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Category: France

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

    BLOUNTVILLE, TN — Today, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger joined students, teachers, and community members in Blountville to announce the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, celebrating the exceptional talent of young artists across Tennessee’s First District. 

    Taking home first place was William McNeill of Providence Academy, whose stunning piece, “Great Dhalia,” captured the top honor and will be proudly displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

    Additional award recipients include:

    • Second Place: Laurel Pearson, Providence Academy
    • Third Place: Frances Stewart, University School
    • Honorable Mention: Annalise Burns, Providence Academy
    • Honorable Mention: Aleecia Rema Davis, Morristown East High
    • Art Teacher of the Year: Sharon Squibb, University School

    Congresswoman Harshbarger shared her admiration and appreciation for the students and educators who participated:

    “It always amazes me to see how much talent the young people of Tennessee’s First District have. It’s one of the reasons this is one of my favorite events of the year, and I’m thankful for the nearly one hundred students who submitted their art. I’m also extremely thankful to the teachers who helped make this competition possible through their guidance and leadership.”

    The Congressional Art Competition is held annually to showcase the artistic achievements of high school students from across the nation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Concluding Session, Commission on Population and Development Fails to Adopt Text on Ensuring Healthy Lives, Promoting Well-being for All

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Several Delegates Take Issue with Language Concerning Sexual, Reproductive Health Services, Reproductive Rights

    The Commission on Population and Development failed to adopt an outcome document today as it concluded its fifty-eighth session, with delegates sharply divided about support for sexual and reproductive rights, and some questioning commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    At the outset of the meeting, Catharina Jannigje Lasseur (Netherlands), Chair of the Commission at its fifty-eighth session, withdrew the draft resolution she had circulated earlier, citing a lack of agreement among delegations.  While noting “strong efforts towards consensus”, she acknowledged: “I see no other possibility at this late hour than to withdraw my proposal.”

    If adopted, that wide-ranging text, titled “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages” (document E/CN.9/2025/L.4), would have urged Member States to ensure everyone’s right to the enjoyment of the highest-attainable standard of physical and mental health and called on them to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services.  It would have also called on Governments to take concrete measures towards the full implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.

    The Programme, adopted by 179 countries at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, set out an ambitious vision about the relationships between population, development and individual well-being.  It recognized that reproductive health and rights, as well as women’s empowerment and gender equality, are cornerstones of development.

    In the contentious discussion that followed the Chair’s withdrawal of her resolution, many speakers expressed regret that the Commission could not adopt a consensus text this year but diverged as to why agreement was not possible.

    Several speakers took issue with language concerning “sexual and reproductive health services”, as well as “reproductive rights”.  The representative of Djibouti said that there is an “ever-growing number of delegations who have come to realize that [these terms] have become — and remain — highly controversial”. Similarly, the observer for the Holy See said:  “This language has always been controversial.”  Nigeria’s delegate said that, despite various calls for the removal of certain language, the facilitators ignored these requests, which concern “cultural and ethical values and core national priorities”.

    Burundi’s delegate underscored that the phrase “sexual and reproductive rights” must not be interpreted to mean the right to abortion.  The term “gender” must be understood as exclusively meaning the biological sexes of male and female.  Further, “a strong family policy” must be at the heart of sustainable development, he said. The representatives of Iran, Cameroon, Belarus and the Russian Federation also said they could not agree with a text that did not incorporate references to the role of the family.

    However, South Africa’s delegate, delivering a statement on behalf of a number of countries, said:  “We are deeply concerned by what we have witnessed in this forum around fundamental rights and issues that have enjoyed long-standing consensus in the United Nations.”  Noting the ongoing challenge to human rights — including the right to development and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights — she reaffirmed commitment to the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action.

    Poland’s delegate, speaking for the European Union, also reiterated support to that Programme and the role of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in advancing sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. She stressed the need to ensure that “we live in a world without sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, where all women and girls can make choices about their life, health and well-being, where the potential of every individual is fulfilled and no mother or infant dies simply because the health system has failed them”.

    Inclusive and resilient health systems, universal healthcare and inclusive sexual health and reproductive services are essential to sustainable development, stressed Sweden’s representative, while France’s delegate stressed that reproductive rights “are what determines access to development for women and girls”.

    The representative of the United States, meanwhile, said that his delegation “rejects and denounces the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and will no longer affirm the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] as a matter of course”.

    Many delegations, however, took the floor to reaffirm their support for the 2030 Agenda, including the representatives of Chile, Lebanon, Colombia, the Republic of Moldova, the Philippines and Japan.  The representatives of Portugal, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Australia (also speaking for Canada and New Zealand), Norway, Belgium and Luxembourg expressed concern that foundational references to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs were consistently challenged during negotiations.

    “We cannot become accustomed to delegations picking and choosing from international commitments,” Brazil’s delegate said.  China’s delegate described the rejection of references to the 2030 Agenda as “a regression in the course of history”.

    In the face of such attacks, Germany’s delegate said, it is all the more vital to work together to realize the aspirations collectively agreed upon in the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action, the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future.  The United Kingdom’s representative warned that “ignoring links between health, climate change and inequality do not make them disappear”, while Uruguay’s delegate observed:  “Sadly, we are living in a time when reason is insufficient.”

    Algeria’s representative sounded a more-hopeful note:  “Thanks to the work of this Commission, it was possible to have an exchange of views and achieve agreements that will undoubtedly facilitate negotiations in the future.”  For his part, the representative of Bangladesh urged:  “Let us not allow short-term differences to undermine our long-term destiny; consensus is not the surrender of national interests, it is the recognition that our fates are intertwined.”

    In her closing remarks, Ms. Lasseur encouraged delegates to reflect upon the larger role of the Commission.  With 116 Member States speaking in the general debate and more than 30 side events, this year’s session featured many examples of positive steps that have been made to implement the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action, she said.  “This shows that the [Programme and the Commission on Population and Development] are very much alive and kicking,” she said.  Participating in this forum, she added, “really made it clear to me who we are fighting for:  women and girls, often living in rural areas, sometimes in dangerous conflict settings, lacking access to basic healthcare services, not having the basic necessities to live a life of dignity”.

    “How unfortunate then that the Commission’s best efforts could not translate into an action-oriented outcome this year,” said Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, in her closing remarks.  People are dying because they are denied fundamental rights and choices, food, life-saving medicines and the basic necessities of life, caught up in catastrophes not of their own making, and for women and girls, in battles over their own bodies.

    “In this year, like no other, women and girls expect UNFPA and the United Nations to rush to their rescue,” she said, adding that once again, it will be poor people and the most vulnerable women and girls who will bear the greatest burden of ill health and preventable deaths.  “Who is listening to them?  Who will defend their fundamental rights?” she asked.  Reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to listening to them, she said it will continue to respond “based on what women and girls tell us they need”.

    Also regretting the lack of an outcome document, Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, expressed appreciation for the “frank, thoughtful and interactive” discussions held throughout the week.  The Commission heard about important progress in improving people’s health and well-being over the past decades even as it learned about the many health-related SDG targets that are off track.  She noted that these insights will feed into the Economic and Social Council’s activities.

    In other business, the Commission adopted the report of its fifty-eighth session (document E/CN.9/2025/L.3) and the provisional agenda of the fifty-ninth session (document E/CN.9/2025/L.2).  The Russian Federation’s delegate said his delegation was short-handed because one member arrived late due to visa delays and stressed that the United States has a legal obligation to issue visas in a timely manner.

    The Chair said that in the absence of an outcome document, she would prepare a summary of the proceedings.  Iran’s delegate said such a summary should not be considered a representation of the positions of delegations.

    The Commission also adopted a decision (document E/CN.9/2025/L.5), which decided that the special theme for its sixtieth session, to be held in 2027, will be “Population, poverty eradication and sustainable development”.  The Russian Federation’s delegate, noting that eliminating poverty is an important global goal, hailed the consensus by which the Commission chose the theme.

    The Commission then concluded its fifty-eighth session and opened its fifty-ninth session, electing Zéphyrin Maniratanga (Burundi) as Chair and Arb Kapisyzi (Albania), Sasha-Kay Kayann Watson (Jamaica) and Stéphanie Toschi (Luxembourg) as Vice-Chairs.  The nomination of the remaining Vice-Chair, to represent Asia-Pacific States, was deferred to a later date.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting francophone education | Soutenir l’éducation francophone

    Alberta has one of the fastest-growing francophone and French-speaking populations in Canada. To support the growing number of francophone students in the province, Alberta’s government, through Budget 2025, is investing in new school spaces and increasing grant funding for francophone school boards.

    “We’re committed to improving accessibility to francophone education by building more schools now to ensure all francophone students have the resources, spaces and opportunities they need to succeed.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

    Budget 2025 is providing funding for a new K-6 school in southwest Edmonton as part of Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord, adding more than 340 student spaces. In Calgary, École de la Rose sauvage, part of the Conseil scolaire FrancoSud, will be renovated for its grades 7-12 students, adding more than 480 student spaces.

    These two projects are part of the Alberta government’s $8.6-billion commitment to build more schools now. Once completed, these projects, along with the 13 francophone school projects that are already underway in Alberta, will provide much-needed classroom spaces for francophone students.

    “By investing in new schools and increasing funding for francophone education, our government is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening French-speaking families and honouring the important role they play in Alberta’s rich francophone culture and heritage.”

    Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

    To speed up potential francophone school projects, Alberta’s government is also providing $2 million for the 2025-26 school year for pre-planning activities. These funds are helping francophone school boards explore new school project ideas, potential school locations, classroom layouts and other important elements needed when planning a school project.

    “We thank the Government of Alberta for recognizing the unique challenges of francophone education in a minority setting and the growing needs of our communities. FrancoSud warmly welcomes the increase to the Francophone Equivalency Grant and remains committed to working closely with Alberta Education to expedite the infrastructure projects that are currently in the planning and design stages.” 

    Hélène Emmell, chair, Conseil scolaire FrancoSud

    Funding boost for francophone education

    Alberta’s government is listening to the concerns and challenges facing the province’s francophone community, including the challenge of delivering Alberta’s world-class education in francophone school boards that have lower student populations. To meet this challenge head on, Budget 2025 is increasing the Francophone Equivalency Grant by 25 per cent, from $8.5 million in the 2024-25 school year to $10.6 million in the 2025-26 school year.

    “The adjustments to the funding formula, along with the announcement of a new school project, represent a meaningful step forward for francophone education in a minority context. While some challenges persist, these measures reflect increased attentiveness from Alberta Education and a stronger commitment to addressing the realities of our communities.”

    Étienne Alary, board chair, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on supporting the economy. 

    Quick facts

    • Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects the rights of minority language education, requires that minority language education be substantively equivalent to the education provided to the majority.
    • Between the 2021-22 and 2024-25 school years, francophone school enrolment grew from 8,763 students to 9,835, representing a 12 per cent increase.
    • In 1994, three francophone regional authorities in Alberta were established. Today, there are four francophone regional authorities serving the province.
    • There are currently 45 francophone schools in the province.
    • In total there are 15 francophone school projects underway in Alberta.
      • Seven of the projects are renovations of replacement of schools 
      • Eight of these projects are new school projects

    Le budget 2025 soutient les élèves francophones en allouant davantage de fonds aux programmes de langue française et à de nouveaux projets d’écoles.

    Les populations francophone et d’expression française de l’Alberta sont parmi celles qui connaissent la croissance la plus rapide au Canada. Pour soutenir le nombre croissant d’élèves francophones dans la province, le gouvernement de l’Alberta, par le biais du budget 2025, investit dans de nouveaux espaces scolaires et augmente les fonds de subvention pour les autorités scolaires francophones.

    « Nous nous sommes engagés à améliorer l’accessibilité à l’éducation francophone en construisant dès maintenant un plus grand nombre d’écoles afin que tous les élèves francophones disposent des ressources, des espaces et des occasions nécessaires à leur réussite. »

    Demetrios Nicolaides, ministre de l’Éducation

    Le budget 2025 prévoit des fonds pour une nouvelle école M à 6 dans le sud-ouest d’Edmonton, ce qui ajoutera plus de 340 places pour les élèves du Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord. À Calgary, l’École de la Rose sauvage, qui fait partie du Conseil scolaire FrancoSud, sera rénovée, ajoutant ainsi plus de 480 places pour ses élèves de 7e à 12e année.

    Ces deux projets donnent suite à l’engagement de 8,6 milliards de dollars du gouvernement de l’Alberta de construire dès maintenant un plus grand nombre d’écoles. Une fois achevés, ces deux projets, ainsi que les 13 autres projets d’écoles francophones déjà en cours en Alberta, ajouteront les salles de classe dont ont tant besoin les élèves francophones.

    « En investissant dans de nouvelles écoles et en augmentant le financement de l’éducation francophone, notre gouvernement réaffirme son engagement à renforcer les familles d’expression française et à honorer leur rôle important dans la richesse de la culture et du patrimoine francophones de l’Alberta. »

    Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine

    Afin d’accélérer d’éventuels projets d’écoles francophones, le gouvernement de l’Alberta fournit également 2 millions de dollars pour l’année scolaire 2025-2026 aux activités de planification préliminaire. Ces fonds aident les autorités scolaires francophones à explorer de nouvelles idées de projets d’écoles, des sites potentiels, la disposition des salles de classe et d’autres éléments importants pour la planification d’un projet d’école.

    « Nous remercions le gouvernement de l’Alberta de reconnaitre les défis uniques de l’éducation francophone en milieu minoritaire et les besoins croissants de nos communautés. Le FrancoSud accueille très favorablement l’augmentation de la subvention d’équivalence francophone et notre équipe continuera de collaborer étroitement avec Alberta Education pour faire avancer rapidement les projets d’infrastructure qui sont en phase de planification et de conception. » 

    Hélène Emmell, présidente, Conseil scolaire FrancoSud

    Des fonds supplémentaires pour l’éducation francophone

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta est attentif aux préoccupations et aux difficultés qu’éprouve la communauté francophone de la province, y compris la difficulté d’offrir une éducation de calibre mondial dans les autorités scolaires francophones qui ont de petites populations étudiantes. Pour s’attaquer de front à ce défi, le budget 2025 augmente de 25 pour cent la subvention d’équivalence francophone, le financement total passant de 8,5 millions de dollars pour l’année scolaire 2024-2025 à 10,6 millions de dollars pour l’année scolaire 2025-2026.

    « Les ajustements apportés à la formule de financement, ainsi que l’annonce du projet d’une nouvelle école, constituent une avancée notable pour l’éducation francophone en contexte minoritaire. Bien que certains défis demeurent, ces mesures reflètent une écoute accrue du ministère de l’Éducation et une volonté de mieux répondre aux réalités de nos communautés. »

    Étienne Alary, président, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord

    Le budget 2025 relève les défis auxquels fait face l’Alberta en continuant d’investir dans l’éducation et la santé, en réduisant les impôts pour les familles et en soutenant l’économie. 

    En bref

    • L’article 23 de la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés, qui protège le droit à l’instruction dans la langue de la minorité, exige que l’instruction dans la langue de la minorité soit réellement équivalente à l’instruction offerte dans la langue de la majorité.
    • Entre les années scolaires 2021-2022 et 2024-2025, le nombre d’élèves inscrits dans les écoles francophones est passé de 8 763 à 9 835, soit une augmentation de 12 %.
    • C’est en 1994 qu’ont été créées les trois premières autorités régionales francophones de l’Alberta. Aujourd’hui, quatre autorités régionales francophones desservent la province.
    • Actuellement, il y a 45 écoles francophones dans toute la province.
    • Au total, 15 projets d’écoles francophones sont en cours en Alberta :
      • sept projets de rénovation ou de remplacement d’école;
      • huit nouveaux projets d’écoles.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance with Directive 2010/63/EU for antibody production methods – E-001391/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001391/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE)

    In 2022, 477 632 uses of animals were recorded for routine production purposes, including for antibody production, despite the availability of a validated non-animal method recommended by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). Of particular concern is the fact that 49 309 uses involved the ascites method, which ECVAM has strongly discouraged since 1998. France accounted for 97 % of these uses and has reported a 34 % increase since 2021.

    Given that Directive 2010/63/EU requires the use of non-animal methods where they are available:

    • 1.What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that the Member States comply with this requirement?
    • 2.Will the Commission initiate infringement proceedings against countries such as France, where there is a persistent failure to transition to non-animal methods?

    Submitted: 4.4.2025

    Last updated: 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The Seven named ACT Book of the Year 2024

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Local crime writer Chris Hammer has nailed it with this award win.

    The 2024 ACT Book of the Year has been awarded to Chris Hammer’s gripping crime thriller, The Seven.

    Chris will receive $10,000 as the author of the 2024 ACT Book of the Year.

    Chris is no stranger to the award – his non-fiction book The River was named ACT Book of the Year in 2011.

    2024 ACT Book of the Year finalists

    The ACT Book of the Year Award showcases the excellence of local authors.

    This year’s judges also awarded two highly commended and three shortlisted works.

    These include a diverse range of genres: crime fiction, poetry, short stories, non-fiction, and children’s historic fiction.

    Highly Commended

    • Untethered by Ayesha Inoon
    • The Measure of Sorrow: Stories by J. Ashley-Smith

    Shortlisted

    • Sleeplessness by Paul Hetherington
    • Tiwi Story: Turning history downside up by Mavis Kerinaiua and Laura Rademaker
    • The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French.

    You can purchase all these in bookstores across the city.

    They are also available to loan from ACT Libraries.

    The Seven

    The judging panel included Helen Ennis, T.R. Napper and Barrina South. They had a tough time choosing the winning title, given the wealth of talent in Canberra’s writing community.

    Of The Seven, they said: “Chris Hammer demonstrates total mastery of the crime genre. From the first pages onwards Hammer creates a thrilling narrative filled with suspense that immerses the reader in gripping, page-turning intrigue.

    “Hammer conveys a beautiful sense of place in developing this quintessential Australian story, filled with compelling characters, who are poignantly reflective about their own lives. The narrative, exposing the power of the landed aristocracy in a fictional country town, is skilfully controlled so that the reader is never certain where they will be taken next, until the final resolution. The town itself functions as a powerful metaphor which, with its art deco façade, is an evocative setting for this world-class crime novel.”

    Visit the artsACT website for more information.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Introduces Legislation to Combat Organized Supply Chain Theft and Retail Crime

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the Combatting Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act alongside Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Susie Lee (NV-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Laurel Lee (Fl-15), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Michael Baumgartner (WA-05). This bipartisan, bicameral bill takes important steps to strengthen legal tools for law enforcement and crack down on interstate and transnational crime. The Senate companion bill is led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

    The CORCA Act builds off initiatives in the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act, which was introduced by Congressman David Valadao and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in the 118th Congress.

    “Organized retail crime and supply chain theft are hitting families and small businesses hard in the Central Valley and beyond,” said Congressman Valadao. “These crimes are largely run by sophisticated criminal networks that endanger public safety and drive-up costs for consumers. In the 118th Congress, I introduced the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act to fight back against cargo theft, and I’m happy to see some of that language included in this bill. The CORCA Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to hold criminals accountable, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to get this across the finish line.”

    “Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation,” said Rep. Joyce. “These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities, but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to put a stop to these rampant crimes. I want to thank Senator Grassley for his steadfast leadership on this effort and all our House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their partnership in addressing this critical issue.” 

    “Organized retail crime puts all of us in danger, while hurting consumers, taxpayers, and businesses of all sizes. And the stolen goods fund human trafficking and terrorism,” said Rep. Susie Lee. “Our local and state law enforcement are doing incredible work, but we need coordination at the federal level to investigate and prosecute these crimes. Our bipartisan legislation will support law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on these criminal operations.”

    “By establishing a coordinated federal response, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would target the criminals who endanger consumers, local businesses, and transportation networks, along with the nefarious transnational groups that fund their operations,” said Rep. Titus. “This legislation will help law enforcement better pursue and prosecute these bad actors, while protecting businesses and saving consumer dollars.”

    “Organized cargo and retail theft are a real and growing problem in Illinois and across the country – it’s time Congress step in to counteract it,” said Rep. Schneider. “Cargo and retail theft are not just local issues — organized groups are stealing goods at all points in the supply chain, oftentimes well before products make it to shelves, and resell stolen items across state lines. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to safeguard commerce, consumer confidence, and national security.”

    “The rise in sophisticated criminal activities targeting retail stores and the broader supply chain has become a critical threat to our national economy, consumer safety, and public security,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “With retail theft surging by 93 percent over the last four years, the time to act is now. We must equip law enforcement with the necessary resources and tools to combat these criminals on a federal level, as they operate across state lines and international borders. I am proud to co-sponsor the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act to protect our businesses and keep our communities safe.”

    “The damage of organized retail crime is real, and it hurts hard-working American taxpayers and businesses here in Orange County across the country,” Rep. Correa said. “Our state and local public safety officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe from this crime, and they deserve the best possible tools to take down these criminal syndicates. Retail crime affects everyone—so I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act today to help stop this threat dead in its tracks.”

    “Every time these criminals loot a store, fleece a supplier, highjack a trucker, shakedown a warehouse, honest Americans pay more. Prices go up, shelves go empty, and the working families in places like Spokane and Walla Walla get hit with a hidden tax — all because prosecutors are unable to prosecute, and thieves think they can get away with it,” said Rep. Baumgartner. “This bill hits back. It takes on the crime rings behind the theft, shuts down the online black market for stolen goods, and backs the blue with real support. Do you want to lower prices? Start by locking up the people who are robbing us blind.”

    “The Home Depot applauds Congressman Valadao for committing to the safety of our associates and customers by introducing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act,” said Scott Glenn, VP of Asset Protection, The Home Depot. “This legislation will help stop dangerous criminals from stealing from our stores.”

    “The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) strongly supports efforts to combat organized retail crime, and we appreciate the strong bipartisan support behind the reintroduction of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act,” said Megan Noland, MCSA Executive Director. “With provisions to strengthen penalties and the creation of a dedicated center for coordination and information sharing, this legislation is a vital step toward supporting law enforcement in our fight against organized crime. We look forward to working together to advance this important legislation during this Congress.”

    “Organized cargo theft and fraud disrupt intermodal freight supply chains, risk the safety of our workforce, and harm the U.S. economy,” said Anne Reinke, President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America. “The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) applauds Senator Grassley (R-IA), Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Reps. Joyce (R-OH), Lee (D-NV), Valadao (R-CA), Titus (D-NV), Baumgartner (R-WA), Schneider (D-IL), Lee (R-FL), and Correa (D-CA) for their leadership in championing critical legislation to address this urgent threat. The bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act will provide important resources to detect and fight organized crime throughout the supply chain, ensuring that our industry can continue delivering goods to American consumers safely and efficiently.”

    “Organized criminal operations continue to evolve and escalate their targeted attacks against our nation’s supply chain and retailers,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “This alarming trend affects every industry — including the nation’s largest railroads, which experienced a 40% spike in cargo theft last year. Rep. Valadao’s long-term leadership on developing a unified, federal response has been pivotal in shaping the legislation introduced today. CORCA’s economy-wide strategic framework will go a long way in disrupting these criminal networks and safeguarding our supply chain.”

    “UPS supports the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act as it provides the necessary resources and coordination to protect the movement of American goods throughout our country while safeguarding the integrity of our national supply chain from rail to road, to retail,” said President of UPS Global Public Affairs Michael Kiely.

    “Across the United States, communities small and large are facing an unprecedented number of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) incidents. The Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act would provide the necessary resources to bring the people and organizations behind this nationwide problem to justice by establishing formal coordination between law enforcement and the private sector,” said ICSC President and CEO, Tom McGee. “We applaud Reps. Joyce, Lee, Titus, and Valadao for reintroducing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act. We believe the bill represents a huge step in the right direction towards addressing this growing issue.”

    “The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, including transnational organizations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear.  “ATA commends this bipartisan group of leaders for addressing this alarming trend and safeguarding our supply chain.  By empowering federal agencies to improve cooperation across jurisdictions and ramp up enforcement actions, this bill would strike an effective blow against organized crime.”

    “Sophisticated criminal gangs are targeting retailers through brazen organized retail crime schemes, defrauding customers via gift card scams and attacking our supply chains by hijacking our rails and truck shipments. These criminal activities put retail employees, customers and supply chain partners in danger and allow criminal gangs to use ill-gotten profits to fund nefarious activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking. Dismantling these organized criminal rings requires cooperation and collaboration. RILA thanks Reps. Joyce (R-OH), Lee (D-NV), Valadao (R-CA), Titus (D-NV), Baumgartner (R-WA), Schneider (D-IL), Lee (R-FL), and Correa (D-CA) for their leadership and commitment to enacting the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), which brings federal, state, and local law enforcement together to intercept and prosecute these criminal enterprises. RILA looks forward to working with them to get this critical piece of legislation signed into law,” said Michael Hanson, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Senior Executive Vice President, Public Affairs. 

    “NRF applauds Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH-14) for his continued leadership to address one of retail’s biggest challenges, the rise of organized retail crime. ORC is a multibillion-dollar crisis impacting retailers, their associates and the customers they serve. ORC is occurring across the retail enterprise – supply chains, bricks-and-mortar stores, warehouses and online – with stolen product sold for a profit, oftentimes to fund other crimes. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 will align efforts within a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to ensure that resources and information-sharing will be available across local, state, federal and private-sector partners to bring cases and prosecutions against organized theft groups. This legislation is an important step to help prevent ORC from infiltrating local communities across the country,” said NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French.

    Background:

    Sophisticated criminal organizations have been increasingly involved in theft, fraud, and other property crimes against retail stores and various components of the supply chain. These crimes have escalated in scope and impact, threatening the national economy, consumer safety, and public security. According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93% from 2019 to 2023, and stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023. This surge in retail crime is often orchestrated by organized groups to resell stolen goods through physical and online marketplaces, further fueling illicit profits and financing additional criminal enterprises.

    At the same time, product manufacturers and supply chains are experiencing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the United States. CargoNet reported a 27% increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023. These thefts range from large-scale physical theft of goods from containers and storage to sophisticated cybercriminal methods that divert shipments to illicit receivers. This causes significant financial losses and operational supply chain disruptions.

    The CORCA Act would:

    • Strengthen legal tools for law enforcement by allowing criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment, transportation of stolen goods, or sale of stolen goods convictions.
    • Expand money laundering statutes.
    • Enable prosecution of organized retail and supply chain groups using interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate crimes.
    • Mandate the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Department of Homeland Security.

    The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is also supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Reusable Packaging Association, DHL, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Foundation, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the PASS (Protect America’s Small Sellers) Coalition, the International Downtown Association, Amazon, the World Shipping Council, Pirate Ship, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Walgreens Co., CVS Health, Kroger, Walmart, and Target.

    Read the full bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coalition of the Willing: Joint UK-France statement following 10 April meeting

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Coalition of the Willing: Joint UK-France statement following 10 April meeting

    A statement from Defence Secretary John Healey MP and Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on 10 April 2025.

    The UK Defence Secretary and the French Ministre des Armees convened counterparts from 30 countries and representatives from the EU Commission, EU Council and NATO, to reaffirm our commitment to work together to drive progress towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

    Ukraine’s security is inseparable from Euro-Atlantic security. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its strength, security, and sovereignty will deter Russia from further aggression in the future.

    Our work today is part of detailed military planning led by the UK and French Chiefs of Defence over the last month supported by hundreds of military planners from across Europe and beyond, and directly supports the ambitions laid out by Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron at recent international Summits.

    We are leading this work together, side by side to secure the best possible outcome for Ukraine. The UK and France are building this coalition on solid foundations, having spent almost 15 years developing the common tools and culture to enable such a force through our Combined Joint Expeditionary Force.

    Planning so far has looked across the full range of military capabilities from Europe and beyond. Discussions have centred on how participating nations can contribute their own capabilities to ensure Ukraine’s future security, whether by strengthening Ukrainian capacity or direct contributions. Our objectives are to reassure, support and protect Ukraine to ensure that any peace settlement secures against the risk of future Russian aggression.

    It is important to maintain discretion when commenting on the specific details of these discussions, until the conditions of the necessary ceasefire are clear. But we are making solid progress, as a Coalition, on building a multi-national effort to support Ukraine’s transition to peace time in a position of strength.

    We are showing that through this coalition, Europe together with other international partners are willing to step up and support the US and Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace.

    President Putin must prove he is serious about peace and sign up to a full and unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine has done. We are working very closely with Ukraine on developing these future plans, as well as NATO to ensure that our collective support to Ukraine strengthens the wider European-Atlantic security architecture.

    This Coalition will continue to meet regularly to drive progress and generate firm commitments in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: The State of Play: Why President Trump’s Tariffs Are Necessary

    Source: The White House

    It’s cliché, yet true — the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and expecting a different result.

    The trade policies of the past several decades have failed this nation, its workers, and our communities.

    Twenty years ago, The New York Times Editorial Board responded to the January 2005 trade deficit of $58.3 billion by writing an editorial entitled “Dangerous deficits.” Deficits are certainly dangerous; former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said trade deficits were to blame for the Great Recession.

    The Times wrote in 2005: “At $58.3 billion, the U.S. trade deficit for January exceeded everyone’s worst expectations… The trade deficit is the single most important factor in measuring the extent to which the United States lives beyond its means.”

    Since then, our trade deficit has more than DOUBLED. The U.S. trade deficit in January totaled a whopping $131.4 billion.

    The impact has been seen everywhere.

    Since 1990, manufacturing employment has decreased by 59% in New York and decreased by 35% in Ohio.

    The loss of these jobs killed innocent Americans and destroyed towns. Multiple studies show the loss of jobs due to bad trade deals led to an increase in drug overdoses.

    However, liberal commentators have lost interest in fixing this problem. In fact, they are offended at the suggestion that industry should return to America.

    Chris Matthews was inexplicably stunned on MSNBC and asked, “What are we going to do? Have more lumber made in the United States now!?” Yes, we are. President Donald J. Trump even signed an executive order to expand American timber production.

    Likewise, Nia Malika-Henderson on CNN ridiculously asked, “Is it worth it to upend the global economy for HVAC jobs?” Apparently, Nia Malika-Henderson thinks preserving low-wage jobs in China is more important than creating high-wage jobs in America.

    The loss of American industry means we struggle to build ships, medicine, and other essential goods. This is a national security emergency.

    Fortunately, we are already seeing progress in reshoring American industry. President Trump remains undeterred in his mission to Make America Wealthy Again.

    • Guardian Bikes announced it is launching the “first large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in the United States.”
    • Novartis announced “it plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S.”
    • Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut announced it is increasing its U.S.-based production.
    • JSW Steel announced it will be adding jobs at its Ohio steel plant.
    • BMW is considering adding shifts to boost production at its South Carolina plant.
    • Apple announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and training.
    • Nvidia announced it will invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next four years in U.S.-based manufacturing.
    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
    • Eli Lilly and Company announced a $27 billion investment in domestic manufacturing.
    • United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Properties announced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
    • France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
    • United Arab Emirates-based ADQ and U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners announced a $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure.
    • South Korean automaker Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment — including $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs, amid their pledge to “further localize production in the U.S.”
    • Merck announced it will invest $8 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    • Clarios announced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
    • GE Aerospace announced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing across 16 states — creating 5,000 new jobs.
    • Stellantis announced a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network — including re-opening an Illinois manufacturing plant — as it pledges to increase domestic vehicle production.
    • Schneider Electric announced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
    • GE Vernova announced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
    • London-based Diageo announced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
    • Dublin-based Eaton Corporation announced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
    • Germany-based Siemens announced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
    • Paris Baguette announced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
    • Switzerland-based ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
    • Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announced plans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
    • Paris-based Saint-Gobain announced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
    • India-based Sygene International announced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
    • Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
    • Honda is expected to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid model in Indiana.
    • Nissan is considering moving production from Mexico to the U.S.
    • Rolls-Royce is expected to shift production to the U.S. and expand its domestic workforce.
    • Volkswagen is considering shifting production of the high-end Audi and Porsche brands to the U.S.
    • Volvo is considering expanding its U.S.-based output.
    • LG is considering moving its refrigerator manufacturing from Mexico to Tennessee.
    • Italian spirits group Campari is “assessing the opportunities to expand its production in the U.S.”
    • Swedish hygiene product manufacturer Essity is considering shifting production to the U.S.
    • Taiwan-based Compal Electronics is considering a U.S.-based expansion.
    • Taiwan-based Inventec is expected to expand its manufacturing operations into Texas.
    • LVMH, a French luxury giant, is “seriously considering” an expansion to its U.S.-based production capabilities.
    • Cra-Z-Art, the biggest toymaker in the U.S., said it will move a “large percentage” of its China-based manufacturing back home.
    • Prepac, a Canadian furniture manufacturer, announced it will move production from Canada to the U.S.
    • Lear is considering moving its production to the U.S.
    • Half of Japanese companies say they’ll boost U.S. investment, largely due to tariffs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Pall Mall Process: Code of Practice for States to tackle the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial cyber intrusion capabilities (April 2025)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    The Pall Mall Process is an international, multi-stakeholder initiative aiming to identify and implement political commitments to tackle the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial cyber intrusion capabilities, which sometimes includes cyber mercenaries.

    On 3 and 4 April 2025, France and the United Kingdom organized the second Pall Mall Process Conference in Paris, bringing together 45 States and international organizations, and a large coalition of representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia. At the conference, a Code of Practice – which has already received the initial backing of 23 States – was adopted to establish a set of voluntary political commitments and practical recommendations to tackle this issue.

    In this Code of Practice, unique in its content, form and coalition, the supporting States shared their understanding of the threat, recalled the application of international legal and normative frameworks and made practical recommendations on a number of different political levers. It contributes to the implementation of the United Nations framework on responsible State behaviour in cyberspace and the principles of the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace.

    Taking an inclusive approach, the Pall Mall Process will continue to widely share and distribute these good practices and will track progress on their implementation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Organized Crime – International Conference Against Environmental Crime (11.04.25)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    More than 100 of the world’s leading experts and officials on environmental crimes gathered in Paris at the “Security and Development Dialogue for Advancing Multilateral and Multi-Stakeholder Responses to Environmental Crime”, hosted by France and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), with financial support of the European Union through the ECO-SOLVE project.

    Opening the conference, Mr Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, France’s Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, called for the international community to prioritize action against environmental crimes. Despite the uncertain international context, the minister emphasized the need to keep the issue of environmental crimes at the heart of the international community’s concerns.. He highlighted the need for collective action, including in preparation for the UN Oceans Conference to be held in Nice this June.

    GI-TOC’s Director Mark Shaw called for greater inclusivity and innovation to deal with environmental crimes. He highlighted the global character of illicit flows and emphasized the need for “diverse action across supply chains” to cut the links that enable environmental crime to flourish, not least through licit trade routes and information platforms. “We need more internationally coordinated action across sectors, and we need globally funded and resourced responses”, said Shaw, also highlighting the key roles that can be played by civil society and the private sector.

    The international conference, which took place on 8 and 9 April, took stock of current international responses to environmental crimes, shared best practices and identified opportunities for more effective engagement through upcoming multilateral processes – including a new Expert Group Meeting under the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the UN Oceans Conference, the Climate COP, the UN General Assembly, and the next UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice taking place in 2026.

    Participants included officials from diverse countries, including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, UAE, UK, Indonesia, Kenya, Gabon and Germany, civil society, academia, law enforcement and criminal justice personnel.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Council of Europe – Conversation between the Minister and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (11 Apr. 2025)

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

    Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke on April 11 with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset.

    The Minister reaffirmed France’s pride at hosting an organization whose founding mission since 1949 has been to ensure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in all its 46 Member States.

    The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs hailed the European Pact on Democracy, a new initiative launched by the Secretary General. He underscored the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the election process, a cornerstone of our democracies. The Minister and Secretary General addressed the challenge posed by foreign interference and information manipulation for our democratic societies. France is fully engaged in combating these threats, in full compliance with the rule of law and the freedom of expression, for which the Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights serve as vital guarantors.

    The Minister applauded the Council of Europe’s role in fostering the democratic resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine, which has been a victim of Russia’s war of aggression for the past three years, and for its fight against impunity and for the reparation of damages. The Minister and Secretary General discussed the imperative need to bring home the Ukrainian children forcibly displaced by Russia.

    Lastly, the Minister and the Secretary General discussed the implementation of France’s decision to extend the European Social Charter to our Overseas Territories.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: China’s new underwater tool cuts deep, exposing vulnerability of vital network of subsea cables

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By John Calabrese, Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute, American University

    Laying an undersea fiber-optic cable at Arrietara beach near the Spanish village of Sopelana. Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images

    Chinese researchers have unveiled a new deep-sea tool capable of cutting through the world’s most secure subsea cables − and it has many in the West feeling a little jittery.

    The development, first revealed in February 2025 in the Chinese-language journal Mechanical Engineering, was touted as a tool for civilian salvage and seabed mining. But the ability to sever communications lines 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) below the sea’s surface − far beyond the operational range of most existing infrastructure − means that the tool can be used for other purposes with far-reaching implications for global communications and security.

    That is because undersea cables sustain the world’s international internet traffic, financial transactions and diplomatic exchanges. Recent incidents of cable damage near Taiwan and in northern Europe have already raised concerns of these systems’ vulnerabilities − and suspicions about the role of state-linked actors.

    The growing sophistication and openness of underwater technology evidenced by the latest news from China suggest that undersea infrastructure may play a larger role in future strategic competition. Indeed, this development adds a new layer to the broader challenge of securing critical infrastructure amid expanding technological reach and the rise of so called “gray zone” tactics – antagonisms that take place between direct war and peace.

    The backbone of global communication

    Despite their unassuming appearance, undersea cables form the backbone of modern communication systems. Stretching around 870,000 miles (over 1.4 million kilometers) across every ocean, these cables transmit almost 100% of global internet communication.

    Underwater cables unite the world.
    TeleGeography/submarinecablemap.com, CC BY-SA

    These information superhighways are a major engine for the modern economy and are indispensable for things such as almost instantaneous financial transactions and real-time diplomatic and military communications.

    If all these cables were suddenly severed, only a sliver of U.S. communication traffic could be restored using every satellite in orbit.

    The entire system is built, owned, operated and maintained by the private sector. Indeed, approximately 98% of these cables are installed by a handful of firms. As of 2021, the U.S. company SubCom, French firm Alcatel Submarine Networks and Japanese firm Nippon Electric Company collectively held an 87% market share. China’s HMN Tech holds another 11%.

    Tech giants including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft now own or lease roughly half of the undersea bandwidth worldwide, according to analysis by the U.S.-based telecommunications research group TeleGeography.

    Vulnerabilities and sabotage

    The very characteristics that make undersea cables effective also render them highly vulnerable. Built to be lightweight and efficient, they are exposed to a variety of natural hazards, including underwater volcanic eruptions, typhoons and floods.

    But human activity is still the primary cause of cable damage, whether it’s from accidental anchor drags or inadvertent entanglement with trawler nets.

    Now, security experts are increasingly concerned that future human disruptions might be intentional, with nations launching coordinated attacks on undersea cables as part of a hybrid war strategy.

    Such assaults could disrupt not only civilian communications but also critical military networks.

    An adversary, for example, could cut off a nation’s command structures from intelligence feeds, sensor data and communication with deployed forces. The ramifications extend even to nuclear deterrence: Without reliable communication, a nuclear-armed state might lose the ability to control or monitor its strategic weapons.

    The loss of communications, even for a few minutes, could be catastrophic. It could mean the difference between a successful defense and a crippling first strike.

    A technician explains the undersea damage to cables around Taiwan following a 2006 earthquake.
    Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

    Geopolitical threats

    In recent years, Western policymakers have become particularly concerned about the capabilities of Russia and China to exploit the vulnerabilities of undersea cables.

    One particularly illustrative incident occurred in 2023 when Taiwanese authorities accused two Chinese vessels of cutting the only two subsea cables supplying internet to Taiwan’s Matsu Islands.

    The resulting digital isolation of 14,000 residents for six weeks was not an one-off episode. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party has pointed to a pattern, noting that Chinese vessels have disrupted cable operations on 27 occasions since 2018.

    In January 2025, Taiwan’s coast guard blamed a Cameroon- and Tanzania-flagged vessel crewed by seven Chinese nationals and operated by a Hong Kong-based company when an undersea cable was severed off the island’s northeastern coast.

    Such incidents, often described as gray-zone aggression, are designed to wear down an adversary’s resilience and test the limits of response.

    China’s recent push to enhance its cable-cutting capabilities coincides with a surge in its military drills around Taiwan, including a number of recent exercises.

    Similar cable disruptions have occurred in the Baltic Sea. In October 2023, a telecom cable connecting Sweden and Estonia was damaged along with a gas pipeline. In January 2025, a cable linking Latvia and Sweden was breached, triggering NATO patrols and a Swedish seizure of a vessel suspected of sabotage tied to Russian activities.

    Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, even hinted at the possibility of targeting undersea communication cables as retaliation for actions such as the Nord Stream pipeline explosions in 2023.

    The involvement of state-linked vessels in incidents operating under flags of convenience − that is, registered to another country − further complicates efforts to attribute and deter such attacks.

    It isn’t just security and defense at risk. The modern financial system is predicated on the assumption of continuous, high-speed connectivity; any interruption, however brief, could disrupt markets, halt trading and lead to significant monetary losses.

    The undersea battlefield

    Given the strategic importance of undersea cables and the multifaceted risks they face, Western governments intent on preventing further conflict would be wise to find a comprehensive and internationally coordinated way to secure the infrastructure against threats.

    One clear option would be to bolster repair and maintenance capacities. Currently, a significant vulnerability stems from the overreliance on Chinese repair ships. China’s robust maritime industry and state-supported investments in global telecommunications has contributed to the Asian nation taking a prominent position when it comes to cable repair ships.

    The protection of undersea cables should not, I believe, be viewed as the responsibility of any single nation but as a collective priority for all nations reliant on this infrastructure. As such, international frameworks and agreements could facilitate information sharing, standardize security protocols and establish rapid response mechanisms in the event of a cable breach.

    But such international efforts would be fighting against the tide. The incidents in Taiwan, the Baltic Sea and elsewhere come as great power competition intensifies between the U.S. and China.

    China, in developing deep-water cable-cutting technology, may be sending a message of intent. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s “America First” approach signals a shift that could complicate efforts to foster partnerships for the general global good.

    The defense of undersea cables reflects the challenges of our hyperconnected world, requiring a balance of innovation, strategy and cooperation. But as nations including China and Russia seemingly test and probe this vital global infrastructure, it appears the systems underpinning the West’s prosperity and security could become one of its greatest vulnerabilities.

    John Calabrese 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. China’s new underwater tool cuts deep, exposing vulnerability of vital network of subsea cables – https://theconversation.com/chinas-new-underwater-tool-cuts-deep-exposing-vulnerability-of-vital-network-of-subsea-cables-251877

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Charles Kemp, Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Shutterstock

    Languages are windows into the worlds of the people who speak them – reflecting what they value and experience daily.

    So perhaps it’s no surprise different languages highlight different areas of vocabulary. Scholars have noted that Mongolian has many horse-related words, that Maori has many words for ferns, and Japanese has many words related to taste.

    Some links are unsurprising, such as German having many words related to beer, or Fijian having many words for fish. The linguist Paul Zinsli wrote an entire book on Swiss-German words related to mountains.

    In our recently-published study we took a broad approach towards understanding the links between different languages and concepts.

    Using computational methods, we identified areas of vocabulary that are characteristic of specific languages, to provide insight into linguistic and cultural variation.

    Our work adds to a growing understanding of language, culture, and the way they both relate.

    Japanese has many words related to taste. One of these is umami, which is often used to describe the rich taste of matcha green tea.
    Shutterstock

    Our method

    We tested 163 links between languages and concepts, drawn from the literature.

    We compiled a digital dataset of 1574 bilingual dictionaries that translate between English and 616 different languages. Since many of these dictionaries were still under copyright, we only had access to counts of how often a particular word appeared in each dictionary.

    One example of a concept we looked at was “horse”, for which the top-scoring languages included French, German, Kazakh and Mongolian. This means dictionaries in these languages had a relatively high number of

    1. words for horses. For instance, Mongolian аргамаг means “a good racing or riding horse”
    2. words related to horses. For instance, Mongolian чөдөрлөх means “to hobble a horse”.

    However, it is also possible the counts were influenced by “horse” appearing in example sentences for unrelated terms.

    Not a hoax after all?

    Our findings support most links previously highlighted by researchers, including that Hindi has many words related to love and Japanese has many words related to obligation and duty.

    ‘Silk’ was one of the most popular concepts for Mandarin Chinese.
    Shutterstock

    We were especially interested in testing the idea that Inuit languages have many words for snow. This notorious claim has long been distorted and exaggerated. It has even been dismissed as the “great Eskimo vocabulary hoax”, with some experts saying it simply isn’t true.

    But our results suggest the Inuit snow vocabulary is indeed exceptional. Out of 616 languages, the language with the top score for “snow” was Eastern Canadian Inuktitut. The other two Inuit languages in our data set (Western Canadian Inuktitut and North Alaskan Inupiatun) also achieved high scores for “snow”.

    The Eastern Canadian Inuktitut dictionary in our dataset includes terms such as kikalukpok, which means “noisy walking on hard snow”, and apingaut, which means “first snow fall”.

    The top 20 languages for “snow” included several other languages of Alaska, such as Ahtena, Dena’ina and Central Alaskan Yupik, as well as Japanese and Scots.

    Scots includes terms such as doon-lay, meaning “a heavy fall of snow”, feughter meaning “a sudden, slight fall of snow”, and fuddum, meaning “snow drifting at intervals”.

    You can explore our findings using the tool we developed, which allows you to identify the top languages for any given concept, and the top concepts for a particular language.

    Language and environment

    Although the languages with top scores for “snow” are all spoken in snowy regions, the top-ranked languages for “rain” were not always from the rainiest parts of the world.

    For instance, South Africa has a medium level of rainfall, but languages from this region, such as Nyanja, East Taa and Shona, have many rain-related words. This is probably because, unlike snow, rain is important for human survival – which means people still talk about it in its absence.

    For speakers of East Taa, rain is both relatively rare and desirable. This is reflected in terms such as lábe ||núu-bâ, an “honorific form of address to thunder to bring rain” and |qába, which refers to the “ritual sprinkling of water or urine to bring rain”.

    Our tool can also be used to explore various concepts related to perception (“smell”), emotion (“love”) and cultural beliefs (“ghost”).

    The top-scoring languages for “smell” include a cluster of Oceanic languages such as Marshallese, which has terms such as jatbo meaning “smell of damp clothing”, meļļā meaning “smell of blood”, and aelel meaning “smell of fish, lingering on hands, body, or utensils”.

    Prior to our research, the smell terms of the Pacific Islands had received little attention.

    Some caveats

    Although our analysis reveals many interesting links between languages and concepts, the results aren’t always reliable – and should be checked against original dictionaries where possible.

    For example, the top concepts for Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German) include von (“of”), den (“the”) and und (“and”) – all of which are unrevealing. We excluded similar words from other languages using Wiktionary, but our method did not filter out these common words for Plautdietsch.

    Also, the word counts reflect both dictionary definitions and other elements, such as example sentences. While our analysis excluded words that are especially likely to appear in example sentences (such as “woman” and “father”), such words could have still influenced our results to some extent.

    Most importantly, our results run the risk of perpetuating potentially harmful stereotypes if taken at face value. So we urge caution and respect while using the tool. The concepts it lists for any given language provide, at best, a crude reflection of the cultures associated with that language.

    Charles Kemp was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Temuulen Khishigsuren was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Ekaterina Vylomova and Terry Regier do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages – https://theconversation.com/do-inuit-languages-really-have-many-words-for-snow-the-most-interesting-finds-from-our-study-of-616-languages-252522

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Judge’s resignation regrettable: Govt

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today expressed regret at the resignation of Justice Robert French as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) and extended gratitude for his contribution over the years.

    The Judiciary announced that Mr French, a non-permanent judge from other common law jurisdictions (CLNPJ) of the CFA, tendered his resignation to the Chief Executive.

    The Judiciary said it is grateful to Mr French for his valuable contributions to the work of the CFA and his support for the rule of law in Hong Kong during his tenure.

    In his resignation letter to the Chief Executive, Mr French expressed great respect for the judicial officers of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as their independence and integrity, adding that he felt honoured to have worked with them.

    The Government said the long-time presence of esteemed judges from overseas as non-permanent judges of the CFA, participating in hearings of the court, is conducive to the international legal environment and the development of the jurisprudence of common law in Hong Kong.

    Their continued participation alongside permanent judges speaks to the enduring strength and resilience of the court, it added.

    Noting the judicial system of the Hong Kong SAR is protected by the Basic Law, the Government said that the city is vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication and that the courts exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

    It emphasised that the presence or absence of individual judges will not undermine the integrity of the system nor impair the Government’s determination in upholding the rule of law.

    Upon Mr French’s departure, there are nine non-permanent judges comprising four non-permanent Hong Kong judges and five CLNPJs from the UK and Australia in the CFA.

    The Judiciary stressed that in light of the steady caseload, the operation of the CFA will not be affected by the recent change in membership of the court. It will continue to identify suitable local and overseas candidates for appointment as non-permanent judges.

    The Government indicated its full support to the Judiciary in the continuous efforts to appoint and retain foreign non-permanent judges in the future, and will endeavour to capitalise on the Hong Kong SAR’s common law system, upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU Educational Tour to Morocco

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is actively promoting Russian engineering education in Morocco. An important step was opening of the SPbPU Information Center and the Russian-African Network University (RANU) consortium in December 2024 in partnership with the Russian-Moroccan Alliance (RMA). In a few months, the center has become a key platform for career guidance for applicants and presentations of the university’s educational programs. Polytechnic in Morocco was represented by Deputy Head of the International Education Department Tatyana Sytnikova and Project Office Specialist Alexandra Le Gall, and President Said Zuhir was present at the exhibition from the RMA.

    The educational initiative gained momentum in April 2025. A delegation from SPbPU joined a large-scale exhibition at the Russian Cultural Center in Rabat, organized with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo. The event brought together more than 400 participants: schoolchildren, their parents, and journalists. The guests studied in detail the undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, as well as the conditions for receiving scholarships, including quotas from the Government of the Russian Federation. The head of the Russian House in Rabat, Alexander Sen, noted at the opening that interest in the Russian language in Morocco has grown significantly.

    It is interesting that the children want to learn Russian in Russia, although we also offer courses in Morocco. As parents and teachers explain, the key factor is immersion in the cultural environment. St. Petersburg with its unique atmosphere is becoming an ideal choice for them, emphasized Tatyana Sytnikova.

    The next stage of the tour was a visit to Casablanca, where the SPbPU delegation held a series of meetings in three Moroccan international schools and a lyceum. More than 800 students learned about promising areas of training: biomedical technologies, artificial intelligence, civil engineering and international trade.

    On April 10, at the largest educational exhibition in Morocco — the International Student Forum in Casablanca, SPbPU presented a unique pre-university training program in French. The course includes not only intensive study of the Russian language, but also training in mathematics, physics, and the basics of engineering. This will allow students to smoothly integrate into the Russian academic environment. Already in the first days of the exhibition, more than 600 applicants and their parents visited the Polytechnic University stand. Special emphasis was placed on working with parents: university representatives spoke in detail about the safety, infrastructure of the SPbPU international campus, and the cultural adaptation program. Visitors were especially interested in internship opportunities in partner companies.

    The Casablanca Student Forum will continue until Sunday. Organizers note that by the second day, the exhibition had already been visited by several thousand guests: not only schoolchildren and parents, but also university graduates, students from Europe and Asia, and representatives of recruiting agencies. The latter are actively seeking sustainable educational partnerships for African applicants, noting the growing demand for Russian programs in IT, energy, and bioengineering.

    North Africa today is one of the most open regions for educational export. SPbPU as a flagship of engineering education is becoming a key “hub” for such collaborations, explained Tatyana Sytnikova.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Manuscript sold for €300 is now attributed to Cyrano de Bergerac – but questions remain about the play’s authorship

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alisa van de Haar, Assistant Professor in Historical French Literature, Leiden University

    Cyrano de Bergerac illustrated by Zacharie Heince (circa 1654). Gallica Digital Library/Canva, CC BY-SA

    French researchers recently published an edition of a previously unknown 17th-century French play that they argue could be attributed to the French satirist and dramatist Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac.

    Bibliophiles and literary historians like myself are rejoicing at this discovery, which sheds new light on 17th-century literary, political and libertine culture. However, questions remain regarding the authorship of the comedy.

    Cyrano de Bergerac is best known as the big-nosed protagonist in a 19th-century eponymous play by Edmond Rostand. Adapted for the screen most recently in 2021, Rostand’s play portrays Cyrano de Bergerac as a flamboyant young man who combines the arts of duelling and poetry and is tormented by love for his cousin, Roxane. It caricatures the real Cyrano, who led a tumultuous life that ended tragically when he was only 35.

    Contrary to what Rostand’s play suggests, historians have argued that Cyrano de Bergerac was homosexual. While he enlisted as a musketeer serving the French king for some time, he quit after suffering several wounds. He is often associated with libertine culture, questioning the core dogmas of Christianity and the moral, sexual and political values of 17th-century France.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Cyrano de Bergerac wrote a variety of plays, letters and novels, often in a satirical vein. Few were published during his lifetime and his most famous works, Les États et Empires de la Lune (The States and Empires of the Moon) and a sequel on the Sun, were both published posthumously.

    These novels have been characterised as early forms of science fiction. They describe voyages to the Moon and Sun, where the protagonist encounters utopian societies inspired by some aspects of libertine thought. While Cyrano de Bergerac became the object of ridicule by some contemporaries, others – including the acclaimed French playwright Molière – were inspired by his works.

    The 17th-century manuscript now tentatively attributed to Cyrano de Bergerac was brought to the attention of lead researcher Guy Fontaine by the previous owners, who asked him to determine its possible author.

    However, in 2022, before Fontaine and his research team were able to draw any conclusions, the manuscript was sold at an auction for the low sum of €300 (£257). The auction catalogue attributed it to the minor playwright Gabriel Gilbert.

    But Fontaine and his team later concluded that the attribution to Gilbert was unlikely. According to them, the manuscript, which contains a comedy written out over 70 pages, points in the direction of Cyrano de Bergerac.

    Cyrano, a film based on the Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac, was released in 2021.

    The play, entitled L’Art de Persuader (The Art of Persuasion), tells the story of two young men seeking to marry two women, incidentally both named Julie, in a traditional structure in five acts. The play shows an experienced playwright at work, aware of both classical and contemporary models.

    Set against the backdrop of Paris during the political upheavals involving Cardinal Mazarin and the thirty years’ war, the political events described in the play allowed the researchers to situate its creation in the final years of the 1640s or first half of the 1650s. These dates are corroborated by physical evidence. The play is written in a mid-17th-century handwriting style, and watermarks found in the paper were only in use until 1656.

    This timeline corresponds to the the active years of Cyrano de Bergerac, who emerged as a potential author because of the combined presence of a number of elements in the comedy. The play’s references to libertine ideas and Epicurean philosophy, a topic with which Cyrano de Bergerac was familiar, point in his direction.

    L’Art de Persuader’s style, including many Latin influences, and division into acts and scenes bear similarity to Cyrano de Bergerac’s known plays, as does the pairing of its characters, who often appear in duos. The locations mentioned in the play all have some connection to the historical Bergerac – and the author’s most famous theme, the Moon, is also mentioned.

    Reason for caution

    Despite the clear similarities with the style and themes preferred by Cyrano de Bergerac, the researchers remain cautious with their claim – and rightly so. Many of the elements that correspond with his style, such as the pairing of characters, were in fashion in the mid-17th century and can be found in the works of other writers, too.

    No single element connects the play irrefutably to this particular libertine author. An additional problem is that an expert in 17th-century handwriting who was consulted by the research team was unable to definitively match the writing of the manuscript to Cyrano de Bergerac’s.

    The edition of L’Art de Persuader published by the research team will enable other experts of Cyrano de Bergerac to shed their light on the authorship question. But whoever the author is, this play is of interest to literary historians as it provides new insights into the interplay between political history and theatre culture, as well as into libertine writing and the influence of Latin comedy – in particular Plautus – on baroque literature.

    For any bibliophile or historian, finding such an important text at an auction is a dream come true. And though rare, this is not the only major literary find of recent years. Take, for example the handwritten poems by Emily Brontë and the sole surviving copy of an early edition of the Bay Psalm Book, both of which came up for auction in 2021.

    When part of a private collection, however, these materials are difficult for researchers to access. It is therefore all the more valuable when owners contact specialists themselves, which is how Fontaine and his team first learned about this precious French play. For now, their edition is the only way to study this manuscript as, following the auction, it is in private hands.

    Alisa van de Haar 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. Manuscript sold for €300 is now attributed to Cyrano de Bergerac – but questions remain about the play’s authorship – https://theconversation.com/manuscript-sold-for-300-is-now-attributed-to-cyrano-de-bergerac-but-questions-remain-about-the-plays-authorship-254315

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Fluxys Belgium – Regulated information: Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings on 13th May 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The Board of directors of Fluxys Belgium SA has the honour to invite the shareholders of the company to attend the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings to be held on Tuesday 13th May 2025 as from 2.30 pm at the BNP Event Center, Rue Royale 20, 1000 Brussels. 

    Download below the notice of these General Meetings (in Dutch or French).

    The other documents related to these General Meetings, as well as the integrated annual report 2024, are available on the Fluxys Belgium website.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.

    UK and other OSCE participating States express concern over the deteriorating human rights situation and call on Georgia to open an inclusive dialogue with political parties, civil society and the OSCE institutions.

    Thank you, Madam Chair,  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of  Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and my own country, Germany.  

    As OSCE participating States, we have committed to upholding and defending fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—not only within our own borders, but across our shared OSCE region. This commitment carries a responsibility: to hold each other accountable when we witness signs of democratic backsliding. 

    It is in this spirit that we express again our deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. Since our last discussion in February, we have regretfully witnessed Georgian authorities taking further steps away from their democratic and human rights commitments. 

    Madam Chair,  

    Our main concerns are threefold: the legislative restriction of civic space, the targeting of independent media, and the continued lack of accountability for excessive use of force by police, the use of indiscriminate violence by unidentified groups against peaceful protesters as well as unnecessarily long pre-trial detention periods and the reported ill-treatment of those in pre-trial detention. 

    The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires all individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding to register as so-called “Foreign Agents,” with financial sanctions and criminal penalties imposed on those who refuse. We share ODIHR’s concern that “this law, along with other recent legislative initiatives, could further curtail the activities of civil society organizations and human rights defenders by removing the safeguards needed for them to carry out their work”. This law lacks the legal safeguards that prevent civil society, media and private individuals from being branded as instruments of foreign influence based solely on funding sources, which strongly suggests that this law is not about transparency, but about suppressing dissent and tightening the grip on civil society. This is of particular concern in view of the upcoming local elections.  

    We are also closely monitoring recent amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation. It is essential that any changes to the electoral framework enhance transparency and public trust, and that reforms are developed through inclusive dialogue and in line with OSCE commitments. Relatedly, we are concerned about legislative amendments undermining freedom of peaceful assembly, including the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Offences Codes and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations. The amendments undermine the principle of equal suffrage and restrict freedom of assembly, as stated in relevant ODIHR’s and Venice Commission latest opinions. We urge the Georgian authorities to implement their recommendations.  

    Madam Chair,  

    We are alarmed by the escalating threats and intimidation faced by journalists in Georgia. The Public Defender’s 2024 Human Rights Report highlights a significant decline in media freedom, exacerbated by restrictive laws—such as the recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting—and growing hostility toward journalists. 

    Notably, there have been incidents where journalists were being targeted by police while covering protests, including physical assaults and equipment seizures. Furthermore, reports of targeting journalists in exile and negative rhetoric from high-ranking officials and politicians have further eroded media freedom and increased risks for journalists. 

    We call for the immediate cessation of these practices and the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained journalists, including Mzia Amaghlobeli, who remains in detention on charges of up to 7 years in prison. 

    Finally, we remain deeply troubled by the persistent lack of accountability for police violence. We have seen no evidence of credible efforts by the Georgian authorities to investigate reports of disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary detentions, excessive over-reliance on long pre-trial detention periods, and mistreatment of detainees. 

    We call on the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to protect the rights of those exercising their fundamental freedoms and to conduct a thorough investigation of the use of police force during peaceful protests since 28 November 2024 in order to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Failure to do so further undermines public trust in Georgia’s institutions. 

    Madam Chair, 

    Despite repeated statements by Georgia reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and the OSCE principles and commitments, we have yet to see any concrete and genuine steps toward meaningful engagement. Instead, recent actions by the Georgian authorities have moved Georgia further away from democracy. We call on the Georgian authorities to open an inclusive dialogue with all political parties and civil society organisations in order to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the ongoing crisis. 

    We welcome recent statements by ODIHR and RFoM and strongly urge Georgia to continue to constructively engage with OSCE institutions and make use of their expertise. As fellow OSCE participating States, we will explore all available tools and mechanisms within the OSCE context going forward. In this spirit, we call on Georgian authorities to implement recommendations by ODIHR with regard to the upcoming elections. 

    Our unwavering commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unchanged. We stand steadfast in our support for the Georgian people and their pursuit of a democratic, stable and European future, and we remain ready to work with Georgia to ensure it upholds its international obligations and ensures that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected.​

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arms traffickers arrested in international operation

    Source: Eurojust

    Cooperation between authorities from France, Slovenia, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support from Eurojust and Europol, has resulted in the dismantling of an arms traffickers group. Actions taking place simultaneously in France, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina led to the arrest of seven members of the criminal group.

    Investigations into the group started when authorities found a large number of weapons, ammunition and grenades. Further investigations in the group led to suspicions that some members of the group resided in France. Authorities found out that the criminal group trafficked large numbers of weapons that they bought on illegal marketplaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina to smuggle them into France. 

    Authorities started to work together through Eurojust to stop the criminal group and arrest its members. Eurojust ensured that European Arrest Warrants and European Investigation Orders were prepared ahead of the coordinated operation. Europol supported the investigation from the outset, delivering operational analysis to the cases in the involved countries, coordinating international cooperation by organising operational meetings, and deploying officers to France and Spain for the action day.

    A coordinated operation to take down the group started on 18 March. The cooperation between authorities led to the arrest of seven members of the criminal group, four in France, one in Spain and two in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Searches were carried out in Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina to collect information and evidence on the group’s activities. Bosnian authorities are actively searching for the main target. 

    The following authorities carried out the operations:

    • France: JIRS Paris (Interregional Specialised Jurisdiction); OCLCO (National Police Office against organised crime)
    • Slovenia: District State Prosecutor’s Office in Kranj; Police Directorate Kranj
    • Spain: PPO Audiencia Nacional; Central Investigating Court num 5 at Audiencia Nacional; Guardia Civil
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ministry of Interior Affaires – Republic of Srpska (part of the investigation before the operation) 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR Government expresses regret at resignation of non-permanent judge of Court of Final Appeal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government spokesman today (April 11) expressed regret at the resignation of Mr Justice Robert French as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR, and extended gratitude for his contribution over the years.
     
    The HKSAR Government was grateful that Mr Justice French, in his resignation letter to the Chief Executive, expressed great respect for the judicial officers of the HKSAR as well as for their independence and integrity, and that he felt honoured to have worked with them.
     
    The spokesman said that the long-time presence of esteemed judges from overseas as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal participating in hearings of the Court has been conducive to the international legal environment and the development of the jurisprudence of common law in Hong Kong. Their continued participation, alongside permanent judges, speaks to the enduring strength and resilience of the Court. The judicial system of the HKSAR is protected by the Basic Law. The HKSAR shall be vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication; the courts shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. The presence or absence of individual judges will not undermine the integrity of the system, nor impair the HKSAR Government’s determination in upholding the rule of law.
     
    The HKSAR Government fully supports the Judiciary in its continuous efforts to appoint and retain foreign non-permanent judges in the future, and will endeavor to capitalise on the HKSAR’s common law system, upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Statement by the Judiciary

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

         In response to media enquiries, the Judiciary confirmed today (April 11) that Mr Justice Robert French, a non-permanent judge from other common law jurisdictions (CLNPJ) of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA), had tendered his resignation to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In his resignation, Mr Justice French reaffirmed his continued respect for the independence and integrity of all of the Judges on the CFA.

         The Judiciary is grateful to Mr Justice French for his valuable contributions to the work of the CFA and his support for the rule of law in Hong Kong during his tenure.

         Upon the departure of Mr Justice French, there are nine non-permanent judges comprising four non-permanent Hong Kong judges and five CLNPJs from the United Kingdom and Australia in the CFA. In light of its steady caseload, the operation of the CFA will not be affected by the recent change in membership of the Court.

         The Judiciary will continue to identify suitable local and overseas candidates for appointment as non-permanent judges.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEP delegation travels to Paris to discuss economy and financial services

    Source: European Parliament

    Eight MEPs will be in Paris from Monday, meeting France’s economy minister, top central bank and treasury officials, and representatives of numerous other public and private organisations.

    The delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee will be headed by Aurore Lalucq (S&D, FR), the committee’s Chair. She will be accompanied by:

    Arba KOKALARI (EPP, SV)
    Kinga KOLLÁR (EPP, HU)
    Claire FITA (S&D, FR)
    Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL)
    Pierre PIMPIE (PfE, FR)
    Stéphanie YON-COURTIN (Renew, FR)
    Damian BOESELAGER (Greens/EFA, DE)

    During the meetings on Monday, MEP Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR) will also accompany the delegation.

    Meetings

    The primary objective of this mission is to visit the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), as well as representatives of the French government, regulatory authorities and stakeholders in the areas of finance and economics, to discuss issues related to economic developments, economic governance, financial services legislation and the creation of clusters, as well as taxation and competition issues.

    Among others, the delegation will meet with France’s Minister for Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard and the Director General of the French Treasury, Bertrand Dumont, as well as the Governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau and the President of the French Court of Audit, Pierre Moscovici. Discussions are also expected to take place with the Secretary General of the OECD and the Chair of the French competition and prudential authorities. MEPs will also take part in roundtable discussions on ECON-related topics, such as the Savings and Investments Union, with academics and industry representatives.


    Press conference

    A press conference open to all journalists will be held by the leader of the delegation, Ms Lalucq on Wednesday at 15.00. To participate you are invited to fill in this form. The press conference is in physical presence only.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Are the Commission’s objectives regarding the rate of wind power installation still tenable and warranted? – E-000581/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Renewable energy sources are necessary to achieve our decarbonisation targets and reach climate neutrality by 2050. The EU legislative framework in place fosters their deployment.

    While the Renewable Energy Directive[1] sets an overall EU target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, as well as several sectoral targets, it does not set technology-specific targets.

    The EU legislative framework leaves discretion to Member States on technologies and what contribution they put forward, provided that the overall ambition is aligned with the achievement of the EU target.

    The infringement procedure that the Commission opened in September 2024 (INFR(2024)0227)[2] is related to incomplete transposition of the permitting provisions of the directive 2023/2413[3] by the transposition deadline (1 July 2024).

    The correct transposition and implementation of EU law is crucial for achieving the policy goals of the Commission. To that end, the Commission services are in contact with the French authorities regarding this ongoing infringement procedure .

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02018L2001-20240716
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/infringement_decisions/?lang_code=en&langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&decisionDateFrom=01%2F08%2F2024&decisionDateTo=02%2F10%2F2024&dg=ENER&memberState=FR&page=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate&title=permitting&refId=INFR(2024)0227
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2413/oj/eng
    Last updated: 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Outermost regions (ORs) – 10-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Union supports the development of its most remote regions, known as the outermost regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain). The purpose of this support is to compensate for the constraints arising from the geographical remoteness of these regions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025.

    UK and others call for action to uphold safety of journalists and media freedom against a deteriorating background within some OSCE countries.

    Thank you Mr. Chair,  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States that are members of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists namely Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and my own country, Lithuania. 

    First of all we welcome the Representative on Freedom of the Media Mr. Jan Braathu – dear Jan-  to the Permanent Council and thank him for his first report since taking on this role.   

    We reaffirm our strong support for the autonomous mandate of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, which plays a vital role in monitoring media developments in participating States, providing early warning on violations, and promoting compliance with OSCE commitments. 

    Mr. Chair, 

    We believe there is no genuine security without media freedom, and no media freedom without journalists being able to carry out their work safely. Unfortunately, despite the commitments of participating States, the environment for journalists across the OSCE region is extremely concerning, as they face physical and online violence, legal harassment, including strategic lawsuits against public participation, arbitrary detention, forced disappearance and even death for simply doing their job.  

    Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, with the complicity of Belarus, has directly impacted media freedom and the safety of journalists. As Russia‘s atrocities in Ukraine continue, Reporters Without Borders has recorded that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly 150 journalists have become victims of Russian abuses performing their duties. 13 journalists have been killed by Russian forces. 47 journalists have been injured while reporting as a result of attacks by Russian forces. 19 Ukrainian journalists are currently detained by Russia after being mainly arrested in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. According to the Moscow Mechanism reports, Russia uses arbitrary detention and threats against journalists in the temporarily occupied territories to intimidate the population and to eliminate activists. 

    In Russia and Belarus, the systematic crackdown on independent media has reached unprecedented levels. This has resulted in the closure of nearly all independent media organizations, leading to a media and information space almost entirely controlled by the state apparatus. At least 38 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned in Russia, part of over 1500 political prisoners. In Belarus, at least 45 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned among more than 1200 political prisoners. Many more journalists and media actors have been forced into exile. We call on both Russia and Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. 

    We are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating media freedom situation in other participating States, where journalists are labelled under so-called foreign agent laws and hindered from performing their duties. We urge Georgia to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists who are arbitrarily detained or arrested, and to engage in constructive dialogue with the RFoM and ODIHR to align its laws and actions with OSCE commitments. In Azerbaijan,  there has been an unsettling rise in cases brought against journalists and independent media outlets. We call on Azerbaijan to ensure all citizens‘ fundamental rights and to provide safe and dignified conditions for detainees in line with its OSCE commitments, including  access to health and independent legal services.  All those detained for exercising their fundamental rights should be released. We also echo the statement by the RFoM on March 27 calling for the swift release of journalists arrested in Türkiye while covering demonstrations. 

    Mr. Chair, 

    In this context, the role of the RFoM is more important than ever. We commend the RFoM’s continued work on the Safety of Journalists by creating a network of National Focal Points, developing guidelines and advising participating states on how to improve the implementation of their commitments from the 2018 Milan Ministerial Council decision. We are pleased to hear that the RFOM is developing a comprehensive capacity-building strategy to ensure that women journalists are able to take part in public debates online and offline without fear of harassment, attacks or violence.  

    Mr Chair 

    As pressure on journalists is often an early sign of a broader deterioration of the human rights situation, we also expect the RFOM to fulfil the early warning and rapid response function in cases of serious non-compliance with our shared commitments regarding freedom of expression and media freedom, including with respect to the protection of journalists and other media actors. 

    Thank you very much for listening.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Genezys Launches $GNZ Token, Shifting the tide of Sports Engagement in Web3

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Genezys, an innovative platform at the intersection of Web3 and sports, has officially launched its $GNZ token—marking a significant milestone in its mission to transform how fans, athletes, and clubs interact within the decentralized sports ecosystem. At the heart of this revolution is Genezys’ decentralized platform, designed to empower sports fans, creators, and athletes with innovative tools, transparent infrastructure, and unique engagement opportunities.

    GRENOBLE, France, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following its much-anticipated Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on Kommunitas Launchpad, Genezys has captured the attention of both blockchain enthusiasts and sports fans alike. The ICO attracted significant interest from investors eager to be part of a platform that is redefining the digital interaction between fans and athletes, creating new pathways for engagement and financial support for clubs.

    As the sports industry continues to embrace digital transformations, Genezys is leveraging the power of blockchain to provide a transparent and secure environment for sports engagement. Its flagship product, the FanCard, is a unique NFT that allows fans to connect more closely with their favorite athletes or sports clubs, unlocking a variety of exclusive benefits such as special content, VIP experiences, and more.

    But Genezys is not just about fan engagement—it’s building an entire ecosystem around Web3 technology. The platform offers a Web3-powered marketplace for buying, selling, and trading FanCards, which are digital collectibles backed by blockchain, and even includes a gamified rewards system that incentivizes fan loyalty. The platform’s NFT-powered Launchpad allows sports clubs and athletes to issue their own tokens, and community engagement translates into real-world perks, enhancing the access and allocation for token holders.

    Genezys combines the best of blockchain security, decentralization, and NFT utility to deliver a cutting-edge sports experience. Built on Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and powered by IPFS for decentralized storage, the platform ensures data privacy, user control, and fast, transparent transactions. Fans can also interact with athletes and clubs in a more direct, meaningful way, thanks to Genezys’ seamless integration of Web3 tools into the sports community.

    The $GNZ token serves as the core utility within the Genezys ecosystem, unlocking a broad array of benefits for holders. These include access to premium FanCard collections, participation in the Launchpad for exclusive athlete and club token sales, and rewards within the community engagement system. Additionally, $GNZ holders gain voting rights for platform governance decisions, staking rewards when paired with NFTs, and exclusive access to gated communities and events.

    During its ICO on Kommunitas, Genezys surpassed 60% of its funding target within the first six hours and was fully subscribed under 72 hours, signaling the high demand for fan-driven blockchain applications. The platform’s post-IKO strategy includes expanding its AI and blockchain capabilities, onboarding new strategic partners, and leveraging token buybacks funded through platform revenue—all aimed at enhancing the long-term value and utility of the $GNZ token.

    Looking ahead, Genezys plans to expand across multiple blockchains, integrate new fan engagement technologies, and scale its suite of products. With its unique combination of decentralization, sports community engagement, and tokenized rewards, Genezys is poised to become a cornerstone in the Web3 sports ecosystem. By offering fans, athletes, and sports clubs a secure, user-friendly platform, Genezys is setting a new standard for how sports can be experienced and monetized in the digital age.

    About Genezys
    Genezys is a Web3-powered sports platform dedicated to creating secure, intelligent, and decentralized tools that empower fans, athletes, and clubs to engage with one another in innovative ways. Its native token, $GNZ, fuels a vibrant ecosystem of fan engagement, NFT collections, and sports token launches. With strategic alliances, cutting-edge technology, and a user-first approach, Genezys is redefining what’s possible in the digital sports world.

    Contact:
    Nathan Muscio
    nathan.muscio@genezys-app.com
    contact@genezys.xyz

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Genezys. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dfc81f27-a22f-4fc4-a546-9ff085e614d9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Package will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry

    The UK is surging rapid military support to Ukraine to put them in the strongest position to secure a lasting peace as partners meet in Brussels for the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany.

    The security of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine, and a major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries.

    Today’s package, worth £450 million, includes £350 million from the UK from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

    The support package will be announced by Defence Secretary John Healey when he chairs the contact group alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius later today, where 50 nations will come together to coordinate urgent military support for Ukraine.

    It will include £160 million of UK funding to provide repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment the UK has already provided to Ukraine – partnering UK companies with Ukrainian industry, supporting the UK economy and skilled jobs.

    Today’s support also includes a new ‘close fight’ military aid package – with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones – worth more than £250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway. The package builds on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia.

    This will include high manoeuvrable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These two types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment.

    The new kit will be procured from a mixture of UK and Ukrainian suppliers, demonstrating how investment into Ukraine’s defence supports jobs and the economies of both the UK and Ukraine.

    The £160 million package for equipment repairs and maintenance will ensure vital armoured vehicles and other equipment can get back to the battlefield as quickly as possible. It will be implemented through the UK’s Taskforce HIRST, linking UK and Ukrainian companies to ensure repairs can be conducted in country to ensure that vital equipment is returned to the frontline as quickly as possible.

    The support provides opportunities for British companies to learn lessons from the battlefield and support the UK’s own industrial capabilities, an example of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership announced by the Prime Minister in action.

    Addressing the contact group, Defence Secretary John Healey MP will say:

    The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.

    We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today’s major package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline fight.

    2025 is the critical year for Ukraine. Our job as defence ministers is to put into the hands of the Ukrainian war fighters what they need. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences.

    Yesterday, [Thursday] the Defence Secretary and his French counterpart, Minister Lecornu, chaired the first meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers, bringing together 30 countries to progress planning for a reassurance force to support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

    The meeting followed a series of high-level meetings of leaders and defence chiefs in the last month to move forward with operational planning.

    This work delivers on the Prime Minister’s four-point plan to support Ukraine by ramping up delivery of weapons and equipment, boosting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the long term, working with allies to develop robust security assurances, and keeping up pressure on Putin.

    The UK is fully committed to working with allies to step up support to ensure Ukraine remains in the strongest possible position, which is why £4.5 billion of military support will be provided this year – more than ever before.

    As well as demonstrating leadership through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, the UK is also contributing heavily to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) Command, which is coordinating further support for Ukraine in the form of training and providing more capabilities. Through the International Fund for Ukraine, the UK will manage the NSATU Trust Fund for rapid procurement – which Canada, Denmark and Iceland have already pledged funding towards, to meet Ukraine’s urgent equipment support and logistical needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: AK rifles and grenades seized as firearms trafficking route into France dismantled

    Source: Europol

    Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the gang, which is believed to have sourced high-powered weapons from illegal markets in the Western Balkans and trafficked them into France for onward distribution.The joint operation – supported by Europol and Eurojust – has taken down the full supply chain behind the trafficking route, from source to destination.Caravan weapons cache sparks…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On April 11, 1945, an international uprising took place in the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald, as a result of which the prisoners managed to take control of the camp. In memory of this event, the world celebrates International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Fascist Concentration Camps.

    The uprising was not spontaneous, several underground committees had been operating in Buchenwald since 1942, which by the time of the uprising had managed to obtain and hide over 90 rifles, 100 pistols, over 120 grenades and even one machine gun, as well as a small radio station, with which they contacted the approaching American army. The prisoners created 188 small combat groups: 56 Soviet, 23 German, 22 French and others. During the uprising, the guards were killed and some were taken prisoner, after which the prisoners took up all-round defense in the camp. On the night of April 11, troops of General George Patton’s Third Army entered Buchenwald and completely cleared the camp of the remaining guards.

    Buchenwald did not formally have the status of a “death camp”, but from 1937 until the uprising, about 56 thousand people out of 250 thousand prisoners were killed and tortured there. And this was not even the largest camp. In the largest complex of concentration camps near the city of Auschwitz, liberated by the Red Army on January 27, 1945, according to modern historians, from 1.1 to 1.6 million people were exterminated. Its design capacity allowed for the extermination of up to 30 thousand people per day.

    In total, about 18 million prisoners were imprisoned in 14 thousand fascist concentration camps from 1933 to 1945, and 11 million of them were exterminated in gas chambers, during medical experiments, died from torture, exhaustion and hunger. It was because of the inhumane activities of concentration camps that about 20% of all victims of World War II were children. The exact figures are still unknown, the Nazis were well aware of their crimes and at the end of the war tried to destroy as much evidence of their activities as possible.

    The task of modern humanity is not to forget this terrible chapter in the terrible book of history of the Second World War. We must not allow the spread of the resurgent Nazi ideology, which does not consider many nationalities and races as people, and if necessary, does not consider anyone as people, because the very first concentration camp in Germany was intended for Germans themselves – political prisoners.

    To this day, the International Buchenwald Committee, which was born in the underground of the concentration camp, exists. The International Union of Former Juvenile Prisoners of Fascism is active. But with each passing year, the number of members of these and similar societies is decreasing. This heavy memory will have to be carried by those who have never been dehumanized for imaginary reasons. And we hope that it never will be. In the name of this, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation continues to investigate criminal cases of genocide of the civilian population during the Great Patriotic War. Neither previous nor new crimes against humanity will go unpunished.

    #Scientific regiment

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 11.04.2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: EU to pause retaliatory tariffs on US

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The European Union said it will press the pause button on its retaliatory tariffs against the United States just a day after the bloc’s member states agreed on the first countermeasures against the US trade war and hours after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of “reciprocal tariffs” on most for its trading partners.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the commission took note of Trump’s announcement.

    “We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalizing the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our member states, we will put them on hold for 90 days,” she said on X. “If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.”

    She expressed that preparatory work on further countermeasures continues, reiterating “all options remain on the table”.

    EU member states approved tariffs between 10-25 percent on a range of US imports such as almonds, orange juice, poultry, soybeans, steel and aluminum, tobacco and yachts — the bloc’s countermeasures against the 25 percent tariffs placed by the US on steel and aluminum imports from the EU.The tariffs were initially set to be rolled out in phases starting April 15, hitting a total of 21 billion euros ($23 billion) of US products, but are now paused.

    Hungary was the only one among 27 member states to vote against the retaliation. France, Italy and the Republic of Ireland have successfully lobbied to remove Kentucky bourbon whiskey from the hit list after Trump threatened that the US would impose a 200 percent tariff on wines and spirits from the EU if it is on the list.

    Observers noted that the list targets many Republican states in the US to inflict pain on Trump’s political base.

    “The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy,” the European Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

    “Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers,” von der Leyen said in another post on X on Thursday.

    ‘Wrong signal’

    At the Thursday daily news briefing, European Commission spokesmen refused to answer when asked why the EU is pausing the countermeasures when the US has not paused its steel and aluminum tariffs, and whether the EU has been sending a wrong signal to Trump, who has been destroying the global trading system.

    Ding Chun, director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University, said although the EU wants a negotiated settlement, it has also realized that retaliation measures are necessary to force the US to come to the negotiation table.

    “Europeans realize that if they show weakness to Trump, he will tighten up more,” Ding said.

    Ding said the EU has many tools, including the Anti-Coercion Instrument, or ACI, known as the trade “bazooka” or nuclear option, to hit back against US tech giants since the US has a trade surplus with the EU in services.

    Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament from Ireland, said it is difficult to figure out what the intentions are and who is making decisions in the US right now.

    “We don’t know if this is an overall attempt to overturn the international rules-based order, or something more short-term, more transactional,” he posted on X on Wednesday.

    Andrews noted that the EU has built many trade defense measures including the ACI to deal with the current situation. He added that the bloc should also look to diversify its trade.

    “What has happened in the last two months is a huge challenge to (the) Irish economy,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –