NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shanghai Xuhui Chiangqiao Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo Ensemble to make Hong Kong debut at Chinese Culture Festival 2025 in August (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has invited the Shanghai Xuhui Chiangqiao Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo Ensemble (the ensemble) to make its Hong Kong debut and stage two concerts in early August. As a representative inheritor organisation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Shanghai Municipality, the ensemble’s three representative inheritors of Jiangnan silk and bamboo, along with young professional musicians, will perform a selection of classical pieces from the “Eight Masterpieces of Silk and Bamboo Music” (“Eight Masterpieces”) and other famous compositions. Through century-old string and wind music, they will evoke the authentic cultural essence of the Jiangnan region. 

         Jiangnan silk and bamboo music is a traditional form of ensemble music popular in the southern Jiangsu, western Zhejiang and Shanghai regions, featuring Chinese string (silk) and wind (bamboo) instruments, such as erhu, yangqin, pipa, sanxian, dizi and sheng. It was inscribed on the first list of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the National Level in 2006. Its artistic style is characterised by qualities including delicacy, lightness, finesse and elegance. With diverse variation techniques such as “slowing down” (expanding the original melody’s rhythm and phrasing) and “ornamentation” (inserting new ornamental notes into the melody), complemented by synergy among the musicians and improvisation, the music presents a fascinating kaleidoscope of sound. The repertoire of Jiangnan silk and bamboo music is vast, with the “Eight Masterpieces” being the most representative of the works. 

         Zhou Feng (dizi) and Liu Yuehua (erhu), the representative inheritors of Jiangnan silk and bamboo of Shanghai Municipality, and Mi Peirong (yangqin), representative inheritor of Jiangnan silk and bamboo of Xuhui District, together with accomplished performers of sheng, pipa and sanxian will present two concerts featuring compositions from the “Eight Masterpieces”, including “Song of Joy”, “Sanliu” and “Zhonghua Liuban” as well as famous silk and bamboo classics “Song of the Warm Southerly Breeze” and “Song of Yang Ba”. Furthermore, each concert will feature distinctive selections: the first concert will present “Man Liuban” and “Festival March” from the “Eight Masterpieces”, along with the celebrated silk and bamboo piece “Rainbow Skirt Song”. The second concert will feature “Cloud Celebration” and “Best Wishes” from the “Eight Masterpieces”, as well as the beloved “Moonlight on the Spring River”. 

         The Shanghai Xuhui Chiangqiao Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo Ensemble is dedicated to safeguarding and passing on traditional Jiangnan silk and bamboo music in its pristine form. The ensemble’s members have inherited their musical heritage from previous generations in the family, with decades of performing experience and deep mastery of traditional playing techniques of the musical art form. In 2024, the ensemble was recognised as being among the seventh batch of representative inheritor organisations of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Shanghai Municipality.

         The first concert by the Shanghai Xuhui Chiangqiao Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo Ensemble will be held at 8pm on August 2 (Saturday) at the Theatre of Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre. The second concert will be held at 8pm on August 3 (Sunday) at the Theatre of Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Tickets priced at $220 and $280 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Group booking discounts and package booking discounts are available for purchasing selected CCF stage programmes, the “Chinese Opera Film Shows” of the Chinese Opera Festival (COF) 2025 and the “Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters” lecture. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/concert-by-shanghai-xuhui-chiangqiao-jiangnan-silk-and-bamboo-ensemble.

         A pre-concert talk entitled “Pure Melodies of Silk Strings: The Elegant Sounds of Jiangnan’s Silk and Bamboo Music” (in Putonghua) will be held at 7pm on August 3 (Sunday) at the Lecture Hall of Sheung Wan Civic Centre. The speakers include Shanghai Conservatory of Music Professor Xiao Mei and Shanghai Normal University Music College Associate Professor Li Ya. They will discuss the development and inheritance of Jiangnan silk and bamboo music and explore the principles of improvisation, guiding audiences to discover its charm and cultural connotations. Admission is free. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

         The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the COF, “Tan Dun WE-Festival”, film screenings, exhibitions, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The fifth house was built in Tekstilshchiki under the renovation program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Tekstilshchiki district in the south-east of Moscow, a fifth new building has appeared under the renovation program. The single-section residential complex is located at 13a Graivoronovskaya Street. The total area of the building is almost 15 thousand square meters. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    “The building’s living area is 7.9 thousand square meters. There are 140 apartments in the building, four of which are intended for people with limited mobility. The spacious entrance hall has a concierge room, a room for storing strollers and bicycles, and four elevators. In the future, social and household facilities may open on the first non-residential floor. The courtyard has two children’s playgrounds and one sports ground, as well as a quiet recreation area,” Vladislav Ovchinsky specified.

    Near the new building there are schools, a clinic and a kindergarten. Nearby are the Stakhanovskaya and Nizhegorodskaya stations of the Nekrasovskaya metro line, as well as the Nizhegorodskaya station of the Moscow Central Circle.

    “Mosgosstroynadzor supervised the construction of the house on a land plot of 0.5 hectares at all stages. In total, 28 on-site inspections were organized, as a result of the final control and supervision event, the committee’s inspectors issued a conclusion on the compliance of the building with the approved design documentation,” noted the Chairman of the Committee for State Construction Supervision of the City of Moscow

    Anton Slobodchikov.

    Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin reported that this year new housing was received under the renovation program more than 18 thousand Muscovites.

    The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. The Moscow mayor 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.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156198073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Can carbon pricing curb climate change and where does India stand?

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Carbon pricing is increasingly recognized worldwide as a powerful tool to combat the devastating impacts of climate change. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Let’s explore this transformative approach to driving a greener and more sustainable future.

    Carbon pricing is a policy mechanism that puts a financial cost on greenhouse gas emissions. This policy tool is primarily aimed at discouraging emitters of the greenhouse gas especially carbon dioxide and encouraging individuals, industries and other stakeholders to reduce such emissions to save the mother earth, as climate change is causing a great deal of damage in almost every part of the world, which appears irreparable in several cases.  

    Driven largely by the excessive emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, climate change is increasingly posing a critical threat to global ecosystems, economies and societies. In the process, one of the most effective tools developed to mitigate these emissions is carbon pricing. This mechanism mandates to internalize the environmental damage caused by pollution, thus encouraging industries and consumers to reduce their carbon footprint.

    To understand it lucidly, carbon pricing is an economic strategy designed to reduce global warming. It reflects the cost of carbon emissions in the market, encouraging emitters to either reduce their emissions or pay for the same. In simple terms, it is a kind of financial penalty imposed on the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by the people, industries or other stakeholders.

    There are two primary forms of carbon pricing- carbon tax and cap-and-trade. Each of these mechanisms puts a price on carbon, but in different ways. While, carbon tax directly sets a price on carbon by defining a tax rate on greenhouse gas emissions or more commonly on the carbon content of fossil fuels, making it easier for businesses to plan future investments.

    Besides, carbon tax is imposed by the government on on fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas based on their carbon content. The higher the emissions associated with a fuel, the higher the tax, making high emission fuels more expensive, thus encouraging a shift towards cleaner energy sources. For example, Sweden has one of the highest carbon taxes in the world, set at around $130 per tonne of CO₂. The country has reduced carbon emissions significantly while maintaining economic growth since its adoption of the mechanism in 1991.

    On the other hand, under Cap-and-Trade or Emissions Trading System (ETS), the government sets a total cap on emissions and distributes or auctions emission permits to emitters. Companies can buy and sell these allowances, creating a market for carbon emissions. Without doubt, a cap limits total emissions for a group of industries or the entire economy.

    In this system, companies receive or purchase allowances representing the right to emit a specific amount of CO2, and if a company emits less than its allowance, it can sell the surplus to other companies. Similarly, if a company exceeds the allowance level, it must buy more. Here, it is interesting to note that the cap doesn’t remain fixed, but is gradually reduced over time to decrease total emissions.

    The European Union emissions trading system is the largest and most established cap-and-trade system, as it covers more than 11,000 power plants and factories across Europe and is a cornerstone of the EU’s climate policy.

    However, a number of countries worldwide have adopted carbon pricing mechanisms including those in Europe. Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, USA, New Zealand, Britain, South Africa, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Colombia, Ukrain, Indonesia, Vietnam and a few others have already adopted different mechanisms. The pioneers in the process are Sweden and Finland. While Sweden introduced it in 1991, Finland was the first country to introduce a carbon tax in 1990.

    While, the impacts of climate change are widespread, serious experienced across the globe, the trends to contain it through carbon pricing mechanisms are also encouraging. According to estimates, as of now, carbon pricing mechanisms cover about 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The total global value of carbon pricing instruments in operation exceeds $100 billion annually.

    At the same time, there is a growing push for international coordination, especially through article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which allows countries to trade emissions reductions. Thus, the carbon market has grown rapidly in the past decade, fueled by increased climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and the development of regional and national carbon pricing mechanisms.

    To know more about how different countries of the world are responding to these initiatives, we can approach to the World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Dashboard, which provides a comprehensive overview of carbon pricing initiatives worldwide, including their design, coverage and price levels. The World Bank report on the trends of carbon pricing also shows a significant increase in the number of operational carbon pricing instruments and highlights the growing trend of carbon pricing globally.

    In recent years, especially since Narendra Modi government came at the Centre, India has also been rapidly advancing toward a structured and regulated carbon pricing ecosystem. It is a part of India’s broader climate and sustainable development agenda.

    Amid the growing global focus on carbon markets and emissions trading, India is taking significant steps toward establishing a rate-based Emissions Trading System (ETS) along with complementary voluntary carbon credit mechanisms. The World Bank’s ‘State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025’ report highlights India’s expanding role as a key emerging economy shaping the future of global climate finance and carbon pricing architecture.

    Rate-based ETS refers to a system where total emissions are not capped but individual entities are allocated a performance benchmark that serves as a limit on their net emissions. Rate-based ETSs offer additional flexibility in managing future growth uncertainty as well as international competitiveness concerns.

    India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) is a strategic initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon pricing. It comprises two main components- a compliance mechanism for obligated entities, especially for the industrial sector and an offset mechanism to enable voluntary participation.

    The scheme being worked out in India, is designed to incentivize and support efforts toward decarbonizing the Indian economy. By establishing the necessary institutional framework, the CCTS has laid the groundwork for the development of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM).

    It’s heartening to note here that carbon pricing is no longer a niche policy meant for only rich countries, now it has become a mainstream tool for climate action worldwide including India and other developing countries. Whether through carbon taxes or emissions trading systems, countries are finding ways to internalize the environmental costs of carbon and transition toward a low-carbon future, which augur well for the future of the planet.  

  • China denies military base ambitions in Pacific Islands

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    China’s embassy in Fiji denied on Thursday that Beijing wanted a military base or sphere of influence in the Pacific Islands, after Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said islands were trying to cope with a powerful China seeking to spread its influence.

    “The claims about China setting up a military base in the Pacific are false narratives,” an embassy spokesperson said in a statement.

    “China’s presence in the Pacific is focused on building roads and bridges to improve people’s livelihoods, not on stationing troops or setting up military bases.”

    Rabuka said on Wednesday his country had development cooperation with China, but was opposed to Beijing establishing a military base in the region. In any case, China did not need a base to project power in the region, he added.

    China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in September that flew over Fiji to land 11,000 km (6,800 miles) from China in the international waters of the Pacific Ocean.

    “If they can very well target an empty space they can very well target occupied space,” Rabuka told the National Press Club in Canberra.

    Washington became concerned about China’s ambition to gain a military foothold in the Pacific Islands in 2018 when Beijing sought to redevelop a naval base in Papua New Guinea and a military base in Fiji. China was outbid by Australia for both projects.

    The concern resurfaced in 2022 when China signed a security pact with Solomon Islands, prompting Washington to warn it would respond if Beijing established a permanent military presence.

    In November, the outgoing U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell urged the Trump administration to keep its focus on the region because China wanted to build bases in the Pacific Islands.

    The Chinese embassy spokesperson said Fiji and China respect each other’s sovereignty.

    “China has no interest in geopolitical competition, or seeking the so-called ‘sphere of influence’,” the statement added.

    China has established a police presence in Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Activism Less than 3% of protest arrests result in charges as ‘right to protest’ campaign launches Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested… by Graham Thompson July 3, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    • Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest

    New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread. 

    These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.

    Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.

    Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”

    The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.

    The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.

    Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”

    Ocean Outdoor / elvis

    Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%. 

    The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.

    Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.

    ENDS

    Contact

    Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

    Notes to editors

    Download images of the activists here: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJR3CJNV 

    Further stills and video footage from the campaign will become available from the link above from the first of July onwards. 

    Total arrests and charges made by the Metropolitan Police for conspiracy to cause public nuisance, 2012-2025:

    Arrests Charges Charges as % of arrests
    2012 34 2 5.9%
    2013 0 0 n/a
    2014 0 0 n/a
    2015 11 4 36.4%
    2016 19 2 10.5%
    2017 1 0 0.0%
    2018 2 0 0.0%
    Total 1 Jan 2012-31 Dec 2018 67 8 11.9%
    2019 205 6 2.9%
    2020 46 0 0.0%
    2021 272 0 0.0%
    2022 55 12 21.8%
    2023 27 0 0.0%
    2024 33 0 0.0%
    2025(1 Jan – 21 Mar) 0 0 n/a
    Total 1 Jan 2019-21 Mar 2025 638 18 2.8%

    The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here

    “Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance

    The campaign

    The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:

    • Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London 
    • Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
    • Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
    • Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
    • Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
    • Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester

    The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.

    About elvis

    elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com 

    About Ocean Outdoor

    A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.

    The campaign organisations

    Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.   

    Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. 

    Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Activism Less than 3% of protest arrests result in charges as ‘right to protest’ campaign launches Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested… by Graham Thompson July 3, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    • Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest

    New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread. 

    These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.

    Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.

    Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”

    The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.

    The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.

    Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”

    Ocean Outdoor / elvis

    Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%. 

    The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.

    Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.

    ENDS

    Contact

    Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

    Notes to editors

    Download images of the activists here: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJR3CJNV 

    Further stills and video footage from the campaign will become available from the link above from the first of July onwards. 

    Total arrests and charges made by the Metropolitan Police for conspiracy to cause public nuisance, 2012-2025:

    Arrests Charges Charges as % of arrests
    2012 34 2 5.9%
    2013 0 0 n/a
    2014 0 0 n/a
    2015 11 4 36.4%
    2016 19 2 10.5%
    2017 1 0 0.0%
    2018 2 0 0.0%
    Total 1 Jan 2012-31 Dec 2018 67 8 11.9%
    2019 205 6 2.9%
    2020 46 0 0.0%
    2021 272 0 0.0%
    2022 55 12 21.8%
    2023 27 0 0.0%
    2024 33 0 0.0%
    2025(1 Jan – 21 Mar) 0 0 n/a
    Total 1 Jan 2019-21 Mar 2025 638 18 2.8%

    The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here

    “Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance

    The campaign

    The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:

    • Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London 
    • Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
    • Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
    • Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
    • Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
    • Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester

    The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.

    About elvis

    elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com 

    About Ocean Outdoor

    A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.

    The campaign organisations

    Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.   

    Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. 

    Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Activism Less than 3% of protest arrests result in charges as ‘right to protest’ campaign launches Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested… by Graham Thompson July 3, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    • Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest

    New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread. 

    These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.

    Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.

    Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”

    The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.

    The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.

    Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”

    Ocean Outdoor / elvis

    Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%. 

    The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.

    Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.

    ENDS

    Contact

    Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

    Notes to editors

    Download images of the activists here: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJR3CJNV 

    Further stills and video footage from the campaign will become available from the link above from the first of July onwards. 

    Total arrests and charges made by the Metropolitan Police for conspiracy to cause public nuisance, 2012-2025:

    Arrests Charges Charges as % of arrests
    2012 34 2 5.9%
    2013 0 0 n/a
    2014 0 0 n/a
    2015 11 4 36.4%
    2016 19 2 10.5%
    2017 1 0 0.0%
    2018 2 0 0.0%
    Total 1 Jan 2012-31 Dec 2018 67 8 11.9%
    2019 205 6 2.9%
    2020 46 0 0.0%
    2021 272 0 0.0%
    2022 55 12 21.8%
    2023 27 0 0.0%
    2024 33 0 0.0%
    2025(1 Jan – 21 Mar) 0 0 n/a
    Total 1 Jan 2019-21 Mar 2025 638 18 2.8%

    The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here

    “Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance

    The campaign

    The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:

    • Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London 
    • Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
    • Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
    • Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
    • Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
    • Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester

    The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.

    About elvis

    elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com 

    About Ocean Outdoor

    A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.

    The campaign organisations

    Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.   

    Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. 

    Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Activism Less than 3% of protest arrests result in charges as ‘right to protest’ campaign launches Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested… by Graham Thompson July 3, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    • Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest

    New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread. 

    These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.

    Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.

    Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”

    The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.

    The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.

    Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”

    Ocean Outdoor / elvis

    Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%. 

    The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.

    Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.

    ENDS

    Contact

    Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

    Notes to editors

    Download images of the activists here: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJR3CJNV 

    Further stills and video footage from the campaign will become available from the link above from the first of July onwards. 

    Total arrests and charges made by the Metropolitan Police for conspiracy to cause public nuisance, 2012-2025:

    Arrests Charges Charges as % of arrests
    2012 34 2 5.9%
    2013 0 0 n/a
    2014 0 0 n/a
    2015 11 4 36.4%
    2016 19 2 10.5%
    2017 1 0 0.0%
    2018 2 0 0.0%
    Total 1 Jan 2012-31 Dec 2018 67 8 11.9%
    2019 205 6 2.9%
    2020 46 0 0.0%
    2021 272 0 0.0%
    2022 55 12 21.8%
    2023 27 0 0.0%
    2024 33 0 0.0%
    2025(1 Jan – 21 Mar) 0 0 n/a
    Total 1 Jan 2019-21 Mar 2025 638 18 2.8%

    The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here

    “Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance

    The campaign

    The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:

    • Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London 
    • Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
    • Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
    • Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
    • Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
    • Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester

    The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.

    About elvis

    elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com 

    About Ocean Outdoor

    A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.

    The campaign organisations

    Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.   

    Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. 

    Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Activism Less than 3% of protest arrests result in charges as ‘right to protest’ campaign launches Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested… by Graham Thompson July 3, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    • Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest

    New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread. 

    These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.

    Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.

    Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”

    The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.

    The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.

    Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”

    Ocean Outdoor / elvis

    Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%. 

    The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.

    Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.

    ENDS

    Contact

    Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

    Notes to editors

    Download images of the activists here: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJR3CJNV 

    Further stills and video footage from the campaign will become available from the link above from the first of July onwards. 

    Total arrests and charges made by the Metropolitan Police for conspiracy to cause public nuisance, 2012-2025:

    Arrests Charges Charges as % of arrests
    2012 34 2 5.9%
    2013 0 0 n/a
    2014 0 0 n/a
    2015 11 4 36.4%
    2016 19 2 10.5%
    2017 1 0 0.0%
    2018 2 0 0.0%
    Total 1 Jan 2012-31 Dec 2018 67 8 11.9%
    2019 205 6 2.9%
    2020 46 0 0.0%
    2021 272 0 0.0%
    2022 55 12 21.8%
    2023 27 0 0.0%
    2024 33 0 0.0%
    2025(1 Jan – 21 Mar) 0 0 n/a
    Total 1 Jan 2019-21 Mar 2025 638 18 2.8%

    The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here

    “Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance

    The campaign

    The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:

    • Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London 
    • Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
    • Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
    • Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
    • Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
    • Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester

    The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.

    About elvis

    elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com 

    About Ocean Outdoor

    A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.

    The campaign organisations

    Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.   

    Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. 

    Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ambitious plan to plant one million trees in one day

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts will launch the One Million Trees campaign next week.

    The campaign, part of the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Project currently in its fourth year, aims to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life, three spheres of government, private sector, interfaith formations, business, diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, NGOs, youth, to pledge and donate trees.

    At the launch, the Deputy Minister will outline the ambitious plan to plant one million trees in one day.

    The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is the custodian of the forestry function in the country. 

    One of the key activities and functions in this regard is the implementation of the National Greening Programme, aimed at planting at least two million trees per annum for a period of five years to realise the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Project.

    The One Million Trees campaign serves as one of the platforms of revamping the National Greening Programme to ensure that the set target of planting ten million trees over a period of five years is achieved.

    This will be done through creating awareness on the importance of planting of trees, encouraging stakeholders to take ownership and responsibility of their environment through pledging and planting of trees and facilitating that one million trees are planted in one day. 

    As part of the launch, Deputy Minister Swarts will showcase the Information Technology Pledge Form System and the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Tree Bank where the donated trees will be stored. 

    The donated trees will be stored at the 11 National Botanical Gardens across the country and DFFE nurseries.

    The launch will take place under the theme: “My Tree, My Oxygen. Plant Yours Today” on Monday, 07 July 2025, at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mining industry “filled with exciting opportunities for investors and the economy” – Mantashe

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Despite the challenging global environment, South Africa’s mining industry is an industry on the rise.

    This view was shared by Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who delivered the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

    In his written remarks, Mantashe explained that Mintek – the country’s national mineral research organisation – has completed a study on the state of mining in the country and the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy for implementation, which shows great potential in the industry.

    “Having produced individual commodity reports on 21 minerals, the critical minerals strategy shows that minerals, such as platinum, manganese, iron ore, coal and chrome ore, are poised to play a critical role in the South African mining industry and the economy for the foreseeable future.

    “In contrast to the sceptic view that the South African mining industry is a sunset industry, with the comprehensive and up-to-date insights into key developments within global commodity markets, mineral production trends in South Africa and the mining sector’s contribution to the economy, we are now more convinced than ever that the South African mining industry is a sunrise industry.

    “This mining frontier is filled with exciting opportunities for investors and the economy,” he said.

    Mantashe acknowledged that the industry is operating in a challenging global landscape.

    Despite these challenges, including escalating trade tensions, evolving geopolitical relationships and the United States of America’s imposition of tariffs on some mineral exports, the industry remains a strong contributor to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “Despite the challenging global environment, mining gross value-added rebounded by 0.3% in 2024, from a 0.5% decline in 2023. Effectively, in Rand terms, 2024 saw the mining sector contributing R451 billion to the country’s GDP, thus sustaining the 6% total contribution to the GDP.

    “In the same period, the mining industry’s export earnings totalled R674 billion, comprising R586.4 billion from primary minerals and R87.5 billion from processed minerals, representing a decrease of 0.6% from R678 billion in 2023,” the Minister said.

    Expanding mineral exploration

    The Minister highlighted that the sustainability and future of mining in South Africa is dependent on new mineral discoveries – making the Junior Mining Exploration Fund critical for discovery and transformation.

    “Established through a R200 million allocation from National Treasury, matched by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), this fund is poised to unlock new mineral discoveries and drive transformation. The first funding call has already resulted in the signing of legal contracts with black-owned junior miners. 

    “As the country navigates the natural decline of legacy commodities like gold, this fund will enable the discovery of new minerals that are essential for a range of industries, from advanced manufacturing to technology and infrastructure development.

    “Expanding this fund is not just an investment in new mining frontiers but a commitment to ensuring that our mineral wealth contributes to a more inclusive and transformed industry,” he insisted.

    Mantashe noted that, for its part, the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has implemented its Integrated and Multi-Disciplinary Mapping Programme to expand its onshore mapping coverage to meet the needs of the exploration community.

    “This work provides the fundamental basis to outline the mineral potential and geological systems at an enhanced scale, allowing [for] greater clarity to focus on exploration initiatives. 

    “For the 2025/26 financial year, the CGS will continue with the implementation of this backbone programme, both onshore and offshore, to make available key pre-competitive geological data, information and knowledge for considered investment in minerals exploration,” he said.

    The budget

    The department’s budget allocation for the 2025/26 financial year is R2.86 billion, of which R1.16 billion will be transferred to public entities, municipalities, and other implementing institutions to “enable them to fulfil their constitutional mandates”.

    Some specific projects to receive funding include:

    • R134.7 million for the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines implemented by Mintek.
    • R22.4 million for the Mine Rehabilitation Research Project implemented by the Council for Geoscience.
    • R32.3 million allocated to the CGS for the Mine Water Ingress Project.
    • R46.1 million allocated to the Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA) for the implementation of the Shale Gas Project. 

     – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Full text of Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter to session of All-China Youth Federation and congress of All-China Students’ Federation

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

    Full text of Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter to session of All-China Youth Federation and congress of All-China Students’ Federation

    Xinhua | July 3, 2025

    The following is the full text of Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter to a session of the All-China Youth Federation and a congress of the All-China Students’ Federation.

    On the opening of a plenary session of the 14th committee of the All-China Youth Federation and the 28th national congress of the All-China Students’ Federation, I would like to extend, on behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, warm congratulations and greetings to young people and young students of all ethnic groups and from all sectors of life across the country, as well as to young Chinese overseas!

    Over the past five years, under the Party’s leadership and assistance and guidance of the Communist Youth League, youth and student federations at all levels have performed their duties and played a proactive role, organizing and mobilizing young people and students to follow the Party, strive hard to make progress and contribute their strength. This reflects the positive ethos of the Chinese youth in the new era.

    In the drive to advance the building of a strong country and the realization of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, there is much young people can achieve. The broad masses of youth should consciously respond to the call of the Party and the people, maintain firm ideals and convictions, cultivate a deep love for the country, bravely shoulder their historic mission, and strive to write a vibrant chapter of youth that demonstrates courage and responsibility.

    Party organizations at all levels should strengthen their leadership over youth work, care for and support the work of youth and student federations, as well as foster favorable conditions for young people and students to develop in a healthy manner and make achievements. Youth and student federations should adhere to the right political direction, deepen reform and innovation, and, under the leadership of the Party, further unite and lead young people and students in forging ahead on the new journey and accomplishing new achievements.

    Xi Jinping

    July 2, 2025

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development Concludes General Debate as It Enters Last Day

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Meetings Coverage

    Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development,

    7th & 8th Meetings (AM & PM)

    Representatives of UN specialized agencies and programmes, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations from around the world will address the Conference as its general debate concludes.

    …

    Development

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Red Cross and Red Crescent network supports the African Union and its Member States’ commitment to eliminate cholera by 2030

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with its African National Society members, fully supports the African Union (AU) and its member states in their efforts to eliminate cholera across the continent. 

    Forged during a high-level meeting of AU member states in June, this new commitment centers on strengthening community-based health services and epidemic preparedness, working closely with local communities to achieve lasting solutions.  

    The IFRC commends the leadership and united commitment demonstrated by the Heads of State, Government, and Delegations, who gathered in June under the AU’s framework to advance a strong and coordinated response to the ongoing multi-country cholera outbreaks, which in 2025 are affecting approximately 20 Member States.  

    The IFRC and its African National Society members, fully endorse the priorities outlined in the Call-to-Action to End Cholera and Achieve Elimination by 2030 with particular emphasis on: 

    • strengthening national and regional preparedness,

    • scaling up investments in sustainable water, sanitation and health (WASH) infrastructure,

    • placing communities and civil society at the heart of cholera elimination agenda. 

    A deep community presence

    As auxiliary partners to public authorities in the humanitarian field, Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in Africa bring unique value through their deep community presence, trusted local networks, and mandate to complement government action. 

    With operations in all AU Member States, the IFRC and its African National Society members are uniquely positioned to deliver localised, people-centred responses that translate policy commitments into life-saving action.  

    Recognising the cross-cutting impacts of cholera on already strained health systems—the Red Cross Red Crescent Network has scaled up its efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks through high-impact, community-driven interventions such as:  

    • Community-based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT): Delivered at the household level via Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), ensuring timely access to lifesaving care.
    • Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: Implemented in affected households and surrounding areas to stop transmission.
    • Support to Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaigns: Including community mobilization, social mobilization, and logistics assistance.
    • Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE): Embedded across all pillars of response to promote behaviour change, drive surveillance, and enable early action.
    • Cross-border collaboration facilitated to prevent, control and recover from cholera outbreaks at community level in collaboration with local authorities. 

    In addition, the IFRC hosts the Country Support Platform (CSP), the operational arm of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which supports AU Member States in developing and implementing National Cholera Plans, accessing technical expertise, and mobilizing domestic and external resources. 

    Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Framework for Cholera Elimination, IFRC is also investing in multi-hazard anticipatory action to prepare authorities, communities and other concerned stakeholders ahead of Cholera outbreaks. 

    This is done in part through the development of Early Action Protocols, systems that trigger preparatory actions before a crisis hits. Such protocols empower African National Societies to act early by pre-positioning supplies, training volunteers, and accessing forecast-based financing enabling faster, more cost-effective responses before outbreaks escalate. 

    With more than 3.8 million trained volunteers across Africa and a presence in every community, the Red Cross Red Crescent Network is well-positioned to bring life-saving interventions to those most at risk before, during and after outbreaks.  

    Together, we can eliminate Cholera

    Cholera is preventable, and together, we can eliminate it. Our volunteers are trusted members of the communities they serve. Through early action, health education, and emergency interventions, we are proud to contribute to this continental ambition to eliminate cholera and protect lives. 

    Through these efforts, the IFRC and African National Societies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to support AU Member States in achieving national and continental targets for cholera control and elimination. 

    The IFRC is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, Member States, and other partners to build resilient health systems, empower communities, and end cholera as a threat to public health and development across the continent. 

    Together, we can defeat cholera and ensure that no one is left behind. 

    – on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Completes the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    • The IMF Executive Board has completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The decision allows for an immediate disbursement of US$ 261.9 million towards international reserves, to continue building buffers.
    • The DRC’s economy has been resilient in a challenging environment amid the escalation of the armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, which placed significant strains on the budget. The authorities have made good progress on the structural reform’s agenda, but a few quantitative targets were missed.
    • The recent peace agreement signed between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States, is encouraging for the prospect of a peaceful resolution of the conflict and renewed focus on development goals.

    The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) approved on January 15, 2025 (see PR 25/003). The completion of the first review allowed an immediate disbursement equivalent to 190.4 million SDR (about US$ 261.9 million) to support balance-of-payment needs, bringing the aggregate disbursement to date to 380.5 million SDR (about 523.4 US$ million).  

    The DRC has been facing significant challenges amid the intensification of the armed conflict in its eastern part since end-2024. The escalation of hostilities has claimed thousands of lives and caused severe social and humanitarian damages, including disruptions in access to essential services such as food, water, and electricity. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure a cessation of hostilities and ensure sustainable peace in the region. The signing on June 27, 2025, of a peace agreement between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, under the mediation of the United States, is encouraging for the prospect of a peaceful resolution on the ongoing conflict and renewed focus on addressing development goals.

    Despite the challenging environment, economic activity remained resilient, with robust GDP growth of 6.5 percent in 2024, driven by continued dynamism in the extractive sector.  External stability has strengthened, as the current account deficit narrowed and the accumulation of international reserves continued. Inflationary pressures continue to ease, and year-on-year inflation declined from 23.8 percent at end-2023 to 11.7 percent at end-2024 and [8.5] percent at end-June 2025.

    Performance under the program was mixed, as the intensification of the conflict has placed significant strains on the budget. Despite strong revenue collection, the domestic fiscal deficit reached 0.8 percent of GDP in 2024, exceeding the program target of 0.3 percent, owing to spending overruns linked to the escalation of the conflict, including on exceptional security spending and public investments. The program target on the Central Bank of the Congo (BCC)’s foreign exchange assets held with domestic correspondents was missed as well, due to higher-than-expected tax payments in foreign currency on government accounts. Other quantitative performance criteria of the ECF were met. Most indicative targets were also met, except those related to the floor on social spending and the ceiling on spending executed through emergency procedures—owing to elevated exceptional security spending linked to the conflict intensification. Appropriate corrective measures are being implemented by the authorities.

    In completing the first review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities’ request for waivers of nonobservance of the performance criteria on the floor on the domestic fiscal balance at end-December 2024 on the basis of corrective actions, and the continuous ceiling on the levels of foreign currency assets of the BCC held with domestic correspondents on the basis of the temporary nature of the deviation which has since been remedied. Further, the Executive Board completed the financing assurances review under the ECF arrangement. No reform measures under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement, approved in January 2025, were due for review at this time.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Chair stated:

    “The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been confronted with heightened security challenges since late 2024. The escalation of the conflict in the eastern part of the country has caused serious human, social and economic damage and induced the government to increase spending. Despite these difficulties, the macroeconomic environment of the DRC remained broadly stable. Growth has remained robust, due to the resilience of mining production. Inflation continues to decrease, and the external position has strengthened. The economic outlook remains positive, but is fraught with downside risks related to the persistence of the conflict, declining external humanitarian assistance, global economic headwinds, and potential escalation of geopolitical conflicts. The authorities are committed to closely monitor these risks and to respond proactively to evolving challenges.

    “Budget implementation remains challenging in a difficult security context. As a result, the domestic fiscal deficit is projected to be larger than initially projected for 2025, but is expected to return to the path envisaged at program approval starting in 2026, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to carry out measures to enhance domestic revenue mobilization and strengthen the budget implementation process. Additionally, to guard against unforeseen adverse shocks, the authorities have adopted a contingency plan.

    “The Central Bank of the Congo (BCC) has maintained a tight monetary policy stance, thereby helping bring inflation down to single digits for the first time in three years. The accumulation of international reserves has continued, on the back of the narrowing of the current account deficit. Efforts must continue, to strengthen the monetary policy implementation framework, refine the foreign exchange intervention strategy, enhance the governance and safeguards of the BCC and ensure its adequate recapitalization.

    “The authorities have committed to accompany these efforts to preserve macroeconomic stability with an acceleration of structural reforms in key areas, including strengthening the AML/CFT framework, improving the business climate, enhancing transparency and governance, combating corruption and upgrading national statistics. Efforts to lay the groundwork for a timely implementation of the reform measures underpinning the RSF arrangement approved in January should be stepped up.”

    Table 1. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2023-26

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    Est.

    CR No. 25/023

    Prel.

    CR No. 25/023

    Proj.

    CR No. 25/023

    Proj.

    (Annual percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    GDP and prices

      Real GDP

    8.5

    6.0

    6.5

    5.4

    5.3

    5.1

    5.3

         Extractive GDP

    19.7

    11.6

    12.2

    7.7

    8.2

    5.2

    5.8

         Non-extractive GDP

    3.5

    3.2

    3.5

    4.2

    3.6

    5.0

    5.0

      GDP deflator

    14.4

    17.4

    19.9

    8.8

    8.2

    7.4

    6.7

      Consumer prices, period average

    19.9

    17.7

    17.7

    8.9

    8.8

    7.3

    7.1

      Consumer prices, end of period

    23.8

    12.0

    11.7

    7.8

    7.8

    7.0

    7.0

    (Annual change in percent of beginning-of-period broad money)

    Money and credit

      Net foreign assets

    19.9

    17.4

    23.0

    18.2

    14.5

    23.7

    22.7

      Net domestic assets

    20.3

    4.9

    5.6

    -3.5

    -1.0

    -10.9

    -10.5

         Domestic credit

    34.3

    15.4

    15.2

    9.9

    10.5

    3.7

    4.2

      Broad money

    40.3

    22.4

    28.1

    14.7

    13.8

    12.8

    12.3

    (Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    Central government finance

      Revenue and grants

    14.8

    15.6

    15.2

    15.0

    14.8

    14.9

    14.9

      Expenditures

    16.5

    16.8

    16.5

    16.8

    17.0

    16.6

    16.6

      Domestic fiscal balance

    -1.2

    -0.3

    -0.8

    -0.8

    -1.2

    -0.8

    -0.8

    Investment and saving

      Gross national saving

    9.5

    9.1

    9.6

    12.2

    11.2

    13.0

    12.5

      Investment

    15.7

    14.2

    13.5

    15.0

    14.4

    15.3

    14.8

         Non-government

    12.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    Balance of payments

      Exports of goods and services

    44.0

             45.1

    47.4

    45.4

    46.1

    45.5

    46.6

      Imports of goods and services

    49.9

    48.9

    50.3

    47.3

    47.5

    46.9

    47.0

      Current account balance, incl. transfer

    -6.2

    -5.1

    -3.9

    -2.8

    -3.2

    -2.4

    -2.4

      Current account balance, excl. transfers

    -7.5

    -5.1

    -5.0

    -2.7

    -3.4

    -2.3

    -2.6

      Gross official reserves (weeks of imports)

    8.2

    10.0

    10.1

    11.5

    11.8

    12.7

    12.8

    External debt

      Debt service in percent of government revenue

    7.6

    5.7

    6.1

    6.7

    7.1

    7.0

    7.4

    – on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The 4th Japan-Tunisia Security and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    On July 3, the 4th Japan-Tunisia Security and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue was held in Tokyo. At this dialogue, Mr. Hiroyuki MINAMI, Representative of the Government of Japan (Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Admiral Abderraouf ATALLAH, Senior Advisor to the President of the Republic of Tunisia, served as representatives for their respective governments.

    During the dialogue, the two sides discussed the international and regional security environment, including the terrorist threat, counter-terrorism measures in both countries, and possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of counter-terrorism, public safety, and security.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Protecting our natural marine environments | Inside Lords Questions

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Will the government ban destructive fishing methods and protect natural marine environments?

    In the latest episode of Inside Lords Questions, we catch up with Baroness Sugg who recently pressed the government on whether it plans to ban bottom trawling and dredging in marine protected areas. Find out why she raised the question and what she wants to see the government do about it.

    Watch the full question to hear from other Lords members on the topic and see how the government responded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-yhktZr16s

    Bottom trawling is a fishing method that drags large nets along the seafloor. Sir David Attenborough recently drew attention to the impact of this practice on areas of seabed and marine life in his new documentary ‘Ocean’.

    Look out for more episodes of Inside Lords Questions where we’ll speak to different members about the questions they raise to government. Catch up on previous episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLilBYVf0P9abs7iH2ILMKNy1zWa5xHFB5

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
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    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
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    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RNzZLGEeUg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Government acknowledges additional suffering of children placed in care

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 30-06-2025 | 14:00

    The government recognises the additional distress that children experienced due to both the benefits scandal and subsequent care orders. In a letter to the House of Representatives, Minister Struycken (Legal Protection), Minister Palmen-Schlangen (Benefits and Redress) and Minister Tielen (Youth, Prevention and Sport) respond to the ‘Inheritance of Injustice’ report by the Hamer Commission that carried out the investigation. The government has also announced specific measures to support young people.

    As Minister Struycken explains, “These young people were affected first of all by unfair claims by the Tax and Customs Administration and then by being placed in care without the causes of the problems their families were facing being sufficiently recognised. The youth care and protection system failed to prevent them being placed in care.”

    Painful conclusions call for decisive action

    The report shows that, in many cases, claims by the Tax and Customs Administration led to debt, poverty and stress which in turn created or exacerbated family problems. Shortcomings on the part of neighbourhood teams and youth care and protection meant that the financial causes were insufficiently identified and this resulted in care orders that might otherwise have been prevented.

    In the words of Minister Palmen-Schlangen, “These young people are still burdened by the negative impact each and every day. You can rest assured that you’ve now been seen and heard and we recognise the government’s actions caused a great deal of suffering. That’s why we want to help young people with what they need most.”

    Three-pronged approach: recognise, support, learn

    The government acknowledges that these children have been particularly affected by its mistakes. It now wants to initiate a careful process during which it will work together with the partners and organisations involved, as well as with young people themselves, to determine how this process of recognition should be structured and implemented and apologies made. The government also wants to expand and improve the existing child support scheme.

    A national support centre is going to be set up for all parents and young people who are looking for help with their mental health issues. In addition, a new scheme is going to be introduced for young people who were placed in care and who want to help with training and development. The independent Support Team, which helps aggrieved parents and children who were affected by care orders, is going to continue its work.

    The government wants to learn from the mistakes made, for example by adopting an integrated family approach, strengthening legal protection in the context of youth protection and a culture change which revolves around trust in families.

    Young people central to the plans

    It is important to regain the trust of those families that were affected. That is why young people themselves are going to be closely involved in the process of developing the measures. They will play an active role, including in the actual implementation of those measures, for example in terms of contact with their peers or by providing information to youth welfare organisations.

    Joint responsibility

    The government wants to prevent families from experiencing the same kind of suffering again and it is taking the lessons from the Hamer Commission report on board. The report stresses the need to address complex problems in families in a coherent way and to make the youth sector more family orientated.

    As Minister Tielen explains, “In the Youth Reform Agenda it was agreed that strong local teams should look more closely at what young people and families really need. Their situation and life experiences are key in this respect. This is an important point of departure as far as the government is concerned.”

    This move is in line with the improvements in youth protection which are being made on the basis of the Future Scenario for Child and Family Protection. The government wants fewer children to be placed in care and a coherent approach to assistance.

    Cooperation with chain partners

    Organisations such as the Child Care and Protection Board (Raad voor de Kinderbescherming), certified institutions and the judiciary have completed their own reviews and have started introducing improvement measures.

    As Minister Struycken explains, “We are adopting a joint approach. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this suffering is never repeated and that affected children receive the support they deserve for their recovery and future.”

    The government is going to inform the House of Representatives on progress with regard to all the planned measures by the end of 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pathway to the launch of the Steel Strategy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Pathway to the launch of the Steel Strategy

    In the run-up to launching the Steel Strategy later this year, Industry Minister Sarah Jones has welcomed a series of recent wins for the sector.

    This government is committed to a bright and sustainable future for steelmaking in the UK, as part of our Plan for Change.

    In the run-up to launching the Steel Strategy later this year, Industry Minister Sarah Jones has welcomed a series of recent wins for the sector following government backing. The Government has taken major action on areas crucial for the sector, from trade protections and electricity costs to procurement, including:

    Industrial Strategy and Spending Review

    • Slashing electricity costs for steel producers by cutting network charges via the Supercharger by 90%, up from 60%, as announced in our modern Industrial Strategy.
    • Streamlining grid access for major investment projects — including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and deliver significant economic benefits – through a new Connections Accelerator Service.
    • We will work closely with the energy sector, local authorities, Welsh and Scottish Governments, trade unions, and industry to design this service, which we expect to begin operating at the end of 2025.
    • New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.
    • The Industrial Strategy’s support for sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing will also increase demand for steel as a foundational product, as demand for lightweight and precision engineered steel products increases.
    • Confirming funding in the Spending Review for a £500 million grant to Tata Steel in Port Talbot as part of a £1.25bn transformation deal to construct an Electric Arc Furnace.

    Trade

    • Strengthening current steel safeguard measures by slowing future increases in spikes of foreign imports, capping certain import levels and tightening country-specific limits – ensuring UK steel producers won’t be undercut while still making sure the UK has a steady and reliable supply.

    • Announcing our intent to launch new laws to expand our powers to respond to unfair trade practices, and guard against global turbulence in critical sectors, such as steel, as announced in the Trade Strategy.
    • Inviting steel producers, consumers and stakeholders across the supply chain to shape our future approach to trade measures for steel in a new call for evidence, as we continue to support the UK steel industry from unfair trading practices and strengthen the UK’s critical supply chains after the expiry of steel safeguard in June 2026.

    Procurement

    • Changing government procurement rules, via the publication of a new Steel Public Procurement Notice, to ensure UK-made-steel is considered for all public projects and to use exemptions in buying rules to support steel makers wherever possible. This will give them access to more of the £400bn spent by the Government each year on procurement and help to protect our national security.

    • Publishing a pipeline of UK infrastructure projects taking place over the next few years. The 2025 data shows that over 7.5 million tonnes steel will be needed for these projects.
    • British Steel securing a £500m contract with Network Rail to supply over 337,000 tonnes of rail track, providing 80% of the company’s needs and helping to secure jobs.

    Industry Minister Sarah Jones said:

    This government recognises how vital steel is to our economy. That’s why we’re taking the decisive action needed to back the sector for the future, whether it’s slashing energy prices, strengthening government procurement or bolstering our trade defence measures.

    Our upcoming Steel Strategy will set out our long-term vision for the sector and how we’ll work with industry and communities to deliver a bright, sustainable future for UK steelmaking that secures good, well-paid jobs across the country as part of our Plan for Change.

    The Steel Strategy will be launched later this year, and will:

    • Establish a clear and ambitious long-term vision for the steel industry, in partnership with business and workers
    • Set out the actions needed to achieve that vision
    • Identify gaps in current capabilities and assess future UK steel demand, helping to inform investment decisions which will support economic growth
    • Set out what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity.

    The Government will continue to work closely with the Steel Council and wider stakeholders to build on the significant positive steps we’ve taken towards the publication of the full Strategy.

    You can find all our recent and upcoming announcements relating to the Steel Strategy on our GOV.UK Collection page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reuse pop-up shop returns to Raynesway this summer 2025

    Source: City of Derby

    After four successful events this spring, the reuse pop-up shop is back this summer at Raynesway Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), offering residents a chance to pick up bargains while helping the environment. 

    Organised by HW Martin, who manage Raynesway HWRC, the pop-up aims to reduce waste by encouraging the reuse of good quality items and supporting recycling efforts. 

    The shop will open on alternate Fridays and Saturdays during the centre’s usual hours: from 12pm to 6pm on Fridays, and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. The upcoming dates to visit are: 

    • 4–5 July 
    • 18–19 July 
    • 1–2 August 
    • 15–16 August 
    • 29–30 August 

    A wide selection of pre-loved goods, previously donated at Raynesway, will be available to purchase by card or cash, including toys, furniture, and home décor.  

    Visitors who want to browse and shop at the pop-up do not need to book. However, if you intend to drop off waste or make any donations for our next shop, booking a slot remains necessary. This can be done online via the Derby City Council website or by calling 01332 640000. 

    Funds raised through the pop-up will be reinvested in future reuse initiatives at Raynesway, with a share of the funds being used to provide vital support to resident’s most in need, through the Councils Welfare Reform team. 

    Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, commented: 

    The reuse pop-up offers a fantastic way for our community to help build a greener Derby. By donating or buying, residents are reducing environmental impact and giving items a new lease of life. At the same time, it provides an affordable option for families facing financial pressures, while helping to protect the planet. I encourage everyone to take part this summer, whether by donating or browsing – there’s something for everyone.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Revised science awards to boost core innovation

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

    China has updated its guidelines for the national science and technology awards with the aim of aligning innovation in the sector with major national strategies.

    The revised guidelines, announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Monday, emphasize the need for the awards to focus on the global forefront of science and technology, key economic battlefields, major national needs, and public health and wellbeing — areas deemed critical to the country’s development.

    The awards aim to align with China’s medium to long-term science and technology development plans and foster a deeper integration between scientific research and industrial innovation.

    The changes also affect the evaluation criteria used in order to ensure that scientists and frontline technical workers are prioritized. This guarantees that the focus is on individuals who demonstrate creativity in fundamental research, applied basic research, significant breakthroughs in core technologies and those promoting new quality productive forces. This shift aims to contribute to China’s self-reliance and strength in the field of science and technology.

    For example, the State Preeminent Science and Technology Awards will now primarily recognize breakthroughs in key technological domains that address significant national needs. Candidates for these awards must demonstrate loyalty to the country, embody the spirit of scientists, and remain active in cutting-edge science and technology.

    The guidelines also outline clear criteria and procedures to ensure that the most deserving individuals and projects are recognized. National science and technology awards will be conferred biennially. The State Preeminent Science and Technology Awards can be granted to a maximum of two individuals at a time, with the prize money increased to 8 million yuan ($1.12 million), all of which goes directly to the recipients.

    The State Natural Science Awards, State Technological Invention Awards, and State Scientific and Technological Progress Awards combined will amount to fewer than 300 prizes. The International Science and Technology Cooperation Awards of the People’s Republic of China will have a maximum of 10 prizes each time.

    A strong emphasis has been placed on research integrity. Individuals who have violated ethical standards or have been involved in research misconduct are ineligible for nomination. The guidelines establish a nomination accountability framework, requiring nominators to verify the authenticity of materials and assess the morality and political stances of nominees.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Active Citizens” to evaluate the program of events of circus tents

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    This summer, new entertainment awaits the residents of the capital. For the first time, within the framework of the project “Summer in Moscow” grand performances will take place “Circus Divertissements”with the participation of Russian circus artists.

    City residents and tourists can attend performances in picturesque places of Moscow: the Moskino cinema park, Izmailovsky Park and the Yuzhnoye Butovo landscape park. Spectators will see majestic lions and graceful tigers, funny clowns, mysterious illusionists and much more.

    The Active Citizen project invites Muscovites to join new vote, in which participants will have to evaluate summer circus programs.

    From Safari to Magic

    Thus, the circus in the Moskino cinema park has prepared a fascinating journey through the African savannah. The main characters of the program are Algerian lions. Guests will be shown unique numbers: the animals will demonstrate their strength, and aerial gymnasts on silk canvases will perform mesmerizing somersaults. A clown duo will present sparkling scenes with the participation of four-legged artists.

    “Active citizens” will have to appreciate another circus tent site. It is located near the Round Pond in Izmailovsky Park. Here they have prepared a program with the cinematic name “Striped Flight” – a dynamic show with the participation of Bengal tigers. Spectators will also see how bear acrobats from the legendary circus dynasty ride a bicycle, aerial gymnasts and a tightrope walker perform risky tricks, and a well-coordinated juggling duo performs in the arena.

    In the landscape park “Yuzhnoye Butovo” visitors will see “Magic of the Circus” – a bright and modern show with incredible pirouettes of gymnasts and acrobats, tricks of equilibrists, mysterious tricks of illusionists and show balletThe troupe of the Great Moscow Circus, under the direction of People’s Artists of the Russian Federation Edgard and Askold Zapashny, will also amaze you with their skills.

    For participating in the voting, users will be awarded points for the city’s loyalty program “A Million Prizes”. They can be used to receive goods and services from the program’s partners, including souvenirs with logos of Moscow’s electronic projects. In addition, “active citizens” can donate points to charity, top up their Troika transport card account and the Parking of Russia app.

    Chance to win tickets

    Muscovites will be able to take part in special promotion and win two invitation tickets to the show “Algerian Lions” in the circus tent at the Moskino cinema park. To do this, you need to vote and enter the promo code SHAPITO in the “My Profile” section on the website or in the project’s mobile app between July 3 and 13 “Active Citizen”. At the end of the promotion, a random number generator will select 50 winners.

    Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it, and in total, over seven thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30 to 40 decisions are implemented in the city. The project is being developed by the State Institution “New Management Technologies” and the capital Department of Information Technology.

    The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

    Three tent circuses will operate in the capital as part of the Summer in Moscow project

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156193073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation Agree on Cooperation in Development of Transport Infrastructure

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    At the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Rosneft and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation signed an Agreement on Cooperation in development of transport infrastructure facilities.

    The document was signed by Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and Russian Minister of Transport Roman Starovoyt.

    As part of the cooperation, the parties will focus on the construction and modernization of transport infrastructure facilities, and the development of international transport corridors.

    Improving the quality of road service on federal highways, enhancing services for road users, and introducing advanced materials and technologies in road activities will be important areas.  

    Particular attention shall be given to fulfilling government objectives, including the effective implementation of instructions of the Russian President and the RF Government in the area of transport industry and road infrastructure development.

    The signing of the Agreement shows the commitment of Rosneft to development of the country’s transportation infrastructure.

    Department of Information and Advertising
    Rosneft Oil Company
    June 20, 2025

    These materials contain statements regarding future events and expectations that are forward-looking estimates. Any statement in these materials that is not historical information is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to adjust the data contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in underlying assumptions or factors affecting the forward-looking statements.

    Please note; this information is the raw content received directly from the information source. This is exactly what the source claims and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: ‘Net Zero’ Concept Actually Offers Mankind Energy Regression – Igor Sechin

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Proponents of the “net zero” concept are leading humanity to energy regression, said Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft, in his report “Odyssey of The Global Economy in Search of The Golden Fleece. The New Landscape of Global Energy”.

    During his speech at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the CEO of the Company noted that every time mankind switched to a new type of fuel, the efficiency of the energy system increased and its capabilities expanded. “This was due to the fact that the new energy source usually had a higher energy flux density,” Sechin added.

    He recalled that the outstanding scientist Pyotr Kapitsa proved that energy flux density is a key characteristic of any energy source. “By this indicator, such types of fossil fuels as coal (135.1 W/m2), oil (195 W/m2) and gas (482 W/m2), well as nuclear energy (241 W/m2) are far ahead of both solar (6.6 W/m2) and wind energy (1.8 W/m2). Thus, the concept of ‘net zero’ actually crosses out centuries of progressive development of society, offering mankind an energy regression”, – said the CEO of Rosneft.

    He stressed that European politicians lack the courage to publicly recognize this fact. “Their blind faith in the ‘green’ transition already resembles an addiction. As one of the classics of French literature aptly put: ‘A red nose is a sign of constancy of character’,” Igor Sechin emphasized.

    “Clearly, the integration of renewables requires a profound transformation of infrastructure, the scale of which is underestimated. The IEA estimates that global investment in grid development is two and a half times behind investment in generation,” he concluded.

    Department of Information and Advertising
    Rosneft Oil Company
    June 21, 2025

    Please note; this information is the raw content received directly from the information source. This is exactly what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft and Krasnoyarsk Territory to Develop Cooperation in the sphere of Domestic Tourism

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    At the XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Rosneft and the Tourism Agency of the Krasnoyarsk Territory signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to promote domestic tourism.

    The document provides for cooperation to boost the demand for domestic automobile tourism, promote the tourist potential of the region, including improvement of motorway service and Rosneft retail network infrastructure.

    The parties plan to undertake a number of actions aimed at improving the comfort of automobile travelers, including motorway service at the Rosneft filling stations.

    Development of the motorway service facilities and improvement of the customer services provided at Rosneft filling stations is one of the Company’s priorities. The Company retail network is not only the largest in Russia in terms of geographical coverage and number of filling stations (around 3,000 stations), but also one of the leaders in terms of fuel brand recognition and quality.

    Rosneft undertakes a number of measures aimed at creating comfortable conditions for automobile travelers. Earlier, the Company, together with a number of regional authorities, has presented joint tourist routes running through the Rosneft filling stations in the Republic of Karelia, as well as the Tula, Arkhangelsk, and Ulyanovsk Regions, and the key routes between Moscow and Krasnaya Polyana, and between the two capitals.

    In addition, the Company has previously signed memoranda of cooperation to promote domestic tourism with the Moscow City Tourism Committee, the government of the Samara Region, the Ministry of culture of the Arkhangelsk Oblast, the Altai Territory Department for Tourism and Resort Development, Tourism Agencies of the Ulyanovsk Region and the Republic of Udmurtia, and the Republic of Bashkortostan.

    In 2023, Rosneft launched a special information and service platform “Russian Horizons: Come With Us!”. The special project allows car tourists to choose and plan routes to places of interest using the infrastructure of Rosneft’s network of motorway services and filling stations. The project “Horizons of Russia” has a number of key distinctions thanks to the unique navigation functionality, all interesting locations become stops on the route that a driver may can independently combine and modify at any time during the journey.

    The Krasnoyarsk Territory is a strategic region of Rosneft operations. The region is home to the major Group Subsidiaries, including RN-Vankor, Vostsibneftegaz, Slavneft-Krasnoyarskneftegaz, Achinsk Refinery, service, marketing and logistics companies, and filling stations.

    Vostok Oil, the flagship oil production project, is being delivered in the north of the region. Low unit production costs and low carbon footprint (only a quarter of the global average for new projects) make Vostok Oil one of the most promising and environmentally friendly oil production projects in the world. Industry experts estimate that the project will increase the annual Russian GDP by 2%.

    Rosneft is also implementing a large-scale program in the Krasnoyarsk Territory to support educational institutions that provide comprehensive training courses to skilled workers and engineers for the Vostok Oil Project. Over 400,000 specialists will be engaged at the construction stage alone, and over 130,000 workers will be employed on a long-term basis at the Vostok Oil operational stage. A total of 10,000 people are already working at the project facilities.

    Reference:

    Rosneft’s retail network is the largest in the Russian Federation in terms of geographical coverage and number of stations, and the Rosneft brand of petrol stations is one of the leading brands in Russia in terms of recognition and fuel quality. The Company operates approximately 3,000 filling stations in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Abkhazia.

    In addition to high-quality fuel, the Company offers its customers a wide range of goods and services, from stores and cafes to roadside service. For example, customers can stay for the night and get some rest from the long road in roadside hotels and multifunctional complexes of the Company in a number of regions.

    The Company is also developing a new customer service at filling stations – food trucks (mobile retail outlets). The Café on Wheels service is available at filling stations in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions where the retail network operates.

    Information & Advertising Department
    Rosneft
    June 10, 2024

    These materials contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and expectations. All statements contained in these materials that do not relate to matters of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update the data contained herein to reflect actual performance or results, changes in underlying assumptions or factors affecting the forward-looking statements.

    Keywords: Social News 2024

    Please note; this information is the raw content received directly from the information source. This is exactly what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Microalgae: an innovative tool for bioeconomy

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Products derived from microalgae represent a cutting-edge development in the field of bioeconomy. The potential of this biological resource was discussed at the international research seminar “Foundations for a Green Sustainable Energy”, part of the BRICS Network University’s thematic group on “Energy”. The event was organized by the Institute of Ecology at RUDN University.

    The series of scientific seminars is designed to inform graduate students and young researchers from the universities participating in the BRICS Network University about the scientific challenges being solved by partner institutions and to encourage them to participate in international academic mobility

    Sergey Shirinsky,

    Associate Professor of the Department of Electromechanics, Electrical and Electronic Apparatus at NRU “MPEI”.

    The main speaker of the seminar was Irina Adarchenko, a graduate student from the Institute of Ecology at RUDN University with the presentation “Innovative Tools for Bioeconomy: the case of microalgae production.”

    Production

    Microalgae production is a key source of valuable bioproducts, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and various other beneficial compounds. However, their extraction involves a complex, multi-stage process.

    First, microalgae are cultivated under controlled conditions, whether in open ponds, closed photobioreactors, or fermenters. The biomass produced this way is then harvested and dehydrated. To release the contents of the cells, it is necessary to remove the cell walls. This can be done through mechanical, chemical, or enzymatic methods. Next step is the extraction process, where organic solvents, alkalis, acids, and enzymes are utilized to isolate specific compounds. The resulting extracts are then separated and purified to obtain the product.

    For example, high-purity proteins are extracted using alkaline extraction or enzymatic hydrolysis, while Omega-3 fatty acids are obtained through lipid extraction with organic solvents followed by separation. Vitamins and natural pigments are extracted using specialized solvents. Antioxidants and other specific compounds are extracted using solvent extraction and chromatography

    Areas of use

    Proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates derived from microalgae have potential applications in the food industry, for example, as additives, ingredients for functional foods, and aquaculture feed. Vitamins, pigments, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. In the energy sector, lipids are used for the production of biodiesel, while carbohydrates are used for bioethanol. In agriculture, microalgal biomass is becoming a biofertilizer. Furthermore, microalgae are used for wastewater treatment and in the production of biodegradable plastics.

    Bioeconomy uses microalgae for several reasons:

    1. Microalgae exhibit rapid growth rates, allowing for the production of biomass in significant quantities in a short time frame.
    2. It does not require arable land, as they can be cultivated in controlled environments.
    3. Microalgae are capable of absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the greenhouse effect.
    4. It also plays a crucial role in bioremediation, cleaning up wastewater and contaminated sites.
    5. The diverse range of microalgal species, each with its unique composition, opens up avenues for a wide variety of products.

    Microalgae hold significant potential for addressing both food and environmental security issues. Their application in bioremediation and biofuel production is becoming increasingly prevalent. A key aspect of developing effective solutions is the selection of microorganisms. Therefore, research aimed at discovering new strains of microalgae with unique traits, such as mixotrophy, is particularly relevant today.

    Anna Popkova

    Deputy Director for International Activities at the Institute of Ecology of RUDN

    Microalgae provide proteins and micronutrients to the population, addressing the global challenge of food security. They also play a crucial role in ensuring energy security by offering renewable sources of biofuels, which helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The exciting prospects for using microalgae are tied to advancements in cultivation, processing, and scaling up production technologies. In the future, we can expect the emergence of new bioproducts derived from microalgae, as well as an expansion of their applications across various industries.

    Technologies for cultivating microalgae

    There are several technologies for cultivating microalgae.

    • Open ponds represent the most cost-effective option, although they do not allow for complete control over growth conditions.
    • Closed photobioreactors provide more regulated environments, ensuring higher productivity and biomass purity, but they come with a significantly higher price tag.
    • Hybrid systems blend elements of open ponds and closed photobioreactors to optimize the production process.
    • Additionally, fermenters are used for cultivating certain types of microalgae in the dark, utilizing organic substrates for growth.

    The implementation of these technologies in production comes with a range of challenges and obstacles. The high costs of production require substantial investments in equipment and infrastructure. Additionally, the low productivity of certain strains and processing methods needs further optimization and scaling efforts. Cultivation and processing processes are highly energy-intensive, highlighting the need to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. Another critical concern is the risk of water body eutrophication when microalgae are used in bioremediation, which necessitates strict monitoring and regulation. On top of this, scaling up laboratory innovations to industrial production remains challenging, compounded by logistical issues and difficulties in storing biomass and derived products.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account 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: Russian education abroad: RUDN University hosts conference “Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science”

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Ambassadors of Russian education and science met at a conference in RUDN University to discuss how they can increase the visibility of Russian universities and research organizations in the world, and attract more international students in Russia.

    More than 70 people gathered at the conference:

    • 13 new Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science from Burkina Faso, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mozambique, Mongolia, the Republic of Guinea, Sri Lanka and Ecuador.
    • representatives of Russian educational organizations from among the founders of the program “Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science”;
    • members of the Consortium Council;
    • representatives of international services of Russian higher education institutions;
    • heads of the main educational divisions of RUDN University.

    “Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science” is a RUDN University project that brings together graduates of Russian universities, government and public figures from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the CIS. They voluntarily and gratuitously promote Russian education, brands of Russian educational and scientific organizations, and the Russian education and science system as a whole in their countries.

    Graduates of Russian and Soviet universities are guides of Russian education and science in their countries. Cooperation with them will increase the number of international students in Russia, strengthen the authority and reputation of Russian education and science, and strengthen cooperation between foreign countries and Russia. Promotion of the Russian language as one of the world’s languages will also be important.

    Vladimir Filippov

    President of RUDN University, Chairman of the Consortium Council

    Head of the Department of External Relations and International Projects of the Center for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation Elena Averkova spoke on key international humanitarian projects:

    • “Russian Teacher Abroad” united 28 countries and 245 schools in the Association of Russian Schools Abroad. Its participants are Russian teachers who teach in foreign schools in Russian.
    • International school “Interdom” named after E. D. Stasova has trained more than 5,000 foreign students. They return to their home countries taking prominent public and state posts there, and strengthening ties with Russia.

    Acting Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Nikolai Kudryavtsev stressed that Russia ranks 4th in the list of countries where current heads of foreign states and governments got their degrees. He added that currently in Russia there are 77 bilateral and 15 multilateral agreements in the field of mutual recognition of education, qualifications and academic degrees. Another 50 draft agreements are under development.

    Ambassador of Russian Education and Science, General Director of the International Coordinating Council of Graduates of Educational Institutions (INCORVUZ-XXI) Kochofa Aniset Gabriel noted important areas of work to promote Russian education and science:

    • mutual coordination of projects at the international level with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation;
    • opening schools and centers for learning the Russian language with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo and Russian embassies in other countries.

    The participants of the meeting shared their vision of the development and promotion of Russian education and science abroad. They suggested speeding up the registration of study visas for foreign applicants coming to Russia. The Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science also believe that it is necessary to involve Rossotrudnichestvo and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation to supply textbooks on the Russian language and literature to Russian schools and Russian language learning centers created on the initiative of foreign graduates of Soviet and Russian universities.

    Following the conference, participants outlined a work plan for 2025.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eco labels in South Africa don’t do the job: how to help customers make informed choices

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Miemie Struwig, Professor, Department of Business Management, Nelson Mandela University

    South Africans want to shop more sustainably, according to research published in the journal Sustainable Development. But most can’t tell which products are environmentally friendly.

    Some food manufacturers have introduced eco labels – a certification symbol placed on product packaging. This indicates the product meets specific environmental standards set by a third party organisation.

    These labels are meant to signal to consumers that a product has been produced in a way that limits harm to the environment. But our recent study with 108 South African consumers showed low recognition of eco labels, widespread confusion, and a need for clearer guidance.

    The results show that most South African shoppers are unfamiliar with these labels or unable to differentiate between real and fictional ones.

    In the European Union eco labels like the EU Energy Label are easily understood and highly visible. They are also usually supported by government awareness campaigns. Other examples of labelling systems that work well include those of Germany and Japan.

    These countries show that long term institutional support, mandatory labelling in key sectors, and consistent public messaging can greatly improve eco label recognition.

    We concluded from our research that South Africa lacks that national visibility and public education, leaving even motivated consumers unsure of what labels to trust. Based on our findings we recommend steps businesses, government and nonprofits can take to ensure that eco labels are clear, visible and understood.

    Eco labelling at its best

    The EU Energy Label is used on appliances such as fridges, washing machines and light bulbs to indicate their energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

    In countries like Germany and Japan, eco labels are government backed as well as being integrated into school curricula, public service announcements and shopping platforms.

    Germany’s Blue Angel label, which states “protects the environment”, has been in use since the 1970s. It appears on over 12,000 products and services, including paper goods, cleaning products, paints and electronics, that meet strict environmental criteria. It is supported by ongoing public education campaigns.

    In Japan the the Eco Mark appears on products with minimal environmental impact. It appears on items like stationery, detergents, packaging and appliances. Many retailers display explanations next to these products to help consumers understand the label.

    South Africans struggle to identify eco labels

    We conducted a structured online survey of 108 South African consumers. Participants were asked about their environmental awareness and their ability to recognise both real and fictional eco labels across ten images. According to the global directory of eco labels and environmental certification schemes, there are around 50 eco labels in South Africa.

    The EU Energy Label was the most recognised (87%).

    The Afrisco Certified Organic label, which is a legitimate South African label, was the least recognised, identified by just 22% of respondents.

    Fictional labels were mistakenly identified as real by many participants, revealing widespread confusion.

    Only 3 out of 10 labels were recognised by at least half the participants, suggesting a general lack of eco label awareness. These include the Energy Star Eco label; the EU Energy label and the Forest Stewardship council label.

    Age and employment status were significantly related to environmental awareness. Older and employed individuals showed higher levels of awareness.

    These findings suggest that consumers are not opposed to eco labels, they simply lack the knowledge and confidence to use them effectively.

    Eco labels have the potential to build brand trust, drive green purchasing behaviour, and support national sustainability goals. But they only work if consumers recognise and trust them.

    In South Africa, inconsistent use, small label size, and a lack of consumer education are holding eco labels back from achieving their purpose.

    What businesses can do

    Based on our findings, we recommend the following:

    • Use recognised and credible labels: Third-party certified labels are more trustworthy and reliable.

    • Improve label visibility: The most recognised label in our study was the EU Energy Label and was also the most prominent. Small, cluttered logos go unnoticed.

    • Educate your market: Explain what eco labels mean through packaging, marketing, and digital platforms.

    • Partner with government and NGOs: Awareness campaigns at national and community levels can help standardise eco label understanding.

    • Tailor communication efforts: Awareness efforts should consider age and employment demographics, as these affect levels of environmental engagement.

    The way forward

    South Africans are willing to support environmentally responsible products, but they need help identifying them.

    Businesses, government and nonprofits all have a role to play in making eco labels clearer, more visible, and more trustworthy.

    Eco labels must become more than symbols. They should be tools for transparency and trust, and a gateway to more sustainable shopping.

    – Eco labels in South Africa don’t do the job: how to help customers make informed choices
    – https://theconversation.com/eco-labels-in-south-africa-dont-do-the-job-how-to-help-customers-make-informed-choices-258081

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for Iraq’s UPR Outcomes Session

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for Iraq’s UPR Outcomes Session

    UK Statement for Iraq’s Universal Periodic Review Outcomes Session. Delivered at the 59th session of the HRC in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We welcome the government of Iraq’s engagement with the UPR process, and their continued commitment to advancing justice and accountability for survivors of Daesh’s international crimes, following the closure of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh/ISIL (UNITAD) in September.

    We are pleased to support Iraq’s efforts in building the capacity of the judiciary to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual violence, modern slavery and human trafficking. And we continue to advocate for the full and survivor-centred implementation of the Yazidi Survivors’ Law.

    Mr President, the UK remains concerned by the shrinking civic and political space in Iraq which continues to restrict the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. We encourage the authorities to ensure that protestors, journalists, the media, and civil society are protected from interference and harassment, and that perpetrators of violence are held to account.

    Likewise, minorities should be protected to freely practice their religion or belief, without fear of persecution.

    The UK is closely assessing the implications of the amendment to Iraq’s Personal Status Law and will continue to stay engaged on this matter.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow schoolchildren have begun retaking the Unified State Exam

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Retake days for Moscow schoolchildren have begun in the capital. This year, graduates can improve their results in one of the subjects of the Unified State Exam (USE) on July 3 and 4. This was reported by the press service of the capital Department of Education and Science.

    “In 2024, schoolchildren will have the opportunity to improve their results on the Unified State Exam in one subject for the first time. This year, one subject can be retaken on July 3 and 4. Almost 14 thousand graduates will take advantage of this opportunity. Among them are high-scoring schoolchildren who scored almost the maximum score – 96, 97 and even 98 points. This speaks of the determination and perfectionism of the children, who are ready to make every effort to get the highest result,” the department’s press service reported.

    Almost 100 exam sites have been set up in the capital. The results of the Unified State Exam, which Moscow schoolchildren will retake on July 3 and 4, will be available no later than July 12. Participants will be able to find them out in their personal account on the mos.ru portal or at their school. The main period of the state final certification for eleventh-graders will end on July 4, and the additional period will be held from September 4 to 23.

    Moscow schoolchildren annually show high results in the Unified State Exam. Thus, this year, Muscovite Nadezhda Yashmolkina scored 400 points in four subjects: advanced level mathematics, Russian language, physics and computer science. So far, this is the only such result in the country.

    Sergei Sobyanin congratulated a schoolgirl who passed the Unified State Exam with the maximum 400 pointsFor Moscow graduates: mos.ru will help you quickly find out your exam results

    Moscow has a comprehensive system for preparing eleventh-graders for the Unified State Exam. In the second half of the year, practical training for exam preparation begins — it takes up at least 40 percent of the study time. In addition, schoolchildren write practice papers in the Unified State Exam format, which are conducted by the Moscow Department of Education and Science.

    To effectively prepare for the Unified State Exam, Moscow schoolchildren can use the capabilities of the Moscow Electronic School platform (“MESH”). The Exams service offers video analysis of assignments, tests with automatic checking, and interactive applications. Students can watch videos on how to fill out forms, manage time, and cope with nervous tension. The MESH library has all the necessary manuals and collections of assignments. In addition, the platform offers an online course to prepare for the Unified State Exam, developed by the best teachers of the Center for Pedagogical Excellence.

    You can find out more about the state final certification in the capital on the website Regional Information Processing Center of the City of Moscow, and also by phone: 7 499 653-94-50.

    Conducting preparatory activities for successful passing of state exams by schoolchildren and writing of the final essay not only helps students achieve high results in tests, but also contributes to the development of children’s talents and the formation of skills that will be useful to them in their future profession, and also corresponds to the objectives of the project “All the best for children” of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    Quickly find out the main news of the capital inofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156203073/

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