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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE advances support for Ukraine’s recovery through action on green and resilient urban energy projects

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country’s energy infrastructure has suffered approximately $20 billion in damage, causing widespread power outages and insufficient heat supply – with the cities of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv alone accounting for over $630 million in losses, according to UNDP.  

    While emergency efforts have focused on rebuilding existing capacity and fossil fuel capacity replacements, this approach can overlook the need for more resilient and sustainable local energy solutions. In addition to the need to rebuild energy infrastructure and meet ambitious 2030 renewable energy targets in place in national energy and climate laws, Ukraine aims to move to a system that balances centralized and decentralized systems, across heat, electricity and energy demand.  

    In this context, Ukrainian cities will play an important role in the country’s sustainable and resilient reconstruction that is aligned with the energy transition, as well as with European standards and regulations. 

    Meeting with Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, H.E. Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean reiterated UNECE’s steadfast commitment to help the government address these issues, building on strong cooperation on urban development and energy policy. Looking ahead to the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Rome in July, she underscored solidarity and ongoing support for Ukraine’s sustainable and resilient recovery across UNECE’s areas of expertise. 

    Local action for Ukraine’s green energy recovery 

    Support to urban reconstruction planning has been a core dimension of UNECE’s support to Ukraine’s recovery since the start of the war. Through the UN4UkrainianCities initiative, UNECE has mobilized international partners to support the development of concept master plans and pilot projects in the cities of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, and has supported the government to draft new housing legislation, including the State Housing Policy Strategy, as well as to strengthen capacities for the Urban Planning Cadastre. 

    To this end, UNECE, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Autonomous Region of Bolzano in Italy jointly organized an international study trip to strengthen the capacities of the cities of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, among other 2 municipalities, for integrated urban energy planning focused on decentralized and renewable local energy and modern district heating systems.  

    This study visit is facilitated by the UNEP programme “Unlocking greener and more resilient energy in Ukrainian cities”, supported by the Italian Development Co-operation (AICS), and by UNECE’s UN4UkrainianCities initiative. Additional support to the study visit is provided by the NOI Technopark in Bolzano, Alperia (Bolzano, Italy), and EURAC Research. 

    Officials from Kharkiv and Mykolaiv will benefit from the guidance of international experts, and site visits to state-of-the-art local, renewable and decentralized energy installations. 

    Mobilizing partnerships meet financing needs on the ground 

    At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference this week, the City Council of Bucha, home to 73,000 people and located 30km from Kyiv, presented a project for the construction of a decentralised city energy system. Supported by UNECE, this provided an opportunity to present the project seeking €145 million from potential investors and financiers in staged investment through Public-Private Partnerships. 

    Developed in response to energy capacity losses during the war, the distributed energy system aims to provide a reliable uninterruptible power supply of over 112 MW through a clean, flexible and autonomous system comprising generation facilities and grid connection infrastructure. This would include power plants for households and critical infrastructure, power for the city’s industrial cluster, and energy storage systems. The project would in addition create an estimated 120 jobs. 

    Continued support for sustainable recovery 

    In Geneva, the Executive Secretary also recalled UNECE’s broader, multisectoral support to the government of Ukraine in implementing the National Recovery Plan, including through: the PIERS methodology to assess sustainability of infrastructure projects, facilitating Public-Private Partnerships and other investment; the Platform for Action on the Green Recovery of Ukraine; the Inter-agency Coordination Group on Environmental Assessments for Ukraine; harnessing Innovation for Sustainable Development; support for water-related and other environmental challenges, leveraging UNECE Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and applying the UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to support the sustainable management of Ukraine’s critical raw materials. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Sidhu meets with Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 5, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, met with Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, on the margins of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, France. This was their first bilateral meeting.

    The ministers discussed shared trade priorities and how to handle global trade uncertainty, including through full ratification of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. They agreed on the importance of working closely with trusted partners, including through the G7.

    They discussed ways to expand and diversify trade and investment between Canada and France, including through more minister-led trade missions between the two countries.  

    Associated links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE-supported conference in Montenegro tackles challenges of transnational drug crime

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

    Headline: OSCE-supported conference in Montenegro tackles challenges of transnational drug crime

    (l-r) U.S. Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke, Special State Prosecutor Vladimir Novović, acting director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Jan Haukaas and Security Co-operation and Governance Programme Manager Stephen Harmon at the opening of the three-day international conference in Budva, 4 June 2025. (OSCE/Marina Živaljević) Photo details

    Transnational organized crime, specifically drug trafficking, remains a critical, shared threat that transcends national borders. It can only be effectively countered through co-ordinated, joint action grounded in international collaboration, sustained strategic commitment, and mutual trust.
    This was emphasized at the opening of a three-day international conference “Connecting the Drugs: Challenges and Threats from Expanding Trans-Atlantic Collusion and Traffic in Drug Crime”, organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Police Directorate of Montenegro, with support from the Embassy of the United States of America. The event is taking place from 4 to 6 June in Budva.
    The conference brings together 70 regional law enforcement leaders, investigators, and prosecutors involved in organized crime investigations from countries of the Western Balkans region, Italy, Romania, Spain and the United States.
    Opening the conference, acting director of the Police Directorate of Montenegro, Lazar Šćepanović, noted that the dominant criminal activity of high-risk organized crime groups from Montenegro continues to be cocaine smuggling at the international level, with these structures maintaining links to criminal groups across the Western Balkans. “Despite all the challenges, Montenegro has made significant progress in the fight against transnational organized crime and drug trafficking in the previous period, relying on strengthening police co-operation, adopting European standards, and intensive international co-ordination,” said director Šćepanović. He also emphasized that “the priority of the Montenegrin police will remain the strengthening and intensifying of international police co-operation”, which is one of the underlying themes of the conference.
    Special State Prosecutor Vladimir Novović stated that he was proud that the Special State Prosecutor’s Office had developed relations and intensive co-operation with key international institutions. “Each of them, within their own jurisdiction, is dedicated to fighting this global problem,” said Special Prosecutor Novović. He further noted that this co-operation has already enabled the prosecution to achieve significant results, especially in terms of uncovering and prosecuting international drug trafficking rings.”
    U.S. Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke highlighted that the fight against drug trafficking requires unwavering commitment, collaboration, innovation, and trust.  “Montenegro has been an incredible partner in this fight, and their leadership in this regional event is testament to the effectiveness of the police and prosecutors who work tirelessly to dismantle criminal groups. The positive results are encouraging, but there is still so much more to be done. Thank you for joining us here today so that together we can degrade these criminal networks, protect our communities, and ensure a safer future,” said Ambassador Reinke.
    Head of Mission Jan Haukaas stated that the OSCE’s regional presence and comprehensive mandate made it uniquely positioned to support cross-border co-operation. “The OSCE is well placed to facilitate trust among institutions, and promote holistic, cross-sectoral responses that address both the criminal, institutional, economic and societal risks posed by criminal networks. This conference can contribute to those efforts by bringing together law enforcement and prosecutorial institutions across Southeast Europe and beyond,” said Ambassador Haukaas.
    This three-day conference provides a platform for participants to exchange regional and international expertise in combating drug crime, with a particular focus on emerging collusion between South East Europe and Latin American criminal organizations. It also explores challenges and threats criminal collaboration poses to the region and the rest of Europe. The event brings together representatives from leading international, regional, and national law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, with presentations by UNODC, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, EUDA, DEA and the FBI, among others. The conference also includes an in-depth expert presentation by the Vigilance Project on Latin American drug cartels and the threats they represent for Europe, including Southeast Europe.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • The Q4 Growth Numbers Have A Pleasant Message for India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    More good news for India’s economy. Following the news of India becoming the fourth-largest economy, at more than $4 trillion, the numbers for the fourth quarter of FY25 are out. At 7.4 per cent, the growth numbers have exceeded the market expectations, leaving many pleasantly surprised.

    We finished the third quarter at 6.4 per cent, the second quarter at 5.6 per cent, and the first quarter at 6.5 per cent. Interestingly, in FY24, the GDP grew at 9.5 per cent in Q3 and 8.4 per cent in Q4. So, what happened?

    We must factor in the external factors at play here. In FY25, the first quarter, between April and June, was lost to the national elections. Business activity was largely muted, cash flows were restricted, and new orders were delayed. Nothing unusual, for elections of this magnitude and importance do leave the businesses on the precautionary backfoot.

    The second quarter, between July and September, was about getting used to a new avatar of the Narendra Modi Government. People were sceptical, given an unusual alliance in the Centre. However, it was soon visible to everyone that things were not going to change. The Lok Sabha numbers had not dented PM Modi’s socio-economic pursuits, and the show was to go on, uninterrupted.

    Whatever little doubts that remained were decimated on the morning of October 8, 2024. The flip in numbers, within twenty minutes, around 10:00 AM, sealed the political fate of the Congress. The Bharatiya Janata Party had triumphed expectations and predictions, and became the first party to register a third consecutive win (with complete five-year terms). The Haryana victory set up the third quarter for an economic resurgence.

    By the beginning of the fourth quarter, the BJP was in the driver’s seat. Maharashtra had been won with a thumping majority, and the party was eyeing Delhi next. The Budget came with the good news of a tax cut, enabling zero income tax for citizens with Rs. 12.75 Lakh annual income (standard deduction included).

    The larger message behind the fourth quarter numbers must be acknowledged. Political stability is directly proportional to growth numbers. While elections are an unavoidable occurrence in the trajectory of our democracy, the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’, must be discussed with greater vigour. The continuity offered by the Narendra Modi government, in its third term, has also given the economy a critical thrust.

    From here, it’s a journey of a few years until we become the third-largest economy on the planet, trailing China and the United States of America. The evolution of our economy will add to our geopolitical heft, inevitably. As the largest free market in the world, with over a billion people, consumerism and the growing middle class offers enough nudge for the MSMEs and other aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace manufacturing.

    The tax cuts will also kick in next year, ushering in at least Rs. 1 Lakh Crore more into the economy. This will soon reflect in automobile sales numbers, tourism revenue, and other indirect taxes, as the spending goes up. The mere fact that the Modi Government was able to introduce these tax cuts is a testament to their stupendous fiscal management in the last eleven years.

    The other message is that of self-reliance. While the pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, and the global supply chains crisis have put the manufacturing ambition into a hyperdrive mode, we can do more. India Stack and UPI are a stunning example of how self-reliance can propel success in other sectors, like the service economy. Close to 1,868 Crore UPI transactions in May 2025 further showcase the resolve of the Indian market.

    However, it’s now time to go big on hardware. The ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor’ proves how warfare is evolving, and why we should not rely on external players, especially China, for critical components. This is where our focus must be. The services industry has sustained the aspiring Indian middle class for almost three decades. It’s now time for manufacturing to take over.

    As we grow to become a ten trillion dollar economy by 2035, the nature of employment will evolve as well. Artificial Intelligence applications, offered at throwaway prices, are making several jobs redundant. The cycle of time moves, as it did when computers replaced typewriters, but no reason for India to be disheartened. Our economy evolved well with computers, it’ll do so with AI and hardware as well.

    The 7.4 per cent growth number has a message for India: keep the hustle going. Do not be afraid to evolve with the times, and while the ten trillion mark is a decade away, start preparing for it today. On the policy front, we must begin pondering ideas that allow us to minimise disruption (One Nation, One Election). On the innovation front, let’s get people to start aspiring for jobs that involve not sitting before a computer, but manufacturing one.

    This is India’s decade. The rise is inevitable and indispensable for the world.

    (Tushar Gupta is a Delhi-based journalist and a political commentator)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Join us on 6/26 for a Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar: “Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Evolution of Surrogacy Law in France and Colombia”

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post by Louis Gilbert and Stephania Alvarez, foreign law specialists at the Law Library of Congress. Louis has previously published the following post: “Wait, It Is Not About Wigs?” – The Story of Faso Dan Fani Court Robes in Burkina Faso, and “Join Us on 11/21 for a Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar titled “Review of Law Library of Congress Research Reports Published in 2024.” Stephania has previously published the following blog posts: FALQs: Guyana-Venezuela Territorial Dispute, and Law Library Publishes New Report, “Peru: Civic Space Legal Framework.”

    Please join us on June 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, for another entry into our Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar series with our “Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Evolution of Surrogacy Law in France and Colombia” webinar. Surrogacy and the adoption of children born through this practice have been the focus of significant legislative and jurisprudential developments around the world. The evolution of surrogacy in France and Colombia has different legal implications in each country.

    Register here. 

    In Colombia, surrogacy is neither explicitly regulated nor prohibited. Nevertheless, the Constitutional Court has addressed this topic in various rulings, in which it has established rules and requirements for surrogacy agreements and emphasized the need to protect the child’s fundamental rights.

    On the other hand, surrogacy is forbidden in France, and the recognition of children born abroad is currently at the center of legal discussions. Recent developments in French jurisprudence have enabled numerous French citizens to resort to surrogacy agreements abroad. The questions of filiation and adoption are no longer framed solely around the legality or prohibition of certain practices but are increasingly approached from the perspective of the child’s fundamental rights.

    Although France and Colombia adopt opposing approaches to surrogacy, their legal systems complement each other in safeguarding the best interests of the child. In Colombia, the severance of the legal bond between the surrogate and the baby allows for clear filiation between the intended parents and the child, which France now fully recognizes when it has been validly established abroad. Therefore, the absence of a specific legal framework prohibiting surrogacy in Colombia, in addition to the lower costs and greater accessibility compared to other countries, has made this country an increasingly common destination for surrogacy procedures.

    Stephania Alvarez is a foreign law specialist at the Law Library of Congress. She conducts research and writes reports on a wide range of topics relating primarily to the laws of Central and South American jurisdictions. Stephania has a Bachelor of Laws from Icesi University in Colombia. She completed a dual degree program at Sciences Po in Paris, France, and Georgetown University Law Center, earning a master’s in environmental policy and a Master of Laws in environmental and energy law, respectively.

    Louis Gilbert is a foreign law specialist at the Law Library of Congress. He conducts research and writes reports on topics relating to the laws of French-speaking jurisdictions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Essex, England, a master’s in comparative law from the Université Paris X, France, and a J.D. from American University.

    To learn about other upcoming classes on domestic and foreign law topics, visit the Legal Research Institute. Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or [email protected].

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/BAHRAIN – Tolerance and peaceful coexistence are the key points of the meeting between Prince Salman and the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 5 June 2025

    BNA

    Manama (Agenzia Fides) – “The Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, maintains a firm commitment to promoting the values of tolerance and the principles of peaceful coexistence, deeply rooted in our tradition of openness to all cultures and religions,” said His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during a meeting held on June 4 at Riffa Palace with Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, accompanied by Father Saji Thomas, OFM cap., rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali.Prince Salman emphasized that these fundamental values have been instrumental in Bahrain establishing itself as a model of intercultural coexistence and harmony. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s constant commitment to promoting initiatives that strengthen the values of forgiveness and peace, and recalled with gratitude Pope Francis’ historic visit to Bahrain in 2022 (see Fides, 3/11/2022).He also expressed his gratitude to Bishop Berardi for his efforts in promoting compassion and tolerance, wishing him success in his pastoral mission.For his part, the Apostolic Vicar said he was honored for the opportunity of the meeting and praised Bahrain’s cultural diversity and rich heritage, which continue to sustain and foster peaceful coexistence. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 5/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Amristar, a city sacred to the Sikhs, should become a “war-free zone”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Amristar

    New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – Amritsar, the holy city of Sikhism, on the border between India and Pakistan and home to the famous Golden Temple, should be declared a “war-free zone” and be granted international protection following the example of the Vatican. This is Indian parliamentarian and Sikh Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa demanded of the Indian government. He called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work with international bodies to initiate the appropriate recognition process for a city that presents itself as a symbolic place of peace for humanity.The matter, according to an open letter, has “deep spiritual and national significance,” because “the holy city of Amristar is not just a geographical location, but the spiritual heart of the Sikh faith and a beacon of love and peace for humanity.” “Its sacred aura transcends religious boundaries, offering comfort, unity, and compassion in a world increasingly torn by conflict and division,” he continued.”For Sikhism, Amritsar has the same spiritual significance as Mecca has for Muslims and the Vatican has for Christians. Therefore, I humbly request that Amritsar’s global spiritual significance be officially recognized and that appropriate international security mechanisms, similar to those that protect the Vatican, be adopted,” he said.Randhawa noted that “recent geopolitical tensions, particularly on the India-Pakistan front, have rekindled legitimate concerns about Amritsar’s potential vulnerability in the event of a military conflict.” “The appeal,” the letter continues, “is not a request for political sovereignty (such as that enjoyed by the Vatican City), but rather a request for international spiritual recognition and permanent security protection. At a time marked by increasing global tensions and militarization, it is imperative that Amritsar be protected from the threat of war and violence, now and forever,” the MP said. The politician recalled the universal teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy text of Sikhism), which are based on peace, humility, and brotherhood and represent “a powerful moral force against the rising tide of militarism in the world.” “While many global powers are increasingly inclined toward conflict, the Sikh ethos of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ (‘the well-being of all’) stands as one of humanity’s last hopes for coexistence and peace,” he noted. The concerns expressed by the Sikh community and civil society throughout India require a broader perspective, the MP continued, beyond regional circles and within an international framework, “to ensure the security and sanctity of this revered city under all circumstances.” Requesting the support of other parliamentarians of all religions, Randhawa urged the Indian Prime Minister “to take the necessary diplomatic and legislative steps to declare Amritsar a ‘war-free zone’ and a place recognized and respected by all, as it carries a message of peace and harmony for all humanity.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 5/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/NIGERIA – Catholic priest kidnapped: He worked as a chaplain in Alaska and wanted to help Boko Haram victims in Nigeria

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Diocesi di Fairbanks

    Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – “I was able to speak with Father Afina. He is well and in good health. We hope he can be released soon,” said John Bogna Bakeni, Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri (capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria), to Fides. He confirmed the news reported by some newspapers in Fairbanks (Alaska, USA) about the kidnapping of Father Alphonsus Afina, a Nigerian priest who served for years as a chaplain in the US diocese.”Father Afina was kidnapped on the night of Sunday, June 1, near Gwoza, as he was returning to Maiduguri after celebrating Mass,” Msgr. Bakeni reported. The kidnappers then contacted the Diocese of Maiduguri by phone and provided proof that Father Afina is alive. The area around Gwoza is relatively unsafe due to the presence of the two largest groups into which the Islamist Boko Haram has split. One is the “Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad” (JAS). The other, the “Islamic State West Africa Province” (ISWAP), has joined the Islamic State and become the “West Africa Province” (see Fides, 2/7/2024).The news of the Nigerian priest’s kidnapping caused great distress in the US Diocese of Fairbanks, where Father Afina worked in the villages of the Seward Peninsula for six and a half years from 2017 to 2024. During his time in the American diocese, Father Afina took online courses to earn a degree in psychology and counseling, with theintention of founding a trauma center for Boko Haram victims upon his return to Nigeria.On June 3, the Diocese of Fairbanks celebrated a Mass to pray for the priest’s return to his family. More than 200 parishioners attended the Mass, and others watched the live broadcast from the villages where Father Afina served. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 5/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Security: South Texan Receives Over 17 Years for Attempting to Coerce and Entice International Child Pornography Using Popular Apps

    Source: US FBI

    McALLEN, Texas – A 20-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for attempting to coerce and entice the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from a Finnish minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Brandon Roy Alvarez pleaded guilty Oct. 9, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton has now sentenced Alvarez to 210 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including that Alvarez would collect child pornography and store it on multiple devices. He would then pose as a minor and utilize the CSAM he collected to entice his victims to produce more. Alvarez will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Alvarez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

    The investigation began after authorities discovered a 10-year-old minor victim residing in Finland had received sexually explicit messages and CSAM videos from an English-speaking individual through various social media and other applications. They identified Alvarez as that person.

    He had attempted to entice the minor victim into sending him a nude photo and/or a video of the victim masturbating from on or about Sept. 17-20, 2023.

    Alvarez admitted he used his accounts to meet underage children online. He said he would pretend to be a minor female child to gain the other user’s trust and then use child pornography he collected to lure minors into sending sexually explicit photographs and videos.

    FBI conducted the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Emergency utility repairs hold up Darlington Street improvement works

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The works form part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s £19 million programme to transform the city centre experience for visitors to Darlington Street, Lichfield Street and Queen Square.

    All externally funded, the investment will help boost the local economy by delivering better public spaces, improved lighting and safety, more trees, greenery and seating and easier access for buses, cycles and taxis. It follows extensive consultation with businesses, the public and key stakeholders.

    Contractor Taylor Woodrow started the first stage of the transformation works on Darlington Street on 20 January and have been making good progress.

    Unfortunately, recent excavation works have uncovered a water main in very poor condition that needs to be dealt with by Severn Trent Water, who are not expected to start on site until the end of June, halting the improvement works on the southside carriageway.

    In addition, 2 BT chambers have been discovered that require emergency works. Cellars, belonging to buildings that once stood adjacent to the Fold Street car park, have also been exposed that require backfilling correctly to avoid future subsidence.

    Despite readjusting the works schedule to pick up works in other parts of the site, the combined effect of these factors – all out of the council’s and Taylor Woodrow’s control – mean the Darlington Street works and associated road closure between Chapel Ash Island and Red Lion Street will be in place longer than anticipated. Pedestrian access to businesses will continue to be maintained during business hours.

    The overall city centre improvements 2 and a half year programme is still on course to be completed by summer 2027.

    City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “We appreciate this is frustrating and we will continue to do everything in our power to minimise disruption caused by these unforeseen issues with utility providers.

    “These works will ultimately enable people to better enjoy our city centre from the moment they arrive and are the next step in our transformation plans that have already seen improvements in North Street and Victoria Street deliver positive outcomes for businesses, residents and visitors.

    “In the meantime, I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while these critical works are carried out.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s labor market shows steady growth amid policy support

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) — China’s labor market has seen moderate and steady development momentum this year thanks to comprehensive efforts including a series of employment protection policies, said Chen Yongjia, an official with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

    Employment support plans have been systematically formulated to expand opportunities in key sectors, leading industries, urban and rural grassroots, and micro, small and medium enterprises, he said during the latest edition of the China Economic Roundtable, a multimedia discussion program hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

    According to him, a comprehensive package of policy measures has been implemented, which includes increasing the limit of lending for maintaining and expanding jobs, expanding the coverage of subsidies for creating new jobs, continuing measures such as the return of funds for employment stabilization and subsidies for upgrading skills, to maximize the potential of the policy.

    As for training in needs-oriented skills, large-scale vocational training has been organized to continuously improve the qualification level of the economically active population, he noted.

    China is also focusing on targeted support to ensure full employment for key groups. It has released a new package of 17 measures to promote employment for young people and provide strong unemployment protection for target groups, the official added.

    Chen Yongjia assured that China will promptly take additional measures to expand employment, thereby providing a reliable foundation for strengthening the fundamental foundations of economic development and social stability.

    Official data shows that the number of Chinese college graduates is likely to reach 12.22 million in 2025, up 430,000 from last year.

    China’s labor market has remained generally stable in recent weeks, with the average survey unemployment rate in China’s cities and towns falling from 5.2 percent in March to 5.1 percent in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s economy continues to grow steadily amid external challenges – official

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) — China’s economy continues to grow steadily after a positive start in the first quarter of 2025, said Ding Lin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

    Speaking on the latest edition of the all-media discussion program “China Economic Roundtable” organized by Xinhua News Agency, Ding Lin noted that despite the difficult external environment, China’s economy has withstood the pressure. Notably, industrial production, the service sector, domestic demand and exports have shown faster growth rates.

    Highlighting China’s high innovation activity, Ding Lin said the country’s high-tech manufacturing sector recorded 10 percent growth in April, nearly 4 percentage points higher than the growth rate of overall industrial output.

    Ding Lin also noted the accelerated development of industries such as unmanned aerial vehicles, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and humanoid robots.

    “In general, as measures to stimulate economic growth are quickly implemented, their effect will continue to manifest itself, contributing to the high-quality development of the country’s economy,” he concluded.

    Let us recall that according to the results of the first quarter of 2025, China’s GDP grew by 5.4 percent year-on-year. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China steps up legal efforts to combat pollution

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) — In 2024, Chinese courts completed 219,000 cases related to environmental management and ecology as first instance courts, including 4,168 public environmental lawsuits and 246 cases on compensation for ecological damage, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) said Thursday.

    The courts ordered the liable parties to pay compensation totaling 9.6 billion yuan (about $1.34 billion), according to the annual report of the Supreme People’s Council of China.

    These figures indicate the country’s increasing legal efforts to combat environmental pollution and degradation, as well as strict enforcement of laws on environmental protection and pollution prevention and control.

    From 2019 to 2023, China’s courts at various levels handled more than 1.03 million cases in the field of environmental management and ecology as courts of first instance, an increase of 18.9 percent over the previous five-year period.

    Meanwhile, China has been making significant progress in specializing its handling of cases in this area, establishing 2,424 specialized courts to handle such cases by the end of 2024, staffing them with more than 16,000 judges and assistants. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China and Russia are ready to deepen cross-border cooperation in the field of protection of wild tigers and leopards

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    CHANGCHUN, June 5 (Xinhua) — The first meeting of the Joint Commission for the Implementation of the Agreement between the Governments of China and Russia on the Establishment of the “Land of Big Cats” Transboundary Nature Reserve was held in Changchun, capital of northeast China’s Jilin Province, on Wednesday. The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on cross-border cooperation in environmental protection, aiming to further integrate the resources and strengths of the two countries in the cross-border protection of tigers and leopards and establish a more effective cooperation mechanism.

    The joint commission includes, on the Chinese side, the Department of International Cooperation of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of the People’s Republic of China, the administration of the National Park of Manchurian Tigers and Far Eastern Leopards, as well as the relevant departments for nature conservation on the Russian side.

    Working mechanisms such as regular meetings, exchange of information and joint law enforcement will be established.

    At the meeting, an official from the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China emphasized that in the future, the work of the joint commission will focus on such aspects as strengthening joint monitoring and data exchange, promoting the construction of transboundary ecological corridors, conducting a tough fight against crimes such as transboundary poaching, deepening cooperation in scientific research, holding environmental education events, etc.

    Representatives of the Russian side stated that the Russian side will fully support the work of the joint commission, actively implement various areas of cooperation and jointly protect the home of tigers and leopards.

    Let us recall that the Manchurian Tiger and Far Eastern Leopard National Park was officially established in 2021. According to the latest data, about 70 Manchurian tigers and about 80 Far Eastern leopards currently live in this park. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: South Korean parliament passes bills to appoint special prosecutors to investigate allegations against Yoon Seok-yeol and first lady

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    SEOUL, June 5 (Xinhua) — South Korea’s National Assembly on Thursday passed bills to appoint special prosecutors and investigate allegations of a coup against ousted President Yun Seok-yul and scandals involving first lady Kim Geon-hee.

    Of the 198 National Assembly lawmakers present at the plenary session, 194 supported the bills, three voted against and one abstained.

    Under the bills, new President Lee Jae-myung must appoint an independent prosecutor for each case from two recommended candidates.

    The special investigation will focus on allegations of sedition against Yun Seok-yul, who was removed from office in April after martial law was declared last December.

    Former President Kim Geun-hee’s wife will be investigated for allegedly manipulating stock prices, receiving luxury handbags, interfering with the nomination of candidates for the 2022 by-elections and the 2024 parliamentary elections, and rigging opinion polls during the 2022 presidential election. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ukraine strikes Iskander missile launchers on Russian territory

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Kyiv, June 5 /Xinhua/ — Ukraine on Thursday destroyed the Iskander operational-tactical missile system installations on the territory of the Russian Federation, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported on Telegram.

    The operation was carried out by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine and other components of the defense forces. They launched a missile strike on the 26th missile brigade of the Russian troops. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Afghanistan releases over 1,500 prisoners, reduces sentences of 950 ahead of Eid al-Adha

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    KABUL, June 5 (Xinhua) — Afghanistan has released a total of 1,559 prisoners and reduced the sentences of 950 more in a show of mercy and goodwill ahead of the Eid al-Adha (Eid al-Adha) holiday, the country’s Supreme Court announced on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, the order was issued by Chief Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Court Sheikh Abdul Hakim Haqqani as part of a nationwide initiative to celebrate Eid al-Adha in the spirit of mercy and forgiveness.

    The prisoners were pardoned and released from prisons in the provinces of Kabul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Panjshir, Parwan, Paktia, Khost and Nimroz, the statement said.

    According to a prison official, there are currently 12,000 to 14,000 Afghan citizens, including women and children, held in prisons across the country.

    Eid al-Adha is the biggest religious festival in Afghanistan. This year it will be celebrated from Saturday to Tuesday. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kyiv is engaged in terrorism at the state level – D. Peskov

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, June 5 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian trains indicate their terrorist nature. Kyiv is engaged in terrorism at the state level. This was stated at a briefing by the press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov.

    “The President described the Kiev regime as a terrorist regime. Because it was the regime’s leadership that deliberately gave the order, the command, the order to blow up the passenger train. This is nothing other than terrorism at the state level,” he said.

    According to the press secretary, Russian President Vladimir Putin did indeed tell his American counterpart Donald Trump that Moscow would respond to an attack on Russian airfields.

    “Yes, indeed,” D. Peskov answered the question of whether such a statement really existed. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Russian FSB reported the explosion of a railway track in the Voronezh region

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 5 (Xinhua) — A railway track in the Voronezh Region was damaged on Thursday morning as a result of an explosive device detonation just before a train passed, the Public Relations Center (PRC) of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said.

    “As a result of the professional actions of the driver and the train crew, who noticed the destruction of the track and applied emergency braking, damage to the train was prevented, and thus human casualties were avoided,” the FSB of the Russian Federation said in a statement.

    According to the FSB Public Relations Center, the circumstances of the incident are being investigated. The scene of the incident is being inspected. Based on the initial indications, there are all grounds for initiating a criminal case under the article “terrorism.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Equipment Upgrade Program Effectively Stimulates Domestic Demand

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) — Jiangsu Tengsheng Textile Technology Group Co., Ltd. has been a hub of activity since the beginning of the year. Its participation in the national equipment renewal campaign has opened a promising path to a bright future for the textile manufacturer.

    “After the upgrade is completed, our equipment will reach the leading standards in the domestic industry,” said Chen Guichun, deputy general manager of the company based in east China’s Jiangsu Province. “We expect this upgrade to improve our efficiency by more than 5 percent and increase our unit output by about 20 percent.”

    The company’s efforts are part of China’s massive trade-in program for equipment upgrades and consumer goods replacement, which was launched in March 2024. The program involves various government departments using ultra-long-term special government bonds to accelerate the implementation of related measures to stimulate investment and consumption.

    The People’s Bank of China (PBOC, the central bank) announced last month that it would increase the refinancing quota for technological innovation and technical transformation from 500 billion yuan (about $69.6 billion) to 800 billion yuan. In addition, the regulator also cut the refinancing rate to 1.5 percent from 1.75 percent.

    This innovation is part of the PBOC’s structural monetary instruments aimed at expanding domestic demand, said Ding Zhijie, director of the PBOC Financial Institute. “This will ensure continued support for the implementation of the equipment renewal program and the replacement of consumer goods with new ones under the trade-in scheme,” he stressed in the latest edition of the all-media discussion program “China Economy Roundtable” organized by Xinhua News Agency.

    “It took only four months from the time we applied to receiving government support, which is a very effective indicator for us,” said Xu Guoqiang, assistant manager of Chilwee Group Co., Ltd., a battery manufacturing subsidiary in east China’s Zhejiang Province.

    According to him, the company invested a total of 60 million yuan in upgrading the equipment, of which more than 8 million yuan was provided by the state.

    Likewise, many other companies in the country’s key industries have begun upgrading their equipment and are reaping the benefits. In April, the added value of China’s major high-tech manufacturing and digital products sectors grew 10 percent year-on-year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    In the year since the campaign was launched, it has successfully identified the huge potential of the country’s domestic market. In the first four months of this year, investments in the acquisition of equipment and devices grew by 18.2 percent year-on-year. According to the State Statistical Service, the share of the indicator in the overall investment growth for the period was 64.5 percent.

    Ding Lin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at a roundtable that China, as the world’s second-largest economy with a population of more than 1.4 billion, has huge potential to expand domestic demand.

    To this end, the country should explore more approaches to increasing household incomes and expanding consumer potential, while continuing to optimize its policies in the area of consumption support, he stressed.

    In addition to accelerating equipment upgrades across the country, Ding Lin said the NDRC will allocate 800 billion yuan in ultra-long-term special government bonds to support the country’s major national strategies and strengthen security capabilities in key areas. Ding Lin called this a “proactive move” to stimulate effective investment.

    “We will accelerate the development of the project and the distribution of funds in order to achieve tangible results as soon as possible,” he concluded. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Cumulative gas production at China’s largest coalbed methane field exceeds 3.6 billion cubic meters

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TAIYUAN, June 5 (Xinhua) — The cumulative gas output from the Daning-Jixian coalbed methane field in north China’s Shanxi Province exceeded 3.6 billion cubic meters as of the end of May 2025, coalbed methane producer PetroChina Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd. said Thursday.

    As an unconventional natural gas, coal bed methane is considered a clean energy resource of strategic importance. Its use can help reduce risks in mining operations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and alleviate gas shortages.

    Shanxi Province has rich coal bed methane resources. The region’s reserves within 2,000 meters underground are estimated at 8.31 trillion cubic meters, accounting for about a third of the country’s total.

    In recent years, thanks to technological advances in coalbed methane production, the production capacity of Daning-Jixian Methane Field has been steadily growing.

    In 2024, the coalbed methane production at the Daning-Jixian field reached 1.96 billion cubic meters. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, June 2025: UK and Canada joint statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Report by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, June 2025: UK and Canada joint statement to the OSCE

    UK and Canada thank the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities for his active start in the role and urge continued prioritisation of support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.

    Thank you, Mister Chair.  I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada and the UK. 

    High Commissioner, dear Christophe, welcome back to the Permanent Council.  Since this is your first report in this capacity, allow us officially to congratulate you on your appointment and for hitting the ground running.  You have had a very active start to your tenure, as demonstrated by your comprehensive report today.

    The UK and Canada are strong supporters of your mandate and the work of your office in promoting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. 

    We commend your extensive engagement with – and visits to – a number of our participating States, including Moldova and Central Asia.  We welcome the transparency around your activities, which you have achieved without undermining the “quiet diplomacy” that is an important characteristic of your mandate.

    The UK and Canada greatly value your Office’s continued attention to the intersectionality of gender and national minorities.  It is in all our interests that we fully support women’s and girls’ full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of public life, including in peace and security.  We agree with you, High Commissioner, that greater gender equality in societies contributes to greater comprehensive security for us all.

    We also welcome that you have prioritised support to Ukraine, including an early visit.  We commend the strides that the Ukrainian authorities have made in strengthening the legal and policy frameworks for protecting national minorities and preparing the ground for inclusive education reforms.  This progress provides a promising foundation for Ukraine’s post-conflict recovery.

    High Commissioner, your office plays a crucial role which is as important today as it was when created more than 30 years ago. But like most of the OSCE’s tools, it can only play this role when the political will exists to permit it. 

    The situation in Ukraine is a case in point.  Your predecessor noted prior to the full-scale invasion that Ukraine was “working to maintain the delicate balance between the interests and rights of all groups in society”.  Rather than engage in good faith dialogue, Russia has weaponised the issue of minorities. And the irony is that those Ukrainians who Russia claimed to be protecting, have suffered greatly from its invasion. 

    The UK and Canada support your office’s continued focus on the situation in the areas of Ukraine’s sovereign territory temporarily under Russian control.  We condemn Russia’s systematic attempt to erase Ukrainian identity in these areas, including forced passportisation and the deportation of children.  The deeply concerning situation in Crimea, including widescale repression of Crimean Tatars, has been well documented by numerous independent organisations.

    High Commissioner, dear Christophe, we thank you and your team for your considerable efforts in the period covered by your report.  You can rely on the UK and Canada’s continued support for your institution in the years ahead.  Thank you.

    And thank you, Mister Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recruitment for an Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Co-ordinator

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Recruitment for an Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Co-ordinator

    Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Co-ordinator, working on the UK’s programmes of AMR surveillance in animals.

    We have a vacancy for an Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Co-ordinator.

    Job Title

    Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Co-ordinator

    Grade

    HSO

    Salary & Pension

    £37,480 per annum with Pension Scheme

    Annual Leave entitlement

    Commencing at 25 days

    Role

    This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team to cover a period of maternity leave.

    You will work with another HSO AMR co-ordinator to support the AMR surveillance manager in delivery of the surveillance programmes, including the interpretation and reporting of results. You will also co-ordinate important AMR activities across government and provide scientific input into, and generate outputs from, a diverse range of AMR surveillance initiatives.

    How to apply

    You must make your application via Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Co-ordinator – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK where you will find a full job description.

    Closing Date

    2 July 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Russia continues to frustrate peace efforts while trying to convince the world it is taking them seriously: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Russia continues to frustrate peace efforts while trying to convince the world it is taking them seriously: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland calls out Russia’s latest tactics to frustrate efforts to end its war in Ukraine while trying to convince the world it is serious about peace. He confirms that the Kremlin’s delay tactics will only redouble the UK’s resolve to support Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace

    Thank you, Mister Chair.  The UK welcomes the second round of bilateral negotiations that took place earlier this week in Istanbul.  We thank Türkiye for again hosting the discussions and the United States for creating the momentum that got everybody to this point.  The agreement to a further large-scale prisoner exchange and the return of fallen soldiers is a further step towards building confidence.

    We regret, however, that Russia limited the progress that could be made at Monday’s talks by refusing to send, in advance, the memorandum setting out its position on ending this illegal war.  The memorandum, when it arrived, revealed no movement away from the maximalist terms that we have all heard before.  We also regret that the Kremlin continues to reject a complete, unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire.

    This is consistent with the tactics that Russia has employed for weeks over peace talks: to draw out the process and refuse to engage in a meaningful way; all while trying to convince the world that it is serious about peace.  We see it in this Council and at the United Nations where Russia makes nonsensical claims.  Among these is the allegation that those who materially support Ukraine’s sovereign right to defend itself from unprovoked aggression, are undermining peace efforts.

    Nobody in this room is fooled; we know who started this war, and we know who is resisting efforts to end it.  The UK is committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.  Delay tactics from the Kremlin will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine defend itself and to use our sanctions to restrict Russia’s war machine.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Arrangements confirmed for City Cemetery Blessing of the Graves

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Arrangements confirmed for City Cemetery Blessing of the Graves

    5 June 2025

    Members of the public wishing to attend the Annual Blessing of the Graves at the City Cemetery scheduled to take place at 3pm on Sunday June 22nd, are asked to check traffic and parking arrangements to help plan their visit.

    130 car parking spaces will be made available for Blue Badge holders within the Cemetery.  The places will be allocated on a first come first served basis to current Blue Badge holders and can be booked at www.derrystrabane.com/cemeterysunday

    When booking online for the City Cemetery spaces users are advised that they must provide a Name, Mobile number, Vehicle Registration Number, Blue Badge Number and email address – any submissions without this information will be considered invalid. The people using these spaces can access them via the Lonemoor Road entrance and they are to arrive before 2pm as the gates will close promptly at this time.

    The City Cemetery will be closed to the general public on Sunday, June 22nd, except for burials and for those who have a parking space booked. Those who secure a space must be in place by 2pm, as there will be no access for vehicles after this time. Parking spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis and it will not be possible to reserve a space in a particular area. Please keep in mind that you may still have to walk some distance to reach family graves and make provision for this. Once on site, vehicles will remain there until the crowds have dispersed which, it’s estimated, will be approximately 30 minutes after the service finishes. Access to the cemetery for vehicles will be from the lower gate of the Cemetery at the Lone Moor Road.

    Other car parking is being made available and again are for blue badge holders at St Mary’s Church, Creggan, St Cecilia’s College and Celtic Park. There is no prior booking to these sites, access will only be given to vehicles that display a current Disability Blue Badge Permit on arrival and these too will be filled on a first come basis first served basis. 

    Please note that for those unable to attend or anyone with accessibility issues, the Service will also be live streamed and can be viewed from home.

    In a joint statement from the Council, as owners of the Cemetery, and the Church, as event organisers, people were asked to follow the guidance and plan their visit in advance. “The Blessing of the Graves is always well attended with thousands of people expected at the City Cemetery on June 22nd. In order to ensure the smooth running of the event and in the interests of health and safety a number of measures will be put in place. These are necessary to reduce the volume of traffic and keep pedestrian safe. We would appeal to everyone to follow this guidance and cooperate with the stewards there to manage the event on the day.

    “Visitors parking outside the cemetery are asked to please park in appropriate areas and be considerate of people living in the area. Be mindful of residents living in the area and do not block roadways, footpaths, or gateways when parking. This is an important time of prayer for families who are remembering loved ones, and we ask that everyone is respectful of other visitors during the service. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in delivering this event.”

    There will be no vehicle access to the cemetery from 12pm to facilitate preparations for the service. Access will only be given to those who have registered with gates remaining open until 2pm.

    You can view the livestream of the Blessing of the Graves as follows: https://youtube.com/live/9ZS-utqxlfQ?feature=share

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Amnesty Media Awards 2025: Winners announced

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Winners across the 12 award categories include BBC Radio 4, Channel 4, The Guardian, Financial Times, ITV News and BBC Eye Investigations 

    Owen Jones took home The People’s Choice Award 

    Al-Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief Wael Al-Dahdouh was presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights Journalism accolade  

    ‘Journalists around the globe are facing increased attacks and being silenced – it is more important than ever that we champion their work and make a stand for press freedom’ – Sacha Deshmukh 

    Images from the ceremony can be downloaded here  

    Amnesty International UK has announced the winners of its prestigious Amnesty Media Awards 2025 in a ceremony at the BFI Southbank London this evening (4 June), hosted by actor, writer and director Jolyon Rubinstein. 

    The 12 categories commended the most outstanding human rights journalism of the last year, with winners including Channel 4 and BBC Eye Investigations. Financial Times won both the Written Feature and Written News awards, while ITV News took home the Broadcast News trophy.  

    The Guardian won the Written Investigations category for reporting on the violent truth behind Italy’s ‘migrant reduction’, whilst BBC Radio 4 won the Radio & Podcasts award for a programme spotlighting the diary of a woman from Afghanistan.  

    Most categories were judged by a panel of prestigious journalists and media workers, including Ayshah Tull, Lindsey Hilsum, and Alex Crawford, but a new award for 2025 – The People’s Choice Award – saw tens of thousands of people across the UK voting for the journalist who they felt has made the biggest contribution to human rights reporting over the past year. This award was handed to Owen Jones, for his tireless efforts highlighting injustices, especially around the ongoing devastating crisis in Gaza.  

    This year, the Amnesty Media Awards shone a spotlight on the dangers that journalists often face to expose the most pressing human rights issues. 2024 was the deadliest year on record for journalists and media workers – at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed. A staggering 70% of those were a result of Israeli military action in Gaza and Lebanon.  

    A special award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights Journalism was presented to Al-Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, Wael Al-Dahdouh , who gave a speech during the ceremony about the decades he has spent reporting from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  

    The ceremony, which also featured a performance by singer Emeli Sandé, was live-streamed and attended by hundreds of journalists, broadcasters, producers and presenters.  

    Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, said: 

    “We’ve seen and commended some truly breathtaking journalism this evening – proof that good human rights reporting is absolutely essential for exposing injustices and holding power to account. Journalism is far more than just reporting on the facts – it can instigate very real, concrete change that impacts peoples’ lives across the planet.  

    “At a time when journalists around the globe are under increased attack and at risk of being silenced, it is more important than ever to champion their work and make a stand for press freedom.   

    “While the footage, words and reports we’ve awarded this evening remind us of the horrors we are living through, they are also proof of the many people committed to highlighting, exposing and ending violence and abuse. That is what the Amnesty Media Awards are all about – recognising, celebrating and inspiring the human rights journalism that makes the world a fairer, more equitable and peaceful place.” 

    FULL LIST OF WINNERS  

    Broadcast Feature 

    Basement Films for Channel 4 

    Kill Zone: Inside Gaza 

    Broadcast Investigation 

    BBC Eye Investigations 

    Settlements Above the Law 

    Broadcast News 

    ITV News  

    The White Flag  

    The Gaby Rado Award for New Journalist 

    Sophie Neiman 

    New Internationalist  

    Nations and Regions supported by the Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery  

    BBC Northern Ireland 

    Spotlight: Katie – Coerced and Killed 

    Photojournalism 

    Kiana Hayeri 

    The Guardian 

    Radio & Podcasts 

    BBC Radio 4 

    Our Whole Life is a Secret 

    Written Feature 

    Financial Times 

    How extremist settlers in the West Bank became the law 

    Written Investigation 

    The Guardian 

    The brutal truth behind Italy’s migrant reduction: beatings and rape by EU-funded forces in Tunisia 

    Written News 

    Financial Times 

    FT investigation finds Ukrainian children on Russian adoption sites 

    People’s Choice  

    Owen Jones 

    Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights Journalism 

    Wael Al-Dahdouh 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Vietnam Space Committee, OSB Group and Thales Partner to Promote Education and Innovation in Space Technologies

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Vietnam Space Committee, OSB Group and Thales Partner to Promote Education and Innovation in Space Technologies

    Vietnam has been building a national framework to advance Space activities over the past decade. Its national strategy for space technology development until 2030 aims to drive the sector forward in socio-economic development, technological innovation and environmental monitoring. Thales and Thales Alenia Space align with these ambitions, with the objective of this partnership to raise awareness and promote education on the immense potential of Space sciences and technologies.

    Through the scope of this MoU, VSC Office, OSB, Thales and Thales Alenia Space will work on jointly developing and deploying training programmes in background and advanced topics in space telecommunications, satellite navigation, and space exploration. From joint research and early outreach in initiatives like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to youth and academic institutions, Thales, Thales Alenia Space and their partners are working to build local technology expertise and capabilities in the coming generations.

    Thales Alenia Space will bring its global expertise in space systems and technologies, together with Thales that will draw on its 30-year history in Vietnam for the aerospace, defence and cybersecurity and digital sectors. These capabilities complement those from the VSC Office who is the primary advisor for the Vietnamese government in its national space development strategies and policies, and with OSB, a leading local, high-tech telecom satellite network agency,

    “Many governments are looking to satellites and communications technologies as the cornerstone in bringing connectivity, promoting economic development and safeguarding a country’s national security and sovereignty. Vietnam has keen ambitions for its Space sector, including the future VINASAT 3, which will bring state-of-the-art connectivity to millions. I am very optimistic on this partnership, signed in the framework of the Strategic Comprehensive Agreement between France and Vietnam, which builds on the 30-year legacy we have in Vietnam.” said Nicolas Bouverot, Vice-President for Asia at Thales.

    “Thales Alenia Space is proud to develop this partnership with the Vietnam Space Committee Office and OSB Group. This collaboration will leverage on Thales Alenia Space’s longstanding capabilities in satellites systems while supporting the development of local talent to nurture innovative space technologies.” said Olivier Guilbert, Vice-President Export Sales at Thales Alenia Space.

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    Press contact

    Thales, Communications, Asia

    Serene Koh – serene.koh@asia.thalesgroup.com

    PLEASE VISIT Thales Group

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Drought Group meets after driest spring in 132 years

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    National Drought Group meets after driest spring in 132 years

    Expert group told England has now experienced driest March, April and May since 1893.

    The Environment Agency convened a National Drought Group meeting today (5 June 2025) to discuss the latest outlook and hear from water companies about steps they are taking to prepare for the summer.  

    England has only seen 57% of the long-term average May rainfall and spring is the driest since the reign of Queen Victoria. However, the recent rain at the end of May and the start of June is helping to stabilise the position.

    The expert group will now meet monthly following a drought declaration in the north-west. Four other areas – the north-east, Yorkshire, east and west midlands – are also experiencing prolonged dry weather.  

    The EA told the group it has stepped up its operational response. This includes more compliance checks on businesses who abstract water, such as manufacturers, and increased monitoring of river and groundwater levels.

    The regulator is also working with all members of the National Drought Group, including the National Farmers Union, to help farmers plan their water needs over the summer.

    Meanwhile, water companies updated the group on how they are implementing their drought plans, including increased communication with customers, and speeding up the fixing of leaks.

    United Utilities in the north-west has increased the rate of finding and fixing leaks by 70% in recent weeks after a strong response from the community in spotting leaks during the dry weather.

    Youlgrave Waterworks, a private firm which supplies 500 homes in Derbyshire, became the first company to introduce a hosepipe ban at the start of June. The major water companies report they have no current plans for hosepipe bans but are keeping this under review.

    Helen Wakeham, EA Director of Water and National Drought Group chair, said: 

    It’s been the driest spring since 1893, and we need to be prepared for more summer droughts as our climate changes.

    The recent rainfall is having a positive effect, but it hasn’t been enough to stop a drought in the north-west and we must ensure we have enough water to last the entire summer.

    We are working with water companies, farmers and other abstractors to help them plan their water usage over the summer and urge people to be mindful about their daily use.

    The National Drought Group heard that without further substantial rain, some water companies may need to implement further drought measures this summer to conserve supplies.

    Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

    We face a water shortage in the next decade. That’s why the government is taking urgent steps to secure supplies into the future, as part of our Plan for Change.

    As an immediate step, we have convened the National Drought Group to make sure water companies are acting to conserve this precious resource and act in line with their drought plans.

    The Government has secured over £104 billion of private sector investment to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs, and to cut leakage by 17% over the next five years.

    Dr Will Lang, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: 

    After the driest Spring for more than a century across England, the start of June has brought some much-needed rainfall with a mix of Atlantic weather systems interspersed with drier and sunnier periods expected to continue over the coming days.

    Most areas will experience showers at times with some seeing longer spells of rain.  From mid-June onwards, the forecast becomes less clear with signs of drier conditions becoming more dominant across southern England.

    Looking further ahead, the chance of a hot summer is higher than normal with an associated increased risk of heatwaves and related impacts. After the more unsettled and wetter start to June, the likelihoods of a wetter or drier than average summer remain evenly balanced.

    Periods of dry weather and low rivers can have several consequences for the environment and wildlife. Low oxygen levels in water can lead to fish kills, as well as more algal blooms and lower river flows prevent wildlife from moving up or downstream.  

    The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers, and conservation experts – heard:  

    • Reservoir levels are now at 77%.

    • Fish rescues have been carried out on the Rivers Redlake and Tern in Shropshire.  

    • Navigation issues have been noted with the Canals and Rivers Trust having to implement restrictions on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and Lancaster Canal because of low water levels.   

    • The quality of spring crops is becoming a concern because of the dry soil and poor grass growth for feed.  

    • Applications for Local Resource Options (LRO) screening studies are now open for groups of farmers to explore ways to improve water availability and reliability.

    The Environment Agency is encouraging the public to report environmental incidents to their 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Meanwhile angling groups are also asking members to report signs of environmental impacts.

    Notes to editors: 

    A decision to declare drought is taken based on reservoir levels, river flows and moisture in the soil along with consideration of the long-term weather forecasts.  

    More information on how drought is defined can be found here: Drought explained – Creating a better place

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vigilance urged as warm and dry spring increases tree pest risk

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    Press release

    Vigilance urged as warm and dry spring increases tree pest risk

    Forestry Commission calls for caution from forestry sector as Ips typographus beetle flight season gets underway

    Woodland managers, landowners and the forestry sector are today (Thursday 5 June) being encouraged to increase their vigilance against the tree pest Ips typographus.

    The warning comes following a record dry spring, and the heavy rain and waterlogging of last year, which has left lowland spruce, particularly those on clay soils, at heightened risk of stress, potentially increasing their susceptibility to beetle infestation.

    Ips typographus, also known as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, is a serious pest of spruce trees in Europe which was first identified in the UK in 2018. It prefers stressed or dying trees but under the right conditions it can attack healthy trees and has the potential to cause significant damage to Great Britain’s forestry and timber industries.

    We are now entering a heightened risk period as it is the beginning of the annual season of blow over of beetles from mainland Europe.

    The Forestry Commission, including Forest Research, lead a robust and comprehensive management programme to manage the pest which, if left unmanaged, could leave an estimated 725,000 hectares of spruce at risk of infestation with an estimated total value of £2.9 billion.

    Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 

    “I am urging foresters and landowners to really be on their guard as we enter the heightened risk period for Ips typographus.

    “We need maximum vigilance from all landowners and land managers as temperatures rise – the dry spring following last year’s wet summer has created ideal conditions for the beetle. The cooperation of the forestry sector has been vital in our efforts to keep the pest at bay and we need that to continue.”

    Dr Anna Brown, Director of Forest Services at the Forestry Commission, said: 

    “Continued vigilance to the threat posed by Ips typographus is needed following the recent rise in temperatures, and we’re urging landowners and land managers to report any sightings immediately via Tree Alert to help reduce the risk of the pest spreading. The beetle prefers stressed or dying trees but it can attack healthy trees if the conditions are right.

    “The help of the sector is vital in the successful management of this pest – landowners, agents and timber processors should continue to comply with ongoing restrictions for movement of spruce material and methods of forest operations in the Demarcated Area.” 

    A grant is available within the Proactive Spruce Removal Area as part of the Tree Health Pilot and the Forestry Commission plans to provide a new offer to further support removal of spruce later this year.  

    Defra will host a workshop later this year, in collaboration with UK Agri-Tech Centre, to continue to exchange knowledge with the international plant health community on innovative and technological solutions for managing bark beetle pests.

    Additional information:

    • The risk is highest within the ‘Demarcated Area’ currently in place in parts of the South East and East of England. This area is designated by the Forestry Commission to manage outbreaks of the beetle, with restrictions in place.

    • All outbreak sites are subject to robust eradication action in line with our Ips typographus contingency plan and a Demarcated Area is in place restricting the planting, movement and felling of susceptible material. Action includes destroying infested material as soon as possible to disrupt the lifecycle of the pest, preventing it from developing, emerging and dispersing. This is alongside ongoing wider environment surveillance to identify new outbreak sites. 

    • Material susceptible to infestation by the pest – that is, with weakened defences, like windthrow and harvesting residues – is prioritised for removal, to prevent further infestation by any beetles remaining on the site. 

    • Lastly, healthy spruce is also felled and removed from the area immediately surrounding the original infestation as a precautionary measure (on varying timescales, depending on the initial density of beetles in the infested area).

    • Following the removal of spruce, pheromone traps are placed on the site for three years during the insect flight period, to capture any beetles concealed in the leaf litter.

    • A map indicating the ‘Proactive Spruce Removal area’ is available via this link. 

    • Click here to read a blog outlining research taking place into the susceptibility of different spruce trees. 

    • An updated Outbreak Sites Summary Map is available via this link

    • Updated guidance is available via this link on movement restrictions for spruce within the Ips typographus Demarcated Area and guidance is also available on the process of being issued with a Statutory Plant Health Notice if you have an Ips infestation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council’s Amenities Team celebrates excellence award

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Amenities Team at Highland Council has won the Gold Award in the ‘Parks, Grounds and Street Scene’ category at this year’s APSE Scotland Striving for Excellence Awards.

    The awards recognise the achievements of local authorities in Scotland and celebrate those exceeding expectations within waste and recycling, parks, fleet and grounds management services.

    Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie said: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone in the team and a well-deserved award. The team have prioritised the voices of young people in everything they do which has resulted in a nationally recognised strategy that has played a part in influencing best practice. Play is fundamental to the wellbeing of children in our communities, and I would like to congratulate the Amenities Team for their commitment to ensuring our approach to play is child-led and beneficial for young people of all ages and abilities.”

    As part of The Council’s Amenities Review in 2024, an in-house play team was established with three members of staff and has now developed into a team of eight. Since then, the team has worked with more than 50 community groups, refurbished 27 play areas and approved a Playpark Strategy and Action Plan for the next 10 years. Highland Council’s Playpark Strategy was recently highlighted in the evidence base and supporting research of the Scottish Government’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030.

    Debbie Sutton, Strategic Lead for Community Operations and Logistics at Highland Council accepted the award on behalf of the team and said: “We’re delighted to have won this award which recognises the team’s hard work and commitment to improving play for children of all ages throughout the Highlands. I am extremely proud of the team and honoured to accept the award on their behalf.”

    Winners were announced at a charity dinner on Thursday 22 May as part of the APSE Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar at the Aviemore Highland Resort.

    The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) is a not-for-profit local government body working with over 300 councils throughout the UK to promote excellence in public services.

    Highland Council’s Amenities Team

    5 Jun 2025

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