NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: HDOA Specialty Crop Grant Program Accepting Applications

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    HDOA Specialty Crop Grant Program Accepting Applications

    Posted on May 29, 2025 in Main

    Grant Funding Totals More than $500,000

    NR25-12
     May 29, 2025

    HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Market Development Branch (MDB), is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for Fiscal Year 2025. The funding for this year’s program totals $512,663 and seeks project proposals that increase the competitiveness of Hawai‘i’s specialty crops. Award amounts range from $20,000 to $50,000.

    Under the program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocated funding to each state based on the value of the specialty crops produced. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Much of Hawai‘i’s diversified agriculture falls under this specialty crop designation.

    Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local, state and federal government entities, for-profit organizations, universities and individuals for projects that enhance the competitiveness of Hawai‘i’s specialty crops. Applicants must reside in, or their business or educational affiliation must be registered in Hawai‘i.

    The primary goal of this grant program is to support projects that could provide the highest measurable benefits or return-on-investment to the specialty crop segment in Hawai‘i. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of Hawai‘i-grown specialty crops, in either domestic or foreign markets. Preference will be given to projects that measurably increase the production and/or consumption of specialty crops, and/or foster the development of fledging crops and organic operations.

    Application information for the Request for Proposals (RFP25-03-MDB) is available on the State Procurement Office website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities

    The application deadline is noon on June 20, 2025.

    To assist applicants, an instructional video will be posted on the SCBGP website at: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/add/scbgp/

    Inquiries may be addressed to 808-973-9594 or email: [email protected]

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Split Supreme Court Blocks Oklahoma’s Catholic Charter School

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In April 2025, the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether the nation’s first religious charter school could open in Oklahoma. The St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School would have been funded by taxpayer money but run by a local archdiocese and diocese. Several justices appeared open to the idea during questioning, leading some analysts to predict a win for the school.

    They were proved wrong on May 22, 2025, when the court blocked St. Isidore. The one-sentence, unsigned order did not indicate how individual justices had voted, nor why, simply declaring it was a split 4-4 decision that leaves in place the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling against the school. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case. Her former employer, the University of Notre Dame, runs a law clinic representing the school’s supporters.

    Ever since the proposed school started making headlines, attention has focused on religion. Critics warned a decision in the school’s favor could allow government dollars to directly fund faith-based charter schools nationwide. In part, the justices had to decide whether the First Amendment’s prohibition on government establishing religion applies to charter schools.

    But the answer to that question is part of an even bigger issue: Are charters really public in the first place?

    The Supreme Court’s order applies only to Oklahoma, so similar cases attempting to open religious charter schools may emerge down the road. As two professors who study education law, we believe future court decisions could impact more than issues of religion and state, determining what basic rights students and teachers do or don’t have at charter schools.

    Dueling arguments

    In June 2023, the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved St. Isidore’s application to open as an online K-12 school. The following year, however, the Oklahoma high court ruled that the proposal was unconstitutional. The justices concluded that charter schools are public under state law, and that the First Amendment’s establishment clause forbids public schools from being religious. The court also found that a religious charter school would violate Oklahoma’s constitution, which specifically forbids public money from benefiting religious organizations.

    On appeal, the charter school claimed that charter schools are private, and so the U.S. Constitution’s establishment clause does not apply.

    Moreover, St. Isidore argued that if charter schools are private, the state’s prohibition on religious charters violates the First Amendment’s free exercise clause, which bars the government from limiting “the free exercise” of religion. Previous Supreme Court cases have found that states cannot prevent private religious entities from participating in generally available government programs solely because they are religious.

    In other words, while St. Isidore’s critics argued that opening a religious charter school would violate the First Amendment, its supporters claimed the exact opposite: that forbidding religious charter schools would violate the First Amendment.

    Are charters public?

    The question of whether an institution is public or private turns on a legal concept known as the “state action doctrine.” This principle provides that the government must follow the Constitution, while private entities do not have to. For example, unlike students in public schools, students in private schools do not have the constitutional right to due process for suspensions and expulsions – procedures to ensure fairness before taking disciplinary action.

    Charter schools have some characteristics of both public and private institutions. Like traditional public schools, they are government-funded, free and open to all students. However, like private schools, they are free from many laws that apply to public schools, and they are independently run.

    Because of charters’ hybrid nature, courts have had a hard time determining whether they should be considered public for legal purposes. Many charter schools are overseen by private corporations with privately appointed boards, and it is unclear whether these private entities are state actors. Two federal circuit courts have reached different conclusions.

    In Caviness v. Horizon Learning Center, a case from 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit held that an Arizona charter school corporation was not a state actor for employment purposes. Therefore, the board did not have to provide a teacher due process before firing him. The court reasoned that the corporation was a private actor that contracted with the state to provide educational services.

    In contrast, the 4th Circuit ruled in 2022 that a North Carolina charter school board was a state actor under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. In this case, Peltier v. Charter Day School, students challenged the dress code requirement that female students wear skirts because they were considered “fragile vessels.”

    The court first reasoned that the board was a state actor because North Carolina had delegated its constitutional duty to provide education. The court observed that the charter school’s dress code was an inappropriate sex-based classification, and that school officials engaged in harmful gender stereotyping, violating the equal protection clause.

    If the Supreme Court had sided with St. Isidore – as many analysts thought was likely – then all private charter corporations might have been considered nonstate actors for the purposes of religion.

    But the stakes are even greater than that. State action involves more than just religion. Indeed, teachers and students in private schools do not have the constitutional rights related to free speech, search and seizure, due process and equal protection. In other words, if charter schools are not considered “state actors,” charter students and teachers may eventually shed constitutional rights “at the schoolhouse gate.”

    When courts have held that charter schools are not public in state law, some legislatures have made changes to categorize them as public. For example, California passed a law to clarify that charter school students have the same due process rights as traditional public school students after a court ruled otherwise.

    Likewise, we believe states looking to clear up charter schools’ ambiguous state actor status under the Constitution can amend their laws. As we explain in a recent legal article, a 1995 Supreme Court case involving Amtrak illustrates how this can be done.

    Lebron v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation arose when Amtrak rejected a billboard ad for being political. The advertiser sued, arguing that the corporation had violated his First Amendment right to free speech. Since private organizations are not required to protect free speech rights, the case hinged on whether Amtrak qualified as a government agency.

    The court ruled in the plaintiff’s favor, reasoning that Amtrak was a government actor because it was created by special law, served important governmental objectives and its board members were appointed by the government.

    Courts have applied this ruling in other instances. For example, the 10th Circuit ruled in 2016 that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was a governmental agency and therefore was required to abide by the Fourth Amendment’s protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

    Since the Supreme Court did not release any reasoning for its order, we do not know how the justices viewed the “government actor” question in the case from Oklahoma. That said, we believe charter schools fail the test set out in the Amtrak decision. Charter schools do serve the governmental purpose of providing educational choice for students. However, charter school corporations are not created by special law. They also fall short because most have independent boards instead of members who are appointed and removed by government officials.

    However, we would argue that states can amend their laws to comply with Lebron’s standard, ensuring that charter schools are public or state actors for constitutional purposes.

    Originally published in The Conversation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF closes day care centre in Athens after nine years of providing care

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    After nearly a decade of offering vital medical, psychosocial, and social-legal support to migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in Greece, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) closed our day care centre in Athens on 30 May 2025.

    The centre was opened in 2015 to respond to people’s urgent humanitarian needs during the peak of the EU migration crisis, as over one million people arrived in Greece seeking refuge from conflict, persecution, and instability. Since its inception, MSF’s multidisciplinary team —including medical staff, legal experts, and social workers —have provided free, comprehensive, and inclusive care regardless of patients’ legal status. We offered services ranging from essential healthcare and sexual and reproductive health services to mental health support, chronic disease management, and legal and social assistance.

    Over nine years, the day centre provided more than 14,900 consultations, including for non-communicable diseases, 51,859 sexual and reproductive health services consultations, and 24,475 mental health sessions. We also supported 1,289 survivors of sexual violence and provided 3,026 social work consultations that addressed people’s immediate medical needs and long-term wellbeing.

    14,900

    14,9

    consultations

    51,859

    51,859

    sexual and reproductive health services consultations

    24,475

    24,475

    mental health sessions

    At the peak in 2016, Athens received thousands of new arrivals fleeing conflict. While annual arrivals remain significant, at around 50,000 to 60,000, they no longer reflect the crisis levels of that year.

    Over the years, the centre evolved to meet the changing realities of migration in Greece, expanding services and intensifying advocacy efforts as access to healthcare became increasingly restricted by policy changes. During moments of crisis—from the 2016 EU-Türkiye deal to the COVID-19 pandemic—MSF adapted to protect and treat the most vulnerable, including people excluded from the health system, survivors of sexual violence, and undocumented individuals.

    Having fulfilled our emergency response in Athens and extending beyond what was planned, MSF has now closed the day care centre in line with our medical-humanitarian role, guided by needs assessments and focused on urgent, time-bound interventions. We now encourage civil society and national actors to take over and continue this vital work, even as global challenges—including reduced humanitarian funding—continue to affect people on the move.

    MSF urges the Greek government and the EU to respect their legal and humanitarian obligations for the protection of asylum seekers, recognised refugees and migrants, especially regarding the right to asylum, access to healthcare, decent reception and living conditions and fair administrative procedures.

    While we have transitioned medical services to some local actors, donated stocks of essential medicines to social pharmacies, and nonprofits, and handed over responsibilities to partners in Athens, we remain active in Greece with medical projects in Samos, Lesbos, and Leros. As a medical emergency organisation, MSF stands ready to respond to future crises and continuously assesses services to better support people.

    “Over nine years, MSF built more than a healthcare unit to provide free comprehensive medical services — we built a response that adapted to real human needs. When people couldn’t access care due to legal or social barriers, we expanded our services, advocated for their rights, and stood by them through every crisis,” says Christina Psarra, General Director of MSF in Greece.

    “When doors to the health system were closed, we worked to open others. This was never just a healthcare centre, it was a lifeline,” says Psarra.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Richard Hughes nominated for reappointment as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Richard Hughes nominated for reappointment as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility

    The Chancellor today (30 May) has nominated Richard Hughes for reappointment as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

    The Chancellor today (30 May) has nominated Richard Hughes as Chair of the OBR for a second and final 5-year term of office. 

    The OBR is the UK’s official independent economic and fiscal forecaster, responsible for examining and reporting on the sustainability of the public finances. The Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC), led by the Chair, has executive responsibility for the OBR and is responsible for judgements made in preparation of the OBR’s economic and fiscal forecasts.  

    Fiscal stability is at the heart of this government’s most important mission to grow the economy. This is why the first bill it passed included the fiscal lock, so that no administration can sideline the OBR. 

    The Treasury Committee approves all appointments to the BRC. Richard will appear before the committee for a pre-appointment hearing in due course.

    Further information 

    • Richard Hughes has been the Chair of the OBR since 2020. He is the second permanent Chair. 

    • As set out in the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011, appointments to the OBR’s BRC require consent from the Treasury Committee.  

    • The Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 allows each term of a BRC member, including the Chair’s, to be up to 5 years in length and each member may serve a maximum of two terms.

    About the OBR  

    The OBR was created in 2010 to provide independent analysis of the UK’s public finances. The OBR is led by the three members of the BRC who have executive responsibility for carrying out the core functions of the OBR, including any judgements made in the preparation of the economic and fiscal forecasts. The current members of the BRC are: 

    • Richard Hughes (Chair) 

    • Professor David Miles 

    • Tom Josephs

    About the reappointment process  

    Reappointments are not automatic, and each case is considered on its own merits. The decision to nominate Richard Hughes for reappointment was made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the requirements of the Governance Code for Public Appointments. Richard’s reappointment will be finalised subject to the Treasury Committee’s consent.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft supports social projects for children and teenagers in Russian regions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Rosneft and its subsidiaries, within the framework of cooperation agreements with Russian regions, are implementing projects aimed at creating a modern social infrastructure and a favorable environment for the development of medicine, mass sports, culture, educational projects and the upbringing of the younger generation.

    Bashneft supports the construction and reconstruction of children’s institutions within the framework of a cooperation agreement with the Republic of Bashkortostan. For example, in 2024, the Children’s Art Center in the village of Verkhneyarkeevo in the Ilishevsky District was reconstructed, a multifunctional educational center was built in the village of Elan-Chishma in the Yermekeyevsky District, Ufa kindergarten No. 2 was improved, and a multifunctional sports and health complex was built on the territory of the Republican Engineering Boarding School in Ufa.

    In the Samara Region, with the support of Rosneft, the reconstruction of schools No. 28 and No. 29 in Syzran, the Harmony gymnasium in Otradny and school No. 24 in Samara has been completed. Thanks to the help of oil workers, the children’s surgical department and the perinatal center of the Syzran Central City Hospital have been equipped with high-tech equipment. They now have an operating table, an operating shadowless lamp and an open resuscitation system for newborns.

    With the support of Rosneft, a new building of the Small Academy of Sciences with modern laboratories, a biotechnology center with laboratories for genomics and the study of ancient DNA, an IT center, a library, a TV studio, a sports hall and a gym was built in Yakutia. Children’s playgrounds and sports grounds were also opened in Yakutsk, Tas-Yuryakh, Myndyb and elsewhere. In the sponsored school of the Botuobuinsky nasleg of the Mirninsky district, in the school where children of indigenous peoples study, the robotics rooms, 3D modeling, and the press center were renovated, a stadium was built and the assembly hall was reconstructed.

    Under the agreement with the government of Yugra, Rosneft supports the construction and reconstruction of educational and sports institutions in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug. In 2024, a kindergarten, the Lider and MediaQuant youth clubs, and an outdoor sports and play complex were opened in Nizhnevartovsk.

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz is implementing a comprehensive program to support children and young people. In 2024, School No. 9 in Khanty-Mansiysk received modern equipment, including interactive panels and equipment for physics lessons. Much attention is paid to the development of children’s sports: ten sports schools in Yugra received almost a thousand units of modern hockey equipment, including sticks, skates and protective helmets. A modern sports complex was opened in the village of Lyamina.

    In Achinsk, with the support of the Company, major repairs are underway at the inpatient department of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Center for the Protection of Motherhood and Childhood No. 2.

    A project IT laboratory has been opened in Udmurtia and two sports halls have been renovated in School No. 12 in the city of Votkinsk in Udmurtia. The laboratory is equipped with modern technology, including an interactive panel, a 3D printer, a laser 3D scanner and all the necessary software.

    In addition, the Company creates “Rosneft-classes” in the regions of its operations based on the best educational institutions: schools, lyceums and gymnasiums. As part of the project, students receive a high-quality general secondary education. Schoolchildren in grades 10-11 study according to programs with in-depth study of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science. The project is aimed at career guidance and motivation of teenagers to enter universities in the Company’s core specialties and subsequent employment of graduates at Rosneft enterprises.

    In the completed academic year, 2.7 thousand schoolchildren studied in 118 Rosneft-classes. The project is being implemented in 56 general education organizations located in 47 cities and towns in 20 regions of Russia.

    In anticipation of International Children’s Day, volunteers of the Company and its subsidiaries are organizing dozens of festive events aimed at developing sports and a healthy lifestyle, and the cultural and patriotic education of youth.

    Kuibyshev Oil Refinery presented an educational interactive project “City of Safety”. Hundreds of children and teenagers have already taken part in it. In a game format, children learn the rules of safe behavior in various life situations, including road traffic and the Internet.

    Workers of the Novokuibyshevsk Oil Refinery organized a holiday for children from social institutions of the city with quizzes dedicated to oil professions. Oil refiners annually organize an ecological family festival “Ecofest” for city residents; this year the festival brought together more than 400 schoolchildren.

    Volunteers of the Syzran Oil Refinery brought gifts to the children of the center for helping children left without parental care. Samaraneftegaz organized a holiday for the children of employees called “Hello, Summer!” with the participation of representatives of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, who conducted a safety lesson in an entertaining manner.

    Employees of the Saratov Oil Refinery conducted an interactive lesson “Ecology” for kindergarten children and donated sports equipment to the social rehabilitation center “Vozvrashchenie”.

    Slavneft-Krasnoyarskneftegaz organized a city football tournament in Krasnoyarsk, during which 150 children had the opportunity to play at a professional stadium. In Krasnoyarsk Krai, oil workers delivered gifts to kindergarten children in the remote village of Kuyumba, overcoming a difficult route by helicopter and special equipment.

    Orenburgneft volunteers conducted a series of eco-lessons as part of the Eco-School environmental marathon, where students were told about a responsible attitude towards the environment.

    Tyumenneftegaz organized a big family day out in the fresh air with sports games, master classes and treats. Volunteers of Kharampurneftegaz organized an excursion to the zoo and an environmental quiz for the children of the Siyanie Severa family center. Volunteers of the corporate institute in Tomsk together with Tomsk Polytechnic University organized a quest game for schoolchildren of the city called “Oil Journey: from the Deposit to the Gas Station”. In a game form, the participants got acquainted with oil and gas professions, and as a reward, the winners received additional points for admission to the university.

    Rosneft Scientific Institute in Ufa is implementing a volunteer project called “Social Tutor”. For the fifth year in a row, the institute’s employees have been voluntarily tutoring children from low-income families online.

    Employees of Rosneft-Stavropol together with representatives of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate held road safety lessons for preschoolers. At the Rosneft gas station in Stavropol Krai, young guests received educational books with creative tasks “Travel with a Polar Bear Cub” as a gift. In Arkhangelsk, RN-North-West organized an educational event “Children for Safe Roads”, where children studied traffic rules and tried themselves in the role of drivers.

    Rosneft employees take an active part in all-Russian and regional campaigns, including the New Year’s “Wish Tree”, “Help Go to School”, “Give a Child a Holiday”, “Spring Week of Kindness”, “Warmth for Children”, “A Backpack for a First-Grader”, “Let’s Get a Child Ready for School”, “There Are No Other People’s Children”, “Santa Claus in Every Home”, “A Gift for School”, “A Gift from Santa Claus” and others.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 30, 2025

    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 Asia-Pac: CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation  
    Mr Lee met respectively with the Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Mr Ignazio Cassis; the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr Mohammad Ishaq Dar; the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Papua New Guinea, Mr Pila Niningi; and the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, today, welcoming them to attend the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Mr Lee said that upon its establishment, the IOMed will provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services for international disputes. Hong Kong is encouraged to contribute to and serve the successful establishment and operation of the IOMed.
     
    On economic and trade co-operation, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance on strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations with different countries. In the face of emerging unilateralism and protectionism, the HKSAR Government will remain steadfast in maintaining Hong Kong’s status as a free port and pursuing free trade policies, ensuring the free flow of goods, capital and information, and attracting enterprises from around the world to trading and investment opportunities in Hong Kong.
     
    Mr Lee added that Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, is the only city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He welcomed enterprises from all countries to leverage Hong Kong’s platform to explore overseas and Mainland markets.
    Issued at HKT 19:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE meets Member of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met today (May 30) at Government House with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, to welcome Mr Wang as he visits Hong Kong and attends the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (the Convention). Mr Lee and Mr Wang had a working luncheon and exchanged views on the work of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), and international exchanges and co-operation related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.

    Mr Lee expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government for its strong support in establishing the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong. He noted that the IOMed is a high-level international organisation. He said that the Central Government demonstrated its staunch support to the HKSAR in its development as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region under the National 14th Five-Year Plan through setting up the IOMed Preparatory Office in Hong Kong, completing the negotiations on the Convention, facilitating the consensus among different parties on situating the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong, and hosting the signing ceremony of the Convention in Hong Kong.

    Mr Lee said that the presence of Mr Wang in Hong Kong to witness the historic moment of signing the Convention is a great encouragement to him and the HKSAR Government. The HKSAR Government is well-equipped to promote the IOMed and to develop Hong Kong into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Mr Lee said that basing the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong will bring a host of significant benefits to the city.

    First, the IOMed will elevate Hong Kong’s international status and role in international mediation. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong, as the only common law jurisdiction in China, boasts an established legal system, a solid foundation of the rule of law, diverse legal and dispute resolution services, and a wide pool of legal professionals with a global perspective. He noted that Hong Kong could make important contributions to the work of the IOMed.

    Second, the IOMed will generate substantial economic benefits. Its service demand will create a large number of job opportunities in positions such as mediators, translators and researchers. The IOMed will also attract international organisations, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions to establish a presence in Hong Kong, drawing high-quality conferences and exhibitions to the city and further boosting sectors like hospitality, food and beverages, logistics and transportation, as well as industries in the conference economy. With a status on par with the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations in The Hague, the IOMed will become a pivotal institution for resolving international disputes. This will facilitate deeper economic co-operation between Hong Kong and overseas economies such as regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, creating more business opportunities.

    Third, the IOMed will further enhance Hong Kong’s ecosystem related to the rule of law, promoting the popularity of a mediation culture and encouraging the community in resolving issues through dialogue. Mr Lee highlighted that the IOMed will help Hong Kong attract more legal and dispute resolution professionals from around the globe, contributing to the development of the legal framework for dispute resolution and further consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international legal hub.

    Mr Lee also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, and Chinese diplomatic and consular missions overseas for their continued support in deepening the HKSAR Government’s international exchanges and co-operation. This includes the meticulous arrangements for overseas visits of Mr Lee and other HKSAR Government officials, enabling Hong Kong to more effectively showcase its unparalleled advantages of having the strong support of the country while maintaining connectivity with the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

    Noting that consular protection of the country has always been the strongest safeguard for Hong Kong people travelling abroad, Mr Lee thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its ongoing support and care provided to the people of Hong Kong through Chinese diplomatic and consular missions overseas. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance Hong Kong people’s understanding of consular protection policies and work related to Hong Kong, and raise their awareness and capabilities in the areas of security and protection.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCED attends Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting in Japan (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SCED attends Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting in Japan  
         Speaking at a discussion session, Mr Yau shared with participating ministers Hong Kong’s latest efforts in building sustainable and accessible information and communications technology infrastructure, as well as its commitment to a more inclusive and resilient digital future.
     
         Mr Yau said that since the full liberalisation of its telecommunications market in 2003, Hong Kong’s telecommunications sector has become one of the most advanced, open, and dynamic markets globally. Hong Kong leads the world in mobile voice affordability, ranks second globally in mobile broadband affordability and seventh in fixed broadband affordability. Hong Kong’s 5G availability also ranks first in the Asia-Pacific region.
     
         Mr Yau highlighted that Hong Kong’s robust infrastructure provides a strong foundation for sustainable telecommunications development, including future 6G deployment and other cutting-edge services. The 6G Global Summit held in Hong Kong earlier this month, first held in the Asia-Pacific region, also fostered ideas and rallied regional support for 6G development.
     
         Turning to innovation and technology (I&T), Mr Yau said that Hong Kong promulgated the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint in 2022, setting out clear development directions and major strategies including accelerating the development of new digital infrastructure.
     
         He added that artificial intelligence opens up vast new opportunities for global economic development and scientific research. Hong Kong has been pursuing an all-round strategy to develop the AI ecosystem on various fronts, such as the launch of the AI Supercomputing Centre by Cyberport to meet the strong local demand for high-performance computing power.
     
         Mr Yau said that Hong Kong will continue to work hand in hand with fellow members and stakeholders to advance sustainable infrastructure and promote eco-friendly information and communications technology for a connected future.
     
         In addition to attending the APT meeting, Mr Yau also took the opportunity to meet with Japanese political and business leaders during his stay in Tokyo. Mr Yau today paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League, Ms Jimi Hanako, a Member of the House of Councillors, to give her an update on Hong Kong’s latest economic and trade developments.
     
         Upon arrival yesterday (May 29), Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Miyaji Takuma. Recognising the close bilateral relations between the two places, Mr Yau updated him on the robust economic developments in Hong Kong on various fronts under the “one country, two systems” principle, and solicited Japan’s support for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Mr Yau also met with representatives of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages and investment opportunities.
     
         Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 31) after the APT Ministerial Meeting concludes.
    Issued at HKT 17:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SFST’s speech at “Hong Kong Night” business networking reception and seminar in Vancouver, Canada (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SFST’s speech at “Hong Kong Night” business networking reception and seminar in Vancouver, Canada (English only) (with photo) 
    Distinguished guests, industry leaders and innovators, friends in Canada and from around the world,
     
    Good evening, everyone. Thanks for having me today for this very special occasion, called “Hong Kong Night”. I must say I always wonder why we have “Hong Kong night” in broad daylight. I suppose it could be a distinctive feature of this city which everybody loves. Just now, our colleague from Cathay Pacific mentioned to me that there will be a draw right after for tickets so I’m sure that explains why you are all here.
     
    Let me give you some flavour in terms of how Hong Kong has been faring, and also at the same time some talking points that you may want to share after this session. I want to give you an overview in terms of how Hong Kong has done so far in financial services under my portfolio, and also in particular the reason why I’m here in Vancouver because this is my last stop, after Toronto and also Ottawa. Through this visit, I had the opportunity to see many people at the government, regulators and also financial institutions. What I am impressed most is that it’s really a place where people are looking for a change. You already have a new government. At the same time, you are looking for ways to diversify, in terms of your economy, and also in terms of financial activities. So I think Hong Kong comes at the right time, where it’s a very viable option, either you are a corporate, an individual, or even an investor, to consider that in the context of diversification.
     
    Before I further proceed, maybe first of all, let me give you an overview of how Hong Kong’s been faring so far. I’ve been asked a lot in terms of the impact of tariffs on Hong Kong. I understand that there will be a fireside chat by Rocky (the Director and Head of Policy Research of the Financial Services Development Council, Dr Rocky Tung) later on, and I’ll leave that to the experts. But that said, Hong Kong being a service economy, I must say we don’t have much to export. At the same time, we are a free economy as stipulated in our Basic Law. So far so good in terms of our resilience, I would say, in the broader context of geopolitical change.
     
    More specifically, in our capital market, recently we do see an upsurge in our stock market. Right now, our average daily turnover is exceeding US$32 billion, and also we’ve welcomed a number of key mega IPOs (initial public offerings), like the recent one is CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited). It’s a major or global battery manufacturer for EVs (electric vehicles), and they just got listed at the same time, offering a shares equivalent to the size of around HK$41 billion. And funny enough, when you look at the composition of the investors, we have those from the US. At the same time, we also have investors from the Middle East, where the Kuwait Sovereign Wealth Fund, what we call the KIA, Kuwait Investment Authority, actually put in US$500 million in that offer. So you can see that despite all the talk about the deglobalisation or decoupling, finance, in particular, capital formation takes place, and also monies after returns.
     
    Of course, that is not alone in terms of what we are welcoming. We also welcome Canadian companies to list in Hong Kong as well. Right now, we have around six Canadian companies already listed in Hong Kong, like Manulife and also some of the mining and oil and gas companies. I do very much welcome many more listings, especially from this part of the world, where it could be tech, could be mining, or for other types of new economic activities.
     
    The second part I want to highlight, apart from how Hong Kong has been faring, is in terms of my observations so far this year, so far in my visit. Apart from the general ones that I just highlighted, I do see a number of areas that Hong Kong and Canada can work together. First of all, wealth management, because I got the chance to see and meet a number of insurance companies and banks from this part of the world. In fact, many of them are heavily invested and also have a strong presence in Hong Kong, like Manulife, which takes up 27 per cent of our Mandatory Provident Fund, a pension service system in Hong Kong. And also Sun Life, which is in collaboration with Dah Sing Bank in Hong Kong through the bank insurance businesses. Also we have CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) and others that already have a strong presence in corporate banking in Hong Kong.
     
    Many people see wealth management as an emerging trend, an area where we should work together. Because in the way that we see the world, like all of you, people are looking for ways to diversify. Many of the traditional markets where people want to park their wealth in the Anglo-Saxon world, people are still changing their minds in terms of whether they should diversify through geography or through products. In either way, Hong Kong is an option, because we have been the largest offshore cross-boundary wealth management centre so far in Asia, and we are looking to be the biggest one in the world. It is an area that we are very keen to develop further. Right now, we have 2 700 single family offices. We are going to have facilitated at least 200 more family offices by the end of this year. Also, we are going to have more tax concessions for family offices to cover private credit, carbon credit, and virtual assets. I will leave these details to our Invest Hong Kong colleagues. They will have all the details. All I want to say is wealth management, in particular in terms of family offices and high-net-worth individuals, is an area that I think Hong Kong can walk closely together with this country.
     
    The second area that I think is important to note in terms of collaboration is about what the host mentioned just now – the Web Summit Vancouver. The reason that I’m here is because we just passed a law to regulate stablecoin issues in Hong Kong. It is a big topic, not just in Hong Kong, but regionally, because many people see virtual assets as speculative. But that said, stablecoins being underpinned by fiat currency is a different animal, which potentially can be used in the form of payment. At a time when the US dollar or US-related assets are being questioned, I think many of the alternatives, also at the same time, in the form of stablecoins, have that role to play.
     
    In that regard, I have more to share in terms of our ecosystem effort to build an ecosystem in Hong Kong for our virtual assets. We have already 10 virtual asset exchanges, and also at the same time, we are going to issue licenses for stablecoin issuers. And very soon, we will also regulate these virtual asset custodians. For anyone of you who are participating, in this space, I do urge you to look at what Hong Kong has done and also at the same time how you can leverage the opportunities for your own development.
     
    Last but not least, in terms of what I want to inform this group is having debriefed all of you about what Hong Kong has done in terms of wealth management and virtual assets and also fintech in general, I’m sure that you do see a lot of need to come to Hong Kong. So even though you may not be able to get those free tickets, I’m sure you’re all rich enough to buy your own and also give yourself a reason to come to Hong Kong soon. And anytime, anywhere, you’re most welcome. Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 16:49

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by CE at Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation 
    Honourable Minister Wang Yi (Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs), Your Excellencies, ministers and officials from around the world, honourable representatives of international organisations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good morning. I am delighted to join you on this historic occasion: to celebrate with you the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation.
     
    Gathered here today, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, are high-level representatives of over 80 countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe; and from the United Nations and about 20 international organisations. A very warm welcome to Hong Kong!
     
    It is a privilege for us to host this signing ceremony, and to serve as the IOMed headquarters, once the Convention enters into force.
     
    This singular occasion is made possible by the ongoing and dedicated efforts of China, our country, in working with around 20 states, since late 2022, to establish an intergovernmental organisation devoted to mediation. After five rounds of intensive negotiation since 2023, co-ordinated by the IOMed Preparatory Office, the negotiating states concluded the very Convention signed today.
     
    The IOMed will become the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation. It also reflects our shared confidence in mediation as a peaceful means to maintain international peace and security, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations.
     
    The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding. This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions. When protectionism threatens to derail the international trade order, and when unilateralism looms over global supply chains, it is dialogue – not division – that restores balance.
     
    China has long championed equity and unity. The Chinese virtue of “和而不同”, meaning “harmony in diversity”, is deeply rooted in our community and culture. This value of mutual respect in spite of differences also sits at the heart of mediation, the IOMed, and a world that seeks co-operation over conflict.
     
    Despite geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong builds bridges, not walls. Under our unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. With the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong has risen as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
     
    We are the only common law jurisdiction in China, and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in both Chinese and English. We have a long tradition of the rule of law, and our courts exercise their judicial power independently. Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, which is vested with the power of final adjudication, has on its bench eminent jurists from both Hong Kong and overseas common law jurisdictions.
     
    Our robust, efficient and well-respected legal system is supported by world-class legal and dispute resolution professionals. Often bilingual or even multilingual, they are well-versed in international rules and practices, and help to position Hong Kong as a preferred venue for dispute resolution.
     
    In this year’s International Arbitration Survey, Hong Kong is the most preferred seat of arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region, and shares second place globally with another jurisdiction. Our economy also came first in “business legislation” and “international trade” in the World Competitiveness Yearbook. In the latest Business Ready Report published by the World Bank Group, Hong Kong ranks eighth in “dispute resolution” among the 50 economies covered.
     
    All this underscores Hong Kong’s effectiveness as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” among many economies. We contribute to cross-border investment and economic activity through our top-notch professional services. Our “one country, two systems” advantages make us well-placed to be the headquarters of the important institution of the IOMed.
     
    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is devoted to supporting the IOMed’s provision of friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services. We actively promote a vibrant culture of mediation. In fact, it is a general policy to incorporate a mediation clause in all government contracts. We are also enhancing the system on local accreditation and disciplinary matters of the mediation profession.
     
    And we go all out to build bridges with the world. Hong Kong will actively promote the IOMed’s valuable work in settling international disputes through mediation, and advocate mediation as a global tool for peace and justice across borders.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, the establishment of the IOMed’s headquarters in Hong Kong is a great honour for our city. The headquarters, as you may know, will be based in the building that once housed the Wan Chai Police Station, just a stone’s throw away from here. Built in 1932, this iconic building has a long association with law and order in Hong Kong. From its prime downtown location, it has also witnessed the transformation of our city that has long treasured unity. In its new role as the IOMed headquarters, the building will play a vital part in the future of Hong Kong as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.
     
    We are working to complete the conversion of the building for its new mission. I’m happy to say that it could open its doors as early as the end of this year. We look forward not only to welcoming its new occupants, but also to supporting them in building new bridges for a more connected, peaceful and prosperous future through mediation.
     
    I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Central Government for its staunch support of Hong Kong, allowing Hong Kong the honour of housing the IOMed headquarters here. My sincere gratitude also goes to the international community, for placing your trust and confidence in our city. Let’s renew our commitment to peace, justice and the rule of law. Let’s cultivate a mediation culture together. Let’s build a strong IOMed for a global community of shared future founded on peace and prosperity. Please enjoy the day and enjoy Hong Kong. Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 11:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: cortAIx SG: Thales Accelerates Trusted AI Innovation in Singapore with Strategic Partnerships

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: cortAIx SG: Thales Accelerates Trusted AI Innovation in Singapore with Strategic Partnerships

    • Thales’s global acceleration in trusted AI extends to Asia for the first time with the launch of cortAIx SG. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), cortAIx SG aims to drive the ethical and effective adoption of AI in Singapore, in alignment with Singapore’s National AI strategy. The Group’s global expansion of cortAIx to Singapore has the dual purpose of serving the needs of both the civil and defence ecosystems.
    • Thales is strengthening its strategic partnerships in Singapore by launching joint initiatives with CAAS1, DSTA2, and HTX3across Aviation, Defence, and Public Safety and Security. These enhanced collaborations include an expanded innovation partnership with HTX focused on AI, border security, quantum, and cybersecurity technologies, as well as the creation of a joint Avionics Lab with CAAS—supported by Changi Airport Group, ICAI4, SATS, and Singapore Airlines—to drive next-generation avionics solutions.
    • With these partnerships, cortAIx SG will become an integral part of the Group’s global cortAIx network of 800 highly-skilled AI and data experts, supported by local talent with deep expertise in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science.

    On 30th May, Thales and EDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the launch of cortAIx SG to extend the Group’s global AI programme to Asia, and further accelerate on AI research and industrialisation. With more than 100 products integrating AI, Thales already develops and deploys trusted AI-powered systems in the most complex and challenging environments. Building on this strong foundation, cortAIx SG will serve as an important accelerator, identifying critical challenges and developing high-impact AI solutions for Thales’ business units across Singapore and the broader Asia region. The centre will play a key role in driving the development and implementation of trusted AI systems in complex and mission-critical environments, thereby strengthening Thales’ R&D capabilities and long-term innovation footprint in Singapore.

    cortAIx SG positions Thales Singapore as a hub for AI leadership and joint innovation, aligned with the nation’s ambitions under the National AI Strategy. The centre will be driven by several key initiatives: including projects that enhance utilisation of knowledge and sensor suites to aid planning and decision support; increase operational efficiency; and drive human-autonomy teaming. Thales will work with the Singaporean government and ecosystem to grow domain and technology capabilities in Singapore, bringing together cutting-edge technology, talent and research to AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable, and operationally effective.

    The announcement was made on the occasion of French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron’s State Visit to Singapore, with multiple agreements signed on 29th May and during the France–Singapore Frontier Technologies Forum on 30th May.

    1.Expansion of Strategic Partnership with HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency)

    Thales and HTX first signed a Master Agreement for Strategic Partnership for Innovation in 2020.  Today, they expanded the scope of this partnership, extending it for another three years to:

    1. Establish a joint-lab focused on AI-enabled technologies, local capability development and the formation of best practices for trustworthy AI within the local context;  
    2. Enable technology insertion through agile collaboration, testing and technology experimentation aligned to HTX’s evolving needs. Thales will support HTX in translating early-stage technical solutions into concrete systems that can be integrated into HTX’s homeland security programmes to drive rapid innovation and early adoption;
    3. Jointly develop a shared Research and Development (R&D) strategy and future technology roadmap relevant to public safety and security, bringing together HTX, Thales, academia and startups, across five critical technology frontiers: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies and Space.

    2.Joint Avionics Lab with Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to innovate avionics-oriented solutions

    CAAS, Changi Airport Group (CAG), the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), SATS Ltd. (SATS), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29th May 2025 to foster greater innovation and collaboration at the aviation ecosystem level.

    Under this MOU, the partners will work together to identify key challenges to solve and undertake joint innovation projects to develop solutions, which could include the following:

    1. Air traffic optimisation, by combining airlines’ flight operations and cockpit data with air traffic management information. AI-enabled algorithms can detect and predict holding patterns within a particular radius around Changi Airport, helping manage congestion and leading to reduced flight delays.
    2. Digitalising and optimising the data shared between airlines, air traffic management and airports. Data from sensors in the aircraft, like cameras or inflight entertainment systems, can provide real-time, automated data to complement current data streams like video content from ground infrastructures. Enhancing these with AI models can help airlines, air traffic managements and airport operators improve collaborative decision making.

    The Avionics Lab in Singapore, the first of its kind for Thales outside France, represents a significant milestone in deepening Thales’ avionics capabilities in Singapore and the region.   The Avionics Lab complements the AIR Lab (jointly set up by CAAS and Thales in 2019 to work on cutting-edge Air Traffic Management solutions) to optimise air transport operations in the region. 

    The Avionics Lab will serve as a vital platform for collaborative innovation, between the world leading aviation eco-system in Singapore and Thales, to co-develop and test cutting edge concepts grounded in real-world operational scenarios, strengthening Singapore’s position as a hub for aviation technologies.

    3.AI in critical systems for Defence through DSTA – Thales co-lab

    Announced in April this year, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Thales have set up a joint lab for AI-enabled technologies, which can augment combat systems currently in use by the Singapore Armed Forces to efficiently handle drone threats. The lab will work on joint projects, the first of which is related to Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and advanced sensors.

    Thales is also providing a cyber-secured and AI-powered autonomous mine countermeasures system to the Republic of Singapore Navy, in partnership with ST Engineering. The sonars and mission management system are accompanied by data analysis tools reinforced with AI, in order ​ to facilitate target detection and identification that ease the workload of operators.

    These initiatives form the core of Thales’s AI strategy in Singapore and touch on key sectors aligned with the National AI Strategy 2.0. These collective partnerships will see Thales grow its pool of AI experts in Singapore to over several dozen in the next three years, adding to the Group’s global cortAIx network of 800 highly-skilled AI and data specialists.

    “The launch of cortAIx SG by Thales will add new capabilities to Singapore’s growing AI and innovation ecosystems, and builds on Thales’s longstanding presence in Singapore. We look forward to the impactful AI-enabled solutions cortAIx SG will develop in partnership with our ecosystem for Singapore and the region,” said Cindy Koh, Executive Vice President, EDB.

    “Thales is honoured to be working with our strategic partners in Singapore to bring new technologies to the fore, whether in aviation, in public security or to help reinforce national defence and sovereignty. Being able to announce the launch of cortAIx SG this week, in the presence of Ms Clara Chappaz, French Minister Delegate for AI and Digital Affairs and Ms Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity, is a true recognition of our role as a technology leader, notably as France and Singapore celebrate 60 years of bilateral cooperation. cortAIx SG will be a valuable asset to help our customers and partners embrace the vast opportunities AI has to offer, deploying it as a force for good, in support of Singapore’s National AI Strategy. We are excited at the prospect of bringing our leading technology, talent and research to deliver AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable and effective.” said Philippe Keryer, Senior Executive Vice President, Strategy, Research and Technology, Thales.

    Thales in Singapore

    Thales has been present in Singapore since 1973, where it has grown from a small avionics presence into a major hub with 2,000 employees across aerospace, defence, cybersecurity, and digital identity (CDI). The country now hosts Thales’s largest CDI manufacturing centre, avionics manufacturing and MRO centre, and cutting-edge R&D labs, including the AIR Lab with CAAS, a joint lab with HTX and the CINTRA research unit with NTU and CNRS. Recent investments include the Thales Singapore Defence Hub, a Co-Lab with DSTA, and Centres of Excellence in Air Traffic Management and Public Security.

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    1Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

    2Defence Science and Technology Agency

    3Home Team Science & Technology Agency

    4International Centre for Aviation Innovation

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global: US foreign aid cuts creating ‘a life threatening vacuum’ for millions of people – new briefing

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The US government has been a major global health funder, supporting HIV prevention, vaccines, maternal care, and humanitarian aid

    Amnesty highlights how the cuts have stopped vital programmes delivering health care, food, shelter, and aid to vulnerable groups, including women, survivors of sexual violence, and refugees

    ‘This abrupt decision and chaotic implementation by the Trump administration is reckless and profoundly damaging’ – Amanda Klasing

    The Trump administration’s abrupt, chaotic and sweeping suspension of US foreign aid is placing millions of lives and human rights at risk across the globe, said Amnesty International.

    In its 34-page briefing, Lives at Risk, Amnesty examines how the cuts have halted critical programmes across the globe, many of which provided essential health care, food security, shelter, medical services, and humanitarian support for people in extremely vulnerable situations, including women, girls, survivors of sexual violence, and other marginalised groups, as well as refugees and those seeking safety.

    The cuts follow President Trump’s executive order, ‘Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,’ and other orders targeting specific groups and programmes. In his congressional testimony, Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave weak or misleading responses about the cuts human rights impact, even falsely claiming no deaths have resulted. This contradicts evidence from Amnesty and others, including documented deaths and strong projections of increased mortality due to the cuts.

    Amanda Klasing, Amnesty International USA’s Director of Government Relations, said:

    “This abrupt decision and chaotic implementation by the Trump administration is reckless and profoundly damaging.

    “The decision to cut these programmes so abruptly and in this untransparent manner violates international human rights law, which the US is bound by and undermines decades of US leadership in global humanitarian and development efforts.

    “While US funding over the decades has had a complex relationship with human rights, the scale and suddenness of these current cuts have created a life-threatening vacuum that other governments and aid organisations are not realistically able to fill in the immediate term, violating the rights to life and health, and dignity for millions.”

    Two areas in which the cuts have caused significant harm globally are the forced cutbacks to – or complete closing of – programmes that ensured health care and treatment to marginalised people and those supporting migrants and people seeking safety in countries around the world.

    The rights to life and to health under grave threat

    The US government has long been a key funder of global health, investing in HIV prevention, vaccine programmes, maternal health, humanitarian relief and more. Since President Trump’s abrupt suspension of aid across multiple countries, many vital health services have been suspended or shut down. For example:

    • In Guatemala, funding cuts disrupted programmes supporting survivors of sexual violence, including nutritional support for pregnant girls who had been raped and medical, psychological, and legal support to help survivors of violence rebuild their lives after abuse. Other cuts were to key HIV services, including prevention and treatment.
    • In Haiti, health and post-rape services have lost funding including for child survivors of sexual violence. Cuts to HIV funding has left women and girls, and LGBTI people, with reduced access to prevention and treatment.
    • In South Africa, home to the world’s largest HIV epidemic, funding for HIV prevention and community outreach for orphans and vulnerable children, including for young survivors of rape, was terminated, leaving people without care.
    • In Syria, some essential services in Al-Hol – a detention camp where 36,000 people, mostly children, are indefinitely and arbitrarily detained for their perceived affiliation with the Islamic State armed group – were suspended. Some ambulance services and health clinics were among the first services cut.
    • In Yemen, some lifesaving assistance and protection services, including malnutrition treatment to children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, safe shelters to survivors of gender-based violence, and healthcare to children suffering from cholera and other illnesses have been shut down.
    • In South Sudan, projects providing a range of health services including rehabilitation services for victims of armed conflict, clinical services for victims of gender-based violence, psychological support for rape survivors, and emergency nutritional support for children, have been stopped.

    People seeking safety left without support around the world

    Funding cuts to shelters and groups that provide essential services for migrants, particularly those in dangerous or difficult situations, including refugees, people seeking asylum and internally displaced people, have been widespread and devastating.

    • In Afghanistan, 12 out of 23 community resources centres, which provided approximately 120,000 returning and internally displaced Afghans with housing, food assistance, legal assistance and referrals to healthcare providers, have been shut down. Key aid organisations have suspended health and water programmes, with disproportionate impacts on women and girls.
    • In Costa Rica, local organisations helping asylum seekers and migrants, many from neighbouring Nicaragua, are forced to scale back or close food, shelter, and psychosocial programmes. The funding cuts come as Costa Rica is receiving increased numbers of people seeking safety after being pushed back from the US-Mexico border.
    • Along the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, service providers assisting deported individuals have been forced to cut back on aid including food, shelter, and transportation. With Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the US set to expire, a likely spike in deportations will overwhelm an already diminished support infrastructure.
    • In Mexico, funding cuts have led to the suspension of food programmes, shelter, and legal support for people seeking safety who are now stranded following the end of asylum at the US-Mexico border. Some shelters and organisations fear they will be shut down completely.
    • In Myanmar and Thailand, US-funded health and humanitarian programmes supporting displaced people and refugees have been suspended or drastically reduced. Clinics in Thai border camps closed abruptly after the stop-work orders, reportedly resulting in preventable deaths.

    Amanda Klasing added:

    “The right to seek safety is protected under international law which the United States is bound by.

    “These abrupt cuts in funding put that right at risk by undermining the humanitarian support and infrastructure that enable people around the world who have been forcibly displaced to access protection, placing already marginalised people in acute danger. We call on the US government to restore funding immediately.”

    The unilateral action to stop funding existing programmes and refrain from spending appropriated funds made by the Trump administration bypassed congressional oversight contrary to US law, and came alongside a broader rollback of US participation in multilateral institutions, including announcements to defund or withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council, and reassess membership in UNESCO, and UNRWA.

    Recommendations

    Amnesty urges the Trump administration to restore foreign assistance, through the waiver process or otherwise, to programmes where the chaotic and abrupt cut in funding has harmed human rights and ensure that future aid is administered consistent with human rights law and standards.

    Amnesty calls on Congress to continue robust funding of foreign assistance and reject any requests by the administration to codify foreign assistance cuts through rescission by repealing these measures and ensure that all US foreign assistance remains consistent with human rights and humanitarian principles and is allocated according to need.

    Further, the Trump administration and Congress should work together to ensure that any changes to foreign assistance must be carried out transparently, in consultation with affected communities, civil society, and international partners, and must comply with international human rights law and standards, including the principles of legality, necessity, and non-discrimination.

    All states in a position to do so should fulfil their obligations under UN General Assembly Resolution 2626 and subsequent high-level fora by committing at least 0.7% of gross national income to overseas aid without discrimination. As part of aiming to meet this target, donor states should increase support where possible to help fill critical funding gaps left by the abrupt US aid suspensions and ensure continued progress in realising economic, social, and cultural rights and effective humanitarian response around the world.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Yemen: A year on, Huthis must free UN, civil society staff 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Huthi de facto authorities should immediately and unconditionally release dozens of staff from the UN, and Yemeni and international civil society organizations who were arbitrarily detained over the course of the past year, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said today.  

    The Huthis’ arbitrary arrests of humanitarian workers have a direct impact on the delivery of lifesaving assistance to people in critical need of aid. 

    Starting on 31 May 2024, the Huthis carried out a series of raids in areas under their control, arbitrarily detaining 13 UN staff and at least 50 staff from Yemeni and international civil society organizations. Between 23 and 25 January 2025, the Huthis caried out another wave of arrests, arbitrarily detaining another eight UN staff. The arrests prompted the UN to announce in January that it would suspend all official movements into and within areas under Huthi control.  

    It is shocking that most of these UN and civil society staff have now spent almost a year in arbitrary detention, for simply doing their work in providing medical and food assistance or promoting human rights, peace and dialogue.

    Diala Haidar, Yemen researcher at Amnesty International.

    “It is shocking that most of these UN and civil society staff have now spent almost a year in arbitrary detention, for simply doing their work in providing medical and food assistance or promoting human rights, peace and dialogue,” said Diala Haidar, Yemen researcher at Amnesty International. “They should have never been arrested in the first place.”  

    Governments with influence on the Huthis and the UN leadership should step up efforts to secure the release of the nongovernmental organization and UN staff. 

    The Huthis have released only seven people – one UN staff member, five staff of nongovernmental groups, and one staff member of a diplomatic mission. At least 50 others rounded up by the Huthis over the past year remain detained without adequate access to lawyers or to their families, and without charge. 

    On 11 February, an aid worker from the World Food Programme, died in Huthi custody. His death heightens fears for the safety and well-being of others who remain arbitrarily detained in Huthi-run detention centres, given the Huthis’ track record of torture and other ill-treatment against detainees. 

    These brutal waves of arrests have also exacerbated an already desperate humanitarian situation in Yemen because many of those arrested were working to provide assistance or protection to those most in need in northern Yemen, the organizations said. The Huthis need to immediately free everyone arbitrarily detained. 

    On 10 February, the UN announced that it had suspended all its activities in Sa’ada in response to the Huthis’ detention of six of its humanitarian workers there in January.  

    The Huthis’ arrests are part of a wider ongoing attack on civic space in areas they control.  These arrests were also accompanied by a Huthi-led media campaign accusing humanitarian organizations and their staff of “conspiring” against the country’s interests through their projects and warning them of the dangers of “espionage.” 

    Since 2015, Amnesty International has documented scores of cases in which Huthi authorities appeared to have brought the spying charges as a means to persecute political opponents and silence peaceful dissent. 

    Local and international civil society organizations play a critical role in alleviating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. Despite drastic funding cuts from donor states, particularly the US, that are putting the health and human rights of millions of people in Yemen at risk, aid workers on the ground are delivering lifesaving assistance and protection services, including in Huthi-controlled territories of Yemen.  

    Huthi authorities have targeted human rights and humanitarian workers before. Four Yemeni staff members from OHCHR and UNESCO arrested in 2021 and 2023 remain arbitrarily detained and have been held incommunicado since their arrest. In September 2023, Huthis arrested Hisham Al-Hakimi, the safety and security director at Save the Children, and held him incommunicado.  He died on 25 October 2023 while arbitrarily detained.  

    All countries with influence, as well as the United Nations and civil society organizations, should use all the tools at their disposal to urge the release of those arbitrarily detained and to provide support to their family members.

    Niku Jafarnia, Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch.

    “The Huthis need to facilitate the work of humanitarian workers and the movement of aid,” said Niku Jafarnia, Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch. “All countries with influence, as well as the United Nations and civil society organizations, should use all the tools at their disposal to urge the release of those arbitrarily detained and to provide support to their family members.”  

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New police dog facility opens to boost real-world readiness

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New police dog facility opens to boost real-world readiness

    Griffin Bark, a new police dog training facility, opens to prepare K9s for real-world scenarios with realistic, site-specific obstacles.

    A state-of-the-art training facility designed to better prepare police dogs for real-world operational environments has officially opened at Griffin Park, in Cumbria.

    Affectionately named ‘Griffin Bark’, the purpose-built area replicates the complex and often challenging scenarios dogs may encounter in the field.

    Developed to enhance realism in training, Griffin Bark includes a variety of features such as solid and open staircases, two training towers with different flooring types, interconnected tunnels (including confined spaces and vertical access areas), and realistic entry points like chain screens and curtain doors. It also houses a street scene setup with signage, furniture, barriers, and multiple scent concealment points.

    The facility is directly connected to the Dog Training Unit and kennel building via a secure enclosed route, allowing easy and safe access for handlers and their dogs.

    By offering more frequent and immersive training opportunities, Griffin Bark plays a vital role in building canine confidence, resilience, and search effectiveness. It also promotes closer collaboration with the Firearms Training Unit, supporting joint operational readiness.

    The creation of this unique training environment reflects the Civil Nuclear Constabulary’s continued commitment to the Dog Training Unit and promotes greater inter-operability with the Firearms Training Unit.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2025 (29 May)- UN Chief Message | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Video Message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Peacekeepers.

    “With unwavering courage, United Nations peacekeepers step into danger – to help protect thosewho need protection, preserve peace, and restore hope in some of the world’s most challengingcontexts.
    Today, we honour their service.We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage.And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.More than 4,400 peacekeepers have died in service – 57 last year alone.We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.The focus of this year’s International Day of Peacekeepers is on “the future of peacekeeping”.Today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world:Growing polarization and division around the globe …Operations made even more dangerous from a multiplicity of threats such as terrorism…Targeting of peacekeepers through deadly misinformation…And challenges that transcend borders – from the climate crisis to transnational crime.As we look ahead, it is essential that peacekeepers have what they need to do their jobs.This is the shared responsibility of the United Nations and Member States.The Pact for the Future – adopted last year at the United Nations – includes a commitment toadapt peacekeeping to our changing world.This challenge is also an opportunity:To analyse what makes peacekeeping operations successful…

    To better understand what hinders them…And to help design new future-focused models that are anchored in political solutions,adequately resourced, and have mandates that are achievable, with clear exit strategies.The first step – reviewing our peace operations – is underway.And together, we will keep pushing this vital effort forward.Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations — and the United Nations needspeacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges”.

    More info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/peacekeepers-day

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqz5pgWUH68

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: Poland’s PFR Launches €150 M Deep-Tech Fund-Of-Funds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WARSAW, Poland, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PFR Ventures, the investment arm of the Polish Development Fund (PFR), has introduced PFR Deep Tech, a fund-of-funds programme that will deploy at least €150 million into breakthrough and dual-use technologies. Half of the capital is being supplied by PFR, and the rest will be raised from private and institutional partners.

    The new programme is designed to back venture-capital managers with established records in scaling deep-tech companies. Target sectors include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, robotics, space and dual use. Selected funds must match PFR’s commitment euro-for-euro and invest at least the same amount in businesses that maintain a clear Polish nexus through R&D, operations or headquarters.

    “We are filling a financing gap for frontier technologies that often require more patience than traditional VC can offer,” said Mikołaj Raczyński, Vice-President of PFR. “Poland already has world-class engineers and scientists; what has been missing is a patient pool of capital that lets their ideas mature here rather than migrating abroad. Ukraine’s proximity is more than just a geopolitical backdrop; it brings concrete needs and gives us sharper insight into the dual-use technology market.”

    PFR Ventures expects to anchor three to five specialised funds, which together could back up to 80 high-potential businesses over the life of the programme. Raczyński added that the initiative is meant to attract both global expertise and domestic talent: “By pairing public money with private know-how, we aim to embed Poland deeper in global value chains while keeping intellectual property and high-skill jobs at home.”

    The launch builds on PFR Ventures’ position as Central Europe’s largest institutional limited partner (LP). The organisation already supports more than 90 venture capital, private equity and private credit funds. “The Polish capital market has the foundations to become a regional investment hub” Raczyński noted. “With PFR Deep Tech we are sharpening our focus on technologies that matter for both economic competitiveness and security.”

    The Polish Development Fund (PFR) is committed to supporting Poland’s sustainable economic growth by fostering domestic investment, promoting the international expansion of Polish enterprises, and collaborating with foreign partners.

    Source: PFR

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK How can we protect young people online?

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

    Members raise concerns about the challenges facing young people from online harms in this question from Baroness Berger.

    Read a transcript:
    https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-05-21/debates/A4B13D84-4D44-4962-9882-C2D0F17EC834/OnlineHarmsYoungPeople

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

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

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

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5BJ9_WbZEY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • Serbia says it will investigate Russian accusations that it ships arms to Ukraine

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Serbia and Russia will jointly investigate how Serbia-made ammunition reached Ukraine, President Aleksandar Vucic said, after Moscow accused Belgrade of exporting arms to the government in Kyiv.

    The SVR, the Russian foreign intelligence service, accused Belgrade of “a stab in the back”, alleging Serbia’s defence manufacturers were selling ammunition and weapons to Ukraine.

    “They (arms sales) have one clear purpose – to kill and maim Russian military personnel and the civilian population,” the SVR said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.

    The SVR said Serbia sends arms shipments to Ukraine through NATO intermediaries, including the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria, as well as some African countries.

    Serbia maintains a balancing act between its historical ties with Russia and the European Union. Belgrade has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but has so far refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow.

    Vucic told state RTS TV he discussed Serbian arms exports to Ukraine with Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin when he visited Moscow on May 9, and denied some of the SVR’s allegations.

    “We have formed a working group, together with Russian partners, to establish the facts. Some of the things that have been said are not true,” he told RTS TV late on Thursday.

    According to a classified Pentagon document, Serbia in 2023 agreed to supply arms to Kyiv, despite the country’s professed military neutrality. Moscow has criticised Belgrade several times over the issue.

    The Serbian defence industry produces weapons and ammunition with designs largely stemming from the ex-Soviet military technology of the 1980s, similar to those used both in Ukraine and Russia.

    “Our factories must live and work. About 24,000 people work directly in the defense industry,” Vucic said.

    Serbia wants to join the European Union, but Russia, a Slavic and Orthodox Christian ally, remains its biggest gas supplier, and the country’s sole oil refinery is majority-owned by Gazprom and Gazprom Neft.

    Although Belgrade has refused to join Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it has condemned Moscow’s policies in the United Nations and expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including territories held by Russia. Vucic has also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at least three times.

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi inaugurates projects worth ₹47,600 crore in Kanpur, highlights India’s self-reliance in defence sector

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone for development and defence-related projects worth approximately ₹47,600 crore during his visit to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Addressing a large public gathering, the Prime Minister said that the visit, initially scheduled for April 24, was postponed following the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam.

    Paying tribute to Shubham Dwivedi, a resident of Kanpur who lost his life in the attack, the Prime Minister said the entire nation shares the sorrow and anguish of the victims. He also highlighted the success of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the attacks, noting that the Indian armed forces destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and forced the adversary to plead for de-escalation.

    Reaffirming India’s stance against terrorism, the Prime Minister said, “Our response will be decisive. The timing and nature of our actions will be determined solely by our forces. India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail or make distinctions between state and non-state actors in Pakistan.” He added that Operation Sindoor is not yet over, and India will eliminate threats wherever they exist.

    Highlighting the strength of indigenous defence capabilities, PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased the impact of ‘Make in India’, with domestically produced weapons like the BrahMos missile hitting targets with precision. He reiterated the government’s commitment to making India self-reliant in defence, stating that the era of dependence on foreign countries for military needs is ending.

    He also pointed to the major role Uttar Pradesh is playing in this transformation, noting that seven historic ordnance factories, including the one in Kanpur, have now been converted into advanced defence production units. He underlined that the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, especially the Kanpur node, is emerging as a key centre for the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence sector.

    The Prime Minister informed the gathering that AK-203 rifle production has already commenced in Amethi, and the BrahMos missile system now has a new base in Uttar Pradesh, signalling the state’s growing stature in defence manufacturing. He added that with these developments, Uttar Pradesh is poised to lead India’s journey towards becoming a major defence exporter.

    The Prime Minister said that these investments will not only strengthen India’s defence sector but also create new employment opportunities for thousands of youth in the region. He expressed confidence that the upcoming defence-related projects will boost the state’s economy and industrial capabilities.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: James Bamberg is appointed to the ACNRA Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    James Bamberg is appointed to the ACNRA Board

    The Secretary of State has appointed James Bamberg as a Board Member for the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives. This is a 4 year term from 10 March 2025 to 9 March 2029

    James Bamberg

    James (Jim) Bamberg is an historian and author who was formerly the official historian of BP plc. He wrote two volumes of BP’s official history published by Cambridge University Press and a third unpublished volume. He was also responsible for BP’s archives, in which capacity he proposed and managed the relocation of the archives to the University of Warwick and their opening to public access. On leaving BP he joined Harvard Business School as the Alfred D. Chandler International Visiting Scholar in Business History. He afterwards worked as an independent consultant and formed his own historical consultancy company, Storica Ltd.

    Jim holds a first class honours degree and a PhD in history from the University of Cambridge, as well as an honours degree in Fine Art from Goldsmiths, University of London. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the University of Reading; a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge; President of the Association of Business Historians; and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Board Members will be remunerated at a rate of £386 per day. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. James has declared no significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sir Loyd Grossman’s (CBE) term as The Royal Parks Chair extended for 9 months

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Sir Loyd Grossman’s (CBE) term as The Royal Parks Chair extended for 9 months

    The Secretary of State has extended Sir Loyd’s third term for a further 9 months, from 01 June 2025 to 28 February 2026, while the process to appoint a new permanent Chair of The Royal Parks is run.

    Sir Loyd Grossman CBE

    Loyd is a broadcaster, entrepreneur and writer who has a long association with the arts and heritage sectors. He is Chair of The Royal Society of Arts and a Vice President of the Churches Conservation Trust.

    Loyd’s past appointments include as a board member of English Heritage, the Museums and Galleries Commission and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. He has been Chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust, Chair of the Heritage Alliance, Chairman of National Museums Liverpool and Vice Chair of the Royal Drawing School. He was awarded a Knighthood in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to heritage in 2024. He was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to heritage in 2015.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    The Chair of The Royal Parks is not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Sir Loyd Grossman has not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Ellomay Capital Reports Publication of Financial Statements of Dorad Energy Ltd. as of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL-AVIV, Israel, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, Israel and USA, today reported the publication in Israel of financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 of Dorad Energy Ltd. (“Dorad”), in which Ellomay currently indirectly holds approximately 9.4% through its indirect 50% ownership of Ellomay Luzon Energy Infrastructures Ltd. (formerly U. Dori Energy Infrastructures Ltd.) (“Ellomay Luzon Energy”).

    On May 29, 2025, Amos Luzon Entrepreneurship and Energy Group Ltd. (the “Luzon Group”), an Israeli public company that currently holds the remaining 50% of Ellomay Luzon Energy, which, in turn, holds 18.75% of Dorad, published its quarterly report in Israel based on the requirements of the Israeli Securities Law, 1968. Based on applicable regulatory requirements, the quarterly report of the Luzon Group includes the financial statements of Dorad for the same period.

    The financial statements of Dorad as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Ellomay will include its indirect share of these results (through its holdings in Ellomay Luzon Energy) in its financial results for this period. In an effort to provide Ellomay’s shareholders with access to Dorad’s financial results (which were published in Hebrew), Ellomay hereby provides a convenience translation to English of Dorad’s financial results.

    Dorad Financial Highlights

    • Dorad’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 – approximately NIS 610.6 million.
    • Dorad’s operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2025 – approximately NIS 76.9 million.

    Based on the information provided by Dorad, the demand for electricity by Dorad’s customers is seasonal and is affected by, inter alia, the climate prevailing in that season. The months of the year are split into three seasons as follows: summer – June-September; winter – December-February; and intermediate (spring and autumn) – March-May and October-November. There is a higher demand for electricity during the winter and summer seasons, and the average electricity consumption is higher in these seasons than in the intermediate seasons and is even characterized by peak demands due to extreme climate conditions of heat or cold. In addition, Dorad’s revenues are affected by the change in load and time tariffs – TAOZ (an electricity tariff that varies across seasons and across the day in accordance with demand hour clusters), as, on average, TAOZ tariffs are higher in the summer season than in the intermediate and winter seasons. Therefore, the results presented for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which include winter months of January and February and the intermediate month of March, are not indicative of full year results. In addition, due to various reasons, including the effects of the increase in the Israeli CPI impacting interest payments by Dorad on its credit facility, the results included herein may not be indicative of first quarter results in the future or comparable to first quarter results in the past.

    A convenience translation of the financial results for Dorad as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 and as of and for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 is included at the end of this press release. Ellomay does not undertake to separately report Dorad’s financial results in a press release in the future. Neither Ellomay nor its independent public accountants have reviewed or consulted with the Luzon Group, Ellomay Luzon Energy or Dorad with respect to the financial results included in this press release.

    About Ellomay Capital Ltd.
    Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.
    To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:

    • Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
    • 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
    • Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
    • 83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
    • Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 294 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
    • Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW that are placed in service and in process of connection to the grid and additional 22 MW are under construction.

    For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

    Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements.  The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, continued war and hostilities and political and economic conditions generally in Israel, regulatory changes, the decisions of the Israeli Electricity Authority, changes in demand, technical and other disruptions in the operations of the power plant operated by Dorad, competition, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Dorad’s facilities and in the price of oil and electricity, changes in the Israeli CPI, changes in interest rates, seasonality, failure to obtain financing for the expansion of Dorad and other risks applicable to projects under development and construction, and other risks applicable to projects under development and construction, in addition to other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s and Dorad’s business that are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
    CFO
    Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
    Email: hilai@ellomay.com  

     
    Dorad Energy Ltd.

    Interim Condensed Statements of Financial Position

    March 31

    March 31

    December 31

    2025

    2024

    2024

    (Unaudited)

    (Unaudited)

    (Audited)

    NIS thousands

    NIS thousands

    NIS thousands

    Current assets

    Cash and cash equivalents

    1,030,373

    399,596

    846,565

    Trade receivables and accrued income

    247,812

    181,182

    185,625

    Other receivables

    26,929

    13,850

    32,400

    Financial derivatives

    803

    –

    –

    Total current assets

    1,305,917

    594,628

    1,064,590

    Non-current assets

    Restricted deposit

    541,855

    514,770

    531,569

    Long-term Prepaid expenses

    79,666

    29,548

    79,739

    Fixed assets

    2,678,973

    3,065,103

    2,697,592

    Intangible assets

    10,215

    7,573

    9,688

    Right of use assets

    53,332

    54,544

    54,199

    Total non-current assets

    3,364,041

    3,671,538

    3,372,787

    Total assets

    4,669,958

    4,266,166

    4,437,377

    Current liabilities

    Current maturities of loans from banks

    347,509

    329,137

    321,805

    Current maturities of lease liabilities

    4,991

    4,787

    4,887

    Current tax liabilities

    24,119

    –

    14,016

    Trade payables

    297,164

    158,545

    168,637

    Other payables

    14,865

    19,897

    14,971

    Financial derivatives

    –

    1,125

    –

    Total current liabilities

    688,648

    513,491

    524,316

    Non-current liabilities

    Loans from banks

    1,756,777

    2,001,668

    1,750,457

    Other long-term liabilities

    60,872

    11,562

    60,987

    Long-term lease liabilities

    47,198

    48,007

    46,809

    Provision for dismantling and restoration

    37,212

    38,013

    38,102

    Deferred tax liabilities

    405,837

    297,691

    399,282

    Liabilities for employee benefits, net

    160

    160

    160

    Total non-current liabilities

    2,308,056

    2,397,101

    2,295,797

    Equity

    Share capital

    11

    11

    11

    Share premium

    642,199

    642,199

    642,199

    Capital reserve from activities with shareholders

    3,748

    3,748

    3,748

    Retained earnings

    1,027,296

    709,616

    971,306

    Total equity

    1,673,254

    1,355,574

    1,617,264

    Total liabilities and equity

    4,669,958

    4,266,166

    4,437,377

    Dorad Energy Ltd.

    Interim Condensed Statements of Profit or Loss

     

    		  

    For the three months ended

    Year ended
       

    March 31

    December 31
       

    2025

    		  

    2024

    		  

    2024
       

    (Unaudited)

    		  

    (Unaudited)

    		  

    (Audited)
       

    NIS thousands

    		  

    NIS thousands

    		  

    NIS thousands

    Revenues

    610,554

     610,882 

     2,863,770 

     

     

     

     

    Operating costs of the Power Plant

     

     

     
     

     

     

     

    Energy costs

    105,220

     131,084 

     574,572 

     

     

     

    Electricity purchase and
    infrastructure services

    325,315

     263,191 

     1,372,618 

    Depreciation and
    amortization

    51,418

    55,514 

    106,266 

    Other operating costs

    		  

    43,475

    		  

     42,469 

    		  

     190,027 
     

     

     

     

    Total operating costs of Power Plant

    		  

    525,428

    		  

     492,258 

    		  

     2,243,483 
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Profit from operating the Power Plant

    85,126

     118,624 

     620,287 
     

     

     

     

    General and administrative expenses

    8,186

     9,874 

     23,929 

    Other income

    		  

    –

    		  

     – 

    		  

     58 
     

     

     

     

    Operating profit

    76,940

     108,750 

     596,416 

     

     

     

     

    Financing income

    28,452

     12,879 

     184,939 

    Financing expenses

    		  

    32,743

    		  

     36,396 

    		  

     193,825 

     

     

     

     

    Financing expenses, net

    		  

    4,291

    		  

     23,517 

    		  

     8,886 

     

     

     

     

    Profit before taxes on income

    72,649

     85,233 

     587,530 

     

     

     

     

    Taxes on income

    		  

    16,659

    		  

     19,596 

    		  

     135,203 

     

     

     

     

    Net profit for the period

    		  

    55,990

    		  

     65,637 

    		  

     452,327
    Dorad Energy Ltd.
    Interim Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
          Capital reserve      
          for activities      
      Share
    		   Share     with   Retained      
      capital
    		   premium     shareholders   earnings     Total Equity
      NIS thousands
    		   NIS thousands     NIS thousands   NIS thousands     NIS thousands
    For the three months                
     ended March 31, 2025            
     (Unaudited)                
                 
    Balance as at                
     January 1, 2025 (Audited) 11   642,199     3,748   971,306     1,617,264  
                     
    Net profit for the period – 
    		    –       –    55,990     55,990  
                     
    Balance as at 
     March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)    		  11
    		    642,199      3,748   1,027,296     1,673,254  
                 
    For the three months                
     ended March 31, 2024                
     (Unaudited)            
                 
    Balance as at            
     January 1, 2024 (Audited) 11   642,199     3,748   643,979   1,289,937  
                 
    Net profit for the period –    –      –    65,637   65,637  
                 
    Balance as at            
     March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) 11   642,199     3,748   709,616   1,355,574  
                 
    For the year ended            
     December 31, 2024 (Audited)            
                 
    Balance as at            
     January 1, 2024 (Audited) 11   642,199     3,748   643,979   1,289,937  
                 
    Dividend distributed –    –      –    (125,000 ) (125,000 )
    Net profit for the year –    –      –    452,327   452,327  
                 
    Balance as at            
     December 31, 2024 (Audited) 11   642,199     3,748   971,306   1,617,264  
     
    Dorad Energy Ltd.
    Interim Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
        For the three months ended Year ended  
        March 31
    		   December 31  
        2025   2024   2024  
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Audited)  
        NIS thousands   NIS thousands   NIS thousands  
    Cash flows from operating activities:        
    Net Profit for the period 55,990    65,637    452,327  
           
    Adjustments:      
    Depreciation and amortization      
    and fuel consumption 53,036    59,379    121,664  
    Taxes on income 16,659    19,596     135,203  
    Financing expenses, net 4,291    23,517    8,886  
      73,986    102,492    265,753  
           
    Change in trade receivables (62,187 )  30,684    26,241  
    Change in other receivables 5,471   (4,493 ) (20,951 )
    Change in trade payables 116,677   (8,906 ) (10,361 )
    Change in other payables (106 )  5,954   (3,481 )
    Change in other long-term liabilities 315   (1,381 ) (3,661 )
      60,170    21,858   (12,213 )
           
    Net cash from operating activities 190,146    189,987    705,867  
           
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Proceeds (used in) for settlement of financial derivatives, net 289   (1,395 )  1,548  
    Decrease in long-term restricted deposits –    17,500    17,500  
    Investment in fixed assets (34,249 ) (17,069 ) (44,132 )
    Proceeds from arbitration –    –     337,905  
    Proceeds from insurance for damages to fixed assets –    2,737    5,148  
    Investment in intangible assets (1,115 ) (412 ) (4,054 )
    Interest received 14,847    9,577    42,221  
           
    Net cash from )used in) investing activities (20,228 )  10,918    356,136  
           
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Repayment of lease liability –    (100 ) (4,984 )
    Repayment of loans from banks –     –    (284,570 )
    Dividends paid –    (17,500 ) (142,500 )
    Interest paid (190 ) (196 ) (129,957 )
    Proceeds from arbitration –    –     127,195  
           
    Net cash used in financing activities (190 ) (17,796 ) (434,816 )
           
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 169,728    183,109    627,187  
           
    Effect of exchange rate fluctuations      
    on cash and cash equivalents 14,080   (2,759 )  132  
    Cash and cash equivalents at      
    beginning of period 846,565    219,246    219,246  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end      
    of period 1,030,373   399,596    846,565   
           
    (a) Significant non-cash activity        
    Liability for gas agreements 432   –    56,208  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA proposes countervailing measure on PET from India be kept

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    TRA proposes countervailing measure on PET from India be kept

    The TRA has set out its intended recommendation in a Statement of Essential Facts for its review of countervailing measures on PET from India.

    Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

    The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings that a countervailing measure on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from India be maintained for a further five years. 

    The proposal, published in a Statement of Essential Facts follows an assessment that subsidised imports are likely to recur if the measure was no longer applied and that injury to UK industry would also be likely to recur. The TRA also found that maintaining the measure is in the economic interest of the UK. 

    The TRA found that while Indian imports of PET during the investigation period were low (just 24 tonnes in 2023), the subsidy programmes identified in the original EU measure still exist and are likely to continue. The investigation also concluded that UK industry remains vulnerable to injury, with falling sales, reduced production capacity, and evidence of underutilisation among domestic producers. 

    The intended recommendation is to maintain existing countervailing duty rates, ranging from 0% to 13.8%, until August 2029. 

    Interested parties now have until 13 June 2025 to comment on the SEF. Responses will be considered before the TRA makes its final recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

    The SEF and public file for this case can be accessed here

    Notes to editors:

    • The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is the UK body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports. 

    • The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade. 

    • The period of investigation for this transition review was 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023. The injury period was 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2023. 

    • This review forms part of the UK’s ongoing assessment of trade remedy measures transitioned from the European Union. 

    • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic commonly used in food and beverage packaging, including bottles and containers. 

    • Countervailing (anti-subsidy) duties are one of three trade remedy tools used to address goods that are being unfairly subsidised by overseas governments and causing injury to UK industry.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Thailand aims to become regional hub for AI, digital innovation: deputy PM

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BANGKOK, May 30 (Xinhua) — Thailand is advancing a national transformation strategy and aiming to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Chantharawongthong said in a video message Thursday at the Huawei Thailand Digital and AI Summit 2025.

    He pointed to the important role of AI and digital innovation in Thailand’s long-term development strategy, noting that the country’s digital economy is growing rapidly and will expand by 7.3 percent in 2025.

    “Under the ‘Economic Growth Engine of Thailand’ program, we aim to enhance national competitiveness, create a safe digital environment, and nurture a new generation of digital talent,” said P. Chantharawongthong. Thailand aims to strengthen its digital infrastructure, create a safe digital environment that protects users’ rights and enjoys public trust, and develop human capital by training talent and developing AI developers over the next two years, he added.

    In support of the country’s talent development policy, Chinese tech giant Huawei and Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University are collaborating to develop AI-focused curricula, develop ICT infrastructure, and transform the university into a fully integrated smart campus.

    “This collaboration with Huawei reflects our strong commitment to digital transformation in education and preparing our students and staff for the future digital economy,” said Parichat Sthapitanonda, vice president of the university.

    Huawei Technologies Thailand CEO Li Xiongwei pointed to the transformative power of AI for society. “By collaborating with government, industry, and academia, Huawei aims to advance all sectors, from agriculture to healthcare to finance,” he said.

    The summit brought together more than 2,000 participants, including government leaders, global tech leaders and academics, to explore the next phase of Thailand’s digital economy, powered by AI, cloud innovation and cross-sector collaboration. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • President Murmu honours 15 nurses with National Florence Nightingale Awards 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2025 on 15 outstanding nursing professionals in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The annual awards recognise the exceptional service and unwavering commitment of nurses from across India, who have played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s healthcare delivery system.

    The awardees, drawn from diverse states and healthcare settings, were honoured for their dedication, compassion, and resilience — hallmarks of the nursing profession. This year’s recipients include Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), and Registered Nurses serving in both government and voluntary healthcare services.

    Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, along with Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav and Anupriya Patel, attended the ceremony.

    Addressing the gathering, Nadda praised the awardees, saying, “This well-deserved recognition celebrates your dedication to serving humanity and will motivate you to keep making a positive impact. Our nurses are the pillars of India’s healthcare system, saving countless lives every single day.”

    Instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Florence Nightingale Awards include a Certificate of Merit, a medal, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. The award is presented annually to honour nurses, midwives, and health workers for their distinguished service.

    The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has undertaken several initiatives to bolster the nursing and midwifery professions. The recent enactment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act is expected to modernize nursing education and improve regulatory oversight. Additionally, the establishment of 157 nursing colleges alongside medical colleges is aimed at creating a robust, skilled nursing workforce capable of meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the country.

  • There could be no greater injustice: PM Modi accuses opposition of betraying Bihar, promises new era of progress

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a sharp dig at the opposition during his public rally in Bikramganj, Rohtas district, accusing them of deceiving Bihar for decades and now attempting to misuse the narrative of social justice to regain power. Speaking to a large gathering, PM Modi said that under previous regimes, Bihar’s poor and marginalized communities—especially Dalits, backward classes, and tribal groups—were denied basic amenities and forced to migrate in search of better lives.

    “For decades, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities in Bihar lacked even basic sanitation,” PM Modi said. He added that many were denied access to banking services, remained homeless, and lived without proper shelter. “Is this the social justice promised by the opposition? I say there can be no greater injustice than this,” he asserted.

    The Prime Minister criticized opposition parties for not genuinely caring about the struggles of marginalized communities. He also censured them for bringing foreign delegations to Bihar merely to highlight poverty, instead of focusing on development work. PM Modi observed that after losing support among Dalits and other marginalized groups due to their failures, the opposition is now trying to revive its political identity by invoking social justice.

    In contrast, PM Modi highlighted the “new dawn” of social justice under the current government. He said his administration has ensured access to essential services for the poor, aiming to reach 100% of eligible beneficiaries. “Four crore new houses have been provided, and three crore women are being empowered through the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative,” PM Modi said. Over 12 crore households now enjoy tap water connections, improving living standards nationwide.

    He further noted that every senior citizen above 70 is entitled to free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh, while free ration is provided monthly to support the needy. “Our government stands firmly with every poor and underprivileged individual, ensuring their well-being and upliftment,” PM Modi affirmed.

    PM Modi praised Bihar’s launch of the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samagra Seva Abhiyan, under which 22 essential welfare schemes are delivered simultaneously to villages, ensuring no eligible family is left behind. He announced that over 30,000 service camps have already connected lakhs of beneficiaries to these programmes, bringing the state closer to the vision of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Karpoori Thakur, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Jayaprakash Narayan.

    On the infrastructure front, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs 29,930 crore Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project Stage-II (3×800 MW) in Aurangabad district. The project aims to boost energy security for Bihar and eastern India, stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and provide affordable electricity.

    He also laid foundation stones for multiple road projects, including the four-laning of Patna–Arrah–Sasaram section of NH-119A, six-laning of the Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata highway (NH-319B) and Ramnagar–Kacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and the construction of a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli. These projects will improve high-speed connectivity across Bihar, enhancing trade and regional integration.

    PM Modi also inaugurated the four-laning of Patna–Gaya–Dobhi section of NH-22 worth around Rs 5,520 crore and the elevated highway and at-grade improvements in Gopalganj town on NH-27.

    Furthering his commitment to rail infrastructure, PM Modi dedicated the third rail line between Son Nagar and Mohammad Ganj, a project worth over Rs 1,330 crore, to the nation.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Single-use vape ban begins 1 June: Find out what you need to know 30 May 2025 Single-use vape ban begins 1 June: What you need to know

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The Isle of Wight Council is reminding local businesses and consumers that, starting 1 June 2025, the sale and purchase of single-use vapes will be banned under new legislation.

    This ban applies to all single-use vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not, and includes online sales and in-store purchases.

    Local businesses are urged to cease the sale of these products immediately. Any business found selling single-use vapes after the ban takes effect must dispose of them safely or risk enforcement action.

    To help ensure compliance, Trading Standards has contacted retailers directly to outline their responsibilities and provide guidance on the new rules.

    To be compliant with the new law, businesses should:

    • not purchase any new stock of single use vapes;

    • sell all existing stock before 1 June;

    • only buy vapes that comply with the new Regulations (noting that they must also comply with existing vaping products regulations);

    • train staff on the specifics of the ban.

    The new requirements will mean that vapes being sold from 1 June must be rechargeable, refillable with e-liquid and have a replaceable coil.

    The law is part of the government’s plan to tackle waste and pollution caused by disposable vapes and combat the rise in youth vaping.

    Many single use vapes contain plastic parts and lithium batteries. These are often thrown away incorrectly or littered. This can lead to fire risks for waste collection services, and pollution issues for wildlife and the environment.

    How to recycle vapes safely:

    • Do not throw vapes in a regular bin. They contain batteries and electronics.

    • Use dedicated e-waste recycling bins, found at both Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), large supermarkets or vape retailers.

    • At your HRC booking, notify the meet and greet staff that you wish to dispose of vapes. They will either direct you to the dedicated vape disposal bins or take them from you to recycle.

    • Return your used vape from the retailer you purchased it from. Retailers that sell vapes are required to accept vape returns for recycling under existing waste regulations.

    • DO NOT attempt to take apart the vape yourself for recycling.

    If you’re thinking about quitting vaping, now is the perfect time to take that step. The council’s dedicated quit smoking service – Smokefree Island – is here to support you every step of the way.

    The free local support includes nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or spray to help you quit. The friendly, non-judgmental advice can help you get started today.

    For support to quit vaping contact Smokefree Island Website: Smokefree Isle of Wight | Free Stop Smoking Support Telephone: 01983 642369/0800 999 1396 Email: hello@smokefreeisland.org.uk

    For further business advice, please contact trading.standards@iow.gov.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic University remembers: 80 years of Victory through the eyes of the SPbPU Student City

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    University youth have always played a key role in preserving historical memory and perpetuating the feat of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Students and staff of the Student City were no exception – they actively participated in university events dedicated to the anniversary of the Great Victory. In an effort to preserve the memory of the Student City’s contribution during the war, the united student council of the SPbPU dormitories initiated its own projects aimed at education and preserving the historical heritage.

    Information stands telling about the role of students during the war were placed in all the dormitories and hotels of the Student City. These stands became not only a tribute to memory, but also an opportunity for new generations of students to touch the pages of the past. Particular attention was paid to memorial sites – ceremonial flower-laying ceremonies were held at the dormitories on Lesnaya Street, as well as at the “Blockade Well” on Nepokorennykh Avenue.

    In addition, a series of videos was prepared for social networks, revealing the heroism of those who lived in dormitories during the war years. Thanks to living testimonies, archives and photographs, we can understand at what incredible cost in the conditions of war students continued to study and live.

    The beginning of the war

    From the recollections of Flight Research Institute student Zalman Reznikov-Levit: June 22, 1941. A clear, gentle, sunny day. The student campus “on Flyugov” was quiet. An examination session was underway. Everyone was sitting with their notes, preparing to take the next exam. The session was coming to an end. I was preparing “Electric Drive”, which was due tomorrow, Monday, June 23. The morning was clear and calm. Suddenly the radio announced that at 12 o’clock the Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR, Comrade V. M. Molotov, would speak on the radio. I felt anxious… For the next day, a table was set up in the student campus on the street opposite the canteen near building No. 5, where the registration of volunteers for the student division of the people’s militia began. The registration of those wishing to participate lasted for several days. There were a lot of people around the registration tables, a crush, noise.

    Simultaneously with the announcement of the attack of Nazi Germany on our country, the People’s Commissar of Foreign Affairs of the USSR V. M. Molotov read the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the mobilization of persons born between 1905 and 1918 into the Red Army. As the director of the Student City Iraida Grigoryevna Otto recalled, military tables were organized in the premises of the factory-kitchen on a voluntary basis. The staff of the Student City delivered summonses to persons who had to appear at the recruiting stations. The administration also created self-defense groups in the Student City with the help of public organizations. They consisted mainly of women and children aged 12 to 17. The duties of the participants in these groups, in addition to regular duty, included sealing windows with paper tape, filling sandbags, and keeping watch in the attics.

    Student City Buildings

    Student canteen #6, located in the third dormitory, was transferred to the hospital. The hospital’s service personnel were housed in part of the second academic building. In the first days of the war, the V and VI buildings of the Student City were occupied by an evacuation hospital. As TVN worker P. Fomin recalls, it was there that he was treated for his wounds. 85% of the glass in the building had been replaced with plywood, the heating no longer worked, and there was no water. Due to the lack of fuel, the heat supply to the Student City buildings ceased, and the remaining students heated their rooms with temporary shelters. On December 31, 1941, due to improper use of a “potbelly stove”, the IV building caught fire. A third of the building burned down, and two fires that occurred in January completely destroyed the IV building of the Student City.

    The commander of the 7th company was a career firefighter A. Kudryavtsev, and the political instructor was a polytechnic student Valentin Vernitsky. The platoon headquarters was located in the Red Corner of the first building of the Student City on Lesnoy, 65. From September 11, the entire regiment was transferred to barracks. As student Vera Sharova recalls, the female firefighters lived in two rooms on the fifth floor of the first building of the Student City, and the guys lived with the company leadership in the basement of a building on the corner of Lesnoy Prospekt and 1st Murinsky. Every day, the platoon fighters gathered at the command post, from where they went on patrol.

    In addition, a tank regiment was located in the Student City. It stayed in the main building for only 12 days, after which it was transferred to the VII Corps of the Student City, located at 14 Pribytkovskaya Street. This street no longer exists. It is built up with houses, including the institute’s dormitories. Regular scheduled classes had effectively ceased by November 1941 due to the small number of groups. Lectures were often held in the apartments of teachers or in student dormitories.

    Before the war, flowers and seedlings were grown on the territory of the Polytechnic. So by the summer of 1941, gardeners had everything ready for growing flowers. But the war messed up their plans. It was too late to start planting vegetables; they were planted in the spring. Gardening was transformed into a subsidiary farm of the institute, and its staff increased. Already from mid-July 1942, the institute’s employees were harvesting.

    Victory Day

    Two o’clock in the morning. The dormitory was quiet, almost everyone was asleep. But as soon as the radio announced the capitulation of Nazi Germany, all the students and teachers were on their feet. The corridors began to stir, people congratulated each other, kissed each other. Songs thundered throughout the corridor, – a quote from the newspaper “Polytechnic” from May 16, 1945.

    After the announcement of Victory at 2:20 a.m. a rally was organized, after which dancing and singing began. The fun continued until six o’clock in the morning.

    By the way, the restoration of the Polytechnic buildings began in the summer of 1944. Workshop No. 1 was tasked with repairing the metal roof of the first and second academic buildings, and then the Main Building and the dormitories on Lesnoy. Special teams were created, which were joined by students arriving from evacuation.

    This page of the history of the Great Patriotic War is forever inscribed in the fate of the university and the Student City, becoming a symbol of the contribution to the education of a strong, courageous generation of defenders of the Motherland.

    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: Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. Prices Upsized $225,000,000 Convertible Senior Notes Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EDISON, N.J., May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: EOSE) (“Eos” or the “Company”) today announced the pricing of its offering of $225,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.75% convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “notes”) in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The offering size was increased from the previously announced offering size of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes. The issuance and sale of the notes are scheduled to settle on June 3, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Eos also granted the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, for settlement within a period of 13 days from, and including, the date the notes are first issued, up to an additional $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes.

    The notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of Eos and will accrue interest at a rate of 6.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2025. The notes will mature on June 15, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Before March 15, 2030, noteholders will have the right to convert their notes only upon the occurrence of certain events. From and after March 15, 2030, noteholders may convert their notes at any time at their election until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. Eos will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at Eos’s election. The initial conversion rate is 196.0784 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $5.10 per share of common stock. The initial conversion price represents a premium of approximately 27.5% over the public offering price in the concurrent common stock offering described below. The conversion rate and conversion price will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

    The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), for cash at Eos’s option at any time, and from time to time, on or after June 20, 2028 and on or before the 41st scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of Eos’s common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for a specified period of time and certain other conditions are satisfied. The redemption price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

    If a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture for the notes) occurs, then, subject to a limited exception, noteholders may require Eos to repurchase their notes for cash. The repurchase price will be equal to (x) 110% (or, if the effective date of such fundamental change is on or after June 15, 2027, 105%) of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable repurchase date.

    Eos estimates that the net proceeds from the offering of notes will be $216,000,000 (or $240,000,000 if the initial purchasers fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions. Eos intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with the net proceeds from the underwritten public offering of common stock referred to below, if it is consummated, (i) to repurchase the full $126 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 5%/6% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Note due 2026 in a privately negotiated transaction for approximately $131 million; (ii) to prepay $50 million of outstanding borrowings due under its credit agreement, dated June 21, 2024, by and between Eos and CCM Denali Debt Holdings, LP (the “Credit Agreement”); and (iii) for general corporate purposes. Upon the prepayment of $50 million of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement, the PIK interest rate under the Credit Agreement will decrease from 15% to 7% and the financial covenants thereunder will be waived until 2027. CCM Denali Equity Holdings, LP has agreed that upon the consummation of the offering it will not transfer any securities issued to it under the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 21, 2024, between the Company and CCM Denali Equity Holdings, LP prior to June 21, 2026.

    In a separate press release, Eos also announced today the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 18,750,000 shares of its common stock, plus up to an additional 2,812,500 shares of its common stock that the underwriters of the common stock offering have the option to purchase from Eos, at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. The issuance and sale of the common stock are scheduled to settle on June 2, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. The completion of the offering of the notes is not contingent on the completion of the offering of common stock, and the completion of the offering of common stock is not contingent on the completion of the offering of the notes. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any common stock in the public offering.

    The offer and sale of the notes and any shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or any other securities laws, and the notes and any such shares cannot be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes or any shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, nor shall there be any sale of the notes or any such shares, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    About Eos Energy Enterprises

    Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. is accelerating the shift to American energy independence with positively ingenious solutions that transform how the world stores power. Our breakthrough Znyth™ aqueous zinc battery was designed to overcome the limitations of conventional lithium-ion technology. It is safe, scalable, efficient, sustainable, manufactured in the U.S., and the core of our innovative systems that today provides utility, industrial, and commercial customers with a proven, reliable energy storage alternative for 3 to 12-hour applications. Eos was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the completion of the offering and the expected amount and intended use of the net proceeds. Forward-looking statements represent Eos’s current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, the satisfaction of the closing conditions related to the offerings and risks relating to Eos’s business, including those described in periodic reports that Eos files from time to time with the SEC. Eos may not consummate the offering described in this press release and, if the offering is consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and Eos does not undertake to update the statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, except as may be required by law.

    Contacts
    Investors: ir@eose.com
    Media: media@eose.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Block Grant for Scottish Government hits £50 billion

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Block Grant for Scottish Government hits £50 billion

    The block grant for the Scottish Government this year is £50 billion following Main Estimates 2025-26 published on Thursday.

    The Scottish Government already had the largest real terms spending review settlement in the history of devolution of £47.7 billion. Following revisions at the Spring Statement and Main Estimates, the Treasury has now confirmed the latest settlement is £50 billion.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

    The UK Government delivered the largest spending review settlement in the history of the Scottish Parliament, now Scots rightly expect to see that record finding deliver better results like lower NHS waiting lists, better attainment in Schools, more police on the beat and more housing.

    I was very concerned this week to see that attainment targets for Scottish schools have been reduced and housebuilding has fallen by 4,000, meanwhile police officer numbers are lower than when police Scotland was established and 800,000 Scots are on an NHS waiting list.

    Where the UK government has responsibility for public services, we are seeing NHS waiting lists fall, more housing being built and more bobbies on the beat, all part of our Plan for Change. This historic funding deal for the Scottish Government should be delivering similar results.

    Background:

    • Main Estimates was published on Thursday, providing the Scottish Government with £572m in additional funding in 2025-26, including £454m through the Barnett formula.
    • It also confirmed the Scottish Government’s £1.8bn RDEL depreciation funding in 2025-26, including student loans.
    • This is on top of a record settlement of £47.7 billion for 2025-26 at Autumn Budget 2024.
    • This additional funding brings SG’s overall 2025-26 block grant funding to £50 billion.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –