NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Emma Caldwell Public Inquiry Chair announced

    Source: Scottish Government

    Lord Scott to lead review of 2005 murder investigation.

    Lord Scott KC will lead the independent Public Inquiry into the investigation of Emma Caldwell’s murder.

    Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced the appointment of Lord Scott, a Senator of the College of Justice, in an update to the Scottish Parliament.

    Emma, 27, was murdered in April 2005. In February last year her killer was convicted and given a life sentence for Emma’s murder and violent offences against other women.

    The Justice Secretary said:

    “In March last year, I announced that there would be a Public Inquiry into the investigation of Emma’s murder in 2005 to provide answers to the victims and survivors involved and ensure that lessons are learned for the future. The other victims, as well as Emma’s mother Margaret and the rest of the family, deserve nothing less after the unbearable loss, pain and grief they have suffered.

    “Lord Scott has a strong track record on human rights and I am pleased that someone of his experience, expertise and legal standing will lead this inquiry. Importantly, Emma’s family support his appointment.

    “I will now consult Lord Scott on the terms of reference and seek the views of Emma’s family and others on the inquiry’s remit. I will update Parliament on the terms of reference and the timescale for the inquiry’s formal setting-up date in due course.”

    Lord Scott said:

    “I am aware of the significant public interest in this inquiry and the importance it holds for Emma Caldwell’s family. I will discharge my duties as chair independently, thoroughly and to the best of my ability.

    “I come to this role with three years of experience as a judge of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary. This followed over 20 years in the voluntary sector, primarily in the area of human rights, as well as over 30 years in private practice as a criminal defence lawyer and work in several reviews which scrutinised the use of various powers by the Police Service of Scotland.

    “I look forward to discussing the terms of reference with the Cabinet Secretary and to establishing and working with an inquiry team to start our work as soon as possible.”

    Background

    Lord Scott, a graduate of the University of Glasgow, qualified as a solicitor in 1987. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 2011 and a judge in 2022.

    He chaired the Scottish Human Rights Centre from 1997 to 2005; convened the Howard League for Penal Reform in Scotland from 2006 until 2018; and chaired Justice Scotland in 2014.

    In 2015, Lord Scott chaired an Independent Advisory Group on police ‘Stop and Search’ powers and he chaired independent reviews into biometrics in policing in Scotland and the impact on communities of policing of the miners’ strike in 1984-85.

    Lord Scott chaired the Scottish Mental Health Law Review from May 2019 and submitted the Review’s final report to Scottish Ministers in September 2022.

    In 2020, he chaired a group providing independent scrutiny on Police Scotland’s use of emergency powers under Coronavirus legislation.

    Read the Justice Secretary’s statement to Parliament on 7 March 2024 announcing plans for a statutory Public Inquiry

    Government Initiated Question confirming that Lord Scott has agreed to chair the independent Public Inquiry into the investigation of Emma Caldwell’s murder.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council response to Accounts Commission Best Value Assurance Report

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Highland Council welcomes the positive Accounts Commission Best Value Report and acknowledges the need for transformation at pace.

    Convener of the Council Cllr Bill Lobban said: “The Council notes the recent report by the Accounts Commission which we consider broadly positive. In particular, we note the comments that the Council has significantly improved since 2020.

    “We also note the positive comments in the report about the ways in which Highland Council is taking steps to transform its delivery of services.”

    In particular, Highland Council has set a budget for 2025 – 2026 which uses zero reserves to fill its revenue gap. In fact, the £12.9m of additional savings that were approved will enable strategic investment of £14m in energy and transport. This is a major step forward and it is positive that this has been recognised on a number of occasions, including in this report, by the Accounts Commission. The elected members of Highland Council have been prepared to make tough decisions, and it is positive that the Commission has recognised the strong relationships between councillors and officers as being a feature of the organisation.

    When the Highland Investment Plan was approved by Council in May last year, the report included details of the processes for its funding whilst ensuring that the Plan remains affordable, prudent and sustainable.  This approach is considered necessary in order to transform the Council’s assets and enable the improvement of services delivered across the Highlands.

    The Council has selected 31 of the 107 Local Government Benchmarking Framework indicators to judge its performance improvement by and can document a process of continual improvement. This is in accordance with advice from Audit Scotland which is that councils should be selective in what they aim to improve, otherwise they can lose strategic focus. These improvements are across all services areas and show a positive trajectory. It should be noted that with such a large geographical expanse to operate in, and with a dispersed population in rural areas, there is probably nowhere in the UK which faces the same level of challenge in delivering services as experienced in Highland.

    There are findings for Highland Council to take on board, which will be reported to a future meeting of the Council. One of these relates to historic levels of borrowing, which will continue to be monitored as a means of sustaining future investment.

    24 Apr 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government action to improve safety in young offender institutions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Government action to improve safety in young offender institutions

    Frontline officers and young people in custody will be better protected under plans to equip specially selected and trained staff with synthetic pepper spray, the Government has announced today (24 April).

    • Specially selected, trained staff to be equipped with synthetic pepper spray 

    • Response to rising violence in young offender institutions  

    • Rate of assaults on staff 14 times higher than in adult prisons

    Amid rising levels of violence, the decision will help keep both staff and young people safe and reduce the severity of incidents in young offender institutions. 

    Over the last few years, more and more frontline officers have been forced to put themselves in danger to protect young people in custody from attack and fend off homemade weapons.  

    PAVA, a synthetic pepper spray which temporarily incapacitates those it is sprayed upon, will now be available to specialist staff in young offender institutions to help de-escalate and diffuse violent situations.   

    Today’s announcement comes as new figures show the rate of assaults in public youth offender institutions is around 14 times higher than in adult prisons.  

    By giving staff the tools they need to keep young people in custody safe, they will be able to focus on rehabilitation and help them turn their lives around. Reducing reoffending is fundamental to the government’s pledge to keep our streets safe, part of its Plan for Change. 

    Minister for Youth Justice Sir Nic Dakin said:     

    This government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis. The unacceptable levels of violence faced by our brave frontline officers in young offender institutions is yet another symptom of that.   

    This is not a decision we have made lightly, but our overarching duty is to keep staff and young people in custody safe. This spray is a vital tool to prevent serious violence, helping staff to focus on rehabilitation as part of our Plan for Change.

    The number of young people in custody has fallen significantly in recent years. Those now held in young offender institutions are mostly older teenage boys, aged 16 to 18 years of age, and over two-thirds of all young people are there for violent offences such as murder, attempted murder and grievous bodily harm.  

    Recent incidents have seen young people in custody sustain serious injuries while staff have experienced fractures, dislocations, puncture wounds and lacerations.  

    The PAVA rollout will allow staff to respond to these incidents more effectively and restore order more quickly.   

    It will only be deployed in limited circumstances by specially trained individuals where there is serious violence or an imminent risk of it taking place. It has previously been used in young offender institutions when National Tactical Response Groups have been called to deal with serious incidents, but this change will mean it can be used more quickly to diffuse situations. It is already used by police in the community and by prison officers in the adult estate to reduce the risk of serious harm to staff and prisoners alike.   

    To keep both staff and young people safe, use in the youth estate will have strict controls, with each use of PAVA being reviewed by an independent panel and reported to ministers for further scrutiny. Ministers will also review its operation and impact after 12 months including to address any disproportionate use.  

    Today’s announcement follows extensive research and evidence gathering with specialists including subject matter experts and NHS England.   

    The Government has also recently taken action to end the practice of placing girls in young offender institutions following recommendations from Susannah Hancock’s independent review into the placement and care of girls in youth custody.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unicef – Increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks threaten years of progress, warn WHO, UNICEF, Gavi

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

     Immunization efforts are under growing threat as misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises, and funding cuts jeopardize progress and leave millions of children, adolescents, and adults at risk, warn WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi during World Immunization Week, 24-30 April.
    Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis, and yellow fever are rising globally, and diseases like diphtheria, which have long been held at bay or virtually disappeared in many countries, are at risk of re-emerging. In response, the agencies are calling for urgent and sustained political attention and investment to strengthen immunization programmes and protect significant progress achieved in reducing child mortality over the past 50 years.
    “Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Funding cuts to global health have put these hard-won gains in jeopardy. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk and exposing countries to increased costs in treating diseases and responding to outbreaks. Countries with limited resources must invest in the highest-impact interventions – and that includes vaccines.”
    Rising outbreaks and strained health systems
    Measles is making an especially dangerous comeback. The number of cases has been increasing year on year since 2021, tracking the reductions in immunization coverage that occurred during and since the COVID-19 pandemic in many communities. Measles cases reached an estimated 10.3 million in 2023, a 20 per cent increase compared to 2022.
    The agencies warn that this upward trend likely continued into 2024 and 2025, as outbreaks have intensified around the world. In the past 12 months, 138 countries have reported measles cases, with 61 experiencing large or disruptive outbreaks – the highest number observed in any 12-month period since 2019.
    Meningitis cases in Africa also rose sharply in 2024, and the upward trend has continued into 2025. In the first three months of this year alone, more than 5,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths were reported in 22 countries. This follows approximately 26,000 cases and almost 1,400 deaths across 24 countries last year.
    Yellow fever cases in the African region are also climbing, with 124 confirmed cases reported in 12 countries in 2024. This comes after dramatic declines in the disease over the past decade, thanks to global vaccine stockpiles and the use of yellow fever vaccine in routine immunization programmes. In the region of the Americas, yellow fever outbreaks have been confirmed since the beginning of this year, with a total of 131 cases in 4 countries.
    These outbreaks come amidst global funding cuts. A recent WHO rapid stock take with 108 country offices of WHO-mostly in low- and lower-middle-income countries-shows that nearly half of those countries are facing moderate to severe disruptions to vaccination campaigns, routine immunization, and access to supplies due to reduced donor funding. Disease surveillance, including for vaccine-preventable diseases, is also impacted in more than half of the countries surveyed.
    At the same time, the number of children missing routine vaccinations has been increasing in recent years, even as countries make efforts to catch up children missed during the pandemic. In 2023, an estimated 14.5 million children missed all of their routine vaccine doses-up from 13.9 million in 2022 and 12.9 million in 2019. Over half of these children live in countries facing conflict, fragility, or instability, where access to basic health services is often disrupted.
    “The global funding crisis is severely limiting our ability to vaccinate over 15 million vulnerable children in fragile and conflict-affected countries against measles,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Immunization services, disease surveillance, and the outbreak response in nearly 50 countries are already being disrupted-with setbacks at a similar level to what we saw during COVID-19. We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable diseases.”
    Continued investment in the ‘Big Catch-Up initiative’, launched in 2023 to reach children who missed vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other routine immunization programmes will be critical.
    How immunization addresses these challenges
    Joint efforts by WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and partners have helped countries expand access to vaccines and strengthen immunization systems through primary health care, even in the face of mounting challenges. Every year, vaccines save nearly 4.2 million lives against 14 diseases – with nearly half of these lives saved in the African region.
    Vaccination campaigns have led to the elimination of meningitis A in Africa’s meningitis belt, while a new vaccine that protects against five strains of meningitis holds promise for broader protection, with efforts underway to expand its use for outbreak response and prevention.
    Progress has also been made in reducing yellow fever cases and deaths through increasing routine immunization coverage and emergency vaccine stockpiles, but recent outbreaks in Africa and in the Region of the Americas highlight the risks in areas with no reported cases in the past, low routine vaccination coverage and gaps in preventive campaigns.
    In addition, the past two years have seen substantial progress in other areas of immunization. In the African region, which has the highest cervical cancer burden in the world, HPV vaccine coverage nearly doubled between 2020 and 2023 from 21 per cent to 40 per cent, reflecting a concerted global effort towards eliminating cervical cancer. The progress in immunization also includes increases in global coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, particularly in the South-East Asia Region, alongside introductions in Chad and Somalia, countries with high disease burden.
    Another milestone is the sub-national introduction of malaria vaccines in nearly 20 African countries, laying the foundation to save half a million additional lives by 2035 as more countries adopt the vaccines and scale-up accelerates as part of the tools to fight malaria.
    Call to action
    UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi urgently call for parents, the public, and politicians to strengthen support for immunization. The agencies emphasize the need for sustained investment in vaccines and immunization programmes and urge countries to honour their commitments to the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030).
    As part of integrated primary healthcare systems, vaccination can protect against diseases and connect families to other essential care, such as antenatal care, nutrition or malaria screening. Immunization is a ‘best buy’ in health with a return on investment of $54 for every dollar invested and provides a foundation for future prosperity and health security.
    “Increasing outbreaks of highly infectious diseases are a concern for the whole world. The good news is we can fight back, and Gavi’s next strategic period has a clear plan to bolster our defences by expanding investments in global vaccine stockpiles and rolling out targeted preventive vaccination in countries most impacted by meningitis, yellow fever and measles,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “These vital activities, however, will be at risk if Gavi is not fully funded for the next five years and we call on our donors to support our mission in the interests of keeping everyone, everywhere, safer from preventable diseases.”
    Gavi’s upcoming high-level pledging summit taking place on 25 June 2025 seeks to raise at least US$ 9 billion from our donors to fund our ambitious strategy to protect 500 million children, saving at least 8 million lives from 2026-2030.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Toxic threat: New Greenpeace report outlines unacceptable risk of nuclear waste in Australia

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    SYDNEY, Thursday 24 April 2025 — A new report from Greenpeace Australia Pacific has shown the Coalition’s nuclear plan could produce 14 billion Coke cans’ worth of radioactive waste a year, warning it is a matter of when, not if, a nuclear waste accident could occur in Australia.

    Released in the lead-up to the 39th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the report, ‘Toxic threat: The danger of nuclear waste in Australia’ shows that the Coalition has grossly understated the volume of dangerous waste its nuclear plan will produce — 14 billion times more than the ‘single coke can’ for a small modular reactor touted by Peter Dutton.

    The report also outlines the unacceptable risk this waste poses to Australian communities, and warns Australia’s long history of nuclear waste management failures point to a very high likelihood of future nuclear disaster. 

    Joe Rafalowicz, Head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan is a dangerous and expensive disaster waiting to happen. From Chernobyl to Fukushima, the devastation of nuclear disasters is a risk that Australia cannot afford to, and doesn’t need to, take. 

    “Australians don’t need the equivalent of 14 billion Coke cans of radioactive nuclear waste every year. The Coalition has not offered a credible plan for how it will manage nuclear waste safely, nor how it will fund this multibillion dollar effort. 

    “Australia’s unenviable track record of mismanaging even low-level nuclear waste, as well as a history of radioactive incidents in the US, UK and EU, reveals how complex it is to manage nuclear waste safely. Multiplying that challenge many times over by building a fleet of nuclear reactors could have devastating consequences for communities and ecosystems. 

    “International examples show that accidents, natural disasters, and other waste management failures occur with alarming regularity. A nuclear waste accident could lead to mass casualties, long-term health impacts, and the contamination of groundwater, farmland, and ecosystems for millennia. The clean-up bill from an incident would be astronomical, costing billions of dollars. 

    “Australia doesn’t need nuclear energy, which is just a smokescreen to prolong the use of climate-wrecking coal and gas for decades. We are almost halfway to powering the nation with clean, affordable wind and solar, and should be supercharging efforts to get to 100% renewables backed by storage.

    “The Coalition has not asked communities like Collie, Latrobe Valley and the Hunter Valley for their consent to build nuclear reactors and waste dumps in their backyards, but the upcoming Federal Election is a chance for voters to have a say in Australia’s energy future. Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan is too dangerous to proceed, and Australians should strongly reject the idea of nuclear energy here.” 

    —ENDS—

    Note to editors: Images of a recent Greenpeace anti-nuclear protest at the Coalition’s election campaign launch party are available here. 

    For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Vai Shah on 0452 290 082 / [email protected]. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Membership of the Building Control Independent Panel

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Membership of the Building Control Independent Panel

    The government has announced the appointment of five members to the Building Control Independent Panel.

    Today (24 April), the government has announced the appointment of five members to the Building Control Independent Panel.

    This delivers on a Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendation, accepted by the government, to set up a panel to carry out a review of whether to change the way in which building control is delivered in England. 

    The panel will be chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt, whose leadership of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety has already helped to shape vital reforms across the sector. An engineer by profession, Dame Judith currently serves as an adviser on building standards to both the UK and Australian Governments and is a member of the International Building Quality Council (IBQC).  She will be joined by four experts with extensive experience in the regulation and use of the building control sector: Elaine Bailey, Ken Rivers, Rt Hon Nick Raynsford and Dr David Snowball. 

    The panel members’ collective expertise will support a thorough and independent review of the current building control model, including on the Inquiry’s recommendations to consider the issue of commercial incentives from the system and exploring alternative options and approaches. The panel is expected to provide a report to the government this autumn.

    Minister for Building Safety, Alex Norris MP, said:  

    “The appointment of this independent panel is a significant step in our response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. We need a building control system that puts safety first and supports our plans to accelerate remediation. It must also help to deliver 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes over this Parliament, and be equipped to meet the demands of a modern construction sector.   

    “Their work will play a vital role in shaping a safer, more accountable building industry, and I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations as they take this important work forward.”

    The Chair for the Building Control Independent Panel, Dame Judith Hackitt said:  

    “The panel stands ready to get to work on this important review.  We will work at speed but we come at this issue with an open mind and a determination to further raise standards”. 

    Background on the Building Control system   

    The building control system is there primarily to oversee key safety standards set in legislation and ensure that buildings are checked and safe in areas such as fire and structural safety. Following concerns raised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, especially around conflicts of interest in the system, a new panel has been appointed to look at whether changes are required.    

    Notes to Editors  

    • The establishment of the panel was announced in the Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry on February 26, 2025.  

    • The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended that the Government establish an independent panel to consider whether to remove commercial interest from building control and whether to move to a national authority decision model.  

    • The panel’s role is advisory and independent.  The aim is a report to Government in the autumn with a response before the end of the year.  

    • Further updates, including the panel’s Terms of Reference, will be published on GOV.UK shortly.  

    Panel members:

    Elaine Bailey  

    Elaine Bailey is a member of the Industry Safety Steering Group and was formerly the CEO of Hyde Housing (2014-2019). Elaine holds several non-executive directorships, including at MJ Gleeson plc, a house builder operating in the North and Midlands; McCarthy&Stone Shared Ownership (MCSSO), a For Profit Registered Provider of older persons’ housing with a strategic partnership with Homes England; and Andium Housing, Jersey’s largest provider of sub-market value homes for rent and purchase.  

    Ken Rivers  

    Ken is a non-executive director at the HSE, alongside his role as a member of the Industrial Safety Steering Group. Prior to that he chaired the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations Strategic Forum and led the tripartite group since its inception, bringing industry and regulators together to identify and address important matters of managing major hazard in the UK. He spent 38 years of his career working at Shell, through various different positions and was President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.  

    Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP  

    Nick Raynsford was a Labour MP for 24 years. During this time he held positions as Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Minister for Construction, Minister for London and Minister of State for Local and Regional Government. The latter included responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service. Since then he has had a number of advisory and non-executive roles in the private, voluntary and public sectors. This included chairing CICAIR (CIC Approved Inspectors Register), the organisation responsible until April 2024 for registering private sector Building Control bodies. Nick is a member of the New Towns Taskforce, working with MHCLG.   

    Dr. David Snowball  

    David spent his working career in the Health and Safety Executive, joining as a Factory Inspector in 1984 and retiring 35 years later. He held senior posts in operational divisions overseeing HSE intervention and enforcement and was also responsible, as Director Regulation, for the quality of operational work. He spent 15 months as Acting Chief Executive before his retirement. He now sits on the Industry Safety Steering Group alongside Dame Judith and is a non-executive director at the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (Feb 2022- present).

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: GPTBots Highlights Enterprise AI Agent Platform Capabilities at Inaugural GITEX Asia 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GPTBots.ai, a leading enterprise AI agent platform provider under Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is showcasing its cutting-edge AI solutions at the inaugural GITEX Asia 2025 in Singapore (April 23-25). As Asia’s premier technology and innovation event and the Asian debut of GITEX GLOBAL, the summit themed “AI Everything Singapore,” attracts senior executives seeking innovative technologies. GPTBots stands out by offering tailored AI applications that empower enterprises to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth through custom-built AI agents.

    GITEX Asia: A Hub for AI and Innovation
    The first GITEX Asia convenes over 700 global enterprises and startups, 25,000+ tech buyers, and 250+ investors from over 70 countries. With a strong focus on AI, fintech, and digital transformation, the event features tech giants like Ericsson, Oracle, and NVIDIA, alongside influential government and industry speakers, fostering global collaboration and showcasing the latest technological advancements.

    GPTBots’ Tailored AI Solutions for Complex Enterprise Needs
    At the summit, GPTBots engaged with leaders facing specific challenges that require advanced, customized AI solutions beyond the capabilities of off-the-shelf products.

    • A Leading Smart Medical Device Manufacturer (Commanding 80% Market Share in Singapore’s Hospitals):
      As a dominant player in the healthcare industry, this manufacturer manages vast volumes of sensitive data, including patient records, hospital operations, and device performance metrics. However, the organization faced significant challenges in harnessing this wealth of information effectively, struggling with fragmented reporting, underutilized insights, and the inability to automate critical processes like maintenance tracking and operational forecasting.
      Given the strict regulatory requirements that mandate all data remain within hospital premises, GPTBots’ private deployment capability provided a transformative solution. By enabling the creation of AI agents for advanced data analytics, predictive maintenance, and automated reporting, GPTBots empowered the manufacturer to unlock actionable insights from their data ecosystem. This not only enhanced operational efficiency and decision-making but also ensured uncompromised data privacy and security within each hospital’s environment. With GPTBots, the company has set a new standard for leveraging data-driven innovation in the healthcare sector.

    Why GPTBots Stands Out
    GITEX Asia 2025 highlights GPTBots’ unique value proposition for enterprises seeking actionable AI solutions:

    • Tailored AI Applications: Specializing in creating custom AI agents that address specific enterprise needs, from automating complex workflows to building specialized knowledge assistants.
    • Enterprise-Grade Capabilities: Offering features like multi-language support (90+ languages), knowledge base integration, seamless system compatibility, and crucially, flexible private deployment options to meet stringent data security and compliance requirements.
    • Proven Expertise & Reliability: Demonstrating the ability to build robust, specialized AI agents that outperform generic models for specific business tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

    Driving the Future of Enterprise AI
    As GITEX Asia 2025 showcases the transformative potential of AI, GPTBots is proud to be at the forefront, enabling businesses to move beyond generic AI tools and deploy strategic, custom-built AI agents that deliver tangible results in efficiency, innovation, and growth.

    About GPTBots
    GPTBots.ai, developed by Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading AI development platform that empowers businesses to build and deploy enterprise-grade AI solutions. With a focus on customization, scalability, private deployment, and ease of use, GPTBots enables companies to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new growth opportunities.

    For more information, visit www.gptbots.ai.

    Media Contact:
    Silvia
    Senior Marketing Manager
    marketing@gptbots.ai

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Beating malaria: what can be done with shrinking funds and rising threats

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Taneshka Kruger, UP ISMC: Project Manager and Coordinator, University of Pretoria

    Healthcare in Africa faces a perfect storm: high rates of infectious diseases like malaria and HIV, a rise in non-communicable diseases, and dwindling foreign aid.

    In 2021, nearly half of the sub-Saharan African countries relied on external financing for more than a third of their health expenditure. But donor fatigue and competing global priorities, such as climate change and geopolitical instability, have placed malaria control programmes under immense pressure. These funding gaps now threaten hard-won progress and ultimately malaria eradication.

    The continent’s healthcare funding crisis isn’t new. But its consequences are becoming more severe. As financial contributions shrink, Africa’s ability to respond to deadly diseases like malaria is being tested like never before.

    Malaria remains one of the world’s most pressing public health threats. According to the World Health Organization there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths globally in 2023 – an increase of 11 million cases from the previous year.

    The WHO African region bore the brunt, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths. It is now estimated that a child under the age of five dies roughly every 90 seconds due to malaria.

    Yet, malaria control efforts since 2000 have averted over 2 billion cases and saved nearly 13 million lives globally. Breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatment and prevention have been critical to this progress. They include insecticide-treated nets, rapid diagnostic tests, artemisinin-based combination therapies (drug combinations to prevent resistance) and malaria vaccines.

    Since 2017, the progress has been flat. If the funding gap widens, the risk is not just stagnation; it’s backsliding. Several emerging threats such as climate change and funding shortfalls could undo the gains of the early 2000s to mid-2010s.

    New challenges

    Resistance to drugs and insecticides, and strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum that standard
    diagnostics can’t detect, have emerged as challenges. There have also been changes in mosquito behaviour, with vectors increasingly biting outdoors, making bed nets less effective.

    Climate change is shifting malaria transmission patterns. And the invasive Asian mosquito species Anopheles stephensi is spreading across Africa, particularly in urban areas.

    Add to this the persistent issue of cross-border transmission, and growing funding shortfalls and aid cuts, and it’s clear that the fight against malaria is at a critical point.

    As the world observes World Malaria Day 2025 under the theme “Malaria ends with us: reinvest, reimagine, reignite”, the call to action is urgent. Africa must lead the charge against malaria through renewed investment, bold innovation, and revitalised political will.

    Reinvest: Prevention is the most cost-effective intervention

    We – researchers, policymakers, health workers and communities – need to think smarter about funding. The economic logic of prevention is simple. It’s far cheaper to prevent malaria than to treat it. The total cost of procuring and delivering long-lasting insecticidal nets typically ranges between US$4 and US$7 each and the nets protect families for years. In contrast, treating a single case of severe malaria may cost hundreds of dollars and involve hospitalisation.

    In high-burden countries, malaria can consume up to 40% of public health spending.

    In Tanzania, for instance, malaria contributes to 30% of the country’s total disease burden. The broader economic toll – lost productivity, work and school absenteeism, and healthcare costs – is staggering. Prevention through long-lasting insecticidal nets, chemoprevention and health education isn’t only humane; it’s fiscally responsible.

    Reimagine: New tools, local solutions

    We cannot fight tomorrow’s malaria with yesterday’s tools. Resistance, climate-driven shifts in transmission, and urbanisation are changing malaria’s patterns.

    This is why re-imagining our approach is urgent.

    African countries must scale up innovations like the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine and next-generation mosquito nets. But more importantly, they must build their own capacity to develop, test and produce these tools.

    This requires investing in research and development, regional regulatory harmonisation, and local manufacturing.

    There is also a need to build leadership capacity within malaria control programmes to manage this adaptive disease with agility and evidence-based decision-making.

    Reignite: Community and collaboration matters

    Reigniting the malaria fight means shifting power to those on the frontlines. Community health workers remain one of Africa’s greatest untapped resources. Already delivering malaria testing, treatment and health education in remote areas, they can also be trained to manage other health challenges.

    Integrating malaria prevention into broader community health services makes sense. It builds resilience, reduces duplication, and ensures continuity even when external funding fluctuates.

    Every malaria intervention delivered by a trusted, local health worker is a step towards community ownership of health.

    Strengthened collaboration between partners, governments, cross-border nations, and local communities is also needed.

    The cost of inaction is unaffordable

    Africa’s malaria challenge is part of a deeper health systems crisis. By 2030, the continent will require an additional US$371 billion annually to deliver basic primary healthcare – about US$58 per person.

    For malaria in 2023 alone, US$8.3 billion was required to meet global control and elimination targets, yet only US$4 billion was mobilised. This gap has grown consistently, increasing from US$2.6 billion in 2019 to US$4.3 billion in 2023.

    The shortfall has led to major gaps in the coverage of essential malaria interventions.

    The solution does not lie in simply spending more, but in spending smarter by focusing on prevention, building local innovation, and strengthening primary healthcare systems.

    The responsibility is collective. African governments must invest boldly and reform policies to prioritise prevention.

    Global partners must support without dominating. And communities must be empowered to take ownership of their health.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Beating malaria: what can be done with shrinking funds and rising threats – https://theconversation.com/beating-malaria-what-can-be-done-with-shrinking-funds-and-rising-threats-255126

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fake cures and vaccine passports for sale: the conspiracy communities in Brazil monetising the anti-vax movement – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    A protest in Brazil against mandatory COVID vaccinations and vaccine passports. Isaac Fontana / Shutterstock.com

    Few places on earth are immune to the explosion of anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and health disinformation fuelled by the COVID pandemic. But in countries like Brazil, where the disinformation flowed from the very top of government, the problem is even more acute and some people are exploiting the fear of others to make money.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly, we hear about new research out of Brazil into how peddlers of disinformation on social media also sell fake cures and vaccine detoxes. And we ask why some people are looking for solutions to their health problems in these dangerous chemicals and unproven protocols.

    Brazil used to be a country with a strong culture of vaccination. “It was like a ritual”, remembers Igor Sacramento, a researcher in public health at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil. As a child, he would go to public squares where people would be dressed in costumes, parading, alongside the vaccination drives.

    Now, anti-vax disinformation has surged in the country. Sacramento believes the big change was the election of Jair Bolsonaro in 2018, a president who publicly questioned vaccinations. “It was terrible for public health”, he says. Research showed that during the pandemic there was a persistent “Bolsonaro effect” with higher death rates from COVID in pro-Bolsonaro municipalities.

    Vaccination rates for a number of different diseases have fallen in Brazil in recent years, although they are beginning to climb again since the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a third term as president in 2023.

    Promoting fake cures

    New research led by Ergon Cugler, a researcher at  the Brazilian Institute of Information on Science and Technology who is mapping the spread of disinformation on social media in Latin America and the Caribbean, is showing that the same people sowing fear with health disinformation are also selling fake cures.

    Cugler scraped data from more than 1,000 Telegram groups linked to disinformation and conspiracy theories topics over the last decade. Of the 5 million users in these groups, half are in Brazil. His dataset of 61 million pieces of content showed a 290% increase in anti-vaccination conspiracy narratives during the pandemic in Brazil, as well as a 15,000% increase in autism-related disinformation in Latin America and the Caribbean since the pandemic.

    Admins on these conspiracy theory communities on Telegram often post adverts, testimonials and videos promoting fake cures, vaccine detoxes and falsified vaccination passports. Cugler says:

     They spread the feeling of fear suggesting that parasites, for example, could cause diseases like diabetes. And then they offer so-called miracle cures, like deworming protocols or chlorine dioxide, and other substances, and they monetise all of those products.

    Cugler is also tracking how conspiracy theory groups discussing seemingly quite unconnected topics can be used as a way to funnel people into anti-vax groups and sell them fake cures.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast to hear interviews with Ergon Cugler and Igor Sacramento, plus a conversation with Daniel Stycer, editor of The Conversation Brazil.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Ergon Cugler has previously received a research grant from the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (IBICT) and is currently part of a research project funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development through the Observatory of Informational Disorder and Public Policy (DesinfoPop) at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. Igor Sacramento is a researcher in residence between December 2024 and July 2025 at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in France.

    – ref. Fake cures and vaccine passports for sale: the conspiracy communities in Brazil monetising the anti-vax movement – podcast – https://theconversation.com/fake-cures-and-vaccine-passports-for-sale-the-conspiracy-communities-in-brazil-monetising-the-anti-vax-movement-podcast-255142

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HS2 Construction Commissioner’s report 32

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    HS2 Construction Commissioner’s report 32

    The thirty-second in a series of regular progress reports from the High Speed Two (HS2) Independent Construction Commissioner.

    Documents

    HS2 Construction Commissioner’s report 32

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    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    This is the thirty-second report of the HS2 Independent Construction Commissioner (ICC) and covers the fourth quarter of 2024 (1st October – 31st December).

    The Independent Construction Commissioner’s role is to mediate and monitor the way in which HS2 Ltd manages and responds to construction complaints. The Construction Commissioner will mediate any unresolved construction related disputes between HS2 Ltd and individuals or bodies, and provides advice to members of the public about how to make a complaint about construction.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Russia’s missile attacks against Ukrainian civilians over Easter demonstrate its attitude towards peace: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Russia’s missile attacks against Ukrainian civilians over Easter demonstrate its attitude towards peace: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s missile attacks against civilians in Sumy and Kharkiv over Easter and President Putin’s transparently cynical attempts to portray Russia as the party of peace.

    Thank you, Mister Chair.  The United Kingdom is grateful to Finland for convening this Special Permanent Council.  It was only 16 days ago that you were last compelled to call an extraordinary meeting of the Council after a Russian missile killed 20 people, including nine children, in Kryvyi Rih.  It was the largest number of children killed in a single strike since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to the UN.

    Last week was one of major religious festivals where communities around the globe came together in the spirit of peace and goodwill. But while Christians around the world were marking the beginning of Holy Week, a Russian ballistic missile struck the centre of Sumy.  34 people were killed, including two children.  A further 117 were injured.  Some of the victims were heading to church for a Palm Sunday service.

    On Good Friday another Russian ballistic missile struck Kharkiv using a cluster munition.  One person was killed and at least 60 were injured.  On the same day, a drone attack on Sumy killed another civilian and destroyed a bakery preparing traditional Easter ‘paska’ bread.

    Mister Chair, our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time.

    Russia’s response to the widespread condemnation in this Council – and at the UN – following their attack on Sumy was to resort to their familiar playbook of disinformation and distortion in an attempt to justify the unjustifiable.  We can expect to see a similar tactic on this occasion.

    Through these barbaric attacks, Russia has shown that its cruelty knows no bounds and that it is not serious about peace. President Putin’s so-called “Easter truce” was a stunt, violated repeatedly by his own forces.  A day later – Easter Monday – a further five civilians reportedly lost their lives following Russian attacks, laying bare the Kremlin’s transparently cynical attempt to portray themselves as the party of peace.  Similar attacks have continued since, including yesterday against Kyiv, in which nine civilians were reportedly killed, and 70 more injured.

    If Russia was serious about peace, it would agree to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, just as Ukraine did, more than 40 days ago.  If it was serious about peace, it would stop these senseless attacks on civilians.  If it was serious about peace, it would honour the commitments it has made.

    Russia’s continued attacks against Ukraine are another stark reminder that President Putin has not abandoned his goal of subjugating Ukraine.  For this reason, the UK, alongside our partners and allies, will continue to provide Ukraine with the military support it needs to defend its citizens. And we stand ready to apply further pressure on Russia to hinder its ability to wage this war of aggression.

    Thank you, Mister Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: Almost 500 cultural heritage sites are being restored in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Work continues in the capital to restore the historical appearance of buildings. This was reported by Sergei Sobyanin in his telegram channel.

    “Currently, specialists are working on almost 500 cultural heritage sites. Among them

    Donskoy Monastery— one of the largest projects that we are implementing together with the Ministry of Culture and the Russian Orthodox Church. Three towers and sections of the Eastern and Southern walls of the monastery are currently being restored here,” the Mayor of Moscow noted.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    Work continues inChurch of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God in Alekseevsky and the extension to the northern gate. Specialists put the white stone details and plaster finish in order. The tiled stoves in the extension were restored.

    They put things in order andthe main house of the Okhotnikovs’ city estate on Prechistenka is a striking example of a Moscow mansion in the Empire style. In 1868, it housed the famous Lev Polivanov Gymnasium, where many famous people of that time studied. Specialists are currently working on the interiors, including restoring the walls, vaults, drawn cornices, and cleaning the stucco decor.

    House with mezzanines on Staraya Basmannaya Street has been known since the 18th century. Here, the historic lamps on the facades and the stucco will be restored, the base will be cleaned and the cracks will be eliminated.

    City estate of Ya.A. Polyakov XIX – early XX century in Bolshoy Nikolopeskovsky Lane was built in the neo-Greek style. It was erected according to the design of the famous architect Illarion Ivanov-Shits. Currently, facade and roofing works are being carried out in the mansion, and the windows are also being repaired.

    Another object is the main house of the city estate of the 18th-19th centuries on Novinsky Boulevard. Fyodor Chaliapin Memorial MuseumHere, the restoration of the stucco decoration of the facades and the veranda on the courtyard side is being completed.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12652050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Payroll Software for Accountants (2025): QuickBooks Payroll Named Top Payroll Software Solution for Accountants by Software Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — QuickBooks Payroll was named the leading payroll software for accountants in 2025 by Software Experts, a well-regarded authority on software evaluations and industry trends. This designation follows a comprehensive evaluation of functionality, integration capabilities, compliance tools, and usability specific to accounting professionals.

    Best Payroll Software for Accountants:

    • QuickBooks Payroll – stands out for its powerful automation, accountant-centric features, and seamless QuickBooks integration.

    QuickBooks Payroll has demonstrated consistent performance across key metrics that matter most to the accounting profession, including automation accuracy, multi-client management capabilities, and tax compliance reliability. The review, conducted and published by Software Experts, highlights how the platform addresses the unique demands of modern accounting firms and independent practitioners.

    This announcement comes at a time when payroll compliance regulations are evolving, and accounting professionals are under pressure to maintain accuracy while managing growing workloads. The increased adoption of digital tools and cloud-based solutions in the financial services sector has further underscored the importance of scalable and dependable software.

    QuickBooks Payroll’s Alignment With Accountant Workflows

    Software Experts’ editorial team noted that QuickBooks Payroll’s integration with QuickBooks Online is one of the platform’s defining strengths. This connection enables automatic syncing of payroll data into general ledger accounts, minimizing the need for manual reconciliation and reducing data-entry errors.

    The platform also includes built-in support for time tracking and employee management, features that are becoming increasingly essential for firms that manage both full-time staff and contractors. Time-tracking data is captured and funneled directly into payroll processing, which supports more accurate wage calculations and reporting.

    Multi-client account access was highlighted as another key factor in the evaluation. Accountants using QuickBooks Payroll are able to toggle between client accounts from a unified dashboard, allowing for smoother operations and better organization across large portfolios. These features reduce administrative friction and make the platform particularly suited for firms serving multiple business clients.

    Automated Payroll and Compliance Management

    With payroll laws and tax regulations continuing to shift, compliance remains a top concern for professionals in the accounting field. QuickBooks Payroll offers automated tax filing and payment services, ensuring that all local, state, and federal obligations are met accurately and on time.

    Included in select plans is a tax penalty protection feature, which covers financial penalties up to a specified limit if tax filings processed through the platform contain errors. According to the Software Experts report, this function adds a layer of assurance, particularly for smaller firms that may lack in-house legal or tax compliance teams.

    Real-time updates to tax rates and labor regulations are automatically incorporated into the software, relieving accountants from the need to manually track changes across jurisdictions. This functionality aligns with broader trends in financial technology that emphasize automation and real-time compliance.

    Pricing Structure and Plan Comparison

    QuickBooks Payroll is offered through three main subscription plans: Core, Premium, and Elite. Each plan is designed to meet the needs of different organizational sizes and levels of payroll complexity.

    The Core plan provides full-service payroll and next-day direct deposit at an entry-level price point, which is often suited for basic payroll operations. The Premium plan introduces enhanced features such as time tracking and HR support, while the Elite plan includes same-day direct deposit, tax penalty protection, and access to a dedicated HR advisor.

    Software Experts’ analysis concluded that the tiered structure allows accounting professionals to select the most appropriate solution based on client volume, payroll complexity, and required support features. Furthermore, the ability to scale up or down without disrupting service continuity makes it a practical choice for firms in a growth phase or those managing a diverse range of clients.

    Industry Relevance and Market Impact

    The acknowledgment of QuickBooks Payroll as the top payroll software solution for accountants aligns with a broader industry shift toward specialized financial tools that support accounting professionals in managing compliance and increasing productivity. The selection criteria used by Software Experts reflect changing expectations in the financial software marketplace, where users seek platforms that combine automation with real-time visibility and security.

    Accounting professionals today face complex challenges, including remote workforce management, multi-state payroll processing, and evolving client needs. Platforms like QuickBooks Payroll that integrate directly with core accounting systems are gaining traction as firms prioritize efficiency and accuracy over manual systems.

    Software Experts noted that the shift toward integrated ecosystems is likely to accelerate in the coming year, with more accounting firms investing in platforms that support end-to-end financial management. QuickBooks Payroll’s ability to connect payroll, HR, and compliance workflows within one system contributes to its growing adoption among professionals seeking operational continuity.

    Regulatory Readiness and Future Outlook

    As governments continue to refine payroll tax requirements and introduce stricter labor regulations, the need for built-in compliance readiness is increasing. QuickBooks Payroll’s automated updates to regulatory changes, including tax codes and wage laws, position it to adapt to this evolving environment without adding administrative burden on end users.

    This capability is particularly valuable for accounting firms that operate across state lines or manage clients in regulated industries. Software Experts anticipates that compliance management will remain a leading factor in software adoption decisions through 2025 and beyond.

    Additionally, the demand for remote accessibility continues to grow, with firms increasingly managing payroll tasks outside traditional office environments. QuickBooks Payroll’s cloud-based model and mobile access functionality cater to this shift, supporting real-time data access and approvals from virtually any location.

    Conclusion

    Software Experts’ recognition of QuickBooks Payroll as the top payroll software for accountants in 2025 is based on its capacity to address core industry challenges, support accurate and compliant payroll management, and integrate with essential accounting systems. Its modular pricing, automated compliance tools, and accountant-focused features place it at the forefront of payroll solutions tailored for the financial services sector.

    The full review, including a detailed breakdown of features, use cases, and pricing comparisons, can be accessed at the Software Experts website.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Palestinians in Gaza are enduring one of the darkest chapters of the war

    Source: Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

     23 April 2025 – Flash Quote by Franz Luef,  Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Emergency Coordinator in Gaza:

    “Palestinians in Gaza are enduring one of the darkest chapters of the war since its onset in October 2023. With hostilities reigniting on March 18th, Israeli forces have intensified their military operations across the Strip, while forcibly displacing people en masse with evacuation orders, and attacks and killings of medical and humanitarian workers. These actions, combined with the ongoing full siege of the Gaza Strip for over 50 days, are not isolated—they represent a systematic effort to dismantle its health system and any effective and principled humanitarian response.

    MSF, like most humanitarian actors operating inside Gaza, faces daily operational dilemmas in a very volatile and unpredictable context. Do we move our teams from one place to another without receiving acknowledgement from Israeli forces after we notified them? Do we continue to operate in medical facilities that are being continuously attacked? How do we scale up our activities with no supplies or fuel entering the Strip and critical equipment and infrastructure being bombed?

    The situation for Palestinians and those trying to help them in Gaza has become hell. With no end in sight, we are rushing towards the abyss. Israeli strikes are also targeting utility and construction vehicles, including bulldozers, water tankers, and sewage trucks. Without access to such essential tools, we cannot ensure minimum access to clean water and sanitation and prevent further health risks for the population in Gaza.

    Since the war started, Israeli forces imposed imperfect mechanisms to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. But they have been nothing more than smoke and mirrors, with over 50,000 Palestinians killed according to the Ministry of health and at least 409 aid workers killed, according to the UN. Today, even these nominal systems are no longer in place. Evacuation orders by Israeli forces are forcibly transferring Palestinians into densely packed, makeshift zones, and humanitarians have no safety guarantees.

    The Israeli authorities’ use of aid as a political weapon, coupled with the imposition of arbitrary restrictions on international humanitarian actors, while maintaining the illusion of humanitarian access, is coercing humanitarian and medical actors to compromise on their safety and their principles.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What we’ve learnt about lone-actor terrorism over the years could help us prevent future attacks

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Diego Muro, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of St Andrews

    Politically motivated attacks, carried out by lone individuals lacking direct affiliation with any terrorist group, have become more common in Europe during the last few decades.

    One of the most common and devastating forms of lone-actor violence involves driving into crowds. In 2016, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel used this method to kill 86 people in Nice. In 2011, Anders Breivik detonated a bomb in central Oslo before carrying out a mass shooting on the island of Utøya, leaving 77 dead. Not all lone-actor attacks are as deadly or indiscriminate as these. Some target specific people, as seen in the assassinations of German politician Walter Lübcke in 2019 and British MP David Amess in 2021.

    Lone-actor terrorism – also known as lone-wolf terrorism – poses a unique challenge for European states. Traditional counterterrorism tools designed for organised groups like al-Qaeda, Islamic State, or Eta are far less effective against people acting alone. While lone-actor plots are typically less complex, they can still cause significant harm.

    We’ve also seen that lone-actor attacks can trigger far-reaching ripple effects. The resulting public outrage can intensify debates on contentious issues like immigration, and ultimately boost support for extremist parties.

    Copycat or reactionary attacks are another consequence of lone-actor terrorism. A striking example is the mass shootings carried out by Brenton Tarrant in New Zealand in 2019. He cited the actions of Breivik and others as direct inspiration. According to Tarrant’s own manifesto, a key trigger for his radicalisation was the 2017 Islamist attack in Stockholm, where Rakhmat Akilov, an asylum seeker from Uzbekistan, drove a truck into a crowd, killing five people, including an 11-year-old child.

    Why lone-actor attacks are so difficult to prevent

    Because lone actors operate independently and rarely communicate their intentions, their identities often remain unknown until after an attack. Their goals and ideologies are frequently ambiguous, making it hard to predict behaviour or select likely targets. Even correctly identifying an incident as lone-actor terrorism can be challenging.

    The case of Axel Rudakubana illustrates this difficulty. Rudakubana killed three young girls in Southport, northern England, in 2024 after breaking into their Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. Despite the discovery of an Al-Qaeda training manual in his possession, prosecutors found no substantial evidence of political motivation and labelled the incident a “mass killing” rather than terrorism.

    It is very difficult – if not impossible – to determine the exact number of lone-actor terrorist attacks that have taken place in Europe with certainty. The absence of a universally accepted definition of terrorism is part of the problem. It’s also possible that acts of mass violence are being classified as terrorism when they are actually ideologically neutral. Equally, it can be difficult to determine whether an actor truly acted alone, especially in an age of internet radicalisation.

    What is clear is that independent terrorist attacks became more frequent in the early 2010s. By 2013, such incidents spiked, with Europe seeing six to seven Islamist and far-right attacks per year (up from fewer than one annually before 2010). These figures refer strictly to cases where perpetrators acted independently, excluding those with evidence of external support. For example, Anis Amri’s 2016 truck attack in Berlin and Taimour al-Abdaly’s 2010 suicide attempt in Stockholm were initially seen as lone-actor events, but later investigations revealed ties to Islamist cells.

    Lone-actor terrorism appears less common among far-left and ethno-nationalist groups, though exceptions do exist.

    Lone-actor terrorist attacks in Europe

    Lone-actor attacks in the 2010s.
    D muro, O Craciunas, CC BY-ND

    This shift towards lone-actor attacks is likely a result of evolving counterterrorism strategies implemented after major attacks like the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the 2005 London bombings. It became harder to carry out large-scale plots so groups like Al-Qaeda and later Islamic State switched to encouraging or organising attacks by loosely affiliated individuals acting independently but on their behalf.

    The struggle between terrorist groups and governments is one of constant adaptation. By 2018, Europol data indicated that all the Islamist attacks that had been seen through to completion in Europe during that year had been carried out by lone actors.

    Lone-actor attacks have an even longer history within far-right terrorism. The term “lone-wolf terrorist” was first popularised in American white supremacist propaganda in the early 1990s – well before the more neutral term “lone-actor terrorist” was adopted by researchers. As counterterrorism efforts increasingly targeted white supremacist groups, many within the movement came to see independent action as the most effective way to evade detection and maintain operational secrecy.

    Addressing the threat

    Fortunately, we now understand more about lone-actor crimes. We’ve come to understand that these attacks stem from complex psychological and environmental factors.

    While perpetrators shouldn’t be dismissed as simply “crazy,” mental health can play a role in radicalisation, especially when combined with personal grievances, failed aspirations, and perceived injustices. Influences from family, peers and online spaces also shape this process. While no two radicalisation pathways are identical, certain patterns can be observed – and recognising them early may help reduce the threat.

    The idea of “self-radicalisation” also merits caution. Lone actors rarely radicalise in isolation; their manifestos often echo broader ideological themes, shaped by conspiracy theories or charismatic figures. These actors often assign symbolic meaning to their actions. Raising awareness of the impact of violent public discourse is key – though this must be done without infringing on free speech. History shows that providing “pressure valves” for controversial ideas is more constructive than censorship.

    Lone-actor attacks are, in part, difficult to prevent precisely because they are not a systemic threat in the way that coordinated, group-based terrorism can be. Its danger lies in isolated bursts of violence rather than in sustained campaigns. But there are patterns worth following that could help prevent future incidents.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What we’ve learnt about lone-actor terrorism over the years could help us prevent future attacks – https://theconversation.com/what-weve-learnt-about-lone-actor-terrorism-over-the-years-could-help-us-prevent-future-attacks-254137

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Loss of empathy is a key problem in people with frontotemporal dementia — our research shows what’s happening in the brain

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alexander F Santillo, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Consultant Psychiatrist, Lund University

    Bruce Willis’s family announced in February 2023 that the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock

    Frontotemporal dementia has gained significant attention in recent years after the family of actor Bruce Willis announced in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with the condition. A year later, it was revealed that US chat show host Wendy Williams had also been diagnosed with the condition.

    Yet despite all this recent attention, there’s still much we don’t know about frontotemporal dementia – including what mechanisms cause certain symptoms, and how we can better spot signs of the disease earlier on. But our research has uncovered the brain processes that underlie one of the disease’s earliest symptoms. This finding brings us one step closer to better diagnosing and treating the condition.

    Frontotemporal dementia accounts for approximately 5% of dementia cases. Symptoms typically begin in a person’s late sixties or seventies. The disease primarily affects behaviour, personality and language abilities.

    A hallmark symptom of frontotemporal dementia, which sets it apart from other forms of dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease), is early loss of empathy. This often manifests as diminished warmth and concern for loved ones. This symptom can be profoundly unsettling for family members and loved ones close with the patient. They may feel as though the patient’s personality has transformed – and that their efforts to help and support are met with indifference.

    While loss of empathy has been the focus of much research from the scientific community, the precise brain mechanisms underlying the loss of empathy in frontotemporal dementia remain unclear.

    Alongside colleagues from Karolinska Institute, Lund University and Umeå University in Sweden, we conducted a study which sought to understand how empathy diminishes in frontotemporal dementia. We looked at 28 patients with frontotemporal dementia and compared them against 28 healthy people.

    To conduct our study, we used a type of brain scan called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). While in the fMRI scanner, participants viewed images of hands being pricked by needles. These images were contrasted with those of hand being touched by a q-tip. This is a well-established neuroscience test that is designed to evoke feelings of concern and distress as witnessing another person in pain. We analysed the brain activity of the patients with frontotemporal dementia as they viewed the images.

    In healthy volunteers, the anterior insula, anteria cingulate and thalamus are the brain regions responsible for monitoring internal bodily signals (such as pain). These brain systems became active when they observed the images of a person in pain.

    But in the patients with frontotemporal dementia, activity in these crucial brain regions was significantly reduced. These reductions were strikingly related to the degree of empathy patients exhibited in their daily lives, as judged by questionnaires filled out by family members.

    Empathy and brain function

    Empathy is typically thought to be comprised of two dimensions. Emotional empathy is the ability to react to others’ feelings (such as their distress and concern). Cognitive empathy is the capacity to understand the intention of others.

    Although the two are closely related, they’re not quite the same thing. It’s also possible for a person to possess one facet of empathy but not the other. The difference between the two facets of empathy can actually be exemplified by two psychiatric conditions, antisocial personality disorder and autism.

    People diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder are typically good at understanding the intentions and motivations of other people (cognitive empathy), but cannot empathise emotionally. This can lead to a disregard for other people. On the other hand, a person with autism typically has emotional empathy skills but might not have the ability to infer other peoples’ intentions (cognitive empathy).

    Our study revealed reduced activity in parts of the brain associated with the brain’s monitoring of bodily states, which are typically used when emotionally empathising with another person. These findings underscore the critical link between this brain system and our capacity to take others into consideration.

    In light of these findings, the next step with our research is to explore if and how the in-flow of the bodily signals necessary for the brain to create an inner self is altered in frontotemporal dementia – and how this relates to empathy.

    Apart from about 30% of cases being genetic, the causes of frontotemporal dementia remains unclear. Despite intense efforts from the community, there’s currently no cure. But thanks to courageous sufferers and their families coming forward, awareness is increasing. This is a crucial thrust forward.

    We hope that understanding how the brain processes empathy in frontotemporal dementia may not only help improve diagnosis but may, in the future, pave the way for potential treatments which mitigate some of the devastating effects of this disease.

    Alexander F Santillo is primarily funded by the Swedish federal government, The Åke Wiberg Foundation, The Schörling Foundation and The Bundy Academy.

    Olof Lindberg receives funding from the Schörling foundation and the Olle Engkvists Foundation.

    – ref. Loss of empathy is a key problem in people with frontotemporal dementia — our research shows what’s happening in the brain – https://theconversation.com/loss-of-empathy-is-a-key-problem-in-people-with-frontotemporal-dementia-our-research-shows-whats-happening-in-the-brain-247402

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Career Insight: Joe, Trainee Solicitor, HM Revenue & Customs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Career Insight: Joe, Trainee Solicitor, HM Revenue & Customs

    Joe provides an insight into his training within HMRC Legal Group

    I am a fourth seat trainee in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Legal Group’s European and International Law advisory team. The team advises on, drafts and helps negotiate a range of international agreements, including Free-Trade Agreements and Double Taxation Treaties.

    I studied Philosophy and Politics as my undergraduate degree, focussing my studies on human rights and the regulation of transnational enterprises. I suspected that a career in law was the best opportunity apply these interests in practice; however, as a non-law graduate I was reluctant to immediately volunteer for the expense and stress of two more years of study in the form of the GDL and LPC. So, after graduating, I moved abroad to pursue a career playing and coaching rugby; the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to that ambition but provided me the opportunity to start an online law conversion.

     I applied for the role at HMRC as I thought that first-hand experience of the legislative process and regular precedent setting litigation would provide a great opportunity to develop my career as a solicitor; but also because the tax arena seemed to offer a lot of variety, encompassing my interests in both public law and commercial questions.

    All trainees start in litigation for their first year, though pupils spend 6 months of this seconded to Chambers. My first seat was in VAT litigation so after three years of intensive study, I arrived at HMRC braced for mountains of paperwork and long days of dense tax calculations. Instead, waiting on my desk were various packets of lentil-based snacks and the deceptively knotty legal question; are these crisps, or at least similar to crisps? I spent the seat thinking about other such questions, like what distinguishes cosmetic surgery from medical care. During this seat I visited the Supreme Court assisting a senior lawyer and saw my own case feature in national newspapers.

    For my second seat I applied for HMRC’s Enforcement and Illicit Finance litigation Team. The question for this team was less frequently whether someone owes tax, but how HMRC can actually collect it from them. My tasks ranged from advocating on HMRC’s behalf in the magistrates Court to instructing counsel at fast pace on High Court Proceedings, attending the Court of Appeal and working with international law enforcement to seize overseas assets.

     As a trainee you will get give your own cases to run as part of a cross-HMRC case team with tax and policy experts, so you can stretch yourself in an environment surrounded by expert lawyers and tax professionals, who are all very generous with their time. Your role is to co-ordinate this team and ask the right questions to tease the legal arguments out of your clients. In this respect the skills I developed playing teams sports were as important as my legal knowledge.  

    In your second year you move into an advisory team. In my first six months I worked on a mix of human rights and technical tax advice as part of the Personal Tax and Welfare team. I drafted my statutory instrument, which was a particular highlight, and fed into a major budget measure. It can feel like a drastic transition from the more adversarial world of litigation, but the training is extensive with HMRC running internal induction courses alongside the wider GLP offering.

    The advisory lawyers cover a wide variety of tasks, with my final seat feeling like an entirely new role.  I didn’t study EU or International Law as part of my law conversion, but having the lawyers who drafted the treaties sat next to you in the office is always a good starting point!

    Whilst the HMRC training contract will be of particular interest for anyone who wants a career in public law, I think it is really important to understand the breadth of the department’s work. There is regular precedent setting litigation with engages questions of employment and commercial law, and advisory teams that span the breadth of civil and criminal practice.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Career Insight: Nadia, Trainee Solicitor, HM Revenue & Customs

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Career Insight: Nadia, Trainee Solicitor, HM Revenue & Customs

    Nadia provides an insight into her training within HMRC Legal Group

    I am a trainee solicitor, currently in my second seat, working in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Legal Group’s VAT Litigation team. My current work includes conducting litigation and looking at the VAT treatment of certain supplies, like food, beauty procedures, books, and marketing deals from some big household names. A big part of the team’s work is also focusing on serious non-compliance fraud cases and various VAT avoidance schemes. Is Jaffa Cake a biscuit or a cake? That is the type of work you would be able to be involved in working for HMRC’s Legal Group.

    When applying for a training contract at HMRC, I never truly understood what being a government lawyer would be like. As HMRC’s lawyers, we are protecting billions of pounds that are then given back to the community in the way of public services, like healthcare, police and many other areas funded by the taxpayers. It’s a ‘pinch-me’ moment knowing that your work is meaningful.

    In my first seat in Business and Property Taxes Litigation team, and continuing into my second seat, I was given a lot of responsibility from the get-go. I am leading my own cases, managing clients that are experts in a tax field and working with the country’s best counsel. As a trainee, you get to experience various aspects of litigation, whether it is drafting statements of case, creating bundles, attending hearings, or even doing a bit of advocacy, you will not be bored. Some litigation teams are more fast paced than others, but that’s the beauty of it, you will be able to steer your training in the direction you want it to go.

    I have truly enjoyed my time as a trainee so far and have been given the opportunity to get involved in work that I never thought I would be able to as a trainee. As strange as it may seem, the highlight of my first seat was when my counsel had suddenly fallen ill on the morning of an important hearing that I had been preparing for months. After dozens of calls with different Chambers, the tribunal, clients, and understandably very unhappy opposing counsel, we managed to adjourn the hearing. The feeling of accomplishment could not be described.

    I would recommend a career at HMRC to anyone interested in public service and challenging, interesting, and meaningful work.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: March 2025 Transaction Data

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    March 2025 Transaction Data

    This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in March 2025.

    NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com

    Please note this data shows what HM Land Registry has been able to process during the time period covered and is not necessarily a reflection of market activity.

    In March:

    • HM Land Registry completed over 1,974,150 applications to change or query the Land Register 
    • the South East topped the table of regional applications with 444,651

    HM Land Registry completed 1,974,155 applications in March compared with 1,806,500 in February 2025 and 1,865,589 last March 2024, of which: 

    • 295,653 were applications for register updates compared with 285,268 in February

    • 1,097,576 were applications for an official copy of a register compared with 1,039,212 in February

    • 263,960 were search and hold queries (official searches) compared with 181,553 in February
    • 83,730 were transactions for value compared with 81,215 in February
    • 15,564 were postal applications from non-account holders compared with 13,742 in February

    Applications by region and country 

    Region/country January applications February applications March applications
    South East 422,822 401,605 444,651
    Greater London 358,032 340,916 370,483
    North West 216,304 207,672 227,167
    South West 182,912 175,173 191,416
    West Midlands 161,218 156,886 169,372
    Yorkshire and the Humber 148,308 143,216 157,393
    East Midlands 137,568 133,701 145,134
    North 94,663 88,757 96,664
    East Anglia 79,465 76,081 84,604
    Isles of Scilly 78 64 77
    Wales 85,239 82,335 87,088
    England and Wales (not assigned) 105 94 106
    Total 1,886,714 1,806,500 1,974,155

    Top 5 local authority areas 

    March 2025 applications

    Top 5 local authority areas March applications
    Birmingham 31,179
    City of Westminster 26,760
    North Yorkshire 22,416
    Leeds 21,919
    Cornwall 21,623

    February 2025 applications

    Top 5 local authority areas February applications
    Birmingham 28,871
    City of Westminster 24,202
    North Yorkshire 20,536
    Leeds 20,118
    Buckinghamshire 18,299

    Top 5 customers 

    March 2025 applications

    Top 5 customers March applications
    Infotrack Limited 212,489
    Enact 35,812
    O’Neill Patient 30,751
    Landmark Information Group Ltd 29,962
    Orbital Witness Limited 28,718

    February 2025 applications

    Top 5 customers February applications
    Infotrack Limited 184,284
    Enact 32,041
    O’Neill Patient 26,716
    Landmark Information Group Ltd 26,444
    Orbital Witness Limited 24,417

    Access the full dataset on our Use land and property data service.

    Next publication 

    Transaction Data is published on the 15th working day of each month. The April 2025 data will be published at 11am on Thursday 22 May 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Ukraine deepen community ties as part of 100 Year Partnership

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK and Ukraine deepen community ties as part of 100 Year Partnership

    Thousands of school children across the UK and Ukraine have applied to take part in a landmark 100 Year Partnership programme between the two countries.

    • UK and Ukrainian schools flood applications for 100 Year Partnership programme as Prime Minister invites children to No10 to celebrate close links
    • Prime Minister says “partnership will deliver brighter futures for children in both countries”
    • Schools from Wales and Warwickshire to visit Downing Street tomorrow (Friday 25 April) to write to partnered schools in Ukraine
    • Comes as Ukraine launches a new stamp to mark special friendship between the two countries

    Thousands of school children across the UK and Ukraine have applied to take part in a landmark 100 Year Partnership programme between the two countries, further cementing the unbreakable ties between the two countries.

    Following the launch of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership in January, more than 750 schools from across the UK and Ukraine applied to take part in the programme, fostering classroom friendships, cultural understanding and inspiring future generations of world leaders, diplomats and business leaders.

    Thirty schools, including Number 219 School in Kyiv and All Saints Catholic Primary School in Anfield, who the Prime Minister joined a lesson between during his visit to Ukraine in January, have piloted the hugely successful programme.

    A further 70 are being paired in the coming days, while the remainder will be supported through the British Council’s UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme until further spots become available.

    Children from several schools participating in the 100 Year Partnership school twinning programme will visit Downing Street tomorrow (Friday 25 April). The children, from YGG Pontybrenin, St Marie’s Catholic Primary School & Nursery and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, will write letters to exchange with partnered schools in Ukraine, many of whom have spent hours attending school in bunkers during Russian drone and missile attacks.

    The children will also mark the launch of a new commemorative stamp, designed by both the UK and Ukrainian governments, which will be entered into circulation by the Ukrainian postal service Ukrposhta from the end of this month.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The unbreakable bond between the UK and Ukraine is often best reflected in the friendships formed among our children. These young minds are the architects of our future and security, fostering connections that transcend borders and cultures, and this partnership will deliver brighter futures for children in both countries.

    Our support is not only about providing military assistance, which remains crucial in ensuring Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, but also about standing by Ukraine for generations to come, as it seeks a just and lasting peace.

    That’s why our support matters not only now, but for our future, as all ages stand up for the values we hold dear, which are fundamental to our national security and Plan for Change.

    This unique initiative supports schools to build lasting international partnerships, and explore reading as a tool to expand horizons, build confidence, and boost mental wellbeing.

    In Kyiv, the British Embassy’s Chargée d’affaires, Charlotte Surun, attended the official launch ceremony of the new limited-edition stamp at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Post Office.

    The launch was attended by children from Kyiv School Number 219 which the Prime Minister visited in January. The children wrote messages on postcards to the students at their twinned school, Liverpool All Saints, as well as messages to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

    Head of UK Schools at the British Council Shannon West said: 

    Creating opportunities for young people has been at the heart of the work of the British Council for the last 90 years.

    We are delighted to be working with so many schools on this programme, which will give young people the international outlook and skills to thrive in our global society and strengthen ties between the UK and Ukraine.

    The unbreakable bonds between the UK and Ukraine have been formalised through the landmark new 100 Year Partnership between the two countries, broadening and deepening the relationship across defence and non-military areas and enabling closer community links, such as this initiative.

    Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future, is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Summit media advisory

    Source: NATO

     

    1. The Netherlands will host a NATO Summit in The Hague on 24-25 June 2025. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General and will take place at the World Forum, Churchillplein 10, 2517 JW The Hague, Netherlands.
       
    2. Media accreditation for the event is now open. See details below.
       
    3. An international Media Centre, designated for the accredited media, will operate at the Summit venue from the 23 to 26 June 2025. Media representatives will access the premises through the Accreditation Office.

    MEDIA ACCREDITATION IS OPEN

    1. Media representatives wishing to cover the Summit in person (including those with an annual accreditation with NATO) will need to register here.
       
    2. The deadline to register and apply for media accreditation is 6 June 2025, 23h59 CEST.
       
    3. Media representatives need to apply as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for processing their requests. Due to high demand, late applications will not be considered.
       
    4. NATO will confirm the accreditation by email, via the email address used to register, together with details about how media representatives can pick up their badges.
       
    5. Due to high demand and space limitations, NATO recommends media organisations to limit their physical presence on site.
       
    6. Media representatives will pick up their badge in-person in the Accreditation Office. It is mandatory to bring:
      • the same ID document that you used to apply for accreditation online
      • the same proof of media status (press card and/or Letter from your Editor) used for the registration
      • and confirmation email (with QR code) in order to receive your pass.
         
    7. In accordance with NATO media accreditation procedures, NATO reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of media representatives from media organisations who abuse their privileges, put the accreditation to improper use, or act in a way not consistent with the principles of the Organization.

     

    ACCESS

    1. The Accreditation Office will be the only point of entry and exit for the NATO Summit Media Centre.
       
    2. The Accreditation Office will be located at Stadhouderslaan 15, The Hague. It will be accessible by city public transport (tram/bus), taxi, car or bike. There are no parking facilities nearby the venue. A passenger drop-off point and bicycle racks will be available.

    OPENING HOURS

    Times and dates are subject to change

      Accreditation Office International Media Centre
     Saturday 21 June  Open  Closed
     Sunday 22 June  Open (PM)  Open (PM) for broadcasters only
     Monday 23 June  Open  Open
     Tuesday 24 June  Open  Open
     Wednesday 25 June  Open  Open 24h
     Thursday 26 June   Closed  Open until 2h00 a.m.

    MEDIA PROGRAMME

    1. The media programme will be available online at a later stage. To help with media travel plans, the Summit’s formal opening is on 24 June 2025, and its end in the afternoon on 25 June 2025.
       
    2. Details about the programme and media logistics will be available in mid-June. Please check the NATO website and X accounts (@NATOPress and @NATO) for updates.
       
    3. All summit media events will be transmitted live by the Summit Host TV to the media centre, online and via satellite. Bilateral events between delegations are not a part of the official Summit programme. Details of these bilateral events should be sought from the delegations concerned.

    POOLS

    1. Visual media will be able to cover the main summit events based on a pool system. More details about pool opportunities will be provided together with the media programme.
       
    2. Journalists accepting a NATO pool position must share immediately all information and material collected while in the pool with any accredited media that request it, at no charge and with no restriction on the use of the material for news purposes. Media organisations that want pooled images should first contact the wire service / photo agency of which they are a client. Media representatives and news organisations must identify that it is pooled material every time it is used. Pooled material can only be used for legitimate news purposes and it cannot be sold.

    MEDIA CENTRE – FACILITIES

    1. The Media Centre will offer:
      • A press working area, including CCTV, Wi-Fi as well as wired internet connection.
      • A limited number of TV and radio editing booths.
      • A press conference area with informal media huddle positions and briefing rooms of different sizes.
      • An information desk and access to the NATO and Dutch media teams.
      • Catering area.
      • A limited number of outdoor and indoor stand-up positions.
      • Limited area for satellite and TV van parking.
      • Live video feed distribution (HDSDI 1080/50i BNC terminal)
      • A fully equipped TV studio wired for live transmission (only for the leaders’ engagements).
      • Limited space available for broadcasters wishing to set up their own area for live TV.
         
    2. Working space in the Media Centre’s general working area does not need to be pre-booked and can be used on a first come-first-served basis.
       
    3. The TV and radio editing booths, the indoor and outdoor stand-up positions as well as space for dedicated TV studios need to be booked in advance. Look for more details in the Broadcasting chapter bellow.

     

    BROADCAST

    1. NEP Groep/Wirtz Film will act as Host TV for the NATO Summit. All Summit events open to the media will be covered by the Host TV and will be available via satellite (on world feed), in the International Media Centre and on the NATO website.
       
    2. Broadcast-quality B-roll will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal. Journalists need to register to the portal to be able to download videos: natomultimedia.tv/portal/Register.html. For more information, contact content@natomultimedia.tv.
       
    3. Transcripts of the Secretary General’s public remarks, as well as pictures taken by NATO photographers will be available on the NATO website.
       
    4. The Media Centre will include a limited number of bookable editing booths for television and radio. Requests for booking should be addressed to broadcastoperations@mfasummits.nl before 6 June 2025.  
       
    5. The following complimentary amenities will be available in the editing booths:
      • Desks and working space for 2 people;
      • Light, electricity (230v on 2-pin distribution boards), lockable door;
      • Wi-Fi and cabled internet;
      • Access to the (main) video feed based on HDSDI1080i50 with 8ch embedded audio
         
    6. Outdoor stand-up positions will be situated near the International Media Centre, with a view on the Summit venue. The indoor stand-up positions will have a view on the press filing area. All positions will be equipped with electrical power, internet connection, and have Summit branding elements. Outdoor positions will have a canopy in case of inclement weather.
       
    7. Broadcasters who plan for continuous live coverage can book a dedicated stand-up position at broadcastoperations@mfasummits.nl before 6 June 2025.  
       
    8. A fully equipped TV studio wired for live transmission will also be available only for the engagements with leaders and will be open for booking by national delegations.
       
    9. Limited space is available for broadcasters who wish to set up their area for continuous live coverage. Basic amenities will be available (backdrop, basic furniture, access to electricity and internet). For bookings and further details please contact broadcastoperations@mfasummits.nl before 6 June 2025.
       
    10. There is very limited parking place available for broadcasters to park their satellite or TV vans near the Media Centre in the secure area. For reservations, send an e-mail to broadcastoperations@mfasummits.nl. Broadcasters will be contacted separately with access information. Due to security restrictions, satellite trucks will be required to remain parked for the duration of the Summit. Access is possible on 22 or 23 of June 2025.
       
    11. Distances from the SNG / TV vans compound to:
      • Outdoor Stand-up positions: 600 m
      • Indoor Stand-up positions: 450 m
      • Workspaces/Editbooths: 550 m
      • Indoor live TV areas (mentioned in para 29): 550 m
        For OB-trucks add another 170 m
         
    12. Satellite and TV vans will have access to electrical power (380V/50Hz/5 pins CEE) and wired internet (50 Mb up/down). Broadcasters should bring their own cables to connect to the electric network. Pool feeds will be available at the SNG Compound (HD-SDI 1080i50)
       
    13. Limited fibre connection from the editing booths area and interior stand-up positions will be available to the satellite and tv vans parking (for video HDSDI1080i50 or analogue line level audio). Specific requirements and technical questions can be sent to broadcastoperations@mfasummits.nl.
       
    14. Media representatives can bring their bulky equipment and satellite and tv vans to the Media Centre on 22 June 2025, upon appointment. Please send a request to broadcastoperations@mfasummits.nl before 13 June 2025. Media representatives will receive more detailed information of the procedure after sending an e-mail. 
       
    15. All wireless device usage at the NATO Summit must be pre-approved and registered with RDI. Due to the high demand for radio spectrum, special licensing, testing and tagging protocols will be enforced. To apply for a license, submit a request form to RDI with details of your equipment and intended use. Licenses are issued based on availability and priority.
       
    16. For more information: Public events | Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur (RDI)  

    CATERING

    1.  Tea, coffee, water and snacks will be available free of charge during the opening hours of Media Centre. Hot meals will be available at set times, also free of charge.

    PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND DEFENCE INDUSTRY EVENTS   

    1. There will be a flagship public diplomacy event, the NATO Public Forum, taking place on the Summit site on 24 and 25 June. The Forum is organised by the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, together with the host nation and three Dutch-based international think tanks – the Atlantic Commission, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and the Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael. The event will be livestreamed on NATO YouTube. A number of Heads of State and Government, Ministers and high-level international security policy experts are expected to speak.  The agenda will be available closer to the Summit on natopublicforum.org.
       
    2. NATO, the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Defence, and VNO-NCW, the largest employers’ organisation in the Netherlands, will organise the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum at the Summit venue, to facilitate high-level engagements of NATO, Allied Ministers and governments officials with executives from defence and non-defence industry, including from small and medium-size enterprises and start-ups. Details will be provided in due course.
       
    3. Media representatives accredited to the Summit will have opportunities for direct coverage; details will be specified in the media program.

    ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION

    1. Media representatives are invited to book accommodation in or close (Delft/Leiden) to The Hague by contacting the hotels directly. If useful, The Hague & Partners  is well placed to provide guidance for accommodation.

    TRAVELLING TO THE HAGUE FOR THE NATO SUMMIT – VISAS

    1. Journalists who need a visa to enter The Netherlands will be responsible for making their own arrangements. More information on visa requirements is available on the webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands here: Check if you need a visa for the Netherlands | Travelling to the Netherlands | Government.nl

    CONTACTS

    1. Please send your enquiry to the appropriate email address:

    NATO Summit Media Coordination
    Ms Alina COCA – Summitmediaoperations@hq.nato.int

    The Netherlands Media Coordination – mediaoperations@minbuza.nl

    Media queries on substance (Summit content) and interview requests for NATO officials:

    Contact the NATO Press Office

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan: Sally Axworthy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan: Sally Axworthy

    Mrs Sally Axworthy MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

    Mrs Sally Axworthy

    Mrs Sally Axworthy MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan in succession to Ms Kathy Leach who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mrs Axworthy will take up her appointment during August 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Sally Jane Axworthy

    Year Role
    2024 to present Full-time Kazakh language training
    2021 to 2024 FCDO, Head, Negotiations and Peace Processes Department, Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation
    2016 to 2021 Holy See, HM Ambassador
    2013 to 2015 FCO, Joint Head, North Africa Department
    2011 to 2013 FCO, Head, Somalia Unit
    2011 FCO, Head, Great Lakes, East Africa and Somalia Department
    2009 to 2011 India, Director, Corporate Services
    2007 to 2008 FCO, Head of Financial Skills
    2006 FCO, Senior Flexible Working Project, Human Resources Directorate
    2004 to 2005 Government Office South West, Vulnerable Adults Project Leader
    2001 to 2003 Government Office South West, Assistant Director, Devon and Cornwall
    1998 to 2000 FCO, Head, Turkey, Cyprus & Malta Section, European Union Department
    1996 to 1998 Bonn, First Secretary (European Union)
    1994 to 1996 Secondment to the German Foreign Ministry
    1993 to 1994 FCO, Head, Political Section, United Nations Department
    1991 to 1992 Kyiv, Second Secretary Economic
    1989 to 1991 Moscow, Third Secretary Commercial
    1988 to 1989 Full time language training (Russian)
    1987 to 1988 FCO, Desk Officer, Hungary and Czechoslovakia

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: LimbItless report published

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    LimbItless report published

    Fatal person overboard from a keelboat off Cowes, Isle of Wight, England.

    Image courtesy of Andrew Cassell Foundation.

    Today, we have published our accident investigation report into a fatality following a person overboard from an Andrew Cassell Foundation Sonar keelboat on 1 October 2022 off Cowes, Isle of Wight, England.

    Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:

    Any boating activity carries the risk of a person falling in the water. It is important that skippers and event organisers conduct an appropriate assessment to determine the level of assistance that might be required – such as equipment, personnel or support craft – to ensure the timely recovery of a person from the water. Additionally, vessel crews must be practised in the recovery of people from the water and be familiar with their rescue equipment.

    Not every event or outing requires bespoke equipment but it may be necessary, especially when sailing with people whose ability to assist with their own recovery might be impaired.

    All skippers should consider how they and their crew will recover an unconscious person from the water in a timely manner and ensure they and their crew practise thoroughly for such an event.

    The report, available via this link, contains details of what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations.

    Media enquiries (telephone only)

    Media enquiries during office hours 01932 440015

    Media enquiries out of hours 0300 7777878

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKHSA urges Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to get meningitis vaccination

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UKHSA urges Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to get meningitis vaccination

    UKHSA is reminding travellers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah and the upcoming Hajj pilgrimages to ensure they are vaccinated against meningitis.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging travellers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah and the upcoming Hajj pilgrimages to ensure they are vaccinated against meningococcal disease with the MenACWY vaccine, due to ongoing outbreaks of serogroup W (MenW) disease associated with travel to KSA.

    UKHSA has confirmed 5 cases of MenW disease between February and March 2025 in people who had recently returned from KSA or in their close contacts in England and Wales.

    Invasive meningococcal disease is rare but serious and is caused by meningococcal bacteria. Meningococcal meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) are severe conditions that can kill or leave people with life-changing disabilities.

    Those undertaking Hajj or Umrah, along with seasonal workers, are required to present a valid certificate of MenACWY vaccination issued between 10 days and 3 to 5 years before arrival, depending on the type of MenACWY vaccine previously received. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) advise, however, that all travellers to KSA should consider receiving the quadrivalent meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine, especially during the current MenW outbreak.

    While abroad and in the 2 weeks after returning to the UK, pilgrims and travellers returning from KSA should monitor for symptoms such as:

    • fever
    • severe headache
    • vomiting
    • stiff neck
    • rash
    • extreme sleepiness
    • seizures

    Symptoms may resemble flu initially and can appear in any order, but can lead to serious illness within hours. Anyone who has symptoms and becomes concerned about their own or someone else’s health should seek immediate medical advice or dial 999 in a medical emergency.

    Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

    The MenACWY vaccination is essential for pilgrims travelling to KSA for Umrah and Hajj, particularly given recent cases among UK returnees and their families. Meningococcal disease can be fatal and may leave survivors with serious lifelong conditions including hearing loss, brain damage and limb amputations.

    Pilgrims should ensure vaccination at least ten days before travel and remain vigilant for symptoms like sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or rash. If you or anyone at home becomes unwell with any symptoms of meningitis within two weeks of returning from Saudi Arabia, contact your GP or NHS 111, mentioning your recent travel history, or dial 999 in case of emergency.

    Dr Sahira Dar, President of the British Islamic Medical Association, said: 

    During Hajj and Umrah, millions of people gather in very close proximity during the pilgrim rights, in accommodation sites and on public transport.  This means that there is a much higher risk of contracting infectious diseases such as meningitis which is a serious illness.  We highly recommend that everyone going on Hajj and Umrah receive their MenACWY vaccine which could protect them and their loved ones back home.

    UKHSA is also advising pilgrims about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). While risk to UK travellers remains low, pilgrims should:

    • avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products
    • avoid contact with camels and animal waste
    • practise good hygiene, particularly washing hands after visiting farms, barns or markets

    Should fever, coughing or breathing difficulties develop within 2 weeks of leaving Saudi Arabia, contact a GP or NHS 111, mentioning recent travel history and any contact with respiratory cases, healthcare facilities or camels during travel.

    Further information on vaccinations and travel health precautions for KSA is available on the NaTHNaC website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Key forestry grants re-opened to support tree-planting ambitions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Key forestry grants re-opened to support tree-planting ambitions

    Up to £4.1 million in grants is being made available across three grant offers to boost resilience and productivity in tree production

    Foresters, researchers, landowners, nurseries and seed suppliers are set to benefit today (Thursday 24 April) from up to £4.1 million to be made available to equip nurseries to enhance domestic tree and tree seed production to meet the ambitious statutory tree planting targets for climate, nature and people, while supporting green jobs, helping to boost growth in the sector.

    This will help ensure we plant treescapes that are resilient to stresses including climate change and pests and diseases, while bolstering capacity to meet the Government’s ambitious tree-planting targets.

    Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley said:

    “Supporting domestic tree and tree seed production can be at the very root of growth opportunities for our sector. Our grants have the potential to ensure there is a reliable supply of diverse and high quality trees for future planting to the Government’s tree planting targets, improving timber security whilst boosting employment and the wider green economy.

    “I encourage all eligible applicants to come forward to help us support the sector to grow and thrive.”

    These grants have already seen funding awarded to a vast range of organisations across the public, private and third sectors, ranging from established tree and tree seed suppliers to new entrants to the sector. Previously supported projects can be found on our tree and seed production case studies page at: Tree and seed production case studies – GOV.UK.

    Through the Tree Production Capital Grant, for example, funding has enabled community tree nurseries to purchase polytunnels and seed processing equipment, and supported larger nurseries to invest in machinery to improve their efficiency.

    The Tree Production Innovation Fund unlocks new technologies that enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of tree planting stock, for example funding work into reducing synthetic fertiliser use in forestry which later led to crowding in of Danish venture capital seed to launch natural fertiliser company Re-Genus.

    It also supported Rhizocore Technologies to develop locally adapted mycorrhizal fungi pellets to enhance tree growth, resilience and greater carbon capture by soil. The pellets are designed to be placed into the topsoil with saplings during tree planting. They keep the fungal symbionts they contain alive for months, enabling the formation of mycorrhizal associations with the planted trees. Field data has shown sites using the pellets have significant improvements to both tree growth rates and survival rates.

    Dr Toby Parkes, Founder and CEO, Rhizocore, said:

    “Tree Production Innovation Fund funding has enabled Rhizocore to develop its products and systems, transitioning Rhizocore from a research phase to a commercial phase and enabled us to develop the first commercially scalable system for delivering live, locally sourced ectomycorrhizal fungi to field planting sites.

    “This foundational work has enabled Rhizocore to establish the data and systems needed for us to supply local ectomycorrhizal fungi to the forestry sector into the future.”

    Planning and planting new seed stands and orchards and management of existing seed stands are examples of eligible activities for Seed Sourcing Grant funding.

    Additional information:

    • The Tree Production Capital Grant (up to £2 million) aims to help suppliers increase their productivity and resilience and is designed for tree and tree seed suppliers of all sizes, as well as new entrants looking to diversify into the sector. It closes for applications on 25 June.
    • Read the Forestry Commission’s tree and seed production case studies.
    • The Tree Production Innovation Fund (up to £1.5 million) provides funding for innovative projects designed to overcome barriers to domestic tree production and is designed to improve the quantity, quality and diversity of tree planting stock in England. It closes on 9 July.
    • Read about previous successful Tree Production Innovation Fund projects.
    • The Seed Sourcing Grant (up to £600,000) provides funding to improve the quantity, quality and diversity of tree seed sources in England and will help to ensure the availability of diverse planting stock to meet tree planting targets. It closes on 19 August.
    • Read about previous successful Seed Sourcing Grant projects.

    To help those interested in applying, the Forestry Commission are hosting a range of ‘how to apply’ webinars and ‘knowledge transfer’ events, sign up for free:

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China issues first batches of 2025 special treasury bonds

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

    BEIJING, April 24 — China on Thursday issued this year’s first batches of ultra-long special treasury bonds and special treasury bonds designed to support large state-owned commercial banks in replenishing capital.

    According to this year’s government work report, a total of 1.3 trillion yuan (about 180.31 billion U.S. dollars) of ultra-long special treasury bonds will be issued, 300 billion yuan more than in 2024, while 500 billion yuan of special treasury bonds will be issued to support large state-owned commercial banks in replenishing capital.

    The first phase of ultra-long special treasury bonds worth 50 billion yuan was issued on Thursday, featuring a term of 20 years and a coupon rate of 1.98 percent.

    The second phase of ultra-long special treasury bonds worth 71 billion yuan, with a 30-year term and a coupon rate of 1.88 percent, was also issued on Thursday.

    These ultra-long special treasury bonds will facilitate the implementation of major national strategies and enhance security capacity in key areas, as well as support a new round of large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs.

    Industry experts believe this is conducive to releasing domestic investment and consumption demands.

    On Thursday, China also issued 165 billion yuan of special treasury bonds designed for supporting large state-owned commercial banks in replenishing capital, with a term of five years and a coupon rate of 1.45 percent.

    The issuance of these bonds will help banks to consolidate and enhance their stable operation capabilities and high-quality development, industry experts said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ban Airbnb tax breaks and introduce additional charges for short term lets

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Apr 2025 Housing

    Homes are for living in, not for profiteering.

    More in Housing

    The Scottish Greens have tabled plans to ban tax breaks for short term let operators profiteering from houses that could be used to tackle Scotland’s homelessness crisis.

    Green MSP Ross Greer has lodged an amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill which would ban short term let operators from receiving relief from Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), commonly known as business rates. A second amendment lodged by the MSP would give Ministers the power to charge short term lets an additional NDR rate instead.

    At present short term lets typically enjoy up to 100% NDR relief through policies such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

    These reforms would discourage businesses from buying up homes to turn into short term lets, like Airbnbs. It is hoped the move would encourage the sale of homes currently used as short term lets to free up housing for people to actually live in, rather than for businesses to profit from.

    Since the last election, the Scottish Greens have doubled the tax paid when buying a holiday home or buy-to-let property and given councils the power to double Council Tax on holiday homes.

    These reforms have had the desired effect on house purchases, with 2455 fewer second homes bought last year than in 2023, the largest decrease in a decade. Combined, these will also raise over a quarter of a billion pounds for public services in the current financial year.

    Mr Greer said:

    “There are communities across the country where the greed of short term let operators and buy-to-let landlords has destroyed any chance of local young people ever owning their own home.

    “Given the damage they’ve done to the housing market, there is absolutely no need for short term let operators to continue receiving massive tax breaks. Instead, they should pay a bit more in tax to fund the extra affordable housing we need to solve the crisis they helped to cause.

    “The changes already delivered by Green MSPs have reduced the number of second and holiday homes bought each year, freeing up more properties for people who need a home to live in and raising millions of pounds for vital services like schools and hospitals.

    “We will continue cracking down on the rich hoarding homes and working to free up houses for people to actually live in.

    “We have thousands of homeless people across Scotland while many homes are bought up and used as Airbnbs. The Scottish Greens believe housing should be for people and not for profit.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A permit has been issued for the commissioning of a building under the renovation program in Zapadnoye Degunino

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Zapadnoye Degunino district, a new residential building was put into operation under the renovation program. The permit for the commissioning of the facility was issued by the capital State Construction Supervision Committee (Mosgosstroynadzor)The head of the department reported this. Anton Slobodchikov.

    The new building, designed for 384 apartments, is located at the address: Bazovskaya Street, Building 26.

    “The area of apartments in the three-section house of variable height is 22.5 thousand square meters. On the first floor there are concierge rooms and pram rooms. The project also provides for non-residential premises for social and household enterprises. The building has through entrances leading to the inner courtyard and to Bazovskaya Street,” Anton Slobodchikov noted.

    The finishing of the apartments corresponds to the standards of the renovation program approved by the Moscow Government. There is a parking lot at the underground level. Each section has three elevators: two with a lifting capacity of 630 kilograms and one with a lifting capacity of 1,000 kilograms. The facades are faced with natural-colored brick, white glass fiber concrete and porcelain stoneware. Air conditioner baskets are fixed to the walls.

    “The architectural appearance of the house is based on a combination of light and dark shades. This, at first glance, simple technique allows the building to look different depending on the point of view, and the color scheme – to easily fit into the surrounding development,” clarified the chief architect of the capital, first deputy chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development (Moskomarkhitektura)

    Sergey Kuznetsov.

    An area of 5.3 thousand square meters was landscaped next to the house: playgrounds and sports grounds, benches, trees and bushes appeared here.

    On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, the city is paying special attention to the quality of work at renovation sites.

    Anton Slobodchikov emphasized that the construction of the house on Bazovskaya Street began in March 2023 on a land plot of more than 0.7 hectares. Mosgosstroynadzor inspectors conducted 11 inspections at all stages of the work. Specialists assessed the quality of construction, finishing, installation of engineering systems and landscaping. Based on the results of the final inspection, a conclusion was issued on the compliance of the facility with the design documentation.

    Specialists from the subordinate Center of Expertise were involved in the field events. They conducted laboratory and instrumental studies of building materials and erected structures.

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

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

    Get the latest news quickly the city’s official telegram channelMoscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153091073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Threatening diversity, threatening growth: the business effects of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-trans agendas

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Matteo Winkler, Professeur associé en droit et fiscalité, HEC Paris Business School

    Recent months have seen a dramatic shift in US policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These changes carry deep economic consequences. President Donald Trump’s executive orders aim to ban DEI initiatives in federal agencies and contractors, and private companies have felt pressure to weaken or drop their DEI programmes. Trump has framed what was once a corporate safeguard against discrimination as “illegal and immoral”, marking a stark reversal in legal and business norms. Federal judges have blocked some of Trump’s orders, or elements of them, and some legal processes are ongoing.

    Transgender rights have become a lightning rod in this shifting landscape. The barrage of federal directives seeks to challenge – or outright eliminate – protections in areas ranging from health care to education to the military. Beyond the immediate harm to trans individuals, these policies pose threats to multinational companies that have long defended inclusive workplace values. Their leaders must now navigate a cultural minefield where staying silent risks public backlash, while openly supporting trans employees can invite legal and political complications. The business repercussions of this moral issue could affect everything from brand reputation to talent retention.


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    The economic imperative of DEI initiatives

    There is a growing ensemble of research suggesting that DEI policies are not just nice-to-have but a corporate imperative. This year, the World Economic Forum reported that organizations that include DEI in their core business strategies improve performance, innovation and employee satisfaction. These findings are in line with other studies, which have consistently demonstrated that inclusive workplaces not only attract top talent but perform better financially and have higher returns on assets and net income.

    With regard to people identifying as LGBTI+, a 2024 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development highlighted that inclusive policies enable LGBTI+ individuals to achieve their full employment and productivity potential, benefiting both their well-being and society at large. Moreover, according to Open for Business, a think tank whose mission is making a case for LGBTQ+ inclusion in private and public settings, companies with “larger LGBTQ+ workforce benefit from diverse perspectives but also foster environments where innovation and productivity thrive”. It has also been found that human rights violations against LGBTI+ people diminish economic output at the micro level, suggesting that inclusive societies are more likely to experience robust economic growth.



    À lire aussi :
    Business schools are facing challenges to their diversity commitments. They must reinforce them to train leaders effectively

    Research has also shown that trans-inclusive business practices have long been associated with innovation, employee satisfaction and market competitiveness. Companies that provide gender-neutral bathroom access, introduce the inclusive use of pronouns and support employees’ gender transitions have been proven to foster relational authenticity in the workplace.

    Discrimination and exclusion, by contrast, not only harm individuals but also impede economic growth by limiting the available talent pool and reducing overall productivity. In September 2024, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported that “laws and policies designed to restrict or prevent access or supports for transgender and nonbinary people” endanger LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies, leading to increased fear, lack of safety and a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ violence. More generally, these laws and policies can also deter businesses from investing in regions perceived as discriminatory. Also in September, the Movement Advancement Project identified that the lack of legal protection against discrimination contributes to economic instability for LGBTQ+ families, which can lead to wage gaps, job insecurity and reduced access to benefits, ultimately contributing to reduced consumer spending and lower economic participation.

    Language targeting trans rights and visibility

    Despite the benefits of DEI initiatives, the current US administration has sought to enact several policies aimed at dismantling them, resulting in organizations, both public and private, to suspend funding for DEI and outreach programmes. In Trump’s executive orders, anything – policy, programme or initiative – related to or benefitting trans people in access to healthcare, academic research, scientific inquiry, school policies, personal safety, participation in sports, and military service is now rejected as “gender ideology extremism”.

    Targeting sports, education and the military is functional to an ideological battle aimed at erasing spaces where trans people are most vulnerable. These spaces are also formative arenas in shaping national identity and the public perception of DEI initiatives. When they become politicized, they can also affect how businesses frame their values, manage risks and engage with their different stakeholders.



    À lire aussi :
    Anti-DEI guidance from Trump administration misinterprets the law and guts educators’ free speech rights

    The anti-trans executive orders begin by redefining the term “sex” for interpretations of federal law. According to the text of “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to Federal Government”, a person is either male or female, which is determined by their reproductive cells at conception – a definition in which biology takes precedence over individual rights and legal protections. “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” weaponizes this “biological truth” by threatening to cut off federal funds to schools that allow trans athletes to participate in them. “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” equates being transgender with medical or physical incapacity despite no evidence suggesting that trans service members negatively impact military readiness. “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” seeks to prevent schools from teaching about gender identity, which would strip trans youth of critical support systems. And “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” describes gender-affirming healthcare as “destructive”.

    The ripple effects of this anti-trans rhetoric extend into the private sector, compelling businesses to reevaluate their DEI strategies in fear of backlash or scrutiny. Even before the last US presidential election, companies such as Ford, Harley-Davidson and Lowe’s withdrew their participation in the Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. In the wake of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-trans orders, organizers of various Pride events in the US and Canada learned that some corporations, including longtime sponsors, had decided not to fund them. And according to the New York Times, some companies erased language and terms related to DEI from annual reports filed this year, including Dow Chemical, whose reference to LGBTQ+ employee resource groups disappeared from its public documents.

    Navigating between inclusive values and anti-DEI pressure

    Three patterns seem to be emerging on how companies are navigating the tension between values that are inclusive of LGBTI+ people and the growing pressure to scrub DEI commitments within the US context. For the moment, these patterns do not reflect formalized strategies but adaptive responses to an environment that has grown in complexity in a very short time. Some corporate actions reflect deliberate strategy aimed at protecting global consistency, while others appear more reactive, shaped by local market pressures.

    The first pattern involves establishing a sort of internal firewall between US and international operations. Banco Santander provides a clear example of this approach. Thus far, it has maintained global DEI commitments such as tying executive bonuses to increased gender equality in leadership. This group stated that such targets would not be applied to countries where governmental policies target DEI. In this pattern, DEI programmes are maintained abroad but are dismantled in the US to minimize political exposure in the latter.

    The second approach, observed at accounting firm Deloitte, is a cultural split between US operations and those overseas: while entities under the same global brand may still share data, practices, or strategic frameworks internally, they now adopt publicly distinct positions on DEI. Deloitte UK has remained vocal on its DEI commitments, highlighting the cultural and political fault lines that multinationals must now navigate.

    The third approach is a retraction of DEI altogether. Target offers a striking example. In 2023, under increased political and consumer pressure, the company rolled back some of its LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts by reducing the number of Pride-related items for sale. In 2025, four days after Trump’s inauguration, Target announced it would “end its three-year DEI goals”, cease reporting to the Corporate Equality Index and “end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses”, as reported by CNBC. The moves resulted in considerable public criticism, and more notably, coincided with a marked drop in foot traffic – “nearly 5 million fewer visits” over a four-week period – revealing reputational and financial risks associated with the abandoning of DEI policies. By contrast, bulk retailer Costco, which said three days after the inauguration that its shareholders voted against a proposal seen as unfriendly to the company’s DEI programmes, “saw nearly 7.7 million more visits” during that same stretch.



    À lire aussi :
    A boycott campaign fuels tension between Black shoppers and Black-owned brands – evoking the long struggle for ‘consumer citizenship’

    In light of the evidence, it is clear that undermining DEI initiatives poses substantial risks – not just to human dignity, but to economic competitiveness. Businesses and policymakers must recognize that DEI is not merely a social or ethical imperative but a core strategy for growth and innovation. By fostering environments where all individuals can thrive, we unlock the full potential of our workforce and ensure sustainable economic growth.

    Conversely, discriminatory policies contribute to social instability, brain drain and economic stagnation. In the United States, the rollback of DEI initiatives and the marginalization of transgender individuals threaten to erode the nation’s ability to uphold human rights and maintain business competitiveness. History demonstrates that exclusionary policies ultimately harm societies rather than strengthen them. The question remains whether the US can afford to sacrifice social stability and economic growth in pursuit of ideological battles. The evidence suggests that it cannot.

    Matteo Winkler is a member of the Open for Business Academic Committee. He has received funding from the HEC Foundation.

    Marcelle Laliberté is a member of Women in Aerospace Europe and HEC We&Men, and a contributor to the UN`s High Advisory Board on Governing AI for Humanity.

    – ref. Threatening diversity, threatening growth: the business effects of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-trans agendas – https://theconversation.com/threatening-diversity-threatening-growth-the-business-effects-of-trumps-anti-dei-and-anti-trans-agendas-255040

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Last year, in eight districts of the capital, driveways to buildings were improved under the renovation program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Last year, specialists from the city services complex built access roads to 23 buildings under the renovation program. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Work has been carried out to expand access roads to 23 buildings built as part of the renovation program. Seven such roads were built in the east of the capital, four in the Southern Administrative District, three in the Northern and South-Eastern Administrative Districts, two in the South-Western and North-Western Administrative Districts, and one in the North-Eastern and Western Administrative Districts,” said Pyotr Biryukov.

    The construction of residential buildings is taking place not only on starting sites in areas of existing development, but also on the sites of houses previously resettled under the renovation program.

    The head of the city economy complex noted that courtyard areas designed more than 60 years ago are often not suitable for the passage of construction and fire equipment. The development of new roads, which are then integrated into the district’s transport system, helps to solve this issue at the initial stage.

    In total, 12.6 kilometers of access roads with a total area of 75.6 thousand square meters were widened and almost 33 thousand square meters of sidewalks were equipped. Convenient ramps were made for people with limited mobility. In addition, over 32 thousand square meters of lawn were laid.

    For the comfort and safety of residents, about 150 lanterns with energy-efficient lamps were installed when arranging access roads to facilities built within the framework of the renovation program. Overhead lines were transferred to cable ducts.

    The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Earlier, Sergei Sobyaninordered to increasethe pace of implementation of the renovation program has doubled.

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

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153096073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –