NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to visit Portugal to promote development opportunities in GBA

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to visit Portugal to promote development opportunities in GBA 
         On July 3, Ms Chan will attend a business luncheon titled “Unlocking New Horizons: Affordable Housing and Opportunities in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area”, co-organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels. She will deliver a keynote speech to promote the enormous business opportunities brought about by the GBA to the Portuguese business community and how Hong Kong can play its important function as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” between the two places.
     
         During her stay in Lisbon, Ms Chan will call on the Chinese Embassy in the Portuguese Republic to learn about the latest developments in Portugal and Sino-Portuguese culture, and will also attend the International Forum on Urbanism there.
     
         Ms Chan will return to Hong Kong on July 4.
    Issued at HKT 14:29

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Housing to visit Portugal and Spain

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, will depart for a visit to Lisbon, Portugal, tomorrow night (July 1). She will attend the International Forum on Urbanism on July 2 and speak at the forum on the various housing initiatives implemented by the Housing Bureau and the Hong Kong Housing Authority in recent years to enhance people’s livelihoods, encourage upward mobility, and promote innovative construction technologies, as well as the “Well-being design” guide launched last year.
     
         During her stay in Lisbon, she will meet with relevant local officials. She will also officiate at a business luncheon co-organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, to share Hong Kong’s experiences in enhancing the quantity, speed, efficiency and quality of public housing construction by embracing various innovative rapid construction technologies and construction robotics, and continuously enhancing smart public estate management to build a more pleasant living environment for its residents. She also invited over 20 construction trade representatives from Hong Kong and the Mainland, including construction companies and consultant companies participating in the construction of public housing, Light Public Housing and transitional housing, to attend the luncheon. They will share in person with the participants Hong Kong’s experience in applying and promoting innovative construction technologies, such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) and construction robots, and take this opportunity to strengthen connections between the Hong Kong and Portuguese trades and explore opportunities. Ms Ho will also call on the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Portuguese Republic.
     
         Ms Ho will depart for Barcelona, Spain, on the evening of July 3 (Lisbon time) to visit local social housing projects, meet with relevant government officials to learn about housing issues there and their policies implemented, and promote Hong Kong’s housing ladder that encourages upward mobility, as well as the application of innovative construction technologies in Hong Kong’s public housing developments and management, the concepts of the “Well-being design” guide, and more.
     
         Ms Ho will return to Hong Kong on the morning of July 6. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Housing, Mr Victor Tai, will be the Acting Secretary for Housing.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: NRRP steering committee meeting held at Palazzo Chigi to verify milestones and targets for eighth instalment

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    A steering committee meeting for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) was held at Palazzo Chigi today, called and chaired by the Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP and Cohesion Policy, Tommaso Foti. The purpose of the meeting, attended by the Ministers and Undersecretaries in charge as well as by representatives from ANCI [National Association of Italian Municipalities], UPI [Union of Italian Provinces] and the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, was to verify progress of the 40 objectives linked to the payment request for the eighth instalment of Italy’s NRRP, worth EUR 12.8 billion. 

    Following a detailed review, the steering committee acknowledged the implementation status of the 12 milestones and 28 targets required for the eighth instalment, which include reforms and investments that are strategic for the nation’s growth, involving 13 administrations.

    The most significant measures include: digitalisation of the Guardia di Finanza [Italian Finance Police], with innovative IT systems to fight economic crime; more than 1,000 language and methodology courses for school teachers; the launch of projects to update school curricula in over 8,000 schools and guide students towards STEM skills; completion of culture and tourism enhancement projects by supporting approximately 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises; redevelopment of around 50 historical parks and gardens.

    Regarding the eighth instalment, implementation of measures was also verified linked to: 1,400km of rail infrastructure being equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System; coverage of an advanced and integrated monitoring and forecasting system to identify hydrogeological risks for 90% of the surface area in southern regions; marine habitat protection and coastal observation work; improving the energy efficiency of public housing; with regard to universities, funding 5,000 research projects of national interest, hiring approximately 2,300 new researchers, allocating more than 550 research grants, and providing financing for research projects on rare and severely debilitating diseases. 

    Among the strategic reforms that have been carried out, the reduction in payment delays by central and local government authorities, regional authorities, autonomous provinces and national health service bodies is particularly significant.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: NRRP steering committee meeting held at Palazzo Chigi to verify milestones and targets for eighth instalment

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    A steering committee meeting for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) was held at Palazzo Chigi today, called and chaired by the Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP and Cohesion Policy, Tommaso Foti. The purpose of the meeting, attended by the Ministers and Undersecretaries in charge as well as by representatives from ANCI [National Association of Italian Municipalities], UPI [Union of Italian Provinces] and the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, was to verify progress of the 40 objectives linked to the payment request for the eighth instalment of Italy’s NRRP, worth EUR 12.8 billion. 

    Following a detailed review, the steering committee acknowledged the implementation status of the 12 milestones and 28 targets required for the eighth instalment, which include reforms and investments that are strategic for the nation’s growth, involving 13 administrations.

    The most significant measures include: digitalisation of the Guardia di Finanza [Italian Finance Police], with innovative IT systems to fight economic crime; more than 1,000 language and methodology courses for school teachers; the launch of projects to update school curricula in over 8,000 schools and guide students towards STEM skills; completion of culture and tourism enhancement projects by supporting approximately 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises; redevelopment of around 50 historical parks and gardens.

    Regarding the eighth instalment, implementation of measures was also verified linked to: 1,400km of rail infrastructure being equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System; coverage of an advanced and integrated monitoring and forecasting system to identify hydrogeological risks for 90% of the surface area in southern regions; marine habitat protection and coastal observation work; improving the energy efficiency of public housing; with regard to universities, funding 5,000 research projects of national interest, hiring approximately 2,300 new researchers, allocating more than 550 research grants, and providing financing for research projects on rare and severely debilitating diseases. 

    Among the strategic reforms that have been carried out, the reduction in payment delays by central and local government authorities, regional authorities, autonomous provinces and national health service bodies is particularly significant.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: London gang members’ sentences increased for gun offences

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    London gang members’ sentences increased for gun offences

    Two members of a London gang have had their sentences increased following a referral by the Solicitor General.    

    Two men in a South London-based gang have had their sentences increased after the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.   

    The court heard details of the ‘WoolyO’ gang operating in Woolwich, South London. The gang were involved in a long running feud with another London gang which was played out through social media posts and videos, violence and drill music published online.  

    Essex Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and by the Metropolitan Police Trident Crime Command launched investigations into the WoolyO gang after three men agreed to meet WoolyO members in Aveley, Essex, to purchase some phones on the evening of Monday 20 November 2023.  

    However, the men were robbed of £4,000 cash and one victim was struck by one of the gang members holding a handgun, causing the loaded magazine to fall to the ground. When officers arrived at the scene, the suspects had gone but the same magazine was found.  

    The following morning, officers carrying out further enquiries returned to the scene where they located gang member Bryan Aidoo (19). He was found to be in possession of a zombie knife and arrested.  

    A mobile phone seized from Aidoo contained a high volume of criminal material referencing gang violence.  This included a video, featuring a fellow associate of the gang, Roqeeb Ladeaga (23),  where bullets were assigned to named individuals from other London gangs.  

    Messages were found celebrating the shooting of a rival gang member, discussing how to retrieve the handgun magazine lost at the robbery, and pressurising the victim of the robbery to withdraw his support for the prosecution. Footage showed the group handling firearms and referring to its criminal use. 

    The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    This was a ruthless gang who boasted about their criminal activities online, while using dangerous weapons to terrorise and threaten our communities.   

    I would like to commend the police for their comprehensive investigations and I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase Roqeeb Ladeaga and Bryan Aidoo sentences.” 

    Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “In upholding the law, justice must be served – especially when firearms are involved. 

    We must demand accountability from those who threaten the safety of our communities. This hearing was not to debate the facts of the case. Those have been established in a court of law previously.  

    Instead, the appeal court has upheld the view that the original sentence was unduly lenient and therefore, the consequence of the defendants’ actions deserved a more fitting sentence, one that greater reflects the seriousness of the crime. 

    We have worked with the Crown Prosecution Service so that together we gain the public’s trust and confidence in our abilities to solve serious crimes and suitably sentence perpetrators, to ensure the integrity of our justice procedures. 

    Today, when the safety of our country’s streets is threatened by those armed with firearms, this new result ensures that justice is not only done—but is seen to be done.” 

    On 28 March 2025 at Basildon Crown Court, Roqeeb Ladeaga was sentenced for four years and six months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and Bryan Aidoo for four years for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and six months concurrent for possession of a bladed article.  

    On 20 June 2025, Ladeaga’s sentence was increased to five years and Aidoo’s sentence was increased to five years and   nine months concurrent for the bladed article charge.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Black Sabbath awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham

    Source: City of Birmingham

    The founding members of Black Sabbath were awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham at a ceremony in the Council House on Saturday.

    At the ceremony, the original band members of Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward were presented with their Freedom of the City scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal.

    The Freedom of the City honour is the one of the oldest traditional ceremonies in the country and recognises people’s exceptional service to the city.

    This honour recognises Black Sabbath’s significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham, their strong association with the city and continued influence as pioneers of heavy metal in both Birmingham and beyond.

    As part of the Freedom of the City, each band member received the title of Honorary Freeman and an engraving of their names on the Freedom of the City marble board was also unveiled at the ceremony.

    The scrolls were produced by local company Hilton Studios and the medals were produced by Jewellery Quarter based business Fattorini.

    The medal design was created by competition winner Toby Williams, a student studying in the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University.

    Toby’s winning design was inspired by the themes of industry and community, reflecting the people of Birmingham  

    Black Sabbath formed in Aston in 1968, going on to create eight albums and selling over 75 million albums worldwide. They are considered pioneers of the heavy metal genre and are one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands.

    They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

    Speaking on receipt of the award, Terence “Geezer” Butler said: “This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston. We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”

    Tony Iommi added: “It’s a great thing to receive. Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful.”

    Ozzy Osbourne said: “I first put an advert in a music store in town. If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now. It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham Forever!”

    Bill Ward added: “It’s completely overwhelming. I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude. It was a blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy. They’re my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much.”

    The engravings in the Council House building joins Black Sabbath bridge on Broad Street as a permanent tribute to the band and their accomplishments.

    Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of the city council said “From the streets of Aston to global success, the ceremony has been a fitting celebration of their achievements and connection to our city, showcasing the band’s incredible career as pioneers of heavy metal and recognising their continued legacy as part of Birmingham’s rich musical identity.

    Black Sabbath are global ambassadors of our city, and their music continues to inspire musicians across the world, so it has been wonderful to recognise the band with this honour.”   

    Councillor Zafar Iqbal, Lord Mayor of Birmingham: “It is a pleasure to pronounce Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward as Freemen of the City of Birmingham. 

    The Freedom of the City is one of the oldest civic honours and given in recognition of exceptional service to Birmingham.

    Conferring these honours on Black Sabbath’s founding members, who are proud Brummies, is a fitting tribute to the band, marking their importance to Birmingham’s cultural landscape and the pride of our city as their hometown.  

    Professor David Mba, Vice Chancellor, at Birmingham City University, said: “We’re proud that our University – and particularly the iconic School of Jewellery – has played such an instrumental role in this special recognition of a very special band.

    “The creation of these remarkable medals is a golden demonstration of how BCU – as rooted in Birmingham as Black Sabbath themselves – continues to answer the call of the city, standing alongside willing partners like the City Council.

    “Congratulations to Ozzy, Geezer, Tony and Bill. We hold great pride in your peerless representation of Birmingham on a global stage.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Museums give city economy multi-million pound boost

    Source: City of Leeds

    The city’s council-run museums and galleries have given a massive £47.3m boost to the local economy over the past year, new figures have revealed.

    The latest economic impact report compiled by Leeds Museums and Galleries sets out the remarkable figures, with the service’s eight sites also welcoming an impressive 939,494 people in the same period.

    Aimed at assessing the positive impact of the sites on the city and the region, the figures are calculated using factors such as overall spend on and off sites, employment impact and overall spend on local goods and services.

    Against an annual budget of approximately £5m, the figures mean that every £1 invested in museums and galleries in turn generates £9 for the city.

    As well as the economic benefits, the report also captures the huge social impact the service has, with 105,501 children and adults taking part in family activities, 46,349 school pupils visiting, as well as 38,855 visits from vulnerable adults and young adults.

    Successful applications for grant funding over the course of the year also brought £2,394,855 into the city and the use of local services supported 100 external jobs worth £3.3m.

    The news comes after the service recently launched a new contactless “Pay What Your Can” entrance model at Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds City Museum, Kirkstall Abbey and Leeds Discovery Centre, asking visitors to help support the upkeep of the attractions and the care and conservation of more than 1.3 million objects.

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “The fact our museums and galleries have managed to achieve so much against such a uniquely challenging climate for the sector and for local authorities really does speak volumes about the exceptional work which goes into creating a visitor offer that’s exciting, innovative, and appealing to visitors.

    “The economic impact these wonderful attractions have unquestionably makes a huge difference to the city each and every year, but just as important is the social value our sites have, giving people of all ages the chance to engage with history, heritage, art and the natural world in a multitude of different ways, supporting education, combatting social isolation and raising the city’s profile as a national and international cultural destination.

    “Now more than ever we need the support of the public to ensure council-run museums and galleries remain accessible, sustainable and can carry on inspiring visitors for generations to come.”

    Among the country’s largest services of its kind, Leeds Museums and Galleries operates eight sites in total: Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds City Museum, Temple Newsam House, Lotherton Hall, Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds Industrial Museum and the Leeds Discovery Centre.

    Popular exhibitions which have attracted visitors over the past year include a celebration of beloved children’s character Miffy at Leeds City Museum, Story Time at  Abbey House Museum, which explores how reading, learning and enjoying stories has changed through the ages, and Peter Mitchell, Nothing Lasts Forever at Leeds Art Gallery, a retrospective exhibition showcasing the work of British documentary photographer Peter Mitchell.

    For more information on Leeds Museums and Galleries, please visit: Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Ophævelse af suspension

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Det skal oplyses, at suspension af nedenstående afdeling nu er ophævet, som følge af fusion, hvorfor det igen er muligt at handle i afdelingen.

    ISIN DK0010265693
    Afdeling European Stars KL

    Med venlig hilsen
    Nordea Fund Management, filial af Nordea Funds Oy, Finland

    Rasmus Eske Bruun
    Filialbestyrer

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ombytningsforhold ved fusion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    På den ordinære generalforsamling i Investeringsforeningen Nordea Invest afholdt den 7. april 2025 blev det besluttet at fusionere European Small Cap Stars KL ind i European Stars KL.

    Sammenlægningen af andele sker på baggrund af sidste indre værdi den 26.06.25

    Ophørende fond Indre værdi Fortsættende afdeling Indre værdi Ombytningsforhold
    European Small Cap Stars KL (DK0015960983) 155,954653 European Stars KL (DK0010265693) 96,987542 1,6079864463

    Hvis de ophørende investeringsbeviser ikke kan ombyttes til et helt antal investeringsbeviser i den fortsættende afdeling vil disse fraktioner af andele umiddelbart efter fusionen blive kompenseret kontant og indsat på den afkastkonto, der er tilknyttet depotet. Fusionen har ikke skattemæssige konsekvenser.

    Investeringsbeviserne i den ophørende afdeling udtages af medlemmernes depot og samtidig indlægges de modtagne beviser i den fortsættende afdeling.

    Med venlig hilsen

    Nordea Fund Management, filial af Nordea Funds Oy, Finland

    Rasmus Eske Bruun

    Filialbestyrer

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Fourth Financing for Development (FfD4) Conference Opening Session: Keynote Speech by DMD Nigel Clarke

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    Fourth Financing for Development (FfD4) Conference Opening Session: Keynote Speech by DMD Nigel Clarke

    Seville, Spain

    June 30, 2025

    Good morning, everyone.

    Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today, on behalf of the International Monetary Fund. It is a great honor to join you here at the Fourth Financing for Development Conference.

    This conference comes at a particularly challenging moment. Once again, the resilience of the world economy is being tested. Uncertainty has been escalating, as major policy shifts reshape countries priorities. Despite progress on trade talks and the scaling back of some tariffs, trade policy uncertainty indicators remain off the charts.

    This has major implications for developing countries, for whom risks have grown: downside risks to short-term and longer-term growth prospects. Risks of tightened financing conditions. And yes, risks to their development agenda—including due to cuts in overseas development assistance. 

    That is why this conference is so important—and so timely. It provides an opportunity to take decisive and necessary steps to accelerate development progress.

    And these steps must be taken at both the individual country level and the international community level.

    With that in mind, and with this opportunity in our hands, let me stress three critical priorities, one at the country level, and two at the international level.

    First priority, at the country level: implement strong domestic reforms. In an uncertain economic environment, the work to advance development must begin at home. Let me point to two sets of critical reforms within this first priority.

    One, domestic revenues remain the bedrock of country-led efforts for sustainable growth and development. Many countries can boost the resources available to them by broadening the tax base and improving compliance.

    And two, by building strong public financial management systems, they can redirect spending to sectors like health, education, well-targeted social safety nets, and growth- enhancing public investments.

    Second priority, at the international level: ensure that the support to development is coordinated and tailored. Development partners must help with policy advice, capacity building, and financial support. And to be effective, that assistance should be tailored to countries’ individual circumstances and challenges. Indeed, while developing countries share many characteristics, there are differences in their economic conditions.

    The needs of the poorest and most fragile countries, in particular—who are often hit hardest by global shocks—demand our attention, and for these countries concessional financing remains of critical importance.

    Third priority, also at the international level: address debt vulnerabilities. The risk of a systemic debt crisis seems broadly contained for now. But many countries are struggling with high interest costs and refinancing needs that constrain their ability to finance critical development spending and build resilience.

    That is why the international community must further improve debt restructuring processes to ensure that countries with unsustainable debt have access to timely and sufficiently deep debt relief.

    We have already seen progress under the Common Framework and at the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. And the recently published Sovereign Debt Restructuring Playbook is an important resource for countries considering seeking a restructuring. But there is still work to be done.

    The IMF is doing its part to support developing countries.

    Through our tailored policy advice, we help our members make their economies more vibrant and more resilient. We will continue to strengthen our analysis and guidance on monetary, fiscal, exchange rate, and financial sector policies.

    Through our capacity development, we will continue to help equip our members with the tools and expertise to chart their own path, working closely with other development partners.

    Through our lending instruments, we provide financial support to our members when they need it. Last Fall, we reformed our concessional lending framework, to double its lending capacity while restoring its self-sustainability. And we will continue to explore ways to strengthen our precautionary facilities and ensure our programs are well-designed.

    The Fund also actively contributes to addressing debt challenges. We provide technical support to individual restructuring. With the World Bank, we are advancing the work at the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable and are implementing the “three-pillar approach” to help countries with sustainable debt and strong reform agendas, but where high debt service crowds out productive spending.

    Simply put: the IMF will continue to help our members achieve economic and financial stability—a prerequisite for reaching their development objectives.

    And as we work together this week, we will remain a trusted partner and champion for the international development agenda. Together, we can help bring our members towards a brighter future.

    Thank you.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/30/sp063025-FfD4-conference-opening-session-keynote-speech-dmd-nigel-clarke

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Nato leaders pledge increased defence spending – is this really the price for peace and prosperity?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Damian Tobin, Lecturer in International Business, University College Cork

    Kev Gregory / Shutterstock

    Nato leaders agreed to ramp up defence spending to 5% of their countries’ economic output by 2035 at a summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25. US president Donald Trump, who has spent months saying Europe should take more responsibility for its own security, described the pledge as “a monumental win for the US” and a “big win” for western civilisation.

    A few months earlier, in March, the EU also launched its long-awaited white paper on defence. This provides a blueprint for improving Europe’s readiness to respond to military threats by 2030. On top of the fact that global military spending has surged in the past ten years, these developments indicate that the world’s largest nations now prioritise military over economic diplomacy.

    One of the main ideas behind military diplomacy is that increased defence spending acts as a deterrent to future conflicts. The nuclear arms race between the US and Soviet Union during the cold war provides some support for this argument. The prospect of mutual destruction was so great that it acted as a deterrent to nuclear war.

    But is increased defence spending really the necessary price for greater peace and prosperity? My research on interactions between firms, geopolitics and the political economy of defence indicates that this is no “big win” for society or economic productivity.

    A convoy of naval ships in the Pacific Ocean.
    Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock

    Deterrence requires a level of brinkmanship if it is to work. But as American economist Thomas Schelling pointed out in his 1960 book, The Strategy of Conflict, the problem with brinkmanship is that it relies on deliberately allowing a situation to get somewhat out of hand, with the intention of forcing the other party to back down.

    This can result in strategic blunders. Efforts by the former US president, Richard Nixon, to engineer such a situation in 1969 by threatening to use nuclear weapons in Vietnam failed to gain credibility with the Soviets and North Vietnamese. This undoubtedly helped convince North Vietnam that it could survive the war and locked the US into a much longer conflict.

    The recent confrontation between Israel and Iran also showed that brinkmanship can produce situations where there are significant casualties and no clear long-term resolution. Iran has long recognised that keeping itself near the threshold of nuclear weapons capability would offer a deterrent against external threats.

    But this strategy created many opportunities for error. Israel claimed that Iran was too close to building a nuclear weapon and, alongside the US, launched strikes that they say inflicted significant damage on Iranian nuclear enrichment capabilities and military leadership.



    Read more:
    Israeli aggression and Iranian nuclear brinkmanship made this confrontation all but inevitable

    Beyond this, it is unclear just how much military spending is needed to deter aggression. Nato allies have now committed to a big increase in defence spending – thanks largely to pressure from Trump.

    However, even Nato’s previous objective that countries commit 2% of their national income to defence has proved unattractive for many governments. This has even been the case in post-conflict areas such as the Balkans, where Nato has had a heavy involvement.

    A costly alternative

    Boosting defence spending falls short on delivering economic prosperity, too. Analysing US military spending in the Vietnam war, economist Les Fishman noted in 1967 that military diplomacy was far more costly than its economic equivalent.

    Military production requires continuously high levels of investment to maintain technological progress. This sucks public investment from other parts of the economy.

    That’s not to say defence spending has an entirely negative effect on the economy. Studies have found evidence that US federal funding of military research and development results in significant increases in private business research in sectors such as chemicals and aerospace.

    And, over the past decade, the value of venture capital deals in the US defence industry has grown 18-fold. This far outstrips sectors such as energy and healthcare. But such investment in military-related research and development is also often acknowledged as inefficient and not necessarily the best way to boost productivity.

    Fishman pointed out that the Marshall Plan, which provided substantial economic aid to western Europe after the second world war, had a far higher return for the US.

    Economic stabilisation kept the Soviet Union at bay for relatively small outlay compared to the Vietnam war, where casualties were of such a magnitude that it made any cost-benefit analysis meaningless.

    The Vietnam war proved extremely costly for the US.
    Department of the Army Special Photo Office / Wikimedia Commons

    Boosting defence spending also represents a lost opportunity to invest in more socially beneficial projects. This will worsen the climate crisis.

    According to a study shared with the Guardian in May, the initial rearmament planned by Nato alone could have increased greenhouse gas emissions by almost 200 million tonnes a year. The expanded defence commitment will only increase this further.

    Unlike defence, where the repurposing of civilian technologies for military uses carries a cost to society, many green investments involve beneficial substitutions that reduce the cost of a green transition.

    The substitution of conventional fossil fuel heating and transport systems with heat pumps and electric vehicles, for example, is far more socially beneficial than repurposing civilian satellites for missile systems.

    A final point is that military diplomacy is itself geopolitically destabilising. US efforts to contain communism in Asia during the 1950s and 1960s are a good example. Not only did such efforts see China align its trade with other communist states, it also ensured that self-reliance became a cornerstone of China’s economic strategy.

    This all suggests that the current drive for deterrence-based military spending carries with it a huge cost for society that could ultimately prove economically wasteful and geopolitically destabilising.

    Damian Tobin 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. Nato leaders pledge increased defence spending – is this really the price for peace and prosperity? – https://theconversation.com/nato-leaders-pledge-increased-defence-spending-is-this-really-the-price-for-peace-and-prosperity-255989

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Nato leaders pledge increased defence spending – is this really the price for peace and prosperity?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Damian Tobin, Lecturer in International Business, University College Cork

    Kev Gregory / Shutterstock

    Nato leaders agreed to ramp up defence spending to 5% of their countries’ economic output by 2035 at a summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25. US president Donald Trump, who has spent months saying Europe should take more responsibility for its own security, described the pledge as “a monumental win for the US” and a “big win” for western civilisation.

    A few months earlier, in March, the EU also launched its long-awaited white paper on defence. This provides a blueprint for improving Europe’s readiness to respond to military threats by 2030. On top of the fact that global military spending has surged in the past ten years, these developments indicate that the world’s largest nations now prioritise military over economic diplomacy.

    One of the main ideas behind military diplomacy is that increased defence spending acts as a deterrent to future conflicts. The nuclear arms race between the US and Soviet Union during the cold war provides some support for this argument. The prospect of mutual destruction was so great that it acted as a deterrent to nuclear war.

    But is increased defence spending really the necessary price for greater peace and prosperity? My research on interactions between firms, geopolitics and the political economy of defence indicates that this is no “big win” for society or economic productivity.

    A convoy of naval ships in the Pacific Ocean.
    Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock

    Deterrence requires a level of brinkmanship if it is to work. But as American economist Thomas Schelling pointed out in his 1960 book, The Strategy of Conflict, the problem with brinkmanship is that it relies on deliberately allowing a situation to get somewhat out of hand, with the intention of forcing the other party to back down.

    This can result in strategic blunders. Efforts by the former US president, Richard Nixon, to engineer such a situation in 1969 by threatening to use nuclear weapons in Vietnam failed to gain credibility with the Soviets and North Vietnamese. This undoubtedly helped convince North Vietnam that it could survive the war and locked the US into a much longer conflict.

    The recent confrontation between Israel and Iran also showed that brinkmanship can produce situations where there are significant casualties and no clear long-term resolution. Iran has long recognised that keeping itself near the threshold of nuclear weapons capability would offer a deterrent against external threats.

    But this strategy created many opportunities for error. Israel claimed that Iran was too close to building a nuclear weapon and, alongside the US, launched strikes that they say inflicted significant damage on Iranian nuclear enrichment capabilities and military leadership.



    Read more:
    Israeli aggression and Iranian nuclear brinkmanship made this confrontation all but inevitable

    Beyond this, it is unclear just how much military spending is needed to deter aggression. Nato allies have now committed to a big increase in defence spending – thanks largely to pressure from Trump.

    However, even Nato’s previous objective that countries commit 2% of their national income to defence has proved unattractive for many governments. This has even been the case in post-conflict areas such as the Balkans, where Nato has had a heavy involvement.

    A costly alternative

    Boosting defence spending falls short on delivering economic prosperity, too. Analysing US military spending in the Vietnam war, economist Les Fishman noted in 1967 that military diplomacy was far more costly than its economic equivalent.

    Military production requires continuously high levels of investment to maintain technological progress. This sucks public investment from other parts of the economy.

    That’s not to say defence spending has an entirely negative effect on the economy. Studies have found evidence that US federal funding of military research and development results in significant increases in private business research in sectors such as chemicals and aerospace.

    And, over the past decade, the value of venture capital deals in the US defence industry has grown 18-fold. This far outstrips sectors such as energy and healthcare. But such investment in military-related research and development is also often acknowledged as inefficient and not necessarily the best way to boost productivity.

    Fishman pointed out that the Marshall Plan, which provided substantial economic aid to western Europe after the second world war, had a far higher return for the US.

    Economic stabilisation kept the Soviet Union at bay for relatively small outlay compared to the Vietnam war, where casualties were of such a magnitude that it made any cost-benefit analysis meaningless.

    The Vietnam war proved extremely costly for the US.
    Department of the Army Special Photo Office / Wikimedia Commons

    Boosting defence spending also represents a lost opportunity to invest in more socially beneficial projects. This will worsen the climate crisis.

    According to a study shared with the Guardian in May, the initial rearmament planned by Nato alone could have increased greenhouse gas emissions by almost 200 million tonnes a year. The expanded defence commitment will only increase this further.

    Unlike defence, where the repurposing of civilian technologies for military uses carries a cost to society, many green investments involve beneficial substitutions that reduce the cost of a green transition.

    The substitution of conventional fossil fuel heating and transport systems with heat pumps and electric vehicles, for example, is far more socially beneficial than repurposing civilian satellites for missile systems.

    A final point is that military diplomacy is itself geopolitically destabilising. US efforts to contain communism in Asia during the 1950s and 1960s are a good example. Not only did such efforts see China align its trade with other communist states, it also ensured that self-reliance became a cornerstone of China’s economic strategy.

    This all suggests that the current drive for deterrence-based military spending carries with it a huge cost for society that could ultimately prove economically wasteful and geopolitically destabilising.

    Damian Tobin 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. Nato leaders pledge increased defence spending – is this really the price for peace and prosperity? – https://theconversation.com/nato-leaders-pledge-increased-defence-spending-is-this-really-the-price-for-peace-and-prosperity-255989

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over 4,000 school-based childcare places this September

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Over 4,000 school-based childcare places this September

    Nearly 200 school-based nurseries planning to open this September, with next wave of rollout – backed by almost £370 million – to launch in the Autumn.

    Thousands of families across the country will soon benefit from new childcare places in local schools closer to where they live, as the government’s school-based nurseries rollout is on track to deliver over 4,000 places this September. 

    Nearly 200 schools with spades in the ground, that are planning to open in just two months’ time, have reported they are set to exceed the government’s initial projections on places, meaning more high-quality, accessible and affordable childcare options for parents.

    Thanks to the brilliant work from school and early years leaders, these new school-based nursery places and thousands more across the provider sector are set to be available in time for working parents to take up the 30 government-funded hours, saving them up to £7,500 on average every year.

    On top of cash back in parents’ pockets, the upcoming milestone will break down barriers to opportunity for families by enabling more parents to return to work – increasing choices for parents, and life chances for children. According to a recent government survey, of the 2,723 respondents who are planning to increase their childcare hours in September, over half (1,425) are intending to up their work hours too.

    With savings from the government’s free breakfast club rollout – which has already delivered over two million meals – and school uniform cap, this rises to up to £8,000 for working parents who also have school-aged children, every year.

    As part of its Plan for Change, delivering on its promise of high-quality childcare to the children who need it most is a government priority. That’s why schools were chosen in places currently underserved by the market, to increase choices for parents that need it, in their local area. On average, 20 places will be available per site – and up to 6,000 new places in total across the 300 schools taking part in the first phase of the rollout.

    Last month, the government announced almost £370 million of further funding to support the future of the programme, with the next phase due to launch in the Autumn.

    School-based nurseries, private, voluntary and independent nurseries, as well as childminders, all have an important role to play in the government’s mission to get tens of thousands more children school ready every year and put more cash in working parents’ pockets.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    Giving every child the best start in life is my number one priority, and making sure hard-working parents are able to benefit from this rollout is a promise made, and promise kept.

    Every corner of the early years sector has a vital role to play, and the progress made so far, in the face of an enormous inherited delivery challenge, is testament to their dedication to children and families up and down the country.

    This September is only the beginning. This government has a clear Plan for Change to get tens of thousands more children school ready each year so that every child, from any background, gets the opportunities they need to get on in life.

    Alongside the benefits to family finances, high-quality early education builds children’s confidence, social skills, and prepares them for school. That’s why the government is backing programmes to provide early years educators with the bespoke tools, training and resources they need to help young minds to thrive.

    Already, 11,000 primary schools are registered to deliver the Nuffield Early Language Intervention, and 800 more settings have been recruited to the Maths Champions professional development programme. In the coming days, the Education Secretary will set out the government’s vision for Reception and next phase of action on school readiness.

    Minet Infant and Nursery School in Hayes is one of the nearly 200 schools set to roll out new early years places from this September. Headteacher Wayne Wathen-Howell said: 

    We’re proud to be opening a new nursery right here in our school – it’s a big moment for our community.

    Parents have told us how important it is to have affordable, high-quality childcare close to home, and this new nursery will make a real difference. Not only will it help families balance work and family life, it also gives our youngest children the best possible start in a familiar, supportive environment.

    Being based on a school site means children can settle in early, build confidence, and feel ready for the step into Reception. We’re excited to welcome them through our doors this September.

    Next year, the government will work with the sector to go further and faster, increasing funding to over £9 billion, building on £75 million already delivered to help providers grow places, and a record uplift to the Early Years Pupil Premium.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Black Sabbath award the Freedom of the City of Birmingham

    Source: City of Birmingham

    The founding members of Black Sabbath were awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham at a ceremony in the Council House on Saturday.

    At the ceremony, the original band members of Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward were presented with their Freedom of the City scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal.

    The Freedom of the City honour is the one of the oldest traditional ceremonies in the country and recognises people’s exceptional service to the city.

    This honour recognises Black Sabbath’s significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham, their strong association with the city and continued influence as pioneers of heavy metal in both Birmingham and beyond.

    As part of the Freedom of the City, each band member received the title of Honorary Freeman and an engraving of their names on the Freedom of the City marble board was also unveiled at the ceremony.

    The scrolls were produced by local company Hilton Studios and the medals were produced by Jewellery Quarter based business Fattorini.

    The medal design was created by competition winner Toby Williams, a student studying in the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University.

    Toby’s winning design was inspired by the themes of industry and community, reflecting the people of Birmingham  

    Black Sabbath formed in Aston in 1968, going on to create eight albums and selling over 75 million albums worldwide. They are considered pioneers of the heavy metal genre and are one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands.

    They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

    Speaking on receipt of the award, Terence “Geezer” Butler said: “This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston. We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”

    Tony Iommi added: “It’s a great thing to receive. Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful.”

    Ozzy Osbourne said: “I first put an advert in a music store in town. If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now. It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham Forever!”

    Bill Ward added: “It’s completely overwhelming. I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude. It was a blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy. They’re my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much.”

    The engravings in the Council House building joins Black Sabbath bridge on Broad Street as a permanent tribute to the band and their accomplishments.

    Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of the city council said “From the streets of Aston to global success, the ceremony has been a fitting celebration of their achievements and connection to our city, showcasing the band’s incredible career as pioneers of heavy metal and recognising their continued legacy as part of Birmingham’s rich musical identity.

    Black Sabbath are global ambassadors of our city, and their music continues to inspire musicians across the world, so it has been wonderful to recognise the band with this honour.”   

    Councillor Zafar Iqbal, Lord Mayor of Birmingham: “It is a pleasure to pronounce Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward as Freemen of the City of Birmingham. 

    The Freedom of the City is one of the oldest civic honours and given in recognition of exceptional service to Birmingham.

    Conferring these honours on Black Sabbath’s founding members, who are proud Brummies, is a fitting tribute to the band, marking their importance to Birmingham’s cultural landscape and the pride of our city as their hometown.  

    Professor David Mba, Vice Chancellor, at Birmingham City University, said: “We’re proud that our University – and particularly the iconic School of Jewellery – has played such an instrumental role in this special recognition of a very special band.

    “The creation of these remarkable medals is a golden demonstration of how BCU – as rooted in Birmingham as Black Sabbath themselves – continues to answer the call of the city, standing alongside willing partners like the City Council.

    “Congratulations to Ozzy, Geezer, Tony and Bill. We hold great pride in your peerless representation of Birmingham on a global stage.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: David Hill appointed as Interim Defra Permanent Secretary

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    News story

    David Hill appointed as Interim Defra Permanent Secretary

    David Hill will lead the department as the recruitment process for a Permanent Secretary continues.

    David Hill has been appointed as Interim Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

    David Hill has been appointed as Interim Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

    David’s term will begin on 30 June 2025 and will run until a new Permanent Secretary is in post. The recruitment process for a new Permanent Secretary is ongoing.

    David brings a wealth of experience to the position, having held several Director General roles at Defra since 2019. 

    This appointment follows outgoing Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein’s decision earlier this year to step down after six years in the role.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Members reappointed to National Park Authority and National Landscape boards

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Members reappointed to National Park Authority and National Landscape boards

    Members will continue protecting England’s landscapes through the North York Moors National Park Authority and the Cotswolds Conservation Board.

    A series of reappointments have been made to the boards of the North York Moors National Park Authority (NPA) and the Cotswolds Conservation Board.

    Abida Nayyar has been reappointed to the North York Moors NPA for a second term of four years, from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029. 

    Katherine Chesson and Ellie Fujioka have both been reappointed to the Cotswolds Conservation Board for a second term of three years, from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028. 

    All reappointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  

    England’s National Parks and National Landscapes are home to some of our most important habitats and wildlife. The overall role of a board member is to contribute to the leadership, scrutiny, and direction of the National Park Authority or Conservation Board, and further its statutory purposes.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the opening of the 4th Financing for Development Conference [trilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-Spanish]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Majestades,

    Excelencias, señoras y señores:

    Agradezco al Gobierno y al pueblo de España por su cálida acogida en Sevilla para esta importante conferencia.

    Durante décadas, la misión del desarrollo sostenible ha unido a países grandes y pequeños, desarrollados y en desarrollo.

    Juntos, hemos logrado avances.

     
    Reduciendo la pobreza y el hambre en el mundo.
     
    Salvando vidas con sistemas sanitarios más sólidos.
     
    Llevando más niños a la escuela.
     
    Ampliando las oportunidades para mujeres y niñas.
     
    Y fortaleciendo las redes de seguridad social.
     
    Pero hoy, el desarrollo y su gran impulsor – la cooperación internacional –enfrentan fortísimos vientos en contra.
     
    Vivimos en un mundo donde la confianza se está desmoronando y el multilateralismo está bajo tensión.
     
    Un mundo con una economía en desaceleración, tensiones comerciales crecientes y presupuestos de ayuda diezmados.
     
    Un mundo sacudido por desigualdades, caos climático y conflictos devastadores.
     
    El vínculo entre paz y desarrollo es evidente.
     
    Nueve de los diez países con los Indicadores de Desarrollo Humano más bajos se encuentran actualmente en situación de conflicto.
     
    Excelencias,
     
    La financiación es el motor del desarrollo.
     
    Y, ahora mismo, ese motor se está ahogando.
     
    Mientras nos reunimos, la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible – nuestra promesa global de transformar nuestro mundo para lograr un futuro mejor y más justo – está en peligro.
     
    Dos tercios de las metas de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible están rezagadas.
     
    Alcanzarlos requiere una inversión de más de 4 billones de dólares al año.
     
    Pero no se trata sólo de una crisis de cifras.
     
    Es una crisis de personas.
     
    De familias que pasan hambre.
     
    De niños que no reciben vacunas.
     
    De niñas obligadas a abandonar la escuela.
     
    Estamos aquí en Sevilla para cambiar el rumbo.
     
    Para reparar y poner en marcha el motor del desarrollo y acelerar la inversión a la escala y velocidad necesarias.
     
    Y restaurar equidad y justicia – para todas y todos.
     
    Excellencies,
     
    The Sevilla Commitment is a global promise to fix how the world supports countries as they climb the development ladder.
     
    I see three areas of action.
     
    First — we must get resources flowing. Fast.  
     
    Countries must lead by mobilizing domestic resources and investing in areas of greatest impact: schools, health care, social protection, decent work, and renewable energy.
     
    Unlocking these investments requires strengthening tax systems, and tackling illicit financial flows and tax evasion.
     
    And helping developing countries dedicate a greater share of their tax revenues to the systems people need.
     
    The Sevilla Commitment’s call on developed countries to double their aid dedicated to domestic resource mobilization to support this.
     
    Multilateral and national development banks must unite to finance major investments. 
     
    This includes tripling the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks — and rechanneling Special Drawing Rights that can unlock lending capacity and help developing countries boost investment.
     
    We also need innovative funding solutions to unlock private capital.
     
    Solutions that mitigate currency risks;
     
    That combine public and private finance more effectively, and ensure the risks and rewards of development projects are shared by both the public and the private sectors; 
     
    And that ensure financial regulations assess risk appropriately and support investments in frontier markets.
     
    Second — we must fix the global debt system which is unsustainable, unfair and unaffordable.
     
    With annual debt service at $1.4 trillion, countries need — and deserve — a system that lowers borrowing costs, enables fair and timely debt-restructuring, and prevents debt crises in the first place.
     
    The Sevilla Commitment lays the groundwork:  
     
    With other aspects, by also creating a single debt registry for transparency, and promoting responsible lending and borrowing;
     
    By lowering the cost of capital through debt swaps and debt management support;
     
    And through debt service pauses in times of emergency.    
     
    And third — we must increase the participation of developing countries in the institutions of the global financial architecture. The present major shareholders have a role to play recognizing the importance of correcting injustices and adapting to a changing world. 

    A new borrowers forum will give voice to borrowers for fairer debt resolution and to foster transparency, shared learning and coordinated debt action.
     
    And we need a fairer global tax system shaped by all, not just by a few.
     
    Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
     
    Cette conférence n’est pas une affaire de charité.
     
    Il s’agit de rétablir la justice – et de permettre à chacun de vivre dans la dignité.
     
    Cette conférence n’est pas une affaire d’argent.
     
    Il s’agit d’investir dans l’avenir que nous voulons construire – ensemble.
     
    Merci – à toutes et à tous – de participer à cet effort essentiel et ambitieux.
     

    ****

    DECLARACIONES DEL SECRETARIO GENERAL
    CON OCASIÓN DE LA INAUGURACIÓN DE LA CUARTA CONFERENCIA SOBRE LA FINANCIACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO

    Majestades,

    Excelencias, señoras y señores:

    Agradezco al Gobierno y al pueblo de España por su cálida acogida en Sevilla para esta importante conferencia.

    Durante décadas, la misión del desarrollo sostenible ha unido a países grandes y pequeños, desarrollados y en desarrollo.

    Juntos, hemos logrado avances.

    Reduciendo la pobreza y el hambre en el mundo.

    Salvando vidas con sistemas sanitarios más sólidos.

    Llevando más niños a la escuela.
            
    Ampliando las oportunidades para mujeres y niñas.

    Y fortaleciendo las redes de seguridad social.

    Pero hoy, el desarrollo y su gran impulsor – la cooperación internacional –enfrentan fortísimos vientos en contra.

    Vivimos en un mundo donde la confianza se está desmoronando y el multilateralismo está bajo tensión.

    Un mundo con una economía en desaceleración, tensiones comerciales crecientes y presupuestos de ayuda diezmados.

    Un mundo sacudido por desigualdades, caos climático y conflictos devastadores.

    El vínculo entre paz y desarrollo es evidente.

    Nueve de los diez países con los Indicadores de Desarrollo Humano más bajos se encuentran actualmente en situación de conflicto.

    Excelencias,

    La financiación es el motor del desarrollo.

    Y, ahora mismo, ese motor se está ahogando.

    Mientras nos reunimos, la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible – nuestra promesa global de transformar nuestro mundo para lograr un futuro mejor y más justo – está en peligro.

    Dos tercios de las metas de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible están rezagadas.

    Alcanzarlos requiere una inversión de más de 4 billones de dólares al año.

    Pero no se trata sólo de una crisis de cifras.

    Es una crisis de personas.

    De familias que pasan hambre.

    De niños que no reciben vacunas.

    De niñas obligadas a abandonar la escuela.

    Estamos aquí en Sevilla para cambiar el rumbo.

    Para reparar y poner en marcha el motor del desarrollo y acelerar la inversión a la escala y velocidad necesarias.

    Y restaurar equidad y justicia – para todas y todos.

    Excelencias:

    El documento del Compromiso de Sevilla es una clara promesa global de reparar la forma en que el mundo apoya a los países que suben la escalera del desarrollo.

    Veo tres esferas de acción.

    En primer lugar, tenemos que hacer fluir los recursos. Rápido.

    Los países deben dirigir el proceso movilizando recursos nacionales e invirtiendo en las esferas de mayor impacto: escuelas, atención sanitaria, protección social, trabajo decente y energía renovable.

    Para favorecer estas inversiones es necesario reforzar los sistemas tributarios y combatir los flujos financieros ilícitos y la evasión fiscal.

    Y ayudar a los países en desarrollo a que puedan dedicar una mayor parte de sus ingresos tributarios a los sistemas que necesitan las personas.

    El llamamiento del Compromiso de Sevilla a los países desarrollados para que dupliquen la ayuda dedicada a la movilización de recursos nacionales para servir de apoyo.

    Los bancos multilaterales y nacionales de desarrollo deben unirse para financiar grandes inversiones. 

    Para ello, hay que triplicar la capacidad de préstamo de los bancos multilaterales de desarrollo y reorientar los derechos especiales de giro para aumentar la capacidad de préstamo y ayudar a los países en desarrollo a impulsar la inversión.

    También necesitamos soluciones de financiación innovadora para facilitar el capital privado: 

    Que mitiguen los riesgos cambiarios;

    Que combinen más eficazmente la financiación pública y privada, y garanticen que los riesgos y las recompensas de los proyectos de desarrollo sean compartidos por el sector público y el sector privado; 

    Y que garanticen que la reglamentación financiera evalúa los riesgos adecuadamente y apoya las inversiones en mercados frontera.

    En segundo lugar, debemos reparar el sistema mundial de la deuda, que es insostenible, injusto e inasequible.

    Con un servicio de la deuda que asciende a 1,4 billones de dólares al año, los países necesitan — y merecen — un sistema que abarate el costo del endeudamiento, facilite la reestructuración justa y oportuna de la deuda, y prevenga las crisis de deuda en primer lugar.

    El Compromiso de Sevilla sienta las bases:  

    Con otros factores, creando también un registro único de la deuda en aras de la transparencia, y promoviendo prácticas responsables de préstamo y endeudamiento;

    Reduciendo el costo del capital mediante canjes de deuda y el apoyo a la gestión de la deuda;

    Y suspendiendo el servicio de la deuda en épocas de emergencia.    

    Y en tercer lugar debemos incrementar la participación de los países en desarrollo en las instituciones de la arquitectura financiera global. Los principales accionistas tienen un papel que desempeñar al reconocer la importancia de corregir las injusticias y adaptarse a un mundo cambiante.

    Las partes principales deben apoyar reformas que les den una voz más potente.

    Un foro de prestatarios puede fomentar el aprendizaje común y la acción coordinada en materia de deuda. 

    Un nuevo foro de prestatarios dará voz a los prestatarios para una resolución de la deuda más justa y puede fomentar el aprendizaje compartido y la acción coordinada en materia de deuda.

    Y necesitamos un sistema tributario mundial más justo, conformado por todos, no solo por unos pocos.

    Excelencias, señoras y señores:

    Esta conferencia no trata de caridad.

    Trata de restablecer la justicia y permitir que todos vivan con dignidad.

    Esta conferencia no trata de dinero.

    Trata de invertir en el futuro que queremos construir, juntos.

    Gracias a todos por participar en este importante y ambicioso esfuerzo.
     

    ******

    THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
    REMARKS AT THE OPENING OF THE 4TH FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

    Your Majesties,

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    I thank the Government and people of Spain for welcoming us to Sevilla for this important conference.

    For decades, the mission of sustainable development has united countries large and small, developed and developing.

    Together, we achieved progress.

    Reducing global poverty and hunger.

    Saving lives with stronger health care systems.

    Getting more children into school.
                                        
    Expanding opportunities for women and girls.

    And strengthening social safety nets.

    But today, development and its great enabler — international cooperation — are facing massive headwinds.

    We are living in a world where trust is fraying and multilateralism is strained.

    A world with a slowing economy, rising trade tensions, and decimated aid budgets.

    A world shaken by inequalities, climate chaos and raging conflicts. 

    The link between peace and development is clear.

    Nine of the ten countries with the lowest Human Development Indicators are currently in a state of conflict. 

    Excellencies,

    Financing is the engine of development.

    And right now, this engine is sputtering.

    As we meet, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — our global promise to transform our world for a better, fairer future — is in danger.

    Two-thirds of the Sustainable Development Goals targets are lagging.

    Achieving them requires an investment of more than $4 trillion a year.

    But this is not just a crisis of numbers. 

    It’s a crisis of people.

    Of families going hungry.

    Of children going unvaccinated.

    Of girls forced to drop out of school.

    We are here in Sevilla to change course.
     
    To repair and rev up the engine of development to accelerate investment at the scale and speed required.

    And to restore a measure of fairness and justice for all.

    Excellencies,

    The Sevilla Commitment document is a global promise to fix how the world supports countries as they climb the development ladder.

    I see three areas of action.

    First — we must get resources flowing. Fast.  

    Countries must lead by mobilizing domestic resources and investing in areas of greatest impact: schools, health care, social protection, decent work, and renewable energy.

    Unlocking these investments requires strengthening tax systems, and tackling illicit financial flows and tax evasion.

    And helping developing countries dedicate a greater share of their tax revenues to the systems people need.

    The Sevilla Commitment’s call on developed countries to double their aid dedicated to domestic resource mobilization to support this. 

    Multilateral and national development banks must unite to finance major investments. 

    This includes tripling the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks — and rechanneling Special Drawing Rights that can unlock lending capacity and help developing countries boost investment.

    We also need innovative funding solutions to unlock private capital.  

    Solutions that mitigate currency risks;

    That combine public and private finance more effectively, and ensure the risks and rewards of development projects are shared by both the public and private sectors; 

    And that ensure financial regulations assess risk appropriately and support investments in frontier markets.

    Second — we must fix the global debt system which is unsustainable, unfair and unaffordable.

    With annual debt service at $1.4 trillion, countries need — and deserve — a system that lowers borrowing costs, enables fair and timely debt-restructuring, and prevents debt crises in the first place.

    The Sevilla Commitment lays the groundwork:  

    With other aspects, by also creating a single debt registry for transparency, and promoting responsible lending and borrowing;

    By lowering the cost of capital through debt swaps and debt management support;

    And through debt service pauses in times of emergency.    

    And third — we must increase the participation of developing countries in the institutions of the global financial architecture. The present major shareholders have a role to play recognizing the importance of correcting injustices and adapting to a changing world. 

    A new borrowers forum will give voice to borrowers for fairer debt resolution and can foster transparency, shared learning and coordinated debt action.

    And we need a fairer global tax system shaped by all, not just a few.

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    This conference is not about charity.

    It’s about restoring justice and lives of dignity.

    This conference is not about money.

    It’s about investing in the future we want to build, together.

    Thank you all for being part of this important and ambitious effort.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: INTERPOL releases new information on globalization of scam centres

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    • Victims have been trafficked into criminality from more than 60 countries around the world
    • West Africa is emerging as a potential regional hub for online scam centres

    LYON, France: Human trafficking-fueled scam centres have expanded their global footprint, according to a new crime trend update released by INTERPOL.

    As of March 2025, victims from 66 countries were trafficked into online scam centres, with no continent left untouched.

    Seventy-four percent of human trafficking victims were brought to centres in the original ‘hub’ region of Southeast Asia, according to analysis of the crime trend using data from relevant INTERPOL Notices issued in the past five years.

    However, online scam centres have increasingly been observed in other regions, including the Middle East, West Africa – which could be developing into a new regional hub – and Central America.

    While approximately 90 percent of human trafficking facilitators were from Asia, 11 per cent were from South America or Africa.

    Eighty per cent of facilitators were men, and 61 per cent were aged between 20 and 39 years old.

    Global crisis

    Initially concentrated in a handful of Southeast Asian countries, the centres are estimated to have drawn in hundreds of thousands of human trafficking victims, typically through false job ads, detaining them in compounds and forcing them to carry out online social engineering scams.

    While not every person committing fraud in a scam centre is a victim of human trafficking, those held against their will are often subject to extortion through debt bondage, as well as beatings, sexual exploitation, torture and rape.

    Online scams engineered by the centres target a second set of globally-dispersed victims, who often suffer debilitating financial and emotional damage.

    Since 2023, INTERPOL has documented how this double-edged crime trend has evolved from a regional threat in Southeast Asia to a global crisis, issuing an Orange Notice to signal its serious and imminent threat to public safety.

    In 2024, a global operation coordinated by INTERPOL uncovered dozens of cases in which trafficking victims were deceived and coerced into committing fraud, with national police officers raiding an industrial-scale scam centre in the Philippines.

    In the same year, an INTERPOL operation saw police dismantle a scam centre in Namibia, where 88 youths were forced to conduct scams.

    Growing use of AI

    The INTERPOL update also highlights how emerging technologies and convergence with other major crime areas could transform human trafficking-fueled scam centres as the crime trend continues to evolve.

    The use of artificial intelligence has been observed in a growing number of scamming cases.

    AI has been used to develop convincing fake job ads that attract human trafficking victims as well as generate online photos or profiles through ‘deepfake’ technology for sextortion and romance scams, among other social engineering schemes.

    Moreover, reports analysed by INTERPOL show that the same routes used to traffic victims to scam centres can be used to traffic drugs, firearms and protected wildlife species.

    The areas where scam centres have emerged in Southeast Asia are also key hubs for the trafficking of endangered species such as tigers or pangolins, making criminal diversification likely.

    Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL, said:

    “The reach of online scam centres spans the globe and represents a dynamic and persistent global challenge.”

    “Tackling this rapidly globalizing threat requires a coordinated international response. We must increase the exchange of information between law enforcement in the growing number of countries affected and strengthen partnerships with NGOs that help victims and technology companies whose platforms are being exploited.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Help us future-proof city play areas

    Source: City of Norwich

    Families across Norwich are being called on to help shape the future of their local play spaces.

    With many play areas showing their age and traditional funding sources coming to an end, Norwich City Council is launching a consultation to gather ideas, spark creativity, and set priorities for future investment.

    Norwich has 74 play areas, 17 multi-use games areas (MUGAs), 5 skate parks and 1 BMX track, all managed by the city council

    Whether you’re a parent, a child, a teacher, or a local resident, your voice matters. From drawing dream playgrounds to sharing thoughts in a quick survey or coming to a pop-up event, there are several fun and easy ways to get involved.

    Cllr Emma Hampton, cabinet member for parks and open spaces, said:

    “Norwich is fortunate to have so many play areas which we know are an important part of resident’s wellbeing, and we need to plan their future – help us shape what comes next.

     “We’re inviting everyone to be part of the conversation and help us build spaces that children love, and communities are proud of.”

    Play area pop-up events schedule – come and see us in the summer holidays

    (All events run from 10am to 2pm)

    • Wednesday 23 July – Eaton Green and Enfield Road
    • Monday 28 July – Harford Park and Chapelbreak
    • Tuesday 29 July – Heigham Park and West End Street
    • Wednesday 30 July – Chapelfield Park and Sewell Park
    • Thursday 31 July – Jenny Lind and Peterson Road
    • Monday 4 August – Pilling Park and Greenfields
    • Wednesday 6 August – Heartsease Rec and Marion Road
    • Friday 8 August – Eaton Park and Waterloo Park

    The consultation will also be taken directly into some local schools, through a partnership with Norwich Youth Advisory Board.

    Work to review the play areas is already underway, looking at things like accessibility, equipment, age suitability and where they’re located. Everything residents share will help:

    • Shape the play strategy
    • Prioritise improvements
    • Create inclusive spaces
    • Plan for future needs

    A draft plan is set to be shared later this year. The consultation is open from Monday 30 June until Sunday 10 August 2025. Take part at gettalkingnorwich.gov.uk/play

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod explains the role of the mace

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

    A mace is carried into the House of Lords chamber in a procession at the beginning of each sitting day.

    Hear from Neil, Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod, as he explains what happens during the procession and his role.

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/movdnaGjzxs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: World Chambers Federation announces new leadership for 2025–2028

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: World Chambers Federation announces new leadership for 2025–2028

    Mr. Marcelo Elizondo Secretary and Member of the Board, Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (Argentina) Mr. Andrew McKellar CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Australia) Mr. Atef Al Khaja CEO, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Bahrain)   Mr. Tom Laveren CEO, Voka Chamber of Commerce Mechelen-Kempen (Belgium)   Mr. Jean Pierre Antelo President, CAINCO (Bolivia) Ms. Maria Bustamante President, FIESC Chamber of Foreign Trade (Brazil)  Mr. Daniel Campos Caramori Vice-President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Canada)  Mr. José Ovidio Claros Polanco President, Bogota Chamber of Commerce (Colombia)  Ms. Rim Siam President of the Economic Business Women Council, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (Egypt)   Ms. Leticia Escobar President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (El Salvador)  Mr. Giorgi Pertaia President, Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Georgia)  Mr. Volker Treier Chief Executive of Foreign Trade and Board Member, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Germany)   Mr. Ashish Vaid Past President, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (India)  Mr. Mohammad Khazaee Torshizi Senior Advisor to the President, Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (Iran) Ms. Gilit Rubinstein CEO, Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (Israel)  Mr. Dario Gallina Past President, Torino Chamber of Commerce (Italy)  Mr. Aigars Rostovskis President, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Latvia)   Mr. Katsuya Igarashi Executive Director, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Japan)  Dr. Erick Rutto President, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kenya)  Mr. Rabih Sabra Director General, Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (Lebanon)   Ms. Charlotte Parkhill Chair, Auckland Business Chamber (New Zealand)   Mr. Gabriel Idahosa President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nigeria)  Mr. Trajan Angeloski President, Macedonian Chamber of Commerce (North Macedonia)  Ms. Tamader Al Thani Director of International Relations and Chamber Affairs, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Qatar)  Mr. Ovidiu Ioan Silaghi Secretary General, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (Romania)  Mr. Marko Cadez President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (Serbia)   Ms. Melanie Veness CEO and Chairperson, PMCB and Association of South African Chambers (South Africa)  Mr. Seong Woo Lee Vice-President, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (South Korea)  Mr. Adolfo Díaz-Ambrona Secretary General, Spain Chamber of Commerce (Spain)  Mr. Izzet Volkan Chairman of the Board, Corlu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Türkiye)  Mr. Salem Al Shamsi Vice-President for International Relations, Dubai Chambers (United Arab Emirates)   Mr. Gennadiy Chyzhykov President, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (Ukraine)  Mr. Ahmed M. El Wakil President, Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) (Transnational)  Mr. Yousef Khalawi Secretary General, Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (Transnational)  Mr. Natalio Mario Grinman President, Ibero-American Association of Chambers of Commerce (AICO) (Transnational)  Mr. Peter McMullin President, Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) (Transnational)  Mr. Ben Butters CEO, Eurochambres (Transnational)  Dr. Khaled Hanafy Secretary General, Union of Arab Chambers (Transnational) 

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacancy for a Branch Support Officer based in Derby

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Vacancy for a Branch Support Officer based in Derby

    We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual, willing to learn new skills, to join our team based in Derby.

    For more information about the role and how to apply, visit civilservicejobs or search ‘civilservicejobs’ and ‘Derby’

    Please be aware the deadline for applications is 11:55pm, Wednesday 9 July 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fuel margins remain high despite lower fuel prices, CMA finds

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Fuel margins remain high despite lower fuel prices, CMA finds

    Today’s monitoring report sets out the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) observations on developments in the UK’s road fuel retail market since the previous update in March 2025.

    Dan Turnbull, Senior Director of Markets at the CMA, said:   

    While there is uncertainty over how global events will impact the price of oil, our report shows fuel margins remain high compared to historic levels despite lower prices at the pump in recent months. 

    The government committed to launching a ‘fuel finder’ scheme following our recommendation to help drivers compare real time prices and boost competition. Once launched, it will make it easier than ever to shop around and find the best deals.

    Fuel prices 

    Fuel prices across the UK decreased for both petrol and diesel from end of February 2025 to end of May 2025. These movements reflect in part changing crude oil prices and refining spreads, both of which are driven by global factors. 

    The average petrol and diesel prices at the end of May 2025 were 132.0 and 138.4 pence per litre (ppl) respectively. This represents a decrease of 7.6 ppl and 8.4 ppl in petrol and diesel prices compared to the end of February 2025.  

    Fuel margins 

    A retailer’s fuel margin is the difference between what it pays for fuel and what it sells it at. The CMA found that fuel margins were similar to the high levels seen during its road fuel market study – a review of the market to understand the factors influencing fuel prices undertaken in 2023 – which suggests overall competition in the UK’s road fuel retail market remains weak. 

    Supermarket fuel margins fell from 8.9% in December 2024 to 7.9% in February 2025, before rising to 8.3% in March 2025. Non-supermarket fuel margins fell from 9.9% in December 2024 to 8.9% in January 2025, before rising to 10.4% in March 2025. 

    This report does not consider developments in operating costs since the road fuel market study. The CMA will undertake a review of fuel retailer operating costs in its first annual road fuel monitoring report later this year to assess whether operating cost changes are impacting fuel margins for large retailers. 

    Retail spreads 

    The CMA also looked at the retail spread – the average price that drivers pay at the pump compared to the benchmarked price that retailers buy fuel at – across the UK from March 2025 to May 2025. 

    Petrol retail spreads averaged 15.4 ppl, which was 1.5 ppl higher than the previous 4 months period – and still more than double the average of 6.5 ppl over 2015-19. Diesel retail spreads averaged 18.8 ppl, which was 4.6 ppl higher than the previous 4 months period and more than double the average of 8.6 ppl in 2015 – 2019. 

    While spread analysis can give a quick overview of trends in the sector, it is a less reliable indicator of competitive intensity than individual retailers’ fuel margins. Retail spreads increase and decrease in response to the volatility of wholesale prices but should return to a normal range over time, if the market is working well. 

    Road fuel market study 

    At the end of its road fuel market study, the CMA recommended a new monitoring function and fuel finder scheme to government. 

    The CMA has taken on the new statutory monitoring function, which will provide ongoing scrutiny of prices to encourage effective competition between retailers and help keep prices low for drivers. This update is based on data provided to the CMA by fuel retailers using its new information gathering powers granted under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. 

    The ‘fuel finder’ scheme will allow drivers to compare real-time fuel prices, via navigation apps, in-car devices and comparison websites. The government’s aim is to launch the scheme by the end of this year, subject to legislation and parliamentary time.  

    Further details about the CMA’s road fuel monitoring function, including previous reports and guidance, can be found on the collection page. 

    Notes to editors 

    1. The CMA issued section 311 Information Notices to the following retailers: Applegreen PLC; Arthur Foodstores Limited, Asda Express Limited, and Asda Stores Limited (Asda); BP Oil UK Limited; Esso Petroleum Company Limited; Moto Hospitality Limited; Motor Fuel Group; Rontec Roadside Retail Limited; J Sainsbury PLC; Shell PLC; Tesco PLC; and Welcome Break Group Limited. 

    2. Motor Fuel Group announced the completed acquisition of Morrisons PFSs in the UK on 30 April 2024. 

    3. All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the CMA press office by email on press@cma.gov.uk or by phone on 020 3738 6460.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Proposed updates to how the starting point for profit rates for vital single source defence contracts are calculated

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Proposed updates to how the starting point for profit rates for vital single source defence contracts are calculated

    We are consulting on updates to the way that profit rates for defence-related single source contracts are calculated.

    Each year, the SSRO undertakes a robust process to assess the appropriate baseline profit rate (BPR) for single source defence contracts using the published BPR methodology. The BPR is the first step of the four-step process in determining the contract profit rate that applies in determining the price of Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts let without competition, known as Qualifying Defence Contracts (QDCs) and Qualifying Sub-Contracts (QSCs). It is a vital building block to delivering fast paced defence procurement of some of the most strategically significant capabilities for the nation.

    The BPR is only the starting point for agreeing contract profit rates, and contractors can, and do, earn significantly higher rates when they take on risk and perform well throughout the contract duration, but they can also earn less when they fail to perform.

    We are proposing amendments to the criteria used in the BPR methodology to select comparable companies in response to two external changes:

    1. The methodology relies on selecting comparable companies to benchmark their profits using codes from a classification system called NACE (Nomenclature of Economic Activities), which categorises businesses based on their economic activities. The NACE database has been updated, meaning the BPR methodology must be updated accordingly.

    2. The methodology has a company size threshold which filters out small companies and it is proposed that this aspect of the BPR methodology is updated to remain consistent with the new UK regulations which revise company size thresholds.

    We are also looking to conclude on the two remaining proposals from the previous BPR activities review phase 2 consultation from 2024.

    We are consulting on these changes to keep the BPR methodology accurate, up to date and reflective of appropriate comparators. This will help us to produce a baseline profit rate which supports our aims of ensuring value for money for the taxpayer and fair and reasonable prices for contractors in support of the delivery of essential defence capabilities in the UK.

    The consultation will run until 5pm on 11 August 2025.  For more information, and details of how to respond, please see the consultation webpage.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale: 30 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Press release

    Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale: 30 June 2025

    The King has been pleased to appoint Mr John Jeffrey JP, DL as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale.

    The King has been pleased to appoint Mr John Jeffrey JP, DL as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, to succeed Richard Scott, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KT, KBE, CVO, DL, FSA, FRSE following his retirement on 4th July 2025.

    Background

    Mr Jeffrey was educated at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh and then at Newcastle University where he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture. He is a fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society, a Justice of the Peace, and Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Roxburghshire. Mr Jeffrey runs his own farm estates business and has played Rugby nationally and internationally including on the Scotland Men’s national team and for the British Lions. John was a founding member and Vice-Chair of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which works to find a cure for MND. He has held a number of Board and Governance roles including the Moredun Foundation for Animal Health & Welfare, Border Union Agricultural Society and the British Lions Trust. John is also the former Chairman of Scottish Rugby and vice-chair of World Rugby.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Sydbank A/S share buyback programme: transactions in week 26

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Announcement No 29/2025

    		 Peberlyk 4
    6200 Aabenraa
    Denmark

    Tel +45 74 37 37 37
    Fax +45 74 37 35 36

    Sydbank A/S
    CVR No DK 12626509, Aabenraa
    sydbank.dk
    30 June 2025  

    Dear Sirs

    Sydbank A/S share buyback programme: transactions in week 26
    On 26 February 2025 Sydbank A/S announced a share buyback programme of DKK 1,350m. The share buyback programme commenced on 3 March 2025 and will be completed by 31 January 2026.

    The purpose of the share buyback programme is to reduce the share capital of Sydbank A/S and the programme is executed in compliance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, collectively referred to as the Safe Harbour rules.

    The following transactions have been made under the share buyback programme:

      Number of shares VWAP Gross value (DKK)
    Accumulated, most recent
    Announcement

    1,093,000

    		  

    462,805,840.00
    23 June 2025
    24 June 2025
    25 June 2025
    26 June 2025
    27 June 2025    		 14,000
    12,000
    12,000
    12,000
    6,000    		 431.21
    438.28
    437.46
    437.72
    461.20    		 6,036,940.00
    5,259,360.00
    5,249,520.00
    5,252,640.00
    2,767,200.00
    Total over week 26 56,000   24,565,660.00
    Total accumulated during the
    share buyback programme

    1,149,000

    		  

    487,371,500.00

    All transactions were made under ISIN DK 0010311471 and effected by Danske Bank A/S on behalf of Sydbank A/S.

    Further information about the transactions, cf Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse and Commission delegated regulation, is available in the attachment.

    Following the above transactions, Sydbank A/S holds a total of 1,149,222 own shares, equal to 2.24 % of the Bank’s share capital.

    Yours sincerely
            
    Mark Luscombe        Jørn Adam Møller
    CEO        Deputy Group Chief Executive

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth Armed Forces Week 2025 proves to be a huge success.

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Visitors and residents turned up in their thousands to show respect to our Service Personnel past and present in a week-long celebration in Plymouth which culminated in the spectacular Armed Forces Day – in association with international defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock), on Saturday 28 June. For a city with a proud military history, this was a real opportunity to come together and celebrate.

    On Monday 23 June, the week opened with an official ceremonial raising of the Armed Forces flag outside Plymouth Guildhall, which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Kathy Watkin and Captain Iain Ritchie representing the Naval Base Commander, alongside other military and civic leaders.

    The sun shone for the participants and spectators of the Strength of Spirit Games Rehabilitation Triathlon, hosted by the Royal Navy, sponsored by AECOM and Defence Recovery. The city welcomed over 150 Service Personnel in recovery and medically discharged veterans, who took part in the swim, bike and row events with an international team from the Netherlands, taking full advantage of the newly refurbished art-deco Tinside Lido and the view over Plymouth Hoe.

    The Plymouth School Sports Partnership Junior Rowing Challenge, sponsored by AECOM took place for the second year, with 150 children from military families, representing 24 local primary schools, competing on the Hoe. Thank you to our sponsors and delivery partners South West Highways, Plymouth Active Leisure and Samworth Brothers Cornwall for their support.

    Congratulations to all participants who took part in the Strength of Spirit Games. Plympton St. Maurice Primary were the overall winning team at The Plymouth School Sports Partnership Junior Rowing Challenge.

    Darren Carlile, Head of National Security UK&I AECOM, said: “The Strength of Spirit Games and Junior Rowing Competition brought together exceptional individuals, each demonstrating remarkable resilience, determination and character. From the enthusiasm of the junior participants to the inspiring strength of veterans, it was great to see such memorable moments. Congratulations to all who took part.”

    Plymouth Armed Forces Day took place on Saturday with a full day’s programme incorporating, displays, parades, demonstrations, and entertainment culminating in an evening concert. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the Armed Forces both past and present.

    Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Events, Cemeteries and Crematoria, Councillor Sally Haydon, said: “The week-long Armed Forces celebration in Plymouth is not only an opportunity to see inspirational athletes and enjoy a family-fun day of thrilling demonstrations, interactive displays and entertainment, but also a hugely important week to show our support to the Armed Forces community and to thank them for the great work they do”.

    Visitors from far and wide came to explore the military villages and enjoyed tackling some of the hands-on challenges and climbing on-board the vehicles and equipment, including the Royal Marines Raiding Craft and the Army’s weapon displays. There were dynamic displays from the Royal Navy including the battlefield ambulance and dive tank whilst, the RAF recruitment team chatted to visitors about career opportunities and the Cadets were running desk-top simulators for visitors to try.

    John Gane, Site Managing Director at Babcock’s Devonport facility, said: “Hosting this military showcase annually in Plymouth provides an excellent opportunity for the community to learn more about the critical role that our Armed Forces play in keeping our country safe – something Babcock is proud to support. This year’s events attracted more visitors than ever before, and we were pleased to welcome so many visitors to our busy stand on Armed Forces Day.”

    One of the many highlights included the Merlin Mk4 helicopter which commanded a steady flow of visitors throughout the day chatting to the air crew and engineers.

    The Emergency Services had an array of displays and equipment to explore, including the Fire Service, Police, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth, RNLI and Coastguard Search and Rescue. They all had teams on-hand to offer advice and explain how and when they use their emergency equipment.

    The Veterans Village, supported by the Royal British Legion Devon County, saw a continuous stream of visitors to the 100+ charities and organisations offering information, support and advice, for both serving military personnel and veterans. For the car enthusiast there were plenty of vintage military vehicles to admire, plus a display from City West Country and Ocean BMW Motorbikes.

    Families loved the arena programme with the Parade of Standards, led by the City of Plymouth Pipe Band and thrilling demonstrations from Team Endeavours Punishers Wheelchair Rugby, plus REORG Ju Jitsu who were new to the event and wowed the crowds with their exciting demonstration.  There were Cadet parades and bands and live music, including the Theatre Royal’s Plymouth’s Armed Forces Choir.

    Congratulations to Pennycross Primary School for breaking the fastest time world record at the Junior Field Gun tournament, which ran throughout the day. They were presented the silver trophy by Vice Admiral, Andrew Burns, Fleet Commander of the Royal Navy, and they also won the points cup!

    ​

    The day finished with a lively free evening concert, sponsored by C&G Catering, which included a line-up of brilliant performances where the crowds danced and sang a-long to, with the stunning backdrop of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

    Thank you to our Armed Forces Day sponsors and delivery partners, Babcock International, Royal British Legion Devon County, C&G Catering, Foster for Plymouth, South West Highways, Plymouth CityBus, and Ivor Dewdney Pasties for their support.

    To watch the video from Armed Forces Day, and for more information, visit: plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk. For further information about Babcock International, visit: babcockinternational.com

    For more information about other events taking place in the city, visit: visitplymouth.co.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Explore Kilmocholmóg’s ancient past at archaeology open day

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Step into the past on Saturday 5 July 2025 at the Kilmocholmóg archaeology open day in Lurgan and uncover the secrets of an early medieval settlement right beneath your feet.

    Craigavon Historical Society is hosting this unique event at Kilmocholmóg (meaning ‘church of my little Colman’) with support from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Lurgan Townscape Heritage scheme.

    Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of community volunteers and school children have joined a team from the Northern Archaeological Consultancy to uncover the remains of an early medieval settlement (400-1100 AD).

    With the dig finishing this week, members of the local community are invited to come along to the site, located just off Kilmore Road, to find out the results of the excavation, meet the team of archaeologists involved in the dig and get up close to the fascinating finds unearthed including an array of prehistoric flint, glass beads, early medieval ceramics, and post-medieval pottery and glassware.

    This event, which has been made possible thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will also feature a range of heritage-themed activities from site tours to ground radar survey demonstrations, blacksmithing, weaving and artefact handling – guaranteed to keep all the family entertained!

    Those interested in attending the open day and learning about the area’s ancient past can choose one of two sessions: 10.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Places can be booked at www.eventbrite.com/e/1435053376279

    Parking at the Kilmocholmóg site is located in a field next to a private residence at 96 Kilmore Road, Lurgan, BT67 9LW and is accessible by a single-track lane. It is recommended that visitors arrive on time for their session to ensure the traffic flow remains uninterrupted along this route.

    To find out more about this event, contact David Weir at

    *protected email*

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Young pupils champion Deaf Awareness

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The competition, which formed part of a wider initiative to promote deaf awareness, invited primary school pupils to create posters showcasing a superhero who is deaf, highlighting the importance of representation and understanding. 

    A judging panel selected three winning entries from the submissions received. The panel consisted of Councillor Ian Massie, member of the Learning and Families Committee, Fiona Mackay, Service Manager for Inclusion and Additional Support, David McPhee, Team Leader for Equalities, Ronald Burns, a resident and employee of the council who is a deaf BSL user and Kirsty Lockhart, Inclusion Co-ordinator. Additionally, Kirsten from Crieff High School and George Brodie, a previous pupil who is now studying Art at Dundee University were part of the judging panel. 

    The judges praised the entries as “very imaginative and eye-catching”, reflecting the pupils’ thoughtful engagement with the theme.  

    The winning entries from Hanna, Pitlochry Primary School, Taylor, Goodlyburn Primary School and Evie, Oakbank Primary School, were celebrated in a special presentation at the pupil’s schools where they received certificates and prizes for their outstanding work. 

    In addition to the poster competition, around 500 pupils participated in deaf awareness, using the online resource aimed at raising awareness about deafness and promoting inclusive communication strategies. The resource included a retelling of the well-know Elmer story in sign language by Hazel Burns, Librarian at Perth High School. 

    This resource will be a valuable addition to the ongoing work of the Hearing Support team who provide vital support to around 110 children and young people, both at home and within their educational setting. By complementing existing services, the resource will help further embed understanding and inclusion across primary schools within the Perth and Kinross area. 

    Congratulations to all the winners for their inspiring designs and to every pupil who took part in this important initiative.

    Councillor Ian Massie, selection panel judge and member of the Council’s Learning and Families Committee said: “This competition has been a fantastic way to engage young people in raising deaf awareness within their own and other schools in Perth and Kinross. The creativity and empathy shown in the pupils’ designs are truly inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts.”

    Councillor Peter Barrett, Equalities Lead for Perth and Kinross Council, added:
    “Raising awareness about deafness and promoting equality is vital in building a more inclusive community. The work these pupils have done, both through their superhero designs and the online resource, demonstrates a deep understanding and commitment to making a difference to those in our communities who are deaf. 

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Night to remember as gallery’s goddess is conserved

    Source: City of Leeds

    A breath-taking, life-sized artwork depicting its painter’s wife as a beautiful goddess has gone on display after being delicately conserved by experts at Leeds Art Gallery.

    The romantic tribute Goddess of Night, by artist Quentin Bell is part of a new exhibition exploring different portrayals of women over the past 400 years, after it was the subject of a careful restoration project by specialist paper conservator James Caverhill.

    Separating the fragile piece from its backing, James began the painstaking process of repairing a split which had occurred in the brittle paper over many years.

    Drawn in astonishing detail on fragile material, the remarkable piece is one of a pair, with its companion Goddess of Day – also part of the gallery’s collection – having been generously gifted last year by Vanda Walton.

    Both pieces are now proudly on display in the gallery as part of its current Portrayals of Women exhibition, which explores how women have been portrayed from the 17th century to the present day.

    Bell was the nephew of Virginia Woolf, as well as a renowned ceramicist and former professor of fine art at The University of Leeds. He based both artworks on his beloved wife Anne Olivier Bell, known as Olivier, completing the captivating portraits in the early years of their marriage.

    Olivier, a distinguished art expert herself, met her future husband during a study trip to Paris in 1937 where he painted her for the first time.

    In 1945, she worked for the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Branch of the Control Commission for Germany, one of the so-called ‘Monuments Men’ featured in the 2014 film starring George Clooney.

    She was also one of the first members of the Arts Council, a role which included escorting paintings from Munich’s Alte Pinakothek on goods trains across Germany for display at the National Gallery in London.

    Both Goddess of Day and Goddess of Night hung in the couple’s Sussex home for many years until 1980, when Bell gifted both paintings to his friend and colleague Peter Walton, Vanda’s late husband.

    The works, which were cherished and well cared for, remained in Peter and Vanda’s home until last year when they were generously donated to the gallery.

    Kirsty Young, Leeds Art Gallery’s assistant curator of fine art, said: “Both these works by Bell have a unique and timeless beauty, even more so because of the personal story behind them and the powerful emotional connection the artist clearly had with his subject.

    “Bell’s works frequently reference classical mythology and these works that have a strong architectural quality to them are a perfect reflection of this.

    “In various mythologies, day and night are personified as female deities that control the cycle of light and darkness. These portrayals often highlight female power, beauty, wisdom and influence. The figures here are clearly identifiable through the symbolic items they are holding.

    “The nature of works on paper means that over time, they can be subject to this kind of deterioration as the paper can become very brittle, so we’re extremely fortunate to have James’s expertise in conserving Goddess of Night in readiness for display.

    “Bell painted Olivier a number of times through his career, and as well as being a companion in life, she was clearly also a huge inspiration to him artistically, so we’re looking forward to sharing their story with visitors through these stunning artworks.”

    Bell’s works are part of Leeds Art Gallery’s impressive fine art collection which is designated as being of national and international importance. The collection of works on paper is one of the finest in Britain and consists of over 10,000 items dating from 1450 to the present day.

    The Portrayals of Women exhibition brings together a range of artworks from Leeds Art Gallery’s nationally renowned works on paper collection. It features a selection of works including historic pieces by Ottavio Leoni and Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, to recent acquisitions by contemporary artists Skye Davies and SHARP

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “The opportunity to learn about and be inspired by stunning artworks like this is exactly why our gallery and its incredible collection are so important to life and culture in Leeds.

    “Preserving and conserving these works means that future generations will also be able to learn about them and their fascinating stories for many years to come.”

    Jane Bhoyroo, principal keeper at Leeds Art Gallery added:  “We are very grateful for this recent gift which enables us to continue to grow the city’s outstanding collection. We look forward to sharing this remarkable work with our audiences”.

    For more details about Leeds Art Gallery’s Portrayals of Women exhibition, please visit: Portrayals of Women | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

    ENDS

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