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Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Albanian authorities make social media work for youth crime prevention at OSCE workshop

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

    Headline: Albanian authorities make social media work for youth crime prevention at OSCE workshop

    Participants in an OSCE workshop on leveraging social media for youth crime prevention in Tirana, 14 April 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    Representatives from Albanian authorities joined child-protection specialists and young people in Tirana on 14–15 April to explore how social media can be used to prevent youth involvement in crime. The workshop was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania.
    “Social media can be a powerful tool for prevention,” said Klaudia Hasanllari, Director of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Center under Albania’s Ministry of Justice. “It helps de-glamorize criminal lifestyles, highlight positive alternatives, and amplify the voices of people who’ve left that life behind, as well as youth thought leaders.”
    The workshop brought together 40 participants, including professionals from the justice, law enforcement, health, social services, child protection, anti-corruption and education sectors, alongside young people themselves. They discussed current trends in youth crime, such as how criminal groups use social media for recruitment, and examined ways to turn these platforms into tools for awareness, prevention and resilience-building.
    The event also aimed to lay the groundwork for a targeted social media awareness campaign on youth crime prevention in Albania. Participants explored how to shape compelling messages, identify the right audiences, and choose the most effective online platforms. A strong emphasis was placed on involving young people in promoting a culture of integrity online.
    The workshop is part of the multi-year OSCE extrabudgetary project “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption” funded by Italy. Other donors supporting this project are Andorra, Finland, Germany, Norway and Poland.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched following a fatal stabbing in Walworth

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Murder investigation launched following death of a 21-year-old man in Walworth.

    On Monday, 14 April at 21:16hrs police were called to Hillingdon Street, SE17 following reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated a 21-year-old man for stab injuries.

    Sadly, despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Enquiries are on-going to locate his next of kin.

    Borough Commander Emma Bond who leads policing in Southwark has said: “We understand this news is both shocking and unsettling to the community and a number of crime scenes remain in place.

    “Our investigations continue and there will be an increased police presence in the area, I advise anyone in the community who has concerns to speak to their local officers.

    “I would also like to appeal to the public for information. Please, if you saw, heard or have any footage following last night’s incident then please come forward. Your information can significantly help our detectives with their investigation. You can do so by calling 101, referencing CAD 7392/14APR.”

    Five men and a woman all aged in their 20s were arrested shortly after the incident on suspicion of murder. They all remain in police custody, pending further investigation.

    If you saw anything, or have any information then please contact police via 101 stating CAD7392/14APR. Alternatively, to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Boat Race row is just the latest example of a century of academic dispute over teacher education

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Oliver Mumford, PhD Candidate in History of Education, Liverpool Hope University

    When the men’s and women’s boats took to the water for the 2025 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, a few students who would have hoped to be part of the crews were missing.

    Matt Heywood, Molly Foxell and Kate Crowley, all of Cambridge, did not take part after a complaint from Oxford University Boat Club over their eligibility was upheld by an independent panel. All three students are studying at Cambridge for PGCEs, a teacher training qualification. Oxford University Boat Club had argued that a PGCE “is a diploma … not a degree”.

    The decision seems to reflect a specific ideal of the university as a place of scholarly focus unencumbered by more practical vocational qualifications. It’s also far from a new attitude towards teacher education as an academic discipline.

    My ongoing PhD research into the history of teacher training shows that for a century, teacher education has maintained a complex and often conflicting relationship with the ivory and red brick towers of higher education.

    This has been reinforced by over a century of numerous gender- and class-based prejudices. Teaching has historically been, and continues to be, a female-dominant profession.

    Significantly, training colleges and university education departments were one of the few places where women could partake in intellectual and professional development, an opportunity which linked them to transnational, and colonial networks.

    Formalising teacher training

    From the 1840s, Christian residential colleges of varying denominations had come to dominate the training of teachers. These primarily provided courses of around two years for mostly female non-graduates.

    From the 1890s, English universities began their own involvement with professional teacher education. The university training departments offered a one-year postgraduate certificate course following three years of degree study – today the PGCE.

    In the complex mix of training colleges and university education departments, formalised teacher training occupied an uneasy position. It was not considered a “pure” subject like history or mathematics. It was also distinct from the traditionally male “applied” subjects, like medicine, engineering and law.

    In 1925, the Burnham report on teacher training considered the desirable balance between the intellectual and professional development of teachers. The majority opinion of the report considered teacher training as primarily vocational. It cautioned against undergraduate degrees for most trainee teachers.

    But it did lead to the establishment of a system whereby students were certified as teachers by a board of examiners drawn from universities and training colleges. This was the beginning of a set teaching qualification and brought teacher training into a closer relationship with universities.

    In 1944, another report contemplated the relationship between universities and teacher training. The members of the report committee held a range of views. Sir Arnold McNair, chancellor of the University of Liverpool, who chaired the report, feared vocational qualifications such as teaching could erode the purpose of universities. He was concerned that universities would become institutions of training, not education.

    But others thought differently. The report claimed that bringing together these two teacher training institutions – the colleges and universities – would improve the standard of teaching and the profession. Following the McNair report, institutes of education were established in the main universities of England and Wales alongside area training organisations. In this closer relationship, universities often assumed the senior positions.

    Teacher education in universities

    By the 1960s, a still closer relationship was forming between universities and teacher training, from both academic and administrative perspectives. University staff played greater roles teaching in teacher training colleges, for instance. An undergraduate teaching degree programme, the BEd, was introduced.

    Teaching became increasingly professionalised. From the 1970s, teacher training was transformed into an all-graduate profession, and later systematically dismantled. Many of the teacher training colleges faced closure, amalgamation or incorporation to polytechnics and universities. But dissenting opinions around the level of education – as opposed to vocational training – teachers should receive remained.

    Teaching became a graduate profession.
    Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock

    The preface to Cambridge academic Sheila Lawlor’s 1990 pamphlet, titled Teachers mistaught, bemoaned the rise of education as a subject and its presence in, rather than an adjunct to, higher education. In the pamphlet, Lawlor called for graduates to learn to be teachers “on the job”.

    The debate on the position of teacher training has remained remarkably consistent – unlike other subjects with vocational elements.

    Business schools feature courses taught and directed by companies. Business courses include vocational industry placements and are designed with employment in mind. But they do not so readily have their academic status or place in a university called into question. As this year’s Boat Race shows, the question over the value of vocational and academic education in teacher training is still very much alive.

    Oliver Mumford receives funding from Liverpool Hope University (Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship). He is the 2025 Ruth Watts Fellow with the History of Education Society UK.

    – ref. Boat Race row is just the latest example of a century of academic dispute over teacher education – https://theconversation.com/boat-race-row-is-just-the-latest-example-of-a-century-of-academic-dispute-over-teacher-education-254250

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Go Baby Go Provides Modified Cars for Children with Disabilities

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On Friday, April 4, three children with disabilities received cars custom modified for them by UConn engineering and doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students through the Go Baby Go program.

    Go Baby Go modifies commercially available battery-powered cars for children, typically one to five years old, with mobility-related disabilities. These modifications allow the children to control the vehicle independently.

    With the cars, these children can better interact with their peers, engage in family activities, and get around more independently.

    Students work with children to modify battery-powered cars.
    UConn Engineering and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources modified commercially available battery-powered cars to customize them for children with mobility-related disabilities through the Go Baby Go program in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower (WTRH). Apr. 4, 2025. (Claire Tremont/UConn Photo)
    Students work with children to modify battery-powered cars.
    UConn Engineering and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources modified commercially available battery-powered cars to customize them for children with mobility-related disabilities through the Go Baby Go program in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower (WTRH). Apr. 4, 2025. (Claire Tremont/UConn Photo)
    Students work with children to modify battery-powered cars.
    UConn Engineering and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources modified commercially available battery-powered cars to customize them for children with mobility-related disabilities through the Go Baby Go program in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower (WTRH). Apr. 4, 2025. (Claire Tremont/UConn Photo)
    Students work with children to modify battery-powered cars.
    UConn Engineering and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources modified commercially available battery-powered cars to customize them for children with mobility-related disabilities through the Go Baby Go program in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower (WTRH). Apr. 4, 2025. (Claire Tremont/UConn Photo)
    Students work with children to modify battery-powered cars.
    UConn Engineering and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources modified commercially available battery-powered cars to customize them for children with mobility-related disabilities through the Go Baby Go program in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower (WTRH). Apr. 4, 2025. (Claire Tremont/UConn Photo)
    Students work with children to modify battery-powered cars.
    UConn Engineering and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources modified commercially available battery-powered cars to customize them for children with mobility-related disabilities through the Go Baby Go program in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower (WTRH). Apr. 4, 2025. (Claire Tremont/UConn Photo)

    “Sociability and mobility are the biggest components of the Go Baby Go car,” says Kelly Conte, associated faculty in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). “You’re allowing them to move and interact with people.”

    Mubin Kamran’s son received a car last summer.

    “Everyone was so great, so respectful,” Kamran says. “It was the best event. Every parent was happy, every kid was happy.”

    Kamran’s son, who is now three, uses his car at the park and playground with his family.

    “He loves to ride on it,” Kamran says. “He sits like a boss in the car.”

    Based on the needs of the individual child, the team from UConn’s College of Engineering installs an electrical switch that the child can operate with their hand or head to make the car go. There are ropes attached to the car so caregivers can help steer.

    Students in the Engineering House Learning Community spend the year working on Go Baby Go. This year, 40 engineering students were involved. Alex Clonan ‘22 (ENG, CLAS) a Ph.D. candidate at UConn, is the project lead.

    The students are broken into three teams: an electrical team, a build team, and a design team.

    The build team assembles the car out of the box and makes any necessary physical modifications, like adding a roll cage. The electrical team works out the switch mechanism. The design team works on the exterior, personalizing it for each child based on their interests.

    “The biggest value for the students is obviously the engineering aspects that are related to this,” Nick Delaney, director of experiential education in the College of Engineering, says. “But more than anything, being able to help a family. It’s their skills and what they’ve learned being delivered directly to a child.”

    During the events Go Baby Go holds throughout the year, DPT students make on-site adjustments to ensure the child can sit comfortably and safely in the car. DPT students participate in the event through PT CARES (Community Access to Rehabilitation and Education Services), a free community engagement program run by DPT students and their faculty advisors.

    Kelsey Zator ‘26 (CAHNR) is a DPT student who has participated in Go Baby Go twice so far.

    “It’s just seeing them be happy, being able to do something for themselves for once and not have to be handled by somebody else,” Zator says.

    Ahead of the event, the two student groups meet to tell each other about the modifications they have made or will make on the day of the event.

    “I think that interdisciplinary work for a project like this, it adds perspective and particularly for our students, who are sophomores, to get the opportunity to work with doctoral students is really helpful too,” Delaney says.

    CAHNR and Engineering have been collaborating on Go Baby Go for the last year. In that time, there have been more than a dozen events with three or four children at each. Prior to the partnership, DPT students and faculty ran the program annually since 2017.

    “Dr. Sudha Srinivasan and Dr. Bubela, professors in our program, worked through DPT’s Advanced Pediatrics course,” says Maryclaire Capetta, interim director of physical therapy. “Prior to the Engineering students getting involved, they performed the vehicle modifications themselves.”

    Go Baby Go was initially conceived by Cole Galloway, a professor of physical therapy at the University of Delaware, in the early 2000s. Since then, the program has spread throughout the country. Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) has been running their own version since 2015.

    Conte collaborates in leading this project with Michele Dischino a CCSU engineering professor; Misty Olsen, an occupational therapist at Quinnipiac University; and Jennifer Rodriguez-MacClintic, a pediatric physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

    “The four of us together have taken on this project of getting cars to as many children as we can,” Conte says.

    To get involved with the event, interested families can fill out this application form.

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Enhancing Health and Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice.

    Follow UConn CAHNR and UConn Engineering on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Turtle Bay crowned overall winner at Coventry’s Best Bar None Awards for second successive year

    Source: City of Coventry

    An award ceremony saw bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in Coventry celebrate achieving a leading industry accreditation – with Turtle Bay taking home the top prize for a second year running.

    The city’s hospitality sector came together at Drapers Hall to celebrate their work in providing safe experiences for customers, with 14 venues receiving ‘Best Bar None’ accreditation.

    Best Bar None is an accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office and drinks industry that aims to improve standards in licensed premises.

    It is the industry gold standard and is delivered in the city by Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) and Coventry City Council’s Licensing Team. The accreditation highlights to customers that a venue excels in safety, training, management and customer experience.

    The ceremony welcomed John Miley, from the national Best Bar None scheme, to speak to the businesses and present awards. He was joined by representatives from Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police and Dal Dhillon, founder of Dhillon’s Brewery and representative of Coventry’s Pubwatch scheme.

    Venues to be recognised as Best Bar None accredited for this year include The Earl of Mercia, Las Iguanas, Turtle Bay, The Phoenix, Club Heat, The City Arms, Dhillon’s Brewery, Mr Shenanigans, Genting Casino, The Spon Gate, Samoan Joes, The Flying Standard, Putt Putt Social and The Yard.

    Turtle Bay was named the overall winner at the Best Bar None Award ceremony, recognising the Caribbean-inspired bar and restaurant achieving the highest score across all the key assessment metrics.

    The night also saw the presentation of five category awards to recognise excellence in specific areas.

    Club Heat and The City Arms were joint winners of the Venue Management award, with The Flying Standard taking home the trophy for Staff Training.

    The Spon Gate came away with the award for Customer Safety and Welfare and Dhillon’s Brewery was recognised with the Customer Experience prize.

    This year saw the inaugural presentation of the Best Newcomer Award, as the accreditation scheme continues to attract new venues across the city.

    Putt Putt Social, The Phoenix and Las Iguanas are all new to the Best Bar None scheme this year – with Las Iguanas and Putt Putt Social sharing the honours for the Best Newcomer award.

    Joanne Glover, Chief Executive of Coventry BID, said:

    “Best Bar None isn’t just about recognition, it is about raising standards, promoting safety and ensuring that Coventry remains a thriving and inclusive place for all everyone that lives, works or visit here.

    “This is the third time we have hosted the Best Bar None award ceremony and each year we see higher scores on assessments from existing venues and welcome new businesses to join the scheme.

    “We would like to congratulate and thank every venue that has taken part this year – they are what makes this city so special and their commitment to a vibrant, welcome and safe nighttime economy is unrivalled.”

    Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities and Chair of the Coventry Police and Crime Board, said:

    “This scheme is one of a number of really important projects that relies on a whole range of partner agencies and businesses to be a part of.

    “Best Bar None and other schemes help create a better and safer experience for customers visiting the city, and I’m really grateful for the efforts of everyone involved – especially those businesses in the city’s hospitality sector.”  

    Councillor Faye Abbott, Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at Coventry City Council, said:

    “I would like to congratulate all the venues that achieved Best Bar None accreditation for 2025, it is an absolutely fantastic achievement.

    “This accreditation is an important measure of the improvement of standards. When people feel secure and welcome in any setting it is better for everyone, and contributes to a vibrant city where everyone can enjoy great experiences.” 

    Deklin Kinsella, from West Midlands Police, said:

    “Congratulations to all of the venues that have achieved accreditation this year, their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. It’s important we all continue to work together to make nightlife in Coventry the best and safest experience it can be. We are proud to be partners in the Best Bar None scheme to make Coventry and its night-time economy a safe space for everyone.”

    To find out more about Best Bar None accreditation contact admin@coventrybid.co.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Third international meeting of the Post-Holocaust Issues Special Envoys Network on Holocaust-era Restitution

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Third international meeting of the Post-Holocaust Issues Special Envoys Network on Holocaust-era Restitution

    Lord Pickles attends meeting in The Hague to discuss progress and challenges relating to the restitution of Holocaust-era assets.

    Attendees at a meeting of the Special Envoys Network on Holocaust-era Restitution, in the Hague.

    On 2 April, UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues Lord Pickles attended a meeting of the Special Envoys Network on Holocaust-era Restitution in The Hague. The meeting was hosted by the Netherlands’ National Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, Eddo Verdoner, alongside the World Jewish Restitution Organisation and the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security.

    The US Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Ellen Germain updated that 32 countries had now signed up to the Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art. She made a special plea to those countries who had signed the original Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art 25 years ago to sign up to the best practices document.

    Lord Pickles made the point that no country is immune from restitution claims. He reported that the Tate Britain art museum was set to reunite the great-grandchildren of a Belgian Jewish art collector with a painting looted from his home by the Nazis.

    The oil painting ‘Aeneas and his Family Fleeing Burning Troy’ by English painter Henry Gibbs was stolen from the home of Samuel Hartveld after he fled Antwerp with his wife in May 1940. The piece, dating from 1654, was one of hundreds of thousands the Nazis plundered from Jewish families during World War II.

    Its restitution has been a slow process, often involving legal battles and complex international searches. The return of the painting will mark the latest triumph for a special panel set up by the UK Government to investigate such works that have ended up in Britain’s public collections.

    The UK Spoliation Advisory Panel ruled the Aeneas painting was “looted as an act of racial persecution”, and has arranged for it to be returned to Hartveld’s heirs in the coming months.

    Lord Pickles welcomed the success of the Special Envoys Network on Holocaust Era Restitution in developing the best practices document, and in firstly tackling restitution of movable property.

    However, he acknowledged that there were still many Holocaust survivors and their families who had waited 80 years for justice and recognition of their loss of property.  He added that bureaucratic inertia had delayed the resolution of too many restitution claims for too long.

    Lord Pickles reflected that in some countries, the regulations were so stringent that it was very difficult for survivors who no longer live in the country of their birth to receive any restitution. This is a particular obstacle for survivor communities living in the US and Israel, as well as those in the UK. He stressed that it was time to focus on getting individual property back to their rightful owners, before it is too late.

    Lord Pickles said,

    Eighty years after the Holocaust, we have undoubtedly made progress, but there is still so much more to be done, and so little time left to do it. Meetings like this are essential for moving from principles to action. We owe it to survivors, their families, and future generations to ensure that justice is not only promised but delivered.

    On 3 April, the special envoys travelled to Amsterdam to visit the recently opened Dutch National Holocaust Museum. This is the first museum to tell the entire story of the persecution of the Jews in the Netherlands.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: European Union – Statement by Jean-Noël Barrot on his arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council (14 Apr. 2025)

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

    This weekend, the horror in Ukraine reached its peak with the Palm Sunday massacre. In Sumy in the north-east of the country, innocent civilians were targeted twice by Vladimir Putin’s missiles. It’s a demonstration – if it were still needed – of Vladimir Putin’s contempt for civilians and for the laws of war. Let me remind you that Vladimir Putin is still under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes. It’s also a demonstration of his real intentions. Whereas Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire more than a month ago now, Vladimir Putin clearly has no intention of moving in that direction. So he must be forced to, and that’s why I’m calling on the European Union to adopt the most severe sanctions against Russia, to paralyse its economy and prevent it from fuelling its war effort. I think the United States, which has put a lot of effort into achieving a ceasefire – and Donald Trump himself has devoted a lot of time and energy to it – can also, through sanctions which are ready, force and oblige Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table.

    In Gaza, the situation is more tragic than ever. Access for humanitarian aid to the enclave stopped more than a month ago now. There must be a return to the ceasefire, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid must be permitted, and the Hamas hostages must be released. Talks can then begin on the basis of the plan prepared by the Arab countries for Gaza’s reconstruction, governance and security, and then for movement towards a political solution, because there is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A political solution is the focus of the United Nations conference chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, which aims to preserve the two-State solution and put it on track, through collective and reciprocal recognition enabling the Israeli people and the Palestinian people to live side by side in peace and security.

    On Iran, today we’re adopting a raft of sanctions against people responsible for the state-hostages policy. That’s the demand I set out at the last Foreign Affairs Council. I’m pleased that we can adopt these sanctions today against seven people and two entities, including Shiraz prison. It was time, because the conditions in which some of [our] French-European compatriots are being held are humiliating and akin to torture in international law, and some of them are deprived of consular protection. That’s why I’ve announced that France will lodge a complaint to the International Court of Justice for the violation of consular protection. And I’ve reminded all our compatriots to avoid travelling to Iran, and those who are in transit to return as soon as possible. At the same time, the United States embarked on talks with Iran this weekend. We very much welcome this initiative, but we’ll be vigilant, with our British and German friends and partners, to ensure that any negotiations that might begin are indeed in line with our security interests when it comes to the Iranian nuclear programme, which poses a significant threat to French and European territory. We’re awaiting the report, in a few weeks’ time, by the IAEA Director General, which is due to demonstrate – or at any rate report on – the progress of that programme.

    Regarding Azerbaijan, I’m very concerned about the rising tensions on the border. I’d like the European mission deployed on the ground to be greatly increased in order to be able to observe and contain those tensions. The peace treaty must now be signed and arbitrary detainees, prisoners, must be released. That’s the gist of what I said last week.

    I’ll end with the situation in the Balkans, which was the focus of discussion yesterday evening and to which we’ll return today to make active efforts to ensure that the region – which is at the heart of the European Union and to which we want to export our stability rather that import its instability – all our efforts must converge to bring stability and a form of calm, despite the tensions that have emerged in recent days.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: How to disclose deposit rates in remote channels: recommendations from the Bank of Russia and the FAS

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Credit institutions should eliminate visual techniques when posting information about deposits in remote channels, and also refrain from automatically placing marks for the consumer. This is stated ininformation letter The Bank of Russia and the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS).

    According to the Bank of Russia and the FAS, the use of graphical techniques and focusing on indicators that are more attractive to the consumer (for example, profitability, effective rate) can mislead a person regarding the terms of the deposit.

    If the bank specifies the maximum possible interest rate on the deposit, then next to this information it is necessary to list the conditions under which the client will receive the promised yield, and also to indicate the minimum guaranteed rate. Moreover, without using graphic techniques (obvious differences in background, color and font size). If the bank uses the same name for several types of deposits, then the minimum guaranteed rate must be calculated for each of them separately.

    Preview photo: sommart sombutwanitkul / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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

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

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23545

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: First UK birth after womb transplant is a medical breakthrough – but raises important ethical questions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laura O’Donovan, Lecturer in Law, University of Sheffield

    Costs and who will get access to the treatment are key questions that will need to be answered. Antonio Marca/ Shutterstock

    A baby girl named Amy Isabel has become the first child in the UK to be born to a mother who has had a womb transplant. Amy is one of around 65 children worldwide born as a result of pioneering research into the procedure.

    This breakthrough provides hope for many of the estimated 15,000 UK women with uterine factor infertility – which means they are unable to have children naturally due to problems with their womb, or because they were born without one. Previously, adoption and surrogacy were their only reproductive options. This latest success could some day make womb transplantation another option for these patients.

    However, before this new treatment is offered more widely, complex questions will need to be answered about how it will be resourced, how wombs will be procured and who will get access to the treatment.

    The cost of a transplant

    The first birth by a mother following a womb transplant happened in Sweden in 2014. Since then, the number of womb transplant programmes being established globally has greatly increased.

    The past 12 years have seen significant advances in the field. These include live births following a womb transplant from a deceased donor and the expansion of donor and recipient acceptance criteria. We’ve also seen the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery, which has made it possible to perform donor retrieval surgery in a faster, less invasive and more precise way.

    While most transplant centres only offer the procedure as part of research trials, several now offer it in clinic – including in the UK.

    The UK’s womb-transplant programme is currently funded by charitable donations from Womb Transplant UK, who currently only have plans to fund up to 15 living donor procedures. The procedure is expensive – costing the charity an estimated £25,000-£30,000. And it appears that this amount only covers the cost of the transplant, despite the fact that many other costs need to be factored in – such as IVF treatment, medications and follow-up care.

    At present, prospective recipients normally bear the costs of the IVF treatment needed themselves. To be eligible for the transplant, women must have first produced and stored at least five embryos. IVF is necessary as the transplanted uterus will not be connected to the patient’s ovaries. This means that pregnancy through sexual intercourse is not possible. But before womb transplants can become routinely available within the NHS, commissioners will have to decide whether this treatment should be publicly funded – and under what circumstances.

    On the face of it, public funding seems justified in the interests of patient autonomy and well-being. There are many psychological harms associated with infertility – such as depression, anxiety, stress and diminished quality of life. These harms must be taken seriously.

    However, NHS resources are constrained – and there is already a “postcode lottery” of unequal access to IVF, with people in certain areas of England being less able to access NHS treatment. So there’s a risk that similar inequalities will arise for womb transplants if the procedure is NHS-funded.

    Who gets priority?

    If womb transplants are ever to become a routine procedure in the UK, difficult decisions will also need to be made about organ allocation policies.

    According to the law in England, adults are considered to have agreed to become organ donors when they die unless they have opted out or are in an excluded group (such as those lacking mental capacity). However, this “deemed consent” only applies to commonly transplanted organs and tissues such as skin, hearts and lungs. It doesn’t apply to novel or rare transplants, which would include wombs. The NHS organ donor register also excludes the womb. Family members would therefore need to give explicit consent to the donation of their relative’s womb after death.

    Living organ donors in the UK are able to specify a named recipient (such as a family member). Deceased donors can also request for directed allocation to a specific person. But this is only permitted so long as the offer to donate is unconditional and certain criteria are met, such as the recipient being able to receive the organ and being in need of a transplant.

    More generally, since organs and tissues are scarce resources, complex policies are currently used to ensure fair and transparent allocation. Clinical need also guides allocation so that the sickest patients are prioritised for a transplant.

    However, the same logic cannot apply to womb transplants. This is because absolute uterine factor infertility does not come in degrees. All women with the condition have a 0% chance of becoming pregnant.

    As such, considerations that normally play no role in allocating life-saving organs could be explored in the context of womb transplantation. For instance, priority might be given to those who are childless. Age may also be relevant, especially given that the fertility treatment needed to create embryos is only funded by the NHS if a woman is below a certain age. The age limit varies by region, but can be as low as 35 in some places.

    Policy decisions will also be needed about whether wombs are included in donor registers to increase their supply. Even if they are, people may prove less willing to donate reproductive organs than lifesaving organs and tissues. These decisions could also have knock-on effects on public trust in transplantation and organ-donation willingness more widely. And the inclusion of novel and rare organs could lead to more blanket opt-outs from organ donation altogether.

    Next steps

    Given the relative novelty and experimental nature of the procedure, there has not yet been a comprehensive roll-out of womb transplants as a mainstream fertility treatment anywhere in the world. In the UK, we’re not even at the beginning of that journey. Before that happens, womb transplants would need to be demonstrably cost-effective relative to other NHS-funded fertility treatments.

    Nevertheless, there’s an opportunity here for the UK to become a world leader in creating and applying equitable access policies for womb transplants. To do this well, it will be necessary to carefully consider the clinical and health economic data, the ethical and legal issues, and the views of all those affected – especially those with uterine factor infertility.

    Laura O’Donovan has previously collaborated with members of the Womb Transplant UK research team.

    Nicola J. Williams currently receives funding from The Wellcome Trust (grant number: 222858_Z_21_Z) and previously held a Leverhulme ECR fellowship (grant number: ECF-2018-113). She is currently chair of the Special Interest Group: Ethics and Law for the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology and has previously collaborated with members of Womb Transplant UK.

    Stephen Wilkinson currently receives funding from Wellcome (grant number: 222858_Z_21_Z). He has previously collaborated with members of Womb Transplant UK. He is a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCoB) but this article is a personal view and unrelated to his NCoB role.

    – ref. First UK birth after womb transplant is a medical breakthrough – but raises important ethical questions – https://theconversation.com/first-uk-birth-after-womb-transplant-is-a-medical-breakthrough-but-raises-important-ethical-questions-254154

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE: Charges – Stolen motor vehicle – West Daly Region

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have charged two men in relation to a stolen motor vehicle incident in the West Daly Region last week.

    The NSW registered vehicle was allegedly stolen on 4 April 2025 and has been involved in a number of dangerous driving and assault police incidents across Palumpa and Wadeye.

    Local officers, along with members from the Fugitive Taskforce, apprehended the vehicle on Saturday 12 April just outside of Wadeye, along Port Keats Road. Two men, aged 19 and 21, were arrested without incident.

    The 19-year-old has been charged with:

    • 4 x Driving, using/riding motor vehicle without consent
    • 2 x Endanger occupants of vehicles
    • 2 x Assault member of police force
    • 1 x Going armed in public
    • 1 x Drive motor vehicle while unlicensed
    • 1 x Damage to property
    • 1 x Permit learner – no L plates
    • 1 x Fail to obey direction of police officer
    • 1 x Breach of bail

    The 21-year-old has been charged with:

    • 2 x Driving, using/riding motor vehicle without consent
    • 2 x Endanger occupants of vehicles
    • 2 x Assault member of police force
    • 1 x Drive in a manner dangerous
    • 2 x Recklessly endanger serious harm
    • 1 x Drive motor vehicle while unlicensed
    • 1 x Drive motor vehicle while unlicensed (NT Interstate License)
    • 1 x Breach of bail

    Both were further remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 30/04/25 and 23/06/25 respectively.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Aggravated Assault – Karama

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an aggravated assault occurred in Karama overnight.

    Around 10:10pm, police received reports that a 28-year-old male delivery driver was allegedly assaulted by four male youths after delivering food on Lippia Court.

    It is alleged the group demanded money and goods from the victim before one of them assaulted him with a rock.

    One of the males entered the vehicle and the victim attempted to drive away before he pulled over and called police, causing the offender to flee.

    Police attended and provided first aid to the victim who had suffered a laceration to his forehead. He was then transported to Royal Darwin Hospital by a friend.

    Occupants from the food delivery address are not believed to be involved in the assault.

    Four offenders remain outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone with information in relation to the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500038848. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Aggravated robbery – Darwin CBD

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 37-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery at a massage parlour in Darwin CBD overnight.

    About 12:50am this morning, police received reports of two men allegedly entering the business, stealing cash and property, and assaulting the workers within.

    A 37-year-old man was arrested nearby and is currently in police custody.

    Serious Crime have carriage of the investigation and are making enquiries to locate the outstanding offender.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Stolen motor vehicle – Tennant Creek

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a vehicle that was stolen yesterday evening in Tennant Creek.

    Around 7:20pm on Monday 14 April, police received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from a service station in Tennant Creek. The vehicle was confirmed to be a blue 2004 Toyota Avalon sedan.

    It is alleged that while the owner of the vehicle was inside the store, he left the vehicle unsecured, and an unknown offender stole the vehicle. The offender drove in a dangerous manner around Tennant Creek, collecting an unknown number of passengers before general duties members successfully deployed tyre deflation devices.

    The vehicle was subsequently abandoned in bushland on the outskirts of town.

    The offenders fled on foot and currently remain outstanding.

    General duties members are investigating and calling for information from members of the public to identify the driver and the other occupants of the vehicle.

    Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25102399. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Secretariat releases Policy Pulse on “Laws on safeguarding national security”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
     
         Today (April 15) is the National Security Education Day. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has been in effect for one year since its passage by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in a historic unanimous vote on the Third Reading in March last year, while the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKNSL) will celebrate its fifth anniversary at the end of June this year. The LegCo Secretariat today released a Policy Pulse on “Laws on safeguarding national security”. This issue provides a brief overview of the key points of the dual legislation on national security, namely the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, how the dual legislation properly protects human rights and ensures that the public will not be inadvertently caught by the law, its role in contributing to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, as well as relevant discussions of LegCo along with suggestions by Members.
     
         National security is a matter of top priority for any state. The enactment of laws on safeguarding national security is an inherent right of every sovereign state, and also an international practice. The Policy Pulse outlines the latest situation of national security laws enacted by some foreign countries, including the Countering Foreign Interference Act introduced by Canada in 2024, and the New Zealand Parliament is also scrutinising the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill aimed at addressing foreign interference. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom each has at least 21 pieces and 14 pieces of national security-related legislation respectively.
     
         The dual legislation on national security, together with the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR, have jointly established a comprehensive and effective legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, reflecting the implementation of national security within the purview of the Central Authorities and as the constitutional duty of HKSAR.
     
         The Policy Pulse also highlights that since the implementation of the dual legislation on national security, Hong Kong ranks highly in a number of international ratings, including global financial centre status, economic freedom, inward foreign direct investment recipient, and world competitiveness. Hong Kong ranked as the world’s freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report, with the number of overseas companies based in Hong Kong stood at 9 960 in 2024, a nearrly 10 percent rise from the previous year. These achievements reflect the international community’s continued strong confidence in Hong Kong. They also attest to how improved laws and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security help maintain Hong Kong’s political and social stability and cultivate a more secure, liberal, open and expectable business environment, which plays a solid and fundamental role in safeguarding the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and further enabling the city’s advancement from stability to prosperity.
     
         The Safeguarding National Security Bill was passed by LegCo in a historic unanimous vote on the Third Reading on March 19, 2024. The Policy Pulse outlines LegCo’s scrutiny of the Bill and highlights Member’s views on the follow-up work after the Bill’s passage. Members suggested that various bureaux, departments, statutory bodies, etc., establish codes, procedures or guidelines to ensure that national security is regarded as an important consideration when discharging their day-to-day functions and implementing any programmes or projects. Members also considered that the Administration should ensure that public officers fully understand the contents of national security laws and abide by the requirements of these laws in discharging their duties.
     
         Members suggested the Administration step up public education on all fronts to enable the public, the business sector and investors to understand the implementation of the dual legislation on national security in a clear and easily comprehensible manner. The Administration should also effectively carry out its explanatory work to the international community, including making good use of the networks of overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices and Invest Hong Kong to explain to various overseas sectors how the dual legislation on national security effectively safeguards national security in Hong Kong in accordance with the rule of law principle, while at the same time fully respects and protects human rights. Members expected that the Administration proactively enhance its efforts in attracting enterprises and investment so that Hong Kong could serve as a “super-connector” and a “super value-adder” for the world, as well as continuing to take the initiative to clarify and rebut inaccurate remarks and unwarranted smears against the HKSAR’s work on safeguarding national security.
     
         The detailed content of “Laws on safeguarding national security” is available on the LegCo Website. The Policy Pulse, published by the LegCo Secretariat, covers specific topics, offers a comprehensive overview of related policy developments and summarises key discussions in LegCo.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth calls on Tanzanian Vice-President Mr Philip Isdor Mpango and Minister of Defence & National Service Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax in Dar es Salaam

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 14 APR 2025 11:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth called on Vice-President of Tanzania Mr Philip Isdor Mpango and Minister of Defence & National Service Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax in Dar es Salaam on April 14, 2025. During his meeting with the Tanzanian Vice-President, Raksha Rajya Mantri updated him on the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement cooperation from Indian defence industries to exercise (AIKEYME) and Defence Expo inaugurated on April 13, 2025. He offered to fulfil the defence requirements of Tanzania People’s Defence Force. India-Tanzania development partnership, cultural connections and cooperation in health and education were also discussed. 

    During the meeting between Tanzanian Minister of Defence & National Service and Raksha Rajya Mantri, the ongoing defence cooperation was reviewed and new ways were explored to further bolster the ties. Training of Tanzania officers in military training institutes of India, defence industry collaboration, cooperation in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, and cyber security were some of the key areas of cooperation deliberated upon during the meeting. 

    Raksha Rajya Mantri ended his day with an Indian Community event where he highlighted the progress India has made in various spheres in recent years. He dwelt upon the contribution of the Indian diaspora in growth and prosperity of not only India but Tanzania too. He visited Sanatan Dharma and Swaminarayan Mandir prior to the interaction with the Indian community. He also participated in the Ambedakar Jayanti celebrations organised in the High Commission of India in Tanzania.

     ****

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2121709) Visitor Counter : 87

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Senior Counsel appointed

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

         Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, is pleased to announce today (April 15) the appointment of three Senior Counsel of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. They are:

    Ms Catrina Lam Ding-wan
    Ms Priscilia Lam Tsz-ying
    Mr Timothy Edward David Parker

         The appointments are made by the Chief Justice under section 31A of the Legal Practitioners Ordinance.

         These appointments will take effect upon the proclamation of the Instruments of Appointment during the ceremonial proceedings at which the appointees will be called to the Inner Bar. The ceremony will take place at 10am on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in the Court of Final Appeal and will be broadcast live for the public to view.  

         Brief biographical notes on each appointee are included below:

    Ms Catrina Lam Ding-wan

    Ms Catrina Lam Ding-wan, aged 47, obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from University College London and a Master of Arts degree in European Union Competition Law from King’s College London. She was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 1999. She primarily practises in commercial and competition law, handling both litigation and arbitration matters, but also has experience in public law.

    Ms Priscilia Lam Tsz-ying

    Ms Priscilia Lam Tsz-ying, aged 47, obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree and subsequently a Master of Laws degree in Chinese Law from the University of Hong Kong, and also a Master of Arts degree in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution from the City University of Hong Kong. She was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 2000. She specialises in criminal law and appears regularly for both the prosecution and the defence.

    Mr Timothy Edward David Parker

    Mr Timothy Edward David Parker, aged 42, obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Hong Kong and a Master of Law degree from the University of Cambridge. He was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 2009. In addition to a general civil and commercial practice including competition and regulatory work, he is particularly recognised for his expertise in public law and constitutional matters.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU and Member States pledge over €522 million to address Sudan crisis

    Source: European Commission – Justice

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 15 Apr 2025 To help address the difficult humanitarian situation in Sudan, the European Commission and Member States have pledged €522 million in aid for 2025 at the High-level Conference for Sudan, co-hosted in London today by the Commission alongside the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the African Union.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reappointments and extension of members of Cafcass

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Reappointments and extension of members of Cafcass

    The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State has approved the extension of the tenure of Rohan Sivanandan as a member of the Board of Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass).

    The Secretary of State has approved the extension of tenure of Rohan Sivanandan as a member of the Board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) from 1 July to 31 December 2025.

    Rohan Sivanandan

    Rohan Sivanandan worked as an economist and senior executive in the private sector before moving into the education field. He has held a number of board, non-executive and trustee positions. Currently, he is: a non-executive director for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he chairs the Workforce and Education committee; a lay member of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel which provides advice to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care; an independent member of the Greater London Authority on Mayoral appointments; an investigation panel member for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and; a panel chair of NHS Mental Health Act hearings.

    Rohan did not declare any political activity.

    Cafcass is the statutory body that safeguards and promotes the welfare of children in Family Court proceedings.

    Appointments to the Cafcass Board are made by the Secretary of State for Justice. Appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sussex cafe owner took £150,000 in Covid funds for dormant companies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Sussex cafe owner took £150,000 in Covid funds for dormant companies

    He also attempted to strike-off one of the companies to avoid repaying the loan

    • Mehmet Akyuz fraudulently applied for three Bounce Back Loans for his organic food shop and cafe and leather import business 

    • Akyuz secured £150,000 in funds when both companies were dormant and not trading 

    • He was sentenced for fraud by false representation following Insolvency Service investigations

    A Sussex cafe owner who took £150,000 in Covid support funds for two companies which were not trading at the start of the pandemic has been sentenced. 

    Mehmet Akyuz, 36, fraudulently obtained three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans worth £50,000 each in 2020 for his Green and Hove Limited and Leathers Wear Limited companies. 

    Both Green and Hove, trading as Organic Earth Cafe, and Leathers Wear, were dormant at the time of Akyuz’s applications. 

    Akyuz, of Conway Street, Brighton and Hove, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Hove Crown Court on Monday 14 April. 

    He was also disqualified as a company director for five years and ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

    David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Mehmet Akyuz’s actions in fraudulently applying for three Bounce Back Loans he was not entitled to were completely unacceptable. 

    This was taxpayers’ money designed to support small businesses through the pandemic and should not have been exploited in such a cynical manner. 

    The Insolvency Service remains committed to investigating these cases and bringing fraudsters such as Akyuz to justice.

    Green and Hove and Leathers Wear were incorporated in February and March 2019 with Akyuz as the sole director. The former was a retail food and grocery store with a cafe attached while the latter was described by Akyuz as an importer of leather goods such as bags and belts. 

    However, neither was trading at the time Akyuz made the fraudulent applications to the banks in the summer and autumn of 2020. 

    Akyuz fraudulently applied for the £50,000 loan on behalf of Green and Hove in August 2020, claiming the company’s turnover was £270,000. 

    This declaration was untrue, as Insolvency Service investigations found that the company filed dormant accounts in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

    Between September 2020 and January 2021, more than £36,000 of the loan was transferred directly to Akyuz. The remainder of the money was paid out in miscellaneous, one-off payments. 

    Akyuz committed further fraudulent offences in October 2020, when he applied to two separate banks for £50,000 Bounce Back Loans on behalf of Leathers Wear. 

    In the applications, Akyuz falsely declared that the company had a turnover of £215,000 and £225,000. 

    However, Leathers Wear also filed dormant accounts in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and was not trading when the application was made. 

    The funds were again transferred into Akyuz’s personal account and not used for business purposes. 

    Akyuz unsuccessfully applied to have Leathers Wear struck-off the Companies House register in June 2022 in an attempt to avoid repaying the loan. 

    The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

    Further information

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met brings leader of fraud platform to justice  

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A massive worldwide operation led by the Met has seen a prolific cyber-criminal sent to prison for eight-and-a-half years.

    Zak Coyne, 23 (22.02.01) of Woodbine Road, Huddersfield, was sentenced for leading a website used by more than 2,000 criminals to defraud victims all over the world.

    The LabHost service was set up by a criminal cyber network in 2021 to create “phishing” websites, designed to trick victims into revealing personal data such as email addresses, passwords and bank details. 

    For a membership fee, users could log on and choose from existing sites or request bespoke pages replicating trusted brands including banks, healthcare agencies and postal services.   

    The platform was brought down in April 2024 after the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit gathered crucial intelligence and joined forces with partners across the country, including the National Crime Agency and Microsoft.

    In the same month, the Met arrested 24 suspects, targeting the most prolific offenders within the LabHost service, while over 70 addresses were searched.   

    As part of the Met’s duty of care, officers safeguarded victims by establishing a helpline, directing people to protected advice on the Met website, and securing compromised accounts.

    Specially trained officers offered personalised advice, including how to further protect victims’ data, and ensuring every case was reported to both Action Fraud and UK Finance.   

    Coyne admitted his crimes at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, 18 September. These included: making or supplying articles for use in frauds; encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed; and transferring criminal property.

    He was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, 14 April.

    Commander Stephen Clayman, Head of the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team, said: 

    “The outcome of this case demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Met in pursuing individuals like Coyne who mastermind a network of fraudulent activity, which ultimately brings misery to thousands of innocent people.

    “This also demonstrates the commitment across law enforcement to identify and hold those to account who facilitate criminal enabling functions and think they can remain undetected. We will find you and take action.

    “This has been monumental operation lead by the Met and I would like to thank all the partners – including the NCA, City of London Police and Cyber Defence Alliance – involved for their invaluable input and without whom, this would not have been a success.

    “We will continue to work across law enforcement and key stakeholders, including international partners, to ensure that the Met contributes to the ongoing system response to cyber-related fraud.”

    Thomas Short, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

    “Zak Coyne operated a phishing service that provided fraudsters with the tools to impersonate trusted institutions and steal sensitive information from unsuspecting victims.

    “This was a sophisticated worldwide criminal enterprise which enabled others to perpetrate fraud on a massive scale, resulting in losses totalling more than £100 million.

    “Fraud is far from a victimless crime and the harm caused by Coyne’s offending are measured not just in monetary terms, but also in the distress inflicted on countless victims who fell prey to these scams.

    “This was a complex case, but the prosecution team, together with law enforcement partners, was able to unravel an intricate web of digital evidence which linked Coyne to the offending and build a strong case against him, resulting in his guilty pleas.”

    Craig Rice, CEO Cyber Defence Alliance, said:    

    “This is an excellent International law enforcement operation, supported by the Cyber Defence Alliance and other private industry partners, to disrupt and arrest criminal services providers.

    “These Cybercrime-As-A-Service platforms enable thousands of other fraudsters to conduct online frauds that impacts bank and retail customers across the UK.

    “Law enforcement working with industry makes for a formidable alliance that will disrupt such criminal networks”.

    Steven Masada, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, said:

    “We commend the Met and their collaborative efforts against the leaders of the prolific cybercrime-as-a-service provider, LabHost.

    “While in operation, LabHost provided services to scammers and other cybercriminals that targeted Microsoft customers and harmed users online.

    “The dismantling of LabHost disrupted the activities of countless online actors, protecting an untold number of potential victims worldwide.

    “Microsoft will continue to collaborate with the public and private sector to protect individuals and help provide evidence that brings perpetrators of cybercrime to justice.”

    Adrian Searle, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre, within the National Crime Agency, said:

    “Fraud is the crime we are all most likely to experience, and it causes victims long-lasting emotional and psychological harm, in addition to financial loss.

    “Criminals are using current and emerging technologies to commit fraud on an industrial scale.

    “The takedown of LabHost by the Met demonstrates what law enforcement can achieve when we work together to tackle this rapidly evolving, and complex, threat.

    “In this operation and similar, we are undermining the fraudsters’ trust in the criminal services they are accessing online, and showing that providing and using them comes with consequences.”

    Edvardas Šileris, Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), said:

    “The dismantling of LabHost is a clear example of the impact that cross-border cooperation has on combatting cybercrime.

    “By leveraging the collective expertise of our law enforcement partners, Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) has helped disrupt a major phishing-as-a-service platform, safeguarding victims and making it harder for criminals to operate with impunity.

    “This operation highlights the critical importance of international collaboration in confronting the evolving threat posed by cybercriminals.

    “We congratulate all partners involved for their hard work and commitment to bringing these criminals to justice.”

    To avoid becoming a victim of online crime you don’t need to be a computer expert. Developing a few good online habits drastically reduces your chances of becoming a victim of cyber crime, makes you less vulnerable and lets you use the web safely.

    Visit Cyber Aware for step-by-step instructions on keeping your devices up-to-date with the latest security updates, and for more online security advice.

    Be careful when opening emails and texts, especially if you don’t know the sender. If an email or text is unexpected or seems unusual, even if it’s from someone you know, ignore it and contact the sender directly to check if they sent it.

    Your bank, the police and reputable companies will never ask for sensitive or financial details via email, phone or text.

    The Met has issued ten golden rules to help people protect themselves from fraud:    

    1. Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. 
    1. Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision. 
    1. Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s. 
    1. Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with. 
    1. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it. 
    1. Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email. 
    1. Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success. 
    1. Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment. 
    1. If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help. 
    1. Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you’ll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.    

    If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. 

    Remember that if you’re a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Company and its director handed fines, suspended jail term, for illegal operation of a waste facility in Eagleby

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 15 Apr 2025

    An asbestos removal and demolition company and its director have been sentenced for the illegal operations of their waste facility in Eagleby, after previously pleading guilty to similar offences late last year in one of Queensland’s worst-ever illegal asbestos waste matters.

    The sentences were handed down on 14 April 2025, by the Beenleigh Magistrates Court. Asbestos Demolition Specialists was sentenced for the following offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994:

    • two offences for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without an environmental authority; and
    • one offence for wilfully contravening an environmental protection order.

    The company was ordered to pay a fine of $150,000.

    The company’s director, Mr Anthony Palmer, pleaded guilty to the following offences under the same act:

    • three executive officer offences for failing to ensure the company complied with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1994;
    • two offences for carrying out environmentally relevant activities without an environmental authority; and
    • two offences for knowingly making false statements to the Department.

    Mr Palmer was sentenced to six months imprisonment wholly suspended for three years and ordered to pay a further fine of $30,000.

    The offences occurred between 6 October 2022 and 12 April 2024 and are largely a continuation of the previous offending related to receiving, storing, and disposing of waste illegally after an extensive investigation by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. While these offences are serious, they did not involve asbestos waste.

    In October 2024, Asbestos Demolition Specialists was fined $400,000, and the company’s director copped a $100,000 fine after pleading guilty to multiple offences relating to the illegal operation of a waste facility in Eagleby.

    These previous offences occurred between 29 May 2019 and 7 October 2022.

    “Our role as Queensland’s environmental regulator means taking strong enforcement action against operators found to be noncompliant with their environmental obligations.

    “Unlicensed operations have the potential to undermine and undercut licenced operators who have obtained the correct authorities to operate.

    “An Environmental Authority, issued by the department, provides businesses with conditions they must comply with to manage environmental risks associated with their operations.

    “The repeated nature of these offences, and the lack of action from the company and Mr Palmer is extremely disappointing.

    “Thanks to the hard work of our compliance officers and investigators, who were critical in holding this company and its director accountable for their actions.”

    Brad Wirth, Executive Director, Industry Development and South East Compliance, DETSI

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Court of Appeal confirms letters of comfort don’t extend liability to a liquidator’s admissions of debt

    Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

    Some liabilities may be enforceable but not provable 5 min read

    In Forex Capital Trading Pty Ltd (in liq) v Invesus Group Ltd [2025] NSWCA 64, the New South Wales Court of Appeal has confirmed that a parent company agreement under a letter of comfort to pay ‘debts … incurred’ by its subsidiary does not apply to proofs of debt admitted in liquidation.

    In this Insight, we look at the decision and what can be learned from it.

    Key takeaways

    • The court’s decision is a useful reminder that the amount for which a proof of debt is admitted by a liquidator does not always correlate with the amount for which a company is liable—eg there are some liabilities that may be enforceable against the company but not provable in the liquidation.
    • It also highlights the importance of precise drafting. While letters of comfort will not always provide a legally enforceable obligation, liquidators should keenly examine their content before making a decision.

    Background

    Forex Capital Trading Pty Ltd (FXCT) operated a business providing a platform for the sale of derivatives and foreign currency exchange products. Invesus Group Limited (IGL) was its ultimate parent company. During the course of a proceeding brought by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission against FXCT, IGL executed a letter of comfort in favour of FXCT and its directors. The letter of comfort applied regarding ‘any debts, including judgment debts, incurred by FXCT … prior to or after the date of this letter in respect of FXCT’s customers’. In the aftermath of that proceeding, in which FXCT had agreed to a penalty of $20 million, it was voluntarily wound up. FXCT’s liquidators admitted proofs of debt  submitted by former customers in the amount of $43,645,127.26, under a process approved by the Federal Court. The FXCT liquidators then commenced a proceeding against IGL for breach of the letter of comfort, to recover the amount owed to former customers.

    The decisions

    Supreme Court

    At first instance, the primary judge determined that IGL was not liable under the terms of the letter of comfort to former customers for debts admitted by FXCT’s liquidators. The court found that when a liquidator admits a proof of debt, the liquidator ‘is not creating a new liability of the company in substitution for an existing liability’. It explained that the liquidators’ admissions could not meet the definition of ‘debts’ under the letter of comfort, as the admission of a proof of debt could not alter the company’s underlying liabilities, and could not bind IGL.

    Court of Appeal

    On appeal, Justice Mitchelmore, with whom Justices Kirk and Adamson agreed, upheld the primary judge’s decision that the admissions of proofs of debt by the liquidator did not create a claim under the letter of comfort. Her Honour noted that a liquidator’s role under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is to preside over the statutory scheme by which assets are distributed. By virtue of the winding up, creditors obtain a right to participate in the distribution but the process of administration of assets is not one by which rights against the company itself are obtained or enforced. 

    In coming to this decision, Justice Mitchelmore explained that:

    • The liquidator’s admission of proofs of debt of former customers did not affect the independent existence of those claims.
    • There was nothing in the letter of comfort that suggested IGL accepted it would be bound by the liquidator’s determination of claims by former customers.

    Useful points

    Again, the decision is a strong reminder that the amount for which a liquidator admits a proof of debt does not always correspond with the amount for which a company is liable, and also that precise drafting is crucial.

    If you wish to discuss anything raised in this Insight, please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Where to pay your respects in the City this Anzac Day

    Source: South Australia Police

    Wanneroo, Quinns Rocks and Yanchep RSL sub-branches will once again honour Australian and New Zealand service men and women who served in World War I and the conflicts that followed this Anzac Day.

    Each sub-branch will host a Friday dawn service, supported by the City’s Flagship Funding.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said she was proud to support the services.

    “Anzac Day plays a significant role in Wanneroo’s history, and I thank our wonderful RSL Sub-Branches for honouring service men and women, past and present,” she said.

    “The Wanneroo district was far from Europe, but this did not shield our tiny community from the horrors of World War I and World War II.

    “This year marks 110 years since the ANZAC’s landed at Gallipoli in WWI, with the City losing nine men during the war.

    “I encourage our community to come together this ANZAC Day to honour the bravery, sacrifice and service of our veterans.

    “Attending a local dawn service is a meaningful way to pay your respects and show your support for those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.”

    Those Wanneroo men who paid the ultimate sacrifice were Percy John Ainger, a farmer who enlisted at 17, survived the Western Front but died soon after coming home.

    Richard Waltham, a farmer who died aged 22 in France. Ernest John Dudley White, the son of Henry and Mary-Ann White, the first caretakers of the Yanchep Caves and Hunting Lodge.

    Richard Smales, a 21-year-old gardener. William Cockman, gardener and son of Wanneroo pioneers James and Emma Cockman.

    Charles Knight. The Bennett brothers; Albert, Herbert George, and James Dunn.

    The City’s Flagship Funding supports not-for-profit community groups and organisations delivering community initiatives that recognise, celebrate and commemorate the City’s rich history and diverse culture.

    2025 Anzac Day Services

    Yanchep-Two Rocks RSL Sub-Branch

    Yanchep National Park

    Dawn Service, 5.30am for a 6am start

    Main Service, 10.30am for an 11am start

    Wanneroo RSL Sub-Branch

    Wanneroo Memorial Park

    Dawn Service followed by a march and gunfire breakfast, 5.45am

    Quinns Rocks RSL Sub-Branch

    Quinns Rocks Sports Club

    Dawn Service followed by a gunfire breakfast and two-up, 5.45am for a 6am start

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Two men charged as part of investigation into disturbance at Howrah

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Two men charged as part of investigation into disturbance at Howrah

    Tuesday, 15 April 2025 – 5:13 pm.

    Police have charged two men as part of an ongoing investigation into a disturbance at Howrah last night where a man sustained minor injuries.
    The disturbance allegedly involved people who were known to each other, and began in the carpark near the Woolworths Supermarket and continued to the Shell Service Station nearby.
    During the disturbance minor damage was caused to the building at the Shell Service Station.
    One person was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital with minor injuries.
    The police investigation is ongoing, and at this stage police have charged a 47-year-old man from Clarendon Vale and a 47-year-old man from Sandy Bay with assault.
    Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact South East CIB on 131 444 and quote OR 772311 and 772309.
    Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Witnesses sought following exposure incident in Islington park

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police investigating an incident where a man exposed himself near to a children’s playground in Islington are appealing for witnesses.

    The incident happened at around 18:00hrs on Saturday, 12 April in Barnard Park, N1.

    A witness reported that a man, described as white wearing a red jacket and dark bottoms, had exposed himself in the park. Officers attended and the man was arrested and has subsequently been charged – he remains in custody.

    Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area of the children’s playground in Barnard Park on Saturday evening and saw this incident to contact police. To provide information you can call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote reference 01/7372667/25. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Plan your trip to the 2025 Bendigo Easter Festival

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    With the 2025 Bendigo Easter Festival starting this Friday, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to and from the major event during the busy long weekend.

    Road closures and detours will be in place in the city centre to facilitate the staging of Bendigo’s biggest homegrown community festival. Many of the road closures will be in effect from Wednesday April 16 to Monday April 21.

    No unauthorised vehicles will be permitted within the Bendigo Easter Festival precinct/road closure areas during event times. These areas have been declared a temporary tow away zone.

    Residents and visitors are strongly advised not to park or leave a car overnight in the tow away zone. Any unauthorised vehicle left in the road closure area during the event times will be towed to a location outside of the closure area if Victoria Police is unable to contact the owner to move the vehicle.

    City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said it was important for people to be aware in advance of the tow away zone and road closures.

    “The road closures and the tow away zone across the festival precinct are necessary to meet the needs of staging Bendigo’s biggest community festival and accommodate thousands of people flocking to events and activities on foot,” Mr Myatt said.

    “The City would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and local businesses for their understanding and patience while these temporary road closures are in place.

    “I strongly encourage residents and visitors to plan your trip to the festival using the detailed information and updates on the Bendigo Easter Festival website and Facebook.

    For festival information, including maps for road closures and accessibility, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Protect yourself and others this winter with your annual flu vaccination

    Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

    Victorians are being reminded to book in their annual flu vaccination ahead of winter peak season, with free flu vaccines now available for children under five years old and other at-risk groups.

    Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri is encouraging more Victorians to get their annual flu vaccine, with reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses already on the rise.

    Dr Weeramanthri said babies and toddlers need special protection from the flu, as they are more likely to get severe illness and need treatment in hospital.

    “The flu can be serious, especially for children which is why the vaccine is free for children under five,” Dr Weeramanthri said.

    “For vulnerable groups in the community the flu can be deadly and for others it can result in severe health effects and long recovery periods.”

    “It’s critically important to stay up to date with your vaccines – the influenza virus changes throughout the year and that’s why new vaccines are developed for each season. Vaccination is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, friends and people at most risk in the community.”

    Flu vaccination is recommended for anyone six months and older and is free for at risk groups including children aged six months to five years, people over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe flu.

    People can get their vaccine at general practices, pharmacies, local council immunisation clinics, Aboriginal Health Services and often at their workplace.

    There have been more than 11,000 notified influenza cases in Victoria this year already, which is almost twice as many as for the same time last year. It remains early in this year’s flu season and numbers are expected to rise more steeply in the winter months.

    Dr Weeramanthri highlighted the flu is highly contagious and while it most often causes mild to moderate illness with symptoms such as fever and cough, severe illness can develop. Babies, children, older people, and people with underlying medical conditions were amongst the most vulnerable.

    “Having an annual flu vaccine will not only reduce your chances of catching the flu but also reduce the severity of your illness if you become infected,” he said.

    Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as other National Immunisation Program vaccines, such as the new free maternal RSV vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.

    In addition to vaccination, simple steps can help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses such as washing hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, wearing a mask, and staying home when sick.

    More information on flu vaccination is available on Better Health ChannelExternal Link.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, SH1 Leithfield

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are at the scene of a serious single-vehicle crash on SH1, Leithfield, near the intersection with Mays Road. 

    Police were called about 5.15pm. 

    The road will be closed, with diversions in place.

    Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatality following crash, Culverden

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    One person has died following the earlier crash this afternoon on SH7, near Culverden.

    Another person has sustained moderate injuries.

    The road remains closed, with diversions in place, while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

    Motorists should continue to avoid the area if possible.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Taskforce sweep targets rental breaches

    Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

    Rental properties across the Melbourne CBD, suburbs and regional centres were visited by our Consumer Affairs renting taskforce today in a pre-Easter inspection sweep to check they are advertised accurately and minimum standards.

    The taskforce has targeted rental properties open for inspection to make sure they’re safe, secure and fit for renters to move into. Since being announced in March 2024, the taskforce has held inspections in St Kilda, Footscray, Werribee, Fitzroy and Clayton. More targeted inspections are planned throughout 2025.

    The most common issues found by the taskforce include mould, windows without blinds or curtains, and heating that doesn’t meet the legal specifications.

    It’s an offence to let a renter move into a property that doesn’t meet minimum standards. Maximum penalties of more than $11,000 for individuals and more than $59,000 for companies may apply.

    Inspections are one part of the taskforce’s proactive approach to compliance. When an advertised rental doesn’t meet the standards, the taskforce works with agents and rental providers before a breach occurs.

    Other priorities include making sure rentals are advertised with a fixed price, condition reports are provided, and bonds are lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.

    They’re also making sure rental providers don’t try to re-let properties after issuing a notice to vacate on the grounds the property was to be sold, demolished or converted.

    The taskforce has received more than 500 reports from the community via our online form. These reports, as well as market analysis, help the taskforce to work estate agents to get upgrades or repairs made so that the property meets minimum standards before a rental agreement is signed.

    If you see a rental property advertised that you don’t think meets the minimum standards or doesn’t look like its marketing, you can report it anonymously through the online form.

    Learn more about the renting taskforce.

    MIL OSI News –