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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Awards Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project Funding

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Three organizations have been awarded funding under the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project to address childhood obesity and chronic disease in the province.

    The successful applicants are Acadia University, Upward Mobility Kitchens East Inc., and Wasoqopa’q First Nation. The total amount of funding is $1.05 million.

    “Reducing childhood obesity and helping young people to establish healthy habits will help reduce the burden on our healthcare system and make a lasting impact on the overall health of our province,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “These investments will provide more communities with the resources they need to raise healthy children.”

    The three projects, with funding amounts, are:

    • $320,643 to Acadia University in Wolfville to create a self-sustaining farm-to-school initiative that includes a greenhouse. It will address childhood obesity, food insecurity and declining physical activity by integrating nutrition education, sustainable agriculture and mental health support directly into the school curriculum at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning.

    • $334,384 to Upward Mobility Kitchens East Inc. to transform The Nook on Halifax’s Gottingen Street into a hub for youth-focused cooking classes and food literacy education. The Sharpen Up initiative will give youth the skills to take control of their nutrition, improve health outcomes and host community-centred meal events.

    The kitchen at the Nook (Province of Nova Scotia) Click or tap for larger image
    • $400,000 to Wasoqopa’q First Nation to create a space that fosters physical activity, mental resilience and community well-being through traditional Mi’kmaw teachings. The project includes an outdoor structure that supports traditional food sourcing, cleaning and preparation.

    Ninety-seven organizations applied for funding; nine were invited to submit a proposal and eight were received.

    The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project is a partnership between the Province and Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. that brought together healthcare, academic and economic leaders to identify barriers and challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes. It invited businesses and academic and community organizations to submit proposals for funding to address them. The initiative is delivered in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and Life Sciences Nova Scotia.

    Quotes:

    “At Novo Nordisk Canada, we are committed to engaging as a valuable and dedicated partner in improving the lives of Nova Scotians and fighting childhood obesity. We are proud to partner on this important issue and excited by this first round of funding announcements; these projects have the potential to drive change for a healthier Canada.”
    — Vince Lamanna, President, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.

    “Over the past two years, we’ve delivered more than half a million meals to people in need in HRM, and we’re just getting started. After 15 years of building kitchens with purpose and running Sharpen Up in communities from New York to Vancouver, I’ve learned the most powerful thing we can give youth is belief, and the tools to back it up. Sharpen Up is not just a cooking class. It’s skill-building with real chefs, instilling confidence in yourself, and a chance to see all the pathways food can create through our non-profit and entrepreneur network. In a time when one in four kids in the Maritimes is food insecure, this kind of education and support is essential. I was raised in Dartmouth, and it’s an honour to come home and create this opportunity for my community.”
    — Mark Brand, founder, Upward Mobility Kitchens & A Better Life Foundation

    “When our Mi’kmaw youth are free to move, play and learn in culturally safe spaces, they build strength not only in body, but in spirit. When our Mi’kmaw families and community members have our own culturally safe spaces to learn through land-based knowledge and traditional food harvesting on our lands, we reclaim our health, our identity and our honour. We will build strong foundations for all our relations from our neighbouring communities and all Mi’kma’ki. That is true reconciliation.”
    — Melanie Robinson-Purdy, Director, Community Enhancement and Cultural Revitalization, Wasoqopa’q First Nation

    “The best way to build a healthier tomorrow is to begin upstream – where good food, joyful movement and self-worth take root early. Grow & Go is how we nurture that growth: from greenhouse to classroom, from kitchen to community. This is more than a project – it’s a path forward, and we invite others to walk and grow it with us.”
    — Tavis Bragg, project lead, Grow & Go; adjunct professor, Acadia University, and teacher, Northeast Kings Education Centre

    Quick Facts:

    • for profit, not-for-profit and public-sector organizations registered to do business in Canada were eligible to submit a proposal
    • the Province and Novo Nordisk Canada have each contributed $1.5 million toward the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project, with another call for proposals to be announced later
    • the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project is the result of a partnership with Denmark and is based on a concept from the Danish Business Promotion Agency; Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs; Novo Nordisk; research institutions; and technology companies

    Additional Resources:

    Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project: https://www.lighthousens.ca/

    News release – New Partnership Will Address Childhood Obesity, Chronic Disease: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/03/05/new-partnership-will-address-childhood-obesity-chronic-disease

    News release – Nova Scotia Signs Health Agreement with Denmark: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/05/24/nova-scotia-signs-health-agreement-denmark

    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is Mars really red? A physicist explains the planet’s reddish hue and why it looks different to some telescopes

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David Joffe, Associate Professor of Physics, Kennesaw State University

    Siccar Point, photographed by the Curiosity rover, is near Mars’ Gale Crater. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS; Processing & License: Kevin M. Gill

    Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

    Is Mars really as red as people say it is? – Jasmine, age 14, Everson, Washington

    People from cultures across the world have been looking at Mars since ancient times. Because it appears reddish, it has often been called the red planet.

    The English name for the planet comes from the Romans, who named it after their god of war because its color reminded them of blood. In reality, the reddish color of Mars comes from iron oxide in the rocks and dust covering its surface.

    Your blood is also red because of a mixture of iron and oxygen in a molecule called hemoglobin. So in a way, the ancient connection between the planet Mars and blood wasn’t completely wrong. Rust, which is a common form of iron oxide found here on Earth, also often has a reddish color.

    Iron oxide, found in rust on old metal machinery, is the compound that colors rocks and dust on Mars’ surface reddish brown.
    Lars Hammar/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA

    In my current research on exoplanets, I observe different types of signals from planets beyond Earth. Lots of interesting physics goes into how researchers perceive the colors of planets and stars through different types of telescopes.

    Observing Mars with probes

    If you look closely at pictures of Mars taken by rovers on its surface, you can see that most of the planet isn’t purely red, but more of a rusty brown or tan color.

    You can see Mars’ rusty color in this photo taken by the Viking lander.
    NASA/JPL

    Probes sent from Earth have taken pictures showing rocks with a rusty color. A 1976 picture from the Viking lander, the very first spacecraft to land on Mars, shows the Martian ground covered with a layer of rusty orange dust.

    Not all of Mars’ surface has the same color. At the poles, its ice caps appear white. These ice caps contain frozen water, like the ice we usually find on Earth, but these ice caps are also covered by a layer of frozen carbon dioxide – dry ice.

    This layer of dry ice can evaporate very quickly when sunlight shines on it and grows back again when it becomes dark. This process causes the white ice caps to grow and shrink in size depending on the Martian seasons.

    This picture from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the planet with the same rusty color covering large parts of its surface.
    NASA, ESA, Zolt G. Levay (STScI)

    Beyond visible light

    Mars also gives off light in colors that you can’t see with your eyes but that scientists can measure with special cameras on telescopes.

    Light itself can be thought of not only as a wave but also as a stream of particles called photons. The amount of energy carried by each photon is related to its color. For example, blue and violet photons have more energy than orange and red photons.

    The rainbow of visible light that you can see is only a small slice of all the kinds of light. Some telescopes can detect light with a longer wavelength, such as infrared light, or light with a shorter wavelength, such as ultraviolet light. Others can detect X-rays or radio waves.
    Inductiveload, NASA/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Ultraviolet photons have even more energy than the photons you can see with your eyes. These photons are found in direct sunlight, and because they have so much energy, they can damage the cells in your body. You can use sunscreen to protect yourself from them.

    Infrared photons have less energy than the photons you can see with your eyes, and you don’t need any special protection from them. This is how some types of night-vision goggles work: They can see light in the infrared spectrum as well as the visible color spectrum. Scientists can take pictures of Mars in the infrared spectrum using special cameras that work almost like night-vision goggles for telescopes.

    The Hubble Space Telescope could take pictures in both visible light and infrared light.
    NASA, James Bell (Cornell University), Justin Maki (NASA-JPL), Mike J. Wolff (SSI)

    The colors on the infrared picture aren’t really what the infrared light looks like, because you can’t see those colors with your eyes. They are called “false colors,” and researchers add them to look at the picture more easily.

    When you compare the visible color picture and the infrared picture, you can see some of the same features – and the ice caps are visible in both sets of colors.

    A UV view of Mars with the MAVEN spacecraft.
    NASA/LASP/CU Boulder

    NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft, launched in 2013, has even taken pictures with ultraviolet light, giving scientists a different view of both the surface of Mars and its atmosphere.

    Each new type of picture tells scientists more about the Martian landscape. They hope to use these details to answer questions about how Mars formed, how long it had active volcanoes, where its atmosphere came from and whether it had liquid water on its surface.

    Astronomers are always looking for new ways to take telescope pictures outside of the regular visible spectrum. They can even make images using radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays. Each part of the spectrum they can use to look at an object in space represents new information they can learn from.

    Even though people have been looking at Mars since ancient times, we still have much to learn about this fascinating neighbor.

    Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

    And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

    David Joffe receives funding from the NASA Office of STEM Engagement through a grant from the Georgia Space Grant Consortium

    – ref. Is Mars really red? A physicist explains the planet’s reddish hue and why it looks different to some telescopes – https://theconversation.com/is-mars-really-red-a-physicist-explains-the-planets-reddish-hue-and-why-it-looks-different-to-some-telescopes-256398

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: RNA has newly identified role: Repairing serious DNA damage to maintain the genome

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Francesca Storici, Professor of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly. Victor Golmer/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Your DNA is continually damaged by sources both inside and outside your body. One especially severe form of damage called a double-strand break involves the severing of both strands of the DNA double helix.

    Double-strand breaks are among the most difficult forms of DNA damage for cells to repair because they disrupt the continuity of DNA and leave no intact template to base new strands on. If misrepaired, these breaks can lead to other mutations that make the genome unstable and increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration and immunodeficiency.

    Cells primarily repair double-strand breaks by either rejoining the broken DNA ends or by using another DNA molecule as a template for repair. However, my team and I discovered that RNA, a type of genetic material best known for its role in making proteins, surprisingly plays a key role in facilitating the repair of these harmful breaks.

    These insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.

    Sealing a knowledge gap in DNA repair

    I have spent the past two decades investigating the relationship between RNA and DNA in order to understand how cells maintain genome integrity and how these mechanisms could be harnessed for genetic engineering.

    A long-standing question in the field has been whether RNA in cells helps keep the genome stable beyond acting as a copy of DNA in the process of making proteins and a regulator of gene expression. Studying how RNA might do this has been especially difficult due to its similarity to DNA and how fast it degrades. It’s also technically challenging to tell whether the RNA is directly working to repair DNA or indirectly regulating the process. Traditional models and tools for studying DNA repair have for the most part focused on proteins and DNA, leaving RNA’s potential contributions largely unexplored.

    RNA plays a key role in protein synthesis.

    My team and I were curious about whether RNA might actively participate in fixing double-strand breaks as a first line of defense. To explore this, we used the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to make breaks at specific spots in the DNA of human and yeast cells. We then analyzed how RNA influences various aspects of the repair process, including efficiency and outcomes.

    We found that RNA can actively guide the repair process of double-strand breaks. It does this by binding to broken DNA ends, helping align sequences of DNA on a matching strand that isn’t broken. It can also seal gaps or remove mismatched segments, further influencing whether and how the original sequence is restored.

    Additionally, we found that RNA aids in double-strand break repair in both yeast and human cells, suggesting that its role in DNA repair is evolutionary conserved across species. Notably, even low levels of RNA were sufficient to influence the efficiency and outcome of repair, pointing to its broad and previously unrecognized function in maintaining genome stability.

    RNA in control

    By uncovering RNA’s previously unknown function to repair DNA damage, our findings show how RNA may directly contribute to the stability and evolution of the genome. It’s not merely a passive messenger, but an active participant in genome maintenance.

    One type of RNA that has been effectively used in treatments is mRNA.
    Aldona/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    These insights could help researchers develop new ways to target the genomic instability that underlies many diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Traditionally, treatments and gene-editing tools have focused almost exclusively on DNA or proteins. Our findings suggest that modifying RNA in different ways could also influence how cells respond to DNA damage. For example, researchers could design RNA-based therapies to enhance the repair of harmful breaks that could cause cancer, or selectively disrupt DNA break repair in cancer cells to help kill them.

    In addition, these findings could improve the precision of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR by accounting for interactions between RNA and DNA at the site of the cut. This could reduce off-target effects and increase editing precision, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more effective gene therapies.

    There are still many unanswered questions about how RNA interacts with DNA in the repair process. The evolutionary role that RNA plays in maintaining genome stability is also unclear. But one thing is certain: RNA is no longer just a messenger, it is a molecule with a direct hand in DNA repair, rewriting what researchers know about how cells safeguard their genetic code.

    Francesca Storici consults at Tessera Therapeutics. She has received funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

    – ref. RNA has newly identified role: Repairing serious DNA damage to maintain the genome – https://theconversation.com/rna-has-newly-identified-role-repairing-serious-dna-damage-to-maintain-the-genome-256429

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Export bar placed on £8 million Rubens work

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Export bar placed on £8 million Rubens work

    A temporary export bar has been placed on an oil sketch, titled ​​Cimon Falling in love with Efigenia, by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens

    • The work has been valued at £8.4 million 
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the oil sketch for the nation

    An export bar has been placed on an oil sketch by Flemish artist, Peter Paul Rubens, which is at risk of leaving the UK.

    Rubens was an exceptionally successful painter and is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradition. Rubens was born in Siegen, Germany in 1577 and is mostly known for his vibrant style emphasising movement, colour, and sensuality. Some of his most famous paintings include The Elevation of the Cross and Judgement of Paris. 

    Cimon Falling in love with Efigenia is a remarkable example of one of Rubens’ authentic oil sketches created entirely by his own hand.

    Oil sketches by Rubens have been eagerly collected in the UK and there is a strong British connection to this piece, as George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham (1592–1628), was an admirer of his artistic talent and displayed works by Rubens in his home at York House. This included the finished painting of Cimon and Efigenia for which the current oil sketch is a preparatory work.

    The sketch is a marvellous encapsulation of Rubens’ working methods at a relatively early stage in his career. It would enhance the representation of such works in the UK if saved for the nation by a cultural institution. 

    Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: 

    This work is the perfect example of Rubens’ artistic talent and gives us greater insight into Flemish art during the 17th century. 

    I hope that a UK gallery is able to save  it so that the public can enjoy it for generations to come.

    Mark Hallett, Committee Member said: 

    This is a picture that gives us the opportunity to appreciate a great artist’s creative process in full flow. Produced on panel as the primary sketch for a monumental oil painting that now hangs in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Cimon falling in Love with Efigenia is entirely the product of Rubens’s own hand, rather than one that – as is the case with the final picture – contains the contributions of his studio assistants. In the sketch, we see Rubens exploring the artistic possibilities of an ethically and erotically charged scene from early Renaissance literature, and experimenting with the established pictorial conventions of the female nude. The longer one looks at and thinks about this picture, the more complex and challenging it becomes: the mark of all truly significant works of art. For these reasons, Cimon falling in Love with Efigenia demands to be found a permanent home in the UK, where it can be enjoyed and reflected upon for decades to come.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

    The RCEWA made its recommendation on the basis that the painting met the second and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding aesthetic importance and its outstanding significance to the study of Rubens’ preparatory studies and sketches and their influence, as well as the treatment of the female nude in art.

    The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 15 September 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £8,440,000. The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.

    Notes to editors:

    1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the painting should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.
    2. Details of the painting are as follows: Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) Cimon Falling in love with Efigenia, c. 1616–17. Oil on panel, 29.8 x 43.5 cm. The painting is on a narrow wooden panel with vertical grain. The painting is in generally good condition.

    3. Provenance: Probably the painter and dealer Jeremias Wildens (1621-53), son of Jan Wildens (1586 – 1653) who collaborated with Rubens on the Vienna picture in which he painted the landscape; His estate: inventory drawn up 30 January 1653 and 11 January 1654, no. 528 ‘Eenen Thimon met Naeckte vrouwkens van Rubbens’ (A Thimon [Cimon] with naked women by Rubens); Philippe Panné, Esq., Great George Street, Hanover Square, London (d. 1819); His sale: Christie’s, London, A catalogue of the very capital, valuable and highly important collection of Italian, French, Flemish and Dutch pictures, of the late Ph. Panné, Esq. of Great George Street, Hanover Square, deceased, 27 March 1819 (including 350 lots), lot 17, as ‘Rubens, Cymon and Iphigenia. panel, 12’ x 17’ [sic.] (sold 26-5 pounds); William Noel-Hill, 3rd Baron Berwick (1773-1842); His sale: Christie’s, London, 1 December 1827, lot 73, as ‘Rubens’ School, Cymon and Iphiginia’ (“17 guineas”, “”bought in”); Sir Matthew Wilson,1st Baronet of Eshton Hall (1802-1891), Gargrave, 1877; Private Collection, U.K. by 1886; Private collection, purchase, 2024

    4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK’s Janus Accelerator selected for NATO DIANA’s 2026 defence innovation programme

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    UK’s Janus Accelerator selected for NATO DIANA’s 2026 defence innovation programme

    The Janus Accelerator will support a new cohort of cutting-edge companies developing dual-use technologies that enhance NATO’s technological edge.

    The UK’s Janus Accelerator has been selected as an activated site for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) 2026 programme, reinforcing Britain’s position at the forefront of global defence innovation.

    Based in London’s thriving White City Innovation District, the Janus Accelerator will support a new cohort of cutting-edge companies developing dual-use technologies that enhance NATO’s technological edge while addressing critical defence challenges.

    The selection comes as DIANA launched its 2026 Challenge Call on 2 June, with Phase 1 of the accelerator programme scheduled to begin in early 2026.

    Sharpening NATO’s technological advantage

    NATO DIANA was formally established in 2023 to identify and accelerate dual-use innovation across the Alliance. The initiative provides innovators with vital resources, networks and guidance to develop deep technologies that solve pressing defence challenges – from operating in denied environments to countering threats to collective resilience.

    Emerging and disruptive technologies have become increasingly crucial for maintaining NATO’s competitive edge in collective defence and security. Through a transatlantic network spanning 23 accelerators and 182 test centres, DIANA connects military end-users with innovative start-ups, researchers and technologists across all 32 NATO nations.

    John Cunningham, Director of Defence Innovation, said:

    The selection of the Janus Accelerator as an activated site for NATO DIANA’s 2026 programme represents a significant vote of confidence in the UK’s defence innovation ecosystem. This partnership will help unlock the potential of our most promising dual-use technologies, accelerating groundbreaking solutions to strengthen NATO’s capabilities while creating high-skilled jobs and economic growth here in Britain.

    State-of-the-art innovation hub

    Launched in January 2025 and supported by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), the Janus Accelerator is delivered by the Janus Consortium and collocated with the NATO DIANA Regional Office at Imperial College London’s Innovation Hub.

    Companies participating in the DIANA accelerator programme gain unparalleled exposure to government and military buyers, investors and end users across the Alliance – creating pathways to scale innovative solutions that address NATO’s most pressing security challenges.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: HERE Technologies Releases 2024 Annual Sustainability Report, Marking Five Years of ESG Progress

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • HERE demonstrates progress in responsible AI, emissions reductions and workforce inclusion.
    • New partnerships and customer solutions deliver measurable sustainability results.

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands – HERE Technologies, the leading location data and technology platform, today released its fifth annual Sustainability Report highlighting the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) progress and the growing role of location intelligence in global sustainability efforts.

    The 2024 report outlines the company’s advancements in helping customers decarbonize and electrify transportation, improve operational efficiency and plan more sustainable infrastructure. HERE also advanced internal goals around emissions reduction, workforce inclusivity and the responsible use of AI. 

    “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re proud of the real-world impact our technology delivers, both in reducing emissions and helping our customers meet ambitious sustainability goals,” said Denise Doyle, Chief Product Officer and Sustainability Executive Sponsor at HERE Technologies. “Location technology plays an essential role in achieving global decarbonization targets and we’re committed to building solutions that move the world forward sustainably.”

    Highlights from HERE’s 2024 Sustainability Report include:

    Enabling the EV future. HERE is helping to ease the shift to electric vehicles globally by partnering with automakers, such as Lotus, to deliver accurate, real-time EV range information. Location data is essential to tackling “range anxiety” and making EV adoption more practical for drivers. Together, Lotus and HERE are using leading edge technology to reduce carbon emissions and improve the driver experience.

    Additionally, HERE and industry analyst firm SBD Automotive co-published the second annual EV Index, which offers critical insights to consumers, automakers and policymakers developing charging infrastructure worldwide. 

    Helping customers achieve sustainability goals. From optimizing truck and fleet operations to smarter vehicle routing, HERE solutions are used to reduce environmental impact. PSA Singapore, which operates the world’s largest transshipment hub, has developed OptETruck, a cloud-based transport management solution with features like automated scheduling and asset pooling for truck drivers within the port. Powered by HERE Tour Planning and Location Services, OptETruck allocates jobs to drivers based on their location, offering real-time optimization of routes and truck assignments. OptETruck has the potential to cut empty truck runs within the Port of Singapore by 50%, equivalent to an estimated annual reduction of 10,000 metric tons of CO2, or planting 300,000 trees.

    Using AI in a responsible way. In 2024, HERE launched a Responsible AI Office and published a Responsible AI Policy to guide the ethical use of emerging technologies. These initiatives reinforce the company’s commitments to data privacy, transparency and accountability as AI becomes more central to HERE applications and its work in supporting more sustainable transportation systems.

    Furthering commitment to reduce environmental impact. HERE remains focused on its aggressive decarbonization goals, marking progress against all emissions reduction targets in 2024. Additionally, the Chicago office joined offices in The Netherlands, Germany and Finland in transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy and HERE reduced its environmental footprint at industry events like CES.

    Strengthening employee purpose and workforce inclusivity. HERE continues to strengthen its commitment to employee engagement and inclusivity. In 2024, the company hosted Purpose Week, its largest internal activation in a decade, connecting more than 600 employees across 31 global sites in volunteer efforts with 19 nonprofit partners. HERE also launched a new employee resource group, Grace, to support colleagues with diverse disabilities, and made measurable progress toward gender parity in leadership and workforce representation.

    For more information on HERE Technologies’ sustainability initiatives and to access the full 2024 Sustainability Report, please visit https://www.here.com/about/sustainability.

    Media Contacts
    Danielle Beer, U.S.
    danielle.beer@here.com

    Dr. Sebastian Kurme, Germany
    sebastian.kurme@here.com

    Vanessa Lee, APAC
    vanessa.lee@here.com

    About HERE Technologies
    HERE has been a pioneer in mapping and location technology for 40 years. Today, HERE’s location platform is recognized as the most complete in the industry, powering location-based products, services and custom maps for organizations and enterprises across the globe. From autonomous driving and seamless logistics to new mobility experiences, HERE allows its partners and customers to innovate while retaining control over their data and safeguarding privacy. Find out how HERE is moving the world forward at here.com. 

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Applied Materials and CEA-Leti Expand Joint Lab To Drive Innovation in Specialty Chips

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif. and GRENOBLE, France, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Applied Materials, Inc. and CEA-Leti today announced the next phase of their longstanding collaboration to accelerate innovation in specialty semiconductors. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the organizations plan to expand their joint lab and develop materials engineering solutions to address emerging infrastructure challenges in AI data centers.

    The joint lab is focused on device innovations for chipmakers serving ICAPS markets (IoT, Communications, Automotive, Power and Sensors). These specialty chips are used in a wide range of applications – from industrial automation to electric vehicles – and they play a critical role managing data and power distribution within data centers. Growing resource demands in AI infrastructure have highlighted the need for a new wave of innovation in ICAPS chips to enable more energy-efficient computing.

    Under the new arrangement, Applied and CEA-Leti plan to expand the lab with new equipment and capabilities that move beyond individual process steps to include full-flow development of specialty devices. Additionally, the lab would be equipped with state-of-the-art advanced packaging tools to support heterogeneous integration of chips across different wafer types and process nodes – enabling entirely new classes of specialty devices for a range of next-generation applications.

    The joint facility features several Applied Materials wafer processing systems together with CEA-Leti’s world-class capabilities for evaluating performance of new materials and device validation. The upgraded lab is expected to strengthen the chipmaking ecosystem in France by further expanding the technology hub in Grenoble, a leading site for collaborative innovation across government, academia and industry. The lab also marks an extension of Applied’s global EPIC Platform, a new high-velocity innovation model designed to accelerate commercialization of new chip technologies. Applied and CEA-Leti will be able to leverage the R&D work taking place across Applied’s global innovation centers to drive progress in specialty semiconductor technologies.

    “Applied Materials and CEA-Leti have a long history of successful collaboration, and we are excited to strengthen our capabilities for accelerating innovation and commercialization of next-generation specialty chips,” said Aninda Moitra, corporate vice president and general manager of Applied Materials’ ICAPS business. “Our combined expertise will help foster breakthroughs and push the boundaries of semiconductor innovation, contributing to sustainable advancements in a range of critical applications for the AI era.”

    Sébastian Dauvé, CEO of CEA-Leti, said the first phase of the expanded collaboration laid important groundwork for addressing materials-engineering challenges of specialty semiconductor devices.

    “Building on this momentum, the joint lab’s new focus on energy-efficient solutions for AI data-center infrastructure reflects our shared commitment to making technological progress that meets both industrial and societal needs. The extended collaboration also leverages our complementary strengths to accelerate innovation at the system level, while supporting sustainable growth in France’s semiconductor ecosystem,” he said.

    About Applied Materials
    Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) is the leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels and on an industrial scale enables customers to transform possibilities into reality. At Applied Materials, our innovations make possible a better future. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

     About CEA-Leti (France)
    CEA-Leti, a technology research institute at CEA, is a global leader in miniaturization technologies enabling smart, energy-efficient and secure solutions for industry. Founded in 1967, CEA-Leti pioneers micro-& nanotechnologies, tailoring differentiating applicative solutions for global companies, SMEs and startups. CEA-Leti tackles critical challenges in healthcare, energy and digital migration. From sensors to data processing and computing solutions, CEA-Leti’s multidisciplinary teams deliver solid expertise, leveraging world-class pre-industrialization facilities. With a staff of more than 2,000 talents, a portfolio of 3,200 patents, 11,000 sq. meters of cleanroom space and a clear IP policy, the institute is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley, Brussels and Tokyo. CEA-Leti has launched 75 startups and is a member of the Carnot Institutes network. Follow us on www.leti-cea.com and @CEA_Leti.

    Technological expertise
    CEA has a key role in transferring scientific knowledge and innovation from research to industry. This high-level technological research is carried out in particular in electronic and integrated systems, from microscale to nanoscale. It has a wide range of industrial applications in the fields of transport, health, safety and telecommunications, contributing to the creation of high-quality and competitive products.

    For more information: www.cea.fr/english 

    Applied Materials Contacts
    Ricky Gradwohl (U.S. editorial/media) +1 408.235.4676
    Audrey Pariente (Europe editorial/media) +49 174 336 57 68
    Liz Morali (financial community) +1 408.986.7977

    CEA-Leti Press Contact
    Agency
    Sarah-Lyle Dampoux
    sldampoux@mahoneylyle.com
    +33 6 74 93 23 47

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dounreay helps Caithness retrieve its past

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Dounreay helps Caithness retrieve its past

    A Pictish stone believed to date back 1,700 years has been retrieved and preserved for future generations with financial help from Dounreay’s operators.

    David Calder, NRS Dounreay Head of Sustainability and Socio-economics, Lord Thurso and Dave Wilson, NRS Dounreay Managing Director (left to right) at the stone’s unveiling. Copyright: High Life Highland

    Dounreay isn’t the only site in Caithness where relics of the past are being retrieved and made safe for the future.

    Thirty miles south-east of the site, a Pictish stone believed to date back 1,700 years has been retrieved and preserved for future generations, with financial help from Dounreay’s operators.

    The stone was discovered in 2022 by Fiona Begg Wade who alerted archaeologists when she was clearing up the burial ground at St Martin’s, Ulbster, where some of her relatives are buried.

    It was found lying horizontally on the ground, in a line with other plain stones, and probably used as a grave marker in recent times. It is weathered but several typical Pictish symbols – the double disc and z-rod, the mirror, and the comb – can be made out.

    A project to remove, restore and place the stone on public display came to fruition when it was unveiled at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso.

    Among those attending the unveiling by Lord Thurso, the land-owner who has loaned the artefact to High Life Highland who run the centre and museum, was Dave Wilson, managing director of Nuclear Restoration Services Dounreay.

    He said:

    We’re in the business of retrieving the past to make it safe for the future, and I’m delighted we can help the visitor centre do the same with a long-lost legacy of previous generations.

    The Caithness and North Sutherland Fund has contributed £5,500 towards the cost of the project. The Fund was established by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Dounreay to provide community benefit from the construction and operation of the site’s low-level waste vaults.

    A total of £4 million has been invested in the fund to date, supporting a range of community projects with a combined value of £15 million.

    Dounreay also part-funds the running costs of the North Coast Visitor Centre with High Life Highland.

    For more information about the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, see their website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work to start on new Cot Hill crossing next month

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Work to construct a new crossing over Cot Hill in Plympton will get under way on Monday 14 July.

    The crossing, near the Marshall Road junction, will help people (including those with disabilities) to walk and cycle across this busy road.

    It will create a safer pedestrian and cycle route between Saltram Park and Plympton St Mary playing field, further enhancing the National Cycle Network.

    In addition to the crossing, the scheme will include a dropped kerb crossing point on Marshall Road, a raised table crossing on Dudley Road and a wider, shared-use path on Cot Hill.

    Double yellow lines will also be introduced on the eastern (uphill) side of Cot Hill between Marshall Road and Dudley Road to help prevent obstructive parking.

    The improvements are entirely grant-funded by National Highways through Sustrans.

    Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “We’re looking forward to starting work on these improvements, which will not only make a big difference for people walking and cycling between Saltram and other parts of Plympton, including the playing field but also alleviate some of the problem parking in the area. Helping people to walk and cycle more improves health and wellbeing, while also reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.”

    The first phase of works, programmed to run from Monday 14 July to Sunday 5 October, will require temporary signals at the junction of Cot Hill and Marshall Road. There will also be no parking along a stretch of Marshall Road and Cot Hill.

    The second phase is planned to begin on Monday 6 October and will require temporary signals on Cot Hill between the Marshall Road and Underlane junctions.  

    To help minimise disruption on the network during this second phase, Dudley Road will be temporarily one-way (eastbound only), with traffic only allowed to access at Cot Hill and exit at Linketty Lane. The no parking restriction on Cot Hill will remain in place, as well as on a short stretch of Dudley Road.

    The final week will include overnight closures for resurfacing, with all work expected to be complete by Friday 14 November.

    Dates may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The latest updates will be published on our Cot Hill crossing web page.

    People can also sign up for our weekly Roadworks Roundup here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lively turnout and local talent shine at Buskfest 2025 in Banbridge

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Banbridge town centre was filled with the sound of live music and the buzz of community spirit as Buskfest 2025 welcomed performers and visitors for a relaxed and enjoyable day of entertainment – despite the rain!

    With over eighty acts taking part and a prize fund of £3,500 up for grabs, the annual busking competition attracted a wide mix of musical talent, from solo acoustic artists to lively bands. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, with visitors enjoying performances across the town between 2pm and 5pm.

    This year’s winners, 4AM Club, were announced during the evening concert in the town centre, which also featured performances from last year’s champions Banshee, popular local act The Reillys, and headliners The Nooks.

    Alongside the music, an artisan market offered a range of local food, crafts, and handmade products, while a family funfair at Solitude Park, added to the day’s relaxed, family-friendly feel.

    Alderman Stephen Moutray ,Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough, commented: “Buskfest continues to provide a fantastic showcase for emerging and established performers and is a much-loved highlight in the borough’s events calendar. The atmosphere in Banbridge was brilliant, with the town centre buzzing with music, family fun, and a real sense of community. Events like this not only celebrate our local talent but also support our businesses and hospitality sector.”

    The judging panel, including BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean, noted the diversity and quality of talent on show, with many returning acts and new faces adding to the variety. This year’s event was supported by several valued sponsors including Banbridge Chamber of Commerce, The Boulevard Outlet Shopping, Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and Eats and Beats Festival, Newcastle, whose contributions helped ensure a vibrant and well-supported day for performers and visitors alike.

    Winners on the day were:

    Best Individual – Cellofella

    Best band – Frank

    Best Junior – Sarah Reynolds

    Best performance – Daniel and the Lion

    Spirit of Buskfest – Banbridge Ukes

    Overall winner – 4AM Club

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Young people from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia build knowledge on security sector governance and reform, safety of journalists at OSCE-DCAF summer school

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Young people from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia build knowledge on security sector governance and reform, safety of journalists at OSCE-DCAF summer school

    Young people from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia build knowledge on security sector governance and reform, safety of journalists at OSCE-DCAF summer school | OSCE

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Come As You Really Are exhibition – the largest ever presentation of hobbies across the region and beyond

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The exhibition presents hobbies of all kinds to celebrate their variation, freedom of expression and ingenuity, broadening our perception of who gets to be called creative and where the impulse to create stems from.

    On display will be unique hand crafted objects loaned by hobbyists working in diverse disciplines, such as knitters and needleworkers, wood carvers and model makers, potters, painters and illustrators, costume and cosplay makers, model engineers, origami specialists and many more. There will also be collections, including vintage football programmes, kitchenalia, milk bottles, painted eggs, gnomes and stones, alongside comics, action figures and toys – from Goo-jit-Zu to Transformers and He-Man to dollhouses!

    The exhibition also features new and existing works by Patel, including a new film that explores the outstanding creativity and passion that people put into their hobbies. A selection of objects by the hobbyists featured in the film will be interspersed throughout the exhibition, including animals sculpted in wool by Mandy Smith, a needle felting enthusiast from Tipton.

    Come As You Really Are by Hetain Patel is a nationwide project made up of 13 partner presentations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales from Summer 2024 – 2026.

    Commissioned by Artangel, the project began with a national call out inviting members of the public to share the activity to which they dedicate their spare time. At the heart of this project is a nationwide community of people whose labours of love are a lens through which the artist presents an alternative portrait of the UK. The inaugural exhibition took place at The Hobby Cave at Grants, Croydon, London between 18 July and 20 October 2024. This is being followed by curated presentations at partner venues across the UK throughout 2025 – 2026.

    Aiming to showcase hobbies from across the region, Wolverhampton Art Gallery launched a fresh call out in the Midlands in January 2025. Gallery staff have been amazed by the immense skill, passion and imagination demonstrated in the hundreds of responses from hobbyists across the region and further afield.

    Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “The power of creativity is unstoppable, and at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, we’re celebrating it in all its forms.

    “Come As You Really Are brings together an incredible tapestry of hobbies from handcrafted masterpieces to nostalgic collections – revealing the passion, ingenuity, and individuality behind each one.

    “Whether you’re a dedicated hobbyist or simply curious, this exhibition invites you to explore the many ways we express ourselves beyond the everyday. Join us in celebrating the limitless nature of human creativity and the joy of making!”

    Hetain Patel said: “There is a vulnerability in sharing something so personal, which often happens in private spaces around the responsibilities of daily life. But there is also a tremendous power in sharing collectively, which is at the heart of this project. I hope people join us in this celebration of the unstoppable nature of self expression that is demonstrated by our hobbies.”  

    Mariam Zulfiqar, Director at Artangel, said: “Hetain Patel’s work has always invited us to reflect on identity as multidimensional and complex. For Come As You Really Are he generously extends an invitation to people around the country, asking them to share the objects, activities and pastimes that form part of their identity. The ambitious presentation of hundreds of objects loaned by as many hobbyists creates a new kind of picture, where people and their identities are seen beyond national, racial, gendered or age related categories that conventionally categorise who we are.

    “Artangel is working with a network of leading arts and cultural organisations to realise this ambitious project across the UK and supporting one of our most exciting artists working today to create an exceptionally memorable and inclusive project.”

    Come As You Really Are opens on Saturday 12 July and runs until Sunday 5 October, 2025. The exhibition is free to the public, and timeslots can be booked in advance. Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. For more information, please visit Wolverhampton Arts & Culture.

    The launch weekend on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July celebrates hobbies and hobbyists, with a Friday Late, from 6pm to 9.00pm, and a Hobby Fair, from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition hobbies and themes in the company of artist Hetain Patel and participating hobbyists, with talks, workshops, demos and live performances including music and fashion.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft produced 100 millionth ton of oil at the Eastern hub of the Uvat project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    RN-Uvatneftegaz (part of the oil and gas production complex of NK Rosneft) produced the 100-millionth ton of oil at the Eastern Hub*. This largest field provides more than 50% of the oil production of the Uvat project.

    The hub’s production stock includes 1,026 wells producing about 11,000 tons of oil per day. Since the start of the hub’s fields’ operation, the drilling meterage in production drilling has amounted to 3.5 million meters of rock. Currently, the construction of high-tech, mainly horizontal wells using hydraulic fracturing operations (HF) continues. In the construction of wells, modern technologies are used that allow up to 10 HF stages to be carried out, as well as biopolymer drilling mud.

    The first fields in this area – Malyka and Urnenskoye – were put into operation in 2009, and geological exploration work continues here, which has allowed the Eastern Hub to increase its recoverable reserves.

    High production indicators are ensured by the developed infrastructure of the field. Over the 15 years since the beginning of the development of the territory in a hard-to-reach area, key oil and gas production facilities have been built, which allow new fields to be put into operation at an accelerated pace. The central collection point prepares the extracted raw materials, external oil transportation is provided by a main oil pipeline with a length of more than 260 km. More than 210 km of roads have been built at the hub fields, 560 km of power transmission lines have been installed. A gas turbine power plant with a capacity of 83 MW supplies energy to the main production facilities, using associated petroleum gas as fuel.

    More than 2 thousand employees of the enterprise and contractors work at the oil field. RN-Uvatneftegaz creates conditions for their comfortable living, including at autonomous fields. A residential complex for 290 people, a gym, and a medical center have been built here. The construction of the third stage of the residential complex is in its final stage, which will increase its capacity by another 90 people.

    The company’s work in the social sphere has been repeatedly recognized with awards at the “Russian Organization of High Social Efficiency” competition.

    *For the efficient development of deposits in hard-to-reach marshy terrain, the Uvat project uses a strategy of hubs – centers with a single infrastructure, to which smaller satellite deposits are gradually added. Currently, there are four hubs operating in Uvat: Vostochny, Protozanovsky, Tyamkinsky and Kalchinsky, the infrastructure of which is constantly expanding.

    Reference:

    RN-Uvatneftegaz LLC, a subsidiary of Rosneft Oil Company, is conducting exploration and development of a group of fields located in the Uvatsky District of the Tyumen Region and the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. The Uvatsky project includes 19 licensed areas with a total area of over 25 thousand square kilometers.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 16, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft held the second corporate triathlon competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Rosneft held the second corporate triathlon competition in Moscow. Both experienced athletes and newcomers competed for victory in the individual and team events. All participants demonstrated exceptional endurance, fortitude and corporate team spirit.

    Rosneft develops a healthy lifestyle culture and comprehensively supports sports. As part of the Energy of Life program, the Company’s employees take part in a number of major sports events, including marathon races, international triathlon competitions, family sports events, the All-Russian Physical Culture and Health Complex GTO festival, and many others.

    This year, the participants of the Rosneft Triathlon competition were offered three distance options: Olympic, sprint and super-sprint. They all differed in mileage, but required the same full dedication. The athletes also competed in the relay race – 19 teams took part in it, each of which included three participants.

    The competition took place in the Krylatskoye sports complex. The first stage, swimming, took place in the Rowing Canal, followed by a cycling race and running. The triathlon united Rosneft employees from different cities of the country and divisions of the Company. At the same time, the oldest athlete who took part in the distance and successfully completed it turned 57 years old.

    In the Olympic distance (1.5 km swimming, 40 km cycling and 10 km running), the winners were Denis Zaitsev from Samaraneftegaz and Kristina Ignatyeva from RN-Vankor. In the sprint (0.75 km swimming, 20 km cycling and 5 km running), the winners were Mikhail Ignatyev from Udmurtneft and Irina Lokhmakova from Slavneft-Krasnoyarskneftegaz. In the super sprint (300 m swimming, 7.3 km cycling and 2 km running), the winners were Dmitry Krupin from SIBINTEK and Victoria Bunyak from RN-Moscow. In the relay, the Udmurtneft team won gold, while the Verkhnechonskneftegaz team and the second Udmurtneft team also made it onto the podium.

    Congratulations to the winners and all participants of the Rosneft corporate triathlon competitions!

    Reference:

    Rosneft has one of the strongest triathlon teams among corporate teams. Rosneft Triathlon has been participating in various competitions since 2015 and unites more than 200 athletes of the Company.

    During its performances, the Rosneft triathlon team was awarded the title of “Most Successful Corporate Team” in the annual triathlete rating according to the organizer of international starts IRONSTAR, and took first place in corporate team standings at IRONSTAR triathlon competitions.

    As part of the corporate program “Energy of Life”, the Company carries out large-scale information and organizational work to develop a mass sports movement among employees and involve them in a healthy lifestyle. More than 128 thousand employees of the Company participate in the corporate-wide sports and health movement. More than 92 thousand take part in competitions in various sports in corporate-wide competitions and challenges, in competitions at the regional and federal levels. Sports training is organized for employees.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 16, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SSK GUU: the gold standard of student sports

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The verification of applications in the system of events for the development of student sports clubs “Certification”, organized by the Association of Student Sports Clubs of Russia (ASSC of Russia), has been completed.

    Based on the results of the assessment, the GUU Student Sports Club took the leading position, receiving the highest “gold” certification status and ahead of well-known Moscow universities, which received “silver”.

    It is worth noting that out of 191 sports clubs throughout Russia, only 21 clubs were awarded the “gold” status, which emphasizes the high level of achievements of the SSC GUU.

    And this victory would not have been possible without the active participation of students, activists and athletes. Let us continue to maintain this high level together.

    Subscribe to Vkontakte and Telegram of the SSK GUU to stay up to date with all the events and get to know the mascot of the GUU better.

    The full final table and certification criteria are available at the link: vk.cc/cMLZRv.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: This Time Must be Different: Lessons from Sri Lanka’s Recovery and Debt Restructuring

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    Opening Remarks by the IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath Conference on “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance” Shangri-La Hotel Colombo

    June 16, 2025

    Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends,

    It is a great honor to join you today for this important conference which takes place at a critical juncture in Sri Lanka’s economic journey.

    This conference comes not only at the mid-point of Sri Lanka’s IMF-supported economic reform program, but also at a moment when the global economy is facing powerful crosscurrents—slowing growth, rising tariffs, and a rapidly changing global economic order alongside profound uncertainty. Countries are being tested by shocks that are more frequent and more complex. The challenge for all of us is to build resilience in a world that demands it.

    Achievements Resulting from Reforms Supported by the IMF-EFF Program

    In this light, Sri Lanka’s experience stands out—both for the severity of the crisis the country experienced three years ago, and the remarkable progress that has been achieved in a very short time. The crisis was precipitated by years of declining tax revenues, depleted foreign exchange reserves and an explosive and unsustainable increase in public debt as growth collapsed. There were long lines for fuel, severe shortages of basic goods, record inflation, and widespread power outages. For many households, daily life became an exercise in hardship.

    Today, thanks to bold reforms and the commitment of the Sri Lankan people, substantial progress has been made to restore macroeconomic stability and reduce hardships faced by people. Fuel, cooking gas, and medicines are available again. Inflation has been brought under control and economic growth has returned—expanding by 5 percent in 2024. On the fiscal front, the government has achieved an extraordinary adjustment and tax revenues have increased by more than two-thirds as a share of GDP.

    The government has also put a strong emphasis on improving governance, which is fundamental for establishing trust with citizens and ensuring sustained growth. Important milestones have been achieved including central bank independence, improving public financial management, and strengthening the legal framework for anti-corruption.  Our analysis shows that comprehensive fiscal governance and accountability reforms in Sri Lanka can boost GDP by more than 7 percent and reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio by more than 6 percentage points over 10 years.

    Sri Lanka also took the difficult but necessary decision to default on its public debt and pursue a sovereign debt restructuring. These decisive actions on debt have helped ease the burden on the country. External creditors have forgiven $3 billion in debt and restructured another $25 billion, extending repayment over two decades at lower interest rates. Sri Lanka’s bonds are once again included in global indices, and its credit rating has improved.

    The experience of Sri Lanka holds important lessons for the world, and I would like to speak to the lessons from its debt restructuring.

    I. The Nexus between Economic Reforms and Debt Restructuring

    Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring had to deal with several challenges:

    1. Calibrating the restructuring targets to deliver sufficient debt relief. This was a complex endeavor. As with all restructurings, debt sustainability needs to be restored through a combination of debt relief and policy adjustments, such as fiscal effort. The targets must be carefully calibrated to consider country specific circumstances. In Sri Lanka’s case, the targets considered the severity of the crisis while also recognizing the country’s high levels of private savings, tourism receipts and remittances. Through this restructuring, over the next decade, external debt service as a share of GDP is reduced by a half, and external and total debt stock will fall by 27 and 34 percentage points of GDP respectively.
    2. Facilitating collaboration in a complex external creditor landscape. A full range of official creditors needed to find ways to coordinate, and not all creditors had the internal processes in place to deliver swiftly. The Official Creditor Committee chaired by France, India and Japan shepherded many creditors together and China informally coordinated with this group. Still there were challenges in the sharing of information across creditor groups and concerns about comparability of treatment across official bilateral creditors. To help move the process along, the IMF staff were very active in providing information and using IMF “good offices” on an ongoing basis to support coordination.
    1. Containing financial and social stability risks from the restructuring. A large share of Sri Lanka’s debt is domestic. The authorities recognized that external debt relief by itself would be unlikely to restore debt sustainability and domestic debt needed to be part of the restructuring effort. This had to be tackled carefully because of the significant exposure of Sri Lanka’s domestic financial sector, the central bank and the public pensions vehicle to government debt. To preserve financial and social stability, the authorities avoided nominal debt reductions and focused on lowering interest rates and lengthening maturities.

    The Sri Lankan debt restructuring experience provides several lessons that will help make the process simpler for other countries that need restructuring in the future. Sri Lanka’s experience better illuminated the trade-offs in setting debt targets and directly led to the development of improved methodologies for evaluating state contingent features in debt contracts. It helped creditors learn how to improve coordination and gave them new instrument designs to contemplate. Together with other recent restructuring cases, it helped motivate important reforms to IMF’s debt policies.

    Over time, there have been other important improvements in the sovereign debt architecture. The IMF, Bank and G20 Presidency convened the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to help serve as a forum for creditor dialogue and generate consensus on difficult issues that arise in restructurings. An important recent output of these efforts is a restructuring playbook, published at the time of our Spring Meetings, which lays out the typical steps in a restructuring and an indicative timeline. It is important to recognize that, thanks to these initiatives, experiences, and the G20 Common Framework, the restructuring process has become faster. In the recent case of Ghana’s, it took five months to get from an IMF staff level agreement to delivering the financing assurances required for program approval—roughly half the time it took for Chad in 2021 and Zambia in 2022. Looking ahead, let me assure you that our work on improving the timeliness and effectiveness of the global debt architecture will continue.

    For Sri Lanka, the experience with the debt restructuring drives home the importance of managing the economy such that a similar situation will never arise again.

    II. Important to Stay the Course

    Let us be clear: none of the achievements thus far would have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of the Sri Lankan people. The crisis was costly and painful, particularly for the poor. The reforms undertaken to address the root causes of the crisis—adjustments in taxation, the removal of unsustainable subsidies, efforts to restore cost-reflective energy pricing—have asked a great deal from ordinary citizens. These are difficult measures. They test the social fabric. And yet, they are the foundation of a more resilient future.

    That is why we must now turn our focus from crisis response to sustainable recovery. There is a lot that is still needed. Poverty rates at 24.5 percent in 2024, according to the latest World Bank estimates, are too high and need to be brought down quickly. This requires continued macroeconomic stability and successful implementation of structural reforms. Tackling corruption will require major reforms. Implementing the government’s action plan on governance reforms is critical. While much has been done to reduce external debt, domestic debt is still high and steadfast implementation of sound fiscal policy is critical to continue bringing it down.

    None of this will be easy. In addition to the domestic challenges, the global environment is difficult with tariffs, geopolitical conflict and economic fragmentation posing major risks for small open economies like Sri Lanka’s.

    This is why there is no room for policy errors. As the IMF Managing Director noted during our Spring Meetings in April: the choice facing countries today is between reform and regret. Between building buffers—or risking future crises.

    Sri Lanka’s reform program has delivered strongly. But history reminds us of the risks. Of the 16 IMF programs Sri Lanka has engaged in over the years, about half ended prematurely. Often, reform fatigue sets in. Hard-earned gains were reversed. Growth faltered. The country cannot afford to repeat that cycle.

    Let me therefore underscore how essential it is to sustain the reform momentum, and in a manner that is inclusive and accountable. Public dialogue matters. Transparency matters. Engaging civil society and listening to diverse voices—not just in Colombo, but across the island—will help ensure that policies are responsive and responsible. This conference is exactly the kind of platform that can foster such engagement. It is a space to reflect, to challenge assumptions, and to build consensus. The IMF will remain a steadfast partner as Sri Lanka pursues stable and inclusive growth that improves the lives of all citizens and future generations.

    This time must be different! As President Dissanayake has said, let us ensure this is the last IMF program Sri Lanka will need.

    We agree, and believe this is possible if Sri Lanka stays the course.

    Thank you.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/16/sp061625-gg-this-time-must-be-different-lessons-from-sri-lankas-recovery-and-debt-restructuring

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/NICARAGUA – “President of Peace”: Violeta Chamorro, dies in exile

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 16 June 2025

    Twitter

    Managua (Agenzia Fides) – She marked the history of her country as a symbol of democracy. Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was the woman who defeated Ortega in Nicaragua and the first woman elected President in the Americas on April 25, 1990.”My heartfelt memory, my gratitude, and my prayers go out to Doña Violeta. She was a woman of integrity, courage, and faith. She now lives forever in the heart of God, in whom she believed and whom she loved. My condolences go out to her children and her entire family in this time of mourning. Thank you, Doña Violeta!” said the Auxiliary Bishop of Managua, Silvio José Báez, who lives in exile between Rome, Madrid, and Miami (see Fides, 22/6/2020).She took over a country ravaged by war and divided between the Sandinistas and the opposition. That year, Nicaragua suffered more than 50,000 deaths in the war between the so-called Contras and the army, as well as severe economic bankruptcy. “Doña Violeta” ruled from 1990 to 1997. Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, known in Central America as the “President of Peace,” died last Saturday, June 14, 2025, in exile in San José, Costa Rica, leaving a sign and a light that will forever reflect democracy in Nicaragua. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/NICARAGUA – “President of Peace”: Violeta Chamorro, dies in exile

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 16 June 2025

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    Managua (Agenzia Fides) – She marked the history of her country as a symbol of democracy. Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was the woman who defeated Ortega in Nicaragua and the first woman elected President in the Americas on April 25, 1990.”My heartfelt memory, my gratitude, and my prayers go out to Doña Violeta. She was a woman of integrity, courage, and faith. She now lives forever in the heart of God, in whom she believed and whom she loved. My condolences go out to her children and her entire family in this time of mourning. Thank you, Doña Violeta!” said the Auxiliary Bishop of Managua, Silvio José Báez, who lives in exile between Rome, Madrid, and Miami (see Fides, 22/6/2020).She took over a country ravaged by war and divided between the Sandinistas and the opposition. That year, Nicaragua suffered more than 50,000 deaths in the war between the so-called Contras and the army, as well as severe economic bankruptcy. “Doña Violeta” ruled from 1990 to 1997. Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, known in Central America as the “President of Peace,” died last Saturday, June 14, 2025, in exile in San José, Costa Rica, leaving a sign and a light that will forever reflect democracy in Nicaragua. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – Parish priest of El Fasher killed by stray bullet

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – Father Luka Jomo, parish priest in the besieged city of El Fasher, Sudan, was killed by a stray bullet. This was announced in a statement by the diocese of El Obeid on June 13. “Dear fathers, sisters, and all the faithful. It is with great sorrow that I write to inform you of Fr Luka Jomo’s passing to the Father’s House this morning (June 13) at 3am in El Fasher. The cause of death was a stray bullet that took his life and that of two other young people. Let us unite in prayer and ask God the Father that their souls may rest in peace”.El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, considered to be the last stronghold of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the region, controlled almost entirely by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo who continuously bomb the city. Father Jomo was therefore a victim of these bombings, not the intended victim of a targeted assassination.After the Angelus on Sunday 15 June, Pope Leo XIV addressed his thoughts “to the Republic of Sudan, torn apart by violence for over two years now. I was saddened to receive the news of the death of Father Luke Jumu, parish priest of El Fasher, who was a victim of a recent bombing. I offer the assurance of my prayers for him and all the victims, and I renew my appeal to warring parties to stop the violence, protect civilians and engage in dialogue for peace. I also urge the international community to intensify efforts to provide at least essential assistance to the people, who have been severely affected by this grave humanitarian crisis.” The three-year Sudanese civil war that broke out in April 2023 has left tens of thousands dead, 14 million internally displaced persons and more than three and a half million refugees in neighboring countries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – Parish priest of El Fasher killed by stray bullet

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – Father Luka Jomo, parish priest in the besieged city of El Fasher, Sudan, was killed by a stray bullet. This was announced in a statement by the diocese of El Obeid on June 13. “Dear fathers, sisters, and all the faithful. It is with great sorrow that I write to inform you of Fr Luka Jomo’s passing to the Father’s House this morning (June 13) at 3am in El Fasher. The cause of death was a stray bullet that took his life and that of two other young people. Let us unite in prayer and ask God the Father that their souls may rest in peace”.El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, considered to be the last stronghold of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the region, controlled almost entirely by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo who continuously bomb the city. Father Jomo was therefore a victim of these bombings, not the intended victim of a targeted assassination.After the Angelus on Sunday 15 June, Pope Leo XIV addressed his thoughts “to the Republic of Sudan, torn apart by violence for over two years now. I was saddened to receive the news of the death of Father Luke Jumu, parish priest of El Fasher, who was a victim of a recent bombing. I offer the assurance of my prayers for him and all the victims, and I renew my appeal to warring parties to stop the violence, protect civilians and engage in dialogue for peace. I also urge the international community to intensify efforts to provide at least essential assistance to the people, who have been severely affected by this grave humanitarian crisis.” The three-year Sudanese civil war that broke out in April 2023 has left tens of thousands dead, 14 million internally displaced persons and more than three and a half million refugees in neighboring countries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/NIGERIA – “The survivors of the Yelwata massacre are terrified and lack everything”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 16 June 2025

    Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – “The survivors of the massacre are terrified; they have suffered and seen unspeakable violence” Father Remigius Ihyula, Coordinator of the Development, Justice and Peace Commission of the diocese of Makurdi, in the State of Benue (in the central-eastern part of Nigeria) told Fides referring to the massacre of a group of displaced people hosted at the Catholic mission of Yelwata, in the local administrative area of Gouma, cited yesterday, June 15, by Pope Leo XIV.”We are talking about several hundred people who were displaced from their farms by gangs of Fulani nomads and then housed in a parish facility,” Father Ihyula told Fides. “A group of Fulani nomads attacked the facility on the night of June 13-14. At least 200 people were killed.” “The attackers not only carried out a massacre, but also vandalized the building. The survivors now lack everything, from food to clothing, mattresses, blankets, and even medicine,” the priest continued. According to Father Ihyula, “the massacre has been highlighted in the international media because of the large number of dead, but here we witness violent deaths every day. One day, three people are killed, the next, ten, and so on.”The Coordinator of the “Justice and Peace” Commission says he does not at all share the view expressed by some Western media that “the Fulani nomads are victims of climate change.” According to this interpretation, climate change is driving Fulani herders to violently occupy farmers’ land in search of new land and water sources for their livestock. “No, that’s not the case,” he emphasizes, “because the armed Fulani nomads are motivated by an Islamist ideology.They want to conquer the land of Christian farmers in order to later establish an Islamic state.” “As head of the Justice and Peace Commission in the Diocese of Makurdi, I personally sought dialogue with the Fulani nomads. But they have always rejected it,” the Catholic priest concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/NIGERIA – “The survivors of the Yelwata massacre are terrified and lack everything”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 16 June 2025

    Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – “The survivors of the massacre are terrified; they have suffered and seen unspeakable violence” Father Remigius Ihyula, Coordinator of the Development, Justice and Peace Commission of the diocese of Makurdi, in the State of Benue (in the central-eastern part of Nigeria) told Fides referring to the massacre of a group of displaced people hosted at the Catholic mission of Yelwata, in the local administrative area of Gouma, cited yesterday, June 15, by Pope Leo XIV.”We are talking about several hundred people who were displaced from their farms by gangs of Fulani nomads and then housed in a parish facility,” Father Ihyula told Fides. “A group of Fulani nomads attacked the facility on the night of June 13-14. At least 200 people were killed.” “The attackers not only carried out a massacre, but also vandalized the building. The survivors now lack everything, from food to clothing, mattresses, blankets, and even medicine,” the priest continued. According to Father Ihyula, “the massacre has been highlighted in the international media because of the large number of dead, but here we witness violent deaths every day. One day, three people are killed, the next, ten, and so on.”The Coordinator of the “Justice and Peace” Commission says he does not at all share the view expressed by some Western media that “the Fulani nomads are victims of climate change.” According to this interpretation, climate change is driving Fulani herders to violently occupy farmers’ land in search of new land and water sources for their livestock. “No, that’s not the case,” he emphasizes, “because the armed Fulani nomads are motivated by an Islamist ideology.They want to conquer the land of Christian farmers in order to later establish an Islamic state.” “As head of the Justice and Peace Commission in the Diocese of Makurdi, I personally sought dialogue with the Fulani nomads. But they have always rejected it,” the Catholic priest concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – The Vicar of Mandalay: “We thank Pope Leo for his words and his attention to the suffering of the civilian population”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Mandalay

    Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) – “Throughout Myanmar, there are areas where fighting is taking place, where people are displaced, where civilians are suffering great hardship while fleeing the conflict. In our Diocese of Mandalay, in particular, the Sagaing area is the most affected by clashes, bombings, and immense suffering of the civilian population,” Fr. Peter Sein Hlaing Oo, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mandalay in north-central Myanmar, told Fides. The Vicar General and the entire local Church appreciate the words of Pope Leo XIV, who, during the Sunday Angelus prayer yesterday, June 15, recalled the ongoing fighting in Myanmar. “We thank him for his words and his attention to the suffering of the civilian population,” he said. The Catholic priest tells Fides about the situation in Sagaing: “Many villages have been abandoned or reduced to rubble due to the constant bombing. The helpless people do not know where to find refuge. There are Catholic churches and parishes in this area, and all of them are in serious difficulty. We have Catholic believers in both the regime-controlled areas and those controlled by the resistance. And there are believers who are caught in the crossfire. The people are helpless and defenseless. But our priests are courageously working for the people, especially the elderly, women, and children, who often lack even the bare necessities to support themselves. Together with religious and catechists, they are providing social services in areas that are very dangerous because they have been affected by the firefights.” “We continue to pray every day, hold Masses and prayer vigils for our people, for peace, for the future of the nation,” the Vicar General concluded. “We continue to trust in God in this terrible situation. And let us not forget that in Mandalay, in addition to the war, we are also experiencing the devastating effects of the earthquake.” Also speaking to Fides, Joseph Kung, a Catholic from Yangon, who is active in the local Church and teaches at a private university, added: “As the Pope has noted, civilian infrastructure continues to be attacked and destroyed by the army throughout the country. The most painful thing is when schools are attacked, when pupils and students are attacked, young people who only wanted to continue their education.” “There is still so much pain and outrage over the massacre a month ago, when an airstrike on the village of Oe Htein Kwin in the Sagaing region killed 20 pupils and two teachers,” he emphasized.”Among the areas most affected by the conflict are Sagaing, Rakhine State, and areas in Chin and Kachin States. We are constantly receiving reports from the dioceses of Bamaw and Myitkyina, both in Kachin, where many villages have been destroyed and civilians continue to be displaced,” he continues. Kung concludes: “We are grateful to Pope Leo for his appeals. When the Pope mentions Myanmar, it gives us hope because we know we are not alone and abandoned. The population is exhausted and scarred by four years of civil war. We wait and pray every day, placing our suffering in the hands of God and the Virgin Mary.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – The Vicar of Mandalay: “We thank Pope Leo for his words and his attention to the suffering of the civilian population”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Mandalay

    Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) – “Throughout Myanmar, there are areas where fighting is taking place, where people are displaced, where civilians are suffering great hardship while fleeing the conflict. In our Diocese of Mandalay, in particular, the Sagaing area is the most affected by clashes, bombings, and immense suffering of the civilian population,” Fr. Peter Sein Hlaing Oo, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mandalay in north-central Myanmar, told Fides. The Vicar General and the entire local Church appreciate the words of Pope Leo XIV, who, during the Sunday Angelus prayer yesterday, June 15, recalled the ongoing fighting in Myanmar. “We thank him for his words and his attention to the suffering of the civilian population,” he said. The Catholic priest tells Fides about the situation in Sagaing: “Many villages have been abandoned or reduced to rubble due to the constant bombing. The helpless people do not know where to find refuge. There are Catholic churches and parishes in this area, and all of them are in serious difficulty. We have Catholic believers in both the regime-controlled areas and those controlled by the resistance. And there are believers who are caught in the crossfire. The people are helpless and defenseless. But our priests are courageously working for the people, especially the elderly, women, and children, who often lack even the bare necessities to support themselves. Together with religious and catechists, they are providing social services in areas that are very dangerous because they have been affected by the firefights.” “We continue to pray every day, hold Masses and prayer vigils for our people, for peace, for the future of the nation,” the Vicar General concluded. “We continue to trust in God in this terrible situation. And let us not forget that in Mandalay, in addition to the war, we are also experiencing the devastating effects of the earthquake.” Also speaking to Fides, Joseph Kung, a Catholic from Yangon, who is active in the local Church and teaches at a private university, added: “As the Pope has noted, civilian infrastructure continues to be attacked and destroyed by the army throughout the country. The most painful thing is when schools are attacked, when pupils and students are attacked, young people who only wanted to continue their education.” “There is still so much pain and outrage over the massacre a month ago, when an airstrike on the village of Oe Htein Kwin in the Sagaing region killed 20 pupils and two teachers,” he emphasized.”Among the areas most affected by the conflict are Sagaing, Rakhine State, and areas in Chin and Kachin States. We are constantly receiving reports from the dioceses of Bamaw and Myitkyina, both in Kachin, where many villages have been destroyed and civilians continue to be displaced,” he continues. Kung concludes: “We are grateful to Pope Leo for his appeals. When the Pope mentions Myanmar, it gives us hope because we know we are not alone and abandoned. The population is exhausted and scarred by four years of civil war. We wait and pray every day, placing our suffering in the hands of God and the Virgin Mary.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/CHILE – Curacautín, arson attack: San Francisco chapel destroyed again

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 16 June 2025

    Diocesi Temuco

    Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – “With deep sorrow”, the Diocese of Temuco joins the Catholic community of Curacautín, where “another arson attack has devastated the San Francisco chapel, in the town of Radalco”. What happened in recent days, in the middle of the night, is the second attack on the chapel of the parish of San Pedro de Curacautín: already in 2023, in fact, the structure had been destroyed and immediately rebuilt, but now only ashes remain of this place of worship.In response to this latest act of violence, according to a statement released by the diocese, Bishop Jorge Concha Cayuqueo has expressed his closeness, inviting all believers to join in prayer for peace: “The fire at the San Francisco Chapel is a serious blow to the life of the Christian community and the local people, because it is a place of worship for Catholics for many years and because the chapel has also served the entire community in many ways, regardless of religious beliefs.”“This is a very hard-working community that had united in recent months to rebuild its chapel. Today, once again, they suffer a total loss. But we trust in faith”, said the parish priest of Curacautín, Father Víctor Núñez.The area of Temuco is at the center of the so-called “Mapuche conflict”, a conflict between the Mapuche communities and the Chilean state. The origin of the conflict are issues related to land, autonomy and indigenous culture. The statement released by the diocese concludes with a call for peace: “We raise our voice to reject all acts of violence that threaten spaces of faith, encounter, and prayer. We call on the entire diocesan community and people of good will to join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Radalco, for peace in Araucanía and for the mutual respect that allows us to live together in fraternity. May Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of this chapel, intercede for his community and inspire us with his spirit of peace, reconciliation and love for all creation”. (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)

    Diocesi Temuco

    Diocesi Temuco

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/CHILE – Curacautín, arson attack: San Francisco chapel destroyed again

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 16 June 2025

    Diocesi Temuco

    Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – “With deep sorrow”, the Diocese of Temuco joins the Catholic community of Curacautín, where “another arson attack has devastated the San Francisco chapel, in the town of Radalco”. What happened in recent days, in the middle of the night, is the second attack on the chapel of the parish of San Pedro de Curacautín: already in 2023, in fact, the structure had been destroyed and immediately rebuilt, but now only ashes remain of this place of worship.In response to this latest act of violence, according to a statement released by the diocese, Bishop Jorge Concha Cayuqueo has expressed his closeness, inviting all believers to join in prayer for peace: “The fire at the San Francisco Chapel is a serious blow to the life of the Christian community and the local people, because it is a place of worship for Catholics for many years and because the chapel has also served the entire community in many ways, regardless of religious beliefs.”“This is a very hard-working community that had united in recent months to rebuild its chapel. Today, once again, they suffer a total loss. But we trust in faith”, said the parish priest of Curacautín, Father Víctor Núñez.The area of Temuco is at the center of the so-called “Mapuche conflict”, a conflict between the Mapuche communities and the Chilean state. The origin of the conflict are issues related to land, autonomy and indigenous culture. The statement released by the diocese concludes with a call for peace: “We raise our voice to reject all acts of violence that threaten spaces of faith, encounter, and prayer. We call on the entire diocesan community and people of good will to join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Radalco, for peace in Araucanía and for the mutual respect that allows us to live together in fraternity. May Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of this chapel, intercede for his community and inspire us with his spirit of peace, reconciliation and love for all creation”. (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)

    Diocesi Temuco

    Diocesi Temuco

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  • MIL-OSI: Athene Announces Key Leadership Appointments Aligned with Five-Year Growth Plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Veteran Grant Kvalheim Named Chief Executive

    Jim Belardi Named Executive Chair, Will Continue to Serve as CIO

    Mike Downing and Sean Brennan Named Co-Presidents of Athene USA

    WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athene, the leading retirement services company and subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Grant Kvalheim as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Kvalheim, a 14-year veteran of Athene, most recently served as President, with responsibility for running the company’s U.S. operations, as well as growth initiatives. Jim Belardi, Co-founder, was named Executive Chairman and will remain Chief Investment Officer.

    Athene also announced that Mike Downing and Sean Brennan will be elevated to Co-Presidents of Athene USA. Downing will continue to serve as Athene’s Chief Operating Officer while Brennan will serve as Athene’s Chief Commercial Officer. Downing and Brennan will build upon Athene’s significant growth to date and drive plans to increase financial security for individuals and serve as a solutions provider to corporations.

    These appointments represent a natural evolution in Athene’s leadership and are aligned with the company’s ambitious five-year growth plan as announced at its 2024 Investor Day. To capitalize on the significant market opportunities ahead and drive growth, the company continuously works to elevate and align leaders both in senior leadership and next generation roles.

    Belardi said, “There is no one better positioned than Grant to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Grant, Mike and Sean have been instrumental to Athene’s tremendous success to date, and our market leadership directly reflects their efforts to grow our business by expanding distribution, creating best-in-class product offerings and establishing us as a partner of choice. My partnership with Grant has been critical to Athene’s success and I am pleased it will continue.”  

    Kvalheim said, “There is a massive opportunity ahead for Athene, driven by the growing retirement crisis in the U.S. and the need for guaranteed lifetime income. I look forward to leading Athene as our team meets this unprecedented need by expanding market share, prioritizing innovation, entering new markets and accelerating growth in the defined contribution channel. Athene is uniquely positioned to help an even greater number of people build remarkable retirements.”

    Kvalheim joined Athene in 2011 and has served as President since April 2022, leading its U.S operating companies with a focus on growing organic origination. Prior to joining Athene, Kvalheim was Co-President of Barclays Capital where he grew the European investment grade credit business into a leading global credit franchise across both securitized and non-securitized credit products. Prior to joining Barclays, he held senior executive positions in the investment banks of Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch.

    Since joining Athene in 2015, Downing has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary and was elevated to Chief Operating Officer in January 2022. Before joining Athene, Downing held senior executive roles at The Allstate Corporation from 2008-2015. Previously, Downing was a Senior Partner at Aon Hewitt, leading the International Consulting practice following assignments in the UK and Switzerland.

    Brennan joined Athene in 2017 and has served as an Executive Vice President since 2020, with responsibility for various retirement services and reinsurance efforts. Prior to joining Athene, he served as Global Pensions Director for Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., and previously spent 14 years with Mercer, most recently as Partner in its Financial Strategy group.

    About Athene

    Athene is the leading retirement services company with over $380 billion of total assets as of March 31, 2025, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains, and certain oral statements made by Athene’s representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of Athene’s management and the management of Athene’s subsidiaries. Generally, forward-looking statements include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” “should,” or “continues” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements within this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future growth prospects and financial performance. Although Athene management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties related to Athene’s forward-looking statements, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Athene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

    Contact:

    Jeanne Hess
    VP, External Relations
    +1 646 768 7319
    jeanne.hess@athene.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wedbush Financial Services Acquires Minority Interest in Trigon, Establishing a Strategic Partnership to Expand Global Reach and Enhance Client Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wedbush Financial Services (WFS), a diversified financial services holding company and parent of Wedbush Securities (WS), and Trigon, a leading Central and Eastern European (CEE) investment banking firm, today announced a strategic partnership in which WFS has acquired a significant minority equity stake in Trigon.

    Through the partnership with WS, Trigon clients will benefit from broader access to global investors, increased ability to lead cross-border equity capital market transactions—including IPOs—and participation in Wedbush-hosted investor conferences and research-driven events. Joint teams from both firms will collaborate on select investment banking mandates, delivering seamless advisory and execution across jurisdictions.

    In tandem, WS establishes a strategic foothold in the fast-growing CEE region, furthering its global strategy, which includes partnerships with leading Asian firms—Maybank Investment Bank, Hana Securities, Yuanta Securities, SK Securities, and Okasan Securities Group—as well as its investment in Velocity Trade. With its growing network of alliances, WS is positioned to support clients across a broader global footprint, navigating complex, multi-market opportunities with integrated, cross-border solutions.

    “We are pleased to welcome Wedbush as a significant minority strategic investor,” said Andrzej Sykulski, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Trigon. “This partnership marks a key milestone in Trigon’s repositioning as a truly global investment banking platform. With expanded access to global markets—particularly the U.S., Canada and Asia—and strengthened cross-border execution capabilities, our clients will benefit from broader investor reach and deeper research coverage. We view Wedbush as a culturally aligned partner that shares our client-first mindset and long-term vision.”

    “We are honored and proud to become a strategic investor in Trigon,” said Gary Wedbush, President & CEO of WFS. “Their leadership position across the CEE, investment banking prowess, and authentic client service culture make them an ideal partner for our global growth strategy. Together, we will offer clients worldwide capabilities with deep local expertise and relentless service.”

    Trigon will continue to operate independently under its current leadership, preserving its entrepreneurial culture, brand, and decision-making structure.

    About Wedbush Financial Services

    Wedbush Financial Services is a diversified financial services holding company. The firm, through WS, provides a wide range of services including investment banking, multi-asset clearing, prime brokerage, wealth management, and brokerage services to both private and institutional clients. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, WS operates over 100 registered offices and employs nearly 900 professionals. Known for its bespoke client service and use of advanced technology, Wedbush is committed to delivering high-performance solutions across the full range of financial services. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Wedbush Securities Inc. Member NYSE/ FINRA / SIPC

    About Trigon

    Trigon is a leading independent investment banking firm operating in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe since 1989. With a team of over 120 professionals, Trigon specializes in delivering comprehensive advisory services that help clients achieve their strategic goals. The firm is renowned for its deep market understanding, client-first approach, and a track record of executing complex transactions. Trigon’s commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades, including multiple Euromoney Awards for Excellence, underscoring its position as a trusted partner in the region’s financial landscape.

    Media Inquiries:
    Serina Molano
    publicrelations@wedbush.com
    213-688-4564

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-Central Asia freight trains soaring amid closer economic ties

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

    The whistle of a freight train echoed through Wujiashan Station in the central Chinese city of Wuhan Saturday. The train loaded with 55 containers including 10 carrying hot melt adhesive — a construction material in high demand in Central Asia — was bound for Uzbekistan.

    “Since April this year, the route from Wuhan to Central Asia has become a regular service, operating one train per week,” said Wang Ziye, business manager at a railway operation company. A week later, another train carrying 51 containers of auto parts is scheduled to depart for Uzbekistan.

    Wuhan’s new rail link is part of a broader freight train network that has rapidly expanded across the country, reflecting deepening economic and trade relations between China and Central Asian countries.

    The network has been particularly busy this year. On May 20, the northern Chinese city of Tianjin sent 50 containers of auto parts, machinery, construction materials, and home appliances to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

    Southwestern Chongqing city dispatched in April its inaugural regular Central Asia train, loaded with polyester chips, with plans for two trains per month. In late March, Gansu Province saw its first direct train to Almaty, Kazakhstan, transporting 183 automobiles.

    Despite global trade headwinds, the China-Central Asia freight train network is thriving, acting as a vital and stable trade artery.

    In 2024, 27 Chinese provinces and cities operated 11,920 freight trains to Central Asia, an 11.3 percent increase from the previous year. The total cargo transported reached 882,712 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 13.2 percent.

    Fu Kun, a sales manager at a Chongqing-based supply chain company, attributes this growth to complementary market demands between China and Central Asian countries. The Chinese market, especially China’s western regions, and Central Asia have growing mutual needs, driving increased trade flows, he said.

    Zhao Lixun, general manager of a freight company in Tianjin, believes that regular China-Central Asia train services have lowered costs and improved logistics efficiency and reliability.

    The freight network has created a robust trade corridor, facilitating the flow of Chinese goods like home appliances, daily necessities, and new energy vehicles into Central Asia, while also bringing Central Asian products such as fertilizers, cotton, and beef to Chinese consumers.

    China’s central and western regions, in particular, have vigorously participated in the economic and trade cooperation with Central Asia. Notably, as the latest evidence of the popularity of Central Asian goods in China’s vast market, high-quality wheat flour from Kazakhstan is now used to cook local Chinese delicacies.

    Liu Guangwu, deputy general manager of a Gansu-based international logistics company, said that trade has diversified from basic goods like aluminum and fruit to include daily necessities, auto parts, machinery, and furniture hardware.

    Official customs data show that trade between China and Central Asian countries reached a record 94.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, an increase of 5.4 billion U.S. dollars over the previous year.

    Ding Xiaoxing, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said China is now the largest trading partner and top investor for multiple Central Asian countries, noting that the country’s cumulative investment in Central Asia has surpassed 30 billion U.S. dollars. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU took part in the IV Interuniversity Patriotic Forum “I Love My Homeland”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Forum participants

    The team of students from St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering “Legal Support” (second year students of the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport) took part in the IV Inter-University Patriotic Forum “I Love My Homeland”.

    The forum, organized by the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, was held on June 9 at the M. Gorky House of Scientists.

    Our university was represented by Anastasia Abramova (team captain), Elena Samoilova, Alina Bashirova and Anastasia Kochukova under the guidance of Associate Professor of the Department of Legal Regulation of Urban Development and Transport Elena Markova.

    In addition, students from the All-Russian State University of Justice, the Military Institute (Railway Troops and Military Communications), the Russian Customs Academy, other universities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation also took part in the forum.

    The forum was held in a quiz format. After the teams were introduced, the students answered questions about culture and history, painting, architecture and poetry, Russian cinema, music and composers of our country. The SPbGASU team took fourth place out of nine.

    “The value of such events is that students do not compete with each other when answering questions, but interpersonal communication takes place between cadets, students and their leaders from different educational organizations. The main topic of the event is the Motherland, something that every citizen should know, because patriotism is not only the willingness to defend, but also knowledge of the history of your country. Therefore, we recommend that everyone who has the opportunity participate in such events to remember some of the most important moments in the history of Russia and learn something new,” said Elena Samoylova. “The forum dedicated to the topic of patriotism and love for the Motherland left a vivid impression. The questions raised at the event were different: some seemed easy and obvious, others were deep and thought-provoking. Particularly interesting were the speeches of the forum participants, who touched on the topic of the modern understanding of patriotism and the role of youth in the development of the country. Such events unite people, inspire good deeds,” shared Anastasia Kochukova.

    “The forum became a source of new information and rethinking of already known facts for me. Particularly valuable was the acquaintance with the experience of various public organizations engaged in patriotic education of youth. Information about new projects aimed at preserving cultural heritage and developing civic activity turned out to be useful. It is important that the information presented was not only educational, but also inspiring, motivating to participate in positive changes,” Alina Bashirova is sure.

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