NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Tajikistan: Anchoring early warning systems as part of the national DRR strategy

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    In July 2024, Tajikistan reached a significant milestone in disaster risk reduction (DRR) by endorsing a costed national roadmap for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). This achievement followed the national launch of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in August 2023, backed by high-level political commitment, including the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister as the government focal point.

    The roadmap sets out priority actions and investment needs in early warning and DRR, aligned with Target G of the Sendai Framework and building on the foundations of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2019-2034). A key element of success has been the robust coordination mechanism led by the Tajikistan National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This platform facilitates integration among national and local actors across key sectors, ensuring that early warnings are timely, actionable, and reach the most at-risk communities. Clearly defined institutional roles have strengthened information flow across the MHEWS value chain.

    In partnership with the Swiss Cooperation Office, UNDRR supported Tajikistan in positioning early warning systems within its DRR priorities. As part of this process, over 50 representatives from government ministries, technical sectors and vulnerable communities came together to develop a comprehensive national risk assessment methodology. This approach reflects Tajikistan’s status as a landlocked developing country (LLDC) highly exposed to natural hazards, guiding evidence-based decision-making,planning and climate risk adaptation.

    Tajikistan has also strengthened regional collaboration. In 2024, it joined Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in calling for the establishment of a Regional Early Warning and Mutual Information System under the EW4All initiative., underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation and shared risk information.Tajikistan’s National DRR Strategy (2019-2034) has played a central role in advancing early warning capabilities, as evidenced by its contribution to the MHEWS road map.

    Key impacts include:

    • Policy alignment and institutional commitment: The MHEWS roadmap is anchored in the national DRR strategy, ensuring coherence with broader DRR goals. Alignment with Sendai Framework Target G reinforces risk-informed governance. The appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister as the EW4All focal point reflects strong political ownership.
    • Enhanced coordination: The National Platform for DRR enabled multi-sectoral integration for MHEWS development. By involving ministries and local actors, and clarifying institutional roles, the platform facilitated the efficient flow of disaster information to communities.
    • Regional engagement: The national strategy’s emphasis on collaboration has reinforced Tajikistan’s role in regional efforts to strengthen early warning systems, notably through joint advocacy with neighbouring Central Asian states.
    • Risk assessment and climate resilience: The strategy guided the design of a national risk assessment methodology, helping identify emerging hazards and climate risks and informing the prioritization of investments under the MHEWS road map.
    • Strategic foundation: The DRR strategy served as a critical policy anchor, providing coordination, direction and technical underpinnings for a scalable and sustainable early warning system.

    Lessons learned for replication or adaptation

    1. DRR strategies as enablers: National strategies provide a solid foundation for the development and expansion of early warning systems. Alignment with international targets, such as the Sendai Framework’s Target G, supports a coherent, structured approach.
    2. Political leadership is critical: High-level commitment, exemplified by the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister as EW4All focal point, helps accelerate implementation and secure long-term investment.
    3. Integrated coordination mechanisms: Multistakeholder platforms-such as Tajikistan’s National Platform-enhance coordination across government levels and sectors, improving the timeliness and relevance of early warnings.
    4. Regional cooperation enhances resilience: Tajikistan’s joint action with Central Asian neighbours demonstrates the value of coordinated responses and shared data to tackle transboundary risks more effectively.
    5. Data-driven planning supports adaptability: National risk assessments allow for a better understanding of evolving hazards, enabling targeted investments and improving the effectiveness of early warning systems.

    By leveraging its national DRR strategy, fostering political commitment, and investing in coordination and regional collaboration, Tajikistan has established a comprehensive and sustainable model for strengthening early warning systems. This approach not only enhances national disaster preparedness but also contributes to regional resilience against shared hazards.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Montenegro’s inclusive, expert-led approach boosts quality, coherence and alignment with global frameworks

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    In April 2024, Montenegro requested support from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to conduct an external evaluation of its zero-draft Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction with the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategy for the Period 2025-2030. This successor strategy builds upon Montenegro’s previous DRR framework for 2018-2023.

    A drafting committee was established using a whole-of-society approach, involving governmental institutions, academic entities and civil society organizations to ensure inclusive participation. This approach significantly strengthened national disaster risk governance and resilience-building at the policy level.

    UNDRR’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ROECA) coordinated the initial assessment, which involved 11 external experts from diverse technical backgrounds. Using the DRR Strategy Qualitative Assessment Tool, this peer review identified gaps and opportunities for strengthening the zero draft.

    By September 2024, a second round of evaluation reflected clear improvements. The revised strategy incorporated key elements of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, including measurable targets, hazard and sector-specific risk assessments, and timelines. It demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity, integrating gender equality, the needs of at-risk groups, alongside innovative nature-based solutions (NbS) to enhance sustainability. ). It also aligned with national development priorities and global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The accompanying Action Plan translated these strategic goals into operational action-empowering municipalities and organizations to tackle localized vulnerabilities. It also linked DRR interventions to broader development objectives such as poverty reduction, climate adaptation, and ecosystem conservation, while incorporating monitoring mechanisms for accountability and continuous improvement.

    Key impacts

    • Elevated strategy quality and coherence: The structured peer review led by 11 external experts significantly enhanced the quality, relevance and strategic coherence of Montenegro’s 2025-2030 DRR framework.. The process grounded the strategy in national realities while ensuring global alignment.
    • Improved strategic maturity: Feedback from the first review allowed Montenegro’s drafting committee to make targeted revisions. The improved draft featured clearer goals, indicators, and stronger sectoral risk analysis. It also established institutional clarity through defined governance structures and multistakeholder coordination.
    • Global alignment and policy coherence: The strategy now closely mirrors the Sendai Framework, reinforcing Montenegro’s international DRR commitments and its understanding of cross-sectoral risk.
    • Inclusivity and innovation: Peer contributions helped embed gender equality, support for at-risk populations, and nature-based solutions into the strategy, underscoring Montenegro’s commitment to an inclusive and sustainable DRR approach.
    • Strengthened stakeholder engagement: The review process deepened national ownership by involving local authorities, academia, and civil society in shaping a DRR strategy with broad legitimacy and relevance.
    • Operational clarity and monitoring: The revised Action Plan clarified roles, responsibilities, timelines and budgets, while introducing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure the strategy’s accountability and long-term impact.

    Lessons learned for replication and adaptation

    1. Structured external feedback enhances quality: A peer reviewusing tools like UNDRR’s DRR Strategy Qualitative Assessment Tool provides objective, comparative insights often overlooked in internal reviews.
    2. Multi-stakeholder engagement is essential: Inclusive participation from local and national institutions, civil society and academia fosters strategy ownership and enhance relevance through diverse perspectives.
    3. Staged reviews ensure measurable improvements: Conducting at least two rounds of review allows time for meaningful revisions and enhances strategic outcomes.
    4. Ensure coherence with global frameworks: Peer reviews can serve as checkpoints to align national strategies with the Sendai Framework, SDGs and the Paris Agreement.
    5. Promote innovation and inclusivity: Engaging external experts from varied backgrounds encourages the adoption of emerging practices tailored to national contexts.
    6. Link to monitoring and accountability mechanisms: Peer reviewers emphasized the need for a detailed action plan with clear timelines responsible entitiesand M&E systems.to ensure implementation is feasible and trackable.
    7. Neutral coordination by a trusted third party is key: UNDRR’s facilitation ensured neutrality, consistency and quality control throughout the review. Engaging an experienced third party with the right tools and expertise is essential to a credible peer review process.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Record Heat in Northwest European Waters

    Source: NASA

    A long-lasting marine heat wave hit the waters surrounding the United Kingdom and Ireland in spring 2025. By mid-May, sea surface temperatures in some areas reached up to 4 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than normal. The heat wave began in early March and continued into May, according to the U.K. Met Office, making it one of the region’s longest on record for this time of year.
    Persistent high-pressure weather systems throughout the spring produced long spells of sunny, dry, and calm weather—ideal conditions for surface waters to warm, experts noted. Heat from the Sun can build up quickly in the topmost layer of water when winds and waves are too calm to churn up cooler water from below. Throughout April and May, surface water temperatures reached the highest values in satellite records going back to 1982. These conditions followed a winter where sea surface temperatures were already above average.
    This map shows temperature anomalies across the water’s surface on May 22, 2025. The values reflect how far temperatures differed from the 2003-2014 average for that day. By this time in the heat wave, temperatures in the North Sea had already peaked, while surface waters west and south of Ireland were hitting some of their highest temperatures of the event so far.
    The map is based on data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a Jet Propulsion Laboratory effort that blends measurements of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well as ship and buoy observations.
    Marine heat waves can have various effects on ecosystems, including harming fisheries and killing off key species such as kelp. Since the May 2025 heat wave around the U.K. and Ireland occurred before the height of summer, scientists think temperatures will stay low enough to avoid serious harm. However, the unseasonable warmth may still alter the size and timing of phytoplankton blooms, which is consequential because the organisms form the base of the aquatic food web.
    The heat associated with these events can extend beyond the ocean to affect weather on land. Researchers analyzing a June 2023 northwest European marine heat wave found that the sea surface heat contributed to a record-high monthly mean temperature in the U.K.
    In 2025, spring has been notably warm and dry in the U.K. And to the northwest, across the North Atlantic, Iceland experienced a prolonged spell of temperatures that were well above average in mid-May. Later in the month, however, weather systems brought rain, cooler temperatures, and westerly winds to the region, which the Met Office said may start to break up the warm sea surface layer and allow it to gradually cool.
    NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. Story by Lindsey Doermann.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Secures the Extraditions of Individuals Accused of Violent and Other Serious Crimes from Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guatemala, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius,

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    United States Also Returned International Fugitives Wanted for Terrorism, Murder, Attempted Murder and Child Sexual Abuse to Canada, India, and Mexico

    Note: The defendants whose names are underlined hyperlink to press releases.

    WASHINGTON — Extensive coordination between the Justice Department and law enforcement authorities in Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guatemala, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Panama, Peru, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom (UK) resulted in the extraditions in April and May of dozens of individuals. The defendants returned to the United States are alleged to have committed crimes — including child sexual abuse and rape, murder, hate crimes, assault, narcoterrorism, drug trafficking, alien smuggling, cybercrime, money laundering, fraud, aggravated robbery and extortion — in a number of U.S. states and federal districts, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.

    The fugitives extradited to the United States include:

    • Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as Mishka, Michael, Commander Butcher, and Butcher, 21, a Georgian national and alleged leader of a white supremacist group, was extradited from Moldova to face charges in the Eastern District of New York for soliciting hate crimes and planning a mass casualty attack in New York City. As the alleged leader of the white supremacist group “Maniac Murder Cult,” an international, racially motivated violent extremist group that adheres to a neo-Nazi ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community, and other groups that it deems “undesirables,” Chkhikvishvili allegedly traveled to Brooklyn in 2022 and actively solicited acts of mass violence with a person who was, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, an undercover FBI employee. In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili allegedly began planning a mass casualty attack to take place on New Year’s Eve, which would involve an individual dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy laced with poison to racial minorities. In January 2024, as alleged, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the undercover FBI employee to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn.

    • Liridon Masurica, also known as @blackdb, 33, a national of Kosovo and alleged administrator of an online criminal marketplace, was extradited from Kosovo to face charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and fraudulent use of 15 or more unauthorized access devices in the Middle District of Florida.

    • Adrian Alberto Cano Gomez, also known as Andrea, 45, a national of Colombia and an alleged member of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), a designated foreign terrorist organization, was extradited from Colombia to face charges in the Southern District of Texas of narco-terrorism and distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Colombia.

    • Aler Baldomero Samayoa-Recinos, also known as Chicharra, 58, a national of Guatemala and alleged leader of a prolific Guatemalan drug trafficking organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the District of Columbia of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms of cocaine for importation to the United States.

    • Daniel Flores, 49, a national of Mexico, was extradited from Mexico to face charges of first-degree murder for the 1995 killing of two brothers, both U.S. Marines, ages 22 and 19, in Cook County, Illinois.

    • Manuel Alejandro Vasquez, 47, a citizen of Mexico, was extradited from Mexico to face a charge of murder in Ventura County, California. Vasquez’s two co-defendants were convicted in 1999 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 1998 murder of a man in his home over an alleged unpaid debt. Vasquez fled to Mexico before charges could be filed against him.

    • Tyler Buchanan, 23, a UK national, was extradited from Spain to face charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in the Central District of California. Among other crimes, Buchanan and his co-conspirators allegedly stole cryptocurrency worth millions of dollars following phishing attacks on over 45 companies based in the United States, Canada, and the UK.

    • Felix Manuel Mejia-Gonzalez, 33, a Dominican citizen, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges of fentanyl trafficking in the District of New Hampshire.

    • Samuel Steven Huggler, 28, a U.S. citizen, was extradited from Spain, to face charges relating to the alleged murder and attempted murders of three of his siblings in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Huggler is charged with aiding, inducing, or causing murder, three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of aiding, inducing, or causing attempted murder, and possession of an altered firearm. 

    • Michel Patrick Desalles, 54, a Mauritian national, was extradited from Mauritius to face a charge of murder in the second degree in the State of New York. Desalles allegedly choked his employer to death with zip ties and immediately fled the United States in 2017.

    • Juan Miguel Roman-Balderas, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was extradited from Mexico to face two charges of murder in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Roman-Balderas is alleged to have stabbed to death his 28-year-old ex-girlfriend in April 2014 in Greenbelt, Maryland.

    • Rody L. Wilcox, 50, a U.S. citizen, was extradited from Georgia to face charges of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 years of age filed in Latah County, Idaho. Wilcox allegedly sexually assaulted a six-year-old child on multiple occasions in 2023. In 2024, Wilcox fled Idaho while on bond. Through OIA’s cooperation with the FBI, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and Georgian authorities, Wilcox was arrested in Georgia on Aug. 16, 2024, while en route to the Russian Federation.

    • Miguel Angel Urbano-Vazquez, 48, a citizen of Mexico, was extradited from Mexico to face charges of aggravated first-degree murder and rape in Pierce County, Washington. Urbano-Vazquez is alleged to have raped four victims between March and October 2002, one of whom he is also alleged to have murdered in the course of rape.

    • Gilberto Gutierrez, 46, a citizen of El Salvador, was extradited from El Salvador to face charges of rape, child abuse, and related sex offenses in Wicomico County, Maryland. Gutierrez allegedly repeatedly sexually abused two girls under the age of 10 years old between approximately 1999 and 2004.

    • Ramon Manriquez Castillo, 68, a dual U.S. and Mexican citizen; Edgar Rodriguez Ruano, 29, a Mexican citizen; Fernando Javier Escobar Tito, 48, an Ecuadorian citizen; and Anderson Jair Gamboa Nieto, 30, a Colombian citizen, were surrendered by Guinea-Bissau to face drug trafficking charges in the Southern District of Florida. The co-defendants are alleged members of a transnational drug trafficking organization comprised of several cartels in Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, and they allegedly conspired to distribute large quantities of cocaine through Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Guinea-Bissau using a U.S.-registered airplane, with a U.S. citizen onboard, from about November 2023 to September 2024. They are also charged with distributing cocaine in these countries using an airplane with a U.S. citizen onboard.

    • Artem Aleksandrovych Stryzhak, 35, a Ukrainian national, was extradited from Spain to face charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers in the Eastern District of New York and the Middle District of Florida. According to the charges in the Eastern District of New York, Stryzhak is one of the administrators of the Nefilim ransomware gang. The Middle District of Florida charges allege that Stryzhak used the Hive ransomware to engage in a computer hacking and extortion scheme that targeted businesses in the United States and abroad. The Hive ransomware group is estimated to have attacked approximately 1,500 victims and extorted approximately $110 million in ransom payments.

    The fugitives extradited by the United States include:

    • Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen, native of Pakistan, and convicted terrorist, was extradited to India to stand trial on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed 160 people, including six Americans, and wounded hundreds more.

    • Aaron Seth Juarez, 26, a U.S. citizen, was extradited to Mexico to be prosecuted for femicide for the 2019 killing of his approximately 31-year-old stepmother, whose body he allegedly buried in the backyard of her Tijuana home. 

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), along with the U.S. Marshals Service, provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central District of California and the Eastern District of California litigated with OIA the successful outgoing extradition cases for Rana and Juarez, respectively. OIA and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions from Colombia. The Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) also provided assistance with the extraditions from Guatemala and Kosovo. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guatemala, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Panama, Peru, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

    An indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: British and Chinese Nationals Indicted for Alleged Plot to Silence U.S. Dissident and Smuggle U.S. Military Technology to China

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Federal grand juries in Los Angeles and Milwaukee each have returned indictments charging two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, of the United Kingdom and a U.S. lawful permanent resident, with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking (Los Angeles) and conspiracy, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act (Milwaukee), the Justice Department announced today.

    “As alleged, the defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. This Justice Department will not tolerate foreign repression on U.S. soil, nor will we allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defense systems. We will act decisively to expose and dismantle these threats wherever they emerge.”

    “The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America,” said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. “The same individuals also are charged with trying to obtain and export sensitive U.S. military technology to China. I want to commend the good work of the FBI and our partners in the U.S and overseas in putting a stop to these illegal activities.”

    • Central District of California (Los Angeles)

    According to court documents, beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller enlisted two individuals (Individual 1 and Individual 2) inside the United States to carry out a plot to prevent the Victim from protesting President Xi’s appearance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2023. The victim had previously made public statements in opposition to the policies and actions of the PRC government and President Xi.

    “The indictment alleges that Chinese foreign actors targeted a victim in our nation because he criticized the Chinese government and its president,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “My office will continue to use all legal methods available to hold accountable foreign nationals engaging in criminal activity on our soil.”

    “The FBI will not tolerate transnational repression targeting those in the United States who express dissenting opinions about foreign leaders,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Both defendants face serious stalking charges in Los Angeles and my office intends to hold them accountable for bullying a victim, a critic of the PRC, and targeting him with violence.”

    Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, Individual 1 and Individual 2 were affiliated with and acting at the direction of the FBI.

    In the weeks leading up to the APEC summit, Cui and Miller directed and coordinated an interstate scheme to surveil the victim, to install a tracking device on the victim’s car, to slash the tires on the victim’s car, and to purchase and destroy a pair of artistic statues created by the victim depicting President Xi and President Xi’s wife.

    A similar scheme took place in the spring of 2025, after the victim announced that he planned to make public an online video feed depicting two new artistic statues of President Xi and his wife. In connection with these plots, Cui and Miller paid two other individuals (Individual 3 and Individual 4), approximately $36,500 to convince the victim to desist from the online display of the statues. Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, Individual 3 and Individual 4 were also affiliated with and acting at the direction of the FBI.

    • Eastern District of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

    According to court documents, beginning in November 2023, Miller and Cui solicited the procurement of U.S. defense articles, including missiles, air defense radar, drones, and cryptographic devices with associated crypto ignition keys for unlawful export from the United States to the People’s Republic of China from two individuals (Individual 5 and Individual 6). 

    In connection with the scheme, Cui and Miller discussed with Individuals 5 and 6 ways to export a cryptographic device from the United States to the People’s Republic of China, including concealing the device in a blender, small electronics, or motor starter, and shipping the device first to Hong Kong. Cui and Miller paid approximately $10,000 as a deposit for the cryptographic device via a courier in the United States and a wire transfer to a U.S. bank account.

    ***

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, Cui and Miller face the following maximum penalties: five years in prison for conspiracy; five years in prison for interstate stalking; 20 years in prison for violation of the Arms Export Control Act; and 10 years in prison for smuggling.

    The FBI is investigating the case. The United States is coordinating with Serbian authorities regarding the pending extraditions of Cui and Miller from Serbia.

    Assistant United States Attorneys David Ryan, Chief of the National Security Division and Amanda B. Elbogen of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, both of the Central District of California, Benjamin Taibleson of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Trial Attorneys Leslie Esbrook and Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the cases, with valuable assistance provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Foreign Nationals Indicted for Plot to Silence U.S. Dissident and Smuggle U.S. Military Technology to China

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Defendants Charged in Los Angeles and Milwaukee with Interstate Stalking, Arms Export Violations, and Smuggling

    Federal grand juries in Milwaukee and Los Angeles each returned indictments charging two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, of the United Kingdom and a U.S. lawful permanent resident, with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking (Los Angeles) and conspiracy, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act (Milwaukee).

    “As alleged, the defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. This Justice Department will not tolerate foreign repression on U.S. soil, nor will we allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defense systems. We will act decisively to expose and dismantle these threats wherever they emerge.”

    “The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America,” said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. “The same individuals also are charged with trying to obtain and export sensitive U.S. military technology to China. I want to commend the good work of the FBI and our partners in the U.S and overseas in putting a stop to these illegal activities.”

    Allegations in the Central District of California

    According to court documents, beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller enlisted two individuals (Individual 1 and Individual 2) inside the United States to carry out a plot to prevent the Victim from protesting President Xi’s appearance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2023. The victim had previously made public statements in opposition to the policies and actions of the PRC government and President Xi.

    “The indictment alleges that Chinese foreign actors targeted a victim in our nation because he criticized the Chinese government and its president,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “My office will continue to use all legal methods available to hold accountable foreign nationals engaging in criminal activity on our soil.”

    Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, Individual 1 and Individual 2 were affiliated with and acting at the direction of the FBI.

    In the weeks leading up to the APEC summit, Cui and Miller directed and coordinated an interstate scheme to surveil the victim, to install a tracking device on the victim’s car, to slash the tires on the victim’s car, and to purchase and destroy a pair of artistic statues created by the victim depicting President Xi and President Xi’s wife.

    A similar scheme took place in the spring of 2025, after the victim announced that he planned to make public an online video feed depicting two new artistic statues of President Xi and his wife. In connection with these plots, Cui and Miller paid two other individuals (Individual 3 and Individual 4), approximately $36,500 to convince the victim to desist from the online display of the statues. Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, Individual 3 and Individual 4 were also affiliated with and acting at the direction of the FBI.

    Allegations in the Eastern District of Wisconsin

    According to court documents, beginning in November 2023, Miller and Cui solicited the procurement of U.S. defense articles, including missiles, air defense radar, drones, and cryptographic devices with associated crypto ignition keys for unlawful export from the United States to the People’s Republic of China from two individuals (Individual 5 and Individual 6).  

    In connection with the scheme, Cui and Miller discussed with Individuals 5 and 6 ways to export a cryptographic device from the United States to the People’s Republic of China, including concealing the device in a blender, small electronics, or motor starter, and shipping the device first to Hong Kong. Cui and Miller paid approximately $10,000 as a deposit for the cryptographic device via a courier in the United States and a wire transfer to a U.S. bank account.

    ***

    If convicted, Cui and Miller face the following maximum penalties: five years in prison for conspiracy; five years in prison for interstate stalking; 20 years in prison for violation of the Arms Export Control Act; and 10 years in prison for smuggling.

    The FBI is investigating the case. The United States is coordinating with Serbian authorities regarding the pending extraditions of Cui and Miller from Serbia.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ryan and Amanda B. Elbogen for the Central District of California, Benjamin Taibleson for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Trial Attorneys Leslie Esbrook and Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the cases, with valuable assistance provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: With Over $42 BILLION In Vital Broadband Funding Still Held Up By Trump Administration, Leader Schumer, Ranking Member Cantwell, And Senator Luján Demand Admin Stop The Delays & Immediately Release The Funding Into American Communities; Senators Say 25 Million Americans Still Lack High-Speed Internet As Bipartisan Funding Lingers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), sent the following letter to Commerce Secretary Lutnick and President Trump demanding that the Commerce Department immediately release the $42 billion allocated for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

    Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), sent the following letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and President Trump demanding the immediate release the $42 billion allocated for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This program was designed to help our country on its path to creating universal access to high-speed internet – vital for remote work, education, job training and applications, telehealth, emergency services, and more. With the endless delays to get the crucial funding out the door and into American communities, 25 million people across our country risk going without access to the internet. 

    “States have spent years developing implementation plans under the BEAD program to reach every American with high-speed internet access. These plans reflect local needs, technical realities, and the bipartisan intent of Congress,” the Senators wrote. “States are ready to put shovels in the ground and have been waiting for months to get started connecting communities and building networks that will support the industries of tomorrow. Additional delays and onerous changes to the program at this stage threaten to further stall urgently needed deployment and leave communities behind.”

    The Senators also noted that beyond everyday applications of high-speed internet, this money is also essential to ensuring that America is able to maintain its competitive edge over countries such as China. Al systems – including data centers, chip manufacturing facilities and more – require access to power and internet. Without proper broadband networks in place, communities will not be able to house these job-creating facilities. Our government must work to ensure that all areas in our country – especially rural ones – are able to contribute to America’s innovative edge and technological dominance. Without BEAD funding getting out the door, these rural communities risk falling either further behind. 

    States have spent months developing plans to break ground and build high-speed, scalable, and reliable networks everywhere. The Trump administration should not throttle this process or delay it just to give more money to the world’s richest man. The Senators urge the immediate and swift release of all BEAD program funding.

    BEAD Grant Allocations By State

    State Amount
    Texas $3,312,616,455.45
    California $1,864,136,508.93
    Missouri $1,736,302,708.39
    Michigan $1,559,362,479.29
    North Carolina $1,532,999,481.15
    Virginia $1,481,489,572.87
    Alabama $1,401,221,901.77
    Louisiana $1,355,554,552.94
    Georgia $1,307,214,371.30
    Washington $1,227,742,066.30
    West Virginia $1,210,800,969.85
    Mississippi $1,203,561,563.05
    Florida $1,169,947,392.70
    Pennsylvania $1,161,778,272.41
    Kentucky $1,086,172,536.86
    Wisconsin $1,055,823,573.71
    Illinois $1,040,420,751.50
    Arkansas $1,024,303,993.86
    Alaska $1,017,139,672.42
    Arizona $993,112,231.37
    Indiana $868,109,929.79
    Colorado $826,522,650.41
    Tennessee $813,319,680.22
    Oklahoma $797,435,691.25
    Ohio $793,688,107.63
    Oregon $688,914,932.17
    New Mexico $675,372,311.86
    New York $664,618,251.49
    Minnesota $651,839,368.20
    Montana $628,973,798.59
    Idaho $583,256,249.88
    South Carolina $551,535,983.05
    Kansas $451,725,998.15
    Nevada $416,666,229.74
    Iowa $415,331,313.00
    Nebraska $405,281,070.41
    Wyoming $347,877,921.27
    Puerto Rico $334,614,151.70
    Utah $317,399,741.54
    Maine $271,977,723.07
    Maryland $267,738,400.71
    New Jersey $263,689,548.65
    Vermont $228,913,019.08
    South Dakota $207,227,523.92
    New Hampshire $196,560,278.97
    Guam $156,831,733.59
    Hawaii $149,484,493.57
    Massachusetts $147,422,464.39
    Connecticut $144,180,792.71
    North Dakota $130,162,815.12
    Rhode Island    $108,718,820.75
    Delaware $107,748,384.66
    District of Columbia $100,694,786.93
    Northern Mariana Islands $80,796,709.02
    American Samoa $37,564,827.53
    U.S. Virgin Islands $27,103,240.86

    The letter can be seen here and below.

    Dear Sec. Lutnick and President Trump,

    Congress created the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to finish the job of connecting everyone and building high-speed, scalable, and reliable networks everywhere. For six months, states have been waiting to break ground on scores of projects, held back only by the Commerce Department’s bureaucratic delays. If states are forced to redo or rework their plans, they will not only miss this year’s construction season but next year’s as well, delaying broadband deployment by years. That’s why we urge the Administration to move swiftly to approve state plans, and release the $42 billion allocated to the states by the BEAD Program. 

    Universal access to high-speed internet is essential for jobs, education, and telehealth—and also for the bandwidth-hungry innovation economy, from artificial intelligence and advanced robotics to smart manufacturing and semiconductor production. Further delay means 25 million Americans continue to wait for high-speed internet and the economic benefits it brings. It also means that we risk falling behind China, which is aggressively building out digital infrastructure to support its AI, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor ambitions. 

    States have already developed plans to address these needs, and restarting or slowing down the process will only hold back progress. States must maintain the flexibility to choose the highest quality broadband options, rather than be forced by bureaucrats in Washington to funnel funds to Elon Musk’s Starlink, which lacks the scalability, reliability, and speed of fiber or other terrestrial broadband solutions.

    High-speed, reliable, and scalable connectivity is essential for jobs, education, and telehealth. It’s also the backbone for the advanced industries of today and tomorrow. AI systems require massive volumes of data and low-latency networks to operate effectively. Data centers, smart warehouses, robotic assembly lines, and chip fabrication plants all depend on fast, stable, and scalable bandwidth. If we want these job-creating facilities built throughout the United States, including rural areas, we must ensure the infrastructure—including high-speed internet networks—is in place to support them. If we want AI developed and deployed in the United States, if we want to win the race for semiconductor dominance, if we want the next generation of manufacturing jobs to be created here, then we must act now—and we must build the high-speed, high-capacity networks those technologies demand.

    States have spent years developing implementation plans under the BEAD program to reach every American with high-speed internet access. These plans reflect local needs, technical realities, and the bipartisan intent of Congress. States are ready to put shovels in the ground and have been waiting for months to get started connecting communities and building networks that will support the industries of tomorrow. Additional delays and onerous changes to the program at this stage threaten to further stall urgently needed deployment and leave communities behind. 

    We urge you to move forward with the submitted BEAD plans and deliver on the promise of the BEAD program without further delay. Every American and every community needs access to reliable, scalable, and high-speed internet if we are to remain the world’s innovation leader.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vice Chairman of China addresses opening ceremony of 4th Dialogue on Inter-Civilizational Exchanges and Mutual Learning

    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

    LANZHOU, May 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice President Han Zheng has called for eliminating disunity and misunderstanding through dialogue and communication to promote harmonious coexistence among different civilizations.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations in Dunhuang, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on Friday, Han Zheng said exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations have injected strong impetus into the progress of human civilization and peaceful development throughout the world.

    “We should show mutual respect and promote mutual success, jointly advocate for respect for the diversity of world civilizations, promote each civilization to preserve its unique beauty, and all civilizations to create harmonious diversity together,” Han Zheng said.

    The Vice Chairman of the PRC pointed out that Chinese-style modernization, as a new form of development of human civilization and mutually enriching with other civilizations, brings unique wisdom to the development of world civilizations.

    China will firmly stand on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to multilateralism with other countries, actively implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and advance in-depth and practical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, Han added.

    The dialogue is attended by about 400 people, including political leaders, scientists, heads of international and non-governmental organizations from different countries.

    Delegates unanimously noted that China brings stability and certainty to the world through its own development. The global initiatives put forward by China, including the Global Civilization Initiative, not only promote mutual understanding and mutual learning among different civilizations, but also lay a solid foundation for building a new type of international order based on harmonious coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation among all countries, the participants in the dialogue said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Beijing hosts conference to mark 120th anniversary of American journalist E. Snow’s birth

    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, May 30 (Xinhua) — A conference dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of American journalist Edgar Snow was held at Peking University on Friday.

    E. Snow was born in 1905 to an ordinary farming family in Missouri. In 1936, when China was engulfed in internal conflict and faced foreign aggression, E. Snow traveled to the remote headquarters of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shaanxi Province (Northwest China), where he conducted extensive interviews with top party leaders, including the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

    Snow’s own reporting resulted in Red Star Over China, published a year later. It provided not only the West but also China itself with a rare and authentic account of the Chinese Red Army, its leadership, and its unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the Chinese people.

    After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, E. Snow visited China three times and was warmly received by its top leaders. After his visits, he never ceased to worry about China, firmly supported the just cause of the Chinese people, and actively promoted the development of friendly relations between the PRC and the United States.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, Fu Hua, director general of Xinhua News Agency, said that Snow was a sincere friend of the Chinese people, an envoy of China-US relations and a respected journalist.

    “Through his cross-border and cross-cultural journalism practice, E. Snow has provided the world with an accurate, multi-dimensional and comprehensive picture of China,” Fu Hua said.

    “The values embedded in Snow’s work—honesty, curiosity, courage in the face of political pressure—are values that need to be affirmed, renewed, even strengthened, to truly honor his memory,” said Samuel Colin MacLean, a relative of Snow and a fellow at Harvard’s Fairbank Center for China Studies.

    “E. Snow believed that only honest, unvarnished and uncensored communication could bridge the gap between our countries and prevent unnecessary conflicts,” noted S.K. MacLean.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In this regard, Sun Hua, director of the Edgar Snow China Research Center at Peking University, noted that “Red Star Over China” played a key role in popularizing the CPC’s idea of forming a united front against Japanese aggression.

    Sun Hua explained that as a result of Snow’s work, teams of U.S. representatives, including military observers, went to northern Shaanxi to support China’s anti-fascist efforts. “Snow’s book not only helped unite the Chinese people, but also played an important role in mobilizing international support, including assistance from the United States and Britain,” he said.

    “Let us pass on the spirit of E. Snow from generation to generation, overcoming not only geographical distances but also ideological differences, promoting cultural and humanitarian exchanges and mutual learning between different countries and regions,” Fu Hua said.

    The event, jointly organized by Peking University and the Xinhua Research Institute, was attended by relatives and close friends of E. Snow, as well as experienced journalists and experts in E. Snow studies and international communications.

    During the event, guests discussed how China can focus on building a more effective international communications system, and thematic sub-forums discussed topics such as “Introducing the Real China to the World” and “Training Personnel and the Legacy of E. Snow’s Spirit.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hamas says it is consulting with Palestinian factions over US proposal for Gaza ceasefire

    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

    GAZA, May 30 (Xinhua) — The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Friday that it is currently consulting with Palestinian forces and factions on the Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Witkoff.

    A source within the movement said on condition of anonymity that the consultations were intended to examine the details of the initiative and ensure that it was in line with Palestinian interests before a final position was taken.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that his government accepts Witkoff’s proposal, according to Israeli state television Kan.

    As reported by Kan, citing a senior Israeli official, the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of 10 live hostages and the handover of 18 bodies in two stages. Israel, in turn, must release 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and hand over the bodies of 180 dead Palestinians. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Foreign Nationals Indicted for Plot to Silence U.S. Dissident and Smuggle U.S. Military Technology to China

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Defendants Charged in Los Angeles and Milwaukee with Interstate Stalking, Arms Export Violations, and Smuggling

    Federal grand juries in Milwaukee and Los Angeles each returned indictments charging two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, of the United Kingdom and a U.S. lawful permanent resident, with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking (Los Angeles) and conspiracy, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act (Milwaukee).

    “As alleged, the defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. This Justice Department will not tolerate foreign repression on U.S. soil, nor will we allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defense systems. We will act decisively to expose and dismantle these threats wherever they emerge.”

    “The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America,” said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. “The same individuals also are charged with trying to obtain and export sensitive U.S. military technology to China. I want to commend the good work of the FBI and our partners in the U.S and overseas in putting a stop to these illegal activities.”

    Allegations in the Central District of California

    According to court documents, beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller enlisted two individuals (Individual 1 and Individual 2) inside the United States to carry out a plot to prevent the Victim from protesting President Xi’s appearance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2023. The victim had previously made public statements in opposition to the policies and actions of the PRC government and President Xi.

    “The indictment alleges that Chinese foreign actors targeted a victim in our nation because he criticized the Chinese government and its president,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “My office will continue to use all legal methods available to hold accountable foreign nationals engaging in criminal activity on our soil.”

    Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, Individual 1 and Individual 2 were affiliated with and acting at the direction of the FBI.

    In the weeks leading up to the APEC summit, Cui and Miller directed and coordinated an interstate scheme to surveil the victim, to install a tracking device on the victim’s car, to slash the tires on the victim’s car, and to purchase and destroy a pair of artistic statues created by the victim depicting President Xi and President Xi’s wife.

    A similar scheme took place in the spring of 2025, after the victim announced that he planned to make public an online video feed depicting two new artistic statues of President Xi and his wife. In connection with these plots, Cui and Miller paid two other individuals (Individual 3 and Individual 4), approximately $36,500 to convince the victim to desist from the online display of the statues. Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, Individual 3 and Individual 4 were also affiliated with and acting at the direction of the FBI.

    Allegations in the Eastern District of Wisconsin

    According to court documents, beginning in November 2023, Miller and Cui solicited the procurement of U.S. defense articles, including missiles, air defense radar, drones, and cryptographic devices with associated crypto ignition keys for unlawful export from the United States to the People’s Republic of China from two individuals (Individual 5 and Individual 6).  

    In connection with the scheme, Cui and Miller discussed with Individuals 5 and 6 ways to export a cryptographic device from the United States to the People’s Republic of China, including concealing the device in a blender, small electronics, or motor starter, and shipping the device first to Hong Kong. Cui and Miller paid approximately $10,000 as a deposit for the cryptographic device via a courier in the United States and a wire transfer to a U.S. bank account.

    ***

    If convicted, Cui and Miller face the following maximum penalties: five years in prison for conspiracy; five years in prison for interstate stalking; 20 years in prison for violation of the Arms Export Control Act; and 10 years in prison for smuggling.

    The FBI is investigating the case. The United States is coordinating with Serbian authorities regarding the pending extraditions of Cui and Miller from Serbia.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ryan and Amanda B. Elbogen for the Central District of California, Benjamin Taibleson for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Trial Attorneys Leslie Esbrook and Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the cases, with valuable assistance provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Road closures – Race for Life – Inverness

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    A number of roads will be closed in Inverness this weekend due to the Race for Life 5K and 10K events.

    The roads order will apply on Sunday 1 June 2025 between 08:00 and 13:30. The restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety of participants in Cancer Research UK’s events.

    Vehicles will not be permitted on the following roads between the above times:

    U3823 Bught Road, Inverness, between its junction with the U3821 Bught Avenue and its junction with the U4158 Ness Walk Upper.

    U4158 Ness Walk Upper, Inverness, between its junction with the U3823 Bught Road and its junction with the U3788 Ballifeary Lane.

    U4158 Ness Walk Upper, Inverness, between its junction with the U3788 Ballifeary Lane and its junction with the U3813 Bishop’s Road.

    U4624 Ardross Terrace, Inverness, between its junction with the U4624 Ness Walk and its junction with the U4624 Ardross Street.

    U4624 Ness Walk, Inverness, closed between its junction with Young Street (forming part of the 8861 Inverness – Leys – lnverarnie Road) and its junction with the U4624 Ardross Terrace.

    Castle Road (forming part of the 8862 Fort Augustus – Whitebridge – Torness – Dares – Inverness Road), Inverness, between its junction with Haugh Road (8862) and its junction with Bridge Street (8861). Access for southbound traffic will be maintained.

    C1201 Ness Bank and Gavell Gardens Road, Inverness, closed to through traffic between its junction with Castle Road (8862) and its junction with Island Bank Road (8862).

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pupils join City Leader for the official opening of Whin Park in Inverness

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Earlier today (Friday 30 May) pupils from local schools joined the City Leader and guests for the official opening of Whin Park.

    Since the redevelopment works were completed at the start of April, the new-look park has become a “must go to” destination for local children and their families, as well as visitors to Inverness.

    Helping to make the official opening a memorable event were pupils from St Joseph’s and Muirtown primary schools, as well as young people from Millburn Academy who enjoyed demonstrating all the equipment to guests. Adding to the occasion and entertaining guests were young pipers from Inverness Royal Academy.

    Before getting pupils to help him cut the ribbon, City Leader Cllr Ian Brown thanked everyone involved with the ambitious and creative project to transform the space and bring new life to the park and surrounding area.

    He said: “I’m delighted this project has been delivered. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation to help shape the facilities, especially the young people. The results thanks to their input from the start of the design process is an inclusive, sustainable play space which all ages and abilities can enjoy spending time in.  

    “We now have a park we can enjoy and be proud of. I would encourage anyone who has not yet come along, to make the most of the weather and get out and use the facilities. Enjoy them and look after them.”

    A consultation on the play area design was carried out, ensuring that children’s views were heard and informed the project.  Features include an interactive Nessie, Legend Seeker play ship, swing area, climbing birds’ nest, an adventure mound with tube slide, scramble net and interactive arch. The Sona dance and play arch is an audio-based piece of equipment made for the outdoors which utilises the latest technology and a range of games to encourage children to be more active outdoors.

    Some of the children who helped design the park said:

    “I enjoyed being part of the consultation process because we got to contribute what we would like to see in the park to make it enjoyable for everyone of all ages.”

    “I thought the process was quite fun and you could choose from lots of great ideas and fun things that would be exciting for kids.”

    “It was very exciting as we got to design new spaces and I think this park is way better than the one before.”

    The newly developed site complements family activities already available at Whin Park including the boating pond, Ness Islands railway and a shop serving drinks and snacks.

    Improvement works began in January 2025 by Jupiter Play and Leisure Ltd who appointed Play Works Ltd as their on-site contractor to install the new equipment. Work was completed on site by end of March 2025 and the project was delivered within budget.

    Funding for the contract was awarded by the Scottish Government Play Area Fund and was allocated to the redevelopment of the park by Members of the Inverness, Central, Ness-side, Millburn, and Inverness West Wards.  In 2023, Inverness City Committee Members agreed £150k Inverness Common Good Funding and in 2024 a further £102k from the Community Regeneration Fund towards the park development costs.  A total budget of £500,000.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vice Premier of the State Council of China calls on leading scientists to achieve scientific and technological peaks and enhance China’s self-sufficiency

    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, May 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Friday called on members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to pioneer key technologies and cultivate talent to build China into a self-sufficient science and technology power.

    Speaking at a symposium dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ANC academic departments, Ding Xuexiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized the historical role of the academy in solving important strategic scientific and technical problems and training high-level scientific and technical personnel.

    Stressing the role of academic departments and academicians as the “backbone” of China’s scientific and technological progress, he called on them to accelerate breakthroughs in key technologies, take the lead in cultivating strategic scientific and technological personnel, play a leading role as advisers on major decisions of the CPC Central Committee related to science and technology, and conduct more forward-looking, strategic and basic research.

    Ding Xuexiang stressed the importance of establishing international scientific and technological cooperation, developing the scientific spirit, and encouraging young scientists to integrate their life ideals into the great cause of rejuvenating the Chinese nation.

    In addition, the Vice Premier also pointed out that the authorities should improve support mechanisms to create an environment conducive to innovation.

    The event was attended by the leadership of the ANC, academics and representatives of relevant departments. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Nigeria flood death toll rises to 88

    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

    ABUJA, May 30 (Xinhua) — The death toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy rains in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state has risen to at least 88, local authorities said on Friday.

    At least 67 more bodies have been recovered during ongoing rescue operations in Mokwa Local Government Area, bringing the death toll up from the previous figure of 21 reported on Thursday, May 29, according to Ibrahim Isah Hussaini, head of operations at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.

    “Their numbers continue to grow. However, according to the latest count, 88 bodies have already been found,” he said during the rescue operation, adding that more people were still missing.

    Heavy rains that hit Mokwa late Wednesday flooded and washed away more than 50 residential buildings, some of which were occupied at the time, I. Isah Hussaini told reporters on Thursday.

    Earlier this week, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency issued a forecast warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the central part of the country, including Niger State. The agency said more rainfall was expected in the next 48 hours, with localized showers also possible in the southern region. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s State Council appoints new director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative 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

    BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) — China’s State Council announced Friday that Zhou Ji has been appointed director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and national security adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR.

    At the same time, Zheng Yanxiong was removed from his posts as Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s State Council appoints new head of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative 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

    BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) — China’s State Council announced Friday that Zhou Ji has been appointed director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and national security adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR.

    At the same time, Zheng Yanxiong was removed from his posts as Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At least 13 killed in Indonesian quarry landslides

    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

    JAKARTA, May 30 (Xinhua) — The death toll from a quarry landslide in Indonesia’s West Java province on Friday has risen to at least 13, with several others still missing, West Java Provincial Search and Rescue chief Ade Dian Permana said.

    According to him, five people are currently seriously injured, while several others have minor injuries.

    “At the moment, we still do not know the exact number of missing people. However, we will continue the search tomorrow, as we believe that there are several more people affected by the landslides,” he said.

    Ade Dian Permana also noted that the work of excavators is being hampered by a massive pile of stones, adding that four units of special equipment were sent to the scene.

    The disaster occurred at the Gunung Kuda mine in Bobos village, Cirebon regency, at around 10:00 a.m. local time, West Java provincial disaster agency spokesman Hadi Rahmat Harjasasmitha said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Remarks by Minister of National Defence David McGuinty at CANSEC 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Check Against Delivery

    Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Kelsey, 
    Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, 
    International delegates, 
    Service members from our Allies and partners, 
    Members of the diplomatic corps, 

    Fellow parliamentarians, 

    And finally, industry partners,

    Good morning everyone, bonjour à tous.

    It’s a privilege to join you for this year’s CANSEC. My thanks to Christyn Cianfarani and everyone at CADSI for organizing this important event, and for bringing us together.

    It is especially an honour to be here as CANSEC is hosted in the electoral district I represent. I want to welcome you all to Ottawa South.

    Many of the companies in this room have a home in the National Capital Region. With over 10,000 workers, Ottawa’s defence sector is a major employer. We have talent working in all aspects of the industry from tech, aerospace, and manufacturing. This is my first major engagement as Minister of National Defence.

    Many of you are new faces—but I’m looking forward to getting to know you, and learning more about how your work strengthens Canada’s defence and security.

    Building a business is difficult. It comes with a lot of uncertainty and financial risk. Without you taking on that risk, we wouldn’t have the equipment and services needed to keep Canadians safe.

    So, thank you, for getting to work, thank you for employing Canadians, and thank you for growing our economy.

    For those of you here today in uniform…
    The people who commit their lives to service…
    Who take on the hardest tasks in the toughest conditions…
    Who are ready at the drop of a hat… 
    Who deserve the best from those of us who support them— 

    Thank you for choosing to serve Canada.

    I’ve been struck by the deep sense of shared purpose I’ve seen—across government and industry—to strengthen our defence capabilities, and ensure our people are equipped for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s threats.

    We have a clear direction, and we’ve made a decision. We’ve decided to act without delay, in close cooperation with our industry partners.

    The global security environment today is volatile and uncertain.

    Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine has stretched into a third, brutal year. China’s imperial ambitions are increasingly clear—in its military buildup and its assertive posture toward other international powers.

    And, states like North Korea and Iran continue to act as destabilizing forces in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.

    Canada is not immune to these threats.

    We face real challenges—both military and non-military—that demand an equally strong and coordinated response.

    This includes growing activity in the Arctic, where our competitors have shown little hesitation in challenging Canada’s territorial sovereignty.

    As well as the threats posed by emerging technologies that are changing the very nature of war.

    And we get it.

    We are moving quickly to ensure our military has the tools to defend our country and continent—while remaining an engaged, reliable partner abroad.

    And here is the key message: this work can only be done in partnership with you. 

    It is work that needs the full spectrum of equipment and services offered in this room—from quantum computing to shields to ammunition.

    A new government was elected some four short weeks ago, and having run on a platform to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty and security, your government is moving to take immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada’s defence capacity, rearm the Canadian Armed Forces, and invest in the Canadian defence industry.

    The commitments we are making will support skilled and reliable jobs and stimulate growth in our communities across the country—including in more than 3,000 communities where the Canadian Armed Forces are present.

    Already, in Canada, defence accounts for two hundred seventy-six thousand direct and indirect jobs.

    Let’s be practical: we see this with the opening of the new B Jetty in CFB Esquimalt, which created close to 1,300 jobs during its construction.

    We see this in our Future Aircrew Training program, an $11.2 billion investment in training the next generation of Canadian aviators – which will create or maintain 3,400 jobs annually across Canada.

    We see this with our River-Class Destroyer project, which will sustain over 5,000 jobs over the next 15 years, many of them in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    And by sourcing Canadian-made steel, aluminum, and critical minerals, we will multiply the economic benefits and strengthen local industries— like the aluminium industry in Québec.

    But that’s not enough. I share in your ambition to do more.

    Now is the time to scale up our production here at home. Now is the time for government and industry to work together.

    Now is the time for your government to invest in you—to capitalize on the immense and growing defence opportunities.

    Canada’s defence is bolstered by the strong relationships we have with our Allies and international partners.

    We have over fifty international delegates attending CANSEC this year – a testament to the high calibre of the Canadian defence industry.

    And as we strengthen these international ties, there will be opportunities for industry to help us deliver on shared priorities.

    In November, Canada and Australia signed an agreement to work together on researching emerging missile threats, with a focus on countering hypersonic weapon systems.

    And, earlier this year, Prime Minister Carney announced further cooperation with the Australians—investing over six billion dollars in a partnership to develop advanced Over the Horizon Radar capabilities.

    After all, the Canadian Arctic belongs to Canada.

    I want to increase the work our defence industry does with our Allies and partners.

    My promise to you is that I will be: 

    Unafraid to carry the flag of the Canadian defence industry around the globe. 

    Unafraid to champion the innovative and class leading technology of Canadian companies. 

    Unafraid to help you compete on the world stage.

    Our defence industry is world-class.

    Innovative, highly skilled, and globally competitive.

    Yet we need to better harness what you bring to the table.

    In previous engagements between National Defence and industry, many of you raised concerns—about friction points, timelines, and the need for clear, consistent guidance.

    I want to reassure you that your comments have been heard.

    Our forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will put your insights into action.

    We’ll build a secure, resilient industrial base that supports long-term defence goals.

    Canada has planned to triple defence spending from 2014 levels by 2030—but, your government is moving to accelerate this.

    Your government will invest more to acquire the necessary equipment the CAF needs to be successful in carrying out its missions.

    We’re also taking real steps to improve how we buy, maintain, and upgrade our equipment. That includes streamlining our requirements and speeding up delivery—so CAF members get the tools they need, faster.

    And we’re moving toward a more regular, ongoing approach to defence planning. One that helps us stay on top of global threats, track our progress, and fix gaps before they grow.

    I don’t need to remind you that the world is changing fast—and this new approach will help us keep up. It will also give more consistency and predictability to our industry partners.

    Having a strong, well-equipped military, supported by a strong defence industrial base, is top priority for me, for the Prime Minister, and for your government—as demonstrated by the PM’s appointment of Canada’s first-ever Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr.

    And as your government promises to do more, we ask that you do more.

    We simply cannot afford to wait a decade for the capabilities we need today.

    We need you to help us meet our ambitious timelines.

    Canadians have a legacy of mobilizing quickly when times get tough.

    During the Second World War, we went from just six ships to the third-largest navy in the world.

    We can—and we will—recapture that same innovative spirit.

    By procuring new equipment we can meet modern challenges.

    But, we need people.

    We need soldiers, aviators, and sailors.

    The people that make up the Canadian Armed Forces are our greatest asset. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything we set out to do.

    Last fiscal year, we surpassed our recruitment goals, bringing in over 6,700 new Regular Force members.

    That’s a 55% increase from the year before.

    And we will build on this success and grow our recruitment numbers even further.

    We’re going to do that by making it easier to serve, by building more housing units on bases, by expanding access to childcare, by providing better training, better equipment, and meaningful opportunities for career growth.

    And by building a culture rooted in dignity, inclusion, and respect for everyone who serves.
    We ask a hell of a lot of our military members and their families. 
    We ask them to be apart for extended periods of time. 
    We ask them to carry out dangerous missions. 
    In fact, we ask them to put the safety of others before their own—in defence of peace, freedom, and democracy.

    That is a lot to ask.

    And no matter the task, they carry out their duties with the utmost skill, dedication, and professionalism.

    To the Canadian Armed Forces members listening: you are simply second to none.

    To conclude we’re ready to work with you to bring this vision for defence, and for Canada’s defence industry, to life. In fact, no government can do this without you.

    Without your risk taking.

    Without your creativity.

    Without your entrepreneurship.

    Our cooperation will ensure our Armed Forces members have everything they need to protect our country and those who call it home.

    And reaffirm Canada’s position as a reliable and valuable partner on the international stage.

    We are seized with the urgency of this task—and I know you are too. Our country is calling on us to take on this responsibility in the defence of Canadians, their security and sovereignty.

    Thank you. Merci.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE investigation leads to couple charged with marriage fraud, making false statements

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    CAMDEN, N.J. — An Albanian national was charged with marriage fraud, and he and his wife, an American citizen, were both charged with making false statements on forms submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Newark.

    The charges against Elvis Harizaj, 25, of Cherry Hill, and Natasha Flores, 27, of Newark, were announced May 28 by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden.

    “This couple allegedly undermined the integrity of our U.S. immigration laws by entering into a deceptive marriage for the purpose of obtaining fraudulent legal status to remain in our country,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “These charges should serve as a warning to others that marriage fraud is a federal crime, and we will investigate and prosecute those who try to circumvent our nation’s legal paths to residency.”

    According to HSI Newark’s investigation, Harizaj is a citizen of Albania and entered into a sham marriage with Flores for the purpose of obtaining permanent residence in the United States. On forms submitted to USCIS, Harizaj falsely stated that he lived with Flores and Flores falsely stated that she had never been married before. Flores, in fact, had previously been married to a Brazilian national who obtained U.S. citizenship based on his marriage to Flores. In addition, Harizaj was charged with marriage fraud.

    The counts of false statements and marriage fraud both have a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of three years of supervised release.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City council welcomes new repairs and maintenance service director.

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Friday, 30th May 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council is delighted to welcome Ben Gothard as the Director of their newly created Repairs and Maintenance Service.

    The Repairs and Maintenance of the city council’s 17,500 houses and 600 public buildings, was bought back into the city council in April 2025, having previously been contracted to Unitas Stoke-on-Trent Ltd.

    Having listened to our tenants, the new service is operating with a renewed focus on first time repairs, improved customer service and a more proactive approach to maintenance.

    Ben is due to start in his post on 21 July 2025 and arrives with 20 years’ experience working in Social Housing Repairs and Maintenance and experience of working with Housing Associations and Local Authorities, having previously held the position of Head of Repairs and Maintenance for Sheffield City Council. He will manage all aspects of the RMS Team including Asset Management and Investment, Responsive Repairs and Planned Management.

    Ben said: “I am really passionate about delivering excellent services for customers and it feels like a really exciting time to be joining Stoke on Trent City Council’s team. I am looking forward to concentrating on the improvements already recognised and welcome the opportunity to deliver a top performing service.”

    Councillor Chris Robinson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ben to the Repairs and Maintenance Service. His experience and knowledge make him ideally suited to support our expert tradespeople on delivering a service our customers deserve.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The onus is on Russia and Putin to show they are serious about peace: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The onus is on Russia and Putin to show they are serious about peace: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

    We’ve listened very carefully to the Russian delegation, including their attacks on the UK.

    Let me say one thing.

    Let us all hope that Russia engages more seriously and with more sincerity in the peace talks than we’ve heard here today.

    Russia has just blamed the UK and other European countries for somehow sabotaging peace.

    They’re trying to complicate things and confuse us.

    But the reality is quite simple. Let me restate a few simple facts.

    1) Russia invaded Ukraine twice in fact, in recent years.

    2) Russia violated the UN Charter.

    3) Russia is right, as we speak, trying to annex Ukrainian land.

    4) Russia appears, from its public statements, to be seeking the overthrow of the government in Kyiv and to impose limits on Ukraine’s independence.

    5) Russia has rejected an unconditional ceasefire.

    6) Russia continues to bomb cities across Ukraine, 900 drone and missile attacks in just three days last week.

    There is plenty more we could talk about, including Russia’s use of sophisticated weaponry in urban areas, killing civilians, or its reckless seizure of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. 

    We could talk about the enablers of Russia’s war, such as weapons flows from Iran and its military partnership with DPRK, in violation of Council resolutions, and weaponised dual-use goods from other third parties.

    But in the end, we don’t really need to look beyond the most essential facts about Russia’s invasion to understand the situation and what needs to happen next.

    Ukraine on the other hand:

    1) Is defending its territory.

    2) Is defending the principles of the UN Charter.

    3) Has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire.

    President Zelenskyy has even offered direct talks with President Putin, which President Putin has rejected.

    So yes, the UK stands proudly with Ukraine as it seeks a just and lasting peace.

    Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attacks is not the cause of this war; it is a necessary response to it.

    The onus really is on Russia, and President Putin, to show they are serious about ending the war that they started. Let us hope they do that very soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Yorkshire Water fined after pumping station sewage incident

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Yorkshire Water fined after pumping station sewage incident

    Yorkshire Water has been fined £350,000 after one of its sewage pumping stations polluted a York watercourse.

    Following an investigation by the Environment Agency, the company appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Friday 30 May for sentencing for two offences – one of illegally polluting Foss Dyke with sewage and another in relation to failing to maintain a pump at the pumping station.

    It had previously pleaded guilty to the two offences in November 2024.

    The court heard that Yorkshire Water was aware Fossbridge Sewage Pumping Station’s backup pump had not been working for five months.

    It had failed to repair it, despite the issue having been noted repeatedly during regular maintenance checks. It should have been fixed within 24 hours.

    Yorkshire Water ‘failed to take action’

    Martin Christmas, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said:

    Water companies have a responsibility to ensure their assets are maintained and in working order to protect the environment.

    Yorkshire Water failed to take action despite being aware of the risks posed by one of its pumps being out of action, which led to a sewage spill.

    We expect full compliance and are committed to taking robust enforcement action where we see serious breaches.

    Alongside increased inspections at sewage treatment works, additional enforcement tools and better reporting we’re determined to hold water companies to account.

    Sewage pumping stations pump sewage through the system to sewage treatment works. It is illegal, unless authorised by an environmental permit, to discharge pollution into watercourses.

    Under the environmental permit for Fossbridge Sewage Pumping Station, such a discharge is only allowed in an emergency, such as an electrical or mechanical failure or a blockage, which, if it occurs, must be remedied without delay.

    Fossbridge pumping station has a main pump and a backup pump. There is an emergency overflow pipe which discharges sewage into the River Foss if the station fails, to avoid nearby homes connected to the system from being inundated.

    Sensors enable Yorkshire Water to monitor the station’s performance including power, pump condition, levels and the operation of the emergency overflow.

    Backup pump was blocked

    On 5 October 2017, Yorkshire Water noted the inlet pipe feeding the backup pump was blocked and effluent couldn’t reach it, meaning the pump could not operate.

    Although a job was raised to fix this blockage, and it was noted it needed repairs during several subsequent regular maintenance visits, it was never carried out.

    Comments from Yorkshire Water during interview said the repair of the backup pump was to be done by an external contractor but had ‘got lost in the ether’.

    On 12 March, 2018, the sewage pumping station filled to the point where telemetry alarms sounded indicating a discharge of sewage into Foss Dyke. The alarms were noted at Yorkshire Water’s control centre and attributed to high rainfall.

    High rainfall was not a valid reason as the sewage pumping station was only allowed to discharge in an emergency as set out in its environmental permit and not, as with some water company assets like combined sewer overflows, in ‘storm conditions’.

    Yorkshire Water did not attend the pumping station, despite the data indicating a sewage spill.

    Report of discharge of sewage

    Two days later on 14 March, Yorkshire Water received a report from the public about a discharge of sewage from Fossbridge pumping station.

    It was found the main pump was running but on ‘low amps’ – which indicates a potential air lock – and the backup pump was still not repaired. Yorkshire Water had no functioning pumps at the pumping station.

    The company stopped the discharge and arranged for tankers to transport the sewage away from the pumping station while it was repaired. Reports suggest the pumping station had been discharging intermittently into the watercourse on 12 March, 2018.

    Over the following days, two further discharges took place at the pumping station, one because only one tanker was being used to transport sewage from the pumping station and it had not been able to keep up with the flow, and another after the main pump blocked again.

    Water samples showed high ammonia levels in the watercourse.

    If members of the public see any signs of pollution, they should report it to the environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 807060.

    Background

    Full charges

    • Yorkshire Water Services Limited between 11 and 19 March 2018, caused a water discharge activity, namely the discharge of sewage into the Foss Dyke near York which was not authorised by an environmental permit.

    Contrary to Regulation 38(1)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.  

    • Yorkshire Water Services Limited between 1 October 2017 and 19 March 2018 at Fossbridge Sewage Pumping Station, York, failed to comply with condition 1.6.2 of Environmental Permit number 27/24/0440, in that the company failed to maintain the standby pump in working order.

    Contrary to regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government completes exit from NatWest

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government completes exit from NatWest

    Final share sale ends nearly 17 years of public ownership

    • Final share sale ends nearly 17 years of public ownership 
    • Millions of savers and businesses protected during the financial crisis 
    • Taxpayers prioritised through value-for-money sales at market price since this government came to office

    The government has sold its remaining shares in NatWest Group (formerly Royal Bank of Scotland, RBS) — ending public ownership that began when it stepped in to protect millions of savers and businesses during the financial crisis.

    That intervention prevented the UK economy and financial system from going over the edge – protecting millions of savers, businesses and jobs.  

    Over 2008 and 2009, the government provided £45.5 billion to stabilise RBS (now NatWest), which at the time was one of the largest banks in the world- with over 40 million customers and operations in more than 50 countries. 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: 

    Nearly two decades ago, the then Government stepped in to protect millions of savers and businesses from the consequences of the collapse of RBS. That was the right decision then to secure the economy and NatWest’s return to private ownership turns the page on a significant chapter in this country’s history. We protected the economy in a time of crisis nearly seventeen years ago, now we are focused on securing Britain’s future in a new era of global change.

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds said: 

    Bringing NatWest fully back into private ownership marks a significant milestone for the UK banking sector following the financial crisis.  

    Since coming into government, we have halted the NatWest retail share sale, which could have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions. Instead, we put taxpayers first by only selling NatWest shares at market value— securing more money to invest in vital public services.

    To date, £35 billion has been returned to the Exchequer through share sales, dividends and fees. While this is around £10.5 billion less than the original support, the alternative would have been a collapse with far greater economic costs and social consequences.

    The Office for Budget Responsibility are clear on this point: the cost of doing nothing would almost certainly have been far greater than the difference between the capital injected and proceeds returned.  

    Allowing the bank to fail would have devastated people’s savings, mortgages and livelihoods — and shattered confidence in the UK’s financial system. 

    Since taking office in 2024, the government has prioritised securing value for taxpayers — scrapping plans for a retail sale that could have cost hundreds of millions of pounds due to the need to sell shares at a discounted price to attract retail buyers. 

    Instead, shares were sold only at market price and when it represented value for money  — helping fund the Plan for Change to invest in the NHS, education and defence. 

    The government has now exited all banking sector interventions made during the financial crisis.

    Notes to editors

    • Shares were sold through three accelerated bookbuilds in 2015 (£2.1bn), 2018 (£2.5bn), 2021 (£1.1bn), five directed buybacks of shares by NatWest in March 2021 (£1.1bn), March 2022 (£1.2bn), May 2023 (£1.3bn), May 2024 (£1.2bn), and November 2024 (£1bn), and a trading plan from 2021–2025
    • The final shares were sold through the trading plan on 30 May 2025. In total, the trading plan generated over £13.2bn in proceeds from sales of NatWest shares
    • Peak government stake in RBS was 84.4%
    • A retail sale, proposed under the previous government, was cancelled in 2024 due to the additional costs to taxpayers, estimated in the hundreds of millions
    • UK Government Investments (UKGI), who managed the shareholding on behalf of HMT, ensured all sales delivered value for money
    • Explainer of total amount received by government in relation to NatWest shareholding:
    Type Amount (£bn) Comments
    Sale proceeds 24.77 Total combined proceeds from sales of the shareholding between 2015 and 2025.
    Dividends 4.91 Total combined dividends received since the bank recommenced dividend payments in 2018.
    Dividend Access Share 1.51 Combined value of payments made to retire the DAS, which provided enhanced dividend rights to HMT following the provision of capital support to RBS. The DAS was retired in 2016.
    Asset Protection Scheme fees 2.50 Fees paid by RBS in exchange for its participation in the APS, which protected against exceptional credit losses on certain portfolios of assets. RBS exited the APS in 2012.
    Contingent Capital Facility fees 1.28 Fees paid in return for the provision of an £8bn CCF to RBS by HMT in 2009. The CCF was terminated in 2013.
    Total £34.98  
    *Numbers may not sum due to rounding    

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Bilateral meetings in the margins of the Italy-Central Asia Summit

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    In the margins of the first Italy-Central Asia Summit held in Astana today, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a series of bilateral meetings with Heads of State of the region, confirming Italy’s will to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian nations at both bilateral and regional level with the 1+5 format.

    Over the course of the day, President Meloni met with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

    The meetings provided an opportunity to reaffirm the intention to continue dialogue on all key regional and international issues, as well as the process of strengthening bilateral relations in all areas of common interest, with a particular focus on energy, critical raw materials, infrastructure, water resources, the environment, agriculture, connectivity and cultural and academic cooperation as well as cooperation on security matters.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE scientists elected to membership in Russian Academy of Sciences

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    On May 30, the General Meeting of the Russian Academy of Sciences summed up the results of the elections for academicians and corresponding members of the RAS. About 1,800 people took part in them. Among those elected this year were scientists from the Higher School of Economics.

    Dean Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology Alexander Tonevitsky became an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty of “medical bioengineering and instrumentation”. Alexander Grigorievich is a professor Basic Department of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE, Chief Research Fellow Laboratories for research into molecular mechanisms of longevity HSE, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples.

    Vladimir Pudalov was elected as an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty “Physics and Astronomy”. Vladimir Moiseevich is a professor Department of Electronic Engineering MIEM, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, awarded the medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” 2nd degree.

    HSE scientists were also elected as Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Alexander Pavlov, head Schools of Philosophy and Cultural Studies HSE, elected to the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty “philosophy”. Alexander Vladimirovich – Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Faculty of Humanities HSE.

    Igor Kolokolov, Head of Department the basic department of theoretical physics of the L.D. Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, elected to the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty “physics”.

    Konstantin Petrosyants was elected as a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty “Computing, Location, Telecommunication Systems and Element Base”. Konstantin Arestovich is a leading research fellow at the Department of Electronic Engineering at MIEM, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, laureate of the Russian Federation Government Prize in Education, Science and Technology, and Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation.

    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 Global: One lawsuit just helped melt the fossil fuel industry’s defence against being held accountable for climate change

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Benjamin Franta, Associate Professor of Climate Litigation, University of Oxford

    There was a time when oil and gas companies happily linked themselves to the idea of planet-wide environmental changes. “Each day Humble supplies enough energy to melt 7 million tons of glacier!” boasts the headline from a 1962 double-page spread in Life magazine for Humble Oil, now part of ExxonMobil.

    Fast forward 60 years and that advert takes on a prophetic quality. Millions of people have experienced first-hand the tragic consequences of how burning fossil fuels is overheating our planet beyond recognition. Not just by melting glaciers but fuelling storms, fires and floods.

    The fossil fuel industry today would never dream of linking its activities to melting glaciers. Instead, it actively denies responsibility for the consequences of extracting and selling some of the most harmful products ever known to humanity.

    For the decades we have known about climate science, this narrative has been core to how the fossil fuel industry maintains its social legitimacy: that the industry is not responsible for climate change, but everyone else is through their individual actions.

    Yet a ten-year climate lawsuit brought by a Peruvian farmer and mountain guide has challenged this narrative. In March this year, Saúl Luciano Lliuya’s case against the European coal-giant RWE was heard in a regional court in Germany.

    And while the court has now dismissed Lliuya’s specific claim – finding the flood risk to Lliuya’s particular property is not yet sufficiently great – it did confirm that private companies can in principle be held liable for their share in causing climate damages. This finding has major ramifications for the wider legal battle to make fossil fuel companies accountable.

    Farmer vs coal giant

    Lliuya lives in Huaraz, a city in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. He and the 120,000 residents of this city live in constant danger. The melting glaciers caused by climate change are causing the water levels in Lake Palcacocha above their home to rise. Peru’s disaster management agency warns that a flood could occur at any moment.

    Huaraz is one of many cities in the Andes at risk of flooding as temperatures rise and glaciers melt.
    Christian Vinces / shutterstock

    For Lliuya, it is not a matter of if but when – and how bad the flood will be.

    He therefore embarked on his lawsuit against RWE with this simple premise: as one of the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters, it should help pay for flood defences to protect Hauraz. The total cost of a new dam would have been US$4 million (£3 million), and Lliuya was demanding that RWE pay 0.47% of that total, which is US$20,000.

    This proportional amount was based on a calculation of RWE’s contribution to historical global greenhouse gas emissions – most of which have occurred since the 1990s, long after fossil fuel companies were aware their products would cause dangerous climate change.

    RWE’s revenues are measured in the tens of billions. It could have accepted Lliuya’s request and paid for not just its share of the cost, but the full cost of flood defences for Huaraz. Yet the company fought tooth and nail to prevent the case getting as far as it did.

    When asked by the court much earlier in the process if it would be willing to settle, the company’s lawyers declined, revealing exactly what was at stake: “This is a matter of precedent.”

    On May 28 2025, the court ruled that the flood risk to Lliuya’s home was not sufficiently high to uphold his specific claim. However, its confirmation of the principle that private companies can be held liable for climate damage shows that RWE was, in fact, correct to fear the precedent that Lliuya’s case has now helped set.

    Liability – across national borders

    Despite RWE’s attempts to argue otherwise, the case’s outcome has far-reaching implications that could shape similar cases in countries such as Switzerland and Belgium, and which may be relevant for other jurisdictions including the UK, Netherlands, US and Japan.

    Crucially, the case confirms that proportional liability for climate harm is legally possible, even across national borders. And this will still remain a possibility, even if a higher court overrules the German district court in favour of the fossil fuel companies.

    Why does this matter so much to RWE and other fossil fuel companies, who argue time and again in court that they should not be held responsible?

    For years, fossil fuel companies have operated as if they would not be held responsible for the emissions from their products. But as the world continues to warm, the harmful impacts of climate change and extreme weather will only intensify, resulting in mounting costs – both those we can calculate, such as damage to infrastructure, and those we cannot, like the loss of our loved ones.

    With the growing number and accuracy of climate science attribution studies, legal pressure on companies to contribute to climate costs is likely to keep growing.

    And when you consider that the legal basis for this “polluter pays” principle exists in a similar form in at least 50 nations around the world, then the scale of liability facing the industry becomes clear.

    More examples are already emerging. In 2024, a Belgian farmer filed a lawsuit against French fossil fuel major TotalEnergies, seeking compensation for damage to his farm as a result of extreme weather.

    In 2022, four residents of Pari island, Indonesia, started legal proceedings in Switzerland against the Swiss cement firm Holcim. The residents are seeking a 43% reduction in Holcim’s carbon emissions by 2030, and around US$4,000 in compensation each for damages caused by flooding.

    Since 2017, dozens of cities, counties and states across the US have sued fossil fuel producers for climate change-related damages and adaptation costs, potentially totalling trillions of dollars – pointing to the industry’s increasingly well-documented historical and ongoing deceptions about climate change.

    And policymakers across countries including the US, the Philippines and Pakistan are working to enact laws that would directly hold polluting companies financially responsible for climate damages.

    The new ruling in Germany provides a shot in the arm to all these cases, and the future suits yet to be filed. Perhaps most consequentially of all, public opinion is hardening: growing numbers of people understand that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for climate change, and lawsuits to compel big carbon to pay for climate damages enjoy widespread public support.

    When Lliuya launched his case nearly a decade ago, the idea of linking an individual corporation to the impacts of its emissions seemed implausible to some. Yet scientific research now makes it possible to link the emissions of individual companies to particular, quantifiable damages caused by climate change.

    This, coupled with the German court’s ruling, makes it increasingly clear that the fossil fuel industry’s longstanding deflection of responsibility for planetary warming is doomed to melt away.



    Read more:
    A Peruvian farmer is trying to hold energy giant RWE responsible for climate change – the inside story of his groundbreaking court case

    Benjamin Franta has served as a consulting expert for various climate-related lawsuits. His research has received funding from foundations in the environment and climate space.

    – ref. One lawsuit just helped melt the fossil fuel industry’s defence against being held accountable for climate change – https://theconversation.com/one-lawsuit-just-helped-melt-the-fossil-fuel-industrys-defence-against-being-held-accountable-for-climate-change-257840

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mediation convention signed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was held today as it was revealed that Hong Kong has been chosen as the IOMed’s home.

     

    The IOMed will be the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to mediation.

     

    CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Member and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi signed the convention on behalf of China. Representatives from 32 other countries also signed it.

     

    Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations.

     

    He stressed that its establishment is an actualisation of the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and an example of a civilisational belief in harmony, while epitomising inclusiveness in the rule of law.

     

    Outlining that the IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, Mr Wang said the city’s handover is in itself a success story that exemplifies peaceful settlement of international disputes. The success of the “one country, two systems” principle has created brighter prospects for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, he added.

     

    Mr Wang said he looks forward to all parties working together to ensure the IOMed plays a positive role in peacefully resolving international disputes to create a brighter future for humanity.

     

    Chief Executive John Lee, as well as senior representatives from more than 50 countries, and from the United Nations and other international organisations, attended the ceremony.

     

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam were also present.

     

    Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the central government for allowing Hong Kong the honour of housing the organisation’s headquarters, adding that Hong Kong has a well-respected legal system and world-class legal and dispute resolution professionals.

     

    “The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding. This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions.”

     

    This afternoon’s Global Forum on International Mediation involved discussions of topics including mediation of disputes among countries and mediation of international investment and commercial disputes.

     

    Guest speakers emphasised that Hong Kong has unique features that allow it to build bridges between different legal traditions.

     

    United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Secretary Anna Joubin-Bret said: “It combines the background and the expertise in both civil and common law, and it is the only jurisdiction that has these two features, and that is exactly what mediation needs.”

     

    Former President of Slovenia Danilo Türk remarked that Hong Kong is a place of innovations in multiple ways, including technology, trade, and now also diplomacy.

     

    “I think that that is a really very good choice. Hong Kong is already established as one of the global centres of communication, of everything, of every form of communication. And to add this dimension would enrich Hong Kong and would enrich also the processes of mediation.”

     

    Executive Director of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Institute for Peace & Reconciliation I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, said he expected the IOMed to collaborate with other regional organisations, including ASEAN, in finding solutions to conflict situations within the region.

     

    “I think Hong Kong and China have a lot of experience on the trade issues, on economic issues, and of course we expect that IOMed will also deal with the political and security issues in the future.”

     

    Meanwhile, Asian Academy of International Law Founder Member and Co-Chairman Teresa Cheng said she believes housing the headquarters in Hong Kong will raise the city’s international profile by allowing it to play a leading role in mediation efforts.

     

    “For example, capacity building, running conferences, bringing experts in to discuss certain issues. And all these will attract foreigners coming to Hong Kong and thereby knowing Hong Kong and learning themselves how good Hong Kong is, and therefore be able to bring that view back to their hometown.”

     

    Witnessed by forum guests, Mr Lam signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Minister of Commerce of Cambodia Cham Nimul, to strengthen co-operation between the two places on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada signs statement of intent with CERN to strengthen scientific collaboration

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Government of Canada partners with world’s leading physics research organization to advance scientific discovery

    May 30, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario 

    Science and research have the power to solve the world’s greatest challenges, drive innovation and economic growth, and unravel fundamental questions about life itself. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting international scientific collaboration and investing in research that pushes the boundaries of human knowledge.

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development Canada for Quebec Regions, announced that Canada has signed a statement of intent with the European Organization for Nuclear Research, also known as CERN, to strengthen collaboration on future planning for large research infrastructure facilities, and on novel and advanced techniques and tools. The statement of intent was signed in April by Canada’s Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Philip Jennings, and CERN’s Director-General, Fabiola Gianotti.

    CERN is a world-leading research facility in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on fundamental physics, with a mission to uncover what the universe is made of and how it works. Canada contributes to CERN’s work through advanced equipment, scientific expertise and top talent, with TRIUMF—Canada’s particle accelerator centre—serving as the primary bridge for these efforts. The statement of intent ensures Canada will continue to be a world leader in physics, contributing to and advancing research on fundamental questions about the mysteries of the universe.

    By signing the statement of intent, Canada and CERN signalled their intent to enhance collaboration in planning future projects to foster breakthrough scientific discoveries. This includes ongoing studies on the Future Circular Collider (FCC), CERN’s next flagship project. This proposed higher-performance particle collider would eventually replace CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, which is helping scientists study the basic building blocks of the universe. Should the FCC be selected to move forward, Canada intends to collaborate on its construction and the physics experiments that will take place at the research facility, subject to appropriate domestic approvals.

    Canada and CERN also intend to promote joint efforts in developing advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, and their use in particle physics research and beyond. Through this partnership, Canada is advancing human understanding of our universe and ensuring Canadian researchers and scientists are leading the way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Sidhu to advance Canada’s trade priorities in Paris, France

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    May 30, 2025 – Ottawa, Canada – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, will be in Paris, France, from June 2 to 4, 2025, to attend the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), participate in meetings with WTO ministers and host a G7 trade ministers’ meeting.

    At the OECD MCM—chaired by Costa Rica with Canada, Australia and Lithuania as vice-chairs—Minister Sidhu will advance Canada’s trade priorities, including reinforcing open and stable markets, diversifying our trading relationships and leveraging the digital economy. These priorities will help Canada foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth, benefiting Canadian businesses, workers and communities right across the country.

    As Canada holds the G7 presidency this year, the Minister will host a trade ministers’ meeting, where he will emphasize the G7’s critical role in promoting economic prosperity for citizens and businesses and strengthening economic security and resilience amid evolving global trade challenges.

    MIL OSI Canada News –