NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Will Europol support Member States and third countries in the fight against terrorist groups that target certain companies and their customers? – E-001418/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001418/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Catherine Griset (PfE)

    In order to strike at the financial interests of Elon Musk, far-left groups in the United States have set up an anonymous website that publishes the personal data of Tesla owners (names, addresses and telephone numbers)[1].

    These same individuals also blew up a Tesla in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas and regularly set fire to charging stations and vehicles of this brand in the United States.

    The US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, did not hesitate to describe these criminal acts as ‘domestic terrorism’[2].

    This violence is now spreading across Europe, particularly in Member States whose governments are highly indulgent of violent far-left groups. In France, in particular, a Tesla dealership near Toulouse and Tesla vehicles in Niort have been set on fire. The French headquarters of the manufacturer has also been vandalised in recent days.

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of attacks against this company and its customers in other Member States?
    • 2.Can Europol, as part of its mission to support Member States and third countries against terrorism, provide assistance in stopping these violent groups?

    Submitted: 8.4.2025

    • [1] https://www.bvoltaire.fr/aux-etats-unis-comme-en-france-tesla-est-visee-par-des-attaques-dultra-gauche/
    • [2] https://www.francetvinfo.fr/internet/elon-musk/etats-unis-des-hackers-divulguent-les-donnees-personnelles-de-proprietaires-de-tesla-elon-musk-denonce-un-terrorisme-interieur_7141125.html
    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Authoritarian restructuring of the Turkish state without consequences for EU candidate status – E-001451/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001451/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Petra Steger (PfE)

    On 19 March 2025, Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul and opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and some 100 other opposition figures were arrested on flimsy charges of corruption and terrorism. Just a few days later, on 23 March 2025, İmamoğlu was placed in pre-trial detention and ‘temporarily’ removed from office as Mayor. In response to these undemocratic actions, hundreds of thousands of people across Türkiye took to the streets, with more than 2000 people critical of the government being arrested since the beginning of the protests. Similarly, on 27 March 2025, a 10-day broadcasting ban was imposed on the opposition television channel ‘Sözcü TV’. In doing so, Erdoğan is ushering in a new level of authoritarianism in Turkey and proving that Turkey is a very poor partner for the EU. It is therefore all the more surprising that since the end of 2023, the Commission has been seeking a renewed deepening of relations with Türkiye, rather than withdrawing its EU candidate status, as it should have done long ago.

    • 1.Why is the Commission seeking a renewed deepening of relations with Türkiye since the end of 2023, even though Turkey had already drawn attention to itself in the preceding years through its numerous anti-democratic measures?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s assessment of developments in Türkiye since 19 March 2025?
    • 3.Why is Turkey not finally being stripped of its EU candidate status, which entails substantial financial support?

    Submitted: 9.4.2025

    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing – A10-0070/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing

    (COM(2024)0407 – C10‑0098/2024 – 2024/0224(COD))

    (Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2024)0407),

    – having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 43(2) and 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C10‑0098/2024),

    – having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    – having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 22 January 2025[1],

    – having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0070/2025),

    1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

    2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

    3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

     

    Amendment  1

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Recital 1

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (1) In line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 19821 (‘UNCLOS’) and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 August 19952 (‘UNFSA’), the management of certain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks requires the cooperation of all the countries whose fleets exploit that stock.

    (1) In line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 19821 (‘UNCLOS’) and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 August 19952 (‘UNFSA’), the management of certain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks requires the cooperation of all the countries whose fleets exploit that stock. Such cooperation may be established in the framework of regional fisheries management organisations (‘RFMOs’) or by means of ad hoc arrangements among the countries having an interest in the fishery concerned.

    __________________

    __________________

    1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1998/392/oj.

    1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1998/392/oj.

    2 Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 17.

    2 Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 17.

    Amendment  2

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Recital 3

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (3) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 a country may be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing if, among others, it fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in full compliance with the provisions of the UNCLOS and the UNFSA, or any other international agreement or norm of international law and if it fails to adopt necessary fishery management measures.

    (3) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 a country may be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing if, among others, it fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in full compliance with the provisions of the UNCLOS, the UNFSA, or any other international agreement or norm of international law and if it fails to adopt relevant fishery management measures.

    Amendment  3

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Recital 4 a (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (4a) ‘Best available scientific advice’ should be understood to refer to publicly available scientific advice that is supported by the most up-to-date scientific data and methods and that has either been issued or reviewed by an independent scientific body that is recognised at Union or international level.

    Amendment  4

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Recital 5

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (5) It is also necessary to clarify that a country may be considered as allowing non-sustainable fishing if it does not implement the necessary fishery management measures, and that those measures include control measures.

    (5) It is also necessary to clarify that a country may be considered as allowing non-sustainable fishing if it does not implement, comply with or enforce the relevant fishery management, conservation or control measures, including those agreed in the framework of a RFMO.

    Amendment  5

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Recital 6

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (6) It is also appropriate to reinforce the procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing.

    (6) It is also appropriate to reinforce the procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing, including for countries within the framework of RFMOs.

    Amendment  6

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b

     

    Present text

    Amendment

     

    (-1) in Article 2, point (b) is replaced by the following:

    (b)  ‘associated species’ means any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited or accidentally taken in the same fishery or fisheries;

    “(b)  ‘associated species’ means any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited, bycatch or accidentally taken in the same fishery or fisheries;“;

    (32012R1026)

    Amendment  7

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 a (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f

     

    Present text

    Amendment

     

    (-1a) in Article 2, point (f) is replaced by the following:

    (f)  ‘unsustainable state’ means the condition where the stock is not continuously maintained at or above the levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield or, if these levels cannot be estimated, where the stock is not continuously maintained within safe biological limits; the stock levels determining whether the stock is in an unsustainable state are to be determined on the basis of best available scientific advice;

    “(f)  ‘unsustainable state’ means the condition where the stock is not continuously maintained at or above the levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield or, if these levels cannot be estimated, where the stock is not continuously maintained within safe biological limits in line with the precautionary approach to fisheries management as referred to in Article 6 of UNFSA; the stock levels determining whether the stock is in an unsustainable state are to be determined on the basis of best available scientific advice;“;

    (32012R1026)

    Amendment  8

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – introductory part

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (i) ‘failure to cooperate’ means the failure to engage in good faith and have meaningful consultations, in which substantial effort is made, with a view to reaching an agreement on the adoption of necessary fishery management measures; examples of failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to:

    (i) ‘failure to cooperate’ means the failure by third countries to engage in good faith and have meaningful consultations with all the relevant coastal States and/or fishing parties, including within RFMOs, with a view to reaching an agreement on the adoption of necessary fishery management measures; examples of failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to:

    Amendment  9

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 4

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (4) undue delays;

    (4) undue delays in replying to requests or engaging in consultations;

    Amendment  10

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 5

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (5) unreasonable information requests;

    (5) unreasonable requests for information or actions to be taken, including unreasonable deadlines to reply or act;

    Amendment  11

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 8

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (8) systemically insisting upon own positions;

    (8) consistently maintaining their own positions over an extended period, regardless of the flexibilities and concessions offered by other parties during the consultations;

    Amendment  12

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 10 a (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (10a) adopting unreasonable and unjustified unilateral measures or quotas which are not in line with the measures or quotas agreed bilaterally or multilaterally;

     

    Amendment  13

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 10 b (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (10b) implementing discriminatory measures that impact the fleets of third countries, while granting a partial or full exemption from those measures for their own fleet, leading to stocks being in an unsustainable state;

    Amendment  14

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 10 c (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (10c) lack of transparency in the consultations with all the relevant coastal States or fishing parties, including within RFMOs.

    Amendment  15

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    (i) it fails to adopt or implement necessary fishery management measures, including control measures in order to ensure the effective conservation and management of stocks of common interest; or;

    (i) it fails to adopt, implement, comply with or enforce relevant fishery management measures, or those agreed bilaterally or multilaterally, including control measures ensuring the effective conservation and management of stocks of common interest or associated species, including measures adopted in the framework of an RFMO; or

    Amendment  16

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i a (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (2a) in Article 3, point (b), the following point is inserted:

     

    “(ia) it systematically fails to comply with bilateral or multilateral agreements, by failing to take effective or timely action against its nationals or flagged vessels, which were deemed to have carried out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or acted contrary to the fishery management measures established by such agreements, leading to stocks being in an unsustainable state; or”

    Amendment  17

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a a (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph -1 (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (aa) the following paragraph is inserted:

     

    “-1. The Commission shall respond within 90 days of receiving a request, from a Member State or the European Parliament, to identify a country as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing and shall outline what actions it intends to take, if any.”;

    Amendment  18

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a b (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 1

     

    Present text

    Amendment

     

    (ab) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

    1. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to adopt measures referred to in Article 4, it shall notify the country concerned of the intention to identify it as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing. In such cases, the European Parliament and the Council shall be immediately informed.

    “1. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to adopt measures referred to in Article 4, it shall notify the country concerned of the intention to identify it as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing. Prior to that notification, the Commission shall also register, as set out in Regulations (EU) 2016/10361a and (EU) 2016/10371b of the European Parliament and of the Council, all imports of products of the country under investigation that may be targeted pursuant to Article 4. In such cases, the European Parliament and the Council shall be immediately informed.“;

     

    _________

     

    1a Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (codification) (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1036/oj).

     

    1b Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Union (codification) (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 55, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1037/oj).

    (32012R1026)

    Amendment  19

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a c (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (ac) the following paragraph is inserted:

     

    “2a. When the stock of common interest falls under the scope of an RFMO and the non-compliance by a third country results in that country being identified as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing under Article 3, prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall raise the matter of a third country allowing non-compliance within the relevant body, to seek timely rectification of the non-compliance.”;

    Amendment  20

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a d (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 2 b (new)

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

     

    (ad) the following paragraph is inserted:

     

    2b. In the event that, despite the actions taken under paragraph 2a, the country is still identified as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing in accordance with Article 3, the Commission shall take action on the basis of the measures referred to in Article 4.

    Amendment  21

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 3

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    3. Prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall provide the country concerned with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the notification in writing and to provide any relevant information.;

    3. Prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall provide the country concerned with the opportunity to respond to the notification in writing and to provide any relevant information.

    Amendment  22

     

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 4

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    4. The Commission shall give to the country concerned adequate time to reply to the notification and a reasonable time to remedy the situation.

    4. The Commission shall give to the country concerned a maximum of 90 days to reply to the notification and a further maximum of 90 days from the date of that reply to remedy the situation.

    Amendment  23

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 5

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    5. Following the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall continue to engage with the country concerned, with a view to that country ceasing to allow non-sustainable fishing.

    5. Following the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall continue to engage and maintain an open dialogue and shall promote cooperation bilaterally, multilaterally, or with the compliance body of the relevant RFMO, with a view to the country concerned ceasing to allow non-sustainable fishing.

    Amendment  24

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 6 – paragraph 6

     

    Text proposed by the Commission

    Amendment

    6. Where the country concerned enters into consultations with the Union in good faith, the Commission shall engage in such consultations expeditiously..

    6. Where the country concerned enters into consultations with the Union in good faith, the Commission shall engage in such consultations promptly.

    Amendment  25

    Proposal for a regulation

    Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)

    Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012

    Article 7 – paragraph 1

     

    Present text

    Amendment

     

    (3a) in Article 7, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following :

    1.  The measures referred to in Article 4 shall cease to apply when the country allowing non-sustainable fishing adopts appropriate corrective measures necessary for the conservation and management of the stock of common interest and those corrective measures:

    “1.  The measures referred to in Article 4 shall cease to apply when the country allowing non-sustainable fishing adopts appropriate corrective measures necessary for the conservation and management of the stock of common interest and those corrective measures:

    (a) have either been adopted autonomously or have been agreed in the context of consultations with the Union and, where applicable, other countries concerned; and

    (a)  have either been adopted autonomously or have been agreed in the context of consultations with the Union and, where applicable, other countries concerned or within the framework of RFMOs; and

    (b) do not undermine the effect of measures taken by the Union either autonomously, or in cooperation with other countries, for the purpose of the conservation of the fish stocks concerned.

    (b)  do not undermine the effect of measures taken by the Union either autonomously, or in cooperation with other countries or within the framework of RFMOs, for the purpose of the conservation of the fish stocks concerned.”

    (32012R1026)

     

     

    EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

    This regulation is a vital tool within the EU’s international fisheries governance framework, designed to reinforce its mechanisms that ensure sustainable management of fish stocks. It serves as a cornerstone fostering international cooperation in sustainability, addressing non-compliance and safeguarding the long-term interests of EU fishers.

    The aim of the rapporteur, among others, is to enhance the potential of this instrument. The rapporteur seeks to ensure that the EU is equipped with a robust and comprehensive framework to confront current and future challenges posed by all bilateral and multilateral partners, while also leveraging the role of compliance bodies within regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). This report therefore aims to strengthen the EU’s international fisheries governance strategy and secure its long-term objectives for sustainable and equitable fisheries management.

    The rapporteur commends the Commission’s proposed changes to Article 3 on the identification of countries allowing non-sustainable fishing, as well as Article 6 establishing actions to be taken prior and subsequently to the adoption of measures, and has decided to introduce clearer and more comprehensive provisions to strengthen accountability.

    Among others, the rapporteur highlights the importance of countering unreasonable demands from third countries, which could jeopardize the strategic interests of the EU and its fishers. Provisions aimed at preventing unjustified requests and deadlines safeguard the fairness of negotiations and protect the interests of EU fishers. Additionally, the rapporteur amendments address non-compliance by our partners, thereby upholding international sustainability efforts to protect our oceans, while also protecting the interests of EU fishers. Collectively, these changes establish a more comprehensive and strategic negotiating framework with our partners.

    The rapporteur considers critical to strengthen the role of compliance bodies within RFMOs and deems that the Commission underutilises this tool of international fisheries governance. Before taking further action, the EU can better leverage international cooperation in sustainable fisheries management, by holding accountable, within these multilateral bodies, third countries that allow non-sustainable fishing. The proposed amendments aim to integrate more effectively RFMOs as a compliance tool within the EU’s international fisheries governance strategy, unlocking their full potential to combat non-sustainable fishing practices. The rapporteur underscores the importance of these legislative changes in driving tangible action by the Commission to enhance the effectiveness of RFMOs, improve environmental sustainability and ensure social justice for EU fishers.

    The introduction of a clear definition of “best available scientific advice” addresses a critical gap in existing legislation. This amendment ensures greater consistency and clarity across all provisions, while preventing ambiguity in decision-making. By grounding fisheries management decisions in sound scientific principles, the EU strengthens both the legal and scientific rigor of conservation actions. This, is turn, improves the long-term effectiveness of the EU’s sustainability efforts.

    In conclusion, the rapporteur believes that the proposed amendments have the potential to make this regulation a stronger, more comprehensive and future-proof instrument for the EU. It would further advance our efforts towards a proactive, resilient, and equitable approach to fisheries management, consolidating the EU’s position as a global leader in international sustainable fisheries governance.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Digital protection against digital transnational repression – E-001431/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001431/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE), Sergey Lagodinsky (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE)

    In view of current geopolitical developments, the growing threat from authoritarian regimes and the increasing use in Europe of digital means to suppress dissent, strengthening digital protection for exiled activists seems urgent from a security and human rights perspective. Against the background of the documented increase in digital transnational repression, especially against human rights defenders, journalists and activists who have fled from non-EU countries to the EU, I would like to ask the Commission the following questions:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the systematic increase in digital transnational repression on EU territory, for example through targeted online threats, digital surveillance, disinformation campaigns or the use of commercial spyware, against activists who have fled from non-EU countries?
    • 2.What specific protection mechanisms are currently in place at EU level to protect affected persons from digital transnational repression and what gaps does the Commission see in the current protection architecture, in particular with regard to technical support services, emergency assistance, monitoring capacities and institutional contact points?
    • 3.Is the Commission planning to develop a structured instrument specifically to close current protection gaps, and how does it intend to involve civil society expertise and current EU instruments?

    Submitted: 8.4.2025

    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Competence and responsibility for the organisation, conduct, fairness and integrity of elections – E-001427/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001427/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN)

    According to the Commission’s website, Commissioner Michael McGrath is ‘responsible for working to preserve the fairness and integrity of elections’[1].

    In her answer to my priority question for written answer P-000116/2025, the President of the Commission stated: ‘Democracy is a founding value of the EU. Free and fair elections are at its core. Their organisation and conduct are the competence and responsibility of the Member States in line with their legislation, subject to their international obligations and EU law’[2].

    • 1.Can the Commission square the circle and explain how the Member States have the competence and responsibility for the organisation and conduct of elections, while Commissioner McGrath is responsible for their fairness and integrity?
    • 2.What is the legal basis for the mandate given to the Commissioner?

    Submitted: 8.4.2025

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/about/organisation/college-commissioners/michael-mcgrath_en.
    • [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-10-2025-000116-ASW_EN.html.
    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Funding from Homes England and HSBC UK supports Wyatt Homes to deliver hundreds more houses across the south

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Funding from Homes England and HSBC UK supports Wyatt Homes to deliver hundreds more houses across the south

    It follows a previous finance package provided by Homes England and HSBC UK in 2022

    Wyatt Homes’ Rivers Edge Development in Wimborne, Dorset. Credit Wyatt Homes.

    Families across the South of England will soon benefit from hundreds of new homes, made possible by a multi-million-pound finance package provided to housing developer Wyatt Homes by Homes England’s Home Building Fund and HSBC UK.

    The Home Building Fund is one of the ways that the Agency works with the private sector to deliver on the Government’s mission to build 1.5 million homes this parliament.

    This particular finance package will enable Wyatt Homes to grow its output to build over 300 homes year across developments in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire, which will include the delivery of much needed new affordable housing.

    The previous finance package provided by Homes England and HSBC UK in 2022 accelerated the delivery of over 1,000 new family homes across multiple sites.

    Nigel Barclay, Director of Loans at Homes England, said:

    As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, we are committed to working in partnership with organisations in both the public and private sector, to achieve their ambitions and develop much needed new homes across the country.

    Supporting Wyatt Homes’ ambition to grow housing delivery to over 300 homes per year across developments in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire is an excellent example of how the Agency’s Home Building Fund can be deployed alongside private sector capital from HSBC UK, to deliver high quality new homes in priority locations while supporting the growth of small and medium house builders, that are crucial to building a diverse and resilient housing sector.

    Shaun Pettitt, Managing Director at Wyatt Homes, said:

    This funding is a pivotal step for us, as we look to scale up and bolster the delivery of hundreds of new homes. Our commitment to quality of design and high standards of construction remains unwavering as we expand our operations through the delivery of a significant pipeline of new developments.  In doing so, we will continue to strive to provide not only essential housing, but also to build vibrant, long-lasting communities that will stand the test of time.

    Dan Wright, Head of Housing at HSBC UK, added:

    Having supported Wyatt Homes over the past five years, we’re thrilled to continue backing its growth journey. This substantial finance package will bolster the business’s operations, enabling it to increase its annual output and address the urgent need for housing in the South of England. Additionally, the financing strengthens our expanding partnership with Homes England to support housebuilding across the country.

    Wyatt Homes, headquartered in Poole, is a well-established traditional housebuilder, with a track record of delivering award-winning homes in the South for over 30 years.

    Previous developments include: Luzborough Green in Romsey, Weatherbury Place in Puddletown, Harbour Ridge at Canford Cliffs, and Chapel Fields in South Petherton.

    Notes to editors

    About Homes England 

    We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.  

    We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built. 

    Learn more about us: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about 

    Press Office Contact Details 

    Email: media@homesengland.gov.uk 

    Phone: 0207 874 8262

    About HSBC UK

    HSBC UK serves over 15 million active customers across the UK, supported by 23,900 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC UK is a ring-fenced bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.

    HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 58 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,017bn at 31 December 2024, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

    Media enquiries to: 

    Libby Sharp                           07971 035339       libby.sharp@grayling.com

    Robert Cox                             07387 247450       

    Or email: UKPressOffice@hsbc.co.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Q1 retail sales record faster expansion via spending stimulus boost

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country’s consumption strength, expanded 4.6 percent year on year in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, as government pro-consumption policies paid off, official data showed on Wednesday.

    This growth pace is 1.1 percentage points faster than the 2024 level, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Total retail sales of consumer goods reached 12.47 trillion yuan (about 1.73 trillion U.S. dollars) in the January-March period.

    In March alone, retail sales of consumer goods rose 5.9 percent year on year, accelerating from the 4 percent growth recorded in the first two months, according to the NBS.

    China’s online retail sales went up 7.9 percent year on year during the first quarter, sustaining relatively fast growth. Backed by the government’s consumer goods trade-in program, sales of communication devices surged 26.9 percent, while that of home appliances and audio equipment went up 19.3 percent.

    China has positioned the boosting of spending and expansion of domestic demand as a priority in this year’s economic work agenda. The country unveiled a comprehensive pro-spending policy package last month, which aimed to strengthen consumer confidence via measures including the promotion of income growth and a reduction of financial burdens.

    In a broader push to bolster domestic demand, China also renewed its consumer goods trade-in program in 2025, increasing funding from last year’s 150 billion yuan to 300 billion yuan through ultra-long special treasury bonds and extending subsidies to more electric gadgets and home appliances, such as smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.

    “Given the current situation, these policies are taking effect and their impact is becoming increasingly evident,” Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the NBS, told a press conference on Wednesday.

    He cited data from the commerce ministry which shows that as of April 7, Chinese consumers had purchased 35.71 million units of home appliances through the trade-in program and submitted 2.085 million applications for automobile trade-in subsidies.

    Notably, services consumption expanded even faster than that of goods, with retail sales of services growing by 5 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.

    Sheng, in particular, noted the double-digit growth in consumption related to upgrading of consumption structure. In the first three months of this year, China’s per capita expenditure on transportation and communications grew by 10.4 percent year on year, while that on education, culture and entertainment increased by 13.9 percent.

    “Services spending is a key sector to support future consumption growth, which boasts substantial growth potential,” Sheng told the press.

    Wednesday’s data also revealed that China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025. The country’s economy grew 5 percent year on year in 2024, and the Chinese government has targeted full-year economic growth at around 5 percent for 2025.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s industrial production grows at faster pace amid economic recovery

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s industrial production posted strong growth in March, as the country’s economic recovery gained momentum amid the government’s efforts to support growth and counter external economic headwinds.

    The country’s value-added industrial output expanded 7.7 percent year on year in March, according to data the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Wednesday.

    During the January-March period, the value-added industrial output increased 6.5 percent year on year, accelerating from a rise of 5.9 percent registered in the first two months of the year.

    The country’s industrial production in March climbed 0.44 percent month on month, according to the NBS.

    The NBS uses the value-added industrial output to measure the activity of large enterprises boasting an annual main business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.77 million U.S. dollars).

    A breakdown of the data showed that the equipment and high-tech manufacturing sectors are making greater contributions to industrial output, signaling ongoing progress in the country’s efforts to make industry smarter, greener and more high-end, NBS deputy head Sheng Laiyun told a press conference.

    Output of the equipment manufacturing sector, which took up 33.7 percent of the overall industrial output, climbed 10.9 percent in the first quarter of the year.

    The high-tech manufacturing sector, which accounted for 15.7 percent of the total industrial output, saw its value-added output climb 9.7 percent year on year during this period. The production of new energy vehicles and industrial robots increased by 45.4 percent and 26 percent, respectively, according to the NBS data.

    Wednesday’s data also showed that China’s GDP grew 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter, compared with an annual growth of 5 percent last year. The country has set its full-year economic growth target at around 5 percent for 2025. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Brings Tokenized Gold Trading Onchain Amid Market Uncertainty

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has added support for both spot and futures trading of Pax Gold (PAXG), a tokenized version of physical gold. This move comes amid renewed global interest in gold as a hedge against market volatility.

    PAXG is issued by Paxos and backed 1:1 by physical gold, with each token representing one ounce stored in a secure vault. As gold prices surge beyond $3,200 in response to rising geopolitical tensions, digital gold has emerged as a practical safe-haven for on-chain users. By integrating PAXG, Bitget Wallet provides a seamless way for Web3 participants to preserve value without leaving the blockchain — combining the stability of gold with the accessibility of crypto.

    To further drive engagement, Bitget Wallet has launched a limited-time trading campaign featuring a $9,000 prize pool, with additional rewards available for new users. From April 12 to April 20, users can earn the rewards by trading PAXG via Bitget Wallet’s Swap feature or its futures trading interface powered by tatadex, the wallet’s built-in decentralized engine for onchain derivatives.

    As a multi-chain wallet supporting over 130 blockchains and a million tokens, Bitget Wallet delivers a secure, simple, and seamless trading experience. Its infrastructure includes one-click cross-chain swaps, gas optimization, MEV protection, and smart contract risk detection — features designed to streamline trading while maintaining high standards of user safety and accessibility.

    “As traditional finance and Web3 converge, we believe digital access to real-world assets like gold should be effortless,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “With this campaign, we’re giving users an easy way to tap into the gold narrative while enjoying the full benefits of onchain trading.“

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive onchain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser and crypto payment solutions. Supporting over 130 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa7639b6-4519-479e-91a1-a519ffa50463

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Europe’s elderly need migrant caregivers – whether we like it or not

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Zuzanna Marciniak-Nuqui, Senior Analyst, RAND Europe

    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Who will care for your ageing relatives when you can’t? It’s a question that many families in Europe are having to answer, as demographic changes caused by Europe’s ageing populations become more deeply embedded.

    As loved ones get older or face long-term illnesses and disabilities, the demand for care is skyrocketing. But the workforce isn’t keeping up. One in five Europeans is already 65 or older, and by 2050, that number will hit 30%. This demographic shift will drive a 23.5% increase in demand for long-term care workers – but where will they come from?

    Right now, the numbers don’t add up. Europe’s long-term care sector employs around 6.3 million people, yet there is already a massive shortfall of carers. Millions of families are stepping in, with 44 million Europeans – mostly women – providing unpaid, informal care for elderly relatives. This burden is neither sufficiently acknowledged nor sustainable. Our recent research shows the extent to which migrant care workers bridge this gap.

    Across the EU, nearly 10% of long-term care workers are foreign-born. Some come from within the EU, but many arrive from South America (20%), Africa (12%), and Asia (10%). Once in Europe, they plug a critical gap in the care system, taking on jobs that local workers won’t or can’t do.

    Despite their essential role, migrant care workers frequently suffer poor treatment. Many work on temporary contracts, earning lower wages than their European counterparts and contending with exploitative conditions. Some work in undeclared jobs, leading to informal roles with no legal protections, making them vulnerable to abuse.

    In Norway, migrant carers tend to be given lower-status jobs, even when their qualifications match or exceed those of their local colleagues. They are also perceived as less professional, despite their experience and training. In Germany, a family hiring a Polish caregiver through an agency was shocked to learn she received just €1,000 (£860) per month, while they were paying €2,800 (£2400) – with the agency pocketing the difference.

    In some EU countries, restrictive immigration policies make things harder for migrant care workers. In Cyprus and Malta, for example, migrant care workers on temporary visas are denied access to social benefits, even after years of service. Many also struggle with language barriers, making it harder to assert their rights or have their qualifications recognised.

    Labour shortages

    Nearly all EU countries face critical labour shortages in long-term care. The problem is worse in lower-income EU countries, where attracting and retaining care workers is more difficult. Low wages and difficult working conditions make these jobs unattractive to locals, pushing many to seek employment in western European countries with better pay.

    The disparities are stark. In the Netherlands, long-term care workers earn 96% of the national average hourly wage. In Bulgaria, it is just 62%. Many eastern European and Baltic states also suffer from a lack of home care services, forcing families to rely on underfunded nursing homes or informal, unregulated care.

    shutterstock.
    M-Production/Shutterstock

    The European Commission introduced the skills and talents package in 2022, to improve conditions and legal migration processes for workers in sectors with shortages. This included a proposal for the EU Talent Pool – a digital platform to connect employers in the EU with skilled workers from non-EU countries. The European Parliament’s civil liberties committee endorsed the plan in March of this year, paving the way for a new approach to international recruitment.

    If properly implemented, this initiative could help fill Europe’s care workforce gap and provide a legal, structured pathway for skilled migrants to join the sector. But public resistance to migration remains a huge barrier.

    Anti-immigration sentiment

    Europeans want their elderly relatives to receive quality care, but many are unwilling to accept that foreign workers are one of the ways to make that happen. This tension between public attitudes and economic realities threatens the future of long-term care in Europe.

    Research shows that western European Millennials (born 1982–1991) are now more anti-immigrant than those born between 1952–1961.

    The EU recognises the need for foreign workers, yet politicians are reluctant to make the case publicly. Public attitudes towards migration remain deeply divided, with preference often given to migrants from other EU countries or from Ukraine, following Russia’s 2022 invasion.



    Read more:
    What Britons and Europeans really think about immigration – new analysis

    The EU’s reliance on migrant care workers will only increase in the coming decades. However, simply recruiting more foreign workers is not a sustainable solution unless the system itself changes.

    Several measures could help ensure that migrant care workers receive fair treatment. Firstly, introducing a specific care visa for non-EU workers would ensure they have legal status and job security. Stronger legal protections against exploitative contracts and unfair wages are necessary. And making it easier to recognise foreign qualifications would allow skilled workers to take on roles that better match their experience.

    Fairer wages and working conditions are essential to attract and retain both migrant and local workers. International cooperation between the EU and third countries could also create ethical, regulated migration pathways.

    The bottom line is this: Europe’s population is getting older, and without migrant workers, millions of families will struggle to find care for their loved ones. Europe must support and protect workers, both migrant and local, in the care system for its own sake.

    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. Europe’s elderly need migrant caregivers – whether we like it or not – https://theconversation.com/europes-elderly-need-migrant-caregivers-whether-we-like-it-or-not-250121

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Make way for the young! Polytechnicians awarded for participation in the project “Contract Manager of St. Petersburg”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The first stream of the project “Contract Manager of St. Petersburg. Make Way for the Young”, aimed at training young specialists in the field of procurement, has ended. The award ceremony for the best participants took place in the Nevskaya Town Hall. The project was implemented by the Committee for State Order of St. Petersburg together with the Committee for Civil Service and Personnel Policy of St. Petersburg, as well as the electronic platform “RTS-tender”.

    Participants were given the opportunity to master the sought-after profession of contract manager for free. More than 400 people from three universities of St. Petersburg took part in the project. 172 specialists reached the final, who were awarded certificates and memorable prizes. Teachers and students of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU took an active part in the project.

    The absolute winner, who scored the maximum number of points, was Ekaterina Minina, a student majoring in Economic Security at the Higher School of Public Administration at IPMET.

    Chairman of the Committee on State Procurement of St. Petersburg Denis Tolstykh, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on State Service and Personnel Policy Igor Murashev and Director of the North-West Branch of RTS-tender Nikita Avvakumov expressed their gratitude for participation in the first stream. They noted that a specialist in state procurement is a sought-after profession that requires unique skills and a creative approach, thanks to which the project participants now have a competitive advantage in the labor market.

    I congratulate all the participants and organizers on the successful completion of the first stream of the project. This is an important event for all the participants who invested their efforts, ideas and desire in development and created a solid foundation for their future careers. I can say that the project is already attracting the attention of other authorities interested in students and graduates of universities, – noted the Vice-Rector for Additional and Pre-University Education of SPbPU Dmitry Tikhonov.

    Our university has become the most representative in terms of the number of participants. The project attracted students from a wide range of fields and levels of study. It is very important that the participants receive not only theoretical training, but also practical experience in city government bodies, a chance to get into the personnel reserve, which will increase their chances of employment. Our final goal was, of course, to help graduates find work in the field of public procurement in St. Petersburg — noted the project coordinator from SPbPU and the head of the educational program “State and Municipal Administration”, associate professor of the Higher School of Public Administration IPMEiT Marina Ivanova.

    Participants will be assessed by the Committee for Civil Service and Personnel Policy of the Government of St. Petersburg within the framework of the city’s youth personnel reserve. The best students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in practice, working in contract services or representing suppliers at tenders. The project “Contract Manager of St. Petersburg. Make Way for the Young” became not only a launching pad, but also a source of inspiration for further achievements.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: CURRENC Group Inc. Announces Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“CURRENC” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2024.

    Recent Business Highlights
    CURRENC launched its strategic business transformation featuring several AI-driven initiatives. These projects position the Company at the forefront of AI innovation, create significant cross-selling opportunities and reinforce the Company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge financial solutions globally.

    1. Launched SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions (“Text AI,” “Voice AI,” and “Avatar AI”) to provide 24/7, multilingual virtual support;
    2. Unveiled “AI Staff for Hire,” a suite of customizable AI Agents for tasks such as compliance, KYC, and HR;
    3. Announced plans to develop a 500MW hyperscale AI data center in Malaysia;
    4. Partnered with ARC Group to establish a $100 million AI-Focused Infrastructure & Investment Fund;
    5. Secured a landmark contract with Coin Cove to deploy comprehensive AI-powered electronic banking services.

    Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights

    • Total Processing Value (TPV) through Tranglo was US$5.14 billion for full year 2024, increasing by 13.2% year-over-year. Total number of transactions increased to 11.4 million for full year 2024 from 11.0 million for full year 2023.
    • Total revenues excluding TNG Asia and GEA1 were US$42.0 million for full year 2024, representing a year-over-year decrease of 3.4%. The decrease was mainly due to the 23.8% decline in global airtime revenue. As TNG Asia and GEA were divested during the third quarter, going forward, the Company’s total revenues will be comprised mainly of revenues contributed by Tranglo’s remittance and global airtime businesses and WalletKu’s Indonesian airtime business.
        For the full-year period ended
    December 31,    		  
        2024   2023  
        $   $  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Remittance revenue excluding TNG Asia & GEA     18,174     17,116  
                   
    Global Airtime Revenue     9,336     12,188  
    Indonesian Airtime Revenue     14,505     14,211  
    Total Revenue excluding TNG Asia & GEA     42,015     43,515  
                   
    • Total remittance revenues excluding TNG Asia and GEA, i.e. remittance revenue contributed by Tranglo, were US$18.2 million for full year 2024, up 6.4% year-over-year. While Tranglo’s overall take rate declined to 0.37% in 2024 from 0.43% in 2023 due to intense market competition, its TPV increased by 13.2% to $5.14 billion, driving the increase in revenue. For full year 2024, ODL flows represented only 4.5% of Tranglo’s TPV.
    • CURRENC’s global airtime transfer revenues were US$9.3 million for full year 2024, representing a year-over-year decrease of 23.8%. The growing availability of free Wi-Fi in Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, has led to declining demand for Malaysia-Indonesia airtime transfers, resulting in a decline in Tranglo’s global airtime business in 2024. As CURRENC expects this trend to continue in South East Asian markets, the Company’s management plans to deemphasize airtime transfer and reallocate its resources and capital to expand the remittance business.
    • Total direct costs of revenue excluding TNG Asia and GEA were US$28.9 million for full year 2024, representing a year-over-year decrease of 8%.
        For the full-year period ended
    December 31,    		  
        2024   2023  
        $   $  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Remittance direct costs excluding TNG Asia & GEA     6,878     7,168  
                   
    Global Airtime Direct Costs     8,089     10,744  
    Indonesian Airtime Direct Costs     13,910     13,463  
    Total Direct Costs excluding TNG Asia & GEA     28,877     31,375  
                   
    • The direct payout rate for Tranglo’s remittance business improved to 0.12% for 2024 from 0.15% for 2023. Therefore, although Tranglo’s TPV increased by 13.2%, its direct remittance costs declined by 4.2%.
    • Gross profit margin for the remittance business excluding TNG Asia and GEA was 62%, compared to 58% for 2023. CURRENC’s overall gross profit margin ratio for full year 2024 was 31%, compared to 28% for 2023.
    • Total operating expenses increased to $42.0 million for full year 2024 from $24.0 million for full year 2023. The substantial increase was mainly due to expenses of $20.9 million in recognition of the incentive shares granted to employees upon the completion of the INFINT SPAC merger, and $1 million in recognition of shares granted to Roth for their services as Capital Market Advisor.

      As CURRENC divested TNG Asia and GEA in August and July 2024, respectively, its operating costs going forward will reflect the operating costs of Tranglo, WalletKu and the Company’s headquarters only. Also, as CURRENC rolls out its new AI initiatives, operating costs in relation to these new businesses will be incurred from year 2025 onwards. The new AI businesses are also expected to bring in new revenues in the year 2025 onwards.

      • Tranglo’s operating costs for full year 2024 were $12.9 million, representing an increase of 4.9% from $12.3 million for full year 2023, in line with TPV growth.
      • WalletKu’s operating costs were $1.2 million for full year 2024, as compared to $1.5 million for full year 2023.
      • Legal and professional fees decreased to $1.7 million for the full year of 2024, from $4.7 million in 2023, due to the completion of the INFINT SPAC merger and the cessation of related legal expenses.
    • Other Loss totaled $2.2 million for full year 2024, mainly contributed by:
      • $20.5 million in recognized gain upon the divestiture of GEA;
      • A goodwill impairment loss of $5.4 million attributable to WalletKu;
      • A goodwill impairment loss of $9.5 million attributable to Tranglo;
      • Impairment of Intangible assets for TNG Asia and GEA of $5.6 million; and
      • An impairment loss of $3.2 million for the impairment of the intercompany balance.
    • EBITDA analysis
    For the full-year period ended
    December 31, 2024    		   Tranglo     WalletKu     TNG Asia
    and GEA    		     Headquarters
    and adjustments    		     Group
    Total    		  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Net income (loss)     2,215       (1,137 )     (3,740 )     (36,165 )     (38,827 )
                                             
    Add:                                        
    Income tax expenses     535       413       –       (370 )     578  
    Interest expense, net             27       1,762       6,726       8,515  
    EBIT     2,750       (697 )     (1,978 )     (29,809 )     (29,734 )
    Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       3,280  
    EBITDA     2,750       (697 )     (1,978 )     (29,809 )     (26,454 )
                                             
    • The Company’s total EBITDA for full year 2024 including TNG Asia and GEA was a loss of $26.5 million.
    • Tranglo and WalletKu’s combined EBITDA for 2024 was a profit of $2.05 million.
    • TNG Asia and GEA’s combined losses had no impact on the Company’s results from the fourth quarter of 2024 onwards as they were divested before the completion of the de-SPAC merger.
    • Headquarters expenses and adjustments recorded an EBIT loss of $29.8 million, mainly contributed by:
      • $20.9 million in “Operating Expenses” in recognition of the incentive shares granted upon completion of the de-SPAC merger;
      • $1 million in “Operating Expenses” in recognition of the shares granted to Roth for their services as Capital Market Advisor;
      • A loss of $3.2 million recognized as “Other Income/Loss” incurred by headquarters;
      • Headquarters’ legal expenses of $1.4 million, mostly related to the de-SPAC merger;
      • Intangible Asset amortization of $1.5 million attributable to Tranglo; and
      • Rental and general administrative expenses of around $1.8 million.
    For the full-year period ended
    December 31, 2023    		   Tranglo     WalletKu     TNG Asia
    and GEA    		     Headquarters
    and adjustments    		     Group
    Total    		  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Net income (loss)     2,659       (837 )     (4,835 )     (11,405 )     (14,418 )
                                             
    Add:                                        
    Income tax expenses     843       50       –       (370 )     523  
    Interest expense, net     –       –       3,057       4,946       8,003  
    EBIT     3,502       (787 )     (1,778 )     (6,829 )     (5,892 )
    Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       3,817  
    EBITDA     3,502       (787 )     (1,778 )     (6,829 )     (2,075 )
                                             
    • Net loss was US$38.8 million for the full year of 2024, mainly contributed by the net loss of $36.2 million incurred by headquarters and adjustments, as well as a combined net loss of $3.7 million contributed by TNG Asia and GEA.

    ______________________________
    1 CURRENC divested TNG Asia and GEA in August 2024 and July 2024, respectively. As such, from the fourth quarter of 2024 onward, only Tranglo’s (digital remittance and global airtime transfer businesses) and WalletKu’s (Indonesian airtime business) results will be consolidated and reported in the Company’s financial statements.

    Management Comments
    “2024 was a year of evolution and transformation for CURRENC,” said Alex Kong, Founder and Executive Chairman of CURRENC. “In our first months as a publicly listed company, we took decisive steps to streamline our organization and focus on core strengths while also moving into the AI space. Through our cutting-edge AI initiatives such as SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions and AI Staff for Hire, we now offer comprehensive AI solutions for financial institutions to revolutionize their operational platforms and efficiently transform their businesses. As these products broaden our market reach, we expect to seize rising cross-selling opportunities and realize substantial synergies with our remittance business, propelling the Company’s holistic growth. Moreover, our planned 500MW hyperscale AI Data Center in Malaysia and the $100 million CURR-ARC AI Fund will accelerate our AI business’s development while driving industry-wide progress. We are confident these strategic efforts will cement our leadership in AI-powered fintech and create lasting value for our shareholders, partners, and end-users worldwide.”

    Ronnie Hui, Chief Executive Officer of CURRENC, added, “Our mainstream digital remittance business remained resilient in 2024, demonstrated by consistent TPV growth. This growth resulted in a 6.4% increase in total remittance revenues despite the ongoing decline in overall take rate due to intense market competition. Going forward, we aim to maintain the overall take rate and drive further increases in TPV, boosting remittance revenue growth. Meanwhile, as we sign new clients for our AI services, we will build on these partnerships to expand our remittance business into new geographical markets and sectors, further accelerating its development. On a Group level, while we recorded an EBIDTA loss for full year 2024, this was largely due to non-cash headquarters expenses such as incentive share expenses and goodwill impairment losses, as well as de-SPAC merger expenses. Our fundamentals remain strong and we do not expect to incur such expenses in future years. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we are excited to unlock the Company’s growth potential as we advance our transformation from a leading regional remittance hub to a global AI pioneer.”

    Recent Developments
    1.   CURRENC Debuts SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions (January 8, 2025)
    CURRENC introduced “Text AI,” “Voice AI,” and “Avatar AI” to enable 24/7, cost-effective virtual support for financial institutions, government agencies, and telecom providers. These tools handle everything from routine inquiries to advanced KYC processes, increasing efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction. The suite is available in over ten languages and easily integrates into mobile apps, delivering real-time conversation and multilingual support. SEAMLESS AI also offers an avenue to expand into debt collection, marketing, and other enterprise-driven use cases.

    2.   CURRENC to Develop 500MW Hyperscale AI Data Center in Malaysia (March 18, 2025)
    The Company plans to acquire 100 acres of land in Johor, Malaysia, to build one of Southeast Asia’s largest AI data centers, with Phase 1 (100MW) slated for completion by the end of 2026. The campus will offer co-location and wholesale leasing to hyperscalers, enterprise clients, and other data center users, supporting financial institutions as they adopt AI at scale. Construction will begin once long-term anchor tenants commit to a significant portion of planned capacity. Management expects this AIDC to bolster the Company’s AI offerings and reduce barriers to AI deployment worldwide.

    3.   CURRENC Group and ARC Group Jointly Launch $100 Million AI-Focused Infrastructure & Investment Fund (March 18, 2025)
    CURR-ARC AI Fund 1 aims to invest in AI data centers (AIDC), green energy, and computing power development globally. Eighty percent of the Fund’s capital will go toward AI computing power and infrastructure projects, including CURRENC’s planned 500MW AIDC in Malaysia. The remaining 20% will focus on emerging enterprises in AI ecosystems, fintech, and AI-driven solutions. This partnership supports CURRENC’s broader strategy to create a sustainable ecosystem that drives global AI and fintech innovation.

    4.   CURRENC’s SEAMLESS AI Lab Unveils “AI Staff for Hire” Platform (March 27, 2025)
    “AI Staff for Hire” is a new AI-powered solution featuring pre-built Agents tailored to key finance industry tasks, including customer support, KYC, compliance, and HR management. These Agents allow businesses to scale their operations without expanding headcount, providing 24/7 multilingual service and real-time analytics for improved engagement. This launch marks a major step in CURRENC’s strategy to revolutionize global financial services through AI, building on the success of SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions. CURRENC also expects to onboard new clients in emerging markets, creating synergy by cross-selling digital remittance and airtime transfer services.

    5.   CURRENC Empowers Coin Cove with AI-Powered Electronic Banking Services Platform (March 27, 2025)
    CURRENC has secured a groundbreaking contract to provide Coin Cove with a comprehensive, AI-driven solution set, encompassing a multi-asset trading platform, SEAMLESS AI Call Centre technology, training, compliance, and MasterCard issuance. Coin Cove’s platform will leverage “AI Staff for Hire,” allowing for 24/7 personalized customer support and automated staff training. By integrating advanced risk management and real-time market insights, this initiative enhances user experience and strengthens compliance. This partnership marks CURRENC’s continued expansion into global electronic banking, with plans to cross-sell its remittance services and further shape the future of AI-driven financial solutions.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, it uses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure as described below, to understand and evaluate its core operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure, which may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies, is presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

    EBITDA is defined as net loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. CURRENC believes that EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results. This non-GAAP financial measure eliminates the impact of items that CURRENC does not consider indicative of the performance of its business. While CURRENC believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful in evaluating its business, this information should be considered supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    About CURRENC Group Inc.
    CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming global financial services through artificial intelligence (AI). The Company empowers financial institutions worldwide with comprehensive AI solutions, including SEAMLESS AI Call Centre and other AI-powered Agents designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost customer satisfaction for banks, insurance, telecommunications companies, government agencies and other financial institutions. The Company’s digital remittance platform also enables e-wallets, remittance companies, and corporations to provide real-time, 24/7 global payment services, advancing financial access across underserved communities.

    For additional information, please refer to the CURRENC website https://www.currencgroup.com and the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    Investor & Media Contact
    CURRENC Group Investor Relations
    Email: investors@currencgroup.com

    SOURCE: CURRENC Group Inc.

    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
     
        Full year ended December 31,  
        2024     2023  
        US$
    		     US$  
    Revenue     46,435,412       53,255,361  
                     
    Cost of revenue     (31,843,467 )     (35,899,057 )
    Gross profit     14,591,945       17,356,304  
    Selling expenses     (13,408 )     (25,880 )
                     
    General and administrative expenses     (41,954,296 )     (23,976,209 )
                     
    Loss from operations     (27,375,759 )     (6,645,785 )
    Finance costs, net     (8,515,214 )     (8,002,552 )
    Other income     (2,193,865 )     839,606  
    Other expenses     (163,621 )     (85,574 )
                     
    Loss before income tax     (38,248,459 )     (13,894,305 )
    Income tax expense     (578,303 )     (523,481 )
                     
    Net loss     (38,826,762 )     (14,417,786 )
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests     (648,559 )     (888,764 )
                     
    Net loss attributable to CURRENC Group Inc.     (39,475,321 )     (15,306,550 )
                     
    Net loss per share, basic and diluted (1)   $ (1.03 )   $ (0.45 )
                     
    Shares used in net loss per share computation, basic and diluted (1)     38,163,168       33,980,753  
                     
    Other comprehensive loss:                
    Foreign currency translation adjustments     (209,531 )     10,608  
                     
    Total comprehensive loss     (39,036,293 )     (14,407,178 )
    Total comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests     (649,980 )     (871,614 )
    Total comprehensive loss attributable to CURRENC Group Inc.     (39,686,273 )     (15,278,792 )
      (1)   Retrospectively restated to reflect Reverse Recapitalization
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
       
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
       
        December 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
        US$     US$  
    ASSETS                
    Current assets:                
    Cash and cash equivalents     63,821,397       48,516,765  
    Short-term investments     –       300,000  
    Restricted cash     40,742       5,428,790  
    Accounts receivable, net     2,115,681       2,450,871  
    Prepayments to remittance agents     –       137,854  
    Escrow money receivable     –       5,014,829  
    Amounts due from related parties     560,823       7,287,376  
    Prepayments, receivables and other assets     24,738,392       34,225,239  
    Total current assets     91,277,035       103,361,724  
    Non-current assets:                
    Investment in an equity security     –       100,000  
    Equipment and software, net     1,055,520       1,016,490  
    Right-of-use asset     349,240       154,234  
    Intangible assets     3,386,117       9,191,713  
    Goodwill     12,059,428       27,001,383  
    Deferred tax assets     342,822       664,888  
    Total non-current assets:     17,193,127       38,128,708  
    Total assets     108,470,162       141,490,432  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
    Current liabilities:                
    Borrowings     20,150,058       17,804,093  
    Receivable factoring     258,415       423,483  
    Escrow money payable     –       360,207  
    Client money payable     –       4,645,290  
    Accounts payable, accruals and other payables     59,119,916       53,988,231  
    Amounts due to related parties     67,697,074       86,488,519  
    Convertible bonds and notes     1,750,000       10,000,000  
    Lease liabilities     171,909       152,325  
    Total current liabilities     149,147,372       173,862,148  
    Non-current liabilities:                
    Borrowings     –       2,506,974  
    Deferred tax liabilities     876,912       1,246,760  
    Employee benefit obligation     45,289       59,849  
    Lease liabilities     156,647       –  
    Total non-current liabilities:     1,078,848       3,813,583  
    Total liabilities     150,226,220       177,675,731  
                     
    Commitments and contingencies                
                     
    Mezzanine equity     –       2,957,948  
    Shareholders’ deficit:                
    Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 550,000,000 shares authorized; 46,527,999 and 33,980,753 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) (1)     4,653       3,398  
    Additional paid-in capital (1)     65,638,838       29,227,005  
    Accumulated deficit     (131,522,902 )     (92,075,379 )
    Accumulated other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income     (108,122 )     88,366  
    Total shareholders’ deficit attributable to CURRENC Group Inc.     (65,987,533 )     (62,756,610 )
    Non-controlling interests     24,231,475       23,613,363  
    Total deficit     (41,756,058 )     (39,143,247 )
    Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ deficit     108,470,162       141,490,432  
      (1)   Retrospectively restated to reflect Reverse Recapitalization
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
     
        Years ended December 31,  
        2024     2023  
        US$     US$  
    Cash flows from operating activities:                
    Net loss     (38,826,762 )     (14,417,786 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:                
    Non-cash expense for share-based compensation     20,869,721       —  
    Non-cash expense for share issued for service providers     1,000,000       —  
    Non-cash offering costs for convertible note     2,512,000       —  
    Non-cash finance cost for debt conversion     340,159       —  
    Amortization of discount on convertible bonds     —       807,860  
    Depreciation of equipment     525,295       607,138  
    Depreciation of right-of-use assets     185,107       183,198  
    Amortization of intangible assets     2,186,175       3,200,843  
    Reversal of provision for doubtful debts     143,748       —  
    Impairment loss on receivables     3,158,042       —  
    Gain on disposal of subsidiaries     (21,738,102 )     —  
    Goodwill impairment     14,941,955       —  
    Deferred income taxes     127,660       494,737  
    Gain on disposal of fixed assets     —       (36,519 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss/(gain)     (659,467 )     (65,981 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
    Accounts receivable     140,559       605,202  
    Prepayments to remittance agents     98,603       (45,631 )
    Amounts due to immediate holding company     (393,227 )     (391,432 )
    Amounts due from related parties     4,183,438       (5,348,525 )
    Prepayments, receivables and other assets     7,980,401       2,502,972  
    Escrow money payable     10,386       80,006  
    Client money payable     (416,711 )     (1,593,194 )
    Accounts payable, accruals and other payables     14,220,717       (4,827,110 )
    Amounts due to related parties     (6,925,748 )     3,149,825  
    Lease liabilities     (213,709 )     (192,097 )
    Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities     3,450,240       (15,286,494 )
                     
    Cash flows from investing activities:                
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment     (576,674 )     (291,856 )
    Proceed received from disposal of property, plant and equipment     —       36,679  
    Decrease in short-term investments     —       1,700,000  
    Cash acquired from business combination     43,508       —  
    Acquisition of a subsidiary     (31,868 )     —  
    Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities     (565,034 )     1,444,823  
                     
    Cash flows from financing activities:                
    Proceeds from borrowings     640,935       1,251,752  
    Repayment of borrowings     (221,258 )     (2,212,067 )
    Proceeds from receivable factoring     2,030,659       2,210,415  
    Repayment of receivable factoring     (2,183,787 )     (2,447,748 )
    Proceeds from convertible bonds     1,750,000       —  
    Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities     2,016,549       (1,197,648 )
                     
    Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     4,901,755       (15,039,319 )
    Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and escrow money receivable at beginning of year     58,960,384       73,999,703  
    Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and escrow money receivable at end of year     63,862,139       58,960,384  
                     
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
    Income taxes received/(paid)     (445,530 )     761,333  
    Interest paid     (1,073,407 )     (1,819,174 )
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    EBITDA Analysis for the Full Year of 2024 and 2023
     
    For the full year period ended December 31, 2024   Tranglo2     WalletKu3     TNG Asia
    and GEA1    		     Headquarters
    and adjustments    		     Group
    Total    		  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Net income (loss)     2,215       (1,137 )     (3,740 )     (36,165 )     (38,827 )
                                             
    Add:                                        
    Income tax expenses     535       413       –       (370 )     578  
    Interest expense, net             27       1,762       6,726       8,515  
    EBIT     2,750       (697 )     (1,978 )     (29,809 )     (29,734 )
    Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       3,280  
    EBITDA     2,750       (697 )     (1,978 )     (29,809 )     (26,454 )
    For the full year period ended December 31, 2023   Tranglo2     WalletKu3     TNG Asia
    and GEA    		     Headquarters
    and adjustments    		     Group
    Total    		  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Net income (loss)     2,659       (837 )     (4,835 )     (11,405 )     (14,418 )
                                             
    Add:                                        
    Income tax expenses     843       50       –       (370 )     523  
    Interest expense, net     –       –       3,057       4,946       8,003  
    EBIT     3,502       (787 )     (1,778 )     (6,829 )     (5,892 )
    Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       3,817  
    EBITDA     3,502       (787 )     (1,778 )     (6,829 )     (2,075 )

    1 TNG Asia and GEA were divested in August 2024 and July 2024, respectively.
    2 Tranglo maintained a positive EBITDA for the full year of 2024 and 2023.
    3 Tranglo and WalletKu maintained a combined positive EBITDA for the full year of 2024 and 2023.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s Palestine Forum calls on Luxon to take ‘firm stand’ over Israeli atrocities with temporary ban on visitors

    Asia Pacific Report

    A Palestinian advocacy group has called on NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters to take a firm stand for international law and human rights by following the Maldives with a ban on visiting Israelis.

    Maher Nazzal, chair of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand, said in an open letter sent to both NZ politicians that the “decisive decision” by the Maldives reflected a “growing international demand for accountability and justice”.

    He said such a measure would serve as a “peaceful protest against the ongoing violence” with more than 51,000 people — mostly women and children — being killed and more than 116,000 wounded by Israel’s brutal 18-month war on Gaza.

    Since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, at least 1630 people have been killed — including at least 500 children — and at least 4302 people have been wounded.

    The open letter said:

    Dear Prime Minister Luxon and Minister Peters,

    I am writing to express deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to urge the New Zealand government to take a firm stand in support of international law and human rights.

    Palestinian Forum of New Zealand chair Maher Nazzal at an Auckland pro-Palestinian rally . . . “New Zealand has a proud history of advocating for human rights and upholding international law.” Image: Asia Pacific Report

    The Maldives has recently announced a ban on Israeli passport holders entering their country, citing solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemnation of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

    This decisive action reflects a growing international demand for accountability and justice.

    New Zealand has a proud history of advocating for human rights and upholding international law. In line with this tradition, I respectfully request that the New Zealand government consider implementing a temporary suspension on the entry of Israeli passport holders. Such a measure would serve as a peaceful protest against the ongoing violence and a call for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives.

    I understand the complexities involved in international relations and the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels. However, taking a stand against actions that result in significant civilian casualties and potential violations of international law is imperative.

    I appreciate your attention to this matter and urge you to consider this request seriously. New Zealand’s voice can contribute meaningfully to the global call for peace and justice.

    Sincerely,
     Maher Nazzal
    Chair
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    The Middle East Eye reports that Maldives ban on Israelis from entering the country was a protest against Israel’s war on Gaza in “resolute solidarity” with the Palestinian people.

    President Mohamed Muizzu signed the legislation after it was passed on Monday by the People’s Majlis, the Maldivian parliament.

    Muizzu’s cabinet initially decided to ban all Israeli passport holders from the idyllic island nation in June 2024 until Israel stopped its attacks on Palestine, but progress on the legislation stalled.

    A bill was presented in May 2024 in the Maldivian parliament by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a lawmaker from the main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party, which sought to amend the country’s Immigration Act.

    The cabinet then decided to change the country’s laws to ban Israeli passport holders, including dual citizens. After several amendments, it passed this week, more than 300 days later.

    “The ratification reflects the government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” Muizzu’s office said in a statement.

    Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 1,613 Palestinians had been killed since 18 March, when a ceasefire collapsed, taking the overall death toll since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023 to 50,983.

    The ban went into immediate effect.

    “The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” the statement added.

    Last year, in response to talk of a ban, Israel’s Foreign Ministry advised its citizens against travelling to the country.

    The Maldives, a popular tourist destination, has a population of more than 525,000 and about 11,000 Israeli tourists visited there in 2023 before the Israeli war on Gaza began.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Elections on Thursday 1 May: postal vote packs have been sent out

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    Postal vote packs are being issued to voters in St Albans District for important local elections on Thursday 1 May. 

    Packs for voters who applied for a postal vote before 28 March were despatched on 14 April. 

    Those who applied between 28 March and 14 April will be sent their packs around Tuesday 22 April. 

    The packs will include a white ballot paper for the Hertfordshire County Council elections.

    All of the County Council’s 78 seats, including 10 in St Albans District, are up for election.

    There are also by-elections taking place in the Redbourn ward of St Albans City and District Council and in the Harpenden North, Harpenden South, and Harpenden West wards of Harpenden Town Council. 

    Separate postal vote packs will be sent to voters living in these areas. The ballot papers for the Redbourn by-election are lilac, and the ballot papers for the Harpenden Town Council by-elections are green. 

    Voters are advised to return their completed postal votes as soon as possible. Postal votes must be received by the Returning Officer by 10pm on Thursday 1 May to be counted. 

    If you have a postal vote in place, you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station. 

    However, if you miss the post, you can hand in your completed postal vote pack (and/or the postal vote packs of up to five others) at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, during office hours.

    Alternatively, you can hand them in at any polling station in the electoral area between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 1 May. 

    Anybody returning completed postal vote packs by hand must complete a short form. 

    If you have not received your postal vote by Friday 25 April, contact the Electoral Services team on elections@stalbans.gov.uk or 01727 819294.

    If you lose your postal vote or make a mistake, please contact the team immediately as a replacement postal vote can only be issued before 5pm on Thursday 1 May.

    Restrictions apply to the handling of postal votes by campaigners. Further information is available at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-views/elections-act/changes-postal-voting. 

    To find more information about the elections, go to: www.stalbans.gov.uk/voting-and-elections. 

    Media Contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trans rights: Supreme Court ruling a dark day for human rights

    Source: Scottish Greens

    16 Apr 2025 Equality

    Scottish Greens will continue to stand with trans people and resist culture war being waged against them.

    More in Equality

    Responding to this morning’s Supreme Court verdict, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said:

    “This is a truly dark day for human rights and a huge blow to some of the most marginalised people in our society.

    “It could remove important protections and will leave many trans people and their loved ones deeply anxious and worried about how their lives will be affected and about what will come next.

    “Trans people just want to be able to live their lives like any of us, without the fear of prejudice or violence, but today they have been badly let down.

    “Trans people have been cynically targeted and demonised by politicians and large parts of the media for far too long. It has contributed to attacks on longstanding rights and attempts to erase their existence altogether.

    “Whatever happens next, we will continue to stand with trans people and resist the nasty and aggressive culture war that is being waged against them and challenge any attempts to remove their rights.

    “We will always stand up for human rights, dignity and respect for all people. We will stand with the trans community today, tomorrow and always.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Today, the 63rd International Scientific Student Conference opened at NSU — MNSC

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Today, the 63rd International Scientific Student Conference started at Novosibirsk State University. This year, more than 3,100 participants registered for the largest such event beyond the Urals, more than 2,800 of them passed the scientific selection. More than half of the participants are representatives of NSU, the number of participants in school sections increased to 453, which is 16% of the total. 40% of students and young scientists represent other universities in Russia.

    The MNSC has a wide geography of participants. Thus, this year, schoolchildren, students and young scientists from 40 regions of Russia, as well as participants from abroad – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus – will present their reports at the conference.

    Sergey Golovin, director Advanced Engineering School of NSU, delivering a welcoming speech, drew attention to the interest of out-of-town students in the university and the opportunities provided by the Akademgorodok ecosystem:

    — I am very glad to see that half of the guys are not from NSU, and this is very good, because you consider the university and our conference as a platform where you can come and discuss many interesting things. We are located in a unique place — in the Akademgorodok of Novosibirsk. In this relatively small area there are more than 30 research institutes and more than 5,000 research staff work on a variety of topics. It is also very important: there is a Technopark on our territory, it is one of the most successful in Russia, because it was created on the initiative of those innovators, those companies that wanted this technopark to appear. Now it has more than 350 residents who earn more than 50 billion rubles a year. Being in such an ecosystem, of course, everyone who studies here and everyone who comes here has very great opportunities to develop themselves and implement their projects through this ecosystem.

    The conference will be held in 46 sections and 143 subsections. This year, two new sections have appeared: “Intercultural Communication and Translation” and “Romano-Germanic Philology and Theory of Language”.

    It is important that in recent years, not only schoolchildren, students and young scientists, but also representatives of companies, partners of the university, have taken part in the events of the MNSC. And this is no coincidence, since NSU does a lot to build closer cooperation with the real sector. The university is integrating into the socio-economic agenda and is more actively working on solving industrial problems, replicating the experience of many years of successful interaction with research institutes to high-tech companies.

    This transformation in the university’s strategy was noted by Igor Marchuk, Dean Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU:

    — Now the country faces the task of achieving technological leadership, it is impossible to solve this task without science. I am sure that your reports, many of the results that will be presented, will serve to achieve this goal. Now it is important to link science and production, to work in closer connection with the real sector. Thus, at the NSU Mathematical Center, we are just beginning to work in such a product logic, although for mathematicians it is not so easy, since we mainly have theorems, proofs, algorithms. Nevertheless, we know many examples when the results of scientific research have a significant impact on the development of industries. Thus, we are now in the auditorium of the NSU Faculty of Economics — the Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich auditorium. He is an outstanding mathematician, who is a Nobel laureate in economics. The results of his work have had a huge impact on technology.

    The MNSC will be held from April 16 to 22. You can find the detailed conference program on the website.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A house under the renovation program will appear in Tagansky District

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The project of a residential building, which will be built under the renovation program in the Central Administrative District of the capital, has been approved. This was reported by the Chairman of the Moscow City Committee for Pricing Policy in Construction and State Expertise of Projects (Moskomexpertiza) Ivan Shcherbakov.

    “Mosgosexpertiza has issued a positive conclusion to the project of an apartment building under the renovation program in the Tagansky District. According to the documentation, the building is planned to be built on the site of a vacated five-story building at the address: 2-ya Dubrovskaya Street, Building 1,” said Ivan Shcherbakov.

    The house will consist of one section. It is designed to have 108 apartments. The first floor will house a pram room, a concierge room, a mailbox room and an elevator hall, as well as non-residential commercial and public premises with individual entrances from the street. The basement will be used for technical needs – there will be a pumping station, electrical panels and an individual heating point.

    The project complies with modern fire safety standards. In particular, the building will have a smoke-proof staircase, and the elevator units will be separated from the intra-apartment corridors by fire doors. In addition, the building will have an elevator with a fire brigade transportation mode. All premises, including apartments, will be equipped with automatic fire alarm systems.

    Previously Mayor of Moscow told on resettlement under the renovation program in the Timiryazevsky district.

    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 to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    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”.

    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/152639073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: On Easter night, the metro and the Moscow Central Circle will be open for entry until 2 a.m.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Moscow metro will change its operating hours on Easter. On the night of April 19-20, the metro stations and the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) will be open to passengers until 02:00. This was reported in its telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin reported.

    “During the festive services, inspectors from the Passenger Mobility Support Center will be on duty near the largest churches – at the Kropotkinskaya and Baumanskaya stations,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    Passengers can use more than 150 routes ground transportation until 03:30. There will be 18 regular night routes operating as usual.

    On holidays – Easter, Krasnaya Gorka and Radonitsa – the State Unitary Enterprise Mosgortrans organizes free routes to the largest cemeteries in the capital.

    The full list of routes is published at website.

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

    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/12623050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung News Launches in A UK First to Deliver Personalised News Straight to Your Fingertips

    Source: Samsung

     
    LONDON, UK – 16th April 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd today announced the UK-first launch of Samsung News, a brand-new news app designed to deliver the daily news you need.
     
    Samsung News provides a fresh approach to digital news consumption by offering a full spectrum of news from a range of diverse publications—completely free and without paywalls. The service brings together top publishers, including Sky News, Sky Sports Daily Mail, The Standard, The Independent, Mirror, Business Insider, Reuters, Metro, Indy 100, and OK!, alongside other local news outlets, to create a seamless, high-quality news experience.
     
    A Personalised Way to Read the News
    Built for customisation and convenience, Samsung News allows users to tailor their feeds with preferred topics. A team of Editors will curate news based on reading habits, with options to select categories like politics, business, sports, and entertainment, plus up to three regions from a choice of 12*.
     
    Key features include Morning & Evening Briefings for curated news updates at the start and end of the day, Top Stories highlighting a handpicked selection of trending articles, and Subject Spotlights offering in-depth insights on specific news stories with diverse perspectives.
     
    Seamless Integration with the Samsung Ecosystem
    Samsung News is designed to work in harmony with the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, adapting to users’ preferences and offering an intuitive reading experience. Whether catching up on the headlines over morning coffee or winding down with evening briefings, the app ensures effortless access to reliable journalism.
     
    Stringent Editorial Standards with Human Oversight
    Samsung News has established strict editorial guidelines to provide additional clarity and parity across US and UK standards. These are overseen by our experienced Editors, who have formed an editorial committee that ensures standards are upheld.
     
    This team is also responsible for maintaining a diverse and balanced portfolio of publishers, tracking political leanings to ensure Samsung News remains neutral and using their judgement to curate credible and trustworthy content. Andrew Bailey, Editor-in-Chief, Samsung News, says: “There’s never been a greater need for accurate, verified, and balanced news that doesn’t live behind a paywall. Our goal with Samsung News is to offer Galaxy users a broad selection of free content from premium partners, including breaking news, deep-dives, and briefings hand-picked by our experienced news editors.
     
    “Users will also be able to customise their feeds by following publishers and topics that interest them, such as Sport, Business and Entertainment. With diverse content from hundreds of sources, we aim to provide all sides of a story.”
     
    David Rhodes, Executive Chairman, Sky News Group, says: “Sky News is trusted by millions for fast and accurate breaking news, deep analysis and insight and eyewitness journalism from around the world. We’re delighted, alongside our Sky Sports colleagues, to be partnering with Samsung News allowing us to bring millions more Galaxy users the full story, first.”
     
    Samsung News will be rolled out to users as an update to Samsung Free, previously offering a variety of free multimedia content including TV, news, podcasts, and instant games. Users who already have the Samsung Free app on their device will see the icon change to Samsung News starting on 31st March 2025, when their apps are updated. All other users will be able to access the app by downloading directly from the Samsung Galaxy Store.
     
    To experience a smarter way to stay updated, simply open Samsung News and start personalising your feed today. Or visit the Galaxy Store for further information.
     
    *Regions include: London, South East, South West, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North West, North East, Yorkshire & Humbar, East Midlands, West Midlands, and East of England.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: North Wales plays a vital role in the UK Government’s missions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    North Wales plays a vital role in the UK Government’s missions

    Welsh Secretary visits businesses in the region to discuss their contributions to the UK Government’s clean energy and economic growth missions.

    Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens at Wockhardt UK Ltd.

    • Welsh Secretary champions the value of innovative businesses in north Wales
    • Projects to reduce carbon emissions have potential to help deliver government’s net zero ambitions
    • Cutting-edge life science sector drives economic growth and contributes well paid jobs

    The Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens has spent two days (10th & 11th April) in north Wales meeting leading businesses in the region and discussing their contributions to the UK Government’s clean energy and economic growth missions. The missions are cornerstones of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to raise living standards across the UK and put more money in people’s pockets.

    At Heidelberg Materials’ cement works in Padeswood near Mold, the Secretary of State heard about a pioneering Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, which aims to decarbonize cement production and contribute to the UK’s net-zero goals.

    Heidelberg Materials is proposing a £600 million plus investment at its Padeswood works which would enable it to capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and create around 50 new jobs.

    At Enfinium’s Parc Adfer facility in Deeside, the Secretary of State saw how the plant today converts unrecyclable waste into energy and other useful products and the company showcased their plans to retrofit a Carbon Capture Plant.

    The CCS project represents a £200 million investment in North Wales’s green economy and Enfinium estimates that it has the potential to actively remove up to 125,000t of carbon from the atmosphere each year from the organic material the plant already processes.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    It’s fantastic to see north Wales at the forefront of plans for Carbon Capture and Storage. It’s a technology that has huge potential for helping us achieve our net zero ambitions.

    As part of our Plan for Change we want to encourage innovation and investment like that being shown by these North Wales companies, bringing economic growth as well as the well-paid secure jobs of the future.

    Simon Willis, CEO at Heidelberg Materials UK, said:

    We were delighted to welcome Jo Stevens to Padeswood and to have the opportunity to showcase our plans for the site.

    Our CCS project, which was granted planning permission earlier this month, would bring significant investment and opportunity to the region, boosting the north Wales economy and securing the long-term future of hundreds of skilled jobs.

    Once operational, it would also provide net zero building materials for major projects across the country, setting the construction industry on a path to decarbonisation and helping the UK government meet its 2050 net zero targets.

    Enfinium CEO Mike Maudsley said:

    We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales to our Parc Adfer facility in Deeside, to discuss our plans to invest in the region and help grow the green economy in North Wales.

    To deliver net zero, Wales and the UK needs to find a way to produce carbon removals at scale. Installing carbon capture at Parc Adfer will not only decarbonise Wales’s unrecyclable waste, but it will also transform the site into the largest carbon removal project in Wales.

    While in north Wales the Secretary of State also saw cutting-edge businesses in the area’s life science sector.

    Wockhardt UK Ltd is a subsidiary of a global pharmaceutical company which has its UK headquarters in Wrexham. The site also has a sterile injectable manufacturing facility which has been instrumental in producing the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine.

    During her visit Jo Stevens toured the laboratory and manufacturing areas, met with apprentices, and discussed the company’s impact on the regional economy. She reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the life sciences sector and driving sustained economic growth through investment and innovation.

    In her final engagement the Secretary of State for Wales visited Ipsen Biopharm, a global biopharmaceutical company with a neuroscience centre of excellence in Wrexham.  She saw their work to develop and manufacture neurotoxins, which are used to treat people living with neurological conditions.

    Ipsen has invested more than £100 million into its Wrexham site over the last three years, in order to expand its research and development (R&D) as well as manufacturing capabilities.The site uses 100% renewable energy across its production and research units.

    Managing Director of Wockhardt UK Ltd Ravi Limaye said:

    We were honoured to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, to our facility. Wockhardt has been in Wrexham for 21 years and has seen the town become a city and famous on the world stage.

    We were involved in the COVID vaccine manufacture and are immensely proud of our dedicated staff who made this happen despite unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.

    Jeannette Brend, Site Head at Ipsen in Wrexham, said:

    Ipsen Wrexham manufactures products that are exported to patients in over 90 countries around the world. Wrexham is an important site for Ipsen, and we are proud to be a major employer in the local community and invest in the area.

    We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the life sciences sector and hope that this will continue so innovation can keep flourishing.’’ 

    Throughout her visits, the Secretary of State highlighted the UK Government’s priority of economic growth and clean energy, emphasizing the importance of investments in green technologies and life sciences to support regional development and job creation.

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £20 Million Partnership for City Projects

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    16/04/25

    Details of projects in Dundee that will receive a share of £20 million of UK Government funding are set to be outlined to councillors. 

    A committee convener is welcoming the award, stressing it is the result of direct lobbying by the council and reflects on the city’s successful record of project delivery. 

    The city was allocated the cash by the former Levelling Up Partnership, which is now named the Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). 

    A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the city council and MHCLG outlining the expected delivery approach for the CRP. 

    Some of the projects included are: 

    • Life Sciences Innovation District (Protein Degradation Centre)  £2m 

    • Legal Tech Education and Incubator Facility                             £1.1m 

    • Central Waterfront Phase 3 Office Development        £3m 

    • Historic Buildings Renewal Fund        £2m 

    • Fabric First Grant Fund        £1m 

    • Eastern Quarter Improvements        £1m 

    • Dundee Museum of Transport       £1.2m 

    • Dundee & Angus College Future Skills Programme       £4.5m 

    • Dundee & Angus College Social/ Health Care Facility       £500,000 

    • Drug and Rehabilitation Infrastructure       £500,000 

    • Community Facilities Grant Scheme       £2.5m 

    The city council will be the lead authority for the programme delivery which includes standalone capital projects by the council or third partner parties, challenge funds where organisations and firms are invited to bid, and revenue investment.  

    Projects are grouped under one of three themes: Accelerating Dundee’s Business Ambitions, Enhancing the City Centre and Bridging the Divide.      

    The programme will be outlined to the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee at its meeting on April 21. 

    Committee convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “We welcome this funding and I am pleased to see the work that has been ongoing to distribute it to projects across the city that have been identified and agreed with the UK Government. 

    “The council and its partners want this investment to make a real difference Dundee and its people, so this programme boosts our economy and offers new opportunities for them. 

    “The council successfully lobbied for this money and was able to prove a long track record of major project delivery. 

    “I am excited to see this programme move onto the next stages and really enhance our city’s prospects for the future.” 

    Results of Consultation around Drumgeith Community Campus

    Results of Consultation around Drumgeith Community Campus

    The results of a major consultation exercise over delivery of community services in the North East and East End of Dundee will be discussed by councillors next week.

    Hundreds of people…

    15/04/25

    Cycling Conference to Wheel into Dundee

    Cycling Conference to Wheel into Dundee

    A Community Clean-Up has taken place this week in Dundee’s city centre area as part of the long-standing Take Pride in Your City campaign.

    The campaign, which aims to make a difference to…

    04/04/25

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war

    G7 foreign ministers gave a joint statement marking 2 years since the beginning of the war in Sudan.

    Joint statement:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, unequivocally denounce the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, as the world marks two years since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    As a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. These must end immediately.

    We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around El Fasher on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.

    As famine continues to spread across Sudan, G7 members are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterate that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

    We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.

    We call on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad. We recognize the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection. We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.

    We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urge both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations. All external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur. We condemn all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias.

    For sustainable peace in Sudan, any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians. Women, youth, and civil society must be meaningfully included in all peace processes.

    We reaffirm our support for a democratic transition and express our solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.

    The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount.  

    G7 members remain committed to deepening collective diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and secure an end to the conflict, including through the London Sudan Conference.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata’s Statement for the Historic 125th Flag Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in celebration of Flag Day 2025, which marks 125 years of American Samoa’s official relationship with the United States. 

    Flag Day historic photo

    “Flag Day is a wonderful tradition in American Samoa, and this year has added significance as the 125th Flag Day. Our forefathers in 1900, led by our Matai chiefs of the time, came together in agreement with the U.S., and raised the U.S. flag on Tutuila Island. Just four years later Manu’a also joined the U.S. in 1904. Together, these decisions changed the course of our history, and secured generations of potential opportunities that our people can choose. 

    “Because of this, we are today part of a great and free country that is a worldwide influence for the cause of freedom, constitutional democratic government and elections, human rights and dignity, all of which we cherish. We honor the people of the U.S. for generations of exceptional charitable giving throughout the world in times of severe need and disasters, supporting emergency response both publicly and privately with a generous spirit. 

    “For more than 80 years, since the U.S. entered World War II, the nation has had enormous leadership responsibility within the free world, that depends on a strong, mobile military backed by a powerful economy. Especially since World War II and before, American Samoa has been part of that story with a strong tradition of patriotic service, and we honor our many Veterans and Service Members for their distinguished part in making our Flag Day special.

    “Our Flag Day is a tradition that is uniquely ours, as we celebrate in the Samoan way, honoring our ancient culture and language, while the reason we celebrate is American, honoring our deep patriotic ties to the United States. God bless American Samoa and the USA! 

    “Have a happy and historic 125th Flag Day!”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission welcomes significant step towards Pandemic Agreement

    Source: European Commission – Justice

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 16 Apr 2025 The Commission welcomes the preliminary consensus on the Pandemic Agreement which was reached today, in Geneva, by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, underscoring the continuing strength of international cooperation and solidarity for global heath.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils plan to boost service consumption in 2025

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

    BEIJING, April 16 — China on Wednesday unveiled a work plan to boost service consumption in 2025, part of the country’s efforts to unleash new drivers of domestic demand and spur economic growth.

    The plan, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and eight other government departments, aims to expand the supply of consumer services, improve service quality and unlock the growth potential of the sector.

    The plan proposes 48 specific measures across a broad spectrum of industries, covering both main service sectors as well as new forms of business and new consumption scenarios.

    The measures outlined focus mainly on six areas, including policy support, promotional activities, opening up and the consumption environment.

    It calls for increasing the supply of quality consumer services by expanding opening up and reducing restrictions for domestic market players. Notably, the plan has also formulated special policy measures for eldercare, childcare, housekeeping and other services concerning people’s livelihood.

    China has identified boosting consumption as one of its major tasks for 2025 in its government work report. It has underlined the need to address inadequate domestic demand, particularly insufficient consumer spending.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK House Price Index for February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK House Price Index for February 2025

    The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    The February data shows:

    • on average, house prices haven’t changed since January 2025
    • there has been an annual price rise of 5.4% which makes the average property in the UK valued at £268,000

    England

    In England the February data shows, on average, house prices rose by 0.3% since January 2025. The annual price rise of 5.3% takes the average property value to £292,000.

    • Yorkshire and the Humber experienced the most significant monthly increase with a movement of 1.6%
    • London saw the greatest monthly price fall, with a fall of -1.1%
    • The North West experienced the greatest annual price rise, up by 8%
    • London saw the lowest annual price growth, with a rise of 1.7%

    The regional data for England indicates that:

    Price change by region for England

    Region Average price February 2025 Annual change % since February 2024 Monthly change % since January 2025
    East Midlands £241,000 6 0.4
    East of England £338,000 4.2 0
    London £556,000 1.7 -1.1
    North East £160,000 7.9 0.4
    North West £212,000 8 0.7
    South East £385,000 4.6 -0.3
    South West £308,000 3.9 0.7
    West Midlands £247,000 6 1.1
    Yorkshire and the Humber £205,000 7.5 1.6

    Repossession sales by volume for England

    The lowest number of repossession sales in December 2024 was in the South West, West Midlands and East Midlands.

    The highest number of repossession sales in December  2024 was in the North West and London.

    Repossession sales December 2024
    East Midlands 1
    East of England 3
    London 14
    North East 11
    North West 14
    South East 6
    South West 1
    West Midlands 1
    Yorkshire and the Humber 8
    England 59

    Average price by property type for England

    Property type Feb 2025 Feb  2024 Difference %
    Detached £471,000 £447,000 5.3
    Semi-detached £286,000 £270,000 6.1
    Terraced £242,000 £228,000 6.1
    Flat/maisonette £226,000 £220,000 2.8
    All £292,000 £277,000 5.3

    Funding and buyer status for England

    Transaction type Average price February 2025 Annual price change % since February 2024 Monthly price change % since January 2025
    Cash £278,000 4.8 0.4
    Mortgage £297,000 5.5 0.3
    First-time buyer £245,000 5.7 0.4
    Former owner occupier £353,000 4.9 0.2

    Building status for England

    Building status* Average price December 2024 Annual price change % since December 2023 Monthly price change % since November 2024
    New build £447,000 30 6.9
    Existing resold property £285,000 3.1 -0.2

    *Figures for the 2 most recent months are not being published because there are not enough new build transactions to give a meaningful result.

    London

    London shows, on average, house prices decreased by 1.1% since January 2025. House prices have shown an annual price increase of 1.7% meaning the average price of a property is £556,000.

    Average price by property type for London

    Property type February 2025 February 2024 Difference %
    Detached £1,143,000 £1,099,000 3.9
    Semi-detached £705,000 £678,000 4
    Terraced £629,000 £608,000 3.4
    Flat/maisonette £442,000 £442,000 -0.1
    All £556,000 £546,000 1.7

    Funding and buyer status for London

    Transaction type Average price February 2025 Annual price change % since February 2024 Monthly price change % since January 2025
    Cash £589,000 -0.4 -1.7
    Mortgage £549,000 2.4 -1
    First-time buyer £478,000 1.8 -1.1
    Former owner occupier £688,000 1.6 -1.2

    Building status for London

    Building status* Average price December 2024 Annual price change % since December 2023 Monthly price change % since November 2024
    New build £598,000 22.6 4.7
    Existing resold property £552,000 0 -1.2

    *Figures for the 2 most recent months are not being published because there are not enough new build transactions to give a meaningful result.

    Wales

    Wales shows, on average, house prices fell by 0.7% since January 2025. An annual price increase of 4.1% takes the average property value to £207,000.

    There were 6 repossession sales for Wales in December 2024.

    Average price by property type for Wales

    Property type February 2025 February 2024 Difference %
    Detached £324,000 £315,000 3.1
    Semi-detached £206,000 £197,000 4.5
    Terraced £165,000 £157,000 4.7
    Flat/maisonette £132,000 £127,000 3.3
    All £207,000 £199,000 4.1

    Funding and buyer status for Wales

    Transaction type Average price February 2025% Annual price change % since February 2024 Monthly price change % since January 2024
    Cash £207,000 3.3 -1.1
    Mortgage £208,000 4.4 -0.6
    First-time buyer £178,000 4.6 -0.9
    Former owner occupier £248,000 3.5 -0.9

    Building status for Wales

    Building status* Average price December 2024 Annual price change % since December 2023 Monthly price change % since November 2024
    New build £381,000 27.8 9.4
    Existing resold property £204,000 1.8 0.6

    *Figures for the 2 most recent months are not being published because there are not enough new build transactions to give a meaningful result.

    UK house prices

    UK house prices rose by 5.4% in the year to February 2025, up from the revised estimate of 4.8% in the 12 months to January 2025. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, average house prices in the UK remain unchanged between January 2025 and February 2025, compared with a decrease of 0.5% from the same period 12 months ago (January 2024 and February 2024).

    The UK Property Transactions Statistics showed that in February 2025, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the estimated number of transactions of residential properties with a value of £40,000 or greater was 108,000. This is 28.1% higher than a year ago (February 2025). Between January 2025 and February 25, UK transactions increased by 13% on a seasonally adjusted basis.

    House price monthly increase was highest in Yorkshire and the Humber where prices increased by 2.3% in the year to January 2025. The highest annual growth was in the North West, where prices increased by 8% in the year to February 2025.

    See the economic statement..

    The UK HPI is based on completed housing transactions. Typically, a house purchase can take 6 to 8 weeks to reach completion. As with other indicators in the housing market, which typically fluctuate from month to month, it is important not to put too much weight on one month’s set of house price data.

    Access the full UK HPI

    Background

    1. We publish the UK House Price Index (HPI) on the second or third Wednesday of each month with Northern Ireland figures updated quarterly. We will publish the March 2025 UK HPI at 9:30am on Wednesday 21 May 2025. See calendar of release dates.
    2. We have made some changes to improve the accuracy of the UK HPI. We are not publishing average price and percentage change for new builds and existing resold property as done previously because there are not currently enough new build transactions to provide a reliable result. This means that in this month’s UK HPI reports, new builds and existing resold property are reported in line with the sales volumes currently available.
    3. The UK HPI revision period has been extended to 13 months, following a review of the revision policy (see calculating the UK HPI section 4.4). This ensures the data used is more comprehensive.
    4. Sales volume data is available by property status (new build and existing property) and funding status (cash and mortgage) in our downloadable data tables. Transactions that require us to create a new register, such as new builds, are more complex and require more time to process. Read revisions to the UK HPI data.
    5. Revision tables are available for England and Wales within the downloadable data in CSV format. See about the UK HPI for more information.
    6. HM Land Registry, Registers of Scotland, Land & Property Services/Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and the Valuation Office Agency supply data for the UK HPI.
    7. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Land & Property Services/Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency calculate the UK HPI. It applies a hedonic regression model that uses the various sources of data on property price, including HM Land Registry’s Price Paid Dataset, and attributes to produce estimates of the change in house prices each month. Find out more about the methodology used from the ONS and Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.
    8. We take the UK Property Transaction statistics  from the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) monthly estimates of the number of residential and non-residential property transactions in the UK and its constituent countries. The number of property transactions in the UK is highly seasonal, with more activity in the summer months and less in the winter. This regular annual pattern can sometimes mask the underlying movements and trends in the data series. HMRC presents the UK aggregate transaction figures on a seasonally adjusted basis. We make adjustments for both the time of year and the construction of the calendar, including corrections for the position of Easter and the number of trading days in a particular month.
    9. UK HPI seasonally adjusted series are calculated at regional and national levels only. See data tables.
    10. The first estimate for new build average price (April 2016 report) was based on a small sample which can cause volatility. A three-month moving average has been applied to the latest estimate to remove some of this volatility.
    11. The UK HPI reflects the final transaction price for sales of residential property. Using the geometric mean, it covers purchases at market value for owner-occupation and buy-to-let, excluding those purchases not at market value (such as re-mortgages), where the ‘price’ represents a valuation.
    12. HM Land Registry provides information on residential property transactions for England and Wales, collected as part of the official registration process for properties that are sold for full market value.
    13. The HM Land Registry dataset contains the sale price of the property, the date when the sale was completed, full address details, the type of property (detached, semi-detached, terraced or flat), if it is a newly built property or an established residential building and a variable to indicate if the property has been purchased as a financed transaction (using a mortgage) or as a non-financed transaction (cash purchase).
    14. Repossession sales data is based on the number of transactions lodged with HM Land Registry by lenders exercising their power of sale.
    15. For England, we show repossession sales volume recorded by government office region. For Wales, we provide repossession sales volume for the number of repossession sales.
    16. Repossession sales data is available from April 2016 in CSV format. Find out more information about repossession sales.
    17. We publish CSV files of the raw and cleansed aggregated data every month for England, Scotland and Wales. We publish Northern Ireland data on a quarterly basis. They are available for free use and re-use under the Open Government Licence.
    18. HM Land Registry is a government department created in 1862. Its vision is: “A world-leading property market as part of a thriving economy and a sustainable future.”
    19. HM Land Registry’s purpose is: “We protect your land ownership and provide services and data that underpin an efficient and informed property market.”
    20. HM Land Registry safeguards land and property ownership valued at £8 trillion, enabling over £1 trillion worth of personal and commercial lending to be secured against property across England and Wales. The Land Register contains more than 26.5 million titles showing evidence of ownership for more than 89% of the land mass of England and Wales.
    21. For further information about HM Land Registry visit www.gov.uk/land-registry.
    22. Follow us on @HMLandRegistry, our blog, LinkedIn and Facebook.

    Contact

    Press Office

    Trafalgar House
    1 Bedford Park
    Croydon
    CR0 2AQ

    Email HMLRPressOffice@landregistry.gov.uk

    Phone (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm) 0300 006 3365

    Mobile (5:30pm to 8:30am weekdays, all weekend and public holidays) 07864 689 344

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSH takes enforcement action against Pivotal Housing Association

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    RSH takes enforcement action against Pivotal Housing Association

    RSH is using its powers to make PHA commission an independent review and develop a clear action plan for agreement with the regulator.   

    RSH has published an enforcement notice for Pivotal Housing Association (PHA) to make it take prompt actions to address serious failures and manage itself effectively.

    PHA, a lease-based provider of specialised supported housing, has failed to ensure it has access to sufficient liquidity and can manage significant risks to its viability both in the short and longer term. This could put the social homes it owns and manages and the quality of services it delivers at risk.   

    In 2021 RSH concluded PHA was not delivering the outcomes of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard, and the Rent Standard.  

    Since then, RSH has engaged intensively with PHA, however it has been unable or unwilling to resolve the issues and meet the regulatory standards.  

    RSH is using its powers to make PHA commission an independent review and develop a clear action plan for agreement with the regulator.   

    PHA must review risks and liabilities to determine whether it can remain solvent, tenant safety and management of potential conflicts of interests.       

    Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive of RSH, said: 

    We are prepared to use powers where landlords are unable or unwilling to address issues to protect social homes and tenants’ interests.   

    PHA is exposed to significant financial risks due to the type of lease structures it has entered into. It must address its access to liquidity urgently and agree a plan with us to ensure it can be properly managed and viable for the longer term.    

    We expect PHA to co-operate fully with our direction.

    Notes to editors

    1. A registered provider is responsible for ensuring that it manages itself effectively, achieves the standards set by the regulator, and engages positively with the regulator’s regulatory framework. Where a failure against a standard or other problem has been identified, the regulator expects a registered provider to respond in a prompt and effective manner. It may be necessary for the regulator to step in and exercise its powers under section 219 of the Act when a provider fails to do so.   

    2. Sections 219 to 225 of the Act allow the regulator to require a registered provider to take specified action to resolve a specified failure or other problem by issue of an enforcement notice. The regulator has published guidance on its use of this power which can be found here.  

    3. The Regulatory Standards that registered providers of social housing are required to meet can be found here together with our approach to regulating the standards.  

    4. A registered provider given an enforcement notice may appeal against it to the High Court pursuant to the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008.   

    5. RSH may withdraw the enforcement notice at any time by giving notice to PHA. Should PHA fail to comply with this enforcement notice, RSH will consider exercising other regulatory or enforcement powers.

    6. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk. For media enquiries please see our Media Enquiries page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GAD shares its review into the funding position of the LGPS NI

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    GAD shares its review into the funding position of the LGPS NI

    The outcome of the 2022 valuation of the Local Government Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland is examined in this latest report from GAD.

    Credit: Unsplash

    An assessment of the 2022 valuation of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in Northern Ireland shows that overall, the LGPS NI was in good health. The analysis was undertaken by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD).

    The section 13 report was completed under specific 2014 legislation on public service pensions. The Government Actuary is required to review the fund’s actuarial valuation and report on GAD’s findings on each of the 4 aims prescribed by the legislation:

    • compliance
    • consistency
    • solvency
    • long-term cost efficiency

    Report results

    GAD’s analysis of the LGPS NI found the funding position of the fund has remained broadly stable since 31 March 2019, maintaining its relatively strong financial position. Its total assets have grown from £8.0 billion in 2019 to £10.2 billion in 2022.

    Our assessment includes recommendations on the treatment of surpluses. This recognises the importance of balancing intergenerational fairness with the priority of maintaining stability of contributions when setting employer contribution rates.

    GAD actuary Garth Foster co-wrote the report. He said: “The section 13 report provides an overview of the valuation, and the general health, of the LGPS NI scheme. GAD’s analysis has identified areas of success, but also recognises the importance of continuing vigilance around the general risks affecting the scheme.”

    Scheme details

    The LGPS NI is comprised of a single fund – the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee pension fund (‘NILGOSC’). LGPS scheme employers include local authorities, schools, colleges, housing associations, and other associated bodies.

    This report is based on:

    • the 2022 actuarial valuation of the NILGOSC pension fund
    • data provided by the fund
    • information provided by Aon – the fund’s actuarial advisers.

    This is the third section 13 report of the LGPS NI; previous assessments were undertaken in 2016 and 2019.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Daily summary of the Berlin offensive operation

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Exactly 80 years ago, on April 16, 1945, the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation began, ending the Great Patriotic War with the complete and unconditional victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.

    The Guinness Book of Records lists this operation as the largest-scale battle in world history. About 3.5 million people, 52 thousand guns and mortars, 7,750 tanks and 11 thousand aircraft took part in it on both sides. The German capital was attacked by forces from three fronts: the 1st Belorussian under the command of Georgy Zhukov, the 2nd Belorussian under the command of Konstantin Rokossovsky and the 1st Ukrainian under the command of Ivan Konev.

    The scale of the operation is clearly described by Zhukov in his book “Memories and Reflections”: “On the first day, 1,197,000 shots were planned for artillery alone, but in fact 1,236,000 shots were fired. Think about these numbers! 2,450 train cars of shells, that is, almost 98 thousand tons of metal fell on the enemy’s head.”

    On April 16, at exactly 4 a.m., the final chord of retribution for Germany’s treacherous attack sounded – the code signal “Rodina” swept through the communication lines and the battle began. Having recovered from the first artillery barrage, the Germans put up serious resistance, the Soviet tanks got bogged down in heavy fighting and were unable to outpace the infantry.

    On April 17, as a result of bloody battles, the Seelow Heights, 50-60 kilometers from Berlin, were taken; they were considered by the German command to be the most reliable line of defense.

    On April 18, the Red Army began to cross the Ost-Oder.

    On April 19, the breakthrough of the entire Oder defensive line was completed.

    On April 20, Soviet long-range artillery began shelling Berlin.

    On April 21, troops of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts reached the eastern and southern outskirts of the city, respectively. The first street battles began.

    On April 22, the German command transferred troops of the Frankfurt-Guben group from the Western Front to stop the envelopment of Berlin from the north. This attack was repelled by Soviet troops with the help of the 2nd Polish Army.

    On April 23, during particularly fierce battles, the 9th Rifle Corps of Major General Ivan Roslov captured the Karlshorst and Kölönig areas, and immediately crossed the Spree River, where the Dnieper military flotilla was already operating.

    On April 24, in the southeast of Berlin, in the Bonsdorf area, troops of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts met, encircling the German Frankfurt-Guben group.

    On April 25, the troops of the same fronts united in the Ketzin area, encircling the enemy’s Berlin group. At the same time, the famous meeting on the Elbe with the troops of the 1st US Army took place.

    On April 26, the two-day air operation “Salute” ended, during which 1,222 tons of bombs were dropped on the central districts of Berlin to suppress the enemy – 70 tons per square kilometer.

    On April 27, the assault on the central districts of the German capital began – the city front stretched from the southeast to the northwest in a narrow strip 16 km long and 2-3 km wide. The Red Army seemed to be plunging into the capital of Germany with a bayonet.

    On April 28, the commander of Army Group Vistula, Gotthard Heinrici, ordered his troops to retreat, for which he was removed from command and later surrendered to British troops. Meanwhile, the Russians reached the Reichstag area.

    On April 29, the Moltke Bridge leading to the Government Quarter of Berlin was captured.

    April 30 – German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler committed suicide. On the same day, the Frankfurt-Guben group, the largest German unit at the time, numbering about 200 thousand soldiers, was liquidated. The Ministry of Internal Affairs building next to the Reichstag was captured. Red flags also began to rise over the Reichstag itself. There was more than one Victory Banner; a total of nine special flags were prepared for the Red Army assault groups.

    On May 1, the German government announced Hitler’s death and offered to conclude a truce, but did not agree to an unconditional surrender. The storming of the Government Quarter resumed.

    On May 2, still at night, a radio message in Russian arrived at the headquarters of the 1st Belorussian Front asking for a ceasefire. At 6 a.m., after brief negotiations, the commander of the Berlin defense, Helmut Weidling, surrendered and signed the capitulation order. The units that refused to surrender were destroyed by the end of the day.

    Thus ended the Berlin offensive operation. And although the capitulation of all of Germany was still ahead, it was already a matter of time. The main result of the battle was the destruction of the last large forces of Germany and the capture of its top leadership, as well as the liberation from captivity of hundreds of thousands of civilians of the Soviet Union and many European countries. About 1 million Red Army servicemen were awarded the Medal “For the Capture of Berlin”. Among them were employees and graduates of the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute, heroes of the Scientific Regiment of the State University of Management: – Georgy Bryansky – Dean of the Faculty of Organizers of Industrial Production and Construction, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor, during the war assistant to the division commander for political affairs; – Boris Ionas – Head of the Department of Construction Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, twice Knight of the Order of the Red Star; – Alexey Kozhin – Professor of the Department of Management in Automobile Transport, Candidate of Economic Sciences, during the war commander of a control platoon, and later a battery of a howitzer-artillery regiment; — Arkady Pashenin – 1941 graduate of the Moscow Institute of Power Engineering, retired lieutenant colonel, during the war a major in the headquarters of the 5th Shock Army, standard-bearer at the signing ceremony of the act of surrender of Germany; — Alexey Strigin – associate professor, candidate of historical sciences, retired lieutenant, during the war served as a tank platoon commander.

    #Scientific regiment

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/16/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: About 190 hectares will be reorganized within the framework of 21 integrated territorial development projects

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Land plots in the Western, Central, Northern, North-Eastern, Eastern, South-Eastern, Southern, South-Western and Novomoskovsky administrative districts will be reorganized. The owners of the plots and the objects located on them are offered to conclude agreements with the city on the integrated development of territories (IDT), reported the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “According to the draft decisions on the integrated development of territories published in the first quarter of 2025, balanced urban quarters are planned to be built on sites with a total area of over 188.6 hectares, as well as business and landscaped spaces. Residential buildings and industrial, social and public-business facilities will be erected on the sites. When planning, the city took into account the needs of each district for the necessary infrastructure within walking distance. Investments in the projects are estimated at 1.1 trillion rubles, and the annual budget effect is 310 billion rubles. As a result of the implementation of 21 projects, the city will receive more than 44 thousand jobs,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    All draft decisions on the integrated development of territories have been developed by the city and published on the official website of the Moscow Government.

    “In addition to housing, educational, healthcare and sports facilities will be built in the new neighborhoods. Thus, the projects provide for the creation of five sports facilities, the same number of kindergartens for almost 1.5 thousand pupils, schools for 3.5 thousand students, as well as three buildings that will house medical institutions. In addition, it is planned to create more than 100 thousand square meters of modern production facilities. Landscaping and greening work will be carried out in all areas, and a modern street and road network will be organized,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property

    Maxim Gaman.

    According to the KRT program, multifunctional city blocks are being created, where roads, comfortable housing and all the necessary infrastructure are being designed on the site of former industrial zones and inefficiently used areas. Currently, 302 integrated development projects with a total area of about 4.2 thousand hectares are at various stages of implementation in Moscow. This work is being carried out on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin.

    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/152646073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –