilities. But as a psychologist, I see intelligence as the most intriguing part of the equation. Just how smart are cephalopods, really? After all, it’s legal to farm chickens and cows. Is an octopus smarter than, say, a turkey?

    A deepwater octopus investigates the port manipulator arm of the ALVIN submersible research vessel.
    NOAA, CC BY

    A big, diverse group

    Cephalopods are a broad class of mollusks that includes the coleoids – cuttlefish, octopus and squid – as well as the chambered nautilus. Coleoids range in size from adult squid only a few millimeters long (Idiosepius) to the largest living invertebrates, the giant squid (Architeuthis) and colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis) which can grow to over 40 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds.

    Some of these species live alone in the nearly featureless darkness of the deep ocean; others live socially on active, sunny coral reefs. Many are skilled hunters, but some feed passively on floating debris. Because of this enormous diversity, the size and complexity of cephalopod brains and behaviors also varies tremendously.

    Almost everything that’s known about cephalopod cognition comes from intensive study of just a few species. When considering the welfare of a designated species of captive octopus, it’s important to be careful about using data collected from a distant evolutionary relative.

    Marine biologist Roger Hanlon explains the distributed structure of cephalopod brains and how they use that neural power.

    Can we even measure alien intelligence?

    Intelligence is fiendishly hard to define and measure, even in humans. The challenge grows exponentially in studying animals with sensory, motivational and problem-solving skills that differ profoundly from ours.

    Historically, researchers have tended to focus on whether animals think like humans, ignoring the abilities that animals may have that humans lack. To avoid this problem, scientists have tried to find more objective measures of cognitive abilities.

    One option is a relative measure of brain to body size. The best-studied species of octopus, Octopus vulgaris, has about 500 million neurons; that’s relatively large for its small body size and similar to a starling, rabbit or turkey.

    More accurate measures may include the size, neuron count or surface area of specific brain structures thought to be important for learning. While this is useful in mammals, the nervous system of an octopus is built completely differently.

    Over half of the neurons in Octopus vulgaris, about 300 million, are not in the brain at all, but distributed in “mini-brains,” or ganglia, in the arms. Within the central brain, most of the remaining neurons are dedicated to visual processing, leaving less than a quarter of its neurons for other processes such as learning and memory.

    In other species of octopus, the general structure is similar, but complexity varies. Wrinkles and folds in the brain increase its surface area and may enhance neural connections and communication. Some species of octopus, notably those living in reef habitats, have more wrinkled brains than those living in the deep sea, suggesting that these species may possess a higher degree of intelligence.

    Holding out for a better snack

    Because brain structure is not a foolproof measure of intelligence, behavioral tests may provide better evidence. One of the highly complex behaviors that many cephalopods show is visual camouflage. They can open and close tiny sacs just below their skin that contain colored pigments and reflectors, revealing specific colors. Octopus vulgaris has up to 150,000 chromatophores, or pigment sacs, in a single square inch of skin.

    Like many cephalopods, the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is thought to be colorblind. But it can use its excellent vision to produce a dizzying array of patterns across its body as camouflage. The Australian giant cuttlefish, Sepia apama, uses its chromatophores to communicate, creating patterns that attract mates and warn off aggressors. This ability can also come in handy for hunting; many cephalopods are ambush predators that blend into the background or even lure their prey.

    The hallmark of intelligent behavior, however, is learning and memory – and there is plenty of evidence that some octopuses and cuttlefish learn in a way that is comparable to learning in vertebrates. The common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), as well as the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the day octopus (Octopus cyanea), can all form simple associations, such as learning which image on a screen predicts that food will appear.

    Some cephalopods may be capable of more complicated forms of learning, such as reversal learning – learning to flexibly adjust behavior when different stimuli signal reward. They may also be able to inhibit impulsive responses. In a 2021 study that gave common cuttlefish a choice between a less desirable but immediate snack of crab and a preferred treat of live shrimp after a delay, many of the cuttlefish chose to wait for the shrimp.

    Cuttlefish perform in an experiment adapted from the Stanford “marshmallow test,” which was designed to see whether children could practice delayed gratification.

    A new frontier for animal welfare

    Considering what’s known about their brain structures, sensory systems and learning capacity, it appears that cephalopods as a group may be similar in intelligence to vertebrates as a group. Since many societies have animal welfare standards for mice, rats, chickens and other vertebrates, logic would suggest that there’s an equal case for regulations enforcing humane treatment of cephalopods.

    Such rules generally specify that when a species is held in captivity, its housing conditions should support the animal’s welfare and natural behavior. This view has led some U.S. states to outlaw confined cages for egg-laying hens and crates too narrow for pregnant sows to turn around.

    Animal welfare regulations say little about invertebrates, but guidelines for the care and use of captive cephalopods have started to appear over the past decade. In 2010, the European Union required considering ethical issues when using cephalopods for research. And in 2015, AAALAC International, an international accreditation organization for ethical animal research, and the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations promoted guidelines for the care and use of cephalopods in research. The U.S. National Institutes of Health is currently considering similar guidelines.

    The “alien” minds of octopuses and their relatives are fascinating, not the least because they provide a mirror through which we can reflect on more familiar forms of intelligence. Deciding which species deserve moral consideration requires selecting criteria, such as neuron count or learning capacity, to inform those choices.

    Once these criteria are set, it may be well to also consider how they apply to the rodents, birds and fish that occupy more familiar roles in our lives.

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

    – ref. Octopuses and their relatives are a new animal welfare frontier − here’s what scientists know about consciousness in these unique creatures – https://theconversation.com/octopuses-and-their-relatives-are-a-new-animal-welfare-frontier-heres-what-scientists-know-about-consciousness-in-these-unique-creatures-241978

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Student Experience: Attending the Africa Financial Summit 2024 in Casablanca

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    Students in front of the entrance at 1 St-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel)

    Virtual Undergraduate Open House day 2025

    Come meet our teams and students at our campuses.

    Sign-up

    Virtual Graduate Open House day 2025

    Meet faculty members, students and representatives and learn more about our 30 Master’s programmes.

    Sign-up

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Serstech recruits new Chief Commercial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Niclas Ekström will join Serstech as Chief Commercial Officer on March 24, 2025.
     
    Niclas has more than 25 years of experience in international sales and commercial leadership roles as Marketing Director, Product Director, Head of Sales and Managing Director. He has a MSc degree in business administration and economics and will be a member of the senior management team of Serstech.
     
    “I’m excited to welcome Niclas to Serstech and our management team. With his solid background and experience, Niclas will bring invaluable expertise to Serstech”, says Stefan Sandor, Serstech CEO.

    For further information, please contact:
    Stefan Sandor,
    CEO, Serstech AB Phone: +46 739 606 067
    Email: ss@serstech.com

    or

    Thomas Pileby,
    Chairman of the Board, Serstech AB Phone: +46 702 072 643
    Email: tp@serstech.com
    or visit: www.serstech.com

    Certified advisor to Serstech is Svensk Kapitalmarknadsgranskning AB (SKMG).
     
    About Serstech
    Serstech delivers solutions for chemical identification and has customers around the world, mainly in the safety and security industry. Typical customers are customs, police authorities, security organizations and first responders. The solutions and technology are however not limited to security applications and potentially any industry using chemicals of some kind could be addressed by Serstech’s solution. Serstech’s head office is in Sweden and all production is done in Sweden.

    Serstech is traded at Nasdaq First North Growth Market and more information about the company can be found at www.serstech.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Heat Up This Holiday Streaming Season With New Festive Flicks and TV Picks on Samsung TV Plus

    Source: Samsung

     
    Thursday, December 20, 2024: This Christmas, Samsung welcomes a range of new content to bolster its free, festive line-up on Samsung TV Plus, as families settle in for the holiday streaming season.
     
    With over 200 live TV channels and thousands of movies and shows on demand, all for free, Samsung TV Plus offers a diverse range of premium programming to suit every taste this holiday season. No subscriptions, no downloads—just pure festive fun available across Samsung Smart TVs[1].
     
    Samsung is bringing the heat this Christmas with a wide range of content to suit every home’s festive viewing wishes. From viral YouTube interview show, Hot Ones, iconic Christmas classics on Festive Hub, the latest in trending K-content, festive foodie content from Jamie Oliver, and live sporting coverage on FIFA+ and the Tennis Channel, there really is something for everyone.
     
    Beyond the hundreds of free live TV channels spanning multiple genres like news, entertainment, sports, Samsung is also delivering top gaming action with the Samsung Gaming Hub – your gateway to over 3,000 cloud-enabled games, right from your TV[2].
     
    With leading services like XBOX Game Pass[3], NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Amazon Luna integrated seamlessly, players can jump into their favourite titles instantly. Whether you’re battling through epic adventures, solving puzzles, or enjoying family-friendly classics, the Samsung Gaming Hub makes gaming more accessible and immersive than ever. It’s, perfect for holiday gatherings or solo play.
     
    Gus Grimaldi, Head of Samsung TV Plus EMEA, said: “At Samsung, we’re creating an all-in-one entertainment hub that offers something for everyone. From festive favourites and globally loved shows on Samsung TV Plus to immersive gaming experiences on the Samsung Gaming Hub, we’re providing families with choice and convenience this Christmas. Our goal is to make it easier than ever for people to come together, enjoy incredible content, and create lasting memories this holiday season.”
     
    Jordan Byers, Brand Marketing Lead at Samsung Electronics UK&I comments: “Our Christmas offering is just one of the many ways we’re committed to delivering more than just a TV. With advanced AI optimisation that provides the perfect picture and sound, to an ever-growing rooster of content to watch and play, we’re offering our customers more ways to enjoy and experience our products than ever before.”
     
    Samsung TV Plus Top Christmas Selects
     
    Festive Hub: the home of heart-warming holiday films
     
    Festive Hub delivers the essential Christmas experience for a range of audiences. With a line-up of many cheerful films such as snowy romances from Hallmark media and Lifetime entertainment, to great comedies, and animated specials. There are seasonal offerings for the whole family, perfect for cosy evenings by the fire.

    Hot Ones: the YouTube series heating up the holidays

    Dive into the globally beloved Hot Ones, where celebrities answer questions while enduring increasingly spicy wings. It’s the ultimate mix of laughs, spice, and surprising revelations to keep you entertained this Christmas, with its latest guests including Paul Mescal, Idris Elba, and Millie Bobbie Brown.
     
    The latest in K-Content: your gateway to global stories
     
    For fans of Korean dramas, movies, and variety shows, Samsung TV Plus brings the freshest K-content to your screen. Celebrate the holidays with gripping stories, high-quality productions, and globally trending series.
     
    Jamie Oliver cooking shows: festive inspiration for your Christmas feast
     
    Jamie Oliver’s beloved cooking shows are here to make your Christmas delicious. From traditional roasts to creative twists on festive favourites, Jamie brings expert guidance and accessible recipes for all.
     
    [1] Samsung Gaming Hub comes already available on Samsung Smart TV models from 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    [2] Internet connection, additional gaming service subscription and compatible controller required. Gaming Hub not available in Republic of Ireland.
    [3] Requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Internet connection and compatible controller required.
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Could trusting each other more unlock economic growth?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex

    Shutterstock/GoodStudio

    Trust in Britain’s institutions is in bad shape, according to recent data from the European Social Survey.

    Trust is important because a good deal of governing involves trying to persuade people to do things or convince them that things will get better in the future. This is increasingly difficult to do if trust is in decline. Trust in political institutions is particularly important when governments have to make unpopular decisions, such as raising taxes.

    Data covering a 20-year period shows a marked decline in trust in parliaments, political parties and politicians. The following question is asked in the European Social Surveys over time:

    Please tell me on a score of 0-10 how much you personally trust each of the following institutions. 0 means you do not trust an institution at all, and 10 means you have complete trust in it.

    The decline in trust began around the time of the 2016 survey, when the lowest level of trust in politicians and political parties was recorded in 20 years of doing the survey. Parliament has done a bit better, but decline in trust for it is still quite marked. It is no coincidence that this decline started in 2016 – the year of Brexit.

    Average trust scores for British institutions, 2002-2022

    Trust on the slide.
    P Whiteley, CC BY-ND

    But the European Social Survey carries another important measure of trust – our trust in fellow citizens. A question in the surveys asks how trusting respondents felt about other people on an 11-point scale, with a high score indicating that people are trusting.

    Average trust scores in other people in Britain, 2002-2022

    Trust in other people.
    P Whiteley, CC BY-ND

    After a shaky start at the beginning of the millennium, trust in other people increased significantly in Britain in 2006, to over 5.35 on the 11-point scale. It then dropped in 2008, the year of the financial crisis. The recovery from this decline was in place by 2010. It is noticeable that the trust scores fell again in 2018, when the political consequences of Brexit were making themselves felt. Trust revived again in 2020 during the pandemic.

    So, our trust in each other is in healthier shape than our trust in institutions. This is important because trust in others is a key measure of social capital – the willingness of people to work together to solve social and economic problems in society. The importance of social capital in creating prosperity in the US was highlighted by the American political scientist Bob Putnam in his best-selling book, Bowling Alone.

    Trust is lacking in British politicians.
    Flickr/UK Parliament, CC BY-NC-ND

    There is now a large literature on social capital and trust, some of it focusing specifically on Britain. The findings are that trust promotes prosperity for a number of reasons. If people trust each other, they are more likely to volunteer. This free labour helps to provide a social safety net, which increases prosperity for all – even if it is not fully recognised in the national income statistics.

    High-trust countries like Denmark and Sweden also have low levels of corruption – and corruption is a blocker to growth. In a high-trust environment, the costs of doing business are lower because there is less need for elaborate contracts, expensive lawyers and lots of litigation to make other people behave properly. This is, in part, why high-trust countries are richer than low-trust countries.

    It’s well established that economic growth is driven by investment in innovation, skills and transport, extra manufacturing capacity and greater workplace productivity. However, it is also the case that social capital helps to create economic growth. In researching this across a variety of countries, I found that trust was very important in stimulating economic growth alongside these other factors.

    Government has limited direct influence on social capital, but it can encourage it by investing in voluntary organisations and increasing transparency in its dealings with the public.

    Britain has suffered from a lack of investment in capital spending and infrastructure, and has neglected investment in education over the past 15 years. Social capital seems to be in much better shape, and faced with the significant challenge of restoring growth, the UK government needs to pull every lever at its disposal. It can repair trust in politics with its own actions, and this is likely to help with sustaining social capital, which is part of the solution to restoring economic growth.

    Paul Whiteley has received funding from the British Academy and the ESRC.

    – ref. Could trusting each other more unlock economic growth? – https://theconversation.com/could-trusting-each-other-more-unlock-economic-growth-246302

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Givinostat conditionally approved to treat patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (20 December 2024) granted a conditional marketing authorisation for the medicine givinostat (Duvyzat) to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

    Givinostat is a nonsteroidal drug indicated for the treatment of patients aged 6 years of age and older with all genetic variants of DMD.

    DMD is a muscle wasting condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. It usually only affects boys and those assigned male at birth.

    It’s caused by alterations in a protein called dystrophin. This causes muscle fibres to break down. They’re replaced by fibrous or fatty tissues that cause the muscle to gradually weaken.

    Around 100 boys are born with DMD each year, and there are about 2,500 people living with the condition in the UK at any one time.

    Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

    Keeping patients safe and enabling their access to high quality, safe and effective medical products are key priorities for us.

    We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards for the approval of this medicine have been met.

    As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.

    Givinostat comes as an oral suspension to be taken twice daily.

    It is a drug from a family of molecules called HDAC inhibitors (histone deacetylase) which reduce in­flammation and fibrosis in muscle tissues. HDAC inhibitors also promote muscle regeneration and slow down the progression of DMD.

    This approval is supported by evidence from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 18-month study involving 179 ambulatory patients with DMD who were given a placebo or givinostat for 18 months. Further data is required for the efficacy in non-ambulatory patients and will be subject to review following completion of additional clinical trials, as detailed in the condition associated with approval.

    The study found that participants treated with givinostat over an 18-month period took significantly less time to climb four stairs compared to those given placebo.

    A secondary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline to month 18 in physical function as assessed by the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) — a scale commonly used to rate the motor function in boys with DMD who are capable of walking. Compared to placebo, patients treated with givinostat saw less worsening in their NSAA score after 18 months.

    The most common side effects of the medicine (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include abdominal pain, decrease in blood platelet count (which can increase risk of bleeding), diarrhea, elevated levels of triglycerides (a type of blood fats), fever, nausea and vomiting. The prescribing information for givinostat advises healthcare providers to assess patients’ platelet counts and triglyceride levels prior to initiating treatment. During treatment, regular monitoring of platelet counts and triglycerides is recommended to determine whether dosage adjustments are necessary.  Additionally, givinostat may lead to QTc prolongation, a condition where the heart takes longer than normal to recharge between beats, which can elevate the risk of irregular heart rhythms. Patients with certain heart conditions or those taking other medications that prolong QTc intervals should avoid using givinostat.

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of givinostat under close review.  Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors 

    1. The new conditional marketing authorisation was granted on 20 December 2024 to Italfarmaco S.p.A. More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.

    2. Giovinostat has been conditionally approved through the International Recognition Procedure (IRP). A conditional marketing authorisation is an early temporary license in which we may accept less completed clinical studies than would be necessary to issue a full marketing authorisation, provided the manufacturer clearly indicates when complete clinical data will be available. However, CMA post-approval conditions are determined on a case-by-case basis, and don’t have to be limited to providing further clinical data. A CMA lasts for one year and can be renewed annually.

    3. For more information about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/muscular-dystrophy/

    4. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

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

    6. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK calls on all parties to the conflict to refrain from obstructing MONUSCO operations: UK Statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Explanation of vote delivered by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, following the vote on renewing MONUSCO’s mandate.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of this resolution renewing MONUSCO’s mandate. And we thank France and Sierra Leone for their leadership of the negotiations.

    I would like to make two points.

    First, The UK is disappointed by the postponement of the Luanda Process Heads of State Summit scheduled for 15 December.

    We remain greatly appreciative of Angola’s mediation efforts and urge all parties to engage with the Luanda Process in good faith and deliver on their commitments.

    Second, we are concerned by the surge in violence since the 15 December.

    In this context, the UK is concerned by the presence of Rwanda Defence Forces in DRC, as reported by the Group of Experts. 

    We call on all parties to the conflict to refrain from obstructing MONUSCO operations.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Corrections Facilities Senate Study Committee Adopts Final Committee Report

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (December 20, 2024) – On Friday, December 13, the Department of Corrections Facilities Senate Study Committee, chaired by Majority Whip Sen. Randy Robertson (R–Cataula), voted unanimously to adopt its final report during the committee’s concluding meeting. The committee, established through Senate Resolution 570, spent nearly four months exploring strategies to enhance the welfare of Department of Corrections employees and those in its custody.

    Sen. Robertson praised the committee’s efforts, stating: “This committee has heard an abundance of valuable testimony since August. Our committee’s recommendations aim to enhance safety, promote fairness and support the Department of Corrections officers and the inmates they care for around the clock. I am grateful to each committee member for their dedication to this important issue and to the Lieutenant Governor for his unwavering support of our work.”

    Sen Robertson continued, “I also want to thank the Georgia taxpayers who came to the Capitol to share their experiences and suggestions. These citizens fund our budget and trust us to spend their tax dollars on worthwhile projects that provide quality care to those in our custody. As a former law enforcement officer, the welfare of our corrections officers and the inmates they protect will always be of utmost importance to me.”

    The final report outlines findings and recommendations to guide Georgia’s approach to employee and inmate safety within the Georgia Department of Corrections. Key highlights include:

    1. Increasing mental health services available to incarcerated population and staff.
    2. Investing in correctional officer recruitment and retention.
    3. Asking the Georgia Department of Audits to review all contract renewals for the past five years to see if there is a pattern of runaway costs by any vendors.
    4. Implementing a pay study for all Georgia Department of Corrections employees.
    5. Convert all existing facilities and construct all new facilities to single-person, single-cell facilities.
    6. Advocating the federal government to allow state prisons to use cell phone and drone jamming technology.
    7. Leveraging public-private partnerships to expand the capacity of the Georgia Department of Corrections.
    8. Prioritizing the hardening of existing corrections facilities to ensure their longevity while ensuring upcoming facilities are built to modern standards of security.
    9. Ensuring wardens adhere to consistent policies across facilities to prevent cultural differences within corrections facilities.

    The full report is available on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

    # # # #

    Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 29, which includes Harris, Meriwether, and Troup Counties and a portion of Muscogee County. He can be reached at 404.656.0045 or at randy.robertson@senate.ga.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Appeal to trace witnesses following fatal shooting in Brent

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the murder of Michelle Sadio have issued an image of individuals they are keen to speak to.

    Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation into Michelle’s murder and have today released an image of people they believe may have information about the occupants of a car linked to the shooting.

    The car, a black Kia Niro with distinctive alloys, with the number plate LA23 XRE was being driven by the suspects who then fired a number of shots in Gifford Road, NW10 on Saturday, 14 December.

    Michelle was one of three people injured and she sadly died at the scene.

    Following the shooting, the car was driven from Gifford Road to Barnhill Road where it was then abandoned and set alight.

    Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation has progressed at pace but we are still keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together the series of events which led to Michelle’s murder.

    “We have an image of a number of people who were seen speaking to the occupants of a black Kia Niro of interest on Church Road, NW10 at 20:50hrs on Saturday, 14 December.

    “Are you one of the people pictured in the white Mercedes or on the pavement nearby, or do you recognise anyone? Did you hear or see something either before or after the shooting that may help with the investigation?

    “I would like to stress that none of those pictured have done anything wrong. They may not live in the area but they could hold information that is important to the investigation and I urge them to contact us.”

    At approximately 21:15hrs on Saturday, police were called to reports of the shooting, which happened as Michelle and others were standing outside the church following a wake. Officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics attended the scene.

    Michelle, aged 44, was found suffering serious injuries – despite the efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Michelle’s family have been informed and continue to be supported by specialist officers. They have requested that media respect their privacy during this difficult time.

    Two men, both aged in their 30s, also suffered injuries. One remains in hospital in a critical condition; the other man’s injuries are not life threatening.

    There have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

    Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference CAD 7137/14DEC.

    You can also provide information, or upload images and footage, through the online portal here or by scanning the attached QR code.

    Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 2024: Eurojust year in review

    Source: Eurojust

    Here are a few highlights:

    Deepening Cooperation with Latin America

    Organised crime groups are increasingly operating on a global scale, which means efforts for cooperation with partner countries outside of the EU is a priority. With 68% of the most threatening criminal networks operate globally, and 36% of these networks engaged in drug trafficking, forging closer partnerships with countries who are frequent origin or transit points is critical.

    Over the course of the year, new Working Arrangements were signed between Eurojust and the Prosecution Services of Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru. These arrangements strengthen cooperation in crime areas that affect both the EU and Latin American countries, such as drug and arms trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime.

    Launch of the European Judicial Organised Crime Network

    In September, we took another important step in the fight against organised crime with the launch of the European Judicial Organised Crime Network (EJOCN). The Network, which is hosted at Eurojust, aims to go beyond investigation-based collaboration to combat organised crime strategically. Specialised prosecutors from all EU Member States are brought together to focus on the horizontal issues that arise in the investigation and prosecution of high-risk criminal groups. This will allow them to tackle recurring legal challenges and identify new, practical opportunities for closer cooperation.

    The members benefit from Eurojust’s unique operational expertise in setting up joint investigation teams and using other judicial cooperation tools in cross-border criminal investigations. The first priority focus of the EJOCN is combatting drug-related organised crime connected to European ports and other logistic hubs.

    Supporting Accountability Efforts in Ukraine

    Documenting and prosecuting core international crimes is a long-term commitment and Eurojust remains resolute in our accountability efforts. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, we have been at the forefront of supporting accountability for Russian crimes. In July, we marked one year since the launch of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The ICPA’s independent prosecutors and investigators from different countries have been working together regularly at Eurojust, benefitting from the Agency’s dedicated team of legal experts and tailor-made technical, logistical and financial support. This has enabled them to exchange information and evidence quickly and efficiently, and coordinate a common investigative and prosecutorial strategy.

    This year also saw the joint investigation team on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine amend the JIT Agreement to enhance investigations on crimes of torture, ill-treatment and filtration.

    Hosting Partners in The Hague

    Our close partnership with national judicial authorities sits at the foundation of our Agency. Every year, we have thousands of prosecutors coming to Eurojust to discuss cases or participate in coordination centres or coordination meetings. In 2024, we were able to welcome many high level visitors, including the President of Slovenia, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, Ministers of Justice and Interior from many EU Member States, and many others.

    These visits are opportunities to discuss ways to strengthen judicial cooperation, update national authorities on Eurojust’s work, and identify opportunities for closer collaboration.

    Welcoming our New Presidency

    2024 was also marked by a change in Eurojust’s leadership, with Mr Ladislav Hamran bidding the Agency farewell after serving 11 years in the Presidency – 7 as President and 4 as Vice-President. Austrian National Member Mr Michael Schmid was elected as his successor, with his 4-year tenure beginning in November. We also welcomed a new Vice-President, Spanish National Member Jose de la Mata, in December.

    With no equivalent worldwide, Eurojust continued to deliver remarkable results in 2024, enabling prosecutors and law enforcement authorities from the EU and beyond to bring perpetrators to justice.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: From fake art to money laundering: Eurojust’s cross-border investigations in 2024

    Source: Eurojust

    Some highlights of our 2024 casework:

    EUR 2 billion money laundering network dismantled

    A financial institution in Lithuania was discovered laundering around EUR 2 billion through a worldwide web of shell companies. Italian, Latvian and Lithuanian authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol, took down the network during an action day on 27 February. Eighteen people were arrested and over EUR 11.5 million in assets and bank accounts were frozen.

    Takedown of online infrastructure used for terrorist propaganda

    After a complex investigation that monitored the online activities of terrorist groups, authorities in Spain traced servers across the globe that were supporting multiple media outlets disseminating worldwide propaganda meant to incite terrorism. A global coalition between Spanish, German, Dutch, American and Icelandic authorities was set up to take the servers offline. With the support of Eurojust and Europol, servers were taken down and nine radicalised individuals were arrested.

    Large anti-mafia operation leads to arrest and freezing of EUR 50 million

    Authorities uncovered an intricate money laundering scheme run by a mafia family in Brazil. Profits of their crimes were reinvested into multiple companies in Brazil, including a well-known hotel. Through a joint investigation team at Eurojust, Italian and Brazilian authorities investigated the activities of the mafia family and planned a large global operation to arrest the suspects. The operation led to the arrest of one of the mafia members and the freezing of financial assets worth EUR 50 million.

    Belarusians Charged for Forced Plane Landing

    Eurojust supported a joint investigation team between Polish and Lithuanian authorities that investigated the forced landing in Belarus of a commercial flight. The unprecedented case shed a light on the real reason behind the flight’s diversion: suspects instructed air traffic controllers to land the aircraft in order to arrest a Belarusian dissident. In September, the investigation led to the arrest warrants for three Belarusian officials.

    Authorities stop malware targeting millions of people

    Two infostealers, malware that is able to steal personal data from infected devices, was taken down by a global operation. Authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Australia and Eurojust and Europol shut down three servers in the Netherlands and seized two domains. The operation stopped the malware from stealing data such as usernames and passwords that were used to steal money or carry out other hacking activities.

    Fake art network discovered that could have cause losses of EUR 200 million

    Banksy, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh are among the artists whose work was forged by a criminal group that set up a sophisticated fake art operation. The group produced the art, organised exhibitions of the forged works and worked together with compromised auction houses to sell the pieces. Eurojust supported Italian authorities to dismantle the criminal group and set up the cooperation between Belgian, French and Spanish authorities. During an action day in November, 38 people were arrested and over 2 000 fake art works were seized.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to Collaborate on Fusion, Materials and Hydrogen Science & Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany’s premier research institution, to pursue collaborative research related to fusion, materials characterization and hydrogen science and technology. With shared scientific missions to address national priorities in clean energy and environmental sciences, the agreement serves as a framework through which the national research organizations can collaborate in areas of mutual interest, leveraging their individual resources, facilities, and expertise.

    According to terms of the agreement, the organizations will explore collaborative research projects in fields that include tritium analytics, tritium barriers and surface analysis, tritium fuel cycle optimization, characterization and metallurgy of irradiated materials, and hydrogen safety. Working together, the organizations hope to realize important progress in the advancement of these fields of research and others, which are priorities to both country’s domestic clean energy research programs.

    “CNL is a world leader in nuclear science and technology, including hydrogen. We are now working to re-establish ourselves in fusion, which is yielding some very exciting commercial opportunities, and drawing the attention of other leading research organizations who share our goals in clean energy,” commented Dr. Stephen Bushby, CNL’s Vice-President of Science and Technology. “With the signing of this agreement with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, a leading German research institution that has complementary capabilities, CNL continues to expand its network and pursue even more ambitious collaborative research. By working together, I think we can help to accelerate these promising fields of study and contribute to much-needed progress in clean energy.”

    “With fusion taking momentum all around the world, Germany investing substantial amounts to promote the cooperation between National Labs and private actors in the field, and KIT being at the centre of fusion technologies and materials development in Germany and in Europe, it is quite straightforward for us to engage in an international cooperation that offers plenty of opportunities for world-leading developments, e.g., in the fusion fuel cycle, hydrogen, and materials areas,” said Dr. Klaus Hesch, Head of KIT´s Fusion Programme. “CNL´s tritium expertise derived from decades of scientifically-technically accompanying and enabling the operation of the CANDU reactors perfectly complements the experience we have acquired in our Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe with regard to tritium handling and processing for fusion. There is interest to extend the cooperation both towards other fusion companies as well as to the European Fusion Programme.”

    CNL has decades of experience and expertise in materials characterization, hydrogen production, safety and storage, and tritium research, among other related fields of research. The Chalk River campus is also home to a state-of-the-art Tritium Facility and a Hydrogen Isotopes Technology Laboratory, as well as a rapidly growing fusion energy program. Not only did CNL recently announce the expansion of two of its flagship clean energy programs to include fusion – its advanced reactor siting program and the Canadian Nuclear Research Initiative (CNRI) – but CNL also invested $10 million into General Fusion, an international leader in commercial fusion energy. This is in addition to the launch of a new joint venture with Kyoto Fusioneering known as Fusion Fuel Cycles Inc. (FFC), which is moving forward with a globally unique test facility available to industry to test and refine their unique processes.

    All of these projects, programs and resources are complemented by those at KIT, which serves as one of the largest science institutions in Europe, with over 5,000 people conducting research on a broad range of disciplines, from natural sciences to engineering. KIT is also home to research centers that focus on problems of fundamental importance to the existence and further development of society, and on key issues resulting from the striving for knowledge, which includes climate and environment, energy, materials in technical and life sciences, and elementary particle and astroparticle physics, among others. With the agreement now serving as a framework to facilitate collaborative research activities, both organizations believe that it could also act as a first step towards a broader relationship that expands into other fields of research.

    If you’d like to learn more about CNL or its projects in clean energy and environmental sciences, please visit www.cnl.ca. For more information on KIT and its programs of work, please visit www.kit.edu.

    About CNL

    As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

    By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

    To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About KIT

    Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.

    To learn more about KIT, please visit www.kit.edu.

    CNL Contact:
    Philip Kompass
    Director, Corporate Communications
    1-866-886-2325
    media@cnl.ca

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2147c02c-0c21-421c-8a37-e6f279aeb3ea

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Lord Mandelson as the next British Ambassador to the United States of America

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. 

    The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. 

    His Majesty the King approved the appointment on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. 

    Lord Mandelson is co-founder of Global Counsel, a global public policy advisory firm. 

    He will bring extensive foreign and economic policy knowledge, strong business links and experience at the highest levels of government to the role – all of which will be crucial as the UK seeks to continue deepening its relationship with one of its closest allies. 

    He will take up the position early next year.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    I am delighted to appoint Lord Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. 

    The United States is one of our most important allies and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship, Peter will bring unrivalled experience to the role and take our partnership from strength to strength. 

    I would also like to thank Dame Karen Pierce for her invaluable service for the last four years, and in particular the wisdom and steadfast support she has given me personally since July. She made history as the first woman to serve as U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. and she has been an outstanding representative of our country abroad. I wish her all the very best in future.

    Lord Mandelson said: 

    It is a great honour to serve the country in this way. We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities and it will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and our nation’s security, and to advance our historic alliance with the United States.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    It is wonderful to welcome Peter back to the team. He offers a wealth of experience in trade, economic and foreign policy from his years in government and the private sector. 

    He will arrive in Washington DC as we deepen our enduring alliance with the incoming United States administration, particularly on growth and security.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kemp, Elected Leaders to Visit Georgia Guardsmen at Texas Border

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced plans for a Command visit of the Georgia National Guard Task Force at the U.S. Southern Border in Texas. He will be accompanied by Lt. Governor Burt Jones; Speaker Jon Burns; Chairman Chuck Payne of the Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee; and Chairman Josh Bonner and Representative Chas Cannon from the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee. The group of elected officials will visit the roughly 85 Georgia Guardsmen stationed in Texas on Friday to thank them for their service and sacrifices, especially as Americans prepare to celebrate the holidays in the upcoming weeks while these brave servicemembers spend them away from home and loved ones.

    “Since 2019, through every holiday and with constant vigilance and professionalism, our Georgia Guardsmen have maintained the longest continuous presence at the U.S. Southern border of any state in the country,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As Georgia and the nation celebrate Christmas and the New Year, the devoted young men and women currently stationed there will continue to put the security of our border, our communities, and our families ahead of their own comfort and time with family and friends. I look forward to thanking them personally on behalf of all Georgians for their service, bravery, and dedication.”

    “I want to thank Governor Kemp for inviting me to join him for a visit to our border,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “It is an honor to have the chance to personally thank the brave men and women of the Georgia National Guard for all they are doing to ensure our border is secure. These heroes are putting their lives on the line so that we can remain a safe country, and we can never thank them enough. We are proud they call Georgia home and we will continue to support them until they are back home safely.”

    “Our heroes in the Georgia National Guard sacrifice immeasurably to protect our communities and citizens across the nation,” said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. “It is an honor to join Governor Kemp and Lieutenant Governor Jones in Texas to visit with the guardsmen who are defending our southern border, and deliver a few gifts to remind them of home. We join alongside every Georgian in thanking them for their dedicated service and praying for their continued safety this holiday season.” 

    For more information on this particular visit, please reach out to Edd Natividad, Director of Public Affairs for the Joint Task Force North, U.S. Northern Command (contact info below).

    For more information on the Georgia Guard presence on the U.S. southern border, please reach out to the Georgia Guard. 

    About the Georgia Guard U.S. Southern Border Mission:

    Members of the Georgia National Guard are currently deployed in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mission along the Southwest border. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, their mission is to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations by providing detection and monitoring support. Approximately 85 Georgia National Guardsmen are providing mission enhancing support to CBP’s border security operations to enable CBP agents to conduct their law enforcement mission more efficiently.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In Rome, in the Holy Land and throughout the World. Vademecum to obtain Indulgences in the Jubilee Year 2025

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 20 December 2024

    by Gianni ValenteRome (Agenzia Fides) – In 2025, the Catholic Church will once again celebrate the Jubilee Year, a special time of remission and forgiveness, designed as an opportunity to intensely experience healing and liberation from sins and debts that oppress life and soul.The possibility of requesting and obtaining indulgences constitutes a central aspect of the Jubilee tradition. As Pope Francis points out in the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee 2025 (Spes non confundit, § 23): «Not by chance, for the ancients, the terms “mercy” and “indulgence” were interchangeable, as expressions of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows no bond».Below is a brief vademecum with the fundamental indications on how to request the gift of indulgences during the Jubilee, both in Rome, in the Holy Land and anywhere in the world.WHAT IS AN INDULGENCE«An indulgence is the remission before God of temporal punishment for sins whose guilt is already forgiven [i.e., for which absolution has already been obtained by confessing, ed.], which a properly disposed member of the Christian faithful gains under certain and defined conditions by the assistance of the Church which as minister of redemption dispenses and applies authoritatively the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints» (Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 992).WHAT IS TEMPORAL PUNISHMENTSin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1472).This second consequence of sin, that is, temporal punishment, to which one may still be obliged despite the forgiveness of sins obtained in Confession, can be fullfilled either here on earth (with voluntary prayers and penances, with works of piety, mortification and charity), or in the afterlife, in purgatory.WHAT IS PLENARY INDULGENCEPlenary indulgence in itself completely remits the temporal punishment resulting from sins that have already been forgiven as to guilt. This remission, in the case of mortal sins, necessarily requires sacramental Confession.WHO CAN OBTAIN INDULGENCESIndulgences can be obtained by all baptized persons who are not in a state of excommunication. However, to receive them, the faithful must be in God’s grace, that is, without mortal sin. This is because the debt of the temporal punishment can only be cancelled after the remission of the guilt and eternal punishment caused by sin, which is achieved through the sacrament of Confession.In cases where confession is not possible, sincere contrition, with the intention of accessing the sacrament of penance as soon as possible, may be sufficient to achieve remission.It is also essential to have the intention of obtaining the indulgence. The benefit of the indulgence is only granted to those who request it consciously and with the purpose of receiving it, with a positive attitude.HOW IS A PLENARY INDULGENCE OBTAINEDTo obtain a Plenary Indulgence, in addition to performing the specific act to which the Church has granted this grace, the following conditions must always be met:- Confession: confession must be individual and complete, that is, without deliberately omitting any sin.- Receive Eucharistic Communion.- Pray according to the Pope’s intentions: for example, an Our Father and a Hail Mary.HOW CAN EVERY FAITHFUL RECEIVE THE DAILY PLENARY INDULGENCE DURING THE JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2025?The norms for granting the plenary indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, published on May 13, 2024 by the Apostolic Penitentiary, presided over by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, establish the specific acts that can lead to the acquisition of the daily plenary Indulgence throughout the Holy Year.In addition to fulfilling the usual conditions (detachment from sin, even venial; sacramental confession; Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father), the faithful will be able to perform a series of specific acts that will allow them to receive the plenary indulgence each day of the Jubilee. These acts are listed below:* PILGRIMAGES AND VISITS TO HOLY PLACESThe faithful can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence if they make a pilgrimage to any holy Jubilee place. During this pilgrimage, they must actively participate in one of the following activities: Holy Mass, or Stations of the Cross, or the Recitation of the Holy Rosary or the Akathist hymn, or a Penitential Celebration, which concludes with the individual confession of the penitents.- IN ROME AND IN ITALYIf they are in Rome, to request the Plenary Indulgence, the faithful can make a pilgrimage to at least one of the four Major Papal Basilicas (Saint Peter’s – the Vatican Basilica, Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica of Saint Mary Major and Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls).On the special occasion of the Jubilee Year, in addition to the places of pilgrimage mentioned above, it will also be possible to visit: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem), Basilica di San Lorenzo al Verano (The Basilica of Saint Lawrence “Outside the Walls” lies next to the Verano Cemetery), Basilica di San Sebastiano (Basilica of Saint Sebastian, stops that complete the visit known as “the seven Churches”, so dear to St. Philip Neri), il Santuario del Divino Amore (The Sanctuary of Divine Love), la chiesa di Santo Spirito in Sassia (the church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia), la chiesa di San Paolo alle Tre Fontane (Church of St. Paul of Three Fountains – site of the Martyrdom of the Apostle), the Christian Catacombs; in addition, it will be possible to visit (and carry out the pious practices provided there) the churches on the jubilee routes dedicated to the Iter Europaeum and the churches dedicated to the Patronesses of Europe and to the Doctors of the Church, respectively: Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Santa Brigida in Campo de’ Fiori, the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, the church of Trinità dei Monti, Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Basilica of Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio).In Italy, jubilee pilgrimages can also be made to the two minor Papal Basilicas of Assisi: Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi (Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi) and Santa Maria degli Angeli. And the papal basilicas of: Madonna di Loreto (Our Lady of Loreto) della Madonna di Pompei (Our Lady of Pompei), and Sant’Antonio di Padova (Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padu).- IN THE HOLY LANDIn the land of Jesus, it will be possible to make Jubilee pilgrimages and ask for plenary indulgence by visiting at least one of the three Basilicas of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, of the Nativity in Bethlehem, of the Annunciation in Nazareth.- WORLDWIDEIn other ecclesiastical circumscriptions, the faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence if, individually or in a group, they devoutly visit any sacred place (minor basilicas, cathedral churches, Marian shrines) designated as a Jubilee place by each diocesan Bishop, as well as national or international shrines, indicated by the Episcopal Conferences. There, for an appropriate time, they must dedicate time to Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any of its legitimate forms and invocations to Mary, Mother of God.Sincerely repentant faithful who, for serious reasons, cannot participate in pilgrimages and pious visits (for example, cloistered monks and nuns, the sick and those in prison) can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence under the same conditions if, united in spirit with the faithful present, especially at the moments when the words of the Supreme Pontiff or the diocesan Bishops will be disseminated through the media, they recite the Our Father, the Profession of Faith and other prayers in conformity with the purposes of the Holy Year.* WORKS OF MERCY AND PENANCEIn addition to making pilgrimages or pious visits to the Jubilee sites, the faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence through:- Participation in POPULAR MISSIONS;- Participation in SPIRITUAL EXERCISES or FORMATION MEETINGS on the texts of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, held in a church or other suitable place.- Performing Corporal and Spiritual WORKS OF MERCY.- Performing PENITENTIAL ACTS, such as:a) Rediscovering the penitential value of Fridays, by abstaining for at least one day from useless distractions (induced, for example, by the media and social networks) and from superfluous consumption (for example, by fasting or practicing abstinence according to the general norms of the Church and donating a proportionate sum of money to the poor).b) Supporting works of a religious or social nature, especially in favor of the defense and protection of life in all its phases, of abandoned children, of young people in difficulty, of the elderly in need or alone, of migrants from various countries.c) Dedicate an appropriate part of one’s free time to voluntary activities of interest to the community or to other similar forms of personal commitment.Despite the general rule according to which only one Plenary Indulgence can be obtained per day (cf. Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, IV ed., norm. 18, § 1), the Instruction issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary with the norms for receiving Plenary Indulgences during the Jubilee Year 2025 states that “the faithful who have performed the act of charity in favor of the souls in Purgatory, if they legitimately approach the sacrament of Communion for the second time on the same day, may obtain a Plenary Indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased (it is understood within a Eucharistic celebration). (Agenzia Fides, 20/12/2024)

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Appointment of Lord Mandelson as the next British Ambassador to the United States of America

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. 

    The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. 

    His Majesty the King approved the appointment on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. 

    Lord Mandelson is co-founder of Global Counsel, a global public policy advisory firm. 

    He will bring extensive foreign and economic policy knowledge, strong business links and experience at the highest levels of government to the role – all of which will be crucial as the UK seeks to continue deepening its relationship with one of its closest allies. 

    He will take up the position early next year.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    I am delighted to appoint Lord Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. 

    The United States is one of our most important allies and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship, Peter will bring unrivalled experience to the role and take our partnership from strength to strength. 

    I would also like to thank Dame Karen Pierce for her invaluable service for the last four years, and in particular the wisdom and steadfast support she has given me personally since July. She made history as the first woman to serve as U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. and she has been an outstanding representative of our country abroad. I wish her all the very best in future.

    Lord Mandelson said: 

    It is a great honour to serve the country in this way. We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities and it will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and our nation’s security, and to advance our historic alliance with the United States.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    It is wonderful to welcome Peter back to the team. He offers a wealth of experience in trade, economic and foreign policy from his years in government and the private sector. 

    He will arrive in Washington DC as we deepen our enduring alliance with the incoming United States administration, particularly on growth and security.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul Commends NDAA Passage, Inclusion of HFAC Provisions

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    WASHINGTON — House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul released the following statement on the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation passed the House with broad bipartisan support.

    “America’s adversaries are on the march. Around the world, we continue to see the fallout of the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous foreign policy agenda, which has empowered tyrants and terrorist groups instead of projecting peace through strength. This year’s NDAA implements commonsense — and necessary — measures to promote U.S. national security, provide pay increases to our veterans, and support our partners and allies around the world while reversing the damaging policies implemented by woke bureaucrats. I am proud to support this bill and ensure our military, servicemembers, and nation are prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.” — Chairman McCaul

    This year’s NDAA included H.R. 6727, a bill Chairman McCaul introduced with Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) to promote public-private conservation efforts and undercut entities that profit from illicit poaching, like Russia and the Chinese Communist Party. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) led the bill in the Senate.

    “I’m very pleased the NDAA included my historic, bipartisan legislation promoting public-private partnerships to strengthen global conservation efforts and counter the CCP’s malign influence. As chairman, I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world and see the importance of wildlife conservation firsthand. I’ve witnessed China and various international criminal organizations devastate communities for their own gain, and this bill has the power to undercut malign actors who profit from illicit wildlife trafficking. Conservation efforts have a long history of bipartisan support dating back to Teddy Roosevelt, and I’m glad to see this tradition continue. This foundation is more than just a way to leverage the power of private contributions – it is a diplomatic investment in the U.S. foreign policy toolkit that none of our adversaries can replicate.” — Chairman McCaul

    The bill also included language from Chairman McCaul to ensure the State Department is better organized for crises like the Afghanistan withdrawal by designating a senior official to lead international crises for the department, including non-combatant evacuation operations, and by requiring consistent tabletop exercises in consultation with the Department of Defense. It also includes language from Rep. Warren Davidson’s (R-Ohio) bill, H.R. 4517, bill, H.R. 4517, which requires the State Department to perform a feasibility study regarding reimbursement of private rescue groups who evacuated Americans from Afghanistan.

    “My investigation into the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal revealed the Biden-Harris administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government, so we could safely evacuate U.S. personnel, Americans, and our loyal Afghan allies. At each step of the way, however, this administration picked optics over security. I am thankful Congress included these critical provisions in the NDAA to ensure our government has the tools it needs to prevent a similar catastrophe. These provisions seek to mitigate the administration’s failure to plan for the inevitable NEO and recognize the tireless efforts of volunteer organizations across the U.S. to bring evacuees to safety. The organizations worked at great expense to themselves – emotionally and financially – and the U.S. government owes them gratitude for their contributions.” — Chairman McCaul

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Wall Street Pepe Raises $32M in Presale for New Trading Insights Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUZERN, Switzerland, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wall Street Pepe (WEPE), a new crypto project combining meme coin culture with trading tools, has raised $32 million during its ongoing presale.

    The project aims to offer retail traders market insights, trading signals, staking features, and a community-driven trading reward program.

    WEPE Token Presale: Early Staking Rewards

    Since its December 3 launch, the Wall Street Pepe presale has attracted attention. WEPE tokens are priced at $0.000365 during the current presale stage and can be purchased directly on the project’s website with crypto or card payments.

    According to Wall Street Pepe’s whitepaper, the team has allocated 20% of the 200 billion token supply to early buyers. Early buyers can also stake their WEPE tokens for rewards before the official launch. Staking rewards will be distributed over three years, with 3,044 WEPE tokens released per Ethereum block.

    https://twitter.com/WEPEToken/status/1869776758599303548

    Although the team has not set a hard cap or end date for the presale, their roadmap suggests an exchange listing is in the works for shortly after it concludes. Investors can also claim their purchased WEPE tokens once the presale ends.

    Updates on Wall Street Pepe’s presale and future developments are shared through X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram.

    Wall Street Pepe Introduces “WEPE Army” to Empower Retail Traders

    Wall Street Pepe is creating an ecosystem to provide retail traders with enhanced tools and resources. At the center of this ecosystem is the “WEPE Army” – an exclusive group where token holders can access trading signals, real-time market updates, and insights into new projects.

    The developers’ approach focuses on providing accessible trading knowledge. They will also host regular trading competitions with WEPE token rewards.

    To boost trust, Wall Street Pepe has also been audited by the team at Coinsult. Their audit found no issues with WEPE’s smart contracts or code.

    Wall Street Pepe’s mix of meme coin appeal and practical trading applications has drawn attention in the broader crypto community. For example, the project was recently featured in an analysis video from 99Bitcoins.

    About Wall Street Pepe (WEPE)

    Wall Street Pepe is a new cryptocurrency project that combines meme coin elements with a trading insights ecosystem for retail investors. The ecosystem integrates trading signals, educational resources, and competitions.

    Readers can visit the Wall Street Pepe presale here.

    Website: https://wallstreetpepe.com/

    Contact

    Wall Street Pepe

    https://wallstreetpepe.com/ 

    info@wallstreetpepe.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Statement on Local Government Reform – Ten councils in Hertfordshire release update on local government reform

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Ten councils in Hertfordshire have released a joint statement on local government reform:

    “Following the publication of the Devolution White Paper, and subsequent statements by the leader of Hertfordshire County Council, we would like to make it clear that we do not support the creation of one unitary council for Hertfordshire. 

    “Our county is diverse and made up of over 1.2 million residents across urban, suburban, and rural areas. Any reform of local government in Hertfordshire should follow a period of proper consultation with residents, businesses, elected representatives and stakeholders. Looking at the evidence, we should decide collectively what is best for our area. A single unitary council for the county risks diminishing local representation, with decision-making that is remote from the communities we serve.

    “We do not support postponing the county council elections scheduled for May 2025. The government has indicated that this will only happen in priority areas who have clear and agreed plans. This is not the case in Hertfordshire, so we cannot be in the first phase of these reforms. 

    “We recognise that the government’s white paper sets a clear direction of travel. As Hertfordshire’s district and borough council leaders, we want to work collaboratively with others to agree how we respond to this. Any changes must be carefully considered, transparent, and inclusive, ensuring that residents and businesses are fully engaged in shaping the future governance of Hertfordshire.

    “Our objective must be to get this right for our residents and businesses. That cannot be achieved if we make rushed decisions that have not been given the serious consideration that they deserve.”

    Statement agreed by the following leaders:

    Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford (Watford Borough Council)
    Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council
    Councillor Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council
    Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council
    Councillor Paul de Kort, Leader of St Albans City and District Council
    Councillor Max Holloway, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
    Councillor Daniel Allen,  Leader of North Hertfordshire Council
    Councillor Adrian England, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council
    Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop, Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council
    Councillor Ben Crystal, Leader of East Herts District Council 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New trees for Central Park golf course

    Source: City of Plymouth

    More than 1,000 new trees are set to be planted in Central Park this Winter.

    The planting plan, which also includes nearly 9,000m² of wildflower meadow, is set around the ever-popular Central Park Golf Course.

    Among the plans are new standard trees, orchard trees, fruiting hedgerows and whips. Additional seating, interpretation boards, and wildlife homes are also included.

    The plans have been developed by the golf course management team and will be delivered in partnership with the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest and the Council’s Green Communities team.

    A consultation on the plans has started, with park users able to feedback on the plans online and in person at the golf shack and also in the Meadow Café.

    Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “This is an exciting scheme, offering loads of different types of planting and species to support a broad mix of biodiversity, resulting in benefits for both people and nature.

    “It has been co-developed in partnership with the team who run the golf business. They have been really proactive in the design, providing improvements for their customers and wider park users. I’m sure, when everything is established, this planting will be a fantastic addition to Central Park.”

    Jez Wilmot, Golf Course Manager, said: “We’re so grateful to be a part of this project and really excited for the first trees to be planted.

    “We have been the tenants of the cafe and course for nearly nine years and during that time have made several improvements to enhance the look and playability of the course.

    “But we have limited knowledge and resources, which is why we approached the Council and having worked with the teams from the Community Forest and Green Communities, we’ve been able to form a plan and turn what we once only dream about into a reality.

    “All feedback on the plans is welcome and we look forward to speaking to people about the park we love.”

    Residents and park users can feed back on the plans in persons at the golf shack and also in the Meadow Café. The consultation runs until 3 January.

    An online form is also available at: https://forms.gle/3nLBzpwruM2oN8MF7

    The feedback will be collated and fed into the final designs before planting begins in the new year. The Council’s Green Communities team will be involved in much of the planting, with plenty of opportunities for volunteers to get their hands dirty.

    This scheme is part of a wider programme of planting across Plymouth delivered by the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

    Find out more

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: All-Russian Phygital Games in 2025 will be held in Nizhny Novgorod

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko announced the country’s phygital capital in 2025

    December 20, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko announced the country’s phygital capital in 2025

    December 20, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko announced the country’s phygital capital in 2025

    As part of the year-end review, the Government Coordination Center announced the country’s phygital capital in 2025. The qualifying tournament for the upcoming Games of the Future – the Phygital Games – will be held next year in Nizhny Novgorod.

    “At the initiative of our President, a new, previously non-existent movement, “phygital”, was created. The first Games of the Future in human history were held with great success, and the heads of seven states came to the Games at the invitation. The format that we created has already been supported in 106 countries,”

    noted Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Phygital disciplines competitions are held in Serbia, Armenia, Cameroon, Uzbekistan and other countries.

    In Russia, the development of the phygital movement is defined by a concept approved by the Government. Moreover, the word “phygital” has become one of the main state words of the year in Russia, along with the words “self-realization”, “historical education” and “sovereignty”. More than 3 thousand documents were used for the analysis. RANEPA experts conducted a quantitative and qualitative analysis of strategic planning documents and speeches by Vladimir Putin.

    “Russia, as a founding country, must first of all show at home what the development of this amazing product can be. A product that creates a completely new, harmoniously developed personality, which is equally perfect in both the digital and real worlds,” added Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    “32 regions have already actively joined the work, 300 of our athletes have already participated in the selection and will go to the Future Games in the Emirates. We would like to wish the guys there all sorts of victories, success, as Russia is used to being a leader in all areas, including sports. We are a great sports power. And despite the fact that phygital is at the intersection of science, education and sports, it is something completely new. We want to give all the records there our resounding names,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    In 2025, the GOTF.Major.Russia Phygital Games will be held in Nizhny Novgorod. 14 Russian cities bid for the right to host the tournament.

    “The phygital movement in the Nizhny Novgorod Region is developing at a rapid pace. This year, as part of “CIPR-2024”, we held the first phygital festival, and in the summer – the first phygital camp, we include competitions in phygital basketball, football, racing, hockey and even phygital sledge hockey in the largest sports tournaments. At mass sports events, we organize master classes so that as many children as possible who are keen on computer games get involved in classic sports, and athletes of basic sports gain additional skills with the help of “phygital”. I thank the organizers for choosing our site to hold the All-Russian Phygital Games. It is a great honor for us to host this tournament in the Nizhny Novgorod region. We will make every effort to ensure that the competitions are not only held at the highest level, but also become a real celebration of the sports of the future for all participants,” said the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin.

    The Future Games is a unique tournament in the phygital concept, a sports show of a new format that combines competitions in the physical and digital dimensions. The Future Games 2024 tournament, which was held in Kazan from February 21 to March 3, 2024, was attended by more than 2,000 athletes from different countries in 21 innovative disciplines. The baton of the Future Games was picked up by other countries: next year the tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates, and in 2026 – in Kazakhstan.

    Phygital Games are annual all-Russian competitions in phygital sports. Teams that win the competitions receive the right to participate in the international qualification, and in case of collecting a sufficient number of rating points, a direct ticket to the annual international multi-sport tournament “Games of the Future”.

    The Phygital Games 2024 were held in Moscow from September 1 to 8 at the venue of the forum and festival “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030” in the Luzhniki sports complex. They included competitions of the Russian Phygital Sports Championship 2024 in the disciplines “Rhythm Simulator” and “Tactical Shooting” and the national qualification in Phygital Football and Phygital Basketball.

    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 USA: Rapid Health Agrees to Pay $8.2M for Allegedly Billing Medicare for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests That Were Not Provided to Beneficiaries

    Source: US State of California

    Covid Test DMV LLC, doing business as Rapid Health (Rapid Health), a pharmacy located in Los Angeles, has agreed to pay the United States $8,242,860 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for over-the-counter (OTC) Covid-19 tests that were not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

    Between April 2022 and May 2023, Rapid Health distributed OTC Covid-19 tests in connection with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) OTC Covid-19 Test Demonstration Project (Demonstration Project). During the Demonstration Project, Medicare Part B beneficiaries could request OTC Covid-19 tests from participating providers, and CMS would reimburse those providers for up to eight OTC Covid-19 tests per Medicare Part B beneficiary per month at a fixed rate of $12 per test.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Rapid Health knowingly submitted or caused the submission of claims to Medicare for OTC Covid-19 tests that Rapid Health never provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare patients could order OTC Covid-19 tests from Rapid Health during the Demonstration Project through Rapid Health’s website. When Rapid Health received an order, it was supposed to process the order, generate a shipping label, and send the OTC Covid-19 test to the beneficiary. The United States alleged that issues with Rapid Health’s processing procedures caused Rapid Health to bill orders to Medicare without shipping the test to the beneficiary, and that although Rapid Health was aware of these issues it nevertheless continued to bill Medicare for tests that were not shipped.

    “The Demonstration Project was designed to increase the availability of OTC Covid-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in an unprecedented time of need,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Providers that knowingly billed for tests that were never given to patients failed to support the goals of the project and defrauded the American taxpayers.”

    “This outcome serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to combat health care fraud and investigate those who allegedly attempt to exploit and defraud Medicare and other federally funded health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “With our local, state and federal partners, HHS-OIG will continue to work aggressively to ensure the dependability and the integrity of the Medicare program.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and HHS-OIG.

    Trial Attorney Lindsay DeFrancesco of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section handled the matter.

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

    Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid Health Agrees to Pay $8.2M for Allegedly Billing Medicare for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests That Were Not Provided to Beneficiaries

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Covid Test DMV LLC, doing business as Rapid Health (Rapid Health), a pharmacy located in Los Angeles, has agreed to pay the United States $8,242,860 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for over-the-counter (OTC) Covid-19 tests that were not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

    Between April 2022 and May 2023, Rapid Health distributed OTC Covid-19 tests in connection with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) OTC Covid-19 Test Demonstration Project (Demonstration Project). During the Demonstration Project, Medicare Part B beneficiaries could request OTC Covid-19 tests from participating providers, and CMS would reimburse those providers for up to eight OTC Covid-19 tests per Medicare Part B beneficiary per month at a fixed rate of $12 per test.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Rapid Health knowingly submitted or caused the submission of claims to Medicare for OTC Covid-19 tests that Rapid Health never provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare patients could order OTC Covid-19 tests from Rapid Health during the Demonstration Project through Rapid Health’s website. When Rapid Health received an order, it was supposed to process the order, generate a shipping label, and send the OTC Covid-19 test to the beneficiary. The United States alleged that issues with Rapid Health’s processing procedures caused Rapid Health to bill orders to Medicare without shipping the test to the beneficiary, and that although Rapid Health was aware of these issues it nevertheless continued to bill Medicare for tests that were not shipped.

    “The Demonstration Project was designed to increase the availability of OTC Covid-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in an unprecedented time of need,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Providers that knowingly billed for tests that were never given to patients failed to support the goals of the project and defrauded the American taxpayers.”

    “This outcome serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to combat health care fraud and investigate those who allegedly attempt to exploit and defraud Medicare and other federally funded health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “With our local, state and federal partners, HHS-OIG will continue to work aggressively to ensure the dependability and the integrity of the Medicare program.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and HHS-OIG.

    Trial Attorney Lindsay DeFrancesco of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section handled the matter.

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

    Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: MultiversX Foundation Launches AI-Focused Growth Games, a $1.5M Initiative to Accelerate Blockchain and AI Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • MultiversX Foundation introduces a $1.5M annual grants program to drive innovation at the intersection of blockchain and AI, two of the biggest technologies of recent years.
    • The program provides milestone-based funding focused on ecosystem activation, expansion and growth.

    VADUZ, Liechtenstein, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The MultiversX Foundation has announced the launch of Growth Games, a $1.5 million annual grants program aimed at driving innovation and adoption of blockchain-powered AI products and solutions, such as truth safeguards, highly capable and automated AI agents and more. As the official MultiversX grants program, Growth Games provides structured financial incentives, mentorship, and community engagement to empower developers to bring transformative ideas to life.

    With an annual budget of $1.5 million, Growth Games reflects MultiversX’s commitment to advancing blockchain technology adoption across multiple verticals and use cases. The program is designed to foster a dynamic developer community and promote innovation across critical verticals, including decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure, and education.

    Growth Games is split into three distinct funding programs:

    • The Build pillar dedicates $750,000 annually to onboard new builders and teams from outside the ecosystem to create applications, tools, and infrastructure using MultiversX technology. By leveraging a Request for Proposal (RFP) model, this program invites innovative projects that enhance infrastructure, develop essential tools, and create impactful applications, The focus is to address critical gaps within the MultiversX ecosystem, enhancing its robustness and completeness.
    • Meanwhile, the Accelerate pillar sets aside $250,000 each year to focus on supporting teams already building within the MultiversX ecosystem, helping them enhance and scale their projects.
    • The final pillar of the program, the xLaunchpad and Co-incubation initiative, allocates $500,000 annually to support over 5 innovative projects, with each eligible for up to $100,000 in funding. In addition to financial support, participants benefit from mentorship, strategic advisory, marketing resources, and community engagement to ensure their success.

    Beyond financial support, Growth Games also drives engagement through hackathons and retroactive contributor grants, ensuring continuous innovation.

    “Growth Games presents an important acceleration milestone for MultiversX and the broader blockchain community,” said Beniamin Mincu, Co-Founder of MultiversX. “This $1.5 million initiative is a call to innovators and builders to build, accelerate, and launch the products that will make our lives better. ”

    To ensure accountability and impact, applications to Growth Games will be evaluated by a dedicated review committee, funding will be distributed based on clear milestones, and recipients will provide regular progress reports detailing their KPIs, achievements, and challenges. This transparent process ensures that every dollar invested contributes to meaningful advancements within the ecosystem.

    Growth Games marks a significant milestone for MultiversX, showcasing its commitment to innovation and its ecosystem’s evolution. By offering $1.5 million in financial incentives and robust support, the program aims to propel blockchain development into a new era, empowering developers to solve complex challenges and redefine what is possible in decentralized technology.

    Applications are open, visit https://multiversx.com/growthgames

    About MultiversX

    MultiversX is a highly scalable public blockchain via sharding, decentralized through 3,200 validator nodes, built to solve the three fundamental problems critical for widespread, global adoption: transition from dial-up to broadband, consumer-friendly experience, and simplicity of self-custody.

    For more information, visit https://multiversx.com.

    Contact

    Alexandru Rus

    Head of Community & CS

    alexandru.rus@multiversx.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by MultiversX. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e654142-ff3f-41c6-9431-261095ba18b0

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Volta Finance Limited – Net Asset Value(s) as at 30 November 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Volta Finance Limited (VTA / VTAS)
    November 2024 monthly report

    NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, OR PUBLICATION, IN WHOLE OR PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

    Guernsey, December 20th, 2024

    AXA IM has published the Volta Finance Limited (the “Company” or “Volta Finance” or “Volta”) monthly report for November 2024. The full report is attached to this release and will be available on Volta’s website shortly (www.voltafinance.com).

    Performance and Portfolio Activity

    Dear Investors,

    Volta Finance achieved a net performance of +2.1% in November bringing the year-to-date return of the portfolio to +20.9%. Both our CLO Debt and our CLO Equity investments benefitted from a supportive macro backdrop and performed favorably.

    The US presidential elections were obviously the main event of the month, with Donald Trump securing a large and undisputed victory. His election boosted global markets despite the concerns about the potential implementation of a shift in US policies in the context of the geopolitical landscape (tariffs) as well as US domestic fiscal guidance. The dollar and US stocks rose sharply while Bitcoin hit all-time highs with a +90% YTD performance. US Treasuries yields also moved higher testing 4.45% and settling at around 4.2% as the CPI reports came broadly in-line with expectations.

    Credit markets were unsurprisingly much stronger over the month and fully benefited from the rally from the broader markets. High Yield indices in Europe (Xover) were roughly 15bps tighter in the +300bps context while US CDX High-Yield tightened by 40bps to +295bps. On the Loan side, Euro Loans closed slightly higher, 45 cents up at c. 98.00px (Morningstar European Leveraged Loan Index), while their US counterparts closed at 97.22px (up +32 cents). With returns of +20.9% Volta Finance continued to outperform broader Credit on a year-to-date basis: US High Yield returned +8.67%, Euro High Yield +7.93% and Global Loans +7.23% (SPLGAL).

    Primary CLO markets remained extremely busy, we recorded circa USD 62bn of issuance in the US and EUR 12bn in Europe. Spreads closed tighter across the capital structure as BB-rated tranches broke the +600bps resistance level in Europe, and tested sub +500bps in the US.

    Loan fundamentals showed no deviation from the path observed since the beginning of year with contained default rates under 1% and a stable proportion of CCC-rated Loans in CLO collateral portfolios (5% in US CLOs and 4% in Europe). Loan repayment rates kept on increasing at 28% in the US (+1% YoY growth rate of the Loan market) and 14% in Europe (+8% YoY market growth).

    The cashflow generation continued to be steady, highlighting the strength of Volta’s risk positioning. Over the last 6 month period, the cashflow generation was stable at c.€29m equivalent of interests and coupons, representing c.21% of November’s NAV on an annualized basis.

    Looking at Volta’s portfolio, two BB-rated debt tranches paid off at Par ($6.5m) with proceeds reinvested into New Issue US BB-rated CLO tranches. Additionally, c. $4m was reinvested across three CLO Equities and profits were taken on a short-dated European Equity to benefit from market strength and improve the portfolio’s maturity profile.

    Over the month, Volta’s CLO Equity tranches returned +2.3% performance** while CLO Debt tranches returned +1.3% performance**, cash representing c.3% of NAV. The fund being c.25% exposed to USD, the recent appreciation of USD vs EUR had a positive impact of +0.7% on the overall performance.

    As of end of November 2024, Volta’s NAV was €279.2m, i.e. €7.63 per share.

    *It should be noted that approximately 4.29% of Volta’s GAV comprises investments for which the relevant NAVs as at the month-end date are normally available only after Volta’s NAV has already been published. Volta’s policy is to publish its NAV on as timely a basis as possible to provide shareholders with Volta’s appropriately up-to-date NAV information. Consequently, such investments are valued using the most recently available NAV for each fund or quoted price for such subordinated notes. The most recently available fund NAV or quoted price was 0.21% as at 31 October 2024, 4.08% as at 30 September 2024.

    ** “performances” of asset classes are calculated as the Dietz-performance of the assets in each bucket, taking into account the Mark-to-Market of the assets at period ends, payments received from the assets over the period, and ignoring changes in cross-currency rates. Nevertheless, some residual currency effects could impact the aggregate value of the portfolio when aggregating each bucket.

    CONTACTS

    For the Investment Manager
    AXA Investment Managers Paris
    François Touati
    francois.touati@axa-im.com
    +33 (0) 1 44 45 80 22

    Olivier Pons
    Olivier.pons@axa-im.com
    +33 (0) 1 44 45 87 30

    Company Secretary and Administrator
    BNP Paribas S.A, Guernsey Branch
    guernsey.bp2s.volta.cosec@bnpparibas.com 
    +44 (0) 1481 750 853

    Corporate Broker
    Cavendish Securities plc
    Andrew Worne
    Daniel Balabanoff
    +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

    *****
    ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED

    Volta Finance Limited is incorporated in Guernsey under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities. Volta’s home member state for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive is the Netherlands. As such, Volta is subject to regulation and supervision by the AFM, being the regulator for financial markets in the Netherlands.

    Volta’s Investment objectives are to preserve its capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. The Company currently seeks to achieve its investment objectives by pursuing exposure predominantly to CLO’s and similar asset classes. A more diversified investment strategy across structured finance assets may be pursued opportunistically. The Company has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris an investment management company with a division specialised in structured credit, for the investment management of all its assets.

    *****

    ABOUT AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS
    AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a multi-expert asset management company within the AXA Group, a global leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA IM is one of the largest European-based asset managers with 2,700 professionals and €844 billion in assets under management as of the end of December 2023.  

    *****

    This press release is published by AXA Investment Managers Paris (“AXA IM”), in its capacity as alternative investment fund manager (within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU, the “AIFM Directive”) of Volta Finance Limited (the “Volta Finance”) whose portfolio is managed by AXA IM.

    This press release is for information only and does not constitute an invitation or inducement to acquire shares in Volta Finance. Its circulation may be prohibited in certain jurisdictions and no recipient may circulate copies of this document in breach of such limitations or restrictions. This document is not an offer for sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States or to persons who are “U.S. persons” for purposes of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or otherwise in circumstances where such offer would be restricted by applicable law. Such securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration from the Securities Act. Volta Finance does not intend to register any portion of the offer of such securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of such securities in the United States.

    *****

    This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The securities referred to herein are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

    *****
    This press release contains statements that are, or may deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “anticipated”, “expects”, “intends”, “is/are expected”, “may”, “will” or “should”. They include the statements regarding the level of the dividend, the current market context and its impact on the long-term return of Volta Finance’s investments. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Volta Finance’s actual results, portfolio composition and performance may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. AXA IM does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements.

    Any target information is based on certain assumptions as to future events which may not prove to be realised. Due to the uncertainty surrounding these future events, the targets are not intended to be and should not be regarded as profits or earnings or any other type of forecasts. There can be no assurance that any of these targets will be achieved. In addition, no assurance can be given that the investment objective will be achieved.

    The figures provided that relate to past months or years and past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance or construed as a reliable indicator as to future performance. Throughout this review, the citation of specific trades or strategies is intended to illustrate some of the investment methodologies and philosophies of Volta Finance, as implemented by AXA IM. The historical success or AXA IM’s belief in the future success, of any of these trades or strategies is not indicative of, and has no bearing on, future results.

    The valuation of financial assets can vary significantly from the prices that the AXA IM could obtain if it sought to liquidate the positions on behalf of the Volta Finance due to market conditions and general economic environment. Such valuations do not constitute a fairness or similar opinion and should not be regarded as such.

    Editor: AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS PARIS, a company incorporated under the laws of France, having its registered office located at Tour Majunga, 6, Place de la Pyramide – 92800 Puteaux. AXA IMP is authorized by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers under registration number GP92008 as an alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of the AIFM Directive.

    *****

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: On 19 December 2024, the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (FSA) made a decision to issue a precept to Northern Horizon Capital AS based on an on-site inspection

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    In May 2024, the Estonian FSA performed an on-site inspection, assessing the internal control system of Northern Horizon Capital AS and the implementation of measures to prevent and mitigate conflicts of interest. On 19 December 2024, the Estonian FSA issued a precept to Northern Horizon Capital AS, requiring it to improve some elements of its internal control processes and eliminate identified weaknesses.

    Northern Horizon Capital AS has cooperated with the Estonian FSA throughout the process and prepared an action plan in August 2024 to resolve the matters, based on which several weaknesses have already been eliminated.

    Lars Ohnemus, Chairman of the Supervisory Council of Northern Horizon Capital AS and Chairman of the Board of Northern Horizon Capital A/S (being a parent company of Northern Horizon Capital AS), commented:

    “Our commitment to good governance practices is fundamental and needless to say, we take guidance from the Estonian FSA seriously. It has been essential for us to make adjustments as swiftly as possible. The majority of points raised in the report have already been addressed, and we continue our efforts to strengthen our governance and internal control system as per the agreed plan.”

    For additional information, please contact:

    Tarmo Karotam
    Baltic Horizon Fund manager
    E-mail tarmo.karotam@nh-cap.com
    www.baltichorizon.com

    The Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund that is managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS. 

    Distribution: GlobeNewswire, Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Stockholm, www.baltichorizon.com

    To receive Nasdaq announcements and news from Baltic Horizon Fund about its projects, plans and more, register on www.baltichorizon.com. You can also follow Baltic Horizon Fund on www.baltichorizon.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Historic Allestree Hall sold to Derby-based developer

    Source: City of Derby

    Grade II listed Allestree Hall has been acquired by property developer Staton Young with plans to transform it into a wedding venue.

    ‘Winterisation’ works to protect the hall are due to start 21 December and will include hoarding off the site, measures to protect the Hall from the elements and clearing the gutters.

    A key condition of sale was for the preferred bidder to take immediate action to prevent further deterioration of the historic property, and to maintain access to public toilets at Allestree Park.

    Built in the early 1800s on land once owned by the Mundy family of Markeaton Hall, Allestree Hall was commissioned by Bache Thornhill and designed by architect James Wyatt.

    By disposing of the building through a long lease, the council has paved the way for its renovation, safeguarding its future and preventing it from falling into further disrepair. A number of outbuildings were included in the sale.

    Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, Cabinet Member for Governance and Finance, said:

    After years of searching for the right buyer, we’re thrilled to have found a Derby-based preferred bidder with experience of revitalising historic properties. Allestree Hall, a building rich in history and potential, is poised for a new chapter.

    Disposing of the long-lease interest generates much-needed income for the Council and an opportunity for the new owner to breathe new life into the building. With careful restoration, this stunning country house can reclaim its former glory.

    Staton Young has a proven track record in restoring and repurposing historic buildings, including Northgate House – the landmark former HMRC building in the city centre. Their portfolio also includes numerous serviced offices and modern co-working spaces across the Midlands.

    The company intends to apply for planning permission to re-purpose the Hall as a wedding venue. This would complement their recent acquisition of Horsley Lodge Golf Club, a Derbyshire complex which includes a golf course, country hotels and wedding venues.

    Marc Brough, managing director at Staton Young, said:

    Allestree Hall presents us with a great opportunity to restore a piece of Derby’s history. We’ve got some exciting plans and can’t wait to bring this beautiful building back to life and create a stunning wedding venue.

    Staton Young will work in partnership with the Council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to make sure future use of the hall fits in with the ongoing community rewilding project at Allestree Park.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Prince Andrew and the British establishment’s ‘target-rich environment’ for spies

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Philip Murphy, Director of History & Policy at the Institute of Historical Research and Professor of British and Commonwealth History, School of Advanced Study, University of London

    A ruling by the UK’s Special Immigration Appeals Commission has revealed that a Chinese businessman with links to King Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew, has been banned from Britain. The commission was upholding a decision originally taken in 2023 by the then home secretary, Suella Braverman, to exclude a man subsequently named as Yang Tengbo.

    Britain’s Security Service, MI5, had advised the commission that Yang posed “a risk to UK national security”. Reports have noted Yang’s visits to royal events at the request of the prince and his communications with one of Andrew’s senior advisers, Dominic Hampshire.

    That Andrew might have been cultivated by an agent of the Chinese government will come as no surprise to anyone who has studied the work of intelligence agencies. Their ideal target will not necessarily be someone who sympathises with the regime they serve. Indeed with the collapse of the ideological certainties of the cold war, this has become increasingly unlikely.

    Rather, a target will probably be someone who has particular weaknesses that can be exploited, often revolving around money or sex. They are seldom at the very pinnacle of power. But that, in itself, can leave them resentful and hungry for affirmation.

    An exaggerated sense of self-importance can render them even more pliable. This can make for a complex relationship between intelligence predator and their prey.

    In Andrew’s case, there are indications that members of his circle actually talked up the prince’s importance as a political contact. The commission’s ruling quoted a message from Hampshire to Yang in March 2020 after the latter had been invited to attend the Prince’s 60th birthday party.

    Hampshire told Yang: “I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family. You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship. …outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.”

    Those more familiar with the workings of the British government might be sceptical about the height of the branches Yang had reached. King Charles is, after all, a constitutional monarch with few formal powers. And Andrew has become an increasingly marginalised figure within the royal family.

    A steady stream of revelations about his relationship with sex-trafficker and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has left him increasingly out in the cold. He was stripped of his role as UK trade envoy in 2011 and was then forced to step down from public duties in 2019. So why bother trying to court him?

    Clues are provided in an important survey of the links between the royal family and the intelligence community published by international history specialists Richard Aldrich and Rory Cormac in 2021. As they note, before 2011, Andrew had enjoyed a long career in the royal navy and then as a British trade envoy, becoming closely involved in the sensitive and secretive world of UK arms sales.

    In 2010, the Wikileaks revelations suggested Andrew had been fiercely critical of the Serious Fraud Office for almost derailing a deal with Saudi Arabia and that his inside knowledge might have extended to some dark corners of the arms trade and its methods. There were also reports that the UK’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, was concerned that a former US deputy police chief close to the investigation into the Epstein affair might have leaked details to Russia, leaving Andrew open to blackmail.

    So Andrew probably was a tempting target, combining personal vulnerability with knowledge that could, at the very least, be embarrassing to the UK. But then, to borrow former US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s vivid phrase about Iraq, the British establishment has long provided foreign intelligence agencies with “a target-rich environment”. And the waters tend to be muddied by the ease with which legitimate contacts based on cultural and trade diplomacy can morph into something more sinister.

    Broader concerns

    The ruling of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission quoted from a statement by the director-general of MI5 from July 2022 which distinguished between legitimate diplomacy and “what we call interference activity – influencing that is clandestine, coercive or corruptive”. Yet, in practice, the distinction is often opaque.

    When darker forces are at work, it often only becomes apparent as a result of prolonged surveillance of those involved. And that, in turn, assumes Britain’s spies are actually doing their job. Various bodies have questioned whether they are.

    In a July 2020 report, the parliamentary intelligence and security committee criticised the intelligence community for not being more curious about certain aspects of Russian activity. The possibility of Kremlin interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum was a significant concern.

    The implication – that intelligence officials had been nervous about getting involved in such a sensitive political issue – was rather borne out by the fate of the committee’s report itself. It was delivered to then prime minister Boris Johnson in October 2019 but was not released to the public until well after his pro-Brexit government had won the general election of December that year.

    Nor is the Labour party without questions to answer. At the same time as the Prince Andrew scandal was unfolding, Christine Lee, who donated £584,177 to the office of the Labour MP Barry Gardiner, lost a claim against MI5 which had accused her of engaging in political interference on behalf of China. Gardiner has said in response that none of the donations “according to MI5, came from an illegal source” and that he has “ceased all contact” with Lee following the MI5 warning.

    Prince Andrew’s behaviour is part of a wider picture and speaks to the general need for higher standards in British public life. Stricter rules on political donations to prevent foreign interference in British politics are long overdue. And people of political influence, including members of both houses of parliament, should be far more closely scrutinised over their relationships with foreign officials and business people. National security, as the term implies, very much begins at home.

    Philip Murphy has received funding from the AHRC. He is a member of the European Movement UK.

    – ref. Prince Andrew and the British establishment’s ‘target-rich environment’ for spies – https://theconversation.com/prince-andrew-and-the-british-establishments-target-rich-environment-for-spies-246383

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –