Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI China: Lewandowski quits Poland after ‘loss of trust’ in coach

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Robert Lewandowski has withdrawn from the Poland national team, citing a “loss of trust” in head coach Michal Probierz, the striker announced Sunday.

    Lewandowski, 36, is Poland’s all-time leading scorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances, and had served as captain since 2014. But the Barcelona forward said he would no longer represent the national team as long as Probierz remains in charge.

    Robert Lewandowski (1st R) of Poland vies with Ali Albulayhi (2nd R) of Saudi Arabia during the Group C match between Poland and Saudi Arabia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

    The rift became public after Probierz informed Lewandowski on Sunday that midfielder Piotr Zielinski would take over the captaincy.

    “By decision of coach Michal Probierz, Piotr Zielinski became the new captain of the Poland team. The coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the training staff of his decision,” the Polish Football Association (PZPN) said in a statement.

    Shortly afterward, Lewandowski issued a statement of his own.

    “Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge,” Lewandowski said. “I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”

    Poland, currently leading Group G with six points after wins over Lithuania and Malta, will face Finland in Helsinki on Tuesday in its next FIFA World Cup qualifier.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lifesaving partnership in line for national award

    Source: City of Leicester

    A LIFESAVING initiative that enables front-line police officers in Leicestershire to carry and administer an antidote to opiate drugs has been shortlisted for a national award.

    The city council’s public health team worked in partnership with the police and local drug and alcohol treatment service Turning Point to develop the initiative, which has potentially already saved 14 lives in its first 12 months of operation.

    It’s now in line for a Public Partnerships award, as part of the 2025 Local Government Chronicle’s Awards, which recognise excellence in local government across the whole of the UK.

    The partnership was developed in response to a national rising trend in drug deaths.  Many of these could have been avoided with the use of the antidote Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an opiate overdose – if given quickly enough.

    Leicester’s Director of Public Health Rob Howard said: “In the event of an opiate overdose, administering an immediate dose of naloxone by nasal spray reverses respiratory arrest and allows time for emergency medical services to be called. 

    “Police officers are most likely to be the first on scene at such incidents, and thanks to years of hard work by all involved, we believe that the Leicestershire police service is now the first in England and Wales to commit to enabling all front-line officers to carry Naloxone.

    “This incredible partnership work has not only saved lives, and will save lives in the future, but is also supporting a broader understanding of the challenges faced by people who use drugs.”

    Approval for a pilot scheme was given by Leicestershire Police in 2023, after Turning Point and the city council’s public health team had found funding and established pilot sites.

    Initially small groups of police officers were given training in overdose awareness and administering Naloxone, and as a result almost 200 officers voluntarily agreed to carry it.

    James Edmondston, Leicestershire Police’s Substance Misuse Team Leader said: “The most important duty of a police officer is to preserve life and Naloxone gives officers a simple, safe and effective way of doing so.  This initiative reflects a strong and robust partnership commitment to saving lives and supporting people into long term treatment. 

    “It is fantastic to see its use being celebrated– it really does save lives and we are looking to expand its use across the force and into custody.”

    Julie Bass, Turning Point’s Chief Executive said: “Being short-listed for this prestigious award is testament to the power of partnership. We have been delighted to work with Leicestershire Police and Leicester City Council on this initiative, which genuinely has saved lives and also strengthened joint working across our organisations.”

    In the first 12 months of the scheme, police officers administered naloxone on 14 separate occasions, in situations where people were likely to have otherwise died, before calling for ambulance back-up. 

    New recruits to Leicestershire Police are now trained in administering naloxone as part of their core training, and offered the chance to carry at that time.  Since this was introduced, every new recruit has volunteered to carry it.

    The winners of the LGC Awards will be announced at a ceremony on 11 June 2025, at Grosvenor House, London.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From Polyathlon to Cheerleading: May Medals of Polytechnic Athletes

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    In May, athletes from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University demonstrated impressive results in sports. The team achieved notable achievements in such disciplines as polyathlon, orienteering, cheerleading and volleyball, as well as in other sports.

    The Russian Junior Championship and the All-Russian Student Competition in Polyathlon (pentathlon with running) were held in the Ryazan Region. Our athletes showed excellent results. Aleksandr Chilikin took 1st place in the 18-20 age category. The victory was also awarded to Alisa Katelevskaya in the 21-23 age category, she also showed the best result among students.

    The Russian Championship in Orienteering (Cyclocross disciplines) was held in Saransk. Ekaterina Longraf won the “Cyclocross Classic” discipline and took 2nd place in the relay. In addition, at the international competitions, Ekaterina showed the second time in the “Cyclocross General Start” discipline.

    The cheerleading team took 3rd place in the overall standings among 38 universities of the country at the Russian Championship in Moscow. In the cheerleading group discipline, our athletes also climbed to the podium, receiving a bronze medal.

    The entire season, from October to April, the SPbPU volleyball team fought for victory in the St. Petersburg championship with 12 of the strongest university teams. In difficult matches, the guys won the gold medal, repeating the success of last year.

    At the Saint Petersburg Championship in freestyle wrestling among juniors under 24, our wrestlers again showed the best results. The first places were taken by Aydemir Aydamirov and Igor Novichkov.

    At the kettlebell lifting competition, Polytechnic athletes won several awards: Olga Mochalova – half snatch (2×10 kg), Yan Polyakov – triathlon (kettlebell 24 kg), Maxim Shatalov – long cycle (kettlebell 20 kg). Coach Ivan Kataev received an award for preparing the winning team.

    In the competition for the Student Basketball Association (SBA) Cup, the SPbPU women’s team played three exciting matches. In the final, the girls lost to the ITMO team by only 5 points, becoming silver medalists. Despite the updated roster, our athletes showed huge progress over the season. Karina Kambulatova and Daria Pod’yanova were included in the symbolic top five players of the season.

    Representatives of the Black Bears — Polytech club participated in the All-Russian Student Sports Festival ASSK FEST. Managers, coaches and employees shared their experience of working in the activities of the educational and business program, met the dawn on a run with marathon runner Vladimir Voloshin, and also played football, basketball and ultimate in the UniverLeague, participated in a race from PSB Bank and received PSB GTO badges. Chessboxing coach Andrey Skorokhodov won in the category “Coaches” of the program “Top-100 ASSK of Russia”.

    In addition, within the framework of the Rosmolodezh.Grants competition, the Black Bear School project received 440,000 rubles to implement its initiatives.

    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

  • NATO needs 400% increase in air and missile defence, Rutte will say in London

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will use a speech in London on Monday to say the military alliance needs a 400% increase in air and missile defence, one of the priorities for a summit of members in the Hague later this month.

    Rutte is pushing for members to boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP and commit a further 1.5% to broader security-related spending to meet U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for a 5% target. Last month, he said he assumed that target would be agreed at the summit on June 24-25.

    Rutte will argue in a speech at London’s Chatham House think tank that for NATO to maintain credible deterrence and defence, it needs “a 400% increase in air and missile defence”.

    “We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,” he will say, according to extracts of his speech provided by his office.

    “The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defence. The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full. The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends.”

    With little let up in fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine despite ceasefire calls, European countries are under pressure to raise defence spending after Trump signalled a shift in policy, pushing for the region to better protect itself.

    Several countries say they are doing so, with Britain pledging an increase from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3% of GDP at a later date. Germany has said it will need roughly 50,000 to 60,000 additional active soldiers under new NATO targets.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Trade turnover between China and Russia fell by 8.2 percent in the first five months of 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) — China-Russia trade volume totaled more than 88.796 billion U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2025, down 8.2 percent year on year, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed Monday.

    In particular, exports from China to Russia decreased by 6.6 percent to USD 38.886 billion, while imports fell by 9.5 percent to USD 49.91 billion.

    In May alone, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to 17.703 billion US dollars. Including, exports from China to Russia amounted to 8.1 billion US dollars, and exports – 9.6 billion US dollars, the department’s data showed. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Fujian Province to Host 17th Taiwan Strait Forum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) — The 17th Taiwan Strait Forum will be held in east China’s Fujian Province in mid-June, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Monday.

    The main conference of the upcoming forum is scheduled to be held on June 15, and the main venue for the forum is the city of Xiamen, Zhu Fenglian said.

    Zhu Fenglian added that the week-long forum will focus on topics such as grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, and cross-strait cultural and economic exchanges. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China introduces unilateral visa-free regime for 47 countries

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) — China has started a trial unilateral visa-free regime for ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain from June 9, 2025, expanding the scope of China’s unilateral visa-free policy to 47 countries.

    From June 9, 2025 to June 8, 2026, ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges or transit. Prior to this, China had already introduced reciprocal visa-free access with the UAE and Qatar in 2018. Thus, China has achieved “full coverage” of visa-free access for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

    A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in early June that the continuous expansion of the visa-free regime demonstrates China’s firm determination to continue to expand opening up to the outside world at a high level. He said China will continue to improve its entry policies and add more countries to the visa-free list to work with other countries to achieve common prosperity through broader opening up and deeper cooperation. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Trade turnover between China and Belt and Road countries grew by 3 percent in January-May 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) — Trade between China and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled 1.286 billion U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2025, up 3 percent year on year, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed Monday.

    In particular, during the reporting period, China’s exports to Belt and Road countries increased by 9.2 percent year-on-year to $743.206 billion, while imports decreased by 4.3 percent to $542.994 billion. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New flight to be opened between Vladivostok and Shanghai

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Vladivostok, June 9 /Xinhua/ — Chinese airline Juneyao Air will launch direct flights from Vladivostok to Shanghai on June 23, the Russian city’s international airport announced on its website on Monday.

    The route will be operated by an Airbus 321 aircraft in a two-class configuration. Flights in the summer schedule are scheduled from June 23, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays to Shanghai Pudong Airport. Flight time from Vladivostok to Shanghai is 3 hours 30 minutes.

    Currently, flights from Vladivostok airport to Shanghai are operated by Russian airlines Rossiya and S7 Airlines.

    According to Dmitry Khazin, Head of the Aviation Marketing Department at Vladivostok International Airport, China remains one of the most popular and promising international destinations. Thanks to the cooperation between Juneyao Air and a major Chinese tour operator, Russian tourists will have access to new tour products not only to Shanghai, but also to other cities in China. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of 2025, Mongolia has attracted a total of 226,364 foreign tourists

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ULAN BATOR, June 9 (Xinhua) — Mongolia has attracted a total of 226,364 foreign tourists since the beginning of 2025, the Mongolian Tourism Professional Association said Monday.

    During the specified period, a significant portion of those who arrived in Mongolia were tourists from Russia, China and the Republic of Korea, the official statement says.

    Mongolia’s national economy is heavily dependent on the export-oriented mining sector. Tourism development is seen as the most accessible solution to diversify the Mongolian economy.

    In this regard, the Mongolian authorities have decided to continue the Years to visit Mongolia tourism program until 2028 in order to promote the development of four-season tourism in the country.

    In 2024, the landlocked Asian country welcomed a total of 727,400 foreign tourists, earning $1.6 billion. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: 33/2025・Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 33 / 2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 9 June 2025

    Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.

    Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:

            Number of shares        Average purchase price (DKK)        Transaction value (DKK)
    Total beginning 99,074 87.27 8,646,363
    2 June 2025 1,600 92.95 148,720
    3 June 2025 1,800 92.98 167,364
    4 June 2025 1,800 92.42 166,356
    5 June 2025     Market closed
    6 June 2025 1,800 93.49 168,282
    Accumulated 106,074 87.65 9,297,085

    A detailed overview of the daily transactions can be found here: https://investor.trifork.com/trifork-shares/

    Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 106,074 at a total amount of DKK 9,297,085.
    On 25 March, 25 April and 23 May 2025, 4,370 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.

    With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 338,090 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.7%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,406,809.


    Investor and media contact

    Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17

    About Trifork
    Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a pioneering global technology company, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital products and solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Learn more at trifork.com.

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Subsea7 awarded contract offshore Trinidad and Tobago

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Luxembourg – 9 June 2025 – Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of a sizeable1 contract by Shell for the Aphrodite gas project offshore Trinidad and Tobago.

    The project involves the transportation and installation of subsea equipment at the Aphrodite development, located within Block 5a, at water depths of up to 290 metres.

    Project management and engineering activities will begin immediately at Subsea7’s office in Houston, Texas, with offshore operations planned for 2027.

    Craig Broussard, Senior Vice President for Subsea7 Gulf of Mexico, said, “Engaging with Shell from the outset has been key to building trust and driving efficiencies. This award in Trinidad and Tobago reflects our growing presence in the region, as well as our ongoing commitment to safe, predictable project delivery while supporting local talent and resources.”

    1. Subsea7 defines a sizeable contract as being between $50 million and $150 million.

    *******************************************************************************
    Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industry’s partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs.
    Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Børs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62.

    *******************************************************************************

    Contact for investment community enquiries:
    Katherine Tonks
    Investor Relations Director
    Tel +44 20 8210 5568
    ir@subsea7.com

    Contact for media enquiries:
    Ashley Shearer
    Communications Manager
    Tel +1 713 300 6792
    ashley.shearer@subsea7.com

    Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘future’, ‘goal’, ‘intend’, ‘likely’ ‘may’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’, ‘strategy’ ‘will’, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the ‘Risk Management’ section of the Group’s Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. 
    This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 9 June 2025 at 08:00 CET.

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Shell Plc First Quarter 2025 Euro and GBP Equivalent Dividend Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHELL PLC FIRST QUARTER 2025 EURO AND GBP EQUIVALENT DIVIDEND PAYMENTS

    June 9, 2025

    The Board of Shell plc today announced the pounds sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments in respect of the first quarter 2025 interim dividend, which was announced on May 2, 2025 at US$0.358 per ordinary share.

    Shareholders have been able to elect to receive their dividends in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling. Holders of ordinary shares who have validly submitted US dollars, euros or pounds sterling currency elections by June 2, 2025 will be entitled to a dividend of US$0.358, €0.3136 or 26.41p per ordinary share, respectively.

    Absent any valid election to the contrary, persons holding their ordinary shares through Euroclear Nederland will receive their dividends in euros at the euro rate per ordinary share shown above. Absent any valid election to the contrary, shareholders (both holding in certificated and uncertificated form (CREST members)) and persons holding their shares through the Shell Corporate Nominee will receive their dividends in pounds sterling, at the pound sterling rate per ordinary share shown above.

    Euro and pounds sterling dividends payable in cash have been converted from US dollars based on an average of market exchange rates over the three dealing days from June 4 to June 6, 2025. This dividend will be payable on June 23, 2025 to those members whose names were on the Register of Members on May 16, 2025.

    Taxation – cash dividend
    If you are uncertain as to the tax treatment of any dividends you should consult your tax advisor.

    Note
    A different currency election date may apply to shareholders holding shares in a securities account with a bank or financial institution ultimately holding through Euroclear Nederland. This may also apply to other shareholders who do not hold their shares either directly on the Register of Members or in the corporate sponsored nominee arrangement. Shareholders can contact their broker, financial intermediary, bank or financial institution for the election deadline that applies.

    Enquiries
    Media: International +44 (0) 207 934 5550; U.S. and Canada: https://www.shell.us/about-us/news-and-insights/media/submit-an-inquiry.html

    CAUTIONARY NOTE

    The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties.  The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest. 

    Forward-Looking statements
    This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’;  “aspire”; “aspiration”; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; “desire”; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; “vision”; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks, including climate change; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including tariffs and regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, and a significant cyber security, data privacy or IT incident; (n) the pace of the energy transition; and (o) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, June 9, 2025. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

    Shell’s net carbon intensity
    Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

    Shell’s net-zero emissions target
    Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target. 

    Forward Looking non-GAAP measures
    This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as adjusted earnings and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.

    The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.

    We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC.  Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

    LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70
    Classification: Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of the United Kingdom

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: NBPE – NB Private Equity Partners Announces Transaction in Own Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, ITALY, DENMARK, JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES, OR TO ANY NATIONAL OF SUCH JURISDICTIONS

    St Peter Port, Guernsey 9 June 2025

    NB Private Equity Partners (“NBPE” or the “Company”) today announces details of Class A Shares bought back pursuant to general authority granted by shareholders of the Company on 12 June 2024 and the share buy-back agreement with Jefferies International Limited.

    Transaction on London Stock Exchange

    Date of purchase of Shares 6 June 2025
    Number of Shares purchased 3,000 Class A Shares
    Highest price/lowest price paid £14.50 / £14.34
    ISIN for the Shares GG00B1ZBD492

    All Class A Shares bought back will be cancelled. Following the cancellation, the number of outstanding Class A Shares is 45,533,911‬. The Company also has 3,150,408 Class A shares held in treasury. For reporting purposes under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules the market should use the figure of 45,533,911 voting rights when determining if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company.

    For further information, please contact:

    NBPE Investor Relations        +44 20 3214 9002
    Luke Mason        NBPrivateMarketsIR@nb.com

    Kaso Legg Communications        +44 (0)20 3882 6644

    Charles Gorman        nbpe@kl-communications.com
    Luke Dampier
    Charlotte Francis

    About NB Private Equity Partners Limited
    NBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend.

    LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77

    About Neuberger Berman

    Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with over 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $515 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last eleven years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of March 31, 2025.

    This press release appears as a matter of record only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any security.

    NBPE is established as a closed-end investment company domiciled in Guernsey. NBPE has received the necessary consent of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in the past are no guarantee of future results. This document is not intended to constitute legal, tax or accounting advice or investment recommendations. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. Statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of NBPE’s investment manager. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Additionally, this document contains “forward-looking statements.” Actual events or results or the actual performance of NBPE may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such targets or forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Periodic announcement on the acquisition of the Bank‘s own shares and its results (week 5)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    This announcement contains information on transactions of the acquisition of own shares of AB Artea bankas (the Bank) carried during the period specified below under the Bank’s own share buy-back programme announced on 30 April 2025. 

     

    The period during which the acquisition of the Bank’s own shares under the programme was carried out – 05.05.2025 – 06.06.2025. 

     

    Period covered by this periodic report – 02.06.2025 – 06.06.2025. 

     

    Other information: 

    Transaction overview 

    Date 

    Total number of shares purchased on the day ( units) 

    Weighted average price (EUR) 

    Total value of transactions (EUR) 

    2025.06.02

    100,000

    0.871

    87,100.00

    2025.06.03

    100,000

    0.872

    87,179.98

    2025.06.04

    100,000

    0.873

    87,298.57

    2025.06.05

    100,000

    0.86

    86,000.00

    2025.06.06

    100,000

    0.857

    85,700.01

    Total acquired during the current week 

    500,000

    0.867

    433,278.56

    Total acquired during the programme period 

    2,400,000

    0.877

    2,105,921.93

     

     

     

     

     

    The Bank’s own bought-back shares: 12,497,749 units.  

     

    Following the above transactions, the Bank will own a total of 12,997,749 units of own shares representing 1.96 % of the Bank’s issued shares. 

     

    Further detailed information on the transactions is attached. 

     

    This information is also available at: www.artea.lt   

     

    Additional information:
    Tomas Varenbergas
    Head of Investment Management Division
    tomas.varenbergas@artea.lt, +370 610 44447

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: John Michael Denhof starts taking the position of a member of the Supervisory Council of AB Artea bankas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AB Artea bankas, company code 112025254, address Tilžės str. 149, 76348 Šiauliai, Lithuania.

    On 6 June 2025 AB Artea bankas received notification from the European Central Bank (ECB) that the Governing Council of the ECB has decided not to object to the appointment of John Michael Denhof as an independent member of the Supervisory Council of Artea Bank.

    John Michael Denhof has been elected to the Supervisory Council of Artea Bank at the General Meeting of Shareholders held on 31 March 2025. The decision of the meeting stipulates that he will take up the duties of the member of the Supervisory Council only with the permission of the supervisory authority.

    John Michael Denhof is considered to be an independent member of the Supervisory Council of Artea Bank as of 6 June 2025.

     

    Additional information:
    Oksana Balsienė
    Head of HR
    oksana.balsiene@artea.lt

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues a EUR 1 billion green benchmark under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    9 June 2025 at 10:00 am (EEST)

    Municipality Finance issues a EUR 1 billion green benchmark under its MTN programme

    Municipality Finance Plc issues a EUR 1 billion green benchmark on 10 June 2025. The maturity date of the benchmark is 14 June 2032. The benchmark bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.625% per annum.

    The benchmark is issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the benchmark are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the benchmark to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on on 10 June 2025.

    Danske Bank A/S, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, J.P. Morgan SE and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) act as the Joint Lead Managers for the issue of the benchmark.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. Our customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: WAYS.cash Wins Grand Champion Title at Solrift Hackathon for Privacy-Focused Payment Toolkit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WAYS.cash, the first self-custodial stealth-address payment toolkit on Solana, has been named Grand Champion of the “A Breach in the Norm” hackathon hosted by Solrift. The win earned the New York–based project a $100,000 grand prize and marked a significant milestone in blockchain privacy innovation.

    WAYS.cash

    Selected from a pool of 127 teams, WAYS.cash impressed judges with its approach to secure and user-friendly crypto payments. The hackathon featured a total prize pool of $650,000 and included opportunities for incubation support and introductions to a $50 million+ venture funding network.

    The WAYS.cash toolkit introduces a stealth-address system that enables private, self-custodial payments. Instead of revealing a user’s primary wallet address, WAYS generates a unique, unlinkable stealth address for each transaction, accessible through a human-readable link. This allows freelancers, creators, and small businesses to accept crypto payments without compromising on-chain privacy.

    “Winning Solrift from New York validates our vision of private, effortless payments,” said Jordan Yoo, co-founder and lead developer of WAYS.cash. “Building this alongside my daughter makes the experience even more meaningful.”

    In addition to the top prize, WAYS.cash also secured 1st place in the Consumer track, surpassing finalists like Fanplay and Blinkord. The project is now gearing up for larger hackathons and plans to expand its offering with a broader product release later this year.

    The WAYS.cash toolkit is compatible with all SPL tokens and supports cross-chain USDC payments via Circle’s CCTP, eliminating the need for bridges or wrapped tokens. With features like automatic file delivery, real-time notifications, and customizable checkout links, the product caters to independent professionals seeking privacy and simplicity in web3 payments.

    Founded by cryptography engineer and serial hackathon winner Jordan Yoo, WAYS.cash addresses key concerns such as wallet traceability, transaction clutter, and custodial limitations. The team positions the toolkit as a solution for those who value financial sovereignty, including freelancers, content creators, and small businesses.

    Learn more at https://ways.cash and follow updates at https://x.com/WaysCashApp.

    About WAYS.cash

    WAYS.cash is a privacy-forward payment toolkit on Solana that enables private, one-time stealth address transactions without custody or complexity. Designed for freelancers, creators, and businesses, it transforms payment links into secure, self-custodial transactions with optional digital delivery.

    Media Contact:

    Jordan S.
    WaysCashApp
    hello@ways.cash
    https://ways.cash/

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ac2b5d9-8ee1-4735-878d-30904f11842d

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

    “You just [expletive] shot the reporter!”

    Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was in the middle of a live cross, covering the protests against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy in Los Angeles, California. As Tomasi spoke to the camera, microphone in hand, an LAPD officer in the background appeared to target her directly, hitting her in the leg with a rubber bullet.

    Earlier, reports emerged that British photojournalist Nick Stern was undergoing emergency surgery after also being hit by the same “non-lethal” ammunition.

    The situation in Los Angeles is extremely volatile. After nonviolent protests against raids and arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began in the suburb of Paramount, US President Donald Trump issued a memo describing them as “a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States”. He then deployed the National Guard.

    ‘Can’t you just shoot them?’

    As much of the coverage has noted, this is not the first time the National Guard has been deployed to quell protests in the US.

    In 1970, members of the National Guard shot and killed four students protesting the war in Vietnam at Kent State University. In 1992, the National Guard was deployed during protests in Los Angeles following the acquittal of four police officers (three of whom were white) in the killing of a Black man, Rodney King.

    Trump has long speculated about violently deploying the National Guard and even the military against his own people.

    During his first administration, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, former Secretary of Defence Mark Esper alleged that Trump asked him, “Can’t you just shoot them, just shoot them in the legs or something?”

    Trump has also long sought to other those opposed to his radical agenda to reshape the United States and its role in the world. He’s classified them as “un-American” and, therefore, deserving of contempt and, when he deems it necessary, violent oppression.

    During last year’s election campaign, he promised to “root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country”. Even the Washington Post characterised this description of Trump’s “political enemies” as “echoing Hitler, Mussolini”.

    In addition, Trump has long peddled baseless conspiracies about “sanctuary cities”, such as Los Angeles. He has characterised them as lawless havens for his political enemies and places that have been “invaded” by immigrants. As anyone who has ever visited these places knows, that is not true.

    It is no surprise that in the same places Trump characterises as “disgracing our country”, there has been staunch opposition to his agenda and ideology.

    That opposition has coalesced in recent weeks around the activities of ICE agents, in particular. These agents, wearing masks to conceal their identities, have been arbitrarily detaining people, including US citizens and children, and disappearing people off the streets. They have also arrested caregivers, leaving children alone.

    As Adam Serwer wrote in The Atlantic during the first iteration of Trump in America, “the cruelty is the point”.

    The Trump administration’s mass deportation program is deliberately cruel and provocative. It was always only a matter of time before protests broke out.

    In a democracy, nonviolent protest by hundreds or perhaps a few thousand people in a city of ten million is not a crisis. But it has always suited Trump and the movement that supports him to manufacture crises.

    White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key architect of the mass deportations program and a man described by a former adviser as “Waffen SS”, called the protests “an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States”. Trump himself also described protesters as “violent, insurrectionist mobs”.

    Nowhere does the presidential memo deploying the National Guard name the specific location of the protests. This, and the extreme language coming out of the administration, suggests it is laying the groundwork for further escalation.

    The administration could be leaving space to deploy the National Guard in other places and invoke the Insurrection Act.

    Incidents involving the deployment of the National Guard are rare, though politically cataclysmic. It is rarer still for the National Guard to be deployed against the wishes of a democratically elected leader of a state, as Trump has done in California.

    A broader assault on democracy

    This deployment comes at a time of crisis for US democracy more broadly. Trump’s longstanding attacks against independent media – what he describes as “fake news” – are escalating. There is a reason that during the current protests, a law enforcement officer appeared so comfortable targeting a journalist, on camera.

    The Trump administration is also actively targeting independent institutions such as Harvard and Columbia universities. It is also targeting and undermining judges and reducing the power of independent courts to enforce the rule of law.

    Under Trump, the federal government and its state-based allies are targeting and undermining the rights of minority groups – policing the bodies of trans people, targeting reproductive rights, and beginning the process of undoing the Civil Rights Act.

    Trump is, for the moment, unconstrained. Asked overnight what the bar is for deploying the Marines against protesters, Trump responded: “the bar is what I think it is”.

    As New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie recently observed:

    We should treat Trump and his openly authoritarian administration as a failure, not just of our party system or our legal system, but of our Constitution and its ability to meaningfully constrain a destructive and system-threatening force in our political life.

    While the situation in Los Angeles is unpredictable, it must be understood in the broader context of the active, violent threat the Trump administration poses to the US. As we watch, American democracy teeters on the brink.

    Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.

    ref. Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-long-speculated-about-using-force-against-his-own-people-now-he-has-the-pretext-to-do-so-258471

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • Modi govt creating new history in every field: Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading one of the most transformative phases of Bharat’s journey for the past 11 years, as the country is creating new history today in every field from economy to technology, from society to inclusive development, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday

    “While 11 years ago, the country was lagging behind in every way, during the Modi government, it is touching the heights of development, and the far-reaching changes of his government’s policies have left no section of society untouched, the minister further stated.

    This period has proved to be a symbol of good governance through service in the direction of the poor, youth, farmers and women empowerment. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, this is not just a mantra but the strength of the new India, he said.

    Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is continuously moving ahead on the path of becoming developed by leading the world with rapid development, comprehensive change and public participation. The minister was referring to the fact that India has emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the world.

    The IMF stated in its World Economic Outlook report last month that India is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in 2025, with the country’s nominal GDP rising to $4,187.017 billion to surpass Japan’s GDP pegged at $4,186.431 billion.

    According to the report, India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy and the only country expected to clock over 6 per cent growth in the next two years.

    The high rate of growth will see India’s GDP increasing to $5,584.476 billion in 2028 as it overtakes Germany to become the third-largest economy.

    The IMF has projected a zero growth rate for Germany in 2025, followed by 0.9 per cent in 2026 as it is expected to be hit the hardest among the European countries due to the ongoing global trade war. Germany’s GDP is projected at $5,251.928 in 2028.

    Japan, on the other hand, is expected to be hard hit by the global trade war, with its growth stagnating at 0.6 per cent for 2025 and 2026.

    (IANS)

  • India now stands proudly among top five economies: Rajnath Singh on ’11 Years of Seva’ under PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Marking a significant milestone of 11 years of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday hailed the achievements of the nation, especially in the defence and economic sectors.

    Taking to X, Singh lauded the government’s commitment to Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and its impact on India’s global standing.

    “Inspired by PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the defence sector has moved firmly towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), and India now stands proudly among the top five economies of the world. India today stands well-equipped, confident, and unwavering in its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs,” the Defence Minister said.

    Rajnath Singh’s remarks come as the government celebrates 11 Years Of Seva, highlighting the transformation India has witnessed since 2014, particularly in areas of defence manufacturing, economic progress, and global diplomacy.

    “These 11 Years Of Seva have been a story of the realisation of the dreams of our freedom fighters and Constitution makers—who envisioned a democracy that is not just political, but also social and economic in nature. Under PM Modi’s dynamic leadership, India is not just progressing—it is rising to claim its rightful place in the comity of nations,” said Singh reflecting on the broader democratic and developmental vision realised during PM Modi’s tenure.

    In a message to citizens, Singh extended his gratitude for their continued support in this journey of progress and nation-building.

    “On the completion of these remarkable 11 Years Of Seva, I congratulate every Indian who has been a proud part of this growth story, development journey, and history in the making. Together, we move forward – stronger, prouder, and united,” he concluded.

    The Defence Minister’s message underlines the Modi government’s focus on building a ‘resilient, self-sufficient India,’ one that is not only capable of defending its interests but also leading on the world stage economically and strategically.

    (IANS)

  • 11 years of PM Modi: Soil Health Scheme marks decade of impact with 30 crore Soil Health Cards issued

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As the central government marks over a decade of sustained efforts under the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme, the initiative continues to play a transformative role in improving soil productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the country. Launched in 2014-15, the scheme has made considerable progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now completing 11 years in office.

    To date, over 30 crore Soil Health Cards (SHCs) have been generated nationwide, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding fertilizer use and crop selection. The government has so far disbursed ₹1,706.18 crore to various States and Union Territories to implement the scheme.

    In an effort to strengthen soil health diagnostics, 8,272 Soil Testing Laboratories have been established across the country. This includes 1,068 Static Soil Testing Labs, 163 Mobile Labs, 6,376 Mini Labs, and 665 Village-Level Soil Testing Labs (VSTLs). These facilities have significantly enhanced the capacity for soil sample analysis, providing farmers with scientific assessments of their land’s fertility.

    The Village-Level Soil Testing Labs, operating across 17 states, include those managed by entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), although a centralized data system for these labs has yet to be developed.

    The Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI), a key implementing agency under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has also played a pivotal role in capacity building and technical training. It regularly conducts short-term training programs on a range of subjects including Soil Health Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Integrated Watershed Management, Geo-Spatial Technology, and Soil Survey & Mapping.

    In 2024, SLUSI conducted training for officers from departments of Agriculture, Forest, and Soil & Water Conservation in West Bengal and North-Eastern states. In 2025, officers from the Agriculture Department of Jammu & Kashmir participated in the training initiative, equipping them with the latest tools and techniques in soil management and resource planning.

    Further contributing to data-driven agricultural planning, SLUSI has completed soil mapping at a 1:10,000 scale for approximately 290 lakh hectares, covering 40 aspirational districts. These detailed maps support precise land-use planning and improved crop productivity.

    To support farmers in optimizing fertilizer use, SLUSI has also produced 1,987 village-level soil fertility maps across 21 States and Union Territories. These maps are valuable tools in reducing input costs for farmers and improving soil sustainability.

    As the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme enters its second decade, it continues to reinforce the government’s broader vision of doubling farmers’ income, improving environmental sustainability, and ensuring food security.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road closed following crash, Roxburgh

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police are attending a crash on State Highway 8, Fruitlands – Roxburgh Road, near Roxburgh.

    The crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian and was reported just after 7.20pm.

    The pedestrian has been seriously injured.

    The road is currently closed, there are diversions in place from Roxburgh to Roxburgh Dam.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: #iubilaeum2025 – Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost

    Source: The Holy See

    At 10.30 this morning, Solemnity of Pentecost, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Movements, Associations and New Communities, the Holy Father Leo XIV presided over Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.
    The following is the homily delivered by the Pope during the course of the Eucharistic Celebration, after the proclamation of the Gospel:

    Homily of the Holy Father
    Dear brothers and sisters,
    “The day has dawned upon us when…, glorified by his ascension into heaven following his resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit” (Saint Augustine, Serm. 271, 1). Today, too, what took place in the Upper Room takes place anew in our midst. Like a mighty wind that overtakes us, like a crash that startles us, like a fire that illuminates us, the gift of the Holy Spirit descends upon us (cf. Acts 2:1-11).
    As we heard in the first reading, the Spirit accomplished something extraordinary in the lives of the Apostles. Following Jesus’ death, they had retreated behind closed doors, in fear and sadness. Now they receive a new way of seeing things, an interior understanding that helps them to interpret the events that occurred and to experience intimately the presence of the Risen Lord. The Holy Spirit overcomes their fear, shatters their inner chains, heals their wounds, anoints them with strength and grants them the courage to go out to all and to proclaim God’s mighty works.
    The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us that in Jerusalem at that time there was a multitude of people from various backgrounds, yet “each one heard them speaking in his own native tongue” (v. 6). In a word, at Pentecost, the doors of the Upper Room were opened because the Spirit opens borders. As Benedict XVI explained: “The Holy Spirit bestows understanding. The Spirit overcomes the ‘breach’ that began in Babel, the confusion of mind and heart that sets us one against the other. The Spirit opens borders… The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are neglected or disdained. In the Church there are only free men and women, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ” (Homily for Pentecost, 15 May 2005).
    Here we have an eloquent image of Pentecost, one that I would like to pause for a moment and reflect upon with you.
    The Spirit opens borders, first of all, in our hearts. He is the Gift that opens our lives to love. His presence breaks down our hardness of heart, our narrowness of mind, our selfishness, the fears that enchain us and the narcissism that makes us think only of ourselves. The Holy Spirit comes to challenge us, to make us confront the possibility that our lives are shrivelling up, trapped in the vortex of individualism. Sadly, oddly enough, in a world of burgeoning “social” media, we risk being ever more alone. Constantly connected, yet incapable of “networking”. Always immersed in a crowd, yet confused and solitary travellers.
    The Spirit of God allows us to find a new way of approaching and experiencing life. He puts us in touch with our inmost self, beneath all the masks we wear. He leads us to an encounter with the Lord by teaching us to experience the joy that is his gift. He convinces us, as we just heard in Jesus’ words, that only by abiding in love, will we receive the strength to remain faithful to his word and to let it transform us. The Spirit opens our interior borders, so that our lives can become places of welcome and refreshment.
    The Spirit also opens borders in our relationship with others. Jesus tells us that this Gift is the love between him and the Father that comes to dwell within us. We then become capable of opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters, overcoming our rigidity, moving beyond our fear of those who are different, and mastering the passions that stir within. The Spirit also transforms those deeper, hidden dangers that disturb our relationships, like suspicion, prejudice or the desire to manipulate others. I think too, with great pain, of those cases where relationships are marked by an unhealthy desire for domination, an attitude that often leads to violence, as is shown, tragically, by numerous recent cases of femicide.
    The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, brings to maturity within us the fruits that enable us to cultivate good and healthy relationships: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22). In this way, the Spirit broadens the borders of our relationships and opens us to the joy of fraternity. This is also a critical yardstick for the Church. For we are truly the Church of the Risen Lord and disciples of Pentecost if there are no borders or divisions among us; if we are able to dialogue and accept one another in the Church, and to reconcile our diversities; and if, as Church, we become a welcoming and hospitable place for all.
    Finally, the Spirit also opens borders between peoples. At Pentecost, the Apostles spoke the languages of those they met, and the confusion of Babel was finally resolved by the harmony brought about by the Spirit. Whenever God’s “breath” unites our hearts and makes us view others as our brothers and sisters, differences no longer become an occasion for division and conflict but rather a shared patrimony from which we can all draw, and which sets us all on journey together, in fraternity.
    The Spirit breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred because he “teaches us all things” and “reminds us of Jesus’ words” (cf. Jn 14:26). He teaches us, reminds us, and writes in our hearts before all else the commandment of love that the Lord has made the center and summit of everything. Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for “security” zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.
    It was on the feast of Pentecost that Pope Francis observed: “In our world today, there is so much discord, such great division. We are all ‘connected’, yet find ourselves disconnected from one another, anesthetized by indifference and overwhelmed by solitude” (Homily, 28 May 2023). The wars plaguing our world are a tragic sign of this. Let us invoke the Spirit of love and peace, that he may open borders, break down walls, dispel hatred and help us to live as children of our one Father who is in heaven.
    Brothers and sisters, Pentecost renews the Church and the world! May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.
    May Mary Most Holy, Woman of Pentecost, Virgin visited by the Spirit, Mother full of grace, accompany us and intercede for us.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic congratulates Peter the Great on his birthday

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Today, June 9, marks 353 years since the birth of Peter I, the first Emperor of All Russia, the founder of St. Petersburg and a talented engineer, whose name our university proudly bears.

    The indomitable spirit, wisdom and foresight of Peter I forever changed the course of our country’s history. His large-scale reforms covered all aspects of public life in the Russian Empire and had a significant impact on the country’s further development. The Emperor laid the foundation for the modern state structure of Russia, formed a regular army and navy, and introduced a new education system.

    In 2015, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation issued an order to return the name of Peter the Great to our university, which was lost after the October Revolution. A year later, a ceremonial opening of a monument to Peter I took place in front of the main academic building of SPbPU.

    The Polytechnic University proudly continues the great work of the Emperor – to develop science and technology, to prepare personnel for the future of our country. His example inspires polytechnics to be just as purposeful, dedicated to their work and striving for perfection.

    Happy birthday, Peter the Great!

    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 Russia: SPbPU offered Venezuela cooperation in education and science

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    A working meeting with a delegation from the Ministry of Higher Education of Venezuela was held in the Committee for Science and Higher Education of St. Petersburg. The representatives of the friendly Latin American country were met by the Chairman of the Committee for Science and Higher Education Andrey Maksimov. Representatives of six universities of St. Petersburg took part in the meeting. The Polytechnic University was represented by the Head of the International Cooperation Department Vladimir Khizhnyak.

    The Venezuelan delegation was headed by the Minister of People’s Power for Higher Education, Richardo Mujica. The delegation included the Director General of the Directorate of Integration and International Relations, Gasparri Rey, the Director of Bilateral Meetings of the International Relations Department, Jimenez Cubillán, and the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the Russian Federation, Andrés González.

    During the meeting, Andrei Maksimov briefly spoke about St. Petersburg, which is one of the largest scientific and educational centers in Russia. It concentrates over ten percent of the country’s scientific potential, with more than 350 scientific organizations, including about 60 organizations of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other state academies. The human resources potential of science and education in St. Petersburg exceeds 170,000 employees of scientific organizations and universities, including approximately 9,000 doctors of science and 26,000 candidates of science. Andrei Stanislavovich presented the work of KNVS in general and the interaction of St. Petersburg universities with universities in Venezuela, in particular.

    Mr. Mujica began his speech by thanking Russia for supporting Venezuela in its fight against the aggressive policies of Western countries and expressing admiration for the courage and fortitude of the Russian people. He recalled that President Maduro had recently visited Russia, took part in events marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, and then visited St. Petersburg. Mr. Mujica also noted that Venezuela had adopted a program to develop cooperation with Russia in science and education. In accordance with this program, the number of students from this country in Russian universities should increase tenfold in the near future, from 200 to at least 2,000. A working group has been created at the Ministry to create an interuniversity university network of Venezuelan and Russian universities. It is planned to create joint programs and double degree programs. Priority areas of training are artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and new materials, agro-biotechnology, mining, etc. The issue of creating cultural and language centers in both Venezuela and Russia is also being worked on. The training of highly qualified personnel is also an urgent issue.

    Vladimir Khizhnyak spoke about the Polytechnic University and suggested areas of cooperation. He noted that the university has students from Venezuela, but there are not many of them, and our institutes are ready to accept many more representatives of this country in numerous training programs, including in English. Summer and winter school programs may also be of interest to students from Venezuela. Joint supervision of postgraduate students, participation of leading professors in dissertation councils and in the “Visiting Professor” program are also a good start for cooperation.

    Mr. Mujica responded positively to the proposal to visit the Polytechnic and conclude a cooperation agreement with the National Scientific University. It was opened recently and enjoys great support from the government of this country. He also noted that there are 25 polytechnic universities in Venezuela and he is ready to assist in establishing contacts with them. The country has adopted a 15-year program to support polytechnic universities.

    Mr. Mujica noted that the people of Venezuela remember that back in 1786, their compatriot, the hero of the national liberation struggle Francisco Miranda arrived in Russia and spent almost a year traveling around it. Catherine II granted him the rank of colonel of the Russian army, and he also received a passport of our country. The Empress allocated Miranda a cash subsidy to fight the Spanish colonizers and ordered a military squadron to be sent to the shores of Venezuela. So the friendship between our countries has deep roots and the Ministry of Higher Education is ready to contribute to its strengthening in every possible way.

    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 United Kingdom: Parades Commission failed Scarva – public disorder was entirely predictable and avoidable

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV party chairman Keith Ratcliffe:

    “As I warned in advance, Saturday’s anti-Israeli parade through Scarva was deeply provocative, entirely unnecessary, and now, sadly, has led to the very outcome many of us feared – disorder on our streets and arrests in our community.

    “I formally objected to this parade to the Parades Commission and raised serious concerns both in writing and in a telephone call to the police. I made it crystal clear to the Parades Commission that Scarva, a quiet, close-knit Unionist village with deep ties of sympathy and support for Israel, was no place for Palestinian flags and associated political messaging on a Saturday morning.

    “And yet, the parade was allowed to proceed unchecked – no conditions, no restrictions and no serious engagement with local concerns. The Commission was warned. The PSNI was informed. And now we have witnessed precisely the breakdown in community relations that this parade was always going to cause.

    “Scarva is not a canvas for political performance. Residents here should not be subjected to displays that are knowingly inflammatory. People have a right to go about their daily lives without being dragged into conflict they did not ask for and do not support.

    “Let me be clear: this situation was entirely avoidable. The blame lies squarely with those who organised this needlessly provocative display, and with the Parades Commission, who failed in their duty to prevent disorder and protect community cohesion.“

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Election Committee register released

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The 2025 Election Committee (EC) provisional register and the omissions list were released today.

    Relevant voters may check their registration status and particulars, including whether they have been entered into the omissions list, through “iAM Smart” or the Voter Registration website.

    The provisional register and the omissions list containing entries of individuals are only displayed in a statutory manner and made available for inspection by specified individuals.

    Citizens may lodge a claim or an objection in person with the Registration & Electoral Office (REO) no later than June 16.

    The REO will publish the EC final register after the EC Subsector By-elections are held in September.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Slams Trump Administration for Terrorizing Los Angeles Communities Through ICE Raids, Deploying National Guard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Slams Trump Administration for Terrorizing Los Angeles Communities Through ICE Raids, Deploying National Guard

    Padilla: California is “the fourth-largest economy in the world, not despite our immigrant population, but because of our immigrant population, who contribute so much as [a] workforce, as consumers, as entrepreneurs. That’s something to be respected, not insulted.”

    “Our nation is better than this. Look to California as a way forward.”

    Watch the full interview here.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined MSNBC’s “The Weekend: Primetime” to condemn the Trump Administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Los Angeles and President Trump’s ensuing unprecedented deployment of nearly 2,000 members of California’s National Guard to the region.

    Senator Padilla slammed President Trump for manufacturing a cruel crisis to scapegoat immigrants and distract from Republicans’ harmful budget bill that will cut critical services that millions of Americans depend on to give tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy. He also blasted the Trump Administration for their hypocrisy in calling the largely peaceful Los Angeles protests an “insurrection” as President Trump and Republicans refuse to use that word to describe the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Padilla encouraged Californians to continue peacefully protesting the Trump Administration’s inhumane immigration enforcement.

    Key Excerpts:

    On Trump demonizing immigrants to distract from Republicans’ harmful budget bill:

    • “The Senate Republicans are on the verge of passing what House Republicans just passed in this bill that threatens to cut Medicaid, cut the social safety net for so many, and underwrite tax breaks for billionaires. So to distract from that, it never fails. This is [Trump’s] classic playbook. He’s not brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine. His tariff war has gone horribly wrong. So when all else fails, he demonizes immigrants again.”
    • “If we were having a serious, substantive policy conversation, I think there is room to discuss increased funding for our immigration system, not just smarter enforcement at the border, utilizing technology, focusing on ports of entry, but also for all the people who have pending cases, whether it’s an asylum case, whether it’s anything else, there is a need for more immigration judges and hearing officers and counsel, those sorts of things. And let’s reduce the backlog. But what the Trump Administration is doing is exactly the opposite, shifting it to complete enforcement and aggressive, extreme, cruel enforcement for that matter, while the backlogs continue to grow because they’ve shifted resources away from those services and those programs.”
    • “By and large, this supposedly Big Beautiful Bill, which is anything but, is nothing but increasing funding for … immigration enforcement, gutting so many other critical areas of the budget that working families across the country depend on, all to underwrite tax breaks for the most wealthy in America, including somebody like Elon Musk. You know, Donald Trump didn’t like the headlines he was getting because of his fallout with Elon Musk, and so again, what happens? He stages a crisis, manufactures a cruel crisis to try to change the news of the day.”

    On Trump’s hypocrisy in his response compared to January 6:

    • “The other thing he wants is for people to, yes, maybe get out of hand, so that he has the justification to escalate and increase the use of force. Look what happened in his first term. Look what happened on January 6. You’ve got to call out the hypocrisy. He did not once say “insurrectionist” for the people who stormed the Capitol and attacked police officers, but one protester who gets a little bit out of hand in Los Angeles and all of a sudden, he’s going to bring in the Marines? That’s beyond hypocritical.”
    • “If it’s one thing that the Team Trump does have going for it, is they are masters of misinformation and disinformation. What’s happening in Los Angeles is not an insurrection. What happened on January 6 at the nation’s Capitol was an insurrection. So intellectual dishonesty is nothing new for J.D. Vance, or Donald Trump, or anybody in the White House right now. They should know better.”

    On the cruelty of Trump’s ICE raids and the importance of peaceful protests:

    • “These raids are not new. Obviously, we’ve been seeing them around the country for a few months, but increasingly with extremism and cruelty. And that’s what people in Los Angeles are responding to. Again, as others have said, you want to focus on violent and dangerous criminals? Great, there’s no disagreement there. But when you’re going after kids that are depending on lifesaving treatment, when you’re going after people in the workplace, in houses of worship, children in schools — that’s a whole thing altogether. So in a diverse community like Los Angeles, there’s going to be a lot of people who are passionate about defending fundamental rights and due process and to speak up when they see that not being respected.”
    • “So for all the people in Los Angeles, I do say protest. Protest peacefully, but protest because Donald Trump wants one of two things. He wants people … to be quiet, to suck it up, and ignore what’s happening, let him do whatever he wants. That’s not in our DNA.”

    On immigrants’ integral role in driving California’s economic success:

    • “We are not just the most populous state in the nation, we’re the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation, both mostly documented, some undocumented. But remember, folks, this is also the largest economy of any state in the nation, by far. The fourth-largest economy in the world, not despite our immigrant population, but because of our immigrant population, who contribute so much as [a] workforce, as consumers, as entrepreneurs. That’s something to be respected, not insulted.”

    On his personal story growing up as the son of immigrants from Mexico and fighting against anti-immigrant actions:

    • “You can’t help but take this personal because you can relate to the story, because you can relate to the sacrifice, because you can relate to that journey — not just me, my brother, my sister, my parents, and our family, but everybody, frankly, in the community where and how I grew up, which is indicative of millions of families across the country. You know, my parents came in pursuit of the American Dream, as so many have over generations, and my parents found it. My dad as a short order cook for 40 years, my mom cleaning houses. And to think that in one generation, someone like me can grow up in public schools in Los Angeles, go on to college, and one day represent our state in the United States Senate.”
    • “But there’s a reason why I left my engineering degree behind in 1994. It’s because of the rhetoric I saw back then in California, very different than the California we see today. Governor Pete Wilson, at the time, standing for re-election, down in the polls, turns to anti-immigrant rhetoric to try to seek re-election and divide the people. And it was because of … that Proposition 187 that people like my parents, finally took the steps to become citizens, as opposed to just being long-term permanent residents, but also my generation choosing to get involved in government and politics and change the trajectory of our state. California is very different today, but it is just so heartbreaking and offensive that the rhetoric continues to this day, even more so, because it’s not just coming out of the governor’s office in California back then, not now, but out of the Oval Office. Our nation is better than this. Look to California as a way forward.”

    On Trump’s mismanagement of the protests in Los Angeles:

    • “Law enforcement on the ground knows the community, and the community knows LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department. This is just a reminder that what happens when you don’t know what you’re doing as President United States, when you send in DHS, when you send in the National Guard, and they don’t know the community, they don’t have the rapport and the trust of the community, things get out of hand. And then the federal officials are in the position of having to call in LAPD to help them bring the temperature down in a situation, or the sheriff’s office in parts of the county outside the city of Los Angeles. It’s pointing out the weaknesses and the inability, the inexperience, and irresponsibility, frankly, of the Trump Administration.”

    Video of the full interview is available here.

    Senator Padilla also joined Los Angeles outlets KTLA and KNX tonight to discuss the fear and chaos the Trump Administration is stoking in Los Angeles and across California. On Friday, Padilla issued a statement condemning the Los Angeles ICE raids.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • 11 years of PM Modi: Tap water now reaches nearly 80% of rural households under Jal Jeevan Mission

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a landmark achievement reflecting the progress made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years of governance, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has successfully brought tap water connections to over 15.60 crore rural households, now covering nearly 80% of all rural homes across India. This represents a dramatic rise from just 3.23 crore households—or 17% coverage—when the mission was launched on August 15, 2019, under his leadership.

    The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to ensure access to safe and adequate drinking water through functional household tap connections. More than just addressing the issue of water scarcity, the initiative has become a transformative force in rural India, particularly benefiting women by alleviating the centuries-old burden of fetching water. This has had far-reaching effects on women’s health, education, and overall participation in the economy.

    According to data released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, 189 districts have reported complete tap water coverage under the Har Ghar Jal initiative, with 108 of these districts certified through Gram Sabha resolutions. At the block level, 1,862 blocks have reported full coverage, with 892 receiving certification. Among gram panchayats, 1,18,230 have reported tap water availability in all households, and 79,402 have been certified. Additionally, of the 2,51,579 villages that have submitted reports, 1,53,193 have achieved certified status.

    Eleven states and Union Territories, including Goa, Gujarat, Telangana, Punjab, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have reached 100% tap water connectivity for all rural households. The mission has also made a significant impact on education and childcare infrastructure, with 9.32 lakh schools and 9.69 lakh Anganwadi centres now equipped with functional tap water supply.

    To ensure long-term sustainability, JJM includes a strong emphasis on greywater management, augmentation of water sources, rainwater harvesting, and local community involvement. It is supported by a robust Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to promote water conservation as a people’s movement—jan andolan. The initiative not only focuses on infrastructure but also encourages communities to take ownership of water systems through participation in operations, maintenance, and water quality monitoring.

    The mission’s impact extends well beyond infrastructure. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that achieving JJM’s objectives could save over 5.5 crore hours per day that would otherwise be spent collecting water—time saved primarily by women. WHO also estimates that safely managed drinking water could prevent up to 400,000 deaths annually from diarrheal diseases and save approximately 14 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Research by Nobel laureate Professor Michael Kremer indicates that safe water access could reduce mortality among children under five by nearly 30%, potentially saving 136,000 lives each year.

    The employment impact of the mission is equally significant. According to a joint study by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and the International Labour Organization, the mission is projected to generate 59.9 lakh person-years of direct employment and 2.2 crore person-years of indirect employment during its capital expenditure phase. Additionally, the operation and maintenance phase is expected to create 13.3 lakh person-years of direct employment.

    A strong focus on quality assurance supports the mission’s objectives. A network of 2,162 laboratories has tested 66.32 lakh water samples, while 24.80 lakh women have been trained to use Field Testing Kits (FTKs). These efforts have resulted in the testing of 85.39 lakh water samples using FTKs, enabling early detection of contamination and fostering local capacity for water monitoring.

    Running parallel to JJM, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign has been instrumental in raising public awareness about sustainable water practices. The 2023 campaign focused on source sustainability for drinking water, while the 2024 edition emphasized the theme “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti,” highlighting the critical role of women in water conservation and community engagement.