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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month

    The British Embassy Manila launched the LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook, reaffirming support for equality and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.

    Ambassador Laure Beaufils (centre) is presented with a reproduction of Justin Nuyda’s Search Mindscape: Pride during the British Embassy’s Pride Reception. From right: Rhadem Musawah, Mujer LGBT; Emmanuele Parra, TrustLaw; Ambassador Laure Beaufils; Ayni Nuda; and Toni Gee, Mujer LGBT

    British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, hosted a Pride Reception reaffirming the UK’s commitment to advance human rights and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.

    The event saw the launch of the Comprehensive LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook, which aims to equip LGBTQIA+ organisations, activists and advocates with knowledge and tools against unfair treatment and discrimination. The Guidebook was developed by Mujer LGBTQIA+ Organisation, in collaboration with TrustLaw, Thomson Reuters Foundation and SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan.

    The British Embassy supported the publication of the Guidebook, recognising its value as a practical resource designed to empower members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

    Rhadem Musawah from Mujer LGBT+ Organisation stated:

    This book is a product of almost two years of research, consultation and deep reflection. It includes key laws like the Anti-Terror Law, Safe Spaces Act and Anti-Discrimination Ordinances. More importantly, it provides clear, step-by-step guidance on what to do, where to go and who to call. It is practical, accessible and rooted in the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ groups on the ground. This is not just a legal tool—it is a lifeline. A product of struggle and survival.

    The reception also included a panel discussion with members from the LGBTQIA+ community who shared insights on the challenges they face. They discussed available tools and strategies to protect and support the LGBTQIA+ community and highlighted how the UK and other countries can help maintain progress on equal rights.

    Ambassador Beaufils reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support and commitment to championing LGBTQIA+. She stated:

    In a time when we are witnessing a roll back on rights across the world, it is crucial that we all work together in upholding the human rights, dignity and freedom of the LGBTQIA+ community.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Good Distribution Practice for Veterinary Medicinal Products in Great Britain published

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Good Distribution Practice for Veterinary Medicinal Products in Great Britain published

    The VMD has published the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for Veterinary Medicinal Products in Great Britain, providing updated guidance for wholesale dealers.

    The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has published the Good Distribution Practice for Veterinary Medicinal Products in Great Britain, providing updated guidance for wholesale dealers to ensure the safe and effective distribution of veterinary medicines.

    This new guidance outlines the minimum standards that wholesale dealers must meet to comply with their legal obligations under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR). It is designed to support the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that veterinary medicinal products are consistently stored, transported, and handled under suitable conditions.

    Key areas covered in the guidance include:

    • Quality management systems to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
    • Personnel responsibilities and training requirements.
    • Premises and equipment standards for storage and distribution.
    • Documentation and record-keeping to ensure traceability.
    • Handling of complaints, returns, and recalls to protect animal and public health.

    The GDP guidance is applicable to all holders of a Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation (WDA) for veterinary medicinal products in Great Britain. It aligns with international best practices and reflects the VMD’s commitment to maintaining high standards in the veterinary medicines supply chain.

    Wholesale dealers are encouraged to review the guidance in full and ensure their operations are compliant. The VMD will use this guidance as a reference during inspections and compliance assessments.

    Access the Guidance

    The full Good Distribution Practice for Veterinary Medicinal Products in Great Britain document is available to download from Good Distribution Practice for Veterinary Medicinal Products in Great Britain.

    For further information or queries, please contact the VMD Inspections Team at inspections@vmd.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – EU–NATO cooperation – 23-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The cooperation between the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has deepened significantly in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has reshaped Europe’s security environment and highlighted the complementary roles of both organisations. NATO remains the cornerstone of collective defence, backed by United States (US) capabilities, while the EU has emerged as a key actor in financial aid, military assistance and sanctions. Both institutions have formalised their partnership through joint declarations and strategic documents, including NATO’s Strategic Concept, the EU’s Strategic Compass and White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030. Practical cooperation now spans a wide range of areas including cyber defence, countering hybrid threats, military mobility, critical infrastructure protection, and joint crisis preparedness. Regular staff-level coordination, shared exercises, and technical arrangements – such as the NATO–EU task force on critical infrastructure – have improved resilience and interoperability. The EU has also significantly ramped up its defence role. It has delivered €50.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine (EU plus Member State contributions). It has introduced industrial policies such as EDIRPA, ASAP, and the ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan to reinforce the European defence industrial base. Despite progress, persistent challenges remain. Political tensions – in particular between Cyprus and Türkiye – continue to block intelligence sharing and formal joint planning. The EU still relies heavily on NATO, particularly US assets, for operational capabilities. Growing uncertainty over US commitments under the second Trump Presidency has reinforced the EU’s drive to strengthen strategic autonomy and ensure greater burden-sharing within NATO. The European Parliament supports stronger, complementary EU–NATO ties focused on interoperability, resilience and avoiding duplication, while stressing the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security. At the NATO summit on 24-25 June in The Hague (the Netherlands), key challenges include agreeing on higher defence spending targets, maintaining alliance unity, managing the Russia threat, and rapidly scaling up Europe’s defence capabilities.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the problematic influence of the European Court of Human Rights in the field of asylum and migration policy – B10-0272/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0272/2025

    Motion for a resolution on the problematic influence of the European Court of Human Rights in the field of asylum and migration policy

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has, through its consistent pro-migration interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), left little leeway for returns and made it impossible to effectively combat mass immigration;

    B. whereas the ECtHR has confirmed[1] that expelled third-country nationals have an unconditional right of return and that this right also applies to expelled drug traffickers;

    C. whereas Denmark and Italy accuse the ECtHR of affording too much importance to the ECHR when interpreting migration issues, going beyond the original intention of the signatory states;

    1. is concerned that the ECtHR is increasingly undermining the sovereign right of European states to decide whether foreigners may reside on their territory and that the ECtHR is placing the individual needs of deportees above public safety and the common good;

    2. Considers that states have the right to refuse foreign drug traffickers entry into their territory in the fight against illegal drug trafficking;

    3. Rejects the EU’s accession to the ECHR;

    4. Calls on the EU institutions to support Denmark and Italy in their criticism and to take it as an opportunity to reinterpret international legal frameworks in the field of asylum and migration in a manner respecting the sovereignty of European states.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Developer appointed for 51 affordable homes in Littlemore

    Source: City of Oxford

    Oxford City Council’s housing company, OX Place, will work with Equans to build 51 sustainable council and shared ownership homes off Sandy Lane West in Littlemore. 

    This includes 27 flats let at social rent for people on the housing register, and 24 flats for shared ownership. 

    Social rent levels mean council tenants will typically pay around 40% of the rent a private landlord would charge for the same home. Shared ownership is a flexible option which helps a range of people onto the housing ladder in one of the UK’s most unaffordable cities.    

    OX Place and Equans working together for sustainable homes 

    The new partnership allows enabling works to begin on the site of the former Northfield Hostel, a SEND school that closed in 2014 and was demolished last year. It is expected that groundbreaking will happen later this summer. 

    In addition to the 51 homes already planned, the Council is exploring planning permission for a further 10 homes on the hostel’s adjacent sports field, which has been boarded up since the school closed. These would be built once the 51 flats are completed.  

    Equans has extensive experience working with local authorities to deliver vibrant, efficient and sustainable communities, using integrated energy and decarbonisation measures that make a real difference to people’s lives. 

    Comment 

    “Oxford needs homes, and this partnership marks the first step towards over 50 new affordable and sustainable ones for the people of Oxford. 

    “It is good that after a decade when it has been underused, we are exploiting this site for a development where the majority of homes will be much needed social housing. 

    “I look forward to work getting underway and new homes being delivered.” 

    Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies

    “OX Place and Equans are both experts at delivering great, sustainable developments and I’m confident this partnership will do just that.” 

    Kevin Lowry, Interim Managing Director at OX Place

    “We are thrilled to be underway with the Northfield project for our valued client, OX Place, on behalf of Oxford City Council.

    “Delivering 53 much-needed, sustainable homes in Littlemore presents a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in one of the UK’s most challenging housing markets. This marks an exciting new chapter in our strong, trusted partnership with OX Place, built over the past three years.

    “We’re proud to play a part in creating high-quality homes that meet both community needs and environmental goals.” 

    Rob Young, Regional Managing Director, Equans

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Beaney in the running for yet another Kids in Museums Award 

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Home  »  Latest News   »   Beaney in the running for yet another Kids in Museums Award 

    The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is in the running for yet another prestigious national award in recognition of its quality as a family attraction.

    Having won in the best medium museum category in the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards back in 2023, The Beaney, in High Street, Canterbury, has been shortlisted in the ‘best accessible museum’ category.

    It is up against Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax and Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park in Barnsley.

    The Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award celebrates the most family-friendly heritage sites in the UK and is the only museum award to be judged by families.

    From February to late April, families across the UK voted for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums website.

    A panel of museum experts, children and young people then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 18 heritage attractions.

    Lots of comments were submitted about The Beaney during the voting period earlier this year, with many praising its provision for visitors with accessibility needs.

    One family wrote: “We so often feel excluded from society. We are a neurodivergent family of three, our son is six and has numerous SEN conditions.

    “We visited the museum and were blown away by the lengths that they went to in order to ensure that it is accessible to all. The staff were wonderful.

    “I am 45 and my mum used to take me to the museum as a child. It was wonderful to be able to take my own son, an opportunity that we are frequently denied with other experiences and museums.”

    The museum will be visited by undercover family judges who will assess the shortlisted museums against the Kids in Museums Manifesto, a set of guidelines on what makes a great museum visit for all ages.

    Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2025.

    The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

    Cllr Charlotte Cornell, Cabinet Member for Heritage, said: “Being nominated for yet another one of these awards just shows how valued The Beaney is in our community.

    “I know how hard the museum team works to break down barriers that might stop someone from visiting The Beaney, whether it’s sensory bags for children with special educational needs and disabilities, accessible versions of their family trails, creative workshops for blind and partially-sighted visitors, audio descriptions of collection highlights or online information to help those with accessibility needs plan their visit.

    “We’ll be eagerly awaiting the results following the secret family visit this summer, and I’ll have everything crossed that it goes just as well as it did last time!”

    Notes to Editors

    About Kids in Museums

    We are an award-winning charity dedicated to making museums open and welcoming to all children, young people and families. We support and champion family friendly organisations through wide-ranging initiatives, including the Family Friendly Museum Award and Takeover Day. We invite heritage organisations to sign up to our Manifesto, which sets out simple guidelines for making museums easy to reach for all ages. www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

    About the Family Friendly Museum Award

    Kids in Museums began the Family Friendly Museum Award in 2004 to recognise heritage sites that are the most welcoming, fun and accessible for families.

    Previous winners of the Family Friendly Museum Award include Young V&A (2024), Craven Museum (2023), the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield (2022), Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery in Alnwick (2021), Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum in Dunfermline (2019) and Leeds City Museum (2018).

    Published: 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New INTERPOL report warns of sharp rise in cybercrime in Africa

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    Two-thirds of African member countries said cyber-related offences accounted for a medium-to-high share of all crimes

    • Cybercrime accounts for more than 30 per cent of all reported crime in Western and Eastern Africa.
    • Online scams, ransomware, business email compromise and digital sextortion are the most reported cyberthreats.
    • 90 per cent of African countries report needing ‘significant improvement’ in law enforcement or prosecution capacity.

    LYON, France: A growing share of reported crimes in Africa is cyber-related, according to INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.

    Two-thirds of the Organization’s African member countries surveyed said that cyber-related crimes accounted for a medium-to-high share of all crimes, rising to 30 per cent in Western and Eastern Africa.

    Online scams, particularly through phishing, were the most frequently reported cybercrimes in Africa, while ransomware, business email compromise (BEC) and digital sextortion also remain widespread.

    Neal Jetton, INTERPOL Cybercrime Director, said:

    “This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation, informed by operational intelligence, extensive law enforcement engagement and strategic private-sector collaboration. It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone.”

    Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Executive Director of AFRIPOL, said:

    “Cybersecurity is not merely a technical issue; it has become a fundamental pillar of stability, peace, and sustainable development in Africa. It directly concerns the digital sovereignty of states, the resilience of our institutions, citizen trust and the proper functioning of our economies.”

    Africa’s top cyberthreats

    In the past year, suspected scam notifications rose by up to 3,000 per cent in some African countries, according to data from Kaspersky – one of several private sector partners that works with INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate.

    Ransomware detections in Africa also rose in 2024, with South Africa and Egypt suffering the highest number, at 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively according to data from Trend Micro, followed by other highly digitized economies such as Nigeria (3,459) and Kenya (3,030).

    Incidents included attacks on critical infrastructure, such as a breach at Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and on government databases, such as hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    BEC-related incidents also rose significantly, with 11 African nations accounting for the majority of BEC activity originating on the continent. In West Africa, BEC fraud has driven highly organized, multi-million-dollar criminal enterprises, such as transnational syndicate Black Axe.

    Sixty per cent of African member countries reported an increase in reports of digital sextortion, where threat actors use sexually explicit images to blackmail their targets. The images can be authentic – shared voluntarily or obtained through coercion or deception – or they can be generated by artificial intelligence.

    Law enforcement challenges

    Cybercrime continues to outpace the legal systems designed to stop it, according to African law enforcement. Seventy-five per cent of countries surveyed said their legal frameworks and prosecution capacity needed improvement.

    At the same time, countries also reported struggling to enforce the existing laws on cybercrime, with 95 per cent of respondents reported inadequate training, resource constraints and a lack of access to specialized tools.

    Despite rising caseloads, most African member countries surveyed still lack essential IT infrastructure to combat cybercrime. Just 30 per cent of countries reported having an incident reporting system, 29 per cent a digital evidence repository and 19 per cent a cyberthreat intelligence database.

    While cybercrime routinely crosses national borders, 86 per cent of African member countries surveyed said their international cooperation capacity needs improvement due to slow, formal processes, a lack of operational networks, and limited access to platforms and foreign-hosted data.

    Cybercrime investigations increasingly rely on cooperation from private sector partners, yet 89 per cent of African countries said their cooperation with the private sector needed ‘significant’ or ‘some’ improvement due to unclear channels for engagement, low institutional readiness and other barriers.

    Strengthening cyber resilience

    Nevertheless, the INTERPOL report also details positive steps that many African member countries have made to strengthen their cyber resilience.

    Several African countries advanced their legal frameworks, harmonizing cybersecurity laws with international standards. Many countries also enhanced their cybercrime response capabilities, investing in specialized units and digital forensics infrastructure.

    This increased operational capacity was demonstrated in two high-impact international cybercrime operations coordinated by INTERPOL – Operation Serengeti and Operation Red Card – which collectively led to more than 1,000 arrests and the dismantling of hundreds of thousands of malicious networks.

    To further improve Africa’s cybercrime response capabilities, the INTERPOL report proposes six strategic recommendations, including improving regional and international cooperation, expanding prevention and public awareness, and leveraging emerging technologies.

    INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment is part of the Organization’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) initiative, which is aimed at strengthening the capability of African law enforcement to prevent, detect, investigate and disrupt cybercrime. The AFJOC initiative is supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

    In addition to information gathered from INTERPOL member countries in Africa, the Assessment benefits from data contributed by private sector partners Bi.Zone, Group-IB, Kaspersky and Trend Micro.

    Download the INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report via the link below.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: ‘Everyone Hates Elon’ and Greenpeace unfold giant banner on Piazza San Marco ahead of Bezos’ wedding 

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Venice, Italy – Activists from the UK action group Everyone hates Elon and Greenpeace Italy unfolded a giant 20x20m banner reading “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax” on Piazza San Marco, as Jeff Bezos is due to celebrate his reportedly multi-million wedding in the lagoon city this week.

    A spokesperson from Everyone Hates Elon said: “As governments talk about hard choices and struggle to fund public services, Jeff Bezos can afford to shut down half a city for days on end just to get married. Just weeks ago he spent millions on an 11 minute space trip. If there was ever a sign billionaires like Bezos should pay wealth taxes, it’s this.” 

    Clara Thompson, Greenpeace campaigner, said: “While Venice is sinking under the weight of the climate crisis, billionaires are partying like there is no tomorrow on their mega yachts. This isn’t just about one person — it’s about changing the rules so no billionaire can dodge responsibility, anywhere. The real issue is a broken system that lets billionaires skip out on their fair share of taxes while everyone else is left to foot the bill. That’s why we need fair, inclusive tax rules, and they must be written at the UN.”

    A tax on the super-rich would help to fund the necessary transition to a green and just future, fund affordable housing, cheaper public transport or home insulation. Greenpeace’s ship, the Arctic Sunrise, was anchored at the port of Venice last week-end to promote this transition and expose the damage the fossil fuel industry causes to the people and the planet.

    ENDS

    Photos and Videos can be downloaded via Greenpeace Media Library.

    Contacts: 

    Clara Thompson, EU Lead Campaigner People over Greed project, part of the Global Fair Share campaign, based at Greenpeace Germany, +49 1758530226, [email protected]

    Christine Gebeneter, EU Communication Lead, People over Greed project, part of the Global Fair Share campaign, based at Greenpeace Central-and Eastern Europe, +43 664 8403807, [email protected]

    Greenpeace International Press Desk: +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Sydbank A/S share buyback programme: transactions in week 25

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Announcement No 28/2025

    		 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
    23 June 2025  

    Dear Sirs

    Sydbank A/S share buyback programme: transactions in week 25
    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

    1,029,000

    		  

    434,479,100.00
    16 June 2025
    17 June 2025
    18 June 2025
    19 June 2025
    20 June 2025    		 11,000
    13,000
    13,000
    13,000
    14,000    		 455.01
    448.73
    437.57
    436.55
    437.47    		 5,005,110.00
    5,833,490.00
    5,688,410.00
    5,675,150.00
    6,124,580.00
    Total over week 25 64,000   28,326,740.00
    Total accumulated during the
    share buyback programme

    1,093,000

    		  

    462,805,840.00

    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 1,095,462 own shares, equal to 2.13 % 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: National maternity investigation launched to drive improvements

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    National maternity investigation launched to drive improvements

    The rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services will provide truth to families suffering harm and urgently improve care and safety.

    • It follows series of meetings between Secretary of State and bereaved families, with parents at heart of improving standards. 
    • It comes alongside package of immediate actions to boost accountability and safety as part of government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future

    A rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services has been ordered by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting to provide truth and accountability for impacted families and drive urgent improvements to care and safety, addressing systemic problems dating back over 15 years.

    This government inherited a situation where issues in maternity and neonatal care had been ongoing for some time and a series of independent reviews into local trusts had found similar failings in compassionate care – including the failure to listen to women, concerns over safety, and issues with leadership and culture.

    The investigation will urgently look at worst-performing services in the country, but also across the entire maternity system, bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national set of actions to ensure every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality and compassionate care. 

    Crucially, it will be co-produced with clinicians, experts and parents all feeding in, following a series of private meetings last week between the Secretary of State and families who have been harmed or bereaved by failures in their care. It will begin its work this summer and report back by December 2025. 

    The investigation comes alongside a package of immediate actions to improve care, including greater intervention by the Secretary of State and NHS chief executive to hold failing trusts to account – a key step in delivering the government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future through the Plan for Change.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 

    For the past year, I have been meeting bereaved families from across the country who have lost babies or suffered serious harm during what should have been the most joyful time in their lives.  

    What they have experienced is devastating – deeply painful stories of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion – caused by failures in NHS maternity care that should never have happened. Their bravery in speaking out has made it clear: we must act – and we must act now. 

    I know nobody wants better for women and babies than the thousands of NHS midwives, obstetricians, maternity and neonatal staff, and that the vast majority of births are safe and without incident, but it’s clear something is going wrong.

    That’s why I’ve ordered a rapid national investigation to make sure these families get the truth and the accountability they deserve, and ensure no parent or baby is ever let down again.  I want staff to come with us on this, to improve things for everyone.

    We‘re also taking immediate steps to hold failing services to account and give staff the tools they need to deliver the kind, safe, respectful care every family deserves. 

    Maternity care should be the litmus test by which this government is judged on patient safety, and I will do everything in my power to ensure no family has to suffer like this again.

    The investigation will consist of two parts. The first will urgently investigate up to 10 of the most concerning maternity and neonatal units, including Sussex, to give affected families answers as quickly as possible. 

    The second will undertake a system-wide look at maternity and neonatal care, bringing together lessons from past inquiries to create one clear, national set of actions to improve care across every NHS maternity service.

    The government is also today establishing a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care – and to be made up of a panel of esteemed experts and bereaved families.

    Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive at NHS England, said:

    Despite the hard work of staff, too many women are experiencing unacceptable maternity care and families continue to be let down by the NHS when they need us most.

    This rapid national investigation must mark a line in the sand for maternity care – setting out one set of clear actions for NHS leaders to ensure high quality care for all.

    Transparency will be key to understanding variation and fixing poor care – by shining a spotlight on the areas of greatest failure we can hold failing trusts to account. Each year, over half a million babies are born under our care and maternity safety rightly impacts public trust in the NHS – so we must act immediately to improve outcomes for the benefit of mothers, babies, families and staff.

    Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for NHS England, said:

    Through this rapid investigation and the immediate actions announced today, we are determined to transform services so that every family receives safe, personalised and dignified care at one of the most significant and vulnerable times in their lives.

    We know we have significant issues to address concerning safety and culture within maternity and neonatal services, and Black and Asian women and those in deprived areas still face worse outcomes, so we must redouble our efforts to improve care for all.

    The overwhelming majority of births in England are safe, and I’d urge all women to engage with their maternity service and raise any concerns they may have about themselves or their baby. Every birth matters and we will work to ensure all families trust their local NHS and feel supported through their maternity journey.

    This will address several issues facing maternity care in England. One area of focus will be addressing the devastating inequalities that women from Black, Asian and deprived backgrounds face. It will also look at a lack of compassionate care and concerns over safety.

    Speaking at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) World Conference today, the Secretary of State will outline a series of measures to immediately improve care.

    This includes: 

    • The NHS CEO and Chief Nursing Officer will meet with trust leaders in the areas of greatest concern, over the next month to drive forward urgent improvement, outline consistent expectations in changing culture and practice, and hold leaders to account for failing.
    • A new digital system will be rolled out to all maternity services by November to flag potential safety concerns in trusts and support rapid, national action. 
    • An anti-discrimination programme to tackle inequalities in care for Black, Asian, and other underserved communities. 

    Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive, Sands:  

    Sands believes listening to and learning from the experiences of bereaved parents is vital to improving maternity and neonatal care. We are pleased that the independent safety taskforce will include parent representatives.

    We particularly welcome the inclusion of an anti-discrimination programme to help tackle inequalities in care for Black, Asian, and other underserved communities. Sands, along with other organisations, friends and allies, have long campaigned for this.

    We look forward to working with the Secretary of State on this much-needed and long-overdue, programme and to ensuring that concrete steps are taken towards real accountability and lasting systemic change.

    Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage Association Chief Executive, said:

    We welcome today’s announcement by the Secretary of State of a major investigation into NHS maternity services. While the scope of this inquiry is broad, we’re reassured to know it will include the voices and experiences of our community – those affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and molar pregnancy. With black women 43% more likely to experience miscarriage, it is especially welcome that these inequalities will be a key focus.

    At the Miscarriage Association, we are currently conducting a UK-wide survey which aims to improve care and support during and after miscarriage. We hope the findings will provide valuable insight for this NHS investigation, to help inform and improve pre-natal care across the board. 

    We hope this investigation leads to meaningful learning, and to better, more compassionate care for anyone experiencing pregnancy loss in the future.

    Shauna Leven, Chief Executive Officer, The Twins Trust said:

    Twins Trust welcomes the national maternity investigation. Families expecting twins, triplets or more face significantly greater risks and are sadly more likely to experience baby loss. Too often, maternity services aren’t equipped to meet the specific needs of multiple pregnancies.

    Our Maternity Engagement Project, which audits NHS units against NICE guidelines, has reduced stillbirths and neonatal deaths, proving that tailored care saves lives.

    We urge the government to ensure families with multiples are heard. More investment is needed in staff training and resources so that maternity units can meet clinical care standards and deliver safe, compassionate care for all.

    Angela McConville, Chief Executive, NCT (National Childbirth Trust) said:

    This investigation has been won by the determination of bereaved families who have bravely spoken out about the devastating failures in NHS maternity care. 

    The immediate investment package is a vital start to tackling deep-rooted inequalities, training frontline staff, and improving the UK’s worst performing services. 

    The national investigation must now move at pace to set out a clear, actionable plan for every NHS maternity and neonatal unit.

    We’ve seen first hand the power of co-creating solutions with women and parents – real change can happen if the government listens, learns, and builds a well-resourced, safe, and equitable maternity system that works for all.

    Paul Rees MBE, Interim Chief Executive and Registrar, The Nursing and Midwifery Council, said:

    Every woman, baby and family has the right to expect safe and effective maternity care, wherever they are.

    We welcome this rapid investigation and look forward to working with the independent taskforce and the Department of Health and Social Care to drive forward urgent improvements, and tackle the scourge of health inequalities.

    Notes:

    Sands is available to support anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, for as long as they need this. Find out more about bereavement support for parents and families, and support for healthcare and other professionals at sands.org.uk/support

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Water (Special Measures) Act section comes into force

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New Water (Special Measures) Act section comes into force

    Water companies will now have to address the use of nature-based solutions when managing wastewater.

    Water companies will have to address how they will use nature-based solutions within their networks from 23rd June as a new legal requirement of the Water (Special Measures) Act comes into force (Section 5). 

    New rules require water companies to consider nature-based solutions within their statutory Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) – for instance the construction of wetlands rather than water recycling centres to help clean sewage effluent before it is released back into the wider environment. Another example could be riparian buffers—a border of vegetation next to a river or stream which helps improve water quality and protect it from surface runoff while providing habitats and reducing erosion. 

    New legal requirements mean companies have to specifically explain if and how they are using nature-based solutions within their networks, the benefits these systems have and provide transparency around their decision-making process. 

    This will improve transparency in this area, so the public knows that nature-based solutions have been considered and can understand why natural solutions have or have not been proposed in each case. 

    Alongside cost-effectiveness and sustainability, nature-based solutions provide additional benefits for people and the environment—like improved water quality, reduced flood risk and new habitats for biodiversity.  

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 

    From now on, water companies must explain how they are using natural and sustainable solutions to clean up our waterways. 

    This measure is yet another step in the Government’s plan to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Industrial Strategy to boost growth and jobs in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Industrial Strategy to boost growth and jobs in Wales

    Modern Industrial Strategy will make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business and support tens of thousands of new jobs in Wales.

    The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy

    • Electricity costs for thousands of businesses to be slashed by up to 25%   
    • UK Government to establish a centre for doctoral training in semiconductors, led by Swansea University
    • Welsh businesses to benefit from innovation funding, access to finance, faster grid connections and better-equipped sites for expansion. 

    Wales is set for increased economic growth, billions in investment and tens of thousands of new jobs supported over the next decade as a result of the UK Government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which is published today (Monday 23 June).  

    The Strategy contains measures to forge a new relationship between business and government, making Wales and the UK the best place to start and scale up a business. 

    It will unlock growth across Wales, targeting areas of strength from the country’s strengths in aerospace in North Wales to the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster in South Wales.   

    More than 7,000 UK businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25%. British manufacturers currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world— in some cases, double the European average, while businesses looking to expand or modernise have faced delays when it comes to connecting to the grid.

    For too long these challenges have held back growth and made it harder for firms to compete globally. Today’s announcement marks a decisive shift — with government stepping in to support industry and unlock the UK’s economic potential.

    From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors like automotive, aerospace and chemicals.

    These firms, which support over 300,000 skilled jobs across the UK will be exempt from paying levies such as the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market — helping level the playing field and make them more internationally competitive. Eligibility and further details on the exemptions will be determined following consultation, which will be launched shortly.

    The UK Government is also increasing support for the most energy-intensive firms — like steel, chemicals, and glass — by covering more of the electricity network charges they normally have to pay through the British Industry Supercharger. These businesses currently get a 60% discount on those charges, but from 2026, that will increase to 90%. This means their electricity bills will go down, helping them stay competitive, protect jobs, and invest in the future.

    These reforms complement the government’s long-term mission for clean power, which is the only way to bring down bills for good by ending the UK’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets.

    The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to promote business investment and growth and make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK, giving businesses the confidence to invest and create 1.1 million good, well-paid jobs in thriving industries – delivering on this government’s Plan for Change. 

    Wales is already punching above its weight in many of the growth driving sectors set out in the Industrial Strategy. 

    The key measures for Wales are: 

    • More than £4bn for the advanced manufacturing sector in the UK over the next 5 years. Wales has a leading advanced manufacturing sector with companies such as Airbus based in Broughton in north Wales. 

    • UK Government to establish a centre for doctoral training in semiconductors, led by Swansea University, building on the world-leading cluster based in south Wales.   

    • A Defence Growth Deal cluster to build on Wales’s major strengths. The top five Ministry of Defence suppliers all have a footprint in Wales. 

    • A new British Business Bank champion for the Cardiff Capital Region to connect investors with businesses and kickstart growth. 

    • £30m for a Local Innovation Partnerships Fund in Wales to work with the Welsh Government and Innovate UK to grow innovation.  

    • The National Wealth Fund working with the Development Bank of Wales to identify and secure financing for investment projects in Wales. 

    • Support for the UK’s city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator, enhanced regional support from the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and British Business Bank, and more. 

    • Strengthened support from the Office for Investment to help identify, shape and deliver strategic investment opportunities across the UK. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

    This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.

    In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people’s pockets as part of the plan for change.

    This is how we power Britain’s future – by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people. Our message is clear – Britain is back and open for business.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: 

    Wales has huge potential and our government’s Industrial Strategy will harness the strengths of our businesses and workforce to drive growth and create jobs. 

    The strategy will support key sectors like aerospace and compound semiconductors while developing industries of the future like floating offshore wind where Wales is well-placed to be a world leader. 

    Our modern Industrial Strategy is built to last and make Wales one of the best places to invest and do business. Working alongside Welsh Government we will boost growth, raise wages and create wealth across our country.”  

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

    We’ve said from day one Britain is back in business under this government, and the £100 billion of investment we’ve secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people. 

    Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best country to invest and do business, delivering economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets and pays for our NHS, schools and military. 

    Not only does this Strategy prioritise investment to attract billions for new business sites, cutting-edge research, and better transport links, it will also make our industrial energy prices globally competitive.  

    Tackling energy costs and fixing skills has been the single biggest ask of us from businesses and the greatest challenge they’ve faced – this government has listened, and now we’re taking the bold action needed. Government and business working hand in hand to make working people better of is what this Government promised and what we will deliver.” 

    Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of Fintech Wales, said:

    We are delighted to see financial services recognised as a key sector in this Industrial Strategy. We look forward to working closely with the Government to help unlock the sector’s full potential. 

    The emphasis on AI and the compute power required to support its development is particularly welcome, as we begin to see generative AI driving innovation across financial services—empowering both providers and customers through the next generation of digital banking platforms.

    Frank Holmes, Founding Partner of Gambit Corporate Finance and Chair of the Cardiff Capital Region Investment Board, said: 

    Today’s announcements mark a timely and important shift towards a connected, strategic approach to economic growth. The renewed focus on industrial strategy and SME finance speaks directly to the opportunities we are unlocking in the Cardiff Capital Region. We have backed innovative and scalable businesses like Whisper TV, showcasing how tailored regional finance can drive job creation, innovation and global reach.  

    The UK’s commitment to extending SME access to finance aligns perfectly with the ecosystem we are building  in CCR as a proven delivery partner and a model for regional economic development.” 

    Louise Harris, CEO of Tramshed Tech in Cardiff, said: 

    The launch of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy is a pivotal moment for our tech and innovation ecosystem. By aligning local strengths with national ambition, this strategy provides a powerful platform for Welsh businesses to grow, attract investment and lead in emerging sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries.  

    This strategy recognises that innovation isn’t just about technology in isolation – it’s about creating sustainable, high-quality jobs while tackling real-world challenges. This approach will create the perfect environment for startups and scale-ups to thrive, knowing they have both the infrastructure, skills and strategic support to take their innovations from Wales to the world.” 

    The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to promote business investment and growth and make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK, giving businesses the confidence to invest and create good, well-paid jobs in thriving industries – delivering on this government’s Plan for Change. 

    Investment from private companies is essential to creating new jobs, growing the economy and securing public services. That is why the Strategy will also introduce measures to make it quicker, easier and more profitable for businesses to invest in the UK, with the aim of significantly increasing businesses investment and in key growth sectors by 2035 and helping to create 1.1 million well paid jobs across all corners of the UK. 

    It will realise Wales’ economic potential and raise wages and living standards to a level that the people of Wales deserve.  

    The UK Government’s plans address the main barriers to growth, making it easier and quicker to do business and invest in Wales.  

    The Strategy’s bold plan of action includes: 

    • Slashing electricity costs by 20-25% to level the playing field for energy-hungry industries like chemicals and key growth sectors like automotive. 

    • Unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially for SMEs by increasing British Business Bank capacity to £25.6 billion, crowding in tens of billions of pounds more in private capital.  

    • Reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and reduce the number of regulators.   

    • Boosting R&D spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation across the IS-8, with more than £2bn for AI over the Spending Review, and £2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years. This will leverage in billions more from private investors. Regulatory changes will further clear the path for fast-growing industries and innovative products such as biotechnology, AI, and autonomous vehicles.

    • Attracting elite global talent to our key sectors, via visa and migrations reforms and a new the Global Talent Taskforce.  

    • Revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness.  

    Five sector plans have also been published today:

    • Advanced Manufacturing – Backing our Advanced Manufacturing sector with up to £4.3 billion in funding, including up to £2.8 billion in R&D over the next five years, with the aim of anchoring supply chains in the UK – from increasing vehicle production to 1.35 million, to leading the next generation of technologies for zero emission flight.

    • Clean Energy Industries – Doubling investment in Clean Energy Industries by 2035, with Great British Energy helping to build the clean power revolution in Britain with a further £700 million in clean energy supply chains, taking the total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain fund to £1 billion.

    • Creative Industries – Maximizing the value of our Creative Industries through a £380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising and marketing, music and visual and performing arts will improve access to finance for scale-ups and increase R&D, skills and exports.

    • Digital and Technologies – Making the UK the European leader for creating and scaling Digital and Technology businesses, with more than £2 billion to drive the AI Action Plan, including a new Sovereign AI Programme and targeting R&D investment at frontier technologies such as cyber security in Northern Ireland, semiconductors in Wales and quantum technologies in Scotland. 

    • Professional and Business Services – Ensuring our Professional and Business Services becomes the world’s most trusted adviser to global industry, revolutionising the sector across the world through adoption of UK-grown AI and working to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreements overseas.

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Changes in prescription medication could help identify cancer earlier The University of Aberdeen is partnering in a new study funded by Cancer Research UK that could help detect cancer earlier by analysing the medications patients are prescribed before they are diagnosed.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    The University of Aberdeen is partnering in a new study funded by Cancer Research UK that could help detect cancer earlier by analysing the medications patients are prescribed before they are diagnosed.
    Led by Queen’s University Belfast, the research will explore whether patterns in prescription data can act as early warning signs for cancer, enabling earlier diagnosis and improving treatment outcomes.
    With around 385,000 across the UK being diagnosed with cancer each year finding new ways to diagnose cancer earlier, is vital.*
    Professor Peter Murchie from the University of Aberdeen is part of the expert team, led by Queen’s University Belfast, working on the study which will use extensive anonymised prescription data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank at Swansea University+.
    The research will examine whether an increase in the strength or frequency of medication for symptoms such as pain, indigestion, or bleeding might reflect underlying conditions – such as ovarian or colorectal cancer – that have not yet been formally diagnosed.
    Codes used in the NHS to indicate medication prescriptions are easier to analyse and track than symptoms and can be flagged more easily to medical colleagues than notes on a patient’s record saying a symptom is worsening.
    Previous studies have already shown increased use of pain and indigestion medication in women with ovarian cancer up to eight months before diagnosis and increases in haemorrhoid treatments in patients with colorectal cancer up to 15 months before diagnosis.
    Professor Chris Cardwell, of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Our study has the potential to identify previously unrecognised medications which are newly used in the period up to two years before cancer diagnosis.
    “These changes in specific medications could act as an alert for doctors to consider earlier cancer investigation or point to unrecognised symptom patterns.
    “Diagnosing cancer as early as possible is key to ensuring treatment is as effective as possible and give patients the best chance of recovery.”
    The study, which will receive £76,462 from Cancer Research UK, will focus on eight cancers: multiple myeloma, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, lung, renal, colorectal and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – selected because these cancers are known to involve more GP consultations prior to diagnosis.
    Currently, there are many symptoms and medical conditions known to be associated with cancer, but often symptoms can indicate a variety of conditions, not just cancer, making diagnosis harder.
    The research will be the first of its kind to study prescription information comprehensively in the UK. Similar studies have been carried out overseas and smaller studies conducted looking at fewer cancer types in the UK.
    Cancer Research UK Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “Innovative approaches to tackling cancer are crucial to improving outcomes for patients. We have already made great strides in turning many types of cancer into a treatable disease if diagnosed at an early stage, and studies like this aim to help doctors identify people at risk of cancer much earlier.
    “Earlier diagnosis takes us further along the path towards a world where cancer diagnosis is the start of the road to recovery and a less fearful prospect for patients.”
    Professor Peter Murchie of the University of Aberdeen added: “This is an exciting study hoping to find out how our increasingly sophisticated health records can be used for the maximum patient benefit. We know symptoms of cancer can develop slowly, changes in our prescription data could become a very important early warning signal to prompt busy GPs.”
    Other members of the research team include Professor Carmel Hughes, Dr Sarah Baxter, Dr David Wright and Dr Blánaid Hicks of Queen’s University Belfast
    Nearly one in two people born in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime.**

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Talk reveals how history’s kids were stitched up by embarrassing outfits

    Source: City of Leeds

    The cringeworthy costumes and embarrassing outfits endured by children through the ages will come to light in a fashion-focused event in Leeds this week.

    During a special talk at Lotherton, visitors will have the chance to hear about the timeless trend of dressing children like adults for family pictures, while seeing first-hand some of the more unusual results inflicted on infants for more than 500 years.

    The talk will be part of the attraction’s current Fashion at Play exhibition, which explores the history of children’s fashion from the 1600s to the modern day.

    Among the outlandish outfits up for discussion will be the famous portrait of Child with Rattle, painted in 1611, which has been specially conserved for display in the exhibition.

    Depicting a boy of about two years old, just taking his first steps, the child was previously thought to be a girl but is now believed to be Henry Frederick Howard, the future third Earl of Arundel who was born in 1608.

    Dressed in an ostentatious silk gown, with a lace neck ruff and fancy lace hat, and accessorised with a hand made, lace apron, his eye-catching ensemble was specifically designed to capture the wealth and status of his family.

    Other questionable outfits featured in the event include those worn by youngsters Elizabeth and Edward, captured in a painting from around 1740.

    Aged around 12, Edward has been dressed in an adult suit, sporting a large wig and is even holding a dress sword in an effort to make him look like a proper grown-up gentleman for the portrait.

    Other outfits include a father and son in Wakefield wearing suits and riding matching penny farthing bikes, a fashion print from a Victorian women’s fashion magazine from around 1885 and a carefully posed picture of a mother and daughter from the 1860s, both wearing formal dress.

    The exhibition also features an album of photographs documenting a spectacular children’s fancy dress ball hosted at Leeds Town Hall by the mayor and mayoress of Leeds, Mr and Mrs Alf Cooke, on January 12, 1891.

    Nearly 400 children from well-to-do families attended, with each child dressed in a striking costume.

    Natalie Raw, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of costume and textiles, said: “The long tradition of children wearing grown up outfits is one that has clearly endured for hundreds of years, with youngsters of all ages being styled to essentially look like miniature versions of their parents.

    “The reasons for this have varied, from wanting to convey wealth and status in aristocratic circles, to a simple expression of affection between parents and their children.

    “Unfortunately for the children depicted in some of these family portraits, it’s probably fair to say they wouldn’t have chosen these outfits for themselves. Nevertheless, they do still tell us a lot about the evolution of children’s fashions and styles and how much they reflect wider trends over the years.”

    During the upcoming talk, which takes place on June 24, visitors will also have the chance to see a variety of historic garments up close, followed by tea in the servants’ rooms at Lotherton with the curator.

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “It’s fascinating to see how the story of fashion, costumes and textiles in Leeds and beyond has developed over the centuries and to have so many remarkable images and objects in our collection which help tell that story so well.

    “Our exhibitions and events are the perfect way to get an up-close look at some of these wonderful exhibits and to find out more about the lesser known aspects of what is an amazing facet of our local heritage.”

    More details on the Tea and Talk session, including how to book, can be fund at: Tea and Talk with the Curator: Mini Adults | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

    Fashion at Play will be at Lotherton until October 12, 2025. For more details, please visit: Fashion at Play | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

    ENDS

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Armed Forces Day

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    The people of Dundee will come together in City Square later this month to mark Armed Forces Day.

    Members of the public and veterans will pay tribute to the work of all branches of the armed forces at noon on Saturday (June 28).

    Lord Provost of Dundee Bill Campbell, who is also Armed Forces and Veterans Champion for Dundee will speak at the event.

    He said: “With 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, this event takes on a special poignancy and resonance.

    “Armed Forces Day gives us a chance to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets and I would encourage you to join me in City Square to help do so.”

    There will be short service on the steps of the Caird Hall at midday attended by officers and elected members of Dundee City Council, MPs, MSPs and other invited guests, including military representatives.

    Ex-services personnel in attendance will parade their standards, and Reverend Bob Wightman, Ex-Services Association Chaplain will lead the service. Readings will be given by Major (Retd) Colin Gray. 

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by President Meloni on the Jubilee of Governments

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    We will treasure the valuable lessons that Pope Leo XIV imparted to us in the Vatican this morning, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Governments.

    The Holy Father reminded us that politics should be interpreted as a mission and not as a profession, and called upon all those holding political office and positions of responsibility to never lose sight of human dignity, to always work for the good of the community, to protect the family and life, and to promote the integral education of youth.

    His reflection on natural law constituting a compass to guide legislators and political action was particularly powerful. Equally as significant were the Pope’s cautionary words regarding the huge ethical, legal and anthropological challenges triggered by artificial intelligence. Italy will continue its commitment, at both national and international level, to ensure the development of AI is human-governed and human-centred.

    We will also continue to do our part to defend religious freedom, a natural right preceding all legal formulations but which is still unfortunately suppressed in too many of the world’s nations.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK’s key business groups back government’s modern Industrial Strategy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK’s key business groups back government’s modern Industrial Strategy

    Joint statement from business groups in support of the Industrial Strategy

    “The Industrial Strategy launched today marks a significant step forward and a valuable opportunity for the business community to rally behind a new vision for the UK—boosting confidence, sentiment, and enthusiasm for investment.

    “From start-ups and small businesses to large corporates, businesses need a more attractive, stable environment that enables faster, easier, and more certain investment decisions.

    “We welcome the government’s engagement with businesses across the UK. Much of what we’ve shared has been heard and reflected in this strategy. While there’s more to do, we are ready to support the next steps.

    “We encourage businesses nationwide to get behind this strategy and champion the UK as the best place to live, work, invest, and do business.”

    Joint statement from business groups on behalf of:

    Shevaun Haviland, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce

    Rain Newton-Smith, Director General, Confederation of British Industry

    Aaron Asadi, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Nation

    Tina McKenzie, Policy and Advocacy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses

    Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive Officer, Make UK

    Michelle Ovens, Founder, Small Business Britain

    Dom Hallas, Executive Director, Startup Coalition

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tech innovators backed to set up and scale up in Britain through Industrial Strategy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Tech innovators backed to set up and scale up in Britain through Industrial Strategy

    Ambitious Digital and Technologies Sector Plan to help deliver government’s modern Industrial Strategy to drive national renewal and our Plan for Change.

    • Ambitious Digital and Technologies Sector Plan to help deliver government’s modern Industrial Strategy to drive national renewal and our Plan for Change
    • £670 million in investment to accelerate impact of quantum computers from energy to healthcare
    • Engineering biology researchers in line for £380 million to advance cutting-edge research such as in life-saving medicines and sustainable food

    Innovators driving future technologies like quantum computers to deliver new life-saving medicines and semiconductors powering the next generation of mobile phones are being backed by well over £1 billion to set up and scale up their businesses in Britain, Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has announced.

    Investment will include landmark funding for the UK’s mission to develop quantum computers that could unearth game-changing discoveries for our health and environment, the establishment of a new national semiconductor centre laser-focused on helping firms to scale-up, and new backing for engineering biology researchers working on everything from new vaccines to eco-friendly fuels.

    The package will drive the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan within our modern Industrial Strategy published today (Monday 23 June), a pivotal moment in the government’s agenda for national renewal and in supporting our mission as part of the Plan for Change to deliver the highest sustained economic growth in the G7.

    To ensure the UK is in pole position to make the most of quantum computing’s potential to improve our everyday lives, £670 million will be dedicated to accelerating the application of this revolutionary technology.

    It makes the National Quantum Computing Centre one of the first organisations to receive a 10-year funding settlement, providing long-term certainty to researchers that marks Britain as the place to do business when it comes to cutting edge tech.

    By 2035, the UK aims to develop quantum computers capable of outperforming conventional supercomputers, potentially meaning new drugs for incurable diseases or better carbon capture technologies, supporting our missions of building an NHS that is fit for the future and making Britain a green clean energy superpower as part of the plan for change.

    Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:

    Britain is full of ambitious risk-takers driven by a desire to innovate and improve people’s everyday lives. It is on us in government to match that boldness by investing in our country’s immense potential and embracing businesses who can drive that change and grow our economy.

    From quantum computers that could revolutionise drug discovery and make the NHS fit for the future, to sustainable fuels that can make the UK a clean energy superpower, science and technology has a key part to play in delivering our modern Industrial Strategy to renew our country and support our Plan for Change.

    In engineering biology, a £380 million investment will support researchers working on everything from new life-saving medicines to cell-cultivated meats and climate-resilient crops, to protect our environment and strengthen food security.

    Of this, £184 million will help bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial applications through infrastructure supporting innovators to scale up. The remaining £196 million will be invested in research and development through the National Engineering Biology Programme, bolstering the UK’s significant strengths in this field.

    Further initial investment includes:

    The commitment of £54 million to bring the world’s top science and tech talent to the UK. As the UK competes for the highest skilled individuals in priority industries, the launch of the government’s Global Talent Taskforce signals a greater focus on targeting and attracting the brightest and best talent to supercharge growth.

    A new UK Semiconductor Centre, backed by up to £19 million, will serve as a single point of contact for global firms and governments to engage with the UK semiconductor sector, helping our ambitious firms to scale-up, form new partnerships and strengthen the UK’s role in global supply chains – benefiting us all in helping to grow the economy.

    £35 million to scale up the recently announced Semiconductor Talent Expansion Programme – including new chip design courses for students, bursaries, schools outreach, and a proposed master’s conversion course to help more people move into the sector.

    £370 million for cutting-edge, UK-developed technologies to deliver advanced connectivity improving coverage for communities, providing connectivity across transport networks, and supporting defence applications – like drones.

    It includes a £240 million Advanced Connectivity Tech R&D programme, and a further £130 million will go towards strengthening the capabilities of the UK Telecoms Lab, enhancing the security and reliability of our networks.

    Building on a successful round of semiconductor Innovation and Knowledge Centres launched earlier this year, the government is providing funding for 2 additional centres, backed by £25 million.

    £10 million to expand Cyber ASAP supporting 25 academic teams annually, plus £2 million for Belfast’s Cyber AI Hub, aiming to support 28 academic spinouts by 2030.

    £6 million to extend Cyber Runway accelerator, supporting 60 startups annually with mentoring, skills development and networking to improve survival rates and growth.

    £24 million to promote CHERI blueprint adoption for designing secure next-generation chips.

    Find the full modern Industrial Strategy here.

    Notes to editors

    Further funding set out in the strategy includes:

    • Up to £330 million investment through the National Security Strategic Investment Fund for UK security and defence capabilities, plus a second year of the Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship to support digital and technology investments.
    • The Sector Plan also highlights AI as a frontier technology, following £2 billion committed at the Spending Review to implement the AI Opportunities Action Plan. The investment reaffirms the government’s commitment to deliver all 50 recommendations outlined in the Plan and underpins the Industrial Strategy’s approach to prioritise frontier technologies with the greatest growth potential.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New INTERPOL report warns of sharp rise in African cybercrime

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    Two-thirds of African member countries said cyber-related offences accounted for a medium-to-high share of all crimes

    • Cybercrime accounts for more than 30 per cent of all reported crime in Western and Eastern Africa.
    • Online scams, ransomware, business email compromise and digital sextortion are the most reported cyberthreats.
    • 90 per cent of African countries report needing ‘significant improvement’ in law enforcement or prosecution capacity.

    LYON, France: A growing share of reported crimes in Africa is cyber-related, according to INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.

    Two-thirds of the Organization’s African member countries surveyed said that cyber-related crimes accounted for a medium-to-high share of all crimes, rising to 30 per cent in Western and Eastern Africa.

    Online scams, particularly through phishing, were the most frequently reported cybercrimes in Africa, while ransomware, business email compromise (BEC) and digital sextortion also remain widespread.

    Neal Jetton, INTERPOL Cybercrime Director, said:

    “This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation, informed by operational intelligence, extensive law enforcement engagement and strategic private-sector collaboration. It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone.”

    Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Executive Director of AFRIPOL, said:

    “Cybersecurity is not merely a technical issue; it has become a fundamental pillar of stability, peace, and sustainable development in Africa. It directly concerns the digital sovereignty of states, the resilience of our institutions, citizen trust and the proper functioning of our economies.”

    Africa’s top cyberthreats

    In the past year, suspected scam notifications rose by up to 3,000 per cent in some African countries, according to data from Kaspersky – one of several private sector partners that works with INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate.

    Ransomware detections in Africa also rose in 2024, with South Africa and Egypt suffering the highest number, at 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively according to data from Trend Micro, followed by other highly digitized economies such as Nigeria (3,459) and Kenya (3,030).

    Incidents included attacks on critical infrastructure, such as a breach at Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and on government databases, such as hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    BEC-related incidents also rose significantly, with 11 African nations accounting for the majority of BEC activity originating on the continent. In West Africa, BEC fraud has driven highly organized, multi-million-dollar criminal enterprises, such as transnational syndicate Black Axe.

    Sixty per cent of African member countries reported an increase in reports of digital sextortion, where threat actors use sexually explicit images to blackmail their targets. The images can be authentic – shared voluntarily or obtained through coercion or deception – or they can be generated by artificial intelligence.

    Law enforcement challenges

    Cybercrime continues to outpace the legal systems designed to stop it, according to African law enforcement. Seventy-five per cent of countries surveyed said their legal frameworks and prosecution capacity needed improvement.

    At the same time, countries also reported struggling to enforce the existing laws on cybercrime, with 95 per cent of respondents reported inadequate training, resource constraints and a lack of access to specialized tools.

    Despite rising caseloads, most African member countries surveyed still lack essential IT infrastructure to combat cybercrime. Just 30 per cent of countries reported having an incident reporting system, 29 per cent a digital evidence repository and 19 per cent a cyberthreat intelligence database.

    While cybercrime routinely crosses national borders, 86 per cent of African member countries surveyed said their international cooperation capacity needs improvement due to slow, formal processes, a lack of operational networks, and limited access to platforms and foreign-hosted data.

    Cybercrime investigations increasingly rely on cooperation from private sector partners, yet 89 per cent of African countries said their cooperation with the private sector needed ‘significant’ or ‘some’ improvement due to unclear channels for engagement, low institutional readiness and other barriers.

    Strengthening cyber resilience

    Nevertheless, the INTERPOL report also details positive steps that many African member countries have made to strengthen their cyber resilience.

    Several African countries advanced their legal frameworks, harmonizing cybersecurity laws with international standards. Many countries also enhanced their cybercrime response capabilities, investing in specialized units and digital forensics infrastructure.

    This increased operational capacity was demonstrated in two high-impact international cybercrime operations coordinated by INTERPOL – Operation Serengeti and Operation Red Card – which collectively led to more than 1,000 arrests and the dismantling of hundreds of thousands of malicious networks.

    To further improve Africa’s cybercrime response capabilities, the INTERPOL report proposes six strategic recommendations, including improving regional and international cooperation, expanding prevention and public awareness, and leveraging emerging technologies.

    INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment is part of the Organization’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) initiative, which is aimed at strengthening the capability of African law enforcement to prevent, detect, investigate and disrupt cybercrime. The AFJOC initiative is supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

    In addition to information gathered from INTERPOL member countries in Africa, the Assessment benefits from data contributed by private sector partners Bi.Zone, Group-IB, Kaspersky and Trend Micro.

    Download the INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report via the link below.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AI breakthroughs drive expansion of ‘Airlock’ testing programme to support AI-powered healthcare innovation

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    AI breakthroughs drive expansion of ‘Airlock’ testing programme to support AI-powered healthcare innovation

    MHRA opens second round of applications to test cutting-edge AI medical technologies following successful pilot phase.

    A £1 million boost to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) pioneering AI Airlock programme will expand access to a first-of-its-kind regulatory testing ground where companies can work directly with regulators to safely test new AI-powered medical devices and explore how to bring them to patients faster, through streamlined regulations.

    Applications for the second round of the programme open today (23 June 2025) and follow a successful pilot phase that saw four breakthrough AI technologies, including software that could help doctors create personalised cancer treatment plans, and a tool to help hospitals, AI developers, and regulators monitor AI performance in real time, tested in a regulatory ‘sandbox’ environment.

    Similar to an airlock on a spacecraft, the ‘sandbox’ testing space creates a boundary between experimental AI and fully approved medical technology used in the real world.

    This initiative builds on commitments in the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and the government response to the Regulatory Horizons Council report on regulation of AI as a medical device to enable safe AI innovation through strategic guidance to regulators and enhance their AI capabilities.

    This programme is backed by the Government’s new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), which is supporting regulators to test more agile, flexible ways of working that can keep pace with emerging technologies like AI. By cutting unnecessary red tape and making the UK a more innovation-friendly environment, the RIO is helping to deliver the Government’s Plan for Change – backing high-growth industries, supporting NHS innovation, and accelerating technologies that can make a real difference to people’s lives.

    Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

    “Backing innovation means backing better regulation – and that’s what the RIO is here to do.

    “Smarter, faster approaches like the AI Airlock are helping to cut red tape, bring safe new technologies to patients quicker, and ease pressure on our NHS – fuelling the Government’s Plan for Change.”

    Health Minister, Baroness Merron, said:

    “AI has huge potential to improve healthcare, and we need to use it safely and responsibly. The AI Airlock programme is a great example of how we can test new technology thoroughly while still moving quickly.

    “This £1 million investment will help bring new medical tools to patients faster and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation.”

    Those selected for the next round of the AI Airlock programme will be able to test their AI healthcare products under careful supervision allowing for regulatory challenges to be identified early and adjustments made.

    James Pound, MHRA Interim Executive Director, Innovation and Compliance, said:

    “Traditional regulatory pathways weren’t designed with AI’s unique characteristics in mind – including its capacity to analyse large quantities of data and help automate existing manual processes. The AI Airlock programme helps address this gap by creating a supervised testing ground where these novel technologies and challenge areas can be safely investigated.

    “The technologies and devices which have been evaluated to date have shown the limitless potential of AI to improve patient outcomes, free up NHS resources, and enhance the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare services.

    “With AI, we must balance robust oversight with flexibility that doesn’t stifle innovation, and this programme achieves that balance.”

    Four projects were selected for the inaugural AI Airlock cohort, each focused on addressing critical healthcare challenges using AI. Among them was health technology multinational Philips’ Radiology Auto Impression project which tested the use of generative AI to automate the writing of radiologists’ final impressions – a critical section of radiology reports that summarises key findings from imaging procedures.

    Working directly with MHRA experts through weekly meetings, the team gained valuable insights about the need to involve their end users – radiologists – to help define testing strategies. As Yinnon Dolev, Philips’ Advanced Development NLP (Natural Language Processing) Tech Lead noted, the collaboration with regulators was “almost unheard of” and provided “a catalyst for meaningful progress expediting our development activities.”

    OncoFlow, another first round project, looked at the use of AI to help healthcare professionals create personalised management plans for cancer patients, with the potential to reduce waiting times for cancer appointments, leading to earlier treatment and the possibility of significantly increasing patients’ chances of survival. Co-founder Aruni Ghose said the Airlock programme provided his team with the chance to validate the product in a simulated clinical setting and “pressure-test it against real regulatory standards” which has helped the company accelerate its progress “from idea to a validated MVP (Minimum Viable Product).”

    Rounding out the cohort have been two projects; one by Automedica Ltd, investigating the regulatory advantages of using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technologies with verified knowledge bases and Large Language Models (LLMs); and the other by health tech startup Newton’s Tree testing its Federated AI Monitoring Service (FAMOS) to identify and mitigate AI risks in clinical settings, including performance drift or safety issues.

    Results from all four pilot projects will be published later this year, providing valuable insights that will shape the AI Airlock programme moving forward and help inform broader regulatory approaches to the effective and safe use AI in healthcare.

    Eligible candidates for the second cohort must demonstrate that their AI-powered medical device has the potential to deliver significant benefits to patients and the NHS, presents a new treatment approach, and offers a regulatory challenge ready to be tested in the Airlock programme.

    Applications for cohort two open on 23 June 2025 and will close on 14 July 2025.

    Notes to editors

    • Applications for the AI Airlock programme’s second cohort are open from 23 June – 14 July 2025. More information can be found at AI Airlock: the regulatory sandbox for AIaMD – GOV.UK.

    • The programme was launched in Spring 2024 and is the MHRA’s first regulatory sandbox for AI as a Medical Device (AIaMD) products.

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

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

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Championship Kicks Off in Mongolia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    ULAN BATOR, June 23 (Xinhua) — The 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Championship kicked off in Mongolia’s capital on Monday.

    The ninth edition of this prestigious basketball tournament will feature 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams from countries such as China, Mongolia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. They will compete for the right to become world champions.

    The competition, which runs until Sunday, promises exciting basketball matches with the best teams and players battling for glory. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Missile Alarms in Jerusalem as U.S.-Iran Tensions Ignite New Escalation in West Asia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Jerusalem was gripped by fresh anxiety today as a missile was spotted overhead, followed by distant explosions, according to a Reuters report. The Israeli military subsequently activated air raid sirens across central and southern Israel, citing further incoming missile threats from Iran. The development comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

    Over the past ten days, central Israel has sustained heavy damage, with repeated attacks also hitting the northern port city of Haifa. The ongoing conflict has significantly raised fears of a broader regional war, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts. High-level talks are reportedly underway in Moscow in a bid to defuse the crisis.

    China has called on both Iran and Israel to de-escalate hostilities. “The Chinese side urges the parties to the conflict to prevent the situation from escalating repeatedly, resolutely avoid the spillover of war, and return to the path of political resolution,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Monday.

    Meanwhile, Spain’s foreign minister announced plans to urge the European Union to suspend a key cooperation agreement with Israel and to consider a weapons embargo, stating that Europe “must show courage” in response to the escalating violence.

    In the U.S., President Donald Trump stirred debates by reviving talk of regime change in Iran. In a social media post, he questioned the legitimacy of the current Iranian leadership and wrote, “If they can’t MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN—why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”

    Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in the Russian capital for high-stakes talks with Russia’s top leadership. As a long-standing ally of Iran and a significant power in the region, Russia is viewed as a potential mediator in this deepening crisis.

    The discussions are expected to concentrate on de-escalation strategies, broader regional security concerns, and exploring any viable diplomatic pathways to resolve the ongoing hostilities.

    While Russian officials have indicated their readiness to play a constructive role in facilitating peace, the path forward remains highly uncertain. The international community, including the United Nations and other key global powers, continues to closely monitor the volatile situation, issuing urgent calls for restraint and dialogue from all parties involved.

  • MIL-OSI China: City cruise into Club World Cup knockouts with 6-0 win

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

    Manchester City and Juventus reached the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday while Real Madrid moved closer with a gritty win over Pachuca despite playing nearly the entire match with 10 men.

    Pachuca, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca joined previously eliminated Auckland City, Ulsan, Urawa Red Diamonds and Los Angeles FC in exiting the tournament in the United States.

    In Philadelphia, 20-year-old Turkiye international forward Kenan Yildiz scored twice as Juventus routed Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 4-1 to clinch a knockout phase spot with a game to spare.

    Abdelmounaim Boutouil gifted the Italian club the lead with a sixth-minute own goal and Yildiz doubled the advantage by thumping a 20-yard effort into the top-right corner.

    Thembinkosi Lorch narrowed the deficit, lifting a shot over goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio after Nordin Amrabat’s defense-splitting pass.

    The impressive Yildiz made it 3-1 as he wrong-footed Boutouil before calmly side-footing into the far corner.

    Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic put the result beyond doubt by converting a 94th-minute penalty after being fouled by Guilherme Ferreira.

    Juventus now has six points from its two games while Wydad is eliminated irrespective of its last group-stage fixture against Al Ain.

    “It was a different kind of match, also because of the [early] kick-off time and the tempo was lower,” Juventus manager Igor Tudor said afterwards. “They had prepared for us as well. We scored early and that helped us. But in football, you never know, you always have to stay alert.

    “I’m never calm, not even at 3-1 or 4-1. I always see danger. Credit to the boys, two good wins. Tonight they’ll have an evening off and a dinner out. They’ve earned it. Now we prepare for City, which will be a great challenge,” he added.

    In Charlotte, Real Madrid registered its first win of the tournament with a 3-1 defeat of Mexican side Pachuca.

    The Spanish giants were reduced to 10 men in the seventh minute after Raul Asencio was shown a straight red card for pulling down Salomon Rondon when the Venezuela international was through on goal.

    Despite the numerical disadvantage, Real Madrid took the lead through Jude Bellingham, who charged into the box after Fran Garcia’s pass before lashing low into the far corner.

    Arda Guler doubled the lead with a clinical finish after combining with Gonzalo Garcia and Federico Valverde made it 3-0 by volleying home at the far post following Brahim Diaz’s lofted pass.

    Pachuca pulled one back through Elias Montiel’s deflected strike 10 minutes from time.

    The victory lifted Real Madrid to the top of Group H with four points while Pachuca is last and cannot advance to the next stage.

    “We had to defend with one less player in a low block and in that situation you have to know how to suffer and have the humility to find the right moment,” Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said.

    “We weren’t able to show what we’ve been working on but the defensive line held strong and we had good periods of possession. We took a lot of positives from the game, especially the three points.”

    In Atlanta, Ilkay Gundogan struck twice as Manchester City trounced Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates 6-0.

    Claudio Echeverri, Oscar Bobb, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland were also on target – the latter from the penalty spot – as City secured its place in the next round.

    Al Ain had only 26% of the possession and managed only one shot on target, sealing its early exit from the competition.

    “We spoke a lot before the game about how to maintain our pressure so that we could score the goals that we did,” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said.

    “The guys that played today took their opportunity. We are fortunate to have a lot of talented players that are waiting for their chance.”

    In Sunday’s other fixture, Austria’s RB Salzburg drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal at Audi Field in Washington D.C.

    Al Hilal had 58 percent of the total possession but managed only four shots on target while Salzburg had six attempts saved by Morocco international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

    The result leaves Salzburg second in Group H with four points, two ahead of third-placed Al Hila

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF and CEPOL deliver advanced Anti-Fraud Intelligence Training in Budapest

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    From 16 to 20 June, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) jointly delivered the Anti-Fraud Intelligence Analysis training (AFIA2025) in Budapest, Hungary. The course brought together 26 operational intelligence analysts from 12 EU Member States, as well as representatives from Europol and Ukraine.

    The training focused on enhancing participants´ skills and preparedness in preventing, detecting, analysing, and investigating fraud, with the goal of safeguarding the financial interests of the European Union and its Member States. The attendees, drawn from Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), customs authorities and law enforcement, had the opportunity to examine various fraud patterns, deepen their understanding of the EU’s anti-fraud architecture, and exchange expertise on investigative and analytical methods. 

    AFIA2025 marks the third edition of this specialised training course, jointly delivered by OLAF and CEPOL with CEPOL’s financial and administrative support. The curriculum is revised annually based on participant feedback and evolving operational needs, ensuring it remains aligned with the latest challenges in the anti-fraud landscape.

    The training featured both practical and technical elements, with a strong emphasis on the use of analytical tools for fraud detection and investigation. Notably, this year’s edition showcased only open-source and freely available tools and OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) resources. The OLAF trainers, themselves highly experienced in complex fraud analysis, demonstrated how effective investigations can be conducted while optimising resources and minimising costs.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Climate Action ‘A Rating’ for third year running

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Dundee has been recognised as one of 112 cities worldwide for its environmental leadership and transparency.

    The list, co-ordinated by charity CDP, gives cities rankings based on their climate action with Dundee City Council being awarded an A rating for 2024 and included for the third consecutive year.

    Dundee City Council is listed alongside only three other Scottish local authority recipients, which include Glasgow City Council, City of Edinburgh Council and Perth & Kinross Council.

    CDP is a not-for-profit organisation that runs the global disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

    Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Depute Convener Cllr Nadia El-Nakla said: “Dundee is rightfully being recognised as a leader on environmental action receiving the highest possible rating from CDP for best practice in adaptation, mitigation, setting ambitious goals and progress towards those objectives.

    “The work being carried out is very positive, however the scale of the challenge we still face is considerable with no one organisation or single solution able to address the issues.

    “The Dundee Climate Leadership Group is leading the way in supporting city-wide action bringing together public, private and community organisations utilising the expertise here to achieve the reduction in carbon emissions that meet our city’s sustainability targets.”

    Hanah Paik, CDP Global Director for Cities, States and Regions said: “The cities, states and regions on CDP’s 2024 A List are setting the global benchmark for environmental leadership. Through robust disclosure and decisive action, they are ensuring that essential data is surfaced for informed decision-making across governments, markets and communities – and for unlocking access to the climate finance needed for implementation. They are not only accelerating their own progress but also charting a path for others to follow.”

    More information about the scores and A lists awarded by CDP can be found on the charity’s website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: A murder investigation has been launched following a stabbing in Hounslow

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    We were called at 14:21hrs on Sunday, 22 June to reports of a stabbing in Hanworth Road, near the junction with School Road.

    Officers responded with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. A 22-year-old man was treated for stab wounds before being taken to hospital where he sadly later died. His next of kin has been informed.

    Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and enquiries are ongoing. A crime scene remains in place.

    Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this incredibly difficult time.

    “This incident happened in a busy part of Hounslow during the middle of the afternoon. It’s vital we hear from anyone who was in the area and witnessed the attack, the moments leading up to it, or the aftermath.

    “If you think you might have caught any dash cam or mobile phone footage, please contact the police as soon as possible.”

    “You may have vital information that could assist our investigation.”

    The incident happened outside the Hounslow Muslim Centre. At this time, there is nothing to suggest a link to the venue.

    Anyone who can assist the investigation team is asked to call 101 quoting 4387/22Jun.

    To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Constitutional Court a beacon of democracy

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his weekly newsletter to call on all South Africans to “honour the proud history” of the Constitutional Court.

    “This year marks 30 years since the court convened for the first time, marking a new, bold chapter of our democratic journey. 

    “The imperative for the establishment of a specialised constitutional court was a key facet of the multiparty negotiations that preceded the democratic transition,” the President said.

    The court was established during a precarious time in South Africa where the country was in transition from apartheid towards a democratic order.

    “Whilst some believed that existing structures such as the Supreme Court could perform this task, the African National Congress advocated for a new court that was untainted by the past. 

    “Just as drafters of the constitution itself drew heavily on the experiences of other countries – when considering the model of the court we looked to other jurisdictions for inspiration.  One of these was Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court that was established in 1951.

    “In this respect, this proud institution of our democracy is the product of constitutional solidarity. It draws on the wisdom and support of international partners, yet remains uniquely South African in its outlook, its orientation and values,” the President said.

    Over the past 30 years, the court has made some far-reaching and landmark judgments including those related to prisoner voting rights and HIV/AIDS treatment.

    “Yet its less well-known judgments that have had equally dramatic impact on matters such as upholding the rights of pensioners to not having their old age grants disrupted, the rights of smallholder farmers to not have their livestock impounded under colonial-era ordinances, the rights of women in customary marriages, and upholding the rights of rail commuters to safety,” he highlighted.

    United in diversity

    President Ramaphosa noted that the diverse composition of the bench of judges has “played an important role in shaping the court’s jurisprudence”.

    “In 2007 former Chief Justice Pius Langa highlighted the centrality of judicial diversity, saying this was not confined solely to an appropriate racial or gender mix, but that a wide range of views and life experiences are represented.

    “Judicial diversity, Justice Langa said, is likely to increase judicial dissent, and hence improve the quality of decisions,” he said.

    The President highlighted that throughout its life, the court has delivered on its work “without fear or favour, not hesitating to hold even the most powerful in society to account” – ensuring public trust in the institution.

    “An Ipsos poll released earlier this year found that most South Africans view democracy, human rights and the rule of law as universal values that all nations deserve and must aspire towards. 

    “The majority of respondents also believed that South Africa is a good example of a democracy, and has a responsibility to be a moral leader in the world. This confidence is a result of the abiding trust the public has in our Constitutional Court.

    “As we celebrate this milestone, we should honour the proud history of the court by continuing to work together as all of society to realise the full promise of our Constitution,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 21 June 2025 Departmental update WHO publishes 54 pathogen background documents to support safe water and sanitation systems

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In a move to strengthen global efforts against waterborne disease, WHO has released 54 WASH-related pathogens new technical background documents — announced yesterday at a global water microbiology conference in the Netherlands — that capture the latest science on pathogens linked to drinking-water and sanitation systems.

    Unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene (WASH) continue to expose billions of people to harmful pathogens every day. These systemic failures are responsible for more than 1.4 million preventable deaths each year, disproportionately affecting young children.

    The newly published documents offer a detailed overview of pathogens that pose a risk through water, sanitation, or both. WHO has included documents for several pathogens not traditionally considered waterborne, but for which questions have been raised about possible transmission through drinking-water.

    Each background document provides a concise summary of the current science. This includes information on human health impacts, disease patterns, modes of transmission, and sources of faecal contamination. The profiles also detail how these pathogens occur in the environment – including in various parts of the water cycle – and how they are detected, prevented, and managed within drinking-water and sanitation systems.

    The technical package also features a list of the top 10 water- and sanitation-related pathogens, developed to spotlight priority threats, raise awareness and support clear communication of the evidence and actions outlined in the background documents. Well-managed sanitation and drinking-water systems will effectively control WASH-related pathogens, including these top 10.

    This summary, along with the background documents, is being launched at WaterMicro25, the 22nd Health Related Water Microbiology Conference today, in the Netherlands.  Based on burden of disease data, evidence of WASH transmission and concerns such as antimicrobial resistance, the Top 10 pathogens include diarrhoea genic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Shigella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and hepatitis A.

    “We know what’s making people sick and we know how to stop it,” said Bruce Gordon, Head of WHO’s Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health Unit. “Safe drinking-water, sanitation systems and strong regulations are the foundation for public health – yet millions still lack access to them. A key is for all countries to work within their means and make gradual improvements within their systems to stop these pathogens.”

    A global problem, a preventable burden
    Many of these pathogens are transmitted not just through drinking-water, but also through contaminated food, hands and the environment. Poorly managed sanitation systems, unreliable water supply and exposure to animal waste all contribute to transmission.

    Although vaccines exist for some of these diseases – including cholera, rotavirus, typhoid and hepatitis A – most remain preventable only through long-term WASH investments, such as:

    “Effective WASH, which can stop all pathogens, is an essential complement to vaccination,” said Dr Sophie Boisson, Lead Epidemiologist in WHO’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Unit. “Effective WASH provides the multiple barriers that stop transmission of over 50 waterborne pathogens – viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites.”

    WHO’s call to action
    The background documents are supporting information for WHO’s Guidelines on sanitation and health and/or the Guidelines for drinking-water quality. They are intended to help public health practitioners assess and manage risks in water and sanitation systems more effectively.  WHO supports countries to develop WASH standards, build workforce capacity and monitor progress through global efforts such as the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) and the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS).

    By identifying the pathogens that matter most – and the systems that can stop them – WHO aims to strengthen disease prevention from the ground up.

    “It’s time to align public health strategies with water and sanitation realities,” added Boisson. “Without addressing the root causes of pathogen transmission, we will keep responding to outbreaks rather than preventing them.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged for murder of Annabel Rook

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met detectives investigating the murder of Annabel Rook have charged a man.

    Clifton George, 44 (13.03.81), of Dumont Road, Hackney, was charged on Sunday, 22 June with the murder of 46-year-old Annabel. He was also charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

    He has been remanded in custody to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 June.

    Annabel died on Tuesday, 17 June, having been found with stab wounds at an address on Dumont Road.

    A man was arrested for murder at the scene shortly after officers arrived and taken to hospital with slash injuries. He was later discharged and released into police custody before being charged.

    Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who is in charge of policing for the Central East Basic Command Unit, said:

    “Our thoughts continue to remain with the family and friends of Annabel as they navigate this devastating loss.

    “We ask that the public refrain from speculation and respect their privacy at this time, and we thank the Hackney community for their ongoing support.”

    Police were called at 04:57hrs to reports of a gas explosion with a person trapped inside and attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

    Despite their efforts, Annabel was sadly declared dead at the scene.

    Her family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged with murder of Annabel Rook

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met detectives investigating the murder of Annabel Rook have charged a man.

    Clifton George, 44 (13.03.81), of Dumont Road, Hackney, was charged on Sunday, 22 June with the murder of 46-year-old Annabel. He was also charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

    He has been remanded in custody to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 June.

    Annabel died on Tuesday, 17 June, having been found with stab wounds at an address on Dumont Road.

    A man was arrested for murder at the scene shortly after officers arrived and taken to hospital with slash injuries. He was later discharged and released into police custody before being charged.

    Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who is in charge of policing for the Central East Basic Command Unit, said:

    “Our thoughts continue to remain with the family and friends of Annabel as they navigate this devastating loss.

    “We ask that the public refrain from speculation and respect their privacy at this time, and we thank the Hackney community for their ongoing support.”

    Police were called at 04:57hrs to reports of a gas explosion with a person trapped inside and attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

    Despite their efforts, Annabel was sadly declared dead at the scene.

    Her family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI –