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  • MIL-OSI Russia: 14 new charging stations for electric buses installed in Moscow

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow continues to develop its eco-friendly transport network. Since the beginning of this year, 14 new charging stations for electric buses have appeared in the Ivanovskoye, Dmitrovsky and Konkovo districts. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “With the advent of new charging stations, more electric buses are being put on routes instead of buses. Today, more than 360 ultra-fast chargers have been installed in the capital, which provide operation for over 2.3 thousand electric buses. We are expanding the network of environmentally friendly urban transport, as instructed by Sergei Sobyanin,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    To recharge the battery, the electric bus drives up to the station and the pantograph is connected to the charging dome. The charging stations are suitable for all models of electric buses and work in any weather.

    Eco-friendly and comfortable transport

    Moscow is the leader in Europe in the number of electric buses. Replacing one bus with this type of eco-friendly transport reduces carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 60 tons per year.

    Since 2022, electric buses with improved equipment have been arriving in the capital. These models have adaptive interior lighting: it changes from cold to warm at 2:00 p.m., making the trip more comfortable. The front route indicator, enlarged by 18 percent, makes it easier to see the vehicle number from afar. To maintain the temperature in the interior, an electric heater is installed, which does not have a negative impact on the environment.

    The range of modern electric buses has been increased from 40–50 to 80–90 kilometers while maintaining the same weight of the vehicle. In 2024, updated KamAZ and LiAZ buses began to hit the road.

    For the convenience of passengers, the cabins are equipped with a climate control system, USB and Type-C ports for charging gadgets, as well as media screens that broadcast up-to-date information about the next stops.

    Infrastructure for electric buses

    Moscow became the first city in Russia to start building modern electric bus parks. In 2022, the largest park in Europe, Krasnaya Pakhra, opened in TiNAO. In 2023, the Mitino park was built, providing 20 districts of the capital and two cities in the Moscow region with an environmentally friendly mode of transport. At the end of 2023, the Saltykovka innovative park began operating, serving routes in the east of Moscow. Today, electric buses are charged and serviced at 12 sites of Mosgortrans State Unitary Enterprise.

    New equipment deliveries and development of charging infrastructure will allow creating more routes. Today, about 2.3 thousand electric buses run on more than 180 routes.

    In accordance with the objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life” In the capital, much attention is paid to the modernization of social and communal infrastructure, including increasing the number of convenient public transport routes and updating rolling stock.

    In addition, within the framework of the national project, Moscow has begun developing the Central Transport Hub. It will become a single circuit with regular suburban rail transport for more than 30 million residents of 11 regions of Russia.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Capital projects receive awards at international exhibition in Bangkok

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Three capital projects received awards at the International Exhibition of Intellectual Property, Inventions, Innovations and Technologies IPITEX 2025, which was held in Bangkok. This was reported by Maria Bagreeva, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Head of the Department of Economic Policy and City Development.

    The gold medal in the category “Construction, civil engineering and architecture” was won by the collection of standards for assessing the costs of operating urban facilities (SN-2012). The organizers also awarded it a special prize for the high level of the product.

    The electronic robotic system “Risk-Based Approach to Execution of Government Contracts” won the gold medal in the category “Robotics, Electronics, Automation, Internet of Things and Software”. In addition, the project was awarded a special prize by the Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) as the best innovative IT development.

    The investment program registry won a silver medal in the category “Environmental protection, energy, water supply, green technologies”. In addition, it was awarded a diploma by the World Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs as the best development.

    “The digital technologies that Moscow is implementing to improve the quality of life of the population and improve the business climate of the Russian capital are receiving recognition from the expert community at the international level. The SN-2012 collection contains prices for all types of work and services for the maintenance and repair of schools, clinics, parks, roads, bridges and other city facilities. This information helps the city avoid unjustified costs and provides businesses with equal conditions for participation in government procurement,” noted Maria Bagreeva.

    She also emphasized that the robotic system “Risk-oriented approach to the execution of state contracts” allows organizations to control the timely payment of contracts and reduces the time for auditing subordinate institutions. The register of investment programs, in turn, simplifies the interaction between project initiators and potential investors, which accelerates the implementation of significant city initiatives.

    In 2024, the main IPITEX awards were given to the Unified Data Warehouse database, as well as the digital mechanism for forming purchases in the healthcare system within the Expertise platform. The model for predicting citizens’ fees in the Tariff information and analytical system won a bronze medal.

    The International Exhibition of Intellectual Property, Inventions, Innovations and Technologies IPITEX has been held in Bangkok since 1995 under the auspices of the National Research Council under the patronage of the King of Thailand and the International Federation of Inventors Associations. In 2025, 680 developers from 22 countries took part in it.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A residential area with a kindergarten will appear in the Sokolinaya Gora district under the KRT program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Sokolinaya Gora area, three sites will be reorganized under the integrated development of territories (IDT) program. The corresponding draft resolution published on the mos.ru portalThis was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “Located in the east of the capital, three sites with a total area of 2.47 hectares are part of one integrated development project. It is planned to build a modern residential area with a kindergarten for the purposes of the renovation program. The total area of the property will be 46.5 thousand square meters. Investments in the development of the site are estimated at 7.7 billion rubles, and the annual budget effect is 28.7 million rubles,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    The plots are located near the Izmailovo station of the Moscow Central Circle and the Partizanskaya station of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya metro line.

    “The total area of new buildings for the purposes of the renovation program will be 41.5 thousand square meters. On the ground floors of residential buildings, there will be retail and utility facilities, as well as catering establishments. A kindergarten for 250 children will appear on the territory of the block. As a result, the city will receive about 65 jobs. All areas will be improved, landscaped, and new roads will be built here,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property

    Maxim Gaman.

    Trees and shrubs will be planted on the territory, children’s and sports playgrounds will be equipped, as well as recreation areas for city residents.

    According to the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky, in the Sokolinaya Gora area, residential complexes will be built for the purposes of the renovation program, the total area of apartments in which will be approximately over 24 thousand square meters. This will provide housing for about 900 Muscovites. Apartments for occupancy will be handed over with a finished, improved finish. The entrances will be equipped with rooms for concierges and stroller storage, and lights and video surveillance cameras will be installed on the territory.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 33 residential complexes built in the south of the capital under the renovation program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Southern Administrative District (SAD), 33 new buildings were built under the renovation program. They are located in 10 districts, said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the Department of Urban Development Policy of the capital Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    In total, 378 houses in the district are to be resettled. More than 82 thousand Muscovites will receive new apartments.

    “In total, in 33 residential complexes built under the renovation program in the Southern Administrative District, more than 6.8 thousand apartments with finished improved finishing have been equipped. Most new buildings appeared in the Tsaritsyno district – 10 buildings, in which more than two thousand apartments have been prepared. In Nagatinsky Zaton, five new buildings with more than a thousand apartments have been erected. In Danilovsky and Nagorny districts – four residential complexes each, in which in total there are more than 1.6 thousand apartments,” Vladislav Ovchinsky specified.

    Trees and shrubs are planted near new houses, lawns and flower beds are laid out, children’s and sports playgrounds, as well as recreation areas are set up.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin congratulated The 200,000th resident who has begun resettlement under the renovation program.

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

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The second stage of improvement of the territory near the Pykhtino metro station has been completed

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Capital specialists urban economy complex completed the second stage of landscaping the area near the Pykhtino metro station. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Landscaping Petr Biryukov.

    “The main objectives were to improve pedestrian and transport accessibility of the new station, organize convenient approaches and driveways to it, and adapt the spaces to the needs of local residents. The boundaries of the work included Aviakonstruktora Petlyakova Street, Projected Drives No. 7654 and 7653a,” noted Petr Biryukov.

    Overhead lines near the metro station were removed into a 1.8-kilometer cable duct. In addition, almost 900 meters of drainpipes were laid.

    As part of the project, more than 10 thousand square meters of sidewalk pavement and 22.4 thousand square meters of asphalt on the roadway were renewed, new markings were applied, and about 320 road signs were installed.

    The specialists also installed almost 80 modern lanterns. Unregulated crossings were equipped with 36 contrast lighting supports.

    In addition, a 26,000 square meter lawn was laid out near the Pykhtino metro station, and a skate park was set up near the Solntsevo Park shopping center.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Olympic champions fulfilled the dream of a capital schoolgirl

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Professional athletes fulfilled the dream of 17-year-old Margarita, a pupil of a center for orphans, as part of the project “Let’s Be Friends!” The girl attended a training session with experienced figure skaters, reported Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    “We strive to create comfortable and favorable conditions for children who find themselves in a difficult life situation. Thanks to the “Let’s Be Friends!” project, young Muscovites can find friends, mentors, and decide on a career choice. Over 4.5 years, the project has helped fulfill more than 220 children’s wishes, including meeting famous people. This time, we decided to organize training for the children on Vorobyovy Gory under the guidance of outstanding athletes. The day before, on February 11, Olympic champions held a master class for the children of orphanages at the skating rink of the Palace of Pioneers. Professional figure skaters, bobsledders, and hockey players showed the children the techniques of sharp turns and braking on ice,” said Anastasia Rakova.

    Margarita’s friends from orphanage centers, as well as Olympic champion and president of the Association for the Development of Mass Figure Skating Ekaterina Deputat (Bobrova) and world championship medalist, master of sports Andrey Deputat came to support her. They conducted a full training session for the beginning figure skater, paying attention to the correct body position, technique of performing steps, turns, safe falls and basic elements of figure skating.

    According to Margarita, she liked the spins, runs and skating on one leg the most. She had seen these elements at competitions before, and now she could repeat them herself. The girl quickly mastered the new movements and even helped her friends. She noted that she received a boost of inspiration and will continue to develop in her favorite sport.

    “We started the master class with a number performed by Andrey to inspire the children. Our main message is that all children understand that everyone is capable of mastering figure skating, it is not as difficult as it seems. Margarita skates very well, it is clear that she is truly inspired and this helps her not to give up, even when she did not succeed the first time. We will be glad to see her in the ranks of amateur figure skaters,” Ekaterina Deputat emphasized.

    Olympic bobsleigh champion Dmitry Trunenkov and famous hockey players Aslan Raisov and Stanislav Katsuba taught children hockey skating. They demonstrated the techniques of acceleration, sharp turns, balancing and stopping on the ice. The children enthusiastically mastered new skills that develop strength, coordination and endurance. Dmitry, on behalf of all the participants of the “Star Troopers” team, wished the children to be confident in their abilities, not to be afraid to set the most ambitious goals and go towards their dreams, and he and his colleagues and friends will always help with this.

    The Let’s Be Friends! project helps orphans and children from families in difficult life situations find friends, mentors and decide on a future profession. Last year, the participants met cosmonauts and visited the Moscow Planetarium. Movie and TV fans were able to talk to famous actors and see how news is created. A meeting with Olympic champion Alina Zagitova brought special joy.

    The project’s partners have already reached 15 organizations. In addition to the representatives of “Star Troopers”, the participants include, for example, the Moscow transport team, the Moscow Zoo, the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment, the Spartak football club, and the Che theater.

    Anyone can make the dream of the children in orphanage centers come true. You can learn more about the project and join it on the official website.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Colombian conflict survivors turn forest heroes in search of climate change solutions

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Climate and Environment

    “What do I want the river to carry away? The deforestation,” Sandra Donado says, her voice competing with the sudden storm lashing her canoe as it floats down the Guaviare River in Colombia’s Amazon biome region.

    This waterway, a silent witness to the turmoil of the municipality of Mapiripán, has seen it all – the wildlife trafficking, the coca harvests that fuelled conflict, the human bodies left behind amid a heinous massacre and the relentless erosion of the rainforest it once nourished.

    Now, Sandra hopes it will carry away the pain of the past and usher in an era of healing for her community and for its land.

    Mapiripán has long been trapped in a cycle of conflict and environmental degradation exacerbated by climate change. Many years ago, it was known for its illegal wildlife fur trade; later, it became a coca-growing region, attracting armed groups that turned the lush rainforest into a battleground.

    Promise of prosperity

    A young Sandra, facing extreme poverty and violence, arrived in Mapiripán in the early 2000s, drawn by a promise of prosperity. “There was an economic boom,” she recalls, “but it came from illicit crops – there was no other way to live.”

    But the area’s prosperity was short-lived. Eventually, the conflict escalated, and the coca trade collapsed, leaving the community in ruins. “We lived with both prosperity and conflict,” Sandra says, her voice trembling as she recounts harrowing experiences of hiding from armed groups.

    By 2009, most of the people in the rural communities in the region were forced to leave.

    Many, including Sandra, returned after the signing of the Colombia Peace Agreement in 2016 which ended a decades-long rebel insurgency.

    But the land, scarred by conflict and unsustainable cultivation, now struggled to produce. With a lack of infrastructure and limited market access, farmers like Marco Antonio Lopez turned to cattle ranching for survival.

    Deforestation boom

    This meant clearing more forests. “We would deforest 15 or 20 hectares with our own hands for our cattle,” he admits, “not to destroy biodiversity, but to find a way to survive.”

    They also watched helplessly as newcomers took over abandoned areas and deforested even larger swaths of land. “They didn’t care about deforesting 700 to 1,000 hectares,” Sandra says with disgust. “They would just cut right through the centre of the mountain.”

    The consequences were becoming all too clear: “That’s when we started to feel the heat, to notice the change in the climate,” she adds.

    © FAO/Felipe Rodríguez

    A silvopastoral system in the Amazon integrates trees and shrubs into livestock pastures. This increases carbon storage in trees and soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and fertilizer and boosting resilience to climate change.

    Sandra and Marco now long for a future where they can improve their lives while protecting the forests, a desire shared across the country.

    In fact, Colombia has made significant progress in curbing deforestation. The nation demonstrated that, between 2015 and 2016, deforestation rates in its Amazon Biome dropped substantially, preventing almost seven million tons of CO2 emissions.

    This success helped the nation secure a $28.2 million Results-based Payment (RBP) from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in 2020 to implement the Colombia REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project, known in the country as Vision Amazonia.

    Led by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Vision Amazonia promotes conservation and sustainable land management in rapid deforestation areas like Mapiripán.

    © FAO/Felipe Rodríguez

    A silvopastoral system in the Amazon integrates trees and shrubs into livestock pastures. This increases carbon storage in trees and soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and fertilizer and boosting resilience to climate change.

    ‘We, the community’

    In coordination with the Colombian government and local communities, the FAO project which runs until the end of 2026, protects the Amazon biome through forest monitoring and sustainable management practices, benefitting smallholders, farmer associations and local authorities alike.

    “We, the community, are already aware of the problem caused by climate change. Now when we go out into the field to do work, the sun is so strong that we cannot resist the heat anymore. We have truly begun to develop an awareness of the need for preservation of these beautiful ecosystems that we have in the territory,” says Marco.

    “If the forest thrives and we thrive, the animals thrive,” Sandra adds.

    © FAO/Felipe Rodríguez

    Deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere, which fuels climate change and further harms forests.

    “With this project,” explains Sandra Vanegas, FAO local markets coordinator, “we are ensuring forest conservation while families generate resources through associative projects.

    “We are promoting agroforestry gardens where they can produce for their own consumption and conserve seeds and endemic plants.”

    Indeed, Marco and Sandra’s communities have now gained a deep understanding of agroforestry, a sustainable land use practice that combines agriculture and forestry. Through educational visits, they’ve witnessed firsthand how to revitalize their soils with organic fertilizer and grow their own food.

    Marco recounts a gradual awakening regarding their livestock. “We didn’t know at the time,” he admits, “that we didn’t need a huge extension of pastures for our cows to have good nourishment.”

    The initiative, he says, opened their eyes through a series of training sessions. Now they have started to implement silvopastoral systems by planting trees on their family farms.

    “They gave us a broader perspective, helping us realize the damage and consequences of continued deforestation. That’s when we, as leaders, took a stronger stance to protect the forest.”

    This newfound awareness led them to form the AGROCIARE association to pursue sustainable projects. For instance, they have been actively working to plant and commercialize the cacay tree, a native Amazonian species known for its nutritious fruit.

    With training in legal and organizational skills, they’ve strengthened their association’s capacity to advocate for environmental protection and better livelihoods.

    “Our vision is to ensure that the treasure of our environment and rainforest is protected by those of us who live here,” Marco declares.

    By working with the rural communities, the programme is finding climate solutions that are effective, equitable and offer a different future for the Amazon.

    Agrifood systems solutions are climate, biodiversity and land solutions

    This story is part of a three-part series from FAO on climate, biodiversity and land solutions in Colombia. These stories take you from the arid landscapes of La Guajira, where the SCALA programme is supporting climate resilience and food security, to the Pacific coast, where a Global Environmental Facility-supported project is working to conserve rich biodiversity while also contributing to the pursuit of peace.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Cut the theatrics’: UN climate chief tells COP29 negotiators to focus on solutions as talks enter final week

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Climate and Environment

    As COP29 climate talks in Baku enter their final week, the UN climate chief told negotiators on Monday to “cut the theatrics,” get down to business and hammer out a new finance deal to compensate countries for climate-driven damages and pay for a clean-energy transition.

    “We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees,” said Simon Stiell, urging delegates to wrap up “less contentious issues” as early as possible this week, so there is enough time for the major political decisions.

    COP29 opened in the Azerbaijan capital this past Monday with the main goal of reaching agreement on scaling up finance to address the worsening impacts of global warming.

    Despite an early breakthrough on standards that will pave the way for a UN-governed carbon market, the talks on climate finance have been slow and contentions, with delegations digging in their heels rather than looking for common ground.

    Time for business, not brinkmanship

    “Bluffing, brinksmanship, and pre-mediated playbooks” are burning up precious time and running down the goodwill needed for an ambitious package, emphasized Mr. Stiell, who is the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which convenes the annual COP meetings.

    The stakes are too high for “an outbreak of ‘you-first-ism’…where groups of parties dig in and refuse to move on one issue, until others move elsewhere,” he said and the only way to get the job done is “if Parties are prepared to step forward in parallel, bringing us closer to common ground.”

    Mr. Stiell’s plea comes after UN Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced concern over the state of negotiations at COP29, noting that countries must agree to an ambitious climate finance goal that meets the scale of the challenge faced by developing countries.

    Speaking to reporters in Rio on Sunday ahead of the G20 summit, the UN chief said that “now is the time for leadership by example from the world’s largest economies and emitters. Failure is not an option.”

    Beyond the negotiations, other meetings and high-level events at COP29 touched on a range of topics – from the climate-health nexus to human development and education.

    UN News/Nargiz Shekinskaya

    Catarina from Brazil (left) and Francisco from Columbia (right) call for a UN children’s COP during a UNICEF press conference on youth-led climate action, held at COP29 in Baku

    ‘No decisions about us without us!’ 

    Children and young people also made their voices heard at several lively and well attended events, as they called for protection from the effects of climate change; measures to prevent further destruction of the planet; and stepped-up efforts to preserve nature.

    They urged decision-makers at COP29 to give them a seat at the climate negotiating table and to urgently consider organizing a separate UN climate conference specifically for children.

    According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), climate change impacts the well-being of nearly 1 billion children – half of the world’s child population. Air pollution, infectious diseases, environmental degradation, and extreme weather events compromise children’s health, hinder their education, and deprive them of the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.

    During heatwaves, young children are at risk of dehydration because their bodies cannot regulate temperature effectively. Floods and droughts impoverish families, leaving children to bear the consequences.

    “Floods force school closures in Liberia, and children miss school,” said Juanita Tamba of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the world’s largest volunteer movement for the empowerment of girls and young women.

    “And during the dry season, we have to travel long distances to fetch water, and girls often face violence while trying to get water,” she told UN News.

    UNICEF estimates that climate-related disasters cause approximately 40 million children to miss school each year, and the number is rising. 

    Zunaira, from Pakistan, one of the youngest participants in Baku, is attending COP29 with the support of UNICEF.  

    She told UN News: “When there are floods in my country, resources become limited, and there are not enough for everyone. Children, especially girls, are the most affected.”

    Speaking at a UNICEF press conference on youth-led climate action, Rasul, a youth from Azerbaijan highlighted the dire condition of the Caspian Sea. “Due to rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves, the water level in this amazing body of water is falling,” he said.  

    Baku is situated on the coast of the Caspian, the biggest inland body of water in the world. Rasul observed that the effects on Azerbaijan’s people are becoming more noticeable as the shoreline recedes, particularly the rising temperatures: “Both summer and winter in Azerbaijan are getting warmer.” 

    ‘The future needs a voice!’

    Catarina, a 16-year-old environmental activist from Salvador, Brazil, a city on the Atlantic Ocean, also shared her experiences.  

    A passionate surfer since childhood, she noted: “When I was nine years old, I actually felt the ocean warming. I was constantly in the water and… I realized something was wrong when [it] was much hotter than normal in areas I frequented. Then I noticed coral reefs covered in white spots – coral bleaching was something I had never seen before.”

    Despite her young age, Catarina is an experienced climate activist. When she was just 12 years old, she joined other children in filing a complaint with the Geneva-based UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to protest government inaction on the climate crisis.

    “It was the first time children brought a global complaint through a UN mechanism. We denounced five countries, and as a result, the UN officially recognized that children’s rights are affected by the lack of climate action,” Catarina said.

    In an emotional speech, she emphasized: “Children have things to say, and we know how to say them. We need the space… not at COP30. We need a COP for children right now!”  

    According to Catarina, she was fairly certain that it might be too late to make significant change by the time she started her job or rose to a position of influence.

    “Effective actions must happen now. That’s why children need to be included in the decision-making process. If we are the future, then this future needs to have a voice,” she concluded. 

    UNICEF Executive Director Katherine Russell has echoed Catarina’s sentiments, saying earlier this month: “At COP29 and through Nationally Determined Contributions, governments must prioritize children’s rights,”  

    “Children need to be included in the solutions, and global leaders must make health care, education, water, and sanitation systems more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Now is the time to act.”

    Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit updated national climate action plans, or NDC’s, next year at COP30.  

    In that context, UNICEF has warned that less than half of the current plans are child- or youth-sensitive, and only three percent were developed through participatory processes involving children.

    Against this background, 16-year-old Payton Esau from Canada brought a manifesto to the climate conference, signed by 800 of her peers.  

    “We demand that governments communicate in a language young people can understand so we know what measures are being taken to combat climate change. Governments must act without delay to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Payton told UN News.

    Want to know more? Check out our special events page, where you can find all our coverage of COP29, including stories and videos, explainers and our newsletter.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: COP29 draft deal proposes wealthy nations give $250 billion in climate finance

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Climate and Environment

    A new draft finance deal delivered to harried negotiators in Baku on Friday – the final scheduled day for the UN climate talks that have been under way for the past two weeks – proposes rich countries commit $250 billion a year to help vulnerable nations cope with our warming planet and to accelerate the global switch to renewable energy.

    The new draft outcome text, which will surely push this round of talks into the weekend, called for the overall climate financing goal to reach “at least $1.3 trillion by 2035”, but left out specifics – grants, loans, or from the private sector – on how these funds will be raised.

    Delegations in Baku are expected to keep negotiating on several key issues:

    • Specifics about the role of developed countries in providing this new finance.
    • A global goal on a just transition.
    • Clear way forward on both adaptation and mitigation.

    The conference plenary is expected to reconvene on Saturday to work towards a final agreement.

    ‘A slap in the face’

    Civil society climate and environment advocates were quick to react to this latest draft.

    Some expressed their anger and disappointment at the draft by taping pieces of paper on their faces or foreheads with “Pay up!” written on them.

    Kelly Stone from ActionAid International Foundation explained to UN News, “I am wearing this because we are calling on Global North countries to pay up for climate finance and the debt they owe to the Global South.”

    Namrata Chowdhary from the 350.org, an international environmental organization, stated: “I can say it is disappointing [at] the very least.”

    “It is a slap. It is an insult. It is shocking that we are at this state now. The rich countries are basically gambling with the lives of people in the developing nations and small islands,” she said.

    Lidy Nacpil from Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development also expressed her disappointment. She also pointed out that “climate finance should not come in the form of loans because this will add to the debt burden”.

    “One of the issues that is preventing the Global South from undertaking urgent climate actions and also from providing our people with the essential services we need is the debt burden,” she told UN News.

    Jacobo Ocharan of Climate Action Network International said: “We urge all developing countries to have the courage in the negotiations to keep pushing, because this deal is terrible. We keep pushing on the idea that no deal is better than a bad deal.”

    UNFCCC/Kiara Worth

    Negotiating teams at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, pictured here during a break in the talks, are working to reach agreement on a new climate financing deal.

    What’s at stake

    COP29, formally the 29th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has been dubbed, the ‘climate finance COP’ because parties are expected to establish a new global climate finance target.

    This target, or new collective quantified goal (NCQG), is seen as one of the summit’s main deliverables. It will replace the existing $100 billion goal that is due to expire in 2025.

    Climate experts have pegged the new annual funding goal at between $1 trillion and $1.3 trillion, which would assist vulnerable nations to deal with loss and damage from climate change and to adapt to that change, including building out their own clean-energy systems.

    Last week, in a move to support a new funding target, the World Bank Group and other multilateral development banks announced a significant boost in climate finance for low- and middle- income countries. This would reach $120 billion a year by 2030 with another $65 billion mobilised from the private sector, and a natural projection that would increase these values for 2035.

    A significant breakthrough on the opening day at COP29 was the adoption of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, paving the way for a UN-backed global carbon market. This market will facilitate the trading of carbon credits, incentivizing countries to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly projects.

    Want to know more? Check out our special events page, where you can find all our coverage of COP29, including stories and videos, explainers and our newsletter.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: COP29: Governments, industry must stop ‘lip-service’ on methane and slash emissions, says UNEP

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Climate and Environment

    The UN environment agency chief warned the COP29 climate summit in Baku on Friday that methane emissions must come down – “and come down fast” –to have any chance of controlling global warming. 

    That message comes after a new UN report revealed that, over the past two years, a sophisticated system that detects significant methane leaks has sent 1,200 notifications to governments and businesses, but only one per cent of those notifications have been answered.

    Soundcloud

    “We now have a proven system to identify major leaks so they can be quickly stopped – often with simple repairs. We are quite literally talking about screwing bolts tighter in some cases,” Inger Anderson said, launching the report, which highlights plume alerts from the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS).

    The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) chief’s alert was just one of the many key events taking place today at COP29. The latest annual UN climate summit has been underway in the Azerbaijan capital city since Monday and heads into the weekend with experts and government negotiators set for tough talks over climate finance and emission reductions. The goal is reaching an agreement by the time the meeting wraps up at the end of next week.

    What is methane?

    According to UNEP, human-caused methane emissions are responsible for roughly one-third of the planet’s current warming. Reducing these emissions is the fastest, most cost-effective way to slow global warming in the near-term and is essential to averting critical climate damage.

    Three industries account for the majority of human-caused methane: agriculture, waste and fossil fuels. Coal mining contributes 12 per cent of emissions in the fossil fuel industry, while the extraction, processing, and distribution of oil and gas account for 23 per cent. 

    About 20 per cent of methane emissions in the waste sector come from wastewater and landfills. Finally, about 32 per cent of emissions in the agricultural sector come from grazing livestock and manure, while a further eight per cent come from rice farming.

    Right now, there is roughly 2.5 times the amount of methane in the atmosphere than there was during pre-industrial times and emissions have been rising in recent years, according to the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

    How can we slash methane?

    While methane is considered an ‘aggressive greenhouse gas’ it is actually easier to reduce than carbon dioxide, or CO2, the better-known heat-trapping gas, because methane has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere.

    The UNEP-led International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) and the hi-tech MARS system use artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data to detect gas releases and to help industry and countries identify and deal with large methane emissions.

    “Governments and oil and gas companies must stop paying lip-service to this challenge when answers are staring them in the face,” stated Ms. Anderson, UNEP Executive Director. 

    Instead, they should recognize the significant opportunity presented “and start responding to alerts by plugging leaks that are spewing climate-warming methane into the atmosphere. The tools are ready, the targets are set – now it is time to act,” she said.

    While more remains to be done, the report does highlight examples of nations and companies responding – proving the value of data-driven solutions such as MARS. In 2024, the IMEO facility verified action to reduce emissions from major leaks in Azerbaijan and the United States. 

    In Algeria and Nigeria, MARS notifications and engagement led to direct action from the governments and oil and gas companies to address large methane leaks. For example, UNEP says that in the Nigeria case, the six-month leak emitted methane equivalent to 400,000 cars being driven for a year and was able to be fixed in under two weeks by simply replacing faulty equipment.

    Want to know more? Check out our special events page, where you can find all our coverage of COP29, including stories and videos, explainers and our newsletter.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 37-2025: List of treatment providers: treatment provider suspended – Inavab Fumigation & Pest Ctrl Mgt Pte Ltd (AEI: SG4003SB)

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    12 February 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

    What has changed?

    Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have suspended Inavab Fumigation & Pest Ctrl Mgt Pte Ltd (AEI: SG4003SB) from AusTreat.

    The treatment…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Rafael Epstein, Melbourne Mornings, ABC Radio

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Rafael Epstein:

    Pretty big announcement from the federal government today. They’re going to let the banks, when they lend you money for a mortgage, they can relax the rules when it comes to the debt you owe for your university degree. So, you might say, woohoo, fantastic. You can borrow more or borrow sooner. Is it financially smart? Andrew Leigh joins us. He speaks for the Albanese government on this.

    Andrew is the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment. Andrew Leigh, good morning.

    Andrew Leigh:

    Good morning, Raf. Great to be with you.

    Epstein:

    Is it a good idea?

    Leigh:

    Certainly is. We need to make sure that more Australians get into housing and to the extent that lenders have been taking into account your HECS debt, that can sometimes hold young people back from home ownership. And the fact is HECS is not a debt like any other, it’s a debt whose repayments stop if you lose your job. It’s proportional to your income. It is a repayment that occurs through an income contingent loan. And so, taking that off the table when lenders are considering how to allocate funding and who to lend to is really important in terms of boosting home ownership rates.

    Epstein:

    So, I understand that it’ll allow more people to buy a home. That’s a good thing. I’m just not sure if it’s a smart thing financially. I mean, if I’m earning say $80 grand, I still have to, I’ve got to pay that HECS debt. So, if interest rates go up suddenly, it is an extra cost that I have to pay. Why should the banks not take that into consideration?

    Leigh:

    Well, the first thing to say, we’re reducing those HECS debts. A re‑elected Albanese government would cut all the HECS debts by 20 per cent. We’ve already changed indexation so that that’s operating off the lesser of wages or inflation and backdated that over a year, saving hundreds of dollars for the typical HECS debtor.

    But more broadly to your question, Raf, this is an appropriate way of recognising that an income contingent loan isn’t like having a car loan, for example. It’s a fundamentally different kind of loan and we want to make sure that people don’t have to choose between getting an education or getting a house, that both of those are easily open to young Australians.

    Epstein:

    A slightly different issue. I know your time is short because parliament is sitting. Free trade is clearly something that Donald Trump supporters don’t like. And I think it’s worth noting the US Presidents kind of almost torn up the free trade agreement between America and Australia by even talking about tariffs. But is free trade, is it actually fair? Is it effective? Does it actually help all of us?

    Leigh:

    Well, Raf, the way I think about trade is it’s another form of comparative advantage. Just as most of us don’t fix our own car or cut our own hair or make our own wine, so too countries tend to specialise in what they do best. And this isn’t a zero‑sum game. Trade isn’t like the Eurovision Song Contest or the Olympics. Trade is a way in which each of us can benefit from specialising in what we do best. And just as your hairdresser doesn’t defeat you when you get a haircut, Japan doesn’t defeat you when you buy a Honda.

    That is an example of comparative advantage in action. And Australia, with 0.3 per cent of the global population, benefits enormously from open markets. The tariff liberalisation in Australia saved the typical Australian household around $4,000 a year. And my party, the Labor Party, was in the thick of that with Whitlam, Hawke and Keating spearheading significant tariff cuts. So, of course we’ve been strong advocates of open markets on the global stage.

    The conversation between Prime Minister Albanese and President Trump went well and the Americans are considering our request for an exemption.

    Epstein:

    I just wanted to give you one example. There’s a window maker in Melbourne called Oceania Glass in Dandenong. They’ve got 260 employees. Their problem, they say, is the dumping of cheap windows from Thailand. I did go on the default website.

    We’ve had a free trade agreement with Thailand for 20 years, so we get lots of tariff‑free cars, trucks and air conditioners. So, that’s the good part of free trade with Thailand. The bad part of free trade with Thailand is they can sell really cheap windows.

    And we’re going to lose our only domestic architectural window maker. Is that just a sort of a cost we have to put up with, so we get cheap air conditioners? Is that the trade off?

    Leigh:

    Well, the Australian Government takes anti‑dumping very seriously. Dumping is where an overseas exporter aims to drive down the price, temporarily knock out the local producers and then spike the price back up again. So, ultimately consumers suffer.

    What we’ve seen over the course of, of the last couple of decades, Raf, is Australian manufacturers increasingly moving into higher and higher and more advanced manufacturing, more value added. We don’t produce kids’ pyjamas anymore, but we do well in high‑end fashion.

    Epstein:

    But we’re not going to have anybody making windows for houses at all in the country. Is that a cost? Are we just happy to lose that because we’re moving into more advanced manufacturing?

    Leigh:

    Not at all. The government strongly committed to advanced manufacturing and strongly committed to working with our manufacturing sector. We’re investing in the skills that are available. The Future Made in Australia plan provides resources to encourage a strong Australian manufacturing sector. But the trend throughout the advanced world is for manufacturers to steadily move up and up the value chain.

    That means better jobs for the people working in those sectors, and it means more earnings for the firms in those sectors. So, I think there are great opportunities for Australian manufacturers to increasingly capture that high advanced manufacturing sector.

    Epstein:

    I appreciate your time this morning. Andrew Leigh, thank you.

    Leigh:

    Always a pleasure to chat, Raf.

    Epstein:

    Part of the Anthony Albanese Labor government. Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reveals names of moon-landing spacesuit, manned lunar rover

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo shows the exterior design of China’s moon-landing spacesuit during the third Spacesuit Technology Forum in Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, Sept 28, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Wednesday unveiled the names of the moon-landing spacesuit and manned lunar rover for the country’s manned lunar exploration missions.
    The moon-landing spacesuit is named Wangyu, meaning gazing into the cosmos, and it echoes the name of the country’s extravehicular spacesuit, Feitian, which means flying into space, according to the CMSA.
    The manned lunar rover is called Tansuo, meaning to explore the unknown. This name reflects the lunar rover’s mission and practical value in aiding the Chinese people to uncover the mysteries of the moon, said the agency.
    Currently, research and development endeavors concerning both Wangyu and Tansuo are progressing smoothly, the CMSA stated. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US vessels’ passage through Taiwan Strait under surveillance of Chinese military: spokesperson

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Command tracked and monitored two U.S. ships that passed through the Taiwan Strait from Monday to Wednesday and maintained vigilance throughout the process.
    The passage of a U.S. destroyer and a marine survey ship was effectively handled by the navy and air force of the PLA Eastern Command, according to Li Xi, a spokesperson for the command on Wednesday.
    Li said the U.S. action has sent wrong signals and heightened security risks.
    “The armed forces of the command will stay on high alert at all times to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security, and maintain regional peace and stability,” Li said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expands silver tourism train services to cater to growing elderly travel market

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

    China expands silver tourism train services to cater to growing elderly travel market

    BEIJING, Feb. 12 — As the sun rose over the snow-capped peaks of the Qinling Mountains, a group of silver-haired retirees eagerly boarded a Silk Road-themed tourism train in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

    For the next three days, these seniors embarked on a leisurely journey through the picturesque landscapes of central China, relaxing in hot springs and savoring local delicacies, traveling on one of many specialized tourism trains that are revolutionizing travel for China’s growing elderly population.

    On Tuesday, nine Chinese government agencies and state-owned enterprises, including the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, unveiled an action plan to expand and improve senior-friendly tourism train services, in the latest bid to create more inclusive and enjoyable travel experiences for the elderly.

    The initiative aims to enrich the tourism market, promote services consumption and cater to the growing demand for elderly-friendly travel options. It plans to create a nationwide network of specialized trains catering to older travelers by 2027, with over 100 designed routes and 2,500 scheduled trips annually, according to a press conference held later on Tuesday.

    The concept of senior-focused rail travel has been gaining momentum across China. According to China Railway Qinghai-Xizang Group Co., Ltd., over 77 percent of passengers on its special tourism trains have been aged 55 or above in recent years.

    A 15-day railway tour to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has proved particularly popular, allowing seniors to explore the vast region’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage in comfort. “Compared to self-drive tours, railway tours cut costs, save time and conserve energy, making them very suitable for elderly travelers,” 61-year-old Wang Zhanqi, who hails from Qinghai Province and took the Xinjiang railway tour last year, told Xinhua.

    He particularly enjoyed photographing the winding streets and traditional architecture in the ancient city of Kashgar, and sampling water from Karez wells, which collect the melted ice and snow from the Tianshan Mountains.

    Shaanxi’s Silk Road train, capable of carrying over 200 passengers per trip, is equipped with senior-friendly features like wide beds, temperature control systems and emergency call buttons. The train also boasts such entertainment facilities as karaoke rooms and mahjong tables, creating a lively and social atmosphere for its passengers.

    These specialized trains provide more than just transportation, offering comprehensive services tailored to the needs of older travelers. Many feature onboard medical staff, health monitoring equipment and specially designed meals. The popular Panda Express service, which departs from Sichuan Province, includes niche cultural activities such as ethnic-style welcome ceremonies and traditional performances, adding a level of cultural immersion to an already distinctive journey.

    “We strive to ensure a safer, more comfortable travel experience for the elderly,” said Yang Tao, general manager of Xi’an Railway International Travel Service Co., Ltd. “Silver-haired tourists generally have strong purchasing power and are inclined to buy handicrafts.”

    The economic potential of this market is substantial. According to a recent blue paper on China’s silver economy, the sector is currently valued at 7 trillion yuan (about 976 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for about 6 percent of the country’s GDP, with tourism being a key growth area.

    Elderly adults in China had amassed wealth totaling 78.4 trillion yuan by 2023, according to the China National Committee on Aging. And the overall silver economy is projected to reach 30 trillion yuan by 2035, which would represent 10 percent of China’s GDP.

    Recognizing the increasing purchasing power and travel aspirations of China’s elderly population, the action plan released on Tuesday outlines a series of measures to develop the sector further, including measures to expand services offerings, develop themed routes, and enhance medical and senior care services on trains.

    Measures will be taken to upgrade the trains so that they are more age-friendly, green and comfortable, which will be supported by China’s large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs, and additional measures will be implemented to tailor themed travel routes and products for seniors.

    Highlighting the integration of health care services into senior tourism trains, the action plan notes that medical professionals will be stationed on board, and medical expenses incurred during travel will be eligible for cross-regional medical insurance settlement, simplifying the claims process for elderly passengers.

    The plan also advocates improved coordination between tourism trains and scenic areas, encouraging local tourist destinations to offer tailored services such as reservations, green channels, transportation connections and dedicated reception facilities for senior travelers.

    The action plan aims to create a comprehensive national network of senior-friendly tourism trains by 2027, with established service standards and recognizable brand identities.

    These specialized train services will utilize off-peak travel periods to avoid conflicting with regular passenger services, ensuring that the trains operate efficiently without disrupting the broader transportation system, MOC official Kong Dejun said at the press conference.

    From onboard medical care to senior-friendly meals and entertainment, silver tourism trains are more than a mode of transport: they are redefining what it means to travel in one’s golden years. Analysts note that China’s railways, already arteries of economic development, are poised to enrich the lives of the nation’s growing elderly population.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Wulong Xuhua’ show held to celebrate Lantern Festival in Guizhou

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

    ‘Wulong Xuhua’ show held to celebrate Lantern Festival in Guizhou

    Updated: February 12, 2025 14:02 Xinhua
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. The traditional “Wulong Xuhua” show is a genre of dragon dance performed amid fireworks by the Miao ethnic group. “Wulong” means the dragon dance, while “Xuhua” refers to a local specialty firework. Over 100 dragon dance teams gathered here to celebrate the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on Feb. 12 this year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People attend a “Wulong Xuhua” show to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Southern suburbs man charged with weapons and child sex offences

    Source: South Australia Police

    A southern suburbs man faced court today charged with weapons and child sex offences after police searched his home yesterday.

    ​
    Detectives from the SA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), a partnership between SAPOL’s Public Protection Branch and the Australian Federal Police, arrested the 36-year-old man yesterday morning, Tuesday 11 February.
    ​
    It will be alleged that, acting on information received, police attended the man’s address and conducted a search.
    ​
    Digital evidence experts from SAPOL commenced a forensic review of electronic devices belonging to the man and he was subsequently charged with possession of child exploitation material offences.
    ​
    The search also uncovered two gel blasters, a crossbow, a slingshot, various knives and machetes and a ballistic vest.
    ​
    He was further charged with firearms (gel blaster) offences, possess prohibited weapon and possess body armour.
    ​
    He was refused police bail and appeared in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court today, Wednesday 12 February.
    ​
    Digital evidence specialists continue to analyse the electronic devices and further charges may result.
    ​
    Police remind the public that child exploitation material are not just images on a screen.  Every image and every second of a video are a real child being abused and being subjected to a situation that no child should ever experience.
    ​
    Anyone with information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
    ​
    CO2500006115, CO2500006146

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: WARMINGTON RUN, MOUNT TORRENS (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    MOUNT TORRENS

    Mount Torrens

    Issued for Mount Torrens, Charleston, and Woodside in the Adelaide Hills.

    Mount Torrens Fire

    The CFS is responding to a grass fire south of Mount Torrens in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia.

    CFS volunteers, alongside Farm Fire Units and National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, are currently working on the fireground supported by aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft.

    Smoke may be visible in the area for some time, and visibility may be reduced. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters and other emergency personnel who are working in the area, please do not enter the area unless necessary.

    Message ID 0008162

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Domestic violence – Darwin City

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 25-year-old male in relation to domestic violence, firearm and drug offences on Sunday.

    Between 6 and 9 February 2025, it is alleged a serious domestic violence incident occurred involving a 25-year-old male threatening his 24-year-old female partner with a firearm. A report was received by police on 10 February 2025.

    Yesterday, about 11:20am, members from the Territory Response Group (TRG) were deployed to Manson Street in Darwin City to coordinate an arrest of the 25-year-old male. Police conducted a lawful search of a location associated to the male where a quantity of dangerous drugs were located. 

    The Northern Domestic and Family Violence Unit have carriage of the incident.

    The offender was charged with:

    •          Make threats to kill a person

    •          Deprive a person of personal liberty

    •          Aggravated Assault

    •          Damage to property

    •          Supply schedule 1 drug commercial quantity

    •          Possess schedule 1 drug commercial quantity

    •          Possess schedule 2 drug traffickable quantity

    •          Receive or possess property of commission of offence

    •          Possess, use firearm whilst unlicenced

    He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 12 February 2025.

    If anyone has witnessed a disturbance in the vicinity of the Coolalinga Shopping Complex occurring around 6.30pm on Thursday 6 January 2025 or has information relating to incident, you can contact police on 131 444. You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/ 

    If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Greater Bay Airlines’ report received

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government announced that it has received a report and supplementary information submitted by Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) to the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in relation to the cancellation of a number of flights in February and March.

     

    The report revealed that the main causes of the failure in flight scheduling were due to a lack of internal communication and co-operation from customer service operations.

     

    Also in the report, GBA indicated that it has conducted an in-depth review and taken necessary measures to contact all of the some-5,000 affected passengers and properly provide them with alternatives, including ticket refunds and transfers to alternative flights.

     

    In addition, GBA reassured passengers that it is committed to providing them with stable and reliable services, and ensuring that similar incidents would not occur again in future.

     

    The report proposed a number of improvement measures, including strengthening internal management procedures for flight scheduling arrangements, enhancing internal communication on changes to flight schedules and destinations, ensuring fleet and manpower stability and reliability, and enhancing customer service’s ability to cope with unforeseen incidents.

     

    The Government noted that the Transport & Logistics Bureau and the CAD will closely follow up on the implementation progress of the various improvement measures proposed, with a view to preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.

     

    The Government will also maintain close communication with GBA on its aviation network development, fleet and manpower situation, ensuring steady and orderly growth of local airlines while optimising the use of civil aviation resources.

     

    As requested by the Government, GBA submitted the report and supplementary information on January 29 and February 7 respectively.

     

    Click here for the summary of the report.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Invitation to Aktia’s investor event on 27 February 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Press Release
    12 February 2025 at 7.45 a.m.

    Invitation to Aktia’s investor event on 27 February 2025

    Aktia invites investors, analysts, and media representatives to its investor event on 27 February 2025. The event will begin at 12.30 p.m. (EET) and end approximately at 2.30 p.m.

    During the investor event, CEO Aleksi Lehtonen, together with other members of Aktia’s Executive Committee, will provide updates on the company’s strategic priorities, business operations and financial targets. The event will be held in English.

    The investor event will take place at Kulttuurikasarmi in Helsinki, located at Narinkkatori 2. A light lunch will be served at 12.00 p.m., prior to the event. After the event, coffee will be served, and participants will have the opportunity to meet Aktia’s management. To attend in person, please register by 20 February 2025.

    The investor event can also be viewed live as a webcast at 12.30 p.m. To attend the webcast, please register by 26 February 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to Aktia’s management during the event.

    Please, register here: https://aktia.events.inderes.com/2025-investor-event.

    The presentation material will be available on Aktia’s website www.aktia.com before the event. A recording of the event will also be available afterwards on Aktia’s website.

    Aktia Bank Plc

    Further information:
    Oscar Taimitarha, Director, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 562 2315, ir (at) aktia.fi

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Mass media
    www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 30 September 2024 amounted to EUR 14.3 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 12.0 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WithSecure Financial Statement Release 1 January – 31 December 2024: Strong growth in Cloud Protection for Salesforce, improving profitability and cash flow, divestment of Cyber security consulting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WithSecure Corporation, Financial Statement Release 1 January – 31 December 2024, 12 February 2025 at 8.00 EET

    WithSecure Financial Statement Release 1 January – 31 December 2024: Strong growth in Cloud Protection for Salesforce, improving profitability and cash flow, divestment of Cyber security consulting

    Highlights of October – December 2024 (“fourth quarter”)

    • Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)1 for Elements Cloud products and services2 increased by 6% to EUR 83.3 million (EUR 78.4 million)
    • Elements Cloud ARR increase from previous quarter was 2%
    • Net Revenue Retention for Elements Cloud was 99%
    • Revenue for Elements Cloud increased by 9% to EUR 21.5 million (EUR 19.7 million)
    • ARR for Cloud Protection for Salesforce increased by 52% to EUR 12.8 million (EUR 8.4 million)
    • Cyber security consulting revenue declined by 15% to EUR 8.6 million (EUR 10.2 million). Cyber security consulting divestment agreement was signed in January 2025. Business is reported as Discontinued operations. A goodwill impairment of EUR 13 million was recognized in the fourth quarter to reflect the impact of the divestment
    • Adjusted EBITDA (Continuing and discontinued operations) for WithSecure was EUR 2.4 million (EUR 0.2 million)
    • Operative cash flow of the fourth quarter was EUR 7.7million (EUR 2.7 million) 
    1. Annual recurring revenue (ARR) of cloud products is calculated by multiplying monthly recurring revenue of last month of quarter by twelve.  Monthly recurring revenue includes recognized revenue within the month excluding non-recurring revenue
    2. Elements Cloud includes Elements Cloud portfolio software and services as well as the managed services

    Highlights of January – December 2024

    • Revenue for Elements Cloud products and services increased by 9% to EUR 83.3 million (EUR 76.1 million)
    • CPSF revenue increased by 14% to EUR 9.4 million (EUR 8.3 million)
    • Cyber security consulting revenue declined by 3% to EUR 32.3 million (EUR 33.4 million)
    • Adjusted EBITDA (Continuing and discontinued operations) for WithSecure was EUR 3.1 million (EUR -16.1 million)

    Outlook for 2025

    Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for Elements Cloud products and services will grow by 10-20% from the end of 2024.
    At the end of 2024, Elements Cloud ARR was EUR 83.3 million.

    Elements Company segment’s Adjusted EBITDA will be 3-7% of revenue.

    Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for Cloud Protection for Salesforce (CPSF) will grow by 20-35% from the end of 2024.
    At the end of 2024, CPSF ARR was EUR 12.8 million.

    Cyber security consulting business will be divested in 2025. Elements company and CPSF will have their own guidance going forward. Both are recurring, subscription-based businesses, which is reflected in the new guidance.

    Medium-term financial target (for Elements Company segment)

    Over the next three years (2025-2027), WithSecure will become a “Rule of 30+” company.

    The components of the target are

    • Annual revenue growth as percentage
    • Adjusted EBITDA as percentage of revenue

    WithSecure is targeting to reach a sum of the components that exceeds 30.

    Figures in this release are unaudited. Figures in brackets refer to the corresponding period in the previous year, unless otherwise stated. Percentages and figures presented may include rounding differences and might therefore not add up precisely to the totals presented.

    CEO Antti Koskela

    In the last quarter of 2024, WithSecure Elements Cloud ARR grew by 6% from previous year to EUR 83.3 million (EUR 78.4 million). Elements Cloud revenue grew by 9% to EUR 21.5 million (EUR 19.7 million). Cloud Protection for Salesforce, reported as a separate segment, performance was strong, ARR grew by 52% to EUR 12.8 million (EUR 8.4 million).

    In the Elements Company, Elements software continued to perform with a strong year-on-year growth. In the Managed services and Co-security, revenue declined slightly from the fourth quarter of 2023, due to the customer churns reported in the quarter and earlier in 2024. Of the geographic regions, Elements Cloud ARR and revenue decreased slightly in UK and North America, mainly impacted by the Managed services customer churns during the year 2024. In all other regions, a steady growth of cloud ARR and revenue continued. December revenue includes a higher than customary volume of discounts, timing of which is partly dependent on the customers. Due to the timing issues, the Cloud ARR growth was negatively impacted by approximately 3 percentage points. Our intention is to review and improve the recognition process to avoid ARR volatility caused by timing in the future. 

    In January 2025, our Elements Identity Security reached General Availability. It will increase protection of the users from business email compromise attacks and provide easy-to-use identity response features. Two significant product recognitions were received at the end of 2024. We were identified as one of 15 global vendors in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms3, recognising our ability to execute and completeness of vision. In the 2024 MITRE ATT&CK® Evaluations, our Endpoint Detection and Response solution set new standards for detection-to-alert ratios, reinforcing our position as a European mid-market leader in cyber security.

    Elements Company Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter was EUR 1.5 million (EUR -1.0 million). Full WithSecure Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 2.4 million (EUR 0.2 million) in the fourth quarter shows that our continuous work on improving profitability is giving results despite some lower revenue in 2024 than planned.

    In Cloud Protection for Salesforce (CPSF), systematic efforts in the past year to improve sales efficiency are generating strong results. ARR grew by 52% year-on-year to EUR 12.8 million (EUR 8.4 million). The growth is driven by both new customers and expansions to existing customers, while the customer churn remained at a controlled level. We continue to develop the CPSF as an independent business inside WithSecure, while keeping the strategic review options open.

    On 23 January 2025, we signed an agreement intending to divest our Cyber security consulting business to Neqst, a Swedish investment firm focusing exclusively on technology and technology-enabled companies. In the segment reporting, consulting is presented according to the previously applied calculation principles. In other parts of the financial reporting, consulting result is included in the result of discontinued operations. Cyber security consulting revenue declined by 15% to EUR 8.6 million (EUR 10.2 million). Adjusted EBITDA of the fourth quarter was EUR 0.9 million (EUR 2.0 million).

    After reaching some important milestones during the year, we are confidently heading for a new year of profitable growth. I would like to thank WithSecure personnel, partners, customers and other stakeholders for their great collaboration in the past year and going forward.

    Financial performance

    (mEUR) 10-12/2024 10-12/2023 Change % 1-12/2024 1-12/2023 Change %
    Continuing operations            
    Revenue 29.9 28.0 7% 116.0 109.9 6%
    Cost of revenue -5.9 -5.7 3% -23.4 -23.1 1%
    Gross Margin 24.0 22.3 8% 92.6 86.8 7%
    % of revenue 80.4 % 79.7 %   79.8 % 79.0 %  
    Other income, adjusted1 0.4 0.4 11% 2.0 1.4 41%
    Operating expenses1 -23.0 -24.3 -5% -92.6 -103.1 -10%
    Sales & Marketing -12.2 -13.1 -7% -47.9 -57.2 -16%
    Research & Development -8.5 -8.8 -3% -35.0 -36.3 -4%
    Administration -2.3 -2.4 -5% -9.7 -9.5 2%
    Adjusted EBITDA2 1.4 -1.6 188% 2.0 -14.8 113%
    % of revenue 4.7 % -5.7 %   1.7 % -13.5 %  
    Items affecting comparability (IAC)            
    Other items 0.0 -1.0 99% -1.0 -1.4 33%
    Divestments 0.1 0.0 0% 1.2 1.4 10%
    Restructuring -0.1 -4.5 99% -1.1 -8.9 87%
    Costs under TSA 0.0 -1.4 100% 0.0 -6.9 100%
    Income for costs under TSA 0.0 1.4 100% 0.0 6.9 100%
    EBITDA 1.4 -7.2 120% 1.1 -23.8 105%
    % of revenue 4.7 % -25.6 %   1.0 % -21.6 %  
    Depreciation & amortization, excluding PPA3 -2.0 -2.5 -19% -9.0 -9.5 -6%
    PPA amortization -0.5 -0.6 -17% -2.2 -2.4 -7%
    EBIT -1.1 -10.2 89% -10.1 -35.7 72%
    % of revenue -3.7 % -36.6 %   -8.7 % -32.5 %  
    Adjusted EBIT2 -0.6 -4.1 85% -7.0 -24.3 71%
    % of revenue -2.0 % -14.5 %   -6.0 % -22.1 %  
    Discontinued operations            
    Revenue 8.3 10.0 -17% 31.4 32.9 -5%
    Adjusted EBITDA2 1.0 1.8 -45% 1.1 -1.3 187%
    % of revenue 12.0 % 18.1 %   3.6 % -4.0 %  
    Items affecting comparability (IAC)            
    Divestments 1.1     1.1    
    EBIT -13.6 1.6 -927% -29.3 -8.2 -258%
    % of revenue -164.1 % 16.5 %   -93.6 % -24.9 %  
    Combined operations            
    Revenue 38.1 38.0 0% 147.4 142.8 3%
    Adjusted EBITDA2 2.4 0.2 1070% 3.1 -16.1 119%
    % of revenue 6.3 % 0.5 %   2.1 % -11.3 %  
    Earnings per share, (EUR)4 -0.08 -0.07 -25% -0.22 -0.23 5%
    Deferred revenue       67.7 66.9 1%
    Cash flow from operations before financial items and taxes 7.7 2.7 191% 2.1 -19.9 110%
    Cash and cash equivalents       27.3 36.6 -25%
    ROI, % -52.3 % -27.5 % -90% -34.1 % -30.5 % -12%
    Equity ratio, %       59.1 % 73.3 % -19%
    Gearing, %       0.4 % -22.2 % 102%
    Personnel, end of period       961 1,087 -12%

    1. Excluding Items Affecting Comparability (IAC) and depreciation and amortization. In 2023 excludes also costs of services provided to F-Secure under TSA and equivalent income charged for TSA services. 

    2. Adjustments are material items outside the normal course of business associated with acquisitions, integration, restructuring, gains or losses from sales of businesses and other items affecting comparability. For reconciliation and a breakdown of adjusted costs, see Note 6 (Reconciliation of alternative performance measures)

    3. Amortization of intangible assets from business combinations (PPA, purchase price allocation, related amortizations). 

    4. Based on the weighted average number of outstanding shares during the period 175 986 422 (1-12/2024).

    Events after period-end
    After the end of the financial year, on 23 January 2025, WithSecure announced the sale of its Cyber security consulting business to Swedish investment firm Neqst. The transaction is executed by the sale of shares of the parent company of a to-be-established WithSecure cyber security consulting group, to which the consulting business will be transferred prior to the completion of the transaction. As a result of the agreement, total of approximately 250 employees located in Finland, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Italy, and US are expected to transfer to the buyer.

    Additional information
    This is a summary of WithSecure’s Financial Statement Release 1 January – 31 December 2024. The full report is a PDF file attached to this stock exchange release. Full report is also available on the company website.

    Webcast
    WithSecure’s CEO Antti Koskela and CFO Tom Jansson will present the results in a webcast on 12 February starting at 14.00 EET. The webcast will be held in English and can be accessed at

    https://withsecure.events.inderes.com/q4-2024

    Questions in written format are requested in the webcast portal. Presentation material and the webcast recording will be available on the company website

    Materials | Investor Relations | WithSecure™

    Financial calendar
    During the year 2025, WithSecure Corporation will publish financial information as follows:

    • 25 April 2025: Interim Report for January–March 2025
    • 16 July 2025: Half-Year Report for January–June 2025
    • 22 October 2025: Interim Report for January–September 2025

    WithSecure observes at least a three-week (21 days) silent period prior to publication of financial reports, during which it refrains from engaging in discussions with capital market representatives or the media regarding WithSecure’s financial position or the factors affecting it.

    The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 18 March 2025. The Board of Directors will convene the meeting.

    Contact information
    Tom Jansson, CFO
    WithSecure Corporation

    Laura Viita
    VP, Controlling, investor relations and sustainability
    WithSecure Corporation
    +358 50 487 1044
    investor-relations@withsecure.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ABN AMRO Bank posts net profit of EUR 397 million in Q4 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ABN AMRO Bank posts net profit of EUR 397 million in Q4 2024

    12 February 2025

    Q4 Key messages

    • Good finish to the year: Q4 net profit of EUR 397 million, supported by continued high net interest income and fee income
    • Strong result in 2024: Net profit of EUR 2.4 billion and a return on equity of 10.1%
    • Continued mortgage portfolio growth: Increase of EUR 1.1 billion in Q4 and full-year growth of over EUR 5 billion, supported by an increase in clients
    • Net interest income (NII) further improved: Q4 benefited from higher Treasury result, resulting in NII of EUR 6.5 billion for the full year. Expected NII for 2025 between EUR 6.2 and 6.4 billion
    • Continued fee growth: Fee income increased compared to the previous quarter, resulting in fee growth for the year of over 7%, driven by better performance in all client units
    • Costs remain under control: Costs for the full year, excluding large incidentals, in line with guidance at EUR 5.3 billion. For 2025, costs are expected to be broadly flat
    • Solid credit quality: Impairments of EUR 9 million in Q4, reflecting increases in individually provisioned client files. Net impairment releases of EUR 21 million for the year
    • Strong capital position: Basel III CET1 ratio of 14.5% and Basel IV CET1 ratio estimated at a similar level
    • Final dividend of EUR 0.75 per share proposed

    Robert Swaak, CEO:

    “ABN AMRO delivered another strong full-year result, with a net profit of EUR 2.4 billion for 2024 and a return on equity of over 10%. The year saw further growth in our net interest income and fee income. With the Dutch mortgage market rebounding during 2024, we managed to increase our market share for new production from 16% to 19%. In 2024, we also managed to grow the corporate loan book in our transition themes; digital, new energies and mobility. Our underlying cost base was in line with our guidance of EUR 5.3 billion and our solid credit quality led to net impairment releases. We continued to execute on our strategy of being a personal bank in the digital age. Furthermore, our sustainability efforts were rewarded with our return to the S&P Global Dow Jones Sustainability Index Europe.

    With almost half the global population holding elections, 2024 was an exceptional year. We expect that the geopolitical ramifications and economic impact of these elections will be felt in the coming years. The ECB lowered interest rates a number of times as inflation subsided and Eurozone GDP growth was slow. The growth of the Dutch economy was muted during 2024 due to lower exports and business investments, while inflation remained elevated compared to the European average. Domestic demand grew driven by an increase in wages and house prices increased by almost 9% during the year.

    We were again able to grow our mortgage book in the fourth quarter with EUR 1.1 billion. Our corporate loan book decreased in Q4 largely reflecting more active capital allocation and steering. We transferred credit risk on a portfolio of corporate loans and decided to materially reduce our international Asset Based Finance activities in Germany and the United Kingdom.

    Our fourth quarter financial results were solid, with a net profit of EUR 397 million. Net interest income increased to EUR 1,668 million, reflecting a strong Treasury result. Fee income increased again this quarter, up 11% on the same quarter last year, with all client units contributing to the growth. Underlying costs rose during the fourth quarter, as was expected given the additional vacancies that were filled.

    Our solid credit quality and benign economic circumstances led to another quarter of very limited impairments of EUR 9 million. Risk-weighted assets decreased by EUR 3.0 billion, largely reflecting business developments including capital steering and data quality improvements. These factors, combined with the increase of CET1 capital during the quarter, resulted in the Basel III capital ratio rising to 14.5%. We made progress with the implementation of Basel IV and now estimate the Basel IV capital ratio to be at a similar level as our Basel III capital ratio. We will provide an update on the outcome of our capital assessment when publishing our Q2 results.

    In 2020, we launched our current strategy: A personal bank in the digital age. Since then, we have made significant progress on the three strategic pillars that define the crucial focus areas for creating value for our key stakeholder groups; clients, shareholders, colleagues and society as a whole.

    We have continued investing in our customer experience, focusing on attractive segments where we can grow by bringing convenience into the daily lives of our clients and expertise where it matters. We are making a significant investment in Germany with the intended acquisition of Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe, a private bank with a long standing history, positioning ABN AMRO as a leading private bank in the German market. Our Dutch retail bank provides all services and products through online channels, supported by a network of 25 retail branches. For those clients that need active support with daily banking tasks, we doubled our ‘Help with Banking’ advisers to 200 during the year. We are continuing our efforts to improve our client services and product offering which is reflected in our improved Net Promoter Score (NPS) compared to last year within all client units. We also launched our new brand promise ‘For every new beginning’ to appeal to the entrepreneurial spirit of our clients and highlight the expertise that we can offer. We have welcomed the 10 millionth active user of Tikkie, our payment request application. Its success has even led to the word ‘tikkie’ being included in the Dutch dictionary. More and more businesses are now turning to Tikkie for invoicing, solidifying our leading position in peer-to-peer payments.

    We have continued embedding sustainability in our operations and the asset volume of client loans with a sustainability component (including mortgages and corporate loans) and ESG & impact investments rose from 34% to 37% in 2024. We remain focused on the decarbonisation of our loan portfolio. Additional targets for passenger cars, mortgages, as well as the upstream and midstream part of our oil and gas portfolio will be disclosed in our integrated annual report. Related to our aim to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, we have added insurance products for farmers who reduce their use of chemical pesticides. Other developments in the fourth quarter included the Sustainable Impact Fund’s acquisition of a stake in Urban Mine, a leader in sustainable construction and concrete recycling, and the pilot launch of the Human Rights Remedy Mechanism, which allows individuals to raise concerns about human rights violations linked to our corporate clients.

    During 2024, we continued to allocate significant resources to making our bank future proof. We maintained our leading position in cyber resilience, as evidenced by external parties like BitSight. We added further use cases of Gen-AI in the fourth quarter with the introduction of an AI chatbot for Tikkie and a voicebot for incoming calls from our credit card clients. This will further build on our digital product experience and client contact, for which we are already externally recognised as the digital leader in the Dutch banking sector.

    There are multiple complex and demanding projects running in parallel in relation to changes in the regulatory environment, and we made significant progress across the board during the year. We are in the final phase of simplifying our model landscape while at the same time finalising the implementation of Basel IV. Furthermore, we are continuously refining our AML processes, and are implementing CSRD and other sustainability-related regulations in our reporting. These programmes will continue to impact parts of our organisation, despite the investments in additional change capacity that we made during the year.

    In January 2025, we announced that Marguerite Bérard is the intended new CEO of ABN AMRO. Following regulatory approval, she will be appointed by the Supervisory Board after being introduced to the AGM in April. I am very pleased with the nomination of Marguerite. In the short time that I have had the pleasure of getting to know her, I have become impressed by her inspiring personality and deep knowledge of the banking sector. I am confident that she will successfully lead the bank forward, building on the strong foundations that we have in place.

    As I look back, I am proud of what ABN AMRO has achieved and I value the dedication and commitment that clients, shareholders and colleagues have shown to this iconic Dutch institution. I am confident that ABN AMRO will continue banking for better, for generations to come.

     

    Key figures and indicators
     (in EUR millions)

    		 Q4 2024 Q4 2023 Change Q3 2024 Change
    Operating income 2,240 2,041 10% 2,253 1%
    Operating expenses 1,614 1,462 10% 1,334 21%
    Operating result 626 580 8% 920 -32%
    Impairment charges on financial instruments 9 -83   -29  
    Income tax expenses 220 117 88% 259 -15%
    Profit/(loss) for the period 397 545 -27% 690 -42%
               
    Cost/income ratio 72.0% 71.6%   59.2%  
    Return on average Equity 6.2% 9.5%   11.6%  
    CET1 ratio1 14.5% 14.3%   14.1%  

    This press release is published by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and contains inside information within the meaning of article 7 (1) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation).

    Note to editors, not for publication:
    For more information, please contact

    ABN AMRO Press Office: Jarco de Swart, E-mail: pressrelations@nl.abnamro.com, phone number: +31 (0)20 6288900.

    ABN AMRO Investor Relations: John Heijning, E-mail: investorrelations@nl.abnamro.com, phone number +31 (0)20 6282282.

    1 Capital ratio for Q3 2024 are pro-forma, including 50% of the net profit. For more information about the ratio, please refer to the Capital management section in our quarterly report.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WithSecure Corporation’s Annual Report for 2024 has been published

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WithSecure Corporation, Stock Exchange Release, 12 February 2025, 8:01 EET

    WithSecure Corporation’s Annual Report for 2024 has been published

    WithSecure Corporation’s Annual Report for 2024 has been published. The report is attached to this release, and it is available on the company website: Investors | Cyber Security Solutions | WithSecure™.

    The Annual Report includes the Board of Directors’ report and Financial Statements, Corporate Governance Statement, and Remuneration Report. Board of Directors’ report includes a Sustainability Report prepared in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the relevant Finnish legislation.

    The Annual Report is available in Finnish and English.

    In accordance with the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) reporting requirements, WithSecure has published the Board of Directors’ report and Financial Statements as an XHTML file. In line with the ESEF requirements, the primary statements of the consolidated financial statements have been labelled with XBRL tags, and the notes to the financial statements with XBRL block tags. The audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy has provided an independent auditor’s reasonable assurance report on WithSecure’s ESEF Financial Statements in accordance with ISAE 3000 (Revised).

    Contact information:

    Laura Viita
    VP, Controlling, investor relations and sustainability
    WithSecure Corporation
    +358 50 487 1044
    investor-relations@withsecure.com

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aktia Bank Plc’s Financial Statement Release January–December 2024: Stable fourth quarter ends a strong year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Stock Exchange Release
    12 February 2025 at 8.00 a.m.

    Aktia Bank Plc’s Financial Statement Release January–December 2024: Stable fourth quarter ends a strong year

    The quarter in short

    • Comparable operating profit: EUR 28.3 million, 11% higher than last year (25.6).
    • Comparable cost/income ratio 0.59 (0.61).
    • Comparable return on equity (ROE): 13.1% (13.0%).
    • Net commission income: 9% higher than last year thanks to a higher net income from asset management.
    • Assets under management: Decreased during the quarter due to net redemptions and fragmented market development.
    • Net interest income: Approximately at the same level as last year.
    • Net income from life insurance: Continued solid development mainly driven by strong demand for investment-linked insurances.
    • Comparable operating expenses: Good cost control despite continued investments in IT.
    • Credit losses: Increased compared to last year, which reflects the current market situation.
    • The share of assets under management classified as sustainable under Article 8/9 increased to 98.1% from 95.3% last year.

    Outlook 2025

    Aktia’s comparable operating profit for 2025 is expected to be lower than the comparable operating profit for 2024, which amounted to EUR 124.5 million.

    The outlook has been prepared based on the following assumptions:

    • Due to the lower interest rate level, the net interest income is expected to be lower than in 2024.
    • The net commission income is expected to be slightly higher than in 2024.
    • The life insurance business is expected to develop steadily. However, the result may be affected by changes in market values.
    • Operating expenses are expected to increase slightly, given the continued investments in IT and the development of the general cost level.
    • Credit losses are expected to remain at a moderate level. However, the uncertainty in the Finnish real estate sector may affect the development of impairments and expected credit losses.

    Proposed dividend

    Aktia’s Board of Directors proposes, in accordance with the dividend policy, that a dividend of EUR 0.82 per share to be paid for 2024.

    Aleksi Lehtonen, CEO:

    In 2024, Aktia successfully fulfilled its purpose of creating wealth in a changing operating environment.

    In Finland, the housing market remained sluggish and the challenges of economic growth continued. Capital markets were also affected by geopolitical tensions and falling interest rates. We have worked closely with our customers to ensure that their investment portfolio allocations are right in all market conditions. During the last quarter of the year, large institutional investors made changes in their allocations before the turn of the year, which was also evident in our assets under management.

    Stable fourth quarter ends a strong year

    The comparable operating profit for the fourth quarter was 11% higher than last year and increased to EUR 28.3 million. It was a good conclusion to a strong financial year performance-wise with one of Aktia’s all-time highest comparable operating profits, EUR 124.5 million. Both the quarter’s and the entire financial year’s comparable cost-to-income ratio and comparable return on equity (ROE) thus exceed the current long-term financial objectives. For the full year 2024, we report a strong cost-to-income ratio (0.56) and ROE (15.0%). As the level of our Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio continues to exceed the target levels, we have reason to be satisfied. Thus, we start the year 2025 on a positive note with a proposed dividend of EUR 0.82 per share.

    I am also happy that the quarter showed how long-term, systematic work bears fruit: the results of our employee surveys continued to improve, and Aktia’s result increased the most in the comprehensive, independent EPSI customer satisfaction survey among investors. I am particularly pleased that Aktia was assessed to have the most active dialogue with its customers and that the quality of Aktia’s products and solutions was commended.

    I would like to extend many thanks to our customers for placing their confidence in us and to our employees for the high standards of service quality and forward-thinking financial advice we offer.

    While the underlying business remained stable, the reported result for the quarter was affected by IT-related impairments and expenses of EUR 26.4 million.

    Focus on development of asset management

    During the quarter, the development of Aktia’s asset management continued. For instance, we launched a new product family of management solutions, combining ETF equity funds with Aktia’s spearhead knowledge in fixed income investments and first-class allocation skills. Nevertheless, the total assets under management decreased slightly due to fragmented market development and allocation changes mainly among certain large institutions. However, the net commission income was stable.

    The favourable development of the life insurance business continued and the assets under management in investment-linked insurance contracts reached a new record level. With a new cooperation agreement, POP banks are also selling Aktia’s investment-linked insurances. 

    The banking business saw favourable demand during the quarter within our core target groups, although the entire loan book decreased slightly. Also in the current market situation credit losses remained at a moderate level, and the demand for investment solutions was strong among private customers. Thus, the full year 2024 was strong for the banking business performance-wise.

    Assessment of Aktia’s strategy

    When I assumed the position of CEO, I noted that Aktia has much potential. This thought has guided our work as we have reviewed our strategy in order to ensure our continued wealth-creating journey towards becoming a unique, leading wealth manager empowered by a strong banking heritage. We have sent out invitations to an investor event on 27 February 2025, where we present our specified strategic plan and updated financial targets.

    Aktia will celebrate its 200th anniversary next year. By thinking further and striving for growth, we aim to create wealth also far into the future. I welcome all current and future employees, customers, and investors to join us on our journey.

    Key Figures

    (EUR million)  Q4/2024 Q4/2023 ∆ % Jan–Dec
    2024    		 Jan–Dec
    2023    		 ∆ % Q3/2024 ∆ % Q2/2024 Q1/2024
    Net interest income  38.1 38.2 0% 152.0 140.4 8% 36.1 6% 38.8 39.1
    Net commission income  32.5 29.8 9% 124.3 120.4 3% 30.9 5% 30.8 30.1
    Net income from life insurance  6.3 6.0 4% 30.2 24.1 26% 8.9 -29% 7.4 7.7
    Total operating income  78.7 74.5 6% 308.8 287.4 7% 76.1 4% 76.7 77.3
    Operating expenses  -49.3 -46.5 6% -178.6 -176.6 1% -43.1 14% -44.8 -41.4
    Impairment of tangible and intangible assets -25.0 -1.1 – -25.0 -1.3 – – – – –
    Impairment of credits and other commitments  -4.3 -2.4 78% -10.6 -7.0 53% -1.8 148% -1.8 -2.7
    Operating profit  0.1 24.5 -100% 94.6 102.6 -8% 31.2 -100% 30.1 33.3
    Comparable operating income1  78.7 74.5 6% 308.8 287.2 8% 76.1 4% 76.7 77.3
    Comparable operating expenses1  -46.1 -45.5 1% -173.8 -174.2 0% -42.8 8% -44.1 -40.7
    Comparable operating profit1  28.3 25.6 11% 124.5 104.8 19% 31.5 -10% 30.8 33.9
    Cost-to-income ratio  0.63 0.62 0% 0.58 0.61 -6% 0.57 10% 0.58 0.54
    Comparable cost-to-income ratio1  0.59 0.61 -4% 0.56 0.61 -7% 0.56 4% 0.57 0.53
    Earnings per share (EPS), EUR  0.00 0.27 – 1.04 1.12 -7% 0.34 – 0.33 0.38
    Comparable earnings per share (EPS), EUR, euro1  0.31 0.28 8% 1.37 1.15 19% 0.34 -10% 0.34 0.38
    Return on equity (ROE), %  -0.1 12.5 -12.6* 11.4 13.3 -1.8* 14.9 -15.0* 14.5 16.5
    Comparable return on equity (ROE), %1 13.1 13.0 0.1* 15.0 13.6 1.5* 15.0 -1.9* 14.9 16.8
    Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio (CET1), %2  12.0 11.3 0.7* 12.0 11.3 0.7* 11.9 0.1* 11.5 11.4
    Dividend per share (proposal by the Bord of Directors), EUR       0.82 0.70 17%        
    Payout ratio (proposal by the Board of Directors), %       79 63 16*        

    1) Alternative performance measures
    2) At the end of the period
    * The change is calculated in percentage points

    Briefing for analysts, investors and media

    Aktia’s results briefing for analysts, investors and media will be held in English on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 10.30 a.m. Aktia’s CEO Aleksi Lehtonen and CFO Sakari Järvelä will present the results.

    The briefing can be viewed live as a webcast or as a recording after the event at https://aktia.events.inderes.com/q4-report-2024. Questions can be submitted in writing during the live webcast.

    AKTIA BANK PLC

    For more information:
    Oscar Taimitarha, Director, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 562 2315

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Mass media
    www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 31 December 2024 amounted to EUR 14.0 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 11.9 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aktia Bank Plc: IT-related one-off items burden the result in the fourth quarter 2024, but do not affect comparable result

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Insider information
    12 February 2025 at 7.30 a.m.

    Aktia Bank Plc: IT-related one-off items burden the result in the fourth quarter 2024, but do not affect comparable result

    Aktia Bank Plc continues to invest in and upgrade its modern core banking system, which was commissioned in 2017. In connection with the system development work, Aktia has reassessed the asset values and depreciation periods of existing IT systems as of 31 December 2024. The assessment leads to an impairment of IT-related intangible assets of EUR 25.0 million as well as expensed IT licenses of EUR 1.4 million. The majority of the impairments is related to the core banking system.

    The one-off items do not affect Aktia’s comparable result and have only a marginal impact on Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1).

    The Financial Statement Release for 2024 will be published on 12 February 2025 at 8.00 a.m.

    Aktia Bank Plc

    Further information:
    Oscar Taimitarha, Director of Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 562 2315

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Oy
    Mass media
    www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 30 September 2024 amounted to EUR 14.3 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 12.0 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between ageing and frailty? One is inevitable – the other is not

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julee McDonagh, Senior Research Fellow of Frailty Research, University of Wollongong

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Ageing is a normal part of the life course. It doesn’t matter how many green smoothies you drink, or how many “anti-ageing” skin care products you use, you can’t stop the ageing process.

    But while we’re all getting older, not everyone who ages will necessarily become frail. Ageing and frailty are closely related, but they’re not the same thing.

    Let’s break down the difference between the two.

    What is ageing?

    On a biological level, ageing is the result of the build-up of cellular and molecular damage in the body over time.

    The ageing process causes a gradual decline in physical and mental function, a higher risk of disease, and eventual (and unavoidable) death.

    Still, some people think they can cheat the system, spending millions trying to stay young forever. While we may be able to reduce the appearance of ageing, ultimately there’s no magic pill to increase our longevity.

    Around one in six Australians are over the age of 65 (16% of the total population). Yet as individuals and a society many of us still have a fear of ageing.

    But what is it about ageing we are so afraid of? When it comes down to it, many people are probably less afraid of ageing, and more afraid of becoming frail.

    Ageing is inevitable – but frailty isn’t.
    Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

    What is frailty?

    Frailty is defined as a state of vulnerability characterised by a loss of reserve across multiple parts of the body.

    Frailty is generally characterised by several physical symptoms, such as weakness, slow walking speed, exhaustion, unintentional weight loss, and low activity level.

    Lower bone density and osteoporosis (a condition where the bones become weak and brittle) are also associated with frailty, increasing the risk of falls and fractures.

    Notably, someone who is frail is less able to “bounce back” (or recover) after a stressor event compared to someone who is not frail. A stressor event could be, for example, having a fall, getting a urinary infection, or even being admitted to hospital.

    Frailty is more common in older people. But in some cases, frailty can affect younger people too. For example, people with advanced chronic diseases, such as heart failure, can develop frailty much younger.

    Frailty is more common in people who are older.
    Fit Ztudio/Shutterstock

    Frailty is dynamic. While it can get worse over time, in some cases frailty can also be reversed or even prevented through health and lifestyle changes.

    For example, we know physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase a person’s risk of becoming frail. On the flip side, evidence shows doing more exercise can reduce frailty in older adults.

    There are other lifestyle modifications we can make too. And the earlier we make these changes, the better.

    Preventing frailty

    Here are some key things you can do to help prevent frailty:

    1. Get moving

    Exercise more, including resistance training (such as squats and lunges, or grab some stretchy resistance bands). Many of these sorts of exercises can be done at home. YouTube has some great resources.

    You might also consider joining a gym, or asking your GP about seeing an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. Medicare subsidies may be available for these specialists.

    The physical activity guidelines for older Australians recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days or preferably every day.

    The guidelines also highlight the importance of incorporating different types of activities (such as resistance, balance or flexibility exercises) and reducing the time you spend sitting down.

    2. Stay socially active

    Social isolation and loneliness can contribute to the progression of frailty. Reach out to friends and family for support or contact local community groups that you may be able to join. This might include your local Zumba class or bridge club.

    3. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to regularly check your medications

    “Polypharmacy” (when someone is prescribed five or more medications) is associated with an increased risk of frailty. The presence of frailty can also interfere with how the body absorbs medicines.

    Home medicine reviews are available for older adults with a chronic medical condition or a complex medication regimen. These reviews aims to help people get the most benefit from their medicines and reduce their risk of experiencing adverse effects.

    Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your current medications.

    4. Eat a protein-rich diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables

    Low nutrient intake can negatively impact physical function and may increase your risk of becoming frail. There’s some evidence to suggest eating more protein may delay the onset of frailty.

    A food-first approach is best when looking to increase the protein in your diet. Protein is found in foods such as lean meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, legumes and nuts.

    Adults over 50 should aim to eat 64 grams of protein per day for men and 46g per day for women. Adults over 70 should aim for 81g per day for men and 57g per day for women.

    Ask your GP for a referral to a dietitian who can provide advice on a dietary regime that is best for you.

    Supplements may be recommended if you are struggling to meet your protein needs from diet alone.

    Dr Julee McDonagh receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the NSW Office of Health and Medical Research. She is also a member of the executive committee of the Cardiovascular Nursing Council of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Emerging Leaders Committee of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance.

    Professor Caleb Ferguson receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, Heart Foundation (Australia) and Stroke Foundation (Australia). He is a Board Director of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand and Chair of the Cardiovascular Nursing Council. He is Associate Editor for European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing and Heart Lung and Circulation. He was a co-author of the Australian Heart Foundation & Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand clinical guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. He is co-leads the Western Sydney Clinical Frailty Registry, a clinical quality registry of older adults.

    – ref. What’s the difference between ageing and frailty? One is inevitable – the other is not – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-ageing-and-frailty-one-is-inevitable-the-other-is-not-247450

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politics with Michelle Grattan: David Littleproud on US tariffs, a government-owned Rex, and the Nationals’ identity

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    With the election only months away, the Labor government finds itself suddenly battling with the Trump administration for an exemption from new US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

    The opposition has supported the effort, but it also claims a Coalition government would be better place to deal with Donald Trump.

    Joining us on this podcast, Nationals leader David Littleproud says if Labor fails to get an exemption on the tariffs, a Dutton government would try again:

    Of course we will and I think that the relationship that Peter Dutton had and still has in Washington will play very much towards that. In fact, I was in Washington with Peter in July last year and so he can walk the halls of Washington with authority and confidence. And I think it’s important that we want this solved and it doesn’t matter who’s in power. This is team Australia, and we’ve got to have a bipartisan approach and I think Pete has shown that leadership.

    On net zero, while Littleproud firmly backs the target as in Australai’s national interest, he also says if the world walked away from it, so would we.

    What everyone’s trying to do is protect regional Australia. But, just so everyone appreciates, if we’re not signed up to net zero by 2050, the people are hurt the most are the people in regional Australia, our farmers and our miners, because if we don’t sign up to what the rest of the world has, the world gets to impose on us a border adjustment mechanism. That’s a tariff and that means we get less for what we produce in regional Australia.

    Now if the world changes and walks away from net zero, then we walk away with it. But we’re not the United States, we’re not the biggest economy in the world. You got to understand your place in the world, and you’ve got to understand the unintended consequences.

    The government this week announced it would be willing to take over Rex Airlines if it can’t be sold. Littleproud is sceptical:

    Well, I think we’ve spent over $130 million of Australian taxpayer’s money and don’t have a lot to show for it. I think what we’ve got to also look at is that Rex was a viable regional airline before they had a dalliance into competing with Qantas and Virgin in the golden triangle between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. They couldn’t compete and instead of spending money on that, they should have upgraded their fleet.

    The government has wasted enough time. They should open up conversation with the broader regional aviation sector, which they haven’t done, to find a solution, whether that be one in totality of a purchaser for Rex or whether that be a carve out of players and with policy levers is being pulled, rather than the Australian taxpayer having to cut the check in entirety. So I think we haven’t exhausted all the options.

    On the coming election campaign, Littleproud stresses the closeness between the Nationals and the Liberals, rather than seeking to emphasise a separate Nationals’ pitch.

    Peter and I, I think, have the tightest coalition that we’ve ever had. There’s not a piece of paper between us. We’re literally joined at the hip and our campaigns will complement one another and in fact, they’ll intertwine in many places. I think that’s important that the people of Australia understand that the only coalition that they can trust to form government is the Nationals and Liberals, not Labor, Greens and teals – that that is the only coalition that’ll give them stability, not chaos.

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

    – ref. Politics with Michelle Grattan: David Littleproud on US tariffs, a government-owned Rex, and the Nationals’ identity – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-david-littleproud-on-us-tariffs-a-government-owned-rex-and-the-nationals-identity-249708

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Rosen Announces Opposition to Tulsi Gabbard Confirmation as Director of National Intelligence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) spoke on the Senate floor to oppose the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. In her remarks, Senator Rosen emphasized Gabbard’s lack of qualifications to lead the U.S. Intelligence Community. She also voiced her serious concerns about Gabbard’s connections to America’s adversaries, including Vladimir Putin and other brutal dictators.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    Every member of this body is sworn to protect our national security and safety and the well-being of the American people. There is no more important responsibility for Congress to fulfill than this.
    Senators take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
    And when the American people go to sleep at night, they rest assured that our homeland will be kept safe.
    […]
    At a time of rising global threats, having Tulsi Gabbard serving in this role would make America less safe. And I want to say that again – would make us less safe. Full stop.
    Our allies are dumbfounded, and our adversaries, well, in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and all over the world – they’re laughing at us. 
    They’re laughing at the idea that the United States of America would weaken its national security by placing someone so deeply unqualified in such a critical role for our safety, for our security.
    Our adversaries, well, they are overjoyed that they’re going to have an ally leading the American Intelligence Community.
    And my concerns, they’re not political. After all, Ms. Gabbard and I used to serve in Congress together in the same caucus when she represented a district from Hawaii as a Democrat.
    My concerns are that she not only lacks the qualifications needed, but that she has also peddled talking points straight from the Kremlin. 
    Think about it. Tulsi Gabbard has never worked in intelligence before. As a member of the House of Representatives, she didn’t even serve on the House Intelligence Committee.
    During her time in the House, Ms. Gabbard actually voted against – she voted against – critical national security-related legislation, like increased funding for preventing terrorism in high-density, high-threat level urban areas like my city of Las Vegas. She voted against all of that security for Nevada.
    This funding was actually pursued by former Nevada congressman Joe Heck, who’s a Republican, and it’s something I’ve continued working to secure in the Senate.
    And yet, Tulsi Gabbard, she voted against [the] bipartisan proposal to protect our cities from terrorism.
    And she was the only member of [the] House Armed Services Committee to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act every year during markup.
    As concerning as her lack of experience and tendency to vote against our security is, Ms. Gabbard’s history of cozying up to America’s adversaries is far, far more troubling.
    Her actions and words suggest that she has been directly influenced by foreign propaganda, whether that comes from Russia, from Syria, or other brutal dictatorships. 
    […]
    Just look at her justification of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, which she did not blame [on] Vladimir Putin, who, let’s be clear, is entirely responsible for the invasion. 
    Instead, Ms. Gabbard has parroted Putin’s talking points and placed blame on the United States and on NATO for Russia’s vile assault upon the Ukrainian people.
    We can also look at her attempts to give cover to Syria’s former dictator Bashar Al Assad, who used chemical weapons on his own people, killing kids, killing babies – killing babies in his own attempt to hold onto power. 
    Ms. Gabbard even went to Syria to buddy up with Assad and then came back to the U.S. to defend his killing of innocent men, women, and children. Those babies he killed to hang onto power.
    It’s sickening actually.
    It’s a betrayal of our country’s values.
    Time and time again, Ms. Gabbard has rejected the findings and conclusions of our own intelligence officials, and has instead chosen to, well, cozy up to dictators and our adversaries.
    […]
    I urge my colleagues to review Ms. Gabbard’s recent hearing before the Senate […] Select Committee on Intelligence. In response to almost every question, Tulsi Gabbard avoided providing any real answer. Whether it came from a Democrat or a Republican, she simply dodged the questions over and over and over.
    And that’s not leadership; this is not an example of someone who is qualified; and this is not a candidate who will keep America safe.
    I urge my Republican colleagues to join me in listening to common sense, to thinking about our men and women who serve, to think about folks around the globe, to think about everyone here in America to reject this clearly unqualified and dangerous nominee.
    It doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s have President Trump nominate someone else who we can agree is qualified for this critical and consequential role who has our nation’s best interests in their heart.
    Tulsi Gabbard is not that person.
    The safety and well-being of our country depend on having a qualified nominee.
    Again, I urge my Republican [colleagues] to join us, to reject Tulsi Gabbard and put someone up who has the heart and experience to do this important job.
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on February 12, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,50,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 1,93,865
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 1,93,865
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.26
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.26
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) N.A.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2132

    MIL OSI Economics –