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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Leo XIV to the Church of France: Your Saints will help you renew your missionary zeal

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    CCO/Torsade de Pointes

    by Gianni ValenteVatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The most beautiful and simplest “mission program” for the Church in France is not a strategy directed to resist secularization. Nor does it consist in a “genetic engineering” operation to redistribute powers and responsibilities within ecclesial structures. It is much more useful and fruitful to seek the face of one’s own Saint, the Saints of one’s own history, every day. And to ask that God himself, with their help, renew “the wonders he has accomplished in the past”, also through them. Pope Leo XIV emphasizes this in a letter to the French bishops and “to all your faithful”, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Canonization of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus.The Message, published today in the bulletin of the Holy See, is dated Wednesday, May 28.Close to the Heart of JesusPope Pius XI canonized the three French Saints in May 1925 (Thérèse of Lisieux on May 17th, John Mary Vianney and John Eudes on May 31st).A century later – the Bishop of Rome notes today – the “continuing relevance” of the three holy figures stands out strongly in the face of the “breadth of challenges that, a century later, present themselves to the Church in France”.In some passages of the message, Pope Prevost realistically notes that the People of God in France often walk “with courage, despite the contrary and sometimes hostile winds of indifference, materialism and individualism”. He recalls that “the lack of vocations is harshly felt in your dioceses and priests are under increasing strain”.In such a context, the three Saints should not be understood as witnesses to a cultural counteroffensive, but just for “a spiritual trait that John Eudes, John Mary Vianney and Thérèse have in common and present in a very meaningful and attractive way to the men and women of today”. All three, simply, “loved Jesus unreservedly in a simple, strong and authentic way; they experienced his goodness and tenderness in a special daily closeness, and they bore witness to it in an admirable missionary drive”.All three lived and bore witness to the closeness to the Heart of Christ that even “the late Pope Francis” wanted to recall with his last encyclical Dilexit nos, the “beautiful Encyclical on the Sacred Heart”, which “he left us, rather like a testament”. And – Pope Leo suggests – “there could be no more beautiful and simple programme of evangelization and mission for your country: to help everyone discover the tender and devoted love that Jesus has for them, to the point of transforming their lives”. Like John Eudes, who was the first to celebrate the liturgical worship of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary; like John Mary Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars, for whom “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”. Like Thérèse of Lisieux, “she who “breathed” the Name of Jesus at every moment of her life, and who taught the little ones an “easy” way to access it “.The “easy way” for the little onesCelebrating the centenary of the canonization of these three saints by Pope Ratti – underlines the Bishop of Rome – is first and foremost an invitation”to give thanks to the Lord for the marvels he has accomplished” in this land of France over long centuries of evangelization and Christian life. Saints – the Pontiff continued – do not appear spontaneously but, “by grace, emerge from living Christian communities that have been able to transmit the faith to them, to kindle in their hearts the love of Jesus and the desire to follow him”. And commemorating the Saints of France does not merely “evoke nostalgia for a past that might seem bygone”. Rather, it can become an opportunity to ask them today too “to awaken hope and give rise to a new missionary impetus”. Because “God can, with the help of the saints he has given you and whom you celebrate, renew the marvels he has accomplished in the past”. (Agenzia Fides, 31/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Children need more say in their education – here’s why it matters

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Yana Manyukhina, Senior Researcher, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy, UCL

    Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

    Education shouldn’t be a passive experience, with children simply absorbing the knowledge teachers pass on to them. Research shows that when children have an input into their learning – helping to decide topics to cover, or specific activities, or how they are assessed – they feel more motivated, engaged in learning and happier in school.

    But when we asked children about their opportunities to make choices in their education, they were often downbeat. “I’m a child and I can’t do anything,” one seven-year-old said.

    This powerful statement captures a sentiment we found repeatedly in research for our new book. We set out to understand how much agency children have in their education, and what difference it makes when they do.

    Our 40-month study, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, involved in-depth research across three contrasting primary schools in England: an independent (fee-paying) school, a community state school and an academy state school.

    Academy schools operate independently from local council control with greater curriculum flexibility, while community schools are run directly by local authorities. We spoke with children, observed lessons and interviewed teachers and headteachers.

    The findings were clear: when children have meaningful input into their learning, their motivation soars. But too often, particularly in core subjects such as English and mathematics, children feel like passive recipients rather than active participants in their education. “We don’t decide, we just do what we’re told to do,” one child said.

    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.

    Children across all three schools consistently expressed a desire for more choice in their education.

    When asked whether they had opportunities to make choices in their learning, one child at the independent school stated: “We don’t really get to choose what we do in the lessons.” This sentiment was echoed in the community state school, where children had no expectation that they could have input into the curriculum.

    They also distinguished between “work” (subjects such as English and mathematics) and “fun” (creative subjects such as art). They described how they enjoyed the latter while the former were subjects they simply “had to do”.

    Most revealing was the contrasting experience in the academy school, which had developed a distinctive approach to curriculum design involving direct pupil input. Here, children reported significantly higher levels of engagement. “I really enjoy school, and I really enjoy being able to pick what we do,” one child told us.

    These voices highlight a crucial point: children don’t expect complete freedom, but they do want meaningful opportunities to influence their experience of school.

    The power of structured freedom

    Our research led to the development of what we call “structured freedom” – a balanced approach that maintains necessary educational structures while creating space for children’s agency. This isn’t about abandoning standards or letting children do whatever they want. Instead, it’s about giving children opportunities for meaningful choice within clear frameworks.

    Children appreciated having choice in how they learned.
    Juice Verve/Shutterstock

    The academy school in our study demonstrated this approach most clearly. The starting point for each year’s curriculum was children helping to shape curriculum topics. They brought in items of interest, ranging from Coca-Cola bottles to pieces of rock. The teachers then connected these objects to required curriculum content through conversations with the children.

    The school maintained clear classroom structures but provided choices about learning activities and assessment methods. Children could select which skills to work on during lessons – whether knowledge-building, research or collaboration – and at what difficulty level. They also documented their learning journey creatively in topic books using photos, pictures, drawings, diagrams or stories.

    This balanced approach paid dividends. Teachers reported higher engagement among children, and genuine enthusiasm for learning across subjects.

    England’s national curriculum has a heavy focus on content – the topics to be taught – and limited attention to children’s agency. However, the national curriculum is under review. This provides a rare opportunity to place children’s agency at the heart of educational reform – not at the expense of standards, but as an essential component of achieving them.

    Our findings also suggest several important considerations for parents. Children who experience agency in their learning show greater motivation, engagement and more positive attitudes toward education.

    With rising concerns about children’s mental health and increasing school absenteeism, supporting agency offers a practical way to reconnect children with learning. Parents might consider asking schools about opportunities for children’s input into curriculum topics, teaching approaches and assessment methods.

    The schools in our study often struggled to enable children’s agency, but they also showed possibilities for the next national curriculum. Listening to children’s voices isn’t only about rights. It’s about creating more effective learning experiences that prepare children for an uncertain future.

    Yana Manyukhina received funding from The Leverhulme Trust for the research reported in this article. She has received funding from a range of organisations for research including from the Helen Hamlyn Trust.

    Dominic Wyse received funding from The Leverhulme Trust for the research reported in this article. He has received funding from a range of organisations for his research including from the Helen Hamlyn Trust.

    Dominic is currently an advisor for the development of the primary curriculum in Ireland and a member of the Literacy Expert Panel for the Welsh Government.

    – ref. Children need more say in their education – here’s why it matters – https://theconversation.com/children-need-more-say-in-their-education-heres-why-it-matters-256272

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DFN Project SEARCH interns celebrate graduation at Kings College A project which aims to increase the number of people with learning disabilities who secure employment in the north-east of Scotland held its annual graduation ceremony at the University of Aberdeen last week.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    A project which aims to increase the number of people with learning disabilities who secure employment in the north-east of Scotland held its annual graduation ceremony at the University of Aberdeen last week.
    The DFN Project SEARCH programme celebrated the achievements of the class of 2024/25 at Kings College Conference Centre on Friday, 30 May.
    The programme is a collaborative project which provides real-life work experience, combined with training in employability and independent-living skills, to young people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions who want to go on to find paid employment.
    Samantha Waters, Chief Governance Officer and University Secretary, who presented the interns with their graduation certificates, said: “We are delighted to have hosted this unique programme at the University for 12 years. Graduation ceremonies are always special, and this event is a proud moment for the interns, their families, and all our colleagues in the University and beyond who have supported them over the last year.
    “Project SEARCH is instrumental in paving the way for change beyond education and the workplace and into society more generally. Our graduating interns are wonderful ambassadors for young people in the workplace who champion neurodiversity and we wish them every success in the future.”
    Neil Cowie, Principal of North East Scotland College, where the interns are registered students, said: “Graduation ceremonies are always one of the highlights of the calendar and, on behalf of everyone at NESCol and all of our project partners, our congratulations go to the class of 2025.
    “It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year but also to look forward to the exciting next steps for a group who have shown great dedication, application and skill as they have progressed through the programme. My thanks go to all who have played their part in supporting and mentoring our interns over the past year – we all look forward to following the stories of our graduates as they thrive in the work and in life.”
    The ceremony also included contributions from senior representatives from Values Into Action Scotland (VIAS), which holds the licence to operate the DFN Project SEARCH programme in Aberdeen.
    Norma Curran, Chief Executive, said: “As an organisation, VIAS is very proud of the achievements of this year’s interns. It is almost impossible to articulate the growth that we have seen in them throughout the year. They are such amazing role models for DFN Project SEARCH University of Aberdeen and this amazing partnership. We are grateful to everyone involved for delivering this special programme for young people in the north-east of Scotland. We are excited to see interns next steps after graduation and wish them all well for a bright future.”
    Highlights from the ceremony included contributions from graduating interns and the premiere of a video showcasing highlights from their Project SEARCH journey.
    Thanks were extended at the ceremony to the representatives of all organisations which support the programme, including funders Aberdeenshire Council and Shell UK Ltd, and several local businesses who generously provided sponsorship and external placement opportunities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Councillors to review parking charges

    Source: City of York

    Following feedback from local residents and businesses, several changes to car parking charges are being considered at June’s Executive Meeting.

    In April, new pricing for car parking was introduced after being approved at Budget Full Council.

    Since the implementation of the new charges, the council has listened to residents and businesses most affected by the changes, who have shared their concerns.

    As a result, Executive will review the parking arrangements at the meeting on 3 June 2025 and consider a number of proposed changes. Executive will also be asked to agree to a consultation as part of a review of the impact of car parking charges on the economy and communities, the outcome of which will be taken to a future Executive meeting.

    An initial analysis of the economic impact is very positive, with Parliament Street showing an increase in footfall of 28.7% year on year comparing April figures, and an increase in spend of 3.7% year on year, continuing to buck the national trend.

    Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:

    We have recognised the strength of feeling and feedback from local communities following the implementation of new parking charges and continue to listen to concerns. At the upcoming Executive meeting we will consider a number of options which seek to address the issues raised, while still supporting our ambitions to develop a healthier, more sustainable and better connected city.

    “Setting a budget is never easy and we are very grateful for those who responded to the consultation carried out over several months last year, whether attending a workshop or filling in our survey. I look forward to having further discussions.”

    Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport said:

    Money from car parking goes straight back into improving our highways and public transport. This year we have increased investment in our highway maintenance programme to £10 million, meaning more potholes are being repaired on York’s roads – with over 9,000 repaired last year alone.

    “We are also investing over £50 million in sustainable travel improvements, including ticket concessions for young people, better real time information, and in the Station Gateway scheme which includes a bus interchange. This is all focused on making it easier for everyone to get around. To do this we must tackle congestion which residents have told us has a detrimental impact on how they live and work in the city, including their health and wellbeing.

    “In recent weeks I have been listening to local residents and businesses. Everyone’s love and support for our incredible independent businesses has shone through. One of the great strengths of the city is the vibrant local economies that residents enjoy in their local areas. We continue to listen and as a result we are looking at reviewing some of the parking charges in line with our transport strategy and using a data-led and evidence-based approach.”

    At the meeting, Executive will consider a range of interim options which could be introduced while a review into the impact of the car parking charges takes place. These include:

    • approving an increase in the discount for the Minster Badge to 30% of the standard parking charge, from the current 24%, to reduce the impact of increased parking charges on residents
    • maintaining existing pricing at all city centre car parks
    • introduce an “outside the inner ring road” lower parking rate including at Bishopthorpe Road car park, which it’s proposed is moved in line with charges approved for community car parks at East Parade and Rowntree Park in the council’s 2025 to 2026 Budget. This would mean Bishopthorpe Road car park would become £3 per hour with a maximum stay of 3 hours, it would be £2.10 per hour for Minster Badge holders. It will also mean no Friday, Saturday or event uplift and no evening charge in these car parks
    • approving the adjustment of charges in the Micklegate and Priory Street area to the ‘outside the inner ring road’ on-street parking rate, rather than its existing higher city centre rate to recognise the anomalously low parking charges in this area previously, and to give local businesses time to adjust. This will be reviewed in the future. City centre evening parking rates for this area will still apply
    • approving that East Parade Car Park should remain matched to the ‘outer’ on-street local parking rate to ensure consistency across out of city centre parking, and reflect the different nature of local shopping areas outside of the immediate city centre
    • removing the proposed charges for dedicated motorcycle bays, to recognise that the motorcycle bays are generally in locations where a car space is not possible
    • increase the discount for low emission vehicle permits to 20%, from the current 16% discount, to set a discount that better reflects the contribution of all types of vehicles to congestion and takes in account the land-use impact of vehicle parking
    • approve that resident contract parking permits are no longer linked to season tickets, and will be set at last year’s prices, plus circa 5% increase, with a 20% discount for low emission vehicles to recognise the unique circumstances of the small number of residents who live within the city walls without access to resident parking schemes
    • to undertake a review and develop a policy position around travel to places of worship
    • accept the challenge to review parking charges under the Traffic Management Act 2004, this will include consultation with businesses and residents and community groups

    If approved, the new charges will need to be advertised for 21 days in accordance with legislation, meaning those charges implemented will come into effect late June to early July and be subject to a pending review.

    Should Executive approve a change to the amount paid for the low vehicle emission discount, contract, season and ResPark permits, holders will be refunded the difference with more details of this to follow.

    The report for next week’s meeting is available to view online.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York celebrates meeting air pollution targets citywide for first time

    Source: City of York

    As we approach Clean Air Day later this month [19 June], City of York Council has released figures showing that all of York is meeting national air pollution targets for the first time*.

    Latest air quality monitoring figures from the council for 2024, reported to the Combined Executive Member Decision Session on 3 June 2025, show that the health-based air quality objectives were met at all locations in York for the first time, except during the Covid lockdowns, when traffic emissions reduced due to home working and closure of non-essential retail.  

    Air quality monitoring in some areas of the city, such as around Gillygate and Bootham, has shown that maximum annual levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution improved by 27 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023.

    The significant improvement in air quality is due to actions taken by the council, its partners and by residents. This includes further electrification of buses and council fleet vehicles, policies that incentivise the uptake of more low-emission taxis, anti-idling campaigns encouraging people to turn off their engines when stationary or waiting in traffic and improved electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure – all of which have all helped improve air quality further throughout 2024.

    The council encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport wherever possible to reduce their exposure and contribution to air pollution, and make the switch to electric vehicles if budgets allow.

    Air pollution is linked to a range of health problems at every stage of life – from premature birth and effects on organ development in childhood,  to causing heart and lung disease, diabetes and strokes in adulthood.

    Every year, air pollution causes up to 43,000 deaths in the UK.

    Find out more through the Clean Air Hub about how air pollution impacts our mental and physical health and the planet’s wellbeing.

    Residents can also sign up for the council’s free pollution forecasting and alert service which sends air pollution alerts and health advice to those most likely to be affected by air pollution to help them minimise their exposure when future pollution episodes are forecast, and to encourage all of us to leave the car at home if possible on those days, to avoid worsening pollution for everyone.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, the Council’s Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “This is brilliant news – what a fantastic achievement to help us celebrate Clean Air Day. By being proactive on improving the air we all breathe, the council has helped to meet air pollution targets for the *first time ever in York.

    “Having walked the stretch along Holgate for over a decade with prams and children, along with hundreds of young people travelling to and from 9 schools in the area, I know first hand what a difference this makes. We made a commitment to improve air quality when we published our fourth Air Quality Action Plan last summer and it is rewarding to see that the measures are working. Cleaner air is helping improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in York.

    “This is a really big achievement which we should celebrate, but we are not complacent; we need to see these results and the longer-term downward trend continue”.

    Peter Roderick, director of Public Health at City of York Council, said: “Even though we can’t see it, air pollution impacts our health whatever age we are. Improving air quality not only benefits our physical health and the environment but can also protect our mental and brain health. For the whole of York to meet air pollution targets for first time since Covid is a great achievement.

    “We hope Clean Air Day will help raise awareness of air pollution across the city and encourage people to consider their air quality impact in helping to protect everyone’s health. We can all make improvements; share a lift to work, work from home or walk, catch the bus or cycle, if possible.”

    “The latest results for the city demonstrate how far we have come in recent years to improve local air quality for everyone, however we recognise that more can be done. Through the council’s Air Quality Action Plan and other complementary strategies, we aim to go beyond National Air Quality Objectives and work towards meeting stricter World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines in the longer term to further improve public health; this will allow us all to benefit from lasting health improvements”.

    Mick Forbes, Engineering Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said: “The results are very positive and provide real evidence of the environmental benefits we are achieving with our fully zero-emission fleet on the streets of York, which started on routes through Gillygate in September 2023.

    “We are delighted this is recognised in the air quality assessment by City of York Council and will continue to support its efforts to create cleaner air in the city.

    “By working together with the council we have been able to invest millions of pounds with government funding support to transform our James Street depot, which is one of the first in the country to be declared net zero.”

    Find how to protect your health and cut emissions at the Clean Air Hub 

    Free Clean Air Day resources for use by individuals, schools, businesses, health organisations and community groups are available on the Clean Air Day website 

    The council’s iTravel York website provides a host of sustainable travel resources, including walking resources and cycling resources

    This year’s Clean Air Day campaign on 19 June aims to highlight that air pollution affects your health from before your first breath until your last.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Visit to France to advance Australia’s trade interests

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    This week, I will travel to France to lead Australia’s delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting and meet with counterparts to advance Australia’s trade interests and advocate for the rules-based trading system.

    The OECD Ministerial Council Meeting is an opportunity to discuss cooperation on open markets, the digital economy, and the building of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

    On the sidelines of this meeting, Australia will host the annual informal gathering of World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministers. The meeting will provide an opportunity to build momentum for WTO reform and reinforce the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system.

    Australia will also host a meeting of Cairns Group Ministers to discuss how we can advance agricultural reform that brings us closer to a level playing field in agricultural trade.

    I look forward to meeting with a number of my counterparts, including EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič.

    The EU is the second-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of approximately AUD31 trillion in 2025. Concluding a free trade agreement with the EU is a priority, but we have been clear that a deal needs to deliver meaningful market access outcomes, including for Australian agriculture.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Victim named in Croydon murder investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Officers are continuing to investigate the fatal stabbing of a woman in Croydon on Saturday, 31 May.

    Police were called to Frith Road at 09:07hrs following reports of a stabbing. Sadly, a woman was declared dead at the scene by the London Ambulance Service after sustaining a single stab wound.

    Formal identification is yet to take place but the victim has been named as 26-year-old Marjama Osman from Croydon. Her family are aware and will continue to receive support from specialist officers.

    Officers within the Met Police’s Specialist Crime Command launched a murder investigation and have been pursuing enquiries in the local area.

    A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. On Sunday, 1 June, officers also arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of murder. Both men have since been released on bail whilst enquiries continue.

    Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, who is leading the Met’s investigation said:

    “We appreciate that this tragic incident has caused real concern within the community in Croydon.

    “Our priority at the moment is to continue gathering the evidence we need to hold whoever is responsible for Marjama’s death to account, whilst supporting her family at this difficult time.

    “Our understanding at the moment is that Marjama was assaulted inside an address on Frith Road before going into the street where she collapsed. We are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the area to contact us and assist with our investigation.

    “We appreciate that there is speculation within the local community around Marjama’s death. I would encourage anyone who may have heard anything concerning her death to contact us. These conversations within the community could lead us to getting the justice Marjama deserves.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference 2240/31MAY.

    To remain 100 per cent anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Team Concludes Site and External Events Design Review for El Salvador’s First Nuclear Power Plant

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    An IAEA team of experts visited the candidate sites of El Salvador’s first nuclear power plant during a Site and External Events Design Review Service mission. (Photo: CEL)

    An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a six-day safety review of El Salvador’s site selection process for its first nuclear power plant (NPP). The Central American country is embarking on a nuclear power programme to diversify its energy mix and to provide a clean and reliable source of energy to support economic development.

    The Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission, which took place between 26 to 31 May, reviewed El Salvador’s adherence to IAEA guidance on the site selection process. The SEED mission was carried out at the request of the Government of El Salvador and hosted by the Organization for the Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Program in El Salvador (OIPEN) and the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL). The SEED mission was the first of its kind in El Salvador.

    El Salvador is completing the site selection process based on a comprehensive methodology that integrates geospatial data analysis, national regulations and existing public infrastructure.

    The SEED review team comprised three experts from Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as two IAEA staff members. They reviewed the site selection report, together with the siting process, siting criteria and data collection process for siting activities.

    The team also visited and observed the candidate sites located in Chalatenango – about 40 kilometres northeast of the capital San Salvador – and San Vicente – about 70 kilometres east of San Salvador.

    In addition to the SEED review mission, the IAEA provided a SEED Capacity Building Workshop to support site evaluation, which includes the site characterization stage. During the workshop, external experts and participants engaged in discussions that will contribute to future progress in the site evaluation process.

    “We confirmed that CEL independently developed exclusion criteria for site screening and effectively narrowed down the areas of the country with the lowest external hazard risks. This can be considered a good practice for minimizing risks,” said mission team leader Kazuyuki Nagasawa, Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA.

    The team provided recommendations to improve the quality and to optimize the site selection process, aiming to select the most favourable site. This optimization seeks to minimize the potential for the selected site to be found unsuitable during the site characterization stage. The factors to be considered include seismic, flooding and volcanic hazards. It’s also important to balance site characteristics with specific design features, site protection measures and administrative procedures from the early stages of the site selection process.

    “From the early stages of the site selection process, we have been guided by the technical guidance of the IAEA, rigorously applying its physical safety standards to ensure that this process follows a technical, transparent and responsible approach for all Salvadorans,” said Daniel Alvarez, President of CEL and Honorary Director of OIPEN.

    OIPEN and CEL will continue to receive technical support from the IAEA, as they advance from the site selection stage and move into the subsequent site characterization stage, in line with the IAEA Specific Safety Guide on Site Survey and Site Selection for Nuclear Installations, as well as other relevant Safety Guides for external hazards assessment.

    The final SEED mission report will be delivered to the Government of El Salvador within three months.

    About Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) missions

    SEED missions are expert review missions that assist countries going through different stages in the development of a nuclear power programme. The service offers a choice of modules in which to focus the review, such as site selection, site assessment and design of structures, systems and components, taking into consideration site specific external and internal hazards.

    In the case of site selection review, SEED missions assess the appropriate consideration of the safety issues in the site selection process.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Companies House appoints Luisa Fulci as Director of Transformation and Business Change

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Companies House appoints Luisa Fulci as Director of Transformation and Business Change

    Luisa Fulci joins Companies House as Director of Transformation and Business Change during a key phase of digital and operational change.

    Companies House has appointed Luisa Fulci as its new Director of Transformation and Business Change.  

    Luisa brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. As Digital Customer and Commercial Services Director at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, she led the modernisation of digital and commercial services across housing, adult social care, environmental services, public health and corporate operations. 

    Prior to this, Luisa spent 16 years at Royal Mail, where she held several senior leadership roles. As Commercial Director, she implemented major reform initiatives to customer services and delivered commercial and digital strategies that prioritised customer needs.  

    Luisa is currently a non-executive board member at HM Courts and Tribunals Service, having been appointed in April 2024. Her previous non-executive roles include board positions at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. At CILEx Regulation, she also advised on digital transformation and aided efforts to improve diversity in the legal profession. 

    Luisa has joined the Executive team at Companies House at a significant period of renewal. Her appointment reflects the organisation’s commitment to improving digital processes, ensuring operational efficiency and creating quality services for customers and stakeholders. 

    Reflecting on her appointment, Luisa said:

    I’m delighted to be joining Companies House at such a pivotal time of change. I’m looking forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to build on the substantial work that has already begun to create a more modern, digital and customer-focused organisation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark government trial shows AI could save civil servants nearly 2 weeks a year

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Landmark government trial shows AI could save civil servants nearly 2 weeks a year

    More than 20,000 civil servants took part in a government-led trial using generative AI to support their daily work – with early results showing time savings equivalent to nearly 2 working weeks per person, per year.

    • Over 20,000 civil servants were given the latest AI tech for 3 months, using it to draft documents, summarise meetings and more
    • from policy officials using it to cut through jargon and streamline consultations, to Work Coaches speeding up support for job seekers – officials said the tech boosted their ability to deliver the Plan for Change
    • comes as expansive research shows half of office work can be helped by AI, as government continues push to save £45 billion by creating a lean, modern state using tech

    AI can significantly reduce time spent on government tasks – freeing up time, capacity and boosting productivity, with a landmark trial of 20,000 civil servants showing they could save nearly 2 weeks each annually by using the technology. 

    This is the equivalent of giving 1,130 people a full year back – every year – to focus on higher-value tasks, innovation or public service impact, rather than admin-based work – with the potential for this to rise significantly if used across the entire civil service, transforming productivity and public service delivery at scale.  

    The findings show the use of AI across the Civil Service will directly support the government’s Plan for Change by driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and modernising how public services operate. 

    The trial found that using generative AI such as Microsoft 365 Copilot to assist with everyday tasks – including drafting documents, summarising lengthy emails, updating records, and preparing reports – saved users an average of 26 minutes per day. That adds to nearly 2 weeks of time saved per year per person, delivering a significant productivity boost when scaled across the public workforce.  

    At Companies House, staff use Copilot to handle routine customer queries and speed up tasks like drafting responses and updating records. At the Department for Work and Pensions, work coaches are using it to personalise advice for jobseekers – helping them get faster, more tailored support.   

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle highlighted the findings in a keynote discussion at SXSW London today, where he joined former Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss reimagining government and public service delivery in the age of AI.

    Commenting on the results he said:  

    These findings show that AI isn’t just a future promise – it’s a present reality. Whether it’s helping draft documents, preparing lesson plans, or cutting down on routine admin, AI tools are saving civil servants time every day. That means we can focus more on delivering faster, more personalised support where it really counts.  

    As we deliver our Plan for Change, we’re backing innovation like this to boost productivity and growth – not just in the private sector, but in public services too. AI is changing the way government operates, helping us work smarter, reduce red tape, and make better use of taxpayers’ money.

    Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK said:  

    AI is the most transformative technology of our time and we’re already seeing its potential to reshape public service delivery. Whether that’s DWP work coaches helping more jobseekers into work, local authorities improving social care for the most vulnerable in society or NHS clinicians with more time to see patients, the potential is profound. 

    As a strategic technology partner to the UK government, we have an amazing opportunity to help improve both the quality of the services people receive and the way they access them. This could unlock new levels of growth, efficiency, and innovation for the country.  

    The government’s Microsoft 365 Copilot experiment shows what’s possible when people are empowered with the right tools: 26 mins per day (almost 2 weeks per year) less time on admin, more time delivering what matters. And the really exciting part is, this is just the beginning.

    A DWP Work Coach involved in the trial said:

    Using Copilot, I was able to help a self-employed customer – Customer X – revitalise her small business. Together, we created tailored social media posts to boost her online presence and used AI to identify cost-saving opportunities. Within a week, she’d secured 7 new client bookings. She’s now using Copilot to streamline admin and manage bookings – freeing up time to grow her business. It’s a powerful example of how AI can deliver real results for the people we support.

    Complementing these findings, research from the Alan Turing Institute published today finds that AI could support up to 41% of tasks across the public sector, offering significant time savings. In schools, for example, teachers spend nearly 100 minutes a day on lesson planning – up to 75% of which could be supported by AI, freeing more time for the classroom. Civil servants spend around 30 minutes daily on emails, where AI could cut this effort by over 70%. From drafting documents to updating records, the research shows AI is well-placed to handle routine admin – supporting public servants across departments.  

    This forms part of the government’s broader effort to modernise the state and achieve £45 billion in savings by making public services faster, simpler, and more accessible—across health, education, and beyond – while rolling out digital tools like the GOV.UK App, Chat, and Wallet, and tackling outdated legacy systems that currently cost billions in lost productivity.

    Notes to editors

    Figures are derived from self-reported daily time savings provided by participants, averaged across the full cohort of 20,000 individuals.

    The £45 billion figure is composed of 3 main levers:

    1. Simplify and automate delivery across public sector (£36 billion)
    2. Migrate service processing to cheaper online channels (£4billion)
    3. Reduce fraud and error with digital compliance solutions (£6 billion)

    For further context and detailed analysis, please refer to:

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Oxylabs Unveils First-of-its-kind YouTube Datasets to Power Responsible AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The datasets fast-track video data from creator consent to AI-readiness

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, June 2, 2025 – Oxylabs, a leading web intelligence platform and proxy provider, introduces industry-first YouTube datasets composed entirely of consent-based data. All of the millions of original videos in the datasets have the explicit consent of the creators to be used for AI training, allowing to bridge the gap between creators and innovators.

    “In the ecosystem aiming to find a fair balance between respecting copyright and facilitating innovation, YouTube streamlining consent giving for AI training and providing creators with flexibility is an important step forward. Many channel owners have already opted in for their videos to be used in developing the next generation of AI tools. This enables us to create and provide high-quality, structured video datasets. Meanwhile, AI developers have no trouble verifying the data’s legitimate origin,” said Julius Černiauskas, CEO at Oxylabs.

    All datasets offered by Oxylabs include videos, transcripts, and rich metadata. While such data has many potential use cases, Oxylabs refined and prepared it specifically for AI training, which is the use that the content creators have knowingly agreed to.

    Large volumes of high-quality video data are fundamental for developing multimodal AI, capable of seamlessly handling text, audio, and visual data when performing tasks or generating different types of content. Acquiring such data in a convenient way that establishes a transparent link between creators and AI companies is a challenge the industry is still trying to solve. Structured, AI-ready datasets from YouTube are now a part of this developing improved model for training AI on public data.

    Importantly, consent-based datasets also allow AI companies and creators to be on the same page regarding fair AI development. This development has been riddled with still unanswered questions about making copyrighted material fuel rather than stall innovation.

    “These datasets offer a breath of fresh air to a tense ecosystem in dire need of facilitating systematic cooperation between creators and AI companies based on mutual agreement. The next wave of tools that will shake the market can now be built on data that all can agree is right for AI training. Hopefully, this also marks a better, more sustainable way forward,” concluded Černiauskas.

    The release of ethically sourced YouTube datasets continues Oxylabs’ longtime mission to establish and promote ethical industry practices, previously marked by co-founding the Ethical Web Data Collection Initiative (EWDCI) and introducing an industry-first transparent tier framework for proxy sourcing.

    To learn more about creator-consent-based YouTube video datasets for AI training, visit the official website now.

    About Oxylabs

    Established in 2015, Oxylabs is a web intelligence platform and premium proxy provider, enabling companies of all sizes to utilise the power of big data. Constant innovation, an extensive patent portfolio, and a focus on ethics have allowed Oxylabs to become a global leader in the web intelligence collection industry and forge close ties with dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies. Oxylabs was named Europe’s fastest-growing web intelligence acquisition company in the Financial Times FT 1000 list for several consecutive years. For more information, please visit: https://oxylabs.io/

    Media Contacts

    Vytautas Kirjazovas
    Oxylabs.io
    Tel: +370 655 34419
    Email: press@oxylabs.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pompey Link: on-demand minibus service to improve connections in Portsmouth

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth City Council is introducing Pompey Link, a shared, on-demand minibus service, which will be trialled for a 10-month period until the end of March 2026. Pompey Link combines elements of both a bus service and a taxi ride in a way that has not been seen in Portsmouth before.

    The service will be delivered by charity Community First and is made possible through funding from the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

    Pompey Link is designed to improve public transport connections for both Paulsgrove and Port Solent. Paulsgrove residents can now easily reach Port Solent, while Port Solent residents will benefit from easier access to Paulsgrove, Queen Alexandra Hospital, and other bus and rail links at Cosham Interchange.

    The service ensures that both areas – particularly Port Solent, which currently lacks direct public transport connections – have more convenient travel options.

    Passengers can book a trip on demand or up to four days in advance, by phone or app, and will be picked up from their nearest bus stop, including the former bus stop outside the Odeon in Port Solent. This is a shared service, so the minibus may pick up and drop off other passengers on the way.

    Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said:

    “We’re excited to introduce Pompey Link, which provides better transport connections in the Paulsgrove area and a vital link to Port Solent, an area we know is currently underserved by public transport. Whether you are travelling for work or leisure, Pompey Link is a convenient and affordable travel option, and I hope people will try it.”

    Tim Houghton, Chief Executive of Community First, said:

    “We are delighted to offer the Paulsgrove and Port Solent community a reliable, affordable and more flexible way to travel. This service allows people to book a journey when they need it, reducing the need for fixed routes and providing a more responsive, environmentally friendly transport solution.

    This new service will be a lifeline for passengers, especially in Port Solent, who might not have access to transport to get to social and health appointments as well as for essential shopping trips.”

    Pompey Link will be available Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 7pm, excluding bank holidays. Trips can be booked using the Book a Journey app, available to download from the Apple and Google Play stores, and most journeys start from £2.

    For those who prefer to book over the phone, Community First’s customer service team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm on 0333 015 1271. Pompey Link vehicles are accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with folding pushchairs. Babies can travel where parents or carers provide a car seat. Guide and service dogs are welcome on board.

    For more information about Pompey Link, visit: https://travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/drt/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK international risk status for BSE downgraded in huge boost to farm sector

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK international risk status for BSE downgraded in huge boost to farm sector

    World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) downgrades UK’s BSE risk rating to negligible

    The UK’s risk rating status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been downgraded to negligible by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

    In a major boost for the food and farm sector, more avenues will now be open for trade with other countries as our improved risk status for beef and bovine products is recognised.  

    The abattoir and meat processing industry will be able to take advantage of changes to control measures, which will reduce operational burden and release financial savings for the abattoir and meat processing industry.

    The UK’s improved risk status is a reflection of the UK’s global reputation for having some of the highest standards in the world for biosecurity . 

    BSE, occasionally known as mad cow disease,  was a considerable public health concern in the 1980s leading to long-standing bans on British beef exports. The downgrading risk status marks a major step forward, reflecting decades of rigorous controls and opening the door to expanded trade and renewed confidence in UK beef.

    Farming Minister Zeichner said:

    Today’s announcement is a major step forward and will deliver a real boost to our hard-working cattle farmers, who will now have more avenues open for trading our excellent beef products.

    It is also a huge vote of confidence in this government’s commitment to rigorous animal health standards and biosecurity.

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: 

    WOAH’s recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK’s strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.  

    This is the latest example of the UK’s global reputation as a world leader in biosecurity and our new status will improve UK trade for beef and bovine products and reduce the operational burden and create financial savings for the abattoir and meat processing industry.

    Natasha Smith, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency said:     

    This good news reflects that our strict controls in place to protect consumers such as controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity,  have helped make sure there is no food safety risk.    

    Although the meat industry will be now able to use more of the carcass, consumers can be reassured that strict food safety controls remain in place.  Food Standards Agency Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in England and Wales will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority. 

    Nan Jones, British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) Technical Policy Manager said:

    This milestone is of significant value to the industry. To illustrate, the ability to recover mesenteric fat alone could generate value of approximately £10 million per year. Given the substantial benefits this change brings to our members, we hope that the improving UK–EU relationship offers an opportunity to seek earlier EU recognition of our status.

    Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade Development Director, said:

    This is welcome news for the UK beef sector. It highlights the strength of our animal health and food safety systems, reinforces the UK’s reputation for high-quality beef, and supports ongoing efforts to grow our export markets.

    Farmers and livestock owners are still urged to remain vigilant for BSE disease. BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. This applies to pet and small holder animals as well as commercial cattle.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister hails trade deal successes for Scotland

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister hails trade deal successes for Scotland

    From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks.

    • Prime Minister visits historic distillery in Glasgow to discuss trade deal benefits for the Scotch Whisky industry 
    • Follows UK hat trick of trade deals with India, US and EU – improving people’s lives across the country 
    • Deals will help drive growth in Scotland and put more money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people

    From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks. 

    The Prime Minister discussed the huge growth opportunities and benefits for Scotland during a visit Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow today. 

    Visit comes after Prime Minister visited BAE Govan this morning to announce the Strategic Defence Review, which will see significant investment in Scotland . More than £2 billion a year is already spent by the Ministry of Defence with industry organisations of all sizes in Scotland, supporting over 25,000 skilled jobs in Scotland. 

    The world-renowned Scotch Whisky industry is set to boom globally – with the Scotch Whisky Association announcing they forecast £1 billion of extra exports in five years, plus 1,200 new jobs thanks to the tariff reductions as part of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. 

    India is an important market for Scotland, with 457 Scottish businesses exporting a total of £610 million in goods there last year. 

    Under the India trade deal, tariffs have been cut on a range of iconic Scottish goods, from whisky tariffs halved from 150% to 75% and dropping to 40% after 10 years to salmon reduced from 33% to 0%. Iconic Scottish brands like Irn Bru and Scottish shortbread will also see reduced tariffs. 

    Scotland’s thriving life sciences and health tech hubs will be strengthened by IP commitments on areas such as trade secrets and copyright, helping companies export to India with confidence.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Our trade deals with India, US and the EU will slash tariffs on key industries and open markets set to help drive growth in Scotland and put money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people, delivering on our Plan for Change. 

    Scotland is home to some of the most world-renowned products, which can now be enjoyed across the globe – all whilst saving Scottish businesses money.  

    That is why we have secured these deals, and why we will continue to go further and faster to improve the lives of everyone in the UK.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

    Our trio of trade deals shows we are championing Scottish products and businesses on the global stage. From our world-renowned whisky distilleries to our cutting-edge green energy sector, Scotland has so much to offer international markets. But more importantly as part of our Plan for Change this means more money in people’s pockets.

    By securing better access to the European Union, United States and India, we’re creating real opportunities for Scottish businesses to grow, supporting jobs in communities from the Highlands to the Borders.

    Mark Kent, Chief Executive Officer of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: 

    As the UK’s largest food and drink export to 180 markets worldwide, Scotch Whisky producers welcome the work being done to reduce trade barriers around the world. The landmark UK-India free trade agreement will be transformational for the Scotch Whisky industry over the longer term and has the potential to increase exports to India by £1bn over the next 5 years and creating 1,200 jobs across the UK.

    It’s also constructive to see a potential reduction in the burden on exporters through the UK agreement with the EU. We continue to support the UK government’s efforts to address the issue of tariffs with the US and establish a pathway to return to the zero-for-zero tariff arrangement we have had with the US on spirits for more than 30 years.

    The new agreement with the European Union, the UK’s largest trading market, will directly address challenges faced by Scottish exporters since 2019. The Scottish salmon industry has estimated that between 2019 and 2023, Scottish Salmon export values experienced a net loss of around £75 million. The deal with the EU makes it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to European markets.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Disposable Vapes banned from 1 June 2025

    Source: City of Coventry

    Since 1 June 2025 it is illegal for businesses to sell, offer to sell or have in their possession for sale, all single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes.

    This applies to sales online and in shops and include all vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not.

    The Government has produced guidance for affected retailers which can be found by following this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban

    In preparation for the ban, retailers were contacted by Trading Standards and told to stop buying any new stock of single-use vapes, to sell through all existing affected stock and to only buy vapes that follow the new regulations. It is crucial that from now on, retailers source only vapes which are compliant with the new law.

    If any retailers do have any leftover single-use vaping products following 1 June cut-off, they will need to separate them from other goods, label them as unsellable and remove them from sale. Any affected vapes should be stored in vape bins only and be regularly collected for recycling. Unsafe storage can result in a significant fire risk.

    If retailers are found to be selling or supplying single-use vapes following the ban, Trading Standards will be able to take enforcement action. Affected stock can be seized by officers and sanctions can include a fixed penalty fine and / or applying to review or amend a premises licence. If a business continues to sell single-use vapes after being warned, the local authority may take further action which can result in higher fines and possible premises closure orders and / or prosecution being sought.

    The new regulations will require vapes to be rechargeable and refillable, or incorporate a pod system. Retailers are being warned that not all new devices on the market will automatically be compliant. New compliant products have already appeared on the market which clearly indicate they comply with the new law and retailers are again urged to check first before buying.

    If you suspect that someone is supplying single-use vapes, please feel free to report the matter via our anonymous online reporting page

    Monday, 2nd June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Konsolidator grants 810,000 warrants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 9-2025
    Søborg, June 2, 2025

    Konsolidator grants 810,000 warrants

    Today, the Board of Directors of Konsolidator A/S has exercised part of its current authorization by issuing 810,000 warrants to the employees.

    The warrants are issued in accordance with the company’s guidelines for incentive-based remuneration and the authorizations in sections 4.9 and 4.10 of the Articles of Association.

    Warrants to the employees
    Konsolidator has issued 810,000 warrants to its employees. As a small company, Konsolidator is dependent on its employees and also depends on attracting talented employees. Konsolidator is not able to offer the salaries given by larger companies, but is able to incentivize employees by issuing warrants. Management believes that by issuing warrants to the employees, Konsolidator is able to retain employees in the long run.

    CEO Claus Finderup Grove comments, “This is the fifth time we have issued warrants to our employees. We want to show our appreciation to our loyal employees. Having the ability to issue warrants to our employees is a good method for us to retain our talented employees.”

    Warrant terms
    The total 810,000 warrants correspond to a nominal value of DKK 32,400, as each warrant entitles the warrant holder to subscribe for one share of nominal DKK 0.04 in the Company. The exercise price is fixed at DKK 3.75 per share for the management and employees corresponding to the average of the closing share price as made public by Nasdaq Copenhagen for the Konsolidator share on the 5 trading days prior to the date on which the Board of Directors decided to grant the warrants.

    The warrants vest in a series of three (3) successive equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting in 2026 on the last day of the calendar month of the date of grant. Consequently, the last installment will vest in June 2028.

    Subject to vesting, the warrants can be exercised in periods of 4 weeks starting the day after publication of the Company’s annual report, half-year reports and/or quarterly financial announcements, respectively. Warrants that have not been exercised before five (5) years following the grant will lapse automatically.

    The warrant terms include a condition on accelerated vesting in case of a change of control, e.g., a takeover bid, resolution, and business transfer. The detailed warrant terms regarding warrants issued by the Company can be found in the Articles of Association on www.konsolidator.com/investor.

    After this grant of warrants, the total number of outstanding warrants is 2,405,030.

    Contacts

    Certified Adviser

    About Konsolidator
    Konsolidator A/S is a financial consolidation software company whose primary objective is to make Group CFOs around the world better through automated financial consolidation and reporting in the cloud. Created by CFOs and auditors and powered by innovative technology, Konsolidator removes the complexity of financial consolidation and enables the CFO to save time and gain actionable insights based on key performance data to become a vital part of strategic decision-making. Konsolidator was listed at Nasdaq First North Growth Market Denmark in 2019. Ticker Code: KONSOL

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nearly £1 billion for NHS frontline after agency spend crackdown

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Nearly £1 billion for NHS frontline after agency spend crackdown

    Government crack-down on rip-off temporary staffing agencies delivers unprecedented savings, as NHS trusts are urged to eradicate agency spending altogether

    • Reforms delivered through Plan for Change deliver mammoth NHS savings – with funding going to better patient care and staff pay

    • Major milestone in government pledge to completely eliminate all spending on temporary NHS agency staff  

    • Health Secretary and NHS England Chief Executive will consider legislative action if further progress not made

    NHS patients and staff are benefiting from an almost £1 billion boost for the frontline, as a government crack-down on rip-off temporary staffing agencies delivers unprecedented savings.

    The Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced strict agency spending limits last November and ordered trusts to reduce their spend on agency staff by 30% in the short-term so more money could be reinvested in the frontline and the wider NHS workforce.  

    Latest figures show spending on agency staff has already fallen by almost £1 billion in 2024/25 – a huge reduction which has helped funding go towards improving the quality-of-care patients receive, helping to reduce waiting lists, and enhancing safety – as reducing reliance on agency staff has been shown to decrease clinical incidents.   

    The savings are part of a package of reforms delivered by this government which have collectively allowed above inflation pay rises to all NHS staff, including resident doctors and nurses, this year to be fully funded.

    The Secretary of State and NHS England Chief Executive Jim Mackey have today written to all trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs), urging them to build on this progress and ultimately eradicate agency spending altogether. If the government does not feel further progress has been made by the autumn, it will consider taking further legislative action. 

    Health Minister Ashley Dalton said:

    The taxpayer has been footing the bill for rip-off agencies for too long – while patients have languished on waiting lists and demoralised staff faced years of pay erosion.  

    That’s why we are pledging to eliminate this squander, and through our Plan for Change we are making major progress and seeing a radical reduction in costs.   

    We’re already backing our health workers with above-inflation pay rises and now, nearly £1 billion is being reinvested back to the frontline, getting patients off waiting lists and putting money back into our workforce’s pocket.

    The NHS was forced to spend a staggering £3 billion on agency staff in 2023/24, money that could have been used to tackle record waiting lists and improve patient care. Recruitment agencies have charged NHS trusts up to £2,000 for a single nursing shift, thanks to the 113,000 staffing vacancies across the service. 

    The government’s laser focus on reducing waste means all NHS workers, including doctors and nurses, will receive real terms pay rises for the second year in a row, fully funded from central budgets. 

    It is funding a pay rise of 4% for consultants, specialty doctors, specialists and GPs, with dentists also receiving a contract uplift to increase their pay.  

    Resident doctors will see their pay rise by an average of 5.4% (a 4% rise plus a consolidated payment of £750) and we expect the average full-time basic pay of a resident doctor will reach about £54,300 in 2025-26.  Agenda for Change (AfC) staff, which includes nurses, health visitors, midwives, ambulance staff, porters and cleaners will see their pay rise by 3.6%. The starting salary for a nurse will now be around £31,050, up from around £27,050 in 2023.

    A new delivery group is being established across the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to monitor progress on tackling agency spending, and ensure trusts are taking robust action.  

    Trusts were previously ordered to reduce bank use – NHS staff who work temporary shifts at hospitals – by at least 10%, on top of strict agency spending limits across the health service. They have now been told to evaluate them against the local market to ensure they are not more than the average equivalent agency rate.  

    Elizabeth O’Mahony, chief financial officer at NHS England, said:

    The NHS is fully committed to making sure that every penny of taxpayers’ money is used wisely to the benefit of patients and the quality of care they receive.

    Our reforms towards driving down agency spend by nearly £1 billion over the past year will boost frontline services and help to cut down waiting lists, while ensuring fairness for our permanent staff.

    Nicola McQueen, Chief Executive at NHS Professionals, said:

    We strongly welcome today’s bold and progressive workforce policy announcement from the Secretary of State to significantly reduce external agency spending and put more investment back into patient care.

    NHS Professionals was created with the core purpose of reducing the NHS’s reliance on expensive external agencies. NHS Bank services are transforming workforce deployment, boosting productivity, and driving substantial cost reduction across the NHS.

    Last year we displaced over £680 million of external agency fees across NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations, providing more than 40 million hours of patient care. We look forward to working closely with our NHS client Trusts and partners to deliver even more savings across the NHS.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sizewell A delivers landmark demolition project

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Sizewell A delivers landmark demolition project

    The turbine hall and adjoining structures at Sizewell A former nuclear power station have been safely razed to the ground by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS).

    Sizewell A turbine hall completion

    An area the size of a professional football pitch has been cleared, de-planted and demolished ready for its next use, creating a huge skyline change for the Suffolk coast.

    Alan Walker, Sizewell A Site Director, commented:

    This is an incredible achievement for NRS, our contract partners Erith, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). 

    I would like to thank everyone including those involved and our neighbours for their continued support throughout, as well as the ONR for enabling us to push the boundaries of innovation in conventional demolition together. The learning from this will be applied to other NRS projects to continue delivering efficient, value for money decommissioning and restoration of nuclear sites.

    April 2025

    This transformational project demonstrated technical innovation and set a new benchmark for the largest use of explosives on a UK nuclear site and the longest programmed detonation sequence in Europe.  These were used to weaken the four gigantic concrete plinths that two 650 tonne turbogenerators stood on.

    The use of explosives reduced the project schedule by four months, costs by £300,000 and minimised vibrations to negligible levels compared to using traditional mechanical percussion removal techniques. Around 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions were also saved by minimising machinery fuel use.

    The plinths were reduced to rubble paving the way for full clearance of the turbine hall basement and arrival of the high reach excavators to dismantle the structure. Two 90 tonne safe working load cranes – each weighing 65 tonnes – were removed from their rails onto a landing pad ready for metal recycling.

    The first overhead crane coming off the rails

    More than 17,000 tonnes of concrete and rubble have been removed from the turbine hall, fire station and electrical annexe structures – that is more than the weight of the six million bricks used to build Battersea Power Station.  This waste was processed through a mobile crusher to reduce its size to a specification that enables it to be exported and re-used.

    A scrap metal contract has raised over £3 million income to date from the sale of the 11,000 tonnes removed during the de-plant and demolition phases. This revenue will be used to offset decommissioning costs.

    The project achieved a 95% recovery rate for construction and demolition waste, much higher than recent industrial averages, and further demonstrating the NRS commitment to minimising the environmental impact of decommissioning work and embedding sustainability without compromising on safety and efficiency. 

    February 2025

    David Rushton, NDA Programme Manager, said:  

    The successful demolition of the turbine hall brings skyline change to the Sizewell A site. The innovative use of explosives provides valuable learning for future decommissioning activities, and the segregation and reuse of demolition material supports the NDA’s sustainability targets.

    Andrew Bull, ONR’s Nominated Site Inspector at Sizewell A, added:

    We’ve worked very closely with NRS, adopting an enabling stance to allow the licensee to push forward with a modern, and at times, ground-breaking approach to accelerating this major dismantling project.

    ONR works hard to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and add value. This has been no better demonstrated than for the removal of the Sizewell A turbine hall, where we have played a key role in this example of decommissioning the UK’s nuclear estate.

    We’ve been pleased to work with NRS in a constructive manner to regulate the ongoing clean-up of this important site – safely, securely and cost effectively.

    Concrete plinth weakened by explosives

    Watch the project unfold here

    The Sizewell A turbine hall story from construction to demolition – YouTube

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Communities urged apply for funding to bring their festival or event to life

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Community organisations are being urged not to miss out on help to bring their festival or event to life.

    Community organisations are being urged not to miss out on help to bring their festival or event to life. 

    Sunderland City Council is giving community groups, partnerships, community interest companies, and social enterprises the chance to apply for grant funding of between £100 and £10,000 to help make their event happen.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, said: “We have some brilliant community events in our city such as the annual Summer Streets Festival and the Boxing Day Dip. 

    “Our Festival and Events Fund is all about encouraging exciting new and emerging events which bring people together and spark the creativity that we know is out there in spades in our communities.

    “Whether it’s help towards venue hire, artist fees, road closures, picnic boxes or posters, the aim of this funding is to help support communities with the costs of bringing their vision to life or growing their newly established festival or event.”

    The City Council is especially looking to support projects which engage local communities, create new, dynamic and creative experiences, promote sustainability and greener events and encourage equality, diversity and social cohesion.

    To be in with a chance of securing grant funding, organisations will need to complete an application form and be able to demonstrate how their project meets a range of criteria.

    These include:

    • A completely new event/festival with a comprehensive business plan; or  
    • An event/festival less than five years old in its current format but that is looking to include additional activity to improve event sustainability  
    • An event/festival aimed at developing the cultural offer within its locality or to appeal more widely across the North-East  
    • Supporting the local economy  
    • Engaging people from the local community  
    • To fill a gap in the tourist/cultural season  
    • To develop the skills of volunteers  
    • To maximise non-public sources of income, with a view to the event/festival being sustainable and not dependent on funding  
    • To promote equality and diversity  

    Only festivals and events that are being planned to take place before 31 March 2026 will be eligible for funding. 

    To find out more about the fund and apply: www.mysunderland.co.uk/Bring-your-event-to-Sunderland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fruit and veg import checks scrapped ahead of UK-EU deal

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Fruit and veg import checks scrapped ahead of UK-EU deal

    In advance of a new SPS agreement with EU, fruit and veg imports will require no fees or border checks – saving businesses time and money

    The government will scrap border checks on fruit and veg imported from the European Union in an early move to ease trade ahead of its new SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) deal with the EU.

    The agreement will establish a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary zone, slashing costs, easing pressure on food prices and eliminating routine SPS border checks for food exports and imports.

    This means that checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables (including tomatoes, grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, peppers, and more) imported from the EU will not be required – and will therefore not be brought into force this summer.

    In the short term, businesses can continue importing medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU without the products being subject to import checks or being charged associated fees.

    The SPS agreement will make food trade with the UK’s biggest market cheaper and easier. Cutting excessive red tape and fees for traders exporting to and importing from the EU will strengthen supply chains and reduce prices for businesses and consumers.

    Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said:

    This government’s EU deal will make food cheaper, slash bureaucracy and remove cumbersome border controls for businesses.

    A strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people as part of our Plan for Change.

    The easement of import checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU was introduced as a temporary measure to provide businesses time to prepare for their implementation, and ensure a smooth flow of essential goods across the UK border.

    The easement of checks has now been extended from 1 July 2025 to 31 January 2027 as a contingency measure, following the government’s announcement that it will agree a new SPS deal with the EU.

    The details of the SPS agreement are now to be negotiated; traders must continue to comply with the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

    Protecting UK biosecurity remains a key government priority, and risk-based surveillance will continue to manage the biosecurity risks of these products.

    Defra will continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Border Control Post operators to maintain UK biosecurity while minimising disruption to the flow of goods.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Trump Executive Order Fuels Regulatory Shift—Bitcoin Solaris Positioned to Lead Utility-Driven Crypto Era

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a sweeping policy move, President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at accelerating the development of a U.S.-led digital asset infrastructure that prioritizes utility, transparency, and regulatory alignment. As Washington redefines its approach to crypto regulation, Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) emerges as a key beneficiary—poised to thrive in a landscape where technical innovation and compliance are no longer mutually exclusive.

    The executive order marks a pivotal moment in crypto’s evolution, signaling a shift away from speculative cycles and toward practical, scalable ecosystems. Projects designed with regulatory foresight—especially those that enable real-world use cases—are expected to take the lead.

    Bitcoin Solaris: Aligned with the New Regulatory Standard
    Bitcoin Solaris was built for this moment. With a hybrid Proof-of-Work/Delegated Proof-of-Stake consensus model, BTC-S combines robust security with lightning-fast performance and energy efficiency—meeting emerging compliance and sustainability expectations.

    Key highlights of the Bitcoin Solaris network include:

    • Energy Efficiency: 99.95% lower consumption than traditional mining networks
    • Mobile-First Mining: The Solaris Nova App allows mining directly from mobile devices
    • Smart Contract Capabilities: Built with Rust, enabling DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and enterprise apps
    • Cross-Chain Integration: Native bridges to Solana for seamless interoperability
    • Regulatory-Ready Governance: Slashing and dynamic validator elections ensure network integrity

    The Fastest-Growing Crypto of 2025? Explore BTC-S Now

    Explosive Momentum: Presale That’s Rewriting Records

    With only 8 weeks left, the Bitcoin Solaris presale is proving to be one of the shortest and most explosive in crypto history. The numbers speak for themselves: over 11,000 unique users already onboard, and $1.8M+ raised. The current price is $6, moving to $7 in the next phase—on the way to a $20 launch.

    Investors are jumping in not just for speculative gains, but for utility-driven upside. As regulatory clarity fuels institutional confidence, BTC-S is quickly becoming the smart money’s next favorite asset.

    Referral Program That Rewards Everyone

    Bitcoin Solaris’s Double Rewards Referral Program turns community members into growth catalysts. Here’s how it works:

    • Referrers receive a 5% commission in BTC-S for every purchase made through their link.
    • Referred users also get a 5% bonus on their purchase.

    This dual-incentive approach isn’t just generous—it’s smart. It builds grassroots momentum, turns everyday crypto users into evangelists, and fosters long-term engagement.

    To join, users simply log in at bitcoinsolaris.com, grab their referral link, and share it through social platforms or directly with their network.

    Why Influencers Are Talking

    As the presale gains steam, the broader crypto community is paying attention. A detailed review by Token Empire covers how Bitcoin Solaris is building real momentum while other projects chase trends. With mentions spreading across Telegram and X, it’s clear this is not a quiet launch—it’s a coordinated wave.

    Final Thoughts: Regulatory Winds Favor the Prepared

    President Trump’s executive order is merely the spark. The real fire is being built by projects that align with the future of compliant, scalable, and accessible blockchain ecosystems. Bitcoin Solaris doesn’t just meet those standards—it anticipates them.

    With sustainable mining, mobile accessibility, and an infrastructure built for long-term value, BTC-S offers something rare in crypto: clarity, utility, and regulatory foresight. For early investors, the timing couldn’t be better.

    For more information:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. 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.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/75b23ca3-cdd6-4484-94ab-7a9495b3da46

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fbab1640-63df-4306-9e6a-19b476b23224

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec8b8860-3878-4e92-b454-347ed497d033

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7513f830-a25f-44c6-bb52-f11d358b9a75

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Trust Wallet Launches Buy+, Powered by Binance Connect, to Simplify Crypto Access

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

    Users can buy tokens on BNB Chain, Base and Solana directly with cards, local currency and more – all without leaving the Trust Wallet app.

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Wallet, the world’s leading self-custody Web3 wallet trusted by over 200 million users, has launched Buy+, a new feature powered by Binance Connect, to simplify crypto access for users worldwide and make onboarding easier for newcomers. The feature allows anyone to purchase tokens on BNB Chain, Base and Solana using fiat — without needing to own crypto assets, or to understand complex crypto workflows.

    Before this improvement, buying a new or trending token often meant a multi-step process, including manual swaps and switching between platforms. For many — especially beginners — this was confusing, time-consuming, and carried the risk of mistakes. Now, with Buy+, Trust Wallet simplifies everything into one seamless flow — making it possible to go from card, Apple/Google Pay and more, to a user’s desired token in just a few taps, all without leaving the app or giving up self-custody.

    “The first step to onboard a fiat asset into the desired crypto asset directly is often the hardest. And that’s what we’re improving as part of the effort to bring web2 user experience to web3 tech,” said Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet. “When people discover a good crypto asset, they want to be able to buy it quickly, securely, and easily. Increasingly, these assets are not the major coins but rather smaller, trending tokens. So, we seamlessly integrate fiat onboarding with on-chain crypto swapping with the fewest steps. With this new capability, we’re giving users a simpler, safer, and smarter way to get their desired tokens —without compromising on self-custody or experience.”

    Buy+ works by intelligently routing transactions based on token availability. If a token is directly supported by Binance Connect, the purchase is completed in one seamless fiat-to-crypto flow. If not, the feature automatically facilitates a two-step process — first acquiring the required native token and then swapping it within the Trust Wallet app — all while maintaining full self-custody and minimizing complexity for the user.

    This feature pairs Binance Connect’s fiat-to-crypto infrastructure with Trust Wallet’s smart routing and swap capabilities to deliver a uniquely seamless experience that balances speed, flexibility, and full ownership.

    “At Binance, we’re focused on breaking down barriers to crypto adoption, and the launch of the Buy+ feature in Trust Wallet — powered by Binance Connect — is a major step in that direction,” said Thomas Gregory, Vice President of Fiat at Binance. “By removing the complexity of chains, swaps, and token transfers, we’re giving users — especially those new to crypto — a faster, simpler way to access the tokens and communities they care about. Binance Connect is proud to power this experience and enable our partners to deliver seamless fiat-to-crypto journeys.”

    Additional blockchain networks will be supported in future rollouts, as Binance Connect continues to expand access to Web3 tokens.

    This collaboration between Trust Wallet and Binance Connect reflects a shared commitment to lowering barriers to entry and making Web3 more intuitive for millions of users worldwide.

    Get Started Today

    To try Buy+ Token, download or open the latest version of Trust Wallet and tap “Buy” on any supported token. The feature is now live.

    Note: Until further notice, this feature will not be available in the UK, US, Canada, Nigeria, Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Cape Verde, Cuba, Syria and Iran. This communication is not intended for audiences within the United Kingdom. If you are accessing this content from within the United Kingdom, please exit immediately.

    About Trust Wallet

    Trust Wallet is the secure, self-custody Web3 wallet and gateway for people who want to fully own, control, and leverage the power of their digital assets. From beginners to experienced users, Trust Wallet makes it easier, safer, and convenient for millions of people around the world to experience Web3, access dApps securely, store and manage their crypto and NFTs, as well as buy, sell, and stake crypto to earn rewards — all in one place and without limits.

    For media enquiries, contact:

    press@trustwallet.com

    About Binance Connect

    Binance Connect is a leading fiat-to-crypto infrastructure platform powered by Binance. It enables seamless on- and off-ramp solutions for Web3 applications, wallets, and marketplaces by leveraging Binance’s global liquidity, regulatory compliance, and diverse payment rails — including card payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, local banking options, and P2P trading. Built to simplify access to digital assets, Binance Connect bridges traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems, empowering developers, businesses, and users to interact with crypto securely and efficiently.

    For media enquiries, contact:

    pr@binance.com

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Trust Wallet. 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/b8a673bf-72b8-4ac2-8e15-f79463a06b4b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Dimitar Radev: Responding to policy volatility – the outlook for public investors

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    The defining feature of our current environment is volatility. It dominates economic briefings, investment strategies and global outlooks.

    This volatility is not just market noise. It signals deeper, systemic shifts. We are no longer navigating temporary dislocations. We are operating in a fundamentally more uncertain world. Policy itself has become a source of volatility.

    This transformation has profound implications for how we think, plan and invest. To navigate this environment, we must rely on a strong conceptual framework – one grounded in economic reality and institutional adaptability.

    Five key assumptions

    My conceptual framework is based on five key assumptions.

    First, policy volatility is structural, not episodic. Geopolitical tensions are intensifying. Trade flows are becoming politicised. Financial sanctions are more frequent and increasingly targeted. These are not temporary disruptions – they are reshaping the global financial system.

    Second, in such an environment, strategic resilience must take precedence over tactical prediction. Diversification remains important, but it is no longer sufficient. We must embed optionality into our governance frameworks – ensuring that our policies and processes allow rapid adaptation to shifting conditions.

    Third, policy coordination is more essential than ever – both within institutions and externally. Reserve management cannot be isolated from monetary policy or financial stability. Our investment decisions must support, rather than complicate, broader policy objectives – especially during periods of stress. Externally, coordination with fiscal authorities and international institutions is critical. In a fragmented world, shared insight becomes a powerful source of stability.

    Fourth, we must re-examine the notion of strategic autonomy – not only at the European level but also nationally. In a climate of geopolitical uncertainty, it is not only what assets we hold, but whether we can access them when needed. This requires a renewed focus on exposures and counterparty risk, along with a serious evaluation of alternative reserve assets – including gold and exchange-traded funds – and a strategic effort to expand and strengthen regional currency arrangements, such as the euro area.

    Fifth, despite short-term noise, we must remain focused on the long term. Demographic aging, the climate transition and technological disruption are not distant threats – they are present investment realities. We must integrate these forces into public wealth management to preserve value and foster sustainable economic growth.

    Implications for Bulgaria and the CEE region

    The implications for Bulgaria may mirror broader trends across central and eastern Europe. While Bulgaria’s direct exposure to current trade tensions is limited, indirect effects could be significant. We are deeply integrated into European supply chains and heavily reliant on external demand from major euro area economies. A slowdown in these – driven by weakening global trade – poses real risks to our exports and investment flows.

    At the same time, the restructuring of global supply chains introduces uncertainty about future trade routes and production hubs. The full impact is difficult to quantify. But the risks are clearly tilted to the downside, with potential consequences for medium-term growth.

    One channel already in motion is commodities. Expectations of softer global demand – driven by trade tensions – have pushed oil prices down. For energy-intensive economies like Bulgaria, this has delivered a short-term disinflationary effect.

    However, the broader inflationary and investment implications of trade fragmentation remain uncertain and may evolve rapidly.

    Foreign exchange reserve management

    The optimal composition of foreign exchange reserves warrants renewed scrutiny. We now operate in an environment marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, weaker global growth, volatile capital flows and increased market instability

    Historically, confidence in the US economy and financial system has supported the dominance of the dollar. As of the end of 2024, there has been no major shift in global reserve currency allocations – the dollar remains dominant, underpinned by its liquidity, depth and perceived safety. Yet this may be beginning to change.

    Simultaneously, gold has re-emerged as a strategic reserve asset. Several central banks have significantly increased their gold holdings in recent years – not only as a hedge against financial risk, but also as protection against geopolitical shocks.

    These trends sharpen the focus on the euro’s role as a reserve currency – an increasingly relevant question.

    The euro and Bulgaria’s strategic path

    For Bulgaria, these developments make our long-standing ambition to join the euro area more relevant – and more urgent – than ever. This conclusion is clearly supported by the prevailing conceptual framework outlined here.

    Euro adoption will have five sets of repercussions. It will anchor Bulgaria’s monetary policy within the European Central Bank framework, and provide credibility, stability and predictability. Furthermore, it will reduce currency risk and protect the economy from speculative pressure; enhance investor confidence and deepen financial integration; and offer access to euro area mechanisms, such as the European Stability Mechanism.

    In a world where policy volatility is structural, euro area membership will strengthen Bulgaria’s strategic resilience – through institutional alignment and enhanced crisis response tools.

    Bulgaria’s reserve management strategy

    At present, the composition of Bulgaria’s foreign exchange reserves is shaped by our legal mandate and the operational logic of the currency board. About 90% of our reserves are held in euros, with the remaining 10% in gold.

    Credit and currency risks are tightly constrained. Eligible assets must carry a minimum AA– rating. This conservative, short-duration approach has served us well during periods of market stress.

    Looking ahead, euro area accession will mark a new phase in reserve management. The new law on the Bulgarian National Bank introduces greater flexibility. With the euro becoming our domestic currency, we will begin to diversify our foreign exchange reserves into other currencies.

    We are already laying the groundwork – developing new operational infrastructure, expanding our network of counterparties and building deeper market expertise.

    We will also adjust our risk framework, relaxing the credit threshold of the securities we hold from AA- to A- and extending the investment horizon from short-term to strategic, long-term. These reforms will broaden our investment universe – potentially including instruments such as ETFs. Naturally, any such instruments will be subject to rigorous assessment to ensure alignment with our core objectives: capital preservation and liquidity assurance.

    Central banks must adapt

    As global fragmentation becomes a defining feature of the international landscape, central banks must adapt. We must continue to uphold the core principles of reserve management – liquidity, safety and return – while increasingly addressing geopolitical and systemic risks.

    Strategic positioning will be just as important as financial fundamentals. For the Bulgarian National Bank, this means maintaining resilience under today’s currency board – while preparing for a more dynamic, risk-aware reserve management strategy in the very near future.

    The reforms ahead will require careful execution. But they also offer a timely opportunity to strengthen our capabilities, increase our adaptability and position ourselves for a more volatile, multipolar world.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • UPI transactions see 23% rise at Rs 25.14 lakh crore in May

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded a strong rebound in May, processing 18.68 billion transactions, up from 17.89 billion in April, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
     
    This marks a 33 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth compared to 14.03 billion transactions in May 2023.
     
    In terms of value, UPI transactions surged to ₹25.14 lakh crore in May 2025 — a 5 per cent rise over April’s ₹23.95 lakh crore and a 23 per cent increase from ₹20.45 lakh crore in the same month last year.
     
    The average daily transaction volume stood at 602 million, while the average daily transaction value reached ₹81,106 crore.
     
    UPI continues to cement its dominance in India’s digital payments ecosystem, with its share in total transaction volume rising to 83.7 per cent in FY25, up from 79.7 per cent in FY24.
     
    According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), UPI processed 185.8 billion transactions in 2024–25, marking a 41 per cent YoY growth. In value terms, UPI payments climbed to ₹261 lakh crore, compared to ₹200 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year.
     
    “The success of UPI has positioned India as a global leader, accounting for 48.5 per cent of global real-time payments by volume,” the RBI noted in its annual report.
     
    Overall, digital payments in India — encompassing UPI, card networks, prepaid instruments, and other systems — grew 35 per cent to 221.9 billion transactions in FY25. The value of these payments rose by 17.97 per cent to ₹2,862 lakh crore.
     
    Looking ahead, the RBI reiterated its commitment to expanding UPI’s global footprint, aiming to enable UPI services in 20 countries by 2028–29. UPI apps are already accepted via QR codes in Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, allowing Indian travellers to make merchant payments abroad using domestic UPI platforms.
     
    —IANS

  • Russia and Ukraine to hold more peace talks after Kyiv hits nuclear-capable bombers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian and Ukrainian officials are due to sit down on Monday in Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks since 2022 with no sign they are any closer to an agreement, one day after Kyiv struck some of Moscow’s nuclear-capable bombers.

    The two sides are expected to discuss their respective ideas for what a full ceasefire and a longer term path to peace should look like, amid stark disagreements and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to walk away from talks.

    Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Moscow’s delegation, said that Russia had received Ukraine’s draft memorandum for a peace accord ahead of the talks. There was no word on whether Kyiv had received Russia’s draft. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will head the Ukrainian delegation.

    Their last round of talks in Istanbul on May 16 yielded the biggest prisoner swap of the war with each side freeing 1,000 prisoners, but no sign of peace – or even a ceasefire as both sides merely stated their opening negotiating positions.

    Kyiv regards Russia’s approach to date as an attempt to force it to capitulate – something it says it will never do – and Moscow, which advanced on the battlefield in May at its fastest rate in six months, says Ukraine should submit to peace on Russian terms or face losing more territory.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in Lithuania on Monday, said ceasefire and humanitarian issues, such as returning more prisoners, from Russia would be a priority for Kyiv at the Istanbul talks.

    Kyiv has said Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin should hold direct talks when the time is right.

    Amid low expectations of a breakthrough, a Ukrainian source told Reuters ahead of Monday’s talks that Kyiv was ready to take real steps towards peace if Moscow showed flexibility and what they described as a readiness to “move forward, not just repeat the same previous ultimatums”.

    Ukrainian officials met with officials from Germany, Italy and Britain ahead of the talks to coordinate their positions.

    GRIM MOOD

    The mood in Russia before the talks was grim with influential war bloggers calling on Moscow to deliver a fearsome retaliatory blow against Kyiv after Ukraine on Sunday launched one of its most ambitious attacks of the war, targeting Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers in Siberia and elsewhere.

    Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched 472 drones at Ukraine, the highest nightly total of the war.

    Trump envoy Keith Kellogg has indicated that the U.S. will be involved in the talks and that representatives from Britain, France and Germany will be present too, though it was not clear at what level the United States would be represented.

    Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was due to chair the talks, which are expected to get underway at 1000 GMT.

    The idea of direct talks was first proposed by Putin after Ukraine and European powers demanded that he agree to a ceasefire which the Kremlin dismissed.

    Last June Putin set out his opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw all of its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

    According to a proposed roadmap that will be presented by Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, Kyiv wants no restrictions on its military strength after any peace deal, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Moscow’s forces, and wants reparations.

    The document stated that the current location of the front line will be the starting point for negotiations about territory.
    Russia currently controls just under one fifth of Ukraine, or about 113,100 square km, about the same size as the U.S. state of Ohio.

    Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops. The United States says over 1.2 million people have been killed and injured in the war since 2022.

    Trump has called Putin “crazy” and berated Zelenskiy in public in the Oval Office, but the U.S. president has also said that he thinks peace is achievable and that if Putin delays then he could impose tough sanctions on Russia.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Uncontrolled use of spyware – Threat to national sovereignty and fundamental rights – E-002029/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002029/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)

    In Greece, there has been unprecedented institutional outrage at the illegal, opaque and unaccountable surveillance of journalists, politicians, judges and state officials through Predator spyware (see ‘Predatorgate’, wiretapping scandal), with no one yet being held responsible[1].

    At the same time, new surveillance platforms, such as Paragon, are circulating widely on the European market, unhindered, uncontrolled and without any unified supervisory framework[2]. This constitutes a threat not only to the privacy of European citizens but also to fundamental freedoms and human rights, freedom of the press, the democratic functioning of the Member States and national security.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.What further steps does the Commission intend to take with a view to establishing a single and binding European regulatory framework that will strictly control the use of spyware within the EU?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to establish a mandatory reporting and notification mechanism for the use of spyware by Member States, in order to ensure democratic scrutiny, transparency and compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights?

    Submitted: 21.5.2025

    • [1] https://balkaninsight.com/2024/08/02/greek-parliament-refuses-to-question-supreme-court-over-spyware-ruling/?utm
    • [2] https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/metas-whatsapp-says-israeli-spyware-company-paragon-targeted-scores-users-2025-01-31/?utm
    Last updated: 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Greek Ministry of Health granted American companies exclusive rights to genetic material (DNA) of 100 000 newborns for the period 2025–2029 – E-002092/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002092/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maria Zacharia (NI)

    The contract signed by the Ministry of Health with the American companies RealGenix and Beginnings, granting them the exclusive right to collect, analyse and commercially exploit the genetic material (DNA) of 100 000 newborns over the period 2025–2029, has caused alarm and public outcry in Greece.

    The contract was signed in complete violation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU Articles 1, 3 (in particular the free and informed consent of the person, the prohibition on the commercialisation of the human body, the protection of personal self-determination), 7 and 8. It took place without public consultation, any competitive procedure or publication on ‘The Transparency Portal (Diavgeia)’, but with a confidentiality clause, in violation of the principles of transparency, accountability and Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement.

    The Institute of Child Health (ICH) was completely bypassed, while its Scientific Council expressed unanimous opposition, citing serious legal, ethical and scientific issues.

    The genetic material of newborns (DNA) is classed as the companies’ exclusive property, while its collection is carried out without the explicit consent of the parents. The agreement also provides for the transfer of the National Newborn Screening Programme from the public to the private sector, without any democratic or scientific control.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of the agreement and the procedures followed?
    • 2.Does it intend to launch an investigation and request the suspension of the agreement?
    • 3.Does it intend to establish a common European framework for bioethics and the genetic data of minors?

    Submitted: 25.5.2025

    Last updated: 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Challenges that AI poses for the culture and the creative sectors in Europe and the US

    Source: European Parliament 3

    During a delegation to Los Angeles, Culture Committee MEPs discussed copyright rules, fair pay, and working conditions in a changing digital environment.

    A delegation of MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) travelled to Los Angeles, from 26 to 29 May, to learn first-hand about the impact of AI and other digital transformative technologies and innovations on the culture and creative industries and the news media sector.

    The delegation met with representatives of film and music studios, streaming platforms, labour unions representing writers, directors, actors and other industry professionals, public media representatives and Congresswoman Laura Friedman.

    “Our constructive meetings shed light on a broad range of common concerns with our US interlocutors, such as possible incentive systems for the film making industry to produce locally,” MEPs said in a joint statement.

    Making the most of disruptive technological advancements or tackling the potential risks brought on by the use of AI – in particular deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and threats to creators’ interests – are common challenges the EU and US culture and creative industries face. MEPs also observed a willingness to put in place solutions allowing the sectors to thrive mutually on both continents.

    The interlocutors the MEPs met referred to the fact that the major film studios prefer contractual relationships on copyright, rather than privileging a regulatory approach. In addition, they learned about the new protections for creative workers brought about by the 2023 writers’ strike, the Human Artistry Campaign, and the NO FAKES Act aimed at preventing the unauthorised use of faces and voices.

    Concerning the music sector, MEPs discussed how to better support and protect artists against possible AI-generated threats, improve the exposure of their work, investment, and representation of diverse musical works across platforms. The challenges brought on by transformative digital technologies, MEPs said, need to be tackled through fit-for-purpose regulatory provisions, clarifying guidelines, and efficient enforcement tools.

    “Our meetings clearly showed that the EU provides best practices in the field and has a leading legislative role in addressing these challenges, notably with the AI Act that has been welcomed by numerous stakeholders,” MEPs said. ”In the current evolving digital landscape, we consider our visit to Los Angeles as a highly useful and enriching way to foster transatlantic collaboration based on open and constructive dialogue in the culture and creative sectors. United, we are stronger in facing the challenges AI poses for culture and the creative sectors.”

    The delegation was led by Nela Riehl (Greens, Germany), and included Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (EPP, Poland), Manuela Ripa (EPP Germany), Hannes Heide (S&D, Austria), Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D, ES), Catherine Griset (PfE, France), Ivaylo Valchev (ECR, Bulgaria), and Laurence Farreng (Renew, France).

    Read the full statement by the CULT delegation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Failed Covid contracts cost British taxpayer £1.4 billion

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Failed Covid contracts cost British taxpayer £1.4 billion

    New report commissioned by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, reveals multibillion price British taxpayers paid for reckless handling of Covid contracts

    • New report commissioned by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, reveals £multibillion price British taxpayers paid for reckless handling of Covid contracts
    • Previous government failure to test defective PPE leaves millions of taxpayer pounds unrecoverable  
    • It comes as Reeves drives work to recover £468 million for communities and public services, underlining commitment to investigate and account for every penny spent during the pandemic under the Plan for Change

    Failed pandemic-era PPE contracts cost the British taxpayer £1.4 billion, as an interim report commissioned by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, lays bare the scale of the scandal.

    The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner’s report reveals the price the British public has paid for undelivered contracts which saw taxpayer cash squandered on unusable PPE.

    The last government’s over-ordering of PPE, and delays in checking it, mean that £762 million is unlikely to ever be recovered. These failures saw substandard PPE – gowns, masks and visors – not inspected for two years, meaning public money could no longer be recouped.

    Now Reeves is going further and faster to recover the £468 million that could still be recovered from suppliers – money which the government will put back into communities and public services including the NHS, police and armed forces.

    Recovery action has so far resulted in £182 million being returned to the public purse, and PPE suppliers referred to the National Crime Agency for suspected fraud.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    The country is still paying the price for the reckless handling of Covid contracts which saw taxpayer pounds wasted and criminals profit from the pandemic.

    This investigation and plan to recover public money underlines our commitment to ensure that every penny spent during the pandemic is fully accounted for.

    We have always been clear that money poorly spent or fraudulently claimed belongs to the British people. This Government will bring criminals to justice and put taxpayer’s money back where it belongs – in the NHS, police and armed forces.

    Most of the wasted money went on surgical gowns. Over half (52%) were non-compliant, but because much of the defective PPE was not quality tested until after warranties had expired, there is little chance of recovering the money.

    This interim report marks the end of Phase one of Commissioner Tom Hayhoe’s investigation– scrutinising PPE contracts. The Commissioner has now begun work on Phase two, which will see it investigating fraud and error in other pandemic spending programmes such as furlough, bounce-back loans, Business Support Grants and Eat Out to Help Out.

    The Commissioner will provide a full update in a final report to the Chancellor at the conclusion of his term in December 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Correspondence

    ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

    Letter from Minister Johnson to the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) setting out the priorities for ACMD’s work programme.

    Documents

    ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

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    Details

    This letter from Minister Johnson to the Chair of the ACMD sets out the Minister’s priorities for the ACMD’s next 3-year work programme.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –