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  • MIL-OSI: Shell plc publishes fourth quarter 2024 press release

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, January 30, 2025

    “2024 was another year of strong financial performance across Shell. Despite the lower earnings this quarter, cash delivery remained solid and we generated free cash flow of $40 billion across the year, higher than 2023, in a lower price environment. Our continued focus on simplification helped to deliver over $3 billion in structural cost reductions since 2022, meeting our target ahead of schedule, whilst also making significant progress against all our other financial targets1.

    Today, we announce a 4% increase in our dividends and another $3.5 billion buyback programme, making this the 13th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion of buybacks, all whilst further strengthening our balance sheet this year to position us well for the future.

    We will outline the next steps in our strategy to deliver more value with less emissions at our Capital Markets Day in March.”

    Shell plc Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan


    SOLID CASH FLOW GENERATION; RESILIENT DISTRIBUTIONS

    • Robust CFFO of $13.2 billion in Q4 2024, with CFFO of $54.7 billion and free cash flow of $39.5 billion for the full year 2024. $22.6 billion distributed to shareholders in 2024, representing 41% of CFFO generated.
    • Q4 2024 Adjusted Earnings2 of $3.7 billion reflect lower prices and margins, higher exploration well write-offs, and the non-cash impact of expiring hedging contracts on LNG trading and optimisation results.
    • Structural cost reductions of $3.1 billion achieved since 2022, meeting the 2023 Capital Markets Day (CMD23) target a year early, with significant progress against the other CMD23 financial targets1.
    • Focus on disciplined capital allocation drove down 2024 cash capex to $21.1 billion; our cash capex range for the full year 2025 is expected to be lower than our 2024 range, with more guidance to come at the Capital Markets Day in March.
    • Increasing dividend per share by 4% to $0.358 for the fourth quarter, while commencing a $3.5 billion share buyback programme, expected to be completed by Q1 2025 results announcement. 
    $ million2 Adj. Earnings Adj. EBITDA CFFO Cash capex
    Integrated Gas 2,165 4,568 4,391 1,337
    Upstream 1,682 7,676 4,509 2,076
    Marketing 839 1,709 1,363 811
    Chemicals & Products3 (229) 475 2,032 1,392
    Renewables & Energy Solutions (311) (123) 850 1,277
    Corporate (380) (24) 16 30
    Less: Non-controlling interest (NCI) 106      
    Shell Q4 2024 3,661 14,281 13,162 6,924
    Q3 2024 6,028 16,005 14,684 4,950
    FY 2024 23,716 65,803 54,684 21,084
    FY 2023 28,250 68,538 54,191 24,392

    1Progress to date on the financial targets that were announced during Capital Markets Day in June 2023 is available at www.shell.com/2024-progress-on-cmd23.html.

    2Income/(loss) attributable to shareholders for Q4 2024 is $0.9 billion. Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures can be found in the unaudited results, available at www.shell.com/investors.

    3Chemicals & Products Adjusted Earnings at a subsegment level are as follows – Chemicals $(0.3) billion and Products $0.0 billion.

    • CFFO of $13.2 billion for Q4 2024 includes a working capital inflow of $2.4 billion. CFFO reflects tax payments of $2.9 billion, and a $1.4 billion outflow1 related to the timing impact of payments for emissions certificates and biofuel programmes.
    • Net debt increased by $3.6 billion over the quarter to $38.8 billion, reflecting the recognition of the LNG Canada pipeline lease liability. Net debt at the end of 2024 was $4.7 billion lower than at the beginning of the year.
    $ billion2 Q4 2023 Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024
    Divestment proceeds 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.2 0.8
    Free cash flow 6.9 9.8 10.2 10.8 8.7
    Net debt 43.5 40.5 38.3 35.2 38.8


    1 Includes payments for the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act), excludes the payment of German Mineral Oil Taxes.

    2 Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures can be found in the unaudited results, available at www.shell.com/investors.

    Q4 2024 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DRIVERS

    INTEGRATED GAS

    Key data Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 outlook
    Realised liquids price ($/bbl) 63 63 —
    Realised gas price ($/thousand scf) 7.9 8.1 —
    Production (kboe/d) 941 905 930 – 990
    LNG liquefaction volumes (MT) 7.5 7.1 6.6 – 7.2
    LNG sales volumes (MT) 17.0 15.5 —
    • Adjusted Earnings reflect lower trading and optimisation results driven by the (non-cash) impact of expiring hedging contracts, and lower volumes due to Pearl GTL turnaround, lower feedgas supply and lower liftings (timing) versus Q3 2024.
    • Q1 2025 production outlook reflects Pearl GTL being back in operation; LNG liquefaction volumes outlook is impacted by lower feedgas supply.

    UPSTREAM

    Key data Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 outlook
    Realised liquids price ($/bbl) 75 71 —
    Realised gas price ($/thousand scf) 6.6 7.0 —
    Liquids production (kboe/d) 1,321 1,332 —
    Gas production (million scf/d) 2,844 3,056 —
    Total production (kboe/d) 1,811 1,859 1,750 – 1,950
    • Adjusted Earnings reflect higher volumes, offset by lower prices, above-average well write-offs, and higher year-end opex.
    • First production achieved from Mero-3 and Whale (January), and FID taken on Bonga North, supporting portfolio longevity.

    MARKETING

    Key data Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 outlook
    Marketing sales volumes (kb/d) 2,945 2,795 2,500 – 3,000
    Mobility (kb/d) 2,119 2,041 —
    Lubricants (kb/d) 81 77 —
    Sectors & Decarbonisation (kb/d) 745 678 —

    Wholesale commercial fuels, previously reported in the Chemicals & Products segment, is reported in the Marketing segment (Mobility) with effect from Q1 2024.
    Comparative information for the Marketing segment and the Chemicals & Products segment has been revised.

    • Adjusted Earnings in Q4 2024 reflect the seasonal impact of lower volumes and lower Mobility margins.
    • 2024 full year Adjusted Earnings were $3.9 billion, up $0.6 billion from 2023, driven by improved margins and lower opex.

    CHEMICALS & PRODUCTS

    Key data Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 outlook1
    Refinery processing intake (kb/d) 1,305 1,215 —
    Chemicals sales volumes (kT) 3,015 2,926 —
    Refinery utilisation (%) 81 76 80 – 88
    Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation (%) 76 75 78 – 86
    Global indicative refining margin ($/bbl) 5.5 5.5 —
    Global indicative chemical margin ($/t) 164 138 —

    1Oil sands production: In Q1 2025, Shell’s remaining interest in the Canadian oil sands is expected to be swapped for an additional 10% interest in the Scotford upgrader and Quest CCS projects.

    Wholesale commercial fuels, previously reported in the Chemicals & Products segment, is reported in the Marketing segment (Mobility) with effect from Q1 2024.
    Comparative information for the Marketing segment and the Chemicals & Products segment has been revised.

    • Adjusted Earnings reflect significantly lower contribution from trading and optimisation, including seasonality effects, and continued weak chemicals margin environment.

    RENEWABLES & ENERGY SOLUTIONS

    Key data Q3 2024 Q4 2024
    External power sales (TWh) 79 76
    Sales of pipeline gas to end-use customers (TWh) 148 165
    Renewables power generation capacity (GW)* 7.3 7.4
    • in operation (GW)
    		 3.4 3.4
    • under construction and/or committed for sale (GW)
    		 3.9 4.0

      *Excludes Shell’s equity share of associates where information cannot be obtained.

    • Adjusted Earnings were lower than in Q3 2024, largely driven by one-off tax charges in the quarter.
    • Acquired a 609 MW combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in Rhode Island, USA.

    Renewables and Energy Solutions includes activities such as renewable power generation, the marketing and trading and optimisation of power and pipeline gas, as well as carbon credits, and digitally enabled customer solutions. It also includes the production and marketing of hydrogen, development of commercial carbon capture and storage hubs, investment in nature-based projects that avoid or reduce carbon emissions, and Shell Ventures, which invests in companies that work to accelerate the energy and mobility transformation.

    CORPORATE

    Key data Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 outlook
    Adjusted Earnings ($ billion) (0.6) (0.4) (0.6) – (0.4)

    2024 FULL YEAR

    $ billion Adj. Earnings CFFO excl. WC CFFO Cash capex Free cash flow
    FY 2024 23.7 52.6 54.7 21.1 39.5
    FY 2023 28.3 47.1 54.2 24.4 36.5
    Operational performance FY 2023 FY 2024 % change
    Oil and gas production (kboe/d) 2,791 2,836 2%
    LNG liquefaction volumes (MT) 28.3 29.1 3%
    Marketing sales volumes (kb/d) 3,045 2,843 (7)%
    Refinery processing intake (kb/d) 1,349 1,344 (0)%
    Chemicals sales volumes (kT) 11,245 11,875 6%
    Macro indicators FY 2023 FY 2024 % change
    Brent ($/bbl) 83 81 (2)%
    Henry Hub ($/MMBtu) 2.5 2.2 (13)%
    EU TTF ($/MMBtu) 13.0 11.0 (16)%
    Indicative refining margin ($/bbl) 12.5 7.7 (38)%
    Indicative chemicals margin ($/t) 133 152 14%

    UPCOMING INVESTOR EVENTS

    February 25, 2025 Shell LNG Outlook 2025 publication
    March 25, 2025 Capital Markets Day 2025
    May 2, 2025 First quarter 2025 results and dividends
    May 20, 2025 Annual General Meeting
    July 31, 2025 Second quarter 2025 results and dividends
    October 30, 2025 Third quarter 2025 results and dividends

    USEFUL LINKS

    Results materials Q4 2024

    Quarterly Databook Q4 2024

    Webcast registration Q4 2024

    Dividend announcement Q4 2024

    ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE (NON-GAAP) MEASURES

    This announcement includes certain measures that are calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) such as IFRS, including Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, CFFO excluding working capital movements, Cash capital expenditure, free cash flow, Divestment proceeds and Net debt. This information, along with comparable GAAP measures, is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring Shell plc’s operating performance and ability to retire debt and invest in new business opportunities. Shell plc’s management uses these financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the business performance.

    This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures for cash capital expenditure and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile the non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of the company, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are estimated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.

    CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

    The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. “Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; “anticipate”; “believe”; “commit”; “commitment”; “could”; “estimate”; “expect”; “goals”; “intend”; “may”; “milestones”; “objectives”; “outlook”; “plan”; “probably”; “project”; “risks”; “schedule”; “seek”; “should”; “target”; “will”; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and a significant cyber security breach; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, January 30, 2025. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

    All amounts shown throughout this announcement are unaudited. The numbers presented throughout this announcement may not sum precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures, due to rounding.

    Shell’s Net Carbon Intensity

    Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

    Shell’s Net-Zero Emissions Target

    Shell’s operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

    The content of websites referred to in this announcement does not form part of this announcement.

    We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

    The financial information presented in this announcement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”). Statutory accounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 were published in Shell’s Annual Report and Accounts, a copy of which was delivered to the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales, and in Shell’s Form 20-F. The auditor’s report on those accounts was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or 498(3) of the Act. The statutory accounts for the year ended December 31, 2024 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales in due course.

    The information in this announcement does not constitute the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements which are contained in Shell’s fourth quarter 2024 and full year 2024 unaudited results available on www.shell.com/investors.

    CONTACTS

    • Media: International +44 207 934 5550; USA +1 832 337 4355

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Shell plc Fourth Quarter 2024 Interim Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, January 30, 2025 − The Board of Shell plc (the “Company”) (XLON: SHEL, XNYS: SHEL, XAMS: SHELL) today announced an interim dividend in respect of the fourth quarter of 2024 of US$ 0.358 per ordinary share.

    Details relating to the fourth quarter 2024 interim dividend

    Per ordinary share
    (GB00BP6MXD84)    		 Q4 2024
    Shell Shares (US$) 0.358

    Shareholders will be able to elect to receive their dividends in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling.

    Absent any valid election to the contrary, persons holding their ordinary shares through Euroclear Nederland will receive their dividends in euros.

    Absent any valid election to the contrary, shareholders (both holding in certificated and uncertificated form (CREST members)) and persons holding their shares through the Shell Corporate Nominee will receive their dividends in pounds sterling.

    The pound sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments will be announced on March 10, 2025.

    Per ADS
    (US7802593050)    		 Q4 2024
    Shell ADSs (US$) 0.716

    Cash dividends on American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) will be paid, by default, in US dollars.

    Each ADS represents two ordinary shares. ADSs are evidenced by an American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) certificate. In many cases the terms ADR and ADS are used interchangeably.

    Dividend timetable for the fourth quarter 2024 interim dividend

    Event Date
    Announcement date January 30, 2025
    Ex- Dividend Date for ADSs February 14, 2025
    Ex- Dividend Date for ordinary shares February 13, 2025
    Record date February 14, 2025
    Closing of currency election date (see Note below) February 28, 2025
    Pound sterling and euro equivalents announcement date March 10, 2025
    Payment date March 24, 2025

    Note

    A different currency election date may apply to shareholders holding shares in a securities account with a bank or financial institution ultimately holding through Euroclear Nederland. This may also apply to other shareholders who do not hold their shares either directly on the Register of Members or in the corporate sponsored nominee arrangement. Shareholders can contact their broker, financial intermediary, bank or financial institution for the election deadline that applies.

    Taxation – cash dividends

    If you are uncertain as to the tax treatment of any dividends you should consult your tax advisor.

    Dividend Reinvestment Programmes (“DRIP”)

    The following organisations offer Dividend Reinvestment Plans (“DRIPs”) which enable the Company’s shareholders to elect to have their dividend payments used to purchase the Company’s shares:

    • Equiniti Financial Services Limited (“EFSL”), for those holding shares (a) directly on the register as certificate holder or as CREST Member and (b) via the Shell Corporate Nominee;
    • ABN-AMRO NV (“ABN”) for Financial Intermediaries holding shares via Euroclear Nederland;
    • JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPM”) for holders of ADSs; and
    • Other DRIPs may also be available from the intermediary through which investors hold their shares and ADSs.

    These DRIP offerors provide their DRIPs fully on their account and not on behalf of the Company. Interested parties should contact the relevant DRIP offeror directly.

    More information can be found at https://www.shell.com/drip

    To be eligible to participate in the DRIPs for the next dividend, shareholders must make a valid dividend reinvestment election before the published date for the close of elections. 

    Enquiries
    Media International: +44 207 934 5550
    Media Americas: +1 832 337 4355

    Cautionary Note

    The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties.  The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and a significant cyber security breach; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, January 30, 2025. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

    Shell’s Net Carbon Intensity

    Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

    Shell’s net-zero emissions target

    Shell’s operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

    Forward-Looking non-GAAP measures

    This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as cash capital expenditure and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.

    The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.

    We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC.  Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

    LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70
    Classification: Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of the United Kingdom

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Underwriting Auction for sale of Government Securities for ₹30,000 crore on January 31, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Government of India has announced the sale (re-issue) of Government Securities, as detailed below, through auctions to be held on January 31, 2025 (Friday).

    As per the extant scheme of underwriting commitment notified on November 14, 2007, the amounts of Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) and the minimum bidding commitment under Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction, applicable to each Primary Dealer (PD), are as under:

    (₹ crore)
    Security Notified Amount MUC amount per PD Minimum bidding commitment per PD under ACU auction
    6.79% GS 2031 10,000 239 239
    6.79% GOI SGrB 2034 5,000 120 120
    7.34% GS 2064 15,000 358 358

    The underwriting auction will be conducted through multiple price-based method on January 31, 2025 (Friday). PDs may submit their bids for ACU auction electronically through Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System between 09:00 A.M. and 09:30 A.M. on the day of underwriting auction.

    The underwriting commission will be credited to the current account of the respective PDs with RBI on the day of issue of securities.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2037

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Regeneration of Jakarta: Enhancing the Livelihood of People and the Value of State Assets

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Kasumigaseki Building 8F, 3-2-5, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6008, Japan

    About ADBI

    The Asian Development Bank Institute was established in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan, to help build capacity, skills, and knowledge related to poverty reduction and other areas that support long-term growth and competitiveness in developing economies in Asia and the Pacific.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: School and kindergarten: an educational complex will be built in Troitsk

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An educational complex will be built in the Desna microdistrict of the Novye Vatutinki district in TiNAO. The installation of the monolithic part and waterproofing of the walls, as well as backfilling of the pit, are currently being completed. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “The educational facility is being built at the address: Troitsk district, block 4. It will include a school for 1,350 students and a kindergarten for 350 pupils. After the construction is completed, the facility will be transferred to the city. Thus, the school will include laboratory and research complexes, a hall for holding events and an IT testing ground. The project also includes an amphitheater. The kindergarten, school and sports and health cluster will be located in different parts of the complex. The construction is planned to be completed in 2026,” Vladimir Efimov noted.

    The school building will house modern universal and specialized classrooms and studios, halls with zoning options, a room for individual lessons with a teacher-psychologist. The complex will include a gymnastics hall and a transformable sports hall, as well as a gym for primary school students.

    “The educational complex project is distinguished by its design and engineering solutions: in the universal and specialized classrooms, a large surface of the walls will be made of magnetic marker coating, on which you can draw, and the gym will have panoramic windows. The media library will be equipped with an amphitheater staircase, where students will be able to comfortably spend time between classes. In the adjacent territory, specialists will organize a physical education and sports area with areas for gymnastics, active games and mini-football with stands. They will allocate areas for tennis, basketball, volleyball, equip running tracks and a preschool block with children’s play areas,” added the head of the Department for the Development of New Territories of the City of Moscow.

    Vladimir Zhidkin.

    A ceremonial area for events will be arranged in front of the school entrance. A heated room will be built on the territory, where parents will be able to wait for their children in comfort in any weather.

    According to the head of the capital’s State Construction Supervision Committee (Mosgosstroynadzor) Anton Slobodchikova, the permit for the construction of a social facility with a total area of 26.6 thousand square meters was issued in February 2024. The work is supervised by inspectors of Mosgosstroynadzor, who regularly go out for inspections. Specialists from the subordinate Center for Expertise, Research and Testing in Construction also participate in them: they assess the quality of the work performed and the materials used for compliance with the requirements of the design documentation.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin reported, that in 2025 it is planned to complete the construction and reconstruction of about 30 educational institutions in TiNAO.

    The construction of social facilities in Moscow corresponds to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Construction of a road to an educational complex in Troitsk is nearing completion

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149476073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A residential building will appear in Kuntsevo under the renovation program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Another house for resettlement under the renovation program will be built in the west of the capital. It will appear at the address: Molodogvardeyskaya Street, vladikavka 54, 58. The building will be constructed as part of the integrated development project of the territory of part of the former industrial zone Kuntsevo. This was reported by Juliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of the Moscow Committee for Architecture and Urban Development (Moskomarkhitektura).

    “Moskomarkhitektura has issued an urban development plan for a land plot of 4.23 hectares for a house that will be built for the purposes of the renovation program. The maximum area of the new building will be 156 thousand square meters,” said Yuliana Knyazhevskaya.

    One of the main advantages of the area is its well-developed infrastructure, which includes convenient access to public transport, educational and medical institutions, and shopping centers. In addition, the Moskvoretsky natural and historical park is located nearby, where residents of the new building can relax in the fresh air.

    Since 2021, a capital company has been engaged in the comprehensive development of a part of the former Kuntsevo industrial zone with an area of 15.89 hectares.

    “The redevelopment project for part of the former Kuntsevo industrial zone provides for the creation of not only housing, but also the necessary infrastructure facilities within walking distance. The total area of residential buildings will exceed 596 thousand square meters. In addition, more than 13 thousand square meters of public and business facilities will appear here. Among them are two kindergartens for 100 and 350 children, as well as a center for additional education. Walking areas, bike paths, and playgrounds and sports grounds will be installed in the adjacent territory,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property

    Maxim Gaman.

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

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149488073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese New Year: Participants of the City of Tasks project are invited to get acquainted with the traditions of Eastern culture

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From January 28 to February 9, the capital hosts a festival “Chinese New Year in Moscow” within the framework of the cross-cultural Years of Russia and China. Project “City of Tasks” together with the capital By the Tourism Committee prepared tasks that will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this colorful holiday and get to know the traditions of Chinese culture better.

    To perform first task, Muscovites will have to visit the main festival site on Manezhnaya Square and take part in their favorite master class, for example, making Chinese lanterns, a fan or playing xiangqi – Chinese chess. These moments should be captured in a photo and shared on a social network with hashtags

    To those who will carry out second task, suggest going on a search for the image of this year’s symbol on Moscow buildings and monuments. You can choose one of the eight places marked on the map in the task description. You need to take a photo near this point and post the photo on your social network page with the hashtags specified above.

    For each successfully completed task, participants will receive 750 points of the city loyalty program “A Million Prizes”. They can be used to obtain goods and services from program partners or donated to charity.

    Registered users of the project can take on tasks for work “City of Tasks”, having full account on the mos.ru portal.

    The Chinese New Year in Moscow festival was first held in February 2024. Then it brought together more than 700 thousand residents and guests of the capital, and its program included over 300 events. This year, the celebration will be even larger. The festival venues will be Tverskaya and Bolotnaya squares, VDNKh, the Moscow Zoo and other popular places in the capital.

    The festival is organized by the Government of Moscow with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Russian Federation.

    The “City of Tasks” project was launched in January 2022. With its help, Muscovites control the work of the capital’s services, and also participate in environmental, cultural, sports and other events. Participants have already completed more than 2.6 million tasks. The project is being developed by the State Institution “New Management Technologies” and the capital Department of Information Technology.

    The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

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

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149383073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – Rural Queensland Today with Ben Dobbin

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    BEN DOBBIN [HOST]: Welcome back to Rural Queensland Today on the Resonate Broadcast Network, it’s my great pleasure to bring in Senator Anthony Chisholm, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Ag, Fisheries and Forestry. He’s a Queenslander and it’s great to have him on the show. Good morning, Anthony. Thanks so much for being with us.

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Good morning, Ben. Good to be with you and your listeners.

    DOBBIN: Mate, a lot going on but some good news. Yesterday you joined the University of Queensland to speak about the Federal Government’s efforts to help students pursue a career in the ag sector through the AgConnections program.

    CHISHOLM: Yeah, we think this will be an important program, Ben. And when you get around and meet with farmers on the land, you know that they’re always struggling to find future workers and I think for a lot of Queenslanders, particularly those from the city, they don’t necessarily think about a career in Ag, they don’t have that exposure. But there’s so many different jobs in agriculture these days, particularly when you consider how much new tech is involved. We want to grow that next generation of workers and think that this is a really good program. The University of Queensland have obviously got a proud history in this regard of connecting the two and ensuring that we have that future production line of workers coming through that are going to experience the ag sector, become passionate about it and go on to have a fabulous career in agriculture.

    DOBBIN: It’s a pretty significant day. You are right with the University of Queensland. It’s a first of its kind that will encourage students to diverse their disciplines. I’ve got a son who is at University of Queensland and all he wants to do is be back on the land at the farm, but he has to go and do a degree and so he’s doing engineering. But this now offers people who can go and get some skills, can go and get a university degree with some hands-on experience through an unbelievable team. But I’ve got to say, is this, is this a band aid from the State Government’s dark days when they closed the Ag colleges? I mean there was always a pathway and I understand this is a state level and you’re a Federal Senator, but I mean this seems to me like, yes, I’m so pleased this is happening, but it could have also been prevented a little bit if the State Government hadn’t gone and shut all these Ag colleges down a few years ago. Is that the reason why UQ and why the Federal Government have stepped in for this?

    CHISHOLM: We’ve also provided support to some of the other universities around the country, including Charles Sturt, ANU, and Charles Darwin University. So, there is some diversity there. It’s funny you mentioned the Ag colleges and I was out in Longreach just before Christmas, and they’ve turned the Longreach college there into a Regional University Study Hub, which will be a great addition. But I understand the point you’re making and from my point of view, who’s got responsibility for workforce issues within agriculture, what I want to see is growing the pie, and this is what I talk to industry about. So, we need people in school thinking about a career in agriculture. We need those who are studying at university thinking about agriculture. We need to look at what we can do in vocational training to ensure that there’s people coming through interested in agriculture. But I think the challenge is exposing people to the industry and then realising that you don’t have to have a family farm, you don’t have to grow up in a farming location. There are so many diverse jobs and a great career and you’ll have so much fun at the same time. That’s what it’s about. So, we understand that there’s going to be a need for people coming in on visas overseas or backpackers of the PALM scheme. All of that is in the mix. But we also want to grow those people who live in Australia and get an opportunity in Ag, and I’m confident that once they get that taste, they’ll really enjoy and want a career in that area.

    DOBBIN: Yeah, this is a very, very good initiative. I’ve got to be honest with you, and everybody needs to be congratulated on this. You also are Assistant Minister for Regional Development. Gee whiz, you’ve got a headache there trying to get the regions right. I mean, we are a little bit behind in this state and you know it too well. And you talked about Longreach, you talked about some of these areas that are growing, but we’ve got some challenges. How do we fast track it and not just be so laser focused on the south east?

    CHISHOLM: Yeah, it’s something that I see as an important responsibility for me. I try and get around the country as much as I can. I’m off to Toowoomba today to help open a bridge out of town there. So, I think it’s about ensuring that we’re working with councils and investing in infrastructure that’s going to make a difference. I think the other challenge in many of these places is housing and the program that we’ve had to support councils to develop their headworks, whether it be sewerage, whether it be guttering and be able to build more houses in what is often the case where they lack builders or lack a market for new houses. So, I think those sorts of things are really important that are going to make a difference in these regional rural communities. I was in Normanton last year and they’ve got some money to develop some land for housing. So, that just shows you that the work that’s going on. We will continue to invest in the Growing Regions Program and the Regional Precincts and Partnership Program that invest in place-based infrastructure as well. But obviously childcare is another really important issue because a lot of people moving to these towns want to know that they’ve got access for childcare. So, I think across a range of measures we’re making progress. But I accept what you’re saying and it can’t happen quick enough and we need to ensure that we’re constantly out there listening, but then acting on that and delivering at the same time.

    DOBBIN: Well, this is a great news story and we’ve led the show with the Ag Skills Accelerator given the green light. You were part of the University of Queensland yesterday, where there is now going to be, as you said, an opportunity for people who haven’t been born and bred in the bush, who can make a choice to choose Ag and go into there and do a university degree and create a future for themselves around this industry. A great news story. Senator, we really appreciate your time this morning. Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Ag and Fisheries, thanks so much for being with us.

    CHISHOLM: Thanks, Ben. Good to be with you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Ipswich

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    SHAYNE NEUMANN [MEMBER FOR BLAIR]: Good morning. I’m Shayne Neumann, the Federal Member for Blair, the local MP for this area. I’m joined by Senator Anthony Chisholm, who’s the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, and Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, and the local councillor, Cr Andrew Antoniolli. We’re here to announce a fantastic initiative and congratulate the Ipswich City Council for their foresight in relation to the Ipswich CBD. Can I just say, cities are built on tolerance, technology and talent, and Ipswich has got a lot of great talent here in the area in relation to the arts community. We’re here in front of the very popular Ipswich Art Gallery, and we’ve got the Civic Centre just over here, and the Community Gallery as well. 100,000 people visit this gallery every year, one of the most visited regional galleries in the country, and of course, it’s a recipient of two works from the National Gallery at the moment, on loan in our Sharing the National Collection, and it’s been a great hit. Well, I’m very pleased to say that the council has been successful in a Federal Government grant of $3.8 million under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program. Now, what will that do? It will make a big difference. It will help the council in their planning for the remediation of this particular building – it’s an older building – and also the redevelopment here of the gallery and the redevelopment of the Civic Centre, looking at cycling, looking at commerce, looking at green space in this area. And this shows that the Albanese Labor Government is building on the infrastructure commitments that we’ve made in the electorate of Blair, from the Toogoolawah Gateway Project that we announced and the Mount Glen Rock Walking Trails Project, nearly $5 million for the Somerset Council just a few short weeks ago. We’re announcing this $3.8 million to the Ipswich City Council today. This will make a big difference in our local community. It’s good for commerce, it’s good for jobs, it’s good for the arts community, and it’s good for the environment as well. I’ll hand it over to the Assistant Minister to talk further about the project.

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Thanks, Shayne, and it’s good to be with you in Ipswich and I acknowledge your hard work for this area and your passion to deliver for this community that does see extraordinary growth in population and a lot of people who want to come and live here. We know to keep up with that growth, we’ve got to invest in infrastructure, and Shayne’s mentioned some of the road projects and other community infrastructure that we do. But what you can’t neglect is arts and culture. And Ipswich in this region has a proud history when it comes to arts and culture, and we want to ensure, as part of the Federal Government, that we’re continuing to invest to ensure that those people who come here and those who live here still get to enjoy that arts and culture, but they shouldn’t just be in the big cities, they should be in places like Ipswich that have a good art gallery, and people want to come and spend time here, whether it be locals or those who are visiting. So I’m really pleased that the Federal Government, as part of the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, will contribute $3.8 million to the vision that the council have set out. Thanks to the Deputy Mayor and Councillor Antoniolli for being with us today. I acknowledge that Ipswich City Council have a real vision for what they want to deliver on to make this community great from a lifestyle point of view, and arts and culture play an important part of that. So, really pleased to be here with the Federal Member, Shayne Neumann, announcing this project, and we look forward to working with the Ipswich Council to deliver on this and make this community an even better place to live. I’ll now hand over to the Deputy Mayor.

    NICOLE JONIC [IPSWICH DEPUTY MAYOR]: Thank you. I’d just like to thank the Federal Government for this announcement, this $3.8 million for our city centre. It will help us revitalise the project, and it helps council to make our projects shovel-ready. It will boost our art gallery with fantastic attendance and our civic centre, and it will also help our precinct just come together and flow. And that’s what our residents need. We focus on the liveability of our city. And again, thank you. Thank you very much.

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Mayor, will it sort of be like a continuation of Nicholas Street into the square too, so it’s like one big, connected kind of place?

    JONIC: Exactly, yeah. It’s that walkability, that connectability, to our arts and culture and city park, to make it so that people, when they come to visit, they can come and see the art gallery, they can try our cafes, they can go and watch a show, and it’s all in the precinct, which is just going to lift it up, and with the urban greening as well.

    JOURNALIST: While you’re here as well, what happened on Tuesday, if that motion comes before the council again in regards to the media policy and what the mayor says would have gagged her, will you be supporting that motion?

    JONIC: It’s been laid on the table to a future meeting. So I intend to work really closely with my fellow councillors between now and then, so that we can come together and work on a positive outcome. People want to hear about positive things in Ipswich because there is so many positive things to celebrate, and that’s what we’re here to do today.

    JOURNALIST: Why did Paul Tully introduce that motion?

    JONIC: I have no idea what Paul Tully has to say, but you need to contact him.

    JOURNALIST: He’s not responding to media. Is that okay for a councillor introducing a motion like that not to respond to media about something that’s quite big and controversial?

    JONIC: We’re here today to celebrate this fantastic announcement. So let’s celebrate our city and all the positivity especially this. [Inaudible]…

    NEUMANN: We’ll hand over to Andrew now to talk further about this project. He’s the local councillor.

    ANDREW ANTONIOLLI [IPSWICH COUNCILLOR]: Yeah, thanks, Shayne. And thanks, Anthony, very much for your presence here today. You know, our industry has been the foundation of our city. Our industrial innovation has been, in many respects, something that people still talk about. We are the birthplace of Queensland Rail here in Ipswich. But it’s arts and culture that tell the story of the city, and I would really like to thank the Federal Government for their contribution towards our arts and culture here in Ipswich through this project and through this money, because at the end of the day, this city has a proud, fantastic history to tell through the story of our arts and culture. So we look forward to the fulfilment of this vision through this money, and we thank very much the Federal Government for that contribution. Thank you.

    JOURNALIST: Andrew, what will change here? What’s planned with the precinct?

    ANTONIOLLI: Well, certainly this precinct alone, it has some limitations, particularly with respect to people with disabilities and inability to move around, walk around, because it isn’t compliant. So we certainly will be working towards those sorts of things, yes.

    NEUMANN: Yeah, and just on that, Tony, we’re talking about the fact that there’s vines and plant vegetation that’s impacting on the building. There’s a maintenance schedule that the council is working on. In addition to that, there’s of course some improvements in development in this centre. The Civic Centre was built back in the days when Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister and Bill Hayden was the local MP for Oxley. I got two lots of millions of dollars’ worth of funding to maintain and paint and, you know, refurbish that. But the Civic Centre is not big enough for Ipswich now. So the growth in population is such that we need to look at the redevelopment here. That’s why the council’s got a great vision, and that’s why the Albanese Labor Government is supportive of that vision across Ipswich here. It’s a great initiative. I really want to commend the council. This is a demonstration of the council’s vision in terms of economic development. But we’ve got great artists – everyone from Glenn Smith to Rob Butler to Tallman and Sally Harrison – three of whom are on my wall in my electorate office with their wonderful artwork.

    JOURNALIST: Senator, some questions from the Gold Coast in regards to light rail. What is Labor’s position on having light rail to the Gold Coast airport?

    CHISHOLM: We’re continuing to work constructively with council and the State Government in that regard. We’ve obviously got a proud history in terms of the Federal Labor Government and what we’ve supported in regards to light rail on the Gold Coast. We understand, like Ipswich, the Gold Coast is a growing region, and we’ll continue to work constructively with the Council and State Government in that regard.

    JOURNALIST: The idea of light rail on the Gold Coast was to always connect to the airport, the second biggest in Queensland. Without that final fourth stage, has essentially billions been wasted?

    CHISHOLM: I was on the Gold Coast recently and I saw a number of people using the light rail, so I’ve got no doubt it’s made a difference to the community there. But obviously it would make sense longer term for it to be connected to the airport. I know that where it goes down to the north of the Gold Coast, it is making a significant difference around connectivity there. But there’s obviously always a lot of projects that need support in South East Queensland, particularly when we do have such high growth. As I said, we’ll continue to work constructively.

    JOURNALIST: What are your thoughts on Burleigh becoming a bus depot and buses taking an increased load compared to light rail?

    CHISHOLM: That’s not something that I’m aware of. I’m happy to come back to you with a bit of detail.

    JOURNALIST: Shayne, the- obviously it’s been a tough week for the council. What’s your thoughts on what happened this week with the council trying to gag the Mayor?

    NEUMANN: Well, that’s your perspective of it. Look, it’s very important that we have a council that’s united and visionary. Today, we’re providing funding for the council’s vision. So I’m just delighted to work together with the council to make sure Ipswich is a great place in which to live for individuals and families, that we get the infrastructure we need and deserve, that we get a sustainable environment here in Ipswich, and I’m delighted that we made this announcement today. I’m really pleased with the vision of Ipswich and I’m very pleased to work with the local council.

    JOURNALIST: Can Ipswich Council ever be united while Paul Tully is still on it?

    NEUMANN: Paul Tully is a democratically elected figure, as is Andrew and Nicole behind me. Of course, it’s up to democracy to prevail in relation to these types of matters. But I’m going to work with whoever’s been elected. We’ve got to respect the democratic wishes of the people of Ipswich. And all of these councillors and the Mayor have been democratically elected. I would encourage them to work together for the benefit of the city of Ipswich, and I’m confident they can in the future.

    JOURNALIST: You were in a party that went through a lot of infighting between 2007 and 2013. How do you recommend they resolve some of this drama that’s going on at the moment?

    NEUMANN: Well, in the words of Winston Churchill, it’s always better to jaw jaw than war war.

    JOURNALIST: Nicole, do you support the Mayor?

    JONIC: Of course I support the Mayor. I support our Mayor of the city. She has a civic responsibility. She was democratically elected. And we all need to come together to resolve any issues that we might have.

    JOURNALIST: Why is Ipswich then one of the only councils where the Mayor isn’t on the LDMG?

    JONIC: I’d have to take that on notice, that question. But …

    JOURNALIST: [Talks over] Didn’t you vote for that?

    JONIC: …all the votes are democratic, and we don’t want to de-rail today’s announcement because it is really positive …

    JOURNALIST: [Interrupts] But you’re an elected official and these are questions that Ipswich ratepayers have. Isn’t there a simple answer?

    JONIC: Ipswich ratepayers want to hear positive things for our city and that’s what we’re here to do today. People out there are really, really struggling, and they don’t want to hear about political infighting because of names getting listed first on the media statement. They want to hear about announcements like this and again, I just want to thank the Albanese Government for this, because it’s going to really lay the foundation for council to get on with the work that we have planned to help celebrate our creative community and the community of Ipswich.

    NEUMANN: Thanks very much.

    JOURNALIST: Do you have a Blue Card?

    UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Sorry?

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Mayor, do you have a Blue Card?

    NICOLE JONIC: Of course I do.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 2024: Mixed picture despite record exports

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Finance

    While foreign trade was still negative in both directions in the previous year, exports reached a new high of +3.2% in 2024. However, this record was achieved almost exclusively thanks to the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sector. On the import side, on the other hand, last year’s decline continued at –1.6%, albeit at a slightly slower pace. The opposing trend between imports and exports resulted in a new record trade surplus of CHF 60.6 billion

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Setting New Zealand’s second international climate target

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. 

    New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035.

    “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious and achievable, reinforcing our commitment to the Paris Agreement and global climate action,” Mr Watts says.

    “Meeting this target will mean we are doing our fair share towards reducing the impact of climate change, while enabling New Zealand to be stronger and thrive in the face of a changing climate.

    “This target also brings our international and domestic climate change commitments into line, so we can focus our efforts on the actions that will make the biggest difference towards reaching our net zero 2050 target.”
    “We are already laying the foundation for meaningful emissions reductions, with the potential to meet our net zero target as early as 2044. Our climate strategy focuses on strengthening New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme, supporting innovative technologies to reduce agricultural emissions, and accelerating the transition to a cleaner, electrified economy – ensuring we meet our climate targets while driving economic growth.”

    “This will mean greater innovation originating here in New Zealand to advance low-emission technologies that grow our economy. It will also mean industries are powered by abundant and affordable clean energy, attracting investment and boosting productivity across the country.”

    The Paris Agreement is the global climate treaty which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Under the Agreement, each country sets targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.

    “New Zealand is committed to achieving its first and second Nationally Determined Contributions and is serious about playing our part to reduce the impact of climate change,” Mr Watts says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Search continues for missing 24-year-old Travis

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are continuing the search for 24-year-old Travis, who has been missing since 17 January.

    Travis travelled from Wellington to the Waikato region, where his vehicle was located burnt out on a Tolley Road farm in Ngaroma on 18 January.

    Police coordinated a search of the area where his vehicle was located, utilising SAR staff. Private searches have also been carried out by family and friends.

    Some personal items belonging to Travis were found during the search of the area, but there has been no sightings of Travis since 17 January.

    Police would like to hear from anyone who has seen or heard from Travis since 17 January. We are also asking anyone in the wider Ngaroma area to check farm buildings, huts and any CCTV footage.

    If anyone has any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250119/4439.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese New Year celebrated across world

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

    Chinese New Year celebrated across world

    Updated: January 30, 2025 10:21 Xinhua
    A participant tries on a traditional Chinese costume during an event in celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Confucius Institute of Far Eastern Federal University of Russia, in Vladivostok, Russia, Jan. 29, 2025. The Confucius Institute of Far Eastern Federal University of Russia hosted a Chinese New Year cultural experience event, attracting many participants. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Participants try Chinese calligraphy during an event in celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Confucius Institute of Far Eastern Federal University of Russia, in Vladivostok, Russia, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Participants paint Beijing Opera masks during an event in celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Confucius Institute of Far Eastern Federal University of Russia, in Vladivostok, Russia, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch a lion dance performance during the Chinese New Year celebration in the departure hall of Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch a lion dance performance during the Chinese New Year celebration in the departure hall of Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Performers present a lion dance during a Spring Festival gala at the Chinese Cultural Center in Cotonou, Benin, Jan. 25, 2025. The 2025 “Happy Chinese New Year” celebrations kicked off here recently, and will last till Feb. 12. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Local Chinese language learners perform Chinese crosstalk during a Spring Festival gala at the Chinese Cultural Center in Cotonou, Benin, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A local martial arts lover performs during a Spring Festival gala at the Chinese Cultural Center in Cotonou, Benin, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Artists of China Conservatory of Music stage a performance in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. A concert celebrating the Spring Festival was held at Bozar Art Center in Brussels on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Zhang Qianyuan of China Conservatory of Music performs the Suona Concerto “A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Pakistani PM extends Chinese New Year greetings, underscores ironclad friendship

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

    ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended New Year greetings to the people and leadership of China, and the overseas Chinese residing in Pakistan.

    In a video message, Sharif praised China’s remarkable journey of progress and development, calling it one of the defining themes of the 21st century.

    “China’s awe-inspiring strive for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation stands as a testament to the wisdom and foresight of its visionary leadership,” he said.

    The prime minister underscored the inspiration Pakistan draws from China’s success story, expressing confidence in the transformative power of China’s development model.

    “Our close, friendly ties rooted in mutual trust and shared aspirations have now transformed into an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” Sharif said.

    Describing the relationship as an “ironclad brotherhood,” Sharif noted that this friendship continues to be a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, reflecting the deep respect and admiration both nations hold for one another.

    “Thanks to our deep and abiding friendship, Pakistan and China stand united in their unwavering commitment to a better world. Together, we shall continue to make meaningful contributions to global peace, prosperity, and harmony,” Sharif affirmed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sri Lankan president extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people

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

    COLOMBO, Jan. 29 — Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has recently extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people.

    “As a nation with an illustrious cultural heritage, China places great importance on safeguarding its traditions while creatively utilizing its cultural legacy for national advancement,” Dissanayake said.

    He noted that China’s enduring friendship with Sri Lanka is characterized by strong cultural ties nurtured along the historic Silk Road.

    “Both our nations share the common goal of promoting peace and ensuring a better quality of life for all people. Accordingly, Sri Lanka remains dedicated to working alongside China with renewed determination to achieve our shared aspirations,” Dissanayake said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Solomon Islands wishes to elevate bilateral relationship with China in new year: PM

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

    Solomon Islands wishes to elevate bilateral relationship with China in new year: PM

    SYDNEY, Jan. 28 — The Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the Chinese people as they celebrate the Chinese New Year, saying he wishes that the two countries would elevate their relationship to new heights in the Year of the Snake.

    “Xinnian kuaile!” Manele began his mostly English pre-recorded video with the Chinese greeting of Happy New Year.

    The Year of the Snake symbolizes or signifies a time of transformation, growth and retrospection, Manele said.

    “The Solomon Islands values its bilateral relationship with the People’s Republic of China,” the prime minister said.

    Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Solomon Islands in 2019, the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in many fields, including people-to-people exchanges, trade, health, security, and infrastructure developments, Manele said.

    The Solomon Islands is “profoundly honored and privileged” to have a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, he said.

    “Wanshi ruyi,” Manele concluded his video speech, again with a popular Chinese New Year greeting, which means “may everything go as you wish.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japanese PM Ishiba vows to strengthen communication with China

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

    TOKYO, Jan. 28 — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday pledged to enhance communication with China and comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two countries.

    During a plenary session of the House of Councillors, Ishiba emphasized the importance of strengthening communication with China across a wide range of fields, reducing challenges and increasing collaboration.

    Both sides will work together to build constructive and stable bilateral ties, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: In Floor Speech, Rosen Calls Out Trump Administration’s Reckless and Chaotic Freeze on Federal Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    During Speech, Senator Rosen Shared the Stories of Nevadans Impacted by Trump’s Reckless Actions
    VIEW FULL SPEECH HERE
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) spoke on the Senate floor against the Trump Administration’s chaotic and reckless freeze on all federal grants and loans. She highlighted the dire impact it will have on Nevada, specifically referencing the state’s programs to address homelessness and support seniors, as well as federal funding to benefit firefighters, law enforcement, and veterans.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    Since President Trump’s Administration issued the guidance on Monday night, my office has received hundreds of calls and emails from Nevadans who are rightfully concerned about what this would mean for them, for their families, for their jobs. 
    We also received additional emails and calls from non-profits, service providers, and community stakeholders who depend on this funding to support Nevadans. 
    […]
    My office also heard from Northern Nevada HOPES, a community health center based in Reno, Nevada.
    Northern Nevada HOPES provides affordable, high-quality health care services to people in our community who need it most. 
    In fact, 56% of their patients live at or below the Federal Poverty Level, and 10% are experiencing homelessness. 
    This is what Northern Nevada HOPES told my office, “At Northern Nevada HOPES, this pause has significant implications for the services we provide to over seventeen thousand patients, many of whom are children and families. As we assess the situation, we have been forced to take immediate actions, including implementing a hiring freeze and preparing to limit care for patients who rely on our sliding fee scale, including those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
    Think about that. Think about these children. Think about these families.
    President Trump’s chaos and reckless actions have put the health of Nevadans in jeopardy. 
    […]
    I can keep going on and on about all of the ways President Trump’s freeze would hurt my state of Nevada. 
    I could talk about how this freeze led to a disruption in the Medicaid website, which was down for hours, affecting Nevadans who rely on this critical program to literally stay alive in many cases.
    This is precisely the problem – the chaos and disruption that this reckless action caused is just unnecessary and harmful.
    It’s helping no one.
    [PAUSE]
    I want to ask everyone at home. I want to ask you at home to think about this: how is any of this actually helping you?
    Is it helping you at the grocery store?Is it helping you at the gas pump? 
    Is it helping you get an affordable home? 
    It’s not.
    That’s why I call on President Trump to fully and permanently rescind this harmful Executive Order to freeze federal funds now. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: 2024/25 PDC World Darts Championship generates estimated $4.57 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    2024/25 PDC World Darts Championship generates estimated $4.57 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Sport

    With seven brands sponsoring the 2024/25 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship, the competition’s largest sponsorship deal in terms of annual value was with Paddy Power. The title sponsorship agreement is worth an estimated $1.5 million a year for a period of three years. Overall, the championship is estimated to have generated $4.57 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Post Event Analysis – World Darts Championship 2024/25”, reveals that the event is involved in a media agreement with the pay-TV broadcaster Sky, worth in total an estimated $93.47 million to air the championship on its platform across the UK and Ireland up until January 2026.

    Tom Subak-Sharpe, Sport Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The PDC in 2024 was successful in agreeing to four new commercial deals with brands willing to partner with this year’s world championship. With the help of Luke Littler, darts is going from strength to strength, with more brands becoming intrigued into becoming associated with some of the sport’s biggest events, including its most prestigious competition, the World Darts Championship.”

    Sky’s viewership for this year’s World Darts Championship final averaged 2.7 million, with a peak audience reaching 3.1 million. Though lower than last year, these are very encouraging figures for the PDC, still higher than any other non-football audience in the last 12 months.

    Subak-Sharpe continues: “The fundamental reason for such strong viewership numbers is the pull that teenager Luke Littler has for the UK public. Littler remains one of the sought after sports stars in the UK, with the public eager to witness his journey to dominate the sport.”

    Subak-Sharpe concludes: “The biggest event in darts continues to establish a very strong commercial footprint, as new brands have been added to the portfolio of the event. With darts growing in popularity across many countries, viewership of the World Darts Championship should remain positive for many years to come.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: VC funding in China shrinks 21.7% to $35.2 billion in 2024, finds GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    VC funding in China shrinks 21.7% to $35.2 billion in 2024, finds GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    A total of 2,537 venture capital (VC) funding deals were announced in China during 2024 while the total disclosed funding value of these deals stood at $35.2 billion. This represents a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 23.2% in VC deal volume, whereas the total disclosed funding value fell by 21.7% compared to the previous year, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that a total of 3,305 VC deals were announced in China during 2023 while the total disclosed funding value of these deals was $45 billion.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There seems to be a severe dent in investor sentiment during 2024, which reflects in the decline in VC deal volume as well as value. Although it continues to be a key global market for VC funding activity, China’s share has been diminishing and it is more prominent in terms of value.”

    China, which accounted for 16.6% of the total number of VC deals announced globally during 2023, accounted for 15.4% share of deal volume in 2024. Meanwhile, China saw its share of the total disclosed funding value fall from 18.9% in 2023 to 12.9% in 2024.

    Bose adds: “The impact in terms of value can also be understood from that fact that China experienced a decline in the number of big-ticket deals announcement in 2024 compared to the previous year.”

    For instance, the number of VC deals valued more than or equal to $100 million announced in China fell from 87 in 2023 to 63 in 2024.

    Bose concludes: “The sharp decline in VC activity in China reflects a combination of waning investor confidence and broader economic uncertainties. The reduction in high-value deals further underscores the need for strategic recalibration, as investors increasingly seek opportunities in emerging sectors with higher growth potential.”

    Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: UK VC funding surges 16.3% to $16.6 billion in 2024 despite fewer deals, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    UK VC funding surges 16.3% to $16.6 billion in 2024 despite fewer deals, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    The UK’s venture capital (VC) market experienced a decline in the number of deals announced in 2024, with 1,209 deals compared to 1,289 in 2023. Despite this, the total funding value rose by 16.3%, reaching $16.6 billion. This shift reflects a growing trend among VC firms to prioritize high-value investments in fewer, more promising startups, according to GlobalData a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the UK witnessed the announcement of a total of 1,289 VC deals during 2023 while the disclosed funding value of these deals stood at $14.2 billion.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The growth in funding value despite a decline in deal volume showcases a trend wherein VC firms seem to be weighing quality over quantity and have put in big money in few promising startups. In fact, 2024 saw a growth in the number of big-ticket deals (≥ $100 million) from 23 in 2023 to 29.”

    Bose adds: “The UK, apart from being the top European market for VC funding activity, is also among the top five markets globally in terms of both deal volume and value.”

    The UK accounted for 7.3% of the total number of VC deals announced globally during 2024 while its share in terms of the total funding value stood at 6.1%.

    Some of the notable VC funding deals announced in the UK during 2024 included $1.05 billion worth of funding raised by Wayve Technologies, $1 billion raised by Abound, $500 million by Core Power, $431 million raised by Monzo, $370 million by Lighthouse, and $267 million worth of funding raised by Zepz.

    Bose concludes: “The increase in big-ticket deals underscores strong confidence in the UK’s innovation ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a global VC hotspot. As funding strategies evolve, the market’s resilience and ability to attract large-scale investments will be key in shaping the future of venture capital in the region.”

    Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: GlobalData 2025 Cybersecurity Predictions: AI to change and complicate the game

    Source: GlobalData

    GlobalData 2025 Cybersecurity Predictions: AI to change and complicate the game

    Posted in Technology

    GlobalData expects in the coming year social engineering, regulatory compliance, and the need to streamline security infrastructure management to lead to shifts in the sector

    With every innovation that a legitimate developer creates, threat actors can and will weaponize. Despite advances in security technology, the threat environment will continue to be complex and challenging for enterprises in 2025. AI can be an important defensive tool, but it stands out as a dangerous instrument in hackers’ toolkits, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report “2025 Enterprise Predictions: Digital Trust and Resiliency,”  reveals that advances in AI will only fuel social engineering campaigns. Bad actors are evolving their social engineering tactics to exploit human vulnerabilities and carry out nefarious activities, including credential theft.

    Amy Larsen DeCarlo, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData: “We expect AI to be incorporated in more identity and access management offerings to help better define user and device privileges, restrict access, and track behavior. Providers will extend the use of AI in areas like penetration testing, vulnerability management, and endpoint security.

    “Threat actors have everything to gain and little to lose, as prosecutions and convictions are relatively few and far between. Cybercriminals have long understood the biggest vulnerability in any enterprise is the human element.”

    Advances in AI, automation, and analytics will help ease some of the conflict that exists between enforcing security controls and optimizing end-user experience. GlobalData expects vendors and MSSPs to do more work to remove the friction between the two and improve the process without compromising security.

    On the security management front, enterprises have long struggled to collate security information from disparate sources in a cohesive way. While improvements have been incremental, there has been progress in resolving some of the security infrastructure issues that have hindered successful execution.

    Larsen DeCarlo continues: “In 2025, the industry will see advances that will support more proactive and effective cybersecurity. APIs will play an even larger role in helping organizations correlate data from disparate sources. While challenges remain, enterprises continue to make real progress in implementing DevSecOps initiatives. These will go a long way toward better internal development efforts.”

    GlobalData notes that with a new US administration and other shifts in power around the world, new agendas translate to regulatory changes. Hyperscalers responded to changes in data privacy requirements with more local facilities and personnel to meet data sovereignty laws.

    Larsen DeCarlo concludes: “This investment continues into 2025. The expectation is that there will be more demand for localized data processing and storage and not less. Unfortunately, even with the development of better tools to support compliance needs, the business of meeting these rules will remain a steep challenge.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash: Chatham Road, Flaxmere

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Chatham Road this afternoon.

    The crash involved a car and a cyclist, and was reported to Police just before 6pm.

    The cyclist sadly died at the scene.

    Chatham Road is currently closed while a scene examination is conducted.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: AEC urging voter focus on digital literacy ahead of 2025 federal election [31 January 2025]

    Source: Australian Electoral Commission

    Updated: 31 January 2025

    The AEC has today launched additional tools that aim to help voters navigate the increasingly complex information environment. The AEC’s message to ‘Stop and Consider’ comes with the nation set to go to the polls for the 2025 federal election in the coming months.

    New voter guides

    The voter’s guide to election communication is a new repository of information for voters. The materials it contains are easy to consume, providing contextual information about the election communication environment as well as a range of tangible tips and resources.

    Tips to ‘Stop and Consider’

    The AEC’s Stop and Consider advertising campaign is being expanded for the 2025 federal election. Digital and social ads will be seen more often during the election – they will include a new call to action, to ‘get tips’, and direct voters to the new Stop and Consider hub to find out how to spot misleading information about the electoral process.

    Communication channel catalogue

    The communication channel catalogue is a new web-based resource that outlines some of the communication channels used by campaigners during a federal election. The communication channels featured in the catalogue are ones that often lead to voter questions or concerns.

    Communication tactics catalogue

    The communication tactics catalogue outlines some key themes of misleading communication voters may face. Being familiar with such tactics allows voters to consume information.  

    AEC Disinformation Register

    The Disinformation Register on electoral processes for the 2025 federal election is now live.

    The AEC first published a register as a tool during the 2022 federal election. The AEC is not the arbiter of truth in election campaigning but is the authoritative source of information about how federal election processes work in Australia.

    AI & elections: AEC snapshot

    The use of AI in elections is a rapidly evolving environment. As part of the new voter’s guide to campaigning the AEC has produced a snapshot of that environment. There are also tips and suggestions relating to AI throughout the other areas of the web-based guide. 

    More ‘AEC TV’ explainers

    An expanded range of short-form videos are now also available for voters on the AEC’s YouTube channel, AEC TV. These videos are a mix of new and existing explainer products that provide detailed information about Australia’s electoral system and the AEC’s processes. They will be distributed via various channels throughout the coming months.

    Active social media presence

    The AEC has maintained a very active social media presence during recent federal elections, by-elections and the 2023 referendum. This has provided regular fact-based contributions to online conversations about election processes.

    The AEC has active accounts on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn. For each recent federal election AEC leaders have also held ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) sessions on Reddit. While the channels where the AEC has an account have not changed recently, the agency is watching the environment closely and may opt to expand our presence ahead of, or during, the election period.

    Media resources:

    • Quotes attributable to Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope – below.  
    • A range of high-res images are available for use.
    • The AEC Newsroom provides a range of other valuable information and resources.

    Quotes

    Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope

    “A federal election must be held in the next few months, so now is the perfect time to encourage all Australians to have a healthy degree of scepticism when it comes to what they see, hear or read.”

    “In the lead-up to and during elections there’s lots of things said and written about how to vote.”

    “While it’s not the AEC’s job to decide what’s true or not when it comes to political communication, we’re the experts when it comes to the electoral process.”

    “People might come across false or misleading information about the process, including AI-generated content.”

    “Research with voters last year found many are at risk of electoral process information that isn’t correct. The reality is anyone can be affected.”

    “Australia has one of the most trusted electoral systems in the world. We all have a responsibility to protect it.”

    “The AEC has tips on how to stop, check and consider – like what to look for, being aware of potentially manipulative tactics and how to not let emotion influence decisions.”

    “One of the easiest things people can do once they’ve stopped and considered something is to simply ignore it if they’re not sure – or at the very least don’t share it if you can’t verify the information.”

    “Simply learning about the process can help too – get information directly from the AEC on things like how to fill out ballot papers in line with the voting instructions, how votes are counted and how a result is determined.”

    “Digital literacy is something we can all do – being vigilant when we encounter information – and supporting others to do the same.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview – Rural Queensland Today

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    BEN DOBBIN [HOST]: Welcome back to Rural Queensland. Today on the Resonate Broadcast Network, it’s my great pleasure to bring in Senator Anthony Chisholm, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Ag, Fisheries and Forestry. He’s a Queenslander and it’s great to have him on the show. Good morning, Anthony. Thanks so much for being with us.

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM [HOST]: Good morning, Ben. Good to be with you and your listeners.

    DOBBIN: Mate, a lot going on but some good news. Yesterday you joined the University of Queensland to speak about the Federal Government’s efforts to help students pursue a career in the ag sector through the AgConnections program.

    CHISHOLM: Yeah, we think this will be an important program, Ben. And when you get around and meet with farmers on the land, you know that they’re always struggling to find future workers and I think for a lot of Queenslanders, particularly those from the city, they don’t necessarily think about a career in Ag, they don’t have that exposure. But there’s so many different jobs in agriculture these days, particularly when you consider how much new tech is involved. We want to grow that next generation of workers and think that this is a really good program. The University of Queensland have obviously got a proud history in this regard of connecting the two and ensuring that we have that future production line of workers coming through that are going to experience the ag sector, become passionate about it and go on to have a fabulous career in agriculture.

    DOBBIN: It’s a pretty significant day. You are right with the University of Queensland. It’s a first of its kind that will encourage students to diverse their disciplines. I’ve got a son who is at University of Queensland and all he wants to do is be back on the land at the farm, but he has to go and do a degree and so he’s doing engineering. But this now offers people who can go and get some skills, can go and get a university degree with some hands-on experience through an unbelievable team. But I’ve got to say, is this, is this a band aid from the State Government’s dark days when they closed the Ag colleges? I mean there was always a pathway and I understand this is a state level and you’re a Federal Senator, but I mean this seems to me like, yes, I’m so pleased this is happening, but it could have also been prevented a little bit if the State Government hadn’t gone and shut all these Ag colleges down a few years ago. Is that the reason why UQ and why the Federal Government have stepped in for this?

    CHISHOLM: We’ve also provided support to some of the other universities around the country, including Charles Sturt, ANU, and Charles Darwin University. So, there is some diversity there. It’s funny you mentioned the Ag colleges and I was out in Longreach just before Christmas, and they’ve turned the Longreach college there into a Regional University Study Hub, which will be a great addition. But I understand the point you’re making and from my point of view, who’s got responsibility for workforce issues within agriculture, what I want to see is growing the pie, and this is what I talk to industry about. So, we need people in school thinking about a career in agriculture. We need those who are studying at university thinking about agriculture. We need to look at what we can do in vocational training to ensure that there’s people coming through interested in agriculture. But I think the challenge is exposing people to the industry and then realising that you don’t have to have a family farm, you don’t have to grow up in a farming location. There are so many diverse jobs and a great career and you’ll have so much fun at the same time. That’s what it’s about. So, we understand that there’s going to be a need for people coming in on visas overseas or backpackers of the PALM scheme. All of that is in the mix. But we also want to grow those people who live in Australia and get an opportunity in Ag, and I’m confident that once they get that taste, they’ll really enjoy and want a career in that area.

    DOBBIN: Yeah, this is a very, very good initiative. I’ve got to be honest with you, and everybody needs to be congratulated on this. You also are Assistant Minister for Regional Development. Gee whiz, you’ve got a headache there trying to get the regions right. I mean, we are a little bit behind in this state and you know it too well. And you talked about Longreach, you talked about some of these areas that are growing, but we’ve got some challenges. How do we fast track it and not just be so laser focused on the south east?

    CHISHOLM: Yeah, it’s something that I see as an important responsibility for me. I try and get around the country as much as I can. I’m off to Toowoomba today to help open a bridge out of town there. So, I think it’s about ensuring that we’re working with councils and investing in infrastructure that’s going to make a difference. I think the other challenge in many of these places is housing and the program that we’ve had to support councils to develop their headworks, whether it be sewerage, whether it be guttering and be able to build more houses in what is often the case where they lack builders or lack a market for new houses. So, I think those sorts of things are really important that are going to make a difference in these regional rural communities. I was in Normanton last year and they’ve got some money to develop some land for housing. So, that just shows you that the work that’s going on. We will continue to invest in the Growing Regions Program and the Regional Precincts and Partnership Program that invest in place-based infrastructure as well. But obviously childcare is another really important issue because a lot of people moving to these towns want to know that they’ve got access for childcare. So, I think across a range of measures we’re making progress. But I accept what you’re saying and it can’t happen quick enough and we need to ensure that we’re constantly out there listening, but then acting on that and delivering at the same time.

    DOBBIN: Well, this is a great news story and we’ve led the show with the Ag Skills Accelerator given the green light. You were part of the University of Queensland yesterday, where there is now going to be, as you said, an opportunity for people who haven’t been born and bred in the bush, who can make a choice to choose ag and go into there and do a university degree and create a future for themselves around this industry. A great news story. Senator, we really appreciate your time this morning. Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Ag and Fisheries, thanks so much for being with us.

    CHISHOLM: Thanks, Ben. Good to be with you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: CLIQ Digital Reports Preliminary 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CLIQ Digital Reports Preliminary 2024 Results

    • 4Q sales declined q/q by 11% to €48m (-26% y/y)
    • Total customer acquisition costs in 4Q improved by 15% q/q (-45% y/y)
    • €21m EBITDA before special items realised in FY (€10m reported EBITDA)
    • €12m net cash position per year-end vs. €16m at end of 2023
    • Share buyback programme successfully completed

    DÜSSELDORF, 30 January 2025 – The CLIQ Group announces today its preliminary and unaudited 2024 headline financial results. On 20 February 2025, the audited 2024 Annual Report will be published on the company’s website at https://cliqdigital.com/investors/financialreporting and presented by Management during an earnings call.

    Performance

    in millions of € 4Q
    2024    		 3Q
    2024    		 Δ   FY
    2024    		 FY
    2023    		 Δ
    Sales 48 54 -11%   243 326 -26%
    Expected average LTV (in €) 70 72 -2%   77 85 -10%
    Total CAC1 -11 -10 15%   -75 -135 -45%
    EBITDA (before special items) 5 6 -15%   21 50 -57%
    EBITDA margin2 10% 11%     9% 15%  
    Operating free cash flow 4 3 39%   3 19 -82%
    • Sales: In 4Q 2024, Group sales declined by 11% quarter-on-quarter to €48 million (3Q 2024: €54 million) mainly due to less customers. The expected average lifetime value (LTV) decreased quarter-on-quarter from €72 to €70 due to the higher churn rates resulting from new customer care tools in place at the card scheme companies, which consequently resulted in shorter average customer loyalty durations. However, the quarter-on-quarter Group sales decrease decelerated notably from -21% in 3Q 2024 to -11% in the fourth quarter.
    • Customer acquisition costs: The Group’s decision to strategically increase its focus on profitability was attributable for the lowering of the cost per acquisition (CPA).
    • EBITDA: Quarter-on-quarter, EBITDA before special items in 4Q 2024 decreased by 15% to €5 million (3Q 2024: €6 million) and the corresponding EBITDA margin was marginally lower at 10% (3Q 2024: 11%) predominantly as a result of the lower sales development and despite reduced cost of sales and operating expenses. €2 million special items related mostly to costs incurred from the “Fit For Future” transformation programme to restructure and optimise the Group’s operational structures. Reported EBITDA was stable at €3 million (3Q 2024: €3 million) and the EBITDA margin came in at 6% (3Q 2024: 5%).
    • Liquidity: Quarter-on-quarter, CLIQ increased its operating free cash flow by €1 million to €4 million in 4Q 2024 (3Q 2024: €3 million). In the full year 2024, the operating free cash flow decreased by €16 million to €3 million (2023: €19 million). The net cash position at the year-end close was €12 million (31/12/2023: €16 million) after buying back shares for €5.5 million and distributing €0.3 million in dividends in April 2024.

    Share buyback programme

    The Group successfully completed its share buyback programme ahead of schedule on 3 January 2025. In total, CLIQ bought back 646,871 own shares for €5.5 million at an average share price of €8.48, which equalled 9.9% of the total share capital issued.

    Management Board statement

    “2024 was a very tough year for CLIQ and also for my fellow shareholders as our business faced tougher market conditions and the new sales growth initiatives progressed slower than expected,” said Luc Voncken, CEO. “Although market conditions in 2025 remain unstable, we have fixed our foundations and now we must build the future with a fresh entrepreneurial spirit and a clear sense of renewal to tap into the growth opportunities that lie ahead of us.”

    Contacts

    Investor Relations:
    Sebastian McCoskrie, s.mccoskrie@cliqdigital.com, +49 151 52043659

    Media Relations:
    Daniela Münster, daniela.muenster@h-advisors.global, +49 174 3358111

    Financial calendar

    Annual report 2024 & earnings call Thursday 20 February 2025
    Annual General Meeting 2025 Friday 11 April 2025
    Financial report 1Q 2025 & earnings call Thursday 8 May 2025
    Half-year financial report 2025 & earnings call Thursday 7 August 2025
    Financial report 3Q/9M 2025 and earnings call Thursday 6 November 2025

    About CLIQ

    The CLIQ Digital Group is a leading online performance marketing company selling subscription-based streaming services that bundle movies & series, music, audiobooks, sports and games to consumers worldwide. The Group licenses streaming content from partners, bundles it and sells the content through its numerous streaming services. Over the years, CLIQ Digital has become a specialist in online advertising and creating streaming services that are advertised towards specific consumer groups.

    CLIQ Digital operated in 40 countries and employed 132 staff from 33 different nationalities as at 31 December 2024. The company is headquartered in Düsseldorf and has offices in Amsterdam, Paris and Toronto. CLIQ Digital is listed in the Scale segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A35JS40, GSIN/WKN: A35JS4) and is a constituent of the MSCI World Micro Cap Index.

    Visit our website at https://cliqdigital.com/investors, where you will find all publications as well as further information about CLIQ Digital and please follow us on LinkedIn.

    1 customer acquisition costs
    2 before special items

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Proposals by the Board of Directors to Nokia Corporation’s Annual General Meeting 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    30 January 2025 at 8:10 EET

    Proposals by the Board of Directors to Nokia Corporation’s Annual General Meeting 2025

    Nokia Corporation’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 13:00 (EEST) at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland. The Board submits the following proposals to the Annual General Meeting. Complete proposals are available as of today at www.nokia.com/agm2025. The notice of the Annual General Meeting with more detailed information on the participation and voting will be published separately during week 7, 2025 on the Company’s website and by a stock exchange release.

    Authorization of the Board of Directors to decide on the distribution of dividend and assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity

    The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting to be authorized to resolve in its discretion on the distribution of an aggregate maximum of EUR 0.14 per share as dividend from the retained earnings and/or as assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity.

    The authorization will be used to distribute dividend and/or assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity in four installments during the period of validity of the authorization unless the Board of Directors decides otherwise for a justified reason. The proposed total authorization for asset distribution is in line with the Company’s dividend policy. The authorization would be valid until the opening of the next Annual General Meeting.

    The Board would make separate resolutions on the amount and timing of each distribution of the dividend and/or assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity so that the preliminary record and payment dates will be as set out below. The Company shall make a separate announcement of each such Board resolution.

    Preliminary record date Preliminary payment date
    5 May 2025 12 May 2025
    29 July 2025 7 August 2025
    28 October 2025 6 November 2025
    3 February 2026 12 February 2026

    Each installment based on the resolution of the Board of Directors will be paid to a shareholder registered in the Company’s shareholders’ register maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy on the record date of the payment.

    Board composition and remuneration

    Søren Skou and Carla Smits-Nusteling have informed the Board’s Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee that they will no longer be available to serve on the Nokia Board of Directors after the Annual General Meeting. On the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, the Board proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the number of Board members be ten (10). However, should any number of the candidates proposed by the Board not be available for election, the number of Board members shall be decreased accordingly.

    On the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, the Board further proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the following current Board members be re-elected as members of the Board of Directors for a term until the close of the next Annual General Meeting: Timo Ahopelto, Sari Baldauf, Elizabeth Crain, Thomas Dannenfeldt, Lisa Hook, Mike McNamara, Thomas Saueressig and Kai Öistämö. In addition, it is proposed that Pernille Erenbjerg, Danish citizen, former Group CEO and President of TDC Group; and Timo Ihamuotila, Finnish citizen, Chief Financial Officer of ABB Ltd, be elected as new members of the Board of Directors for a term until the close of the next Annual General Meeting.

    Resumes of the Board candidates are presented in the Board’s proposal available as of today at www.nokia.com/agm2025.

    The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee will propose in the assembly meeting of the new Board of Directors after the Annual General Meeting that Sari Baldauf be re-elected as the Chair of the Board and Timo Ihamuotila be elected as the Vice Chair, subject to their election to the Board.

    On the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, the Board proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the annual fees payable to Board members for a term ending at the close of the next Annual General Meeting are kept at the current levels:

    • EUR 440 000 for the Chair of the Board;
    • EUR 210 000 for the Vice Chair of the Board;
    • EUR 185 000 for each member of the Board;
    • EUR 30 000 each for the Chairs of the Audit Committee and the Personnel Committee and EUR 20 000 for the Chairs of the Technology Committee and the Strategy Committee as an additional annual fee; and
    • EUR 15 000 for each member of the Audit Committee and the Personnel Committee and EUR 10 000 for each member of the Technology Committee and the Strategy Committee as an additional annual fee.

    In line with Nokia’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board proposes that approximately 40% of the annual fee be paid in Nokia shares. The rest of the annual fee would be paid in cash to cover taxes arising from the remuneration. The Directors shall retain until the end of their directorship such number of shares that they have received as Board remuneration during their first three years of service on the Board.

    In addition, the Board proposes that the meeting fees for Board and Committee meetings remain at their current level. The meeting fees are based on travel required between the Board member’s home location and the location of a meeting and paid for a maximum of seven meetings per term as follows:

    • EUR 5 000 per meeting requiring intercontinental travel; and
    • EUR 2 000 per meeting requiring intracontinental travel.

    Only one meeting fee is paid if the travel entitling to the fee includes several meetings of the Board and the Committees. Moreover, it is proposed that members of the Board shall be compensated for travel and accommodation expenses as well as other costs directly related to Board and Committee work.

    Auditor election and remuneration

    On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that Deloitte Oy be re-elected as the auditor of the Company for the financial year 2026.

    It is also proposed that the auditor elected for the financial year 2026 be reimbursed based on the purchase policy approved by the Audit Committee and the invoice approved by the Company.

    Sustainability reporting assurer election and remuneration

    On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that Authorized Sustainability Audit Firm Deloitte Oy be re-elected as the sustainability reporting assurer for the financial year 2026.

    It is also proposed that the assurer of the sustainability reporting elected for the financial year 2026 be reimbursed based on the purchase policy approved by the Audit Committee and the invoice approved by the Company.

    Authorization to the Board to issue shares and repurchase Company’s shares

    The Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting authorize the Board to resolve to issue in total a maximum of 530 million shares through issuance of shares or special rights entitling to shares under Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act in one or more issues during the effective period of the authorization. The Board may issue either new shares or treasury shares held by the Company. Shares and special rights entitling to shares may be issued in deviation from the shareholders’ pre-emptive rights within the limits set by law. The authorization may be used to develop the Company’s capital structure, diversify the shareholder base, finance or carry out acquisitions or other arrangements, to settle the Company’s equity-based incentive plans or for other purposes resolved by the Board. It is proposed that the authorization be effective until 28 October 2026 and terminate the authorization for issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares resolved at the Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024.

    The Board also proposes that the Board be authorized to resolve to repurchase a maximum of 530 million shares. The repurchases would reduce distributable funds of the Company. The shares may be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the shares held by the shareholders (directed repurchase). Shares may be repurchased to be cancelled, held to be reissued, transferred further or for other purposes resolved by the Board. It is proposed that the authorization be effective until 28 October 2026 and terminate the authorization for repurchasing the Company’s shares granted by the Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 to the extent that the Board has not previously resolved to repurchase shares based on such authorization.

    530 million shares corresponds to less than 10 percent of the Company’s total number of shares. The Board shall resolve on all other matters related to the issuance or repurchase of Nokia shares in accordance with the resolution by the Annual General Meeting.

    Other matters to be addressed by the Annual General Meeting

    Furthermore, the Annual General Meeting would address adopting the Company’s financial statements for the financial year 2024, discharging the members of the Board of Directors and the President and Chief Executive Officer from liability for the financial year 2024, adopting the updated Remuneration Policy for the Company’s governing bodies and adopting the Remuneration Report 2024.

    The Remuneration Report for 2024 and the “Nokia in 2024” annual report, which includes the Company’s Annual Accounts, the review by the Board of Directors and the auditor’s report, are expected to be published and available at www.nokia.com/agm2025 in week 11 of 2025. The updated Remuneration Policy is expected to be published as an attachment to the Notice of the Annual General Meeting and available at www.nokia.com/agm2025 in week 7 of 2025.

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Head of External Communications

    Nokia
    Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Academician Lingyun Xiang was awarded the International Cultural Exchange Ambassador Certificate by the Ukrainian Ambassador to China

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Beijing, China, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, Professor Lingyun Xiang, a Foreign Academician of the National Academy of Engineering of Ukraine, was awarded the International Cultural Exchange Ambassador Certificate by the Embassy of Ukraine in China.

    Ukrainian diplomat Gili and the Secretary to Professor Lingyun Xiang, a Foreign Academician of the National Academy of Engineering of Ukraine in China.

    Ukraine, with its capital Kyiv, is located in Eastern Europe along the northern coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It shares borders with Belarus to the north, Russia to the northeast, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the south. Rich in mineral resources, Ukraine covers 603,700 square kilometers, making it the second-largest country in Europe by land area. The country is divided into 24 oblasts (provinces), one autonomous republic (the Republic of Crimea), and two cities with special status (the capital Kyiv and Sevastopol).

    As of September 2022, Ukraine’s total population was 41.13 million (excluding the Crimea region). Ukraine is classified as a developing country with a highly advanced agricultural sector, though its industrial development, particularly in manufacturing, lags. Ukraine ranks as the fifth-largest exporter of IT services in the world. It is the largest market for software development, programming, and IT outsourcing services in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2021, Ukraine’s GDP was approximately $200 billion.

    The National Academy of Engineering of Ukraine (Академія Інженерних Наук України) is one f Ukraine’s highest academic institutions. It originated as the Ukrainian Republic Branch of the Soviet Union Academy of Engineering. In 1998, it became a member of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS), a global alliance that includes engineering academies from 27 countries, such as the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

    As of December 2023, the National Academy of Engineering of Ukraine has over 160 academicians, more than 130 corresponding members, and over 50 foreign academicians. The current president of the academy is Petro Mihailovich Talanchuk, who previously served as Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, President of the National Technical University of Ukraine (formerly Kyiv Polytechnic Institute), a candidate in the 1994 Ukrainian presidential election, and currently an advisor to the President of Ukraine.

    Professor Xiang was elected on July 22, 2024. He is also a recipient of the British King’s Medal and the European Outstanding Achievement Award, a Fellow of the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, a Lifetime Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom, and a Foreign Full Member of Academy of Engineering Sciences of Ukraine, a lifelong full-time professor of the European Union University, a lifelong professor (doctoral supervisor) of the National University of Maryland, a Special Term professor of Peking University Boya, a visiting professor of Beijing Union University, a visiting professor of Capital Normal University, a visiting professor of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese satellite enterprises provide expanded, improved global services

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese space companies have been expanding their satellite services, including communication, navigation and remote sensing, while also accelerating the deployment of satellite constellations in pursuit of better services.

    At the start of 2025, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), which offers commercial launch and satellite in-orbit delivery services, completed the delivery of an intelligent remote sensing satellite, known as IRSS-1, to an Omani company.

    Launched on Nov. 11, 2024, this one-meter resolution satellite weighs 95 kilograms and has a design life of five years. It will be used for surveys of land and forests, as well as urban planning and disaster monitoring.

    The successful delivery of the satellite will play an important role in improving Oman’s remote sensing satellite application capabilities, the CGWIC said.

    WIDE REMOTE SENSING COVERAGE

    Users from around the world who log on to the website of Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd, can browse satellite images captured by the company’s Jilin-1 satellite constellation.

    The Jilin-1 constellation, which had its first group of satellites launched back in October 2015, now features more than 117 satellites and is capable of observing any point on the globe about 40 times a day, according to Huang Jian, head of Chang Guang’s overseas business data application.

    The Jilin-1 constellation can cover the world six times a year and the entire China 24 times annually, and so can provide frequent updates of satellite images of any location, Huang said, while adding that this capability supports the company’s overseas business expansion.

    Chang Guang has been cooperating with more than 130 overseas users in providing services regarding land surveys, urban building investigations, agriculture and forestry.

    In response to disasters and emergencies, the company has recently provided satellite images of fires and floods in different parts of the world, following a request from the United Nations.

    Notably, the company is planning a new constellation consisting of 200 satellites, according to Xuan Ming, chairman and general manager of Chang Guang. This new constellation will have a spatial resolution of 20 centimeters and can cover the entire globe once a day.

    Its temporal resolution, combined with the contribution of the Jilin-1 constellation, will make it possible to revisit any point on Earth within approximately three minutes.

    EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

    The commercialization of China’s aerospace sector started in 2014, when the country’s State Council, in a guideline, encouraged private capital to participate in the construction of national civil space infrastructure.

    Founded in 2018, Geespace is a science and technology innovation enterprise under the Chinese automaker Geely. It currently operates 30 satellites in three orbital planes, thereby achieving 24-hour coverage of 90 percent of the world, and provides satellite communication services to overseas users.

    These satellites are part of the Geesatcom constellation. The low-orbit communication constellation can enable direct satellite connection for automotive autonomous driving, intelligent internet connection, smartphones and other consumer electronic products.

    Geesatcom in June 2024 completed its first commercial deployment test in the Middle East. It will cooperate with a number of global operators in switching on a worldwide commercial application.

    Through a combination of Geesatcom and its ground system, Geespace provides global medium-and-low-speed satellite communication operations, satellite-based high-precision positioning services and a satellite remote sensing AI service, according to Wan Yang, founder of Geespace.

    In the future, Geespace expects to provide access to its satellite application services to clients in both Southeast Asia and Africa.

    Another Chinese commercial satellite constellation, Spacesail, will provide satellite communication services to Brazil and broadband internet access for that country’s remote and under-served regions from 2026.

    Spacesail is a low Earth orbit mega-constellation with full frequency bands and a multi-layer and multi-orbit design. Its commercial network construction was officially launched on Aug. 6, 2024.

    The market for connecting smartphones directly to satellites has become increasingly promising. “Except for the North Pole and South Pole, almost any location on Earth, including oceans, deserts and remote mountainous regions where traditional communications are difficult to achieve, will enjoy a stable network connection — with smartphones directly connected to satellites,” said Wang.

    By the end of June 2024, 546 commercial space enterprises were registered and effectively operating in China, China Space Foundation Secretary General Wang Cheng said in November last year at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province.

    This booming development of Chinese commercial satellite companies was firmly supported by a series of related policies.

    China has issued both a medium- and long-term development plan for civil space infrastructure for the period from 2015 to 2025, aiming to support and regulate the development of its commercial space industry.

    The country is also mapping a development plan for civil space infrastructure from 2026 to 2035, according to Li Guoping, chief engineer at the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: What just happened in Davos, and how is the world different now?

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    What happened at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025, where the world met to discuss ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’?

    On Day 1, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as US president, and announced he was withdrawing from the Paris climate deal, as well as the World Health Organisation, and vowed to use trade tariffs to re-shore jobs. On Day 4 he addressed the meeting in a link-up from Washington.

    We hear some of that and talk to the people who lead the Forum’s work throughout the year, reflect on the impact of the meeting, held at a pivotal moment for world affairs.

    Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 (http://wef.ch/wef25) and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25.

    Davos 2025 sessions mentioned in this episode:

    Special address by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/davos-2025-special-address-donald-trump-president-united-states/

    All Hands on Deck for the Energy Transition: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/all-hands-on-deck-for-the-energy-transition/

    The Dawn of Artificial General Intelligence?: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/the-dawn-of-artificial-general-intelligence/

    Debating Tariffs: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/debating-tariffs/

    Forum reports and initiatives mentioned in this episode:

    Chief Economists Outlook: January 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/chief-economists-outlook-january-2025/

    Global Risks Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/

    The Future of Jobs Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/

    Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-cybersecurity-outlook-2025/

    First Movers Coalition: https://initiatives.weforum.org/first-movers-coalition/home

    1t.org: https://www.1t.org/

    AI Governance Alliance: https://initiatives.weforum.org/ai-governance-alliance/home

    AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration: (https://initiatives.weforum.org/ai-governance-alliance/aicompetitive) https://initiatives.weforum.org/ai-governance-alliance/aicompetitive

    Global Lighthouse Network: https://initiatives.weforum.org/global-lighthouse-network/home

    Yes/Cities: https://initiatives.weforum.org/alliance-for-urban-innovation/yes-cities

    Related podcasts:

    Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025 (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/global-risks-report-2025/) : https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/global-risks-report-2025/

    The global economy ‘at a crossroads’ ahead of Davos: Chief Economists Outlook (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-ralph-ossa-wto/) : https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-ralph-ossa-wto/

    Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025: the risks we all face and how to fight back (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/cybersecurity-outlook-2025/) : https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/cybersecurity-outlook-2025/

    IMF’s Gita Gopinath: What’s ahead for economic growth in 2025 (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/gita-gopinath-imf-economic-outlook/) : https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/gita-gopinath-imf-economic-outlook/

    Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts (http://wef.ch/podcasts) : 

    YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts) – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

    Radio Davos (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1504682164) : https://pod.link/1504682164

    Meet the Leader (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1534915560) : https://pod.link/15§ 34915560 (https://pod.link/1534915560)

    Agenda Dialogues (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1574956552) : https://pod.link/1574956552

    Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRG_lIMvGJ8

    MIL OSI Video –