NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Investing in sustainable education and wellbeing: Transformative upgrades at Paddington Recreation Ground | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    • New facilities to provide local schoolchildren with access to outdoor learning
    • £195k investment in tennis courts, £80k gym refurbishment and £20k for new playground equipment among the recent improvements to leisure facilities

    Westminster City Council has celebrated the official launch of the refurbished Forest School at Paddington Recreation Ground.

    The Forest School provides children of inner-city schools the opportunity to engage in outdoor learning, something they would otherwise have very limited experience of. The facility has proved so popular that an extension was required, and the Forest Gardens currently offers a mix of education and intrigue with its information boards, windy paths and biodiversity.

    The facilities have been used by nearly 3,000 children from 11 Westminster schools this year so far.

    A key feature of the expansion is the new sustainable classroom, located near the Forest Garden and Bluebell Glade. Constructed using recycled materials repurposed from an old cycle storage unit from Queen Mother Sports Centre, this innovative structure significantly reduces the project’s carbon footprint while providing a dedicated learning space for children to engage with nature in more extreme weather conditions.

    Other improvements at Paddington Recreation Ground include an £80k refurbishment of the gym, a community suite upgrade featuring new equipment, flooring and paintwork, and the £195k tennis courts refurbishment. Following the successful refurbishment of the astroturf tennis courts, the synthetic surface tennis courts were also due a full refurbishment, this is because it became worn and with water not draining properly anymore.

    These investment has ensured the council can continue to provide world class facilities for residents and local communities.

    Works have also undertaken to the main pathways around the grounds to improve accessibility for those with disabilities, repair tree root damage, and increase permeability to reduce ponding, flooding and waterlogging.

    On top of these capital works, the council continue to make improvements and repairs as needed such as the new self-closing gates in the playground, £20k in new playground equipment and repairs, and additional bike racks to promote greener transport to the grounds, among many others.

    Paddington Recreation Ground is an award winning leisure facility, retaining the Green Flag Award, The London In Bloom award – Gold, and a Quest Excellent award in the past year.

    Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Cara Sanquest, said:

    It has been incredibly exciting to see the ongoing improvements to the award-winning Paddington Recreation Ground over the past few years.

    I hope these upgrades not only encourage more residents to take advantage of what’s available but also enhance the experience for those who already use their local facilities.

    Leisure facilities provide much more than just opportunities for physical exercise. I’m proud that we’ve been able to deliver improvements that also enrich outdoor learning for children from inner-city schools.

    The ActiveWestminster Discount Pass – ActiveWestminster is free for all residents, providing fantastic discounts of up to 40% off and benefits for all our residents, and children and young people who live or study in Westminster.

    For more information on Paddington Recreation Ground visit: Paddington Recreation Ground | Gym & Fitness Classes | Everyone Active

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Unauthorised Storage in the Designated Area Thursday 06 March 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release

    Date:  6th March 2025

    Unauthorised Storage in the Designated Area

    As part of an island wide effort to improve the appearance and character of the open countryside around the Island, the Planning Office is undertaking proactive steps to help address public feedback in regard to unauthorised storage in the Designated Area. 

    This initiative will specifically seek to work with land and vehicle owners to address the unauthorised storage of redundant vehicles and shipping containers (unconnected to an approved use) in the Designated Area (also known as the Greenbelt). This includes cars, boats, trailers, vans and motorbikes.

    The Alderney Land Use Plan 2017 promotes the Designated Area to safeguard the open countryside, preserve special landscapes and support a network of green infrastructure.   This type of unauthorised use of land is having a detrimental impact on the open character and beauty of the countryside, as well as potentially contaminating the soil resulting in the land being unsuitable for agricultural purposes.  Whilst planning permission can be sought to allow storage, an application for a change of use would have to demonstrate how the proposal would avoid harm to the landscape and protect or enhance the character of Alderney’s landscape as set out in Policy HE4: Landscape Character.

    Initially, vehicle owners are being encouraged to either re-locate vehicles to a more suitable location or to dispose of any redundant vehicles.  Disposal can be arranged by obtaining a scrapping voucher (free of charge) from the General Office and presenting this, with your vehicle, at the Impot.

    This will then be followed up in June when letters will be sent to relevant parties to remind them that vehicles and shipping containers cannot be stored indefinitely in the Designated Area where they are not being used in connection with an agreed and authorised use of the land e.g. Agriculture, a home or a business and to seek rectification.

    If you have any comments regarding this initiative or require advice on whether you need to take any action please contact the Planning Office at planning@alderney.gov.gg

    Ends

    States of Alderney media enquiries:Publications.alderney@gov.gg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Efforts to improve riverside path take a step forward

    Source: City of York

    Published Thursday, 6 March 2025

    Work to invest £1.7m in improvements to a well-used riverside path could take a further step forward next week (11 March).

    At a decision session the council’s Executive Member for Transport will be asked to agree to progress work on the Jubilee Terrace to Scarborough Bridge riverside path to detailed design and construction.

    This meeting follows extensive consultation with the local community which over two engagement exercises has seen over 1,000 responses.

    In the latest consultation 85.6% supported the proposed design. This included creating separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, improving lighting to help people feel safer when using the paths and changes to the road layout on Jubilee Terrace to improve that area for pedestrians and cyclists and formalise Blue Badge parking.

    It also includes work to raise the path, a move which could significantly reduce the average number of days the route is inaccessible each year due to flooding.

    Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport said:

    “This is a well-used path and we are committed to making it better for those who use it and those who’ve said they’ll use it once changes are made.

    “A key part of our local transport strategy is to make it easier and better to walk, wheel and cycle in our city. This project is just one example of the work we are doing to try and achieve this.

    “We are hugely grateful to the local community for their feedback as we progress this project. Their input has helped shape the designs which are being put forward and we look forward to continuing to work with them as the project progresses.”

    National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said:

    “It’s fantastic to see York beginning to deliver a high-quality network to enable more people to walk, wheel and cycle.

    “By gearing up our streets for active travel and making sure routes are safe and accessible, we’re making sure that everyone has an opportunity to choose different ways of getting out and about. Listening to what local people say is a really important part of designing spaces that works for everyone.”

    Funding for the project has been generated through an award of £1.1 million from Active Travel England which is focused on improvements to the path with additional funding provided across both the council and the York Central programme.

    In recent months the council has been carrying out riverside embankment surveys to check their long-term stability. Following a review of this area the Executive Member will also be asked to agree to start work to explore a separately resourced and funded project with a brief to identify the need for remedial works to improve Riverside Embankment stability, ensuring the path can continue to be used for decades to come.

    The report will be considered at a decision session for the Executive Member for Transport. The papers are available to view online. The meeting will be available to view live or on demand.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nuclear safeguards: AUKUS statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Nuclear safeguards: AUKUS statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, March 2025

    UK Ambassador Corinne Kitsell’s statement on behalf of Australia, the UK and the US to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on IAEA safeguards and AUKUS

    Chair, 

    I take the floor on behalf of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to respond to disinformation about Australia’s acquisition of a naval nuclear propulsion capability through the AUKUS partnership. We are once again compelled to invoke our Right of Reply to address remarks that purposefully mischaracterise AUKUS and attempt to undermine the independence, integrity, and authority of the IAEA.  

    I reiterate that this item has not been adopted as a standing agenda item by this Board and has never enjoyed consensus support, despite one member state’s introduction every Board. This repeated attempt to add an agenda item distracts from other pressing concerns requiring the Board’s attention and falsely implies an active compliance problem where none exists. AUKUS partners will provide an update on Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under ‘Any Other Business’, consistent with our practice of providing updates to every regular meeting of the Board since 2021. 

    Director General Grossi has repeatedly expressed his satisfaction with AUKUS partners’ engagement and transparency and has upheld his commitment to update the Board on naval nuclear propulsion, including through his report published last November. Ever since the initial announcement of the partnership, the AUKUS partners have continued to engage consistently, openly, and transparently with Member States and the Secretariat on genuine questions. 

    Chair, 

    Under this item, the Board has repeatedly heard unsubstantiated claims that ignore or misrepresent the information we have provided in good faith, and assertions that disregard the statements made by the Director General. I would like to remind the Board that: 

    With regards to an intergovernmental dialogue, the IAEA has the clear authority under its Statute, and extensive precedent, to negotiate directly and in-confidence with individual Member States on the establishment and application of safeguards and verification arrangements. Interference would politicise the IAEA’s independence, its mandate and technical authority, and establish a deeply harmful precedent. 

    I also want to underline that the transfer of high enriched uranium from a nuclear-weapon State to a non-nuclear-weapon State does not run counter to the NPT or its spirit. The transfer of nuclear material at any enrichment level among States Parties is not prohibited by the NPT, provided the transfer is carried out in a manner consistent with any relevant safeguards obligations. Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine program will be subject to a robust package of verification measures, consistent with its longstanding non-proliferation obligations. 

    Naval nuclear propulsion was indeed foreseen by the drafters of the NPT. Article 14 of the IAEA’s model Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement – on which Australia’s CSA is based – is the specific provision to support the right of states to use nuclear material in a non-proscribed military activity, including for naval nuclear propulsion, within the legal framework for safeguards implementation. 

    As we have regularly stated, under Australia’s Article 14 arrangement, the IAEA will maintain oversight of nuclear material and meet its technical safeguards objectives throughout the submarines’ lifecycle. Once the Article 14 arrangement is agreed between Australia and the IAEA Secretariat, the Director General will transmit it to the Board for ‘appropriate action’. To suggest that the Board will somehow be bypassed is false. 

    With regards to the AUKUS Naval Nuclear Propulsion Agreement, I want to underline that it reaffirms, and is consistent with, the parties’ existing non-proliferation obligations, including under the NPT. The Agreement obliges the UK and US to ensure that Australia can provide the IAEA with other information and access necessary to fulfil Australia’s obligations under its safeguards agreements with the IAEA and the future Article 14 arrangement. 

    Chair, 

    Our three countries – along with the majority of the Board – continue to oppose any proposal for this item to be a standing agenda item or any efforts that undermine and politicise the technical mandate of the IAEA. We appreciate that colleagues continue to reject deliberate attempts to undermine the Agency’s independence and integrity. 

    We will continue to engage in good faith with Member States on genuine questions. Consistent with our approach to maintaining open and transparent engagement, we will provide an update to the Board under ‘Any Other Business’ and welcome the Director General’s continued commitment to provide updates on naval nuclear propulsion, as and when he deems appropriate. 

    Thank you, Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on Syria: Lifting asset freezes on 24 entities

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Government response

    Update on Syria: Lifting asset freezes on 24 entities

    The UK has lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities, underscoring our commitment to help Syrians rebuild their country and economy

    An FCDO spokesperson said:  

    “We are lifting asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies.

    “At the same time, sanctions on members of the Assad regime and those involved in the illicit trade in captagon remain in place. 

    “This approach underscores our commitment to help the people of Syria rebuild their country and economy, including through support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process. We will continue to judge Syria’s interim authorities by their actions, not their words.”

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: GOWIN Semiconductor to reveal FPGA-based motor control and video bridging design concepts at Embedded World 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NUREMBERG, Germany, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Embedded OEMs in the industrial and consumer market segments can discover innovative solutions for motor control and video bridging as GOWIN Semiconductor unveils ground-breaking FPGA-based demonstration designs at the Embedded World exhibition (Nuremberg, Germany, 11-13 March 2025).

    The demonstration designs, as well as the company’s broad portfolio of low-density LittleBee and mid-range Arora V FPGA products, will be available to view at the GOWIN booth 3A-340 at Embedded World.

    The GW5AS Motor Control Demo illustrates GOWIN’s advanced current-loop control IP implementing a field-oriented control (FOC) scheme for a permanent magnet synchronous motor. Based on the GW5AS-25K FPGA solution, which combines a high-performance Arm® Cortex®-M4 processor operating at up to 288MHz with a 25K LUT Arora-V FPGA, this demonstration design provides precise torque and speed control for industrial motors.

    Intended for use in CNC machines, robots, and other industrial applications, the GW5AS system offers multi-motor control and ultra-fast current-loop calculations, resulting in very high performance and real-time control.

    The GW5AT Video Bridging Demo highlights the benefits of the high-speed, hard-wired SerDes blocks integrated in GOWIN’s latest GW5AT FPGAs. Featuring the GW5AT-60K FPGA, the demo showcases a robust and high-speed video bridging system capable of supporting 4K video streaming.

    ‘Returning to Embedded World after a highly successful 2024, we are excited to demonstrate how GOWIN’s FPGA technology is evolving to meet the diverse needs of both industrial and consumer markets,’ said Mike Furnival, VP of International Sales at GOWIN Semiconductor. ‘Our innovative solutions not only provide exceptional performance and cost efficiency, but also empower engineers to create smarter, more integrated designs across a range of applications.’

    For more information about GOWIN Semiconductor and its portfolio of high-performance FPGA solutions, visit www.gowinsemi.com.

    About GOWIN Semiconductor Corporation

    Founded in 2014, Gowin Semiconductor Corp., headquartered with major R&D in China, has the vision to accelerate customer innovation worldwide with our programmable solutions. We focus on optimizing our products and removing barriers for customers using programmable logic devices. Our commitment to technology and quality enables customers to reduce the total cost of ownership from using FPGAs on their production boards. Our offerings include a broad portfolio of programmable logic devices, design software, intellectual property (IP) cores, reference designs, and development kits. We strive to serve customers in the consumer, industrial, communication, medical, and automotive markets worldwide.

    For more information about GOWIN Semiconductor, please visit: https://www.gowinsemi.com/en/

    Copyright 2024 GOWIN Semiconductor Corp. GOWIN, LittleBee®, GW1N/NR/NS/1NSR/1NZ®, Arora®, Arora V®, GW2A/AR®, GOWIN EDA and other designated brands included herein are trademarks of GOWIN Semiconductor Corp. in China and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information, please email info@gowinsemi.com.

    Media Contacts:
    Andrew Dudaronek, GOWIN Semiconductor
    andrew@gowinsemi.com

    Rhianna Ogle, TKO Marketing Consultants
    rhianna@tko.co.uk
    tel: +44 1444 473555

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recruitment of a Non-Executive Director for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Recruitment of a Non-Executive Director for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

    We are seeking a Non-Executive Director to join our Management Board and Chair the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC).

    Like many public sector boards, our Board is advisory – its role is to challenge and support executives in delivering strategy, policy and customer objectives, and achieving value for money.

    Critical to the effectiveness of the Board, is its ability to influence its stakeholders and to bring its collective wisdom to help to constantly improve the work and reputation of the Agency. 

    All our non-executives contribute to the Board’s work and the achievement of its objectives through Board and committee meetings, and other tasks assigned by the Chair.  

    For the non-executive Board member/ARAC Chair, the appointed person will:  

    • provide advice about strategy and policy, and the delivery of customer objectives 

    • provide effective oversight of financial and risk management 

    • ensure issues are explored from a range of viewpoints, promoting inclusion and engaging with stakeholders when necessary 

    • review and provide advice about performance, respecting the principles of good governance, supporting and holding the executive to account without becoming involved in the running of the business 

    • make well informed and impactful contributions to debate and discussion at Board meetings to aid collective decision-making 

    • maintain high personal standards in relation to personal behaviour and uphold the Nolan principles of public life 

    • as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, provide advice to the Board and executives about financial probity, risk management and governance 

    • review and refresh the work of the Committee and effectively chair its meetings.  

    How to Apply 

    More information on the role and how to apply can be found on the Public Appointments page on gov.uk.

    Applications are to be received no later than noon, 31 March 2025. 

    If you have any questions please email director.support@vmd.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update: Cases of drug users becoming unwell in Camden

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police officers and partner organisations, including Camden Council, continue to investigate a series of incidents in which drug users in the Camden area have become unwell after taking what they thought was heroin.

    While enquiries continue, officers believe that 33 people have been taken unwell, with 17 of them having attended hospital. Officers are not aware of anyone in a life-threatening condition, however they continue to liaise with hospitals and other agencies.

    The first cases were reported to emergency service on the afternoon of Monday, 3 March, in the Hampstead Heath, Oval Road and Jamestown Road areas of Camden. Subsequent incidents have remained concentrated in the Camden area.

    Detective Chief Inspector Chris Soole, one of the senior officers policing Camden, said: “We continue to work alongside our partners, including the local council and health professionals, to establish the full circumstances and identify everyone who has been affected.

    “Analysis of substances recovered shows that what users believed to be heroin was in fact a dangerous synthetic opioid. It is clear that this remains in circulation, especially in the Camden area, and it causes an extreme reaction.

    “In one of the most recent cases, just after 8pm on Wednesday evening, Met officers gave emergency first aid to a man in cardiac arrest in Haverstock Road, Camden. He had taken what he thought was heroin and it is likely that the actions of those officers saved his life.

    “This is the fourth day of our response to this critical incident, and it is absolutely clear just how dangerous this substance really is. I urge anyone who may be at risk to take every possible precaution, including seeking support and advice from health professionals about alternatives to acquiring and taking illegal drugs. As I said on day one, my advice remains that people should not buy, sell or consume illegal drugs. They are illegal and the trade is not regulated, so there are always very serious risks. Please seek help.

    “There have been no arrests at this stage but urgent enquiries are ongoing. I urge anyone with information about drug dealers in your area to share what you know with police or, to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    Cllr Anna Wright, Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said: “These cases are extremely worrying and we are working together with the police and our partners in the community to do all we can to reduce further drug related harm.

    “We have targeted the work of outreach teams to the affected locations and are making additional support readily available to those who may need it, including access to life-saving Naloxone kits. We have also issued a drug alert to our local network of healthcare and accommodation providers.

    “Contaminated heroin continues to be an issue of national concern. In Camden, we are continuing to invest in our drug and alcohol services and raise awareness of how residents can access support including drop-in sessions in community venues, access to dedicated services for women, outreach prescription support and one-to-one support from Keyworkers.

    “If you or someone you know needs support with drug or alcohol use, please contact Change Grow Live on 020 7485 2722 or email Camden.referrals@cgl.org.uk.”

    Change Grow Live, Camden’s Drug and Alcohol Service, have issued the following advice:

    If you are with someone who is overdosing:

    • Call for an ambulance immediately
    • Administer naloxone if you have it. When you use naloxone, you should see it start to work in 2-3 minutes.
    • If the person has not responded after 2-3 minutes, give them another dose and wait for 2-3 minutes again.
    • The effects of naloxone will last for 20 minutes, but after that, they will wear off and the person will begin overdosing again. It’s important that the person still gets medical help during this time.
    • If you would like access naloxone please contact your local drug and alcohol services.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: SUTNTIB AB “Tewox” publishes its NAV for February 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Vilnius, Lithuania, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    As at the end of February 2025, the net asset value (NAV) of SUTNTIB AB „Tewox“ decreased to EUR 42,794,355, compared to previously determined NAV at the end of January 2025, which was EUR 43,109,329.

    The share price decreased to EUR 1.0222, from EUR 1.0298 at the end of January 2025. The pro-forma internal rate of return (IRR) decreased to 0.78%, compared previously announced IRR of 1.07% at the end of January 2025.

    Contact person for further information:

    Paulius Nevinskas

    Manager of the Investment Company

    paulius.nevinskas@lordslb.lt

    https://lordslb.lt/tewox_bonds/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dassault Systèmes: declaration of the number of outstanding shares and voting rights as of February 28, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — March 6, 2025

    Declaration of the number of outstanding shares and
    voting rights as of February 28, 2025

    Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced below the total number of its outstanding shares and voting rights as of February 28, 2025, according to articles 223-16 and 221-3 of the General Regulation of the Autorité des marchés financiers.

    Number of outstanding shares: 1,340,433,125

    Number of voting rights*: 2,011,423,108

    *The total number of voting rights is calculated on the basis of the total number of outstanding shares, even if the voting rights attached thereto are suspended, pursuant to Article 223-11 of the General Regulation of the Autorité des marchés financiers relating to the method for calculating the percentages of holdings in shares and in voting rights. We invite our shareholders to refer to this article should they need to declare crossing of thresholds.

    Declarations related to crossing of threshold must be sent to:
    Dassault Systèmes, Investor Relations Service, 10, rue Marcel Dassault, CS 40501, 78946 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex (France). E-mail address: Investors@3ds.com  

    ###

    ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 350 000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

    Dassault Systèmes Investor Relations Team                FTI Consulting
    Béatrix Martinez :                                        Arnaud de Cheffontaines: +33 1 47 03 69 48
    +33 1 61 62 40 73                                        Jamie Ricketts : +44 20 3727 1600
    investors@3ds.com                                        

    Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts
    Corporate / France        
    Arnaud Malherbe: +33 1 61 62 87 73
    arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com        

    © Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Better alerts to make air quality part of everyday conversation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Better alerts to make air quality part of everyday conversation

    Expert-led review published to boost public awareness about air quality.

    At-risk groups will benefit from better access to information on air pollution as the Government publishes its Air Quality Information System (AQIS) review.

    The expert-led review – working with respiratory experts, the charity sector, central government and local authorities – makes a series of recommendations aimed at informing the public about the link between poor air quality and ill health.    

    It found the UK has world-class tools that monitor poor air quality, but that there is a need to better explain why air pollution is a hazard and who is most at risk from harm. 

    It also notes the need to improve teaching for medical professionals on air pollution, which will filter down to their patients, as well as for a public awareness campaign and wider engagement with community groups and schools to embed air quality in everyday conversation.     

    Welcomed by health professionals and campaigners, the Government has already started work on several of its recommendations, including:    

    • Working with the Royal Medical Colleges and DHSC to improve the teaching of air quality to medical professionals.     
    • Developing educational resources to help community groups raise public awareness.    
    • Updating the Daily Air Quality Index with the latest health advice on asthma management and exercise.    
    • Developing and launching a new air quality alert system so people can get up-to-date advice via text or email.    
    • Updating and improving air quality websites and moving them across to gov.uk to ensure a wider audience.    

    The review is a major step forward in recognising that air pollution is not just an environmental problem but has major implications for children, older people and those with respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

    Air Quality Minister Emma Hardy said:  

    Air pollution is damaging to people’s health and the environment. Its impacts are felt more by low-income communities, making health and social inequalities worse.   

    Significant progress has been made to reduce emissions from transport and energy production, and we will continue to take the action needed to ensure everyone has cleaner air to breathe.   

    We are grateful to all the experts and tireless campaigners who contributed to this groundbreaking review and continue to shine a light on this important issue.

    The work supports the Government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future, which includes improving public knowledge of air quality to tackle cycles of poor health which hold back opportunities and growth.      

    Defra and UKHSA launched the review after the tragic death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah at the age of nine from an asthma attack. An inquest concluded that air pollution was a contributing factor. The subsequent Prevention of Future Deaths report in 2021 found key areas for additional focus, noting there was low public awareness about air pollution.     

    The group looked at the efficacy of monitoring and how the information is displayed via tools like the DAQI (Daily Air Quality Index) or received via apps and notification alerts. It also looked at what messaging is used, existing public awareness, what constitutes an ‘at risk’ group and what is taught in schools and to medical students in England.

    Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said:

    Air pollution is an extremely important, but solvable health problem that can lead to many diseases including asthma in children, cancers, heart disease and stroke.     

    I welcome the publication of the AQIS report and support the recommendations for increasing awareness of the health harms of air pollution, particularly for those who are more vulnerable. 

    Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology and UKRI Clean Air Champion, said:

    The Air Quality Information System (AQIS) Review recognises not only the importance of air quality to people but also the critical role it plays as an unrecognised contributor to poor health.    

    The careful work that has gone into this review means that, in future, providing air pollution advice to the public and at-risk groups will draw on the very latest evidence, communicated widely, and in the most accessible way.

    Dame Jenny Harries, UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive, said: 

    Despite improvements over previous decades, air pollution remains one of the largest environmental risks to public health in the UK, which is why it is vital that the provision of air quality information to the public continues to improve.

    As this report highlights, the UK has significant technical capabilities for providing air quality information to the public, but these capabilities are not always being utilised to their fullest potential. Building on existing systems will improve public awareness of the major sources of air pollution and their harmful effects, helping to inform actions to reduce personal contribution and exposure.

    The UK Health Security Agency is already working to tackle air pollution through initiatives such as our Clean Air Programme, and we are committed to continuing our work with DEFRA and other stakeholders to act on the recommendations set out in this report, ensuring a healthier future for all.

    Jonathan Blades, Head of Policy at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

    This review – which the charity was involved in – is a step in the right direction and we look forward to working with the government to implement the recommendations as a matter of urgency.   

    Better air quality information will benefit us all, especially the millions of people who currently live with a lung condition in the UK, as it means people can make more informed decisions about their emissions and exposure. We hope to build on this positive dialogue with the government to make clean air a real legacy for generations to come.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HM Land Registry Chair’s response to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    HM Land Registry Chair’s response to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning

    This is the Chair’s response to the government’s expectations and priorities for HM Land Registry over the coming year.

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    HM Land Registry Chair’s response

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    Details

    The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, has written to the Chair of the HM Land Registry Board, Neil Sachdev, to set out his priorities for HM Land Registry in delivering their role in registering and protecting land and property ownership and supporting an efficient property market.

    A Chair’s letter is issued annually to ensure there is a clear set of expectations of HM Land Registry’s leadership. This letter includes a number of key areas of focus for HM Land Registry to support the government’s policy priorities, missions and Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework: Joint Statement, 6 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework: Joint Statement, 6 March 2025

    The UK Government and European Commission gave a statement after the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting.

    The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework met today, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.

    The co-chairs took stock of the implementation of the Windsor Framework since the last meeting on 22 October 2024. They noted overall progress on the implementation of the Windsor Framework, notably in the area of human medicines, where the specific arrangements previously announced started applying on 1 January 2025.

    The co-chairs discussed further work underway in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary goods / agrifood, pet travel, customs and veterinary medicines and trade, with a view to ensuring full implementation of all the elements of the Windsor Framework. They agreed to continue to step up implementation progress in these areas, which remains essential to ensure that the safeguards and flexibilities of the Windsor Framework operate for people and businesses in Northern Ireland and protect the Union’s Single Market.

    They noted the importance of continued constructive joint work to support implementation efforts and monitor progress in looking ahead to forthcoming milestones, to ensure the full, timely and faithful implementation of all the elements of the Framework.

    The Committee co-chairs also took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured sub-groups.

    They reiterated the importance of continued joint engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Rota Corpsmen Strengthen Fleet Medical Operations

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Rota, which is collocated with Naval Hospital Rota, serves as a critical medical and logistical support hub for U.S. and allied forces where readiness and deployment support are paramount.

    As the only military treatment facility within Spain, the command is often called upon to support temporary duty aboard Naval Station Rota based destroyers (DDGs). These sought-after assignments augment fleet medical asset onboard with trained personnel and provide junior Corpsmen opportunity to build proficiency in emergency medical response and combat readiness skills within an operational setting.

    Recently, Hospitalman Amy Pierre Pion, experienced this first-hand when she deployed with USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), an Arleigh Burk class guided missile destroyer.

    “Being on the destroyer was the best experience,” said Pierre Pion. “We got to perform several inbound and outbound medical evacuation operations that showed our ability to respond to medical emergencies quickly and efficiently.”

    This deployment highlighted NMRTC Rota’s crucial role in equipping medical professionals with the skills they need to operate in high-tempo operational environments.

    Prior to assignment on a DDG, Corpsmen like Pierre Pion, are offered additional training in acute care assessments, preventive medicine, and basic life support instruction. Underway, utilization of these skills helps them support the ships Independent Duty Corpsman in executing medical readiness operations and emergency drills, ensuring the health and safety of the ship’s crew.

    “There was great focus on getting Sailors qualified on vital skills to include stretcher-bearer instruction, CPR certification, and mass casualty procedures,” said Pierre Pion. “Additionally, we were heavily involved with preventive medicine practices from galley inspections to daily water and bacteria testing.”

    NMRTC Rota, located strategically at the gateway of the Mediterranean, generates and sustains readiness to deliver critical medical support for Department of Defense missions throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

    Navy Medicine is represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacant shops to be filled as high streets revitalised

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Vacant shops to be filled as high streets revitalised

    More vacant shops and other commercial premises will be transformed as councils use new powers to revitalise high streets across the country.

    • Eight more councils to breathe life back into high streets by signing up to tackle scourge of vacant shops 

    • High Street Rental Auctions let councils auction off leases for empty commercial properties 

    • Bringing businesses back to high streets and driving growth across country as part of Plan for Change milestone to kickstart local economic growth 

    More vacant shops and other commercial premises will be transformed as councils use new powers to revitalise high streets across the country, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change growth mission and supporting local communities. 

    Eight more local authorities have committed to implement High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers as the latest wave of Early Adopters, setting an example for other councils. 

    These are Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Camden London Borough Council, Hillingdon London Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, North Northamptonshire Council, North Somerset Council and Westminster City Council. 

    High Street Rental Auctions, introduced at the end of last year, give local councils the power to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, helping bring business back to the high street and drive growth across the country. 

    This brings the total number of councils trailing the scheme to 11 – with Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield councils becoming Early Adopters in November. 

    Minister of State for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris said: 

    We’re bringing shops and shoppers back to the high street, boosting trade, creating jobs, supporting our communities and driving local growth through our game changing High Street Rental Auction rollout.

    I am delighted that eight more councils have become Early Adopters of these new powers, acting as leading lights for other local authorities.  “We are committed to growing the economy and improving opportunities for people across the country through our Plan for Change, and thriving high streets have a key role to play.

    Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said: 

    We promised to lift the shutters on the country’s high streets and that’s exactly what’s happening across these local authorities today. 

    We know that small businesses are the drivers of our economy, which is why we’re working hard to boost exports and tackle late payments, and HRSAs are another crucial tool to support SMEs, increase jobs and go for growth.

    HSRAs allow councils to put properties up for auction that have been empty for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, for a one-to-five year lease, reinvigorating town centres and giving local businesses the backing they need to thrive. 

    Over £1 million of funding has been provided to support the rollout of HSRAs and the government looks forward to more councils delivering with the powers. 

    It forms part of the government’s wider commitment to support high streets and small businesses, in line with its work to drive economic growth in all parts of the country and break down barriers to opportunity. 

    Supporting small businesses is at the heart of this government’s growth mission, and plans are underway to unleash the potential of small businesses all around the country. A new  Small Business Strategy will be published later this year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lurgan job fair highlights employment & training opportunities

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    From roles in construction and pharmaceuticals to accounting and engineering, there were plenty of opportunities for the 150 job seekers at the recent job fair at Lurgan Town Hall.

    The event was organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Labour Market Partnership, in collaboration with the local Jobs and Benefits Office.

    Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.

    Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Sarah Duffy commented:

    “This has been a wonderful event in connecting job seekers with employers and support agencies who are actively recruiting for a wide range of vacancies. Together they’ve been able to explore and discuss the different routes into employment, and in some cases, options for getting back into education and training. Council events such as this are incredibly important in bridging gaps in skills or learning within our local economy.”

    The next job fair will be on Wednesday 26th March 2025 at Millenium Court Portadown, running from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

    Click here to find out more about the Labour Market Partnership.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York school students get taste of construction careers

    Source: City of York

    Fifteen Year 11 students from across York got the chance to get a real-world insight into the construction industry.

    Their industry taster day began with a tour of the York Central construction site, where students learned about ongoing work on one of England’s largest brownfield development, and future career opportunities represented by this landmark project.

    Back at Sisk’s on-site office, the students met with eight employees from four construction businesses and quizzed them about their roles and career paths, learning about the huge range of careers available, from bricklaying to project management and from civil engineering to plastering.

    The students learned about the wide range of avenues open to them to get into a construction career, from T-Levels to degree apprenticeships.

    The group also heard from Paul Brown, CEO of Sisk, the infrastructure contractors appointed by Homes England and Network Rail to complete the civil engineering and infrastructure works phase of the project.

    Paul reflected on his own journey from a working-class childhood to becoming the leader of an international construction firm, and highlighted the benefits of choosing a skilled, in-demand construction career.

    After lunch, the students tried their hands at practical problem-solving challenges, working in small teams alongside industry professionals to create a tetrahedron structure using dowels and string, and build weight-bearing mini bridges.

    The session was organised by York’s Construction Skills Partners, including City of York Council, CITB, York College, Sisk, Simpson, Caddick, Equans and NYBEP.

    Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture at City of York Council, said:

    “York is embarking on some exciting developments like York Central and our Passivhaus building programme, which will make our city a greener, more prosperous and better place to live.

    “This opens up great opportunities for our young people with a wide variety of skilled, well-paid jobs available in the construction sector.

    “Getting a real-world insight into the huge range of career paths offered by this industry is so valuable for young people at this crucial point in their education, and I’d like to thank all our construction partners for hosting this session and taking the time to inspire the next generation.”

    Richard France from York Construction Skills Partnership said:

    “We’re committed to ensuring that York’s future workforce has the skills needed to deliver on many exciting and varied projects around the city, whilst connecting residents to rewarding work with local employers.

    “The success of this taster day with a fantastic group of young people is a great example of how we’re putting this mission into action by helping students understand the many benefits that a career in construction can bring, and showcasing the wide variety of ways into an exciting career within our industry.

    “A huge thanks goes to all the organisations and construction employees who helped organise such a full and inspiring day for the students, and to those who came along to share their own career journeys. Lastly, I’d like to thank the students who took part in the day as it’s very encouraging to see young people engaging with the industry.

    “With the enthusiasm of those who attended it’s clear that the future of construction in York is bright.”

    Watch the video about the taster day.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Plants struggled for millions of years after Earth’s worst climate catastrophe – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Marcos Amores, PhD Candidate in Palaeoclimatology, University College Cork

    A king fern at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Australia. Marcos Amores

    With the world on the threshold of 1.5°C of warming, one pressing question is: how bad can it get? The answer may lie beneath our feet.

    Buried underground are rocks, many rocks, and they are old. For palaeontologists like us, they are a vast archive of past life on Earth. In particular, they can tell us how life on land fared during times when the climate warmed suddenly. Our new study showed that plants were severely affected and forests took millions of years to recover.

    About 252 million years ago more than 80% of marine species became extinct. This is known as the end-Permian mass extinction, arguably the most significant climatic crisis since the earliest appearance of animals, more than 555 million years ago. It seems that the prime culprit was the massive amount of warming-inducing greenhouse gas released by volcanoes in a region known as the Siberian Traps in Russia.

    Evidence suggests that plants may not have suffered a mass extinction, but their communities were heavily affected, if not destroyed outright. While the extreme heat would have pushed plants and animals past their tolerance limits, they probably also faced deadly droughts, ozone depletion, widespread wildfires and toxic heavy metal contamination.

    Data on how plants fared following the end-Permian extinction are plentiful, but little is known about those located at higher latitudes, where it was cooler. Thriving ecosystems existed at polar latitudes back then, aided by a mostly ice-free polar region. At the end-Permian event, however, this ecosystem was entirely wiped out.

    Our work examined the rocks and fossils of the Sydney region of Australia, which was located near the south pole for at least 8 million years following the worst mass extinction in Earth’s history. These well-preserved, long-term records provide a window into the recovery of plant communities furthest away from the source of trouble.

    The long, unsteady path to recovery

    The plant fossils from these Australian rocks showed that conifers, like modern pines or cypresses, were some of the earliest to colonise the land immediately following the calamity. The recovery to flourishing forests, however, was not smooth sailing.

    We discovered that even higher temperatures 2 million years after the end-Permian event caused the collapse of these conifer survivors. In turn, they were replaced by tough, shrubby plants resembling modern clubmosses (like Isoetes). How hot it got in Sydney is not known, but this scorching period lasted for about 700,000 years and made life challenging for trees and other large plants.

    When cooling conditions finally manifested, large but unusual plants that looked like ferns but bore seeds like conifers flourished and established more stable forests in Sydney. This recovery took less than 100,000 years to happen. These plants eventually dominated the landscape for millions of years, paving the way for the lush forests during the Mesozoic age of the dinosaurs.

    So, after million of years, the forest ecosystems of the Mesozoic came to look like those from before the end-Permian event. But crucially, the plant species that made up the new forests were completely different.

    The term “recovery” can be misleading. Forests recover eventually, but extinction of individual species is forever.

    By understanding how ancient plant ecosystems weathered extreme climate swings, we, as researchers, hope to learn valuable lessons about how modern plants and ecosystems might cope (or not) with today’s climate crisis. With this knowledge, we can inform policymakers of what is yet to come, and help steer a course that will avoid the worst climate outcomes over the longest possible timeframes.

    So, fossil records add a data-driven long-term perspective to the climate choices we make today. Ecosystems depend on a fragile balance, with plants as the backbone of food webs on land and climate regulators.

    The fossils have spoken: the disruption of these systems can have consequences that last hundreds of thousands of years, so protecting today’s ecosystems is more important than ever.

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

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Marcos Amores receives funding from Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences (grants 13/RC/2092_P2 and 17/RC-PhD/3481) and Research Ireland (grant 22/FFP-P/11448).

    Chris Mays receives funding from the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (grant #13/RC/2092_P2) and Science Foundation Ireland (grant #22/FFP-P/11448).

    – ref. Plants struggled for millions of years after Earth’s worst climate catastrophe – new study – https://theconversation.com/plants-struggled-for-millions-of-years-after-earths-worst-climate-catastrophe-new-study-251324

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The king has a tricky diplomatic role to play in inviting Trump for a state visit

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesca Jackson, PhD candidate, Lancaster Law School, Lancaster University

    As monarch, King Charles III is bound by constitutional convention to remain politically neutral. But that hasn’t stopped the UK government from deploying the king to advance its foreign policy agenda.

    During their inaugural meeting, Keir Starmer presented Donald Trump with a letter from the king, inviting the president for a “truly historic” and “unprecedented” second state visit to the UK and a visit to the monarch’s private Balmoral residence.

    Later that week, the government arranged for the king to meet Volodymyr Zelensky at the royal countryside retreat of Sandringham, to show support for the Ukrainian leader following his disastrous meeting with Trump.

    The government is walking a tightrope: it wants to avoid tariffs from Trump, while continuing to support Zelensky and Ukraine. And it is using the king to help it do so.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    It is not unusual for governments to use monarchs to boost international relations, particularly through state visits. The monarch has a huge amount of soft power and the pomp and ceremony of a state visit can help governments achieve their foreign affairs aims.

    State visits differ from regular diplomatic visits: they are the most formal way in which a foreign head of state can come to the UK, and happen just once or twice a year.

    Visitors are greeted by the king and other members of the royal family with a ceremonial welcome accompanied by gun salutes on the Horse Guards Parade ground in London. They then travel back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession, where they enjoy a formal state banquet at which the monarch toasts the visiting head of state.

    State visits are not cheap: Trump’s first visit cost £3.5 million in policing alone. But they can play a key role in diplomacy.

    A state visit to France by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972 helped seal the deal on the UK’s third attempt at joining the the European Economic Community. And in 2024, the UK’s defence partnership with Qatar was “strengthened” following the state visit of the Qatari emir.

    There is a danger that the monarch’s reputation is affected by hosting controversial heads of state. No doubt the palace PR team is less than enthused about the prospect of Charles being seen wining and dining Trump. The optics of hosting Trump during his first state visit reportedly put the late Queen Elizabeth in a “very difficult position”.

    But monarchs have little (if any) influence over who they host for a state visit. Charles will have been advised by the government to invite Trump in accordance with the cardinal convention. This fundamental constitutional principle requires the monarch to act on the advice of the government.

    Constitutional conventions are not legally binding. But in the UK’s constitutional monarchy, the monarch reigns but does not rule and power is exercised by democratically-elected ministers rather than the sovereign. Failure by the monarch to follow convention could spark a constitutional crisis, as fictional plays and dramas have long imagined.

    A royal invitation.
    Number 10 Flickr, CC BY-ND

    This is why the late queen had to host some controversial and less-than-democratic figures. It even once led her to hide in a bush to avoid encountering Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in the Buckingham Palace gardens.

    And it is why Charles, on the government’s advice, will host Trump.

    Laying on the royal charm

    Usually, the public doesn’t see invitations for state visits, but we did see this particular letter. Signed “Yours most sincerely, Charles”, it feels particularly personal and designed to charm Trump, whose love of the British royal family is well known. The offer of an additional visit to Balmoral is a nod to the president’s mother, who was born in Scotland.

    The king’s invitation seems to have done the diplomatic trick. Trump ended his meeting with Starmer by stating: “I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary”.

    But the visit won’t be without controversy. In the days since, a petition asking for Trump’s invitation to be withdrawn has reached nearly 200,000 signatures. But Starmer has publicly dismissed calls to withdraw the invitation.

    No doubt Charles himself is less than thrilled to invite the president, both after his recent behaviour towards Zelensky and his decision to pull the US from the Paris agreement, given the king’s advocacy on environmental issues.

    Could the king raise such issues with Trump? Charles is bound by the doctrine of political neutrality: he must refrain from acting on political opinions. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be room for other senior royals not bound by the convention, like William, from doing so.

    Indeed, as prince of wales, Charles himself showed opposition to controversial leaders, effectively boycotting Chinese state visits in 1999 and 2015 allegedly in support for the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama.

    The monarch plays an important diplomatic role, especially during state visits. While the leaders they host may be controversial, the monarch must respect constitutional boundaries. Nevertheless, with an outspoken king and heir, this visit could prove to be even more unprecedented than it already is.

    Francesca Jackson 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. The king has a tricky diplomatic role to play in inviting Trump for a state visit – https://theconversation.com/the-king-has-a-tricky-diplomatic-role-to-play-in-inviting-trump-for-a-state-visit-251308

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Harris receives £25,000 towards Alexander Frieze Conservation

    Source: City of Preston

    The Harris receives £25,000 towards Alexander Frieze Conservation from Pilgrim Trust, Henry Moore Foundation and Friends of The Harris.

    The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library is pleased to announce successful awards totalling £25,000 from The Pilgrim Trust, The Henry Moore Foundation and Friends of the Harris to support conservation and redisplay of the Alexander Frieze.

    This significant funding will play a crucial role in displaying the frieze for future visitors to The Harris following the current Harris Your Place project; aimed at reimagining The Harris for future generations.

    The plaster frieze depicts Alexander the Great, leading his army into the city of Babylon in 331 BC after defeating the Persian king.

    The original version of the frieze was made in 1812 by Danish neoclassical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, with several copies created in his lifetime. The Harris’ version was brought to England in 1862 and was gifted to the Harris by the V&A in 1987. It has become a visitor favourite over the years and fits perfectly with the neo-classical design scheme of the building.

    The sheer scale and intricate details of this masterpiece present a substantial challenge for the conservator and specialist installation team involved in its preservation.

    The conservation project beginning in March 2025, will involve meticulous work to ensure the frieze is preserved for future visitors to enjoy.

    The funding will enable The Harris to address the complex needs of this significant piece, ensuring its structural stability and visual integrity.

    Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said:

    We are delighted to receive this generous grant from the Pilgrim Trust, Henry Moore Foundation and Friends of the Harris. The Alexander Frieze is an important part of our collection, and this funding allows us to undertake vital conservation work to ensure it can be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.

    The Harris Your Place project is all about protecting our historic collections while making them more accessible, and this support is a significant step towards that goal.

    Pilgrim Trust Director Sue Bowers added:

    We are delighted to support the conservation and redisplay of the Alexander Frieze with a £20,000 grant. It is a visitor favourite but now requires work form a specialist conservator to help stabilise and safeguard it for future generations to enjoy.

    Prof. Peter Lloyd ARE, Chair of Trustees for the Friends of The Harris said:

    The Friends of the Harris are proud to support the conservation of the Alexander Frieze, ensuring that people in Preston and beyond can continue to enjoy and be inspired by this remarkable piece of our shared heritage.

    The Harris will provide regular updates on the progress of the conservation project via its website and social media channels.

    Visit The Harris website – Alexander Frieze conservation project and the Harris Your Place project for more information.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HM Land Registry Chair’s letter

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    Correspondence

    HM Land Registry Chair’s letter

    This letter sets out the government’s expectations and priorities for HM Land Registry over the coming year.

    Applies to England and Wales

    Documents

    HM Land Registry Chair’s letter

    HTML

    HM Land Registry Chair’s letter

    PDF, 578 KB, 6 pages

    Details

    The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, has written to the Chair of the HM Land Registry Board, Neil Sachdev, to set out his priorities for HMLR in delivering their role in registering and protecting land and property ownership and supporting an efficient property market.

    A Chair’s letter is issued annually to ensure there is a clear set of expectations of HM Land Registry’s leadership. This letter includes a number of key areas of focus for HMLR to support the government’s policy priorities, missions and Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: China Mobile Qinghai and Huawei’s RuralStar Plus Wins GSMA GLOMO “Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets”

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: China Mobile Qinghai and Huawei’s RuralStar Plus Wins GSMA GLOMO “Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets”

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 6, 2025] During the MWC Barcelona 2025, China Mobile Qinghai and Huawei won the GSMA Global Mobile Award (GLOMO) “Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets” for their RuralStar Plus solution.
    China Mobile Qinghai and Huawei’s RuralStar Plus Wins GSMA GLOMO “Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets”

    Golog is located east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau — the world’s highest-altitude area —where mobile network construction is extremely challenging. Heavy machinery is needed to erect the towers, but bad weather and rough roads often impede construction efforts. Fiber for data transmission is also not an option as permafrost makes laying the necessary cables entirely impractical, and this kind of construction would harm the local ecological environment. To make matters worse, powering base stations is a challenge, since local mains supply is often unstable or insufficient.
    RuralStar Plus is a joint pole-site innovation of China Mobile Qinghai and Huawei, purpose-built for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region. This solution encompasses an integrated base station, an intelligent microwave unit, a lithium battery cabinet, and solar panels. These devices are all installed on a pole, which simplifies site deployment by eliminating the need to build a tower. By making full use of local solar power, RuralStar Plus does not need to work with an external mains supply to provide green 4G and 5G connections. With a microwave unit equipped, the solution does not require extra fiber. In addition, remote intelligent O&M is supported, which minimizes the number of labor-consuming site visits.
    RuralStar Plus helps narrow the digital divide for a large number of users and makes their lives more convenient. By expanding access to high-speed connectivity, it assists local authorities in disaster monitoring, ecological conservation, and disaster prevention and relief efforts.
    Fang Xiang, Vice President of Huawei Wireless Solution said, “Thank you to GSMA, analysts, and others for recognizing the RuralStar Plus project. This project fully demonstrates that digital inclusion can deliver both economic value and profound social impact. In the future, Huawei will continue to empower operators with innovative technologies to advance digital inclusion, pushing to connect the unconnected, and contribute to building a more equitable, efficient, and inclusive digital society.”
    MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
    In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
    For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei GigaGear Wins GSMA GLOMO Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough Award

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei GigaGear Wins GSMA GLOMO Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough Award

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 6, 2025] During the 2025 Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025), Huawei’s GigaGear solution was awarded the GSMA Global Mobile (GLOMO) Award for ‘Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough’. GigaGear employs an innovative GigaHz Instantaneous Bandwidth (IBW) hardware architecture and combines advanced Optsolver, an operations research and optimization solver, technologies to dynamically manage air interface resources (AIR), including time slots, spectrum blocks, beam layers, and transmit power manage time slot, spectrum block, beam layers, and transmit power. By implementing adaptive resource allocation based on operational intent and the real-time usage of AIR, it delivers an optimal user experience with minimizing resource consumption. As a result, the spectrum efficiency is enhanced by 30%, and user experience improvements reach approximately 48%.
    First technical breakthrough: ultra-wideband radio hardware architecture
    Huawei now provides the solution to the industry challenge where ultra-wideband, high power, and power amplifier efficiency of base station RF units are mutually constrictive. At the hardware layer, GigaGear features an integrated architecture of GigaHz power amplifiers and filters. At the software layer, by introducing AIR pooling resource management, GigaGear implements unified management of AIR for 4G/5G technologies within a single virtual cell. The joint orchestration of global resources ensures that only the minimum amount of resources is allocated to meet service experience requirements, thus boosting spectrum efficiency by 30%.
    Second technical breakthrough: operations optimization algorithm
    Huawei has introduced Optsolver, an operations optimization solver, into its mobile base station products to implement a traceable white-box algorithm based on a mathematical optimization engine, which ensures muti-dimension optimal allocation of deterministic resources. GigaGear leverages OptSolver in both hardware and software to optimize operators’ key performance indicators, OptSolver extends traditional AIR optimization by incorporating multi-dimensional factors such as frequency-differentiated coverage elasticity, Massive MIMO gain coefficient, interference suppression ratio, and operation energy efficiency. This global decision model upgraded the process from the hour level to the millisecond level, thereby enabling real-time decision-making of optimal resources. At its maximum capacity, GigaGear improves user experience by approximately 48%.
    Huawei GigaGear Solution Wins GSMA GLOMO “Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough Award”

    Sun Rui, President of Huawei’s Wireless solution R&D, said, “Many thanks to GSMA, analysts, and everyone for recognizing GigaGear technology. And many thanks to the customers who support huawei to verify and deploy GigaGear. GigaGear is a key technology that embodies Huawei’s commitment to enhancing spectrum efficiency, user experience, and connection stability, It can support operators build experience-centric networks. Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to drive technological innovation continuously to create greater value for customer.”
    MWC Barcelona 2025 will be held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
    In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
    For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: MTN and Huawei signed an MoU to collaborate on the digital future for Africa

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: MTN and Huawei signed an MoU to collaborate on the digital future for Africa

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 6, 2025] During the MWC Barcelona 2025, MTN Group and Huawei reaffirmed their long-term collaboration through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement outlines a framework to explore opportunities in advanced connectivity solutions, cloud based technologies and digital infrastructure to drive sustainable digital development across Africa.
    MTN Group and Huawei Strategic Partnership MoU Signing Ceremony

    Mazen Mroué, Group Chief Technology and Information Officer of MTN, said: “At MTN, our focus is on delivering seamless, intelligent, and inclusive digital experiences for our customers across Africa. Through this collaboration with Huawei, we are exploring innovative solutions to enhance network reliability, improve service quality, and expand digital access for underserved communities. By leveraging advanced connectivity and cloud technologies, we aim to empower businesses, enrich customer experiences, and accelerate Africa’s digital future.”
    Huawei’s Member of Huawei’s Supervisory Board and President of ICT Sales & Service, ICT Sales President Li Peng emphasised the collaboration’s transformative potential, “Our joint initiatives in 5G-Advanced networks and AI-powered cloud platforms will create a robust foundation for Africa’s digital economy. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to developing localised solutions that bridge both technological and skills gaps across the continent.”
    This MoU marks a new phase in MTN and Huawei’s strategic collaboration going forward. Both companies will explore innovative solutions to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation and drive long-term digital economic growth.
    MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
    In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
    For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Greens call for government action to tackle broken energy market

    Source: Scottish Greens

    06 Mar 2025 Housing

    We need to fix the broken energy market and cuts bills.

    More in Housing

    The Scottish Government must take action to deliver the overdue Heat in Buildings Bill to tackle the climate crisis and reduce bills, says Scottish Green Co-leader Patrick Harvie.

    In his first question to the First Minister, Mr Harvie said:

    “In April, energy bills are set to rise for the third time in less than a year.

    “People across Scotland are worrying about those bills, and at the same time energy companies are raking in vast profits at the expense of people and the planet.

    “Our energy markets are broken. No doubt we could both say what we think the UK government should do to fix those markets, but the Scottish Government has also promised action which hasn’t happened.

    “My last question to the FM was nearly three months ago. I asked him about his promise of a new law to end our reliance on gas for home heating – which is vital to tackling the climate emergency, and cutting people’s bills too.

    “It was already overdue, without explanation, back in December. Now here we are in March; there’s still no legislation, and no explanation. Where is it?”

    In his response the First Minister agreed with the principles of the Bill but did not confirm a timeline for its publication.

    Asking his second question, Mr Harvie said:

    “The government was already considering the consultation a year ago. The real concern is that they have been spending that time watering it down. That’s the fear that I have and that the industry has.

    “The reality is that Scotland is already behind many other European countries on this. France and Germany have been accelerating their action dramatically in recent years. Scandinavian countries are decades ahead of us.

    “The only way to catch up, and to give Scottish households the benefit of affordable, reliable heat and cutting the pollution that is destroying our environment, is for the government to act decisively and show clear leadership.

    “But just as the Scottish Government has slowed down on other green measures, by hiking rail fares and watering down rent controls, progress on clean heat has stalled.

    “Will the FM commit now to get this overdue legislation published this month, to give the clarity and leadership that has been lacking?”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Staffordshire woman prosecuted for not removing illegal waste

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Staffordshire woman prosecuted for not removing illegal waste

    The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a 43-year-old Staffordshire woman for failing to remove illegal waste from land in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

    A pile of waste at the site.

    • Calls from members of public prompts Environment Agency investigation
    • Hundreds of tonnes of waste stored on rented land in Lichfield
    • Case heard at Cannock Magistrates Court on Tuesday 4 March 2025

    At Cannock Magistrates Court on 4 March 2025, Lissa Appleby, of Nankirks Lane, Anslow, near Burton-upon-Trent, pleaded guilty to a single offence and was fined £550. She was also ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £220.

    The court was told that officers from the Environment Agency visited the address she was renting at Mill Farm, Cappers Lane, Whittington, Lichfield on October 13, 2023. The visit came following calls from members of the public regarding waste issues. The address consisted of a domestic property, large grounds and a barn.

    Inside the barn several hundred tonnes of dry shredded waste was discovered, containing plastic sheeting, plastic textiles, metals, wood and cardboard.

    Following a period of rainfall, the defendant was initially requested to move the waste from outside to inside the barn area as a temporary measure. This was to stop further leachate contamination.

    She was also given guidance that an environmental permit would be required for the activities carried out or for the waste to be removed by a person who held the correct waste carriers’ licence.

    The Environment Agency issued a letter to immediately cease activities at the property, believing she was operating an illegal waste site.

    Officers visited the site again on 26 October 2023 and found that the waste remained. Some had been put inside the barn, although there was still a large pile outside.

    The defendant said she could not afford to clear the site.

    Officers served a notice on the defendant, instructing her to remove all the waste on site by 3 January 2024.

    However, a further site visit on 10 January 2024 found the waste remained.

    On 31 January 2024, the defendant vacated the property, informing the letting agents she would clear all the waste within a two-week period.

    But on 29 February 2024, another visit by the Environment Agency confirmed that all the original waste remained on site. Plus additional waste had been deposited within the barn.

    A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

    This site posed a significant environmental threat due to the high risk of fire and potential impact to local communities and amenities. 

    As a regulator, the Environment Agency will not hesitate to pursue people that fail to meet their obligations. 

    Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment, harm human health and undermine local legitimate waste companies.  

    If anyone is suspicious of waste activities they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.

    Background

    Lissa Appleby, on 4 January 2024, being the occupier of land, namely Mill Farm, Cappers Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9JW, failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a notice dated 13th November 2023 to remove controlled waste from the land contrary to section 59ZB(2) and 59ZB(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKAEA and F-REI sign collaboration in robotics research

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UKAEA and F-REI sign collaboration in robotics research

    A memorandum of cooperation has been signed by UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI).

    Dr Koetsu Yamazaki (F-REI) and Prof. Rob Buckingham (UKAEA) at MOC signing – Image Credit United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

    The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI) have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on joint research in robotics and autonomous systems. 

    The MOC fosters UK-Japan collaboration between the government-funded organisations, enhancing joint research opportunities and advancing science and innovation in key technical areas, such as: 

    • Robotics and autonomous systems: supporting nuclear decommissioning, operations in challenging environments and advanced manufacturing 

    • Facility management and collaboration: sharing best practices in research facilities, harnessing a culture of innovation and commercialisation 

    • Talent and skills: initiatives to drive partnerships and support talent and skills development. 

    UKAEA’s Executive Director, Prof. Rob Buckingham, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with F-REI, as both organisations share a strong commitment to advancing science and innovation in key technical areas, including robotics and autonomous systems. UKAEA has established robust partnerships with leading Japanese organisations, and this collaboration marks an exciting opportunity to expand those connections. By leveraging our shared experience and expertise, I am confident we can further strengthen UK-Japan engagement across government, industry, and academia, driving cutting-edge advancements with real-world impact.” 

    F-REI’s President, Dr. Koetsu Yamazaki, remarked: “F-REI and UKAEA share complementary objectives in research, innovation, education, and commercialisation. The UKAEA’s extensive experience in developing productive research programmes, educational initiatives, innovation and commercialisation pipelines, and collaborative research facilities offers valuable lessons that can significantly benefit F-REI’s startup goals. We are also excited to enhance Japan’s scientific and technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness through this international collaboration.” 

    UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefit. Established in 2014, UKAEA’s world-class robotics centre, RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments), has been at the forefront of research and development in the deployment of robotics within extreme industrial environments where human intervention is challenging. Among RACE’s recent achievements is the successful development of next-generation robotics technologies for decommissioning through the LongOps project, funded by the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). 

    UKAEA is a member of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) alongside the NDA, Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester. The collaboration accelerates deployment of robotics and AI to solve shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges. 

    F-REI, established by the Government of Japan in April 2023 under the Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of Fukushima, is dedicated to becoming a world-class core centre for creative reconstruction. F-REI embodies the dreams and aspirations of Fukushima and other parts of the Tohoku region, aiming to drive Japan’s scientific and technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness. The institute conducts research and development in the following five key areas:

    • Robotics
    • Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
    • Energy
    • Radiation science, medicine, drug development, and industrial applications for radiation
    • The collection and dissemination of data and knowledge on nuclear disasters.

    The MOC was signed by Koetsu Yamazaki and Rob Buckingham on 4 March 2025 at UKAEA’s Culham Campus, UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major military infrastructure upgrade completed at Leuchars

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Major military infrastructure upgrade completed at Leuchars

    Construction has completed on a major infrastructure project to benefit soldiers based at Leuchars Station in Fife.

    Representatives of the ABP Leuchars Project delivery team with REME personnel inside the new Central Servicing and Inspection Facility. Front row left to right: Barry Ray, DIO MPP Army Programme Delivery Leader; Brigadier Jody Davies MBE, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland; Belinda Lunn, DEO Army Programme Director. Copyright McLaughlin & Harvey.

    Upgraded facilities have been delivered for The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and 2nd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, including refurbished offices, garaging, a shared workshop, a central servicing and inspection facility and a new-build bespoke store.

    At the formal opening of the new facilities on 5 March, Belinda Lunn, Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme Director, said:

    I am delighted to see the result of this significant investment at Leuchars Station, which has delivered high-quality facilities for service personnel. This major upgrade in technical infrastructure has set the benchmark for our long-term programme to enhance the Army estate in Scotland.

    Brigadier Jody Davies MBE, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, said:

    This impressive infrastructure upgrade delivered at Leuchars Station will enable our soldiers and officers to undertake their day-to-day duties in a modern, comfortable, and efficient working environment. It is excellent to see such investment in improved infrastructure to enhance how our people live, work, train and operate in Scotland. 

    The £62 million Leuchars Station project was delivered under the legacy of the Army Basing Programme by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), contracting to McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd and Mott MacDonald.

    Barry Ray, DIO MPP Army Programme Delivery Leader, said:

    DIO has been pleased to work over the past 2 years with our industry partners McLaughlin & Harvey and Mott MacDonald on the fifth and final phase of the ABP Leuchars project, to provide the modern infrastructure the Army needs at Leuchars Station.  We are thrilled that it is already making a positive difference for service personnel both today and will in future. This sits alongside the new Medical and Dental Centre, which is nearing completion, as well as plans for further new facilities.

    Martin Keys, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said:

    We are proud to celebrate the successful completion of this strategic defence project alongside our valued partners. Utilising our specialist knowledge and growing defence capabilities we have delivered facilities that meets the highest standards of security, resilience, and functionality. This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire team, and we remain committed to supporting national defence infrastructure with excellence and integrity.

    Paul Harrison, General Manager Defence, Mott MacDonald, said:

    This has been a showcase for a one-team integrated approach and we have worked to improve Defence infrastructure in an affordable, innovative, safe and collaborative way, overcoming significant challenges including extensive ground contamination, listed building constraints and legacy infrastructure. From planning and assessment, through to concept and design, then project managing the construction works contract on behalf of DIO, we are proud to have helped improve sustainable infrastructure development and contributed to an optimised UK Defence Estate.

    Further investment is to be delivered at Leuchars Station under the DEO Army Programme. Construction is due to start in 2027 on living and technical infrastructure across the site that will support Unit rebasing following the 2021 Defence Integrated Review and as announced in Future Soldier.

    The DEO Army Programme makes up the largest proportion of the MOD’s DEO Portfolio which is investing £5.1 billion in more modern and sustainable infrastructure across the Defence estate that meets future operational requirements and enhances the lived experience of military personnel.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Cloud Computing Expert Kelsey Hightower to Speak at HAProxyConf 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWTON, Mass. and SAN FRANCISCO, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HAProxy Technologies, the company behind HAProxy One, the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, announced today that Kelsey Hightower will deliver a keynote address at HAProxyConf 2025. Attendees can register now to book tickets at the limited early bird price of $350, and secure their place at the global HAProxy community event. This marks the first time in the conference’s history that the event will be held in the United States, having previously been in The Netherlands and France.

    “HAProxy showcases community at its best,” said Kelsey Hightower. “They’ve been dedicated to open source for more than two decades – longer than some of us have been in this field! I’ve watched them grow and adapt over the years as an active member of the broader ecosystem and this project is the very definition of sustainability.”

    Kelsey Hightower, a well-known technologist and contributor to cloud computing, open source software, and Kubernetes, will deliver the opening keynote to kick off two days of expert speakers from across the open source and enterprise landscape.

    “HAProxy users are creative, dedicated, and possess incredible community spirit, which shines through every time at HAProxyConf,” said Dujko Radovnikovic, CEO, HAProxy Technologies. “The conference attracts world leaders in application delivery and security, and Kelsey is a perfect example – his unique voice has helped shape the cloud-native systems that have transformed the way we build and deploy applications over the last decade. You won’t want to miss it.”

    Kelsey Hightower’s cloud-native expertise aligns with the interests, challenges, and goals of the HAProxy user community. Over half of HAProxy users reported using Kubernetes in a 2022 user survey, demonstrating its rapid growth as a deployment method for modern containerized applications. HAProxy plays a key role in this environment by ensuring performance, reliability, and security at the edge. In the last 12 months, the company achieved several notable milestones in the Kubernetes market segment:

    • HAProxy became a G2 category leader in Container Networking
    • HAProxy Fusion 1.3 added near-instant configuration generation from service discovery registries, with minimal overhead
    • HAProxy Technologies became a Gold Member of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and is a Diamond Sponsor of KubeCon London 2025
    • HAProxy Technologies became a Docker Verified Publisher, providing an authoritative source for HAProxy’s Docker images.

    “Kelsey’s presence at HAProxyConf underscores the company’s explosive growth over the last few years,” said Tim Bertrand, President of HAProxy Technologies. “As organizations of all types and sizes navigate the evolving challenges of security, AI, Kubernetes, and more, HAProxy Technologies is delivering the technology leadership and world-class experience needed to stay ahead. If you want to see it for yourself, make sure you’re at HAProxyConf this June.”

    About HAProxyConf

    HAProxyConf celebrates the thriving user community that’s made HAProxy the world’s fastest and most widely used software load balancer. Over two-plus days, expert speakers will share best practices and real-world use cases that highlight HAProxy’s next-gen approach to high-performance application delivery and security. Attendees will explore how to master their application traffic with next-gen solutions to the challenges of multi-layered security, observability, performance, and the complexities of Kubernetes and multi-cloud deployments.

    Registration and the Call for Papers are open for HAProxyConf 2025. Early bird tickets are $350, regular tickets are $450, and workshop add-ons are $100.

    For more information, visit www.haproxyconf.com or review the best HAProxyConf presentations from prior years in the HAProxy User Spotlight Series.

    About HAProxy Technologies

    HAProxy Technologies is the company behind HAProxy One, the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, and HAProxy, the most widely used software load balancer. Leading companies and cloud providers trust HAProxy to simplify, scale, and secure modern applications, APIs, and AI services in any environment. HAProxy Technologies is headquartered in Newton, MA, with multiple offices across the US and Europe. Learn more at HAProxy.com.

    For questions or comments, please contact press@haproxy.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d384ec8c-c41f-4942-8554-e4d4f5410d3a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Progress Opens Applications for its 2025 Women in STEM Scholarship Series

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Empowering future women leaders in STEM, the scholarship series supports students in the U.S., Bulgaria and India on their journey to shape computer science, software engineering, IT or related fields

    BURLINGTON, Mass., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today announced that applications are now open for the 2025 Progress Women in STEM Scholarship Series in celebration of International Women’s Day. Established in 2019, the program supports students in the United States, Bulgaria and India—regions where Progress has a significant presence.

    “At Progress, we recognize the critical role education plays in fostering innovation and shaping the future of the STEM industry,” said Yogesh Gupta, CEO, Progress. “Through this scholarship series, we are honored to support the academic journeys of outstanding young women who will help lead the next wave of technological advancements in STEM.”

    Mary Székely Scholarship for Women in STEM (U.S.)
    Honoring the legacy of Progress co-founder and pioneering software engineer Mary Székely (pronounced: “See-kay”), this renewable $10,000 scholarship supports women residing in Massachusetts—home to Progress’ global headquarters—who are enrolling in or completing their first year of an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, IT or computer information systems. Candidates should embody Mary Székely’s values of hard work, integrity and a passion for learning and mentorship.

    Women in STEM Scholarship Program (Bulgaria)
    This program awards two annual scholarships of BGN 3,000 each (approximately $1,700) to women in their second, third or fourth year of study in computer science, software engineering, IT or related fields at an accredited Bulgarian university.

    Akanksha Scholarship for Women in STEM (India)
    Meaning “aspire” in Sanskrit, the Akanksha Scholarship is a renewable award of up to INR 1,50,000 (approximately $2,000) annually. It is available to women in India pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science, computer information systems, software engineering or IT, who demonstrate resilience, ambition and a commitment to progress.

    A Legacy of Innovation and Social Impact
    The Progress Women in STEM Scholarship Series is part of the Progress for Tomorrow Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. Past scholarship recipients have exemplified innovation and the passion to give back to society, including a student leveraging AI to address affordable housing challenges, an innovator merging technology with art and sustainability and a technologist dedicated to enhancing global health outcomes through cutting-edge solutions.

    Application Details
    All applications must be submitted by April 11, 2025. For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the Progress website.

    About Progress   
    Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS) empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease. Customers get a trusted provider in Progress, with the products, expertise and vision they need to succeed. Over 4 million developers and technologists at hundreds of thousands of enterprises depend on Progress. Learn more at www.progress.com.  

    Progress is a trademark or registered trademark of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. 

    Press Contacts:            
    Kim Baker           
    Progress         
    +1-800-477-6473           
    pr@progress.com

    The MIL Network –