NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Announces T3RN (TRN) Launchpool Event with 190,000 TRN Prize Pool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, today announced the upcoming listing of T3RN (TRN) alongside an exclusive Launchpool staking event. The comprehensive initiative will offer users the opportunity to earn from a substantial total prize pool of 190,000 TRN tokens.

    T3RN: Pioneering Universal Web3 Protocol

    T3RN is the world’s first Universal Execution Protocol that enables atomic cross-chain smart contract execution across multiple blockchain networks without relying on wrapped tokens or trust assumptions. Unlike traditional bridge solutions that often create fragmented user experiences, T3RN’s protocol ensures that every cross-chain transaction either fully succeeds or fully reverts, eliminating the risk of partial execution failures that have plagued multi-chain operations. The protocol addresses a critical pain point in the current Web3 infrastructure by allowing users and developers to execute complex, multi-chain transactions seamlessly.

    The TRN token serves as the native utility token powering the entire T3RN ecosystem, with a fixed maximum supply of 100 million tokens facilitating network security through staking, enabling protocol-level payments, and providing governance rights to holders.

    T3RN (TRN) Launchpool Event

    MEXC’s TRN Launchpool event runs from July 15, 2025, 11:00 UTC to July 23, 2025, 11:00 UTC, featuring dual staking pools with 95,000 TRN rewards each. New users can participate in both USDT and TRN staking pools, while all users can participate in the TRN pool. The event offers a historical average APR of up to 500% for Launchpool events, with participants able to re-stake in the TRN pool for additional rewards.

    Who Can Join

    • TRN holders and community airdrop recipients – Can stake TRN tokens in the Launchpool for high rewards
    • New users – Can participate in both USDT and TRN staking pools
    • All users – Can participate in the TRN pool

    How to Participate

    • Sign up for a MEXC account
    • Complete Advanced KYC verification
    • Deposit and stake TRN or USDT in the designated Launchpool
    • Begin earning TRN rewards

    This event launch demonstrates MEXC’s commitment to providing users with exclusive opportunities for early participation in high-quality cryptocurrency projects. Known for rapid token listings, extensive token variety, strong market depth, and competitive fees, MEXC consistently puts user experience first. Through frequent airdrops and diverse event offerings, the platform supports emerging Web3 ventures while helping users unlock profit potential. This strategy reinforces MEXC’s position as a gateway to cutting-edge opportunities in the fast-moving crypto space.

    Interested users can visit here to register and participate in the staking event.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0d93893-a036-4d2a-91f7-8630087c175f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: No more card surcharges: what the Reserve Bank’s proposed changes mean for your wallet

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angel Zhong, Professor of Finance, RMIT University

    That extra 10c on your morning coffee. That $2 surcharge on your taxi ride. The sneaky 1.5% fee when you pay by card at your local restaurant. These could all soon be history.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has proposed a sweeping reform: abolishing card payment surcharges. The central bank says it’s in the public interest to scrap the system and estimates consumers could collectively save $1.2 billion annually.

    But like all major financial reforms, the devil is in the detail.

    The 20-year experiment is over

    Surcharging was introduced more than two decades ago to expose the true cost of different payment methods. In the early 2000s, card fees were high, cash was king, and surcharges helped nudge consumers toward lower-cost options.

    But fast-forward to 2025, and the payments ecosystem has changed dramatically. Cash now accounts for just 13% of in-person transactions, and the shift to contactless payments, accelerated by the pandemic, has made cards the default for most Australians.

    When there’s no real alternative, a surcharge becomes less a useful price signal and more a penalty for convenience.

    After an eight month review, the bank’s Payments System Board has concluded the surcharge model no longer works in a predominantly cashless economy. The proposal now on the table is to phase out surcharges and instead push for simplified, all-inclusive pricing.

    Who saves – and who pays?

    At first glance, removing surcharges looks like a win for consumers. Every household could save about $60 per year, based on the RBA’s estimates. But payment costs don’t vanish – they shift.

    This is where the Reserve Bank’s proposal is more sophisticated than it may appear. Alongside banning surcharges, it plans to lower interchange fees (the fees merchants pay to card networks like Visa and Mastercard) and introduce caps on international card transactions.

    These changes aim to reduce the burden on merchants, which in turn limits the pressure to raise prices.

    Could prices still rise?

    Some worry that without surcharges, businesses will simply embed the costs into product prices. That’s possible. However, the bank estimates this would result in only a 0.1 percentage point increase in consumer prices overall.

    There are three reasons for that:

    1. most merchants already don’t surcharge, especially small businesses. Of them, 90% may have included card costs in their pricing

    2. competition keeps pricing in check. Retailers in competitive markets can’t raise prices without risking customers

    3. transparency is coming. The reforms will require payment providers to disclose fees more clearly, allowing merchants to compare and switch – fostering more competition and lower costs.

    That said, the effects won’t be felt evenly. Merchants in sectors that do currently surcharge, like hospitality, transport, and tourism, will need to rethink their pricing strategies. Some may absorb costs; others may pass them on.

    The winners

    Consumers stand to benefit most. They’ll avoid surprise fees at checkout, won’t need to switch payment methods to dodge surcharges, and won’t have to report excessive fees to the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission. Combined with lower interchange fees, this means consumers should face less friction and more predictable pricing.

    About 90% of small businesses don’t currently surcharge and would gain around $185 million in net benefits. These businesses often pay higher interchange fees, so the reform will reduce their costs. New transparency requirements will also make it easier to find better deals from payment service providers (PSPs).

    Large businesses already receive lower domestic interchange rates, but they’ll benefit from new caps on foreign-issued card transactions, which is a win for those in e-commerce and tourism.

    The losers

    Banks that issue cards stand to lose about $900 million in interchange revenue under the preferred reform package. Some may respond by raising cardholder fees or cutting rewards, especially on premium credit cards. But they may also gain from increased credit card use as surcharges disappear.

    The 10% of small and 12% of large merchants who currently surcharge will have to adjust. They may face retraining costs and need to revise their pricing strategies.
    Most will be able to adapt, but the transition won’t be cost-free.

    Payment service providers will face about $25 million in compliance costs to remove surcharges and provide clearer fee breakdowns. For some, this may involve significant system changes, though one-off in nature.

    Will it work?

    The Reserve Bank’s proposal tackles real problems: an outdated surcharge model, opaque pricing by payment service providers, and bundling of unrelated services into payment fees. Its success depends on how well these reforms are implemented and whether they deliver real price transparency and lower costs.

    Removing visible price signals may create cross-subsidisation, where users of low-cost debit cards subsidise those who use high-cost rewards credit cards. Some economists argue this could reduce overall efficiency in the system.

    International experience offers mixed lessons. While the European Union and United Kingdom banned most surcharges years ago, outcomes have varied depending on market conditions. Efficiency gains haven’t always followed, and small business concerns persist.

    The road ahead

    The Reserve Bank is seeking feedback until August 26, with a final decision due by year-end. If adopted, the reform will be phased in, allowing time for businesses to adapt.

    For consumers, this may mark the end of hidden payment fees. But for the broader system, success will depend on more than just eliminating surcharges. It will require meaningful competition, transparency, and vigilance during the transition.

    While not a major omission, mobile wallets (such as Apple Pay) and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services represent a missing component in the broader payments ecosystem that the current reforms do not yet address.

    These platforms operate outside the traditional regulatory framework, often imposing higher merchant fees and lacking the transparency applied to card networks.

    Their growing popularity, especially among younger consumers, means they increasingly shape payment behaviour and merchant cost structures. To build a truly future-ready and equitable payments system, these emerging models may need to be brought into the regulatory fold.

    Angel Zhong 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. No more card surcharges: what the Reserve Bank’s proposed changes mean for your wallet – https://theconversation.com/no-more-card-surcharges-what-the-reserve-banks-proposed-changes-mean-for-your-wallet-261165

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Hicks, Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne

    Australian Climate Case

    The Federal Court has handed down its long-awaited judgement in a four-year climate case
    brought by Torres Strait Islanders.

    Elders Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai took the Australian government to court on behalf of their community, arguing the government has a duty of care to protect them from climate change. They also asked the court to legally recognise the cultural loss and harm they are experiencing from sea-level rise and climate-induced flooding.

    But the court declined to recognise either duty or to legally recognise cultural harm.

    Many climate justice advocates hoped today’s decision would be the climate equivalent of the famous Mabo decision, which recognised native title. There are many parallels. At stake was the legal recognition of the harms and loss of connection to Country that Australia’s First Peoples are experiencing through government inaction on climate change.

    Vulnerability and leadership

    Torres Strait Islanders are well placed to bring this kind of legal claim.

    To sue a government for climate inaction, plaintiffs often have to show they are particularly impacted by climate harms over and above the rest of the population.

    Claims across the world have been brought by Indigenous peoples, farmers, young people who will experience catastrophic climate impacts in the future, and people with heat-sensitive illnesses.

    The islands on which Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul live, Sabai and Boigu, are extremely low-lying. Climate-related flooding is already affecting whether people can live there.

    Importantly, small differences in future emissions scenarios will significantly impact their habitability. Every fraction of a degree of warming will matter.

    During the case, climate scientists gave evidence that on the current emissions scenario, the islands are highly likely to be uninhabitable less than 25 years from now.

    This will force Torres Strait Islanders to leave, severing them from thousands of years of tradition, fulfilment of their traditional practices (called Ailan Kastom), and connection to country and identity.

    The legal claim against the Commonwealth

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Commonwealth government has a duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change when setting national emissions-reduction targets. They argued the government breached that duty by not setting targets in line with the best available science. This would involve calculating reduction targets by reference to Australia’s share to keep global warming to as close to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels as possible.

    Second, they argued the government has a duty to protect property, the fulfilment of their traditional customs, and the health and life of Torres Strait Islanders from climate impacts. They argued the government breached that duty by failing to properly fund the construction of sea walls.

    What the Federal Court said

    Justice Wigney’s judgement emphasised the existential threat of climate change. It noted Torres Strait Islanders are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and face a “bleak future” unless urgent action is taken.

    But it accepted the government’s argument that setting emissions reductions targets, and allocating funding for protective infrastructure, involves “policy” considerations a court can’t review.

    When do governments owe a duty of care to climate vulnerable groups?

    Plaintiffs elsewhere in the world have successfully argued that their government owed them a duty of care to protect them from climate harms by lowering emissions. But the argument has had mixed success in Australia.

    To establish a legal duty of care, plaintiffs need to show they have some kind of special relationship with the defendant. This relationship arises through factors such as the plaintiff’s vulnerability to a certain harm, and the defendant’s knowledge of, and control over, that harm.

    As First Peoples, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued they have this kind of relationship with the government. They pointed to a range of factors such as the particular vulnerability of the Torres Strait Islanders, and the government’s control over climate harms to them.

    Novel duties of care can be imposed on government and public authorities. But Australian courts have sometimes declined to do this where they would have to judge how governments have weighed different policy considerations.

    This is partly because it would be too difficult for the court to decide whether the government had met the legal standard of behaviour.

    Courts are more willing to find a government owes a duty of care where the government is merely applying a policy, or where it can measure the government’s behaviour against clear standards. But courts have also acknowledged that the distinction between making policy and applying policy is blurry.

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Australian government has committed to the Paris Agreement, and this sets out a clear legal standard of the “best available science”.

    The Australian government argued its decisions about climate policy involve complex political priorities that a court shouldn’t review. It argued it shouldn’t be bound by the best available science as a legal standard.

    Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai at Boigu Island, the most northerly inhabited island of Queensland. It is part of the top-western group of the Torres Strait Islands.
    Talei Elu

    The role of courts in protecting people from climate harm

    Today’s decision is a setback for both the climate and Indigenous justice movements. But the situation isn’t as bleak as it may seem.

    Across the world, plaintiffs in courts are gaining legal ground on climate accountability. It’s becoming easier to attribute harms to emitters, and to develop standards against which governments can be measured. And courts frequently reject government arguments that their contribution to climate change is minimal. They emphasise that each country must do its share for global collective action to work.

    It is a question of when, rather than if, law will adapt to deal with climate impacts. Much like a rising tide breaking against a seawall, the future impact of climate change on things that law already protects is too extreme for the law to resist.

    Liz Hicks has previously received a Commonwealth Research Training Program stipend and currently receives funding from the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Fund for a project on constitutional accountability and the environment. She is also a member of the Australian Greens Victoria.

    – ref. Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change – https://theconversation.com/federal-court-rules-australian-government-doesnt-have-a-duty-of-care-to-protect-torres-strait-islanders-from-climate-change-259999

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Hicks, Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne

    Australian Climate Case

    The Federal Court has handed down its long-awaited judgement in a four-year climate case
    brought by Torres Strait Islanders.

    Elders Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai took the Australian government to court on behalf of their community, arguing the government has a duty of care to protect them from climate change. They also asked the court to legally recognise the cultural loss and harm they are experiencing from sea-level rise and climate-induced flooding.

    But the court declined to recognise either duty or to legally recognise cultural harm.

    Many climate justice advocates hoped today’s decision would be the climate equivalent of the famous Mabo decision, which recognised native title. There are many parallels. At stake was the legal recognition of the harms and loss of connection to Country that Australia’s First Peoples are experiencing through government inaction on climate change.

    Vulnerability and leadership

    Torres Strait Islanders are well placed to bring this kind of legal claim.

    To sue a government for climate inaction, plaintiffs often have to show they are particularly impacted by climate harms over and above the rest of the population.

    Claims across the world have been brought by Indigenous peoples, farmers, young people who will experience catastrophic climate impacts in the future, and people with heat-sensitive illnesses.

    The islands on which Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul live, Sabai and Boigu, are extremely low-lying. Climate-related flooding is already affecting whether people can live there.

    Importantly, small differences in future emissions scenarios will significantly impact their habitability. Every fraction of a degree of warming will matter.

    During the case, climate scientists gave evidence that on the current emissions scenario, the islands are highly likely to be uninhabitable less than 25 years from now.

    This will force Torres Strait Islanders to leave, severing them from thousands of years of tradition, fulfilment of their traditional practices (called Ailan Kastom), and connection to country and identity.

    The legal claim against the Commonwealth

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Commonwealth government has a duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change when setting national emissions-reduction targets. They argued the government breached that duty by not setting targets in line with the best available science. This would involve calculating reduction targets by reference to Australia’s share to keep global warming to as close to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels as possible.

    Second, they argued the government has a duty to protect property, the fulfilment of their traditional customs, and the health and life of Torres Strait Islanders from climate impacts. They argued the government breached that duty by failing to properly fund the construction of sea walls.

    What the Federal Court said

    Justice Wigney’s judgement emphasised the existential threat of climate change. It noted Torres Strait Islanders are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and face a “bleak future” unless urgent action is taken.

    But it accepted the government’s argument that setting emissions reductions targets, and allocating funding for protective infrastructure, involves “policy” considerations a court can’t review.

    When do governments owe a duty of care to climate vulnerable groups?

    Plaintiffs elsewhere in the world have successfully argued that their government owed them a duty of care to protect them from climate harms by lowering emissions. But the argument has had mixed success in Australia.

    To establish a legal duty of care, plaintiffs need to show they have some kind of special relationship with the defendant. This relationship arises through factors such as the plaintiff’s vulnerability to a certain harm, and the defendant’s knowledge of, and control over, that harm.

    As First Peoples, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued they have this kind of relationship with the government. They pointed to a range of factors such as the particular vulnerability of the Torres Strait Islanders, and the government’s control over climate harms to them.

    Novel duties of care can be imposed on government and public authorities. But Australian courts have sometimes declined to do this where they would have to judge how governments have weighed different policy considerations.

    This is partly because it would be too difficult for the court to decide whether the government had met the legal standard of behaviour.

    Courts are more willing to find a government owes a duty of care where the government is merely applying a policy, or where it can measure the government’s behaviour against clear standards. But courts have also acknowledged that the distinction between making policy and applying policy is blurry.

    Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul argued the Australian government has committed to the Paris Agreement, and this sets out a clear legal standard of the “best available science”.

    The Australian government argued its decisions about climate policy involve complex political priorities that a court shouldn’t review. It argued it shouldn’t be bound by the best available science as a legal standard.

    Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai at Boigu Island, the most northerly inhabited island of Queensland. It is part of the top-western group of the Torres Strait Islands.
    Talei Elu

    The role of courts in protecting people from climate harm

    Today’s decision is a setback for both the climate and Indigenous justice movements. But the situation isn’t as bleak as it may seem.

    Across the world, plaintiffs in courts are gaining legal ground on climate accountability. It’s becoming easier to attribute harms to emitters, and to develop standards against which governments can be measured. And courts frequently reject government arguments that their contribution to climate change is minimal. They emphasise that each country must do its share for global collective action to work.

    It is a question of when, rather than if, law will adapt to deal with climate impacts. Much like a rising tide breaking against a seawall, the future impact of climate change on things that law already protects is too extreme for the law to resist.

    Liz Hicks has previously received a Commonwealth Research Training Program stipend and currently receives funding from the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Fund for a project on constitutional accountability and the environment. She is also a member of the Australian Greens Victoria.

    – ref. Federal Court rules Australian government doesn’t have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change – https://theconversation.com/federal-court-rules-australian-government-doesnt-have-a-duty-of-care-to-protect-torres-strait-islanders-from-climate-change-259999

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Hlabisa to participate in 2025 Nedbank Chairperson’s Dialogue

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Hlabisa to participate in 2025 Nedbank Chairperson’s Dialogue

    The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, is set to take part in a high-level panel discussion during the 2025 Nedbank Chairperson’s Dialogue. 

    Scheduled for Thursday, 17 July, the event which will be held under the theme: “One Year into the Government of National Unity: Quo Vadis?” will be held at Nedbank’s head office in Sandton.

    According to the department, the dialogue convenes in the context of a rapidly evolving political and economic landscape, shaped by the first year of the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

    “The panel aims to explore the implications of the GNU for political stability, governance, structural reform, and long-term economic prospects,” the statement read.

    Hlabisa will join a distinguished panel of thought leaders to provide insights into how the GNU is enhancing cooperative governance, stabilising the local government sector, and strengthening intergovernmental collaboration for improved service delivery and developmental outcomes. – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivery of council plans is ‘making a real difference to real people’

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 15th July 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent has made major progress in helping to improve the lives of residents in the city as part of its commitment to tackle inequality, share wealth and support a better standard of living.

    The city council launched its Our City, Our Wellbeing Corporate Strategy early in 2024 which outlined a set of key priorities and themes focused on improving the quality of life of local residents and supporting businesses and communities.

    Last week, city councillors were given an update on the progress which the authority – and its dedicated partners – has made over the last two years since the change in administration.

    Councillors heard how: 

    • 18 local community lounges have welcomed and supported 5,556 people in the last eight months alone.
    • 5,350 people have been supported with Money MOTs, leading to £2.7 million in unclaimed benefits being identified and more than £890,000 of problem debts being written off.
    • A development pipeline of 4,800 affordable, new homes over 22 sites across the city is being delivered.
    • A range of regeneration projects are being delivered in the city, including public realm improvements, a new green construction skills centre and a sports campus.
    • 208 empty homes have been brought back into use, providing essential affordable homes and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
    • Over 6,000 highways defects have been repaired in the first six months – improving road safety and resulting in fewer complaints.

    In addition, the council has handled 2,505 cases of anti-social behaviour – leading to six evictions and 10 injunctions – and collected more 1,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste and 2,307 fines as part of its IDIOT campaign.

    Other successes include the DAMP campaign which saw 11,955 properties receive some form of intervention to help deal with – and prevent – any future issues around damp, mould and condensation while the Family Matters programme has helped to deliver support to more than 800 local families who have been struggling to cope in different ways.

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see how much progress has already been made. This work is making a real difference to real people in our community – it’s putting extra money in their pockets and enabling them to live healthier, wealthier lives.

    “Our efforts are enabling us to support family life, helping to restore pride in our streets, tackle anti-social behaviour, address hardship and poverty, support residents to live in decent homes and helping people to live independently.

    “There is still a long way to go, and we cannot do it alone, but we are committed to continuing this work to ensure our city – and its residents – can grow and thrive.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £350m landmark deal to turbo charge growth in Norwich

    Source: City of Norwich

    Up to 1,100 new homes to be built on site of 1960s shopping centre just outside Norwich city centre.

    Aviva Capital Partners (ACP), Aviva’s in-house capital unit that invests in urban regeneration, housing and infrastructure across the UK, and Norwich City Council (NCC) have agreed a landmark investment partnership for a £350m redevelopment just outside Norwich city centre.
     
    The partnership will take on the redevelopment of the 11 acre site of a 1960s former shopping centre, Anglia Square, delivering 1,100 new homes, with a mixture of affordable homes and homes to buy. A £34m grant from Homes England has kick-started the redevelopment by enabling NCC to purchase the site in December 2024 with demolition and remediation to commence imminently. 
     
    The investment could create over 3,500 jobs in one of the country’s 10% most deprived areas, just 15 minutes’ walk from Norwich city centre. 

    The site, which has been partially empty since Her Majesty’s Stationery Office left Sovereign House in 1996, will also become home to leisure and retail spaces and community facilities.
     
    Councillor Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, hailed the partnership as a monumental moment in the city’s history, saying: “I believe our partnership with Aviva, which has called Norwich home since 1792, will come to be seen as an historical partnership in one of England’s most historic cities. The partnership will turbo charge the city’s economy and support our ambition to make Norwich one of England’s finest and fairest cities.”
     
    Ben Luckett, Chair of Aviva Capital Partners and Norwich Community Ambassador, said: “Aviva is proud to be making such a major investment in Norwich, a city which has been our home for over 200 years. This vital regeneration project will bring significant economic and social benefits, helping Norwich get ready for the future. By working with Norwich City Council and Homes England, this will be a development the city can be proud of.

    “We’re already proudly taking action to help build financial resilience and employment prospects across Norwich, as well as supporting communities and sustainability projects. Our role in the regeneration of Anglia Square is the next step in our historic partnership with the Fine City.”

    Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive Officer of Homes England said: “This is a key milestone for the regeneration of Anglia Square, enabling Norwich City Council to move forward in revitalising the city centre, and transforming brownfield land into high-quality homes for local people. As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we are committed to working in partnership with organisations in both the public and private sector, to achieve their ambitions to build much needed new homes across the country.”
     
    A planning application to create a ‘box style’ shopping park with temporary shops and food stalls at the site has been submitted, giving existing traders spaces, but also becoming a catalyst for bringing new businesses into the area, whilst the redevelopment takes place. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Soldier of the Highland Light Infantry rededicated in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Soldier of the Highland Light Infantry rededicated in France

    Family members and military representatives gathered in France to honour Second Lieutenant John Taylor Macintyre of the Highland Light Infantry over a century after he fell in battle during the World War One.

    Headshot of 2Lt John Taylor Macintyre (courtesy of his family).

    The moving service, organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC’s) Canadian Cemetery No.2, where a new headstone bearing his name was unveiled.

    The family of 2Lt Macintyre with the military party at his graveside. Crown Copyright.

    JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said: 

    I am so pleased to have been involved in the final chapter of the story of John Taylor Macintyre. Being able to rededicate his grave, with a new headstone bearing his name, and in the presence of his family is a very special occasion to be a part of. I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted the case which has brought us to this point.

    Second Lieutenant Macintyre shipped out to France in November 1914, coincidentally on the same vessel as his brother Duncan, who served with the Cameronians. John spent the duration of the war on the Western Front, returning home only for brief periods of leave and to recuperate following a gas attack in the summer of 1917. 

    During that summer, the 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry were rotating in and out of the front line near Lempire, on the edge of the Somme sector. The battalion was tasked with capturing and holding Guillemont Farm, and it was during one of many actions linked to this objective that John died on 25 August 1917. He was listed as wounded and missing following the engagement. 

    In November 1931, the body of an unknown officer was recovered close to Guillemont Farm. His badges and buttons identified him as an officer of the 9th Highland Light Infantry, but he carried nothing that could identify him by name. He was reburied at Canadian Cemetery No.2 at Neuville St Vaast as an unknown officer. Recent research has conclusively identified this unknown soldier as John Taylor Macintyre. 

    The CWGC has placed a new headstone on the grave and will continue to care for it in perpetuity. 

    Katie Palmer, Records Officer at CWGC, said:

    It is an honour to have been involved in Second Lieutenant Macintyre’s story, who now has a headstone bearing his name. As part of the process, we help the family choose a personal inscription, something which future generations of visitors can discover and connect with. It is our privilege to care for 2nd Lt Macintyre’s grave, in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two World War One Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Commemorated in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Two World War One Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Commemorated in France

    Military representatives and others gathered this week to honour two First World War soldiers from the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders at special commemoration ceremonies in France.

    Bugler Cpl Paul McEntee and Piper L/Cpl Donald Stewart (Crown Copyright)

    The services, organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), paid tribute to Company Quarter Master Serjeant Charles Monro and Corporal Francis Flynn at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries. 

    Human remains discovered during de-mining work near Le Maisnil were identified as CQMS Monro through DNA testing. He received a burial with full military honours at Aubers Ridge British Cemetery – a dignified farewell denied for over a century. 

    Monro, born in County Wicklow in 1875, was an experienced soldier who had joined the army in 1894. Serving with the 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, he lost his life during the Battle of Armentières on 21 October 1914. 

    The military party at CQMS Monro’s graveside (Crown Copyright)

    In a separate ceremony, Corporal Francis Flynn’s grave was rededicated at Roclincourt Valley Cemetery. Flynn, who served with the 1/7 Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died on 9 April 1917 during the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. 

    Though initially buried as an unknown Corporal, recent research by the JCCC, the National Army Museum and others revealed Flynn was the only missing Corporal from his battalion matching the burial details, finally reuniting his name with his resting place. 

    The military party at the graveside of Cpl Francis Flynn (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said:  

    I am so pleased to have been involved in the final chapters of the stories of these two men. Returning them to their families, and reuniting their names with their mortal remains, we have ensured that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

    The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has placed new headstones on both graves.

    Dr Daniel Seaton, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said:

    It was an honour to have been involved in the cases of CQMS Monro and Corporal Flynn. It is always moving when casualties are formally identified – their families having chosen poignant personal inscriptions for their new headstones being a fitting tribute. The Commission will care for the graves of these casualties in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Madhya Pradesh CM wraps up Dubai visit with strong investment pitch and strategic partnerships

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav wrapped up his three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates today, delivering a compelling investment pitch that’s already generating significant interest from global investors. The Chief Minister’s packed Dubai schedule included high-level meetings with UAE government officials, business leaders, and Indian diaspora members,  all focused on positioning Madhya Pradesh as India’s next major investment destination.

    At the ‘Madhya Pradesh Business Investment Forum‘ hosted alongside the Indian Business and Professional Council, Dr. Yadav made his case directly to potential investors. “Madhya Pradesh invites you to invest, with endless possibilities in all sectors,” he declared, highlighting the state’s new business-friendly policies and commitment to adapting to entrepreneur needs. The Chief Minister’s promise? Businesses can launch operations within just thirty days, thanks to a dedicated Investment Facilitation Cell, reduced red tape, and a transparent land allotment system.

    The numbers tell the story. Senior officials outlined the Industrial Policy 2025 and MSME Policy 2025, offering up to fifty percent support on capital expenses, complete stamp duty exemptions, and targeted subsidies across green infrastructure, research and development, exports, and industrial housing. Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey made a striking claim about the state’s high-tech push into semiconductors, space technology, and deeptech sectors. “On day one, investors in our data center sector can be cash-positive. That’s the kind of policy backing we offer,” he announced, revealing plans for new Centres of Excellence and innovative funding models.

    Consul General of India in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, placed the visit in broader context, calling the India-UAE relationship “one of the most consequential bilateral partnerships in the world today.” He pointed to the dramatic surge in trade since the 2022 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, emphasizing Madhya Pradesh’s competitive advantages in agriculture, renewables, tourism, and digital economy. New opportunities are emerging too… including Bharat Mart, a logistics platform for Indian small businesses launching in Jebel Ali, and the integration of India’s UPI payment system with the UAE’s AANI network.

    The Chief Minister’s diplomatic offensive included a crucial meeting with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, plus corporate discussions with heavyweights like Emirates, Lulu Group, DP World, Texmas, G42, Sharaf DG, Tata Group, and Gulf Islamic Investments. Dr. Yadav also toured key facilities including the BAPS Hindu Mandir and Dubai Textile City, culminating in a significant MoU signing with Texmas to strengthen textile and industrial collaboration.

    The visit balanced business with community engagement. A cultural and networking event at JW Marriott brought together the Indian diaspora, while a tourism investment roundtable and business forum featured detailed presentations from state officials. “Madhya Pradesh, with its strength in food processing, textiles, green energy, wellness, and startups, is ready to become a hub for global business,” Dr. Yadav concluded, expressing confidence that this visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in UAE-MP economic cooperation.

    The Chief Minister’s Dubai mission appears to have struck the right chord with investors and officials alike, setting the stage for what could be a significant expansion of economic ties between the UAE and one of India’s fastest-growing states.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of Missing Soldier Identified in Belgium

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Grave of Missing Soldier Identified in Belgium

    The grave of a missing soldier from the First World War has been identified more than 100 years after he fell in battle near Ypres, Belgium.

    The service at Dadizele New British Cemetery (Crown Copyright)

    Private John Lamond’s previously unmarked grave has finally been identified and marked following extensive research by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’ and others.

    A rededication service was held today (10 July) at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Dadizeele New British Cemetery in Belgium to honour the Aberdeen-born soldier.

    The Military Party and the Family of Pte Lamond (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said:

    I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the graves of Private Lamond. In rededicating his grave, we have reunited his mortal remains with his name, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

    By October 1918, John Lamond and the 1st/8th Battalion Scottish Rifles were stationed in Belgium, near Gheluwe on the Ypres-Menin Road. It was during the advance towards Menin that John disappeared on or around 14-15 October 1918.

    On 23 October 1919, an unknown British soldier from the 1st/8th Scottish Rifles was recovered from a marked but seemingly solitary grave just off the main Gheluwe-Menin Road, a little over a kilometre from Menin town centre. The grave marker bore the date 15 October 1918. At the time, the body could not be identified and the soldier was reburied at Dadizeele New British Cemetery in an unnamed grave. Recent research has revealed that this grave is in fact that of Private John Lamond, and today his grave has been rededicated accordingly.

    Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at CWGC, said:

    It was remarkable to review this case, which came in from two members of the public, and to uncover supporting evidence which led to the identification of Pte Lamond. It has been very moving to help to identify another casualty of the Great War, and to know that his grave is now commemorated by name.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The open data portal is resuming its work.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 15, 2025, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia launches an updated state Open Data Portal. It is a comprehensive system that ensures transparency in the work of government bodies and provides centralized access to open information for all citizens and organizations in the country. In the future, the functionality of the portal will be further developed and expanded, including at the suggestions of businesses.

    According to Vladimir Voloshin, Director of the Department of Digital Development and Data Economy of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, openness of data today is not just access to information, but a working tool for business, public administration, development and training of artificial intelligence technologies.

    “The launch of the new portal will be an important step in the development of the state’s digital ecosystem, providing citizens and businesses with relevant and easy-to-use information. The updated version of the Portal has received more than 10 new functional solutions aimed at increasing user convenience, improving data visualization and compliance with modern security requirements,” Vladimir Voloshin emphasized.

    The key changes affected the updated interface design, expanded functionality for monitoring the maintenance of data set passports, personal accounts for users and information providers. The interactive map of the subjects of the Russian Federation provides a list of legitimate data providers. Users can now visualize data sets in graphic form, analyze statistics through BI tools, and receive prompt assistance through a chat bot based on artificial intelligence.

    “When developing the updated Portal, we proceeded from the need to create a convenient space that will allow you to work effectively with open data, including having clear navigation. For this purpose, a full-text search is provided, which covers all sections of the system. Information providers are available in the registry with filters by name, type of organization, region and other parameters. Data sets are accompanied by statistics on views and downloads, the ability to filter and unload in machine-readable formats. In addition, we tried to make the Portal useful in terms of filling it with high-quality data sets, including the functionality of sending a request for the preparation and publication of in-demand data that is currently not presented on the portal,” commented Vladimir Voloshin, adding that about five thousand data sets have been uploaded so far, and that in the future, it is planned to refine the functionality of the portal, taking into account the wishes of users and businesses.

    The portal fully complies with the requirements of the Methodological Recommendations for the Publication of Open Data version 4.0, including the automation of the formation of data set passports, verification of format-logical control and integration with the Unified Identification and Authentication System.

    The updated Open Data Portal is available at Date.gov.ru.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: “Primorye is a bridge to the future”: the region is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street” as part of the VEF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Primorsky Krai will present current and new investment projects, tourist attractions and transport and logistics opportunities at the Far East Street exhibition, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth anniversary Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The concept of the pavilion this year is Primorye – the Bridge of the Future. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “Vladivostok, the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District, will once again welcome participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. The Primorsky Territory exposition is one of the brightest and key ones at the Far East Street exhibition. Primorye is the leader in the district in terms of the number of investment projects being implemented. The key instrument for the strategic development of Primorye is the implementation of master plan activities for six cities. They will allow for a qualitative change in urban infrastructure and improve people’s lives. The development of social infrastructure is being carried out through the presidential single subsidy. The regional pavilion will tell about all of this. The region will also present a vision of the future, what this region will do to remain attractive to investors, so that as many Russians and residents of other countries as possible can visit and fall in love with the Far Eastern lands,” said Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    The Primorsky Krai exposition positions the region as a link between countries, continents and cultures. It is a territory of opportunities where large-scale projects in the field of tourism, logistics, industry and technology are implemented.

    “Primorye is actively preparing for the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum – the main international event of the Asia-Pacific region. And of course, it is important for us to once again present our region from an interesting side. The EEF is, first of all, attracting investors for the development of Primorye and the entire Russian Far East. This time, we will tell potential partners about the areas in which it is profitable to cooperate with us, where to apply their efforts for the stable development of business in Primorsky Krai – one of the most dynamically developing regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. Our region has enormous potential in industry and logistics, agriculture and science, tourism and culture. We invite Russian and foreign guests to the Primorye pavilion, where our most striking projects will be presented,” said Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai.

    The general concept of the pavilion “Primorye – a bridge to the future” symbolizes the connection between the past and the future, East and West, openness to partnership, investment and innovation. The pavilion tells how the unique geographical location, natural resources and human potential make Primorsky Krai attractive for business, tourism and life over several historical eras.

    The main exhibition embodies an open space of possibilities, where each zone is self-sufficient and autonomous in meaning, but at the same time supports the overall concept of the pavilion and tells about the key industries and projects of Primorsky Krai. The exterior design is inspired by the nature of the region, the wave line and seascapes. Inside, the pavilion is decorated with modern materials and many interactive multimedia tools.

    Thematic zones of the region’s stand at EEF-2025 demonstrate the evolution of key industries and social transformations of Primorye with an emphasis on the region’s main achievements over the past 13 years. In honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, each site will contain references and evidence of the contribution of Vladivostok and Primorye to achieving the Great Victory.

    The pavilion will feature a stand dedicated to sports projects and achievements of Primorsky Krai. Information will be posted about the curling center, the center for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics in Vladivostok, the federal-level ski resort in Arsenyev, and the development of water sports in the region. Special attention will be paid to how measures were taken to physically prepare the population in Primorsky Krai during the Great Patriotic War: sports events and competitions in football, skiing, including military ski training and multi-day ski trips, cross-country running, and obstacle course running were actively held. Primorye preserves and develops these traditions, consistently expanding its sports infrastructure and implementing physical education and sports programs.

    A separate part of the exhibition will tell about key investment projects, special programs and government support measures in Primorye. The immersive zone “Transport, logistics, turn to the East” is equipped with panoramic screens and ceiling projectors that create a realistic audiovisual space. In this zone, visitors will be told about the unique geographical location of Primorsky Krai, whose Vladivostok port played a key role in ensuring supplies under the Lend-Lease program from the United States of America in 1941-1945.

    In the Culture and Tourism zone, visitors will find a table with physical volumetric models of key cultural, educational and tourist sites in Primorsky Krai. A virtual tour guide will tell visitors about the projects and related programs. The key objects and initiatives on the model are the museum and theater complex on the Eagle’s Nest hill, the preservation of the Vladivostok Fortress Museum-Reserve, and the third season of the All-Russian competition for the best trip.

    The Industry, Bolshoy Kamen Industrial Park zone will introduce the pavilion’s guests to the key enterprises of Primorsky Krai. An interactive hologram will allow you to choose an industrial project, after which robotic manipulators will be set in motion, demonstrating a 3D model of the object with its technical characteristics. The information will be presented in historical perspective – from the period of the Great Patriotic War to modern projects and production.

    A “Science” zone will also be created. The space will demonstrate leading scientific areas, institutes and achievements of Primorye, including promising startups and innovative developments that are important for the technological development and security of the country.

    The “SVO, GO and Emergencies” space will tell about the contribution of Primorsky Krai to the military-industrial complex of Russia, ensuring information and security of the population, as well as participation in a special military operation. The section will show animated videos telling about Primorye residents – heroes of the Great Patriotic War, as well as about modern soldiers participating in the SVO. The format of the materials – from documentary biographies to artistic sketches reflecting the strength of spirit, courage and dedication of the people.

    The Primorsky Krai pavilion will traditionally feature daytime and evening programs. The theme of the events on the first day of the EEF-2025 will be the end of World War II. The patriotic program will feature creative groups, performers, and brass bands from the region.

    In addition, the stand is planned to illustrate the theme of beekeeping development in the region. The site will be decorated with an animated interactive composition emphasizing the popularity and healing qualities of Primorsky linden honey.

    Various master classes in decorative and applied arts will be organized and offered to guests. The evening program will feature performances by popular regional cover and rock bands, as well as a performance by the instrumental rhythm group of the Variety Orchestra of the Primorsky Regional Philharmonic.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: “Primorye is a bridge to the future”: the region is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street” as part of the VEF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Primorsky Krai will present current and new investment projects, tourist attractions and transport and logistics opportunities at the Far East Street exhibition, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth anniversary Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The concept of the pavilion this year is Primorye – the Bridge of the Future. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “Vladivostok, the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District, will once again welcome participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. The Primorsky Territory exposition is one of the brightest and key ones at the Far East Street exhibition. Primorye is the leader in the district in terms of the number of investment projects being implemented. The key instrument for the strategic development of Primorye is the implementation of master plan activities for six cities. They will allow for a qualitative change in urban infrastructure and improve people’s lives. The development of social infrastructure is being carried out through the presidential single subsidy. The regional pavilion will tell about all of this. The region will also present a vision of the future, what this region will do to remain attractive to investors, so that as many Russians and residents of other countries as possible can visit and fall in love with the Far Eastern lands,” said Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    The Primorsky Krai exposition positions the region as a link between countries, continents and cultures. It is a territory of opportunities where large-scale projects in the field of tourism, logistics, industry and technology are implemented.

    “Primorye is actively preparing for the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum – the main international event of the Asia-Pacific region. And of course, it is important for us to once again present our region from an interesting side. The EEF is, first of all, attracting investors for the development of Primorye and the entire Russian Far East. This time, we will tell potential partners about the areas in which it is profitable to cooperate with us, where to apply their efforts for the stable development of business in Primorsky Krai – one of the most dynamically developing regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. Our region has enormous potential in industry and logistics, agriculture and science, tourism and culture. We invite Russian and foreign guests to the Primorye pavilion, where our most striking projects will be presented,” said Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai.

    The general concept of the pavilion “Primorye – a bridge to the future” symbolizes the connection between the past and the future, East and West, openness to partnership, investment and innovation. The pavilion tells how the unique geographical location, natural resources and human potential make Primorsky Krai attractive for business, tourism and life over several historical eras.

    The main exhibition embodies an open space of possibilities, where each zone is self-sufficient and autonomous in meaning, but at the same time supports the overall concept of the pavilion and tells about the key industries and projects of Primorsky Krai. The exterior design is inspired by the nature of the region, the wave line and seascapes. Inside, the pavilion is decorated with modern materials and many interactive multimedia tools.

    Thematic zones of the region’s stand at EEF-2025 demonstrate the evolution of key industries and social transformations of Primorye with an emphasis on the region’s main achievements over the past 13 years. In honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, each site will contain references and evidence of the contribution of Vladivostok and Primorye to achieving the Great Victory.

    The pavilion will feature a stand dedicated to sports projects and achievements of Primorsky Krai. Information will be posted about the curling center, the center for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics in Vladivostok, the federal-level ski resort in Arsenyev, and the development of water sports in the region. Special attention will be paid to how measures were taken to physically prepare the population in Primorsky Krai during the Great Patriotic War: sports events and competitions in football, skiing, including military ski training and multi-day ski trips, cross-country running, and obstacle course running were actively held. Primorye preserves and develops these traditions, consistently expanding its sports infrastructure and implementing physical education and sports programs.

    A separate part of the exhibition will tell about key investment projects, special programs and government support measures in Primorye. The immersive zone “Transport, logistics, turn to the East” is equipped with panoramic screens and ceiling projectors that create a realistic audiovisual space. In this zone, visitors will be told about the unique geographical location of Primorsky Krai, whose Vladivostok port played a key role in ensuring supplies under the Lend-Lease program from the United States of America in 1941-1945.

    In the Culture and Tourism zone, visitors will find a table with physical volumetric models of key cultural, educational and tourist sites in Primorsky Krai. A virtual tour guide will tell visitors about the projects and related programs. The key objects and initiatives on the model are the museum and theater complex on the Eagle’s Nest hill, the preservation of the Vladivostok Fortress Museum-Reserve, and the third season of the All-Russian competition for the best trip.

    The Industry, Bolshoy Kamen Industrial Park zone will introduce the pavilion’s guests to the key enterprises of Primorsky Krai. An interactive hologram will allow you to choose an industrial project, after which robotic manipulators will be set in motion, demonstrating a 3D model of the object with its technical characteristics. The information will be presented in historical perspective – from the period of the Great Patriotic War to modern projects and production.

    A “Science” zone will also be created. The space will demonstrate leading scientific areas, institutes and achievements of Primorye, including promising startups and innovative developments that are important for the technological development and security of the country.

    The “SVO, GO and Emergencies” space will tell about the contribution of Primorsky Krai to the military-industrial complex of Russia, ensuring information and security of the population, as well as participation in a special military operation. The section will show animated videos telling about Primorye residents – heroes of the Great Patriotic War, as well as about modern soldiers participating in the SVO. The format of the materials – from documentary biographies to artistic sketches reflecting the strength of spirit, courage and dedication of the people.

    The Primorsky Krai pavilion will traditionally feature daytime and evening programs. The theme of the events on the first day of the EEF-2025 will be the end of World War II. The patriotic program will feature creative groups, performers, and brass bands from the region.

    In addition, the stand is planned to illustrate the theme of beekeeping development in the region. The site will be decorated with an animated interactive composition emphasizing the popularity and healing qualities of Primorsky linden honey.

    Various master classes in decorative and applied arts will be organized and offered to guests. The evening program will feature performances by popular regional cover and rock bands, as well as a performance by the instrumental rhythm group of the Variety Orchestra of the Primorsky Regional Philharmonic.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: SEK 135 million in new support to Ukraine’s civil cybersecurity

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Sweden is providing a new contribution of SEK 135 million to Ukraine’s civil cybersecurity. Cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure are an increasing threat in many countries, especially Ukraine. The attacks originate primarily from Russia and are directed at targets such as central government functions and basic civil services for citizens. In 2024, Ukraine was subjected to more than 4 315 cyber incidents – an average of 12 a day.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds Reforms to rewire financial system, boost investment and create skilled jobs across UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Leeds Reforms to rewire financial system, boost investment and create skilled jobs across UK

    Red tape cut and savers supported to invest as Chancellor rewires financial system to boost growth

    • Leeds Reforms will make the UK the number one destination for financial services businesses by 2035, attracting inward investment and creating good skilled jobs across the UK through the Plan for Change. 

    • Rachel Reeves promises to “double down on the UK’s global strengths” as she unveils first-ever Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness sector plan, a key plank of the modern Industrial Strategy.

    Working people will be equipped with the support they need to invest and grow their savings, under plans to rewire the financial system to attract investment, create good skilled jobs across the country and put more money into people’s pockets. 

    Banks will send investment opportunities to savers with cash sitting in low-interest accounts for the first time, and major financial institutions – including high street banks – are backing an advertising campaign that will highlight the opportunities of investing for consumers who are able to do so.  

    Under current trends, moving £2,000 from these accounts to stocks and shares could make millions of people over £9,000 better off in 20 years’ time. 

    The plans to boost people’s savings and the economy were unveiled by the Chancellor at a summit of top finance executives in Leeds today as she set out the widest ranging reforms to financial regulation in over a decade – backing one of the key eight growth driving sectors of the future identified in the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy published last month.    

    The Chancellor told executives that, having delivered stability and a sustainable strategy for investment, it was time for the UK to “double down on its global strengths” through reform to make sure it stays ahead in the global race for business investment and the good skilled jobs they bring.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    We fixed the public finances and stabilised the economy. Now we need to double down on our global strengths to put the UK ahead in the global race for financial businesses – creating good skilled jobs in every part of the country and helping savers’ money go further through our Plan for Change.

    Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Financial Services are a UK success story, and one of the eight sectors we identified with the biggest potential for growth in our modern Industrial Strategy. 

    This sector plan will help make the UK the number one destination for financial services by 2035 and is all about delivering on our Plan for Change to boost the economy and put more money in people’s pockets.

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds said:

    Helping people take advantage of better returns from investing is key to better financial health, giving them a stake in a growing economy and connecting promising businesses with capital. These reforms will make the UK the best location for financial services firms and tear down barriers to investment to growing our economy and making families better off.

    The Leeds Reforms tear down the barriers to attracting investment in the finance sector by reintroducing informed risk-taking into the system, cutting unnecessary red tape, driving more finance into public markets and actively helping international companies to set up in the UK. 

    This will position the UK as the number one destination for financial services companies by 2035, attracting business from around the world to harness the knowledge, talent and expertise in financial services hot spots from Glasgow to Leeds, and help the UK achieve an ambitious target to double the growth rate in UK net exports in these services over the next decade.

    Unlocking retail investment 

    The UK has the lowest level of retail investment among G7 countries, meaning savers are not getting the best bang for their buck and UK businesses are starved of an important source of capital. 

    Stocks and shares have performed significantly better than cash savings accounts in recent decades. According to some industry estimates, more than 29 million adults across the UK have cash sitting in a low-interest rate account offering around 1% – while the average return for stocks and shares over the last 10 years is around 9%. If those savers invested £2000 today, they could have £12,000 in 20 years’ time. This compares to £2,700 if they held this money in a cash account offering 1.5% at the current interest rate, making them over £9,000 better off.

    The industry-led ad campaign will help to explain the benefits of investing, and from April 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority will roll out Targeted Support – allowing banks to alert customers about specific investment opportunities to consider shifting money from a low-return current accounts to higher-performing stocks and shares investments.  

    Alongside a review of risk warnings on investment products to make sure they help people to accurately judge risk levels, this will guide people through a key barrier to investing – getting lost between large number of investment products on offer. 

    The Government will continue to consider reforms to ISAs and savings to achieve the right balance between cash savings and investment. 

    As a first step, the Government will allow Long Term Asset Funds to be held in Stocks & Shares ISAs next year, allowing more individuals to invest in assets that will support the UK’s future success, like innovative businesses and infrastructure – which can also deliver better returns.

    Cutting red tape to attract investment and drive growth

    Businesses will be welcomed to the UK with open arms and unnecessary financial red tape that stalls inward investment and slows growth will be drastically cut under the plans. 

    A new concierge service within the Office for Investment will harness UK networks globally to actively court international financial services companies, creating a one-stop-shop to promote the UK and provide tailored support to help businesses plan where to invest based on their needs – better harnessing specialist clusters across the country from asset management in Edinburgh, to Fintech in Leeds and Cardiff, and insurance in Norwich and Norfolk. 

    First-time buyers will be supported to get on the housing ladder, with the Bank of England allowing more lending at over 4.5 times a buyer’s income – which could help 36,000 more people buy a home over its first year and are helping Nationwide support an additional 10,000 first-time buyers by lowering income thresholds for its popular ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage from tomorrow. Simplified mortgage lending rules being considered by the Financial Conduct Authority will also make it easier for existing borrowers to remortgage, while the introduction of a permanent government-backed Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will secure the availability of high loan-to-value mortgage products in times of economic uncertainty. 

    The Financial Ombudsman Service will be returned to its original purpose as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service which quickly and effectively deals with complaints against financial services firms under today’s reforms instead of acting as a quasi-regulator, with its decisions more closely aligned to the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules. This takes action on a key business complaint about the unpredictable and inconsistent nature of redress action, boosting firms’ confidence to invest and innovate. 

    The Senior Managers and Certification Regime – which was originally intended to address failures in individual accountability and culture that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis – has been implemented in a way that creates unnecessary costs for business. Today’s reforms will help deliver a commitment to radically streamline the regime, cutting the burden on firms in half. 

    The Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty rules were also intended to raise standards in how finance companies treat retail consumers, but today affect the way businesses interact with other businesses – such as investment banks and asset managers. The Financial Conduct Authority will therefore review how the Consumer Duty applies to these wholesale firms.

    Freeing capital for investment 

    Capital will be freed up for banks to invest in the UK. 

    International banks and investors will benefit from greater certainty as the UK backs Bank of England reforms to raise the MREL threshold – the minimum amount of money and certain types of debt that a bank must have – to £25–40 billion, freeing up billions for lending and investment.  

    New Basel 3.1 banking rules will be introduced from January 2027 in a way that supports UK competitiveness, with UK-focused lenders given the clarity they need to plan and invest, while the requirements are delayed for the largest firms’ investment banking activities to ensure the UK is aligned with how other jurisdictions implement the rules. 

    The ring-fencing regime – which separates banks’ retail and investment banking activities – will be reformed. The Economic Secretary will lead a review looking at how changes can strike the right balance between growth and stability, including protecting consumer deposits. 

    This comes alongside a major review by the Financial Policy Committee of bank capital requirements. The review will inform work by the Government and Bank of England to ensure UK banks can compete internationally and provide vital investment in the economy whilst maintaining the international regulatory standards which are crucial to securing financial stability.

    Promoting innovation and making the UK the Fintech capital of the world 

    Bespoke support will be provided to firms as they start, scale and list, and a pipeline of skills will support financial services firms to seize tomorrow’s opportunities for growth.  

    Financial business will receive intensive support through the start-up phase, helping them create a proven concept and attract growth funding. 

    A single regulator point of contact will also help these businesses through the scale-up phase, providing technical support to help understand requirements and speeding up regulator responsiveness. 

    Businesses will also benefit from better access to finance, with the Government recently uplifting the British Business Bank’s financial capacity to £25.6 billion. 

    The sector will also be supported by a better pipeline of skills, with a new Global Talent Taskforce helping attract top international talent to the UK, funding for 50 PhD students through the £187 million TechFirst programme to align their research with the needs of key players in the sector and a new financial services skills compact led by the Financial Services Skills Commission to ensure skills needs are met.

    More information

    • The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy sector plan can be found on the Treasury’s website. 

    • Major financial services firms have agreed to support the campaign on retail investment: Barclays, NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, Vanguard, Freetrade, Octopus Money, Robinhood UK, Trading 212, St James’s Place, Interactive Investor, Schroders and the London Stock Exchange. The Investment Association will provide the secretariat to the campaign. The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HM Treasury will support the campaign in an advisory capacity. 

    • Figures for how much a saver could benefit from investing in stocks and shares are illustrative. They are not a guarantee of future returns. 

    • The UK will aim to double the real growth rate in net exports of financial services between 2025 and 2035 compared to the last decade (2014-2024). This would mean financial services net exports going from a compound annual growth rate of 1.37% to 2.7%, a cumulative increase in annual financial services net exports of 30% between 2025 and 2035.

    Mike Reigner, Chief Executive Officer, Santander UK said:

    We welcome the announcement of the Leeds Reforms today, which set out a positive vision for UK financial services. The changes outlined within the package are important steps to modernising the UK’s regulatory architecture, and will enable banks like ours to support our customers better and drive growth within the wider economy.

    Sir Charles Roxburgh KCB, Chair, Lloyd’s said:

    Today’s announcements by the Chancellor — focused on streamlining regulation, reducing burdens on firms, and enabling innovation and growth — are a real boost for the London insurance market. The Government’s clear support for our sector, and its recognition of specialty insurance and reinsurance as a Frontier Industry in its Modern Industrial Strategy, strengthen my confidence in Lloyd’s continued success at the heart of the market.

    Hannah Gurga, Director General, ABI said:

    The Leeds Reforms set a constructive and positive path to accelerating investment and growth in the UK economy. Closer alignment between the FOS and FCA, alongside a streamlined Senior Managers and Certification Regime, are critical steps towards delivering the clarity and regulatory environment our industry needs to thrive. It’s encouraging to see the vision set out in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness plan, and we look forward to working with the government, regulators and wider industry to help cement the UK’s status as the world’s leading financial centre.

    António Simões, Group CEO, L&G said:

    Driving long-term economic growth and prosperity requires action today and this package is another step in the right direction. Connecting investment capital to the most compelling opportunities, streamlining regulation whilst maintaining standards and protection, and support for consumers to save in ways that will better benefit them in the future is the kind of intervention we need. Now we must keep up the pace and ambition to turn these plans into tangible action that makes a difference on the ground and in people’s pockets.

    Chris Cummings, Chief Executive, the Investment Association said:

    The Leeds Reforms bring together an ambitious programme for financial services reform, which aims to modernise capital markets, cut regulatory red tape and broaden the benefits of investing to more people across the UK – in turn delivering investment-led growth and improved financial resilience for UK households. We called on the government to undertake bold reforms to strengthen the UK’s retail investment culture and they have done so. Better communication of the returns investing brings is key if we’re to empower more people to invest, and we’re proud to take part in the industry-led campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of investing and the review of risk warnings. We’re also extremely pleased that Long-Term Asset Funds will now be incorporated into the Stocks and Shares ISA – a reform we have long called for to broaden access to private markets.

    Drazen Jaksic, Chief Executive Officer, Zurich UK said:

    We welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient UK economy. The focus on sustainable growth, investment in innovation, and fostering long-term confidence is closely aligned with Zurich’s own priorities. As one of the UK’s leading insurers, we stand ready to work together with policymakers, customers, and partners to help deliver on these goals. We look forward to further engagement with the government to ensure the insurance sector remains robust, innovative, and able to meet the evolving needs of people and businesses across the UK.

    David Postings, Chief Executive, UK Finance said:

    Financial services are vital to the UK economy and I strongly welcome the Chancellor’s support for our sector as one of the UK’s global strengths.

    We submitted a range of ideas to government to help support growth and the UK’s position as a global financial centre. Across many of these key areas the Chancellor has listened and delivered significant positive change.

    Reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service, streamlining regulation in areas such as the Senior Managers and Certification Regime and the Consumer Duty, and supporting work by regulators to unlock capital for lending, will all help to drive investment and create a more pro-growth operating environment. 

    Having a regulatory system that allows for appropriate risk-taking is vital to ensuring the sector can better support UK businesses, consumers and the government’s growth mission.

    Charlie Nunn, CEO, Lloyds Banking Group said:

    We welcome the ambition shown in the Leeds Reforms to unlock investment, boost financial resilience, and support long-term economic growth. As a sector, we have a vital role to play in helping customers make the most of their money and in facilitating investment and innovation that benefits communities and businesses across the UK.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Financial services skills compact

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Financial services skills compact

    Exchange of letters between the Financial Services Skills Commission and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on the development of a financial services skills compact.

    Documents

    Letter from Financial Services Skills Commission to Economic Secretary to the Treasury

    PDF, 164 KB, 2 pages

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    Letter from Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the Financial Services Skills Commission

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    Details

    The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds MP, exchanged letters with the Financial Services Skills Commission to support the development of a financial services skills compact to accelerate progress towards a financial services sector that has the skills it needs to thrive into the future. The Financial Services Skills Commission will work with TheCityUK and City of London Corporation.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recommendations for the Financial Market Infrastructure Committee: July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Recommendations for the Financial Market Infrastructure Committee: July 2025

    Letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Governor of the Bank of England providing recommendations for the Financial Market Infrastructure Committee.

    Documents

    Letter from Chancellor of the Exchequer to Governor of the Bank of England

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    The Financial Market Infrastructure Committee (FMIC) has responsibility within the Bank for exercising the Bank’s FMI functions as set out in the Bank of England Act 1998.  

    The BoE Act 1998 requires the Treasury, at least once in each Parliament, to make recommendations to the FMIC about aspects of the government’s economic policy to which the Bank should have regard when considering how to advance its objectives and the application of its regulatory principles. This letter provides such recommendations and outlines the important role that the Bank plays in protecting financial stability, facilitating innovation, and supporting the government’s growth mission.  

    The FMIC is required to respond to the recommendations from the Treasury within a year of receiving the recommendations, and each subsequent year after that. These responses set out action that the FMIC has taken, or intends to take, in accordance with the recommendations, or why it has not acted.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reeves to cut financial red tape to boost homeownership

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Reeves to cut financial red tape to boost homeownership

    Red tape swept away in biggest financial regulation reforms in a decade to boost homeownership and put more money into people’s pockets through the government’s Plan for Change. 

    • Nationwide set to widen access to its ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage from Wednesday, supporting 10,000 extra first-time buyers thanks to Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms. 

    • Reeves: Benefits of a thriving finance sector will be felt all over Britain 

    The Chancellor is expected to announce the biggest set of reforms to financial regulation in a decade at a summit of top finance executives in Leeds today, as part of the government’s mission to kick start economic growth and support more first-time buyers.  

    Red tape holding back the competitiveness of the UK financial sector will be swept away under the Leeds Reforms, addressing long-standing industry complaints.  

    The changes will see Britain become the top destination for finance firms over the next decade, attracting inward investment from across the globe to create good, skilled jobs around the country.  

    Prospective homeowners will be given a leg up onto the housing ladder under the plans, with regulators acting on the Chancellor’s push to regulate for growth.  

    More mortgages will be available at over 4.5 times a buyer’s income following Bank of England recommendations that some banks and building societies offer more high loan-to-income mortgages – creating up to 36,000 additional mortgages for first-time buyers over the first year. 

    This change means that Nationwide will be able to make its popular ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage available to people with lower incomes. From Wednesday, eligible first-time buyers can apply for the mortgage with a £30,000 salary, down from £35,000, and joint applicants with a £50,000 combined salary – down from £55,000. This will support an additional 10,000 first-time buyers each year. 

    This comes alongside the creation of a permanent mortgage guarantee scheme, delivering on a Manifesto commitment and ensuring high loan-to-value mortgages continue to be available in times of uncertainty, as well as a review of Financial Conduct Authority lending rules that could allow a prospective buyers’ record of paying rent on time to show they can afford mortgage repayments. 

    The reforms will be unveiled in Leeds ahead of the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech this evening. 

    Speaking in the City of London, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is expected to say:

    This is the foundation of an economy, and a country, that is more active and more confident.  

    Where people and businesses look to the future and talk about hope about opportunity. 

    Assured of their own capability, and of the ability of our country to boldly face the challenges that lie ahead. 

    And certain of the prize if they succeed. 

    Of higher wages and higher living standards. 

    The renewal of Britain in every home and every high street. 

    To put it simply: a Britain that is better off. 

    She will add on homeownership: 

    I welcome the recent changes the Financial Policy Committee has announced to the loan-to-income limit on mortgage lending, which the PRA and FCA are implementing immediately.  

    With an instant impact for consumers, such as Nationwide offering its ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage to more first time-buyers – supporting an additional 10,000 each year. 

    She will conclude: 

    Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of the government’s growth mission. 

    Recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions without a financial services sector that is fighting fit and thriving.  

    And I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive. 

    With a ripple effect that will drive investment in all sectors of our economy and put pounds in the pockets of working people.

    Updates to this page

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of missing World War One soldier identified in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Grave of missing World War One soldier identified in France

    More than a century after his death, the previously unmarked grave of Serjeant (Sjt) Robert Sutherland has finally been identified and marked.

    Captain Finn MacPherson reads the Regimental Collect at Serjeant (Sjt) Robert Sutherland’s rededication service. Crown Copyright.

    The rededication service organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’, was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC’s) Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt on 9 July 2025.  

    The military party and Sjt Sutherland’s family at his graveside. Crown Copyright.

    Born in Brora, Scotland, Robert joined the territorial army in December 1908 and was mobilised immediately when World War One began in August 1914. As part of the Seaforth Highlanders’ 152nd Brigade, he fought in several major battles including Festubert, Givenchy, High Wood and the Ancre. 

    He died on the first day of the Battle of Arras (9 April 1917) and was buried in Highland Cemetery at Roclincourt. Though unidentified at burial, recent research confirms he is the only missing Serjeant of the 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders lost in this area at that time, identifying him as the unknown Serjeant buried there. 

    His Commanding Officer later praised him in the Northern Times as ‘an excellent soldier who died gallantly’, and ‘one of the best Non-Commissioned Officers in the Battalion’. 

    Alexia Clark, JCCC Caseworker, said: 

    I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the grave of Sjt Sutherland. In rededicating his grave we have reunited his mortal remains with his names, in the presence of his family, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten. 

    The headstone was replaced by CWGC and will be cared for in perpetuity.  

    Dr James Wallis, Head of Commemorations Casework at the CWGC, said:

    The identification case for Serjeant Robert Sutherland, submitted by one of our regular researchers, was a privilege to investigate. With his name now engraved on a headstone that features a poignant tribute from his family, our gathering today allows for the rededication of his grave, and for us to remember the sacrifice he made alongside his comrades who lost their lives on the first day of the Battle of Arras.

    Updates to this page

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of missing World War One soldier identified in France

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Grave of missing World War One soldier identified in France

    More than a century after his death, the previously unmarked grave of Serjeant (Sjt) Robert Sutherland has finally been identified and marked.

    Captain Finn MacPherson reads the Regimental Collect at Serjeant (Sjt) Robert Sutherland’s rededication service. Crown Copyright.

    The rededication service organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’, was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC’s) Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt on 9 July 2025.  

    The military party and Sjt Sutherland’s family at his graveside. Crown Copyright.

    Born in Brora, Scotland, Robert joined the territorial army in December 1908 and was mobilised immediately when World War One began in August 1914. As part of the Seaforth Highlanders’ 152nd Brigade, he fought in several major battles including Festubert, Givenchy, High Wood and the Ancre. 

    He died on the first day of the Battle of Arras (9 April 1917) and was buried in Highland Cemetery at Roclincourt. Though unidentified at burial, recent research confirms he is the only missing Serjeant of the 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders lost in this area at that time, identifying him as the unknown Serjeant buried there. 

    His Commanding Officer later praised him in the Northern Times as ‘an excellent soldier who died gallantly’, and ‘one of the best Non-Commissioned Officers in the Battalion’. 

    Alexia Clark, JCCC Caseworker, said: 

    I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the grave of Sjt Sutherland. In rededicating his grave we have reunited his mortal remains with his names, in the presence of his family, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten. 

    The headstone was replaced by CWGC and will be cared for in perpetuity.  

    Dr James Wallis, Head of Commemorations Casework at the CWGC, said:

    The identification case for Serjeant Robert Sutherland, submitted by one of our regular researchers, was a privilege to investigate. With his name now engraved on a headstone that features a poignant tribute from his family, our gathering today allows for the rededication of his grave, and for us to remember the sacrifice he made alongside his comrades who lost their lives on the first day of the Battle of Arras.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Monolithic work completed at future city station “Serp i Molot”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Serp i Molot city railway station is being built on the border of the Tagansky and Lefortovo districts. Monolithic work on the construction of passenger platforms has now been completed, said the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “Currently, at the future city station Serp i Molot, granite cladding of two passenger platforms is underway, as well as assembly of metal structures of the stairwells. Finishing of the canopies, installation of external networks and internal engineering systems is ongoing. At the moment, its readiness exceeds 40 percent. In the future, a full-fledged city station built according to the capital’s standards will appear here,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    The project includes the construction of an overground vestibule with ramps to the platforms, reconstruction of the existing underground passage under the railway tracks and construction of new platforms with canopies. The future city station will be equipped with elevators and escalators, passengers will be protected from rain, snow and wind. In addition, together with the capital Department of Transport and Development of Road Transport Infrastructure A single canopy will be installed. It will allow you to transfer between the metro, the fourth Moscow Central Diameter (MCD-4) and ground transportation stops without getting your feet wet.

    “As a result, a new transport hub will be created on the basis of the Serp i Molot stop. In the future, the city station will become a common one for MCD-4, MCD-2 and two metro stations – “Ploshchad Ilyicha” of the Kalininskaya Line and “Rimskaya” of the Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya Line. Thanks to this, residents of the Lefortovo and Tagansky districts will have updated convenient transport infrastructure within walking distance,” emphasized the head of the Department for the Construction of Transport and Engineering Infrastructure of the City of Moscow

    Vasily Desyatkov.

    Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin said that a new station would be built near the Kornilovskaya station of the Troitskaya metro line. new transport interchange, which will reduce the load on the Kommunarka area and Kaluga Highway.

    The first stage of improvement of the territory near the Serp i Molot station of the MCD-4 has been completedConvenient transfers and time savings on the road: what the new city railway stations will be like

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: A greenhouse with tropical plants will appear at VDNKh

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A greenhouse with tropical and subtropical plants with an area of about 330 square meters will open at VDNKh, which will be part of the first biocluster in Russia. Tours, master classes, lectures and other events will be held there. This was reported by Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    The new space will be arranged in the southern part of the park at the intersection of Khovanskaya Street and the ring road. Pavilions No. 516 “Books” of the museum and exhibition center “Rosiso” and No. 312 are located nearby.

    “The greenhouse will combine exhibition and scientific and educational functions. Dozens of plant species, including unique ones, will be planted under the glass dome,” noted Natalia Sergunina.

    The greenhouse is planned to open in 2026. Specialists will create a climate zone in which the temperature, humidity and other parameters will be independently regulated. A laboratory will be equipped separately for classes on studying plants and their cultivation. An open-air lecture hall will appear next door. Birch trees, bird cherry, rowan, spruce, pine, willow and juniper will be planted around.

    Now, on the territory of VDNKh, you can visit another greenhouse – it has been operating since 1959 in pavilion No. 14 “Computer Engineering and Information Science” (former “Azerbaijan SSR”). There, guests will see olives, pomegranates, persimmons and other crops.

    Recently opened at VDNKh biocluster — a project of the State Biological Museum named after K.A. Timiryazev. Its first point is pavilion No. 29 “Floriculture and landscaping”. By the summer of 2026, four more thematic areas will appear there.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: In Butyrsky District, more than 1.3 thousand Muscovites received keys to apartments under the renovation program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Since June 2021, when resettlement began under the renovation program in the Butyrsky District, more than 1.3 thousand city residents have received comfortable housing in new buildings. This was reported by Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property.

    “Four years ago, the first to receive notifications about the start of resettlement under the renovation program in the Butyrsky District were about 430 Muscovites from house 28, blocks 1 and 2 on Yablochkova Street. Today, more than 1.3 thousand city residents from seven buildings of the old housing stock already have new apartments in the district. In total, about 4.5 thousand people from 27 houses are to be resettled here under the renovation program. The city provides housing with ready-made improved finishing so that Muscovites do not have to postpone moving because of repairs,” said Ekaterina Solovyova.

    This year, residents of the Butyrsky District began inspecting apartments in two new buildings – house 28 on Yablochkova Street and house 7, block 2 on Milashenkova Street. The residential complexes were built taking into account the principles of a barrier-free environment. The same criteria were observed in the improvement of the adjacent territories, which is especially important for city residents with disabilities, older people and families with small children.

    “Since the beginning of the program, the city has handed over three residential complexes in the Butyrsky District of the capital for settlement. In total, 694 apartments with finished improved finishes have been designed in them. Nine of them have been adapted for people with limited mobility – the width of corridors and doorways has been increased, and special handrails have been provided in the bathrooms. Elevators have also been installed in the entrances of the new buildings, rooms for concierges and storage rooms for strollers and bicycles have been equipped. The areas around the buildings have been improved: comprehensive landscaping has been carried out, outdoor lighting and video surveillance cameras have been installed. In addition, areas for active recreation and sports have been equipped in the courtyards,” clarified the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin spoke about resettlement under the renovation program in Khoroshevo-Mnevniki.

    The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin ordered to increase the pace of implementation of the renovation program in twice.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: A permit has been issued for the construction of a residential building under the renovation program on Dolgoprudnaya Street

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A house will appear in Dmitrovsky district under the renovation program. The building permit was issued by the capital State Construction Supervision CommitteeThis was reported by its chairman Anton Slobodchikov.

    Work will begin at the address: Dolgoprudnaya Street, land plot No. 6.

    “The committee has issued permits, and now the developer can begin work on the allocated land plot. The area of the housing will be 11.3 thousand square meters. In accordance with the standards of the renovation program, the apartments will be fully finished and the necessary equipment will be installed, including lighting fixtures and plumbing,” he noted.

    Anton Slobodchikov.

    The house will consist of three sections. Each of them will have one through entrance with rooms for a concierge and storage of strollers. The first floor will be allocated for commercial premises for shops and social and household facilities.

    “Each building under the renovation program is being built according to a unique architectural design using high-quality and durable materials. On the ground floors of sections of different heights, there are rooms for public needs with separate street entrances. Between them, there will be entrance groups for the residential part with vestibules, elevator halls, rooms for strollers and concierges’ rooms,” said the chief architect of the capital, first deputy chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development (Moskomarkhitektura)

    Sergey Kuznetsov.

    On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, the city is paying special attention to residential properties under the renovation program.

    As Anton Slobodchikov noted, the construction of the building on Dolgoprudnaya Street will be supervised by inspectors at each stage. The inspection schedule will be drawn up after the developer submits a notice to the Committee on the commencement of construction and installation work. Specialists from the subordinate Expertise Center will be involved in the on-site activities to perform a set of laboratory and instrumental studies of building materials and structures for compliance with design documentation.

    The building and the area around it will be made barrier-free. The courtyard will have rest areas with benches, a children’s playground and a sports ground, and will be landscaped. In addition, a lighting system and CCTV cameras will be installed.

    The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Sergei Sobyanin ordered to increase the pace of implementation of the program intwice.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Capital products strengthen their position in the global market of healthy food products

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Moscow entrepreneurs are strengthening their positions in the global market of healthy food products. With the support of the Moscow Export Center (MEC), protein and fruit bars, muesli, cereals, breads and other capital products are supplied to more than 20 countries, including China, the UAE, India, Brazil and the CIS countries.

    In 2024 and the first half of 2025, the volume of healthy food exports from Moscow supported by the MEC exceeded 1.3 billion rubles.

    “There is a growing demand among consumers for healthy food products. In a highly competitive market, not only the natural composition is important, but also the overall compliance of the product with the expectations of the target audience. The wide geography of Moscow healthy food products exports speaks of the trust of foreign consumers in goods produced in Moscow,” she noted.

    Kristina Kostroma, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of Moscow.

    As part of the implementation of export support programs, the Moscow company Snaksi received the opportunity to enter the international online trading platform 1688.com. As a result of the placement, a contract was concluded for the supply of protein bars and healthy chocolate to China.

    The Melas company took advantage of the support service of a representative of the Moscow Export Center in China, ultimately concluding a contract for the supply of Dr. Körner crispbreads, already well known to Russian consumers, to China.

    SVD-Group successfully presented its products at the Gulfood 2024 international exhibition. The result was a contract for the supply of muesli, crispbread, bran and freeze-dried berries to the UAE.

    As part of the promotion of products of capital exporters with the support of the MEC, Moscow producers of healthy food take part in international festivals and fairs “Made in Russia” in friendly countries. These events are held jointly with the Russian Export Center. Products of Moscow companies were presented at four major fairs in China and the UAE, which were held from November 2024 to May 2025.

    The Moscow Export Center was established by the Moscow Government in 2017 to provide financial and non-financial support measures to Moscow entrepreneurs in order to promote Moscow goods and services on foreign markets. The Moscow Export Center is a subordinate organization Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative DevelopmentOne of its key tasks is to increase the number of Moscow exporters and grow their export revenue.

    Today, the MEC provides the capital’s business with comprehensive support at all stages of the export route – from preparation and training in foreign economic activity (FEA) to promotion abroad, assistance in increasing sales of financial incentives for FEA after concluding export contracts. Currently, the MEC’s toolkit includes more than 30 support measures.

    Sergei Sobyanin told how Moscow helps the capital’s business develop

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The territories of two parks will be improved in the Aeroport and Khovrino districts

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In the Aeroport area, the Golovanovskiy Park area will be landscaped, and in Khovrin, the public park will be put in order. This was reported by the city economy complex. Playgrounds, swings, carousels and other infrastructure will appear there.

    The playground in Golovanovsky Park will have its surface replaced and two play complexes with a slide, ladder and other elements will be installed. There will also be a sandbox, carousels, swings, a trampoline and spring swings. A developmental tactile panel will be installed for the little ones.

    The sports area will have its table tennis tables replaced, and park swings and benches will be installed for a quiet rest. Specialists will tidy up the lawn, plant trees, and renew the pavement of the pedestrian paths.

    In addition, in the Aeroport district, eight courtyard areas will be put in order this year on 1st Ambulatory Drive, Leningradsky Prospekt, Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, and Chernyakhovsky Street.

    A large play area for children of different ages will appear in the central part of the Khovrino public park. It will house multi-level complexes in the form of houses and a steam locomotive with slides, trampolines, balance beams, swings and carousels. Parents will be able to relax or read a book on semi-circular benches and comfortable round benches.

    In the play area near the entrance to the park from Festivalnaya Street, large swings, a labyrinth complex and multi-coloured trampolines will be installed. Nearby, a multi-level amphitheater and recreation islands with umbrella awnings, round benches under them and park swings will be set up. Nearby, a fenced modern area for walking dogs will be built. Barriers, a slide, a tunnel and a balance beam will be installed for the animals.

    The sports area on the side of Lyapidevskogo Street will be put in order, a universal playground for playing football and basketball will be set up there. Visitors will be able to work out on weight training machines, do workout training and play ping-pong. Cubes with climbing holds will be installed for children and teenagers.

    A jogging track will be laid across the park. It will be located next to the sports and children’s playgrounds. In addition, bicycle parking will be installed.

    Trees will be planted in the park, several rockeries (landscape compositions of stones and plants) will be created, and modern lighting fixtures will be installed.

    In 2023, the area near the Church of the Sign of the Icon of the Mother of God on Festivalnaya Street was tidied up. Modern playgrounds and sports grounds, recreation areas, picnic spots and new lights appeared here.

    Earlier about plans forimprovement Sergei Sobyanin reported in the Northern Administrative District.

    The park improvement works correspond to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 News release Senegal joins growing list of countries that have eliminated trachoma

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat.

    “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.”

    Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmed, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention (PNLC) and later through the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health (PNPSO) – maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination.

    “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis” said Dr Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis”.

    Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

    Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider of group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.

    WHO is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.

    “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up,” said Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement.”

    Disease prevalence

    Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.

    Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.

    There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further 3 countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.
     

    Editor’s note

    Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated surfaces , fomites and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.

    Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation.

    To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections and deal with their effects. The SAFE strategy consists of surgery to treat the blinding complication (trachomatous trichiasis); antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin (which has been donated by the manufacturer, Pfizer, to elimination programmes through the International Trachoma Initiative); facial cleanliness; and environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.

    The road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 targets the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups by 2030. Progress against trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases alleviates the human and economic burden that they impose on the world’s most disadvantaged communities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: President Xi Jinping tells Albanese China ready to ‘push the bilateral relationship further’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Anthony Albanese China stands ready to work with Australia “to push the bilateral relationship further”, in their meeting in Beijing on Tuesday.

    During the meeting, Albanese raised Australia’s concern about China’s lack of proper notice about its warships’ live fire exercise early this year.

    The prime minister later told journalists Xi had responded that “China engaged in exercises, just as Australia engages in exercises”.

    The government’s proposed sale of the lease of the Port of Darwin, now in the hands of a Chinese company, was not raised in the discussion.

    On Taiwan, Albanese said he had “reaffirmed […] the position of Australia in support for the status quo”.

    This was the fourth meeting between Xi and Albanese. The prime minister is on a six-day trip to China, accompanied by a business delegation. He is emphasising expanding trade opportunities with our biggest trading partner and attracting more Chinese tourists, whose numbers are not back to pre-pandemic levels.

    Albanese has come under some domestic criticism because this trip comes before he has been able to secure a meeting with United States President Donald Trump.

    In his opening remarks, while the media were present, Xi said the China-Australia relationship had risen “from the setback and turned around, bringing tangible benefits to the Chinese and Australian peoples”.

    “The most important thing we can learn from this is that a commitment to equal treatment, to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation, serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and two peoples.

    “No matter how the international landscape may evolve, we should uphold this overall direction unswervingly,” he said.

    “The Chinese side is ready to work with the Australian side to push the bilateral relationship further and make greater progress so as to bring better benefits to our two peoples.”

    Responding, Albanese noted Xi’s comments “about seeking common ground while sharing differences. That approach has indeed produced very positive benefits for both Australia and for China.

    “The Australian government welcomes progress on cooperation under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which has its 10th anniversary year. As a direct result, trade is now flowing freely to the benefit of both countries and to people and businesses on both sides, and Australia will remain a strong supporter of free and fair trade.”

    Albanese told the media after the meeting his government’s approach to the relationship was “patient, calibrated and deliberate”.

    “Given that one out of four Australian jobs depends on trade and given that China is overwhelmingly by far the largest trading partner that Australia has, it is very much in the interest of Australian jobs, and the Australian economy, to have a positive and constructive relationship with China.

    “Dialogue is how we advance our interests, how we manage our differences, and we guard against misunderstanding.

    “President Xi Jinping and I agreed dialogue must be at the centre of our relationship. We also discussed our economic relationship, which is critical to Australia. We spoke about the potential for new engagement in areas such as decarbonisation”.

    Xi did not bring up China’s complaints about Australia’s foreign investment regime.

    Albanese said he raised the issue of Australian writer Yang Jun, who is incarcerated on allegations of espionage, which are denied.

    Premier Li Qiang was hosting a banquet for Albanese on Tuesday night.

    An editorial in the state-owned China Daily praised the Albanese visit, saying it showed “the Australian side has a clearer judgement and understanding of China than it had under previous Scott Morrison government”.

    “The current momentum in the development of bilateral relations between China and Australia shows that if differences are well managed, the steady development of ties can be guaranteed , even at a time when the political landscape of the world is becoming increasingly uncertain and volatile,” the editorial said.

    Australian journalists had a brush with Chinese security, when they were taking shots of local sights in Beijing. Security guards surrounded them and told them to hand over their footage. The incident was resolved by Australian officials.

    Michelle Grattan 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. President Xi Jinping tells Albanese China ready to ‘push the bilateral relationship further’ – https://theconversation.com/president-xi-jinping-tells-albanese-china-ready-to-push-the-bilateral-relationship-further-261094

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kenya: Call for bids for the provision of water testing services

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Kenya: Call for bids for the provision of water testing services

    The British High Commission Nairobi is inviting bids for the provision of water testing services.

    On behalf of the Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the British High Commission (BHC) in Nairobi is seeking the services of a supplier that has the relevant professional skills, experience, technical resources and financial capability to provide water testing services at the British High Commission Nairobi.

    Full details on the requirements, including instructions for interested bidders and registration are available via the FCDO’s e-Procurement portal, which requires registration. Registering is quick, easy, free and is the only way to review the tender documents.

    Competent and financially stable suppliers are invited to access the invitation to tender documents by following these steps:

    1. Open the https://fco.bravosolution.co.uk website, register and sign in
    2. Navigate to provision of water testing at the British High Commission Nairobi.
    3. CPG/12476/2025. ITT 7169, Project 12476

    Contact the Regional Procurement Manager; Thabang.Mokoena@fcdo.gov.uk for any queries. Kindly note that the responses are required to be in English.

    Deadlines

    Please note that the invitation to tender documents should be completed and uploaded on the BRAVOSolution e-Procurement Portal by 15:00 EAT on 08 August 2025.

    Disclaimer

    The BHC reserves the right not to select any service provider and will only reply to the best-suited organisation.

    The BHC will not meet any expenses incurred in preparing your invitation to tender documents.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –