NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detectives arrest man following Ruislip stabbing

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met officers have arrested a 19-year-old man allegedly responsible for a stabbing which left a teenager critically injured in Ruislip.

    Officers were called to Victoria Road at 16:55hrs on Thursday, 6 March. A 16-year-old boy was treated for stab wounds.

    He was later taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition. His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

    Detective Inspector Tony Smith, leading the investigation from the Met’s policing team in north-west London, said:

    “We recognise this is a distressing incident and we have upped local foot patrols and will ensure there is a visible police presence over the weekend.

    “Although we have a suspect in custody, we are working round the clock to build a picture of what happened and I would ask anyone with information to contact us immediately.”

    A crime scene remains in place. Victoria Road remains closed from the Stonefield Way junction to the Field End Road roundabout. We are encouraging people to avoid the area where possible to minimise congestion.

    Anyone with information that could assist police, or who may have captured the assault on a doorbell or dash cam, is asked to call 101 or visit ‘X’ @MetCC and quote 5631/06Mar.

    You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt on edge: finding a delicate balance between Gaza and Trump

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By May Darwich, Associate Professor of International Relations of the Middle East, University of Birmingham

    US president Donald Trump famously called Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi his “favourite dictator” in 2019, but their relationship has been complex. Trump’s return to the White House for a second term has sent ripples of concern through Cairo. In January 2025, Trump proposed a resolution to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza: forcibly relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan. Trump simultaneously threatened to withdraw US aid if these countries didn’t comply with the proposal. Sisi’s Egypt will need to navigate Trump’s ambition without sacrificing the regime’s own survival. May Darwich, who has studied Arab states’ foreign policies and alliances in the Middle East, explains what’s at stake.

    How dependent is Egypt on the US?

    Over time, Egypt has received more US foreign aid than any country besides Israel. It has received US$78 billion for economic assistance and US$90 billion in military assistance since 1946.

    A peace agreement with Israel in 1979 concluded the war between the two countries. Israeli forces withdrew from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Since then, the US has provided Egypt with a fixed amount of US$1.5 billion, of which US$1.3 billion is military aid, every year. It goes to financing Egypt’s purchase of weapons systems from US defence contractors.

    US aid has been a cornerstone of Egyptian-US relations for decades.

    Since 1979, Egypt has been a central pillar of US policies in the Middle East. Military aid is deemed essential to ensure that the regime in Egypt aligns with US interests. At the same time, this aid is widely seen as contributing to the survival of Egypt’s authoritarian regime.

    But history shows that Egypt can soften the potential impact of the US freezing assistance during periods of strained relations.

    The US suspended some military assistance to Egypt after the regime change in 2013. During that time, el-Sisi, who was elected president in 2014, received support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He also increased weapon imports from France and Russia.

    After a period of review, the Barack Obama administration released aid to Egypt to preserve US interests. As US secretary of state John Kerry once explained:

    We are getting a return on that investment that is not inconsequential. The army also is helping us enforce security in the Sinai (in Egypt). The army is also helping us enforce the Gaza peace.

    Should this relationship come under strain again, Egypt could learn to become even more independent. China’s influence in Egypt is growing, and the Gulf states that enjoy a close relationship with Sisi may also decide to commit funding.

    How has Egypt balanced its interests with Arab states, Israel and the US?

    The signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in 1979 marked a shift in Egyptian foreign policy. The treaty aligned Egypt with the west in recognising Israel. This decision, however, led to Egypt’s isolation in the Arab world and its expulsion from the Arab League (it was readmitted in 1989).

    When Mohamed Hosni Mubarak assumed power following Anwar el-Sadat’s assassination in 1981, Egypt had to balance its partnership with the US, maintain peace with Israel and reconcile its relations with Arab states.

    Egypt condemned Israeli aggression against Palestinians and against Lebanon in 1982 and 2006, and froze efforts to normalise relations with Israel. This reinforced its pivotal position in Arab circles without jeopardising its peace with Israel.

    Meanwhile, Egypt helped US military assets to move across the region and oil to flow through the Suez Canal. It maintained peace and stability with Israel by pressuring Palestinian resistance movements into de-escalation. This balancing act allowed Egypt to become a mediator between Palestine and Israel.

    Egypt under Sisi has made efforts to maintain the balancing act. However, the ongoing Gaza war has intensified Egypt’s challenges. These include refugee flights and instability at its border. The war has also threatened Egypt’s longstanding role in the Middle East region.

    How has the Gaza war threatened Egypt’s balancing act?

    The onset of the Gaza war in October 2023 put Egypt on edge. Cairo is apprehensive about Israel’s potential strategy of forcibly locating Palestinians to the Sinai Peninsula, which is on its territory. Egyptian officials have deemed that scenario as a red line. Cairo doesn’t want to be seen as undermining the Palestinian cause.

    Also, Egyptians harbour concerns that the presence of a substantial Palestinian population in Sinai – which links Africa to Asia, and borders Israel and Gaza – could transform the region into a launchpad for attacks on Israel. This would compel Egypt to either suppress such activities or face retaliation from Israel.

    This concern stems from a 1955 incident. The Israeli army raided an Egyptian military camp in the Gaza strip, which was then under Egyptian control. Seventeen soldiers were killed following a Palestinian militant’s killing of an Israeli. A plan to move Palestinians to Sinai sparked protests in the Gaza strip, bringing the Egyptian military in direct confrontation with Palestinians.

    This historical event has continued to shape Egyptian foreign policy, which rejects any relocation of Palestinians in Sinai.

    The current war has highlighted structural weaknesses in the already precarious Egyptian economy. The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea that began in 2024 caused a sharp drop in revenues from the Suez Canal, a critical source of foreign revenue for Egypt.

    Sisi played on European fears that what happened in Gaza could harm Egypt’s economic situation and lead to mass migration to Europe. But cash infusions won’t solve the deep-seated economic challenges facing the country.

    Cairo’s role as a mediator between the west, Israel and the Arab world is facing renewed challenges. Other mediators, like Qatar, have emerged.

    What could affect Egypt’s response to Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians?

    Trump’s proposal places the Egyptian regime in a precarious position. If Egypt agrees to the plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, it would signify a dramatic departure from its foundational foreign policies. It could also reignite discontent among its population.

    Rejecting the proposal would strain Egypt-US relations, potentially undermining the support for Sisi’s regime, which might then have to seek aid from other countries.

    The Gaza conflict underscores Egypt’s historical and political entanglement with the Palestinian issue.

    – Egypt on edge: finding a delicate balance between Gaza and Trump
    – https://theconversation.com/egypt-on-edge-finding-a-delicate-balance-between-gaza-and-trump-251375

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Egypt on edge: finding a delicate balance between Gaza and Trump

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By May Darwich, Associate Professor of International Relations of the Middle East, University of Birmingham

    US president Donald Trump famously called Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi his “favourite dictator” in 2019, but their relationship has been complex. Trump’s return to the White House for a second term has sent ripples of concern through Cairo. In January 2025, Trump proposed a resolution to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza: forcibly relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan. Trump simultaneously threatened to withdraw US aid if these countries didn’t comply with the proposal. Sisi’s Egypt will need to navigate Trump’s ambition without sacrificing the regime’s own survival. May Darwich, who has studied Arab states’ foreign policies and alliances in the Middle East, explains what’s at stake.

    How dependent is Egypt on the US?

    Over time, Egypt has received more US foreign aid than any country besides Israel. It has received US$78 billion for economic assistance and US$90 billion in military assistance since 1946.

    A peace agreement with Israel in 1979 concluded the war between the two countries. Israeli forces withdrew from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Since then, the US has provided Egypt with a fixed amount of US$1.5 billion, of which US$1.3 billion is military aid, every year. It goes to financing Egypt’s purchase of weapons systems from US defence contractors.

    US aid has been a cornerstone of Egyptian-US relations for decades.

    Since 1979, Egypt has been a central pillar of US policies in the Middle East. Military aid is deemed essential to ensure that the regime in Egypt aligns with US interests. At the same time, this aid is widely seen as contributing to the survival of Egypt’s authoritarian regime.

    But history shows that Egypt can soften the potential impact of the US freezing assistance during periods of strained relations.

    The US suspended some military assistance to Egypt after the regime change in 2013. During that time, el-Sisi, who was elected president in 2014, received support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He also increased weapon imports from France and Russia.

    After a period of review, the Barack Obama administration released aid to Egypt to preserve US interests. As US secretary of state John Kerry once explained:

    We are getting a return on that investment that is not inconsequential. The army also is helping us enforce security in the Sinai (in Egypt). The army is also helping us enforce the Gaza peace.

    Should this relationship come under strain again, Egypt could learn to become even more independent. China’s influence in Egypt is growing, and the Gulf states that enjoy a close relationship with Sisi may also decide to commit funding.

    How has Egypt balanced its interests with Arab states, Israel and the US?

    The signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in 1979 marked a shift in Egyptian foreign policy. The treaty aligned Egypt with the west in recognising Israel. This decision, however, led to Egypt’s isolation in the Arab world and its expulsion from the Arab League (it was readmitted in 1989).

    When Mohamed Hosni Mubarak assumed power following Anwar el-Sadat’s assassination in 1981, Egypt had to balance its partnership with the US, maintain peace with Israel and reconcile its relations with Arab states.

    Egypt condemned Israeli aggression against Palestinians and against Lebanon in 1982 and 2006, and froze efforts to normalise relations with Israel. This reinforced its pivotal position in Arab circles without jeopardising its peace with Israel.

    Meanwhile, Egypt helped US military assets to move across the region and oil to flow through the Suez Canal. It maintained peace and stability with Israel by pressuring Palestinian resistance movements into de-escalation. This balancing act allowed Egypt to become a mediator between Palestine and Israel.

    Egypt under Sisi has made efforts to maintain the balancing act. However, the ongoing Gaza war has intensified Egypt’s challenges. These include refugee flights and instability at its border. The war has also threatened Egypt’s longstanding role in the Middle East region.

    How has the Gaza war threatened Egypt’s balancing act?

    The onset of the Gaza war in October 2023 put Egypt on edge. Cairo is apprehensive about Israel’s potential strategy of forcibly locating Palestinians to the Sinai Peninsula, which is on its territory. Egyptian officials have deemed that scenario as a red line. Cairo doesn’t want to be seen as undermining the Palestinian cause.

    Also, Egyptians harbour concerns that the presence of a substantial Palestinian population in Sinai – which links Africa to Asia, and borders Israel and Gaza – could transform the region into a launchpad for attacks on Israel. This would compel Egypt to either suppress such activities or face retaliation from Israel.

    This concern stems from a 1955 incident. The Israeli army raided an Egyptian military camp in the Gaza strip, which was then under Egyptian control. Seventeen soldiers were killed following a Palestinian militant’s killing of an Israeli. A plan to move Palestinians to Sinai sparked protests in the Gaza strip, bringing the Egyptian military in direct confrontation with Palestinians.

    This historical event has continued to shape Egyptian foreign policy, which rejects any relocation of Palestinians in Sinai.

    The current war has highlighted structural weaknesses in the already precarious Egyptian economy. The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea that began in 2024 caused a sharp drop in revenues from the Suez Canal, a critical source of foreign revenue for Egypt.

    Sisi played on European fears that what happened in Gaza could harm Egypt’s economic situation and lead to mass migration to Europe. But cash infusions won’t solve the deep-seated economic challenges facing the country.

    Cairo’s role as a mediator between the west, Israel and the Arab world is facing renewed challenges. Other mediators, like Qatar, have emerged.

    What could affect Egypt’s response to Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians?

    Trump’s proposal places the Egyptian regime in a precarious position. If Egypt agrees to the plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, it would signify a dramatic departure from its foundational foreign policies. It could also reignite discontent among its population.

    Rejecting the proposal would strain Egypt-US relations, potentially undermining the support for Sisi’s regime, which might then have to seek aid from other countries.

    The Gaza conflict underscores Egypt’s historical and political entanglement with the Palestinian issue.

    May Darwich 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. Egypt on edge: finding a delicate balance between Gaza and Trump – https://theconversation.com/egypt-on-edge-finding-a-delicate-balance-between-gaza-and-trump-251375

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A step forward for girls in custody: Reflecting on the review

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    A step forward for girls in custody: Reflecting on the review

    Susannah Hancock, YJB Board member, reflects on her review of girls in custody, which makes several recommendations about how we can better meet their needs.

    YJB Board member, Susannah Hancock

    My independent review into placements for girls in custody was published this week. I was delighted to be asked to undertake the review by Sir Nic Dakin, Minister for Youth Justice, as I have seen first-hand through my work with the YJB that girls are some of the most complex and vulnerable children in the youth justice system. The report considers short-to-medium term placement options for girls in the children’s secure estate and makes a number of recommendations about how we can better meet their needs.  

    I have been especially pleased to see that the government has acted on the first recommendation from my review with immediate effect; to stop placing girls in young offender institutions (YOIs). This is an essential and positive step forward for the treatment and care of girls in custody. It will address a fundamental issue that has long been overlooked; the need for a system that is responsive to the distinct needs of girls. 

    What we know about girls in custody 

    Following the closure of Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre (STC) in 2021, the Youth Custody Service (YCS) began placing some girls temporarily into Wetherby YOI. However, some 3 and a half years later, YOIs have remained a custody option for girls. 

    Currently there are around 10 girls in the custodial system, making up less than 2% of the population, and it’s due to this that placements are often geared around the needs of boys, with girls needs often overlooked. This is a systemic issue, and one I was determined to understand better. 

    An incredibly important factor for girls entering the youth justice system are their experiences of trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse and victimisation, and most girls in custody have experienced more than one of these adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The YJB’s most recent data also shows that between 75% and 90% have experienced abuse from a family member. This means that too often, when girls arrive in a custodial setting, it serves to retraumatise them.  

    Overall, the figures suggest that a significant number of the girls in custody, particularly those on remand, would not be there if appropriate community provisions were in place. 

    A range of voices, with girls at the heart  

    During the time I spent on the review – alongside my day job – I made it a priority to fully engage with a wide range of voices from across the sector. From frontline staff to think tanks and academics, the breadth of the conversations I had was invaluable. I also had the opportunity to speak directly with girls themselves in the establishments I visited, as well as with two young women who had earlier experience of the children’s secure estate. These conversations, alongside reading wider consultations with girls about their experience in custody, really shaped the direction of the review. I am so grateful to them for their openness and honesty in sharing their voices; it is these voices that are paramount in ensuring that the services we provide are not only effective but tailored to girls’ needs. 

    “The voices of girls were really important in shaping the review, to understand what they thought about different establishments.” 

    Trauma-informed practice 

    As I spoke to professionals across the sector, it became clear that the needs of girls in custody are distinct from those of boys. They require a trauma-informed approach focused not only on containment but about providing appropriate, therapeutic care. While evidence shows that boys are more likely to externalise trauma through violence, girls’ trauma often manifests through self-harm and substance misuse. Girls also often suffer post-traumatic stress disorder which can result in behavioural difficulties. Indeed, my findings were stark: over 50% of self-harm incidents in custodial settings involved girls and their exposure to ACEs is four times higher than their peers in the community.  

    I recognise that there are many vulnerable boys in the secure estate who also present with experiences of trauma and abuse. I am hopeful that much of the learning from the girls’ review can also be applied to them as we move forward with this work.  

    Gender-responsive settings  

    Gender-responsive approaches recognise girls’ experience of gender-based violence, the impact of their trauma and that responses must centre on the abuse, victimisation and systemic inequalities faced by girls. In short, staff working with girls in secure settings must recognise that girls are different and the kind of support they need is different. What came out loud and clear from girls and staff themselves is that high- quality, trauma-informed and gender-responsive training is key to support and deliver the best possible outcomes.

    “Girls are different and their needs are different. Girls need gender-responsive services to support those needs.” 

    What girls want  

    There was a strong level of consensus from the professionals I spoke to, and girls themselves, on a what a model establishment should look like. 

    Girls valued small, homely environments, clear boundaries and a caring and skilled workforce who listen to their views: “If we raise something, it needs to be taken seriously.”  

    Secure settings should be gender-sensitive, offer physical, emotional and mental health services, including psychiatric support and ability to respond to self-harm incidents. As set out in my recommendations, the evidence suggests that secure children’s homes and the secure school are best suited to deliver this, and I look forward to seeing this shift happen over time. 

    A ‘girls consortia’ – the ideal model 

    In the review I recommend developing a ‘girls consortia’ – a collective group of secure children’s homes and the new secure school, which work collaboratively across the secure estate, and with cross-governmental support, to provide placements for all girls in custody. By working together, this model would determine suitable placements for girls based on their own individual experiences, tailored to their specific needs. Further to this, the model could support knowledge sharing and access to shared training to better meet the needs of vulnerable girls.  

    Alongside the consortia model, we equally need to strengthen and develop provision in the community so many of these girls can be kept out of custody altogether. My review makes some clear recommendations for cross-departmental working, alongside local authorities and local partners, including youth justice services, to come together to develop and invest in community alternatives.  

    Conclusions  

    I’m excited to see where the government goes with the recommendations, and I’m hopeful that we will see progress in several areas. The Youth Justice Board has a crucial role to play in supporting girls, and this review presents a real opportunity to collaborate with the sector on the development of a national strategy for girls across the youth justice system. 

    This review has been an important step forward – building on the great work undertaken by many practitioners, academics and research bodies before me. While I am pleased with the immediate action on the YOI recommendation, there is still much to be done. I hope this review, through the clear evidence base, offers a vision of how we could do things differently; to maximise the positive changes we can make for these girls and deliver the best outcomes for them. Everyone has a role to play in this. It is only by working together that we will make the step change needed.

    Read the full review: Delivering the best for girls in custody

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Swimming Pool funding secured for Preston Leisure Centres

    Source: City of Preston

    Additional funding from Sport England has been accepted by Preston City Council Cabinet Members (Wednesday 5 March) to support a capital investment to improve energy efficiency at Fulwood Leisure Centre.

    The grant sum of £226,552 will be transferred to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the charitable social enterprise that operates Better leisure centres in Preston including Fulwood and Westview, on behalf of Preston City Council.

    Rising energy prices over recent years have significantly increased the costs of keeping the two swimming pools open. Since transferring over the running of the city’s leisure city centre assets to GLL in 2017, GLL has been able to deliver substantial savings to protect the long-term viability of these important community assets.

    Following a successful bid from the Phase 1 Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) in September 2023, the Council has now received funding from the Phase 2 SPSF.

    Due to the national demand on this funding, the government and Sport England is only awarding the funding to one facility per local authority and to fund two interventions at that site.

    A single application was submitted on behalf of all the eligible pools in the area.

    The funding will be used to install solar panels to the roof of Fulwood Leisure Centre which will significantly reduce energy bills by lowering the centre’s reliance on the national grid, while contributing to carbon savings.

    The old boiler will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art heating system which will further improve the energy efficiency of the building. 

    Councillor Zafar Coupland, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:

    Swimming pools are such an important part of our communities and are accessed by many as an enjoyable, low impact activity for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. The additional grant funding is a critical and very welcome boost in helping our leisure centres to stay operational and to carry out ongoing essential repairs.

    One of the aims of the Phase 2 funding agreement is to encourage the leisure sector to transition to a position of environmental and financial sustainability through local strategic plans for leisure and active wellbeing.

    Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. Operating under the Better brand, it manages 250 public sport and leisure centres, 113 libraries and 10 children’s centres in partnership with 50 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations.

    Michael Manley, Preston Partnership Manager at GLL said:

    The move reinforces our commitment to supporting renewable energy, while allowing us to make vital savings on energy costs. These savings will be reinvested so that we can continue our ongoing programme of improvements to enhance the customer experience, offer the best possible leisure facilities and better serve the community of Preston.

    Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.

    Sport England 

    Sport England is a public body and invests up to £300 million National Lottery and government money each year in projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport.

    It wants everyone in England, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity. That’s why a lot of its work is specifically focused on helping people who do no, or very little, physical activity and groups who are typically less active – like women, disabled people and people on lower incomes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Café Opening at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Sea Change Community Interest Company (CIC) is launching its second café at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. The team from Sea Change in South Shields will welcome their first customers to the museum on Saturday 8 March.

    With a successful venue on Ocean Road, South Shields, Sea Change is known for its inclusive menu, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. More than just a café, it is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering neurodiverse adults across the North East. Sea Change provide skills, confidence, and experience for sustainable employment and has already created eight new jobs with an ambition to add ten more within its first year.

    Sarah Farrell-Forster, CEO and founder of Sea Change said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our second café, located in the heart of the city at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens!”

    “This exciting expansion not only allows us to bring our delicious offerings to a new audience but also furthers our mission of providing more supported employment for the neurodiverse community in Sunderland. By growing our presence, we can empower even more individuals with meaningful work, skill development, and a supportive environment where they can thrive. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new location and create an even greater positive impact.”

    Since opening in 2019, Sea Change has supported over 100 people from across the neurodiverse community, with 20 people progressing into paid hospitality roles and five securing independent employment through its ‘Sea Change for Employment’ programme.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: ” Sea Change’s opening at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is a fantastic addition to our city. Not only does it offer visitors a welcoming space to enjoy the varied food offer in our much loved Museum, but it also champions inclusivity by creating valuable experience and employment opportunities for the neurodiverse community.  We look forward to welcoming Sea Change to Sunderland and working with them over the coming months as we continue to develop our plans for the Museum and Winter Gardens and raise awareness of our newly established Mowbray Park Community Garden”. 

    Sunderland City Council is busy preparing to submit a funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Museum and Winter Gardens. The plans are due to be submitted in May to carry out a range of improvements to the museum’s visitor spaces.

    This bid is alongside a second round of funding from Arts Council England Museum and Estates Fund, secured last month towards improvements to the Winter Gardens. These are positive for the museum, protecting and conserving it for many years to come. As well as ensuring it can continue to create valuable opportunities for people from across our communities and for visitors to the city. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pilot encourages parents to have fun whilst reading to their children

    Source: City of Liverpool

    As part of our World Book Day celebrations, Liverpool City Council has launched an exciting new project to help parents make Storytime even more engaging and enjoyable.

    “Tell Me a Story, Liverpool” is a unique pilot programme delivered in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Dollywood Foundation, an organisation founded by Dolly Parton to inspire children to achieve educational success.

    This initiative is designed to support parents with practical tips and guidance to become expert storytellers. As part of the programme, participating families will receive free books, generously provided by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

    Health professionals, including health visitors and family nurses, highlight the many benefits of reading with young children. Storytime helps build self-esteem, supports speech and vocabulary development, sparks imagination, and can even improve sleep patterns.

    Through this initiative, up to 100 families across the city will gain valuable insights into the importance of books and storytelling in their child’s development. Each participating family will receive a book every month for at least the next three years, fostering a lifelong love of reading.

    All families with children aged 0-5 can also benefit from the ‘BookStart’ programme, which encourages shared reading from an early age. Find out more here: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/programmes-and-campaigns/bookstart/?gad_source=1

    Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said “Reading to your child helps to build a life-long love of reading. I am so pleased that families will have the opportunity to discuss how they can use books and stories to support the development of their child. 

    “A child’s first years are when their brains are developing the most, and this amazing opportunity to promote and provide shared reading opportunities will have a positive impact as we help more children to develop and be ready to start school.”

    Prof Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health, said “ I loved reading to my kids when they were little, and the fact they have taken their love of reading into their teenage years. Any opportunity you have to engage with a child using a picture or story book can open the door to a wonderful world of words, art, and imagination. 

    “Teaching them rhymes, songs and repetition can help them to make sense of the world around them and lay foundation skills that will last a lifetime. It’s not just about reading, but sharing special time together, building bonds, confidence and giving them the best start in life.”

    Cath Creed, Family Nurse Partnership supervisor said “My team have received further training from Book Start to further their understanding of the vast array of benefits looking through a book together can bring for children.

    “It is great that we can enrich our young parents and infants lives through this collaboration with partners from Barnardo’s, Book Start, Dollywood Foundation, Public health commissioners and Health Visiting colleagues.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council acts on bus lane proposals feedback

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby City Council has acted on community feedback on proposed bus lanes for Duffield Road and Osmaston Road, reinforcing the importance of public consultations in shaping Council projects.

    With approximately 1500 responses received during the two twelve-week consultations, the proposals did not receive sufficient public support. As a result, the Council will now explore alternative options to improve transport in these areas

    For the Duffield Road route, this includes the installation of bus detection technology at Five Lamps, light segregation of the current marked cycle lanes, potential upgrades of pedestrian crossings, and adding kerbside parking on the A6.

    Along Osmaston Road, future proposals could include a redesign of road markings, updating the signals at Ascot Drive and linking them to the Spider Island signals, and improving walking and cycling provision to the district centre.

    The Council is working to create a better-connected Derby and is taking steps to improve public transport and deliver better bus services, as outlined in the National Bus Strategy.

    Both Osmaston Road and Duffield Road are key strategic corridors, providing vital connections between the city centre and surrounding communities. Along both routes there is a need to consider improvements for all road users, including busses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said:

    Thank you to everyone who took part in these two consultations. While it is disappointing that there wasn’t more support for the proposals, this process has highlighted the importance of the consultation process, which only works if you, the people of Derby, tell us your views.

    At the heart of these proposals was the desire to make Derby a more sustainable city, championing public transport and active travel as a way to contribute to decarbonisation, air quality, and health improvements.

    We will now investigate options for both routes that can deliver the infrastructure to support our transition to a greener Derby.

    The Council will now investigate these new options and assess the benefits. Any new proposals will still reflect the conditions of the funding from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, which was allocated for the development and implementation of bus priority measures.

    Work to improve bus services sits alongside a larger programme around the city as the Council continues to invest in local transport and build a strong network. This includes upgrades to traffic signalling and active and sustainable travel infrastructure such as cycle lanes and EV charging points.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: EU Archives: Jacques Delors’ speech, Council in Ireland, remembering the victims of terrorism

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Have you ever wondered what the European Union was up to 50 years ago? Dive with us into the European Commission’s audiovisual archives and discover important anniversaries with our new weekly AV history teaser!

    Upcoming anniversaries in the teaser:

    · 1975: First European Council in Ireland
    · 1985: President Jacques Delors’ speech on the working program of the CEC for 1985
    · 2005: First European Remembrance Day for the Victims of Terrorism
    · 2024: Press Conference after the first 100 Days of the past von der Leyen Commission

    Get the complete material from our archive:
    https://europa.eu/!Vp63GJ
    https://europa.eu/!wV88Wf
    https://europa.eu/!FyYKRX
    https://europa.eu/!dV64kF

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLUNFrC2Ud0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prison expanded to create UK’s largest public sector jail and make streets safer

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prison expanded to create UK’s largest public sector jail and make streets safer

    More dangerous criminals will be taken off the streets thanks to a 700-place expansion which will turn a Suffolk jail into the UK’s largest public sector prison.

    • three new houseblocks to be built at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk by summer 2027
    • key milestone in efforts to deliver 14,000 extra prison places nationwide by 2031
    • part of Government’s Plan for Change to create safer streets

    The three new, four-storey houseblocks at HMP Highpoint will boost its capacity by more than 50 percent– and is the latest step in Government action to create safer streets.  

    The houseblocks will include innovative workshops and teaching facilities to train prisoners with skills to secure a job on release and turn their backs on crime for good. The new cells will be fully operational by summer 2027. 

    The construction is a significant milestone in the Government’s plan to deliver 14,000 more prison places by 2031 to lock up dangerous offenders and keep the public safe.   

    Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson said: 

    This government is fixing the broken prison system it inherited – wasting no time in getting shovels in the ground to deliver the spaces needed to protect the public. 

    These new houseblocks have been designed with a laser-focus on cutting crime and are a major step in our plan to deliver 14,000 more prison places by 2031.  

    But we cannot simply build our way out of this crisis, which is why we’re also reviewing sentencing so we can lock up dangerous offenders, cut crime and make our streets safer.

    HMP Highpoint Prison Governor Nigel Smith said: 

    The expansion at Highpoint will provide much-needed prisoner places in our region.

    The new accommodation will provide a safe and secure environment for us to rehabilitate prisoners and get them ready for release.  

    We are pleased that the construction work has officially begun and we look forward to working with our contractors to get things delivered.

    The build will be delivered by Wates Group, a leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company. Once completed Highpoint will be the largest public sector prison in terms of land size in North-West Europe and the largest in the UK based on prisoner population.

    It will help provide an economic boost to East Anglia with hundreds of jobs created during construction and over 200 permanent jobs at the prison once built. Construction alone will bring investment into local businesses with 30% of materials/subcontractors coming from within a 50-mile radius. 

    Phil Shortman, Regional Managing Director at Wates said:   

    We are proud to be involved in the major programme of delivering much-needed prison spaces.  

    Through the construction of this project, around 2,000 building components have been crafted in prison workshops, providing meaningful employment opportunities, helping develop valuable skills and supporting brighter futures.  

    We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the government delivering additional prison capacity with a focus on rehabilitation, sustainability and social value for the local community.

    The development is part of the government’s 10-year prison capacity strategy published in December. It includes 6,400 places through new houseblocks and 6,500 places via new prisons. One thousand rapid deployment cells will be rolled out across the estate while more than 1,000 existing cells will be refurbished. 

    A 1,500-capacity prison in Yorkshire, HMP Millsike, will be opened in the coming weeks. The government is investing £2.3 billion to deliver these prison builds, while a further £500 million will go towards vital building maintenance across prisons and the probation service.     

    The strategy will work alongside the Independent Sentencing Review to ensure the most serious offenders can always be sent to prison to protect the public.    

    Notes to editors 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK deepens cooperation with France on people smuggling

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    The UK deepens cooperation with France on people smuggling

    The UK and France sign a roadmap to deepen cooperation on people smuggling.

    The UK and France have further deepened their small boats cooperation with the signing of the Upstream Working Group Roadmap yesterday (6 March) at the Ministry of Interior.

    The UK’s Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, and France’s Special Representative on Immigration for the Minister of State, Patrick Stefanini, met in Paris to agree stronger measures, focussing on stemming irregular migration flows into both France and the UK. 

    The signing follows the Home Secretary’s visit to the Northern French coast last week where she met with French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, to agree a series of new, stronger enforcement measures.

    The Franco-British Upstream Working Group marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to combat organised immigration crime. The roadmap has 4 priority issues:

    • disrupting the criminal gangs at the heart of organised immigration crime
    • deterring illegal migrants from taking the dangerous journey to France and the UK
    • ensuring the effective and prompt return of irregular migrants to source and transit countries
    • tackling the root causes of irregular migration

    The 2 co-chairs welcomed British and French joint efforts and set a date for the next Upstream Working Group plenary meeting, due to take place in May 2025. 

    Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, said: 

    When I first took on my role as Border Security Commander, one of my key priorities was to strengthen our work with partners across the world to tackle the criminal networks facilitating illegal migration to the UK. 

    In just a few short months, we have fundamentally enhanced our international cooperation, but it is our close cooperation with French partners that remains, as ever, the cornerstone to stopping the gangs and preventing loss of life. 

    Beyond France, the Border Security Command has deepened coordination with law enforcement to smash the criminal people smuggling gangs, securing vital agreements with other international partners including Germany, Western Balkan nations and Iraq.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: We must seize this opportunity to destroy Assad’s chemical weapons programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    We must seize this opportunity to destroy Assad’s chemical weapons programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria

    The last time this Council met to discuss chemical weapons in Syria, Bashar al-Assad was still in power.

    Two days later, he fled and his brutal regime was overthrown.

    The fall of Assad marks a new chapter for Syria and presents a golden opportunity to destroy his remaining chemical weapons programme, verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

    However, the situation in Syria is fragile and we must make sure we seize this window of opportunity to remove the threat posed by these weapons once and for all.

    The UK is concerned about recent clashes in Syria, which must not be allowed to escalate into wider violence. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence and exercise restraint at this critical time.

    The OPCW Director-General’s visit to Damascus on 8 February was an important step forward. 

    And we are greatly encouraged by the commitments already made by the Syrian interim authorities to fully cooperate with the OPCW and to secure chemical weapons sites.

    The attendance of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, at the OPCW’s Executive Council this week was a very significant moment. 

    We welcome his renewed commitments on chemical weapons, including to “put an end to this painful legacy and ensure Syria becomes a nation aligned with international norms.”

    The next step is to support Syria to meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including to declare and destroy remaining chemical weapons stockpiles working with the OPCW.

    The OPCW Director-General set out the scale of the challenge ahead to the OPCW’s Executive Council this week.

    And this Council has an important role to play in supporting the OPCW’s work.

    First, we underscore the importance of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention alongside the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118.

    Second, the international community must provide the financial and technical assistance to the OPCW that it needs.

    The UK has committed more than $1m to the OPCW Syria Missions since the fall of Assad to support their immediate work.

    Finally, as Syria’s interim authorities seek to bring stability to the country and address security threats, it is vital that Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

    This is why we urge Israel to de-escalate their actions in Syria. 

    Such military action risks destabilising an already fragile security situation. 

    We call on all parties to provide the safe conditions for the OPCW to conduct its work.

    Madam President, with political will from the new authorities in Syria and this Council, there is an opportunity to deal with this issue once and for all, and to finally achieve the total elimination of chemical weapons in Syria. 

    We must take that opportunity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free Welsh language learning for UK civil servants

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Free Welsh language learning for UK civil servants

    Welsh language training now available to all civil servants through the Civil Service Learning website

    Dame Antonia Romeo DCB

    Free Welsh language learning for UK civil servants

    Welsh language training now available to all civil servants through the Civil Service Learning website

    Every civil servant in the UK can now access free Welsh Language training thanks to a new initiative.

    Government Skills has been collaborating with the National Centre for Learning Welsh to offer civil servants easy access to free Welsh Language training—provided by the Welsh Government—via a programme called Work Welsh.

    It is the first time every civil servant in the UK has been given access to free learning on Civil Service Learning, which is specifically focused on helping them learn a new language.

    Promoting the Welsh language

    Dame Antonia Romeo DCB, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Permanent Secretary Place Champion for Wales and a Welsh language learner herself, said: 

    “This initiative underpins our commitment to promote the Welsh Language and ensure its presence across all Government departments – supporting the Welsh Government vision to have one million people speaking Welsh by 2050.”

    This opportunity is the result of an initiative led by Professor Kim Ann Williamson MBE, Strategic Advisor to the Wales and the Northern Ireland Head of Place with the great support of Rich Williams (Ministry of Justice), Alison Dods (Department of Work and Pensions), Dave Martin (Government Skills) and our Joint Heads of Place for Wales Ross Maude (DCMS) and Professor Tom Crick MBE (DCMS).

    An important milestone 

    Kim Ann, who herself relocated from London to Wales some 28 years ago, said she believes that learning a new language can be a vital part in staff development.

    “It’s an important milestone to be able to offer civil servants this opportunity and it highlights our determination to support diverse and thriving civil service communities in regions and nations across the UK.

    “Learning Welsh can help foster inclusive teams, particularly where there are Welsh-speaking colleagues. It’s also a wonderful way to forge closer links with the local community and support the Welsh language, heritage and culture.”

    Launch in Cardiff

    The learning is among a range of courses available on the National Centre for Learning Welsh’s website. But, by providing access via Civil Service Learning, Government Skills is ensuring that civil servants get easy access to the free learning. It can also monitor numbers accessing the learning from the Civil Service.

    Representatives from more than 14 government departments attended the launch of the Work Welsh language learning in Cardiff and had the opportunity to hear from Dame Nia Griffith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales speaking in support of this new learning opportunity.

    Work Welsh is accessible via Civil Service Learning.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Embassy to observe Honduras’ Primary Elections

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    British Embassy to observe Honduras’ Primary Elections

    The British Embassy is participating as observer at the primary elections in Honduras, scheduled for 9 March 2025.

    The British Embassy in Guatemala and concurrent for Honduras will participate as an observer after receiving an invitation to do so from the National Electoral Council (CNE).

    Tasks will include to observe the preparations for the election, the polling, counting and results process, and the overall electoral environment. The observers will determine whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards to which Honduras has committed itself, including domestic law and relevant international recommendations.

    By inviting international observers, we and other participating States demonstrate our commitment to democratic principles and reaffirm the great importance we attach to free, fair, transparent and safe elections in Honduras.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Japan Economic 2+2

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    UK-Japan Economic 2+2

    The UK and Japanese governments have met for the Economic 2+2 Ministers’ Meeting

    On March 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for approximately 2 hours, the Japan-UK Economic 2+2 Ministers’ Meeting (“Economic 2+2”) was held. The meeting was attended by Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. MUTO Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

    At the outset, Minister Iwaya stated that it was his pleasure to host the first Japan-UK Economic 2+2 Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo, the establishment of which was announced by the leaders of Japan and the UK to promote dialogue on how trade and economic security converges with foreign policy; and hoped that today’s meeting would be an opportunity for both countries, as each other’s closest security partners in Europe and Asia, to strengthen their economic ties, building on the strong foundations of the Japan-UK Global Strategic Partnership articulated by the Hiroshima Accord.

    Minister Muto stated that he welcomed holding the Japan-UK Economic 2+2 Ministers’ Meeting and expressed his expectations for enhanced cooperation in areas such as economic security, energy, and innovation between Japan and the UK, which share fundamental values and continue to build a strong relationship.

    Foreign Secretary Lammy thanked Japan for hosting this inaugural meeting and underscored the importance of the dialogue in addressing the increasing convergence between economic and foreign policy issues and the significance of UK-Japan collaboration to forge a path in an increasingly volatile world.

    Minister Reynolds stated national security and economic growth are mutually reinforcing, and that he looked forward to using the discussion to explore areas of cooperation where the UK and Japan can jointly mitigate global risks to economic growth and trade.

    The global economic order now faces significant challenges. With shared fundamental values including freedom, democracy, and rule of law, the four Ministers from Japan and the UK committed to work to uphold these values by sustaining and strengthening a free, fair, and rules-based global economic order, and discussed issues on Economic Security, Free and Open International Trade, Energy Security, Global South as follows.

    Economic Security

    The four Ministers concurred that, given challenges in global trade, enhancing economic resilience internationally is an important contributor to sustainable and stable global growth.

    The four Ministers affirmed that coordination between partners and like-minded countries is essential to bolster economic resilience. Ministers also confirmed that the relationship between Japan and the UK is increasingly important and expressed their joint ambition to strengthen cooperation on economic resilience and economic security, including sharing analysis and insights, enhancing supply chain resilience and cooperation on critical and emerging technology issues.

    The four Ministers instructed officials to have meetings to take forward discussions to address the economic security challenges facing Japan and the UK, including enhancing supply-chain resilience, developing a fair market, and other relevant issues – with a view to enhancing their economic security partnership.

    The four Ministers concurred that this would support the industrial strategy partnership as discussed in the Strategic Economic Policy and Trade Dialogue.

     The four Ministers expressed concern over economic coercion, non-market policies and practices including harmful industrial subsidies, market-distorting practices of state-owned enterprises, as well as forced technology transfer, and harmful non-market overcapacity and other market distortions resulting from the non-market policies and practices.

     The four Ministers also reconfirmed the importance of cooperating with like-minded countries to build resilient and reliable supply-chains, including those for critical minerals that are essential for net-zero transition and digitalisation.

     In this regard, the four Ministers concurred to explore criteria that take into account not only economic factors, but also factors linked to the Principles on Resilient and Reliable Supply Chains, comprising of transparency, diversification, security, sustainability, and trustworthiness and reliability.

     Furthermore, the four Ministers concurred on continuing discussions to strengthen the coordination of their respective policies to further promote and protect critical and emerging technologies, recognising the importance of strategic public-private partnership, information exchange on economic security and the value of our two countries’ like-mindedness. The four Ministers concurred on deepening cooperation on export controls and research security to further facilitate the exchange of controlled goods and technologies between the two countries.

     The four Ministers welcomed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between Japanese and UK industry partners that will facilitate joint Japan-UK supply chains and collaboration in the development of next-generation quantum computing.

     The four Ministers concurred on further strengthening effective export controls on materials, technology, and research that could be used for military purposes in a way that keeps pace with rapid technological developments.

     The four Ministers expressed their desire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine which ensures its future sovereignty and security. The four Minister reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine in pursuit of peace through strength, in line with Ukraine’s needs. The four Ministers expressed their resolve to continue our comprehensive sanctions and economic measures to restrict as far as possible the revenues, goods, and technology Russia uses to fund and conduct its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

     To that end, the four Ministers concurred to continue action against Russia and countries supporting the Russian military complex through technical discussions to prevent diversion of key critical, specialist and emerging technologies. They reiterated their concern for China’s increasing support to Russia and Russia’s defense industrial base, which is decisively enabling Russia to maintain its illegal war in Ukraine.

    Free and Open International Trade

     The four Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core as an important structure that affords legal stability and predictability for businesses, and concurred on moving towards strengthening all of the WTO’s functions, including negotiation, monitoring, deliberation and dispute settlement, as it marks the 30th anniversary of its establishment with an eye to the outcome of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) scheduled for next March.

     The four Ministers recognised the role played by plurilateral discussions and negotiations within the WTO in advancing issues of interest and called for the early incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the Agreement on Electronic Commerce into the WTO’s legal framework.

     The four Ministers also confirmed that they will work closely together in WTO discussions, including addressing contemporary trade-related issues such as non-market policies and practices, as well as climate change.

     The four Ministers emphasised the importance of developing robust international rules and norms and effectively utilising existing tools to ensure a global level playing field.

     In addition, the Japanese Ministers welcomed the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last December, and the four Ministers recognised that the CPTPP is an important pillar in promoting a free and fair rules-based economic order in the Indo-Pacific region.

     The Ministers confirmed that they would continue to work closely together with other parties to ensure CPTPP remains a modern, high-standards agreement.

    Energy Security

     The four Ministers discussed energy security risks and opportunities for Japan-UK collaboration to support further development of clean energy supply-chains.

     Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memoranda of Cooperation on offshore wind cooperation among governments, organisations, companies and on cooperation in advanced robotics and autonomous systems, and welcomed the  civil-nuclear collaboration between companies and research institutions of both countries, including on advanced nuclear technologies, fusion energy, and  nuclear decommissioning.

     They reaffirmed that they would continue promoting energy cooperation between Japan and the UK to deliver energy security for their citizens.

     Furthermore, they acknowledged their collaboration in the clean energy sector and emphasised the importance of creating Japan-UK collaborative projects to accelerate the clean energy transition in third countries and to strengthen coordination in pursuit of this.  

     The four Ministers also reaffirmed their shared commitment to keeping a limit of 1.5C temperature rise within reach and achieving net zero by 2050.

     They confirmed the need to reduce reliance on energy supply from unreliable and hostile actors.

     All four Ministers concurred that Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine threatens the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, which is inseparable.

    Engagement with Global South

     The four Ministers shared the recognition that it is important to further enhance cooperation with Global South countries to maintain and strengthen a rule-based international economic order and affirmed that they would engage with the Global South towards sustainable development and trade mechanisms that support economic development and poverty reduction.

     They noted the importance of the WTO 14th Ministerial Conference, which will be held in Cameroon – in supporting this.

    The four Ministers reaffirmed the need for Japan and the UK to remain advocates of a free, open, and rules-based international economic order in the face of growing risks of global economic fragmentation and concurred on continuing their bilateral cooperation in areas such as the economic policies of both countries and economic security, while deepening discussions and cooperation with like-minded countries in related fields.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garantex Cryptocurrency Exchange Disrupted in International Operation

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Note: View the indictment here.

    Two Administrators Charged with Operating Multibillion-Dollar Crypto Money Laundering Service

    The Justice Department announced today a coordinated action with Germany and Finland to disrupt and take down the online infrastructure used to operate Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange that allegedly facilitated money laundering by transnational criminal organizations — including terrorist organizations — and sanctions violations. Since April 2019, Garantex has processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions.

    Garantex Splash Page

    In conjunction with the operation targeting Garantex, the Department also announced the unsealing of an indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia against Aleksej Besciokov, 46, a Lithuanian national and Russian resident, and Aleksandr Mira Serda (previously Aleksandr Ntifo-Siaw), 40, a Russian national and United Arab Emirates resident. Mira Serda and Besciokov are charged with money laundering conspiracy, and Besciokov is charged with conspiracy to violate sanctions and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

    According to court documents, between 2019 and 2025, Besciokov and Mira Serda controlled and operated Garantex. Besciokov was Garantex’s primary technical administrator and responsible for obtaining and maintaining critical Garantex infrastructure, as well as reviewing and approving transactions. Mira Serda was Garantex’s co-founder and chief commercial officer.

    Garantex received hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds and was used to facilitate various crimes, including hacking, ransomware, terrorism, and drug trafficking, often with substantial impact to U.S. victims. According to the indictment, Besciokov and Mira Serda knew that criminal proceeds were being laundered through Garantex and took steps to conceal the facilitation of illegal activities on its platform. For example, when Russian law enforcement sought records relating to an account registered to Mira Serda, Garantex provided incomplete information in response and falsely claimed the account was not verified. In reality, Garantex had associated the account with Mira Serda’s personal identifying documents, even while disclosing identifying information related to other accounts requested by Russian law enforcement.

    On April 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Garantex for its role in facilitating money laundering of funds from ransomware actors and darknet markets. According to court documents, despite the widespread publicity of the sanctions and Garantex administrator’s personal knowledge of them, Besciokov and his co-conspirators violated those sanctions by continuing to transact with U.S.-based entities. Further, Besciokov and his co-conspirators redesigned Garantex’s operations to evade and violate U.S. sanctions and induce U.S. businesses to unwittingly transact with Garantex in violation of the sanctions. For example, Garantex moved its operational cryptocurrency wallets to different virtual currency addresses on a daily basis in order to make it difficult for U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges to identify and block transactions with Garantex accounts.

    Despite doing substantial business in the United States and operating as a money transmitting business, Garantex failed to register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as required.

    On March 6, U.S. law enforcement, led by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), executed a seizure order authorized by a judge in the Eastern District of Virginia against three website domain names used to support Garantex’s operations. According to court records unsealed today, Garantex.org, Garantex.io, and Garantex.academy were associated with the administration and operation of Garantex. The seizure of these domains will prevent these sites from being used for money laundering and additional crimes. Individuals visiting those sites now will see a message indicating that the site has been seized by law enforcement.

    As part of the coordinated actions, German and Finnish law enforcement seized servers hosting Garantex’s operations. U.S. law authorities have separately obtained earlier copies of Garantex’s servers, including customer and accounting databases. In addition, U.S. law enforcement has also frozen over $26 million in funds used to facilitate Garantex’s money laundering activities.

    Besciokov and Mira Serda are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Besciokov is also charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.    

    Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director Michael Centrella of the USSS’ Office of Field Operations, and Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division made the announcement.

    USSS and the FBI are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.

    The Justice Department also recognizes the critical cooperation of the German Federal Criminal Police Office, the Frankfurt General Prosecutor’s Office, the Dutch National Police, Europol, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, and the Estonian National Criminal Police.

    Finally, the Department thanks Tether and blockchain analytics firm Elliptic for their proactive assistance in this investigation.

    Any individual who believes he/she is a victim whose funds were laundered through Garantex or who may otherwise have a claim to restrained funds should reach out to law enforcement via email address GarantexClaimants@secretservice.gov.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Lords spotlights women in science and technology during #IWD debate | #HouseOfLords

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Promoting women’s participation and leadership in science and technology in the UK and around the world was on the agenda in the House of Lords this week. Members debated the subject ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March.

    Scientists, educators, medics, entrepreneurs and economists spoke in the debate on a range of subjects

    Find out more, watch or read the full debate https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/march/international-womens-day-on-lords-agenda/

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament #InternationalWomensDay

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk_Pl2rcBlM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Eli Sharabi: 7 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM meeting with Eli Sharabi: 7 March 2025

    The Prime Minister hosted Eli Sharabi in Downing Street this morning.

    The Prime Minister hosted Eli Sharabi in Downing Street this morning.

    The Prime Minister began by saying how pleased he was to see Eli, and paid tribute to his phenomenal courage and bravery. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to Eli on the loss of his wife, Lianne, daughters Noiya and Yahel, and brother Yossi.

    Hearing firsthand about his 16-month ordeal, the Prime Minister said he could not begin to imagine what Eli had been through.

    It was a brutal reminder of what the remaining hostages were enduring, the Prime Minister said.

    The UK would redouble its intensive work, at all levels, to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages, the Prime Minister added.

    All efforts needed to focus on full implementation of the remaining phases of the ceasefire and reuniting the remaining hostages with their loved ones, the Prime Minister said.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission: 7 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM call with President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission: 7 March 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the leaders of Canada, Turkey, Norway and Iceland this morning.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the leaders of Canada, Turkey, Norway and Iceland this morning.

    The Prime Minister applauded the progress the European Union had made at the European Council yesterday, saying it was a historic step forward and another sign of Europe stepping up.

    Closer collaboration between the European Union, its partners and our combined defence industrial base was vital as Europe stepped up to counter egregious Russian aggression, the Prime Minister added.

    Updating on the intensive diplomacy between the US, UK, France and Ukraine, the Prime Minister welcomed the potential for peace talks in Saudi Arabia next week.

    The leaders also discussed the Coalition of the Willing and looked ahead to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday. It would be another important moment to drive forward planning, they agreed.

    The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Mayor (and real ale campaigner) launches Stoke Beer and Cider Festival

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Friday, 7th March 2025

    The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent served pints on Tuesday in a city pub to launch the 40th Stoke Beer and Cider Festival.

    Members of the area’s Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) group joined Councillor Lyn Sharpe in the Holy Inadequate in Etruria.

    Cllr Sharpe has a long history of supporting the real ale sector and in 2017 was named CAMRA’s National campaigner of the year- one of only six women to get this award in the organisation’s history.

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council and CAMRA worked together to make sure this year’s landmark festival could take place and return to the King’s Hall.

    She poured pints made in the pub’s on-site brewery and chatted to the organisers about the festival which coincides with the city’s 100-year centenary celebrations.

    The festival takes place from 15-18 October 2025 in the King’s Hall and features over 140 ales and over 50 ciders and perry made by breweries from Staffordshire and across the UK.

    Cllr Sharpe said: “There aren’t many cities that have been able to host 39 annual beer festivals. I’m proud to have volunteered every year at this festival since the eighth one.

    “And I’ll be there in October with my fellow hard-working volunteers from CAMRA. It’s a lovely coincidence that this 40th festival is happening in the same year we celebrate the city turning one hundred.”

    Nick Pellington from Stoke CAMRA said: “Our festival brings together the very best breweries from across the region and UK all under one roof.

    “Each year we attract tourists and day trippers from near and far who want to sample the local drinks and food while learning more about our brewing history.

    “Along with real ales and ciders, we will have a foreign beer bar and a gin and rum bar.

    “Tickets will be on sale soon and I’d encourage people to put the dates in their calendar now.”

    Attendees can also enjoy live music and a variety of food stalls throughout the festival.

    Tickets will be available soon. Keep an eye on https://potteries.camra.org.uk/ for the latest information.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Councillors campaign to tackle economic inequality

    Source: City of Plymouth

    This International Women’s Day, Councillors have formed a new collaboration to tackle the economic inequality between men and women in the city. 

    Cabinet Members Chris Penberthy, Jemima Laing and Sally Haydon have implemented action on Community Safety, Poverty, Skills and Education, Housing, Health, and Children’s Services throughout their careers. 

    They are starting this focus on work and wages, with an invitation to women’s organisations in Plymouth to meet to discuss the causes and consequences of economic inequality. 

    Trevi, Gifted Women, and Westcountry Women’s Awards will be founder contributors to the discussion.  Professor Jasmine Kelland at the University of Plymouth Business School will support discussions with her expertise and network that focusses on men’s experiences of balancing work with caring responsibilities.

    Phase two will invite businesses from the city to discuss their experiences of tackling work accessibility, low wages, flexible working, discrimination, and other measures to address this persistent imbalance.

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of the Council said: “This project is something we are all equally passionate about, we want to come together and help tackle economic inequality.

    “A real living wage is necessary for individuals to pay for basic living expenses.  At £12.60 per hour or £466 for a 37 hour week, around half of women in Plymouth earn less compared to one in five men. 

    “The consequences of this don’t just leave women relying on other people for basic living expenses, it also affects families and children, and wider communities.

    “We look forward to starting this project and engaging with businesses in the city on this important issue.”

    Proactive approaches by businesses in the city include enhanced support for flexible working, enhanced paternity pay and parental leave, travel to work plans for parents and carers and women-specific support such as networking, mentoring, and ensuring that there is a woman on recruitment panels for shortlisting and interviews. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Empty Homes Week 2025

    Source: City of Preston

    Every March we celebrate Empty Homes Week, the theme for 2025 is ‘People and Planet’, showing how local authorities work tirelessly to bring empty homes back into use and help local people live healthier better lives, as well as highlighting the role that empty homes can play in helping us all to minimise climate breakdown.

    Preston City Council’s Empty Homes Team were recently involved in turning an empty property around.

    The team contacted owners of a property that was registered as a second home but appeared to have been empty since 2009.

    The owners responded citing financial restrictions as a barrier in fixing severe structural issues, but they wanted to hold on to the house for a family member.

    The Repair and Lease option of the Making Homes from Houses scheme (MHFH), a partnership between Preston City Council and Community Gateway Association (CGA), was the only option for reoccupation the owners would consider.

    It took a considerable amount of time to negotiate this lease, but having agreed to be part of the scheme, CGA are close to completing this major renovation and the house will once more be available as a much-needed affordable house in Preston for at least the next 30-years.

    Due to the severity of the structural damage, the lease term of 30-years was required for CGA to recoup the works costs as the structural problems were so significant but a lease term of this length favours CGA and the Council, as it provides a long-term housing option.

    Making Homes from Houses, the Council’s award-winning partnership with Community Gateway Association, is approaching its 50th property renovated under this scheme taking action on empty homes which negatively impact neighbourhoods, turning them around and providing new family homes within Preston.

    Visit our Empty Homes page for more information.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Walking netball takes centre court for International Women’s Day

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Over fifty ladies from walking netball groups across Northern Ireland gathered at Banbridge Leisure Centre for on-the-court and off-the-court activities to celebrate International Women’s Day.

    The event was organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Sports Development Department and funded by Sport NI, through the District Council’s Community Planning Investment Programme.

    Supporting on the day were Netball NI, Banbridge Netball Club and Billy Stewart from the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing Community Safety Partnership (ABCPCSP) who spoke to the ladies about being vigilant for online scams, financial safety and ‘in case of emergency’ cards.

    The main event kicked off with a ‘shooter of the week’ challenge and warm-up activities before the competitions got into full swing between the ‘Jeth Throwers’ (Lurgan), the ‘Nutty Netballers’ (Larne), the ‘Nifty Netballers’ (Bangor), the ‘Lilies of the Valley’ (Newtownabbey) and the ‘Bann Ballers’ (Banbridge).

    After some show-stopping skills and impressive competitive spirit, Larne’s Nutty Netballers were crowned overall winners and awarded prizes sponsored by Netball NI. Local team ‘Bann Ballers’ finished in second place and received some baked goods sponsored by Irwin’s Bakery.

    Walking Netball has evolved from a growing demand for walking sports. The inclusive nature of the game encourages those who have dropped out of the sport they love due to serious injury, to those who believed they had hung up their netball trainers many years ago, to get going again! The fun, laughter and camaraderie throughout the social sessions are just as important as the health benefits from being active.

    The ‘Bann Ballers’ netball group was established after a successful pilot as part of ABC Council’s Positive Aging Month campaign. The group meets every Friday at Banbridge Leisure Centre from 12.30 – 1.30pm. New members are always welcome! For more information please visit www.getactiveabc.com/walkingnetball

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pupils and teachers recognised for challenging inequality through creativity at The Saroj Lal Awards

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Winners have been announced in the annual Saroj Lal Awards.

    Primary and secondary aged learners along with teaching staff from across Edinburgh were honoured with awards at a ceremony held at the City Chambers last night (Thursday 6 March).

    The awards, now in their third year, encouraged schools to nominate pupils’ work in any art form including the written word, technologies and multi-artforms, inspired by the award themes of equality, inclusion and diversity. Head teachers were also encouraged to nominate a staff team from their school whose collaborative work around equalities has adopted a creative approach and had an impact on the school or in the wider community.

    Saroj Lal was one of the first Asian women to teach in a Scottish primary school when she began her role at South Morningside Primary School in 1970. Her many successes included being at the forefront of race relations during a period of immense political and social change, delivering anti-racism training and starting the first local authority interpreting and translating service in Edinburgh. Following her death in 2020, Saroj’s many achievements in equality, women’s rights, education, and community work are being formally recognised.

    Entries were judged by a panel of esteemed judges including Saroj Lal’s son, Vineet Lal, Ethelinda Lashley-Scott, CEO of the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB), Hardeep Kaur, winner of the 2024 GTC of Scotland Saroj Lal Awards and teacher at Portobello High School, Carol Tuzan, Wider Achievement & Lifelong Learning Manager (CLD youth and children’s work) along with a former Saroj Lal Award staff winner and two student judges, recruited for the first time, via school’s equalities groups and the youth parliament.

    The award categories for pupils were as follows:

    • Proud to be Me: Communicates the young person’s personal expression of pride in their heritage, in their own culture and/or identity.
    • How Prejudice Makes Me Feel: Expresses young people’s feelings about any form of prejudice inflicted on themselves or others.
    • Artivism: Art expresses their views on social justice and challenges others to change and/or act differently.

    The winners are:

    • Proud To Be Me – primary schools’ category: P7’s “The Quilt Group” at Currie Primary School
    • Proud To Be Me – secondary schools’ category: Pilrig Park School – A whole school Project
    • How Prejudice Makes Me Feel – primary schools’ category: Andrew Amanfo – P5 Ferryhill Primary School
    • How Prejudice Makes Me Feel – secondary schools’ category: Jesudarasimi Omaoya (Dara)- S3 Castlebrae Community Campus
    • Artivism – primary schools’ category: Duddingston Primary School – A whole school Project
    • Artivism – secondary schools’ category:  Farah Joma – S4 St Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School
    • Staff winner:  Laura-Jane Inglis. (Teacher of Modern Studies and Politics in the Faculty of Humanities)  James Gillespie’s High School
    • Judges Commendation Award 2025 is: Hazel Li S1 Craigmount High School

    Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, hosted the awards and said:

    Most of us will be able to recall an inspiring or memorable teacher and Saroj Lal raised the bar in leading the way during her lifetime, and she continues to inspire Edinburgh learners through the legacy she left behind.

    Now in their third year, the awards recognise the work schools and pupils are doing to champion equality and promote diversity. It’s fantastic to see that so many schools have submitted entries this year, from art works, poems, films and animation, the entries this year include a real mix of mediums and at such a high standard. I want to congratulate the winners, and acknowledge all those who submitted an entry, for their creativity.

    Vineet Lal, said:

    The quality of entries this year has been outstanding and I want to thank pupils and staff across Edinburgh schools who have put so much thought and creativity in to their submissions this year. I have been blown away by the different ways that the art works have captured and showcased the themes of equality and diversity.

    Saroj was a force for good in her community and beyond, championing social justice and equality for all. She would be extremely proud to see that the awards in her name are now in their third year and that children and young people continue to be inspired by her pioneering work.

    Full list of judges:

    • Vineet Lal, Saroj Lal’s son
    • Ethelinda Lashley-Scott, CEO of the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)
    • Hardeep Kaur, winner of the 2024 GTC of Scotland Saroj Lal Awards and teacher at Portobello High School,
    • Carol Tuzan, Wider Achievement & Lifelong Learning Manager (CLD youth and children’s work)
    • Elaine Oram, winner of the Saroj Lal Awards staff category last year and teacher at James Gillespies High School
    • Yashasvi Soni, student judge and S6 Pupil at Leith Academy
    • Scarlet D’Mellow, student judge and pupil at  Liberton High School

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Levy Artisan Market in Levenshulme set for spring opening

    Source: City of Manchester

    A new monthly artisan day and night market is set to open in Levenshulme this spring.

    Manchester City Council and Independent Street known for its successful events around the Northwest have collaborated to bring a new market offering on the former, much loved Levy Market site from April 2025.

    The new market which will be known as Levy Artisan Market will bring freshly baked produce, independent food stalls, and unique artisan products to the already vibrant area of Levenshulme.

    Levy Artisan Market will launch on Sunday 13th April and will take place the second Sunday of every month. There will also be an exciting night market on the last Friday of every month from 25th April 25.            

    The monthly Sunday Artisan Markets at Levy will offer family-focused events, from live entertainment and children’s workshops to food tastings and cultural celebrations, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  

    The monthly Friday Night Markets will offer a newly designed food court area with a large selection of some of the best street food in town, plus live music, good vibes and a large seating area for you to kick back, relax and welcome in the weekend.  

    The Levy Artisan Market is set to showcase Manchester’s rich tapestry of Artisans and creators and serve as a catalyst for driving footfall into Levenshulme’s established shops, cafes, restaurants and independents. It will once again continue to emphasise supporting small businesses and providing a space for entrepreneurs to thrive.  

    Levenshulme Market is not just a place to shop it is the heart of our community. 

    To celebrate the launch, Levy Artisan Market will be hosting a grand opening event on Sunday April 13th, featuring live music performances, incredible artisans, a street food area plus a free crafting table and activities for the smallest of our visitors. The event will run from 11am and everyone is invited to join in. 

    Traders who are interested in showcasing at the new Levy Artisan Market, and local community groups and musicians who want to join, can make applications on Independentstreet.co.uk 

    Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: ”Levy Market has been a long standing and much-loved institution for the local community and it’s traders, imbued a rich heritage and an asset which has set foundations for other markets to thrive. 

    “We are really proud to welcome Independent Street’s Artisan Levy Market onto the site, the end product of a collaborative approach to bring a new market offering to the people of Levenshulme. 

    “The new market will provide a unique space for small businesses, artisans, and food vendors, allowing them to thrive whilst also contributing to the local economy and offering residents and visitors access to high-quality products, delicious street food, and a welcoming social environment. 

    “We hope it will become more than just a market - but rather a hub for creativity, enterprise, and community spirit.”        

    Lisa Cowley, Director of Independent Street, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected to launch this iconic market back onto the Manchester Market scene. We’re incredibly excited to welcome back Levy’s loyal customers and introduce The New Levy Artisan Market to a new generation of visitors. With a focus on community, sustainability, and high-quality, local produce, we hope to make Levy Artisan Market the heart of Manchester for years to come.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Group convicted of being part of Russian spying operation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A group of six Bulgarians living in the UK have been convicted of being part of a spying operation across Europe on behalf of Russia.

    Following a three-month trial at the Old Bailey, two women and a man were found guilty of conspiring to obtain information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to Russia.

    Three other men pleaded guilty to Official Secrets Act charges before the trial started.

    Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These convictions have been achieved as the result of an extremely complex investigation into a group that was carrying out sophisticated surveillance operations in the UK, and in Europe, on behalf of the Russian state.

    “This case is a clear example of the increasing amount of state threat casework we are dealing with in the UK – particularly linked to Russia. It also highlights a relatively new phenomenon whereby espionage is being ‘outsourced’ by certain states.

    “While the outsourcing of espionage activity might suggest that recent efforts by the UK to thwart direct Russian activity have been effective, it means that we also have to guard against this new kind of emerging threat.

    “But regardless of the form the threat takes, this investigation shows that we will take action to identify and disrupt any such activity that puts UK national security and the safety of the public at risk.”

    The court heard that detectives from the Met’s Counter terrorism Command sifted through more than 200,000 messages and seized hundreds of items after a co-ordinated series of raids and arrests were carried out on 8 February 2023.

    In particular, a 33-room former hotel belonging to Orlin Roussev was found to contain items, including sophisticated spying equipment such as listening devices, concealed cameras and a fake ID card printer.

    Through their investigation, detectives identified that Roussev, who was leading the group, was in direct contact with Jan Marsalek – an Austrian national who, in turn, was identified as working with the Russian intelligence services.

    The investigation team identified six core spying ‘plots’ the group were involved in. This included activity that targeted two investigative journalists who were seen as reporting stories contrary to the interests of the Russian state.

    A former senior Kazakh politician who lived in the UK was also targeted, and the group planned to stage protests at the Kazakhstan embassy in London. Both operations were part of an elaborate plan to help the Russia state gain favour with Kazakhstan.

    The group also carried out surveillance at a US military site in Germany, where they believed Ukrainian soldiers were being trained.

    Another man who was designated as a ‘foreign agent’ by Russia was also targeted by the group during surveillance operations in Montenegro.

    Sifting through thousands of messages, and then matching this up with physical travel, financial statements and surveillance reports and footage, meant detectives were able to build up a compelling picture of the group’s activity, as well as identify those involved and their roles within the group.

    The six members of the group were:

    – Orlin Roussev, 46 (06.02.1978) of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
    – Bizer Maksimov Dzhambazov, 43 (21.04.1981), of Harrow, north London
    – Katrin Nikolayeva Ivanova, 33 (01.07.1991) of Harrow, north London
    – Ivan Iliev Stoyanov, 33 (22.12.1991) of Greenford, west London
    – Vanya Nikolaveva Gaberova, 30 (10.08.1994) of Euston, north London.

    – Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39 (31.07.85) of Acton, west London

    Officers found that Roussev was directing the group’s activity, and was receiving tasks through his contact with Marsalak. Dzambaszov was effectively the second in command.

    The other four were all found to be involved in the execution of various espionage and surveillance activities across the UK and Europe in relation to the six plots identified by detectives.

    Ivanova, Gaberova and Ivanchev were all found guilty of conspiracy to spy, contrary to Section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 after a three-month trial at the Old Bailey

    Roussev and Dzhambazov pleaded guilty before the trial started to conspiracy to spy, contrary to Section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

    Stoyanov pleaded guilty before the trial to spying, contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

    The group will be sentenced at the Old Bailey in May.

    All material from the trial is available to download here https://mps.box.com/s/z3jt1xiy…

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First £752 million tranche of loan sent to Ukraine for military equipment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    First £752 million tranche of loan sent to Ukraine for military equipment

    The first £752 million tranche of the UK’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan to Ukraine has been transferred in demonstration of the UK’s commitment to Ukrainian defence.

    • UK has sent first third of its £2.26 billion loan to Ukraine for the country to spend on military equipment in its hour of need

    • Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited RAF Northolt to meet with UK suppliers sending equipment to Ukraine

    • Delivery of the UK’s contribution to the G7 $50 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan is the latest step in support for Ukraine from the UK government, with national security key to the Plan for Change

    The ERA funding is on top of the £3 billion a year commitment by the UK to provide military aid for Ukraine. The Prime Minister has been clear that a strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security.

    The money transferred yesterday Thursday 6 March, is part of a £2.26 billion loan backed by the profits of immobilised Russian sovereign assets, and will help Ukraine buy military equipment to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked aggression.

    It follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow, and announcing an additional £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance to Ukraine. National security is fundamental to the government’s Plan for Change, and will help improve the lives of people across the UK by growing the economy.

    To mark this signal of UK support, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, visited RAF Northolt to meet Armed Forces personnel. She also met suppliers sending vital equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine through UK MoD rapid procurement contracts.

    Companies at RAF Northolt yesterday included Malloy, MBDA and Thales, as well as UK-based SMEs including Greenjets, Kirintec and Windracers – displaying a range of defence equipment such as air defence missiles, bomb disposal suits and cargo drones.

    Increased defence spending will support highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the UK. Last year, defence spending supported over 430,000 UK jobs the equivalent to one in every 60, with 68% of defence spending going outside of London and the Southeast, benefitting every nation and region of the country.

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    “Now more than ever in this changed world, Ukraine needs our support as a reliable partner to secure peace following Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

    “British excellence and innovation in defence was on display as I visited RAF Northolt yesterday. Our contribution to the war effort via increased defence spending is also supporting UK industries and jobs and putting money back in the pockets of hardworking British people.”

    The multibillion-pound funding is the UK’s contribution to the G7 ERA Loans to Ukraine Scheme, through which G7 countries will collectively provide $50 billion to support Ukraine. The UK’s contribution is earmarked for military procurement to bolster Ukraine’s defences, and is being delivered in three £752 million payments. A tranched approach will allow for greater flexibility in military procurement, and will provide the best value for money for both the UK and Ukraine.

    Chancellor Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko signed the UK-Ukraine bilateral loan agreement on Saturday in the presence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in No.11 Downing Street.

    Last week, the Chancellor alongside the Business Secretary and the Defence Secretary confirmed that a new UK defence innovation organisation will work with innovative firms to rapidly get cutting-edge military technology into the hands of British troops, and harness the ingenuity of the UK’s leading tech and manufacturing sectors.

    The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy also signed a historic 100 Year Partnership in Kyiv earlier this year. The landmark treaty formalised the unbreakable bonds between the UK and Ukraine, broadening and deepening the relationship across defence and non-military areas and enabling closer community links.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands of social homes treated for hazardous damp and mould

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Thousands of families faced with a potential health hazard from living in mouldy homes are breathing easier following a £15m programme to upgrade some of the region’s dampest social housing.

    The money, given to local councils by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has been used to install damp busting measures in more than 4,400 homes across the region.

    Around 8,000 individual improvements have been carried out with some homes also getting high-quality insulation and ineffective, high carbon heating systems replaced with modern electric ones. Leaky roofs, windows and doors have also been fixed.

    The Social Housing Decency Fund programme is now nearing completion ahead of the Government’s introduction of Awaab’s Law in October. This will require social housing landlords to investigate and fix black mould and damp within strict timelines.

    The new law is named after three-year-old Awaab Ishak who died from mould exposure in his Rochdale home in 2020.

    Ruqia Ali and her two-month-old baby boy Zakariya are among the 10,000 people to benefit from the programme.

    She lives with husband Abdikadir and their two other children, six-year-old son Zayd and daughter Sara, aged three, in a council house in Bordesley Green, Birmingham.

    The family had several measures installed at their Victorian-built, two up, two down terraced house including roof space ventilation and specialist kitchen and bathroom fans.

    Mrs Ali said: “The condensation in the house was really bad before. It was aggravating my asthma and making me feel worse. We had damp on the walls and mould coming up from the skirting boards in the bedrooms.

    “But we’ve had no damp since the work was done and the house is now really comfortable. I feel much better and I don’t have to worry any more about how it’s affecting our health. It’s made a big difference.”

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, joined Cllr Jayne Francis, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, to see how the work has made Mrs Ali’s home safer and healthier.

    The Mayor has made the construction of thousands of safe and warm new social homes a key priority to help tackle the region’s housing crisis. But he is also working with councils and housing associations on ways to upgrade the region’s existing social housing stock, bringing it up to modern standards.

    The Mayor said: “It can’t be right that in 2025, in one of the world’s richest countries, there are thousands of children living in cold, damp and mouldy homes.

    “The tragic death of Awaab Ishak is a stark reminder of the dangers of mould, especially for young children. Unfortunately, too many people have to live in old, substandard homes because of the region’s housing crisis. That’s why my priority is to build thousands of new social and affordable homes.

    “But we must also upgrade the social housing we already have. We’ve made a start but we need to do more because this is not just about improving homes – it’s about improving and even saving lives.”

    According to the most recent English Housing Survey it is thought there are as many as 90,000 homes in the West Midlands that fail to meet decency standards.

    Around 60,000 of these are privately rented and 30,000 are social homes for rent, owned by councils or housing associations. The survey estimated that the investment required to make all of these properties decent would be around £600m.

    The Social Housing Decency Fund improvements on Mrs Ali’s home were carried out alongside wider work being done by Birmingham City Council which is investing £1.6bn into its council houses over the next seven years.

    The council’s investment program began in April 2024 and just over £240m was invested last year, with a similar amount set to be invested again this year.

    Cllr Francis said: “The investment we are making into our council homes is the largest in the country and will ensure all our residents will be able to live in warm, safe, sustainable homes.

    “Many tenants will soon see significant improvements in their accommodation, including new kitchens and bathrooms, but they will also see energy bills cut and homes made warmer, helping to reduce the danger of damp and mould.

    “We will continue to work closely with partners like the WMCA to improve and build social homes, and I’d like to thank our contractors EQUANS for carrying out the works on Mrs Ali’s home.”

    Last year the WMCA commissioned the housing research team at the Centre for the New Midlands to undertake a wide-ranging evaluation of the problem of damp.

    It found that many tenants still faced life-threatening health risks from long-term exposure to dangerous levels of damp and mould and that it was commonplace for tenants to live with the hazard for four years or more. Consequently, many tenants reported feelings of helplessness and a range of mental and physical health issues.

    The report consequently called for a new funding model for social and council housing so damp and mould issues could be better tackled.

    Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton councils were among the lead contributors to another recent report calling for reform of council housing finance Securing the Future of Council Housing – Interim Report.pdf

    In January this year the Mayor announced a new initiative to improve living standards and tackle fuel poverty in thousands of low-income households.

    Up to 10,000 of the region’s oldest and coldest social and privately-owned homes will be upgraded to make them warmer and cheaper to run thanks to a £167 million energy efficiency fund.

    The funding will bring thousands of homes up to modern energy efficiency standards with new insulation, doors, windows, solar panels, and state-of-the-art greener and smarter heating systems.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Garantex Cryptocurrency Exchange Disrupted in International Operation

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Note: View the indictment here.

    Two Administrators Charged with Operating Multibillion-Dollar Crypto Money Laundering Service

    The Justice Department announced today a coordinated action with Germany and Finland to disrupt and take down the online infrastructure used to operate Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange that allegedly facilitated money laundering by transnational criminal organizations — including terrorist organizations — and sanctions violations. Since April 2019, Garantex has processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions.

    Garantex Splash Page

    In conjunction with the operation targeting Garantex, the Department also announced the unsealing of an indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia against Aleksej Besciokov, 46, a Lithuanian national and Russian resident, and Aleksandr Mira Serda (previously Aleksandr Ntifo-Siaw), 40, a Russian national and United Arab Emirates resident. Mira Serda and Besciokov are charged with money laundering conspiracy, and Besciokov is charged with conspiracy to violate sanctions and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

    According to court documents, between 2019 and 2025, Besciokov and Mira Serda controlled and operated Garantex. Besciokov was Garantex’s primary technical administrator and responsible for obtaining and maintaining critical Garantex infrastructure, as well as reviewing and approving transactions. Mira Serda was Garantex’s co-founder and chief commercial officer.

    Garantex received hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds and was used to facilitate various crimes, including hacking, ransomware, terrorism, and drug trafficking, often with substantial impact to U.S. victims. According to the indictment, Besciokov and Mira Serda knew that criminal proceeds were being laundered through Garantex and took steps to conceal the facilitation of illegal activities on its platform. For example, when Russian law enforcement sought records relating to an account registered to Mira Serda, Garantex provided incomplete information in response and falsely claimed the account was not verified. In reality, Garantex had associated the account with Mira Serda’s personal identifying documents, even while disclosing identifying information related to other accounts requested by Russian law enforcement.

    On April 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Garantex for its role in facilitating money laundering of funds from ransomware actors and darknet markets. According to court documents, despite the widespread publicity of the sanctions and Garantex administrator’s personal knowledge of them, Besciokov and his co-conspirators violated those sanctions by continuing to transact with U.S.-based entities. Further, Besciokov and his co-conspirators redesigned Garantex’s operations to evade and violate U.S. sanctions and induce U.S. businesses to unwittingly transact with Garantex in violation of the sanctions. For example, Garantex moved its operational cryptocurrency wallets to different virtual currency addresses on a daily basis in order to make it difficult for U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges to identify and block transactions with Garantex accounts.

    Despite doing substantial business in the United States and operating as a money transmitting business, Garantex failed to register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as required.

    On March 6, U.S. law enforcement, led by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), executed a seizure order authorized by a judge in the Eastern District of Virginia against three website domain names used to support Garantex’s operations. According to court records unsealed today, Garantex.org, Garantex.io, and Garantex.academy were associated with the administration and operation of Garantex. The seizure of these domains will prevent these sites from being used for money laundering and additional crimes. Individuals visiting those sites now will see a message indicating that the site has been seized by law enforcement.

    As part of the coordinated actions, German and Finnish law enforcement seized servers hosting Garantex’s operations. U.S. law authorities have separately obtained earlier copies of Garantex’s servers, including customer and accounting databases. In addition, U.S. law enforcement has also frozen over $26 million in funds used to facilitate Garantex’s money laundering activities.

    Besciokov and Mira Serda are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Besciokov is also charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.    

    Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director Michael Centrella of the USSS’ Office of Field Operations, and Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division made the announcement.

    USSS and the FBI are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.

    The Justice Department also recognizes the critical cooperation of the German Federal Criminal Police Office, the Frankfurt General Prosecutor’s Office, the Dutch National Police, Europol, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, and the Estonian National Criminal Police.

    Finally, the Department thanks Tether and blockchain analytics firm Elliptic for their proactive assistance in this investigation.

    Any individual who believes he/she is a victim whose funds were laundered through Garantex or who may otherwise have a claim to restrained funds should reach out to law enforcement via email address GarantexClaimants@secretservice.gov.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, Expands 2025 Canadian Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced the anniversary of its Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship, launched in 2016 to support and empower women pursuing careers in cybersecurity. As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering diverse talent, ESET is expanding the program in Canada, increasing both the number and value of scholarships available to Canadian applicants.

    For a decade, ESET North America has encouraged and uplifted women to pursue careers in cybersecurity, offering financial assistance to help achieve their aspirations. In solidarity with the 2025 International Women’s Day’s #AccelerateAction theme, the Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship program is expanding its scope this year with additional awards, enhanced evaluation criteria and a renewed focus on recognizing both technical excellence and emerging potential.

    As a long-time advocate for cybersecurity and talent development in Canada, ESET has built strong relationships with key technology hubs, including the city of Markham. Over the years, ESET has received a wealth of strong candidates from Markham and the Greater Toronto Area, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a growing center for cybersecurity innovation. By investing in opportunities for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, ESET aims to support both local talent and the broader cybersecurity workforce.

    Pioneering one of the first scholarships of its kind, Celeste Blodgett, Vice President of Human Resources at ESET North America, originated the program at the North American headquarters in San Diego to support women who want to go into technology fields. Bolstered by Celeste’s passion, the program has since awarded scholarships to more than 25 recipients in the U.S. and Canada, and has expanded globally to Australia, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

    “Around the world, ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship recipients are showcasing a passion for protecting digital citizens, yet with women only accounting for less than one-fifth of the cybersecurity workforce there is much work to be done,” said Blodgett. “We’ve encountered so many remarkable women who are passionate about shaping the future of this field and are thrilled to celebrate our tenth anniversary by earmarking one additional Cybersecurity Trailblazer award in the U.S. and five additional Future Leader awards in Canada.”

    According to the 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study conducted by (ISC)², women account for only 14.4% of the cybersecurity workforce, while men make up 79.6%. This stark imbalance underscores the critical need to bring more women into the profession, particularly as emerging technologies like generative AI continue to evolve. ESET is committed to fostering opportunities for women to lead in cybersecurity and AI, helping to bridge this gap and build a more balanced, innovative and equitable future. Diversity in AI development is essential to ensure these tools are ethical, secure and inclusive.

    In 2025, ESET North America will award $45,000 in scholarships to support the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Canadian students will have access to new and expanded awards, including two $5,000 Cybersecurity Trailblazer awards for applicants who demonstrate exceptional technical proficiency and a strong focus on cybersecurity. To mark the tenth anniversary, five new $1,000 Future Leader Awards will be introduced in Canada to recognize emerging talent with great potential in cybersecurity. In the U.S., three $10,000 scholarships will be awarded in the Cybersecurity Trailblazer Award Tier, including one dedicated to a recipient in San Diego, honouring the program’s origins.

    The scholarship has already helped many women pursue careers in cybersecurity, including Anushka Khare, a Canadian recipient of the 2022 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship who is now a Security Program Manager at Microsoft. “This scholarship has greatly supported my career and academic journey by providing me the financial freedom to focus on my studies,” shared Khare. “It has also allowed me to pursue advanced courses in cybersecurity, attend relevant workshops and gain hands-on experience. This support has not only enhanced my technical skills, but has also boosted my confidence, knowing I have the backing to succeed in this competitive field.”

    DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY
    Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 round, and submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 8, 2025. Applicants can learn more about the scholarships and submit their application by visiting our dedicated web pages. If you’re a Canadian student, apply here; if you’re a US student, you can apply here.

    Questions? Email us at CA-scholarship@eset.com [Canada-only inquiries] or US-scholarship@eset.com [US-only inquiries] with any questions.

    About ESET
    ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyber threats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, its AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multi-factor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

    Media contact:
    Emily Zwart
    ezwart@enterprisecanada.com
    905.515.9169

    The MIL Network –