NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug dealing ‘gangster granny’ foiled by Met investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A family run organised crime group orchestrated by a 65-year-old grandmother have been sentenced for drug-dealing across London and the UK, following an extensive investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service.

    Six women, a man and Deborah Mason, known as ‘Queen Bee’, were sentenced to a combined 106 years and six months’ imprisonment for their involvement in supplying nearly a tonne of cocaine over seven months at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 18 July.

    The group of couriers collected packages of imported cocaine and drove them all over London and the UK to locations as far as Bradford, Leicester, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff between April and November 2023.

    It is estimated each individual earned more than £1,000 a day.

    Deborah Mason, 65 (28.02.1960), of Crayford Road, Tufnell Park played the leading role in the prolific criminal enterprise. She was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 28 April and was sentenced at the same court to 20 years’ imprisonment on Friday, 18 July.

    The sentencing comes as part of the Met’s relentless efforts to target perpetrators of crimes using precision technology.

    Met Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar, who led the investigation, said:

    “This was a sophisticated operation which was extremely profitable for those involved.

    “Following months of work by the Met Police to relentlessly pursue these perpetrators, we were able to arrest and eventually convict them, preventing more drugs flooding streets across the UK which leads to violence, antisocial behaviour and misery for communities.

    “The group were sucked into criminality, selfishly attracted by the financial benefits of the drug-dealing to fund lavish lifestyles. They were unaware we were coming for them and this sentencing should act as a deterrent to those who think about committing this type of crime.”

    Robert Hutchinson, Specialist Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

    “This was no ordinary family. Instead of nurturing and caring for her relatives, Deborah Mason recruited them to establish an extraordinarily profitable criminal enterprise that would ultimately put them all behind bars.

    “The CPS worked closely with the police from the earliest opportunity to make sure we had ample evidence to prosecute them for the full extent of their actions.

    “We reviewed thousands of messages and other digital evidence that not only revealed incriminating messages sent between them, but also a significant pattern of deleting messages, helping to prove that they all knew exactly what they were doing.”

    The investigation

    Acting on intelligence, Met officers used a wide range of investigative techniques including extensive call data and conventional surveillance to track Mason and her courier’s movements.

    The data received confirmed that on 20 April 2023, a hired car driven by Mason left her house on Crayford Road, Tufnell Park at 04:30hrs and arrived at Harwich Port at around 06:20hrs.

    After just 20 minutes at the port, to collect a shipment of cocaine, the car headed back.

    What followed were a number of trips made by Mason, as well as all other defendants to complete various drop offs and collections throughout the seven-month period.

    Met officers discovered that trips were made to Harwich Port regularly, as well as South London, Rotherham, Southend, Leicester, Walsall and various other locations across the country.

    The group used encrypted messaging site Signal to communicate. Officers trawled through thousands of messages following their arrests which further proved their criminal movements.

    The messages also showed that Mason was living an extravagant lifestyle with her profits, having bought a Gucci collar and lead worth £400 for her cat as well as lots of luxury outdoor garden items. The group booked various holidays and purchased luxury goods with their earnings.

    A number of hire cars and hotels were expensed as part of their spending.

    Sentencing

    Following the investigation, all but one of the group were arrested in May 2024. Anita Slaughter was later arrested in November 2024 after being identified from the messages.

    Following an 11-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Roseanne Mason, Chloe Hodgkin, Lillie Bright, Demi Bright and Anita Slaughter were all found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs on Monday, 28 April.

    Prior to her trial, Lillie Bright pleaded guilty to a separate offence of offering to supply Class A drugs, identified following a review of her mobile device.

    Tina Golding, Reggie Bright and Demi Kendall all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at Woolwich Crown Court, prior to trial.

    Demi Kendall and Reggie Bright also pleaded guilty to a separate offence of possession with Intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property following seizures of cocaine and more than £15,000 cash during a search of their home address.

    On Friday, 18 July, the group were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court.

    • Roseanne Mason, 29 (19.05.1996), of Grosvenor Avenue, Canonbury was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
    • Demi Bright, 30 (02.05.1995), of Samuel Peto Way, Ashford, Kent was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
    • Lillie Bright, 26 (04.04.1999), of Evergreen Way, Ashford, Kent was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.
    • Reggie Bright, 24 (18.09.2000), of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, Kent was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
    • Demi Kendall, 31 (15.05.1994), of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, Kent was sentenced to 13 years and six months’ imprisonment.
    • Tina Golding, 66 (24.01.1959), of Beecholme Drive, Ashford, Kent was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
    • Anita Slaughter, 44 (22.08.1980), of Pearmain Way, Ashford, Kent was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

    Chloe Hodgkin, 23 (27.01.2002) of Abbots Walk, Wye, Kent will be sentenced at a date to be set.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents and businesses urged to have their say on shaping planning application guidelines

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Friday, 18th July 2025

    People are being invited to have their say on an important “checklist” document that sets exactly what needs to be on a planning application submission.

    The council is currently preparing the Stoke-on-Trent Local Validation List (LVL) as part of its role as the local planning authority. It covers everything from house extensions to large-scale residential and business developments.

    The guidelines in the LVL are expected to speed up the planning process by weeding out applications with missing information.

    In order to determine planning applications as efficiently as possible it is essential they are submitted with all the information required to determine them. But it is also crucial that these requirements are proportionate and do not force applicants to incur unnecessary expense.

    The LVL ensures a balance is struck between the two, leading to a smoother process for applicants, their agents and planning officers as well as supporting new development within the city.

    In the year to October 2024, data shows four in 10 planning applications in Stoke-on-Trent were deemed invalid because documents were missing or inaccurate.

    This slows the planning process, increasing the workload of city council staff and delays decisions on development for applicants.

    Views are now being sought on the production of the new LVL. The public consultation starts on Monday, 21 July and runs throughout the summer until Monday, 1 September.

    Anyone wishing to have their say can visit the dedicated consultation portal via Planning Consultations | Planning Consultations | Stoke-on-Trent

    Alternatively, for more information, email the Planning Policy Team at planning.policy@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 233905.

    Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance at Stoke-on-Trent city council, said: “We’re committed to engaging with the community on a variety of key areas, including important development and planning policies.

    “The Local Validation List is crucial in weighing up what details are required for an application while making sure the applicant is not spending unnecessary time and expense submitting one.

    “It will also help to cut down on invalid applications, which wastes time and slows the process down for applicants, which can be frustrating.

    “That’s why I’m encouraging as many people to come forward to have their say and let us know if the guidelines we have set out in the latest version of this important document strike that balance.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Roar on the Lionesses from Millennium Square as they bid for Euro 2025 final place

    Source: City of Leeds

    Semi-final against Italy to be shown live on the big screen

    England fans will be able to support the Lionesses in their bid for Euro 2025 glory as their semi-final against Italy will be shown live on the big screen in Millennium Square on Tuesday.

    Following their dramatic penalty shootout win over Sweden last night, Sarina Wiegman’s European champions are now one step away from the final as they bid to go back-to-back and repeat their historic success of winning Euro 2022.

    Fans of all ages will be able to watch the semi-final on Tuesday 22 July on the screen on Millennium Square in Leeds, with free access to a fanzone from 7pm ahead of the match starting at 8pm. A licensed bar and toilet facilities will be provided, with strictly no alcohol or glass permitted.

    The screening forms part of the Summer Series of events currently taking place on Millennium Square, and Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development Councillor Jonathan Pryor, said:

    “Once again the Lionesses had the nation enthralled with their exciting and nailbiting comeback victory over Sweden, now we can’t wait to see them in action in the semi-final and the best place to watch will be on the big screen in Millennium Square.

    “As we have seen from the fantastic Summer Series events we have hosted so far, Millennium Square makes for the perfect venue for a crowd atmosphere, so get down on Tuesday night and enjoy the tension and drama as England hopefully get through to the final.”

    For more information on the Summer Series events visit https://www.millsqleeds.com/whats-on/ 

    ENDS 

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Testosterone gel: what happens if it rubs off on other people

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, Sheffield Hallam University

    Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock.com

    A case that first appeared in a medical journal several years ago has recently resurfaced in the media, highlighting an unexpected risk of hormone therapies: a baby girl in Sweden developed unusually large genitals after lying on her father’s bare chest, accidentally exposed to his testosterone gel.

    The incident is a reminder that hormone treatments, while safe when used correctly, can pose risks to others if proper precautions aren’t followed.

    Testosterone is a powerful sex hormone that plays a crucial role in male development. In the early months of life, babies undergo rapid development, making their bodies, and hormones, extremely sensitive. Even small amounts of testosterone absorbed through the skin can affect a baby’s development, particularly with repeated exposure.

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

    During “mini-puberty” – a short surge in hormone levels occurring a few months after birth – boys experience rising testosterone levels that help complete reproductive system development and prime it for adulthood. This process also influences brain development.

    In girls, oestrogen rises slightly during this period, but testosterone remains very low. When a girl is exposed to external testosterone, such as from hormone gel, it can cause unexpected changes, including enlarged clitoris or fusion of the labia. This is precisely what occurred in the Swedish case.

    Testosterone gels are commonly prescribed to treat men with low testosterone deficiency. The gel is typically applied once daily to clean, dry skin on the shoulders, upper arms or stomach. These alcohol-based gels help the hormone absorb into the skin.

    While the gel dries within minutes, residue can remain on the skin for an hour or two after application. If someone touches the treated area too soon, or rests directly on it, they can inadvertently absorb some of the hormone. This risk is particularly significant for babies and children, whose thinner, more absorbent skin and developing bodies make them more vulnerable.

    Testosterone gels are also increasingly used off-label in women to treat menopause symptoms (such as low libido, low mood and fatigue) and at around one-tenth of the dose given to men. This lower dose is achieved by applying a smaller amount of the same male product — this time to the lower abdomen, buttocks or outer thighs.

    This means there’s much less hormone overall, but incidental exposure from women is also possible, for example, when holding a child soon after application.

    Some perspective

    While stories like this understandably cause concern, it’s crucial to understand the actual risk level. In the UK, around 50,000 to 100,000 people are prescribed testosterone on the NHS, with gel formulations popular due to their ease of application. If accidental exposure were common, we would see far more cases than the small number reported in medical journals.

    The instructions accompanying these gels are clear: apply only to specified areas, wash hands immediately, cover the skin once dry and avoid close skin contact for several hours. When these guidelines are followed, transfer is very unlikely.

    Thousands of people in the UK are prescribed testosterone replacement therapy.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

    In the case of the Swedish child, when the father stopped resting the baby on his bare chest, the genital changes reversed over time. This pattern holds true for other reported cases – if exposure stops early, many effects can fade naturally.

    However, in more severe or prolonged cases, children may need medical treatment. This could include hormonal tests, continued monitoring, anti-hormone treatment, or even surgery if physical changes don’t resolve. Early intervention is key, making it essential to consult a doctor if there’s any concern.

    For those with babies, young children, or pregnant partners at home, the solution is straightforward planning. Apply the gel when you won’t be in direct contact immediately afterwards, or consider alternative application methods such as injections, skin patches, or tablets (available in the US), which carry lower risks of unintentional exposure to others.

    This case serves as a valuable reminder that testosterone therapy, like all medications, comes with responsibilities. When used properly, it’s an effective treatment for men with diagnosed testosterone deficiency, improving sexual function and mood, with evidence suggesting it can also support muscle mass, bone health, and metabolism.

    There is no need to fear these treatments, but if you are prescribed this medication, use it responsibly and follow the instructions carefully.

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

    – ref. Testosterone gel: what happens if it rubs off on other people – https://theconversation.com/testosterone-gel-what-happens-if-it-rubs-off-on-other-people-261110

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V. Zelensky discussed Ukraine’s defense needs with the French President

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KYIV, July 18 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram on Friday that he had an hour-long conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. During the conversation, the two sides discussed Ukraine’s immediate defense needs and the situation on the front lines.

    V. Zelensky and E. Macron paid special attention to strengthening the Ukrainian air defense system, in particular the supply of missiles for the SAMP/T air defense system and the financing of interceptor drones.

    The parties also condemned the work in the “coalition of the willing” format and the implementation of the agreements reached at the recent meeting in Rome.

    Separately, the interlocutors agreed that France would train an additional number of Ukrainian pilots to fly French Mirage fighters. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister Burke signs Regulations to give effect to EU Directive on cutting red tape and simplifying the obligations on business in relation to corporate sustainability reporting

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    18th July 2025

    The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has signed a Statutory Instrument to give legal effect in Ireland to the EU’s “Stop the Clock” Directive on Corporate Sustainability Reporting. These Regulations will provide much-needed legal certainty to Irish business, and will ensure that the original Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will not apply to so-called Wave 2 and Wave 3 companies for a further two years respectively, while the European Commission’s Omnibus proposal is being negotiated and agreed.

    Minister Burke remains strongly supportive of the Simplification and Burden Reduction agenda at EU level, which has led the Commission to introduce a number of Omnibus Directives – these are Directives which propose to simplify multiple regulatory regimes through one combined legislative instrument.

    In late February, the European Commission announced a number of changes to the scope and timing of both the CSRD and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) requirements for certain categories of companies, as part of the Commission’s First Omnibus Directive on Sustainability.

    The proposals by the Commission will remove approximately 80% of companies from the scope of CSRD, focusing the sustainability reporting obligations on the largest companies which are more likely to have the biggest impacts on people and the environment. For large companies, who are the main category currently within scope of CSRD, the Omnibus proposal would restrict the application of the requirements to only those companies having 1,000 employees, as opposed to 250 employees under the current law. The proposed changes will also ensure that sustainability reporting requirements on large companies do not burden smaller companies in their value chains.

    Further, the CSRD aspect of the “Stop the Clock” Directive, which is being transposed into Irish law in this Statutory Instrument, will also postpone by two years the reporting requirements for companies currently in the scope of the original CSRD and which would have been required to report for the first time in 2026 or 2027.

    The Regulations also make some technical clarifications to the existing Irish legislation governing CSRD, to further clarify and reduce the scope of companies covered. These Regulations will thereby deliver legal certainty for business at all levels in Ireland.

    Minister Burke said:

    “I ensured that Ireland transposed the original CSRD Directive, on time, in July of last year, and Ireland was one of a small number of Member States to achieve this by the required deadline. I have also supported the European Commission’s simplification agenda, and in particular I have supported the early adoption of the Stop the Clock Directive, to give businesses in Ireland the legal certainty that they need, at the earliest opportunity.

    The Stop the Clock Directive moved at a very fast pace at EU level. It was initially proposed at the end of February, and was adopted by Member States one month later, at the end of March. It was approved by the European Parliament with a massive majority. I am very happy that it is now becoming law in Ireland in early July, and that Irish companies will have the certainty that they need at this point.

    I have said before that, while the core principle of the EU’s original corporate sustainability reporting regime was well-founded, in the context of the EU’s Green Deal, I recognise that the level of administrative burden associated with the original CSRD was excessive, both for large companies and especially for small and medium companies.

    I continue to strongly support the simplification and burden reduction agenda at European level, to maximise the competitiveness of businesses in Ireland and in the EU, in the evolving global trading environment. These proposed changes will significantly help enterprise in Ireland, and most of all our SMEs.”

    ENDS

    Notes for Editors 

    The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD) was the EU’s response to the global reframing of company reporting to include environmental, social and governance matters. It entered into force in January 2023 and arises from the European Green Deal and the EU Action Plan for Financing Sustainable Growth. The aim of the CSRD was to harmonise the EU rules for sustainability reporting by companies and to put this on the same footing as financial reporting, giving investors and other stakeholders access to information to assess investment risks arising from climate change and other sustainability issues. 

    The CSRD was transposed, on time, in Ireland on 5 July 2024 by S.I. No. 336/2024 – European Union (Corporate Sustainability Reporting) Regulations 2024. A small number of technical clarificatory amendments were required, and the Minister signed a short amending instrument on 1 October 2024, S.I. 498/2024.

    The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU) 2024/1760 (CSDDD) places legal obligations on companies within scope to address the adverse environmental and human rights impacts arising from their operations. Companies must conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence to identify actual or potential adverse impacts and prevent / mitigate / minimise the extent of such impacts. Companies are also required to adopt a climate transition plan.

    The Stop the Clock Directive (Directive EU 2025/794) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 14 April 2025. It postpones by two years the entry into scope of CSRD reporting requirements for so-called Wave 2 and Wave 3 companies, for two years respectively, to 2027 and 2028, while negotiations are progressing at EU level to agree substantive changes to the scope of CSRD and CSDDD, under the main Omnibus proposal, which is expected to be agreed by end 2025. The Stop the Clock Directive has a required transposition date by Member States of 31 December 2025.

    For further information please contact Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sophos Named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OXFORD, United Kingdom, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP), marking the 16th consecutive time the company has received this recognition. Sophos has been recognized in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) since the inaugural publication for this category in 2007. 

    Sophos’ market-leading endpoint security solutions include Sophos Endpoint powered by Intercept X, Sophos Extended Detection and Response (EDR/XDR), and Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR). Over 300,000 organizations trust Sophos endpoint security solutions to defend against cyberthreats, including advanced remote ransomware attacks and active adversaries. Unique to Sophos, the solution includes adaptive defenses that automatically disrupt attackers by dynamically adjusting protection levels based on threat context. 

    “Sophos’ strength lies in its prevention-first strategy, designed to stop breaches before they start, adapt defenses in real time, and strengthen detection and response when it matters most,” said Kyle Falkenhagen, SVP, Product Management, Sophos. “We believe that receiving this recognition in the highly competitive endpoint security market for 16 consecutive reports reflects our relentless focus on developing innovative solutions that stay ahead of the global threat landscape and the adversaries we face every day.”  

    Sophos and Secureworks: The future of protection, detection, and response 
    Following Sophos’ acquisition of Secureworks in February 2025, combining two leading and complementary portfolios to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions for small, midmarket and enterprise organizations. Secureworks Taegis XDR customers can use Sophos Endpoint to elevate their cyber defenses — at no additional charge — delivering both improved protection and return on investment.  

    The integration of Secureworks also adds a new Counter Threat Unit (CTU) to the Sophos X-Ops advanced threat response joint task force, further expanding the rich threat intelligence that informs all customers’ defenses. Backed by Sophos’ advanced security technologies and a broad network of intelligence contacts and partners, the CTU plays a critical role in identifying and tracking threat actors and analyzing anomalous activity, uncovering new attack techniques, threats, and major shifts in the threat landscape. 

    Additional Sophos Recognitions 
    In addition to this most-recent recognition, Sophos has also been named a “Customers’ Choice” vendor in the 2025 Gartner® Peer Insights™ Voice of the Customer Report for Endpoint Protection Platforms for the fourth consecutive year and in the inaugural Voice of the Customer Report for Extended Detection and Response. This makes Sophos the only vendor to be named a “Customers’ Choice” in both reports.  

    For more about Sophos’ recognition in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms, visit the Sophos blog, read the full report, or check out Sophos Endpoint Protection Platform website. 

    Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms, Evgeny Mirolyubov, Deepak Mishra, Franz Hinner, 14 July 2025 
      
    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, Magic Quadrant and PEER INSIGHTS are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.  
     
    Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  

    Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences, and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. 

    About Sophos  
    Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products. Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 30,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos’ complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services. Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other every day and state-sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU). Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Foreign Secretary’s remarks, July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Foreign Secretary’s remarks, July 2025

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke at the UK Post Ministerial Conference with ASEAN member states, highlighting achievements under the UK’s Dialogue Partnership.

    Thank you all. Minister Bui, we’re grateful for Vietnam’s support as our country coordinator. And Minister Mohamad, it’s such a pleasure to be here in your beautiful country.

    Last year, I told ASEAN I wanted to reconnect Britain with the world. Today, I’m the first British Foreign Secretary to return to one of these meetings since we became your newest Dialogue Partner.

    I hope this consistency is welcome right now. The world feels no less volatile than it did a year ago.

    Rapid technological change is remaking our societies, rewiring our economies, reshaping the global balance of power.

    I agree countries like ours need to respond with resilience, with innovation and dynamism, and by putting people – our citizens – first.

    Those are the values of your Community Vision 2045, precisely what we hope partnership with Britain can achieve.

    As our recently published Trade Strategy set out, we believe this region offers real potential for our businesses to expand. We are working with you to unlock that.

    That’s why we backed CPTPP’s decision in May to work towards a dialogue this year with ASEAN, why we’ve been supporting development of the ASEAN Power Grid, why we’re backing British firms to scale up their investments here.

    Likewise, as our recently published National Security Strategy stressed, our region’s security and your region’s security are inextricably linked.

    Russia illegally invaded Ukraine – that has consequences for markets here in Asia. North Korean troops fight for Russia – that has consequences for our Ukrainian friends on the European frontline. Smugglers or scammers ply their criminal trade – that has consequences for all our citizens and, ultimately, our tax revenues.

    At the heart of our security cooperation is a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The recent visit of Britain’s Carrier Strike Group and this Dialogue Partnership are just 2 examples of how, together, we can support this goal.

    We stand firmly behind ASEAN centrality, recognising it underpins peace, prosperity and stability across the region.

    All told, we’ve done a lot on both growth and security this past year. Nearly 95% of our Action Plan on track for delivery, the commitments we made last year in our first joint ministerial statement well under way.

    Our job now is to go further, ahead of the fifth anniversary of this partnership next year and a new Action Plan to guide our cooperation to 2030.

    I’m looking forward to discussing how we do so.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sovereign Base Areas Specialised Committee meeting: joint statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Sovereign Base Areas Specialised Committee meeting: joint statement

    Joint statement following the sixth meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol relating to the Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Cyprus

    The sixth meeting of the Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol relating to the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus was held on 3 July 2025, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.

    The Committee was established by the Withdrawal Agreement to facilitate the implementation and application of the Protocol. The co-chairs reviewed the operational phase of the implementation of the Protocol since its last meeting in December 2023. This review showed that implementation is operating well in most areas.  

    Both sides reaffirmed their continued commitment to the smooth implementation of the Protocol and agreed to finalise further technical discussions with the objective of reaching a common understanding on the correct implementation of the Protocol in the area of taxation (Article 3 of the Protocol) and fisheries (Article 6 of the Protocol) as a matter of priority. The Specialised Committee will revert to this issue immediately afterwards.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK statement: response to E1 settlement plan in the occupied West Bank

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK statement: response to E1 settlement plan in the occupied West Bank

    The UK has issued a statement in response to the announcement by Israel’s Civil Administration to reintroduce the E1 settlement plan in the occupied West Bank

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said:

    The UK strongly opposes the announcement by the central planning bureau of Israel’s Civil Administration to reintroduce the E1 settlement plan, frozen since 2021.

    This plan would build over 3000 houses to the east of Jerusalem, dividing a future Palestinian state in two, and marking a flagrant breach of international law.

    If implemented, the E1 settlement plan would critically undermine the two-state solution – the only route to a lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Automatic voter registration: a huge step forward for democracy – and a chance to bring missing millions into elections

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Toby James, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of East Anglia

    Shutterstock/Melinda Nagy

    The UK government has announced planned changes to elections which it claims to be “the boldest and most ambitious change to our democracy for decades”. This includes extending the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds at parliamentary elections – but also other important reforms such as automatic voter registration.

    At the moment, everyone needs to fill in an individual voter registration application at least 12 days before an election. Automatic registration would enable electoral officials to update the electoral rolls without people having to make an application to register to vote. They could use other reliable data to make the electoral register as accurate and complete as possible.

    Electoral officials would then write to the potential voter to inform them that they had been added to the register. They would have the opportunity to make any corrections needed.

    The details are still to be worked out and the change would not come overnight. The process may be semi-automated to begin with – with the individual process sitting alongside some automation.

    Why is automatic registration needed?

    Many people don’t register in time for elections. Some don’t intend to vote, but others assume that they’re already registered. Some are also just busy.

    The result is that there are around 7-8 million people who are not correctly registered when the polling stations open on election day. A significant number are then turned away. The problem is getting worse as the number of people who are not registered is also rising at an alarming rate.

    Estimated number of people missing from the electoral register at UK general elections, 1945-2024.

    The number of people missing from the voter .
    James, Bernal and Berry, CC BY-ND

    What is especially troubling is that there are large gaps in registrations by age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Nearly all over-65-year-olds are on the register, but younger people are increasingly missing. Only 60% of 18-to-19-year-olds are on the electoral rolls – and 16% of the soon-to-be-enfranchised 16- to 17-year-olds (you can currently register to vote at 16).

    Automatic registration will therefore be crucial to making votes at 16 a success. Asking and reminding young people to register would inevitably involve an enormous administrative effort. But if data could be transferred from schools and government departments to election officials to put them straight onto the roll, it would save both time and money – and bring about a higher participation rate.

    Does automatic voter registration work?

    Roughly half of countries around the around the world use automatic voter registration – including Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland and Finland. Countries which have historically not had automatic registration, such as the US, Malta, Canada and Australia, have all moved to at least partially implement it over recent years.

    The UK is thought have one of the more difficult voter registration systems compared to other countries. The evidence is that automatic voter registration leads to more accurate and complete electoral registers. It can therefore reduce the opportunity for fraud and increase convenience for citizens.

    What data might be used?

    In a recent report with colleagues, I set out how this can be implemented and suggested a range of datasets that could be securely used.

    Electoral rolls could be updated when people apply for a passport, register to pay council tax, update their driving licence details, register at university or claim benefits. Electoral officials could also be authorised to update the electoral rolls with data such as council tax data and information held by the Department for Work and Pensions.

    One option would be to register people to vote when they apply for a passport.
    Shutterstock/ClimbWhenReady

    Data sharing is already used in electoral registration. Every time a voter registration application is made, it is checked against another government dataset. There is therefore already the data infrastructure to enable automatic registration to work.

    Electoral officials already use such data to register, remove or re-register people. This has enabled a lot of savings and less administrative hassle for many people.

    Voter identification changes

    The government’s election bill proposals will also extend the forms of identification that voters can present at polling stations to include bank cards. It clears the path for future digital forms of ID to be accepted.

    The last government introduced a requirement for everyone to provide photographic identification at polling stations at UK general elections and some local elections. Accepted forms of identification include passports and driving licences but also a range of other options. If citizens don’t have identification, then they can apply for a free voter authority certificate, provided that they do so before the deadline.

    However, our research found that many people were turned away in polling stations as they did not have required identification. Poll workers reported that the impact particularly affected some groups, such as students and women.

    The UK is now ranked in the bottom half of countries in the UK by election quality. The proposed changes to electoral law are therefore urgent, important and will strengthen elections in areas where they are weak.

    They may not, however, go far enough. The previous government restricted the independence of the Electoral Commission and these changes have not been reversed by the Labour government. The Electoral Commission will play an important role in automatic registration, so the government could renew its independence to help build confidence and trust in elections.

    Nonetheless, the move to automatic registration would be a major step forward for a changing democracy – as long as the government now puts on the afterburners to power the effort needed to make these changes work effectively in time for the next election.

    Toby James has previously received funding from the AHRC, ESRC, Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, Electoral Commission, Nuffield Foundation, the McDougall Trust, Unlock Democracy, International IDEA and the Canadian SSHRC.

    – ref. Automatic voter registration: a huge step forward for democracy – and a chance to bring missing millions into elections – https://theconversation.com/automatic-voter-registration-a-huge-step-forward-for-democracy-and-a-chance-to-bring-missing-millions-into-elections-261489

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • India-UAE Partnership Eyes Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technology as Next Breakthrough Sectors

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India and the United Arab Emirates are solidifying their strategic partnership, setting their sights on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next frontiers for collaboration. This move comes as bilateral trade has already surged past the $100 billion mark, five years ahead of schedule, cementing the UAE’s position as India’s third-largest trade partner. Speaking at an Observer Research Foundation Middle East event in Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted how both nations are leveraging their unique strengths to forge resilient supply chains and foster sustainable growth, moving beyond traditional trade ties.

    Intensified high-level diplomatic engagement since September 2024, including visits from Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, has focused on substantive economic cooperation. Discussions during Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s visit with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the significant role of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in accelerating bilateral trade, particularly progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor, a foundational element of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). UAE investments in India have reached $23 billion, with a notable $4.5 billion committed in 2024 alone, following the finalization of the Bilateral Investment Treaty last year. Furthermore, local currency trade settlement now accounts for 10 percent of all bilateral transactions, reducing dependence on dollar-denominated exchanges.

    A significant stride in financial technology integration is the UAE’s Jaywan card, built entirely on India’s rupee card stack. Plans are also underway to connect banking messaging systems, offering an alternative to SWIFT networks, and to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s Aani platform by November 2025, enabling Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) interoperability. Educational cooperation has also seen tangible results with the launch of IIT Abu Dhabi’s PhD program this year, alongside IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus and IIFT Dubai. Defense collaboration has been elevated to the secretary level, featuring joint exercises such as Desert Cyclone, Desert Flag, and the India-France-UAE Trilateral Exercise, and extends to participation in major defense exhibitions like IDEX and Dubai Airshow, with 25 Indian companies actively involved. Hardware integration initiatives include components for the Tejas fighter aircraft and the development of drone and anti-drone systems.

    Nuclear cooperation is emerging as a transformative area, with the UAE currently generating 25 percent of its energy from nuclear sources (5.6 GW capacity) and aiming to double this by 2030. The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) initiative involving the US, UAE, , coupled with synergies with France, positions nuclear energy as a key growth sector. The advanced technology partnership gained momentum at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.

    Discussions are also underway for collaboration in critical minerals and the space sector, including polar initiatives. The IMEEC project envisions a comprehensive connectivity corridor for containers, data, and energy through connected grids and subsea cables. The I2U2 framework (India, Israel, UAE, US) is expanding its focus to food security, with plans for two food parks in Gujarat and renewable energy projects targeting 60 GW capacity in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Ambassador Sudhir emphasized the potential benefits for India from the UAE’s 25 other Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), which could provide diversified market access and manufacturing advantages, particularly for energy-intensive industries. The UAE’s recent inclusion in BRICS further enhances its role as a strategic gateway for India’s engagement with Africa through initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu. The legal predictability and stable environment in the UAE also make it an attractive destination for Indian manufacturing investments requiring significant energy inputs.

    Culturally, the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi stands as a powerful symbol of the shared ethos, religious tolerance, and cultural inclusivity underpinning the broader strategic relationship, a testament to the graciousness of the Abu Dhabi government. As both nations navigate global economic uncertainties, their partnership exemplifies how complementary strengths can foster resilient supply chains and sustainable growth models, with nuclear energy and advanced technology at the forefront of their expanding cooperation.

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Met reiterates warning on support for proscribed organisations ahead of Saturday protests

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    There will be an increased police presence in Westminster on Saturday when a number of protests are due to take place.

    A march organised by the Palestine Coalition will go from Victoria Embankment to Whitehall via Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand. Speeches will take place in Whitehall following the march.

    A static protest organised by Stop the Hate, in opposition to the Palestine Coalition march, will take place at the junction of the Strand and Waterloo Bridge.

    Discussions are ongoing with the organisers of both protests and details of any conditions in place will be published on Friday.

    We are also expecting further protest activity in support of Palestine Action which is a group now proscribed under the Terrorism Act. Similar protests have taken place in Parliament Square for the past two weekends, with 70 arrests made.

    The location of any such protest has not yet been confirmed.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is charge of the Met’s policing operation this weekend, said: “Our policing plans for the sort of protest activity we expect on Saturday are tried and tested, with officers working hard to achieve the balance of allowing people to exercise their right to peaceful protest while avoiding serious disruption to the community and ensuring incidents and offences can be swiftly dealt with.

    “This Saturday’s Palestine Coalition protest is the first large scale eventof its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood.

    “Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don’t stray into hate speech or other offences.

    “However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.

    “I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.

    “This is also the first large scale protest on this issue since Glastonbury Festival where offensive chanting led by an artist on one of the stages prompted a police investigation. Investigations are also underway, led by Met officers, following similar uses of the same chant in London.

    “Those investigations are ongoing and it would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcomes, but I can say a bit more about our approach to similar chanting at this weekend’s protest.

    “We have said before that whether chants cross the line from free speech to a potential criminal offence depends on the specific circumstances.

    “For example, there will be words that when chanted in the middle of the Palestine Coalition march, and not directed at individuals who might be caused harassment, alarm or distress as a result, might not lead an officer to reasonably suspect an offence has been committed.

    “But directing the same words at a group of people for whom the words would very likely cause harassment, alarm or distress, could well give rise to grounds for arrest.

    “At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point.

    “Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.

    “All participants are responsible for their own behaviour. Avoiding the use of threatening, abusive and insulting language, or language that is supportive of proscribed organisations, is the surest way to stay on the right side of this line.”

    Further details of these protests, including any conditions in place, will be published at news.met.police.uk and on the Met’s X account.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Met reiterates warning on support for proscribed organisations ahead of Saturday protests

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    There will be an increased police presence in Westminster on Saturday when a number of protests are due to take place.

    A march organised by the Palestine Coalition will go from Victoria Embankment to Whitehall via Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand. Speeches will take place in Whitehall following the march.

    A static protest organised by Stop the Hate, in opposition to the Palestine Coalition march, will take place at the junction of the Strand and Waterloo Bridge.

    Discussions are ongoing with the organisers of both protests and details of any conditions in place will be published on Friday.

    We are also expecting further protest activity in support of Palestine Action which is a group now proscribed under the Terrorism Act. Similar protests have taken place in Parliament Square for the past two weekends, with 70 arrests made.

    The location of any such protest has not yet been confirmed.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is charge of the Met’s policing operation this weekend, said: “Our policing plans for the sort of protest activity we expect on Saturday are tried and tested, with officers working hard to achieve the balance of allowing people to exercise their right to peaceful protest while avoiding serious disruption to the community and ensuring incidents and offences can be swiftly dealt with.

    “This Saturday’s Palestine Coalition protest is the first large scale eventof its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood.

    “Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don’t stray into hate speech or other offences.

    “However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.

    “I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.

    “This is also the first large scale protest on this issue since Glastonbury Festival where offensive chanting led by an artist on one of the stages prompted a police investigation. Investigations are also underway, led by Met officers, following similar uses of the same chant in London.

    “Those investigations are ongoing and it would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcomes, but I can say a bit more about our approach to similar chanting at this weekend’s protest.

    “We have said before that whether chants cross the line from free speech to a potential criminal offence depends on the specific circumstances.

    “For example, there will be words that when chanted in the middle of the Palestine Coalition march, and not directed at individuals who might be caused harassment, alarm or distress as a result, might not lead an officer to reasonably suspect an offence has been committed.

    “But directing the same words at a group of people for whom the words would very likely cause harassment, alarm or distress, could well give rise to grounds for arrest.

    “At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point.

    “Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.

    “All participants are responsible for their own behaviour. Avoiding the use of threatening, abusive and insulting language, or language that is supportive of proscribed organisations, is the surest way to stay on the right side of this line.”

    Further details of these protests, including any conditions in place, will be published at news.met.police.uk and on the Met’s X account.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: HSBC Continental Europe Agrees to Sell French Portfolio of Home and Certain Other Retail Loans

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    18 July 2025

    HSBC CONTINENTAL EUROPE AGREES TO SELL FRENCH PORTFOLIO
    OF HOME AND CERTAIN OTHER RETAIL LOANS

    HSBC Continental Europe, an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC Group”), today signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium comprising Rothesay Life plc and CCF (together the “Consortium Buyer”) regarding the sale of its French portfolio of predominantly home and certain other retail loans (the “Portfolio”) retained after the disposal of its retail banking business in France1 (the “Potential Transaction”).

    At 31 December 2024, the Portfolio had an outstanding balance of €6.7bn.

    On 1 January 2025, the Portfolio was reclassified from hold-to-collect to hold-to-collect-and-sell, and during the first quarter of 2025, the HSBC Group recognised a €1.2bn ($1.3bn2) pre-tax fair value loss through other comprehensive income on the Portfolio, and a €0.1bn ($0.1bn2) fair value gain in the income statement on related interest rate hedges. The fair value loss on the Portfolio resulted in an approximately 0.2 percentage point reduction in the HSBC Group CET1 ratio, which stood at 14.7% at 31 March 20253.

    At completion of the Potential Transaction:

    • The loss recognised in other comprehensive income will be recycled to the income statement with no further impact on HSBC Group’s CET1 ratio.
    • The risk weighted assets (“RWAs”) of the Portfolio4 will be deconsolidated, resulting in an immaterial benefit on the HSBC Group CET1 ratio.

    The Potential Transaction is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the appropriate information and consultation processes with respective works councils. HSBC Continental Europe will work closely with the Consortium Buyer to enable a smooth transition.

    The Potential Transaction allows HSBC Continental Europe to further strengthen its focus on being the leading corporate and institutional bank in Europe, supporting international clients. HSBC is focused on increasing its leadership and market share in the areas where it has a clear competitive advantage, and where it has the greatest opportunities to grow and support its clients.

    Financial impact of the transaction on HSBC Continental Europe:

    • Since the reclassification of the Portfolio on 1 January 2025 from hold-to-collect to hold-to-collect-and-sell, HSBC Continental Europe recognised during the first quarter of 2025, a €1.2bn fair value pre-tax loss through other comprehensive income and a €0.1bn fair value gain in the income statement on related interest rate hedges. The fair value loss on the Portfolio resulted in an approximately 2 percentage points reduction in HSBC Continental Europe’s CET1 ratio, which stood at 18.8% at 31 December 20245.
    • At completion of the Potential Transaction, the loss recognised in other comprehensive income will be recycled to the income statement with no further impact on HSBC Continental Europe’s CET1 ratio. The RWAs6 of the Portfolio will be deconsolidated and it is estimated that the HSBC Continental Europe CET1 ratio will increase by approximately 0.3 percentage point.

    Contacts:

    Sophie Ricord | sophie.ricord@hsbc.fr | + 33 6 89 10 17 62
    Stéphanie Préaut | stephanie.preaut@hsbc.fr | +33 6 75 31 16 58

    HSBC Continental Europe
    Headquartered in Paris, HSBC Continental Europe is an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Continental Europe comprises, in addition to corporate and institutional banking, private banking, insurance and asset management activities across Continental Europe, and includes the business activities of 10 European branches (in Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and two banking subsidiaries in Continental Europe (in Luxembourg and Malta). HSBC Continental Europe’s mission is to serve both customers in Continental Europe for their needs worldwide and Group customers for their needs in Continental Europe.

    HSBC Holdings plc
    HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London, HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 58 countries and territories. With assets of US$3.054 billion at 31 March 2025, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

    Rothesay Life plc
    Rothesay is the UK’s largest pensions insurance specialist. The company has over £70 billion of assets under management, securing the pensions of more than one million people and paying out, on average, over £300 million in pension payments each month.

    CCF Group
    CCF Group is a century-old French banking group specializing in wealth management and specialized financing. Wealth management services are provided under the CCF brand to 800,000 clients across France. Specialized financing focuses on personal loans and corporate financing.

    1 Completion of the sale of Retail Banking Business in France – 1 Jan 2024, HSBC.com
    2 At relevant prevailing FX rates during, and at the end of, the first quarter of 2025.

    3 HSBC Group CET1 ratio on a PRA basis.
    4 Excluding Operational Risk RWAs.
    5 HSBC Continental Europe CET1 ratio computed on an ECB basis.
    6 Excluding Operational Risk RWAs

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK tightens Oil Price Cap in blow to Putin’s war machine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK tightens Oil Price Cap in blow to Putin’s war machine

    The UK and EU will lower the crude Oil Price Cap.

    • UK and EU lower the crude Oil Price Cap, striking at the heart of Putin’s oil revenues

    • new measure will drive down the market value of Russian oil, disrupting the flow of oil money into Putin’s war chest

    • coordinated action comes as the UK and allies continue to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia

    UK will ramp up economic pressure on Russia with fresh measures directly targeting Putin’s critical oil revenues. 

    The UK and EU have today announced a lowering of the Crude Oil Price Cap, striking at the heart of Putin’s oil revenues.  

    Today’s action will lower the Crude Oil Price Cap from $60 barrel to $47.60 directly hitting Russia’s oil revenues, which have already fallen 35% year-on-year to May.  

    This will clamp down on Putin’s oil industry, driving down the market value of Russian crude oil and hurting a crucial source of funding for the Kremlin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

    Every financial blow against Russia’s oil revenues is another step towards a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, and a step towards security and prosperity in the UK and beyond, which is a key foundation of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Speaking at the G20 in South Africa, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: 

    The UK and its EU allies are turning the screw on the Kremlin’s war chest by stemming the most valuable funding stream of its illegal war in Ukraine even further.  

    This decisive step to lower the Crude Oil Price Cap will target Russia’s oil revenues and ramp up the pressure on Putin by exploiting his biggest vulnerability – while keeping energy markets stable.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    As Putin continues to stall on serious peace talks, we will not stand by.  

    That’s why we’re striking at the heart of the Russian energy sector alongside the EU. Together we will continue to apply relentless pressure on Putin, squeezing his critical oil industry and cutting off funding for his illegal war in Ukraine.

    The UK is taking decisive action to cut off Putin’s oil supply pipeline and has to date sanctioned over 250 ships responsible for transporting Russian energy.

    The UK has been clear that delaying peace efforts will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine to defend itself and ratchet up pressure on Russia. That’s why the UK has committed £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. 

    Today’s action comes as the UK further clamps down on Russian malign activity, exposing and sanctioning Russian spies responsible for spreading chaos and disorder on Putin’s orders.    

     The UK and EU are working in lockstep to combat those callously fuelling the fires of destruction in Ukraine and are committed to ramping up economic pressure on Putin, forcing him to the table to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

    Background 

    • The Crude Oil Price Cap, introduced in December 2022, is a measure to limit the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine, and prohibits G7 companies from shipping, insuring, or otherwise servicing Russian oil sold above $60 per barrel. Now, the UK and EU are lowering this to $47.60 per barrel, directly slashing Putin’s oil profits. 

    • The price caps of $100 on high-value refined oil products, such as diesel and petrol, and $45 on low-value refined oil products, such as fuel oil, remain unaffected. 

    • Oil exports are one of Russia’s key vulnerabilities: energy revenues account for around 30% of total federal revenues which in turn fund Russia’s war machine. 

    • The government is giving UK businesses time to adapt to the lower price cap. The lowered Oil Price Cap of $47.60 per barrel comes into effect at 23:01 (BST), Tuesday, 2 September 2025. Additionally, for any trades with an effective date of contract before this date, and which are compliant with the existing price cap of $60 per barrel, there will be a wind-down period of 45 days, ending at 23:01 (BST), Friday, 17 October 2025.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call for packaging value chain representatives to join the pEPR Scheme Administrator Steering Group (SASG)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Call for packaging value chain representatives to join the pEPR Scheme Administrator Steering Group (SASG)

    PackUK are now welcoming expressions of interest (EOI) for the appointment of members of the Scheme Administrator Steering Group.

    PackUK, the Scheme Administrator for Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), is committed to working with experts from across the packaging value chain to guide it in its work.

    The Scheme Administrator Steering Group plays a key role in supporting this close working relationship and brings together skilled professionals from across the packaging value chain who are passionate about recycling and environmental sustainability.

    The Steering Group provides valuable perspectives and recommendations to the Scheme Administrator Executive Committee (SA ExCo) on the operational functions of the Scheme Administrator, supporting it to:

    • deliver a system that creates maximum environmental benefits through knowledge sharing and collaboration
    • deliver maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the collection and packaging system

    These recommendations play a central role in shaping PackUK as it grows and develops. While the group is not directly involved in decision-making, it serves as a trusted source of insight comprising members who will have a wealth of operational and policy expertise from a variety of both public and private sector organisations.

    Expressions of interest for the role of Steering Group Member now open

    We are delighted to announce that we are now welcoming expressions of interest (EOI) for the appointment of members of the Scheme Administrator Steering Group.

    This voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant environmental reforms of our time: making a direct contribution to the UK’s achievement of decarbonisation and net zero by 2050.

    As a member, you’ll provide valuable feedback, recommendations, and technical advice that will contribute to the UK’s first pEPR scheme, a key milestone in the transition to a circular economy.

    Applications will close 11th August. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a variety of skills, experience and knowledge from across the value chain and will be subject to a fair and open competitive application process.

    Further information on how to apply can be found below.

    Details on the steering group

    In line with international best practice for EPR Schemes, the Steering Group will be producer led. The makeup of the seats on the Steering Group is as follows:

    The Steering Group will consist of 10 individuals from producer organisations and trade association representatives (1 designated seat for the food sector and 1 designated seat for packaging manufacturing) and 11 other members, representing Local Authorities (LAs) in each of the four nations, waste management organisations, environmental Non-Government Organisations (NGO), compliance schemes, and an independent chair.

    How to apply

    More information can be found in the following documents:

    To apply for this voluntary role, your CV and supporting statement should be returned to SASteeringgroup@defra.gov.uk by mid-day on 11 August 2025, marking the email as ‘Member of Scheme Administrator Steering Group’ in the subject field.

    All candidates are also required to submit the following:

    • Diversity information and conflicts of interest form

    • CV of no more than two sides of A4 outlining your experience, any professional qualifications and employment history

    • a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria, providing specific examples (750 words maximum)

    Please indicate in the email which Steering Group seat you are applying to (for example, Producer, Waste Management Organisation, e-NGO, Compliance Scheme).

    If you have any queries, please email SASteeringgroup@defra.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Australia discuss digital defence and emerging threats

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    UK and Australia discuss digital defence and emerging threats

    Australia’s recent defence changes offer valuable insights for the UK’s newly announced Strategic Defence Review. 

    From left to right: WO Suzie Hall, JCG CSEL WO; Lt Gen Susan Coyle, Australia Chief of Joint Capabilities; Sqn Ldr A Porter, Director Cyber and EM; AVM Tom Ashbridge, Director Cyber and EM; Maj Gen Robert ‘Doc’ Watson, Commander ADF Cyber Command; Brig James Dennis, PJHQ J6 ACOS MOD Crown Copyright

    Australia remains one of the UK’s closest partners and in an increasingly dangerous world, working with our international partners has never been more important. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Australia’s Chief of Joint Capabilities, and Major General Robert Watson from the Australian Defence Force’s Cyber Command visited Strategic Command where they were welcomed by Commander General Sir Jim Hockenhull and Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes to share lessons from their 2023 defence review and discuss progress on the AUKUS partnership. 

    The visit focussed on four main areas where both nations are adapting defence to address modern threats. Australia now brings together cyber, space, intelligence and logistics teams under single commands, allowing different military specialities to work together more effectively. This approach mirrors what the UK wants to achieve through its Strategic Defence Review. 

    Lieutenant General Coyle and Major General Watson visited the new UK Cyber Command facility at Ministry of Defence Corsham, where our teams protect the country’s digital networks from online attacks. They were among the first senior international visitors to see the headquarters, with Air Vice-Marshal Ashbridge leading detailed discussions about cyber threats and defence methods during their time at Corsham. These talks showed how both the UK and Australia need specialist teams to tackle digital threats, working closer together on cyber defence and shared ways to protect military networks. 

    Conversations also included progress on AUKUS capabilities beyond submarine development. The three nations, the UK, US and Australia, are developing artificial intelligence, smart systems and cyber capabilities that will define future warfare. Australia’s experience implementing these new technologies provides valuable lessons for UK programmes. 

    Australia’s Joint Capabilities Group, led by Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, operates similarly to Strategic Command. Both are designed to integrate capabilities across the single services, showing how close allies learn from each other’s experiences to speed up defence transformation and maintain military advantage. 

    By combining Australia’s lessons with the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, both countries are building the modern defence capabilities needed to stay ahead of new threats and ensure we remain ahead of our adversaries in an increasingly dangerous world.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK welcomes the Colombian Government’s announcement of the Comprehensive Protection Programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    The UK welcomes the Colombian Government’s announcement of the Comprehensive Protection Programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.

    The UK remains committed to the implementation of the 2016 Agreement as the main vehicle for lasting peace in Colombia.

    I’d like to start by welcoming the Colombian Government’s announcement of the Comprehensive Protection Programme in June as a measure to address increasing levels of violence across the country, including the assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe on 7 June.  

    And I join others in hoping for his continued recovery.  

    Nine signatories were killed during the reporting period, bringing the total to 469 since the Agreement was signed.

    These attacks, often deliberately targeting those who are committed to peace and societal change, underline the urgent need to implement the Comprehensive Protection Programme and for stronger protection measures. 

    President, as SRSG Massieu reminded us, transitional justice remains a critical component of the 2016 Agreement, as we also heard during our visit last year.

    Colombians need to see restorative justice in action. So, we encourage the Jurisdiction to maintain the pace of sentencing and the government to ensure complementary actions advance in parallel.

    We welcome the presence of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace in this chamber and its President, Alejandro Ramelli.  

    We understand that the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will shortly issue sentences under two Macro Cases. 

    This would represent a significant advance in the work of the Jurisdiction.

    And this, as SRSG Massieu reminded us, is essential to maintain the trust of the victims, the signatories and the Colombian people. 

    Finally, President, as this government enters its final year in office, and with elections in view, we urge the government to prioritise implementation of the Agreement and to fund it adequately.

    The Secretary General’s latest report shows that implementation of the 2016 Agreement remains uneven, with key challenges unaddressed across several chapters, despite progress in others.

    We welcome the meeting in May of the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion, and Verification of the Implementation, ‘the CSIVI’, where parties agreed an action plan for the remainder of the year. 

    We commend efforts to strengthen institutional coordination and support civil society.

    Convening institutional structures of the Agreement is key to sustaining peace efforts, particularly as Colombia transitions into its electoral period.

    President, the UK is and will remain a key partner on the path to sustainable peace in Colombia.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry’s revolutionary Very Light Rail system to take centre stage at national UK event

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry’s innovative Very Light Rail (CVLR) system is to showcase its pioneering technology at a prestigious national conference next week.

    CVLR is designed to create an affordable rail-based travel system that can be delivered at less than half the cost and in half the time of conventional light rail systems.

    It will now be showcased at next week’s UK Light Rail conference in Leeds. From 22 July, the two-day convention is the UK’s premier event dedicated solely to the advancement of light rail, featuring over 50 expert speakers and bringing together key decision-makers, manufacturers, operators and innovators from across the sector.

    Coventry will present to the conference on Wednesday 23 July with a dedicated session titled: CVLR: Coventry’s first On Road Test installation and operation.  The CVLR team will also participate in a discussion panel called Smarter moves in light rail, demonstrating the breadth of expertise and innovation the project represents.

    The recognition represents a significant milestone for the project, which has achieved remarkable success during its recent on-road testing phase.

    The 220-metre track was laid in the city centre of Coventry in just eight weeks – a timeframe unmatched anywhere in the world. Over six weeks, more than 3,000 members of the public experienced the future of urban transport first-hand through test rides, providing overwhelmingly positive feedback.

    Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “Being invited to showcase Coventry’s Very Light Rail at the UK’s premier light rail conference is testament to the ground-breaking innovation we’ve achieved here in Coventry.

    “Our successful on-road testing, which saw over 3,000 people experience this revolutionary transport system, proves that we can deliver affordable, sustainable rail solutions at unprecedented speed and cost.

    “The fact that we laid our 220-metre track in just eight weeks – faster than anywhere else in the world – demonstrates how CVLR can transform the way cities approach public transport infrastructure.

    “Crucially, this isn’t just a transport system – it’s designed and built right here in Coventry, creating jobs and establishing a whole new industry for our city.

    “As we begin work on our next 800-metre section connecting the railway station to University Technology Park, we’re not just building a transport system for Coventry – we’re pioneering a solution that could revolutionise urban mobility across the UK and beyond while positioning Coventry as the home of this innovative technology and the skilled jobs it brings.”

    The Very Light Rail system addresses the critical challenge facing many UK cities seeking sustainable transport solutions. Where conventional light rail systems can cost upwards of £25 million per kilometre to install and as much as £100 million per kilometre in city centres, CVLR delivers a solution that provides the benefits of a conventional tram but at a significantly reduced installation cost.

    Key innovations that set CVLR apart:

    Revolutionary Vehicle Design: The battery-powered vehicle eliminates the need for overhead wires and features an innovative turning system, enabling it to handle 15m radius curves. This allows for installation in tight corners within the existing highway. The vehicle has a capacity of 56, is comfortable and has low floors to enable passengers to embark and disembark easily.

    Ultra-Thin Track Technology: The new track is laid just 30cm within the road’s surface, minimising the need to relocate pipes and cables, which is time-consuming and expensive. It achieves this by leveraging cutting-edge materials science, while still utilising standard rail parts to ensure ease of manufacture.

    Sustainable Impact: Transport is responsible for nearly 30% of carbon emissions. The CVLR system will help improve air quality, reduce congestion, support housing development, and provide jobs and skills while securing local investment and putting Coventry at the forefront of the green industrial revolution.

    The project represents a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, including the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, WMG at the University of Warwick and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.

    Recent months have seen significant progress, with Simon Lightwood, Minister for Local Transport, visiting the CVLR track during Better Transport Week, demonstrating growing government interest in the technology’s potential. Work has also started on the next stage, which will see an 800-metre section laid from the railway station to the University Technology Park on Puma Way.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement on Russia’s malicious cyber activity affecting the United Kingdom

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 18, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence; and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement:

    “Canada strongly condemns Russia’s malicious cyber activities targeting the United Kingdom, other allies and Ukraine. Canada joins its partners and allies in calling out this activity by Russia’s military intelligence service (the GRU). Russia’s malicious cyber activity and the subsequent harmful real-world impacts it caused such as the bombing of the Mariupol Theatre, the targeting of Yulia Skripal and cyber operations in support of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

    “Russia’s pattern of disruptive cyber activity demonstrates a repeated disregard for the rules-based international system. It also demonstrates Russia’s willingness to use its cyber capabilities irresponsibly as part of a wider campaign to interfere with and destabilize other countries.

    “Canada, in conjunction with our partners and allies, including the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, will continue to defend a stable cyberspace, built on the applicability of and respect for international law, as well as responsible state behaviour, in cyberspace.

    “We remind Canadian organizations, especially critical infrastructure network defenders, to bolster their awareness of and protection against Russian cyber threats. We encourage all Canadians to follow updated advice and guidance at cyber.gc.ca.”

    Quick facts

    Previous malicious Russian cyber activities include the following:

    • Electoral and political interference via cyber means targeting the United Kingdom, made public in 2023
    • The targeting of Viasat’s KA-SAT satellite Internet service in Ukraine and other parts of Europe in February 2022
    • The targeting of the Ukrainian banking sector in February 2022
    • The exploitation of the SolarWinds Platform by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in 2021
    • The SVR’s targeting of Canadian COVID-19 vaccine research and development in 2020
    • Interference by Russia’s GRU in Georgia’s 2020 parliamentary elections

    Related links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, emphasizes the transformative power of creativity in driving social change on the occasion of World Art Day 2025

    Source: APO

    Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Art Day 2025’ through their Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community, established by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. Through this dynamic community, Dr. Kelej continues to raise awareness on critical health and social issues while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their creativity as a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and fostering a cultural shift within their communities.

    Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 emphasized, “I am delighted to mark ‘World Art Day 2025’ as I strongly believe that art, fashion, and media hold immense power in raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues—ultimately creating a culture shift in the communities. Art and fashion, to me, go far beyond aesthetics or entertainment, they serve as meaningful tools for education and advocacy. With this vision, we have launched many initiatives including our first-ever pan-African TV program, Our Africa by Merck Foundation, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. Through this one-of-a-kind show and our other unique initiatives, we continue to raise awareness about critical social issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, Stopping Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Empowerment, and also about health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and much more.”

    ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

    The TV program has been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like KTN HOME (Kenya), GH One & TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Uganda), BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), QTV (The Gambia), KTN (Kenya), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa TV (Malawi), Deffi Media (Mauritius), AYV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC (Zambia), ZTN (Zimbabwe), NTV (Namibia) and more.

    “Our Africa” TV Program is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/46RQTdN), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4lTPOXP), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4kMZJNc) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/44STkKp)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A)].

    Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4nXnAMX

    Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. The 2025 editions were announced during the 11th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held in Tanzania in October 2024.

    Dr. Kelej emphasized, “It is very well known that Africa’s creativity reflects its rich heritage, expressed in the form of art, fabrics, music, and storytelling and is carried forward through generations. Hence, we launch these awards annually, with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. Through our Awards, we aim to inspire the continent’s youth to use their innate talents to address our important and critical social and health issues, by raising awareness through their creative work at all levels.”

    Entries for the Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

    Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

    Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages: English, French and Portuguese. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted these storybooks to create interesting animation films with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

    To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

    https://apo-opa.co/44Q8BvC

    https://apo-opa.co/46iSl90 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

    Contact:
    Mehak Handa
    Community Awareness Program Manager 
    Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
    Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

    Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0
    X: https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd
    YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl
    Threads: https://apo-opa.co/44Dc6H2
    Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/44USpcs
    Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
    Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3GwUMKD

    About Merck Foundation:
    The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0), X (https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/44Dc6H2) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/44USpcs).

    The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Britain’s ban on lead ammunition could save tens of thousands of birds from poisoning

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Deborah Pain, Visiting Academic, University of Cambridge; Honorary Professor, University of East Anglia, University of Cambridge

    CHUYKO SERGEY/Shutterstock

    The UK’s environment minister Emma Hardy has announced a ban on toxic lead ammunition to protect Britain’s countryside. This ban includes the sale and use for hunting of both lead shotgun ammunition (each cartridge of which contains hundreds of small lead pellets called “shot”), used mainly for hunting small game animals like gamebirds, and large calibre lead bullets, used for hunting large game animals like deer.

    This is great news for Britain’s birds because the ban will eventually prevent the deaths and suffering of the vast numbers affected by lead poisoning each year after ingesting lead from ammunition.

    Most shot fired do not hit their targets and thousands of tonnes of lead shot are scattered in the environment every year.

    Waterbirds and land-based gamebirds mistakenly eat these because they look like food or the grit they ingest to help grind up their food. Shot are retained in their gizzards (a muscular part of the stomach), ground up, and the lead dissolved and absorbed into the bloodstream.

    Lead poisoning kills an estimated 50,000-100,000 waterbirds annually in the UK. These birds suffer considerably before they die. Many more birds are poisoned, but not killed.

    While this additional “sublethal” poisoning does not kill birds directly, they may be more likely to die of other causes. This is because lead poisoning affects the immune system and behaviour.

    Gamebirds will no longer be able to be killed using lead shot under a new ban in Britain.
    AdamEdwards/Shutterstock

    The use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl and over certain wetlands is already banned in England and Wales. It is also banned for shooting over all wetlands in Scotland.

    However, compliance with the regulations in England is only about 30%, and is also low in Scotland, although has not been measured in Wales. This new comprehensive ban should dramatically improve the situation across all habitats throughout Britain.

    Birds of prey, including eagles, common buzzards and red kites ingest lead fragments when they scavenge flesh from animals killed by lead ammunition, or prey on animals wounded by lead ammunition. The acidic conditions in their stomachs help dissolve the lead.

    Our research shows that while fewer birds of prey than waterbirds are estimated to die of lead poisoning, it can have a far greater effect on their populations, especially for species that first breed at a later age, produce fewer young, and would otherwise have higher annual adult survival rates.

    The lead ban will benefit birds that live in Britain permanently or for just part of the year. But it will not entirely solve the problem for migratory species. If lead shot continues to be used elsewhere, these species may still ingest it on migration or on their breeding or wintering grounds.

    Beyond borders

    To protect all species, lead ammunition needs to be replaced by non-lead alternatives everywhere. The use of lead shot is already banned in many wetlands globally. Across the EU, a ban on the use of lead shot in or close to wetlands came into force in February 2023.

    Denmark was the first country to ban lead ammunition across all habitats. In 1996, it banned the use of lead shot and in April 2024, it banned lead bullets. Our research shows that the lead shot ban in Denmark has been very effective, with good levels of compliance.

    Now, Britain is set to become the second country to ban most uses of lead ammunition. This has been made possible by the increasing availability of safe, efficient and affordable non-lead ammunition alternatives, primarily steel shot and copper bullets.

    In February 2025, the European Commission published a draft regulation banning most uses of lead ammunition and fishing weights. This awaits approval under EU processes – if successful, it will represent a major step forward.

    Beyond birds

    Birds are particularly susceptible to the effects of ingested lead from ammunition due to their muscular gizzards and stomach acidity. But it also puts the health of many other animals at risk, including pets and people.

    In the UK, we found average lead concentrations in raw pheasant dog food from three suppliers to be tens of times the legal maximum residue limit for lead in animal feed.

    The UK government based its decision to ban lead ammunition on a report by the Health and Safety Executive which highlighted risks to the health of young children and women of pregnancy age if they frequently eat meat from game hunted with lead ammunition. Children’s developing nervous systems are particularly sensitive to the effects of lead.

    We recently urged the EU’s committee of member states for Reach (the chemicals regulation), the European parliament and council to fully support the European Commission’s proposal to restrict lead ammunition.

    We also encouraged the European Food Safety Authority to recommend that the European Commission set a legal maximum level for lead in game meat marketed for human consumption. This maximum level should be similar to the one already set for meat from most farmed animals.

    Until this happens, and more countries follow suit by banning all use of lead ammunition for hunting, the health of wildlife, domestic animals and vulnerable groups of people will continue to be threatened by the toxic effects of lead from ammunition.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Deborah Pain is an Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia (Biological Sciences) and a Visiting Academic in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. She has been an independent scientist since April 2018. She has received no remuneration for research on lead poisoning since that time, but, along with colleagues, has received funding for the costs of research and chemical analysis from a number of sources, as acknowledged in published papers. She was a member of the UK REACH Independent Scientific Expert Pool (RISEP) and within this the Challenge Panel on Lead in Ammunition and received payment for that work. However, her published research on lead poisoning was independent of that process.

    Rhys Green has received funding for research from several organisations including the RSPB, where he was principal conservation scientist until 2017. He is now retired. He is an unpaid volunteer research scientist at RSPB and Emeritus Honorary Professor of Conservation Science in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He is a member of the UK REACH Independent Scientific Expert Pool (RISEP), which is an expert group set up by a UK government agency, the Health & Safety Executive. He receives occasional payments for work done on behalf of RISEP. He is on the Board of Trustees of Chester Zoo.

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

    – ref. Britain’s ban on lead ammunition could save tens of thousands of birds from poisoning – https://theconversation.com/britains-ban-on-lead-ammunition-could-save-tens-of-thousands-of-birds-from-poisoning-260958

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bluetongue outbreak endangers UK livestock – what you need to know about the virus

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cate Williams, Knowledge Exchange Fellow at Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University

    Bluetongue causes illness and death in cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants. Juice Flair/Shutterstock

    A tiny midge, no bigger than a pinhead, is bringing UK farming to its knees. The culprit? A strain of the bluetongue virus that’s never been seen before.

    As of July 1, the whole of England has been classed as an “infected area” due to bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3).

    There are movement restrictions and testing in place in Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland. No animals from England – or that have passed through England – are allowed to attend this year’s Royal Welsh Show on July 21-24, for example.

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

    The virus, which causes illness and death in sheep, cattle, goats and other ruminants, is spread by biting midges. Although it poses no risk to humans and can’t be transmitted from one animal to another, the latest outbreak is more severe than previous ones. And it could cause lasting damage to UK farming.

    Bluetongue isn’t new to the UK, however. A different strain, BTV-8 was detected in 2007 and contained. But BTV-3 is a different story. First detected in the Netherlands in late 2023, it was quickly spotted in the UK, where an early containment effort initially appeared successful.

    But the virus made a comeback in autumn 2024 – and this time it spread. On its second attempt, the virus was able to circulate and caused an outbreak. With little existing immunity, BTV-3 has now established itself, prompting concerns about animal welfare, food production and farming livelihoods.

    What does the disease do?

    Sheep tend to be the most severely affected, though all ruminants are at risk. Clinical signs are species-specific but can include swelling of the face, congestion, nasal discharge, ulcers in the mouth and nose, difficulty breathing and abortion or birth deformities.

    Bluetongue can cause the animal’s tongue to swell. It can also turn blue from lack of blood flow – although this is somewhat rare.

    Bluetongue disease causes suffering in animals, and while there is a vaccine, there is no treatment for the disease once it’s contracted.

    BTV-3 appears to be more lethal than earlier strains. In the Netherlands, vets report that BTV-3 is causing more severe symptoms than BTV-8 did.

    Vets in England reported that in some herds 25-40% of cows failed to get pregnant, and there was a high rate of birth defects and stillborn calves. One farm in Suffolk started the calving season with 25% of their cows not pregnant and ended with just 48 calves from 97 cows.

    Belgium has seen a fall in calf births, reduced milk deliveries and higher mortality in small ruminants compared to the previous three years.

    How is it spread?

    Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midges from the Culicoides genus. These are tiny, biting insects that thrive in mild, wet conditions.

    Multiple midges can bite the same animal, and it only takes one of them to carry BTV before that animal becomes a host for further transmission. When animals are transported long distances, infected individuals can be bitten again and introduce the virus to previously uninfected midge populations.

    Climate change is making outbreaks like this more likely. Milder winters and cooler, wetter summers are ideal for midges, increasing both their numbers and their biting activity.

    While there’s no danger to human health, the consequences of BTV-3 are far-reaching. Limitations on movement, exports and imports are being imposed to help prevent the spread of the disease, but this could also hamper farming practices and trade.

    The disease and its associated restrictions pose another source of stress for farmers, 95% of whom have ranked mental health as the biggest hidden problem in farming.

    Genetic pick and mix

    One of the reasons bluetongue is so tricky to manage is its ability to evolve. It has a segmented genome, meaning its genetic material, in this case RNA, is split into ten segments. This characteristic is exclusive to “reassortment viruses” and means that they can easily exchange segments of RNA. It’s like a genetic pick and mix with ten different types of sweets that come in an unlimited number of flavours.

    This allows BTV to create new, genetically distinct “serotypes”, which may have a selective advantage or a disadvantage. Those with an advantage will emerge and spread successfully, while those with a disadvantage will not emerge at all. This process, known as “reassortment”, is partly responsible for the numerous influenza pandemics throughout history and has even allowed diseases to jump the species barrier.

    Although bluetongue doesn’t affect humans directly, its spread poses a growing threat to the UK’s livestock sector and food supply. It’s important to learn from other countries that are further along in the BTV-3 outbreak so that the likely effects can be anticipated in the UK.

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

    – ref. Bluetongue outbreak endangers UK livestock – what you need to know about the virus – https://theconversation.com/bluetongue-outbreak-endangers-uk-livestock-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-virus-260229

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trefusis Park Flood Relief Scheme – Tree maintenance update

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Work is continuing to progress at Trefusis Park, with contractor Kier making the best of the dry weather to start the earthworks.  

    Well before the project began and before bird-nesting started, we removed five pre-identified trees to make way for the scheme.

    We hoped that this would be all that would be needed, but another recent survey has identified 12 trees along the western edge of the park that need maintenance, two ash trees showing signs of Ash Dieback that need to be removed and a London Plane at the northern end of the park that needs re-pollarding. 

    This work is required to enable Kier to operate their machinery safely while building the earthwork bunds and secondly, to protect the public from potentially unsafe branches when the park is reopened.

    Here are the details:

    The ash tree on the western edge of the park

    Ash requiring removal, western edge of the park

    This large ash tree is suffering from Ash Dieback and is leaning over the path and into the park. The arboricultural supervisor has advised that due to the extent of the infection and the amount of limbs that need to be removed the only practical option to manage the risk it presents is to fell this tree.

    Ash requiring removal, near the sewer access

    This smaller ash tree is growing out of a wall. It also has Ash Dieback and even if it didn’t, it’s growth would be limited by its position. It will also be removed.

    London Plane, Northern entrance

    This large specimen is a “lapsed pollard” tree, estimated to have last been pollarded (or trimmed like a street tree) around 20 years ago.

    The arboricultural supervisor has advised that, because of its previous pollarding and the recent excavation works close to its roots, it should be sympathetically pollarded again in order to strengthen the limbs.  

    The smaller ash tree growing from a wall

    Trees requiring maintenance along western edge of the park

    Lastly, some pruning of the lower limbs of 12 trees (crowning) is required for the construction team to be able to safely operate their earthworks machinery in the area along the western edge of the park and to allow for future safe use of the new paths. 

    Some branches will need to be removed from trees to allow for clearance of between 2.5m and 5m from ground level.

    The maintenance works and the felling of the two ash trees will take place from 21 July under the watch of the scheme’s arboricultural supervisor and an ecologist.

    Work will cease (or perhaps not even begin) at the slightest hint of bird activity.

    The London Plane is currently being risk assessed by the arboriculturist and the pollarding work will then be scheduled.

    We know this is disappointing news. No one wants to lose trees, but in this case, to ensure that the scheme can be constructed safely and that we solve the flooding issues in Lipson Vale, we have had to make the tough choice.

    The Trefusis Park Flood Relief Scheme remains a nature positive project and was previously re-designed to save almost 100 mature trees.

    The finished project will include new wildlife-rich habitats, including the planting of new trees and hedgerows as well as a new amenity pond, giving residents more opportunities to connect with nature.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Councils join forces to share fostering success in regional podcast special

    Source: City of Derby

    The South West Fostering Podcast has joined forces with Katie Jones, Team Manager at Foster for East Midlands Councils, for a special Regional Fostering Crossover episode, shining a light on how councils can learn from each other to better support foster carers and children.

    In this lively and inspiring conversation, Katie is joined by Carrie, Team Manager for Fostering South West, alongside the South West Assistant Team Manager (ATM) and Communications Lead. Together, they reflect on shared challenges, creative recruitment strategies, and how fostering varies but also unites across regions.

    The episode explores key questions, such as:

    • What’s similar about fostering in different areas?
    • What creative tactics are attracting new foster carers?
    • Why does involving your whole household matter so much?
    • How can we all learn from each other’s successes?

    Katie Jones said:

    Collaborating with the South West team was a fantastic opportunity to share what works well in the East Midlands and to take away fresh ideas from another region. Together, we can make fostering even stronger for children and carers.

    The episode highlights how sharing best practices helps councils improve recruitment strategies, reach more potential carers, and build stronger support networks for foster families.

    Listen to the podcast episode on the Fostering South West YouTube channel or watch below.

    Thinking about fostering?

    The need for foster carers remains high across all regions of the UK. If you’re interested in making a difference in a child’s life and want to foster with your local council, the Foster for East Midlands team is here to guide you.

    Foster for East Midlands Councils is a partnership between Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, and Nottinghamshire County Council, working together to recruit, train, and support foster carers across the region. By fostering with your council, you are fostering for your community — helping children stay close to their schools, friends, and extended families whenever possible.

    If you live in the East Midlands and would like to know more, please get in touch, you can apply online: https://fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk/become-foster-carer/apply-now/, email: info@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk or call us on 03033 132 950

    Watch below the podcast with South West Council and Foster for East Midlands Councils 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: BAY Miner Unveils Cutting-Edge App: Transform Smartphones into Seamless Bitcoin Mining Devices Starting Today

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, United Kingdom, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a transformative leap for the digital economy, BAY Miner, a UK-based blockchain company, today announced the official launch of its groundbreaking mobile application that turns any modern smartphone into a powerful cloud-based Bitcoin mining tool. This next-generation app marks a major milestone in democratizing access to cryptocurrency mining, eliminating the need for traditional mining hardware, high power consumption, and complicated setups.

    Designed for mass adoption, BAY Miner’s mobile platform opens the door for users worldwide to mine Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies through a secure, automated, and eco-efficient infrastructure. Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast or a newcomer seeking to build a passive income stream, BAY Miner offers an all-in-one solution that requires no technical expertise—only a smartphone and an internet connection.

    Redefining the Mining Landscape with Mobile Accessibility

    Historically, cryptocurrency mining has been reserved for individuals or corporations equipped with specialized hardware and access to cheap electricity. BAY Miner is disrupting that narrative by offering a mobile-first cloud mining experience that removes those barriers entirely.

    Through the BAY Miner app, users can lease professional-grade mining power hosted in secure, energy-efficient data centers. These mining operations are powered by renewable energy and managed by blockchain experts—ensuring optimal efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. The mobile interface allows users to select mining plans, monitor real-time performance, and withdraw earnings—all in just a few taps.

    How BAY Miner Works: A Five-Step Mining Journey

    Sign Up Instantly and Receive $15
    Visit https://bayminer.com/, create a free account, and immediately receive a $15 welcome bonus—no upfront investment required.

    Select a Tailored Mining Plan
    Choose from a variety of flexible mining contracts designed for different budgets, risk profiles, and return objectives. Plans range from short-term packages to long-term earning strategies.

    Deposit with Trusted Cryptocurrencies
    Fund your mining account using BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, DOGE, LTC, BCH, or SOL. All deposits are blockchain-verified and protected by multi-layer encryption.

    Automated Cloud Mining Activation
    Once funded, your mining operation activates automatically—no manual configuration needed. Mining starts immediately and runs 24/7 in the background.

    Withdraw Daily Earnings or Reinvest
    Your account is credited with daily mining rewards, which you can withdraw to your crypto wallet once your balance reaches $100 or reinvest to accelerate earnings.

    USD-Based Pricing for Volatility Protection

    To ensure maximum stability, BAY Miner uses USD-based contract pricing while allowing deposits in multiple cryptocurrencies. This structure locks the investment value at the time of purchase, shielding users from crypto market fluctuations. Withdrawals are automatically converted back into the user’s preferred cryptocurrency.

    Supported deposit options include:

    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • XRP
    • Tether (USDT – ERC20 & TRC20)
    • Dogecoin (DOGE)
    • Litecoin (LTC)
    • Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
    • Solana (SOL)

    Institutional-Grade Security and Global Support

    Security remains a top priority at BAY Miner. The platform integrates advanced cybersecurity protocols including SSL encryption, DDoS protection, multi-factor authentication (2FA), and real-time transaction monitoring. Users’ funds and personal data are safeguarded with the same level of protection used by leading financial institutions.

    Moreover, BAY Miner offers 24/7 multilingual customer support, ensuring a seamless experience for users in over 150 countries. Whether mining in North America, Asia, Europe, or Africa, customers can access professional assistance in real-time.

    Why BAY Miner Is Poised to Lead in 2025

    As global interest in digital assets grows and inflation continues to erode traditional savings, secure and passive income opportunities are increasingly sought after. BAY Miner provides:

    • A user-friendly mining platform with over 5 million registered users
    • Operations spanning 160+ countries
    • Green mining powered by clean energy sources
    • Real-time earnings and flexible withdrawal options
    • Trusted brand backed by blockchain professionals

    By leveraging mobile-first technology and sustainable mining infrastructure, BAY Miner is helping individuals worldwide take control of their financial futures—without the traditional costs and complexities of mining.

    Ready to Earn Bitcoin with Zero Complexity?

    The future of decentralized income is here. With BAY Miner, users can now earn cryptocurrency securely, passively, and sustainably—anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re starting your crypto journey or expanding your portfolio, BAY Miner provides a low-risk, high-reward entry into the digital economy.

    Email: info@bayminer.com
    Official Website: https://bayminer.com

    App Download: https://bayminer.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Start mining smarter. Start mining with BAY Miner.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKHSA issues warning over botulism

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UKHSA issues warning over botulism

    UKHSA warns public to be alert to botulism following adverse reactions to cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin.

    UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of botulism after a small number of individuals presented to NHS healthcare settings following adverse reactions after receiving cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin.

    The cases are in addition to those recently diagnosed in the North East region and relate to procedures carried out in the East of England and East Midlands. To date, 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism have been reported between 4 June and 14 July 2025.  

    As yet there are no known links between the newly diagnosed cases and those in the North East.

    Investigations are ongoing but evidence so far suggests the use of an unlicensed Botox-like product. It is understood that those practitioners involved in this latest incident have ceased the procedure and are co-operating with the ongoing investigation.

    Reactions have included:

    • difficulty swallowing
    • slurred speech
    • breathing difficulty requiring respiratory support

    UKHSA has issued national advice to clinicians to ensure that they look out for botulism in people who may have had a recent aesthetic procedure, in order to provide them appropriate treatment which includes giving anti-toxin.

    UKHSA is also advising people to take precautions when seeking aesthetic procedures, including checking if the product being used is licensed.

    Dr Gauri Godbole, Consultant Medical Microbiologist at UKHSA, said:

    We are working closely with our partners to reduce the public health risk and would advise people to make sure they take precautions when seeking aesthetic procedures.

    Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. These toxins (but not the bacteria) are the active ingredient in ‘Botox’ and similar products.

    Symptoms of botulism can take up to 4 weeks to develop and if you have had a recent botulinum toxin (Botox-like) treatment and are having symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact NHS 111 for further advice and seek treatment.

    If you are considering having a cosmetic procedure, please make sure to check that your practitioner is using a licensed product. On the NHS website there is more information on what sensible steps you can take when finding a practitioner.

    Professor Meghana Pandit, Co-National Medical Director secondary care at NHS England, said: 

    When these procedures go wrong, there is a risk of serious infections and permanent scarring, which is why only registered professionals like a doctor, a nurse or pharmacy prescriber should be prescribing these treatments.

    If you decide to undergo a cosmetic procedure like Botox or lip fillers, there is advice on the NHS.uk website on the questions to ask, including making sure that the person administering it is trained to do it.

    Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said:

    Public safety is a top priority for the MHRA. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and should only be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner such as a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.

    Buying botulinum toxin in any other circumstances significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK. This means that there are no safeguards to ensure products meet the MHRA’s standards for quality and safety. As such, they can endanger the health of the people who take them.

    Our Criminal Enforcement Unit works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines and takes robust enforcement action where necessary. This can include criminal prosecution.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Notice to improve: South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Notice to improve: South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust

    A notice to improve issued to South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust by the Department for Education.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Notice to improve: South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust

    PDF, 147 KB, 8 pages

    Details

    This letter and its annex serve as a written notice to improve governance, financial governance and financial management at South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Official visit from Paraguayan President Santiago Peña to the UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Official visit from Paraguayan President Santiago Peña to the UK

    During the visit, a United Kingdom-Paraguay Friendship Charter was signed between both nations.

    President Peña delivering the Canning Lecture at Canning House

    Paraguayan President Santiago Peña visited the United Kingdom this week, marking a historic milestone in UK–Paraguay relations. The Paraguayan Head of State was received in audience by His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

    The visit comes as the two countries celebrate over 170 years of diplomatic ties and reflects a shared commitment to deepening cooperation in key areas such as trade, sustainable investment, education, and climate action.

    Throughout the visit, President Peña engaged with high-level political, business and academic leaders. His agenda included a keynote address at Canning House, and a business roundtable with leading UK companies in the energy and technology sectors. 

    The Royal Audience with King Charles III, described by President Peña as a “historic moment,” underscored the mutual respect and shared values that continue to bind both nations. British Ambassador to Paraguay, Danielle Dunne, who accompanied the visit, stated: “It was an honour to witness this historic occasion. The UK and Paraguay are natural partners, and this visit demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth for our nations.” 

    During the visit, a United Kingdom-Paraguay Friendship Charter was signed between Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano and British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Lammy, committing both nations to enhanced cooperation across trade, security, democracy, climate action, and education. 

    This landmark visit marks a new chapter in UK–Paraguay relations. Trade between the two countries has grown significantly, with total goods and services exchange reaching £70 million in the last recorded period – a 42.9% increase from the previous year. President Peña’s visit reflects Paraguay’s growing strategic relevance as a reliable partner in Latin America, and the UK’s intention to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties with nations committed to progress and shared prosperity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –