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  • MIL-OSI Global: Eldest daughters often carry the heaviest burdens – insights from Madagascar

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Claire Ricard, Research Fellow at CERDI, Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)

    In recent years, the term “eldest daughter syndrome” has gained traction on social media, as many firstborn daughters share how they had to grow up faster. They often took on caregiving and supportive roles in their families.

    In high-income countries, research shows that these responsibilities often bring long-term benefits. Firstborn daughters – and sons – tend to have higher educational attainment and stronger cognitive skills. They also enjoy better job prospects and salaries.

    Some studies in low- and middle-income countries have found similar positive effects of being the eldest. But others have found the opposite.

    In low-income contexts, economic constraints, cultural practices – such as the involvement of extended families in child-rearing – and inheritance norms may produce very different effects.

    Our research brings new insights by examining these dynamics in Madagascar. It is one of the world’s poorest countries. Birth order there strongly shapes the transition to adulthood, especially for firstborn children.

    Progress in understanding birth order effects in low-income countries is held back by the lack of detailed, sibling-level data. Our study used a dataset that followed individuals from the ages of 10 to 22, capturing their transition from adolescence to adulthood. It collected detailed information on education, work, health, marriage, and migration. The dataset also captured key demographic and educational details for all living full siblings of each respondent.

    We found that firstborns in Madagascar transition into adulthood earlier than their younger siblings. They are more likely to leave school early. They enter the workforce sooner and marry at younger ages. For example, fourth-born children are 1.5 percentage points less likely than firstborns to have never attended school, and 1.1 percentage points more likely to complete post-secondary education.
    Or, third-borns are 23% less likely to marry at age 19 than firstborns.

    Our findings suggest that later-born children benefit from greater parental investment in education. This leads to better schooling outcomes and delayed entry into the labour market.

    Birth order and the transition to adulthood

    In Madagascar, early marriage can be a way for families to ease financial pressure. This is especially true since daughters typically join their husband’s household.

    When it comes to marriage, we find that later-born children are less likely to marry early than their firstborn siblings – especially after age 17. This trend holds for both boys and girls. The difference appears earlier for girls, which aligns with their younger average age at marriage.

    Interestingly, second-born girls are not significantly less likely to marry than their older sisters. This suggests that the eldest daughter does not always bear the full brunt of early marriage risk.
    Firstborn daughters often take on caregiving and household roles. These responsibilities may delay their marriage slightly, as families rely on them for day-to-day support.

    What explains these birth order effects?

    We did not observe significant differences in cognitive skills (like reasoning) or non-cognitive traits (like personality) between firstborns and their younger siblings. Cognitive abilities were assessed through oral and written math and French tests administered at home. These findings contrast with evidence from wealthier countries, where firstborns often outperform their siblings in both cognitive and non-cognitive domains. This may result from greater early parental investment.

    In Madagascar, child development may rely less on direct parental input and more on interactions within the extended family. This is consistent with the concept of fihavanana, a cultural principle that emphasises solidarity and mutual support within the extended family.
    Rather than benefiting mostly from parental quality time, children – especially later-borns – may develop their cognitive and non-cognitive skills through broader social networks. These include relatives and older siblings.

    We also explored whether gender preferences might help explain the differences in outcomes. For instance, if later-born children were disproportionately boys, it could suggest that parents continued having children in hopes of having a son. This could lead to more resources being allocated to that later-born boy. However, our data show an even distribution of boys and girls among later-born children. This suggests that gender-based stopping rules are unlikely to explain the patterns we observe.

    Instead, our findings point to economic constraints as the main driver for firstborns transitioning into adulthood earlier than their younger siblings.

    In poorer households, particularly in rural areas, firstborn children are often asked to help out financially. This often comes at the cost of their own education. Later-born children, by contrast, receive more investment in their schooling. This may compensate for their limited access to other resources, such as land.

    We find no birth order advantage in wealthier households or among families where parents have some education. This again highlights poverty as a key factor shaping these patterns.

    The double burden of being firstborn

    To sum up, our research shows that, in Madagascar, both male and female firstborns face an earlier transition into adulthood. They leave school and enter the labour market sooner. They marry earlier, although firstborn girls may be at slightly lower risk of early marriage than their younger sisters.

    This suggests that, in poor countries, the eldest daughter syndrome is not just about emotional and care-giving responsibilities. It may also come with fewer educational opportunities, greater economic pressure, and an earlier end to childhood. A true double burden for disadvantaged girls. Economic constraints within households largely explain this pattern.

    But the story is not only one of constraint. The absence of differences in cognitive and non-cognitive skills suggests that broader community ties, rooted in fihavanana and extended kinship networks, help cushion the impact of early responsibility. These collective structures may not erase inequality, but they offer a vital source of resilience.

    As policymakers and practitioners look for ways to promote educational equity, it’s worth remembering that some of the most overlooked trade-offs happen within households. Reducing the weight of those trade-offs – through financial support, community-based programmes, or school retention efforts – could help ensure that the future of one child doesn’t come at the expense of another.

    Claire Ricard receives funding from the program “Investissements d’avenir” (ANR-10-LABX-14-01). She’s affiliated to Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, CERDI, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand and works as an Economist at IDinsight, Rabat, Morocco.

    Francesca Marchetta receives funding from the program “Investissements d’avenir” (ANR-10-LABX-14-01).
    She’s affiliated to Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, CERDI, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand and with PEP (Partnership for Economic Policy).

    – ref. Eldest daughters often carry the heaviest burdens – insights from Madagascar – https://theconversation.com/eldest-daughters-often-carry-the-heaviest-burdens-insights-from-madagascar-255785

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why was St-Pierre-Miquelon targeted by both Donald Trump and a French politician?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Paco Milhiet, Visiting fellow au sein de la Rajaratnam School of International Studies ( NTU-Singapour), chercheur associé à l’Institut catholique de Paris, Institut catholique de Paris (ICP)

    St-Pierre-Miquelon is a small French archipelago off the coast of Newfoundland in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.

    A map of St-Pierre-Miquelon and its exclusive economic zone.
    (Eric Gaba)

    The territory is just 244 square kilometres with a population of only 5,800. Nonetheless, it’s recently been in the global spotlight due to its inclusion in a wave of tariffs imposed by the United States — and because of a controversial remark from a French presidential hopeful suggesting undocumented migrants should be deported there.

    These recent events provide an opportunity to examine the complex historical and geopolitical entanglements surrounding St-Pierre-Miquelon and involving France, Canada and the United States.

    Last French territory in the region

    Visited by Indigenous Peoples for nearly 5,000 years, St-Pierre-Miquelon became known to European sailors in the late 15th century and was officially claimed for France by Jacques Cartier in 1536.

    The archipelago soon emerged as a strategic base for French fishermen engaged in cod fishing and whaling. Over the ensuing centuries, the islands were fiercely contested by France and Great Britain, changing hands multiple times before being definitively restored to French control in 1816.

    In the 20th century, the archipelago was at the heart of recurring fishing disputes between Canada and France.

    These peaked in 1988 with events that included the seizure of fishing vessels, the recall of ambassadors and violations of existing agreements. Despite historic treaty-based rights, France’s access to fishing grounds declined after Canada’s 1992 cod moratorium and an arbitration ruling that gave St-Pierre-Miquelon an exclusive economic zone of just 38 kilometres around the archipelago, except for a 16-kilometre swath extending 320 kilometres south.

    Both these events had major economic repercussions for St-Pierre-Miquelon.

    Hefty tariff

    Today, the territory’s economy is small — less than 0.001 per cent of France’s GDP — and it depends heavily on public funds and external provisions, particularly from neighbouring Canada.

    Nevertheless, the territory was initially included among the targets of the so-called Liberation Day tariffs announced U.S. President Donald Trump in April. It was singled out with a hefty 50 per cent import duty, temporarily making it one of the most heavily taxed territories in the world, matched only by the landlocked African country of Lesotho.

    Although Trump reversed course and reduced the tariff to 10 per cent a few days later, the original decision was perplexing given the archipelago’s minimal economic weight and its peripheral geopolitical position. Why was this St-Pierre-Michelon targeted so brutally by the Trump administration?

    Halibut geopolitics

    St-Pierre-Miquelon and the U.S. had a balanced trade relationship from 2010 to 2025, until a sharp discrepancy appeared in July 2024. The U.S. imported US$3.4 million worth of goods from the islands, exporting only $100,000 over the entire year.

    This resulted in a reported trade imbalance of 3,300 per cent for the year 2024, which the U.S. government appears to have interpreted as evidence of a 99 per cent tariff imposed by the territory, applying the same flawed algorithm on other countries.

    Why was there such a discrepancy in July 2024?

    According to several reports, this statistical anomaly is actually the result of a long-standing dispute between France and Canada over fishing quotas in the waters surrounding St-Pierre-Miquelon.

    Traditionally, the territory mainly exports seafood products to France and Canada, and almost none to the U.S.

    But in June 2024, a French vessel offloaded several tons of halibut — an expensive fish in high culinary demand — in Saint-Pierre.

    While the catch was made in international waters and was technically legal, it occurred amid ongoing tensions between France and Canada over halibut stocks and the sustainability of the species in the area.

    Because of these tensions, the catch was redirected to the U.S. market and sold for the aforementioned US$3.4 million, an outcome that ultimately triggered the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

    France and Canada reached an agreement on halibut later in 2024. But their “halibut war” was just the latest example of recurring disputes between the two countries over fishing quotas in the waters off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, one of the world’s richest fishing grounds.

    The heavy tariffs imposed by the U.S. on St-Pierre-Miquelon, even though they were swiftly reversed, wer therefore an indirect consequence of the long-standing tensions between France and Canada.

    A new Alcatraz?

    Within days of St-Pierre-Miquelon recovering from the tariff shock, it was once again thrust into the spotlight.

    This time, Laurent Wauquiez, a moderate right-wing presidential contender in France, suggested migrants under deportation orders known as obligations de quitter le territoire français — or OQTF — should be given two options: either be detained in St-Pierre-Miquelon or return to their countries of origin.

    It’s not the first time politicians have proposed deporting prisoners to French overseas territories.

    The suggestion is aligned with France’s historical use of these territories as sites for penal colonies, most notably in Cayenne in French Guyana and New Caledonia in the South Pacific.

    Wauquiez’s remarks were widely condemned as contemptuous and colonial in tone, including by members of the government.

    In response, local authorities in St-Pierre-Miquelon tried to capitalize on the controversy by launching a humorous media campaign that reappropriated the OQTF acronym.

    Social media ads from St-Pierre-Miquelon officials on the deportation proposal by Laurent Wauquiez.
    (Compiled by Paco Milhiet)

    Their goal was to shift the narrative and highlight the archipelago’s appeal: low unemployment, strong public safety, outstanding natural landscapes and a peaceful, family-friendly quality of life — and, hopefully, free from hefty American tariffs.

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

    – ref. Why was St-Pierre-Miquelon targeted by both Donald Trump and a French politician? – https://theconversation.com/why-was-st-pierre-miquelon-targeted-by-both-donald-trump-and-a-french-politician-256662

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Secretary General commends Czechia’s commitment to a stronger, fairer and more lethal Alliance

    Source: NATO

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Czech President Petr Pavel to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (21 May 2025) to discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.

    The Secretary General praised Czechia as a strong and reliable Ally, highlighting its defence investment and support to Ukraine. “You spend more than 2% of GDP on defence, and I welcome the commitment you’ve already made to increase defence spending to 3% in the coming years,” said Mr Rutte.

    Czechia plays an important role in NATO’s deterrence and defence, contributing to Forward Land Forces in Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania. This year, Czechia will also deploy combat aircraft to Iceland in support of NATO’s air policing mission.

    The Secretary General commended Czechia’s substantial support to Ukraine, including over 1.3 billion euros in military assistance. He welcomed the success of the Czech-led ammunition initiative, which has helped deliver over 3 million rounds of large-calibre ammunition to Ukraine, including 1.5 million in 2024 alone. Mr Rutte also underlined Czechia’s growing role in NATO’s long-term support to Ukraine, including contributions to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training command (NSATU) in Wiesbaden and the deployment of 20 personnel to NSATU’s Logistics Enabling Nodes this July.

    Looking ahead to the NATO Summit in The Hague, Secretary General Rutte stressed the importance of strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence even further, increasing defence spending, and building a stronger and more innovative transatlantic defence industry. “We will need to do much more, and this will remain our focus as we prepare for The Hague Summit,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do. And I know I can count on Czechia’s continued commitment and leadership.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government programmes do empower inmates – Minister Groenewald

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, says that the country’s Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability Strategic Framework (SSSF) not only creates employment opportunities for offenders in farms, bakeries, gardens, and abattoirs, but also empowers them.

    “Enabling them to produce their own food has not only empowered the offenders but also resulted in considerable savings for the South African government, “ the Minister said. 

    The Minister believes this demonstrates how the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, can be effectively implemented.

    The Minister believes that this is one of several successful examples demonstrating how the implementation of the Nelson Mandela Rules can lead to transformative outcomes. 

    These outcomes equip offenders with the necessary skills and experiences to become economically independent after their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
    The Minister spoke at the 34th Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCI) held in Vienna, Austria. 

    This as the international community also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the rules. 

    The revised Nelson Mandela Rules were adopted unanimously in December 2015 by the UN General Assembly and set out the minimum standards for good prison management, including ensuring that the rights of prisoners are respected. 

    The Minister also took the time to urge world leaders to honour the enduring legacy of President Nelson Mandela, who was in prison for 27 years for his activism against apartheid, and the ideals of dignity, justice, and human rights that he stood for.

    In addition, he called for the international community to advance a more just, inclusive, and rehabilitative approach to incarceration. 

    “In light of rising global prison populations, systemic overcrowding, and the urgent need for more humane and effective penal systems, the 10th Anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules provides a timely platform to underscore the importance of prison and penal reform.”

    The Minister also took the time to urge world leaders to honour the enduring legacy of President Mandela and the ideals of dignity, justice, and human rights that he stood for.

    He also took the time to acknowledge the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules at the UN General Assembly High-Level Debate, scheduled for 13 June 2025. 

    The theme of the debate is “A Second Chance: Addressing the Global Prison Challenge.”

    The Minister expressed support for the Bangkok Rules, which complement the Nelson Mandela Rules by addressing the specific needs and circumstances of women in the criminal justice system, requiring gender-sensitive approaches to their treatment and rehabilitation.

    “Together, these two sets of international standards promote a more inclusive, equitable, and human rights–based correctional system that respects the dignity of all individuals,” he explained. 

    He congratulated Japan on successfully adopting the Model Strategies to Reduce Reoffending, which further supports the Nelson Mandela Rules by ensuring that rehabilitation and reintegration principles are effectively realised beyond prison walls.

    “We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the UNODC [United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime] for their efforts in promoting the practical application of the rules and encourage them to continue assisting Member States in seeking innovative ways to address prison management and penal reform.” 

    He concluded his talk by quoting Nelson Mandela, who aptly said, “No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Russian GRU Targeting Western Logistics Entities and Technology Companies

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Executive Summary

    This joint cybersecurity advisory (CSA) highlights a Russian state-sponsored cyber campaign targeting Western logistics entities and technology companies. This includes those involved in the coordination, transport, and delivery of foreign assistance to Ukraine. Since 2022, Western logistics entities and IT companies have faced an elevated risk of targeting by the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) 85th Main Special Service Center (85th GTsSS), military unit 26165—tracked in the cybersecurity community under several names (see “Cybersecurity Industry Tracking”). The actors’ cyber espionage-oriented campaign, targeting technology companies and logistics entities, uses a mix of previously disclosed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). The authoring agencies expect similar targeting and TTP use to continue.

    Executives and network defenders at logistics entities and technology companies should recognize the elevated threat of unit 26165 targeting, increase monitoring and threat hunting for known TTPs and indicators of compromise (IOCs), and posture network defenses with a presumption of targeting.

    This cyber espionage-oriented campaign targeting logistics entities and technology companies uses a mix of previously disclosed TTPs and is likely connected to these actors’ wide scale targeting of IP cameras in Ukraine and bordering NATO nations.

    The following authors and co-sealers are releasing this CSA:

    • United States National Security Agency (NSA)
    • United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
    • United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK)
    • Germany Federal Intelligence Service (BND) Bundesnachrichtendienst
    • Germany Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik
    • Germany Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz
    • Czech Republic Military Intelligence (VZ)  Vojenské zpravodajství
    • Czech Republic National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) Národní úřad pro kybernetickou a informační bezpečnost
    • Czech Republic Security Information Service (BIS) Bezpečnostní informační služba
    • Poland Internal Security Agency (ABW) Agencja Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego
    • Poland Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) Służba Kontrwywiadu Wojskowego
    • United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
    • United States Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3)
    • United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM)
    • Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC)
    • Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS)
    • Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste
    • Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service (EFIS) Välisluureamet
    • Estonian National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-EE) Küberturvalisuse keskus
    • French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information
    • Netherlands Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) Militaire Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdienst
       

    Download the PDF version of this report:

    Russian GRU Targeting Western Logistics Entities and Technology Companies (PDF, 1,081KB)

    For a downloadable list of IOCs, visit:

    Introduction

    For over two years, the Russian GRU 85th GTsSS, military unit 26165—commonly known in the cybersecurity community as APT28, Fancy Bear, Forest Blizzard, BlueDelta, and a variety of other identifiers—has conducted this campaign using a mix of known tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), including reconstituted password spraying capabilities, spearphishing, and modification of Microsoft Exchange mailbox permissions.
    In late February 2022, multiple Russian state-sponsored cyber actors increased the variety of cyber operations for purposes of espionage, destruction, and influence—with unit 26165 predominately involved in espionage. [1] As Russian military forces failed to meet their military objectives and Western countries provided aid to support Ukraine’s territorial defense, unit 26165 expanded its targeting of logistics entities and technology companies involved in the delivery of aid. These actors have also targeted Internet-connected cameras at Ukrainian border crossings to monitor and track aid shipments.
    Note: This advisory uses the MITRE ATT&CK® for Enterprise framework, version 17. See Appendix A: MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques for a table of the threat actors’ activity mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques. This advisory uses the MITRE D3FEND® framework, version 1.0.

    Description of Targets

    The GRU unit 26165 cyber campaign against Western logistics providers and technology companies has targeted dozens of entities, including government organizations and private/commercial entities across virtually all transportation modes: air, sea, and rail. These actors have targeted entities associated with the following verticals within NATO member states, Ukraine, and at international organizations: 

    •  Defense Industry
    • Transportation and Transportation Hubs (ports, airports, etc.)
    • Maritime
    • Air Traffic Management
    • IT Services

    In the course of the targeting lifecycle, unit 26165 actors identified and conducted follow-on targeting of additional entities in the transportation sector that had business ties to the primary target, exploiting trust relationships to attempt to gain additional access [T1199].

    The actors also conducted reconnaissance on at least one entity involved in the production of industrial control system (ICS) components for railway management, though a successful compromise was not confirmed [TA0043].

    The countries with targeted entities include the following, as illustrated in Figure 1:

    • Bulgaria
    • Czech Republic
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Moldova
    • Netherlands
    • Poland
    • Romania
    • Slovakia
    • Ukraine
    • United States
       
    Figure 1: Countries with Targeted Entities

    Initial Access TTPs

    To gain initial access to targeted entities, unit 26165 actors used several techniques to gain initial access to targeted entities, including (but not limited to):

    The actors abused vulnerabilities associated with a range of brands and models of small office/home office (SOHO) devices to facilitate covert cyber operations, as well as proxy malicious activity via devices with geolocation in proximity to the target [T1665]. [2]

    Credential Guessing/Brute Force

    Unit 26165 actors’ credential guessing [T1110.001] operations in this campaign exhibit some similar characteristics to those disclosed in the previous CSA “Russian GRU Conducting Global Brute Force Campaign to Compromise Enterprise and Cloud Environments.” [3] Based on victim network investigations, the current iteration of this TTP employs a similar blend of anonymization infrastructure, including the use of Tor and commercial VPNs [T1090.003]. The actors frequently rotated the IP addresses used to further hamper detection. All observed connections were made via encrypted TLS [T1573]. 

    Spearphishing

    GRU unit 26165 actors’ spearphishing emails included links [T1566.002] leading to fake login pages impersonating a variety of government entities and Western cloud email providers’ webpages. These webpages were typically hosted on free third-party services or compromised SOHO devices and often used legitimate documents associated with thematically similar entities as lures. The subjects of spearphishing emails were diverse and ranged from professional topics to adult themes. Phishing emails were frequently sent via compromised accounts or free webmail accounts [T1586.002, T1586.003]. The emails were typically written in the target’s native language and sent to a single targeted recipient. 

    Some campaigns employed multi-stage redirectors [T1104] verifying IP-geolocation [T1627.001] and browser fingerprints [T1627] to protect credential harvesting infrastructure or provide multifactor authentication (MFA) [T1111] and CAPTCHA relaying capabilities [T1056]. Connecting endpoints failing the location checks were redirected to a benign URL [T1627], such as msn.com. Redirector services used include:

    • Webhook[.]site
    • FrgeIO
    • InfinityFree
    • Dynu
    • Mocky
    • Pipedream
    • Mockbin[.]org

    The actors also used spearphishing to deliver malware (including HEADLACE and MASEPIE) executables [T1204.002] delivered via third-party services and redirectors [T1566.002], scripts in a mix of languages [T1059] (including BAT [T1059.003] and VBScript [T1059.005]) and links to hosted shortcuts [T1204.001].

    CVE Usage

    Throughout this campaign, GRU unit 26165 weaponized an Outlook NTLM vulnerability (CVE-2023-23397) to collect NTLM hashes and credentials via specially crafted Outlook calendar appointment invitations [T1187]. [4],[5] These actors also used a series of Roundcube CVEs (CVE-2020-12641, CVE-2020-35730, and CVE-2021-44026) to execute arbitrary shell commands [T1059], gain access to victim email accounts, and retrieve sensitive data from email servers [T1114].

    Since at least fall 2023, the actors leveraged a WinRAR vulnerability (CVE-2023-38831) allowing for the execution of arbitrary code embedded in an archive as a means of initial access [T1659]. The actors sent emails with malicious attachments [T1566.001] or embedded hyperlinks [T1566.002] that downloaded a malicious archive prepared using this CVE. 

    Post-Compromise TTPs

    After an initial compromise using one of the above techniques, unit 26165 actors conducted contact information reconnaissance to identify additional targets in key positions [T1589.002]. The actors also conducted reconnaissance of the cybersecurity department [T1591], individuals responsible for coordinating transport [T1591.004], and other companies cooperating with the victim entity [T1591.002].

    The actors used native commands and open source tools, such as Impacket and PsExec, to move laterally within the environment [TA0008]. Multiple Impacket scripts were used as .exe files, in addition to the python versions, depending on the victim environment. The actors also moved laterally within the network using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) [T1021.001] to access additional hosts and attempt to dump Active Directory NTDS.dit domain databases [T1003.003] using native Active Directory Domain Services commands, such as in Figure 2: Example Active Directory Domain Services command:

    C:Windowssystem32ntdsutil.exe "activate instance ntds" ifm "create full C:temp[a-z]{3}" quit quit

    Figure 2: Example Active Directory Domain Services command

    Additionally, GRU unit 26165 actors used the tools Certipy and ADExplorer.exe to exfiltrate information from the Active Directory. The actors installed python [T1059.006] on infected machines to enable the execution of Certipy. Accessed files were archived in .zip files prior to exfiltration [T1560]. The actors attempted to exfiltrate archived data via a previously dropped OpenSSH binary [T1048].

    Incident response investigations revealed that the actors would take steps to locate and exfiltrate lists of Office 365 users and set up sustained email collection. The actors used manipulation of mailbox permissions [T1098.002] to establish sustained email collection at compromised logistics entities, as detailed in a Polish Cybercommand blog. [6]

    After initial authentication, unit 26165 actors would change accounts’ folder permissions and enroll compromised accounts in MFA mechanisms to increase the trust-level of compromised accounts and enable sustained access [T1556.006]. The actors leveraged python scripts to retrieve plaintext passwords via Group Policy Preferences [T1552.006] using Get-GPPPassword.py and a modified ldap-dump.py to enumerate the Windows environment [T1087.002] and conduct a brute force password spray [T1110.003] via Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). The actors would additionally delete event logs through the wevtutil utility [T1070.001].

    After gaining initial access to the network, the actors pursued further access to accounts with access to sensitive information on shipments, such as train schedules and shipping manifests. These accounts contained information on aid shipments to Ukraine, including: 

    • sender,
    • recipient,
    • train/plane/ship numbers,
    • point of departure,
    • destination,
    • container registration numbers,
    • travel route, and
    • cargo contents. 

    In at least one instance, the actors attempted to use voice phishing [T1566.004] to gain access to privileged accounts by impersonating IT staff.

    Malware

    Unit 26165’s use of malware in this campaign ranged from gaining initial access to establishing persistence and exfiltrating data. In some cases, the attack chain resulted in multiple pieces of malware being deployed in succession. The actors used dynamic link library (DLL) search order hijacking [T1574.001] to facilitate malware execution. There were a number of known malware variants tied to this campaign against logistics sector victims, including:

    • HEADLACE [7]
    • MASEPIE [8]

    While other malware variants, such as OCEANMAP and STEELHOOK, [8] were not directly observed targeting logistics or IT entities, their deployment against victims in other sectors in Ukraine and other Western countries suggest that they could be deployed against logistics and IT entities should the need arise. 

    Persistence

    In addition to the abovementioned mailbox permissions abuse, unit 26165 actors also used scheduled tasks [T1053.005], run keys [T1547.001], and placed malicious shortcuts [T1547.009] in the startup folder to establish persistence. 

    Exfiltration

    GRU unit 26165 actors used a variety of methods for data exfiltration that varied based on the victim environment, including both malware and living off the land binaries. PowerShell commands [T1059.001] were often used to prepare data for exfiltration; for example, the actors prepared zip archives [T1560.001] for upload to their own infrastructure. 

    The actors also used server data exchange protocols and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) such as Exchange Web Services (EWS) and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) [T1114.002] to exfiltrate data from email servers. In multiple instances, the actors used periodic EWS queries [T1119] to collect new emails sent and received since the last data exfiltration [T1029]. The actors typically used infrastructure in close geographic proximity to the victim. Long gaps between exfiltration, the use of trusted and legitimate protocols, and the use of local infrastructure allowed for long-term collection of sensitive data to go undetected. 

    Connections to Targeting of IP Cameras

    In addition to targeting logistics entities, unit 26165 actors likely used access to private cameras at key locations, such as near border crossings, military installations, and rail stations, to track the movement of materials into Ukraine. The actors also used legitimate municipal services, such as traffic cams. 

    The actors targeted Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) servers hosting IP cameras primarily located in Ukraine as early as March 2022 in a large-scale campaign, which included attempts to enumerate devices [T1592] and gain access to the cameras’ feeds [T1125]. Actor-controlled servers sent RTSP DESCRIBE requests destined for RTSP servers, primarily hosting IP cameras [T1090.002]. The DESCRIBE requests were crafted to obtain access to IP cameras located on logically distinct networks from that of the routers that received the request. The requests included Base64-encoded credentials for the RTSP server, which included publicly documented default credentials and likely generic attempts to brute force access to the devices [T1110]. An example of an RTSP request is shown in Figure 3.

    DESCRIBE rtsp://[IP ADDRESS] RTSP/1.0

    CSeq: 1

    Authorization: Basic

    User-Agent: WebClient

    Accept: application/sdp

    DESCRIBE rtsp://[IP ADDRESS] RTSP/1.0

    CSeq: 2

    Authorization: Digest username="admin", realm="[a-f0-9]{12}", algorithm="MD5", nonce="[a-f0-9]{32}", uri="", response="[a-f0-9]{32}"

    User-Agent: WebClient

    Accept: application/sdp

    Figure 3: Example RTSP request

    Successful RTSP 200 OK responses contained a snapshot of the IP camera’s image and IP camera metadata such as video codec, resolution, and other properties depending on the IP camera’s configuration. 

    From a sample available to the authoring agencies of over 10,000 cameras targeted via this effort, the geographic distribution of victims showed a strong focus on cameras in Ukraine and border countries, as shown in Table 1:

    Table 1: Geographic distribution of targeted IP cameras
    Country Percentage of Total Attempts
    Ukraine 81.0%
    Romania 9.9%
    Poland 4.0%
    Hungary 2.8%
    Slovakia 1.7%
    Others 0.6%

    Mitigation Actions

    General Security Mitigations

    Architecture and Configuration

    • Employ appropriate network segmentation [D3-NI] and restrictions to limit access and utilize additional attributes (such as device information, environment, and access path) when making access decisions [D3-AMED].
      • Consider Zero Trust principles when designing systems. Base product choices on how those products can solve specific risks identified as part of the end-to-end design. [9]
    • Ensure that host firewalls and network security appliances (e.g., firewalls) are configured to only allow legitimately needed data flows between devices and servers to prevent lateral movement [D3-ITF]. Alert on attempts to connect laterally between host devices or other unusual data flows.
    • Use automated tools to audit access logs for security concerns and identify anomalous access requests [D3-RAPA].
    • For organizations using on-premises authentication and email services, block and alert on NTLM/SMB requests to external infrastructure [D3-OTF].
    • Utilize endpoint, detection, and response (EDR) and other cybersecurity solutions on all systems, prioritizing high value systems with large amounts of sensitive data such as mail servers and domain controllers [D3-PM] first.
      • Perform threat and attack modeling to understand how sensitive systems may be compromised within an organization’s specific architecture and security controls. Use this to develop a monitoring strategy to detect compromise attempts and select appropriate products to enact this strategy.
    • Collect and monitor Windows logs for certain events, especially for events that indicate that a log was cleared unexpectedly [D3-SFA].
    • Enable optional security features in Windows to harden endpoints and mitigate initial access techniques [D3-AH]:
      • Enable attack surface reduction rules to prevent executable content from email [D3-ABPI].
      • Enable attack surface reduction rules to prevent execution of files from globally writeable directories, such as Downloads or %APPDATA% [D3-EAL].
      • Unless users are involved in the development of scripts, limit the local execution of scripts (such as batch scripts, VBScript, JScript/JavaScript, and PowerShell [10]) to known scripts [D3-EI], and audit execution attempts.
      • Disable Windows Host Scripting functionality and configure PowerShell to run in Constrained mode [D3-ACH].
    • Where feasible, implement allowlisting for applications and scripts to limit execution to only those needed for authorized activities, blocking all others by default [D3-EAL].
    • Consider using open source SIGMA rules as a baseline for detecting and alerting on suspicious file execution or command parameters [D3-PSA].
    • Use services that provide enhanced browsing services and safe link checking [D3-URA]. Significant reductions in successful spearphishing attempts were noted when email providers began offering link checking and automatic file detonation to block malicious content.
    • Where possible, block logins from public VPNs, including exit nodes in the same country as target systems, or, if they need to be allowed, alert on them for further investigation. Most organizations should not need to allow incoming traffic, especially logins to systems, from VPN services [D3-NAM].
    • Educate users to only use approved corporate systems for relevant government and military business and avoid the use of personal accounts on cloud email providers to conduct official business. Network administrators should also audit both email and web request logs to detect such activity.

    Many organizations may not need to allow outgoing traffic to hosting and API mocking services, which are frequently used by GRU unit 26165. Organizations should consider alerting on or blocking the following services, with exceptions allowlisted for legitimate activity [D3-DNSDL].

    • *.000[.]pe
    • *.1cooldns[.]com
    • *.42web[.]io
    • *.4cloud[.]click
    • *.accesscan[.]org
    • *.bumbleshrimp[.]com
    • *.camdvr[.]org
    • *.casacam[.]net
    • *.ddnsfree[.]com
    • *.ddnsgeek[.]com
    • *.ddnsguru[.]com
    • *.dynuddns[.]com
    • *.dynuddns[.]net
    • *.free[.]nf
    • *.freeddns[.]org
    • *.frge[.]io
    • *.glize[.]com
    • *.great-site[.]net
    • *.infinityfreeapp[.]com
    • *.kesug[.]com
    • *.loseyourip[.]com
    • *.lovestoblog[.]com
    • *.mockbin[.]io
    • *.mockbin[.]org
    • *.mocky[.]io
    • *.mybiolink[.]io
    • *.mysynology[.]net
    • *.mywire[.]org
    • *.ngrok[.]io
    • *.ooguy[.]com
    • *.pipedream[.]net
    • *.rf[.]gd
    • *.urlbae[.]com
    • *.webhook[.]site
    • *.webhookapp[.]com
    • *.webredirect[.]org
    • *.wuaze[.]com

    Heuristic detections for web requests to new subdomains, including of the above providers, may uncover malicious phishing activity [D3-DNRA]. Logging the requests for each sub-domain requested by users on a network, such as in DNS or firewall logs, may enable system administrators to identify new targeting and victims.

    Identity and Access Management

    Organizations should take measures to ensure strong access controls and mitigate against common credential theft techniques: 

    • Use MFA with strong factors, such as passkeys or PKI smartcards, and require regular re-authentication [D3-MFA]. [11], [12] Strong authentication factors are not guessable using dictionary techniques, so they resist brute force attempts.
    • Implement other mitigations for privileged accounts: including limiting the number of admin accounts, considering using hardware MFA tokens, and regularly reviewing all privileged user accounts [D3-JFAPA].
    • Separate privileged accounts by role and alert on misuse of privileged accounts [D3-UAP]. For example, email administrator accounts should be different from domain administrator accounts.
    • Reduce reliance on passwords; instead, consider using services like single sign-on [D3-TBA].
      • For organizations using on-premises authentication and email services, plan to disable NTLM entirely and migrate to more robust authentication processes such as PKI certificate authentication.
    • Do not store passwords in Group Policy Preferences (GPP). Remove all passwords previously included in GPP and change all passwords on the corresponding accounts [D3-CH]. [13]
    • Use account throttling or account lockout [D3-ANET]:
      • Throttling is preferred to lockout. Throttling progressively increases time delay between successive login attempts.
      • Account lockout can leave legitimate users unable to access their accounts and requires access to an account recovery process.
      • Account lockout can provide a malicious actor with an easy way to launch a Denial of Service (DoS).
      • If using lockout, then allowing 5 to 10 attempts before lockout is recommended.
    • Use a service to check for compromised passwords before using them [D3-SPP]. For example, “Have I Been Pwned” can be used to check whether a password has been previously compromised without disclosing the potential password.
    • Change all default credentials [D3-CRO] and disable protocols that use weak authentication (e.g., clear-text passwords or outdated and vulnerable authentication or encryption protocols) or do not support multi-factor authentication [D3-ACH] [D3-ET]. Always configure access controls carefully to ensure that only well-maintained and well-authenticated accounts have access. [13]

    IP Camera Mitigations

    The following mitigation techniques for IP cameras can be used to defend against this type of malicious activity:

    • Ensure IP cameras are currently supported. Replace devices that are out of support.
    • Apply security patches and firmware updates to all IP cameras [D3-SU].
    • Disable remote access to the IP camera, if unnecessary [D3-ITF].
    • Ensure cameras are protected by a security appliance, if possible, such as by using a firewall to prevent communication with the camera from IP addresses not on an allowlist [D3-NAM].
    • If remote access to IP camera feeds is required, ensure authentication is enabled [D3-AA] and use a VPN to connect remotely [D3-ET]. Use MFA for management accounts if supported [D3-MFA].
    • Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), Peer-to-Peer (P2P), and Anonymous Visit features on IP cameras and routers [D3-NI].
    • Turn off other ports/services not in use (e.g., FTP, web interface, etc.) [D3-ACH].
    • If supported, enable authenticated RTSP access only [D3-AA].
    • Review all authentication activity for remote access to make sure it is valid and expected [D3-UBA]. Investigate any unexpected or unusual activity.
    • Audit IP camera user accounts to ensure they are an accurate reflection of your organization and that they are being used as expected [D3-UAP].
    • Configure, tune, and monitor logging—if available—on the IP camera.

    Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

    Note: Specific IoCs may no longer be actor controlled, may themselves be compromised infrastructure or email accounts, or may be shared infrastructure such as public VPN or Tor exit nodes. Care should be taken when basing triaging logs or developing detection rules on these indicators. GRU unit 26165 almost certainly uses extensive further infrastructure and TTPs not specifically listed in this report.

    Utilities and scripts

    Legitimate utilities

    Unauthorized or unusual use of the following legitimate utilities can be an indication of a potential compromise:

    • ntdsutil – A legitimate Windows executable used by threat actors to export contents of Active Directory
    • wevtutil – A legitimate Windows executable used by threat actors to delete event logs
    • vssadmin – A legitimate Windows executable possibly used by threat actors to make a copy of the server’s C: drive
    • ADexplorer – A legitimate window executable to view, edit, and backup Active Directory Certificate Services
    • OpenSSH – The Windows version of a legitimate open source SSH client
    • schtasks – A legitimate Windows executable used to create persistence using scheduled tasks
    • whoami – A legitimate Windows executable used to retrieve the name of the current user
    • tasklist – A legitimate Windows executable used to retrieve the list of running processes
    • hostname – A legitimate Windows executable used to retrieve the device name
    • arp – A legitimate Windows executable used to retrieve the ARP table for mapping the network environment
    • systeminfo – A legitimate Windows executable used to retrieve a comprehensive summary of device and operating system information
    • net – A legitimate Windows executable used to retrieve detailed user information
    • wmic – A legitimate Windows executable used to interact with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), such as to retrieve letters assigned to logical partitions on storage drives
    • cacls – A legitimate Windows executable used to modify permissions on files
    • icacls – A legitimate Windows executable used to modify permissions to files and handle integrity levels and ownership
    • ssh – A legitimate Windows executable used to establish network shell connections
    • reg – A legitimate Windows executable used to add to or modify the system registry 

    Note: Additional heuristics are needed for effective hunting for these and other living off the land (LOTL) binaries to avoid being overwhelmed by false positives if these legitimate management tools are used regularly. See the joint guide, Identifying and Mitigating Living Off the Land Techniques, for guidance on developing a multifaceted cybersecurity strategy that enables behavior analytics, anomaly detection, and proactive hunting, which are part of a comprehensive approach to mitigating cyber threats that employ LOTL techniques.

    Malicious scripts

    • Certipy – An open source python tool for enumerating and abusing Active Directory Certificate Services
    • Get-GPPPassword.py – An open source python script for finding insecure passwords stored in Group Policy Preferences
    • ldap-dump.py – A script for enumerating user accounts and other information in Active Directory
    • Hikvision backdoor string: “YWRtaW46MTEK”

    Suspicious command lines

    While the following utilities are legitimate, and using them with the command lines shown may also be legitimate, these command lines are often used during malicious activities and could be an indication of a compromise:

    • edge.exe “-headless-new -disable-gpu”
    • ntdsutil.exe “activate instance ntds” ifm “create full C:temp[a-z]{3}” quit quit
    • ssh -Nf
    • schtasks /create /xml

    Outlook CVE Exploitation IOCs

    • md-shoeb@alfathdoor[.]com[.]sa
    • jayam@wizzsolutions[.]com
    • accounts@regencyservice[.]in
    • m.salim@tsc-me[.]com
    • vikram.anand@4ginfosource[.]com
    • mdelafuente@ukwwfze[.]com
    • sarah@cosmicgold469[.]co[.]za
    • franch1.lanka@bplanka[.]com
    • commerical@vanadrink[.]com
    • maint@goldenloaduae[.]com
    • karina@bhpcapital[.]com
    • tv@coastalareabank[.]com
    • ashoke.kumar@hbclife[.]in
    • 213[.]32[.]252[.]221
    • 124[.]168[.]91[.]178
    • 194[.]126[.]178[.]8
    • 159[.]196[.]128[.]120

    Commonly Used Webmail Providers

    • portugalmail[.]pt
    • mail-online[.]dk
    • email[.]cz
    • seznam[.]cz

    Malicious Archive Filenames Involving CVE-2023-38831

    • calc.war.zip
    • news_week_6.zip
    • Roadmap.zip
    • SEDE-PV-2023-10-09-1_EN.zip
    • war.zip
    • Zeyilname.zip

    Brute Forcing IP Addresses

    Disclaimer: These IP addresses date June 2024 through August 2024. The authoring agencies recommend organizations investigate or vet these IP addresses prior to taking action, such as blocking.

    June 2024 July 2024 August 2024
    192[.]162[.]174[.]94 207[.]244[.]71[.]84 31[.]135[.]199[.]145 79[.]184[.]25[.]198 91[.]149[.]253[.]204  
    103[.]97[.]203[.]29 162[.]210[.]194[.]2 31[.]42[.]4[.]138 79[.]185[.]5[.]142 91[.]149[.]254[.]75  
    209[.]14[.]71[.]127   46[.]112[.]70[.]252 83[.]10[.]46[.]174 91[.]149[.]255[.]122  
    109[.]95[.]151[.]207   46[.]248[.]185[.]236 83[.]168[.]66[.]145 91[.]149[.]255[.]19  
        64[.]176[.]67[.]117 83[.]168[.]78[.]27 91[.]149[.]255[.]195  
        64[.]176[.]69[.]196 83[.]168[.]78[.]31   91[.]221[.]88[.]76  
        64[.]176[.]70[.]18 83[.]168[.]78[.]55   93[.]105[.]185[.]139  
        64[.]176[.]70[.]238 83[.]23[.]130[.]49   95[.]215[.]76[.]209  
        64[.]176[.]71[.]201 83[.]29[.]138[.]115   138[.]199[.]59[.]43  
        70[.]34[.]242[.]220 89[.]64[.]70[.]69   147[.]135[.]209[.]245  
        70[.]34[.]243[.]226 90[.]156[.]4[.]204   178[.]235[.]191[.]182  
        70[.]34[.]244[.]100 91[.]149[.]202[.]215   178[.]37[.]97[.]243  
        70[.]34[.]245[.]215 91[.]149[.]203[.]73   185[.]234[.]235[.]69  
        70[.]34[.]252[.]168 91[.]149[.]219[.]158 192[.]162[.]174[.]67  
        70[.]34[.]252[.]186 91[.]149[.]219[.]23   194[.]187[.]180[.]20  
        70[.]34[.]252[.]222 91[.]149[.]223[.]130   212[.]127[.]78[.]170  
        70[.]34[.]253[.]13 91[.]149[.]253[.]118 213[.]134[.]184[.]167
        70[.]34[.]253[.]247   91[.]149[.]253[.]198    
        70[.]34[.]254[.]245 91[.]149[.]253[.]20    

    Detections

    Customized NTLM listener

    rule APT28_NTLM_LISTENER {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects NTLM listeners including APT28's custom one"

           strings:

                  $command_1 = "start-process powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden"

                  $command_2 = "New-Object System.Net.HttpListener"

                  $command_3 = "Prefixes.Add('http://localhost:8080/')"

                  $command_4 = "-match 'Authorization'"

                  $command_5 = "GetValues('Authorization')"

                  $command_6 = "Request.RemoteEndPoint.Address.IPAddressToString"

                  $command_7 = "@(0x4e,0x54,0x4c,0x4d, 0x53,0x53,0x50,0x00,0x02,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x28,0x00,0x00,0x01,0x82,0x00,0x00,0x11,0x22,0x33,0x44,0x55,0x66,0x77,0x88,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00)"

                  $command_8 = ".AllKeys"

                  

                  $variable_1 = "$NTLMAuthentication" nocase

                  $variable_2 = "$NTLMType2" nocase

                  $variable_3 = "$listener" nocase

                  $variable_4 = "$hostip" nocase

                  $variable_5 = "$request" nocase

                  $variable_6 = "$ntlmt2" nocase

                  $variable_7 = "$NTLMType2Response" nocase

                  $variable_8 = "$buffer" nocase

           condition:

                  5 of ($command_*) 

                  or

                  all of ($variable_*)

    }

    HEADLACE shortcut

    rule APT28_HEADLACE_SHORTCUT {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects the HEADLACE backdoor shortcut dropper. Rule is meant for threat hunting."

           strings:

                  $type = "[InternetShortcut]" ascii nocase

                  $url  = "file://"

                  $edge = "msedge.exe"

                  $icon = "IconFile"

           condition:

                  all of them

    }

    HEADLACE credential dialogbox phishing 

    rule APT28_HEADLACE_CREDENTIALDIALOG {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects scripts used by APT28 to lure user into entering credentials"

           strings:

                  $command_1 = "while($true)"

                  $command_2 = "Get-Credential $(whoami)"

                  $command_3 = "Add-Content"

                  $command_4 = ".UserName"

                  $command_5 = ".GetNetworkCredential().Password"

                  $command_6 = "GetNetworkCredential().Password.Length -ne 0"

           condition:

                  5 of them

    }

    HEADLACE core script

    rule APT28_HEADLACE_CORE {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects HEADLACE core batch scripts"

           strings:

                  $chcp = "chcp 65001" ascii

                  $headless = "start "" msedge --headless=new --disable-gpu" ascii

                  

                  $command_1 = "taskkill /im msedge.exe /f" ascii

                  $command_2 = "whoami>"%programdata%" ascii

                  $command_3 = "timeout" ascii

                  $command_4 = "copy "%programdata%" ascii

                  $non_generic_del_1 = "del /q /f "%programdata%" ascii

                  $non_generic_del_3 = "del /q /f "%userprofile%Downloads" ascii

     

                  $generic_del = "del /q /f" ascii

           condition:

                  (

                          $chcp 

                          and 

                          $headless

                  )

                  and

                  (

                          1 of ($non_generic_del_*)

                          or

                          ($generic_del)

                          or

                          3 of ($command_*)

                  )

    }

    MASEPIE

    rule APT28_MASEPIE {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects MASEPIE python script"

           strings:

                  $masepie_unique_1 = "os.popen('whoami').read()"

                  $masepie_unique_2 = "elif message == 'check'"

                  $masepie_unique_3 = "elif message == 'send_file':"

                  $masepie_unique_4 = "elif message == 'get_file'"

                  $masepie_unique_5 = "enc_mes('ok'"

                  $masepie_unique_6 = "Bad command!'.encode('ascii'"

                  $masepie_unique_7 = "{user}{SEPARATOR}{k}"

                  $masepie_unique_8 = "raise Exception("Reconnect"

           condition:

                  3 of ($masepie_unique_*)

    }

    STEELHOOK

    rule APT28_STEELHOOK {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects APT28's STEELHOOK powershell script"

           strings:

                  $s_1 = "$($env:LOCALAPPDATAGoogleChromeUser DataLocal State)"

                  $s_2 = "$($env:LOCALAPPDATAGoogleChromeUser DataDefaultLogin Data)"

                  $s_3 = "$($env:LOCALAPPDATAMicrosoftEdgeUser DataLocal State)"

                  $s_4 = "$($env:LOCALAPPDATAMicrosoftEdgeUser DataDefaultLogin Data)"

                  $s_5 = "os_crypt.encrypted_key"

                  $s_6 = "System.Security.Cryptography.DataProtectionScope"

                  $s_7 = "[system.security.cryptography.protectdata]::Unprotect"

                  $s_8 = "Invoke-RestMethod"

           condition:

                  all of them

    }

    PSEXEC

    rule GENERIC_PSEXEC {

           meta:

                  description = "Detects SysInternals PSEXEC executable"

           strings:

                  $sysinternals_1 = "SYSINTERNALS SOFTWARE LICENCE TERMS"

                  $sysinternals_2 = "/accepteula"

                  $sysinternals_3 = "SoftwareSysinternals"

                  $network_1 = "%sIPC$"

                  $network_2 = "%sADMIN$%s"

                  $network_3 = "DeviceLanmanRedirector%sipc$"

                  $psexec_1 = "PSEXESVC"

                  $psexec_2 = "PSEXEC-{}-"

                  $psexec_3 = "Copying %s to %s..."

                  $psexec_4 = "gPSINFSVC"

           condition:

                  (

                          ( uint16( 0x0 ) ==0x5a4d )

                          and

                          ( uint16( uint32( 0x3c )) == 0x4550 )

                  )

                  and 

                          filesize < 1024KB

                  and

                  (

                          ( any of ($sysinternals_*) and any of ($psexec_*) )

                          or

                          ( 2 of ($network_*) and 2 of ($psexec_*))

                  )

    }

    The cybersecurity industry provides overlapping cyber threat intelligence, IOCs, and mitigation recommendations related to GRU unit 26165 cyber actors. While not all encompassing, the following are the most notable threat group names related under MITRE ATT&CK G0007 and commonly used within the cybersecurity community: 

    • APT28 [14]
    • Fancy Bear [14]
    • Forest Blizzard [14]
    • Blue Delta [15]

    Note: Cybersecurity companies have different methods of tracking and attributing cyber actors, and this may not be a 1:1 correlation to the U.S. government’s understanding for all activity related to these groupings.

    Further Reference

    To search for the presence of malicious email messages targeting CVE-2023-23397, network defenders may consider using the script published by Microsoft: https://aka.ms/CVE-2023-23397ScriptDoc. 

    For the Impacket TTP, network defenders may consider using the following publicly available Impacket YARA detection rule:
    https://github.com/Neo23x0/signature-base/blob/master/yara/gen_impacket_tools.yar

    Works Cited

    [1] Microsoft. Defending Ukraine: Early Lessons from the Cyber War. 2022. https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/06/22/defending-ukraine-early-lessons-from-the-cyber-war/  
    [2] FBI et al. Russian Cyber Actors Use Compromised Routers to Facilitate Cyber Operations. 2024. https://media.defense.gov/2024/Feb/27/2003400753/-1/-1/0/CSA-Russian-Actors-Use-Routers-Facilitate-Cyber_Operations.PDF   
    [3] NSA et al. Russian GRU Conducting Global Brute Force Campaign to Compromise Enterprise and Cloud Environments. 2021. https://media.defense.gov/2021/Jul/01/2002753896/-1/-1/0/CSA_GRU_GLOBAL_BRUTE_FORCE_CAMPAIGN_UOO158036-21.PDF 
    [4] ANSSI. Campagnes d'attaques du mode opératoire APT28 depuis 2021. 2023. https://cert.ssi.gouv.fr/cti/CERTFR-2023-CTI-009/  
    [5] ANSSI. Targeting and compromise of french entities using the APT28 intrusion set. 2025. https://cert.ssi.gouv.fr/cti/CERTFR-2025-CTI-007/   
    [6] Polish Cyber Command. Detecting Malicious Activity Against Microsoft Exchange Servers. 2023. https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/woc/articles/aktualnosci-w/detecting-malicious-activity-against-microsoft-exchange-servers/ 
    [7] IBM. Israel-Hamas Conflict Lures to Deliver Headlace Malware. 2023. https://securityintelligence.com/x-force/itg05-ops-leverage-israel-hamas-conflict-lures-to-deliver-headlace-malware/ 
    [8] CERT-UA. APT28: From Initial Attack to Creating Domain Controller Threats in an Hour. 2023. https://cert.gov.ua/article/6276894 
    [9] NSA. Embracing a Zero Trust Security Model. 2021. https://media.defense.gov/2021/Feb/25/2002588479/-1/-1/0/CSI_EMBRACING_ZT_SECURITY_MODEL_UOO115131-21.PDF  
    [10] NSA et al. Keeping PowerShell: Security Measures to Use and Embrace. 2022. https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jun/22/2003021689/-1/-1/0/CSI_KEEPING_POWERSHELL_SECURITY_MEASURES_TO_USE_AND_EMBRACE_20220622.PDF 
    [11] National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Special Publication 800-63B: Digital Identity Guidelines – Authentication and Lifecycle Management. 2020. https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html 
    [12] NSA. Selecting Secure Multi-factor Authentication Solutions. October 16, 2020. https://media.defense.gov/2024/Jul/31/2003515137/-1/-1/0/MULTIFACTOR_AUTHENTICATION_SOLUTIONS_UOO17091520.PDF  
    [13] NSA and CSA. NSA and CISA Red and Blue Teams Share Top Ten Cybersecurity Misconfigurations. 2023. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/05/2003314578/-1/-1/0/JOINT_CSA_TOP_TEN_MISCONFIGURATIONS_TLP-CLEAR.PDF 

    [14] Department of Justice. Justice Department Conducts Court-Authorized Disruption of Botnet Controlled by the Russian Federation’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU). 2024. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-conducts-court-authorized-disruption-botnet-controlled-russian  
    [15] Recorded Future. GRU’s BlueDelta Targets Key Networks in Europe with Multi-Phase Espionage Campaigns. 2024. https://go.recordedfuture.com/hubfs/reports/CTA-RU-2024-0530.pdf  
     

    Disclaimer of endorsement

    The information and opinions contained in this document are provided "as is" and without any warranties or guarantees. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, and this guidance shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

    Purpose

    This document was developed in furtherance of the authoring agencies’ cybersecurity missions, including their responsibilities to identify and disseminate threats and to develop and issue cybersecurity specifications and mitigations. This information may be shared broadly to reach all appropriate stakeholders.

    Contact

    United States organizations

    • National Security Agency (NSA)
    • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
      • U.S. organizations are encouraged to reporting suspicious or criminal activity related to information in this advisory to CISA via the agency’s Incident Reporting System, its 24/7 Operations Center (report@cisa.gov or 888-282-0870), or your local FBI field office. When available, please include the following information regarding the incident: date, time, and location of the incident; type of activity; number of people affected; type of equipment user for the activity; the name of the submitting company or organization; and a designated point of contact.
    • Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3)

    United Kingdom organizations

    Germany organizations

    Czech Republic organizations

    Poland organizations

    Australian organizations

    • Visit cyber.gov.au or call 1300 292 371 (1300 CYBER 1) to report cybersecurity incidents and access alerts and advisories.

    Canadian organizations

    Estonia organizations

    French organizations

    • French organizations are encouraged to report suspicious activity or incident related to information found in this advisory by contacting ANSSI/CERT-FR by email at cert-fr@ssi.gouv.fr or by phone at: 3218 or +33 9 70 83 32 18. 

    See Table 2 through Table 14 for all the threat actor tactics and techniques referenced in this advisory.

    Table 2: Reconnaissance
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use
    Reconnaissance TA0043 Conducted reconnaissance on at least one entity involved in the production of ICS components for railway management.
    Gather Victim Identity Information: Email Addresses T1589.002 Conducted contact information reconnaissance to identify additional targets in key positions.
    Gather Victim Org Information T1591 Conducted reconnaissance of the cybersecurity department.
    Gather Victim Org Information: Identify Roles T1591.004 Conducted reconnaissance of individuals responsible for coordinating transport.
    Gather Victim Org Information: Business Relationships T1591.002 Conducted reconnaissance of other companies cooperating with the victim entity.
    Gather Victim Host Information T1592 Attempted to enumerate Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) servers hosting IP cameras.
    Table 3: Resource development
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use
    Compromise Accounts: Email Accounts T1586.002 Sent phishing emails using compromised accounts.
    Compromise Accounts: Cloud Accounts T1586.003 Sent phishing emails using compromised accounts.
    Table 4: Initial Access
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use
    Trusted Relationship T1199 Conducted follow-on targeting of additional entities in the transportation sector that had business ties to the primary target, exploiting trust relationships to attempt to gain additional access.
    Phishing T1566 Used spearphishing for credentials and delivering malware to gain initial access to targeted entities.
    Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment T1566.001 Sent emails with malicious attachments.
    Phishing: Spearphishing Link T1566.002 Used spearphishing with included links to fake login pages. Sent emails with embedded hyperlinks that downloaded a malicious archive.
    Phishing: Spearphishing Voice T1566.004 Attempted to use voice phishing to gain access to privileged accounts by impersonating IT staff.
    External Remote Services T1133 Exploited Internet-facing infrastructure, including corporate VPNs, to gain initial access to targeted entities.
    Exploit Public-Facing Application T1190 Exploited public vulnerabilities and SQL injection to gain initial access to targeted entities.
    Content Injection T1659 Leveraged a WinRAR vulnerability allowing for the execution of arbitrary code embedded in an archive.
    Table 5: Execution
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use
    User Execution: Malicious Link T1204.001 Used malicious links to hosted shortcuts in spearphishing.
    User Execution: Malicious File T1204.002 Delivered malware executables via spearphishing.
    Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task T1053.005 Used scheduled tasks to establish persistence.
    Command and Scripting Interpreter T1059 Delivered scripts in spearphishing. Executed arbitrary shell commands.
    Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell T1059.001 PowerShell commands were often used to prepare data for exfiltration.
    Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell T1059.003 Used BAT script in spearphishing.
    Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic T1059.005 Used VBScript in spearphishing.
    Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python T1059.006 Installed python on infected machines to enable the execution of Certipy.
    Table 6: Persistence
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use
    Account Manipulation: 
    Additional Email Delegate 
    Permissions

    T1098.002 

    		 Used manipulation of mailbox permissions to establish sustained email collection. 
    Modify Authentication Process: 
    Multi-Factor Authentication

    T1556.006 

    		 Enrolled compromised accounts in MFA mechanisms to increase the trust-level of compromised accounts and enable sustained access. 
    Hijack Execution Flow: DLL 
    Search Order Hijacking     		 T1574.001  Used DLL search order hijacking to facilitate malware execution. 
    Boot or Logon Autostart 
    Execution: Registry Run Keys / 
    Startup Folder

    T1547.001 

    		 Used run keys to establish persistence. 
    Boot or Logon Autostart 
    Execution: Shortcut 
    Modification

    T1547.009 

    		 Placed malicious shortcuts in the startup folder to establish persistence. 
    Table 7: Defense Evasion
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use
    Indicator Removal: Clear 
    Windows Event Logs    		 T1070.001  Deleted event logs through the wevtutil utility.
    Table 8: Credential access 
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Brute Force 

    Sent requests with Base64-encoded credentials for the RTSP server, which included publicly documented default credentials, and likely were generic attempts to brute force access to the devices. 

    Brute Force: Password Guessing 

    T1110.001 

    Used credential guessing to gain initial access to targeted entities. 

    Brute Force: Password Spraying 

    T1110.003 

    Used brute force to gain initial access to targeted entities. Conducted a brute force password spray via LDAP. 

    Multi-Factor Authentication Interception 

    Used multi-stage redirectors to provide MFA relaying capabilities in some campaigns. 

    Input Capture 

    Used multi-stage redirectors to provide CAPTCHA relaying capabilities in some campaigns. 

    Forced Authentication 

    Used an Outlook NTLM vulnerability to collect NTLM hashes and credentials via specially crafted Outlook calendar appointment invitations. 

    OS Credential Dumping: NTDS 

    T1003.003 

    Attempted to dump Active Directory NTDS.dit domain databases. 

    Unsecured Credentials: Group Policy Preferences 

    T1552.006 

    Retrieved plaintext passwords via Group Policy Preferences using Get-GPPPassword.py. 
    Table 9: Discovery
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Account Discovery: Domain Account

    T1087.002

    Used a modified ldap-dump.py to enumerate the Windows environment.
    Table 10: Command and Control
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Hide Infrastructure 

    		 T1665 

    Abused SOHO devices to facilitate covert cyber operations, as well as proxy malicious activity, via devices with geolocation in proximity to the target. 

    Proxy: External Proxy 

    		 T1090.002 

    Actor-controlled servers sent RTSP DESCRIBE requests destined for RTSP servers. 

    Proxy: Multi-hop Proxy 

    		 T1090.003 

    Used Tor and commercial VPNs as part of their anonymization infrastructure 

    Encrypted Channel 

    		 T1573 

    Connected to victim infrastructure using encrypted TLS. 

    Multi-Stage Channels 

    		 T1104 

    Used multi-stage redirectors for campaigns. 
    Table 11: Defense evasion (mobile framework)
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Execution Guardrails 

    Used multi-stage redirectors to verify browser fingerprints in some campaigns. 

    Execution Guardrails: Geofencing 

    T1627.001 

    Used multi-stage redirectors to verify IP-geolocation in some campaigns. 
    Table 12: Lateral movement
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Lateral Movement 

    Used native commands and open source tools, such as Impacket and PsExec, to move laterally within the environment. 

    Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol 

    T1021.001 

    Moved laterally within the network using RDP. 
    Table 13: Collection
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Email Collection 

    Retrieved sensitive data from email servers. 

    Email Collection: Remote Email Collection 

    T1114.002 

    Used server data exchange protocols and APIs such as Exchange Web Services (EWS) and IMAP to exfiltrate data from email servers. 

    Automated Collection 

    Used periodic EWS queries to collect new emails. 

    Video Capture 

    Attempted to gain access to the cameras’ feeds. 

    Archive Collected Data 

    Accessed files were archived in .zip files prior to exfiltration. 

    Archive Collected Data: Archive via Utility 

    T1560.001 

    Prepared zip archives for upload to the actors’ infrastructure. 
    Table 14: Exfiltration
    Tactic/Technique Title ID Use

    Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol 

    Attempted to exfiltrate archived data via a previously dropped OpenSSH binary. 

    Scheduled Transfer 

    Used periodic EWS queries to collect new emails sent and received since the last data exfiltration. 

    Appendix B: CVEs exploited

    Table 15: Exploited CVE information
    CVE  Vendor/Product  Details

    CVE-2023-38831 

    RARLAB WinRAR 

    Allows execution of arbitrary code when a user attempts to view a benign file within a ZIP archive. 

    CVE-2023-23397 

    Microsoft Outlook 

    External actors could send specially crafted emails that cause a connection from the victim to an untrusted location of the actor’s control, leaking the Net-NTLMv2 hash of the victim that the actor could then relay to another service to authenticate as the victim. 

    CVE-2021-44026 

    Roundcube Webmail 

    Roundcube before 1.3.17 and 1.4.x before 1.4.12 is prone to a potential SQL injection via search or search params. 

    CVE-2020-35730 

    Roundcube Webmail 

    An XSS issue was discovered in Roundcube Webmail before 1.2.13, 1.3.x before 1.3.16 and 1.4.x before 1.4.10, where a plaintext email message with JavaScript in a link reference element is mishandled by linkref_addindex in rcube_string_replacer.php. 

    CVE-2020-12641 

    Roundcube Webmail 

    Roundcube Webmail before 1.4.4 allows arbitrary code execution via shell metacharacters in a configuration setting for im_convert_path or im_identify_path in rcube_image.php. 

    Appendix C: MITRE D3FEND Countermeasures

    Table 16: MITRE D3FEND countermeasures
    Countermeasure Title  ID  Details 

    Network Isolation 

    Employ appropriate network segmentation. Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), Peer-to-Peer (P2P), and Anonymous Visit features on IP cameras and routers. 

    Access Mediation 

    Limit access and utilize additional attributes (such as device information, environment, and access path) when making access decisions. Configure access controls carefully to ensure that only well-maintained and well-authenticated accounts have access. 

    Inbound Traffic Filtering 

    Implement host firewall rules to block connections from other devices on the network, other than from authorized management devices and servers, to prevent lateral movement. 

    Resource Access Pattern Analysis 

    Use automated tools to audit access logs for security concerns and identify anomalous access requests. 

    Outbound Traffic Filtering 

    Block NTLM/SMB requests to external infrastructure. 

    Platform Monitoring 

    Install EDR/logging/cybersecurity solutions onto high value systems with large amounts of sensitive data such as mail servers and domain controllers. 

    System File Analysis 

    Collect and monitor Windows logs for certain events, especially for events that indicate that a log was cleared unexpectedly. 

    Application Hardening 

    Enable optional security features in Windows to harden endpoints and mitigate initial access techniques. 

    Application-based Process Isolation 

    Enable attack surface reduction rules to prevent executable content from email. 

    Executable Allowlisting 

    Enable attack surface reduction rules to prevent execution of files from globally writeable directories, such as Downloads or %APPDATA%. 

    Execution Isolation 

    Unless users are involved in the development of scripts, limit the execution of scripts (such as batch, JavaScript, and PowerShell) to known scripts. 

    Application Configuration Hardening 

    Disable Windows Host Scripting functionality and configure PowerShell to run in Constrained mode. Disable protocols that use weak authentication (e.g., clear-text passwords, or outdated and vulnerable authentication or encryption protocols) or do not support multi-factor authentication. Turn off other ports/services not in use (e.g., FTP, web interface, etc.). 

    Process Spawn Analysis 

    Use open source SIGMA rules as a baseline for detecting and alerting on suspicious file execution or command parameters. 

    URL Reputation Analysis 

    Use services that provide enhanced browsing services and safe link checking. 

    Network Access Mediation 

    Do not allow incoming traffic, especially logins to systems, from public VPN services. Where possible, logins from public VPNs, including exit nodes in the same country as target systems, should be blocked or, if allowed, alerted on for further investigation. Ensure cameras and other Internet of Things devices are protected by a security appliance, if possible. 

    DNS Denylisting 

    D3-DNSDL 

    Do not allow outgoing traffic to hosting and API mocking services frequently used by malicious actors. 

    Domain Name Reputation Analysis 

    Heuristic detections for web requests to new subdomains may uncover malicious phishing activity. Logging the requests for each sub-domain requested by users on a network, such as in DNS or firewall logs, may enable system administrators to identify new targeting and victims. 

    Multi-factor Authentication 

    Use MFA with strong factors and require regular re-authentication, especially for management accounts. 

    Job Function Access Pattern Analysis 

    D3-JFAPA 

    Implement other mitigations for privileged accounts: including limiting the number of admin accounts, considering using hardware MFA tokens, and regularly reviewing all privileged user accounts. 

    User Account Permissions 

    Separate privileged accounts by role and alert on misuse of privileged accounts. Audit user accounts on all devices to ensure they are an accurate reflection of your organization and that they are being used as expected. 

    Token-based Authentication 

    Reduce reliance on passwords; instead, consider using services like single sign-on. 

    Credential Hardening 

    Do not store passwords in Group Policy Preferences (GPP). Remove all passwords previously included in GPP and change all passwords on the corresponding accounts. 

    Authentication Event Threshholding 

    Use account throttling or account lockout. Throttling progressively increases time delay between successive login attempts. If using account lockout, allow between 5 to 10 attempts before lockout. 

    Strong Password Policy 

    Use a service to check for compromised passwords before using them. 

    Credential Rotation 

    Change all default credentials. 

    Encrypted Tunnels 

    Disable protocols that use weak authentication (e.g., clear-text passwords, or outdated and vulnerable authentication or encryption protocols). Use a VPN for remote connections to devices. 

    Software Update 

    Apply security patches and firmware updates to all devices. Ensure devices are currently supported. Replace devices that are end-of-life. 

    Agent Authentication 

    Ensure authentication is enabled for remote access to devices. If supported on IP cameras, enable authenticated RTSP access only. 

    User Behavior Analysis 

    Review all authentication activity for remote access to make sure it is valid and expected. Investigate any unexpected or unusual activity. 

    MIL Security OSI -

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Model OSCE in Andorra: Empowering young professionals to engage in peace and security

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

    Headline: Model OSCE in Andorra: Empowering young professionals to engage in peace and security

    From 19 to 21 May, the OSCE Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of Andorra, the US Mission to the OSCE, and University of Andorra co-organized the first-ever Model OSCE in Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra.
    The three-day event brought together 25 young people with diverse backgrounds from Andorra, Algeria, the United States of America, Japan and Morocco, offering them a unique opportunity to strengthen their soft skills and deepen their understanding of peace and security issues through peer-to-peer learning on multilateralism, international relations and diplomacy.
    The programme featured sessions on the OSCE’s mandate, history, structure, and decision-making processes, as well as its co-operation with OSCE Partners. It also included discussions on Finland’s priorities on 2025 Chairpersonship, the Youth and Security Agenda, the role of women in diplomacy and multilateralism, and hands-on training in negotiation and mediation.
    In her opening remarks, Andorra’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Imma Tor Faus emphasized the country’s ongoing support of youth engagement in international affairs: “After hosting the OSCE activities in 2022 focused on Youth and Security, today’s event reaffirms Andorra’s strong and ongoing commitment to the OSCE’s Youth and Security Agenda. We are proud to support the efforts of the Office of the Secretary-General, both politically and financially, to advance this vital work. The Model OSCE reflects the values we stand for and aligns closely with our priority of promoting youth participation in international organizations.”
    Omar Cardentey, Head of Public Affairs for the US. Mission to the OSCE also shared his personal experience in working in the multilateral settings and encouraged young participants to never give up or doubt their ability to make an impact.
    The Model OSCE echoed the motto “nothing about youth without youth”, underscoring the crucial role of young people in building sustainable and peaceful societies.
    One participant, Lisa Cruz Lackner from Andorra, captured the spirit of the event: “Capacity-building initiatives like this are more than trainings. They create a unique space for dialogue, understanding, and mutual learning. When we come together with different experiences, perspectives, and identities, we don’t just learn about the issues—we learn how to listen, negotiate, and collaborate beyond borders. These events empower us not only to understand global challenges, but to see ourselves as part of the solution. In a setting like the Model OSCE, you quickly realize that diversity is not a challenge to overcome—it is the key to building more inclusive, effective and lasting approaches to peace and security.”
    Participants also engaged in exchanges with young diplomats and parliamentarians from Andorra and Malta, gaining firsthand insights into diplomatic careers. The event encouraged collaborative learning and dialogue throughout its session.
    The Model OSCE was held as part of the Extra-budgetary Project “Accelerating the implementation of the Youth and Security Agenda in the OSCE region”, which aims to empower young people to shape a more secure and co-operative future across the OSCE region.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: IP Fabric Advances Security Posture Assurance with Firewall Discovery and Simulation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IP Fabric, the Automated Infrastructure Assurance Platform, today announced advanced firewall management features that close critical security and compliance gaps. The latest release includes firewall filtering simulation, transparent firewall discovery and visualization, enhanced compliance checks and granular access controls. These capabilities give enterprises full visibility into how traffic is encrypted, filtered and enforced — helping teams detect misconfigurations, ensure that every firewall is discovered and modeled, and create triggers to automate responses to risk in partnership with the firewall management systems already in use.

    Up to 20% of a network — including the critical firewalls that block malicious traffic and access — are improperly configured in enterprise companies. IT leaders carry a fiduciary responsibility to ensure infrastructure is secure, compliant and cost-effective, starting with a complete understanding of network assets and behavior. Security assessors and regulatory auditors know this, which is why firewall configurations are integral to controls outlined in global frameworks like NIST, CIS, ISO 27001 and SOC 2. IP Fabric’s latest release shows exactly how all firewalls, segmentation and encrypted traffic behave in the real world to reduce risk created by gaps in defense, strengthen protection and speed audit preparation.

    “Infrastructure defense shouldn’t live in silos, but too often our tools and teams do,” said Pavel Bykov, CEO and co-founder of IP Fabric. “We’re giving IT and security teams a shared, end-to-end understanding of how traffic flows, including how it’s encrypted, filtered and enforced across transparent firewalls and IPSec tunnels. When you can visualize devices, end-to-end paths, misconfigurations and gaps in your defense in context, you can take informed action to strengthen your security posture, prove continuous compliance and avoid unbudgeted costs.”

    Key security and compliance enhancements in IP Fabric 7.2

    1. Modern firewall filtering simulation: See how traffic is allowed or blocked by URLs, threat feeds and domain names.

    2. Transparent firewall discovery and visualization: Visualize Layer 2 firewalls and encrypted tunnels to improve monitoring and detect gaps in defense. Now supporting Palo Alto Networks, FortiGate and Firepower firewalls.

    3. Enhanced compliance and intent checks: Identify all devices in the traffic path, map CVEs to vulnerable assets and run tailored checks to spot misconfigurations faster in support of global security frameworks such as NIST, CIS, ISO 27001 and SOC 2.

    4. Granular user access controls for security extensions: Restrict who can deploy or edit automation scripts to prevent unauthorized changes and support compliance.

    5. Next-generation firewall management: Ensure security posture consistently among firewalls both on-prem and in the public cloud, regardless of vendor. Trigger changes based on up-to-date insights into compliance and network behavior.

    By delivering unparalleled visibility and control into security policies, firewall enforcement and compliance posture, IP Fabric’s latest release empowers enterprises to close security gaps before attackers exploit them.

    For a complete list of features included in IP Fabric 7.2 visit the company blog.

    About IP Fabric
    IP Fabric is the industry’s leading automated infrastructure assurance platform, offering a continuously validated view of cloud, network and security infrastructure to improve stability, security and spend. Within minutes, the platform creates a unified view of devices, state, configurations and interdependencies, normalizing multi-vendor data and revealing operational truth through automated intent checks. By uncovering risks and providing actionable insights, IP Fabric empowers enterprises to accelerate IT and business transformation while reducing costs. Trusted by industry leaders like Red Hat, Major League Baseball and Air France, IP Fabric delivers the foundation for a secure and modern infrastructure.

    Learn more at ipfabric.io and follow the company on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact
    Liesse Jayalath
    ipfabric@lookleftmarketing.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90b60f9f-ceea-4df0-8039-81e631394f01

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Appoints Dan Liu as CEO Ahead of 14th Anniversary Milestone

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, today announces the appointment of Dan Liu as its new Chief Executive Officer. Liu, who previously served as Chief Research Officer at BTCC, brings extensive expertise in both traditional finance and cryptocurrency markets to his new role.

    As BTCC approaches its 14th anniversary in June, Dan Liu’s appointment as CEO marks a new chapter for the exchange. Under his leadership, BTCC aims to build upon its legacy as the world’s most established crypto exchange while pursuing sustainable growth. This vision will carry BTCC confidently into the future, elevating the platform beyond traditional security to drive meaningful industry evolution.

    From Research Visionary to CEO

    Since joining BTCC in 2019, Liu has been instrumental in the exchange’s rapid growth and innovation in the cryptocurrency space. As a dynamic young leader, he previously served as Chief Research Officer at the exchange. With his strategic vision over the years, BTCC expanded its services to users from over 160 countries and significantly enhanced its product offerings in both futures and spot trading markets while maintaining high security standards.

    Liu’s forward-thinking approach to market dynamics has made him a sought-after and respected voice in the cryptocurrency space, with regular features in prominent crypto media outlets including Cointelegraph, Markets Insider, and Japanese publication Monthly Digital Assets.

    “I am deeply honored to lead BTCC Exchange at such a pivotal time for both our platform and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem,” said Liu. “My crypto journey began back in 2013, and that early passion has only grown stronger over the years. As we celebrate our 14th anniversary this year, I’m excited to combine my background in traditional finance with my love for blockchain innovation. We remain committed to bridging these two worlds, continuing to build trust within the community while accelerating our global expansion.”

    Building on Legacy, Focused on Future

    Since joining BTCC in 2019, Liu has guided the exchange through various market conditions while driving innovation and growth. His leadership has positioned BTCC as an industry pioneer across multiple market cycles.

    One of Liu’s most notable contributions was leading the launch of Tokenized Futures, an innovative financial product rarely seen in the industry. This bold step bridged the gap between traditional finance and blockchain technology and positioned BTCC as a forward-thinking exchange.

    Additionally, under Liu’s strategic guidance, BTCC launched its highly successful Copy Trading feature, which has received exceptional user engagement and positive feedback. This feature provides an accessible entry point for those exploring cryptocurrency markets, aligning perfectly with BTCC’s mission of making digital asset trading more inclusive.

    With his academic background in conventional markets, Liu brings valuable analytical skills to the evolving cryptocurrency space. His leadership represents a new approach where trust, transparency, and blockchain technology work together.

    Looking ahead, Liu’s focus is on global expansion while navigating increasingly diverse regulatory standards across markets. “One of my most important missions is educating the general public about cryptocurrency and making trading accessible to everyday users,” Liu explains. To support this vision, he plans to deepen BTCC’s community connections by attending global industry events and creating direct dialogue with users and partners across different markets—insights that will help shape the platform’s future and inform regional strategies.

    Under Liu’s leadership, BTCC Exchange is poised to continue its legacy as one of the most trusted, secure, and innovative cryptocurrency exchanges globally.

    About BTCC

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

    Website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

    X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d56fc540-d6fd-4c6f-ae1a-a3ea93410608

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Small Boat: this slim, devastating novel about a real migrant shipwreck reminds us of the cruelty of indifference

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Fiona Murphy, Assistant Professor in Refugee and Intercultural Studies, Dublin City University

    There’s a particular kind of story that’s rarely executed well – one without heroes, without lessons, without even the cold comfort of a villain you can confidently point at and say: there, that’s the evil. Vincent Delecroix’s Small Boat – a slim, bruising novel translated with quiet precision by Helen Stevenson – is that kind of story.

    Small Boat, which was shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize, centres on a real horror: the drowning of 27 people in the English Channel on November 24 2021. They were crowded into an inflatable dinghy in the dark, reaching out over crackling radio lines, asking – in French, in English, in Kurdish – for help. They didn’t get it.

    What is known – not imagined in Delecroix’s pages – is that both French and British coastguards received their calls. And both hesitated, passing responsibility back and forth like a poisoned parcel. People died while operators discussed jurisdiction. The Cranston Inquiry, established to examine the failures of that night, is ongoing, its transcripts and testimonies peeling back the layers of bureaucratic neglect.

    Delecroix doesn’t give us the migrants’ stories directly. He focuses instead on a fictional French coastguard operator, a woman who spent that night on the radio, doing (or not doing) what her training, her weariness, her own justifications allowed. In the aftermath, she is questioned – not in a court, but in a room filled with mirrors. She faces a policewoman who looks like her, thinks like her, speaks with her same clipped, professional cadence.

    She listens back to recordings of her own voice on the rescue line promising help that would not come, offering assurances she did not believe. She is left to reckon with the unbearable fact that someone, somewhere (was it her?) spoke the words: “You will not be saved.”



    Read more:
    International Booker prize 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels

    She isn’t especially monstrous. She’s tired. She’s professional. She has a young daughter at home and an ex-partner who sneers at her work. She runs on the beach to decompress. In one of the novel’s most arresting turns, she compares herself to a mass-produced tin opener: efficient, functional, affectless. Delecroix draws her with enough delicacy that we cannot quite hate her. And that, of course, is far more unsettling.

    Reading Small Boat, I thought – as one inevitably does – of Hannah Arendt’s banality of evil. Not evil as grand spectacle or ideology, but as administration, the quiet conviction that one is simply fulfilling a role. Arendt coined the phrase watching the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief Nazi organisers of the Holocaust. Eichmann organised the trains but claimed never to have hated the passengers. What Arendt saw was not a monster but a functionary – and that, of course, was the point.

    I thought too about my own work as an anthropologist researching forced displacement across Ireland, Turkey and Australia. I’ve sat with people whose lives are shaped not by violence in its cinematic form, but by violence as policy: the hotel room without a kitchen, the letter that never arrives, the bed that’s taken away with no warning.

    I’ve heard a senior Irish official describe the state’s provision of housing and support for asylum seekers as “sufficient”. Meanwhile people, stateless and waiting, are asked to prove their vulnerability again and again until even their grief is suspect.

    Institutional indifference

    The institutionalisation of indifference: that’s the real story here. The smugness of protocols. The liturgy of duty rosters and shift reports. It wasn’t evil that let those people drown in the Channel – it was ordinary people in warm offices, citing rules, filling forms, following scripts.

    We can see the birth of such indifference in policies like the UK’s abandoned Rwanda plan, which casually proposed outsourcing asylum itself, as if refuge were a commodity.

    Delecroix’s brilliance lies in showing how violence at the border is carried out not by villains, but by workers. By women with mortgages, men on night shifts, people who’ve learned to sort calls for help by urgency, credibility, accent. “Sorting,” the narrator explains, “is perhaps the most important part of the job.” Not all distress calls are equal. And the assumption – always lurking, never spoken – is that some lives are more likely to be saved.

    At one point, the narrator’s colleague Julien answers calls from migrants by quoting Pascal: “Vous êtes embarqués.” You are already embarked. A fatalist shrug disguised as wisdom. As if to say: you should have thought of all this before you left. The shrug does the work of a policy, the quotation the work of a wall.

    And yet, the narrator cannot fully perform indifference. She is haunted by the sea. She remembers loving it as a child. Now, it terrifies her. She feels it watching her, pursuing her, wanting to surge past the shore and swallow the continent whole. She runs along the beach to quiet her mind – a run that is almost the same length as the journey those on the dinghy tried to make.

    If Small Boat has a flaw, it’s that it sometimes flirts with making guilt into its own form of lyricism. But this too may be deliberate. It is easier, perhaps, to feel sorry than to feel implicated. And far easier to narrate moral confusion than to prevent its causes.

    What Delecroix has written is not a redemption story. It’s not a psychological thriller. It is a chamber piece for one voice and many ghosts. There are no grand gestures here. Just small refusals, small failures. And the small, flickering boats of each human life, drifting toward – or away from – one another in the dark.

    In a world ever more brutal towards those who flee war, hunger and despair, Delecroix’s novel is a necessary and merciless indictment. It reminds us that the shipwreck is not theirs alone. It is ours too.

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

    – ref. Small Boat: this slim, devastating novel about a real migrant shipwreck reminds us of the cruelty of indifference – https://theconversation.com/small-boat-this-slim-devastating-novel-about-a-real-migrant-shipwreck-reminds-us-of-the-cruelty-of-indifference-255052

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s Wong condemns ‘abhorrent, outrageous’ Israeli comments over blocked aid

    Asia Pacific Report

    Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has released a statement saying “the Israeli government cannot allow the suffering to continue” after the UN’s aid chief said thousands of babies were at risk of dying if they did not receive food immediately.

    “Australia joins international partners in calling on Israel to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza,” Wong said in a post on X.

    “We condemn the abhorrent and outrageous comments made by members of the Netanyahu government about these people in crisis.”

    Wong stopped short of outlining any measures Australia might take to encourage Israel to ensure enough aid reaches those in need, as the UK, France and Canada said they would do with “concrete measures” in a recent joint statement.


    An agreement has been reached in a phone call between UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, reports Al Jazeera.

    According to the Palestinian news agency WAM, the aid would initially cater to the food needs of about 15,000 civilians in Gaza.

    It will also include essential supplies for bakeries and critical items for infant care.

    ‘Permission’ for 100 trucks
    Earlier yesterday, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office in Geneva said Israel had given permission for about 100 aid trucks to enter Gaza.

    However, the UN also said no aid had been distributed in Gaza because of Israeli restrictions, despite a handful of aid trucks entering the territory.

    “But what we mean here by allowed is that the trucks have received military clearance to access the Palestinian side,” reports Tareq Abu Azzoum from Deir el-Balah, central Gaza.

    “They have not made their journey into the enclave. They are still stuck at the border crossing. Only five trucks have made it in.”

    Israel’s Gaza aid “smokescreen” showing the vast gulf between what the Israeli military have actually allowed in – five trucks only and none of the aid had been delivered at the time of this report. Image: Al Jazeera infographic/Creative Commons

    The few aid trucks alowed into Gaza are nowhere near sufficient to meet Gaza’s vast needs, says the medical charity Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF.

    Instead, the handful of trucks serve as a “a smokescreen” for Israel to “pretend the siege is over”.

    “The Israeli authorities’ decision to allow a ridiculously inadequate amount of aid into Gaza after months of an air-tight siege signals their intention to avoid the accusation of starving people in Gaza, while in fact keeping them barely surviving,” said Pascale Coissard, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Khan Younis.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK stands ready to send more aid to Gaza as Minister pledges further support

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK stands ready to send more aid to Gaza as Minister pledges further support

    Minister for Development announces new UK support for Gaza on first visit in her role to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    • extra UK aid announced today will support organisations on the ground seeking to get food, water and medicine to those who need it
    • Minister Chapman will call Israel’s decision to allow just a basic amount of food into Gaza ‘abominable’ after an ‘indefensible’ 11-week blockade.
    • on her first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in her role, the Minister also emphasises the need to release all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and works towards a two-state solution

    Vulnerable Gazans must urgently be given full access to aid, UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said today [Wednesday 21 May] on her first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in her role. 

    Following the Government’s calls, together with partners, for restrictions on aid access to be lifted, the UK has announced £4m of new UK humanitarian support for Gazans as the Minister reaffirms the UK’s commitment to driving peace in the region.

    The visit comes the day after Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced new sanctions hitting violent West Bank settlers, paused free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and called the Government of Israel’s actions ‘egregious’ and ‘intolerable’. 

    On her visit the Development Minister will say the limited restart of aid deliveries into Gaza is ‘simply not enough’ and she will urge the Israeli government to allow the unhindered provision of aid. She will say the blockade has been appalling and indefensible, particularly following an IPC report noting the entire population of Gaza is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

    The Minister will announce new UK support during a visit to a Red Crescent centre, highlighting that the UK stands ready to provide the urgent aid to those who desperately need it, while expressing frustration much of it cannot yet reach them.

    Backing up words with action, the new UK support would cover essential medicines and medical supplies for up to 32,000 people, safe drinking water for up to 60,000 people, and food parcels for up to 14,000 people.

    Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said:

    The lack of aid reaching ordinary Gazans is appalling. The Israeli government’s failure to allow full humanitarian access to aid workers is abhorrent. Far too few trucks are crossing into Gaza. The UN has warned nearly half a million Palestinians, including children, are facing starvation.

    The UK is clear – Israel will not achieve security through prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people.

    I have heard first hand from aid workers today of the abominable impact of this behaviour on real families. The UK has today pledged new support for Gazans but the brutal reality is most of it is stuck in limbo.

    We need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, a surge of aid, and a path towards long-term peace.

    During the first day of her visit (Wednesday, May 21), Minister Chapman has met with Palestinian Justice Minister Sharhabeel al-Zaeem, and talked to UNRWA representatives on resolving the challenges in getting aid to Palestinian communities.

    Tomorrow, she is due to meet the families of hostages cruelly held by Hamas, where she will highlight the importance of an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict which secures their urgent release. This is the only way to deliver long-term stability in the region, and at home, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Background

    • The £4 million contribution announced today will be made to the British Red Cross to deliver humanitarian relief in Gaza through their partner the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. This support has been allocated from the £101 million set aside for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in financial year 2025-26, announced during the official visit of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa to the UK.
    • UK support to the OPTs since October 7, 2023, has so far provided 405,000 patient consultations across Gaza, food aid to at least 647,000 people, and improved water, sanitation and hygiene services to almost 300,000 people. 
    • Photos from the visit will be available on FCDO Flickr
    • See here for the Foreign Secretary’s statement announcing sanctions on West Bank violence network and the pause on negotiations for a free trade agreement.
    • See here for joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank delivered on 19/05/2025.
    • See here for joint statement from UK and 26 other humanitarian partners delivered on 19/05/2025.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case

    An illegal enterprise in catalytic converters has brought confiscation orders for £526,215.04, at a Proceeds of Crime Award hearing.

    Converters

    The case led by the Environment Agency was concluded at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 16 May 2025.

    The ruling was made against Long Sutton-based Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd and director Edvars Stancik.

    Recorder John Hardy KC ruled that Stancik, 30, had made a benefit of £4,312,925.70 from his criminal activity while his company made a benefit of £4,344,827.60.

    The court heard assets of £495,280.88 were available from the company made up of cash in a bank account and seized catalytic converters.

    Stancik’s only asset was £30,934.16 from equity in a house he sold before his trial, the court was told.

    Recorder Hardy ordered those amounts to be confiscated and ruled that £100,111.65 should be paid to the Environment Agency to cover costs.

    At a previous hearing (4 September 2024), the company and Stancik were found guilty of running an illegal waste site at Long Sutton.

    The court heard that, between December 2019 and September 2021, Stancik, 30, acted as a director of the company and traded in catalytic convertors on a colossal scale. 

    A jury heard that neither Stancik nor his company had obtained an environmental permit before buying and selling thousands of catalytic converters.

    Stancik stored the devices in containers in Long Sutton and were stored in an irresponsible manner giving rise to health risks.

    A warrant for the arrest of Stancik, who is believed to be living in Lithuania, has been issued.  He has been given 3 months to pay or face 5 years in jail.

    The Environment Agency continues to investigate ways of retrieving further proceeds.

    Peter Stark, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, said:

    “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.

    “Offenders won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the EA’s hard work, justice has been served.

    “Waste crime can be a blight on the environment, communities and to legitimate businesses.

    “We will continue to work with professional partners like Lincolnshire Police in this case to prevent, disrupt, investigate, and stop waste offending.

    “If anyone suspects that a company or its directors are doing something wrong, contact our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    The charges:

    Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd.

    • Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton).

    • Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    • Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.) (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    Edvars Stancik

    • Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    Background Information

    Catalytic converters are components in car exhausts.  They contain small amounts of precious metals contained within a metal case making them valuable.

    However, catalytic converters also contain carcinogenic fibres which, if ingested, can cause serious and irreversible lung disease. 

    The dangerous fibres can attach to shoes and clothing and be transported from one place to another.

     It is therefore extremely important that catalytic converters are handled only under the strict conditions of an environmental permit, supervised by the Environment Agency.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    An 1878 photograph of Pope Leo XIII and members of his court, taken by Jules David. Wikimedia Commons

    When Robert Francis Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV, it could have meant many things. There were 13 Leos before him: The first, Leo the Great, was a fifth-century theologian who helped heal the doctrinal divisions among early Christians; Leo X, a member of the powerful Medici family, helped provoke the Protestant Reformation with his lavish lifestyle and sale of indulgences.

    Two days after his election, the new pope affirmed the most likely inference: that his name was a tribute to the most recent Leo, Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. Less obvious, however, was what inspired his choice: the rise of artificial intelligence.

    As the new pope told the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, he was inspired by his namesake’s teachings about economic justice during another time of radical technological change. Leo XIII applied Catholic tradition to the Industrial Revolution in a historic encyclical called Rerum Novarum, which became the founding document of modern Catholic economics.

    “In our own day,” Leo XIV said, “the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”

    I am a scholar of economic thought around technology and religion, and so the invocation of the previous Leo had immediate resonance for me. What lessons is the current pope drawing from his predecessor? What would Leo XIII say about AI?

    19th-century teachings

    Some might imagine that the answer is some kind of outright rejection. The Catholic Church has a sometimes earned reputation for denouncing the modern world in favor of its centuries-old traditions.

    One aspect of the reign of Leo XIII, who became pope in 1878, was an attack on modern individualism, which he denounced as “Americanism.” But his relationship with modernity was far from simply rejecting it. Leo XIII was the first pope captured on film, for instance, and he blessed the camera that recorded him.

    Leo XIII was the first pope to appear on film.

    In Rerum Novarum, which appeared in 1891, Leo responded to the roiling struggles between Gilded Age capitalists and the industrial workers they systematically exploited. The “teeming masses of the laboring poor” received “a yoke little better than that of slavery itself,” he wrote.

    The 19th-century pope refused to endorse either the capitalists’ wait-and-see promise of progress or the communists’ longing for a dictatorship of the proletariat. Instead, he offered a vision that became the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching.

    Leo XIII’s prescription for the Industrial Revolution of his time was to embrace private property, like the capitalists, but to spread it out far more widely among workers. Rerum Novarum contends it is “just and right that the results of labor should belong to those who have bestowed their labor.” If workers become owners, he explained, they can have a part in stewarding the gifts of God.

    Leo XIII’s writings have formed the foundation of modern Catholic social thought.
    L’Illustrazione Italiana via Wikimedia Commons

    The pope further called for public policy that would spread wealth and power in the industrial economy through widespread ownership: “The law, therefore, should favor ownership, and its policy should be to induce as many as possible of the people to become owners.”

    This was a radical position then, as it is now. Following Leo XIII’s call, many Catholics searched for ways to share ownership of industry more widely. This movement gave birth to cooperative businesses around the world, from the North American credit union system to the Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain, an industrial behemoth owned and governed by its workers.

    But for most of the world, Leo’s plea was forgotten in the capitalist-versus-communist Cold War.

    21st-century tech

    Today, we inhabit yet another Gilded Age. Wealth inequality in the United States has reached similar levels as in Leo XIII’s time, once again thanks to technological disruptions that funnel the benefits to a small elite. AI threatens to put the platform economy on steroids, upending work with the bots that only a few companies can afford to build.

    Policy debates about AI tend to be limited to what the big tech CEOs should or shouldn’t do. The Biden administration was poised to enshrine a few powerful companies as the arbiters of AI, handing them and the government power to determine what is and isn’t ethical. Now, the Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to compete with China. “The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety,” Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, told a major AI summit soon after taking office. “It will be won by building.”

    Channeling Leo XIII to confront the AI revolution, however, means looking past prevailing ideas, as he did in his time. His teachings suggest that the people who create and use AI should be the ones who actively own and govern it.

    This could take many forms. For instance, already there are workers organizing to shape how AI is deployed in their workplaces. In other contexts, cooperative businesses such as Land O’Lakes have worked with farmer-owners to use the data that farm machines produce to improve their practices. People do not have to be merely passive users of AI tools; when they have well-organized democratic power through unions and co-ops, they can make the technology more accountable to them.

    AI companies themselves can spread ownership and governance more widely. Fears about the dangers that powerful AI could pose if it gets out of hand have already prompted some founders to adopt unusual corporate structures. Anthropic, the company behind the AI assistant Claude, is a public-benefit corporation, which means that it can prioritize long-term social benefit above shareholder profits. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is owned by a nonprofit – an arrangement that has resisted efforts to turn it into a more conventional kind of company.

    Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, middle, speaks on a panel at an event about AI safety in 2024.
    AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

    But these structures still assume that AI’s future should be in the hands of an aristocracy of business and technical elites. Leo XIII, on the other hand, argued that everyone who participates in an enterprise should have a stake in it.

    For AI, that could include not only company employees but also the users who train the models, the communities that share their water and power with data centers, the workers who mine the raw materials for high-performance chips, and the creators who contribute to the systems’ knowledge.

    Early research has suggested that ordinary people are very concerned about turning power over to machines that they do not yet understand. They see consequences of AI in their lives that engineers in Silicon Valley are less likely to consider, from racial discrimination to workplace surveillance. Also, as a wonderful story by the science fiction writer Cadwell Turnbull suggests, people will likely use and trust AI more if they know it is truly accountable to them.

    In January 2025, the Vatican released a document calling for a “renewed appreciation of all that is human” in the age of AI. It warned against what Pope Francis called the “technocratic paradigm”: the mindset that gives up humans’ role as stewards of God’s creation and hands power over to systems, whether they are stock markets or computer programs.

    By taking the name Leo, I believe the new pope is suggesting something similar. The important question is not whether new technologies are good or bad. What matters far more is whether we can learn to share the responsibility of stewardship – whether we can all be partners in what this new industrial revolution is making possible.

    Nathan Schneider identifies as a Roman Catholic.

    – ref. 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name – https://theconversation.com/19th-century-catholic-teachings-21st-century-tech-how-concerns-about-ai-guided-pope-leos-choice-of-name-256645

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE boosts solar energy skills to support Kyrgyzstan’s clean energy transition

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

    Headline: OSCE boosts solar energy skills to support Kyrgyzstan’s clean energy transition

    To help drive Kyrgyzstan’s transition to clean energy and meet its growing demand for renewables, the OSCE organized a joint initiative in Bishkek focused on both high-level policy dialogue and technical training. This effort was carried out in partnership with the Kyrgyz State Technical University (KSTU) and the Bulan Institute for Peace Innovations.
    On 19 May, over 70 participants – including representatives from government, academia, the private sector, international organizations, and civil society – gathered at KSTU for a roundtable discussion titled “Integration of Renewable Energy Sources into the Energy System of the Kyrgyz Republic and Prospects for RES Development.” The event explored key policy, regulatory, and technical challenges related to scaling up renewable energy – particularly solar and wind power – and examined ways to improve grid integration and expand access to clean energy across the country.
    High-level officials delivered opening remarks, including Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on Mountain Regions Development; Emilbek Ysmanov, First Deputy Minister of Energy; and  Nicolas Faye,  Ambassador of France to the Kyrgyz Republic.
    Alongside the policy discussions, the OSCE, together with KSTU and the Bulan Institute, launched the first of two hands-on training courses on solar photovoltaic system installation and maintenance. The course brought together 24 electricians from various parts of  Kyrgyzstan – including many from rural and remote areas – to gain practical skills in solar system design, installation, and safety. Notably, the active participation of women in the training marked a positive step toward greater gender equality in the energy sector. A second training is scheduled for June 2025.
    “This initiative goes beyond solar panels – it’s about giving people the skills to shape their own energy future,” said Giulia Manconi, OSCE Senior Energy Security Adviser. “By investing in skills development, we’re not only helping Kyrgyzstan unlock its solar potential, but also creating meaningful jobs, promoting local value, and ensuring an inclusive transition to renewable energy that supports the country’s broader energy and climate goals.”
    By building local expertise, this initiative lays the foundation for the creation of a dedicated Solar Training Centre at KSTU, providing long-term support for Kyrgyzstan’s clean energy transition and offering a model that can be replicated across the region.
    This activity is part of the OSCE project on Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Energy Sector in Central Asia, funded by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Poland.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: From Protests to Partnership: Interview with Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, addresses residents who developed a list of conditions for community acceptance of the construction of new nuclear power plants in the municipality. (Photo: Municipality of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands)

    The world’s first major gathering of representatives of communities hosting nuclear facilities will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 26 to 30 May 2025 at the IAEA’s International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes. Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands, which hosts the country’s only operating nuclear power plant, discusses key aspects of stakeholder engagement for nuclear power:

    How has stakeholder engagement changed over time?

    In the 1960s and 1970s, there were fierce protests and demonstrations against the arrival of the nuclear power plant, but in recent years we have seen almost no demonstrations. Over the years, the plant operator, EPZ, has learned to communicate openly and transparently. This has contributed to a good relationship with the surrounding community, an important element of EPZ’s ‘licence to operate’. The plant is now seen as a good neighbour.

    Borsele organized a unique citizen participation process in 2023 on upcoming large energy projects, including two nuclear power reactors. What prompted you as Mayor, and the local government, to include citizens in the process?

    People often have strong opinions either for or against nuclear energy, but the decision about whether new nuclear power plants will be built is ultimately made by the national government. So we’ve focused on the interests of the local community and asked the question: “If two additional nuclear power reactors are built, what will that mean for our municipality and residents? Under what conditions would we accept such a development?” By having this conversation, we’re engaging in a discussion about our shared future and deciding what is needed to keep living, working and enjoying life in our region.

    My municipality has over 23 000 residents, so it’s not possible to ask everyone personally about their views on these developments. By randomly selecting 100 residents, we thought we would get a fair range of opinions reflecting the views of all residents. This way, we can look at what’s coming our way as a community with an open mind, without being too influenced by loud supporters or critics. We also wanted to give a voice to young people, who will live with the impact of new nuclear power plants the longest, and to the ‘silent majority’ — residents who are generally less likely to speak out in public debates.

    Over the course of 5 meetings, these 100 residents came up with 39 conditions under which major developments could take place, ensuring that the environmental impact is properly considered.

    We believe that as a local community we should have a voice in projects happening in our area.

    What are some of the common concerns local residents have about nuclear energy projects? To what extent are they different from concerns about other large projects?

    We are somewhat used to big projects because we live next to a large industrial area and an international seaport. However, there are concerns about the impact of the construction: we see in other countries how long it takes, how large the construction site is, and how many people work there. Residents mainly think about noise, dust and light pollution and an increase in construction traffic. There are also concerns about this development in relation to the landscape we are so proud of here.

    Specifically for the nuclear component, people are concerned about the safety of new nuclear power plants and the continuing perception of a lack of a final solution for nuclear waste.

    What is the socioeconomic impact of nuclear energy projects on host communities and neighbouring areas, based on the experience of Borsele?

    About 400 people work at the existing nuclear power plant, and many more are employed indirectly. If the construction of two new nuclear power reactors goes ahead, thousands of additional workers will be needed for 5 to 15 years. This will not only create jobs in the region but also provide opportunities for local businesses, educational institutions and housing development. It is an opportunity to invest in the future of the region, with innovation and progress at the forefront. It’s therefore crucial that, as a government and society, we make timely plans to properly manage these developments. The construction of nuclear power plants affects an entire region, and when new nuclear power reactors are built, cooperation with neighbouring municipalities is essential to prepare for this. This includes planning for housing, infrastructure and education.

    In addition to being Mayor of Borsele, you are President of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF Europe). Why is it important for nuclear host communities to organize in such associations?

    Nuclear host communities often face or have faced the same challenges. As a network of host communities in different parts of Europe, GMF allows us to learn from each other and find solutions together. We can help each other by sharing information and lessons learned about how to deal with nuclear initiatives. Together, we can also be a stronger voice that is heard in international politics. I am proud that GMF has been invited several times — including by the IAEA — to contribute to new policy and present our vision to participating countries. Together with mayors in Canada and the United States of America, we have also established the Global Partnership of Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities.

    It is equally important to advocate for the position of local communities. They must have a voice in developments that take place in their community.

    What is the advice you would give to communities that are newcomers to nuclear?

    Take an active role, make sure you are well informed, ask the right questions and ensure that the concerns of your community are heard. This not only helps in understanding the impact of nuclear projects, but also ensures that you can actively contribute to decision making and to the process in a way that is in the interest of your community.

    Additionally, it is important to join networks of municipalities. This way, you can jointly influence policy, both nationally and internationally. By working with organizations such as the IAEA, we can ensure that policies take into account the needs of host communities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Diamond Equity Research Releases Update Note on Almonty Industries, Inc. (TSX: AII) (ASX: AII) (OTCQX: ALMTF)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diamond Equity Research, a leading equity research firm with a focus on small capitalization public companies has released an Update Note Almonty Industries, Inc. (TSX: AII) (ASX: AII) (FWB: ALI) (OTCPK: ALMT.F). The update note includes detailed information on the Almonty Industries’ business model, services, industry overview, financials, valuation, management profile, and risks.

    The full research report is available below.

    Almonty Industries Update Note May 2025

     Highlights from the report include:

    • Almonty Industries Secures Strategic Three-Year Offtake Agreement for Tungsten Oxide with Tungsten Parts Wyoming; Provides Predictable Revenue and Strengthens Strategic Alliances within U.S. and Allied Defense Networks: Almonty Industries Inc. recently announced a binding offtake agreement with Tungsten Parts Wyoming, Inc. (TPW), a prominent U.S.-based defense contractor, and Metal Tech (MT), an Israel-based tungsten processor, significantly enhancing its strategic position within the critical materials supply chain for U.S. defense applications. Under the agreement, TPW commits to purchasing at least 40 metric tons of tungsten oxide monthly from Almonty, exclusively for use in critical defense applications, including missiles, drones, and ordnance systems. MT will process the supplied tungsten oxide into tungsten metal powder in Israel or the U.S., exclusively for TPW’s defense production programs. Notably, the arrangement includes a hard floor price with no ceiling, providing revenue predictability and substantial upside potential. The initial term of the agreement spans three years from the commencement of deliveries, with provisions for automatic annual renewal thereafter. This offtake agreement is strategically significant for Almonty, ensuring predictable revenues and deepening its integration into defense-oriented supply chains. Management has highlighted the importance of securing long-term demand specifically tied to high-value defense programs, emphasizing the company’s ability to align commercial interests with strategic national security priorities. It should be that that these substantial offtake commitments signal strong confidence in Almonty’s asset quality and operational delivery capabilities. Investors tend to place a premium on predictable revenues and consistent cash flows, making this agreement particularly valuable from a market valuation perspective. We view this development positively, as it further solidifies Almonty’s competitive advantage in supplying critical materials to allied defense markets.
    • Q1 2025 Financial Results Reflect Stable Revenue, Enhanced Mining Margins, and Elevated Non-Cash Charges: In the first quarter of 2025, Almonty Industries reported a 1.3% year-over-year revenue increase to $7.9 million, driven by higher tungsten concentrate pricing under long-term contracts. Income from mining operations rose significantly by 24.1% to $0.75 million, supported by favorable pricing dynamics and increased output at the Panasqueira mine. Operating expenses rose substantially to $9.5 million from $4.3 million in the prior year quarter, largely due to higher non-cash share-based compensation, losses related to the revaluation of embedded derivative liabilities, and increased expenditures associated with the company’s planned redomiciling. The company reported a net loss of $34.6 million, compared to $3.8 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to a non-cash loss of $25.8 million arising from the revaluation of warrant liabilities. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $(3.5) million compared to $(1.3) million in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting a 169.2% increase on a non-IFRS basis. As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $16.9 million, up from $7.8 million at year-end 2024, primarily due to the receipt of $8.7 in equity placement proceeds and $3.3 million from the exercise of warrant, partially offset by ongoing investments in the Sangdong Project in South Korea. Post the quarter-end, Almonty secured an additional $3.6 million through further warrant exercises. 
    • Valuation: The forthcoming commercialization of the high-grade Sangdong project, now construction-complete and in its final pre-production phase, is anticipated to serve as a key catalyst for Almonty’s growth trajectory and potential valuation re-rating. Strong operational performance at Panasqueira and a robust cash position of nearly $17 million provide a solid foundation for near-term execution. Strategic advancements, including a binding offtake agreement with a U.S. defense contractor and expanded partnerships with American Defense International and MZ Group, further reinforce Almonty’s position as a critical supplier within the allied tungsten value chain. Rolling over our financial model while incorporating the latest quarterly results and updated shares outstanding, we arrive at a valuation of $4.00 per share, contingent upon successful execution by the company.

    About Almonty Industries, Inc.  

    Almonty Industries Inc. is a global leader in tungsten mining, with strategically positioned assets in geopolitically stable regions including South Korea, Portugal, and Spain. The company is set to become the largest tungsten producer outside China upon the commissioning of its flagship Sangdong Mine. 

    About Diamond Equity Research

    Diamond Equity Research is a leading equity research and corporate access firm focused on small capitalization companies. Diamond Equity Research is an approved sell-side provider on major institutional investor platforms.

    For more information, visit https://www.diamondequityresearch.com.

    Disclosures:

    Diamond Equity Research LLC is being compensated by Almonty Industries, Inc. for producing research materials regarding Almonty Industries, Inc. and its securities, which is meant to subsidize the high cost of creating the report and monitoring the security, however the views in the report reflect that of Diamond Equity Research. All payments are received upfront and are billed for research engagement. As of 05/22/25 the issuer had paid us $50,000 for our company sponsored research services, which commenced 03/07/2025 and is billed annually. Diamond Equity Research LLC may be compensated for non-research related services, including presenting at Diamond Equity Research investment conferences, press releases and other additional services. The non-research related service cost is dependent on the company, but usually do not exceed $5,000. The issuer has not paid us for non-research related services as of 05/22/2025. Issuers are not required to engage us for these additional services. Additional fees may have accrued since then. Although Diamond Equity Research company sponsored reports are based on publicly available information and although no investment recommendations are made within our company sponsored research reports, given the small capitalization nature of the companies we cover we have adopted an internal trading procedure around the public companies by whom we are engaged, with investors able to find such policy on our website public disclosures page. This report and press release do not consider individual circumstances and does not take into consideration individual investor preferences. Statements within this report may constitute forward-looking statements, these statements involve many risk factors and general uncertainties around the business, industry, and macroeconomic environment. Investors need to be aware of the high degree of risk in small capitalization equities including the complete loss of their investment. Investors can find various risk factors in the initiation report and in the respective financial filings for Almonty Industries, Inc.

    Contact:
    Diamond Equity Research
    research@diamondequityresearch.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: StepStone Group Opens New Office in Ireland

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StepStone Group (Nasdaq: STEP), a global private markets solutions provider, today announced the opening of the new Ireland office at One Haddington Buildings, Dublin 4, of its subsidiary StepStone Group Europe Alternative Investment Limited (“SGEAIL”), an alternative investment fund manager regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

    Having operated in Dublin since 2005 through a predecessor firm, SGEAIL enables EU-based clients to access private market investment solutions in private debt, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure and real assets. SGEAIL oversees €29.1 billion in AUM as of December 31, 2024, a significant increase from €20.6 billion in December 2022.​

    “Our growth in Ireland reflects the increasing demand for private market solutions globally, and especially among EU-based institutional and private wealth clients,” said David Allen, Partner and CEO of SGEAIL. “Our expanded space demonstrates our commitment to investing in the local economy and talent pool to meet this demand.”

    Since 2021, the number of people working in StepStone’s Dublin office has doubled and now numbers 110 employees, approximately 10% of the firm’s global workforce. The new 12,000 square foot office allows the firm to continue to invest in talent to support the global client footprint, while providing the team with a modern workspace that was designed with teamwork, brand pride, wellness and sustainability in mind. 

    “StepStone Group’s expansion in Dublin is a welcome development for our financial services sector, and highlights Ireland’s position as a leading destination for global investment firms seeking to access the European market. I would like to congratulate the team at StepStone Group and wish them luck in this exciting new phase of their journey,” said Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

    Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting and retaining foreign direct investment into Ireland, said “StepStone’s announcement further underscores Ireland’s position as a leading location for global firms in the financial services sector. The combination of deep industry expertise, a strong pipeline of talent, and a stable, pro-business environment continues to attract companies looking for a strategic entry point to the EU and access to wider global markets. I want to wish StepStone every success and to assure them of our continued support and partnership as they expand their footprint in Ireland.”

    In addition to managing EU-domiciled commingled funds and separate accounts for institutional clients, SGEAIL has in recent years served as a hub for StepStone’s expansion into the European private wealth market. Earlier this year, StepStone launched its first ELTIF focused on the private debt market and converted its existing RAIF funds into UCI Part II vehicles.

    Savills Dublin served as StepStone’s tenant representative for the new office, and Calibro Workspace completed the space’s interior design and fitout.

    About StepStone

    StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. As of December 31, 2024, StepStone was responsible for approximately $698 billion of total capital, including $179 billion of assets under management. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes.

    About IDA Ireland

    IDA Ireland is the country’s inward investment promotion agency, responsible for attracting and developing foreign investment in Ireland. With a proven track record of facilitating international companies, IDA Ireland offers a range of services to support businesses in establishing and expanding operations on the island. Our expert team works closely with companies across various industries, including technology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and more, providing tailor-made solutions to meet their needs.

    As a gateway to Europe, Ireland offers a competitive corporate tax rate, a young and highly skilled workforce, and a robust business environment, making it an ideal location for global companies looking to innovate and grow. Headquartered in Dublin, with a network of offices worldwide, IDA Ireland is committed to driving economic growth and job creation by fostering a vibrant and sustainable business ecosystem. For more information, visit www.idaireland.com or follow us on Twitter @IDAIRELAND.

    StepStone Contacts:

    Shareholder Relations:
    Seth Weiss
    shareholders@stepstonegroup.com
    +1 (212) 351-6106

    Media:
    Brian Ruby / Chris Gillick / Matt Lettiero
    ICR
    StepStonePR@icrinc.com
    +1 (203) 682-8268

    IDA Ireland Contact:
    Rachel Bermingham
    Rachel.bermingham@ida.ie
    +353 087 437 6158

    Photos accompanying this announcement is available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ede6977b-e55f-436f-bd99-0846b67c4dc2

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1446217-fe4f-4fd4-84f9-f55ff19333f2

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EUROPE/LATVIA – New Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies appointed

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 21 May 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On April 10, 2025, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), appointed, Rev. Jēkabs Rodions Doļa, of the Diocese of Rēzekne-Aglona, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Latvia.The new director is 36 years old and has been ordained a priest for 10 years. He obtained a Doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He is parish priest in two parishes in Ludza and Rudēni and Dean of the Deanery of Ludza. He is postulator of the cause of Beatification and Canonization of the diocesan priest Vladislavs Litaunieks.Finally he leads pilgrimages to Rome, the Holy Land and Turkey. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 21/5/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/KAZAKHSTAN – National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies appointed

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 21 May 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On May 13, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), appointed Rev. Fr. Gabriel Jocher as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kazakhstan. The new National Director is 36 years old and was born in Germany, (Bavaria region). After finishing school, he entered the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary in 2007, he began his philosophical-theological studies in 2009, made his final vows in 2013, was ordained a deacon in 2015, and a priest in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, he served in the parish of Blindenmarkt (Austria) and from 2019 to 2023 he was in charge of the apostolate of youth ministry and families in southern Germany.Since October 2023 he has been working in the parish and in the Sacred Heart school in Korneevka in northern Kazakhstan. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 21/5/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Government meets with employers’ associations on workplace health and safety

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    20 Maggio 2025

    The Government held two separate meetings with employers’ associations and trade associations at Palazzo Chigi today, both chaired by Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano. The purpose of the meetings was to outline workplace health and safety proposals and initiatives.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: xSuite Benelux to Host 2025 User Conference in Eindhoven

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Under the motto “One Team. One Journey.”, the business process optimization expert will present innovations and solutions for finance professionals this June.

    Eindhoven, Netherlands – May 21, 2025. xSuite Benelux will host its annual User Conference on June 25, 2025, at the Philips Museum in Eindhoven. The event will focus on future-oriented technologies for finance and IT decision-makers. Topics will include Artificial Intelligence, mandatory e-invoicing, SAP S/4HANA, cloud transformation, and Clean Core strategies. The conference will also feature a partner presentation showcasing the use of xSuite solutions in finance departments.

    Innovative technologies such as cloud computing and AI are increasingly shaping the finance function. At the event, xSuite will present product innovations, outline its roadmap, and provide insights into current and emerging technology trends. A presentation by xSuite partner Flexo will illustrate the implementation of xSuite solutions at Sumitomo for automated invoice processing. The case study will address the initial setup, challenges encountered, applied solutions, and measurable outcomes.

    In-Depth Sessions on Key Technology Topics:

    1. Artificial Intelligence in SAP Invoice Processing
    The session will present xSuite’s Prediction Server, an AI-based tool for invoice processing in SAP. It will also cover the growing role of Large Language Models (LLMs) in document recognition and process automation.

    2. E-Invoicing Compliance
    With upcoming e-invoice mandates in various EU countries – including the e-invoice obligation in Belgium in the beginning of 2026 – this session will focus on practical implementation insights and optimization strategies. The presentation will also look ahead to platform-based models and potential CTC (Continuous Transaction Control) reporting frameworks, including a preview of eDNA (electronic Document Network Adapter).

    3. SAP S/4HANA and Cloud Transformation
    Many organizations are already migrating to SAP S/4HANA or preparing to do so. Even companies using Private Cloud environments are encouraged to align with SAP’s Clean Core approach to minimize technical debt. This session will introduce xSuite’s SAP-integrated Business Solutions 6.0 and applications on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).

    Networking and Exchange
    The conference will conclude with opportunities for networking and discussion of customer requirements, the role of xSuite as a strategic partner, and best practices in digital transformation projects.

    Event Details:

    xSuite User Conference Benelux
    June 25, 2025
    Philips Museum, Emmasingel 31, 5611 AZ Eindhoven
    10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

    More information and registration:
    https://news.xsuite.com/en/user-conference-2025-eindhoven

    About xSuite Group

    xSuite is a software manufacturer of applications for document-based processes and provides standardized, digital solutions worldwide that enable simple, secure, and fast work. We focus mainly on the automation of important work processes in conjunction with end-to-end document management. Our core competence lies in accounts payable (AP) automation in SAP (including
    e-invoicing), for leading companies worldwide, as well as for public clients. This is supplemented by applications for purchasing and order processes as well as archiving – all delivered from a single source, including both software components and services. xSuite solutions operate in the cloud or in hybrid scenarios. We take pride in the high-quality solutions we offer, as evidenced by the regular certifications we receive for our SAP solutions and deployment environments.” With over 300,000 users benefitting from our solutions, xSuite processes more than 80 million documents per year in over 60 countries.

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

    Press Contact Headquarters:
    Barbara Wirtz
    xSuite Group GmbH
    Tel. +49 4102 883836
    barbara.wirtz@xsuite.com
    www.xsuite.com

    Contact xSuite Benelux:
    Hans Willems
    Managing Director
    xSuite Benelux BV
    Gelissendomein 8-10, Box 8
    6229 GJ Maastricht, Netherlands
    Tel +31 (43) 760 01-20
    info.benelux@xsuite.com
    www.xsuite.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Concrete actions must be taken ‘to prevent mass starvation of innocent children’ – Plaid Cymru

    Source: Party of Wales

    UK, France and Canada condemn Israeli Government’s military operations in Gaza in a joint statement

    Plaid Cymru’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Ben Lake MP has today (Tuesday 20 May) asked for reassurance from the Foreign Secretary that ‘concrete actions’ would be taken to “prevent the mass starvation of innocent children” as promised in the UK, France and Canada’s joint statement.   

    The Israeli Government has blockaded aid into Gaza for 11 weeks, placing 2.1 million people in the region at risk of famine.  

    The United Nations also warned that 14,000 children in Gaza could die within 48 hours without urgent aid.  

    Mr Lake emphasized the “immediacy of the crisis” and urged the UK Government to take the necessary concrete steps, along with international partners, should the Israeli Government continue with its military offensive and aid blockade. 

     

    Speaking in the House of Commons, Ben Lake MP said: 

    “Can I thank the Foreign Secretary for the statement and for reiterating the Government’s commitment to take further concrete action in concert with international allies should the Israeli Government fail to cease its military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. 

    “Given the immediacy of the crisis and of the warnings that 14,000 children are at risk of starvation, could the Foreign Secretary please reassure the House that those “concrete steps” will be taken at such a time to prevent the mass starvation of innocent children?” 

     

    In his response, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 

    “As I said before and as the Prime Minister’s statement indicates, we will take concrete action, further action, if necessary but it is my sincere hope that we don’t need to take that action because Prime Minister Netanyahu heeds what those within his country and what the international community is saying.” 

     

    Ben Lake MP added: 

    “After the 11-week blockade of aid imposed by the Israeli Government, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point with the UN warning that 14,000 infants could die within 48 hours if urgent aid does not reach them. The world cannot stand idly by and allow the starvation of thousands of children.  

    “We welcome the joint statement from the UK, France, and Canada opposing Israel’s renewed military offensive and the blockade of food and aid. However, the international community must now take decisive action to ensure that sufficient aid reaches civilians in Gaza immediately, to prevent the starvation of thousands of babies.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle:

    “TUV is deeply concerned by the Department’s direction of travel following its review of the 2019–2022 Nutrients Action Programme and its proposals for the next phase (2026–2029). These include severe new restrictions on slurry spreading, the mandatory use of low emission equipment, significant curbs on fertiliser usage, and sweeping new enforcement powers — all with limited or no regard to the impact not only to small and medium-sized farms but to those who produce most for our food security, in which we heavily rely on.

    “At a time when our farmers are already burdened by rising costs, falling margins, and an avalanche of red tape, this new NAP threatens to push many over the edge. What the Department is proposing isn’t environmental stewardship — it’s regulatory overreach dressed up as green virtue.”

    “Among the most damaging measures are:
    •     A mandatory 3-metre buffer strip on arable land, reducing productive acreage;
    •     A reduction in permitted slurry volumes during key spreading months, putting real pressure on slurry storage;
    •     A blanket requirement for Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE) by 2030 — an enormous cost burden;
    •     Further phosphorus restrictions that will hit intensively stocked farms hardest, forcing either mass destocking or large land acquisitions;
    •     Severe new record-keeping and inspection powers, including online movement tracking and fixed monetary penalties.

    “In totality, these changes risk turning farmers into data-entry clerks while offering no guarantee of meaningful environmental improvement.

    “The Department’s own brief admits that no further action is required to address rural needs — a staggering admission given the deep rural impact of these proposals. The programme has also been screened out of a full Equality Impact Assessment — despite clear indications it will disproportionately affect smaller farms with limited capital to adapt.

    “TUV notes with concern that these measures align more with the ideological ambitions of eco-lobbyists than with practical land management. While farmers accept their role in safeguarding the environment, that must be based on trust, partnership, and practicality — not punishment and prescription.

    “TUV believes in responsible farming, but we believe it must be realistic, proportionate, and based on partnership. There are better alternatives:
    •     Targeted support for voluntary adoption of LESSE equipment;
    •     Education and incentives rather than overregulation;
    •     Common-sense exemptions for smaller farms;
    •     Focus on catchment-specific, evidence-led interventions, not sweeping one-size-fits-all restrictions.

    “TUV calls on the Department to go back to the drawing board. As things stand, the current draft of the next Nutrients Action Programme represents not a path to environmental improvement, but a roadmap to agricultural decline.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV MP Jim Allister:

    “I was delighted as North Antrim MP to welcome Wrightbus for their display at Parliament of their market-leading hydrogen bus.

    “Going forward it is critical that the government prioritises UK manufacturing in the roll out of zero emission buses, but, more than that, government should encourage schemes to support local authorities decarbonise their fleets through conversions of diesel buses – something Wrightbus can already do.

    “The growth we have seen at Wrightbus is fantastic, but there are yet further opportunities. I hope going forward we will see expansion into building hydrogen coaches at the Galgorm site.

    “It is great to have such a success story in North Antrim, not least because of the additional jobs it creates in the supply chain.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gordon Campbell: NZ’s silence over Gaza genocide, ethnic cleansing

    COMMENTARY: By Gordon Campbell

    Since last Thursday, intensified Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed more than 500 Palestinians, and a prolonged Israeli aid blockade has led to widespread starvation among the territory’s two million residents.

    Belatedly, Israel is letting in a token amount of food aid that UN Under-Secretary Tom Fletcher has called a “a drop in the ocean”.

    Meanwhile, the IDF is intensifying its air and ground attacks on the civilian population and on the few remaining health services. Al Jazeera is also reporting that the IDF has issued “a forward displacement order” for the entirety of Khan Younis, the second largest city in Gaza.

    The escalation of the Israeli onslaught has been condemned by UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who has likened the IDF campaign as an exercise in ethnic cleansing:

    “This latest barrage of bombs … and the denial of humanitarian assistance underline that there appears to be a push for a permanent demographic shift in Gaza that is in defiance of international law and is tantamount to ethnic cleansing,” he said.

    If the West so wished, it could be putting more economic pressure on Israel to cease committing its litany of atrocities. Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war has been sparking mass demonstrations across Europe.

    In the Netherlands at the weekend, a massive demonstration culminated in calls for the Netherlands government to formally ask the EU to suspend its free trade agreement with Israel.

    Until now, the world’s relative indifference to the genocide in Gaza has been mirrored by Palestine’s Arab neighbours. As Gaza burned yet again, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates were lavishly entertaining US President Donald Trump — Israel’s chief enabler — and showering him with gifts.

    In the wake of these meetings, Trump and his hosts have signed arms deals and AI technology transfers that reportedly contain no guard rails to prevent these AI advances being passed on to China.

    In addition, Qatar has bought $96 billion worth of Boeing aircraft. Reportedly, this purchase has huge potential implications for the airline industry in our part of the world.

    In all, economic joint ventures worth hundreds of billions of dollars were signed and sealed last week between the US and the Middle East region, despite the misery being inflicted right next door.

    Footnote: Directly and indirectly, Big Tech firms such as Microsoft and Intel continue to enable and enhance the IDF war machine’s actions in Gaza. This is an extension of the long time support given to Israel by Silicon Valley firms via the supply of digital infrastructure, advanced chips, software and cloud computing facilities.

    Yesterday, several Microsoft staff had the courage to interrupt a speech by their CEO to protest about how the company’s Azure cloud computing platform was being used to enable Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

    The extinction of hope
    As the Ha’aretz newspaper reported this week, “The three pillars of hope for the Palestinians have collapsed: armed struggle has lost legitimacy, state negotiations have stalled, and faith in the international community has faded. Now, they face one question: ‘Where do we go from here?’

    As Ha’aretz concluded, the Palestinians seem to have vanished into a diplomatic Bermuda Triangle. What would it take, one wonders, for the New Zealand government — and Foreign Minister Winston Peters — to wake up from their moral slumber?

    Whenever the Luxon government does talk about this conflict, it still calls for a “two state solution” even though, as a leading Israeli journalist Gideon Levy says, this ceased to be a viable option more than 25 years ago.

    “We crossed the point of no return a long time ago. We crossed the point at which there was any room for a Palestinian state, with 700,000 settlers who will not be evacuated, because nobody will have the political power to do so. The West Bank is practically annexed for many, many years . . . Nobody can take this discourse seriously anymore. But, you know, those who want to believe in it, believe in it.”

    Conveniently, the two state waffle does provide Peters and Luxon with cover for their reluctance to — for example — call in, or expel the Israeli ambassador. Or impose a symbolic trade boycott. Or impose targeted sanctions on the extremists within the Netanyahu Cabinet who are driving Israeli policy.

    Instead of those options, the “negotiated two state” fantasy has been encouraged to take on a life of its own. Yet do we really think that Israel would entertain for a moment the expulsion of the hundreds of thousands of Jewish settlers illegally occupying the land on the West Bank required for a viable Palestinian state?

    The Netanyahu government has long had plans to double that number, with the settler influx growing at a reported rate of about 12,000 a year.

    The backlash
     Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon is finally creating a backlash, in Europe at least. The public outrage being expressed in demonstrations in the UK, France and Germany finally seems to be making some governments feel a need to be seen to be doing more.

    Not before time. At the drop of a hat, Western nations — New Zealand included — will bang on endlessly about the importance of upholding the norms of international law. So you have to ask . . . why have we/they chosen to remain all but mute about the repeated violations of human rights law and the Geneva Conventions being carried out by the IDF in Gaza on a daily basis?

    “In [Khan Younis’] Nasser Hospital, Safaa Al-Najjar, her face stained with blood, wept as the shroud-wrapped bodies of two of her children were brought to her: [18 month old] Motaz Al-Bayyok and [six weeks old] Moaz Al-Bayyok.

    “The family was caught in the overnight airstrikes. All five of Al-Najjar’s other children, ranging in ages from 3 to 12, were injured, while her husband was in intensive care. One of her sons, 11-year-old Yusuf, his head heavily bandaged, screamed in grief as the shroud of his younger sibling was parted to show his face.

    Ultimately, Israel’s moral decline will be for its own citizens to reckon with, in future. For now, New Zealand is standing around watching in silence, while a blood-soaked campaign of ethnic cleansing unmatched in recent history is being carried out.

    Republished with permission from Gordon Campbell’s column in partnership with Scoop.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Finance minister Heinen: Sound figures should be viewed with caution given international situation

    Source: Government of the Netherlands
    Accountability Day and 2024 Central Government Annual Financial Report The Netherlands’ public finances are strong. Despite a slight contraction in the first quarter, the Dutch economy grew by 1.0% in 2024. Growth was stronger than expected, which had a positive impact on public finances. The budget deficit for 2024 was 0.9% of gross domestic product (GDP). These conclusions can be found in the Central Government Annual Financial Report for 2024, the year in which the Schoof government took office at the beginning of the summer.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai hosts state banquet for President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Republic of Palau

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai and President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of Palau hold bilateral talks and witness signing of cooperation agreements  
    On the afternoon of May 20, following a welcome ceremony with military honors for President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau and his wife, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held bilateral talks with President Whipps at the Presidential Office. The two leaders also jointly witnessed the signing of a technical cooperation agreement and an agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation. In remarks, President Lai thanked Palau for standing firm in its backing of Taiwan’s international participation as geopolitical tensions continue to increase in the Pacific region. He added that he looks forward to the cooperative ties between Taiwan and Palau continuing to expand into even broader areas, allowing our economies and societies to further progress as we jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I welcome our guests to Taiwan once again. Last year on May 20, President Whipps led a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Hsiao. I am delighted, on the anniversary of my first year in office, to meet with old friends of Taiwan again, as President Whipps returns for this visit. Taiwan-Palau relations have grown even closer in recent years thanks to the strong support of President Whipps. In 2022, during my term as vice president, I led a delegation to Palau as a demonstration of how our nations were together boosting tourism development as we jointly faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every time I visit Palau, and every time I meet with President Whipps, I feel very deeply that Taiwan and Palau are like family. We are both maritime nations and share a common Austronesian heritage and culture. We are also staunch partners in upholding such values as freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. Last December, when I went on my first overseas trip since taking office, one of the nations I visited was Palau. We celebrated the 30th anniversary of Palau’s independence and 25 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring our friendly ties. Taiwan and Palau enjoy close exchanges and cooperation in a range of areas, including climate change, education, agriculture and fisheries, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, sports, and culture. After this meeting, President Whipps and I will witness the signing of a technical cooperation agreement and an agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation, demonstrating once again our diverse collaboration and strong friendship. I believe that by working together, Taiwan and Palau can contribute to each other’s development and overcome the regional and global challenges we currently face. In particular, as geopolitical tensions continue to increase in the Pacific region, Palau has wisely and courageously upheld democratic values and stood firm in its backing of Taiwan’s international participation. Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan, including at the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties, and the UN Ocean Conference. We have been deeply moved by this support. I thank President Whipps again for his high regard and support for Taiwan. I look forward to the cooperative ties between our nations continuing to expand into even broader areas. This will allow our economies and societies to further progress as we jointly advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. President Whipps then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor for him to be here, standing in this historic place – a symbol of strength, resilience, and the democratic spirit of the Taiwanese people. On behalf of the government of Palau, President Whipps extended heartfelt gratitude to President Lai and the people of Taiwan for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality toward him and his delegation. President Whipps then extended sincere thanks for President Lai’s visit to Palau in December – his second visit to Palau – and for having Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) attend his inauguration as a special envoy. He added that this also marks his third visit to Taiwan since President Lai took office, saying that this demonstrates the strength of our growing relationship. President Whipps indicated that the increased engagements and numerous entrepreneurs that President Lai has brought from Taiwan to Palau have resulted in fruitful visits, and that President Lai’s leadership represents hope, unity, and continued advancement of democracy and freedom, not only for Taiwan, but for the broader Indo-Pacific region. President Whipps went on to say that this visit to Taiwan reaffirms our deep friendship and shared values between our two nations. He emphasized that Palau and Taiwan are bound not by proximity, but by purpose, in that both are island nations and believe in human dignity, the rule of law, and the right of our people to determine their own futures. President Whipps stated that although we are celebrating 26 years of diplomatic relations, Taiwan has been a steadfast partner of Palau for decades, and that one of the MOUs they are signing further extends the relationship that began in December of 1984. From healthcare and medical missions, to education, agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, the private sector, tourism development, and climate resilience, he said, our cooperation has improved lives and strengthened our communities. The president also indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan stood with Palau, noting that both sides began the tourism bubble, and that President Lai came to Palau to reopen the two weekly direct flights that have now been increased to four. That solidarity will never be forgotten, he said. As the world faces growing uncertainty and complex challenges from climate change to global tensions, President Whipps said, this friendship becomes even more vital. The president concluded his remarks by expressing hope that both nations continue to stand together, work together, and advocate together for peace, prosperity, and for the right of small nations to be seen, heard, and respected. After the bilateral talks, President Lai and President Whipps witnessed the signing of the technical cooperation agreement and the agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation by Minister Lin and Palauan Minister of State Gustav Aitaro. The delegation also included Palauan Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang, Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Senate Floor Leader Kerai Mariur, House of Delegates Floor Leader Warren Umetaro, High Chief of Ngiwal State Elliot Udui, Governor of Peleliu State Emais Roberts, and Governor of Koror State Eyos Rudimch.  

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    Details
    2025-05-13
    President Lai interviewed by Japan’s Nikkei  
    In a recent interview with Japan’s Nikkei, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions regarding Taiwan-Japan and Taiwan-United States relations, cross-strait relations, the semiconductor industry, and the international economic and trade landscape. The interview was published by Nikkei on May 13. President Lai indicated that Nikkei, Inc. is a global news organization that has received significant recognition both domestically and internationally, and that he is deeply honored to be interviewed by Nikkei and grateful for their invitation. The president said that he would like to take this rare opportunity to thank Japan’s government, National Diet, society, and public for their longstanding support for Taiwan. Noting that current Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio have all strongly supported Taiwan, he said that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan also have a deep mutual affection, and that through the interview, he hopes to enhance the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Japan, deepen the affection between our peoples, and foster more future cooperation to promote prosperity and development in both countries. In response to questions raised on the free trade system and the recent tariff war, President Lai indicated that over the past few decades, the free economy headed by the Western world and led by the US has brought economic prosperity and political stability to Taiwan and Japan. At the same time, he said, we have also learned or followed many Western values. The president said he believes that Taiwan and Japan are exemplary students, but some countries are not. Therefore, he said, the biggest crisis right now is China, which exploits the free trade system to engage in plagiarism and counterfeiting, infringe on intellectual property rights, and even provide massive government subsidies that facilitate the dumping of low-priced goods worldwide, which has a major impact on many countries including Japan and Taiwan. If this kind of unfair trade is not resolved, he said, the stable societies and economic prosperity we have painstakingly built over decades, as well as some of the values we pursue, could be destroyed. Therefore, President Lai said he thinks it is worthwhile for us to observe the recent willingness of the US to address unfair trade, and if necessary, offer assistance. President Lai emphasized that the national strategic plan for Taiwanese industries is for them to be rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. Therefore, he said, while the 32 percent tariff increase imposed by the US on Taiwan is indeed a major challenge, we are willing to address it seriously and find opportunities within that challenge, making Taiwan’s strategic plan for industry even more comprehensive. When asked about Taiwan’s trade arrangements, President Lai indicated that in 2010 China accounted for 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment, but last year it accounted for only 7.5 percent. In 2020, he went on, 43.9 percent of Taiwan’s exports went to China, but that figure dropped to 31.7 percent in 2024. The president said that we have systematically transferred investments from Taiwanese enterprises to Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the US. Therefore, he said, last year Taiwan’s largest outbound investment was in the US, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the total. Nevertheless, only 23.4 percent of Taiwanese products were sold to the US, with 76.6 percent sold to places other than the US, he said.  The president emphasized that we don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket, and hope to establish a global presence. Under these circumstances, he said, Taiwan is very eager to cooperate with Japan. President Lai stated that at this moment, the Indo-Pacific and international community really need Japan’s leadership, especially to make the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) excel in its functions, and also requested Japan to support Taiwan’s CPTPP accession. The president said that Taiwan hopes to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan to build closer ties in economic trade and promote further investment, and that we also hope to strengthen relations with the European Union, and even other regions. Currently, he said, we are proposing an initiative on global semiconductor supply chain partnerships for democracies, because the semiconductor industry is an ecosystem. The president raised the example that Japan has materials, equipment, and technology; the US has IC design and marketing; Taiwan has production and manufacturing; and the Netherlands excels in equipment, saying we therefore hope to leverage Taiwan’s advantages in production and manufacturing to connect the democratic community and establish a global non-red supply chain for semiconductors, ensuring further world prosperity and development in the future, and ensuring that free trade can continue to function without being affected by dumping, which would undermine future prosperity and development. The president stated that as we want industries to expand their global presence and market internationally while staying rooted here in Taiwan, having industries rooted in Taiwan involves promoting pay raises for employees, tax cuts, and deregulation, as well as promoting enterprise investment tax credits. He said that we have also proposed Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan for Taiwanese enterprises and are actively resolving issues regarding access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent so that the business community can return to Taiwan to invest, or enterprises in Taiwan can increase their investments. He went on to say that we are also actively signing bilateral investment agreements with friends and allies so that when our companies invest and expand their presence abroad, their rights and interests as investors are ensured.  President Lai mentioned that Taiwan hopes to sign an EPA with Japan, similar to the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, or the Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement with the United Kingdom, or similar agreements or memorandums of understanding with Canada and Australia that allow Taiwanese products to be marketed worldwide, concluding that those are our overall arrangements. Looking at the history of Taiwan’s industrial development, President Lai indicated, of course it began in Taiwan, and then moved west to China and south to Southeast Asia. He said that we hope to take this opportunity to strengthen cooperation with Japan to the north, across the Pacific Ocean to the east, and develop the North American market, making Taiwan’s industries even stronger. In other words, he said, while Taiwan sees the current reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US as a kind of challenge, it also views these changes positively. On the topic of pressure from China affecting Taiwan’s participation in international frameworks such as the CPTPP or its signing of an EPA with Japan, President Lai responded that the key point is what kind of attitude we should adopt in viewing China’s acts of oppression. If we act based on our belief in free trade, he said, or on the universal values we pursue – democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights – and also on the understanding that a bilateral trade agreement between Taiwan and Japan would contribute to the economic prosperity and development of both countries, or that Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP would benefit progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, then he hopes that friends and allies will strongly support us. On the Trump administration’s intentions regarding the reciprocal tariff policy and the possibility of taxing semiconductors, as well as how Taiwan plans to respond, President Lai said that since President Trump took office, he has paid close attention to interviews with both him and his staff. The president said that several of President Trump’s main intentions are: First, he wants to address the US fiscal situation. For example, President Lai said, while the US GDP is about US$29 trillion annually, its national debt stands at US$36 trillion, which is roughly 124 percent of GDP. Second, he went on, annual government spending exceeds US$6.5 trillion, but revenues are only around US$4.5 trillion, resulting in a nearly US$2 trillion deficit each year, about 7 percent of GDP. Third, he said, the US pays nearly US$1.2 trillion in interest annually, which exceeds the US$1 trillion defense budget and accounts for more than 3 percent of GDP. Fourth, President Trump still wants to implement tax cuts, aiming to reduce taxes for 85 percent of Americans, he said, noting that this would cost between US$500 billion and US$1 trillion. These points, President Lai said, illustrate his first goal: solving the fiscal problem. President Lai went on to say that second, the US feels the threat of China and believes that reindustrialization is essential; without reindustrialization, the US risks a growing gap in industrial capacity compared to China. Third, he said, in this era of global smart technology, President Trump wants to lead the nation to become a world center of AI. Fourth, he aims to ensure world peace and prevent future wars, President Lai said. In regard to what the US seeks to achieve, he said he believes these four areas form the core of the Trump administration’s intentions, and that is why President Trump has raised tariffs, demanded that trading partners purchase more American goods, and encouraged friendly and allied nations to invest in the US, all in order to achieve these goals. President Lai indicated that the 32 percent reciprocal tariff poses a critical challenge for Taiwan, and we must treat it seriously. He said that our approach is not confrontation, but negotiation to reduce tariffs, and that we have also agreed to measures such as procurement, investment, resolving non-tariff trade barriers, and addressing origin washing in order to effectively reduce the trade deficit between Taiwan and the US. Of course, he said, through this negotiation process, we also hope to turn challenges into opportunities. The president said that first, we aim to start negotiations from the proposal of zero tariffs and seek to establish a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Second, he went on, we hope to support US reindustrialization and its aim to become a world AI hub through investment, while simultaneously upgrading and transforming Taiwan’s industries, which would help further integrate Taiwan’s industries into the US economic structure, ensuring Taiwan’s long-term development.  President Lai emphasized again that Taiwan’s national industrial strategy is for industries to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. He repeated that we have gone from moving westward across the Taiwan Strait, to shifting southbound, to working closer northward with Japan, and now the time is ripe for us to expand eastward by investing in North America. In other words, he said, while we take this challenge seriously to protect national interests and ensure that no industry is sacrificed, we also hope these negotiations will lead to deeper Taiwan-US trade relations through Taiwanese investment in the US, concluding that these are our expectations. The president stated that naturally, the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US will have an impact on Taiwanese industries, so in response, the Taiwanese government has already proposed support measures for affected industries totaling NT$93 billion. In addition, he said, we have outlined broader needs for Taiwan’s long-term development, which will be covered by a special budget proposal of NT$410 billion, noting that this has already been approved by the Executive Yuan and will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review. He said that this special budget proposal addresses four main areas: supporting industries, stabilizing employment, protecting people’s livelihoods, and enhancing resilience. As for tariffs on semiconductors, President Lai said, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has committed to investing in the US at the request of its customers. He said he believes that TSMC’s industry chain will follow suit, and that these are concrete actions that are unrelated to tariffs. However, he said, if the US were to invoke Section 232 and impose tariffs on semiconductors or related industries, it would discourage Taiwanese semiconductor and ICT investments in the US, and that we will make this position clear to the US going forward. President Lai indicated that among Taiwan’s exports to the US, there are two main categories: ICT products and electronic components, which together account for 65.4 percent. These are essential to the US, he said, unlike final goods such as cups, tables, or mattresses. He went on to say that what Taiwan sells to the US are the technological products required by AI designers like NVIDIA, AMD, Amazon, Google, and Apple, and that therefore, we will make sure the US understands clearly that we are not exporting end products, but the high-tech components necessary for the US to reindustrialize and become a global AI center. Furthermore, the president said, Taiwan is also willing to increase its defense budget and military procurement. He stated that Taiwan is committed to defending itself and is strongly willing to cooperate with friends and allies to ensure regional peace and stability, and that this is also something President Trump hopes to see. Asked whether TSMC’s fabs overseas could weaken Taiwan’s strategic position as a key hub for semiconductor manufacturing, and whether that could then give other countries fewer incentives to protect Taiwan, President Lai responded by saying that political leaders around the world including Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba and former Prime Ministers Abe, Suga, and Kishida have emphasized, at the G7 and other major international fora, that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential for global security and prosperity. In other words, he explained, the international community cares about Taiwan and supports peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait because Taiwan is located in the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific, directly facing China. He pointed out that if Taiwan is not protected, China’s expansionist ambitions will certainly grow, which would impact the current rules-based international order. Thus, he said, the international community willingly cares about Taiwan and supports stability in the Taiwan Strait – that is the reason, and it has no direct connection with TSMC. He noted that after all, TSMC has not made investments in that many countries, stressing that, on that point, it is clear. President Lai said that TSMC’s investments in Japan, Europe, and the US are all natural, normal economic and investment activities. He said that Taiwan is a democratic country whose society is based on the rule of law, so when Taiwanese companies need to invest around the world for business needs, the government will support those investments in principle so long as they do not harm national interests. President Lai said that after TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) held a press conference with President Trump to announce the investment in the US, Chairman Wei returned to Taiwan to hold a press conference with him at the Presidential Office, where the chairman explained to the Taiwanese public that TSMC’s R&D center will remain in Taiwan and that the facilities it has already committed to investing in here will not change and will not be affected. So, the president explained, to put it another way, TSMC will not be weakened by its investment in the US. He further emphasized that Taiwan has strengths in semiconductor manufacturing and is very willing to work alongside other democratic countries to promote the next stage of global prosperity and development. A question was raised about which side should be chosen between the US and China, under the current perception of a return to the Cold War, with East and West facing off as two opposing blocs. President Lai responded by saying that some experts and scholars describe the current situation as entering a new Cold War era between democratic and authoritarian camps; others assert that the war has already begun, including information warfare, economic and trade wars, and the ongoing wars in Europe – the Russo-Ukrainian War – and the Middle East, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The president said that these are all matters experts have cautioned about, noting that he is not a historian and so will not attempt to define today’s political situation from an academic standpoint. However, he said, he believes that every country has a choice, which is to say, Taiwan, Japan, or any other nation does not necessarily have to choose between the US and China. What we are deciding, he said, is whether our country will maintain a democratic constitutional system or regress into an authoritarian regime, and this is essentially a choice of values – not merely a choice between two major powers. President Lai said that Taiwan’s situation is different from other countries because we face a direct threat from China. He pointed out that we have experienced military conflicts such as the August 23 Artillery Battle and the Battle of Guningtou – actual wars between the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China. He said that China’s ambition to annex Taiwan has never wavered, and that today, China’s political and military intimidation, as well as internal united front infiltration, are growing increasingly intense. Therefore, he underlined, to defend democracy and sovereignty, protect our free and democratic system, and ensure the safety of our people’s lives and property, Taiwan’s choice is clear. President Lai said that China’s military exercises are not limited to the Taiwan Strait, and include the East China Sea, South China Sea, and even the Sea of Japan, as well as areas around Korea and Australia. Emphasizing that Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines are all democratic nations, the president said that Taiwan’s choice is clear, and that he believes Japan also has no other choice. We are all democratic countries, he said, whose people have long pursued the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, and that is what is most important. Regarding the intensifying tensions between the US and China, the president was asked what roles Taiwan and Japan can play. President Lai responded that in his view, Japan is a powerful nation, and he sincerely hopes that Japan can take a leading role amid these changes in the international landscape. He said he believes that countries in the Indo-Pacific region are also willing to respond. He suggested several areas where we can work together: first, democracy and peace; second, innovation and prosperity; and third, justice and sustainability. President Lai stated that in the face of authoritarian threats, we should let peace be our beacon and democracy our compass as we respond to the challenges posed by authoritarian states. Second, he added, as the world enters an era characterized by the comprehensive adoption of smart technologies, Japan and Taiwan should collaborate in the field of innovation to further drive regional prosperity and development. Third, he continued, is justice and sustainability. He explained that because international society still has many issues that need to be resolved, Taiwan and Japan can cooperate for the public good, helping countries in need around the world, and cooperating to address climate change and achieve net-zero transition by 2050. Asked whether he hopes that the US will continue to be a leader in the liberal democratic system, President Lai responded by saying that although the US severed diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, for the past few decades it has assisted Taiwan in various areas such as national defense, security, and countering threats from China, based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. He pointed out that Taiwan has also benefited, directly and indirectly, in terms of politics, democracy, and economic prosperity thanks to the US, and so Taiwan naturally hopes that the US remains strong and continues to lead the world. President Lai said that when the US encounters difficulties, whether financial difficulties, reindustrialization issues, or becoming a global center for AI, and hopes to receive support from its friends and allies to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Taiwan is willing to stand together for a common cause. If the US remains strong, he said, that helps Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world as a whole. Noting that while the vital role of the US on the global stage has not changed, the president said that after decades of shouldering global responsibilities, it has encountered some issues. Now, it has to make adjustments, he said, stating his firm belief that it will do so swiftly, and quickly resume its leadership role in the world. Asked to comment on remarks he made during his election campaign that he would like to invite China’s President Xi Jinping for bubble tea, President Lai responded that Taiwan is a peace-loving country, and Taiwanese society is inherently kind, and therefore we hope to get along peacefully with China, living in peace and mutual prosperity. So, during his term as vice president, he said, he was expressing the goodwill of Taiwanese society. Noting that while he of course understands that China’s President Xi would have certain difficulties in accepting this, he emphasized that the goodwill of Taiwanese society has always existed. If China reflects on the past two or three decades, he said, it will see that its economy was able to develop with Taiwan as its largest foreign investor. The president explained that every year, 1 to 2 million Taiwanese were starting businesses or investing in China, creating numerous job opportunities and stabilizing Chinese society. While many Taiwanese businesses have profited, he said, Chinese society has benefited even more. He added that every time a natural disaster occurs, if China is in need, Taiwanese always offer donations. Therefore, the president said, he hopes that China can face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence and understand that the people of Taiwan hope to continue living free and democratic lives with respect for human rights. He also expressed hope that China can pay attention to the goodwill of Taiwanese society. He underlined that we have not abandoned the notion that as long as there is parity, dignity, exchange, and cooperation, the goodwill of choosing dialogue over confrontation and exchange over containment will always exist. Asked for his view on the national security reforms in response to China’s espionage activities and infiltration attempts, President Lai said that China’s united front infiltration activities in Taiwan are indeed very serious. He said that China’s ambitions to annex Taiwan rely not only on the use of political and military intimidation, but also on its long-term united front and infiltration activities in Taiwanese society. Recently, he pointed out, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office of the Ministry of Justice prosecuted 64 spies, which is three times the number in 2021, and in addition to active-duty military personnel, many retired military personnel were also indicted. Moreover, he added, Taiwan also has the Chinese Unification Promotion Party, which has a background in organized crime, Rehabilitation Alliance Party, which was established by retired military personnel, and Republic of China Taiwan Military Government, which is also composed of retired generals. He explained that these are all China’s front organizations, and they plan one day to engage in collaboration within Taiwan, which shows the seriousness of China’s infiltration in Taiwan. Therefore, the president said, in the recent past he convened a high-level national security meeting and proposed 17 response strategies across five areas. He then enumerated the five areas: first, to address China’s threat to Taiwan’s sovereignty; second, to respond to the threat of China’s obscuring the Taiwanese people’s sense of national identity; third, to respond to the threat of China’s infiltrating and recruiting members of the ROC Armed Forces as spies; fourth, to respond to the threat of China’s infiltration of Taiwanese society through societal exchanges and united front work; and fifth, to respond to the threat of China using “integration plans” to draw Taiwan’s young people and Taiwanese businesses into its united front activities. In response to these five major threats, he said, he has proposed 17 response strategies, one of which being to restore the military trial system. He explained that if active-duty military personnel commit military crimes, they must be subject to military trials, and said that this expresses the Taiwanese government’s determination to respond to China’s united front infiltration and the subversion of Taiwan. Responding to the question of which actions Taiwan can take to guard against China’s threats to regional security, President Lai said that many people are worried that the increasingly tense situation may lead to accidental conflict and the outbreak of war. He stated his own view that Taiwan is committed to facing China’s various threats with caution. Taiwan is never the source of these problems, he emphasized, and if there is an accidental conflict and it turns into a full-scale war, it will certainly be a deliberate act by China using an accidental conflict as a pretext. He said that when China expanded its military presence in the East China Sea and South China Sea, the international community did not stop it; when China conducted exercises in the Taiwan Strait, the international community did not take strong measures to prevent this from happening. Now, he continued, China is conducting gray-zone exercises, which are aggressions against not only the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea, but also extending to the Sea of Japan and waters near South Korea. He said that at this moment, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and even the US should face these developments candidly and seriously, and we must exhibit unity and cooperation to prevent China’s gray-zone aggression from continuing to expand and prevent China from shifting from a military exercise to combat. If no action is taken now, the president said, the situation may become increasingly serious. Asked about the view of some US analysts who point out that China will have the ability to invade Taiwan around 2027, President Lai responded that Taiwan, as the country on the receiving end of threats and aggression, must plan for the worst and make the best preparations. He recalled a famous saying from the armed forces: “Do not count on the enemy not showing up; count on being ready should it strike.” This is why, he said, he proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, he said, we must strengthen our national defense. Second, he added, we must strengthen economic resilience, adding that not only must our economy remain strong, but it must also be resilient, and that we cannot put all our eggs in the same basket, in China, as we have done in the past. Third, he continued, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with friends and allies such as Japan and the US, as well as the democratic community, and we must demonstrate the strength of deterrence to prevent China from making the wrong judgment. Fourth, he emphasized, as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China and seek cross-strait peace and mutual prosperity through exchanges and cooperation. Regarding intensifying US-China confrontation, the president was asked in which areas he thinks Taiwan and Japan should strengthen cooperation; with Japan’s Ishiba administration also being a minority government, the president was asked for his expectations for the Ishiba administration. President Lai said that in the face of rapid and tremendous changes in the political situation, every government faces considerable challenges, especially for minority governments, but the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Ishiba has quite adequately responded with various strategies. Furthermore, he said, Japan is different from Taiwan, explaining that although Japan’s ruling party lacks a majority, political parties in Japan engage in competition domestically while exhibiting unity externally. He said that Taiwan’s situation is more challenging, because the ruling and opposition parties hold different views on the direction of the country, due to differences in national identity. The president expressed his hope that in the future Taiwan and Japan will enjoy even more comprehensive cooperation. He stated that he has always believed that deep historical bonds connect Taiwan and Japan. Over the past several decades, he said, when encountering natural disasters and tragedies, our two nations have assisted each other with mutual care and support. He said that the affection between the people of Taiwan and Japan is like that of a family. Pointing out that both countries face the threat of authoritarianism, he said that we share a mission to safeguard universal values such as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. The president said that our two countries should be more open to cooperation in various areas to maintain regional peace and stability as well as to strengthen cooperation in economic and industrial development, such as for semiconductor industry chains and everyday applications of AI, including robots and drones, adding that we can also cooperate on climate change response, such as in hydrogen energy and other strategies. He said our two countries should also continue to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. He then took the opportunity to once again invite our good friends from Japan to visit Taiwan for tourism and learn more about Taiwan, saying that the Taiwanese people wholeheartedly welcome our Japanese friends.  

    Details
    2025-05-09
    President Lai extends congratulations on election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV  
    Following the successful election of the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on May 8, President Lai Ching-te extended sincere congratulations on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, including its Catholic community. The president stated that he looks forward to working with Pope Leo XIV to continue deepening cooperation in the area of humanitarian aid and jointly defend the universal value of religious freedom, expanding and strengthening the alliance between Taiwan and the Vatican. Upon learning of the election results, President Lai directed the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy to the Holy See to convey a message of congratulations. In the message, President Lai extended sincere congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, including its Catholic community, expressing confidence that His Holiness will lead the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion followers worldwide with profound wisdom. President Lai also emphasized that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work alongside the Holy See in the shared pursuit of peace, justice, religious freedom, solidarity, friendship, and human dignity. This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Vatican. Enjoying a strong alliance, Taiwan and the Vatican share such universal values as freedom of religion, respect for human rights, peace, and benevolence, and conduct close exchanges. Taiwan will continue to engage in exchanges and cooperation with the Holy See, further strengthen bilateral relations, and work alongside the Holy See to contribute even more to the world.  

    Details
    2025-05-05
    President Lai meets Japanese Diet Member and former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi
    On the afternoon of May 5, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from Japan led by House of Representatives Member and former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi. President Lai thanked the government of Japan for continuously speaking up for Taiwan at international venues and reiterating the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that to address China’s gray-zone aggression against neighboring countries, Taiwan and Japan, both located in the first island chain, should strengthen cooperation and respond together. He said he looks forward to bilateral industrial cooperation in fields including semiconductors, hydrogen energy, AI, and drones, jointly strengthening the resilience of non-red supply chains, and promoting mutual prosperity and development.    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to welcome all the members of the Japanese Diet who are using their valuable Golden Week vacation to visit Taiwan, especially House of Representatives Member Nishimura Yasutoshi, whom former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe deeply trusted and relied on, and who for many years held important cabinet positions. This is his first visit after a hiatus of 17 years, so I am sure he will sense Taiwan’s progress and development. House of Representatives Member Tanaka Kazunori has long promoted local exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, and I hope that our visitors will all gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan through this visit.  Yesterday, several of our distinguished guests made a special trip to Kaohsiung to pay their respects at the statue of former Prime Minister Abe, a visionary politician with a broad, international perspective. The former prime minister pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and once said that “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem,” demonstrating strong support for Taiwan and making a deep and lasting impression on the hearts of Taiwanese. Over the past few years, China has continuously conducted military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, East and South China Seas, and carried out acts of gray-zone aggression against neighboring countries, severely undermining regional peace and stability. Taiwan and Japan, both located in the first island chain, should strengthen cooperation and respond together. Especially since Taiwan and Japan are democratic partners who share values such as freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, if we can strengthen cooperation in areas such as maritime security, social resilience, and addressing gray-zone aggression, I am confident we can demonstrate the strength of deterrence, ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and safeguard our cherished democratic institutions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Japanese government for continuously speaking up for Taiwan at international venues, including this year’s US-Japan leaders’ summit, the G7 foreign ministers’ joint statement, and the Japan-NATO bilateral meeting, reiterating the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expressing opposition to unilaterally changing the status quo by force or coercion. In the face of global economic and trade changes, economic security is becoming increasingly important, and Taiwan looks forward to further deepening economic cooperation with Japan. In addition to actively seeking to participate in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Taiwan hopes to sign an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan as soon as possible. This will expand our cooperation in industries such as semiconductors, hydrogen energy, AI, and drones, establish a closer economic partnership, jointly strengthen the resilience of non-red supply chains, and promote mutual prosperity and development. Once again, I welcome all of our guests. I am deeply grateful for your taking concrete action to deepen Taiwan-Japan relations and show support for Taiwan. I wish you a successful and rewarding visit.  Representative Nishimura then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with the visiting delegation. He also expressed admiration for the performance of President Lai’s government, which has allowed Taiwan to develop smoothly amidst the current complex international situation. Representative Nishimura mentioned that when former Prime Minister Abe unfortunately passed away in 2020, President Lai, who was vice president at the time, personally visited the former prime minister’s residence to offer his condolences. The representative said that including that meeting, today is the second time he and President Lai have met. This delegation’s visit to Taiwan, he said, carries on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. He said that Taiwan and Japan are countries that share universal values and have close ties in terms of economic cooperation and mutual visits. Notably, he highlighted, in 2024, business travelers from Taiwan made over six million visits to Japan, and based on population, Taiwan has the highest percentage of visitors to Japan. He also expressed hope that more Japanese people will visit Taiwan for tourism.   Representative Nishimura stated that the delegation visited Kaohsiung yesterday to pay their respects at the statue of former Prime Minister Abe. Then, he said, they traveled to Tainan to sample a wide variety of fruits and local delicacies, during which time they also discussed the Wushantou Reservoir, built by Japanese engineer Hatta Yoichi. Since May 8 is the anniversary of Mr. Hatta’s birth, Representative Nishimura said he hopes to use this opportunity to continue Mr. Hatta’s concern and love for Taiwan, and further deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. Representative Nishimura said that when he served as Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, he welcomed Taiwan’s application to join the CPTPP on behalf of the Japanese government. He also said that his government has also provided substantial assistance for the establishment of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) fab in Kumamoto, Japan. He said he believes that mutual cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in the semiconductor sector can further promote semiconductor industry development, and build a more resilient supply chain system. Representative Nishimura pointed out that former Prime Minister Abe once said, “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” Currently, many European countries are also very concerned about peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, because it is crucial to peace and stability in the entire international community. It can therefore be said that “if Taiwan has a problem, the world has a problem.” He said he believes that in order to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, like-minded countries and allied nations must all cooperate closely and definitively proclaim that message. He then said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai on issues such as strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations and changes in the international situation. The delegation also included Chairman of Kanagawa Prefecture Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Matsumoto Jun, Japanese House of Representatives members Nishime Kosaburo, Sasaki Hajime, Yana Kazuo, and Katou Ryusho, and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki. 

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bank holiday arrangements for Monday 26 May

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Please see below the bank holiday arrangements for council services and facilities on Monday 26 May.

    Bin Collections
     Bins will be collected as normal on this date. Please remember to leave your bins out by 7am at your normal collection point. Download the ABC Council app to check which bins are scheduled to be collected in your area.

    Recycling Centres
     Recycling centres will be closed.

    Council Offices
     Council offices will be closed.

    Leisure Facilities
     There may be changes to the normal opening hours of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities across the borough. View the opening hours for all facilities here: https://bit.ly/3YOHKha

    Visitor Facilities
     Open: F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Armagh County Museum
    Closed: The Market Place Theatre & Navan Centre

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Subsea7 awarded contract offshore West Africa

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Luxembourg – 21 May 2025 – Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of a sizeable1 subsea contract in West Africa.

    Subsea7 will be responsible for transporting and installing flexible pipelines, umbilicals, and associated subsea components for the connection of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel as well as the pre-laying activities for an upcoming drilling campaign.

    Project management and engineering work will begin immediately at Subsea7’s offices in Sutton, UK and Suresnes, France, and offshore activity is expected to start in 2026.

    Jerome Perrin, Vice President Africa, Middle East, and Türkiye for Subsea7, said: “Our close and agile collaboration with our clients allows us to make possible cost-effective and reliable offshore solutions for their needs. We are pleased to be able to support this client in executing such a strategically important project in West Africa. ”

    No further details are disclosed at this time.

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

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    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:
    Alan Gorham
    Group Communications Manager
    Tel +44 1224 265750
    communications@subsea7.com
    www.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 stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 21 May 2025 at 11:15 CET.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cash boost for coastal towns hosting clean energy infrastructure

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Cash boost for coastal towns hosting clean energy infrastructure

    Communities to receive funding for hosting clean energy infrastructure as part of plans to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

    • Britain’s coastal and rural regions to receive a cash boost for hosting the infrastructure needed to make Britain a clean energy superpower
    • communities hosting offshore wind and solar projects in line to receive money from energy developers, to be spent directly on local priorities and services such as community centres, sports facilities, and employment programmes
    • cash boost to regional and local economic growth as part of the Plan for Change

    Britain’s coastal and rural communities will receive a cash boost for new community facilities, better transport links and investment in apprenticeships, under government plans as part of the Plan for Change mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. 

    The proposals will require community benefits for families, businesses   and local community groups who live near offshore wind, onshore wind and solar farms.

    They would enshrine in law a requirement for renewable developers to pay into community benefit funds, ensuring infrastructure projects contribute to residents’ lives, the local economy and growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    This could include new grassroots football pitches in Welsh seaside towns, initiatives to get young people into employment on the Yorkshire coast to train the next generation of engineers, and funding for transport links and schools in the Scottish highlands.

    Coastal and rural areas will play a significant role in hosting the clean energy projects needed to get energy bills down for good and deliver energy security with homegrown power that Britain controls.

    In recognition, the funding will channel community investment into where it has real impact – with families in the area deciding where the money should be spent. The plans also set out how communities could own a stake in renewable energy infrastructure through shared ownership, resulting in profits being reinvested back into the community and the British people having a stake in the clean energy transition.

    The level of payments to communities will range depending on the size of infrastructure projects, from tens of thousands of pounds a year for small developments and up to millions of pounds per year for largescale developments.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    If you live near an offshore wind or solar farm, your local community should benefit from supporting this nationally critical mission.

    The Prime Minister’s mission to become a clean energy superpower is creating good well-paid jobs in these areas, building the infrastructure we need to get energy bills down for working people.

    Our Plan for Change will revitalise Britain’s coastal and rural communities creating community wealth, better facilities and energy security for the country.

    This will benefit every household in the country by getting the UK off fossil fuel dependency and protecting billpayers from price shocks with clean homegrown power.

    The announcement will build on measures introduced in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill where households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure will get electricity bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years.

    The proposals seek input on which types of energy infrastructure should be required to pay into community benefit funds, which may include renewable and low-carbon electricity  generation, and energy storage.

    Community benefits are an established part of development for energy infrastructure in many countries, including Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

    James Robottom, Head of Policy at RenewableUK, said:

    Renewable energy developers have a long history of providing a wide range of benefits for local communities, such as community benefit funds which support local initiatives, electricity discounts, employment initiatives and environmental projects.

    We welcome the government’s consultation and will engage with it to ensure that the benefits received by local communities hosting energy infrastructure are proportionate and continue to meet their needs. Renewable energy developers are good neighbours and remain committed to providing benefits at an appropriate level to enable local communities to thrive all over the country.

    This builds on Monday’s announcement to support coastal communities with the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, the new SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) agreement that will slash red tape for UK seafood exporters and businesses, and a new twelve-year fisheries access agreement with the EU securing long-term certainty for British fishing fleets.

    The Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will see investment in new technology and equipment to modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, deliver new training and skills to back the next generation of fishers and promote the seafood sector to export our high-quality produce across the world.

    Notes to Editors

    Read more about the working paper. We are inviting views from industry and stakeholders on the proposals until Wednesday 16 July.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –