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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Earns ‘Product Carbon Reduction’ and ‘Product Carbon Footprint’ Certifications for Dozens of 2025 TVs, Soundbars and Monitors

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics America announced that nearly 80 models in its 2025 TV, soundbar and monitor lineups have received Product Carbon Reduction1 and Product Carbon Footprint2 certifications from TÜV Rheinland, a globally recognized certification organization based in Germany. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Samsung Neo QLED 8K and Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV lineups have earned the certifications, demonstrating the company’s continued efforts toward carbon reduction.
    “Samsung Electronics is committed to driving technological innovation for a sustainable future,” said Taeyong Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “As the world’s leading TV manufacturer, we will continue to be at the forefront of establishing a more energy-efficient ecosystem that benefits consumers.”
    Following last year’s certification of 60 models across the Neo QLED, OLED and Lifestyle TV categories, Samsung has grown its number of certified products in 2025 to include QLED TVs. In addition, the company is also working towards obtaining certification for its Color E-Paper commercial displays later this year.

    The certifications from TÜV Rheinland are awarded following a rigorous evaluation of a product’s entire lifecycle — including manufacturing, transportation, usage and disposal — based on internationally recognized sustainability standards. By assessing and verifying carbon emissions at each stage, these certifications highlight Samsung efforts to reduce environmental impact across its product lineup.
    In particular, the Product Carbon Reduction certification is granted to products that have already received a Product Carbon Footprint certification and further demonstrate a measurable reduction in carbon emissions compared to their predecessors.

    Samsung leadership in energy-efficient display technology dates back to 2021, when Samsung Neo QLED 4K became the first 4K and higher-resolution TV to earn the Reducing CO2 certification. Since then, Samsung has continually expanded its portfolio of environmentally certified products, including QLED, Crystal UHD, Lifestyle TVs, OLED TVs and a wide range of monitors and digital signage products.
    Plus, Samsung makes it easy to responsibly recycle your old TV, while helping you save on your new one. When you purchase a qualifying 2025 Samsung TV, you can choose to trade in your current model and we’ll not only recycle it, but give you a $50 rebate toward your purchase.3
    For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Barringer, Ph.D. Candidate in English, University of Iowa

    Several Republican-led states have restricted transgender rights: Iowa has signed a law removing civil rights protection for transgender people; Wyoming has prohibited state agencies from requiring the use of preferred pronouns; and Alabama recently passed a law that only two sexes would be recognized. Hundreds of bills have been introduced in other state legislatures to curtail trans rights.

    Earlier in the year, several White House executive orders pushed to deny trans identity. One of them, “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias,” claimed that gender-affirming policies of the Biden administration were “anti-Christian.” It accused the Biden Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of forcing “Christians to affirm radical transgender ideology against their faith.”

    To be clear, not all Christians are anti-trans. And in my research of medieval history and literature, I found evidence of a long history in Christianity of what today could be called “transgender” saints. While such a term did not exist in medieval times, the idea of men living as women, or women living as men, was unquestionably present in the medieval period. Many scholars have suggested that using the modern term transgender creates valuable connections to understand the historical parallels.

    There are at least 34 documented stories of transgender saints’ lives from the early centuries of Christianity. Originally appearing in Latin or Greek, several stories of transgender saints made their way into vernacular languages.

    Transgender saints

    Of the 34 original saints, at least three gained widespread popularity in medieval Europe: St. Eugenia, St. Euphrosyne and St. Marinos. All three were born as women but cut their hair and put on men’s clothes to live as men and join monasteries.

    Eugenia, raised pagan, joined a monastery to learn more about Christianity and later became abbot. Euphrosyne joined a monastery to escape an unwanted suitor and spent the rest of his life there. Marinos, born Marina, decided to renounce womanhood and live with his father at the monastery as a man.

    These were well-read stories. Eugenia’s story appeared in two of the most popular manuscripts of their day – Ælfric’s “Lives of Saints” and “The Golden Legend.” Ælfric was an English abbot who translated Latin saints’ lives into Old English in the 10th century, making them widely available to a lay audience. “The Golden Legend” was written in Latin and compiled in the 13th century; it is part of more than a thousand manuscripts.

    Euphrosyne also appears in Ælfric’s saints’ lives, as well as in other texts in Latin, Middle English, and Old French. Marinos’ story is available in over a dozen manuscripts in at least 10 languages. For those who couldn’t read, Ælfric’s saints’ lives and other manuscripts were read aloud in churches during service on the saint’s day.

    Euphrosyne of Alexandria.
    Anonymous via Wikimedia Commons

    A small church in Paris built in the 10th century was dedicated to Marinos, and relics of his body were supposedly kept in Qannoubine monastery in Lebanon.

    This is all to say, a lot of people were talking about these saints.

    Holy transness

    In the medieval period, saints’ lives were less important as history and more important as morality tales. As a morality tale, the audience was not intended to replicate a saint’s life, but learn to emulate Christian values. Transitioning between male and female becomes a metaphor for transitioning from pagan to Christian, affluence to poverty, worldliness to spirituality. The Catholic Church opposed cross-dressing in laws, liturgical meetings and other writings. However, Christianity honored the holiness of these transgender saints.

    In a 2021 collection of essays about transgender and queer saints in the medieval period, scholars Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt argue that medieval Christianity saw transness as holy.

    “Transness is not merely compatible with holiness; transness itself is holy,” they write. Transgender saints had to reject convention in order to live their own authentic lives, just as early Christians had to reject convention in order to live as Christians.

    Literature scholar Rhonda McDaniel explains that in 10th-century England, adopting the Christian values of shunning wealth, militarism and sex made it easier for people to go beyond strict ideas about male and female gender. Instead of defining gender by separate male and female values, all individuals could be defined by the same Christian values.

    Historically and even in contemporary times, gender is associated with specific values and roles, such as assuming that homemaking is for women, or that men are stronger. But adopting these Christian values allowed individuals to transcend such distinctions, especially when they entered monasteries and nunneries.

    According to McDaniel, even cisgender saints like St. Agnes, St. Sebastian and St. George exemplified these values, exhibiting how anyone in the audience could push against gender stereotypes without changing their bodies.

    Agnes’ love of God allowed her to give up the role of wife. When offered love and wealth by men, she rejected them in favor of Christianity. Sebastian and George were powerful Roman men who were expected, as men, to engage in violent militarism. However, both rejected their violent Roman masculinity in favor of Christian pacifism.

    A life worth emulating

    Although most saints’ lives were written primarily as morality tales, the story of Joseph of Schönau was told as both very real and worthy of emulation by the audience. His story is told as a historical account of a life that would be attainable for ordinary Christians.

    In the late 12th century, Joseph, born female, joined a Cistercian monastery in Schönau, Germany. During his deathbed confession, Joseph told his life story, including his pilgrimage to Jerusalem as a child and his difficult journey back to Europe after the death of his father. When he finally returned to his birthplace of Cologne, he entered a monastery as a man in gratitude to God for returning him home safely.

    Despite arguing that Joseph’s life was worth emulating, the first author of Joseph’s story, Engelhard of Langheim, had a complicated relationship with Joseph’s gender. He claimed Joseph was a woman, but regularly used masculine pronouns to describe him.

    Marinos the monk.
    Richard de Montbaston via Wikimedia Commons

    Even though Eugenia, Euphrosyne and Marinos’ stories are told as morality tales, their authors had similarly complicated relationships with their gender. In the case of Eugenia, in one manuscript, the author refers to her with entirely female pronouns, but in another, the scribe slips into male pronouns.

    Marinos and Euphrosyne were also frequently referred to as male. The fact that the authors referred to these characters as male suggests that their transition to masculinity was not only a metaphor, but in some ways just as real as Joseph’s.

    Based on these stories, I argue that Christianity has a transgender history to pull from and many opportunities to embrace transness as an essential part of its values.

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

    – ref. Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today – https://theconversation.com/christianity-has-long-revered-saints-who-would-be-called-transgender-today-254769

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross

    Pope Leo XIV leaves the Augustinian General House in Rome after a visit on May 13, 2025. AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

    When Pope Leo XIV was elected pope, the assembled crowd reacted with joy but also with surprise: He was the first pope from the United States, and North America more broadly. Moreover, he was the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected to the papacy.

    Out of all 267 popes, only 51 have been members of religious orders. Pope Francis was elected in 2013 as the first member of the Jesuit order, the Society of Jesus; he was also the first member of any religious order to be chosen in over 150 years.

    As a specialist in medieval Christianity, I am familiar with the origins of many Catholic religious orders, and I was intrigued by the choice of a member of the Order of St. Augustine to follow a Jesuit as pope.

    So, who are the Augustinians?

    Early monks and concern for community

    In antiquity, some Christians chose to lead a more perfect religious life by leaving ordinary society and living together in groups, in the wilderness. They would be led by an older, more experienced person – an abbot. As monks, they followed a set of regulations and guidelines called a “monastic rule.”

    The earliest of these rules, composed about the year 400, is attributed to an influential theologian, later a bishop in North Africa, called St. Augustine of Hippo. The Rule of St. Augustine is a short text that offered monks a firm structure for their daily lives of work and prayer, as well as guidelines on how these rules could be implemented by the abbot in different situations. The rule is both firm and flexible.

    The first chapter stresses the importance of “common life”: It instructs monks to love God and one’s neighbor by living “together in oneness of mind and heart, mutually honoring God in yourselves, whose temples you have become.”

    This is the overriding principle that shapes all later instructions in Augustinian rule.

    For example, Chapter III deals with how the monks should behave when out in public. They should not go alone, but in a group, and not engage in scandalous behavior – specifically, staring at women.

    If one monk starts staring at a woman, one of the other monks with him should “admonish” him. If he does it again, his companion should tell the abbot first, before any other witnesses are notified, so that the monk can try to change his behavior on his own first, so as not to cause disruption in the community.

    Because of this clarity and flexibility, its concern for both the community and the individual members, many early religious communities in the early Middle Ages adopted the Rule of St. Augustine; formal papal approval was not required at this time.

    Mendicant friars in medieval Europe

    By the end of the 12th century, Western Europe had become much more urbanized.

    In response, a new form of religious life emerged: the mendicant friars. Unlike monks who withdrew from ordinary life, mendicants stressed a life of poverty, spent in travel from town to town to preach and help the poor. They would beg for alms along the way to provide for their own needs.

    The first mendicant orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, received papal approval in the early 13th century. Others were organized later.

    A few decades later, several hermits living in the Italian region of Tuscany decided to join together to form a new mendicant order. They chose to follow the Rule of St. Augustine under one superior general; Pope Innocent IV approved the new order as the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine in 1244. Later, in 1254, Pope Alexander IV included other groups of hermits in the order, known as the Grand Union.

    The new order grew and eventually expanded across Western Europe, becoming involved in preaching and other kinds of pastoral work in several countries.

    Early missionaries to modern times

    As European countries began to explore the New World, missionary priests took their place on ships sent from Catholic countries, like Spain and Portugal.

    Augustinians were among these early missionaries, quickly establishing themselves in Latin America, several countries in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia and Oceania, arriving in the Philippines in the 16th century.

    There, they not only ministered to the European crews and colonists, but they also evangelized – preached the Christian gospel – to the native inhabitants of the country.

    Augustinian missionaries started the process of setting up Catholic parishes and, eventually, new dioceses. In time, they founded and taught in seminaries to train native-born men who wanted to join their order.

    It wasn’t until the end of the 18th century that Augustinian friars arrived in the United States. Despite many struggles and setbacks in the 19th century, they established Villanova University in Pennsylvania and other ministries in New York and Massachusetts. Except for two 17th-century missionaries, Augustinian friars didn’t arrive in Canada until the 20th century, when they were sent from the German province of the order to escape financial pressure from the economic depression of the 1920s and political pressure from the Nazis.

    Pope Francis meets with members of the Order of Augustinian Recollects at the Vatican on Oct. 20, 2016.
    L’Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP

    Today, there are some 2,800 Augustinian friars in almost 50 countries worldwide. They serve as pastors, teachers and bishops, and have founded schools, colleges and universities on almost every continent. They are also active in promoting social justice in many places – for example, in North America and Australasia, comprising Australia and parts of South Asia.

    Based on his years as a missionary and as provincial of the entire order worldwide, Leo XIV draws on the rich interpersonal tradition of the Order of St. Augustine. I believe his pontificate will be one marked by his experiential awareness of Catholicism as a genuinely global religion, and his deep concern for the suffering of the marginalized and those crushed by political and economic injustice.

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

    – ref. Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians? – https://theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv-is-the-first-member-of-the-order-of-st-augustine-to-be-elected-pope-but-who-are-the-augustinians-257175

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Deni, Research Professor of Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Security Studies, US Army War College

    American soldiers join 3,000 troops from other NATO member countries in a four-week exercise in Hohenfels, Germany, in March 2025. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    The United States has long played a leadership role in NATO, the most successful military alliance in history.

    The U.S. and 11 other countries in North America and Europe founded NATO in 1949, following World War II. NATO has since grown its membership to include 32 countries in Europe and North America.

    But now, European leaders and politicians fear the United States has become a less reliable ally, posing major challenges for Europe and, by implication, NATO.

    This concern is not unfounded.

    President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken of a desire to seize Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member. He has declared that Canada, another NATO member, should become “the 51st state.” Trump has also sided with Russia at the United Nations and said that the European Union, the political and economic group uniting 27 European countries, was designed to “screw” the U.S.

    Still, Trump – as well as other senior U.S. government officials – has said that the U.S. remains committed to staying in and supporting NATO.

    For decades, both liberal and conservative American politicians have recognized that the U.S. strengthens its own military and economic interests by being a leader in NATO – and by keeping thousands of U.S. troops based in Europe to underwrite its commitment.

    President Donald Trump speaks at a NATO Summit in July 2018 during his first term.
    Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    Understanding NATO

    The U.S., Canada and 10 Western European countries formed NATO nearly 80 years ago as a way to help maintain peace and stability in Europe following World War II. NATO helped European and North American countries bind together and defend themselves against the threat once posed by the Soviet Union, a former communist empire that fell in 1991.

    NATO employs about 2,000 people at its headquarters in Brussels. It does not have its own military troops and relies on its 32 member countries to volunteer their own military forces to conduct operations and other tasks under NATO’s leadership.

    NATO does have its own military command structure, led by an American military officer, and including military officers from other countries. This team plans and executes all NATO military operations.

    In peacetime, military forces working with NATO conduct training exercises across Eastern Europe and other places to help reassure allies about the strength of the military coalition – and to deter potential aggressors, like Russia.

    NATO has a relatively small annual budget of around US$3.6 billion. The U.S. and Germany are the largest contributors to this budget, each responsible for funding 16% of NATO’s costs each year.

    Separate from NATO’s annual budget, in 2014, NATO members agreed that each participating country should spend the equivalent of 2% of its gross domestic product on their own national defense. Twenty two of NATO’s 31 members with military forces were expected that 2% threshold as of April 2025.

    Although NATO is chiefly a military alliance, it has roots in the mutual economic interests of both the U.S. and Europe.

    Europe is the United States’ most important economic partner. Roughly one-quarter of all U.S. trade is with Europe – more than the U.S. has with Canada, China or Mexico.

    Over 2.3 million American jobs are directly tied to producing exports that reach European countries that are part of NATO.

    NATO helps safeguard this mutual economic relationship between the U.S. and Europe. If Russia or another country tries to intimidate, dominate or even invade a European country, this could hurt the American economy. In this way, NATO can be seen as the insurance policy that underwrites the strength and vitality of the American economy.

    The heart of that insurance policy is Article 5, a mutual defense pledge that member countries agree to when they join NATO.

    Article 5 says that an armed attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against the entire alliance. If one NATO member is attacked, all other NATO members must help defend the country in question. NATO members have only invoked Article 5 once, following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., when the alliance deployed aircraft to monitor U.S. skies.

    A wavering commitment to Article 5

    Trump has questioned whether he would enforce Article 5 and help defend a NATO country if it is not paying the required 2% of its gross domestic product.

    NBC News also reported in April 2025 that the U.S. is likely going to cut 10,000 or more of the nearly 85,000 American troops stationed in Europe. The U.S. might also relinquish its top military leadership position within NATO, according to NBC.

    Many political analysts expect the U.S. to shift its national security focus away from Europe and toward threats posed by China – specifically, the threat of China invading or attacking Taiwan.

    At the same time, the Trump administration appears eager to reset relations with Russia. This is despite the Russian military’s atrocities committed against Ukrainian military forces and civilians in the war Russia began in 2022, and Russia’s intensifying hybrid war against Europeans in the form of covert spy attacks across Europe. This hybrid warfare allegedly includes Russia conducting cyberattacks and sabotage operations across Europe. It also involves Russia allegedly trying to plant incendiary devices on planes headed to North America, among other things.

    President Joe Biden speaks during a NATO summit in Washington in July 2024.
    Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

    A shifting role in Europe

    The available evidence indicates that the U.S. is backing away from its role in Europe. At best – from a European security perspective – the U.S. could still defend European allies with the potential threat of its nuclear weapon arsennal. The U.S. has significantly more nuclear weapons than any Western European country, but it is not clear that this is enough to deter Russia without the clear presence of large numbers of American troops in Europe, especially given that Moscow continues to perceive the U.S. as NATO’s most important and most powerful member.

    For this reason, significantly downsizing the number of U.S. troops in Europe, giving up key American military leadership positions in NATO, or backing away from the alliance in other ways appears exceptionally perilous. Such actions could increase Russian aggression across Europe, ultimately threatening not just European security bu America’s as well.

    Maintaining America’s leadership position in NATO and sustaining its troop levels in Europe helps reinforce the U.S. commitment to defending its most important allies. This is the best way to protect vital U.S. economic interests in Europe today and ensure Washington will have friends to call on in the future.

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

    – ref. Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too – https://theconversation.com/europeans-are-concerned-that-the-us-will-withdraw-support-from-nato-they-are-right-to-worry-americans-should-too-253907

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark mine water heat scheme goes live in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Landmark mine water heat scheme goes live in Wales

    Wales’ first commercial mine water heat scheme goes live in Ammanford to provide low-carbon heat to a nearby industrial site.

    Heat exchangers being installed into the treatment lagoons.

    Previously untapped heat from a mine water treatment scheme in Wales is now being harnessed to provide low-carbon heating for a nearby business.

    Reducing carbon emissions from traditional fossil fuel heating remains a significant challenge in the fight against climate change.

    Wales, with its industrial heritage and coal mining past, has recognised the potential of mine water heat, through its Heat Strategy for Wales, as a viable option to support a just transition to renewables.

    As part of this commitment, the Mining Remediation Authority identified an opportunity for low-carbon heat recovery at our Lindsay treatment scheme near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, as part of our work to map areas of Wales most suited for mine water heat schemes, which was commissioned by the Welsh Government.

    Landmark mine water heat scheme goes live in Wales

    We operate more than 80 treatment schemes across Great Britain and at Lindsay we pump and treat an average of 25 litres of mine water per second – nearly enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool every day.

    This process removes approximately 28 kilograms of iron each day, preventing it from entering local watercourses, protecting the Ffrwd Brook, which flows into the River Loughor, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and contributing to cleaner, healthier rivers in the region.

    Now, for the first time in Wales, the heat from mine water is being harnessed to provide secure, low-carbon heating at an industrial site.

    The mine water is naturally warm due to geothermal energy from the earth’s crust and heat retained from its time circulating through underground rock layers and former coal mines.

    Working in collaboration with local business Thermal Earth Ltd, the renewable heat project secured funding through Innovate UK’s New Innovators in Net Zero Industry, South West Wales initiative.

    Constructed in just two weeks, the innovative project utilises heat exchangers submerged in one of the settlement ponds at the Lindsay scheme to recover heat from mine water, which is then transferred to a nearby industrial unit to supply low-carbon heating and hot water, and is predicted to save 17.5 tonnes of CO2 per year.

    How the Lindsay scheme cleans water and also provides heat

    Andrew Simpson, head of Innovation, By-Products and Services at the Mining Remediation Authority, said:

    It’s been incredibly rewarding to see this forward-thinking project, transforming part of our mining legacy into a source of clean, renewable heat.

    It’s a powerful example of how innovation, collaboration and technical expertise can work together to deliver real-world solutions to the climate challenge.

    This scheme demonstrates how Wales’ industrial heritage can be repurposed to support a low-carbon future.

    By unlocking the potential of mine water heat, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating a blueprint for sustainable energy that can be replicated across the country.

    We hope this success inspires others to explore the untapped potential of mine water heat as a reliable, renewable energy source.

    Nick Salini, managing director of Thermal Earth Ltd, said:

    Completion of this demonstration project marks a monumental step forward in sustainable energy innovation.

    By harnessing the untapped thermal energy from mine water, we’re not only pioneering the first commercial use of heat from a mine water treatment scheme in Wales but also redefining what’s possible for renewable heating.

    Thermal Earth’s heat pump system

    Since establishing Thermal Earth in 2006, Mr Salini has been a strong advocate for sustainable heating solutions. Growing up in Ammanford, a town with a long mining history, he recognised the potential of abandoned mine water as a heat source.

    By completing this demonstration system, Thermal Earth has successfully converted its facility away from liquefied petroleum gas, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and showcasing the possibilities of innovative renewable solutions.

    Mr Salini added:

    This project wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of the team at the Mining Remediation Authority and Innovate UK, who shared our ambition to turn the Lindsay site into a sustainable asset. Together, we have proven that innovation can thrive with collaboration.

    We hope this project is just the beginning. This model can be scaled and replicated to provide local communities with heat networks offering low-cost heating for residents and businesses, with the potential to create jobs within the green economy.

    Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:

    This innovative project is a perfect example of how Wales is turning its industrial heritage into sustainable solutions. By harnessing heat from former mine workings, we’re not just reducing carbon emissions but creating new economic opportunities in our communities.

    The mine water maps, commissioned by the Welsh Government, recognised the significant role mine water heat can play in our journey to net zero. This scheme demonstrates what’s possible and creates a model that could be replicated across Great Britain, utilising local expertise and supply chains.

    This is exactly the kind of collaborative approach that will help us build a more sustainable, prosperous Wales for future generations.

    Heat exchangers being installed into the treatment lagoons.

    The Lindsay scheme has been successfully treating mine water since 2003 and the pioneering the concept of adding heat recovery features to treatment sites is part of our wider geothermal energy research.

    This new development follows the success of the privately-funded project at Lanchester Wines warehouses, which has been successfully using mine water to provide low-carbon space heating since 2018, and the Gateshead scheme, the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat network, which began providing heat to homes and businesses in March 2023.

    The Thermal Earth scheme serves as a powerful operational demonstrator, showcasing another innovative way to access mine water heat and inspiring confidence in future projects across Wales and Great Britain.

    It is hoped that the data from the scheme will help build investor confidence and encourage other organisations to explore this technology, furthering knowledge-sharing within the sector.

    For media enquiries contact the community response team

    Email communityresponse@miningremediation.gov.uk

    Telephone 0800 288 4211

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Have a splashing summer! Tettenhall Pool and East Park water play reopen for fun

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The popular pool and water splash play facilities reopened to visitors over the weekend after water safety checks were carried out.

    The attractions traditionally reopen during the late May Bank Holiday weekend and are available for splashing throughout the summer months before closing again in September.

    The council looks after Tettenhall Pool, and over the years it has attracted many visitors from across the city and proven to be extremely popular during the school holidays.

    Anyone looking forward to visiting the pool is being encouraged to enjoy the water safely and to be considerate to local residents and other users.

    The water splash play at East Park was opened in 2023 following work carried out by City of Wolverhampton Council in partnership with contractors Wicksteed.

    It is just one of the attractions at the play area, which also includes treetop towers, roundabouts, seesaws, wetpour tunnels, firefighters pole, rockers, springers and bucket and rope swings.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We’ve been busy making sure these fantastic attractions are safe for residents to enjoy from the traditional Spring Bank Holiday reopening.

    “The weather has been unusually good recently and although the forecast looks a little more unsettled over the coming days, we’re hoping for some more warm days to come so children and families can make the most of splashing.

    “It’s wonderful that we have 2 great water play facilities in the city and I’d like to remind people of the importance of wearing suitable clothes and shoes while enjoying the city’s water attractions – and do bring hats and sunscreen on sunny days.

    “Please also be considerate to local residents when you visit the pool or the water splash play and take your litter away with you. Remember, if you’re bringing your dog, please make sure they are kept under control, on a lead and out of the water.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Ida Wolden Bache: Norges Bank’s management of the Government Pension Fund Global

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you for the opportunity to talk about Norges Bank’s management of the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG).

    The investment objective of the GPFG is to achieve the highest possible return at an acceptable level of risk. In 2024, returns were high but lower than the return on the benchmark index against which our performance is measured. The Executive Board emphasises the importance of assessing the performance of the GPFG over long periods and is satisfied that the return over time has been higher than the return on the benchmark index.

    We are in a period of global transition. The framework for global trade and cooperation is in play, and the security policy landscape is changing. This has resulted in substantial volatility in the return on the GPFG’s investments so far in 2025.

    I have three key messages today:

    First, the experience from previous periods of turbulence, as well as the strengthening of Norges Bank’s work on geopolitical risk in recent years, makes the management of the GPFG better equipped to face the current uncertainty.

    Second, the GPFG has a financial objective. Active ownership is about managing risk and creating economic value over time.

    Third, the energy transition provides investment opportunities. We continue to build a portfolio of renewable energy infrastructure assets and have increased the number of such investments over the past year.

    Let me begin with the ability to face new uncertainty.

    The Ministry of Finance determines the investment strategy and the benchmark index, and significant strategic decisions are endorsed by the Storting (Norwegian parliament). The equity allocation is 70 percent, and risk is reduced by broad diversification, across regions, sectors and individual companies. The return of the GPFG tracks the benchmark index closely.

    Equity investments have been important for the GPFG’s performance. At the end of 2024, the cumulative return on the GPFG amounted to over NOK 11 000 billion since inception, of which equity investments accounted for almost NOK 10 000 billion. In order to achieve this return, we have had to withstand several periods of substantial falls in value.

    The repricing of technology stocks after 2000, the financial crisis and the outbreak of the pandemic come to mind. Crises do not repeat themselves. Each crisis is unique and difficult to foresee. Nevertheless, being able to follow the GPFG’s investment strategy through periods of turbulence is a strength.

    The Executive Board is responsible for ensuring that Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) has the systems, resources and expertise needed to monitor, assess and manage the risk resulting from geopolitical conditions.

    In recent years, NBIM’s management of this risk has been strengthened. The scenario analysis and stress testing are part of this. NBIM has built up more expertise and improved internal coordination. The Bank also participates in meetings of the Contact Forum established by the Ministry of Finance for the exchange of information on international matters. All of this enhances contingency preparedness, but contingency planning entails continuous work.

    Let me now turn to active ownership. As owner, we have expectations towards the boards of directors of the GPFG’s investee companies. The expectations are described in expectation documents that cover different environmental, social and governance issues. The expectations are principles-based and are publicly available.

    Active ownership is about risk management and creating long-term economic value. Climate risk is one example of this. In our opinion, companies that address risks associated with climate change will perform better over time. As a long-term owner of almost all listed companies, it is in the GPFG’s own-interest to have an orderly energy transition.

    The energy transition also creates investment opportunities. The mandate provides for investing some of the GPFG in unlisted renewable energy infrastructure. These are active investment decisions that are subject to the same requirements for risk and return as the GPFG’s other investments.

    In 2024 and so far in 2025, the Bank has made more investments in unlisted renewable energy infrastructure than previously. The new investments include solar and onshore wind projects in Portugal and Spain and offshore wind projects in the UK, Denmark and Germany. The Bank has also invested in a fund that includes early-stage renewable projects. This fund will invest in different types of technology and across various regions.

    The Executive Board has established a framework for unlisted investments that emphasises that also this part of the GPFG’s management must be cost-efficient and responsible.  High transparency and reporting standards are required.

    Let me conclude. Norges Bank’s management of the GPFG is based on a clear mandate and a framework that has proven robust over time. If we consider that adjustments to the mandate are needed, we are conscious of our responsibility as adviser to the Ministry of Finance.

    We welcome the Ministry’s appointment of an external expert group that will review the GPFG’s investment strategy. Such reviews further develop the management of the GPFG, and we will of course make ourselves available to the group if they so wish.

    With that, I will pass you to Nicolai Tangen.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: IDF firing ‘warning shots’ near diplomats sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Forde, Assistant Professor – European Human Rights Law, Dublin City University

    A still from footage of the incident when ‘warning shots’ were fired above visiting diplomats in Jenin on May 21. X (Twitter)

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) appears to have “crossed the Rubicon” in the West Bank town of Jenin, when it opened fire in the vicinity of a group of visiting diplomats on May 21 – in flagrant violation of international law. The group of diplomats representing 31 countries – including Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Russia and China – were on an official mission organised by the Palestinian Authority to observe the humanitarian situation there.

    They were giving media interviews when IDF troops fired what they later referred to as “warning shots” over their heads, forcing them to run for cover. The shots came despite the visit having been flagged and coordinated in advance with both the Palestinian Authority and the IDF, which has effective control over the area.

    Jenin has long been a flash point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With much of the population descendants of Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war, Israeli occupation and active Palestinian resistance are observable in the town.

    The international community’s reaction to the warning shots incident – in particular, by those states whose diplomatic officials were directly involved – was one of swift and widespread outrage. The high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, called for a full investigation into the incident, and for those responsible to be held accountable. “Any threats on diplomats’ lives are not acceptable,” she said.

    The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having “deliberately targeted with live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation”.

    Israel acknowledged the incident and triggered an initial investigation, but downplayed its significance. A spokesman for the IDF said it “regrets the inconvenience caused” by the incident. But its statement went on to effectively justify the action, arguing that the diplomats had “deviated from the approved route” by entering a restricted area – leading to IDF soldiers firing warning shots into the air.

    Such a response doesn’t remotely correspond to the seriousness of the situation, and Israel is perfectly aware of this.

    International law and diplomats

    Diplomats carry out functions on behalf of the country they represent. They are the eyes, ears and voice of their country, called upon to pursue legitimate diplomatic activities. The protections afforded to individual diplomats must therefore be seen in the context of broader and longer-term diplomatic relations between states.

    To carry out diplomatic functions effectively, those individuals must be allowed to perform their functions without hindrance, coercion or harassment from any country that hosts their delegations. These customary rules are thousands of years old, and have been codified in international law through the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations – to which Israel is a signatory.

    That convention provides for diplomatic inviolability, immunity from criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction, and freedom from detention or arrest. It also affords diplomatic staff the right to freedom of movement and free communications.

    Most importantly for this case, article 29 of the convention states that the host state “shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on [their] person, freedom or dignity”.

    Firing warning shots in the vicinity of diplomats, even if done in error or without ill-intent, represents a serious threat to the person and their dignity. As such, it constitutes a flagrant abdication of Israel’s duty to protect them.

    Moreover, the firing of warning shots in Jenin immediately interrupted the diplomatic work there, and as such can be seen as an attempt to intimidate or limit the efficient and effective performance of diplomatic functions on behalf of their governments.

    Need for accountability

    Any use of force against diplomats, even indirect, is incompatible with the principles of diplomatic immunity enshrined in international law. The onus is on the host state to ensure the safety and inviolability of diplomatic personnel.

    And this duty of care is not diminished in situations of conflict. On the contrary, states have a special duty in times of conflict to protect diplomats and preserve diplomatic channels of communication.

    Israel’s actions in firing above these diplomats may or may not have been deliberate. But they had an intimidatory effect, which undermines the foundational principles of international relations. In a climate where Israel’s courts have effectively endorsed a media blackout in conflict-affected regions, the role of diplomats is indispensable.

    The entire system of diplomatic relations relies on the presumption that diplomats can carry out their functions freely and effectively. Diplomatic protections work effectively when they are reciprocal. Without trust, the system quickly unravels.

    It would be wrong to suggest this act may have tipped the balance of international opinion against Israel, when you consider the 19 months of violence in Gaza. The killing by the IDF of vast numbers of civilians (including thousands of women and children), the seeming use of starvation as a weapon of war, and the destruction of vast swaths of Gaza have rightly attracted growing international condemnation.

    On May 19, Britain, France and Canada – staunch allies of Israel – said they will “not stand by”, and would take “concrete actions” if the military offensive is not halted and humanitarian aid is not delivered to the people of Gaza.

    But threatening diplomats – even if not actively shooting at them – is an egregious breach of trust under the laws of diplomatic relations, which requires a meaningful apology and effective investigation. Those responsible for giving the orders to fire the “warning shots” need to be held accountable for that decision.

    Andrew Forde is affiliated with Dublin City University (Assistant Professor, European Human Rights Law).

    He is also, separately, affiliated with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Commissioner).

    – ref. IDF firing ‘warning shots’ near diplomats sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations – https://theconversation.com/idf-firing-warning-shots-near-diplomats-sets-an-unacceptable-precedent-in-international-relations-257488

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: H

    Source: ASEAN

    The ASEAN Secretariat is honoured to welcome H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, on the occasion of his visit to the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat, on 28 May 2025.
     
    This visit marks a significant milestone in the growing partnership between ASEAN and France. In 2020, France was officially conferred the status of Development Partner of ASEAN, underscoring its commitment to deepening cooperation with the region.
    The post H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of French Republic to visit ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Director and Deputy Head of the Attorney General’s Office appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New Director and Deputy Head of the Attorney General’s Office appointed

    Douglas Wilson KC (Hon) OBE, Director General of the Attorney General’s Office, is pleased to announce Michael Padfield has been appointed Director and Deputy Head of the AGO.

    Michael Padfield

    Douglas Wilson KC (Hon) OBE, Director General of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), is pleased to announce that Michael Padfield has been appointed Director and Deputy Head of the AGO following an open and fair recruitment process across the Civil Service.

    Michael started his career as a commercial lawyer in the City of London before joining the litigation team in the Treasury Solicitor’s Department in 2014.

    Since then, he has worked as a lawyer in a number of roles within the Government Legal Department, including in the Home Office and His Majesty’s Treasury, before first joining the AGO in 2020 then becoming Head of the Domestic Law Team in 2021.

    Michael was appointed General Counsel in the Prime Minister’s Office in No10 in the autumn of 2023, a role which is staffed from AGO.  Michael has been a member of the Executive Board at AGO since 2021.  

    Commenting on the appointment, Douglas Wilson KC (Hon) OBE said:

    I’m absolutely delighted to announce Michael as Director at the AGO and my deputy.  Michael is a great lawyer and a strong leader who brings considerable experience of working on the hardest legal problems in government. He is a trusted adviser to the Law Officers and to other Ministers, and has a wide network in No10 and across Whitehall.

    I look forward to working together with Michael to support the Law Officers and lead the AGO in making law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Has Record-Breaking Cohort for Gilman Scholars

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A record-breaking 31 UConn students have been awarded a Gilman Scholarship in the latest cohort of the prestigious academic award. The award is congressionally funded through the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs at the State Department.

    The funding supports expanding student participation in study abroad programs and encourages travel to diverse locations around the globe, along with intensive language study and internship experiences.

    The 31 UConn students, who will study in 14 different countries, will receive a total of nearly $94,000 in scholarship funds through the Gilman program. A total of 40 UConn students have earned Gilman awards in the last two cohorts, this one and October 2024, for a total of more than $121,500 in scholarship funding.

    Students applying for Gilman Scholarships work with advisors in UConn’s Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships (ONSF) and Experiential Global Learning (EGL). Rachel Gleicher, an advisor in EGL, and Michael Cunningham, assistant director of ONSF and UConn’s Fulbright program advisor, are UConn’s two Gilman certifying advisors.

    “We are very excited that the Gilman program has selected so many UConn students this cycle,” says Cunningham. “It’s a testament to the quality of our students and to the hard work that they put into their applications.”

    Upon their return from studying abroad, each Gilman Scholar is required to complete a service project in their campus or home community with the goal of sharing the value of participation in study abroad and promoting the scholarship to prospective students. Applications are reviewed with consideration for the proposed follow-up service project.

    “We are so proud of these students for staying determined and focused on their study abroad goals,” says Gleicher. “Amid uncertain times, with federal funding freezes and broader uncertainty, they remained committed to their aspirations. Now more than ever, it is crucial to ensure students are aware of the funding opportunities available to them.”

    Eligibility for the Gilman Scholarship requires undergraduate students to be Pell Grant-eligible United States citizens who plan to study abroad for academic credit through a program approved by their home institution. Supporting students with high financial need provides access to students who are historically underrepresented in study abroad, including first-generation college students, STEM majors, ethnic and racial minority students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and others who experience barriers to participation.

    Students from underrepresented areas of the U.S. are also considered during the application process and this year there are recipients from all 50 states.

    The following UConn students were selected as Gilman Scholars in this cycle, and they are listed with the location of where they will study as part of the program:

    Carina Adams-Szabo ’27 (CLAS), a psychology and political science major from Greenwich, who will be studying neuroscience this summer in Salamanca, Spain.

    Ashley Barragan ’27 (NUR), a nursing major who will be studying at the University of Dublin Summer Applied Research for Nursing Practice in Dublin, Ireland.

    Rhys Brauer ’27 (CLAS), a psychological sciences major, who will be studying neuroscience this summer in Salamanca.

    Brooke Catellier ’26 (CAHNR), an allied health major, who will be studying the Mediterranean diet and Tuscan cuisine in Florence, Italy, this summer.

    Kylene Chino ’26 (CLAS), a human rights and political science major, who will be studying in the fall at the Pusan National University in Shanghai, China.

    Jaiyliah Cochran ’25 (CLAS), a microbiology major, who will be studying field ecology this summer in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

    Mia Dansby ’26 (BUS), a management major, who will be studying this summer at ISI in Florence.

    Andrea D’Oleo ’27 (NUR), a nursing major from East Hartford, who will be studying in the Dublin Summer Applied Research Program for Nursing Practice in Ireland.

    Danyelix Echevarria Figueroa ’28 (ACES), a pre-teaching major from New Britain, who will study next spring at the University of Grenda in Grenda, Spain.

    Dahiana Fernandez-Ramirez ’26 (CLAS), a psychological sciences major, who will be studying this fall at ISI Florence.

    Adiriana Garcia Vazquez ’25 (CLAS), a cognitive science major from Bridgeport, who will be studying this fall at the Interdisciplinary Ethnography Field School in Mauritius.

    Hannah Ginste ’26 (CLAS), a communications major, who will be doing a summer internship in London.

    Jessica Glowacki ’25 (CLAS), a biological sciences major who will be studying field ecology this summer in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

    Emma Hazard ’27 (CAHNR), a diagnostic genetic sciences major, who will be studying the Mediterranean diet and Tuscan cuisine in Florence this summer.

    Danecia Henry ’28 (BUS), a management major from New Haven, will be studying in the summer at Camino de Santiago in Spain.

    Ty’Laisha Huff ’27 (NUR), a nursing major from Hartford, will be studying at the Dublin Summer Applied Research Program for Nursing Practice in Ireland.

    Layan Jahaf ’28 (CLAS), a political science and Arabic and Islam civics major, who will be studying this fall in London.

    Dee Jerome ’26 (CAHNR), an allied health sciences major from Bridgeport, who will be studying this summer in Accra, Ghana.

    Evelyn Pazan ’27 (CLAS), a finance and German major, who will be studying during the 2025-26 academic year at the University of Mannheim in Germany.

    Danielle Phillips ’27 (CLAS), an individualized major in industrial and labor relations from Bridgeport, who will be studying this summer at the Intercultural Leadership Program in Strasbourg, France.

    Jocelyn Ramirez ’26 (BUS), a management major from New Haven, who will be studying this summer at ISI.

    Jamie Ross ’27 (CLAS), a physiology and neurobiology major, who will be studying next winter in Barcelona, Spain.

    Ellie Sanders ’27 (CAHNR), a nutritional sciences major from West Cornwall, who will be studying the Mediterranean diet and Tuscan cuisine in Florence this summer.

    Fabio Silveira ’26 (CLAS), a pathobiology major, who will be studying neuroscience this summer in Salamanca, Spain.

    Amber Szymanski ’26 (CLAS), a political science and human rights major, who will be studying this fall at the Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea.

    Angel Uchupailla ’26 (CAHNR), an allied health major from Stamford, who will be studying this winter in Rome.

    Lyric Vargas ’27 (CLAS), a political science and psychological science major, who will be studying this fall at the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

    Erica Wong ’26 (CLAS), a political science and urban and community studies major, who will be studying this fall at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

    Morgan Xu ’26 (ENG), a materials science and engineering major from Chesire, who will be studying this fall at the National University of Singapore.

    Ada Yeung ’27 (CLAS), an individualized major, who will be studying next spring at Fudan University.

    Maggie Zheng ’27 (BUS), an accounting major, who will be studying next spring at Fudan University.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BIO-key and Runlevel Secure First Major IAM Deployment with a National Bank in Mozambique; Extends Growing List of Banking Customers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LISBON, Portugal and HOLMDEL, N.J., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), a global leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions featuring Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB), today announced a strategic partnership with Runlevel, a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider, as well as the partnership’s first customer deployment. Runlevel focuses on Portuguese-speaking African countries (“Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa or “PALOP”) and Timor-Leste in Asia.

    Runlevel joins BIO-key’s Channel Alliance Partner (CAP) program as a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) for businesses and government institutions in PALOP countries and Timor-Leste, which face increasing cybersecurity challenges. The Runlevel partnerships marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand adoption of BIO-key solutions across the region, ensuring financial institutions, government agencies and enterprises can benefit from secure, scalable and compliant digital identity solutions. In support of BIO-key’s solutions, Runlevel will provide pre-sales consulting, deployment support and technical training tailored to regulatory requirements in PALOP and Timor-Leste.

    Partnership’s First Major Deployment
    BIO-key and Runlevel have already secured their first customer in the region — a National Bank in Mozambique — which is deploying a comprehensive suite of BIO-key’s biometric-based IAM solutions.

    This deployment highlights the growing need for robust IAM solutions in the partnership’s territories and reinforces BIO-key’s position as a trusted cybersecurity partner within the global financial sector.

    The deployment includes the following BIO-key solutions:

    • PortalGuard On-Prem
    • Highly secure IAM platform with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
    • Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities.

    Miguel Guerreiro, Managing Partner at Runlevel, commented, “Runlevel is committed to delivering cutting-edge security solutions that address the unique challenges faced by customers in PALOP and Timor-Leste. Partnering with BIO-key enables us to provide advanced IAM technologies that enhance cybersecurity, streamline authentication, and ensure compliance. Securing our first major deal together is a strong validation of this partnership and demonstrates the critical need for robust identity security solutions in the financial sector.”

    Alex Rocha, International Managing Director at BIO-key, added, “Runlevel is an ideal partner to expand BIO-key’s reach into Portuguese speaking markets. Their deep knowledge of the local cybersecurity landscape and strong relationships with key enterprises and public institutions make them a perfect fit for delivering BIO-key’s IAM solutions. Securing our first project together with a National Bank in Mozambique confirms the demand we believe exists for advanced IAM solutions in these regions and adds to BIO-key’s growing presence in the financial sector. Together, we are committed to supporting customers with secure, scalable, and regulation-compliant authentication technologies.”

    About Runlevel (www.runlevel.pt)
    Runlevel is a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider focusing on Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste. The company delivers advanced IT security, infrastructure, and compliance solutions, helping organizations navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape with best-in-class technology and expert consulting services.

    About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.BIO-key.com)
    BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software securing access for over forty million users. BIO-key allows customers to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including phoneless, tokenless, and passwordless biometric options. Its cloud-hosted or on-premise PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, convenient, and secure access to computers, information, applications, and high-value transactions.

    BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
    All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The words “estimate,” “project,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Investor Contacts
    William Jones, David Collins
    Catalyst IR
    BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New Study Reveals Agriculture as Largest, Most Resource-Intensive Industry on Earth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RA Capital Management’s Planetary Health Team and The Nature Conservancy have released a groundbreaking analysis that exposes agriculture as the most resource-intensive industry on Earth: it’s the leading contributor to methane emissions, a key driver of water pollution, and it uses roughly half of viable land on Earth. As agriculture is often viewed in silos, its $15T scale and opportunity are often overlooked. The just-released Agriculture Map by RA Capital Management’s Planetary Health team and The Nature Conservancy calls for a systems-level approach to address the urgent risks and transformative opportunities within agriculture through innovation, incentives to change, and direct investment.

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    The Agricultural Map highlights:

    • Agriculture’s massive footprint means high ROI for broader adoption of best practices: optimizing global yields of staple grains, fruits, and vegetables would allow the world to produce the same amount of food with much less land – freeing up a land area the size of Mexico (~3x the size of Texas).
    • Agriculture produces more methane (a potent greenhouse gas) than any other human activity: Cattle alone produce as much methane as oil, coal, and bioenergy; rice paddies produce more methane than the natural gas industry.
    • Agriculture consumes more water than any other human activity and also causes the most water pollution. Investment in on-field and edge-of-field systems can significantly improve water quality and use. 
    • Fertilizer is important for optimizing crop yields, but fertilizer runoff causes hundreds of billions of dollars worth of losses each year, mostly due to impacts on commercial fishing, tourism, and property values, and creates aquatic dead zones the size of the United Kingdom.

    “Agriculture is the backbone of our global economy, but it’s also the most resource-intensive and environmentally demanding industry on Earth. If we are serious about tackling climate change, water pollution, and food security, we must rethink how we grow, produce, and manage our resources. Sustainable solutions are not just an option – they are a necessity to transform agriculture into a cleaner, more efficient, and resilient industry that can feed the world for generations to come,” noted Kyle Teamey, managing partner, RA Capital Planetary Health.

    Details within the Agriculture Map provide decision-makers with the knowledge they need to navigate the future of agriculture, from sustainable investment strategies to policy reform and innovation in farming technologies. The findings challenge conventional wisdom and call for urgent and coordinated attention from businesses, investors, governments, and philanthropic organizations. The map is a culmination of extensive research led by RA Capital and The Nature Conservancy. It combines proprietary data analysis with a systems-level approach to visualize and communicate the scale and interconnectedness of global agriculture’s planetary impacts while highlighting a range of potential solutions for select problems.

    “The environmental and human health challenges posed by the food system are well-understood in some circles but making this information material and actionable to stakeholders can be a real challenge,” said Stephen Wood, Senior Scientist of Agriculture and Food Systems at The Nature Conservancy. “This map makes it possible for non-experts to quickly understand the scope and scale of the problem, as well as the solutions.”

    The full map is available for download at Agriculture: Hiding in Plain Sight. 

    About RA Capital Management 

    Founded in 2004, RA Capital Management is a multi-stage investment manager dedicated to evidence-based investing in public and private healthcare, life sciences, and planetary health companies. RA Capital creates and funds innovative companies, from private seed rounds to public follow-on financings, allowing management teams to drive value creation from inception through commercialization and beyond. RA Capital’s knowledge engine is guided by its TechAtlas internal research division, and Raven, RA Capital’s healthcare incubator, offers entrepreneurs and innovators a collaborative and comprehensive platform to explore the novel and the re-imagined. RA Capital has more than 150 employees and over $10 billion in assets under management. 

    RA Capital’s Planetary Health team focuses on creating and funding companies that commercialize scalable, profitable solutions to reduce emissions, increase resource availability, and restore environmental quality, because solutions that heal the planet will yield both healthy people and healthy profits. 

    About The Nature Conservancy

    The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.

    Media Contact:

    Alex Banat for RA Capital

    racapital@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cajo Technologies Secures Investment to Accelerate Global Expansion of Sustainable Laser Marking Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KEMPELE, Finland, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cajo Technologies, a leading Finnish developer of advanced laser marking solutions, has secured investment from Emerald Technology Ventures to scale the global rollout of its patented marking technologies. The round will support Cajo’s mission to redefine industrial marking with more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional ink-based and labelling systems.

    Driving Sustainable Transformation in Packaging and Manufacturing

    Cajo offers complete and easy-to-use solutions for traceability and product marking optimized for industrial production processes. Long-lasting and maintenance-free solutions have been developed to replace traditional marking methods such as inkjet, print, label, etching, and painting technologies.

    Cajo’s intelligent technology makes it possible to implement high-quality machine-readable traceability markings that last throughout the product’s life cycle even in challenging conditions. Cajo’s sustainable laser technology offers manufacturers an over 90 % reduction of the carbon footprint of industrial labelling compared to for example inkjets thanks to additive-free technology.

    Cajo’s systems are already deployed across industries in more than 80 countries to market leaders in various industries including metal, cable, wire, battery, medical, wood, packaging, and end products. Among these market leaders are industrial players across diverse sectors, including PepsiCo, SSAB, Fiskars, and Prysmian.

    The Growing Need for Sustainable Packaging Marking

    Traditional marking methods such as inkjets rely on consumables that generate waste and fail to meet increasingly high industry standards and strict environmental regulations. As businesses strive to meet sustainability targets and regulatory requirements, the demand for innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly marking solutions has never been higher.

    Cajo’s solutions cater to forward-thinking stakeholders in the industry looking to significantly improve production processes while lowering operational costs.

    Fueling the Next Phase of Global Growth

    The Series B investment will be used to accelerate commercial scale-up in key markets including Europe, India, and North America. Cajo will invest in its international sales operations, strengthen its customer success capabilities, and expand production capacity in line with demand from major accounts and partners.

    “This investment marks a pivotal milestone in our journey,” said Niko Karsikas, CEO and Founder of Cajo Technologies. “With Emerald by our side, we are well-positioned to scale our impact, bring MakeBright™ and other innovations to new geographies, and continue supporting our industrial partners with reliable, traceable, and eco-friendly marking technologies.”

    “We are thrilled to partner with Cajo to accelerate the transition to sustainable packaging,” said Fredric Petit, Partner at Emerald. “Cajo’s technology is not only a powerful enabler of traceability and eco-efficiency but also commercially validated by global industry leaders.”

    About Emerald Technology Ventures

    Emerald is a globally recognized venture capital firm, founded in 2000, that manages and advises assets of over €1 billion from its offices in Zurich, Toronto and Singapore. The firm invests in start-ups that tackle big challenges in climate change and sustainability, with four current funds, hundreds of venture transactions and five third-party investment mandates, including loan guarantees to over 100 start-ups.

    Bold Ideas. Bright Future. www.emerald.vc

    CONTACT FOR EMERALD:

    info@emerald.vc

    Cajo Technologies: Pioneering Sustainable Product Marking

    In an era where sustainability is a key driver of industrial innovation, Finnish SME Cajo Technologies Ltd. is revolutionizing product marking with its patented laser solutions. By eliminating the need for ink, labels, and chemicals, Cajo provides an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative to traditional marking methods.

    Headquartered in Kempele, Finland, with subsidiaries in India, Cajo Technologies is rapidly expanding its global presence. The company offers comprehensive, easy-to-use solutions for traceability and product marking, leveraging proprietary software and patented technology. Fully optimized for industrial production, Cajo’s marking solutions seamlessly integrate into existing manufacturing processes, significantly reducing maintenance and operational costs.

    Beyond efficiency, Cajo’s technology ensures high-precision traceability markings, even in the harshest industrial environments, while reducing the carbon footprint by up to 90%. This sustainable alternative allows companies to eliminate consumables and harmful additives from their production, aligning with the growing demand for zero-waste manufacturing solutions.

    With a trusted presence in over 80 countries and partnerships with global industry leaders, Cajo Technologies is setting a new benchmark in sustainable manufacturing. By combining innovation with environmental responsibility, the company demonstrates that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.

    Cajo MakeBright™: A Game-Changer in Cardboard Marking

    Cajo MakeBright™ introduces a revolutionary way to produce precise and permanent product markings on cardboard with unparalleled sustainability. The patented technology allows for markings without the use of ink, glue, ribbons, or labels, which not only simplifies the recycling process but also enables significant cost savings.

    Cajo MakeBright™ supports both 1D and 2D codes, ensuring maximum readability and achieving A-grade results in compliance with ISO 29158 (AIM-DPM). By eliminating unnecessary materials, MakeBright™ enhances sustainability, streamlines production efficiency, and reduces operational costs. The technology operates without additives, removing the need for single-use plastics and simplifying cardboard recycling. Additionally, it reduces SKU typically over 70%, minimizes stockholding requirements, and decreases supply chain disruptions.

    Choose Cajo for intelligent product marking.

    CONTACT FOR CAJO:

    info@cajotechnologies.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c36cf048-5807-4cf6-9ad6-bf5080be9471

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8696e5ec-11ca-4d6a-a4e5-96a0172b745a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “Stop the excuses and time wasting and just pay up” – pension injustices must be put right

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid Cymru calls on the Labour Welsh Government to act on historical pension injustices and support victims of these scandals. 

    In a motion to be debated in the Senedd on Wednesday (21 May 2025), Plaid Cymru has called on the Labour Welsh Government to ‘make the case for action’ on historical pension injustices. Labour’s response was to ‘delete’ the calls. 

    The Plaid Cymru motion notes the significant and long-standing pension injustices, and the inaction of successive UK Governments to rights these wrongs. The motion also calls on the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government on these issues. 

    Three examples of pension injustices are highlighted in the motion; 1950s women who have been denied justice by UK Labour, workers from Allied Steel and Wire who have not received the pensions they are owed, and the British Coal staff who were excluded from the Miners Pensions Scheme. 

    Supporters of the motion, such as John Benson, will be in attendance on the day of the debate, to show support for the Plaid Cymru motion, and solidarity with other individuals and groups who have been victims of such injustices.  

    Mr Benson worked for Allied Steel and Wire for 41 years, before finding out in 2002 that he was set to lose his job and pension, to which he had contributed to for 20 years. The situation left Mr Benson ‘on the verge of a nervous breakdown’.  

    John Benson, who has campaigned for years in an attempt to right this injustice on behalf of the Allied Steel and Wire workers, said: 

    “The UK Government had assured us these pensions were safe and fully protected by the law no matter what difficulties their employer faced. How wrong we were to have trusted UK Ministers, as we were lied too, and stitched up for playing by the rules.    

    “Plaid Cymru have been with us from day one, and have never ever given up on us. 

    “The truth is clear for everyone to see: we were robbed of our promised pensions, the UK Government are guilty of the biggest social injustice this country has ever known. It’s about time a Minister stood up in the House of Commons, and told the decent men and women who worked at ASW: ‘we apologise on behalf of all those Ministers past and present who have betrayed the trust you gave them, and will finally pay you the pensions you were promised in full’. 

    “Back date these pensions to when they were due to be paid, plus compensation for all the heartache and suffering it has caused the families. In other words, stop the excuses and time wasting, and just pay up.”  

    Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Finance, Heledd Fychan MS said: 

    “Whether it’s 1950s women, British Coal workers, or ASW staff, both the Conservatives and Labour have rejected their calls for justice. We have come to expect Conservative Governments turning their back on our communities, but these communities will feel betrayed seeing a Labour government reject their calls. 

    “That is the only word to describe Labour’s attitude towards these groups – betrayal. They claimed to stand by our working communities, they claimed to stand with 1950s women. But just as with the workers of Port Talbot, Labour Governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster have turned their backs on them and have let these injustices remain unresolved. 

    “Plaid Cymru’s position is clear – those affected by pension injustices deserve their calls answered, and deserve justice for the trauma they were forced to endure. Unlike this Labour Government in Wales, that are happy to stay quiet in the face of such injustice, Plaid Cymru will always stand up for those wronged by Westminster’s neglectful attitude towards working communities.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police appeal for witnesses following woman’s death in Islington

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a woman on a bus in Islington—who later died in hospital—are appealing for witnesses as they examine whether a number of alleged incidents may be linked to her death.

    The appeal comes eight weeks after 51-year-old Nuala Mills collapsed while travelling on the route 254 bus towards Holloway Road at approximately 11:15hrs on Saturday, 29 March.

    Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. Nuala was taken to hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she died on Monday, 31 March.

    Later that day, two men—aged 52 and 49—were arrested on suspicion of common assault and battery in connection with the incident. They were released on bail the following day, and enquiries continue.

    Detectives are also investigating a separate alleged altercation near Highbury and Islington Underground Station, believed to have occurred between Wednesday, 19 March, and Friday, 21 March, to assess whether it may be connected to Nuala’s death.

    Detective Chief Inspector Tom Kearney, who is leading the investigation, said:

    “We are working to understand the full circumstances of Nuala’s death, and there are still key questions to be answered.

    “We are keeping an open mind and exploring a number of possible explanations. Nuala was known to frequent the Holloway Road area, and there may be other incidents we are not yet aware of.

    “If you live, work, or regularly travel through the area, please think back—did you see anything concerning involving Nuala?

    “We’re also keen to speak with anyone who knew Nuala and hasn’t yet spoken to police. You can contact us directly, or speak anonymously through Crimestoppers.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 2689/31MAR, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • India’s rise in global economy a moment of national pride: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India’s steady rise in the global economy is a matter of immense national pride. Addressing a public gathering in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister recalled the sense of excitement across the country when India moved from being the sixth to the fifth-largest economy in the world. He noted that this enthusiasm was especially visible among the youth.

    PM Modi described the moment India surpassed the United Kingdom—its former colonial ruler—as historic. “India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world,” he said, “and there is growing pressure to reach the third position soon.”

    He reiterated the nation’s goal of becoming a fully developed country by 2047, when India completes 100 years of independence. The Prime Minister said that global recognition of India as a prosperous and strong nation must be the collective aim.

    Drawing a parallel to the freedom struggle, PM Modi paid tribute to national icons such as Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Veer Savarkar, Shyamji Krishna Varma, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He remarked that if the 25 to 30 crore population at the time could rally for independence and succeed in driving out colonial rulers in just a few decades, the current population of 140 crore can certainly achieve the vision of a developed India within the next 25 years.

    Looking ahead to Gujarat’s 75th year in 2035, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to begin long-term planning now. He said preparations must cover key sectors such as industry, agriculture, education, and sports to shape the state’s future in line with national progress.

    PM Modi also highlighted India’s aspiration to host the Olympics in 2036, reflecting the country’s growing global stature and readiness for leadership on the world stage.

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met urges Londoners to protect their phones from financial fraudsters

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A phone theft victim who had thousands of pounds stolen is backing a Met Police campaign to encourage people to take simple steps to protect their devices and finances.

    Officers have dealt with a number of cases of organised gangs taking control of a victim’s finances after getting access to their mobile banking and other financial apps – clearing accounts, taking out loans and using payment apps.

    The Met continues to focus on tackling phone theft across London with increased patrols in hotspot areas and better use of technology to identify perpetrators. A recent two-week focus on prolific offenders resulted in 292 arrests across London.

    Kush Chaudary’s phone was stolen by a group of men outside a bar in Soho in the early hours of 9 September 2023. The group struck up conversation with the victim and waited for him to unlock his phone before taking it.

    Within minutes they changed his passcode, transferred £5,000 from his crypto wallet, and stole several thousands more from his bank accounts. They also took out fraudulent loans of £22,000 and later used Apple Pay to spend around £8,000 on designer clothes and electrical products.

    He’s spoken about his experience in a video released by the Met to raise awareness of the issue and encouraged others to check their device security to limit the impact of phone theft. Kush said:

    “With my phone unlocked, they targeted anything they could gain immediate access to including my bank and crypto accounts. They were even able to take a loan out in a matter of seconds, ready to spend as soon as the shops opened up.

    “Seeing that unfold in front of my eyes was difficult. This was hard-earned savings I had that was being spent by strangers and I felt very exposed and vulnerable as I didn’t know when it would stop.”

    The Met Police are sharing three simple steps people can take to protect their phone:

    • Turn on ‘Stolen Device’ or ‘Anti-Theft’ protection features on your device

    • Use strong separate passwords for high-value applications

    • Watch out for people looking over you when you’re on your phone

    Detective Sergeant Isabella Grotto, from the Met’s economic crime team, said:

    “The Met has stepped up its work to prevent and tackle phone theft in London – with targeted patrols and plain-clothed operations in hotspot areas and improved use of phone-tracking data and intelligence.

    “By intensifying our efforts we are catching more perpetrators, but we know it’s still a serious problem and I encourage everyone to take these simple steps which could help prevent significant financial loss and fraud.”

    The gang involved in Kush’s theft were convicted and jailed following an investigation the Met. They were responsible for up to 60 other thefts and robberies in central London between December 2022 and November 2023 – and stole a total of £225,000:

    Jacob Raki, 23 (04.09.01), of Quayside Drive, Colchester, pleaded guilty to six counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of attempted fraud and one count of robbery. He and was jailed for 33 months.

    Joseph Serry-Kamal, 19 (04.05.06), of Jago Walk, SE5, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. He was jailed for 24 months.

    Herman Solomon, 33 (08.09.91), of Dundas Road, SW9, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and fraud. He was jailed for 31 weeks.

    Smon Tecle, 27 (30.10.97), of Lett Road, SW9, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and two counts of fraud. He received a 10-month suspended prison sentence.

    Further information on how to protect your phone is available on theMet Police website.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Household Support Fund us available to support residents in Preston

    Source: City of Preston

    Preston City Council has secured additional funding through the Household Support Fund to continue supporting local residents, following its conclusion of the sixth round of funding in March 2025. This vital fund has been in place for several years to assist those most affected by the ongoing rise in living costs.

    Applications for the latest round will open Monday 27 May, and close on 31 March 2026 or until the funds have been exhausted.

    Councillor Peter Kelly, cabinet member of communities, social justice and night-time economy, said:

    “We’re delighted that we can continue this scheme and help those who need help and support to Preston residents. I would urge all eligible residents in need of help and assistance with energy and water bills, food and essential items to apply.”

    The Household Support Fund is designed to help the households in greatest need, particularly families with children, older residents and anyone facing hardship with essential living costs such as food, energy and water bills. Special consideration will be given to supporting low-income households with energy costs during this period.

    The Household Support Fund has helped keep the Food Banks/Hubs in Preston operating and has helped through each round of the scheme.

    The scheme can provide short-term assistance with essential living expenses, including food, utility bills, essential household appliances and more. Where larger items like fridges or washing machines are needed, these will be purchased through the fund and delivered directly to the applicant.

    In addition to direct support, as part of our preventative support, the scheme offers guidance and referrals to other local services, ensuring residents receive the assistance they may need including help with finances, debt, and welfare benefits to improve longer-term financial security.

    To apply, applicants must live within the Preston City Council area with only one application per household will be considered. The fund is open to anyone vulnerable or struggling to cover essential costs.

    It’s important to note you do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify for help through this fund — and any payments received will not affect existing benefits.

    For full details on how to apply and eligibility, see Household Support Fund.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New sculpture in Cruickshank Garden – a beautiful spot for reflection, chat or moment of peace As the weather starts to get better, a stunning new addition to the University of Aberdeen’s Cruickshank Botanic Garden is set to offer visitors an additional peaceful place to gather their thoughts.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    As the weather starts to get better, a stunning new addition to the University of Aberdeen’s Cruickshank Botanic Garden is set to offer visitors an additional peaceful place to gather their thoughts.
    Now in place on the ‘Beech Lawn’, on the south-west corner towards the Rose Garden, is a striking new bench, which has been carved from fallen timber by world-renowned sculptor, Nigel Ross.
    Adorned with the words ‘memories’, ‘play’, ‘forever’, ‘outdoors’ and ‘learn’; as a living memorial, the bench has been thoughtfully designed to honour a special person, to whom it is dedicated.
    Curator of the Cruickshank Botanic Garden, Mark Paterson, said: “I was approached by a family who wanted to further enhance CBG and at the same time provide a memorial to someone they loved and who loved the garden. Their idea was to commission Nigel Ross to design and make a bench in such a way that it would be appealing to children as well as being a commemorative, visual delight in CBG.
    “Of course I was absolutely thrilled at the offer and have continued to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the bench, and what it symbolises. The words carved into the oak have been carefully chosen. I hope for all who sit on the bench, the location and words, combined, will conjure up different emotions and memories, leaving them feeling better for having been there.”

    The bench, quite simply, looks phenomenal and it will do so all year round and indeed, in perpetuity.” Mark Paterson

    Having been commissioned, Nigel set about creating and sculpting the bench from an oak tree that was blown down along the shore of Loch of Clunie in a winter 2023 storm. Appropriately, due to its shape, Mark and others have started referring to the bench as the ‘Viking Ship’.
    Nigel commented: “Part of the remit for the bench was for it be attractive to children and it was carved with this in mind. I thought perhaps a viking boat would be perfect. I also wanted to capture the spirt of the oak tree and show off the grain the knots and exploit the tactile character of the oak.
    “I had set aside the unusual curved limb from the Clunie Oak and was just waiting for the right opportunity to arise – the living memorial bench at the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens was absolutely the perfect commission for it. Oak is a durable timber and and the bench should stand the test of time and will even get polished with use.”
    Mark added: “The bench, quite simply, looks phenomenal and it will do so all year round and indeed, in perpetuity. Whether set against the long shadows of wintertime or highlighted by dappled sunlight shining through the seasonal foliage of the surrounding trees. In addition to being a lovely piece of artistic work, the bench is practical and has become my favourite new meeting place – instead of an online Teams chat, I’ll see you at the Viking Ship!”
    For more information about Nigel Ross and his work, visit http://www.nigelross-sculpture.com/

    Related Content

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: VE Day tribute raises thousands for Royal British Legion 27 May 2025 Wartime spirit alive on the Solent: VE Day tribute raises thousands for Royal British Legion

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    In a touching tribute to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, staff at Cowes Floating Bridge turned a routine day of crossings into a powerful act of remembrance and charity.

    With the support of Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Phil Jordan, the team suspended fares on 8 May, inviting passengers instead to donate to the Royal British Legion.

    The floating bridge was adorned with festive VE Day bunting, creating a vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere. The public responded with remarkable generosity, raising an impressive £2,600 for the charity.

    For many of the long-serving staff, the event was especially meaningful. It honoured the memory of their late colleague, Dave Todd, a passionate fundraiser for the Ryde branch of the Royal British Legion.

    Adding to the day’s charm was a visit from “Tilly,” a 1940s tea car, complete with its own ARP Warden, delighting passengers and evoking the wartime spirit.

    Paul Turner, floating bridge deputy manager, shared his pride in the day’s success: “We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of our passengers.

    “It was a proud moment for the team, not just because of the amount raised, but because it showed how strong our community spirit still is.”

    The team extended heartfelt thanks to all who contributed. “This day showed that our community can still come together and summon the wartime spirit to support a fantastic cause,” Paul added.

    Lynn Ashby, of the Royal British Legion, who accepted the donation, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to your wonderful staff and passengers for their donations.

    “Without people like yourselves, the Royal British Legion could not carry out the work we do.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delegation visits F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio to view progress on £4.4m expansion

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    With the £4.4m expansion of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio now underway, Lord Mayor Councillor Sarah Duffy, joined by Council Chief Executive Roger Wilson and Gallery Curator and Manager Dr Riann Coulter, welcome Jenny Martin and Ryan Donaghy from the NI Team representing the UK Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to view progress on this key infrastructure project.

    Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Councillor Sarah Duffy, in her final week in office, hosted a delegation visit to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio in Banbridge to highlight the progress made on a £4.4m expansion and upgrade of the facility.

    Accompanying her on the Council side were Chief Executive Roger Wilson, Director of Development, Community and Wellbeing Paul Tamati, Head of Tourism, Arts and Culture Brian Johnston, Gallery Curator and Manager Dr Riann Coulter, and Alderman Paul Greenfield.

    They were joined by Jenny Martin and Ryan Donaghy from the NI Team representing the UK Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The UK Government provided £3.8m in funding to support this key infrastructure project.

    The Lord Mayor expressed her enthusiasm at seeing this once-in-a-generation project come to life and praised the ambition behind this redevelopment, saying:

    “The F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio serves as an important gateway to the borough’s cultural landscape. I am really excited to see our ambitious plans start to take shape as we seek to further capitalise on its A1 location and expand its role as a cultural hub attracting significantly more local, national and international visitors.

    “This project will enable the Council to honour the Banbridge-born, internationally renowned sculptor’s legacy and ensure his work continues to be a source of creativity and inspiration for future generations. I look forward to seeing it come to fruition and boosting tourism across the wider region.”

    The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to gain valuable insights into the transformative impact that this major expansion will have on the wider community and hear about the Council’s strategic priorities for the accredited museum once it is completed in autumn 2026.

    Even though building work is still in its early stages, those in attendance were able to see first-hand how much progress has been made in a short space of time.

    Planned improvements include a new collection gallery which will make more of F.E. McWilliam’s nationally significant collection of art accessible to the public; a large education and community space; additional storage; an extended shop, café and tourism information; a Changing Places facility; more staff accommodation; a larger car park and two multi-purpose meeting rooms, available for programming and hire.

    This project will not only double the size of the facility but also bring many benefits. These include allowing for a significant increase in visitor capacity; creating a thriving hub for artistic expression, learning and engagement; elevating the visitor experience and ensuring the exhibition space is more welcoming to diverse audiences.

     UK Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said:

    “It is fantastic to hear progress is underway on transforming the internationally renowned F.E. McWilliam Art Centre into a revived cultural hub for the community and really putting Banbridge on the map.

    “The gallery will provide a vital creative space for local people while also boosting tourism, jobs and economic growth across the region.”

    Council officers took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the UK Government for supporting this expansion and to the Wolfson Foundation for providing £200,000 to fit out the new collection gallery and improve interpretation through multi-lingual video guides and accessible tours of the F.E. McWilliam collection in both British and Irish Sign Language.

    The Council is contributing £400,000 towards this project to provide a range of new modern amenities for visitors.

    The gallery will remain open and be accessible to the public throughout much of the 15-month contract period, with a new exhibition featuring the work of Belfast-based painter Barbara Freeman launching on Saturday 14th June 2025.

    For regular updates and further information on this exciting expansion project, visit www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/femcwilliam.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 18 arrested in series of strikes against cash machine robbers

    Source: Europol

    The group composed of up to 20 Dutch nationals was based mostly in the greater Utrecht area, with some individuals based in Amsterdam. As a highly specialised criminal group, they are believed to have targeted cash machines across several Federal States in Germany. Investigations have shown an increasingly sophisticated approach by the criminals, who take measures such as counter-surveillance, collaborate…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: OwlTing Group Unveils AI-Powered OwlPay® Harbor™ for Stablecoin On/Off-Ramping

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ARLINGTON, Va., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OwlTing Group (the “Company”), a global blockchain fintech company, today announced an integration of AI features into its payment API infrastructure, OwlPay® Harbor™ (the “Platform”). This AI-driven technical support feature helps developers accelerate onboarding the Company’s API, which aims to provide secure on/off-ramping services to send, receive, and hold funds in U.S. dollars and USDC1 stablecoin for global payouts across over 100 countries2. With competitive fees and robust regulatory compliance coverage across over 30 U.S. states3, OwlPay® Harbor™ offers a trusted and scalable solution for businesses worldwide.

    The newly adapted Model Context Protocol (MCP)4 tool, similar to a “USB-C port for AI models,” provides a unified approach for AI to get the real-time context with smarter responses, interacting with a human developer. This AI feature simplifies the process to integrate the Company’s API, lowers the onboarding time and maintenance efforts, and more importantly, allows developers to leverage their existing AI models without sharing sensitive data with external systems.

    Global businesses such as banks, digital wallets, DeFi companies, or fintech providers that are seeking embedded crypto-to-fiat conversions will be able to offer their customers a seamless payment experience with their own products or platforms behind the scenes.

    “We’re excited to bring AI to our flagship payment platform,” said Darren Wang, Founder and CEO at OwlTing Group. “With our wide compliance footprint, AI-driven support, and flexible service models, OwlPay® Harbor™ offers global companies the legitimacy and efficiency of payments in the U.S. and beyond borders.”

    OwlPay® Harbor™ provides enterprise-ready APIs for USD–USDC conversions via Wire and ACH transfers, with cross-chain compatibility for supported transactions across Stellar, Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Avalanche blockchains. It will also support Solana in the future. As a Stellar Anchor, it brings businesses an easier integration using SEP-24 (deposit/ withdrawal)5 and SEP-10 (authentication)6 protocols to the Stellar network.

    The platform offers extensive global reach and budget-friendly pricing tailored for all kinds of businesses. Holding over 30 Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) or their equivalent, adhering to strict KYC/AML standards, and securing ISO 27001 certification for its payment solution, OwlPay® Harbor™ stands ready to deliver with trust and reliability for global operations.

    Photo Caption: OwlPay® has obtained the ISO 27001 certification, underscoring its commitment to minimizing cyber risks and safeguarding users’ data.

    OwlPay® Harbor™ now offers two flexible service models:

    Partnership Model:

    • Designed for platforms like marketplaces or payment processors that collect funds from users for global payouts. Approved platforms manage funds and pay OwlPay® directly.
    • Supports USD payouts in supported regions globally. It also supports local payouts in 10 currencies: EUR (via SEPA), CAD, GBP, JPY, SGD, HKD, ZAR, AED, MXN, and BRL.
    • Use Case: An e-commerce platform collects USD from customers, converts it to USDC via OwlPay®, and pays retailers or freelancers in the Americas, hedging the currency fluctuations.

    End User Model:

    • Designed for other platforms wishing to avoid handling funds directly, with end users paying OwlPay® directly for implementing USD-USDC conversions.
    • Supports USD payouts in supported regions globally.
    • Use Case: An U.S. app allows users to buy USDC with USD via OwlPay® behind their own user interface, while its customers would enjoy an integrated customer journey.

    The stablecoin market has soared to a record $240 billion7 and is projected to reach $2 trillion by 20288. As demands for efficient digital payments surge, businesses integrating with the platform that combines seamless AI-driven APIs, regulatory compliance, and cross-chain compatibility for supported blockchains are positioned to be at the forefront of this thriving economy.

    OwlTing continues expanding its regulatory coverage and aims to obtain MTLs in all U.S. states as applicable, along with ongoing license applications in global markets such as Japan and the EU. The company will deploy AI tools across its OwlPay® product suites to enhance efficiency and user experience, strengthening its global leadership in stablecoin payments.

    About OwlTing Group
    Founded in 2010, OwlTing is a global blockchain fintech company based in Taiwan and has subsidiaries in the U.S., Japan, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia. In 2022, it was selected by KPMG and HSBC as “the Leading 3 Emerging Giants in Taiwan.” With the mission to usher in the digital transformation of traditional payment processes, while ensuring legal compliance, OwlTing introduced OwlPay®, a Web2 and Web3 hybrid payment solution, to empower global businesses to operate confidently in the evolving digital landscape. For more information, visit https://www.owlting.com/portal/?lang=en.

    Media Contact
    PR Office at OwlTing Group
    pr_office@owlting.com

    1 USDC is an internet-native, fully-reserved, regulated digital dollar that leverages blockchain networks to enable businesses, developers, and individuals to conduct near-real-time, low-cost global transactions. It is a leading, fully-reserved global stablecoin issued through Circle’s regulated affiliates. To learn more about using or accessing USDC, visit USDC.com. To learn more about Circle’s regulatory authorizations, visit Circle’s Licenses page https://www.circle.com/legal/licenses
    2 Availability may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to change. Please refer to the most current service documentation or contact support for the latest coverage.
    3 Availability may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to change. As of May 2025, OwlTing Group has obtained MTL licenses or their equivalent in over 30 U.S. states and is in the process of applying for relevant legal trading licenses in other U.S. states. For a list of U.S. licenses obtained, please see https://www.owlting.com/owlpay/licenses?lang=en. Please refer to the most current service documentation or contact support for the latest coverage.
    4 Model Context Protocol (MCP) is the open standard released by Anthropic, it’s a communication protocol that enables AI agents to interpret, respond to, and take action based on structured context within API workflows. By minimizing data exposure, MCP supports personalized interactions while preserving user privacy, and reduces hallucinations by grounding AI responses in verifiable external data. For more information, please see https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction
    5 SEP-24 is the standardized protocol for hosted deposits and withdrawals on Stellar’s ecosystem. With OwlPay® HarborTM, businesses can make their on/off-ramping services available as an in-app experience through Stellar-based applications such as wallets and exchanges, extending their reach and connecting with users through the applications they already use.
    6 SEP-10 is the authentication protocol of Stellar. This is used to verify the user’s KYC information.
    7 According to DeFiLlalma, the data aggregator for DeFi, the total stablecoin market cap is $242 billions as of May 2025.
    8 According to a Standard Chartered Bank report, titled “Stablecoins, USD Hegemony, and UST Bills” published in April 2025.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6bcf23b-ff93-4137-a40e-74e21baebe22

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d98cda1-6f72-4048-9a0c-1738bc76a2bb

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/426a725d-5e74-4993-9f96-c4a1f8e4454d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Live Coin Watch Exclusive: Bitcoin Solaris Announces Phase 5 Presale Ahead of Nova App Mining Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris, the next-generation decentralized blockchain built for mobile-first mining, has officially entered Presale Phase 5, pricing BTC-S tokens at 5 USDT. This announcement comes just ahead of the beginning of a selected group testing of Nova App Beta, a breakthrough mobile mining platform designed to allow users to earn tokens directly from their smartphones.

    Bitcoin Solaris is offering a fixed supply of 21 million tokens, with only 20% (4.2 million tokens) allocated to the entire presale. With no inflationary mechanics, the tokenomics are designed to reward early participation through a capped supply and verifiable, transparent distribution.

    Nova App: Mobile Mining for Everyone

    Scheduled to launch soon, the Nova App enables users to earn BTC-S by contributing idle storage and processing power on their smartphones. With no technical knowledge or staking required, the app automatically rewards users based on uptime and minimal hardware contribution—democratizing access to on-chain earnings and transforming smartphones into passive income nodes.

    High-Speed Infrastructure Designed for Scale

    Built on a dual-layer blockchain, Bitcoin Solaris supports 10,000+ TPS and delivers 2-second finality through its combination of Proof-of-Stake (PoS), Proof-of-Capacity (PoC), Proof-of-History (PoH), and Proof-of-Time (PoT). This scalable architecture ensures that mobile miners worldwide can participate without congestion, latency, or centralization risks.

    Fully Audited and Verified

    Bitcoin Solaris has completed multiple independent security audits. Cyberscope verified its smart contract code and emission logic, while Freshcoins audited its mobile mining performance. Full KYC verification adds a layer of governance transparency uncommon in early-stage blockchain projects.

    Strategic Entry Point Remains Open — But Not for Long

    Bitcoin Solaris is currently in Presale Phase 5, with BTC-S priced at 5 USDT. The token is projected to launch at 20 USDT, offering early buyers a potential 4X return. Of the total 21 million BTC-S supply, 4.2 million (20%) are allocated to the entire presale. There is no inflationary mechanism — once distributed, no additional tokens will be created.

    Presale participants not only secure tokens at a fixed price but gain early access to Nova App mining before user growth increases difficulty and dilutes returns. It’s a defined moment — structurally similar to Bitcoin under $100 — where participation is low, supply is accessible, and upside is still untapped.

    In a recent feature, Crypto Volt outlined how Bitcoin Solaris’s presale structure, mobile mining model, and supply cap recreate the early mechanics of Bitcoin itself. His breakdown shows why BTC-S is one of the few projects positioned to deliver protocol-scale wealth to individual users — not just funds and insiders.

    Presale Access:
    https://bitcoinsolaris.com

    Follow Bitcoin Solaris:

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris
    Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    info@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Email: 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.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacant plots overlooking Millbay to be auctioned

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Several parcels of land overlooking Millbay docks are to be put up at auction as part of the Council’s ongoing review of its assets and land.

    Brownfield sites on the south side of Caroline Place in Stonehouse are to go to auction on 12 June.

    The vacant plots – which are believed to be the remains of bombed out properties – have lain hidden for many years and the Council is putting them up for sale to see if there is anyone or company willing to put the site to better use.

    The site is bound by Caroline Place to the north and the main access to Millbay Ferry Terminal to the south. The land slopes steeply from north to south and sits within the Stonehouse Peninsula Conservation Area.

    Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member responsible for assets said: “This is all part of our constant review of our properties and assets to make sure they help us deliver priorities for the city.

    “Redeveloping these plots will be a challenge and I imagine most people did not even know these parcels of land existed. We are putting them on the market and hopefully someone can put them to good use – perhaps vitally needed new homes.”

    Successfully selling the plots would give the Council a capital receipt, which could be reinvested to support improvements to other council properties. It could also see a brownfield site back into use.

    Any organisation or individual interested in the sites is advised to engage with the Local Planning Authority to allow careful assessment of any proposals.  

    The auction will take place on 12 June. For more information about the plots visit www.cliveemson.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work begins at River Park Pavilion

    Source: City of Winchester


    Following Winchester City Council’s decision last year to approve a total investment of £2.3M to deliver the project, the pavilion is now being rebuilt for the benefit of communities across the district.

    Councillor Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said: “It is great to see work begin at this site. The old facility was well used but was no longer fit for purpose. It has been a long road to get here, so seeing the building team on site today is a very welcome sight.

    “The new community pavilion is going to welcome so many users. Cricket players, rugby players and our local ParkRunners will benefit from the new pavilion, making this space a hub of activity – in an accessible, contemporary and well-designed building.

    “This redevelopment reaffirms this council’s commitment to support our residents to live active and healthier lives, whilst helping remove barriers for women in sport and those living with disabilities. It also offers a new community space in the heart of our beautiful River Park.”

    Management & Construction Services (MCS), the council’s building contractor, is fully committed to deliver the project for users of River Park.

    Justin Whiteman, Managing Director of MCS, said: “We are delighted to be entrusted to deliver this new pavilion which will serve as a vital asset for the local community. Our team is passionate about creating high-quality spaces that will stand the test of time, and we are proud to be part of a project that will have such a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

    “We understand how important River Park is to residents, and we are committed to working closely with the council and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth construction journey.”

    This project reflects a total investment of £2.3 million which includes capital funding from the city council, £1.5 million from district Community Infrastructure Levy and contributions from the Town Forum, The Pavilion Project and grant funding from Hampshire County Council.

    Stride Treglown, a national practice working from offices on the outskirts of Winchester, are the design architects for the project appointed by Winchester City Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets delegation from European Parliament

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai hosts state banquet for President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Republic of Palau
    On the evening of May 20, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office in honor of President Surangel Whipps Jr. of the Republic of Palau and his wife. In remarks, President Lai said that he looks forward to working closely with President Whipps to promote tourism exchanges and sports cooperation so that Taiwan and Palau shine brightly together on the international stage. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a pleasure to host this banquet tonight at the Presidential Office for President Whipps, First Lady Valerie Whipps, and the esteemed members of their delegation. Welcome to Taiwan. During my trips to Palau in 2022 and last year, President and First Lady Whipps received me with great hospitality. Wearing my island shirt, I enjoyed a very friendly reception from the people of Palau. It felt warm and friendly, just like being welcomed back home. The first time I visited Palau, President Whipps and I piloted a boat to the Milky Way lagoon. We both tried volcanic mud facial masks. We also fished together and enjoyed the breeze as we walked on the beach. Last year, on my second visit to Palau, I was honored to be invited to address the National Congress. I also observed the results of the close bilateral cooperation between our two nations. Due to its world-famous ocean scenery, Palau is sometimes referred to as “God’s aquarium.” And it is even possible to snorkel with sharks. It leaves a deep impression. Nothing compares to seeing Palau firsthand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan and Palau launched a travel bubble that created a safe means of travel. Now, with the pandemic behind us, I hope that even more Taiwanese can tour Palau and gain a greater understanding of our diplomatic ally. In addition to tourism exchanges, I mentioned on my visit to Palau last year that I hoped Taiwan and Palau could promote sports cooperation by providing training away from home. Next month, Palau will be holding the Pacific Mini Games. And right now, Palau’s national baseball and table tennis teams are holding training sessions here in Taiwan. We will do our utmost to support Palau’s national players and we hope they stand out and achieve outstanding results in the events. I look forward to working closely with President Whipps so that Taiwan and Palau shine brightly together on the international stage. Thank you! Mesulang! President Whipps then delivered remarks, saying that it is truly an honor to be here once again one year after President Lai’s inauguration. Mentioning that this is his first state visit after being reelected to a second term, he said that it is important to be here among friends, and that we are more than friends, we are family. He thanked President Lai for the generous words and, most importantly, Taiwan’s enduring support. He remarked that our relationship continues to get stronger in each passing year. President Whipps said that President Lai’s diplomacy initiative, leadership, and vision deeply resonate with them. Diplomacy must be rooted in our shared values, he said, and an unwavering support for our allies and a commitment to a sustainable, inclusive development are all deeply appreciated by their people. President Whipps emphasized that, as we look into the future and the challenges that we face, from security to climate change, it is so important that we are united. He added that it is important for the world, and especially important for them in Palau, that they stand up for Taiwan, so that Taiwan can participate on international fora that address climate change, security, and health, because they know the world is better when Taiwan has a seat at the table. Mentioning that Palau will host the Pacific Islands Forum next year, President Whipps said that Palau remains committed to working closely with Taiwan to ensure a successful event, and that they will continue to speak up for Taiwan’s indispensable contributions as we stand together against any efforts to silence or isolate democratic partners. President Whipps said that our nations have navigated challenges and emerged stronger, bound by a partnership that is built on trust, respect, and hope for a better world. Whether it is in clean energy, education, smart medicine, or tourism, our shared journey is just beginning, he said, and we are stronger together.  Also in attendance at the banquet were Palauan Minister of State Gustav Aitaro, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang, Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Senate Floor Leader Kerai Mariur, House of Delegates Floor Leader Warren Umetaro, High Chief of Ngiwal State Elliot Udui, Governor of Peleliu State Emais Roberts, and Governor of Koror State Eyos Rudimch.

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai and President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of Palau hold bilateral talks and witness signing of cooperation agreements  
    On the afternoon of May 20, following a welcome ceremony with military honors for President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau and his wife, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held bilateral talks with President Whipps at the Presidential Office. The two leaders also jointly witnessed the signing of a technical cooperation agreement and an agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation. In remarks, President Lai thanked Palau for standing firm in its backing of Taiwan’s international participation as geopolitical tensions continue to increase in the Pacific region. He added that he looks forward to the cooperative ties between Taiwan and Palau continuing to expand into even broader areas, allowing our economies and societies to further progress as we jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I welcome our guests to Taiwan once again. Last year on May 20, President Whipps led a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Hsiao. I am delighted, on the anniversary of my first year in office, to meet with old friends of Taiwan again, as President Whipps returns for this visit. Taiwan-Palau relations have grown even closer in recent years thanks to the strong support of President Whipps. In 2022, during my term as vice president, I led a delegation to Palau as a demonstration of how our nations were together boosting tourism development as we jointly faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every time I visit Palau, and every time I meet with President Whipps, I feel very deeply that Taiwan and Palau are like family. We are both maritime nations and share a common Austronesian heritage and culture. We are also staunch partners in upholding such values as freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. Last December, when I went on my first overseas trip since taking office, one of the nations I visited was Palau. We celebrated the 30th anniversary of Palau’s independence and 25 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring our friendly ties. Taiwan and Palau enjoy close exchanges and cooperation in a range of areas, including climate change, education, agriculture and fisheries, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, sports, and culture. After this meeting, President Whipps and I will witness the signing of a technical cooperation agreement and an agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation, demonstrating once again our diverse collaboration and strong friendship. I believe that by working together, Taiwan and Palau can contribute to each other’s development and overcome the regional and global challenges we currently face. In particular, as geopolitical tensions continue to increase in the Pacific region, Palau has wisely and courageously upheld democratic values and stood firm in its backing of Taiwan’s international participation. Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan, including at the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties, and the UN Ocean Conference. We have been deeply moved by this support. I thank President Whipps again for his high regard and support for Taiwan. I look forward to the cooperative ties between our nations continuing to expand into even broader areas. This will allow our economies and societies to further progress as we jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. President Whipps then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor for him to be here, standing in this historic place – a symbol of strength, resilience, and the democratic spirit of the Taiwanese people. On behalf of the government of Palau, President Whipps extended heartfelt gratitude to President Lai and the people of Taiwan for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality toward him and his delegation. President Whipps then extended sincere thanks for President Lai’s visit to Palau in December – his second visit to Palau – and for having Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) attend his inauguration as a special envoy. He added that this also marks his third visit to Taiwan since President Lai took office, saying that this demonstrates the strength of our growing relationship. President Whipps indicated that the increased engagements and numerous entrepreneurs that President Lai has brought from Taiwan to Palau have resulted in fruitful visits, and that President Lai’s leadership represents hope, unity, and continued advancement of democracy and freedom, not only for Taiwan, but for the broader Indo-Pacific region. President Whipps went on to say that this visit to Taiwan reaffirms our deep friendship and shared values between our two nations. He emphasized that Palau and Taiwan are bound not by proximity, but by purpose, in that both are island nations and believe in human dignity, the rule of law, and the right of our people to determine their own futures. President Whipps stated that although we are celebrating 26 years of diplomatic relations, Taiwan has been a steadfast partner of Palau for decades, and that one of the MOUs they are signing further extends the relationship that began in December of 1984. From healthcare and medical missions, to education, agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, the private sector, tourism development, and climate resilience, he said, our cooperation has improved lives and strengthened our communities. The president also indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan stood with Palau, noting that both sides began the tourism bubble, and that President Lai came to Palau to reopen the two weekly direct flights that have now been increased to four. That solidarity will never be forgotten, he said. As the world faces growing uncertainty and complex challenges from climate change to global tensions, President Whipps said, this friendship becomes even more vital. The president concluded his remarks by expressing hope that both nations continue to stand together, work together, and advocate together for peace, prosperity, and for the right of small nations to be seen, heard, and respected. After the bilateral talks, President Lai and President Whipps witnessed the signing of the technical cooperation agreement and the agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation by Minister Lin and Palauan Minister of State Gustav Aitaro. The delegation also included Palauan Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang, Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Senate Floor Leader Kerai Mariur, House of Delegates Floor Leader Warren Umetaro, High Chief of Ngiwal State Elliot Udui, Governor of Peleliu State Emais Roberts, and Governor of Koror State Eyos Rudimch.  

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

    Details
    2025-05-13
    President Lai interviewed by Japan’s Nikkei  
    In a recent interview with Japan’s Nikkei, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions regarding Taiwan-Japan and Taiwan-United States relations, cross-strait relations, the semiconductor industry, and the international economic and trade landscape. The interview was published by Nikkei on May 13. President Lai indicated that Nikkei, Inc. is a global news organization that has received significant recognition both domestically and internationally, and that he is deeply honored to be interviewed by Nikkei and grateful for their invitation. The president said that he would like to take this rare opportunity to thank Japan’s government, National Diet, society, and public for their longstanding support for Taiwan. Noting that current Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio have all strongly supported Taiwan, he said that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan also have a deep mutual affection, and that through the interview, he hopes to enhance the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Japan, deepen the affection between our peoples, and foster more future cooperation to promote prosperity and development in both countries. In response to questions raised on the free trade system and the recent tariff war, President Lai indicated that over the past few decades, the free economy headed by the Western world and led by the US has brought economic prosperity and political stability to Taiwan and Japan. At the same time, he said, we have also learned or followed many Western values. The president said he believes that Taiwan and Japan are exemplary students, but some countries are not. Therefore, he said, the biggest crisis right now is China, which exploits the free trade system to engage in plagiarism and counterfeiting, infringe on intellectual property rights, and even provide massive government subsidies that facilitate the dumping of low-priced goods worldwide, which has a major impact on many countries including Japan and Taiwan. If this kind of unfair trade is not resolved, he said, the stable societies and economic prosperity we have painstakingly built over decades, as well as some of the values we pursue, could be destroyed. Therefore, President Lai said he thinks it is worthwhile for us to observe the recent willingness of the US to address unfair trade, and if necessary, offer assistance. President Lai emphasized that the national strategic plan for Taiwanese industries is for them to be rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. Therefore, he said, while the 32 percent tariff increase imposed by the US on Taiwan is indeed a major challenge, we are willing to address it seriously and find opportunities within that challenge, making Taiwan’s strategic plan for industry even more comprehensive. When asked about Taiwan’s trade arrangements, President Lai indicated that in 2010 China accounted for 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment, but last year it accounted for only 7.5 percent. In 2020, he went on, 43.9 percent of Taiwan’s exports went to China, but that figure dropped to 31.7 percent in 2024. The president said that we have systematically transferred investments from Taiwanese enterprises to Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the US. Therefore, he said, last year Taiwan’s largest outbound investment was in the US, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the total. Nevertheless, only 23.4 percent of Taiwanese products were sold to the US, with 76.6 percent sold to places other than the US, he said.  The president emphasized that we don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket, and hope to establish a global presence. Under these circumstances, he said, Taiwan is very eager to cooperate with Japan. President Lai stated that at this moment, the Indo-Pacific and international community really need Japan’s leadership, especially to make the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) excel in its functions, and also requested Japan to support Taiwan’s CPTPP accession. The president said that Taiwan hopes to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan to build closer ties in economic trade and promote further investment, and that we also hope to strengthen relations with the European Union, and even other regions. Currently, he said, we are proposing an initiative on global semiconductor supply chain partnerships for democracies, because the semiconductor industry is an ecosystem. The president raised the example that Japan has materials, equipment, and technology; the US has IC design and marketing; Taiwan has production and manufacturing; and the Netherlands excels in equipment, saying we therefore hope to leverage Taiwan’s advantages in production and manufacturing to connect the democratic community and establish a global non-red supply chain for semiconductors, ensuring further world prosperity and development in the future, and ensuring that free trade can continue to function without being affected by dumping, which would undermine future prosperity and development. The president stated that as we want industries to expand their global presence and market internationally while staying rooted here in Taiwan, having industries rooted in Taiwan involves promoting pay raises for employees, tax cuts, and deregulation, as well as promoting enterprise investment tax credits. He said that we have also proposed Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan for Taiwanese enterprises and are actively resolving issues regarding access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent so that the business community can return to Taiwan to invest, or enterprises in Taiwan can increase their investments. He went on to say that we are also actively signing bilateral investment agreements with friends and allies so that when our companies invest and expand their presence abroad, their rights and interests as investors are ensured.  President Lai mentioned that Taiwan hopes to sign an EPA with Japan, similar to the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, or the Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement with the United Kingdom, or similar agreements or memorandums of understanding with Canada and Australia that allow Taiwanese products to be marketed worldwide, concluding that those are our overall arrangements. Looking at the history of Taiwan’s industrial development, President Lai indicated, of course it began in Taiwan, and then moved west to China and south to Southeast Asia. He said that we hope to take this opportunity to strengthen cooperation with Japan to the north, across the Pacific Ocean to the east, and develop the North American market, making Taiwan’s industries even stronger. In other words, he said, while Taiwan sees the current reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US as a kind of challenge, it also views these changes positively. On the topic of pressure from China affecting Taiwan’s participation in international frameworks such as the CPTPP or its signing of an EPA with Japan, President Lai responded that the key point is what kind of attitude we should adopt in viewing China’s acts of oppression. If we act based on our belief in free trade, he said, or on the universal values we pursue – democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights – and also on the understanding that a bilateral trade agreement between Taiwan and Japan would contribute to the economic prosperity and development of both countries, or that Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP would benefit progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, then he hopes that friends and allies will strongly support us. On the Trump administration’s intentions regarding the reciprocal tariff policy and the possibility of taxing semiconductors, as well as how Taiwan plans to respond, President Lai said that since President Trump took office, he has paid close attention to interviews with both him and his staff. The president said that several of President Trump’s main intentions are: First, he wants to address the US fiscal situation. For example, President Lai said, while the US GDP is about US$29 trillion annually, its national debt stands at US$36 trillion, which is roughly 124 percent of GDP. Second, he went on, annual government spending exceeds US$6.5 trillion, but revenues are only around US$4.5 trillion, resulting in a nearly US$2 trillion deficit each year, about 7 percent of GDP. Third, he said, the US pays nearly US$1.2 trillion in interest annually, which exceeds the US$1 trillion defense budget and accounts for more than 3 percent of GDP. Fourth, President Trump still wants to implement tax cuts, aiming to reduce taxes for 85 percent of Americans, he said, noting that this would cost between US$500 billion and US$1 trillion. These points, President Lai said, illustrate his first goal: solving the fiscal problem. President Lai went on to say that second, the US feels the threat of China and believes that reindustrialization is essential; without reindustrialization, the US risks a growing gap in industrial capacity compared to China. Third, he said, in this era of global smart technology, President Trump wants to lead the nation to become a world center of AI. Fourth, he aims to ensure world peace and prevent future wars, President Lai said. In regard to what the US seeks to achieve, he said he believes these four areas form the core of the Trump administration’s intentions, and that is why President Trump has raised tariffs, demanded that trading partners purchase more American goods, and encouraged friendly and allied nations to invest in the US, all in order to achieve these goals. President Lai indicated that the 32 percent reciprocal tariff poses a critical challenge for Taiwan, and we must treat it seriously. He said that our approach is not confrontation, but negotiation to reduce tariffs, and that we have also agreed to measures such as procurement, investment, resolving non-tariff trade barriers, and addressing origin washing in order to effectively reduce the trade deficit between Taiwan and the US. Of course, he said, through this negotiation process, we also hope to turn challenges into opportunities. The president said that first, we aim to start negotiations from the proposal of zero tariffs and seek to establish a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Second, he went on, we hope to support US reindustrialization and its aim to become a world AI hub through investment, while simultaneously upgrading and transforming Taiwan’s industries, which would help further integrate Taiwan’s industries into the US economic structure, ensuring Taiwan’s long-term development.  President Lai emphasized again that Taiwan’s national industrial strategy is for industries to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. He repeated that we have gone from moving westward across the Taiwan Strait, to shifting southbound, to working closer northward with Japan, and now the time is ripe for us to expand eastward by investing in North America. In other words, he said, while we take this challenge seriously to protect national interests and ensure that no industry is sacrificed, we also hope these negotiations will lead to deeper Taiwan-US trade relations through Taiwanese investment in the US, concluding that these are our expectations. The president stated that naturally, the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US will have an impact on Taiwanese industries, so in response, the Taiwanese government has already proposed support measures for affected industries totaling NT$93 billion. In addition, he said, we have outlined broader needs for Taiwan’s long-term development, which will be covered by a special budget proposal of NT$410 billion, noting that this has already been approved by the Executive Yuan and will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review. He said that this special budget proposal addresses four main areas: supporting industries, stabilizing employment, protecting people’s livelihoods, and enhancing resilience. As for tariffs on semiconductors, President Lai said, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has committed to investing in the US at the request of its customers. He said he believes that TSMC’s industry chain will follow suit, and that these are concrete actions that are unrelated to tariffs. However, he said, if the US were to invoke Section 232 and impose tariffs on semiconductors or related industries, it would discourage Taiwanese semiconductor and ICT investments in the US, and that we will make this position clear to the US going forward. President Lai indicated that among Taiwan’s exports to the US, there are two main categories: ICT products and electronic components, which together account for 65.4 percent. These are essential to the US, he said, unlike final goods such as cups, tables, or mattresses. He went on to say that what Taiwan sells to the US are the technological products required by AI designers like NVIDIA, AMD, Amazon, Google, and Apple, and that therefore, we will make sure the US understands clearly that we are not exporting end products, but the high-tech components necessary for the US to reindustrialize and become a global AI center. Furthermore, the president said, Taiwan is also willing to increase its defense budget and military procurement. He stated that Taiwan is committed to defending itself and is strongly willing to cooperate with friends and allies to ensure regional peace and stability, and that this is also something President Trump hopes to see. Asked whether TSMC’s fabs overseas could weaken Taiwan’s strategic position as a key hub for semiconductor manufacturing, and whether that could then give other countries fewer incentives to protect Taiwan, President Lai responded by saying that political leaders around the world including Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba and former Prime Ministers Abe, Suga, and Kishida have emphasized, at the G7 and other major international fora, that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential for global security and prosperity. In other words, he explained, the international community cares about Taiwan and supports peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait because Taiwan is located in the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific, directly facing China. He pointed out that if Taiwan is not protected, China’s expansionist ambitions will certainly grow, which would impact the current rules-based international order. Thus, he said, the international community willingly cares about Taiwan and supports stability in the Taiwan Strait – that is the reason, and it has no direct connection with TSMC. He noted that after all, TSMC has not made investments in that many countries, stressing that, on that point, it is clear. President Lai said that TSMC’s investments in Japan, Europe, and the US are all natural, normal economic and investment activities. He said that Taiwan is a democratic country whose society is based on the rule of law, so when Taiwanese companies need to invest around the world for business needs, the government will support those investments in principle so long as they do not harm national interests. President Lai said that after TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) held a press conference with President Trump to announce the investment in the US, Chairman Wei returned to Taiwan to hold a press conference with him at the Presidential Office, where the chairman explained to the Taiwanese public that TSMC’s R&D center will remain in Taiwan and that the facilities it has already committed to investing in here will not change and will not be affected. So, the president explained, to put it another way, TSMC will not be weakened by its investment in the US. He further emphasized that Taiwan has strengths in semiconductor manufacturing and is very willing to work alongside other democratic countries to promote the next stage of global prosperity and development. A question was raised about which side should be chosen between the US and China, under the current perception of a return to the Cold War, with East and West facing off as two opposing blocs. President Lai responded by saying that some experts and scholars describe the current situation as entering a new Cold War era between democratic and authoritarian camps; others assert that the war has already begun, including information warfare, economic and trade wars, and the ongoing wars in Europe – the Russo-Ukrainian War – and the Middle East, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The president said that these are all matters experts have cautioned about, noting that he is not a historian and so will not attempt to define today’s political situation from an academic standpoint. However, he said, he believes that every country has a choice, which is to say, Taiwan, Japan, or any other nation does not necessarily have to choose between the US and China. What we are deciding, he said, is whether our country will maintain a democratic constitutional system or regress into an authoritarian regime, and this is essentially a choice of values – not merely a choice between two major powers. President Lai said that Taiwan’s situation is different from other countries because we face a direct threat from China. He pointed out that we have experienced military conflicts such as the August 23 Artillery Battle and the Battle of Guningtou – actual wars between the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China. He said that China’s ambition to annex Taiwan has never wavered, and that today, China’s political and military intimidation, as well as internal united front infiltration, are growing increasingly intense. Therefore, he underlined, to defend democracy and sovereignty, protect our free and democratic system, and ensure the safety of our people’s lives and property, Taiwan’s choice is clear. President Lai said that China’s military exercises are not limited to the Taiwan Strait, and include the East China Sea, South China Sea, and even the Sea of Japan, as well as areas around Korea and Australia. Emphasizing that Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines are all democratic nations, the president said that Taiwan’s choice is clear, and that he believes Japan also has no other choice. We are all democratic countries, he said, whose people have long pursued the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, and that is what is most important. Regarding the intensifying tensions between the US and China, the president was asked what roles Taiwan and Japan can play. President Lai responded that in his view, Japan is a powerful nation, and he sincerely hopes that Japan can take a leading role amid these changes in the international landscape. He said he believes that countries in the Indo-Pacific region are also willing to respond. He suggested several areas where we can work together: first, democracy and peace; second, innovation and prosperity; and third, justice and sustainability. President Lai stated that in the face of authoritarian threats, we should let peace be our beacon and democracy our compass as we respond to the challenges posed by authoritarian states. Second, he added, as the world enters an era characterized by the comprehensive adoption of smart technologies, Japan and Taiwan should collaborate in the field of innovation to further drive regional prosperity and development. Third, he continued, is justice and sustainability. He explained that because international society still has many issues that need to be resolved, Taiwan and Japan can cooperate for the public good, helping countries in need around the world, and cooperating to address climate change and achieve net-zero transition by 2050. Asked whether he hopes that the US will continue to be a leader in the liberal democratic system, President Lai responded by saying that although the US severed diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, for the past few decades it has assisted Taiwan in various areas such as national defense, security, and countering threats from China, based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. He pointed out that Taiwan has also benefited, directly and indirectly, in terms of politics, democracy, and economic prosperity thanks to the US, and so Taiwan naturally hopes that the US remains strong and continues to lead the world. President Lai said that when the US encounters difficulties, whether financial difficulties, reindustrialization issues, or becoming a global center for AI, and hopes to receive support from its friends and allies to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Taiwan is willing to stand together for a common cause. If the US remains strong, he said, that helps Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world as a whole. Noting that while the vital role of the US on the global stage has not changed, the president said that after decades of shouldering global responsibilities, it has encountered some issues. Now, it has to make adjustments, he said, stating his firm belief that it will do so swiftly, and quickly resume its leadership role in the world. Asked to comment on remarks he made during his election campaign that he would like to invite China’s President Xi Jinping for bubble tea, President Lai responded that Taiwan is a peace-loving country, and Taiwanese society is inherently kind, and therefore we hope to get along peacefully with China, living in peace and mutual prosperity. So, during his term as vice president, he said, he was expressing the goodwill of Taiwanese society. Noting that while he of course understands that China’s President Xi would have certain difficulties in accepting this, he emphasized that the goodwill of Taiwanese society has always existed. If China reflects on the past two or three decades, he said, it will see that its economy was able to develop with Taiwan as its largest foreign investor. The president explained that every year, 1 to 2 million Taiwanese were starting businesses or investing in China, creating numerous job opportunities and stabilizing Chinese society. While many Taiwanese businesses have profited, he said, Chinese society has benefited even more. He added that every time a natural disaster occurs, if China is in need, Taiwanese always offer donations. Therefore, the president said, he hopes that China can face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence and understand that the people of Taiwan hope to continue living free and democratic lives with respect for human rights. He also expressed hope that China can pay attention to the goodwill of Taiwanese society. He underlined that we have not abandoned the notion that as long as there is parity, dignity, exchange, and cooperation, the goodwill of choosing dialogue over confrontation and exchange over containment will always exist. Asked for his view on the national security reforms in response to China’s espionage activities and infiltration attempts, President Lai said that China’s united front infiltration activities in Taiwan are indeed very serious. He said that China’s ambitions to annex Taiwan rely not only on the use of political and military intimidation, but also on its long-term united front and infiltration activities in Taiwanese society. Recently, he pointed out, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office of the Ministry of Justice prosecuted 64 spies, which is three times the number in 2021, and in addition to active-duty military personnel, many retired military personnel were also indicted. Moreover, he added, Taiwan also has the Chinese Unification Promotion Party, which has a background in organized crime, Rehabilitation Alliance Party, which was established by retired military personnel, and Republic of China Taiwan Military Government, which is also composed of retired generals. He explained that these are all China’s front organizations, and they plan one day to engage in collaboration within Taiwan, which shows the seriousness of China’s infiltration in Taiwan. Therefore, the president said, in the recent past he convened a high-level national security meeting and proposed 17 response strategies across five areas. He then enumerated the five areas: first, to address China’s threat to Taiwan’s sovereignty; second, to respond to the threat of China’s obscuring the Taiwanese people’s sense of national identity; third, to respond to the threat of China’s infiltrating and recruiting members of the ROC Armed Forces as spies; fourth, to respond to the threat of China’s infiltration of Taiwanese society through societal exchanges and united front work; and fifth, to respond to the threat of China using “integration plans” to draw Taiwan’s young people and Taiwanese businesses into its united front activities. In response to these five major threats, he said, he has proposed 17 response strategies, one of which being to restore the military trial system. He explained that if active-duty military personnel commit military crimes, they must be subject to military trials, and said that this expresses the Taiwanese government’s determination to respond to China’s united front infiltration and the subversion of Taiwan. Responding to the question of which actions Taiwan can take to guard against China’s threats to regional security, President Lai said that many people are worried that the increasingly tense situation may lead to accidental conflict and the outbreak of war. He stated his own view that Taiwan is committed to facing China’s various threats with caution. Taiwan is never the source of these problems, he emphasized, and if there is an accidental conflict and it turns into a full-scale war, it will certainly be a deliberate act by China using an accidental conflict as a pretext. He said that when China expanded its military presence in the East China Sea and South China Sea, the international community did not stop it; when China conducted exercises in the Taiwan Strait, the international community did not take strong measures to prevent this from happening. Now, he continued, China is conducting gray-zone exercises, which are aggressions against not only the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea, but also extending to the Sea of Japan and waters near South Korea. He said that at this moment, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and even the US should face these developments candidly and seriously, and we must exhibit unity and cooperation to prevent China’s gray-zone aggression from continuing to expand and prevent China from shifting from a military exercise to combat. If no action is taken now, the president said, the situation may become increasingly serious. Asked about the view of some US analysts who point out that China will have the ability to invade Taiwan around 2027, President Lai responded that Taiwan, as the country on the receiving end of threats and aggression, must plan for the worst and make the best preparations. He recalled a famous saying from the armed forces: “Do not count on the enemy not showing up; count on being ready should it strike.” This is why, he said, he proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, he said, we must strengthen our national defense. Second, he added, we must strengthen economic resilience, adding that not only must our economy remain strong, but it must also be resilient, and that we cannot put all our eggs in the same basket, in China, as we have done in the past. Third, he continued, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with friends and allies such as Japan and the US, as well as the democratic community, and we must demonstrate the strength of deterrence to prevent China from making the wrong judgment. Fourth, he emphasized, as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China and seek cross-strait peace and mutual prosperity through exchanges and cooperation. Regarding intensifying US-China confrontation, the president was asked in which areas he thinks Taiwan and Japan should strengthen cooperation; with Japan’s Ishiba administration also being a minority government, the president was asked for his expectations for the Ishiba administration. President Lai said that in the face of rapid and tremendous changes in the political situation, every government faces considerable challenges, especially for minority governments, but the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Ishiba has quite adequately responded with various strategies. Furthermore, he said, Japan is different from Taiwan, explaining that although Japan’s ruling party lacks a majority, political parties in Japan engage in competition domestically while exhibiting unity externally. He said that Taiwan’s situation is more challenging, because the ruling and opposition parties hold different views on the direction of the country, due to differences in national identity. The president expressed his hope that in the future Taiwan and Japan will enjoy even more comprehensive cooperation. He stated that he has always believed that deep historical bonds connect Taiwan and Japan. Over the past several decades, he said, when encountering natural disasters and tragedies, our two nations have assisted each other with mutual care and support. He said that the affection between the people of Taiwan and Japan is like that of a family. Pointing out that both countries face the threat of authoritarianism, he said that we share a mission to safeguard universal values such as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. The president said that our two countries should be more open to cooperation in various areas to maintain regional peace and stability as well as to strengthen cooperation in economic and industrial development, such as for semiconductor industry chains and everyday applications of AI, including robots and drones, adding that we can also cooperate on climate change response, such as in hydrogen energy and other strategies. He said our two countries should also continue to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. He then took the opportunity to once again invite our good friends from Japan to visit Taiwan for tourism and learn more about Taiwan, saying that the Taiwanese people wholeheartedly welcome our Japanese friends.  

    Details
    2025-05-09
    President Lai extends congratulations on election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV  
    Following the successful election of the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on May 8, President Lai Ching-te extended sincere congratulations on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, including its Catholic community. The president stated that he looks forward to working with Pope Leo XIV to continue deepening cooperation in the area of humanitarian aid and jointly defend the universal value of religious freedom, expanding and strengthening the alliance between Taiwan and the Vatican. Upon learning of the election results, President Lai directed the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy to the Holy See to convey a message of congratulations. In the message, President Lai extended sincere congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, including its Catholic community, expressing confidence that His Holiness will lead the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion followers worldwide with profound wisdom. President Lai also emphasized that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work alongside the Holy See in the shared pursuit of peace, justice, religious freedom, solidarity, friendship, and human dignity. This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Vatican. Enjoying a strong alliance, Taiwan and the Vatican share such universal values as freedom of religion, respect for human rights, peace, and benevolence, and conduct close exchanges. Taiwan will continue to engage in exchanges and cooperation with the Holy See, further strengthen bilateral relations, and work alongside the Holy See to contribute even more to the world.  

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

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Near miss with track workers at Bookham Tunnel

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Near miss with track workers at Bookham Tunnel

    Investigation into a near miss between a passenger train and a team of track workers at Bookham Tunnel, Surrey, 29 April 2025.

    Bookham Tunnel (courtesy of Network Rail).

    At around 11:44 on 29 April 2025, a train operated by South Western Railways, which was travelling at around 30 mph (48 km/h), was involved in a near miss with a team of three track workers within Bookham Tunnel in Surrey.

    The track workers involved were walking back to Bookham station through the tunnel at the time of the near miss, having previously completed work on the telephones located at either end. On hearing the approaching train, two of the track workers entered refuges built into the tunnel walls, while the third worker leant against the tunnel wall as the train passed them. No one was injured in the incident, and no damage was caused.

    A line blockage had been arranged by the team with the signaller before the incident occurred. This was intended to stop trains from running through the tunnel. It was later discovered that this line blockage had been arranged for the nearby Mickleham Tunnel, and that it did not cover Bookham Tunnel.

    Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the incident. It will also consider:

    • the actions of those involved and the factors that may have influenced them
    • the way in which the work was planned and how the risks associated with being on or near a railway line were being managed
    • the roles, responsibilities and working patterns of relevant staff
    • any underlying management factors.

    Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

    We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

    You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘They’ve made me a better person’: Jackie Penton on her journey to becoming an award-winning foster carer

    Source: City of Manchester

    A sudden phone call one day in February 2014 would change the course of one foster carer’s life forever.

    Already a busy mum-of-three, Jackie Penton, 56, from West Didsbury, was also a full-time carer for her ex-partner who had been unwell for some time. Frequently, she travelled back and forth to Openshaw to look after him.  

    After her brother, who had two girls and five boys, was unable to care for his children, social workers called to ask if Jackie could take in some of her nieces and nephews who had nowhere to go.  

    Without hesitation, she agreed. Her daughter was expecting her first child and had been planning to move out, whilst her other two children had already flown the nest.  

    Jackie, an ex-nursing home carer, says she now had two spare rooms and took in three of her brother’s kids and the others went to live with her sister, who in end the struggled to cope with the children who ranged from 3-14 years old. 

    By the end of the first year after their dad’s sudden death, one of children was looked after by a recruited carer and another went to live with a family friend.  

    Jackie says she became a kinship carer for four of her nieces and nephews but still looked after her other family members who would “come and go” over the years.  

    Jackie, who had always put others first, saw her life change drastically overnight but credits her beginning her training with the Council in foster caring when that dreaded phone call first occurred, which gave her the knowledge needed to transition from kinship carer to foster carer almost seamlessly.  

    To go from preparing to welcome her first grandchild to being “back on the school run” with her nieces and nephews was a huge change, but Jackie says they just got on with it together. After speaking with her two children about it, they simply told her: “You’ve got to do it mum”.  

    Now in a new home and settling in with a new routine, the children still had to deal with negative comments from school about their circumstances, which prompted Jackie to move them to a new school in West Didsbury from Wythenshawe.  

    It was then when the children really began to thrive and their new family life became their new normal when Jackie thought “things would sort itself out” and she would have them temporarily. 

    But Jackie says she got on with it. They would go for meals out, bowling, cinema and even holidays to Blackpool and Butlins with about 20 family members in total. 

    Just this year, Jackie says she was “shocked” to find out she had been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award for her unwavering dedication to being a foster carer and her selfless determination to care for others beyond even herself.  

    She was described as an “exceptional” carer by the city council at the Foster Carer Awards and is an active member of the fostering community, regularly participating in events and training sessions. Her foster children simply told her she had received the award ages ago. 

    It’s been over a decade since Jackie first became a foster carer overnight. Now a proud grandmother-of-four, life has changed even more. Her brother passed away three years ago but she says she and the nieces and nephews she took in as her own are “still close as ever”.  

    With many of them having now moved out, Jackie still isn’t done and continues to look after two of the children she helped raise. Jackie, who’s dedicated her life to caring for others, says they’ve made her a better person.  

    Jackie Penton, a dedicated foster carer, said: “Looking after the children has brought out a confidence in me and resilience, because of how I’ve had to support them. I was fortunate to have been undergoing training which enabled me to gradually become a fully-fledged foster carer while living with me. 

    “They are thriving and I’m so proud of who they have become. It’s tough and you must do a lot of work on yourself to show up for the children, but it’s worth every second – they’ve made me a better person.” 

    Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member for Children, Early Years and Young People, said: “At a time when the city is working hard to embed the Rights of the Child into everything we do as we work towards becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City, we’re more acutely aware than ever about the important role our foster carers play.  

    “Their compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment are the foundation of a brighter future for Manchester’s children. We are so proud to have Jackie Penton as a Lifetime Achievement Award winner and shining example for creating a better tomorrow for our children.” 

    For more information on Manchester City Council’s fostering service, please visit Fostering 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –