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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI: Cielo Announces Relocation of First Planned Facility to British Columbia and Provides Update on Proposed Asset Acquisition and Corporate Matters

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV:CMC; OTC PINK:CWSFF) (“Cielo” or the “Company”) provides an update on certain business and corporate matters.

    First Planned Waste to Fuels Facility – Scrap Railway Ties to Green Hydrogen

    In light of changes in market conditions, the Company announces its intention to relocate its first planned commercial waste to fuel facility for the processing of scrap railway ties from Carseland, Alberta to British Columbia, and a transition in fuel to be produced from Renewable Diesel to Green Hydrogen. This shift remains aligned with the Company’s commitment to commercialize renewable energy initiatives.

    This strategic pivot allows Cielo to explore funding opportunities through the British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard (BCLCFS) credit program, which offers financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions.

    Cielo is engaged in advanced discussions with a technology provider on a project in British Columbia that will utilize scrap railway ties as feedstock to produce Green Hydrogen for use in the British Columbia market.

    “As Cielo completes a shift in our strategy, we also continue to be flexible in our project execution. We are willing and prepared to pivot as the political and technological landscapes change. In addition, as the demand for renewable fuels changes, Cielo understands the need to revise our approach to meet market demand,” said Ryan C. Jackson, CEO of Cielo. “This decision was not made in haste. We believe it is an important step forward in ensuring our resources are dedicated to projects that have the highest potential for success in the short term and sustainable growth in the long term.”

    Rocky Mountain Clean Fuels Acquisition Update

    In light of the foregoing changes, the Company also announces that it will not proceed with the previously announced proposed acquisition (the “Proposed Acquisition”) by Cielo of an Enhanced Gas to Liquids (“EGTLTM”) facility located in Carseland, Alberta (the “EGTLTMFacility”), currently owned and operated by Rocky Mountain Clean Fuels Inc. (“RMCFI”), which deploys patented Enhanced Gas-To-Liquids technology.

    The Company had previously announced its intention to complete a proposed transaction with RMCFI with a view to enhancing the process deployed at the EGTL™ Facility and diversifying the inputs used to process synthetic diesel and jet fuel. Cielo had intended to build a gasifier on the land adjacent to the EGTL™ Facility.

    Due to ongoing market uncertainty and after careful evaluation, Cielo has determined that the uncertainty around the regulatory landscape and shifting market conditions present significant challenges to advancing the Proposed Acquisition in a manner that aligns with the Company’s long-term strategic goals. The project development agreement between Cielo and RMCFI that had been acquired under the Asset Purchase Agreement with Expander (each as defined below) has expired.

    Cielo remains focused on executing its broader strategy of sustainable and profitable fuel production, including new opportunities in Green Hydrogen and other low-carbon initiatives. The Company continues to explore alternative partnerships and funding opportunities to drive its commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability.

    Expander Energy Dispute Resolution

    In November 2023, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated September 15, 2023, as amended and restated on November 8, 2023 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) between Cielo and Expander Energy Inc (“Expander”), Cielo acquired certain assets and liabilities of Expander to use and operate Expander’s patented EBTL™ and BGTL™ technologies (the “Transaction”).

    Concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, Cielo and Expander executed a license agreement (the “License Agreement”), providing Cielo with an exclusive license in Canada to use Expander’s patented EBTL™ and BGTL™ technologies and related intellectual property for all feedstocks, as well as an exclusive license in the United States for creosote and treated wood waste (the “Licensed Technologies”).

    As a result of recent disagreements between Cielo and Expander on various matters, the Company has notified Expander of its intention to initiate a dispute resolution process in accordance with the terms of the License Agreement. Prior to this, Cielo had received from Expander notices of breach (collectively the “Notices”) with regard to the Asset Purchase Agreement, the License Agreement and a master service agreement executed between Cielo and Expander upon closing of the Transaction. Among other things, the Notices include Expander’s advice that Expander intends to terminate the License Agreement upon a second notice, which Cielo may expect to receive in or after April 2025. Cielo intends to dispute some or all of the assertions made in the Notices and intends to have its own commercial, financial and strategic concerns related to the Licensed Technologies addressed. The Company will continue to provide material updates as they become available.

    “Through this challenging but in our view necessary juncture, we remain dedicated in our mission of investing in innovation in the renewable fuels sector,” said Mr. Jackson. “As we navigate these discussions, our priority is to act in the best interests of our shareholders and stakeholders while maintaining a constructive approach to resolving these matters.”

    Cielo will continue to execute its existing business strategy and technological advancements, while ensuring its leadership role in sustainable waste-to-energy solutions.

    Director Resignation

    Cielo announces that James H. Ross has resigned from its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The Company thanks Mr. Ross for his contributions and leadership during his tenure and wishes him success in his future endeavors.

    Mr. Ross was appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2023 pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Expander.

    Annual General Meeting

    As previously announced, Cielo had cancelled its rescheduled annual general meeting of shareholders (the “AGM”) to be held on December 19, 2024 due to a Canada Post Strike. Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), the Company was required to hold the AGM on or before December 31, 2024 (the “Original AGM Deadline”), however it was determined that rescheduling the AGM for a date on or before the Original AGM Deadline was not feasible given the continuing postal strike and mailing requirements. As a result, the Company had made application to request an extension, which was granted until June 30, 2025. Cielo intends to hold the AGM in June 2025 and will provide additional details as they become available.

    Corporate Update Webinar

    Cielo is pleased to announce a corporate update webinar (the “Webinar”) with CEO, Ryan C. Jackson and CFO, Jasdeep K.B. Dhaliwal, scheduled for April 10th, 2025. This event is intended to provide shareholders and stakeholders with updates on the Company’s strategic initiatives and future outlook. Further details will be released prior the date of the Webinar.

    ABOUT CIELO

    Cielo Waste Solutions is a publicly traded company focused on transforming waste materials into high-value renewable fuels. Cielo seeks to address global waste challenges while contributing to the circular economy and reducing carbon emissions. Cielo is fueling renewable change with a mission to be a leader in the wood by-product-to-fuels industry by using environmentally friendly, economically sustainable and market-ready technologies. Cielo is committed to helping society ‘change the fuel, not the vehicle’, which we believe will contribute to generating positive returns for shareholders. Cielo shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “CMC,” as well as on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “CWSFF.”

    For further information please contact:

    Cielo Investor Relations

    Ryan Jackson, CEO
    Phone: (403) 348-2972
    Email: investors@cielows.com

    CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should” or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements and information are based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and are subject to certain factors and assumptions. Cielo is making forward-looking statements, including but not limited to with respect to: the change of location of the first planned commercial facility and the focus on Green Hydrogen; the exploration and use of financial incentives in British Columbia; that the Company will not proceed with the Proposed Acquisition; the Company’s strategic focus; the Company’s intention to continue to explore alternative partnerships and funding opportunities; the dispute resolutions process with Expander, Cielo’s intentions with respect thereto and that the Company will provide further updates as they become available; that Cielo will continue to execute its existing business strategy and technological advancements, while ensuring its leadership role in sustainable waste-to-energy solutions; the AGM and the timing thereof; and the Webinar and the date thereof.

    Investors should continue to review and consider information disseminated through news releases and filed by the Company on SEDAR+. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

    Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Fengate consortium selected to deliver six new schools in Alberta, Canada

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EDMONTON, Alberta, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fengate Asset Management (Fengate), as part of the EllisDon Infrastructure consortium, has been selected by the Government of Alberta to deliver six new schools as part of the P3 Schools Bundle #5 project.

    The consortium achieved financial close on the project this week to design, build, finance, and maintain the schools under a public-private partnership (P3).

    Three grade K-9 schools, located in Calgary (Nolan Hill), Chestermere, and Okotoks; one K-8 school in Aidrie; one K-5 school in Blackfalds; and one grade 7-12 school in Edmonton (Glenridding Heights), are anticipated to open in 2027 and provide an opening capacity for 5,550 students.

    “We are honored to be part of this transformative project that will provide state-of-the-art educational facilities for students across Alberta,” said Mac Bell, Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments at Fengate.

    “Achieving financial close is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our consortium partners and the Alberta government, and we look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder to build the future of education in the province.”

    Fengate, which successfully delivered a P3 bundle of six schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland, near Washington D.C. in 2023, remains committed to delivering high- quality social infrastructure that enhances communities across Canada and the United States.

    The EllisDon Infrastructure consortium – comprised of EllisDon Capital Inc., Fengate Asset Management, EllisDon Construction Services Inc., GEC Architecture, Smith + Andersen, Entuitive Corporation, Grade Consulting Inc., Scatliff + Miller + Murray Inc., Footprint, and FFA Consultants – was selected following a competitive procurement process.

    About Fengate

    Fengate is a leading alternative investment manager focused on infrastructure, private equity and real estate strategies, with more than $10 billion of capital commitments under management. The firm has been investing in infrastructure since 2006 with a focus on mid- market greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets in the transportation, social, energy transition and digital sectors. Fengate is one of North America’s most active infrastructure investors and developers with a portfolio of more than 45 assets. Learn more at www.fengate.com.

    Media contact

    Maddison Sharples
    Vice President, Communications and Marketing
    +1 416 254 3326
    maddison.sharples@fengate.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CECO Environmental Announces Completion of the Divestiture of Its Fluid Handling Business to May River Capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ADDISON, Texas, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment and industrial equipment, today announced it has completed the previously announced divestiture of its Fluid Handling business (also known as its Global Pump Solutions, or GPS, business) contained in its Industrial Process Solutions segment to May River Capital, effective March 31, 2025.

    The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $110 million, paid in cash at closing. The Company intends to use the proceeds from this transaction to pay down debt and to fund future strategic growth investments.

    The GPS business consists of three niche leadership severe service industrial metallic, fiberglass and thermoplastic centrifugal pump brands – Dean, Fybroc and Sethco – which joined the CECO family through an acquisition in 2013. The business operates from strategic locations in Indianapolis, Indiana and Telford, Pennsylvania, and services over 1,500 customers globally.

    “I am pleased to have completed our previously announced divesture of GPS, which enables greater alignment of our portfolio of leading environmental solution businesses against our high growth opportunities in energy and industrial markets,” said Todd Gleason, CECO’s Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that the GPS business is well positioned as a niche leader in its respective end markets and applications, and we also believe that we have found the right buyer and future home to ensure its continued success and development of the GPS team. This sale will – after our recent acquisitions of Verantis Environmental and Profire Energy – create additional capacity for further investment in CECO’s growth and business expansion, and execution of our strategies in Industrial Air, Industrial Water, and the Energy Transition.”

    EC M&A and Koley Jessen were the primary financial and legal advisors to CECO for the transaction. Paul Hastings and TD Securities served as legal and financial counsel to May River Capital.

    ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL
    CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water, and energy transition markets globally through its key business segments: Engineered Systems and Industrial Process Solutions. Providing innovative technology and application expertise, CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. In regions around the world, CECO works to improve air quality, optimize the energy value chain, and provide custom solutions for applications in power generation, petrochemical processing, refining, midstream gas transport and treatment, electric vehicle and battery production, metals and mineral processing, polysilicon production, battery recycling, beverage can production, and produced and oily water/wastewater treatment along with a wide range of other industrial applications. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Addison, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com.

    About May River Capital
    May River Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on partnering with lower middle-market industrial growth businesses. The firm invests in high-performing companies in advanced manufacturing, engineered products and instrumentation, specialized industrial services, and value-added industrial distribution services. For more information, please visit www.mayrivercapital.com.

    SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
    Any statements contained in this Press Release, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed under “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and may be included in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and include, but are not limited to: the effect of the divestiture of our Global Pump Solutions business on business relationships, operating results, and business generally, disruption of current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the transaction, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations in connection with the integration of recent acquisitions, the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the transaction, the achievement of the anticipated benefits of transactions, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from acquisitions, as well as a number of factors related to our business, including the sensitivity of our business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in CECO’s service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on our infrastructure, resources, and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges or other customer considerations; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty, or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with our strategic transactions and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases; our ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring program; economic and political conditions generally; our ability to optimize our business portfolio by identifying acquisition targets, executing upon any strategic acquisitions or divestitures, integrating acquired businesses and realizing the synergies from strategic transactions; and the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cyber security threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to our views as of the date the statement is made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Company Contact:
    Peter Johansson
    Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
    888-990-6670

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Steven Hooser and Jean Marie Young
    Three Part Advisors
    214-872-2710
    Investor.Relations@OneCECO.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix Names Tech Industry Veteran Todd Rychecky General Manager and Head of Out-of-Band Management Business

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling Edge AI Intelligence, today announced the appointment of Todd Rychecky as general manager and head of its Out-of-Band (OOB) Management Business Line. With a proven track record in network resilience, SaaS solutions and OOB management, Rychecky will play a pivotal role in expanding Lantronix’s market presence and driving strategic growth in this critical sector.

    Rychecky brings a proven track record of success in the OOB management space, having played a key role in scaling OpenGear’s business as well as leading major strategic deals, including a landmark $100 million network resilience contract. With deep expertise in product positioning, SaaS business models and global sales leadership, Rychecky is well-positioned to drive growth and innovation at Lantronix.

    “This is an exciting time for Lantronix as we continue to position ourselves as a leader in AI-driven networking solutions,” said Mathi Gurusamy, chief strategy and product officer at Lantronix. “With Todd’s deep expertise and strategic vision, we are confident in our ability to scale our Out-of-Band business, enhance our market presence and deliver groundbreaking solutions to our customers.”

    As general manager of Lantronix’s OOB Management Business Line, Rychecky is responsible for:

    • Strategic leadership of Lantronix’s OOB Management business, aligning it with the company’s broader AI and connectivity strategy;
    • Driving revenue growth and profitability, leveraging his extensive experience in scaling technology businesses and building successful sales teams;
    • Expanding Lantronix’s OOB market share through product innovation, strategic partnerships and enhanced customer engagement; and
    • Enhancing financial performance, overseeing P&L and optimizing cost efficiencies.

    Rychecky joins Lantronix at a vital moment as the company leverages AI-driven solutions across its core business lines, including OOB Management, Network Equipment and Industrial IoT.

    With a robust product pipeline, including its LM80, LM83, LM4, SLC8000, EMG7500/8500 and Spider as well as its upcoming innovations SLC9000, LM48 and 5G-enabled LM series, Lantronix offers a comprehensive suite of OOB management solutions. These solutions empower enterprises with secure, resilient network management tools, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and streamlined IT operations. Additionally, Lantronix’s LEVEL SERVICES provide enterprise customers with customized, high-touch technical support to meet evolving network demands.

    “I am thrilled to join Lantronix at this crucial juncture to lead the company’s Out-of-Band management business to new heights,” said Rychecky. “Lantronix has a strong foundation, cutting-edge AI-driven solutions and an unmatched product portfolio. I look forward to driving innovation, scaling the business and helping our customers achieve greater network resilience and operational efficiency.”

    About Lantronix

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to Lantronix products or leadership team. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of that report, as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. In addition, actual results may differ as a result of additional risks and uncertainties about which we are currently unaware or which we do not currently view as material to our business. For these reasons, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our opinions or expectations, except as required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. If we do update or correct any forward-looking statements, investors should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.

    Lantronix Media Contact:
    Gail Kathryn Miller
    Corporate Marketing &
    Communications Manager
    media@lantronix.com

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:        
    investors@lantronix.com

    ©2025 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd905e61-186c-497b-a86f-26916432a567.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Nobel Laureate tells United Nations Art Provides Social Justice | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Nobel Laureate for Literature, Wole Soyinka and Poet Salome Agbaroji spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on the power of art in the context of social justice and reparations from past atrocities, including the transatlantic slave trade and modern slavery.
    ‘Poetry is such a great arena for political discussion.’ National Agbaroji said in an interview with UN News, while Soyinka called for young talents to let their creation ‘enlarge the lives of others’.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-d3_kNt6Mk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: US sanctions strongly condemned

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today issued a strong condemnation of the US for including central authorities and Hong Kong SAR officials on a “sanctions list”.

    In a statement, it said the move was a despicable attempt to intimidate officials and amounted to barbarity.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that it will make every effort to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all personnel, and that its officials will continue to resolutely discharge their duty of safeguarding national security.

    It said that the reason absconders from Hong Kong who are at large in countries such as the US, the UK and Australia have had arrest warrants issued against them by Hong Kong courts is not because they have “exercised their freedom of speech”, but because they continue to engage in activities endangering national security. It explained that these activities include inciting secession and requesting that foreign countries impose “sanctions” or engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong SAR.

    The statement outlined that it is necessary for the Hong Kong SAR to take all lawful measures to combat such acts. It said such measures are aimed at combating, deterring and preventing acts of abscondment, and at procuring the return of the absconded persons to Hong Kong to face judicial proceedings.

    Moreover, it stressed that all the measures align with human rights requirements, adding that countries including the US, the UK and Canada would impose similar measures on wanted criminals.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government said that in an attempt to mislead the public the US had deliberately smeared Hong Kong and spread irresponsible remarks about measures and actions taken in accordance with the law.

    It also stated that the US has disregarded the non-interference principle of international law, choosing instead to interfere with other countries’ internal affairs, groom agents, instigate colour revolutions, and create social unrest and multiple humanitarian disasters through economic and military coercion, causing suffering to people in many countries.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government said that with China’s central authorities enacting Hong Kong’s National Security Law and the Hong Kong SAR implementing Article 23 of its Basic Law, the legal regime in safeguarding national security in Hong Kong has been strengthened, prevented the US from succeeding in its aims.

    It added that false accusations by the US against Hong Kong SAR personnel involved in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law, and the imposition of “sanctions” in the guise of defending human rights and democracy, constitute a demonstration of shameless hypocrisy.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it has a responsibility to pursue those who suspected of committing offences endangering national security and absconding overseas.

    It added that Hong Kong law enforcement agencies’ actions are evidence-based and are taken in strict accordance with the law in respect of acts committed by people or entities, having nothing to do with their political views, background or occupation. In addition, it said, the Department of Justice makes prosecutorial decisions based on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOEA Extends Household Appliances Subsidy Program, Call for Applications Until October 2025

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has officially launched the 2025 Household Appliances Subsidy Program. Citizens can receive an NT$3,000 subsidy per unit when replacing outdated air conditioners or refrigerators with new ones of Tier-1 efficiency. However, due to a partial budget freeze imposed by the Legislative Yuan, the program is expected that subsidies for 600,000 units will be reduced this year, and the application period has been shortened to the end of October. Should the allocated funds be exhausted before the deadline, applications will close early. Citizens who need the subsidy are encouraged to seize the opportunity, replace their outdated appliances and complete the application process as early as possible.

    Between 2023 and 2024, the subsidy program facilitated the replacement of 3.22 million air conditioners and refrigerators, saving approximately 1.93 billion kWh annually. With an estimated 4.08 million outdated appliances still in use nationwide, the government aims to accelerate replacement and achieve deep energy saving goals. Over the next two years, the program will continue, with NT$6.8 billion allocated for 2025 to support the replacement of 2.07 million units.

    The Energy Administration noted that the 2025 subsidy fund has been reduced by NT$1.92 billion due to the budget freeze of 20%, which limits the number of subsidized units to 1.47 million, leaving an estimated 500,000 households unable to benefit. The subsidy eligibility period covers purchases made between January 1, 2023, and October 31, 2025. Citizens are encouraged to notice that, applications will be accepted until October 31, 2025, or until the budget is fully utilized.

    Application process is same as before, citizens purchasing efficient household appliances during the eligibility period and recycling their outdated units are eligible for the subsidy. Applicants must prepare copies of their ID card, bankbook cover, electricity bill, uniform invoice, product warranty card, and the recycling receipt for the discarded appliance, and submit their applications online via the official website (https://save3000.moeaea.gov.tw) or by post to P.O. Box 8-17, Banqiao Post Office.

    The Energy Administration stated that over the past two years, more than 80% of applicants have applied for subsidies online. To enhance the convenience of online applications, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology will continue to be used this year to streamline data entry and reduce processing time. Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the 24/7 online application service, allowing them to submit their applications easily from home. This not only saves time and effort but also contributes to energy conservation and carbon reduction.

    Citizen’s application cases will be processed for funding disbursement sequentially after the announcement of the 2025 budget by the Presidential Office. Moreover, Citizens purchasing efficient air conditioners and refrigerators may also apply for a commodity tax refund from the Ministry of Finance, with a maximum rebate of NT$2,000 per unit. Namely, households replacing outdated air conditioners or refrigerators with new efficient ones may receive up to NT$5,000 in total from saving energy.

    For detailed information on subsidy regulations, citizens are encouraged to visit the dedicated subsidy website. For assistance with the application process, applicants may use the online customer service chatbot or call the subsidy hotline at (02) 2955-9666 to speak with professional customer service staff.

    Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director General, Chih-Wei Wu
    Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7750, 0922-339-410
    Email Address: cwwu@moeaea.gov.tw

    Contact Person: Director, Shu-Fang Kao
    Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7773, 0918-400-668
    Email Address: sfkao@moeaea.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to South African government again pressuring Taiwan to relocate liaison office

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to South African government again pressuring Taiwan to relocate liaison office

    Date：2025-02-02
    Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

    February 2, 2025Since last October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been in communication with South Africa through diplomatic channels. In accordance with the principles of parity and dignity, MOFA has engaged with the South African government, seeking to understand its views on future bilateral relations while still staunchly refusing to accept unilateral changes to the status quo. In late January, however, the South African government sent another letter to the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa (TLO) demanding that it leave the capital city of Pretoria before the end of March. The South African government also attempted to downgrade the status of the TLO and have it renamed a trade office.Federal Chairperson Ivan Meyer of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, was recently sanctioned by the Chinese government for visiting Taiwan. That the South African government has yet again set a deadline for the TLO’s relocation out of Pretoria—despite ongoing negotiations with Taiwan—demonstrates that China is ramping up efforts to suppress Taiwan in South Africa. Upon receiving a TLO report regarding the South African government’s repeated demand to relocate the office, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung again promptly convened a task force to discuss contingency measures. He remained in constant contact with the relevant MOFA officials both at home and abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday. He also instructed Director General Anthony Chung-yi Ho of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs to summon Representative Zakhele Mnisi of the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taiwan to convey the government’s serious concerns.MOFA reiterates that the Taiwan government remains steadfast in its refusal to accept the South African government’s unilateral violation of their bilateral agreement and that it will continue communicating with South Africa on the principles of parity and dignity. In line with the Taiwan government’s objectives, MOFA will adopt contingency measures depending on the South African government’s responses. It will also apprise the Taiwanese people and media of future developments at the appropriate times.MOFA once again solemnly urges the government of South Africa, which will host this year’s Group of 20 summit, to abide by the legal framework for bilateral relations signed in 1997. And before a consensus is reached through negotiations with Taiwan, MOFA calls on South Africa not to use coercive measures against the TLO or take any other action that could interfere with the TLO’s operations or services that it provides for Taiwanese abroad. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Condemnation of the Commission’s biased report on combating anti-Muslim hatred – E-001138/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001138/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christophe Bay (PfE), Anna Bryłka (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN), Catherine Griset (PfE), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Julien Sanchez (PfE), André Rougé (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Séverine Werbrouck (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE)

    In October 2024, the Commission gave support to and circulated a report entitled ‘The legal framework to combat anti-Muslim hate in the European Union’, which had been drawn up by the European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination and funded by George Soros’s Open Society Foundations in particular.

    The report equates any criticism of radical Islamism with systemic discrimination, thus obscuring the genuine threats posed to our democracies by what is a totalitarian ideology. It seeks to hamper any political or legal action against Islamism.

    The Rassemblement National political party would point out that its fight is against Islamism, not Muslims. Secularism is a fundamental value of the French Republic; it is enshrined in Article 1 of its Constitution. By equating any opposition to Islamism with a form of structural racism, the report deprives public policies to combat extremism of their legitimacy.

    In this context:

    • 1.Can the Commission explain why it has published and thus endorsed a report that legitimises a culpable complacency towards Islamism?
    • 2.What action does it intend to take to correct that stance and ensure that combating Islamism is one of its priorities?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE)
    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Democracy and the rule of law in Romania – cancellation of the presidential election and exclusion of Călin Georgescu – E-001115/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001115/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN)

    • 1.What is the Commission’s view of the fact that Călin Georgescu was not admitted to the Romanian presidential elections, and does it consider it compatible with the principles of democracy and the rule of law under EU law?
    • 2.Does the Commission consider the decision of the Romanian authorities to be in breach of the right to political participation and free elections enshrined in the EU Treaties, and if so, what steps does it intend to take?
    • 3.Given the growing doubts concerning the democratic independence of national governments in the EU, how is the Commission ensuring that Romania complies with its obligations to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law?

    Submitted: 17.3.2025

    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: €50 million in EIB support for Ukraine’s rail border crossings and infrastructure to boost EU connectivity and trade

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • Upgrades on Ukraine’s borders with neighbouring EU countries will help streamline the movement of goods and passengers, and reinforce Ukraine’s role as a transport hub.
    • The project will include repairs to tracks, the relocation of wagon inspections, the reconstruction of an intermodal terminal and new gantry cranes.
    • It is co-financed by the EU Connecting Europe Facility and supported by the EIB’s advisory services.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the government of Ukraine have agreed to direct €50 million of EIB financing to Ukraine’s national railway company, Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia), to upgrade key rail border crossing points with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, contributing to the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes initiative to facilitate cross-border connectivity and trade. The agreement was signed by the EIB and the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. Backed by an EU guarantee under the Ukraine Facility, the investment will improve freight operations and strengthen Ukraine’s trade and transport links with the European Union. The upgrade is being co-funded through a grant from the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The initiative is also benefiting from advisory support provided under JASPERS, a joint initiative of the European Commission and the EIB.

    The funding will support the modernisation of border infrastructure and nearby railway sections on the Ukrainian side, helping to increase the volume and speed of goods moving across borders. It includes repairs to worn-out tracks, the relocation of wagon inspections, the reconstruction of an intermodal terminal and the installation of equipment like cranes. Beyond freight operations, the modernisation works will also bring direct benefits to passenger transport, as the upgraded railway tracks will serve both freight and passenger trains, contributing to safer, faster and more efficient cross-border travel.

    This financing is part of the EIB’s broader €150 million support for modernising Ukraine’s railways. In 2022, the first €100 million was provided as part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response to finance emergency repairs and restore essential rail services. It was complemented by a €6.7 million EU grant to address urgent wartime needs.

    EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Ukraine, said: “The EIB has been a long-standing partner of Ukrzaliznytsia – from well before the very first days of the war. With this new support, we are continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s railway infrastructure at a critical time. Upgrading border crossing points and key rail links will help remove bottlenecks, accelerate the flow of goods and support Ukraine’s deeper integration with the European Union.” 

    European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said: “Today’s agreement between the European Investment Bank and Ukraine is another step towards Ukraine’s gradual integration into the EU. This €50 million investment in the modernisation of key rail border crossing points will strengthen Ukraine’s infrastructure and its connections to the European Union. This is not just an economic measure – it is a political commitment to bring Ukraine even closer to the EU by improving trade, people mobility and transport links. Our message to Ukrainian people is clear: Europe stands with you, today and in the future.”

    Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said: “Railway infrastructure has become one of Ukraine’s key lifelines – keeping goods moving, delivering essential services and ensuring strategic links with the European Union. We welcome this €50 million in EIB support, now directed towards upgrading our rail border crossing points. This is a vital step in rebuilding and expanding our border infrastructure. It will unlock new potential for freight flows and bring us even closer to full integration with the European Union.”

    Background information  

    The EIB in Ukraine 

    The EIB Group has supported Ukraine’s resilience, economy and recovery efforts since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with €2.2 billion already disbursed since 2022. The Bank continues to focus on securing Ukraine’s energy supply, restoring damaged infrastructure and maintaining essential public services across the country. Under a guarantee agreement signed with the European Commission, the EIB is set to invest at least €2 billion more in urgent recovery and reconstruction. This funding is part of the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024–2027 and is fully aligned with the priorities of the Ukrainian government.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Sustainability and due diligence: MEPs fast-track vote on postponed application

    Source: European Parliament 3

    Having voted to use the urgent procedure, Parliament will decide on Thursday whether to delay application of the new sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements.

    With 427 votes for, 221 against and 14 abstentions, Parliament voted on Tuesday to fast-track its work on the stop-the-clock proposal to postpone the application of social and environmental reporting and due diligence measures.

    Under the proposal to be put to a vote on Thursday, application of social and environmental reporting would be postponed by two years for the second and third waves of companies within its remit.

    As part of the same vote, MEPs will decide whether to delay transposition and application of due diligence measures for one year for the largest companies.

    Next steps

    The Council of the EU, which brings together member states’ ministers, endorsed the Commission proposal on delayed application without changes. If MEPs endorse that text on Thursday, the draft rules would only need formal approval by the Council to enter into force.

    Background

    On 26 February 2025, the European Commission presented the “Omnibus I” simplification package. It comprises, among other files, a directive delaying application of due diligence and sustainability reporting rules, on which MEPs will vote on Thursday, and another directive changing the scope and content of both the due diligence rules and the sustainability reporting requirements. Work on the second of the two directives will now start in Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – The European Parliament in EU external action – 01-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Based on its Treaties, the European Union (EU) has developed a multifaceted external action policy, and is seen as an important actor far beyond its borders. Through its institutions and Member States, the EU is active in international trade, humanitarian assistance, economic, financial, and technical and development cooperation, as well as through its common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP). Increasingly, the external dimension of internal EU policies has also grown, notably in the economic, climate, energy, migration and digital fields. The role of the European Parliament in the EU’s external action has increased significantly since the 1990s, and especially after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon (2009). Although Parliament’s powers remain relatively limited compared to other EU institutions involved in external action, especially with regard to CFSP and CSDP decision-making (which remain mostly intergovernmental), it nevertheless has considerable legislative, budgetary, agenda-setting and soft powers. Several of Parliament’s powers cut across all policy areas. Notably, it proactively supports multilateralism and conducts extensive parliamentary diplomacy. Parliament contributes to policy framing through its debates, resolutions, recommendations, own-initiative reports and statements. It holds hearings, workshops, debates and organises missions. Members of the Parliament exercise scrutiny of the executive, by holding hearings of and posing questions to the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s High Representative and the Council. Parliament co-legislates on financing the EU’s external action and controls EU institutions’ expenditure, including the EEAS, through the discharge procedure. The Parliament acts on an equal footing with the Council when adopting numerous acts in the fields of trade, development and humanitarian aid, and often external dimensions of internal policies. Since 2009, Parliament’s consent to legally binding international agreements is mandated by the Treaties.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting children from targeted online advertising – E-000181/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Digital Services Act (DSA)[1], the regulation on the targeting and transparency of political advertising (Political Advertising Regulation)[2], the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[3], and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive[4] contain specific rules to protect children online.

    The Better Internet for Kids Strategy[5] aims to ensure that every child is respected, protected and empowered online. Under the GDPR, children’s personal data may only be processed with consent of their parent or guardian when they are under a nationally specified age.

    Under the DSA, Article 28 requires all online platforms accessible to minors to ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security for minors and bans advertisement to minors based on profiling.

    Article 26 requires platforms to make sure that adverts are clearly labeled so users can easily recognise them . The Commission is developing guidelines to facilitate compliance with Article 28. The Commission is committed to enforcing the DSA and ensuring that the rules are rigorously upheld.

    The Political Advertising Regulation prohibits the use of personal data to deliver political advertising to an individual known to be at least one year under the voting age.

    The preparatory work on a Digital Fairness Act (DFA) aims at placing a strong emphasis on the protection of children as consumers.

    The 2024 Commission Fitness Check of consumer legislation informs the preparation of the DFA[6], which will include an impact assessment and consultation.

    This work is intended to close gaps in consumer protection, addressing matters such as unfair personalisation practices, marketing by social media influencers, addictive design and gambling-like elements in games.

    • [1]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2065
    • [2]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0900
    • [3]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj/eng
    • [4]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1808/oj/eng
    • [5]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/safer-Internet-for-kids.html#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20European%20Commission,are%20in%20children’s%20best%20interests
    • [6]  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_4901

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Hearings – Public hearing: Human rights situation in Cuba – 08-04-2025 – Subcommittee on Human Rights

    Source: European Parliament

    On 8 April 2025, the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is organising a public hearing on the “Human rights situation in Cuba”. In the programme of the hearing – two main topics: 1) Human rights situation and fundamental freedoms in Cuba; 2) EU response, state of play and future perspectives.

    Holding a public hearing on the situation of Human Rights in Cuba will allow DROI to assess the current situation of Human Rights in Cuba, including the situation of the remaining political prisoners in the framework of the liberation of 553 of them under a Vatican-mediated deal.

    Furthermore, the recent change of Administration in the USA makes it more urgent to monitor the Human Rights situation in the island, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing an omnibus executive order revoking 78 executive actions by the previous administration on 20 January 2025, including the revocation of the order of 14 January 2025 to remove Cuba from a blacklist of nations that sponsor terrorism and the reintroduction of sanctions that had contributed to the island’s worst economic crisis in decades.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Financing nuclear power plant in Poland: lack of tendering procedure – E-002702/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    There were several meetings between the Commission and the administration of the Republic of Poland involved in the nuclear power plant investment concerning the procurement aspects of the construction of this nuclear plant.

    The Commission was first approached in May 2022 and the last meeting on the procurement dimension of the investment in relation to the selection of the particular technology took place in December 2022.

    There was no approval by the Commission of any legal act of the Government of Poland or its entity. The Commission received information concerning the technical conditions that limit choice of nuclear reactors due to the cumulated power generation ranges they could provide.

    There was no Commission decision in this regard.

    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council seeks views on its sports and leisure centres

    Source: City of Leicester

    PEOPLE in Leicester are being asked for their views on the sports and leisure centres owned and run by Leicester City Council.

    The council wants to hear from people who use its seven leisure centres with swimming pools located across the city, and from users of the Saffron Lane athletics track. It also wants to hear from people who choose not to use them, so it can understand why not.

    Assistant city mayor for sports, leisure and culture, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “Over the last five years we have invested in our leisure centres, enhancing and improving our facilities and expanding our programmes and activities. As a result, visitor numbers have increased to more than 1.5 million and leisure centre membership now stands at 20,000.

    “It’s important that we understand what makes our leisure centres appealing for people to use, so I would encourage people to tell us their views. This survey is for all city residents, so we really want to hear from people who don’t currently use our leisure centres, as well as those who do.”

    People can give their views online until 11 May at consultations.leicester.gov.uk

    Paper versions to fill in are also available at council venues, including libraries and leisure centres.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 1,000 British jobs supported by deal to bolster fleet of sub-hunting helicopters

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    1,000 British jobs supported by deal to bolster fleet of sub-hunting helicopters

    The Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters will receive world-class maintenance under a £165 million contract extension, supporting 1,000 skilled UK jobs.

    Merlin Mk4 helicopter

    • £165 million contract with Leonardo to secure upkeep of the Royal Navy’s fleet of 54 Merlin helicopters.
    • Contract supports 1,000 UK jobs with 200 in Somerset and 800 across wider UK supply chain, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
    • Merlin helicopters are submarine hunters and capable of intercepting pirates and drug runners, saving the lives of stricken mariners, and delivering stores and people.

    The agreement supports the government’s Plan for Change by bolstering national security and boosting the economy, with the Ministry of Defence ensuring the defence sector is an engine for growth in every nation and region of the UK.

    It will sustain 200 jobs at Leonardo’s helicopters facility in Yeovil, Somerset, and 800 more across the wider UK supply chain, and covers the fleet of 30 Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Merlin Mk4 amphibious and battlefield lift aircraft.

    The deal contributes to the Government’s commitment to secure Britain’s future through the Plan for Change, which is delivering security and renewal by kick-starting economic growth to put more money in working people’s pockets.

    The Mk2 helicopters are submarine hunters and can also carry out search and rescue operations, intercept drug runners and pirates, and support humanitarian relief efforts.

    Armed with Sting-Ray Torpedoes and M3M .50 calibre machine guns, the Mk2 helicopters provide the Royal Navy with anti-submarine and anti-surface support.

    They also use powerful radars high above the Navy’s carrier strike groups for airborne surveillance and control. The Mk4 fleet provides troop transport, casualty evacuation and can carry medium lift loads of up to 3.8 tonnes.

    These versatile aircraft were recently deployed on Operation CLOCKWORK in Norway, which involved the training of Commando Helicopter Force air and ground crew, and will participate in the upcoming Carrier Strike Group (CSG25) deployment.

    Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said:

    Our fleet of world-class Merlin helicopters provide the Royal Navy with a vital advantage over our adversaries, keeping our carrier strike groups safe and enhancing their battle-winning capability.

    This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defence capabilities that keep us safe, while utilising defence as an engine for economic growth, supporting 1,000 well-paid jobs across the UK.

    As well as jobs based in Somerset, the agreement will support jobs at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

    The UK defence sector underpins our national resilience and is a vital engine for growth, supporting 434,000 jobs across the country. Today’s news follows the announcement of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, as the government will hit 2.5% of GDP spend by April 2027, and has a commitment to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

    Leonardo is the prime contractor for the expert maintenance, with Lockheed Martin and SERCO appointed as key sub-contractors.

    Nigel Colman, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters UK, said:

    We’re extremely proud to have provided the UK’s AW101 Merlin fleet from the Home of British Helicopters in Yeovil.

    Working closely with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy, we’re keeping the Merlin fleet supported and available, so it’s ready to fly whenever and wherever it’s called upon.

    At the same time, we’re looking towards how Merlin will be supported the in years to come under the Rotary Wing Enterprise (RWE) agreement, which will transform how support will be delivered across the whole UK rotary fleet.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic – E-001040/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001040/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Gerald Hauser (PfE)

    In the official answer to my parliamentary question (11265/J), Austria’s Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), stated that four pandemic simulation and preparation exercises had been run in the USA this millennium (Atlantic Storm, CLADE X, Event 201 and Spars Pandemic 2025-2028)[1]. In October 2019, in partnership with the World Economic Forum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security simulated a pandemic with a SARS-related coronavirus (Event 201). Moderna’s CEO, Stéphane Bancel, publicly stated that he informed his staff in 2019 that a pandemic would occur in 2020 and that Moderna would have to produce billions of doses of vaccines[2].

    • 1.As of when did the Commission and its agencies (in particular the EMA and the ECDC) know that a pandemic would occur in 2020?
    • 2.Did the Commission and its agencies participate in the above-mentioned simulation exercises or any other such exercises?
    • 3.In what form (human, financial, material, ideological, etc.) did the Commission provide support for simulation exercises to prepare for a pandemic?

    Submitted: 11.3.2025

    • [1] https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/AB/11010
    • [2] https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2023/sessions/state-of-the-pandemic/
    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: It will take more than an Oscar to stop Israel’s West Bank plans

    “I started filming when we started to end.” With these haunting words, Basel Adra begins No Other Land, the Oscar-winning documentary that depicts life in Masafer Yatta, a collection of Palestinian villages in the southern West Bank that are under complete occupation – military and civil – by Israel.

    For Basel and his community, this land isn’t merely territory — it’s identity, livelihood, their past and future.

    No Other Land vividly captures the intensity of life in rural Palestinian villages and the everyday destruction perpetrated by both Israeli authorities and the nearby settler population: the repeated demolition of Palestinian homes and schools; destruction of water sources such as wells; uprooting of olive trees; and the constant threat of extreme violence.

    While this 95-minute slice of Palestinian life opened the world’s eyes, most are unaware that No Other Land takes place in an area of the West Bank that is ground zero for any viable future Palestinian state.

    Designated as “Area C” under the Oslo Peace Accords, it constitutes 60% of the occupied West Bank and is where the bulk of Israeli settlements and outposts are located. It is a beautiful and resource-rich area upon which a Palestinian state would need to rely for self-sufficiency.

    For decades now, Israel has been using military rule as well as its planning regime to take over huge swathes of Area C, land that is Palestinian — lived and worked on for generations.

    This has been achieved through Israel’s High Planning Council, an institution constituted solely of Israelis who oversee the use of the land through permits — a system that invariably benefits Israelis and subjugates Palestinians, so much so that Israel denies access to Palestinians of 99 percent of the land in Area C including their own agricultural lands and private property.

    ‘This is apartheid’
    Michael Lynk, when he was serving as UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, referred to Israel’s planning system as “de-development” and stated explicitly: “This is apartheid”.

    The International Court of Justice recently affirmed what Palestinians have long known: Israel’s planning policies in the West Bank are not only discriminatory but form part of a broader annexation agenda — a violation of international humanitarian law.

    To these ends, Israel deploys a variety of strategies: Israeli officials will deem certain areas as “state lands”, necessary for military use, or designate them as archaeologically significant, or will grant permission for the expansion of an existing settlement or the establishment of a new one.

    Meanwhile, less than 1 percent of Palestinian permit applications were granted at the best of times, a percentage which has dropped to zero since October 2023.

    As part of the annexation strategy, one of Israel’s goals with respect to Area C is demographic: to move Israelis in and drive Palestinians out — all in violation of international law which prohibits the forced relocation of occupied peoples and the transfer of the occupant’s population to occupied land.

    Regardless, Israel is achieving its goal with impunity: between 2023 and 2025 more than 7,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Area C due to Israeli settler violence and access restrictions.

    At least 16 Palestinian communities have been completely emptied, their residents scattered, and their ties to ancestral lands severed.

    Israel’s settler colonialism on steroids
     Under the cover of the international community’s focus on Gaza since October 2023, Israel has accelerated its land grab at an unprecedented pace.

    The government has increased funding for settlements by nearly 150 percent; more than 25,000 new Israeli housing units in settlements have been advanced or approved; and Israel has been carving out new roads through Palestinian lands in the West Bank, severing Palestinians from each other, their lands and other vital resources.

    Israeli authorities have also encouraged the establishment of new Israeli outposts in Area C, housing some of the most radical settlers who have been intensifying serious violence against Palestinians in the area, often with the support of Israeli soldiers.

    None of this is accidental. In December 2022, Israel appointed Bezalel Smotrich, founder of a settler organisation and a settler himself, to oversee civilian affairs in the West Bank.

    Since then, administrative changes have accelerated settlement expansion while tightening restrictions on Palestinians. New checkpoints and barriers throughout Area C have further isolated Palestinian communities, making daily life increasingly impossible.

    Humanitarian organisations and the international community provide much-needed emergency assistance to help Palestinians maintain a foothold, but Palestinians are quickly losing ground.

    As No Other Land hit screens in movie houses across the world, settlers were storming homes in Area C and since the Oscar win there has been a notable uptick in violence. Just this week reports emerged that co-director Hamdan Ballal was himself badly beaten by Israeli settlers and incarcerated overnight by the Israeli army.

    Israel’s annexation of Area C is imminent. To retain it as Palestinian will require both the Palestinian Authority and the international community to shift the paradigm, assert that Area C is Palestinian and take more robust actions to breathe life into this legal fact.

    The road map for doing so was laid by the International Court of Justice who found unequivocally that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is unlawful and must come to an end.

    They specified that the international community has obligations in this regard: they must not directly or indirectly aid Israel in maintaining the occupation and they must cooperate to end it.

    With respect to Area C, this includes tackling Israel’s settlement policy to cease, prevent and reverse settlement construction and expansion; preventing any further settler violence; and ending any engagement with Israel’s discriminatory High Planning Council, which must be dismantled.

    With no time to waste, and despite all the other urgencies in Gaza and the West Bank, if there is to be a Palestinian state, Palestinians in Area C must be provided with full support – political, financial, and legal — by local authorities and the international community, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

    After all, Area C is Palestine.

    Leilani Farha is a former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and author of the report Area C is Everything. Republished under Creative Commons.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Lifestyle – MPs Lead by Example as Fit 4 Office Challenge Wraps Up

    Source: Exercise NZ

    As the Fit 4 Office (F4O) Challenge concludes, Exercise New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) congratulates all participating Members of Parliament for prioritising movement, proving that even the busiest schedules can accommodate physical activity.

    Over the past three weeks, 11 MPs from across the political spectrum tracked their activity using Myzone heart rate monitors, demonstrating the benefits of regular movement while engaging in friendly competition. The challenge set a baseline goal of 1,000 Myzone Effort Points (MEPs), with top performers exceeding 3,000 MEPs—an exceptional display of commitment. MEPs measure exercise intensity based on heart rate, rewarding effort rather than just time or distance. The longer participants sustained an elevated heart rate in an active zone, the more MEPs they earned.

    Top Finishers

    ExerciseNZ is proud to recognise the top MPs who led the way in total MEPs. Competition for the top spot remained fierce throughout the challenge, with Julie Anne Genter, Celia Wade-Brown, and Mark Mitchell each leading at various points. Ayesha Verrall also held the top position for several days, demonstrating a strong commitment—primarily through running. Their efforts highlight the broader dedication to movement and exercise within Parliament, setting a strong example for all New Zealanders.

    Congratulations to all MPs who participated in paving the way for a more active and healthier Aotearoa. The top finishers and their final MEP totals as of 11:59pm, March 27, are:

    Julie Anne Genter – 4,758 MEPs
    Celia Wade-Brown – 4,455 MEPs
    Mark Mitchell – 3,703 MEPs

    We also acknowledge Jan Tinetti and Ayesha Verrall, who each surpassed 2,000 MEPs—doubling the initial challenge goal. Notably, Mark Mitchell recorded the most regular high-intensity workouts, exemplifying leadership as Minister of Sport and Recreation.

    ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie commended all MPs for their dedication:

    “The Fit 4 Office Challenge was designed to inspire movement and show how achievable it is to prioritise physical activity. Seeing MPs embrace the challenge, support each other, and set an example for New Zealanders has been fantastic. This isn’t just about competition—it’s about reinforcing the message that every movement counts toward better health.”

    Movement Matters – Beyond the Challenge

    Though the F4O Challenge has ended, the need for regular movement continues. Physical inactivity costs the New Zealand economy over $2.3 billion annually, including $650 million in healthcare costs—highlighting that movement isn’t just a personal benefit but a national one.

    ExerciseNZ encourages all New Zealanders to stay active beyond this challenge. The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Throughout the challenge, MPs engaged in diverse activities to meet these recommendations, including gym workouts, yoga, Pilates, cycling, walking, tramping, and even rollerblading. Their participation proves that staying active doesn’t have to feel like a chore—it can be an enjoyable way to socialise, de-stress, and improve overall well-being.

    ExerciseNZ, alongside Myzone, thanks all MPs for their participation and commitment to leading by example. Their efforts demonstrate that, despite demanding schedules, physical activity is achievable for everyone. While the challenge has ended, the journey toward a healthier and more active Aotearoa continues.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Myanmar earthquake: MSF teams are in Mandalay and Shan state News Mar 31, 2025

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    In response to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams made up of medical, logistics, and water and sanitation staff are assessing affected areas in Mandalay and southern Shan state. The full scale of the damage and medical needs is still unknown due to communication blackouts and the difficulty of reaching the hardest-hit areas amid ongoing conflict. 

    In Myanmar, the earthquake hit Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypitaw, and Shan state. Tremors were also felt in Thailand, Bangladesh, China, and Laos. More than 2,056 people have been killed in Myanmar, with 3,900 injured and at least 270 still missing. The quake caused widespread damage to infrastructure and buildings. Aftershocks are increasing the risk of further collapse and complicating rescue efforts. Residents also report experiencing fear and facing difficulty accessing safe shelter due to the current political situation. 

    Overview

    Myanmar earthquake impact

    • Schools, mosques, monasteries, government offices, and 1,000-bed Naypyitaw Hospital have been affected.
    • Yangon-Mandalay highway as well as Innwa and Dokhtawaddy bridges are reported to be damaged or collapsed.
    • The number of destroyed homes is still unknown.
    • Power outages have affected the entire country, including Yangon, with phone and internet services also disrupted. 

    Challenges amid ongoing response

    Given the scale and intensity of the earthquake, the impact on people who require emergency trauma care for crush injuries can be devastating. This type of lifesaving assistance is an urgent need in the initial 72 hours after a disaster. We’re also concerned about people made vulnerable as a result of losing access to shelter, health care, and drinking water. Prompt medical aid efforts are crucial to control the spread of waterborne, vector-borne, or endemic diseases.

    A massive scale-up of assistance to prevent further loss of life and suffering is urgently needed. 

    Further, health care facilities need stable power and clean water supplies to provide life- and limb-saving surgeries and deliveries. Damaged facilities may require urgent repair, temporary support structures, or replenished stocks of supplies that were lost or destroyed. Patients who rely on daily treatment to manage chronic conditions like HIV, tuberculosis (TB), diabetes, and hypertension will need close monitoring.

    To enable an effective response, swift access to affected areas and timely approval of essential supplies and personnel are critical. 

    Destruction in Mandalay on March 31. | Myanmar 2025 © MSF

    A rapid scale-up is needed in Myanmar

    Our medical humanitarian staff in Myanmar and in neighboring countries are preparing to respond at scale to the needs of affected communities. Communication is ongoing with all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, reaffirming our commitment and capacity to scale up quickly and support ongoing response efforts in Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and all other areas impacted by the earthquake.

    MSF ready to assist in Myanmar following powerful earthquake

    Read more

    As the scale of the destruction becomes clearer, a massive scale-up of assistance to prevent further loss of life and suffering is urgently needed. Responding to an emergency of this scale is beyond the capacity of any one organization. All people impacted by the earthquake, no matter where they live, need access to lifesaving medical humanitarian assistance.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Irvin Kinnes, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Cape Town

    A campaign against gangsterism in Cape Town, South Africa led by the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) turned violent in the mid-1990s when a group known as Pagad G-Force began what became known as an urban terrorism campaign. Lives on the Line, written by security analyst David Africa, is the true story of the secret team in the country’s crime intelligence division that waged a six-year battle against the terror group – and won. The terror campaign was brought to a standstill in 2002. Criminology professor Irvin Kinnes sets out why it’s a riveting read, a bold tell-all account by a brave author.

    What was the backdrop to the terror campaign?

    In 1995, one year after the country’s first democratic elections, a new law was passed creating the newly constituted South African Police Service. It was a tough year because the elements of the old order in the police service had great difficulty accepting the new democratic dispensation. But they had to collaborate with the people that they had tortured, jailed and, in some cases, maimed as a result of their role in political oppression in support of apartheid.

    The new centurions (police guardians of the new order) of democracy were not yet in place. A system of dual power emerged in the police, where some of the commanders that were appointed were former members of the liberation movements. They were seen as “plastic cops” because they did not train in the police academies around the country, but in the bush. Some subsequently attended various training academies. They were all integrated with other homeland police agencies from the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei states and other “independent” homelands that had existed under apartheid. In total, 11 agencies combined to form the newly created and democratic police service in 1995.

    After 1994, many of the apartheid social controls such as restrictions on people’s movement, racially divided settlement and the death penalty were abolished. People were jubilant, hyper aware of their newly found rights.

    The police were not prepared to deal with such a rights-aware population. In addition, freedom also unleashed huge social challenges such as crime and particularly drug and gang crimes. In the immediate aftermath of the political negotiations that ended apartheid and prior to the elections, crime rates surged, especially in 1993. Not all of the crime was criminal: some of the events related to political crime with mass movements and political parties clashing with each other and with the police.

    The urban terror campaign, as labelled by members of the South African Police Service, extended from 1996-2002. This was also known as the Cape Flats war (referred to as the Pagad troubles by Africa) and was triggered by the campaign of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad). The organisation was initially made up of largely ordinary citizens across the religious divide, but later became almost exclusively Muslim led, and so was the G-Force.

    Pagad led several marches on the Cape Flats against drug dealers and gangsters. These marches resulted in the death on 4 August 1996 of one of the co-leaders of the Hard Living gang, Rashaad Staggie, by a huge crowd of Pagad members who were escorted by the police’s Public Order Unit.

    The execution resulted in a tit-for-tat killing between gang members and Pagad members.

    What was Pagad G-Force? What led to its formation?

    The Pagad G-Force were a group of men inside Pagad. They operated clandestinely outside its circle of influence of its public structures, but sometimes with its tacit support. Many of the members of the G-Force had received military training both inside and outside the borders of the country.

    Some people claimed they were trained in Afghanistan and Iran, and they were operators who were armed and could manage themselves against some of the threats that gang leaders had made against them. They were a tightly knit unit that was able to retain secrecy in most of their operations, guarding it against police infiltration – a battle they ultimately lost, as Africa’s book shows.

    The unit was accused of executing up to 30 senior gang leaders and drug dealers. Pagad would lead public marches against them and often publicly warned them to stop their drug dealing. This was followed by the homes of drug dealers being attacked. In many instances they were killed.

    What does the book reveal about why it took so long to end the terror campaign?

    There have been books that have attempted to document the Cape Flats war from different perspectives. But Africa tells the story from the inner sanctum of the state security apparatus that initially failed and eventually succeeded in penetrating the G-Force, Pagad and other formations.

    His book provides significant insights that makes other books on the subject pale in comparison. Fighting terrorism (urban or other) requires patience and deliberate skilled analysis of data, patterns and personalities. It requires skills of analysis built up over many years of sifting through behaviours and actions of individuals and organisations perpetrating such crimes.

    For the first time, we are made privy to the ideological reasoning and political thinking, strategising and implementation of police operations that was decidedly different from the old state thinking of actions against adversaries they were investigating.

    This was painstaking work and the level of co-operation between the new centurions of democracy in the police under the leadership of Africa and the old order. The old-order guardians were the same men and women in the old South African Police Force that had defended the apartheid government and did not trust the new police investigators from the liberation movements. They still had control of the police service in 1996. This was a recipe for creative and disruptive tensions, mistrust and outright sabotage of each other’s operations.

    What was the author’s involvement in the police efforts?

    The author was the head of a covert police intelligence team whose exclusive focus was to bring down the Pagad G-Force. He was central in conceptualising a new approach of working in a decontaminated group of intelligence officers made up of former liberation movement officers. Their job was to analyse information and turn it into actionable intelligence products that could be used to act against the Pagad G-Force.

    What was different about this approach was they produced court-ready evidence which police detectives could use in courts against the accused Pagad bombers. He led the fight for the new covert unit to have the necessary resources, support from their colleagues when it was required and most importantly, the support of the then national commissioner, Jackie Selebi.

    In this fight, Selebi quite clearly took sides and fully supported the actions of Africa and his colleagues to defeat Pagad’s G-Force. Africa makes this clear in his book and emphasises the support that was provided by Selebi.

    What are the key takeaways from the book about fighting similar campaigns of violence?

    The book puts together all the actors nationally and provincially and accords them the historical roles in each of their fields of expertise. It unravels the networks they spun to target, isolate, recruit and turn suspected G-Force operators.

    This look from within the war machine against Pagad raises many questions for any reader.

    It is a book for anyone who wants to understand the fight against terror, globally, regionally and locally, and what it really takes to bring people who commit such acts to justice.

    Lives on the Line confirms why it is so difficult to investigate organised crime and urban terrorists today.

    Irvin Kinnes 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. Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town – https://theconversation.com/inside-an-urban-terror-network-book-reveals-how-police-finally-cracked-pagad-gang-violence-in-cape-town-253447

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Spring Statement 2025 – Treasury Committee

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    The Treasury Committee is holding a series of evidence sessions to scrutinise the Spring Statement. In this final session, they will be questioning the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP.

    The Committee’s scrutiny is likely to examine any significant changes to the Government’s spending plans which have recently been announced, and potential implications for public services, government departments and debt.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG7D_HSTsWM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NDA celebrates 20 years of making the nation safer

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    NDA celebrates 20 years of making the nation safer

    Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, established by the UK Government to decommission the UK’s earliest nuclear sites.

    Celebrating 20 years of the NDA

    Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), established by the UK Government as part of the Energy Act 2004, to decommission the UK’s earliest nuclear sites.

    The UK boasts a proud nuclear history, and the NDA has been pivotal in cleaning up the legacy facilities once at the heart of national defence and energy generation.

    Since commencing operations on 1 April 2005, the NDA has overseen the clean-up of 17 sites, with the ultimate aim of remediating them for their next use.

    Today, NDA staff are celebrating 20 years of progress reflecting on how the organisation has made the UK a safer place.

    In the last month alone, the NDA and its operating companies have celebrated some significant milestones including demolishing the turbine hall at Sizewell A and completing the first rail deliveries of material for final capping at the low level waste repository which involves placing a protective layer over legacy disposal trenches which will remain in place for up to 100 years. 

    Other notable achievements being remembered include:

    • Commencing the first simultaneous retrievals of waste from Sellafield’s oldest storage ponds and silos, the NDA estate’s high hazard facilities.
    • Safely defueling all of the Magnox reactors, removing 99 percent of the radioactive hazard on the sites housing them.
    • Removing and safely destroying around 68 tonnes of highly radioactive liquid metal coolant from the Dounreay Fast Reactor, on the Dounreay site.
    • Reprocessing 9,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel, generating £9 billion in revenue for UK.
    • Producing and consolidating all plutonium which is now safely stored at Sellafield ahead of final disposal.
    • Safely packaging and storing significant volumes of intermediate level waste retrieved from legacy facilities and AGR stations, including 50,000 boxes at Sellafield’s Retrievals East River.
    • Re-using or recycling waste where possible, diverting 98% of waste from having to be disposed of at the NDA’s low level waste repository, preserving capacity and saving nearly £50 million in the past year alone, on top of more than £975 million saved over the past 15 years.
    • Demolishing or reusing 274 buildings and releasing 9% of land for reuse or to be redesignated.
    • Positive progress in delivering a GDF as the best approach for the long-term management of the most hazardous radioactive waste with three communities engaging in the process and site evaluations underway.

    As well as the NDA, 2025 is year of anniversaries across the NDA group, including 30 years of Direct Rail Services, 50 years of Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited and Dounreay is celebrating 70 years.

    NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, said:

    Our mission is unique, dating back to the UK’s nuclear origins in the1940s and expected to span into the next century. Much of what we do has never been done before and was never designed to be done.

    We’ve made significant strides since 2005, including establishing the NDA group model which is enhancing our collaboration and efficiency in delivering our mission.  

    I am extremely proud of every single employee for the part they have played, and continue to play, in making the UK safer every day. My thanks not only extends to NDA employees, but also to the many individuals in our operating companies, supply chain and communities.

    Ours is one of the most important environmental programmes on the planet. We have a responsibility to leave a positive legacy for the generations of the future and that’s something that will continue to drive us forward over the next 20 years and beyond.

    The last 20 years have seen huge skyline changes because of the NDA group’s work include the demolition of the Chapelcross and Calder Hall cooling towers, and the twin reactors at Bradwell entering the care and maintenance state.  

    In addition, over the NDA’s lifetime Nuclear Transport Solutions has transported over 2000 casks of nuclear material by sea and conducted over 5 million miles of UK nuclear rail transports, with a 100% nuclear safety record.

    The value the NDA group delivers for the country extends beyond its decommissioning mission. Keeping the nation safe and secure, supporting energy security ambitions, investing in research and technology, sharing best practice internationally and driving economic growth through jobs and billions of pounds of investment in the supply chain. 

    Since 2005, the NDA group has invested £277m of socio-economic funding to support significant projects that enable permanent and sustainable change in site communities, leveraging additional investment of nearly £4 for every £1.

    It’s an impressive legacy for 20 years but with a mission stretching for many decades to come there’s still so much more to do. To find out more about what the NDA has achieved and its ambitions for the future watch the below.

    20 years of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regulatory fees for British chemicals sector slashed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Regulatory fees for British chemicals sector slashed

    New legislation to cut UK REACH costs for chemical businesses comes into force as part of Government’s Plan for Change

    New legislation coming into force today (Tuesday 1 April) will slash regulatory burdens on the chemicals industry – saving businesses £40 million over the next six years.

    The move as part of the Government’s Plan for Change means nearly all current fees and charges for chemical businesses are going down. Changes are expected to lead to a total reduction of costs by £40 million for businesses across the next six years – from 2025/26 to 2030/31.

    Included in the changes is a new standard registration fee of £2,222, which will mean a significant reduction to the cost of registration for 92% of firms. Alongside this, the continuation of the small and medium enterprise discounts and a reduction in legal identity changes will ensure the chemicals industry is fairly regulated and remains competitive.

    This will relieve the UK’s chemicals industry of unnecessary cost burdens, create conditions for them to invest in new infrastructure and delivering growth for the sector.

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:

    The UK chemicals sector is world-leading but has faced a range of challenges in recent years, including high regulatory costs.

    As part of Plan for Change, we’re reducing UK REACH fees by £40 million over the next six years, helping businesses continue to deliver growth in this vital sector.

    UK REACH is the regulatory regime that applies to many chemical substances that are manufactured or imported into the Great Britain. It exists to provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment when chemicals are used.

    To ensure UK REACH is enforced effectively, chemical businesses pay fees to recover the cost of the services provided. The new charges will ensure businesses pay for what they get.

    The Government is committed to protecting human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals. This includes reshaping the UK REACH Work Programme in future years to ensure it delivers the Government’s ambitions, while also setting out a clear direction of travel to support businesses and the chemicals industry, taking account of UK REACH’s relationship with regulation in the EU.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – CBA Emergency Assistance for flood affected areas in Queensland and NSW

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Special arrangements are in place to assist customers who may need additional support in flood affected areas in Queensland and NSW.

    Commonwealth Bank will provide its Emergency Assistance to customers and businesses in areas affected by flooding in Queensland and NSW.

    Retail Banking Services Group Executive, Angus Sullivan, said: “We want our customers to know that we are here to help them. We are thinking of everyone in the impacted regions and have several measures in place to support affected customers and employees through this challenging time.

    “We also want to thank the emergency services teams and volunteers who work tirelessly to help keep our communities safe.”

    CBA understands each customer will have different needs and we encourage them to discuss their individual circumstances by either contacting the bank in the CommBank app or phoning 1800 314 695. Business customers can also call 1800 314 695 or speak with their dedicated CommBank relationship manager.

    For more information on the support we’re providing to impacted communities, visit: commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance.

    CBA Emergency Assistance includes a range of options for eligible customers, including:

    Customised payment arrangements for home loans, business loans, personal loans and credit cards.
    Waiving fees and charges, including waiving fees for temporary and damaged merchant EFTPOS terminals, as well as support with merchant terminal rental fees.
    Temporary overdrafts, additional loans or emergency credit limit increases (subject to credit approval).
    Waiving fees and notice periods for early access to Term Deposits (including Farm Management Term Deposits).
    Emergency accommodation may be available for customers who have taken out Home Insurance provided by Hollard, distributed by CommBank, subject to making a claim and policy terms and conditions.
    Helping direct claims enquiries for customers seeking support through their Home Insurance provided by Hollard, distributed by CommBank.

    To access this support, customers should contact the bank through the CommBank app. Alternatively, they can call 1800 314 695. Branch availability and further information about CBA’s Emergency Assistance is available online at commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance.

    For emergency help call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit your State Emergency Service Website

    Queensland: ses.gov.qld.au
    NSW: ses.nsw.gov.au

    In a life-threatening emergency call 000 (triple zero).

    During this time customers should also remain vigilant and be extra cautious of unexpected calls or messages claiming to be from well-known organisations including banks, telecommunications companies and government agencies.

    CommBank will never send customers links in text messages directing them to sites that ask for passwords, and customers should never click on any of these they receive.

    If customers receive an unexpected call claiming to be from CommBank, they should ask the caller to verify the legitimacy of the call by using CallerCheck which triggers a security message in the CommBank App.

    How customers can better protect themselves from scams

    • Stop: Does a call, email or text seem off? The best thing to do is stop. Take a breath. Real organisations won’t put you under pressure to act instantly.
    • Check: Ask someone you trust or contact the organisation the message claims to be from.
    • Reject: If you’re unsure, hang up on the caller, delete the email, block the phone number.
    • Change your passwords.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Child Benefit boost for millions of families

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Child Benefit boost for millions of families

    Child Benefit payments set to increase from 7 April

    • Child Benefit payments to increase from next week
    • Parents encouraged to claim and manage Child Benefit via the HMRC app
    • 1.2 million parents have used the digital service to claim their Child Benefit

    Families who claim Child Benefit will see an increase in their payment next week, says HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

    From 7 April 2025, parents will receive £26.05 per week – or £1,354.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week – or £897 a year – for each additional child. Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks and will automatically be paid into a bank account. There is no limit to how many children parents can claim for.

    The quickest and easiest way for parents and carers to claim, view and manage Child Benefit payments is by downloading the free and secure HMRC app. A new function in the app means they get a notification once their claim is received and payment in as little as 3 days.

    Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

    Extra pounds count and Child Benefit can give your household budget a boost. Claiming online or managing your Child Benefit payments via the HMRC app is quick and easy so, if you haven’t already, go to GOV.UK to start your claim today.

    Families have used the app more than 6 million times in the last year to manage their Child Benefit payments, including:

    • making a new claim
    • updating a change in circumstances
    • amending personal or bank details
    • adding additional children to a claim
    • viewing or printing Proof of Entitlement to Child Benefit
    • telling us their children are continuing in full time, non-advanced education or approved training

    Over 1.2 million parents have claimed their Child Benefit through the HMRC app or via the digital service, since the service went online in May 2023. More than 87% of claims are now digital.

    Families are encouraged to claim Child Benefit as soon as they can after their baby is born as it can only be backdated up to 3 months.

    To make a claim for Child Benefit, parents will need to create an online HMRC account and will need:

    • child’s birth or adoption certificate
    • bank details
    • National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
    • child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK.

    HMRC has released a new YouTube video explaining how new parents can make a claim.

    How do I claim Child Benefit online?

    If either the claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.

    In the Spring Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves announced a new service as part of the government’s Plan for Change, that will cut red tape for eligible employed parents who are liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

    From the summer, families will have the option to report their Child Benefit payments and pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.

    The new digital service will be optional and those who choose to pay the charge through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.

    Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app.

    A person living in a household subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will still receive National Insurance credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.

    Further Information

    Information on Child Benefit.

    The Child Benefit rates for the 2024 to 2025 tax year were £25.60 a week for your first or only child and £16.95 for each additional child.

    HMRC will communicate the launch of digital service directly to affected parents and further details and guidance will be available on GOV.UK when the service launches.

    Child Benefit claimants receive National Insurance (NI) credits which count towards their future eligibility for the State Pension. This can help people who are not in paid employment and not receiving NI credits through their employer or other routes, such as Universal Credit.

    Claiming Child Benefit also makes sure the child automatically gets their National Insurance number when they turn 16.

    The Child Benefit award notice can be used to prove you qualify for Child Benefit and can be downloaded and printed from the HMRC app or from GOV.UK. Parents and carers may need proof of entitlement to access other benefits and services.

    The High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold increased to £60,000 on 6 April 2024.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government to introduce legislation to block new sentencing guidelines

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Government to introduce legislation to block new sentencing guidelines

    The government will introduce new legislation to stop Sentencing Council’s guidelines coming into effect

    • The Lord Chancellor will today introduce legislation to stop guidelines coming into effect that single out differential treatment of ethnic minority offenders in sentencing
    • Parliament will debate the legislation, and it will become law as quickly as possible

    New sentencing guidelines that would mean differential treatment for different races and religions will be blocked under new legislation set to be introduced today, the Lord Chancellor has announced.

    The government will work with Parliament to fast-track this legislation, which will clarify that guidance relating to sentencing reports should not single out specific cohorts for differential treatment when it comes to ordering Pre-Sentencing Reports, which help judges make decisions on sentencing.

    This follows formal objections raised by the Lord Chancellor to the Sentencing Council regarding sections of the guidelines due to come into effect on 1 April.

    The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood said: 

    These guidelines create a justice system where outcomes could be influenced by race, culture or religion.

    This differential treatment is unacceptable – equality before the law is the backbone of public confidence in our justice system.

    I will change the law to ensure fairness for all in our courts, and I’m grateful to the Sentencing Council for delaying implementation while Parliament considers the Bill.

    The Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill will be introduced into the House of Commons tomorrow, and the Government will seek to get Royal Assent as quickly as possible.  

    Further Information

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin: The Moscow Innovator Competition Sets a Record for Registration Rates

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Seven weeks to the competition “Moscow Innovator” More than two thousand people applied. This is twice as many as last year, Sergei Sobyanin said in his telegram channel.

    “Scientists, technology entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators aged 14 and over can take part and offer their innovative ideas, either individually or in a team of up to five people,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin 

    The competition has three nominations: “Project of the Future”, “Reality Changers”, “Innovation Leaders”. To reach the final, participants must prove the science-intensive, innovative and economic potential of their developments.

    This year’s applications include many promising projects. One of them is a biopolymer implantable membrane for endoprostheses. Its structure resembles living tissue, which reduces the risk of complications and significantly speeds up recovery after operations. Another capital development is a mobile device for quickly assessing the chemical composition of soil and water. It also controls the supply of moisture and fertilizers, ensuring effective management of agricultural processes.

    36 winners and finalists will receive prizes from 100 thousand to 1.5 million rubles depending on the nomination. In addition, they will be helped in commercializing their developments and creating their own technology business.

    Applications can be submitted until May 5th. on the website Moscow Innovation Cluster.

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

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

    HTTPS: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12564050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –