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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Seasonal Access Rangers start across Highland

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Last weekend saw the first patrols of The Highland Council’s, new Seasonal Access Ranger team. The new rangers will seek to promote and advise on responsible access to the countryside through the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The team is funded directly by The Highland Council.

    There are currently 16 Access Rangers on patrol with two more to join in mid-June focussing on the long-distance routes. Five of the rangers are very experienced, returning after previous seasons, and able to help guide new rangers into their role.

    Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: The Council are pleased to be able to provide a seasonal rangers service this year and so far, the team have been welcomed by visitors and locals alike, with a friendly approach to encouraging responsible behaviour.

    “The Council recognise the importance of supporting communities to manage the increase in visitors across the area, particularly along the NC500, Skye, Lochaber, Wester Ross & Loch Ness. A key role for the rangers will be engaging with the public and raising awareness of the Outdoor Access Code and communicating to people that as individuals we all play an important role in ensuring that Highland’s beautiful outdoor spaces are protected for all to enjoy for future generations.”

    Rangers will also ensure awareness of the other legislation, such as parking and environmental health. They will monitor use and report incidents to the relevant Council teams or emergency services. The rangers will also carry out duties to keep tidy, maintain and manage Council owned sites, core paths and work with communities and land managers on other sites to protect habitats and encourage respect for the landscape. Where possible, the rangers will work with local volunteers to engage with visitors.

    This year, responsible camping will be a key priority, and in many locations, this will mean a ‘no fires’ message. There is a significant fire risk throughout the Highlands in the summer months and lighting campfires on peaty ground, woodland, grassland, or moors is dangerous and contrary to the Code. It is irresponsible to light fires close to buildings, historic monuments and within 30m of a public road. Even small fires cause significant damage to our natural environment from scorch marks to tree removal and the use of dead wood (housing insects) for fires. Much of this damage can take years to recover.

    People can contact the Ranger team, by email at accessrangers@highland.gov.uk or by phoning the Senior Ranger on 07909 051223.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dutch Prime Minister Announces Government Resignation

    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

    THE HAGUE, June 3 (Xinhua) — Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schof on Tuesday announced the resignation of his government and said he would formally submit his resignation to the country’s king.

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

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

    At the same time, D. Schof clarified that he will remain in his post as acting prime minister and will continue to work on solving a number of important problems facing the Netherlands.

    He also criticised the PVV’s withdrawal from the coalition, calling the move “irresponsible and completely unnecessary”.

    The Dutch government under D. Schof took office on 2 July 2024 and lasted less than a year. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Need for strong Europe highlighted as EP leaders visit Copenhagen

    Source: European Parliament

    EP President Roberta Metsola highlighted Denmark’s ability to build consensus and produce results in uncertain times, ahead of the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

    The Conference of Presidents, political group leaders as well as President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, were in Copenhagen on Tuesday to discuss priorities ahead of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

    Together with representatives of the Danish government, the Conference of Presidents discussed the importance of a safe and competitive Europe.

    The EP leaders also had a fruitful exchange with the speaker and prominent members of the Folketing on the support for Ukraine and competitiveness.

    At a joint press conference, EP President Roberta Metsola and the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen both highlighted the need for a secure and strong Europe in these uncertain times:

    ”The time for geopolitical outsourcing is over. We must take responsibility for our own security, and that starts with Ukraine, as Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security,” Roberta Metsola said.

    The Prime Minister delivered a similar message, highlighting points from the previous meeting with the Conference of Presidents:

    ”We have to focus on our priorities, find solutions to our common challenges including on migration, high energy prices, and most importantly, we have to strengthen our support to Ukraine. All of this has the same common goal. We have to make a strong and safe Europe,” Mette Frederiksen said.

    With these challenges in mind, it is comforting to have experienced hands at the wheel, according to the EP President:

    “We have always looked to Denmark as being the pragmatic consensus builder around the room. Having worked alongside Mette Frederiksen in many meetings over the years, that is what I am sure we will get,” Roberta Metsola said.

    During the visit, the Conference of Presidents also had an audience with Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark.

    Denmark will hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July to 31 December 2025, after which Cyprus will assume the presidency.

    What is the Conference of Presidents?

    The Conference of Presidents in the European Parliament is the political body responsible for organising and coordinating the Parliament’s work.

    Traditionally, the Conference of Presidents travels to the country preparing to take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, in order to engage in preparatory discussions and ensure a shared understanding of, as well as joint actions on the upcoming priorities.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Brisbane 2032 Games Coordination Commission Visit: A Collective Vision

    Source:

    Thank you Andrew for your kind introduction and welcome.

    It’s a pleasure to be here, and I thank the Brisbane 2032 OCOG for hosting this event. 

    I want to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet the Turrbal and Jagera peoples and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

    Together Australians stand on the shoulders of 1,600 generations of First Nations people, and that is our shared history.

    I also acknowledge to CO-Com, executives and the IOC delegation, particularly President-elect Kirsty Coventry and new Co-Com Chair Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, who is all but a local… training under own Vicki Roycroft at the Brisbane Showgrounds… Mikee, please know, I view you as my Vicki Roycroft.

    Thank you to my fellow OCOG members, and AOC President Ian Chesterman and new CEO Mark Arbib… Mark’s presence means there are three Federal Sport Ministers in this room – what could go wrong.

    While our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wishes he could be here this week with you, he has just returned from the Pope’s inauguration in Rome.

    If there is one sentence that resonates long after you leave Brisbane… I hope it is this –

    The re-election of the Albanese Government ensures Australia is absolutely committed to making the Brisbane Games – a great Games, for our athletes, for Queensland, Australia and the Pacific.

    There’s a quote from outgoing President Bach that has stuck with me and lights our path to 2032…

    “Like no other human activity, sport is about bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and respect. Sport always builds bridges, it never erects walls.”

    The Australian government views Brisbane 2032 as an amphitheatre for our athletes to bring people together for greater health and social cohesion from playground to podium. 

    Because sport makes us hug strangers. And we have evidence of that right below us – on that grass.

    I understand there is a tour of this stadium later today but this venue is so much more than turnstiles and corporate boxes.

    You see, for decades that grass behind you was only known for men clashing in violent rugby contests.

    Until we hosted the Women’s Football World Cup in 2023, when just down there, three seconds changed a nation.

    A moment when a young woman called Cortnee Vine, who learned to kick a ball in the outer suburbs of Brisbane, 10 kms north of here, curled a penalty past France’s goalkeeper to send Australia through to the World Cup semi-final. 

    Our greatest World Cup achievement.

    I was sitting just up there. I cried. I launched a ferocious hug on a bewildered Prime Minister that prompted Federal Police to hover.

    Cortnee’s goal speaks to why the 2032 Games must be about sporting Moments not monoliths.

    That moment and significant funding from the Australian government led to a ten per cent increase in women’s football participation post tournament.

    That match is among the top five most watched television programs in Australian history.

    In fact, four of those five are women’s sporting events, including Cathy Freeman’s 400 metre gold in Sydney.

    This September marks 25 years since those Sydney Games transformed Australia.

    Brisbane 2032 must and will drive even greater participation and social cohesion.

    As a key Games Delivery Partner, I want to assure the Games family the Australian Government is a steadfast partner and we thank the IOC for your esteemed leadership.

    Our immediate areas of focus include governance, infrastructure, impact and legacy.

    I know how dedicated the IOC is to fostering sport through the Pacific and note your recent trip to Guam – we share that same passion.

    We will make 2032 a north star for a more inclusive sport environment throughout the region and for our Pacific family.

    From the outset the Australian Government has backed Brisbane 2032.

    We provided more than $8.6 million to the Queensland Government to support its candidature bid and its only grown from there.

    Already, our 2032 funding commitment across infrastructure, transport, high performance, major events and grass roots has exceeded $16 billion dollars. 

    This includes more than $12.4 billion dollars in Games related transport, more than $3.4 billion dollars in Games venues and in the past 18 months alone almost a billion-dollar commitment to grass roots and high-performance sport.

    Crucially, we made a two year $489 million in Olympic and Paralympic sport as we head to LA28.

    This is the largest Olympic and Paralympic sport investment ever.

    This means that 95% of Olympic and Paralympic summer sports are receiving increased funding with an average increase of 64% per year, compared to the period leading up to Paris Games.

    More sports are being supported too, with an increase from 54 to 68 summer Olympic and Paralympic programs funded in the lead-up to LA.

    We have also increased our Direct Athlete Investment Scheme – DAIS – funding, boosting it to $41.4m across two years.

    DAIS is money in the athlete’s pocket so they can spend more time training and less time fundraising.

    This means more than 1000 Australian athletes now receive DAIS funding.

    Crucially we have also doubled the money going towards Paralympic sports with an extra $54.9m over the next two years.

    The is the largest commitment an Australian government has made to Para-Sport and will shift the balance of funding from 85 per cent able bodied and 15 per cent people with a disability, to 75 per cent able bodied and 25 per cent people with a disability.

    And, while it hasn’t been announced yet, the Federal Government will invest an additional $2.1m so our Paralympians can travel to Milan Cortina to chase gold. 

    We are determined to do more – because we know 3 in 4 Australians with a disability want to play sport but only 1 in 4 have the opportunity.

    While as Minister for Sport, I am first and foremost athlete-led.

    We have also made major infrastructure commitments including a record $249m for the Australian Institute of Sport to improve our national centre of excellence where our juniors and elites train. 

    This is the biggest investment in the AIS since the early 80’s – before Kirsty and I were born.

    This is on top of our $200m Play Our Way fund for women’s and girls sport infrastructure and programs – the largest ever sport funding package to build female changerooms and women-specific sporting environments.

    And… since we came to Government Labor has funded more than $80m in Major Events as well including the Canoe World Champs that the IOC’s own Jess Fox will star in later this year.

    The Albanese Government will also invest up to $3.435 billion in Games venues in a 50/50 partnership with the Queensland Government.

    BUT – we are also funding significant Games transport.

    $12.4 billion committed for transport projects in South East Queensland already identified by the Queensland Government as necessary for the Games.

    This includes faster rail, highway upgrades, and major connection pieces that support 2032.

    So this $16 billion commitment will revitalise the AIS, boost high‑performance sport, increase participation, reduce injuries, enhance guardrails and sport safety, fund legacy arenas and the connections that allow people to visit them while improving integrity for the benefit of all Australians.

    And recent news helps us all. Last week I was honoured to be named Minister for Communications, opening greater synergies for the world’s biggest media event.

    Sport and Comms is now in the infrastructure department, and already Sport Integrity Australia have flagged a goal to embed integrity as a design principle of sport infrastructure.

    We are also continuing work on our IOC Guarantees.

    As part of the candidature process to secure hosting rights, the Albanese Government committed to a range of operational support services.

    These include communications, national security, taxation, integrity, safety and safeguarding, and visa handling.

    We are committed to delivering on these guarantees, taking a coordinated approach across all involved departments to create solutions.

    These threads I’m discussing today are hemmed through Australia’s first ever ten-year plan for sport.

    Australia’s National Sport Strategy, Sport Horizon, will capitalise on sport’s power, and outlines my government’s priorities for this sector.

    It affirms our commitment to creating a safe, fair, and sustainable sector that grows participation, drives positive social change, grows our economy and strengthens international relationships.

    It emphasises the pursuit of gender equity.

    For the first time in Australian history, sporting boardrooms across Australia must meet gender equity targets or risk government funding being withdrawn.

    I have mandated our sports sector must achieve the following governance targets by no later than 1 July 2027:

    50% of all board directors are women and/or gender diverse 

    50% of board chairs are women and/or gender diverse 

    50% of specified board sub-committee members are women and/or gender diverse.

    Because we view sport as a transponder for social change. 

    As President Bach says, sport builds bridges, never erects walls.

    And… we must remember this – 

    The Games’ most valuable treasure – is its athletes. 

    It is not about politicians or political point-scoring.

    Our job is to work with Federations to create environments where brilliance thrives, and then… get out of the way.

    Our job is to enable athletic moments to replace monoliths in 2032.

    So that grass right there conjures the next Cortnee Vine.

    So the aquatic centre a kilometre away creates history like Kirsty did in Athens and Beijing. 

    So Victoria Park is an amphitheatre for our next Cathy Freeman gold medal euphoria.

    I was born and raised in this city… 

    I am not just determined, I am obsessed. Brisbane 2032 will be a great Games.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Prime Minister Schoof tenders government’s resignation

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 03-06-2025 | 17:18

    Following the conclusion of the leader of the Freedom Party (PVV) in the House of Representatives that he would no longer lend support to the government, the prime minister called a meeting of the cabinet. The outcome of that meeting was that PVV members of the government tendered their resignations to the King. The prime minister and the remaining members of the government resigned their portfolio, office or role.

    The King, at the recommendation of the prime minister, and with immediate effect, has granted honourable discharge to the members of the government who were nominated by the leader of the PVV parliamentary party for the following appointments:

    • Fleur Agema as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport;
    • Dick Beljaarts as Minister of Economic Affairs;
    • Barry Madlener as Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management;
    • Marjolein Faber as Minister of Asylum and Migration;
    • Reinette Klever as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development;

    as well as: 

    • Ingrid Coenradie as Minister for Detention and Protection;
    • Zsolt Szabó as Minister for Digitalisation and Kingdom Relations;
    • Chris Jansen as Minister for the Environment and Public Transport;
    • Vicky Maeijer as Minister for Long-term and Social Care.

    Their tasks will be temporarily carried out by other members of the government.

    With respect to the prime minister and the remaining members of the government, the King has considered their resignations and has asked that they continue to carry out the duties that they consider necessary to the interests of the Kingdom.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Are influencers villains, victims or champions of change? The reality is more complex

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Aya Aboelenien, Associate Professor of Marketing, HEC Montréal

    As the influencer ecosystem expands and its culture evolves, there is increasing pressure for the industry to prioritize ethics over profit. (Shutterstock)

    Social media influencers have become cultural powerhouses, setting trends, shaping lifestyles and even swaying political views. As their influence grows, so do ethical debates about them: are they villains exploiting their audiences, victims of an unregulated industry or champions driving positive change?

    In our chapter in the recently released book, Influencer Marketing, we synthesized existing literature to explore the ethical minefield of influencer culture and attention economy. We scrutinized the responsibilities of influencers, brands, platforms and consumers, and the broader impact of influencers on society at large.

    Influencers as villains

    Influencers are often cast as villains in the online world. They are frequently criticized for inauthentic behaviour, such as by failing to disclose partnership agreements, perpetuating unrealistic beauty or lifestyle standards or by lying to their audiences outright.

    Despite regulations, many influencers hide their paid partnerships.
    In 2023, for instance, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that 81 per cent of influencers failed to properly disclose paid partnerships.

    Influencers are incentivized to do this because advertising-heavy content can appear inauthentic and be off-putting to followers. These omissions mislead audiences into thinking products and brand reviews are based on genuine opinion, rather than part of a paid script.

    Multiple influencers have also been caught lying to their followers about their lifestyles. One notable example is Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal cancer through diet. She gained a massive following and profited from these claims before being exposed and fined US$410,000 for misleading and deceptive conduct.

    Netflix trailer for ‘Apple Cider Vinegar.’

    Despite the controversy, Gibson’s story was adapted by Netflix into a series called Apple Cider Vinegar, further fuelling the money-making machine.

    Another case is that of Yovana Mendoza, a raw vegan influencer who was filmed eating fish in a Bali restaurant. The video went viral after being leaked by fellow travellers. Despite later revealing that she had stopped being vegan because of health reasons, she still faced backlash and accusations of hypocrisy.

    Unrealistic beauty standards

    Influencers, and particularly virtual CGI influencers, are also villainized by the masses for perpetuating unrealistic standards and lifestyle choices.

    From posing as the “perfect family” or the “perfect wife” (such as trad wife influencer Hannah Neeleman, also known as Ballerina Farm), to flaunting ultra-thin or perfectly chiselled beauty ideals, influencer content fosters harmful social comparisons.



    Read more:
    Women can build positive body image by controlling what they view on social media

    These portrayals can contribute to anxiety and low self-esteem among social media audiences. Influencers prey on these insecurities to make profit and gain influence, which affects the well-being of these audiences.

    In the case of male Instagram followers of the hashtag #fitfam, one study found increased pressure to achieve the so-called “instabod” — a sculpted, idealized physique — was linked to symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.

    Influencers as champions

    Despite the controversies surrounding influencer culture, some content creators are leveraging their platforms to do good. Body positivity influencers, for instance, advocate for self-love and self-acceptance, which can improve body satisfaction and appreciation among young women.

    One of the best known figures in this space is Ashley Graham, who challenges beauty norms by sharing unedited photos of herself with her 21.4 million Instagram followers.

    There are also green influencers who champion sustainability. For example, Alessandro Vitale teaches urban farming, while Emma Dendler advocates for zero-waste living.

    A study found that many women fashion influencers over 50 engage in what researchers call “styleactivism.” They use their social media platforms to bring about important changes in the ageist and sexist fashion and beauty markets.

    There is also a growing movement known as “deinfluencing,” where influencers discourage mindless consumption by critiquing over-hyped products, like the viral Stanley Cup water bottle.

    Influencers as victims

    While some influencers might profit from the system, others are victims of business exploitation and malpractices. There are a growing number of cases of unpaid labour where influencer agencies, like Speakr, have been accused of withholding payments, leaving creators in financial limbo.

    Black and LGBTQ+ influencers have also reported facing pay discrimination. They often earn less than their white counterparts or are asked to work for free. Stephanie Yeboah, a Black plus-size influencer, told The Guardian she discovered she was paid less than white influencers while working on the same campaign.

    Many influencers operate without the backing of talent managers or influencer agencies, despite taking on multiple roles, including videographers, video editors, scriptwriters, lighting specialists, directors and on-screen talent. This leaves them especially vulnerable to exploitation.

    To top it all, influencers are also victims of online harassment and cyberbullying. As part of a 2021–22 United Kingdom parliamentary inquiry into influencer culture, blogger Em Sheldon told MPs she faced relentless abuse and threats from online trolls.

    As the influencer ecosystem expands and its culture evolves, there is increasing pressure for the industry to prioritize ethics over profit. Weeding out the unethical practices lurking in various corners of this lucrative industry will require collective efforts from policymakers, brands, as well as influencers and their followers.

    Aya Aboelenien receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

    Ai Ming Chow does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Are influencers villains, victims or champions of change? The reality is more complex – https://theconversation.com/are-influencers-villains-victims-or-champions-of-change-the-reality-is-more-complex-257527

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Executive’s Housing Budget Fails Northern Ireland’s Most Vulnerable

    Source: The Green Party in Northern Ireland

    Executive’s Housing Budget Fails Northern Ireland’s Most Vulnerable
    Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall has condemned the Executive for slashing the social housing budget at a time of unprecedented need. The Department for Communities has been left unable to meet even its most basic commitments, forcing a drastic cut in new social homes.
    “This is a deliberate political choice to underfund housing and abandon the most vulnerable,” said Cllr Kendall. “The Executive is failing to meet even the most basic commitments to those in desperate need of a home. Whilst I appreciate the Minister is stretching the budget as far as he can, the Executive needs to look at its priorities. Cutting support for those in desperate need is a moral failure. The Executive is failing the people who need help most.”
    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Alleging Genetic Testing Medicare Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – The United States has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against AIMA Business and Medical Support, LLC (AIMA), a company that provides medical billing and compliance services, for allegedly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic laboratory tests.

    AIMA is registered as a Florida limited liability company and offers medical billing and compliance services in the United States. AIMA’s CEO, Aaron Liston, was based in the United Kingdom, AIMA’s employees were based in India, and AIMA provided services to customers in the United States, including billing the Medicare Program on behalf of healthcare providers and suppliers. The United States’ claims arise from AIMA’s alleged conduct in offering Medicare billing advice and submitting bills to Medicare on behalf of a Miami-based diagnostic laboratory called Excellent Laboratories Inc., which did business as Selecta Laboratory (Selecta).

    The United States contends that from August 2018 through August 2019, AIMA billed Medicare Part B approximately $ 15,178,946.00 for genetic tests on behalf of Selecta, even though AIMA knew or should have known that the tests were not medically necessary and were not ordered by the beneficiary’s treating physician. Medicare does not cover the costs of genetic tests that are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness. To be covered by Medicare, a diagnostic laboratory test, including a genetic test, must be ordered by the physician who is treating the beneficiary for a specific medical problem and who uses the results in the management of that problem.  As a result of AIMA’s conduct, Selecta received Medicare funds to which it was not entitled and, correspondingly, paid AIMA for its services.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jesus Barranco of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), made the announcement.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Clarissa Pinheiro is handling the matter, with the HHS-OIG conducting the investigation.

    The investigation and prosecution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The claims asserted in the government’s complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cv-22507.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Romanian National Sentenced for Defrauding Banks and Leaving Hundreds of Banking Customers as Victims in His Wake

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE – A Romanian national illegally present in the United States who is described in court documents as being an “undeterred serial scammer” who left hundreds of victims in his wake after stealing and using their personal banking information has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison and will face deportation proceedings, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Mario Demarco, a/k/a Marius Lupu a/k/a David Adamec, 30, pleaded guilty in January to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 33 months in federal prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Additionally, Demarco was ordered to pay restitution totaling $16,567.06.

    An immigration detainer has been lodged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    Court documents reflect that for more than two years, beginning in October 2022, Demarco traveled up and down the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic installing skimming devices on ATMs. These devices intercepted hundreds of customers’ debit card and banking information, which Demarco used to create fraudulent debit cards. The bogus cards were then used to make unauthorized cash withdrawals, attempted withdrawals, and purchases.

    Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Demarco installed skimming devices on at least ten ATMs and compromised at least 952 cards. Demarco owes restitution to fifteen different banks.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Ly T. Chin.

    The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Warwick, RI, Police Department, Cranston, RI, Police Department, East Greenwich, RI, Police Department, North Kingstown, RI,  Police Department, East Providence, RI, Police Department, Boston, MA, Police Department, New York City Police Department, and the Stratford, CT, Police Department.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple unveils winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple unveils winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards

    June 3, 2025

    UPDATE

    Apple unveils winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards

    Winners and finalists will be recognized for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement at WWDC25

    Today, Apple announced the winners and finalists of this year’s Apple Design Awards, celebrating 12 standout apps and games that set a high bar in design. This year’s winners include development teams spanning the world whose work was selected for excellence in innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.

    “Developers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating apps and games that are not only beautifully designed but also deeply impactful,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We’re excited to celebrate this incredible group of winners and finalists at WWDC and spotlight the innovation and craftsmanship they bring to each experience.”

    The awards recognize one app and one game across six categories: Delight and Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. The winners were chosen from 36 finalists from around the world who have all demonstrated outstanding design experiences across apps and games.

    Delight and Fun

    Winners and finalists in this category provide memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences enhanced by Apple technologies.

    App: CapWords

    Developer: HappyPlan Tech (China)

    CapWords is a dynamic language learning tool that transforms images of everyday objects into interactive stickers — helping learners explore new words in a more intuitive and visual way. Supporting nine languages, the app is a delightful way to learn independently while immersing users in their surroundings.

    Game: Balatro

    Developer: LocalThunk (Canada)

    Balatro is a satisfying fusion of poker, solitaire, and deck-building with roguelike elements. Players combine poker hands with joker cards — each with their own unique abilities — to create varied synergies. Hallmarked by clever details, gripping gameplay challenges players to advance their scores by crafting original decks to beat devious blinds and secure victory.

    Finalists for this category include Lumy by Raja V; Denim by Feel Good Tech; Thank Goodness You’re Here! by Panic; and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier.

    Innovation

    Winners and finalists in this category provide a state-of-the-art experience through novel use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.

    App: Play

    Developer: Rabbit 3 Times (United States)

    Play is a sophisticated yet accessible tool that lets users build interactive prototypes with SwiftUI frameworks. Its thoughtfully crafted user interface is both powerful and easy to navigate, helping designers create interactive prototypes and collaborate across Mac and iPhone, all synced in real time for seamless creativity.

    Game: PBJ — The Musical

    Developer: Philipp Stollenmayer (Germany)

    PBJ — The Musical is snack-based Shakespeare, a charming game that tells the story of Romeo and Juliet with condiments. PBJ creatively mixes rhythm-based gameplay with narrative storytelling and a wonderful soundtrack. And with haptic feedback, clever camera work, and fun dialogue, it’s joyful from the start.

    Finalists for this category include Moises by Music.AI; Capybara by Digital Workroom Ltd; Pawz by Bootloader Studio Holdings Private Limited; and Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB.

    Interaction

    Winners and finalists in this category deliver intuitive interfaces and effortless controls that are perfectly tailored to their platform.

    App: Taobao

    Developer: Zhejiang Taobao Network (China)

    Taobao offers a convenient and engaging shopping experience on Apple Vision Pro, providing incredible 3D models comparable to their real-life counterparts. The immersive experience enhances shopping for users, taking into consideration placement, position, controls, size, and function, and giving people the ability to compare items side by side from an extensive selection of products.

    Game: DREDGE

    Developer: Black Salt Games (New Zealand)

    DREDGE blends slow-burn horror with exploration and adventure. Players take the helm of a fishing boat to navigate eerie islands, uncover strange wildlife, and piece together a haunting mystery. The game offers seamless interactions and a fun world of hidden treasures across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

    Finalists for this category include iA Writer by Information Architects AG; Mela – Recipe Manager by Silvio Rizzi; Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB; and Skate City: New York by Snowman.

    Inclusivity

    Winners and finalists in this category provide a great experience for all by reflecting a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.

    App: Speechify

    Developer: Speechify (United States)

    With support for hundreds of voices in over 50 languages, Speechify is a powerful tool that transforms written text into audio with ease. Designed with accessibility at its core, and by offering features like Dynamic Type and VoiceOver, the app serves as a vital resource for people with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision, as well as anyone who learns best by listening.

    Game: Art of Fauna

    Developer: Klemens Strasser (Austria)

    Beautifully illustrated and mindfully designed, Art of Fauna is a puzzle game that blends vintage-inspired wildlife imagery with a deep commitment to inclusivity and conservation. Players can solve puzzles by rearranging visual elements or reordering descriptive text, making gameplay uniquely interactive. With features like full VoiceOver support and haptic feedback, accessibility is woven throughout the experience.

    Finalists for this category include Evolve by GTA Solutions; Train Fitness by Train Fitness; puffies. by Lykke Studios; and Land of Livia by Split Atom Labs.

    Social Impact

    Winners and finalists in this category improve lives in a meaningful way and shine a light on crucial issues.

    App: Watch Duty

    Developer: Sherwood Forestry Service (United States)

    During devastating wildfires in Southern California, Watch Duty once again served as a lifeline, delivering up-to-the-minute updates, evacuation information, and critical resources with clarity and reliability. The app reports information like active fire perimeters and progress, wind speed and direction, and evacuation orders.

    Game: Neva

    Developer: Developer Digital (United States)

    Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, Neva is an action-adventure tale that follows a girl and her wolf companion through a beautiful world in decline. As the seasons shift, so does their relationship — offering a quiet meditation on care, connection, and the cost of environmental loss. With themes of friendship and leadership, players guide the pair through breathtaking landscapes, and a story that is as moving as it is timely.

    Finalists for this category include Ground News by Snapwise; Opal by Opal OS; Ahoy! From Picardy by Daniel Jones; and Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser.

    Visuals and Graphics

    Winners and finalists in this category feature stunning imagery, skillfully drawn interfaces, and high-quality animations with a distinctive and cohesive theme.

    App: Feather: Draw in 3D

    Developer: Sketchsoft (South Korea)

    This drawing tool allows users to transform 2D designs into 3D masterpieces. Developed with a focus on creativity and user experience, Feather makes it easy for people of all skill levels to build advanced 3D modeling designs on iPad, drawing on touch and Apple Pencil interactions to help users bring their imaginations to life.

    Game: Infinity Nikki

    Developer: Infold Games (Singapore)

    With its enchanted realm of color, detail, and rendering, Infinity Nikki is a true visual achievement. This cozy open-world adventure challenges players to collect wonderful things, and is packed with magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and unexpected moments.

    Finalists for this category include Vocabulary by Monkey Taps; CellWalk by Timothy Davison; Control Ultimate Edition by Remedy Entertainment PLC; and Neva by Developer Digital.

    To learn more about the Apple Design Award winners and finalists, visit developer.apple.com/design/awards or the Apple Developer app.

    Press Contacts

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    News of the spectacular “spiderweb” mass drone attack on Russian air bases on June 1 will have been uppermost in the minds of delegates who assembled the following day for another round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. The attack appears to have been a triumph of Ukrainian intelligence and planning that destroyed or damaged billions of pounds’ worth of Russian aircraft stationed at bases across the country, including at locations as far away as Siberia.

    Ukraine’s drone strikes, much like Russia’s intensifying air campaign, hardly signal either side’s sincere commitment to negotiations. As it turned out, little of any consequence was agreed at the brief meeting between negotiators, beyond a prisoner swap, confirming yet again that neither a ceasefire nor a peace agreement are likely anytime soon.

    But the broader context of developments on the battlefield and beyond can offer important clues about the trajectory of the war in the coming months.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    At an earlier meeting in Istanbul in May, Moscow and Kyiv agreed to draft and exchange detailed proposals for a settlement. The Ukrainian proposal restated the longstanding position of Kyiv and its western allies that concessions on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country are unacceptable.

    In other words, a Russian-imposed neutrality ruling out Nato membership and limiting the size of Ukraine’s armed forces is a non-starter for Kyiv. So is any international recognition of Moscow’s illegal land-grabs since 2014, including the annexation of Crimea.

    The Ukrainian proposal is for an immediate ceasefire along the frontline as “the starting point for negotiations”. Any territorial issues would be discussed “after a full and unconditional ceasefire”.

    In substance, this is very similar to the peace plan presented by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky in late 2022. This was received warmly by Ukraine’s main western allies, but failed to get traction with the broader international community.

    Russia’s proposals, meanwhile, are also mostly old news. Russia maintains its demands for full recognition of Russian territorial claims since 2014, Ukrainian neutrality.

    These stringent Russian demands in return for even a temporary ceasefire are hardly any more serious negotiation positions from Ukraine’s perspective than Kyiv’s proposals are likely to be to Moscow. In fact, what the Kremlin put on the table in Istanbul is more akin to surrender terms.

    Ukraine is in no mood to surrender. The spiderweb drone attack against Russia’s strategic bomber fleet is a significant boost for Ukrainian morale. But, like previous drone strikes against Moscow in June 2023, it means little in terms of signalling a sustainable Ukrainian capability that could even out Russia’s advantages in terms of manpower and equipment.

    The state of the conflict in Ukraine as at June 3 2025.
    Institute for the Study of War

    Closer to the frontlines inside Ukraine, Kyiv’s forces also struck the power grid inside Russian-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This may delay any Russian plans to expand its control over the two regions. But, like the latest drone strikes inside Russia, it is at best an operation that entrenches, rather than breaks the current stalemate.

    There is no doubt that Ukraine remains under severe military pressure from Russia along most of the more than 1,000 mile frontline. The country is also still very vulnerable to Russian air attacks.

    But while Russia might continue to make incremental gains on the battlefield, a game-changing Russian offensive or a collapse of Ukrainian defences does not appear to be on the cards.

    International support

    Kyiv’s position will potentially also be strengthened by a new bill in the US senate that threatens the imposition of 500% tariffs on any countries that buy Russian resources. This would primarily affect India and China.

    These are the largest consumers of Russian oil and gas, and if New Delhi and Beijing decide that trade with the US is more important to them cheap imports from Russia, the move could cut Russia off from critical revenues and imports.

    But, given how indecisive Donald Trump has been to date when it comes to putting any real, rather than just rhetorical, pressure on Vladimir Putin, it is not clear whether the proposed senate bill will have the desired effect. The bill has support of over 80 co-sponsors from both the Republican and Democratic caucuses, meaning the senate could overturn a presidential veto. But any delay in imposing tougher sanctions will ultimately play into Putin’s hands.

    By contrast, European support for Ukraine has, if anything, increased in recent months. For example, EU leaders adopted their 17th sanctions package against Russia on May 20. A week later, Germany and Ukraine announced a new military cooperation agreement worth €5 billion (£4.2 billion).

    It still falls short of what Kyiv would require for a major shift in the balance of power on the battlefield. But for now it is enough to prevent Russia from becoming militarily so dominant that Moscow’s current settlement proposals would present the only option for at least some part of Ukraine to survive as an independent state.

    The war remains in a stalemate. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv appear to have the capacity to escalate their military efforts to the degree necessary that would force the other side to make substantial concessions.

    Both sides are playing for time in the hope that their fortunes may change. For Ukraine, this would mean more US military support coupled with more sanctions pressure on Russia, while Europe follows through on building up its own and Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

    Russia’s calculations will be different. Putin will need to keep his few remaining allies – China, Iran and North Korea – on side while trying to make a deal with Trump. This may be impossible to achieve.

    In this case, the Russian dictator’s best hope might be that Trump does not impose any serious sanctions on Russia or its trade partners, let alone lean into increasing military support for Ukraine.

    For both sides, a lot still hinges on Washington. The unpredictability of the Trump White House, much like the self-imposed restraint under Biden, not only makes it unlikely that the war in Ukraine moves beyond the current stalemate, it has become a major, and perhaps the decisive road block that enables both Moscow and Kyiv to dream of victory in a war that has become unwinnable.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-spiderweb-drone-strike-fails-to-register-at-peace-talks-as-both-sides-dig-in-for-the-long-haul-257927

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia and Liberia elected as non-permanent members of UN Security Council

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (Xinhua) — Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia and Liberia were on Tuesday elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (SC) for a two-year term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.

    Latvia will become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the first time.

    The above-mentioned countries will replace the current non-permanent members of this body, which include Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

    The UN Security Council is considered the most influential body of the world organization. Its task is to maintain international peace and security, it can make legally binding decisions, and also has the right to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement on Visit to Germany

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today released this statement following his visit to Berlin, Germany.

    “I had a very productive visit to Berlin, Germany. I met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The purpose of the visit was to inform our allies in the European Union about the status of the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that has 82 cosponsors in the U.S. Senate. The bill is designed to incentivize China to push Russia to the peace table — the secondary sanctions and tariffs will come down heavy on those who are propping up Putin’s war machine by buying cheap Russian oil and other products.

    “I was incredibly pleased with the meeting with President von der Leyen where she indicated a new set of sanctions was being drafted by the European Commission, focusing on those countries who prop up Putin’s war machine, as well as the Russian energy sector. It was her belief that Russia is playing games when it comes to peace and the only way the change the game for Russia is to increase the consequences of this war for Putin. I agree. She supported lowering the Russian oil price cap, which will hit Putin in the wallet and she believed there was strong support in Europe for that proposal.

    “Additionally, I met with Foreign Minister Wadephul and Chancellor Merz, and expressed my appreciation for their commitment to increase defense spending which will make NATO more lethal and create more deterrence at a time of great upheaval in Europe. Germany has a very capable military, and this additional investment will only continue that trend.

    “The President of the European Commission and the German government expressed appreciation to President Trump for earnestly and sincerely trying to end this war. It is obvious to all that President Trump has gone the extra mile trying to bring the parties together but it’s also clear that Putin is resisting efforts for peace and is in fact preparing for more war.

    “During my meetings with German officials, I was informed that they see a build-up in weapons by Russia, a point that was also echoed in Ukraine and France. Putin is being disingenuous as President Trump works toward peace. Putin is building up his forces and weaponry to engage in more war, with a summer or early fall offensive in the making.

    “Time is of the essence to act decisively. The combination of Europe lowering the Russian oil price cap along with enacting additional sanctions focusing on those who would prop up Putin will greatly enhance the efforts of the United States.

    “This is the last best chance to avoid an expansion of this war and deter aggression throughout the globe. If we can end the Russia-Ukraine war honorably and in a way that prevents future wars, then the world will become more stable.

    “However, if Putin is perceived to be rewarded for his aggression, and Ukraine is abandoned by its allies, it will encourage other bad actors throughout the globe and the consequences will be dire and long-lasting.

    “I appreciate Germany’s leadership regarding brokering peace and their steadfast resolve when it comes to supporting Ukraine. Germany is a valuable ally, and the upcoming meeting between Chancellor Merz and President Trump will be one of the most important meetings between any U.S. president and any German chancellor in our shared history. Godspeed to both.

    “Finally, recent media reports indicating the hour-long meeting in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine resulted in the same old unrealistic, maximalist demands by Russia, telling us all we need to know about Putin’s desire to end the war. This was also confirmed to me by those participating in the talks.

    “It is time to act.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Sidetrade joins the Euronext Tech Leaders 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, announces its inclusion in the 2025 Euronext Tech Leaders Index, the pan-European initiative spotlighting the continent’s most disruptive and high-growth tech companies.

    Launched by Euronext in 2022, the Tech Leaders brings together the 110 most dynamic listed European tech companies, providing them with enhanced visibility, targeted investor access, and exclusive participation in pan-European innovation forums. Sidetrade’s inclusion reflects its alignment with the criteria of the index:

    • A track record of building technologies with transformative impact,
    • A market cap above €300 million,
    • A CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) above 20% over the last three years.

    The Euronext Tech Leaders Index will be updated after markets close on Friday, 20 June 2025, with effect from Monday, 23 June 2025.

    Delphine d’Amarzit, Euronext Paris Chairwoman and CEO, states: “Sidetrade’s 20th anniversary of being listed coincides with the highest possible recognition of its stock market journey: its inclusion in the Euronext Tech Leaders, which brings together technology companies listed on Euronext that stand out for their growth and innovation. I am pleased that the stock exchange has fully played its role in supporting the growth of a company like Sidetrade, which now ranks among the most promising tech companies in Europe, thanks to the long-term vision of its founder, Olivier Novasque, and the work of its teams.”

    Sidetrade’s trajectory reflects a conviction that the future of enterprise finance lies in autonomous systems capable of acting intelligently in dynamic environments. Innovation is in the DNA of Sidetrade. From the outset, the company has approached AI not as a layer of enhancement, but as the engine driving systemic change.

    Central to this transformation is Aimie, Sidetrade’s agentic AI. Built to go beyond predictive analytics, Aimie is an autonomous agent that makes decisions, initiates actions, and adapts in real-time to optimize cash flow processes. From qualifying invoices to orchestrating engagement strategies and accelerating cash collections, Aimie scales behavior-based decision-making across a global network of over 40 million buyers. This intelligence is grounded in Sidetrade’s Data Lake, the world’s richest behavioral dataset for B2B transactions, encompassing more than $7.2 trillion in payment data. It is this combination of machine learning, behavioral modeling, and collaborative intelligence that positions Aimie as an operator that learns, acts, and evolves in the service of enterprise performance.

    The inclusion in the Euronext Tech Leaders segment is also a tribute to Olivier Novasque’s vision as founder and CEO of Sidetrade. Marking 25 years of innovation at Sidetrade, Novasque has championed a bold roadmap to move finance beyond automation and into real-time intelligent orchestration, transforming the CFO office from a reactive unit to a proactive command center.

    “We are honored to join the Euronext Tech Leaders,” said Olivier Novasque, CEO and founder at Sidetrade. “At Sidetrade, we’ve never followed the market. We’ve questioned its limits and investigated how technology should overcome them. In a financial world that is growing increasingly complex by the day, we believe the real breakthrough lies in augmenting human capacity. Our technology is designed to sharpen judgment, accelerate action, and foster resilience. When machines enhance talents, organizations unlock their full potential.”

    Investor & Media relations @Sidetrade

    Christelle Dhrif                 +33 6 10 46 72 00           cdhrif@sidetrade.com

    About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com)
    Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its new-generation agentic AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 40 million buyers worldwide. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States, and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Among them: AGFA, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia.
    For further information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow @Sidetrade on LinkedIn.

    Contact Euronext
    Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        fbornancin-tomasella@euronext.com

    About Euronext
    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Portugal. As of March 2025, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal host nearly 1,800 listed issuers with around €6.3 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices. 
    For the latest news, follow us on X (x.com/euronext) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/euronext).

    In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, only the English version is to be taken into account.

    Attachment

    • Sidetrade joins the Euronext Tech Leaders 2025

    The MIL Network –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why the federal government must act cautiously on fast-tracking project approvals

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mark Winfield, Professor, Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada

    The acceleration of federal approvals for “nation-building projects” was the major theme of this week’s first ministers meeting in Saskatoon. A rush to streamline approvals for resource development and infrastructure projects has been central to the Canadian response to United States President Donald Trump’s profound disruptions to longstanding trade and security relationships.

    At the provincial level, Ontario’s Bill 5 and British Columbia’s Bill 15 also propose to move aggressively to fast-track mining and infrastructure projects.

    These fast-tracking efforts are fuelling debate, particularly in terms of the implications for Indigenous rights and the implicit trade-offs pertaining to the environment and climate change.



    Read more:
    Mark Carney wants to make Canada an energy superpower — but what will be sacrificed for that goal?

    Regulations often a minor factor

    Project review and approval processes in Canada have already been aggressively streamlined over the past decade. The 2019 Federal Impact Assessment Act, also known as Bill C-69, was largely modelled on Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s 2012 Bill C-38 rewrite of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

    It’s important to determine why projects are delayed in the first place. Most move through assessment processes with little delay or controversy. Problems emerge when proposals are poorly designed, face serious technical or economic doubts, raise major environmental, climate or safety concerns, and spark significant social, political or legal conflicts over their costs, benefits and impacts.

    A recent study on mining approvals in B.C., for example, found that far more mines were approved than ever actually developed. The main cause of delays was changing economic conditions. Regulation was found to be only a minor factor.

    While there are always potential ways to improve review processes, the results of previous streamlining efforts suggest the need for caution about the potential for these initiatives to backfire.

    Impact assessment and similar processes emerged as more than a way to accurately assess projects and their risks and benefits. They also provided a framework for managing intense social and political conflicts those projects may generate.

    If these processes are streamlined too much, the conclusions of these assessments may seem illegitimate. There could be a trade-off between clear, certain outcomes and ensuring the approval process is fair and trustworthy.

    Exacerbating conflict

    The Harper government’s Bill C-38 reforms were intended to facilitate the construction of more oil pipelines. In the end, they only escalated the spiralling political and legal conflicts around projects like the Northern Gateway and Energy East pipelines.

    The accompanying Alberta-to-B.C. Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline was only approved after a tortuous process. That culminated in the federal purchase and completion of the pipeline at a cost to taxpayers of $34 billion.



    Read more:
    Why the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion is a bad deal for Canadians — and the world

    A similar process unfolded under Ontario’s 2009 Green Energy Act. The legislation’s aggressive bypassing of local approvals reinforced a backlash against renewable energy projects in rural communities. The end result was a nearly decade-long de facto moratorium on renewable energy development. The situation has only recently eased.

    The political consequences of these efforts at streamlining are noteworthy. The Bill C-38 episode was seen as playing a role in the Harper government’s defeat in 2015. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s loss of his majority government in 2011 was also partly attributed to the rural response to the Green Energy Act.

    Checks and balances

    Aside from the political aspects, it’s important to recognize the value of thorough reviews for projects that are likely to be high-risk, high-cost and high-impact.

    When past reviews have been rushed or cut short, they’ve undermine confidence in the decisions made — especially when even faster processes could increase the risks and costs passed on to taxpayers.

    The Muskrat Falls and Site C hydro projects in Labrador and B.C., respectively, stand as testament to those risks. Both projects ran years behind schedule and billions over budget and continue to face major technical, environmental and economic challenges. Review processes can be important checks on poorly conceived, politically motivated projects.

    It’s also important to think carefully about the long-term economic rationales being presented for projects. Canada is a relatively high-cost fossil fuel producer, making it unlikely to be among the last standing in a decarbonizing world.

    That should raise serious questions about major investments in new fossil fuel export infrastructure. The irony of developing such projects as major wildfires, widely attributed to the impacts of climate change, burn in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba cannot be overlooked.

    Global markets for commodities like critical minerals are also uncertain and in deep flux.

    The high costs of nuclear projects, as demonstrated by recent experiences in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Europe, also make them unlikely candidates to form the foundation for clean energy superpower status.



    Read more:
    ‘Elbows up’ in Canada means sustainable resource development

    ‘Special economic zones’

    Ontario’s Bill 5 represents the most aggressive streamlining proposal seen so far. The legislation would exempt designated “special economic zones” and even trusted proponents — such as mining companies assigned to lead projects — from all applicable provincial and municipal laws and regulations.

    The province’s approach has raised fundamental questions about the rule of law, democratic governance and Indigenous rights, and jurisdictional boundaries.

    Some commentators have pointed out that these zones are common in authoritarian regimes like China’s, or in jurisdictions in deep economic distress.

    Others have accused Ontario of racing to the bottom in terms of health, safety and environmental standards, respect for the rule of law, Indigenous rights and basic democratic values.

    All of this suggests a need for caution in further streamlining review and approval processes for major projects. These are undertakings with risks and costs that could stretch far into the future and must be properly understood before they proceed.

    Mark Winfield receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

    – ref. Why the federal government must act cautiously on fast-tracking project approvals – https://theconversation.com/why-the-federal-government-must-act-cautiously-on-fast-tracking-project-approvals-257095

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commander dismissed from Met for second time

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A Metropolitan Police Commander has been dismissed from the service for a second time for refusing to take a drugs test.

    A misconduct hearing, led by an independent legally qualified chair, found the allegation proven against Commander Julian Bennett at the level of gross misconduct.

    Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “I am enormously concerned that almost five years since this incident happened we have only now been able to dismiss Commander Bennett.

    “This should have been a simple matter. Commander Bennett has never disputed he refused a lawful order to take a drugs test. As a senior officer who had chaired misconduct hearings, Commander Bennett was highly experienced and knew full well what was required of him, yet he made a choice not to co-operate.

    “He has been suspended on full pay for an extraordinary length of time. I am sure Londoners will be as outraged as we are at the utter waste of public funds spent paying a senior officer to sit at home suspended and not work.

    “In the last few years the Met has been making greater use of accelerated misconduct hearings to fast-track cases where the evidence is irrefutable. This allows us to dismiss officers far more quickly. And while the Met is not responsible for all the delays in Commander Bennett’s matter, we are also working hard to expedite cases and cut bureaucracy.

    “I am confident a situation like Commander Bennett’s prolonged case would not happen again.”

    Commander Bennett was initially dismissed in October 2023 by a misconduct panel independent of the Met.

    The hearing heard that on 21 July 2020 he refused to provide a urine sample for a drugs test, having been informed there was reasonable cause to suspect he had taken drugs. On 24 July 2020 he was suspended from duty.

    The panel found that Commander Bennett had breached the standards of professional behaviour to the level of gross misconduct.

    Two further allegations were found not proven – that between February 2019 and 21 July 2020, while off duty, Commander Bennett smoked cannabis, and that he gave an untrue explanation for why he refused to take the drugs test.

    Commander Bennett then applied to the Police Appeals Tribunal, which is an independent process run by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime.

    In July 2024 the PAT quashed the dismissal decision and ordered a new hearing, on the technical basis that the panel had ruled on a matter that was not part of the allegations they were asked to consider.

    The Met considered a legal challenge by way of a Judicial Review but, after careful consideration and legal advice, decided Commander Bennett should face a fresh misconduct hearing.

    A date for a new hearing was set as quickly as possible in liaison with all parties.

    Commander Bennett has remained suspended throughout this process.

    He will be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police and a number of police-related bodies.

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New JCVI Chair appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New JCVI Chair appointed

    Professor Wei Shen Lim KBE will become the new Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation from October.

    • Professor Sir Andrew Pollard will step down as JCVI Chair on 30th September 2025 after 12 years of leadership
    • During his tenure, Sir Andrew has been instrumental in advising governments on vaccination matters and chaired numerous committees
    • Professor Wei Shen Lim, KBE, who is currently Deputy Chair of the JCVI and Chair of the COVID-19 sub-committee, will become the new JCVI chair from 1st October 2025

    Professor Sir Andrew Pollard will step down as Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on 30th September 2025, after sitting on the committee for over a decade.

    The JCVI is an independent departmental expert committee which has worked for over six decades to ensure that immunisation programmes in the UK are both world-leading and a cost-effective use of public money — optimising the protection of children and adults from serious infections.

    Sir Andrew was appointed Chair of the JCVI in 2013, having previously served as a member of the JCVI’s meningococcal sub-committee. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in advising governments on vaccination matters, serving not only as Chair of the main JCVI committee, but also as Chair of the human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sub-committees. Sir Andrew remains a valued expert on vaccination and immunisation as Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, Ashall Professor of Infection and Immunity at the University of Oxford, and a Paediatric Infectious Disease Consultant at Oxford’s Children’s Hospital.  

    Following an open and competitive recruitment process, Professor Wei Shen Lim, KBE will be appointed as the new Chair of the JCVI from 1st October 2025. Professor Lim, KBE is a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and an Honorary Professor of Respiratory Medicine for The University of Nottingham. He currently serves as the Deputy Chair of the JCVI and Chair of the COVID-19 sub-committee.  

    Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England said:

    I am deeply grateful for Sir Andrew’s leadership of the JCVI over the last 12 years. Over this time the JCVI has given advice to support the introduction of vaccination programmes to protect the public against a range of infections including meningococcal disease and RSV. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sir Andrew for his dedication and expertise.

    I am delighted to welcome Professor Lim, KBE as the new Chair of the committee. Professor Lim served as Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured government received timely advice on the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to protect the health of the UK public. I very much look forward to continuing to work with him as the new Chair.

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    Published 3 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off June 8

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off June 8

    This Sunday, June 8, it’s time for another huge double feature. The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK, immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct – a deep-dive into the upcoming sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s award-winning sci-fi RPG. 

    These shows are always an exciting moment for all of us at Xbox, offering a look at brand-new games and updates from across our first-party studios and our incredible partners across the globe. We hope you can join us to watch live. With that in mind, here are all the details you need to know ahead of Sunday: 

    What time does Xbox Games Showcase begin? The Showcase will take place on Sunday, June 8, beginning at: 

    • PDT: June 8, 10am 
    • EDT: June 8, 1pm 
    • BST: June 8, 6pm 
    • CEST: June 8, 7pm 
    • JST: June 9, 2am 
    • AEST: June 9, 3am 

    What time does The Outer Worlds 2 Direct begin? Immediately following the Xbox Games Showcase. 

    How do I watch the Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct? The Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct will be streamed live on official channels, including the below: 

    We’re giving you even more ways to watch this year’s Xbox Games Showcase by streaming the entire event live on TikTok starting at 1 PM EDT / 10 AM PDT / 6PM BST on June 8. Ethan Rothamel returns to lead the livestream with his signature mix of sharp Xbox insight and fan-favorite commentary. This year, he’s joined by TikTok creator Senpapi Gabe, whose passion for video games and community driven commentary has made him a standout voice on the platform. The duo will guide viewers through every reveal, surprise and moment as it happens – all in real time. 

    The show will also be streamed simultaneously on regional Xbox and Bethesda channels around the globe, as well as on Steam. It will also air on China’s Bilibili platform. 

    Please note the /Xbox, /Bethesda and /ObsidianEnt streams on YouTube will be in 4K at 60fps, while all other channels will be 1080p / 60fps. 

    Is the event available in languages other than English? The Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct will be streamed live on YouTube.com/Xbox with English captions, and our other live languages will be available via regional Xbox channels. 

    The languages we will support live on our Xbox channels are: English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Mexican Spanish and Turkish. Following the broadcast, we will add additional languages including Afrikaans, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, Canadian French, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Malay, Norwegian, Persian (Farsi), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. The easiest way to find your preferred language is to go to your region’s Xbox page, or by viewing on the official Xbox YouTube channel at YouTube.com/Xbox and clicking the gear icon in the lower right corner. 

    Is Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct going to be Accessible to those with low/no hearing or low/no vision? There will be a version of the show with Audio Descriptions (AD) in English on the Xbox YouTube channel, American Sign Language (ASL) on Xbox’s YouTube channel and the /XboxASL Twitch channel, and British Sign Language (BSL) on Xbox On’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/XboxOn. 

    I’m not going to be able to watch, where can I find out what was announced? As the broadcast runs, we’ll be publishing detailed blog posts for key announcements right here on Xbox Wire (with localized versions in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, LATAM Spanish, and Japanese to follow). 

    A full show recap will be published on Xbox Wire immediately following the end of Xbox Games Showcase, and a separate recap for The Outer Worlds 2 Direct will go live after the double feature ends. Plus, stay tuned to Xbox Wire in the days following the show for more exclusive articles about games from the show. 

    Will Xbox be releasing post-show content? Starting from Sunday, June 8, the Official Xbox Podcast will be airing a series of special episodes offering updates and deeper dives into announcements featured during Xbox Games Showcase. These shows will be published on Xbox’s YouTube channel and podcast services. Stay tuned for more exciting post-show content on the Xbox YouTube channel and our social media platforms, where we’ll dive-deep into some of your favorite games. 

    Notes for co-streamers and creators: We at Xbox greatly appreciate any co-stream efforts and aim to ensure you have a smooth experience if you choose to do so. However, due to forces beyond our control, we cannot guarantee that glitches or disruptions by bots and other automated software won’t interfere with your co-stream. 

    For those planning to create full post-show breakdowns of the Xbox Games Showcase and/or The Outer Worlds 2 Direct in the form of video-on-demand coverage, we recommend you do not use any audio containing copyrighted music to avoid any action by automated bots, and to also consult the terms of service for your service provider. 

    We can’t wait for you to join us for the Xbox Games Showcase, followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct on Sunday, June 8. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Major Investors Flock to Nimanode’s $NMA Presale to secure access to AI x Blockchain Wave

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nimanode, the first no-code AI agent platform built natively on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), is gaining momentum with its ongoing $NMA token presale. As investor confidence in AI infrastructure and XRP-based innovation grows, Nimanode is drawing serious attention from early adopters seeking exposure to the next phase of Web3 automation.

    With anticipation of a major breakout post-launch, early participants are moving quickly to secure $NMA tokens at presale pricing.

    Join $NMA Presale

    New Kind of On-Chain Intelligence

    Nimanode agents aren’t just simple bots.These agents think, analyze, and execute on-chain tasks ranging from:

    Smart Contract Generation: AI that turns plain-English prompts into executable XRPL Hook contracts.

    DeFi Yield Optimization: Self-directed agents that shift capital between pools to maximize APY.

    Risk Monitoring: Agents that scan wallets and contracts to flag malicious activity in real-time.

    Web3 Customer Support: Deployable support agents that run 24/7 across DAO forums, dApps, and more.

    RWA Compliance: Regulatory agents that keep tokenized assets aligned with local frameworks. And all of it can be created from a zero-code interface, allowing creators, DAOs, or institutions to launch an entire automated ecosystem in minutes.

    Presale Demand Up as Investors Target $NMA for 10X Growth

    With a total of 90 million $NMA representing 45% of $NMA allocated for the presale, this marks a unique and promising chance to claim early access into one of XRP Ledger’s most innovative projects, spearheading the AI ecosystem on the blockchain.

    As the market is currently clouded by volatility and corrections, Nimanode’s presale is emerging as a rare bright spot. Sparking strong FOMO across the XRP community and beyond as investors position themselves early in what many believe could be the next 100X breakout on XRPL.

    Market Analysts already predict strong upside upon exchange listing of $NMA as demand for agent-based infrastructure gains traction.

    This is a chance to invest in $NMA before its Listing at 25% higher than Presale value, however whales position for more as they eye a 10X surge on Launch.

    Join $NMA Presale

    How to Join The Nimanode Presale

    Joining in the NimaNode Presale is quite straightforward for seasoned investors and newbies alike.

    Setup an XRP-Compatible Wallet: Ensure you have a non-custodial wallet capable of receiving XRP native tokens like Xaman Wallet.

    Purchase XRP: Acquire XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit.

    Participate in the Presale: Visit the NimaNode presale page (https://nimanode.com/presale), send your XRP to the provided presale address, and secure your $NMA tokens.

    The last cycle gave us DeFi protocols and NFTs. This cycle is shaping up to be about autonomous infrastructure and Nimanode is at the heart of it.

    Don’t Miss Out – Secure your $NMA Tokens

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Nimanode. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0042cfb6-ccd0-4221-b89b-ff1136aeb0b0

    The MIL Network –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Information on the total number of voting rights and the number of shares making up the share capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Monthly information relating to the total number of shares and voting rights making-up the share capital

    Information mensuelle relative au nombre total d’actions et de droits de vote composant le capital social

    Article L. 233-8 II of the French Commercial code and article 223-16
    of the AMF General Regulation

    Article L. 233-8-II du Code de commerce et article 223-16 du Règlement général de l’AMF

    Name and address of the Company:         Planisware SA
    Dénomination sociale de l’émetteur :        200 avenue de Paris
    92320 Châtillon
    France
    (ISIN code : FR001400PFU4)

    Date Total number
    of shares
    Nombre total d’actions composant le capital    		 Number of theorical
    voting rights
    Nombre de droits
    de vote théoriques    		 Number of effective
    voting rights*
    Nombre de droits
    de vote effectifs*
    31/05/2025 70,024,000 70,024,000 70,012,875

    *Treasury shares excluded / Actions auto-détenues exclues

    Attachment

    • 20250531 – Planisware – total number of shares and voting rights

    The MIL Network –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: New CSC Industry Market Report 2025 Reveals Key EU and Global Trends in Cloud Signature Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region , June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Cloud Signature Consortium (CSC), a global nonprofit dedicated to developing open standards for cloud-based digital trust services and promoting worldwide interoperability, announced the release of its “CSC Industry Market Report 2025 – The Cloud Signature Market: An EU & Global Perspective.” This comprehensive report, compiled by Obserwatorium.biz and NIMBUS on behalf of the CSC, provides an in-depth overview of electronic signature solutions and the evolving digital trust ecosystem worldwide, highlighting the impact of diverse legal frameworks and technologies on secure, cross-border digital interactions.

    The Future of Digital Trust: CSC Industry Market Report Launch

    As e-signatures become increasingly essential in both public and private sectors, the report emphasizes the growing need for adaptable, standards-based solutions to meet regulatory demands and user expectations. The report analyzes the technical spectrum of e-signatures, ranging from traditional certificates on physical devices to cloud-based signatures that enable remote onboarding. It explores the pivotal role of cloud signatures in assuring cybersecurity, ensuring non-repudiation, and providing robust legal validation for modern digital interactions.

    The report draws on original market research, including surveys and in-depth interviews with key market players from regions worldwide. These findings offer unique insights from practitioners who face the challenges, opportunities, and implications of implementing trust services every day. This approach highlights broad industry trends as well as the specific nuances of local markets and operational practices.

    “This report underscores the critical importance of global interoperability in the digital trust ecosystem,” said Viky Manaila, President of the Cloud Signature Consortium. “As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to seamlessly and securely exchange digital signatures across borders is essential for fostering international commerce and collaboration. CSC’s mission to promote worldwide interoperability has never been more critical as businesses and governments accelerate their digital transformation.”

    “The CSC Industry Market Report 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the global cloud-based electronic signature market, with insights from both Europe and beyond. It examines the latest technologies, legal standards, and the rising role of cloud signatures in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. What truly sets this report apart is the market research—surveys and interviews with industry leaders worldwide. Their input helped us capture global trends, local challenges, and opportunities. The result is a fact-based, practical view of the market’s current state and future directions.” said Miłosz Brakoniecki, co-founder and board member of Obserwatorium.biz.

    Download the full report for free at: https://cloudsignatureconsortium.org/csc-industry-market-report-2025-the-cloud-signature-market-an-eu-global-perspective/

    Join our Online Live Launch on June 10th from 2-2:30 PM CET:
    https://zoom.us/meeting/register/AbkIA4RXRhmXbBexncAikg 

    About Cloud Signature Consortium

    The Cloud Signature Consortium (CSC) is a global nonprofit association dedicated to developing open standards for cloud-based digital trust services and promoting worldwide interoperability. The CSC envisions a future where digital signatures are universally trusted and easily accessible, enabling secure and seamless digital interactions across borders and industries.

    Press inquiries

    Cloud Signature Consortium
    https://cloudsignatureconsortium.org/
    Benita Lipps
    info@cloudsignatureconsortium.org
    +32 2 887 08 94
    Novya | Rue De Spa 28 | 1000 Brussels | Belgium

    The MIL Network –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Alderney Residential Property Stock and Price Bulletin 2025 Tuesday 03 June 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release

    Date: 3rd June 2025

    Delivery of housing statistics underpins strategic thinking

    As a first for the Community, an Alderney Residential Property Stock and Prices Bulletin for 2025 has been produced. This follows research being undertaken by the Data and Analysis team in the States of Guernsey, which covers information relating to the past 10 years.

    At the end of March 2025, there were 1,510 domestic property units in Alderney; 47% of the units were owner occupied, 45% were privately rented, 5% were deemed affordable and 4% had a tenure of ‘Other’.

    Within the privately rented category, 36% (16% of the total housing stock) were identified as having an owner whose primary address was not in Alderney. There were also 52 residential property transactions during 2024, compared with 43 during 2023.

    Chairman of the Housing Group, Iain MacFarlane said:

    “Housing is high on the agenda for the States of Alderney and a number of workstreams are underway. This data is welcomed and is essential in providing the States with an understanding of property stock and prices and how they have changed over time which links directly with availability of housing and the various associated trends. Further work will be undertaken to assess evolving, current and future needs for housing.”

    The bulletin can be found at the following link:

    Alderney Residential Property Stock and Price Bulletin 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derry City and Strabane District Council Shortlisted for Prestigious RTPI Northern Ireland Planning

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Derry City and Strabane District Council Shortlisted for Prestigious RTPI Northern Ireland Planning

    3 June 2025

    Derry City and Strabane District Council has been shortlisted for the prestigious RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence 2025 in the category of Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture, recognising their outstanding work on the Clooney Terrace Cannon Regeneration Project.

    The nomination celebrates the Council’s leadership and collaborative approach in transforming the historic Clooney Cannon site into an accessible, vibrant public space that respects and enhances local heritage. Delivered in partnership with the Bonds Street Community Association and Clooney All Saints Church of Ireland, the regeneration project has brought new life to a site of significant cultural and historical value in the Waterside area.

    Completed in 2024, the £215k project included extensive environmental improvements, such as the restoration of the historic Crimean War-era cannon, new seating, planting, lighting, and the installation of interpretive signage. The scheme also created a physical link between the cannon site and the adjacent Clooney All Saints Church garden through a dedicated pathway, improved access points, new boundary railings and sympathetic lighting of the church building—ensuring that both heritage assets are better integrated and appreciated by the public.  The scheme was fully funded by the Department for Communities.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, welcomed the news of the nomination:
    “This recognition from RTPI is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnership working with our local communities. The Clooney Cannon project not only honours an important aspect of our shared history but also creates a welcoming and engaging public space that contributes to the cultural fabric of the city. We’re proud to see our efforts acknowledged at a regional level.”

    Tony Monaghan, Regeneration Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, also praised the nomination and the team behind the project:
    “Being shortlisted for this award is a fantastic achievement and reflects the dedication and professionalism of our regeneration team. I want to sincerely thank our staff, community partners, other stakeholders and our funder DfC who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their efforts recognised in such a meaningful way.”

    Funded by the Department for Communities, with £215k contributed to the project, the regeneration has already had a positive impact on the local community and urban landscape, aligning with broader goals for heritage-led regeneration and place-making in the district.

    The RTPI Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence recognise outstanding contributions to planning that create inclusive, sustainable, and high-quality places. They highlight projects that demonstrate vision, leadership, and positive impact on communities and the built environment. Shortlisted entries span a range of categories, showcasing the breadth of work carried out by planners and built environment professionals throughout the region.

    The winners of the RTPI Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence 2025 will be announced at the Welcome Celebration Event on 9 June 2025, from 12pm to 2pm at Malone House, Barnett’s Demesne, Belfast. The event will celebrate innovation, collaboration, and excellence across Northern Ireland’s planning community.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Motorists advised of road closures as Summer Jamm comes to town

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Motorists advised of road closures as Summer Jamm comes to town

    3 June 2025

    The highly anticipated Summer Jamm Festival is set to return to Strabane town centre this Saturday, June 7th from 12-late, promising a day filled with entertainment, family activities, and community celebration that will transform the heart of Strabane into a vibrant hub of creativity and excitement.

    The event attracts hundreds of visitors every year, and anyone planning on going along this weekend is encouraged to plan their trip, with some road closures and diversions in place to facilitate the event. From 7am-7pm the following roads will be closed to traffic, Railway Street, Main Street, Castle Street and Castle Place. Traffic diversions will be in place with alternative routes signposted.

    Visitors are advised that streets will be busy with lots of activities taking place in and around the town centre, so motorists should use the town centre car parks, or if possible travel to the event using public transport. Please note that Canal Street car park will be closed to facilitate Cullen’s Fun Fair. Disabled parking will be available in the car parks at Canal Basin North, Railway Street, Butcher Street and in Upper and Lower Main Street.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh said: “I am absolutely delighted that one of my first major engagements as Mayor will be celebrating Summer Jamm with the people of Strabane. This fantastic festival has become a cornerstone of our community calendar, bringing together residents and visitors alike to celebrate the best of what our town has to offer. There is so much happening in the town on Saturday and there will be a real festival buzz about the place. I just want to remind people that there will be some minor disruption to traffic flow in some areas, so anyone driving to the event should follow directions and plan ahead for parking.

    “This is a great day for families to come out and enjoy a wonderful summer event together, and of course the additional visitors to the town bring a welcome boost to local business owners. As your new Mayor, I can’t wait to meet people throughout the day and see everyone enjoying this fantastic celebration of our community spirit.”

    Visitors to the town during Summer Jamm are also urged to be aware of the ‘Love Strabane’ campaign spearheaded by Strabane Business Improvement District (BID).

    Chair of Strabane BID Kieran Kennedy explained: “We want to showcase the fantastic offering we have here in the town and encourage locals and visitors to call in and support local businesses. Strabane is renowned for being a hotspot for independent businesses which offers unique one-off pieces that you can’t find anywhere else so we’d encourage everyone to love local and support local on the day and we can’t wait to see the town transformed into a hub of activity and vibrancy.

    “We have an incredibly strong hospitality sector in Strabane and this year we are particularly looking forward to the evening Music Trail. This will showcase the town’s fantastic venues as visitors can enjoy live music performances in our local bars throughout the evening.”

    There’s a packed programme of entertainment planned throughout Saturday for all the family from 12noon – late, with street performances, street drumming, and circus school skills aplenty. New to this year’s event will be the Street Art Festival which features interactive selfie murals and live street art demonstrations throughout the town. Artists will showcase their talents, offering visitors a chance to engage with the art and even try their hand at creating their own masterpieces.

    The popular Bear Run ’74 Supercar is making its first appearance at this year’s Summer Jamm. Featuring an impressive display of supercars, the Bear Run will also raise funds for the Mayor’s chosen charities – PIPS Suicide Prevention Derry and The Castlederg Patient and Comfort Terminally Ill Fund.

    Families will find plenty to enjoy with the Kidz Farm petting zoo, dinosaur encounters, urban sports activities, an interactive drumming circle, and face painting. Street performers, including magicians, dancers, and musicians, will entertain crowds throughout the town centre. Scheduled performances will take place at various locations, ensuring entertainment is always just around the corner.

    The Arts and Crafts and Food Quarter will have a variety of crafts stalls to explore along with a diverse range of culinary cuisine and delicious treats to satisfy everyone’s appetite.

    The Alley Theatre will host additional family-friendly entertainment, including the FizzWizzPop Magic Show at 12noon (tickets £2), this is an interactive magical experience designed to delight children and parents alike. The Alley will also offer face painting, Barry McGowan Art exhibition, and Arts and Crafts Workshops from 12noon.

    Cullen’s Funfair will be taking up residence in the Canal Carpark from June 5th – 8th for anyone who wants to start the celebrations early.

    Keep an eye on the Summer Jamm website: www.derrystrabane.com/summerjamm and Whats On Derry Strabane and The Alley Theatre Facebook pages for further updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Siege of Leicester to be re-enacted at Riverside Festival

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER’S role at the epicentre of the English Civil War will be re-created in a series of dramatic re-enactments this weekend.

    Jim Butler’s Hidden Histories Heritage Events will bring the drama of the Siege of Leicester in 1645 to the city’s annual Riverside Festival, with thrilling skirmishes, loud cannons and soldiers’ drills on The Newarke and a 17th century living history camp on Castle Green.

    On both Saturday 7 June and Sunday 8 June, a re-enactment of the Battle for the Newarke ­­– where some of the fiercest fighting took place – will pit the defenders of Leicester against the forces of King Charles I.

    There will also be free talks at Newarke Houses Museum, where the story of Leicester’s pivotal role in the bloody conflict between the Royalist and Parliamentarian armies will be told.

    “When King Charles I and his forces laid siege to Leicester at the end of May 1645, the town became the epicentre of the entire English Civil War,” said local historian Jim Butler.

    “The tyranny of the king, and his appalling treatment of the people of Leicester, caused a national outcry and Parliamentary forces were swiftly dispatched to recapture the town.

    “The ensuing Battle of Naseby saw victory for the Parliamentarians – and Leicester was finally liberated on 19 June 1645.

    “Those events in Leicester would come back to haunt the king, as the sacking of the town was cited as the most damning evidence of Charles’s tyranny against his people, leading directly to his execution after his trial in January 1649.

    “So the Siege of Leicester was a pivotal moment in the city’s history and had a huge impact on national events, yet so few people today have heard of it.

    “Through our re-enactment events at the Riverside Festival, we hope to engage Leicester’s diverse communities with this incredible episode of the city’s hidden history.”

    The live battle re-enactments will take place on The Newarke from 2pm-3pm on both Saturday 7 June and Sunday 8 June.

    Graham Callister, head of festivals, events and cultural policy, said: “We’re really excited to have the Siege of Leicester re-enactment as one of the highlights of this year’s Riverside Festival – and extremely proud to commemorate this nationally significant moment in the city’s long history as part of a packed programme of events this weekend.”

    The living history camp and Siege of Leicester battle re-enactments are being generously funded by the Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society’s Public Heritage Fund, Leicester City Council’s ward community funds (Castle, Fosse and Saffron wards) and a number of private donations.

    Details of further Hidden Histories Heritage Events taking place in June to mark the 380th anniversary of the Siege of Leicester can be found here

    The full Riverside Festival programme – which features two days of boat rides, kayaking sessions, live music and performance, international street food, licensed bars, craft markets and a pop-up art gallery – can be downloaded here

    Leicester’s biggest free festival runs from 12 noon until 6pm on Saturday 7 June and from 12 noon until 5pm on Sunday 8 June, with activities taking place along the River Soar’s Mile Straight and on Bede Park, Castle Gardens, Western Boulevard and The Newarke.

    Last year’s event attracted around 75,000 visitors.

    ends

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government issues feedback on local plans to reshape councils

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER City Council has today (3 Jun) received the Government’s response to its interim proposal to expand the city’s boundary as part of plans to reorganise local government.

    In December 2024, the Government announced major changes to simplify how local government will work in England. This would abolish the two-tier system of councils which exists in many areas, including Leicestershire, and replace them with larger, single-tier unitary councils. This would in turn pave the way for devolution – the transfer of more power from central government to the regions.

    The Government invited local councils to make proposals for change in their areas.

    It has now issued feedback on the three separate proposals covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

    Leicester City Council’s interim proposal suggests a sensible and proportionate expansion of the city boundaries to include adjoining suburbs. This would create an expanded city council and a new single-tier authority in the county. These would be of roughly equal size and would both meet the Government’s target population for new unitary authorities, of at least 500,000 people.

    The Government feedback provides guidance on how plans can be further developed into a final submission for November. No decisions have been made at this stage. 

    City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We have now received and will carefully consider the Government’s feedback to our interim proposal and will be continuing discussions with the county, district and Rutland councils to see if we can agree a way forward.

    “I remain absolutely convinced that any realistic option for local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland must address the historic accident of our city’s boundaries. An expanded city is key to unlocking devolution and boosting much needed housing development and economic growth.

    “With the local elections in the county now concluded, I hope that we will now be able to return to sensible discussions about where new boundary lines should be drawn as we consider not just the challenges but also the immense opportunities of reshaping our local councils.

    “We will, of course, ensure that people are kept informed as our proposal develops over the coming months.”

    Leicester City Council will now continue discussions with the county, district and Rutland councils to see if a joint proposal for change across the area can be developed.

    If this is not possible, the city council will continue to develop its own plan.

    All councils must submit their final proposals by 28 November 2025.

    Central government will have the final decision on a proposal, and will lead public consultation on it.

    The Government’s response to Leicester’s interim proposal is available to view online at: leicester.gov.uk/devolution

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister McGuinty to travel to Brussels, Belgium to participate in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 3, 2025 (TBC) – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    The Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, will travel to Brussels, Belgium from June 4 to 5, 2025, to meet with Allies and partners.

    On June 4, Minister McGuinty will begin his day with a wreath laying at the Commonwealth War Graves Brussels Town Cemetery. Later that day he will participate in the 28th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by Germany and the United Kingdom at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. On June 5, Minister McGuinty will participate in a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

    On June 5, Minister McGuinty will hold a scrum/doorstep at NATO Headquarters.

    Details for the doorstep:

    • Date: June 5, 2025
    • Time: 8:20 a.m. Central European Time (CET) / 2:20 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
    • Location: NATO Headquarters

    Notes for media:

    Associated Links:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Quadient Q1 2025 sales at €258m, with strong performance in Digital and Lockers. FY 2025 guidance maintained

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key highlights

    • Q1 2025 consolidated revenue of €258 million, down 1.1% on a reported basis, including the contribution of Package Concierge, and down 2.5% organically(1)
    • Continued good momentum in Digital and Lockers, with double-digit growth in subscription-related revenue
    • Low point in the renewal cycle of mail equipment installed base, as expected
    • Positive current EBIT evolution supported by all three Solutions
    • Acceleration of digital financial automation strategy in Europe with the acquisition of Serensia, a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform
    • Stronger H2 anticipated on the back of continued strong momentum in Digital and Lockers with further improvement in profitability, expected Mail recovery and good order pipeline across Solutions
    • FY 2025 guidance maintained, i.e. organic growth acceleration in both revenue and current EBIT

    Paris, 3 June 2025

    Quadient S.A. (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, today announces its 2025 first quarter consolidated revenue (period ended on 30 April 2025).

    Geoffrey Godet, Chief Executive Officer of Quadient S.A., stated:

    “The first quarter of 2025 has been another strong quarter for our Digital and Lockers solutions, which delivered solid levels of subscription-related revenue organic growth at +11.1% for Digital and +12.7% for Lockers, demonstrating the strength and success of our two fast growing solutions as well as the quality of our recurring business model.

    As expected, our Mail performance was softer, reflecting the low point in the renewal cycle and a tough comparison base following the decertification-driven boost in 2024 in the United-States. The situation was further exacerbated by a particularly challenging American macroeconomic environment during the first quarter.

    Despite these headwinds in the quarter, we achieved current EBIT organic growth, supported by EBITDA margin positive development in all three solutions.

    With the acquisition of Serensia, a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform, Quadient is accelerating its digital financial automation strategy in Europe and will bring superior digital intelligent automation capabilities to its 300K+ customers worldwide, and notably to its 60K+ French customers, further accelerating their digital transformation, as they anticipate the 2026 mandatory e-invoicing law in France.

    While we expect the same uncertainty and market conditions to continue in Q2, we remain confident in our ability to deliver a stronger second half. As a result, we are maintaining our full-year 2025 guidance of acceleration in both organic revenue growth and organic EBIT growth compared to the 2024 growth rates.”

    Comments on Q1 2025 performance

    Group revenue came in at €258 million in Q1 2025, down 1.1% on a reported basis, and 2.5% organically compared to Q1 2024. Reported growth includes a positive scope effect of €4 million from the acquisition of Package Concierge in December 2024. The currency impact was broadly flat over the period.

    Subscription related revenue (€193 million, 75% of total sales) increased by +1.2% organically over Q1 2025, reflecting the continued strong momentum in Digital and Lockers. In contrast, non-recurring revenue declined by 12.0% organically against Q1 2024, due to a low point in the renewal cycle of mail equipment installed base, as expected. The decline in hardware sales has however been amplified by the challenging macroeconomic environment in the United States.

    By geography, North America (59% of revenue) declined organically by 2.4% in Q1 2025, impacted by macroeconomic uncertainty in the US delaying customer decision making and a strong comparison base in Mail following last year’s decertification-driven uplift in sales. The Main European countries (33% of revenue) recorded a 2.8% organic decline, while the International segment (8% of revenue) was down 2.0% organically.

    Consolidated revenue by Solution

    Q1 2025 consolidated revenue

    In € million Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Organic change
    Digital 67 63 +6.5% +7.2%
    Mail 164 178 (7.9)% (7.9)%
    Lockers 27 20 +35.4% +12.2%
    Group total 258 261 (1.1)% (2.5)%
     

    Digital

    In Q1 2025, revenue from Digital reached €67 million, up 7.2% organically and up 6.5% on a reported basis compared to Q1 2024.

    This solid performance was driven by a strong 11.1% organic growth in Q1 2025 in subscription-related revenue, in acceleration compared to the previous quarter. Growth was broad-based across all regions, including a double-digit growth in North America. Subscription-related revenue represented 85% of Digital total sales, a further increase compared to 82% in Q1 2024.

    At the end of Q1 2025, annual recurring revenue (ARR) reached €237 million(2), vs. €232 million at the end of FY 2024, representing a 9.6% organic growth on an annualized basis.

    The Digital solution continued to demonstrate healthy booking trends, highlighted by:

    • Robust cross-selling bookings with Mail customers, up c. +50% year-on-year;
    • Double-digit growth in new customer acquisition within the Enterprise business.

    During the quarter, Quadient’s Digital Automation platform received several leadership recognitions across multiple analyst rankings, notably in AP/AR financial automation, where it is now ranked on par with its high positions in CCM/CXM.

    Quadient is accelerating its digital financial automation strategy in Europe, with the acquisition on 2nd June 2025 of Serensia, a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform, trusted by more than 160 customers (including TotalEnergies, Dalkia, RATP…), processing nearly 200 million invoices annually. This acquisition provides Quadient with:

    • First-class software Intellectual Property for its PDP platform (Partner Dematerialization Platform, registered by the French State), and
    • Access to Pan-European Public Procurement Online (PEPPOL) market.

    This acquisition further strengthens Quadient’s Finance Automation portfolio (which includes online payment, e-invoicing, account payable and account receivable automation, credit analysis, hybrid mail, …), and further accelerates Quadient’s Mail customers’ digital transformation, by providing additional pathways towards the necessary adoption of e-invoicing solutions, legally mandated across Europe. Please refer to our dedicated press release published on 2nd June for more details.

    Mail

    Mail revenue reached €164 million in Q1 2025, down 7.9% organically and on a reported basis compared to Q1 2024.   

    Hardware sales recorded a 15.8% organic decline in the first quarter of 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by:

    • A softer performance across all regions. This was expected, given the echo effect of the COVID period, with fewer contracts for renewal, reflecting the lower level of hardware placements made during the pandemic 5 years ago;
    • The United States was particularly affected, with a strong comparison base in Q1 2024, which had benefited from the decertification boosting effect (which ended in Q4 2024), as well as by increased economic uncertainty that delayed customer decision-making.

    Subscription-related revenue (72% of Mail sales) recorded an organic decline of 4.4% in the quarter.

    Despite these headwinds, Quadient continued to outperform the market this quarter.

    The Mail automation platform continued to show good commercial momentum, and double-digit growth in cross-sell order intake with Lockers and +50% for Digital bookings in Q1 2025. This dynamic is illustrated by the expansion of the partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, which has long relied on Quadient’s parcel locker systems to facilitate on-campus student and staff deliveries and is now extending the relationship to include a comprehensive mail management solution.

    At the end of April 2025, already 44.0% of Quadient installed base has been upgraded with its newest technology, compared to 42.4% at the end of January 2025.

    H2 2025 performance is expected to recover as the Mail equipment business will be supported by a stronger pipeline of contracts up for renewal over the second part of the year.

    Lockers

    Lockers revenue reached €27 million in Q1 2025, a 12.2% increase on an organic basis. The reported growth stood at 35.4% year-on-year, reflecting the positive contribution from Package Concierge (€4 million in Q1 2025).

    Subscription-related revenue increased by 12.7% organically in Q1 2025, benefiting from:

    • The outstanding strong volumes ramp up in the UK and French open networks;
    • The continued momentum in the US, driven by higher monetization of usage fees.

    Overall, subscription-related revenue stood at 65% of total revenue in Q1 2025 (vs. 68% in Q1 2024, this small drop reflecting the different revenue mix at the recently acquired Package Concierge).

    Non-recurring revenue (license & hardware sales and professional services) grew strongly by 11.4% organically in Q1 2025, driven by a significant locker placement in International, which more than offset the softer performance in North America. Moreover, another hardware sales deal for circa €5 million has been signed in International and will be recognized in H2 2025

    Quadient’s global locker installed base reached c.26,100 units at the end of Q1 2025, with 600 new lockers deployed over the quarter. This reflects the accelerated pace of new locker installations, particularly in the UK open network, which has expanded nearly fourfold over the last 15 months. This growth is driven by partnerships signed in recent quarters to host parcel lockers in new prime locations.

    In the UK, Quadient extended its partnership with EVRi, with a new large and long-term deal signed, including the consolidation of returns (Drop Box functionality). Quadient also signed a strategic partnership with Stasher, offering travelers a nationwide luggage storage service through Quadient’s smart locker network. These partnerships are expected to further drive volume and support continued adoption growth. In Japan (International segment), Quadient expanded the access to its network so that Amazon parcels can be delivered within approximately 6,000 “PUDO Stations” nationwide.

    LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT

    In May 2025, Quadient proactively extended the maturity of its €300 million undrawn Revolving Credit Facility by an additional year, pushing it to 2030.

    FY 2025 GUIDANCE MAINTAINED

    While Q2 is expected to face similar markets conditions to the previous quarter and continued macroeconomic uncertainty, Quadient remains confident in its ability to deliver a stronger performance in the second half of the year. This confidence is supported by:

    • A good profitability start of the year, with an improvement in EBITDA margin across solutions;
    • Moving forward:
      • Sustained strong momentum in Digital and Lockers, with further improvement in profitability;
      • An expected recovery in Mail in H2, as the renewal cycle of the mail equipment installed base should reverse and provide greater opportunities;
      • A promising order pipeline across solutions.

    In this this context, Quadient maintains its full-year 2025 guidance, of acceleration in both organic revenue growth and organic current EBIT growth compared to the 2024 growth rates, while acknowledging that ongoing global economic disruptions and their impact, in particular on the US market, remain difficult to predict at this stage.

    Q1 2025 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

    Quadient Recognized in Inaugural 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Accounts Payable Applications
    On 4 April 2025, Quadient announced it has been recognized in the first ever 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Accounts Payable Applications. A Gartner Magic Quadrant is a culmination of research in a specific market, giving a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the market’s competitors3.

    Quadient Receives SBTi’s Validation of its GHG Emission Reduction Targets
    On 7 April 2025, Quadient announced that the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. SBTi is a corporate climate action initiative that provides companies with science-based guidance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This validation confirms that Quadient’s commitments align with scientific requirements to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

    Quadient Recognized in Analyst Report on Top AI Use Cases for Finance Automation
    On 16 April 2025, Quadient announced it has been recognized in a recent Forrester report on ways artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming accounts receivable (AR) processes. The report, “Top AI Use Cases for Accounts Receivable Automation In 2025,” includes mentions of Quadient AR for cash application and payment notice. Quadient considers its inclusion in the report as proof of the impact its AI- and machine learning-powered financial process automation offer, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities.

    Quadient Named a Leader in the SPARK Matrix™: Customer Communication Management Report for 2025
    On 24 April 2025, Quadient has been recognized as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix™: Customer Communication Management (CCM), Q2, 2025 report by global advisory and consulting firm QKS Group. This marks the fifth consecutive year Quadient has been named a Leader in the SPARK Matrix for CCM, a strategic vendor performance assessment tool that ranks vendors across the categories of Technology Excellence and Customer Impact.

    Quadient: 11% Increase in Software Sales to Mail Clients in 2024 Reflects Rising Demand for Smarter, Multichannel Communications
    On 30 April 2025, Quadient shared that businesses are increasingly turning to digital solutions to meet rising customer expectations for modern, multichannel communication. This shift is driving tangible growth: in fiscal year 2024, Quadient recorded a record 11% increase in cross-sales of its Digital automation solutions within its Mail customer base.

    POST-CLOSING EVENTS

    Stasher and Quadient Partner to Launch Nationwide Luggage Storage Using UK Smart Locker Network
    On 7 May 2025, Quadient announced a strategic partnership with Stasher, the world’s first luggage storage platform. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Stasher’s UK network and will provide travelers in key cities throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham, York, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff and Manchester, with more convenient, secure, and accessible luggage storage options through more than 1,640 Parcel Pending by Quadient smart lockers.

    Quadient and Nuvei Sign New Partnership to Enhance Cloud Payment Capabilities for Businesses Globally
    On 13 May 2025, Quadient and Nuvei announced a strategic technology partnership to enhance cloud payment capabilities for businesses globally. Through this partnership, Nuvei’s advanced payment processing technology is now integrated into Quadient’s cloud-based Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) automation solutions, providing businesses of all sizes across North America, the UK, and Europe with a unified platform to manage B2B payments more efficiently, securely, and at scale.

    AI-powered Automation and Real-Time Payments Secure Quadient Leader Position in SPARK Matrix for Accounts Receivable
    On 15 May 2025, Quadient has been positioned as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix™: Accounts Receivable Applications, 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year Quadient has been named as a leader in the report produced by the technology advisory and research firm QKS Group. Quadient believes this recognition is a testament to its continuing commitment to help businesses accelerate digital transformation, automate financial processes to increase business performance and create high-value customer interactions.

    Quadient Surpasses 300 Higher Education Locker Customers, Helping Campuses Modernize Logistics and Tackle Food Insecurity
    On 27 May 2025, Quadient announced that more than 300 higher education institutions in the U.S. are now relying on Parcel Pending by Quadient Lockers for streamlined package pickup and drop-off, bookstore merchandise, class and IT equipment exchange points, and addressing the challenge of student food insecurity.

    Quadient Advances AI Capabilities to Help Organizations Power Better Customer Interactions and Revenue Growth
    On 28 May 2025, Quadient announced the release of advanced AI capabilities designed for crafting and orchestrating highly personalized, omnichannel customer interactions. The extended AI is part of the latest release of Quadient Inspire, an industry-leading customer communications management (CCM) solution, and represents Quadient’s continued investment in transforming the way businesses dynamically communicate with customers.

    Quadient Accelerates its Digital Financial Automation Strategy in Europe with the Acquisition of Serensia
    On 2 Juin 2025, Quadient announced the acquisition of Serensia, a highly recognized a leading French electronic invoicing platform provider accredited by the French government as a Partner Dematerialization Platform (PDP). This strategic acquisition strengthens Quadient’s position in digital compliance and its ability to support both its 150,000 European customers and the more than 8 million businesses impacted in France as they transition to mandatory electronic invoicing.

    To know more about Quadient’s news flow, previous press releases are available on our website at the following address: https://invest.quadient.com/en/newsroom.

    CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST

    Quadient will host a conference call and webcast today at 6:00 pm Paris time (5:00 pm London time).

    To join the webcast, click on the following link: Webcast.

    To listen to the presentation by phone, please register using the following link to receive the dial-in details: Conference call.

    A replay of the webcast will also be available on Quadient’s Investor Relations website for 12 months.

    Calendar

    • 13 June 2025: Annual General Assembly
    • 24 September 2025: Half-year results and Q2 2025 sales

    About Quadient®

    Quadient is a global automation platform provider powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext® Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing.

    For more information about Quadient, visit https://invest.quadient.com/en/.

    Contacts

    APPENDIX

    Digital: New name for Intelligent Communication Automation

    Mail: New name for Mail-Related Solutions

    Lockers: New name for Parcel Locker Solutions

    Q1 2025 consolidated revenue

    Q1 2025 consolidated revenue by geography

    In € million Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Organic
    change
    North America(a) 151 150 +0.6%(d) (2.4)%
    Main European countries(b) 86 89 (2.9)% (2.8)%
    International(c) 21 23      (5.6)%(d) (2.0)%
    Group total 258 261 (1.1)% (2.5)%
    (a)  Including the United States and Canada. Brazil and Mexico are also part of this segment as of 1stJanuary 2025.
    (b)  Including Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy (excluding Mail), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
    (c)  International includes the activities of Digital, Mail and Lockers outside of North America and the Main European countries. From 1stJanuary 2025, Brazil and Mexico are no longer included and are now part of North America.
    (d)  The reported changes reflect a €0.9m reclassification effect due to the transfer of Brazil and Mexico from International to North America as of 1stJanuary 2025.

    (1) Q1 2025 sales are compared to Q1 2024 sales, to which is added pro rata temporis the revenue of Package Concierge for a consolidated amount of €4 million. The currency impact is broadly neutral in the period.
    (2) Q1 2025 ARR includes a €1.3 million positive currency effect vs 31 January 2025.
    (3) Gartner Research Methodologies, Gartner Magic Quadrant, 28 March 2025

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major step forward for homes on another brownfield site

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 3rd June 2025

    A former Stoke-on-Trent school site which has been vacant for almost two decades is being given a new lease of life as a brand-new housing estate for almost 120 homes.

    Plans to transform the former Brookhouse Green Primary School site in Wellfield Road, Bentilee, into 117 new, affordable homes were approved in April as part of the city council’s mission to ensure everyone has access to a decent home. 

    Now the authority has entered into a pre-construction services agreement with GRAHAM – and work is expected to start on site before the start of next year.

    The national company will work collaboratively with the council to ensure that homes are of high quality and energy efficient.

    The plans include a mix of homes for older people to live independently, dormer bungalows, apartments and family houses. Construction is expected to last approximately two years.

    Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “We have got a fantastic opportunity here to transform derelict brownfield land into new homes, creating new jobs and a sense of community.

    “We know people are in desperate need of new, affordable homes so I’m delighted that we have appointed GRAHAM and we are looking forward to working with them in future.

    “By working together, we’re making great strides to bring much-needed new homes to the city to ensure families can live their best lives now and in the future.”

    Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, ward councillor for Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend, added: “The redevelopment of this site will make a massive difference to local residents. This is a large piece of land which has been empty since the old school closed back in 2006, so I’m really pleased to see progress being made to bring it back into use.”

    The Wellfield Road site was deemed surplus to requirements in 2020. The redevelopment is being supported by a £1.8 million government grant from the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2.

    Ronan Hughes, Regional Director at GRAHAM,said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to bring this long-vacant site back into productive use.

    “By delivering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient homes, we’re helping to address local housing needs and support wider regeneration goals. This project is a great example of how collaboration can unlock social value and long-term benefits for communities.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flower power — The Island’s summer makeover is in full bloom! 3 June 2025 Flower power — The Island’s summer makeover is in full bloom!

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The Island’s gone floral!

    Summer planting is now in full bloom across the Isle of Wight, turning heads (and flower beds) with a dazzling display of colour and creativity.

    Thanks to the green-thumbed efforts of John O’Conner’s team, an eye-popping 24,441 bedding plants have been tucked into public flower beds across the Island. That’s right — twenty-four thousand, four hundred and forty-one. We counted. (Well, they did.)

    This year’s floral line-up includes the ever-cheerful Osteospermums, classic geraniums, playful antirrhinums (that’s snapdragons to most of us), and the bold and beautiful salvias.

    Chosen for their ability to thrive in the Island’s salty sea air, these blooms are more than just a pretty face. They’re part of a carefully curated planting scheme designed to brighten up our public spaces and support local biodiversity.

    Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment, and planning at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It’s always a joy to see the Island come alive with colour at this time of year.

    “The planting has been thoughtfully designed to thrive in our coastal conditions, and we hope residents and visitors alike will enjoy the displays throughout the summer.

    “We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Island’s town, parish and community councils for their ongoing collaboration and support. Their commitment to floral excellence and pride in our public spaces plays a vital role in making the Isle of Wight bloom so beautifully each year.”

    And the job doesn’t stop at planting — John O’Conner’s team will be on watering duty too, keeping the blooms perky, pampered, and paparazzi-ready all summer long.

    Summer has officially landed — and it’s dressed to impress!

    Gardener’s tip of the week

    Want your own garden to rival the Island’s dazzling displays? Try watering early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and keep your plants happy.

    Bonus tip: talking to your plants might not be scientifically proven, but it certainly can’t hurt — and it makes you look delightfully eccentric to the neighbours.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 4, 2025
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