NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKSPF adds £39 million to local economy

    Source: City of York

    City of York Council is celebrating the success of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) investment programme, which has delivered significant benefits to businesses, communities, and residents.

    The funding has added £6.30 to York’s economy for every £1 invested – a total of £39 million. 

    City of York Council invested £5,507,510 from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, in addition to £384,817 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The funds aimed to boost productivity and living standards, increase pride in place and build strong communities.

    The funding has been invested through a wide-ranging programme of grant and support schemes, aimed at supporting businesses and local communities.

    You can find out more about the achievements of the fund by watching our video.

    Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member at City of York Council for Economy and Culture, said:

    The impacts of this investment have touched all parts of our city – from supporting entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into reality and enabling people to gain employable skills, to regenerating Acomb’s Front Street and bringing diverse cultural opportunities to York. 

    “I’m extremely proud to see that 125 jobs have been created or safeguarded as a direct result of this funding, with hundreds more people benefiting from opportunities to build the skills and confidence they need to secure rewarding, well-paid employment. 

    “The fact that this investment has contributed £39 million to York’s economy, is due in no small part to the energy and passion that I’ve seen demonstrated time and again by the people and organisations, who we’ve worked with throughout this programme and who have turned this funding into real change and opportunity for our people, places and communities.”

    One of the 41 providers funded through the UKSPF programme was Next Door But One, which has delivered new and accessible performances for all ages, and offered free career development support for early-career creatives in York.

    Matt Harper-Hardcastle, CEO and Artistic Director of Next Door But One, said: 

    As a small but rapidly growing theatre company in York, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been central to our ability to strengthen the infrastructure of our work, respond to local need and take brave steps forward with initiatives that make the arts accessible, meaningful and relevant to the diverse communities we serve. 

    “Through this funding, we’ve been able to reach new audiences and support early-career performing arts professionals to develop their businesses and practice.”

    Since the launch of the programme in 2022, City of York Council has supported 41 programmes across three priority investment areas: Communities and Place, People and Skills and Supporting Local Businesses.

    The Fund provided £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment between April 2022 and March 2025, and allowed Local Authorities to target funding where it was needed most, building pride in place, supporting high quality skills training, supporting pay, employment and productivity growth and increasing life chances.

    A single-year UKSPF extension has been announced by Government, covering the 2025 to 2026 financial year. Due to changes in the way government funding is allocated, the UKSPF programme will now be delivered at the wider York and North Yorkshire level, via the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.  

    York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will receive £8,782,899 (£2,914,393 capital and £5,868,506 revenue) of investment to be committed in the 2025 to 2026 financial year, and the Combined Authority is currently working to allocate the funding to projects spread across the region.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF Launches Enforcement Group to Tackle Illegal Waste Shipments

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no. 13
    PDF version 

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) organised the inaugural meeting of the Waste Shipment Enforcement Group (WSEG) on 22-23 May in Warsaw, Poland. The event brought together over 50 stakeholders from across the EU and beyond – including environmental, customs and police authorities, carriers and judicial authorities – in a joint effort to thwart the growing threat of illicit trade of waste. 

    The discussion in Warsaw, held with the support of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection of Poland, focused on the latest trends, international flows of illicit trade, strengthening inspections and enforcement measures as well as the use of IT tools to collect information and alert partners. Participants shared practical experience from inspections, outlined common challenges and analysed the modus operandi detected in the illicit trade of waste. 

    Illegal shipments of waste pose a serious risk to the public health, legitimate businesses and global security. Hazardous or improperly managed waste can contaminate the soil, water and air and its unchecked movement across borders undermines EU’s transition toward greener, more sustainable economy. Furthermore, waste trafficking distorts fair competition and burdens compliant businesses.  

    Ernesto Bianchi, OLAF’s Director for Revenue and international Operations – Investigations and Strategy, welcomed the group’s launch by saying: “The Waste Shipment Enforcement Group is a practical platform for action, dialogue and cooperation. OLAF is proud to support this effort, helping to turn shared intelligence into concrete investigations.”

    The Waste Shipment Enforcement Group was set up by the recently adopted Regulation on waste shipments with a mandate to improve enforcement and operational cooperation within the EU and with third countries. The regulation empowers OLAF to support Member States in uncovering and investigating illegal waste shipments and to coordinate joint actions. 

    Speaking on OLAF’s wider role, the Director-General of OLAF Ville Itälä said: “Environmental crime knows no borders. Waste trafficking harms our environment, our health and our economy – and it undermines the rules that protect European citizens. By supporting this enforcement group, OLAF aims to unite operational minds to turn information into action and stop this crime at its source.”

    Background

    OLAF exchanges real-time information on suspicious waste shipments with customs and environmental authorities of EU countries of origin and non-EU countries of destination. OLAF monitors both the original shipments and the returns of refused containers to make sure they are not diverted on their way back to the EU source country. 

    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 United Kingdom: Statement on behalf of the thirteenth Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Statement on behalf of the thirteenth Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board

    The thirteenth Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board met on 22nd May 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, in her role as Chair of the Transition Board sought endorsement from the Board for three regeneration projects, which will be supported with over £21.2million of Transition Board funding. These projects include:

    • Advanced Manufacturing Production Facility/National Net Zero Centre of Excellence
    • Redevelopment of business premises at Metal Box and Sandfields Business Centre

    Today’s release of money is the sixth announcement from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund and should support over 270 jobs and add a total of over £119m Gross Value Added to the local economy over the next decade. This latest major investment means more than £70 million has been announced by the Transition Board in the last nine months.  

    Investment from the Transition Board compliments UK Government’s action to secure new trade deals with the US and India, including seeking agreement to eradicate tariffs on core steel products imported into the US. This will protect tens of millions of pounds worth of steel exports from Wales every year.

    The Board also received updates on:

    • Tata Steel UK’s decarbonisation programme;
    • The Department of Business and Trade’s plans for a steel strategy;
    • Mental health and well-being interventions;
    • The Transition Board funds that have already been announced, including applications received for the Supply Chain fund, and support being provided from the Employment and Skills fund.

    Those in attendance included: Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales; Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy & Planning in the Welsh Government; Cllr Alun Llewelyn, Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council; Frances O’Brien, CEO of Neath Port Talbot Council; Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg; David Rees, MS for Aberavon; Anne Jessopp CBE & Katherine Bennett CBE, independent members of the Board; Alun Davies, National Officer for Steel & Metals, Community Union; Tom Hoyles, Politics, Press and Research Officer, GMB Wales & Jason Bartlett Regional Officer of Unite the Union Wales.

    -ends-

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says China hopes Germany will provide fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises

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

    Xi says China hopes Germany will provide fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises

    BEIJING, May 23 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said that China hopes Germany will provide fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, and called on China and EU to send a positive signal of safeguarding multilateralism and free trade, and deepening open and mutually beneficial cooperation.

    Xi made the remarks during his phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says sound, stable China-Germany relationship serves both countries’ interest, meets expectations of various sectors in China, Europe

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

    Xi says sound, stable China-Germany relationship serves both countries’ interest, meets expectations of various sectors in China, Europe

    BEIJING, May 23 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that a sound and stable China-Germany relationship serves both countries’ interest, and meets the expectations of various sectors in China and Europe.

    The two countries should expand cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, Xi said during his phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/KENYA – Bishop of Nyahururu on the death of Father Maina: “We await the results of the investigation”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – “There is an ongoing investigation. Once the investigators have completed their investigation into Father Maina’s death, they will shed light on the matter and answer the questions we have all been asking ourselves over the past week,” said Joseph Ndembu Mbatia, Bishop of Nyahururu, on the death of Father John Ndegwa Maina, parish priest of St. Louis church in Igwamiti.The funeral ceremony took place yesterday, May 22, at the Catholic Priests’ Cemetery on Tabor Hill in Ol Joro Orok, in Nyandarua County, in the presence of hundreds of people. “I saw in the media that our priest had been killed, and I wondered where this information came from. We are still in contact with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to find out what actually happened. There is no reason for speculation. We want to know the truth, and that is why we are cooperating with investigators. We must be patient,” said Bishop Mbatia. On May 15, Father Maina was found with severe head injuries on the highway between Gilgil and Nairobi. He later died at St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital. The priest reportedly told the taxi driver who found him that he had been kidnapped in Nyahururu. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, Father Maina may have been attacked by thieves demanding part of a donation the priest received from former Vice President Rigathi Gachagua during a church service on April 27. The priest had reportedly expressed concern about the threats to his safety but had not officially reported them to the authorities.Father Maina, the fourth son in a family of eleven, was born on March 13, 1982, and ordained a priest on March 25, 2017. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: EUROPE/ITALY – Father Mandonico, of the Society of African Missions: “The missionary Pope reminds us of the need not to close ourselves in our fortresses”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 23 May 2025

    SMA

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “One particular trait stands out about the missionary Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, who became Pope Leo XIV. Those who knew him closely do not have any striking gestures to share, but they reiterate one quality: he is a man who knows how to listen.” This is what Father Andrea Mandonico, general archivist of the Society of African Missions, says when sharing his testimony about the figure of the new Pontiff, which he sees as “a particular challenge.”“For a missionary to become Pope is an unprecedented experience for the Catholic Church. Pope Leo is not the missionary who has experienced the most heroic adventures, he is not the one who has raised his voice the most, he is not the one who has built the most schools or dispensaries,” Father Mandonico notes. “Rather, he left his mark by opening his heart and mind to those he met.” Because truly, as he said in the first Mass with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, even those in authority “disappear so that Christ may remain.”The College of Cardinals, in electing Leo XIV, was fully aware that it was entrusting the Petrine ministry to a missionary.“We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, in dialogue, always open to receiving, like this square with open arms,” Father Andrea recalls, evoking the words of Pope Leo XIV in his first message from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pontiff had invited each person to become a “bridge” of God’s love for all.“The missionary Pope is a particular challenge for us missionaries,” the archivist insists. “And in our Italy, perhaps, it is even more so today than in other regions of the world.” According to Father Mandonico, the figure of the new Pope recalls the urgency of the mission, precisely at a time when it might seem that “leaving for distant lands is a vocation already outdated.” His witness challenges all Christians “not to close themselves up in a fortress,” but to keep their gaze on the people, “ad gentes,” and to open their communities “to the breath of the world.” “Today he is Peter. And we too, missionaries in Italy and in every corner of the world, want to start again from here,” he concludes. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 23/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cardinal Tagle at the Pontifical Mission Societies Assembly: let us learn from the Apostles, made missionaries by the encounter with the Risen Christ

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    VaticanMedia

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The missionary work of the Church has its source in the wonder of those who encountered the Risen Jesus, “and were sent by Him”. And even today, the people and entities involved in missionary work can persevere and renew their zeal only through a personal encounter with the Risen Christ, “who changes lives”. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle reminded the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), gathered in Rome for their annual General Assembly, that the experience witnessed of the first disciples of Jesus during the early Church, remains the benchmark for every authentic missionary work and initiative.Who “animates” the “animators”The meeting between Cardinal Tagle and the National Directors of the PMS took place in the late afternoon of Wednesday, March 21, at the International Center of San Lorenzo da Brindisi. In his addres, the Cardinal began by defining the task and responsibilities entrusted to his interlocutors in the audience. He recalled that the PMS National Director can be seen as “the sign, symbol and instrument of the Church’s missionary identity, according to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.”For this reason, the Mission Director is called to be “the face, voice, hands, feet and heart of a Church that makes mission and mission that makes the Church in his/her local Church”.Since their origin – the Cardinal recalled – the Pontifical Missionary Societies “have been expressions of the Catholic faithful’s fidelity to Christ, transformed into missionary co-responsibility, i.e. missionary discipleship”.However, apostolic zeal is never a self-generated impulse nor the result of the mechanical application of a “missionary method.””To animate others to mission,” the Cardinal repeated several times, “we must be animated for mission, just like the first disciples.” He added, “we often forget that only the encounter with the Risen One made them missionaries. The gift of the Holy Spirit sealed their missionary zeal, their courage and creativity in proclaiming the good things God had done in Jesus Christ”. Therefore, insisted the Pro Prefect of the Missionary Dicastery “missionary animation is not just a task but a spiritual encounter with the Risen Lord that transforms one’s life, making one search for people with whom to share the Good News”. In this regard, the Cardinal suggested that valuable insights could be drawn from the readings proposed by the Church’s liturgy during the Easter season, the “time of the Risen One.”The apostolic foundations of missionary cooperationIn the accounts of the beginning of missionary work, the inherent nature and genetic traits of missionary work are revealed: the universal destination of the Gospel’s message of liberation, care for the poor, and the solicitude for cooperation and sharing of goods, gifts, charisms, and ministries. Cardinal Tagle highlighted these aspects through suggestive examples. For instance – the Cardinal reminded the National Directors of the PMS gathered in Assembly – when disputes arose over the requirement for non-Jews converting to Christianity to undergo circumcision, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem and “convened an assembly with the apostles and elders.” This became the first Council, the Council of Jerusalem, where they held a “conversation in the Holy Spirit,” involving the apostles and elders, listening to God’s Word and discerning the movements of the Spirit. “Thus, an ‘organization’ of universal scope but deeply spiritual in nature was taking shape.”From those early steps of the nascent Church – noted Cardinal Tagle – it emerges that prayer, listening to the Word of God, discernment, mutual respect are distinctive traits that characterize every form of organized universal missionary cooperation. This – added the Cardinal – is “the ‘soul’ of the ‘organization.’”The Apostle – continued the Cardinal Pro-Prefect, choosing other events of the first Christian communities immediately linked to the mission of the PMS – also initiated a fundraising campaign among the new Gentile Churches in Macedonia and Achaia to support the poor Church in Jerusalem. The Apostle of the Gentiles praised the Churches of Macedonia for sharing what they could, despite their poverty, testifying to the “circulation of love” between young and older Churches, which also drives the activities of the PMS. “Whoever sows sparingly,” as stated in the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, “will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully…for God loves a cheerful giver.”Common prayer, sharing of the Eucharist and also of material goods accompanied the life of the early Christian communities. The community sold their possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet, who distributed them according to the need of each. In this regard, Cardinal Tagle recalled the story of Ananias and Sapphira, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles. They sold a piece of land but kept part of the proceeds for themselves. Peter rebuked them, saying, “You have not lied to men but to God.” After this, both Ananias and Sapphira died. In the Church of Christ, the Cardinal remarked, such events occurred “even shortly after the Resurrection and Pentecost.” However, the essential traits accompanying and characterizing the first apostolic work were those of prayer, mutual respect, listening, and sharing. These are all elements that today characterize and make every authentic missionary cooperation recognizable.The Cardinal reiterated that even the Pontifical Mission Societies draw “from this first Easter experience.” The work of the PMS National Directors can also be seen and lived as an extension of that of the first Apostles. “We too,” the Cardinal concluded, “can animate mission and animate our organization by learning from them who had encountered the Risen Lord and had been sent by Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 23/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies: “There is a need to embody faith in political action”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    PPCRV

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “After the 2025 midterm elections, we can say that there is still much to be done to create an authentic political consciousness in the nation. We use the word ‘politics’ in the noblest and highest sense of the word, namely, as the administration and care of the common good,” Father Esteban Lo, a priest from Manila and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the Philippines, one of the participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies currently taking place in Rome, told Fides. “When it comes to political elections, the phenomena of vote-buying, corruption, political dynasties, and factionalism affect the entire people, which is, of course, predominantly Catholic. From this, it can be deduced that in these moments, the Catholic conscience, illuminated by faith, struggles to emerge,” the National Director added.”Today, the Filipino people demonstrate great popular piety, but when it comes to issues and practices such as politics, a dichotomy arises. Therefore, we must deepen and assimilate the vision of the Church’s social teaching, which we know is a focus of the apostolic ministry of Pope Leo XIV. We must embody faith in political action,” he notes.In the May 12 elections, with a record turnout of nearly 69 million voters, more than 18,000 public offices at all levels of government were filled: Of the 354 seats in the lower house of parliament, the majority went to the coalition formed by the Lakas Party and other parties supporting incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos. In particular, the 12 Senate seats up for grabs (half of the 24 seats that make up the assembly) attracted political and media attention, and at least five went to candidates supporting the Duterte family. The Philippine political system is dominated by two political dynasties, which also faced each other in this election. They are the families of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (son of the former dictator of the same name) and his Vice President Sara Duterte (daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte). The two clans, which had formed an alliance with a view to the 2022 presidential elections, are now in open conflict, and in this context, the midterm elections have become a kind of “referendum” on the dominance of one side or the other. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested and is on trial before the International Criminal Court in The Hague for “crimes against humanity” committed during the “war on drugs” launched during his presidency. And his daughter, Sara, the current Vice President, was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 7, which must be confirmed or overturned by the Senate. Five candidates close to the Marcos alliance won seats in the Senate, five other elected candidates are close to Duterte, while two “independents” received the support of the Duterte clan in the final stages of the campaign, thus being considered part of the opposition. After the election, President Marcos Jr. admitted – also based on polls that showed a significant decline in his popularity and public approval – that people were dissatisfied with the government’s performance. “The scenarios are open, and we will see how the political situation evolves,” the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies told Fides. “Surely, we are in a time when even the Catholic Church, as a historic institution, no longer has the influence on the conscience of citizens that it had in the past: just think of the non-violent revolution of 1986. The context and culture have changed rapidly.” “Our hope,” Father Lo concluded, “remains firm because it is anchored in Christ. Our commitment and our mission in society will continue. Ultimately, we can say that everything depends on the Christian witness of our lives.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 23/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Security: INTERPOL convenes South American police chiefs in Brasilia to discuss organized crime threats

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    23 May 2025

    The officials discussed intensifying cooperation to combat the continent’s most powerful organized crime groups.

    LYON, France: Senior police leaders from eleven South American countries met in Brasilia on Thursday to address the growing threat posed by transnational organized crime groups.

    The fourth INTERPOL Chiefs of Police meeting for South America allowed the officials to share insights into their respective efforts against organized crime and contribute to a regional plan to combat specific crime groups.

    In his remarks to the police leaders, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said:

    “Criminal groups from South America are continually expanding their reach throughout and beyond the region, where one in every three INTERPOL Notices is related to organized crime.

    “This meeting offers a dedicated space to reinforce regional police cooperation and fight organized crime effectively on a global scale.”

    Representatives at the meeting will include seven police chiefs and four deputy police chiefs from the eleven countries.

    The first INTERPOL Chiefs of Police meeting for South America took place in 2018 to strengthen ties between law enforcement within the region and to foster greater information-sharing.

    South American police records shared through INTERPOL have since doubled and countries in the region have played leading roles in recent INTERPOL initiatives targeting organized crime, such as INTERPOL cooperation against the ‘Ndrangheta (I-CAN) and the Silver Notice pilot.

    INTERPOL’s Regional Bureau in Buenos Aires, Argentina helps coordinate operational work in the region, tackling crimes such as child sexual abuse, corruption, cybercrime, human trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.

    Police leaders from the following countries participated in the fourth INTERPOL Chiefs of Police meeting: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US solar manufacturers lag skyrocketing market demand

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan

    Americans continue to want solar energy. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

    U.S. consumer demand for renewable energy continues to grow, with more solar panel capacity installed in 2024 than in 2023, which saw more than in 2022. But U.S. trade policy is in flux, and high tariffs have been imposed on imported solar panels, which may cause shortages.

    I am a scholar who studies the Sun, as well as an entrepreneur who is working to harness its power here on Earth by creating new designs for generating solar electricity. As part of that effort, I’ve studied market trends and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. and abroad. Right now, U.S. manufacturers do not produce enough solar panels to meet the nation’s demand, but industry investments and federal tax incentives have been making progress, though recent federal moves have created uncertainty.

    In 2024, U.S. installers put up enough solar panels to generate 50 gigawatts of electricity – enough to power New York City for a year.

    U.S. manufacturers made only a small fraction of that – 4.2 GW of solar modules in the first half of 2024. That was a big boost, though – a 75% increase compared with the same period in 2023. And the prices were roughly three times the cost of imports.

    A look at recent imports

    In 2024, the U.S. imported far more panels than the country needed, suggesting developers may be stockpiling panels for future projects.

    Most of those imported panels were made in Asia, particularly Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, nearly all of the U.S.-made panels used at least some components from overseas. China currently makes about 97% of the world’s supply of photovoltaic wafers, which are building blocks of solar panels.

    The effects of proposed U.S. trade policies on the solar industry remain unclear. Through 2024, manufacturing continued a yearslong ramp-up to take advantage of government policies favoring domestic manufacturing. And imported panels seem slated to suffer from ever-increasing tariffs, which drive up costs.

    Domestic production rises

    Since 2010, U.S. solar panel production has increased about eightfold. But U.S.-made panels are more expensive than imported alternatives. In 2024, U.S.-made panels typically cost 31 cents per watt, but imported panels, even including tariffs that existed before President Donald Trump’s second term, cost about one-third of that: 11 cents per watt.

    But domestic manufacturers are bringing costs down by ramping up production while relying on the government to maintain or increase tariffs on imports, which may make U.S. panels more competitive domestically in the future.

    Reliance on overseas sources

    Despite that increase in domestic production, U.S. demand for solar panels has grown even faster. To meet demand, the U.S. imports a substantial portion of its solar photovoltaic modules.

    Tariffs, including a 30% tariff on solar cells and solar panels starting in 2018, aimed to boost domestic manufacturing.

    But those tariffs and falling global prices made solar installations more costly in the U.S. than in the rest of the world. The average global cost of installed solar systems dropped from $1.15 per watt in 2012 to $0.72 per watt in 2016, nearly half that of U.S. installations.

    The 2018 tariffs, as well as earlier rounds in 2012 and 2014, have shifted the source of U.S. imports of solar panels – from China and Taiwan to Malaysia and South Korea. Manufacturers are also building solar panels in Singapore and Germany to maintain access to the U.S. market. And Chinese companies are even investing in U.S. solar manufacturers to take advantage of federal incentives and avoid tariffs.

    New tariffs emerge

    Trump’s proposal for new tariffs on foreign-made solar goods, including panels and components, particularly target Chinese-owned companies in Southeast Asia.

    They could include a potential 375% tariff on Thai products – nearly quadrupling prices – and a 3,500% tariff on products from Cambodia.

    In contrast, U.S.-made solar panels will be cheaper. But a reduced supply of solar panels will raise prices even of domestic-made panels, at least until U.S. manufacturing can catch up with the demand. Some developers have begun to delay or cancel solar installations to address rising costs.

    Domestic investment

    Due in large part to the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, the U.S. solar panel industry has seen significant investments.

    Since the law’s enactment, more than 95 GW of manufacturing capability have been added across the solar supply chain in the U.S., including new facilities that in a year can construct enough solar panels to produce nearly 42 GW, beyond existing manufacturing levels. This growth in manufacturing capabilities is largely located in Texas and Georgia.

    Still, the new administration’s shifting priorities and trade policies make the landscape uncertain. Before Trump began discussing various solar-related trade policies, the industry projected it would install an average of 45 GW of solar panels every year for the next decade.

    Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti owns shares in APT Solar Solutions Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He receives funding from public and private organizations to develop and commercialize three-dimensional solar modules.

    – ref. US solar manufacturers lag skyrocketing market demand – https://theconversation.com/us-solar-manufacturers-lag-skyrocketing-market-demand-256944

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From furry friends to fish, turning up the heat helps animals fight germs − how Mother Nature’s cure offers humans a lesson on fever

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Phil Starks, Associate Professor of Biology, Tufts University

    Sick animals often move to warmer places to raise their body temperature. GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Stone via Getty Images

    Why do people get fevers when we get sick?

    It’s a common misconception that pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 or the flu, cause fevers. But as biology professors, we know it’s not that simple. Pathogens cause fevers only indirectly.

    When your immune system detects harmful microbes, your body raises its internal temperature to create a hostile environment. Turning up the heat suppresses the proliferation of invaders. In short, the fever is the body’s way of fighting back.

    Although many people don’t understand fever’s purpose, animals certainly utilize it. Even so-called “simple creatures,” such as lizards, fish and insects, use fever to recover from illness.

    The body’s response

    Suppose you catch a virus. The immune system responds by releasing molecules called pyrogens, which induce fever. They signal the brain’s hypothalamus to raise the body’s set point temperature – like adjusting a thermostat.

    Normal body temperature hovers around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), but fevers commonly increase temperatures to 100.4-104 F (38-40 C).

    When that happens, your muscles contract, causing shivers, and blood vessels constrict to retain heat. You’ll feel cold until your body reaches the new set point, often prompting you to add clothes or snuggle into blankets. When the infection subsides, pyrogens decrease and the hypothalamus resets the temperature. You sweat, your blood vessels dilate, and you cool off. You’re feeling better.

    There’s a reason why you shiver when you have a fever.
    Edwin Tan/E+ via Getty Images

    Mammals, lizards, fish and insects

    Humans are not special in this regard; all mammals are capable of generating fevers. Even without taking their temperature, you might recognize the signs in a familiar companion. When dogs have a fever, they often lose their appetite, become lethargic and may shiver − behaviors that closely resemble how people respond when they’re running a fever.

    This adaptive response to infection is widespread in nature. Even cold-blooded animals, which rely on the environment for warmth, raise their temperature behaviorally.

    Lizards move to warmer areas when sick. If they’re blocked from doing so − or given fever-reducing drugs − their survival rates drop. Zebrafish swim to warmer waters during infection; a rise of just 5.4 F (3 C) correlates with improved gene expression, stronger antiviral responses and higher survival. Naked mole rats – a social, subterranean cold-blooded mammal that looks like a hot dog with teeth – generate fevers in response to infection, despite their unusual physiology.

    Insects, too, show remarkable responses. Desert locusts elevate their body temperature when infected, doing so in a dose-dependent manner: more pathogen, higher temperature. This behavior increases their chance of survival and reproduction.

    Honeybees have a unique way of fighting a fever.
    Joannis S. Duran/Moment via Getty Images

    Honeybees are among the most sophisticated. These social insects regulate brood temperature with extraordinary precision, keeping it between 90-95 F (32-35 C). They warm the hive by contracting flight muscles and cool it by fanning wings, sometimes spreading water on the comb to induce evaporative cooling.

    If their larvae are exposed to heat-sensitive fungal spores, the colony raises the temperature − essentially giving itself a fever. The increased heat prevents spore germination and protects the next generation. Once the threat has passed, the bees restore their normal hive temperature.

    If fevers don’t wind down within 24 to 36 hours, it’s time to see a doctor.

    Treating a fever

    These examples show that evolution has favored the fever response. Yet when humans get a fever, our instinct is often to bring it down – using aspirin, removing blankets or applying cold compresses. And sometimes that’s appropriate. Adults should seek medical attention if fever exceeds 103 F (39.4 C); children at 102 F (38.9 C); and infants younger than three months at 100.4 F (38 C).

    But mild to moderate fevers often help more than they hurt. Reducing a fever too soon − via medication or environmental cooling − may interfere with the body’s natural defense, prolonging illness.

    This isn’t a new idea. Nearly a century ago, Austrian physician Julius Wagner-Jauregg pioneered an extreme method called malariotherapy: infecting syphilis patients with malaria. The high fever induced by malaria killed the syphilis-causing bacteria. Once the bacteria was eliminated, doctors treated the malaria with quinine.

    The approach was risky but effective enough to win Wagner-Jauregg the Nobel Prize in 1927. Although some patients died from the treatment, and many others relapsed, it remained in use for about two decades, until replaced by penicillin. Think of Wagner-Jauregg’s treatment like using a sledgehammer to drive a nail; it worked, though the wall didn’t always survive.

    Much remains to be discovered about how fever affects the immune response. Still, the underlying message holds: Fever fights infection.

    The fact that so many diverse creatures developed similar fever responses suggests a powerful pattern known as convergent evolution − when different species with enormously complex evolutionary histories converge on a similar solution. Despite different evolutionary paths, all these organisms faced the same challenge − infection − and arrived at the same solution: fever.

    Phil Starks received past funding from the NSF for providing research experiences for undergraduates (REU).

    Harry Bernheim had grants from the NIH in the 1980’s.

    – ref. From furry friends to fish, turning up the heat helps animals fight germs − how Mother Nature’s cure offers humans a lesson on fever – https://theconversation.com/from-furry-friends-to-fish-turning-up-the-heat-helps-animals-fight-germs-how-mother-natures-cure-offers-humans-a-lesson-on-fever-229078

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A Reset Relationship and New Opportunities for Northern Ireland

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    A Reset Relationship and New Opportunities for Northern Ireland

    Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP underlines the benefits for Northern Ireland of recent trade deals, and a new intended partnership agreement with the European Union.

    Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn.

    It has been a momentous month – both for Northern Ireland and for the entire United Kingdom. First came the Government’s trade deals with India and the USA which will open up new opportunities for Northern Ireland exporters. 

    Next, on Monday, the UK played host to the first-ever UK-EU summit at Lancaster House in London as we set out to build a new partnership with the European Union. In recent years, our relationship with the EU has – at times – been strained, but in an era in which global instability is rising, it makes sense to build stronger ties with our European friends and neighbours.

    And then, on Thursday, we marked the anniversary of the referenda on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement held in Northern Ireland and Ireland. By voting ‘yes’, the people chose and secured a chance for peace in Northern Ireland; a peace which has lasted in the almost three decades since and helped pave the way for Northern Ireland’s transformation. It was an agreement which remains to this day proof of the power of courageous political leadership, and people’s willingness to compromise in hope of a better future.

    The agreement with the European Union will help to create growth and lower household bills across the UK as a whole. 

    It is a particularly good deal for Northern Ireland. Our economy is already vibrant – think of our aerospace, life sciences, manufacturing, and film and television industries – and this agreement will further help Northern Ireland which experienced stronger growth than the United Kingdom as a whole last year. Peace has delivered real economic benefits.

    Of particular significance will be the deal we reached on agrifood and plants, which will smooth flows of trade, ease the frictions for businesses and protect the UK internal market. Applying the same rules across the UK will give businesses greater certainty, and mean we can eliminate paperwork and mandatory identity and physical checks on goods moving under these arrangements. 

    All of this will save up to £1 million a month for those firms using the ‘red lane’ and we’ll see a real difference in garden centres, with bans on so-called ‘high risk’ plants being eliminated – a commitment made in Safeguarding the Union – and plants being able to move within the UK without barriers. 

    This deal will also maintain Northern Ireland’s unique access to both the UK and EU markets and the advantages that the Windsor Framework offers to businesses and the economy. So, it’s no surprise that businesses have welcomed it. The Ulster Farmers Union called it ‘a major step forward for Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry’. The Horticultural Trades Association have said that their sector will save millions. And big name retailers such as Asda and M&S have praised the removal of frictions too. The message is clear from business – this is good news for Northern Ireland and good news for you.

    The other outcomes of Monday’s summit are also good for Northern Ireland. Our new security and defence partnership with the EU will support our national security and the aerospace, defence and space industry which is already home to more than 9,000 jobs in Northern Ireland. Our closer law enforcement relationship with the EU will help prevent crime. Closer cooperation on decarbonisation and energy will lower prices and make our country greener and more resilient. And it’ll become easier to travel to mainland Europe through e-Gates. 

    Northern Ireland’s prosperity is intrinsically linked to its strong relationship with the rest of the UK, and it can only benefit further from our new partnership with the EU. The steps we are taking will bring practical benefits, and Monday’s summit makes me even more confident that Northern Ireland’s economy will continue to flourish as a thriving and growing part of the UK.

    This article also featured in the Belfast Telegraph.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AI experiments see “Humphrey” help townhalls cut costs and improve services

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    AI experiments see “Humphrey” help townhalls cut costs and improve services

    AI experts are experimenting to build new AI within “Humphrey” to help speed up admin in areas like planning and social care, as 25 councils trial new AI tech from Whitehall.

    • AI experts are experimenting to build new AI within “Humphrey” to help speed up admin in areas like planning and social care, as 25 councils trial new AI tech from Whitehall.
    • Early research on the tech shows officials are saved from 60-minutes of admin for each hour-long meeting, saving staff from what half say is the worst thing about their job.
    • Comes as “Humphrey” is taking notes in the Prime Minister’s Council of Nations and Regions meeting taking place today, with talks covering recent trade deals and how AI can improve public services.

    Local councils across the country are trialling a new AI tool called ‘Minute’ – part of the “Humphrey” suite being rolled out across Whitehall – to cut burdensome admin tasks to improve services for citizens as part of the UK government’s Plan for Change.

    It comes as the Prime Minister brings together Heads of the devolved governments and elected English Mayors today at the Council of the Nations and Regions for talks on recent trade deals, as well as how AI can improve public services and maximise the technology’s benefits for people across UK. ‘Minute’ has been used to take notes in the meeting, marking the first time AI has been used in a meeting chaired by a UK Prime Minister.

    25 local councils are currently taking part in the early-stage trial of ‘Minute’ to speed up note taking across the services they provide, including West Berkshire Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. This includes streamlining burdensome admin tasks in the planning process to help hit the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by 2030.

    This could help speed up actions after planning meetings, allowing officers to focus on the task at hand, rather than paperwork, and make informed decisions to get homes built. This will support approvals, so bricks can be laid and homes built faster.

    The tool also helps take detailed notes in meetings between social care workers and their supervisors, allowing workers to focus on offering more support instead of being bogged down by bureaucracy.

    The trial comes as alongside a push from government to help local councils use technology to improve the dozens of essential services they are responsible for delivering to local residents – from planning approvals to housing, pest control and parking permits. It includes a new AI Knowledge Hub published today, sharing exciting examples of how local councils are using technology so others can learn from them – such as an AI assistant that speeds up the reporting of fly-tipping and graffiti in central London.

    ‘Minute’ is part of ‘Humphrey’, the package of AI tools built to help civil servants deliver for ministers and the public more effectively. It uses generative AI to turn meetings into notes and adds unique tools to help tweak and correct summaries more efficiently. Early tests of the technology in central government showed that officials were saved, on average, from one hour of admin per one hour meeting, with nearly half of them saying note-taking is the least enjoyable part of their job.

    In the pilot, the tool helps local councils automate requirements for note taking and record keeping so officials can focus on helping residents more quickly.

    The trial announced today follows the Prime Minister setting out that he will “push forward with the digitisation of government services” to find £45 billion worth of productivity savings to make the state more productive and agile and deliver the Plan for Change.

    AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark said:

    From parking permits and planning permission, local councils handle some of the services that impact our daily lives most. For too long, they have been left to fend for themselves when keeping up with rapid innovations in AI and digital technology – when we know it has huge potential to help solve many of the challenges they face.

    That’s why “Humphrey”, a suite of exciting AI tools built in my department, is being sent to townhalls to help them fast track planning decisions, build 1.5 million homes and take meeting notes more quickly. This is just the first step as we are also going to work with local councils to help them buy and build the technology they need to deliver our Plan for Change and support their local communities more effectively.

    Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government Baroness Taylor said:

    Local councils are on the frontline of housing delivery, and we’re backing them with cutting-edge AI technology like ‘Minute’, so officers can spend less time buried in admin and more time helping to get Britain building.

    This is alongside our landmark reforms to deliver 1.5 million homes, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will get working people and families in to secure homes and boost economic growth right across the country.

    Earlier this year, the government’s State of Digital Government Review unveiled that local councils were spending £5 billion per year on technology, despite employing half the number of digital specialists they should be. The report also found that each of the 320 local authorities negotiate technology contracts with big tech companies independently – when many are buying exactly the same tools – making this spending much less effective.

    Work has also begun to look at how technology built by the UK government, like the upcoming GOV.UK App which will give people access to public services on their phones, can help councils save money while delivering a better, more consistent service for citizens. It will also aim to improve data sharing between councils and other public bodies, as well as helping councils negotiate contracts together and share best practices.

    It comes alongside a new AI Knowledge Hub being published, sharing practical examples of how AI is being used in government and across local councils so other organisations across the UK can take their work forward. The publication of the website delivers against a recommendation made in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, aiming to help the public sector adopt AI more quickly and effectively.

    Other areas set to be discussed today include how by working with devolved governments and mayors the UK can ensure it has the infrastructure and capability needed to power AI, and ways to facilitate better data sharing.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China is the world leader in total installed hydroelectric power capacity

    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

    CHENGDU, May 23 (Xinhua) — China ranks first in the world in the number of reservoirs and dams, as well as in the installed capacity of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs), according to the 28th Congress of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

    Congress participants noted that China, in the process of responding to climate risks, has developed a comprehensive systemic solution that can be adopted by other countries around the world.

    According to the National Energy Administration of China, as of December 2024, China had built more than 94,000 dams, the highest number in the world. The country’s total installed hydroelectric power capacity reached 436 million kW, of which 377 million kW were conventional hydroelectric power plants.

    China’s annual hydroelectric power generation capacity was 1.42 trillion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 57 percent of the country’s total renewable electricity generation.

    The total capacity of China’s reservoirs is approaching 1 trillion cubic meters, including flood-control capacity of 185.6 billion cubic meters. The reservoirs provide an annual water supply of 270 billion cubic meters and support the irrigation of 532 million mu (about 35.5 million hectares) of farmland. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China makes stern representation to Japan over detention of Taiwanese fishing vessel

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) — China has made stern representations to Japan over the detention of Taiwan’s fishing vessel Hongzaitou 6 and demanded immediate correction of mistakes and effective measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday.

    A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked about China’s reaction to Japan’s actions.

    “The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese fishermen, including those from the Taiwan region. In accordance with the China-Japan Fisheries Agreement, the Japanese side has no right to take law enforcement measures against Chinese vessels in the relevant waters,” Mao Ning emphasized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vice Chairman of China Meets with Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Mejlis

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Turkmen Parliament (Mejlis) Chairwoman Dunyagozel Gulmanova in Beijing on Friday.

    Han Zheng noted that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Turkmenistan relations have been elevated to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, and a community of shared destiny has been realized at the bilateral level.

    China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, firmly support each other and accelerate cooperation in areas such as natural gas, digital economy, green development and new energy, Han Zheng said.

    According to him, China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to expand humanitarian exchanges, strengthen international cooperation and promote sustainable and long-term development of bilateral relations.

    D. Gulmanova, in turn, stated that the friendship between Turkmenistan and China has its roots in the distant past. Turkmenistan is ready to further increase exchanges and cooperation with China in such areas as legislation, environmental protection, youth, economy and trade, as well as in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, to achieve common development. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Breaking: Xi Jinping hopes Germany will provide fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese businesses

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday expressed hope that Germany will provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese businesses, and called on China and the EU to send a positive signal of upholding multilateralism and free trade and deepening open and win-win cooperation.

    These words were spoken during a telephone conversation between Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China reports significant growth in online digital sales

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) — Online sales of digital goods in China grew 8.4 percent year on year in the first four months of 2025, data released by the Ministry of Commerce showed on Friday.

    In particular, according to the data, during the reporting period, sales of intelligent robots and smart home systems grew by 87.6 percent and 16 percent year-on-year, respectively.

    An official from the e-commerce department of the ministry attributed the growth to the high level of integration of domestic and foreign trade in e-commerce, as well as the strong potential of linking global production and supply chains.

    From January to April, online trade-in sales of 15 categories of home appliances and digital products increased by 11.5 percent year-on-year.

    The consumption of services also saw significant growth, with online sales in the arts and tourism sectors growing by 31.9 percent and 25.4 percent year-on-year, respectively. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Russia and Ukraine start prisoner exchange, but not yet completed

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia and Ukraine began a major prisoner swap on Friday that was agreed on at their first direct talks in more than three years, a Ukrainian military source said on Friday.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said the prisoner exchange had already been completed but Kyiv and Moscow did not confirm this and the military source said the swap was still under way.

    Russia and Ukraine each agreed at two hours of talks in Istanbul last week to swap 1,000 prisoners, but failed to agree to a ceasefire proposed by Trump. Previous prisoner swaps have been mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

    The prisoner swap was the only concrete step towards peace the two sides agreed at their talks in Istanbul.

    “Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

    Hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides are believed to have been wounded or killed in Europe’s deadliest war since World War Two, although neither side publishes accurate casualty figures. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians have also died as Russian forces have besieged and bombarded Ukrainian cities.

    Ukraine says it is ready for a 30-day ceasefire immediately, but Russia, which launched the war by invading its neighbour in 2022 and now occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, says it will not pause its assaults until conditions are met first. A member of the Ukrainian delegation called those conditions “non-starters”.

    Trump, who has shifted U.S. policy from supporting Ukraine towards accepting some of Russia’s account of the war, had said he could tighten sanctions on Russia if Moscow blocked a peace deal. But after speaking to Putin on Monday he decided to take no action for now.

    Moscow says it is ready for peace talks while the fighting goes on, and wants to discuss what it calls the war’s “root causes”, including its demands Ukraine cede more territory, and be disarmed and barred from military alliances with the West. Kyiv says that is tantamount to surrender and would leave it defenceless in the face of future Russian attacks.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Global: West Nile virus found in the UK for the first time – what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Hunter, Professor of Medicine, University of East Anglia

    Kwangmoozaa/Shutterstock.com

    For the first time, traces of the West Nile virus have been found in mosquitoes in the UK, according to a report published this week by the UK Health Security Agency.

    Here’s what you need to know about the virus and the disease it causes.

    What is West Nile virus?

    West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda in 1937. It belongs to the same viral family as dengue and yellow fever. The virus is most commonly transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, particularly the species Culex pipiens, which mainly feeds on birds.

    Birds are the primary host for West Nile virus, and the virus spreads in a cycle from infected birds to mosquitoes and then back to birds. Occasionally, mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or other animals.

    Most human infections – around 80% – cause no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are usually mild: fever, fatigue, headaches, body aches and sometimes nausea. But in rare cases, around one in 150 infections, the virus can cause severe illness, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis. Older adults, especially those over 50, are most at risk of serious complications.

    The virus cannot normally be spread from person to person, though rare cases of transmission have occurred through blood transfusions or from mother to baby during pregnancy.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    How did it get to the UK?

    Although the exact route isn’t known, experts believe the virus may have arrived in the UK via migratory birds infected elsewhere. The mosquitoes probably picked up the virus after feeding on these birds during their northward journey.

    The detection was made as part of a routine mosquito surveillance programme run by the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Mosquitoes collected from marshlands in south-east England tested positive in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which detect fragments of the virus’s genetic material.

    It’s important to note that a positive PCR test doesn’t necessarily mean the virus is infectious. After a mosquito becomes infected, the virus needs time – several days – to multiply inside the mosquito before it can be transmitted. And this process is highly temperature dependent.

    Can the virus spread in the UK?

    The UK’s relatively cool climate has, until now, helped keep mosquito-borne diseases at bay. At summer temperatures of around 15°C, it can take up to 100 days for the virus to develop inside a mosquito – longer than the insect’s lifespan. In contrast, in hotter climates (above 30°C), this process can take just a few days.

    For a local outbreak to occur, there would need to be a critical mass of infected birds and mosquitoes, with enough warm weather to sustain multiple cycles of transmission. So far, that hasn’t happened in the UK.

    But climate change could alter the equation. With rising global temperatures and longer, hotter summers, the conditions that allow viruses such as West Nile to spread may become more common in the UK.

    What’s happening elsewhere?

    West Nile virus was once limited to Africa and the Middle East but has spread significantly in recent decades. Large outbreaks have been recorded in countries including Greece, Romania, Israel, Russia and the US.

    The US outbreak began in New York City in 1999 when an unusual number of birds were found dead in a city zoo. A veterinary pathologist at the Bronx Zoo, Tracey McNamara, helped link the bird deaths to the human illnesses being reported.

    Since then, the virus has spread across most of the US, Canada and parts of South America, resulting in over 60,000 reported human cases, 28,000 hospitalisations and more than 3,000 deaths.

    In 2024, 19 European countries reported a total of 1,436 local cases, most in men over 65, with 125 deaths. Most were in Italy, Greece and Spain – countries with hot, mosquito-friendly summers.

    Outbreaks were also reported in birds and horses, which are both susceptible to the virus.

    Should UK residents be concerned?

    While the detection of West Nile virus in UK mosquitoes is noteworthy, experts emphasise that the public health risk remains very low. No human cases have been reported in the UK to date, and current summer temperatures are not yet conducive to sustained transmission.

    The greater risk for most British people probably comes from travel – particularly to southern Europe, where cases are rising.

    Travellers are advised to take standard mosquito precautions: wear light-coloured clothing, long sleeves and trousers, and use insect repellent, especially in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.

    For now, the virus is unlikely to spread widely in the UK. But as climate patterns shift, continued surveillance and public awareness will be key to staying ahead of the risk.

    Paul Hunter consults for the World Health Organization. He receives funding from National Institute for Health Research and has received funding from the World Health Organization and the European Regional Development Fund.

    – ref. West Nile virus found in the UK for the first time – what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/west-nile-virus-found-in-the-uk-for-the-first-time-what-you-need-to-know-257295

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council complaint to Government over future for Tipner West

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Steve Pitt, has written a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, to complain in the strongest possible terms about her treatment of the Council in regard to the future direction of Tipner West and Horsea Island East in the emerging Portsmouth Local Plan.

    His letter is in response to two letters from the Secretary of State.  In the first letter dated 28 February 2025, the Secretary of State gave her opinion that Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI) for limited development at Tipner West had not been proved by the Council.  This opinion was challenged by the Council in a Pre-Action Protocol letter sent on 10 March 2025 which stated that the opinion was unlawful on three grounds:

    1. The Secretary of State misdirected herself in law by applying the wrong test to circumstances where no priority habitats or species are likely to be affected.
    2. The Secretary of State failed to give adequate reasons for her opinion that each of the grounds relied on by the Council, individually and cumulatively, did not constitute IROPI.
    3. The Secretary of State’s opinion was irrational because it was based on flawed reasoning and failed to have regard to obviously material considerations.

    The second letter sent on 9 May 2025 by the Secretary of State, withdrew the IROPI opinion.  This letter states that she does not accept the premise of the first ground and does not consider that she misdirected herself in law.  However, she does agree to withdraw the IROPI opinion based on grounds 2 and 3.

    The letter confirms that the original opinion has been formally withdrawn and so cannot be subject to a judicial review.  It also states that the matter is being re-considered by the Secretary of State with the intention of providing details of how to proceed as soon as possible.

    In his letter, Cllr Pitt states that the Council wants to move forward with its Local Plan including Tipner West which works for both people and nature.

    Cllr Pitt adds :

    “We have been forced to write this letter to the Secretary of State as we cannot move forward with any proposals for Tipner West, and finalise our Local Plan, until we have clarity from the Government.

    “The longer that this goes on, means a longer wait for much needed homes and jobs for local people, along with the sea defences to protect the wider area. I would urge the Government to meet with us as soon as possible so we can settle this matter and move forward constructively”

    The Leader of Portsmouth City Council also says in his letter that the Council wants to move forward on delivering the City Deal which was made with the Government in 2013 to create the new jobs and homes required for one of the most deprived areas of the country.  He asks to meet the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency to discuss these matters

    Cllr Pitt reiterated that Portsmouth City Council continues to work closely with Natural England and the Environment Agency, alongside the RSPB and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to find a solution for the site that works for both people and nature.

    The Portsmouth Local Plan is the statutory development plan that will guide development in the city up to 2040. This Plan allocates sites for development, sets targets for new homes and jobs. It also introduces city wide policies on design, greening and the climate emergency.

    For more information visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/localplan 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At the meeting of the public council of the Housing Committee at SPbGASU, personnel issues were in the spotlight

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Denis Udod, Georgy Abelev, Veronika Asaul and Yuri Kozlov

    On May 22, a meeting of the public council under the Housing Committee of the Government of St. Petersburg was held at SPbGASU on the topic of “Searching for and revealing the personnel potential of the city’s housing sector.” The presidium of the meeting included the chairman of the Housing Committee Denis Udod, the chairman of the public council under the Housing Committee Georgy Abelev, the head of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Public Utilities of SPbGASU Veronika Asaul and the executive secretary Yuri Kozlov.

    Head of the Department for Civil Service and Personnel of the Housing Committee Elena Mayevskaya spoke about current issues in the development of human resources in the housing sector of the Northern capital. The main emphasis is on measures aimed at attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, especially in the field of cleaning urban areas and servicing housing stock. One of the key aspects is the development of a system of material and non-material incentives, including the establishment of competitive wages for janitors and machine operators, as well as improving working and rest conditions. The speaker noted the desire of the St. Petersburg authorities to ensure the stable functioning of the housing sector through an integrated approach to human resource management, including material compensation, professional development and the creation of attractive working conditions.

    Director of the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Educational Institution of Additional Professional Education “Educational and Methodological Center of the Housing Committee” Valery Sapozhnikov spoke about the activities of the center. An important point is the calculation of the required number of specialists undergoing retraining, and the actual training indicators for the previous period. The need for an annual increase in the number of students, the introduction of modern technologies and quality standards is noted, which will improve the efficiency of work in the housing sector. In addition, priority tasks are outlined, including expanding the range of educational services, holding seminars and conferences, introducing innovative approaches to training and practical application of knowledge. Particular attention is paid to the creation of a training center of competencies, which will become a platform for the exchange of experience, scientific research and the introduction of advanced technologies.

    Isa Magerramov, a postgraduate student at the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Public Utilities at SPbGASU, spoke about the personnel shortage in the housing and public utilities sector of St. Petersburg, noting the acute shortage of qualified specialists and the fact that the current personnel training system is not effective enough and needs deep reform.

    Isa Magerramov reported that one of the responses to the personnel shortage in the housing and utilities sector was the opening of a specialized program in “Housing and Utilities Economics” at SPbGASU within the framework of the educational program 38.03.01 Economics.

    “To solve personnel problems, it is necessary to form a new type of specialist who will have both technical and economic competencies necessary for effective management of the housing and utilities sector. To achieve this goal, a systematic approach is needed with a focus on modernizing the educational system, developing interdisciplinary competencies, interacting with employers and supporting young specialists, which will allow us to prepare competent professionals who are in demand on the labor market,” he noted.

    The postgraduate student added: one of the promising areas that contributes to the formation of in-demand management and economic competencies for the effective development of the housing and communal services sector in St. Petersburg is the integration of the scientific potential of SPbGASU, professional standards and new educational solutions.

    The participants of the meeting came to a unanimous opinion on the need for a systemic and interdepartmental approach to solving the problem of personnel shortage in the housing sector. It was decided to continue close cooperation between the Housing Committee, educational organizations and employers in the industry.

    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 United Kingdom: Lifeguards set to return to Sunderland’s beaches.

    Source: City of Sunderland

    The RNLI have once again been commissioned to provide Sunderland’s beaches with a lifeguard service at Seaburn, Roker and Cat and Dog Beaches this summer.

    The lifeguard service will be in force from Saturday 24 May until Sunday 7 September every day from 10am to 6pm.

    Once again, the RNLI will be promoting their Float to Live campaign, to remind people what they should do if they find themselves in trouble in the water. The campaign encourages people who find themselves in trouble in water to tip their head back submerging their ears and float on their back. This can help calm panicked swimmers and allow them to control their breathing. Once under control, swimmers should call for help, or swim to safety.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are incredibly proud to have beautiful beaches in Sunderland and want our residents to enjoy them while staying safe.

    “Choosing a lifeguarded beach is always safer, and I would encourage anyone planning on swimming in the sea to visit one where lifeguards are on duty.

    “We’re delighted that the RNLI lifeguards are returning once again this year to give swimmers an extra level of safety while enjoying our beaches.”

    RNLI lifeguards have been patrolling beaches around the UK since 2001. Last year, lifeguards at Sunderland’s posts responded to 39 lifeguard incidents and aided 41 people.

    RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Sean Mills, said: “Following a stringent training programme our charity’s lifeguards are in peak condition and they’re really looking forward to returning to their posts. Come rain or shine we’ll be there to offer friendly safety advice such as always to swim between the red and yellow flags and information on tide times.

    “We always advise people to visit a lifeguarded beach. It’s great to see visitors enjoying the coast with the extra peace of mind of knowing that we are there should they need us.”

    Visit RNLI – Royal National Lifeboat Institution – Saving Lives at Sea for lots of useful tips and advice on how to stay safe in the water and what to do if you do get into difficulties.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We invite you to the sports festival “GUU – a big family”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On May 30, 2025, the sports festival “GUU – a big family” will be held on the sports field of the State University of Management.

    Everyone is invited to the celebration to take part in competitions and contests or just cheer on friends and have a good time.

    The program includes: – A quest with exciting sports (and other) tasks; – Master classes from our partners; – For the little ones: face painting and modeling; – Delicious pilaf for a great mood.

    To participate in the main competition, you need to assemble a team of 8-10 people and register using a special form.

    The team can include your classmates, friends, colleagues, moms and dads, brothers and sisters. And even if none of them support you, you can still register alone and they will select a team for you, because GUU is really a big family!

    Date: May 30 Time: 12:00 – 14:30 Place: sports field of the State University of Management (Ryazansky Prospekt, 99)

    We are waiting for you, this is definitely not something you can miss!

    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: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe on the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Completes 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 23, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • IMF staff and the São Toméan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of the economic policies underpinned by the 40-month ECF-supported program. Most quantitative targets for the first review have been met and significant progress was made on a range of macro-structural issues.
    • The authorities have made progress in re-building macroeconomic stability, improving the fiscal position, and advancing the government’s reform agenda. Inflation has declined from recent highs, due to global disinflation and a tight monetary stance. Growth is expected to pick up and inflation to further decelerate over the medium term.
    • The authorities remain committed to the objectives established in the ECF-supported program approved by the IMF Executive Board in December 2024.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Mr. Slavi Slavov, Mission Chief for São Tomé and Príncipe, held meetings in São Tomé during May 8-21, 2025, to discuss progress on the authorities’ reforms and policy priorities in the context of the first review of São Tomé and Príncipe’s 40-month program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The arrangement was approved by the IMF Executive Board for a total amount of SDR18.5 million (around US$25 million) on December 19, 2024. The team also conducted discussions on the 2025 Article IV consultation.

    At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Slavov issued the following statement:

    “The São Toméan authorities and IMF staff team have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of São Tomé and Príncipe’s economic program supported by the ECF arrangement. Subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, São Tomé and Príncipe would have access to about SDR 4 million (US$5.3 million), bringing the total IMF financial support disbursed under the current arrangement to around SDR 8 million (about US$10.6 million).

    “Against an increasingly challenging global economic backdrop, the São Toméan economy remains relatively resilient, with growth of 1.1 percent in 2024 despite stubbornly high inflation, a tight policy mix, and the country’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. Inflation remains in the low double digits, while core inflation has declined significantly. The pegged exchange rate has served as an anchor to support domestic stability, but the inflation differential with the Euro Area has put pressures on the fragile external position of the country.

    “Growth is expected to reach 2.9 percent in 2025, accelerate further to 4.7 percent in 2026, and remain at around 3.5 percent over the medium term. This reflects the recovery of the agriculture sector and tourism, while private and public investments are expected to boost growth going forward. The IMF-supported program plays a catalytic role in mobilizing financial support and technical assistance from the country’s main development partners. Declining international oil prices are expected to reduce fiscal and external sector pressures, improving reserves accumulation and macroeconomic stability. Reforming the energy sector remains key to unlocking growth and alleviating pressures on public debt and foreign exchange reserves. The government has made significant strides in fiscal consolidation, reaching a domestic primary balance of zero in 2024, better than the targeted deficit of 0.5 percent of GDP.

    “Discussions on the 2025 Article IV consultation focused on the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure and improving public investment management to reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. Discussions also covered improving inflation forecasting, liquidity management, and strengthening financial inclusion.

    “The IMF staff team met President Carlos Vila Nova; Prime Minister Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos; Minister of State for Economy and Finance Gareth Haddad do Espírito Santo Guadalupe; Acting Governor of the Central Bank Lara Simone Beirão; other government officials; representatives of the private sector including banks; and development partners. The mission expresses its deep appreciation to the authorities for their cooperation, hospitality, and constructive policy discussions.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/22/pr25157-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-reaches-sla-1st-rev-under-ecf-completes-2025-aiv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Imperial Petroleum Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATHENS, Greece, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. (NASDAQ: IMPP; the “Company”), a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and dry bulk seaborne transportation services, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

    • Fleet operational utilization of 83.8% in Q1 25’ versus 86% in Q4 24’ and 80.6% in Q1 24’.
    • About 47% of fleet calendar days were dedicated to time charter activity while 53% to spot activity.
    • Delivery of the dry bulk carrier, Supra Pasha (2012 built) on April 26th 2025; the remaining six contracted dry bulk carriers will be delivered by June 2025.
    • Revenues of $32.1 million in Q1 25’ compared to $41.2 million in Q1 24’- a 22.1% decline as market rates were stronger during Q1 24’.
    • Net income of $11.3 million in Q1 25’ versus $16.7 million in Q1 24’, corresponding to an EPS, basic of $0.32.
    • EBITDA1 of $14.7 million for Q1 25’.
    • Revenues and net income increased by $5.9 million (or 22.5%) and $7.4 million (or 189.7%), respectively, in Q1 25’ compared to Q4 24’.
    • Cash and cash equivalents including time deposits of $227.4 million as of March 31, 2025 which is 167.5% higher than our current market capitalization of about $85 million.
    • Recurring profitability and debt free capital structure facilitate robust cash flow generation.

    First Quarter 2025 Results:

    • Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $32.1 million, a decrease of $9.1 million, or 22.1%, compared to revenues of $41.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in the spot market tanker rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 average spot rates for product and suezmax tankers were 26.9% and 24.2% higher than average spot rates during the three months ended March 31, 2025.
    • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $10.5 million and $7.1 million, respectively, compared to $13.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $3.0 million decrease in voyage expenses is mainly attributed to increased time charter activity leading to a decline in spot days by 16.1%. The decline in spot days along with the decrease in the Suez Canal transits compared to the same period of last year, led to decreased bunker consumption by 21.2% and lower port expenses by 30.8%. The $1.1 million increase in vessels’ operating expenses is primarily due to the increased size of our fleet by an average of 2.1 vessels between the two periods.
    • Drydocking costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were nil and $0.6 million, respectively. This decrease is due to the fact that during the three months ended March 31, 2025, no vessel underwent drydocking whereas during the three months ended March 31, 2024 our aframax tanker commenced its drydocking which was concluded within April 2024.
    • General and administrative costs for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $1.2 million.
    • Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $5.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The change is attributable to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.
    • Management fees for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The change is attributable to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.
    • Interest and finance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $0.6 million and $0.002 million, respectively. The $0.6 million of costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 relate mainly to accrued interest expense – related party in connection with the $14.0 million and $24.0 million part of the acquisition prices of our bulk carriers, Neptulus and Clean Imperial, respectively. These balances were completely settled in April 2025. For accounting purposes, the outstanding balances payable on the two vessels were required to be allocated between principal and imputed interest, despite the fact that no interest was contractually charged by the sellers. The total amounts ultimately paid remained consistent with the originally agreed purchase prices.
    • Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $2.2 million as compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $1.2 million increase is mainly attributed to a higher amount of funds placed under time deposits.
    • Interest income – related party for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was nil as compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease is mainly attributed to the $0.8 million of accrued interest income – related party for the three months ended March 31, 2024 in connection with the $38.7 million of the sale price of the Aframax tanker Afrapearl II (ex. Stealth Berana). The balance was collected in July 2024, thus the balance for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was nil.
    • Foreign exchange (loss)/gain for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was a gain of $1.7 million as compared to a loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $1.7 million foreign exchange gain for the three months ended March 31, 2025, is mainly attributed the strengthening of the euro currency against the dollar at the end of the three months ended March 31, 2025 when compared to the respective currency values at the end of year 2024.
    • As a result of the above, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company reported net income of $11.3 million, compared to net income of $16.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Dividends paid on Series A Preferred Shares amounted to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, basic, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 32.9 million. Earnings per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $0.32 and $0.30, respectively, compared to earnings per share, basic and diluted, of $0.56 and $0.50, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
    • Adjusted net income1 was $12.2 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS1, basic of $0.34 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to an Adjusted net income of $17.5 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic, of $0.59 for the same period of last year.
    • EBITDA1 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $14.7 million, while Adjusted EBITDA1 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $15.6 million.
    • An average of 11.90 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 9.84 vessels for the same period of 2024.

    1 EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP set forth later in this release. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below.

    Fleet Employment Table

    As of May 23, 2025, the profile and deployment of our fleet is the following:

                           
    Name Year
    Built    		    Country
    Built    		    Vessel Size
    (dwt)    		    Vessel
    Type    		    Employment
    Status    		    Expiration of
    Charter(1)
    Tankers                           
    Magic Wand 2008    Korea    47,000    MR product tanker    Time Charter   October 2025
    Clean Thrasher 2008    Korea    47,000    MR product tanker    Time Charter    May 2025
    Clean Sanctuary (ex. Falcon Maryam) 2009    Korea    46,000    MR product tanker    Spot     
    Clean Nirvana 2008    Korea    50,000    MR product tanker    Spot     
    Clean Justice 2011    Japan    46,000    MR product tanker    Time Charter    September 2027
    Aquadisiac 2008   Korea   51,000   MR product tanker   Spot    
    Clean Imperial 2009   Korea   40,000   MR product tanker   Time Charter   January 2026
    Suez Enchanted 2007    Korea    160,000    Suezmax tanker    Spot     
    Suez Protopia 2008    Korea    160,000    Suezmax tanker    Spot     
    Drybulk Carriers(2)                           
    Eco Wildfire 2013    Japan    33,000    Handysize drybulk    Time Charter    May 2025
    Glorieuse 2012    Japan    38,000    Handysize drybulk    Time Charter    June 2025
    Neptulus 2012   Japan   33,000   Handysize drybulk   Time Charter   June 2025
    Supra Pasha 2012   Japan   56,000   Supramax drybulk   Spot    
    Fleet Total           807,000 dwt               
    (1)
    (2)    		 Earliest date charters could expire.
    We have contracted to acquire six Japanese built drybulk carriers, aggregating approximately 387,000 dwt, which are
    expected to be delivered to us by June 2025.
       

    CEO Harry Vafias Commented

    Another year commenced with a positive momentum for Imperial Petroleum. We are happy as we consider the $11.3 million of net income generated in Q1 25’ a very good result given the eventful but softish market. This is a busy period for our Company but at the same time exciting as we are taking on delivery of another six drybulk vessels. Within the short life of Imperial Petroleum, we are expanding our fleet from four vessels to nineteen by the second quarter of 2025; our goal of growing fast and transforming a small company to medium sized was achieved. We feel confident that the diversified quality non- Chinese fleet we have created will pay off. Imperial Petroleum enjoys fast growth, recurring profits, zero bank debt and liquidity as of March 31, 2025 in excess of $220 million and as per our view ticks all the boxes that define a successful operation.

    Conference Call details:

    On May 23, 2025 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

    Online Registration:

    Conference call participants should pre-register using the below link to receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.

    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIaef045aa9f5b46a7b5e8eb48c2e56115

    Slides and audio webcast:

    There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. website (www.ImperialPetro.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

    About IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.        

    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services. The Company owns a total of thirteen vessels on the water – seven M.R. product tankers, two suezmax tankers and four handysize drybulk carriers – with a total capacity of 807,000 deadweight tons (dwt), and has contracted to acquire an additional six drybulk carriers of 387,000 dwt aggregate capacity. Following these deliveries, the Company’s fleet will count a total of 19 vessels with an aggregate capacity of 1.2 million dwt. IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.’s shares of common stock and 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trade under the symbols “IMPP” and “IMPPP,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, geopolitical conditions, including any trade disruptions resulting from tariffs and other protectionist measures imposed by the United States or  other countries, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydockings, changes in IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, the conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions, the conflicts in the Middle East, potential disruption of shipping routes due to ongoing attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden or accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

    Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Fleet List and Fleet Deployment        
    For information on our fleet and further information:
    Visit our website at www.ImperialPetro.com

    Company Contact:
    Fenia Sakellaris
    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.
    E-mail: info@ImperialPetro.com

    Fleet Data:
    The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2025.

    FLEET DATA Q1 2024 Q1 2025
    Average number of vessels (1) 9.84 11.90
    Period end number of owned vessels in fleet 11 12
    Total calendar days for fleet (2) 895 1,071
    Total voyage days for fleet (3) 878 1,067
    Fleet utilization (4) 98.1% 99.6%
    Total charter days for fleet (5) 207 504
    Total spot market days for fleet (6) 671 563
    Fleet operational utilization (7) 80.6% 83.8%
         

    1) Average number of vessels is the number of owned vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
    2) Total calendar days for fleet are the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
    3) Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period net of off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
    4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
    5) Total charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on time or bareboat charters for the relevant period.
    6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on spot market charters for the relevant period.
    7) Fleet operational utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels generated revenue, and is determined by dividing voyage days excluding idle days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:

    Adjusted net income represents net income before share based compensation. EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income, depreciation and share based compensation.
    Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

    EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we and our investors assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding our operating performance.

    (Expressed in United States Dollars,
    except number of shares)    		 Third Quarter Ended March 31st,
      2024   2025
    Net Income – Adjusted Net Income      
    Net income 16,654,604   11,290,986
    Plus share based compensation 858,810   889,076
    Adjusted Net Income 17,513,414   12,180,062
           
    Net income – EBITDA      
    Net income 16,654,604   11,290,986
    Plus interest and finance costs 2,430   606,383
    Less interest income (1,785,878)   (2,184,394)
    Plus depreciation 4,027,061   5,002,837
    EBITDA 18,898,217   14,715,812
           
    Net income – Adjusted EBITDA      
    Net income 16,654,604   11,290,986
    Plus share based compensation 858,810   889,076
    Plus interest and finance costs 2,430   606,383
    Less interest income (1,785,878)   (2,184,394)
    Plus depreciation 4,027,061   5,002,837
    Adjusted EBITDA 19,757,027   15,604,888
           
    EPS      
    Numerator      
    Net income 16,654,604   11,290,986
    Less: Cumulative dividends on preferred shares (435,246)   (435,246)
    Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested shares (856,950)   (453,265)
    Net income attributable to common shareholders, basic 15,362,408   10,402,475
    Denominator      
    Weighted average number of shares 27,613,661   32,944,925
    EPS – Basic 0.56   0.32
           
    Adjusted EPS      
    Numerator      
    Adjusted net income 17,513,414   12,180,062
    Less: Cumulative dividends on preferred shares (435,246)   (435,246)
    Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested shares (902,326)   (490,387)
    Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, basic 16,175,842   11,254,429
           
    Denominator      
    Weighted average number of shares 27,613,661   32,944,925
    Adjusted EPS, Basic 0.59   0.34
           

    Imperial Petroleum Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
    (Expressed in United States Dollars, except for number of shares)

        Quarters Ended March 31,
        2024   2025
             
    Revenues      
      Revenues 41,203,281   32,091,626
             
    Expenses      
      Voyage expenses 12,963,607   10,054,114
      Voyage expenses – related party 514,414   401,753
      Vessels’ operating expenses 5,951,561   7,021,928
      Vessels’ operating expenses – related party 82,000   98,500
      Drydocking costs 625,457   —
      Management fees – related party 393,800   471,240
      General and administrative expenses 1,207,168   1,217,977
      Depreciation 4,027,061   5,002,837
    Total expenses 25,765,068   24,268,349
             
    Income from operations 15,438,213   7,823,277
             
    Other (expenses)/income      
      Interest and finance costs (2,430)   (3,607)
      Interest expense – related party —   (602,776)
      Interest income 1,035,261   2,184,394
      Interest income – related party 750,617   —
      Dividend income from related party 189,583   187,500
      Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (756,640)   1,702,198
    Other income, net 1,216,391   3,467,709
             
    Net Income 16,654,604   11,290,986
             
    Earnings per share      
    – Basic 0.56   0.32
    – Diluted 0.50   0.30
             
    Weighted average number of shares      
    -Basic 27,613,661   32,944,925
    -Diluted 30,951,012   34,258,803
             

    Imperial Petroleum Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Expressed in United States Dollars)

        December 31,   March 31,
        2024   2025
             
    Assets      
    Current assets      
      Cash and cash equivalents 67,783,531   126,520,450
      Time deposits 138,948,481   100,900,500
      Trade and other receivables 13,456,083   8,772,549
      Other current assets 652,769   67,374
      Inventories 7,306,356   6,705,115
      Advances and prepayments 250,562   209,858
    Total current assets 228,397,782   243,175,846
             
    Non current assets      
      Operating lease right-of-use asset 78,761   60,239
      Vessels, net 208,230,018   227,015,031
      Investment in related party 12,798,500   12,794,333
    Total non current assets 221,107,279   239,869,603
    Total assets 449,505,061   483,045,449
             
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
    Current liabilities      
      Trade accounts payable 5,243,872   5,923,098
      Payable to related parties 18,725,514   39,232,604
      Accrued liabilities 3,370,020   3,604,467
      Operating lease liability, current portion 1,419,226   60,239
      Deferred income 78,761   1,812,557
    Total current liabilities 28,837,393   50,632,965
             
    Total liabilities 28,837,393   50,632,965
             
    Commitments and contingencies      
             
    Stockholders’ equity      
      Common stock 382,755   386,671
      Preferred Stock, Series A 7,959   7,959
      Preferred Stock, Series B 160   160
      Treasury stock (8,390,225)   (8,390,225)
      Additional paid-in capital 282,642,357   283,527,517
      Retained earnings 146,024,662   156,880,402
    Total stockholders’ equity 420,667,668   432,412,484
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 449,505,061   483,045,449
           

    Imperial Petroleum Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Expressed in United States Dollars

        Three Month Periods Ended March 31,
        2024   2025
         
    Cash flows from operating activities      
      Net income for the period 16,654,604   11,290,986
             
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash      
      provided by operating activities:      
      Depreciation 4,027,061   5,002,837
      Non – cash lease expense 17,550   18,522
      Share based compensation 858,810   889,076
      Unrealized foreign exchange loss/(gain) on time deposits 799,150   (358,420)
      Dividend income from related party (189,583)   —
             
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
      (Increase)/decrease in      
      Trade and other receivables (3,249,129)   4,683,534
      Other current assets (532,029)   585,395
      Inventories (574,256)   601,241
      Changes in operating lease liabilities (17,550)   (18,522)
      Advances and prepayments (45,536)   40,704
      Due from related parties (879,732)   4,167
      Increase/(decrease) in      
      Trade accounts payable (1,100,028)   679,226
      Due to related parties 2,839,227   (3,369,040)
      Accrued liabilities 903,784   234,447
      Deferred income (869,166)   393,331
    Net cash provided by operating activities 18,643,177   20,677,484
             
    Cash flows from investing activities      
      Dividends income received 191,667   —
      Acquisition and improvement of vessels (72,257,190)   (4,350)
      Increase in bank time deposits (31,695,420)   (57,958,390)
      Maturity of bank time deposits 31,368,080   96,364,791
    Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (72,392,863)   38,402,051
             
    Cash flows from financing activities      
      Stock issuance costs (2,504,498)   —
      Dividends paid on preferred shares (341,947)   (342,616)
    Net cash used in financing activities (2,846,445)   (342,616)
             
    Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (56,596,131)   58,736,919
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 91,927,512   67,783,531
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 35,331,381   126,520,450
    Cash breakdown       
      Cash and cash equivalents 35,331,381   126,520,450
    Total cash and cash equivalents shown in the statements of cash flows 35,331,381   126,520,450

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Taiwan commits to multi-layered defense modernization amid heightened regional tensions, observes GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Taiwan commits to multi-layered defense modernization amid heightened regional tensions, observes GlobalData

    Posted in Aerospace, Defense & Security

    Taiwan is undertaking a comprehensive, multi-layered defense modernization effort, driven by rising security threats and the imperative to deter potential aggression from China. With defense spending projected to reach $23.5 billion in 2030, Taiwan is prioritizing advanced air, naval, and unmanned systems, while also strengthening logistics and support infrastructure to enhance resilience and sustain prolonged military operations, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Taiwan Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2025-30,”Australia Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2022-27’ reveals that the country’s cumulative defense spending is anticipated to reach $112.2 billion during 2026-30, out of which the acquisition budget share is estimated to be approximately average 14.7%, amounting to $16.5 billion.

    Abhijit Apsingikar, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Persistent Chinese incursions into territorial waters and airspace, along with the constant threat of a potential naval amphibious invasion, have compelled Taiwan to make substantial investments in strengthening its overall defense posture.”

    Against this backdrop, Taiwan placed a contract to procure 66 new F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft in 2020 and first of the new aircraft were delivered in March 2025. The country has also completed modernizing its existing fleet of 139 F-16 A/B multirole aircraft to F-16 Block 70/72 standard as a part of the first phase of Peace Phoenix Rising program, last of which was delivered in December 2023. Taiwan is also in the process of reinforcing its sea denial capabilities by investing in Hai Kun-class submarines, while also investing in acquisition of Harpoon Coastal Defense System.

    Over the period 2020-25, Taiwan sanctioned a large defense investment fund disbursed over multiple years. The key focus of these investments was directed towards strengthening the defense infrastructure and to revitalize defense R&D capabilities within the country, with its Navy being a key beneficiary. Taiwan is also in the process of building a new 2,500-ton light frigate to bolster its naval defense capabilities.

    Apsingikar continues: “The ongoing Russo-Ukraine war offers a template for Taiwan to adopt proven methods for defending against a stronger adversary by deploying unmanned platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles. These platforms can assist Taiwan to compensate for its relatively smaller military strength and combat potential”

    Although Taiwan’s defense RDT&E spending is modest with a budgetary allocation of $530 million for 2025, its anticipated to be directed mainly towards R&D in automated unmanned systems. For instance, Taiwan is developing Huilong uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV), the Endeavor Manta Unmanned Surface Vessel, and Tu-40 Fixed Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

    Apsingikar concludes: “Taiwan is strategically focused on building a resilient and multi-layered defense posture. The emphasis is not only on acquiring advanced platforms but also on investing in robust logistics, maintenance, and support infrastructure. This integrated approach is critical to sustaining prolonged defense operations and delaying potential aggression long enough to enable allied intervention. By learning from modern conflict scenarios, Taiwan is prioritizing asymmetric warfare capabilities, particularly unmanned systems and sea denial strategies, to offset its numerical disadvantage and enhance its deterrence credibility in the region.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier Going to France for More Trade Talks

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier Tim Houston will be in France May 24-29 to discuss market and energy opportunities with Michelin Group.

    “Michelin is one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers. They know that Nova Scotia can provide the talent they need to reach their goals, and they already provide jobs to thousands of hard-working Nova Scotians,” said Premier Houston. “As a government, we are pro-business, and we know that Nova Scotia has so much to offer companies that want to innovate and grow. Working together, we can create economic opportunities that make Nova Scotia stronger and more prosperous.”

    Michelin has produced more than 230 million tires in the province since 1971 and is part of Nova Scotia’s advanced manufacturing sector that exports products around the world, to more than 150 countries.

    Advanced manufacturing represents $4.67 billion of exported goods and 7.6 per cent of total provincial gross domestic product. Nova Scotia’s manufacturing infrastructure connectivity and logistics facilities make it the ideal choice for servicing Europe and North America.

    The Province is currently developing a comprehensive trade action plan to facilitate internal trade, enhance productivity and drive critical sectors with input from businesses and industry. Nova Scotia is focused on making the province more self-reliant by investing in the seafood sector, wind resources and critical minerals.

    Quick Facts:

    • Michelin is one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers with nearly 4,000 direct employees
    • the company’s exports account for nearly one per cent of Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product
    • mission delegates are: Premier Houston; Nicole LaFosse Parker, Chief of Staff and General Counsel; Executive Deputy Minister Tracey Taweel; and Mike McMurray, Executive Director, International Relations and Military Relations

    Additional Resources:

    News release – Premier Heads to Spain, United Kingdom for Trade Mission: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/05/02/premier-heads-spain-united-kingdom-trade-mission

    News release – Michelin Expands in Nova Scotia with Provincial Support: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/03/14/michelin-expands-nova-scotia-provincial-support

    Michelin’s strategic plan for 2030, Michelin in Motion: https://www.michelin.com/en/group/michelin-in-motion-strategy

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

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Georgian National Extradited from Moldova to Face Charges for Soliciting Hate Crimes and Planning Mass Casualty Attack in New York City

    Source: US State of California

    Leader of White Supremacist Group ‘Maniac Murder Cult’ Recruited Others to Bomb and Poison the Jewish Community and Racial Minorities 

    Defendant Allegedly Planned Scheme to Distribute Poisoned Candy on New Year’s Eve

    Georgian national Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as Mishka, Michael, Commander Butcher, and Butcher, 21, of Tbilisi, was extradited to the United States from Moldova on May 22, and will be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn today. Chkhikvishvili was arrested in Chișinău, Moldova, in July 2024 in connection with a four-count indictment returned in the Eastern District of New York charging him with soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence in New York City.

    According to court documents, Chkhikvishvili is a leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, also known as Maniacs Murder Cult, Maniacs: Cult of Killing, MKY, MMC and MKU, an international racially-motivated violent extremist group. As alleged in the indictment, Chkhikvishvili recruited people to commit violent acts in furtherance of MKY’s ideologies, including planning and soliciting a mass casualty attack in New York City.

    “This case is a stark reminder of the kind of terrorism we face today: online networks plotting unspeakable acts of violence against children, families, and the Jewish community in pursuit of a depraved, extremist ideology,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate hate-fueled violence, and we will pursue those who threaten innocent lives wherever they may be.”

    “The defendant is accused of recruiting others to kill Jewish people, kill racial minorities, and of providing instructions on how to commit other lethal attacks — even targeting children around the holidays by poisoning candy,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “These allegations are despicable, and thanks to the work and partnership of the FBI and the authorities in Moldova, Michail Chkhikvishvili has been brought to the United States to face charges in our justice system.”

    “As alleged, the defendant, a white supremacist, recruited others to participate in a violent campaign of hatred against racial minorities and the Jewish community and to engage in the mass killing of children and others in these communities using poison, suicide bombs, firearms, arson fires, and vehicle explosions. Today’s extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Protecting our homeland, city, district, and country from violent extremists will always be one of the top priorities of the Justice Department and my office.”

    Chkhikvishvili’s MKY adheres to a neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems “undesirables.” MKY members share a common goal of challenging social order and governments via terrorism and violent acts that promote fear and chaos. MKY has members in the United States and abroad.

    Since approximately September 2021, Chkhikvishvili has distributed a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members and others. The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence. In the Hater’s Handbook, Chkhikvishvili states that he has “murdered for the white race” and encourages and instructs others to commit acts of mass violence and “ethnic cleansing.” For example, the Hater’s Handbook encourages its readers to commit school shootings and to use children to perpetrate suicide bombings and other mass killings targeting racial minorities. The Hater’s Handbook describes methods and strategies for committing mass “terror attacks,” including, for example, using vehicles to target “large outdoor festivals, conventions, celebrations and parades” and “pedestrian congested streets.” The Hater’s Handbook specifically encourages committing attacks within the United States.

    In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn. As alleged, beginning at least as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via the encryption-enabled mobile messaging platform Telegram, to commit violent hate crimes and other acts of violence on behalf of MKY. This included conspiring to solicit violent acts with the leader of a separate violent extremist neo-Nazi group, and soliciting acts of mass violence in New York from an individual who claimed to be a prospective MKY recruit, but who, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, was actually an undercover FBI employee (the UC).

    In a September 2023 conversation, the UC messaged Chkhikvishvili asking whether there was an application process to join MKY. The defendant responded, “we ask people for brutal beating, arson/explosion or murder vids on camera.” Chkhikvishvili further stated that “[p]oisoning and arson are best options for murder,” and suggested also considering a larger “mass murder[]” within the United States. Chkhikvishvili advised the UC that the victims of these acts should be “low race targets.”

    Beginning in approximately November 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited the UC to commit violent crimes, such as bombings and arsons, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals and others. Chkhikvishvili provided detailed plans and materials such as bomb-making instructions and guidance on making Molotov cocktails to facilitate carrying out these crimes. In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili began planning a mass casualty attack in New York City to take place on New Year’s Eve. The scheme involved an individual dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy laced with poison to racial minorities.

    In January, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the UC to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison. Chkhikvishvili drafted step-by-step instructions to carry out the scheme and shared detailed manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases with the UC. He also instructed the UC on methods of making ricin-based poisons in powder and liquid form, including by extracting ricin from castor beans. Chkhikvishvili sent materials linked to radical Islamist jihadist groups and designated foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS. 

    Chkhikvishvili wanted the planned attack to be a “bigger action than Breivik,” referring to Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian neo‑Nazi who killed 77 people in a bombing and mass shooting in Norway in 2011. Meanwhile, Chkhikvishvili told others of his plan and claimed to have previously committed other hate crimes while living in Brooklyn in 2022. Chkhikvishvili boasted to others that he was “glad I have murdered,” and that he would “murder more” but “make others murder first.”     

    Chkhikvishvili’s solicitations of violence have resulted in multiple attacks and killings around the world. In August 2024, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing approximately five people outside of a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, wearing a tactical vest adorned in Nazi symbols. A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and to violent statements made by him. Before the attack, the attacker also distributed a link to the Hater’s Handbook, authored by Chkhikvishvili, and other violent propaganda.

    If convicted, Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for solicitation of violent felonies (including hate crime acts and transporting an explosive with intent to kill or injure); five years in prison for conspiring to solicit violent felonies; 20 years in prison for distributing information pertaining to the making and use of explosive devices and ricin poison; and five years in prison for transmitting threatening communications.

    The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Department of State, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Chkhikvishvili from Moldova.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Paralegal Specialists Wayne Colon and Rebecca Roth. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has also provided assistance.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –