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  • MIL-OSI China: Xi receives credentials of new ambassadors to China 2025-07-25 17:01:28 Chinese President Xi Jinping received the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China in Beijing on Friday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech after receiving the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

    BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping received the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China in Beijing on Friday.

    The ambassadors are:

    — Pham Thanh Binh from Vietnam

    — Miguel Lecaro Barcenas from Panama

    — Jose Julio Gomez Beato from Dominica

    — Riza Poda from Albania

    — Jonathan Edward Austin from New Zealand

    — Thaddeus Kambanei from Papua New Guinea

    — Dalva M. C. R. Allen from Angola

    — Khaled Nazmy from Egypt

    — Ramiro Jose Cruz Flores from Nicaragua

    — Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli from Iran

    — Pablo Arriaran from Chile

    — Olexander Nechytaylo from Ukraine

    — Franck E. W. Adjagba from Benin

    — David Alfred Perdue Jr from the United States

    — Eliav Belotsercovsky from Israel

    — Morris Simon Batali from South Sudan

    Xi also received Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nurlan Yermekbayev.

    Welcoming the envoys to their new posts, Xi asked them to convey his best wishes to the leaders and the people of their respective countries, expressing hope that envoys will gain a full and in-depth understanding of China.

    China cherishes its friendship with people across the globe, and stands ready to strengthen all-around cooperation and exchanges with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Xi said.

    Xi pointed out that, at present, China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, while its economy maintains a steadily improving momentum.

    Amid accelerating global changes and a turbulent international landscape, there is a pressing need more than ever for countries around the world to enhance solidarity and cooperation, embrace a broad vision to rise above estrangement and conflict, and bear in mind the future of all humanity, Xi noted.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Xi noted.

    Xi said China stands ready to work with all countries to firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech after receiving the credentials of 16 new ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How to support and strengthen your pelvic floor

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    By Holly Ingram, Anglia Ruskin University

    Did you know that around one in two women in the UK will experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives? And for women who engage in high-intensity exercise, that figure rises to 63%.

    The female pelvic floor is a remarkable yet often overlooked structure: a complex “hammock” of muscles and ligaments that stretches from the front of the pelvis to the tailbone.

    These muscles support the bladder, bowel and uterus, wrap around the openings of the urethra, vagina and anus, and work in sync with your diaphragm, abdominal and back muscles to maintain posture, continence and core stability. It’s not an exaggeration to say your pelvic floor is the foundation of your body’s core.

    Throughout a woman’s life, various events can challenge the pelvic floor. Pregnancy, for example, increases the weight of the uterus, placing added pressure on these muscles. The growing baby can cause the abdominal muscles to stretch and separate, naturally increasing the load on the pelvic floor. Childbirth, particularly vaginal delivery, may result in perineal trauma, directly injuring pelvic floor tissues.

    However, contrary to popular belief, pelvic floor problems aren’t only caused by pregnancy and childbirth. In fact, research shows that intense physical activity, even in women who have never been pregnant or given birth, can contribute to dysfunction.

    Exercise is essential for overall health and is often recommended to ease symptoms of menopause and menstruation. But one side effect that’s not talked about enough is the effect that repeated strain, such as heavy lifting or high impact movement, can have on the pelvic floor. The increased intra-abdominal pressure during these activities can gradually weaken the pelvic floor muscles, especially if they’re not trained to cope.

    Pelvic floor dysfunction often results when these muscles aren’t strong enough to match the workload demanded of them, whether from daily life, exercise, or other core muscles. And it’s a growing issue, affecting more women than ever before.

    Common symptoms include leaking urine or faeces when coughing, sneezing or exercising, a dragging or heavy sensation in the lower abdomen or vaginal area, painful sex, changes in bowel habits, and visible bulging in the vaginal area (a sign of prolapse). The emotional toll can also be significant, leading to embarrassment, anxiety, low confidence and a reluctance to stay active – all of which affect quality of life.

    Prevention

    The good news? Help is available and, better yet, pelvic floor dysfunction is often preventable.

    If you’re experiencing symptoms, speak to your GP. You may be referred to a women’s health physiotherapist, available through both the NHS and private services. But whether you’re managing symptoms or hoping to avoid them in the first place, there are practical steps you can take:

    Stay active and maintain a healthy weight

    Drink enough water to encourage healthy bladder function

    Go to the toilet only when your body signals the need; avoid going “just in case”

    Prevent constipation through a high-fibre diet and good bowel habits

    Don’t hold your breath when lifting or exercising

    Most importantly, build strength with regular pelvic floor exercises. Here’s how to do a basic pelvic floor contraction:

    1. Imagine you’re trying to stop yourself passing wind – squeeze and lift the muscles around your back passage.

    2. Then, imagine stopping the flow of urine mid-stream – engage those muscles too.

    3. Now, lift both sets of muscles upwards inside your body, as if pulling them into the vagina.

    4. Hold the contraction for a few seconds, then fully relax. Repeat.

    If you’re just starting, it may be easier to practise while sitting. With time and consistency, you’ll be able to hold contractions for longer and incorporate them into your daily routine, like brushing your teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil.

    Like any muscle, the pelvic floor gets stronger with training, making it more resilient to strain from childbirth, ageing, or strenuous activity. Research shows that a well-conditioned pelvic floor recovers faster from injury.

    So be proud of your pelvic floor. Support it, strengthen it – and don’t forget to do those squeezes.

    Holly Ingram, Midwifery Lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 2025 Future Economist Essay Competition25 July 2025 The Government of Jersey has launched its 2025 Future Economist Essay Competition for young Islanders with an interest in economics. A paid internship with the Government’s Economic Unit is being offered… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    25 July 2025

    The Government of Jersey has launched its 2025 Future Economist Essay Competition for young Islanders with an interest in economics. 

    A paid internship with the Government’s Economic Unit is being offered for the winning candidate, alongside the prestigious Colin Powell Award. 

    The free competition, led by the Department for the Economy, aims to inspire Jersey’s next generation of economists by inviting them to write about the challenges our Island is facing – including trade wars, inflation, and growth. It is open to all students aged 14 to 18 with the right to work in Jersey. 

    The deadline for submission is 21 September 2025 and essays will be judged by an expert panel, including the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, and the Government of Jersey’s Chief Economist, Tom Holvey. 

    Deputy Morel said: “Jersey is at a crossroads driven by our demographics, but we can successfully navigate the way forward for the coming decades with the help of young Islanders thinking about our economic future. I hope this competition encourages them to do so.” 

    Tom Holvey said: “The Future Economist Essay Competition is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Jersey to engage with real-world economic challenges and share their perspectives with us. We’re excited to hear fresh ideas from the next generation, as they help us shape Jersey’s future.” 

    Full details are available here: Future Economists Essay Competition​.​​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Health chiefs issue measles warning to holidaymakers as cases rise globally

    Source: City of Leeds

    Parents travelling during school holidays are being advised to check children are protected against measles amid a global rise in cases. 

    With the start of the school holidays, parents and carers in Leeds are being urged to ensure their children have an up-to-date Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, as measles cases rise nationally and internationally.

    The uptake of routine childhood vaccinations has been decreasing over the last ten years, with similar trends observed in West Yorkshire.

    Health chiefs are concerned that low MMR vaccination rates could lead to further cases emerging, particularly given the high numbers of people mixing and travelling during the holidays.  

    Measles is a serious disease which can spread easily among unvaccinated people. Babies, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk.

    The disease can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases, death. Symptoms typically begin with cold-like signs, such as a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, coughing, and red, sore, watery eyes.

    A few days later, small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips. This is followed by a rash that usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.

    Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said: “As we enter the summer holidays, we want everyone to enjoy the season safely and in good health.

    “This year outbreaks have been seen in several European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Germany and the World Health Organisation recently reported that Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the highest number of measles cases worldwide.

    “These are places where people may be going on holiday or travelling to visit family and friends.

    “Checking your family’s MMR vaccination status is a simple but important step in protecting your loved ones and the wider community.

    “If you’re unsure whether you or your child are fully vaccinated, please contact your GP to check your records and arrange vaccination, especially if you’re planning to travel over the summer break.”

    The MMR vaccine, which is usually given to children around their first birthday and again at 3 years 4 months offers the best protection against measles. Two doses provide long-lasting immunity.

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equalities, health and wellbeing, said:  “We want everyone to enjoy their holidays but checking your child is fully vaccinated against measles before you go will ensure you and your child are protected and safe.

    “It’s never too late to get the vaccine, even if you have missed a first, or second dose. A non-porcine version of the MMR vaccine is also available – however, you may need to request this from your GP practice ahead of vaccination.

    “If you think you or your child has measles, phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. To reduce the risk of spreading it to others, please avoid contact with other people. Call ahead first before attending any healthcare settings.”

    For more information on measles, and the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/. 

    Watch a video of Dr Naveed from the UKHSA providing measles travel advice.   

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Licensing project strengthens compliance and public safety A targeted compliance project has successfully raised standards among late-night food and drink providers operating across the Lancaster district.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    A targeted compliance project has successfully raised standards among late-night food and drink providers operating across the Lancaster district.

    Led by Lancaster City Council’s licensing team, the project focused on businesses trading between 11pm and 5am, which is a licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003.

    Over a six-month period licensing officers carried out evening inspections at 35 licensed premises, including takeaways, food kiosks, and mobile vendors.

    They found:

    • 19 were found to be fully compliant with their licensing conditions
    • 16 required improvement, which were addressed following advice

    A further 12 unlicensed businesses were identified through monitoring of online delivery platforms. All were contacted and required to either obtain a licence or cease late-night trading.

    As a result:

    • Three premises are now fully licensed
    • Seven have restricted their trading hours
    • Two have closed permanently

    Councillor Sally Maddocks, cabinet member with responsibility for corporate services, said: “Projects like this ensure that businesses with late night refreshment licences uphold public safety, prevent nuisance, and operate fairly. It’s good to see so many businesses being fully compliant and others only needing minor improvements.

    “By taking an approach of working with businesses to educate and support them toward compliance, rather than rushing to penalise, we are ensuring that our enforcement activity is both firm and fair.”

    Regular annual checks are planned to ensure businesses maintain high standards. Additional visits will also take place following changes in business ownership.

    Last updated: 25 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: About two thousand managers will undergo training under the Presidential program in 2025–2026

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The competitive selection of participants in the Presidential Management Training Program has been completed. The training will begin in September 2025 and will help strengthen the human resources potential of the regions of Russia.

    “The presidential program is aimed at training highly qualified personnel for the real sector of the economy in order to solve key problems of the country’s socio-economic development. During the competitive selection, about 2.5 thousand applications were received from 62 subjects of the Russian Federation. More than 1.7 thousand specialists will undergo the educational program,” noted Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Tatyana Ilyushnikova.

    The Presidential Program studies various aspects of enterprise development: financial management, strategic management, marketing, logistics. Participants apply the knowledge they gain when developing their own project, which they defend at the end of their studies.

    This year, 78 leading educational organizations of the country are participating in the implementation of the program. The largest number of participants will be hosted by RANEPA, as well as the Southern Federal University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Penza State University and Siberian Federal University.

    The program participants represent 21 sectors of the economy, among which the most widely represented are manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical activities, wholesale and retail trade, and construction.

    Upon successful completion of their studies, graduates will have the opportunity to undergo internships in friendly countries, including China, Egypt, India, Belarus, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: Volcanoes, ocean and man: Kamchatka is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street” within the framework of the VEF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Kamchatka Krai will present its exposition at the exhibition “Far East Street”, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth, anniversary Eastern Economic Forum. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    The central zone of the space – “The Will of Man” – will be dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan, and in particular to the legendary Kuril landing operation. It will act as an interactive museum of Kamchatka military glory, and will harmoniously weave in stories about the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation.

    “We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. I believe that it is impossible not to touch upon the topic of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. Kamchatka made a significant contribution to the victory. This is not only the supply of products, but also the mobilization of human resources, the heroic defense of borders and preparation for strategically important operations. It is important to always remember and honor the heroic and selfless feat of home front workers, soldiers and officers, indigenous peoples – all who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the Motherland. It is necessary to show what heroic feats and efforts were needed to create the victory,” said Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    “80 years ago, ordinary residents of the Kamchatka Region played a decisive role in ending World War II by conquering, as it seemed then, the impregnable islands of the Kuril Ridge. Then 306 Kamchatka residents gave their lives in the fight against Japanese militarism. We will never forget the price of this victory. And the main task that we set for ourselves is not to allow the events of those years to be distorted: every young resident of our region and the country as a whole should know and honor the pages of history that turned the tide of the war. That is why, on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, an open-air museum will be opened on Shumshu Island, and young people from all over the country, including Kamchatka guys, will go on a search expedition to the places of glory of our soldiers. The play “Ballad of the Kuril Landing” will be staged in Kamchatka, which will be presented to viewers on August 18,” said Vladimir Solodov, Governor of the Kamchatka Region.

    The exhibition will introduce guests and participants of the EEF-2025 to the unique features of Kamchatka, including its natural beauty.

    “Kamchatka is a unique region, the pearl of our country. It is truly a land of fire and ice. Active volcanoes, geysers, thermal springs form a unique landscape. This is one of the most promising territories of our country for tourism development. New hotels open every year. Thanks to the implementation of the master plan, the urban environment of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is gradually changing. A new modern airport welcomes guests of the peninsula,” concluded Yuri Trutnev.

    The pavilion will feature a “Traveler’s Passport” zone, designed in the style of a travel agency. At the entrance to the pavilion, visitors will receive a personal traveler’s passport with information about tours, discounts from Kamchatka operators, and gifts from restaurants and shops.

    A separate zone, “The Power of the Ocean”, will be dedicated to demonstrating the natural and economic potential of Kamchatka as a unique oceanic territory. The big screen will systematize and present such areas as marine logistics, the fishing industry, scientific ocean research, tourism, sea cruises and yachting, and Pacific cuisine.

    In the “Volcano Energy” space, visitors will be able to get acquainted with the region’s potential for implementing projects in the fields of tourism, construction, agriculture, education and science. In the “New Kamchatka Facilities in 360” zone, it will be possible to take a full 3D tour of the Kamchatka Regional Hospital, airport and greenhouse complex.

    The “Specially Protected Natural Areas” area will feature the heroes of the documentary “Fire Fox”. Visitors to the stand will also be able to familiarize themselves with information about the “Far East – Land of Adventure” competition and learn about new tourist routes in the region. In addition, the area will display images from street cameras, supplemented with elements of wild nature.

    A souvenir pavilion and a stage will be opened next to the main exposition of the Kamchatka Territory. In addition, the Falcon House will be open, where the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia will prepare its own exposition.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: In June, about 3 million children vacationed in Russian health camps

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The summer health campaign continues in the regions of Russia. In the Year of Children’s Leisure, the education system has prepared various leisure formats for schoolchildren: sports and creative events, environmental campaigns, hiking trips, as well as scientific, educational and patriotic projects.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov summed up the results of the work of children’s health camps in June.

    “President Vladimir Putin instructed to pay special attention to the quality and safety of children’s recreation. It is important to provide comfortable and educational recreation to everyone, and, of course, to the children of our heroes – participants of the special military operation. In June 2025, about 40 thousand children’s recreation and health organizations have already accepted about 3 million children, including almost 126 thousand children of SVO participants. In the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, children’s camps hold patriotic shifts, where children learn about the history of the country and participate in thematic events. The key task is to continue the modernization of the recreation and health infrastructure, including the International Children’s Center “Artek”, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    In June, more than 800 thousand children who found themselves in difficult life situations and about 28 thousand schoolchildren from the reunited regions rested in children’s camps. At the same time, about 73 thousand students from different regions of Russia rested on the coast of the Black and Azov Seas alone.

    “In the Year of Children’s Recreation in the Education System, dedicated to the anniversaries of the federal children’s centers “Artek”, “Orlyonok” and “Smena”, the summer health campaign will cover about 6 million schoolchildren across the country. To ensure a high level of quality in organizing recreation and health improvement for children, a unified system for training camp counselors has been introduced and a federal program of educational work for all children’s camps has been approved. This allows us to build a holistic approach to raising children in camps, which complements the educational work carried out with children in schools,” said Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov.

    Summer shifts are also actively held in other children’s health camps. In Crimea, for example, there are 370 children’s camps. Particular attention is paid to organizing recreation for children from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Kursk and Belgorod regions. It is planned to accept 1.8 thousand children from these regions at the expense of the reserve fund of the Republic of Crimea.

    In addition, in July, shifts with the participation of children from different countries were held in children’s centers subordinate to the Ministry of Education. Thus, the eighth international shift “Artek Gathers Friends” is taking place in the International Children’s Center “Artek”, which united more than 3 thousand children from all regions of Russia and from 66 foreign countries. The shift program includes key topics: the 80th anniversary of Victory, the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 100th anniversary of “Artek”.

    For the first time in 30 years, the All-Russian Children’s Center “Orlyonok” is hosting a group of 25 Cuban schoolchildren and their mentors. The opening ceremony of the international program “Children of the World” was held at the All-Russian Children’s Center “Ocean”. It is attended by children from Russia and 5 friendly countries: the People’s Republic of China, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Laos and Belarus. As part of this program, participants will study the culture of different peoples, the basics of public diplomacy, exchange experiences and work on joint creative projects.

    Let us recall that earlier the Ministry of Education approved plan of events for the Year of Children’s Leisure 

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Budget loans attracted 3.4 trillion rubles of private investment into the economy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The program of infrastructure budget and special treasury loans helps to create comfortable living conditions for people and stimulates the development of Russian regions. Thus, thanks to infrastructure projects at the expense of IBC and SKK, almost 31.4 million square meters of housing were put into operation in Russia and about 3.4 trillion rubles of private investment were attracted to the economy, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.

    “The main goal of the large-scale interdepartmental national project “Infrastructure for Life” is the comprehensive development of populated areas and the creation of high-quality and modern infrastructure for people to live, work and relax. Infrastructure budget and special treasury loans have become effective tools in solving the problems of improving the quality of life of Russians. Thanks to them, new schools, kindergartens, clinics and roads are opened in the regions, utility infrastructure and public transport are updated. This, in turn, contributes to the development of territories and their economic growth. Thus, only thanks to the IBC projects, since 2022, it has been possible to commission about 28.8 million square meters of housing, create 155.3 thousand jobs and attract 3.15 trillion rubles of extra-budgetary funds to the economy. In addition, the SCC program stimulated the commissioning of another 2.6 million square meters of housing and attracted 230.6 billion rubles of private investment. Considering the effectiveness and demand for these mechanisms, on behalf of The President, within the framework of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, the program continues in the form of treasury infrastructure loans,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the largest volume of housing thanks to infrastructure projects financed by budget loans was put into operation in the Republic of Tatarstan – 4.4 million sq. m, St. Petersburg– 3.3 million sq. m, Moscow region – 2.6 million sq. m, Sverdlovsk region – 2.5 million sq. m and Moscow – 1.3 million sq. m.

    The IBC and SKK program is supervised by the Russian Ministry of Construction, and the operator is the public-law company Territorial Development Fund. Such loans are issued to regions at 3% per annum for a period of up to 15 years.

    “Infrastructure budget and special treasury loans are an accessible financial mechanism through which socially significant projects are implemented. This work, among other things, has allowed for tax and non-tax budget revenues in the amount of 250.7 billion rubles. The Territorial Development Fund, as an operator, provides support to regions – it helps in preparing applications for financial assistance, in launching the necessary processes, and monitors the projects themselves. We will also take part in monitoring the implementation of projects through treasury infrastructure loans,” said Vasily Kupyzin, CEO of the Territorial Development Fund.

    Currently, applications from regions for financing projects within the framework of treasury infrastructure loans are being accepted. The regions mainly plan to use these funds for the modernization of housing and communal services, as well as the implementation of social, road transport, and tourism infrastructure projects.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak held a meeting on the construction of generation in the south of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak held a meeting on issues of generating construction in the south of Russia in the context of growing economic needs.

    The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the authorities of the Republic of Crimea and Krasnodar Krai, PJSC Gazprom, energy companies, and industry associations.

    Representatives of the Ministry of Energy, Gazprom, generating companies, authorities of the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Crimea reported to the Deputy Prime Minister on the current status of providing territory and gas infrastructure for the construction of new generating facilities in the south of Russia.

    We are talking about the construction of thermal power plants in the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Crimea with a total capacity of 2.25 GW.

    According to the Ministry of Energy, the demand for new generation gas in the south of Russia will be around 4 billion cubic meters per year.

    At the same time, according to the Ministry of Energy and the authorities of the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Crimea, six out of seven generating facilities have currently been provided with land plots for the construction of generating facilities.

    A representative of PAO Gazprom reported that in order to ensure the declared volume of gas, it will be necessary to expand the capacity of two gas pipelines.

    Alexander Novak instructed the Ministry of Energy, together with generating companies, Gazprom and regional authorities, to promptly develop a comprehensive plan and schedule for the construction of new generating facilities in the south of Russia, providing for the gasification of these facilities and the provision of land plots for them, with the establishment of deadlines and responsible contractors.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mikhail Mishustin appointed Vladimir Komarov as the head of the Department of Expertise and Planning of the Government of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has appointed Vladimir Komarov as head of the Department of Expertise and Planning of the Government of Russia. The order to this effect has been signed.

    Vladimir Komarov was born in 1985. In 2008 he graduated from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, PhD in Economics.

    He worked in various positions at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and the Ministry of Economic Development. He participated in the development of the Russia Development Strategy 2018–2024, the Strategy for Innovative Development of Russia until 2020, the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship until 2030, the preparation of state programs, national and federal projects, as well as initiatives for the socio-economic development of Russia until 2030.

    Until now, he held the position of head of the strategic group of the Center for National Projects of the ANO “Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation”.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Staying healthy on holiday – what you need to know

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Travel can expose people to unfamiliar environments, climates and health risks, so simple preparations can make a significant difference.

    The council is advising travellers to ensure they and their families are in good health before departure, to pack necessary medications and first aid supplies, and to check the latest travel guidance for the area they are visiting, including local risks, weather conditions, and any recommended precautions. For individuals living with long term health conditions, this includes making sure symptoms are stable and well managed ahead of their trip.

    Vaccination checks are also vital, including routine vaccinations such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), which remains critical given the rise of measles cases globally. Travellers heading to destinations such as Pakistan, India or parts of Africa, Asia and South America may require travel specific vaccines or medication and so are advised to speak to their GP, pharmacist or travel clinic as soon as possible.

    While on holiday, maintaining hygiene is crucial, including regular hand washing or the use of hand sanitiser when water is unavailable, and drinking bottled water in countries with unsafe tap water. Travellers should remain vigilant for common ailments such as upset stomachs and mosquito borne illnesses, and take care around unfamiliar animals due to the risk of rabies.

    Anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, prolonged diarrhoea, severe pain, unusual rashes or yellowing of the skin should seek medical advice. People who are bitten or scratched by an animal in a rabies risk country, or are returning from a malaria risk region with signs of illness, should get help urgently.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Taking a few proactive steps before and during your travels can protect your health and give you peace of mind to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. From making sure you’re up to date with vaccinations to knowing what to do if you feel unwell while you’re away, it’s about being prepared, wherever you’re heading this summer.”

    For further information, please visit TravelHealthPro.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft enterprises released more than 4.7 million valuable fish fry into Russian waters in July

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft has been systematically working to preserve biological diversity and replenish the country’s aquatic bioresources for over 11 years. In July, the Company’s subsidiaries released more than 4.7 million young fish into Russian waters, including species listed in the Red Book.

    Together with employees of Rosneft subsidiaries, volunteers from the Movement of the First, students from partner universities and children of employees took part in environmental campaigns to stock water bodies with fish.

    Oil workers of Tyumenneftegaz sent 2.12 million muksun fry to the rivers and reservoirs of Siberia, Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha – 1.23 million peled, Kharampurneftegaz – 50 thousand nelma, RN-Purneftegaz – 457 thousand peled, 43 thousand muksun and 2 thousand nelma, SevKomNeftegaz – 357.7 thousand nelma, Angarsk Petrochemical Company – 10 thousand peled, RN-Uvatneftegaz – 2.9 thousand nelma.

    Employees of the Novokuibyshevsk Oil Refinery replenished the Volga bioresources with 11 thousand sterlet fry. Almost 9.5 thousand fry of this valuable fish species were released by Samaraneftegaz and 3.3 thousand by the Saratov Oil Refinery.

    The rearing and subsequent release of fry were carried out taking into account scientific data on the most favorable conditions for their adaptation in the natural environment and further reproduction.

    Preserving the environment for future generations is an integral part of the Rosneft-2030 strategy. The company and its subsidiaries aim to achieve leadership positions in minimizing environmental impact and environmentally friendly production, and are also implementing a number of comprehensive programs to preserve and restore natural resources.

    Rosneft employees actively participate in environmental campaigns and promote the development of a culture of rational and responsible consumption of natural resources. Volunteers from the Company’s enterprises regularly clean and improve the coastal areas of rivers, lakes and springs, and conduct environmental education classes in educational and preschool institutions.

    Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 25, 2025

    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 United Nations: At UN High-Level Political Forum, UNECE calls for engagement of all enablers and partnerships to achieve SDGs

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    With just five years remaining to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world faces a deepening social crisis. Economic insecurity, widening inequalities, and declining social trust undermine progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and threaten the foundations of peaceful, inclusive societies.  

    Taking part in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York (14 – 23 July), UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean outlined the tools, initiatives and partnerships from the UNECE region that can help develop efficient and inclusive policy solutions for some of the most pressing issues, including demographic pressure, education, employment, housing, and social care. This requires the full engagement of all of society and harnessing of several key enablers. 

    Enablers and partnerships to advance SDGs 

    To advance the 2030 Agenda, and identify efficient and inclusive policy solutions, UNECE engages key enablers and all relevant stakeholders: 

    These enablers and stakeholders play a strong role in co-creating and implementing standards and policies, guiding progress in many technology-driven areas, such as autonomous vehicles, the smart energy transition, cross-border connectivity, but also in environmental governance, namely transboundary water cooperation, noted the Executive Secretary at the HLPF regional session. 

    To unlock financing for the SDGs, UNECE prioritizes bringing together the public and private sectors through its PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS), a quality assurance tool that helps governments and stakeholders ensure that PPP and infrastructure projects are well designed and aligned with the SDGs and can therefore attract investors. They are crucial for building resilient infrastructure and maintaining public services. 

    Given the importance of local policies and action in advancing SDGs, UNECE’s Forum of Mayors promotes exchanges between cities and gives them a voice at the multilateral level.  

    Finally, with their valuable perspectives, civil society and youth play an important role in finding and devising policy solutions across many areas of UNECE work, which is why they are an important pillar of the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.  

    Strengthening social inclusion and adequate housing 

    Despite considerable wealth and innovation, the UNECE region is witnessing deep and growing disparities: between urban and rural areas, generations, and different groups. Social protection systems facing significant demographic pressures, fiscal constraints, and new labour dynamics. This requires investing in inclusive education, training and re-skilling initiatives, especially for disadvantaged groups, such as youth, women and older people, noted the Executive Secretary at the UNDESA global policy dialogue “Accelerating Social Progress to Boost SDG Implementation.”  

    UNECE’s work in this area shows that investing in adequate care infrastructure is not only a social imperative but also economically beneficial as it empowers people to participate in society and the economy. The upcoming World Summit for Social Development in Doha offers an important opportunity to act on commitments from the recent 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and to align both public spending and private finance with inclusive objectives. 

    Access to adequate and affordable housing has emerged as an issue central to achieving social inclusion and the SDGs. Through its Committee on Housing, Urban Development and Land Management, as well as the Forum of Mayors, UNECE supports national and local governments to design and implement inclusive, energy-efficient and climate-responsive urban policies and help them transform housing into a pillar of social stability, the Executive Secretary stressed at the high-level dialogue on adequate housing, co-hosted by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and UN-Habitat. 

    The upcoming UNECE Forum of Mayors in October 2025 will feature a dedicated segment on adequate housing, with discussion feeding into a Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability on 8 October in Geneva. 

    Role of UNECE and other UN Regional Commissions  

    The UN Regional Commissions play a key role in convening, coordinating and driving innovative policy solutions. As the custodian of several global conventions, agreements and treaties with strong implications for multiple industries, UNECE plays a unique role in helping UN Member States to achieve social and economic wellbeing.  

    UNECE’s policy, standard-setting and capacity-building work across areas, such as energy, environment, trade, transport and many more, helps to boost predictability, investor confidence, as well as institutional, regulatory and policy conditions to facilitate bankable projects.      

    In that respect the UN80 initiative, which aims to strengthen efficiencies and coordination across the UN system, can unlock further benefits for member States, noted the Executive Secretary during her exchanges with representatives of Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Slovenia, United States, and Uzbekistan.  

    Photo credits: UN / UNECE

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens urge Starmer to “Recognise the state of Palestine”

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    by Steve Hynd

    On the need to recognise the state of Palestine, Green Party Co-Leader, Carla Denyer MP, said,

    “Recognising the state of Palestine is a bare minimum that governments across the world can do to help bring an end to the genocide being carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza – and yet the UK government is falling behind other nations in taking even this most basic step.

    “The UK government must join France in recgonsing the state of Palestine – as well as enacting a full arms embargo, widespread sanctions, a ban on the import of settlement goods, and funding for evidence collection for prosecutions.

    “Time and time again our leaders have called the situation ‘intolerable’ and yet continue to tolerate it – we must see real action to end the genocide.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Container Village’ plans get greenlight

    Source: City of Norwich

    Published on Friday, 25th July 2025

    Plans to create a ‘container village’ in Magdalen Street car park were given the thumbs up at Norwich City Council’s planning committee yesterday (24 July).

    The proposals from Meanwhile Creative will see a thriving meanwhile space, named St Saviours Yard, comprising 86 containers at the site which will offer an eclectic retail and leisure offer plus workspaces for business start-ups, makers and creatives.

    Councillor Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects said: “I am really looking forward to seeing St Saviours Yard up and running. With the addition of the container village Magdalen Street is set to become a buzzing part of the city.”

    Fred Wyatt, founder at Meanwhile Creative said: “At Meanwhile Creative, we know that the world of small business is changing. Nationwide there is a shortage of suitable and affordable commercial workspace offering startups, makers and creatives the necessary flexibility to grow and try new things. Whether that flexibility is to grow and shrink or how they adapt and use the space, our aim is to accommodate everyone.”

    The new meanwhile space is part of wider plans to redevelop Anglia Square and yesterday’s decision follows news last week of a new investment partnership between the council and Aviva Capital Partners.

    Ben Luckett, Chair of Aviva Capital Partners and Norwich Community Ambassador, said: “The regeneration of Anglia Square is an important moment for Norwich, and we’re proud to be supporting a development that reflects the city’s vibrant future. The introduction of a box park-style container village is an exciting first step, bringing together small businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs.”

    Work will now begin to prepare St Saviours car park ready to host the box park, which is expected to open its doors in the autumn.

    For more information on the container village go to www.stsavioursyard.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK visits UK to forge stronger Hong Kong-UK partnerships on sustainability and green tech innovation (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) completed a fruitful visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from July 13 to 20, championing Hong Kong as a premier international green technology hub for UK companies seeking growth and collaboration opportunities in Asia and beyond.

         During the visit, the Senior Vice President (Sustainability) for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InvestHK, Ms Olivia To, engaged with key stakeholders in London and Cambridge to foster two-way business opportunities and deepen co-operation in sustainability and green tech innovation.

         In London, Ms To held extensive discussions with leading UK’s new energy, new materials and digital companies, as well as UK Research and Innovation, the national funding agency investing in science and research, Sustainable Ventures, a leading green tech hub and ecosystem provider, Generation Investment Management, a sustainable investment management firm, London & Partners, London’s business growth and destination agency, and London GreenCity, a clean technology entrepreneurs accelerator providing prototyping lab and collaborative community.

         In Cambridge, Ms To spoke at the event titled “Powering Tomorrow: Deep Tech Innovations for a Sustainable Energy Future”, co-organised by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Full Vision Capital, highlighting the competitive advantages Hong Kong offers energy and technology companies to grow and thrive across the region. The conference featured dynamic keynotes on growth strategies for clean energy start-ups, panel discussions on disruptive energy innovations, and a start-up demo where over 30 start-ups showcased their cutting-edge solutions. The event culminated in the announcement of the 4th TERA-Award Winner receiving a prize of US$1 million and a celebratory Gala Dinner, fostering further global networking and collaboration opportunities.

         Ms To said, “Hong Kong’s unparalleled status as a global financial powerhouse connects the East and West markets, bolstered by its dynamic green tech ecosystem and visionary government initiatives like the Green Tech Fund, the Innovation and Technology Fund and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s GreenTech Hub, and positions it as the premier gateway for UK companies to amplify green innovations across Asia. This visit underscores our dedication to fostering collaboration in sustainability and green technology between Hong Kong and the UK. We look forward to supporting more UK companies in establishing and expanding their presence in Hong Kong, utilising our robust financial infrastructure to facilitate financing and IPO listings that attract international capital.”

         The Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award, Mr Alan Chan, stated, “It was our pleasure to have InvestHK’s participation in our TERA-Award event. Together, we are building a stronger global innovation ecosystem that connects investors, start-ups, and green organisations, fostering groundbreaking solutions in smart energy. We look forward to working closely with InvestHK to further expand our promotion of the TERA-Award to the global market and establish a bridge between the international energy contexts.”

         The Chief Innovation Officer from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Mr James Cole, said, “We are delighted to welcome InvestHK’s participation in our event, enhancing the collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong economies, supporting sustainability start-ups and strengthening the ecosystem. This collaboration ignites our commitment to forge global partnerships that will propel deep tech innovations, fostering a greener and more resilient future. Together, we anticipate to deepen our collaboration to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future and empower the next generation of innovators.”

         Co-Founder of London GreenCity Mr Laith Anezi said, “Both Hong Kong and the UK share a strong commitment to driving innovation in green technology. InvestHK’s visit has forged a robust foundation for strengthening ties between Hong Kong and British sustainability and green tech companies. We are excited to deepen our partnership with InvestHK, driving innovation to shape a sustainable world together.”

         Hong Kong, as the world’s third-largest financial hub, is well positioned to be the global leader in green tech and finance. The city is transitioning to cleaner energy sources, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, supported by the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong and significant investments in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

         In green mobility, Hong Kong’s roadmap for electric vehicles has seen 70 per cent of newly registered private cars in 2024 be electric, with plans to establish the city as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

         This visit to the UK is a testament to Hong Kong’s dedication to fostering international collaboration and driving the global transition to a sustainable future. By attracting more UK companies in sustainable technology and innovation, Hong Kong aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Webcast details for Orrön Energy’s Q2 presentation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Orrön Energy AB (“Orrön Energy”) will publish its financial report for the second quarter 2025 on Wednesday, 6 August 2025 at 07:30 CEST, followed by a webcast at 14:00 CEST.

    Listen to Daniel Fitzgerald, CEO and Espen Hennie, CFO commenting on the report and describing the latest developments in Orrön Energy at a webcast on 6 August 2025 at 14:00 CEST, followed by a question-and-answer session.

    Registration for the webcast presentation is available on the website and the below link:
    https://orron-energy.events.inderes.com/q2-report-2025

    For further information, please contact:

    Robert Eriksson
    Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
    robert.eriksson@orron.com

    Jenny Sandström
    Communications Lead
    Tel: +41 79 431 63 68
    jenny.sandstrom@orron.com

    Orrön Energy is an independent, publicly listed (Nasdaq Stockholm: “ORRON”) renewable energy company within the Lundin Group of Companies. Orrön Energy’s core portfolio consists of high quality, cash flow generating assets in the Nordics, coupled with greenfield growth opportunities in the Nordics, the UK, Germany and France. With significant financial capacity to fund further growth and acquisitions, and backed by a major shareholder, management and Board with a proven track record of investing into, leading and growing highly successful businesses, Orrön Energy is in a unique position to create shareholder value through the energy transition.

    Forward-looking statements
    Statements in this press release relating to any future status or circumstances, including statements regarding future performance, growth and other trend projections, are forward-looking statements. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that could occur in the future. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to several factors, many of which are outside the company’s control. Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made and the company has no obligation (and undertakes no obligation) to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: COFICERT : ORGANIZATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY FOR THE AWARDING OF FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AT EURONEXT

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                 

    ORGANIZATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY FOR THE AWARDING OF FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AT EURONEXT

    On Tuesday, June 25, COFICERT, in partnership with IGSF, hosted an official ceremony to award financial and non-financial compliance certificates at the Euronext headquarters, located at the Paris Stock Exchange.

    Several delegations from institutions known for their dedication to compliance and responsible finance, representing almost fifteen nations, came together for this event. A number of organisations received compliance certificates in line with globally accepted standards, such as the AML 30001® Standard (AML/CFT 2025 version), which is focused on counter-terrorism financing and anti-money laundering, and the MSI 20000® Standard, which is focused on governance and financial quality. The ISO 37001® Standard, which focusses on anti-corruption, and the ESG 1000® Standard, which is dedicated to governance and quality of non-financial governance structures, were also emphasised during the event.

    The ceremony was attended by Véronique de la Bachelerie, President of IGSF, Jérôme Gacoin, President of COFICERT, and Souheil Skander, CEO of COFICERT. It also gathered representatives from the European Commission, the World Bank, the OECD, and the EU Global Facility on AML/CFT, reflecting the growing importance attached to certification to these standards and international cooperation between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in these areas. This convergence around a shared normative framework demonstrates a collective will to foster greater transparency and a standardized language, serving as a catalyst for universal compliance.

    The companies certified during this ceremony belong to strategic sectors, placing them in a position to drive change within their respective countries or regions, thereby fostering the widespread adoption of best practices and contributing to enhanced integrity across the financial system. Notably, the companies that made the trip to Paris are among the leading financial and economic players on the African continent. West and Central Africa were represented by BSIC and NSIA Bank (Benin, Guinea, Togo, Senegal), as well as BGFIBank Group (Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Cameroon, DRC), all of which hold prominent regional positions. North Africa was well represented by Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, with leading institutions such as Bank of Tunisia, Tunisie Leasing & Factoring, Tunisie Valeurs, Hannibal Lease, BSB TOYOTA, Attawfiq Microfinance, and Alamana Microfinance. The diversity of these profiles illustrates the inclusive and structuring purpose of the MSI 20000® Standard, uniting key transformational actors at a regional level and compliance drivers at an international level.

    The organization of this event, along with the presence of official delegations and international organizations, underscores the growing importance attributed to financial and non-financial compliance as a pillar of performance, responsibility, and ultimately, value creation.

    Ms. Véronique de la Bachelerie, President of IGSF, emphasized: “The financial and non-financial certifications standardized by IGSF and ISO provide a guarantee of confidence in the financial sustainability of a company (MSI 20000), a guarantee of confidence in the quality of its governance and its risk management policies regarding financial crime through anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML 30001), the fight against corruption (ISO 37001), and finally a guarantee of confidence in its ability to address all environmental and social challenges through the quality of its non-financial governance. More broadly, this contributes to the company’s sustainability – that is the value proposition of ESG 1000, in support of sustainable finance.”

    Mr. Jérôme Gacoin, President of COFICERT, stated: “We have just experienced a moment that is both symbolic and foundational. Symbolic, because the adoption of these standards reflects the commitment of companies and institutions to comply with demanding, internationally recognized standards. Foundational, because it contributes to a dynamic of trust, transparency, and responsibility at both the European and global levels. Furthermore, the Paris Stock Exchange, a crossroads of markets and investments, perfectly embodies COFICERT’s mission: to raise standards, secure economic relationships, and recognize the value of committed organizations.”

    Mr. Souheil Skander, CEO of COFICERT, added: “The companies certified to the MSI 20000, ISO 37001, and AML 30001 standards have successfully turned what was once a constraint into an opportunity and a powerful lever of attractiveness and value creation. Certifications today serve as true benchmarks – they are closely observed and highly valued. They offer undeniable competitive and differentiation advantages, effectively acting as a qualitative filter. These certifications have become tools of assurance, opportunity, and synergy for business development.”

    IGSF (International Group for Sustainability Finance) is a non-profit NGO based in Luxembourg, whose activities aim to channel and organise international efforts in financial and extra-financial standard-setting. As a standard-setting body, IGSF operates along two main axes: first, the technical organization of standards related to financial and extra-financial governance; and second, the dissemination of standards and best practices. The issues addressed by IGSF include financial governance, the fight against financial crime and the social responsibility of companies and organisations of all types.

    COFICERT is a French certification body specializing in financial and non-financial certifications, operating in nearly 50 countries across 3 continents. COFICERT is recognized for its expertise in governance, anti-financial crime, and sustainable finance. It certifies organizations in areas related to sound financial governance (MSI 20000), extra-financial governance (ESG 1000), anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML 30001), and anti-corruption (ISO 37001).

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New programme helps people get active and age well

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The initiative, delivered by the City of Wolverhampton Council with the support of the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board’s Health Inequalities Fund, offers a range of tailored activities that support mobility, strength and wellbeing among older adults.

    Sessions currently on offer include a Grandparents and Tots stay and play session at WV Active Bilston–Bert Williams on Tuesdays from 10am to 11am (£3), and a multi sports class for residents aged 60 and over, held at the same venue and time (£3.50). The Bob Jones Community Hub also hosts Balance and Beyond every Wednesday from 10.30am to 11.30am (£3), aimed at improving strength, balance and coordination.

    In addition, the Menopause Café at WV Active Bilston–Bert Williams takes place on the first Tuesday of each month from 1.15pm to 2.15pm, where attendees can participate in low impact seated exercises. Similar sessions are set to be introduced at Menopause Cafés at Low Hill, Graiseley, Whitmore Reans and Dove Family Hubs. Residents attending the Foxlands Grange Memory Café are also invited to take part in the activities.

    Since its launch in September 2024, the programme – which forms a key part of Health and Wellbeing Together’s Physical Activity Strategy – has supported scores of people to enjoy physical movement, social connection and healthy ageing.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Evidence overwhelmingly shows that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of serious health conditions, improves mental wellbeing and boosts social connection among older adults.

    “Our Active Ageing Programme aims to make these benefits available to all, by offering inclusive and enjoyable opportunities for movement and interaction, and we want to ensure that every older resident in Wolverhampton is able to access fun, friendly and effective ways to stay active and connected.”

    For more information on individual sessions or to get involved, please contact the relevant venue or email Active Ageing Coordinator jessica.savage2@wolverhampton.gov.uk. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/VIETNAM – “Vietnamese Catholic medical staff admired by the people and praised by the Vietnamese State”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 25 July 2025

    by Andrew Doan Thanh PhongHanoi (Agenzia Fides) – Right before the mass, the priest was asked to celebrate the mass as quickly as possible, due to the health of the patients from the Oncology Hospital who are attending the mass. The patients tried to walk step by step into the church with the help of volunteers and relatives to meet Christ. Despite the inconvenience, the mass still remained more fervent than ever, and with the singing of nuns combined with prayers made by the mass participants in their weak voices, the mass was celebrated in a sacred and beautiful atmosphere.It was the 9am Sunday mass held every week at Phan Thon parish in Vinh diocese in central Vietnam, dedicated to serious patients being treated at the hospital. After the mass, the patients, the priest, and the volunteers gathered together to share meals filled up with love and comfort.Also in Vinh diocese, on July 13, 2025, 83 medical staff across the country, most of them Catholics, in coordination with the Medical Team Organization which is founded by Vietnamese priests and religious living in the United States, examined and provided free medicine to many poor people regardless of religion in Ru Dat Parish and neighboring areas. With good expertise and a dedicated working spirit, along with many modern medical examination equipments, the medical volunteers of the Medical Team helped hundreds of elderly men, women and children of the community of Ru Dat in protecting their health and distributing them medicine.The beautiful images of the devotion in serving patients of Catholic medical staff have been trusted and admired by the Vietnamese people and government, not only in treating illnesses but also in healing spiritual wounds.As mentioned in a report of the National Committee for Religious Affairs (a governmental organization of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in charge of the government’s religious affairs): “In fact, the contribution of religion in today’s society is not only in terms of morality but also in many other social fields, especially in the field of healthcare. Catholicism is a religion that actively participates in healthcare to share and help the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, and to testify to the values of love and charity of Christianity.”According to statistics, there are currently 113 medical facilities owned be religious organizations across the Country that have been under operation, of which 56 are from the Catholic Church of Vietnam, specializing in medical examination and treatment and care for the elderly, the mentally ill, orphans, abandoned children, and people with HIV/AIDS. And also according to the report of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, many charitable activities regarding to healthcare are regularly performed by Catholic religious orders and parishioners in many parishes, dioceses all over the Country to help poor patients including non-Catholics such as free distribution of medicine to patients, buying health insurance for them, examining health; cooperating with specialists in hospitals to perform eye surgery freely for poor patients; organizing charity kitchens for providing foods to patients in hospitals, and helping people in specially difficult circumstances in society, caring for and educating HIV-infected children, and helping disabled, poor, homeless children, and autistic children.According to the State newspaper of Dai Doan Ket: “For decades, Kim Long Charity Clinic has become a trusted address of examination and treatment for patients with difficult circumstances in Thua Thien Hue province”. Mr. Nguyen Van Long, a regular patient, frequently receive examination and treatment at Kim Long clinic run by the nuns from the Congregation of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception of Hue in central Vietnam, shared: “Since I learned that the clinic provides free medical treatment to people, I have come here every month for examination and treatment. Thanks to that, my illness has improved a lot. The nuns here, in addition to their expertise, are also very dedicated, they always ask questions about health and take good care of patients, so all the patients who come here feel happy and love the nuns”.“Healthcare workers are not simply doctors, nurses or paramedics, but first of all, are children of God who are called to collaborate with God in the mission of protecting and caring for life. They are not only physical healers, but also witnesses of hope in the midst of suffering and illness. Following the example of Saint John of God, that is, is dedicated yourself to serving the sick with compassion, under the accompaniment of the Church and the grace of God.” said by Father Joseph Phan Anh Dung, from the Camilô Order specializing in care for patients in Vietnam, during the recent pilgrimage of the Holy Year 2025 in the Da Nang diocese with the presence of more than 60 Catholic doctors and medical staff.Besides those good images, challenges and temptations for Catholic medical staff still exist in Vietnamese society nowadays, and Father Dung reminded: “Temptations in the medical environment, from professional pressure, material benefits, compromises in medical intervention contrary to Christian ethics are still present here and there. When losing that ethical principle, the physician risks no longer being a collaborator with God in protecting life, but inadvertently becoming an agent for the decline of medical ethics”. (Agenzia Fides, 25/7/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Sealing the Deal: How the India–UK FTA redefines global trade dynamics

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on July 24, 2025, marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, transforming the economic landscape between two influential democracies with shared historical ties. At its core, this agreement aims to double the volume of trade between the two nations to $120 billion by 2030, signalling a shift in strategic and economic alignment in a post-Brexit global order. This comprehensive trade pact not only strengthens commercial ties but also deepens diplomatic and development-oriented collaboration across sectors. The agreement is ambitious in scope, eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the United Kingdom covering almost 100% of trade value while India reciprocates by reducing tariffs on 90% of UK goods, with 85% becoming duty-free within a decade. The FTA is expected to boost India’s annual exports by $5 billion and create over one million jobs within five years, catalysing both industrial growth and employment in labour-intensive and technology-oriented sectors.

    India’s principal gain lies in its sweeping access to the UK market for sectors where it has a strong comparative advantage. Labour-intensive industries textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, processed food, gems and jewellery, and marine exports stand to benefit immediately from duty-free treatment. The UK has agreed to eliminate tariffs that previously ranged from 4% to as high as 70% on many Indian goods. For example, the processed food sector, which was earlier subject to duties of up to 70%, now enjoys zero-duty access on 99.7% of tariff lines. This development is monumental for rural India, where the agri-processing ecosystem is vital for both livelihood generation and export earnings.

    India’s textile and apparel industry, a major source of employment and a vital segment of its exports, is among the biggest beneficiaries. Previously subject to duties of up to 10–12% in the UK, Indian textiles now enjoy duty-free access. This policy move levels the playing field for Indian exporters against rivals such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, enhancing the competitiveness of cotton, synthetic fabrics, and finished garments. With projected gains of $5 billion in textile exports alone, this sector is poised for accelerated growth, enhanced investments, and large-scale job creation, especially in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

    Equally significant is the liberalisation of leather and footwear exports. These products, which were earlier taxed up to 16%, now enter the UK market duty-free. This shift supports the expansion of India’s footwear and leather goods industry key employment-generating sectors largely dominated by SMEs and artisanal clusters. The FTA is likely to generate substantial growth opportunities for exporters in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, giving a much-needed fillip to these traditionally under-capitalised industries.

    In the high-value gems and jewellery sector, which contributes significantly to India’s export basket, the FTA brings immediate benefits. Duties of up to 4% on diamonds, gold, and silver ornaments have now been abolished. With duty-free access to a discerning and high-spending UK consumer base, Indian jewellery exporters are expected to see a surge in orders. The improved price competitiveness will also draw investment into India’s precious stones and jewellery sector, especially in Mumbai, Surat, and Jaipur, reinforcing India’s position as a global jewellery hub.

    The agreement also opens new frontiers for engineering goods, auto components, mechanical machinery, and organic chemicals. Tariffs in these segments, previously ranging from 4% to 14%, have been brought down to zero, strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem. The UK has also agreed to slash tariffs on automobiles from over 100% to just 10%, albeit under a quota system. This will allow Indian auto parts and engine manufacturers to increase their exports significantly, supporting India’s ‘Make in India’ agenda and integrating more deeply into global supply chains.

    India’s marine products sector particularly shrimp and frozen prawn exports gains a significant boost. Tariffs of up to 20% have been brought to zero, opening a $5.4 billion UK market. The removal of import duties will enhance price competitiveness for Indian seafood in the UK and directly benefit coastal communities and fishermen in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. This measure also aligns with India’s broader objective of revitalising traditional sectors and expanding their global reach.

    In agriculture and processed foods, the FTA proves to be a game-changer. With tariff-free access on 95% of agricultural products including spices, mango pulp, pulses, and tea India’s agri-exports are projected to grow by 20% within three years. This liberalisation directly benefits farmers and small agro-industrial units, integrating them into international markets. Importantly, India has retained full protection for sensitive sectors like dairy, poultry, apples, vegetables, cooking oils, and oats. By refusing tariff concessions in these areas, the agreement ensures that India’s small and marginal farmers are not displaced by foreign competition.

    The India–UK FTA also provides significant advantages in high-tech sectors. Indian electronics exports smartphones, optical fibre cables, inverters, and electronic components now enjoy zero-duty access to the UK. The inclusion of streamlined customs processes and provisions on digital trade further lowers entry barriers, particularly for SMEs venturing into cross-border e-commerce. This has strong implications for India’s fast-growing technology manufacturing ecosystem and supports the expansion of Indian firms into high-value global markets.

    One of the most transformative features of the agreement is its support for the mobility of Indian professionals and skilled workers. The FTA includes provisions to facilitate temporary movement for Indian professionals such as IT engineers, architects, nurses, financial consultants, and even niche cultural workers such as yoga instructors and chefs. Up to 1,800 Indian professionals in these categories will be allowed to work in the UK temporarily. These mobility concessions expand India’s soft power and human capital exports, aligning with the government’s strategy to promote services-led growth.

    Additionally, the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) clause in the FTA exempts Indian workers from making social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years. This is expected to benefit over 75,000 Indian workers currently residing in the UK by significantly reducing their financial burden and enhancing the attractiveness of temporary employment opportunities in Britain. This provision is particularly impactful for the IT/ITeS sector, financial services professionals, and other knowledge economy workers.

    In tandem with these trade and labour mobility benefits, the UK’s offer also includes 99.3% tariff elimination for animal products, 100% duty elimination for marine products, and full liberalisation of key sectors such as chemicals, electrical machinery, plastics, base metals, headgear, ceramics, glass, and clocks. Across all categories, the agreement promises enhanced market access, easier customs procedures, and a simplified regulatory environment each element helping Indian exporters reduce transaction costs and achieve scale.

    Strategically, the FTA supports India’s broader development agenda. It reinforces the objectives of ‘Make in India’, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and the goal of integrating Indian enterprises particularly MSMEs into global supply chains. The liberalised trade framework incentivises higher production volumes, improved quality standards, and adherence to international compliance norms, all of which contribute to India’s export dynamism. At the same time, by insulating sensitive sectors from duty concessions, the government has safeguarded domestic food security, protected vulnerable producer groups, and upheld rural economic stability.

    The India–UK FTA also carries strong geopolitical undertones. For post-Brexit Britain, deepening trade relations with India a rising economic power is a strategic imperative. For India, the agreement allows diversification of export markets at a time when supply chain realignments are underway globally, particularly due to tensions with China and economic uncertainties in Europe. The FTA offers a resilient and rules-based alternative route to prosperity for both partners, anchored in democratic values and mutual respect.

    The India–UK Free Trade Agreement of 2025 is a landmark pact with far-reaching consequences for trade, employment, mobility, and strategic cooperation. By unlocking duty-free access across vast sectors, protecting domestic interests, and enabling professional mobility, it serves as a blueprint for future FTAs India may sign with other developed economies. The deal is comprehensive, development-oriented, and forward-looking positioning India for a new era of global economic leadership and strengthening its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom in a rapidly evolving world order.

    In conclusion the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could serve as a significant catalyst in shaping India’s ongoing and future trade negotiations with the United States and the European Union. As a comprehensive and balanced agreement with a G7 nation, the UK FTA strengthens India’s credibility as a serious and capable negotiator on the global stage. The successful inclusion of sensitive sectors, labour mobility, digital trade provisions, and extensive tariff liberalisation sets a precedent that India can leverage in its stalled or complex discussions with the U.S. and EU. For the United States, which has been engaged in hectic negotiations with India on Bi-lateral Trade Agreement, the Indo-UK FTA could act as a catalyst and a template for further negotiations on a prospective BTA.  Similarly, the European Union has also been in talks with India to clinch a FTA by the end of FY26 and the UK deal demonstrates India’s willingness to offer concessions while protecting key domestic interests. This FTA could thus help bridge trust deficits, unlock political momentum, and create negotiating templates for market access, investment protection, and digital standards. Ultimately, the India–UK FTA could become a benchmark, enhancing India’s bargaining position in global trade diplomacy.

    (Navroop Singh is a New Delhi-based IP attorney and geopolitical analyst)

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman jailed for manslaughter after death of landlord

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and animal cruelty, following the death of her friend and landlord, as well as their pet cat.

    Habiba Naveed, 34 (16.10.1989) appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 24 July where she was given a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41. This means she can be detained indefinitely.

    Naveed previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

    Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn of Specialist Crime, who led the investigation, said:

    “Today’s sentencing concludes our investigation into the death of a man killed in his own home by a woman he lived with, trusted and considered his friend.

    “Habiba Naveed has an established history of paranoid schizophrenia. The circumstances of this case highlight the dangers of the illicit use of cannabis and non-compliance with medication prescribed to manage serious mental health conditions.

    “Christopher, who was Naveed’s landlord, still worked as a solicitor. He was an incredibly private and well-respected man within the community who is sorely missed by his family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them today.”

    An investigation was launched on Thursday, 15 August 2024 after the body of a man was found at a residential address on Polsted Road, SE6.

    The victim, who was later identified as 72-year-old Christopher Brown, had sustained a serious head injury. A post-mortem examination found the cause of Christopher’s death to be blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest.

    Inside the address, officers also found Christopher and Habiba’s pet cat, named Snow, which had been stabbed in the neck and killed. When searching the address, officers located multiple blood stains along with a kitchen knife covered in blood.

    Habiba Naveed, a woman who rented a room inside Christopher’s property, was quickly identified as a suspect and arrested later that day. Neighbours reported to police that they heard a female voice shouting from inside the property.

    Naveed was charged with murder on Friday, 16 August.

    The only account as to why she killed Christopher was given by her to a psychiatrist while on remand. She described believing Christopher was evil and hearing a voice telling her to kill him three times. She recounted hitting him with a pan she was holding which caused him to fall, before strangling him until she thought he was unconscious.

    Christopher then asked her to stop and she describes realising her actions were wrong, but hitting him again. She believed the evil spirit had jumped out of Christopher and into Snow the cat. She got a knife and cut the cat’s neck.

    On Monday, 27 January Naveed pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman jailed for manslaughter after death of landlord

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and animal cruelty, following the death of her friend and landlord, as well as their pet cat.

    Habiba Naveed, 34 (16.10.1989) appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 24 July where she was given a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41. This means she can be detained indefinitely.

    Naveed previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

    Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn of Specialist Crime, who led the investigation, said:

    “Today’s sentencing concludes our investigation into the death of a man killed in his own home by a woman he lived with, trusted and considered his friend.

    “Habiba Naveed has an established history of paranoid schizophrenia. The circumstances of this case highlight the dangers of the illicit use of cannabis and non-compliance with medication prescribed to manage serious mental health conditions.

    “Christopher, who was Naveed’s landlord, still worked as a solicitor. He was an incredibly private and well-respected man within the community who is sorely missed by his family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them today.”

    An investigation was launched on Thursday, 15 August 2024 after the body of a man was found at a residential address on Polsted Road, SE6.

    The victim, who was later identified as 72-year-old Christopher Brown, had sustained a serious head injury. A post-mortem examination found the cause of Christopher’s death to be blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest.

    Inside the address, officers also found Christopher and Habiba’s pet cat, named Snow, which had been stabbed in the neck and killed. When searching the address, officers located multiple blood stains along with a kitchen knife covered in blood.

    Habiba Naveed, a woman who rented a room inside Christopher’s property, was quickly identified as a suspect and arrested later that day. Neighbours reported to police that they heard a female voice shouting from inside the property.

    Naveed was charged with murder on Friday, 16 August.

    The only account as to why she killed Christopher was given by her to a psychiatrist while on remand. She described believing Christopher was evil and hearing a voice telling her to kill him three times. She recounted hitting him with a pan she was holding which caused him to fall, before strangling him until she thought he was unconscious.

    Christopher then asked her to stop and she describes realising her actions were wrong, but hitting him again. She believed the evil spirit had jumped out of Christopher and into Snow the cat. She got a knife and cut the cat’s neck.

    On Monday, 27 January Naveed pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Euro area economic and financial developments by institutional sector: first quarter of 2025

    Source: European Central Bank

    25 July 2025

    • Euro area net saving decreased to €799 billion in four quarters to first quarter of 2025, compared with €813 billion one quarter earlier
    • Household debt-to-income ratio decreased to 81.7% in first quarter of 2025 from 83.8% one year earlier
    • Non-financial corporations’ debt-to-GDP ratio (consolidated measure) decreased to 67.2% in first quarter of 2025 from 68.4% one year earlier
    • Share of net wealth held by wealthiest 10% of households stood at 57.3% in 2024, largely unchanged from previous years.

    Total euro area economy

    Euro area net saving decreased to €799 billion (6.5% of euro area net disposable income) in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025 compared with €813 billion in the four quarters to the previous quarter. Euro area net non-financial investment was broadly unchanged at €441 billion (3.6% of net disposable income), due to broadly unchanged net investment of all sectors (see Chart 1 and Table 1 in the Annex).

    Euro area net lending to the rest of the world decreased to €388 billion (from €401 billion previously) reflecting the decreased net saving and broadly unchanged net non-financial investment. Non-financial corporations’ net lending decreased to €130 billion (1.1% of net disposable income) from €156 billion, while that of households increased to €598 billion (4.9% of net disposable income) from €588 billion. Financial corporations’ net lending (€123 billion, 1.0% of net disposable income) and general government net borrowing were broadly unchanged, the latter contributing negatively to euro area net lending (-€463 billion, -3.8% of net disposable income).

    Chart 1

    Euro area saving, investment and net lending to the rest of the world

    (EUR billions, four-quarter sums)

    Sources: ECB and Eurostat.

    * Net saving minus net capital transfers to the rest of the world (equals change in net worth due to transactions).

    Data for euro area saving, investment and net lending to the rest of the world (Chart 1)

    Households

    Household financial investment increased at a broadly unchanged annual rate of 2.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Among its components, investment in currency and deposits grew at an unchanged rate of 3.0%. Investment in debt securities increased at a lower rate (3.0%, after 8.2%), while investment in shares and other equity grew at a higher rate (2.3%, after 1.8%) – the latter mainly due to investment fund shares.

    Households purchased, in net terms, mainly debt securities issued by the rest of the world, general government, and other financial institutions (see Table 1 below and Table 2.2. in the Annex). Households were overall net sellers of listed shares, selling predominantly listed shares of MFIs, while buying listed shares issued by the rest of the world (i.e. shares issued by non-euro area residents). Households increased their purchases of euro area non-money market investment fund shares, and continued to purchase money market fund shares, while purchases of investment fund shares issued by the rest of the world decelerated.

    The household debt-to-income ratio[1] decreased, to 81.7% in the first quarter of 2025 from 83.8% in the first quarter of 2024. The household debt-to-GDP ratio decreased, to 51.2% in the first quarter of 2025 from 52.3% in the first quarter of 2024 (see Chart 2).

    Table 1

    Financial investment and financing of households, main items

    (annual growth rates)

    Financial transactions

    2024 Q1

    2024 Q2

    2024 Q3

    2024 Q4

    2025 Q1

    Financial investment*

    2.0

    2.3

    2.4

    2.4

    2.5

    Currency and deposits

    1.5

    2.3

    2.5

    3.0

    3.0

    Debt securities

    41.4

    29.8

    17.1

    8.2

    3.0

    Shares and other equity**

    0.2

    0.4

    0.9

    1.8

    2.3

    Life insurance

    0.0

    0.4

    1.3

    1.6

    1.7

    Pension schemes

    2.0

    1.8

    1.9

    1.8

    2.1

    Financing***

    0.9

    1.2

    1.2

    1.6

    1.8

    Loans

    0.6

    0.6

    0.9

    1.3

    1.7

    Source: ECB.

    * Items not shown include: loans granted, prepayments of insurance premiums and reserves for outstanding claims and other accounts receivable.

    ** Includes investment fund shares.

    *** Items not shown include: financial derivatives’ net liabilities, pension schemes and other accounts payable.

    Data for financial investment and financing of households (Table 1)

    Chart 2

    Debt ratios of households and NFCs

    (percentages of GDP)

    Sources: ECB and Eurostat.

    * Outstanding amount of loans, debt securities, trade credits and pension scheme liabilities.
    ** Outstanding amount of loans and debt securities, excluding debt positions between NFCs
    *** Outstanding amount of loan liabilities.

    Data for debt ratios of households and non-financial corporations (Chart 2)

    Developments in household wealth distribution in 2024

    The Distributional Wealth Accounts show that household net wealth continued to increase in 2024, while wealth inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient of net wealth, has remained broadly unchanged in recent years (see Chart 3). The share of household net wealth held by the wealthiest 10% of households stood at 57.3% at the end of 2024, largely unchanged from previous years.

    Chart 3

    Household net wealth distribution and wealth inequality

    (left-hand scale: EUR trillions; right-hand scale: percentages)

    Sources: ECB.

    The growth in net wealth across the various household wealth groups was primarily driven by valuation effects of both financial and non-financial assets, while contribution of net saving was stable but lower. Since the fourth quarter of 2019, net wealth has risen substantially across all wealth groups, with increases of 32% for the bottom 50% of the wealth distribution, 24% for the next 40%, and 26% for the top 10%. The developments varied between different asset classes, resulting in distinct portfolio dynamics across household wealth groups (see Chart 4). A significant portion of overall net wealth growth – more than half in each wealth group – was driven by increases in housing wealth. For the bottom 50% of households, deposits were the second-largest contributor (+9 percentage points), with smaller contributions from other wealth components. Among the next 40% of households, deposits also made a positive contribution (+4 percentage points) to net wealth growth, though this was largely offset by the negative effect of increasing mortgages (-3 percentage points). For the wealthiest 10% of households, the growth in net wealth was also supported by significant increases in business wealth (+6 percentage points) and investment fund shares (+3 percentage points).

    Chart 4

    Contributions to growth of household net wealth between Q1 2019 and Q4 2024

    (percentage points, percentage change)

    Sources: ECB.

    Note: The left-hand scale measures the percentage growth of net wealth and the percentage point contributions to net wealth growth of all other legend items.

    Non-financial corporations

    Financing of NFCs increased at a higher annual rate of 1.3% in the first quarter of 2025 (after 0.9% in the previous quarter). This was the result of an acceleration in financing by loans (2.0% after 1.3%) and trade credits (4.1% after 3.6%), while the financing via the issuance of debt securities and of equity grew at broadly unchanged rates (see Table 2).The acceleration in loan financing is mainly due to loans granted by MFIs (2.6% after 1.6%, see Table 3.2 in the Annex), by the rest of the world (1.6% after -0.2%), and by other financial institutions (-0.5% after -2.5%).

    NFCs’ debt-to-GDP ratio (consolidated measure) decreased to 67.2% in the first quarter of 2025, from 68.4% first quarter of 2024; the non-consolidated, wider debt measure decreased to 138.9% from 140.6% (see Chart 2).

    Table 2

    Financing and financial investment of NFCs, main items

    (annual growth rates)

    Financial transactions

    2024 Q1

    2024 Q2

    2024 Q3

    2024 Q4

    2025 Q1

    Financing*

    0.8

    0.9

    1.0

    0.9

    1.3

    Debt securities

    2.0

    2.9

    2.5

    1.5

    1.6

    Loans

    1.6

    1.4

    1.4

    1.3

    2.0

    Shares and other equity

    0.3

    0.6

    0.6

    0.4

    0.5

    Trade credits and advances

    1.0

    2.0

    2.5

    3.6

    4.1

    Financial investment**

    1.7

    1.8

    2.0

    1.8

    2.0

    Currency and deposits

    0.2

    2.6

    1.7

    2.4

    2.1

    Debt securities

    10.9

    8.1

    3.9

    2.1

    4.1

    Loans

    3.9

    3.7

    3.2

    2.6

    2.8

    Shares and other equity

    1.1

    0.9

    1.2

    0.7

    0.4

    Source: ECB.

    * Items not shown include: pension schemes, other accounts payable, financial derivatives’ net liabilities and deposits.

    ** Items not shown include: other accounts receivable and prepayments of insurance premiums and reserves for outstanding claims.

    Data for financial investment and financing of non-financial corporations (Table 2)

    For queries, please use the statistical information request form.

    Notes

    • These data come from a second release of quarterly euro area sector accounts for the first quarter of 2025 by the ECB and Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. This release incorporates revisions and completed data for all sectors compared with the first release on “Euro area households and non-financial corporations” of 3 July 2025.
    • The euro area and national financial accounts data of NFCs and households are available in an interactive dashboard.
    • The debt-to-GDP (or debt-to-income) ratios are calculated as the outstanding amount of debt in the reference quarter divided by the sum of GDP (or income) in the four quarters up to the reference quarter. The ratio of non-financial transactions (e.g. savings) as a percentage of income or GDP is calculated as the sum of the four quarters up to the reference quarter for both numerator and denominator.
    • The annual growth rate of non-financial transactions and of outstanding assets and liabilities (stocks) is calculated as the percentage change between the value for a given quarter and that value recorded four quarters earlier. The annual growth rates used for financial transactions refer to the total value of transactions during the year in relation to the outstanding stock a year before.
    • Hyperlinks in the main body of the statistical release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions. Figures shown in annex tables are a snapshot of the data as at the time of the current release.
    • The release of results of experimental Distributional Wealth Accounts (DWA) for the first quarter of 2025 is planned for 29 August 2025 (tentative date).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Euro area economic and financial developments by institutional sector: first quarter of 2025

    Source: European Central Bank

    25 July 2025

    • Euro area net saving decreased to €799 billion in four quarters to first quarter of 2025, compared with €813 billion one quarter earlier
    • Household debt-to-income ratio decreased to 81.7% in first quarter of 2025 from 83.8% one year earlier
    • Non-financial corporations’ debt-to-GDP ratio (consolidated measure) decreased to 67.2% in first quarter of 2025 from 68.4% one year earlier
    • Share of net wealth held by wealthiest 10% of households stood at 57.3% in 2024, largely unchanged from previous years.

    Total euro area economy

    Euro area net saving decreased to €799 billion (6.5% of euro area net disposable income) in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025 compared with €813 billion in the four quarters to the previous quarter. Euro area net non-financial investment was broadly unchanged at €441 billion (3.6% of net disposable income), due to broadly unchanged net investment of all sectors (see Chart 1 and Table 1 in the Annex).

    Euro area net lending to the rest of the world decreased to €388 billion (from €401 billion previously) reflecting the decreased net saving and broadly unchanged net non-financial investment. Non-financial corporations’ net lending decreased to €130 billion (1.1% of net disposable income) from €156 billion, while that of households increased to €598 billion (4.9% of net disposable income) from €588 billion. Financial corporations’ net lending (€123 billion, 1.0% of net disposable income) and general government net borrowing were broadly unchanged, the latter contributing negatively to euro area net lending (-€463 billion, -3.8% of net disposable income).

    Chart 1

    Euro area saving, investment and net lending to the rest of the world

    (EUR billions, four-quarter sums)

    Sources: ECB and Eurostat.

    * Net saving minus net capital transfers to the rest of the world (equals change in net worth due to transactions).

    Data for euro area saving, investment and net lending to the rest of the world (Chart 1)

    Households

    Household financial investment increased at a broadly unchanged annual rate of 2.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Among its components, investment in currency and deposits grew at an unchanged rate of 3.0%. Investment in debt securities increased at a lower rate (3.0%, after 8.2%), while investment in shares and other equity grew at a higher rate (2.3%, after 1.8%) – the latter mainly due to investment fund shares.

    Households purchased, in net terms, mainly debt securities issued by the rest of the world, general government, and other financial institutions (see Table 1 below and Table 2.2. in the Annex). Households were overall net sellers of listed shares, selling predominantly listed shares of MFIs, while buying listed shares issued by the rest of the world (i.e. shares issued by non-euro area residents). Households increased their purchases of euro area non-money market investment fund shares, and continued to purchase money market fund shares, while purchases of investment fund shares issued by the rest of the world decelerated.

    The household debt-to-income ratio[1] decreased, to 81.7% in the first quarter of 2025 from 83.8% in the first quarter of 2024. The household debt-to-GDP ratio decreased, to 51.2% in the first quarter of 2025 from 52.3% in the first quarter of 2024 (see Chart 2).

    Table 1

    Financial investment and financing of households, main items

    (annual growth rates)

    Financial transactions

    2024 Q1

    2024 Q2

    2024 Q3

    2024 Q4

    2025 Q1

    Financial investment*

    2.0

    2.3

    2.4

    2.4

    2.5

    Currency and deposits

    1.5

    2.3

    2.5

    3.0

    3.0

    Debt securities

    41.4

    29.8

    17.1

    8.2

    3.0

    Shares and other equity**

    0.2

    0.4

    0.9

    1.8

    2.3

    Life insurance

    0.0

    0.4

    1.3

    1.6

    1.7

    Pension schemes

    2.0

    1.8

    1.9

    1.8

    2.1

    Financing***

    0.9

    1.2

    1.2

    1.6

    1.8

    Loans

    0.6

    0.6

    0.9

    1.3

    1.7

    Source: ECB.

    * Items not shown include: loans granted, prepayments of insurance premiums and reserves for outstanding claims and other accounts receivable.

    ** Includes investment fund shares.

    *** Items not shown include: financial derivatives’ net liabilities, pension schemes and other accounts payable.

    Data for financial investment and financing of households (Table 1)

    Chart 2

    Debt ratios of households and NFCs

    (percentages of GDP)

    Sources: ECB and Eurostat.

    * Outstanding amount of loans, debt securities, trade credits and pension scheme liabilities.
    ** Outstanding amount of loans and debt securities, excluding debt positions between NFCs
    *** Outstanding amount of loan liabilities.

    Data for debt ratios of households and non-financial corporations (Chart 2)

    Developments in household wealth distribution in 2024

    The Distributional Wealth Accounts show that household net wealth continued to increase in 2024, while wealth inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient of net wealth, has remained broadly unchanged in recent years (see Chart 3). The share of household net wealth held by the wealthiest 10% of households stood at 57.3% at the end of 2024, largely unchanged from previous years.

    Chart 3

    Household net wealth distribution and wealth inequality

    (left-hand scale: EUR trillions; right-hand scale: percentages)

    Sources: ECB.

    The growth in net wealth across the various household wealth groups was primarily driven by valuation effects of both financial and non-financial assets, while contribution of net saving was stable but lower. Since the fourth quarter of 2019, net wealth has risen substantially across all wealth groups, with increases of 32% for the bottom 50% of the wealth distribution, 24% for the next 40%, and 26% for the top 10%. The developments varied between different asset classes, resulting in distinct portfolio dynamics across household wealth groups (see Chart 4). A significant portion of overall net wealth growth – more than half in each wealth group – was driven by increases in housing wealth. For the bottom 50% of households, deposits were the second-largest contributor (+9 percentage points), with smaller contributions from other wealth components. Among the next 40% of households, deposits also made a positive contribution (+4 percentage points) to net wealth growth, though this was largely offset by the negative effect of increasing mortgages (-3 percentage points). For the wealthiest 10% of households, the growth in net wealth was also supported by significant increases in business wealth (+6 percentage points) and investment fund shares (+3 percentage points).

    Chart 4

    Contributions to growth of household net wealth between Q1 2019 and Q4 2024

    (percentage points, percentage change)

    Sources: ECB.

    Note: The left-hand scale measures the percentage growth of net wealth and the percentage point contributions to net wealth growth of all other legend items.

    Non-financial corporations

    Financing of NFCs increased at a higher annual rate of 1.3% in the first quarter of 2025 (after 0.9% in the previous quarter). This was the result of an acceleration in financing by loans (2.0% after 1.3%) and trade credits (4.1% after 3.6%), while the financing via the issuance of debt securities and of equity grew at broadly unchanged rates (see Table 2).The acceleration in loan financing is mainly due to loans granted by MFIs (2.6% after 1.6%, see Table 3.2 in the Annex), by the rest of the world (1.6% after -0.2%), and by other financial institutions (-0.5% after -2.5%).

    NFCs’ debt-to-GDP ratio (consolidated measure) decreased to 67.2% in the first quarter of 2025, from 68.4% first quarter of 2024; the non-consolidated, wider debt measure decreased to 138.9% from 140.6% (see Chart 2).

    Table 2

    Financing and financial investment of NFCs, main items

    (annual growth rates)

    Financial transactions

    2024 Q1

    2024 Q2

    2024 Q3

    2024 Q4

    2025 Q1

    Financing*

    0.8

    0.9

    1.0

    0.9

    1.3

    Debt securities

    2.0

    2.9

    2.5

    1.5

    1.6

    Loans

    1.6

    1.4

    1.4

    1.3

    2.0

    Shares and other equity

    0.3

    0.6

    0.6

    0.4

    0.5

    Trade credits and advances

    1.0

    2.0

    2.5

    3.6

    4.1

    Financial investment**

    1.7

    1.8

    2.0

    1.8

    2.0

    Currency and deposits

    0.2

    2.6

    1.7

    2.4

    2.1

    Debt securities

    10.9

    8.1

    3.9

    2.1

    4.1

    Loans

    3.9

    3.7

    3.2

    2.6

    2.8

    Shares and other equity

    1.1

    0.9

    1.2

    0.7

    0.4

    Source: ECB.

    * Items not shown include: pension schemes, other accounts payable, financial derivatives’ net liabilities and deposits.

    ** Items not shown include: other accounts receivable and prepayments of insurance premiums and reserves for outstanding claims.

    Data for financial investment and financing of non-financial corporations (Table 2)

    For queries, please use the statistical information request form.

    Notes

    • These data come from a second release of quarterly euro area sector accounts for the first quarter of 2025 by the ECB and Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. This release incorporates revisions and completed data for all sectors compared with the first release on “Euro area households and non-financial corporations” of 3 July 2025.
    • The euro area and national financial accounts data of NFCs and households are available in an interactive dashboard.
    • The debt-to-GDP (or debt-to-income) ratios are calculated as the outstanding amount of debt in the reference quarter divided by the sum of GDP (or income) in the four quarters up to the reference quarter. The ratio of non-financial transactions (e.g. savings) as a percentage of income or GDP is calculated as the sum of the four quarters up to the reference quarter for both numerator and denominator.
    • The annual growth rate of non-financial transactions and of outstanding assets and liabilities (stocks) is calculated as the percentage change between the value for a given quarter and that value recorded four quarters earlier. The annual growth rates used for financial transactions refer to the total value of transactions during the year in relation to the outstanding stock a year before.
    • Hyperlinks in the main body of the statistical release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions. Figures shown in annex tables are a snapshot of the data as at the time of the current release.
    • The release of results of experimental Distributional Wealth Accounts (DWA) for the first quarter of 2025 is planned for 29 August 2025 (tentative date).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Court Rules in Trademark Dispute Over ‘Iceland’

    Source: Government of Iceland

    The General Court of the European Union has confirmed the decision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to invalidate Iceland Foods Ltd. exclusive right to the word mark and figurative mark ICELAND. The General Court dismissed claims of annulment brought by the supermarket chain and agreed that the term “Iceland” is descriptive of the geographical origin of goods and services and cannot function as an exclusive trademark.

    The ruling confirms that Iceland Foods Ltd. can no longer prevent Icelandic companies from identifying themselves by their country of origin when marketing their goods and services within the European Union. The case is therefore of fundamental importance to Icelandic companies engaged in international trade.

    „We welcome this clear outcome in our favor in a case that is of fundamental importance to Iceland,“ says Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. „For our companies it is of considerable value to be able to clearly refer to their Icelandic origin, with all the underlying thoughts of clean air and pristine nature that it carries internationally when you identify yourself as Icelandic. It carries great value for all of us, and we tend to say it with pride. We therefore put much effort into protecting our interests in this respect.“

    Iceland Foods Ltd. may still appeal the ruling on points of law within two months.

    The ruling regarding the word mark.

    The ruling regarding the figurative mark.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Our plan to halve energy bills by 2035

    Source: Liberal Democrats UK

    The Liberal Democrats may use the information you provide, including your political opinions, to further our objectives and share it with our elected representatives. Any data we gather will be used in accordance with our privacy policy: libdems.org.uk/privacy. You can exercise your rights and withdraw your consent to future communications by contacting us: data.protection@libdems.org.uk or: DPO, Lib Dems, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Drive to make taxis safer and greener

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Friday, 25th July 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent is to introduce new rules to make the city’s taxis safer and greener.

    The city council’s cabinet approved changes that will mean all taxi owners must have DBS checks for unspent convictions and cautions.

    Drivers will continue to face enhanced DBS checks and will have to attend courses about safeguarding children and vulnerable people before they begin work – and then re-attend every three years.

    The new rules recommend that all drivers install CCTV in their vehicles for their own safety, and that of their passengers.

    They mean drivers have to notify the council within 48 hours if they are questioned, interviewed or arrested by police. Previously the deadline was seven days.

    Drivers will also have to demonstrate the right to work in the UK through a UK passport or right-to-work code.

    The rules would effectively mean only electric and hybrid taxis will be licensed after April 2031. Conventional diesel or petrol taxis will be gradually phased out before then, with the least polluting, wheelchair-accessible vehicles given longer on the city’s roads.

    The new rules form part of a draft taxi and private hire licensing policy for 2025.

    Operators and drivers have been widely consulted on the planned changes, with the majority in favour of the proposals.

    Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “People often use taxis when they are at their most vulnerable, for example after a night out, or in the event of an emergency.

    “Adding an additional layer of security to licensing policy is a vital step in community safety. We don’t want people to just get from ‘A to B’, we want passengers to feel safe and comfortable on their journey.

    “It is fundamental the taxi firms play a part in building a safer and greener city for all with more than 1,760 city council licensed vehicles now operating in the city each year.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over 55,000 Tax Returns filed ahead of deadline – Islanders urged to act now25 July 2025 With just six days remaining until the 31 July filing deadline, Revenue Jersey has received 55,013 tax returns for 2025 – 28,454 on paper and 26,559 submitted electronically. Approximately 67,000 returns… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    25 July 2025

    With just six days remaining until the 31 July filing deadline, Revenue Jersey has received 55,013 tax returns for 2025 – 28,454 on paper and 26,559 submitted electronically.

    Approximately 67,000 returns are expected overall meaning approximately 12,000 remain outstanding, though the final figure may be lower due to taxpayers leaving the Island without notifying Revenue Jersey. 

    Taxpayers are reminded that if they have not previously filed their returns online previously they will need to activate onegov accounts. 

    Comptroller of Revenue, Richard Summersgill, said: “Islanders must allow time to activate a onegov account and complete digital ID setup. Verification delays can occur, so we urge taxpayers to act promptly and use the guidance available to avoid late filing penalties.” 

    There is a range of support available for the whole process, including: 

    • Step-by-step video for setting up a digital ID 
    • Telephone support for the tax return from Revenue Jersey on (01534) 440300 
    • Telephone support to activate a onegov account from Customer and Local Services on (01534) 444444 
    • Online guidance for filing your tax return: File your personal tax return. 

    If you don’t file by the deadline: 

    You will have a £300 fine added onto your assessment once you do file your return. You will also receive a ‘Default Assessment’ in August, which is calculated based on the latest information held about your income and circumstances. 

    If you don’t file your return within 12 months, you will have to pay the default assessment amount. If you are more than 3 months late filing, you will start getting an additional penalty of £50 for every month up to a maximum penalty of £750.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –