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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI USA: Letter to Chief Justice Roberts re: President Trump’s Smithsonian Institution Proclamation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Dear Chief Justice Roberts:

    I write to express my strong opposition to President Trump’s Proclamation (the “Proclamation”), issued on March 27, which preposterously purports to restore “truth and sanity to American history” by censoring “improper ideology” at the Smithsonian Institution. It is imperative that you, along with your fellow Regents, continue the storied legacy of the Smithsonian that tells the American story honestly and completely. President Trump’s proclamation, which seeks to whitewash our history, is cowardly and unpatriotic. It must fail.

    The Smithsonian attracts tens of millions of visitors a year and works with the finest subject matter experts in virtually every field. The fact that the Proclamation prominently singles out the National Museum of African American History and Culture speaks volumes about Donald Trump’s actual motivation. To be clear: Black history is American history. It cannot and will not be erased.

    History is replete with dangerous efforts to manipulate cultural and historical narratives in order to consolidate power, including during twentieth-century regimes like those in the Soviet Union and 1930s Germany. That is not America. I strongly urge you to reject the Proclamation targeting the Smithsonian and to uphold the 175-year tradition that has made the Institution the preeminent museum, educational and cultural system in the world.

    Sincerely,

    Hakeem Jeffries
    Democratic Leader

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boy jailed for murdering a boy in Islington

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A 17-year-old boy has been jailed for life for murdering teenager Deshaun James-Tuitt.

    The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons was previously found guilty on Wednesday, 5 February following a trial at the Old Bailey.

    On Friday, 25 April, a judge at the same court jailed the teenager for life, with a minimum term of 15 years in prison.

    Just before 21:00hrs on Thursday, 4 August 2022, officers encountered the victim in Highbury Fields, Islington. He ran towards them, saying: “Officer, I’ve been stabbed.”

    Despite the efforts of emergency services to save him, Deshaun, 15 died in hospital later that night.

    On the night he died, Deshaun had been at a birthday celebration at Highbury Fields with a large group of friends.

    The defendant – then aged 15 – travelled with a group of boys to the park on public transport. He wore a face covering, and was armed with a knife. His journey was documented on CCTV footage obtained by investigating officers.

    The defendant was seen robbing people in the park, resulting in an argument between him and Deshaun. The boy then stabbed Deshaun before running from the scene. A murder investigation was launched within Met Police’s Specialist Crime Command.

    Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

    “We carried out extensive CCTV enquiries in a bid to identify the youth who had travelled to Highbury Fields that night. Identifying him was a long and complex task.”

    “The boy was arrested on Wednesday, 10 August, 2022. A mobile phone was forensically downloaded and investigators recovered a chat from 8 August 2022, where he spoke of stabbing ‘Huntz’ – Deshaun’s nickname.

    DCI Yorke added: “The boy denied stabbing Deshaun, but it was clear that he had travelled to Highbury Fields that night, with a covered face, armed and looking for trouble.

    “There is no verdict that can give Deshaun back to his family. I sincerely hope that they find some comfort in today’s verdicts – my thoughts are with them.”

    The maternal side of Deshaun’s family said: “He [the victim] was my firstborn, and he would have been 18 years old. All my friends that I went to school with have their firstborn children – except me. To the person involved in the stabbing and taking his life: he didn’t deserve to die like that. I had a mental breakdown, and I will never be able to get over this.

    “I want you to know that Deshaun was a son, a brother, a grandson, a great grandson, a nephew and a cousin to so many on both sides of the family, so I want you to realise that he was a valuable member of our family. We won’t forgive or forget.

    “Deshaun, you can now rest in peace. Hopefully, justice will be served. Not only is Deshaun’s life lost, they who have done the crime will serve the time.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU and ACIM combine competencies to form a digital economy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On April 23, 2025, a meeting of the Board of the Association “Digital Innovations in Mechanical Engineering” (ACIM) was held, at which a decision was made to admit a new founder to ACIM – the State University of Management, as well as to include the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev in the Board of Trustees of the Association.

    The unification of the competencies of the State University of Management and the Center for Information Technologies and Communications will promote active innovation in the development of digital enterprise management models, the search for new forms of digital interaction between enterprises to form value chains, ensuring interoperability and cybersecurity of automated control systems, as well as the development of new educational programs for training specialists and managers in the field of digital transformation and digital enterprise management.

    Participation in the activities of the Board of Trustees of the Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroev will accelerate the development of interaction between the university and leading Russian IT companies, and will also allow acquiring new competencies in the field of managing complex processes of digital transformation of industry, will facilitate the introduction of new IT systems in the educational process and the development of new educational programs for training personnel in the interests of developing the digital economy.

    The Association “Digital Innovations in Mechanical Engineering” was founded in 2019. Currently, it is one of the leading competence centers in the field of digital transformation and the formation of an ecosystem of digital mechanical engineering and related industries. The founders of the Association are leading universities (Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Ulyanovsk State University, MSTU “STANKIN” and others), large domestic IT companies (1C, GC “TSIFRA”, JSC “Iteko”, JSC “ASCON”, LLC “Tesis” and others), high-tech industrial enterprises and corporations (JSC “USC”).

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/25/2025

    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 Security: Eight Guatemalan Nationals Indicted for Smuggling Illegal Aliens into the United States for Cash

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TULSA, Okla. – Eight Guatemalan nationals were indicted in court for allegedly being paid to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States from Guatemala, Mexico, and other countries in Central or South America, including Asia. The activity is alleged to have occurred over the past four years. Once across the Mexico border, the defendants would further help conceal and harbor aliens illegally across more than 24 states.

    “For the past four years, this illegal alien smuggling group has operated and laundered proceeds in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “These defendants would not be in custody today without federal and state law enforcement working collaboratively, with prosecutors across the United States. The arrest and ongoing investigation surrounding these Guatemalan Nationals, and their conspirators not only protects the citizens in the Northern District of Oklahoma but also further protects lawful citizens across the United States.” 

    “ICE is committed to pursuing human smugglers regardless of their location or attempts to evade arrest,” said Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “This indictment indicates the extensive nature of our human smuggling investigations and role in immigration enforcement. HSI’s special agents across several field offices have worked relentlessly to trace those transporting and harboring aliens from their countries of origin to their final destinations, effectively dismantling their illegal smuggling operations and money laundering schemes.”

    Cidia Marleny Lima Lopez, 39, and Ottoniel Castro Argueta, 33, were arrested today in Charlotte, North Carolina; Veronica Maribel Lima Lopez, 33, and Esvin Alexander Rodriguez Luis, 26, were arrested in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ariz Obdulio Argueta, 28, and Cesar Rodolfo Garcia Argueta, 20, were arrested in Clarksville, Arkansas; Pedro Cucul Gualna, 25, was arrested in Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Carlos Enrique Ramos Caal, 30, was arrested in Flagstaff, Arizona. All are charged with conspiring to bring, transport, and conceal aliens in the United States.

    Ottoniel Castro Argueta and Cidia Marleny Lima Lopez are further charged with engaging in monetary transactions with the proceeds from the conspiracy.

    During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that the aliens being helped across the border did not have prior authorization to enter and reside in the United States. Once inside the United States, the defendants would help harbor the aliens in Oklahoma, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

    The indictment alleges that several associates in Central and South America accepted various forms of payment from the aliens to be brought into the United States illegally. While the investigation is still ongoing, the indictment shows that aliens paid roughly $5,000 per alien to enter the United States. Proceeds from the illegal aliens were laundered through mobile applications and banks across the United States, including the Northern District of Oklahoma.

    The Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Flagstaff, and Charlotte Homeland Security Investigations field offices; the Tulsa, McAlester and Greensboro, North Carolina Drug Enforcement Administration field offices; the Tulsa and Oklahoma City IRS field offices; the Tulsa and Oklahoma City U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations field offices; and the U.S. Marshals offices in the Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Middle District of North Carolina, and the Western District of Arkansas are investigating the case with the assistance of several state law enforcement agencies.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam McConney and David Nasar are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Eastern District of Oklahoma and the Western District of Oklahoma.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America. The Homeland Security Task Force, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met prepares for busy policing weekend

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met is preparing for a busy weekend across London with a number of parallel public and ceremonial events, sporting fixtures and protests.

    Officers will be deployed both in central London and across the city in communities and at key venues.

    Saturday sees events to mark St George’s Day, the first of two FA Cup semi-finals, boxing at the Tottenham Stadium and a pre-planned protest by Just Stop Oil in Westminster.

    Sunday will see thousands of runners take part in both the mini marathon and the full London Marathon, as well as the second FA Cup semi-final.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is leading the policing operation this weekend, said: “This is the sort of weekend where London comes to life as millions make plans to enjoy the city and the many events taking place.

    “Our role is to provide a reassuring presence, to ensure that events and other gatherings take place safely and securely, and to respond to any incidents or offences.

    “Where we’re dealing with protest we will intervene decisively if individuals cross the line into criminality. We will be keeping a close eye on any attempt to cause serious disruption and dealing swiftly with those intent on doing so.

    “I’d like to remind anyone attending an event this weekend to stay alert and keep your eyes and ears open. Report anything that doesn’t feel right, no matter how insignificant it might be, to a steward or an officer. If you’re in any doubt, please act.

    “I would like to thank the police officers and other members of the emergency services who will be on duty over the coming days. They are there to keep you safe. If you need help or have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to speak to them.”

    • Further information on how to watch the London Marathon, including details of transport options, can be found in this guide for spectators.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chair’s Statement: Fifty-First Meeting of the IMFC – Mr. Mohammed Aljadaan, Minister for Finance of Saudi Arabia

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 25, 2025

    In the context of the Fifty-First Meeting of the IMFC that took place in Washington, D.C. on 24th and 25th April, IMFC members welcomed the ongoing efforts to end wars and conflicts, recognizing that peace is essential to restoring stability and fostering sustainable growth. IMFC members underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety. They acknowledged, however, that the IMFC is not a forum to resolve geopolitical and security issues which are discussed in other fora.

    The world economy is at a pivotal juncture. Following several years of rising concerns over trade, trade tensions have abruptly soared, fueling elevated uncertainty, market volatility, and risks to growth and financial stability. Near-term growth is projected to slow and intensifying downside risks dominate the outlook. We will step up our efforts to strengthen economic resilience and build a more prosperous future. We underline the critical role of the IMF in helping us navigate this challenging environment, as a trusted advisor and champion of strong policy frameworks. We thank our Deputies for discussing the medium-term direction of the IMF during their meeting in Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 6-7, 2025, and we agree on the annexed Diriyah Declaration.

     

    1. The world economy is at a pivotal juncture. Following several years of rising concerns over trade, trade tensions have abruptly soared, fueling elevated uncertainty, market volatility, and risks to growth and financial stability. Near-term growth is projected to slow, while disinflation is expected to continue but at a slower pace. Intensifying downside risks dominate the outlook, in an already challenging context of weak growth and high public debt. Wars and conflicts impose a heavy humanitarian and economic toll. Transformative forces, such as digitalization/artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, and climate transitions are creating opportunities, but also challenges.
    1. We will step up our efforts to strengthen economic resilience and break from the low-growth, high-debt path, while harnessing transformative forces, to build a more prosperous future. Comprehensive and well calibrated, well sequenced, and well communicated reforms and policy actions are needed to boost private sector-led growth, productivity, and job creation. We will pursue sound macroeconomic policies and advance structural reforms to improve the business environment, streamline excessive regulation, fight corruption, and mobilize innovation and technology adoption. We will deepen our pivot toward growth-friendly fiscal adjustments to ensure debt sustainability and rebuild buffers where needed. Fiscal adjustments should be mindful of distributional impacts and underpinned by a credible medium-term consolidation plan, while strengthening the efficiency of public spending, protecting the vulnerable, and supporting growth-enhancing public and private investments, taking into account country circumstances. Central banks remain strongly committed to maintaining price stability, in line with their respective mandates, and will continue to adjust their policies in a data dependent and well-communicated manner. We will continue to closely monitor and, as necessary, tackle financial vulnerabilities and risks to financial stability, while harnessing the benefits of innovation. We will work together to improve the resilience of the world economy and build prosperity and ensure the stability and effective functioning of the international monetary system. We will also work together to address excessive global imbalances, support an open, fair and rules-based international economic order, and reinforce supply chain resilience. We reaffirm our April 2021 exchange rate commitments.
    1. We will continue to support countries as they undertake reforms and address debt vulnerabilities and debt service challenges. We acknowledge the specific challenges faced by low-income and vulnerable countries, including fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS) and small developing states (SDS), which are further compounded by recent decrease in official development assistance. We underline the importance of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. We welcome the progress made on debt treatments under the G20 Common Framework (CF) and beyond. We remain committed to addressing global debt vulnerabilities in an effective, comprehensive, and systematic manner, including further stepping up the CF’s implementation in a predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner, and enhancing debt transparency. We look forward to further work at the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable on ways to address debt vulnerabilities and restructuring challenges. We encourage the IMF and the World Bank to help advance the implementation of the 3-pillar approach to address debt service pressures in countries with sustainable debt, including through supporting them to implement growth-enhancing reforms, mobilize domestic resources, and attract private capital. We look forward to the review of the Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Framework (LIC-DSF).
    1. We welcome the Managing Director’s Global Policy Agenda.
    1. We support further sharpening the focus of surveillance based on analytical rigor, evenhandedness, and tailored policy advice. We welcome a strong focus on helping countries strengthen their economic resilience and achieve macroeconomic and financial stability and sustainable growth by increasing productivity, addressing macro-critical risks, reducing excessive imbalances, achieving debt sustainability, and mitigating disruptive capital flows and exchange rate volatility. We look forward to the Comprehensive Surveillance Review that will set future surveillance priorities and modalities; and the Review of Financial Sector Assessment Programs to keep financial surveillance in step with evolving financial stability risks.
    1. We look forward to the Review of Program Design and Conditionality to strengthen further the effectiveness of IMF-supported programs and to the Review of the Short-Term Liquidity Line. We also look forward to the assessment of the Global Financial Safety Net, including the role of Regional Financing Arrangements (RFAs), and its ability to safeguard global financial stability.
    1. We support efforts to further strengthen capacity development and to ensure the sustainability of financing. We welcome the IMF’s ongoing work with the World Bank on the Joint Domestic Resource Mobilization Initiative. We welcome a more flexible and tailored delivery, better integrated with policy advice and program design, as set out in the 2024 Capacity Development Strategy Review.
    1. We reaffirm our commitment to a strong, quota-based, and adequately resourced IMF at the center of the GFSN. We have advanced the domestic approvals for our consent to the quota increase under the 16th General Review of Quotas and we look forward to the finalization of this process as soon as possible. We recognize that realignment in quota shares should aim at better reflecting members’ relative positions in the world economy, while protecting the voice of the poorest members. We acknowledge, however, that building consensus among members on quota and governance reforms will require progress in stages. In this regard, we agree on the annexed Diriyah Declaration on the way forward.
    1. We underline the critical role of the IMF in helping us navigate the current challenging environment, as a trusted advisor and champion of strong policy frameworks. We reaffirm our commitment to the institution and look forward to discussing further ways to ensure the Fund remains agile and focused, working in collaboration with partners and other IFIs. We reiterate our appreciation for staff’s high-quality work and dedication to support the membership and continue to encourage further efforts to improve regional and women’s representation within staff positions, and women’s representation at the Executive Board and in Board leadership positions.
    1. Our next meeting is expected to be held in October 2025.

    Annexed Diriyah Declaration

    Recalling the October 2024 IMFC Chair’s Statement, which stated: “We reiterate our strong commitment to the Fund on its 80th anniversary and look forward to further discussing at our next meeting ways to ensure the Fund remains well-equipped to meet future challenges, in line with its mandate, and in collaboration with partners and other IFIs. We ask our Deputies to prepare for this discussion.”; and

    Drawing on the work advanced by our Deputies, who met in the historic town of Diriyah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 6-7, 2025, to prepare for this discussion;

    We thank our Deputies and agree on the following Diriyah Declaration on the way forward with regard to IMFC processes and IMF quota and governance reforms.

    *****

    Enhancing IMFC Processes

    We agree that the IMFC plays a key role in the IMF’s governance structure, offering the IMF Board of Governors trusted advice and providing strategic direction to the work and policies of the Fund through structured, high-level, and consensus-driven policy guidance on all relevant issues.

    To enhance its effectiveness as a forum for effective engagement and consensus-building on complex challenges, we agree to further strengthen IMFC processes. To this end, we welcome recent improvements to the format of the Introductory IMFC session and the use of concise, accessible communiqués to effectively convey key IMFC messages to a broader audience. Moreover, we agree that deputy-level meetings focused on strategic rather than routine issues could support the work of IMFC principals.

    We appreciate the value of engagement across the international financial architecture, including with Regional Financing Arrangements (RFAs), to enhance cooperation and strengthen the resilience of the international monetary system.

     

    Strengthening IMF Governance

    We note that the world economy currently faces significant challenges and agree that the IMF makes a vital contribution to international cooperation, providing a long-established and trusted institution for policy discussions informed by rigorous analysis. We stress that the IMF’s mandate to promote macroeconomic and financial stability remains as relevant as ever, and its role to support members in addressing macroeconomic challenges through analysis and policy advice, capacity development, and financing where relevant, is key. We agree on the need to ensure that the institution remains strong, quota-based, adequately resourced, and efficiently managed to fulfil its mandate at the center of the global financial safety net.

    We agree that a strong, inclusive, and representative governance framework is fundamental to maintaining the Fund’s credibility and legitimacy among its diverse membership. Strengthening IMF governance will support its continued ability to effectively promote consensus among the membership in addressing global challenges. These efforts are also essential to fostering multilateralism and international cooperation.

    Given the strategic importance of governance reforms, we recognize that progress toward consensus should be made in stages. In this context, we agree to develop as a first step a set of general principles to guide future discussions and help foster convergence of views. Work on these principles should be completed in a timely manner to help ensure the efficient progression of future General Reviews of Quotas (GRQs), including under the 17th GRQ. Establishing these guiding principles would help ensure that governance changes are gradual, widely acceptable, and reflective of the interests of the entire membership, as well as maintain the Fund’s financial soundness.

    The Way Forward

    We agree that implementation of the 16th GRQ remains a priority. We recognize that realignment in quota shares should aim at better reflecting members’ relative positions in the world economy, while protecting the voice of the poorest members. To build consensus on future governance reforms, including under the 17th GRQ, we call on the Executive Board to develop, by the 2026 Spring Meetings, a set of principles to guide future discussions on IMF quotas and governance, drawing from the deliberations by IMFC Deputies during their meeting in Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 6-7, 2025. We look forward to a discussion of the status of advancement of this work at our next meeting. We ask our Deputies to prepare for this discussion.

    INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE

     ATTENDANCE 

    Chair

    Mohammed Aljadaan, Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia

    Managing Director

    Kristalina Georgieva

    Members or Alternates

    Ayman Alsayari, Governor of the Saudi Central Bank, Saudi Arabia (Alternate for Mohammed Aljadaan, Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia)

    Mohammed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, United Arab Emirates

    Edgar Amador Zamora, Minister of Finance and Public Credit, Mexico

    Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, United States

    Edouard Normand Bigendako, Governor, Bank of the Republic of Burundi

    Luis Caputo, Minister of Economy, Argentina

    Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada (Alternate for Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance, Canada)

    Sang Mok Choi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Republic of Korea

    Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of Economy and Finance, Italy

    Gabriel Galipolo, Governor, Central Bank of Brazil (Alternate for Fernando Haddad, Minister of Finance, Brazil)

    Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Pensions, National Lottery and Federal Culture Institutions, Belgium

    Katsunobu Kato, Minister of Finance, Japan

    Daniela Stoffel, State Secretary for International Finance, Federal Department of Finance, Switzerland (Alternate for Karin Keller-Sutter, Minister of Finance, Switzerland)

    Lesetja Kganyago, Governor, South African Reserve Bank, South Africa

    Jörg Kukies, Federal Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Germany

    François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Bank of France (Alternate for Eric Lombard, Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, France)

    Adebayo Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria

    Gongsheng Pan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, H.M. Treasury, United Kingdom

    Pavel Snisorenko, Director, Department of International Financial Relations (Alternate for Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance, Russian Federation)

    Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, Reserve Bank of India (Alternate for Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, India)

    Mehmet Simsek, Minister of Treasury and Finance, Republic of Türkiye

    Salah-Eddine Taleb, Governor, Bank of Algeria

    Perry Warjiyo, Governor, Bank of Indonesia

    Ida Wolden Bache, Governor, Bank of Norway

    Observers

    Agustín Carstens, General Manager, Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

    Elisabeth Svantesson, Chair, Development Committee (DC) and Minister for Finance, Sweden

    Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank (ECB)

    Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, European Commission (EC)

    Klaas Knot, Chair, Financial Stability Board (FSB) and President of De Nederlandsche Bank

    Celeste Drake, Deputy Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO)

    Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

    Mohannad Alsuwaidan, Economic Analyst, Petroleum Studies Department, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

    Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, United Nations (UN)

    Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

    Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, The World Bank (WB)

    Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO)

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/25/pr-123-imfc-chairs-statement-fifty-first-meeting-of-the-imfc

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In talking with Tehran, Trump is reversing course on Iran – could a new nuclear deal be next?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jeffrey Fields, Associate Professor of the Practice of International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

    A mural on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran depicts two men in negotiation. Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

    Negotiators from Iran and the United States are set to meet again in Oman on April 26, prompting hopes the two countries might be moving, albeit tentatively, toward a new nuclear accord.

    The scheduled talks follow the two previous rounds of indirect negotiations that have taken place under the new Trump administration. Those discussions were deemed to have yielded enough progress to merit sending nuclear experts from both sides to begin outlining the specifics of a potential framework for a deal.

    The development is particularly notable given that Trump, in 2018, unilaterally walked the U.S. away from a multilateral agreement with Iran. That deal, negotiated during the Obama presidency, put restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. Trump{,} instead turned to a policy that involved tightening the financial screws on Iran through enhanced sanctions while issuing implicit military threats.

    But that approach failed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program.

    Now, rather than revive the maximum pressure policy of his first term, Trump – ever keen to be seen as a dealmaker – has given his team the green light for the renewed diplomacy and even reportedly rebuffed, for now, Israel’s desire to launch military strikes against Tehran.

    Jaw-jaw over war-war

    The turn to diplomacy returns Iran-US relations to where they began during the Obama administration, with attempts to encourage Iran to curb or eliminate its ability to enrich uranium.

    Only this time, with the U.S. having left the previous deal in 2018, Iran has had seven years to improve on its enrichment capability and stockpile vastly more uranium than had been allowed under the abandoned accord.

    As a long-time expert on U.S. foreign policy and nuclear nonproliferation, I believe Trump has a unique opportunity to not only reinstate a similar nuclear agreement to the one he rejected, but also forge a more encompassing deal – and foster better relations with the Islamic Republic in the process.

    The front pages of Iran’s newspapers in a sidewalk newsstand in Tehran, Iran, on April 13, 2025.
    Alireza/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    There are real signs that a potential deal could be in the offing, and it is certainly true that Trump likes the optics of dealmaking.

    But an agreement is by no means certain. Any progress toward a deal will be challenged by a number of factors, not least internal divisions and opposition within the Trump administration and skepticism among some in the Islamic Republic, along with uncertainty over a succession plan for the aging Ayatollah Khamenei.

    Conservative hawks are still abundant in both countries and could yet derail any easing of diplomatic tensions.

    A checkered diplomatic past

    There are also decades of mistrust to overcome.

    It is an understatement to say that the U.S. and Iran have had a fraught relationship, such as it is, since the Iranian revolution of 1979 and takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran the same year.

    Many Iranians would say relations have been strained since 1953, when the U.S. and the United Kingdom orchestrated the overthrow of Mohammad Mossadegh, the democratically elected prime minister of Iran.

    Washington and Tehran have not had formal diplomatic relations since 1979, and the two countries have been locked in a decadeslong battle for influence in the Middle East. Today, tensions remain high over Iranian support for a so-called axis of resistance against the West and in particular U.S. interests in the Middle East. That axis includes Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

    For its part, Tehran has long bristled at American hegemony in the region, including its resolute support for Israel and its history of military action. In recent years that U.S. action has included the direct assaults on Iranian assets and personnel. In particular, Tehran is still angry about the 2020 assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

    Standing atop these various disputes, Iran’s nuclear ambitions have proved a constant source of contention for the United States and Israel, the latter being the only nuclear power in the region.

    The prospect of warmer relations between the two sides first emerged during the Obama administration – though Iran sounded out the Bush administration in 2003 only to be rebuffed.

    U.S. diplomats began making contact with Iranian counterparts in 2009 when Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns met with an Iranian negotiator in Geneva. The so-called P5+1 began direct negotiations with Iran in 2013. This paved the way for the eventual Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2015. In that agreement – concluded by the U.S., Iran, China, Russia and a slew of European nations – Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program, including limits on the level to which it could enrich uranium, which was capped well short of what would be necessary for a nuclear weapon. In return, multilateral and bilateral U.S. sanctions would be removed.

    Many observers saw it as a win-win, with the restraints on a burgeoning nuclear power coupled with hopes that greater economic engagement with the international community that might temper some of Iran’s more provocative foreign policy behavior.

    Yet Israel and Saudi Arabia worried the deal did not entirely eliminate Iran’s ability to enrich uranium, and right-wing critics in the U.S. complained it did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programs or support for militant groups in the region.

    Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, draws a red line on a graphic of a bomb while discussing Iran at the United Nations on Sept. 27, 2012.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    When Trump first took office in 2016, he and his foreign policy team pledged to reverse Obama’s course and close the door on any diplomatic opening. Making good on his pledge, Trump unilaterally withdrew U.S. support for the JCPOA despite Iran’s continued compliance with the terms of the agreement and reinstated sanctions.

    Donald the dealmaker?

    So what has changed? Well, several things.

    While Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA was welcomed by Republicans, it did nothing to stop Iran from enhancing its ability to enrich uranium.

    Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, eager to transform its image and diversify economically, now supports a deal it opposed during the Obama administration.

    In this second term, Trump’s anti-Iran impulses are still there. But despite his rhetoric of a military option should a deal not be struck, Trump has on numerous occasions stated his opposition to U.S. involvement in another war in the Middle East.

    In addition, Iran has suffered a number of blows in recent years that has left it more isolated in the region. Iranian-aligned Hamas and Hezbollah have been seriously weakened as a result of military action by Israel. Meanwhile, strikes within Iran by Israel have shown the potential reach of Israeli missiles – and the apparent willingness of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to use them. Further, the removal of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria has deprived Iran of another regional ally.

    Tehran is also contending with a more fragile domestic economy than it had during negotiations for JCPOA.

    With Iran weakened regionally and Trump’s main global focus being China, a diplomatic avenue with Iran seems entirely in line with Trump’s view of himself as a dealmaker.

    A deal is not a given

    With two rounds of meetings completed and the move now to more technical aspects of a possible agreement negotiated by experts, there appears to be a credible window of opportunity for diplomacy.

    This could mean a new agreement that retains the core aspects of the deal Trump previously abandoned. I’m not convinced a new deal will look any different from the previous in terms of the enrichment aspect.

    There are still a number of potential roadblocks standing in the way of any potential deal, however.

    As was the case with Trump’s meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his first term, the president seems to be less interested in details than spectacle. While it was quite amazing for an American leader to meet with his North Korean counterpart, ultimately, no policy meaningfully changed because of it.

    On Iran and other issues, the president displays little patience for complicated policy details. Complicating matters is that the U.S. administration is riven by intense factionalism, with many Iran hawks who would be seemingly opposed to a deal – including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. They could rub up against newly confirmed Undersecretary of Defense for policy Elbridge Colby and Vice President JD Vance, both of whom have in the past advocated for a more pro-diplomacy line on Iran.

    As has become a common theme in Trump administration foreign policy – even with its own allies on issues like trade – it’s unclear what a Trump administration policy on Iran actually is, and whether a political commitment exists to carry through any ultimate deal.

    Top Trump foreign policy negotiator Steve Witkoff, who has no national security experience, has exemplified this tension. Tasked with leading negotiations with Iran, Witkoff has already having been forced to walk back his contention that the U.S. was only seeking to cap the level of uranium enrichment rather than eliminate the entirety of the program.

    For its part, Iran has proved that it is serious about diplomacy, previously having accepted Barack Obama’s “extended hand.”

    But Tehran is unlikely to capitulate on core interests or allow itself to be humiliated by the terms of any agreement.

    Ultimately, the main question to watch is whether a deal with Iran is to be concluded by pragmatists – and then to what extent, narrow or expansive – or derailed by hawks within the administration.

    Jeffrey Fields receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

    – ref. In talking with Tehran, Trump is reversing course on Iran – could a new nuclear deal be next? – https://theconversation.com/in-talking-with-tehran-trump-is-reversing-course-on-iran-could-a-new-nuclear-deal-be-next-254770

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International agreement to boost British business

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    International agreement to boost British business

    Businesses will save time and money on repetitive legal action thanks to new international rules coming into force across the UK on 1 July.

    • Agreement will cut delays and costs for UK businesses
    • UK judgments against foreign suppliers will be recognised by participating countries overseas
    • This will boost the UK legal sector and drive economic growth, part of the government’s Plan for Change

    Businesses will save time and money on repetitive legal action thanks to new international rules coming into force across the UK on 1 July.

    The UK Government signed up to the Hague 2019 Convention, which means other countries will more easily recognise and enforce UK court judgments in cross-border disputes – sparing firms from costly and repetitive court battles.

    Currently, if a UK business wins a case in a UK court against a company based in another country, business leaders face the threat of time-consuming enforcement processes or even identical legal action overseas for the same dispute – causing delays, increasing costs and creating confusion to the consumer.

    The new rules will provide a simpler enforcement route to existing complex systems, giving one clear consistent set of shared rules – that the UK helped shape – making the process easier for everyone.

    Streamlining the process will save businesses time and money, encourage foreign companies to use the UK’s world-class lawyers and courts to settle their disputes and grow the economy overall.

    Justice Minister, Lord Ponsonby, said:

    This Convention delivers real benefits for British businesses dealing with international disputes.

    As part of our Plan for Change we’re boosting UK firms’ confidence to trade by minimising legal costs and ensuring justice across borders, all while cementing Britain’s role as a global legal powerhouse committed to the rule of law.

    The Convention will enhance international legal collaboration. It will apply to judgments in civil and commercial matters, strengthening the UK’s position as a global hub for dispute resolution.

    The 2019 Hague Convention is already being applied by 29 parties, from Ukraine to EU countries, with Uruguay joining last year. This means UK civil and commercial judgments will be recognised and enforced in these nations and that the UK will recognise judgments made in their courts.

    With 91 members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), a major multilateral forum for private international law rules which has produced numerous conventions including the 2019 Hague Convention, Hague 2019 has a potentially global reach. 

    The Convention will apply to judgments given in proceedings that commence on or after 1 July 2025 across the entire United Kingdom or in other participating countries.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Energy Secretary to Travel to Warsaw, Poland

    Source: US Department of Energy

    U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will travel to Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 27.

    Energy.gov

    April 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will travel to Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 27, to keynote the Three Seas Summit and engage in critical dialogue with Eastern European allies regarding the future of energy security, reliability, and affordability across the continent and the world. 

    Members of the press interested in covering open-press portions of the Secretary’s travel should reach out to DOENews@hq.doe.gov.

    DOE Awards New Contract for Oak Ridge Professional Support Services

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two charged following a fatal stabbing in Walworth

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two men charged and another arrested following a fatal stabbing in Walworth on Monday, 14 April.

    Joseph Jimenez, 21 (14.08.2003) of no fixed address was charged on Tuesday, 23 April with the murder of 21-year-old Giovanny Rendon Bedoya.

    He was remanded into custody and appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 23 March. He appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 25 April.

    Angel Gonzales Angulo, 19 (24.08.06) of Camberwell Church Street, SE5 was arrested on Wednesday, 23 April and was charged on Thursday, 24 April of murder. He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 25 March. He will next appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 29 April.

    On Friday, 25 April a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder, he remains in police custody.

    On Monday, 14 April at 21:16hrs police were called to Hillingdon Street, SE17 following reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated 21-year-old Giovanny Rendon Bedoya for stab injuries.

    Sadly, despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead on scene.

    Giovanny’s next-of-kin continues to receive support and updates from specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why sitting down – and getting back up – might be the most important health test you do today

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Catherine Norton, Associate Professor Sport & Exercise Nutrition, University of Limerick

    Ruslan Huzau/Shutterstock

    If you or someone you love finds it difficult to stand up from the toilet without using your hands, it might seem like a small issue. But in health and ageing, this movement – known as the “sit-to-stand” – can be a red flag. It’s one of the strongest indicators of frailty, a condition that can threaten independence and quality of life.

    Frailty increases the risk of falls, hospital stays, slower recovery from illness, and early death. It’s more than just about being thin or weak – it’s about reduced muscle mass, strength and energy – and it’s one of the main reasons older adults lose the ability to live on their own.

    This loss of muscle strength and function isn’t just about growing old. It often begins as early as your 30s and accelerates after 60. The good news? It’s not inevitable. Frailty can be prevented – and even reversed – with simple, targeted changes in diet and physical activity.

    Surprisingly, carrying a bit of extra weight in older age can be beneficial. Studies suggest that being in the “overweight” BMI range is often linked to better outcomes than being underweight – as long as you’re carrying muscle, not just fat.

    What matters most is body composition – the ratio of muscle to fat. Lean muscle supports mobility, balance and resilience during illness or injury. In contrast, excess visceral fat (around the internal organs) increases the risk of disease.

    Muscle is made of protein and, as we age, our bodies become less efficient at using it. That means older adults need to eat more protein than younger people – not less. Aim for 1 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. For a 70kg person, that’s around 70–85 grams daily, ideally spread across all meals.

    Good protein sources include:
    • Eggs, milk, cheese and yoghurt
    • Chicken, turkey, beef and oily fish
    • Lentils, beans, tofu and soy products
    • Nuts, seeds, and whole grains

    Also, don’t forget total calorie intake. If you’re undereating overall – especially during illness – your body will break down muscle to compensate, even if protein intake is adequate.

    Move it or lose it

    Muscle only stays if you use it – the “move it or lose it” mantra applies here. Regular strength training is one of the best things you can do to stay independent and strong.

    Aim for two to three sessions per week focused on strength. You don’t need a gym – bodyweight exercises at home count too.

    Effective strength activities include:

    • Sit-to-stand repetitions from a chair
    • Functional movements like stair climbing, gardening, or carrying groceries
    • Squats, lunges and push-ups
    • Using resistance bands or light weights

    Walking, swimming and cycling are great for cardiovascular and joint health, but they aren’t enough on their own to maintain muscle mass. Challenge your muscles regularly – even in small ways.

    Things to watch out for:

    • Struggling to stand up from low chairs or the toilet
    • Clothes feeling looser around the thighs or arms
    • Feeling weaker carrying bags or household items
    • Avoiding stairs or certain movements you used to do easily

    Catching these signs early can help you act before it affects your independence.

    Here are five things you can do for healthy ageing

    1. Prioritise protein: include it in every meal. Think eggs for breakfast, beans at lunch, and fish or chicken for dinner.
    2. Strength train weekly: find something you enjoy and can stick with – gardening, resistance bands, or a local class.
    3. Don’t fear healthy weight gain: especially if you’ve recently lost weight unintentionally. Focus on building muscle, not fat.
    4. Stay active daily: every movement counts – walking, stretching, or lifting household objects.
    5. Monitor your function: the sit-to-stand test is a simple way to track your strength. If it’s getting harder, take action.

    We can’t stop ageing, but we can age well. That means making muscle health a priority – not just for appearance, but for independence, dignity and quality of life.

    So, whether you’re thinking about your future or supporting an older loved one, remember this: building and maintaining muscle is one of the most powerful tools we have for healthy ageing.

    With the right habits, you can protect your strength, mobility and independence.

    And next time you sit down – think about how easily you get back up. That small action might be the most important health check you do all day.

    Catherine Norton receives funding organisations e.g. Food for Health Ireland, DAFM, Enterprise Ireland

    – ref. Why sitting down – and getting back up – might be the most important health test you do today – https://theconversation.com/why-sitting-down-and-getting-back-up-might-be-the-most-important-health-test-you-do-today-255057

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump can’t decide who to blame for a failing peace deal that would only lead to further conflict

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    After a second consecutive night of deadly Russian air attacks – against the capital Kyiv on April 23 and the eastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad on April 24 – a ceasefire in Ukraine seems as unrealistic as ever.

    With Russian commitment to a deal clearly lacking, the situation is not helped by US president Donald Trump. He can’t quite seem to decide who he will ultimately blame if his efforts to agree a ceasefire fall apart.

    Before the strikes on Kyiv, Trump blamed Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, for holding up a deal by refusing to recognise Crimea as Russian. The following day, he chided Vladimir Putin for the attacks, calling them “not necessary, and very bad timing” and imploring Putin to stop.

    The main stumbling bloc on the path to a ceasefire is what a final peace agreement might look like and what concessions Kyiv – and its European allies – will accept. Ukraine’s and Europe’s position on this is unequivocal: no recognition of the illegal Russian annexation.

    This position is also backed by opinion polls in Ukraine, which indicate only limited support for some, temporary concessions to Russia. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, also suggested that temporarily giving up territory “can be a solution”.

    The deal that Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff apparently negotiated over three rounds of talks in Russia was roundly rejected by Ukraine and Britain, France and Germany, who lead the “coalition of the willing” of countries pledging support for Ukraine.



    Read more:
    Could Trump be leading the world into recession?

    This prompted Witkoff and US secretary of state Marco Rubio to pull out of follow-up talks in London on April 24. These ended with a fairly vacuous statement about a commitment to continuing “close coordination and … further talks soon”.

    And even this now appears as quite a stretch. Coinciding with Witkoff’s fourth trip to see Putin on April 25, European and Ukrainian counterproposals were released that reject most of the terms offered by Trump or at least defer their negotiation until after a ceasefire is in place.

    Why is it failing?

    The impasse is unsurprising. Washington’s proposal included a US commitment to recognise Crimea as Russian, a promise that Ukraine would not join Nato and accept Moscow’s control of the territories in eastern Ukraine that it currently illegally occupies. It also included lifting all sanctions against Russia.

    In other words, Ukraine would give up large parts of territory and receive no security guarantees, while Russia is rewarded with reintegration into the global economy.

    It is the territorial concessions asked of Kyiv which are especially problematic. Quite apart from the fact that they are in fundamental breach of basic principles of international law – the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states – they are unlikely to provide solid foundations for a durable peace.

    Much like the idea of Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, to divide Ukraine like post-1945 Berlin, it betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what, and who, drives this war.

    Recent London peace talks in April failed to make progress.

    Kellogg later clarified that he was not suggesting a partition of Ukraine, but his proposal would have exactly the same effect as Trump’s most recent offer.

    Both proposals accept the permanent loss to Ukraine of territory that Russia currently controls. Where they differ is that Kellogg wants to introduce a European-led reassurance force west of the river Dnipro, while leaving the defence of remaining Ukrainian-controlled territory to Kyiv’s armed forces.

    If accepted by Russia – unlikely as this is given Russia’s repeated and unequivocal rejection of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine – it would provide at best a minimal security guarantee for a part of Ukrainian territory.

    What it would almost inevitably mean, however, is a repeat of the permanent ceasefire violations along the disengagement zone in eastern Ukraine where Russian and Ukrainian forces would continue to face each other.

    This is what happened after the ill-fated Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015, which were meant to settle the conflict after Russia’s invasion of Donbas in 2014. A further Russian invasion could be just around the corner once the Kremlin felt that it had sufficiently recovered from the current war.



    Read more:
    Ukraine deal: Europe has learned from the failed 2015 Minsk accords with Putin. Trump has not

    The lack of a credible deterrent is one key difference between the situation in Ukraine as envisaged by Washington and other historical and contemporary parallels, including Korea and Cyprus.

    Korea was partitioned in 1945 and has been protected by a large US military presence since the Korean war in 1953. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, Cyprus was divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriots along a partition line secured by an armed UN peacekeeping mission.

    Trump has ruled out any US troop commitment as part of securing a ceasefire in Ukraine. And the idea of a UN force in Ukraine, briefly floated during the presidency of Petro Poroshenko between 2014 and 2019, never got any traction, and is not likely to be accepted by Putin now.

    The assumed parallels with the situation in Germany after the second world war are even more tenuous. Not only did Nazi Germany unconditionally surrender in May 1945 but its division into allied zones of occupation was formally and unanimously agreed by the victorious allies in Potsdam in August 1945.

    Muddling up Potsdam and Munich?

    By the time two separate German states of East and West Germany were established in 1949, the western allies had fallen out with Stalin but remained firmly united in Nato and western Europe. So the west German state was firmly protected under the US nuclear umbrella.

    The agreements made in Potsdam didn’t have the same implication of permanence as the US suggestion to formally recognise Crimea as Russian territory. The suggestion was always that the allied forces would pull out of Germany at some stage, and restore the country’s sovereignty.

    Most importantly, the allies did not reward the aggressor in the war or create the conditions for merely a brief interruption for an aggressor’s revisionist agenda.

    After all, what has driven Putin’s war against Ukraine is his conviction that “the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century”.

    The Trump administration deludes itself that it is applying the lessons of Potsdam by recognising Russia’s territorial conquests in Ukraine and handing them over. Instead it is falling into the trap of the 1938 Munich Agreement. Negotiators in Munich tried, but failed, to avoid the second world war by appeasing and not deterring an insatiable aggressor – a historical lesson that doesn’t need repeating.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump can’t decide who to blame for a failing peace deal that would only lead to further conflict – https://theconversation.com/trump-cant-decide-who-to-blame-for-a-failing-peace-deal-that-would-only-lead-to-further-conflict-254841

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Magistrates order private hire driver to pay £3,326 for unlawful activity

    Source: City of York

    Published Friday, 25 April 2025

    A private hire driver who pleaded guilty yesterday (Thursday 24 April 2025) to picking up passengers on the street, has been ordered to pay a total £3,326 by York Magistrates.

    Zaid Saleem, of Girlington Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, aged 58, holds a private hire driver licence with Wolverhampton and Leeds Council, and drives for an operator called ‘Drive Private Hire’. He, like all private hire drivers, can only pick up fares pre-booked through the operator. 

    In May 2024, Mr Saleem accepted a passenger who was not pre-booked which was outside the terms of his insurance and in breach of the terms of his private hire licence. This puts passengers and other road users at risk as when a private hire driver takes passengers on journeys that are not pre-booked they are not insured. Furthermore, drivers who flout the law have a competitive advantage over those who comply. This is something the council receives complaints about.

    On 25 May 2024, City of York Council Licensing Officers took part in one of a number of enforcement operations which take place regularly. This one was to detect private hire drivers who unlawfully take un-booked passengers, and it took place at York Racecourse and in the city centre.

    That day, officers approached Mr Saleem in his private hire vehicle on Clock Tower Way near York Racecourse. They agreed that he would drive them to York railway station for a fare of £10 which breached his licence.

    On 24 April 2025 at York Magistrates Court, Mr Saleem pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawfully plying for hire. The magistrate sentenced him to pay a fine of £90, a surcharge of £36 and costs of £3,200.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment at City of York Council, said:

    If an unlicensed driver picks up a customer without a prior and formal booking they are not insured for the journey and are acting illegally.

    “It is also important that those drivers who pay for the entitlement and license to pick up fares are protected from being undercut by those who do not.

    “We will continue to investigate legitimate complaints and take appropriate legal action. Please report any taxi offences via licensing @york.gov.uk.”

    Leeds and Wolverhampton Councils have been informed of the outcome to the case, so that they can review Mr Saleem’s taxi driver license status as a ‘fit and proper’ person.

    Following a public consultation, the Council’s taxi licensing policy was updated in November 2024 and can be read here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Officers continue to investigate death of man in Southall

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police are appealing for information following the death of a man in Southall, who is believed to be 65-year-old Michael O’Donnell.

    An investigation was launched into the circumstances of his death, which is being treated as murder.

    Officers are appealing to those who may have seen Michael within the last two months to come forward.

    While officers are yet to formally identify the victim, police are confident it is Michael.

    Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said:

    “Family liaison officers are supporting Michael’s family at this distressing time and my thoughts remain with them.

    “We continue to work diligently to gather evidence and establish what led to Michaels’ death and I would ask any local residents to take a careful look at these images to check whether they know him.

    “Have you seen him since Monday, 24 February either alone or with anyone else?

    “Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference CAD2369/23APR or online by visiting the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) Website.

    “Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

    Officers were called by the London Ambulance Service following concerns for the welfare of a man at 10:56hrs on Wednesday, 23 April in Samara Drive.

    Sadly, a man was found dead at the address.

    A 54-year-old man from Southall was arrested on suspicion of murder and preventing a lawful burial on Wednesday, 23 April. He remains in custody.

    A 28-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

    Report information via the MIPP portal or by calling 101: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25X64-PO1

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 04/25/2025, 17-09 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A101PF9 (ALROSA B04) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/25/2025

    17:09

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 25.04.2025, 17-09 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 107.87) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1118.47 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A101PF9 (ALROSA B04) 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. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 04/25/2025, 17-31 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JX2F6 (TbankB11) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/25/2025

    17:31

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 25.04.2025, 17-31 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 110.71) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1243.79 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 21.25%) of the security RU000A0JX2F6 (TbankB11) 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. MOEX.K.MO/N89821

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The education system should become a support for scientific and technological breakthrough

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The Korsun Children’s Center, a branch of the Artek International Children’s Center, hosted a plenary session of the All-Russian Conference for heads of executive bodies of state power of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation responsible for education management. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov took part in the event.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko, speaking at the meeting, noted the symbolism of holding the event in Sevastopol, the city of Russian naval glory. He emphasized that the valor demonstrated by the defenders of Sevastopol during the Crimean and Great Patriotic Wars is forever inscribed in the history of Russia’s military glory.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that on the eve of Victory Day and in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, it is important to remember the exploits of heroes past and present, so that they become an example of honor, dignity and love for the Motherland for children.

    “Unlocking the potential of young people, realizing their capabilities and raising patriots are the national goals set by President Vladimir Putin. On the way to this goal, the country faces various challenges, such as value threats, demographic risks and technological changes. The education system, according to the head of state, should be the support for the scientific and technological breakthrough that our country needs not only to maintain sovereignty at all levels, but also to achieve technological leadership. Russia is among the top ten countries in terms of education quality and among the top 8 countries in terms of scientific research. This is a very competitive environment, and we need to try hard to strengthen and maintain this leadership,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that at the beginning of the year, strategic and district sessions were held in all regions, where proposals from the regions for the draft text of the strategy were discussed and formed. In total, more than 1,000 proposals were collected and processed.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko expressed gratitude to the Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov for the effective organization of this work. He noted that strategic documents in the field of education are created in such a way that the field itself makes a contribution with its own hands. During these sessions, key challenges were formulated and, most importantly, the goal, mission, vision and values of the education system.

    During the meeting, Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke about the creation of a benchmark system of indicators for the education sector, which will become the basis for making management decisions.

    He emphasized that the need to build such a system is due to the fragmentation of indicators, research and statistical data currently existing in the field of education. The new approach will allow obtaining systematized and unified data.

    “Work on creating a benchmark system of indicators for the education sector is being carried out on the instructions of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. A special project has been launched at the Government Coordination Center, which should fully characterize the education system at all levels,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that as a result of the analysis of the diversity of indicators used in the field of education, the project developers identified over 25 thousand criteria. “It is obvious that no one person can understand 25 thousand parameters,” he added, emphasizing the importance of creating convenient and understandable analytical panels.

    The results of joint work at the All-Russian conference will form the basis of an action plan for the implementation of the Education Development Strategy, determining further steps for the development of the industry.

    Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov expressed gratitude to representatives of all subjects of the Russian Federation who took an active part in the project “Living Memory of Grateful Generations” in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of Victory. He also proposed actively inviting students to participate in the celebratory events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, including the “Immortal Regiment” campaign.

    “This campaign should be held in every school, in person or online. Participation in the “No Statute of Limitations” project and communication with veterans are also important,” the head of the department said.

    In addition, Sergey Kravtsov announced changes that are planned within the framework of the organization of the educational process.

    “It is important that in each school, teaching is conducted in accordance with uniform educational programs, the number of hours is clear, and what students study is synchronized with the unified state exam,” the minister noted.

    He added that in 2026, an all-Russian school Olympiad in robotics with tasks on UAVs will be launched, and a “roadmap” for 2025–2026 for the introduction and teaching and methodological support of the subject “Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia” (SMC) in schools has been approved.

    The All-Russian Conference of Heads of Executive Bodies of the Subjects of the Russian Federation Implementing Public Administration in the Sphere of Education is being held in Crimea from April 24 to 26. The event is a platform for professional dialogue, exchange of experience and formation of strategic decisions in the sphere of education. The business program includes practical seminars and strategic sessions. At the plenary session, the participants defined the vectors of development of education for the coming years.

    In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko and Sergey Kravtsov launched the Year of Children’s Recreation in the Education System, announced by the Ministry of Education for 2025. This year will be special for the federal children’s centers “Artek”, “Orlyonok” and “Smena”, celebrating their anniversary.

    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: Dmitry Patrushev: In 2024, more than 450 billion rubles were allocated for geological exploration

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting of the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use. The event summed up the results of the agency’s work in 2024 and outlined plans for 2025.

    “Our country has a unique mineral resource base, including about 230 types of minerals. Thanks to this, the Russian Federation is among the world leaders in reserves of natural gas, diamonds, gold, nickel, coal and other resources. Raw material extraction is one of the leading areas of our economy. It forms a third of the consolidated budget revenues and allows industry to develop sustainably,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the main task of Rosnedra is to ensure effective management of the state subsoil fund. At present, the federal agency administers almost 24 thousand licenses for prospecting, exploration and production of minerals.

    “The most important thing is to ensure control over the quality of license execution. Rosnedra must ensure the continuity of exploration and prospecting, since the timely replenishment and sufficiency of reserves for the needs of the economy depend on this. The state creates conditions for attracting investment in geological exploration of the subsoil. In 2024, a record amount was allocated for exploration – more than 450 billion rubles,” Dmitry Patrushev emphasized.

    Due to the influx of investment from businesses in the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in reserves of the most popular types of minerals, including gold, copper, iron and oil. Large deposits have been explored, including deposits of rare and rare earth metals.

    At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister set the task of ensuring a search reserve for scarce types of minerals. To this end, the Government plans to allocate more than 50 billion rubles for geological exploration in the next three years.

    Dmitry Patrushev drew attention to the need to involve only qualified and experienced companies in the study and development of subsoil resources.

    “We must not forget about increasing the responsibility of subsoil users themselves, including by preventing the emergence of so-called dormant licenses. Their list includes deposits of scarce raw materials. This must be corrected at the interdepartmental level, including involving supervisory authorities. In the near future, each such license must be analyzed. In this case, resources are idle, although they should bring profit. If an entrepreneur is not ready to develop a project, the right of use must be terminated, and the site must be transferred to a bona fide company,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that measures of economic stimulation of business are also necessary. Subsoil users should be interested in high-quality development of deposits, and payments for use should correspond to the value of the deposits.

    Dmitry Patrushev placed special emphasis on the President’s order to form chains for the search and development of mineral deposits in the Arctic. In particular, it is necessary to ensure the extraction and deep processing of rare and rare earth metals in this zone.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also noted the need to attract young, highly qualified specialists to the industry. According to him, at the level of higher and secondary vocational education, great emphasis should be placed from the very start on practical training and the development of targeted training.

    In conclusion, Dmitry Patrushev added that the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of the Mineral Resource Base until 2050 largely depends on the high-quality solution of all the tasks outlined. Its key task is to ensure the accelerated growth of mineral reserves, which will guarantee the country resource independence.

    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: 04/25/2025 Changes in the parameters of the second deposit auction of the Federal Treasury

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Application selection parameters:

    Application selection date 25.04.2025. Unique application selection identifier 22025104. Deposit currency – rubles. Type of funds – funds of a single treasury account. Maximum amount of funds placed on bank deposits, million monetary units 450,000. Placement term, in days 4. Date of depositing funds 25.04.2025. Date of return of funds 29.04.2025. Interest rate for placing funds (fixed or floating) FIXED. Minimum fixed interest rate for placing funds, % per annum 20.05. Basic floating interest rate for placing funds-Minimum spread, % per annum-Terms of concluding a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special) Fixed-term. Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units 1,000. Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs. 5. Application selection form (open or closed)Open. Application selection schedule (Moscow time). Place of application selection Moscow Exchange PJSC.

    Acceptance of applications from 18:30 to 18:40. Applications in preliminary mode from 18:30 to 18:35. Applications in competition mode from 18:35 to 18:40. Formation of a consolidated register of applications from 18:40 to 18:50. Setting the cutoff interest rate and (or) recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful from 18:40 to 18:50. Sending an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement from 18:50 to 19:30. Receipt from credit institutions of acceptance of the offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from 18:50 to 19:30. Deposit transfer time – In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 27.04.2023 No. 10n.

    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.MO/N89826

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Obecabtagene autoleucel conditionally approved to treat adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Obecabtagene autoleucel conditionally approved to treat adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

    As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (25 April 2025) granted a conditional marketing authorisation for the medicine obecabtagene autoleucel (Aucatzyl), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, to treat adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

    B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells, specifically the B-lymphocytes. In the condition, the bone marrow produces a large number of abnormal, immature B-lymphocytes, often known as blast cells which grow and divide quickly.

    For relapsed patients with ALL, it means their leukaemia has returned after a period of improvement or remission following initial treatment, whereas for refractory patients, it means their leukaemia did not respond sufficiently to initial treatment.

    Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is rare, affecting less than 5 in 10,000 people in the UK.

    Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said:  

    “Keeping patients safe and enabling their access to high quality, safe and effective medical products are key priorities for us.  

    “We are committed to making innovative treatment options, like CAR T-cell therapy, available to patients as quickly as possible, ensuring our approval is underpinned by robust evidence of efficacy alongside the highest standards of safety. We are assured that the appropriate regulatory standards for the approval of this medicine have been met. 

    “As with all products, we will keep the safety of obecabtagene autoleucel under close review.” 

    The medicine is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion in a clinical setting by a physician with experience in the treatment of haematological malignancies and trained for administration and management of patients treated with this medicine. 

    Obecabtagene autoleucel is a type of immunotherapy call CAR-T therapy that works by taking a patient’s T cells, a type of white blood cell, and putting them through a process that transforms them into CAR T cells that are able to target the CD19 protein. When put back into the body, these modified cells can recognise and destroy the cancer cells. 

    This conditional approval is supported by evidence from the FELIX study, an ongoing open-label, single-arm study which enrolled 153 adult patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Of those patients, 94 were administered at least one infusion of obecabtagene autoleucel. 

    Prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is typically poor with short overall survival rates reported. In this study, 52 of the 94 patients given the medicine showed complete remission of the disease with an 81% probability of overall survival at 12 months. 

    The most common side effects of the medicine (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include nausea, headache, abnormal brain function, dizziness, fever and low blood pressure. Patients are advised to refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for a full list of side effects. 

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of obecabtagene autoleucel under close review. 

    Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card. 

    Notes to editors   

    1. The new conditional marketing authorisation was granted on 25 April 2025 to Autolus Therapeutics. 

    2. More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website  within 7 days of approval. 

    3. Obecabtagene autoleucel (Aucatzyl) has been conditionally approved through the national assessment procedure.  

    4. A conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) is an early temporary licence in which we may accept less completed clinical studies than would be necessary to issue a full marketing authorisation, provided the manufacturer clearly indicates when complete clinical data will be available. However, CMA post-approval conditions are determined on a case-by-case basis, and don’t have to be limited to providing further clinical data. A CMA lasts for one year and can be renewed annually. 

    5. For more information about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia/  

    6. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

    7. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 

    8. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MOJ response to The Victims’ Commissioner’s report into the Crown Court backlog

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    MOJ response to The Victims’ Commissioner’s report into the Crown Court backlog

    The Ministry of Justice’s response to the Victims’ Commissioner’s report into the impact of the Crown Court backlog.

    Documents

    Ministry of Justice Response to The Victims’ Commissioner’s report into the Crown Court backlog

    HTML

    Details

    This is the Ministry of Justice’s response to The Victims’ Commissioner’s report: Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim services and the criminal justice system.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 04/25/2025, 14-10 (Moscow time) the values of the lower limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JUKX4 (DOM.RF30ob) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/25/2025

    14:10

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 25.04.2025, 14-10 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor (up to 93.18) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 903.4 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the RU000A0JUKX4 security (DOM.RF30ob) 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. MOEX.K.MO/N89805

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian-Tajikistani negotiations

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Mikhail Mishustin held talks with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda. The heads of government discussed current issues of Russian-Tajik trade, economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

    From the transcript:

    M. Mishustin: Good afternoon, dear Mr. Rasulzoda! I am glad to meet you again. Welcome to the Government House of the Russian Federation.

    I ask you first of all to convey the kindest words of greetings to the President of Tajikistan, the respected Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. I spoke with him on the phone just a few minutes ago, and he expressed the kindest wishes to Tajikistan.

    Tajikistan is Russia’s most important ally and strategic partner in Central Asia. Our relations are built on historical friendship and mutual respect between our fraternal peoples.

    During the visit of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon to Russia in March, important agreements were reached on the further development of Russian-Tajik cooperation.

    The task of our governments is to strictly implement the agreements and decisions made at the highest level.

    Russia ranks first among Tajikistan’s foreign trade partners. In January-February of this year, mutual trade turnover increased by 9% and amounted to 23 billion rubles.

    The intergovernmental commission is actively working. On the part of Tajikistan, dear Mr. Rasulzoda, you head it. On our part – Marat Shakirzyanovich Khusnullin. Naturally, we are also in constant contact with you.

    We pay priority attention to strengthening interregional cooperation. More than 80 subjects of the Russian Federation are developing direct business ties with Tajikistan. There are many promising joint projects in mechanical engineering, energy, and mining.

    We consider it very important to strengthen cooperation in the field of environmental protection. We support Tajikistan’s initiative to preserve high-mountain glaciers in Eurasia.

    To be continued…

    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: The government has introduced a moratorium on the application of VAT penalties to entrepreneurs using the simplified taxation system

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Document

    Resolution of April 23, 2025 No. 530

    The government has decided to support entrepreneurs who use the simplified taxation system (STS) and who have become value-added tax (VAT) payers for the first time. They will not be subject to penalties for failure to submit their first VAT tax return on time if such a tax return is submitted for the first time for any of the quarters of 2025. The decision taken will help businesses calmly reconfigure their accounting programs and study the procedure for filling out a VAT return.

    Changes to the Tax Code for taxpayers using the simplified taxation system came into force in 2025. In particular, the revenue limit for simplified taxation system payers expanded from 265.8 million to 450 million rubles, and the threshold for the residual value of fixed assets expanded from 150 million to 200 million rubles. Thus, more entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to use the simplified taxation system without resorting to business fragmentation.

    Entrepreneurs using the simplified tax system, whose revenue for the previous year exceeded 60 million rubles or exceeded 60 million rubles from January 1, 2025, are required to pay value-added tax. It is precisely to make it easier for them to adapt to the new rules that the Government has decided to temporarily suspend the application of penalties.

    The signed resolution comes into force from the moment of publication and applies to legal relations that arose from January 1, 2025.

    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 Europe: The EBA issues criteria to determine when Crypto Assets Service Providers have to appoint a central contact point to help fight financial crime

    Source: European Banking Authority

    The European Banking Authority (EBA) today published new draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) that define when crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) have to appoint a central contact point. A central contact point can be an important tool in the fight against financial crime.

    CASPs established in one EU Member State can provide services in another EU Member State. In some cases, where they have a local ‘establishment’, for example a crypto ATM, they must comply with local anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations as well as those that apply in the home Member State. In those situations, central contact points can help mitigate the money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks associated with the cross-border provision of crypto asset services and facilitate adequate AML/CFT supervision and oversight.

    The draft RTS set out:

    • The conditions under which CASPs should appoint a central contact point; and
    • The roles and responsibilities of that central contact point.

    In line with the EBA’s legal mandate, the draft RTS do not define the form a central contact point should take, or where in the EU it should be based.

    Legal basis, background

    Article 45(10) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 requires the EBA to develop RTS setting out the criteria for determining the circumstances in which the appointment of a central contact point is appropriate, and the functions of the central contact points.

    A first version of such draft regulatory standards was issued in 2017. This Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1108 was published in the Official Journal of the EU in 2018. The scope was limited to Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs).

    Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets applies from 30 December 2024. It amends Directive (EU) 2015/849, inter alia by extending its scope to crypto-asset service providers. Consequently, Article 45(9) of this Directive extends provisions that Member States may require EMIs and PSPs established on their territory in forms other than a branch, and whose head office is situated in another Member State, to appoint a CCP point in their territory to CASPs. This means that the EBA has to update the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1108.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Credit Agricole Nord de France – Resultats Financiers au 31 Mars 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

             Lille, le 25 avril 2025

    Résultats financiers au 31 Mars 2025
     du Crédit Agricole Mutuel Nord de France

      Mars 2025 Mars 2024 Variation

                                             

    Activité :      
    Encours de collecte globale 38 929 M€  37 777 M€ 3,05%
    Encours de crédit* 28 728 M€  28 703 M€ 0,09%
           
    Résultats sociaux* :      
    Produit Net Bancaire 136,7 M€  141,4 M€ -3,36%
    Résultat Brut d’Exploitation  32,5 M€ 42,9 M€ -24,15%
    Résultat Net  20,6 M€  22,9 M€ -9,88%
           
    Résultats consolidés IFRS :      
    Produit Net Bancaire 153,1 M€  149,4 M€ 2,46%
    Résultat Brut d’Exploitation  36,0 M€  38,0 M€ -5,27%
    Résultat Net Part du Groupe 17,2 M€  13,9 M€ 23,70%
                     
    Structure financière :      
    Bilan consolidé 38 558 M€  38 235 M€** 0,84%
    Ratio CET1 Bâle 3 28,80%*** 28,62% 0,18 pts
    Ratio de liquidité LCR 1 mois**** 123,14% 136,62%  -13,48 pts
    Ratio Crédit Collecte (yc Greenlease) 124,07% 125,60% -1,53 pts

    Le Conseil d’Administration a arrêté, lors de sa séance du 25 Avril 2025, les Comptes sociaux et consolidés du Crédit Agricole Nord de France au 31 Mars 2025.

    • Activité commerciale

    Depuis le 1er janvier, près de 17 800 clients ont rejoint la Caisse Régionale, portant le total de clients à plus d’1,15 million.

    Les réalisations de crédit progressent de 9,5 % par rapport à 2024, pour s’établir à 0,9 Mrd€ sur le 1er trimestre 2025. Les encours de crédit s’établissent ainsi à 28,7 Mrds€, en légère progression de 0,1% avec des réalisations de crédits habitat qui progressent de façon marquée de 50,2 % par rapport à 2024.

    L’encours d’épargne progresse de 3,1 % sur 12 mois, pour s’établir à 38,9 Mrds€. Cette épargne continue à être portée par la hausse des livrets A (+9,1%) et des dépôts à terme (+9,3%) qui s’élèvent désormais respectivement à 3,9 Mrds€ et à 4,3 Mrds€. Le coût global de la collecte se stabilise alors que le rendement des encours de crédit progresse, permettant un redressement de la marge d’intermédiation après deux années de dégradation liée à la forte hausse des taux de 2022 et 2023.

    L’activité Assurances se maintient à un niveau élevé, avec un nombre de contrats d’assurance de biens et de personnes qui progresse de 38 000 contrats, soit une hausse de 5,8% sur un an.

    • Résultat social

    Le Produit Net Bancaire de la Caisse Régionale, à 136,7 M€, est en baisse de -3,4%. Ce résultat est impacté par des opérations de restructuration de dettes et de gestion d’excédents de liquidité ayant pour objectif d’optimiser la structure financière de la Caisse régionale pour les prochaines années. Hormis ces effets exceptionnels, la marge d’intermédiation continue de se redresser et la dynamique de l’activité commerciale permet une progression de 8 % de nos commissions.

    Les charges générales d’exploitation affichent une hausse de 5,7%. Cette évolution est directement liée à la progression de nos activités et au développement des outils digitaux. La poursuite de l’optimisation de nos process doit permettre une compensation progressive de ces hausses durant l’année 2025.

    La Caisse Régionale affiche un coût du risque en baisse de 10,1 M€, à -8,1 M€. Après une année 2024 qui a vu une hausse sensible du risque sur le marché des entreprises et des professionnels, la banque reste vigilante sur le niveau de provisionnement de ses encours.

    Le résultat net social intègre une reprise du FRBG (Fonds pour Risques Bancaires Généraux) de 4 M€ comme en 2024.

    Il s’établit à 20,6 M€, stable sur un an hormis la comptabilisation d’une anticipation de la surtaxe d’impôt sur les sociétés à hauteur de 2,5 M€ à fin mars.

    • Résultat consolidé

    Le résultat net consolidé du Groupe Crédit Agricole Nord de France s’élève à 17,2 M€, en hausse de 23,7% sur un an, en lien principalement avec l’évolution du coût du risque de la Caisse Régionale et la neutralisation du FRBG.

    La contribution des Pôles métiers au résultat net consolidé s’établit comme suit : 

    • Pôle Bancassurance : 17,3 M€ contre 12,7 M€ au 31 Mars 2024,
    • Pôle Capital Investissement : – 0,8 M€ contre 1,0 M€ au 31 Mars 2024,
    • Pôle Foncière : 1,1 M€ contre 1,2 M€ au 31 Mars 2024,
    • Pôle Immobilier : – 0,4 M€ contre – 0,6 M€ au 31 Mars 2024,
    • Pôle Innovation : 0 M€ contre – 0,4 M€ au 31 Mars 2024.
    • CCI Nord de France

    Le Certificat coopératif d’investissement a clôturé à 17,25 € au 31 mars 2025, en hausse de 42,5% depuis le 31 mars 2024.

    Perspectives

    Le début d’année 2025 est marqué par une montée des incertitudes économiques et géopolitiques impactant l’évolution des taux. Cette situation pourrait affecter le coût de la collecte et le rendement de nos crédits mais les fondamentaux de la marge d’intermédiation restent aujourd’hui bien orientés. Malgré cet environnement incertain, la région affiche une reprise économique sur la fin du trimestre : le Crédit Agricole Nord de France accompagne ce développement tout en restant vigilant sur la maitrise de son niveau de risque. L’ambition de trajectoire de résultat de la Caisse Régionale est maintenue.

    * Encours intégrant les titrisations de crédits habitat. Résultats financiers Comptes sociaux hors véhicules de titrisation.
    ** Bilan d’ouverture au 31 décembre 2024
    ***Ratio CET1 au 31 Décembre 2024

    *** *Ratio Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) : moyennes sur 12 mois glissants des ratios LCR fin de mois       

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Planning Strategy: What does the feedback mean for the future 25 April 2025 Island Planning Strategy: What does the inspectors’ feedback mean for the future?

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    This week planning inspectors shared their initial views to the Island Planning Strategy (IPS) following a series of public hearings.

    The inspectors’ letter provides their preliminary assessment of the IPS. It points out areas where the plan meets legal requirements and areas that need changes.

    Their feedback is very important because it will affect how the Isle of Wight develops and what planning policies will be in place. The council’s next steps will be crucial in shaping the future of the Island.

    So, what exactly are the inspectors saying?

    To make things clearer, Ollie Boulter, strategic manager for planning and infrastructure, and James Brewer, planning policy manager, explain in more detail through a question and answer session below.

    They aim to break down the complex language and planning terms so everyone can understand what the feedback means for the Island and what the council might do next.

    What have the inspectors said?

    The inspectors said that they think the council has complied with the legal and procedural requirements for a new plan, so they were able to then think about the content of the plan.

    While they think a lot of the plan is ok, or can be made ok with some small changes, there are some bigger things that need to be fixed to enable them to agree with the plan.

    They have given the council two options:

    • Withdraw the plan and start again. Or,
    • Amend the plan in the way the Inspectors have suggested

    Both of these options would have big implications for the Island, so will need to be fully understood and carefully considered by Full Council.

    Where can I find out more information and read the planning inspectors’ letter?

    Withdrawing

    What does withdraw mean?

    Withdrawing the plan would mean the council stops the process and goes back to the start on preparing a new plan.

    This would be done under the government’s new planning rules, which are expected to be quicker and cheaper so it would be very different to the way that this plan has been prepared. It would also have to start to plan for a much higher number of new homes across the Island.

    Amending

    What does amending mean?

    This is what the inspectors have referred to as the “interim approach” in their letter.

    It would mean the council making the changes the inspectors have suggested, and then those changes would be publicly consulted on. Following that there may be further examination hearing sessions where the inspectors would consider the council’s proposed changes, updated evidence base and the consultation responses.

    What are the bigger amendments the inspectors have suggested?

    The inspectors have said that the council will need to increase the number of new homes it should plan for from 453 every year to 703 if they want to adopt the new plan.

    They also want to see changes to a document called the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal, to make it clearer how different policy approaches have been explored and considered.

    The removal of a policy that looked to bring in net zero requirements for new development in advance of a national requirement to do it.

    That the council updates its work on viability, to help the inspectors understand that all the policy requirements of the plan can be met and that they aren’t restricting development by asking for too much.

    Going from 453 new homes per year to 703 sounds like a big increase in the housing number?

    It does, but when you break it down it isn’t as big as it might appear.

    What the inspectors are suggesting is that the council should focus on the first five years of a new plan, and to achieve what’s known as a five year land supply.

    Because of the decisions made by the council’s Planning Committee and officers, the gap that would need to be made up in the first five years would be 394 new homes.

    This doesn’t mean 394 more new homes every year on top of the 453 number. This is a ‘one off’ amount that would then be spread over the five years.

    The council’s existing evidence and the Housing Register indicates there is significant unmet need and demand from people and families who are already living on the Island.

    Have the inspectors suggested more changes?

    Yes, several other changes have been suggested but these aren’t considered to be as important as the bigger changes.

    Is this the inspectors’ final decision?

    No. This is their post hearings letter setting out their initial reaction following the examination hearing sessions. The inspectors won’t make a final decision until the council has decided what it wants to do.

    What happens next?

    The council will be holding an extraordinary Full Council meeting to discuss the options and decide how it wants to move forward.

    Whichever option the council chooses it will then write to the inspectors to let them know.

    Is there a timeline for all of this?

    Yes. The inspectors have asked that the council confirms which approach it would like to take to them by early June of this year. This is why an extraordinary Full Council meeting is necessary.

    Should the council decide to progress with amending the plan, the extra work and consultation will need to happen within a fixed time period, which is likely to be around six months.

    What does this mean for planning applications?

    People can still submit planning applications and the council will still make decisions on those applications, but those decisions will be based on an old plan and current national planning policies.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Plan ahead’ message as city gears up for 2025’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

    Source: City of Leeds

    Thousands of runners are set to take part in the third Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in partnership with Clarion, which is being held on Sunday, May 11.

    Organised by the not-for-profit sporting events company Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All with support from Leeds City Council, the marathon will raise funds for a whole host of good causes while giving people an opportunity to celebrate the life and achievements of the late rugby league legend Rob Burrow.

    Large crowds are expected to line the 26.2-mile route to cheer on the runners as they make their way through some of the city’s most scenic communities and picturesque areas of countryside.

    As is standard practice for an event on this scale, a wide-ranging programme of temporary road closures and other traffic measures will be in place to help ensure the day goes safely and smoothly.

    E-mails and letters giving details of the restrictions have already been sent directly to people living or working along the route.

    And, with the event just over a fortnight away, the wider Leeds public are now being asked to take the time to familiarise themselves with how the traffic and travel plans could affect any journeys they might be looking to make on the day.

    The marathon will start and end at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, with runners following a circular route that initially winds around Woodhouse Moor before striking out for Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. The Leeds Half Marathon, which is also on May 11, will use much of the same route. The two events have together attracted more than 12,000 entrants.

    Part of St Michael’s Lane in Headingley will close to vehicles from 4am on the 11th before sections of Cardigan Road and Kirkstall Lane/North Lane follow suit at 6am. Closures of selected roads will kick in between 6am and 8am in other parts of Headingley and Far Headingley.

    Further closures will then come into force from 8.30am in the Adel, Lawnswood and Bramhope areas, and from 9am around Pool in Wharfedale and Otley.

    The marathon will get under way at 9am, with competitors in the half marathon setting off from Headingley at 10am.

    Affected roads along the route will be reopened on a rolling basis through the day as soon as it is safe to do so.

    Further road closure information – including a list of vehicle crossing points and leaflets giving access details for individual areas – can be found here.

    People travelling to Headingley – either to take part or support the runners – are being encouraged to use park and ride services that will be operating from Elland Road and Stourton. Shuttle buses will also be operating between the city centre and Headingley. There will be no dedicated event parking in Headingley itself.

    Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

    “The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is a wonderful occasion that has to date raised more than £9m for charity while shining a really positive light on our city.

    “We have been working hard alongside our partners at Run For All to ensure that this year’s event is another huge success, with traffic planning forming an important element of those preparations.

    “We’re encouraging everyone to find the time between now and May 11 to see how they might be affected by the temporary road closures that are needed for the safe and smooth delivery of the marathon.

    “We will be doing everything we can to minimise the impact of these measures, and thank residents in advance for their patience and understanding.

    “Having taken part in the first two marathons, I’m looking forward to running again next month and enjoying the fantastic sense of camaraderie and excitement that the event brings.”

    The marathon’s partner charities and good causes are the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, 4Ed, Alzheimer’s Society, Candlelighters, Happy Days Children’s Charity, Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Leeds North & West Foodbank, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Stand Against MND and St Gemma’s Hospice.

    After being diagnosed with MND in 2019, Leeds Rhinos great Rob worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition and deliver improved care for those affected by it.

    This year’s marathon will be the first since his death and as a result the atmosphere out on the course is expected to be even more emotional than usual.

    The day will feature a new addition for 2025 in the shape of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon Relay, which will see teams of seven tackling different legs of the full route.

    And, in another first, Run For All have teamed up with Leeds Beckett University to organise the inaugural MND Mile. Taking place at Leeds Beckett’s Headingley campus on Saturday, May 10, the event’s mile-long course has been designed to cater for participants of all ages and abilities.

    Tristan Batley-Kyle, operations director at Run For All, said:

    “Here at Run For All, we’re once again honoured to be organising the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in partnership with Clarion, which not only showcases the strength and spirit of the running community but also raises crucial awareness and funds in the fight against MND.

    “The addition of the MND Mile and Relay provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone to be part of such an inspirational weekend and we encourage as many as possible to come along and get involved.

    “As with other events of this scale, significant road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of all involved and we’re working in partnership with Leeds City Council, emergency services and multi-agency planning groups to make sure the event is operated safely and securely.

    “We would like to thank all residents in advance for their understanding and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. Please be assured that all closures will be lifted as soon as possible.”

    Note to editors:

    Run For All is a not-for-profit company that forms part of the lasting legacy of the late amateur athlete and fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE. Jane, from Leeds, made headlines around the world by taking part in a series of incredible endurance events despite being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s ‘Garden of American Heroes’ is a monument to celebrity and achievement – paid for with humanities funding that benefits everyday Americans

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jennifer Tucker, Professor of History, Wesleyan University

    Donald Trump speaks in front of a wax statue of John Wayne at the John Wayne Museum in Winterset, Iowa, during the 2016 GOP primaries. Al Drago/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images

    Donald Trump first came up with his plan for a “National Garden of American Heroes” at the end of his first term, before President Joe Biden quietly tabled it upon replacing Trump in the White House.

    Now, with Trump back in the Oval Office – and with the country’s 250th anniversary fast approaching – the project is back. The National Endowment for the Humanities is seeking to commission 250 statues of famous Americans from a predetermined list, to be displayed at a location yet to be determined.

    It isn’t clear who compiled the list of 250 to be honored. It includes names that are largely recognizable and whose accomplishments are well-known: politicians like Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy; jurists Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia; activists such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harriet Tubman; celebrities such as John Wayne and Julia Child; and sports stars like Kobe Bryant and Babe Ruth.

    Donald Trump announces some famous Black Americans he plans to include in his ‘National Garden of American Heroes’ during a Black History Month event on Feb. 20, 2025, at the White House.

    The statue garden coincides with an executive order from March 2025 in which the Trump administration denounced what it saw as historical revisionism that had recast the country’s “unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness.” Instead, it had constructed a story of the nation that portrayed it “as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed,” which “fosters a sense of national shame.”

    “We don’t need to overemphasize the negative,” explained Lindsey Halligan, a 35-year-old insurance lawyer who is named in the order as one of the people tasked with reforming museums that receive government funds.

    Trump often casts himself as a man of the people. But as historians, we don’t see a garden of heroes as a populist effort. To us, it represents a top-down approach to U.S. history, akin to the hagiography that Americans already regularly get from movies, television and professional sports.

    And it comes at a cost: It’s going to be paid for with funds that had been previously allotted to tell stories about people and places that may be less familiar than the proposed figures for Trump’s garden. But they’re nonetheless meaningful to countless communities across the nation.

    Only the movers and shakers matter

    Trump’s fixation on America’s luminaries is adjacent to the “great man” theory of history.

    In 1840, Scottish philosopher and historian Thomas Carlyle published “On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History,” in which he argued that “The History of the world is but the Biography of great men.”

    American biologist and eugenicist Frederick Adams Woods embraced the great man theory in his 1913 work, “The Influence of Monarchs: Steps in a New Science of History.” In it, he investigated 386 rulers in Western Europe from the 12th century until the French Revolution. He proposed a scientific measurement to quantify the relative impact these rulers had on the course of civilization.

    Then and now, many other historians and sociologists have pushed back, arguing that the “Great Man” view of history oversimplifies the past by attributing major historical events to the actions of a few influential individuals, while ignoring broader social, economic and cultural forces.

    Nonetheless, it continues to have broad appeal. It’s very popular among corporate leaders, for example, many of whom like to portray themselves as visionaries, with their business successes proof of their genius.

    Trump’s garden of heroes reflects his penchant for celebrating wealth, champions and successes, akin to what Walt Disney tried to capture with his Disney World ride Carousel of Progress, which highlights American technological advances.

    A national redundancy?

    However, the U.S. already has a national statuary hall, which opened in the U.S. Capitol in 1870. Each state has contributed two statues; for example, Massachusetts honors Samuel Adams and John Winthrop, while Ohio celebrates James Garfield and Thomas Edison.

    Today there are 102 statutes, though just 14 women.

    Importantly, the roster is fluid – not set in stone – and reflects debates over whom the nation ought to celebrate.

    Over time, the representation has become slightly more inclusive. The first woman, Illinois educator Frances Willard, was added in 1905. Only in 2022 did a Black American appear, when educator Mary Bethune replaced a Confederate general from Florida. And in 2024, Johnny Cash replaced James Paul Clarke, a former governor and senator from Arkansas with Confederate sympathies.

    Family members and elected officials attend the unveiling of the statue of Johnny Cash at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 24, 2024.
    Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

    What about everyday Americans?

    We don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating and honoring popular figures in American history. But we do think there’s an issue when it comes at the expense of other historical and archival projects.

    The New York Times reported that US$34 million for the project would come from funds formerly allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities, whose budget has been cut by 85%.

    Many of the grants that have been slashed explore, celebrate and preserve history in ways that stand in stark contrast to a statue garden. They involve, as Gal Beckerman writes in the Atlantic, efforts that “are about asking questions, about uncovering hidden or overlooked experiences, about closely examining texts or adding to the public record.”

    They include one that supports the digitization of local newspapers and archival records; another to collect and preserve oral histories of local communities; a grant that funds the production of documentaries and podcasts about local communities; traveling exhibitions that bring items from the Smithsonian’s collection to small towns and rural areas; and a grant to fund the collection of first-person accounts of Native Americans who attended U.S. government-run boarding schools.

    These and countless similar history projects serve millions of people far from Washington, and they have broad support from lawmakers and citizens of all political stripes.

    In 1938, as forces of fascism gathered in Europe, a Connecticut high school social science teacher said, “The greatest need of America, on the threshold of the greatest epoch of its history, is citizens who understand the past out of which the nation has grown. … Let us look into the souls of the leaders and the common people who have made America great.”

    In his 2016 campaign, Trump promised to work on behalf of everyday Americans – the “forgotten man and woman.” But the proposed statue garden of famous figures cuts out the common people from America’s story – not just as subjects of history, but as its stewards for future generations.

    With funds slashed from organizations dedicated to local history, we wonder how many more stories will go untold.

    Jennifer Tucker has received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities for research that examines the social and cultural role of modern technology, such as facial recognition, through a historical lens.

    Peter Rutland does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump’s ‘Garden of American Heroes’ is a monument to celebrity and achievement – paid for with humanities funding that benefits everyday Americans – https://theconversation.com/trumps-garden-of-american-heroes-is-a-monument-to-celebrity-and-achievement-paid-for-with-humanities-funding-that-benefits-everyday-americans-254564

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

    I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and ASG Msuya for their briefing.

    Let me also welcome Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani to the Council.

    On the day the new Syrian flag was raised here at the UN, your presence is a powerful reminder of the opportunity that lies ahead for Syria to carve out a more secure, peaceful and prosperous future. 

    The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment.

    President, I will make three points today.

    First, we have already seen welcome progress in Syria’s political transition. 

    This includes the formation of a new Government, creation of a Constitutional Committee and work to address immediate security threats, including from chemical weapons.

    We have seen important steps towards reconciliation amongst Syria’s diverse communities, including the recent agreement signed with the Syrian Democratic Forces. 

    It is important that this outreach and consultation continues to help build a stable and unified country working in the interests of all Syrians.

    And after years of war and brutality under the Assad regime, issues of transitional justice and accountability must be prioritised. 

    This includes steps to find missing persons, and provide much-needed peace of mind to the families that have paid the ultimate price.

    Second, economic recovery will be a crucial part of efforts to build a more prosperous Syria. 

    This week’s meetings of the International Financial Institutions, with the participation of the Syrian Government are an important step in boosting international community support to drive investment and economic growth.

    And this week, the UK has lifted sanctions on sectors including trade, energy production and finance. 

    We hope these steps will help remove barriers to investment in Syria’s economy, especially in the energy and electricity generation sector, which is essential for Syria’s reconstruction.

    Finally, we reiterate that respect for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for both Syrian security and that of its neighbours. 

    We are concerned by Israeli actions which risk restabilising the region.

    We call on all actors to uphold the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

    President, Syrians have already suffered greatly from years of conflict and misrule.  

    As we heard from the briefers, they face considerable political, economic and humanitarian challenges as they emerge from this dark chapter in their history.

    They deserve a better and more secure future. 

    The UK will continue to support the Syrian government and its people in their efforts to achieve this.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –