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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Innovation, AI, super computers, space technology, defence are key areas for joint partnerships between India-Italy: H.E. Antonio Tajani, Deputy PM, Italy

    Source: Government of India

    Innovation, AI, super computers, space technology, defence are key areas for joint partnerships between India-Italy: H.E. Antonio Tajani, Deputy PM, Italy

    Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum is an opportunity to collectively resolve to implement the Joint Strategic Action plan 2025-29: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 4:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Italy, H.E. Antonio Tajani today while addressing the ‘Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum’ said that this forum is part of the strategic partnership plan signed by both the governments. “India is an important country for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Stability is crucial to strengthen the trade,” he emphasized.

    Addressing the forum, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that India is an economy with enormous potential, and we want to strengthen this cooperation. “Italy and India are natural economic partners. Together we want to strengthen our cooperation for a partnership that looks at the future through higher education, innovation and research. Today, Italy and India are closer than ever. Our bilateral trade is over $ 14 billion, and we want to invest more in India, export more to India, and attract more Indian investments in Italy,” he added.

    Innovation, AI, super computers, space technology, defence are a few sectors which have potential for joint partnerships and both countries should work to attract investments in these areas, he highlighted.

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal said there is further scope for expansion in the bilateral trade between India and Italy if we work seamless with each other, encourage investments, promote businesses without roadblocks.

    Shri Goyal further stated that Indian economy is slated to grow from $4 trillion to $30-35 trillion by 2047, our goal of Viksit Bharat makes India a compelled case to deepen the engagement between the European Union and India, particularly Italy and India. There are untapped newer areas like fashion, luxury goods, food processing, pharmaceuticals, tourism, green technology, advanced manufacturing, automobiles,” he emphasized.

    Shri Goyal added that amidst all the global challenges that the world is experiencing, it is very reassuring to see the strength and depth of the Italy-India friendship. “This forum is a very timely platform and a good opportunity for all of us to collectively resolve to implement the Joint Strategic Action plan 2025-29 launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in November of 2024. It is a very forward-looking, ambitious and pragmatic roadmap with a strong focus on trade, investment, innovation,” he added.

    Union Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar said that the direction of India’s progress and capabilities of Italian industry make for a good combination. “Make In India, today offers a platform or pathway for that collaboration to unfold,” he added.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Nihi Sharma/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2120965) Visitor Counter : 49

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal meets with H.E Mr Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Italy to India

    Source: Government of India

    Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal meets with H.E Mr Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Italy to India

    Strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties discussed

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 5:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal met with H.E. Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy here today to discuss strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. The meeting reinforced the longstanding relationship between India and Italy, built on shared values of democracy and fair play. The two leaders discussed ways to expand economic cooperation, and explored new avenues to advance this partnership.

    This high-level engagement marks a significant step to advance the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, agreed at the level of the two Prime Ministers in November 2024, with purposeful momentum, promoting smoother trade flows, nurturing investment opportunities, and achieving tangible outcomes, to pave the way for a prosperous, mutually beneficial partnership that benefits both our nations. It may be noted that India-Italy trade is estimated at about US$ 15 billion in 2023-2024 while Foreign Direct Investments from Italy into India are estimated at about US$ 4 billion since the year 2000.

    During discussions, both leaders acknowledged the relevance of India’s dynamic and fast-growing economy while emphasizing the significance of diversifying trade relations and deepening economic ties to achieve growth and prosperity.

    The leaders also discussed the progress of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and emphasized the importance of prioritizing trade issues to streamline negotiations and deliver a commercially meaningful package to build resilient value chains to provide stability to business against emerging risks.

    Sectors like pharma, textiles, industry 4.0 & technological collaboration, gems & jewellery, ship building, energy transition and agri-tech and food processing were highlighted as key areas of collaboration. Italy recognized the necessity of engaging with India as a strategic partner to diversify its trade relationships. The trade barriers faced by exporters and investors were also discussed, with both sides agreeing to resolve such issues through continuous dialogue. Both Ministers earlier attended the plenary session of the India-Italy Business, Science and Technology Forum and also interacted with Indian and Italian business leaders.

    It was agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation would be held in Italy at a mutually convenient time, accompanied by a high-level business delegation to advance bilateral trade, enhance market access, and promote investments.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma/Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2120975) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Implements Critical National Security Program to Protect Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries

    Source: United States Attorneys General 11

    Department Answers Frequently Asked Questions, Provides Guidance, and Issues Limited Enforcement Policy for First 90 Days

    Today, the Justice Department took significant steps to move forward with implementing a critical program to prevent China, Russia, Iran, and other foreign adversaries from using commercial activities to access and exploit U.S. government-related data and Americans’ sensitive personal data to commit espionage and economic espionage, conduct surveillance and counterintelligence activities, develop AI and military capabilities, and otherwise undermine our national security.

    The Data Security Program implemented by the National Security Division (NSD) under Executive Order 14117 addresses this “unusual and extraordinary threat…to the national security and foreign policy of the United States” that has been repeatedly recognized across political parties and by all three branches of government.

    The Justice Department’s continued prioritization of the Data Security Program delivers on promises made by President Trump in his America First Investment Policy and NSPM-2 on Imposing Maximum Pressure on Iran, addresses threats identified in the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community and President Trump’s 2017 National Security Strategy, and responds to the national emergency President Trump declared in Executive Order 13873.

    “If you’re a foreign adversary, why would you go through the trouble of complicated cyber intrusions and theft to get Americans’ data when you can just buy it on the open market or force a company under your jurisdiction to give you access?” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Data Security Program makes getting that data a lot harder.”

    To address this urgent threat, the Data Security Program establishes what are effectively export controls that prevent foreign adversaries, and those subject to their control, jurisdiction, ownership, and direction, from accessing U.S. government-related data and bulk genomic, geolocation, biometric, health, financial, and other sensitive personal data. To assist the public in coming into compliance with the Data Security Program, NSD has issued a Compliance Guide, an initial list of over 100 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and an Implementation and Enforcement Policy for the first 90 days. NSD will be taking additional steps over the coming weeks and months to implement the Data Security Program, including publishing an initial Covered Persons List that identifies and designates persons subject to the control and direction of foreign adversaries. The Data Security Program went into effect on April 8, 2025.

    Newly Issued Guidance and FAQs

    The Data Security Program Compliance Guide identifies and describes best practices for complying with the Data Security Program, thereby mitigating the unacceptable national security risk of enabling countries of concern to access and exploit Americans’ sensitive personal data. The document provides guidance on key definitions, prohibited and restricted transactions, and the requirements for building a robust data compliance program. The Compliance Guide also provides model contractual language and suggests best practices for complying with the Data Security Program’s audit and recordkeeping requirements. It is crucial that U.S. persons familiarize themselves and become prepared to comply with the Data Security Program’s prohibitions and restrictions once they became effective on April 8, 2025.

    The Data Security Program FAQs address high-level clarifications about Executive Order 14117 and provides valuable information about the Data Security Program, its scope, and accompanying processes for requesting licenses and advisory opinions, making disclosures of Data Security Program violations, and reporting rejected prohibited transactions. The FAQs reflect some of the comprehensive feedback and common issues the Department received and addressed through the rulemaking process, both as public comments in response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, as well as questions delivered during dozens of engagements with individuals, businesses, trade groups, and other stakeholders that were potentially interested in or impacted by the Data Security Program. NSD will update these FAQs as necessary and appropriate to address additional questions raised by the public.

    NSD’s primary mission with respect to the implementation and enforcement of the Data Security Program is to protect U.S. national security from countries of concern that may seek to collect and weaponize Americans’ most sensitive personal data and government-related data. U.S. persons should “know their data” and the front-line role they play in mitigating these risks. As further explained in the Compliance Guide, individuals and entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction, as well as foreign individuals and entities conducting business in or with the United States or with U.S. persons, must comply with the Data Security Program.

    The Compliance Guide and FAQs are explanatory and intended to provide general guidance to regulated parties about compliance with the Data Security Program. Nothing in these documents supplements, modifies, or supersedes the requirements set forth in the Data Security Program. NSD intends to update the FAQs on an ongoing basis as NSD identifies additional questions and responses that should be made public to aid the regulated community in compliance.

    Newly Issued Enforcement Policy for the First 90 Days

    The Data Security Program went into effect on April 8, 2025. Starting April 8, 2025, entities and individuals were required to comply with the Data Security Program’s prohibitions and restrictions on engaging in covered data transactions. To provide additional time for entities and individuals to come into compliance, the Data Security Program delays certain affirmative due-diligence obligations, which do not go into effect until Oct. 6, 2025.

    NSD recognizes that individuals and companies may need to take a number of steps to determine whether the Data Security Program’s prohibitions and restrictions apply to their activities, and to implement changes to their existing policies or to implement new policies and processes to comply.

    To allow the private sector to focus its resources and efforts on promptly coming into compliance and to allow NSD to prioritize its resources on facilitating compliance, NSD will target its enforcement efforts during the first 90 days to allow U.S. persons (e.g., individuals and companies) additional time to implement the changes required by the Data Security Program, provide additional opportunities for the public to engage with NSD, and to minimize potential disruptions for businesses. As explained in NSD’s Data Security Program Implementation and Enforcement Policy Through July 8, 2025, NSD will not prioritize civil enforcement actions against any person for violations of the Data Security Program that occur from April 8 through July 8, 2025, so long as the person is engaging in good faith efforts to comply with or come into compliance with the Data Security Program during that time. These efforts include engaging in compliance activities described in that policy, such as amending or renegotiating existing contracts, conducting internal reviews of data flows, deploying the CISA security requirements, and so on.

    At the end of this 90-day period, individuals, and entities should be in full compliance with the DSP. This policy does not limit NSD’s lawful authority and discretion to pursue civil enforcement if entities and individuals did not engage in good faith efforts to comply with, or come into compliance with, the Data Security Program.

    During this 90-day period, NSD encourages the public to contact NSD at nsd.firs.datasecurity@usdoj.gov with informal inquires or information about the DSP and the guidance NSD has released. Although NSD may not be able to respond to every inquiry, NSD will use its best efforts to respond consistent with available resources, and any inquiries or information submitted may be used to develop and refine future guidance. Correspondingly, NSD discourages the submission of any formal requests for specific licenses or advisory opinions during this 90-day period. Although requests for specific licenses or advisory opinions during this 90-day period can be submitted, NSD will not review or adjudicate those submissions during the 90-day period (absent an emergency or imminent threat to public safety or national security).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The closure of radio teleswitching explained

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Issued by Home Energy Scotland

    The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) is due to end on Monday 30 June 2025.

    If your electricity meter uses RTS, it must be replaced. If the meter isn’t replaced, your heating could end up always on, never on, or turning on and off at unsuitable times for you. Luckily, we have a guide on the next steps to take. 

    What is RTS? 

    RTS is a system that uses radio signals to control when certain electricity meters switch between peak and off-peak rates. It’s commonly used in homes with electric storage heaters, panel heaters, wet electric heating, and immersion heaters. 

    What do you need to do? 

    If you have a RTS meter, your energy supplier should contact you to arrange a smart meter upgrade before the RTS switch-off. If you haven’t heard from them, it’s important that you get in touch as soon as possible to book an appointment. 

    What happens if your meter isn’t replaced? 

    Without an upgrade, your heating and hot water may not work properly, and your electricity costs could increase. For more details — including how to check if you have an RTS meter and what to do if your supplier can’t install a smart meter yet — check out our comprehensive guide below.

    Read the guidance

    11 Apr 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why it matters for European security if an American no longer commands Nato troops – by a former Trident submarine commander

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Corbett, Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies, King’s College London

    Gen Christopher Cavoli is due to come to the end of his term as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Saceur) this summer. Since 1951, this post has been filled by American four-star officers, admirals or generals.

    But Cavoli might be the last American in the role, at least for a while. The Trump administration is considering relinquishing this important post as part of a cost-saving US Armed Forces command restructuring exercise and, potentially, as a step back from its leading role in European security since the 1950s. In parallel, the UK and German defence ministers have taken over chairing this week’s Ukraine Defence Contact Group, a gathering of defence ministers from 30 countries, which has previously been chaired by the US defense secretary.

    Cavoli said, during a hearing in the Senate this month, that it would be problematic if the US steps back from its leadership role in Nato. Previous heads of the Nato command have agreed. They’re not wrong. Removing the American Saceur position is not an internal matter like replacing senior officers serving in US posts who do not fit a particular political profile. It would have profound effects on Nato’s military capability and immediately significant and tangible repercussions for alliance deterrence strategy.

    An enemy’s perception of the military capability of Nato forces is a fundamental element of its deterrence strategy. Replacing a US Supreme Commander with a European would inject significant uncertainty into perceptions of US commitment to Nato and could critically undermine that perception of coherent military strength. It would be made to work, but Nato’s deterrence posture would be less convincing, and this is especially important given European concerns about Russian aggression in the region.

    It is not clear yet how the Trump administration’s view of Nato will evolve. Public statements advocating support for Nato contradict private views expressed by his cabinet in the notorious Signal-gate chat. Previous US president, Joe Biden, viewed allies as an unrivalled strength. Trump seems to care little about the impact of his decisions on his allies. Deleting the US Saceur post would emphasise that interpretation and weaken Nato deterrence at a critical moment in its relations with Russia.

    What’s the history?

    Trump is not the first US president to make a foreign policy shift away from Europe. President Barack Obama announced a pivot to Asia in November 2011. This focus on China as a “pacing threat” offering major challenges to the US has persisted.

    It manifests itself under Trump as a transactional demand on European allies to contribute more to Nato so the US can release resources to focus on the Pacific, potentially redeploying personnel and capabilities there. Trump has never concealed his disdain for Nato, often wondering what its benefit for the US was. Much of this rhetoric may be for his domestic audience, but it negatively affects international perceptions of Nato’s power.

    The idea of a European Saceur has also been proposed before, including by former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger in 1984. That proposal was made at a low point of the cold war and Kissinger’s rationale was political. European military leadership would force European political leaders to acknowledge their responsibilities for Nato nuclear policy.

    Cavoli questioned by US senators.

    Political control of military force is, of course, important for any democratic state. Saceur reports to the North Atlantic Council (the NAC, Nato’s highest body) which comprises ambassadors from every member country. Its chair, the secretary-general, is always a European (or Canadian), and the deputy secretary-general is always an American.

    The highest level of military command authority, the ability to organise and employ commands and forces to accomplish assigned missions, is known in the US as Combatant Command (COCOM). Most Nato states retain the COCOM equivalent but delegate the next lower level of command; Operational Command (OPCOM) to Nato commanders.

    Issues at stake

    US domestic law requires COCOM to be exercised over US forces – but only by US officers. This authority cannot be delegated. An American Supreme Commander Europe exercises operational command over all forces assigned to Nato, but a European leader in the same role could exercise only a much more restrictive level of authority over assigned US forces. There is dispensation for an exception to this to meet an attack on Nato, but not for training exercises. Unity of command is challenging enough in multi-national operations, even after 75 years of training, so this is a major obstacle.

    Another issue is that the authority to release all US nuclear weapons is retained by the US president. Accordingly, every key post in the Nato nuclear operations chain is held by a US official. A Nato request for a nuclear strike is made to the US president through Saceur. It is not clear how this would work if Saceur were no longer American. This is one of the major potential obstacles ahead of any decision to move the command to a European.

    And here’s another. In a crisis, Nato would plan to deploy 30 army divisions (of 15,000 personnel each), 30 squadrons of fighter aircraft and 30 combat warships from across the alliance within 30 days. Any Supreme Commander Europe would have to command international forces numbering hundreds of thousands of personnel. There are very few (if any) European officers who could credibly claim to be suitably experienced to replace Cavoli. No British officer has commanded even one deployed division since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

    But by the summer if Cavoli is replaced by a European, Nato needs to have most of these thorny issues resolved, or at least come up with plans on how to do so, or create significant risks for European security. For now, this is not looking simple at all.

    Andrew Corbett 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. Why it matters for European security if an American no longer commands Nato troops – by a former Trident submarine commander – https://theconversation.com/why-it-matters-for-european-security-if-an-american-no-longer-commands-nato-troops-by-a-former-trident-submarine-commander-254122

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Towards new technologies: GUU at the Russian Venture Forum

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Representatives of the State University of Management took part in the largest event of the venture industry of our country – the XIX Russian Venture Forum, which was held from April 9 to 11 in Kazan.

    Our university was represented at the forum by the Director of the Business Incubator Dmitry Rogov and students of the State University of Management, residents of the Academy of Innovators: the founder of the HolterTech startup (a wireless Holter for monitoring heart function) Mikhail Zorin and the CEO of the MedTech startups m.GEN (a digital service for health monitoring based on genetic testing) and AXON (innovative gloves for electrocurrent therapy for the rehabilitation of people with brain injuries) Varvara Karamysheva. It is worth noting that in 2025 Mikhail Zorin will defend his final qualification work in the “Startup as a Diploma” format, which will be a very important step for the development of technological entrepreneurship at the State University of Management.

    The “zero” day of the Russian Venture Forum was held at the A.S. Popov Technopark of the Innopolis SEZ. Representatives of the State University of Management were able not only to get acquainted with the infrastructure of the first IT city of Russia, but also to communicate with experts, exchange useful contacts, create a foundation for scientific collaborations and receive feedback on startup projects. In particular, the investment attractiveness of our students’ innovative solutions was highly appreciated by Veniamin Kizeev, a member of the board of directors of the WINbd Management Academy, and business angel Martin Kohlhauser, who gave the students valuable advice on developing and scaling their startups into a real working business. The panel discussions of the “zero” day of the forum were devoted to the role of regional clusters and economic zones in shaping the flow of venture deals, as well as the implementation of technological projects – from scientific research to industry.

    The main part of the business program at the Kazan Expo IEC was opened by the plenary session “Technological Entrepreneurship – a Space of Higher Competencies” with the participation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Valery Falkov and the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. Invited experts and government officials discussed the transformation of the venture market, growth paths for university projects and new national priorities in technological development. During his speech, the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov noted that the country has created a full-fledged infrastructure to support technology startups, which gives young entrepreneurs the opportunity to move forward and become small technology companies.

    Today, the ecosystem of projects of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia includes 142 universities, 50 advanced engineering schools, 38 technology transfer centers and more than 900 youth laboratories. The Minister paid special attention to the federal project “Technologies”, in which our university is integrated. The State University of Management implements acceleration programs for NTI markets, conducts trainings in entrepreneurial competencies, our students participate in and become winners of the Foundation for Assistance to Innovations “Student Startup” competition.

    On the first day of the forum, more than 10 thematic sessions were held – from industrial transformation to investments in sustainable development. Representatives of the State University of Management visited a startup exhibition, a conference dedicated to technological leadership, startup battles Venture Games, where experienced entrepreneurs competed for the attention of authoritative investors and representatives of the business community, as well as educational lectures from venture market experts in the Tech Shorts format.

    The final day of the forum began with the session “Opportunity for growth: from “Student Startup” to IPO”, organized by the Platform of University Technological Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The discussion was attended by young entrepreneurs who have gone from an idea to their first revenue.

    Other thematic sessions attended by the representatives of the State University of Management were devoted to DeepTech startups, development of the intellectual property market and technology transfer. Our students also gave an interview for the FranchCamp entrepreneurial platform, telling about their projects and shared their impressions of the Russian Venture Forum, which this year brought together over 5 thousand participants from 25 countries of the world – startups, corporations, universities and everyone who is building the technological future right now.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 11.04.2025

    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 United Kingdom: Coalition of the Willing: Joint UK-France statement following 10 April meeting

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Coalition of the Willing: Joint UK-France statement following 10 April meeting

    A statement from Defence Secretary John Healey MP and Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on 10 April 2025.

    The UK Defence Secretary and the French Ministre des Armees convened counterparts from 30 countries and representatives from the EU Commission, EU Council and NATO, to reaffirm our commitment to work together to drive progress towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

    Ukraine’s security is inseparable from Euro-Atlantic security. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its strength, security, and sovereignty will deter Russia from further aggression in the future.

    Our work today is part of detailed military planning led by the UK and French Chiefs of Defence over the last month supported by hundreds of military planners from across Europe and beyond, and directly supports the ambitions laid out by Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron at recent international Summits.

    We are leading this work together, side by side to secure the best possible outcome for Ukraine. The UK and France are building this coalition on solid foundations, having spent almost 15 years developing the common tools and culture to enable such a force through our Combined Joint Expeditionary Force.

    Planning so far has looked across the full range of military capabilities from Europe and beyond. Discussions have centred on how participating nations can contribute their own capabilities to ensure Ukraine’s future security, whether by strengthening Ukrainian capacity or direct contributions. Our objectives are to reassure, support and protect Ukraine to ensure that any peace settlement secures against the risk of future Russian aggression.

    It is important to maintain discretion when commenting on the specific details of these discussions, until the conditions of the necessary ceasefire are clear. But we are making solid progress, as a Coalition, on building a multi-national effort to support Ukraine’s transition to peace time in a position of strength.

    We are showing that through this coalition, Europe together with other international partners are willing to step up and support the US and Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace.

    President Putin must prove he is serious about peace and sign up to a full and unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine has done. We are working very closely with Ukraine on developing these future plans, as well as NATO to ensure that our collective support to Ukraine strengthens the wider European-Atlantic security architecture.

    This Coalition will continue to meet regularly to drive progress and generate firm commitments in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The largest flood in Earth’s history burst through Gibraltar and Sicily and refilled the entire Mediterranean in just a few years

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel García-Castellanos, Earth scientist, Instituto de Geociencias de Barcelona (Geo3Bcn – CSIC)

    Refilled in just a few years – or months. Nasa / titoOnz / shutterstock

    A little over 5 million years ago, water from the Atlantic Ocean found a way through the present-day Strait of Gibraltar. According to this theory, oceanic water rushed faster than a speeding car down a kilometre-high slope towards the empty Mediterranean Sea, excavating a skyscraper-deep trough on its way.

    The Med was, at the time, a largely dry and salty basin, but so much water poured in that it filled up in just a couple of years – maybe even just a few months. At its peak, the flood discharged about 1,000 times the water of the modern-day Amazon river.

    At least, that’s the thesis one of us put forward in a 2009 study of an underwater canyon excavated along the Strait of Gibraltar, which he presumed to have been carved out by this massive flood. If correct, (and some scientists do dispute the theory), the so-called Zanclean megaflood would be the largest single flood recorded on Earth.

    But extraordinary claims like this require extraordinarily solid evidence. Our latest research investigates sedimentary rock from the Zanclean era that seems to record how the water surged through a gap between modern-day Sicily and mainland Africa to refill the eastern half of the Mediterranean.

    Sicily (the large island next to the ‘toe’ of Italy) still forms part of a divide between the Mediterranean’s darker basins, shaded in deeper blue.
    GEBCO / National Oceanographic Centre, UK, CC BY-NC-SA

    How scientists tracked down the megaflood

    Our finding is the latest twist in a story that began in the late 19th century. That’s when geologists studying salt-rich rock outcrops around the Mediterranean became increasingly aware that something unusual had happened between roughly 5 and 6 million years ago, well before the glaciations of recent ice ages: the sea had dried up. They named that age “Messinian” and the drying up eventually became known as the Messinian salinity crisis.

    In the 1970s, scientists for the first time drilled deep below the Mediterranean into sedimentary rocks from the Messinian age. They made three surprising discoveries. First, they found a massive layer of salt – kilometres thick – below much of the seafloor. This confirmed that a vast environmental change had happened about 6 million years ago, just when tectonic plates shifted and the sea became largely isolated from the Atlantic Ocean.

    Second, right above this salt layer, they found sediment with fossils from shallow, low-salt lakes. This suggested that the Mediterranean Sea dropped to more than a kilometre below today’s level, and as most of the water evaporated, salt was left behind. A series of lakes would have remained in the lowest parts of the basin, refreshed and kept relatively salt-free by streams. This interpretation was also supported by seismic surveys of the seabed which revealed rivers once cut through a dry landscape.

    And third, the rocky layers above the salt abruptly shifted back to more typical deep sea sediment. (We now know that less than 11% of Mediterranean marine species survived the crisis, showing just how big and lasting the impact was on life in the sea). The term Zanclean Flood was coined in the 1970s to refer to the end of the crisis, without scientists really knowing what it consisted of or the timescale taken to refill the dry Mediterranean basin.

    Events proposed to have occurred in the Mediterranean between 6 and 5.3 million years ago.

    A cataclysmic refill

    The next breakthrough came in 2009, when geophysical data for the planned Africa-Europe tunnel through Gibraltar suggested that a huge underwater trench between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea must have been created by a sudden and cataclysmic flood.

    Our latest research backs up this hypothesis. As part of a team led by Maltese seabed scientist Aaron Micallef, we explored the region where the flood water filling the western basin of the Mediterranean should have run into a ridge of higher land connecting modern-day Africa and Italy, known as the Sicily Sill. Was there any evidence, we wondered, of a second megaflood as the eastern Mediterranean filled up?

    Piecing together the puzzle

    Giovanni Barreca, one of our co-authors on the recent paper, grew up in southern Sicily. He long ago realised that the low hills near the coast are an extension of the Sicily Sill over which the megaflood must have progressed from west to east. The area, he thought, might contain clues.

    Our team visited this part of Sicily and noticed that the hills were indeed unusual. Their aligned and streamlined shapes separated by deeply eroded depressions are very similar to streamlined hills in Washington state in the US. Those Washington hills were carved out by a megaflood at the end of the last Ice Age when the vast Lake Missoula dammed up behind a glacier and emptied catastrophically.

    If those hills and depressions in Sicily were also shaped by a huge flood, then rock debris eroded from the base of the depressions should be found dumped on top of the hills, more than 5 million years later.

    Sure enough, we did find jumbled and contorted rock debris up to boulder size along the crest of the hills. They were the same types of rock found within the depressions as well as further inland.

    Remnants of a boulder dumped 5 million years ago on a hilltop near the town of Rosolini, Sicily.
    Paul Carling

    To double check our work, we developed a computer simulation (or “model”) of how flood waters might have crossed one part of the Sicily Sill. It showed that the flood flow would indeed mimic the direction of the streamlined hills.

    In fact, the model showed that the hills would have been carved out by water 40 metres or more deep, travelling at 115 kilometres per hour (71mph). In the one area we modelled, 13 million cubic metres of water per second would have flooded into the eastern Mediterranean basin (for reference: the Amazon today is about 200,000 cubic metres per second). Remarkably, this is still only a fraction of the water that first flowed through Gibraltar and then into the eastern Mediterranean basin near Sicily.

    Daniel García-Castellanos does research on public European and Spanish funding.

    Paul Carling 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. The largest flood in Earth’s history burst through Gibraltar and Sicily and refilled the entire Mediterranean in just a few years – https://theconversation.com/the-largest-flood-in-earths-history-burst-through-gibraltar-and-sicily-and-refilled-the-entire-mediterranean-in-just-a-few-years-249242

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Recall of Parliament – British Steel – 12 April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    The Speaker of the House of Commons has granted a request from the Government to recall the House at 11am on 12th April for the House to consider legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded.

    The House of Lords meets from 12 noon, watch live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mqLYiXnijI

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons? Follow the House of Commons on:

    X: https://x.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: The State of Play: Why President Trump’s Tariffs Are Necessary

    Source: The White House

    It’s cliché, yet true — the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and expecting a different result.

    The trade policies of the past several decades have failed this nation, its workers, and our communities.

    Twenty years ago, The New York Times Editorial Board responded to the January 2005 trade deficit of $58.3 billion by writing an editorial entitled “Dangerous deficits.” Deficits are certainly dangerous; former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said trade deficits were to blame for the Great Recession.

    The Times wrote in 2005: “At $58.3 billion, the U.S. trade deficit for January exceeded everyone’s worst expectations… The trade deficit is the single most important factor in measuring the extent to which the United States lives beyond its means.”

    Since then, our trade deficit has more than DOUBLED. The U.S. trade deficit in January totaled a whopping $131.4 billion.

    The impact has been seen everywhere.

    Since 1990, manufacturing employment has decreased by 59% in New York and decreased by 35% in Ohio.

    The loss of these jobs killed innocent Americans and destroyed towns. Multiple studies show the loss of jobs due to bad trade deals led to an increase in drug overdoses.

    However, liberal commentators have lost interest in fixing this problem. In fact, they are offended at the suggestion that industry should return to America.

    Chris Matthews was inexplicably stunned on MSNBC and asked, “What are we going to do? Have more lumber made in the United States now!?” Yes, we are. President Donald J. Trump even signed an executive order to expand American timber production.

    Likewise, Nia Malika-Henderson on CNN ridiculously asked, “Is it worth it to upend the global economy for HVAC jobs?” Apparently, Nia Malika-Henderson thinks preserving low-wage jobs in China is more important than creating high-wage jobs in America.

    The loss of American industry means we struggle to build ships, medicine, and other essential goods. This is a national security emergency.

    Fortunately, we are already seeing progress in reshoring American industry. President Trump remains undeterred in his mission to Make America Wealthy Again.

    • Guardian Bikes announced it is launching the “first large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in the United States.”
    • Novartis announced “it plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S.”
    • Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut announced it is increasing its U.S.-based production.
    • JSW Steel announced it will be adding jobs at its Ohio steel plant.
    • BMW is considering adding shifts to boost production at its South Carolina plant.
    • Apple announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and training.
    • Nvidia announced it will invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next four years in U.S.-based manufacturing.
    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
    • Eli Lilly and Company announced a $27 billion investment in domestic manufacturing.
    • United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Properties announced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
    • France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
    • United Arab Emirates-based ADQ and U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners announced a $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure.
    • South Korean automaker Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment — including $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs, amid their pledge to “further localize production in the U.S.”
    • Merck announced it will invest $8 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    • Clarios announced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
    • GE Aerospace announced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing across 16 states — creating 5,000 new jobs.
    • Stellantis announced a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network — including re-opening an Illinois manufacturing plant — as it pledges to increase domestic vehicle production.
    • Schneider Electric announced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
    • GE Vernova announced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
    • London-based Diageo announced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
    • Dublin-based Eaton Corporation announced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
    • Germany-based Siemens announced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
    • Paris Baguette announced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
    • Switzerland-based ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
    • Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announced plans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
    • Paris-based Saint-Gobain announced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
    • India-based Sygene International announced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
    • Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
    • Honda is expected to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid model in Indiana.
    • Nissan is considering moving production from Mexico to the U.S.
    • Rolls-Royce is expected to shift production to the U.S. and expand its domestic workforce.
    • Volkswagen is considering shifting production of the high-end Audi and Porsche brands to the U.S.
    • Volvo is considering expanding its U.S.-based output.
    • LG is considering moving its refrigerator manufacturing from Mexico to Tennessee.
    • Italian spirits group Campari is “assessing the opportunities to expand its production in the U.S.”
    • Swedish hygiene product manufacturer Essity is considering shifting production to the U.S.
    • Taiwan-based Compal Electronics is considering a U.S.-based expansion.
    • Taiwan-based Inventec is expected to expand its manufacturing operations into Texas.
    • LVMH, a French luxury giant, is “seriously considering” an expansion to its U.S.-based production capabilities.
    • Cra-Z-Art, the biggest toymaker in the U.S., said it will move a “large percentage” of its China-based manufacturing back home.
    • Prepac, a Canadian furniture manufacturer, announced it will move production from Canada to the U.S.
    • Lear is considering moving its production to the U.S.
    • Half of Japanese companies say they’ll boost U.S. investment, largely due to tariffs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Labrador Fights to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese E-Cigarettes that Target Kids

    Source: US State of Idaho

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador joined a coalition of states in asking the Trump Administration to continue combatting the flood of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes into the U.S. that target kids.
    Last year alone, billions of dollars’ worth of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes were sold in the United States. The products often use colorful packaging, sweet flavors, and video-game themes designed to appeal to teenagers and kids. While overall youth tobacco use is at a record low, most children who report using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days are using illegally smuggled, Chinese-made products.
    “Illegally imported e-cigarettes from China continue to flood the U.S. market with products designed specifically to appeal to children,” said Attorney General Raúl Labrador. “These unregulated devices often bypass federal review, evade customs enforcement, and contain unknown substances. Idaho is joining a coalition of states asking the Trump Administration to reestablish strong enforcement mechanisms to protect public health and ensure these unlawful products are kept out of the hands of American kids.”
    Manufacturers and distributors of Chinese e-cigarettes often fail to submit applications for FDA review before selling their products in the U.S.. Many are intentionally mislabeled to avoid detection by the FDA or U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They also evade inspections and basic security procedures, putting Americans at risk of inhaling unknown toxins.
    President Trump cracked down on illegal Chinese e-cigarettes during his first administration, but Biden opened the floodgates for China to smuggle in these dangerous, kid-targeted vapes. The States are urging the Trump Administration to build on its previous efforts to crack down on illegal Chinese e-cigarettes that are being marketed to kids by:

    Instructing a federal multi-agency task force to prioritize curbing the distribution and sale of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes,
    Giving Customs and Border Protection the power to seize illicit tobacco products,
    Prosecuting and increasing penalties for violators who help peddle illegal Chinese e-cigarettes, and
    Strengthening enforcement at the border to crack down on e-cigarettes.

    The States are committed to working with the Trump Administration to hold accountable those who pour Chinese e-cigarettes into the United States at the risk of American kids.
    Idaho joined the Iowa-led letter, along with Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Guam.
    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM statement on British Steel: 11 April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    PM statement on British Steel: 11 April 2025

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statement on British Steel.

    As Prime Minister, I will always act in the national interest.

    …to protect British jobs and British workers.

    This afternoon, the future of British steel hangs in the balance. 

    Jobs. Investment. Growth.

    Our economic and national security…

    …are all on the line.

    I’ve been to Scunthorpe.

    I’ve met the steel workers.

    I know how important steel is…

    …not just to the region, but to the whole country.

    It’s part of our national story.

    Part of the pride and heritage of this nation.

    And I’ll tell you this – it is essential for our future.

    Our Plan for Change means we need more steel not less.

    So we will act with urgency.

    Now, we should be clear –

    This situation – and our response – is unique.

    While it is true that we are facing a new era of global instability…

    Our concerns about this plant…

    And negotiations to protect it…

    Have been running for years.

    This moment could have happened at any time.

    But it has happened now.

    And I will not stand by.

    There is no time to waste.

    So we are recalling Parliament tomorrow

    For a Saturday sitting.

    We will pass emergency legislation

    In one day

    To give the Business Secretary the powers

    To do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces.

    And as I have said, we will keep all options on the table.

    Our future is in our hands.

    This government will not sit back and just hope.

    We will act to secure Britain’s future…

    With British steel: made in Britain, in the national interest.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inside the Vault: First look at Preston’s new Youth Zone

    Source: City of Preston

    Young people and supporters got their first glimpse of the new state-of-the-art Vault Youth Zone, as construction reached its latest major milestone.

    The new multi-million pound building, located on the corner of Tithebarn Street and Crooked Lane, is now water-tight, meaning the roof is in place.

    The Young People’s Development Group (YPDG), which has been helping to shape the development of Vault Youth Zone, joined supporters for their first guided tour of the building, getting a sneak peek of how their new facilities might look.

    The YPDG is a key part of bringing Vault Youth Zone to life for Preston’s young people. The group has helped design and develop the Youth Zone, including creating Vault’s brand, hoardings and interviewing staff. Their next challenge will be to help develop the look and feel of the Youth Zone’s interiors.

    The group said:

    “Finally getting to see the Youth Zone was amazing. From the outside it looks incredible but inside it’s mind-blowing. It’s coming together and we can’t wait to see it filled with young people, enjoying having someone amazing to go to.

    The project’s development has been made possible through partnerships with Preston City Council, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s Youth Investment Fund, and Preston’s Towns Fund Investment Programme, along with support from private sector contributions.

    Vault Youth Zone’s CEO, Tim Jacques, said:

    “To watch the building take shape since the completion of the steel frame at the end of 2024 has been incredibly exciting.

    “It’s fantastic to welcome our supporters to site so they can see their investment in the city’s young people first-hand and, of course, our remarkable YPDG. Together they have turned Vault Youth Zone from a dream to a reality!”

    Set to open in late 2025, the Youth Zone will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a climbing wall, music room with built in recording studio, performing arts space, arts and crafts, a maker zone with 3D printing facilities and sports amenities, including an inside football pitch, boxing gym, sports hall and fitness suite, ensuring a diverse array of activities for young people aged eight to 19 (or up to 25 for those with additional needs).

    The Youth Zone will also provide hot meals for just £1, fostering a safe, inclusive, and affordable environment.

    The Youth Zone expects to welcome over 4,000 young people within its first year of opening.

    Chris Hayward, Director of Development and Housing, at Preston City Council, said:

    “We’re incredibly delighted to see Vault Youth Zone take shape—there’s no doubt this will be an impressive building supporting young people in Preston for years to come.

    “It’s a fantastic achievement by all involved to reach this stage so quickly. Opening in 2025, Vault is another exciting addition to the Harris Quarter, complementing Animate, which has already opened its doors, and the nearby Harris Museum.”

    Chair of Preston’s Towns Fund Strategic Board and deputy vice chairman of the Vault, John Chesworth, said:

    “Vault Youth Zone has been a long time in the making, but it will make a huge social and economic impact in the city by providing a safe place for young people to come and shape their future. The building also adds to Preston’s ongoing regeneration and contributes to making the Harris Quarter a vibrant place to come to.”

    This milestone highlights the charity’s commitment to supporting Preston’s youth and fostering a vibrant, engaged community. As the building progresses, Vault Youth Zone continues to seek support for its annual running costs and build momentum towards its opening.

    To find out more, contact enquiries@vaultyouthzone.org.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ARU research addresses postcode lottery for victims

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Dr Mirna Guha, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Deputy Head of the School for Humanities and Social Sciences

    Research from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has highlighted how one Cambridgeshire project could serve as a blueprint to end the postcode lottery faced by domestic abuse and sexual violence (DASV) victims across England and Wales.

    Nationally, there is a significant shortage of support services provided by and for women from minority backgrounds. Dr Mirna Guha of ARU is leading initiatives to address this by fostering racially diverse leadership within services that tackle violence against women and girls. 

    Dr Guha recently presented her research findings, which highlighted regional disparities in service provision and showcased the success of an innovative scheme in Peterborough, to a national audience in London.

    Following her pilot study focusing on Asian women in Cambridgeshire which showed the need for DASV services to be more culturally responsive, Dr Guha collaborated with Peterborough Women’s Aid to secure Home Office funding for the first ‘by and for’ provision for Asian women experiencing domestic abuse in the county.

    The Dahlia Project is delivered entirely by a team of newly recruited Asian women from the British Pakistani community in Peterborough and is governed by a board of Asian men and women.

    Dr Guha is currently evaluating The Dahlia Project, which has received around 200 referrals since launching in 2023, including from women of African Caribbean, Middle Eastern and South-east Asian backgrounds, highlighting its importance to different racial minority groups.

    Additionally, further research carried out in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Suffolk last year by Dr Guha, in collaboration with Dr Katherine Allen from the University of Suffolk, identified the need for representative and culturally responsive leadership to ensure organisations delivering DASV services are welcoming for diverse members of staff, and the support provided is accessible for victims-survivors.

    It also underlined the need for practitioners from diverse backgrounds to have access to role models and networking opportunities to help combat professional isolation.

    In response to this regional need, Dr Guha and Dr Allen recently established a Community of Practice for Diverse Women Leaders and last week introduced the HUM Leadership Model for Emerging Leaders at the event in London, which brought together a diverse group of women leaders from voluntary and national statutory organisations, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

    The event, which also featured a speech by Superintendent Jasvinder Kaur, Domestic Abuse Lead at Suffolk Constabulary and co-founder of the National Women of Colour in Policing, UK, highlighted the success of The Dahlia Project and demonstrated how the Peterborough scheme could be replicated in regions similarly affected by the postcode lottery. 

    “In certain regions, representation of women from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds in politics and policymaking is low, and systemic barriers also prevent victims from these communities seeking support.

    “Celebrating and supporting Black and racialised women’s leadership in organisations that address violence against women and girls is crucial. The network we have set up aims to accelerate the leadership of minoritised women and make domestic abuse services inclusive and responsive to the complex needs of victims-survivors from different backgrounds.

    “Evidence from my research will support efforts by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to advocate for a dedicated national ‘by and for’ funding pot. This would ensure minoritised victims-survivors across England and Wales receive high-quality support, regardless of their location. The Dahlia Project is making a real difference in Cambridgeshire, but we need more projects like it across the country to end this postcode lottery of provision.”

    Dr Mirna Guha, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Deputy Head of the School for Humanities and Social Sciences at ARU

    The Community of Practice will be hosted online through Anglia Ruskin University, with the goal of evolving into a Regional Advisory Body to influence future practice, research and policy design affecting victims-survivors.

    Dr Guha’s work ‘Nothing about us without us’: Investigating the impact of the leadership of ethnic minority women on domestic abuse service provision in East England has received Medical Research Council UK Prevention Research Partnership VISION funding.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Pall Mall Process: Code of Practice for States to tackle the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial cyber intrusion capabilities (April 2025)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    The Pall Mall Process is an international, multi-stakeholder initiative aiming to identify and implement political commitments to tackle the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial cyber intrusion capabilities, which sometimes includes cyber mercenaries.

    On 3 and 4 April 2025, France and the United Kingdom organized the second Pall Mall Process Conference in Paris, bringing together 45 States and international organizations, and a large coalition of representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia. At the conference, a Code of Practice – which has already received the initial backing of 23 States – was adopted to establish a set of voluntary political commitments and practical recommendations to tackle this issue.

    In this Code of Practice, unique in its content, form and coalition, the supporting States shared their understanding of the threat, recalled the application of international legal and normative frameworks and made practical recommendations on a number of different political levers. It contributes to the implementation of the United Nations framework on responsible State behaviour in cyberspace and the principles of the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace.

    Taking an inclusive approach, the Pall Mall Process will continue to widely share and distribute these good practices and will track progress on their implementation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 11.04.2025 will be held the deposit auction of the Investment Agency of the Tyumen Region

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Parameters: Date of the deposit auction 11.04.2025. Placement currency RUB. Maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) 121,520,000.00. Placement term, days 94. Date of depositing funds 11.04.2025. Date of return of funds 14.07.2025. Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00. Terms of the conclusion, urgent or special (Urgent). Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) 60,000,000.00. Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form, open or closed (Open).

    The basis of the Agreement is the General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Applications in preliminary mode from 12:15 to 12:30. Applications in competitive mode from 12:30 to 12:40. Setting the cutoff percentage rate or declaring the auction invalid before 13:10.

    Additional conditions – Placement of funds without the possibility of early withdrawal of the deposit, monthly payment of interest on the deposit.

    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: Dmitry Patrushev: In 2025, about 5 billion rubles of state support is provided for farmers in new regions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, as part of a working visit to the Luhansk People’s Republic, visited a number of enterprises in the agro-industrial complex and also familiarized himself with the progress of spring field work.

    Dmitry Patrushev got acquainted with the pace of barley sowing in the fields of one of the republic’s agricultural enterprises. At present, the work is proceeding as usual, and the farmers are provided with all the necessary material and technical resources. In addition, for the successful implementation of seasonal field work and technical modernization of the industry, Rosagroleasing JSC supplies agricultural machinery on preferential leasing terms.

    “As part of the sowing campaign in Novorossiya and Donbass, 200 thousand hectares have already been sown with spring crops, 1.6 million hectares – with winter crops. Our agricultural producers are provided with all the necessary material and technical resources. As part of state support for farmers, including the food and processing industries, about 5 billion rubles have been allocated for these regions. This is significant money that allows them to feel quite confident. We really hope for a decent sowing and harvest as a result,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister visited a number of enterprises of the agro-industrial complex, including a meat processing plant included in the free economic zone. Its products are widely represented in the Rostov, Voronezh, Belgorod regions and the Republic of Crimea.

    Since last year, meat processing enterprises in the new regions have been provided with subsidies to support the processing of raw meat into food products in the amount of 20%. This year, 401.4 million rubles from federal funds have been allocated for these purposes.

    Also during the working visit, Dmitry Patrushev assessed the production capacity of the largest production complex in Lugansk, where he inspected the bakery shop. The enterprise is the leader in the region in the production of flour, cereals, as well as all types of cereal flakes, pasta, sunflower oil and compound feed. State support for the bakery industry in new regions has increased to 270 million rubles this year.

    “The enterprises of Donbass and Novorossiya are operating normally and producing products that are sold not only within the region, but also supplied throughout Russia,” concluded Dmitry Patrushev.

    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: 11.04.2025 deposit auction of the Investment Agency of the Tyumen Region will take place (2)

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Parameters: Date of the deposit auction 11.04.2025. Placement currency RUB. Maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) 61,520,000.00. Placement term, days 94. Date of depositing funds 11.04.2025. Date of return of funds 14.07.2025. Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00. Terms of the conclusion, urgent or special (Urgent). Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) 61,520,000.00. Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form, open or closed (Open).

    The basis of the Agreement is the General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Applications in preliminary mode from 14:15 to 14:30. Applications in competitive mode from 14:30 to 14:40. Setting the cut-off percentage rate or declaring the auction invalid before 15:10.

    Additional conditions – Placement of funds without the possibility of early withdrawal of the deposit, monthly payment of interest on the deposit.

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

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

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev held a scheduled weekly meeting of the government commission to coordinate work to eliminate the consequences of the emergency caused by the sinking of tankers in the Kerch Strait

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev held a meeting of the government commission to coordinate work to eliminate the emergency caused by the sinking of tankers in the Kerch Strait in December 2024.

    The Emergencies Ministry specialists continue to work on cleaning the Black Sea bottom from fuel oil. On the beaches of Anapa and Temryuk district, divers have examined almost 3.6 thousand square meters of the bottom in 19 areas, and collected over 228 tons of oil-containing waste. To date, the combined group of the “Morresluzhba” and the Emergencies Ministry has 80 divers and 6 ejector units.

    Following the approval of the option for the disposal of fuel oil from the sunken fragments of the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers, the Russian Ministry of Transport has organized preparatory work for the installation of cofferdams: design documentation for their production and installation is being developed.

    According to Rosrybolovstvo, the situation with bioresources in the Black Sea remains consistently positive. No negative impact from the oil spill on fish and seafood production has been recorded.

    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: The area under crops in Russia will increase in 2025 and will amount to about 84 million hectares

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    During a working visit to Rostov Oblast, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting dedicated to seasonal field work in the Russian Federation. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, heads of Saratov, Rostov, Bryansk, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk Oblasts and Krasnodar Krai.

    “In 2025, the total sown area is forecast to be about 84 million hectares, which is about 1 million hectares more than it actually was last year. Of these, about 20 million hectares are under winter crops. An assessment conducted in April showed that more than 93% of winter grain crops are in normal condition. This is especially significant given the extremely difficult weather conditions of last year. This year, 55.8 million hectares are planned for spring crops. Including, oilseed crops should increase by almost 600 thousand hectares. I ask the leadership of the regions to ensure control over compliance with the forecast structure of sown areas. This is a kind of guarantee of a balanced harvest. Spring sowing is entering an active phase – farmers from 42 regions are already working in the fields. Winter crops are being fed at an accelerated pace. Almost 3 million hectares have been sown with spring crops,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister particularly emphasized that throughout the entire period of spring field work, the Ministry of Agriculture and the regions must monitor the provision of farmers with financial resources and means of production. The government maintains various instruments of financial and non-financial support.

    More than 40 billion rubles have been allocated to provide new preferential loans in 2025, of which 34 are intended for short-term loans. Farmers can use them to prepare for seasonal field work. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the dynamics of lending this year is better than last year.

    Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that measures aimed at updating the agricultural machinery fleet remain, including preferential leasing. The government is additionally allocating more than 4 billion rubles for recapitalization of Rosagroleasing, which will increase the supply of self-propelled machinery.

    The Deputy Prime Minister spoke about the continuation of the planned transition to seeds of our own selection. State support measures are also provided for this. By the end of 2024, the provision of seeds of our own selection amounted to more than 67%.

    Dmitry Patrushev noted that it is especially important for regions to monitor the implementation of fire safety measures on agricultural lands and agro-industrial complex facilities, as well as to monitor the phytosanitary situation in the fields.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that it is during the spring sowing period that the bulk of federal government support funds should be delivered to farmers.

    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: 11.04.2025, 15-58 the values of the lower limit of the repo price corridor, the transfer rate and the range of interest rate risk assessment of the LSNGP (RSetiLE-p) security were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/11/2025

    15:58

    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 11.04.2025, 15-58 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the repo price corridor with the settlement code Y0/Y1Dt (up to -20.64%), the transfer rate and the range of interest rate risk assessment (up to -0.408 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 46.36%) of the LSNGP (RSetiLE-p) security 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/N89429

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: About 20 km of streets named in honor of space explorers will be renovated in 2025 under the national project “Infrastructure for Life”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Queen Street, Gubkin, Belgorod Region.

    April 12 is Cosmonautics Day, a holiday established in honor of the first human space flight, made by Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

    In 2025, thanks to the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, about 20 km of streets, avenues and boulevards named after cosmonauts, designers or scientists who made a great contribution to the development of domestic cosmonautics will be brought up to standard. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “The Russian rocket and space industry plays an important role in ensuring national security and strengthening the country’s defense potential. On the eve of Cosmonautics Day, it is worth noting that cities across the country pay tribute to the memory of outstanding figures in the space industry – cosmonauts, designers, scientists, including immortalized in the names of streets throughout Russia. Thanks to the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, over the past six years, the road surface of more than 180 street sections named in honor of the conquerors of space has already been updated. This year, we plan to bring 15 objects with a total length of about 20 km into compliance with the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”, – said Marat Khusnullin.

    Thus, in Novomoskovsk, Tula Region, a section of Kosmonavtov Street is planned for repair, where new bus stops and road signs will be installed, markings will be applied, and the adjacent territory will be improved. The street was built at the time when the era of space exploration began in the country.

    This year, a street named after the first cosmonaut of the planet, Yuri Gagarin, will be repaired in Yaroslavl over a 3 km long section.

    In Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 1.8 km of asphalt concrete pavement will be renewed on the avenue named after Viktor Ivanovich Patsayev, a Soviet pilot-cosmonaut and research engineer for the Soyuz-11 spacecraft.

    One of the central roads of Dmitrov, Kosmonavtov Street, will also be repaired. Here, specialists will lay 1.5 km of new road surface for comfortable travel for motorists to schools, kindergartens, a hospital, parks and stadiums, as well as to the main attraction, the Dmitrov Kremlin.

    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: Fraudsters Entice People to a Non-Existent Digital Ruble Investment Program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia (2) –

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

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    Fraudsters encourage people to invest in digital rubles and receive passive income from these investments.

    They create websites in corporate colors and with the digital ruble logo. The scammers call such Internet resources the investment program of the digital ruble of the Bank of Russia. On the website, the visitor is greeted by a “personal manager” who persuades them to deposit the amount on the “deposit”.

    The person is encouraged to join the supposedly existing program as quickly as possible, while the “entry threshold is low”, because later the starting amount will be significantly increased. The potential victim is asked to answer several questions and leave contact information. Then the goal of the “personal manager” is to force the person to deposit as much money as possible on the fake platform.

    Be careful: there are no digital ruble investment programs!

    Trust only official sources. All information about the digital ruble is published onon the website of the Bank of Russia.

    The digital ruble of the Bank of Russia is a digital form of the national currency. It is introduced as a means of payments and transfers. Currently, operations with digital rubles are available only to pilot participants – this is a limited circle of bank clients connected to the digital ruble platform.

    The Bank of Russia will additionally announce the launch of the digital ruble into mass circulation.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 04/11/2025, 16:44 (Moscow time) the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the RU000A1009Z8 (O’KEY B1R2) security were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/11/2025

    16:44

    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 11.04.2025, 16-44 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor (up to 82.45) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 739.27 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 22.5%) of the RU000A1009Z8 (O’KEY B1R2) security 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/N89436

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 04/11/2025, 16:53 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for security RU000A109916 (RostelP10R) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/11/2025

    16:53

    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 11.04.2025, 16-53 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 105.79) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1122.12 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 8.75%) of the security RU000A109916 (Rostel P10R) 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/N89438

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: The Bank of Russia has revoked the license of a professional participant in the securities market to carry out depository activities of Title Broker Investment Company LLC (11.04.2025)

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    On April 10, 2025, the Bank of Russia decided to revoke the license of a professional participant in the securities market to carry out depository activities issued to the limited liability company Investment Company Title Broker (TIN 9731068071; OGRN 1207700270150) (hereinafter referred to as the Company).

    The basis for making this decision was the violations committed by the Company in the course of its activities in the securities market of special economic measures established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 138 of 03.03.2023 “On additional temporary economic measures related to the circulation of securities” in accordance with Federal Law No. 281-FZ of 30.12.2006 “On special economic measures and coercive measures”.

    The license expires on April 11, 2025.

    The company is obliged to cease carrying out depository activities in the securities market, with the exception of actions related to the termination of obligations to clients that arose during the implementation of depository activities in the securities market, and to ensure the return of property to clients by August 11, 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.

    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.KBR.ru/Press/PR/? File = 6387999916236321310RKB.HTM

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Batman and Robin arrest two men on Westminster Bridge

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Metropolitan Police Service is tackling an influx of illegal gambling on Westminster Bridge with new tactics.

    Illegal gambling gangs target tourists with games known as the ‘free cups challenge’ or ‘shell game’. Because the local Met officers have become so well known to these individuals, officers have had to come up with creative plans to deliver ‘vengeance’.

    On Saturday, 15 February Inspector Darren Watson and Police Constable Osman donned their alter ego Batman and Robin costumes and launched their superhero mission.

    Inspector Darren Watson, responsible for local neighbourhood policing in Lambeth North West – (also known as Batman) said:

    “We know that two repeat offenders have been operating on Westminster Bridge and have come to recognise me and my team from our patrols.

    “I knew that if we were going to catch them we would have the think outside the box, and then I remembered that I had Batman and Robin costumes to hand which could come in use.

    “Although dressing up may not be the most conventional policing method, we were thrilled to see that in this case it worked perfectly and the team were able to get some great results, taking these people off the street and protecting tourists and Londoners from being fleeced.”

    Eugen Stocia, age 32 (26.07.1992) of no fixed address and Constica-Gherorghe Barbu, age 53 (28.05.1971) of Herbert Road, Greenwich were arrested on Saturday, 15 February for providing the facilities to gamble.

    Barbu was convicted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 17 February after being remanded by police and fined £925.

    Stocia was convicted in absence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 10 April after failing to appear in court. A warrant is out for his arrest.

    If you see illegal gambling gangs operating please report to the Met Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Organized Crime – International Conference Against Environmental Crime (11.04.25)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    More than 100 of the world’s leading experts and officials on environmental crimes gathered in Paris at the “Security and Development Dialogue for Advancing Multilateral and Multi-Stakeholder Responses to Environmental Crime”, hosted by France and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), with financial support of the European Union through the ECO-SOLVE project.

    Opening the conference, Mr Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, France’s Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, called for the international community to prioritize action against environmental crimes. Despite the uncertain international context, the minister emphasized the need to keep the issue of environmental crimes at the heart of the international community’s concerns.. He highlighted the need for collective action, including in preparation for the UN Oceans Conference to be held in Nice this June.

    GI-TOC’s Director Mark Shaw called for greater inclusivity and innovation to deal with environmental crimes. He highlighted the global character of illicit flows and emphasized the need for “diverse action across supply chains” to cut the links that enable environmental crime to flourish, not least through licit trade routes and information platforms. “We need more internationally coordinated action across sectors, and we need globally funded and resourced responses”, said Shaw, also highlighting the key roles that can be played by civil society and the private sector.

    The international conference, which took place on 8 and 9 April, took stock of current international responses to environmental crimes, shared best practices and identified opportunities for more effective engagement through upcoming multilateral processes – including a new Expert Group Meeting under the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the UN Oceans Conference, the Climate COP, the UN General Assembly, and the next UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice taking place in 2026.

    Participants included officials from diverse countries, including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, UAE, UK, Indonesia, Kenya, Gabon and Germany, civil society, academia, law enforcement and criminal justice personnel.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to gender equality, human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals: UK statement at the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to gender equality, human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals: UK statement at the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development

    Explanation of position by Tara Soomro, UK Ambassador to ECOSOC, at CPD58.

    Thank you, Chair. The UK aligns itself with the statement delivered by South Africa.

    We extend our appreciation to you and the co-facilitators for your commitment and steadfast efforts to progress this important agenda. 

    Despite the broad cross-regional commitment and goodwill demonstrated by many in this room, we are disappointed to have not achieved a consensus outcome that upholds and advances the mutually reinforcing principles and ambitions of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Agenda 2030. 

    Neisha, the UK’s youth delegate to the CPD, came before this Commission and spoke with passion and conviction about the realities young people face, the unmet sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescent girls, the devastating impacts of humanitarian crises on their futures and the urgent need for policies that reflect their lived experience.

    The inability to achieve consensus on this year’s CPD resolution is not just a procedural failure, it is a failure to uphold the commitments we have made to people around the world. 

    The ICPD Programme of Action recognises that investing in human rights, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights is central to sustainable development.

    That truth has not changed. 

    Yet today, we stand at a crossroads where previously agreed principles are being questioned and hard-won rights are being chipped away.

    Let us be clear, universal access to sexual and reproductive health services and reproductive rights are not an abstract debate. 

    This is about whether women and girls can make decisions over their own bodies, whether young people have access to comprehensive information that can save their lives, and whether those most at risk, especially in humanitarian crises, receive the care, justice and services they need. 

    Over 700 women a day die from preventable causes. 

    This is the reality of the issues we debate here in this room. 

    We are letting these women and girls down. 

    A text that weakens these commitments does not reflect progress, it signals retreat.

    Ignoring the links between health, climate change, and inequality does not make them disappear. 

    The world’s most vulnerable populations, women and girls, migrants, those facing humanitarian crises continue to bear the brunt of these overlapping global challenges.

    The UK and our many cross-regional partners, remain steadfast in our commitment to gender equality, human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

    These are not just words on a page, they are promises we have made to future generations and to each other. 

    We recognise the progress made at all levels by grassroots organisations, civil society, national governments and also commend UNFPA’s leadership and remain committed to supporting this, making real change for women and girls around the world.

    As we reflect on this outcome, we must ask ourselves, what kind of world are we building? One that advances dignity, equality, and progress? Or one that turns its back on those most in need? 

    The UK chooses to stand on the side of ambition, rights and the future we all committed to in 2015 when we pledged to leave no one behind.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bird and poultry keepers urged to do their bit to help control the spread of bird flu

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Bird and poultry keepers in Sunderland are being urged to do their bit to help control the spread of bird flu.

    This follows the recent decision by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer to extend mandatory housing measures already covering a large part of the country, to the whole of Tyne and Wear including Sunderland.

    The measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors, and continue following stringent biosecurity measures first introduced in February to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.

    DEFRA has published guidance and a self-assessment checklist to help all bird keepers to instigate and maintain good biosecurity.

    While the risk to public health is low, following the guidance helps minimise the risks.

    Anyone who comes across dead wild birds should not touch them, but instead contact: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/dead-animals

    The guidance can be found, together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation, at: Bird flu (avian influenza): how to prevent it and stop it spreading – GOV.UK.

    The addition of housing measures to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone which is already in force across England, means that all bird keepers across Tyne and Wear must: 

    • House or net all poultry and captive birds
    • Keep your birds away from other captive and wild birds & Prevent contact with wild birds including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
    • Maintain bird houses and sheds
    • Clean and disinfect housing and clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
    • Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
    • Keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
    • Prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas
    • If you buy new birds, always check their health before you bring them to your property.

    Councillor Lindsey Leonard Cabinet member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council, said:  “Although the risk to public health is low and we haven’t had have any confirmed cases in Sunderland, we would ask bird keepers to do their bit to help control the spread of bird flu by following the DEFRA advice and guidance.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –