NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Edinburgh to launch innovation team to help reduce poverty and reach net zero

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    View of Edinburgh from Arthur Seat – a Getty image

    Edinburgh is one of 19 new local authorities joining the international Bloomberg Philanthropies i-team initiative, which provides support and expertise to tackle pressing local challenges.

    The City of Edinburgh Council today announced plans for an Innovation Team which will work towards tackling the city’s ambitions of reaching net zero and ending poverty.

    The i-team, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will include three specialised staff charged with helping the Council and civic and community-based partners design and implement services that improve people’s lives. They will receive technical assistance from regional and global specialists, and benefit from learnings from peers in local authorities across the region and around the world.  

    City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said:

    Edinburgh is one of the most successful cities in the world and yet we face unprecedented pressures. Our population growth, and appeal as a fantastic place to live and visit, makes it challenging to provide the best quality housing and support to residents who need it most. Likewise, Edinburgh’s world-famous environment, both built and natural, needs to be managed sustainably and protected from the effects of climate change.

    The support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ international i-team initiative will provide a huge boost towards our aims of tackling poverty and hitting net zero, by helping us to establish a brand-new innovation team within the Council. I look forward to working with this team, and all our partners, as we work to deliver a fairer and stronger capital city.

    James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said:

    Realising efficient, effective government is an inside job—and the Innovation Teams we support around the world are critical to building that engine within the city halls they serve. We are glad to expand this model to 19 new municipal teams in Europe, who will join the growing number of public officials working locally, creatively, and ambitiously to break down silos, break through problems, and deliver results residents see and feel.

    To date, the Bloomberg Philanthropies i-team initiative has reached over 100 cities across 16 countries and four continents—representing more than 100 million residents—and inspired hundreds of other local governments to embrace innovation systems and practices.

    Published: July 10th 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Calls for Promoting Construction of China-Vietnam Community of Shared Future

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Xinhua) — China hopes to work with Vietnam to make continuous progress in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

    Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the statement during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son.

    Noting that the leaders of the two parties and countries have outlined strategic plans to deepen the China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, Wang Yi stressed that China is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties as a new starting point together with Vietnam to maintain high-level exchanges, consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and properly handle differences.

    According to the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China expects to strengthen strategic coordination with Vietnam on the platform of East Asian cooperation, welcomes Vietnam’s status as a BRICS partner country and supports its early accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

    Wang Yi stressed that China always opposes trade and economic bullying and tariff coercion, supports the resolution of trade, economic and tariff issues through equal dialogue, and intends to jointly uphold the rules and system of multilateral trade with Vietnam, and protect the legitimate interests of all countries through unity and self-strengthening.

    Bui Thanh Son, for his part, said that Vietnam expects to deepen practical cooperation with China in areas such as railways, finance, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

    According to him, Vietnam and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are ready to work with China to achieve greater progress in the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and promote an early conclusion of consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

    Vietnam is willing to maintain close communication with China, uphold multilateralism and international trade rules, and jointly promote the development and prosperity of the region and the world as a whole, Bui Thanh Son added. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Meets with Vice Speaker of National Assembly of Republic of Korea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), met with Lee Hak-yeon, vice speaker of the National Assembly (parliament) of the Republic of Korea (ROK), in Beijing on Thursday.

    Zhao Leji recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his election as President of the Republic of Korea and held a telephone conversation with him, during which the two sides reached an important consensus on elevating China-South Korea strategic cooperation and partnership to a higher level.

    The Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee stressed that China is ready to work with the ROK, under the strategic leadership of the heads of state, to improve mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

    According to Zhao Leji, the NPC is willing to maintain close communication with the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, play the role of mechanisms and platforms for exchanges between legislative bodies, so as to provide legal guarantees for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and deepen coordination and cooperation within the framework of multilateral mechanisms.

    For his part, Lee Hak-yeon noted that the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea hopes to deepen cooperation with the NPC in order to contribute to the development of trade and economic ties and strengthening friendship between the peoples of the two countries. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Washington, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today led 11 bipartisan members of Congress in introducing the PBM Reform Act, which protects patients and pharmacies from the harmful and anticompetitive business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM).


    “It’s time to bust up the PBM monopoly, which has been stealing hope and health from patients for decades. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how PBMs abuse patients firsthand, and believe that the cure to this infectious disease is transparency, competition, and accountability, which is exactly what our bipartisan package provides,” said Rep. Carter.

    The PBM Reform Act will: 

    • Ban “spread pricing” in Medicaid and move to a transparent system that ensures pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed for serving Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency. 
    • Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.
    • Require Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations.


    Original Co-Sponsors include:     Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rick Allen (R-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Rose (R-TN), Derek Tran (D-CA), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). 


    “For too long, pharmacy benefit managers have been allowed to operate unchecked, raising prices and preventing many patients from getting the medications they depend on,” Rep. Debbie Dingell said. “I hear from too many Michiganders, especially seniors, who can’t conveniently access the prescriptions they need, due to exploitative PBM practices complicating access to their local pharmacies. Their harmful, aggressive tactics are only getting worse, and we must take action now to protect pharmacies and lower patient costs. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this across the finish line.”


    “Unaffordable health care, unclear pricing practices, and a burdensome system that is difficult to navigate has created life-threatening barriers to care for Americans,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. “At the heart of this problem are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who withhold money from independent pharmacies, obscure drug costs, and make out like bandits, all at the expense of patients. This corruption of the health care delivery system must stop. For years, we have heard from small business owners, physicians, and patients about the damage greedy PBMs have inflicted. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to put an end to the extortion and lower drug costs through increased transparency and competition.”


    “For too long, PBMs have served as unregulated middlemen, driving up prices for life-saving medications for patients,” said Rep. Deborah Ross. “Nobody should have to choose between paying for life-saving medication and putting food on the table. Our bipartisan PBM Reform Act will protect Americans from abusive practices that raise prices and reduce fairness. I’m proud to work with Rep. Carter on these long overdue reforms. It’s past time to hold PBMs accountable and ensure every American can access the medications they need.”


    “It’s time to put an end to the shady and manipulative practices of pharmacy benefit managers. For too long, PBMs have driven up drug prices and padded their pockets while independent community pharmacies are being pushed to the financial brink. My colleagues and I are committed to changing that. This legislation delivers long-overdue accountability, increases transparency, lowers out-of-pocket costs for families, and saves taxpayer dollars. Local pharmacies and the patients they serve are at a breaking point, and they deserve relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to passing real PBM reform that will deliver for both patients and providers,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. 


    “Pharmacy Benefit Managers line their pockets and drive up the cost of life saving drugs at the expense of South Texans and the community pharmacies they depend on — this is shameful, dangerous, and must be stopped,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Buddy Carter that puts patients first, increases price transparency, and holds PBMs accountable.”


    “PBM reform has long been a pressing issue, not only in rural Georgia, but across the nation. I am proud to work with Representative Carter on this commonsense package to eliminate the use of spread pricing, make prescription drugs more affordable, and establish rigorous oversight over PBM tactics that threaten access to care. Our health care system is in need of patient-centered, cost-effective, market-driven solutions and this package delivers,” said Rep. Rick W. Allen.


    “I’m proud to co-lead the PBM Reform Act to crack down on abusive practices by pharmacy benefit managers and drive down the cost of prescription drugs for working families,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said. “This bipartisan legislation brings long-overdue transparency and accountability to the prescription drug supply chain, ensuring patients, not middlemen, come first.”


    “Seniors should be able to fill the prescriptions they need without having to drive long distances or pay exorbitant costs,” Rep. John Rose said. “For far too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have favored large chains and driven away customers from independent pharmacies, especially those in rural communities. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, which will be a gamechanger for countless Tennesseans.”

    “Southern California families are seeing their cost-of-living skyrocket, especially the cost of essential health care. I’m laser-focused on bipartisan, common-sense solutions that bring down costs and ensure that our economy works for working families. My experience running a community pharmacy with my wife showed me firsthand the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in how Pharmacy Benefit Managers operate. That is why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Representatives Carter and Dingell to reform PBM practices, increase transparency, and put patients first,” said Rep. Derek Tran.


    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical PBM reform package, which cracks down on the exploitative pricing tactics of pharmacy benefit managers to make prescription drugs more affordable,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “PBMs’ shady practices have left consumers footing the bill and are driving many ‘Mom & Pop’ pharmacies in my district out of business. Our legislation will deliver long-overdue reforms to increase price transparency and protect patients. Now is the time for Congress to act and get PBM reform across the finish line.”

    Background

    Pharmacy benefit managers were created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient’s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have been allowed to operate virtually unchecked as they consolidated to where three companies now control 80% of the prescription drug market.

    Vertical integration and a lack of transparency have led to pharmacy closures and higher costs for patients across the country.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Washington, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today led 11 bipartisan members of Congress in introducing the PBM Reform Act, which protects patients and pharmacies from the harmful and anticompetitive business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM).


    “It’s time to bust up the PBM monopoly, which has been stealing hope and health from patients for decades. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how PBMs abuse patients firsthand, and believe that the cure to this infectious disease is transparency, competition, and accountability, which is exactly what our bipartisan package provides,” said Rep. Carter.

    The PBM Reform Act will: 

    • Ban “spread pricing” in Medicaid and move to a transparent system that ensures pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed for serving Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency. 
    • Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.
    • Require Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations.


    Original Co-Sponsors include:     Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rick Allen (R-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Rose (R-TN), Derek Tran (D-CA), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). 


    “For too long, pharmacy benefit managers have been allowed to operate unchecked, raising prices and preventing many patients from getting the medications they depend on,” Rep. Debbie Dingell said. “I hear from too many Michiganders, especially seniors, who can’t conveniently access the prescriptions they need, due to exploitative PBM practices complicating access to their local pharmacies. Their harmful, aggressive tactics are only getting worse, and we must take action now to protect pharmacies and lower patient costs. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this across the finish line.”


    “Unaffordable health care, unclear pricing practices, and a burdensome system that is difficult to navigate has created life-threatening barriers to care for Americans,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. “At the heart of this problem are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who withhold money from independent pharmacies, obscure drug costs, and make out like bandits, all at the expense of patients. This corruption of the health care delivery system must stop. For years, we have heard from small business owners, physicians, and patients about the damage greedy PBMs have inflicted. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to put an end to the extortion and lower drug costs through increased transparency and competition.”


    “For too long, PBMs have served as unregulated middlemen, driving up prices for life-saving medications for patients,” said Rep. Deborah Ross. “Nobody should have to choose between paying for life-saving medication and putting food on the table. Our bipartisan PBM Reform Act will protect Americans from abusive practices that raise prices and reduce fairness. I’m proud to work with Rep. Carter on these long overdue reforms. It’s past time to hold PBMs accountable and ensure every American can access the medications they need.”


    “It’s time to put an end to the shady and manipulative practices of pharmacy benefit managers. For too long, PBMs have driven up drug prices and padded their pockets while independent community pharmacies are being pushed to the financial brink. My colleagues and I are committed to changing that. This legislation delivers long-overdue accountability, increases transparency, lowers out-of-pocket costs for families, and saves taxpayer dollars. Local pharmacies and the patients they serve are at a breaking point, and they deserve relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to passing real PBM reform that will deliver for both patients and providers,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. 


    “Pharmacy Benefit Managers line their pockets and drive up the cost of life saving drugs at the expense of South Texans and the community pharmacies they depend on — this is shameful, dangerous, and must be stopped,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Buddy Carter that puts patients first, increases price transparency, and holds PBMs accountable.”


    “PBM reform has long been a pressing issue, not only in rural Georgia, but across the nation. I am proud to work with Representative Carter on this commonsense package to eliminate the use of spread pricing, make prescription drugs more affordable, and establish rigorous oversight over PBM tactics that threaten access to care. Our health care system is in need of patient-centered, cost-effective, market-driven solutions and this package delivers,” said Rep. Rick W. Allen.


    “I’m proud to co-lead the PBM Reform Act to crack down on abusive practices by pharmacy benefit managers and drive down the cost of prescription drugs for working families,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said. “This bipartisan legislation brings long-overdue transparency and accountability to the prescription drug supply chain, ensuring patients, not middlemen, come first.”


    “Seniors should be able to fill the prescriptions they need without having to drive long distances or pay exorbitant costs,” Rep. John Rose said. “For far too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have favored large chains and driven away customers from independent pharmacies, especially those in rural communities. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, which will be a gamechanger for countless Tennesseans.”

    “Southern California families are seeing their cost-of-living skyrocket, especially the cost of essential health care. I’m laser-focused on bipartisan, common-sense solutions that bring down costs and ensure that our economy works for working families. My experience running a community pharmacy with my wife showed me firsthand the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in how Pharmacy Benefit Managers operate. That is why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Representatives Carter and Dingell to reform PBM practices, increase transparency, and put patients first,” said Rep. Derek Tran.


    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical PBM reform package, which cracks down on the exploitative pricing tactics of pharmacy benefit managers to make prescription drugs more affordable,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “PBMs’ shady practices have left consumers footing the bill and are driving many ‘Mom & Pop’ pharmacies in my district out of business. Our legislation will deliver long-overdue reforms to increase price transparency and protect patients. Now is the time for Congress to act and get PBM reform across the finish line.”

    Background

    Pharmacy benefit managers were created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient’s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have been allowed to operate virtually unchecked as they consolidated to where three companies now control 80% of the prescription drug market.

    Vertical integration and a lack of transparency have led to pharmacy closures and higher costs for patients across the country.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening engaged with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They discussed the latest developments and progress in ASEAN-UK cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening engaged with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They discussed the latest developments and progress in ASEAN-UK cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening engaged with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They discussed the latest developments and progress in ASEAN-UK cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Scott, Warnock and Colleagues Introduce Hospital at Home Healthcare Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, legislation that would extend the Acute Hospital at Home Waiver program and modernize how Americans receive hospital-level care. This bill would build on the successful Hospital at Home program, which currently allows thousands of Americans to safely receive hospital-level care in their homes through a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) waiver. 
    “The American healthcare system must evolve to meet the needs of the patients in the 21st century,” said Senator Scott. “Hospital-at-home care provides better outcomes for patients while reducing costs. This legislation ensures that successful programs like this can continue to serve families across South Carolina and the nation.”
    “This legislation is about protecting access to quality health care, lowering costs for patients, and improving the health and well-being of our family and neighbors,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “I will always work to lower costs and increase health care access for Georgians, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan effort.”
    This legislation addresses the unsustainable costs of the current healthcare system by leveraging technology and alternative care models. 
    In addition to Senators Scott and Warnock, this bill was cosponsored by Senators Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-N.Y.).
    Read the text of the bill here.
    Background:
    Under the current program, CMS requires an in-person physician evaluation and screening protocols to assess medical and non-medical factors before at-home care can begin. Research has shown hospital-at-home programs decrease hospital-acquired infections, falls, delirium, and immobility while providing cost savings. 
    The waiver programs launched in November of 2020 to help decompress hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Scott and former Senator Carper worked to extend the Hospital at Home Program during the 117th and 118th Congress. During the 117th Congress, they introduced and passed the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, legislation that extended the Hospital at Home waiver program two years beyond the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The March Continuing Resolution extended Hospital-at-Home until the end of this fiscal year. Now, more than 37 states have Hospital-at-Home programs, including South Carolina. The program is set to expire on September 30th, 2025.
    While the federal healthcare system is transitioning from payment models that solely fund care in traditional facilities, several states have passed legislation allowing varying levels of hospital-at-home flexibility.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Superman: James Gunn’s prolonged punch-fest falls flat

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laura Crossley, Senior Lecturer in Film, Bournemouth University

    The first two superhero movies of the year examined the morality of power and politics (Captain America: Brave New World) and mental health and personal accountability (Thunderbolts*) in thoughtful and often nuanced ways. It is rather depressing, then, that the third act of Superman is largely a prolonged CGI punch-fest that lacks any narrative or visual vigour to make it interesting.

    There is a lot riding on the success of the DC Universe (DCU), now under the creative stewardship of director James Gunn and producer James Safran. After the varied fortunes of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), this iteration of Superman marks a reboot of DC properties and is the introductory instalment of the first phase, or “chapter” as they are being called, with the subtitle Gods and Monsters.

    The films also marks a shift from the “Snyderverse” – the series of interconnected films made under the oversight of director Zack Snyder – which were characterised by the darkness of both their themes and their aesthetics.

    This darkness, and the attendant moral ambiguity, of the Snyderverse has been replaced by a more optimistic tone. This new Superman film is more simplistic and clear-cut, with good versus bad and a bright, comic-book design.

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

    Anyone familiar with Gunn’s previous superhero offerings (The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy; The Suicide Squad) will recognise much of the tone and the look. This is very much the Superman movie that Gunn wants to make. And therein lies part of the problem.

    As the opening film of chapter one, this effectively sets the tone for all that is to come across the DCU. But that raises the question of how Gunn’s overall approach will work with future properties that will have (or should have) very different styles, narrative themes and concerns.

    This film is deliberately not an origin story. We meet Superman (David Corenswet), bloodied and battered after having lost an off-screen fight. He’s already an established superhero in a world accustomed to them after approximately 300 years of “metahumans” – as the opening exposition dump helpfully informs us.

    Superman then returns to the icy Fortress of Solitude, complete with robot staff and adorable CGI super-dog, Krypto. We are, in effect, entering the middle of the story, with Superman’s dual identity as Clark Kent already known to his girlfriend Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan).

    The pair have a fun, palpable chemistry. In an early stand-out scene, Lois, in journalist mode, grills Clark/Superman on the finer points of superhero accountability and responsibility after he single-handedly – and without any form of legal jurisdiction – stops a war between the fictitious countries of Boravia (eastern European, evil) and Jahanipur (a south-east Asian/Middle Eastern mash-up in which the people are impoverished and entirely agency-free), just before the movie begins. Sadly, these valid and deeply relevant questions remain unexplored for the rest of the film.

    The trailer for Superman.

    Brosnahan is a spiky, intelligent and self-assured Lois Lane who is not given enough to do, partly because this “starting in the middle” approach robs her relationship with Clark/Superman of any real tension and complexity. But also because the film is so overstuffed that there is little room for any meaningful character development.

    What we do have is incoherent plotting, clunky dialogue and exposition and too many characters who are too thinly drawn.

    The gang’s back together

    Corenswet is a fine Superman, commandingly heroic and believably vulnerable when required. However, there is not much opportunity for him to explore his Clark Kent alter-ego before he is in full superhero mode, thereby denying the character time to establish the humanity that is core to Superman’s personality.

    Lex Luthor (Nicholas Holt), the quintessential Superman villain, is supposed to be brilliant but here is rendered more as an Elon Musk-like figure with hints of Trump. He’s a megalomaniac with a populist touch with motivations that are so unclear as to be nonsensical.

    We also get members of the Justice Gang, including a horribly bewigged Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi).

    Gathegi steals almost the entire movie with a charismatic, laid-back turn that is crying out for his own standalone entry. Mister Terrific gets the movie’s most fun set piece: a single-handed fight against multiple goons choreographed to an upbeat pop soundtrack that is straight out of the James Gunn playbook.

    As is the Justice Gang’s fight against an inter dimensional giant squid, which plays out as the comedic backdrop visible through a window during a pivotal scene with Lois Lane, and in which a depressed Superman takes no part. Any moments of seriousness are immediately undercut by on the nose and often cheap jokes.

    The lack of narrative focus and character development results in a story that does not give us any tangible reasons to care about these characters beyond the fact that they are already well-established cultural icons. The lack of scaffolding means that when we reach what should be the emotional turning points, there is no heft to these moments.

    The phoney war between Boravia and Jahanipur also provides problematic optics. The people of Jahanipur are an anonymous mass of peasants armed only with sticks who get a single word of dialogue shared between them (“Superman!”). They are at the mercy of their warlike neighbours in Boravia, whose evil is made evident through the grotesque physicality of their leader (Zlatko Buric).

    This plot device seems to be making a passing reference to both the war in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, without having anything of value to say about either. The situation is resolved by the arrival of the American Justice Gang (because all metahumans are exclusively based in America, apparently) and then we’re on to the next joke.

    In this Superman reboot, the humanity of the character is largely lost, something we are told about rather than see. This is ironic given that truth, justice and humanity are supposed to be the guiding principles of the Superman story.

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

    – ref. Superman: James Gunn’s prolonged punch-fest falls flat – https://theconversation.com/superman-james-gunns-prolonged-punch-fest-falls-flat-260940

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on Bradford-on-Avon flood alleviation scheme

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Update on Bradford-on-Avon flood alleviation scheme

    The Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council and Bradford-on-Avon Town Council will focus on strengthening community-level flood resilience.

    The Environment Agency, in partnership with Wiltshire Council, Bradford-on-Avon Town Council and Wessex Water, has concluded that a permanent flood scheme for Bradford-on-Avon is currently unviable. 

    A review of a proposed flood scheme from 2017, which involved low walls and pumping stations, found that costs have risen significantly, increasing from £4.5 million to over £11 million. This is not possible with the current central government funding available. 

    Efforts to find more cost-effective alternatives—such as replacing permanent surface water pumping with temporary pumps—would still require around £1.7 million in additional partnership funding.

    After discussions with partners, no funding opportunities have been identified to bridge this gap. 

    Bradford-on-Avon’s historic character is vital to its tourism and local economy, adding further complexity to designing a flood scheme that balances protection with preservation.

    While the proposed 2017 scheme was designed to be more in keeping with the town’s character, it would still have been overtopped by flooding during Storm Bert in November 2024. 

    Weighing up these considerations, partners have agreed that a permanent flood scheme is financially unviable at this time.

    Even if a scheme were possible, the flood risk benefits would not outweigh the potential harm to the town’s historic and economic importance. 

    A range of alternative flood management options—including dredging, upstream and underground flood storage, automated barriers, a bypass channel, natural flood management and temporary barriers—have been explored, but each was found to be either ineffective, impractical or also financially unviable. 

    Moving forward, the Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council, and the Town Council will focus resources on strengthening community-level flood resilience. Residential properties may be eligible for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures. 

    Committed to supporting community

    Ron Curtis, Operations Manager from the Environment Agency, said: 

    We understand this will be disappointing news for those affected by recent flooding, and we recognise the ongoing challenges faced by the community.  

    We remain committed to supporting Bradford-on-Avon in adapting to flood risks through community resilience measures.  

    This does not mean that a permanent scheme will never be possible, as changes in government policy, funding availability or advancements in technology could create future opportunities. 

    We continue to ask residents and businesses to check their flood risk.

    The Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council, Bradford-on-Avon Town Council and Wessex Water are hosting a flood drop-in session on Monday 21 July at Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LW from 2 – 6:30pm.  

    With national expert “Flood Mary” Mary Long-Dhonau OBE in attendance with the Flood Pod, this event will allow the community to ask questions, discuss concerns, and learn more about flood resilience measures and ongoing efforts to manage flood risk in the area. 

    Councillor Jack Vittles, Mayor of Bradford on Avon, said: 

    We’re pleased to be able to facilitate this valuable opportunity for the Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council and Wessex Water to come and update residents on their work regarding flooding in the town.

    These agencies will explain their plans, share their flood resilience support and highlight the opportunities to enable the town to prepare for future flooding events.  This is the perfect chance for residents and businesses to drop in, ask questions, discuss concerns directly with them and pick up advice on making your property as resilient as possible. 

    I’d like to thank all the agencies involved for engaging so positively with our community and look forward to hearing what they can do for Bradford on Avon and our residents. 

    Background

    More information on the Bradford on Avon drop-in session on July 21 is available on the Bradford on Avon Council site here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Five unusual ways to make buildings greener (literally)

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Dobraszczyk, Lecturer in Architecture, UCL

    Belgian architect Luc Schuiten’s vision of ‘the Vegetal City’. Luc Schuiten

    Buildings adorned with plants are an increasingly familiar sight in cities worldwide. These “green walls” are generally created using metal frames that support plastic plates, onto which pre-grown plants are inserted. These plants are able to survive without soil because they’re sustained by nutrient-packed rolls of felt and artificial sprinklers.

    Some are fabulously rich tapestries of luxuriant vegetation, like French botanist Patrick Blanc’s coating of part of the Athenaeum hotel in London. Here, small shrubs sprout from an almost tropical green wall, with an abundance of mosses and ferns. In summer, butterflies peruse the flowers. All this next to Piccadilly, one of the busiest streets in central London.

    Others are objects of ridicule: the sadly common outcome of poor design and a lack of maintenance (all green walls need careful planning and a great deal of care). If they’re not carefully tended, green walls will quickly turn into brown ones, with the plastic supports all too visible beneath the dying plants.

    But there are many others ways of integrating plants into buildings beyond simply trying to grow them on walls. Here are five examples that straddle the mundane and the marvellous.

    A wilted green wall in Tokyo, Japan.
    Wikimedia Images, CC BY

    Growing buildings

    German architectural practice Baubotanik (a word that means “botanic building”) has taken the radical step of creating buildings that flout the conventional idea of architecture as static and inert. After all, plants grow – they are living organisms.

    Baubotanik uses pre-grown trees to create multi-storey structures, with trees replacing the conventional steel girders of most tall buildings. Its Plane-Tree-Cube in Nagold, begun in 2012, is made of plane trees supported on a steel scaffold, with a built-in irrigation system to water the trees until they’re large enough for the steel to be removed.

    Baubotanik’s Plan-Tree-Cube is intended to grow into a usable structure.
    Baubotanik

    It’ll probably be another ten years before this structure is ready to be used, but as what? It’s hard to imagine making a home in such an unruly structure, let alone plugging in your internet or other electrical appliances.

    Building in trees

    Baubotanik takes grafting, an age-old horticultural technique, and uses it to create structural frames for buildings. Grafting joins the tissue of plants so that they can grow together (it’s most commonly used in the cultivation of fruit trees).

    As the architects themselves acknowledge, there are many interesting historical precedents, such as the Lindenbaum concentrated in a small region of rural Germany in northwestern Bavaria.

    These are accessible platforms built into large lime (linden) trees to accommodate dancers in a yearly ritual known as the Tanzlinden (“dance linden”), which originated in the middle of the 17th century and still happen in early September.

    In the surviving Lindenbaum in the small village of Peesten (one of around 12 that are still around), a stone stairwell spirals up to the wooden platform built inside the tree: dancing happens on this platform, while musicians provide accompaniment beneath.

    Lindenbaum in Peesten, Germany.
    Wikimedia Images, CC BY

    Weaving buildings

    It’s possible to take this practice of integrating buildings and trees one step further and imagine whole cities redesigned in this way. This has been the lifelong preoccupation of Belgian architect Luc Schuiten, particularly in his speculative drawings of “vegetal cities”.

    These are urban environments in which the branches of trees and the stems of climbing plants have become completely enmeshed with buildings made of steel and glass. One of his designs, called Habitarbres, imagines a house constructed within a living tree. The structure would flex as the tree grows, while hot-air pipes and other infrastructure would be embedded in the trunk. It’s an attempt to envisage how the infrastructure of our buildings – pipes, wire, cables and the like – can be accommodated in a living structure with its own vascular network.

    With Habitarbes, Schuiten proposes a house built within a living tree.
    Luc Schuiten

    It’s a speculative proposal, but perhaps not so different from a common building type normally associated with enterprising children, namely treehouses. Schuiten is merely taking a human desire – to live in a tree – and suggesting how it might be squared with our equally strong desire for comfort.

    Architecture as compost

    When plants die and decay they create the conditions for the next cycle of vegetal growth; they are sustainable in a way that the vast majority of our buildings are not. While there is a drive to recycle existing building materials (metals and plastics mostly), it’s another thing entirely to make buildings truly regenerative.

    Martin Miller and Caroline O’Donnell’s “Primitive Hut” project from 2017 created a building that does just this. They made a wooden lattice structure to support the growth of four red maple saplings. Another lattice decomposed over time, providing food for the growing trees. Eventually the whole structure was overwhelmed by the trees.

    Martin Miller and Caroline O’ Donnell’s ‘Primitive Hut’.
    OMG!

    In calling this a primitive hut, the architects questioned how western architectural thinking tends to see indigenous architecture as both an origin point and a model for more sustainable forms of construction. It asks whether the industrial technologies that dominate construction in the global north should be more informed by architects that have continued to build with natural and compostable materials for centuries.

    Letting be

    It’s worth remembering that we don’t have to design green buildings; given enough time, they will happen anyway.

    Moss on the roof of the Sandringham estate’s visitors’ centre in Norfolk, eastern England.
    Wikimedia Images, CC BY

    The sloping roof of my house, directly below the window where I’m writing this article, is gradually acquiring its own green patina of lichen and moss. The roof is old and I’ve been told it needs to be replaced soon. A cloud of spores and seeds peppers this and every single roof every day with the prospect of new life.

    Without any human intervention whatsoever, this process of vegetal succession can produce a complex ecosystem of not only plant but also animal life (from microbes to insects). That architects so rarely call such a surface “green” betrays something that’s deep-seated in ideas about green design. For it is precisely the absence of human control that allows vegetation to colonise a building; there is, in effect no design involved at all – unless, of course, we accept that plants have designs of their own.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

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

    – ref. Five unusual ways to make buildings greener (literally) – https://theconversation.com/five-unusual-ways-to-make-buildings-greener-literally-259721

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI: Treasury Bill Auction Announcement – RIKV 25 1119

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Series RIKV 25 1119
    ISIN IS0000037547
    Maturity Date 11/19/2025
    Auction Date 07/14/2025
    Settlement Date 07/16/2025

    On the Auction Date, between 10:30 am and 11:00 am, the Government Debt Management will auction Treasury bills in the Series, with the ISIN number and with the Maturity Date according to the table above. Payments for the Treasury bills must be received by the Central Bank before 14:00 on the Settlement Date and the Bills will be delivered in electronic form on the same day.

    Further reference is made to the General Terms of Icelandic Treasury bills and General Terms of Auction for Treasury bills on the Government Debt Management website.

    For additional information please contact Magnús Freyr Hrafnsson, Government Debt Management, at +354 569 9679.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Director General of the International Military Staff concludes three-year tenure

    Source: NATO

    After three years at the helm of the International Military Staff (IMS), Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak (POL Army) concluded his tenure as Director General. Appointed in July 2022, General Adamczak led the IMS through a period of raising challenges, leading to strategic adaptation, increasing of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, and enhanced coordination across the Alliance’s military structures.

    At a farewell ceremony held at NATO Headquarters, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, praised Lieutenant General Adamczak’s tenure, stating: “Your leadership has not only shaped the IMS, but has strengthened the very core of our Alliance. The IMS has been able to support the Military Committee and me, every single day, ensuring that we could focus on our purpose: to build and maintain the greatest military Alliance the world has ever known.”

    In a farewell address to the IMS, Lieutenant General Adamczak praised his staff: “Trust between divisions, between military and civilian personnel, and between nations, has been the foundation of everything we’ve achieved. Our responsibility has been to provide honest, professional, and clear military advice, even when it is difficult. And that is precisely what this staff has done. You have delivered truth without hesitation, and you have done so with integrity. Thank you to every single one of you who contributed – often quietly, often without recognition – to the mission we serve. Your work has not gone unnoticed. Your dedication has not been taken for granted.”

    During his time as Director General, the IMS continued to play a pivotal role in shaping NATO’s military response to a dynamically changing security environment. From supporting the Alliance’s evolving defence posture to enhancing its ability to respond to crises, and from coordinating support to Ukraine to advancing military planning coherence, the IMS helped align strategic decisions with real-world implementation.

    Lieutenant General Adamczak is succeeded by Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas  (Lithuania Army). A senior officer with deep experience in national and international defence roles, Lieutenant General Baltrėnas was selected for this position by the Chiefs of Defence at the 2024 Military Committee Conference in Prague. He takes up the post as NATO continues to adapt to a new era of collective defence.

    The International Military Staff is the executive body of the Military Committee and NATO’s primary source of military expertise at Headquarters. Comprising both military and civilian personnel from across the Alliance, the IMS provides sound expertise across the whole spectrum of military activities to the Military Committee, thus contributing to the synergy between NATO’s political and military structures, and supporting the consensus-based decision-making process.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Elizabeth Tower restoration wins RIBA National Award

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Can you hear the bells?

    The restoration of the Elizabeth Tower has won a Royal Institute of British Architects National Award.

    The conservation project was the most extensive in its 160-year history. The project drew on the specialist skills of craftspeople from across the UK, who prioritised the reuse of original materials and and the preservation of heritage crafts and techniques. 

    ‘A masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship at the home of the iconic Big Ben bell, preserving a monument for future generations’ – RIBA Award Judging Panel.

    Find out more about visiting the Elizabeth Tower and Parliament on our website.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4UwcZMFnwD4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement of the Coalition of the Willing meeting by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine: 10 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Statement of the Coalition of the Willing meeting by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine: 10 July 2025

    Today the leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia.

    Today the leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia. They welcomed the participation of United States Special Presidential Envoy, General Keith Kellogg, and Senators Graham and Blumenthal – the first time representatives of the United States have joined in the Coalition of the Willing meeting. 

    The leaders congratulated Prime Minister Meloni of Italy on hosting the Ukraine Recovery Conference, from where President Zelenskyy and fellow leaders joined the meeting.

    The Leaders reiterated that President Putin’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and a threat to their security interests. They underlined their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. 

    They commended President Zelenskyy’s sincere support for US-led efforts to reach peace. Four months have passed since Ukraine agreed to a full, unconditional ceasefire. In this time, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s civilian population, killing more than 700 and injuring over 3,500 in the most intense air strikes of the invasion to date. The Leaders called on Russia to end attacks against civilians, and to commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire in order to negotiate a just and lasting settlement.

    The Leaders supported further peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, praising efforts by President Trump on establishing a peace process backed by the United States and other close partners. This should make progress towards a meeting of leaders.  

    Leaders also agreed to step up action against Russia’s war economy. They agreed to develop further restrictive measures, in coordination with all relevant actors, against Russia’s energy and financial sectors, including Russian oil and gas exports, the ‘shadow fleet’, and third country supply to Russia’s war machine.

    The Leaders reiterated that strong Ukrainian armed forces are the primary guarantee of the country’s sovereignty and security. They agreed that, while Russia’s aggression continues, this group would prioritise making sure that Ukraine gets the military and financial support it needs to defend itself in the fight now. Furthermore, they reaffirmed agreement to provide at least €40bn in military support to Ukraine in 2025 to bolster the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine – matching the commitment made by the NATO Alliance in 2024. They agreed to work through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and the Capability Coalitions to accelerate support for Ukraine’s future forces. 

    A primary priority for support is the strengthening of Ukraine’s integrated air-defence capabilities. Leaders also agreed on further support to deter Russian massive drone attacks, and to increase financing for the production of drone interceptors. 

    They reiterated their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security and to building Ukraine’s ability to deter and defend against future armed attack by Russia. They welcomed the development of mature operational plans to deploy a reassurance force  – the ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’ – once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces. They welcomed the establishment of a UK/French led operational headquarters to support planning activity, the commitments made by partners to contribute to the force, as well as Ukraine’s readiness to issue an invitation to the force and enter into formal agreements with participating countries where necessary.

    Leaders also underlined the importance of ensuring fiscal and economic support for Ukraine. They agreed to draw up a collective plan to support Ukrainian public finances in 2026. They also recognised that free and safe navigation in the Black Sea will strengthen Ukraine’s economy and restore food security, and reiterated their commitment to support demining efforts in the Black Sea. The Leaders also agreed to continue to explore all lawful routes to ensure that Russia pays for the damage that it has done to Ukraine, including looking at further options for the use of revenues stemming from Russian immobilised sovereign assets.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Boost for British consumers and Developing Countries

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Boost for British consumers and Developing Countries

    Boost for British consumers and Developing Countries as UK launches new trade measures

    • New measures will make it easier for developing countries to trade, supporting jobs and economic growth in the UK overseas. 

    • UK businesses and consumers to benefit from more competitively priced imports as part of upgrades to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme. 

    • Part of the UK’s Plan for Change and recently launched Trade Strategy to grow trade with markets of the future, strengthen global partnerships and deliver for British households. 

    British consumers and businesses are set to benefit from a package of new trade measures unveiled today (10 July), which will simplify imports from developing countries — helping to lower prices on everyday goods while supporting jobs and growth in some of the world’s poorest nations.

    The measures will give UK consumers greater access to competitively priced imports — from clothes to food and electronics — as upgrades to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) make it easier for businesses to trade with the UK, helping to lower prices on the high street.

    Upgrades include simplified rules of origin, enabling more goods from countries like Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines to enter the UK tariff-free — even when using components from across Asia and Africa. They also ensure countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia continue to benefit with zero tariffs on products like garments and electronics.

    This will open up new commercial opportunities for UK businesses to build resilient supply chains, invest in emerging markets, and tap into fast-growing economies.

    Ministers briefed British business leaders and Ambassadors from around the world on the changes at a joint Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reception in London today.

    Minister for International Development Jenny Chapman, said: 

    The world is changing. Countries in the Global South want a different relationship with the UK as a trading partner and investor, not as a donor.

    These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses.

    Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander, said: 

    No country has ever lifted itself out of poverty without trading with its neighbours.

    Over recent decades trade has been an essential ingredient in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty around the globe.

    The DCTS allows some of the world’s poorest countries to export to the UK duty and quota-free, with over £16 billion in UK imports benefiting from tariff savings since its launch in June 2023.

    In addition to the DCTS changes, the UK will:

    • offer targeted support to help exporters in developing countries access the UK market and meet import standards; and
    • make it easier for partner countries to trade services — such as digital, legal, and financial services — by strengthening future trade agreements. This will create new opportunities for UK businesses to collaborate and invest in fast-growing sectors. 

    The reforms will support trade with emerging markets in Asia and Africa, strengthening the UK’s global partnerships, with major retailers such as M&S and Primark expected to benefit.  

    Director of Sourcing, Marks & Spencer PLC, Monique Leeuwenburgh said:

    We are supportive of changes to the DCTS rules of origin for garments.

    The ongoing collaboration between the government and retail industry has provided clarity and certainty for businesses in good time.

    This change will enable us to maintain our long-standing and trusted relationships with our key partners in Bangladesh, to deliver the same great quality Clothing & Home products at great value for our customers.

    Interim Chief Executive at Primark, Eoin Tonge said:

    We welcome the changes to the DCTS rules of origin for garments which remove the potential cliff edge when a country graduates from Least Developed Country status.

    This will help us to maintain our existing supply chain strategy in our key sourcing markets in Asia, such as Bangladesh and Cambodia.

    We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the government on these changes and their responsiveness to the concerns of UK retailers in this very technical area of trade policy.

    Adam Mansell, CEO, The UK Fashion & Textiles Association said said:

    UKFT welcomes these additional changes to the Rules of Origin under the DCTS, which will bring real benefits to the fashion industry in the UK and in DCTS countries.

    The new rules demonstrate a genuine commitment from the government to modernise trade policy to support global economic growth.

    At a time of such uncertainty in international trade, these reforms are especially welcome.

    Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Sri Lanka, said:

    We warmly welcome the UK’s Trade Strategy.

    The new rules allowing greater regional sourcing for garments while retaining duty-free access to the UK are a game-changer.

    With the UK as our second-largest apparel market, this will boost exports, support livelihoods, and help us compete more fairly with global competitors.

    The updated rules are part of the UK’s wider Trade for Development offer which aims to support economic growth in partner countries while helping UK businesses and consumers access high-quality, affordable goods. 

    And just last month, the UK’s Trade Strategy was published in further support of the Plan for Change to grow the economy, strengthen international ties, and deliver for households across the UK. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • Launched in 2023, following the UK’s exit from the EU, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is the UK’s flagship trade preference scheme, covering 65 countries and offering reduced or zero tariffs on thousands of products. 

    • The UK is committed to growing services trade with developing countries, supporting digital trade and professional services. 

    • The announcement follows engagement with UK businesses and international partners, major importers and trade associations.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Coalition of the Willing headquarters as leaders step up support for Ukraine’s immediate flight

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New Coalition of the Willing headquarters as leaders step up support for Ukraine’s immediate flight

    The Coalition of the Willing will have a new permanent headquarters in Paris, with plans in place for a future coordination cell in Kyiv, as command structures for the future reassurance force are finalised.

    The Coalition of the Willing will have a new permanent headquarters in Paris, with plans in place for a future coordination cell in Kyiv, as command structures for the future reassurance force are finalised. 

    It comes after leaders from the Coalition of the Willing met virtually today, with the Prime Minister and President Macron joining from the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood and President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Meloni and other leaders joining from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome to discuss the latest planning and our wider efforts to support Ukraine.

    For the first time, representatives of the United States, including Special Presidential Envoy, General Keith Kellogg, Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, joined the meeting.

    Military chiefs updated on the significant progress made, including the completion of reconnaissance visits to Ukraine, to better understand how a post-ceasefire force could best help regenerate the strength and firepower of Ukrainian forces and provide reassurance in the years to come.

    Following agreement on command structures for the force, leaders agreed that planning should continue on an enduring, business as usual footing, to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities.

    That will include a 3-star multi-national operational headquarters in Paris, led by the UK and France, to oversee all tactical and operational arrangements.

    The headquarters, which will rotate to London after the first 12 months, will allow partners to contribute forces flexibly and deploy military teams for different operational strands of work.

    When the force deploys, a co-ordination cell, headed up by a UK 2-star military officer will also be set up in Kyiv.

    Following the cessation of hostilities, the force is expected to:

    • Regenerate land forces: providing logistic, armament and training experts to assist with the regeneration and reconstitution of Ukraine’s land forces.
    • Secure Ukraine’s skies: The Coalition will provide safe skies alongside Ukraine’s Air Force using Coalition aircraft to deliver Air Policing, reassuring the Ukrainian population and establishing the conditions for normal international air travel to re-commence. 
    • Support safer seas: The existing Black Sea Task Force of Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria will be bolstered by additional specialist staff to accelerate the clearance of mines from the Black Sea and ensure safe and secure maritime access for all vessels transiting to and from Ukraine ports. 

    During the meeting, leaders condemned President Putin’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and disregard for peace talks and reaffirmed their determination to continue applying pressure on Putin to stop his illegal attacks and engage meaningfully in negotiations. They also welcomed progress made at the Ukraine Recovery Conference to help Ukraine grow its economy and protect its infrastructure against Russia’s attacks. 

    They agreed their priority effort must be to focus on Ukraine’s immediate defence in the face of relentless Russian attacks on critical national infrastructure and civilians.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Supporting Ukraine is not just the right thing to do, it’s essential for delivering security at home. That is why the Coalition of the Willing is ensuring we have a future force that can deploy following a ceasefire to deter Russian aggression for years to come.

    But as we continue to prepare for peace, our focus must also be on making it happen. So, alongside our partners, in the coming days and weeks, we will step up our support to keep Ukraine in the fight now, increasing pressure on Putin through crippling sanctions and ensuring Ukraine’s Armed Forces have the equipment they need to defend their sovereign territory.

    I am clear that the more we do to counter Russia’s aggression, the safer we will keep the British people, our allies and the Euro-Atlantic area.

    President Putin has made it clear with his barbaric missile strikes that he is not ready for peace – underscoring the need for the international priority to be to strengthen Ukraine in the fight now.

    Despite this, Coalition of the Willing members have been steadfast about their commitment to making sure they are ready to support Ukraine to deter future Russian attacks when the conditions for peace are right. 

    The ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’ will bolster Ukraine’s ability to return to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine’s own forces. Strong Ukrainian armed forces is the best way to deter Russia – and ensure the country is able to rebuild a thriving economy and attract international investment.

    The military plan comes after military chiefs met in Paris on Monday to agree the strategy for the force and coordinate plans with the EU, NATO and the US and more than 200 planners from 30 international partners.

    Leaders have now met six times to further planning and political support for the plans. The meeting comes after Ukraine’s friends and partners pledged €40bn of military support for the country in 2025 at the NATO Summit last month.

    This year, the UK will contribute £4.5 billion of military support to Ukraine – more than ever before, as well as launching a new landmark partnership share battlefield technology.

    That agreement, reached last month, will boost Ukraine’s drone production capacity and link the UK’s defence industry with the cutting-edge technology being developed on the front lines in Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Alliance Memory Names Penelope Van-Uxen as France Country Manager

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KIRKLAND, Wash., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alliance Memory today announced the appointment of Penelope Van-Uxen as France country manager. Stepping in for former managing director EMEA Sue Macedo — who recently retired — she is responsible for supporting Alliance Memory’s European customers.

    Ms. Van-Uxen holds a master’s degree in management and business administration — with a focus on entrepreneurship — from the Strasbourg Business School in France, where she recently graduated with honors. Previously, she earned a bachelor’s degree in applied modern languages and marketing from the University of Strasbourg, with one year spent as an international exchange student at the University of Southampton in the UK. Located in Saint Quentin, France, she reports to David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory.

    “Alliance Memory is known for delivering exceptional support, and I’m excited to continue that tradition for our customers in France and across Europe,” said Ms. Van-Uxen. “I’m honored to take on this role and build on the solid foundation established by Sue in the region.”

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Penelope to the Alliance Memory team,” said Bagby. “She brings outstanding academic credentials and a fresh perspective to this role. Combined with her commitment to strong customer relationships, she’s a great fit to lead our efforts in France and support our growing European customer base.”

    About Alliance Memory Inc.
    Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The company’s product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 128GB. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com.

    Editor resources:

    Link to image:
    www.redpinesgroup.com/Alliance/Penelope_Van-Uxen.png

    Agency Contact:
    Bob Decker
    Redpines
    +1 415 409 0233
    bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Corporate purpose: how boards of directors monitor the mission of European companies

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Rodolphe Durand, Professeur, stratégie et Politique d’Entreprise, HEC Paris Business School

    Like hundreds of large European companies, the Veolia group has given itself a corporate purpose. Shutterstock

    On April 24th, Veolia’s shareholders voted by more than 99% to inscribe the company’s corporate purpose into its bylaws. This means that Veolia’s board of directors will need to monitor the implementation of its corporate purpose by executive management even more closely than before. What approach will they take?

    Rather examining how corporate management handles corporate purpose, we have been exploring how the boards of directors of major European companies orchestrate its administration. The board of directors, it is important to remember, is a body that organises decision-making powers, defines company strategy, and ensures its implementation.

    A recent study conducted by HEC Paris and the University of Oxford with 21 major European companies, including Accor, Barclays, Decathlon, Enel, L’Oréal, Michelin, Philips, and RTL Group, reveals a nuanced approach to corporate purpose by their boards of directors. The study reveals a vision of corporate purpose as an organising principle that structures decision-making, defines activities and shapes company identity.

    We found four approaches within boards of directors, which we have called “motto”, “guide”, “style” and “compass” – each with its advantages and disadvantages. The key? Aligning the board’s approach to corporate purpose with the objectives and means given to executive management for proper implementation.

    Four approaches to corporate purpose

    Our study identifies these four approaches at the level of major European company boards. A board’s chosen approach varies along two dimensions: whether the board and its associated committees refer to corporate purpose implicitly or explicitly, and whether the measures, values and behaviours associated with corporate purpose are addressed generally, abstractly or precisely.

    One of the most striking conclusions concerns the crucial importance of alignment between orchestration at the board level and operational implementation by management. Companies that fail to synchronise these two levels risk dysfunction. Either they commit too many resources when their administrative mode doesn’t require it, or they commit too few resources when their administrative mode requires more.

    The main challenge lies not so much in formulating corporate purpose as in its operational translation. This translation occurs at the interface between shareholder representatives – the directors – and those who act for the company’s development – the managers.

    ‘Motto’: agility at the price of cohesion?

    The “motto” approach, implicit and abstract, is the freest and most fluid of the four approaches. In it, corporate purpose remains implicit because it’s not embedded in formalised practices. It’s invoked as a reminder during certain decisions, without formal processes within committees. Take the example of one of the companies in the study.

    “Corporate purpose is an integral part of who we are and feeds into decision-making, both within the board and inside the company,” stated one chair who was interviewed.

    This approach allows great agility without constraining the ability to innovate rapidly. By giving management teams the freedom to interpret corporate purpose according to their cultural and competitive context, it enables purpose to have a strong local resonance. It particularly appeals to companies operating in complex or multicultural environments.

    However, this flexibility can turn into dispersion. When each subsidiary or business unit appropriates the values of the company’s corporate purpose in its own way, there’s a risk of losing overall cohesion. Common meaning frays, and with it, strategic alignment.

    ‘Style’: values as driver, at the risk of ambiguity?

    The “style” approach corresponds to an implicit understanding of corporate purpose within the company complemented by board monitoring of certain indicators. This approach values the trust and autonomy of leaders in the strategic proposals they submit to the board. In return, the board monitors employee engagement indicators and value coherence in decisions, particularly within specific committees dealing with strategy or executive compensation.

    For managers, the implicit nature of this approach allows them to rely on the strength of professional cultures. Detailed indicator monitoring provides support for implementing management practices within operational units. As with the “motto” approach, the absence of an explicit framework can generate ambiguous interpretations of corporate purpose and lead to inconsistencies. Everyone projects their own meaning, risking strategic confusion. If overly heavy monitoring mechanisms are put in place, this approach becomes trapped in a logic of execution… rather than inspiration.

    ‘Guide’: principles that are on display, but not infallible?

    The “guide” approach makes the values of corporate purpose explicit without imposing detailed indicator monitoring by the board of directors. This orchestration mode strengthens coordination between teams and establishes a corporate culture shared by as many people as possible, which promotes employee engagement. The board can mobilise corporate purpose within committees, particularly the strategic committee regarding divestitures and acquisitions. Corporate purpose serves as an informal guide to orient management in its company development plans.

    From the executive management’s perspective, this approach can prove difficult to follow in the absence of detailed criteria. The company’s strong culture can, over time, become an end in itself, even reducing corporate purpose to a symbol rather than a true strategic driver. In times of crisis, absent indicators that are precisely monitored by board committees, the “guide” can be forgotten in favour of more immediately lucrative solutions. And management might make decisions disconnected from the initial corporate purpose, sowing the seeds of future dilemmas.

    ‘Compass’: aligning without stifling

    The “compass” model combines explicit corporate purpose with detailed monitoring of numerous indicators. In this configuration, the room for manoeuvre between the board and management is reduced: they are jointly held responsible for achieving corporate purpose.

    “The budget figures seen in the board precisely and in detail reflect the factual application of corporate purpose and the long-term development of projects that support it,” stated one chair involved in the study.

    Another chair emphasised that all committees (including the risk committee) explicitly refer to corporate purpose and indicators to conduct their analyses. This approach creates strong mobilisation, aligned behaviours and global coherence. This rigour comes at a price. Measuring and reporting corporate purpose can become complex, even paralysing according to some leaders. When results don’t meet high expectations, the risk is that misunderstandings, frustrations, or even disenchantment will occur within the company.

    Corporate purpose must be orchestrated as much as it is managed

    The future of corporate purpose in Europe isn’t just about regulatory compliance or communication strategy. Nor is it simply about a set of management practices. For the best results, it must be about properly aligning board practices with the demands and means allocated to top management for implementing corporate purpose. Four approaches exist, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

    European companies have developed their approaches to purpose rooted in a different – and specific – set of circumstances. Postwar governance practices set expectations of the role of the corporation in rebuilding European society after WWII. We believe this European conception of corporate purpose, rooted in the continent’s history and turned toward the future, now goes beyond the simple question of management. It concerns the definition, role, and responsibilities of board members, and more generally corporate governance, in service of competitiveness rethought in its dimensions, rationale and temporality.

    Les auteurs ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Corporate purpose: how boards of directors monitor the mission of European companies – https://theconversation.com/corporate-purpose-how-boards-of-directors-monitor-the-mission-of-european-companies-260858

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Borderline negligent’ disrepair claim fails and £9k costs are passed for solicitor to pay

    Source: City of York

    Published Thursday, 10 July 2025

    Council tenants are being reminded to report repairs to their landlord as a “no win, no fee” legal firm is ordered to pay court costs of £9,414.02 to the Council, following a failed legal case.

    This case was brought by a ‘no win, no fee’ solicitor on behalf of a tenant who claimed their home had mould, damp and plaster defects. It was heard in York County Court and was dismissed by the District Judge who ordered the unsuccessful tenant to pay costs of £9,414.02.

    During the trial on 21 May, the Judge described the case submitted by the solicitor as “borderline negligent”. The Council therefore made an application for costs to be paid by the solicitors themselves, rather than the tenant.

    The solicitors were given 14 days in which to put forward reasons why they should not have to pay the costs themselves, which they did not dispute, and are therefore liable for these costs.  

    This follows other unsuccessful ‘no win, no fee’ cases which tenants and their solicitors have brought against the Council.

    Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities said:

    We have an ongoing campaign advising tenants to tell us about any concerns with repairs so they can be put right. This is the third failed housing disrepair claim made by ‘no win, no fee’ solicitors resulting in tenants being ordered to pay many £1,000s in costs.

    “Our repairs service, as evidenced in our recent Annual Housing Report, is steadily improving. We work hard to get repairs done quickly and efficiently and 82% of them are completed on a first visit, alongside our ongoing repairs, retrofit and modernisations programmes.

    “We always invite tenants to talk to officers about any repairs needed, or about any delay or dissatisfaction with them so we can take prompt and effective action. These claims against the Council divert time and money from tenants’ homes.”

    Any council tenant whose home needs a repair or has a problem with a repair, please call the Council first on 01904 551550 (option 4, option 1). Our team will ensure you get the right support.

    Anyone unhappy about how we have responded to a request for a repair, or how we have carried out one, should please tell us first.

    All concerns will be assessed and handled impartially. Find out more at www.york.gov.uk/4Cs or email: haveyoursay@york.gov.uk.

    Any tenant approached by people touting for this work is urged to:

    • talk to your Housing Management Officer (HMO)
    • call the police if you feel scared or threatened
    • always ask to see identification (ID) and check it
    • call Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133 if these workers at the doorstep claim to be from the Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Production of computers and electronic equipment in Kazakhstan increased by 74 percent.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Almaty, July 10 (Xinhua) — The production volume of computers, electronic and optical equipment in Kazakhstan increased by 74.3 percent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the Kazinform news agency reported on Thursday, citing the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan.

    The production volume exceeded 41.7 billion tenge /about 80.7 million US dollars/. For the same period last year, the figure was less than 30 billion tenge.

    In real terms, production increased by 89 percent. The index of physical volume /IPV/ of production amounted to 189.3 percent. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China ready to deepen cooperation with Egypt within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative – Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China /more details/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 10 (Xinhua) — China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Egypt under the Belt and Road Initiative in areas including economy, trade, finance, manufacturing, new energy, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Cairo on Thursday.

    As Li Qiang indicated during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, China is ready to encourage more competitive Chinese companies to invest in the Egyptian economy.

    Li Qiang conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to A.F. al-Sisi, saying that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Egypt relations have been developing rapidly in recent years.

    According to the Premier of the State Council, the Chinese side hopes to work with Egypt to take advantage of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries to develop traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and continue to firmly support each other on issues affecting mutual core interests.

    China, Li Qiang continued, is willing to work with Egypt to continuously enrich the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, promote new achievements of bilateral cooperation in various fields, and consistently move towards the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era.

    According to Li Qiang, today’s international situation is characterized by growing turbulence and worsening chaos, in particular, this concerns protracted and intractable conflicts in West Asia and North Africa.

    The head of the Chinese government stressed that China is ready to maintain close communication with Egypt and facilitate a speedy end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

    The Chinese side is also willing to work with Egypt to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis, prevent the spread and escalation of the conflict, and make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Li Qiang noted.

    He said China hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with Egypt in multilateral forums including the UN, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to implement genuine multilateralism.

    Li Qiang added that China is willing to work with Egypt to promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits everyone, and promote the sustainable and long-term development of China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation.

    A.F. al-Sisi asked Li Qiang to convey his sincere greetings and good wishes to Xi Jinping, pointing out that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved remarkable achievements in socio-economic development.

    China is a sincere friend of Egypt, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have consistently developed in a stable and successful manner, the Egyptian leader stated.

    In recent years, he particularly noted, Egypt and China, through joint efforts, have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, as a result of which bilateral ties have reached the highest level in history.

    A.F. al-Sisi assured that Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, advance the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and deepen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, new energy, infrastructure and tourism.

    According to him, Egypt welcomes the entry of more Chinese enterprises into the Egyptian market and is ready to create favorable conditions for this.

    A.F. al-Sisi added that his country supports a number of global initiatives put forward by Xi Jinping and is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to promote peace and development around the world. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Ready to Deepen Cooperation with Egypt under Belt and Road Initiative – Premier of State Council of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 10 (Xinhua) — China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Egypt under the Belt and Road Initiative in areas including economy, trade, finance, manufacturing, new energy, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Cairo on Thursday.

    As Li Qiang indicated during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, China is ready to encourage more competitive Chinese companies to invest in the Egyptian economy.

    Li Qiang conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to A.F. al-Sisi, saying that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Egypt relations have been developing rapidly in recent years.

    According to the Premier of the State Council, the Chinese side hopes to work with Egypt to take advantage of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries to develop traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and continue to firmly support each other on issues affecting mutual core interests.

    China, Li Qiang continued, is willing to work with Egypt to continuously enrich the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, promote new achievements of bilateral cooperation in various fields, and consistently move towards the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era.

    According to Li Qiang, today’s international situation is characterized by growing turbulence and worsening chaos, in particular, this concerns protracted and intractable conflicts in West Asia and North Africa.

    The head of the Chinese government stressed that China is ready to maintain close communication with Egypt and facilitate a speedy end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

    The Chinese side is also willing to work with Egypt to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis, prevent the spread and escalation of the conflict, and make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Li Qiang noted.

    He said China hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with Egypt in multilateral forums including the UN, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to implement genuine multilateralism.

    Li Qiang added that China is willing to work with Egypt to promote the building of an equitable and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits everyone, and promote the sustainable and long-term development of China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: There are no winners in trade and tariff wars – Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — China has consistently opposed overly broad interpretations of national security and consistently believes that there are no winners in trade and tariff wars, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday.

    Mao Ning made the statement while commenting on the fact that US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the introduction of a 50 percent tariff on imported copper based on national security concerns.

    China’s position is very clear, the official said, adding that the abuse of tariffs is not in the interests of either side. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • FIFA rankings: India men’s football team slips to 133, lowest in nine years

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian men’s football team has slipped to its lowest FIFA ranking in nine years, falling six spots to 133rd in the latest update released on Thursday. The drop comes after back-to-back defeats in June — a 0-2 loss to Thailand in a friendly on June 4, followed by a 0-1 defeat to lower-ranked Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifier.

    These results also led to head coach Manolo Marquez parting ways with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). India last ranked lower in December 2016, when it stood at 135. The team’s all-time best ranking remains 94, achieved in February 1996.

    India now has 1,113.22 rating points, down from 1,132.03, and stands 24th among 46 Asian nations, with Japan leading the continent at 17th in the global rankings. It has been a rough stretch for the Indian men’s team, with the recent loss to Hong Kong severely denting its hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup.

    Among Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members, India is ranked 24th out of 47 member associations.

    Under head coach Manolo Marquez, the team managed just one win in its last eight outings — a victory over the Maldives in March. In 2025 so far, India has played four matches, recording one win, one draw, and two defeats.

    The string of poor results led to the return of legendary striker and former captain Sunil Chhetri to the squad, but his comeback has done little to change the team’s fortunes.

    India’s next international fixture is an away match against Singapore in October, as part of the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

    Meanwhile, reigning World Champion Argentina tops the FIFA rankings among 210 nations, followed by Spain, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia, in that order to complete the top 10.

    Costa Rica is the biggest climber in the rankings with a 14-place jump, while Honduras gained the most points.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI: Semi Annual Report 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                                                              Lysaker, 10 July 2025

    The semi annual report for securities funds managed by Storebrand Asset Management AS was approved by the Board of Directors today, and has now been released (only in Norwegian language).

    The report includes the below 10 funds which are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen, and can be downloaded here, or at www.storebrand.com.  

    Regards

    Storebrand Asset Management AS

    Contacts:

    Henrik Budde Gantzel, Director, henrik.budde.gantzel@storebrand.no

    Frode Aasen, Product Manager, fdc@storebrand.com

    Fund name and share class Symbol ISIN
    SKAGEN Focus A SKIFOA NO0010735129
    SKAGEN Global A SKIGLO NO0008004009
    SKAGEN Kon-Tiki A SKIKON NO0010140502
    SKAGEN m2 A SKIM2 NO0010657356
    SKAGEN Vekst A SKIVEK NO0008000445
    Storebrand Indeks – Alle Markeder A5 STIIAM NO0010841588
    Storebrand Indeks – Nye Markeder A5 STIINM NO0010841570
    Storebrand Global ESG Plus A5 STIGEP NO0010841604
    Storebrand Global Solutions A5 STIGS NO0010841612
    Storebrand Global Multifactor A5 STIGM NO0010841596

    Storebrand is Norway’s largest private asset manager with an AuM of around DKK 900 billion, and a leading Nordic provider of sustainable pensions and savings. The company has been a global pioneer in ESG investing for over 30 years, offering broad and scalable solutions for both institutional and private investors in the Nordic region and other European countries. In Denmark, Storebrand delivers sustainable investment solutions and client value through a multi-boutique platform, with the brands Storebrand Funds, SKAGEN Funds, Cubera Private Equity, Capital Investment and a majority ownership of AIP.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark Devolution Bill brings new dawn of regional power

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Landmark Devolution Bill brings new dawn of regional power

    English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill delivers on manifesto commitment to de-centralise power and ignite regional growth with powers for mayors.

    Ambition for all regions to take the reins in driving growth receives its biggest boost as the landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is introduced to Parliament today [Thursday 10th July]. 

    Local people will take back control of their regions, from bolstered rights to save cherished community assets, to a bigger voice in neighbourhood governance and increased powers to their directly elected leaders and mayors so they can unlock housing, transport and jobs in their regions through Local Growth Plans.  

    The Bill will deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to unlock a generational shift in power from Westminster to those with skin in the game, and rebalance prosperity, deliver economic growth and a decade of national renewal across the nation as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 

    We were elected on a promise of change, not just for a few areas cherry-picked by a Whitehall spreadsheet, but for the entire country. It was never going to be easy to deliver the growth our country desperately needed with the inheritance we were dumped with. 

    But that’s why we are opting to devolve not dictate and delivering a Bill that will rebalance decade old divides and empower communities. We’re ushering in a new dawn of regional power and bringing decision making to a local level so that no single street or household is left behind and every community thrives from our Plan for Change.”  

    Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP said:  

    For too long power and opportunity has been concentrated in Westminster and Whitehall while the local councils millions rely on have been frustrated and diminished. This failed approach has held back growth across our country for far too long. Local people see this in the job market, on the high street and in their own household security and prosperity.  

    Devolution begins the work of fixing that, with this Bill delivering freedom to local leaders to make decisions for their local areas in partnership with local communities, unleashing more growth and more opportunities for people as part of our Plan for Change.”  

    England has fallen behind from the rest of the globe in modernising how decisions are made, but devolution prioritises people and partnership over paperwork and politics. This Bill will deliver changes including 

    • Making more local ownership of pubs, shops and social hubs  easier through a new Community Right to Buy meaning communities will have the first opportunity to purchase local assets when they are put up for sale, and be given an extended 12-month period to raise funding. And more local sports grounds will be saved by introducing a new ‘Sporting’ category protection of local assets preserving local character, boosting tourism and keeping community spirit alive.  

    • Banning Upward Only Rent Reviews (UORR) clauses in commercial leases, which pit landlords against businesses and can make rents unaffordable and cause shops to shut. This will help keep small businesses running, boost local economies and job opportunities and help end the blight of vacant high streets and the unacceptable anti-social behaviour that comes with them.  

    • A stronger voice for communities with a new requirement for local authorities to put in place effective neighbourhood governance to give residents more of a say in shaping their local areas.  

    • Quicker action on the changes local people want to see with more rights for Mayors, elected by their communities, to take back control of delivering for their voters’, from new licensing powers for rental e-bikes to new planning powers to set the direction of growth across their areas.  

    • Boosting economic growth with mayors working across the country to turbocharge the national missions by developing tailor made Local Growth Plans to kickstart local economies and ultimately getting more money in people’s pockets.  

    • Streamlined powers for Mayors across England to speed up the development of new homes and infrastructure in their areas. This will include a new power to institute Mayoral Development Orders, as well as a streamlined process to establish Mayoral Development Corporations, so that we can replicate the success of projects such as the Olympic Park legacy and attract inward investment right across the country. 

    • Fixing the cracks in local government through rebuilding the sector from the ground up to be more efficient, local people will get the daily services they deserve and rely on from their Council, like bin collection, whilst also enabling areas to work together over larger areas to deliver the big changes, like integrated transport networks. This will be done through the creation of new ‘Strategic Authorities’ that will boost connectivity and collaboration between Councils.    

    • Restoring taxpayers’ trust in councils’ spending through fixing the local audit system with the establishment of the Local Audit Office, which will increase transparency, simplify and streamline the system.  

    Deepening devolution across the country is what delivers the change to the day-to-day services and opportunities on every region’s doorstep. From the new Anglia Ruskin University in Peterborough, to ticket caps for commuters on the Bee Network in Manchester and budding film and TV creatives flocking to Liverpool’s Littlewoods over Hollywood – devolution is what will bring this regeneration to all regions.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rutherford, Carter, Fry, and Rouzer Launch the House South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Congressmen John H. Rutherford (FL-05), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Russel Fry (SC-07), and David Rouzer (NC-12) launched the House South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force the day before the South Atlantic red snapper recreational fishing season begins.

    Reps. Rutherford, Carter, Fry, and Rouzer will serve as co-chairs of the task force dedicated to improving management of the South Atlantic red snapper stock. The task force will seek to support enhanced data collection efforts to ensure longer, more predictable fishing seasons.

    “Every local angler I talk to says there are more red snapper in the South Atlantic than they’ve ever seen before,” said Rutherford. “Yet, in the South Atlantic, thanks to regulations put in place by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Biden Administration, we are only getting a measly two-day recreational fishing season this summer. In the Gulf of America, thanks to state management, Florida announced a record 126 day season. It’s time to hand over the South Atlantic fishery management to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. That’s why I am proud to co-chair the House South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force to help support enhanced data collection, advance state-led management of South Atlantic fisheries, and improve access for Northeast Florida anglers.”

    “As someone who has lived and fished in Georgia my whole life, I’ve seen firsthand how our recreational fishing industry has struggled under one-size-fits-all federal regulations,” said Carter. “Georgia’s fishermen on the water know that we have thriving red snapper populations, and we do not need Washington bureaucrats telling us how to manage them.”

    “I’m thrilled to join the South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force and help lead the charge for smarter, state-led management of this vital fishery,” said Fry. “The Red Snapper industry is crucial to coastal economies like those in my district and supports the livelihoods of countless fishing communities. This task force will focus on enhancing data collection, expanding state authority, and ensuring more predictable and longer seasons that benefit anglers and local businesses alike. It’s time we bring common sense and local expertise back to the forefront of fisheries management.”

    “Across North Carolina’s coastal communities, sportfishing is an integral part of our economy, heritage, and way of life,” said Rouzer. “The Red Snapper Task Force will help protect this industry through finding solutions towards predictable fishing seasons and management which supports both sustainable fisheries and the hardworking fishermen who depend on them.”

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Thomasville Bancshares, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THOMASVILLE, Ga., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thomasville Bancshares, Inc. (OTCID: THVB), the parent company of Thomasville National Bank and TNB Financial Services, reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

    Second Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net Income for the quarter of $11,828,466 compared to $10,206,006 for the same period last year, an increase of 16%.
    • YTD Net Income of $22,331,844 compared to $19,563,994 for the same period last year, an increase of 14%.
    • YTD Earnings per share were $3.48 (basic) and $3.36 (diluted).
    • YTD Return on Average Assets of 2.40% and Return on Average Tangible Equity of 24.88%.
    • Total Assets of $1.927 billion, an increase of $162 million over the same period in 2024.
    • Loans grew to $1.648 billion, an increase of $176 million or 12% year-over-year.
    • Deposits were $1.626 billion, an increase of $104 million or 7% year-over-year.
    • Regulatory Capital was $191 million or 10.21% of assets.
    • TNB Financial, provider of trust and investment services, has client assets over $5 billion.

    Stephen H. Cheney, Chairman and CEO, said “The combination of solid growth, improved margins and excellent operating efficiency continued to drive our strong financial performance for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. We believe that our Bank is well positioned to continue this strong performance throughout the year.”

    Bank President, Charles H. (Bert) Hodges, III stated “Our resilient culture that empowers our bankers to be creative thinkers has become extremely unique in our industry. This continues to set us apart and has led to superior credit quality, solid customer loyalty, and excellent opportunities for growth. The talent, pride and competitive spirit of our bankers makes us more confident than ever about the future of TNB.”

    About Thomasville Bancshares, Inc., and Thomasville National Bank

    Thomasville Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1995 as the holding company for Thomasville National Bank. Today the Bank has total assets of over $1.927 billion. TNB is consistently recognized as a top performing community bank. In 2025, TNB was ranked 4th nationally in American Banker’s Top 200 Community Banks based upon three years average return on shareholders’ equity. The Bank’s trust and investment division, TNB Financial Services, has client assets over $5 billion under advisement and provides financial planning, investments, trust, brokerage, and other related financial services. TNBFS has offices located in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio. The Company is headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia and has over 800 local shareholders. Thomasville National Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information, call 229-226-3300 or visit www.tnbank.com.

    The MIL Network –