NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Safety works completed at public park in Wrexham

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Safety works completed at public park in Wrexham

    A skate park in Wrexham is safe to be reopened after the completion of works to stabilise the ground around an old mine shaft.

    Investigating the existing mine shaft cap.

    In April 2023, the Mining Remediation Authority was notified of a ground collapse at the Solvay Banks public park and play area in Southsea, Wrexham, at the location of an old mine shaft.

    The area was immediately secured with fencing while we investigated the situation. In May we filled the shaft, measured to be more than 110 metres deep, with around 650 tonnes of material to stabilise the area and prevent further ground collapse. 

    James Walker, project manager for our public safety and subsidence team, said:

    The safety of the public is our paramount concern, and we acted swiftly to secure the collapsed shaft at Solvay Banks Park.

    Our initial investigations identified the presence of a further 2 mine shafts in the vicinity, and historical records indicated that all 3 shafts had previously undergone treatment by the local authority in the 1970s. 

    The locations of the other 2 mine shafts in the area were checked as a precautionary measure and no issues were found.

    Ground investigation and surveying works identified that the existing mine shaft cap was in better condition than initially anticipated but the ground around it had collapsed. Our treatment plan was designed to leave the existing cap in place but we strengthened the cap and the ground around it by drilling and grouting the area. Mining Remediation Authority contractors successfully completed these works in August 2024.

    With the mine shaft secured and stabilised, the area has been restored to its original condition and the play park is now safe to be reopened and enjoyed by the local community.

    The site following completion of the works.

    As part of our work to keep people safe and provide peace of mind we investigated and assessed 949 mining hazards and subsidence claims last year.

    You can report a coal mining hazard to us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 0800 288 4242.

    For media enquiries contact the community response team

    Email communityresponse@miningremediation.gov.uk

    Telephone 0800 288 4211

    For emergency media enquiries (out of hours) call: 0800 288 4242.
    Only urgent media calls will be attended to.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Our approach to mental health and well-being: updates

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Authored article

    Our approach to mental health and well-being: updates

    Matthew Purves, National Director of Ofsted Academy, on Ofsted’s renewed approach to mental health and well-being.

    Introduction

    Last year, we fully accepted the findings and recommendations of the coroner’s inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. HM Coroner made clear that we relied too heavily on custom, practice and inspectors’ professional experience to support the well-being of leaders during our inspections. We did not have explicit written guidance for inspectors to follow if they became aware of well-being concerns, so although our approach was well intended it lacked a clear process.

    To address this, we’ve made changes to improve our practice. This article will explain those changes and discuss what else we plan to do.

    Our vision for inspection

    We want inspection to be a collaborative process in which we build positive relationships with leaders and staff. We want everyone to act with professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect at all times, including when an inspection is challenging.

    To help us achieve this, we’ve set 4 objectives. We want to make sure that:

    • we have clear written guidance on supporting leaders’ well-being during inspections
    • our inspectors can recognise signs of distress and mental health issues, and know how to respond
    • we have a clear policy on pausing an inspection if leaders show signs of distress
    • our inspectors are fully aware of this policy and follow it confidently to support leaders and minimise additional stress

    Inspector training

    At our autumn 2023 training conference for school inspectors, inspectors considered the theme of ‘doing good as you go’. They took part in a structured session looking at how best to make an inspection as positive as possible for those involved, while maintaining its integrity. This included building and developing positive relationships throughout the inspection.

    In December 2023, school inspectors attended a briefing session on how to identify and respond to signs of stress. This briefing was then further developed and rolled out to all education inspectors in January 2024. These briefings let inspectors know that they should:

    • request the details of the person responsible for leaders’ well-being at the start of the inspection, so they can contact them for support if required
    • use the new national helpline to seek advice from senior colleagues if they have concerns about the well-being of leaders or staff
    • remind and encourage leaders to have someone accompany them at different points during the inspection

    The briefings also clarified who provisional inspection outcomes can be shared with and our updated policy on pausing inspections.

    We also updated our inspection handbooks to:

    • include explicit references to the well-being support provided by the Department for Education for headteachers
    • make clear that inspectors should routinely signpost this support in the pre-inspection call
    • reflect the points covered in the briefings

    Working closely with Mental Health First Aid England

    In January 2024, our Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, hosted a half-day training webinar for all inspectors with Mental Health First Aid England (MHFAE). This focused on mental health and our behaviours of professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect. It was followed by a half-day in-depth online training session, led by MHFAE’s expert trainers. All inspectors were required to complete this training. 

    The training was further built on in structured discussion sessions, carried out by regional teams. This gave inspectors the opportunity to reflect on the training and share good practice in implementing it. We used feedback from these sessions to identify further learning needs.

    Inspectors also engaged in sessions on applying the training at their remit conferences in early 2024.

    We have since worked closely with MHFAE to develop a bespoke training package. Completing the package is mandatory for all new inspectors. Additional training on building positive relationships and how to recognise and respond to signs of stress and anxiety is now also built into inspector inductions.

    This means that every new inspector joining Ofsted understands from day one the importance of mental health and working collaboratively, and knows how to identify signs of distress in leaders. Inspectors will re-do the training as a refresher every 2 years to ensure that it is current and remains at the forefront of their minds.

    Further training and development

    In spring 2024, we developed the refresher training mentioned above, which is for all inspectors. It covers how we meet our equalities duties during inspection, for example by providing reasonable adjustments for leaders, staff, children and learners, and parents and carers, where appropriate.

    We have also provided support and training for inspectors on how to manage their own stress and anxiety. This is so that they can manage the intensity of our work and be better able to spot and manage anxiety in themselves and others. 

    Through summer 2024, we sought feedback from a number of education providers that had been inspected since January 2024. This was to find out what difference the training had made. The feedback showed that inspectors took great care in supporting the well-being of leaders and staff. We turned this feedback into a briefing for all inspectors, which was made available in February 2025.

    We have also continued to promote mental health first aid training. We now have over 140 qualified mental health first aiders in our workforce, an increase of over 20% since December 2023. We have also trained 2 inspectors to mental health instructor level. This means we have more expertise and oversight in producing relevant training content.

    Next steps

    In autumn 2025, we will train all education inspectors to prepare them to inspect under our proposed new approach. This will include training on mental health and leaders’ and staff’s well-being. It will build on previous training but will update it to fit the improved inspection framework and methodology.

    We know that what we have done so far is just the beginning. To make sure that this progress is not lost, we will integrate mental health topics into all relevant ongoing training. This will support our inspectors in carrying out their work with professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect, while ensuring that children, young people and learners receive the very best education and care.

    For more information on our inspector training materials, visit the Ofsted Academy page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dorset path improved from Kimmeridge Bay to South Haven Point

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Dorset path improved from Kimmeridge Bay to South Haven Point

    The path around Dorset’s stunning coastline is better than ever thanks to 21 miles of improvements between Kimmeridge Bay and South Haven Point.

    Legal provisions are in place so the coast path can be ‘rolled back’ in response to coastal erosion.

    • 21 miles of footpath from Kimmeridge Bay to South Haven Point now improved.
    • The footpath largely follows the South West Coast Path and creates new access rights between the path and low water.
    • New provision for the path to be easily moved following coastal erosion.

    These works form part of a national programme to create a coastal path around the whole of England. Once completed, this will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world and the UK’s longest National Trail.

    Stretching from Kimmeridge Bay on the Dorset coast and east to South Haven Point, some 21 miles in total, the path follows the route of the existing South West Coast Path (SWCP) National Trail.

    Wonderful locations along the path

    For anyone walking the path, there is plenty to see, not least Kimmeridge Bay which is one of the most loved locations on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and Studland Bay, recently designated a Marine Conservation Zone, marks the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast. The path follows the coast of the Isle of Purbeck with its dramatic landscape features and impressive coastal views and throughout this stretch of the path there are glorious beaches if you want to feel sand between your toes.

    Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve is a great place to see wildlife, which might include bottlenose dolphins, sunfish, jellyfish, seals and a variety of seabirds. A live cliff camera records Durlston’s impressive guillemot colonies – they are both the most easterly and second largest on the South Coast.  The country park is an easily accessible section of coast path, and also has, for lovers of history, a castle, along with parking and cafe, the Anvil Point lighthouse and the Great Globe stone sphere plus magnificent views. 

    Ready to ‘roll back’

    In establishing the new trail, Natural England has sought to improve the alignment of the SWCP where possible or move it closer to the sea. It also brings legal provision for the trail to ‘roll back’ in response to coastal erosion, thereby securing people’s rights into the future and protecting the investment being made now.

    For example, at Chapman’s Pool there was a significant landslip meaning walkers had to take a lengthy diversion. Natural England worked closely with Dorset Council and the landowner to agree a new route that would solve the long-standing difficulties of maintaining a continuous route along this section of the coast.

    You will still encounter steep climbs and descents as well as gently undulating walking along the cliff tops.

    ‘Safe and scenic route along the Jurassic Coast’

    Tim Hall, Wessex Coast and Seas senior manager for Natural England, said:

    We’re pleased to open this new section of the England Coast Path today, 21 miles of spectacular views boasting some of our region’s most iconic wildlife and landscape.

    It will provide both the local community and visitors from further afield more opportunities to access the coast and connect with nature.

    Julian Gray, director, South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA), said:

    We’re really excited by the improvements to the coast path route and signage, helping create a more coastal walking experience in the area.

    As the charity championing the coast path we’re looking forward to seeing the remaining Dorset sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path completed.

    Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for Place Services, said:

    This is wonderful news for Dorset. It not only provides a safe and scenic route for people to enjoy this stunning part of the Jurassic Coast, but it also gives our residents and visitors even more opportunities to connect with nature.

    South West Coast Path, part of the King Charles III England Coast Path

    The King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is a National Trail around the entire coast of England. Existing coastal national trails and other regional walks make up parts of the KCIIIECP and this newly improved stretch of the South West Coast Path forms part of it.

    You can plan your walk on the KCIIIECP, which follows the enhanced route of the SWCP between Kimmeridge Bay and South Haven Point, by visiting the KCIIIECP or the South West Coast Path pages of the National Trails website.

    Background

    The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 places a duty on the Secretary of State and Natural England to secure a long-distance walking trail around the open coast of England, together with public access rights to a wider area of land along the way for people to enjoy. 

    Natural England is working at pace to ensure completion of the KCIIIECP – 1,400 miles were open by the end of 2024.Subject to resources we expect to complete the KCIIIECP by spring 2026.

    • To plan their visit walkers can access route maps of all opened sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path and any local diversions on the National Trails website and can check Natural England’s open access maps for any restrictions to access.
    • You can promote your business, service, event or place of interest for free on the National Trails website, inspire people to spend more time in your area and benefit from the economic impact of visitors.
    • National Trails, marked by the acorn symbol, pass through spectacular scenery, support local tourism and offer a range of routes from short circular walks to long distance challenges.

    King Charles III England Coast Path

    • You can follow progress to complete the King Charles III England Coast Path at King Charles III England Coast Path: improving public access to the coast.
    • The King Charles III England Coast Path will be our longest, National Trail, passing through some of our finest countryside, maritime and industrial heritage, coastal settlements and rural locations.
    • It will also be the world’s longest managed coastal trail (i.e. the trail is maintained to National Trail standards).
    • It will secure legal rights of public access for the first time to typical coastal land including foreshore, beaches, dunes and cliffs that lies between the trail and the sea.

    Improvements to existing access to the coastline include: 

    • A clear and continuous way-marked walking route along this part of the coast, bringing some sections of the existing coastal footpath closer to the sea and linking some places together for the first time.
    • Targeted adjustments to make the trail more accessible for people with reduced mobility, where reasonable.
    • Uniquely amongst our National Trails the KCIIIECP may be moved in response to natural coastal changes, through ‘roll back’ if the coastline erodes or slips, solving the long-standing difficulties of maintaining a continuous route along the coast – and making a true coastal path practicable. The legal provision for roll back is proposed to sections of the trail where a need has been foreseen but can be retrospectively applied to other parts of the route if deemed necessary.
    • The route of the trail can also be altered through planning proposals and where coastal and flood defence works or habitat creation would impact on the proposed or open route of the KCIIIECP.
    • We work closely with a broad range of national and regional stakeholders around the country including wildlife trusts, National Trust, RSPB, NFU, CLA, RA, OSS, Environment Agency and local authorities.

    The  Countryside Code is the official guide on how to enjoy nature and treat both it, and the people who live and work there, with respect.  

    For landowners:

    Landowners who have KCIIIECP coastal access rights on their land enjoy the lowest liabilities in England.

    About Natural England  

    Established in 2006, Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public. 

    • We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
    • We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks and National Landscapes , and advising widely on their conservation.
    • We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
    • We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
    • We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.

    About the South West Coast Path Association

    The South West Coast Path Association is a charity (Registered Charity Number 1163422) that works to ensure the South West Coast Path is one of the best walks in the world and protects it for all to enjoy. Supporting the charity helps the South West Coast Path Association to improve the South West Coast Path and keeps the way open to beautiful coastal places.

    For more information visit the South West Coast Path Association.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cornwall coast path improvements now complete

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Cornwall coast path improvements now complete

    Path improvements along 228 miles of Cornwall’s stunning coastline from St Agnes Head along the south coast to the Tamar at Cremyll have finished.

    Mevagissey, one of the many locations to be found on the coast path which has been improved from St Agnes on the north coast of Cornwall around to Cremyll, near Rame on the south coast. Photo: Matt Burtwell, Aerial Cornwall.

    • 228 miles of footpath heading west from St Agnes and all along the south coast now improved.
    • The footpath follows the South West Coast Path for much of its length but with a number of improvements where the path has been moved nearer to the sea.
    • The project creates new access rights between the path and low water.
    • New provision for the path to be easily moved following coastal erosion events.

    These works form part of a national programme to create a coastal path around the whole of England. Once completed, this will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world and the UK’s longest National Trail.  

    Earlier this year the 75-mile stretch from Marsland Mouth on the North Cornwall coast down to Newquay was completed. This follows the route of the existing South West Coast Path (SWCP) National Trail. Now the remaining 228 miles of path are completed: heading west from Newquay, down to Land’s End and back along the south coast to Cremyll on the banks of the Tamar.

    Plenty to see along the path

    For anyone walking the path, there is plenty to see, with towns and villages such as Falmouth, Penzance and Polperro, along with popular spots such as Land’s End and The Lizard.  

    For those interested in the county’s heritage, there are castles in abundance, like St Mawes and St Michael’s Mount, alongside remnants of Cornwall’s industrial past at Botallack engine houses and the Levant mine and beam engine – to say nothing of the famous cliffside Minack Theatre.

    There’s also plenty for lovers of wildlife to spot, including choughs, grey seals and peregrine falcons. And, of course, there are glorious sandy beaches to stop off at throughout the route. 

    Lining up the path with the coast

    In establishing the new trail, Natural England sought to improve the alignment of the coast path where possible or move it closer to the sea. For example, a new route has been created on the western side of the Lizard at Porthkerris instead of the old inland route along country roads. And at Millendreath the new path has been moved away from the road to allow for more scenic views and a safer walking route. Other changes include Downderry where the main route is impassable during high tides, so an alternative follows the coastal road. 

    While walkers will still encounter steep climbs and descents  – as well as gently undulating walking along the cliff tops  – there are now more accessible areas. This includes the path between Swanpool and Gyllanvase Beach and the path around Tregantle Fort.  Another change is a new legal provision for the trail to ‘roll back’ in response to coastal erosion, thereby securing people’s rights into the future and protecting the investment being made now.

    ‘Wowing visitors for years’

    Andrea Ayres, deputy area director for Natural England, said:

    This huge stretch of path along two coasts takes in some of the best views in the South West. These much-loved places  have been wowing visitors for many years, as well as being loved by local residents.

    We hope the improvements to the path, and the additional access rights, will mean even more people will get out and enjoy nature.

    This will provide vital health and wellbeing benefits for local communities, as well attracting visitors to the county, with tourism playing a vital role in the South West economy.

    ‘Great to see sections of the King’s coast path open in Cornwall’

    While much of Cornwall’s 300-mile section of the South West Coast Path is owned by private landowners and organisations, the path is managed by Cornwall Council. The council and Cormac, together with the National Trust, have worked to deliver the improvements around the county. 

    Julian Gray, director, South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA), said:

    It’s great to see the final sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path open in Cornwall, which creates new open access rights around the coast to help connect people to nature.

    The establishment of the KCIIIECP has brought significant investment and improvements to the route of the coast path and also gives us new powers to manage the National Trail in the face of coastal erosion.

    We will continue to work with our trail partners to protect, improve and champion the South West Coast Path as one of the world’s great trails.

    Local locations used in The Salt Path

    The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, was released last week and partly filmed in Newquay, as well as Whitsand Bay and Rame Head on the south east coast of Cornwall. Based on the memoir written by Raynor Winn, the story is about one couple’s walk around the South West Coast Path and could lead to the area attracting a whole new wave of visitors.

    The King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is a National Trail around the entire coast of England. Existing coastal national trails will retain their branding and alongside  other promoted routes form part of the KCIIIECP.

    You can plan your walk on the KCIIIECP, which follows the enhanced route of the SWCP between Newquay and Cremyll, by visiting the KCIIIECP or the South West Coast Path pages of the National Trails website.  

    Background

    The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 places a duty on the Secretary of State and Natural England to secure a long-distance walking trail around the open coast of England, together with public access rights to a wider area of land along the way for people to enjoy.  

    Natural England is working at pace to ensure completion of the KCIIIECP. 1,400 miles were open by the end of 2024.Subject to resources we expect to complete the KCIIIECP by spring 2026. 

    • To plan their visit walkers can access route maps of all opened sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path and any local diversions on the National Trails website and check for any restrictions to access at Natural England’s open access maps.
    • You can promote your business, service, event or place of interest for free on the National Trails website, inspire people to spend more time in your area and benefit from the economic impact of visitors.
    • National Trails, marked by the acorn symbol, pass through spectacular scenery, support local tourism and offer a range of routes from short circular walks to long distance challenges.

    King Charles III England Coast Path:  

    • Here is a map showing progress to complete the King Charles III England Coast Path.
    • The King Charles III England Coast Path will be our longest, National Trail, passing through some of our finest countryside, maritime and industrial heritage, coastal settlements and rural locations.
    • It will also be the world’s longest managed coastal trail (i.e. the trail is maintained to National Trail standards).
    • It will secure legal rights of public access for the first time to typical coastal land including foreshore, beaches, dunes and cliffs that lies between the trail and the sea.

    Improvements to existing access to the coastline include:  

    • a clear and continuous way-marked walking route along this part of the coast, bringing some sections of the existing coastal footpath closer to the sea and linking some places together for the first time.
    • Targeted adjustments to make the trail more accessible for people with reduced mobility, where reasonable.
    • Uniquely amongst our National Trails the KCIIIECP may be moved in response to natural coastal changes, through ‘roll back’ if the coastline erodes or slips, solving the long-standing difficulties of maintaining a continuous route along the coast – and making a true coastal path practicable. The legal provision for roll back is proposed to sections of the trail where a need has been foreseen but can be retrospectively applied to other parts of the route if deemed necessary.
    • The route of the trail can also be altered through planning proposals and where coastal and flood defence works or habitat creation would impact on the proposed or open route of the KCIIIECP.
    • You can find out more about progress near you to create the King Charles III England Coast path.
    • We work closely with a broad range of national and regional stakeholders around the country including wildlife trusts, National Trust, RSPB, NFU, CLA, RA, OSS, Environment Agency and local authorities.

    The Countryside Code is the official guide on how to enjoy nature and treat both it, and the people who live and work there, with respect.   

    For landowners: 

    Landowners who have KCIIIECP coastal access rights on their land enjoy the lowest liabilities in England.  

    About Natural England    

    Established in 2006, Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.  

    • We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
    • We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks and National Landscapes , and advising widely on their conservation.
    • We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
    • We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
    • We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.

    For more information, visit King Charles III England Coast Path: improving public access to the coast .  

    About the South West Coast Path Association 

    The South West Coast Path Association is a charity (Registered Charity Number 1163422) that works to ensure the South West Coast Path is one of the best walks in the world and protects it for all to enjoy. Supporting the charity helps the South West Coast Path Association to improve the South West Coast Path and keeps the way open to beautiful coastal places.  

    For more information visit the South West Coast Path Association.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Helping people to avoid hospital admission

    Source: City of Coventry

    A pioneering service that is helping people in Coventry get back to independence after being in hospital is marking its first birthday.

    Since going live in June 2024, three Local Integrated Teams (LITS) made up of health and care professionals from University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) and Coventry City Council have cared for over 6000 patients.

    The single integrated team support the whole urgent and emergency care pathway. 

    The team is based in Newfield House, Opal Centre and Tile Hill Primary Care Centre – each covering different areas of the city.

    Among the patients cared for by LITS is 88-year-old Joan Foster from Holbrooks. Joan spent eight weeks in hospital after a fall in her home and lying on the floor for 10 hours.  

    Following discharge, an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Physio from the North LIT provided support, including sourcing equipment, in Joan’s home. Within two months Joan’s care needs were reduced to a single carer once a day.

    Joan said: “Without the support, I don’t know where I’d be. They gave me the confidence to realise I can do things. I can now get into bed on my own and get to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.”

    Over the year, LITs have helped 840 people to avoid an unnecessary hospital admission, fewer people with an urgent care need a long stay in a care home and over 2000 patients with support for a short while in their home, or close to where they live.

    Other achievements include:

    • 86 per cent fewer patients requiring a long-term bed in a care home with successful reablement and promoting independence;
    • Supported over 1420 patients with therapy in or close to their homes.

    Lead for One Coventry Integrated Team (OCIT), Jodie Storrow said: “LITs were trialled under the Improving Lives programme in 2024 after a diagnostic showed that older patients with an urgent health and care need were getting the wrong support. One year in, we are demonstrating that we’re receiving the right patients who are right for our service.”

    She added: “What we’ve achieved in a year is truly astonishing.  I would like to thank each and every member of the LITs for their compassion and dedication to working differently to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Coventry. Day in, day out, you are working as a single integrated team which is fundamentally changing the way we support people with an urgent need”.

    Rae Bottrill, Service Manager in Adult Social Care said: “Health and Social Care colleagues working in an integrated way in the LITS to support people of Coventry is demonstrating fantastic outcomes for people.”

    Cllr Linda Bigham, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “In such a short time the new integrated teams are making a big difference. Joan’s experience is a great example of the work being done.

    “Where people can be at or nearer to home, and out of hospital is crucial, and I’m delighted that the teams are helping reduce the numbers of patients needing a bed in a care home.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: The Netherlands and the UK among the simplest countries for doing business in Europe, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greece, France, Italy and Turkey are the most complex jurisdictions to do business in the region, according to the 2025 Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) recently launched by TMF Group.

    The GBCI studies over 250 indicators of complexity in 79 jurisdictions that represent 94% of the world’s GDP. The report has consistently shown that countries in Southern Europe and Latin America are the most complex for doing business, and that continues to be true in 2025. At the other end of the scale, the least complex places to do business tend to be in Northern Europe and several of the offshore investment hubs.

    The report notes that complexity is relatively straightforward to navigate, at least for larger multinationals able to absorb the cost of complying with local rules. What is much harder to deal with is uncertainty. US-led sanctions, lockdowns in China and the Suez blockage had already begun a shift towards more diversified supply chains, with companies seeking to reduce their reliance on single countries for sourcing, building or selling their products. A part of that solution noted in last year’s report was the rise of connector economies like Mexico and Vietnam, bridging trade between China and the US in the so-called ‘China plus one’ strategy. That strategy has now fallen foul of US tariffs, set to reflect a country’s trade surplus in goods with the US and so punishing countries with connector status.

    Even if tariffs abate, their launch and rapid shifts point to an underlying risk for companies trading from countries with a high US trade surplus. The report notes a drop in confidence in stability, with the majority of jurisdictions (55%) reporting prioritisation of trade corridor diversity. It identifies a number of countries that might now emerge as the new connectors — with low levels of complexity pointing to business-friendly rules, a low US trade surplus pointing to less likely retaliatory action, a reasonable size and sophistication of economy to support a variety of activity at scale and absorb investment without tipping heavily into US trade surplus, and a multipolar stance that should allow them to trade across different blocs. Those countries include the UK and the Netherlands in Europe, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, and Australia and Hong Kong in Asia Pacific.

    TMF Group’s CEO Mark Weil, said:

    “The real challenge for businesses today isn’t complexity, it’s uncertainty. With rising trade tensions, a shifting geopolitical landscape and economic unpredictability, companies are forced to make decisions in an environment that can change overnight. Tariffs are just the latest signal of the risks of supply chain concentration. Diversification is a necessity in this context. The good news is that businesses can offset some of the complexities of diversification by reducing their own internal intricacies. Our benchmarking reveals stark differences in structural complexity among similar firms. We see an opportunity here: by simplifying their structures and support models — for example, by having fewer legal entities and a few trusted global partners — businesses can gain flexibility.”

    Top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China  70. Czech Republic 
       

    Media Contacts
    Marina Llibre Martín
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regulator issues Official Warning to charity and disqualifies trustee over inflammatory social media activity

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    Press release

    Regulator issues Official Warning to charity and disqualifies trustee over inflammatory social media activity

    A charity set up to support Palestinian refugees, particularly in Lebanon, has been issued with an Official Warning after posting “divisive and inflammatory” political material on social media.

    The Commission has also issued an Order disqualifying one of the charity’s trustees from being a trustee and from holding a position with senior management functions, for a period of eight years.

    Palestinian Refugee Project was registered in 2021, with objects to benefit the Palestinian diaspora in refugee camps through poverty relief, advancing education, relieving sickness and providing social welfare and leisure facilities.

    The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, began examining the charity in December 2023, after concerns were raised about its social media activity. The regulator also identified that all of the charity’s then trustees appeared to be related, with one serving as CEO, giving rise to concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

    The trustees’ responses to the Commission’s questions raised further concerns, for example, that they lacked an understanding of their legal duties and responsibilities, including the importance of trustees acting and making decisions collectively.

    The regulator established that, as a result of governance failings, Mrs Taghrid Al-Mawed-Layton – who was also acting as the charity’s voluntary CEO – had sole responsibility for the charity’s social media activity and used the charity’s platforms to promote political material, which was not in furtherance of the charity’s aims, and / or was divisive and inflammatory.

    This included posts that could be interpreted as downplaying acts of terrorism, and which tried to raise support for a change to Israel’s recognition as a state. The charity failed to implement a formal social media policy and the remaining trustees lacked oversight in relation to its social media activity.

    The Commission has disqualified Mrs Al-Mawed-Layton for eight years due to her role in mismanagement and / or misconduct of the charity, including social media activity on behalf of the charity. The Order disqualifies Mrs Al-Mawed-Layton from being a trustee and holding a senior management position in any charity.

    Joshua Farbridge, Head of Compliance Visits and Inspections at the Charity Commission said:

    We found a number of serious failings at Palestinian Refugee Project, which put the charity’s finances and reputation at risk. The charity, in effect, was being run by a single trustee who either did not understand, or failed to adhere to, basic trustee duties.

    It’s important to stress that the Commission does not seek to encroach on any individual’s right to freedom of speech, expression, or beliefs. And we recognise that events in the Middle East over recent months and years have been deeply emotive and distressing.

    However, trustees have clear legal obligations, including to act in line with the charity’s purpose and best interests, and act reasonably and prudently. Sadly, the good aims this charity set out to achieve was seriously undermined by the conduct and failings of its trustees.

    As part of its case, the regulator also established that a failure to implement financial controls meant that funds were spent without proper authorisation or controls. The charity is overdue in filing its accounts for the years ending April 2023 and 2024.

    The Charity Commission’s case involving the charity will remain ongoing allowing the regulator to follow up on the remedial actions set out in the Official Warning.

    Ends

    Notes to editors:

    1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society.

    2. The Official Warning and disqualification order were issued as part of a regulatory compliance case into the charity, which remains ongoing. These cases allow us to gather evidence and make findings, and to help trustees address any failures or weaknesses that we might identify.

    3. The Charity Commission maintains a searchable register of removed trustees.

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recruitment of new members to the Veterinary Products Committee

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Recruitment of new members to the Veterinary Products Committee

    The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) is seeking applicants for 6 vacancies.

    The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) is looking to appoint six new members:

    • Pharmacist
    • Pharmacologist
    • Epidemiologist/statistician
    • Clinical microbiologist
    • Veterinary surgeon (food safety)
    • Veterinary surgeon (pigs)

    Members receive £148 for each meeting attended and an additional £76 for preparation time.

    Meetings are held at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) offices in Surrey or online.

    The VPC schedules three regular meetings a year, typically February, May/June and October. It may occasionally be necessary to hold ad hoc meetings.

    Further information on the VPC is available on Gov.uk www.gov.uk/vpc.

    For details on how to apply and for more information about the VPC, please contact VPC secretariat Chris Abbott c.abbott@vmd.gov.uk or 01932 338353.

     The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 25 June.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitwise Accelerates European Expansion with Addition of Melissa De Sanctis and Fabio Massellani

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bitwise Accelerates European Expansion with Addition of Melissa De Sanctis and Fabio Massellani

    De Sanctis joins the marketing team as Product Marketing Manager, while Massellani joins the sales team as Senior Regional Consultant – Southern Europe

    June 4, 2025, Bitwise, a leading global digital asset management firm, announces the addition of two new professionals to its team: Melissa De Sanctis as Product Marketing Manager and Fabio Massellani as Senior Regional Consultant – Southern Europe.

    Melissa De Sanctis brings over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, including 17 years at Borsa Italiana. She has held roles such as Business Development Manager for retail investors and later served as Senior Marketing Manager, leading commercial and marketing activities for the group’s secondary markets. She oversaw the development and launch of new instruments for IDEM, the derivatives segment of Borsa Italiana. Most recently, she was Head of Marketing and Communication at Spectrum Markets, a pan-European regulated venue for trading securitized derivatives.

    In her new role at Bitwise, Melissa — based in Milan — joins the marketing team led by Maximilian Monteleone, Head of Marketing for Europe at Bitwise. While based in Italy, her strategic focus will also support the Spanish market.

    Fabio Massellani developed his career at BPER Banca Group, where he held various roles with increasing responsibility. He worked as a fund selector and equity strategist at Optima SIM, with a specific focus on passive and indexed strategies. In recent years, he served as Sales Associate at HANetf, contributing to business development and product positioning — including in Spain.

    At Bitwise, Fabio joins the sales team and reports directly to Bradley Duke, Managing Director and Head of Europe at Bitwise. He will support the company’s growth across Southern Europe, with a particular focus on Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

    These additions strengthen Bitwise’s presence in the region, following the recent appointment of Flavio Rossetti as Regional Consultant for Southern Europe, and are part of a broader European expansion plan initiated in August 2024 with the acquisition of ETC Group.

    Bradley Duke, Managing Director and Head of Europe at Bitwise, commented: “We’re excited to welcome Melissa and Fabio to Bitwise. As institutional and professional investors increasingly recognize the potential of digital assets to enhance portfolio performance, our role is to be a trusted partner in that journey. Southern Europe — including Spain — is a key market for us, and the addition of Melissa and Fabio, with their deep expertise and local insight, will help us serve investors even better.”

    Melissa De Sanctis said: “I’m thrilled to join an innovative and forward-thinking firm like Bitwise. The crypto sector is evolving rapidly, and I strongly believe that providing secure, regulated instruments like ETPs is essential to making this space more accessible. It’s a real opportunity to engage more institutional and retail participants in the world of digital assets and blockchain technology.”

    Fabio Massellani added: “I’m delighted to join a dynamic and fast-growing company like Bitwise. I look forward to applying my experience in the Southern European market to support our company’s mission. I’m confident my contribution will help strengthen Bitwise’s footprint and support its commitment to innovation in the fast-moving world of crypto investing.”

    About Bitwise

    Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence, managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies – spanning both the U.S. and Europe.

    In Europe, for the past five years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s most traded bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index.

    This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and issued under a base prospectus approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.

    Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com/eu

    Media contacts:

    JEA Associates
    John McLeod
    00 44 7886 920436
    john@jeaassociates.com

    Important information
    This press release does not constitute investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation to buy financial products. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH (“BEU”), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that this article is neither investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to acquire financial products or cryptocurrencies.

    Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”), potential investors should consider the following:
    Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.com./eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency. Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister MP:-

    “The £190m extravagant spend on Irish Sea border posts at Northern Ireland’s ports was said to be to facilitate the SPS checks demanded by the Protocol/Windsor Framework.

    “On 19 May 2025 HMG proclaimed a new deal with the EU which would remove SPS checks. Hence, the logic of such a boast is that the border posts would not be needed!

    “Accordingly, I tabled this Parliamentary Question to the relevant minister:
    Jim Allister: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what function will the border posts being built at Northern Ireland’s ports now perform in light of the UK-EU deal.
    (Citation: HC Deb, 2 June 2025, cW)

    “The answer, far from confirming redundancy for the border posts, reveals there is actually no deal to this effect. Instead what the government is now saying is that all depends on “the final shape of the deal”. So much for the boasts of a breakthrough deal.

    “It is clearly not much of a deal if the border posts stay! That is the litmus test.

    “Once more, I suspect, we are in the realms of smoke and mirrors when it comes to proclaimed deals with the EU and any expectation of Brussels loosening its grip.”

    Nick Thomas-SymondsThe Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
    This will depend on the final shape of a deal, however, the Government is clear that its priority is to reduce barriers to trade and red tape at the border.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Global alarm rises as China’s critical mineral export curbs take hold

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Alarm over China’s stranglehold on critical minerals grew on Tuesday as global automakers joined their U.S. counterparts to complain that restrictions by China on exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures and magnets could cause production delays and outages without a quick solution.

    German automakers became the latest to warn that China’s export restrictions threaten to shut down production and rattle their local economies, following a similar complaint from an Indian EV maker last week.

    China’s decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has upended the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.

    The move underscores China’s dominance of the critical mineral industry and is seen as leverage by China in its ongoing trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Trump has sought to redefine the trading relationship with the U.S.’ top economic rival China by imposing steep tariffs on billions of dollars of imported goods in hopes of narrowing a wide trade deficit and bringing back lost manufacturing.

    Trump imposed tariffs as high as 145% against China only to scale them back after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. China has responded with its own tariffs and is leveraging its dominance in key supply chains to persuade Trump to back down.

    Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to talk this week, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday, and the export curbsare expected to be high on the agenda.

    “I can assure you that the administration is actively monitoring China’s compliance with the Geneva trade agreement,” she said. “Our administration officials continue to be engaged in correspondence with their Chinese counterparts.”

    Trump has previously signaled that China’s slow pace of easing the critical mineral export controls represents a violation of the agreementreached last month in Geneva.

    MAGNETS HELD UP AT CHINESE PORTS

    Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while license applications make their way through the Chinese regulatory system.

    The restrictions have triggered anxiety in corporate boardrooms and nations’ capitals – from Tokyo to Washington – as officials scrambled to identify limited alternative options amid fears that production of new automobiles and other items could grind to a halt by summer’s end.

    “If the situation is not changed quickly, production delays and even production outages can no longer be ruled out,” Hildegard Mueller, head of Germany’s auto lobby, told Reuters on Tuesday.

    Chinese state media reported last week that China was considering relaxing the curbs for European semiconductor firms while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it would strengthen cooperation with other countries over its controls.

    However, rare-earth magnet exports from China halved in April as exporters grappled with the opaque licensing scheme.

    Frank Fannon, a minerals industry consultant and former U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources during Trump’s first term, said the global disruptions are not shocking to those paying attention.

    “I don’t think anyone should be surprised how this is playing out. We have a production challenge (in the U.S.) and we need to leverage our whole of government approach to secure resources and ramp up domestic capability as soon as possible. The time horizon to do this was yesterday,” Fannon said.

    Diplomats, automakers and other executives from India, Japan and Europe were urgently seeking meetings with Beijing officials to push for faster approval of rare earth magnet exports, sources told Reuters, as shortages threatened to halt global supply chains.

    A business delegation from Japan will visit Beijing in early June to meet the Ministry of Commerce over the curbs, and European diplomats from countries with big auto industries have also sought “emergency” meetings with Chinese officials in recent weeks, Reuters reported.

    India, where Bajaj Auto BAJA.NS warned that any further delays in securing the supply of rare earth magnets from China could “seriously impact” electric vehicle production, is organizing a trip for auto executives in the next two to three weeks.

    In May, the head of the trade group representing General Motors GM.N, Toyota 7203.T, Volkswagen VOWG.DE, Hyundai and other major automakers raised similar concerns in a letter to the Trump administration.

    “Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components, including automatic transmissions, throttle bodies, alternators, various motors, sensors, seat belts, speakers, lights, motors, power steering, and cameras,” the Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote in the letter.

    (Reuters)

     

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia to lead PROACTIF, a multimillion Europe robotics and unmanned technology project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia to lead PROACTIF, a multimillion Europe robotics and unmanned technology project 

    • The venture is projected to generate around €90 million in revenue by 2035.
    • The consortium brings together 42 leading European technology companies from 13 countries to redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed.

    4 June 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia has been selected to lead PROACTIF, a project funded by the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking. The project aims to strengthen Europe’s technology resilience and leadership in ECS technologies and support the autonomy of the European Drone and Robotics industry.

    The consortium anticipates generating around €90 million in revenue, 50 products, and more than 15 new industry patents by 2035, enabling increased market share and leadership. The project’s additional impact includes dozens of new collaborations, hundreds of new jobs, and over €40 million of additional investments.

    “Nokia’s extensive expertise has helped establish drone technology best practices and transform drones into daily helpers for public safety and mission-critical operations. We are honored to lead this project. It demonstrates Nokia’s commitment to fostering innovation and resilience across Europe. By collaborating with leading organizations, this initiative will address critical challenges in security and sustainability, delivering real-world benefits for society,” said Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions, Nokia.

    The PROACTIF consortium brings together 42 partners and four affiliates from 13 countries with a focus on critical infrastructure surveillance and emergency management in Europe. Under Nokia’s leadership, the groundbreaking venture will redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed in Europe. It will unite academic institutions, SMEs, and industry leaders to develop cutting-edge, cost-efficient, eco-efficient, safe, and cybersecure unmanned vehicle (UxV) systems to address European civil security needs.

    The project will develop nine advanced technology building blocks and five state-of-the-art UxV platforms, emphasizing interoperability, autonomy and rapid deployment to meet Europe’s societal and market needs. The use of UxV technologies enables a more holistic understanding of an incident’s location and severity, as well as comprehensive situational awareness, through frequent and efficient sensor data gathering.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Web Page: Nokia Drone Networks

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    PROACTIF PARTNERS
    PROACTIF brings together notable partners across Europe including : Acorde Technologies, S.A. (Spain), AITEK SPA (Italy), Ascento AG (Switzerland), Asya SIA (Latvia), Avular Innovations B.V. (Netherlands), Captain AI B.V. (Netherlands), CSEM Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA (Switzerland), Citymesh N.V. (Belgium), CISC Semiconductor GmbH (Austria), DEMCON Unmanned Systems BV (Netherlands), Dimetor GmbH (Austria), Fixposition AG (Switzerland), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V (Germany), Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), Heimann Sensor GmbH (Germany), HUN-REN Számítástechnikai és Automatizálási Kutatóintézet (Hungary), InnoSenT GmbH (Germany), Innovation River S.R.L (IT), League Geophysics Services B.V. (Netherlands), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), Luna Geber Engineering SRL (Italy), NVIDIA (Israel), Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy (Finland), Research Studios Austria Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Austria), Riga Technical University (Latvia), Saab Finland Oy (Finland), Safran Electronics & Defense / SED SPAIN S.L. (Spain), Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki i Fotoniki (Poland), Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (Austria), Skyability (Austria), SSH Communications Security Oyj (Finland), Stichting IMEC Nederland (Netherlands), Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (Netherlands), TST-Sistemas (Spain), Universidad de Granada (Spain), Universitá Degli Studi Di Perugia (Italy), Van Oord Ship Management B.V. (Netherlands), VIA electronic GmbH (Germany), ViNotion B.V. (Netherlands), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (Finland), Würth Elektronik (Germany) YellowScan (France).

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune announces the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP, its new flagship product, on Deutsche Börse Xetra

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Frankfurt, June 4, 2025 – Virtune, the Swedish regulated crypto asset manager, today announced the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (VCOIN50) on Xetra, one of Europe’s most prominent trading venues.

    Virtune has seen sustained demand for digital assets from institutional and retail investors in the Nordic and European region. Building on this momentum, the VCOIN50 ETP listing on Deutsche Boerse’s Xetra (Xetra ticker: VRTC) segment represents a key milestone in Virtune’s ongoing expansion into the German market. Coinbase will act as the custodian for VCOIN50.

    Virtune has made history as the first company to list a crypto Exchange Traded Product (ETP) tracking the COIN50E index, developed by Coinbase, a trusted and global leader in crypto services and administered by MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”), a leading global index provider.

    This launch represents several key firsts for Germany’s financial markets:

    • First ever ETP to track the Coinbase 50 Europe Index
    • The widest crypto ETP in Europe containing up to 50 crypto assets 


    About Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP:

    Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP is a physically-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, the premier global benchmark index for digital assets and the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 index. At launch, VCOIN50 ETP will offer exposure to 21 crypto assets that are compliant with market-specific regulatory and Xetra-specific policies Virtune’s expansion to include all 50 assets in the COIN50 is subject to regulatory and stock exchange approval. The ETP provides exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets and is rebalanced quarterly. The product features a transparent structure backed by physical holdings and secured with institutional-level solutions.

    Allocation as of 3rd of June 2025: https://www.virtune.com/product/vcoin50

    About Virtune:

    Virtune is a Swedish-regulated crypto asset manager and issuer of 100% physically backed crypto ETPs. The company has experienced rapid growth in the Nordics since listing its first crypto ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm in May 2023. Today, Virtune manages $340 million in assets under management and has earned the trust of over 140,000 institutional and retail investors. Since its inception, Virtune has prioritized investor protection, and its success stems from its transparent, regulated approach and strong commitment to innovation and educating the market about crypto assets and ETPs.

    Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:

    “We have worked closely with Coinbase since our inception, relying on their outstanding custody, trading, and staking services across all our ETPs. We are now excited to further strengthen this collaboration by contributing to Coinbase’s global mission through the launch of a COIN50 ETP. COIN50 is an index with the potential to become the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 and the leading global crypto benchmark. This ETP offers both institutional and retail investors in Europe broad exposure to the crypto market, built by industry experts with deep knowledge and experience.”

    About Coinbase: 

    Crypto creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We’re updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.

    Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional: 

    “With the launch of the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP in Europe, we’re making one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for the crypto market directly accessible to investors across the EU. This marks a major step forward in our mission to expand global access to digital assets and provide institutional-grade tools for navigating this evolving asset class. The introduction of this ETP reinforces our commitment to bridging traditional financial infrastructure with the growing demand for regulated, secure exposure to the digital economy.”

    About MarketVector:

    MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 57 billion in assets under management.

    Martin Leinweber, Director, Digital Asset Research and Strategy, MarketVector: 

    “The Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP marks a significant step forward for crypto investment in Europe, offering broad, institutional-grade exposure to digital assets through a single, efficient product. This milestone combines MarketVector’s index expertise, Coinbase’s market infrastructure, and Virtune’s transparent, regulated approach. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Virtune by becoming the index provider for their entire range of crypto ETPs across Europe. Together, we’re delivering the tools institutional and retail investors need to navigate the digital asset landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”

    Key Information about the Product:

    • Exposure: Exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets in one product
    • Backing: 100% physically backed by the underlying crypto assets
    • Custody: Institutional-grade custody by Coinbase
    • Management Fee: 0.95% per annum
    • Trading currency: EUR
    • First day of trading: Monday, 2nd of June 2025
    • BloombergTicker: VCOIN50
    • ISIN: SE0024738389
    • WKN: A4A5D4
    • Exchange ticker: VRTC
    • Exchanges: Deutsche Börse Xetra

    The ETP is available for sale in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy.

    For questions, contact:
    Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors
    Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64
    Email: christopher@virtune.com

    About Virtune AB (Publ):
    Headquartered in Stockholm, Virtune is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto ETPs listed on regulated European exchanges. With strong regulatory foundations, partnerships with industry leaders, and a skilled team, Virtune delivers innovative and compliant investment products aligned with the evolving global crypto landscape.

    Crypto investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice; investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, there is no guarantee of getting back invested capital. Read the prospectus, KID, terms at virtune.com.

    The Coinbase 50 Europe Index (“Index”) is the exclusive property of MarketVector Indexes GmbH (“MarketVector”) and its Licensors and has been licensed for use by Virtune AB (Publ) (“Licensee”). MarketVector has contracted with CC Data Limited to maintain and calculate the Index. CC Data Limited uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, CC Data Limited has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties. In particular, MarketVector is not responsible for the Licensee and/or for Licensee’s legality or suitability and/or for Licensee’s business offerings. Offerings by Licensee, may they be based on the Virtune Coinbase 50 Europe ETP (“Product”) or not, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MarketVector and any of its affiliates, and MarketVector and any of its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Licensee and/or in Licensee’s business offerings. MARKETVECTOR AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEE. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune announces the launch of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP, its new flagship product, on Deutsche Börse Xetra

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Frankfurt, June 4, 2025 – Virtune, the Swedish regulated crypto asset manager, today announced the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (VCOIN50) on Xetra, one of Europe’s most prominent trading venues. The product is available to Swedish investors through brokers such as Avanza and Montrose.

    Virtune has seen sustained demand for digital assets from institutional and retail investors in the Nordic and European region. Building on this momentum, the VCOIN50 ETP listing on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra (Xetra ticker: VRTC) segment represents a key milestone in Virtune’s ongoing expansion across Europe. Coinbase will act as the custodian for VCOIN50.

    Virtune has made history as the first company to list a crypto Exchange Traded Product (ETP) tracking the COIN50E index, developed by Coinbase, a trusted and global leader in crypto services and administered by MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”), a leading global index provider.

    This launch represents several key firsts for Europe’s financial markets:

    • First ever ETP to track the Coinbase 50 Europe Index
    • The widest crypto ETP in Europe containing up to 50 crypto assets

    About Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP:

    Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP is a physically-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, the premier global benchmark index for digital assets and the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 index. At launch, VCOIN50 ETP will offer exposure to 21 crypto assets that are compliant with market-specific regulatory and Xetra-specific policies. Virtune’s expansion to include all 50 assets in the COIN50 is subject to regulatory and stock exchange approval. The ETP provides exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets and is rebalanced quarterly. The product features a transparent structure backed by physical holdings and secured with institutional-level solutions.

    Allocation as of 3rd of June 2025: https://www.virtune.com/product/vcoin50

    About Virtune:

    Virtune is a Swedish-regulated crypto asset manager and issuer of 100% physically backed crypto ETPs. The company has experienced rapid growth in the Nordics since listing its first crypto ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm in May 2023. Today, Virtune manages $340 million in assets under management and has earned the trust of over 140,000 institutional and retail investors. Since its inception, Virtune has prioritized investor protection, and its success stems from its transparent, regulated approach and strong commitment to innovation and educating the market about crypto assets and ETPs.

    Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:

    “We have worked closely with Coinbase since our inception, relying on their outstanding custody, trading, and staking services across all our ETPs. We are now excited to further strengthen this collaboration by contributing to Coinbase’s global mission through the launch of a COIN50 ETP. COIN50 is an index with the potential to become the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 and the leading global crypto benchmark. This ETP offers both institutional and retail investors in Europe broad exposure to the crypto market, built by industry experts with deep knowledge and experience.”

    About Coinbase: 

    Crypto creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We’re updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.

    Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional: 

    “With the launch of the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP in Europe, we’re making one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for the crypto market directly accessible to investors across the EU. This marks a major step forward in our mission to expand global access to digital assets and provide institutional-grade tools for navigating this evolving asset class. The introduction of this ETP reinforces our commitment to bridging traditional financial infrastructure with the growing demand for regulated, secure exposure to the digital economy.”

    About MarketVector:

    MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 57 billion in assets under management.

    Martin Leinweber, Director, Digital Asset Research and Strategy, MarketVector: 

    “The Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP marks a significant step forward for crypto investment in Europe, offering broad, institutional-grade exposure to digital assets through a single, efficient product. This milestone combines MarketVector’s index expertise, Coinbase’s market infrastructure, and Virtune’s transparent, regulated approach. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Virtune by becoming the index provider for their entire range of crypto ETPs across Europe. Together, we’re delivering the tools institutional and retail investors need to navigate the digital asset landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”

    Key Information about the Product:

    • Exposure: Exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets in one product

    • Backing: 100% physically backed by the underlying crypto assets
    • Custody: Institutional-grade custody by Coinbase

    • Management Fee: 0.95% per annum

    • Trading currency: EUR

    • First day of trading: Monday, 2nd of June 2025

    • BloombergTicker: VCOIN50

    • ISIN: SE0024738389

    • WKN: A4A5D4
    • Exchange ticker: VRTC

    • Exchanges: Deutsche Börse Xetra

    For questions, contact:
    Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors
    Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64
    Email: christopher@virtune.com

    About Virtune AB (Publ):
    Virtune with its headquarters in Stockholm is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange traded products on regulated European exchanges. With regulatory compliance, strategic collaborations with industry leaders and our proficient team, we empower investors on a global level to access innovative and sophisticated investment products that are aligned with the evolving landscape of the global crypto market.

    Crypto investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice; investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, there is no guarantee of getting back invested capital. Read the prospectus, KID, terms at virtune.com.

    The Coinbase 50 Europe Index (“Index”) is the exclusive property of MarketVector Indexes GmbH (“MarketVector”) and its Licensors and has been licensed for use by Virtune AB (Publ) (“Licensee”). MarketVector has contracted with CC Data Limited to maintain and calculate the Index. CC Data Limited uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, CC Data Limited has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties. In particular, MarketVector is not responsible for the Licensee and/or for Licensee’s legality or suitability and/or for Licensee’s business offerings. Offerings by Licensee, may they be based on the Virtune Coinbase 50 Europe ETP (“Product”) or not, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MarketVector and any of its affiliates, and MarketVector and any of its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Licensee and/or in Licensee’s business offerings. MARKETVECTOR AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEE.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Denis Beau: How to make European financial integration a strategic strength in which European citizens play a key role

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Banque de France for this award ceremony for the 36th international economics and finance dissertation competition. Before going on to highlight the best dissertations and the most original work selected by the jury this year, I would like to specifically address all the students.

    As you start or prepare to start your professional life, I want to share with you a perspective and two certainties, which I hope could help you in the early years of your career and, maybe, beyond. (I) The perspective is that of a threshold between two eras. This eventually represents an opportunity and a responsibility. To make the most of the situation, I am convinced we need to change our mindset (II), first, to finally make financial integration a strategic strength for Europe, and second (III), to make Europeans masters of their own destiny rather than passive bystanders to a technocratic project.

    I. Standing at the threshold of a new era: taking the challenges seriously and seizing the opportunities

    I shall start with the analysis. It has become something of a cliché – but that does not make it any less true: we are on the verge of a new era. 

    Over the past 15 years, since the outbreak of the Great Financial Crisis, we have rediscovered the vital importance – as well as the fragility – of our financial systems, our economies, our democracies, of peace in Europe, of the climate and our ecosystems- the list goes on. 

    In a world that is changing before our very eyes, one thing is clear: Europe risks being left behind. Our economy is lagging in terms of growth, productivity and innovation. Between 1999 and 2024, GDP per capita grew by a cumulative 46% in the United States, compared with 30% in the euro area. As a share of GDP, European firms invest half as much in research and development (R&D) as their US counterparts.

    Reversing this loss of speed and returning to growth, innovation and productivity is the first of three interdependent challenges we need to meet in the very near term. We also finally need to build our European sovereignty and strategic autonomy, and move forward on the climate, environmental, digital and demographic transitions – which we must anticipate and support if we are to avoid merely suffering the consequences.

    The amount of investment needed to face up to the challenges is massive: if we add “ReArm Europe” to Draghi’s famous figures, the EU will have to invest an additional EUR 900 billion per year up to 2030. That’s over 5% of our GDP.

    II. Changing our European mindset: placing the ends rather than the means at the heart of the European financial integration agenda

    Meeting these challenges calls for huge efforts from each of us. From my perspective as a central banker, let me focus on the special role finance has to play in Europe’s response: for the past 50 years, we have worked steadily to build a European single market, notably for financial services, helped by powerful catalysts such as the creation of the single currency and ESAs, the establishment of the Banking Union and the SSM, and the current Capital Markets Union project.

    Each of these initiatives represents real progress. However, throughout these years, our mindset has remained primarily institutional, and basically bureaucratic. 

    For Europe to achieve full financial integration and reap all of its rewards – especially at a time the risk of a profound fracturing of the financial landscape has never been greater with the potential reconfiguration unleashed by the new US administration’s policy change – it seems appropriate to adopt a more “substantial” approach, to make the European financial system not just something that needs to be regulated, but rather an asset for the European economy. 

    To achieve this, in his recent Letter to the President of the French Republic, the Governor of the Banque de France firmly underlined the need to take concrete steps, backed by sufficient EU consensus, in three main areas: reducing market fragmentation, investing better and innovating faster. 

    At the heart of these three priorities is the Savings and Investments Union: its aim is to create a single market for financing that will improve the allocation of savings by exploiting the complementarity between the Banking Union and Capital Markets Union – because it’s clear that bank and market financing remain overly fragmented by national borders.

    We also, I think, need to shift from an obligation of means to an obligation of results. The projects we need to carry out are nothing new, but the approach is very different. Up to now, the European agenda has primarily been conceived as a regulatory one, on the basis that this is sufficient to achieve a final result for which we are not accountable. But public action is more than simply drafting legislation. It must be based on a clearly stated intent, have an explicit ambition, and achieve concrete results for which it remains fully accountable.

    Let me illustrate this with three examples:

    The first concerns the regulatory framework for the financial system. It is vital that it be simplified. Over time, our institutional approach and the primacy given to regulation have led to an excess of red tape and inconsistencies. It is possible to revisit this regulatory framework to make it more efficient and agile, without undermining the objectives pursued, which, on the whole, have been met – and so without being dragged into a regulatory race to the bottom by the new US administration.

    A prime example of this is the proposed ESG regulations recently submitted by the Commission with the Omnibus Directive project, and which the Banque de France largely supports. 

    Another obvious candidate for simplification is the entire bank prudential framework – its microprudential, macroprudential and resolution rules – where examples of overcomplexity, redundancy and overlapping international standards abound. The framework has become labyrinthine, and even the specialists get lost – to say nothing of the institutional challenges that make it impossible to take a holistic view of bank capital requirements and their appropriate level.

    A second example is the equity financing of the European economy. We have all the instruments we need – from venture capital to equity markets – but none of them are on a sufficient scale. We particularly need to make better use of European long-term investors, who together are regarded as leading players in global financial markets, but struggle to make up sufficient mass. This can be achieved through the revision of the Solvency II Directive, and by using national and European public financial institutions more effectively to develop public-private partnerships. 

    My last example relates to market infrastructures. We need to adapt our European infrastructures to the wave of technological innovations currently being deployed, based on distributed ledger technology and asset tokenisation. Our first objective is to develop a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) for use by market participants, followed by a CBDC for everyday retail payments (digital euro). Then, in the medium term, we need to develop a European unified ledger to modernise securities transactions. The US authorities’ recent announcements in support of crypto-assets and stablecoins make it even more vital we complete this project, to maintain our monetary and financial sovereignty in the new world we are entering. The goal now is to move as quickly as possible from experimentation to operationalisation. Rest assured that the Banque de France and other Eurosystem central banks are working very actively and resolutely to complete this project.

    III. We should not neglect the human side: savers and financiers as stakeholders

    One of the keys to deepening our European financial integration is to make things simpler and more strategic – scaling down to half a dozen objectives with clear purposes and impacts rather than having an action plan with 36 highly technocratic projects.

    But there is another challenge that is often overlooked: the human aspect of the project, since nothing can be achieved without mobilising our fellow citizens. In this case, it means mobilising savers and financial professionals.

    In France, and probably other European jurisdictions, things in this area are far from optimal. The regulations are well-meaning, but at the very least overly complex, and in some respects treat savers like children, while also encouraging intermediaries to take a by-the-book approach to customer interests rather than genuinely seeking to do what’s best for them. More generally, they tend to treat the symptoms rather than looking for actual causes – one of the main ones being financial illiteracy, a phenomenon that has been well-documented and leads to sub-optimal outcomes in terms of household wealth management (reduced returns) and for the financing of the economy (a relatively risk-averse supply of financing).

    To help resolve this situation, the Banque de France intends to fully play its role as the national steering body for financial education – a task entrusted to it by public authorities – and provide explanations, training and guidance. I would like to commend EDUCFI for its work providing accessible educational content for all audiences, to help them better understand money, savings, loans and the risk of scams. I encourage you to tell people about these resources and to use them as much as possible: they are an important lever for spreading economic knowledge.

    But we must go further. Improving financial education means giving everyone the means to understand their choices, protect their savings and make a bigger contribution – indirectly but effectively – to the financing of the economy. This is a prerequisite for social justice, economic efficiency and citizenship.

    To conclude, I would like to make a wish for you, as students about to embark on your careers. You will be the ones making tomorrow’s European financial sector a vibrant and effective financial system. May you always remain committed to the interests of your clients and have a broad understanding of the challenges we collectively face. Behind your profession lies a mission that is essential to our society. The quality of your work will also make a difference to the future of Europe and Europeans.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • India, UK hold 17th Foreign Office Consultations; launch strategic tech dialogue

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India and the United Kingdom on Tuesday held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi, where the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral ties. The meeting also marked the launch of the first Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue (SETCD), aimed at deepening collaboration in high-technology and strategic sectors.

    Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led the Indian delegation, while the UK side was represented by Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The last FOC was held in London in May 2024.

    The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across areas such as trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism, climate action, green energy, science and innovation, education, and people-to-people ties. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and the Double Contribution Convention.

    The inaugural SETCD addressed export control mechanisms, with a view to facilitating greater technology collaboration in strategic areas.

    India appreciated the UK’s expression of solidarity in its fight against terrorism. The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and global developments, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Indo-Pacific, and West Asia.

    Both countries agreed to maintain regular exchanges at the political and senior official levels. The next FOC will be held in London in 2026 at a mutually convenient time.

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 🔴 PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions – 4 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/_TDq35y4QlE

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

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

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J9AIAOBmIQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) – 4 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

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

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TDq35y4QlE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • ‘On One Mission, One Message, One India’: Indian delegation reaches Brussels to rally global support against terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in Brussels on Tuesday, marking the final leg of its European tour aimed at strengthening international consensus against Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism.

    Highlighting the delegation’s bipartisan nature, the Indian Embassy in Belgium and Luxembourg posted on X: “’On One Mission, One Message, One India’. An All-Party Delegation led by Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad was received by the Indian Ambassador to EU, Belgium and Luxembourg Saurabh Kumar upon arrival in Brussels.”

    During the two-day visit, the delegation is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with EU officials and Belgian authorities to underscore “the scourge of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, Pahalgam terrorist attack and India’s response to the same.”

    The group will reiterate India’s resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Meetings with think tanks, members of the media, and the Indian diaspora in Brussels are also on the agenda.

    Brussels is the concluding stop on a multi-nation tour that has already taken the delegation through France, Italy, Denmark, and the UK.

    In addition to 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.

  • MIL-OSI: Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the easiest countries for doing business in the Middle East, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Middle East is positioned as a mid-complexity region for doing business in the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) recently launched by TMF Group.

    The report ranks 79 jurisdictions, accounting for 94% of the world’s GDP, based on their business complexity, with 1 being the most complex and 79 the least complex. Within the Middle East, Egypt is ranked 37th globally, followed closely by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 38th, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 39th and Qatar at 44th.

    Egypt has decreased in complexity from last year’s position of 28th, mainly due to several strategic efforts and developments. For example, the country’s adoption of diverse logistic solutions and strengthening of trade corridors has played a pivotal role in mitigating economic pressures and geopolitical risks. The establishment of integrated logistics corridors and free zones, coupled with incentives like simplified customs procedures, has also enhanced accessibility for foreign businesses.

    Saudi Arabia has also improved its position, ranking 38th this year (one point less complex than last year), with resilience amid geopolitical disruptions and Vision 2030 initiatives being highlighted as key drivers of the ease of complexity. The country’s strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency continues at the forefront, as the Kingdom invests in trade infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, enhancing supply chain resilience. In addition, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is striving to reduce its vulnerability to geopolitical threats. Parallelly, investments in infrastructure aim to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

    The UAE, ranking 39th this year, continues to position itself as a resilient hub amid global geopolitical disruptions. Strict regulations in place aim to ensure operations are compliant and secure, and contribute to the UAE being seen as a ‘safe haven’ for a diverse range of sectors. These regulations help mitigate risks and provide stability for businesses, fostering confidence among investors and enterprises. With multiple entry points and robust infrastructure, the UAE offers reliable trade corridors.

    With a slight increase in its complexity, Qatar is ranked 44th (last year, it ranked 48th). The geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with Qatar being involved in multiple peace talks, which underscores regional unpredictability and contributes to the heightened sense of uncertainty in the business environment. Additionally, the labour market faces challenges such as increased staff turnover and wage inflation, impacting cost efficiency.

    Achin Malik, TMF Group’s Middle East, India and Africa Market Head, commented:

    “Complexity is no longer the biggest challenge for business worldwide: uncertainty is. At a time of great instability in global trade and rising geopolitical tensions, the Middle East is increasingly strengthening its trade corridors — and exploring new ones. This positions countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar as resilient hubs for businesses amid geopolitical and natural disruptions, in a context of increased unpredictability.”

    Global top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China  70. Czech Republic 

    Media Contacts

    TMF Group

    Marina Llibre Martín, Global PR Manager
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CSC, SURF and Nokia Achieve 1.2 Tbit/s Data Transfer to prepare long haul network for new LUMI-AI supercomputer and AI Factories

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    CSC, SURF and Nokia Achieve 1.2 Tbit/s Data Transfer to prepare long haul network for new LUMI-AI supercomputer and AI Factories

    • Trial helps researchers prepare network for high performance computing (HPC) clusters and AI Factories handling massive datasets and high-intensity workloads.
    • Results confirm that multi-domain, high-capacity data transfers across European research networks are both feasible and future-ready.

    4 June 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia, CSC – IT Center for Science and SURF have successfully tested a high-capacity, quantum-safe fibre-optic connection exceeding 1.2 terabit per second (Tbit/s) between Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Kajaani, Finland with data traversing over 3500 kilometers. The trial, which was conducted in May 2025, demonstrated the potential of ultra-fast, cross-border connectivity for research.

    Tests were carried out along several routes, including the longest which spanned 4,700 km through Norway at a capacity of 1Tbit/s. To put this in perspective, 1 Tbit/s is enough to stream 200,000 full HD movies (at 5 Mbit/s each) simultaneously. 

    These results are particularly promising as the research community prepares for supercomputers and AI Factories to come online – where reliable, scalable, and secure connections will be critical to supporting some of the world’s largest datasets and most demanding workloads.

    The test used a combination of real research data and synthetic data, transferred directly from disk to disk – from SURF’s facility in Amsterdam to CSC’s data center in Kajaani, across five production research and education networks: SURF (the Netherlands), NORDUnet (Nordic backbone), Sunet (Sweden), SIKT (Norway) and Funet (CSC’s network in Finland).

    The network solution was based on Nokia’s IP/MPLS routing and quantum-safe optical networking gear. Nokia’s IP technology successfully demonstrated Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) to accommodate “elephant flows”, or very large continuous flows of data, and its high-capacity optical transport technology showed the ability to handle massive data sets generated by HPCs over long distances.

    With the exponential growth of research data, especially for training large-scale AI models, the need for resilient, high-throughput and secure connectivity is more critical than ever. This test confirms that multi-domain, high-capacity data transfers across European research networks are both feasible and future-ready. Testing an operational network connection over long distances provides unique insights into data transport and storage of large data volumes. The tests are crucial for improving the infrastructure for data-intensive research. 

    “We design research networks with future needs in mind. CSC’s data center in Kajaani already hosts the pan-European LUMI supercomputer and with the upcoming LUMI-AI supercomputer and AI Factory coming online, reliable and scalable data connections throughout Europe are essential. Even though the geographical distance is significant, it poses no obstacle to data traffic,” said Jani Myyry, Senior Network Specialist, CSC.

    “As SURF we are ready to take the next step in aligning the European supercomputers. These efforts offer future perspectives to train GPT-nl on LUMI or for a researcher to compute on LUMI with very large datasets hosted at SURF, such as the KNMI (The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) datasets. We are very grateful to our Nordic partners for their help setting up this trial connection. This is again an example of the continued good cooperation between NRENs to create the best possible international infrastructure for research and education,” said Arno Bakker, Senior Network Specialist, SURF.

    “Groundbreaking trials like this highlight how advanced networks are foundational to unlocking the full potential of AI and high-performance computing. This successful collaboration with CSC and SURF is a testament to the innovation and leadership of the scientific community, and to what’s possible when we work together. As the network prepares for the next wave of supercomputers and AI Factories, we are proud to deliver the quantum-safe, high-capacity, and resilient IP/MPLS and optical infrastructure that makes these systems viable. We look forward to continuing our support for global research and education networks, helping them scale with confidence and drive the next generation of discovery and innovation,” said Mikhail Lenko, Customer Solutions Architect, Nokia.

    Resources and additional information
    Product Page: 7750 Service Router
    Product Page: 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS)
    Product Page: 1830 Photonic Service Interconnect – Modular (PSI-M)
    Web Page: Quantum-safe networks

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About CSC – IT Center for Science
    CSC is a Finnish center of expertise in ICT that provides world-class services for research, education, culture, public administration and enterprises, to help them thrive and benefit society at large. csc.fi

    About SURF 
    SURF is the ICT cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions. The members, the owners of SURF, join forces to develop or procure the best possible digital services, work together on complex innovation issues and develop and share knowledge with each other. 
    SURF actively collaborates with other European NRENs united in GÉANT and participates in global consortia like the Advanced North Atlantic (ANA) and Asia Pacific Europe Ring (AER).
    NetherLight, SURF’s Global Exchange Point (GXP) dedicated to research and education data in Amsterdam connects similar GXPs and advanced high-capacity networks for scientific and educational collaboration. The NetherLight GXP plays a major and vital role in the federation of research and education networks worldwide, also known as the Global Research and Education Network (GREN). www.surf.nl

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Nokia Media Relations
    Sarah Miller
    Phone: +1 613-720-9716
    Email: sarah.miller@nokia.com

    CSC Media Relations
    Sanna Kostiainen
    Phone: +358 40 0712072
    Email: viestinta@csc.fi

    SURF Spokesperson
    Tom Hoven
    Phone: +31 641 439 398
    Email: tom.hoven@surf.nl 

    Follow us on social media
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sabalenka, Swiatek to battle in semis as Alcaraz dominates Paul

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

    Carlos Alcaraz returns a shot during the men’s singles quarter final match between Tommy Paul of the United States and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

    World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and reigning champion Iga Swiatek will meet in the women’s singles semifinals at the French Open after both won their respective quarterfinals in straight sets on Tuesday.

    Sabalenka took revenge against China’s Zheng Qinwen, as Zheng had beaten the three-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka for the first time at last month’s Italian Open.

    Although eighth seed Zheng broke first, Sabalenka, 27, came back to win a tie-break in the first set. The top seed maintained her momentum in the second set to seal the victory 7-6 (3), 6-3.

    “That was a true battle, and honestly I have no idea how I was able to break her back and get back in the first set. I was just trying to fight and put as many balls as I could back in. I didn’t start well but I am really glad that I found my rhythm and won this match,” Sabalenka said after the game.

    She added, “I have to say that last tournament [the Italian Open] I was pretty exhausted, and honestly at the end of the match I was actually glad that I had lost that match, because I needed a little break before Roland Garros. Today, I was just more fresh, and I was ready to battle.”

    2024 Olympic champion Zheng failed to extend her winning streak at Roland Garros, who felt disappointed after the loss, “I didn’t handle the pressure very well – that’s the only thing I didn’t do well today.”

    “I actually felt I could have won this match, but maybe I was too nervous and couldn’t bring out my best,” Zheng said. “When I face tournaments I really want to win, I need to stay more stable mentally, follow my game plan, and not focus too much on the result.”

    Fifth seed Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina 6-1, 7-5 to sail into the semifinals, and said the upcoming match against Sabalenka would be a challenge, “[Sabalenka] really has a game for every surface, so I just need to focus on myself, do the work, be brave in my shots and just go for it.”

    Swiatek added, “I’m going to prepare tactically tomorrow for sure. [Sabalenka] has been having a great season, so I’m not going to lie, it is going to be a tough match. But I’m happy for the challenge.”

    The men’s singles quarterfinals saw second seed Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4. The Spaniard will now face Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

    The second-seeded Italian pair of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani eased past Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-3 to reach the women’s doubles semifinals, while Evan King and Christian Harrison upset the men’s doubles second-seeded pair Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

    In the mixed doubles, Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski shocked the top-seeded duo of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Mate Pavic in the quarterfinals 6-3, 6-4.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN has a pull-aside with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, had a pull-aside with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, H.E. Airlangga Hartarto, at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, on 3 June 2025. They discussed Indonesia’s accession process to the OECD, current global economic developments, and the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, among others.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN has a pull-aside with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, H.E. Gan Kim Yong, at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, on 3 June 2025. The meeting discussed Singapore’s important contributions to the ASEAN Community-building efforts, as well as ways to advance ASEAN’s prosperity agenda, including through the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade and steps towards realising an ASEAN single market.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: North America high-net-worth individual population surges, while Europe and Middle East shrink

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact:
    Fahd Pasha
    Tel.: +1 647 860 3777
    E-mail: Fahd.Pasha@capgemini.com

    North America high-net-worth individual population surges, while Europe and Middle East shrink

    • U.S. led the world in growth in its millionaire population, adding 562,000 to reach 7.9 million
    • Ultra-high net worth individual population rises by 6.2% worldwide
    • High-net-worth individuals now allocate 15% of their portfolios to alternative investments, including cryptocurrencies

    Paris, June 4, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2025, published today, reveals the global high-net-worth individuals1(HNWIs) population rose by 2.6% in 2024. Now in its 29thedition, the report finds this increase was driven by the growth in the population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), which grew by 6.2%, as strong stock markets and AI optimism boosted portfolio returns. The data indicates that alternative investments2, such as private equity and cryptocurrencies, are now an established presence in HNWI holdings, representing 15% of their portfolios.

    Bullish stock market performance in the U.S. fuels wealth increase
    A favorable interest rate environment and strong U.S. equity market returns helped boost wealth creation in 2024. North America saw the biggest gains, with the HNWI population rising by 7.3%. In contrast, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East saw declines in their HNWI populations, as macroeconomic challenges weighed.

    At the end of 2024, according to Capgemini’s research: 

    • Europe’s HNWI population declined 2.1% due to economic stagnation in major countries, with United Kingdom, France and Germany losing 14,000, 21,000 and 41,000 millionaires, respectively. In contrast, Europe’s UHNWI population rose 3.5%, reflecting increased wealth concentration.
    • Asia-Pacific’s HNWI population increased 2.7%, with notable variability across the region.
    • Latin America’s HNWI population declined 8.5%, due to currency depreciation and fiscal instability. Brazil (-13.3%) and Mexico (-13.5%) witnessed the biggest population declines.
    • The Middle East’s HNWI population declined 2.1%, driven by lower oil prices.

    Within the largest individual markets, the U.S. was the clear leader, adding 562,000 millionaires as the country’s HNWI population grew by 7.6% to 7.9 million. India and Japan were standouts in the Asia-Pacific region, with both countries registering 5.6% growth, adding 20,000 and 210,000 millionaires, respectively. In contrast, growth in China was negative, with HNWI population declining by 1.0%.

    Next-gen HNWIs seek wealth management firms that align with investment priorities
    Wealth management firms are actively preparing for a new era of wealth transfer in which 83.5 trillion USD3 will change hands over the next two decades, creating the next generation of HNWIs4. According to the report, this handover will unfold in three phases: 30% of HNWIs will receive an inheritance by the end of 2030, 63% will inherit wealth by the end of 2035, and 84% by 2040.

    “The great wealth transfer will be a defining moment for the industry. Despite global wealth on the rise, 81% of inheritors plan to switch firms within one to two years of inheritance. Potentially losing these unsatisfied clients is going to create significant risk for the global wealth management sector,” said Kartik Ramakrishnan, CEO of Capgemini’s Financial Services Strategic Business Unit and Group Executive Board Member. “The next-generation of high-net-worth individuals arrive with vastly different expectations to their parents. This necessitates an urgent shift away from traditional strategies to effectively cater to their evolving needs on this wealth journey. Firms must also prepare to equip advisors with the digital capabilities, potentially augmented with agentic or generative AI, to mitigate the risk of losing both clients and key employees.”

    As of January 2025, HNWI investors parked 15% of their portfolios in alternative investments, including private equity and cryptocurrencies. They are willing to take more risks to expand their wealth – allocating capital to higher growth asset classes and niche product offerings, notably by 61% of millennial and Gen Z HNWIs.

    To attract next-gen HNWIs, wealth management firms must rethink
    The report highlights that wealth management firms need to refresh and revamp their services and offerings to resonate with the next-gen HNWI customer base. Including:

    • Private equity and cryptocurrencies: 88% of advisors observe a greater interest in alternative assets amongst this group of investors over baby boomers
    • New offshore booking centers: 50% of advisors indicate their lack of capabilities in emerging wealth hubs – Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and Saudi Arabia – will drive these clients to alternate firms, as they seek diversification, better returns and a favorable regulatory environment
    • Tailored services: concierge services such as luxury travel, medical care, and safeguarding against cyber threats, rank as the top non-financial value-added service most sought after
    • Digital interactions: advisors rank a digital platform providing a holistic client view and actionable insights as the most important capability to effectively serve next-gen HNWIs, followed by intelligent automation of operational tasks like meeting summaries and emails

    Insufficient support from wealth management firms makes advisors a flight risk
    According to the report, one-in-three advisors express dissatisfaction with their firms’ lack of digital capabilities, negatively impacting their productivity, and creating a technological divide. In addition, 62% of next-gen HNWIs say they would follow their advisor if they moved to a different firm. Altogether, this directly impacts retention, as advisors struggle to engage these digital-native clients.

    Beyond digital resources, the industry is on the cusp of a talent shortage amid an unprecedented transfer of wealth to Gen X, millennial, and Gen Z inheritors. In the next 12 months, one in four advisors plan to be on the move, with a majority transitioning to a competitor firm and a few starting their own ventures. Additionally, 20% of advisors say they will retire by 2035, with 48% planning to retire by 2040.

    As the great wealth transfer unfolds, the wealth management industry will need to reimagine product offerings through tailored investment options for next-gen HNWIs. Firms must empower and engage advisors with an intuitive digital experience across all channels to secure their loyalty, the report concludes.

    Read the full report: Sailing through the Great Wealth Transfer

    Report Methodology
    The World Wealth Report 2025 market-sizing model covers 71 countries, accounting for more than 98% of global gross national income and 99% of world stock market capitalization. The Capgemini 2025 Global HNW Insights Survey questioned 6,472 HNWIs including 5,473 Next-gen HNWIs across four regions: Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific and Middle East. The 2025 Wealth Management Executive Survey includes 141 responses across 10 markets, with representation from pure WM firms, universal banks, independent broker/dealer firms, and family offices. The 2025 Relationship Manager Survey, executed by Phronesis Partners, includes 1,306 responses across twelve markets.

    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

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.
    Visit us at www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute

    1 HNWIs are high-net-worth individuals with investable assets of USD1 million or more, excluding their primary residence, collectibles, consumables, and consumer durables. HNWIs are segmented into three categories based on wealth bands: Ultra-HNWIs (USD30 million or more), Mid-Tier Millionaires (USD5-30M) and Millionaires Next Door (USD1-5M).
    2 Alternative investments include commodities, currencies, private equity, hedge funds, structured products, and digital assets
    3 UBS, “Global Wealth Report 2024”
    4 Gen X (aged 44 to 59 years as of 2025), millennial (aged 28-43 years as of 2025), and Gen Z (12 to 27 years as of 2025) inheritors are referenced as “next-gen HNWIs” to signify the generational shift in HNWI wealth

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    The MIL Network –

  • Alcaraz bludgeons Paul to reach French Open semis, Swiatek to face Sabalenka

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz steamrolled past American 12th-seed Tommy Paul 6-0 6-1 6-4 at the French Open on Tuesday with a jaw-dropping display of attacking tennis in one of the most one-sided men’s quarter-finals in Paris in recent memory.

    Four-time champion Iga Swiatek, who is looking to become the first woman in the professional era to win four consecutive titles in Paris, also punched her semi-final ticket with a straight sets win over Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to set up a mouth-watering semi-final with world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

    But it was four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz’s merciless dismantling of Paul that grabbed the fans’ attention, with the 22-year-old Spaniard terrorising the former French Open junior champion who looked like a fish out of water.

    Alcaraz charged through the first two sets in just 53 minutes and in near flawless fashion, hitting winners at will and chasing down every ball before the shell-shocked American had any time to react.

    Paul pulled himself together to hold serve and go 4-3 up in the third but as the sun gradually went down over Paris so did the curtain on his inspired run, with Alcaraz winning three games in a row to put him out of his misery in just 94 minutes.

    “I could close my eyes and everything went in,” Alcaraz said. “My feeling was unbelievable. I tried to hit the shots 100% and not think about it.”

    “Today it was one of those matches where everything went in,” he said.

    He will next take on in-form Italian Lorenzo Musetti who battled past American Frances Tiafoe in four sets after surviving a second-set wobble, to reach the French Open semi-finals for the first time.

    MUSETTI WARNING

    Musetti, the world number seven, who escaped with a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct when he kicked a ball at a line judge, eventually overran 15th seed Tiafoe.

    “Honestly it was really unlucky coincidence,” said Musetti of the incident.

    “I was a little bit scared, because I really didn’t want to harm nobody, of course. So I immediately went to the line umpire, and I of course said, ‘sorry’, I apologise to everyone.”

    “It was right to have a warning, but I think the umpire saw that there was no intention about that, and that’s why probably just, you know, let me continue my game.”

    That occurred in the second set when Musetti, the only man to reach at least the semi-finals of every main claycourt event this season, was given balls to serve.

    He kicked one to inadvertently hit the line judge, who barely flinched even though she was hit on her upper body.

    Grand Slam rules state that players are issued a warning at first instance for any ball abuse. Tiafoe, however, called it ‘comical’ that there was no serious punishment.

    “I mean, obviously he did that and nothing happened,” said Tiafoe, who had looked surprised and pointed out the incident to the chair umpire.

    “I think that’s comical, but it is what it is. Nothing happened, so there’s nothing really to talk about. Obviously it’s not consistent, so it is what it is.”

    Earlier, and in front of a sparse crowd around lunchtime, Swiatek braved the windy conditions to beat Svitolina 6-1 7-5.

    Although Swiatek failed to win a title going into the tournament this season, she looks to have rediscovered her remarkable claycourt form in Paris, stretching her winning run at the French Open to 26 consecutive matches following her title three-peat between 2022-24 to add to her 2020 crown.

    Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka, hunting her first French Open crown, also needed just two sets to overcome Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and snap her opponent’s 10-match winning streak at Roland Garros with a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory.

    “I think we’re all here for one reason,” Sabalenka said. “Everyone wants that beautiful trophy. I’m glad I have another opportunity, another semi-final to do better than last time.”

    “I really hope that by the end of the claycourt season I’m really proud of myself.”

    (Reuters)

     

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai welcomes President Hilda C. Heine of Republic of the Marshall Islands with military honors  

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-05-29
    President Lai attends 2025 Europe Day Dinner
    On the evening of May 29, President Lai Ching-te attended the 2025 Europe Day Dinner. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan looks forward to further establishing institutionalized mechanisms with Europe for our trade and investment ties and hopes to take an innovative and diverse approach to sign an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, to provide a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for our enterprises. The president said that Taiwan will actively work alongside other democracies, including those in Europe, to jointly build resilient, promising non-red supply chains, and noted that Taiwan and Europe have endless potential for collaboration, whether it is in safeguarding freedom and democracy or advancing our economic and trade relationship. He expressed hope to further strengthen our partnership and work together toward global peace, stability, and prosperity. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: Chairman [Henry] Chang (張瀚書), thank you for the invitation, and congratulations on your second term. I’m confident that under your leadership, the ECCT [European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan] will build even more bridges for cooperation between Taiwan and Europe. I would also like to thank EETO [European Economic and Trade Office] Head [Lutz] Güllner and all the European country representatives stationed in Taiwan. Your hard work over the years has helped deepen Taiwan-Europe relations and brought about such fruitful cooperation. Thank you. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. In 1950, then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed to create a European federation dedicated to preserving peace. The declaration symbolized a new flowering in the post-war era of democracy, unity, and cooperation. As we face the geopolitical challenges and drastic economic changes of today’s world, the Schuman Declaration still speaks to us profoundly. This year is also the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to advance cooperation with our democratic partners, and will join hands with Europe to build a partnership of even greater resilience and mutual trust. Europe is Taiwan’s third largest trading partner. It is also Taiwan’s largest source of foreign direct investment. Last year, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Europe totaled US$84.7 billion. This demonstrates our vibrant economic and trade ties and reflects the high levels of confidence our businesses have in each other’s markets and systems. We look forward to Taiwan and Europe further establishing institutionalized mechanisms for our trade and investment ties. And we hope to take an innovative and diverse approach to sign an economic partnership agreement with the EU, to provide a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for our enterprises. Today’s Taiwan has an internationally recognized democracy and a semiconductor industry vital to global security and prosperity. This enables us to play a key role in restructuring global democratic supply chains and the economic order. In particular, we see supply chains dominated by a new authoritarian bloc expanding their influence through non-market mechanisms, price subsidies, and monopolies on resources, as they seek global control of critical technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Their actions not only distort principles of market fairness, but also threaten the international community’s basic expectations for democracy, the rule of law, and corporate responsibility. In response, Taiwan will actively work alongside other democracies, including those in Europe, to jointly build resilient, promising non-red supply chains. We will also introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. This is more than a proposal for economic cooperation; it is an alliance of shared values and advanced technology. Security in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and stability have always been issues of mutual interest for Taiwan and Europe. So here today, on behalf of all the people of Taiwan, I would like to thank the EU and European nations for continuing to take concrete actions in public support of peace and stability across the strait. Such actions are vital to regional security and prosperity. Taiwan will continue to bolster itself to achieve real peace through strength, and will work with democratic partners to safeguard freedom and democracy, thereby showing our determination for regional peace. At this critical time, Taiwan and Europe have endless potential for collaboration, whether it’s in safeguarding freedom and democracy or advancing our economic and trade relationship. I look forward to our joining hands at this strategic juncture to further strengthen our partnership and work together toward global peace, stability, and prosperity. Also in attendance at the event was British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.

    Details
    2025-05-28
    President Lai meets US delegation led by Senator Tammy Duckworth
    On the afternoon of May 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by United States Senator Tammy Duckworth. In remarks, President Lai thanked the US Congress and government for their longstanding and bipartisan support for Taiwan. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the US and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. He pointed out that the Taiwan government has already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties and will encourage mutual investment between Taiwanese and US businesses. He then expressed hope of deepening Taiwan-US ties and creating more niches for both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome this delegation led by Senator Duckworth, a dear friend of Taiwan. Senator Duckworth previously visited in May last year to convey congratulations after the inauguration of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. Your bipartisan delegation was the first group from the US Senate that I met with as president. Today, you are visiting just after the first anniversary of my taking office, demonstrating the staunch support of the US and our deep friendship. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincere appreciation and greetings. And I invite you to come back and visit next year, the year after that, and every year. Taiwan and the US share the values of democracy and the rule of law and believe in free and open markets. Both sides embrace a common goal of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. I thank the US Congress and government for their longstanding, bipartisan, and steadfast support for Taiwan. In 2021, to help Taiwan overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Duckworth made a special trip here to announce that the US government would be donating vaccines to Taiwan. In recent years, Senator Duckworth has also promoted the TAIWAN Security Act, STAND with Taiwan Act, and Taiwan and America Space Assistance Act in the US Congress, all of which have further deepened Taiwan-US cooperation and steadily advanced our ties. For this, I express my deepest appreciation. I want to emphasize that the people of Taiwan have an unyielding determination to protect their homeland and free and democratic way of life. Over the past year, the government and private sector have been working together to enhance Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience. The government is committed to reforming national defense, and it has proposed prioritizing special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds three percent of GDP. This will continue to bolster Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the US. In addition to jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability, we also aspire to deepen bilateral trade and economic ties. At the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, DC, earlier this month, Taiwan’s delegation was once again the biggest delegation attending the event – proof positive of our close economic and trade cooperation. We have already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties. We will narrow the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy and agricultural and other industrial products from the US. We will encourage mutual investment between Taiwanese and US businesses to stimulate industrial development on both sides, especially in such industries as national defense and shipbuilding. We therefore look forward to Congress passing the US-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act as soon as possible, as this would deepen Taiwan-US trade ties and create more niches for business. In closing, I once again thank Senator Duckworth for making the trip to Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to elevate Taiwan-US ties. I wish you a pleasant and successful visit. Senator Duckworth then delivered remarks, saying that she is happy to be back in Taiwan and that she wanted to make sure to come back just after President Lai’s one-year anniversary of taking office to show the dedication and the outstanding friendship that we have. She noted that because no matter who is in the White House, no matter which political party is in power in Washington, DC, she has always believed that if America wants to remain a leader on the global stage, it has to show up for friends like Taiwan.  Senator Duckworth mentioned that in the years that she has been coming to Taiwan since pre-COVID times, she has seen a remarkable increase in participation in its defense and the support of the Taiwanese people for defending the homeland. She then thanked Taiwan for making the commitment to its self-defense, and also for being a partner with other nations around the world.  The STAND with Taiwan Act, the senator noted, is so named because the US wants to stand side by side with Taiwan. Pointing out that Taiwan is an important leader in the Indo-Pacific and on the global stage, she reiterated that there is support on both sides of the aisle in Washington for Taiwanese democracy, and added that the people of Taiwan are showing that they are willing to shore up their own readiness. Senator Duckworth said that whether it is delivering vaccines to Taiwan or making sure that the US National Guard works with Taiwan’s reserve forces or even with its civilian emergency response teams, these are all important components to the ongoing partnership between our nations.  Senator Duckworth indicated that there are many great opportunities moving forward beyond our military cooperation with one another. Whether it is in chip manufacturing, agricultural investments, shipbuilding, or in the healthcare field, those investments in both nations will facilitate stability and development in both our nations. She said that is why she wants to continue the Taiwan-US relationship, underlining that they are in it for the long haul. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets delegation led by US House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman
    On the afternoon of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Chair of the Natural Resources Committee of the United States House of Representatives Bruce Westerman. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and the US enjoy close industrial exchanges and continue to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration. The president said that Taiwan will continue to increase purchases from and together build non-red supply chains with the US, expressing hope that economic and trade relations grow even closer and that both work together to jointly safeguard peace and stability throughout the region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange views with members of the US House Committee on Natural Resources today. Chair Westerman, the leader of this delegation, is an old friend of Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation. I also want to thank you all for your long-term close attention to Taiwan-related affairs and your strong support for Taiwan. Taiwan and the US enjoy close ties and share ideals and values. There is an excellent foundation for cooperation between us, particularly in such areas as energy, the economy and trade, agriculture and fisheries, environmental protection, and sustainable development. In recent years, Taiwan-US ties have grown closer and closer. The US has become Taiwan’s largest destination for overseas investment, accounting for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment. Taiwan is also the seventh largest trading partner of the US and its seventh largest export market for agricultural products. The SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Washington, DC earlier this month was the largest in its history. Taiwan’s delegation, representing 138 enterprises, was once again the biggest delegation attending the event. This shows that Taiwan and the US enjoy close industrial exchanges and continue to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration. Looking ahead, with the global landscape changing rapidly, Taiwan will continue to increase purchases from the US, including energy resources such as natural gas and petroleum, as well as agricultural products, industrial products, and even military procurement. This will not only help balance our bilateral trade, but also strengthen development for Taiwan in energy autonomy, resilience, the economy, and trade. Taiwan and the US are also well-matched in such areas as high tech and manufacturing. As the US pursues reindustrialization and aims to become a global hub for AI, Taiwan is willing to take part and play an even more important role. We will strengthen Taiwan-US industrial cooperation and together build non-red supply chains. In addition to bringing our economic and trade relations even closer, this will also allow Taiwanese industries to remain rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence, helping bolster the US, and marketing worldwide. As for military exchanges, we are grateful to the US government for continuing its military sales to Taiwan and backing our efforts to upgrade our self-defense capabilities. Taiwan will continue to work with the US to jointly safeguard peace and stability throughout the region. In closing, I thank our guests once again for making the long journey here, not only offering warm friendship, but also demonstrating the staunch bipartisan support for Taiwan in the US Congress. Chair Westerman then delivered remarks, saying that it is an honor for him and his colleagues to be in Taiwan to talk about the strong relationship between the US and Taiwan and how that relationship can continue to grow in the future. The chair pointed out that natural resources are foundational to any kind of economic development, whether it is energy, which is key to manufacturing, or whether it is mining, which provides rare earth elements and all the minerals and metals needed for manufacturing. He said that as for natural resources including fish, wildlife, or timber, all are foundational to any society, but this is especially so for agriculture, noting that the US produces a lot of food and fodder and is always looking for more friends to share that with. Chair Westerman indicated that they are excited about opportunities to work with Taiwan, adding that Taiwan’s investments in the US have been greatly appreciated. He said they also are excited about the talks with the Trump administration and the future going forward on how we can have a stronger trade relationship, a stronger bilateral relationship, and how we can work with each other to help both economies grow and prosper. Chair Westerman concluded his remarks by expressing thanks for the opportunity to visit, saying that they treasure Taiwan’s friendship and our long-term relationship, and are very excited to be able to discuss in more detail how our two countries can work together. The delegation also included US House Natural Resources Committee Representatives Sarah Elfreth, Harriet Hageman, Celeste Maloy, and Nick Begich. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.  

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets and hosts luncheon for delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam
    On the morning of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam and her husband, and hosted a luncheon for the delegation at noon. In remarks, President Lai noted that this is the governor’s first trip to Taiwan, fully demonstrating the Guam government’s support and high regard for Taiwan. The president said that Guam, being the closest United States territory to Taiwan, is an important bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and the US. He stated that aside from promoting tourism, we can also explore even more opportunities for collaboration in other areas to further advance industrial development for both sides. He said that, as we begin a new chapter, we look forward to working together to generate even more momentum in bilateral cooperation and exchanges. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Governor Leon Guerrero and her delegation. Last year, I transited through Guam en route for visits to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific. The enthusiastic reception I received from the government, legislature, people, and members of our overseas community in Guam was very touching and left me with a deep impression. During the morning tea reception hosted by Governor Leon Guerrero, we joined in singing our respective national anthems, as well as the Fanohge CHamoru. I also received at the Guam Legislature a copy of a Taiwan-friendly resolution it passed on behalf of the people of Taiwan. And I still remember to this day the striking scenery of the governor’s house and the warm reception I received there. It is therefore a great pleasure to meet with all of you today here at the Presidential Office. This is Governor Leon Guerrero’s first trip to Taiwan. Your visit fully demonstrates the Guam government’s support and high regard for Taiwan. As we begin a new chapter, we look forward to working with you to generate even more momentum in bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Taiwan and Guam are like family. We share the Austronesian spirit and culture. Our wide-ranging and mutually-beneficial collaboration is very fruitful. And now, we are facing the challenges of climate change, public health and medicine, and regional security together. The world is rapidly changing and tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise. But if we combine our strengths, come together as one, and enhance cooperation, we can maintain regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Last Tuesday, I delivered an address on my first anniversary of taking office. I mentioned that for many years, Taiwan, the US, and our democratic partners have actively engaged in exchange and cooperation. Taking a market-oriented approach, we will promote an economic path of staying firmly rooted in Taiwan and expanding the global presence of our enterprises while strengthening ties with the US. Guam is the closest US territory to Taiwan. It is an important bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and the US. Last month, we were pleased to see United Airlines officially launch direct flights between Taipei and Guam. I believe this will benefit tourism and economic and trade exchanges for both sides. In the area of health care, many hospitals in Taiwan already offer referral services to patients from Guam. Both Governor Leon Guerrero and I have backgrounds in medicine. It is my hope that Taiwan and Guam can continue to work hand in hand to create even more positive outcomes from cooperation in public health and medical services. During the governor’s visit, aside from promoting tourism, we can also explore even more opportunities for collaboration in other areas. There is potential for more exchanges in aquaculture, food processing, hydroculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and recycling. This will further advance industrial development in Taiwan and Guam. In closing, I thank Governor Leon Guerrero and all our distinguished guests for backing Taiwan. I wish you all a smooth and successful visit.  Governor Leon Guerrero then delivered remarks, saying that she is very happy to come to Taiwan. She said that after learning during President Lai’s visit to Guam last year that he is a medical doctor, she felt more relaxed because healthcare colleagues are one in their endeavor to help enhance the health and well-being of people. She then expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the invitation to Taiwan.  Governor Leon Guerrero said that as they learn more about opportunities for collaboration with Taiwan, they are humbled by the hospitality they have experienced. In both of our islands, she said, hospitality is more than just a custom – it forms a part of our identities. She noted that despite being nearly 2,000 miles apart, we are connected by the Pacific Ocean and common roots, and our ancestors both value family, community, and tradition. That is why being here today, she said, she feels a strong sense of familiarity, like reconnecting with old friends. The governor remarked that Taiwan has evolved so quickly in all areas of essential life, sustenance, economy, and prosperity, adding that Taiwan’s resources in such areas as health, education, data, AI, advanced technology, aquaculture, agriculture, and commerce enhance our economic stability. She stated her belief that in collaboration and support, and working with each other, we can gain prosperity, maintain freedom and democracy, and live in peace.  Governor Leon Guerrero stated that their delegation is here to see how they can partner with Taiwan to help raise the quality of life for both our peoples, mentioning that one special concern of theirs is tourism. Tourism, she said, is the most influential engine and driver for the economy and quality of life in Guam, but they cannot have a vibrant economy and tourism without air connectivity. She added that they are prepared to help in any way to provide incentives and low-cost fees so that they can get more airlines from Taiwan to establish permanent flight schedules to Guam, so as to drive development in Guam’s tourism industry. Governor Leon Guerrero then proceeded to introduce each of the members of her delegation before remarking that while they have been very busy on this visit they are always reminded of the freedom and democracy that the people must protect. She said she looks forward to a great, strong relationship between Taiwan and Guam in cooperation on social and economic issues, in culture, marketing, tourism, and freedom and democracy. Among those in attendance were First Gentleman Jeffrey A. Cook, Chief of Staff Jon Junior Calvo, Director of the Department of Administration Edward Birn, General Manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau Regine Biscoe Lee, Deputy Executive Manager of the Guam International Airport Authority Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, Board of Directors Chairman of the Guam International Airport Authority Brian J. Bamba, Deputy General Manager of the Guam Economic Development Authority Carlos Bordallo, Director of Landscape Management Systems Guam Bob Salas, Chairperson of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Tae Oh, President of the University of Guam Anita Borja Enriquez, and Director of the Guam Taiwan Office Felix Yen (嚴樹芬). After the meeting, President Lai, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a luncheon for Governor Leon Guerrero, her husband, and the delegation.

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets delegation from European Parliament
    On the morning of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the European Parliament. In remarks, President Lai thanked the European Parliament for continuing to pay close attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and voice support for Taiwan. The president expressed hope for an even closer relationship and diversified cooperation between Taiwan and the European Union. The president said that Taiwan and the EU can work together in such areas as semiconductors, AI, and green energy to create more resilient supply chains for global democracies and contribute to global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our guests to the Presidential Office. After being elected last year, MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Beatrice Timgren are making their first visits to Taiwan, demonstrating support for Taiwan through concrete action. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome and appreciation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the European Parliament for continuing to pay close attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Just last month, the European Parliament adopted resolutions with regard to annual reports on the implementation of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy. These resolutions reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The European Parliament also condemned China for continuing to take provocative military actions against Taiwan and emphasized that Taiwan is a key democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. It called on the EU and its member states to continue working closely with Taiwan to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties. Once again, I thank the European Parliament for voicing support for Taiwan. Just as MEPs Pozņaks and Timgren are visiting Taiwan to strengthen Taiwan-EU exchanges, our Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) also led a delegation to Europe last year, marking the first in-person dialogue between high-ranking economic and trade officials of Taiwan and the EU. Moving ahead, we look forward to bringing Taiwan-EU ties even closer and to diversifying our cooperation. The EU is Taiwan’s largest source of foreign investment. Both sides are highly complementary in such areas as semiconductors, AI, and green energy. Through our joint efforts, we can create more resilient supply chains for global democracies and further contribute to global prosperity and development. Looking ahead, I hope that MEPs Pozņaks and Timgren will continue to make the case in the European Parliament for the signing of a Taiwan-EU economic partnership agreement. This would not only yield mutually beneficial development, but also consolidate economic security and boost international competitiveness for both sides. In closing, I am sure that you will gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan through this visit. Please feel welcome to come back as often as possible as we continue to elevate Taiwan-EU ties.  MEP Pozņaks then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor to be here and thanking everybody involved in arranging this trip that allows them the opportunity to better know Taiwan. He added that it is definitely not the last time they will be here, as Taiwan is a very beautiful country. MEP Pozņaks mentioned that he comes from Latvia, and despite their being on the other side of the world, they know how the Taiwanese people feel, because they also have a big neighbor who is claiming that Latvia belongs to them. Unfortunately, he said, there is already war in Europe, but he is confident that their situation is similar to Taiwan’s, adding that they have a neighbor who uses disinformation attacks. MEP Pozņaks said that we live in very challenging times, and that our choices will define the future of the world, asking whether it will be a world where the rule of law prevails or where physical power and aggression succeeds. Coming from a small country, he said he clearly understands that for them there is no other possibility; they must protect the world where the rule of law prevails. That is why now, he emphasized, it is very crucial for all democracies around the world to stick together to protect our freedoms, values, and democracy. MEP Timgren then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for meeting with them and saying it is a big honor. Noting that they arrived here two days ago and that while she really loves Taiwan, its food, and the good weather, she stated that the reason they are here is because of the values that we share, our good relationships, and solidarity with other democratic countries in the world, which is important for them in Europe and in Sweden. MEP Timgren, referring to MEP Pozņaks’s earlier remarks, said that they face a big threat from Russia that is discernible even in the European Parliament. Actually, she pointed out, there is a war inside Europe that shows us how important it is that we support one another. She said that the Russian people thought it would be easy to take over Ukraine, but it was not, because all European countries stepped up and provided weapons and support. And that is why, MEP Timgren said, it is important that democratic countries maintain good relationships and let China and Russia see that we have good relationships, because a part of defense is solidarity. In closing, she expressed her gratitude for having the honor to be here in this beautiful country.

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru, H.E. Ambassador Elmer Schialer Salcedo, at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, on 3 June 2025. Their discussions focused on strengthening of ASEAN–Peru relations and preparations for the visit of  H.E. Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, President of the Republic of Peru to the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in August of this year.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Italian Prime Minister and French President Hold Talks in Rome

    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

    ROME, June 4 (Xinhua) — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks here on Tuesday on various issues including trade and relations with the United States, Italian media reported.

    The talks were expected to help ease current tensions in relations, the ANSA news agency notes. France and Italy are traditional allies and the EU’s second and third largest economies, but their governments disagree on a number of issues and belong to different political camps: Meloni leads a right-wing nationalist cabinet, while Macron is a pro-European centrist.

    As ANSA points out, the two leaders also differ in their approach to the United States: J. Meloni seeks to establish close ties with President Donald Trump and play the role of tariff negotiator between the US and the EU, while E. Macron advocates a more independent position for Europe.

    On the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both Italy and France have promised strong support for Kyiv, but Ms Meloni expressed scepticism about the Franco-British plan to send peacekeepers if a peace deal is reached.

    Meloni’s office has not issued any statements since her meeting with the French president and has not held a press conference. However, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said last Saturday that Macron’s visit would be “an absolutely positive development for the two countries, which are allies and neighbors.” -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dutch PM announces resignation of his gov’t

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

    Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced the resignation of his government on Tuesday, saying that he will formally submit his resignation to the King.

    The decision came after the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition.

    Speaking at a press conference in The Hague, Schoof said he would formally submit his resignation to King Willem-Alexander later in the day.

    He said that he would remain in office as caretaker prime minister and continue working to address the major challenges currently facing the Netherlands.

    Schoof also criticized the PVV’s withdrawal, calling it “irresponsible and entirely unnecessary.”

    The Dutch government led by Schoof took office on July 2, 2024, and has been in power for less than a year. 

    MIL OSI China News –