Category: Germany

  • MIL-OSI: Q1 2025 as planned, post Financial restructuring: commercial recovery, decline in revenue and limited cash consumption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    Q1 2025 as planned, post financial restructuring:

    commercial recovery, decline in revenue

    and limited cash consumption

    Confirmation of continued commercial recovery, fueled by strategic large deal signatures

    • Q1 2025 order entry at €1.7 billion
    • Q1 2025 book-to-bill at 81%, +17 points vs Q1 2024, benefiting from the signature of multi-year contract renewals and business wins with new material revenue streams

    Q1 2025 revenue: €2,068 million, down -15.9% organically, impacted by lower order entry and contract completions recorded in 2024, before the closing of the financial restructuring of the Company on December 18, 2024

    • Reflecting deliberate reduction of BPO1 activities in the UK, as well as calendar effects
    • Eviden: down -14.0% organically
    • Tech Foundations: down -17.5% organically

    Estimated cash consumption2limited to c. €-40 million in Q1 2025 vs €-415 million in Q1 2024

    • No usage at all of account receivable factoring or specific optimization on trade payables

    Estimated liquidity3of c. €1,958 million as of March 31, 2025 vs €2,179 million as of December 31, 2024:

    • Cash and cash equivalent of c. €1,518 million vs €1,739 million in December 2024 and undrawn revolving credit facility of €440 million as of March 31, 2025
    • Including c. €138 million of cash in advance (vs €319 million as at December 31, 2024), consisting solely of customer invoices paid in advance without any discount and on a pure voluntary basis

    Presentation of Atos updated strategy and organization during the May 14, 2025 Capital Markets Day

    Paris, April 17, 2025 – Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, high-performance computing and information technology infrastructure, today announces its Q1 2025 revenue.

    Philippe Salle, Atos Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, declared:

    “Our first quarter performance confirms the inflexion in our business trajectory following the closing of our financial restructuring at the end of 2024. While top line remained under pressure, our commercial activity continued to recover during the quarter, attesting to the confidence and engagement of our clients and boding well for the future of Atos. We have also limited our cash consumption during the quarter and made significant progress in the implementation of our restructuring program to adapt our cost base. I look forward to sharing my vision for Atos and unveiling our mid-term strategy at our Capital Markets Day on May 14. This is the start of a new chapter for the Group, with relentless focus on serving our customers through innovation and high-quality services.”

    Q1 2025 Revenue by Business

    In € million Q1 2025
    Revenue
    Q1 2024
    Revenue
    Q1 2024
    Revenue*
    Organic variation*
    Eviden 973 1,164 1,132 -14.0%
    Tech Foundations 1,095 1,314 1,326 -17.5%
    Total 2,068 2,479 2,458 -15.9%

    *: at constant scope and March 2025 average exchange rates

    Group revenue was €2,068 million, down -15.9% organically compared with Q1 2024. Overall, Group revenue evolution in Q1 2025 reflects lower order entry and contract completions recorded in 2024, before the closing of the financial restructuring of the Company in December 2024, deliberate reduction of BPO activities in the UK, calendar effects as well as market softness in key geographies.

    Eviden revenue was €973 million, down -14.0% organically.

    • Digital activities decreased double digit. The business was impacted by H2 2024 contract completions and contract scope reductions, as well as by the continued market softness in North America, in the UK & Ireland and in Southern Europe.
    • Big Data & Security (BDS) revenue decreased high single digit. Lower activity in cybersecurity services due to volume decline and contract completions was partially offset by growth in Advanced Computing due to large project deliveries in India and Germany.

    Tech Foundations revenue was €1,095 million, down -17.5% organically.

    • Core revenue (excluding BPO and value-added resale (“VAR”)) decreased double digit mainly due to previously established contract terminations and completions in North America, lower revenue from Major Events following the delivery of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic games, and by contract scope and volume reduction in the UK.
    • Non-core revenue declined double digit as planned, reflecting deliberate reduction of BPO activities in the UK and reduced value-added resale for hardware and software products.

    Q1 2025 revenue by Regional Business Unit

    In € million Q1 2025
    Revenue
    Q1 2024
    Revenue
    Q1 2024
    Revenue*
    Organic variation*
    Central Europe 501 533 527 -5.0%
    Southern Europe 438 565 527 -16.9%
    North America 382 512 528 -27.6%
    UK / IR 309 423 434 -28.8%
    Growing markets 224 223 219 +2.0%
    Benelux and the Nordics (BTN)                  212 220 220 -3.6%
    Others & Global structures 2 3 3 -10.0%
    Total 2,068 2,479 2,458 -15.9%

    *: at constant scope and March 2025 average exchange rates

    Central Europe revenue was € 501 million, down -5.0% organically.

    • Eviden revenue decreased low single digit. Decline in Digital due to volume reduction from Manufacturing and Public Sector customers was partially offset by the delivery of a large HPC in Germany.
    • Tech Foundations revenue decreased double digit, reflecting volume and scope reductions related to low-margin contracts with Pharmaceutical and Banking customers.

    Southern Europe revenue was €438 million, down -16.9% organically.

    • Eviden revenue decreased double digit. Digital activities declined due to volume reduction with Automotive, Transport & Logistics and Banking customers. The delivery of a supercomputer project in France in 2024 provided a higher prior year comparison basis for BDS.
    • Tech Foundations revenue decreased high single digit due to contract completions with select customers.

    North America revenue was € 382 million, down -27.6% organically, impacted by contract terminations and completions, and general slowdown in market conditions.

    • Eviden revenue decreased double digit, notably from lower activity with Healthcare, Finance, and Transport & Logistics customers. BDS decreased double digit due to contract completion and volume reductions.
    • Tech Foundations revenue decreased double digit notably from lower activity in Media and Insurance.

    UK & Ireland revenue was € 309 million, down -28.8% organically.

    • Eviden revenue decreased double digit. Digital revenue decreased on back of market softness in Public Sector while BDS remained stable.
    • Revenue in Tech Foundations decreased double digit, due primarily to previously announced large contract exit in Public Sector BPO.

    Growing Market revenue was €224 million, up +2.0% organically. Revenue from the delivery of a HPC in India was partly offset by the high prior year comparison basis of Major Events, which included revenue from the 2024 Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games.

    Benelux and the Nordics revenue was € 212 million, down -3.6% organically

    • Eviden revenue decreased low single digit, impacted by project completions and volume reductions in Manufacturing.
    • Revenue in Tech Foundations decreased low single digit as well, due to previously established contract completions and volume decline on low-margin contracts with Healthcare and Utilities customers.

    Order entry and backlog

    Q1 2025 commercial activity

    Order entry reached €1.7 billion in Q1 2025, of which €1.1 billion represent new services sold to new or existing customers.

    Book-to-bill ratio was 81% for the quarter, improving by +17 points compared with the Q1 2024 ratio of 64%, benefiting from renewed client confidence.

    • Eviden book-to-bill ratio was 80% for the first quarter compared to 83% in Q1 2024, when a large HPC order was booked for a Danish innovation center. Main contract signatures in the first quarter included a large six-year new business in digital and cyber contract in Belgium and a contract renewal to manage a public health system for a large American insurance company.
    • Tech Foundations book-to-bill ratio was 81% for the first quarter, a significant improvement compared to the 47% reported in Q1 2024. Main contract signatures in the first quarter included a new four-year contract for IT infrastructure in Public Sector in France, a multi-year contract extension for Mainframe services with a global leader in aerospace as well a contract renewal with a leading automotive manufacturer for Mainframe services. Also, a new five-year Digital Workplace contract was signed with the UK Department of Environments, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

    Backlog & commercial pipeline

    At the end of March 2025, the full backlog reached €12.6 billion representing 1.3 years of
    revenue.

    The full qualified weighted pipeline amounted to €4.5 billion at the end of March 2025, representing 5.7 months of revenue.

    Human resources

    The total headcount was 74,074 at the end of March 2025, decreasing by -5.2% compared with the end of December 2024, notably from 1,682 departures related to the restructuring plan already on track.

    Q1 2025 liquidity position4

    Atos SE also publishes its estimated liquidity position at March 31, 2025. This indicator measures the estimated financial resources available at date to meet Atos SE future obligations. This publication is part of the regular reporting requirements defined and agreed with the Group’s financial creditors.

    As of March 31, 2025, Atos liquidity is estimated at circa €1,958 million, compared to €2,179 million as of December 31, 2024, and was comprised of:

     In € million March 31, 2025
    (estimated)
    December 31, 2024
    (actuals)
    Var.
    Cash & cash equivalents 1,518  1,739 -221 
    of which payments received from customers in advance of invoice payment due dates 138  319 -181 
    Undrawn revolving credit facility 440  440 – 
    Total liquidity 1,958  2,179 -221 

    Capital Markets Day

    Atos will present an update of its strategy and organization during a Capital Markets Day that will be held in Atos’ Bezons headquarters on May 14, 2025.

    Forthcoming events

    May 14, 2025 Capital Markets Day
    June 13, 2025 Annual General Meeting
       
    August 1st, 2025 (Before Market Opening)  First semester 2025 results

    APPENDIX

    Q1 2024 revenue at constant scope and exchange rates reconciliation

    For the analysis of the Group’s performance, revenue for Q1 2025 is compared with 2024 revenue at constant scope and foreign exchange rates.

    Reconciliation between the 2024 reported first quarter revenue and the 2024 first quarter revenue at constant scope and foreign exchange rates is presented below, by Business Lines and Regional Business Units:

    Q1 2024 revenue
    In € million
    Q1 2024 published Internal transfers Scope effects Exchange rates effects Q1 2024*
    Eviden 1,164 2 -44 9 1,132
    Tech Foundations 1,314 -2 0 14 1,326
    Total 2,479 0 -44 23 2,458
               
               
    Q1 2024 revenue
    In € million
    Q1 2024 published Internal transfers Scope effects Exchange rates effects Q1 2024*
    North America 512 0 0 16 528
    Benelux and the Nordics (BTN) 220 0 0 0 220
    UK / IR 423 0 0 10 434
    Central Europe 533 0 -6 0 527
    Southern Europe 565 0 -38 0 527
    Growing Markets 223 0 0 -3 219
    Others & Global structures 3 0 0 0 3
    Total 2,479 0 -44 23 2,458

    *: at constant scope and March 2025 average exchange rates

    Scope effects amounted to €-44 million. They related to the divesture of Worldgrid in Southern Europe and Central Europe.

    Currency effects positively contributed to revenue for €+23 million. They mostly came from the appreciation of the British pound and the US dollar partially compensated by the depreciation of the Brazilian real, the Argentinian peso and the Turkish lira.

    Disclaimer

    This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including references, concerning the Group’s expected growth and profitability in the future which may significantly impact the expected performance indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are linked to factors out of the control of the Company and not precisely estimated, such as market conditions or competitors’ behaviors. Any forward-looking statements made in this document are statements about Atos’s beliefs and expectations and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include statements that may relate to Atos’s plans, objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or synergies, or performance, and other information that is not historical information. Actual events or results may differ from those described in this document due to a number of risks and uncertainties that are described within the 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on April 10, 2025 under the registration number D.25-0238. Atos does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation or responsibility to update or amend any of the information above except as otherwise required by law.

    This document does not contain or constitute an offer of Atos’s shares for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in Atos’s shares in France, the United States of America or any other jurisdiction. This document includes information on specific transactions that shall be considered as projects only. In particular, any decision relating to the information or projects mentioned in this document and their terms and conditions will only be made after the ongoing in-depth analysis considering tax, legal, operational, finance, HR and all other relevant aspects have been completed and will be subject to general market conditions and other customary conditions, including governance bodies and shareholders’ approval as well as appropriate processes with the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws.

    About Atos

    Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with circa 74,000 employees and annual revenue of circa €10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    Contacts

    Investor relations:

    David Pierre-Kahn | investors@atos.net | +33 6 28 51 45 96

    Sofiane El Amri | investors@atos.net | +33 6 29 34 85 67

    Individual shareholders: +33 8 05 65 00 75

    Press contact: globalprteam@atos.net


    1         Business Process Outsourcing

    2         Cash consumption of a period is defined as the variance in cash and cash-equivalent, excluding (i) the variance of the drawn portion of the RCF and (ii) the variance in working capital optimization actions (which include cash in advance received from customers, account receivable factoring and specific optimization of trade payables)

    3         Liquidity is defined as the sum of (i) the consolidated cash and cash-equivalent position of the Group and (ii) the amounts available under any undrawn committed facilities (including committed overdrafts). Consolidated cash and cash-equivalent includes trapped cash and unpooled cash and excludes cash held in escrow accounts in order to provide cash collateral.

    4         Liquidity is defined as the sum of (i) the consolidated cash and cash-equivalent position of the Group and (ii) the amounts available under any undrawn committed facilities (including committed overdrafts). Consolidated cash and cash-equivalent includes trapped cash and unpooled cash and excludes cash held in escrow accounts in order to provide cash collateral.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bigstack Opportunities I Inc. Enters Into Definitive Agreement For Qualifying Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bigstack Opportunities I Inc. (“Bigstack”) (TSXV: STAK.P), a capital pool company as defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV” or the “Exchange”), is pleased to announce that, further to the non-binding letter of intent dated November 3, 2024 between Bigstack and Reeflex Coil Solutions Inc. (“Reeflex”) and its press releases dated November 4, 2024 and January 17, 2025, it has entered into a business combination agreement dated April 14, 2025 (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Reeflex and 2704122 Alberta Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bigstack (“Subco”). Reeflex and all of the shareholders (the “Coil Shareholders”) of Coil Solutions Inc. (“Coil”) have entered into a share purchase agreement dated April 14, 2025 (the “Share Purchase Agreement”).

    Terms of the Transaction

    The Business Combination Agreement provides for a three-cornered amalgamation (the “Business Combination”), whereby (i) Reeflex will amalgamate with Subco under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), (ii) all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of Reeflex (the “Reeflex Shares”) immediately prior to the Business Combination will be cancelled and, in consideration therefor, the holders thereof (the “Reeflex Shareholders”) will receive one common share in the capital of Bigstack (“Bigstack Share”) on the basis of one Reeflex Share for one Bigstack Share at a deemed price of $0.10 per Bigstack Share and (iii) the amalgamated corporation (the “Amalco”) will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bigstack, all on the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement.

    Prior to the completion of the Business Combination, pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, it is intended that Reeflex will purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Coil (the “Acquisition” and, together with the Business Combination, the “Transaction”) from the Coil Shareholders for aggregate consideration of $5.8 million, subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment, which is expected to be paid and satisfied by way of (i) Reeflex issuing secured non-interest bearing promissory notes to each Coil Shareholder with an aggregate principal amount equal to $1,700,000 that are to be fully paid within 5 business days of the closing of the Acquisition, (ii) Reeflex issuing secured promissory notes to each Coil Shareholder with an aggregate principal amount equal to $2,300,000 that bear interest at the prime rate published by the Bank of Canada from time to time and are paid down monthly and to be fully paid on the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition and (iii) Reeflex issuing an aggregate of 18,000,000 Reeflex Shares to the Coil Shareholders at a deemed price of $0.10 per Reeflex Share, all upon the terms and conditions of the Share Purchase Agreement.

    After giving effect to the Transaction, the Reeflex Shareholders will collectively exercise control over Bigstack, Bigstack will wholly-own Amalco and Amalco will wholly-own Coil. Bigstack, as it exists upon completion of the Transaction (the “Resulting Issuer”), is expected to continue the business of Coil.

    It is anticipated that all convertible securities of Bigstack will be exercised prior to completion of the Transaction; however, if any warrants to purchase common shares of Bigstack remain outstanding following the completion of the Transaction, they shall continue to be exercisable for common shares of the Resulting Issuer in accordance with their terms. It is anticipated that Bigstack will change its name to “Reeflex Solutions Inc.” on or immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction.

    Immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction, it is anticipated that (i) assuming completion of the anticipated exercise of all convertible securities of Bigstack, there will be 10,662,000 Bigstack Shares issued and outstanding and (ii) holders of Reeflex Shares will hold 36,239,500 Reeflex Shares. Therefore, immediately following the closing of the Transaction, it is anticipated that there will be 46,901,500 common shares of the Resulting Issuer issued and outstanding.

    Bigstack anticipates that the Transaction will constitute its Qualifying Transaction pursuant to Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies of the Exchange (the “CPC Policy”), as such term is defined in the policies of the Exchange, and it is expected that Bigstack will be a Tier 2 Industrial Issuer on the Exchange upon completion of the Transaction.

    The proposed Transaction is not a “Non-Arm’s Length Qualifying Transaction” as such term is defined in the CPC Policy. No Non-Arm’s Length Party to Bigstack (as such term is defined in the CPC Policy) (a) has any direct or indirect beneficial interest in Reeflex or Coil, or (b) is an insider of Reeflex or Coil. There is no relationship between or among a Non-Arm’s Length Party to Bigstack and a Non-Arm’s Length Party to the Qualifying Transaction (as such terms are defined in the CPC Policy). It is not expected that the Transaction will be subject to approval by the shareholders of Bigstack.

    Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, the satisfaction of all conditions provided for in the Business Combination Agreement, which will include representations, warranties, covenants and conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, and the receipt of all necessary regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, including TSXV acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

    Business and History of Reeflex

    Reeflex is a privately-held corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on June 14, 2024. Its head and registered offices are located in Calgary. Reeflex currently has no business operations or assets other than cash and a management team that has been working on the Transaction and the proposed going public structure for the past year.

    Business and History of Coil

    Founded in 2007 in Redcliff, Alberta, Coil specializes in innovative drilling products and services for the global oil and gas industry. In 2010, Coil expanded its operations, opening a second facility in Calgary, Alberta, introducing a line of downhole fracking tools and venturing into custom tool design. In 2012, Coil launched its coil tubing injector line. In 2013, Coil opened a third facility in Red Deer, Alberta. In 2014, Coil developed two distinct models of, and manufactured, its first full coil tubing units. In 2016, Coil expanded sales to Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, South America and Europe. In 2017, Coil designed and built the largest free-standing mast unit in the world. In 2022, Coil established a dedicated manufacturing division in Calgary, Alberta, operating under its tradename, Ranglar, for injectors and mobile equipment. In 2024, Coil completed a reorganization with its shareholders, which resulted in the conversion of preferred shares and debt into common shares. Today, Coil continues to focus on coiled tubing solutions and downhole tools, offering a comprehensive range of services including rentals, sales, training, testing and consulting. With 41 employees, Coil has developed patented products that are distributed worldwide, including a key distributor in Germany and more than 60 active clients.

    The following tables set out selected financial information of Coil for the periods indicated therein:

      Financial Year ended
    2024

    (audited)
    ($)
    Financial Year ended
    2023

    (audited)
    ($)
    Total revenues 14,265,524 14,069,331
    Income from continuing operations 1,750,495 2,193,603
    Net income or loss, in total 1,089,024 1,554,716
    Total assets 9,969,946 11,752,788
    Total long term financial liabilities 735,009 1,006,362
    Cash dividends NIL 111,736

    Concurrent Financing

    In advance of the Transaction, Reeflex completed a non-brokered private placement of 4,139,500 subscription receipts (each, a “Subscription Receipt”) at a price of $0.20 per Subscription Receipt, for aggregate gross proceeds of $827,900 (the “Concurrent Financing”).

    The gross proceeds resulting from the Concurrent Financing are (and will continue to be) held by Marrelli Trust Company Limited as subscription receipt and escrow agent until certain escrow release conditions are satisfied, including the completion of the Acquisition and the receipt of written confirmation from the TSX Venture Exchange that all conditions precedent to the Transaction have been satisfied (collectively, the “Escrow Release Conditions”). Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, and prior to the completion of the Transaction, the gross proceeds from the Concurrent Financing will be released from escrow and each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert into one Reeflex Share. In connection with the Concurrent Financing, Reeflex has paid to registered dealers and such other persons permitted under applicable securities laws who act as finders for the Concurrent Offering a finder’s fee an aggregate of $21,336, representing 7% of the gross proceeds resulting from subscriptions that were introduced to Reeflex by the finder. Except for the foregoing, it is not expected that any finder’s fee or commission will be payable in connection with the Transaction.

    Reeflex intends to use the proceeds of the Concurrent Financing for general corporate and working capital purposes.

    Resulting Issuer

    The Parties expect that the Resulting Issuer following from the Transaction will carry on the existing business of Coil and be an industrial issuer focused on providing coiled tubing and downhole tool solutions to the oil and gas industry. See “Terms of the Transaction” above for details concerning the expected corporate structure of the Resulting Issuer upon completion of the Transaction.

    Upon completion of the Transaction, the Parties expect that the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer will consist of the following four (4) directors, of whom three (3) will be independent. John Babic will not be independent as he will be the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Resulting Issuer.

    John Babic – Proposed President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Resulting Issuer

    John Babic is an accomplished executive with nearly 40 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, covering upstream, downstream, and manufacturing operations. He currently serves as the President and CEO of 1175317 Alberta Ltd., an investment and real estate holding company.

    Throughout his career, Mr. Babic has held several senior executive positions, including CEO of Reeflex Coil Solutions Inc. and CEO and Director of various public companies such as Dalmac Energy Inc., an oilfield transportation and services company; Raydan Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer specializing in heavy-duty transportation suspension systems; Hyduke Energy Services Inc., a manufacturer of oilfield equipment, including drilling and service rigs; and Sawtooth Resources Inc., an oil and gas exploration and production company.

    In addition, Mr. Babic has served for 7 years as a Director of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, contributing to the city’s economic growth and development initiatives.

    Mr. Babic holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.

    Shawn Szydlowski – Proposed Director of Resulting Issuer

    Shawn Szydlowski is a seasoned business leader with over 30 years of experience in corporate management, entrepreneurship, and financial oversight. As the founder of Care For A Ride, established in 2009, Mr. Szydlowski built a successful business focused on providing safe, reliable transportation for seniors, enabling them to maintain independence and quality of life.

    His career also includes 15 years with Dalmac Energy, where he held key roles such as Interim CFO and Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Szydlowski played a crucial role in navigating the company through complex financial challenges, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering sustainable growth. Additionally, he brings 20 years of experience in corporate sales and account management, where he consistently drove strategic results, earning the President’s Club Award for three consecutive years.

    Eric Szustak – Proposed Director of Resulting Issuer

    Mr. Szustak is currently the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and a director of Bigstack. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant with over 35 years’ experience in financial services, business development, marketing, accounting, and as Chief Financial Officer of various reporting issuers. Mr. Szustak is currently Chairman and Corporate Secretary of Quinsam Capital Corporation, which is a public merchant bank listed on the CSE, a director of Copper Road Resources Inc., a mining company listed on the TSXV, and a director of Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc., a fertilizer company listed on the CSE. Mr. Szustak’s previous experience also includes 14 years with three national brokerage firms: Midland Walwyn, Merril Lynch and BMO Nesbitt Burns, in various positions, including private client wealth groups, management and securities compliance. Mr. Szustak will be Chair of the Audit Committee of the Resulting Issuer in addition to his general duties as a director of the Resulting Issuer. Mr. Szustak will devote such percentage of his working time to the affairs of the Resulting Issuer as is required to fulfill his duties to the same.

    Derrek Dobko – Proposed Director of Resulting Issuer

    Derrek Dobko is a seasoned financial officer with over 20 years of experience in the oilfield service, manufacturing, and transportation industries. He has held senior finance positions in both public and private companies, showcasing his expertise in financial management and reporting.

    As controller of Raydan Manufacturing, Mr. Dobko was responsible for the company’s financial reporting in accordance with IFRS and the preparation of all financial information required under TSXV reporting standards. His career also includes senior accounting roles at Peak Energy Services, Alta-Fab Structures, and his current position with NTS Amega Canada.

    Additionally, Mr. Dobko has gained valuable operational experience in the transportation sector, particularly in managing financial operations for Liquids in Motion, a mid-sized trucking company. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), with a designation from CPA Alberta.

    Upon completion of the Transaction, the following persons are also expected to constitute insiders of the Resulting Issuer:

    Trevor Conway – Proposed Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Resulting Issuer

    Trevor Conway is an accomplished mid-market investment banking professional with extensive transaction experience across various industry sectors, including energy. He previously served as CFO of Reconciliation Energy Transition Inc., a Calgary-based energy transition project development company and as Special Advisor to BluMaple Capital Partners, a Calgary-based private equity firm focused on low-carbon energy innovators.

    Prior to these roles, Mr. Conway was the Managing Director and Head of Energy Investment Banking at iA Capital Markets, a division of iA Private Wealth and part of iA Financial Group, a leading Canadian financial institution.

    Mr. Conway holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University, a BA (Special) in Economics from the University of Alberta, and a Sustainable Investment Professional Certificate (SIPC) from the John Molson Executive Centre at Concordia University. He is also a former Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI).

    In addition to his professional work, Mr. Conway has contributed to several industry and community initiatives. He has served on the National & Local Advisory Committee of the TSX Venture Exchange and was Past Director and Governor of the Canadian Energy Executive Association.

    George Wu – Proposed Director of Amalco

    George Wu is a distinguished financial executive with a proven track record in leading complex financial strategies and driving portfolio success. With extensive expertise in bank debt, structured finance, fixed income, and equity analysis, he excels in portfolio management and strategic financial planning. His leadership has successfully optimized portfolios, resulting in a 20% increase in returns over the past three years.

    Known for his exceptional relationship-building skills, Mr. Wu has effectively engaged as a financial strategist with c-suite executives and diverse stakeholders. He holds a CFA, MBA, and B.Sc. (Honours Program) and currently serves as Portfolio Manager and Chief Compliance Officer at a leading independent portfolio management firm in Edmonton, ensuring top-tier financial stewardship and compliance.

    In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Wu mentors commerce undergraduates through the University of Alberta’s PRIME Program, contributing to the development of future leaders in investment management. Mr. Wu and his family have called Edmonton home since 2000, where they enjoy a multilingual household speaking English, French, and Mandarin Chinese.

    Cecil Hassard – Proposed Director of Amalco

    Mr. Cecil Hassard is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and operational excellence in the oil and gas industry. In 2007, he co-founded Coil which has grown to become a global provider of high-quality products and innovative solutions for the energy sector. He further diversified the company’s offerings by introducing the “Ranglar” division, based in Calgary, Alberta, which manufactures custom mobile equipment for industries such as oil and gas, mining, and more.

    Under his leadership, Coil has established a strong presence in Canada and the United States, and in serving clients worldwide. He broadened Coil’s capabilities with the “Ranglar” division, enabling tailored solutions to a broader range of industries with specialized equipment. He has driven advancements in operational efficiency and provided cutting-edge solutions for the energy sector. Mr. Cecil Hassard’s entrepreneurial vision has established Coil as a dynamic and influential leader in the global oil and gas industry.

    Bryan Hassard – Proposed Chief Operating Officer of Coil

    Mr. Bryan Hassard is an accomplished business leader and co-founder of Coil, established in 2007. He serves as the Vice President of Manufacturing and a director of Coil, playing a critical role in the company’s operations and strategic direction.

    Mr. Bryan Hassard’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding Coil’s sales from Canada to the United States and globally, enhancing the company’s ability to serve the oil and gas industry on a broader scale utilizing distributors in different areas. As Vice President of Manufacturing, he oversees production processes, ensuring high-quality standards and operational efficiency. Mr. Bryan Hassard’s dedication to innovation and excellence has significantly contributed to the growth and success of Coil.

    Sponsorship

    Sponsorship of a qualifying transaction of a capital pool company is required by the TSXV unless an exemption from the sponsorship requirement is available. Bigstack has applied for a waiver from the sponsorship requirements. There is no assurance that the Bigstack will be able to obtain such a waiver.

    Trading Halt

    Trading in the Bigstack Shares was halted, as previously disclosed in Bigstack’s press release dated November 4, 2024, and is not expected to resume until the Transaction is completed or until the Exchange receives the requisite documentation to resume trading.

    Further updates with respect to the Transaction may be provided as the Transaction proceeds.

    Overview of Bigstack

    Bigstack is a “capital pool company” under the policies of the Exchange and it is intended that the Transaction will constitute the “Qualifying Transaction” of Bigstack, as such term is defined in CPC Policy. The Bigstack Shares are currently listed on the Exchange and Bigstack is a reporting issuer in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Bigstack was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on November 25, 2020.

    Additional Information

    All information contained in this press release with respect to Reeflex and Coil was provided by Reeflex and Coil, respectively, to Bigstack for inclusion herein. Bigstack and its directors and officers have not independently verified such information and have relied exclusively on Reeflex and Coil for any information concerning Reeflex and Coil.

    Forward Looking Information

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” (“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

    More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Transaction and its constituents steps, including the Acquisition and the Business Combination (including the completion, structure, terms and timing thereof), the binding definitive agreements relating to the Transaction, including in respect of the Acquisition, the expected capital structure and expected shareholders of, and the expected size of their shareholdings in, the Resulting Issuer, the expected corporate structure of the Resulting Issuer and its subsidiaries, if any, the future financial performance of the Resulting Issuer or any of the parties, the Concurrent Financing, including the amount expected to be raised thereunder, any finder’s fees or commissions payable in relation to the same, and expected use of proceeds therefrom, the Subscription Receipts and Escrow Release Conditions, the expected composition of the board of directors and management of the Resulting Issuer and its subsidiaries, if any, TSXV sponsorship requirements and any exemptions therefrom, the issuance of additional press releases describing the Transaction, the trading of the Bigstack Shares on the TSXV and the holding of shareholder meetings in connection with the Transaction. Although Bigstack believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; inability to complete the Concurrent Financing on the terms described herein or at all; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. There can be no certainty that the Transaction and related transactions will be completed on the terms set out in the Letter of Intent and other agreements among the Parties or at all. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Bigstack disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

    Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

    The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

    Bigstack Opportunities I Inc.

    For further information, please contact Eric Szustak, the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and a director of Bigstack.

    Eric Szustak
    President, CEO, CFO, Corporate Secretary and Director
    Email: eszustak@jbrlimited.com
    Telephone: (905) 330-7948

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AI-powered deception: Emerging fraud threats and countermeasures

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: AI-powered deception: Emerging fraud threats and countermeasures

    Introduction | Security snapshot | Threat briefing
    Defending against attacks | Expert profile 

    Microsoft maintains a continuous effort to protect its platforms and customers from fraud and abuse. From blocking imposters on Microsoft Azure and adding anti-scam features to Microsoft Edge, to fighting tech support fraud with new features in Windows Quick Assist, this edition of Cyber Signals takes you inside the work underway and important milestones achieved that protect customers.

    We are all defenders. 

    Between April 2024 and April 2025, Microsoft:

    • Thwarted $4 billion in fraud attempts.
    • Rejected 49,000 fraudulent partnership enrollments.
    • Blocked about 1.6 million bot signup attempts per hour.

    The evolution of AI-enhanced cyber scams

    AI has started to lower the technical bar for fraud and cybercrime actors looking for their own productivity tools, making it easier and cheaper to generate believable content for cyberattacks at an increasingly rapid rate. AI software used in fraud attempts runs the gamut, from legitimate apps misused for malicious purposes to more fraud-oriented tools used by bad actors in the cybercrime underground.

    AI tools can scan and scrape the web for company information, helping cyberattackers build detailed profiles of employees or other targets to create highly convincing social engineering lures. In some cases, bad actors are luring victims into increasingly complex fraud schemes using fake AI-enhanced product reviews and AI-generated storefronts, where scammers create entire websites and e-commerce brands, complete with fake business histories and customer testimonials. By using deepfakes, voice cloning, phishing emails, and authentic-looking fake websites, threat actors seek to appear legitimate at wider scale.

    According to the Microsoft Anti-Fraud Team, AI-powered fraud attacks are happening globally, with much of the activity coming from China and Europe, specifically Germany due in part to Germany’s status as one of the largest e-commerce and online services markets in the European Union (EU). The larger a digital marketplace in any region, the more likely a proportional degree of attempted fraud will take place.

    E-commerce fraud

    Fraudulent e-commerce websites can be set up in minutes using AI and other tools requiring minimal technical knowledge. Previously, it would take threat actors days or weeks to stand up convincing websites. These fraudulent websites often mimic legitimate sites, making it challenging for consumers to identify them as fake. 

    Using AI-generated product descriptions, images, and customer reviews, customers are duped into believing they are interacting with a genuine merchant, exploiting consumer trust in familiar brands.

    AI-powered customer service chatbots add another layer of deception by convincingly interacting with customers. These bots can delay chargebacks by stalling customers with scripted excuses and manipulating complaints with AI-generated responses that make scam sites appear professional.

    In a multipronged approach, Microsoft has implemented robust defenses across our products and services to protect customers from AI-powered fraud. Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides comprehensive threat protection for Azure resources, including vulnerability assessments and threat detection for virtual machines, container images, and endpoints.

    Microsoft Edge features website typo protection and domain impersonation protection using deep learning technology to help users avoid fraudulent websites. Edge has also implemented a machine learning-based Scareware Blocker to identify and block potential scam pages and deceptive pop-up screens with alarming warnings claiming a computer has been compromised. These attacks try to frighten users into calling fraudulent support numbers or downloading harmful software.

    Job and employment fraud

    The rapid advancement of generative AI has made it easier for scammers to create fake listings on various job platforms. They generate fake profiles with stolen credentials, fake job postings with auto-generated descriptions, and AI-powered email campaigns to phish job seekers. AI-powered interviews and automated emails enhance the credibility of job scams, making it harder for job seekers to identify fraudulent offers.

    To prevent this, job platforms should introduce multifactor authentication for employer accounts to make it harder for bad actors to take over legitimate hirers’ listings and use available fraud-detection technologies to catch suspicious content.

    Fraudsters often ask for personal information, such as resumes or even bank account details, under the guise of verifying the applicant’s information. Unsolicited text and email messages offering employment opportunities that promise high pay for minimal qualifications are typically an indicator of fraud.

    Employment offers that include requests for payment, offers that seem too good to be true, unsolicited offers or interview requests over text message, and a lack of formal communication platforms can all be indicators of fraud.

    Tech support scams

    Tech support scams are a type of fraud where scammers trick victims into unnecessary technical support services to fix a device or software problems that don’t exist. The scammers may then gain remote access to a computer—which lets them access all information stored on it, and on any network connected to it or install malware that gives them access to the computer and sensitive data.

    Tech support scams are a case where elevated fraud risks exist, even if AI does not play a role. For example, in mid-April 2024, Microsoft Threat Intelligence observed the financially motivated and ransomware-focused cybercriminal group Storm-1811 abusing Windows Quick Assist software by posing as IT support. Microsoft did not observe AI used in these attacks; Storm-1811 instead impersonated legitimate organizations through voice phishing (vishing) as a form of social engineering, convincing victims to grant them device access through Quick Assist. 

    Quick Assist is a tool that enables users to share their Windows or macOS device with another person over a remote connection. Tech support scammers often pretend to be legitimate IT support from well-known companies and use social engineering tactics to gain the trust of their targets. They then attempt to employ tools like Quick Assist to connect to the target’s device. 

    Quick Assist and Microsoft are not compromised in these cyberattack scenarios; however, the abuse of legitimate software presents risk Microsoft is focused on mitigating. Informed by Microsoft’s understanding of evolving cyberattack techniques, the company’s anti-fraud and product teams work closely together to improve transparency for users and enhance fraud detection techniques. 

    The Storm-1811 cyberattacks highlight the capability of social engineering to circumvent security defenses. Social engineering involves collecting relevant information about targeted victims and arranging it into credible lures delivered through phone, email, text, or other mediums. Various AI tools can quickly find, organize, and generate information, thus acting as productivity tools for cyberattackers. Although AI is a new development, enduring measures to counter social engineering attacks remain highly effective. These include increasing employee awareness of legitimate helpdesk contact and support procedures, and applying Zero Trust principles to enforce least privilege across employee accounts and devices, thereby limiting the impact of any compromised assets while they are being addressed. 

    Microsoft has taken action to mitigate attacks by Storm-1811 and other groups by suspending identified accounts and tenants associated with inauthentic behavior. If you receive an unsolicited tech support offer, it is likely a scam. Always reach out to trusted sources for tech support. If scammers claim to be from Microsoft, we encourage you to report it directly to us at https://www.microsoft.com/reportascam. 

    Building on the Secure Future Initiative (SFI), Microsoft is taking a proactive approach to ensuring our products and services are “Fraud-resistant by Design.” In January 2025, a new fraud prevention policy was introduced: Microsoft product teams must now perform fraud prevention assessments and implement fraud controls as part of their design process. 

    Recommendations

    • Strengthen employer authentication: Fraudsters often hijack legitimate company profiles or create fake recruiters to deceive job seekers. To prevent this, job platforms should introduce multifactor authentication and Verified ID as part of Microsoft Entra ID for employer accounts, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain control.
    • Monitor for AI-based recruitment scams: Companies should deploy deepfake detection algorithms to identify AI-generated interviews where facial expressions and speech patterns may not align naturally.
    • Be cautious of websites and job listings that seem too good to be true: Verify the legitimacy of websites by checking for secure connections (https) and using tools like Microsoft Edge’s typo protection.
    • Avoid providing personal information or payment details to unverified sources: Look for red flags in job listings, such as requests for payment or communication through informal platforms like text messages, WhatsApp, nonbusiness Gmail accounts, or requests to contact someone on a personal device for more information.

    Using Microsoft’s security signal to combat fraud

    Microsoft is actively working to stop fraud attempts using AI and other technologies by evolving large-scale detection models based on AI, such as machine learning, to play defense by learning from and mitigating fraud attempts. Machine learning is the process that helps a computer learn without direct instruction using algorithms to discover patterns in large datasets. Those patterns are then used to create a comprehensive AI model, allowing for predictions with high accuracy.

    We have developed in-product safety controls that warn users about potential malicious activity and integrate rapid detection and prevention of new types of attacks.

    Our fraud team has developed domain impersonation protection using deep-learning technology at the domain creation stage, to help protect against fraudulent e-commerce websites and fake job listings. Microsoft Edge has incorporated website typo protection, and we have developed AI-powered fake job detection systems for LinkedIn.

    Microsoft Defender Smartscreen is a cloud-based security feature that aims to prevent unsafe browsing habits by analyzing websites, files, and applications based on their reputation and behavior. It is integrated into Windows and the Edge browser to help protect users from phishing attacks, malicious websites, and potentially harmful downloads.

    Furthermore, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) partners with others in the private and public sector to disrupt the malicious infrastructure used by criminals perpetuating cyber-enabled fraud. The team’s longstanding collaboration with law enforcement around the world to respond to tech support fraud has resulted in hundreds of arrests and increasingly severe prison sentences worldwide. The DCU is applying key learnings from past actions to disrupt those who seek to abuse generative AI technology for malicious or fraudulent purposes. 

    Quick Assist features and remote help combat tech support fraud

    To help combat tech support fraud, we have incorporated warning messages to alert users about possible tech support scams in Quick Assist before they grant access to someone approaching them purporting to be an authorized IT department or other support resource.

    Windows users must read and click the box to acknowledge the security risk of granting remote access to the device.

    Microsoft has significantly enhanced Quick Assist protection for Windows users by leveraging its security signal. In response to tech support scams and other threats, Microsoft now blocks an average of 4,415 suspicious Quick Assist connection attempts daily, accounting for approximately 5.46% of global connection attempts. These blocks target connections exhibiting suspicious attributes, such as associations with malicious actors or unverified connections.

    Microsoft’s continual focus on advancing Quick Assist safeguards seeks to counter adaptive cybercriminals, who previously targeted individuals opportunistically with fraudulent connection attempts, but more recently have sought to target enterprises with more organized cybercrime campaigns that Microsoft’s actions have helped disrupt.

    Our Digital Fingerprinting capability, which leverages AI and machine learning, drives these safeguards by providing fraud and risk signals to detect fraudulent activity. If our risk signals detect a possible scam, the Quick Assist session is automatically ended. Digital Fingerprinting works by collecting various signals to detect and prevent fraud.

    For enterprises combating tech support fraud, Remote Help is another valuable resource for employees. Remote Help is designed for internal use within an organization and includes features that make it ideal for enterprises.

    By reducing scams and fraud, Microsoft aims to enhance the overall security of its products and protect its users from malicious activities.

    Consumer protection tips

    Fraudsters exploit psychological triggers such as urgency, scarcity, and trust in social proof. Consumers should be cautious of:

    • Impulse buying—Scammers create a sense of urgency with “limited-time” deals and countdown timers.
    • Trusting fake social proof—AI generates fake reviews, influencer endorsements, and testimonials to appear legitimate.
    • Clicking on ads without verification—Many scam sites spread through AI-optimized social media ads. Consumers should cross-check domain names and reviews before purchasing.
    • Ignoring payment security—Avoid direct bank transfers or cryptocurrency payments, which lack fraud protections.

    Job seekers should verify employer legitimacy, be on the lookout for common job scam red flags, and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unverified employers.

    • Verify employer legitimacy—Cross-check company details on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and official websites to verify legitimacy.
    • Notice common job scam red flags—If a job requires upfront payments for training materials, certifications, or background checks, it is likely a scam. Unrealistic salaries or no-experience-required remote positions should be approached with skepticism. Emails from free domains (such as johndoehr@gmail.com instead of hr@company.com) are also typically indicators of fraudulent activity.
    • Be cautious of AI-generated interviews and communications—If a video interview seems unnatural, with lip-syncing delays, robotic speech, or odd facial expressions, it could be deepfake technology at work. Job seekers should always verify recruiter credentials through the company’s official website before engaging in any further discussions.
    • Avoid sharing personal or financial information—Under no circumstances should you provide a Social Security number, banking details, or passwords to an unverified employer.

    Microsoft is also a member of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), which aims to bring governments, law enforcement, consumer protection organizations, financial authorities and providers, brand protection agencies, social media, internet service providers, and cybersecurity companies together to share knowledge and protect consumers from getting scammed.

    Recommendations

    • Remote Help: Microsoft recommends using Remote Help instead of Quick Assist for internal tech support. Remote Help is designed for internal use within an organization and incorporates several features designed to enhance security and minimize the risk of tech support hacks. It is engineered to be used only within an organization’s tenant, providing a safer alternative to Quick Assist.
    • Digital Fingerprinting: This identifies malicious behaviors and ties them back to specific individuals. This helps in monitoring and preventing unauthorized access.
    • Blocking full control requests: Quick Assist now includes warnings and requires users to check a box acknowledging the security implications of sharing their screen. This adds a layer of helpful “security friction” by prompting users who may be multitasking or preoccupied to pause to complete an authorization step.

    Kelly Bissell: A cybersecurity pioneer combating fraud in the new era of AI

    Kelly Bissell’s journey into cybersecurity began unexpectedly in 1990. Initially working in computer science, Kelly was involved in building software for healthcare patient accounting and operating systems at Medaphis and Bellsouth, now AT&T.

    His interest in cybersecurity was sparked when he noticed someone logged into a phone switch attempting to get free long-distance calls and traced the intruder back to Romania. This incident marked the beginning of Kelly’s career in cybersecurity.

    “I stayed in cybersecurity hunting for bad actors, integrating security controls for hundreds of companies, and helping shape the NIST security frameworks and regulations such as FFIEC, PCI, NERC-CIP,” he explains.

    Currently, Kelly is Corporate Vice President of Anti-Fraud and Product Abuse within Microsoft Security. Microsoft’s fraud team employs machine learning and AI to build better detection code and understand fraud operations. They use AI-powered solutions to detect and prevent cyberthreats, leveraging advanced fraud detection frameworks that continuously learn and evolve.

    “Cybercrime is a trillion-dollar problem, and it’s been going up every year for the past 30 years. I think we have an opportunity today to adopt AI faster so we can detect and close the gap of exposure quickly. Now we have AI that can make a difference at scale and help us build security and fraud protections into our products much faster.”

    Previously Kelly managed the Microsoft Detection and Response Team (DART) and created the Global Hunting, Oversight, and Strategic Triage (GHOST) team that detected and responded to attackers such as Storm-0558 and Midnight Blizzard.

    Prior to Microsoft, during his time at Accenture and Deloitte, Kelly collaborated with companies and worked extensively with government agencies like the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he helped build security systems inside their operations.

    His time as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a bank exposed him to addressing both cybersecurity and fraud, leading to his involvement in shaping regulatory guidelines to protect banks and eventually Microsoft.

    Kelly has also played a significant role in shaping regulations around the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance, which helps ensure the security of businesses’ credit card transactions, among others.

    Internationally, Kelly played a crucial role in helping establish agencies and improve cybersecurity measures. As a consultant in London, he helped stand up the United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the equivalent of CISA. Kelly’s efforts in content moderation with several social media companies, including YouTube, were instrumental in removing harmful content.

    That’s why he’s excited about Microsoft’s partnership with GASA. GASA brings together governments, law enforcement, consumer protection organizations, financial authorities, internet service providers, cybersecurity companies, and others to share knowledge and define joint actions to protect consumers from getting scammed.

    “If I protect Microsoft, that’s good, but it’s not sufficient. In the same way, if Apple does their thing, and Google does their thing, but if we’re not working together, we’ve all missed the bigger opportunity. We must share cybercrime information with each other and educate the public. If we can have a three-pronged approach of tech companies building security and fraud protection into their products, public awareness, and sharing cybercrime and fraudster information with law enforcement, I think we can make a big difference,” he says.

    Next steps with Microsoft Security

    To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us on LinkedIn (Microsoft Security) and X (@MSFTSecurity) for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.


    Methodology: Microsoft platforms and services, including Azure, Microsoft Defender for Office, Microsoft Threat Intelligence, and Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit (DCU), provided anonymized data on threat actor activity and trends. Additionally, Microsoft Entra ID provided anonymized data on threat activity, such as malicious email accounts, phishing emails, and attacker movement within networks. Additional insights are from the daily security signals gained across Microsoft, including the cloud, endpoints, the intelligent edge, and telemetry from Microsoft platforms and services. The $4 billion figure represents an aggregated total of fraud and scam attempts against Microsoft and our customers in consumer and enterprise segments (in 12 months).

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 286 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Frequent air raid alarms, the regular sound of explosions nearby and the presence of drones are continuing to highlight the dangers facing Ukraine’s main nuclear sites during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

    “The nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine remains precarious. This is very clear from the daily reports of our teams on the ground. Military activities are still taking place in the vicinity of nuclear sites, putting their safety at constant risk. Our work to help prevent a nuclear accident is far from over,” Director General Grossi said.

    The IAEA continues to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security at Ukraine’s five main nuclear facilities and deliver essential equipment and other technical assistance, including medical support.

    At the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) over the past week, the IAEA team based at the site has heard explosions at varying distances almost every day, as well as occasional bursts of gunfire.

    As part of regular walkdowns across the site, the team visited the turbine halls of two reactor units, where they were again denied access to the western parts of the halls. The team also visited the site’s water treatment facility where they confirmed the arrangements for the treatment of wastewater and observed the testing of an emergency diesel generator.

    At the South Ukraine NPP, the IAEA team was informed that five drones were detected 2 km west of the site during the night of 11-12 April. From their residence, the team observed the drones and heard gunfire apparently aimed at repelling them.

    At the Chornobyl site, the IAEA team visited the New Safe Confinement and received an update on its status following the mid-February drone attack that punched a hole in the structure. Radiation levels remained normal for the area and there had been no release of radioactive substances beyond the established limits.

    Air raid alarms were heard on most days over the past week at these two sites, the IAEA teams reported.

    Over the past week, the IAEA has organised five additional deliveries of equipment as part of its efforts to help ensure nuclear safety and security, bringing the total to 130 since the start of the conflict.

    The Rivne NPP received two static test benches that had been refurbished and modernized in Germany, with funding from Norway. Plant staff also received training on the newly automated system. The benches are used to test the plant’s hydraulic shock absorbers, which reduce vibrations in coolant pumps, steam generators and other equipment essential for nuclear safety.

    Other types of equipment were delivered to Chornobyl, the Centralized Dry Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility and State Specialized Enterprise “Radon Association”, which manages radioactive waste. These deliveries were funded by the European Union, Denmark and Sweden. The Khmelnytskyy NPP received medical equipment supported with funding from Norway.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Possible deportation of EU nationals from Germany owing to their participation in public demonstrations – E-001457/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001457/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Billy Kelleher (Renew), Barry Andrews (Renew), Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew), Barry Cowen (Renew), Maria Walsh (PPE), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D)

    Three EU nationals – two Irish and one Polish – have been ordered to leave Germany over their participation in pro-Palestinian protests.

    The authorities have claimed that the three individuals involved constitute a threat to public safety and should therefore leave Germany as soon as possible.

    They have been told to leave Germany by 21 April 2025 or face deportation. All three participated in a pro-Palestinian protest at Berlin’s Free University in October 2024.

    None of these three EU nationals has been convicted of any crime and any charges against them are demonstration-related and of ‘no serious character’.

    Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are both guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in the European Convention on Human Rights.

    Can the Commission therefore answer the following:

    • 1.Does it believe that the actions of the Berlin authorities violate Articles 6 and 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 45 of the TFEU?
    • 2.What actions will the Commission undertake to ensure that all EU citizens have their rights protected?

    Submitted: 9.4.2025

    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Europol supports strike-down on criminal organisation smuggling tens of thousands of hazardous salvage cars from the US

    Source: Europol

    The investigation, code-named ‘Nimmersatt’ (‘Insatiable’ in German), extended from the US to Russia, with links to Canada, Hungary, Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as 11 EU countries. Investigative measures were conducted today and yesterday in Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain.Wrecked cars, fake import papers, cosmetic repairs and tax fraudCriminal organisations…

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why were people so drawn to phrenology?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Fenneke Sysling, Assistant Professor in History of Science, Medicine and Colonialism, Leiden University

    B.erne/Shutterstock

    It’s hard to imagine now, but people once believed that the bumps on your head could reveal your personality. For one thing, it’s so hard to locate the bumps on your head, let alone the thirty or so bumps the phrenologists said could be discerned. So why was phrenology such an attractive idea for such a long time?

    Phrenology was the belief that the brain’s activity could be studied by examining the bumps on the skull, in places where the brain pushed outwards. Phrenologists claimed they could read your personality based on how big different bumps were. Initially, after German physiologist Franz Joseph Gall developed the new doctrine around 1800, it was a subject of serious scientific debate. But it was soon labelled quackery by the academic elite.

    But that wasn’t the end of phrenology. In fact, it became more popular in the 19th century, thanks to physician Johann Gaspar Spurzheim who wrote books and gave public lectures in Britain and France – focusing less on skulls and brains, and more on reading the living people. It remained a popular pastime for more than a century, mainly in English-speaking parts of the world but also outside it, for example in China.

    Front page of the American Phrenological Journal and Science of Health, 1880.
    AKaiser/Shutterstock

    Part of the appeal of phrenology was that it gave people a vocabulary to understand themselves and others. With urbanisation and a growing middle class, outside rigid class and religious structures, people were curious about new ways to categorise humankind. In the city, you wouldn’t necessarily know everyone nearby or even your neighbours, so your place in society was less determined.

    This may have led to more freedom but also to insecurity about what your and everyone else’s place was. Phrenology was a new way of classifying others. But it was not only meant to study others, it was also a way to know yourself, just like diary writing which also gained popularity in this period. With the help of phrenology, people could now see themselves as having an individual self, reflected in the shape of their head.

    Those interested could go to a lecture or read a book about phrenology or – if you lived in New York – visit the Phrenological Cabinet, a display of skulls, busts and portraits. If you really wanted to learn something about yourself, you asked a phrenologist for an examination. In the US this would cost you about half a dollar, (US$20 dollars (£15) today). Many popular phrenologists in the UK and the US offered readings. They were often itinerant, setting up shop in hotel rooms or at Brighton Pier in southern England.

    After a reading, clients sometimes received a written assessment, but more usually
    received a cheaper standardised chart that detailed their characteristics. On it, they received a score for typical phrenological characteristics such as adhesiveness (or friendship), spirituality, benevolence and time (the ability to judge the lapse of time, “essential for musicians”).

    The score was based on the phrenologist’s approach. They tended to gauge the size of the bumps in relative size, compared to your other bumps and to other people’s bumps. They claimed that this was a scientific approach, but it gave phrenologists a great deal of freedom in interpretation.

    And – surprise surprise – my analysis of about 160 charts between 1840 and 1940 showed that every single person who received a chart scored above average in most if not all traits.

    The positive results partly explain the appeal of a visit to the phrenologist. Another explanation, writes history professor Michael Sokal, is the Barnum effect. This is the tendency of people to rate descriptions of their personality that supposedly are tailored for them as accurate. In fact, they are often so vague and general that they would apply to almost all people.

    Many people, for example, would agree with the suggestion that they are of above-average intelligence but also experience anxiety and self-doubt sometimes. And, indeed, in my collections of phrenological charts, the trait that on average gets the lowest score was “self-esteem”. If only you work a bit on your self-esteem, is the implicit message, you can be an even better version of yourself.

    Phrenologists were often deterministic when they judged criminals or non-white
    people, based on the skulls or busts they had of people from these categories. Their irregular features or skull shapes apparently condemned them to a life in prison or in slavery.

    But they took a different approach to the middle-class visitors of their offices. The character trait of “destructiveness”, for example, was seen the trait of a murderer, but for a middle-class individual was usually explained as energy for overcoming difficulties.

    According to phrenologists, everyone could play a role in their destiny and people could use their self-knowledge for improvement. Taking time to reflect on the relationship between cause and effect, for example, could slowly increase the size of your “causality” bump, phrenologists said.

    According to early 20th-century phrenologist Stephen Tracht, it took three weeks for a child, three years for a young man, and more once you were 45 or 50, to develop a specific part of the brain.

    These practices show how in phrenology self-knowledge and self-improvement came to be seen as two sides of the same coin. And while not everyone will have accepted their phrenological assessment as an absolute truth and customers often took only the information from it that they liked, phrenology did become part of people’s vocabulary, and with it the message that with the right tools, they could become a better version of themselves.

    Fenneke Sysling received funding from the Dutch Research Council

    ref. Why were people so drawn to phrenology? – https://theconversation.com/why-were-people-so-drawn-to-phrenology-246646

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: How could Canada deter an invasion? Nukes and mandatory military service

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Aisha Ahmad, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Toronto

    United States President Donald Trump has been loud and clear. America’s liberal democratic allies cannot rely on the U.S. to protect them.

    Trump has also suggested using illegal force to achieve his own imperialist ambitions, even against former allies.

    Message received.

    Canadians and Europeans understand the American partnership is over.

    They’re now processing the implications of America’s apparent democratic collapse for global security.

    Does Trump’s stance mean that liberal democracies are now vulnerable to invasions, annexations and theft of natural resources? Yes, it does.




    Read more:
    An American military invasion of Canada? No longer unthinkable, but highly unlikely


    International security scholarship shows that, unless they are deterred, predatory superpowers use force to seize territory and natural resources for the purpose of aggrandizement.

    While an invasion of Canada is not imminent, the threats to democratic nations are now fully detectable and predictable.

    The responsible time to deter these threats is right now.

    Asymmetric deterrence

    Deterrence works when the imposed cost of an action is higher than its expected benefit. That means a hostile power won’t attack Canada if the risks of invasion are higher than the value of seizing our natural resources.

    Given that Canada is extremely resource-rich, that’s a challenge.

    While the Canadian government can make smart choices on military procurement, there is little any Canadian leader can do to transform the Canadian Armed Forces into a superpower army.

    Even if Canada redirected every penny of its budget to defence spending, it could not catch up with American, Russian or Chinese military power. Given this asymmetry, is deterrence possible?

    Absolutely.

    To get there, Canada must take two big steps: first, adopt a “whole-of-society” defence system to protect the homeland; and second, contribute to a democratic nuclear umbrella.




    Read more:
    Amid U.S. threats, Canada’s national security plans must include training in non-violent resistance


    Whole-of-society defence

    In “whole-of-society” defence, all citizens play a role in national security and emergency response. This approach requires mandatory military service and nationwide civil defence preparations.

    Whole-of-society defence not only improves societal resilience, but it also scares away potential invaders.

    Ordinary citizens can in fact defeat superpowers using nothing more than small arms and light weapons. The U.S. and Russia have both been trounced in the past by well-armed resistance movements.

    For a power-drunk dictator, whole-of-society defence is a sobering reality check.

    The presence of a large, well-armed and well-trained domestic population promises invaders a bloody, expensive and protracted ground war. That means high risks, low rewards, skyrocketing costs and decades-long timelines.

    That’s enough to deter a predatory superpower.




    Read more:
    Why annexing Canada would destroy the United States


    Many of Canada’s democratic allies have already embraced whole-of-society defence. Norway, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland all have mandatory military service and civil defence, and sensible gun regulations that allow law-abiding citizens to contribute to national security.

    Canada has every reason to adopt the Scandinavian approach to national defence, including mandatory military and civil service and the removal of some restrictions on Canadian firearms. An excellent model to consider is Sweden’s brand new “Total Defence” system.

    Norwegians, Finns and Swedes are peaceful people who have learned to survive next to a dangerous superpower. Canadians must look at their own vulnerabilities and see the logic and wisdom behind the Scandinavian approach.

    A democratic nuclear umbrella

    Although the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty prohibits nuclear weapons development, the Trump administration’s utter disdain for democratic allies has prompted a global rethink. Trump has demanded NATO countries stop relying on the U.S. military and spend more on their own defence.

    Nuclear weapons acquisition complies with his demand.

    Germany and Poland have reopened the nuclear debate, but most European democracies lack the materials to develop their own weapons. Instead, they are looking to France and the United Kingdom to create a new European nuclear umbrella.

    Some Canadians hope the U.K. and French umbrellas could protect Canada, too.

    That’s the wrong mentality.

    The U.K. and France have a combined 515 nuclear weapons. Russia has 5,580.

    Instead of asking the U.K. and France to further stretch their limited arsenals, Canada could step up and contribute to the solution.

    Canada is already a nuclear-threshold state with both the know-how and raw materials to develop a nuclear weapon. It would take time and money, but Canada is in a better position to help than most other European countries.

    Once across the nuclear threshold, Canada would have a bulletproof defence of its homeland. It could then work with the U.K. and France as an equal and reliable partner, contributing to a democratic nuclear umbrella to protect vulnerable allies.

    This would require formal withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but that action doesn’t need to be provocative or unilateral. Canada could co-ordinate its withdrawal with European allies as part of a collective defence of liberal democracies.

    In the face of rising tyranny and superpower conquest, Canada can either choose to be a burden on its overstretched French and British allies or a source of renewed safety for its democratic friends.

    Defending democracy

    Deterrence is hard work, but it is infinitely better than the horrors of invasion.

    Mandatory military service and nuclear weapons may be new ideas for Canadians, but other friendly democracies have been using these strategies for decades.

    The good news is that successful deterrence means stability and peace, so citizens can relax and carry on with their lives. Canadians want this safety for themselves, and for their allies, too.

    The time for Canada to act is now, when threats are foreseeable but not imminent. Waiting until an army amasses at the border is too late.

    To deter aggression, Canadians need to step up and be a little more like their Scandinavian, British and French allies. That is the price of continued freedom.

    Aisha Ahmad receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    ref. How could Canada deter an invasion? Nukes and mandatory military service – https://theconversation.com/how-could-canada-deter-an-invasion-nukes-and-mandatory-military-service-253414

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Supplement Manufacturing Partner, Inc. Issues Recall on Dorado Nutrition Brand Spermidine Supplement 10mg Vegetable Capsules (Spermidine 3HCL) Due To Undeclared Wheat Allergen

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    April 14, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    April 16, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesAllergens
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Undeclared wheat

    Company Name:
    Supplement Manufacturing Partners, Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Dorado Nutrition/Space Garden

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Spermidine/Spermidin

    Company Announcement
    Supplement Manufacturing Partners, Inc. is recalling Dorado Nutrition brand Spermidine Maximum Strength 10 MG per serving, because it contains undeclared wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
    Spermidine Maximum Strength 10 MG per serving was sold online at Amazon from 05/22/2024 to 04/04/2025.
    Product was also sold in Germany as Spermidin 60 Kapseln 38g under Deep Green GmbH aka Space Garden.
    The Dorado Nutrition brand Spermidine Maximum Strength 10mg per serving is packaged in a white capsule bottle containing 120 capsules. The product is labeled with a blue outlined label, with a best by date of 04/2026 located on the bottom of the bottle, with Lot Number 12792402-44 and 12792402-44J. No allergic or adverse reactions have been reported to date.
    The recall was initiated after a Supplement Manufacturing Partner investigation following a test of the product. It was discovered that product containing wheat was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. The mislabeled product has been removed from sale.
    Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at SMPQuality@smpnutra.com or at 833-810-9896, 9-5 EST.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    04/16/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: King Charles visits the Vatican: my research shows countries that cut ties with the Catholic Church perform better

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jason Garcia-Portilla, Lecturer in Business Management, University of Winchester

    King Charles’s recent visit to the Vatican may appear to be simply a symbolic gesture of ecumenical goodwill. But moments like this provide an opportunity to look at the long-term consequences of church-state relations around the world.

    Britain, of course, has a complicated history with the Catholic church. Edward VII (Charles’s great-great-grandfather) was the first UK monarch to visit the Vatican since the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

    The UK (and much of western Europe) is largely secular today, but this is a global exception: 85% of the world’s population identifies as religious. These beliefs are often passed down through generations, not necessarily chosen freely.

    Today’s religious identities have more to do with political decisions made centuries ago than with personal faith. Spain and Portugal are predominantly Catholic not because of the individual choices of their population, but because their monarchs aligned (and maintained the hegemony) of the Roman Catholic church-state. In England, on the other hand, King Henry VIII broke away from Rome in the 1530s, challenging (“protesting”) against the universal papal authority and leading to the establishment of the Church of England.

    This religious split also carried over to former colonies. Compare the US, (a Protestant country) to Mexico or Brazil (Catholic countries), and you’ll see the long shadow of these old decisions. My research shows the profound and lasting consequences of religion on these societies.

    Diverging nations

    In my book Ye Shall Know Them by Their Fruits, I analysed data from 65 countries across Europe and the Americas using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

    My findings suggest that countries with historical and legal alignments with the Catholic church — such as Spain, Portugal, Austria, Ireland and much of Latin America — tend to underperform on a number of metrics, including inequality and education, and have more political corruption compared to states that maintained institutional separation (such as through the Protestant Reformation). Historical Protestant countries include the UK, Switzerland, Scandinavian and North American countries.

    In particular, countries with strong traditional links to the Catholic church tend to exhibit higher levels of corruption and inequality. They also perform weaker in education, sustainability and competitiveness compared to Protestant countries.

    Prosperity and educational differences between Protestants and Roman Catholics are evident even within countries. In Switzerland, the Protestant cantons (such as Geneva and Zurich) are currently the most competitive, while the Roman Catholic cantons (such as Ticino and Valais) are the least competitive. In Germany, Protestants are more educated (0.8 years more) and more prosperous (5.4% higher income) than Catholics.

    Differences in economic prosperity and education are even higher comparing data across Protestant and Catholic countries.

    Before the Reformation, literacy in England was below 10%, and the Roman church largely monopolised education. The Protestant emphasis on individual reading – especially of the Bible – dramatically increased literacy rates and access to knowledge. This paved the way for broader democratic participation, industrialisation and innovation.

    Protestantism similarly proved influential in historical law revolutions, gradually separating society from feudal institutions and papalist medieval canon law.

    In Britain, the Reformation was not just a theological shift, but a political one, breaking institutional ties with Rome and affirming national sovereignty. The long-term effects of that decision have echoed through the UK’s democratic and economic development.

    Church-state relations

    The Vatican’s political influence is often underestimated. The Roman Catholic church is the only religious body that is, at the same time, a sovereign political state – with ambassadors, diplomatic immunity and seats at international forums. The pope holds absolute executive, legislative and judicial authority.

    Many of today’s Catholic-majority countries maintain formal relations with the Roman See through bilateral treaties called concordats. These agreements exert the power of the church in countries that have them, and are rarely democratically consulted with the population.

    In Colombia, for example, concordats throughout history have linked religion and politics, have given church-influenced groups power over the economy, and allowed Rome to control what is taught in public and private education at all levels.

    Since then, liberal efforts have reestablished much of the state’s power. But the effects are still evident in the strong cultural identity and presence of Catholicism in the country. Colombia has one of the highest proportions of adults raised as Roman Catholics in the world (92%), after Paraguay (94%).

    The Vatican remains a political actor whose influence is often underestimated.
    Collection Maykova/Shutterstock

    Historically, informal gestures of religious diplomacy have laid the groundwork for further cooperation and formal agreements with Rome.

    But King Charles’s recent Vatican visit is more diplomatic than anything. It reflects modern efforts to maintain and strengthen state-to-state relations and discuss shared global concerns like climate change and peacebuilding.

    It is for this reason that the king’s visit matters – not because a formal treaty is on the table, but because it shows the strength of the UK’s experience since the Reformation. An exemplary model of the success of church-state separation, British democracy and prosperity have thrived for centuries – without formal entanglements with the Catholic church.

    Dr Jason Garcia-Portilla earned his PhD in Organization Studies and Cultural Theory at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), financed with a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship–ESKAS. Additionally, he holds an MSc in Climate Change and Policy from the University of Sussex in the UK (funded by the British Chevening Scholarship).

    ref. King Charles visits the Vatican: my research shows countries that cut ties with the Catholic Church perform better – https://theconversation.com/king-charles-visits-the-vatican-my-research-shows-countries-that-cut-ties-with-the-catholic-church-perform-better-254357

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Railways were essential to carrying out the Holocaust – decades later, corporate reckoning continues

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Federman, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution, Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego

    Liliane Lelaidier-Marton stands in front of the kind of car her parents were forced into in Drancy, France, when deported to their deaths. Sarah Federman

    The Holocaust could not have happened without the railways.

    Preeminent Holocaust scholar Raul Hilberg underscored that almost everyone murdered at a camp arrived by train, including Jews, political prisoners and other “undesirables.” Since the 1990s, groups of survivors have asked European railway companies to acknowledge and atone for their critical role – a reminder that war, genocide and other atrocities cannot occur without corporate participation.

    One long-running attempt met a setback on Feb. 21, 2025, when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out an appeals court ruling in favor of survivors seeking atonement from Hungary’s state railways. The lower court held that plaintiffs could sue the company over looting during the deportation of 440,000 Jews, most of whom were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Supreme Court disagreed, however, saying the case did not warrant an exception to law protecting foreign governments from being sued in U.S. courts.

    SS personnel select Hungarian Jews for life or death after their arrival at Auschwitz.
    Bernhard Walter/Yad Vashem via Wikimedia Commons

    Even without legal rulings, however, survivors have sometimes mobilized enough public support to force rail companies to confront their complicity.

    I wrote a book about one such case: the French national railways’ multiple roles in World War II, and the company’s 30-year struggle to make amends. I dug through archives and legal documents and spoke to over 120 experts – including historians, legislators, executives and more than 90 Holocaust survivors – about what obligations, if any, they believe railways have today.

    The French national railways’ wartime activities and slow roll to accountability helped me better understand and articulate productive ways that companies can respond to demands for atonement decades or more after the events.

    The author stands with Daniel Urbejtel, one of the youngest people who survived deportation to Auschwitz.
    Sarah Federman

    Multiple wartime roles

    The French railway company, known as the SNCF, played more than one role during the war. Depending on which facts you focus on, you can see the company as a victim, hero or perpetrator.

    With roughly 500,000 employees at the time, the company found itself in the crosshairs of the Nazi occupation. When France capitulated to Germany on June 22, 1940, the country was divided into occupied and free zones, and the French national railways were put under German command.

    Unlike companies such as Hugo Boss, which made Nazi uniforms, the SNCF did not financially profit from the occupation. To the contrary, Germans rarely paid the rail company the full amounts due. Machines were destroyed, an estimated 24,000 railway workers were sent to forced labor, and 2,229 railway workers were murdered.

    After the war, the acts of the brave railway workers came to light. Some slowed trains so deportees could jump off; some found other ways to facilitate escapes. Near the city of Lille, some SNCF workers helped save dozens of Jewish children. Most importantly, some workers coordinated with the French Resistance on D-Day, sabotaging trains to prevent German armaments from reaching the Normandy beaches and fighting off the Allies.

    After the war, the SNCF amplified heroic stories with the help of the French government, using a film, pamphlets and other means.

    ‘La Bataille du Rail,’ a 1946 film about French railway workers during the war.

    These stories are true – even if those workers made up less than 1% of the workforce. Surely, some stories were never told. But even if we double or triple the number, such resistance was an exception, not the rule.

    Senior executives reported on acts of sabotage and did little to save their own Jewish colleagues. In fact, Vichy France – the wartime collaborationist government – put the head of the SNCF, Pierre-Eugene Fournier, in charge of liquidating Jewish businesses. He did so efficiently and complained only about German interference.

    French Jews are forced into a train during deportations in Marseille in January 1943.
    Wolfgang Vennemann/German Federal Archives via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    The SNCF transported approximately 76,000 Jewish deportees in merchandise cars to the German border, where a Nazi train driver carried them on to their deaths. While it’s possible the company didn’t understand the mass murder occurring at Auschwitz or other camps, drivers knew they carried unwilling passengers crammed together with little food, water or air in extreme weather without stopping. The deportation trains continued for two months after D-Day.

    Push for justice

    Yet SNCF’S image as part of the Resistance lived on in France until the 1990s, when survivors first approached the company for atonement. SNCF escaped legal liability, but public pressure forced the company to respond. Though it never financially compensated victims directly, the SNCF did commission an independent study, opened its archive to the public, made statements of regret and contributed to Holocaust commemoration and education.

    A couple married for over 50 years discovered that their fathers were deported on the same train.
    Sarah Federman

    The conversation then moved beyond French borders. In 2014, after Holocaust survivors protested the SNCF’s bids for contracts in the U.S., French and American ambassadors hammered out a US$60 million fund to compensate survivors who were not covered by other programs.

    The SNCF’s journey toward accountability encouraged debates involving rail companies in the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary, which had also transported hundreds of thousands of people to their deaths.

    In 2019, Holocaust survivor Salo Muller successfully lobbied the Dutch state-owned railways for an apology and compensation for deportees. The company gave €15,000 – about $16,500 – to each survivor who had been forced to pay for their own ticket to be transported in horrific conditions to death camps. In the case of deceased survivors, the railway offered half that amount to heirs.

    Not about the money

    Liliane Lelaidier-Marton in front of a memorial at Drancy, France, where her father was deported.
    Sarah Federman

    In 2012, historian Michael Marrus invited me to join him at Corporate Liability for Human Rights Violations, a conference at the University of Tel Aviv. There, he slapped his hands on the table and all but shouted to his senior colleagues, “It’s not about the money!”

    Judicial rulings and financial payouts make headlines and create important precedents. But my interviews with survivors confirmed the spirit of Marrus’ words: “People want to set the record straight, to tell the story, and to have their history constitute a warning.”

    Liliane Lelaidier-Marton took me to the Shoah Memorial in Drancy, France, where her parents had been interned before deportation. She appreciated the memorials and visitor center, which acknowledge her loss and their suffering. Renée Fauguet-Zejgman and I went to a ceremony in Paris together so she could read her murdered father’s name – an opportunity sponsored, in part, by the SNCF. Daniel Urbejtel, one of the youngest to survive Auschwitz, didn’t hold on to special anger against the railways. But when I told him about their statement of regret and funding of memorial sites, he said, “I’m glad that they did that.”

    Renée Fauguet-Zejgman points to her father’s name on a memorial in Paris.
    Sarah Federman

    Leo Bretholz, who jumped out of an SNCF train bound for Auschwitz, wanted a verbal acknowledgment of the harm and an apology along with compensation. Stanley Kalmanovitz, who received over $200,000 from the 2014 settlement for his deportation to Auschwitz, told me, “The money came at a good time in my life … but this is not a settlement of conscience.” He knew the railway company was trying to win U.S. contracts and saw the money as a way to get survivors out of the way.

    Motivations aside, Kalmanovitz wondered what people today expect from the SNCF workers during the war. He said, “What was the French railroad supposed to do? Someone has a gun at your head, what do you do? You take the bullet? Then, if everyone takes a bullet, who’s left?”

    Historians only know of one French train driver who defied orders to drive his train. Léon Bronchart refused to drive a train filled with either German soldiers or political prisoners. He lost his bonus and title, but not his life.

    While a number of survivors I spoke with wanted SNCF to atone, others expressed misgivings about holding today’s company accountable for the actions of its predecessors.

    Thousands of Jews around Paris were arrested in July 1942, including more than 4,000 children. Most were later deported to Auschwitz.
    Antoine Gyori/Sygma via Getty Images

    Restoring dignity

    Today, some companies are trying to address their connections to mass atrocities: not only the Holocaust, but also other genocides, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and even ecological destruction.

    I encourage companies, institutions and ambassadors to focus on addressing harm, rather than on calculating their institution’s percentage of guilt or complicity. These difficult – if not impossible – calculations distract institutions from supporting the innocent people grappling with the aftermath and from preventing future harm.

    While money matters, people also want their dignity restored and suffering acknowledged – and companies can do this work without lawsuits prompting them. When they do it on their own, stakeholders see their efforts as evidence of a moral conscience rather than an economic necessity.

    This look back encourages stakeholders to consider how today’s corporate actions may be judged in the years ahead. Will future generations celebrate or condone their use of natural resources, labor practices or any participation in the deportations of their day?

    Sarah Federman received funding from the Fondation pour la Memorial de la Shoah to conduct research on the SNCF in France. During her time as a doctoral student, George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution awarded Federman the Presidential Scholarship in support of this research.

    ref. Railways were essential to carrying out the Holocaust – decades later, corporate reckoning continues – https://theconversation.com/railways-were-essential-to-carrying-out-the-holocaust-decades-later-corporate-reckoning-continues-250008

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: ISO Recertification of xSuite Group’s ISM System

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Specialist in automated invoice processing successfully completes transition to the updated ISO 27001:2022 standard

    Ahrensburg, Germany – April 16, 2025. TÜV NORD affirms that xSuite Group, an international software manufacturer of applications for document-based processes, operates an information security management system (ISMS) in compliance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The certificate covers xSuite’s development of software products (cloud and on-premises) for the procedural handling of inbound administrative documents in companies as well as supporting IT operations and other corporate functions.

    Following its initial certification in January 2023, xSuite has now completed the transition to the updated ISO 27001:2022 standard. This once again demonstrates the software manufacturer’s ability to operate an effective ISMS, as was confirmed as part of the latest surveillance audit. ISO/IEC 27001 is the leading international standard for ISMSs, making it one of the most important cyber security certifications. It specifies the conditions such a system must meet. The new certificate is now available and will be provided on request.

    With the transition to the revised standard, the xSuite Group is now drawing on the latest international standards to ensure information security. These specifically take into account current developments in the area of cyber security risks and up-to-date protective measures. The certification underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to the highest security standards and provides customers and partners with a reliable foundation for protecting their sensitive information.

    Matthias Lemenkühler, Chief Product & Technology Officer at xSuite: “The challenges posed by today’s cyber threat situation place high demands on software developers. We are therefore striving to continuously improve the security measures safeguarding our internal processes and products – and the successful transition to ISO 27001:2022 marks an important step in this direction.”

    The xSuite Group uses its company-wide ISMS to define and document all processes and structures, ensuring long-term information security through continuous improvement.

    About xSuite Group

    xSuite is a software manufacturer of applications for document-based processes and provides standardized, digital solutions worldwide that enable simple, secure, and fast work. We focus mainly on the automation of important work processes in conjunction with end-to-end document management. Our core competence lies in accounts payable (AP) automation in SAP (including
    e-invoicing), for leading companies worldwide, as well as for public clients.

    This is supplemented by applications for purchasing and order processes as well as archiving – all delivered from a single source, including both software components and services. xSuite solutions operate in the cloud or in hybrid scenarios.

    We take pride in the high-quality solutions we offer, as evidenced by the regular certifications we receive for our SAP solutions and deployment environments.” With over 300,000 users benefitting from our solutions, xSuite processes more than 80 million documents per year in over 60 countries.

    Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Ahrensburg, Germany, xSuite has around 300 staff across nine locations worldwide – in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Our company has an established information security management system that is certified in accordance with ISO 27001:2022.

    Contact:
    Barbara Wirtz
    xSuite Group GmbH
    Marketing & PR
    Tel. +49 (0)4102/88 38 36
    barbara.wirtz@xsuite.com
    www.xsuite.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Enhancing Security in BiH: OSCE ILP Project Delivers Tangible Results

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

    Headline: Enhancing Security in BiH: OSCE ILP Project Delivers Tangible Results

    The Mission organized a joint progress meeting on 16 April 2025 in Sarajevo, bringing together over 40 representatives, including heads of law enforcement agencies, and international partners. (OSCE) Photo details

    Since its launch in September 2022, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (Mission) project Enhancing Intelligence-led Policing to Combat Serious Security Threats and Crimes (ILP) has made significant strides in supporting law enforcement agencies across the country. To date, over 300 police managers and operational staff have been introduced to the ILP model through 16 specialized workshops. The project has also contributed to the development of structural recommendations and regulatory frameworks aimed at strengthening criminal intelligence processes.
    To improve co-operation between law enforcement and prosecutors, the project facilitated joint discussions and supported the establishment of the ILP Coordination Body. This platform enables real-time, cross-institutional collaboration, which has already led to several ILP driven operations. Furthermore, 21 law enforcement agencies and institutions received specialized IT equipment, software, and training, thereby enhancing and standardizing their analytical and operational capacities.
    To mark this progress, the Mission organized a joint progress meeting on 16 April 2025 in Sarajevo, bringing together over 40 representatives, including heads of law enforcement agencies, and international partners.
    “The main aim of our ILP Project is to empower law enforcement agencies at all levels to use ILP to combat serious crime and help increase the safety and security of BiH and its citizens,” said Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “IT modernization is not a luxury – it is a prerequisite. Strengthening the digital and analytical tools available to BiH law enforcement is essential to fully benefit from the ILP model and to confront the complex security challenges of our time.”
    Marijo Marić, Minister of Interior of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, emphasized the need for modern police practices to evolve alongside technology: “Within the chain of police–prosecutor’s office–court, the greatest burden undoubtedly falls on the police. For this reason, the police must be the strongest link—something that can only be achieved through close co-operation, as we share a common mission. The ILP project has recognized this need by introducing mechanisms for establishing and maintaining coherent and uniform systems, which, most importantly, will accelerate the mutual exchange of data. This, in turn, ensures more efficient operational work in the field.”
    The Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, an agency within the BiH security system, plays a key role in managing migration and safeguarding national security. Rade Kovač, Head of the Operational Support Sector, stated: “The implementation of the project organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH, Improving Police Intelligence Work in Combating Serious Security Threats and Serious Crimes (ILP Project), has established significant prerequisites for enhancing the organizational structure, IT compatibility, and operational intelligence capabilities within the Service. By applying the I2 system and the Criminal Intelligence Database Application (CIDA) database, members of the Service will be equipped with a more efficient and unified approach to collecting, processing, analysing, and exchanging operational intelligence data. This will also enable timely co-ordination and inter-agency co-operation in detecting and preventing all forms of security threats.”
    Enes Karić, Director of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, highlighted the ILP Project’s role in improving intelligence-led policing: “Particularly significant is the procurement of the analytical software i2 Analyst’s Notebook, which has elevated criminal intelligence work to a higher level. It has improved data collection and processing, contributing to more accurate and reliable security assessments during the implementation of protection measures for VIPs, delegations, and facilities under the Directorate’s jurisdiction, as well as facilitating the exchange of intelligence data with other agencies.” He added that the improved quality and volume of criminal intelligence reports have already led to concrete police actions, particularly in preventing illegal migration.
    Goran Pisić, Head of the Brčko District BiH Police, emphasized that the implementation of the ILP Project has notably strengthened their capabilities, especially in criminal intelligence work, thanks to the donated equipment and software. He added: “It is also worth noting that co-operation between the Brčko District BiH Police and other police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina has improved as well.”
    This initiative is part of the Mission’s broader efforts to strengthen overall security in BiH, generously supported by Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, and Türkiye.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – The London conference ends without a final declaration; the RSF proclaim the formation of an alternative government

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 16 April 2025 war  

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – The London conference organized exactly two years after the outbreak of the Sudanese civil war on 15 April 2023, to try to put an end to the conflict, ended without a final declaration.The conference was convened by the United Kingdom, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), France and Germany, and was attended by foreign ministers and high-level representatives of Canada, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Qatar, South Sudan, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda and the United States of America, together with high-level representatives of the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations (UN). However, the absence of the two opposing forces—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo—has severely limited the prospects for progress. The organizers of the conference said that this year’s participants pledged more than $1 billion to Sudan and its neighbors. This figure includes $590 million from the EU and its member states and $158 million from the United Kingdom.The final declaration that was supposed to address the formation of a contact group to mediate between the parties, fell through due to differences between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, according to The Guardian. The first two support General al-Burhan, while the third are suspected of siding with Dagalo. The latter, coinciding with the London conference, proclaimed once again yesterday, April 15, the formation of an alternative government to the one led by General al-Burhan, calling it a “Government of Peace and Unity, the true face of Sudan.” Dagalo described the administration as “an alliance between the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, civil society, humanitarian organizations, and youth movements.” He also emphasized that the RSF government aims to unify Sudan by committing to providing education, healthcare, and essential services throughout the war-torn country, and not only in the territories they control. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New safety measures proposed for the Hoe

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Have your say on a new proposed Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) for the Plymouth Hoe area. This measure is designed to enhance public safety during large events and in response to potential threats.

    Following a request from the local Police, an ATTRO allows the police and designated partners to close off or restrict access to certain areas and roads within the ATTRO footprint when necessary, ensuring the safety and security of residents and visitors.

    Most of the time, the ATTRO will remain dormant, only being activated when needed. It covers a large area, including Plymouth Hoe, the Barbican, and surrounding locations, to ensure comprehensive coverage for various events. It will not affect daily activities unless activated, and it will replace most of the existing Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) for events.

    Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, explains: “While there’s no specific threat to Plymouth at this moment, crowded places can be targets for terrorism. We have all seen the awful events that have happened in other around the world, from the tragic attack on London Bridge in 2017, and more recently the Magdeburg car attack in Germany.

    “Having an ATTRO in place means we’re prepared to act swiftly to protect everyone. It’s about being proactive and ensuring we have the right tools to safeguard our community.”

    Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, added: “The ATTRO will help us manage traffic and pedestrian access effectively during large events, ensuring that emergency services can operate without hindrance. This is a crucial step in maintaining public safety and smooth operations in our city.”

    The ATTRO is a vital tool for keeping Plymouth safe while allowing us to enjoy our events and gatherings with peace of mind.

    It is a permanent measure that will lay dormant until needed for security purposes associated with large gatherings and planned events, or if there is an immediate need to protect the public from harm such as a terrorist attack. To be clear;

    • The ATTRO is not the pedestrianisation of an area.
    • The ATTRO will not see the installation of any permanent barriers or permanent vehicle mitigation measures within the highlighted map area.
    • The ATTRO will not change the overall base layout of roads or public pathways, nor will it result in any roadworks.
    • The ATTRO will not affect day-to-day business operations unless activated.

    Any pre-planned road closures put in place as part of the ATTRO and large scale events would be communicated in advance to residents and businesses. 

    For more information on the ATTRO, including FAQs, please go to: www.plymouth.gov.uk/traffic-and-road-safety-schemes

    If you wish to offer comments on the proposed Order, please send them in writing to: Service Director for Street Services (Plymouth Transport and Highways), Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ or by emailing:  [email protected] Quoting reference Amd.2025.2137339 ATTRO by 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Deutsche Bank Emerging Markets Family Office Forum in Hong Kong 2025 (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Alexander (Chief Executive Officer Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Germany of Deutsche Bank, Mr Alexander von zur Mühlen), Marco (Head of Emerging Markets of Deutsche Bank Private Bank, Mr Marco), Salman (Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank Private Bank, Mr Salman Mahdi), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

         Good morning.

         It is a great pleasure to join you all at this year’s Deutsche Bank Emerging Markets Family Office Forum. My sincere thanks to Deutsche Bank for bringing to Hong Kong such a distinguished group of family principals, next-generation leaders and senior decision-makers from across the globe.

    Stability, for family offices

         While the focus today is on family offices, it would be remiss of me not to address a broader issue: that is, the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the US (United States) on its trading partners. And why it further illustrates that Hong Kong is the right destination for family offices. 

         Much has been said about the flip-flopping of the Trump Administration and the prospects of the tariff war. For family offices, this uncertainty and unpredictability have added new complexities to their asset allocation strategies.

         Currently, across the world, sovereign governments and investors are seeking to de-risk their allocations and expand their portfolios to markets that provide policy clarity, consistency and credibility. The same holds true for family offices looking to preserve and grow their wealth in a secure and predictable environment. 

         In this context, Hong Kong stands out as a robust destination of choice. Allow me to share a few observations.

         First, our stock market. With a capitalisation of nearly US$5 trillion, it is deep and liquid, and has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Following the tariff announcements, the Hang Seng Index saw a sharp fall on Monday last week. But the market has since been regaining ground. Trading volumes have been high, indicating the strong underlying liquidity. Over the past week, the average daily turnover of our stock market was about HK$360 billion, about 2.8 times of that in 2024. That speaks volumes about investors’ interest and confidence in our market. 

         In fact, over the past few years, the Government, along with our financial regulators, have put in place a round-the-clock, cross-market surveillance system to detect and address potential threats associated with market volatility. We focus on whether the markets are functioning in an orderly manner, and whether there are irregularities or systemic risks that will threaten Hong Kong’s financial stability. So far, there has been no cause for concern. 

         Second, the Hong Kong dollar remains firm, trading on the strong side of its convertibility range, which indicates that there is no capital flight. Indeed, our bank deposits have been on a rising trend over the past year. In February, we had over US$2.2 trillion in bank deposits, rising by some 10 per cent compared to a year ago. Our Linked Exchange Rate System continues to function smoothly, underscoring the strength and stability of our monetary system.
     
         Beyond financial security and stability, Hong Kong offers compelling reasons for family offices to anchor their operations and allocate their assets here.

         First, it is the “one country, two systems” principle which provides the foundation for long-term prosperity and reinforces the IFC (international financial centre) status of Hong Kong. President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed on multiple occasions that the “one country, two systems” arrangement will remain in place in Hong Kong in the long run. Hong Kong’s unique position as a gateway between the Mainland and the world is highly cherished by the Central Authorities. 

         In essence, Hong Kong will continue to uphold the defining features that set us apart from the rest of China: a free port; free trade policy; free flow of capital, goods, people and information; and a freely convertible currency. We remain open, diverse, cosmopolitan and committed to welcoming capital, business and talent from around the world. This is deep in our DNA.  

         A crucial element of the “one country, two systems” principle is the common law system underpinned by an independent judiciary. Despite misconceptions about our city, the facts are convincing: in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index, Hong Kong ranks ahead of the US and many European countries.

         According to a recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong released in January this year, 83 per cent of its members expressed confidence in our rule of law. The figure has registered a consistent rise over the past two years.

         Our simple, low-tax regime is another strong advantage. We impose no capital gains tax, no estate tax and no tax on dividends, offering a highly enviable environment for wealth preservation and growth.

         Our international competitiveness is evident by various global rankings. We are the world’s freest economy, Asia’s top financial centre, and the fifth-most competitive economy globally.

         Here in Hong Kong, your capital is safe. Protection of capital and private property is enshrined in our Basic Law. We honour our international obligations and have never implemented any sanctions unilaterally imposed by other jurisdictions.

    Opportunities for investments and businesses

         Ladies and gentlemen, beyond the above institutional fundamentals, Hong Kong is a city of immense opportunities. Let me highlight three points.

         First, beyond the stock market that I mentioned earlier, we offer a full range of options for you to deploy your capital. Our venture capital and private equity sector manages over US$230 billion, which is second only to the Mainland. We are Asia’s No. 1 hedge fund base. Our asset and wealth management sector oversees close to US$4 trillion of assets, with over half of them sourced internationally.

         Second, innovation and technology is powering Hong Kong’s next chapter. We are investing heavily to develop AI and other frontier technologies as new pillars of our economy. Our strategy encompasses building infrastructure, providing funding support, attracting strategic enterprises and talent, and engaging in international exchanges. Now, “AI+” is the name of the game, and we are working for its deep integration with various sectors and industries.  

         To nurture industries of tomorrow, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, or HKIC, was established with US$8 billion in capital. It is patient capital, focusing on deep tech, biotech and new materials, and new energy. It is guiding, channelling and leveraging market capital to support tech industries and segments at their nascent stages to help build the ecosystem. So far, the HKIC has supported over 100 projects, drawing in four dollars of private capital for every dollar it invested. We welcome family offices to form partnerships and co-invest with HKIC. 

         Third, Hong Kong’s synergistic development with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or the GBA, which is home to 87 million people with a per capita GDP of US$40,000 on a purchasing power parity basis. It is a young and massive consumer market. The increasingly affluent population has a growing demand for quality financial products and services, and a need for diversified asset allocation.  

         The GBA is also a technology and innovation hub. Home to many tech giants and start-ups, the GBA has a highly educated workforce, and exceptional commercialisation and advanced manufacturing capabilities. In fact, Hong Kong, together with Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the GBA, is ranked the second most innovative cluster in the world for five consecutive years. 

         Overall speaking, the GBA is rising as a region combining the advantages of the New York Bay Area and San Francisco Bay Area. 

    Impact, philanthropy and living

         Beyond investments, Hong Kong is also blessed with a vibrant, collaborative philanthropic community. Our financial institutions, businesses, think tanks, local and global foundations and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have come together to form partnerships that deliver projects that are scalable, and socially and environmentally impactful.

         And when it comes to lifestyle, Hong Kong is unmatched in Asia.

         Over the past few weeks, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and Coldplay lit up our brand new Kai Tak Stadium. Indeed, from world-class performances and Michelin-starred dining to vibrant art, heritage and hiking trails, Hong Kong offers a lifestyle that global families would dream for. 

         This city also offers the best education for children. More than 50 international schools operate in this city, providing a wide range of curricula to meet the diverse needs of global families. Five of our  universities are ranked within the global top 100.

         And Hong Kong is among the safest metropolitan cities in the world. 

         Ladies and gentlemen, it is no surprise that Hong Kong is now home to over 2 700 family offices – half of which manage assets exceeding US$50 million. We expect that number to grow to 3 000 very soon.

         To support this growth, we have introduced dedicated tax concessions for single family offices. We are currently working to expand the scope of exemptions and enlarge the eligibility for concessions. There is a bespoke service team under Invest Hong Kong to help family offices with their setup, compliance, talent sourcing, philanthropic engagement, and more. You are most welcome to approach them. 

         My thanks once again to Deutsche Bank for convening this meaningful Forum. I wish you all a productive forum and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong – a city which I hope you will call home soon. Thank you very much. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Immigration clearance service at Hong Kong International Airport

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ14: Immigration clearance service at Hong Kong International Airport 
         It has been reported that passenger throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reached 53.1 million last year, representing an increase of more than 30 per cent compared to 2023. However, it is learnt that many overseas visitors have to wait for a long time before they could complete immigration clearance procedures at HKIA, which has adversely affected the reputation of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the annual number of inbound and outbound passenger trips at the HKIA control point in the past three years, their average waiting time for immigration clearance (including for those using the Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channel) service), and the proportion of cases where the waiting time exceeded the standard of the Immigration Department’s performance pledge;
     
    (2) whether it has conducted a survey on the specific difference in the average time taken to clear visitors between HKIA and other major international airports, including those in Japan, Korea, Thailand and Singapore; if not, whether it has plans to conduct such a survey with a view to improving the standard of Hong Kong’s immigration clearance service; and
     
    (3) of the total annual number of visitors who used the e-Channel service at HKIA in the past three years, with a breakdown by the country and place of origin; whether it has plans to consider adjusting the eligibility criteria for visitors to register for the e-‍Channel service (e.g. lowering the requirement for the number of visits to Hong Kong by a visitor), thereby broadening the coverage of the service; whether it will allow visitors to opt to use facial recognition technology for self-service immigration clearance so that more visitors who meet the basic eligibility criteria can enjoy the convenience of the automated immigration clearance service; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In 2024, a total of around 298 million passengers passed through Hong Kong’s control points, representing an increase of about 41 per cent over 2023 and a return to the level in 2019. The total number of visitor arrivals was about 44.5 million, representing an increase of about 31 per cent compared to 2023. Among them, around 9.86 million visitors travelled through the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) control point, representing an increase of about 42 per cent over 2023. In response to the significant volume of passenger traffic and adhering to the spirit of striving for excellence and innovation, the Immigration Department (ImmD) keeps leveraging innovative technologies to continuously improve its immigration clearance services. Various facilitation measures have been implemented at control points in order to provide visitors with a more convenient clearance experience.
     
         The reply to the Hon Rock Chen’s question is as follows:
     
    (1) In the past three years, the annual number of inbound and outbound passenger trips at the HKIA control point was as follows:
     

    Year     Regarding the clearance services at the HKIA control point, the ImmD pledges to clear 95 per cent of visitors within a 15-minute waiting time. Over the past three years, an average of over 99 per cent of visitors were cleared within a 15-minute waiting time each year. During peak passenger traffic periods at the HKIA, the ImmD would flexibly deploy manpower and optimise workflows, including operating additional counters and e-Channels when necessary, to ensure smooth passenger flow.
     
    (2) According to the open information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, in December 2024, the rate at which the major airports in Japan (including New Chitose Airport, Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, Chubu Airport, Kansai Airport, Fukuoka Airport and Naha Airport) cleared inbound visitors within 20 minutes was 66 per cent. As for other major international airports mentioned in the question (i.e. those in Korea, Thailand and Singapore), the respective authorities have not disclosed data on the average immigration waiting time. Meanwhile, in a recent World Passenger Survey commissioned by Skytrax, an international specialist research agent in the air transport industry, the ImmD won the 2025 Skytrax Award for Best Airport Immigration Service. This marks another accomplishment of the ImmD following previous awards in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020, reflecting the global recognition of the services provided by the ImmD. The ImmD will continue to maintain close ties with immigration authorities worldwide, engaging in exchanges and sharing, as well as learning from their experiences and practices, with a view to introducing further visitor-friendly measures to enhance the level of clearance facilitation, thereby supporting the overall development of Hong Kong.
     
    (3) In the past three years, the annual number of inbound and outbound passenger trips using the e-Channel service at the HKIA control point was as follows:
     

    Year     The ImmD does not maintain a breakdown of other visitors by country or place of origin.
     
         To enhance the level of convenience for immigration clearance, the ImmD has been leveraging innovative technologies to boost the efficiency of e-Channels and broaden the service to cover more target groups.
     
         Currently, frequent visitors to Hong Kong (typically those who have made visits to Hong Kong via the HKIA for no fewer than three times in the past 12 months) and eligible passport holders from countries that have entered into an agreement with Hong Kong for mutual use of automated clearance services (including Korea, Singapore, Germany, Australia and Thailand) can enrol for the e-Channel service. Eligible visitors to Hong Kong holding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Travel Passes, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards or Frequent Flyer Programme membership cards issued by relevant airlines can even enrol for the e-Channel service right upon their first arrival in Hong Kong. In addition, the ImmD launched the Smart Departure e-Channels in October 2017 which utilise facial recognition technology to verify visitors’ identities, thereby enabling eligible visitors from over 100 locations to complete self-service departure clearance without prior enrolment. Also, the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons has been launched since March 18, 2025 to provide automated clearance services for invited persons from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
     
         For visitors from the Mainland and Macao, the ImmD lowered the eligible age from 16 to 11 years old or above for holders of the Mainland’s electronic Exit-Entry Permits for travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao to use the e-Channel service in April 2023. The ImmD also launched the “Mutual Use of QR Code between HKSAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service” jointly with the Macao authorities in July last year, allowing eligible residents of both places to use QR Codes to pass through the automated clearance channels.
     
         To further reduce waiting time for inbound visitors, the ImmD is actively exploring ways to enhance the e-Channel service arrangements for visitors to Hong Kong, including relaxing application requirements for frequent visitors to Hong Kong and streamlining enrolment procedures. The ImmD will also step up publicity to boost the e-Channel service enrolment rate among visitors. Additionally, the ImmD and the Airport Authority Hong Kong are exploring the feasibility of installing additional e-Channels in the HKIA arrivals hall to cater for the trend that more visitors will use automated clearance service and the increase in demand in the longer term. Taking into account the practical and unique operational needs of immigration clearance at the HKIA, the ImmD is also looking into other measures, such as optimising staff deployment, to flexibly meet service demands while ensuring quality and efficiency of service.
     
         The ImmD will regularly review existing policies and measures, striving to balance effective immigration control with facilitating inbound visitors. Furthermore, the ImmD will continuously strive for innovation in enhancing clearance efficiency as well as broadening the e-Channel service to cover more target groups.
    Issued at HKT 11:58

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales delivers complete set of Dual Travelling Wave Tubes (TWTs) for the Optus-11 Satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales delivers complete set of Dual Travelling Wave Tubes (TWTs) for the Optus-11 Satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space

    • In order to enhance satellite performance and mission efficiency, travelling wave tubes (TWTs), which amplify radiofrequency signals in satellite systems, can be doubled and integrated together into a more compact and lightweight format (Dual-TWT),. This technology, with performances that are unique in the world, contributes to the new flexibility requirements of satellites.
    • Thales has delivered all the Dual-TWTs necessary for the optimal performance of the Optus-11 satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space, and operating in the Ku-band1. This delivery will significantly improve the communication and data management capabilities of Optus-11, while enhancing its performance and operational reliability.
    • Reconfigurable even in orbit, this flexible satellite represents a major advancement in the field of geostationary telecommunications satellites.
    © Airbus Defense and Space” id=”image-c42f2a26-0769-4e95-b799-941f5e3be8d5″ data-id=”c42f2a26-0769-4e95-b799-941f5e3be8d5″ data-original=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c42f2a26-0769-4e95-b799-941f5e3be8d5/-/inline/no/PR+IMG.png” data-mfp-src=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c42f2a26-0769-4e95-b799-941f5e3be8d5/-/format/auto/” alt=”© Airbus Defense and Space”/>
    © Airbus Defense and Space

    As the foundation of a new generation of highly flexible and innovative telecommunications satellites that can quickly adapt to the changing dynamics of the market and user needs, the OneSat program by Airbus Defence and Space has been developed through synergies among key national and international space industry players. While Airbus is responsible for the main design, TESAT is integrating Thales’s TWTs in to Microwave Power Modules (MPM). Both partners bring their expertise in communication systems, built on Thales’s experience with over 23,200 TWTs in orbit.

    Thales’s next-generation Dual-TWTs offer unparalleled global performance, combining reduced weight and size with advanced technology. These Dual-TWTs are engineered to provide exceptional reliability and performance in constrained space environments. Easily integrated into the satellite antenna system, they are a crucial element for the success of the Optus program. Available in two versions for both the Ku and Ka band satellite frequency ranges, the Dual-TWTs fully meet the requirements of active antenna amplification systems designed for flexible and software-defined satellites.

    Three of Thales’s facilities are collaborating to manufacture the Dual-TWTs: Ulm in Germany, and Thonon-les-Bains and Vélizy in France.

    With key components such as Thales’ Ku-band Dual-TWTs, the Optus-11 satellite is positioned as a vital element for next-generation spacecraft, significantly enhancing their communication and satellite service capabilities.

    “We are honored to make a significant contribution to the operation of the Optus-11 satellite by providing Airbus Defence and Space with our next-generation Dual Travelling Wave Tubes. Our successful delivery of this system for the first flight model showcases Thales’s ability to quickly provide cutting-edge technological solutions that will shape the future of space communications,” said Charles-Antoine Goffin, Vice President, Microwave and Imaging Systems, Thales.

    1Frequency of 12-18 GHz, allowing satellites to send and receive messages without interfering with other signals.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – German PCK Schwedt refinery – compliance with EU law of permit to increase sulphur dioxide emissions – E-001502/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001502/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR)

    The German PCK GmbH refinery in Schwedt, located 10 km from the Polish border, is the only one in this region of Europe to burn fuel waste for energy production, making it extremely carbon-intensive compared to other plants.

    The refinery has been granted a permit by the State Office for Environment, Health and Consumer Protection in Brandenburg to increase sulphur dioxide emissions to 1 000 mg/Nm³ as a daily average value The permit is valid until the end of 2027.

    Given the impact of SO₂ on the climate, European law only allows SO₂ emissions of 1 000 mg/Nm³ in exceptional cases, and permits for such emissions are subject to notification to the Commission. According to press reports, the permits granted to the PCK refinery have not been notified and are raising concerns regarding their environmental impact.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Has the Commission received notifications from Germany regarding permits to increase SO₂ emissions, and do they meet the formal and substantive requirements?
    • 2.Does the Commission plan to take any action regarding the PCK refinery?
    • 3.What sanctions can be imposed on a company or Member State if national permits to increase SO₂ emissions are not in line with EU law?

    Submitted: 11.4.2025

    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Europe’s elderly need migrant caregivers – whether we like it or not

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Zuzanna Marciniak-Nuqui, Senior Analyst, RAND Europe

    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Who will care for your ageing relatives when you can’t? It’s a question that many families in Europe are having to answer, as demographic changes caused by Europe’s ageing populations become more deeply embedded.

    As loved ones get older or face long-term illnesses and disabilities, the demand for care is skyrocketing. But the workforce isn’t keeping up. One in five Europeans is already 65 or older, and by 2050, that number will hit 30%. This demographic shift will drive a 23.5% increase in demand for long-term care workers – but where will they come from?

    Right now, the numbers don’t add up. Europe’s long-term care sector employs around 6.3 million people, yet there is already a massive shortfall of carers. Millions of families are stepping in, with 44 million Europeans – mostly women – providing unpaid, informal care for elderly relatives. This burden is neither sufficiently acknowledged nor sustainable. Our recent research shows the extent to which migrant care workers bridge this gap.

    Across the EU, nearly 10% of long-term care workers are foreign-born. Some come from within the EU, but many arrive from South America (20%), Africa (12%), and Asia (10%). Once in Europe, they plug a critical gap in the care system, taking on jobs that local workers won’t or can’t do.

    Despite their essential role, migrant care workers frequently suffer poor treatment. Many work on temporary contracts, earning lower wages than their European counterparts and contending with exploitative conditions. Some work in undeclared jobs, leading to informal roles with no legal protections, making them vulnerable to abuse.

    In Norway, migrant carers tend to be given lower-status jobs, even when their qualifications match or exceed those of their local colleagues. They are also perceived as less professional, despite their experience and training. In Germany, a family hiring a Polish caregiver through an agency was shocked to learn she received just €1,000 (£860) per month, while they were paying €2,800 (£2400) – with the agency pocketing the difference.

    In some EU countries, restrictive immigration policies make things harder for migrant care workers. In Cyprus and Malta, for example, migrant care workers on temporary visas are denied access to social benefits, even after years of service. Many also struggle with language barriers, making it harder to assert their rights or have their qualifications recognised.

    Labour shortages

    Nearly all EU countries face critical labour shortages in long-term care. The problem is worse in lower-income EU countries, where attracting and retaining care workers is more difficult. Low wages and difficult working conditions make these jobs unattractive to locals, pushing many to seek employment in western European countries with better pay.

    The disparities are stark. In the Netherlands, long-term care workers earn 96% of the national average hourly wage. In Bulgaria, it is just 62%. Many eastern European and Baltic states also suffer from a lack of home care services, forcing families to rely on underfunded nursing homes or informal, unregulated care.

    shutterstock.
    M-Production/Shutterstock

    The European Commission introduced the skills and talents package in 2022, to improve conditions and legal migration processes for workers in sectors with shortages. This included a proposal for the EU Talent Pool – a digital platform to connect employers in the EU with skilled workers from non-EU countries. The European Parliament’s civil liberties committee endorsed the plan in March of this year, paving the way for a new approach to international recruitment.

    If properly implemented, this initiative could help fill Europe’s care workforce gap and provide a legal, structured pathway for skilled migrants to join the sector. But public resistance to migration remains a huge barrier.

    Anti-immigration sentiment

    Europeans want their elderly relatives to receive quality care, but many are unwilling to accept that foreign workers are one of the ways to make that happen. This tension between public attitudes and economic realities threatens the future of long-term care in Europe.

    Research shows that western European Millennials (born 1982–1991) are now more anti-immigrant than those born between 1952–1961.

    The EU recognises the need for foreign workers, yet politicians are reluctant to make the case publicly. Public attitudes towards migration remain deeply divided, with preference often given to migrants from other EU countries or from Ukraine, following Russia’s 2022 invasion.




    Read more:
    What Britons and Europeans really think about immigration – new analysis


    The EU’s reliance on migrant care workers will only increase in the coming decades. However, simply recruiting more foreign workers is not a sustainable solution unless the system itself changes.

    Several measures could help ensure that migrant care workers receive fair treatment. Firstly, introducing a specific care visa for non-EU workers would ensure they have legal status and job security. Stronger legal protections against exploitative contracts and unfair wages are necessary. And making it easier to recognise foreign qualifications would allow skilled workers to take on roles that better match their experience.

    Fairer wages and working conditions are essential to attract and retain both migrant and local workers. International cooperation between the EU and third countries could also create ethical, regulated migration pathways.

    The bottom line is this: Europe’s population is getting older, and without migrant workers, millions of families will struggle to find care for their loved ones. Europe must support and protect workers, both migrant and local, in the care system for its own sake.

    The authors 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. Europe’s elderly need migrant caregivers – whether we like it or not – https://theconversation.com/europes-elderly-need-migrant-caregivers-whether-we-like-it-or-not-250121

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war

    G7 foreign ministers gave a joint statement marking 2 years since the beginning of the war in Sudan.

    Joint statement:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, unequivocally denounce the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, as the world marks two years since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    As a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. These must end immediately.

    We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around El Fasher on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.

    As famine continues to spread across Sudan, G7 members are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterate that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

    We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.

    We call on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad. We recognize the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection. We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.

    We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urge both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations. All external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur. We condemn all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias.

    For sustainable peace in Sudan, any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians. Women, youth, and civil society must be meaningfully included in all peace processes.

    We reaffirm our support for a democratic transition and express our solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.

    The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount.  

    G7 members remain committed to deepening collective diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and secure an end to the conflict, including through the London Sudan Conference.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Daily summary of the Berlin offensive operation

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Exactly 80 years ago, on April 16, 1945, the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation began, ending the Great Patriotic War with the complete and unconditional victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.

    The Guinness Book of Records lists this operation as the largest-scale battle in world history. About 3.5 million people, 52 thousand guns and mortars, 7,750 tanks and 11 thousand aircraft took part in it on both sides. The German capital was attacked by forces from three fronts: the 1st Belorussian under the command of Georgy Zhukov, the 2nd Belorussian under the command of Konstantin Rokossovsky and the 1st Ukrainian under the command of Ivan Konev.

    The scale of the operation is clearly described by Zhukov in his book “Memories and Reflections”: “On the first day, 1,197,000 shots were planned for artillery alone, but in fact 1,236,000 shots were fired. Think about these numbers! 2,450 train cars of shells, that is, almost 98 thousand tons of metal fell on the enemy’s head.”

    On April 16, at exactly 4 a.m., the final chord of retribution for Germany’s treacherous attack sounded – the code signal “Rodina” swept through the communication lines and the battle began. Having recovered from the first artillery barrage, the Germans put up serious resistance, the Soviet tanks got bogged down in heavy fighting and were unable to outpace the infantry.

    On April 17, as a result of bloody battles, the Seelow Heights, 50-60 kilometers from Berlin, were taken; they were considered by the German command to be the most reliable line of defense.

    On April 18, the Red Army began to cross the Ost-Oder.

    On April 19, the breakthrough of the entire Oder defensive line was completed.

    On April 20, Soviet long-range artillery began shelling Berlin.

    On April 21, troops of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts reached the eastern and southern outskirts of the city, respectively. The first street battles began.

    On April 22, the German command transferred troops of the Frankfurt-Guben group from the Western Front to stop the envelopment of Berlin from the north. This attack was repelled by Soviet troops with the help of the 2nd Polish Army.

    On April 23, during particularly fierce battles, the 9th Rifle Corps of Major General Ivan Roslov captured the Karlshorst and Kölönig areas, and immediately crossed the Spree River, where the Dnieper military flotilla was already operating.

    On April 24, in the southeast of Berlin, in the Bonsdorf area, troops of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts met, encircling the German Frankfurt-Guben group.

    On April 25, the troops of the same fronts united in the Ketzin area, encircling the enemy’s Berlin group. At the same time, the famous meeting on the Elbe with the troops of the 1st US Army took place.

    On April 26, the two-day air operation “Salute” ended, during which 1,222 tons of bombs were dropped on the central districts of Berlin to suppress the enemy – 70 tons per square kilometer.

    On April 27, the assault on the central districts of the German capital began – the city front stretched from the southeast to the northwest in a narrow strip 16 km long and 2-3 km wide. The Red Army seemed to be plunging into the capital of Germany with a bayonet.

    On April 28, the commander of Army Group Vistula, Gotthard Heinrici, ordered his troops to retreat, for which he was removed from command and later surrendered to British troops. Meanwhile, the Russians reached the Reichstag area.

    On April 29, the Moltke Bridge leading to the Government Quarter of Berlin was captured.

    April 30 – German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler committed suicide. On the same day, the Frankfurt-Guben group, the largest German unit at the time, numbering about 200 thousand soldiers, was liquidated. The Ministry of Internal Affairs building next to the Reichstag was captured. Red flags also began to rise over the Reichstag itself. There was more than one Victory Banner; a total of nine special flags were prepared for the Red Army assault groups.

    On May 1, the German government announced Hitler’s death and offered to conclude a truce, but did not agree to an unconditional surrender. The storming of the Government Quarter resumed.

    On May 2, still at night, a radio message in Russian arrived at the headquarters of the 1st Belorussian Front asking for a ceasefire. At 6 a.m., after brief negotiations, the commander of the Berlin defense, Helmut Weidling, surrendered and signed the capitulation order. The units that refused to surrender were destroyed by the end of the day.

    Thus ended the Berlin offensive operation. And although the capitulation of all of Germany was still ahead, it was already a matter of time. The main result of the battle was the destruction of the last large forces of Germany and the capture of its top leadership, as well as the liberation from captivity of hundreds of thousands of civilians of the Soviet Union and many European countries. About 1 million Red Army servicemen were awarded the Medal “For the Capture of Berlin”. Among them were employees and graduates of the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute, heroes of the Scientific Regiment of the State University of Management: – Georgy Bryansky – Dean of the Faculty of Organizers of Industrial Production and Construction, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor, during the war assistant to the division commander for political affairs; – Boris Ionas – Head of the Department of Construction Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, twice Knight of the Order of the Red Star; – Alexey Kozhin – Professor of the Department of Management in Automobile Transport, Candidate of Economic Sciences, during the war commander of a control platoon, and later a battery of a howitzer-artillery regiment; — Arkady Pashenin – 1941 graduate of the Moscow Institute of Power Engineering, retired lieutenant colonel, during the war a major in the headquarters of the 5th Shock Army, standard-bearer at the signing ceremony of the act of surrender of Germany; — Alexey Strigin – associate professor, candidate of historical sciences, retired lieutenant, during the war served as a tank platoon commander.

    #Scientific regiment

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/16/2025

    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 Submissions: Business – FUXTEC and Gebrüder Weiss master the spring boom

    Source: Gebrüder Weiss

    Demand for garden and leisure products rises sharply at the start of the season / FUXTEC GmbH relies on the logistics service provider for punctual delivery of cargo ordered online / 98 percent of buyer ratings on fuxtec.de show the top mark of five stars.

    Stuttgart / Lauterach, April 16, 2025. With the start of the gardening season, e-commerce is experiencing a significant upturn. The demand for leisure articles and gardening tools is skyrocketing. One of the winners is FUXTEC GmbH in Herrenberg / Baden-Württemberg. The German company sells its products mainly via its own web shop and other online platforms. FUXTEC relies on its logistics partner Gebrüder Weiss to ensure that its spring products arrive on time.

    At FUXTEC’s 12,000-square-meter logistics center in Simmozheim (northern Black Forest), around 20 employees ensure that orders are processed smoothly and quickly. Every day, Gebrüder Weiss picks up the packaged items ready for shipment and brings them to the logistics center in Esslingen near Stuttgart. After thorough routine checks, they are prepared for onward transport to the customer.

    “We have been supporting FUXTEC in Germany for one and a half years. We now handle almost 10,000 shipments per year, with peaks of up to 100 parcels per day during the spring season,” explains Jochen Gonser, deputy branch manager at Gebrüder Weiss in Esslingen near Stuttgart. Gebrüder Weiss uses a dense network of its own warehouses and partner locations to deliver FUXTEC articles within 24 hours of order placement in Germany, and within 48 hours in other European countries – right to the doorstep.

    “In e-commerce, reliable delivery is the most important factor,” explains Steffen Cless, Head of Logistics at FUXTEC. FUXTEC can check the delivery status at any time on the Gebrüder Weiss myGW web portal. The delivery service has been well received by customers, with 98 percent of customer ratings on fuxtec.de showing top marks of five stars.

    About Gebrüder Weiss

    Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,700 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.71 billion euros in 2024. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. www.gw-world.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News

  • MIL-OSI: Bitwise expands institutional–grade access to Bitcoin and Ethereum with four ETP listings on London Stock Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Bitwise adds London as trading hub for four of its European products, providing access to its best-in-class crypto ETPs for UK professional investors.
    • Products to be traded at LSE include Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP, Europe’s only Bitcoin ETP with extended primary market liquidity window and 0,20% TER, and the Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP with approximately 5-year track-record.
    • LSE is premier trading venue for ETPs in Europe, with members of more than 20 countries having access to its order books

    April 16, 2025. Frankfurt, London: Bitwise has listed four of its Germany-issued crypto Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) at the London Stock Exchange (LSE), expanding access to its institutional-grade product suite for Bitcoin and Ethereum investors, and widening its footprint across European markets. The lineup includes BTC1, the Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP, one of Europe’s most cost-efficient Bitcoin ETPs with a total expense ratio (TER) of just 0.20% and the Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP, which has a five-year track record and ranks as Europe’s most liquid Bitcoin ETP. While these products remain restricted to professional and wholesale investors in the UK, the London listing significantly improves access for qualified market participants. Bitwise is a pure-play digital asset manager, yet our ETPs are designed by experts with deep expertise in both digital assets and traditional financial markets—making them ideally suited to the needs of institutional investors.

    Bradley Duke, Managing Director, Head of Bitwise Europe, said: “I am very pleased to see the debut listings of Bitwise products on the London Stock Exchange, one of Europe’s most esteemed trading venues. Investing in crypto is rapidly becoming mainstream and institutional investors increasingly allocate digital assets to their portfolios. Bitwise offers secure, transparent, and best-in-class crypto investment products, supported by a team with expert knowledge of the market and the needs of institutional investors. We will continue to innovate our product range, in dialogue with investors to bring products that suit their needs in this rapidly developing asset class.

    The four products listed in London as of 15 April are:

    • The Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP (BTC1, ISIN: DE000A4AER62), a cost-efficient Bitcoin ETP option without fee holidays, with a TER of 0.20% per year, making it ideal for strategic allocations. The product is designed for long-term institutional investors seeking cost efficiency and benchmark reliability. The NAV is calculated three times daily using Bitwise’s unique Triple-Daily NAV Method, which integrates primary market liquidity from Hong Kong, the European Union, and the United States.
    • The Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP (BTCE, ISIN: DE000A27Z304) the most liquid crypto ETP on the XETRA trading platform of Deutsche Börse, with one of the lowest bid-ask spreads, and the second-highest assets under management (AUM) of any physical Bitcoin ETP in Europe. It is often used by traders and short- to mid-term investors looking for flexible exposure to Bitcoin. Launched in June 2020 as the first ever crypto ETP on the German stock exchange in Frankfurt, BTCE is one of the largest Bitcoin products in terms of assets under management in Europe.
    • The Bitwise Physical Ethereum ETP (ZETH, ISIN: DE000A3GMKD7), an institutional-grade Ethereum product that gives investors pure exposure to Ethereum performance, equipped with institutional-grade custody. The assets backing the ETP are kept in cold-storage, and are secured by an independent trustee, thus mitigating issuer default risk.
    • The Bitwise Ethereum Staking ETP (ET32, ISIN: DE000A3G90G9), an institutional-grade, low cost, and liquid vehicle with staking rewards accumulating in the ETP daily leveraging ETH staking for maximum investor outcome. It has seen consistent positive net inflows while maintaining competitive bid-ask spreads, and aims at offering the lowest total cost of ownership among ETH Staking ETPs. As the only ETH staking ETP tied to a real benchmark, it enables investors to accurately evaluate Ethereum staking opportunities and clearly assess performance against industry standards.

    Bitwise has accelerated its activities in Europe since its acquisition of ETC Group last year, continuing to launch innovative new products regularly, such as the Bitwise Solana Staking ETP in November 2024, the Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP in December and the Bitwise Diaman Bitcoin & Gold ETP just last month. Its products trade on several of Europe’s largest stock exchanges. Committed to transparency, expert product design, and professional management, Bitwise frequently publishes crypto research and market insights to educate and inform investors of the emerging opportunities in the digital assets space.

    Bitwise enables investors to gain exposure to digital assets without the need for a crypto wallet, as our ETPs trade on regulated exchanges, just like traditional stocks or ETFs. Each ETP is fully backed by the corresponding digital asset, securely held in institutional-grade cold-storage custody. Structurally comparable to precious metal ETCs, Bitwise’s crypto ETPs also feature a physical redemption mechanism. Investor protection is further enhanced through the presence of an independent trustee and an audited issuer structure, ensuring that the underlying assets are held off the issuer’s balance sheet, thereby minimizing insolvency risk. Bitwise ETPs can be seamlessly integrated into standard brokerage or ETF portfolio accounts and are often eligible for SIPP and ISA inclusion, making them accessible for long-term investment planning in the UK.

    LSE Listed ETPs Trading Information

    About Bitwise

    Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence, managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies – spanning both the U.S. and Europe.

    In Europe, for the past four years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s most traded bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index.

    This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and issued under a base prospectus approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.

    Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com/eu

    Media contacts:

    JEA Associates
    John McLeod
    00 44 7886 920436
    john@jeaassociates.com

    Important information
    This press release does not constitute investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation to buy financial products. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH (“BEU”), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that this article is neither investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to acquire financial products or cryptocurrencies.

    Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”), potential investors should consider the following:
    Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.com./eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency. Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dedicated to the heroes. Moscow museum projects for the 80th anniversary of Victory

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    City museums are preparing special projects dedicated to the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. About what exhibitions can be seen in the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow and other cultural institutions – in the material mos.ru.

    “Dedicated to Heroes” at the Ilya Glazunov Gallery

    Dates: April 3 – December 30

    Address: Izmailovsky Boulevard, Building 30

    Age limit: 6

    The exhibition “Dedicated to Heroes” introduces the indomitable strength and courage of the Russian army, captured in the paintings of naive artists and in the works of masters of heroic popular prints. The exhibition presents works dedicated not only to the Great Patriotic War, but also to the stories of other military exploits over many centuries.

    Popular prints on military subjects are unique documents, they preserve the people’s memory of the exploits and glory of heroes. Many popular prints still serve as a source of knowledge about the military history of tsarist Russia.

    Buy tickets you can on mos.ru.

    “Immortal Regiment of Russian Geneticists” at the State Darwin Museum

    Dates: April 15 – June 29

    Address: Vavilov street, house 57, building 1

    Age limit: 12

    The scientists discussed at the thematic exhibition in the State Darwin Museum are the cream of Russian genetics. They made a great contribution to the overall victory. Among the front-line soldiers were famous practicing doctors of science who managed to distinguish themselves during the war years, many were awarded military orders and medals, and achieved high military ranks. Visitors will be able to see portraits of outstanding geneticists, learn about their scientific work, participation in military operations, and awards.

    You can visit the exhibition with an entrance ticket to the museum.

    “Hero Cities” at the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow

    Dates: April 18 – June 30

    Address: Michurinsky Prospect, Olympic Village, Building 3

    Age limit: 6

    The new exhibition will be dedicated to 12 cities of the Soviet Union and the Brest Fortress, which became famous for their heroic defense during the Great Patriotic War and received the titles of “Hero City” and “Hero Fortress”.

    The exhibition will feature unique items from the collection of the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow. The hero cities will be represented by graphics by Ivan Tsarevich, Vasily Medvedev, Pavel Baranov, Vasily Konovalov, Yaroslav Titov and other artists who fought at the front. The works reflect the mood of the war years: the will to win, the suffering of civilians and the hard work of soldiers. Each painting is a true portrait of the city.

    Buy tickets you can on mos.ru.

    “The Darwin Museum during the Great Patriotic War” at the State Darwin Museum

    Dates: April 22 – July 27

    Address: Vavilov street, house 57, building 1

    Age limit: 6

    Visitors will learn how the State Darwin Museum survived many difficult trials from 1941 to 1945, but did not stop its educational activities. The exhibition is based exclusively on items from the institution’s collections: photographs, archival materials, original and printed graphics.

    Already in the third week of the war, several employees went to the front with the people’s militia units, and 11 people continued to work in the museum, for whom it became a matter of honor to preserve the collections and throw the ideas reflected in them into the fight against the enemy.

    The specialists took patronage over several Moscow hospitals, where they carried out cultural and educational work. In a short period of time, they prepared lectures, supplemented with visual material. For example, the theme “Animals on the Fronts of the Great Patriotic War” was illustrated by paintings by Konstantin Flerov and Alexey Komarov, painted within the walls of the Darwin Museum during this difficult time.

    Entrance to the exhibition – with a museum ticket.

    Exhibition for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War at the Nikolai Ostrovsky Museum

    Dates: April 22 – June 29

    Address: Tverskaya street, house 14

    Age limit: 0

    Nikolai Ostrovsky was a figure inspiring Soviet people to feats – during the Great Patriotic War, not only military equipment but also military units of various purposes (for example, partisans) bore his name. The new exhibition will tell about the lives and feats of people united by a common goal.

    Visitors will see exhibits evacuated from the museum in August 1941, letters from frontline soldiers, and materials about the Ostrovsky family’s participation in the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition will feature documents and photographs from the institution’s employees’ archives, telling about their work at the front and support for servicemen in the rear.

    Among the interesting exhibits is the book “How the Steel Was Tempered”, donated by members of the Nikolai Ostrovsky partisan detachment, which was part of the Alexander Suvorov brigade. In rare moments of rest, the fighters were inspired by the story of Pavka Korchagin, whose main motto was the words: “Only forward, only to the line of fire, only through difficulties to victory.”

    Entrance to the exhibition – with a museum ticket.

    “Maestro, take off!” at the Cosmonautics Museum

    Dates: April 24 – October 6

    Address: Mira Avenue, Building 111

    Age limit: 6

    The 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Berlin Red Banner Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky Regiment (5th GIAP) became the most effective air combat unit of the Great Patriotic War. The pilots carried out over 15 thousand combat sorties, destroyed over 700 enemy aircraft, inflicted great damage on ground troops, and collected important intelligence data.

    The profession of a pilot was extremely popular and in demand in the USSR in the first half of the 20th century. The exploits of its representatives had a huge impact on the younger generation: the flight of Valery Chkalov, the rescue of the Chelyuskinites, in which the future head of the first cosmonaut detachment Nikolai Kamanin took part, the dropping of the Victory Banner on the roof of the Reichstag (for this the 5th GIAP received the title of “Berlin”). Yuri Gagarin in his autobiography described a meeting with pilots during the occupation and his admiration for these amazing people: “In the morning the pilots flew away, leaving behind bright memories. Each of us wanted to fly, to be as brave and beautiful as they were. We experienced some strange, unknown feeling.” The first cosmonauts, whose childhood fell on the war years, became military pilots – thus the baton of heroes was passed on.

    The exhibition is based on the story of two people united by the goal of preserving the memory of the heroic past of their ancestors: the son of ace pilot Ivan Laveykin, Hero of the Soviet Union, USSR pilot-cosmonaut No. 61 Alexander Laveykin, and the great-grandson of sniper Vasily Zaytsev, Vladimir Donshin.

    Visitors will see the squadron’s authentic battle flag — a sacred symbol of the regiment, personifying the glory and valor of the military unit. Descendants of the heroes will help them learn their stories: the exhibition will feature documentary and photo materials, personal belongings, including priceless relics — uniforms and awards. One of the sections of the exhibition will be a large-scale video installation, which combines newsreel footage and fragments of the film “Only Old Men Are Going to Battle”. Among the artifacts on display is the heart of the legendary combat vehicle, the fiery engine. At the end of the exhibition, you can learn the story of the feat of Pyotr Kalsin, who was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but did not have time to receive the award, as he went missing.

    Entrance to the exhibition – with museum tickets.

    “And courage, like a banner, was carried” in the Alexander Shilov Gallery

    Dates: April 24 – May 30

    Address: Znamenka street, building 5

    Age limit: 6

    “Such concepts as love for the Motherland, readiness to defend it, the image of a person standing guard over the Fatherland have always been very close to me,” says Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, People’s Artist of the USSR Alexander Shilov. The theme of the Great Patriotic War is one of the main ones in his work, portraits of veterans are a genuine chronicle of the war years created by the artist. With these images, Alexander Shilov tells about courage, patriotism, high human dignity of people who went through severe trials. His heroes were generals and doctors, pilots and sailors, partisans, intelligence officers and ordinary soldiers.

    Over the years of his work, the master has created the history of Russia in faces. The exhibition will feature the following portraits: “On Victory Day. Machine Gunner P.P. Shorin”, “Sister of Mercy (Elena Mikhailovna Ogneva)”, “Special Purpose Partisan M. Stroganov”, “War Veteran I.F. Rubtsov”, “Hero of the Soviet Union Attack Pilot V.B. Yemelyanenko”, “Participant in the Victory Parade Colonel N.A. Gorbachev”, “Hero of the Soviet Union Intelligence Officer G.A. Vartanyan” and a number of other paintings. More than 50 portraits, each with its own story, its own destiny. You can get acquainted with them at the exhibition “And Courage, Like a Banner, They Carried”.

    Tickets – on mos.ru.

    “Victory Salute” at the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow

    Dates: April 25 – August 31

    Address: Michurinsky Prospect, Olympic Village, Building 3

    Age limit: 6

    On May 9, 1945, to commemorate the victory over Germany, a special salute was given in Moscow: 30 artillery salvos from one thousand guns, accompanied by the cross-beams of 160 searchlights and the launch of multi-colored rockets.

    The Victory Salute is an exceptional event with unique aesthetics and impeccable organization based on engineering and management solutions that were unique for its time. The exhibition at the State Museum of Defense of Moscow will tell the story of this most regulated festive event. The exposition will feature paintings, photographs, and rare materials from personal archives.

    Tickets are available for purchase on mos.ru.

    “With faith in the victory of life…” in the panorama museum “Battle of Borodino”

    Dates: April 29 – July 20

    Address: Kutuzovsky Prospect, Building 38, Building 1

    Age limit: 12

    The exhibition will feature drawings by Nikolai Zhukov, Leonid Golovanov, Vladimir Gorbachenko, Anatoly Gorpenko, Pavel Kirpichev, Yuri Tsishevsky, Dmitry Pyatkin and other front-line artists. They showed how peaceful life was gradually reviving in the territories liberated from occupation. At the same time, the drawings are filled with tragic signs of war, reminding us that battles had recently taken place here. But these works are characterized by faith in victory, historical optimism and humanism.

    You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

    “Victory Park. Images of Memory in Contemporary Russian Art” at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art

    Dates: April 30 – August 24

    Address: Petrovka street, house 25, building 1

    Age limit: 6

    The exhibition at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War focuses on modern sculptural monuments. Each room will feature photographs, texts and other exhibits to present a monument, and works from the museum’s collection will be gathered around it.

    Visitors will be able to see how the themes of war and Victory have been represented over the last three decades. These events, which in one way or another touched every corner of the country, became a powerful impulse for artists who created countless works throughout Russia and beyond. The exhibition will feature photographs, texts and graphics created at the front, as well as works by veteran and nonconformist artists such as Ernst Neizvestny, Nikolai Vechtomov, Vadim Sidur and other masters.

    Tickets are available for purchase on mos.ru.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152643073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The director of the project “Smersh. 1944” spoke about filming in the cinema park “Moskino”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Ahead of the premiere of the action-packed detective film with elements of a thriller, SMERSH. 1944, the project’s director, Mikhail Kabanov, shared his impressions of the filming at the Moskino cinema park. They took place on the Vitebsk Station, Moscow in the 1940s, and County Town locations.

    “The Moskino Cinema Park became a virtual salvation for the SMERSH. 1944 series during the filming of a historical war movie. It is very convenient for production. We need historical Moscow – it is there, and different, we need a village from the times of the Great Patriotic War – it is there too. A concentration camp, a train station, and now there are even more of them, because during the filming the construction of new facilities did not stop. With such a number of different sites, it is even easier to write scripts, knowing in advance where it is possible to film. The Moskino Cinema Park is a vital facility for the future of Russian films, and I am glad that our group has already joined the ranks of teams filming series and full-length films in this wonderful place,” said Mikhail Kabanov.

    Filming of the action series about the clash between the secret intelligence services of the USSR and Nazi Germany during the Great Patriotic War also took place in the Moscow region, Kostroma and Yaroslavl.

    Line producer of the project “Smersh. 1944” Marina Platova noted that the cinema park “Moskino” is developing rapidly and allows to easily implement many ideas that are very difficult to implement in the city: filming driveways, shots using pyrotechnics. The cinema park is a concentration of objects for historical projects that are now difficult to find.

    Marina Platova organizes filming and coordinates the filming process. For her, nuances are always important, each of which affects the speed and quality of work: the distance of the parking lot from the site, the possibility of delivering and installing equipment and scenery, infrastructure and safety. All these and many other issues in the cinema park can be quickly resolved.

    According to the plot, the events of the series unfold in 1944. Victory is close, but the Germans are desperately looking for a way to turn the tide of the war and defeat the Soviet army. To do this, they actively use their intelligence. Two SMERSH counterintelligence captains Konstantin Lavrov and Pavel Semenov enter into a deadly battle with the enemy. On the front lines and in the rear, risking their lives, they carry out the most difficult tasks of the command, disrupting the plans of the Germans.

    The main characters were played by Igor Petrenko and Vladislav Kotlyarsky. The series also starred Lyanka Gryu, Anastasia Mikulchina, Pavel Kharlanchuk, Sergey Ivanyuk, Sergey Komarov, Leonid Gromov and other actors. The premieres of the first parts of the franchise – “SMERSH” and “SMERSH. Continuation” – took place in 2019 and 2022, respectively.

    The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of CultureThe first stage of creation has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built, including the sets of “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow in the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and other sites.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152622073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement marking two years since the beginning of the devastating war in Sudan

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 15, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, unequivocally denounce the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, as the world marks two years since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    As a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. These must end immediately.

    We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around El Fasher on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.

    As famine continues to spread across Sudan, G7 members are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterate that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

    We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.

    We call on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad. We recognize the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection. We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.

    We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urge both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations. All external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur. We condemn all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias.

    For sustainable peace in Sudan, any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians. Women, youth, and civil society must be meaningfully included in all peace processes.

    We reaffirm our support for a democratic transition and express our solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.

    The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount. 

    G7 members remain committed to deepening collective diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and secure an end to the conflict, including through the London Sudan Conference.  

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement marking two years since the beginning of Sudan war

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement marking two years since the beginning of Sudan war

    The G7 Foreign Ministers’ have issued a joint statement marking two years since the beginning of the war in Sudan.

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, unequivocally denounce the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, as the world marks two years since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    As a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. These must end immediately.

    We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around El Fasher on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.

    As famine continues to spread across Sudan, G7 members are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterate that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

    We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.

    We call on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad. We recognize the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection. We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.

    We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urge both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations. All external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur. We condemn all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias.

    For sustainable peace in Sudan, any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians. Women, youth, and civil society must be meaningfully included in all peace processes.

    We reaffirm our support for a democratic transition and express our solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.

    The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount.  

    G7 members remain committed to deepening collective diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and secure an end to the conflict, including through the London Sudan Conference.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister highlights key foreign policy milestones and sets future direction

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

    Statements by M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, at his hearing before the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee (excerpts) (April 2, 2025)

    (…)

    Thank you for giving me the opportunity to outline the diplomatic track record of the first 100 days of François Bayrou’s government.

    UKRAINE

    The first point, unsurprisingly, relates to Europe’s strategic reawakening and Ukraine’s security. Just over a month ago we entered the fourth year of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, which was a huge jolt for European nations. In recent weeks, as you’ve seen, we’ve made considerable progress towards what could be the resolution of this crisis and, more broadly, a European security architecture capable of deterring the threat for good.

    The Franco-British proposal for a one-month ceasefire in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure was taken up by the Ukrainian President during his discussions with the United States, which, for its part, insisted on an immediate, complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. The Ukrainians, for whom this is a significant compromise, accepted it. (…)

    The Russians rejected the proposal, after suggesting they would abide by it. The situation is now clear: Russia is engaging in delaying tactics and wants to gain time. It hasn’t given up its territorial ambitions, it’s proceeding with further strikes on energy infrastructure, is continuing its war crimes and has even just launched the biggest conscription drive for 14 years – 160,000 young people expected to leave for the front. At this stage, it seems to me that Russia owes the United States, which is striving to lead the mediation, a clear response: yes or no.

    LEBANON

    The second point in our track record is support for Lebanon on the road to reconstruction. Although Lebanon was on the edge of the abyss, we managed to negotiate with our US partners a ceasefire that restored the country’s security and stability. It’s holding, despite the tensions, including the most recent ones. Israeli troops have withdrawn from 99% of the territories they had occupied.

    We’ve helped bring an end to a two-and-a-half-year vacancy for the head of State’s role. President Joseph Aoun was elected in January; he met President Macron in Paris on Friday 28 March. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is working to give shape to the new hope for that country so close to France’s heart.

    We’ll continue to support its economic recovery and the restoration of a sovereign State by organizing an international conference dedicated to Lebanon’s reconstruction, in Paris this autumn. Between now and then, we’re advising Israel to enter into talks with Lebanon with a view to a definitive withdrawal from the five points it still occupies and the resolution of border disputes.

    SYRIA

    The third point in our record is our clear-sighted and conditional engagement with Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s criminal regime. We’ve chosen a demanding engagement with the new Syrian authorities, whose past we are aware of, with two goals: to foster a peaceful and inclusive political transition in keeping with Syria’s pluralism, guaranteeing respect for the rights of women and all communities; and to ensure that our security interests, particularly the fight against Islamist terrorism, the destruction of chemical weapons and an end to drug trafficking, are taken into account.

    This explains my visit to Damascus on 3 January and the organization of an international conference on Syria in Paris on 13 February. More recently, we encouraged the signing of an agreement on 10 March between the Damascus authorities and our Kurdish partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have spearheaded the fight against Daesh in recent years, so that their rights and interests are taken into account in the Syrian transition and we can continue the fight against terrorism. We also ensured that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) can be deployed in Syria to destroy the regime’s stockpile of illegal chemical weapons.

    Our engagement is clear-sighted, demanding, conditional and reversible. We strongly condemned the massacres of Alawite civilians and let the Damascus authorities know that, in the absence of a fight against impunity, we shall not proceed with a lifting of sanctions.

    AFRICA

    The fourth point in the record is the renewal of our partnerships in Africa. At the end of November, the President of Nigeria was welcomed to Paris to strengthen our ties with the continent’s leading demographic power. It was the first state visit to France by an African head of State since 2017. In mid-January we hosted a state visit by the President of Angola, which took over the presidency of the African Union (AU) a month later.

    I personally have made several visits to sub-Saharan Africa: to the Sudanese border, to demonstrate our unfailing mobilization in the face of the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis; to Addis Ababa, headquarters of the AU, to revitalize, five years after the last session, our strategic dialogue with this new G20 member – because the AU has been admitted as a fully-fledged member; to Thiaroye in Senegal, to speak the truth about our shared history; to Johannesburg, to make France’s voice heard at the G20, whose presidency South Africa holds this year; and to Kinshasa and Kigali, to call on the Congolese and Rwandan heads of State to prioritize diplomacy rather than weapons.

    CHINA/TRADE

    Fifth point in the record: progress on trade negotiations in China. My visit last weekend was a first step towards resolving our dispute on Cognac and Armagnac. Before my visit to Beijing, the industry was under threat of an immediate imposition of definitive tariffs ranging from 34% to 39% on Cognac and Armagnac and the definitive closure of access to duty-free shops.

    The demanding dialogue we’ve been conducting has enabled us to maintain this access for goods that have already arrived in China and delay by three months any imposition of definitive tariffs. This significant reprieve allows us to continue this demanding dialogue with China in order to put this dispute behind us. Next step: high-level dialogue between the Economy and Finance Minister and his Chinese counterpart on 15 May.

    ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

    The sixth point in the record is the success of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, held in Paris in January with more than 100 countries. Co-chaired by France and India, whose prime minister paid an official visit to France on the occasion, it concluded with a statement tackling, for the first time, the challenges of AI in their entirety – environmental, social and democratic. We also managed to secure an announcement of private investment in France to the tune of €109 billion, to benefit our businesses and fellow citizens, which will be followed up with a €50-billion investment by the European Commission, testifying to France’s attractiveness when it comes to this promising technology.

    IRAN/FRENCH HOSTAGES

    The seventh point in the record is the release of several French hostages. On 17 March, after months of active efforts and four conversations with my counterpart, we secured the release of Olivier Grondeau. It was an especially moving moment, shared by the nation’s elected representatives during a tribute paid on 25 March to him and our two other compatriots, Jacques Paris and Cécile Kohler, who are still being held after more than 1,000 days.

    To free them, we’ll be stepping up the pressure on the Iranian regime. First of all, in the coming days, probably during the European Foreign Affairs Council on 14 April, we’ll be adopting additional European sanctions against those Iranians responsible for the state hostages policy. Secondly, given the unacceptable violations of our two compatriots’ right to consular protection, which are sadly just one aspect of their harsh conditions of detention, we’ll be lodging a complaint against Iran with the International Court of Justice, for violating the right to consular protection. (…)

    What makes our diplomacy strong is precisely that it has a more extensive arsenal than others, ranging from dialogue to sanctions, and that it uses it wisely, having learnt from decades and even centuries of French diplomatic successes.

    It’s this strength that I’ll be harnessing in the next 100 days to defend and promote French interests.

    GAZA

    The first area on which we’re focusing efforts is the search for a lasting political solution in Gaza. We’re working for a permanent ceasefire enabling the release of all the hostages and the massive delivery of humanitarian aid, blocked for several weeks, to the civilian population, who are in a tragic situation. We’re convinced that there’s no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In particular, annexation, the forced displacement of people, and settlement activity are a dead end and a threat to the security of Israel itself.

    We’ll continue to work to find the path to a lasting political solution. In Gaza, we support the Arab plan, which proposes a reconstruction framework and credible security guarantees. It aims to establish a new Palestinian governance, in which Hamas must in no way take part. Outside Gaza, we’ll continue working with our Saudi partners, co-chairing an international conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York in the summer, aimed at restoring the prospect of a two-State solution, which alone guarantees peace and security to the Israelis and Palestinians.

    SUDAN

    The second area we’re focusing on concerns the crisis in Sudan, the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis in terms of its scale – 26 million children, women and men in a situation of absolute humanitarian distress. 15 April will mark the second anniversary of the conflict.

    In 2024 we hosted a major international conference on support for Sudan and the neighbouring countries, which raised more than €2 billion in humanitarian commitments. On 15 April I’ll be visiting London for the second conference, co-organized with the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union and the AU. We’ll review the commitments made last year and call on those involved to shoulder their responsibilities, to ensure that the conflict does not see a third anniversary.

    DRC/RWANDA

    The third area of work concerns diplomatic and humanitarian support in the Great Lakes region. We’re making active efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis tearing apart the eastern DRC, where Rwandan troops are deployed supporting the rebel group M23, in breach of Congolese sovereignty.

    We’re pursuing this goal at several levels: bilaterally, President Macron is in close contact with his two counterparts and the region’s leaders; at the level of the European Union, which recently adopted new individual measures against military leaders from Rwanda and the M23 rebel group; and at the UN, where we played a key role and got the Security Council to adopt a historic resolution at the end of February, unanimously condemning the presence of Rwandan troops in the eastern DRC.

    We’re also in contact with African mediators, who are working on the front line to secure a political resolution to the crisis – i.e. in practical terms, a lasting and mutually-agreed ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations. It’s a matter of urgency. The whole region’s stability is at stake, and the conflict has already led to the displacement of nearly a million people since the beginning of the year, and several thousand deaths. It’s the world’s second most serious humanitarian crisis. So I’ve decided, regardless of the budgetary constraints, to increase our humanitarian support package by €5.5 million.

    IRAN/NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

    Our fourth area of work concerns the search for a binding agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. Despite the setbacks it has suffered in recent months – the heavy defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israel’s aerial attack on its territory, a disastrous economic situation – Iran is continuing an agenda of destabilization, raising the stakes in its nuclear programme, which is reaching unprecedented levels, continuing its support for groups that destabilize the region such as the Houthis, supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by delivering drones and missiles, and a policy of state hostages.

    Ten years after the conclusion of the Joint Plan of Action (JPoA), we remain convinced that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. Our priority is to achieve an agreement that restricts its nuclear programme in a lasting and verifiable way. The window of opportunity is narrow: we have only a few months before the expiry of the JPoA, secured in particular thanks to French negotiators, to whom I pay tribute. In the event of failure, a military confrontation would become all but inevitable. Its cost would be very high, in that it would very badly destabilize the region. We’ve been doing everything to prevent that, for the past 10 years.

    ALGERIA

    Fifthly, we’re focusing our efforts on opening up diplomatic space with Algeria. The tensions between us, which we didn’t cause, serve neither its interests nor ours. We must reduce them rigorously and with honesty, without weakness. That was the approach behind the Prime Minister’s convening of an interministerial meeting on immigration control providing for a re-examination of the agreements reached between the two countries.

    The telephone conversation between President Macron and his Algerian counterpart reopened a diplomatic space allowing the crisis to be resolved. We intend to take advantage of it to achieve results, in the interests of French people, as regards cooperation on migration, justice, security, the economy and remembrance. The two heads of State decided on some principles. They must now find a way to implement them. On Sunday I’ll be visiting Algiers for this. Other ministerial, and no doubt parliamentary, visits will follow.

    WESTERN BALKANS

    Sixth area where we’re focusing our efforts: the Western Balkans. Exactly 30 years ago, the region was in the grip of a very high-intensity war, right at the heart of the European continent, less than 2,000 kilometres from France. In Serbia, the authorities are facing unprecedented public unrest. The negotiations conducted for several months between President Vucic and the demonstrators have made it possible to announce the formation of a new government in the next few weeks, which is a first step towards calming down the situation. Last Saturday, during a conversation, President Macron had the opportunity to encourage him to move further along that path.

    In Bosnia and Herzegovina, since an arrest warrant was issued against him, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, is stepping up his secessionist initiatives, which we have systematically condemned. We gave our consent to a strengthening of the European ALTHEA force, which is under French command, by some 600 additional personnel, so that it could be in a position to calm down the situation if it became toxic. (…)

    We’re focusing on the European Political Community summit being held in Tirana on 16 May, providing President Macron with the opportunity to hold meetings with the authorities in the countries of the region – both the ones gripped by the crisis and those which, on the contrary, are making good progress on their pathway to the European Union, particularly Albania and Montenegro.

    ARMENIA/AZERBAIJAN

    The seventh area on which we’re focusing efforts is the Caucasus, particularly with our support for Armenia. We welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nothing stands now in the way of it being signed, which I hope will take place as soon as possible. France will continue to unfailingly support Armenia’s resilience and sovereignty. The determination of Nikol Pashinyan’s government to stay on the path of independence, democracy and peace is remarkable, especially as Russia is not hiding its hostility.

    In this context, we are closely following the trial of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, which began on 17 January at the Baku Military Court. We are being very vigilant as regards the concerns expressed by human rights organizations about the fairness of trials and the treatment of defendants. We call for the release of all prisoners held arbitrarily in Azerbaijan and would like the normalization process between the two countries to allow the issue of prisoners and detainees to be resolved.

    UN OCEAN CONFERENCE

    Our eighth area of work concerns the organization of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice in June. A highlight of our international calendar, 10 years after the conclusion of the Paris climate agreement, it’s set to be its equivalent for the oceans. We’re aiming at several outcomes – one of them is being debated in the Chamber at this very moment – including the entry into force of the international treaty for the protection of the high seas and marine biodiversity, which requires it to be ratified by 60 signatory States. We’ve got to about 20. We’re making active efforts at every level, including that of your committee through Éléonore Caroit, whom I thank. We’ll be opening a ratification office in Nice during UNOC, to encourage countries that are delaying to submit their ratification instruments.

    Allow me to say a word about the two main projects to transform the Ministry.

    INFORMATION WAR

    The first concerns rearmament in the face of the information war. In 2024 France was the European Union country most targeted by foreign interference, with 152 of the 505 cases detected in Europe between November 2023 and November 2024. That year, 2024, saw a great deal of evidence that operations of influence, particularly Russian ones, were being conducted against our civilian population. France has assets to defeat this, but must invest more in informing French people. More broadly, it must not only beef itself up to defend itself but also reinvent itself to make its voice heard, at a time when the information space has become fragmented.

    FOREIGN MINISTRY AND THE PUBLIC

    The second transformation project consists in focusing the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs more on French people and creating through this key State ministry – which is probably one of those least known by our compatriots – a link between diplomacy and nation such as that between the army and the nation. What happens beyond our borders has probably never had so much impact on our compatriots’ daily lives, and both you and I saw during scrutiny of the budget an insufficient understanding of the work we do in parliamentary and ministerial diplomacy to serve our compatriots.

    This transformation project is very far-reaching and affects every dimension of our action. It’s about better assessing and developing the response the Ministry provides to French people’s concerns, for example in terms of employment, the ecological transition, health and immigration. It’s about activating links with French people by supporting economic diplomacy and decentralized cooperation – local authorities are the Ministry’s chief partner. It’s about taking resolute action, with elected representatives of the regions, departments and cross-border communities, to finally remove the many irritants facing the millions of our compatriots who have daily experience of the border. It’s about increasing the number of visits by the Minister within France, which is not customary but seems important in the period we are going through, because our compatriots are worried about what is happening abroad and need to be given some control. Finally, it’s about opening the Quai d’Orsay right up and increasing the number of visits there so that people can properly understand the professions of the diplomatic service, how it can change our compatriots’ lives and why it’s so useful on a daily basis. (…)./.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cooperation of joint investigation team into crimes against Ezidi victims in Syria and Iraq leads to first two convictions

    Source: Eurojust

    With Eurojust’s support, the JIT was set up in October 2021 by the judicial authorities of Sweden and France, with Belgium joining in October 2022 and the Netherlands in June 2023. The main aim of this judicial cooperation is to identify FTFs linked to ISIL (Da’esh) who have returned from Syria or Iraq and were involved in core international crimes, mainly perpetrated against Ezidi victims. Core international crimes are crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    The Netherlands had its first conviction for crimes against the Ezidi in December 2024. A Dutch citizen was convicted of crimes against humanity for the enslavement of a female Ezidi victim, participation in ISIL (Da’esh), promoting crimes with a terrorist objective and abandoning the victim’s son in a helpless position in a war zone. She was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment and identified through the work of the JIT.

    Recently, a Swedish citizen was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed against nine Ezidi victims. Six of the victims were children under the age of seven. The extensive cooperation through the JIT proved to be crucial for this conviction in Sweden.

    In 2026, a French citizen might be tried on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

    Based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, EU Member States can start investigations into core international crimes committed outside their own territory. Such cases are actively supported and coordinated by Eurojust and the Genocide Network Secretariat (GNS), which the Agency hosts.

    With the financial and operational support of Eurojust, the JIT partners and investigating judicial authorities from Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia fully intend to continue the investigations into crimes against Ezidi victims committed by ISIL (Da’esh). However, they stress the need to receive adequate information and analytical support.

    In view of this, they regret the closure of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD), which ceased its activities in September 2024. With the conclusion of UNITAD’s mandate, information from its database, which is highly relevant to the work of the JIT, has been transferred to the United Nations headquarters. Unfortunately, they have limited capacity to respond to requests for access from national authorities.

    Leading Swedish prosecutor and co-founder of the Eurojust-supported JIT, Ms Reena Devgun, stated: Unfortunately, the closure of UNITAD has slowed down the investigations of the joint investigation team. However, all its members hope that the UNITAD archive will be made easily accessible again soon to all practitioners who investigate core international crimes against Ezidi victims. This is of prime importance to continue their work to end impunity for these atrocities.

    The work of the JIT is also actively supported by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIIM). Eurojust remains fully at the disposal of the JIT partners to assist with the coordination and support of investigations.

    For further information:

    Belgium and Netherlands sign up to joint investigation team targeting crimes against Yezidi victims in Syria and Iraq (26 June 2023)

    Support to joint investigation team of Sweden and France targeting crimes against Yezidi victims in Syria and Iraq (7 January 2022)

    MIL Security OSI