NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • Mizoram schools shut for third day due to rain

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    All the government and private schools in Mizoram remained closed on Monday due to heavy rains that triggered landslides, rockfalls, and waterlogging in different parts of the mountainous state, officials said.

    A senior official of the School Education Department said that Deputy Commissioners of all 11 districts issued separate notifications closing the schools on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the students.

    After the beginning of the current spell of heavy rain, earlier, schools were closed across the state for two days on May 29 and May 30.

    However, there was no rain in the state capital, Aizawl, till Monday afternoon.

    Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner Lalhriatpuia, in a notification, said that due to torrential rainfall in the past few days, which resulted in mudflows, landslides, rockfalls and other calamities at various locations within the district, the district authority deems it appropriate to suspend attendance of school-going students for their safety and well-being. This decision has been arrived at after perusing the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) district-wise warning for June 2 (Monday) and appropriate consultation with relevant stakeholders of the Aizawl District Disaster Management Authority (ADDMA).

    Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Sunday held a review meeting with the ministers concerned and senior officials.

    According to a preliminary report of the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DMR) Department, 60 houses have collapsed and 69 families have been evacuated from their houses due to the risk of collapse.

    A total of 211 landslides have been reported in different parts of the state till Sunday evening, highways blocked at 83 locations, and four retaining walls have collapsed, the report said. Additionally, rising water levels in riverside habitation areas were reported.

    All the Deputy Commissioners also submitted detailed status reports from their respective districts.

    During Sunday’s meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all those working tirelessly across the state, including first responders, support teams, and personnel involved in evacuation and relief operations. He lauded the resilience of the Mizo people and urged continued support for affected individuals and families.

    A key priority highlighted in the meeting was ensuring that access to district headquarters and the airport remains uninterrupted by keeping essential roads operational.

    Lalduhoma also directed that adequate funds be allocated to all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and that relief funds for victims be released at the earliest. It was resolved that disaster-affected areas must be continuously monitored under the supervision of the Department of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R). Comprehensive and timely reports are to be submitted to the central government to ensure proper coordination and response.

    The meeting was attended by Home Minister K. Sapdanga, PWD Minister Vanlalhlana, DM&R Minister Prof. Lalnilawma, Public Health Engineering Minister F. Rodingliana, and several senior government officials.

    (IANS)

  • Indian delegation reaffirms anti-terror stance during Liberia visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde is on a three-day visit to Liberia as part of India’s global outreach to reinforce its message of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

    According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Monrovia, the delegation met with members of the Indian community in Liberia on Sunday, emphasizing India’s firm commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms.

    “The delegation members conveyed the collective will of India to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the support received from the international community in this endeavor. They also appreciated the diaspora’s role in strengthening India’s friendship with Liberia,” the statement said.

    The delegation was welcomed upon arrival in Monrovia on Saturday by Ambassador of India to Liberia Manoj Bihari Verma, Representative and Chairman of the Executive Committee Sekou S. Kanneh, Prince A. Toles of the Liberian House of Representatives, and members of the Indian community.

    As part of their visit, the delegation paid floral tributes at the grave of former Liberian President William V.S. Tubman, widely revered as the ‘Father of Modern Liberia.’ They also visited the National Museum, which stands as a symbol of Liberia’s resilience and cultural heritage.

  • PM Modi appreciates Paraguay President Peña’s condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging bilateral talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, marking a key moment in India–Paraguay relations. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation across sectors including trade, defence, infrastructure, healthcare, and critical technologies.
     
    Prime Minister Modi began by expressing deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the solidarity shown with India.
     
    “President Peña’s visit comes shortly after the heinous attack in Pahalgam. I thank him and the people of Paraguay for their heartfelt condolences and support,” PM Modi said during the talks.
     
    P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a press briefing that both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms, reinforcing a shared commitment to global peace and security.
     
    President Peña, making his first visit to India, is on a State Visit from June 2 to 4. It marks only the second visit by a Paraguayan President to India—the previous one having taken place in 2012. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes ministers, parliamentarians, provincial governors, and senior officials.
     
    During the talks, the two sides explored avenues to strengthen ties in key areas such as digital technology, pharmaceuticals, energy, mining, agriculture, defence, railways, and space cooperation. They also discussed enhancing trade under the existing Preferential Trade Agreement between India and MERCOSUR, the South American trade bloc of which Paraguay is a member.
     
    “India and Paraguay are both important voices of the Global South. We share similar aspirations and challenges. There is immense potential for growth through collaboration in emerging sectors,” said PM Modi.
     
    He further highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation in tackling cybercrime, organized crime, and drug trafficking.
     
    Upon arrival in New Delhi, President Peña was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Air Force Station in Palam. He later met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who said the visit would open new pathways for India’s engagement with Paraguay and the broader Latin American region.
     
    “Appreciate President Peña’s positive sentiments and guidance. Confident his discussions with PM Modi will deepen our cooperation across multiple domains,” Jaishankar posted on X.
     
    The Paraguayan leader also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a state banquet in his honour.
     
    Paraguay has emerged as a strategic trade partner for India in Latin America. Indian pharmaceutical and automobile companies have established a presence in Paraguay, while Paraguayan firms are increasingly exploring joint ventures in India.
     
    As part of his itinerary, President Peña will travel to Mumbai on Tuesday, where he will meet political leaders, industry representatives, startups, and technology experts, signalling a growing focus on economic and innovation-driven cooperation.
     
    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Youth leads progress in DRR

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Young talent responds to the challenges of the future. On April 30th, youth representatives gathered for the second Regional Consultation organized by the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), in collaboration with the Major Group for Children and Young People, to exchange experiences and deepen their commitment to climate action and disaster risk reduction.

    The urgency to reinforce community resilience was one of the main conclusions of the preliminary results of the 2025 Youth and DRR Survey, which points out the priorities of the new generations in the region. At the same time, the mid-term review of the Sendai Framework highlighted the need to strengthen the implementation of initiatives at the local level. This underscores the opportunity to expand stakeholder and community participation, and to enhance collaboration between governments, young people, and civil society. 

    ‘Disaster risk reduction is not only the responsibility of young people, but a shared commitment of society as a whole,’ said Saskia Carusi, Deputy Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean. Her statement summarizes the spirit of the day and connects directly to one of the pillars of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which especially promotes the participation of young people as key actors in building communities with the capacity to respond to and recover from disasters. ‘Youth should not only be heard but actively included in decision-making processes; their leadership is indispensable for safer and more resilient communities,’ added Carusi, underlining the need to move towards more inclusive governance in the face of risk. 

    The Sendai Framework clearly points the way: ‘Children and young people are agents of change and should be given the space and modalities to contribute to disaster risk reduction, in accordance with legislation, national practice and curricula.’ Creating spaces for youth participation in defining strategies is not only a matter of generational justice, but also a key factor for more inclusive and sustainable risk reduction. 

    This event is the result of the work driven by the Network since the Regional Youth Declaration, presented in 2023 during the VIII Regional Platform for DRR in the Americas and the Caribbean, and reflects the joint effort of more than 600 members from across the region. 

    As a next step, these inputs will be integrated into the Civil Society Declaration to be presented at the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. This document will amplify youth voices to the international community, as well as set the roadmap for the Youth Network for DRR in the implementation of its action plan 2024-2026.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Statement on DOJ Move to Dismiss Minneapolis Police Consent Decree

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement on the Department of Justice’s decision to dismiss the Consent Decree.

    “Five years after George Floyd’s murder in our city, the Department of Justice is now walking away from the very reforms his death demanded. This decision by the Trump Administration is truly a disgrace and a betrayal of the people who took to the streets demanding change and to the families who have lost a loved one to police violence.

    “The consent decree was about honoring George Floyd’s life with real systemic change and addressing the unconstitutional policing that has harmed Black and Brown communities for decades at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. For the Trump Administration to dismiss this decree during the anniversary week of George Floyd’s murder is cynical. It sends a chilling message that police violence can be swept under the rug and that federal oversight is expendable when political winds shift.

    “Despite this disappointing decision, I’m encouraged that Minneapolis city leaders have publicly stated their intent to implement the crucial reforms in the Consent Decree. Their commitment to reform is critical for the sake of police accountability but it does not absolve the federal government of its responsibility. Real change requires partnership and transparency at every level of government and the DOJ turning its back on this process undermines that trust we are working to rebuild.

    “I stand with our community, with the Floyd family, and with everyone fighting for a world where an innocent man’s life cannot be taken without consequence.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Democratic Members call on Appropriators to protect ILAB funding, American workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON – Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), co-chair of the Labor Caucus, led 68 of their colleagues in calling on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to protect Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) funding in fiscal year 2026 funding bill.

    ILAB promotes a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards and combating international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking.

    “ILAB plays a critical role in helping U.S. workers compete in a global economy,” the members wrote. “No other U.S. government agency has the expertise and mandate to effectively carry out this mission. We urge you to provide no less than the FY25 enacted level for ILAB so the Bureau can continue its mission to improve the working conditions and rights of workers around the world.”

     In addition to Sánchez, Omar, Scholten and Horsford, the letter was signed by Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Nev.), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), André Carson (D-Ill.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Suzi LeVine DelBene (D-Wash.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Chuy García (D-Ill), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.C.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

     Full text of the letter is available is available HERE and follows:

     

    May 22, 2025

     

    The Honorable Robert Aderholt

    Chair

    Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,

    Education, and Related Agencies

    House Committee on Appropriations

    H-310, The Capitol

    Washington, DC 20515

     

    The Honorable Rosa DeLauro

    Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,

    Education, and Related Agencies

    House Committee on Appropriations

    1036 Longworth House Office Building

    Washington, DC 20515

     

    Dear Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member DeLauro,

    As the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies develops its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill, we write to ask for your support in funding the Department of Labor (DOL)’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). We request no less than the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level for ILAB to ensure that it can continue to carry out its congressionally mandated mission. We also urge you to encourage ILAB to continue allocating balanced funding for programs that address labor rights and promote freedom of association, as well as exploitative child labor and forced labor internationally.

    As you know, ILAB’s mission is to promote a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. ILAB works to ensure that fully enforceable labor standards are at the core of our trade agreements and programs, and that trade partners’ laws and practices align with those commitments. The need to continue increasing these capacities across international supply chains and in workplaces around the world remains evident.

    The Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2014 found that limited resources have prevented DOL from more proactively monitoring trade partner compliance under 14 U.S. free trade agreements with 20 countries and monitoring of trade preference programs with about 120 countries (GAO 15-160). As a result, GAO found that DOL “systematically monitor[s] and enforce[s] compliance with FTA labor provisions for only a few priority countries.” Moreover, GAO also found that ILAB lacks sufficient capacity to carry out the timely investigation of formal submissions regarding violations of trade agreements. The requested funding aims to continue to remedy the weaknesses identified by GAO and to address the historical imbalance in the allocation of ILAB programming activity.

    We also want to stress our support for ILAB’s work enforcing the USMCA. Through the novel Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM), ILAB has taken labor enforcement actions and worked to ensure compliance of our USMCA partners, especially Mexico, with the commitments of the agreement. Further, ILAB’s labor attaché program is crucial in monitoring working conditions on the ground and ensuring trading partners uphold internationally recognized labor rights and comply with labor-related trade obligations. We hope ILAB will continue to spend at least $30 million annually of USMCA appropriated funds on worker organizing and union capacity building in Mexico. 

    USMCA’s implementing legislation included $180 million for ILAB over four years to support unprecedented reform of the labor justice system in Mexico, worker-focused capacity building, and other implementation efforts in addition to $30 million over eight years for ILAB to monitor compliance with USMCA labor obligations. Given this four-year annual appropriation expired in December 2023 and the increased workload for ILAB expected with the upcoming 2026 USMCA review, we stress the importance of robust funding for ILAB.

    We also reject attempts to cut ILAB’s program funding and reaffirm the critical role that ILAB plays in ensuring our trade relationships strengthen and uphold worker rights around the world. Gutting ILAB does not put America first. It undermines American workers, distorts markets in favor of unscrupulous businesses and regimes, strips our trade and customs officials of critical enforcement tools, and accelerates a global race to the bottom on workers’ rights. ILAB is one of the only U.S. government entities with the infrastructure, expertise, and on-the-ground partnerships necessary to effectively counter forced labor

    ILAB must continue to fulfill the various aspects of mission—enforcing our trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Accordingly, we request inclusion of the following language in the committee report that will accompany the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill:

    Of amounts appropriated to the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), the Secretary is directed that the amount allocated in grants to promote labor rights and freedom of association, and to build the capacity of independent trade unions and countries to enforce labor rights and to promote a more level playing field for U.S. workers shall be at least equal to the amount allocated in grant funding for combatting child labor. ILAB is directed to continue its work on three key reports including DOL’s Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor; the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor; and the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor.

    ILAB plays a critical role in helping U.S. workers compete in a global economy. No other U.S. government agency has the expertise and mandate to effectively carry out this mission. We urge you to provide no less than the FY25 enacted level for ILAB so the Bureau can continue its mission to improve the working conditions and rights of workers around the world.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Uncontrolled use of spyware – Threat to national sovereignty and fundamental rights – E-002029/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002029/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)

    In Greece, there has been unprecedented institutional outrage at the illegal, opaque and unaccountable surveillance of journalists, politicians, judges and state officials through Predator spyware (see ‘Predatorgate’, wiretapping scandal), with no one yet being held responsible[1].

    At the same time, new surveillance platforms, such as Paragon, are circulating widely on the European market, unhindered, uncontrolled and without any unified supervisory framework[2]. This constitutes a threat not only to the privacy of European citizens but also to fundamental freedoms and human rights, freedom of the press, the democratic functioning of the Member States and national security.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.What further steps does the Commission intend to take with a view to establishing a single and binding European regulatory framework that will strictly control the use of spyware within the EU?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to establish a mandatory reporting and notification mechanism for the use of spyware by Member States, in order to ensure democratic scrutiny, transparency and compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights?

    Submitted: 21.5.2025

    • [1] https://balkaninsight.com/2024/08/02/greek-parliament-refuses-to-question-supreme-court-over-spyware-ruling/?utm
    • [2] https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/metas-whatsapp-says-israeli-spyware-company-paragon-targeted-scores-users-2025-01-31/?utm
    Last updated: 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU funding for NGOs active in Israel – E-002061/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002061/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nicolas Bay (ECR), Kosma Złotowski (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Nora Junco García (ECR), Diego Solier (ECR), Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Ondřej Krutílek (ECR), Charlie Weimers (ECR), Dick Erixon (ECR), Beatrice Timgren (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR)

    Between 2021 and April 2025, the Commission funded several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in Israel to the tune of almost EUR 12 million. Many of these organisations have publicly accused Israel of implementing racist policies and committing crimes against humanity, while being engaged in political actions aimed at challenging the Jewish State’s legitimacy, putting pressure on foreign governments to recognise a Palestinian state, initiating legal proceedings against the State of Israel and its soldiers, and even calling for forms of insurrection against a democratically elected government. Funding these activities could amount to a form of foreign interference by the EU, with serious consequences for the State of Israel and its citizens.

    Can the Commission:

    • 1.ensure that none of these entities are fostering antisemitic discourse, denying the legitimacy of the State of Israel or calling for violence against it?
    • 2.guarantee that no European subsidies are granted to NGOs linked to radical Islam and terrorist groups such as Hamas?
    • 3.carry out a full audit of all subsidies granted to entities operating in Israel to ensure that the EU’s funds are not used to support causes contrary to its values?

    Submitted: 22.5.2025

    Last updated: 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Failed Covid contracts cost British taxpayer £1.4 billion

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Failed Covid contracts cost British taxpayer £1.4 billion

    New report commissioned by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, reveals multibillion price British taxpayers paid for reckless handling of Covid contracts

    • New report commissioned by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, reveals £multibillion price British taxpayers paid for reckless handling of Covid contracts
    • Previous government failure to test defective PPE leaves millions of taxpayer pounds unrecoverable  
    • It comes as Reeves drives work to recover £468 million for communities and public services, underlining commitment to investigate and account for every penny spent during the pandemic under the Plan for Change

    Failed pandemic-era PPE contracts cost the British taxpayer £1.4 billion, as an interim report commissioned by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, lays bare the scale of the scandal.

    The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner’s report reveals the price the British public has paid for undelivered contracts which saw taxpayer cash squandered on unusable PPE.

    The last government’s over-ordering of PPE, and delays in checking it, mean that £762 million is unlikely to ever be recovered. These failures saw substandard PPE – gowns, masks and visors – not inspected for two years, meaning public money could no longer be recouped.

    Now Reeves is going further and faster to recover the £468 million that could still be recovered from suppliers – money which the government will put back into communities and public services including the NHS, police and armed forces.

    Recovery action has so far resulted in £182 million being returned to the public purse, and PPE suppliers referred to the National Crime Agency for suspected fraud.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    The country is still paying the price for the reckless handling of Covid contracts which saw taxpayer pounds wasted and criminals profit from the pandemic.

    This investigation and plan to recover public money underlines our commitment to ensure that every penny spent during the pandemic is fully accounted for.

    We have always been clear that money poorly spent or fraudulently claimed belongs to the British people. This Government will bring criminals to justice and put taxpayer’s money back where it belongs – in the NHS, police and armed forces.

    Most of the wasted money went on surgical gowns. Over half (52%) were non-compliant, but because much of the defective PPE was not quality tested until after warranties had expired, there is little chance of recovering the money.

    This interim report marks the end of Phase one of Commissioner Tom Hayhoe’s investigation– scrutinising PPE contracts. The Commissioner has now begun work on Phase two, which will see it investigating fraud and error in other pandemic spending programmes such as furlough, bounce-back loans, Business Support Grants and Eat Out to Help Out.

    The Commissioner will provide a full update in a final report to the Chancellor at the conclusion of his term in December 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Correspondence

    ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

    Letter from Minister Johnson to the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) setting out the priorities for ACMD’s work programme.

    Documents

    ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

    HTML

    Details

    This letter from Minister Johnson to the Chair of the ACMD sets out the Minister’s priorities for the ACMD’s next 3-year work programme.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Tashkent, June 2 (Xinhua) — Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (upper house of parliament) of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva held a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Oleg Malginov, the Narodnoye Slovo newspaper reported on Monday.

    As reported, during the conversation, the results of the successful and productive period of the ambassador’s work in Uzbekistan were summed up. His significant contribution to the development and strengthening of Uzbek-Russian relations over the past four years was noted.

    “Special attention was paid to issues of further strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, including within the framework of international parliamentary structures. The decisive role of the political will of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Russia as a basis for the development and deepening of bilateral ties was emphasized. The growing importance of parliaments in activating bilateral dialogue was also noted,” the statement said.

    It is noted that following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the peoples of both countries. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Educational seminar “NOISE.Regions”: find yourself in the media sphere

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The State University of Management invites students to take part in the District Educational Seminar “SHUM.Regions” for specialists in the field of media and journalism of the Central Federal District, which will be held in Moscow from June 23 to 25, 2025.

    The event is aimed at improving the professional skills of participants and forming a local professional community.

    The program includes theoretical training and practical lessons from experts. Particular attention will be paid to the topics of positioning, popularization of activities, maintaining a unified information agenda and creating patriotic content.

    Media and journalism specialists, students in relevant fields, content center employees, as well as current press secretaries of government and public organizations aged 16 to 35 years old, living in the regions of the Central Federal District, can take part in the three-day intensive course.

    Accommodation and meals for participants at the seminar venue are provided by the host party.

    Registration for participants is open until June 6, 2025.

    Additional information about the event can be obtained in the SHUM Center community on VKontakte or by calling the hotline: 8(800)301-14-68.

    The project is being implemented by the ANO “Youth Center “SHUM” with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs as part of the implementation of the federal project “Russia – the Country of Opportunities” of the national project “Youth and Children” and the Government of the Kaliningrad Region.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Radware Expands its Threat Intelligence Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAHWAH, N.J., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR), a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments, today announced it has expanded its Threat Intelligence Services with the launch of its Telegram Claimed Attacks Report and TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed. The subscription-based cloud services work in real-time to provide global threat intelligence and visibility so security teams can anticipate and neutralize emerging cyber threats before they materialize. In the face of escalating cyberthreats, they offer additional preemptive protection to strengthen cyber defenses and improve security posture with minimal operational effort.

    “Our new TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed and Telegram Claimed Attacks Report are part of our comprehensive, multi-layered approach to cyber security and threat management,” said Gabi Malka, chief operating officer at Radware. “They are like an advanced warning system designed to help already time-strapped security teams stay ahead of cyber threats. The new capabilities deliver real-time, high-value insights into attackers, their motivations and methods so security teams can take proactive, decisive action on threats before they happen and maintain an airtight security posture.”

    Telegram Claimed Attacks Report
    Radware’s Telegram Claimed Attacks Report, the latest addition to the company’s Cloud Threat Intelligence Service, offers real-time visibility into cyber threats targeting specific regions or industry verticals. This new open-source intelligence (OSINT) based report aggregates claims made by hacker groups on Telegram, presenting them with supporting evidence. Key features include:

    • Timely insights: Offers real-time visibility into emerging threats for swift decision-making.
    • Proactive threat management: Helps security operation center teams anticipate attacks or address attacks happening in real-time.
    • Intuitive dashboards: Presents refreshed data every 15 minutes via user friendly interfaces and offers easy filtering of specific data by industry geography and attacking group.

    TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed
    To prevent malicious actors from entering a system, Radware’s TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed proactively identifies and blocks malicious TLS fingerprints by leveraging advanced analytics and global threat intelligence correlated across Radware’s cloud network. The feed, which is an enhancement to Radware’s industry leading DDoS Protection, includes:

    • Global data correlation: Offers access to a globally sourced, continuously updated feed of high-risk TLS fingerprints.
    • Automated mitigation: Dynamically blocks known malicious TLS fingerprints at the handshake level.
    • Smart learning and configurability: Customizes scoring models and defines thresholds by severity.
    • Seamless visibility: Monitors blocked fingerprints and policy impact through a user-friendly dashboard.

    Radware has received numerous awards and recognitions for its application and network security solutions from industry analysts, including Aite-Novarica Group, Forrester, GigaOm, Gartner, KuppingerCole, and QKS Group.

    About Radware
    Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR) is a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments. The company’s cloud application, infrastructure, and API security solutions use AI-driven algorithms for precise, hands-free, real-time protection from the most sophisticated web, application, and DDoS attacks, API abuse, and bad bots. Enterprises and carriers worldwide rely on Radware’s solutions to address evolving cybersecurity challenges and protect their brands and business operations while reducing costs. For more information, please visit the Radware website.

    Radware encourages you to join our community and follow us on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Radware Blog, X, and YouTube.

    ©2025 Radware Ltd. All rights reserved. Any Radware products and solutions mentioned in this press release are protected by trademarks, patents, and pending patent applications of Radware in the U.S. and other countries. For more details, please see: https://www.radware.com/LegalNotice/. All other trademarks and names are property of their respective owners.

    Radware believes the information in this document is accurate in all material respects as of its publication date. However, the information is provided without any express, statutory, or implied warranties and is subject to change without notice.

    The contents of any website or hyperlinks mentioned in this press release are for informational purposes and the contents thereof are not part of this press release.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about Radware’s plans, outlook, beliefs, or opinions, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may,” and “could.” For example, when we say in this press release that the new capabilities deliver insights into attackers, their motivations and methods so security teams can take proactive, decisive action on threats before they happen, we are using forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, could differ materially from Radware’s current forecasts and estimates. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact of global economic conditions, including as a result of the state of war declared in Israel in October 2023 and instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, tensions between China and Taiwan, financial and credit market fluctuations (including elevated interest rates), impacts from tariffs or other trade restrictions, inflation, and the potential for regional or global recessions; our dependence on independent distributors to sell our products; our ability to manage our anticipated growth effectively; our business may be affected by sanctions, export controls, and similar measures, targeting Russia and other countries and territories, as well as other responses to Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine, including indefinite suspension of operations in Russia and dealings with Russian entities by many multi-national businesses across a variety of industries; the ability of vendors to provide our hardware platforms and components for the manufacture of our products; our ability to attract, train, and retain highly qualified personnel; intense competition in the market for cybersecurity and application delivery solutions and in our industry in general, and changes in the competitive landscape; our ability to develop new solutions and enhance existing solutions; the impact to our reputation and business in the event of real or perceived shortcomings, defects, or vulnerabilities in our solutions, if our end-users experience security breaches, or if our information technology systems and data, or those of our service providers and other contractors, are compromised by cyber-attackers or other malicious actors or by a critical system failure; our use of AI technologies that present regulatory, litigation, and reputational risks; risks related to the fact that our products must interoperate with operating systems, software applications and hardware that are developed by others; outages, interruptions, or delays in hosting services; the risks associated with our global operations, such as difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations, compliance costs arising from host country laws or regulations, partial or total expropriation, export duties and quotas, local tax exposure, economic or political instability, including as a result of insurrection, war, natural disasters, and major environmental, climate, or public health concerns; our net losses in the past and the possibility that we may incur losses in the future; a slowdown in the growth of the cybersecurity and application delivery solutions market or in the development of the market for our cloud-based solutions; long sales cycles for our solutions; risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions or other investments; risks associated with doing business in countries with a history of corruption or with foreign governments; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with undetected defects or errors in our products; our ability to protect our proprietary technology; intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties; laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting our business; compliance with open source and third-party licenses; complications with the design or implementation of our new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system; our reliance on information technology systems; our ESG disclosures and initiatives; and other factors and risks over which we may have little or no control. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Radware, refer to Radware’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by Radware in reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by applicable law, Radware undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made. Radware’s public filings are available from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or may be obtained on Radware’s website at www.radware.com.

    Media Contact:
    Gerri Dyrek
    Radware
    Gerri.Dyrek@radware.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Stomp Into Some Prehistoric Learning! Lingokids and BBC Earth Launch New Walking With Dinosaurs Lesson to Bring a Love of Dinosaurs to a New Generation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Get ready to dig, discover, and roar with excitement. Lingokids and BBC Earth are launching an exclusive Walking with Dinosaurs Lesson in the Lingokids app just in time for Dinosaur Day and the premiere of the latest landmark series from BBC Studios’ Science Unit Walking with Dinosaurs later this month in the US. This playful new learning experience is made for families with young kids who want to keep the dino-discovery going long after the credits roll.

    More than just a passive activity, the Lingokids Dinosaur Lesson is a journey through time where kids don’t just learn about dinosaurs—they stomp through their world. This action-packed adventure invites kids to explore the age of dinosaurs through interactive instruction, hands-on games, and exciting challenges. Each unit in the multi-lesson curriculum is packed with play-based learning moments that teach kids about paleontology, dinosaur diets, habitats, and even big-picture concepts like extinction and fossilization. Kids will dig for fossils, match footprints, hatch eggs, and unlock secrets from millions of years ago—all while reinforcing real-life scientific knowledge.

    “We all know that kids are entertained by dinosaurs, and, through a Lingokids study in collaboration with University of Central Lancashire, we know that when kids are entertained, they learn more, faster,” said Lingokids Founder & CEO Cristóbal Viedma. “This collaboration with BBC Earth lets us bring that spark to life in a way that’s fun, active, and educational. Together, we’re giving families a way to keep exploring their favorite prehistoric creatures long after the show ends.”

    The new Walking with Dinosaurs series is a revival of the iconic and award-winning BBC series that first premiered in 1999. And now Lingokids is bringing the prehistoric era to life in a new way for a new generation. But don’t worry—this isn’t homework disguised as fun. It is fun. The Dinosaur Lesson was built around Lingokids’ core belief that kids learn best through play. It’s not a chore—it’s an epic mission. Each activity is carefully designed to boost curiosity and build confidence, while keeping kids engaged, giggling, and coming back for more.

    “Given the huge popularity of dinosaurs among younger audiences, we know families will be coming together to watch Walking With Dinosaurs,” said Monica Hayes, VP Content Marketing, at BBC Studios. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Lingokids to give families a chance to go beyond the TV screen and continue the adventure through interactive learning. Who knows, we might even inspire the next generation of paleontologists!”

    Walking with Dinosaurs is now available in the UK and will be available in the US on June 16, 2025 on PBS. So grab your explorer hats—this is one journey your little learners won’t want to miss.

    About Lingokids

    Lingokids is an EdTech and media company behind the #1 interactive app for kids aged 2-8.

    With more than 165M+ downloads around the world, the Lingokids app is packed with thousands of shows, songs and interactive games kids love—all fun, safe and educational.

    Its unique Playlearning™ methodology puts kids at the center of the Lingokids universe. As they explore, they’ll pick up academic knowledge and modern life skills in a safe, age-appropriate, ad-free environment designed for independent exploration. For more information, please visit www.lingokids.com.

    About BBC Studios

    The main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd, BBC Studios generated revenues in the last year of £1.8 billion and a third consecutive year of profits of over £200 million. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide selection of public service and commercial broadcasters and platforms, both in the UK and across the globe. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.

    BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e690af33-9b40-440a-9d3c-4948c97ae2bc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: IBCA Community Update, 2 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Correspondence

    IBCA Community Update, 2 June 2025

    Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s update that was circulated on 2 June 2025

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    Published 2 June 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £106 million to reduce waiting times

    Source: Scottish Government

    Longest waits to be targeted.

    More than £106 million has been allocated to health boards to help tackle the longest waits for procedures and operations.

    The funding has been assigned to specialty areas for the year ahead where it can have the greatest impact against the longest waits – this includes £25 million for trauma and orthopaedics, £21 million for imaging, £14 million for cancer treatment and more than £12 million for ophthalmology.

    The investment is part of the £200 million announced as part of the Programme for Government to build capacity, tackle delayed discharge and improve patient flow through hospitals.

    Health Secretary Neil Gray said:

    “This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut waiting lists – significant activity is already underway through this additional investment which will help us target the longest waits for treatment.

    “We are determined to reduce patient waits in the year ahead and this £106 million of additional funding will help us to deliver more than 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in 2025-26. This funding is just part of our record investment of £21.7 billion for health and social care this year.

    “Last year, health boards vastly exceeded the commitment to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures – instead delivering more than 105,000 through our targeted approach.  This investment will allow us to build on this progress and deliver tangible improvements for patients.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, marked today (29 May) Peacekeeping Chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, “we are committed to maximising our own cost effectiveness,” but at the same time, he said “it is imperative that peacekeeping should be provided with the resources that are needed to deliver on the mandate.”

    Speaking to reporters in New York, Lacroix said the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin brought together “more than 150 delegations,” 60 of them at ministerial level.

    He said there “many expressions of support,” as well as “many pledges that were made to support peacekeeping.”

    The main takeaway, Peacekeeping Chief was that “peacekeeping remains very strongly supported by Member States.”

    He said, “we have a great amount of work to do to operationalise all the commitments and also to continue with the many bodies of work that we’re currently working on in different areas, such as safety and security of peacekeepers; performance; conduct and discipline; relation with the host government; how to introduce and make the best possible use of digital technology in peacekeeping and so many other bodies of work.”

    Lacroix said, “Member States requested a broad review of all peace operations at the Summit for the Future last September. And we’re currently working on this with our sister department, the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs. And, of course, we are working to operationalise UN80 initiatives, the Secretary-General initiative, within the peace and security pillar.”

    Faced with financial constraints, he said, “peacekeeping is constant adapting” and “looking for innovative ways to deliver while remaining both an effective and really a low cost option compared to many other multinational deployments.”

    Lacroix stressed that “we are committed to maximising our own cost effectiveness, but at the same time, we want to insist that it is imperative that peacekeeping should be provided with the resources that are needed to deliver on the mandate.”

    Responding to a reporter’s question on the matter, he said, “I think it’s clear that most of our top financial contributors have constraints in terms of their public finances. Now, of course, we expect all of them to pay what they have to pay on time and in full, but at the same time, we live in a real world, and we know what those constraints are. So, we want to have a very productive dialogue with them, in addition of course to making sure that as far as we’re concerned, we work on cost effectiveness.”

    Later in the day, Secretary-General António Guterres laid a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 United Nations peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1948.

    During an awards ceremony at the ECPOSOC Chamber, Guterres said, “over the decades, more than 2 million women and men have served in 72 UN missions across four continents. And I’m deeply grateful to all Member States for these invaluable contributions. In the communities and countries in which they serve, UN peacekeepers are an important symbol of the United Nations at its best. And together, they’ve helped improve millions of lives, protecting people, preserving peace and providing hope, rebuilding infrastructures, repairing institutions, and ensuring life-saving assistance. With their support, nations around the world have made the transition from war to peace.”

    The Secretary-General presented awards to the Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year, Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. Both of them serve with our peacekeeping mission in Abyei.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ1I2OKaVs8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Africa Dialogue, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (30 May 2025)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/Africa Dialogue
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Sudan
    South Sudan
    Cyprus
    Security Council
    Haiti – Hurricane Season
    International Days
    Programming Note – Monday
    Deputy Secretary-General/Travels

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICA DIALOGUE
    The Secretary-General will speak at the Africa Dialogue at 3 pm today and will focus on reparations, which is also the African Union’s theme for 2025.
    He will say that for too long, the colossal injustices inflicted by enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade, and colonialism have been left unacknowledged and unaddressed.
    And he will argue that reparatory justice frameworks are critical – to redress historic wrongs, address today’s challenges, and ensure the rights and dignity of all.

    DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
    Today, in Tajikistan, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed participated in the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, taking place in Dushanbe. She underscored the urgent need to preserve glaciers and keep the 1.5°C climate target within reach — not only to protect ecosystems and water sources, but to ensure the livelihoods of people and prospering communities.
    The Deputy Secretary-General called for bold, coordinated action ahead of COP30 rooted in cooperation, solidarity, and science. She later held a series of bilateral meetings with senior government officials, delegations, and youth constituents. She also met with the UN Country Team to acknowledge the UN’s continued support in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Tajikistan.
    Tomorrow, the Deputy Secretary-General will travel to Marrakech, Morocco, to attend the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell says that the catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst it has been since the war began.
    Strikes have continued across Gaza, particularly in North Gaza, where the last remaining partially functioning hospital, Al Awda, was forced to evacuate last night after repeated strikes on and around the facility in recent days. Attacks also continued farther south in Deir al Balah, in areas of Al Bureij and An Nuseirat camps.
    IHH, an international aid organization that runs community kitchens and nutrition points, reported on Wednesday that five of its workers had been killed and two injured in the previous two days.
    OCHA underscores once again that civilians, including aid workers, must always be protected.
    Displacement continued across Gaza, with nearly 200,000 people displaced in the last two weeks alone. Yesterday, Israeli authorities issued a renewed displacement order covering about 30 per cent of Gaza’s total territory in North Gaza, eastern parts of Gaza City and Deir al Balah.
    To date, displacement orders have covered the entirety of the northernmost and southernmost governorates, as well as the eastern parts of each of the three governorates in between. Partners note that the limited movement of people observed in recent days appears to be driven by the search for food and necessities, rather than displacement orders.
    The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide support to people in need, despite the immense challenges on the ground and the crippling restrictions on the amount and type of assistance being allowed into Gaza. Yesterday, the UN and the humanitarian partners only managed to collect five truckloads of cargo from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom. The other 60 trucks had to return to the crossing due to intense hostilities in the area.
    Meanwhile in Gaza City, our partners working to address shelter needs managed to distribute 45 emergency shelter kits to families as part of a pilot initiative aimed at pooling resources to respond to some of the most critical needs.
    Humanitarian needs have exploded in Gaza following nearly 80 days of a total blockade of all supplies.
    The limited amounts of aid now entering the Strip are nowhere near sufficient to support 2.1 million people in desperate need of assistance.
    As conditions on the ground further deteriorate and public order and safety break down, looting incidents continue to be reported. Today, a group ‎of armed individuals stormed the warehouses of a field hospital in Deir al Balah, looting large quantities of ‎medical equipment, supplies, medicines and nutritional supplements intended for ‎malnourished children.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%20May%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE59Bf_GH5M

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Daniel Cash, Reader in Law, Aston University

    For governments, a credit rating is more than a financial signal. It is a verdict that can influence the cost of borrowing, access to markets and, ultimately, the ability to provide for their citizens.

    Rating decisions are made behind closed doors in a private process that isn’t open to assessment or scrutiny.

    For African countries, this opacity can be especially damaging. When rating decisions lack transparency, it’s impossible to challenge potential biases or inconsistencies in methodology that put developing economies at a disadvantage. The result is higher borrowing costs that drain resources from healthcare, education and infrastructure investment.

    Africa’s new credit rating agency has the chance to change this. The African Credit Rating Agency is an initiative under development by the African Union and its partners. It is more than a new entrant; it is an attempt to rethink how financial authority is earned, exercised and scrutinised. The new agency plans to introduce transparent governance structures that could revolutionise rating methodology.

    As a researcher who has looked closely at the working of rating agencies, I believe this opportunity to bring transparency to financial governance isn’t just about better ratings. It’s a step towards economic sovereignty.

    Success for the African Credit Rating Agency shouldn’t be measured by whether it displaces the “big three” rating agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch). The real question isn’t whether an African agency can compete, but rather whether it can show the world how to rate credit differently.

    A flawed process

    The three big agencies do publish their methodologies – their criteria and risk models. This creates an illusion of transparency. Yet the final judgments emerge from committee meetings that produce no public record, no accountability, and no right of meaningful appeal.

    These rating committees typically comprise five to 10 analysts who meet in closed sessions to make each sovereign rating decision. S&P, Moody’s and Fitch each operate internal rating committees for every sovereign rating decision. The deliberations, dissenting views, and specific reasoning behind final votes remain confidential. Only a brief summary is provided with a rating decision.

    Research has shown that credit rating agencies are more accurate at assessing the creditworthiness of advanced economies than developing economies. There have also been studies on the discrepancy between what is expected when the public methodologies are applied and what the agencies actually rate. These studies have been done for economies like Hong Kong and China, but no equivalent research has yet been undertaken for African sovereigns.

    This discrepancy exposes an accountability void. When methodology-based predictions miss the mark, we must question what happens in those committee rooms. Especially when African nations are being assessed by analysts stationed continents away, with limited understanding of local economic and political realities.

    The African Credit Rating Agency could make three changes to the way ratings are done:

    • through public deliberations

    • by forming hybrid committees

    • with technological intervention.

    First, it could release committee transcripts within 30 days of each decision. This would give markets and governments unprecedented insight into rating rationales. This isn’t radical – central banks already publish meeting minutes, and courts publish opinions with dissenting views.

    Second, it could pioneer panels that include not only rating analysts, but regional economists, sectoral specialists, and even civil society observers. All with recorded votes. This diversified expertise would disrupt “group think” while capturing nuances of African economies that traditional agencies overlook.

    I have examined this idea from the perspective of injecting climate and sustainability-related expertise into credit rating committees. I believe this is a crucial step to take to evolve the concept of the credit rating committee.

    Third, the agency could use artificial intelligence to analyse patterns across committee discussions, flagging potential regional biases or inconsistent methodology application. It might be able to use secure digital ledgers to create unchangeable records of decisions.

    Why the big three keep it closed

    The industry thrives on privacy – protecting proprietary methodologies and shielding decisions from external challenge. And the natural oligopoly (a market dominated by a few large players due to high entry barriers, reinforced by market preference for predictability) helps it stay that way.

    The sovereign credit ratings of the three big agencies are built on quantitative and qualitative factors. But research shows that sovereign ratings are subjected to qualitative understandings. This puts developing economies at a disadvantage when agencies demonstrate pro-western biases because they lack data or knowledge.

    The impact of a credit rating downgrade for a sovereign borrower is usually multifaceted. Research shows that a single-notch downgrade can raise borrowing costs by more than 100 basis points, equivalent to an extra US$100 million annually on a US$10 billion bond.

    Investors prefer fewer, stronger signals rather than many competing views. So there’s little incentive for established players to change. The African Credit Rating Agency, as a new entrant, can offer something the incumbents won’t: governance innovation that serves both markets and nations.

    Radical openness will shake markets, at least at first. Committee members might face political pressure. Transparency alone doesn’t guarantee fair outcomes.

    But the world already demands transparency from central banks and constitutional courts. Why accept anything less from institutions that shape sovereign destiny?

    Next steps

    By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African. The financial architecture serving them must evolve towards systems that recognise the continent’s unique strengths.

    Opening the rating committee to view represents more than technical reform – it’s about shifting who holds power in global finance. If it does this, the African agency won’t just deliver better ratings; it will model how global finance can be governed more justly.

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

    – ref. Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how – https://theconversation.com/africas-new-credit-rating-agency-could-change-the-rules-of-the-game-heres-how-257138

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

    At The Conversation, we are big believers in the health benefits of being near the sea. In fact, we have a whole series dedicated to how our health is intrinsically linked with that of the ocean, called Vitamin Sea. The idea of how the coast can heal is explored in the bestselling memoir The Saltpath, which has been adapted for the screen, and stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.

    Anderson plays Raynor Winn who documented the whirlwind period that began with her husband Moth being given a terminal diagnosis. In the same week, they also lost their home. In the face of this, the couple made a wild decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.

    The South West Coast Path has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent, which is equivalent to scaling Mount Everest four times. In this piece, lecturer in the history of science and the environment, Lena Ferriday explores how this decision might not have been as mad as it might seem.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    The Winns’ decision to walk the path is part of a long history of people seeking wellness and recovery on England’s south-west coast. From taking in the clean air on long gentle walks to bathing in cold waters, it was common for the sickly to be prescribed a trip to the sea. And, as the Winns discover in this beautiful film, they find respite and connection in that history.

    Reply to this email to let us know if you have any thoughts on the healing qualities of the coast. We would also love you to answer our poll letting us what you think is the best nature memoir of our of favourite five. If your favourite isn’t there, email us its name.

    The Saltpath is in select cinemas now



    Read more:
    The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast

    The first season of The Handmaid’s Tale aired in 2017 in the early months of the first Trump presidency. Now in its sixth season, the drama is ending in the early months of the second Trump presidency. In that time, the show and its iconography have become synonymous with feminist resistance.

    When the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood first wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985, Donald Trump was a mere real estate mogul. Some say it is eerie how she foresaw rising authoritarianism in the United States as well as the erosion of women’s rights. However, Atwood didn’t see the tale as science fiction, everything she wrote, she stressed, had already happened or was happening somewhere.

    In this piece, Canadian literature expert Sharon Engbrecht writes about Atwood has made many similar educated predictions about where the roots laid in history will come up in the future. While the last series does deviate somewhat from Atwood’s follow-up The Testaments, it is very much in-line with her view of the world. Hopefully, this last season ends in a much more hopeful place.

    The Handmaid’s Tale is airing on channel 4



    Read more:
    _The Handmaid’s Tale_ reflects Margaret Atwood’s eerie talent for reading the palm of power

    If you’re looking for something a bit more low stakes and whimsical then can we recommend checking out the film The Phoenician Scheme. Wes Anderson is a director with a very distinct vision, you can spot a work by him a mile away. This is what makes a director an auteur.

    Fans of his work have come to expect a few things from his films. The first is a star-studded ensemble. The second, a distinct colour palette. The third, boundless whimsy. The Phoenician Scheme has all of this, which as our expert in film Daniel O’Brien notes, will make some of you love it and others hate it.

    I like Wes Anderson films. They are incredibly charming and visually delicious. The Phoenician Scheme has more solid narrative than some of his recent films, which I, for one, welcome. It follows wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) after he makes his only daughter (Mia Threapleton), a nun, the sole heir to his estate before embarking on a new money-making scheme. Andersonian hijinks and shenanigans ensue as the pair dodge danger in the form of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.

    The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now

    The Coin by Yasmin Zaher is a bold debut novel about a young Palestinian woman who is struggling to keep it together. On the surface of things she has it all: she is a teacher at a New York city middle school, she is rich, stylish and meticulously clean. However, buried within her sits history that won’t leave her alone. To be precise, inside her sits an Israeli shekel that she accidentally swallowed on a family road trip during which her parents were killed.

    The knowledge of the coin and all it represents tears at the narrator, not letting her know peace. She is pushed to desperate acts in order to gain some sort of control over mind and body. But the coin does not relent. It won’t let her be. She is neither here nor there, in the US or Palestine. In this piece, literature expert Daniel G. Williams explains why he and his fellow judges awarded this debut the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize.



    Read more:
    The Coin by Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher wins the Dylan Thomas Prize – an expert from the judging panel explains why

    I love Pulp. One of my formative festival memories is watching a lanky Jarvis Cocker hump a giant neon Pulp sign while singing Disco 2000 at Reading festival. I was at a liberal arts uni at the time and the lyrics of Common People had never made more sense to me.

    As expert in popular music Mark Higgins writes, it’s a common misconception that Pulp were Brit Pop. In fact, they were founded in 1978 and their sound and whole shtick were quite a part from the 60’s mania of Britpop boy bands. Listening to the first single of this album Higgins notes, however, that the nostalgia for a better time seems to have hit Pulp belatedly as they wax lyrical about 90s.

    Next week, the band release their first album since 2001’s We Love Life. In the lead up to the release of their album More, I have been rediscovering their back catalogue and I would highly recommend you all do the same this sunny weekend.

    More by Pulp is out June 6



    Read more:
    Pulp are back and more wistfully Britpop than before

    – ref. A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week – https://theconversation.com/a-film-about-long-healing-walk-by-the-sea-the-end-of-a-dystopian-series-and-a-whimsical-comfort-watch-what-to-see-watch-read-and-listen-to-this-week-257849

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EP leaders visit Copenhagen ahead of the Danish EU Presidency

    Source: European Parliament

    European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, and political group leaders will visit Copenhagen on Tuesday to prepare the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

    EP leaders will meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. They will also have an audience with Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark and meet with Folketinget.

    War in Ukraine, the climate crisis, and global trade tensions are putting significant strain on the EU’s capacity to act. On 1 July, Denmark assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU, taking on a central role in shaping the direction of the Union.

    In preparation for assuming the Presidency of the Council, Copenhagen will welcome the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President Roberta Metsola and political group leaders) on Tuesday 3 June. The conference will discuss priorities of the forthcoming Danish Presidency with government officials and members of the Danish parliament (Folketinget).

    “Denmark takes the EU steering wheel at a time of war on our continent, global trade tensions and economic pressure. Security, sustainability and competitiveness are the right focus. From strengthening our defence to cutting red tape for business, from energy security to digital leadership – Europe must act. I look forward to working with the Danish Presidency to deliver,” says Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, ahead of the visit.

    Following their meeting, President Roberta Metsola and PM Mette Frederiksen will speak to the press at 11:25. It will be live on the EP multimedia centre and on EbS. Journalists can register their attendance via this link, where you can also find more information about the visit.

    Denmark will hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU from July to December 2025, after which Cyprus will assume the presidency.

    What is the Conference of Presidents?

    The Conference of Presidents in the European Parliament is the political body responsible for organising and coordinating the Parliament’s work. The Conference is composed of the President of the European Parliament, the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament, and a non-voting representative of the non-attached Members.

    Traditionally, the Conference of Presidents travels to the country preparing to take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, in order to engage in preparatory discussions and ensure a shared understanding of, as well as joint action on the upcoming priorities.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – 02 June – 05 June: Committee week

    Source: European Parliament

    In the week of 2 June, a large part of Members’ work this week will be in Parliamentary Committees. A string of important votes, debates, public herrings and presentations will take place. Committee on Budgets will host Commissioner Sreafin’s presentation of Draft Budget 2026, ECON will vote on EIB annual report 2024, Employment and Social Affairs committee will hold a public hearing on Artificial intelligence at the workplace, ITRE committee will hold a debate with Executive Vice-President Séjourné, the committee Transport and Tourism will debate the implementation of Connecting Europe Facility – Transport, the committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will vote welfare of dogs and cats, and on CAP strategic plans, the Committee on Legal Affairs is organising an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting, and the committee on European Democracy Shield will hold a joint debate with Verkhovna Rada. Follow the links below to discover this week’s highlights.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Yulia Navalnaya and leading members of Russia’s opposition to address MEPs

    Source: European Parliament

    The guest speakers expected to address MEPs are political activist Yulia Navalnaya, wife of murdered Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny, Russian-British political activist, journalist and former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza, and opposition politician Ilya Yashin. All the guests will attend the meeting in person.

    The exchange of views is being organised by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Human Rights and Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

    WHEN: Thursday 5 June, 09:00-10:00 CEST.

    WHERE: Room 4Q2 in the European Parliament’s ANTALL building in Brussels.

    You can watch the meeting live here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Plantro Demands Immediate Action from Dye & Durham Board to Halt Value Destruction and Pursue Strategic Alternatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almost $1 billion in shareholder value destroyed since December 2024

    Governance Failures: A revolving door of CEOs, director entrenchment as Board refuses to engage unsolicited bids for the business, and allegations of serious director misconduct

    ST. HELIER, Jersey, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plantro Ltd. (“Plantro”) which is one of the largest shareholders of Dye & Durham Limited (“Dye & Durham” or the “Company’’) (DND: TSX) today called on the board of directors (the “Board”) to take immediate action to address and reverse the nearly $1 billion in shareholder value destroyed over the last six months.

    The Value Destruction at Dye & Durham has Reached Crisis Proportions

    Prior to the Company’s December 17, 2024 annual and special meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), members of the current Board promised shareholders a “Path to Enhanced Value Creation.” Instead, since their election, the Company’s share price has collapsed by a staggering ~60%.

    Shareholders were assured that the new Board would accelerate the deleveraging of the Company. Instead, the opposite has occurred. Since the current Board took control, Dye & Durham’s financial performance has materially worsened. Adjusted EBITDA has declined, as costs have increased sharply, and revenues have remained flat, reflecting a fundamental failure to control expenses or drive growth.

    As a result, the Company’s debt levels have risen substantially, both in absolute terms and as a multiple of Adjusted EBITDA. With no credible plan in place to reverse this trend, the Company’s leverage is expected by sell-side analysts to increase further, with consensus estimates projecting net debt to Adjusted EBITDA reaching approximately 6.0x in less than a year from now.

    Most alarming by far is the sharp deterioration in cash generation. The combination of eroding margins, stagnant revenue, and poor management of the business and its obligations is rapidly depleting the Company’s available cash. Dye & Durham was on course to generate $100 million in leveraged free cash flow in FY 2025 (with actual results of generating $46 million in the last twelve-month period at September 30, 2024). Plantro now believes based on consensus estimates that the Company will generate only $29 million over the next year.

    Perhaps this isn’t surprising. After all, since December 2024, the Company has churned through multiple CEOs, and no permanent CEO has been appointed despite prior assurances that one would be named within eight weeks of the Annual Meeting. The Company is now 24 weeks post-Annual Meeting, on its second interim CEO, and stuck with a largely interim executive team. The Company is drifting, rudderless.

    Escalating Governance Crisis at Dye & Durham

    Plantro is further concerned by the serious governance shortcomings that have take place on this Board’s watch. Namely:

    • The entrenched Board refuses to engage with credible private equity buyers. Based on media reports, the Board refused to engage with credible acquisition offers of approximately $20 per share, representing more than a 100% premium to the Company’s trading price at the time. In doing so, it has denied basic due diligence access to prospective buyers, undermining the possibility of higher bids and raising serious questions about the Board’s ability to exercise its actual mandate. It is Plantro’s understanding that these credible private equity sponsors continue to approach the Board without success.
    • Recent events suggest a clear pattern of punitive action from the current Board against senior leaders who attempt to uphold their fiduciary duties. Plantro understands that former CEO and Chairman Hans Gieskes was abruptly dismissed shortly after recommending an independent investigation into alleged board misconduct. Plantro believes that other senior managers have also been dismissed after highlighting and uncovering board misconduct. Plantro is increasingly alarmed that the Board may now be pursuing retaliatory measures against the CFO, following a formal complaint regarding an allegation of serious misconduct by certain directors.
    • There are credible media reports that the Company approved multimillion-dollar cash payments to Engine Capital and OneMove Capital. These payments were not separately itemized in the Company’s financials and instead were characterized with other proxy contest expenses. Shareholders have no assurance over the veracity of the expenses claimed by Engine, OneMove and potentially others, nor the quantum, nor have these payments delivered any discernible benefit to the Company. Rather, they appear to be self-serving cash extractions—executed even as the Company lacked sufficient liquidity to meet interest payments on its debt.

    Plantro Demands Immediate Action

    Shareholder losses since this Board took over now total nearly $1 billion. This is unsustainable and untenable for any business, but especially for Dye & Durham, given the precarious financial position and governance challenges created by the current Board.

    The Board must take the following actions to restore value for shareholders:

    1. Sell the Financial Services business to reduce the Company’s indebtedness. Divesting this asset represents a significant and immediate leaver in Dye & Durham’s efforts to reduce its growing debt load.
    2. A full sale of the remaining Company. With a strengthened balance sheet, Dye & Durham would attract a valuation that would likely be greater than the current, approximately $20 per share offers from credible private equity buyers, unlocking material value upside for all shareholders.
    3. A thorough and comprehensive investigation of Board conduct since the December 2024 Annual Meeting.

    Plantro has provided notice to the Board that it has exercised its contractual right and is appointing a Board observer effective immediately. Plantro intends to advocate constructively in the boardroom to action the above initiatives for the benefit of all shareholders.

    It is abundantly clear that the Company has been gripped by serious financial, operational, and governance crisis under the current Board. Plantro encourages its fellow shareholders to contact the Board and make their views known.

    About Plantro

    Plantro is a privately held company, with an established track record of making successful investments in undervalued and high quality legal, financial, and information services businesses.

    Media Contact

    Gagnier Communications
    Riyaz Lalani / Dan Gagnier
    Plantro@gagnierfc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RBC iShares Expands iShares Core Offering with Launch of New ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, RBC iShares expands its iShares Core exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of two iShares ETFs (each an ‘iShares Fund’ and collectively, the ‘iShares Funds’).

    The iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (XTOT) will provide investors with broad-based exposure to the total U.S. equity market, covering large-, mid-, small-, and micro-capitalized companies. The iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF will also be available in a U.S.-dollar denominated class (XTOT.U).

    “We are pleased to expand our suite of low-cost, diversified core ETFs with the addition of the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF. This new ETF offers investors a convenient way to access broad-based exposure to the total U.S. equity market, making investing in global markets easier and more affordable for Canadians,” said Steven Leong, Head of Product at BlackRock Canada.

    The iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF (XSMB) will provide investors with exposure to a broadly diversified range of Canadian domiciled bonds with maturities between 1 and 10 years, which may include any or all of federal, provincial, corporate (including certain qualifying asset-backed securities) and municipal bonds.

    “Canadians continue to embrace fixed income ETFs as efficient tools for building resilient, well-diversified portfolios. With this launch, we are excited to provide access to a broad portfolio of Canadian government and corporate bonds with 10 years remaining to maturity or less. This exposure allows investors to generate income while offering a source of portfolio stabilization amid volatility,” added Mr. Leong.

    The iShares Funds are listed in the table below and are expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) today; the iShares Funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.

    Fund Name Ticker Annual
    Management
    Fee    1
    iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF XTOT,
    XTOT.U    		 0.07%2
    iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF XSMB 0.15%

    RBC iShares aims to help clients achieve their investment objectives by empowering them to build efficient portfolios and take control of their financial futures. RBC iShares is committed to delivering a truly differentiated ETF experience and positive outcomes for clients.

    For more information about RBC iShares, please visit https://www.rbcishares.com.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

    About iShares

    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    About RBC
    Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

    We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

    About RBC Global Asset Management
    RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada. The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) manage approximately $710 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

    RBC iShares ETFs are comprised of RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used under license. © 2025 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    1 As an annualized percentage of the iShares Fund’s daily net asset value.
    2 If applicable, BlackRock Canada or an affiliate is entitled to receive a fee for acting as manager of each iShares ETF in which this iShares Fund may invest (an “underlying product fee” and together with the management fee payable to BlackRock Canada, the “total annual fee”). As the underlying product fees are embedded in the market value of the iShares ETFs in which this iShares Fund may invest, any underlying product fees are borne indirectly by this iShares Fund. BlackRock Canada will adjust the management fee payable to it by this iShares Fund to ensure that the total annual fees paid directly or indirectly to BlackRock Canada and its affiliates by this iShares Fund will not exceed the percentage of the NAV set out above. The total annual fee is exclusive of HST. Any underlying product fees borne indirectly by this iShares Fund are calculated and accrued daily and are paid not less than annually.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Convening of extraordinary general meeting of Nykredit Realkredit A/S

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    To Nasdaq Copenhagen

    2 June 2025

    Convening of extraordinary general meeting of Nykredit Realkredit A/S

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S will hold its extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday 24 June 2025 at 15:30 at the Company’s offices at Sundkrogsgade 25, DK-2150 Nordhavn.

    -o0o-

    Agenda:

    1. Election of member of the Board of Directors.
    2. Any other business.

    The agenda of the Company’s general meeting and the complete proposals have been submitted to Nykredit A/S, which owns all the shares of the Company.

    Item 1 on the agenda proposes election of Lasse Nyby to the Board of Directors. Information about Lasse Nyby’s education, professional experience, independence and other directorships and executive positions is provided in Appendix 1.

    Admittance to the general meeting is subject to collection of an admission card at least three days prior to the general meeting.

    Copenhagen, 2 June 2025

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S
    Board of Directors

    Contact:
    Questions may be addressed to Press Relations, tel +45 31 21 06 39.

    Appendix 1 – CV of Lasse Nyby

    Lasse Nyby
    Year of birth: 1960
    Non-independent

    Professional experience  
    2000- Chief Executive Officer, Spar Nord Bank A/S
    1995 Joined the Executive Board of Spar Nord Bank A/S
    1986 – 1995 Various positions at Spar Nord Bank A/S
       
    Education  
    Financial services background  
    B. Com. (Management Accounting)  
    Executive education from Insead  
       
    Directorships and other positions (current)  
    Aktieselskabet Skelagervej 15 (Chair)  
    AP Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab (Deputy Chair)  
    Foreningen AP Pension f.m.b.a. (Deputy Chair)  
    Nykredit A/S (Board Member)  
    Landsdækkende Banker (Board Member)  
    Finance Denmark (Board Member)  
    FR I af 16. september 2015 A/S (Board Member)  
       
    Directorships and other positions (previous)  
    PRAS A/S (Deputy Chair)  

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Materials and technologies of the oil and gas industry were discussed at the Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The V international industry conference “Materials and Technologies in the Oil and Gas Industry” was held at the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” (AES SPbPU). Leading experts in the field of materials and technologies, corrosion, metal science, mechanical engineering, additive technologies, digitalization, and the oil and gas industry discussed current issues in the industry. The Scientific and Technological Complex (STC) “New Technologies and Materials” of AES SPbPU organized the event. Partners were Gazprom 335 and VNIKTIneftekhimoborudovanie.

    This year, the business program included an expanded list of areas, including digital materials science, polymer composite materials for the oil and gas industry, hydrogen energy, issues of construction and industrial safety of oil and gas infrastructure, personnel training, and others. More than a hundred reports were presented at 15 thematic sections and round tables. Experts demonstrated developments in the field of materials and technologies as part of the exhibition.

    The event was attended by industry leaders and high-tech companies such as Gazprom, Gazpromneft NTC, Gazpromneft, Gazprom VNIIGAZ, Gazprom 335, Gazpromneft – Service Technologies, Rosneft, Lukoil, Transneft, Irkutsk Oil Company, Tatneft-Presskomposit, Sibir, RN-BashNIPIneft, Sibur Holding, Severstal, VNIKTIneftekhimoborudovanie, IC TMK, Kolskaya GMK, OMK, UMATEX, PM-Composite and others.

    Representatives of scientific centers and leading technical universities of the country spoke in thematic discussions. At the plenary session “Materials and technologies in the oil and gas industry – paths to technological leadership” scientists, government officials and heads of high-tech enterprises in the metallurgy and oil and gas sector presented reports.

    This is our fifth conference, we are celebrating a small anniversary. This year, more than 334 participants have registered, representing 150 organizations. I am sure that we will have fruitful work, which is divided into 15 sections and round tables. You will be able to share experiences, discuss current issues on the scientific and technological agenda and find useful business contacts, – Alexey Borovkov, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation of SPbPU, greeted the participants.

    Alexey Borovkov spoke about the competencies of the SPbPU PISh in solving the problems of technological leadership, noted the extensive project activities in the interests of the industrial partners of the SPbPU PISh at a unique Digital platform for the development and application of digital twins CML-Bench®Alexey Ivanovich presented the main provisions of digital twin technology and emphasized its advantages as a driver for the development of industries, which contributes to the digitalization of production and the revision of traditional practices of product design and testing.

    Gazprom Neft Science Director Mars Khasanov emphasized the importance of engineering artificial intelligence for the application and development of digital engineering technologies. He noted the importance of integrated modeling, complex processing of large volumes of data, reduction of timeframes and success of modeling. Mars Khasanov spoke about the role of artificial intelligence in decision generation, multivariate modeling and impact analysis.

    All intelligent agents that make up engineering artificial intelligence solve certain engineering problems that are common to system engineering, and neurosymbolic technologies are used. The best environment for implementing engineering artificial intelligence is what Alexey Borovkov talked about. This is model-oriented system engineering, approaches and this entire huge system that was created, for example, at SPbPU. I think it would be great to implement all elements of engineering artificial intelligence into this system, Mars Khasanov emphasized.

    Ayar Suleimanov, Chief Operating Officer of Gazpromneft — Service Technologies, shared his experience in implementing new approaches to integrity and reliability management. He noted the development of projects on predictive failure analytics, online corrosion monitoring, and the development of self-cleaning devices for oil wells. They are aimed at ensuring technological independence, digitalization, and sustainable development of the enterprise. Ayar Suleimanov concluded that the implemented measures have significantly improved efficiency and reduced accidents. In the near future, it is planned to reduce diagnostic costs by 40-50%.

    The strategic session “Modern Materials in Equipment and Technologies for the Development of Oil and Gas Resources on the Russian Continental Shelf” was attended by Grigory Kuropatkin, Head of the Gazprom Department, Kirill Frolov, Chief Engineer and Deputy General Director of Gazprom 335, Yaroslav Kosmatsky, Deputy General Director for Research at the TMK Research Center, and Andrey Drinberg, Professor at the Hero of the Russian Federation, General of the Army E. N. Zinichev, St. Petersburg University of the State Fire Service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry. The moderator was Maxim Korobchuk, Chief Specialist of the Scientific and Technical Directorate of Gazprom 335.

    The experts discussed the prospects for developing offshore deposits in the Russian Arctic zone, the achievements and current challenges of creating domestic equipment for underwater production, problems in materials science, training professional personnel for the emerging new industry, and the possibilities of using modern digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

    The issues raised at the strategic session were examined in more detail by the participants at the relevant thematic sessions:

    “RF SHELF: Steels and alloys for equipment of underwater hydrocarbon production systems”; “RF SHELF: Modern polymeric materials in equipment and technology of underwater hydrocarbon production”; “RF SHELF: Protective and functional coatings for equipment of underwater production complexes of offshore hydrocarbon fields”.

    At the section “Corrosion Management in Oil Refining and Petrochemical Industries”, participants discussed the problems and achievements of oil refining and petrochemical enterprises, as well as specialized institutes and organizations in combating and controlling corrosion of process equipment. Experts considered the causes of equipment and pipeline failures due to corrosion, assessed various mechanisms of corrosion wear and corrosion monitoring, and also conducted a risk assessment in this area.

    Materials and technologies for hydrogen energy were discussed at the round table of the same name. The discussion was moderated by Yuri Aristovich, an expert of the Scientific and Educational Center for Digital Engineering of the Main Equipment of Chemical-Engineering Systems at the St. Petersburg Polytechnical School, Viktor Bolobov, a professor at the Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University, and Gleb Semernin, head of the department for the development of new product categories at the United Metallurgical Company.

    Hydrogen energy is not a short-term trend, but a conscious choice in favor of the future, where environmental safety and economic efficiency go hand in hand. This is an opportunity to diversify energy sources, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create new jobs in high-tech industries. Hydrogen energy can become a catalyst for technological progress, stimulating the development of related industries, such as mechanical engineering, chemical industry, energy and transport. This is a chance for Russia to take a leading position in the global market of hydrogen technologies, exporting not only raw materials, but also advanced solutions. For the successful development of this area, comprehensive government support is needed, including the creation of a favorable investment climate, the development of a regulatory framework, stimulating demand for hydrogen and supporting scientific research, – noted Yuri Aristovich.

    Timofey Sokolov, an engineer at the Digital Engineering of the Main Equipment of Chemical-Engineering Systems Research and Education Center at the SPbPU PIS, presented a report on the analysis and development prospects of modern burner devices as a new industry standard. His colleague Andrey Efremov spoke about a critical analysis of the characteristics of internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells. Anton Tsvetkov, a senior lecturer at the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies at the SPbPU PIS, presented the results of a study on the resistance of steel to hydrogen in aqueous and gaseous environments. Sergey Dagayev, a research engineer at the testing laboratory at the SPbPU PIS, spoke about hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels in a high-pressure hydrogen gas environment. The participants of the round table developed optimal solutions in terms of the emerging regulatory framework and the introduction of materials and technologies for hydrogen energy.

    Director of the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies PISH SPbPU Valery Leventsov presented the educational model of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” and approaches to organizing the educational process, in which representatives of industrial partners, along with the school’s teachers, act as mentors for master’s students.

    Director of the Center for Continuing Professional Education of the SPbPU Advanced Engineering School Sergey Salkutsan spoke about the experience of developing and implementing training programs for managers and engineering personnel of high-tech companies on the topic of organizing advanced production. Students of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering”, engineers of the Scientific and Technical Complex “New Technologies and Materials” of the SPbPU Advanced Engineering School Ksenia Grigorieva and Rodion Ermolaev demonstrated tools and approaches that help future engineers maintain efficiency, involvement and sustainability in the educational and professional environment.

    Read more about the conference on the website.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Centre notifies guidelines for electric passenger vehicle manufacturing scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre on Monday issued detailed guidelines for a new scheme aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing of electric passenger vehicles, marking a key step in its broader push for green mobility and sustainable industrial development. The “Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India” (SPMEPCI), notified by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), is intended to attract global investments in India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector while strengthening the country’s position as a global automotive manufacturing hub.

    Announced in March 2024, the scheme aligns with India’s climate goals, including its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. The initiative also supports the government’s vision of fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability through strategic policy interventions in the EV ecosystem.

    Speaking at a press conference, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, described the scheme as a forward-looking and transformative step. He noted that the scheme is designed not only to bring cutting-edge EV technologies into the Indian market but also to build indigenous manufacturing capabilities through a clear framework of domestic value addition (DVA) targets.

    Under the scheme, approved companies will be allowed to import a limited number of completely built electric four-wheelers (e-4W) at a reduced customs duty rate of 15 per cent for a period of five years. These imports must meet a minimum cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of USD 35,000 per unit. The concession is capped at 8,000 units per year, with the flexibility to carry forward unused quotas. However, the total duty foregone will be limited to either Rs 6,484 crore or the actual investment made by the applicant, whichever is lower.

    To qualify for these benefits, applicants must commit to a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore within three years of receiving approval. They must also establish manufacturing facilities and commence production within this period. The guidelines stipulate that a minimum of 25 per cent domestic value addition should be achieved within three years, rising to 50 per cent within five years. The DVA assessment will follow the existing Standard Operating Procedure of the PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components, with certifications to be carried out by MHI-approved testing agencies.

    While there is no cap on maximum investment, only specific categories of expenditure—such as new plant and machinery, engineering research and development, and essential buildings—will be counted towards the investment threshold. Notably, expenditure on land is excluded, while spending on charging infrastructure will be considered up to a limit of five per cent of the total committed investment.

    Applicants will be required to furnish a bank guarantee equivalent to the higher of the duty foregone or Rs 4,150 crore, valid for the entire duration of the scheme. The application window, expected to open soon, will remain active for a minimum of 120 days, with the government retaining the option to reopen it until March 2026. A non-refundable application fee of Rs 5 lakh will be applicable.

    Eligibility is restricted to companies or global groups with an automotive manufacturing revenue of at least Rs 10,000 crore and fixed asset investments of not less than Rs 3,000 crore, based on their latest audited financial statements.

    The Ministry of Heavy Industries said the scheme would catalyse the development of a competitive and self-reliant EV manufacturing ecosystem in India, contributing to the larger goals of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. The effort is also expected to generate high-quality employment, accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies, and position India as a preferred destination for global automotive innovation.

  • RBI may opt for 50 bps jumbo rate cut to counter uncertainty: SBI report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may implement a 50-basis point rate cut in its June Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting to revive the credit cycle and mitigate economic uncertainty, according to a report by the State Bank of India (SBI) released on Monday.
     
    The cumulative rate cut during the ongoing cycle could total 100 basis points, said Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser at SBI.
     
    “Domestic liquidity and financial stability concerns have eased. Inflation is expected to remain within the tolerance band. Preserving domestic growth momentum should be the primary policy objective, justifying a jumbo rate cut,” he noted.
     
    With liquidity in sustained surplus, banks are repricing liabilities more rapidly amid the rate-easing cycle. Savings account interest rates have already been reduced to a floor rate of 2.70 per cent.
     
    Fixed deposit (FD) rates have also been cut by 30 to 70 basis points since February 2025. SBI anticipates a strong transmission to deposit rates in the coming quarters.
     
    India’s economy expanded by 7.4 per cent in Q4 FY25, down from 8.4 per cent in the same quarter last year. This growth was largely driven by a sharp rise in capital formation, which registered a 9.4 per cent year-on-year increase.
     
    An above-normal monsoon forecast by the IMD, robust crop arrivals, and declining crude oil prices have led SBI to revise its CPI inflation estimate downward to 3.5 per cent for FY26.
     
    Based on the latest RBI Annual Report, SBI expects higher household savings, adequate to support economic growth without creating demand-driven inflationary pressures in FY26.
     
    The report also highlighted the strong performance of Indian banks, particularly public sector banks (PSBs), which recorded a 26 per cent year-on-year rise in profits. In comparison, private banks saw a 5.8 per cent increase.
     
    System liquidity turned positive, standing at ₹1.2 lakh crore as of March 31. Factoring in the recent ₹2.68 lakh crore RBI dividend to the government, SBI projects core liquidity to reach ₹5.3 lakh crore by the end of June. Durable liquidity is likely to remain in surplus throughout FY26.
     
    Against this backdrop, the report suggests that the RBI will need to strike a balance between managing contained inflation and preventing a slowdown in domestic growth.
     
    “We expect that the RBI will proceed with a 50 bps rate cut to support growth,” the report concluded.
     
    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15th National Games Fencing test event concludes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) said today (June 1) that the 15th National Games (NG) Fencing test event held at Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park on May 31 and June 1 has concluded.
     
         The two-day test event, which was also the Challenge Cups Fencing Championships, consisted of men’s and women’s épée, foil and sabre competitions featuring the open and veteran divisions. Over 500 athletes competed in all six event categories.
     
         The test event covered a wide array of testing areas, including event operations and procedures, competition organisation, venue setup, sports and prize presentations, information systems, medical services, volunteer services and broadcast arrangements.
     
    The Head of the NGCO, Mr Yeung Tak-keung, said that this test event is the first fencing event ever held in the Kai Tak Sports Park. Both venue facilities and competition arrangements have achieved the expected results. Since last November, Hong Kong has completed test events for all eight NG competition events. The General Administration of Sport of China has recently announced the competition schedule for the 15th NG, and the competition events in Hong Kong will be held from October 31 to November 20. The NGCO is making thorough preparations for the events. Mr Yeung also expressed gratitude to all related government departments and organisations for their assistance and support.
     
         For information on the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games in Hong Kong, please visit the thematic website (www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/en/index.html), as well as the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2025nationalgames.hk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/2025nationalgames.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –