NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDONESIA – A ‘common vision’ for humanity and peace: Interview with the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Agenzi Fides

    by Paolo AffatatoRome (Agenzia Fides) – “Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia and the signing of the Istiqlal Declaration last September were a crowning achievement of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Holy See,” says Michael Trias Kuncahyono, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the official establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Holy See on March 13, 1950. Fides Agency asked him some questions- Ambassador, can you recall the historical and political context in which the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Indonesia took place, 75 years ago?Indonesia had recently completed the journey to gain independence from the Dutch colonizers: Indonesia proclaimed itself independent in 1945. But at that time, however, there were still colonial pressures from European powers, in the specific case of the Dutch. It was then the first native Indonesian bishop, Monsignor Albertus Sugiyopranoto who called on the Vatican to recognize Indonesian independence. Not only because of the assertion of the independence of the State but also because many missionaries were still imprisoned by colonial forces. This fact could have been a good push to get Indonesia’s recognition.- Was the personality of Albertus Sugiyopranoto therefore decisive?A bishop since 1940, he also made an important contribution during the occupation by Japanese forces in 1942, who had arrested priests and nuns. Bishop Sugiyopranoto took a very clear position. When Dutch forces attacked the Indonesians in 1947, he made an impassioned radio address urging Catholics to defend the homeland. He was an advocate for the involvement of Catholics in the independence movement. Meanwhile, he made contact with the Holy See, which sent one of its delegates in December 1947 and initiated direct relations with President Sukarno. Then the Apostolic Delegate, in agreement with Indonesian Vice President Mohamed Atta, dialogued to establish formal relations. Thus on March 13, 1950, the Holy See began diplomatic relations with Indonesia with the status of Apostolic Internunciature, which later became Apostolic Nunciature on December 6, 1966.- What were the respective goals on the two sides in establishing such relations?We know that the Holy See’s diplomacy is different from all other diplomacies in the world. The Vatican ambassador, today the Apostolic Nuncio, is sent to a State not only with the role of an intermediary between states but also to keep in connection and relationship the Church of Rome with the local Church, in the country in which it is located. At that time in Indonesia there was a great growth of the Catholic community, a phenomenon that aroused interest in the Holy See. So there was a need to facilitate the pastoral work and the life of the local Church. There was a need to follow and deepen the apostolic work in Indonesia. The goal of the Holy See is always to take care of the Catholic Church, and the Delegate was the Pope’s representative in this process.Indonesia, for its part, wanted to establish diplomatic relations because, as a very young country, it needed to be recognized in the international community. The international recognition by the Holy See was of immense value: the Holy See was the first European entity to recognize the Indonesian State. This then led other European States to follow the example. It was a decisive step.- Was the Catholic Church then already established in Indonesia? In what forms and with what configuration?The Catholic religion in Indonesia was already a well-established community, mainly thanks to some missionaries and “spiritual fathers” of the community, such as the Jesuit Franciscus Van Lith, who had been very involved in the apostolate of education, opening schools in Java, a work that was highly appreciated by Indonesian society at the time. The first Indonesian Bishop Sugiyopranoto was one of Father Van Lith’s students. Further east in the Flores area, then, a Catholic presence was already established thanks to the Portuguese. Let us remember that Christianity had arrived as early as the 7th century, and then in the 16th century several missionaries from Portugal had landed in Indonesia including Francis Xavier, passing through the Moluccas on his way to China.In addition, the fact that Indonesia, at its birth in 1945, was founded on the “Pancasila” the charter of five principles, one of which was faith in God; and that it adopted the principle of “diverse but one”: this made the Holy See realize that there was fertile ground in which all religions had a chance to flourish.- Was the “unity in diversity” approach a crucial point?That principle was the catalyst in diplomatic relations. But others, such as equality and brotherhood, are also in harmony with Christian values. The founding fathers were quite far-sighted in considering that a nation so rich in different cultures, ethnicities and religions could only survive by staying true to the motto “unity in diversity.” Pope Pius XII already appreciated this and Pope Francis also reiterated it, saying that the model should be taken as an example, especially in countries where there is great pluralism and it is difficult to remain united: we are different but we are brothers.- In Indonesian history, in designing the architecture of the Republic, the choice was made not to build a mono-religious state…It was: the first of the five founding principles was “faith in one God,” then that phrase should have continued by saying “in the Islamic way.” There was a great debate about it, then it was decided to leave only “faith in one God.” Mohammad Atta, the vice president, who was a Muslim and came from Padang a strongly Islamic city, pointed it out clearly because, he said, “we have to remain united.” It was a forward-looking vision.- What common points do you see between Indonesia and the Holy See today in their respective political and cultural approaches?Politically, Indonesia and the Holy See find themselves in a policy that is always in favor of humanity. The Holy See does not work for the maintenance of temporal power but for the development of man, his dignity and rights. I think Indonesia also has the same approach, as the Pancasila and our Constitution say, promoting equality, freedom, democracy as well as peace. These are points that Indonesia and the Holy See have in common.- Is there a common vision also in the use of the instrument of diplomacy?In the instrument of diplomacy, the aspect we have in common can be seen in the founding principles, such as freedom from colonialism and the promotion of peace: we see this in scenarios such as the Middle East, Ukraine, Myanmar. The “diplomacy of hope,” mentioned by Pope Francis in his recent address to the Diplomatic Corps, we understood it as diplomacy that wants to improve the world in a harmonious and comprehensive way. Hope must start from trust, which is the basis of relations between states. Hope for peace in the various conflict scenarios is generated on the basis of trust between the interlocutors.- What did Pope Francis’ trip to Indonesia in 2024 mean?Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia and the signing of the Istiqlal Declaration last September was a crowning achievement of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Holy See. Not all countries with which the Holy See has relations are visited by the pontiff. And three Popes have visited Indonesia – Pope St. Paul VI (1970), Pope St. John Paul II (1989) and Pope Francis (2024).The trip was not perceived as a trip reserved for the Catholic community, but was perceived as a visit to all Indonesians, who welcomed the Pope with great warmth. The Pope became a model of a leader to follow: he was easy-going, showed himself in a non-luxury car, was always very humble, and stopped to greet everyone. Indonesia showed its true face, a plural face, composed of people of different cultures and religions who welcomed the Pope warmly and enthusiastically. Today, at the time of his illness, so many write to me, not only Catholics but also Muslims, saying: let us pray for him.- What do you hope for the future?We want to strengthen more and more the relations between Indonesia and the Holy See: and, since there is no political and economic aspect, to do it through culture. We intend to make the pluralism of Indonesian culture and its peaceful face better known. The Holy See is, for us, also a gateway to the rest of the world. Another field of fruitful cooperation is that of interreligious dialogue, according to the vision of Pope Francis. These are the paths for future relations. (Agenzia Fides, 18/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Erdoğan – a danger to Europe rather than the saviour of its security – E-001035/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001035/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Petra Steger (PfE)

    On 24 February 2025, Turkish President Erdoğan described Türkiye as the saviour of the EU’s security, adding that the EU needed to recognise that reality quickly. That statement can only be described as completely unrealistic and outrageous. Over a number of years, Türkiye has spectacularly demonstrated that it is the worst possible partner in almost all areas: dismantling democracy, restricting freedom of the press, disregard for human rights, acts of war in Syria in violation of international law, invasion and regular provocations in Cyprus, using ‘refugees’ to blackmail the EU repeatedly’, and fuelling war-like riots at Greek border fences.

    It is all the more astonishing that, since late 2023, the Commission has been seeking a renewed deepening of relations with Türkiye, thus proving that the Brussels system has learned nothing from past mistakes. The fact is that, in recent years, Türkiye has increasingly departed from Western democratic values and repeatedly endangered Europe’s security and stability.

    • 1.How does the Commission view Erdoğan’s statement that Türkiye is the saviour of Europe’s security?
    • 2.What tangible steps have been taken by the Commission since late 2023 to re-engage with Türkiye?
    • 3.What measures does the Commission plan to take so that it can act completely independently of Turkey in the areas of migration and security?

    Submitted: 11.3.2025

    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Struggling farmers and livestock breeders – E-001030/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001030/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kostas Papadakis (NI), Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    Farmers, livestock breeders and bee-keepers are battling hard to make a living.

    The CAP, which governments have co-decided and implemented over time, favours cartels that buy farmers’ products at ‘open’ prices. Struggling farmers demand immediate support for their shrinking income. The Government’s much-advertised reduction in VAT to 6 % on agricultural supplies is of no benefit to farmers, as it has no impact on reducing production costs since, as intermediaries who sell products at 13 % VAT, they are forced to pay the VAT difference to the revenue office.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s position on the acute problems faced by struggling farmers, livestock breeders and bee-keepers in Greece, which are caused by the policy in place – with the CAP at the centre – and which are leading them down the path of hardship?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s position on the demands of agricultural producers for the replacement of lost income due to reduced production and low prices; the reduction of production costs by means of tax-free petrol at the pump, cheap electricity and water, and subsidies for fertilizers, agricultural supplies and animal feed; compensation of 100 % of losses; state-guaranteed prices for farmers and a ceiling on supermarket prices; the implementation of all necessary infrastructure projects; measures against ‘hellenization’; the linking of the subsidy to real agricultural production and the actual livestock count; the taking all necessary measures to control animal diseases and an increase in farmworkers’ pensions?

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Possible challenges in the multiannual financial framework and resources for agriculture and cohesion – E-001031/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001031/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mario Mantovani (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Denis Nesci (ECR), Ruggero Razza (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR)

    A rumour is circulating that the Commission would like to reduce the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) to only four budget chapters, down from the current seven. The current 531 national programmes for territorial cohesion and agriculture would be cut to only 27, with a potential decrease in available resources. The potential challenges of the next MFF come on top of the need to repay NextGenerationEU debt, as well as the need to find fiscal space for investment in defence, competitiveness and the automotive sector, along with the recent Clean Industrial Deal, which commits to providing green policies with EUR 100 billion from the Innovation Fund, although that fund amounts to only EUR 40 billion, much of which has already been committed.

    The lack of clear, structured communication concerning the next MFF makes it difficult to start an institutional discussion on the Commission’s new policy actions.

    In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.Does it not agree that, when the EU’s finances are facing difficulties, providing such significant support for green policies that have thus far been rejected by markets and consumers may amount to extremely imprudent financial management?
    • 2.Can it deny that agriculture and cohesion will face cuts in the next MFF?
    • 3.Does it not think that the scale of green investments should be reduced, to the benefit of agriculture and cohesion?

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The EU’s digital transformation programmes and the European funds that have been disbursed to achieve it – E-001032/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001032/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Francesco Torselli (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Denis Nesci (ECR), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Giovanni Crosetto (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Marco Squarta (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Lara Magoni (ECR), Antonella Sberna (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Pietro Fiocchi (ECR), Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR)

    Digital technology and infrastructure are an integral part of our daily lives, as they determine how we work and communicate and are also vital to advancing scientific progress and responding to current environmental challenges.

    The COVID-19 pandemic showed just how important it is for Europe to avoid depending on non-EU systems and solutions. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further highlighted the vulnerabilities of our digital supply chains and the importance of investing in cybersecurity and drastically improving Europe’s digital capabilities.

    The EU has set up a number of programmes to support the digital transformation of industries, SMEs and public administrations. One of them is Digital Europe (DIGITAL), which enables the EU to respond to these challenges by funding projects in key areas such as supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced digital skills as well as initiatives which aim to ensure the widespread use of digital technologies across the economy and society.

    In view of President von der Leyen’s announcement of the launching of InvestAI (an initiative that will mobilise a further EUR 200 billion in funds, of which EUR 20 billion will be set aside for a European fund for AI gigafactories), could the Commission clarify how much has been spent so far to achieve the digital transition for European citizens and businesses?

    Supporter[1]

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Stefano Cavedagna (ECR)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Northern Adriatic as a strategic European interest: Commission security and financial support for Italian, Slovenian and Croatian ports – E-001036/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001036/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Elena Donazzan (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Carlo Ciccioli (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Giovanni Crosetto (ECR), Pietro Fiocchi (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR)

    Since the brutal attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, navigation in the Suez Canal has been less secure. In the first five months of 2024, the average daily number of vessels transiting through the Mediterranean Sea was half that of the same period in 2023, as companies redirected vessels towards the Cape of Good Hope.

    Use of that African route lead to exponential growth of sea freight via the Mediterranean – from USD 2 000 to USD 7 000 per container – and an estimated 42 % increase in pollutant emissions per ship. The impact on the Italian ports of Ravenna, Trieste and Venice, the Slovenian port Koper and the Croatian port Rijeka is enormous.

    This state of affairs is damaging for the automotive, chemical, construction and energy supply chains on the Asia-Europe route.

    Taking into account the strategic importance of the Adriatic for Italy, Slovenia and Croatia and given that, should the dangerous conditions in the Suez Canal continue, transport for goods for Asia will be forcibly shifted from the Adriatic to the Atlantic Ocean, with a dramatic impact on European supply chains and jobs:

    • 1.How will the Commission protect the interests of the northern Adriatic ports and jobs there?
    • 2.What financial support measures could be taken to help the ports of Ravenna, Trieste, Venice, Koper and Rijeka to withstand the huge losses of economic activity to date?

    Submitted: 11.3.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Lifting of EU sanctions against Syria and repatriation of Syrian asylum seekers – E-000888/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000888/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Petra Steger (PfE)

    Now that the foreign ministers of the Member States have unanimously approved several legal instruments provisionally suspending the EU sanctions against Syria in the banking, energy and transport sectors, which have been in place for years, the conditions must be created for an EU-wide initiative to step up deportations to Syria. It cannot be the case that Syria benefits from significant economic relief while more than a million Syrians, who are urgently needed to rebuild their country, remain in the EU – one hundred thousand of whom in Austria. However, a return of Syrian refugees to their home country would not only contribute to the development of Syria, but would also mitigate the security risks in the host countries, which are suffering massively from the consequences of illegal mass migration.

    • 1.What concrete measures does the Commission plan to take to ensure that the lifting of EU sanctions goes hand in hand with a coordinated return of Syrian asylum seekers to their country?
    • 2.Is the Commission planning to revise the existing asylum regime for Syrian nationals to take into account the changed political circumstances in Syria?
    • 3.How does the Commission plan to support Member States in the implementation of return programmes to enable rapid and efficient remigration of Syrian citizens?

    Submitted: 3.3.2025

    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Measures to allow young couples and young people to become homeowners – E-002949/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concerns about the housing situation in Greece and in the whole EU. The Commission has thus appointed a Commissioner for Energy and Housing and established a Task Force for Housing to coordinate the different work strands

    Although the responsibility for housing rests mainly with Member States, regions and local authorities, the Commission will assess how it can continue to contribute to mitigating the housing crisis at the European level, including for youth.

    The Commission will consult stakeholders in 2025 to better understand all the issues on housing and put forward a European Affordable Housing Plan.

    Various EU funds are already available for Member States and local authorities to support social and affordable housing[1]. In addition, the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) foresees two financial instruments[2] that aim addressing pertinent challenges in Greece’s housing market.

    They constitute parts of a more comprehensive housing strategy that is also included in the Plan and will be implemented in Greece in the coming period.

    Complementary actions under RRP, the cohesion policy also co-finance energy efficiency in housing in Greece.[3] In addition, the Plan contains measures that aim to renovate more than 100 000 residences to significantly save primary energy[4].

    Furthermore, in respect of funding and financing, the Commission will continue working closely with international financial institutions, national promotional banks and other relevant stakeholders[5] to make sure that housing is more affordable, in particular for young people and families.

    Procedures for buying a house are governed by national civil law. Hence, simplification thereof falls within the remit of Member States.

    • [1] To assist Member States, the Commission has published a toolkit that provides an overview of available EU funding opportunities in housing: Social Housing and beyond. https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-launches-toolkit-support-social-housing-member-states The Recovery and Resilience Facility; the European Regional Development Fund; the European Social Fund Plus; the InvestEU; the Horizon Europe; the Technical Support Instrument; the Single Market Programme; the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund; the Social Climate Fund. Details on each EU support in the toolkit. In addition, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund also support the investments in the energy efficiency of housing stock. Details are available in story ‘how cohesion policy supports housing’ at the Cohesion open data platform.
    • [2] Loans finance for: (i) the acquisition of primary residence for targeted population groups — program “My Home II” (EUR 1 billion); (ii) energy efficiency renovations of existing properties — program “Upgrade My Home” (EUR 300 million).
    • [3] Under the 2021-27 programming period, cohesion policy co-finances with some EUR 751 million interventions for energy efficiency in housing.
    • [4] To date, and according to the most recent updated by the Greek authorities, more than 44,000 renovations have been completed.
    • [5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_671
    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Norway-EU electricity link and prices – E-000079/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission notes the new measures related to the electricity prices and the Norwegian power market announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

    As a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), Norway is part of the single market and Union rules on electricity markets apply in all circumstances.

    The EU expects, in line with their obligations under the EEA Agreement, all EEA EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States to fully incorporate into the EEA Agreement and then implement all energy-related legislation in a timely manner, subject to any agreed adaptations.

    The Commission continues to work closely with the three EEA EFTA States on the full and timely incorporation and implementation of all energy-related legislation.

    Norway is connected with Sweden, Finland, and Denmark in a common synchronous power grid. The Nordic grid is then connected to the rest of Continental Europe bringing mutual economic and social gains stemming from interconnected energy markets, such as enabling decarbonisation and increasing security of supply.

    On 26 February 2025, the Commission adopted an Action Plan for affordable Energy[1] setting actions to lower energy costs for European consumers and businesses.

    As outlined in that plan, a swift and full implementation of the Electricity Market Design reform is crucial to reduce the impact of volatility on consumer bills and reduce the cost of electricity supply.

    As part of this plan, the Commission is also proposing additional actions to promote the uptake of long-term electricity supply and boost flexibility and demand response.

    • [1] Action Plan for Affordable Energy: Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans COM (2025) 79 final.
    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Compensation to support farmers – E-000212/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Union recognises the livestock sector’s significant challenges and is supporting farmers through various instruments. To mitigate economic impacts and increase farmers resilience, income support through direct payments is a central feature of the common agricultural policy (CAP). A specific type of income support[1] is also available, 70% of which is dedicated to livestock. Payments for Areas with Natural Constraints also help the livestock sector. Some Member States programme interventions in their CAP Strategic Plans to help livestock farmers in managing production and income risks, such as support for insurance schemes, mutual funds, preventive investments, cooperation, knowledge transfer, and advisory services.

    2. The CAP Strategic Plan regulation[2] gives Member States flexibility in designing their risk management schemes to be able to quickly respond to crisis and provide swift support to affected farmers. Moreover, at the initiative of the Commission, a new measure (M23)[3] was introduced under the ongoing Rural Development Programmes, to compensate farmers severely affected by natural disasters, including animal diseases. Finally, pursuant to Art. 221 of the common market Organisation Regulation[4], the Commission has adopted exceptional measures to support farmers negatively affected by extremely adverse weather events and natural disasters[5].

    As announced in the Vision for Agriculture and Food[6], the Commission is working for the EU livestock sector to have a long-term vision that respects the diversity and sustainability of livestock production across the EU and launching a work stream to develop policy pathways for an attractive, competitive, future-proof and inclusive livestock sector in the EU.

    • [1] Coupled income support.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj/eng
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3242/oj/eng
    • [4] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1308/oj
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500441 — Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/441 of 6 March 2025 providing for emergency financial support for the agricultural sectors affected by adverse climatic events and natural disasters in Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia and Hungary, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
    • [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0075
    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Repercussions of Royal Decree 933/2021 for the tourism sector – To the Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné – E-000519/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission is currently assessing the Royal Decree 933/2021 in the light of EU data protection law. The Commission will monitor the effects of the Decree on the competitiveness of the tourism sector, taking into account the goal of avoiding additional burden for companies in this sector.

    2. At the EU level, the Commission aims to overall reduce administrative burden and bring simplification in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises, including tourism businesses. The Competitiveness Compass for the EU[1] sets a target of reducing burdens associated with reporting requirements by 25%, without undermining the policy objectives of the initiatives concerned.

    3. The Commission will present in early 2026 its Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Consultations with stakeholders in Spain and beyond, and obviously with the European Parliament, will take place in the next months to define the priorities and the content of the said Strategy. While the Commission will continue to push for a more sustainable, digital and resilient tourism ecosystems, the new Strategy will also address a number of areas for action, including the need to ensure more and better statistical data that are needed to identify and respond to emerging challenges without creating unnecessary bureaucratic burden.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/10017eb1-4722-4333-add2-e0ed18105a34_en
    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Labour migration: an EU Talent Pool to facilitate international recruitment

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU Talent Pool should be open to workers of all qualification levels and ensure fair treatments of jobseekers, the Civil Liberties Committee agreed on Wednesday.

    Today, MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee backed the creation of an EU Talent Pool, designed to make it easier to recruit non-EU nationals to jobs in sectors where there are shortages, through a dedicated digital platform that matches EU vacancies with jobseekers living abroad. Application of the new legislation would be optional for EU countries and would not affect their right to decide how many third-country workers to admit to their territory.

    A fair recruitment process

    MEPs adopted amendments to the proposal to ensure the application of fair recruitment standards, as set out in the International Labour Organization’s general principles, and that the platform is open to jobseekers “of all skills and qualification levels”. MEPs also want to make sure that the new tool does not lead to discriminatory practices and is free of charge for registered jobseekers.

    Improved information on employers and jobseekers

    Participating employers should provide details including: the person responsible for recruitment, the company registration number, and a brief description of their operations, argue MEPs. Vacancies should meanwhile include a job description, the place of work, working hours, remuneration and paid leave. MEPs also want to see more information in the profiles of jobseekers, such as their preferred EU country and when they are available, offering the possibility for them to certify their skills within the EU Talent Partnerships or via bilateral or national agreements.

    Targeted communication campaigns

    The Commission should promote the EU Talent Pool through awareness raising campaigns, both on and off-line, targeting SMEs in particular, recommend MEPs. They also suggest that EU delegations in third countries should to do the same for potential jobseekers.

    Quote

    Rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden) said: “The EU is falling behind its competitors, partly because of labour shortages across our economy. Labour migration is one way to address these shortages and strengthen our competitiveness. The EU Talent Pool is a step in the right direction, by connecting the needs of our employers with workers from outside the EU. This is also a tool to create more safe and legal pathways to the EU. The result will be a Talent Pool platform that is user-friendly for all, with necessary checks on jobseekers and measures to ensure minimum safeguards against exploitation. There is also a strong link to the Talent Partnerships, reinforcing the connection between internal and external migration governance”.

    Next steps

    The draft rules were approved by 46 votes in favour, 25 against, and 2 abstentions. Once the report has been endorsed by Parliament as a whole during the April plenary session, talks with member states on the final shape of the bill can start.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Young artists exhibit climate change issues at Inverness Botanic Gardens

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Over 500 young artists from across the Highlands have used their creativity to make powerful works of art that highlight the climate issues that matter most to them.

    The public exhibition at the Inverness Botanic Gardens was enjoyed by hundreds of people, including Highland Councillors, MPs, MSPs and business leaders who experienced first-hand the climate challenges expressed by young people through art.

    Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “The Art for Action exhibition at Inverness Botanic Gardens offered many young people from across Highland the opportunity to express powerful and inspiring art that reflected their own personal feelings about the climate emergency and its far-reaching effects on climate change. Using art to express the impacts and change that they want to see happen for a more sustainable future.

    “It was a really positive event, and my appreciation goes to all the talented pupils who captured thought-provoking art that really helped focus on real climate issues, and I extend my thanks to the team behind the scenes who brought it all together to exhibit in the beautiful surroundings of the Botanic Gardens.”

    The exhibition was part of Highland One World’s ‘Art for Action’ Global Citizenship project, funded by the Pebble Trust. The event is part of a larger international project that spans Highland, Nigeria, and Kenya, in partnership with the Open University.

    Coordinator at Highland One World, Catriona Willis said: “Children and young people are understandably concerned about the climate emergency and its impact on their future. At Highland One World, we want to support children to believe that a fairer, more sustainable world is possible, while developing key Global Citizenship skills and values to create positive change.

    “Through working with Highland schools on Art for Action we were able to provide a creative and engaging platform for children and young people to have a say on climate issues that matter to them and ensure that their voices are heard.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Long before debates over ‘wokeness’, Epicurus built a philosophy that welcomed slaves, women and outsiders

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Moran, Lecturer in the Department of English, Creative Writing and Film, University of Adelaide

    German Vizulis/Shutterstock

    If you peruse the philosophy section of your local bookshop, you’ll probably find a number of books on Stoicism – an ancient philosophy enjoying a renaissance today. But where are the Epicureans?

    Both philosophical schools were popular in the ancient world. However, while stoic works such as Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and Seneca’s letters still fill the shelves, alongside contemporary takes such as The Daily Stoic (2016), Epicureanism largely remains a historical curiosity.

    Today, the Greek thinker Epicurus (341–270 BCE) is mostly remembered as the originator of the term “epicurean”, which describes someone devoted to sensual enjoyment, particularly of fine food and drink.

    And while it’s true Epicurus argued pleasure is the highest human good, there’s a lot more to Epicureanism than merely savouring a glass of Shiraz with haute cuisine.

    Philosophers in the garden

    Epicurus was born on the island of Samos to Athenian parents. He studied philosophy in Athens before travelling to the island of Lesbos to establish a philosophical academy.

    Epicurus was born on the island Samos, a birthplace he shares with the famous polymath Pythagoras.
    Wikimedia

    Upon returning to Athens in 306 BCE, he bought a tract of land and began a philosophical community known as the Garden.

    The Garden was radically different from other philosophical communities at the time. While Plato’s Academy generally trained the children of the Athenian elite, and Aristotle tutored nobles such as Alexander the Great, Epicurus’ Garden was far more inclusive. Women and slaves were welcome to join the dialogue.

    The community led a frugal life and practised total equality between men and women, which was uncommon at the time. In this atmosphere, noblewomen and courtesans, senators and slaves, all engaged in philosophical debate.

    While many early Epicureans have disappeared from the annals of history, we know of some women, such as Leontion and Nikidion, who were early proponents of Epicurean thought.

    Away from the main city of Athens, Epicurus’ Garden became a space for his followers to seek relief.
    gka photo/Shutterstock

    Philosophy as a way of life

    It isn’t just the Garden’s inclusivity that gives it contemporary appeal, but its entirely unique notion of what constitutes a philosophical life.

    According to Epicurus, a philosopher wasn’t someone who taught or wrote philosophical tracts. A philosopher was someone who practised what the French philosopher Pierre Hadot describes, in his work on Epicureanism, as “a certain style of life”.

    Epicureanism was a daily practice, rather than an academic discipline. Anyone who strove to live a philosophical life was part of the Epicurean community and was considered a philosopher.

    The concept of philosophy Epicurus promoted was more egalitarian and all-encompassing than the narrow definition we often see used today.

    The pursuit of pleasure

    But what did it mean to be a practising Epicurean? Epicurus conceived of philosophy as a therapeutic practice. “We must concern ourselves with the healing of our own lives,” he wrote.

    This process of healing involves developing an inner attitude of relaxation and tranquillity known as anesis in Ancient Greek. To do this, Epicureans sought to turn their minds away from the worries of life and focus instead on the simple joy of existence.

    Epicurus distinguished between different types of pleasure and advocated for a life of moderate pleasure, rather than excessive indulgence.
    Wikimedia

    According to Epicurus, unhappiness comes because we are afraid of things which should not be feared, and desire things which are not necessary and are beyond our control.

    Most notably, he rejected the idea of an afterlife, arguing the soul did not continue to exist after death. He also argued it was wrong to fear death as it

    gives no trouble when it comes [and] is but an empty pain in anticipation.

    Instead of fearing punishment in the beyond, he said we should focus on the possibilities for pleasure in the here and now. But that doesn’t mean chasing every pleasure which comes our way; the task of the Epicurean is to understand which pleasures are worth pursuing.

    The highest pleasures are not those which yield the highest intensity or last the longest, but those which are the least mixed with worry and the most likely to ensure peace of mind. In this vein, Epicurus sought to cultivate feelings of gratitude and appreciation for even the simplest everyday experiences.

    While his critics cast him and his followers as unrestrained hedonists, he wrote in one letter that a single piece of cheese was as pleasurable as an entire feast.

    For Epicureans, it is precisely the brevity of life that gives us such an exquisite capacity for pleasure. As one Epicurean Philodemus wrote:

    Receive each additional moment of time in a manner appropriate to its value; as if one were having an incredible stroke of luck.

    A philosophy for outsiders

    Epicurus’ perennial appeal resides in how his philosophy gave strength and inspiration to outsiders. In the late 19th century, aesthetes such as critic Walter Pater and playwright Oscar Wilde praised Epicureanism as a way of life.

    In Wilde’s letter De Profundis (From the depths) – written in 1897 while imprisoned in Reading Gaol on charges of indecency – he wrote that Pater’s novel Marius the Epicurean (1885) had given him both intellectual and spiritual solace during his trial.

    Pater, too, had faced discrimination at Oxford for having homosexual relationships. His novel is an evocative celebration of the possibilities of a life lived in the pursuit of sensual and spiritual beauty.

    In one of his earlier texts, The Renaissance (1873), Pater paraphrases Victor Hugo, writing

    we are all under a sentence of death but with a sort of indefinite reprieve […] we have an interval, and then our place knows us no more. […] Our one chance lies in expanding that interval, in getting as many pulsations as possible into the given time.

    This profoundly Epicurean sentiment, of a life lived in the interval, remains appealing to those who seek to turn their lives into a work of art.

    Thomas Moran 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. Long before debates over ‘wokeness’, Epicurus built a philosophy that welcomed slaves, women and outsiders – https://theconversation.com/long-before-debates-over-wokeness-epicurus-built-a-philosophy-that-welcomed-slaves-women-and-outsiders-250772

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Canada and France are “peaceful powers and reliable allies”

    Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

    Statement by M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, ahead of the working lunch with Mr Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada (excerpts) (Paris, March 17, 2025)

    = Check against delivery =

    Prime Minister, thank you for being in Paris today; I’d like to welcome you and say how pleased we are to have you here. Firstly, because it’s your first visit and you chose France for this first visit abroad. It’s a huge honour and it also shows the importance of all the challenges we share. On a more personal note, allow me to wish you a very happy birthday, albeit a day late.

    As you powerfully said on Friday when you took office, France – through its culture, way of life and language – is an irreducible part of Canada’s identity, just like the First Peoples and the British legacy. And we’re proud of this. We’re proud of this shared history, we’re proud of having with us an ally in every battle, a nation determined to champion a fairer world, and a people driven by a humanist ideal. During the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, we paid tribute to the courage and exceptional self-sacrifice of a generation of Canadians who came to fight right here in France, like their ancestors at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, for a certain idea of freedom. That generation continues to inspire us, and Canada is a unique friend to us.

    This has been the case since the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine; your country has unfailingly stood by Europe and France and the Ukrainian people. And on Saturday morning we were together at a video conference with our friend the British Prime Minister and all the other allies and partners, to talk about this. The aim of this shared commitment to standing with the Ukrainians has always been to bring about solid, lasting peace, i.e. peace with robust guarantees that will protect Ukraine against any further Russian aggression and ensure the security of the whole of Europe.

    Canada and France are peaceful powers and reliable allies who will take part in this effort together. It is in this spirit that we’ll carry on our support for Ukraine and continue to demand clear commitments from Russia, and take all necessary initiatives to make progress together with our American, European and [other] international partners. And it’s obviously one of the issues the Prime Minister and I will discuss in a moment.

    In the current international context, we also want to be able to develop our most strategic projects with our closest, most loyal partners, because we’re convinced – I believe this goes for both of us – that we are stronger together, better able to ensure that our interests are respected and to exercise our sovereignty to the full. We must be ambitious in the defence and security sectors, but also beyond, in organizing the ecological transition, developing new technology and tightening our links as much as is needed.

    We’ve already had initial successes, as proven by the recent announcement that a consortium including French businesses had been chosen for the first stage of the planned high-speed train between Quebec and Toronto, which is symbolic in every sense. Further proof is the very strong turnout by your investors and businesses at the artificial intelligence summit, which shows Canada’s strong presence and the partnership we have together in this area. Our businesses are also talking about mutual investments in the critical-metals sector – essential building-blocks for any energy transition.

    I know how much you’re also promoting fresh ambition on nuclear energy, which is the focus of long-standing cooperation between our two countries, and on quantum, where our research centres and businesses have knowledge unique in the world, which is going to be developed as part of a bilateral agreement. And after the recent artificial intelligence summit I mentioned, we’re going to continue making active efforts together, because we’re holding successive G7 presidencies, with challenges which await you in a few weeks’ time and which we’ll continue addressing, as we did from Charlevoix to Biarritz a few years ago.

    We’ll also make sure that our friendship is useful in promoting our values and our shared commitments to defending democracies, international solidarity, development, fair trade and protecting the planet. Indeed, I think we both believe that fair trade which respects international rules is a good thing for everyone’s prosperity, and it’s certainly more effective than tariffs, which create inflation and damage production chains and the integration of our economies. We too believe that the freedom of expression so precious to our countries is not the same as an outpouring of hatred, violence, online harassment and opaque algorithms. That’s why your G7 presidency in 2025 should be an opportunity for us to make progress on each of these points and basically uphold together a fair international order, in other words something that is neither the law of the strongest nor isolationism, and that’s why we’re fighting.

    The most important part of all this is still our people-to-people ties, which are both close and warm. Prime Minister, French people love Canada. The French language unites us. (…)

    In any case, Prime Minister, cher Mark, as you’ve understood, we’re welcoming a friend here, we’re welcoming him very joyfully, creating a lot of ambitions and plans together. And having known you for many years, I also know we’re welcoming here a man who loves his country, is committed to serving its interests, and thinks you can serve your country’s interests by being a good comrade on the international stage and forging effective, respectful partnerships.

    That’s the spirit that drives us too. Welcome!./.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Edinburgh to host Tour De France Grand Départ 2027

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker welcome announcement.

    Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said:

    We are thrilled to welcome the Tour de France Grand Départ to Edinburgh. With our winding cobbled streets and iconic backdrop, the city provides a dramatic, challenging, and undeniably picturesque start to this legendary race. It’s sure to be a sight to remember.

    This will be an exhilarating event for the city and a major highlight of 2027. Edinburgh’s residents are renowned for offering a warm and unforgettable welcome to millions of visitors each year, and we look forward to extending that same hospitality to the Tour de France.

    Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker, said:

    As the world’s largest annual sporting event, the Tour de France will bring elite cyclists from across the globe to Edinburgh, showcasing exactly why our city is celebrated worldwide as a premier events destination. Edinburgh is no stranger to cycling events, and has proudly hosted stages of the Tour of Britian and the UCI Championships in 2023. Beyond the significant benefits to the local economy, the global media coverage will place Edinburgh at the heart of the world’s stage, strengthening our city’s international reputation.

    These events not only allow Edinburgh’s residents to see some of the world’s leading cyclists in action but also showcase the very best of the city to travelling tourists and athletes. Cycling in the Capital continues to grow in popularity, so hosting another major event is fantastic news. I’m confident the people of Edinburgh will come out in full support of the riders, and a successful Grand Départ will surely ignite even more passion for the sport.
     

    Published: March 19th 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study of most popular ADHD TikTok content and associated perceptions of ADHD

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in PLOS One looks at ADHD TikTok content and its association with ADHD perception. 

    (From our colleagues at SMC Germany) Prof Kathrin Karsay, Assistant Professor for Entertainment Research, Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria, said:

    Evaluation of the study methodology

    “Pre-registration is to be positively mentioned in the sense of Open Science, as it makes the planning and execution of the study transparent in advance. The selection of the videos, on the other hand, is not representative, as it was not drawn from the population of available Tiktok videos. The chosen method of selecting the 100 most popular videos at a specific point in time with a newly created account is therefore not ideal. Under the circumstances, it is a pragmatic, but nevertheless legitimate, approach. Overall, the number of videos analyzed remains relatively low, especially considering that Tiktok users often consume many videos. Another critical point is that no information is available on coder training (training of the evaluators; editor’s note) and that an evaluation of inter-coder reliability is missing for all selected variables. This does not meet the typical standard for communication science studies, but it is not uncommon in studies outside the field.”

    Contextualization of the results

    “It is particularly noteworthy that the majority of the videos (93.9 percent) only address symptoms, while only a small minority of the videos discuss treatment options. Especially when it comes to health topics, social media is a central source of information and a place for exchange. At the same time, the algorithms favor those posts that generate a lot of interaction because they are particularly entertaining or emotional. It is therefore not surprising that the symptoms are not presented correctly or are exaggerated – similar findings already exist for other conditions, such as Tourette’s syndrome, epicondylitis (tendonitis at the elbow; editor’s note) or prostate cancer. On Tiktok, people with ADHD are often portrayed as lively, lovable and almost entertaining – a ‘cute disorder’ that is staged in short, humorous clips. Much of the content shows everyday situations and relies on self-irony and entertaining narratives. This creates a positive, sometimes trivializing, romanticized image of the disorder. It is also particularly interesting that the experts classified around two-thirds of the ADHD-related statements as normal human experiences. In other words, everyday situations are shown with which many people can identify, which can encourage self-diagnosis.”

    “This presentation can be explained, among other things, by the fact that content creators usually pursue monetary interests, as the study also shows. Half of all content creators advertise products on their profiles or ask for financial donations. This does not include sponsorships or marketing collaborations. Of course, influencers have an interest in their videos being seen by many and being considered personally relevant.”

    When asked how the results on the correlation between self-diagnosed ADHD, the extent of ADHD video consumption and the perception of the prevalence of ADHD can be explained: “Frequently consuming ADHD-related content attracts increased attention and draws focus to corresponding symptoms. Priming (improved processing of a stimulus due to it or a similar one having been presented previously; editor’s note) activates cognitive schemata that can lead people to identify more readily with these symptoms. In the long term, repeated exposure reinforces the impression that ADHD is particularly widespread, even if the actual prevalence is lower. Since the videos often stage common experiences as pathological symptoms, those affected are more likely to identify with the clinical picture. This results in a so-called ‘confirmation bias’: people tend to interpret, seek out, and remember information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses. This also fits with the study’s finding that participants with self-diagnosis significantly overestimate the prevalence of ADHD in the general population – far more than those with a formal ADHD diagnosis and those without ADHD. They also tend to rate videos with the lowest psychological ratings as more recommendable.”

     

    Practical implications

    “Those who already suspect they have ADHD perceive more matching symptoms in the videos and interpret them as confirmation. This can reinforce the belief in one’s own diagnosis without professional clarification. Constant consumption of such content can lead to overidentification: everyday difficulties are then possibly interpreted too quickly as symptoms. I would therefore recommend taking a critical look at the source of the information and considering professional diagnosis.”

    Dr Blandine French, Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology and Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, said:

    “Due to the recent nature of social media engagement on platforms such as TikTok, very few studies have been able to evaluate the impact it has. As mentioned by the authors, the huge rise of TikTok ADHD content has only been observed in the last 5 years and little has been published on this. In fact, ADHD fell within the 10 most -viewed health related hashtags on TikTok so we really need to understand more about its impact on those viewing this content.

    “It is therefore great to see a study starting to address this. This study is very well conducted, with a thorough analysis and robust findings. The rational for the way the study was conducted is sound, well designed and well explained.

    “One limitation of the study is that the majority of participants in the second study were females (669/843) which does not represent the ADHD general population (ratios of male to female vary from 1:4 male to 1:2) so we must be cautious in generalising the findings.

    “It would also have been useful to see more detail on what they defined as misinformation. The experts rated according to DSM-V diagnosis (attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) which is a robust and scientific way of approaching content. However, we know that many things are linked with ADHD but not part of diagnostic symptoms (emotion dysregulation, sleep, social difficulties etc). Therefore, content that would have been rated as misinformation can be relevant (and authors acknowledge this) but would not be scored as such as they are not technically linked with ADHD in terms of strict diagnosis criteria. This nuance would have been good to include and reflect a more holistic approach and understanding of ADHD that is not solely based on criteria but still has significant evidence-based studies behind.

    “Overall, this paper has some important implications and offers a balanced view of the impact on social media. On one hand it supports how much young people rely on social media, the breadth of reach of this kind of content (over 500 million views) and that there are positives from viewing such videos (sense of community, greater understanding etc). But it also raises concern about viewers relying on this content as educational and support sources. The lack of nuance, evidence-base and reliability of these video is very high. Now this doesn’t mean that it is always bad, but it is to be taken with extreme caution.

    “The findings also show that the group more prone to highly rate or engage with these videos is the group that is self-diagnosed which is interesting but potentially worrying. The diagnosed group seemed better able to tell the difference between quality of information, while self-diagnosed were not as able to do so.

    “Therefore, if any person has seen this type of content on TikTok and thinks they may have ADHD, I would say that I am glad they might have found an answer to ongoing difficulties. But I would advise to do some further research from more reliable sources and evidence-based criteria. Social media can be a great source of support but shouldn’t be a place for diagnosis as it is not made for this. It should be used alongside other more reliable methods, sources, and information.”

    Prof Philip Asherson, Emeritus Professor of Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, said:

    “The methodology is fair as an initial investigation of the association of Tik Tok use and content related to ADHD; and is well conducted. The first study investigates the content of the top 100 Tik Tok watched videos related to #ADHD. This is a reasonable approach to understand how specific the content is to ADHD, rather than mental health more broadly. The second study is limited primarily by the sole participation of psychology students, which suggests that the findings cannot be generalised to a general (unselected) population. Further research is therefore needed. The sample sizes are reasonable for an initial investigation. It is to be commended that the study design was lodged within the Open Science Framework, increasing the robustness of the study findings.  Agreement between psychologist ratings was good.

    “The findings on symptoms in the video are not entirely ‘incorrect’; but fit with my expectations. First it is important to recognise that the TikTok videos reflect personal experience and not that of professional trained mental health specialists. Also, that not all the symptoms commonly experienced by adults with ADHD are specified as specific criteria in DSM-5. Given that, around 49% of the videos were a good reflection of specific (DSM-5) symptoms. However, non-specific symptoms are also commonly seen in people with ADHD and are an independent source of impairment. The prime example of this is emotional dysregulation which is cited as an example of 42% reflecting transdiagnostic symptoms. The paper does not list all of the other transdiagnostic symptoms but other common symptoms include sleep problems (delayed sleep onset), and low self-esteem related to the impairments of ADHD are common as part of ADHD. Without a more detailed evaluation it is not clear that these ‘non-ADHD’ symptoms may also reflect other common aspects of ADHD which are not among the 18 specific DSM symptoms of ADHD. Note that emotional dysregulation is not specific to ADHD, but it is cited in DSM-5 as a common symptom that supports the diagnosis; and is a common part of the lived experience of most adults with ADHD. 

    “So, the other symptoms may not all be ‘incorrect’ but just not specific to ADHD. However, it is possible that this could lead some people to think they might have ADHD unless they also consider the full diagnostic criteria for ADHD (which is not included as an aim in these studies).

    “It is of interest that those with a formal diagnosis access Tik Tok most, followed by those with self-diagnosis. This suggests that the main driver of looking at Tik Tok videos of ADHD is to learn more about ADHD, rather than the videos leading to excess self-diagnosis.

    “A more subtle but essential point is that many ADHD symptoms are a continuous trait/dimension in the general population. So there is no clear boundary between those with clinically significant levels of ADHD symptoms and impairments, and those with higher than average levels of ADHD symptoms. Many people who do not meet full ADHD criteria may nevertheless struggle with some ADHD symptoms at times and seek information on better to manage this aspect of their lives. The videos are therefore of more general relevance than only adults meeting full ADHD criteria. Many self-diagnosed people may fall in this category.

    “It is also true that some people with other mental health problems may conclude they have ADHD, as the videos do not detail the full diagnostic criteria. This indicates the importance of an assessment that considers ADHD alongside other mental health disorders for those that seek help. Similarly, people with ADHD might consider they have an anxiety or mood disorder or personality disorder, when ADHD is the main problem. In general the non-expert Tik Tok videos are not generally specific to ADHD. However, they usually reflect common symptoms experienced by adults with ADHD.

    “The relationship between ADHD self-diagnosis, video consumption and perception of prevalence only indicates an association but there is no information on the causal relationship. It seems likely that having ADHD or symptoms of ADHD leads to increased TikTok use as one form of information, since those without ADHD consume the less (as expected). While a causal role of watching TikTok on self-diagnosis could be implied or play a role in some cases, this publication provides no information on the causal direction – so should not be interpreted in that way without further research.

    “Watching these videos may be helpful to people with ADHD to understand the experiences of ADHD they are having. However, it would be important to discuss this with other people with ADHD (ADHD user/support groups could be helpful here) and to seek professional advice.   

    “The conflict of interests and Tik Tok algorithms are a concern and might lead to over diagnosis in some cases – but overall the greater awareness of ADHD is a benefit.”  

    ‘A double-edged hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok content and its associations with perceptions of ADHD’ by Vasileia Karasavva et al. was published in PLOS One at 18:00 UK time on Wednesday 19th March.

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319335

    Declared interests

    Prof Kathrin Karsay: “There are no conflicts of interest.”

    Dr Blandine French: Dr. BF reports personal fees and nonfinancial support from Takeda and Medice.

    Prof Philip Asherson: In the last 4 years, Asherson received payments for consultancy and/or educational talks from Takeda, Jannsen, Flynn Pharma, Medice and AGB Pharma, and royalties from PATOSS and Cambridge University. He is Honorary President of the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN).

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Compagnie de Financement Foncier : Publication of Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s 2024 Universal Registration Document

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                                                    Paris, March 19, 2025

    Press release: publication of Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s 2024
    Universal Registration Document including the annual financial report

    Compagnie de Financement Foncier announces the publication of its 2024 Universal Registration Document (Document d’enregistrement universel) including the annual financial report.

    It was filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers – AMF) on March 19, 2025 under the number D.25-0114

    This report is available on the company’s website at https://foncier.fr/ under:
    “Financial Communication / Regulated information”.

    Copies of this document are also available at the following address:

    COMPAGNIE DE FINANCEMENT FONCIER
    182, Avenue de France
    75 013 PARIS

    Contact : Financial Communication – bal-comfi@creditfoncier.fr

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Justin Vovk, Royal Historian, McMaster University

    It started as a joke. In December 2024, Donald Trump glibly told Justin Trudeau that Canada should become the 51st state. Three months later, the “joke” seems to have become an American foreign policy goal for the second Trump administration.



    Read more:
    How Donald Trump’s attacks on Canada are stoking a new Canadian nationalism

    Canadian Parliament has been unanimous in its response: “Canada is not for sale.” But Canada’s head of state, King Charles, has remained largely silent on the matter — until recently.

    Over the last several weeks, observers have started to pick up on subtle signs of support for Canadians from the King. But many people have no doubt been wondering why there’s not been a direct statement of support from King Charles.

    The answer to that question isn’t as simple as many people might think.

    King of Canada

    Since 1689, Britain has been a constitutional monarchy. The sovereign is the head of state, but the prime minister leads the government. As such, the King can’t interfere with politics. He is supposed to remain neutral and be the embodiment of the nation.

    This crucial separation between palace and Parliament was solidified in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth in 1931 with the Statute of Westminster. In 1954, the Royal Styles and Titles Act separated the British Crown from the other Commonwealth realms. Queen Elizabeth became the first sovereign to ever be called Queen of Canada.

    As a constitutional monarch, King Charles is bound by parliamentary limitations on his authority. He cannot act without taking advice from the prime ministers in his various realms.

    This means King Charles can’t make a political statement about the ongoing tensions between Canada and the U.S. without the green light from Ottawa. When asked about the situation in January, a palace official said simply that this is “not something we would comment on.”

    As former Alberta premier Jason Kenney later explained on social media:

    “For Canadians disappointed that King Charles has not commented on President Trump’s threats to annex Canada: in his capacity as King of Canada, he can only act on the advice of his Canadian first minister, i.e. Justin Trudeau.”

    Or, at this moment, Mark Carney.

    Signs of support

    The King met with Trudeau at Sandringham, the royal family’s private estate in Norfolk, England, on March 3. This meeting seems to have prompted a series of symbolic gestures demonstrating the monarchy’s solidarity with Canadians.

    The next day, the King conducted an inspection of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in his capacity as head of the Armed Forces. Canadian medals and honours adorned his naval dress uniform during the inspection.

    A week later, the King planted a red maple tree at Buckingham Palace to honour Queen Elizabeth’s commitment to the preservation of forests and the bonds among Commonwealth nations.

    On March 12, the King met with representatives from the Canadian Senate.

    He presented a ceremonial sword to Gregory Peters, the Usher of the Black Rod (one of the Senate’s chief protocol officers). Raymonde Gagné, the speaker of the Senate, was also present for that meeting.

    And on March 17, the King met with Carney as part of new prime minister’s whirlwind diplomatic tour of western Europe.

    Some observers even pointed to the Princess of Wales’s red dress at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration on March 10 as yet another nod of recognition for Canada.

    Soft power and the Royal Family

    These sorts of gestures are examples of what is known as “soft power.” Unlike the hard power of military and economic force used by governments, soft power describes any number of ways that people or groups can influence others through culture, personal diplomacy and even fashion.

    As one Buckingham Palace source remarked: “The King knows that seemingly small gestures can send a reassuring sign of recognition about what is going on around the world.”

    One of the best known forms of the monarchy wielding soft power is through the use of state visits. At the British prime minister’s request, world leaders are invited to London by the sovereign. The red carpet is rolled out for them, they’re wined and dined in lavish dinners at Buckingham Palace and they often make a speech to Parliament.

    These state visits are a way for the Royal Family to use their soft power to positively influence diplomatic relations.

    In February, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented Trump with an invitation from the King for a second state visit to the U.K.. So far, no date for the trip has been announced, but the King’s meetings with Trudeau and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly irritated Trump.

    It remains to be seen how King Charles navigates his constitutional role as both king of the United Kingdom and of Canada. Will Trump’s state visit only be about British interests? Or will Charles use it as a chance to address the concerns of his Canadian subjects?

    Justin Vovk received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Justin Vovk is an advisory board member for the Institute of the Study of the Crown in Canada.

    – ref. How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats – https://theconversation.com/how-king-charles-is-sending-canada-subtle-signals-of-support-amid-trumps-threats-252142

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US isn’t first country to dismantle its foreign aid office − here’s what happened after the UK killed its version of USAID

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Stroup, Professor of Political Science; Director, Conflict Transformation Collaborative, Middlebury

    The U.S. and U.K. used to be major funders of global immunization programs for children. AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File

    The Trump administration’s dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled on March 18, 2025. The court order to pause the agency’s shuttering came days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that 83% of its programs had been cut.

    USAID was created in 1961 as the lead agency for U.S. international development. Until recently, it funded health and humanitarian aid programs in more than 130 countries. Despite the administration’s claim of cost-cutting, USAID was a relatively small and economical operation. Its US$40 billion budget accounted for just 0.7% of annual federal spending. Congress also required regular reporting and evaluations on USAID, helping to ensure substantial oversight of how it spent its taxpayer dollars.

    USAID’s swift destruction has sent shock waves across the globe. But as a scholar of the global humanitarian aid sector and donor agencies, I know this assault on foreign aid is not unprecedented.

    In June 2020, Boris Johnson, then the prime minister of the United Kingdom, used similar claims of budget-tightening to effectively close the Department for International Development, Britain’s equivalent of USAID.

    A COVID merger

    Both the U.S. and British foreign aid programs have long prompted heated debates over the proper relationship between development, diplomacy and national security. The U.S. and Britain have long been among the top five providers of development assistance worldwide, and both USAID and DFID have played leading roles in the development community.

    Countries give foreign aid for both altruistic and self-interested reasons. Treating global diseases and addressing civil conflicts is a way for wealthy Western governments to limit threats that could destabilize their countries, as well as the rest of the world. It also burnishes their reputation and encourages cooperation with other governments.

    Scholars from across the political spectrum and around the world have questioned the general efficacy of foreign assistance, arguing that these programs are designed to serve the interests of donors, not the needs or recipients. Other development experts contend that foreign aid programs, while imperfect, have still made meaningful progress in improving health, education and freedoms.

    Britain’s DFID was created in 1997 as an independent, Cabinet-level department deliberately independent of partisan politics. It quickly developed a reputation as a model donor, even among skeptics of international aid.

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the DFiD merger in June 2020.
    AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file

    For example, a staffer at the international medical charity Doctors without Borders told me in a 2006 interview that he had scoffed at the idea of a politics-free aid agency.

    Yet, he said, he had found DFID “relatively easier to work with” than other donors.

    “I have never heard of someone being told, as a result of accepting DFID funds, what to do, either explicitly or behind closed doors,” he told me.

    But its good reputation could not protect DFID. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson announced that DFID would merge with the Foreign Office, Britain’s equivalent of the State Department, to create a new government agency. By uniting aid and diplomacy, Johnson said, the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office would get “maximum value for the British taxpayer,” and he cited the economic impact of COVID to justify his decision.

    Foreign aid dropped sharply after the merger, from 0.7% of Britain’s gross national income to 0.5% – a cut of about US$6 billion.

    Development professionals decried Johnson’s merger, arguing it could not have happened at a worse time, with the pandemic heightening the need for global health funding. And coming shortly after Brexit, Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, DFID’s demise further called into question Britain’s commitment to global cooperation.

    Less money, less impact

    Five years later, it’s not clear that dismantling DFID has made British foreign aid more efficient or effective, as Johnson pledged.

    “We have seen evidence of where a more integrated approach has improved the organisation’s ability to respond to international crises and events, which has led to a better result,” reads one 2025 report by the U.K.’s National Audit Office.

    Two departments in one – but not twice the budget.
    Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images

    Yet, the auditors add, the British government has spent at least £24.7 million – US$32 million – to merge its aid and diplomacy offices, and it failed to track these costs. Nor did the leaders of the merger set out a clear vision for its new purpose.

    Britain’s slimmer new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also relinquished the U.K.’s past leadership in research and expertise, largely due to pay reductions and restrictions on hiring non-British nationals.

    From the outset, DFID had invested substantially in building expertise in global development, particularly in conflict-ridden states. In 2001, for example, it spent almost 5% of its budget – an unusually high amount – on research and policy analysis to design and assess its programs.

    DFID produced regular case studies of the projects it funded, which included getting Syrian refugee children back in school, building roads that help Rwandan farmers move their products to market, and providing health care after Pakistan’s 2010 floods.

    Given the “development expertise that was lost with the merger,” the U.K. government can no longer conduct “the kind of rigorous, long-term focus necessary to make a real impact,” said the Center for Global Development in a recent report.

    A 2022 study suggests that DFID’s dismantling was a fundamentally political move, “divorced from substantive analysis of policy or inter-institution relationships.”

    Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the leftist Labour Party, initially promised to boost British foreign aid. But in early March 2025, he backtracked, announcing instead a further cut to foreign aid.

    By 2027, the U.K. government will spend just 0.3% of its budget on overseas aid. That’s roughly $11 billion less than before the merger in 2019.

    ‘Clear and easy target’

    USAID’s budget was much larger than DFID’s, and the administration apparently wants not to streamline U.S. foreign aid but halt it almost entirely. If this effort succeeds, it will have even more severe effects worldwide, at least in the immediate term.

    The global health programs administered by USAIDm which combat diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, have received bipartisan and global praise. The PEPFAR program, which USAID helps administer, distributes antiretroviral drugs worldwide. It alone has saved 25 million lives over the past two decades, including the lives of 5.5 million babies born healthy to mothers with HIV.

    Development professionals tend to see independent government agencies such as USAID and DFID as better able to prioritize the needs of the poor because their programming is run separately from partisan policies.

    Yet standalone agencies are also more visible – and so more vulnerable to political targeting.

    DFID was a clear and easy target when Johnson began his pandemic-era budget-slashing. USAID is now suffering a similar fate.

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

    – ref. US isn’t first country to dismantle its foreign aid office − here’s what happened after the UK killed its version of USAID – https://theconversation.com/us-isnt-first-country-to-dismantle-its-foreign-aid-office-heres-what-happened-after-the-uk-killed-its-version-of-usaid-250868

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British start-up wins £1 million AI prize for breakthrough slashing materials development from years to days

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    British start-up wins £1 million AI prize for breakthrough slashing materials development from years to days

    A British AI-driven innovation that dramatically speeds up the development of materials used in wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries has won the UK government’s £1 million Manchester Prize.

    Manchester Prize winner announced.

    • Polaron awarded £1 million for revolutionary AI technology transforming materials innovation.
    • Breakthrough expected to fast-track new materials for energy, infrastructure, and electric vehicles.
    • Manchester Prize helping to unlock AI innovation to drive growth as part of government’s Plan for Change.

    A British AI-driven innovation that dramatically speeds up the development of materials used in wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries has won the UK government’s £1 million Manchester Prize.

    Advanced materials are essential to modern life, from metal alloys reinforcing bridges and skyscrapers to batteries powering electric vehicles. Yet, developing them has traditionally been slow, costly and unpredictable. 

    Polaron, a spin out from Imperial College London, speeds up the development of these materials from years to days – which could be game-changing for the government’s Plan for Change to get Britain building, deliver economic growth and accelerate net zero through British innovation.

    It will receive £1 million in UK government funding to further develop its groundbreaking AI solution which uses microstructural images – the microscopic features of a material visible under a microscope – to rapidly analyse and predict how materials will perform. This new approach helps manufacturers create stronger, lighter and more efficient materials for clean energy, transport and infrastructure. 

    Secretary of State Peter Kyle said:  

    Polaron exemplifies the promise of AI and shows how, through our Plan for Change, we are putting AI innovation at the forefront.

    AI could generate £400 billion to our economy over the next five years, supporting trailblazing companies like Polaron is essential to achieving that vision.  

    Technologies like these will help us meet our net zero targets while creating new jobs and opportunities for working people. Our commitment is clear – we are fully embracing AI to drive growth, improve public services and position the UK as a global leader in AI innovation. 1

    The Manchester Prize rewards innovative AI solutions addressing major societal challenges, with the first round focused on energy, environment, and infrastructure. Nearly 300 teams from across the UK competed in its first year, with ten finalists each receiving £100,000 and support to further develop their innovations. 

    Polaron’s win comes on the back of the UK government’s new blueprint for AI, which will unleash the technology to help deliver a decade of national renewal. Harnessing innovative AI solutions like this is key to realising the government’s Plan for Change and demonstrates the transformative potential of AI, not only to drive breakthroughs in industry but also to transform public services and improve the lives of citizens across the country. 

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Our Plan for Change will deliver economic growth, and for that to succeed we need to support companies such as Polaron across the UK in delivering the cutting-edge materials of the future, supported by our Industrial Strategy.

    This government is determined to embrace each and every opportunity of new technologies like AI, which will not only help British companies develop products we can use at home but also open up access for them to export them overseas.

    The government has already taken steps to accelerate how game changing technologies and innovations can be put into the hands of the British public – announcing the new Regulatory Innovation Office which will reduce burdens for businesses hoping to bring new products and services to market. This will involve supporting regulators to update regulation, speeding up approvals, and ensuring regulators can work seamlessly together – bulldozing barriers to innovation to help grow the economy.

    The Manchester Prize was launched in December 2023 by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) and is delivered in partnership with Challenge Works. It supports UK AI innovations which will help to tackle some of society’s biggest shared challenges. 

    The second round of the Manchester Prize was launched in November 2024, focussed on ‘AI for Clean Energy Systems’. The 10 finalists selected to receive £100,000 will be confirmed in Spring, before a panel of judges selects the winner who will secure a £1 million grand prize to further support their innovation.  

    Notes to editors

    1. Public First, ‘Google’s Impact in the UK 2023’, 2024 

    For further information and to follow the Manchester Prize, visit www.challengeworks.org.uk//challenge-prizes/manchester-prize. 

    Challenge Works is a global leader in designing and delivering high-impact challenge prizes that incentivise cutting-edge innovation for social good.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revision to March 2024 Neighbourhood Policing Numbers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Revision to March 2024 Neighbourhood Policing Numbers

    Neighbourhood policing statistics have been corrected today due to inaccuracies in the previous government’s police workforce data.

    The government has today published corrected neighbourhood policing numbers due to inaccuracies in the previous government’s police workforce statistics.  

    The issues were uncovered as part of a data validation exercise commissioned by the Home Secretary and carried out by the NPCC to establish an accurate picture of the number of officers serving in neighbourhood roles. It follows long-standing concerns from both the Home Office and police forces about the accuracy of previously published workforce figures for neighbourhood policing.  

    Whilst this does not mean that the overall police numbers were incorrect, it demonstrates that the real number of neighbourhood police officers working in our communities has been artificially inflated in recent years. The government is clear that the public – who have seen and felt the reduction in neighbourhood officers and PCSOs on their streets in recent years – deserve far better than this.  

    It comes as the government is introducing the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, to ensure that everyone has a named contactable police officer.

    As part of the data validation exercise, all police forces were asked to verify the previously published workforce data published under the “neighbourhood policing” category for March 2024. The work revealed substantial discrepancies between the previously published data and the updated figures being provided by forces which more accurately reflect the reality on the ground.  Of the 43 forces in England and Wales, 29 advised that their published combined neighbourhood officer and PCSO numbers should be revised down, whilst four forces revised their figures upwards. This resulted in an overall downwards revision of 2,611 compared to the figures published last year.  

    Forces have cited several reasons for revisions to their March 2024 data which have now been thoroughly tested by the Home Office with individual forces. Some forces say they made human resources (HR) errors after restructuring their neighbourhood policing model or relied on outdated HR systems. Others incorrectly categorised student officers in neighbourhood policing as default, despite them still being in the classroom and not out on our streets, fully trained. Errors also occurred through the incorrect categorisation of officers who perform roles that span multiple functions as in some cases, officers were recorded as working in neighbourhood policing roles when in reality they covered multiple duties, such as incident response. This blurring of the lines between officer duties did not accurately reflect the real number of dedicated neighbourhood officers patrolling our streets.  

    It is vital for both the government and police forces that they have a clear and accurate understanding of the state of neighbourhood policing in our communities.  

    The Home Office has now issued new instructions and guidance directly to forces on the categorisation of neighbourhood policing to ensure that we are recording them correctly, particularly on the distinction between response officers and neighbourhood police officers, and how to categorise classroom-based student officers. This means that systems are now in place to prevent these errors from happening in the future and to ensure that the data can be relied on going forward. The department will now require robust neighbourhood policing data returns from individual forces on a monthly basis to track the neighbourhood policing workforce more closely. This will be aligned with a strong performance framework harnessing national data to monitor performance and direct improvements in order to raise standards across the service.  

    The government’s flagship Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will put police back on the beat with 13,000 additional police officers and PCSOs in neighbourhood roles in communities across the country. Each neighbourhood will have a named, contactable officer to tackle the issues facing their communities, and there will be guaranteed, intelligence-led patrols in town centres and high streets, with new powers to tackle the criminality and anti-social behaviour plaguing our streets.  

    Due to the quick work by forces to rectify the statistical errors, the numbers published today are provisional and will be confirmed in an official statistical release in the usual way.

    The Home Secretary has today written to the Home Affairs Select Committee to set out this information in more detail.

    Further information

    Table 1: March 2024 published data and NPCC revised data (as at 18 March 2025) 

    March 2024 published data March 2024 data submitted by NPCC Difference % Difference
    Officers (FTE) 13,424 10,664 -2,760 -21%
    PCSOs (FTE) 6,210 6,359 +149 +2%
    TOTAL (FTE) 19,634 17,023 -2,611 -13%

    Forces making large reductions (either in terms of numbers, FTE, or as a proportion of neighbourhood policing workforce):

    West Midlands Police

    A revision in previous statistics downwards of 649 officers from 1,045

    Reason: Following being placed into ‘Engaged’ status by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in December 2023 (following serious concerns over its investigations and victim outcomes), the force had redeployed a number of neighbourhood resources into ‘Responding to calls for service’ and ‘Investigations’. However, system identifiers on HR systems had not been updated which generated the significant administrative inaccuracy. West Midlands have since been removed from ‘Engaged’ status by HMICFRS.

    Gloucestershire Constabulary

    A revision in previous statistics downwards by 66% and a slight decrease for PCSOs

    Reason: Specialist functions, investigative resources, and patrol had previously been included in the neighbourhood policing category in error. The inaccuracy of the original data appears to be primarily related to the unique post identifiers in a recently implemented HR System, which Gloucestershire are looking to update.

    Suffolk Constabulary

    A revision in previous statistics downwards for a large number of officers and some PCSOs that will result in data fall by 52%

    Reason: The force has identified a series of errors in the categorisation of roles, such as the inclusion of student officers in the neighbourhood policing category when they should have been included as category 1b (Incident (Response) Management). additionally, several of Suffolk’s specialist reassurance teams were included in neighbourhood policing when they should have been recorded as category 1c (Specialist Community Liaison) and several senior manager posts were included in neighbourhood policing rather than 1d (‘Local Policing Command Team’).

    Thames Valley Police

    A revision in previous statistics downwards by 33% for neighbourhood officers and 20% downwards for neighbourhood workforce overall

    Reason: Identified discrepancies in how neighbourhood policing roles were recorded, following a recent internal review. The issues stemmed from technical limitations and differences between job titles and the detail of roles performed by officers.

    Merseyside Police

    A revision in previous statistics downwards by 209 neighbourhood officers, although offset by a 182 increase in PCSOs

    Reason: Student officers were mistakenly included as neighbourhood policing officers. All PCSOs were incorrectly categorised under 1c “Specialist Community Liaison”.  In addition, they had included local public order / neighbourhood tactical teams under 1a, when they should have been classified under 5f “Advanced Public Order.

    Dorset Police

    A revision in previous statistics downwards by 38% in overall neighbourhood policing numbers

    Reason: The force revised the figures to ensure that only those officers and PCSOs dedicated to neighbourhood policing functions were included. They excluded those in functions that do not contribute to neighbourhood policing including specialist functions, investigative resources, and patrol, which had previously been included in the neighbourhood policing category in error.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2024 Army Community Partnership Award winners announced

    Source: United States Army

    WASHINGTON – The Department of the Army has announced the seven winners of the 2024 Army Community Partnership Awards.

    “The installations honored this year highlight the excellent commitment to partnering with communities and strengthening those relationships that allow us to provide the best possible resources for Soldiers and their families,” said Lt. Gen. David Wilson, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9.

    The Army Community Partnership Awards Program seeks to highlight examples of exceptional cooperation and diligence that will encourage continued collaboration to achieve the full potential of community partnerships. The awardees represent partnerships that have improved quality of life for Soldiers and their families, enhanced readiness, driven modernization and contributed to reform initiatives throughout the Army.

    “These partnerships exemplify the collaboration required to enhance our resilience, improve quality of life for our Soldiers and their families, and bolster our operational readiness to meet the needs of our Army today and tomorrow,” said Daniel M. Klippstein, senior official performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

    The Army selected seven winners and their neighboring communities that formed innovative partnerships that improve quality of life for Soldiers and families, enhance readiness, modernize services, provide efficiencies, expand capabilities and strengthen community relations.

    • Fort Leonard Wood and the cities of Saint Robert and Waynesville: Fort Leonard Wood’s new airfield lease project supports the construction of a new non-Army funded terminal critical to the long-term viability of commercial jet service to and from the installation. The new 25-year lease, new terminal, and past investments in planning, improvements, and repairs reiterates long-term commitments from the cities, the FAA and the state of Missouri to maintain accessibility to Fort Leonard Wood. The new terminal will modernize and increase the efficiency of all terminal operational and security services, systems and processes as compared to existing legacy facilities.
    • U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, Pōhakuloa Training Area and the Hawaii County Fire & Emergency Services: The Mutual Aid Agreement between USAG-HI (PTA) and the Hawaii County Fire & Emergency Services seamlessly integrates resources and joint training exercises. This collaboration is a robust mutual support system enhancing the regional emergency response capabilities. Collaboration between PTA and Hawaii County Fire & Emergency Services maximizes shared resource utilization and operational efficiency.
    • Picatinny Arsenal and the Morris County Municipalities & Fire Districts: The MAA between Picatinny Arsenal and the Morris County Municipalities & Fire Districts provides 24-hour emergency dispatching service at no cost to the Army. The partnership enhances Picatinny’s emergency response capabilities and fills a gap in service availability. By partnering with Morris County, Picatinny Arsenal improved their firefighting capabilities through real-world responses and joint training exercises. The MAA enabled Picatinny to access 24/7 emergency response while also realizing significant cost savings.
    • Fort Carson and the Colorado Springs Utilities: The intergovernmental support agreement between Fort Carson and the Colorado Springs Utilities provides Fort Carson with superior operations and maintenance of electric and gas systems beyond pre-IGSA capabilities. Partnering with CSU enhances Fort Carson’s energy resilience by creating the capability to operate independently in the event of an off-post electrical grid failure. The IGSA created the on-post generation and microgrid capabilities necessary to operate during an off-post blackouts.
    • Fort Bliss and the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board: This IGSA between USAG-Fort Bliss and the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board provides engineering, technical, project design, consultant services, minor construction, repair, maintenance, geotechnical services, land surveying, soil borings, water quality testing, and water resource planning services associated with and incidental to stormwater management, water quality, water conservation, and those types of capital improvement projects.
    • U.S. Army Garrison Poland and the Republic of Poland: The Polish Provided Logistics Support provides in-kind logistical support to the U.S. Army. The PPLS provides infrastructure, logistical support and munitions storage to facilitate joint military exercises as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The availability of pre-positioned equipment and supplies improves the readiness of U.S. forces in the region, enabling a stronger alliance and faster response times.
    • U.S. Army War College and the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety: The MAA between U.S. Army War College and the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety expands operational and mission capabilities by sharing capacity, resources and capabilities. Cooperating with CCDPS has enhanced the War College’s emergency response capabilities. The partnership utilizes joint training and planning, shared emergency response resources, and shared expertise to enhance shared public safety and emergency response capabilities.

    Awardees included partnerships signed in fiscal years 2021-2024 by garrisons, reserve centers and armories. Submissions were evaluated using the following criteria:

    • Improves Soldier/family quality of life
    • Improves or enhances readiness
    • Modernizes a service, system or process
    • Provides cost or other efficiencies
    • Expands capability
    • Improves community relations

    The awards ceremony will be held in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes on April 10, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

    For additional information, please contact the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9, usarmy.pentagon.hqda-dcs-g-9.list.sig@mail.mil.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hybrid Software Group PLC reports 2024 results with €51.50 million revenue and €12 million EBITDA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PRESS RELEASE – REGULATED INFORMATION

    HYBRID SOFTWARE GROUP PLC REPORTS 2024 RESULTS WITH €51.50 MILLION REVENUE AND €12 MILLION EBITDA

    Cambridge (UK), 19 March 2025 (19:00 CET): Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) announces that it has published its annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2024.

    The full document is available to download from the financial reports section of the Company’s web site at:  https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/financial-reports.

    CEO Mike Rottenborn comments, “2024 was a successful year for Hybrid Software Group, with healthy growth in all business units despite difficult market conditions. We expect similar conditions in 2025, yet we are still very positive about the outlook for Hybrid Software and our customers.

    “Synergies in the business plan aren’t always realised in the market, so it’s very encouraging to see the tandem growth in both our OEM and end-user businesses, with an overall revenue growth of 7% over the previous year. In last year’s letter, I promised to focus on improving the profitability of Hybrid Software, so it’s gratifying to report that we delivered a 286% improvement in our adjusted operating result over 2023, as well as a 64% increase in our EBITDA, despite heavy marketing spending on the Drupa trade fair. We expect to deliver further improvements in the coming year.

    “2024 also saw the launch of a new business unit, Hybrid Software BrandZ, to serve brands and manufacturers of consumer packaged goods with software solutions for artwork management which facilitate downstream print production, opening a market that is potentially much larger than the print providers themselves.”

    Executive Chairman Guido Van der Schueren adds, “We enter 2025 in similar business conditions to 2024 but as a much stronger company, with revenue growth across all our business segments and an even more significant improvement in profitability.  We achieved this through careful cost management while continuing to fully fund our engineering teams and software development programs.

    “In late 2024 we instituted a share buyback program, committing €1 million to buy back and cancel shares as a sort of tax-free dividend to all shareholders. There are strict limits to the number of shares we can buy and the price we can pay for shares, but the impact on our share price has been significant already and we plan to continue this initiative throughout 2025.”

    Financial highlights

    For the year ended 31 December
    In thousands of euros 2024 2023
    Continuing operations    
    Revenue 51,501 48,043
    Operating loss (3,090) (1,161)
    Loss before tax (3,361) (1,667)
    Tax credit 653 2,986
    (Loss)/Profit from continuing operations (2,708) 1,319
    Loss on sale of discontinued operation, net of tax (120) –
    (Loss)/Profit for the period (2,828) 1,319
         
    EBITDA – continuing operations 11,989 7,306
         
    Adjusted operating profit – continuing operations 7,204 2,517
    Adjusted net profit – continuing operations 6,952 1,676
         
    Basic earnings per share (euro) – continuing operations (0.09) 0.04
    Adjusted net basic earnings per share (euro) – continuing operations 0.21 0.05
         
    Cash and cash equivalents 9,513 7,079
    Loans & borrowings (6,500) (7,800)
    Net cash/(debt) 3,013 (721)

    The consolidated pre-tax result for continuing operations was a loss of €3.36 million compared with a loss of €1.67 million in 2023. The increase in the loss of €1.69 million is due to:

    • an increase in revenue of €3.46 million;
    • a decrease in cost of sales of €0.59 million;
    • a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses of €0.58 million
    • an increase of €6.28 million impairment charge on goodwill;
    • an increase in research and development expenses of €0.17 million;
    • an increase in other operating expenses of €0.06 million;
    • a decrease in other income of €0.05 million;
    • an increase in net finance expenses of €0.02 million; and
    • a decrease in foreign exchange losses of €0.26 million.

    Revenue for the Printing Software Segment was €16.67 million for the year (2023: €14.94 million). During 2024 new contracts were agreed with two existing customers which resulted in €4.3 million of revenue being recognised. In 2023 a new contract was agreed with an existing customer which resulted in €2.6 million of revenue being recognised in that year.

    Revenue for the Printhead Solutions segment was €11.59 million for the year (2023: €11.30 million). In 2022 revenue in this segment had been severely impacted by the shortage of its most commonly used chip. In 2023 it recovered significantly throughout the year which continued into 2024 although at a slower pace.

    Revenue for the Enterprise Software segment was €23.24 million for the year (2023: €21.81 million). In 2023 the segment experienced unfavourable business conditions in its two most important markets, the United States and Germany, which improved in 2024. For the segment year-over-year license royalty income increased by €0.8 million, maintenance and after-sale support services income €0.4 million and services income by €0.2 million.

    Gross profit for the period decreased to 84% of revenue (2023: 82%), primarily due to the lower mix of printing electronics related sales during the year, which have a lower level of gross margin than software because of their manufacturing costs.

    Included in selling, general and administrative expenses is amortisation of €0.90 million (2023: €0.97 million) related to intangible assets recognised as a result of acquisitions.

    In 2024 the Group recorded a goodwill impairment charge of €6.28 million (2023: €nil) in aggregate.

    Research and development expenses includes the capitalisation and amortisation of internally generated intangible assets and the amortisation of certain intangible assets recognised as a result of acquisitions. During the period there was a net capitalisation of development expenditure of €0.53 million (2023: €1.39 million) and amortisation of acquired intangible assets of €4.57 million (2023: €4.76 million).

    The net capitalisation of development expenditure was comprised of €3.45 million (2023: €3.82 million) of capitalised expenditure less €2.92 million (2023: €2.43 million) of amortisation.

    Total operating expenses increased by €5.93 million, or 14.56% compared to the same period in the prior year. Making abstraction of the goodwill impairment of €6.28 million, total operating expenses decreased by €0.35 million, or 0.86% compared to the same period in the prior year.

    Foreign exchange gains and losses are primarily due to the revaluation of currency balances held at the balance sheet date and the change in exchange rates during the year.

    The Company presents EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) and adjusted profit when reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate the Group’s results in a manner that focuses on what the Group believes to be its underlying business operations.  The Group’s management believes that the inclusion of adjusted financial results provides consistency and comparability with past reports.

    Additional commentary and analysis of the Company’s consolidated results for the year ending 31 December 2024 can be found in the annual report and financial statements.

    Should you wish to receive a printed copy of the annual report, please send an e-mail to investor-relations@hybridsoftware.group or make your request in writing, for the attention of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to 2030 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6DW, UK.

    Annual General Meeting
    The Company will hold its annual general meeting on Thursday 15 May 2025.  The official notice of the meeting will be available on the Company’s website at: https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/shareholders-annual-general-meeting.

    About Hybrid Software Group
    Through its operating subsidiaries. Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

    Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, 3D design and modelling software developers iC3D, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists Meteor Inkjet, and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

    Contacts

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, colleagues introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen medical supply chains

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act, bipartisan legislation to jump start trade negotiations to ensure that hospitals, doctors, and patients have access to critical medical goods. U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) introduced companion legislation in the House. 
    “Life-threatening shortages of testing kits, drugs, and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how fragile our medical supply chains are. If we are caught off-guard like we were during COVID once again, more Americans will die,” said Senator Coons. “Working with our most trusted trading partners to make our supply chains more resilient will strengthen our response to future public health emergencies while ensuring that health care providers have access to essential medical products and patients have access to life-saving care.”
    “The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward ensuring that America’s healthcare providers have reliable access to the essential supplies they need,” said Senator Tillis. “By strengthening trade partnerships with our allies and expanding domestic manufacturing, we can enhance our nation’s preparedness for future health challenges. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to reinforce our medical supply chains and protect public health.” 
    “America’s medical supply chains rely heavily on China, posing risks to U.S. national security and public health,” said Senator Bennet. “Our bipartisan bill will address this vulnerability by authorizing the president to deepen relationships with our trading partners.”
    “During the pandemic, the U.S. faced severe shortages of medical supplies due to overreliance on foreign adversaries like China,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would allow the U.S. to engage in trade negotiations with trusted allies for medical goods and services, helping ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future global health crises.”
    “The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is the type of positive approach to trade America must embrace to deepen its economic partnerships with key allies,” said Brad Wood, Senior Director for Trade and Innovation Policy, National Foreign Trade Council.“By empowering the United States Trade Representative to negotiate new agreements with trusted trade partners, the United States has the opportunity to strengthen supply chain security, support U.S. innovation and jobs, and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. It is critically important that the United States collaborate with its allies to support the public health demands of our populations and prepare to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency. NFTC applauds Senators Tillis, Coons, Cornyn, and Bennet for championing this legislation, and urges Congress to support its swift passage.”
    “Premier commends Senators Thom Tillis, Chris Coons, John Cornyn and Michael Bennet and Representatives Brad Schneider and Nicole Malliotakis for their bipartisan leadership in reinforcing the resilience of our nation’s healthcare supply chain,” said Soumi Saha, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Premier Inc. “Building a stronger, more sustainable, and secure supply chain demands a balanced approach – expanding domestic manufacturing while fostering strategic trade partnerships. The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward this goal by enabling the designation of trusted trade partners to diversify sourcing for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Ensuring providers have reliable access to the essential supplies needed to deliver quality patient care is a paramount priority for our nation.”
    “The Chamber strongly supports the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act, which will strengthen supply chains for medical goods and services while bolstering manufacturing in the U.S. and among our close allies and partners,” said John Murphy, Senior Vice President for International Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Enhancing the resilience of medical supply chains is important to both our public health and our national security. The bill would direct the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate trade agreements with trusted allies to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers that weaken the U.S. medical goods manufacturing base and that of our allies. These agreements would also support intellectual property protection, regulatory cooperation, and collaboration on public and private R&D efforts. Only close allies and partners would qualify for such agreements. Close consultation with the legislative branch would be essential, and Congress would retain a right to disapprove any agreements. This is practical legislation that, if enacted, will apply lessons learned in the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen America’s health preparedness. The Chamber urges Congress to pass it into law.”
    “Authorizing the administration to negotiate meaningful trade agreements with trusted partners, including the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, would reduce trade barriers and strengthen medical supply chains. The biopharmaceutical industry, whose exports exceeded $101 billion in 2023, welcomes the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act and encourages the administration to embrace this pathway to expand trade with allies,” said PhRMA. 
    The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for supply chains around the world, disproportionately hampering health care providers’ access to medical devices, treatments, and equipment at a time when these products were desperately needed. By expanding U.S. engagement with our allies across the globe, this legislation would combat shortages of medical products and supplies by strengthening supply chain resiliency and safeguarding against future health crises. 
    You can read the full text of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Achievement awards for children with additional needs

    Source: City of Leicester

    CHILDREN and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have been recognised for their achievements at a celebration event.

    The awards ceremony – which was generously sponsored by local businesses – was held as part of a recent drop-in event called Local Offer Live. It saw children commended for their resilience, bravery and educational achievements.

    Among those getting an award was 16-year-old Ruby Tebbutt, a pupil at Tudor Grange Samworth Academy. Ruby received a Positive Contribution to Society award in the 12-25 age group category, for her courage in sharing her personal story of autism with her school.

    Jemma Cox from the academy, who nominated Ruby, said: “Ruby completed an exceptional speaking and listening exam in English, where she bravely shared her own experience of being autistic. She highlighted the importance of teachers recognising and respecting the unique challenges faced by autistic students.”

    Jemma also nominated 16-year-old Samworth student Cohen Smith for a Shining Star award. As well as overcoming significant barriers to improve his own attendance and behaviour, Cohen has been supporting his friends, meeting one friend in reception every day and walking him to class to ensure he felt welcomed and supported. “This consistent act of kindness has not only helped the student to improve his attendance, it has also boosted his confidence and sense of belonging,” Jemma said.

    Hayden Rosario, aged 17, from Nether Hall School, won the Art, Music & Media award in the 12-25 category. Nominator Michael Norton from the school said: “Hayden started to learn the glockenspiel last year and has developed his skills and confidence so much in a short space of time. He played ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight?’ by Elton John to a crowd of hundreds of people. Who knows where Hayden’s talent and hard work will take him, but all at Nether Hall School are so proud of him.”

    Ten-year-old Samuel Davies from St John the Baptist Primary School won the 0-10 Sports Award. Samuel is an all-round sportsperson who was nominated for his wonderful listening skills, teamwork and great resilience, as well as for his achievements in cross-country running. As a child with ADHD and autism, these sporting opportunities provide Samuel with vital opportunities to communicate and connect socially with others.

    Hayden Rosario (centre)

    Ruby Tebbutt (left)

    Samuel Davies (centre)

    Assistant city mayor for children and young people, Cllr Elaine Pantling, said: “It was wonderful to see these awards handed out at Local Offer Live. These are young people who have worked so hard and given back so much to their school communities, and it’s great to see them recognised for that.

    “Our specialist staff in our disabled children’s service, along with our dedicated education professionals, work in partnership with schools to support children with additional needs. We’re always really proud when the children do amazing things and achieve to their full potential.”

    More information about city council and partners’ services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families, can be found at: https://families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/

    ENDS

    Top picture shows Cllr Elaine Pantling (centre) with award winner Cohen Smith and nominator Jemma Cox

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sir John Oldham appointed to help make NHS fit for the future

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Sir John Oldham appointed to help make NHS fit for the future

    Sir John Oldham is a GP by background and has very significant experience in the sphere of primary care, change management, and leading improvement programmes

    Sir John Oldham brings extensive experience of working in the health sector and will work on emerging policy to support the government on its ambition to deliver more care in the community.

    • Sir John Oldham has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care.
    • Sir John will work closely with Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to transform the health and care system and move to a Neighbourhood Health Service.

    Lord Darzi’s 2024 independent investigation of the NHS highlighted the urgent need to transform the health and care system and move to a Neighbourhood Health Service that delivers co-ordinated care closer to home, to create healthier communities, spot problems earlier, and support people to stay healthier and maintain their independence for longer. 

    Sir John is a GP by background and has very significant experience in the sphere of primary care, change management, and leading improvement programmes. He was National Clinical Lead for Quality and Productivity at the Department of Health from 2010-2013. This role has had responsibility for large scale change in the delivery of services to patients with long term conditions and redesigning the urgent care system. He has been a member of the Care Quality Commission and Chair of the Commission on Whole Person Care amongst other roles.

    The appointment is a paid role, which began on 2 December 2024 for a 12-month period. It is not a Civil Service appointment.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Earth’s lungs are choking on plastic and smoke – scientists hope to unblock them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    Martin.Dlugo/Shutterstock

    A graph I saw in high school appeared to show the Earth breathing.

    It was a graph that plotted carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the course of the 20th century and into the 21st. CO₂ had risen steadily, and then more rapidly, but it hadn’t gone up in a straight line. Each year it had fallen sharply before rising to a new peak, increasing over time in an upwards zig-zag.

    What explained this annual, temporary fall in CO₂, the gas that is overwhelmingly responsible for climate change? The answer was photosynthesis, my physics teacher explained – the miracle by which plants turn light and CO₂ into food.

    This is how our planet has regulated atmospheric carbon for longer than our species has existed. Fossil fuels are disrupting this equilibrium in several ways.

    This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage comes from our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed.

    Spring is dawning in the northern hemisphere, where most of the planet’s green land is situated. Trees are unfurling leaves that will soak up carbon in the air and turn it into new bark, roots and branches. On a global scale, it’s like a gigantic inhalation of carbon. In autumn, when trees shed their leaves, Earth will exhale again.

    The air we all breathe is increasingly polluted by fossil fuels. That includes products of fossil fuels, like plastic, which is now so ubiquitous that research suggests simply breathing can introduce microscopic fragments into your brain.



    Read more:
    Breathing may introduce microplastics to the brain – new study

    Something similar is happening in plants – and it could have global consequences.

    Plants are losing their appetite

    “Microplastics are hindering photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert energy from the sun into the fruit and vegetables we eat,” says Denis J. Murphy, an emeritus professor of biotechnology at the University of South Wales.

    “This threatens massive losses in crop and seafood production over the coming decades that could mean food shortages for hundreds of millions of people.”

    Photosynthetic algae feed the fish that ultimately feed us.
    Sinhyu Photographer/Shutterstock

    These are the conclusions of a recent study by researchers in China, Germany and the US. Murphy wasn’t involved, but his own research with plant cells – which the tiniest microplastics can infiltrate, and damage the organs involved in photosynthesis – has him worried.



    Read more:
    Microplastics: are they poisoning crops and jeopardising food production?

    “Given the potential (albeit speculative) risk to global food production, more priority should be given to rigorous scientific research of microplastics and their effects on both crops and the marine life that supports fish and seafood stocks,” he says.

    Not so long ago, people wondered if our fossil fuel habit might actually benefit plant photosynthesis. After all, plants eat CO₂. Flooding the atmosphere with more of it each year could only whet their appetites, right?

    “The amount of CO₂ used by photosynthesis and stored in vegetation and soils has grown over the past 50 years, and now absorbs at least a quarter of human emissions in an average year,” say ecologists Amanda Cavanagh (University of Essex) and Caitlin Moore (University of Western Australia).

    Most of this extra carbon absorption has come from crops and young trees, the pair say, less from mature forests where a lot of the world’s carbon is stored. Cavanagh and Moore say this carbon pump is slowing down, as the other necessary ingredients for photosynthesis – soil nutrients and water – have fallen or stayed the same.



    Read more:
    Carbon dioxide feeds plants, but are earth’s plants getting full?

    Microplastics could slow the rate at which plants remove carbon further. And then there are the effects of climate change, like drought, fires and floods, which will intensify as long as we continue burning fossil fuels.

    After monitoring forests and shrublands in Australia for 20 years, Moore and a team of six colleagues concluded that these ecosystems are at risk of losing their ability to bounce back, and continue absorbing carbon, after successive climate disasters.



    Read more:
    In 20 years of studying how ecosystems absorb carbon, here’s why we’re worried about a tipping point of collapse

    Hacking photosynthesis

    We may have done plenty to reduce global photosynthesis, but a team of scientists at the University of Oxford and the Fraunhofer Society in Germany is trying to turn things around. How? By hacking plants to help them get more out of the process.

    “You would be forgiven for thinking nature has perfected the art of turning sunlight into sugar,” say Jonathan Menary, Sebastian Fuller and Stefan Schillberg.

    “But that isn’t exactly true. If you struggle with life goals, it might reassure you to know even plants haven’t yet reached their full potential.”

    The team say that plants tend to convert less than 5% of sunlight into new tissue – often as little as 1%. That’s because of a mistake plants regularly make, in which an enzyme involved in photosynthesis latches on to oxygen instead of CO₂.

    “If we could prevent this mistake, it would leave plants more energy for photosynthesis,” they say.



    Read more:
    How scientists are helping plants get the most out of photosynthesis

    Cyanobacteria are Earth’s most ancient photosynthesisers. Menary, Fuller and Schillberg say these microscopic organisms could possess useful genes for better sunlight management that might benefit crops like rice and potato plants. Another technique involves helping plants recover from high light exposure quicker.

    Young potato plants in bloom.
    George Trumpeter/Shutterstock

    More efficient photosynthesis, with the help of gene editing and other tools, is not “a silver bullet”, the team stress. Certainly not while fossil fuels continue to drown our green planet in carbon it cannot metabolise.

    However, this work is likely to prove useful as farmers seek to grow more in an increasingly volatile environment, while sparing enough land for nature.

    “This research is about making sure we can grow enough food to feed ourselves,” the team say.

    – ref. Earth’s lungs are choking on plastic and smoke – scientists hope to unblock them – https://theconversation.com/earths-lungs-are-choking-on-plastic-and-smoke-scientists-hope-to-unblock-them-252549

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of lost Scottish soldier of World War One identified in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Grave of lost Scottish soldier of World War One identified in France

    The previously unmarked grave of an Edinburgh man of the 1st (Royal) Dragoons has now been identified and marked more than a century after his death.

    Musician Benjamin Kinch of the Household Cavalry (Crown Copyright)

    A rededication service for Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) George Rankeillor was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’. The service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, France, this morning (19 March 2025). 

    JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: 

    I am grateful to the researcher who submitted this case. Their work has led us to recognise the final resting place of L/Cpl Rankeillor, to restore his name to him and to allow his family to honour his sacrifice. It has been a privilege for me to have contributed to this case and to have organised the service for the rededication of this grave today. 

    L/Cpl George Rankeillor 17 January 1897 – 11 April 1917 

    George Rankeillor was born in Edinburgh in 1897 to George senior, a rubber worker, and his wife Julia McDonald. He was the second eldest of 10 children. Unfortunately, very little survives to tell us about his young life, or his army service, but we know that he arrived in France as a Private serving with the Royal Dragoons on 5 October 1915. 

    By 1917 George had been promoted to Lance Corporal, and at the beginning of April he was with his unit on the outskirts of Arras. It was bitterly cold, snowing and the war diary records blizzard conditions. During this time, the area came under very heavy shell fire, the Royal Dragoons were relatively lightly affected losing 68 horses and just two men. George was one of the two men killed. 

    In October 1919 two casualties of the 1st (Royal) Dragoons were recovered from unmarked field graves just north of Feuchy Chapel. One was identified as Private (Pte) J. Jordan who had died on 11 April 1917 whilst the other could only be identified as a member of the Royal Dragoons. 

    Recently, following a submission to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, all the records were drawn together for the first time and interrogated as one. This showed that Pte Jordan and the unknown soldier were buried in the same field grave, and therefore most likely died together. With only one man of the Royal Dragoons still missing from this area on this day, it has finally been possible to prove that the unknown soldier is L/Cpl George Rankeillor of the 1st (Royal) Dragoons. 

    The service was supported by the British Embassy and serving soldiers from the Household Cavalry.

    The military party, including a representative of the British Embassy, stand in the cemetery (Crown Copyright)

    Reverend Thomas Sander, Chaplain to the Household Cavalry, who led the service said: 

    It is an honour to officiate at these services of rededication for fallen servicemen who gave their lives in the service of our country. In these services we unite their final resting place with their earthly name and, what was once known only to God, is now known in the sign of all. May their names be held in everlasting remembrance, and may they rest in peace and rise in glory.

    The headstone was replaced by CWGC. Director for the France Area at the CWGC, Jeremy Prince, said: 

    We are honoured to mark the final resting place of Lance Corporal George Rankeillor at our Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery. We are grateful to all those involved in helping to confirm the final resting place of this brave soldier. This rededication ensures his sacrifice is duly recognised, and we will care for his grave, in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Share your stories of Second World War Portsmouth with The D-Day Story

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    As 2025 marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, The D-Day Story in Portsmouth is launching a new project to record the memories of those who lived and worked in the city during this pivotal time in history.

    With the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on Thursday 8 May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on Friday 15 August, The D-Day Story is seeking to gather personal accounts from individuals who experienced life in wartime Portsmouth. These recollections will contribute to a valuable archive ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the impact of the war on the city and its people.

    Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for culture, said:

    “The anniversary of the end of that conflict is an opportunity to reflect on the many impacts of the wartime years, which forever changed the city and the lives of its residents. This project is a chance for people to have their memories and experiences recorded for posterity, so these stories are not lost.”

    The D-Day Story, in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Libraries & Archive, will be filming interviews to preserve these narratives for future generations. The interviews will take place on selected dates in May at The D-Day Story at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, and at Cosham Library.

    Do you have memories or stories of Portsmouth during the Second World War? Do you have any photographs you would be willing to share?

    For an initial discussion, please call the museum on 023 9288 2555 and ask about the “Memories Project.” For more information on The D-Day Story, visit theddaystory.com.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –