NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Travelling Gallery returns with new exhibition

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Travelling Gallery is delighted to be partnering with the University of St Andrews this February to present the exhibition Between Women.

    The exhibition features the work of Franki Raffles, Sylvia Grace Borda, Sandra George, Carolyn Scott and Niu Weiyu.

    Between Women takes images made by the photographer Franki Raffles from her base in Edinburgh during the 1980s and 1990s as a starting point to explore relationships between gender, labour, education, care and activism in documentary photography since the 1950s in Scotland and internationally. Raffles’ photographs will appear alongside images by Sylvia Grace Borda, Sandra George, Carolyn Scott and Niu Weiyu which together illuminate how gender is produced and reproduced through workplaces, housing, healthcare, and particularly schools, playgrounds and nurseries, across urban and rural landscapes.

    In examining the relationships and power structures between women, this exhibition takes inspiration from two projects by Raffles. The first is a trip Raffles made in 1984–85 to the Soviet Union and Asia, including an extended period in China, during which her concern with women at work crystallised. The second, Picturing Women, was part of a 1988–89 educational initiative organised by Stills Gallery, Edinburgh, aimed at helping young people analyse photographs, for which Raffles studied the working relationships between women at a school. These two projects provide a framework through which connections and comparisons with Niu Weiyu, Carolyn Scott, Sandra George and Sylvia Grace Borda’s photographs emerge.

    One of the few women photographers to gain professional recognition in twentieth-century China, Niu worked for state-run media organisations and produced a large number of photographs that portray women’s roles as workers throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Carolyn Scott’s documentary photographs images of children and families in Newcastle’s Rye Hill area where she lived between 1967-68 observe the relationships and socialisation forged through play, but also the effects of deindustrialisation on the community. Sandra George’s photographs of Edinburgh during the 1980s and 1990s attest to the importance of community educational groups and spaces in activism and organising, alongside public demonstrations and gatherings. Sylvia Grace Borda’s studies of schools, leisure centres and nurseries in the New Town of East Kilbride reflect on the complex legacies of post-1945 Welfare State architecture from the perspective of the early 2000s.

    Together, these photographs highlight the possibilities for solidarity between women in sites and spaces spanning the local and the global, but also the importance of recognising differences and intersectional identities that account for the constructs of gender, sexuality, race, disability and class in activism and organising.

    Launching in Edinburgh at the Community Wellbeing Centre on Monday 17 February from 11am to 5pm, the exhibition will tour throughout the week visiting the following locations:

    • Tuesday 18 February, 10am – 4pm – Glasgow Women’s Library
    • Wednesday 19 February, 10am – 4pm – Dundee International Women’s Centre
    • Thursday 20 February, 10am – 4pm – Fluthers Car Park, Cupar
    • Friday 21 February, 10am – 4pm – East Sands Leisure Centre, St Andrews

    Between Women is curated by Vivian K. Sheng and Catherine Spencer, with support from the University of St Andrews Impact and Innovation Fund.

    Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:

    It’s brilliant to see the Travelling Gallery return for 2025.

    It’s crucial that art and culture is as accessible to as many people as possible. I’m proud that through our ongoing support of the Travelling Gallery, and the recent increased Creative Scotland investment, art is brought straight into the hearts of towns and cities across Scotland. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to visit the exhibition, bringing together work which illuminates how gender is produced and reproduced through workplaces.

    Here in Edinburgh, we’re clear that that our residents should be able to easily access a variety of cultural activities, and this exhibition brings art closer to people’s communities.

    Louise Briggs, Curator, Travelling Gallery said:

    We’re delighted to be working with Vivian, Catherine, and the University of St Andrews to present this exhibition. We’re looking forward to discussing the work of each artist with our visitors, who we believe will have their own stories and experiences to share that chime with many of the references (and local sites) found in the work on display.”

    With thanks to the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, Edinburgh Napier University, Franki Raffles Estate, Craigmillar Now, Gaofan Photography Museum, Sylvia Grace Borda and Carolyn Scott.

    Travelling Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in a bus. Since 1978 it has been bringing exhibitions to communities throughout Scotland. We recognise that art can change lives and we create fair conditions and remove barriers to allow access and engagement to audiences in their own familiar surroundings. The gallery space offers an open and welcoming environment for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to discover and enjoy contemporary art. Over the past forty years, Travelling Gallery has brought innovative exhibitions to every part of Scotland reaching hundreds of thousands of visitors and school pupils. Travelling Gallery is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, regularly funded by Creative Scotland and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.

    For more information, please vist the Travelling Gallery website.        

    The gallery has ramp access for wheelchairs; hearing loop and will have large print format exhibition interpretation.

    Artist Biographies

    Sylvia Grace Borda is an artist working with photography, net art, video installation, and eco-art, who has undertaken projects in Canada, Finland, Northern Ireland, Latvia, Scotland, Ethiopia and Taiwan. Her artwork is concerned with establishing systems of public understanding that underpin literacy, advocacy, and action to conserve the built and natural environments. In Scotland, she focused on New Town architecture in EK Modernism (2005–10) and A Holiday in Glenrothes (2008), and created an edible photo artwork, the Lumsden Biscuit (2016–17). Her roles at Queen’s University Belfast (2008–10); University of Salford (2011), and University of Stirling (2012–15) have focused on visual arts and social histories, digital engagement and innovation. In 2023, she received the Mozilla Foundation Rise 25 award in recognition of her transformative media arts practice to democratize the web for communities. Exhibitions include National Galleries of Scotland, RIAS, Street Level Photoworks, and The Lighthouse, Glasgow.

    Sandra George (1957–2013) was an Edinburgh-based social documentary photographer, multi-disciplinary artist, and a community worker in Craigmillar. George studied Photography at Napier University, Drawing and Painting at Edinburgh College of Art, and Community Education at The University of Edinburgh. For over 30 years she worked extensively as a freelance photographer for organisations and publications including the Sentinel, Tollcross Community Newspaper, Shelter, Craigmillar Festival News, and Craigmillar Chronicle, and taught photography and art to communities across Edinburgh. She started working in community development in Wester Hailes in the 1980s, and in Craigmillar from the 1990s, and was an integral member of initiatives including McGovan house, the Thistle Foundation, and the Craigmillar Arts Centre. Alongside a commitment to community work, anti-racism and social justice, George’s photographs document children at play and their educational and leisure environments. George’s archive is held at Craigmillar Now, a community-led arts and heritage organisation in Craigmillar.

    Franki Raffles (1955–1994) was a feminist photographer specialising in social documentary. Raffles studied philosophy at the University of St Andrews from 1973–1977, where she was an active member of the Women’s Liberation Movement. After experimenting with photography while living on the Isle of Lewis, she moved to Edinburgh in 1983, and started documenting women at work, as well as organising and campaigning. Raffles frequently collaborated with Edinburgh District Council’s Women’s Committee, including on the project To Let You Understand: Women’s Working Lives in Edinburgh (1989) Zero Tolerance campaign against domestic violence in the early 1990s. She travelled widely throughout her career, including extended trips to Asia and the Soviet Union. Raffles’ work is currently the focus of a major exhibition Franki Raffles: Photography, Activism, Campaign Works at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Her archive is held at the University of St Andrews.

    Carolyn Scott is an artist working in photography, film and installation. She was raised in Edinburgh and now lives in Cupar, Fife. Carolyn lived in the Rye Hill district of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the late 1960s where, in the spring and early summer of 1968, using a twin-lens Rollieflex camera, she photographed the immediate area in which she lived. Her  Rye Hill Social Documentary Photography Collection images were unseen for nearly 40 years until she revisited them during her studies at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee University, where she received a BA and MFA. Carolyn’s work has been shown in the Cupar Arts Festival, St Andrews Photography Festival, Royal Scottish Academy and The Centre for Theology and Inquiry, Princeton. The Rye Hill Social Documentary Photography Collection is now held at the University of St Andrews. 

    Niu Weiyu (牛畏予) (1927–2020) worked as a photojournalist and photographer for North China Pictorial, Southwest Pictorial, and the News Photography Bureau. She later joined the Xinhua News Agency, where she worked for various branches from the 1950s to the 1980s. Weiyu was one of the few women photographers during this period, who were often assigned to feature women workers, such as the first women pilots, as well as public figures and officials in the Chinese Communist Party, and she travelled extensively throughout her career.

    Vivian K. Sheng is an art historian working on contemporary Chinese and East Asian art in transnational contexts and an assistant professor in contemporary art at the University of Hong Kong. In Fall 2022, she was a Global Fellow hosted by the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews. Her research investigates the intricate interrelations between women, domesticity and art practices in contexts of ever more intensified cross-border movements and exchanges, provoking reflections on notions of identity, home and belonging beyond the territorial fixity of natio-state. Relevant issues are explored in her forthcoming monograph book— The Arts of Homemaking: Women, Migration and Transnational East Asia. Her writings have appeared in ASAP/Journal, Art Journal, PARSE Journal,Third Text,  Sculpture Journal, Yishu and INDEX JOURNAL.

    Catherine Spencer is an art historian at the University of St Andrews. She is currently working on a book entitled Abstract Subjects: Art, Borders and ‘Britain’, and co-editing Grassroots Artmaking: Political Struggle and Activist Art in the UK, 1960–Present with Maryam Ohadi-Hamadani and Amy Tobin (Bloomsbury, forthcoming). Her writing on Franki Raffles has been published in Art History (2022) and the catalogue for the 2024–5 exhibition Franki Raffles: Photography, Activism, Campaign Works at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. In 2021, she co-curated Life Support: Forms of Care in Art and Activism with Caroline Gausden, Kirsten Lloyd, and Nat Raha at Glasgow Women’s Library. Her essays have appeared in Art History, Art Journal, ARTMargins, Tate Papers, Parallax and Oxford Art Journal.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Open competitions launched for Independent Prevent Commissioner and Commissioner for Countering Extremism

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    The government has launched open competitions for two roles.

    Today, two open competitions have been launched for the role of permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner and the role of Commissioner for Countering Extremism.

    In December 2024, the Home Secretary announced the introduction of a new Independent Prevent Commissioner role. In January 2025, Lord David Anderson KC was confirmed as the Interim Prevent Commissioner until the appointment of a permanent holder. The commissioner will have the specific remit of reviewing the programme’s effectiveness, identifying gaps and problems before they emerge. The appointment will be announced in due course.

    The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the government with independent expert advice on extremism, with the current commissioner, Robin Simcox’s fixed term due to end in July. He has held the appointment since March 2021, first in an interim capacity, then on a substantive basis since July 2022. The appointment of a new commissioner will also be announced in due course.

    The role of Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption, previously held by Lord Walney, will come to an end. The CCE will take forward work as part of its new strengthened remit. 

    Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

    To continue our fight against extremism and terrorism in whatever form they take we need expert advice and oversight. The role holders will be crucial in those efforts, and I look forward to working with the successful candidates.

    I would also like to thank Lord Walney and Robin Simcox for their work in their respective roles as Independent Advisor on Political Violence and Disruption and as Commissioner for Countering Extremism.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police name victim of fatal Ealing stabbing and appeal for witnesses to come forward

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The victim of a fatal stabbing in Ealing has been named – as detectives continue to appeal for witnesses.

    Police were called at around 22:15hrs on Monday, 10 February, to the Grosvenor pub in Oaklands Road, Hanwell, to reports that a man had stumbled into the pub with serious injuries.

    Officers attended the scene alongside London Ambulance Service crews, and found 33-year-old Dariusz Serafin there with a several knife wounds. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Homicide detectives are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the circumstances of the incident. There have not been any arrests.

    Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, from the Met’s Specialist Crime unit, said: “We are making good progress with our investigation, and a number of leads are being followed up.

    “Our enquiries thus far lead us to believe that the stabbing took place in the vicinity of Sydney Road junction with Regina Road. Although this is a predominantly residential area, its proximity to The Broadway – and a number of shops, pubs and restaurants still open at the time of the incident – leads us to believe there will have been witnesses who may have seen or heard something.

    “We urge anyone with information to contact us urgently. There may also be CCTV, ring doorbell or dash cam footage which may be relevant to the investigation.

    “We urge anybody who was in the area to check their footage from between 20.30hrs and 22.30hrs on Monday, 10 February, and to notify the police if they believe they have captured anything which may assist our investigation.”

    The victim’s family are being supported by specialists. In a statement, they said: “Dariusz, known for his boundless empathy and loving spirit for people and animals, touched everyone he met with his kindness and compassion. His presence will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those he loved.

    “In his honour, his family urges everyone to help end senseless knife crime in the streets of London, and to assist in bringing the person responsible for his death to justice. Rest peacefully, Dariusz.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC, quoting CAD 7176/10FEB25. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    Information can also be provided directly to police via an online portal.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Emilia Pérez’ was nominated for 13 Oscars. Why do so many people hate it?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alejandra Marquez Guajardo, Assistant Professor of Spanish, Michigan State University

    Going by recent media coverage, you wouldn’t be remiss for assuming it had been nominated for a slew of Golden Raspberries. Netflix

    French director Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” first made waves among critics at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, when it won multiple awards. It went on to receive 10 Golden Globe nominations, winning four, including best musical or comedy.

    “It is so beautiful to see a movie that is cinema,” gushed Mexican director Guillermo del Toro. Another Mexican filmmaker, Issa López, who directed “True Detective: Night Country,” called it a “masterpiece,” adding that Audiard portrayed issues of gender and violence in Latin America “better than any Mexican facing this issue at this time.”

    The film is a musical about a Mexican drug lord named Manitas del Monte, played by trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón. Del Monte hires a lawyer to facilitate her long-awaited gender transition. After her surgery, she fakes her death with her lawyer’s help and sends her wife, Jessi, played by Selena Gómez, and their children to Switzerland. Four years later, Manitas – now known as Emilia Pérez – tries to reunite with her family by posing as Manitas’ distant cousin.

    So why is it bombing among Mexican moviegoers?

    Modest research into a ‘modest’ language

    As a scholar of gender and sexuality in Latin America, I study LGBTQ+ representation in media, particularly in Mexico. So it’s been interesting to follow the negative reaction to a film that critics claim has broken new ground in exploring themes of gender, sexuality and violence in Mexico.

    Many of the film’s perceived errors seem self-inflicted.

    Audiard admitted that he didn’t do much research on Mexico before and during the filming process. And even though he doesn’t speak Spanish, he chose to use a Spanish script and film the movie in Spanish.

    Jacques Audiard speaks during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Feb. 10, 2025.
    Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival

    The director told French media outlet Konbini that he chose to make the film in Spanish because it is a language “of modest countries, developing countries, of poor people and migrants.”

    Not surprisingly, an early critique of the film centered on its Spanish: It uses some Mexican slang words, but they’re spoken in ways that sound unnatural to native speakers. Then there’s the film’s overreliance on clichés that border on racism, perhaps most egregiously when Emilia’s child sings that she smells of “mezcal and guacamole.”

    Of course, an artist need not belong to a culture in order to depict or explore it in their work. Filmmakers like Sergei Eisenstein and Luis Buñuel became renowned figures in Mexican cinema despite being born in Latvia and Spain, respectively.

    When choosing to explore sensitive topics, however, it is important to take into account the perspective of those being portrayed, both for accuracy’s sake and as a form of respect. Take Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The director collaborated with members of the Osage nation to further the film’s historical and cultural accuracy.

    Glossing over the nuance

    “Emilia Pérez” centers on how violence stems from the corruption prevalent in Mexico. Multiple musical numbers denounce the collusion between authorities and criminals.

    This is certainly true. But to many Mexicans, it feels like an oversimplification of the issue.

    The film fails to acknowledge the confluence of factors behind the country’s violence, such as U.S. demand for illegal drugs stemming from its opioid crisis, or the role that American guns play in Mexico’s violence.

    Professor and journalist Oswaldo Zavala, who has written extensively about Mexican cartels, argues that the film perpetuates the idea that Latin American countries are solely to blame for the violence of drug trafficking. Furthermore, Zavala contends that this perspective reinforces the narrative that the U.S.-Mexico border needs to be militarized.

    The musical features few male characters; the ones who do appear are invariably violent, and this includes Manitas before undergoing their transition. The cruelty of Manitas contrasts with Emilia’s kindness: She helps the “madres buscadoras,” which are the Mexican collectives made up of mothers searching for missing loved ones presumed to be kidnapped or killed by organized crime. One of these collectives, Colectivo de Víctimas del 10 de Marzo, criticized the film for depicting groups like theirs as recipients of money from organized crime and beneficiaries of luxurious galas attended by politicians and celebrities.

    The group’s leader, Delia Quiroa, announced that the group would send a letter to the academy to express its condemnation of the film.

    Members of the Madres Buscadoras de Sonora search for the remains of missing persons on the outskirts of Hermosillo, a city in northwestern Mexico, in 2021.
    Alfred Estrella/AFP via Getty Images

    Backlash on multiple fronts

    These political and cultural blind spots have spurred a backlash among Mexican moviegoers.

    When the movie premiered in Mexico in January 2025, it bombed at the box office, with some viewers demanding refunds. Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Agency had to intervene after the movie chain Cinépolis refused to honor its satisfaction-guarantee policy.

    Mexican writer Jorge Volpi called the movie “one of the crudest and most deceitful films of the 21st century.”

    Trans content creator Camila Aurora playfully parodied “Emilia Pérez” in her short film “Johanne Sacrebleu.” In scenes filled with stereotypical French symbols such as croissants and berets, it tells the story of an heiress who falls in love with a member of her family’s business rivals.

    While some viewers have nonetheless praised “Emilia Pérez” for its nuanced portrayal of trans women and the casting of a trans actress, the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD described it as “a step backward for trans representation.”

    One point of contention is the musical number Emilia sings, “medio ella, medio él,” or “half she, half he,” which insinuates that trans people are stuck between two genders. The movie also seems to portray the character’s transition as a tool for deception.

    A social media viper pit

    Meanwhile, Gascón’s historic nominations as the first trans actress recognized by the Oscars and other awards have been overshadowed by her controversial statements.

    She made headlines when she accused associates of Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres of disparaging her work. Torres is also an Oscar nominee for best actress.

    Gascón’s historic nomination for best actress has been overshadowed by sniping on social media.
    Yamak Perea/ Pixelnews/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    The latest controversy began in late January 2025 when Gascón’s old social media posts resurfaced. The now-deleted messages included attacks on Muslims in Spain and a post calling co-star Selena Gómez a “rich rat,” which Gascón has denied writing.

    “Emilia Pérez” is limping into the Oscars. Netflix and Audiard have distanced themselves from Gascón to try to preserve the film’s prospects at the annual Academy Awards ceremony.

    It could be too little too late.

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

    – ref. ‘Emilia Pérez’ was nominated for 13 Oscars. Why do so many people hate it? – https://theconversation.com/emilia-perez-was-nominated-for-13-oscars-why-do-so-many-people-hate-it-248297

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Drivers warned to keep hands on the wheel, eyes on the road

    Source: City of Liverpool

    An alarming increase in the number of young people distracted while driving has been reported by road campaigners.

    In a bid to combat the rising tide of mobile phone use behind the wheel, Liverpool City Council has launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at young drivers.

    The message is clear: Driving demands 100 per cent focus, and any distraction, especially from mobile phones, can have devastating consequences.

    The campaign comes as alarming statistics reveal a surge in mobile phone use among young drivers. According to the RAC’s 2024 Report on Motoring, a staggering 43 per cent of young motorists admit to listening to voice notes while driving without hands-free technology, and 40 per cent confess to recording messages. These figures starkly contrast with the overall driving population, where the rates are just 14 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.

    Merseyside Police enforced nearly 2,500 mobile phone offences across Merseyside in 2024 – up from just over 1,600 in 2023.

    The consequences of getting caught using a handheld phone while driving are severe: six penalty points on your license and a £200 fine. If you get six or more points within two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked – which means you’ll also have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.

    You can also be taken to court where you can:

    • be banned from driving or motor cycle riding.
    • get a maximum fine of £1,000.

    Liverpool City Council is committed to making the City’s roads safer for everyone. This campaign is just one step in ongoing efforts to educate drivers and enforce the law.

    Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “Driving is a responsibility, not a game.

    “When you’re behind the wheel, your only ‘screen time’ should be looking through the windscreen. A momentary glance at your phone can lead to a lifetime of regret.

    “It’s deeply concerning to see such a high proportion of young drivers putting themselves and others at risk,” Cllr Barrington added.

    “We need to change this culture of distraction and make it clear that using a mobile phone while driving is simply unacceptable.

    “We understand the temptation to check your phone, especially for young people who are constantly connected,” Cllr Barrington acknowledged. “But no message, no notification, no call is worth risking your life or the lives of others. Put your phone away, focus on the road, and arrive safely.”

    Inspector Gavin Dixon of Merseyside Police, Roads Policing Department, said: “As a Roads Policing Department we have to deal with the very real consequences of distracted driving.

    “Every year people are killed or serious injured by drivers not paying attention, whether that be mobile phone use or some other in car distraction. We use a number of tactics to catch drivers that wish to put their own convenience before other people’s safety.

    “In the last 12 months, we have deployed unmarked vehicles, unmarked motorcycles, AI camera detection equipment and arial CCTV resulting in more and more people getting caught.

    “Our message is simple, leave your phone alone or we might be speaking to you next. We can’t be everywhere, but we can be anywhere.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met sets out policing approach ahead of weekend protests

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met has confirmed details of the policing operation ahead of a protest and counter protest in central London on Saturday, 15 February.

    A march organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner will assemble in Whitehall from noon, before proceeding to area around the US Embassy in Nine Elms Lane in the vicinity of the US Embassy. The march will go via Millbank and Vauxhall Bridge. Once at the destination, speeches will take place.

    A protest organised by the group known as ‘Stop the Hate’ will hold a static counter protest at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Vauxhall Bridge which is on the route of the Palestine Coalition march. There will be a significant policing presence to ensure that while the groups are within sight and sound of each other, they cannot physically come together.

    Commander Glen Pavelin, who will oversee this weekend’s policing operation, said: “We have been in touch with the organisers of both protests in the lead up to Saturday and we will have a significant number of officers deployed in the central London boroughs where events will take place. Our role is to ensure all those exercising their right to protest can do so without incident and without causing serious disruption to the lives of the wider community.

    “We have imposed conditions under the Public Order Act, in relation to routes, assembly areas and start and finish times, to ensure that is the case. I would ask anyone attending to familiarise themselves with the conditions, which are set out below. Breaching conditions, or inciting others to do so, is a criminal offence.

    “As with any large gathering or event, we would encourage people to keep their eyes and ears open and to report anything suspicious by calling 999 or by speaking to an officer. They are there to keep everyone safe.”

    Details of the conditions are set out below:

    The Palestine Coalition protest must form up in Whitehall in the area shown on the map below. The procession must set off by 13:00hrs.

    Those taking part in the Palestine Coalition protest must not deviate from the agreed route shown on the map below. The march must keep moving, without separate static assemblies forming along the route.

    Anyone taking part in the assembly following the Palestine Coalition march must remain in the area of Nine Elms Lane shown in purple on the map below. The stage must be erected at the position marked with the blue rectangle.

    The speeches and any use of amplified equipment must end by 16:00hrs, with all participants dispersed and any infrastructure removed by 17:00hrs.

    Anyone participating in the Stop the Hate static assembly must remain in the area shown on the map below, which is at the junction of Millbank, Bessborough Gardens, Grosvenor Road and Vauxhall Bridge.

    Those taking part cannot begin to assemble before 12:00hrs and they must disperse by 15:30hrs.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 123rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: 123rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti

    Participants at the 123rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting, Ergneti, 14 February 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    ERGNETI, 14 February 2025 – The 123rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place in Ergneti today under the co-facilitation of the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), Bettina Patricia Boughani, and Christoph Späti, the newly appointed Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.   
    The co-facilitators opened the first meeting of 2025 by welcoming the commitment of the participants to the IPRM format. Addressing his first IPRM as Special Representative, for the OSCE Chairpersonship of Finland Christoph Späti highlighted the importance of dialogue and of focusing on the situation of conflict-affected in an inclusive manner. He expressed hope that established efforts and initiatives will be sustained by all participants, including the good practice of technical meetings on water-related issues.
    IPRM participants reviewed the security situation along the administrative boundary line (ABL), addressing instances of ‘borderization’, and the persistent challenges faced by the conflict-affected communities. The co-facilitators urged the release of detainees and called for an end to detentions.
    Discussions centred on restrictions to freedom of movement, with the EUMM and OSCE advocating for the full re-opening of crossing points. They emphasized that this would considerably enhance the livelihoods of women, men, children and elderly people living near the ABL in particular.
    All participants praised the EUMM-managed Hotline, designed to help 24/7 communication on the ground, as an essential tool for exchanging information, defusing tensions and managing incidents in a timely manner. 
    The participants agreed to convene the next regular IPRM meeting on 3 April 2025. A technical meeting on water irrigation issues will take place earlier in the same week. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Probate waiting times halved thanks to Government push

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Families, individuals, and charities will receive funds left to them in wills twice as quickly as they did last year, with probate applications now being granted in less than half the time.

    • Outstanding caseload hits lowest level since early 2023
    • Overall wait times cut to just over four weeks, as around eight out of ten of applications go digital
    • Additional staff trained as part of Government’s Plan for Change to restore public services

    The data published yesterday shows that HMCTS has slashed average wait times in December 2024 to just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduce the backlog of cases which built up because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Around 80 per cent of grant applications are now completed online, with digital applications taking on average just over two weeks to complete – improving support for those who need it and easing the burden on people who are navigating what is often a challenging time. For those who complete the application online and submit their documents without any issues probate is granted in less than a week on average.

    Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said: 

    We know that handling probate can be tough for families at a difficult period in their lives. That is why so we’ve worked hard to reduce delays and make the process easier. 

    By cutting wait times and going digital, we’re ensuring people receive the support they need quickly at what can be a challenging time.

    We’re getting public services back on their feet again as part of this Government’s Plan for Change.

    The change comes after action was taken to recruit extra staff who have been trained to handle applications quickly and ensure fair and efficient processing, preventing delays. 

    In 2024, the average number of monthly grants issued was 27,400, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the number of outstanding cases is at its lowest point since early 2023 when data was first published.  

    The probate system has achieved a remarkable turnaround, reducing its backlog by over 50,000 cases since August 2023 and ensuring faster estate settlements for families.

    Charities also benefit from a more efficient probate system because they now have quicker access to funds which have been entrusted to them – easing financial pressure on the third sector.

    Even paper applications, which historically take longer to process than the digital system, have seen significant improvements in timeliness with waiting times reducing from just over 22 weeks to under 15 weeks.

    James Stebbings, Chair of the Institute of Legacy Management, said:

    We are delighted to see that HMCTS have reduced probate application processing times to where they were 5 years ago.

    Each year the public leave charities £4bn of gifts in their wills and the relief in the charity sector that this income is flowing again is huge.

    On behalf of the charity sector and all who benefit from it we would like to say a huge thank you.

    Alex McDowell, Vice Chair of Remember A Charity and Director of Fundraising at the Duke of Edinburgh Award, said: 

    With more and more people across the UK choosing to support good causes through their Wills each year, an efficient and effective probate service is vital for sustaining charitable services and charities’ financial planning.

    It ensures charitable gifts in wills can be put to good use swiftly, in line with supporters’ wishes.

    We are hugely grateful to HMCTS for the improvements they have made and their ongoing engagement with the charity sector.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A926 Blairgowrie to Alyth – essential gas works

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The road was temporarily closed last week for an emergency repair to the gas main.

    However, further investigation has revealed that an entire 600-metre length of the gas main needs to be replaced.

    Due to its location in the middle of the road, it would be dangerous to operate a contraflow system while engineers are working.

    We appreciate the inconvenience this will cause for many motorists but these works by SGN are vital for ensuring the safety and reliability of the gas supply.

    As the local authority, we will be looking to bring forward any other works scheduled for this road so they can happen concurrently, reducing inconvenience for motorists.

    Diversions will be put in place, and there will be changes to public transport to assist commuters during this period.

    Stagecoach Service 57/57A will be impacted by this closure.  Dundee and Perth bound services will operate between Meigle and Blairgowrie Wellmeadow via the A94 – Coupar Angus – A923. Services will not operate via Rattray, New Alyth & Alyth.

    Passengers from Rattray will require to access Service 57/57A at Blairgowrie Wellmeadow.

    Passengers from New Alyth & Alyth will be linked to Service 57/57A at Meigle by a shuttle bus operating a reduced timetable.

    Blairgowrie Freedom Coach will operate the earlier morning commuter journeys on Mondays to Saturdays for the six-week period, while Stagecoach will undertake off peak journeys during the day and the early evening journeys. No late evening journeys or Sunday shuttle service will operate.

    For further information on the shuttle service, please contact Stagecoach (Blairgowrie) tel: 01250 872772.

    School transport will operate as normal on the morning of Monday 17 February, and the Council’s Public Transport Unit will be liaising with schools, operators and families affected by the closure to put in revised arrangements for the Monday afternoon journeys onwards. These arrangements will be the same to those put in place last week.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five men convicted as the Met’s shoplifting crackdown continues

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Five men who targeted shops across Barnet have been convicted as part of the Met’s continued drive to bring London’s most prolific shoplifters to justice.

    Officers in Colindale made 18 arrests in the space of just four days and secured 85 charges.

    They identified the 15 worst affected shops across the borough that were repeatedly targeted over the past six months. They worked with staff and security teams to streamline the way they gathered evidence to identify persistent offenders.

    The operation was carried out between Thursday, 30 January and Sunday, 2 February.

    In one case, officers spotted a man wanted for a string of thefts in the area acting suspiciously by the Co-op on East Barnet Road at 07:30hrs on Saturday, 1 February, before heading inside.

    This led to them carrying out a carefully coordinated sting to arrest the offender, who was tackled to the ground by the exit as he attempted to make off on an electric scooter with a bag of stolen meat.

    The incident was caught on CCTV and the footage recovered as part of the investigation.

    Gavin Fonti, 44 (20.12.81), of no fixed address, was charged with theft from the store, as well as a further five counts of theft from a nearby BP Garage on Great North Road.

    He appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on Monday, 3 February, where he was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison. 

    Sergeant Dave Salmon, from the Colindale Emergency Response Policing Team, said: 

    “This is an excellent example of neighbourhood policing at its best, and thanks to the awareness and quick-thinking of our officers, we’ve been able to remove more prolific shoplifters from our streets.

    “We know shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses and shop staff, as well as members of the public. It often fuels other crime and anti-social behaviour, so we’ve taken a proactive approach with the worst affected stores.

    “This is not only building stronger relationships between Safer Neighbourhood officers and local businesses, but also instilling more trust and confidence in local policing.”

    This work is another example of the steps the Met is taking to remove the worst offending shoplifters across the capital.

    Elsewhere in London, recent enforcement activity in Lambeth has led to 11 of the 14 most prolific shoplifters in the area serving prison terms, while in Homerton, officers have made 15 arrests relating to more 50 crimes since September 2024, of which six people are currently serving prison terms.

    Those sentenced alongside Fonti for offences in the Barnet area were:

    Craig Buttery, 36 (18.04.89), of no fixed address, was charged with 22 thefts and two breaches of a Community Banning Order, and will serve four months behind bars.

    Geoff Kilday, 49 (01.11.76), of no fixed address, has been handed a 12-week prison sentence after being charged with one count of theft.

    Mohammed Bey, 52 (13.11.73), of Creighton Avenue, Muswell Hill, was charged with one count of theft and given a 12-week suspended sentence for 12 months.

    While Leon Day, 42 (02.08.1983), of no fixed address, was sentenced to 24 weeks’ imprisonment after being charged with 21 counts of theft.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In the struggle to get Britain working, the long shadow of austerity could be part of the problem

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Guilherme Klein Martins, Lecturer in Economics, University of Leeds

    pxl.store/Shutterstock

    Austerity is an unusual economic concept. While it is one of the economic terms that attracts the most interest from the public, it remains controversial in policy debates. Advocates argue that reducing government deficits through spending cuts and tax increases restores confidence and stabilises economies. Critics, however, warn that these policies just deepen downturns.

    My recent research, using data from 16 countries over several decades, provides new evidence supporting the second view. That is, austerity has significant and persistent negative effects on employment and the size of an economy (measured by GDP), with the damage lasting more than 15 years.

    A common defence of austerity is that while it may slow growth in the short term, it ultimately strengthens economies by reducing debt and making room for private-sector expansion. But my findings challenge this assumption.

    I analysed episodes of austerity, defined as large fiscal contractions (reduced state spending or large tax increases) across a variety of advanced economies. What I found was the negative impact on GDP remains substantial even after a decade and a half. On average, GDP is more than 5.5% lower 15 years after a large austerity shock than would have been expected if there had been no austerity, based on statistical estimates.

    Beyond GDP, austerity has a lasting impact on labour markets (the number of jobs on offer and people available to do them). My research shows that large fiscal contractions lead to a significant drop in the total number of hours worked, which is a key indicator of labour market health.

    This is a crucial finding, as policymakers often assume that labour markets will adjust quickly after an economic shock. Instead, results suggest employment levels (which is best measured by the total number of hours worked by everyone in the labour force) remain depressed for more than a decade after major austerity measures.

    One reason for this is the connection between investment and employment. When governments cut spending, firms delay investments. This, in turn, lowers productivity growth and reduces job creation.

    If businesses anticipate that the economy will remain weak for a long time, they adjust their hiring and investment strategies. This can reinforce a cycle of stagnation. My results suggest that, on average, an austerity shock generates a reduction of 4% in the total worked hours and 6% in the capital stock (the value of physical assets like buildings and machines used to produce goods and services) after 15 years.

    The effects of an austerity shock on countries’ GDP:

    UK: A case study

    Perhaps one of the most striking real-world examples of the long-term effects of austerity is the UK. Following the 2008 global financial crisis, the UK government implemented sweeping austerity measures starting in 2010. These policies were framed as necessary to reduce the budget deficit and restore investor confidence. Spending cuts affected key areas, including welfare, healthcare, education and local government services like social housing, roads and leisure facilities.

    The 2010 coalition government brought in more than £80 billion of cuts to public spending.

    But here’s a conundrum. The UK’s fiscal deficit (the difference between what it spent and what it raised in taxes) after the implementation of these policies was greater than before the austerity cuts. The deficit in 2023/2024 was 5.7% of GDP, while in 2007/2008, it was 2.9%.

    What is evident is that these measures are associated with stagnant wages, weakened public services and sluggish GDP growth. Productivity growth has remained weak, and long-term economic damage is evident in underfunded infrastructure and an increasingly fragile NHS.

    More than a decade later, real earnings have barely recovered to pre-crisis levels. The past 15 years have been the worst for income growth in generations, with working-age incomes growing by only 6% in real terms from 2007 to 2019, compared to higher growth rates in countries including the US, Germany and Ireland.



    Read more:
    How the UK’s austerity policies caused life expectancy to fall

    My findings contribute to a growing body of research challenging the longstanding view that shocks like austerity have only short-run effects. Traditionally, models assume that economies return to their long-run growth paths after temporary disruptions. But recent evidence, including my research, suggests that demand shocks can have persistent effects on supply by reducing investment and participation in the labour force.

    In the wake of the COVID pandemic, many governments responded with generous financial support, temporarily reversing the austerity-driven policies of the previous decade. The strong recovery in some economies suggests that government spending can play a crucial role in sustaining long-run growth. On the other hand, a return to austerity measures could once again lead to prolonged stagnation.

    What should policymakers take away from this? First, the assumption that austerity is a path to long-term prosperity needs to be re-evaluated. While reducing excessive public debt might be important, the economic costs of large and rapid cuts to spending can far outweigh the benefits.

    Second, policymakers should recognise that timing matters. Gradual adjustments to spending, when really necessary, should be accompanied by measures to support investment and employment in order to reduce the likelihood of causing long-term harm.

    Finally, economic policy should prioritise long-term growth over short-term deficit reduction. Governments facing tough spending choices should explore alternative approaches – things like progressive taxation and targeted public investment. And when cuts are needed, they should avoid implementing them during periods of economic recession.

    Austerity is often framed as a necessary sacrifice for future prosperity. As governments consider fiscal strategies in an era of rising debt and economic uncertainty, they should take heed of austerity’s long-run costs. The evidence suggests that a more balanced approach – one that prioritises investment and economic stability – may be the wiser path forward.

    Guilherme Klein Martins 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. In the struggle to get Britain working, the long shadow of austerity could be part of the problem – https://theconversation.com/in-the-struggle-to-get-britain-working-the-long-shadow-of-austerity-could-be-part-of-the-problem-249888

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City prepares for 30th varsity Aberdeen Boat Race Scotland’s longest continuous running boat race will celebrate its 30th contest when Aberdeen’s two universities battle it out along the River Dee next month.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Scotland’s longest continuous running boat race will celebrate its 30th contest when Aberdeen’s two universities battle it out along the River Dee next month.
    Taking place on Saturday 15 March, the Aberdeen Boat Race will see the top crews from both Robert Gordon University (RGU) and University of Aberdeen face off to claim city bragging rights.
    The nation’s answer to the famous Oxford-Cambridge rivalry takes in 3.5km of the River Dee, beginning by the Bridge of Dee before crossing the finishing line at Aberdeen Boat Club and the respective university boathouses.
    Setting this year’s race day apart from any other, there will also be a special 500m double skull contest that will see RGU’s Principal and Vice Chancellor Steve Olivier join forces with Sports President Abhishek Kumar as they take on Aberdeen University’s Tonis Tilk, Vice President for Activities, and Dr Heather May Morgan, Dean for Enterprise and Innovation.
    Professor Steve Olivier said: “The 30th Aberdeen Boat Race provides a great opportunity to not only support the sporting prowess of our students but also celebrate the city and make the most of what’s on offer in Aberdeen.
    “I look forward to the event and wish good fortune to all of those involved. If you can make it, it would be great to see a strong crowd lining the banks and bridges to encourage each crew over the finish line.”
    Leaders of each crew are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them. For RGU, Laura Stewart is President of the University’s Boat Club as well as a fourth year Business with Marketing student. She said: “The build up to race day is on and I’m excited to see how the crews match up against each other. With a few different races throughout the day, it should shape up to be an entertaining event for all to come and watch.
    “We’re currently training hard to try and win back the title. Aberdeen University’s had a few years in a row so winning on the 30th occasion would be something special. I’m excited to see everyone down at the river cheering on the crews.”
    Her counterpart is Katharina Kusserow, President of the Aberdeen University Boat Club and third year PhD researcher in Medical Sciences. She added: “I am excited for the crews to race and celebrate the 30th Aberdeen Boat Race. We have trained hard in the run up to the day and will do our best to defend the title. We’re really grateful for all our supporters and can’t wait to feel that encouragement on the day.”

    The day promises to bring together the communities of both universities with the north-east’s public and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this very special event.” Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen

    Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “This year marks a significant milestone as the Aberdeen Boat Race has now been a major highlight in the city’s sporting calendar for 30 years.
    “Every year students from the two universities give it their all and their sporting excellence is evident on the water. The day promises to bring together the communities of both universities with the north-east’s public and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this very special event.”
    The event at Aberdeen Boat Club will include both a second crew race and an alumni boat race. The head-to-head standing for the main race makes for pleasant reading for University of Aberdeen who take a 21-8 lead into the 30th contest.
    The showpiece race will also bring the curtain down on the final event of this year’s Granite City Challenge, where sports clubs from both city universities compete against each other in 40+ contests.
    This year’s race has gained sponsorship from neospace, a flexible workspace and wellness facility on Riverside Drive adjacent to the River Dee and the route that the crews will take.
    Scott Paton, Managing Director, said: “neospace is proud to sponsor the Aberdeen Boat Race, a fantastic local event just steps from our door. With wellness at the heart of our ethos, we’re excited to support competitors with NeoGym’s state-of-the-art training facilities.”
    Both universities are partners alongside Scottish Rowing to comprise University Rowing Aberdeen, a rowing programme established in 2012 that presents Aberdeen-based students the opportunity to learn to row, train, compete and fulfil their ambitions within the sport.
    The Aberdeen Boat Race, which first began in 1996, regularly attracts crowds to the River Dee. Hot refreshments will be available within the Aberdeen Boat Club boathouse.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work begins on state-of-the-art nursery

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Today (Friday 14 February) marks an exciting milestone as the first turf is cut for a state-of-the-art standalone nursery on the Ferryhill School site in Aberdeen.

    The new nursery is Phase 1 in a two-phase project which is part of Aberdeen City Council’s wider suitability improvement initiative to create an enhanced learning environment for nursery and primary school-aged children in the Ferryhill area.

    Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It’s great to get the shovel in the ground so that this major upgrade project at Ferryhill School can begin. I am delighted that the school will benefit from a new nursery building as well as significant refurbishment and extension work.

    “The considerable investment of £17.1m by Aberdeen City Council will really improve the learning environment for the pupils for generations to come. The excellent new facilities will enhance the opportunities to support and care for the young people. It is a place where they can be inspired to be creative and adventurous.”

    Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I share the excitement and anticipation of Ferryhill School pupils and staff as work begins on their new nursery ahead of major improvement works to the school building.”

    The nursery will address the limitations of the existing provision and provide significantly upgraded facilities for pupils and staff. The construction work is being undertaken by Morrison Construction North with local architects Mackie Ramsay Taylor responsible for the design work.

    Designed with modern learning and play in mind, the nursery will feature a large, open-plan, and well-lit playroom and covered external spaces, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor environments to offer year-round access to play and learning areas. The building is designed to achieve high environmental standards, reflecting the Council’s and architects’ commitment to sustainability.

    The nursery building will meet high energy-efficiency standards, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Heated by air-source heat pumps and powered in part by rooftop photovoltaic panels, it will be an example of responsible design.

    The construction work is expected to be finished this summer with pupils set to move into their new nursery in August 2025.

    Ferryhill Nursery will be completed as work begins on Phase 2, which will see Ferryhill School handed over to Morrison Construction at the start of the summer to begin a major refurbishment and extension of the building. 

    The Ferryhill School improvements will mean greater flexibility and better use of space across the whole school site; a modern dining facility providing a much improved experience for the pupils and staff, and facilitate any future free school meals expansion; a double-court PE hall, which conforms with Sport Scotland guidance; and the improved nursery provision including direct access to the outdoors.

    Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North, said: “Morrison are delighted to be involved in the construction of Ferryhill Nursery, these works will involve the Nursery, playing field and the attenuation system for the Primary School extension due to start this summer. As ever we will be using local Sub Contractors, with our own labour planned to complete the kit frame which is due to start next month.”

    Bruce Ballance, Director, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects, said: “This project marks a significant milestone in Mackie Ramsay Taylor’s broader vision to create an innovative, sustainable, and community-focused educational setting.

    “While the first phase is the state-of-the-art standalone nursery, future phases will include the extension of the primary school and the creation of a central landscaped area, further enhancing the educational environment. We look forward to the positive impact this development will have on the school community.”

    Ferryhill School Nursery pupils at the turf-cutting ceremony expressed their excitement about the new facilities.

    Three-year-old Brian said he is looking forward to watching the “Builders making our nursery, building the walls.” 

    Four-year-old Rosie added that she is looking forward to “Playing in the big sandpit in the new garden.”

    While Henley, also four, said she is looking forward to “Our new nursery with its new big playroom.”

    During Phase 2 of the project, the pupils and staff at Ferryhill School will temporarily relocate to the vacant Walker Road School building, to ensure uninterrupted learning.

    Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee; Allister McKechnie, Architect, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects; Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North; Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee; with Ferryhill School Nursery pupils, Henley, Brian and Rosie. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International trade mission to Ukraine deepens industry ties and boosts growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    First-of-its-kind international defence trade mission to Kyiv deepens industry ties between Ukraine and its allies

    The UK and allies have deepened industry ties with Ukraine by leading a first-of-its-kind international defence trade mission to Kyiv this week.

    Led by the Minister for the Armed Forces, the trade delegation, which included Norway and The Netherlands, met with Ukrainian ministers, officials, and industry partners to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance defence cooperation in support of Ukraine.  

    This was the fifth trade mission to Ukraine by Britain’s Task Force HIRST, but the first in conjunction with allies, setting a blueprint for future trade missions to be international as the norm.

    Following the visit, UK companies have agreed to work more closely with Ukrainian partners, agreeing to new commitments that will build on previous agreements and boost their capabilities.

    Despite a significant Russian airstrike targeting Kyiv on Wednesday morning this week, which killed one innocent civilian, the trade mission went ahead successfully, highlighting that the UK and our Allies will not be intimidated by Putin’s brutal tactics.

    With firms across the UK ramping up defence production to meet Ukraine’s requirements, support for Ukraine will directly boost the UK defence sector, create UK jobs, and deliver on this Government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

    The UK is continuing to lead the way on global support for Ukraine. By strengthening defence industry ties with allies, we are providing Ukraine with the firepower it needs on the battlefield, whilst bolstering our own defence industrial base —creating jobs and driving investment.

    Our partnerships with The Netherlands, Norway, and Ukraine will help build resilient supply chains to ensure we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to achieve a just and lasting peace through strength.

    We will stand with our allies to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    The Minister, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence and Department for Business and Trade, attended meetings focused on continuing to develop the industrial relationship with Ukraine, boosting their capabilities on the battlefield, whilst supporting growth back in the UK.

    The Ministry of Defence set up Task Force HIRST to drive increases in UK, Ukrainian and allies’ industrial capacity to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as national military resilience.

    Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:

    Our continued industrial partnership with the Ukraine will be pivotal if we are to strengthen our collective security. It is an honour for ADS and our members to work in such close collaboration with Ukraine.

    UK support to Ukraine has, at its heart, the knowledge that helping Ukraine is protecting our values and way of life.

    The visit coincided with the NATO meeting of defence ministers, where the Defence Secretary announced a new £150 million package of military aid to Ukraine. 

    The £150 million package includes thousands of drones, dozens of battle tanks and more than 50 armoured and protective vehicles to be deployed to Ukraine by the end of spring, building on the thousands of pieces of equipment the UK has already given to Ukraine. 

    In a boost to the UK’s economy, the package also includes a multi-million-pound contract with UK defence firm Babcock, who will train Ukrainian personnel to maintain and repair crucial equipment such as Challenger 2 tanks, self-propelled artillery, and combat reconnaissance vehicles inside Ukraine. Through this agreement, equipment can be serviced and returned to the frontline quicker. 

    This is part of the UK’s unprecedented £4.5 billion pledge for Ukraine this year, its highest-ever level.

    The Government is clear that the security of the UK starts in Ukraine and is therefore committed to Ukraine’s long-term security as a foundation for the government’s Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Vice President JD Vance Delivers Remarks at the Munich Security Conference

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    Munich, Germany

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement on Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Feb. 14, 2025
    Release Number 20250214-01
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    TAMPA, Fla. — The Cessation of Hostilities Implementation “Mechanism” met for the fifth time in Naqoura today. UNIFIL hosted the meeting, with the United States serving as chair. They were joined by France, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the Israeli Defense Forces. The attendees conducted military technical planning for the transfer of all remaining villages in the Southern Litani Area to full LAF control prior to Feb. 18.

    “We have made significant progress over the last few months, and I am confident that LAF will control all population centers in the Southern Litani Area before next Tuesday. However, it is important to remember that the Cessation of Hostilities arrangements have many components in the 13 paragraphs, and we will continue to assist with the implementation of all of these principles, even beyond the 18th of February. The Mechanism will stay focused, continuing its work with all parties until implementation is fully achieved,” said Major General Jasper Jeffers, US Mechanism Co-chair.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: NordVPN verifies its no-logs assurance assessment for the fifth time

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NordVPN, a leading cybersecurity company, underwent an independent assurance engagement at the end of 2024. Seeking to maintain a high level of trust and transparency, NordVPN commissioned Deloitte Audit Lithuania, one of the market-leading Big Four firms, to conduct an assurance report on the configuration of its IT systems, supporting infrastructure, and no-logs claims.

    For the fifth time in NordVPN’s history, an independent team of researchers verified that the company’s no-logs statement is accurate and aligns with its privacy claims.

    “The trust we earn from our customers underscores everything we do in the cybersecurity industry. It’s a currency that’s hard to acquire and one we never take for granted. To maintain that trust, we not only strive each year to innovate and develop world-leading cybersecurity products, but we also fully commit to our promise not to monitor or record our users’ online traffic. Having this assurance reaffirmed by independent, globally respected researchers for the fifth time demonstrates that privacy isn’t just a buzzword at NordVPN — it’s in our DNA,” says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.

    During the engagement process, Deloitte’s practitioners interviewed NordVPN’s employees and inspected server infrastructure, and technical logs. They had access to NordVPN services from November 18 until December 20, 2024 and reviewed privacy relevant configuration settings and deployment processes of standard VPN, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers, and P2P servers.

    Deloitte Audit Lithuania conducted the assessment in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) (ISAE 3000), established by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) with the aim of examining NordVPN’s IT system configuration and management.

    NordVPN’s first independent no-log engagement was completed in 2018, followed by second, third, and fourth assessments in 2020, 2022, and 2023, showing the company’s continuous commitment to privacy.

    The full no-logs assurance engagement report is available to all NordVPN users, after logging in to their Nord Account user control panel.

    ABOUT NORDVPN

    NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider, chosen by millions of internet users worldwide. The service offers features such as dedicated IP, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN servers, which help to boost your online privacy with zero tracking. One of NordVPN’s key features is Threat Protection Pro™, a tool that blocks malicious websites, trackers, and ads and scans downloads for malware. The latest creation of Nord Security, NordVPN’s parent company, is Saily — a global eSIM service. NordVPN is known for being user friendly and can offer some of the best prices on the market. This VPN provider has over 6,400 servers covering 111 countries worldwide. For more information, visit  https://nordvpn.com.

    More information: brigita@nordsec.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Magical Thinking in Whitehall and Brussels

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    The following article by TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister recently appeared in the News Letter.

    Magical Thinking in Whitehall and Brussels

    Newsletter readers may well recall my article of 14thJanuary in which I explained why I would force a vote on the Official Control Amendment Regulations later that day. A debate in the House of Lords on 29thJanuary has since shed further light on the innovative aspect of these regulations, which should be understood by all unionists as we approach 24 February when the Government will begin to apply new aspects of the Irish Sea Border on goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

    On the one hand, in accommodating the GB side of the Irish Sea border, these regulations are implicated in giving effect to all the border difficulties with which we are increasingly familiar, the disenfranchisement of 1.9 million UK citizens, not just in relation to one law, or 300 laws, but 300 areas of law, and all the attendant economic disruption and disinheritance that arises from the EU disrespecting the territorial integrity of the UK.

    On the other hand, however, the regulations present a new difficulty for the Government. The justification for the construction of the Irish Sea Border was the need to avoid having Border Control Posts on the UK-ROI land border. Its champions claimed that this was required by the Belfast Agreement notwithstanding the fact that the text of the Agreement says no such thing, and notwithstanding the fact that insisting on their alternative Irish Sea border solution has made them the instigators of the biggest reversal of democracy in the history of the western world, violating three central provisions of the Belfast Agreement. The Regulations, however, make provision for the border to be moved to the Irish Sea, while dispensing with infrastructure on the border by means of allowing checks to take place away from Border Control Posts and making provision for inland Border Control Posts located away from the border, (see regulations 14, 7, 11, 16 and 17).

    In doing so, they remove the justification for moving the customs and phytosanitary (SPS) border from the international border. Speaking in the Lords on 29 January, Baroness Hayman confirmed: 

    ‘The instrument (the Regulations) also provides the power to allow for inland border control posts …’

    She further stated, in an attempt to placate concerns about this move: 

    ‘…this instrument only provides provision to be made for documentary, identity and physical controls to be undertaken at places other than border control posts or control points, and that we have robust, evidence-based risk modelling that can place SPS into categories based on the inherent risk that the product poses to animal, food, biosecurity and public health.’

    The use of the word ‘only’ in this instance is interesting because the checks that take place at border control posts are documentary, identity and physical checks!

    The political implications of, first, moving the border to the Irish Sea, supposedly on the basis that we could not have a hard border across the island of Ireland, only to then make provision for that border without infrastructure, were then spelt out very clearly by Baroness Hoey and Lord Morrow but the minister did not respond.

    Had the Minister attempted to defend this arrangement she might have said that while the UK is content to have a border with no hard infrastructure for goods moving from the Republic and wider EU into the UK, the EU is not prepared to have such a border with respect to goods moving the from Northern Ireland into the Republic. Now that the new regulations are in place, though, demonstrating the option of a better way, this is an increasingly weak defence.

    Going forward the Government has to explain why, knowing: i) that such a solution is workable, and ii) that the proportion of goods entering the Republic from Northern Ireland in 2020 was tiny (only worth 0.003% of EU GDP in 2020), they agree with a border ‘solution’ that is giving the EU the right to both make Northern Ireland an EU colony in 300 areas of laws and then imposing a hard border interrupting a far greater flow of goods from one part of the UK, GB, to another, NI. This is not only absurdly disproportionate but also deeply dishonourable, sacrificing key aspects of the citizenship of its own people and disrespecting the territorial integrity of the UK.

    In this the EU also faces real difficulties. Given its stated commitment to democracy in both its accession criteria, requiring that candidate countries demonstrate the ‘stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities’, and in its aid policy, why is the EU needlessly threatening the stability of our democratic institutions? Its intervention is both instigating the most pompous act of colonial disenfranchisement since democracy became a norm of western society and the removal of cross community consent, the most important political protection for minorities – in certain critical contexts.

    Quite apart from demonstrating that far from representing ‘magical thinking’, running a border, while removing hard infrastructure from that border, constitutes government policy, the Official Controls Amendment Regulations remind us that the first such solution was advanced to give effect to Brexit by the EU itself. Mutual Enforcement was developed by Sir Jonathan Faull who served as EU Commission ‘Director General of the Task Force for Strategic Issues related to the UK Referendum’, together with Prof JH Weiler and Prof Daniel Sarmiento. Providing a means of delivering Brexit that protects the integrity of both the UK and the EU Single Markets without a hard border, Mutual Enforcement presents the solution proposed by my EU Withdrawal Bill currently before Parliament.

    Instead of pressing ahead with the further needless division of our country into two with the arrival of the red lane parcels border on 31st March, the Government should adopt my Bill.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missing boy Adam Glanville and mother located

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police appealed for information to locate Adam Glanville who had been reported missing and was believed to be with his mother Karima Mahmoud.

    We are pleased to confirm that Adam was located safe and well on 13 February and is now with family.

    Karima Mahmoud, 44, was in breach of a court order and is due to appear at the Central Family Court on Monday, 17 February.

    We also appealed for assistance to trace two men who were involved in an altercation with another man at the time Adam and his mother were last seen together in Richmond on 3 June 2024.

    Both these men, aged in their 50s, have been traced and arrested on suspicion of child abduction. They have both been bailed pending further enquiries.

    A third man, also aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of child abduction – he has been bailed pending further enquiries.

    We thank the media for their assistance in publicising our appeals in relation to this case and now that Adam has been located and the two men identified, we ask that all images are removed from circulation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 13 persons arrested for illegally disposing 35 000 tonnes of hazardous waste

    Source: Europol

    Abusing an infrastructure of legal businesses, the criminal network is believed to have managed the illegal trafficking and disposal of the waste from the countries of origin, mainly Italy, to the destination in Croatia. To that end, the criminal network relied on legal companies in Italy, as well as transport companies and other legitimate businesses in Italy and Croatia. Laboratory…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New car parks and improved drainage works to start at Herrington Country Park

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Car parking at one of Sunderland’s most popular parks is being boosted with new spaces for 90 more vehicles

    Works at Herrington Country Park, which at over 320 acres is also one of the city’s biggest park, are due to begin on Monday 17 February.

    The park has had a 20 year run of annual Green Flag awards from Keep Britain Tidy and alongside its lakes, paths, play areas and wildlife, is known for its views of Penshaw Monument. It is also a major events space and hosts a weekly 5k park run and the annual Kubix festivals. This year’s Kubix festival is due to be held on Saturday 12 July.

    New car parking is to help meet its growing popularity and prevent inconsiderate visitor parking which has damaged some grassed areas and verges. The car park project was agreed as part of Sunderland City Council’s ongoing investment budgets and maintenance programmes into the city and its infrastructure.

    The City Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Portfolio Holder, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: “We have unrivalled parks and green spaces in our city which are the envy of many. We all understand how important they are for the thousands of residents and visitors who access and enjoy them annually.

    “But when the car parks are full we do get some inconsiderate parking and this in turn damages grassed areas and verges and can make parts of the park look unsightly. Increasing the number of parking spaces will help prevent this as while a relatively small grassed area is lost, even more is protected because drivers will not be parking on it.”

    The current number of spaces at the café car park is 62 with 55 of those being standard spaces, five are disabled parking and two are electric vehicle charging bays, and there are nine standard bays at the skate park.

    The expanded car parking will see the existing car park close to the café expanded to a total capacity of 129 which includes five accessible bays, provision for seven future EV charging bays and four minibus bays. There will also be a new layout and improvements to footpaths, cycle and motorbike parking and landscaping. The skate park parking will increase to 33 standard bays with plans to create a wildflower meadow nearby.

    Existing drainage will be upgraded as part of the project to mitigate current flooding issues occurring in the main cafe car park and on the highway leading to the skate park.

    Cllr Leonard added: “We’re continuing our City Plan for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant smart city, and city parks are an important part of this work so that everyone can enjoy our outdoor spaces.

    “We appreciate the patience of Herrington’s many visitors while we carry out these improvements at one of our most popular parks.”

    This development is estimated to take 15 weeks and will be completed by June 2025. The park and businesses will continue to be open throughout with minimal disruption.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Parents urged to vaccinate children against measles amid a rise in cases

    Source: City of Leeds

    Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.

    Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.

    Measles is a serious disease which can be spread easily amongst unvaccinated people with babies, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, at highest risk.  It can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases tragically can cause death.

    The uptake of routine childhood vaccinations nationally, including the MMR vaccine, is the lowest in a decade. In January 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) declared a national measles incident to coordinate the wider investigation and response to the rise in cases.

    The majority of cases nationally and locally are among children under the age of 10 who have missed their MMR vaccine. Normally the first dose of MMR vaccine is given around a child’s first birthday; the second dose is given at around three years and four months old, before starting school.

    However, it is never too late to get vaccinated, people can be vaccinated at any age with the two doses providing the best protection.

    Young adults are also being urged to catch up on any missed doses, particularly before thinking about starting a family given the risk of the disease to pregnant women.

    Over the past few months Leeds City Council has been working in partnership with the NHS, UKHSA, schools, higher education settings and community organisations to increase uptake of the MMR vaccine in communities in Leeds and provide advice on how to recognise symptoms and where to access the vaccine.

    Victoria Eaton, director of public health, Leeds City Council, said:

    “Measles can be a very serious disease; it can have similar symptoms to chickenpox but the health complications from measles can be much more severe and in some cases could lead to brain inflammation and pneumonia. Measles symptoms often start with a cough, high fever, runny nose and sore watery eyes, usually followed by a rash a few days later, this often starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

    “If you do think you have symptoms, ring 111 or contact your doctor’s surgery immediately – please don’t go to hospital or your doctor’s surgery without first calling ahead, it’s extremely important you don’t spread the disease to vulnerable people.

    “Having two doses of the MMR vaccine at the right time gives long-term protection against measles and it is free from your GP practice. 

    “A non-porcine version of the MMR vaccine is also available which does not contain any pork products; however, you may need to request this from your GP practice ahead of vaccination.”

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said:

    “We’ve done a lot of work with our NHS partners and other organisations to increase public awareness and understanding of the risk of measles and as a result we are pleased that more parents are coming forward to get their children vaccinated, however there is still more work to do.

    “If you or your child have missed your vaccine doses, it’s never too late, call or contact your GP surgery and request the MMR vaccine as soon as possible.”

    For more information on measles, and the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Myrrh, conifer oil and … breakfast tea’: my sniffer team’s surprise findings on what mummified bodies smell like

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cecilia Bembibre, Lecturer in Sustainable Heritage, UCL

    Mum’s the word. Banu Sevim

    When we see objects in museum display cases, it often doesn’t tell their whole story. One thing that tends to get ignored or even lost in the conservation process is the smell. We lose a lot of valuable information as a result, such as how the object was produced or how it functioned.

    My field is called sensory heritage, which relates to how we engage with heritage objects with senses other than vision. As part of this, I develop methods to identify and preserve culturally significant smells.

    For example, I have worked with St Paul’s Cathedral to recreate the scent of its library, to ensure that it can be experienced by future generations. I was also part of an EU-funded project called Odeuropa, which worked with computer scientists and historians to tell the stories of smells from 300 years of European history.

    With help from some perfumers, we brought back smells such as 17th-century Amsterdam, with its canals and linden trees. As a result, for example, visitors to Museum Ulm in southern Germany can experience our olfactory interpretations for ten of the paintings on display.

    My latest project delves much further into the past. I was asked by the University of Ljubljana, in association with the University of Krakow and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, to help with a study of mummified bodies. Ljubljana was studying a mummified body in the national museum in Slovenia, and had been invited to extend its research to some mummified bodies in Cairo.

    The strict guidelines about studying these bodies stipulate that researchers must use techniques that are not destructive. One way is to see what can be learned by smelling, which is why I joined the project, led by Professor Matija Strlič and PhD researcher Emma Paolin.

    Sarcophaguses on display in Cairo.
    Author provided, CC BY-SA

    We studied nine mummified bodies at the Egyptian Museum, four of which were on display and five in storage. They span different time periods, with the oldest being from 3,500 years ago. They were also conserved in different ways and stored in different places, so they give a decent representation of all the mummified bodies in different collections around the world.

    I put together a team of eight expert sniffers, of which I was one. Some are specialists who have worked with me on other projects, while some are colleagues from the Egyptian Museum who were given smell training in advance. We wanted them on the panel because they are so familiar with the smells in question.

    The research

    We began by doing chemical analysis to ensure the bodies were safe to smell, since in prior decades they were treated with synthetic pesticides to keep them preserved. Several bodies had high concentrations of these pesticides, which could potentially be carcinogenic, so these were removed from the study.

    With the remaining nine, we slightly opened their sarcophaguses to insert little pipes and extract quantities of air. A measured volume of this air went into special bags which we took into a room away from display areas, so I and the other sniffers could experience them “nose on”.

    More air was captured inside metal tubes containing a polymer that traps the volatile organic compounds, so they could be studied in a laboratory at the University of Ljubljana. This air was subjected to various chemical analyses to see which compounds were present, and also separated into its constituent parts using chromatography, so that we sniffers could experience and describe each smell individually.

    This was very hard work: we usually took turns to sit on the end of a special machine with an outlet known as an olfactory port. You spend 15 to 20 minutes experiencing one smell after another, having to quickly describe them and rate their intensity. It can be as much as one smell every second, which can be overwhelming – hence the taking of turns.

    Emma Paolin taking her turn at the olfactory port in Ljubljana.
    Author provided, CC BY-SA

    Our findings

    I was more excited at the prospect of discovering something new than nervous about what it would be like to smell these ancient bodies. However, you’d be forgiven for thinking these odours would not be agreeable. From the accounts of archaeologists to movies such as The Mummy (1999), mummified bodies are associated with foul smells.

    Yet surprisingly, the smells were quite pleasant. The sniff team’s descriptions included “woody”, “floral”, “sweet”, “spicy”, “stale” and “resin-like”. We were able to identify ancient embalming ingredients including conifer oils, frankincense, myrrh and cinnamon.

    Opening the sarcophagus.
    Author provided, CC BY-SA

    We also identified degraded animal fats used in the mummification process; the human remains themselves; and both synthetic pesticides and benign plant-based pest oils that had more recently been used by the museum for preservation.

    Bodies in display cases had a stronger scent than those in storage, but none was as strong as, say, a perfume. Surprisingly, one smelled distinctly of black tea: when you smell a body from millennia ago, you certainly don’t expect to be transported back to your kitchen. The other sniffers agreed about the tea smell, and we later established that the source was probably a chemical called caryophyllene.

    Future steps

    Next, we will reconstruct the smell of the mummified bodies so that visitors to the Egyptian Museum can experience them first-hand. We’ll make both a faithful chemical construction of what we smelled, plus an interpretation of how the body would have smelled when it was sealed off in its tomb.

    It will probably be 2026 before the public can experience these. In the meantime, we’re also being approached by other museums with ancient Egyptian collections who are interested in working with us to apply similar methods.

    Separately, I am working with other colleagues on developing a catalogue for smells of cultural significance to the UK, including vintage cars, traditional dishes and more libraries.

    Gotta love the smell of an old library.
    Author provided, CC BY-SA

    Hopefully, our work with mummified bodies is an example of how you can bring back another dimension of heritage. Experiencing smells helps to give visitors a more holistic appreciation and understanding of the subjects.

    And everyone is fascinated by mummified bodies. Soon, it will be possible to put yourself in the shoes of the archaeologists who originally discovered their tombs, and revealed their secrets to the modern world.

    Part of the research mentioned in this piece was funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (grant P1-0447), and the Odeuropa research was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101004469.

    – ref. ‘Myrrh, conifer oil and … breakfast tea’: my sniffer team’s surprise findings on what mummified bodies smell like – https://theconversation.com/myrrh-conifer-oil-and-breakfast-tea-my-sniffer-teams-surprise-findings-on-what-mummified-bodies-smell-like-249904

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Philippines’ introduction of Typhon missile system is like giving open invitation to burglar and assisting evildoer 2025-02-14 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday that China has made clear multiple times its firm opposition against the US deployment of the mid-range missile system in the Philippines.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

    BEIJING, Feb. 14 — “China requires the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of the deployment of Typhon missile system, remove the system as soon as possible to honor its previous open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date,” said a Chinese defense spokesperson at a press briefing on Friday.

    The US Indo-Pacific Command recently said that the Typhon strategic mid-range missile system had been relocated from the Laoag airfield to another location on the island of Luzon, and that the relocation, however, was not an indication that the system would be permanently deployed in the Philippines. The Philippine side said that it would return the Typhon system to the US so long as China stops claiming Philippine territory, harassing Philippine fishermen and attacking Philippine ships.

    In response, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said that China has made clear multiple times its firm opposition against the US deployment of the mid-range missile system in the Philippines.

    “The Typhon missile system is a strategic asset and an offensive weapon. The Philippine side has repeatedly gone back on its words and brought in the system to cater to the US,” said the spokesperson, pointing out that such decision would only place the Philippines’ own security and national defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of arms race in the region. It’s like giving an open invitation to the burglar and assisting the evildoer.

    The spokesperson mentioned that the territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, the 1900 Treaty between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain for Cession of Outlying Islands of the Philippines, and the 1930 Convention between His Majesty in Respect of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States regarding the Boundary between the State of North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago.

    “China’s Nansha Qundao and Huangyan Dao fall outside the Philippine territory defined by these treaties,” said the spokesperson, adding that China’s law-enforcement activities in relevant waters are reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach.

    “By using the deployment of Typhon as a bargaining chip on the South China Sea issue, the Philippine side is selling out its own national security, putting the well-being of its people and regional peace and stability at grave risks. Such behavior is ridiculous and very dangerous,” said the spokesperson.

    The spokesperson urged the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of this issue, remove the Typhon missile system as soon as possible to honor its previous open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date.

    The spokesperson stressed that China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely counter provocations and infringements and safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call for industry experts to join key PackUK advisory groups

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    PackUK invites industry experts to join key advisory groups.

    PackUK, the newly appointed administrator for the pEPR scheme, is committed to working with experts from across the packaging value chain to guide it in its work.

    This close working relationship will be supported by expert advice from the following four advisory boards:

    • Scheme Administrator Steering Group
    • Recyclability Assessment Methodology Technical Advisory Committee
    • Effectiveness and Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee
    • Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group

    The recommendations from these groups will play a central role in guiding PackUK as it grows and develops.

    These four voluntary advisory groups will provide expert advice and recommendations to the PackUK leadership team. The groups will not be decision-making, but a trusted source of knowledge and experience comprising members who will have a wealth of operational and policy expertise from a variety of both public and private sector organisations.

    Expression of interest to join PackUK’s Advisory Committees now open

    We are excited to announce that we are now welcoming expressions of interest to join the following three advisory groups:

    • Recyclability Assessment Methodology Technical Advisory Committee
    • Effectiveness and Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee
    • Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group

    Fifteen positions will be available on each on these advisory groups, subject to a fair and open competitive application process.

    Applications will close 10 March 2025. Demonstrable experience in the sector will be essential. Further information on how to apply can be found below.

    Details on each advisory group

    Recycling Assessment Methodology Technical Advisory Committee (RAM TAC)

    The RAM TAC will provide technical advice on packaging sustainability and supporting PackUK to deliver iterations of the RAM which reflect both recyclability and consider different bases of assessment. They will ensure that the advice that the PackUK Scheme Administrator (SA) receives regarding packaging recyclability and other environmental characteristics is up to date and reflects trends and innovations.

    The SA RAM TAC will also assess selected technical queries and issues relating to packaging materials and advise the SA of the outcome of their technical assessment.

    The RAM TAC will meet quarterly.

    Efficient and Effective Technical Advisory Committee (E&E TAC)

    The E&E TAC will be an independent technical committee who understand local authority and waste management best practice from across the UK and using their expertise they will make recommendations to PackUK on how to support LAs who operate in a range of different scenarios.

    The committee will provide well evidenced, expert advice, guidance and recommendations to the SA Executive Committee (SA ExCo), but is not a decision-making body.

    The E&E TAC will meet quarterly.

    Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group (CBCAG)

    The CBCAG will bring together value chain expertise, four nation representation and behavioural change knowledge to guide and provide expert advice to the PackUK Executive Committee on impactful communications and behaviour change strategies.

    The CBCAG will meet quarterly.

    We will share opportunities to join the Scheme Administrator Steering Group (SASG) later in spring 2025.

    How to apply

    More information can be found in the candidate packs:

    To apply for any of these voluntary positions, your CV and supporting statement should be returned to packuk.governance@defra.gov.uk by mid-day on 10 March 2025, marking which advisory group you would like to join in the subject field.

    All candidates are also required to submit the following:

    • diversity information and conflicts of interest form
    • CV of no more than two sides of A4 outlining professional qualifications
    • a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria, providing specific examples (500 words maximum)

    Please submit any queries to packuk.governance@defra.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster City Council is cracking down on graffiti as part of its work to tackle antisocial behaviour in the city. | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    The Council is increasing its presence and investing more money to further tackle antisocial behaviour in Westminster. This includes a new cleaning van with a generator and water tank to dedicated to cleaning graffiti and deep cleaning of pavements

    Graffiti and other forms of antisocial behaviour cause real problems for local residents and visitors, and the Council is committed to tackling it.

    The Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, runs three teams, seven days a week to tackle graffiti in the city.  Any offensive graffiti is always removed within 12 hours from the moment it’s reported, and other types of graffiti are cleaned within three days. Around 80-100 cleaning jobs are undertaken weekly, totalling around 400 every month.

    This form of antisocial behaviour has been on the rise across London in recent years. There were a reported 4,141 graffiti cases within Westminster, with the Soho, St James’s and the West End areas seeing the most cases.

    That is why the Council is investing £2 million in measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, which is at the heart of Westminster City Council’s proposed budget.

    This comes shortly after the Council announced a new front-line team to tackle antisocial behaviour. The six-person unit consists of officers with experience in city management and can be deployed wherever antisocial behaviour is reported.

    Cllr Max Sullivan, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Streets, said:

    “At Westminster Council we’re committed to keeping our streets clean and safe. Adding another deep cleaning vehicle to our arsenal means we’ll be able to remove graffiti even more quickly.

    “Help us by reporting graffiti on public property or street furniture to us , and we will make sure it’s gone within 3 days, or within 12 hours if its offensive.”

    Please report unsightly markings on public property or street furniture so it can be inspected and removed.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foster carers celebrated at annual summit

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Local foster carers came together last week to share their views and experiences at Foster for Plymouth’s second annual fostering summit. 

    Foster carers and practitioners at Dartmoor Zoo for the 2025 summit

    Foster for Plymouth is Plymouth City Council’s own fostering service. The summit provides a valuable opportunity for the Council to thank foster carers for their hard work, and also to listen to their feedback about the kinds of improvements that could be made to better support them and the children in their care. 

    More than 20 foster carers and Connected Carers (friends or family approved to care for specific children) attended the event, alongside more than 20 practitioners working in Children’s Services and partner agencies across health and social care.  

    The first fostering summit last year led to the creation of a new package of support for foster carers that included increased financial allowances and more training and support. 

    This year’s summit was held at Dartmoor Zoo who generously donated the event space free of charge. This is part of the zoo’s ongoing support for Foster for Plymouth, which has also included giving all fostering households a free family pass to enjoy a day out at the zoo.  

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “Our foster carers are simply brilliant and it was fantastic to be able to say a huge thank you to so many of them in person at the summit. It is absolutely inspiring to see their dedication to their role and the passion they have for supporting children and young people in our city. 

    “I’d also like to say a big thank you to the team at Dartmoor Zoo for their ongoing support of Foster for Plymouth, they have been really generous towards our fostering families and it is greatly appreciated.”  

    Councillor Jemima Laing speaking at the 2025 Fostering Summit

    David Haley, Director of Children’s Services at Plymouth City Council, said: “The summit provides us with the opportunity to recognise and value the vital role that foster carers make in the life of a child or young person from Plymouth and to listen to their feedback about the Foster for Plymouth offer and services that they engage with so that we can keep making the offer even better.   

    “This is incredibly important, because it means that we come away with practical ideas about changes that can be made that will not only support the retention and recruitment of foster carers but that will also mean better support for the children and young people in our care.”  

    At the summit, foster carers received an update about the success of the Mockingbird programme. Mockingbird uses an extended family model in the form of ‘constellations’, consisting of a central hub home which supports several satellite homes of other foster carers. The hub home carers are specially recruited for their experience and will help the satellite carers with peer support, social activities and respite care in the form of sleepovers.  

    The first constellation in Plymouth launched in November 2024 and has been hugely beneficial to the fostering families involved. The second constellation is due to launch this summer, so that more carers and children can benefit from family-style support.   

    About fostering  

    To be a foster carer, you need to be over 21 years old, have a spare room and have a genuine interest in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people in care.  

    There are fewer barriers to fostering than many people realise and foster carers receive financial, emotional and practical support to enable them to take on the role.  

    If you’d like to find out more, visit fosterforplymouth.co.uk. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Boost of nearly £10m for Wolverhampton city highways improvements

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Investment from the highways capital programme for 2025/26 will be bolstered by an extra £500,000 City of Wolverhampton Council commitment, bringing the total to £9.7 million.

    Potholes are a priority for the council and over the past year more than 7,900 have been repaired. But with more than 740 kilometres of carriageway to manage, prevention work is key.

    That is why the council uses a data driven, informed strategy to identify where targeted surfacing works can extend the life of roads – reducing the need for reactive repairs.

    Surface dressing is completed quickly with little disruption to traffic and protects the road from water and frost – one of the key causes of potholes.

    Where required the council also carries out full road resurfacing projects.

    Over the past 5 years the council has treated more than 560 square kilometres of carriageway by resurfacing or surface dressing and repaired more than 58,000 defects in roads and footways – up to 44 per working day.

    A range of new surface dressing and full resurfacing works are included in the proposed highway improvements for 2025/26.

    Other planned improvements include road safety and traffic management work with upgrades to the council’s car park management systems.

    There will also be a completion of the streetlighting upgrade, with almost 30,000 streetlights now switched to energy and money saving LED, helping cut carbon emissions.

    Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City, said: “By investing we can ensure an efficient, safe and smooth flowing network for all modes of transport that supports businesses and helps achieve our sustainable regeneration ambitions and climate change commitments.

    “We know potholes are an important issue for people, as they are up and down the country.

    “We have a clear data led, long term strategy to tackling this which strikes a safe and prudent balance of reactive and preventative maintenance as we move forward.”

    The council will carry out the 2025/26 work under the next phase of its Highway Capital Programme. Funding has come through external grants and council resources.

    The programme has delivered £37.5 million worth of improvements and development work since 2020.

    Completed improvements in 2024/25 include several road safety and Safer Routes to Schools projects and a raft of maintenance works to carriageways, footpaths and structures, alongside surface treatments.

    There has been an expansion of the CCTV network and smart technology systems and further rollout of electronic driver information signs, helping to manage car parks across the city.

    The Highway Capital Programme aligns with the ongoing work of the Black Country Transport and Wolverhampton Major Transport Investment Programme to deliver transport schemes across the city and wider region, developed mainly with external funding.

    Projects for delivery under this programme include the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across the region, active travel schemes and the ongoing development of the A4123, A449 and A454 corridors.

    The planned improvements are pending approval at City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet meeting on 19 February. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Partnership can transform education for Met Police

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    A major new partnership, Policing Futures London, has been announced with the potential to transform the delivery of police degree apprenticeships in the capital.

    The collaboration brings together Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of West London (UWL) – two universities that are at the forefront of police education in the UK – with the aim of leading the Metropolitan Police’s initial recruit training from 2026, in line with the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029.

    Policing Futures London’s mission closely aligns with the A New Met for London strategy, ensuring that officers are not only highly skilled but are deeply connected to the city’s communities and its policing priorities.

    With world-class facilities in east London, near Canary Wharf, and west London, the two universities have already been providing policing education at scale since 2021, all within 60 minutes travel of the Metropolitan Police’s 12 Basic Command Units.

    Anglia Ruskin University and the University of West London have a track record for delivering quality, integrated Police Constable Entry Route (PCER) programmes and could accommodate the full cohort of Metropolitan Police’s recruits at any one time.

    Anglia Ruskin University has successfully co-delivered PCER programmes alongside the seven forces in the South East and East of England to over 2,600 student police officers since 2021, while together Anglia Ruskin and the University of West London have four years’ experience of working with the Metropolitan Police, training more than 3,870 Met officers.

    Building on the delivery over the last four years, with the rich knowledge and experience of the collective academic staff, new programmes would be co-designed with the police service and led by teams who live and work in London, ensuring that officers are fully equipped to police the communities they serve.

    Policing Futures London would prioritise support for widening access and inclusive outreach recruitment programmes, would embed community engagement models to build trust between new officers and the diverse communities of London, and would be delivered by both police professionals and academic experts.

    Policing Futures London is backed up by world-class research, with Anglia Ruskin University home to both the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute and the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services.

    In the last 18 months, Anglia Ruskin University has been named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards, the Times Higher Education University of the Year, and is in the top 20% of universities in the country for teaching quality, having been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

    University of West London was the number one London university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2024* and was named best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

    “This partnership is about more than just delivering quality education – it’s about shaping the future of policing in London. By bringing together two institutions with deep experience in police education, we are ensuring that London’s officers receive the highest quality training, close to the communities they serve, and preparing them for the challenges of 21st-century law enforcement.”

    Sara Archer, Head of Police Education at Anglia Ruskin University

    “This exciting partnership brings together two powerhouses in policing education, not only in London but nationally, ready to deliver police training programmes that London deserves: resilient, innovative, and reflective of its communities. Policing Futures London is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build that.”

    Adrian Ellison, Pro Vice-Chancellor and executive lead for policing education at the University of West London

    “As a London university we understand London and its unique policing needs. We have directly influenced the design of the new PCDA standard, based on our extensive experience working with the MPS, to place practice-based learning and assessment at its heart. Understanding the need for everyone to work to ever tightening budgets, we will never sacrifice quality for cost.

    “This exciting new partnership combines a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise with the aim of giving Londoners the continued quality of policing they deserve.”

    Andy Rose, Head of the Institute for Policing Studies at the University of West London

    *calculated as the average of all questions by registered populations. Excludes specialist providers, National Student Survey 2024.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing staff to support tenants experiencing domestic abuse

    Source: City of York

    To help support Council tenants who are experiencing domestic abuse, City of York Council’s housing staff will be trained and supported to spot the signs and support victims and survivors.

    As part of the Council’s wider work to tackle or prevent domestic abuse, a new policy was agreed on 5 February which commits the Council to better supporting its tenants and leaseholders as part of its ongoing journey of improvement.

    This policy sits alongside city-wide work to tackle domestic abuse including the latest Valentine’s Day awareness campaign.

    Some 4,000 residents across York are estimated to be currently living with domestic abuse, with a further 16,000 residents having experienced it at some point in their lives.

    Whether it involves ‘love bombing’, coercive control, psychological, financial or emotional abuse, domestic abuse is often carried out at home. With training, staff who visit tenants will be better able to spot the signs. They can then help prevent or tackle it, discreetly signpost tenants to support, and back action to bring perpetrators to account.  

    Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Communities at City of York Council, said:

    Those experiencing domestic abuse can feel they have nowhere to turn. We are saying you are not alone, you will be believed and we care about you.

    “Domestic abuse is simply not acceptable in our homes. A home should be a safe haven but sadly that is not always the case. Fearing what might happen in it or feeling that you have to leave it to escape abuse, should never be an issue, but all too often it is.

    “I want to reassure tenants that any concerns raised about domestic abuse with us will be met with empathy and an appropriate response. This is part of our commitment to being the best landlord we can as we work hard to improve, and our new policy embeds this approach into all we do.”

    Any York resident concerned about a relationship, whether their own or that of someone they know, please speak to someone you trust, or find advice and support from IDAS, either online or by calling 03000 110 110.

    If domestic abuse puts you at risk of becoming homeless or if you’re being threatened with homelessness, please call 01904 554500 or visit www.york.gov.uk/HousingOptions

    Any Council tenant experiencing or concerned about domestic abuse can contact their Housing Management Officer (HMO) via www.york.gov.uk/OpenHousing or, visit www.york.gov.uk/HousingManagementOfficers or call Housing Services on 01904 551550.

    Support is also available for those causing harm from Foundation’s Positive Choices programme or by calling 01904 557491.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –