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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov: Russian mechanical engineering sectors demonstrate stability

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Denis Manturov took part in a joint meeting of the bureau of the Union of Mechanical Engineers and the association “League for Assistance to Defense Enterprises”

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov took part in a joint meeting of the bureau of the Union of Mechanical Engineers and the League for Assistance to Defense Enterprises association.

    The event was also attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, the Chairman of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia, General Director of the Rostec State Corporation Sergey Chemezov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Union, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Gutenev, General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation Dmitry Bakanov, heads of regions, members of the bureau – heads of corporations and large industrial enterprises.

    Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Denis Manturov noted that today the Russian mechanical engineering industries are demonstrating resilience and readiness to respond to the most difficult challenges.

    “The development of a number of strategic areas depends on the dynamics of qualitative changes in this sector of industry. I mean, first of all, the country’s defense capability, its energy and food security, transport connectivity, and sovereignty in the field of space services. In the same vein, we consider the importance of mechanical engineering for the fundamental renewal of the production base of the entire industrial sector,” the First Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    The implementation of specialized national projects contributes to the enhancement of the technological status of the designated areas. Hundreds of mechanical engineering enterprises participate in them, ensuring the development of components and the supply of finished products, forming new cooperation chains.

    “In the current challenges, Russia continues to demonstrate high resilience. Enterprises are coping with the tasks set by our President. Manufacturing production in the first quarter showed growth of 4.7% in annual terms. The tasks of strengthening the economy, increasing industrial potential, ensuring the country’s defense capability are not just a priority for the near future. These are permanent, strategic goals that determine our development for years to come,” said Sergey Chemezov.

    The report was delivered by the president of the league, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Gutenev. The parliamentarian emphasized that the union and the league are in constant dialogue with the real sector and the expert community, and the Government is considering initiatives aimed at supporting defense industry enterprises. Among them is a draft law on deferment from military service for graduates who have found jobs in the defense industry in targeted areas, as well as a law on protecting accounts involved in state defense procurement from automatic write-offs based on writs of execution.

    Anton Alikhanov drew attention to the current issues of providing the industries with personnel. “We are well aware of the main obstacle to the rapid replenishment of personnel. This is the extremely low level of employment in the specialty of university graduates and the claims of enterprises to the level of their training. We have well-established work with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Education on advanced engineering schools and educational and industrial clusters. Therefore, I propose that those companies that have their own corporate universities and basic departments provide an opportunity to train specialists at the request of the cooperative enterprises. We can consider the possibility of creating industry databases under the wing of Soyuzmash, connecting potential employers and applicants. Such a resource already works well in the military-industrial complex,” the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted.

    The Minister of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, outlined systemic steps aimed at developing engineering education at universities and higher education in general. According to the Minister, today 42% of budget places are allocated for engineering and technical specialties. In order to improve the quality of education, work is underway to revise the list of specialties and areas of training, the mechanism of targeted admission is being improved, and a pilot project for industrial postgraduate studies will begin this year. Also, on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the flagship project of the Ministry of Education and Science, Advanced Engineering Schools, has been continued. Valery Falkov noted that from this year, only those applicants who are applying for priority specialties, including engineers, will be able to use a preferential educational loan at a rate of 3%.

    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: Financial news: 05/15/2025 will be held the deposit auction of the MFI Fund of Financing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

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

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

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

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    Parameters
    Date of the deposit auction 05/15/2025
    Placement currency Rub
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 40,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 35
    Date of deposit 05/16/2025
    Refund date 06/20/2025
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 40,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Treaty General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 14:10 to 14:20
    Applications in competition mode from 14:20 to 14:30
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 14:40
       
    Additional terms  

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 05/15/2025, 12-17 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A1009L8 (RZhD 1P-15R) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    05/15/2025 12:17

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by NCO NCC (JSC) on 15.05.2025, 12-17 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 100.67) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1062.32 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 12.5%) of the security RU000A1009L8 (RZhD 1P-15R) were changed

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

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

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.MOM/N90248

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ukraine, Russia prepare for peace talks in Istanbul as Zelensky meets Erdogan

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

    Ukrainian and Russian delegations were expected to meet for peace talks on Thursday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepared for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

    Upon arriving in Ankara, Zelensky told reporters that Ukraine’s delegation included top-level representatives from the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, military, and intelligence agencies.

    “We have a top-level delegation,” he said, although he noted that the composition of the Russian delegation had not yet been officially communicated.

    Zelensky also emphasized that decisions on the next steps in the negotiation process would be made after his discussions with Erdogan. “We need to understand what level of the Russian delegation (we’re dealing with) and what mandate they have,” he said.

    The talks followed a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15. Zelensky confirmed his participation and expressed hope of meeting with Putin, but the Russian leader has yet to show up.

    Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, said he might attend the talks in Istanbul on Friday. “If something (a development) happens and it’s appropriate, I might go on Friday,” he said.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in Antalya for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, said Trump supports any initiative that could bring about a just peace.

    “There is no military solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Rubio said. “We want to see progress made in the coming days.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURKINA FASO – The JNIM group intensifies attacks in several towns in the Country

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) – The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a Sahelian jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda, has intensified its attacks against military and civilian targets in Burkina Faso. The jihadist offensive began on May 11 with an assault on the Djibo military camp in the province of Soum, in the north of the country. According to local reports, the jihadists managed to take control of the camp and looted the facilities. The attacks have also affected towns in the north-central, east-central, and southern regions of the country. In videos posted on its media channels, JNIM claims to have caused the deaths of around sixty regular soldiers and a dozen paramilitaries of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). Local sources also report the deaths of around 20 civilians and several structures such as homes and health centers have been destroyed. In Diapaga, in northeastern Burkina Faso, jihadists took over the military camp, killed dozens of soldiers, seized the arsenal, and freed prisoners from the local jail. Images released by the group show fighters dressed in military uniforms, some of whom wear Malian army insignia. JNIM openly opposes the governments of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Although local authorities have not confirmed these events, the so-called Patriotic Pact of Burkinabe Media (PPMB), promoted by the High Council of Communication (CSC), was apparently signed on May 14 in the capital, Ouagadougou. The objective of the pact is to “support defense efforts through coherent communication, promote the actions of the Defense and Security Forces, strengthen civic education, and preserve social cohesion.” The Council of Ministers also announced the creation of a military college to “train a strategic elite, adapted to national and regional security challenges.” Finally, unverified reports are circulating on social media about the presence in the country of some 700 North Korean special forces, allegedly sent to support the Burkinabe government. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – Between Kashmir and Baluchistan: “Now is the time for unity and peace”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Mostafameraji – Wiki Commons

    Karachi (Agenzia Fides) – “Now is the time for unity and peace. I would like to recall the words of Pope Leo XIV: Peace be with you. We address this message to India, to our Indian brothers, with whom we are called to build coexistence, and also to our brothers in Baluchistan, which is an integral part of Pakistan,” Father Mario Angelo Rodrigues, a priest of the Archdiocese of Karachi, told Fides. In recent days, tensions have flared between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region, a conflict for which a truce has been signed. In the west of the country, the situation has also worsened with the intensification of the conflict in Baluchistan, one of the provinces that form the Pakistani territory, in which an irredentist movement has been present since the time of Pakistan’s independence. Recently, civil society leader Mir Yar Baloch declared that “Balochistan is not Pakistan,” calling for independence from Pakistan and appealing for support from India and the international community. He has denounced decades of violence, forced disappearances, and human rights violations in the region. Father Rodrigues, who began his pastoral work in Balochistan as a young priest, recalls: “There I met peaceful, hospitable, life-loving people. We defend human dignity, fundamental rights, prosperity for all, and reject all forms of violence. Unfortunately, when terror erupts in the region, the military intervenes, and I can imagine the suffering this causes for the civilian population.” Today, Balochistan represents a concern for the Pakistani government. Despite this, the priest insists on the importance of promoting national unity and including all ethnic and religious groups and launch an appeal for the unity of Pakistan and for peace,” says the priest. “In Karachi, the Baloch communities are well integrated. We have Baloch children in our school, who live in complete harmony with their classmates. That is the model to follow,” says Rodrigues, currently principal of St. Patrick High School, a Catholic institution with more than 4,000 students.The local population continues to report serious human rights violations committed against civilians and those who oppose the policies of the Pakistani government, considered repressive. The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), an insurgent group active in the region, has carried out violent attacks. On March 11, it hijacked the Jaffar Express passenger train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with at least 380 people on board. The hijacking ended after the intervention of the Pakistani army. The province of Baluchistan has been involved in insurgencies and conflicts by Baloch separatists since 1948.An estimated 7 million Baloch people live in Pakistan, mainly in the province of Baluchis, although there are also significant communities in Sindh and Punjab. They represent about 3.6% of the national population. Baloch communities are also found in Iran and Afghanistan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – The opening of new churches in China: a sign of perseverance on the path of faith

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    xinde.org

    Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The opening of new churches in the People’s Republic of China is a concrete sign of the perseverance of Chinese Catholic communities on the path of faith that continues under the varied circumstances of history. This is what the Chinese bishops, priests, and lay people are convinced of.”The 33-meter-high bell tower of the new church is like a sign that helps us to fix our gaze on the Kingdom of Heaven, and it also reminds us of the urgency of putting down firm Christian roots in the fertile soil of Chinese culture, in order to express our faith through the witness of Christian life,” said the Bishop of Hankou/Wuhan, Franciscan Father Francis Cui Qingqi, in his homily at the inauguration of the new Church of Christ the King in the city of Xiaogan, in the Chinese province of Hubei.The solemn inauguration liturgy, which took place on May 10, was attended by 32 priests as concelebrants and about 1,000 faithful from the local Catholic community. Representatives of the local authorities were also present at the Holy Mass. The new church complex includes a rectory and a parish center for pastoral activities. The church has an area of 525 square meters and can accommodate more than 500 worshippers. It is a “place of prayer and a source of grace,” according to the bishop. With its 33-meter-high bell tower, the church will also become a new landmark for the city and will soon be known throughout the province. Also on May 10, after celebrating the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, the small but proud parish of Guzhai in the Archdiocese of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, consecrated the new church, dedicated to Our Lady of China in preparation for the patronal feast on May 13. Bishop Paul Meng Ningyou reviewed the history of the small rural parish and praised the pastoral and missionary zeal of the priest and parishioners. “You have experienced opportunities and difficulties, which always go hand in hand. It is true that we are facing an aging community. But thanks to the communion and synodality of the parish, which also includes migrant workers, I have seen a blessed parish full of life,” said Bishop Paul, who described the lay people as the “driving force” of the parish and invited them to participate in leading prayer and managing parish activities. Finally, everyone prayed for the help of Jesus and the help of the Virgin Mary on the path of growth and witness to which the entire ecclesial community is called. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA – Mission and hope among the Bayaka pygmies

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 15 May 2025

    SMA

    Kanza (Agenzia Fides) – “A solid roof over one’s head, a good cassava field, learning to read… without ever being discouraged and with the help of God” is the Hope for the Bayaka pygmies of Central Africa.“God never leaves us alone and always holds our hand” Fr Michele Farina, a priest from the diocese of Savona, associated with the Society of African Missions missionary in Monasao, in a recent testimony, explaining what Hope, the central theme of Jubilee 2025, is for him and his very special parishioners, the Bayaka pygmies, who live in the forest. “For them, Hope is something very concrete” the missionary continues.In a video presented for the occasion (see attachment) Fr Michele says, among other things, that every Sunday the catechist who leaves Monasao on a motorbike for the celebration of the Word said that for him, who had a difficult childhood, struck by polio as a child and saved by a nun from the mission at the time, hope is never to be discouraged.A father from the community of Kanza, 15 km from Monasao, said he would like to see a beautiful harvesting field built, yet another said his wish is to see his children grow up to be able to do something beautiful and important in their lives, and to be cherished by their children when they are old. “Young people – says Fr Michele – instead have a very easy but difficult hope for them, learning to read! I was particularly struck by a young girl who said she wanted to learn to read for herself and to be able to teach it to her mother who had not had the opportunity to study. What emerges in all of them is a strong desire to be able to learn to read and write so that they can do more in their lives besides tending their fields and huts.”In this Jubilee year – he concludes – I join the hope of these dear brothers and sisters of the small community of Kanza, hoping that this Jubilee, as they ask, will give them the strength to realize together with God all the beautiful hopes they carry in their hearts. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)

    Attachment to the article

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  • MIL-OSI: DTST Reports 2025 First Quarter Financial Results and Provides Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Strong Q1 2025 Performance Driven by 14% YoY Revenue Growth in Cloud Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Services
    • CloudFirst International Expansion Accelerated Through Strategic Partnership with Pulsant
    • Conference Call to be held today at 11:00 am ET

    MELVILLE, N.Y., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) (“DSC” and the “Company”), a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and IT automation, with direct connection to AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Revenue was $8.1 million, driven by 14% year-over-year growth in Cloud Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery services
    • Gross profit totaled $2.86 million, maintaining consistent margin levels
    • Adjusted EBITDA* reached $497,000, reflecting operational discipline
    • Cash and marketable securities were $11.1 million, with no long term debt

    “We are pleased to report our first quarter results, which reflect both solid financial performance and strategic progress,” said Chuck Piluso, CEO of Data Storage Corporation. “Specifically, CloudFirst Technologies continues to operate profitably on a standalone basis and serves as a scalable, recurring revenue engine. To support our international strategy, we recently partnered with Pulsant, a leading U.K. edge data center provider, enabling us to extend our IBM Power-based cloud offerings across their national footprint. This collaboration positions us to serve regulated and enterprise clients more effectively throughout the U.K. and Europe.”

    “Furthermore, CloudFirst recently completed a major infrastructure upgrade for a long-time enterprise client in the food distribution sector. We migrated legacy systems to high-performance IBM processors, allowing for direct connections with leading providers including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud—enhancing scalability, security, and cost-efficiency. This contract is an example of how our expertise in delivering complex IT transformations sets us apart in the market and fosters strong client loyalty, with customers consistently returning to us as their trusted partner.”

    Chris Panagiotakos, CFO of Data Storage Corporation, added, “Financially, our core cloud infrastructure and disaster recovery services remain strong performers, evidenced by a 14% year-over-year revenue increase. Our total revenue had a modest decline due to reduced equipment sales, however this aligns with our strategic focus to continue to build a stable high-margin, recurring revenue client base. Our adjusted EBITDA reached $497,000 for the quarter, reflecting our ongoing commitment to operational efficiency and margin discipline. Backed by a strong balance sheet and a growing client base, we are well-positioned to scale our platform, expand our market presence, and create sustained long-term value.”

    Mr. Piluso added, “Overall, we remain focused on growing our high-margin, recurring cloud revenue base, expanding our global partner ecosystem, and delivering the modernization, compliance, and resilience our clients require. These priorities reflect our long-term vision to build a scalable, differentiated platform in the enterprise multi-cloud space.”

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to discuss the Company’s progress and the financial results for the first quarter of 2025, which ended March 31, 2025.

    The conference call will be available via telephone by dialing toll-free 877-407-9219 for U.S. callers or for international callers +1-412-652-1274. A webcast of the call may be accessed at  DSC Q1 2025 Earnings Call or on the Company’s News & Events section of the website,  www.dtst.com/news-events.

    A webcast replay of the call will be available on the Company’s website (www.dtst.com/news-events) through November 15, 2025. A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately three hours following the call, through May 22, 2025, and can be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853 for U.S. callers or + 1-201-612-7415 for international callers and entering conference ID: 13753165. 

    About Data Storage Corporation
    Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) through its subsidiaries is a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, fully managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, IT automation, and voice & data solutions.

    Recognizing that data migration is a critical step in transitioning from on-premises systems to the cloud, DSC provides comprehensive migration services to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient data transfer, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance.

    Built on IBM Power servers, DTST’s subsidiary owns their cloud platform manages the platform with the Company’s 24×7 technical team. The Company delivers high-performance, scalable, and secure cloud solutions with interoperability across its infrastructure partners, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

    With data centers supporting its CloudFirst platform deployments across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, DSC provides mission-critical solutions to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations.

    As a leader in the multi-billion-dollar cloud hosting and business continuity market, DTST is recognized for its expertise in cloud infrastructure, IT modernization, and data migration, enabling clients to transition to their cloud infrastructure with confidence and operational continuity.

    For more information, please visit www.dtst.com or follow us on X @DataStorageCorp.

    *Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP. Please refer to the Company’s financial disclosures at the end of this press release for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Safe Harbor Provision

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and include statements regarding CloudFirst Technologies continuing to operate profitably on a standalone basis and serving as a scalable, recurring revenue engine; the collaboration with Pulsant positioning the Company to serve regulated and enterprise clients more effectively throughout the U.K. and Europe; and being well-positioned to scale the Company’s platform, expand its market presence, and create sustained long-term value; the Company building a scalable, differentiated platform in the enterprise cloud space; and the opportunities ahead and the potential to drive continued growth and success. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include CloudFirst Technologies’ ability to continue to operate profitably; the Company’s ability to grow its presence in the U.K and Europe, the Company ability to create sustained long-term value and drive continued growth and success. These risks should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was initially made. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Crescendo Communications, LLC
    212-671-1020
    DTST@crescendo-ir.com

    DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
             
        March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS                
    Current Assets:                
    Cash   $ 705,557     $ 1,070,097  
    Accounts receivable (less allowance for credit losses of
    $17,121 and $31,472 as of March 31, 2025, and December
    31, 2024, respectively)    		     5,413,282       2,225,458  
    Marketable securities     10,406,912       11,261,006  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     858,490       859,502  
    Total Current Assets     17,384,241       15,416,063  
                     
    Property and Equipment:                
    Property and equipment     9,684,825       9,598,963  
    Less—Accumulated depreciation     (6,456,000 )     (6,159,307 )
    Net Property and Equipment     3,228,825       3,439,656  
                     
    Other Assets:                
     Goodwill     4,238,671       4,238,671  
     Operating lease right-of-use assets     550,653       575,380  
     Other assets     168,120       183,439  
     Intangible assets, net     1,360,220       1,427,006  
    Total Other Assets     6,317,664       6,424,496  
                     
    Total Assets   $ 26,930,730     $ 25,280,215  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
    Current Liabilities:                
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 4,550,524     $ 3,183,379  
    Deferred revenue     290,827       212,390  
    Finance leases payable     —       17,641  
    Finance leases payable related party     —       33,879  
    Operating lease liabilities short term     102,246       98,860  
    Total Current Liabilities     4,943,597       3,546,149  
                     
    Operating lease liabilities     496,691       523,070  
    Deferred Tax Liability     39,031       39,031  
    Total Long-Term Liabilities     535,722       562,101  
                     
    Total Liabilities     5,479,319       4,108,250  
                     
    Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)                
                     
    Stockholders’ Equity:                
    Preferred stock, par value $.001; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,401,786 designated as Series A Preferred Stock, par value $.001; 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31,2025 and December 31, 2024     —       —  
    Common stock, par value $.001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 7,123,227 and 7,045,108 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     7,123       7,045  
    Additional paid in capital     40,644,000       40,417,813  
    Accumulated deficit     (18,958,511 )     (18,982,589 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     3,579       (23,214 )
    Total Data Storage Corporation Stockholders’ Equity     21,696,191       21,419,055  
    Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary     (244,780 )     (247,090 )
    Total Stockholders’ Equity     21,451,411       21,171,965  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   $ 26,930,730     $ 25,280,215  
    DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (UNAUDITED)
        Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025   2024
             
    Sales   $ 8,083,756     $ 8,235,747  
                     
    Cost of sales     5,223,860       5,269,275  
                     
    Gross Profit     2,859,896       2,966,472  
                     
    Selling, general and administrative     2,952,405       2,752,677  
                     
    Income (loss) from Operations     (92,509 )     213,795  
                     
    Other Income (Expense)                
    Interest income     120,906       143,369  
    Interest expense     (2,009 )     (11,260 )
    Total Other Income     118,897       132,109  
                     
    Income before provision for income taxes     26,388       345,904  
                     
    Provision for income taxes     —       —  
                     
    Net Income     26,388       345,904  
                     
    Gain (loss) in Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary     (2,310 )     11,198  
                     
    Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders   $ 24,078     $ 357,102  
                     
    Earnings per Share – Basic   $ —     $ 0.05  
    Earnings per Share – Diluted   $ —     $ 0.05  
    Weighted Average Number of Shares – Basic     7,077,913       7,090,389  
    Weighted Average Number of Shares – Diluted     7,405,672       7,259,472  
    DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (UNAUDITED)
             
        Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025   2024
    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:                
    Net income   $ 26,388     $ 345,904  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                
    Depreciation and amortization     363,379       295,198  
    Stock based compensation     226,265       171,325  
    Change in expected credit losses     (6,995 )     —  
                     
    Changes in Assets and Liabilities:                
    Accounts receivable     (3,180,822 )     (3,177,694 )
    Other assets     15,319       —  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,936       (153,782 )
    Right of use asset     24,727       26,821  
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses     1,373,552       2,226,932  
    Deferred revenue     78,437       (26,078 )
    Operating lease liability     (22,993 )     (27,250 )
    Net Cash Used in Operating Activities     (1,099,807 )     (318,624 )
    Cash Flows from Investing Activities:                
    Capital expenditures     (67,519 )     (358,637 )
    Purchase of marketable securities     (120,906 )     (143,369 )
    Sale of marketable securities     975,000       200,000  
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities     786,575       (302,006 )
    Cash Flows from Financing Activities:                
    Repayments of finance lease obligations related party     (33,879 )     (66,280 )
    Repayments of finance lease obligations     (17,641 )     (101,078 )
    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities     (51,520 )     (167,358 )
                     
    Effect of exchange rates on cash     212       —  
                     
    Net decrease in Cash     (364,540 )     (787,988 )
                     
    Cash, Beginning of Period     1,070,097       1,428,730  
                     
    Cash, End of Period   $ 705,557     $ 640,742  
    Supplemental Disclosures:                
    Cash paid for interest   $ 489     $ 8,855  
    Cash paid for income taxes   $ —     $ —  
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:                

    The following table shows the Company’s reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for the months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024:

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025
                         
        CloudFirst
    Technologies    		   CloudFirst
    Europe Ltd.    		   Nexxis Inc.   Corporate   Total
                         
    Net income (loss)   $ 1,077,591     $ (455,971 )   $ (7,243 )   $ (587,989 )   $ 26,388  
                                             
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
    Depreciation and amortization     333,615       29,235       209       320       363,379  
                                             
    Interest income     —       —       —       (120,906 )     (120,906 )
    Interest expense     2,009       —       —       —       2,009  
    Provision for income tax     —       —       —       —       —  
    Stock-based compensation     89,665       —       6,429       130,171       226,265  
                                             
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,502,880     $ (426,736 )   $ (605 )   $ (578,404 )   $ 497,135  
    For the three months ended March 31, 2024
                         
        CloudFirst
    Technologies    		   CloudFirst
    Europe Ltd.    		   Nexxis Inc.   Corporate   Total
                         
    Net income   $ 914,372     $ —     $ (62,941 )   $ (505,527 )   $ 345,904  
                                             
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
    Depreciation and amortization     294,793       —       211       194       295,198  
    Interest income     —       —       —       (143,369 )     (143,369 )
    Interest expense     11,260       —       —       —       11,260  
    Stock-based compensation     52,969       —       6,671       111,685       171,235  
                                             
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,273,394     $ —     $ (56,059 )   $ (537,017 )   $ 680,318  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: North America Drone Market Size Expected Reach $31 Billion By 2034 as Revenue Opportunities Jump

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The Drones-As-A Service market is expected to continue substantial growth in the coming years. The adoption of advanced technologies in drones, such as thermal imaging, gas detection, and loudspeakers, is increasing, particularly in public safety and emergency response. Drones equipped with these technologies are used extensively by fire departments, search and rescue teams, and law enforcement to manage disasters and enhance surveillance​. The primary reasons for the adoption of these technologies include the need for enhanced operational efficiency and safety in executing complex tasks such as infrastructure inspections, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring. The ability of drones to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data is invaluable in these contexts, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation​. A report from Market.us projected that the North America Drone Market size is expected to be worth around USD 31,062.9 Million By 2034, from USD 11,445.1 Million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.The U.S. Drone market was estimated at USD 10,869.4 Million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2034. The report said: “The primary reasons for the adoption of these technologies include the need for enhanced operational efficiency and safety in executing complex tasks such as infrastructure inspections, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring. The ability of drones to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data is invaluable in these contexts, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation​.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).

    The Market.us report continued: “The North America drone market is characterized by a significant presence of small and medium-sized enterprises, with a considerable portion being small drone companies. This market is seeing growth in diversity with the entry of major tech companies like Alphabet and Intel. The integration of cutting-edge technologies by companies such as DJI, which recently introduced a LiDAR system for professional surveying, exemplifies the ongoing innovation within this sector. Several key drivers are propelling the North America drone market. Regulatory developments have played a crucial role, especially with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updating rules to allow more extensive commercial drone operations, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights​. Additionally, technological advancements in drone hardware and software are enhancing their capabilities, making them more appealing for commercial applications​.” It concluded: “The US Drone Market is valued at approximately USD 10,869 Million in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 11,999 Million in 2025 to approximately USD 29,233.5 Million by 2034, projected at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2034. The presence of supportive government policies and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations has facilitated controlled commercial drone operations, especially in areas such as logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection. Moreover, consistent investment by the U.S. Department of Defense in military drones has further strengthened the market.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Reports Nearly Double Revenue Year-Over-Year for the First Quarter of 2025 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces financial results for the first quarter 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Total revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.13 million, up 92% compared to $591,379 for the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth.
    • ZenaTech’s new Drone as a Service or DaaS segment grew from completing two acquisitions of land survey drone servicing companies ─ Oregon-based Weddle Surveying and Florida-based KJM Land Surveying. The Company also signed five LOIs (Letter of Intent) for additional acquisitions during the quarter.
    • The company acquired Othership, a UK workplace management software company supporting its enterprise SaaS software segment, where it plans to leverage workplace AI and quantum computing productivity solutions targeting business and government customers.
    • The company made investments in longer term growth and in new segment development that caused general and administrative expenses to increase to $5.75 million in Q1 2025 versus about $0.7 million in Q1 of 2024. This primarily consisted of sales and marketing activities, new hires, professional services, and finance expenses.
    • ZenaTech made investments in its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s UAE manufacturing capabilities during the quarter, including hiring 35 new engineers and technicians. Also announced was the opening of a drone testing facility in Turkey for beyond-the-line-of-sight drone testing.
    • Drone product highlights in Q1 include finalizing the third-generation design and “production model” of the ZenaDrone 1000 drone that will enable the start of scaling up of production. The company also announced the IQ Square drone has moved from prototype to manufacturing stage.
    • The commence of work on a heavy-lift gas-powered ZD 1000 model for longer fight times for US defense applications took place during the quarter. Testing also commenced on a new high-density drone battery and a proprietary communications system for this drone.
    • The company reported that ZenaDrone is preparing for Green UAS followed by Blue UAS certification required to sell to the US Military. Additionally, it is reviewing and putting in place cybersecurity practices, documentation, and internal controls necessary to apply for this certification.
    • ZenaTech further expanded its Taiwan drone component manufacturer─ Spider Vision Sensors, adding additional engineering and business development staff. It also announced the first Blue UAS-certifiable drone sensors are under development.

    “The first quarter of 2025 was a very strong and encouraging start to the year as revenue nearly doubled, up 92% primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth across both our software and drone segments,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “During the first quarter we launched our Drone as a Service or DaaS business segment with a vision to have a national footprint in the US and globally.”

    “Although expenses increased during the first quarter, these are investments intended to grow the company over the long-term, namely in marketing, manufacturing, product development and testing capacity, which we believe will yield future rewards.

    “We believe that this quarter’s performance demonstrates that our strategy to disrupt legacy businesses like land surveys via a DaaS business model is on track. Our momentum is strong, and we are well positioned to expand our range of drone services with a pipeline of over 20 acquisitions over the next 12 months,” concluded Dr. Passley.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) Exterior Building Power Washing to Dubai Tapping into a Global Drone Cleaning Services Market Growing to USD 13 Billion by 2030 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announced it is expanding its United Arab Emirates (UAE) presence by establishing a new office to sell Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings based in Dubai. Initially this office will focus on delivering drone-powered cleaning services for building exteriors using the IQ Square drone tethered to a water pipe and electrical cord. The company is currently obtaining a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to begin power wash testing and operations. Supporting this expansion, ZenaTech will hire two business development managers and up to four additional drone pilots, with drones supplied from its subsidiary ZenaDrone which has a manufacturing hub in nearby Sharjah.

    The global drone power washing market falls under a broader drone cleaning services market category that was valued at approximately USD 4.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 17% according to market analyst Valuates Reports , fueled by increasing demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective maintenance solutions.

    “With rising demand for tech-enabled and efficient maintenance solutions, whether for power washing buildings, renewable energy assets, or public spaces, we believe AI-powered drones will bring new safety standards, cost-efficiency, and greater environmental sustainability to maintenance tasks. UAE’s openness to innovative technology makes it an ideal launchpad for these DaaS solutions that we hope to expand to all seven emirates in addition to the US and Europe,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 and provides a corporate update.

    Recent Operational Highlights:

    • Announced the expansion of our multi-domain Family of Systems with a new line of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). This strategic move marks Red Cat’s official entry into the rapidly evolving maritime autonomy market and reinforces its position as a provider of comprehensive, interoperable unmanned systems for air, land, and sea operations.
    • Expanded our Red Cat Futures Industry Consortium to include Palantir and Palladyne to boost AI capabilities in contested environments, including visual navigation.
    • Introducing Black Widow™ and Edge 130 drones to the Latin American market at LAAD 2025 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in April 2025.
    • Introduced our Black Widow™ short-range reconnaissance drone and Edge 130 Tricopter to the Middle East market at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb 17-21, 2025.
    • Introduced Black Widow™ to the Asia Pacific Market at the AISSE conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia in January 2025.
    • Announced that the Black Widow drone and FlightWave Edge 130 were included on the list of 23 platforms and 14 unique components and capabilities selected as winners of the Blue UAS Refresh. The platforms will undergo National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) verification and cyber security review with the ultimate goal of joining the Blue UAS List.
    • Partnered with Palantir to deploy Warp Speed, Palantir’s manufacturing OS. This collaboration will transform our supply and manufacturing operations with Palantir’s AI enabled monitoring, process flow enhancement and comprehensive data analysis. Palantir’s Warp Speed will optimize Red Cat’s production and streamline its supply chain, change management, and quality assurance, ultimately reducing costs and improving margins.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, recently announced the sale of 20 high-performance RedEdge-P cameras to Wingtra, a global leader in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone surveying technology.

    This transaction strengthens the partnership between AgEagle and Wingtra, combining AgEagle’s advanced camera technology with Wingtra’s innovative drone platforms to deliver unparalleled aerial mapping and surveying solutions. The cameras are designed for precision agriculture and environmental monitoring, water management, and geospatial applications, and support Wingtra’s ability to provide high-quality data collection for its customers worldwide.

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, recently announced its first quarter financial results. Key Financial and Operational Highlights for Q1 2025:

    • Revenue for the first quarter of 2025 was $1,547,715 which represents a 16% year over year increase. Product sales of $1,541,811 were up 24.5% over the same period last year.  
    • Gross profit for Q1 2025 was $310,088 up 10.7% from $280,011 for the same period last year. Gross margin percentage for Q1 2025 was 20.0% compared to 21.1% in Q1 2024. Gross profit would have been $271,422 and gross margin would have been 17.5%, not including a one-time non-cash recovery of a write down of inventory of $38,666. The decrease is due to the sales mix of the products sold.  
    • The comprehensive loss for the period of $3,433,712 includes non-cash changes comprised of a positive change in fair value derivative of $157,830, a recovery of a write down of inventory of $38,666, and an impairment gain on notes receivable of $25,951 and would otherwise be a comprehensive loss of $3,656,159 vs an adjusted comprehensive loss of $3,559,976 for the same period last year. Contributors to the slight year-over-year increase are increased research and development, office and miscellaneous, professional fees, share based payments, and wages offset by change in derivative liability.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced a new contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) to modernize the Netherlands’ Puma™ UAS fleet with expanded capabilities for enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

    Under the contract, the Dutch MoD is modernizing its Puma 3 AE UAS fleet with advanced capabilities that empower forces to carry out mission-critical operations autonomously and securely—even in GPS-denied and contested environments. Upgrades will boost survivability, strengthen communications and add the option for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) to maximize operational agility. Deliveries are underway, with the upgraded systems set for rapid deployment at the squad and platoon levels.

    Additionally, the Netherlands is expanding its UAS portfolio with the acquisition of Puma LE, which delivers extended endurance and range. Both Puma 3 AE and Puma LE provide scalable ISR capabilities for tactical formations and civilian missions.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statistics Jersey launches new website15 May 2025 ​​​​A new website, launched by Statistics Jersey, will make it easier for Islanders to access accurate and up-to-date statistical information online. www. stats. je​ offers user-friendly statistical data… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    15 May 2025

    ​​​​A new website, launched by Statistics Jersey, will make it easier for Islanders to access accurate and up-to-date statistical information online. 

    www.stats.je​ offers user-friendly statistical data compiled by Statistics Jersey, as well as improved interactivity for policy makers, businesses and the general public.  Users can now see Jersey’s key indicators, such as the RPI and the House Price Index, at a glance, as well as being able to explore interactive charts and download reports. The new website also includes an email notification service that users can sign up to and be told when new publications are released.

    The launch of the website follows amendments to the Statistics and Census (Jersey) Law, that came into force earlier this year. The changes reinforce the independence of Jersey’s Chief Statistician as well as increasing the accountability of the Island’s statistical system.

    A new independent Statistics Council has also been created. It replaces the former Statistics User Group and is responsible for gathering and presenting the views of statistics users, and advising public authorities on statistics. 

    Chief Statistician, Ian Cope said: “I’m delighted that as an independent body, Statistics Jersey has been able to develop a new website that makes it easier for Islanders to navigate and find statistical data.

    “The recent changes to the Statistics Law, which were unanimously supported by the States Assembly, increase both my independence and accountability as Chief Statistician, and that of Statistics Jersey.”​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens call for public apology to Gypsy Traveller community for ‘Tinker Experiment’

    Source: Scottish Greens

    15 May 2025 Human Rights

    The Scottish Government must apologise for decades of persecution.

    More in Human Rights

    The Scottish Government must apologise for the historic treatment of Scotland’s Gypsy Traveller community as part of the controversial ‘Tinker Experiment’, say the Scottish Greens.

    Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell urged Ministers to publicly address the decades of distress caused to traveller communities by ‘the Tinker Experiment’ in a General Question asked in the Chamber today.

    This state-sponsored operation, which ran from the 1940s until the 1980s, threatened to take travellers’ children into care if they did not give up their way of life. It forced travellers to move into low quality prefabricated accommodation, often with no running water, heating or electricity, ghettoising them and tearing their communities apart.

    Mr Ruskell said:

    “Generations of families have been impacted by disgraceful persecution at the hands of the British state. People who could have thrived within their unique culture were split up, put into slum housing and shunned by local communities.

    “I have heard first-hand from a constituent about the severe physical and mental health impacts caused by the many years of racist abuse and inhumane housing conditions they had to endure, and the scars of mistreatment to the traveller community are still felt and added to in society today.

    “Scotland should be ashamed that it had a role in what was known as the ‘Tinker Experiment’. It is only right that the state apologises for its actions and commits to making meaningful improvements to the lives of those affected by it.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Government action needed to regain trust of LGBTQ+ community

    Source: Scottish Greens

    15 May 2025 Equality

    We stand with the LGBTQ+ community: today, tomorrow and always.

    More in Equality

    Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP called on the First Minister to take action to restore the LGBTQ+ community’s trust in politicians.

    Just this week, Pride event organisers in Glasgow and across parts of England made the decision to suspend all political parties from attending, due to a lack of action and comment on the Supreme Court’s decisions that impact the trans community.

    Mr Harvie asked the First Minister:

    “This week it was announced by Glasgow Pride, in line with major pride events in England, that political parties are no longer welcome to participate. This is something that never even happened in the worst days of political homophobia in the 80s and 90s. 

    “And it’s a direct result of political attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, especially transphobia.

    “Does the First Minister acknowledge that the political landscape as a whole has betrayed the trust of our community? Does he understand that there are Scottish Government employees currently living in fear that their workplaces will be subject to segregation policies, as has already happened in Parliament? 

    “And what does the First Minister intend to do to begin restoring the trust that has been lost?”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests Russian national smuggling biological material into Boston

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Russian national on criminal charges for allegedly attempting to smuggle clawed frog embryos and embryonic samples into the United States.

    Kseniia Petrova, 31, a Russian citizen, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of smuggling goods into the United States. Petrova was taken into immigration custody on Feb. 16, 2025, and arrested May 14 by ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents on the criminal charge.

    “As alleged in the evidence presented in the charging documents, Petrova was aware of her requirement to declare biological material brought into the United States. These laws aren’t arbitrary, they protect the safety of the public from dangerous and unregulated biological specimens entering the country and posing a threat to public health and agriculture. Nobody is exempt from these regulations, and nobody should be surprised to find these critical laws being enforced when they’re willfully broken,” said ICE HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.

    According to the charging documents, on Feb. 16, 2025, Petrova arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston via an inbound flight from Paris. Upon her arrival, Petrova was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after a law enforcement canine allegedly alerted its handler to the defendant’s checked duffel bag on the baggage carousel. Per protocol, law enforcement removed the bag from the carousel and brought it to an agricultural secondary inspection area for further screening. There, an officer inspected the contents of the bag and allegedly discovered the biological items: a foam box containing clawed frog embryos in microcentrifuges, as well as embryonic samples in paraffin well stages and on mounted dyed slides. All biological products require a permit for entry and require the individual to make a declaration to CBP at the port of first arrival.

    It is alleged that, when approached by law enforcement, Petrova initially denied carrying any biological material in her checked baggage. However, when asked again, Petrova allegedly admitted that she was carrying biological material. During an interview under oath, Petrova allegedly claimed to be unsure that she was required to declare biological material when entering the United States.

    According to the charging documents, however, Petrova’s phone revealed text messages from an individual identified as one of Petrova’s colleagues informing Petrova that she was required to declare the biological material:

    “if you bring samples or antibody back, make sure you get the permission etc. Like that link I sent to leon-/group chat about frog embryos because TSA went through my bags at customs in Boston;” and

    “What is your plan to pass the American Customs with samples? This is the most delicate place of the trajectory.”

    It is alleged that in another text message conversation with an individual identified as her principal investigator, Petrova was asked how she planned to get through customs with the biological samples, to which she replied: “No plan yet. I won’t be able to swallow them.”

    Petrova was thereafter advised that she was ineligible for entry to the United States. It is alleged that, when asked if she wished to willingly withdraw her application for admission, Petrova responded in the affirmative before being taken into custody by immigration officials.

    According to the charging documents, the defendant was recently employed by the Institute of Genetic Biology in Moscow from 2023 to 2024 and previously served as a bioinformatician of genetic disorders at the Moscow Center for Genetics from 2016 to 2023.

    The charge of smuggling goods into the United States provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a term of up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    HSI New England’s National Security group and CBP New England led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI New Orleans and the U.S. Marshals Service in Louisiana.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police are appealing for information following the death of two kittens

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police issue CCTV footage of two teenagers they would like to speak with after kittens killed

    The Met is appealing for the public’s help as they release CCTV of two teenagers they want to speak to after two kittens were tortured and killed in Ruislip.

    On Saturday, 3 May police received a report from a member of the public stating that two teenagers had allegedly dismembered two kittens in Ickenham Road, Ruislip.

    Police immediately launched an investigation into the circumstances and urgent enquiries have been carried out since the first report, but unfortunately, no arrests have been possible so far.

    Police Sergeant Babs Rock from the Met has turned to the public to ask for assistance. She said: “This is an incredibly distressing incident which I know has caused concern in the local community.

    “We are currently looking to speak with a young boy, described to be 5ft6 with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket with long sleeves, with blue jeans on the day of the incident. He was also seen carrying a black duffel bag, which sadly is thought to have contained the kittens.

    “We would also like to speak with the young girl, who accompanied the boy, described to be 5ft6 with long red hair. She was wearing a white top with black shorts. She was also carrying a purple jumper, which she later puts on to wear.

    “If you know these two individuals then please come forward to us, we would like to speak with them as soon as possible.”

    If you have any concerns about this incident, then you can speak with your local neighbourhood officers who will be happy to support you.

    If you have any information then please come forward to police by calling 101 stating CAD3355/03MAY. You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Launches Enterprise-Grade Security Framework Ahead of Nova App Release

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris has officially rolled out its enterprise-grade security framework, establishing the technical foundation for the upcoming Nova App launch and broader public participation in its blockchain ecosystem. Designed for scale, speed, and verifiability, this framework represents a critical step in the project’s roadmap toward secure global adoption.

    Dual-Layer Architecture for Proven Resilience

    At the heart of Bitcoin Solaris is a dual-layer blockchain system tailored to meet the evolving demands of decentralized infrastructure. The architecture divides responsibilities between two dedicated layers to optimize both security and performance:

    • The Base Layer secures the ledger through a hybrid consensus mechanism that combines Proof-of-Stake (PoS)with Proof-of-Capacity (PoC). This structure promotes decentralization while reducing energy consumption and preserving data integrity.
    • The Solaris Layer supports smart contract execution and high-throughput transaction processing using Proof-of-History (PoH) and Proof-of-Time (PoT). This allows the network to achieve sub-2-second finality and scale to over 10,000 transactions per second, accommodating real-time applications across DeFi, gaming, and identity solutions.

    This layered approach is designed to operate at the protocol level—not as an external scalability patch—delivering consistent, auditable performance under load.

    Independent Security Audits and Full KYC Verification

    Bitcoin Solaris has taken proactive steps to validate its security claims with independent third-party audits and verified project governance. Key milestones include:

    • Cyberscope Audit evaluated the entire smart contract stack for logical flaws, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors.
    • Freshcoins Audit examined token logic, emissions, and compliance with common Solidity standards.
    • KYC Verification confirmed the identity of the core team—an increasingly rare and important factor for trust.

    These audits were conducted as part of the network’s build phase, ensuring security measures are embedded in the protocol itself rather than applied reactively post-launch.

    Security at the Edge: Mobile Mining via Nova App

    In parallel with its enterprise-grade backend, Bitcoin Solaris is finalizing the launch of the Nova App, a smartphone-based mining application. Designed for accessibility, the app enables users to allocate unused device resources—such as idle CPU and storage—to participate in token mining.

    The system runs in the background with no need for staking, validator setup, or private key handling. All mining logic and reward calculations are processed through the same audited smart contracts that govern the Solaris Layer, providing a secure and transparent user experience from end to end.

    Fixed Supply and Predictable Emissions

    Bitcoin Solaris maintains a fixed supply of 21 million BTC-S tokens, following a halving-based emission model similar to traditional sound money systems. There is no inflation, and token creation is governed entirely by protocol logic.

    The project is currently in Presale Phase 3, with BTC-S priced at 3 USDT. Only 4.2 million tokens (20%) are allocated for this phase, and the price will rise to 4 USDT in Phase 4. This structured release supports long-term stability while rewarding early network participants.

    In a detailed video walkthrough, Crypto Chino explores how Bitcoin Solaris’s security framework stacks up against projects like Dogecoin, which have cultural appeal but minimal infrastructure oversight. The video highlights the architectural design, Nova App integration, and why formal audits are more than just paperwork — they’re essential to building user trust.

    Built for Trust, Designed for Growth

    Bitcoin Solaris is building a blockchain ecosystem that aligns with the demands of real-world use—security, speed, transparency, and accessibility. From its dual-consensus architecture to its audited smart contract layer and mobile-first mining app, the project aims to deliver infrastructure that is both future-ready and user-friendly.

    With the Nova App set to roll out in the coming weeks and public participation expanding rapidly, Bitcoin Solaris is establishing itself as a secure, scalable platform for the next generation of blockchain users.

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

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    info@bitcoinsolaris.com

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c5eba49-6baa-48dd-8328-4b81ad6cefe6

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2442c88f-ef34-4855-8bcb-94b1e509528b

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8979d398-26a6-4044-819d-5f7940742235

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10cdb880-35fe-4b90-9347-0d53efe70dfb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion”

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Opening a third runway at Heathrow Airport could result in pollution equivalent to an additional 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year by 2050, according to the government’s own figures released through FOI requests. Responding to this being reported in Politico, Sian Berry MP said,  

    “This Labour Government is wildly out of touch with reality. Even with the maximum possible impact of “jet zero” efforts on fuel this expansion remains a climate catastrophe.

    “The Net-zero minister is missing in action and his department is shamefully failing to stand up to a misguided Chancellor. 

    “No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion and it’s time Labour looked to the many, many alternative ways to create high-paid green jobs.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan: UK Statement, May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Report by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan: UK Statement, May 2025

    Ambassador Holland welcomes the work of the OSCE Office amid a challenging financial backdrop.

    Thank you Mr Chair.    

    First, I would like to welcome Ambassador Karttunen to the Permanent Council. Thank you to you and your team for your report, and for your informative presentation.    

    Chair, the United Kingdom has continued to build our relationship with Uzbekistan and is committed to supporting the government in carrying out its wide-ranging reforms. Last year our governments signed a joint declaration covering all aspects of the bilateral relationship, and this year we have signed an agreement on expanding our cooperation on Critical Minerals. We look forward to further cooperation in the coming years.   

    We welcome the close cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and the Project Coordinator and commend the Project Coordinator’s work across the three dimensions.     

    In the first dimension, we welcome the work the Project Coordinator is doing on border security. We were pleased to be able to support this effort by facilitating training for the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan last year by Surrey Police aimed at strengthening the capacity of Uzbek instructors to effectively use dogs in detecting drugs, cash, and firearms.    

    In the second dimension, we commend the work of the Project Coordinator on climate change and water management, and we are proud donors to the OSCE project on “strengthening responses to security risks from climate change in Central Asia”. We recognise the particular vulnerabilities Central Asian states have to climate change and its consequences. That is why we are funding a regional programme to improve Central Asia’s resilience and sovereignty by strengthening regional cooperation on water and energy to deliver low carbon and climate resilient growth.    

    And in the third dimension, we note the positive steps taken – as identified by ODIHR and the RFoM – in the draft information code.  These include a ban on censorship and media monopolisation, and the requirement for free access to and use of information for everyone without discrimination. We encourage the Government of Uzbekistan to address concerns raised about concentrating media regulation under the government rather than an independent regulatory body, and the broad grounds for restricting content and suspending media activities.    

    In closing, let me thank you Ambassador Karttunen and your dedicated team in Uzbekistan for their efforts in upholding the principles of the OSCE and ensuring your important work continues – particularly in light of the considerable challenges caused by the continued non-agreement of the Unified Budget.     

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham man convicted of providing false statements to SIA

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Birmingham man convicted of providing false statements to SIA

    Alam Ahroon was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £612 after pleading guilty to knowingly making false statements to the SIA.

    Mr Ahroon submitted a fabricated character reference from a Birmingham food bank as part of his appeal against the Security Industry Authority’s decision to refuse his application for a door supervisor licence due to his past criminality. 

    The SIA investigated the validity of this reference, speaking to multiple senior staff within the food bank who confirmed they did not know Mr Ahroon and had not provided him with a reference. 

    Mr Ahroon appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 13 May 2025 and pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity. The court fined him £80 and ordered him to pay both a £32 victim surcharge and £500 of prosecution costs.

    Dave McCall, SIA Criminal Investigations Officer, said: 

    The SIA’s licensing regime is put in place to ensure door supervisors are trained and committed to protecting the public, but that regime is built on the foundation that people present truthful information. 

    In producing this false character reference, Alam Ahroon undermined those foundations and sought to put the public at risk. I am happy to see justice delivered in this case.

    Background

    By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on GOV.UK/SIA.  

    The offence relating to the Private Security Industry Act 2001 that is mentioned above is:  

    • Section 22 – making any statement to the Authority which is known to be false in a material particular 

    The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

    Media enquiries

    For media enquiries only, please contact:

    SIA press office

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping’s article on improving work style will be published in Qiushi magazine

    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 15 (Xinhua) — An article by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping on implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Guidelines adopted by the CPC Central Committee to improve work style is expected to be released on Friday.

    The article by Xi Jinping, who is also the President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in the 10th issue of Qiushi magazine in 2025.

    “Qiushi” is the leading journal of the CPC Central Committee. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iranian President Condemns Trump’s Anti-Tehran Statements

    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

    TEHRAN, May 15 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent anti-Tehran remarks, calling them evidence of his inability to understand the true character of the Iranian people.

    M. Pezeshkian made this statement on Wednesday evening at a meeting with representatives of the Iranian elite and cultural figures in the province of Kermanshah after D. Trump’s statements in Riyadh the day before. This is stated in a statement published on the website of the Iranian president’s office.

    On Tuesday, Trump called Iran the “most destructive force” in the Middle East and accused it of fomenting regional instability, vowing that the United States would never allow the country to possess nuclear weapons.

    In response, M. Pezeshkian stated that these statements by D. Trump testify to his inability to understand the “truth, honor, generosity and selflessness” of the Iranian people.

    He added that while D. Trump was portraying Iran as a source of regional instability, thousands of women and children were killed as a result of Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, whose residents are also deprived of water and medicine.

    According to the Iranian president, over the past 47 years, the United States and its allies have been straining every nerve to bring the Iranian government and people to their knees, but they have not succeeded and will not succeed.

    Expressing confidence in Iran’s resilience, the president said his country would continue to develop, relying on its scientists, intellectuals and entrepreneurs. Although Iran does not seek war, it will never trade its honor and glory for peace, Pezeshkian concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Energy Forum of Uzbekistan held in Tashkent

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Tashkent, May 15 /Xinhua/ — The International Energy Forum of Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent on May 13-15.

    As the organizers reported, the forum covered all strategically important sectors of the fuel and energy complex and created a unique platform for dialogue, partnership and implementation of innovative solutions in the fuel and energy complex. The relevant events create unique opportunities for developing partnerships and concluding strategic agreements. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE supports Montenegrin parliamentary staff’s visit to National Assembly of Slovenia

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

    Headline: OSCE supports Montenegrin parliamentary staff’s visit to National Assembly of Slovenia

    Representatives of the Parliamentary Institute of Montenegro with their colleagues from the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, 14 May 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    On 13 and 14 May, six representatives of the Parliamentary Institute of Montenegro, led by its Head, Nataša Komnenić, undertook a study visit to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. The visit focused on exploring the Assembly’s structure, functions, and activities, with particular attention to good practices in the Library, Documentation Centre and the Archive Office.
    The Secretary General of the Slovenian National Assembly, Uršula Zore Tavčar, welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit, emphasizing that both parliaments can mutually benefit from the exchange of good practices. During the visit, the Montenegrin delegation, together with their Slovenian counterparts, examined, compared and discussed principles and procedures governing documentation and archiving systems.
    The Montenegrin delegation also learned about the Slovenian Assembly’s educational programmes for children and high school students. Ms. Komnenić, expressed interest in further co-operation, noting that many practices from the Slovenian Assembly — especially those relating to digitalization — could be applied in Montenegro.
    The Mission will continue to assist the Parliamentary Institute in further strengthening its capacities to support the work of Members of Parliament, and in enhancing the assembly’s public outreach portfolio.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE trains senior police officers from Khatlon region on victim-centered response to domestic violence

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

    Headline: OSCE trains senior police officers from Khatlon region on victim-centered response to domestic violence

    Senior police officers heading the Public Order Protection Units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ regional departments participate in a two-day training on victim-centered response to domestic violence, Bokhtar, Khatlon region, 14 May 2025. (OSCE/Feruza Sultonova) Photo details

    From 14 to 15 May 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in co-operation with the Public Order Protection Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Tajikistan, organized a two-day training in Bokhtar, Khatlon region. The course was attended by 20 senior police officers—all men—who head the Public Order Protection Units of the MIA’s regional departments.
    Participants enhanced their knowledge about the national and international legislation on prevention of domestic violence (DV), gender equality, procedural actions of the police to timely identify, refer and protect DV victims, including issuing protection orders and conducting evidence-based investigation. The training course also addressed the role of police management in prevention of DV and sexual harassment, as well as victim-centered approaches in police work.
    The training aims to contribute to improved police responses, better protection of survivors and effective referrals to appropriate service providers, while prioritizing their needs.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s telephone conversation with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    15 Maggio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation today with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

    President Meloni once again conveyed her personal congratulations and those of the Italian Government to the Holy Father on his election to the See of Peter, and highlighted the indissoluble bond between Italy and the Vicar of Christ.

    Italy appreciates and supports the efforts of the Holy See for peace and an end to conflict in all the crisis areas where weapons have taken the place of discussion and dialogue.

    President Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s readiness to continue working, together with the Holy See, for an ethical and human-centred development of artificial intelligence. This challenge was a key focus of Italy’s G7 Presidency and Pope Leo XIV recalled its central importance, for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour, during his meeting with the Cardinals on 10 May.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Germany: Bundesbank proposes debt brake reform for sound public finances and increased investment

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    The Bundesbank is expanding its reform proposals for central government’s debt brake, laying out a stability-oriented path towards increased government investment. It is thus presenting a concept that supports the necessary measures to strengthen infrastructure and defence whilst ensuring sustainable public finances over the long term, in line with European rules. At the same time, it maintains its position that debt brakes enshrined in Germany’s Basic Law make an indispensable contribution to sustainable public finances over the long term. “With regard to the debt ratio, Germany is doing well by international standards. Our reform proposal for the debt brake preserves sound public finances whilst at the same time facilitating urgently needed investment,” Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said. 
    The Bundesbank’s latest Monthly Report outlines the detailed concept, which builds on proposals it presented back in 2022. Advising the Federal Government on issues of monetary policy importance is part of the Bundesbank’s statutory mandate.
    Its reform proposal is centred on the 60% reference value enshrined in the EU Treaties becoming the touchstone of the debt brake. Under this proposal, central and state governments (the latter by means of investment grants) would be able to invest up to an additional debt-financed €220 billion in total up to 2030, provided that the debt ratio is below 60%. Should the debt ratio exceed 60%, this amount would be capped at around €100 billion up to 2030. The reform proposals do not replace the need to rethink consumption expenditure, though. “A stability-oriented reform of the debt brake would create additional scope for major investment, such as in infrastructure and defence,” Mr Nagel continued.
    In concrete terms, the proposal envisages increasing central government’s scope for borrowing from 0.35% to a maximum of 1.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) if the debt ratio is below the 60% mark. This scope would comprise 0.5% of GDP as a “low-debt base” that would not be earmarked for any particular purpose, and a further 0.9% of GDP for the sole purpose of additional investment. Part of this investment component would be intended for grants to state and local governments, which account for the majority of fixed asset formation. 
    If the debt ratio were to exceed the 60% mark, the 0.9% investment component would remain, but the 0.5% “base” would no longer be available. “This would reward a debt ratio of below 60% whilst at the same time creating planning certainty for investment,” Mr Nagel explained.
    Similar scope for borrowing and investment protection could also be provided by a special fund that could be temporary or limited in terms of volume. “We would prefer a fundamental reform of the debt brake that affords better predictability, but a special fund with comparable financial parameters would also be an option,” Mr Nagel continued.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI German News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK reaffirms commitment to UN peacekeeping operations as Minister announces new funding for programmes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK reaffirms commitment to UN peacekeeping operations as Minister announces new funding for programmes

    More than 250 personnel from the UK Armed Forces are deployed to locations such as Cyprus and Somalia, working to reduce the threat of violence

    The UK has announced a raft of investment for international initiatives to support UN peacekeeping activity.

    As one of the largest financial contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, the UK has enduring deployments of around 250 military personnel to locations such as Cyprus, Somalia, and South Sudan, which see British troops working alongside peacekeepers from other countries, building their capability and enabling the UN to deliver its peacekeeping mandates.

    Attending the annual UN Peacekeeping Ministerial summit in Berlin today, the Minister for the Armed Forces confirmed more than a million pounds of additional investment in international programmes to make peacekeeping operations more effective, deliver training to partner armed forces around the world, and to enhance accountability.

    Pledges announced include:

    • £150,000 to support the roll-out of a UN reinforcement training package for commanders to help build skills to raise standards of conduct and discipline, while specifically aiming to strengthen leadership and accountability while combatting sexual exploitation and abuse.  
    • £200,000 will fund monitoring and analysis of Action for Peacekeeping Plus – a key UN reform agenda – using data-driven insights to enhance and reform international peacekeeping with an evidence-based approach.
    • £500,000 to be invested in the Elsie Initiative Fund, which is co-chaired by the UK and UN Women, that aims to accelerate the pace of change in security institutions to enable more uniformed women to meaningfully deploy to and participate in peace operations.
    • £100,000 of investment will see the UK step up to co-host a peacekeeping course aimed at women alongside Austria and Kenya.
    • £125,000 will be spent on funding for the Peace Operations Training Institute, an NGO focused on delivering training to support peace operations and providing resources to counter disinformation and misinformation.

    Not only will these measures contribute to building effective UN peacekeeping missions, they will also support the UK to ensure its forces have experience working alongside key partners, building their skills, capability and operational effectiveness.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, said:

    With the threat of conflict rising around the world, it has never been more important for countries to come together to assess what more we can collectively do to support those who selflessly put their lives at risk in the name of peace.

    The UK has always been a staunch supporter of UN peacekeeping and the multilateral, and with hundreds of our personnel deployed on operations or supporting peace programmes in Europe and Africa, it was a pleasure to reaffirm our commitment today in Berlin to supporting peace processes and reducing the threat of conflict.

    65 UN peacekeepers were killed or lost their lives in the line-of-duty last year. Their determination and sacrifice will be honoured by our reaffirmed commitment to deepening our international partnerships to deliver peace and cease unnecessary conflict.

    Peacekeeping is essential to assisting countries transition from conflict to peace, helping to support stability in some of the most volatile regions the world, in turn positively affecting the UK’s own national security – which is the foundation of the government’s Plan for Change. It plays a critical role in preventing the outbreak of larger-scale violence and conflict which would otherwise require greater UK diplomatic, defence or development investment.

    The most prominent UK activity in support of UN peace operations is through Operation Tosca in Cyprus, a reoccurring deployment to maintain 50 years calm, which sees British troops patrolling and maintaining the integrity of the buffer zone that runs between the Republic of Cyprus to the south and the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the north (which is not recognised by the UK as a sovereign territory). It has been one of the UK’s longest-running operations and continues to play an essential part in the peace process between the RoC and the so-called TRNC.

    Lord Collins of Highbury, FCDO Minister for Africa said:

    Peacekeepers are in harm’s way every day to keep the communities they serve safe through courage and determination. In an era of global instability, they need the support of the international community now more than ever.

    That’s why the UK is strengthening its commitment to UN peacekeeping operations through new funding and support, and why we must continue to strengthen our collective will to use peacekeeping effectively for peace and security.

    A small number of British personnel also support a UN peace mission in Somalia, which conducts vital work to reduce the threat from extremist groups, such as Al-Shabaab, by helping to prevent them establishing a foothold in the country.

    More broadly, the UK helps train and support the security forces of many African nations to enhance their peace operations, through the British Peace Support Team (Africa) which is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

    BPST(A) conducts around a hundred activities a year across sub-Saharan Africa, working closely with the UN to develop and deliver capacity-building, especially in peacekeeping intelligence, senior leaders’ courses, training to help counter the threat of improvised explosive devices, and combat sexual exploitation and abuse.

    The team delivers these activities primarily alongside the African Union’s Peace and Security Operations Division, with African Standby Forces ,and with training institutions across the continent – training more than 3,000 personnel a year all ranks, from junior soldier to senior mission leader, from police, civilian and military disciplines.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: Lord Speaker’s Corner | House of Lords | Episode 28

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Jenny Jones, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, speaks about why she is campaigning on topics including salmon farming and water company pollution in the latest episode of Lord Speaker’s Corner.

    ‘We’ve seen water companies polluting our waterways, our beaches, our lovely fishing streams… our chalk streams that are very rare and precious. And yet, we still can’t stop them doing it.’

    Baroness Jones is one of two Green members of the House of Lords alongside Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. In this episode, she speaks to Lord McFall of Alcluith about why she campaigns on a wide range of topics.

    ‘People carry on eating salmon, even though the way they’re produced in salmon farms is absolutely horrifying. It is the lice. The fish in the farm suffer, quite often die in their pens because the lice have eaten so far into their flesh. Wild Atlantic salmon going past these fish farms can get poisoned by the toxic stuff, all the antibiotics and so on, coming off the farm fish.’

    Baroness Jones describes how members initially questioned the Green link to various issues when she first joined the Lords but how that has now changed. She explains ‘I had to explain to people everything is about the environment. If you build the wrong houses in the wrong place, then it’s a disaster for future flooding, and so on.’

    Baroness Jones also shares how she came to the Lords after training as an archaeologist and later serving as a London Assembly Member and Deputy Mayor.

    See more from the series https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament #LordSpeakersCorner #LordsMembers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3eq5ZLEeSU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flagship Sellafield project seals major milestone

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Flagship Sellafield project seals major milestone

    Plutonium treatment plant moves a step closer to completion

    Members of the team who completed the final concrete pour at Sellafield’s SRP project

    The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) is one of our largest and most complex construction projects.

    When finished it will play an essential role in managing the UK’s plutonium stockpile.

    The project celebrated an important milestone this week as its roof was sealed with a final concrete pour, making the main building watertight and ready for internal fit-out. 

    The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant – first and last concrete pour – YouTube

    Once operational, the plant will retreat and repackage existing material into more durable, long-term storage packages, ensuring they can be safely stored into the next century and beyond.

    The project is being delivered under Sellafield’s Programme and Project Partners (PPP) infrastructure delivery model which brings together KBR, Amentum, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Altrad Babcock, and a wider supply chain, to deliver a 20-year pipeline of major infrastructure projects.

    Completing the vast roof slab required 12 weeks of work and over 2,700 cubic metres of concrete to be poured and pumped to heights up to 30 metres.

    The achievement moves the project closer to active commissioning and operations in support of the government’s plutonium disposition strategy announced earlier this year.

    Sellafield Ltd projects director, Andy Sharples, said:

    I’m immensely proud of the progress being made on SRP. It’s a project of national significance and is crucial to the delivery of our special nuclear materials strategy and managing one of the site’s highest hazards.

    Milestones like this show how we’re transforming major project delivery at Sellafield while progressing our mission to create a clean and safe environment for future generations. Congratulations to everyone who has played a part in this latest achievement.

    SRP project director, John Leslie, added:

    I’m delighted we’ve reached another pivotal moment in the delivery of SRP, and I want to congratulate the team on their latest achievement.

    This is an extremely complex major project to deliver, and through our PPP delivery model we have collaborated with our supply chain partners Kier, Severfield and Mammoet to achieve another significant step forward.

    Delivering projects of this scale and keeping them on track, while keeping everyone safe, is no mean feat and is thanks to the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated everyday by hundreds of people across our supply chain all striving for excellence.

    Louis Twentyman, a graduate of PPP’s internship scheme and now a site engineering apprentice on the project, said:

    It’s amazing to be part of a project the scale of SRP, and one with such an important role in the site’s decommissioning.

    Not everyone gets to work on projects of this stature and where there’s something interesting and exciting happening every day. It’s amazing seeing it progress and to be part of it all – I can’t wait to say I helped to build that.

    Further information on Sellafield Ltd’s priorities and progress

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Importance of timely diagnosis in spotlight as council joins partners to support Dementia Action Week

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    The city council is working with partners and dementia support services across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to support this year’s Dementia Action Week 2025.

    The campaign, which runs from 19th to 25th May – and is led by the Alzheimer’s Society – aims to raise awareness of dementia and of the importance of a timely and accurate diagnosis for people affected by it.

    Diagnosis is vital in providing people access to the care, treatment and support they need. Yet only one in three people living with dementia have a diagnosis.

    However, more than nine in 10 people affected by dementia say that there are benefits to getting a diagnosis.

    How dementia differs from the normal ageing process

    People often forget things more and notice some changes in mental abilities as they get older. Though these changes can be frustrating, they are a natural part of ageing. However, Dementia is not a normal part of getting older.

    Dementia is a group of symptoms. It’s caused by different diseases that damage the brain. For a health professional to diagnose dementia, a person’s symptoms must be significantly impacting on their daily life. This means having difficulties with completing daily tasks about the house, in the community or at work. 

    In February 2025, 3,081 people were recorded as being diagnosed with dementia in Stoke-on-Trent. Women have a higher risk of developing dementia during their lifetime.

    Recognising the signs of dementia and getting a diagnosis is really important to enable those people living with dementia, their families and carers to access the vital support they need.

    The Alzheimer’s Society has an online checklist for possible dementia symptoms here; Checklist for Dementia Symptoms

    Anyone worried that they, or a loved one, may be experiencing signs of dementia can use this checklist to help describe the symptoms to a GP or other health professionals.

    To help anyone wanting to find out more, a free dementia services showcase drop-in event is taking place during the week.

    It is taking place on Wednesday 21st May, between 10am and 3pm, at Affinity Staffordshire Shopping Centre (previously known as Freeport) Talke Retail Park, Pit Lane, Talke Pits. ST7 1XD.

    Local dementia support services will be available at Affinity Staffordshire Shopping Centre to showcase some of the advice and support available to people living with dementia, their families and carers. This event is one of the local initiatives, coordinated on behalf of the Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Dementia Steering Group, to support Dementia Action Week 2025

    Exhibitors on the day with include:

    • Alzheimers Society
    • The Memory Clinic – Community Mental Health Team
    • Dougie Mac Approach Dementia Service
    • Beth Johnson Foundation
    • North Staffs Carers
    • Potteries Helping Hand Dementia Group
    • Asist Advocacy
    • Royal Voluntary Service
    • Healthwatch
    • Alzheimers Research UK
    • NSCHT, NHS, ARRS, HIPC
    • Healthwatch
    • MPFT Social Workers
    • Stoke-on-Trent City Council
    • Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
    • Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

    Councillor Duncan Walker – cabinet member for adult services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council – said: “We are very keen to support this vital campaign and raise awareness of the need for a timely and accurate Dementia diagnosis.

    “The dementia showcase on Wednesday, 21st May is an excellent way to find out more if you have concerns or want to access a wide-range of services that can support you – I would encourage anyone looking for that kind of advice to go along.” 

    In addition, The Stoke-on-Trent Council City Council and Integrated Care Board Joint Dementia Strategy 2025–2029 is scheduled to be presented to cabinet for approval in June, ahead of its official launch, which will be accessible here: Stoke on Trent Dementia Strategy.

    More information on activities and services available to people with dementia and their families and carers in Stoke on Trent can be found at, What support can I get for Dementia?  and https://stokecommunitydirectory.co.uk/ search for ‘dementia’.

    More information about Dementia Action Week can be found at

    https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –