NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New vision for UK ports will propel prosperity in Britain’s coastal communities

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New vision for UK ports will propel prosperity in Britain’s coastal communities

    Have your say on the draft revised national policy statement for ports until 29 July 2025.

    • plans to boost expansion of maritime ports to propel economic growth and support jobs across the country, as part of the Plan for Change
    • new guidance will help ports save time and money on planning applications to expand sites, opening up jobs and opportunities in coastal communities
    • plans will secure the long-term future of the maritime industry, inviting private investment into coastal communities and supporting development of green technologies, delivering on the UK’s clean energy ambitions

    Coastal communities across England stand to benefit from proposals set out yesterday (4 June 2025), which will better support ports to deliver important national infrastructure more quickly, helping to boost local economies and jobs.

    The proposals aim to streamline the planning process for ports in England and expedite planning applications by more clearly outlining the existing needs for port facilities and how to design applications to meet the latest requirements to avoid process delays.  

    For instance, updated proposals will more clearly outline how ports can meet obligations on noise and emissions, increasing the likelihood of achieving successful planning approvals and saving time and money during the planning process. Greater clarity, fewer delays and reduced costs will give ports the confidence they need to expand, creating more local, skilled jobs and driving money back into communities.

    The plans tie in with wider reforms, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and will see ports going further and faster with commercial projects, helping to secure millions of pounds in investment and supporting jobs across the country.  

    By enabling ports to go further and faster with their infrastructure projects, the UK aims to build on the levels of investment already flowing into ports.  

    Just last month, it was announced that £35 million is being driven into the Port of Liverpool to develop a new deep-water terminal, while just under £1 billion is being invested in the Port of Tyne to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure.  

    Revisions to the national policy statement for ports (NPSP) will also see planning decisions judged and approved, against the need to kickstart economic growth and cement the UK as a clean energy superpower.  

    Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said:  

    Ports are the lifeblood of the UK economy, keeping the country moving and trading, and are vital in unlocking prosperity and opportunity for our coastal communities.  

    We are determined to deliver the projects that will make a real difference to local people, turbocharge economic growth and create jobs as part of our Plan for Change.

    The proposals have been published alongside the UK’s port freight demand forecasts, which show an expected rise in UK port freight tonnage overall, particularly of roll-on-roll-off cargo such as cars, buses, trailers, etc, as well as containers and dry bulks.  

    Taking these forecasts into account, the revisions will help secure the long-term future of ports, ensuring they are equipped to handle growing trade demands and to best meet the needs of the country in terms of the movements of goods and people. 

    Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said: 

    The ports industry is optimistic about its long-term future, with significant growth expected in trade volumes and other sectors such as offshore wind. A refreshed ports policy statement is welcome recognition from government of the value of port development and expansion to the UK’s future prosperity. We hope it will speed up planning processes, delivering on shared industry and government economic growth ambitions.

    Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of UK Major Ports Group, said: 

    Ports are central to delivering the government’s ambitions on economic growth and clean energy and the draft national policy statement rightly recognises the vital role our sector plays across the UK – alongside the need to unlock its full potential by speeding up consents for sustainable port development.

    With the right policy frameworks, major ports can double the levels of private investment – going further and faster – opportunity for coastal communities nationwide.

    Matt Beeton, Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne, said: 

    Growth at our ports is vital to the UK economy. The government’s modernisation agenda will reset the maritime sector, attract significant investment, ensure our ports are fit for the future and boost generational employment opportunities.

    Claudio Veritiero, CEO of Peel Ports Group, said:

    Ports are the unsung heroes of the UK economy, and this is an extremely encouraging development. We have invested more than £1 billion in the last decade and intend to exceed that level of investment in the coming years.

    We want to be able to invest for the future, creating jobs and opportunities right across the country and anything that streamlines that process and allows us to create conditions for economic growth is to be welcomed.

    Professor Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, Chief Executive of Maritime UK, said: 

    We welcome this announcement, which will provide valuable support for our coastal communities. These regions represent a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation, vital for strengthening our proud maritime nation. We appreciate the government’s continued commitment to the maritime sector and this announcement highlights just that.

    Industry and the wider public are now invited to give their views on the proposals as part of a consultation on the NPSP.

    This is part of the government’s determination to go lockstep with the sector, to ensure prosperity for industry as well as for people across the UK.

    Maritime media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: British Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Nearly $1.9 Million in Romance Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.—A British man was sentenced to federal prison today for stealing nearly $1.9 million from a Portland resident in a romance fraud scheme.

    Oscar Peters, 65, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,892,439 in restitution to his victim.

    According to court documents, Peters met his victim through Millionaire Match Maker, an online dating website, and convinced his victim that he was a billionaire living in Denmark seeking long-term commitment. Defendant engaged in daily romantic emails and phone calls with his victim and ingratiated himself with promises of marriage. Defendant then concocted elaborate lies about why he needed financial assistance – ranging from his soon-to-be ex-wife had frozen his assets or needed money to complete business obligations for their future together.  With defendant’s calculated promises to repay the money and move to Portland, over about two years he convinced his victim to send him nearly $1.9 million.

    On June 4, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a seven-count indictment charging Peters with wire fraud. On April 9, 2020, Peters was arrested in the United Kingdom where he remained in custody until he was extradited to the United States on October 23, 2023. On March 26, 2023, Peters pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press conference following Council of Ministers meeting no. 130

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    4 Giugno 2025

    Council of Ministers meeting no. 130 was held at Palazzo Chigi today, after which the Minister for the Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities, Eugenia Maria Roccella, and the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, held a press conference.

    The press conference

    [This video is available in Italian only]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Conference on Northeast Asian Security Issues Opens 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 5 (Xinhua) — The 10th Ulan Bator Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security opened here on Thursday.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkhin Battsetseg stressed her country’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia. “We believe that by strengthening mutual trust and sustained dialogue, we can jointly build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the region,” she said.

    The Ulaanbaatar Dialogue serves as a platform for discussion and exchange of views among various stakeholders, B. Battsetseg said, noting that it offers a neutral and inclusive space for preventive diplomacy, as well as confidence-building measures and the exchange of regional perspectives and local knowledge.

    The dialogue brought together more than 200 participants from 40 countries and territories, including China, Canada, France, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, the United States and the United Kingdom. Representatives of the UN and the EU are also present.

    Participants discuss regional security issues and the development of multilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia from different perspectives, covering the areas of energy and climate change.

    The conference will end on June 6. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Groundbreaking discovery of ‘new’ pain target brings hope for those with chronic pain In a groundbreaking discovery, chronic pain has been shown to be physiologically different from acute pain and now scientists have the roadmap for how to target it.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    In a groundbreaking discovery, chronic pain has been shown to be physiologically different from acute pain and now scientists have the roadmap for how to target it.
    Researchers from the University of Aberdeen, Academia Sinica in Taiwan and a group of international experts say the discovery brings hope for sufferers of chronic pain and fibromyalgia.
    The team identified that in the nervous system chronic pain is processed differently from the pain that comes from an injury or over exertion.
    Crucially, they found a new and distinct separate physiological pathway for this chronic type of pain, which means it can now be a target for future therapies.
    Dr Guy Bewick, Senior Lecturer in Neurosciences at the University of Aberdeen, explains: “We all know there are different types of pain. There is the sharp stinging pain of pricking your finger with a needle, and there is also the chronic pain of muscle soreness after unaccustomed exercise. Nevertheless, most of us in the West, including scientists, regard both simply as ‘pain’. Currently, Western medicine is very often ineffective for chronic pain.
    “However, Eastern cultures have differentiated for many centuries, calling the latter ‘sng’ in Taiwanese, or ‘suan tong’ (sour pain) in Mandarin. The stinging pain from sharp objects and surgery can usually be treated effectively with common painkillers, but chronic pain often cannot. 
    “New treatments require an identifiably different drug target. This study has found that target. Specifically, we discovered the mechanism of this pain we call ‘sng’.”
    The discovery of the new pain pathway is described by the team as ‘a paradigm-shifting discovery that has fundamentally changed our understanding of human sensory systems and challenged the central dogma of pain biology that has been established in the past 50 years.’
    Dr Guy Bewick, and his team identified crucial evidence which laid the foundations for the discovery in Taiwan.
    Dr Bewick’s team discovered that a molecule called glutamate is released in muscles to activate a highly unusual receptor. This sparked a collaboration with Professor Chen’s team in Taiwan who found that too much glutamate release activated pain nerves nearby making them permanently active and not switch off as they normally would. Crucially, they then discovered that blocking the newly discovered, highly unusual, glutamate receptor entirely stopped the chronic pain being triggered.
    Dr Bewick said that: “This discovery means scientists can now start to develop new treatments specifically targeting this new pain pathway which does not respond to standard painkillers.
    “This has the potential to help the many people whose pain is currently inadequately treated.”
    The wider research was led by Professor Chih-Cheng Chen from Academia Sinica, supported by National Science and Technology Council’s Brain Technology Project and an Investigator Award of Academia Sinica.
    They were able to differentiate between the two types of pain by genetically silencing neuronal pathways in a mouse model and then testing the theory in practice in a patient with a spinal cord injury that blocked ‘standard’ pain but spared the newly discovered pathway, in the Taipei Medical University Hospital in Taiwan.
    Professor Chen explains: “Fundamentally, we found that sng persists even in people who have lost other pain sensation, for example, a patient with spinal cord damage did not notice when he had broken a toe but could still perceive ‘sng’ and position in the same leg.
    “Clearly, therefore, sng is a separate pathway.
    “The identification of a different mechanism for this type of chronic pain is an essential first step to start to develop new treatments specifically targeting this pathway, which does not respond to standard painkillers, to help the many people whose pain is currently inadequately treated.
    “This finding could lead to new pain relief treatments for such conditions as fibromyalgia, exercise-induced muscle pain (DOMS), rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain after spinal surgery.
    “It is a truly ground-breaking discovery in pain research.”
    Dr Robert Banks, a Visiting Researcher in Biosciences and the Biophysical Sciences Institute of Durham University, who contributed to this work and who collaborated with Dr Bewick on the fundamental discoveries that led to it, added: “It is very pleasing that a potentially important contribution to human health has developed from our original basic scientific observations.”

    Scientists can now start to develop new treatments specifically targeting this pathway, which does not respond to standard painkillers, to help the many people whose pain is currently inadequately treated.” Dr Guy Bewick

    Professor Chen added: “With this finding we now have a neurobiological basis of the difference between sng and pain, which annotates a new era of pain medicine.
    “Further research into the development of sng-killers and sng management is ushering in a new wave of revolution in the biomedical industry and medical field, as well as bringing hope for millions of patients suffering from intractable sng-type pain.”
    Professor Sonia Aitken CEO of Pain Association Scotland added: “Pain Association Scotland welcome this continued research within the field of chronic pain. Such advancing knowledge is essential to fostering innovation, informing thoughtful decision-making, but more importantly, helping to improve the quality of life for those living with chronic pain.”
    Marlene Lowe
    Marlene Lowe, 35, lives in Aberdeen with her partner, Mark, and their two-year-old springer spaniels, Spock and Cheese.
    Marlene describes her experience of living with the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia: “I was first diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in my early twenties, after pushing myself through two degrees and several years of debilitating illness. I was sick every couple of weeks with no clear explanation, and for a long time it felt like maybe it was all in my head. When I finally received a diagnosis, I cried—not because there was a solution, but because I finally had validation. It wasn’t just in my imagination.
    “That’s the hardest part of living with an invisible illness—or one that makes you invisible by shutting you away from the world. You begin to question everything. It’s hard to think clearly, to trust your instincts, and you constantly feel like your life no longer belongs to you. I once read someone describe CFS as “the illness that takes your life away, but doesn’t have the decency to kill you.” In the early years, that’s exactly how it felt.
    “About a decade later, I started experiencing a new kind of pain—something I couldn’t explain away with my CFS, which I’d mostly managed to get under control. Just as I felt I was reclaiming parts of my life, the cycle of doctor’s appointments, symptom tracking, and self-doubt began again. Over and over, I was told it was my weight or my CFS, and no one seemed willing to acknowledge the severity of the pain I was in.
    “It was actually my family and friends who first suggested I look into fibromyalgia, and that was the first time I felt a glimmer of hope. At 34, I saw a new GP and arrived with a full list of symptoms and everything I’d been doing to try and help myself. He listened. He believed me. He confirmed it wasn’t just in my head and told me I was already doing everything right. He was so confident in his diagnosis that rheumatology signed it off without even needing an additional assessment. That’s when I learned how far a detailed symptom log and a little self-assurance can go when speaking to doctors.
    “This journey can be incredibly lonely. Chronic pain is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t lived it — how you can keep going despite everything hurting, or how the choice to stop feels like giving up entirely. There are days when functioning is an act of defiance, a refusal to surrender to the exhaustion or pain.
    “Some medical professionals have been brilliant—really taking the time to listen and treat me like a person, not a puzzle. Others, unfortunately, have been quick to make assumptions. Too often, there’s a rush to explain symptoms away rather than look at the full picture. But when someone takes just a few extra minutes to genuinely engage, it makes all the difference.
    “I’ve been lucky. My mother, who also lives with autoimmune conditions, has been my anchor. She helped me find the words when I couldn’t express how I was feeling. Friends who’ve gone through similar experiences have shared what worked for them, and I’ve tried just about everything, from nutritional changes to alternative therapies, in an effort to manage symptoms and reclaim some sense of control. My partner has been unwavering in his support, gently encouraging me to pace myself and always looking for ways to make daily life more manageable. He’s held me up, quite literally, since the fibromyalgia diagnosis.”
    Marlene has experience of trying various medications to ease her symptoms: “Pain medication is a complicated area. Most of the time, it doesn’t feel like it makes a significant difference, and ideally, I’d love to live a life free from meds altogether. But that’s not always possible. This path has been one of constant trial and error—trying everything from conventional treatments to alternative approaches, focusing on nutrition, sleep, and gradually improving my fitness where I can.
    “A lot of the progress I’ve made has come through self-discovery and community—not through the medical system. And that feels like a missed opportunity, because not everyone has access to the kind of support I’ve been fortunate to have. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without the people in my life who believed me, helped me advocate for myself, and reminded me that I’m not alone.
    “I am delighted to see that there is more work being done to try to understand and treat chronic pain conditions and it gives me hope for a pain-free future.”
    Dr Rachael Dobson, a GP from Bentley Medical Practice at Redcar Primary Care Hospital who increasingly sees patients living with chronic pain supports the research saying: “Managing chronic pain as a GP is both professionally and emotionally challenging. Every patient’s experience is unique, and finding the right balance of treatment is difficult and time consuming.
    “Many patients come to appointments exhausted, frustrated, and often disheartened by the lack of immediate relief, and frequently despite my best efforts, it is often impossible to completely eliminate their pain. 
    “One of the hardest aspects is managing expectations. Chronic pain is rarely something that can be ‘fixed,’ and helping patients navigate that reality while offering hope takes patience and empathy. It’s a journey of trial and adjustment, and sometimes, just acknowledging the weight of their experience makes all the difference.  
    “This step towards a new type of painkiller has the potential to transform the lives of the many, many patients living with chronic pain every day.” 
    The full paper is published in Science Advances.

    Related Content

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BIG 3K is back for 2026 and entries are now open!

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Residents are being encouraged to sign up for next year’s BIG 3K, following the success of this year’s sell out event.

    A record number of runners took part in the Active Sunderland BIG 3K on Sunday 11 May, as part of a day of running events that took place in Sunderland City Centre.

    This year’s event proved popular and sold out in a matter of weeks following its launch. To guarantee your spot for next year, you can register now so you don’t miss out.

    The BIG 3K 2026 will take place on Sunday 10 May, once again taking place on the same day as the Sunderland 10k and half marathon.

    Taking part in the BIG 3K gives runners of all ages and abilities the chance to take part in a large-scale running event and enjoy the lively atmosphere that comes with it.

    Running in this year’s BIG 3K was Ryhope RCA who delivered an outstanding fundraising effort in support of a special opportunity for the team. With 11 dedicated runners, the club raised an impressive £1,811. This money funded the team’s chance to be part of the Play on the Pitch tournament at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 1 June and will help provide support for the team across the season.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member of Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council said: “It was fantastic to see this year’s Active Sunderland BIG 3K completely sell out, with so many people coming together to get moving, enjoy themselves, and take in the great atmosphere on the day. A huge congratulations to everyone who took part and crossed the finish line.

    “The city runs are always a big hit, and it’s especially great to see young people, families, and first-time runners getting involved in the BIG 3K. I’m thrilled to announce that the event will return next May!”

    Prices for 2026 have been frozen at the same price as this year for a limited time, giving even more reason to register early!

    BIG 3K entry prices:

    •        Adult £7.50

    •        Adult with a T shirt £12

    •        Child £7.50 (includes a t shirt)

    •        Child aged 5-8 plus an accompanying adult £12.50 (child t shirt only)

    For anyone inspired to take up regular running, details of running groups, parkruns and clubs as well as cycling and swimming opportunities can be found at Swim Bike Run Hubs – MySunderland

    If you want to find out more information and book your space for 2026 visit Active Sunderland BIG 3K Run – MySunderland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Parliamentarians unite in Helsinki to advance gender equality in politics

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

    Headline: Parliamentarians unite in Helsinki to advance gender equality in politics

    Participants in the event ‘Realizing Gender Equality in and by Parliaments’. Helsinki, 3 June 2025 (OSCE) Photo details

    More than 60 parliamentarians and experts from Europe and Central Asia gathered at the Finnish Parliament for a two-day workshop on gender-sensitive parliaments, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with support from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and OSCE field operations. Entitled Realizing Gender Equality in and by Parliaments, the workshop highlighted the critical role of national parliaments in driving progress toward gender equality.
    “It is difficult to recognize inequality when you are on the side of the privileged. Equality work must be continuous to respond to societal changes. The goal of equality policy is a society in which every individual has the opportunity to grow to their full potential,” highlighted Tarja Filatov, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Finland in her opening remarks.
    “A gender-sensitive parliament does not only mean equal participation of women and men,” said OSCE PA President Pia Kauma. “It is much more than that. It reflects the diverse needs and experiences of all people in its work, structures, policies, and culture. That is why advocating for gender-sensitive parliaments does not mean favouring women. It simply benefits democracy, good governance, and peace and security.”
    In the 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action set out international norms on women’s rights and gender equality, many national parliaments across the OSCE region have taken steps to implement gender-sensitive practices, often in co-operation with academia, civil society, and international partners. Some parliaments have conducted gender audits, developed parliamentary gender action plans, set up targeted gender equality committees, and introduced practices of gender-sensitive lawmaking and oversight. However, significant gaps remain, and much work is still required to ensure that all parliaments across the OSCE region become truly gender-sensitive institutions.
    “As institutions at the heart of our democracies parliaments are uniquely positioned to legislate for change, and at the same time they embody the values of equality, inclusivity and representation,” said Tea Jaliashvili, ODIHR’s First Deputy Director.
    The workshop provided a platform for Members of Parliament to reflect on how to embed gender equality more effectively within parliamentary work. Discussions underlined the importance of institutional reforms, gender-sensitive legislation and oversight, addressing violence against women in politics, and engaging men as active partners in advancing equality.
    A highlight of the workshop was the endorsement of the Helsinki Pledges on Gender-sensitive Parliaments in the OSCE Region by all participants. The Pledges call on national parliaments to commit to working towards gender-sensitive parliaments and targeted action to realise this aim in all their functions, from representation through lawmaking, to oversight.
    “All of the legislative work we do in our national parliaments needs to be looked carefully through the gender lens and unfortunately none of us is doing this well enough yet. We have to do better.  Also, we can do better in empowering women in business as well as in politics. We need to start engaging women from grass-roots level and support them for example with finding the proper funding”, said Saara Sofia Sirén, Finnish MP and the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender.
    Participants agreed that the Helsinki Pledges should be discussed widely in parliaments across the OSCE region and used as a basis for action and dialogue.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man who threatened to stab father in rap video guilty of murder

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been convicted of murdering a father in front of his young child in a barbershop in Leyton.

    Josh McKay, 33, was stabbed in the neck by Renai Belle in a targeted attack and died from his injuries at the scene. During the Metropolitan Police investigation, officers discovered a rap video showing Belle threaten Josh before the attack.

    On Wednesday, 4 June at the Old Bailey, Belle, 30 (20.02.95), of Swaythling Close, Edmonton was convicted of Josh’s murder and possession of a knife. A man and woman were also convicted of separate offences.

    Detective Inspector Chris Griffith, from Specialist Crime North, who led the investigation, said: “This was a savage and pre-planned attack, committed in broad daylight and with scant regard for passers-by. What took place left the local community reeling, and two young children without their father.

    “My heart goes out to Josh’s family and friends. He was a loving parent, whose life was ended in the most horrendous way.

    “I hope that today’s result provides Josh’s family with some closure, and allows the community to feel safer knowing that Belle is no longer free to commit such heinous crimes.”

    The court heard that Josh was at a barbershop on Lea Bridge Road with his son on Saturday, 6 July. Around 15:00hrs, as shown on CCTV seized by the investigation team, Belle entered the shop wearing a balaclava where he stabbed Josh in the neck in a pre-meditated attack following a long-standing dispute. Belle was then chased away by Josh.

    Members of the public rushed to Josh’s aid and attempted to provide medical treatment until the arrival of officers and paramedics. Despite their best efforts, Josh died from his injuries.

    A determined investigation began immediately in which officers painstakingly combed through more than 100 hours of CCTV footage to track Belle’s movements and understand what took place.

    Officers discovered that Belle was the passenger in a car being driven by his partner, Tenika Parker. Having seen Josh enter the barbershop, the pair drove to the address of man called Daniel Copper. In doorbell footage later seized, Cooper was seen providing Belle with the balaclava and knife that would be used minutes later to murder Josh. Belle was then driven back to the barbers nearby before stabbing Josh. He was helped to escape by Parker in the waiting car.

    A manhunt led to the arrest of Belle at an address in Pincott Road, SW19 on Monday 8 July, 2024.

    As part of officers’ determination to further establish a watertight case against Belle, officers carried out further enquiries. They discovered a rap video on YouTube showing Belle threaten Josh in advance of the attack, further proof that it was pre-planned.

    Parker was initially arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Sunday, 7 July in India Dock Road, Poplar. She was stopped by police while driving the car that had been identified as involved in the murder. During a search of Parker’s vehicle, officers found distinct black sliders Belle was seen wearing in CCTV footage, as well as traces of blood that officers sent for forensic testing. This provided a DNA match to Josh. Parker was rearrested on Wednesday, 2 October, and charged with perverting the course of justice after CCTV footage showed her attempting to clean her car after the attack to remove any evidence.

    Cooper was arrested after handing himself in to police on Thursday, 11 July. During a search at Cooper’s property, officers discovered two knives matching the branding of the weapon that was left at the scene of Josh’s murder. Forensic testing on the balaclava and knife discarded by Belle at the scene of Josh’s murder found DNA that matched with Cooper.

    Tenika Parker, 39 (21.02.86), of Canterbury Road, Leytonstone and Daniel Cooper, 22 (20.02.03) of Gosport Road, Leytonstone stood trial alongside Belle. Parker was convicted of possession of a knife and perverting the course of justice. Cooper had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife but was acquitted of other offences.

    Cooper will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 6 June.

    Belle and Parker will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 30 July.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Olli Rehn: Europe at the crossroads – common defence, re-emerging economy?

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Presentation accompanying the speech

    Dear Friends of Bruegel and the Bank of Finland,

    It is a great pleasure to celebrate with you all today both the 20th anniversary of Bruegel and the 30th anniversary of Finland’s membership of the EU. It is indeed an honour to organise and hold this conference together with Bruegel and to celebrate Europe Day.

    The founders of Bruegel were truly visionary 20 years ago. They recognized a gap – a growing need for stronger economics-based analysis and research on the shaping of the European Union. Anchoring the think tank firmly with EU Member States was also a wise decision.

    I had the privilege and pleasure of being present – if not at Bruegel’s creation, then certainly at its institutional foundation – as economic policy advisor to Finland’s Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. The Finnish Government, specifically the Ministry of Finance, decided to become a founding member institution. More recently, the Bank of Finland also joined the club, and we have made good use of Bruegel’s valuable work.

    Today, we all appreciate Bruegel for its diverse and independent research, which significantly enhances evidence-based and research-informed policymaking in Europe. Let me extend my warmest congratulations and wish you many more dynamic and productive years as Europe’s leading policy think tank.

    Dear Friends,

    Europe Day today marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid out the foundation for European integration. In 1950 Europe was still recovering from the human and economic devastation of the Second World War.

    From the Finnish standpoint, the immediate post-war years were not a brilliant time to be a small nation. As Private Rahikainen put it in Väinö Linna’s The Unknown Soldier, in response to a minister’s idealistic speech after the armistice in September 1944:

     “To hell with their damned speeches. When your powder’s all gone, it’s better to keep your mouth shut than go spouting about the rights of small nations. A dog raises his hind leg on them.”

    The Schuman Declaration nevertheless turned the tide and became the starting point for Pax Europaea, the long period of relative peace with notably few conflicts between European countries.

    Indeed, an essential manifestation of Europe as a peace project is the EU’s 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The European Union had, by then, “for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe”.

    Slide 2: Outline of today’s talk

    I’d like to structure my remarks today under three themes. First, the seismic geopolitical shift which the world is currently witnessing. Second, the need for immediate investments in common defence to secure Europe’s peace. And third, revitalising the EU economy through advancements in innovation, trade and productivity.

    Slide 3: Power politics is overshadowing the world economy

    Let me start with the shifting geopolitical landscape, which presents the EU with significant new security challenges.

    The rules-based international order, on which Europe built its post-war recovery, is under strain. Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have each, in their own way, challenged this order − pushing for a world where great powers claim their spheres of influence and where might is only right. Such a tri-polar world would not be a world of peace and prosperity.

    Since the Second World War, for good reason we have trusted that it is in the enlightened self-interest of the United States to stand as the security backstop for the Euro-Atlantic community. To my mind, as a long-time student of US foreign and security policy, this self-interest has clearly been rational from the standpoint of the United States’ own national security and its global strategic interests and influence. However, the US is now making decisions based on a very different type of rationality that involves strained relations with the European Union.

    I am aware that some are holding out hope that this is just temporary – that we’ll be back to ‘the old normal’ in a few years. Two points on that. First, I would not bet on it – there is no guarantee of a policy U-turn, as we may be witnessing a deeper political current in the US. And second, even more fundamentally, we must ask: can European security over the longer term be left at the mercy of the political winds in Pennsylvania’s rust belt and seven swing states? Or should Europe finally take substantially greater responsibility for its own security?

    In my view, the answer is clear, given the current and probable future defence environment: Europe must build its own credible common defence. Supporting Ukraine and reinforcing European defence is imperative for the security of the whole of Europe. Common defence is a crucial European public good. We need a strong, independent Europe, capable of defending itself as the European pillar of Nato.

    The COVID-era recovery fund and earlier crisis responses have shown that the EU is capable of solidarity. A similar level of unity and quick decision-making is now needed for defence.

    Many EU countries have already increased defence spending. Germany has committed to major investments. Not all EU states currently have the fiscal capacity to follow suit. That’s why Europe must build joint capabilities, interoperable forces − and, if necessary, common financing.

    Europe would also benefit from a broad and liquid market for safe assets, such as the US enjoys. Bonds issued by EU institutions have consistently drawn strong investor demand. The currently unpredictable nature of US economic policy only increases the demand for stable investment options. Europe should capitalise on that by developing genuine safe assets – another field calling for Bruegel’s continued active input.

    Moreover, I have been reading with great interest about the proposal for a European Defence Mechanism (EDM), which was launched by Bruegel last month. Such an intergovernmental organisation would apparently be modelled on the existing and well-tested template of the European Stability Mechanism. I see many merits in this proposal and would love to dive deeper into this – but I shall refrain from doing so, as I suppose that the panel will shortly be discussing the EDM more closely.

    Let me nevertheless comment that Bruegel’s proposal includes cooperation with the United Kingdom, which shares our values and has a strong military. Despite no longer being part of the EU, the UK remains a key partner in Europe’s security architecture. I should also add that we cannot afford to be held back by foot-dragging or by hostile Member States, such as Hungary, which might wish to hinder progress.

    This is why we must, as Bruegel has done, search for creative solutions, typically driven by coalitions of the capable and willing, to ensure that we move forward with our shared goals.

    At the same time, we must work for more effective European institutional arrangements that better serve the common good. These should include a significantly larger EU budget and more streamlined decision-making structures.

    This is also an opportunity to make Europe economically and financially stronger, as we need a liquid and large market of safe assets, as I alluded to earlier. Could European defence bonds provide such safe assets? A precondition for this would be that these bonds would be used to finance genuine European public goods and be backed by larger common revenues in the future.

    Solidarity and unity within the EU are reinforced by standing together, demonstrating our commitment to collective security and prosperity. Let us recall that the Treaty on European Union offers the legal basis for common defence in its Article 42. Involvement from us all is vital in maintaining a united front and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Europe for future generations.

    Slide 4: Growth in the euro area has been picking up

    My third and final theme is the re-emerging European economy. Yes, re-emerging, even though it provides a mixed picture today.

    Recent data has shown signs of recovery in the euro area, but the outlook remains clouded by exceptional uncertainty due to President Trump’s trade war. Employment is solid in the euro area, and unemployment is low at 6.2%. Private consumption has benefited from stronger real incomes. Investments in Europe’s common defence and infrastructure will bolster manufacturing further and strengthen long-term growth. Europe will continue to build up resilience against global shocks.

    With disinflation on track and the growth outlook weakening, we decided at the European Central Bank’s Governing Council meeting on 17 April to lower interest rates. This was the seventh reduction since last summer.

    Given the pervasive uncertainty, the Governing Council is maintaining full freedom of action in monetary policy. We will adjust our rates to bring inflation to 2% in the medium term – just as our strategy tells us to do.

    Slide 5: Bank of Finland’s scenario calculation: A trade war would weaken growth worldwide

    The elevated uncertainty brings me to the significant risks in our economic outlook, especially trade protectionism.

    An extensive trade war would weaken economic output worldwide, and we have already seen major turbulence in the global stock markets.

    Calculations by the Bank of Finland show that if the US were to impose tariffs targeting all imports from EU countries and China – raising them by 25 percentage points – and the EU were to take equivalent counter measures, world GDP could decline by over 0.5% in both 2025 and 2026. The impact on the euro area economy could be slightly greater, with the estimated GDP effect ranging from 0.7% to 1.5% in the first year, depending on the increased uncertainty and the extent of counter measures taken. With all the usual caveats, these figures illustrate the seriousness of the threat posed by a full-scale trade war.

    Bank of Finland’s earlier calculations concerning the effects of the trade war on the Finnish economy are in line with these estimated effects on the euro area economy. While the model estimations come with uncertainty, they consistently speak to significantly negative outcomes for open economies such as Finland, as a result of trade war.

    In my view, in the face of US protectionism, the European Commission’s response has been justified and rational. The Commission has rightly suggested a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the EU and the US. While Europe remains committed to constructive negotiations with the US, the Commission has been preparing proportionate countermeasures to reinforce our negotiating position, with the aim of reaching a solution that benefits everybody and avoids further damage to growth.

    Slide 6: Investment needed now in security and productivity

    “This is Europe’s moment” has become a slogan of the era. But to what extent is there substance to it?

    No doubt, President Trump’s policies are compromising the United States’ economic and institutional dominance, while Europe’s position is benefiting from its stability and certain political developments.

    Yet, the fact remains that the size of the US bypasses the European economy significantly in many dimensions, especially in factor productivity and therefore in growth. Will Europe adopt Mario Draghi’s recommendations to boost productivity? European industry must strengthen its technological capabilities. Cutting-edge research and innovation, and investment in areas like AI, will be crucial.

    Furthermore, Europe’s Savings and Investment Union needs to be advanced. The US has a larger and more unified internal capital market which benefits from scaling, a strong venture capital ecosystem, and fewer regulatory hurdles. The US dollar may remain the world’s leading reserve currency at the centre of the global financial system. But many investors are keen to diversify their portfolios to euro-denominated assets, which will also strengthen the international role of the euro.

    The price of energy is a considerable burden to European competitiveness. Unlike the US, the EU has no abundant fossil fuel supplies, so there is no other viable strategy for increasing our energy security than decarbonisation and the green transition. The green transition in energy is not just climate action – it’s a geopolitical investment. So is the digital euro and the broader effort to bolster the international role of the euro.

    Human capital and academic freedom are among Europe’s greatest assets. As these freedoms are eroded in the United States, Europe has a unique opportunity. In my view, the EU should rapidly create a special visa programme for top researchers seeking intellectual freedom without political pressure. We must highlight Europe’s universities where critical thinking is encouraged and academic liberty protected. This is an investment in Europe’s future prosperity and influence.

    Slide 7: Conclusions

    To conclude, today’s world is experiencing yet another major transition, as it was 30 years ago when the Cold War came to an end. But now, unfortunately, it is moving in reverse gear.

    Europe’s external security and its soft power depend now on strengthening its hard power, particularly in terms of coordinated defence solutions. Moreover, despite the current uncertain geopolitical environment, international cooperation remains essential in a highly interconnected world. We stand for it.

    At the same time, Europe must strengthen its economic foundation by finding ways to increase productivity and hence fulfil its true potential. At the ECB, we will contribute to this by ensuring price stability and financial stability, thus laying the foundation for Europe’s economic and social re-emergence and long-term resilience.

    In sum, this truly is Europe’s moment. We must defend our way of life – solving conflict and making progress through reason, dialogue and democracy.

    As Reinhold Niebuhr, the theologian and international relations theorist from our western neighbour, once said:

    “The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world.”

    That is precisely Europe’s task now – more so than for decades.

    Thank you!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Former world darts champion Rob Cross banned as director over unpaid taxes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Former world darts champion Rob Cross banned as director over unpaid taxes

    Darts professional banned after company failed to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax

    • Former world darts champion Rob Cross has been disqualified as a director after his company failed to pay more than £450,000 in tax 

    • The Insolvency Service also found Cross withdrew more than £300,000 from Rob Cross Darts Limited between March 2020 and November 2023 that should have gone to creditors 

    • Cross has now been banned as a company director until June 2030 and entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) last year in a bid to pay off some of the money he owes 

    Former world darts champion Rob Cross has been banned as a director for five years after his company failed to pay more than £450,000 in tax. 

    Cross, known for winning the PDC World Darts Championship in 2018 and five World Series of Darts titles, was the director of Rob Cross Darts Limited, which was set up for the 34-year-old to receive his earnings and prize money. 

    However, between March 2020 and November 2023, Cross removed more than £300,000 in company money which should have been paid to creditors, including to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 

    He had also taken out more than £400,000 from Rob Cross Darts Limited in the form of a director’s loan account by the time the company went into liquidation. 

    In an attempt to repay part of his debts, Cross has entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a legally binding agreement where he has committed to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner. The monthly contributions Cross makes to the IVA will vary depending on the income he receives through his performances at darts tournaments during this year and future years. 

    Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the government’s ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools, transport infrastructure, and our national defence.  

    Rob Cross’s company owed more than £400,000 in corporation tax alone when it went into liquidation. For more than three years, he withdrew funds from the company which should have gone to HMRC and other creditors. 

    This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds. The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities. 

    Enforcing these rules consistently is crucial in maintaining a level playing field and preventing companies from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over compliant businesses that properly fulfil their tax obligations.

    Rob Cross Darts Limited was formed in May 2017, with Cross appointed as director on the same day. 

    Insolvency Service investigations found that the company received just more than £1 million from Cross’s earnings between the start of March 2020 and the date of liquidation in November 2023. 

    A total of £169,500 in sponsorships and £261,901 from his management company was also paid in to the company. 

    However, in the same period, Cross withdrew funds of at least £306,403 from the company which he acknowledged was “to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC”. 

    A further £665,419 was paid into the personal account of a connected party. 

    By the time the company went into liquidation, it owed £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT, and £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions. 

    The company had only paid £41,936 to HMRC between March 2020 and November 2023. 

    Cross’s director’s loan account was also overdrawn by £423,608 when the company went into liquidation with liabilities of £579,805. 

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Cross, and his ban started on Thursday 5 June. 

    It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. 

    Further information 

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and ASEAN launch CLARE-ASEAN to boost inclusive urban climate resilience

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK and ASEAN launch CLARE-ASEAN to boost inclusive urban climate resilience

    The programme will run through 2026, focusing on co-developing solutions with marginalised communities and supporting ASEAN climate policy efforts.

    The UK and ASEAN launched the Supporting Socially Inclusive Climate Adaptation & Resilience in ASEAN (CLARE-ASEAN) initiative on 4 June 2025 in Jakarta. The programme uses new evidence and innovation to promote socially-inclusive urban resilience to climate change in the Southeast Asia region.

    The CLARE-ASEAN is a regional programme under the UK’s flagship Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) research framework, funded about 90% by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and co-funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The initiative will run through 2026 and aims to generate evidence-based, inclusive solutions to climate challenges in Southeast Asian cities.

    The UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:

    Climate resilience is a pivotal investment for Southeast Asia’s future. The UK’s support through CLARE-ASEAN aims to help ASEAN Member States tackle climate risks at scale—by strengthening partnerships among researchers, policymakers, and local communities.

    CLARE-ASEAN will focus on co-developing climate solutions with marginalised communities, producing tailored research and policy briefs to support ASEAN decision-making, and contributing to the forthcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.

    The programme is closely aligned with the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) Action Plan and responds to the ASEAN State of Climate Change Report, which identifies urban areas—home to more than half of the region’s population—as a critical sector for adaptation efforts.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: LyondellBasell enters into an agreement and exclusive negotiations with AEQUITA for the sale of four European Strategic Assessment assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LyondellBasell (LYB) today announced that it has entered into an agreement and exclusive negotiations with AEQUITA for the sale of select olefins & polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe. The sites to be sold have been part of the previously announced European strategic assessment and are located in Berre (France), Münchsmünster (Germany), Carrington (UK), and Tarragona (Spain).

    “This contemplated transaction is a significant step in LYB’s transformation to Grow and Upgrade our Core. We are committed to operate our assets safely and reliably throughout this process and will continue to support our customers, employees and other key stakeholders,” said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell chief executive officer. “Europe remains a core market for LYB and one we will continue to participate in following this transaction with more of a focus on value creation through establishing profitable leadership in circular and renewable solutions.”

    The assets and business to be acquired by AEQUITA include integrated and non-integrated sites within LYB’s European olefins and polyolefins business, as well as supporting central functions based at the Company’s Rotterdam headquarters and various locations. The sites together represent a scaled olefins and polyolefins platform strategically located in proximity to a longstanding customer base and with access and connectivity to key infrastructure.

    “The acquisition of these assets from LYB marks another important step in expanding our industrial footprint,” said Christoph Himmel, Managing Partner at AEQUITA. “Each site brings a strong operational foundation and a highly experienced, committed employee base. We are confident in our ability to accelerate their development under AEQUITA’s ownership approach. We look forward to welcoming the teams into our Group and to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and establish a strong platform for long-term success.”

    The agreement entered into between LyondellBasell and AEQUITA is a put option deed under which AEQUITA has committed to enter into an agreed form purchase agreement if LyondellBasell exercises its put option, after conclusion of certain works council consultation processes.

    Closing of the proposed transaction is currently expected in the first half of 2026, subject to the completion of the information and consultation processes with the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws, as well as regulatory and other customary closing conditions. Citi and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisors and Linklaters LLP acted as legal counsel to LyondellBasell.

    Investor conference call

    LYB will host a conference call June 5 at 8 a.m. EDT. Participants on the call will include Chief Executive Officer Peter Vanacker, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Agustin Izquierdo, Executive Vice President of Global Olefins and Polyolefins Kim Foley and Head of Investor Relations Dave Kinney. For event access, the toll-free dial-in number is 1-877-407-8029, international dial-in number is 201-689-8029 or click the CallMe link. The slides and webcast that accompany the call will be available at investors.lyondellbasell.com/events-and-presentations/. A replay of the call will be available from 1 p.m. EDT June 5 until July 5, 2025. The replay toll-free dial-in numbers are 1-877-660-6853 and 201-612-7415. The access ID for each is 13754240.

    About LyondellBasell
    We are LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) ― a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors, and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

    About AEQUITA
    AEQUITA is a Munich-based industrial group investing in special situations, including corporate carve-outs, successions, and transformational situations across Europe. Its current portfolio generates more than EUR 3.5 billion in revenues. With a strong capital base, entrepreneurial expertise, and a partnership approach, AEQUITA focuses on the acquisition and long-term value enhancement of companies that can benefit from its operational engagement. For more information, please visit www.aequita.com.

    Media Inquiries LYB Global
    LyondellBasell Media Relations
    Phone: +1-713-309-7575
    Email: mediarelations@lyondellbasell.com

    Or:

    Media Inquiries LYB Europe
    Robert Kleissen, External Affairs Europe
    Phone: +31-6-273-573-98
    Email: robert.kleissen@lyondellbasell.com

    Media Inquiries AEQUITA
    Simon Schulz, Partner
    Phone: +49-89-2620-4840-0
    Email: contact@aequita.com

    Forward-Looking Statements LYB
    The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, our ability to align our asset base with our strategic goals; our ability to successfully complete the transactions contemplated by the put option and related agreements; completion of information and consultation processes of the relevant employee representative bodies; and the satisfaction of regulatory and other customary closing conditions. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Iran-aligned BladedFeline spies on Iraqi and Kurdish officials, ESET Research discovers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET researchers have revealed that Iran-aligned threat group BladedFeline targeted Kurdish and Iraqi government officials with array of malicious tools discovered within their systems.
    • ESET discovered and analyzed two reverse tunnels (Laret and Pinar), a backdoor (Whisper), a malicious IIS module (PrimeCache), and various supplementary tools.
    • With high-confidence ESET Researchers assess that BladedFeline is a subgroup within Iran-aligned OilRig, as the initial implants used there can be traced back to OilRig group.
    • BladedFeline already compromised Kurdish diplomatic officials with the group’s Shahmaran signature backdoor in 2023.

    MONTREAL and BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Iran-aligned threat group BladedFeline has targeted Kurdish and Iraqi government officials in a recent cyber-espionage campaign, according to ESET researchers. The group deployed a range of malicious tools discovered within the compromised systems, indicating a continued effort to maintain and expand access to high-ranking officials and government organizations in Iraq and the Kurdish region. The latest campaign highlights BladedFeline’s evolving capabilities, featuring two tunneling tools (Laret and Pinar), various supplementary tools, and, most notably, a custom backdoor Whisper and a malicious Internet Information Services (IIS) module PrimeCache, both identified and named by ESET.

    Whisper logs into a compromised webmail account on a Microsoft Exchange server and uses it to communicate with the attackers via email attachments. PrimeCache also serves as a backdoor: it is a malicious IIS module. PrimeCache also bears similarities to the RDAT backdoor used by OilRig Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group.

    Based on these code similarities, as well as on further evidence presented in this blogpost, ESET assesses that BladedFeline is a very likely subgroup of OilRig, an Iran-aligned APT group going after governments and businesses in the Middle East. The initial implants in the latest campaign can be traced back to OilRig. These tools reflect the group’s strategic focus on persistence and stealth within targeted networks.

    BladedFeline has worked consistently to maintain illicit access to Kurdish diplomatic officials, while simultaneously exploiting a regional telecommunications provider in Uzbekistan, and developing and maintaining access to officials in the government of Iraq.

    ESET Research assesses that BladedFeline is targeting the Kurdish and Iraqi governments for cyberespionage purposes, with an eye toward maintaining strategic access to the computers of high-ranking officials in both governmental entities. The Kurdish diplomatic relationship with Western nations, coupled with the oil reserves in the Kurdistan region, makes it an enticing target for Iran-aligned threat actors to spy on and potentially manipulate. In Iraq, these threat actors are most probably trying to counter the influence of Western governments following the US invasion and occupation of the country.

    In 2023, ESET Research discovered that BladedFeline targeted Kurdish diplomatic officials with the Shahmaran backdoor, and previously reported on its activities in ESET APT Activity reports. The group has been active since at least 2017, when it compromised officials within the Kurdistan Regional Government, but is not the only subgroup of OilRig that ESET Research is monitoring. ESET has been tracking Lyceum, also known as HEXANE or Storm-0133, as another OilRig subgroup. Lyceum focuses on targeting various Israeli organizations, including governmental and local governmental entities and organizations in healthcare.

    ESET expects that BladedFeline will persist with implant development in order to maintain and expand access within its compromised victim set for cyberespionage.

    For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of BladedFeline’s tools used in Operation RoundPress, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “Whispering in the dark” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    About ESET
    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown— securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister McKenzie pays tribute to Rashid Lombard

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has described the late Rashid Lombard as a storyteller who was unafraid to document South African history.

    The acclaimed photographer, cultural activist, and jazz promoter passed away peacefully on Wednesday at the age of 74, surrounded by his loved ones.

    “Rashid Lombard was more than a photographer. He was a storyteller and freedom fighter who used his camera as a weapon for justice. He captured truth when others looked away, showing the world our pain, pride, struggle, and strength. Rashid gave us history and memories that speak louder than words. Today, we honour a true artist who told our story with heart, honesty, and deep respect. South Africa has lost a giant,” the Minister said in his tribute to Lombard.

    This as he joined President Cyril Ramaphosa in conveying his condolences. President Ramaphosa said the country had lost a cultural icon who not only documented the history of the struggle for freedom but made history in his own right.

    Rashid who will be laid to rest according to Muslim rites on Thursday morning, was born on 10 April 1951 in North End, Gqeberha. 

    He relocated with his family to Cape Town in 1962. He initially trained as an architectural draftsman and later pursued a career in industrial photography, beginning his professional path at the construction firm Murray & Roberts.

    “As a young boy in the Eastern Cape, he lived in a community where people of all races coexisted. Black, White, Coloured, Indian and Chinese families shared neighbourhoods, exchanged stories and formed bonds that apartheid later sought to destroy. It was a glimpse of what a united South Africa could be.

    “The arrival of apartheid brought violence and forced removals. Families were relocated based solely on the colour of their skin, and many of Lombard’s childhood friends disappeared, never to be seen again. 

    “This trauma deeply affected him and heightened his awareness of injustice. These early experiences, along with the Black Consciousness Movement, inspired his lifelong commitment to justice and equality,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said.
    He chose to fight not with weapons but with his camera. During South Africa’s struggle for liberation, he worked as a freelance photographer and television sound recordist. 

    His lens witnessed history, capturing the pain, courage and hope of a people longing for freedom.

    He documented key moments such as the growing democracy movement in the 1980s, Nelson Mandela’s release in 1990, and the first democratic election in 1994. His images reached global audiences through major outlets like Agence France-Presse, the BBC and NBC, offering the world a powerful view of South Africa’s journey.

    “As democracy took hold, Lombard turned his energy to jazz, another lifelong passion. He held leadership roles at Fine Music Radio and P4 Smooth Jazz Radio before founding espAfrika in 1997. Through this company, he launched the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2000, directing it until 2014.

    “The festival grew into one of Africa’s largest and most respected cultural events, showcasing local talent alongside international stars and putting Cape Town firmly on the global jazz map.

    “Even after retiring, he remained committed to preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage. He undertook the important task of digitising his extensive photographic archive, a project begun by his late wife, Colleen. Working with the National Archives and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, he ensured the collection would be accessible as a national treasure. His family continues this vital work today,” the Ministry said.

    In 2010, he published “Jazz Rocks”, a photographic tribute curated by the late George Hallett. The book captures the spirit, energy and connection of jazz through Rashid’s distinctive lens.

    In 2014, Lombard was honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver. This prestigious award recognised his exceptional impact on the arts, cultural preservation and the global celebration of South African jazz. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bulgarian authorities arrest 18 for smuggling migrants across its southern border

    Source: Europol

    On 3 June, law enforcement carried out raids in five major cities across Bulgaria under the supervision of the Burgas Prosecutor’s Office. Officers from Greece, Romania and Moldova joined Bulgarian investigators on the ground, with Europol also deployed to support the action. In total, 18 people were arrested, including a high-value target.The criminal network used a variety of vehicles to…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Battle of Britain Pilot’s Grave Identified in the Netherlands

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Battle of Britain Pilot’s Grave Identified in the Netherlands

    More than eighty five years after his death, the previously unmarked grave of Flying Officer Philip Anthony Neville Cox, has finally been identified and a service of rededication held at his graveside.

    The Reverend Jonathan Steward at the graveside of Flying Officer Cox (Crown Copyright)

    The rededication service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery in The Netherlands, yesterday afternoon (4 June 25). The service was conducted by the Reverend Jonathan Stewart CF, Station Chaplain RAF Odiham. 

    JCCC Caseworker, Tracey Bowers, said: 

    I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting this brave Pilot was buried in the grave in Bergen op Zoom cemetery. Cox was a brave and talented Officer and excelled in all aspects of service life, serving his Country for 8 years, he will never be forgotten.

    Flying Officer Philip Anthony Neville Cox RAF No.501 (County of Gloucestershire) Sqn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force 

    Evidence and research undertaken by the researcher, RAF Air Historical Branch, CWGC and JCCC shows that Cox was reported missing, believed dead when his Hurricane P3808 failed to return from an operation on 27 July 1940, over Dover. A month later a body was washed ashore on the Westenschouwen (Dutch coast) and buried as an unknown British Air Force Officer, the records also showed some details of his name and number (Cox 33XXX). When he was concentrated into Bergen op Zoom cemetery in 1946 it appears some of these details were accidentally struck off and attempts to identify him missed resulting in him being buried as an “Unknown”. Research shows there was only one other missing with the name Cox but he was not an Officer and the date and location of his crash ruled him out.  

    Reverend Jonathan Steward CF said 

    It has been a real honour to be part of the rededication service for Flying Officer Cox. Having his name forever written in stone is more than symbolic. It shows our commitment to honour and commemorate his sacrifice and show that it will not be forgotten.

    The military party stand behind the newly erected headstone for Flying Officer Cox (Crown Copyright)

    Cox was not only a talented Pilot but sportsman too excelling in both fencing and soccer he was described in his RAF reports as “A good all-round sportsman and very keen on all games. He has showed judgement and will be an asset to the Service”. 

    The grave will now be cared for by CWGC. Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said:  

    It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of Flying Officer Cox. This case involved evidence from multiple sources – including Dutch and German archives – which had not been previously connected. It was a privilege to play a part in establishing where this Battle of Britain pilot was buried and the Commission will care for his grave, in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of British High Commissioner to Lesotho: Martine Sobey

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Change of British High Commissioner to Lesotho: Martine Sobey

    Mrs Martine Sobey has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho in succession to Mr Harry MacDonald.

    Martine Sobey

    Mrs Martine Sobey has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho in succession to Mr Harry MacDonald who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mrs Sobey will take up her appointment during September 2025.

    Curriculum vitae         

    Full name: Martine Sunshine Sobey       

    Year Role
    2023 to present Abuja, Climate Change and Nature Team Lead
    2022 to 2023 BEIS-FCDO, Team Leader, Joint International Forests Unit
    2021 to 2022 BEIS, Team Leader Forests, Land Use and Carbon Markets
    2019 to 2020 BEIS, Bilateral Partnerships Lead, International Climate Finance
    2019 Joined Civil Service
    2017 to 2019 Rockefeller Foundation, Senior Manager – Africa Region
    2009 to 2017 Environment, climate and international development consulting roles
    2008 to 2009 King’s College London, Masters in Climate Change, Environment and Globalisation

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Atos to deliver key IT services and applications for UEFA Nations League Finals™ 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                    Press Release

    Atos to deliver key IT services and applications for UEFA Nations League Finals™ 2025

    Paris, France – 5 June, 2025 – Atos, the Official Information Technology Partner of UEFA National Team Football, will deliver key IT services and applications support for the UEFA Nations League Finals™(UNLF) 2025, taking place from June 4 to June 8, 2025, in Germany. Atos’ expertise will once again support hundreds of millions of fans worldwide to share the electrifying experience of one of the highest profile football tournaments.

    To provide the best experience for all stakeholders, from the European football family to fans and media, Atos will be responsible for managing core IT planning and operations systems all requiring the highest level of reliability, efficiency and security. These solutions include:

    • Event Management systems including accreditation, access control solutions, competitions solutions, radio communication and service desk services.
    • Diffusion system like the football service platform, the mobile app, the website including some embedded gaming functionalities such as match predictor and quiz about competitions.
    • End-to-end cybersecurity services, from compliance and threat intelligence to on-the-ground and hybrid-cloud security.

    Since the inception of their partnership in 2022, Atos have assisted UEFA on a day-to-day basis to manage, improve, and optimize its complex technology landscape and in facing new technology challenges. In a new data consumption era, large sport associations need to keep pace with the expectations of their audiences, especially the youth fan base, who are craving for more personalization, technology and data, engagement and real-time information. To meet these challenges, Atos and UEFA have been striving to continuously introduce innovations driving immersive fan experiences with secure, real-time data and deliver best-in class, AI-powered IT solutions.

    Atos, helped make the UEFA EURO 2024™ a tremendous success, supporting over 200 applications, over 6 million app download, almost 1.3 billion email and app push notifications, and a cumulated live audience of over 5 billion. Atos and UEFA also introduced innovative applications like the Football Service Platform, providing data and statistics such as results, line-ups, live match events, players status and ranking of all UEFA teams, transforming all stakeholders’ experience.

    The entire Atos team, from the IT Command Center of UEFA in Nyon (Switzerland) to the delivery centers in Madrid and Barcelona (Spain), as well as Egypt, Poland, Romania and France are committed on daily basis to making sure UEFA is well-prepared to deliver exceptional experiences to fans around the world.

    “We are excited to feel the competition pressure building up as we enter the last stages of UEFA Nations League preparation. Our team is working tirelessly to make sure we once again deliver a secure, flawless and innovative service to UEFA and provide all football fans with an unforgettable tournament experience.” said Nacho Moros, Head of Atos Major Events.

    “Since the beginning of our partnership with Atos in 2022, we have been making advances in the quality of services we are introducing and providing to all the Football stakeholders. We are confident that the 2025 edition of the Nations League will once again leverage the most advanced technologies to provide all football fans an amazing experience”, stated Hosni Ajala, Chief of ICT at UEFA.

    Atos has been serving its partners and customers through a dedicated in-house sports and major events division (“Major Events”) for over 3 decades, giving it an unmatched experience and the flexibility to serve its customers regardless of their exposure, size and scale. From global events to local competitions, Atos consistently strives to deliver technology excellence to its entire customer base. 

    Atos has been involved with the Olympic Movement since 1992 and the Paralympic Movement since 2002 and is the Official Digital Technology Partner of the European Olympic Committees, as well as the official Digital partner for Special Olympics International. The company is also the Official Information Technology Partner of UEFA National Team Football. Most recently, Atos has been instrumental in delivering successful leading-edge IT services for iconic events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 or inspiring events such as Invictus Games Vancouver 2025 or the Special Olympics Torino Winter Games 2025. 

    To learn more about Atos solutions for sporting events and major events, visit  Atos Major event. 

    ***

    About Atos Group

    Atos Group is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 72,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion, operating in 68 countries under two brands — Atos for services and Eviden for products. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, Atos Group is committed to a secure and decarbonized future and provides tailored AI-powered, end-to-end solutions for all industries. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    Press contact

    Laurent Massicot – laurent.massicot@atos.net – 33 (0)7 69 48 01 80

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Capgemini becomes an Official Partner of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift until 2029 to power cycling through tech and innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Capgemini becomes an Official Partner of the Tour de France
    and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift until 2029
    to power cycling through tech and innovation

    The new partnership encompasses 14 international cycling events including La Vuelta, Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège races, as well as five standalone women’s races

    Paris, June 5, 2025 – Capgemini announced today that it has become the Official Technology Partner, for the next 5 years, of 14 cycling races, including the world renowned Tour de France, to help drive innovation in professional cycling. Together, they will leverage technology, innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) to grow the cycling community, engage fans all over the world and bring cycling into people’s lives.

    This agreement, that goes beyond the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, will see Capgemini support a series of international cycling events, that include both men’s races – such as La Vuelta, Paris-Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Tours, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tro Bro Leon, and the women’s races of La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es, Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, La Flèche Wallonne Femmes, Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes.

    As part of this new global long-term partnership, Capgemini is the Official Technology Partner of each of these events, bringing its deep expertise in digital innovation, technology and AI into the professional cycling field. Over the next five years, Capgemini will support these top cycling events in realizing their technology roadmap, delivering cutting-edge technological solutions aimed at enhancing performance insights, supporting international audiences and engaging fans, from casual enthusiasts to amateur cyclists. In 2024, the Tour de France reached more than 1 billion TV viewed hours in 190 countries and broke digital records with nearly 100 million website visits and 1.6 billion impressions on social media.

    With this partnership, Capgemini extends its sports sponsorship portfolio that focuses on bringing the breadth of the Group’s capabilities to enhance leading global events with technological innovation, high performance and team spirit at the heart. As a global company based in 50 countries, with well-established operations across regions that have a strong cycling fanbase such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, UK, and USA, Capgemini will promote the fourteen cycling races internationally.

    “At Capgemini, we are proud to partner with 14 iconic global sports competitions including the world-famous Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Each embody the driving principles of precision, endurance, high performance and teamwork – attributes that we, at Capgemini, live by every day,” said Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini. “This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing the Group’s breadth of expertise and capabilities to enhance the future of sport through cutting-edge innovation, data-led insights and an augmented fan experience.”

    “We are very proud to launch this long-term partnership with Capgemini, leader in technology and innovation. This strategic partnership will help to promote and accelerate our digital ambitions for the Tour de France and all A.S.O. Cycling events around the world. New digital solutions will help to further enhance the Fan experience and engage new communities with innovative and upgraded features and services,” says Yann Le Moënner, A.S.O. Managing Director.

    Transforming sport through technology and innovation
    The partnership builds on Capgemini’s already strong track record in adding value to the fan experience and sporting performance through its portfolio of sports sponsorships.

    • In 2024, for the 37th America’s Cup, Capgemini and America’s Cup Media revealed the breakthrough WindSight IQTM technology in Barcelona. Through a combination of technology, engineering, data, and design, Capgemini developed a LiDAR-based sensor system that made the yacht racing more understandable and engaging for viewers. The solution enabled the viewers to visualize the wind and model potential race results, enhancing the fan experience.
    • This year, Capgemini is a Principal Partner of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, set to kick off in the UK in August. Since 2022, the Group has played a pivotal role in advancing inclusivity in the sport as a Global Partner of the Women in Rugby initiative and enabling the Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme, to support a new generation of female leaders in rugby.
    • For the 2025 Ryder Cup in September, Capgemini will bring a generative AI powered version of its Outcome IQ, a tool that puts the intelligence of real-time data in the palm of every fan’s hand, helping to enhance the fan experience by tracking outcome probabilities shot by shot. Capgemini is Worldwide Partner to the Ryder Cup up until and including the 2027 Ryder Cup in County Limerick, Ireland.

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.
    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Expands Global Availability of Sleep Apnea Feature on Galaxy Watch Series

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics announced today that the Sleep Apnea feature1 on the Galaxy Watch series — available through the Samsung Health Monitor app2 — is expanding to 34 European markets,3 as well as Australia and Singapore, bringing the global total to 70 markets.4
     
    This growth follows the feature’s receipt of CE (Conformité Européenne or European Conformity) marking for the European Economic Area. The CE marking affirms that Samsung meets the European Union’s health, safety and environmental protection standards, reinforcing its leadership in sleep technology. Additionally, the feature was recently approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority.
     
    The milestone builds on Samsung’s groundbreaking De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — the first of its kind for a wearable device to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.5 The Sleep Apnea feature was also approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Brazil’s health regulatory agency ANVISA and Health Canada.
     
    Recognizing the critical role of sleep in overall health, Samsung is committed to helping users improve sleep quality by understanding their sleep patterns, providing personalized sleep coaching and optimizing their sleep environments. With the Sleep Apnea feature, more users can now detect symptoms6 earlier — helping to prevent health issues associated with this common yet often undiagnosed condition.
     
    The Sleep Apnea feature reflects Samsung’s ongoing commitment to providing users with meaningful insights to support healthy sleep habits. By expanding access to this FDA-authorized feature globally, Samsung is empowering users worldwide to take proactive steps toward better sleep health.
     

     
     
    1 The Sleep Apnea feature is an over-the-counter (OTC), software-only mobile medical application operating on compatible Galaxy Watch series models and Galaxy smartphones. It is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions in adult users age 22 and older over a two-night monitoring period. The feature is designed for on-demand use and is not intended for individuals previously diagnosed with sleep apnea. Users should not rely on this feature as a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. The data provided by this device is also not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders.
    2 Availability may vary by market, carrier, model or paired smartphone. The feature is available on Galaxy Watch4 series and later models running Wear OS 5.0 or later and must be paired with a Galaxy smartphone running Android 12.0 or later. Due to regulatory restrictions in obtaining approval and registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), the feature only works on supported Galaxy Watch series models and Galaxy smartphones purchased in markets where the service is currently available. Service may be restricted when users travel to unsupported markets.
    3 Availability may vary depending on country-specific registration in some European markets.
    4 Supported markets include Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norfolk Island, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Réunion, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.
    5 Considered a common yet serious medical condition, sleep apnea causes someone to stop breathing while asleep, which can result in disruptions in oxygen supply, lower sleep quality, and other health complications such as hypertension, cardiac disorder, stroke or cognitive disorder.
    6 The Sleep Apnea feature utilizes the BioActive Sensor to measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) during sleep. It analyzes changes in SpO₂ levels related to apnea and hypopnea patterns and estimates the Apnea-Hypopnea Index to inform users of potential symptoms.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues NOK 2 billion notes under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    5 June 2025 at 10:00 am (EEST)

    Municipality Finance issues NOK 2 billion notes under its MTN programme

    Municipality Finance Plc issues NOK 2 billion notes on 6 June 2025. The maturity date of the notes is 6 January 2031. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.125% per annum.

    The notes are issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the notes to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 6 June 2025.

    DNB Bank ASA acts as the dealer for the issue of the notes.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, corporate entities under their control, and non-profit organisations nominated by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA). Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ageas Re partners with Slovenian insurer Triglav Group in connection with the Motor insurance business distributed by Italian Insurtech Prima

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ageas Re partners with Slovenian insurer Triglav Group in connection with the Motor insurance business distributed by Italian Insurtech Prima

    Today, Ageas Re, the reinsurance arm of Ageas Group, concluded a reinsurance agreement with Slovenian insurer Triglav Group in connection with the partnership entered into by Triglav Group with leading Italian direct Motor insurance distributor, Prima Assicurazioni S.p.A. (Prima), with the objective to expand its business portfolio and to contribute to the Ageas’s Elevate27 profitable growth ambitions.

    Under to the agreement, Ageas Re takes an 80% Quota Share on the Prima business underwritten by Triglav Group in 2025, commencing in the coming weeks.

    Prima is a rapidly growing, profitable insurance distributor that began distributing personal lines policies, mainly Motor, in 2015. Since then, it has become the number 1 in the Italian Direct Motor business. In 2024, the company generated EUR 1.3 billion gross written premiums, servicing over 4 million customers, and EUR 104 million Group EBITDA.

    This agreement is in perfect alignment with Ageas’s Elevate27 strategy to achieve profitable growth in an attractive European Non-Life market. The Italian Motor insurance market generates premiums in excess of EUR 15 billion, with consistent profitability. Through this partnership, Ageas Re teams up with a tech-driven, local champion, with proven track record, providing immediate market entry with considerable scale.

    Ageas Re anticipates inflows from this transaction in excess of EUR 500 million in 2025 and a Net Operating Result of around EUR 15 million, spread over 2025 and 2026. The impact on Group Solvency is estimated to be no more than -4 points in 2025.

    Hans De Cuyper, CEO of Ageas stated: The agreement with Triglav Group aligns well with many aspects of our newly launched strategy, Elevate27. This collaboration enables us to enter a promising European growth market in Non-Life insurance and achieve profitable growth through a partner with a strong market position.”

    Joachim Racz, CEO of Ageas Re continued: “I am pleased to announce this partnership. Along with the entire Ageas Re team, I look forward to establishing a successful collaboration, offering high-quality insurance products to the Italian customer distributed by Prima. We would also like to thank Howden Re for the excellent management of the process and transaction.”

    George Ottathycal, CEO of Prima said: “Prima Assicurazioni has experienced remarkable growth in the Italian motor insurance market, surpassing 4 million active customers in just ten years. This success is the result of our sophisticated and rigorous pricing and underwriting, outstanding user experience, and, most importantly, our carefully selected strategic partners who fully align with our cutting-edge, technology- and data-driven business model. Not only will the solidity and trust of the new partners Triglav Group and Ageas Re further expand our growth, but will also deliver significant value to our entire network of agents and brokers—and, above all, to our customers.”

    Andrej Slapar, President of the Management Board of Zavarovalnica Triglav, commented: “Our strategic ambition is to grow beyond existing markets and enhance Triglav Group’s international recognition. The Italian motor insurance market presents a strong opportunity to support this goal, and we are pleased to be working with well-established partners Prima and Ageas Re. The Triglav Group will continue to explore opportunities for further growth and for delivering on the other objectives set out in our strategy.”

    Ageas is a Belgian rooted listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning of 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe’s larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Türkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 50,000 people and reported annual inflows of EUR 18.5 billion in 2024.

    Prima Assicurazioni is an insurtech company operating as a specialized insurance agency in the automotive, home, and family sectors, serving over 4 million clients. It has revolutionized the Italian insurance market through innovation, technology, and a data-driven strategy. Thanks to unprecedented growth over its 10-year history, Prima’s evolving business model has enhanced the user experience, offering competitive pricing and fostering greater market competition. A leader in Italy’s online motor insurance sector, Prima also operates a nationwide network of agents. Since 2022, the company has expanded into the United Kingdom and Spain.

    For 125 years, the Triglav Group has earned the trust of clients and other stakeholders through its expertise, experience, and financial strength. It is the largest insurance-financial group in the Adria region and one of the leading groups in Southeast Europe. The Group operates in six countries, with broader international presence through insurance and reinsurance activities. Insurance and asset management are the two main pillars of its operations. The Group employs more than 5,000 people. Its mission is to create a safer future. The core values of the Group are responsiveness, simplicity, and reliability. Its vision is focused on strengthening its identity and recognition as an international insurance-financial group. Through sustainable operations, it provides a development-oriented environment for employees, maintains strong partnerships, and represents a stable, secure, and profitable investment for shareholders. The parent company of the Triglav Group is Zavarovalnica Triglav, a Prime Market issuer on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • Indian delegation meets EU representatives in Belgium, conveys firm resolve against terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, held a series of high-level engagements in Brussels on Wednesday with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), emphasising India’s resolute stance against cross-border terrorism.

    The Indian MPs visited the European Parliament and engaged with MEPs, including from the Delegation for Relations with India, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), and the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE).

    The delegation briefed MEPs about the cross-border terrorism targeting India, including terror attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor and India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

    The discussions focused on enhancing India-EU strategic cooperation, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism, broader India-EU ties, high-level engagements and the deepening Parliamentary exchanges.

    The MEPs condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and supported India’s right to defend itself and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The Indian Embassy Belgium & Luxembourg said, “Taking India’s strong message against terrorism to the world, members of All-Party Delegation met with Members of European Parliament (MEPs) and discussed combating terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, global peace, and deepening of India-EU ties.”

    “The EU side was briefed about the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack and the calibrated and targeted response of India through Operation Sindoor, giving the message of zero tolerance to terrorism. MEPs expressed their solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack,” the embassy added.

    Earlier in the day, the delegation was briefed by Ambassador of India to EU, Belgium & Luxembourg Saurabh Kumar. The delegation also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the Indian Embassy.

    Furthermore, the delegation interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, which expressed its deep solidarity with India’s strong and principled stance and zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

    The delegation underscored the vital role of the diaspora in amplifying India’s voice on the global stage.

    The delegation also had a productive exchange of views with some of Brussels’ leading think-tanks and members of the strategic community.

    Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a post on X, “During our visit to Brussels, my colleagues from the all-party delegation and I engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the scourge of terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism targeting India. We deliberated on India’s counter-terrorism initiatives, notably including Operation Sindoor, with prominent think tanks in the region. Our interaction underscored a unified and unambiguous stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism.”

    After concluding visits to France, Italy, Denmark, and the UK, the delegation is on a 3-day visit to Belgium.

    Apart from Prasad, the delegation includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, and Ghulam Ali Khatana; Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi; AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai; Congress MP Amar Singh; former Union Minister M.J. Akbar; and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Germany: German general government debt up in 2024 by €57 billion to €2.7 trillion, debt ratio down from 62.9% to 62.5%

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    General government debt in Germany increased by €57 billion in 2024 to €2.69 trillion. Central government debt grew the most, by €36 billion. State and local governments recorded an increase of €15 billion and €14 billion, respectively. Debt between central, state and local government, which is factored out when calculating the figure for general government debt, also climbed. The Bundesbank determines Germany’s general government debt as per the definition set out in the Maastricht Treaty, which is harmonised across the EU.
    The debt ratio, meaning the ratio of debt to nominal gross domestic product (GDP), fell by 0.4 percentage point to 62.5%. Taken by itself, the increase in nominal GDP reduced the debt ratio by 1.8 percentage points. This outweighed the expansion in debt.
    The €57 billion increase in debt was significantly lower than the general government (Maastricht) deficit (€119 billion) published by the Federal Statistical Office. The smaller increase in debt was mainly due to the fact that a large portion of the deficit could be financed by drawing on available bank deposits. In addition, central government was able to limit its borrowing because it was receiving repayments on assistance loans previously granted (during the coronavirus pandemic and to support the energy sector). Such repayments (like the granting of funds before them) do not change the deficit, but do impact the debt level.

    Year

    Debt level (€ billion)

    GDP (%)

    Change indebt level (€ billion)

    2024

    2,689

    62.5

    57

    2023

    2,632

    62.9

    61

    2022

    2,571

    65.0

    67

    2021

    2,504

    68.1

    156

    2020

    2,348

    68.1

    272

    2019

    2,076

    58.7

    -11

    2018

    2,086

    60.8

    -46

    2017

    2,133

    64.0

    -50

    In addition to national debt, EU Member States also take on debt collectively at the European level. Around €70 billion of this debt can be ascribed to Germany, an amount equivalent to 1.6% of the country’s GDP. Consolidated EU debt totalled €169 billion in 2023. In 2024, it is estimated to have risen to €282 billion. Ultimately, this joint debt is largely serviced through the EU budget, and Member States therefore have a share in it through their financial contribution to the EU budget. Germany’s financial contribution currently amounts to around one-quarter.

    Year

    Consolidated debt of EU institutions and bodies (€ billion)*

    Germany’s financial contribution (€ billion)

    GDP (%)

    2024

    282

    70

    1.6

    2023

    169

    43

    1.0

    2022

    110

    28

    0.7

    2021

    58

    15

    0.4

    * Maastricht debt of EU institutions and bodies less claims of the EU on Member States. It primarily consists of the debt-financed grants to Member States made since 2021 under the Next Generation EU scheme. Source: Eurostat, 2024. The figures for 2024 contain shares estimated by the Bundesbank. 
    Background: The EU Member States report data on their general government fiscal balance and debt to the European Commission each year at the end of March and end of September in what are known as EDP notifications. The Bundesbank calculates Maastricht debt, the definition of which is harmonised across the European Union. Germany’s Maastricht debt is largely based on the “debt of the general government budget”, which is calculated using national government finance statistics methodology. The Federal Statistical Office published its figures for this on 26 March 2025. In terms of methodology, Maastricht debt has a broader definition so as to make it comparable across Europe. This means that it generally works out significantly higher than the debt level recorded in the government finance statistics (by €180 billion in 2024).

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI German News –

  • MIL-OSI Germany: April results of the Bank Lending Survey (BLS) in Germany | Demand continued to rise in all loan categories

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    The German banks responding to the Bank Lending Survey (BLS) tightened their credit standards slightly for loans to enterprises in the first quarter of 2025, primarily based on risk considerations. By contrast, banks eased their credit standards for loans to households for house purchase. They did not see a need to adjust their credit standards for consumer credit and other lending to households. 
    Banks tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises to a lesser extent than they had planned in the previous quarter. They had originally intended to tighten their credit standards for loans to households. 
    The banks that took part in the survey made credit terms and conditions for loans to enterprises and for consumer credit and other lending to households more restrictive on balance, whilst easing terms and conditions for loans to households for house purchase. 
    Demand for loans continued to rise in all loan categories, with loans to households for house purchase increasing significantly.  
    The level of the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio and other indicators of credit quality had tightening effects on lending policies for loans to enterprises and for consumer credit and other lending to households over the past three months.
    The ECB Governing Council’s past and expected key interest rate decisions had a negative impact on net interest income, thereby contributing to a deterioration in banks’ profitability in the 2024-25 winter half-year. For the summer half-year, too, banks are expecting the key interest rate decisions to have a negative impact on their net interest income as well as on their profitability.
    The BLS covers three loan categories: loans to enterprises, loans to households for house purchase, and consumer credit and other lending to households. On balance, the surveyed banks tightened their credit standards (i.e. their internal guidelines or loan approval criteria) slightly for loans to enterprises. By contrast, they eased their credit standards for loans to households for house purchase. They left their credit standards for consumer credit and other loans to households unchanged. The net percentage of banks that tightened their standards stood at +3% for loans to enterprises (compared with +13% in the previous quarter). Credit standards for loans to enterprises were tightened only for large enterprises. Standards for small and medium-sized enterprises were eased somewhat on balance. The net percentage of banks that tightened their standards for loans to households for house purchase was -7% (compared with +11% in the previous quarter); for consumer credit and other lending to households, this figure was 0% (compared with +11% in the previous quarter). Banks tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises to a lesser extent than they had planned in the previous quarter. They had originally intended to tighten their credit standards for loans to households. 
    The banks justified the slight tightening of credit standards for loans to enterprises on the grounds of a perceived increase in credit risk. This assessment relates to the general economic situation, but also to sector and firm-specific factors. Banks’ main rationale for easing credit standards for loans for house purchase was their higher risk tolerance. Another factor was that the outlook on the housing market had improved. They also reported that competition with other banks had increased and capital costs had decreased. For the second quarter of 2025, banks are planning to tighten their credit standards in all loan categories. Here, credit risk is likely to have a restrictive impact on the adjustment of credit standards owing to the tense economic situation and a decline in borrower creditworthiness.

    Change in credit standards for loans to households for house purchase and contributing factorsOn balance, banks tightened their terms and conditions (i.e. the terms and conditions actually approved as laid down in the loan contract) for loans to enterprises as well as for consumer credit and other lending to households. The restrictive adjustments in both loan categories are the outcome of higher lending rates and an increase in margins irrespective of credit ratings. The banks justified these adjustments primarily on the grounds of their reduced risk tolerance and a perceived increase in credit risk. Banks eased their terms and conditions for loans to households for house purchase overall by reducing their margins. They stated that this was mainly due to stronger competition and an improvement in their liquidity base.
    The surveyed banks reported that demand for bank loans in Germany had risen on balance in all loan categories in the first quarter of 2025, with loans to households for house purchase registering significant growth. Banks stated that the marginal rise in demand for loans to enterprises was driven by various factors: increased demand for mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructuring, as well as for refinancing, debt restructuring and renegotiation. In addition, debt securities were replaced to some degree by bank loans. Interest rate levels once again supported demand for loans, albeit to a lesser extent than in the previous two quarters. By contrast, financing needs for fixed investment declined on balance. The high degree of uncertainty surrounding economic and (geo)political developments is likely to have been a factor here. According to the surveyed banks, the considerable rise in demand for loans to households for house purchase was mainly attributable to the lower level of interest rates and households’ positive view of the outlook on the housing market. Higher consumer confidence also boosted demand. Banks put the rise in demand for consumer credit and other lending to households down to an increase in purchases of durable consumer goods. The loan rejection rate for loans to enterprises went up again, but only for loan requests and applications from small and medium-sized enterprises. There was no change in the rejection rate for large enterprises. The rejection rate declined for loans for house purchase and for consumer credit and other lending to households. For the second quarter of 2025, banks are expecting to see demand increase further across all three loan categories. On balance, they expect demand for housing loans to rise at a significantly more subdued rate than in the first quarter.

    Change in demand for loans to households for house purchase and contributing factorsThe April survey round contained ad hoc questions on participating banks’ financing conditions and the impact of the ECB Governing Council’s past and expected key interest rate decisions. It also contained questions about the impact of the Eurosystem’s monetary policy asset portfolios and of NPLs and other indicators of credit quality on the institutions’ lending policies.
    Against the backdrop of conditions in financial markets, German banks reported virtually no change in their funding situation compared with the previous quarter. The ECB Governing Council’s past and expected future key interest rate decisions have had, overall, a negative impact on banks’ profitability over the past six months. After the interest rate cuts in October and December 2024 and in February and March 2025, key interest rate decisions ceased to have a positive impact for the first time since this question was introduced. For the 2025 summer half-year, banks are once again expecting key interest rate decisions to have a negative impact on their net interest income as well as on their profitability. Taken in isolation, the reduction in the Eurosystem’s monetary policy securities holdings weakened the liquidity position of banks in Germany. German banks assessed the impact on their financing conditions and capital ratios, too, as slightly negative. 
    In the first quarter of 2025, the level of the NPL ratio (the stock of gross NPLs on the bank’s balance sheet as a percentage of the gross carrying amount of loans) and other indicators of credit quality had restrictive effects on lending policies for loans to enterprises and on consumer credit and other lending to households. In the second quarter of 2025, the banks are expecting this restrictive effect stemming from the decline in credit quality to continue. 
    The Bank Lending Survey, which is conducted four times a year, took place between 10 March and 25 March 2025. In Germany, 33 banks took part in the survey. The response rate was 97%.

    Change in credit standards for loans to enterprises and contributing factors
    Change in demand for loans to enterprises and contributing factorsTime series credit standards
    Loans to enterprises
    Loans to households for house purchase
    Consumer credit and other lending to households

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI German News –

  • MIL-OSI: valantic FSA names Holger Wohlenberg as new CEO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Frankfurt, Germany, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — valantic FSA, a leading provider of digital automation solutions for the financial industry, has appointed Dr. Holger Wohlenberg as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2025.

    Dr. Wohlenberg brings extensive experience at the intersection of finance, technology and data, including senior leadership roles at Deutsche Börse Group, where he was instrumental in expanding the firm’s proprietary data and technology businesses. 

    This appointment underscores valantic FSA’s next stage of development and growth as it further scales its presence and impact in Europe, and worldwide, supporting capital markets and financial services providers with effective end to end workflow automation and integration solutions for business-critical workflows. Dr. Wohlenberg succeeds Joachim Lauterbach who has decided to move on after ten years, having put valantic FSA firmly on the map as a multi-solution service provider with over 100 customers in 18 countries.

    “I’m thrilled to join a team that combines deep industry expertise and powerful technology to deliver innovation and meaningful change in electronic trading and workflow automation.” said Holger Wohlenberg. “I look forward to building on these strong foundations, working with the valantic FSA team, our clients, and our partners, to continue to make an impact in the delivery of mission-critical financial processes.” 

    valantic FSA sits at the heart of digital transformation in financial services, delivering automation and integration solutions to banks, asset managers and capital markets infrastructure providers. Part of the valantic Group, valantic FSA is one of the fastest-growing financial technology solutions providers in Europe, supporting financial institutions and firms across the continent – and worldwide – to enhance the productivity of capital markets, electronic trading, payments and core banking workflows.  

    Holger von Daniels, valantic Group CEO, commented: “We’re excited to welcome Holger Wohlenberg to valantic. His strategic insight and extensive experience scaling technology-led businesses will help drive the next phase of scale and growth at FSA. We would like to thank the outgoing CEO Joachim Lauterbach for his energy, leadership and vision in establishing strong foundations for our continuing success as a trusted partner in financial services automation.”  

    Dr. Wohlenberg’s appointment comes at a time of unprecedented demand from financial market participants for scalable, intelligent and interoperable digital solutions to manage increasingly complex operational, regulatory and customer engagement workflows.

    About valantic FSA
    valantic FSA automates the trading and transaction workflows at more than 100 firms in the Financial Services industry.​ 

    Our mission is to digitize, augment and evolve the value streams within our clients. This delivers new levels of efficiency, insight, and agility so that our clients can position themselves for maximum impact today and in the future.​ 

    Our deep industry expertise is used to assemble these systems from a broad range of proven components and next generation technologies.

    https://www.valantic.com/fsa

    Media Contacts
    Xavier Sarras  
    Head of Brand and Market Development  
    Xavier.Sarras@extern.fsa.valantic.com 

    Melanie Budden
    The Realization Group
    melanie.budden@therealizationgroup.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ukraine’s Security is our Security. Only a Just Peace Can Secure Ukraine’s Future: UK Statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Ukraine’s Security is our Security. Only a Just Peace Can Secure Ukraine’s Future: UK Statement to the OSCE

    UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says that a sustained ceasefire is the quickest route to stop the killing. The UK supports ending the war in Ukraine through a just peace, while Russia obstructs progress.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. Last week, we discussed the Code of Conduct, including its stipulation that “In the event of armed conflict, they will seek to facilitate the effective cessation of hostilities and seek to create conditions favourable to the political solution of the conflict”.

    To that end, the UK shares President Trump’s desire to bring this war to an end, and will continue to work closely with the US, Ukraine and other international partners to secure a just and lasting peace.  We thank Türkiye for hosting talks in Istanbul, including earlier this week. This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our continent. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter President Putin from further aggression in the future.

    As we have noted each week, Ukraine continues to show its commitment to peace: Its constructive engagement with US peace efforts at every turn; agreement in principle to a full and unconditional ceasefire; sending a senior and empowered delegation to Istanbul; and President Zelenskyy’s readiness to meet President Putin face to face.

    Russia, on the other hand, has taken steps to obstruct the pathway to peace.  President Putin continues to reject a complete, unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire that President Zelenskyy endorsed nearly three months ago; refused to share his memorandum on terms for ending this illegal war in advance of Monday’s meeting; and rejected President Zelenskyy’s call for a direct meeting.

    We continue to call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional ceasefire to create the space for negotiations on a framework for a lasting peace.  A sustained ceasefire is the quickest route to stop the killing. Ukraine’s security is our security. UK support for Ukraine remains iron-clad, and our support will be sustained. Thank you, Madame Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 18 countries elected to ECOSOC for three-year term

    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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (Xinhua) — Eighteen countries, including China, were elected on Wednesday to three-year terms on the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the coordinating body for economic and social work of U.N. agencies and funds.

    UN General Assembly President Philemon Young announced the results after a secret ballot.

    The council included Burundi, Chad, Mozambique and Sierra Leone from Africa, China, India, Lebanon and Turkmenistan from Asia and the Pacific, Croatia, Russia and Ukraine from Eastern Europe, Ecuador, Peru and Saint Kitts and Nevis from Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia, Finland, Norway and Turkey from Western Europe and other regions.

    These ECOSOC members are elected for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2026.

    ECOSOC has 54 members. Its membership is renewed annually by a vote in the UN General Assembly. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Planisware expands into Belgium to support the sustained growth of its business in the Benelux region

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Planisware expands into Belgium to support the sustained growth of its business in the Benelux region

    Paris, France, June 5, 2025 – Planisware, a leading B2B provider of SaaS in the rapidly growing Project Economy market, continues its international expansion with the opening of a new office in Belgium.

    Planisware has been present in the Benelux region for several years, through projects carried out for leading clients such as Galapagos, KLM, Philips, and Engie, and is now consolidating its position in this strategic, fast-growing market. In particular, the Group has seen a sharp increase in its business in this market, with revenue doubling over the last four years, testifying to the relevance of its expertise and the confidence of its customers.

    This new location is primarily intended to strengthen proximity to Planisware’s customers and other economic players in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), a dynamic market that is home to around 1,200 target companies, nearly half of which having annual revenue in excess of one billion euros, particularly in high-growth sectors such as manufacturing (chemicals, food processing and industrial equipment), retail and financial services.

    With this new location, Planisware strengthens its proximity to customers and its expertise in local challenges. With its enhanced visibility, Planisware will be able to accelerate new signatures and sustainably support the Group’s growth in the region.

    Loïc Sautour, CEO of Planisware, commented: “We are proud to announce Planisware’s arrival in Belgium, which marks a key milestone in our continued expansion in Europe. It will strengthen our existing customer base while supporting our growth in the region. Over the years, we have built up a solid network of partners and customers in the Benelux, and this subsidiary is a natural fit with this dynamic. It will also create local jobs and strengthen our ties with all market players.”

    “International expansion has been at the heart of our growth strategy since Planisware’s launch,” says co-founder Yves Humblot. “Today, Benelux is emerging as a key region in our roadmap: it’s an ecosystem recognized for its culture of innovation and operational excellence.”

    Planisware’s new subsidiary in Belgium will be headed by Benoît Soulier (46). With over seven years’ experience in project management at Planisware, he brings solid expertise in the management of complex portfolios and projects, particularly in the pharmaceutical, industrial and public sectors. He has worked with companies such as UCB, Eurocontrol and the Walloon Public Service (SPW) in Belgium, as well as BDR Thermea in the Netherlands. Before joining Planisware, he spent four years at Sopra Group, where he contributed to the deployment of numerous complex projects. Benoît Soulier holds a degree in computer engineering from Telecom Nancy.

    Contact

    Investor Relations: Benoit d’Amécourt

    benoit.damecourt@planisware.com
    +33 6 75 51 41 47

    Media: Brunswick Group
    Hugues Boëton / Tristan Roquet Montégon
    planisware@brunswickgroup.com
    +33 6 79 99 27 15 / +33 6 37 00 52 57

    About Planisware

    Planisware is a leading business-to-business (“B2B”) provider of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) in the rapidly growing Project Economy. Planisware’s mission is to provide solutions that help organizations transform how they strategize, plan and deliver their projects, project portfolios, programs and products.

    With circa 750 employees across 18 offices, Planisware operates at significant scale serving around 600 organizational clients in a wide range of verticals and functions across more than 30 countries worldwide. Planisware’s clients include large international companies, medium-sized businesses and public sector entities.

    Planisware is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Compartment A, ISIN code FR001400PFU4, ticker symbol “PLNW”).

    For more information, visit planisware.com and connect with Planisware on LinkedIn.

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    The MIL Network –

  • In First White House Visit, Merz to Address Trade and Security with Trump

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will hold his first face-to-face talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday in a high stakes meeting in the Oval Office as Europe seeks to stave off looming U.S. tariffs and sustain U.S. backing for Ukraine.

    The 69-year-old conservative, who took the helm of Europe’s largest economy last month, is scheduled to join Trump for lunch and one-on-one talks that analysts say could set the tone for U.S.-German ties for years to come.

    Germany’s export-oriented economy stands more to lose from U.S. tariffs than others and the country is also the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion, after the United States.

    The meeting comes amid a broader fraying of the transatlantic relationship. Trump’s administration has, for example, intervened in domestic European politics in a break with past practice, aligning with right-wing political movements and challenging European policies on immigration and free speech.

    The encounter will be closely watched after some recent meetings in the Oval Office, with the leaders of Ukraine and South Africa, for example, turned tense when Trump ambushed them with false claims and accusations.

    Merz and his entourage have sought coaching from other leaders on how to deal with Trump to avoid conflict.

    The meeting comes just weeks before a critical summit of the NATO Western military alliance which is looking increasingly strained given Trump’s threats not to come to the aid of U.S. allies that do not up their spending on defence.

    Such threats are of particular concern to Germany, which has relied on U.S. nuclear deterrence for its security since the end of World War Two.

    Merz has already made some bold policy moves that he can highlight to appease Trump, analysts said. He has backed Trump’s demand to more than double NATO’s spending target to 5% of economic output, earning unprecedented praise last weekend from U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

    Merz, who has vowed a more assertive foreign policy, also coordinated a visit by European leaders to Kyiv just days after taking office, two European diplomat sources said.

    “This shows that Germany is willing to accept a greater responsibility for Ukraine and the European security order – these are all things that have been wished for in the United States over years and will be welcomed,” said Sudha David-Wilp of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

    “Germany is well-positioned to show that it can help the United States achieve its foreign policy goals.”

    The fact Merz was invited to stay in the Blair House guest quarters across from the White House is a positive signal, said analysts.

    KINDRED SPIRIT OR FOE?

    Merz and Trump could even find some common ground given their business backgrounds, their membership in right-of-centre political parties, their focus on fighting illegal immigration and their fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, President and CEO of the American Council on Germany.

    They also both had run-ins with former German chancellor Angela Merkel – who once squeezed Merz out of top-level politics.

    Moreover Merz has described himself as “a convinced transatlanticist”, chairing the “Atlantic Bridge”, a non-profit fostering U.S.-German ties, for 10 years.

    “They might discover a kindred spirit,” Sokol said.

    Still, Trump was unpredictable, while Merz was impulsive, warned analysts, and there were huge frictions in the relationship.

    “The challenge that he could face is … if Trump says something is erroneous, do you correct him? Do you risk turning it into an argument?” said Jeffrey Rathke, a former U.S. diplomat and president of the American-German Institute at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

    “Or do you find a way to indicate that you see it differently, but not let it sidetrack the conversation.”

    U.S. administration officials remain upset that Merz criticized Trump shortly before the 2024 U.S. election, a source familiar with its thinking said.

    And, on the eve of his own election victory, Merz criticised the “ultimately outrageous” comments flowing from Washington during the campaign, comparing them to hostile interventions from Russia.

    Another possible landmine could be a recent German proposal for a levy on online platforms such as Alphabet’s Google GOOGL.O, and Meta’s Facebook META.O, especially given Trump’s close ties with the U.S. tech industry, he said.

    (Reuters)