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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Has Record-Breaking Cohort for Gilman Scholars

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A record-breaking 31 UConn students have been awarded a Gilman Scholarship in the latest cohort of the prestigious academic award. The award is congressionally funded through the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs at the State Department.

    The funding supports expanding student participation in study abroad programs and encourages travel to diverse locations around the globe, along with intensive language study and internship experiences.

    The 31 UConn students, who will study in 14 different countries, will receive a total of nearly $94,000 in scholarship funds through the Gilman program. A total of 40 UConn students have earned Gilman awards in the last two cohorts, this one and October 2024, for a total of more than $121,500 in scholarship funding.

    Students applying for Gilman Scholarships work with advisors in UConn’s Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships (ONSF) and Experiential Global Learning (EGL). Rachel Gleicher, an advisor in EGL, and Michael Cunningham, assistant director of ONSF and UConn’s Fulbright program advisor, are UConn’s two Gilman certifying advisors.

    “We are very excited that the Gilman program has selected so many UConn students this cycle,” says Cunningham. “It’s a testament to the quality of our students and to the hard work that they put into their applications.”

    Upon their return from studying abroad, each Gilman Scholar is required to complete a service project in their campus or home community with the goal of sharing the value of participation in study abroad and promoting the scholarship to prospective students. Applications are reviewed with consideration for the proposed follow-up service project.

    “We are so proud of these students for staying determined and focused on their study abroad goals,” says Gleicher. “Amid uncertain times, with federal funding freezes and broader uncertainty, they remained committed to their aspirations. Now more than ever, it is crucial to ensure students are aware of the funding opportunities available to them.”

    Eligibility for the Gilman Scholarship requires undergraduate students to be Pell Grant-eligible United States citizens who plan to study abroad for academic credit through a program approved by their home institution. Supporting students with high financial need provides access to students who are historically underrepresented in study abroad, including first-generation college students, STEM majors, ethnic and racial minority students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and others who experience barriers to participation.

    Students from underrepresented areas of the U.S. are also considered during the application process and this year there are recipients from all 50 states.

    The following UConn students were selected as Gilman Scholars in this cycle, and they are listed with the location of where they will study as part of the program:

    Carina Adams-Szabo ’27 (CLAS), a psychology and political science major from Greenwich, who will be studying neuroscience this summer in Salamanca, Spain.

    Ashley Barragan ’27 (NUR), a nursing major who will be studying at the University of Dublin Summer Applied Research for Nursing Practice in Dublin, Ireland.

    Rhys Brauer ’27 (CLAS), a psychological sciences major, who will be studying neuroscience this summer in Salamanca.

    Brooke Catellier ’26 (CAHNR), an allied health major, who will be studying the Mediterranean diet and Tuscan cuisine in Florence, Italy, this summer.

    Kylene Chino ’26 (CLAS), a human rights and political science major, who will be studying in the fall at the Pusan National University in Shanghai, China.

    Jaiyliah Cochran ’25 (CLAS), a microbiology major, who will be studying field ecology this summer in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

    Mia Dansby ’26 (BUS), a management major, who will be studying this summer at ISI in Florence.

    Andrea D’Oleo ’27 (NUR), a nursing major from East Hartford, who will be studying in the Dublin Summer Applied Research Program for Nursing Practice in Ireland.

    Danyelix Echevarria Figueroa ’28 (ACES), a pre-teaching major from New Britain, who will study next spring at the University of Grenda in Grenda, Spain.

    Dahiana Fernandez-Ramirez ’26 (CLAS), a psychological sciences major, who will be studying this fall at ISI Florence.

    Adiriana Garcia Vazquez ’25 (CLAS), a cognitive science major from Bridgeport, who will be studying this fall at the Interdisciplinary Ethnography Field School in Mauritius.

    Hannah Ginste ’26 (CLAS), a communications major, who will be doing a summer internship in London.

    Jessica Glowacki ’25 (CLAS), a biological sciences major who will be studying field ecology this summer in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

    Emma Hazard ’27 (CAHNR), a diagnostic genetic sciences major, who will be studying the Mediterranean diet and Tuscan cuisine in Florence this summer.

    Danecia Henry ’28 (BUS), a management major from New Haven, will be studying in the summer at Camino de Santiago in Spain.

    Ty’Laisha Huff ’27 (NUR), a nursing major from Hartford, will be studying at the Dublin Summer Applied Research Program for Nursing Practice in Ireland.

    Layan Jahaf ’28 (CLAS), a political science and Arabic and Islam civics major, who will be studying this fall in London.

    Dee Jerome ’26 (CAHNR), an allied health sciences major from Bridgeport, who will be studying this summer in Accra, Ghana.

    Evelyn Pazan ’27 (CLAS), a finance and German major, who will be studying during the 2025-26 academic year at the University of Mannheim in Germany.

    Danielle Phillips ’27 (CLAS), an individualized major in industrial and labor relations from Bridgeport, who will be studying this summer at the Intercultural Leadership Program in Strasbourg, France.

    Jocelyn Ramirez ’26 (BUS), a management major from New Haven, who will be studying this summer at ISI.

    Jamie Ross ’27 (CLAS), a physiology and neurobiology major, who will be studying next winter in Barcelona, Spain.

    Ellie Sanders ’27 (CAHNR), a nutritional sciences major from West Cornwall, who will be studying the Mediterranean diet and Tuscan cuisine in Florence this summer.

    Fabio Silveira ’26 (CLAS), a pathobiology major, who will be studying neuroscience this summer in Salamanca, Spain.

    Amber Szymanski ’26 (CLAS), a political science and human rights major, who will be studying this fall at the Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea.

    Angel Uchupailla ’26 (CAHNR), an allied health major from Stamford, who will be studying this winter in Rome.

    Lyric Vargas ’27 (CLAS), a political science and psychological science major, who will be studying this fall at the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

    Erica Wong ’26 (CLAS), a political science and urban and community studies major, who will be studying this fall at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

    Morgan Xu ’26 (ENG), a materials science and engineering major from Chesire, who will be studying this fall at the National University of Singapore.

    Ada Yeung ’27 (CLAS), an individualized major, who will be studying next spring at Fudan University.

    Maggie Zheng ’27 (BUS), an accounting major, who will be studying next spring at Fudan University.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BIO-key and Runlevel Secure First Major IAM Deployment with a National Bank in Mozambique; Extends Growing List of Banking Customers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LISBON, Portugal and HOLMDEL, N.J., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), a global leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions featuring Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB), today announced a strategic partnership with Runlevel, a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider, as well as the partnership’s first customer deployment. Runlevel focuses on Portuguese-speaking African countries (“Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa or “PALOP”) and Timor-Leste in Asia.

    Runlevel joins BIO-key’s Channel Alliance Partner (CAP) program as a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) for businesses and government institutions in PALOP countries and Timor-Leste, which face increasing cybersecurity challenges. The Runlevel partnerships marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand adoption of BIO-key solutions across the region, ensuring financial institutions, government agencies and enterprises can benefit from secure, scalable and compliant digital identity solutions. In support of BIO-key’s solutions, Runlevel will provide pre-sales consulting, deployment support and technical training tailored to regulatory requirements in PALOP and Timor-Leste.

    Partnership’s First Major Deployment
    BIO-key and Runlevel have already secured their first customer in the region — a National Bank in Mozambique — which is deploying a comprehensive suite of BIO-key’s biometric-based IAM solutions.

    This deployment highlights the growing need for robust IAM solutions in the partnership’s territories and reinforces BIO-key’s position as a trusted cybersecurity partner within the global financial sector.

    The deployment includes the following BIO-key solutions:

    • PortalGuard On-Prem
    • Highly secure IAM platform with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
    • Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities.

    Miguel Guerreiro, Managing Partner at Runlevel, commented, “Runlevel is committed to delivering cutting-edge security solutions that address the unique challenges faced by customers in PALOP and Timor-Leste. Partnering with BIO-key enables us to provide advanced IAM technologies that enhance cybersecurity, streamline authentication, and ensure compliance. Securing our first major deal together is a strong validation of this partnership and demonstrates the critical need for robust identity security solutions in the financial sector.”

    Alex Rocha, International Managing Director at BIO-key, added, “Runlevel is an ideal partner to expand BIO-key’s reach into Portuguese speaking markets. Their deep knowledge of the local cybersecurity landscape and strong relationships with key enterprises and public institutions make them a perfect fit for delivering BIO-key’s IAM solutions. Securing our first project together with a National Bank in Mozambique confirms the demand we believe exists for advanced IAM solutions in these regions and adds to BIO-key’s growing presence in the financial sector. Together, we are committed to supporting customers with secure, scalable, and regulation-compliant authentication technologies.”

    About Runlevel (www.runlevel.pt)
    Runlevel is a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider focusing on Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste. The company delivers advanced IT security, infrastructure, and compliance solutions, helping organizations navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape with best-in-class technology and expert consulting services.

    About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.BIO-key.com)
    BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software securing access for over forty million users. BIO-key allows customers to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including phoneless, tokenless, and passwordless biometric options. Its cloud-hosted or on-premise PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, convenient, and secure access to computers, information, applications, and high-value transactions.

    BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
    All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The words “estimate,” “project,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Investor Contacts
    William Jones, David Collins
    Catalyst IR
    BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New Study Reveals Agriculture as Largest, Most Resource-Intensive Industry on Earth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RA Capital Management’s Planetary Health Team and The Nature Conservancy have released a groundbreaking analysis that exposes agriculture as the most resource-intensive industry on Earth: it’s the leading contributor to methane emissions, a key driver of water pollution, and it uses roughly half of viable land on Earth. As agriculture is often viewed in silos, its $15T scale and opportunity are often overlooked. The just-released Agriculture Map by RA Capital Management’s Planetary Health team and The Nature Conservancy calls for a systems-level approach to address the urgent risks and transformative opportunities within agriculture through innovation, incentives to change, and direct investment.

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    The Agricultural Map highlights:

    • Agriculture’s massive footprint means high ROI for broader adoption of best practices: optimizing global yields of staple grains, fruits, and vegetables would allow the world to produce the same amount of food with much less land – freeing up a land area the size of Mexico (~3x the size of Texas).
    • Agriculture produces more methane (a potent greenhouse gas) than any other human activity: Cattle alone produce as much methane as oil, coal, and bioenergy; rice paddies produce more methane than the natural gas industry.
    • Agriculture consumes more water than any other human activity and also causes the most water pollution. Investment in on-field and edge-of-field systems can significantly improve water quality and use. 
    • Fertilizer is important for optimizing crop yields, but fertilizer runoff causes hundreds of billions of dollars worth of losses each year, mostly due to impacts on commercial fishing, tourism, and property values, and creates aquatic dead zones the size of the United Kingdom.

    “Agriculture is the backbone of our global economy, but it’s also the most resource-intensive and environmentally demanding industry on Earth. If we are serious about tackling climate change, water pollution, and food security, we must rethink how we grow, produce, and manage our resources. Sustainable solutions are not just an option – they are a necessity to transform agriculture into a cleaner, more efficient, and resilient industry that can feed the world for generations to come,” noted Kyle Teamey, managing partner, RA Capital Planetary Health.

    Details within the Agriculture Map provide decision-makers with the knowledge they need to navigate the future of agriculture, from sustainable investment strategies to policy reform and innovation in farming technologies. The findings challenge conventional wisdom and call for urgent and coordinated attention from businesses, investors, governments, and philanthropic organizations. The map is a culmination of extensive research led by RA Capital and The Nature Conservancy. It combines proprietary data analysis with a systems-level approach to visualize and communicate the scale and interconnectedness of global agriculture’s planetary impacts while highlighting a range of potential solutions for select problems.

    “The environmental and human health challenges posed by the food system are well-understood in some circles but making this information material and actionable to stakeholders can be a real challenge,” said Stephen Wood, Senior Scientist of Agriculture and Food Systems at The Nature Conservancy. “This map makes it possible for non-experts to quickly understand the scope and scale of the problem, as well as the solutions.”

    The full map is available for download at Agriculture: Hiding in Plain Sight. 

    About RA Capital Management 

    Founded in 2004, RA Capital Management is a multi-stage investment manager dedicated to evidence-based investing in public and private healthcare, life sciences, and planetary health companies. RA Capital creates and funds innovative companies, from private seed rounds to public follow-on financings, allowing management teams to drive value creation from inception through commercialization and beyond. RA Capital’s knowledge engine is guided by its TechAtlas internal research division, and Raven, RA Capital’s healthcare incubator, offers entrepreneurs and innovators a collaborative and comprehensive platform to explore the novel and the re-imagined. RA Capital has more than 150 employees and over $10 billion in assets under management. 

    RA Capital’s Planetary Health team focuses on creating and funding companies that commercialize scalable, profitable solutions to reduce emissions, increase resource availability, and restore environmental quality, because solutions that heal the planet will yield both healthy people and healthy profits. 

    About The Nature Conservancy

    The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.

    Media Contact:

    Alex Banat for RA Capital

    racapital@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cajo Technologies Secures Investment to Accelerate Global Expansion of Sustainable Laser Marking Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KEMPELE, Finland, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cajo Technologies, a leading Finnish developer of advanced laser marking solutions, has secured investment from Emerald Technology Ventures to scale the global rollout of its patented marking technologies. The round will support Cajo’s mission to redefine industrial marking with more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional ink-based and labelling systems.

    Driving Sustainable Transformation in Packaging and Manufacturing

    Cajo offers complete and easy-to-use solutions for traceability and product marking optimized for industrial production processes. Long-lasting and maintenance-free solutions have been developed to replace traditional marking methods such as inkjet, print, label, etching, and painting technologies.

    Cajo’s intelligent technology makes it possible to implement high-quality machine-readable traceability markings that last throughout the product’s life cycle even in challenging conditions. Cajo’s sustainable laser technology offers manufacturers an over 90 % reduction of the carbon footprint of industrial labelling compared to for example inkjets thanks to additive-free technology.

    Cajo’s systems are already deployed across industries in more than 80 countries to market leaders in various industries including metal, cable, wire, battery, medical, wood, packaging, and end products. Among these market leaders are industrial players across diverse sectors, including PepsiCo, SSAB, Fiskars, and Prysmian.

    The Growing Need for Sustainable Packaging Marking

    Traditional marking methods such as inkjets rely on consumables that generate waste and fail to meet increasingly high industry standards and strict environmental regulations. As businesses strive to meet sustainability targets and regulatory requirements, the demand for innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly marking solutions has never been higher.

    Cajo’s solutions cater to forward-thinking stakeholders in the industry looking to significantly improve production processes while lowering operational costs.

    Fueling the Next Phase of Global Growth

    The Series B investment will be used to accelerate commercial scale-up in key markets including Europe, India, and North America. Cajo will invest in its international sales operations, strengthen its customer success capabilities, and expand production capacity in line with demand from major accounts and partners.

    “This investment marks a pivotal milestone in our journey,” said Niko Karsikas, CEO and Founder of Cajo Technologies. “With Emerald by our side, we are well-positioned to scale our impact, bring MakeBright™ and other innovations to new geographies, and continue supporting our industrial partners with reliable, traceable, and eco-friendly marking technologies.”

    “We are thrilled to partner with Cajo to accelerate the transition to sustainable packaging,” said Fredric Petit, Partner at Emerald. “Cajo’s technology is not only a powerful enabler of traceability and eco-efficiency but also commercially validated by global industry leaders.”

    About Emerald Technology Ventures

    Emerald is a globally recognized venture capital firm, founded in 2000, that manages and advises assets of over €1 billion from its offices in Zurich, Toronto and Singapore. The firm invests in start-ups that tackle big challenges in climate change and sustainability, with four current funds, hundreds of venture transactions and five third-party investment mandates, including loan guarantees to over 100 start-ups.

    Bold Ideas. Bright Future. www.emerald.vc

    CONTACT FOR EMERALD:

    info@emerald.vc

    Cajo Technologies: Pioneering Sustainable Product Marking

    In an era where sustainability is a key driver of industrial innovation, Finnish SME Cajo Technologies Ltd. is revolutionizing product marking with its patented laser solutions. By eliminating the need for ink, labels, and chemicals, Cajo provides an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative to traditional marking methods.

    Headquartered in Kempele, Finland, with subsidiaries in India, Cajo Technologies is rapidly expanding its global presence. The company offers comprehensive, easy-to-use solutions for traceability and product marking, leveraging proprietary software and patented technology. Fully optimized for industrial production, Cajo’s marking solutions seamlessly integrate into existing manufacturing processes, significantly reducing maintenance and operational costs.

    Beyond efficiency, Cajo’s technology ensures high-precision traceability markings, even in the harshest industrial environments, while reducing the carbon footprint by up to 90%. This sustainable alternative allows companies to eliminate consumables and harmful additives from their production, aligning with the growing demand for zero-waste manufacturing solutions.

    With a trusted presence in over 80 countries and partnerships with global industry leaders, Cajo Technologies is setting a new benchmark in sustainable manufacturing. By combining innovation with environmental responsibility, the company demonstrates that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.

    Cajo MakeBright™: A Game-Changer in Cardboard Marking

    Cajo MakeBright™ introduces a revolutionary way to produce precise and permanent product markings on cardboard with unparalleled sustainability. The patented technology allows for markings without the use of ink, glue, ribbons, or labels, which not only simplifies the recycling process but also enables significant cost savings.

    Cajo MakeBright™ supports both 1D and 2D codes, ensuring maximum readability and achieving A-grade results in compliance with ISO 29158 (AIM-DPM). By eliminating unnecessary materials, MakeBright™ enhances sustainability, streamlines production efficiency, and reduces operational costs. The technology operates without additives, removing the need for single-use plastics and simplifying cardboard recycling. Additionally, it reduces SKU typically over 70%, minimizes stockholding requirements, and decreases supply chain disruptions.

    Choose Cajo for intelligent product marking.

    CONTACT FOR CAJO:

    info@cajotechnologies.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c36cf048-5807-4cf6-9ad6-bf5080be9471

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8696e5ec-11ca-4d6a-a4e5-96a0172b745a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “Stop the excuses and time wasting and just pay up” – pension injustices must be put right

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid Cymru calls on the Labour Welsh Government to act on historical pension injustices and support victims of these scandals. 

    In a motion to be debated in the Senedd on Wednesday (21 May 2025), Plaid Cymru has called on the Labour Welsh Government to ‘make the case for action’ on historical pension injustices. Labour’s response was to ‘delete’ the calls. 

    The Plaid Cymru motion notes the significant and long-standing pension injustices, and the inaction of successive UK Governments to rights these wrongs. The motion also calls on the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government on these issues. 

    Three examples of pension injustices are highlighted in the motion; 1950s women who have been denied justice by UK Labour, workers from Allied Steel and Wire who have not received the pensions they are owed, and the British Coal staff who were excluded from the Miners Pensions Scheme. 

    Supporters of the motion, such as John Benson, will be in attendance on the day of the debate, to show support for the Plaid Cymru motion, and solidarity with other individuals and groups who have been victims of such injustices.  

    Mr Benson worked for Allied Steel and Wire for 41 years, before finding out in 2002 that he was set to lose his job and pension, to which he had contributed to for 20 years. The situation left Mr Benson ‘on the verge of a nervous breakdown’.  

    John Benson, who has campaigned for years in an attempt to right this injustice on behalf of the Allied Steel and Wire workers, said: 

    “The UK Government had assured us these pensions were safe and fully protected by the law no matter what difficulties their employer faced. How wrong we were to have trusted UK Ministers, as we were lied too, and stitched up for playing by the rules.    

    “Plaid Cymru have been with us from day one, and have never ever given up on us. 

    “The truth is clear for everyone to see: we were robbed of our promised pensions, the UK Government are guilty of the biggest social injustice this country has ever known. It’s about time a Minister stood up in the House of Commons, and told the decent men and women who worked at ASW: ‘we apologise on behalf of all those Ministers past and present who have betrayed the trust you gave them, and will finally pay you the pensions you were promised in full’. 

    “Back date these pensions to when they were due to be paid, plus compensation for all the heartache and suffering it has caused the families. In other words, stop the excuses and time wasting, and just pay up.”  

    Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Finance, Heledd Fychan MS said: 

    “Whether it’s 1950s women, British Coal workers, or ASW staff, both the Conservatives and Labour have rejected their calls for justice. We have come to expect Conservative Governments turning their back on our communities, but these communities will feel betrayed seeing a Labour government reject their calls. 

    “That is the only word to describe Labour’s attitude towards these groups – betrayal. They claimed to stand by our working communities, they claimed to stand with 1950s women. But just as with the workers of Port Talbot, Labour Governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster have turned their backs on them and have let these injustices remain unresolved. 

    “Plaid Cymru’s position is clear – those affected by pension injustices deserve their calls answered, and deserve justice for the trauma they were forced to endure. Unlike this Labour Government in Wales, that are happy to stay quiet in the face of such injustice, Plaid Cymru will always stand up for those wronged by Westminster’s neglectful attitude towards working communities.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Moscow to hand over peace memorandum to Kiev soon

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

    Moscow will send a draft peace memorandum to Kiev soon, which will outline the key principles of a potential settlement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday.

    “Russia continues to work on a draft memorandum regarding a future peace treaty, which will outline a number of positions, including the principles of a settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement, a potential ceasefire,” Zakharova said at her weekly press briefing.

    She said that once the memorandum is completed it will be sent to Kiev, adding that Russia expects Ukraine to be preparing its own draft to send in response.

    In a telephone call last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed that Russia would prepare a draft memorandum outlining the terms for a potential peace deal with Ukraine. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police appeal for witnesses following woman’s death in Islington

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a woman on a bus in Islington—who later died in hospital—are appealing for witnesses as they examine whether a number of alleged incidents may be linked to her death.

    The appeal comes eight weeks after 51-year-old Nuala Mills collapsed while travelling on the route 254 bus towards Holloway Road at approximately 11:15hrs on Saturday, 29 March.

    Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. Nuala was taken to hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she died on Monday, 31 March.

    Later that day, two men—aged 52 and 49—were arrested on suspicion of common assault and battery in connection with the incident. They were released on bail the following day, and enquiries continue.

    Detectives are also investigating a separate alleged altercation near Highbury and Islington Underground Station, believed to have occurred between Wednesday, 19 March, and Friday, 21 March, to assess whether it may be connected to Nuala’s death.

    Detective Chief Inspector Tom Kearney, who is leading the investigation, said:

    “We are working to understand the full circumstances of Nuala’s death, and there are still key questions to be answered.

    “We are keeping an open mind and exploring a number of possible explanations. Nuala was known to frequent the Holloway Road area, and there may be other incidents we are not yet aware of.

    “If you live, work, or regularly travel through the area, please think back—did you see anything concerning involving Nuala?

    “We’re also keen to speak with anyone who knew Nuala and hasn’t yet spoken to police. You can contact us directly, or speak anonymously through Crimestoppers.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 2689/31MAR, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • India’s rise in global economy a moment of national pride: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India’s steady rise in the global economy is a matter of immense national pride. Addressing a public gathering in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister recalled the sense of excitement across the country when India moved from being the sixth to the fifth-largest economy in the world. He noted that this enthusiasm was especially visible among the youth.

    PM Modi described the moment India surpassed the United Kingdom—its former colonial ruler—as historic. “India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world,” he said, “and there is growing pressure to reach the third position soon.”

    He reiterated the nation’s goal of becoming a fully developed country by 2047, when India completes 100 years of independence. The Prime Minister said that global recognition of India as a prosperous and strong nation must be the collective aim.

    Drawing a parallel to the freedom struggle, PM Modi paid tribute to national icons such as Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Veer Savarkar, Shyamji Krishna Varma, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He remarked that if the 25 to 30 crore population at the time could rally for independence and succeed in driving out colonial rulers in just a few decades, the current population of 140 crore can certainly achieve the vision of a developed India within the next 25 years.

    Looking ahead to Gujarat’s 75th year in 2035, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to begin long-term planning now. He said preparations must cover key sectors such as industry, agriculture, education, and sports to shape the state’s future in line with national progress.

    PM Modi also highlighted India’s aspiration to host the Olympics in 2036, reflecting the country’s growing global stature and readiness for leadership on the world stage.

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met urges Londoners to protect their phones from financial fraudsters

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A phone theft victim who had thousands of pounds stolen is backing a Met Police campaign to encourage people to take simple steps to protect their devices and finances.

    Officers have dealt with a number of cases of organised gangs taking control of a victim’s finances after getting access to their mobile banking and other financial apps – clearing accounts, taking out loans and using payment apps.

    The Met continues to focus on tackling phone theft across London with increased patrols in hotspot areas and better use of technology to identify perpetrators. A recent two-week focus on prolific offenders resulted in 292 arrests across London.

    Kush Chaudary’s phone was stolen by a group of men outside a bar in Soho in the early hours of 9 September 2023. The group struck up conversation with the victim and waited for him to unlock his phone before taking it.

    Within minutes they changed his passcode, transferred £5,000 from his crypto wallet, and stole several thousands more from his bank accounts. They also took out fraudulent loans of £22,000 and later used Apple Pay to spend around £8,000 on designer clothes and electrical products.

    He’s spoken about his experience in a video released by the Met to raise awareness of the issue and encouraged others to check their device security to limit the impact of phone theft. Kush said:

    “With my phone unlocked, they targeted anything they could gain immediate access to including my bank and crypto accounts. They were even able to take a loan out in a matter of seconds, ready to spend as soon as the shops opened up.

    “Seeing that unfold in front of my eyes was difficult. This was hard-earned savings I had that was being spent by strangers and I felt very exposed and vulnerable as I didn’t know when it would stop.”

    The Met Police are sharing three simple steps people can take to protect their phone:

    • Turn on ‘Stolen Device’ or ‘Anti-Theft’ protection features on your device

    • Use strong separate passwords for high-value applications

    • Watch out for people looking over you when you’re on your phone

    Detective Sergeant Isabella Grotto, from the Met’s economic crime team, said:

    “The Met has stepped up its work to prevent and tackle phone theft in London – with targeted patrols and plain-clothed operations in hotspot areas and improved use of phone-tracking data and intelligence.

    “By intensifying our efforts we are catching more perpetrators, but we know it’s still a serious problem and I encourage everyone to take these simple steps which could help prevent significant financial loss and fraud.”

    The gang involved in Kush’s theft were convicted and jailed following an investigation the Met. They were responsible for up to 60 other thefts and robberies in central London between December 2022 and November 2023 – and stole a total of £225,000:

    Jacob Raki, 23 (04.09.01), of Quayside Drive, Colchester, pleaded guilty to six counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of attempted fraud and one count of robbery. He and was jailed for 33 months.

    Joseph Serry-Kamal, 19 (04.05.06), of Jago Walk, SE5, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. He was jailed for 24 months.

    Herman Solomon, 33 (08.09.91), of Dundas Road, SW9, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and fraud. He was jailed for 31 weeks.

    Smon Tecle, 27 (30.10.97), of Lett Road, SW9, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and two counts of fraud. He received a 10-month suspended prison sentence.

    Further information on how to protect your phone is available on theMet Police website.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Household Support Fund us available to support residents in Preston

    Source: City of Preston

    Preston City Council has secured additional funding through the Household Support Fund to continue supporting local residents, following its conclusion of the sixth round of funding in March 2025. This vital fund has been in place for several years to assist those most affected by the ongoing rise in living costs.

    Applications for the latest round will open Monday 27 May, and close on 31 March 2026 or until the funds have been exhausted.

    Councillor Peter Kelly, cabinet member of communities, social justice and night-time economy, said:

    “We’re delighted that we can continue this scheme and help those who need help and support to Preston residents. I would urge all eligible residents in need of help and assistance with energy and water bills, food and essential items to apply.”

    The Household Support Fund is designed to help the households in greatest need, particularly families with children, older residents and anyone facing hardship with essential living costs such as food, energy and water bills. Special consideration will be given to supporting low-income households with energy costs during this period.

    The Household Support Fund has helped keep the Food Banks/Hubs in Preston operating and has helped through each round of the scheme.

    The scheme can provide short-term assistance with essential living expenses, including food, utility bills, essential household appliances and more. Where larger items like fridges or washing machines are needed, these will be purchased through the fund and delivered directly to the applicant.

    In addition to direct support, as part of our preventative support, the scheme offers guidance and referrals to other local services, ensuring residents receive the assistance they may need including help with finances, debt, and welfare benefits to improve longer-term financial security.

    To apply, applicants must live within the Preston City Council area with only one application per household will be considered. The fund is open to anyone vulnerable or struggling to cover essential costs.

    It’s important to note you do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify for help through this fund — and any payments received will not affect existing benefits.

    For full details on how to apply and eligibility, see Household Support Fund.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New sculpture in Cruickshank Garden – a beautiful spot for reflection, chat or moment of peace As the weather starts to get better, a stunning new addition to the University of Aberdeen’s Cruickshank Botanic Garden is set to offer visitors an additional peaceful place to gather their thoughts.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    As the weather starts to get better, a stunning new addition to the University of Aberdeen’s Cruickshank Botanic Garden is set to offer visitors an additional peaceful place to gather their thoughts.
    Now in place on the ‘Beech Lawn’, on the south-west corner towards the Rose Garden, is a striking new bench, which has been carved from fallen timber by world-renowned sculptor, Nigel Ross.
    Adorned with the words ‘memories’, ‘play’, ‘forever’, ‘outdoors’ and ‘learn’; as a living memorial, the bench has been thoughtfully designed to honour a special person, to whom it is dedicated.
    Curator of the Cruickshank Botanic Garden, Mark Paterson, said: “I was approached by a family who wanted to further enhance CBG and at the same time provide a memorial to someone they loved and who loved the garden. Their idea was to commission Nigel Ross to design and make a bench in such a way that it would be appealing to children as well as being a commemorative, visual delight in CBG.
    “Of course I was absolutely thrilled at the offer and have continued to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the bench, and what it symbolises. The words carved into the oak have been carefully chosen. I hope for all who sit on the bench, the location and words, combined, will conjure up different emotions and memories, leaving them feeling better for having been there.”

    The bench, quite simply, looks phenomenal and it will do so all year round and indeed, in perpetuity.” Mark Paterson

    Having been commissioned, Nigel set about creating and sculpting the bench from an oak tree that was blown down along the shore of Loch of Clunie in a winter 2023 storm. Appropriately, due to its shape, Mark and others have started referring to the bench as the ‘Viking Ship’.
    Nigel commented: “Part of the remit for the bench was for it be attractive to children and it was carved with this in mind. I thought perhaps a viking boat would be perfect. I also wanted to capture the spirt of the oak tree and show off the grain the knots and exploit the tactile character of the oak.
    “I had set aside the unusual curved limb from the Clunie Oak and was just waiting for the right opportunity to arise – the living memorial bench at the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens was absolutely the perfect commission for it. Oak is a durable timber and and the bench should stand the test of time and will even get polished with use.”
    Mark added: “The bench, quite simply, looks phenomenal and it will do so all year round and indeed, in perpetuity. Whether set against the long shadows of wintertime or highlighted by dappled sunlight shining through the seasonal foliage of the surrounding trees. In addition to being a lovely piece of artistic work, the bench is practical and has become my favourite new meeting place – instead of an online Teams chat, I’ll see you at the Viking Ship!”
    For more information about Nigel Ross and his work, visit http://www.nigelross-sculpture.com/

    Related Content

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: VE Day tribute raises thousands for Royal British Legion 27 May 2025 Wartime spirit alive on the Solent: VE Day tribute raises thousands for Royal British Legion

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    In a touching tribute to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, staff at Cowes Floating Bridge turned a routine day of crossings into a powerful act of remembrance and charity.

    With the support of Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Phil Jordan, the team suspended fares on 8 May, inviting passengers instead to donate to the Royal British Legion.

    The floating bridge was adorned with festive VE Day bunting, creating a vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere. The public responded with remarkable generosity, raising an impressive £2,600 for the charity.

    For many of the long-serving staff, the event was especially meaningful. It honoured the memory of their late colleague, Dave Todd, a passionate fundraiser for the Ryde branch of the Royal British Legion.

    Adding to the day’s charm was a visit from “Tilly,” a 1940s tea car, complete with its own ARP Warden, delighting passengers and evoking the wartime spirit.

    Paul Turner, floating bridge deputy manager, shared his pride in the day’s success: “We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of our passengers.

    “It was a proud moment for the team, not just because of the amount raised, but because it showed how strong our community spirit still is.”

    The team extended heartfelt thanks to all who contributed. “This day showed that our community can still come together and summon the wartime spirit to support a fantastic cause,” Paul added.

    Lynn Ashby, of the Royal British Legion, who accepted the donation, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to your wonderful staff and passengers for their donations.

    “Without people like yourselves, the Royal British Legion could not carry out the work we do.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delegation visits F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio to view progress on £4.4m expansion

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    With the £4.4m expansion of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio now underway, Lord Mayor Councillor Sarah Duffy, joined by Council Chief Executive Roger Wilson and Gallery Curator and Manager Dr Riann Coulter, welcome Jenny Martin and Ryan Donaghy from the NI Team representing the UK Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to view progress on this key infrastructure project.

    Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Councillor Sarah Duffy, in her final week in office, hosted a delegation visit to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio in Banbridge to highlight the progress made on a £4.4m expansion and upgrade of the facility.

    Accompanying her on the Council side were Chief Executive Roger Wilson, Director of Development, Community and Wellbeing Paul Tamati, Head of Tourism, Arts and Culture Brian Johnston, Gallery Curator and Manager Dr Riann Coulter, and Alderman Paul Greenfield.

    They were joined by Jenny Martin and Ryan Donaghy from the NI Team representing the UK Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The UK Government provided £3.8m in funding to support this key infrastructure project.

    The Lord Mayor expressed her enthusiasm at seeing this once-in-a-generation project come to life and praised the ambition behind this redevelopment, saying:

    “The F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio serves as an important gateway to the borough’s cultural landscape. I am really excited to see our ambitious plans start to take shape as we seek to further capitalise on its A1 location and expand its role as a cultural hub attracting significantly more local, national and international visitors.

    “This project will enable the Council to honour the Banbridge-born, internationally renowned sculptor’s legacy and ensure his work continues to be a source of creativity and inspiration for future generations. I look forward to seeing it come to fruition and boosting tourism across the wider region.”

    The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to gain valuable insights into the transformative impact that this major expansion will have on the wider community and hear about the Council’s strategic priorities for the accredited museum once it is completed in autumn 2026.

    Even though building work is still in its early stages, those in attendance were able to see first-hand how much progress has been made in a short space of time.

    Planned improvements include a new collection gallery which will make more of F.E. McWilliam’s nationally significant collection of art accessible to the public; a large education and community space; additional storage; an extended shop, café and tourism information; a Changing Places facility; more staff accommodation; a larger car park and two multi-purpose meeting rooms, available for programming and hire.

    This project will not only double the size of the facility but also bring many benefits. These include allowing for a significant increase in visitor capacity; creating a thriving hub for artistic expression, learning and engagement; elevating the visitor experience and ensuring the exhibition space is more welcoming to diverse audiences.

     UK Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said:

    “It is fantastic to hear progress is underway on transforming the internationally renowned F.E. McWilliam Art Centre into a revived cultural hub for the community and really putting Banbridge on the map.

    “The gallery will provide a vital creative space for local people while also boosting tourism, jobs and economic growth across the region.”

    Council officers took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the UK Government for supporting this expansion and to the Wolfson Foundation for providing £200,000 to fit out the new collection gallery and improve interpretation through multi-lingual video guides and accessible tours of the F.E. McWilliam collection in both British and Irish Sign Language.

    The Council is contributing £400,000 towards this project to provide a range of new modern amenities for visitors.

    The gallery will remain open and be accessible to the public throughout much of the 15-month contract period, with a new exhibition featuring the work of Belfast-based painter Barbara Freeman launching on Saturday 14th June 2025.

    For regular updates and further information on this exciting expansion project, visit www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/femcwilliam.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: An explosion has occurred at a chemical company in eastern China /detailed version-1/

    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

    JINAN, May 27 (Xinhua) — An explosion rocked a chemical company’s workshop in Gaomi City, east China’s Shandong Province, at noon on Tuesday. Clean-up efforts are underway, local authorities said.

    Upon receiving the report of the explosion, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management immediately dispatched a task force and specialized search and rescue forces, including firefighters, medical experts and industrial safety experts, to assist local departments in rescue work.

    232 local firefighters have already been dispatched to the scene. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Central Bank of Kyrgyzstan kept the key rate at 9 percent.

    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

    Bishkek, May 27 /Xinhua/ — The board of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan on Monday decided to keep the key rate at 9 percent, the National Bank’s website reported on Tuesday.

    As noted, despite external challenges, Kyrgyzstan continues to demonstrate high economic activity. In January-April 2025, the country’s real GDP growth amounted to 11.7 percent in annual terms. In the structure of GDP growth, the main positive contribution is provided by such sectors as services, construction and industry. Consumer demand remains elevated as a result of the continuing growth in real incomes of the population, while an increase in investment activity is observed.

    Price dynamics in Kyrgyzstan remain within moderate limits. Consumer prices have increased by 2.9 percent since the beginning of 2025, while the annual inflation rate was 7.7 percent.

    The interbank money market remains active. The domestic foreign exchange market remains relatively stable, with exchange rate flexibility maintained as a result of market-driven formation of supply and demand for foreign currency. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia’s memorandum on Ukraine will include possible settlement deadlines — Russian Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, May 27 /Xinhua/ — Russia continues to prepare a memorandum on Ukraine, which will outline the principles and possible timeframes for a settlement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Tuesday.

    “Russia continues to develop a draft memorandum regarding a future peace treaty, defining a number of positions, such as principles of settlement, timeframes for the possible conclusion of a peace agreement, and a potential ceasefire for a certain period of time if appropriate agreements are reached,” said M. Zakharova.

    “As soon as the memorandum is prepared, and I want to note that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov literally comments on the progress of its development every day, it will be transferred to Kyiv,” she added.

    “We expect that the Ukrainian side is doing the same work and will send us its findings simultaneously with the receipt of the Russian document,” the official representative of the Foreign Ministry emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 18 arrested in series of strikes against cash machine robbers

    Source: Europol

    The group composed of up to 20 Dutch nationals was based mostly in the greater Utrecht area, with some individuals based in Amsterdam. As a highly specialised criminal group, they are believed to have targeted cash machines across several Federal States in Germany. Investigations have shown an increasingly sophisticated approach by the criminals, who take measures such as counter-surveillance, collaborate…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Training promotes child-friendly approach for interviewing victims of sexual abuse

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

    Headline: Training promotes child-friendly approach for interviewing victims of sexual abuse

    Thirty investigators from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Prosecutor’s Office developed skills in trauma-sensitive approaches for interviewing child victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking during a training event on 26-27 May.
    The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in co-operation with the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Rights of the Child (Child’s Rights Ombudsman) and the Law Enforcement Academy, organized the event in Tashkent. It covered international, evidence-based methodologies for child investigative interviewing, with a focus on human rights and the best interests of the child.
    Participants gained practical skills in identifying victims, case analysis and communicating with vulnerable children. Such skills will contribute to more effective investigations and enhanced protection of the rights of child victims.
    The event was officially opened by Surayyo Rakhmonova, the Child’s Rights Ombudsman; Ambassador Antti Karttunen, PCUz Head of Office; and Adham Odinaev, Deputy Head of the Law Enforcement Academy.
    “International cooperation and the implementation of child rights-based and trauma-informed approaches to investigating sexual abuse and trafficking are crucial steps toward strengthening child protection systems in Uzbekistan,” Ambassador Karttunen emphasized. “The OSCE, together with national and international partners, actively supports these efforts.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Irish Customs seize over 4000 illegally imported e-bikes in OLAF-led crackdown

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no 14/2025
    PDF version

    On 20 May 2025 and over the following days, Irish customs authorities seized over 4000 electric bikes and a number of e-scooters worth €4,5 million illegally imported into the European Union during targeted searches at two warehouses. The operation followed coordinated efforts by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to identify and disrupt fraudulent import schemes involving e-commerce warehouses across the EU. 

    The seizures form part of a wider action led by OLAF and supported by multiple EU Member States, targeting the unlawful import and sale of electric bikes and scooters. OLAF provided national authorities with evidence of fraud techniques used to avoid import duties, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, and VAT. Countervailing duties are a specific form of duty that the governments impose in order to protect domestic producers by countering the negative impact of import subsidies. 

    Methods observed by OLAF include false declarations of goods, unauthorised removal from customs transit procedures, and fabricated claims that goods had left the EU. Once inside the EU, the products were delivered to e-commerce warehouses and sold to consumers without proper VAT payments, giving the perpetrators an unfair competitive advantage. 

    OLAF plays a key role in disrupting these complex fraud networks. Thanks to the coordinated approach, Irish customs authorities were able to carry out their successful action. In this case, the estimated loss in unpaid import duties alone is €2.3 million. 

    OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä said: “This case highlights the value of close cooperation between OLAF and Member State authorities in protecting the EU’s financial interests, ensuring fair competition, and safeguarding the integrity of the single market. By working closely with Member States, OLAF helps ensure that those who try to exploit EU rules are identified and stopped. Together, we are making it clear that such abuse will not go unchecked.” 

    For more details, see the press release of the Irish Customs Authorities.

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, please leave us your contact data.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Immersive Museum on Red Square to Tell About WWII Events — Moscow Mayor

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An immersive museum will be open on Red Square from June 21 to 24. Sergei Sobyanin spoke about this in his telegram channel.

    “The exhibition will occupy more than 16 thousand square meters. It will be dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory Parade. Residents and guests of the capital will be shown how Moscow met the soldiers and celebrated the victory,” the Mayor of Moscow wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin 

    The exhibition will recreate the historic Fountain of Victors for the first time. It will help visitors immerse themselves in the events of June 1945. Its appearance will fully correspond to the structure installed on Red Square 80 years ago.

    Visitors to the museum will be able to learn more about the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition includes several thematic areas, including “Moscow Meets Victory”, the Victory Train “We Are from Berlin”, the Victors’ Park and a theatre stage. Civilian and military equipment from those times will also be displayed here.

    More than 300 volunteers will help Muscovites and guests of the capital get their bearings. The museum will be open for four days, admission is free.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12854050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Fifty years later: 1975 road workers graduates meet at SPbGASU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – LISI Graduates of 1975

    A meeting of graduates of the road construction faculty of the Leningrad Civil Engineering Institute (LISI, as our university was then called) of 1975 in the specialty “Motorways” was held at SPbGASU.

    The main organizer of the anniversary meeting was the former head of the group, and now professor of the Department of Transport Systems and Road and Bridge Construction of our university, Alexander Solodkiy.

    “Many of my classmates have achieved great professional success: they worked in leading construction and design organizations in the road industry and in executive authorities managing the road sector, became founders and heads of companies, were awarded the title of “Honorary Road Builder of Russia” and other awards. Thus, Vladimir Valentinovich Kalinin heads the ABZ-1 group of companies, Igor Anatolyevich Pichugov heads the Dorservis group of enterprises. I headed the Department of Transport Systems at SPbGASU for nine years, and I have a Doctor of Science degree. Another Doctor of Science was Evgeny Nikolaevich Barinov, who worked at the Department of Highways at LISI. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us,” said Alexander Solodkiy.

    Aleksandr Ivanovich emphasized that graduates do not lose touch with their alma mater. Thus, Vladimir Kalinin has been the chairman of the state examination commission for the training profile “Motorways” for many years. The small innovative enterprise OOO “SPbGASU-Dorservis” is successfully operating.

    The graduates were happy to see their home university and communicate with each other. The meeting began with a photo session on the balustrade and continued in the board of trustees’ meeting room, where the guests were greeted on behalf of the management by the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina. Marina Viktorovna spoke about the modern development vectors of SPbGASU. In order to instill an entrepreneurial spirit in young people, the university is implementing the Startup as a Diploma project. To increase practical orientation, it is planned to launch an elective next year, within the framework of which students will work on project tasks together with professionals. Marina Viktorovna noted that the university expects tasks for project-based learning from industry practitioners, and called on graduates to convey this information to enterprises.

    The guests viewed the exposition of the university history museum. LISI graduate Lyudmila Nikolaevna Yakovleva presented the museum with the newspaper “For Construction Personnel” from March 17, 1971. The conversation continued at the Automobile and Road Engineering Faculty.

    We asked graduates to tell us about their professional paths.

    “I consider myself a professionally accomplished person”

    In 1970, Nadezhda Fedosova entered the Leningrad Civil Engineering Institute, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Highways, to study in the specialty of “Motorways”. She completed her studies at the Faculty of Road Construction, which was created as a result of the reform of education. Five years of study alternated with industrial practices in Leningrad and trips to student construction teams. In 1972, the student summer was spent in a construction team in the Komi ASSR in the city of Mikun, on the route of the Siyanie Severa gas pipeline, and in 1973 – at the All-Union shock construction site of the Phosphorit nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer plant. During the time spent in student construction teams and during practice, we had to do all types of road work. In addition, everyone worked on clean-up days during the major repairs of the main building of the institute.

    After graduation, Nadezhda Vasilyevna worked at the Vsevolozhsk DRSU “Lenavtodor”, which she is very happy about, because there she received professional skills in both construction issues and road maintenance.

    Since 2001, Nadezhda Vasilyevna has been working at JSC VAD as an expert in design and estimate documentation and has been assisting students of SPbGASU who come for practical training in preparing their diploma theses. Nadezhda Fedosova has been awarded certificates of honor, the medal “In Memory of the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg”, and the title of “Honorary Road Builder of Russia”.

    “I am grateful to fate that I did not make a mistake in choosing my profession. I am proud of it, I consider myself a professionally accomplished person thanks to our teachers, whose lecture notes I looked at even after my studies,” said Nadezhda Vasilyevna.

    “The knowledge I gained at the institute helped me to realize myself as an engineer”

    Evgeny Medres entered LISI following in the footsteps of his older brother, who worked fruitfully at Lenavtodor and advised him to enter here. Evgeny Petrovich never regretted following this advice for a minute in his life. His student life was active: Evgeny Medres played in a basketball team and a musical ensemble. He remembered his work in construction teams: in 1972, at the construction of the Siyanie Severa gas pipeline, and in 1973, at the construction site of the Phosphorit nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer plant. After graduating from LISI, Evgeny Medres worked as a foreman in Construction Department No. 5 of the Lendorstroy trust. He was a foreman, site manager, and built street and road network facilities. From 1979 to 1993, he worked at the Leningrad branch of GiprodorNII. Since 1993 – First Deputy General Director and Chief Engineer of JSC Petersburg-Dorservice.

    Under his leadership, projects for the construction, reconstruction and major repairs of more than 700 transport infrastructure facilities in various regions of Russia were developed, including the St. Petersburg ring road, the M-11 “Neva” Moscow – St. Petersburg highway, and the Kurortny Prospekt understudy in Sochi. Evgeny Petrovich was awarded the titles of “Honored Worker of Transport of Russia”, “Honored Road Builder of Russia”, and was awarded the medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” of the 2nd degree.

    Together with SPbGASU, Evgeny Petrovich is actively involved in research work, is the chairman of the State Examination Commission in the direction of “Ground Transport and Technological Means”, and heads the basic department of the automobile and road faculty at JSC “Petersburg-Dorservis”. “The knowledge I received at the institute helped me realize myself as an engineer,” he is sure.

    “Loyalty to the cause”

    Aleksandr Petrov was involved in road cycling in his senior years. “I saw and felt the condition of the roads. I thought that studying at LISI on the “roads” was an opportunity to change the situation for the better. Our coach also graduated from LISI and supported my choice. There were about five of us cyclists who applied in 1970. We could have put together a full-fledged sports team, but I was the only one who got in,” Aleksandr Vasilyevich said.

    Alexander Vasilyevich remembered the following internships: geodetic at the base in Peterhof, hydrological in Daimishche, geological in the Sablinsky caves, as well as competition evenings of faculties, a construction team in Kingisepp at Phosphorite.

    After graduating from the institute, Aleksandr Petrov worked as a foreman at DSU-6 of the Lenavtodor association for the reconstruction and major repairs of highways, rising from a foreman to the director of the Russian-American enterprise. Then he worked at the Leningrad Region Road Committee, where he rose to the rank of department head. He was awarded the titles of Honorary Transport Worker and Honorary Road Builder of Russia.

    “I am proud of my classmates who, from their first working days until their well-deserved rest (but many continue to work!), dedicated themselves to the profession they received at LISI. Deep knowledge, an excellent faculty, and a kind attitude towards students instilled in us loyalty to the cause we dedicated ourselves to in our youth. Over 50 years in the road industry, we can trace the positive changes in this area that have occurred thanks to our activities and education,” noted Alexander Vasilyevich.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From a Science Festival to Film Tours: What Moscow’s Cultural Venues Have Prepared for International Children’s Day

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The capital’s cultural venues have prepared a large-scale program in honor of International Children’s Day, which is celebrated on June 1. The first events will begin in May, Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    “Concerts, master classes, quests, performances and musical performances will be organized for young residents and guests of Moscow – more than 300 events in total. For example, a large scientific festival will be held in Zaryadye Park, and new film tours will appear at the Gorky Film Studio,” said Natalia Sergunina.

    One of the main events will be the children’s arts festival “Nebo”, which will be held on May 31 and June 1 in the Muzeon Arts Park. It will bring together creative groups from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Voronezh, Krasnoyarsk, Tobolsk and Kaliningrad. 600 participants will perform for the audience, including theater actors, circus performers, musicians and dancers.

    During these days, the Moscow Festival of Animation and Children’s Cinema will be held in the Moskino Cinema Park. The program includes presentations of student animation works, screenings of fairy-tale plays, and a quest dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Korney Chukovsky’s Barmaley.

    On the central square, children will be able to take part in creative workshops: voice over animated films, draw their favorite character or create a 3D figurine of him. In the “Cowboy Town” decoration, there will be a staged filming of the movie “Aibolit-66”. Those who wish will be offered to dress up as the characters in the film and act in one of the scenes. Entrance by tickets to the cinema park.

    The theme will be continued at the Gorky Film Studio. On June 1, the list of excursions at the institution will be expanded with three new walks: “Cinema in Motion” for young children, “The Hero of Your Cinema,” and “Film Poster Workshop” for teenagers and adults. The focus will be on the biographies of famous actors and directors who worked here, as well as the stories behind the creation of fairy tale films, such as the film “Morozko.” Admission is paid, tickets can be purchased aton the institution’s website.

    On June 1, from 12:00 to 22:00, young visitors to Zaryadye Park are invited to the Sciencefest festival. They will enjoy talks with researchers, educational shows, practical classes, intellectual games, an interactive exhibition, and a large quest created jointly with scientists from Lomonosov Moscow State University.

    The festival at the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve will be dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Soviet film The Adventures of Buratino, based on the fairy tale by Alexei Tolstoy. The culmination of the event will be carnival processions featuring characters from popular cartoons and films.

    A number of events have been prepared by the venues of the Moscow Exhibition Halls association. Thus, on May 30 at 19:00, the Khodynka Gallery will host a lecture entitled “How to Talk to Children about Art.” The expert will speak in plain language about the trends and directions of painting in the last century and teach how to analyze works using specific examples. To attend, you need pre-registration.

    On May 31, the Belyaevo Gallery will host a talk called “Antique Toys and Games.” The audience will be presented with a unique collection of toys from leading centers of folk art and crafts: clay toys from Dymkovo, Abashevskaya, Filimonovskaya, Khludnevskaya, Kargopolskaya, wooden toys from Bogorodskaya, and many others. The start is at 12:00, admission is byonline registration.

    Thematic meetings will continue in the capital’s libraries until June 5. Young readers will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of literature, make bookmarks, create collages, listen to music, and take part in competitions of dexterity and ingenuity.

    The Vatutinki Cultural Center invites children and adults to share photos of their favorite toys and stories about them. Photos with stories should be sent from June 1 to June 8 to the email address: dkvatutinki@culture.mos.ru with the subject line “World of Childhood.” They will become part of a thematic photo exhibition that will open on June 9.

     

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154358073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From petunias to marigolds: what annuals will appear in city flowerbeds

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the city services complex are renovating flower beds in courtyards, squares, parks, on plazas and embankments, as well as along main highways.

    The largest and most beautiful city flower beds can traditionally be found on Manezhnaya Square, near the Bolshoi Theatre, on Novy Arbat and Poklonnaya Gora.

    A wide variety of annual plant varieties have been prepared for city flowerbeds – mainly plants with a long flowering period. Among them are petunia, begonia, ageratum, marigold, pelargonium and others. They will decorate flowerbeds from June to the end of September.

    Bright orange and yellow marigolds, known as tagetes, easily take root in the shade and do not require complex care, so they are often used in the design of city flower beds. They bloom from June until frost.

    Every summer, Moscow flower beds are decorated with various varieties of petunias that are resistant to weather changes and retain their bloom for a long time, as well as begonias and blue or lilac caps of ageratum.

    Seedlings for city flowerbeds are grown in the greenhouses of the State Budgetary Institution “Ozelenenie”. The number and range of plants are selected at the design stage, taking into account the concept of flower arrangement. In this case, not only the appearance of the plants is taken into account, but also their quality – all varieties used are adapted to the Moscow climate.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channele of the city of Moscow.

    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.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154372073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The i.moscow platform has won the Digital Leaders award for the third time

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The capital hosted an award ceremony for the best projects in the field of digitalization and online services. The Moscow Innovation Cluster platform was awarded the Digital Leaders prize for the third time. This year, it became a laureate in one of the key nominations — “Platform of the Year”.

    Platform I. Moskov has been operating since 2019. It provides support in seven key areas, such as Investments, Demand and Cooperation, Startup Support, Grants and Loans, Infrastructure, Patenting, and Projects for the Metropolis.

    For Moscow innovators, research teams, companies and individual entrepreneurs, the platform offers over 50 digital services that help, among other things, establish partnerships with enterprises from other regions. In 2024, the range of support measures offered was expanded by launching three new services: Startup Showcase, TechnoMarket and Path to IPO.

    The Digital Leaders Award has been presented since 2020 and provides an opportunity to confirm leadership in the digital world, declare your achievements and gain recognition among leading companies and specialists. The expert council includes representatives of science, innovation and digitalization, business and government bodies, as well as authoritative public figures.

    Digital Leaders has been a platform for companies to showcase breakthrough solutions and industry leaders to share their experiences for several years now. Its main goal is to become a guide in the world of digital change, promoting best practices in the market.

    The nominations include: “Digital Leader of the Year”, “Best Digital Transformation of the Year”, “Global Breakthrough in Business Digitalization”, “Solution of the Year”, “Platform of the Year”, “Development of the Year”, “Company of the Year”, “Technology of the Year”.

    Moscow Innovation Cluster promotes the creation of conditions for the implementation of priority areas of scientific and technical development in the capital – the development and implementation of modern technologies, ensuring scientific, technical and industrial cooperation, effective interaction of all participants in the city’s innovative ecosystem. The cluster includes organizations from 87 regions of Russia. Developers and high-tech businesses have access to over 50 digital services and services from the city. The project is supervised by the capital Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development.

    Demand for the Moscow Innovation Cluster’s online platform has grown 2.5 times in a yearTech companies can find space to work with city service

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154384073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: About 440 residents began inspecting apartments in a new building under the renovation program in Vykhino-Zhulebino

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In Vykhino-Zhulebino, about 440 residents of two old buildings have begun to inspect apartments in a building erected under the renovation program on Tashkentskaya Street. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “The new building transferred for settlement in the Vykhino-Zhulebino district is located at 15 Tashkentskaya Street. About 440 residents of buildings 2 and 3 of building 20 on Samarkandsky Boulevard will move into it. To make the move more comfortable for Muscovites, an information center for resettlement has been opened. It is located on the first floor of the new building, previously transferred for participants in the renovation program, in building 15/1 on Samarkandsky Boulevard. There, specialists will help residents use the super service “Moving under the renovation program”, and will also answer all their questions. In total, 60 old houses are to be resettled in the Vykhino-Zhulebino district. More than 14 thousand city residents will receive new apartments,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    The residential complex is located near the Yugo-Vostochnaya metro station. There are also educational institutions, a sports club, shops, beauty salons and healthcare facilities nearby.

    “The new building on Tashkentskaya Street was erected using prefab technologies. Thanks to this, the construction period was reduced by five months. It includes 218 apartments with a total area of over 13 thousand square meters. Four of them were equipped for people with limited mobility with disabilities – they made wide corridors and doorways, and handrails were provided in the bathrooms. For the convenience of residents, elevators were installed in the entrances, a concierge room and a storage room for strollers and bicycles were equipped,” added the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Near the house, a children’s and sports playground with a safe rubber surface, as well as a recreation area for city residents, were arranged. CCTV cameras and lights were also installed in the yard.

    According to Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property, on May 12, more than 270 Muscovites from house 20, building 2 on Samarkandsky Boulevard, as well as 165 people from the neighboring five-story building – the third building of the same house, began to inspect apartments in the new building on Tashkentskaya Street. The city offered all participants in the program comfortable apartments with improved finishing and the necessary equipment – plumbing and lighting fixtures. This will allow future new residents to save time and not spend money on repairs before moving.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin told, that another 131 sites for the construction of houses were included in the renovation program.

    The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. At one time, Sergei Sobyanin ordered to increase the pace of implementation of the renovation program twice as much.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154362073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Secretary General thanks NATO parliamentarians for key role in strengthening the Alliance

    Source: NATO

    On Monday (26 May 2025), Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Dayton, Ohio to participate in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) Spring Session. The Secretary General highlighted the NPA’s role in transatlantic cooperation and previewed the priorities for the Summit in The Hague in June.

    Mr Rutte said to make NATO stronger, he expects Allies to agree to increase defence investment further. “This plan will mean more money for our core military requirements – hard defence, and more money for defence-related investments, including infrastructure and resilience,” said the Secretary General. He noted the important role of NPA parliamentarians in advocating for higher defence spending with their publics and governments. “You reinforce the bond between NATO and our democratic societies,” he said.

    Allies will also work on boosting the defence industrial base. Mr Rutte stressed that “increased defence production is not just good for our security, it is good for our economies too.” The Secretary General noted that all Allies must contribute their fair share, adding that Europe and Canada have already stepped up their defence spending.

    In light of the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement, Mr Rutte recalled that “the Dayton Agreement laid the foundation for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO has supported peace and stability there, and right across the Western Balkans, for thirty years,” he said. But while “the Western Balkans has shown that peace is possible,” Russia “has brought war back to Europe.” After strongly condemning Russia’s recent attacks against Ukrainian civilians, he underlined that NATO’s long-term support to Ukraine will continue, noting that all Allies agree the importance of ensuring a just and lasting peace. “This is not about prolonging the war, it is about ensuring Ukraine can defend itself now, and prevent any future aggression,” he said.

    On Sunday 25 May, the Secretary General attended a dinner hosted by the NPA with the theme “Renewed Focus on Peace & Prosperity in the Balkans,” alongside officials from Allied and partner nations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: OwlTing Group Unveils AI-Powered OwlPay® Harbor™ for Stablecoin On/Off-Ramping

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ARLINGTON, Va., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OwlTing Group (the “Company”), a global blockchain fintech company, today announced an integration of AI features into its payment API infrastructure, OwlPay® Harbor™ (the “Platform”). This AI-driven technical support feature helps developers accelerate onboarding the Company’s API, which aims to provide secure on/off-ramping services to send, receive, and hold funds in U.S. dollars and USDC1 stablecoin for global payouts across over 100 countries2. With competitive fees and robust regulatory compliance coverage across over 30 U.S. states3, OwlPay® Harbor™ offers a trusted and scalable solution for businesses worldwide.

    The newly adapted Model Context Protocol (MCP)4 tool, similar to a “USB-C port for AI models,” provides a unified approach for AI to get the real-time context with smarter responses, interacting with a human developer. This AI feature simplifies the process to integrate the Company’s API, lowers the onboarding time and maintenance efforts, and more importantly, allows developers to leverage their existing AI models without sharing sensitive data with external systems.

    Global businesses such as banks, digital wallets, DeFi companies, or fintech providers that are seeking embedded crypto-to-fiat conversions will be able to offer their customers a seamless payment experience with their own products or platforms behind the scenes.

    “We’re excited to bring AI to our flagship payment platform,” said Darren Wang, Founder and CEO at OwlTing Group. “With our wide compliance footprint, AI-driven support, and flexible service models, OwlPay® Harbor™ offers global companies the legitimacy and efficiency of payments in the U.S. and beyond borders.”

    OwlPay® Harbor™ provides enterprise-ready APIs for USD–USDC conversions via Wire and ACH transfers, with cross-chain compatibility for supported transactions across Stellar, Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Avalanche blockchains. It will also support Solana in the future. As a Stellar Anchor, it brings businesses an easier integration using SEP-24 (deposit/ withdrawal)5 and SEP-10 (authentication)6 protocols to the Stellar network.

    The platform offers extensive global reach and budget-friendly pricing tailored for all kinds of businesses. Holding over 30 Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) or their equivalent, adhering to strict KYC/AML standards, and securing ISO 27001 certification for its payment solution, OwlPay® Harbor™ stands ready to deliver with trust and reliability for global operations.

    Photo Caption: OwlPay® has obtained the ISO 27001 certification, underscoring its commitment to minimizing cyber risks and safeguarding users’ data.

    OwlPay® Harbor™ now offers two flexible service models:

    Partnership Model:

    • Designed for platforms like marketplaces or payment processors that collect funds from users for global payouts. Approved platforms manage funds and pay OwlPay® directly.
    • Supports USD payouts in supported regions globally. It also supports local payouts in 10 currencies: EUR (via SEPA), CAD, GBP, JPY, SGD, HKD, ZAR, AED, MXN, and BRL.
    • Use Case: An e-commerce platform collects USD from customers, converts it to USDC via OwlPay®, and pays retailers or freelancers in the Americas, hedging the currency fluctuations.

    End User Model:

    • Designed for other platforms wishing to avoid handling funds directly, with end users paying OwlPay® directly for implementing USD-USDC conversions.
    • Supports USD payouts in supported regions globally.
    • Use Case: An U.S. app allows users to buy USDC with USD via OwlPay® behind their own user interface, while its customers would enjoy an integrated customer journey.

    The stablecoin market has soared to a record $240 billion7 and is projected to reach $2 trillion by 20288. As demands for efficient digital payments surge, businesses integrating with the platform that combines seamless AI-driven APIs, regulatory compliance, and cross-chain compatibility for supported blockchains are positioned to be at the forefront of this thriving economy.

    OwlTing continues expanding its regulatory coverage and aims to obtain MTLs in all U.S. states as applicable, along with ongoing license applications in global markets such as Japan and the EU. The company will deploy AI tools across its OwlPay® product suites to enhance efficiency and user experience, strengthening its global leadership in stablecoin payments.

    About OwlTing Group
    Founded in 2010, OwlTing is a global blockchain fintech company based in Taiwan and has subsidiaries in the U.S., Japan, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia. In 2022, it was selected by KPMG and HSBC as “the Leading 3 Emerging Giants in Taiwan.” With the mission to usher in the digital transformation of traditional payment processes, while ensuring legal compliance, OwlTing introduced OwlPay®, a Web2 and Web3 hybrid payment solution, to empower global businesses to operate confidently in the evolving digital landscape. For more information, visit https://www.owlting.com/portal/?lang=en.

    Media Contact
    PR Office at OwlTing Group
    pr_office@owlting.com

    1 USDC is an internet-native, fully-reserved, regulated digital dollar that leverages blockchain networks to enable businesses, developers, and individuals to conduct near-real-time, low-cost global transactions. It is a leading, fully-reserved global stablecoin issued through Circle’s regulated affiliates. To learn more about using or accessing USDC, visit USDC.com. To learn more about Circle’s regulatory authorizations, visit Circle’s Licenses page https://www.circle.com/legal/licenses
    2 Availability may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to change. Please refer to the most current service documentation or contact support for the latest coverage.
    3 Availability may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to change. As of May 2025, OwlTing Group has obtained MTL licenses or their equivalent in over 30 U.S. states and is in the process of applying for relevant legal trading licenses in other U.S. states. For a list of U.S. licenses obtained, please see https://www.owlting.com/owlpay/licenses?lang=en. Please refer to the most current service documentation or contact support for the latest coverage.
    4 Model Context Protocol (MCP) is the open standard released by Anthropic, it’s a communication protocol that enables AI agents to interpret, respond to, and take action based on structured context within API workflows. By minimizing data exposure, MCP supports personalized interactions while preserving user privacy, and reduces hallucinations by grounding AI responses in verifiable external data. For more information, please see https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction
    5 SEP-24 is the standardized protocol for hosted deposits and withdrawals on Stellar’s ecosystem. With OwlPay® HarborTM, businesses can make their on/off-ramping services available as an in-app experience through Stellar-based applications such as wallets and exchanges, extending their reach and connecting with users through the applications they already use.
    6 SEP-10 is the authentication protocol of Stellar. This is used to verify the user’s KYC information.
    7 According to DeFiLlalma, the data aggregator for DeFi, the total stablecoin market cap is $242 billions as of May 2025.
    8 According to a Standard Chartered Bank report, titled “Stablecoins, USD Hegemony, and UST Bills” published in April 2025.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6bcf23b-ff93-4137-a40e-74e21baebe22

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d98cda1-6f72-4048-9a0c-1738bc76a2bb

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/426a725d-5e74-4993-9f96-c4a1f8e4454d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Live Coin Watch Exclusive: Bitcoin Solaris Announces Phase 5 Presale Ahead of Nova App Mining Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris, the next-generation decentralized blockchain built for mobile-first mining, has officially entered Presale Phase 5, pricing BTC-S tokens at 5 USDT. This announcement comes just ahead of the beginning of a selected group testing of Nova App Beta, a breakthrough mobile mining platform designed to allow users to earn tokens directly from their smartphones.

    Bitcoin Solaris is offering a fixed supply of 21 million tokens, with only 20% (4.2 million tokens) allocated to the entire presale. With no inflationary mechanics, the tokenomics are designed to reward early participation through a capped supply and verifiable, transparent distribution.

    Nova App: Mobile Mining for Everyone

    Scheduled to launch soon, the Nova App enables users to earn BTC-S by contributing idle storage and processing power on their smartphones. With no technical knowledge or staking required, the app automatically rewards users based on uptime and minimal hardware contribution—democratizing access to on-chain earnings and transforming smartphones into passive income nodes.

    High-Speed Infrastructure Designed for Scale

    Built on a dual-layer blockchain, Bitcoin Solaris supports 10,000+ TPS and delivers 2-second finality through its combination of Proof-of-Stake (PoS), Proof-of-Capacity (PoC), Proof-of-History (PoH), and Proof-of-Time (PoT). This scalable architecture ensures that mobile miners worldwide can participate without congestion, latency, or centralization risks.

    Fully Audited and Verified

    Bitcoin Solaris has completed multiple independent security audits. Cyberscope verified its smart contract code and emission logic, while Freshcoins audited its mobile mining performance. Full KYC verification adds a layer of governance transparency uncommon in early-stage blockchain projects.

    Strategic Entry Point Remains Open — But Not for Long

    Bitcoin Solaris is currently in Presale Phase 5, with BTC-S priced at 5 USDT. The token is projected to launch at 20 USDT, offering early buyers a potential 4X return. Of the total 21 million BTC-S supply, 4.2 million (20%) are allocated to the entire presale. There is no inflationary mechanism — once distributed, no additional tokens will be created.

    Presale participants not only secure tokens at a fixed price but gain early access to Nova App mining before user growth increases difficulty and dilutes returns. It’s a defined moment — structurally similar to Bitcoin under $100 — where participation is low, supply is accessible, and upside is still untapped.

    In a recent feature, Crypto Volt outlined how Bitcoin Solaris’s presale structure, mobile mining model, and supply cap recreate the early mechanics of Bitcoin itself. His breakdown shows why BTC-S is one of the few projects positioned to deliver protocol-scale wealth to individual users — not just funds and insiders.

    Presale Access:
    https://bitcoinsolaris.com

    Follow Bitcoin Solaris:

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris
    Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    info@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Email: press@bitcoinsolaris.com

    Press Kit: [Available Upon Request]

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f3d92a04-bda3-46a5-8dc5-1da8a7560224

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d41349a6-2964-4db3-9bd2-fb6db1cf878f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7c9590f8-f573-427d-99c5-d7e355c0453c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e550c186-89f4-4f88-8c03-ec213e09e3c1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacant plots overlooking Millbay to be auctioned

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Several parcels of land overlooking Millbay docks are to be put up at auction as part of the Council’s ongoing review of its assets and land.

    Brownfield sites on the south side of Caroline Place in Stonehouse are to go to auction on 12 June.

    The vacant plots – which are believed to be the remains of bombed out properties – have lain hidden for many years and the Council is putting them up for sale to see if there is anyone or company willing to put the site to better use.

    The site is bound by Caroline Place to the north and the main access to Millbay Ferry Terminal to the south. The land slopes steeply from north to south and sits within the Stonehouse Peninsula Conservation Area.

    Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member responsible for assets said: “This is all part of our constant review of our properties and assets to make sure they help us deliver priorities for the city.

    “Redeveloping these plots will be a challenge and I imagine most people did not even know these parcels of land existed. We are putting them on the market and hopefully someone can put them to good use – perhaps vitally needed new homes.”

    Successfully selling the plots would give the Council a capital receipt, which could be reinvested to support improvements to other council properties. It could also see a brownfield site back into use.

    Any organisation or individual interested in the sites is advised to engage with the Local Planning Authority to allow careful assessment of any proposals.  

    The auction will take place on 12 June. For more information about the plots visit www.cliveemson.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work begins at River Park Pavilion

    Source: City of Winchester


    Following Winchester City Council’s decision last year to approve a total investment of £2.3M to deliver the project, the pavilion is now being rebuilt for the benefit of communities across the district.

    Councillor Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said: “It is great to see work begin at this site. The old facility was well used but was no longer fit for purpose. It has been a long road to get here, so seeing the building team on site today is a very welcome sight.

    “The new community pavilion is going to welcome so many users. Cricket players, rugby players and our local ParkRunners will benefit from the new pavilion, making this space a hub of activity – in an accessible, contemporary and well-designed building.

    “This redevelopment reaffirms this council’s commitment to support our residents to live active and healthier lives, whilst helping remove barriers for women in sport and those living with disabilities. It also offers a new community space in the heart of our beautiful River Park.”

    Management & Construction Services (MCS), the council’s building contractor, is fully committed to deliver the project for users of River Park.

    Justin Whiteman, Managing Director of MCS, said: “We are delighted to be entrusted to deliver this new pavilion which will serve as a vital asset for the local community. Our team is passionate about creating high-quality spaces that will stand the test of time, and we are proud to be part of a project that will have such a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

    “We understand how important River Park is to residents, and we are committed to working closely with the council and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth construction journey.”

    This project reflects a total investment of £2.3 million which includes capital funding from the city council, £1.5 million from district Community Infrastructure Levy and contributions from the Town Forum, The Pavilion Project and grant funding from Hampshire County Council.

    Stride Treglown, a national practice working from offices on the outskirts of Winchester, are the design architects for the project appointed by Winchester City Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –