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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: Eviden launches its XMC Ethernet switch card, a cybersecure and sovereign solution for critical environments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    Eviden launches its XMC Ethernet switch card, a cybersecure and sovereign solution for critical environments

    Paris, France – June 12, 2025 – Eviden, the Atos Group product brand leading in advanced computing, cybersecurity products, mission-critical systems and vision AI today announces the availability of a cybersecure and sovereign Ethernet switching solution, the XMC1Ethernet switch card, specifically designed for mission-critical environments. This innovative solution uses a protocol break of communications to achieve the security and independence of critical communication systems.

    Designed and manufactured in France, this XMC-format Ethernet switch card is a sovereign alternative to market offerings. It is produced at Eviden’s Aix-en-Provence site in France by teams with expertise in mission-critical systems. It complements Eviden’s range of MLS Gateway solutions, which are multi-level security gateways designed for two-way communications between networks of different classifications.

    Eviden’s new XMC Ethernet switch card is designed to protect data effectively. It incorporates powerful protection mechanisms that filter information, detect issues, and report anomalies to ensure secure and reliable transmission.

    Coupled with the CPU card2 of a critical system, Eviden’s XMC Ethernet switch card is configurable, allowing systems to evolve. It offers the ability to partition data between open and secure environments that require a break in protocol for security and confidentiality reasons.

    The card can be integrated on the mezzanine level with third-party embedded computers (air-land, naval or land-based) as well as with Eviden’s multi-level gateway solutions (MLS Gateway).

    Designed for the highest levels of criticality, Eviden’s XMC Ethernet switch card supports multiple protocols3 and is compatible with the AFDX standard4, enabling seamless integration into existing avionics systems. It is also DO-254 DAL A certifiable5 and developed in accordance with standards that support certification to the CC EAL 4+ level6. It incorporates technology from Cetrac.io, a specialist in hardware switching technologies and a partner of Eviden.

    Bernard Payer, Head of Mission-Critical Systems at Eviden, Atos Group, said: “Eviden’s XMC Ethernet switch card is a fusion of technologies designed to guarantee the security and compartmentalization of critical information flows without reliance on foreign technologies or operators. Our next-generation Ethernet switching solution provides operators in mission-critical environments with a sovereign solution in their hands, reflecting the know-how of our teams. I am particularly proud to announce the availability of this solution.”

    Eviden’s XMC Ethernet switch card will be presented at SIAE, June 16-22, booth Avantix S3, GIFAS pavilion, hall 2B C140.

    ***

    About Eviden

    Eviden is the Atos Group brand for hardware and software products with c. € 1 billion in revenue, operating in 36 countries and comprising four business units: advanced computing, cybersecurity products, mission-critical systems and vision AI. As a next-generation technology leader, Eviden offers a unique combination of hardware and software technologies for businesses, public sector and defense organizations and research institutions, helping them to create value out of their data. Bringing together 4,200 world-class talents and holding more than 2,100 patents, Eviden provides a strong portfolio of innovative and eco-efficient solutions in AI, computing, security, data and applications.

    About Atos Group

    Atos Group is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 72,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion, operating in 68 countries under two brands — Atos for services and Eviden for products. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, Atos Group is committed to a secure and decarbonized future and provides tailored AI-powered, end-to-end solutions for all industries. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    Press contact

    Isabelle Grangé | isabelle.grange@atos.net | +33 (0) 6 64 56 74 88

    1 XMC: Mezzanine Card switch. A mezzanine board is a secondary electronic board (or daughter board) that, when connected to a main board (or motherboard), allows the addition of specific features to a computer or embedded system, without changing the basic architecture.
    2 CPU: Central Processing Unit
    3 UDP, TCP, ICMP, ARP, IP
    4 AFDX : Avionics Full Duplex switched Ethernet
    5 DO 254 DAL A: the highest criticality level according to the DAL (Design Assurance Level) which categorizes software according to the potential impact of its failures on the safety of aeronautical systems.
    6 CC EAL 4+: Common Criteria Level 4 evaluation system “methodically designed, tested and verified.”

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Russia’s victimhood narrative is inconsistent with the facts: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Russia’s victimhood narrative is inconsistent with the facts: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland calls out Russia’s victimhood narrative, which is inconsistent with the facts. The UK stands firmly and unapologetically with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.  We listened carefully to the statements made by the Russian Federation at last week’s Permanent Council.  The esteemed Russian representative noted then the OSCE “remains almost the only forum in the pan-European space where an equal and inclusive exchange of views is still possible.”

    The United Kingdom also values this forum for that reason. If we are willing to use it, the OSCE provides a platform for risk reduction, cooperation and confidence-building. And using these capacities to the maximum extent possible would fulfil the shared responsibility we took on for the security of the OSCE region that we took on in Helsinki in 1975.

    The signing of the Helsinki Final Act marked a pivotal moment when all participating States agreed to move beyond zero-sum security, which bred so many conflicts of the past. Reflecting this sentiment, Leonid Brezhnev told the 1975 Helsinki conference that the OSCE could “strengthen European and international security and develop mutually advantageous co-operation”.

    A lot has been said in recent weeks about trust, which is essential for such advantageous cooperation.  As we look ahead to Helsinki in late July, we must recognise that we build trust in this place when we speak truthfully and uphold the OSCE’s founding documents, including the Helsinki Final Act. However, trust is eroded by unfounded assertions and the selective reinterpretation of the commitments in those documents.

    Last week, the Russian Federation made several unsubstantiated claims about the United Kingdom in this Council. So, let me deal with these assertions and ask a couple of questions of my own in the hope of some direct answers.

    The UK does not seek military tension and regional instability to further our economic objectives. In fact, I think most economists would argue that conflict is bad for economies overall.  The UK’s aims for Ukraine are guided by our desire to achieve peace. We believe in upholding the fundamental norms that underpin our shared security, including the sovereign equality of states. We do so through our actions as well as our words.  The Russian Federation regularly reference the concepts of non-interference and inviolability of borders. The question I would put to them is how invading their peaceful neighbour lives up to these concepts.

    The Russian Federation also accused the UK of using their war of aggression to militarise its economy and prepare for war. Now it is true that the UK plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and to 3% in the next Parliament. But I would have thought the reasons for doing so were obvious.  We are increasing defence spending to deter war in the face of Russia’s increasing belligerence – not to provoke it. And we are taking on more responsibility for security in Europe, which faces a more serious and less predictable future because of the Kremlin’s actions. The hypocrisy of this allegation is of course that Russia’s military spending now exceeds 32% of their national budget. It is truly a war economy. My request to the Russian delegation is that they explain what response they expected from the European countries in the face of such rapid militarisation in a country that so regularly threatens its neighbours and whose recent history is one of breaching Helsinki commitments on borders and sovereignty?

    Madam Chair, the assertions made about my country reflect a broader narrative of Russian state victimhood that is inconsistent with the facts. The full-scale invasion of another country, illegal annexations, the targeting of civilians and the persistent obstruction of peace are not the actions of a victim – they are the actions of an aggressor. Our support for Ukraine, like our support for the OSCE’s mandate and principles, comes from our interest in upholding mutually agreed rules, including rules Russia has agreed to uphold. This is why the UK stands firmly and unapologetically with Ukraine in the face of this aggression.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.5 (EPT/RI)-Ricardo PLC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
    Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)        Name of exempt principal trader: Investec Bank plc
    (b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Ricardo plc
    (c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: Investec is Joint Advisor and Joint Broker to Ricardo plc
    (d)        Date dealing undertaken: 11th June 2025
    (e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received Lowest price per unit paid/received

    Ordinary shares

    Purchases

    		 305,074 422 418

    Ordinary shares

    Sales

    		 286,687 421 418

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    N/A N/A N/A N/A

    3.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
    None
    Date of disclosure: 12thJune 2025
    Contact name: Priyali Bhattacharjee
    Telephone number: +91 9768034903

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Elland Road Neighbourhood: Council’s proposals to attract multi-billion investment in new homes and leisure opportunities

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds City Council has launched a consultation on refreshed planning guidance for the future regeneration of land surrounding the Elland Road football stadium, which could deliver a multi-billion pound boost to the city’s economy including potentially up to 2,000 new homes along with major leisure and commercial opportunities.

    The council is consulting on the ‘Elland Road 2025 Informal Planning Statement’, a document which will guide the future regeneration of around 30 acres of land surrounding the football stadium which is principally owned by the council.

    If the refreshed guidance is agreed, the land could be transformed with the potential for as many as 2,000 new homes alongside high quality public realm and facilities which are integrated with the surrounding existing communities.

    The draft document outlines other uses that could be acceptable including major new leisure opportunities such as a community sports arena, hotel accommodation, and workspaces, following the internationally-recognised trend of using sport and football stadiums as a major catalyst for regeneration and investment. There is also the potential for educational facilities linked to sport, health and wellbeing.

    The proposals outline the future relocation of the temporary park and ride currently at the site and how, subject to demand being evidenced, one or more multi-storey car parks could be permitted.

    The land has been allocated for development for a number of years. The previous guidance for the land was adopted in 2007. The refreshed vision and ambitions reflect changes and developments in the local area, including Leeds United’s proposed stadium expansion, and also across the economy and wider city.

    Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, said: “Our proposals for Elland Road represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity of national significance to create a new neighbourhood, carefully integrated within South Leeds, which will deliver new homes, create jobs and provide major leisure opportunities, along with community and educational facilities that will benefit new and existing communities.

    “Delivering a new neighbourhood of this size and scale will provide a further boost to our city’s ever-growing economy, accommodating the continuing demand for residential and commercial development across the city, at one of our most strategically significant gateway sites which has been earmarked for development for many years.

    “With recent momentum such as the stadium expansion progressing, and many changes in Leeds since we first adopted planning guidance over 17 years ago, it is right that we take the opportunity to refresh the vision for this area. We strongly encourage residents, businesses and any interested party to participate in the consultation to help shape the updated proposals.”

    The site has been utilised as a temporary park and ride and is used for matchday car parking as a meanwhile use pending redevelopment proposals. The proposals outline how the park and ride facility could be relocated, alongside also potentially allowing one or more multi-storey car parks to be built on the land subject to demand being demonstrated. These could serve the local community and visitors to the area on matchdays and non-matchdays.

    Development of the site would take up to 20 years from start on-site to completion, and changes to parking provision would be phased and carefully considered to ensure the local highway network can function on matchdays and avoiding any adverse impact on neighbouring communities.

    The council will be writing to local residents shortly to understand what their experiences are regarding parking issues in their area and whether some parking restrictions could be introduced to help address any local concerns.

    Alongside phased changes to car parking provision, the proposals also highlight how the council will improve connectivity between Elland Road and the city so improvements to walking and cycling routes make it easier and more attractive for people to choose active and sustainable methods of travel.

    The council has published its proposals online at https://ellandroadneighbourhood.commonplace.is/ as part of a consultation where residents, businesses and stakeholders can find out more information and provide feedback.

    There will also be a series of community events where people can view the proposals and discuss them with council officers.

    Following consultation, feedback would be considered when finalising the proposals. It would be the intention for the document to be adopted by the council’s executive board at a future meeting.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025

    France, Germany, the UK and United States (the Quad) delivered a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting introducing a resolution on Iran’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement.

    Thank you, Chair.

    On behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we express our sincere gratitude to Director General Grossi and to his team for their patient and exhaustive efforts to verify Iran’s implementation of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement required under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and to clarify the critical safeguards issues that have been outstanding for more than six years. Unfortunately, as a result of Iran’s long-time failure to cooperate in resolving these issues, the Agency is not able to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

    Since 2019, Iran has had every opportunity to provide the required, technically credible explanations in response to the IAEA’s questions, which relate to Iran’s core legal obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Regrettably, though, Iran has again refused to engage constructively with the IAEA to provide such explanations, despite multiple requests by the Board to do so since 2020.

    Now, at this Board’s request, Director General Grossi has produced a comprehensive and updated assessment of the possible presence or use of undeclared nuclear material in connection with past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program, addressing the Agency’s ability to verify Iran’s implementation of its safeguards obligations.

    The Director General’s report speaks for itself in describing the full extent of the outstanding safeguards issues in Iran, their connection with Iran’s past nuclear activities, and Iran’s extensive record of obstruction, concealment, deception, and obfuscation in its approach to the work of the IAEA and the implementation of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

    The report makes clear that:

    Iran has refused to declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at three undeclared locations in Iran.

    Until the early 2000s, those locations and possibly others formed part of Iran’s undeclared structured nuclear program.

    Iran retained, at Turquzabad, up until 2018, unknown nuclear material and/or heavily contaminated equipment and other assets arising from various locations, the whereabouts of which remain unknown to the Agency.

    These locations, as well as several others, were sanitized through various means, including the wholesale demolition of buildings, at key times in the IAEA’s investigation and despite direct requests by the Agency to preserve them.

    In addition, the Director General’s report underscores that:

    Iran is the only country that is not meeting its obligations related to the implementation of the modified Code 3.1, which it accepted in 2003, even as Iran talks openly about constructing new nuclear facilities. As the Agency has recalled multiple times, the modified Code 3.1 is a legal obligation for Iran under the Subsidiary Arrangements to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Iran cannot unilaterally modify or suspend implementation of these Subsidiary Arrangements.

    Iran is the only State in the world without nuclear weapons that is producing and accumulating uranium enriched to 60%, which has potential proliferation implications.

    There have been repeated statements by former high-level officials in Iran related to Iran having the capability to manufacture nuclear weapons, which continue to provide concerns.

    The report’s overall assessment is alarming: as a result of Iran’s failure to cooperate with the IAEA, the Director General cannot rule out that nuclear material remains unaccounted for and outside of safeguards in Iran today and he cannot provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. These serious findings should give all of us pause.

    Chair,

    Given the issues reported by the Director General and Iran’s ongoing failure to cooperate with the IAEA, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and United States are bringing forward a resolution for the Board’s consideration finding Iran in noncompliance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Our resolution contains the following main points:

    First, it expresses continued, strong support for the Agency’s professional and impartial efforts in carrying out its mandate to verify the implementation of Iran’s safeguards obligations.

    Second, it deeply regrets that Iran has failed to co-operate fully with the Agency, as required by its safeguards agreement.

    Third, it finds Iran in non-compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement with the Agency in the context of Article XII.C of the Agency’s Statute.

    Fourth, it also finds that the Director General’s inability to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful gives rise to questions that are within the competence of the United Nations Security Council, as the organ bearing the main responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, consistent with Article III.B.4 of the Agency’s Statute.

    Fifth, it calls upon Iran to urgently remedy its non-compliance with its Safeguards Agreement by taking all steps deemed necessary by the Agency and the Board, and reaffirms its decision that Iran must urgently act to ensure verification of the non-diversion of nuclear material and abide by its legal obligation to implement modified Code 3.1.

    Chair,

    The resolution defers the timing and content of the report that the Board is required to take pursuant to the IAEA Statute. We hope that Iran takes this final opportunity to provide full and immediate cooperation with the IAEA so that the Director General can report that these matters have been clarified and resolved, and so that the Board can swiftly consider action to find that Iran’s non-compliance has been remedied.

    We do not take this step lightly. The Board of Governors has given Iran every opportunity over the past six years to resolve questions related to undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. We firmly believe that all IAEA Member States must work together to uphold the integrity of the IAEA safeguards system and the broader nuclear nonproliferation regime, and this shared responsibility includes holding states accountable to their obligations under their NPT-required safeguards agreements. Simply put: the facts are clear, the legal basis is ironclad, and the action is long overdue. That is why we strongly urge all Board members to support this important resolution.

    We understand there are questions about how this resolution may impact separate, ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran. The IAEA Statute is clear on the Board’s authority to act and find non-compliance when a state is not complying with its obligations under its safeguards agreement. Iran’s legally binding obligation to implement its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement cannot be subject to separate political considerations. This resolution will not undermine diplomatic efforts with Iran – it will only strengthen them. It underscores the importance of Iran’s full cooperation with the IAEA, and its full implementation of its legal safeguards obligations, as the necessary foundation for any enduring agreement that addresses international concerns related to Iran’s nuclear activities. The Director General’s comprehensive report echoes this essential point.

    We also regret that Iran, instead of providing the full cooperation required by its safeguards agreement, has continued to threaten escalation and confrontation. However, let us be clear: this resolution is not an act of escalation by the Board; it is an acknowledgement of the legal and factual reality of Iran’s noncompliance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement after many years of concerted effort by the Director General and the Secretariat to resolve fundamental questions related to undeclared nuclear materials and activities in Iran. It is not the Board that is forcing this step on Iran, but Iran who is forcing this step on the Board.

    Chair,

    The Board cannot be intimidated into inaction by Iran’s threats. A failure to act would only embolden Iran’s continued non-cooperation and escalation. Iran has an opportunity it can and should seize – an opportunity to cooperate meaningfully with the IAEA to finally answer the serious and longstanding questions raised by the Director General.

    With these thoughts, we encourage all members of this Board to join us today in upholding the nonproliferation regime.

    Thank you, Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Secretary leads a new push with business to restore nature

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Environment Secretary leads a new push with business to restore nature

    • Environment Secretary Steve Reed has brought business leaders and investors together to scale up private investment in nature

    Woods and fields

    • Government launches Call for Evidence on boosting private sector investment in nature recovery, delivering a key recommendation of the Corry Review. 

    • Action supports the Government’s aims to secure long-term economic growth and environmental health as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed champions private investment in nature recovery as the government launches a new call for evidence (12 June).

    Speaking to leading figures from financial institutions, property, retail and sustainability sectors at a roundtable event in London, the Environment Secretary emphasised the importance of fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to support economic growth while powering nature recovery. 

    Businesses across the UK, whether in food and agriculture, construction, finance, or retail, rely on a healthy natural environment to operate, grow and innovate.

    Whether powering our industries, safeguarding our food security or protecting public health, over half of global GDP is highly or moderately dependent upon nature. England’s natural capital is valued at £1.4 trillion and generates over £35 billion worth of economic benefits annually excluding oil and gas, more than any single manufacturing sector.  

    That is why more private sector investment in nature recovery is vital. To help deliver that increased investment a new government Call for Evidence has launched today seeking ideas from business and investors – delivering a key recommendation of the Corry Review and the commitments made in the Land Use Framework consultation.

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 

    “Nature is essential to strong and sustained economic growth, which is this Government’s highest priority. 

    “Private investment will help us to protect and restore our natural environment while creating new economic opportunities as part of the Plan for Change.

    “This is an exciting opportunity to hear from businesses, investors, and other stakeholders on how we can work together to increase investment in nature.”

    Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas, OBE, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, said:

    “Unlocking the billions needed for UK nature restoration hinges on effective revenue models. UK businesses, as buyers of environmental outcomes, are crucial in creating those revenue models, and we’re looking forward to supporting Defra in better understanding how we can encourage and support business engagement.”

    Andrew Walton, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lloyds Banking Group said:

    “As the UK’s largest infrastructure finance provider, we know how blended finance can help deliver a step change in private investment to drive sustainable growth. We welcome the Government’s ambition on nature markets and the opportunity to establish the UK as a global leader in this important area. Robust standards, reliable data and long-term policy direction are key to building confidence in the investment case for nature and can place it at the heart of UK growth.”

    The roundtable, hosted by Lloyds Banking Group and led in partnership with the Green Finance Institute (GFI), brought together leaders from across finance and business, including leaders from Aviva Investors, Barclays, Barratt Homes and more. 

    Defra will partner with the GFI to engage businesses on the call for evidence and wider nature finance priorities –alongside ongoing work with UK businesses to implement the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

    Promoting investment opportunities in nature creates opportunities for business growth across multiple sectors, including farmers looking to diversify their revenues, agri-food businesses securing supply chain resilience, insurers and water companies reducing costs from floods, droughts, and pollution, developers managing climate and environmental risks to new homes and infrastructure, as well as growth in the tourism and recreational sectors.

    The meeting also discussed the next steps for the Big Nature Impact Fund, the Defra-backed public-private blended impact fund for nature. Finance Earth will act as sole fund manager and will begin fund-raising soon. The Fund will invest in woodland creation, peatland restoration and other habitat creation projects that aim to maximise social and environmental impact by funding the right activity in the right place.

    The Call for Evidence will be open for responses until 10 August 2025.  

    ENDS 

    Notes to Editors: 

    ·         For more information on the Call for Evidence, visit:  

    ·         In March, The British Standards Institution launched the Government-backed Nature Investment Standards, which will help nature-friendly investments across the UK to grow by building confidence among investors: New world-leading nature finance standards launched to encourage green investment – GOV.UK 

    ·         In April, the Government launched a consultation on how to raise the integrity of Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets, which is open for responses until 10th July: Voluntary carbon and nature markets: raising integrity – consultation document (accessible webpage) – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In 2024, 64.59 billion interregional trips were made on China’s transport system – Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese residents made 64.59 billion interregional trips in 2024, up 5.4 percent year on year, according to the 2024 Transportation Development Statistics Report released by the Ministry of Transport on Thursday.

    According to the report, 4.31 billion trips were made on the country’s railways, 59.29 billion on roads, 260 million on waterways and 730 million on air transport, respectively, during the year.

    Total commercial freight volume in 2024 was 56.88 billion tons. During the year, 193.68 billion parcels were delivered by mail, of which just over 175 billion were handled by express delivery services.

    By the end of 2024, the total length of railways in operation in China reached 162,000 km, including 48,000 km of high-speed railways. In addition, the country has 5.49 million km of highways, including 190,700 high-speed roads, 128,700 km of inland waterways, and 263 civil aviation airports.

    The data in the report also showed that in 2024, the volume of investment in fixed assets in the transport sector was nearly 3.8 trillion yuan (approximately 529 billion US dollars), including 850.6 billion yuan in rail transport and 2.58 trillion yuan in road transport. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese authorities back automakers’ promises to pay suppliers of components and assemblies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Thursday backed pledges by some automakers to pay their suppliers within 60 days, saying the move would benefit industrial and supply chains.

    On Tuesday, 17 leading Chinese automakers, including China FAW Group Co., Ltd., Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., and SERES Group, pledged to make payments to their component suppliers within two months. The IIM noted that due to growing competition in China’s new energy vehicle market, pressure has shifted from automakers to supply chain participants in the auto industry, leading to longer payment terms for suppliers and creating cash flow constraints.

    The promises are expected to boost cooperation between automakers and auto parts manufacturers, and greatly promote the healthy and stable development of China’s automobile industry, the IIM said.

    The IIM stated its readiness to continue to maintain long-term, stable partnerships between automakers and companies involved in the supply chain, as well as to encourage innovation and coordinated development of all enterprises involved in this area, regardless of their size.

    “We will continue to work to enhance the resilience and safety of production and supply chains, and make new contributions to the development of the global automobile industry,” the ministry spokesman said.

    China’s new energy automobile industry is now at a critical stage of high-quality development, the official said, calling on all sectors to work together to create a “positive, civilized and orderly environment” for the industry’s development.

    In the first five months of this year, sales of new energy vehicles in China rose 44 percent year-on-year to 5.61 million units, accounting for 44 percent of the country’s total new vehicle sales in the same period, according to the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

    The data also showed that China’s auto exports in January-May this year rose 7.9 percent year-on-year to 2.49 million units, including 855,000 new energy vehicles, up 64.6 percent year-on-year. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Conflict, Displacement and disease drive food insecurity and malnutrition to alarming level in parts of South Sudan

    Source: World Food Programme

    JUBA, South Sudan – The population in two counties in South Sudan are at-risk of famine in the coming months, as conflict in Upper Nile state escalates, destroying homes, disrupting livelihoods, and impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid.

    The latest update by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) shows a deterioration in food and nutrition conditions in areas of South Sudan hit by fighting in the last few months. In Upper Nile state, people in 11 of the 13 counties are now facing emergency levels of hunger. 

    Of extreme concern are Nasir and Ulang counties in Upper Nile, where people are deemed to be at-risk of famine, in the worst-case scenario. These areas have faced intense clashes and aerial bombardments that began in March, leading to large scale displacement. Some 32,000 people are in Catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) hunger conditions in Upper Nile state, more than three times the previous projection.

    Other parts of the country that have been spared from the conflict have seen improvements, with food security classification shifting from emergency (IPC Phase 4) to crisis (IPC Phase 3) – linked in some areas to better crop production and in others to sustained humanitarian interventions. This highlights the positive impact stability can have on food security.

    Nonetheless, 7.7 million people (57 percent of the population) continue to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+), and there have been persistent pockets of catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) in South Sudan in recent years, with conflict as a core driver. The last time famine was confirmed in South Sudan was in 2017.

    “South Sudan cannot afford to sink into conflict at this point in time. It will plunge already vulnerable communities into severe food insecurity, leading to widespread hunger as farmers will be prevented from working on their land,” said Meshack Malo, Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in South Sudan. “Improvement from IPC Phase 4 to IPC Phase 3, in ten counties, is clear testament of the dividends of peace”

    Humanitarian access in the conflict-affected areas remains severely constrained, leaving vulnerable communities without vital support during the lean season, amid ongoing conflict and displacement. The report also found that 66 percent (1.04 million people) of Upper Nile state’s population are now facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3), Emergency (IPC Phase 4), or Catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) levels of hunger.

    “Once again, we are seeing the devastating impact conflict has on food security in South Sudan,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, Country Director and Representative for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in South Sudan. “Conflict doesn’t just destroy homes and livelihoods, it tears communities apart, cuts off access to markets, and sends food prices spiraling upward. Long-term peace is essential, but right now, it is critical our teams are able to access and safely distribute food to families caught in conflict in Upper Nile, to bring them back from the brink and prevent famine.”

    Malnutrition is also surging among children and mothers amidst a cholera outbreak with three additional counties in Upper Nile and Unity states reaching the most critical levels of malnutrition classification. The number of children at risk of acute malnutrition across South Sudan has risen to 2.3 million, from 2.1 million earlier in the year – an already unprecedented number. 

    “These latest projections place a further 200,000 young children at high risk of malnutrition. The ongoing challenges with access in some of the most affected areas, as well as health and nutrition site closures reduce the chances of early intervention and treatment. In addition, the cholera outbreak has added to an already difficult situation, putting young lives in a precarious fight for survival,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF’s country representative in South Sudan. “Now more than ever we need continuity and scale-up of services for prevention and treatment of malnutrition” she added.

    As conflict, displacement, and disease continue to converge, humanitarian agencies are warning that the time to act is passing quickly for thousands of families in Upper Nile who are on the brink of catastrophe.

    View the full IPC report here.

    More information about the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scales

    #                    #                   #

    The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

    Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @wfp_SouthSudan 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF tackles logistical challenges to vaccinate 500 000 people against diphtheria

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    On a quiet Tuesday evening, an ambulance pulls into Ati provincial hospital in Chad’s central Batha region. Inside are four members of a family with symptoms of diphtheria – an entirely preventable disease that has resurged across the country in recent years. Since July 2024, more than 2,700 cases have been reported, due in large part to low vaccination coverage and limited public awareness of the disease.

    The mother and her three children have travelled 65 km over rough, unpaved roads to reach the hospital. In Chad, motorised transport is scarce and expensive, making a journey of this length is anything but simple. Medical staff from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are able to save the mother and two older children, but the youngest child is in a serious condition and dies a few days later.

    Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium that produces a dangerous toxin. It can cause fever, respiratory distress and a swollen neck, and in severe cases can lead to organ failure and death – especially in children with pre-existing health conditions.

    To help curb the epidemic and slow the spread of this disease – which was long believed to be under control in Chad – MSF has been supporting Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention by treating patients for the disease, monitoring its spread and carrying out a mass vaccination campaign to prevent more people from becoming infected. The vaccination campaign was a major logistical feat, reaching around 500,000 people across two arid regions where travel is difficult, and health centres are few and far between.

    Maryam receives the diphtheria vaccine during market day in Mantcharné. She and her mother walked more than five kilometres from their village to reach the market. Chad, November 2024.

    Reaching patients early

    In the diphtheria treatment unit at Ati provincial hospital, 11-year-old Daoud Mahadi is slowly recovering from the disease. When his symptoms first appeared, his mother tried to treat him with traditional medicine, as there was no health centre nearby.

    “We tried traditional medicine because we had no other option, but it didn’t help,” says his mother. “I watched my child grow weaker every day – he couldn’t even swallow water.” When Daoud arrived at the hospital, he was severely malnourished, weighing barely 15 kg.

    The response to diphtheria in Chad comes up against a number of serious challenges, including people’s lack of knowledge about the disease, their limited access to healthcare, and the lack of treatment options. 

    MSF teams are also working in Moussoro hospital, in Barh-El-Gazel region, where we have been treating patients and training health workers, as well as supporting peripheral health centres to diagnose and treat people with diphtheria. Since October 2024, MSF teams in Ati and Moussoro have treated more than 1,600 patients, including 700 severe cases.

    Along with our medical response, MSF has rehabilitated 20 wells across Moussoro and neighbouring Chaddra districts to improve people’s access to clean water and help prevent further outbreaks of infectious diseases.

    A group of children learn about diphtheria with the MSF team, who explain how vaccination protects against disease. Alifa, Chad, November 2024.

    Vaccination: a logistical feat

    To address the low immunisation rates that fuelled the epidemic, MSF worked with the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention to run a mass vaccination campaign targeting 300,000 people in Batha region and 200,000 people in Barh-El-Gazel region. The campaign focused on reaching remote and isolated communities, including nomadic people, and aimed to deliver the two vaccine doses required for full protection against diphtheria.

    Reaching these scattered communities was one of the biggest challenges of organising the mass vaccination campaign. With communities often located far apart, in areas without passable roads, MSF deployed around 100 motorcycles and off-road vehicles to get vaccination teams and vaccines to where they were needed.

    Diphtheria vaccines must be kept at a temperature of between 2°C and 8°C.

    “Transporting vaccines while maintaining the cold chain in a desert climate where temperatures can hit 45°C is an enormous challenge,” said Jean Bourges, MSF head of mission. “This was a massive deployment effort, especially in a context where health infrastructure is extremely limited, and power supplies are unreliable.”

    To reach nomadic communities in Batha region and gain their trust, MSF and the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention worked with the Ministry of Livestock to implement a ‘One Health’ strategy. This integrated approach – linking human, animal and environmental health – enabled teams to build up trust with communities and vaccinate people during livestock vaccination campaigns – an initiative which significantly boosted vaccination coverage for diphtheria.

    In remote areas where roads are non-existent or safety is sometimes uncertain, MSF uses motorcycles to send vaccination teams, awareness-raising officers, and the equipment needed to carry out activities. Chad, November 2024.

    The need to remain vigilant

    As early as 2023, we warned of a resurgence of diphtheria across West Africa. Protection against this disease depends on routine immunisation programmes, which were severely disrupted after the COVID-19 pandemic, notably due to lack of funding and loss of priority.

    To prevent future outbreaks, MSF continues to advocate for stronger disease surveillance and more robust vaccination programmes.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Activism Huge protest artwork appears by Trump’s Scottish golf course     Campaigners create sand art with Trump’s face and ‘Fight the billionaire takeover’ on Turnberry Beach  Wednesday 30th April, 2025. To mark the first 100 days of Trump’s second term,… by Graham Thompson April 30, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Wednesday 30th April, 2025. To mark the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, Greenpeace UK revealed a 55m by 40m artwork on the beach outside Trump’s golf course in Scotland, ‘Trump Turnberry’, showing a giant portrait of the US President raked into the sand with the message: “Time to resist – fight the billionaire takeover”.

    Pictures and drone footage of the artwork can be found here

    Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, said:

    “During his first 100 days President Trump has been actively working to dismantle and weaken environmental protections and attack those who fight to protect nature and our shared climate, putting the corporate profits of his billionaire friends ahead of people and the planet. It’s time to resist the billionaire takeover of our rights and freedoms.”

    The artwork took several hours to draw out in the sand overnight, by a team from arts organisation ‘Sand in Your Eye’ and Greenpeace UK.

    During the Trump administration’s first 100 days the president has not only left the Paris Climate agreement and offered Alaskan wilderness to oil drilling. He has also opened up pristine marine ecosystems in the Pacific to industrial fishing and wants to launch deep sea mining in US and International waters. And he has ended investments in clean energy and instead boosted coal, oil and fossil gas by weakening regulations and removing obstacles for the fossil fuel industry. 

    Areeba continued:
    “Trump’s biggest allies are a group of unelected billionaires, including the fossil fuel company CEOs who are knowingly burning the planet, polluting our waters, and hurting communities around the world. No one voted for these corporate bullies to end free speech, but they will stop at nothing to keep their oil and gas empire alive – even weaponising the legal system to crush dissent and silence environmental activism.”

    A key weapon being used by the oligarchy against those advocating for a green, just future is SLAPP lawsuits, like the one waged against Greenpeace in the US and Greenpeace International by the fossil fuel pipeline giant Energy Transfer. In a recent verdict, a US jury found Greenpeace International and Greenpeace in the US liable for over $660 million to Energy Transfer — a company headed by billionaire and Trump donor Kelcy Warren.

    Areeba added:
    “For the billionaires and big oil companies this is not just another source of money. They want to silence all critics and any protests against the core issue with their business: fossil fuels that are causing the climate crisis and environmental destruction.”

    Greenpeace UK activists have also been subvertising bus stops around the US embassy in Nine Elms, London, with posters carrying the same messaging. 

    ENDS

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

    Notes
    Pictures and drone footage of the artwork in Scotland, and pictures and video of the subvertising in London, will be uploaded through the morning: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJVLMGCJ 

    Greenpeace UK’s previous protest at Turnberry, during Trump’s visit to the UK in 2018: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2018/jul/14/well-below-par-protesting-paraglider-flies-over-trumps-scotland-resort-video

    Today’s protests are part of a global campaign, ‘Time to Resist’. Pictures and footage from other ‘Time to Resist’ protests in other countries will be posted here as they become available: https://media.greenpeace.org/Detail/27MZIFJVLHH00

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace and Raja Ampat youth confront nickel industry during conference

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Banners unfurled at Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference demand accountability: What is the True Cost of Your Nickel?

    Greenpeace Indonesia activists, alongside four young West Papuans from the Raja Ampat archipelago, staged a peaceful protest about the impacts of nickel mining while Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference in Jakarta © Dhemas Reviyanto / Greenpeace

    Jakarta, June 3, 2025 – Greenpeace Indonesia activists, alongside four young West Papuans from the Raja Ampat archipelago, staged a peaceful protest today to expose the devastating environmental and social consequences of nickel mining and smelting. While Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arief Havas Oegroseno, addressed the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference in Jakarta, the activists deployed a banner reading, “What’s the True Cost of Your Nickel?” and unfurled others with messages: “Nickel Mines Destroy Lives” and “Save Raja Ampat from Nickel Mining.”

    Through this direct action, Greenpeace aims to deliver an urgent message to the Indonesian government, nickel industry executives gathered at the event, and the wider public: nickel mining and processing are inflicting profound suffering on affected communities across Eastern Indonesia. The industry is razing forests, polluting vital water sources, rivers, seas, and air, and is exacerbating the climate crisis through its reliance on captive coal-fired power plants for processing.

    “While the government and mining oligarchs discuss expanding the nickel industry at this conference, communities and our planet are already paying an unbearable price,” said Iqbal Damanik, Greenpeace Indonesia Forest Campaigner. “The relentless industrialization of nickel – accelerated by soaring demand for electric cars – has destroyed forestlands, rivers, and seas from Morowali, Konawe Utara, Kabaena, and Wawonii, to Halmahera and Obi. Now, nickel mining even threatens Raja Ampat in West Papua, a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot often called the last paradise on Earth.”

    Following an investigative journey through West Papua, Greenpeace exposed mining activities on several islands within the Raja Ampat archipelago, including Gag Island, Kawe Island, and Manuran Island. These three are classified as small islands and, under the law concerning the management of coastal areas and small islands, should be off-limits to mining.

    Greenpeace analysis reveals that nickel exploitation on these three islands has already led to the destruction of over 500 hectares of forest and specialised native vegetation. Extensive documentation shows soil runoff causing turbidity and sedimentation in coastal waters – a direct threat to Raja Ampat’s delicate coral reefs and marine ecosystems – as a result of deforestation and excavation.

    Beyond Gag, Kawe, and Manuran, other small islands in Raja Ampat such as Batang Pele and Manyaifun are also under imminent threat from nickel mining. These two adjacent islands are situated approximately 30 kilometers from Piaynemo, the iconic karst island formation pictured on Indonesia’s Rp100,000 banknote.

    Raja Ampat is celebrated for its extraordinary terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Its waters are home to 75 percent of the world’s coral species and over 2,500 species of fish. The islands themselves support 47 mammal species and 274 bird species. UNESCO has designated the Raja Ampat region as a global geopark.

    Ronisel Mambrasar, a West Papuan youth from the Raja Ampat Nature Guardians (Aliansi Jaga Alam Raja Ampat), said, “Raja Ampat is in grave danger due to the presence of nickel mines on several islands, including my own home in Manyaifun and Batang Pele Islands. Nickel mining threatens our very existence. It will not only destroy the sea that has sustained our livelihoods for generations but is also fracturing the harmony of our communities, sowing conflict where there was once harmony.”

    Greenpeace Indonesia urgently calls on the government to fundamentally reassess its nickel industrialization policies, which have already triggered a cascade of problems. The hollow boasts about the benefits of downstreaming, championed by the previous administration and now perpetuated during the presidency of Prabowo Subianto, must end. The nickel industrialization drive has proven to be a tragic irony: instead of delivering a just energy transition, it is systematically destroying the environment, violating the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and deepening the damage to an Earth already buckling under the weight of the climate crisis.

    ENDS

    Photos and videos are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.

    Contacts:

    Iqbal Damanik, Greenpeace Indonesia Forest Campaigner +62-811-4445-026

    Igor O’Neill, Greenpeace Indonesia, [email protected] +61-414-288-424

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace investigation reveals extent of nickel mining plans in Raja Ampat, Indonesia’s ‘Last Paradise’

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Jakarta, 12 June 2025 – A Greenpeace Indonesia investigation released today reveals the full scale of the threat nickel mining poses across Raja Ampat, Indonesia, an area referred to as ‘The Last Paradise on Earth’ and featuring in prominent lists of top travel destinations for 2025.[1] 

    Nickel mining operations on Kawe Island, part of the Raja Ampat archipelago, West Papua. © Greenpeace

    The ‘Paradise Lost?’ report finds:

    • A total of 16 nickel mining licences issued across the Raja Ampat archipelago, comprising 5 active licences and 11 previously issued but having been cancelled or expired.
    • Two previously cancelled/expired licences were re-issued in 2025. 
    • Three other previously cancelled/expired licenses that are subject to company legal action to reactivate them.
    • A previously issued licence for nickel mining on Fam Islands, including the famous tourist destination Piaynemo/Jokowi steps.
    • Plans for nickel and steel smelters with links to nickel mining in Raja Ampat, to be built at Sorong. Sorong sits at the tip of New Guinea’s Bird’s Head Peninsula, itself a biodiversity hotspot, and the arrival point for tourists visiting Raja Ampat.[2]

    Of the 16 nickel mining licences, 12 are located within the boundaries of the UNESCO-listed Raja Ampat Global Geopark, whilst 4 of the active licenses are on ‘small islands’ as designated by the Indonesian Government, which should mean that no mining can take place. 

    On 10th June the Indonesian Government announced it would revoke 4 active licences covering 3 of these small islands and one additional licence on Waigeo.[3] However, a number of cancelled licences have previously been reactivated in Raja Ampat.[4] Furthermore, the permit for the largest mine, operated by PT Gag Nikel, was not revoked. 

    Commenting on the investigation findings Kiki Taufik, head of Greenpeace’s global Indonesia forest campaign, said: “Raja Ampat is Indonesia’s last paradise. But instead of protecting it for Indigenous and local communities and the diving and  tourism that have helped make this archipelago famous around the world, the government has left the door open to polluting nickel mining. 

    “Raja Ampat is incredible and unique, recognised as a Global Geopark by UNESCO and theoretically protected. The news this week that the Government will cancel four mining licenses is a step forward, but it’s not enough. The President must protect all of Raja Ampat and stop all plans for nickel mining and the plans for nickel and steel smelters in Sorong.“

    Until this week two mines were commercially operating: PT Gag Nikel, a state owned mining company, and PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining. Both of these mines ship nickel ore to Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park for processing/smelting. PT Tsinghshan, a major shareholder in the industrial park that processes the ore from Raja Ampat, has established a joint venture company, Youshan Nickel Indonesia together with Huayou group. Youshan Nickel makes battery components for electric vehicles in Indonesia. PT Huayou supplies nickel to battery supply chains linked to a number of major EV makers including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, Tesla and BYD. It is therefore possible that any of these vehicle supply chains could be linked to nickel ore coming from Raja Ampat, though a lack of supply chain transparency makes this impossible to confirm at this time.

    [ENDS]

    Download the ‘Paradise Lost?’ report.

    Images and videos available for media use.

    Notes

    [1] See for example travel articles in National Geographic, The New York Times and CNN.

    [2] Smelters for nickel and steel are planned for Sorong and the project was planned to break ground in 2024, although to date no work has started.

    [3] The cancelled licenses are PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (Pulau Kawe), PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (Pulau Manuran), PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (Pulau Manyaifun and Batang Pele), dan PT Nurham (Pulau Waigeo).

    [4] The two licences reactivated this year (PT MRP and PT Nurham) have both followed legal action by the companies to reactivate previously cancelled licences.

    Contact

    Igor O’Neill, Greenpeace Indonesia, [email protected] +61-414-288-424

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace Thailand Statement Thai Oil Public Company Limited must be held accountable for oil spill and take immediate action on environmental restoration and compensation measures.

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bangkok, 6 June 2025 – Following the crude oil spill at SBM-2 (Single Buoy Mooring No. 2), operated by Thai Oil Public Company Limited, which occurred at approximately 11:54 p.m. on 5 June 2025 in the open sea off Si Racha, near its refinery in Chonburi Province [1], Greenpeace Thailand considers this incident yet another in a series of toxic leaks from the oil industry that have harmed Thailand’s seas, coastal communities, and marine ecosystems.

    Greenpeace Thailand calls on Thai Oil Public Company Limited, the project owner, to take full responsibility for the spill by immediately implementing the following actions:

    • Thai Oil Public Company Limited must take full responsibility for all consequences arising from the incident, following the “Polluter Pays Principle”. This includes bearing the full cost of environmental restoration, compensation, and remediation for affected communities in a comprehensive and just manner. Responsibility must align with the 1992 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC 1992). Furthermore, the company must implement long-term rehabilitation plans for marine and coastal ecosystems, with clearly defined goals and an appropriate timeframe for restoration to their original state.
    • Thai Oil Public Company Limited must urgently develop a concrete and transparent remediation plan to compensate for the damage caused by this incident. The plan must comprehensively address the impacts on marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and public health. It should be carried out in collaboration with representatives from civil society, community members, government agencies, and academic experts to ensure that the damage assessment and compensation process is fair, inclusive, and accountable. Additionally, the company must continuously disclose information to the public throughout the entire process, in line with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy framework.

    Greenpeace Thailand urges the Thai government to take the following actions:

    • Establish an independent commission to investigate the oil spill disaster at SBM-2. The investigation must be transparent and inclusive, engaging civil society, academic experts, and independent organisations, to identify the causes and ensure accountability. The commission should also develop long-term solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
    • Strictly enforce environmental laws and conduct thorough inspections, ensuring that polluters, especially in cases involving hazardous substance spills into marine environments, face appropriate legal consequences. In addition, the government must implement continuous and systematic safety monitoring of oil transport and transfer operations to prevent future incidents.
    • Urgently review the national energy plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and establish a long-term goal to phase out oil and fossil gas. The government must actively support a transition to a clean, just, and renewable energy system that aligns with Thailand’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero Emissions. This includes halting all plans for the expansion and extraction of fossil fuels, especially in ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas.
    • Establish a Marine Environmental Disaster Relief Fund, firmly based on the “Polluter Pays Principle,” to ensure Thailand has a strong financial mechanism for rapid and effective response to environmental emergencies, including oil spills, chemical leaks, and hazardous waste incidents.

    As global temperatures continue to rise and the climate crisis intensifies, continued reliance on and investment in fossil fuels not only accelerates environmental degradation, health impacts, and human rights violations but also shifts the burden of risk onto the public, especially vulnerable communities, while allowing industry actors to evade accountability.

    To address this crisis, we must start by protecting fragile ecosystems—particularly biodiversity-rich marine environments—from high-risk industrial activities. The Thai government should establish new shipping routes for transporting hazardous materials, such as oil and liquefied fossil gas, that avoid marine conservation areas and vital fishing grounds. Strengthening protections for ecologically significant areas, both on land and at sea, must be treated as an urgent national priority. In the face of a rapidly escalating climate emergency, delay is no longer an option.

    Greenpeace supports the public’s right to access clean, affordable, and equitable renewable energy, and advocates for meaningful public participation in both energy production and policy-making alongside the government.

    The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not just a choice—it is essential to slowing global warming and building a sustainable, just, and resilient response to the climate crisis.

    Note:

    [1] Statement from Thai Oil Public Company Limited

    For more information, please contact:

    Manun Wongmasoh, Climate Campaign Communications Officer, Greenpeace Thailand

    Email: [email protected] Tel 091 745 0099

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Worker groups demand polluters pay for lost income, amid deadly South Asia heatwave

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    New Delhi, 01 May 2025 –  As a life-threatening heat wave unravels in South Asia,  more than 10 groups representing at lakhs of workers across Indian, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal have signed a Polluters Pay Pact, calling on governments to introduce new taxes on oil, coal and gas corporations to fund solutions and help communities worldwide. 

    A Greenpeace India’s qualitative research report titled “Ground Zero: Climate Experiences among Informal Workers in Delhi,” released on this occasion found that street vendors suffer from immense productivity loss and health risks during peak summer months. The study noted that for every 1°C rise in temperature, informal workers’ earnings can fall by up to 19%, with income losses reaching up to 40% due to unbearable midday heat and reduced business. Simultaneously, medical expenses increase by around 14%—illustrating the devastating climate-health-economic nexus. The report mentions that street vendor’s daily earnings, once averaging Rs. 1000, now fluctuate between Rs 300-1200 due to climate disruption and market instability. 

    Workers across South Asia observed the International Workers’ Day, in a series of simultaneous events where they wrote messages about the impacts of extreme weather and their demands on sarees, a six-yard-long unstitched cloth draped by women in South Asia. The initiative, titled ‘Sarees for Solidarity’, carries messages of workers union leaders addressing the role of oil and gas corporations and their responsibility for the climate crisis which will be taken to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP30), scheduled to be held in Balem, Brazil. 

    An event held today in New Delhi also marked the launch of the Workers’ Collective for Climate Justice – South Asia, which emerged as the key outcome of the discussions by worker groups and civil society organisations on growing threats to workers from extreme weather events, fuelled by the oil and gas industry. Participants included the Youth Organization for Democratic Development and Help in Action (YODDHA) and Joint Hawker Action Committee for street vendors, the Basti Suraksha Manch union for waste pickers, the Telengana Gig and Platform Workers Union, Amazon Workers’ Union,  domestic workers, construction workers and indoor-based factory workers. 

    “As temperatures rise, we must do the same. City infrastructure needs to match the adaptation needs of everyone. Vendors, who work outside through the heatwave, are in urgent need of cooling centers, shaded areas, water, and medical care to survive this heatwave season,” said Sandeep Verma of the Youth Organisation for Democratic and Help in Action (YODDHA). “In the scorching heat, Indian workers have nowhere to hide, while the oil executives fueling this crisis are safely seated in air conditioned offices. This injustice must end by applying the polluter pays principle to those responsible for the climate crisis we’re in.”

    “When the heat rises, it’s not the CEOs of oil and gas companies who suffer—it’s the informal workers out on the streets, with little infrastructure and safety net for adaptation. Our Ground Zero report shows just how devastating this is: income drops, health risks soar, and yet no one’s held accountable. That’s why we’re backing the Polluters Pay Pact, said Amruta S. Nair, Climate and Energy campaigner at Greenpeace India. “Governments must impose taxes on Big Oil, the proceeds of which should be redirected for inclusive adaptation measures for vulnerable communities. Climate justice must begin by protecting those who are least responsible for this crisis, but who pay the heaviest price every day.”

    ”As momentum builds up to make oil and gas corporations pay for a crisis fuelled by their emissions, the industry responds with attacks against those calling them out. Emblematic of this assault on free speech is a multi-millions US$ meritless lawsuit by U.S. company Energy Transfer against Greenpeace U.S. and Greenpeace International. The Polluters Pay Pact shows that while polluters engage in intimidation, the climate movement can’t be silenced. Greenpeace organisations worldwide are committed as ever to resist the corporate polluters and the billionaire takeover of democracy.

    Read Report Here

    Notes:

    Find more about the workers group and unions here

    [1] “Weather Status” – India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences. https://internal.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/extended.pdf .  

    [2] “Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme” – World Weather Attribution https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-the-deadly-heatwaves-that-hit-millions-of-highly-vulnerable-people-across-asia-more-frequent-and-extreme/ 

    Contacts:

    Nibedita Saha,
    Media Officer, Greenpeace India  ,
    [email protected] 

    Tal Harris,
    Greenpeace International,
    Global Media Lead – Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign,
    +41-782530550,
    [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Metro Now Costs More Than a Meal for Many! Bengaluru Metro Protest Demands Reversal of Fares

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bengaluru, India. 9th March 2025 – A month after the metro hike on 9th February, commuters and citizens in Bengaluru came together, inside the city’s metro today, calling for an immediate rollback of the recent fare hike. The demonstration highlighted growing public concern over affordable and accessible public transport, urging authorities to take action. Bengaluru Metro ridership dropped 13% overall post fare hike, with a sharp  20% drop in February alone, signalling affordability concerns.

    A recent survey conducted by Greenpeace India after the metro fare hike in February 2025, highlights that Bengaluru Metro fare hike has significantly burdened low and middle income groups, students and working professionals as 72.9% of respondents said that their transport costs now exceeds or equal their one-time meal expense. Additionally, women, who depend on public transport more than men, have been disproportionately affected, further limiting their mobility and safety. The fare hike makes daily travel a financial burden for students and working professionals who rely on public transport.

    Key finding of the survey: 

    • 40.4% of respondents use the metro as their primary mode of transport.
    • 62.9% rely on Public transport (metro & buses combined) 
    • 73.4% spent 50-150 Rs daily on transport. 
    • 68% of respondents stated that the fare hike made metro travel expensive.
    • 75.4% cut down on non-essential travel due to rising costs.
    • 38.2% women have reduced their non essential travel due to metro fare hike in Bangalore
    • A majority believe the fare hike is unjust and harms urban mobility.
    • Many commuters demand a rollback of the fare hike to restore affordability.

    Click the link to find the detailed survey report.  

    Greenpeace India urged BMRCL to roll back the Namma Metro fare hike in a letter and called on the government to prioritize affordable, gender-sensitive and disability-friendly public transport over shifting costs onto commuters. The fare hike has led to several changes in the lives of people, with parents looking to shift schools and  people across income groups shifting to other modes of transport. 

    Bengaluru, already battling severe climate impacts like air pollution and heat waves and is vulnerable to high degree of climate change, needs greater investment in efficient public transit to tackle congestion and build climate resilience. Instead of fare hikes, measures like congestion charges and stricter parking policies can help generate revenue while curbing excessive car use. The car centric infrastructure such as the proposed ₹19,000 crore tunnel project will only offer a temporary fix and divert critical funds from sustainable transport solutions.

    Aakiz Farooq, Campaigner, Greenpeace India: “Public transport should serve the people, not profit-driven motives. Bengaluru’s metro fare hike further burdens commuters already struggling with affordability and accessibility. With our cities facing severe environmental crises, investing in affordable and efficient mass transit is essential. There is a need for a dedicated public transport budget and both state and central governments must step up to strengthen the mass transit system.  The Government should  introduce Climate Tickets to incentivise public transport for commuters ”

    Individuals with bold protest messages – Un-Fare Hike, Unfair Cities, gathered at Kengeri metro station in the morning, where they boarded a metro train bound for MG Road while carrying placards and banners advocating for fair fares. Their silent yet powerful visual demonstration represented the burden that fare hikes place on ordinary citizens, amplifying the public outcry and reinforcing the need for affordable, accessible, and sustainable urban mobility.

    With each fare increase, Bengaluru’s metro—once envisioned as an affordable and inclusive public service—has become a system of exclusion, disproportionately affecting students, IT workers, informal workers, women, and lower-income groups,  office-goers among others. Many commuters are now forced to switch to costlier, more polluting alternatives, increasing road congestion and air pollution. Vehicular pollution ranks as the second largest and a highly consistent source of PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter. This pollution poses a serious threat to citizen health and is a key driver of climate change.

    Irene Ann Kuttichira,  Metro Commuter “As a daily commuter, I feel every fare hike hits hard. Many depend on the metro for work or college, and higher fares make commuting unaffordable and leave us with tough choices. We are demanding a transport system that serves everyone—not just those who can afford to pay more.”

    About Greenpeace India

    Greenpeace India is an independent environmental organization that campaigns for sustainable and equitable solutions to climate change, air pollution, and urban mobility issues. Through grassroots activism and policy advocacy, Greenpeace India seeks to make cities more liveable, breathable, and accessible for all.

    For more photos and videos click here

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Aakiz Farooq: [email protected]

    Nibedita Saha: [email protected]

    Nimisha Agarwal: [email protected]

    Website: www.greenpeace.org/india

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  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Pre-Budget Push: Greenpeace India Proposes Climate Tickets in New Urban Mobility Draft Policy

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    New Delhi  – 22 January 2025 

    Greenpeace India along with the Public Transport Forum today launched a Citizen’s Draft Policy for Affordable Public Transport in India. This draft policy, developed through extensive consultations with experts and citizens, aims to transform urban mobility in India. Recognizing the critical role of public transport in the lives of millions of Indians, the draft policy emphasizes the urgent need to overhaul the current system, which is plagued by underfunding and inefficient prioritization of private vehicles. 

    The draft policy outlines a comprehensive vision for a more just, sustainable, and equitable public transport system. Key policy recommendations include the introduction of “Climate Tickets,” encompassing fare-free and subsidized public transport options, to make public transport more affordable and accessible for all citizens. The policy also calls for a significant increase in central government funding specifically allocated to improving public transport infrastructure and services.

    The draft policy outlines a comprehensive approach to public transport, focusing on fairness, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency. Built on citizen recommendations, this policy aims to transform the public transport system into one that is inclusive, sustainable, and efficient for all Indians.

    “This union budget can be an opportunity for the central government to exhibit their commitment towards achieving India’s climate goals by investing more into making public transport accessible, affordable and efficient in India. The policy draft provides a roadmap for creating a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient and more importantly affordable public transportation system for India. For an environmentally friendly, cleaner and sustainable India, the central government needs to adopt policy and financial measures which will make public transport efficient  and affordable in India.” – Aakiz Farooq, Campaigner at Greenpeace India

    Further speaking Aakiz Farooq elaborates “For a country like ours which has immense potential for sustainable growth we need equity in access to opportunities for jobs, healthcare, leisure etc and an accessible public transport for all is a key component of this. This is not about distributing free tickets but about the state’s responsibility towards citizens- especially groups like women, elderly, children who are key to any nation building exercise”.

    The draft policy outlines the challenges faced by current public transport systems in India. These include an overemphasis on road infrastructure, with excessive resources directed towards road expansion, flyovers, and tunnels, while public transport infrastructure remains neglected. Additionally, public bus services are inadequate, with insufficient bus fleets, high fares, safety concerns, and limited accessibility for marginalized groups. Furthermore, there is a lack of dedicated funding for public transport, with operations and maintenance often underfunded. 

    As part of the citizen draft policy for affordable public transport in India, Greenpeace India along with Public Transport Forum propose these solutions:

    • Universal Fare-Free Public Transport: The policy proposes a phased implementation of fare-free public transport through “Climate Tickets” for women, children, elderly, transgender people, and persons with disabilities, eventually extending to all citizens.
    • Resource Reallocation: Shift investments from road, metro, and fossil fuel subsidies to expanding and improving public transport systems.
    • Improving Infrastructure and Services: Double bus fleets in cities, create dedicated bus lanes, modernize bus depots, improve bus stops with accessible amenities, and enhance first/last-mile connectivity.
    • Protecting Workers’ Rights: Ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and gender inclusivity in the workforce. Recognize public transport jobs as green jobs, fostering workforce participation in decision-making.
    • State-Level Public Transport Fund: Create dedicated funding mechanisms through central, state, and municipal contributions. Abolish taxes on public transport to reduce operational costs and reinvest savings into service improvements.
    • Climate Funding Integration: Position public transport as a key climate action tool, leveraging domestic and international climate finance to enhance affordability, operational efficiency, and emission reductions.
    • Citizen Participation and Multi-Tier Governance: Advocate for coordinated efforts between central, state, and local governments, with State Planning Boards managing implementation. Establish citizen user unions and conduct annual reviews for inclusive policymaking.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: Address stigma around free public transport, particularly for women, and promote the right to affordable, accessible, and reliable mobility through education and advocacy initiatives.

    “Free public transport has recently become a key focus in elections and political discussions, with many states considering ways to introduce such schemes. However, there is currently no clear policy to guide these efforts. Our draft policy is designed to serve as a flexible framework that Governments can adapt to their needs while ensuring a consistent approach across the country. It also highlights how the central government can support this shift, making public transport accessible, safe, and reliable for everyone.” explains Nishant, coordinator of the Public Transport Forum.

    About Greenpeace India:

    Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. It comprises 26 independent national/regional Greenpeace organisations with presence in over 55 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific, as well as a coordinating and supporting organisation, Greenpeace International.

    About Public Transport Forum

    The Public Transport Forum is a collective of civil society organizations, transport experts, and citizen advocates working towards ensuring that public transport in India is accessible, affordable, and sustainable. The forum strives for comprehensive policy reforms and greater public participation in transport planning.

    To read the report – scan here

    Contact:

    Aakiz Farooq : Campaigner, Greenpeace India
    [email protected]

    As Ra : Digital Campaigner, Greenpeace India
    [email protected]

    Nimisha Agarwal: Communication and Media Manager
    [email protected]

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  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Bengaluru’s Air Quality Woes: Over 80% of Days Hit High NO₂ Pollution at City Railway Station

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bengaluru, India –December 4, 2024: A latest report by Greenpeace India, “Beyond North India: NO₂ Pollution and Health Risks in Seven Major Indian Cities”, reveals alarming levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution in Bengaluru. 

    Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a near-invisible toxic gas closely linked to traffic and fuel burning, common in urban areas. That means vehicles and energy generation from fossil fuel are important sources of NO₂.

    The WHO recommends an annual NO2 concentration of no more than 10 µg/m³, while the NAAQS limit is 40 µg/m³. In 2023, Bengaluru’s 13 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations recorded varying levels of air quality. The highest NO2 levels were measured at City Railway Station, which exceeded WHO guidelines for over 80% of the year. Additionally, BTM Layout and Silk Road air quality monitoring stations were among the city’s most polluted. Exposure to NO2 poses a serious health risk to residents, especially with such frequently high concentrations in public spaces.

    Annual average NO2 concentrations for all CAAQM monitors in Bengaluru, 2023. Monitoring stations we classified as roadside are shown in dark blue (Column values are rounded).

    Overwhelming scientific evidence links NO₂ exposure to adverse health impacts such as risk of asthma, airway inflammation, respiratory irritation, and the worsening of existing respiratory conditions. It can impair lung development, intensify allergies and increase susceptibility to respiratory mortality and death from circulatory diseases, ischemic heart disease, and even lung cancer. The report highlights that NO₂ pollution in 2019 could have been responsible for as many as 2,730 cases of paediatric asthma in Bengaluru.

    “This report underscores a crucial truth: air pollution is not limited to Delhi or North India. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to high NO₂ levels across cities in India. As cities grow, the rise in private vehicles worsens air quality and jeopardizes public health. To tackle this, we need a fundamental shift towards a sustainable, efficient public transportation system. Investing in cleaner, more accessible transport options is not just an environmental necessity—it’s an urgent public health imperative. The government must prioritize cleaner mobility solutions to ensure a healthier future, said Selomi Garniak, Climate Justice Campaigner at Greenpeace India. 

    India’s response to the air pollution crisis, particularly NO2 pollution, falls woefully short of global health standards. India’s Air pollution Standards (NAAQS) are far less stringent than WHO guidelines. Despite significant advancements in understanding the health risks posed by air pollution, especially at low exposure levels, India has not updated its NAAQS since 15 years . This outdated regulatory framework fails to protect public health adequately, leaving millions vulnerable to the severe consequences of air pollution.

    Air pollution is a growing public health threat in India, requiring bold, innovative solutions. One such solution is an affordable ‘Clean Air Concession’ for public transportation. By making mass transit more accessible, this policy can encourage people to leave their cars behind, reducing congestion and harmful emissions. This simple measure can significantly improve air quality, public health, and create more inclusive, healthier cities. said Aakiz Farooq, Mobility Campaigner at Greenpeace India. 

    Poor air quality in major Indian cities is a serious public health concern. To address this, Greenpeace India recommends a region-specific approach for cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune. In addition to revising NAAQS, the focus should be on strengthening healthcare services to diagnose air pollution-related conditions and implementing a comprehensive health advisory system with public education and timely alerts during high pollution periods. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing conditions, should receive prioritized health interventions.

    Local governments should focus on reducing vehicular emissions by enhancing public transport, including fare-free schemes for women. Increased investment is needed in hybrid air quality monitoring networks that combine low-cost sensors, existing systems, and satellite data. This data-driven approach will help track progress and guide effective interventions to reduce pollution levels.

    Read Report Here

    For More details please contact-
    Selomi Garnaik- Greenpeace Campaigner
    Contact – ph- +91-9691330473
    Mail- [email protected]

    Annexure 1

    Key Highlights  

    • In 2023, annual NO₂ concentrations exceeded the WHO health-based guideline at all 13 government monitored Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations (CAAQM) .
    • The highest concentrations were recorded at the City Railway Station monitoring station.
    • Monitoring stations that exceeded the WHO health guidelines in 2023 were located near five schools.
    • In 2023, daily average NO₂ concentrations were higher than the WHO daily guideline at the City Railway Station for 80% of days in the year.
    • Over the last five years, trends in NO₂ concentrations from ground-level monitors show no significant improvement in air quality. In fact, satellite observations suggest that pollution across the city is worsening.
    • Road transport is the second-largest source of NOx emissions in Bengaluru, accounting for 20% of emissions in the EDGAR emission inventory.

    Annexure 2- 

    About Greenpeace 

    Greenpeace India is a part of the global environmental organisation, dedicated to tackling pressing environmental challenges through advocacy, campaigns, and public engagement. Greenpeace India’s Climate Justice Campaign advocates for accountability, equitable policy changes, and climate finance to address the rising climate impacts felt by communities in South Asia.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: France spent €90,000 to discredit the impact of Pacific nuclear testing – Greenpeace response

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Paris, France – New documents obtained by investigative outlet Disclose suggests that France spent €90,000 to discredit research into the impacts of its nuclear testing in the Pacific. In response: 

    Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said:

    “This act by France is not just a denial of truth — it is an insult to generations who continue to live with the radioactive legacy of these experiments. From the scarred atolls of the Marshall Islands to the irradiated lands of Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), our people carry the enduring fallout of nuclear colonialism – cancers, displacement, environmental devastation, deaths, and loss of generations. Instead of reckoning with its past, France chooses to fund distraction over accountability, image over integrity. This is not the act of a nation seeking justice — it is the act of a nation running from it. The Pacific does not forget and our people will not be silenced. No amount of money can erase the truth written into our Pacific families’ bodies, our lands, and our histories.”

    Pauline Boyer, energy campaigner and nuclear expert at Greenpeace France said: 

    “This is a shamelessly ramped up disinformation campaign by the CEA [France’s Atomic Energy Commission]. Nuclear proponents continue to defend the law of silence at all costs when it comes to the victims of civilian and military nuclear industries. It’s high time the CEA, as well as the French government, acknowledged the facts with transparency and honesty: they deliberately chose to expose populations and their land to radioactive fallout and contamination from French nuclear bomb explosions. Underestimating the number of victims and the extent of the devastating impact on the health of civilian and military populations, in order to reduce the number of compensation claims and minimize this dark chapter in history, is utterly indecent. All the more that France’s choice of the Pacific islands for these nuclear explosions clearly follows a colonialist logic”.

    Last month, a new study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) and commissioned by Greenpeace Germany, revealed that US nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands from 1946-1958 had impacted all atolls, but only three of the 24 atolls, all northern and inhabited at the time of radioactive fallout, received medical cancer screening.

    In July, Greenpeace and the Rainbow Warrior will mark the 40 year anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior I by the French secret service, who were attempting to halt Greenpeace’s campaign against nuclear testing in French Polynesia (Maohi Nui) at the time.  

    ENDS

    A collection of archival images of the Rainbow Warrior bombing can be found in the Greenpeace Media Library. Other archival images of Greenpeace protests against French nuclear testing can also be found in the Library.

    Contacts:

    Mary Chevallier, energy and nuclear comms, Greenpeace France, +33(0)614739229, [email protected]

    Shuk-Wah Chung, Communications Lead – Marshall Islands project, Greenpeace International, (+852) 5420 4186, [email protected]

    Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals Set: Al Ahli Tripoli to face Petro de Luanda in South Africa on June 14

    The 2025 BAL Finals (https://BAL.NBA.com) are officially set. Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) will face Petro de Luanda (Angola) on Saturday, June 14 at 4 p.m. CAT at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, marking the culmination of the league’s milestone fifth season. 

    In last night’s first semifinal, Al Ahli Tripoli defeated APR (Rwanda) 84–71. Fabian White Jr. led the way with 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Caleb Agada added 17 points. Al Ahli’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc (41.4%) proved decisive, as APR struggled from three, going just 4-for-18. Nuni Omot led APR with 22 points, while Obadiah Noel, Chasson Randle, and Aliou Diarra each contributed 13 points. 

    In the second semifinal, the defending champion Petro de Luanda cruised to a 96–74 win over Al Ittihad (Egypt) as they continue their pursuit of back-to-back BAL titles. Kendrick Ray led all scorers with 21 points, while Aboubacar Gakou added 17. Petro shot 40.7% from three and made 85% of their free throws. For Al Ittihad, Lual Acuil scored a team-high 16 points, but the team struggled from deep, hitting 5 of 26 attempts. 

    Al Ittihad will face APR in the third-place game on Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m. CAT. 

    PRESS CONFERENCE 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Young SAPS officer takes policing to new heights

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    This Youth Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) proudly celebrates the dynamic young men and women in uniform, who go above and beyond the call of duty. 

    Among them is 27-year-old Constable Roycolle Naicker, a trailblazing drone pilot based in Johannesburg District, Gauteng.

    Armed with a qualification in Forensic Science and Technology, Naicker is part of a new generation of officers using innovation to fight crime. He joined the SAPS in 2019 at just 21 years old, trading in his previous role in the motor industry as a fitter and turner for a life of public service.

    Policing runs in Naicker’s blood. Growing up surrounded by family members in the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies, he was inspired by their dedication and courage. Their example lit a fire in him to serve and protect his country.

    Following basic police training, Naicker quickly expanded his skillset. In 2020, he completed Crime Intelligence training, and two years later, earned his licence as a drone pilot. His work now takes him to the skies, providing critical aerial support for operations on the ground.

    From capturing high-definition footage during crime prevention missions to collecting evidence that strengthens investigations, Naicker’s drone expertise plays a vital role. These flying tools offer a bird’s eye view that helps officers plan ahead, track suspects, and access hard-to-reach areas. 

    In search and rescue missions, drones equipped with thermal cameras even allow officers to detect movement in the dark, giving the SAPS a powerful edge.

    Drones have revolutionised police operations, allowing them to monitor high risk areas, predict suspects’ movements, and respond faster than ever before.

    Although he is passionate about drones, Naicker’s heart remains rooted in his forensic background. He hopes to one day join the SAPS Forensic Division, where he believes his technical skills and drone expertise can further strengthen crime scene investigations.

    True to his values, Naicker lives by the principle of doing good even when no one is watching. It’s this quiet integrity that he hopes to pass on to South Africa’s youth.

    “You can do anything you put your mind to,” said Naicker to the youth of South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Over 1 700 suspects nabbed in Vala Umgodi operations

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 12, 2025

    A total of 1 775 suspects of different nationalities were arrested in May during nationwide Vala Umgodi operations aimed at combating and preventing illegal mining.

    These suspects were arrested for illegal mining related offences and various other serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives and possession of suspected stolen property. 

    Moreover, SAPS members deployed in the provinces as part of Operation Vala Umgodi also help to prevent and combat crime, which is not necessarily related to illicit mining activities.

    Some of the items seized during Vala Umgodi operations in May include 27 unlicensed firearms, 827 rounds of ammunition, 51 vehicles (including sedans, bakkies, trucks, trailers and excavators) and 380 pendukas (a hand-powered cylindrical device used in informal mining operations).

    Vala Umgodi successes for the month of May 2025 include:

    • Free State: On 14 May 2025, police officers attached to Vala Umgodi conducted operations at the Kudu Old Mine area, which resulted in the arrest of two foreign nationals, aged between 33 and 51 years. During the arrest, police seized 59.40 kilograms of suspected gold bearing material. In a separate incident, the team also arrested two foreign nationals, aged between 36 and 42 years, at Merriespruit Crusher Plant and seized gold bearing material weighing at 56.80 kilograms.
       
    • Police in Gauteng conducted an intelligence-driven Vala Umgodi operation, which led to the arrest of 102 suspects at Shaft 9, Mogale Crusher mine, West village in Krugersdorp, on Thursday, 8 May 2025. The suspects were arrested for illegal mining, illegal immigration, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The team also seized pendukas, steel balls, firearms and ammunition.
       
    • KwaZulu-Natal: Two suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers were fatally wounded in a shootout with the Vala Umgodi team in KZN at Wasbank, near Ladysmith, on 22 May 2025. Police operationalised intelligence about the whereabouts of the suspects wanted for CIT robbery incidents, which happened in KZN between June 2022 and March 2025. 
       
    • Limpopo: Last month alone,  Operation Vala Umgodi task teams deployed in the five districts of Limpopo arrested 230 suspects, including 30 individuals directly linked to illegal mining operations. Of those detained, 51 were South Africans, while 179 were illegal immigrants. Two hundred and five suspects were deported to their countries of origin.
    • Mpumalanga: On 3 May 2025, Operation Vala Umgodi members found four minors, aged between 12 and 16 years, underground during an operation targeting illegal mining activities at the Dukes old mineshaft in Pilgrim’s Rest. The 12-year-boy was taken to a place of safety. Fourteen adult suspects, aged between 18 and 47 years, were also arrested. One suspect was charged for possession of explosives, possession of dagga, and possession of illegal mining equipment.
       
    • Northern Cape: Members of Vala Umgodi arrested two male suspects, aged between 29 and 35, for the possession of unpolished diamonds in Port Nolloth on Tuesday, 13 May 2025. The team intercepted a Ford bakkie allegedly transporting illegal miners, en-route to Port Nolloth and discovered a significant quantity of unpolished diamonds.
       
    • North West: In the Bojanala district, 91 suspects of different nationalities were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act and illegal mining. Police also seized diesel generators, hammers and jackhammers, shovels, electric extension cords, grease pumps, pendukas and steel balls.

    To date, a total of 27 275 suspects have been arrested, while 697 firearms, including imitation firearms and 16 247 rounds of ammunition, have been seized through Operation Vala Umgodi since December 2023.

    “Operation Vala Umgodi is government’s initiative to combat and prevent illegal mining activities, as well as to safeguard economic growth by addressing the root causes of illegal mining and enforcing the law,” said the South African Police Service in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister Hlabisa visits flood-affected Eastern Cape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is today visiting flood-affected communities in and around Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, to assess the impact of the recent floods and evaluate the progress of ongoing disaster response efforts.

    Thursday’s visit follows the urgent sitting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM), convened by the Minister on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. 

    The committee meeting was aimed at coordinating a comprehensive national response to severe weather conditions that have impacted several provinces but mostly the Eastern Cape.

    All provinces have faced severe incidents of extremely cold weather, with coastal provinces experiencing rough seas and rainfall. 

    READ | Disaster Management Committee assesses impact of adverse weather

    The Eastern Cape has been the hardest hit by the severe weather incident. 

    A scholar transport minibus transporting children was swept by water near Mthatha, leading to the loss of life. 

    Some media reports say three children survived the ordeal after they were found clinging to a tree. 

    On Wednesday, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government reported that 49 people died since the start of the floods as the search continues for those who are unaccounted for.

    “We’d like to convey on behalf of government our condolences to all the people of the Eastern Cape and the people of Mthatha where a tragedy occurred as a result of bad weather we’ve been experiencing since the weekend,” Hlabisa said on Thursday morning. 

    He also expressed his condolences to the affected schools, including the learners and parents and the surrounding communities. 

    “As government, we have descended to the Eastern Cape in Mthatha to give our support and ensure that when the people are in a difficult situation, government is not absent. That’s why at the national level, two Ministers are on the ground,” he added. 

    According to Hlabisa, the team will announce the line-up of more senior government leaders who will also visit the province. 

    During the visit, Hlabisa will conduct on-site inspections of areas severely impacted within the OR Tambo District Municipality. 

    He will also receive briefings from local and provincial disaster management teams, engage directly with affected families and community members, and provide updates on ongoing search and rescue operations.

    This gesture also serves as government solidarity with families mourning the recent scholar transport tragedy in the region. 

    The Minister is also assessing the support mechanisms in place to ensure that all necessary interventions are effectively implemented. 

    Meanwhile, mop-up operations are underway in KwaZulu-Natal, following severe snowfall, which caused disruptions to major routes and damaged infrastructure.

    This led to the closure of the N2 highway around Kokstad and Port Shepstone where work is currently underway to remove the snow. 

    While deaths have been reported because of the inclement weather in KwaZulu-Natal, several people have been injured and infrastructure has been significantly affected. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: NATO chief Mark Rutte warns Russia could use military force against alliance in five years

    Source: Chatham House –

    NATO chief Mark Rutte warns Russia could use military force against alliance in five years
    News release
    jon.wallace

    In his Chatham House speech the Secretary General said he expects NATO states to commit to spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence, arguing ‘America has carried too much of the burden for too long’.

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Chatham House on 9 June to outline his vision for the alliance’s future funding and priorities, in his keynote pre-summit address before the NATO meeting on June 24 and 25.

    In his speech, Rutte outlined the need to ‘make our alliance stronger, fairer and more lethal’ in order to meet an increasing range of threats, particularly regarding Russia’s capacity to rearm and threaten alliance countries in the near future.

    ‘In terms of ammunition, Russia produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year,’ he said. ‘And its defence industrial base is expected to roll out 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armoured vehicles, and 200 Iskander missiles this year alone…Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years’. He repeated five years for emphasis.